The present invention relates to a device for grouping blanks of smoking-article wrappers, coming one after another from a unit for treating said blanks,

It is known in the art to subject ordered groups of blanks, for example, bundles or stacks of blanks, to a treatment process in which the group of blanks is broken up, the individual blanks are fed to a treatment unit which performs a given operation on them (for example, a printing or labeling operation), and finally the single blanks are grouped again in an ordered group.

The patent IT 1340565 by the same Applicant describes a treatment process of this type to generate, outside the packaging line for smoking articles, a reserve of treated blanks to be used for supplying the same packaging line.

This patent describes a device for grouping blanks in an ordered group, after they have undergone treatment. This known device comprises a rotatable drum provided with a plurality of radial hoppers which are movable, by rotating the drum, between a position for receiving the single blanks and a delivery position for the reconstituted group of blanks.

Upstream of the aforesaid drum, the known device in question also comprises an inclined plane arranged to overturn the individual blanks directed towards one of the hoppers of the drum so that they are arranged parallel to the bottom of the hopper and are deposited one on top of the other to form a pile of blanks.

The present invention has the object of providing an improved grouping device with respect to the known device indicated, in particular from the point of view of the operating mode and the speed of forming the pile of blanks.

This object is achieved by a device having the characteristics referred to in claim 1. The solution described herein also relates to a method according to claim 13 and a treatment machine according to claim 15.

The claims form an integral part of the technical disclosure provided here in relation to the invention. Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become evident from the description that follows with reference to the attached drawings, provided purely by way of non-limiting example, wherein:

- Figure 1 represents a treatment machine for blanks wherein a grouping device according to an embodiment of the solution described here is used;

- Figure 2 represents the machine of Figure 1 wherein the grouping device is in a different operating step;

- Figure 3 represents a side view of the grouping device of Figure 1;

- Figure 4 represents a front view of the grouping device illustrated in Figure 1;

- Figures 5A and 5B represent, in a simplified manner, the grouping device of Figure 1 in two different operating conditions, respectively;

- Figures 6A to 6F represent successive steps of the operation of the grouping device of Figure 1;

- Figure 7 illustrates an example of a blank for wrapping smoking articles.

In the following description, various specific details are illustrated aimed at a thorough understanding of the embodiments. The embodiments may be implemented without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other cases, known structures, materials or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring various aspects of the embodiments.

The references used here are only for convenience and do not therefore define the field of protection or the scope of the embodiments.

As mentioned above, the device described herein performs the function of grouping blanks of smoking-article wrappers which come out in succession from a unit for treating these blanks.

To better illustrate the type of application for which the device described here is intended, Figure 1 illustrates an example of a treatment machine for blanks W, which, in particular, carries out a labeling process.

The illustrated machine, indicated as a whole by reference 100, comprises a unit 102 for feeding the blanks W, a labeling unit 104 and a device 10 made according to the disclosures provided here. The machine 100 also includes drums 101, 103 and 105 for transporting the blanks from the feeding unit 102 to the labeling unit 104, and from this to the grouping device 10.

The feeding unit 102 is designed to receive an ordered group of blanks and feed them in succession to the drum 101.

Each blank W is constituted by a sheet, usually made of paper or cardboard, which is in a completely extended condition, so as to present a planar conformation.

The blanks that are received by the unit 102 are arranged in an orderly manner so as to form a bundle or pile of blanks. In other words, they are in mutual contact at their respective opposite faces, and have the same orientation with respect to an axis perpendicular to their lying plane.

Figure 7 illustrates, by way of example, a blank W of a cigarette packet, which must be subjected to the labeling process carried out by the machine 100 of Figure 1.

This blank has a given contour and predefined folding lines, so that it can be formed into the final wrapper simply by folding its various portions and their mutual connection (usually by means of glue). This figure illustrates an adhesive label T, which is applied on the blank by the labeling unit 104, to constitute a sealing label for the packet of cigarettes.

The drum 101 is arranged to pick up one blank at a time from the feeding unit 102 and transfer it to the drum 103. In turn, the drum 103 receives the blank from the drum 101 and carries it, first, to the unit 104 for applying the label T and, subsequently, to the drum 105. Finally, the drum 105 picks up the blank from the drum 103 and delivers it to the device 10.

To carry out the dual function indicated, for picking up and transferring the blanks, the two drums 101 and 105 are each provided with gripping members (not illustrated), which are operated by a cam system and are also connected to an air intake system.

The sequence of steps described above is carried out on all blanks that have been loaded on the unit 102.

The device 10 operates to group the blanks provided with a label coming from the labeling unit 104, reconstituting an ordered group of blanks. As will be seen below, this group of blanks can be directly used for supplying a packaging machine (not illustrated) arranged in line with the machine 100.

