Patent Description:
It is known that a packet of smoking articles, for example cigarettes, cigars, or suchlike, is normally formed by a box-like body, having the shape of a parallelepiped, with an upper part of it that defines a lid, hinged on a creasing, or a folding line, made on a wall of the box-like body. The packet is usually made starting from a sheet of material, such as paperboard, cardboard, paper or similar materials, which is suitably cut, folded and shaped.

Furthermore, a printed element must be applied to each packet of smoking articles, at least in certain Countries, before being marketed, which can indicate that a tax and/or excise duty has been paid, and which substantially has the form of a stamp.

Normally, the stamp has to be positioned on the packet of smoking articles so that it can be torn off by the user when the packet is first opened, for example when the lid is opened for the first time and after an external cover, made of cellophane, has been removed. In order to achieve this, the stamp is usually attached on the packet straddling a wall of the box-like body and a part of the lid, so that when the lid is first opened, the stamp is torn and thus divided into two parts.

Furthermore, since the external surfaces of the front and rear walls are used to contain images and/or writings indicating the harmful effects of smoking, as required by current legal regulations, each stamp is glued to one of the two smaller lateral walls of the box-like body and, very often, also on an adjacent part of the lid.

In known apparatuses, in which these stamps are automatically attached on the respective packets, the latter are subjected to a series of processing steps which essentially provide a first transport step, in which the packets arriving from a packaging station, in which each packet is packaged with the smoking articles inside, are transported one adjacent to the other, without interruption, along one or more segments of a processing line; a subsequent step of distancing the packets, so that between each packet and the next and/or previous one there is a certain space, almost constant, such that the pitch of advance of the packets becomes, in any case, greater than the maximum size of each packet, that is, its length; and a subsequent attachment step in which each stamp is attached, or applied, on one or more lateral surfaces of a corresponding box-like body and corresponding lid of each packet.

In particular, an apparatus for automatically applying stamps on packets of smoking articles is known from <CIT>, in which the step of distancing the packets is divided into three sub-steps, which comprise: a first sub-step in which the packets that leave the packaging station adjacent to each other, with their smaller lateral walls touching each other, are distanced from each other while they are traveling along a horizontal and raised segment of the processing line; a second sub-step in which the already distanced packets are picked up by a rotatable carousel provided with specific rotation members, each of which is suitable to cooperate with one packet at a time in order to rotate it by <NUM>° and then transfer it to a second vertical segment, below, of the processing line with the lid facing upward; and a third sub-step in which the packets are transported along the vertical segment toward a station for applying the stamps, which comprises a rotating device.

One disadvantage of this known apparatus is that it is very complex and bulky, precisely because it requires the presence of adequate mechanical devices and members to carry out the three sub-steps as above; in particular it requires the presence of the rotatable carousel to transfer and orient the packets from the horizontal segment to the vertical segment of the processing line.

Therefore, these known solutions do not solve the problem of reducing the horizontal bulk and in any case require multiple processes to be carried out upstream of the vertical processing line, thus also increasing production times.

There is therefore a need to provide an apparatus and to perfect a method for applying stamps on packets of smoking articles that can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

In order to do this, it is necessary to solve the technical problem of being able to reduce the length of the processing line as much as possible between a station for packaging the packets of smoking articles and a zone for applying the stamps on the packets, also by distancing them and sequencing them in an appropriate manner, while maintaining a high productivity, for example in the order of <NUM>,<NUM> stamps applied per hour.

Therefore, one purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and to perfect a method for automatically applying stamps on packets of smoking articles, in which the step of distancing the packets, before the step of applying the stamps, occurs along a processing line which is very short and takes up as little space as possible.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for automatically applying stamps on packets of smoking articles which is very compact, that is, of reduced sizes, especially horizontally, compared to apparatuses known in the state of the art, and which at the same time is also versatile, that is, it allows to easily change the format and sizes of the stamps to be applied, without having to intervene on other parts of the processing line.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and to perfect a method for automatically applying stamps on packets of smoking articles which allows to reduce processing times, thus increasing productivity.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for automatically applying stamps on packets of smoking articles that can be easily integrated into production lines of known machines for packaging packets of smoking articles.

