Patent ID: 7563221

Claim:
A multipurpose packing machine for producing rigid packets of cigarettes and comprising: an input portion, which comprises at least a first packing module for forming groups of cigarettes, for wrapping sheets of packing material about the groups of cigarettes to form packed groups of cigarettes, and for wrapping at least inner blanks about the packed groups of cigarettes to form a succession of first packages about the packed groups of cigarettes and thus to produce a succession of first packets of cigarettes; and an output portion comprising at least a second packing module similar to the first packing module and for wrapping outer blanks about the first packages to form a succession of second packets of cigarettes, each having a second package housing at least one respective first packet of cigarettes; wherein in the output portion each outer blank is connected mechanically to the inner blank so that the second package is inseparable from the first packet of cigarettes; wherein said first and said second packing module each comprise a respective input wheel and a respective output wheel having a first and a second axis respectively; the input wheel and the output wheel rotating in steps about the respective first and second axis; and the machine comprising a number of feed lines for respective blanks; the first packing module comprising a first transfer station connecting the respective input wheel to the respective output wheel, and a first said feed line for feeding a succession of first said blanks at least partly defining respective first packages.