Method and unit for transferring a product on an intermittent packing machine

Abstract

On a packing machine, pockets on a conveyor are fed in steps through a transfer station; and at least one product is transferred to/from a pocket on the conveyor when the pocket is arrested at the transfer station during a pause between two successive steps; before the product is transferred, the pocket is moved with respect to the conveyor to set the pocket to a given transfer position at the transfer station.

1 ) A method of transferring a product on an intermittent packing machine; the method comprising the stages of: 
 feeding first pockets ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) of a first conveyor ( 13 ,  19 ,  25 ,  39 ) of the intermittent packing machine ( 1 ) in steps through a transfer station ( 51 ,  55 ,  57 ,  59 ); and    transferring at least one product ( 3 ) to/from a first pocket ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) of the first conveyor ( 13 ,  19 ,  25 ,  39 ) when the first pocket ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) is arrested at the transfer station ( 51 ,  55 ,  57 ,  59 ) during a pause between two successive steps;    the method being characterized by comprising the further stage, before the product ( 3 ) is transferred, of moving the first pocket ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) with respect to the first conveyor ( 13 ,  19 ,  25 ,  39 ), so that the first pocket ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) is set to a given transfer position at the transfer station ( 51 ,  55 ,  57 ,  59 ).    
     
     
         2 ) A method as claimed in  claim 1 , and comprising the further stages of feeding a sheet ( 5 ,  6 ,  7 ) of packing material to the first pocket ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) at a feed station ( 9   b ,  9   d ,  9   f ); and folding the sheet ( 5 ,  6 ,  7 ) of packing material about the product ( 3 ) carried by the first pocket ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) at least one packing station.  
     
     
         3 ) A method as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the first pocket ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) is moved with respect to the first conveyor ( 13 ,  19 ,  25 ,  39 ) into a transfer position at the transfer station ( 51 ,  55 ,  57 ,  59 ), and into a folding position, differing from the transfer position, at the packing station.  
     
     
         4 ) A method as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein, in the folding position, the first pocket ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) is positioned tangentially with respect to the first conveyor ( 13 ,  19 ,  25 ,  39 ), and, in the transfer position, the first pocket ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) is at least partly extracted with respect to the first conveyor ( 13 ,  19 ,  25 ,  39 ).  
     
     
         5 ) A method as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the sheet ( 5 ,  6 ,  7 ) of packing material is folded about the product ( 3 ) by a fixed folding member located, in a fixed position, close to the first conveyor ( 13 ,  19 ,  25 ,  39 ).  
     
     
         6 ) A method as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein: 
 the first conveyor ( 13 ,  19 ,  25 ,  39 ) comprises a rotary body ( 14 ,  20 ,  26 ,  40 ) rotating in steps about a central first axis ( 15 ,  21 ,  27 ,  41 ) and supporting the first pockets ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 );    at least two products ( 3 ) are transferred simultaneously from/to two first pockets ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) of the first conveyor ( 13 ,  19 ,  25 ,  39 );    at the transfer station ( 51 ,  55 ,  57 ,  59 ), the two first pockets ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) are arranged flat and are aligned with each other in a straight line;    at the packing station ( 9   c ,  9   e ,  9   g ), the two first pockets ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) are arranged in an arc and are aligned with each other along an arc of a circle coaxial with the central first axis ( 15 ,  21 ,  27 ,  41 ); and    each sheet ( 5 ,  6 ,  7 ) of packing material is folded about the product ( 3 ) by a fixed folding member located, in a fixed position, close to the first conveyor ( 13 ,  19 ,  25 ,  39 ).    
     
     
         7 ) A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least two products ( 3 ) are transferred simultaneously from/to two, respectively central and lateral, first pockets ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) of the first conveyor ( 13 ,  19 ,  25 ,  39 ).  
     
     
         8 ) A method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein only the lateral first pocket ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) is moved with respect to the first conveyor ( 13 ,  19 ,  25 ,  39 ) to set the lateral first pocket ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) to a given transfer position at the transfer station ( 51 ,  55 ,  57 ,  59 ).  
     
