DE102022105779A1 - Device and method for handling blanks for wrapping packages for cigarette industry products - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for handling blanks (67) for a wrapper for packs (10) for cigarette industry products, with a conveyor line for transporting blanks (67) for the wrapper in a conveying direction, and with a transfer station (70), in which the blanks (67) are kept ready in a, in particular upright, cutting plane, the device being set up to deliver packages (10) transversely to the conveying direction of the blanks (67) through the transfer station (70) and the blanks (67) held ready transport, taking a blank (67) held ready through a pack (10), and the device is set up to place the blanks (67) in a U-shape around the packs (10) and then free ends of the respective blanks ( 67) to be connected to one another in such a way that the packs (10) are wrapped in the blanks (67) formed into a tube, and the blanks (67) are in the transfer station (70) in the area of the lateral edges of the blanks (67) by means of Negative pressure is held on holding elements (72), in particular on suction belts. According to the invention, the blanks (67) are held in the cutting plane in the area between the holding elements (72) by resting on holding means (76), the holding means (76 ) are designed to dissipate electrostatic charges from the blanks (67).

Description

The invention relates to a device for handling blanks for a wrapping of packs for cigarette industry products, with a conveyor line for transporting blanks for the wrapping in a conveying direction, and with a transfer station in which the blanks are kept ready in a, in particular upright, cutting plane are, wherein the device is set up to transport packages transversely to the conveying direction of the blanks through the transfer station and the blanks held ready, taking one blank held ready through a pack, and the device is set up to move the blanks in a U-shape around the To place packs and then to connect free ends of the respective blanks to one another in such a way that the packs are wrapped in the blanks formed into a tube, and the blanks in the transfer station in the area of the lateral edges of the blanks by means of negative pressure on holding elements, in particular on suction belts , are held, according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention further relates to a corresponding method according to the preamble of claim 18.

For purposes of registration, products from the cigarette industry include tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigarillos and the like, but also new types of tobacco products, such as heat-not-burn products or liquid carriers for e-cigarettes.

During the packaging process of packs for cigarette industry products, the packs are each wrapped in a blank of packaging material. For this purpose, the blanks are separated from a continuous material web by cutting the web material to defined lengths using separating cuts. The resulting blanks are then conveyed further and wrapped around the packs.

The basic principle described above is, for example, from DE 29 49 685 A1 known. The material web is transferred to suction belts via feed rollers whose speed can be controlled. These suction belts guide the material web towards a mouthpiece. In this way, the material web is separated into individual blanks by a knife device. The blanks in turn remain on the suction belts to a transfer point in front of the mouthpiece.

It has been found that foil cuts in particular tend to form dents during the conveying process. The problem here is that the bulges in the blanks converge on the mouthpiece and can no longer be conveyed past it. At least the contact between the mouthpiece and the blank causes damage to the film (e.g. scratches, etc.).

Proceeding from this, the invention is based on the object of further developing devices and methods of the type mentioned, in particular with regard to handling the blanks with as little disruption as possible.

A device according to the invention has the features of claim 1. It is therefore provided that the blanks are held in the area between the holding elements by resting on holding means in the cutting plane, the holding means being designed to dissipate electrostatic charges on the blanks.

The invention is based on the knowledge that one cause of the problem is an electrostatic charge on the blanks during the transport process. The electrostatic charge leads to bulging and subsequent damage to the blanks, especially in the area of the mouthpiece. This problem is solved accordingly by placing the blanks on the holding means. In addition, the holding means can also counteract denting of the blanks.

It is preferably provided that the holding means are formed from an electrically conductive material, preferably from a metallic material, in particular as guide plates.

It is preferably provided that a plurality of holding means are arranged between the holding members.

It is preferably provided that the number of holding means is variable.

It is preferably provided that the distances between the holding means from one another can be variably adjusted.

It is preferably provided that the distances between the holding means from one another can be adjusted independently of the blank width.

It is preferably provided that the distances between the holding means are adjustable depending on the distance between the holding elements.

It is preferably provided that spring means are attached between adjacent holding means are arranged in order to align the distances between the holding means.

Preferably, it is provided that when the distance between the holding elements is adjusted, the distance between the holding means is maintained by uniform spring constants of the spring means or that the distance between the holding means is changeable by different spring constants of the spring means.

It is preferably provided that the cutting plane has a curved shape, in particular convex, in relation to the conveying direction of the packs, at least in the area of the holding means.

It is preferably provided that a mouthpiece is arranged in the conveying section of the packs downstream of the transfer station, through which the packs are transported together with the respective blank.

It is preferably provided that the mouthpiece has upper guides and lower guides, each of which is arranged in the area of opposite side surfaces of the packs.

It is preferably provided that the upper guides are arranged to be adjustable relative to the lower guides in order to adapt to the format of the packs.

It is preferably provided that the distance between the holding elements in the conveying direction is designed to diverge, in particular at least in the transfer station.

