Molins Plc

Brian Hill

Thomas William Bailey

Andrew John Cleall

Robert Howard Taylor

John David Chandler

An apparatus for processing packaging blanks includes an applying device, a first conveyor, and a second conveyor. The first conveyor conveys the blanks at a first velocity arranged to permit the application of an adhesive to the blanks by means of the device. The second conveyor is arranged to receive the blanks from the first conveyor and convey them at a second velocity which is greater than the first velocity resulting in a change in the pitch of the stream of blanks conveyed by the conveyors. Alternatively the applying means may apply an adhering element such as a coupon or hologram such that it adheres to the blank. The adhering element may adhere to the blank by virtue of an adhesive carried on a rear surface of the element or by means of an adhesive carried by the blank.

Processing blanks in the manufacture of packaging

Article wrapping apparatus for wrapping or folding a wrapper blank around an article which may comprise or contain a group of rod-like articles such as cigarettes, includes a wrapper blank former which simultaneously folds sides and ends of a blank ( ) by plunging the former ( ) around an article holder ( ) and subsequently plunging the article from the holder into the former. The apparatus also includes a housing ( ) for supporting a partially-wrapped article which is pivoted relative to an abutment ( ) so that a flap is swept into a closed position; and pivoted holders ( ) which are used to transfer articles between axially-spaced process positions on a process drum ( ). Folding operations may be performed during transfer to or from a pivotable holder ( ), particularly in a radial direction of the drum ( ).

Article wrapping apparatus

Holders ( ) for articles such as newly-formed packets or groups of cigarettes are used to constrain and protect the articles while being conveyed by handling apparatus ( ), e.g. in a packing machine ( ). Holders ( ) of similar external shape, adapted to interface with the handling apparatus, may be provided with differing internal features ( ), adapted for receiving different articles, so that the articles may be readily conveyed by the same apparatus. The apparatus may be employed at the exit end of a cigarette packing machine to maintain the shape of newly-formed packets in a packet stabilising region. This region may comprise a reservoir including a series of compartmented drums ( ) in which each compartment receives a line of abutting holders which is indexed in an axial direction during rotation of the drums.

Article handling apparatus

Blank feeding apparatus, particularly in a hinged-lid cigarette packing machine, includes rotary blank pick-up means (,), and support means (,), rotatable with the pick-up means, for engaging and supporting the base of a blank stack in a magazine (,) between each pick-up operation. The pick-up means (,) may each comprise a pivotable arm (,), movable as it rotates by means of a pivoted follower member (,) engaging a fixed cam track (,). The blanks may be retained in the stack in the magazine (,) by pivotally-mounted support fingers (,) which are successively retracted to release a blank as the pick-up means (,) passes.

Blank handling apparatus

Apparatus for transferring rod-like articles such as cigarettes comprising a series of hoppers (,) which deliver rows of cigarettes to fluted planetary wheels (,) which are mounted on a rotating carrier and driven around a central drum (,), by gearing between the planet wheels and the drum. The drum is provided with pockets (,) etc each of which is three rows deep so as to accommodate the output from three of the planet wheels. In this way the cigarettes are grouped into bundles for subsequent packaging.

Growing community of inventors

Coventry, United Kingdom

Brian Hill