In accordance with the above purposes and in order to resolve the technical problem disclosed above in a new and original way, also achieving considerable advantages compared to the prior art, an apparatus according to the present invention for applying printed elements on packets of smoking articles comprises a first application unit configured to apply the printed elements on the packets, and movement means configured to transport the packets toward the first application unit disposed along a substantially vertical processing line.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the apparatus also comprises a feed transporter configured to feed the packets, in particular with accumulation, toward the movement means, wherein downstream of the first application unit there is disposed a rotating member configured to pick up, one at a time, the packets on which the printed elements have been applied and dispose them on a horizontal transporter. The movement means comprise a first transport unit disposed along the feed line and configured to transport the packets, disposed one in contact with the other, toward the first application unit along the processing line, and a second transport unit disposed downstream of, and in proximity to, the first transport unit and configured to distance the packets from each other according to a predefined pitch and in phase with the first application unit, before the packets arrive at the first application unit, wherein the second transport unit is aligned or parallel to the processing line and the first application unit is disposed in proximity to the second transport unit along the substantially vertical processing line, and wherein downstream of the first application unit there is disposed a rotating member configured to pick up, one at a time, the packets on which the printed elements have been applied and dispose them on a horizontal conveyor belt.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the apparatus also comprises diverter means configured to intermittently thrust the packets from the first transport unit toward the second transport unit, wherein the first transport unit is configured to make the packets advance in phase with the drive of the diverter means.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the second transport unit comprises thrust members which are in phase with the diverter means and which are configured to thrust the packets toward the first application unit at a second transport speed, greater than a first transport speed of the first transport unit.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the apparatus also comprises contrast means positioned between the first and the second transport unit and configured to interact with the packets, in such a way as to contact them, for example by means of a sliding contact, in the passage from the first to the second transport unit, in order to prevent the packets from falling due to gravity.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the first transport unit is configured to make the packets advance along a first advance plane and the second transport unit is configured to make the packets advance along a second advance plane, which is parallel and misaligned with respect to the first advance plane by a determinate distance.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the apparatus also comprises a guide member located downstream of the first transport unit and having an inclined surface which has the function of guiding the packets toward the second transport unit.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the apparatus also comprises a second application unit configured to apply respective additional printed elements on the packets, in a position thereof that is different to that in which the first application unit has already applied the printed elements.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the feed transporter comprises a horizontal segment and a curved segment which is disposed consecutively between the horizontal segment and the vertical processing line, so that the packets pass from the horizontal segment to the curved segment and, subsequently, to the first transport unit without any discontinuity.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for applying printed elements on packets of smoking articles by means of an apparatus which comprises a first application unit configured to apply the printed elements on the packets and movement means configured to transport the packets toward the first application unit.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the method comprises a transport step in which a feed transporter feeds the packets, in particular with accumulation, toward the movement means, which comprise a first transport unit disposed along a substantially vertical processing line, a step of applying the printed elements on the packets by means of the first application unit which is disposed along the processing line and an extraction step in which, after the application step, a rotating member picks up the packets, on which the printed elements have been applied, and disposes them, one at a time, on a horizontal transporter.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, after the transport step, in which the packets are transported by the first transport unit, there is provided a subsequent distancing step in which the packets are distanced from each other according to a predefined pitch and in phase with the first application unit before the packets arrive in correspondence with the first application unit, while they are made to advance by a second transport unit of the movement means along a path that is aligned, or parallel, to the processing line.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, in the distancing step, diverter means intermittently thrust the packets from the first transport unit toward the second transport unit.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the first transport unit makes the packets advance in phase with the drive of the diverter means.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, during the distancing step, immediately after the diverter means have thrust the packets toward the second unit, thrust members thrust the packets toward the first application unit at a second transport speed, higher than a first transport speed of the first transport unit.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an additional step of applying respective additional printed elements on the packets, by means of a second application unit, in a position of such packets that is different from the one in which the first application unit has already applied the printed elements in the application step described above.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the feed transporter comprises a horizontal segment and a curved segment which is disposed consecutively between the horizontal segment and the vertical processing line, wherein the packets are transported with accumulation along the curved segment, and they pass from the horizontal segment to the curved segment and, subsequently, to the first transport unit without any discontinuity.

We must clarify that in the present description and in the claims the phraseology and terminology used, such as for example the terms horizontal, vertical, front, rear, upper, lower, internal and external, with their declinations, have the sole function of better illustrating the present invention with reference to the attached drawings and must not be in any way used to limit the scope of the invention itself, or the field of protection defined by the attached claims.

Furthermore, the persons of skill in the art will recognize that certain sizes or characteristics in the drawings may have been enlarged, deformed, or shown in an unconventional or non-proportional way in order to provide a version of the present invention that is easier to understand. When sizes and/or values are specified in the present description, the sizes and/or values are provided for illustrative purposes only and must not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention, unless such sizes and/or values are present in the attached claims.

Before describing an embodiment of the present invention, we must also clarify that it must not be considered as limited in its application to details of the construction and disposition of the components as described in the present description using the attached drawings. In fact, the present invention can take the form of other embodiments and can be obtained or executed in various other equivalent ways.

With reference to <FIG>, an apparatus <NUM> according to the present invention is able to be used to automatically apply printed elements <NUM> on packets <NUM> of smoking articles. In particular, the printed element <NUM> (<FIG>), can be a stamp, for example a government stamp, a label, or a stamped value indicating that a tax and/or excise duty has been paid, and it can have different sizes, in any case correlated to those of a packet of smoking articles. In the rest of the present description, the term stamp must be understood as a synonym for the term printed element.

