A unit for applying printed slips to packets in packaging machines

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a unit intended for the application of printed slips to packets in packaging machines.

[0002] In particular, and to advantage, the invention finds application in machines for manufacturing packets of cigarettes, the field to which reference is made explicitly in the following specification albeit with no limitation implied, whilst the term "printed slip" is used to indicate a coupon, plain or folded, or a label or revenue stamp, of the kind typically associated with such packets.

[0003] Printed slips of the type in question are in most cases either cut from a continuous strip or drawn from a stack of diecuts. The machines by which the slips are applied will obviously be equipped with different feed devices according to the manner in which the slips are procured. In the case of folded coupons, in particular, these can be cut from a continuous strip folded previously along one or more longitudinal crease lines and decoiled thus from a roll, or alternately, the folding operation can be carried out at the moment when the strip is decoiled and fed to the machine.

[0004] Conventionally, a cigarette packer can be used both for the production of articles furnished with printed slips cut from a continuous strip, and for the production of articles furnished with slips procured in the form of diecuts. Obviously, given the high operating speeds and outputs of machines in use today, and the high profitability expected of them, the changeover from one type of production to another on the same packer will be economically justifiable only when the conversion of the machine from the one type of operation to the other can be accomplished in a relatively short time.

[0005] The prior art embraces packer machines equipped with devices designed to feed printed slips either from a continuous strip or from the bottom of a vertical magazine, operating in conjunction with respective devices by which the slips are picked up and applied to the packets, wherein the changeover from one type of feed system to another is effected by replacing both the feed and the pickup devices.

[0006] As a result, cigarette packers currently in use are rendered less adaptable to different types of slips and to their corresponding feed systems, and consequently less profitable.

[0007] It is also known from document US 5203953 an apparatus for conveying labels to be transferred to a cigarette pack. The labels, especially revenue stamps, are usually affixed to cuboidal cigarette packs. The labels are successively severed length- or breadthways from a continuous web of material and are then directly fed into a magazine, from which the labels are extracted at the lower end as required. Without any conversion, the type of labels to be processed can be changed by way of (temporarily) manually inserting labels into the magazine which is appropriately designed for this option.

[0008] It is also known from document EP 370633 a convertible labelling machine comprising a label transport, preferably a rotating vacuum drum, which transports labels from a label pick up station to a label applying station, and a container transport which transports containers to, through and from the label applying station. Two or more interchangeable modules are provided each of which is readily attachable to and detachable from the main plate to perform two or more of the following labelling operations. This document corresponds to the preamble of claim 1.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a unit for the application of printed slips in packaging machines, from which the aforementioned drawbacks can be eliminated.

[0010] The stated object is realized, according to the invention, in a unit for applying printed slips to packets in packaging machines, as described in claim 1.

[0011] The invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:

• figure 1 shows a portion of a packer machine, viewed schematically in elevation with certain parts omitted and comprising a unit for applying printed slips to packets embodied in accordance with the present invention, in which the slips can be supplied by two different and interchangeable feed devices;
• figure 2 illustrates the portion of the packer as in figure 1, viewed schematically in elevation and with certain parts omitted for clarity, showing the application unit associated with the first device for feeding the printed slips;
• figure 3 illustrates the portion of the packer as in figure 1, viewed schematically in elevation and with certain parts omitted for clarity, showing the application unit associated with the second device for feeding the printed slips;
• figures 4 and 5 show a detail of the second feed device in two different operating steps, viewed in elevation;
• figure 6 shows a detail of the unit of figure 1, illustrated in an alternative embodiment and viewed in perspective;
• figures 7 and 8 show part of the unit of figure 1 associated respectively with the first and with the second device for feeding the printed slips, viewed in perspective;
• figures 9, 10 and 11 illustrate three different types of printed slip, viewed in perspective;
• figure 12 is the enlarged perspective view of a packet furnished with a printed slip.

[0012] Referring to figure 1 of the drawings, 1 denotes a portion, in its entirety, of a packaging machine, and 2 denotes a unit, likewise in its entirety, for the application of detachable printed slips 3 to packets 4 of substantially parallelepiped shape, for example of the type with a hinged lid.

