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dimensions; the spacers are stacked on a pallet that is positioned in a withdrawal station; the stacks of spacers are withdrawn from the withdrawal station and transferred to a respective hopper by passing each stack of spacers through an upper opening of the hopper, to then unload the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dimensions; the spacers are stacked on a pallet that is positioned in a withdrawal station; the stacks of spacers are withdrawn from the withdrawal station and transferred to a respective hopper by passing each stack of spacers through an upper opening of the hopper, to then unload the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.

It is provided a method for transporting blanks. In a first step the method comprises placing said blanks in a magazine (100), wherein the magazine (100) comprises a first bar (106a, 106f) and a second bar (106b, 106e), said first bar (106a, 106f) being moveable in a first direction being substantially horizontal and coinciding with a transport direction and a second direction being substantially vertical. In a second step the method comprises moving said first bar (106a, 106f) such that said blanks are moved in said transport direction and such that said blanks are alternately placed on said first bar (106a, 106f) and said second bar (106b, 106e).

The invention proceeds from a transporting apparatus for a packaging machine, for transferring pack groups, in particular groups of cardboard boxes and/or cardboard blanks, along a transporting route from at least a first pack-group arrangement in a first transporting-route portion into at least one further pack-group arrangement in at least one further transporting-route portion, wherein the first pack-group arrangement and the at least one further pack-group arrangement are spaced apart internally in each case by different distances, having at least two transporting units, which can be driven independently in a movement plane along the transporting route, at least between the first transporting-route portion and the further transporting-route portion, in a transporting direction and in a return direction, which is counter to the transporting direction, wherein the transporting units each have at least one driving element, by means of which, in at least one operating state, the respective transporting unit is coupled to a pack of the pack group which is to be transferred, at least during transfer from the first transporting-route portion into the at least one further transporting-route portion. It is proposed to mount the driving elements on the transporting units in each case such that, in a force-fitting and/or form-fitting manner, they can be coupled to the pack which is to be coupled to the respective transporting unit, and uncoupled therefrom, in one movement, in each case independently of the at least one driving element of the at least one further transporting unit.

The invention proceeds from a transporting apparatus for a packaging machine, for transferring pack groups, in particular groups of cardboard boxes and/or cardboard blanks, along a transporting route from at least a first pack-group arrangement in a first transporting-route portion into at least one further pack-group arrangement in at least one further transporting-route portion, wherein the first pack-group arrangement and the at least one further pack-group arrangement are spaced apart internally in each case by different distances, having at least two transporting units, which can be driven independently in a movement plane along the transporting route, at least between the first transporting-route portion and the further transporting-route portion, in a transporting direction and in a return direction, which is counter to the transporting direction, wherein the transporting units each have at least one driving element, by means of which, in at least one operating state, the respective transporting unit is coupled to a pack of the pack group which is to be transferred, at least during transfer from the first transporting-route portion into the at least one further transporting-route portion. It is proposed to mount the driving elements on the transporting units in each case such that, in a force-fitting and/or form-fitting manner, they can be coupled to the pack which is to be coupled to the respective transporting unit, and uncoupled therefrom, in one movement, in each case independently of the at least one driving element of the at least one further transporting unit.

An apparatus for making a product, preferably a food product for making a drink by infusion in a respective liquid, preferably in water, especially in hot Water; the product being obtained from a raw material including or fonned by respective particles, in particular powder, granules, pieces or the like, for example of roasted and ground coffee; the apparatus includes supporting means for means for making respective products starting from a respective predetermined or measured portion of raw material, which making means include means for aggregating particles of the predetermined portion of raw material.

An apparatus for making a product, preferably a food product for making a drink by infusion in a respective liquid, preferably in water, especially in hot Water; the product being obtained from a raw material including or fonned by respective particles, in particular powder, granules, pieces or the like, for example of roasted and ground coffee; the apparatus includes supporting means for means for making respective products starting from a respective predetermined or measured portion of raw material, which making means include means for aggregating particles of the predetermined portion of raw material.

A multi-pack for packs for products of the cigarette industry, and a corresponding device and a packaging method, wherein a plurality of packs for products of the cigarette industry is arranged in ordered formation and wherein the packs are wrapped in a blank made of packaging material as an outer casing. At least one filler piece is arranged, together with the packs, in the outer casing, wherein the filler piece is arranged opposite from a bottom side of the outer casing or from a bottom side of the packs, and wherein the bottom sides of the packs directly abut the inside of the bottom side of the outer casing.

An overhead packaging machine with articulating lugs is mountable along a product packaging system for the application of cartons such as wrap-style cartons about sets or groups of products. The overhead packaging machine includes a lug conveyor having a series of articulating lug assemblies mounted thereto and which are moved along a path of travel for engaging the groups of products with their cartons applied thereto. Each of the articulating lug assemblies includes a pair of articulating lugs mounted to a carriage, which articulating lugs are moveable into engaging positions for engaging the cartons applied to the groups of products as the groups of products are moved along their path of travel for folding and locking of the cartons thereabout. After the cartons have been applied and secured about their product groups, the articulating lugs can be moved to non-engaging positions, out of engagement with the cartons and/or product groups as the packaged product groups are moved away from the overhead packaging machine, while the articulating lug assemblies can be moved along a return path of travel for engaging a next product group.

An overhead packaging machine with articulating lugs is mountable along a product packaging system for the application of cartons such as wrap-style cartons about sets or groups of products. The overhead packaging machine includes a lug conveyor having a series of articulating lug assemblies mounted thereto and which are moved along a path of travel for engaging the groups of products with their cartons applied thereto. Each of the articulating lug assemblies includes a pair of articulating lugs mounted to a carriage, which articulating lugs are moveable into engaging positions for engaging the cartons applied to the groups of products as the groups of products are moved along their path of travel for folding and locking of the cartons thereabout. After the cartons have been applied and secured about their product groups, the articulating lugs can be moved to non-engaging positions, out of engagement with the cartons and/or product groups as the packaged product groups are moved away from the overhead packaging machine, while the articulating lug assemblies can be moved along a return path of travel for engaging a next product group.