Before describing the apparatus <NUM> in detail, in order to make the present invention easier to understand, we will now schematically describe, by way of a non-limiting example, a packet <NUM> of smoking articles (<FIG>).

The packet <NUM> comprises a box-like body <NUM> with a parallelepiped shape, generally made starting from a sheet of cardboard or paper, and having a determinate length L1, for example comprised between about <NUM> and about <NUM>, a determinate width L2, for example comprised between about <NUM> and about <NUM>, and a determinate thickness S, for example comprised between about <NUM> and about <NUM>.

The box-like body <NUM> is provided with an upper access aperture that can be selectively closed by a closing lid <NUM>, which is hinged to the rest of the box-like body <NUM> by means of a creasing <NUM> and is able to be inclined with respect to the latter. More in detail, the box-like body <NUM> comprises a front wall <NUM>, a rear wall <NUM> parallel and opposite to the front one, a pair of lateral walls <NUM> and <NUM> symmetrical to each other, a lower wall <NUM> and an upper wall <NUM> of the closing lid <NUM>.

Furthermore, on the packet <NUM>, in correspondence with a separation zone between the box-like body <NUM> and the closing lid <NUM>, there is applied a stamp <NUM>, usually rectangular in shape, which is positioned in such a way that it is torn off by the user when the packet <NUM> is first opened, after an external cellophane cover that also covers the stamp <NUM> has been removed from the packet <NUM>.

According to current regulations, the stamp <NUM> is applied straddling two consecutive adjacent and transverse walls of the packet <NUM>, and in particular, in accordance with a first mode of application, in such a way as to occupy both a portion of one of the two lateral walls <NUM> and <NUM>, and also a portion of the upper wall <NUM> (<FIG>).

In accordance with a second mode of application, the stamp <NUM> can be applied exclusively on one of the two lateral walls <NUM> and <NUM> (<FIG>), but in any case in such a way as to affect both a part of the box-like body and also a part of the closing lid <NUM> of the packet <NUM>.

The apparatus <NUM> is configured to be disposed in a packaging machine, not shown in the drawings, which comprises, among other things, a station for packaging the packets <NUM> of smoking articles, which can be of any known type whatsoever, or one which will be developed in the future, and which is not part of the present invention.

The apparatus <NUM> (<FIG>) comprises a fixed base <NUM> that has a support plate <NUM>, which defines a substantially vertical work plane P1 and on which there are mounted a first application unit <NUM> configured to apply the stamps <NUM>, and a movement unit <NUM> configured to transport, along a processing line Y, which is also substantially vertical, the packets <NUM> coming from the aforementioned packaging station, which is disposed upstream of the movement unit <NUM>, toward the first application unit <NUM> and from the latter toward an exit zone <NUM>.

In the embodiment described here, the first application unit <NUM> for applying the stamps <NUM> is disposed transversely to the work plane P1 and it is aligned with the processing line Y.

The packets <NUM>, when they reach the movement unit <NUM> from above (<FIG>), are disposed one in contact with the other, without a break in continuity, with the closing lid <NUM> oriented downward, their front <NUM> and rear walls <NUM> parallel to the processing line Y and, in particular, in such a way that the lateral wall <NUM> rests against the support plate <NUM> and the lateral wall <NUM> faces toward the first application unit <NUM> for applying the stamps <NUM>.

The movement unit <NUM> essentially comprises a first transport unit <NUM> and a second transport unit <NUM>, which are disposed along, or parallel to, the processing line Y, respectively one above and the other below, with a separation space between them.

Some embodiments of the present invention provide that the two transport units <NUM> and <NUM> are exactly aligned along the processing line Y, while other embodiments, including the one shown here, provide that the second transport unit <NUM> is misaligned by a determinate distance D (figs. from 6A to 6C), of the order of a few millimeters, for example indicatively of a value comprised between <NUM> and <NUM> millimeters, with respect to the first transport unit <NUM>.

The first transport unit <NUM> comprises two conveyor belts <NUM> and <NUM> opposite each other and disposed vertically along the processing line Y, orthogonal to the work plane P1. The two conveyor belts <NUM> and <NUM> are disposed at a reciprocal distance such as to allow them to contact the front <NUM> and rear walls <NUM> of the packets <NUM> in order to give them a first transport speed V1. In particular, the conveyor belt <NUM> is positioned in such a way that an operating part thereof, configured to contact the packets <NUM>, lies on a first advance plane P2', orthogonal to the work plane P1 and passing through the processing line Y. The two conveyor belts <NUM>, <NUM> are driven by a first electric motor <NUM> and by a second electric motor <NUM>, respectively, which are mounted on the support plate <NUM> and controlled by an electronic control unit <NUM> (<FIG>).

As an indication, with a packet <NUM> of <NUM> in length, for a productivity of the order of <NUM> stamps <NUM> applied on the packets <NUM> per minute, the first transport speed V1 is of the order of about <NUM>/s.

