A wrapping wheel (2) forming part of a cigarette packer (1) is equipped with at least one conveying head (4) that presents a pocket (5) and is carried by the wheel (2) along a feed path (P), passing through a first station (S1) at which a product (6) is directed into the pocket (5), then through a second station (S2) at which a leaf (8) of wrapping material is laid over the pocket (5) and pinned in a predetermined position by pivoted grippers (20), and finally through an outfeed station (S3) where the product (6) is ejected from the pocket (5), paired with the wrapping leaf (8) and transferred together with the leaf (8) to a further wrapping wheel (14); the grippers (20) are operated by direct interaction with suitable transmission and shifter components (33, 34) positioned outside the peripheral compass of the wrapping wheel (2).