[0013] The portion 1 of the machine is equipped with a conveyor denoted 5 in its entirety, by which the packets 4 are received at an infeed section 6 and advanced in succession along a predetermined feed path P in a given direction F toward a station 7 at which a slip 3 is applied to each packet 4 by the unit 2 aforementioned, and thereafter toward an overwrapping machine represented schematically as a block 8, by which the packets 4 are overwrapped in transparent plastic material (a familiar operation not illustrated in the drawings).

[0014] The application unit 2 comprises a pickup and application device denoted 9 in its entirety, which is positioned immediately above the application station 7.

[0015] The device 9 is of universal design, installed permanently on the machine in a fixed position, and can be supplied with slips 3 at a pickup station 10 by first feed means 11 or by second feed means 12 consisting respectively in a first feed device 11 or a second feed device 12. The devices 11 and 12 in question are interchangeable accessories, shown schematically in figure 1 in positions not as yet fitted to the application unit 2, so as to indicate the facility of using one or other device 11 or 12 according to the requirement.

[0016] Observing figures 1 and 2, the first device 11 for feeding the printed slips 3 will be seen to include a magazine 13 with a substantially vertical axis 14 positionable on a vertical bulkhead 15 of the application unit 2, and more exactly fixed to a mounting point 16 indicated by a phantom outline in figure 1 .

[0017] The magazine 13 is designed to hold a stack 17 of slips 3 removable one by one from a bottom end 18 of the selfsame magazine when fixed to the mounting point 16 and positioned thus with the bottom end 18 facing the pickup station 10.

[0018] Observing figures 1 and 3, the second device 12 for feeding the printed slips 3 will be seen to include a decoiling unit 19 by which a continuous strip 20 of material is drawn from a roll 21, and a feed unit 22 comprising a suction roller 23 located downstream of the decoiling unit 19, in relation to the direction of the running strip 20, by which the selfsame strip 20 is diverted along a substantially horizontal direction D coinciding with a plane 24 that lies parallel with and in close proximity to a reference plane 25 of the pickup station 10

[0019] Importantly, it will be observed also that the position of the reference plane 25 relative to the pickup station 10 remains the same in the event of the first feed device 11 being utilized.

[0020] The second device 12 further comprises a cutter unit 26 presenting a fixed blade 27 and a movable blade 28, positioned in sequence along the feed direction D followed by the advancing strip 20, respectively below and above the plane 24 occupied by the strip 20.

[0021] The movable blade 28 of the cutter unit 26 is pivotable about an axis 29 normal to the vertical bulkhead 15 between a raised non operating position indicated in figure 4, distanced from the plane 24 and affording a passage to a portion 30 of the strip 20 indexed forward by the suction roller 23, and a lowered operating position of interaction with the fixed blade 27, indicated in figure 5, in which the aforementioned portion 30 of strip 20 constituting one slip 3 is cut and transferred into a position occupying the same plane as the pickup station 10.

[0022] With reference to figures 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8, the aforementioned pickup and application device 2 includes a pickup assembly 31 of the type disclosed in US Patent 5,775,062, to which reference may be made for a full description. Such an assembly 31 comprises at least one pickup mechanism 32 with an aspirating sector 33 having a cylindrical outer pickup surface 33a centred on an axis 34 normal to the vertical bulkhead 15, which is designed to pick up a single slip 3 from the first feed device 11 or alternatively from the second feed device 12, at a point coinciding with the reference plane 25 of the pickup station 10. The pickup mechanism 32 is made to advance at constant speed along a predetermined path P1, through the agency of a carrier device 35 mounted to a power driven shaft 36 of which the axis is denoted 37. The mechanism 32 comprises a plurality of suction cups 38 occupying a part of the aspirating sector 33 of the outer surface 33a, aligned parallel with the aforementioned axis 34 and connected to a conventional source of negative pressure (not indicated), and able thus to attract and retain a single slip 3 on the surface 33a. More exactly, and as described in US Patent 5,775,062, the pickup mechanism 32 is caused to rotate about the axis 37 of the carrier device 35 in such a way that the outer surface 33a rolls tangentially to the reference place 25 of the pickup station 10, engaging progressively in contact with a slip 3 positioned at the bottom end 18 of the magazine 13 or under the movable blade 28 of the cutter unit 26 when in the lowered operating position. Thus, the suction cups 38 make contact by degrees with the slip 3, which is transferred gradually away from the station 10.

