Automatic machine for the condition of cigarettes into packets

Claim 1

An automatic machine for packaging cigarettes into packets, including members for arranging cigarettes in successive batches wherein they are superposed in parallel and aligned side by side, said machine comprising, a plurality of pairs of translator members for supporting batches of cigarettes and cigarette package wrapping paper for movement with said machine, each said pair of members defining a pair of opposed, spaced, parallel surfaces aligned with the longitudinal axes of cigarettes in a batch of cigarettes held therebetween, means for moving said pairs of translator members perpendicularly to said axes, a plurality of pairs of rotatable support plates, each said pair of support plates defining a pair of opposed, spaced parallel surfaces aligned perpendicular to the axes of cigarettes of a batch therebetween and positionable within said machine to receive and hold a batch of cigarettes therebetween from one of said pairs of translator members, means for respectively moving each pair of support plates rotationally together about an axis of rotation normal to said support plates, paper-wrapping means including a plurality of first and second folding members, one pair of first folding members and one second folding member for each pair of support plates, each said pair of first folding members being disposed in parallel to receive a corresponding pair of said translator members therebetween and to engage the wrapping paper and fold the wrapping paper over portions of the ends of the batch of cigarettes moved with said translator members, and each second folding member being disposed adjacent a corresponding pair of said rotatable support plates to fold the wrapping paper over sides of the batch of cigarettes, parallel to the axes of the cigarettes when said cigarettes are held by said parallel plates.