     
         9 ) A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein three products ( 3 ) are transferred simultaneously from/to three, respectively one central and two lateral, first pockets ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) of the first conveyor ( 13 ,  19 ,  25 ,  39 ).  
     
     
         10 ) A method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein only the lateral first pockets ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) are moved with respect to the first conveyor ( 13 ,  19 ,  25 ,  39 ) to set each lateral first pocket ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) to a given transfer position at the transfer station ( 51 ,  55 ,  57 ,  59 ).  
     
     
         11 ) A method as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the lateral first pockets ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) perform two equal, opposite rotations with respect to the first conveyor ( 13 ,  19 ,  25 ,  39 ) as they approach the transfer station ( 51 ,  55 ,  57 ,  59 ).  
     
     
         12 ) A method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the first pockets ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) assume a U-shaped arrangement at the transfer station ( 51 ,  55 ,  57 ,  59 ).  
     
     
         13 ) A method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein, at the transfer station ( 51 ,  55 ,  57 ,  59 ), the first pockets ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) are positioned flat and are aligned with one another in a straight line.  
     
     
         14 ) A method as claimed in  claim 1 , and comprising the further stages of: 
 feeding second pockets ( 22 ,  28 ,  42 ) of a second conveyor ( 19 ,  25 ,  39 ) of the intermittent packing machine ( 1 ) in steps through the transfer station ( 51 ,  55 ,  57 ,  59 ); and    transferring the product ( 3 ) between the first pocket ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ) of the first conveyor ( 13 ,  19 ,  25 ) and the second pocket ( 22 ,  28 ,  42 ) of the second conveyor ( 19 ,  25 ,  39 ) when both the pockets are arrested at the transfer station ( 51 ,  55 ,  57 ) during a pause between two successive steps.    
     
     
         15 ) A method as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein both the first pocket ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ) and the second pocket ( 22 ,  28 ,  42 ) are moved with respect to the corresponding conveyors ( 13 ,  19 ,  25 ,  39 ) so as to be positioned facing and aligned with each other.  
     
     
         16 ) A method as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the second pocket ( 22 ,  28 ,  42 ) is maintained stationary with respect to the second conveyor ( 19 ,  25 ,  39 ), and only the first pocket ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ) is moved with respect to the first conveyor ( 13 ,  19 ,  25 ) to position the first pocket ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ) facing and aligned with the second pocket ( 22 ,  28 ,  42 ).  
     
     
         17 ) A method as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein at least two products ( 3 ) are transferred simultaneously from two, respectively central and lateral, first pockets ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ) of the first conveyor ( 13 ,  19 ,  25 ) to two, respectively central and lateral, second pockets ( 22 ,  28 ,  42 ) of the second conveyor ( 19 ,  25 ,  39 ).  
     
     
         18 ) A method as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the central first pocket ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ) and the central second pocket ( 22 ,  28 ,  42 ) are positioned facing and aligned with each other at the transfer station ( 51 ,  55 ,  57 ) without performing any movement with respect to the respective conveyors ( 13 ,  19 ,  25 ,  39 ); and the lateral first pocket ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ) and lateral second pocket ( 22 ,  28 ,  42 ) are positioned facing and aligned with each other at the transfer station ( 51 ,  55 ,  57 ) by moving the lateral pockets ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) with respect to the respective conveyors ( 13 ,  19 ,  25 ,  39 ).  
     
     
         19 ) A method as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein three products ( 3 ) are transferred simultaneously from three, respectively one central and two lateral, first pockets ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ) of the first conveyor ( 13 ,  19 ,  25 ) to three, respectively one central and two lateral, second pockets ( 22 ,  28 ,  42 ) of the second conveyor ( 19 ,  25 ,  39 ).  
     