With reference now to Figures 3 and 4, in various preferred embodiments, as well as in the one illustrated, the device 10 comprises a structure 12, which defines an inlet 12A for the blanks, a space S for receiving and accumulating the blanks, and an outlet 12B for extracting from the device the group of blanks formed thereby.

The collecting space S extends along a reference axis J of the structure 12, and the inlet 12A and the outlet 12B are positioned on opposite sides of the space S, along the reference axis J.

This space constitutes the position of the device 10, where the single blanks W coming from the labeling unit 104 are received, and where the group of blanks under formation is housed.

According to an important characteristic of the device described here, the structure 12 is arranged with at least one support - see supports 151, 1511, 15III and 15IV of the preferred embodiment represented - which is configured for keeping the blank or blanks received in the collecting space S, near the inlet 12A and according to an orientation whereby the lying plane of the blanks is transversal to the reference axis J.

This at least one support - 151, 1511, 15III and 15IV - is movable along the reference axis J for moving away the already-received blank or blanks from said inlet 12 A, and enabling housing of a new blank w2 in said collecting space S.

The new blank is maintained in the aforesaid orientation transverse to the axis J, by the same blank or same blanks already received in the space S.

Preferably, this at least one support - 151, 1511, 15III and 15IV - is moved continuously and at a constant speed along the reference axis J.

Thanks to the indicated characteristics, the device described here is able to control the formation of the group of blanks within the space S, ensuring, on the one hand, the correct positioning of the blanks at the inlet, and on the other hand, that the blanks keep in contact with each other and are mutually aligned. In various preferred embodiments, as well as in the one illustrated, the structure 12 comprises two frame planar modules 14, 16, which are oriented vertically and are arranged opposite each other, at a given distance, to define the collecting space S indicated above between them.

The two frame modules 14, 16 extend parallel to each other, along the reference direction J.

An assembly of belt- like supports 151, 1511, 15III and 15IV is mounted on the two modules 14 and 16, each of which constitutes a movable support as discussed above. In particular, the two supports 151 and 1511 are mounted on the frame module 14, and the two supports 15III and 15IV on the frame module 16.

These belt-like supports are mounted on respective pulleys, so that each one extends along a closed-loop path having at least one section oriented along the reference axis J and of a length such as to connect the inlet 12A and the outlet 12B.

The respective portions 15Ί, 15ΊI, 15ΊII and 15'IV of these supports which extend along this section cooperate together to support the blanks W received in the space S in the aforesaid orientation transverse to the axis J (Figure 4).

The two portions 15ΊI and 15'IV are aligned and spaced apart horizontally to engage opposite end regions of the lower edge of each blank W received in the space S.

On the other hand, the portions 15Ί, 15ΊII are arranged correspondingly near the upper edge of each blank W received in the space S

The belt-like supports 151, 1511, 15III and 15IV have respective abutment portions 15IB, 15IIB, 15IIIB, 15IVB, which protrude in a plane transverse to the longitudinal direction of the support, and are arranged to be positioned at the portions 15Ί, 15ΊI, 15ΊII and 15'IV to each engage the front face - with reference to the feed direction - of the blank which, in a given operating cycle, is first received within the space S.

With reference to Figure 6 A, when a new cycle is started, the abutment portions 15IB, 15IIB, 15IIIB, 15IVB are all arranged at the inlet 12 A, and aligned with each other in the same plane Q transverse to the reference axis J. The first blank W1 that is received in the space S places its lower edge on the two supports 1511 and 15IV, and its front face against the abutment portions 15IB, 15IIB, 15IIIB and 15IVB (Figure 6B).

The blank W 1 is, therefore, oriented parallel to the plane Q identified by the abutment portions 15IB, 15IIB, 15IIIB and 15IVB.

To receive a new blank W2, the supports 151, 1511, 15III and 15IV are moved in such a way as to move away the respective abutment portions from the inlet 12 A, and with them the previously received blank Wl.

The extent of this movement is such as to make room for the new blank W2 (Figure 6C), and, at the same time, keep the blank Wl close enough to the inlet 12A so that the new blank W2 is carried directly against the blank W 1, as soon as it passes the 12A inlet.

The new blank W2, therefore, places its lower edge resting on the two belt-like supports 1511 and 15IV and carries its front face against the previously received blank Wl (Figures 6D and 6E).

Thanks to the positioning of the blank Wl, the new blank W2 is also positioned substantially parallel to the plane Q.

This sequence is repeated for all blanks that are received in the space S.

Preferably, the movement of the supports 151, 1511, 15III and 15IV is continuous and at a constant speed, and is regulated so as to keep the already-received blanks, grouped against each other and close to the inlet 12A.