[0023] Thereafter, the mechanism 32 is advanced by the carrier device 35 along the aforementioned path P1, moving clockwise as viewed in the drawing, toward a release position 39.

[0024] The unit 2 disclosed also presents an application assembly 40 located below the pickup assembly 31, interposed between the latter assembly 31 and the conveyor 5. This further assembly 40 operates in conjunction with the pickup assembly 31 and is equipped with a drum 41 rotatable about an axis 42 parallel to the axis 37 of the pickup assembly 31 between the release position 39 and a position 43, coinciding with the application station 7, in which a slip 3 is applied to the relative packet 4. The drum 41 carries three angularly equidistant second pickup mechanisms 44, pneumatic in operation, which as discernible in figures 2, 3, 7 and 8 comprise a cylindrical surface 45 concentric with the axis 42 of rotation, and two suction cups 46 positioned one on either side of the surface 45, connected to a source of negative pressure not illustrated in the drawings.

[0025] The second pickup mechanisms 44 are designed to interact with the aspirating sector 33 of the first pickup mechanism 32 at the release position 39, where the slips 3 are transferred from the suction cups 38 of the first mechanism 32 to the suction cups 46 of the second mechanisms 44.

[0026] During the course of the transfer, the suction cups 38 and 46 describe a rolling movement relative to the slip 3, devoid of sliding contact not least by virtue of their elastic deformability, and are also offset one from the another rather than being mutually opposed.

[0027] More particularly, the drum 41 rotates about its axis 42 in an anticlockwise direction, as viewed in the drawing, in such a manner as to transfer the slips 3 along a path P2 tangential to the path P followed by the packets 4 on the conveyor 5 and affix one slip 3 to a corresponding face of each packet 4 at the application station 7, at least one dab of adhesive having been deposited on the slip 3 by a gumming device 47 positioned along the path P2 followed by the mechanisms 44 (see figure 1).

[0028] As discernible in figures 1 and 12, the packets 4 lie flat on the conveyor 5 as they proceed along the feed path P, advancing with their longitudinal axes 48 set transversely to the feed direction F, whilst the printed slips 3, which in figures 9, 10 and 11 appear substantially rectangular and are referable to a relative longitudinal axis 49, are applied to the packets 4 each with the longitudinal axis 49 parallel to the longitudinal axis 48 of the packet 4.

[0029] Assuming that the slips 3, whether picked up from the magazine 13 by the first feed device 11 or cut from a strip 20 and picked up consequently by the second feed device 12, are directed into the pickup station 10 with their longitudinal axes 49 disposed parallel to the axes 49 of the packets 4 advancing along the conveyor 5, then the subsequent transfer of each slip 3 from the pickup station 10 to the application station 7 can be effected without any need for a change of orientation.

[0030] Conversely, in the event that the slips 3 enter the pickup station 10 with their respective axes 49 disposed transversely to the longitudinal axes 48 of the packets 4, and therefore parallel to the feed direction F followed by the packets 4 on the conveyor 5, then the orientation must be changed during the passage from the pickup station 10 to the application station 7 in order to bring the axes 49 into a position substantially of parallel alignment with the axes 48 of the single packets 4.

[0031] To this end, the drum 41 can be equipped as in the alternative embodiment of figure 6 with three angularly equidistant second pickup mechanisms 50, pneumatic in operation and comprising two suction cups 46 similarly to the first mechanisms 44, but differing from the first in that they are mounted to respective shafts 51 rotatable about respective radial axes 51a through the agency of conventional mechanical linkages (not illustrated) in such a way as to manoeuvre the suction cups 46 from a position of alignment on a line 60 parallel to the transfer path P2 to a position in which the selfsame line 60 is disposed transversely to the transfer path P2, thereby rotating the slips 3 through 90°.

