Packing Machine and Packing Method for Producing an Inner Container by Folding an Inner Blank about a Wrapped Group of Tobacco Articles

摘要

Packing machine and packing method for producing an inner container by folding an inner blank about a wrapped group of tobacco articles; the inner blank is fed along a packing path by way of a packing conveyor and through a work station wherein a folding device is arranged, provided with two twin folding bodies that are moved along a work direction perpendicular to the packing path for folding portions of the inner blank; each folding body has a top member, an intermediate member, and a bottom member which are arranged in different positions along the work direction to perform in succession respective folds of the inner blank while the folding body moves with a continuous motion along the work direction.

主权项

1. A packing machine (34) for producing an inner container (3) by folding an inner blank (24) about a wrapped group (2) of tobacco articles;
wherein the inner container (3) comprises a lid (6); wherein the inner blank (24) has at least two longitudinal fold lines (26) and a number of transverse fold lines (27) which define, between the two longitudinal fold lines (26), at least one first panel (9′) forming a front wall (9) of the inner container (3); a second panel (8′) forming a bottom wall (8) of the inner container (3); a third panel (10′) forming a rear wall (10) of the inner container (3); a fourth panel (13′) forming a rear wall (13) of the lid (6); and a fifth panel (12′) forming a top wall (12) of the lid (6); wherein the fourth panel (13′) has two wings (14′) which form respective lateral walls (14) of the lid (6), are arranged on opposite sides of the fourth panel (13′), and are connected to the fourth panel (13′) by the longitudinal fold lines (26); and wherein each wing (14′) has a tab (29) which is connected to the wing (14′) by a transverse fold line (27); the packing machine (34) comprises: a packing conveyor (41) which is provided with a packing pocket (42) and feeds the inner blank (24) along a packing path (P1) and through a first work station (S14); and a first folding device (48) which is arranged at the first work station (S14) to fold portions of the inner blank (24); the packing machine (34) is characterized in that: the first folding device (48) comprises two twin folding bodies (49) which are arranged on opposite sides of the inner blank (24) and are movable in a work direction (D1) perpendicular to the packing path (P1) to fold portions of the inner blank (24); and the two folding bodies (49) successively fold the tabs (29) by 90°, with respect to the wings (14′) and about a corresponding transverse fold line (27), then fold the wings (14′) by 90°, with respect to fourth panel (13′) and about corresponding longitudinal fold lines (26), and then fold the fifth panel (12′) by 90°, with respect to the fourth panel (13′) and about a corresponding transverse fold line (27), onto the tabs (29), while the folding bodies (49) move with a continuous movement along the work direction (D1).