     
         20 ) A method as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the central first pocket ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ) and the central second pocket ( 22 ,  28 ,  42 ) are positioned facing and aligned with each other at the transfer station ( 51 ,  55 ,  57 ) without performing any movement with respect to the respective conveyors ( 13 ,  19 ,  25 ,  39 ); and the lateral first pockets ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ) and lateral second pockets ( 22 ,  28 ,  42 ) are positioned facing and aligned with each other at the transfer station ( 51 ,  55 ,  57 ) by moving the lateral pockets ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) with respect to the respective conveyors ( 13 ,  19 ,  25 ,  39 ).  
     
     
         21 ) A method as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the lateral first pockets ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ) perform two equal, opposite rotations with respect to the first conveyor ( 13 ,  19 ,  25 ) as they approach the transfer station ( 51 ,  55 ,  57 ).  
     
     
         22 ) A method as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the lateral second pockets ( 22 ,  28 ,  42 ) perform two equal, opposite rotations with respect to the second conveyor ( 19 ,  25 ,  39 ) as they approach the transfer station ( 51 ,  55 ,  57 ).  
     
     
         23 ) A method as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the lateral first pockets ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ) perform two equal, opposite rotations with respect to the first conveyor ( 13 ,  19 ,  25 ) as they approach the transfer station ( 51 ,  55 ,  57 ); and the lateral second pockets ( 22 ,  28 ,  42 ) perform two equal, opposite rotations with respect to the second conveyor ( 19 ,  25 ,  39 ) as they approach the transfer station ( 51 ,  55 ,  57 ,  59 ).  
     
     
         24 ) A method as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the first pockets ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ) and the second pockets ( 22 ,  28 ,  42 ) assume a U-shaped arrangement at the transfer station ( 51 ,  55 ,  57 ).  
     
     
         25 ) A method as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein, at the transfer station ( 51 ,  55 ,  57 ), the first pockets ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ) and the second pockets ( 22 ,  28 ,  42 ) are positioned flat and are aligned with one another in a straight line.  
     
     
         26 ) A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first conveyor ( 13 ,  19 ,  25 ,  39 ) comprises a rotary body ( 14 ,  20 ,  26 ,  40 ) rotating in steps about a central first axis ( 15 ,  21 ,  27 ,  41 ) and supporting the first pockets ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ).  
     
     
         27 ) A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first pockets ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) of the first conveyor ( 13 ,  19 ,  25 ,  39 ) are divided into a first number (N 1 ) of groups, each comprising a same second number (N 2 ), greater than one, of first pockets ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ); and a second number (N 2 ) of products ( 3 ) is transferred simultaneously, at the transfer station ( 51 ,  55 ,  57 ,  59 ), from/to the first pockets ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) of a same group of first pockets ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) of the first conveyor ( 13 ,  19 ,  25 ,  39 ).  
     
     
         28 ) A method as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the first conveyor ( 13 ,  19 ,  25 ,  39 ) is rotary, and comprises a member ( 14 ,  20 ,  26 ,  40 ) which rotates about a respective central axis ( 15 ,  21 ,  27 ,  41 ) to feed its pockets ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) along a circular path.  
     
     
         29 ) A method as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the first conveyor ( 13 ,  19 ,  25 ,  39 ) comprises a first number (N 1 ) of groups of pockets ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ), rotates in steps about its central axis ( 15 ,  21 ,  27 ,  41 ), and, for each step, rotates by an angle equal to a full turn divided by the first number (N 1 ).  
     
     
         30 ) A method as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the first pockets ( 12 ) of a same group of first pockets ( 12 ) of the first conveyor ( 13 ) receive a second number (N 2 ) of products ( 3 ) simultaneously from a feed unit ( 11 ).  
     
     
         31 ) A method as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the first pockets ( 42 ) of a same group of first pockets ( 42 ) of the first conveyor ( 39 ) release a second number (N 2 ) of products ( 3 ) simultaneously to an output unit ( 44 ).  
     
     
         32 ) A method as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the first pockets ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) of a same group of first pockets ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) receive respective sheets ( 5 ,  6 ,  7 ) of packing material at a feed station ( 9   b ,  9   d ,  9   f ) adjacent to the first conveyor ( 19 ,  25 ,  39 ) and having a feed device ( 17 ,  23 ,  30 ).  
     
