Patent ID: 6603135
Filing Date: 2003-08-05
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
A method of detecting the position of stacks of blanks for supply to a cigarette packing machine; each said stack (2) having a respective base (3b) resting on a plane (6) and having a lateral edge (25; 26; 27), which has two singular points (22) and is freely accessible; and the method comprising the step of moving a sensor (19) along a line (23; 24) parallel to said plane (6), facing said singular points (22), and extending alongside said stacks (2) in a given direction to determine the position and orientation of each said base (3b) with respect to said line (23; 24) by determining a contour of said lateral edge (25; 26; 27) of at least one given blank (3a), in each said stack (2), located close to the relative said base (3b); the position and orientation of each said base (3b) being calculated by determining the distances of said two singular points (22) from said line (23; 24).