Folding Machine

Abstract

A folding machine for wrapping a bundle of cigarettes in metal-laminated paper. A partially wrapped bundle of cigarettes, including an unwrapped trailing end, is received in a pocket of a shuttle from a pusher. The shuttle comprises a top folder, two side folders and two bottom folders that are integrated with the shuttle and can operate on the partially unwrapped package along respective edges of its end face and produce a wrapped package in the pocket. Another pusher is configured to eject the wrapped package from the pocket of the shuttle. The shuttle also includes a gripper for gripping the partially wrapped bundle. The driving mechanism for the gripper is integrated with the driving mechanism for the shuttle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A machine for folding an end of a wrapper, comprising:
 a shuttle comprising a pocket for receiving a partially wrapped package from a first pusher, wherein the partially wrapped package includes an unwrapped trailing end and the shuttle comprises top, bottom and side folders configured to fold flaps of the partially unwrapped package along respective edges of the end face and produce a wrapped package in the pocket; and   a second pusher configured to eject the wrapped package from the pocket of the shuttle.   
     
     
         2 . The machine of  claim 1  wherein a slot is provided in one of the folders, or between folders, and the second pusher is moveable within the slot to eject the wrapped package from the pocket. 
     
     
         3 . The machine of  claim 1  further comprising the first pusher configured to introduce the partially wrapped package into the pocket of the shuttle. 
     
     
         4 . The machine of  claim 3  wherein the first pusher is configured to act on the unwrapped trailing end of the partially wrapped package. 
     
     
         5 . The machine of  claim 1  wherein the second pusher is configured to contact an area of the trailing end face of the wrapped package that has not been in contact with any of the plurality of folders. 
     
     
         6 . The machine of  claim 5  wherein at least one of the folders comprises projections which complement the shape of corresponding notches on the second pusher. 
     
     
         7 . The machine of  claim 6  wherein at least one of the folders comprises notches which complement the shape of corresponding projections on the second pusher. 
     
     
         8 . The machine of  claim 1  wherein two of the folders are arranged along opposing edges of the package and each of these folders comprises projections which are respectively offset from one another along the length of the pocket. 
     
     
         9 . The machine of  claim 1  wherein the shuttle comprises two bottom folders, movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein a gap is provided between the bottom folders in the closed position, and wherein the second pusher is arranged to move in the gap in order to eject the wrapped package from the shuttle. 
     
     
         10 . The machine of  claim 1  wherein the folders are operated in a sequence which is: side folders, bottom folder, top folder. 
     
     
         11 . The machine of  claim 1  comprising a shuttle drive mechanism configured to reciprocate the shuttle relative to a fixed base. 
     
     
         12 . The machine of  claim 11  wherein at least one of the side folders includes a track follower and the fixed base comprises a track, wherein the track follower is configured to move relative to the track when the shuttle is reciprocated by the shuttle drive mechanism so that the at least one side folder can move in order to fold a side flap on the partially wrapped package. 
     
     
         13 . The machine of  claim 11  further comprising a top folder drive mechanism configured to reciprocate the top folder relative to the fixed base, wherein the top folder drive mechanism is arranged out of phase with the shuttle drive mechanism. 
     
     
         14 . The machine of  claim 11  wherein the shuttle comprises a gripper configured to grip the partially wrapped package when it is received in the pocket and to release the wrapped package so that it can be ejected by the second pusher. 
     
     
         15 . The machine of  claim 14  wherein the shuttle drive mechanism includes a cam and the gripper includes a cam follower so that a relative movement of the cam and the cam follower is configured to drive the gripper from a releasing position towards a gripping position. 
     
     
         16 . A method of folding an end of a wrapper, comprising the steps of:
 introducing a partially wrapped package with an unwrapped trailing end into the pocket of a shuttle using a first pusher;   folding the unwrapped trailing end of the package while it is received in the pocket using top, bottom and side folders that are integrated with the shuttle to produce a wrapped package; and   ejecting the wrapped package from the pocket of the shuttle using a second pusher.   
     
     
         17 . A wrapped package produced using the method of  claim 16 . 
     
     
         18 . A machine for folding an end of a wrapper, comprising:
 a first pusher configured to push a partially wrapped package including an unwrapped trailing end;   a shuttle comprising a pocket for receiving the partially wrapped package from the first pusher and a gripper configured to grip the partially wrapped package when is received in the pocket;   a plurality of folders configured to fold the unwrapped trailing end and produce a wrapped package in the pocket; and   a shuttle drive mechanism configured to reciprocate the shuttle relative to a fixed base, wherein the shuttle drive mechanism includes a cam and the gripper includes a cam follower so that a relative movement of the cam and the cam follower is configured to drive the gripper from a releasing position towards a gripping position.