A method and a feeding apparatus for feeding spacers for cigarette packs are disclosed, in which each spacer comprises a substantially rectangular flat body, the spacers being insertable in cartons for cigarette packs to space out packs with dimensions smaller than the standard dimensions; the spacers are stacked on a pallet that is positioned in a withdrawal station; the stacks of spacers are withdrawn from the withdrawal station and transferred to a respective hopper by passing each stack of spacers through an upper opening of the hopper, to then unload the spacers one by one through a lower opening of the hopper.

A method and a feeding apparatus for feeding spacers for cigarette packs are disclosed, in which each spacer comprises a substantially rectangular flat body, the spacers being insertable in cartons for cigarette packs to space out packs with dimensions smaller than the standard dimensions; the spacers are stacked on a pallet that is positioned in a withdrawal station; the stacks of spacers are withdrawn from the withdrawal station and transferred to a respective hopper by passing each stack of spacers through an upper opening of the hopper, to then unload the spacers one by one through a lower opening of the hopper.

A method and machine for packaging smoking articles or other tobacco industry products in which the products and packaging may be transported from selected product supply systems and packaging material supply systems selectively along a plurality of alternative transport routes through the machine through a series of workstations arranged to incorporate batches of smoking products selectively in different packaging materials according to the transport route selected.

A method and machine for packaging smoking articles or other tobacco industry products in which the products and packaging may be transported from selected product supply systems and packaging material supply systems selectively along a plurality of alternative transport routes through the machine through a series of workstations arranged to incorporate batches of smoking products selectively in different packaging materials according to the transport route selected.

A system for printing on a printable portion of a liner for a package to receive smoking articles includes a package assembler configured to receive an outer blank and fold the outer blank around the liner to create the package. The liner comprises a material configured to absorb ink and a front surface, the front surface configured to be seen by a user when the package is open. The liner also includes a printable portion positioned on the front surface, the printable portion configured to receive ink. The system further comprises a printer coupled to the package assembler, the printer configured to dispense the ink on the printable portion when the package is in an at least partially assembled state.

A tobacco product package includes at least two, preferably five or more, cylindrically shaped tobacco products aligned in an alignment direction. A wrapping is sheathed around the tobacco products and covers at least part of the outer surfaces of the aligned tobacco products. A tear strip is disposed in the alignment direction along the wrapping and is configured for tearing apart the wrapping when being pulled by a user. The tear strip has at least one weakening line positioned in the vicinity of an interface of adjacent tobacco products.

Methods and machines are provided for forming a five-sided carton of packages of smoking articles. A piece of film material is applied to a plurality of packages of smoking articles such that five sides of the plurality of packages are at least partially covered by the film material, but the sixth side remains uncovered. The film material is applied such that the group of packages is sufficiently tightly bound so that none of the packages may slip free from the carton. The sixth side of the plurality of packages in the carton remains exposed so that tax stamps may be easily applied. The film of material may be applied so that a gap is formed relative to the sixth side.

Transfer system for transferring items, which transfer system comprises a first transfer device for receiving the items, a second transfer device for discharging the items, and a buffer device for buffering items between the first transfer device and the second transfer device, wherein the first transfer device comprises a first transfer rotator and the second transfer device comprises a second transfer rotator and the transfer system is configured to adjust at least one of a first transfer speed of the first transfer rotator and a second transfer speed of the second transfer rotator.

A method for strapping a group of packages, in particular for products of the cigarette industry, with a strip of packaging material, wherein the packages are brought together to form a cuboid group and are then strapped with at least one strip of packaging material. The at least one strip of packaging material is provided on one side with a preferably continuous layer of adhesive, and the group of packages is completely strapped with the at least one strip of packaging material, wherein the layer of adhesive is brought into direct contact with the packages of the group.

A method for strapping a group of packages, in particular for products of the cigarette industry, with a strip of packaging material, wherein the packages are brought together to form a cuboid group and are then strapped with at least one strip of packaging material. The at least one strip of packaging material is provided on one side with a preferably continuous layer of adhesive, and the group of packages is completely strapped with the at least one strip of packaging material, wherein the layer of adhesive is brought into direct contact with the packages of the group.