[0032] This would be the procedure in case of the slip 3 illustrated in figure 10, which is folded along crease lines extending parallel to the longitudinal axis 49 and cut from a continuous strip 20 along lines transverse to the selfsame axis 49.

[0033] In the case of the slip 3 shown in figure 11, which is folded along crease lines transverse to the longitudinal axis 49 and for example cut from a strip 20 along lines parallel to the axis 49, or cut previously and stacked in a magazine 13, the orientation of the axes 49 on entering the pickup station 10 will be transverse to the feed path P1 and thus parallel to the axes 48 of the packets 4; in this instance the unit 2 comprises first and second guiding and locating means 52 and 53, as illustrated in figure 8, positioned between the pickup station 10 and the release position 39, serving to ensure that the folded slips 3 are transferred correctly.

[0034] In particular, the first such guide means 52 comprise an arcuate element 54 associated with the end of a bracket 55 rigidly attached to the carrier device 35 and designed to prevent the overlapping leaves of the folded slip 3 from opening out and becoming detached, whilst the second guide means 53 comprise an L-shaped plate 56 fixed at one end to the frame 57 of the relative feed device 11 or 12.

[0035] The plate 56 in question presents a free end 58 disposed parallel to the feed path P1, of which the function is to prevent relative movement between the overlapping leaves of the folded slip 3.

[0036] It will be observed that the second vacuum pickup mechanisms 50 might be mounted permanently to the second pickup assembly 40 and activated only when effectively necessary for the reasons indicated.

[0037] In addition, the aspirating sector 33 of the first pickup assembly 31 might present a plurality of holes 59 rather than suction cups 38, as in the example of figure 7, connected likewise to a source of negative pressure (not illustrated).

Claims

1. A unit for applying printed slips to packets in packaging machines, comprising first means (11) by which to feed slips (3) procured as single items ordered in a stack, or second means (12) by which to feed slips (3) obtainable as cuts made from a continuous strip (20), said first and second feed means (11, 12) being mutually interchangeable; and a universal pickup and application device (9) installed permanently in the machine (1) such as will take up the slips (3) with equal facility from either the first or the second feed means (11, 12) at a pickup station (10); characterized in that said pickup and application device (9) includes: at least one pickup assembly (31) capable of movement between the pickup station (10) and a release position (39), generated according to a previously determined law of motion and described about an axis (37) lying parallel to a reference plane (25) of the pickup station (10); and an application assembly (40) operating in conjunction with the pickup assembly (31), rotatable about a respective axis (42) extending parallel to the axis (37) of rotation of the pickup assembly (31) and capable of movement thus between the release position (39) and a position (43) at which a slip (3) is applied to a respective packet (4).

2. A unit as in claim 1, wherein first feed means (11) comprise a magazine (13) containing a plurality of slips (3) ordered in a stack aligned on a relative axis (14) substantially perpendicular to the pickup station (10).

3. A unit as in claim 1, wherein second feed means (12) comprise units (19; 22; 26) by means of which respectively to decoil, feed and cut a continuous strip (20), of which the feed unit (22) is designed to index the continuous strip (20), at least when in the neighbourhood of the pickup station (10), through predetermined steps and in a direction (D) coinciding with a plane (24) disposed parallel and in close proximity to a reference plane (25) of the pickup station (10).

4. A unit as in claim 1, wherein the pickup assembly (31) comprises a pickup mechanism (32) caused by the law of motion governing the movement of the selfsame assembly (31) to roll tangentially to a reference plane (25) of the pickup station (10) during the step of picking up the slips (3) from the station (10) and thereafter to advance along a predetermined path (P1), passing from the pickup station (10) to the release position (39).

