Patent ID: 7712286
Filing Date: 2010-05-11
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
1. A machine for packing cylindrical articles of the tobacco industry, the machine comprising: a group-forming device for forming a group of cylindrical articles; the group-forming device in turn comprising a substantially vertical hopper containing a mass of cylindrical articles fed downwards, in use, to a transfer station, a conveyor for feeding the group of cylindrical articles from the transfer station along a path in a given direction, and a transfer device located at the transfer station and for transferring the cylindrical articles from the hopper to the conveyor; the conveyor comprising at least one pocket for housing the group of cylindrical articles; the transfer device comprising at least one push member to push a first and at least a second subgroup of cylindrical articles, crosswise to the given direction, into the pocket at a first and second insertion station respectively, the second insertion station downstream from the first insertion station; the pocket comprises first inner lateral surfaces crosswise to the given direction and so shaped that the group of cylindrical articles assumes a substantially triangular shape inside the pocket; the transfer device comprising a first insertion channel located at the first insertion station between the hopper and the conveyor, and at least a second insertion channel located at the second insertion station between the hopper and the conveyor; the first and the second insertion channel each having a cavity tapering towards the conveyor, so that the cylindrical articles in the first and second subgroup, respectively, are brought closer together and/or compressed as they travel towards the pocket; and the first and the second insertion channels be so positioned that the second subgroup is inserted into the pocket on top of the first subgroup to define the group of cylindrical articles assuming the substantially triangular shape inside the pocket.