Feeder/applicator unit of components for making packagings, such as inserts, in particular in cigarette packing machines

Abstract

 Feeder/applicator unit of components for making packagings, such as inserts or part of packagings or envelopes, in particular in the cigarette packing machines, or similar, characterized by the fact that it comprises a station (S1) for applying the inner frames (1) that is transversally staggered to the direction of the main flow (P) of the products in manufacture in the applicating machine, in particular staggered laterally with regards to the said main flow (P) of the products in manufacture.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a feeder/applicator unit of components for the making of packagings, such as inserts or part of packagings or envelopes, in particular in the cigarette packing machines, or similar.

[0002] In particular in the cigarette packing machines it is known to insert in the packagings that form the cigarette packet inserts in the form of coupons on which messages of different types are placed. In the packing machines for making rigid packets, with flip lid hinged to the box part, however, in addition to the coupon that forms a non essential component of the packaging, the box has a stop component of the part of the lid that is generally arranged in a recessed position with regards to the external surfaces of the part of the box to allow for an aligned arrangement of the surfaces of the lid part with the adjacent surfaces of the box part. Said components or said stop surfaces, generally provided on the front of the box and on the narrower lateral faces adjacent to the front face are called inner frames and are formed by separate components that are fed to the packing machines at suitable stations provided in the flow of packets in an intermediate position of the making path between the individual stations which provide for wrapping the cigarettes in an inner, and outer enevelope and more precisely in an intermediate position between the wrapping station of a consecutive orderly group of cigarettes in an inner foil envelope and the wrapping station of the said groups wrapped in foil in an external envelope of packaging material such as paper or board to form the packet or the box.

[0003] The invention relates to the perfectioning of the feeding unit of the above mentioned type, in particular to a feed/applicator unit for the so-called inner frames.

[0004] Said feed/applicator unit must be able to supply in a positive manner and thanks to a rational and not excessively expensive construction a succession of the said components of insertion that is synchronized with the main making flow of the packing machine and that can support high speeds of operation, having at the same time a rational construction and such as not to cover or limit excessively visual and physical access to the product flow on the main manufacturing path.

[0005] The invention attains the above aims with a feed/applicator unit of inner frames comprising a station for applying the inner frames that is transversally staggered to the direction of the main flow of the product in manufacture in the applicator machine, in paticular laterally staggered with regards to the said main flow of the products in manufacture.

[0006] Preferably, with the station are associated transfer means of each unit in manufacture in said station and feeding means in the said station for one insert component at the time, in particular of one inner frame at the time from a supply line of said inner frames or inserts.

[0007] Coupling means are foreseen in the station of each product in manufacture, in particular of each group of cigarettes wrapped in an inner foil envelope with an associated inner frame.

[0008] Preferably, the applicator station of the inner frames is foreseen laterally staggered with regards to the main path of manufacture of the product, or of generation of the packaging envelopes of the individual groups of cigarettes and in the same plane with said path.

[0009] The transfer means of the individual products in the applicator station have means to hold or house the individual products in such a manner that these are arranged with the face of application of the inserts or of the inner frames in a substantially horizontal position, at least in the said station of application, while the transfer means of the inner frames or inserts transfer the same on the path which is set over the said face of application on the products and carry out apart from the transversal motion at least one motion perpendicular to said face of the products, with which the inner frames or inserts are laid on the said face of application.

[0010] Additionally with the station are associated, means to transfer the products with the respective insert or inner frame applied on the same from the station again to the main path of manufacture of the machine. These means of transfer are equipped with retaining means of the inserts or inner frames in a position of simple overlay on the products associated with the same. Said means of transfer of the mated product/insert or product/inner frame are formed advantageously by the same means of transfer of the products at the station of application. Advantageously said means of transfer are formed by a wheel with a vertical axis that has peripherally a plurality of pockets or housings for the individual products.

[0011] The pockets or the housings, have retaining projections protruding out of the surface on the mating side of the inserts or of the inner frames with the products in manufacture that form opposed partial framing components between which the respective insert or inner frame engages. Obviously it is also possible to provide for active mechanical retaining means of the insert or the inner frame, when the morphological features, as for example the plan shape of the same does not allow for the placing of the components forming a partial retaining and positioning frame. Such active components for retaining the position can be oscillating small levers, arms or tabs, carried by the transfer wheel and driven by coaxial circular cams with a three-dimensional profile to which they are linked by extensions equipped with drive rollers.