The first transport unit <NUM> has the function of "launching" each packet <NUM> toward the underlying second transport unit <NUM> at the first transport speed V1. Furthermore, the pitch of the packets <NUM> along the first transport unit <NUM> is equal to their length L1.

The second transport unit <NUM> has the function of distancing the packets <NUM> from each other by a predeterminate value G, for example of the order of a few millimeters, so that the pitch between two consecutive packets <NUM> changes from L1 to a constant pitch PC. As will be explained in detail below, the constant pitch PC of each packet is equal to the pitch of the first application unit <NUM> that applies the stamps <NUM>.

The second transport unit <NUM> comprises a pair of transport belts <NUM> and <NUM> identical to each other and each provided with horizontally aligned blocks <NUM>. The distance between two contiguous blocks <NUM> along a same transport belt <NUM> or <NUM> is equal to the constant pitch PC.

The transport belts <NUM> and <NUM> are driven in rotation by a driving pulley <NUM> connected to a third electric motor <NUM>, which is also mounted on the support plate <NUM> and is controlled by the electronic control unit <NUM>. Furthermore, each of the two transport belts <NUM> and <NUM> is guided at the lower part by a driven pulley <NUM>, respectively <NUM>, which is mounted freely rotatable on corresponding arms of an inverted U-shaped support lever <NUM> attached to the support plate <NUM>, so that between the two driven pulleys <NUM> and <NUM> there is an empty space in which gripping elements <NUM> of a rotating member <NUM>, which will be described in detail below, can be inserted with clearance.

The two transport belts <NUM> and <NUM> have an operating part thereof stretched between the driving pulley <NUM> and the driven pulleys <NUM>, <NUM>, which lies on a second advance plane P2" (figs. from 6A to 6C) which is orthogonal to the work plane P1 and parallel to the first advance plane P2'. In particular, the second advance plane P2" is distanced from the first advance plane P2' by the distance D, which is slightly larger than the height of the blocks <NUM>, understood in an orthogonal direction to the external surface of each of the two transport belts <NUM> and <NUM>.

The second transport unit <NUM> also comprises a guide element <NUM> attached on the support plate <NUM>, disposed parallel to the processing line Y and opposite the two transport belts <NUM> and <NUM>. The distance of the guide element <NUM> from the two transport belts <NUM> and <NUM>, that is, from the second advance plane P2", is equal to the thickness S of the packets <NUM>. In this way, the packets <NUM> do not fall freely downward due to the force of gravity, but they are transported by the two transport belts <NUM> and <NUM> toward the first application unit <NUM> in a controlled manner and at a determinate second transport speed V2, greater than the first transport speed V1. In particular, each packet <NUM> is transported thanks to the thrust it receives from a corresponding pair of blocks <NUM>, advancing in contrast to the frictional forces that are generated between the external surfaces of the packets <NUM> and the surface of the guide element <NUM> on one side, and of the two transport belts <NUM> and <NUM> on the other side. The ratio between the two transport speeds V1 and V2 is given by the following formula V2:V1=PC:L1.

At its upper end the guide element <NUM> is provided with an inclined surface <NUM>, configured to interact with the upper wall <NUM> of each packet <NUM>, so as to direct, or guide, the latter toward the two transport belts <NUM> and <NUM> and then toward the second advance plane P2".

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, between the two transport units <NUM> and <NUM> there are contrast means <NUM>, in particular at least one contrast element (<FIG> and <FIG>, in the latter with a dashed line) which is operatively associated with the support plate <NUM> and configured to interact with the packets <NUM> in the passage between the first transport unit <NUM> and the second transport unit <NUM>.

In a preferred embodiment, the support plate <NUM> is fixed, while the contrast means <NUM> are mounted on suitable elastic means, for example helical springs or suchlike, which tend to keep it pressed against the packets <NUM>.

In particular, the support plate <NUM> and the contrast means <NUM> substantially define a pair of contrast walls for the packets <NUM>, respectively one fixed and one cushioned, which at exit from the first transport unit <NUM> contact, for example by sliding, each packet <NUM> in transit in order to prevent the latter from falling uncontrollably due to gravity. Specifically, during the descent of the packets <NUM> along the processing line Y, the support plate <NUM> and the contrast means <NUM> contact a respective lateral wall <NUM>, <NUM> of each packet <NUM>.

Furthermore, between the two transport units <NUM> and <NUM> there are also diverter means <NUM> configured to intermittently thrust the upward facing part of each packet <NUM>, which in the example provided here corresponds to the zone near the lower wall <NUM>, toward the two transport belts <NUM> and <NUM>.

In the embodiment described here, the diverter means <NUM> are configured as a thrust member which comprises a cam <NUM> mounted rotatable on the support plate <NUM> and connected to a fourth electric motor <NUM>, which is also controlled by the electronic control unit <NUM>.