This movement is coordinated, in general, with the device located upstream of the device 10 which is suitable for delivering the various blanks.

With reference to the application example illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, this movement is coordinated with the drum 102 and is carried out until a given group of blanks has formed within the space S (for example, this group could have the same number of blanks in the group that had been loaded on the feed unit 102 or not) (Figure 6F).

Incidentally, it will be understood that at the end of the operating cycle, the abutment portions 15IB, 15IIB, 15IIIB, 15IVB will find themselves at a distance from the inlet 12A corresponding, substantially, to the length of the reconstituted group of blanks. Preferably, the supports 151, 1511, 15III and 15IV are equipped with additional abutment portions - see the portions 15IIIC and 15IVC illustrated in Figure 3 - arranged to position themselves at the inlet 12A - in the same configuration shown in Figure 6A for the abutment portions 15IIIB and 15IVB - when the abutment portions 15IB, 15IIB, 15IIIB, 15IVB are now out of the active sections 15Ί, 15ΊI, 15ΊII and 15'IV of the supports, to allow immediate start of a new loading cycle of blanks.

Referring to Figure 4, the structure 12 can also be arranged with fixed guides 13, opposite to each other, carried by the two frame modules 14 and 16, to retain the blanks laterally.

The movable supports 151, 1511, 15III and 15IV must, in turn, be synchronized with each other.

In various preferred embodiments, as well as in the one illustrated, these supports are controlled by a single actuator 18, which is connected to the various supports 151, 1511, 15III and 15IV through a motion transmission system, with belt members or equivalent members (e.g. chains). In alternative embodiments, however, two or more actuators could be provided, for example, an actuator for each belt-like support.

With reference to the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 4, the motion transmission system comprises shafts 221, 2211, 22III and 22IV, rotatably mounted on the frame modules 14 and 16, which carry, on the inner side of the two modules, pulleys 231 , 2311, 23III and 23IV, and on the outer side, pulleys 211, 2111, 21III and 21IV. The shaft 2211 has a connecting portion through which it connects to the actuator 18.

An additional shaft 23 extends between the two frame modules 14, 16, and is rotatably mounted on both modules. The shaft 23 has opposite ends which are positioned on the two outer sides of the frame modules 14 and 16, and on which two additional pulleys 24 and 25 are carried.

The belt-like supports 151, 1511, 15III and 15IV are mounted, respectively, on the pulleys 231, 2311, 23III and 23IV.

A first belt member 26 is coupled, connecting them in rotation to each other, to the pulleys 211, 2111 and 24, which are all on the same outer side - the left side, with reference to the Figure - of the two frame modules 14 and 16. In the same way, a second belt member 27 is coupled to the pulleys 21III, 21IV and 25, which are, however, all on the opposite outer side of the two frame modules 14 and 16 - the right side, with reference to the Figure.

In various preferred embodiments, as well as in the one illustrated, each of the pulleys 231, 2311, 24 and 25 is associated with a pressure roller 29, which is configured to press the relative belt member against it, to ensure correct coupling between member and pulley.

It will be noted that the two members 26 and 27 are - in turn - connected in rotation through the shaft 23.

The actuator 18 is designed to control the rotation of the shaft 2211.

This rotation, on the one hand, controls the movement of the support 1511. On the other hand, it sets the first member 26 in motion, which, in turn, moves the support 151.

The movement of the first member 26 is transmitted to the second member 27, on the opposite side of the structure 12, through the shaft 23.

The second member 27 drives the other two supports 15III and 15IV.

The above described motion transfer system is only one of the possible embodiments.

Returning to Figures 1 and 2, the structure 12 is carried by a positioning unit 30, which is configured to move the structure 12 between a position PI, preferably raised, for loading the blanks (illustrated in Figure 1), and a position P2 , preferably lowered, of delivery of the blanks (illustrated in Figure 2).

With reference to Figure 1, in the loading position PI, the structure 12 has the inlet 12A directly facing, and in immediate adjacency, to the drum 105.

At the same time, the structure 12 is oriented so as to arrange the reference axis J slightly inclined upwards, so as to facilitate the passage of the blanks from the drum 105 to the collecting space S.

In various preferred embodiments, as well as in the one illustrated, the structure 12 also comprises two holding elements 17, which are positioned at the entrance 12A and are opposite each other (Figure 3).

These elements are equipped with respective teeth 171 between which the inlet passage of the blanks W into the collecting space S is defined. These teeth are sized so that the passage defined by them is slightly smaller than the corresponding size of the blanks, so as to allow the insertion of the blanks, through a small deformation of the blanks along the respective upper and lower edges, and to be able instead to retain the already-received blanks, preventing the risk of spillage.