     
         33 ) A method as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein the feed device ( 17 ,  23 ,  30 ) feeds a single sheet ( 5 ,  6 ,  7 ) of packing material to a single first pocket ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) as the first pocket ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) travels past the feed device ( 17 ,  23 ,  30 ).  
     
     
         34 ) A method as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein the first pockets ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) of a same group of first pockets ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) are arrested at a transfer station ( 51 ,  55 ,  57 ,  59 ) where they receive/release the products ( 3 ), and travel at substantially constant speed, without stopping, through a feed station ( 9   b ,  9   d ,  9   f ) where they receive the sheets ( 5 ,  6 ,  7 ) of packing material.  
     
     
         35 ) A unit for transferring a product on an intermittent packing machine comprising a first conveyor ( 13 ,  19 ,  25 ,  39 ) having a number of first pockets ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ); and a transfer device ( 54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60 ) for transferring at least one product ( 3 ) to/from a first pocket ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) of the first conveyor ( 13 ,  19 ,  25 ,  39 ) when the first pocket ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) is arrested at a transfer station ( 51 ,  55 ,  57 ,  59 ) during a pause between two successive conveying steps; 
 the unit being characterized by comprising an actuating device which, prior to transfer of the product ( 3 ), moves the first pocket ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) with respect to the first conveyor ( 13 ,  19 ,  25 ,  39 ) to set the first pocket ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) to a given transfer position at the transfer station ( 51 ,  55 ,  57 ,  59 ).    
     
     
         36 ) An intermittent packing machine for packing a product ( 3 ) in at least one sheet ( 5 ,  6 ,  7 ) of packing material; the packing machine ( 1 ) comprising: 
 a number of conveyors ( 13 ,  19 ,  25 ,  39 ), each having a number of pockets ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) arranged along an endless path and for receiving and conveying at least one respective product ( 3 ); and    a number of transfer devices ( 54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60 ), each for transferring at least one product ( 3 ) to/from a pocket ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) of a respective conveyor ( 13 ,  19 ,  25 ,  39 ) when the pocket ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) is arrested at a transfer station ( 51 ,  55 ,  57 ,  59 ) during a pause between two successive conveying steps;    the packing machine ( 1 ) being characterized in that, on each conveyor ( 13 ,  19 ,  25 ,  39 ), the pockets ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) are divided into a first number (N 1 ) of groups, each comprising a same second number (N 2 ), greater than one, of pockets ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ); each transfer device ( 54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60 ) simultaneously transfers a second number (N 2 ) of products ( 3 ) to/from the pockets ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) of a same group of pockets ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) of a respective conveyor ( 13 ,  19 ,  25 ,  39 ); and each group of pockets ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) of at least one conveyor ( 13 ,  19 ,  25 ,  39 ) comprises an actuating device which, prior to transfer of the product ( 3 ), moves at least one of the pockets ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) with respect to the conveyor ( 13 ,  19 ,  25 ,  39 ) to set the pocket ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) to a given transfer position at the transfer station ( 51 ,  55 ,  57 ,  59 ).    
     
     
         37 ) A packing machine as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein at least one conveyor ( 13 ,  19 ,  25 ,  39 ) is rotary, and comprises a member ( 14 ,  20 ,  26 ,  40 ) which rotates about a respective central axis ( 15 ,  21 ,  27 ,  41 ) to feed its pockets ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ) along a circular path.  
     
     
         38 ) A packing machine as claimed in  claim 37 , wherein the rotary conveyor ( 13 ,  19 ,  25 ,  39 ) comprises a first number (N 1 ) of groups of pockets ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ), rotates in steps about its central axis ( 15 ,  21 ,  27 ,  41 ), and for each step, rotates by an angle equal to a full turn divided by the first number (N 1 ).  
     