The cam <NUM> has an angular rotation speed correlated to the first transport speed V1, therefore in phase with the first transport unit <NUM>, so as to cyclically hit, with each of its turns, each packet <NUM>, which arrives from the first transport unit <NUM>, in synchrony with the cyclic arrival of a pair of blocks <NUM> of the two transport belts <NUM> and <NUM>, so that the lower wall <NUM> of the packet <NUM> goes exactly underneath the blocks <NUM>.

Therefore, the combined action of the diverter means <NUM> and of the second transport speed V2 of the transport belts <NUM>, <NUM> distances, that is, singularizes, the packets <NUM> before they arrive in correspondence with the first application unit <NUM> for applying the stamps <NUM>.

We must clarify that the shape of the cam <NUM> is such that, when a packet <NUM> is thrust against the belts <NUM> and <NUM>, the packet that is immediately above the latter goes to rest on the profile of the cam <NUM>, which prevents its uncontrolled fall.

The first application unit <NUM> for applying the stamps <NUM> (<FIG>) is substantially of a known type and essentially comprises a hopper <NUM> to contain a plurality of stamps <NUM>, a pick-up device <NUM> configured to pick up one stamp <NUM> at a time from the hopper <NUM> and transfer it on an application device <NUM>, configured to apply each stamp <NUM> on the corresponding packet <NUM>. The application device <NUM> (<FIG>) comprises a rotating drum <NUM> which rotates about an axis of rotation X of its own, orthogonal to the processing line Y, and which is connected to a fifth electric motor <NUM>, also controlled by the electronic control unit <NUM>. The rotating drum <NUM> is divided into a plurality of circular sectors, which are six in the example given here, on each of which a stamp <NUM>, picked up by the pick-up device <NUM>, can be temporarily positioned and kept adherent to the surface of the corresponding circular sector, for example by means of suction means <NUM>.

In particular, each stamp <NUM> is positioned on the peripheral surface of the rotating drum <NUM>, so that the rear surface of the stamp <NUM>, that is, the one which will then be glued to a packet <NUM>, faces outward, so that subsequently the latter can be covered with glue, or other adhesive material.

The peripheral surface of the rotating drum <NUM> is tangent to an application plane P3 (<FIG>, <FIG>), which is parallel to the work plane P1 and distant from the latter by a value which is equal to the width L2 of a packet <NUM>.

The angular pitch of the stamps <NUM> on the peripheral surface of the rotating drum <NUM> is equal to the constant pitch PC of the packets <NUM> which are located in the second transport unit <NUM>, and the peripheral speed VP of the rotating drum <NUM> is equal to the second transport speed V2.

For a correct application of the stamps <NUM> it is crucial that there is a correct timing between the rotation of the drum <NUM> and the transport of the packets <NUM> toward the first application unit <NUM>. This timing is performed by the first transport unit <NUM>, as a function of the selected mode of application of the stamps <NUM> (first mode represented in <FIG> or second mode represented in <FIG>), under the control of the electronic control unit <NUM>, which suitably drives the electric motors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>.

The first application unit <NUM> also comprises a cutting member <NUM> (<FIG>) configured to suitably cut each stamp <NUM> and a spreading device <NUM> configured to spread a layer of glue, or other adhesive material, on the rear exposed surface of each stamp <NUM>, before the latter is applied on a corresponding packet <NUM>.

The first application unit <NUM> also comprises a first and a second stabilizing member <NUM> and <NUM> (<FIG> and from 8A to 8C), disposed tangent to the application plane P3, respectively just before and just after the zone in which the application device <NUM> applies the stamps <NUM>. The first and second stabilizing members <NUM> and <NUM> have the function of stabilizing each packet <NUM> before, during and after the application of each stamp <NUM>, thus guaranteeing a precise positioning thereof, and, by cooperating with the guide element <NUM> and the support plate <NUM>, of preventing each packet <NUM> from falling uncontrollably by gravity.

Below the second stabilizing member <NUM> there is disposed a folding device <NUM> (<FIG> and from 8A to 8C) configured both to fold a part of each stamp <NUM> if it were to protrude downward from the lateral wall <NUM> of the packet <NUM> on which the same stamp <NUM> has been applied, and also to perform a controlled pressing of the stamp <NUM> on the upper wall <NUM> of the lid <NUM> of the same packet <NUM>.

The folding device <NUM> comprises a sixth electric motor <NUM>, also controlled by the electronic control unit <NUM>, to the shaft of which there is fixed a lever <NUM> on a free end of which there is pivoted an idle folding roller <NUM> (figs. from 8A to 8C).

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the rotating member <NUM> (<FIG>) is disposed in correspondence with the exit zone <NUM> of the movement unit <NUM> and has the function of picking up, one at a time, the packets <NUM> on which the stamps <NUM> have been applied in order to dispose them on a horizontal transporter <NUM>, for example a belt or a strip, which is configured to transport the packets <NUM>, by means of suitable thrust members, for example blocks, toward another processing zone which is not shown in the drawings.

