Patent ID: 6092642
Filing Date: 2000-07-25
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
A method of forming groups of cigarettes, each group comprising at least one layer of cigarettes arranged side by side, wherein the method comprises a step of continuously feeding said layer at a given speed and by means of a transfer device comprising a carrier and a conveying seat movable on the carrier for transporting the conveying seat along a given annular first path (P2) extending through a supply station where the layer is fed into the conveying seat, and through an unloading station, the first path (P2) being substantially tangent to a second path (P1) at the unloading station, with the conveying seat being oriented from an initial position on the carrier to a second position at least at the unloading station; a step of continuously feeding a forming pocket along the second path (P1) and through said unloading station in time with said conveying seat; a transfer step whereby said layer is transferred from the conveying seat to the forming pocket at said unloading station; and an orienting step whereby said conveying seat is oriented with respect to said carrier as a function of the relative position of the conveying seat and the forming pocket at least at said unloading station.