5. A unit as in claim 4, wherein the pickup mechanism (32) comprises at least one aspirating sector (33) affording a pickup surface (33a) of arcuate profile positioned to roll against the reference plane (25) of the pickup station (10) and furnished with a plurality of holes (59) connectable to a source of negative pressure.

6. A unit as in claim 4, wherein the pickup mechanism (32) is furnished with at least one suction cup (38) connectable to a source of negative pressure and designed to attract a slip (3) occupying the reference plane (25) of the pickup station (10) by rolling against one face thereof.

7. A unit as in claim 1, wherein the application assembly (40) comprises second pneumatic pickup mechanisms (44) equidistanced angularly about the respective axis (42) of rotation and operating in conjunction with a pickup mechanism (32) of the pickup assembly (31), by which the slips (3) are transferred along a predetermined path (P2) from the pickup assembly (31) to the packets (4).

8. A unit as in claim 7, comprising gumming means (47) positioned along the transfer path (P2) in such a way as to apply an adhesive material to one surface of the slips (3).

9. A unit as claim 7, wherein the second pickup mechanisms (44) are carried by a drum (41) rotatable about the axis (42) of the application assembly (40), mounted to respective shafts (51) rotatable in their turn about respective axes (51a) disposed transversely to the axis (42) of rotation of the drum (41) in order to change the orientation of the slips (3) during the rotation of the drum.

10. A unit as in claims 1 to 8, wherein the pickup and application device (9) comprises first and second guiding and locating means (52, 53) serving to ensure the correct transfer of the slips (3).

Ansprüche

1. Einheit zum Aufbringen von bedruckten Materialstreifen auf Schachteln in Verpackungsmaschinen, enthaltend erste Mittel (11), durch welche Streifen (3) zugeführt werden, entnommen als einzelne und in Stapeln angeordnete Stücke, oder zweite Mittel (12), durch welche Streifen (3) zugeführt werden, erhältlich als Abschnitte von einem kontinuierlichen Band (20), wobei die genannten ersten und zweiten Zuführmittel (11, 12) untereinander austauschbar sind; und eine universelle Aufnahme- und Anbringungsvorrichtung (9), fest installiert in der Maschine (1), so dass sie die Streifen (3) gleichermassen entweder von den ersten oder den zweiten Zuführmitteln (11, 12) an einer Aufnahmestation (10) aufnehmen kann; dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die genannte Aufnahme- und Anbringungsvorrichtung (9) enthält: wenigstens eine Aufnahmegruppe (31), in der Lage, eine Bewegung zwischen der Aufnahmestation (10) und einer Freigabeposition (39) auszuführen, festgelegt nach einem vorher bestimmten Bewegungsgesetz und beschrieben um eine Achse (37), die parallel zu einer Bezugsebene (25) der Aufnahmestation (10) verläuft; und eine Anbringungsgruppe (40), die zusammen mit der Aufnahmegruppe (31) arbeitet, um eine entsprechende Achse (42) drehbar ist, die sich parallel zu der Drehachse (37) der Aufnahmegruppe (31) erstreckt, und die in der Lage ist, eine Bewegung zwischen der Freigabeposition (39) und einer Position (43) auszuführen, in welcher ein Streifen (3) an einer jeweiligen Schachtel (4) angebracht wird.

2. Einheit nach Patentanspruch 1, bei welcher die ersten Zuführmittel (11) ein Magazin (13) aufweisen, enthaltend eine Anzahl von Streifen (3), die in einem Stapel angeordnet und nach einer entsprechenden Achse (14) im wesentlichen lotrecht zu der Aufnahmestation (10) ausgerichtet sind.

3. Einheit nach Patentanspruch 1, bei welcher die zweiten Zuführmittel (12) Einheiten (19; 22; 26) enthalten, mit Hilfe welcher jeweils ein kontinuierliches Band (20) abgewickelt, zugeführt und geschnitten wird, von welchen die Zuführeinheit (22) dazu bestimmt ist, das kontinuierliche Band (20) zu indexieren, wenigstens, wenn es in der Nähe der Aufnahmestation (10) ist, und zwar durch festgelegte Schritte und in einer Richtung (D), die mit einer Ebene (24) übereinstimmt, die parallel zu und in dichter Nähe einer Bezugsebene (25) der Aufnahmestation (10) angeordnet ist.

