Patent ID: 7347033
Filing Date: 2008-03-25
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
1. A method of packing pairs of groups of cigarettes in respective hinged-lid wallet packets, the method comprising the steps of feeding a blank ( 19 ; 19 a )—having a first portion ( 20 ) defining a body ( 2 ), and a second portion ( 21 ) defining a hinged lid ( 3 ) of a relative wallet packet ( 1 ; 1 a )—onto a packing path (P), so as to fold the blank ( 19 ; 19 a ) to define a first and a second adjacent receptacle ( 13 , 14 ) located successively along the packing path (P) and separated by a central rib ( 18 ) crosswise to the packing path (P), the second receptacle ( 14 ) being connected laterally to said second portion ( 21 ); feeding the blank ( 19 ; 19 a ) in a given travelling direction ( 38 ) along the packing path (P) and through a loading station ( 40 ) for loading said groups ( 16 ; 16 a , 16 b ) of cigarettes, by performing two successive stops to arrest said first and said second receptacle ( 13 , 14 ) successively at the loading station ( 40 ); feeding, at each stop, a relative group ( 16 ; 16 a , 16 b ) of cigarettes, having a relative collar ( 17 ; 17 a , 17 b ), into whichever of said first and said second receptacle ( 13 , 14 ) is currently arrested at the loading station ( 40 ); feeding the blank ( 19 ; 19 a ) and the relative groups ( 16 ; 16 a , 16 b ) of cigarettes, having relative collars ( 17 ; 17 a , 17 b ), in said given travelling direction ( 38 ) along the packing path (P) and through a turn-over station ( 42 ); turning said first or said second receptacle ( 13 , 14 ) over, at said turn-over station ( 42 ), onto the other about a vertex portion of said central rib ( 18 ), so as to grip the two groups ( 16 ; 16 a , 16 b ) of cigarettes between the superimposed said first and said second receptacle ( 13 , 14 ); and folding said second portion ( 21 ) about the superimposed said first and said second receptacle ( 13 , 14 ) to form the hinged lid ( 3 ).