Patent ID: 6968667

Claim:
A method of packing cigarettes in packets ( 7 ) having two major lateral walls ( 9 , 10 ); and two minor lateral walls ( 11 ), each defined by an inner longitudinal tab ( 14 ) and an outer longitudinal tab ( 15 ) superimposed and integral with each other; the method comprising the steps of feeding said packets ( 7 ) successively along a folding path (P) extending through a folding station ( 23 ), each packet ( 7 ) being fed along the folding path (P) by a relative gripping head ( 6 ) for retaining the relative packet ( 7 ) by the ends and with the outer longitudinal tabs ( 15 ) of the packet in an open position, detached from the respective inner longitudinal tabs ( 14 ), and supported, in said open position, by respective folding wings ( 21 ) carried by the gripping head ( 6 ); and moving said folding wings ( 21 ) of each gripping head ( 6 ), at said folding station ( 23 ), to fold each outer longitudinal tab ( 15 ) into a closed position contacting the relative inner longitudinal tab ( 14 ); and being characterized by comprising the further step of bringing and keeping an external contrast member ( 32 ; 49 ) into/in contact with a substantially free said major lateral wall ( 10 ), facing outwards with respect to the relative said gripping head ( 6 ), of each packet ( 7 ) during at least part of the time the packet ( 7 ) travels through said folding station ( 23 ).