Alternatively, the teeth 171 could define a passage slightly larger than the size of the blanks; in this case the release of the blank takes place by first inserting the blank behind the upper tooth and then behind the lower tooth.

As a further alternative, these teeth could be tilting and engage the inlet 12A of the structure only after the positioning of a blank in the collecting space S.

With reference to Figure 2, in the delivery position P2, the structure 12 is positioned at an underlying conveying line, on which the group of blanks is released.

In the illustrated example, this conveying line comprises a carriage 111, which is inserted between the two frame modules 14 and 16 and the relative supports 1511 and 15 IV when the structure 12 lowers into the delivery position P2, engaging the group of blanks contained within the collecting space S with a support plane 111 A.

Preferably, the delivery position P2 is selected so that the blanks resting on the support plane 111A are slightly raised with respect to the supports 1511 and 15IV.

After the group of blanks has been placed on the carriage 111, the supports 151, 1511, 15III and 15IV are moved so that the respective abutment portions 15IB, 15IIB, 15IIIB and 15IVB are removed from the respective sections 15Ί, 15ΊI, 15ΊII and 15'IV for engaging the blanks, thus freeing, frontally, the group of blanks.

The carriage 111 can, at this point, extract the group of blanks through the outlet 12B.

With reference now to Figures 5A and 5B, these illustrate the positioning unit 30, indicated above, according to a preferred embodiment of the device 10 described here.

According to this embodiment, the unit 30 comprises two pivoting supports 32, 34, which are hinged around two fixed horizontal rotation axes, II, 12, respectively. The two axes II and 12 are mutually parallel, and transverse to the reference axis J of the structure 12.

The distal ends of these supports 32, 34 are, in turn, hinged to the two frame modules 14 and 16, around two movable rotation axes 13, 14, parallel to the axes II and 12, and mutually spaced apart along the reference axis J.

The two pivoting supports 32 and 34 are both controlled by an actuator 35, which is connected thereto by means of a motion transmission system (not illustrated), for example, belt driven.

With reference to Figures 5A and 5B, the two supports 32 and 34 are movable between a lying position, in which they place the structure 12 in the aforesaid delivery position P2, and a vertical or slightly inclined position with respect to the vertical position, in which the structure 12 is held in the aforesaid loading position PI.

Clearly, the device 10 will also comprise a control unit U (schematically illustrated in Figure 1) for governing the operations of the described means.

The above described positioning unit 30 (corresponding to the illustrated embodiment) causes a roto-translation of the structure 12 in order to move it between the loading position PI and the delivery position P2. Alternatively, the device 10 could comprise a positioning unit 30 such as to determine only a translation of the structure 12 in order to move it between the loading position PI and the delivery position P2.

As another alternative, the structure 12 may not be movable between the two positions of loading and delivery; in this case, an element for extracting the pile of blanks from the collecting space S could fit into said collecting space S.

Returning to the application example illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, a complete cycle of operation of the illustrated machine 100 develops as follows.

An ordered group of unlabeled blanks W is loaded onto the feeding unit 102.

The single blanks of this group are, in succession, taken from the drum 101, carried to the labeling unit 104 by the drum 103, and finally released to the device 10 by the drum 105. During this step, the structure 12 is in the loading position PI illustrated in Figure 1 to accommodate the single blanks through the inlet 12A.

The belt-like supports 151, 1511, 15III, 15IV are operated according to a continuous movement and at a constant speed, to keep the already- received blanks grouped against each other and close to the inlet 12A.

Once the collecting space S is filled with labeled blanks W, the structure 12 is carried to the delivery position P2 illustrated in Figure 2, where the group of blanks is placed on the carriage 111.

The belt-like supports 151, 1511, 15III, 15IV are operated once again to free the group of blanks from the engagement of the abutment portions 15IB, 15IIB, 15IIIB, 15IVB.

At this point, the carriage 111 extracts the group of blanks from the structure 12, through the outlet 12B, and transports them directly to the packaging machine mentioned above.

It will be noted that the treatment process carried out by the machine 100 can be performed in line with the packaging process without the speed of the first machine affecting the speed of the second, and vice versa, thanks to the device 10, which operates to generate a reserve of blanks directly upstream of the packaging machine.

Of course, without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the details of construction and the embodiments may vary, even significantly, with respect to those illustrated here, purely by way of non-limiting example, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the attached claims. For example, alternative embodiments to that illustrated may provide only the lower belt-like supports 1511 and 15IV or the two lower belt-like supports 1511 and 15IV and a single upper belt-like support. Furthermore, the belt-like supports described can be replaced by rigid, movable support members of reciprocating motion along the reference axis J.