4. Einheit nach Patentanspruch 1, bei welcher die Aufnahmegruppe (31) einen Aufnahmemechanismus (32) enthält, geleitet durch ein Bewegungsgesetz, welches die Bewegung der Gruppe (31) selbst verwaltet, um tangential zu einer Bezugsebene (25) der Aufnahmestation (10) abzurollen, und zwar während der Phase der Aufnahme der Streifen (3) von der Station (10), und um danach entlang einer vorgegebenen Bahn (P1) vorzulaufen, übergehend von der Aufnahmestation (10) zu der Freigabeposition (39).

5. Einheit nach Patentanspruch 4, bei welcher der Aufnahmemechanismus (32) wenigstens einen Ansaugabschnitt (33) enthält, aufweisend eine Aufnahmefläche (33a) von gebogenem Profil und positioniert, um an der Bezugsebene (25) der Aufnahmestation (10) abzurollen, und versehen mit einer Anzahl von Bohrungen (59), die an eine Unterdruckquelle anschliessbar sind.

6. Einheit nach Patentanspruch 4, bei welcher der Aufnahmemechanismus (32) mit wenigstens einem Saugnapf (38) geliefert wird, anschliessbar an eine Unterdruckquelle und dazu bestimmt, einen Streifen (3) anzusaugen, der die Bezugsebene (25) der Aufnahmestation (10) belegt, und zwar durch Abrollen an einer von dessen Flächen.

7. Einheit nach Patentanspruch 1, bei welcher die Anbringungsgruppe (40) zweite pneumatische Aufnahmemechanismen (44) enthält, winkelmässig im gleichem Abstand um die jeweilige Drehachse (42) angeordnet und mit einem Aufnahmemechanismus (32) der Aufnahmegruppe (31) zusammenarbeitend, durch welche die Streifen (3) entlang einer vorgegebenen Bahn (P2) von der Aufnahmegruppe (31) an die Schachteln (4) transferiert werden.

8. Einheit nach Patentanspruch 7, enthaltend Gummiermittel (47), positioniert entlang der Transferbahn (P2) auf solche Weise, dass auf eine Oberfläche der Streifen (3) ein Klebematerial aufgetragen wird.

9. Einheit nach Patentanspruch 7, bei welcher die zweiten Aufnahmemechanismen (44) durch eine Trommel (41) getragen werden, die um die Achse (42) der Anbringungsgruppe (40) drehbar ist, montiert an entsprechenden Wellen (51), die wiederum um jeweilige Achsen (51a) drehbar sind, angeordnet quer zu der Drehachse (42) der Trommel (41), um die Orientierung der Streifen (3) während der Umdrehung der Trommel zu ändern.

10. Einheit nach den Patentansprüchen von 1 bis 8, bei welcher die Aufnahme- und Anbringungsvorrichtung (9) erste und zweite Führungs- und Positioniermittel (52, 53) enthält, die dazu dienen, das korrekte Transferieren der Streifen (3) zu sichern.

Revendications

1. Une unité pour appliquer des morceaux de matériau imprimé sur des paquets dans des machines d'emballage, comprenant des premiers moyens (11) destinés à alimenter des morceaux de matériau (3) se présentant sous forme d'articles séparés mis en pile, ou des seconds moyens (12) destinés à alimenter des morceaux de matériau (3) pouvant être obtenus par coupes d'une bande continue (20), lesdits premiers et seconds moyens d'alimentation (11, 12) étant mutuellement interchangeables ; et un dispositif universel de prélèvement et d'application (9) installé de façon permanente dans la machine (1) et destiné à prélever avec la même facilité les morceaux de matériau (3) des premiers ou des seconds moyens d'alimentation (11, 12) au niveau d'une station de prélèvement (10) ; ladite unité étant caractérisée en ce que ledit dispositif de prélèvement et d'application (9) comprend : au moins un groupe de prélèvement (31) pouvant être mû entre la station de prélèvement (10) et une position de dépose (39) selon un mouvement déterminé par une loi de mouvement préalablement définie et inscrit autour d'un axe (37) parallèle à un plan de référence (25) de la station de prélèvement (10) ; et un groupe d'application (40) fonctionnant en association avec le groupe de prélèvement (31), pouvant tourner autour d'un axe respectif (42) parallèle à l'axe (37) de rotation du groupe de prélèvement (31) et pouvant être mû entre la position de dépose (39) et une position (43) au niveau de laquelle un morceau de matériau (3) est appliqué sur un paquet (4) respectif.