[0012] According to a further feature, the feed path of the inserts or of the inner frames is foreseen substantially in a position staggered both laterally and vertically with regards to the station of application of the inserts or the inner frames. Preferably said path is foreseen in a parallel plane and in front of the main path of the products in manufacture and of the station of application of the inserts or of the inner frames. Advantageously this path has one branch substantially parallel to the main path of the products in manufacture and one vertical one, with which the inserts or the inner frames are taken to an intermediate station of transfer to the station of application to the product in manufacture, that is to the group of cigarettes wrapped in the inner foil envelope.

[0013] According to a further feature upstream to the intermediate transfer station a station is provided cutting the inserts or inner frames from a continuous web of material. Preferably said station is provided staggered vertically below with regards to the intermediate transfer station.

[0014] From the intermediate transfer station to the station of application of the inserts and/or of the inner frames to the products, the inserts or the inner frames are transferred thanks to means of transfer that pick up the inner frame, lift it moving it in position aligned with the partial positioning frame on the transfer wheel of the prodcuts in the applicator station and lower it against the respective product in said station.

[0015] Advantageously the transfer means of the inner frame from the intermediate station to the applicator station are formed by pairs of suction arms, distributed radially relative to a support head that is revolving around an axis coaxial relative to the arms and in steps of rotation corresponding to the number of pick up arms and the said head carrying means of articulation and drive of the pick up arms to carry out the lifting and lowering motion.

[0016] Preferably, the intermediate pick up station of the inserts or the inner frames and the applicator station are foreseen aligned on the same plane, thus allowing to carry out the lifting and lowering motion for picking up the insert or the inner frame from the intermediate station and the motion of lowering and lifting of the inner frame in the applicator station with a single contextual drive for lifting or lowering the arms in the corresponding stations. Advantageously, the head has a pair of diametrically opposed arms and carries out steps of rotation of 180 degrees.

[0017] The cutting of the insert or the inner frame takes place thanks to a set of dies, equipped with a movable die head that has a profile corresponding to the shape of the insert or the inner frame and a fixed knife that is formed by the edge of a stationary component or in a stationary slot.

[0018] Generally, the peripheral profile of the insert or the inner frame is defined in such a manner, that it necessitates to carry out only one cut substantially transversally to the web of material, and in this case, the profile of the two transversal cuts is identical, so that the insert or the inner frame are obtained in one single separating transversal cut that finishes at the same time the two opposite edges of the cut inner frame and of the one immediately following.

[0019] From the cutting station to the intermediate transfer station, the inserts or the inner frames are transferred thanks to a semicircular path by means of a rotary suction conveyor. Said rotary suction conveyor has on its peripheral surface a plurality of preset suction sections which are equidistant to each other and which are brought in succession in correspondence to the cutting or punching station, with the suction sections coinciding with the free face of the cut insert or inner frame.

[0020] The rotary conveyor consists of a wheel, in particular of a polygonal wheel , in order to have two diametrically opposed parallel surfaces., one coinciding with the cutting or punching station and the other that forms the plane of support of the intermediate station, preferably parallel to the surfaces of the product, that is of the ordered group of cigarettes on which the insert or the inner frame has to be applied at the applicator station.

[0021] The peripheral axial surface is aligned in axial direction with the lateral edges of the web and of the cut inserts or inner frames and the suction section starts out from the front edge of the said wheel with reference to the direction of rotation.

[0022] According to a further feature, the wheel is carried staggered by the output shaft of a drive transmission that is foreseen on the side of the front face of the machine.

[0023] Advantageously, the transmission has an input shaft that couples with a sliding joint to a drive shaft, while the box of the transmission and the same polygonal transfer wheel are supported movable , in particular can oscillate in the external and lateral position relative to the path of supply of the web and to the cutting station, which therefore are easily accessible for inspections and maintenance.

