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

Abstract

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.

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 (P 1 ) and through a first work station (S 14 ); and   a first folding device ( 48 ) which is arranged at the first work station (S 14 ) 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 (D 1 ) perpendicular to the packing path (P 1 ) 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 (D 1 ).   
     
     
         2 . The packing machine ( 34 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 in the inner blank ( 24 ) the transverse fold lines ( 27 ) define, between the two longitudinal fold lines ( 26 ), a sixth reinforcing panel ( 12 ″) that is glued to the inside of the fifth panel ( 12 ′).   
     
     
         3 . The packing machine ( 34 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein
 each folding body ( 49 ) comprises a top member ( 50 ), an intermediate member ( 51 ), and a bottom member ( 52 ) which are arranged in different positions along the work direction (D 1 ).   
     
     
         4 . The packing machine ( 34 ) according to  claim 3 , wherein during the movement along the work direction (D 1 ) of the folding bodies ( 49 ), initially the top members ( 50 ) of the two folding bodies ( 49 ) fold the tabs ( 29 ) by 90°, with respect to the wings ( 14 ′) and about a corresponding transverse fold line ( 27 ), then the intermediate members ( 51 ) of the two folding bodies ( 49 ) fold the wings ( 14 ′) by 90°, with respect to the fourth panel ( 13 ′) and about a corresponding longitudinal fold lines ( 26 ), and finally the bottom members ( 52 ) of the two folding bodies ( 49 ) 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 ). 
     
     
         5 . The packing machine ( 34 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the first folding device ( 48 ) comprises a contrast member ( 53 ) which is mounted in a rotatable way to rotate about a first axis (A 1 ) of rotation parallel to the packing path (P 1 ) and has two lateral appendixes ( 55 ) to provide a contrast for the folding performed by the two folding bodies ( 49 ). 
     
     
         6 . The packing machine ( 34 ) according to  claim 5 , wherein before the folding of the tabs ( 29 ) with respect to the wings ( 14 ′), the contrast member ( 53 ), rotating about the first axis (A 1 ) of rotation, rests to the third panel ( 10 ′), on the fourth panel ( 13 ′) and on the fifth panel ( 12 ′) so that their own lateral appendixes ( 55 ) rest on the wings ( 14 ′) to provide a contrast for the folding of the tabs ( 29 ) carried out by the top members ( 50 ) of the two folding bodies ( 49 ). 
     
     
         7 . The packing machine ( 34 ) according to  claim 5 , wherein once the folding of the tabs ( 29 ) is finished, the contrast member ( 53 ), rotating about the first axis (A 1 ) of rotation, moves back releasing the wings ( 14 ′) to allow the subsequent folding of the wings ( 14 ′) and remaining resting on the fourth panel ( 13 ′) to provide a contrast for both the folding of the wings ( 14 ′), and for the subsequent folding the fifth panel ( 12 ′) with respect to the fourth panel ( 13 ′). 
     
     
         8 . The packing machine ( 34 ) according to  claim 5 , wherein the contrast member ( 53 ), by rotating about the first axis (A 1 ) of rotation, moves away from the inner blank ( 24 ) once the folding of the fifth panel ( 12 ′) with respect to the fourth panel ( 13 ′) is finished. 
     
     
         9 . The packing machine ( 34 ) according to  claim 2  and comprising a second folding device ( 54 ) which is arranged between the first work station (S 14 ) and a second work station (S 17 ) along the packing path (P 1 ) for folding portions of the inner blank ( 24 ), wherein:
 the inner blank ( 24 ) has a seventh reinforcing panel ( 13 ″) that is glued to the inside of the fourth panel ( 13 ′); 
 the second folding device ( 54 ) comprises a rotating folding member ( 56 ) which is mounted in a rotary way to rotate about a second rotation axis (A 2 ) parallel to the packing path (P 1 ); and 
 when the folding of the fifth panel ( 12 ′) with respect to the fourth panel ( 13 ′) is completed, the rotating folding member ( 56 ), by rotating about the second axis (A 2 ) of rotation, determines the simultaneous folding of the sixth panel ( 12 ″) by 90°, with respect to the fifth panel ( 12 ′), bringing the sixth panel ( 12 ″) onto the fifth panel ( 12 ′), and of the seventh panel ( 13 ″) with respect to the sixth panel ( 12 ″), bringing the seventh panel ( 13 ″) onto the fourth panel ( 13 ′). 
 