In particular, the rotating member <NUM> is rotatable about an axis of rotation Z, perpendicular both to the axis of rotation X of the rotating drum <NUM> and also to the vertical processing line Y, and is provided with a plurality of gripping elements <NUM>, for example six, which are disposed substantially in a radial pattern and are each provided with suction means <NUM> of a known type.

A seventh electric motor, not shown in the drawings, is associated with the rotating member <NUM>, also controlled by the electronic control unit <NUM>, which makes it rotate in phase with the advance of the packets <NUM> at exit from the movement unit <NUM>.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, shown in <FIG>, the gripping elements <NUM> of the rotating member <NUM> are mounted on rotatable supports <NUM>, which have the function of making each gripping element <NUM> rotate about an axis of rotation R of its own, disposed radially with respect to the axis of rotation Z, in order to orient the packets <NUM> according to specific processing needs.

In the example provided here, each packet <NUM>, during transport from the exit zone <NUM> of the movement unit <NUM> to the transporter <NUM>, is oriented by the gripping elements <NUM> so as to be disposed on the transporter <NUM> rotated clockwise by <NUM>°, as indicated by the arrow F, with respect to the condition shown in <FIG>. In this rotated condition, each packet <NUM> lies with its rear wall <NUM> on the conveyor belt <NUM> and with the upper wall <NUM> of the lid <NUM> frontally exposed to view.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, shown in <FIG>, the apparatus <NUM> also comprises a feed transporter <NUM> disposed upstream of the movement unit <NUM> and configured to feed the packets <NUM> with accumulation, that is, one in contact with the other, toward the movement unit <NUM>, as will be explained in detail below.

The feed transporter <NUM> comprises a horizontal segment 58a along which a feed belt <NUM> extends, and a curved segment 58b which is interposed between the horizontal segment 58a and the processing line Y in order to lead the packets <NUM> from the feed belt <NUM> to the first transport unit <NUM>.

This configuration is advantageous because it allows to accumulate the packets <NUM> one in contact with the other along the vertical processing line Y without needing to provide another rotating member, which for example can be structurally and functionally similar to the rotating member <NUM>, which is instead required in some solutions known in the state of the art. Thanks to the presence of the curved segment 58b disposed consecutively after the horizontal segment 58a and before the vertical processing line Y, the packets <NUM> can reach the first transport unit <NUM> with accumulation, with a feed transporter <NUM> that has a structure which, although simple, does not have overall dimensions larger than those of the solutions known in the state of the art.

In particular, the feed belt <NUM> is configured to make the packets <NUM> advance with a third transport speed V3, higher than the first transport speed V1, so that when each packet <NUM> reaches the first transport unit <NUM> it is forced to slow down. In this way, regardless of the distancing that the packets <NUM> have along the horizontal segment 58a, along the curved segment 58b each packet <NUM> abuts on the next one, thus creating an accumulation of packets <NUM> upstream of the first transport unit <NUM>.

The packets <NUM> can be fed to the feed transporter <NUM> by means of any suitable feed member or device whatsoever, for example a hopper or similar device, not shown in the drawings.

It is understood that the feed transporter <NUM> like the one described above can also be provided in many other embodiments, for example in the embodiment of the apparatus <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG>.

Furthermore, as shown in <FIG>, downstream of the rotating member <NUM> and above the transporter <NUM>, there is also a second application unit <NUM> for applying the stamps <NUM> which, for example, can comprise the same members, devices or operating means of the first application unit <NUM> and which for this reason will not be described again in detail. In one variant of the embodiment of <FIG>, the second application unit <NUM> can also be provided in this embodiment downstream of the rotating member <NUM> and above the conveyor belt <NUM>.

The second application unit <NUM> is configured to apply a respective additional stamp <NUM> in a position of the packet <NUM> that is different from that in which the first application unit <NUM> applies each stamp <NUM>.

In fact, while the first application unit <NUM> applies each stamp <NUM> on the lateral wall <NUM>, and possibly on a part of the upper wall <NUM> of the lid <NUM>, the second application unit <NUM> applies each stamp <NUM> on the front wall <NUM>, or alternatively on the rear wall <NUM>, and possibly also on one of the lateral walls <NUM> and/or <NUM> of the packet <NUM>. Also in this case, by way of a non-limiting example, each stamp <NUM> can be applied to the packet <NUM> in correspondence with the separation zone between the box-like body <NUM> and the closing lid <NUM>.

Furthermore, the application of the additional stamp <NUM> with the second application unit <NUM> can also be performed in combination with that previously performed with the first application unit <NUM> and, advantageously, by exploiting the possible rotation of the packet <NUM> by means of the rotatable supports <NUM> of the gripping elements <NUM> of the rotating member <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>).