2. L'unité selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que les premiers moyens d'alimentation (11) comprennent un magasin (13) contenant une pluralité de morceaux de matériau (3) formant une pile alignée sur un axe (14) correspondant qui est essentiellement perpendiculaire à la station de prélèvement (10).

3. L'unité selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que les seconds moyens d'alimentation (12) comprennent des groupes (19; 22; 26) destinés, respectivement, à dérouler, faire avancer et couper une bande continue (20), le groupe d'avancement (22) étant destiné à faire avancer la bande continue (20), au moins à proximité de la station de prélèvement (10), par pas prédéterminés et dans une direction (D) coïncidant avec un plan (24) parallèle et situé à proximité d'un plan de référence (25) de la station de prélèvement (10).

4. L'unité selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que le groupe de prélèvement (31) comprend un mécanisme de prélèvement (32) qui est entraîné, par la loi de mouvement déterminant le mouvement du groupe (31) lui-même, à rouler tangentiellement à un plan de référence (25) de la station de prélèvement (10) durant la phase de prélèvement des morceaux de matériau (3) de cette même station (10), puis à avancer le long d'un parcours prédéterminé (P1), passant ainsi de la station de prélèvement (10) à la position de dépose (39).

5. L'unité selon la revendication 4, caractérisée en ce que le mécanisme de prélèvement (32) comprend au moins un secteur aspirant (33) présentant une surface de prélèvement (33a), ayant un profil arqué et destinée à rouler contre le plan de référence (25) de la station de prélèvement (10), et pourvu d'une pluralité de trous (59) pouvant être reliés à une source de pression négative.

6. L'unité selon la revendication 4, caractérisée en ce que le mécanisme de prélèvement (32) est pourvu d'au moins une ventouse (38) pouvant être reliée à une source de pression négative et destinée à attirer un morceau de matériau (3) occupant le plan de référence (25) de la station de prélèvement (10) en roulant contre une face de celui-ci.

7. L'unité selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que le groupe d'application (40) comprend des seconds mécanismes pneumatiques de prélèvement (44) disposés à intervalles angulaires réguliers autour de l'axe respectif (42) de rotation et fonctionnant en association avec un mécanisme de prélèvement (32) du groupe de prélèvement (31) afin de transférer, le long d'un parcours (P2) prédéterminé, les morceaux de matériau (3) du groupe de prélèvement (31) aux paquets (4).

8. L'unité selon la revendication 7, caractérisée en ce que des moyens de gommage (47) sont positionnés le long du parcours (P2) de transfert de manière à appliquer une substance adhésive sur une surface des morceaux de matériau (3).

9. L'unité selon la revendication 7, caractérisée en ce que les seconds mécanismes de prélèvement (44) sont supportés par un tambour (41) pouvant tourner autour de l'axe (42) du groupe d'application (40), montés sur des arbres (51) respectifs pouvant à leur tour tourner autour d'axes (51a) respectifs disposés transversalement à l'axe (42) de rotation du tambour (41) afin de modifier l'orientation des morceaux de matériau (3) durant la rotation du tambour.

10. L'unité selon les revendications de 1 à 8, caractérisée en ce que le dispositif de prélèvement et d'application (9) comprend des premiers et seconds moyens de guidage et de centrage (52, 53) servant à garantir le transfert approprié des morceaux dé matériau (3).

Drawing