[0024] A further feature of the invention provides for the transfer wheel of the products in the joining station to be equipped with removable pockets or housings for the products, in such a way as to allow for an easy modification of the group when different shapes of the products or packagings are used, obviously within the range of given tolerances.

[0025] In combination with the polygonal transfer wheel also means for detaching the inner frames are provided that are arranged in correspondence to an intermediate reject station. These means are advantageously formed by a deviator component, such as a small spatula or similar, which on command is movable parallel to itself between a position of rest in which it does not engage with the octagonal transfer wheel and an active position in which it engages with said wheel forming a deviating and detaching surface for the inner frame to be rejected from the side of the octagonal wheel on which it is retained.

[0026] According to a preferred form of execution, the small spatula has a free front edge turned towards the octagonal transfer wheel that is made with at least one tooth protruding in front, preferably with more than one tooth, in particular in shape of a comb, while the octagonal wheel has in position of alignment with said front teeth of the small separating spatula respectively one anular groove for each tooth of the said small spatula being that in the active position, the small separator spatula is moved in direction of the octagonal wheel to the extent that the front teeth in shape of a comb of the same enter into the angular grooves.

[0027] In particular, the front side of the small separator spatula is oriented towards the peak of the octagonal wheel that with reference to the direction of rotation is placed upstream to the small separator spatula at the moment of each dwell cycle. Furthermore, the small separator spatula has preferably an inclination smaller than the one of the side 104 of the octagonal wheel 4 at the reject station and such, whereby the inner frame 1 to be rejected goes through a radial deviation towards the outside relative to the axes of the octagonal wheel itself.

[0028] In combination with said separator/deviator means are foreseen detector means of the correct position and peripheral shape of the insert or of the inner frame the said means can be formed by any type of sensor suitable for the purpose.

[0029] The invention has additional perfectionings which are subject of the claims below.

[0030] The features of the invention and the advantages derived therefrom are better evidenced in the following description of an executive example illustrated in a non limiting manner in the attached drawings, where:

The Fig.s 1 and 2 show in perspective the group according to the invention and an enlarged detail of the same.

The Fig. 3 illustrates a section according to a transversal vertical plane of the device according to the preceding Figures.

The Fig.s 4 and 5 show a detail of section according to Fig. 3 relative to the transfer device of the inner frames from the intermediate station to the aplicator station and in two different operating conditions respectively.

The Fig.s 6 and 7 show a detail in cross-section of the transfer device according to the preceding Fig.s 4 and 5 with the picker arms raised and lowered respectively.

The Fig. 8 illustrates an horizontal cross-section of the device according to Fig.s 6 and 7.

The Fig.s 9 and 10 illustrate a schematic view of the cutting station of the inner frame from a continuous web of material.

The Fig.s 11 and 12 show an enlarged detail of the cutting means of the inner frame respectively before and after the cutting of the same.

The Fig.s 13 and 14 show two inner frames for two different shapes of a rigid cigarette packet.

The Fig. 15 shows an enlarged detail of a housing pocket of the horizontal transfer wheel of the ordered group of cigarettes in the applicator station of the inner frame.

The Fig. 16 illustrates an enlarged detail of the vertical transfer wheel of the inner frame from the cutting station to the intermediate one of transfer, together with the reject means of the inner frame.

[0031] With reference to the Fig.s 1 and 2, a feeder/applicator unit of the inner frames 1 to an ordered group of cigarettes wrapped in the inner envelop of foil comprises an horizontal transfer wheel 2 that has a pluraility of peripheral pockets 102 each for an ordered group of cigarettes allready wrapped in the inner enevelop of foil.

[0032] The horizontal transfer wheel 2 rotates around its vertical axis and transfers one after the over the groups of cigarettes into an applicator station S1 of the inner frame 1 that is provided laterally staggered with regards to the direction of the main path indicated with the arrow P.

[0033] A web of material 3 to make the inner frame is fed in direction of the arrow N to a cutting station S2 of the inner frame provided additionally laterally staggered with regards to the main path P of the groups of cigarettes and with regards to the applicator station S1 of the inner frame 1 to the ordered group of cigarettes.

[0034] From the cutting station S2, the inner frames are transferred in succession to an intermediate transfer station S3 by means of a second transfer wheel 4 of octagonal shape and arranged vertically, that is with its own axis perpendicular to the axis of the transfer wheel of the group of cigarettes in the applicator station S1 of the inner frame.