This makes the apparatus <NUM> extremely versatile, while remaining very compact, in particular in its overall dimensions in plan, compared to the solutions of the state of the art. In fact, even if the apparatus <NUM> comprises two application units <NUM>, <NUM>, it is much more compact than known solutions comprising two stamp application units.

We must clarify that the electronic control unit <NUM> can also be configured to control the motors that drive the feed transporter <NUM>, the feed belt <NUM>, the transporter <NUM> and the second application unit <NUM>.

The operation of the apparatus <NUM> described heretofore, which corresponds to the method according to the present invention, comprises the following steps.

Initially, the electronic control unit <NUM> is set so as to perform one of the possible modes of application of the stamps <NUM> by means of the first application unit <NUM>.

Let us assume that the first mode of application of the stamps <NUM> is selected, that is, with each stamp <NUM> also applied on a portion of the upper wall <NUM> of the closing lid <NUM> (<FIG>).

The electronic control unit <NUM> commands the simultaneous drive of the electric motors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and of the seventh electric motor as above.

Consequently, the first transport unit <NUM> (<FIG>) performs a first transport step in which the packets <NUM> are transported, one in contact with the other, without a break in continuity, along the vertical processing line Y with a first transport speed V1 given to them by the conveyor belts <NUM> and <NUM>, which are driven by the electric motors <NUM> and <NUM>.

During the first transport step, the electronic control unit <NUM> also provides to phase the advance of the packets <NUM> with the rotation of the rotating drum <NUM>.

In a subsequent distancing step (figs. from 6A to 6C), the packets <NUM> at exit from the first transport unit <NUM> are distanced from each other and taken to the constant pitch PC under the control of the electronic control unit <NUM> which, through the third electric motor <NUM> and the transport belts <NUM> and <NUM>, gives the same packets <NUM> the second transport speed V2. In addition, the electronic control unit <NUM> also commands the cam <NUM> through the fourth electric motor <NUM>.

In this distancing step the packets <NUM>, launched from the first transport unit <NUM> toward the second transport unit <NUM>, are initially slowed down, or held, through the action of the contrast means <NUM>, which cooperate with the support plate <NUM> in order to prevent the uncontrolled fall of the packets <NUM> due to gravity. Thereafter, each packet <NUM> goes with one of its edges against the inclined surface <NUM> of the guide element <NUM>, which takes them toward the two transport belts <NUM> and <NUM>. Immediately afterward, the cam <NUM>, rotating clockwise, strikes the upward facing part of the packet <NUM> in a controlled manner, thus detaching the packet <NUM> from the stack of packets <NUM> above it and making it adhere to the transport belts <NUM> and <NUM> in synchrony with the cyclic arrival of a pair of blocks <NUM> of the transport belts <NUM> and <NUM>. In this way, the lower wall <NUM> of the packet <NUM> is contacted by the blocks <NUM> and the same packet <NUM> is transported toward the first application unit <NUM> for applying the stamps <NUM>.

Simultaneously with the first transport step and the distancing step, under the control of the electronic control unit <NUM>, the first application unit <NUM> for applying the stamps <NUM> starts a step preparing the stamps <NUM>.

In this preparation step, the stamps <NUM> fed by the hopper <NUM> are extracted one at a time by the pick-up device <NUM>, which transfers them to the application device <NUM>; the latter, driven by the fifth electric motor <NUM>, transports each stamp <NUM> first under the cutting member <NUM>, which performs a cut on each stamp <NUM> so that the latter assumes the desired size, and then under a spreading device <NUM>, which spreads a layer of glue, or other adhesive material, on the rear surface of each stamp <NUM>.

Subsequently, in an application step, each stamp <NUM>, transported by the application device <NUM>, intercepts a corresponding packet <NUM>, transported by the transport belts <NUM> and <NUM>, in a position that is tangent to the application plane P3, and remains glued to the lateral surface <NUM> of the same packet <NUM>, separating from the application device <NUM>, because in that same instant the suction by the suction means <NUM> ceases. In particular, in the first application mode (<FIG>), each stamp <NUM> intercepts a corresponding edge of a packet <NUM> (<FIG>) a few millimeters after having passed with its initial edge from the tangent position mentioned above to the application plane P3.

Subsequently, in a second transport step, the transport belts <NUM> and <NUM> transport the packet <NUM> with the stamp <NUM> just applied toward the folding device <NUM> (figs. from 8A to 8C), which performs a fold and possibly a pressing of each stamp <NUM> on the upper wall <NUM> of the packet.

We wish to point out that both before the application of the stamp <NUM> and also before its possible folding, each packet <NUM> is stabilized and/or held respectively by the first stabilizing member <NUM> and by the second stabilizing member <NUM>.

In a subsequent extraction step, the packet <NUM> is transported toward the exit zone <NUM>, where the rotating member <NUM>, by means of the gripping elements <NUM>, picks up each packet <NUM> and places it on the transporter <NUM>.