     
         39 ) A packing machine as claimed in  claim 38 , wherein the rotary conveyors ( 13 ,  19 ,  25 ,  39 ) all comprise a same first number (N 1 ) of groups of pockets ( 12 ,  22 ,  28 ,  42 ), which is common to all the rotary conveyors ( 13 ,  19 ,  25 ,  39 ); and, for each step, the rotary conveyors ( 13 ,  19 ,  25 ,  39 ) all rotate by a same angle equal to a full turn divided by the first number (N 1 ).  
     
     
         40 ) A packing machine as claimed in  claim 36 , and comprising a feed unit ( 11 ) for simultaneously transferring a first number (N 1 ) of products ( 3 ) to the pockets ( 12 ) of a same group of pockets ( 12 ) of a start conveyor ( 13 ).  
     
     
         41 ) A packing machine as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein the feed unit ( 11 ) comprises a second number (N 2 ) of outlets, each of which transfers a product ( 3 ) to a respective pocket ( 12 ) of the start conveyor ( 13 ).  
     
     
         42 ) A packing machine as claimed in  claim 36 , and comprising an output unit ( 44 ), which simultaneously receives a second number (N 2 ) of products ( 3 ) from the pockets ( 42 ) of a same group of pockets ( 42 ) of an end conveyor ( 39 ).  
     
     
         43 ) A packing machine as claimed in  claim 42 , wherein the output unit ( 44 ) comprises a second number (N 2 ) of output paths, which are parallel to one another, and each of which receives a product ( 3 ) from a respective pocket ( 42 ) of the end conveyor ( 39 ).  
     
     
         44 ) A packing machine as claimed in  claim 36 , for packing a group ( 3 ) of cigarettes in an inner sheet ( 5 ) of packing material, and in an outer sheet ( 6 ) of packing material; the packing machine comprising: 
 a hopper ( 11 ) having a second number (N 2 ) of outlets;    a drum-type first forming conveyor ( 13 ) comprising a first number (N 1 ) of groups of first pockets ( 12 ), each comprising a second number (N 2 ) of first pockets ( 12 );    a first transfer device ( 50 ) for simultaneously transferring a second number (N 2 ) of groups of cigarettes to the first pockets ( 12 ) of a same group of first pockets ( 12 ) of the first forming conveyor ( 12 );    a drum-type second packing conveyor ( 19 ) comprising a first number (N 1 ) of groups of second pockets ( 22 ), each comprising a second number (N 2 ) of second pockets ( 22 );    a second transfer device ( 54 ) for simultaneously transferring a second number (N 2 ) of groups of cigarettes from the first pockets ( 12 ) of a same group of first pockets ( 12 ) of the first forming conveyor ( 13 ) to the second pockets ( 22 ) of a same group of second pockets ( 22 ) of the second packing conveyor ( 19 );    a drum-type third packing conveyor ( 25 ) comprising a first number (N 1 ) of groups of third pockets ( 28 ), each comprising a second number (N 2 ) of third pockets ( 28 );    a third transfer device ( 56 ) for simultaneously transferring a second number (N 2 ) of groups of cigarettes from the second pockets ( 22 ) of a same group of second pockets ( 22 ) of the second packing conveyor ( 19 ) to the third pockets ( 28 ) of a same group of third pockets ( 28 ) of the third packing conveyor ( 25 );    a drum-type fourth packing conveyor ( 39 ) comprising a first number (N 1 ) of groups of fourth pockets ( 42 ), each comprising a second number (N 2 ) of fourth pockets ( 42 );    a fourth transfer device ( 58 ) for simultaneously transferring a second number (N 2 ) of groups of cigarettes from the third pockets ( 28 ) of a same group of third pockets ( 28 ) of the third packing conveyor ( 25 ) to the fourth pockets ( 42 ) of a same group of fourth pockets ( 42 ) of the fourth packing conveyor ( 39 );    a drying unit ( 44 ) having a second number (N 2 ) of output paths; and    a fifth transfer device ( 60 ) for simultaneously transferring a second number (N 2 ) of groups of cigarettes from the fourth pockets ( 42 ) of a same group of fourth pockets ( 42 ) of the fourth packing conveyor ( 39 ) to the output paths of the drying unit ( 44 ).    
     