[0035] From the intermediate transfer station S3 of the inner frame, a further pick up device 5 picks up the inner frame 1 and places it in a preset position on the top face of the ordered group of cigarettes in the applicator station S1 of the inner frame, in particular inserting it between retaining stops associated with each housing pocket 102.

[0036] With reference to the Fig.s 3, 4, 5, and 15, the horizontal transfer wheel 2 has a body 202 to which are mounted in a removable manner the housing pockets 102 thanks to radial wings 302 that are clamped against the central body by means of screws or bolts, or similar and eventually with the aid of dowels, pins or other means of centring. Each housing pocket for a group of cigarettes is formed by a frame designed to overlap the narrower peripheral sides of the packet and has in correspondence to the longer sides of said frame two transversal extensions 402 designed to form a surface of support of the lateral wings 101 of the inner frame 1 that in the formed condition are folded against the said narrower and longer side of the groups of cigarettes. The transversal lateral extensions have limiting ribs or ridges 502 protruding upwards and that form a partial frame whithin which the inner frame has to be positioned. Advantageously the said retaining ribs are provided in correspondence to the two opposed lateral sides of the wings of the inner frame and in correspondence to the top end. Some or all of said ribs 502 have lead-in chamfers on the sides turned towards the corresponding edge of the inner frame.

[0037] To retain the inner frame in a position adhering to the group of cigarettes in the pocket 102 and to the pocket itself, the transversal extension 402 can be made to have suction, as indicated by the grooves to distribute the suction 702 into which open the suction ports 802.

[0038] The connection to the source of suction takes place by means of conduits made in the radial clamping wing 302 of the housing pockets and which connect to the actual source by means of a rotary vacuum distributor that is made in a substantitally known manner as in the suction drums or wheels.

[0039] With reference to the Fig.s 9 and 12, the inner frame is cut from a web of material 3 which is unwound from a bobbin (not illustrated) the web 3 is fed to a cutting station along a guide plane 6 that forms a supply conduit the opposite side of which is formed at least in the section of the cutting unit by a peripheral outer face 104 of the octagonal transfer wheel 4.

[0040] The cutting station S2 has a stationary knife 7 formed by a stationary component placed over the web 3 and that forms a narrow pass through slot for the same below the side 104 of the octagonal wheel 4 and by a moving knife 8 in form of a die that engages with its cutting edge 108 turned towards the stationary knife 7 with the facing cutting edge 107 of the same. The two cutting edges 107, 108 are shaped in a complementary manner and corresponding to the edges 201 of the inner frame 1 (Fig.s 13 and 14). The inner frame 1 obtained by of means shearing is pushed by the additional stroke of the head 208 of the moving knife 8 up to against the face 104 is pushed by the additional stroke of the head 208 of the moving knife 8 against the face 104 of the vertical transfer wheel 4. This one is made under suction at least in the section of adherence of the inner frame 1. Said section is provided in correspondence with the front transversal top extremity 204 with reference to the direction of rotation.

[0041] The moving knife 8 is driven with a rectilineal vertical forward and backward stroke thanks to an articulated parallelogram 308 part of which is the drive rod 408 that carries the actual knife 8.

[0042] The octagonal transfer wheel 4 is fitted staggered on the extremity of an horizontal shaft 10 that is the output shaft of a transmission indicated overall with 11 and that is placed in front of the side of the octagonal wheel 4 opposite to the applicator station S1 of the inner frame. In the executive example illustrated, said transmission is therefore foreseen in front of the front surface of the octagonal wheel 4.

[0043] The input shaft 111 of said transmission 11 is connected by means of a removable coupling 12 to a drive shaft 13. The removable coupling 12 is of the type of axial engagement and disengagement of the two parts of the coupling connected to the drive shaft 13 and input shaft 211 of the transmission 11 respectively.