If, on the other hand, the second mode of application of the stamps <NUM> is selected (<FIG>), that is, with each stamp <NUM> applied only on a lateral wall <NUM> of the box-like body <NUM> and on a lateral portion of the closing lid <NUM> compared to the first mode described above, the electronic control unit <NUM> is set so as to suitably adjust the timing between the rotation of the drum <NUM> and the transport of the packets <NUM> toward the first application unit <NUM>, in such a way that each stamp <NUM> intercepts a corresponding packet <NUM> with its initial edge only after an edge of the packet <NUM> has already gone beyond the position that is tangent to the application plane P3 by a few millimeters (<FIG>).

In accordance with the other embodiments of the present invention described above, the electronic control unit <NUM> commands the drive of the feed transporter <NUM>, the feed belt <NUM>, the transporter <NUM> and the second application unit <NUM>.

In these embodiments, the method provides that in the first transport step the electronic control unit <NUM> controls the feed transporter <NUM> in order to take the packets <NUM>, with accumulation, to the substantially vertical processing line Y, that is, toward the first transport unit <NUM>, transiting through the curved segment 58b.

The step of distancing the packets <NUM>, the preparation and application of the stamps <NUM> by means of the first application unit <NUM> according to the different modes of application, and the second transport step occur as described above.

In the extraction step, each gripping element <NUM> of the rotating member <NUM> picks up a corresponding packet <NUM> in correspondence with the exit zone <NUM> of the movement unit <NUM>, then each rotatable support <NUM> can, if necessary, be driven in order to make the corresponding packet <NUM> rotate according to specific processing requirements. Then, each packet <NUM> is placed on the conveyor belt <NUM> in a rotated condition.

Subsequently, a third transport step is provided in which the transporter <NUM> transports the packets <NUM>, rotated and correctly distanced, to the second unit <NUM> for applying the stamps <NUM>. We must clarify that the packets <NUM> are transported in phase with the second application unit <NUM>.

Simultaneously with the third transport step, under the control of the electronic control unit <NUM>, the second unit <NUM> for applying the stamps <NUM> starts an additional step of applying the stamps <NUM>, which occurs according to the operating modes described above.

Following this step, similarly to what has already been described in the previous application step, each stamp <NUM> is applied on a respective packet <NUM>. In this case, however, the stamp <NUM> is applied on the front wall <NUM>, or alternatively on the rear wall <NUM> of the packet <NUM>.

Possibly, in accordance with another application mode, it is possible to provide that the stamp <NUM> is also applied, as well as on the front wall <NUM> or rear wall <NUM>, on one of the two lateral walls <NUM> and <NUM>.

The apparatus <NUM> has the advantage that it allows to change the format, or type, of stamps <NUM> in a simple and quick way, without having to modify its configuration or perform additional work, which would be complex and expensive.

Furthermore, thanks to the possible presence of a second application unit <NUM>, it is possible, with a single apparatus <NUM>, to apply the stamps <NUM> in several zones of the packet <NUM>, without having to perform complicated operations, or additional work or set-ups.

In particular, another advantage of the apparatus <NUM> is that it is very compact and has a size in height which is approximately ten times the length L1 of a packet <NUM>, with overall dimensions in plan (in a horizontal direction) much smaller than the solutions known in the state of the art.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts or steps may be made to the apparatus <NUM> and to the method as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention, as defined by the claims.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of apparatuses and methods for automatically applying stamps on packets of smoking articles, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

Claim 1:
Apparatus (<NUM>) for applying printed elements (<NUM>) on packets (<NUM>) of smoking articles, comprising a first application unit (<NUM>) configured to apply said printed elements (<NUM>) on said packets (<NUM>), movement means (<NUM>) configured to transport said packets (<NUM>) toward said first application unit (<NUM>) which is disposed along a substantially vertical processing line (Y), and a feed transporter (<NUM>) configured to feed said packets (<NUM>) toward said movement means (<NUM>), wherein said movement means (<NUM>) comprise a first transport unit (<NUM>) disposed along said processing line (Y), and wherein downstream of said first application unit (<NUM>) there is disposed a rotating member (<NUM>) configured to pick up, one at a time, said packets (<NUM>) on which said printed elements (<NUM>) have been applied and dispose them on a horizontal transporter (<NUM>), characterized in that said first transport unit (<NUM>) is configured to transport said packets (<NUM>), disposed one in contact with the other, toward said first application unit (<NUM>), and in that it also comprises a second transport unit (<NUM>) located downstream of, and in proximity to, said first transport unit (<NUM>) and configured to distance said packets (<NUM>) from each other according to a predefined pitch and in phase with said first application unit (<NUM>), before said packets (<NUM>) arrive at said first application unit (<NUM>), said second transport unit (<NUM>) being aligned with, or parallel to, said processing line (Y).