Apparatus and method for automatically packaging smoking articles

Abstract

Packaging apparatus (10) and method for automatically packaging smoking articles (100). The apparatus (10) comprises, disposed in sequence in a direction of working (X), a first closing assembly (11) configured to close the smoking article (100) in accordance with a first closing mode, a cutting assembly (12) configured to cut the smoking article (100) and a second closing assembly (13) configured to close the smoking article (100) in accordance with a second closing mode, different from the first closing mode.

1 . Packaging apparatus for automatically packaging smoking articles each comprising a casing having at least one rear zone configured to be closed, said apparatus comprising, disposed in sequence in a direction of working, a first closing assembly which is selectively activatable to close said rear zone of said casing in accordance with a first closing mode, a cutting assembly configured to selectively cut said rear zone of said casing; a second closing assembly which is selectively activatable to close said rear zone of said casing in accordance with a second closing mode different from said first closing mode, said second closing assembly being disposed downstream of the cutting assembly in said direction of working. 
     
     
         2 . Packaging apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein said first closing assembly comprises twisting means. 
     
     
         3 . Packaging apparatus as in  claim 2 , wherein said twisting means comprise a closing device provided with rotating gripping means configured to be activated in rotation so as to twist one end of said rear zone of the casing. 
     
     
         4 . Packaging apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein it also comprises a first gripping member configured to grip the casing and displace it toward said first closing assembly. 
     
     
         5 . Packaging apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein said second closing assembly comprises folding means configured to close said rear zone by folding at least one flap of said rear zone. 
     
     
         6 . Packaging apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein it also comprises a second gripping member configured to grip the casing and displace it toward said second closing assembly. 
     
     
         7 . Packaging apparatus as in  claim 1 , in which each of said casings also comprises a front mouthpiece zone and a central zone intermediate between said front zone and said rear zone, at least said central zone being filled with a smokable product, wherein said cutting assembly comprises both cutting means for selectively cutting said rear zone of said casing at a desired height, and also suction means configured to suck scraps produced by said cutting means. 
     
     
         8 . Packaging apparatus as in  claim 1 , comprising a control unit operatively connected at least to said first closing assembly and to said second closing assembly, and programmed to activate the operation of only one of either said first or second closing assembly for each smoking article. 
     
     
         9 . Packaging method for automatically packaging smoking articles each comprising a casing having at least one rear zone configured to be closed, wherein it comprises at least one closing step in which said rear zone of said casing is selectively closed in accordance with a first closing mode by means of a first closing assembly, or in accordance with a second closing mode, different from said first closing mode, by means of a second closing assembly, and a possible cutting step in which said rear zone is cut by means of a cutting assembly, wherein said first closing assembly, said cutting assembly and said second closing assembly are disposed in sequence in a direction of working. 
     
     
         10 . Packaging method as in  claim 9 , wherein said first closing mode provides a twisting of said rear zone of said casing by means of twisting means. 
     
     
         11 . Packaging method as in  claim 9 , wherein said second closing mode provides at least one folding of at least one flap of said rear zone of said casing by means of folding means. 
     
     
         12 . Packaging method as in  claim 9 , wherein said cutting step is carried out after said closing step when it is carried out in accordance with said first closing mode, and/or before said closing step when it is carried out in accordance with said second closing mode. 
     
     
         13 . Packaging method as in  claim 9 , wherein it also comprises a step in which the casing is gripped and displaced toward said first closing assembly when said closing step is carried out in accordance with said first closing mode. 
     
     
         14 . Packaging method as in  claim 9 , wherein it also comprises a step in which the casing is gripped and displaced toward said second closing assembly when said closing step is carried out in accordance with said second closing mode. 
     
     
         15 . Use of a packaging apparatus as in  claim 1 , or of a method as in  claim 9 .