     
         45 ) A packing machine as claimed in  claim 44 , wherein the drying unit ( 44 ) comprises a second number (N 2 ) of conveyor belts ( 45 ), which are straight, are parallel to one another, and define the output paths.  
     
     
         46 ) A packing machine as claimed in  claim 44 , and comprising a first feed device ( 17 ) located along the periphery of the second packing conveyor ( 19 ) to feed a first sheet ( 5 ) of packing material to each second pocket ( 22 ) of the second packing conveyor ( 19 ).  
     
     
         47 ) A packing machine as claimed in  claim 46 , wherein the first feed device ( 17 ) feeds a single first sheet ( 5 ) of packing material to a single second pocket ( 22 ) of the second packing conveyor ( 19 ) as the second pocket ( 22 ) travels past the first feed device ( 17 ).  
     
     
         48 ) A packing machine as claimed in  claim 44 , and comprising a second feed device ( 30 ) located along the periphery of the fourth packing conveyor ( 39 ) to feed a second sheet ( 6 ) of packing material to each fourth pocket ( 42 ) of the fourth packing conveyor ( 39 ).  
     
     
         49 ) A packing machine as claimed in  claim 48 , wherein the second feed device ( 30 ) feeds a single second sheet ( 6 ) of packing material to a single fourth pocket ( 42 ) of the fourth packing conveyor ( 39 ) as the fourth pocket ( 42 ) travels past the second feed device ( 30 ).  
     
     
         50 ) A method of packing a product ( 3 ) in a sheet ( 6 ) of packing material, and comprising the stages of: 
 rotating a packing conveyor ( 39 ) in steps about a first axis of rotation ( 41 ) to feed at least one group of packing pockets ( 42 ) along a packing path;    feeding a sheet ( 6 ) of packing material and a product ( 3 ) into each packing pocket ( 42 ) of the group of packing pockets ( 42 ) at least a first transfer station ( 57 ), when the packing pocket ( 42 ) is arrested at the first transfer station ( 57 ) during a pause between two successive steps;    folding each sheet ( 6 ) of packing material about the respective product ( 3 ) at least one packing station; and    transferring a product ( 3 ), together with the respective sheet ( 6 ) of packing material, from each packing pocket ( 42 ) of the group of packing pockets ( 42 ) at a second transfer station ( 59 ), when the packing pocket ( 42 ) is arrested at the second transfer station ( 59 ) during a pause between two successive steps;    the method being characterized by comprising the further stages of:    moving the packing pockets ( 42 ) of the group of packing pockets ( 42 ) with respect to the packing conveyor ( 39 ) so that, at the transfer stations ( 57 ,  59 ), the group of packing pockets ( 42 ) is set to a transfer position in which the packing pockets ( 42 ) are aligned with one another in a straight line;    moving the packing pockets ( 42 ) of the group of packing pockets ( 42 ) with respect to the packing conveyor ( 39 ) so that, at the packing station, the group of packing pockets ( 42 ) is set to a folding position in which the packing pockets ( 42 ) are aligned with one another along an arc of a circle coaxial with the first axis of rotation ( 41 ) of the packing conveyor ( 39 ); and    folding each sheet ( 6 ) of packing material about the respective product ( 3 ) at the packing station ( 9   g ) by means of a fixed folding member located, in a fixed position, close to the packing conveyor ( 39 ).    
     
     
         51 ) A method as claimed in  claim 50 , wherein the packing pockets ( 42 ) of the group of packing pockets ( 42 ) are moved with respect to the packing conveyor ( 39 ) by rotating about respective second axes of rotation ( 43 ) parallel to the first axis of rotation ( 41 ).  
     
     
         52 ) A method as claimed in  claim 50 , wherein each sheet ( 6 ) of packing material is fed to the respective packing pocket ( 42 ) before the product ( 3 ) is fed to the same packing pocket ( 42 ).