[0044] The octagonal wheel 4 has a transversal section in shape of a C and suction holes 204 of the conduits of distribution 304 that connect individual rows of holes or of the chambers of distribution 304 that connect all the holes 204 of the suction zone of the corresponding peripheral side 104 are provided in the axial surfaces corresponding to each section of the peripheral surfaces 104. The axial conduits or the chambers 304 distributing the suction pressure are connected to the vacuum source, in a manner customary for the suction wheels and drums, thanks to chambers for anular distribution or in shape of anular section foreseen in a fixed stator 404 and into which flow the open extremities of the axial conduits of the chambers of distribution 304.

[0045] The angular drive steps of the octagonal wheel 4 have an angular amplitude corresponding with each octagon section, in such a way that the wheel always has two diametrically opposed sides in an horizontal position, one facing towards the cutting station S3 and the other towards the top that forms the plane of support of the inner frame of the intermediate transfer station S3 of the inner frames 1.

[0046] The constructive unit, that is the box that encloses the transmission 11 of the octagonal wheel 4 is fitted removable, preferably hinged to the support structure of the machine in such a manner that it can be rotated around a vertical axis like a door. Therefore, the wheel and the transmission can be moved into an inactive position uncovering the supply path and the cutting station making them accessible both visibly as well as physically.

[0047] The transfer unit of the inner frames from the intermediate transfer station to the applicator station S1 is formed by a rotating pick up head that has a pair of small picker arms 15 with heads 115 to pick up and deposit the inner frame that can be alternatively connected to a vacuum source to carry out the pick up action and the one of discharge of the inner frame.

[0048] The small arms are oriented vertically downward and can be moved with a rotation of 180 degrees of the head each alternatively in a position of vertical alignment with the housing pocket 102 of the transfer wheel 2 of the groups of cigarettes in the applicator station S1 and with the horizontal top side 104 of the octagonal wheel 4 in the intermediate transfer station S3. The heads 115 in said stations are aligned with the section housing the inner frame 1 circumscribed by the ribs 502 of the housing pocket 102 and with the section of the side 104 of the octagonal wheel 4 on which the inner frame 1 is foreseen.

[0049] The small vertical arms constitute part of an articulated parallelogram one of the levers 215 of which extends itself 315 inside of the head 15 beyond the fulcrum 415 with an extremity that has a transversal roller protruding staggered from the same and is engaged between two radial anular shoulders 116, 216 of a vertical rod 16 that is axially movable inside a tubular shaft 17 on the top end of which is mounted the head 15.

[0050] The vertical axial movement of the drive rod 16 takes place thanks to a cam 18 that is engaged on the two opposite sides of the track of the cam 118 by rollers with horizontal axes 316 carried by small radial arms 416 on the internal extremity of the same rod 16.

[0051] The tubular rotary drive shaft 17 of the head 5 has on its internal end rollers 117 that in turn engage with the cams 119 of an intermittor 19.

[0052] The cams 119 of the intermittor 19 and the drive cam 18 of the axial movement of the rod 16 are fitted on a common shaft 20 that is driven by a transmission indicated overall with 21 and of which only the output shaft is shown.

[0053] Conduits 22 to supply the suction to the heads 115 of the small arms 15 and that are connected to said heads by means of flexible conduits 23 are made in the body of the head 15 instead.

[0054] The pick up head 5, picks up the inner frame by suction on the top side 104 of the octagonal wheel 4 in the intermediate transfer station S3 with a movement of discend of the small arms, by activating the suction and returning with an ascending motion to the starting position. The pick up head 5 carries out a rotation of 180 degrees bringing the inner frame in the correct position of alignment with the housing pocket 102 in the applicator station, then the small arms are lowered, the suction is cut off, with the contextual activation of the suction in the transversal extensions 402 of the pocket 102 to retain the inner frame 1 on the same, and the small arms 15 are again brought to the raised position. While one small arms carries out the aforesaid operations, the diametrically opposite arm carries out the same operations but shifted 180 degrees out of phase. That is, one arm picks up the inner frame from the intermediate station S2 and the other deposits the inner frame in the applicator station S1 and vice versa.

[0055] The motions of raising and lowering of the arms 15 are carried out at the same time by the two arms 15.

[0056] With reference to a further feature of the invention, in the cutting station S2 and/or on the octagonal wheel 4 or oriented against the support section of the inner frame of the octagonal wheel 4 sensors can be provided that detect the correct positioning and/or the correct shape of the inner frame. These sensors can be of any type known in itself and are foreseen in combination with means of rejection of a defective inner frame.