     
     
         10 . The packing machine ( 34 ) according to  claim 9 , wherein the rotating folding member ( 56 ) is coupled to a corresponding pad ( 57 ) which is arranged on the opposite side of the inner blank ( 24 ); and
 in the final position of the rotating folding member ( 56 ) rests to the seventh panel ( 13 ″) that is superimposed on the fourth panel ( 13 ′) and clamp, together with the underlying pad ( 57 ), the fourth panel ( 13 ′) and the seventh panel ( 13 ″).   
     
     
         11 . The packing machine ( 34 ) according to  claim 10 , wherein the rotating folding member ( 56 ) moves in the packing path (P 1 ) between the first work station (S 14 ) and the second work station (S 17 ) to accompany the inner blank ( 24 ) along a portion of the packing path (P 1 ) keeping clamped the fourth panel ( 13 ′) and the seventh panel ( 13 ″). 
     
     
         12 . The packing machine ( 34 ) according to  claim 11 , wherein:
 the packing conveyor ( 41 ) is constituted by a conveyor belt that is wrapped about two end pulleys and supports a number of packing pockets ( 42 );   the first work station (S 14 ) is arranged close to an end pulley; and   the second folding device ( 54 ) comprises a number of rotating folding members ( 56 ) which are mounted on an end pulley of the packing conveyor ( 41 ) to rotate integrally with the end pulley between the first work station (S 14 ) and the second work station (S 17 ).   
     
     
         13 . The packing machine ( 34 ) according to  claim 2  and comprising a third folding device ( 45 ) which is arranged upstream from the first work station (S 14 ) and folds the sixth panel ( 12 ″) by 90°, with respect to the fifth panel ( 12 ′) and about a corresponding transverse fold line ( 27 ). 
     
     
         14 . The packing machine ( 34 ) according to  claim 1  and comprising a fourth folding device ( 43 ) which is arranged upstream from the first work station (S 14 ) and folds the fifth panel ( 12 ′) at least by 90°, with respect to the fourth panel ( 13 ′), about a corresponding transverse fold line ( 27 ) in one direction and then in the opposite direction to flex the inner blank ( 24 ) along the corresponding transverse fold line ( 27 ) itself. 
     
     
         15 . The packing machine ( 34 ) according to ene-of  claim 1  and comprising a fifth folding device ( 44 ) which is arranged upstream from the first work station (S 14 ) and folds the tabs ( 29 ) at least by 90°, with respect to the wings ( 14 ′), about a corresponding transverse fold line ( 27 ) in one direction and then in the opposite direction to flex the inner blank ( 24 ) along the corresponding transverse fold line ( 27 ) itself. 
     
     
         16 . The packing machine ( 34 ) according to  claim 1  and comprising a gumming device ( 46 ) which is arranged upstream from the first work station (S 14 ) and deposits points of glue ( 47 ) on the fifth panel ( 12 ′) and on the fourth panel ( 13 ′). 
     
     
         17 . A packing method for producing an inner container ( 3 ) by folding a 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 method comprises the steps of:   feeding the inner blank ( 24 ) along a packing path (P 1 ) by way of a packing conveyor ( 41 ) provided with a packing pocket ( 42 ) and through a work station (S 14 ); and   folding portions of the inner blank ( 24 ) by way of a folding device ( 48 ) which is arranged at the work station (S 14 );   the packing method is characterized in that:   the first folding device ( 48 ) comprises two twin folding bodies ( 49 ) arranged on opposite sides of the inner blank ( 24 ) and movable in a work direction (D 1 ) perpendicular to the packing path (P 1 ) for folding portions of the inner blank ( 24 );   the two folding bodies ( 49 ) first fold the tabs ( 29 ), by 90° with respect to the wings ( 14 ′) and about a corresponding transverse fold line ( 27 ), then fold wings ( 14 ′) by 90°, with respect to the fourth panel ( 13 ′) and about corresponding longitudinal fold lines ( 26 ), and finally 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 (D 1 ).