[0057] The reject station S4, is illustrated in fig. 16. The means of rejection 30 are formed by a separating/deflecting spatula 130 fitted on an articulated parallelogram for its movement in a parallel or tangential direction to the corresponding side of the octagonal wheel 4. The spatula 130 has a small camber relative to the top horizontal plane 104 of the octagonal wheel (4) in the reject station S4.

[0058] In particular, the separating/deflecting spatula 130 is made in shape of a comb, with protruding teeth in front 230 that are designed to penetrate in working condition into anular grooves 31 provided in the octagonal wheel 4. The grooves 31 have a circular bottom surface coaxial to the wheel 4 and extend themselves substantially at a level of a circle inscribed in the shape of the octagonal wheel 4 itself. The orientation of the spatula 30 is according to a secant of the octagonal wheel 4 and of the circular bottom of the grooves 31 and the comb shaped front edge of the spatula 30 is facing directly towards the front edge of the upstrteam side 104 with reference to the direction of rotattion of the octagonal wheel 4. The forward motion in a direction substantially parallel to itself causes the teeth 230 to penetrate into the anular grooves 31 and consequently the deflection of the inner frame on the bottom side of the spatula, whereby the same separates automatically from the side 104 when the octagonal wheel carries out the step of advancement. The rejected inner frame can be left to drop into a reject container 32 below or on conveyor means which remove the rejected inner frames to an appropriate reservoir.

Claims

1. Feeder/applicator unit of components for making packagings, such as inserts or parts of packagings or envelopes, in particular in the cigarette packing machines, or similar, characterized by the fact that it comprises an applicator station (S1) of the inner frame (1) that is transversally staggered to the direction of the main flow (P) of the product in manufacture in the applicator machine, in particular laterally staggered relative to the main flow (P) of the product in manufacture.

2. Unit according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that with the station (S1) are associated transfer means (2) of each unit in manufacture in the said station (S1) and feeding means (4, 5) in the said station (S1) for one insert component (1) at a time, in particular one inner frame at the time from a supply line of said inner frames or inserts (N).

3. Unit according to the claims 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that in the applicator station (S1) joining means are provided (15, 115, 2, 102, 402) of each product in manufacture, in particular of each group of cigarettes wrapped in the inner foil envelope with an associated inner frame (1).

4. Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the applicator station (S1) is placed in an intermediate position between a line (N) feeding the inserts or the inner frames (1) and a manufacturing path of the products (P).

5. Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the applicator station (S1) of the inserts or of the inner frames (1) is foreseen laterally staggered relative to the main path (P) of manufacture of the product, or formation of the packaging envelopes of the individual groups of cigarettes and in the same horizontal plane with said path (P).

6. Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the transfer means (2) of the individual products in the applicator station (S1) have holding or housing means (102) of the individual products such that these are arranged with the face of application of the inserts or of the inner frames (1) in a substantially horizontal position, at least in the said applicator station (S1), while the conveyor means (4, 5) of the inner frames or inserts (1) transfer the same on a path which is superimposed on said face of application on the products and carry out apart from the parallel motion at least one perpendicular motion to said face of the product, with which the inner frames or the inserts (1) are deposited on said face of application.

7. Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that also means (2, 402) are connected to the applicator station transferring again the products with their respective insert or inner frame applied on the same to the main path (P) of manufacture of the machine.

8. Unit according to claim 7, characterized by the fact that said transfer means are equipped with retaining means (402, 502, 702, 802) of the inserts or inner frames in a position simply overlapping the products associated with the same.

9. Unit according to claim 8, characterized by the fact that said transfer means (2) of the couple product/insert or product/inner frame are formed advantageously by the same transfer means (2) of the products at the applicator station (S1).

10. Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said transfer means are formed by a wheel (2) with a vertical axis that has peripherally a plurality of housing pockets (102) of the individual products.

11. Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the means (402) holding in position each inner frame (1) on its corresponding group of cigarettes or product during the transfer from the applicator station (S1) to the main flow (P) of manufacture are constituted by housings (502) in shape of at least a partial frame of the inner frame or similar (1).

12. Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the inner frames or inserts (1) have wings (10) protruding from at least one preferably two peripheral sides of the group of cigarettes and/or the housing pockets (102), while the said housing pocket (102) of the groups of cigarettes has external extensions (402) that carry the components of the partial seating frame (502) and whose support surfaces of the inner frame (1) are made to be under suction (702, 802).

13. Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the supply path (N) of the inserts or inner frames (1) is provided substantially in a position both laterally and vertically staggered relative to the applicator station (S1).

14. Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said path is foreseen in a plane parallel and in front with regards to the main path (P) of the products in manufacture and to the applicator station (S1).

15. Unit according to the claim 14, characterized by the fact that said path (N) has a branch substantially parallel to the main path of manufacture (P) of the products and a vertical branch, with which the inserts or inner frames (1) are taken to an intermediate station of transfer (S3) at the applicator station (S1).

16. Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that upstream of the intermediate transfer station (S3) a cutting station (S2) is provided of the inserts or inner frames (1) from a continuous web of material (3).

17. Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said cutting station (S2) is foreseen staggered vertically downward with regards to the intermediate transfer station (S3).

18. Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it has transfer means (5) of the inner frames (1) from the intermediate transfer station (S3) to the applicator station (S1) of the inserts and/or inner frames to the products, the said transfer means (5) are suited to pick up the inner frame from the intermediate transfer station by means of a vertical lift and to move it into a position aligned with the partial seating frame (402, 502) on the transfer wheel (102) of the products in the applicator station (S1) by means of a transfer in a plane transversal to the lifting one and to deposit the inner frame (1) in the partial seating frame (402, 502), on the associated side of application of an ordered group of cigarettes by means of a vertical lowering.

19. Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact the transfer means (5) of the inner frame (1) from the intermediate station (S3) to the applicator station (S1) are formed by at least one or by a plurality, in particular by at least one pair of suction arms (15, 115), protruding radially outwards relative to a coaxial support head (5) that is revolving around an axis coaxial with regards to the arms (15) and in steps of rotation corresponding to the number of picker arms (15) and to the respective angular distance between each other and the said head (5) has means of articulation and drive (215, 315, 415) of the picker arms (15, 115) for carrying out the motion of lifting and lowering.

20. Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the transfer means (5) of the inner frame (1) from the intermediate transfer station (S3) to the one of application (S1) to the ordered group of cigarettes, have at least one pair of picker arms (15) positioned diametrically opposed to each other with regards to the axis of rotation of the support head (5), while the intermediate transfer station (S3) of the inner frame (1) and the applicator station (1) are themselves also diametrically opposed with regards to the axis of rotation of the support head (5) of the picker arms (15) and complanate to each other , and the picker arms (15) being raised or lowered together while the retaining means, preferably by means of suction (22, 23, 115) of the inner frame (1) on the corresponding picker arm(15) are activated in the arm (15) coinciding with the intermediate pick up station (S3) and are deactivated in the applicator station (S1) to pick up the inner frame (1) from the intermediate transfer station (S3) and to release the inner frame (1) on the ordered group of cigarettes in the applicator station (S1) respectively.

21. Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact the means are provided to cut (7, 8, 107, 108) the insert or inner frame (1) from a continuous web (3) that are formed by a die or a cutting unit, equipped with a punching head or with a moving knife that has a cutting edge with a shape corresponding to the outline of the insert or inner frame and a counterpart or stationary knife that is formed by the edge of a stationary component or by a stationary slit, whose cutting edge or edges engaging with the ones of the die or of the moving knife are of a shape corresponding to the cutting edge or to the blade of the die or of the knife.

22. Unit according to the claim 22, characterized by the fact that the peripheral outline of the insert or inner frame (1) is defined in such a way, whereby it becomes necessary to carry out only cuts substantially transversal to the web of material (3), in such a manner that the outline of the two transversal cuts is identical, obtaining the insert or the inner frame by means of a single transversal cut of separation that defines contextually the profile of the opposed edges (201) of the inner frame (1), of the cut inner frame (1) and of the one immediately following it, as a moving knife (8) and a stationary knife (7) are provided with cooperating cutting edges or blades (107, 108) that extend themselves from side to side of the two longitudinal sides of the web of material (3) and that are of complementary shape.

23. Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that from the cutting station (S2) to the intermediate transfer station (S3), the inserts or the inner frames (1) are transferred thanks to a semicircular path by means of a rotary conveyor under suction (4).

24. Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the moving cutting knife (8) forms contextually the conveyor of the cut inner frame (1) to the intermediate rotary conveyor (4).

25. Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the rotary conveyor under suction (4) has on its peripheral surface a plurality of preset suction zones that are equidistant between each other and that are brought in succession in correpondence of the cutting (S2) or punching station, with the suction zones coinciding with the free face of the cut insert or inner frame (1) and with the moving knife (8).

26. Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the rotarty conveyor (4) is formed by a wheel, in particular by a polygonal wheel, especially octagonal, in order to have two diametrically opposed parallel surfaces (104), one coinciding with the cutting (S2) or punching station and the other that forms the support plane of the intermediate station (S3), preferably aligned in the same plane of the applicator station (S1), that is parallel to the surface of the product or of the housing pocket (102), that is of the ordered group of cigarettes on which the insert or inner frame has to be applied.

27. Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the axial peripheral surface (104) is aligned in axial direction with the lateral edges of the web (3) and of the cut inserts or inner frames (1) and the suction zone starts from the front edge of said wheel (4) with reference to the direction of rotation.

28. Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact the wheel (4) is carried staggered by the output shaft (10) of a drive transmission (11) that is provided on the front side of the machine.

29. Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the transmission (11) has an input shaft (111) that connects with a removable coupling (12) to a drive shaft (13), while the transmission box (11) and the polygonal transfer wheel (4) itself are supported movable, in particular oscillating in an outward and lateral position relative to the supply path (N) of the web (3) and to the cutting station (S2), which thus becomes easily accessible for inspections and maintenance.

30. Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the transfer wheel (2) of the products in the joining station (S1) is provided with removable housings (102) for the products and for the inner frames.

31. Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that in combination with the polygonal transfer wheel (4) also separator means (3) of the inner frames are provided for that are arranged in correspondence of an intermediate reject station (S4).

32. Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the said means advantageously consist of a deviating component, like a small spatula or similar (130) that on command is movable parallel to its itself between a position of rest in which it does not engage with the transfer wheel (4) and an active position in which it engages with said wheel (4) forming a deviating and separating surface of the inner frame from the side (104) of the octagonal wheel (4) on which it is held.

33. Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the small spatula (130) has a free front edge (230) turned towards the octagonal wheel (4) that is made with at least with one tooth protruding in front, preferably with more than one tooth, in particular in shape of a comb, while the octagonal wheel has in the position aligned with said front teeth (230) of the separating spatula (230) a respective anular groove (31) for each tooth of said spatula (130), the separating spatula (130) being in active position, is moved in direction of the octagonal wheel (4) by a dimension such, whereby the teeth (230) of the front in shape of a comb of the same penetrate into the anular grooves (31).

34. Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the front (230) of the separating spatula (130) is oriented towards the apex of the side (104) of the octagonal wheel (4) that with reference to the direction of rotation is placed upstream of the separating spatula (130) on each rest period.

35. Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the separating spatula (130) has preferably a smaller inclination than the one of the side (104) of the octagonal wheel (4) in the area of the reject station (S4) and such, whereby the inner frame (1) to be rejected undergoes a radial deviation outwards relative to the axis of the octagonal wheel (4) itself.

36. Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that in combination with said deviator/separator means (30, 130, 230) detector means are provided of the correct position and peripheral outline of the insert or inner frame (1), the said means can consist of light sensors arranged both on the corresponding sides of the octagonal wheel (4) in the corresponding positions directly adjacent to some preset points or limits (502) within which the peripheral borders of the insert or inner frame (1) must extend themselves correctly positioned on the polygonal transfer wheel (4) or pointed towards the polygonal wheel (4) and that read the intensity of the reflected light.

37. Unit according to the claim 35, characterized by the fact that the polygonal transfer wheel (4) has a contrasting colour or with a different coefficient of reflection relative to the inserts or inner frames (1) in particular with white inner frames, the octagonal transfer wheel (4) is of a dark colour, especially black.

Drawing