It is preferably provided that the holding means are arranged upstream of the transfer station in the conveying direction of the blanks.

It is preferably provided that the holding means are arranged on at least one common axis, and that spring means are arranged on at least one axis between adjacent holding means.

It is preferably provided that the holding means are rotatably arranged on a common axis.

It is preferably provided that the holding means are mounted in a fixed manner on several axes.

A method according to the invention has the features of claim 18. It is therefore provided that the blanks are held in the area between the holding elements by resting on holding means in the cutting plane, the holding means dissipating electrostatic charges from the blanks.

• 1 einen ersten Teil einer Vorrichtung zum Herstellen von Packungen für Produkte der Zigarettenindustrie in einer schematischen Seitenansicht,
• 2 einen zweiten Teil der Vorrichtung in einer weiteren schematischen Seitenansicht,
• 3 eine Einzelheit der Vorrichtung im Bereich III gemäß 3 in vergrößerter Darstellung,
• 4 eine Einzelheit der Vorrichtung gemäß 3 in vergrößerter Darstellung,
• 5 einen Vertikalschnitt durch die Vorrichtung entlang Schnittlinie V - V in 4,
• 6 einen Vertikalschnitt durch die Vorrichtung entlang Schnittlinie VI - VI in 4,
• 7 und 8 einen Horizontalschnitt durch die Vorrichtung entlang Schnittlinie VII - VII in 6 zur Veranschaulichung der Anpassung an unterschiedlich breite Zuschnitte, und
• 9 einen Vertikalschnitt durch die Vorrichtung entlang Schnittlinie IX - IX in 6.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the drawings. In these shows:

• 1 a first part of a device for producing packs for cigarette industry products in a schematic side view,
• 2 a second part of the device in a further schematic side view,
• 3 a detail of the device in area III according to 3 in an enlarged view,
• 4 a detail of the device according to 3 in an enlarged view,
• 5 a vertical section through the device along section line V - V in 4 ,
• 6 a vertical section through the device along section line VI - VI in 4 ,
• 7 and 8th a horizontal section through the device along section line VII - VII in 6 to illustrate the adjustment to cuts of different widths, and
• 9 a vertical section through the device along section line IX - IX in 6 .

• Die Packungen 10 werden mittels eines Zuförderers an einen Staugurt 11 übergeben und auf diesem Wege in eine Übergabestation 12. Die aufgestauten Packungen 10 werden dann aus der Übergabestation 12 an eine Vereinzelungsstation 13 übergeben und dabei auf Abstand zueinander gebracht und somit vereinzelt.

The invention deals with the handling of packs 10 for products from the cigarette industry. 1 and 2 show parts of a packaging machine for such packs 10. Shown here are individual steps that follow the actual production of the packs 10. To do this as follows:

• The packs 10 are transferred to a storage belt 11 by means of a feed conveyor and in this way to a transfer station 12. The accumulated packs 10 are then transferred from the transfer station 12 to a separating station 13 and are brought at a distance from one another and thus separated.

By means of a turning wheel 14, the packs 10 are transferred to a conveyor 15 after being separated and transported along a conveyor route 16. The packs 10 are held between two holding means 17 of the conveyor 15 during transport along the conveyor route 16. In the area of the conveyor line 16, a device 18 for attaching print media is arranged, which serves to attach print media to a side surface of the packs 10. To align the packs 10 so that one certain side surface of the device 18 faces, the packs 10 held by the holding means 17 are rotated during transport, namely with the help of a stationary guide. At the end of the conveyor section 16, a second turning wheel 19 is arranged, which serves to remove the packs 10 from the conveyor 15 and to transport them to a transport 20.

Sensors 21 serve to detect the presence of the packs 10 between the holding means 17. Sensors 22 are used to determine the edges of the packs 10. The device 18 is controlled via the detected edges. Cameras 23 are used to check whether the packs 10 may already have print media, whereas cameras 24 are used to check the correct position of the print media on the pack.

In the next step, the packs 10 are wrapped in a blank for an outer wrapping. A corresponding material web 26 for the outer covering is guided over deflection rollers 27. A tear thread 29 is unrolled from a bobbin 28 and attached to the material web 26. The tear thread 29 and the material web 26 with the tear thread 29 attached to it are each guided over loop boxes 30, 31 as buffers. In the area of the second loop box 31, an ultrasonic sensor 32 is arranged, which serves to control the formation of the loop in the loop box 31. Via a print mark sensor 33 and a splice sensor 34, the material web 26 enters a so-called film apparatus 35 with feed rollers 36 for conveying the material web 26, U-knife 37 and thread position sensor 38. The U-knife 37 is used to form a U-cut for one Gripping tip of the tear thread 29, whereas the thread position sensor 38 is used to control the position of the tear thread 29 on the material web 26. The material web 26 is held ready in an upright plane in the area of a suction box 40 via suction belts 39 and separated by means of a cutting unit 41. The packs 10 fed via an inlet belt 42 are pushed into a sealing turret 44 using a pusher 43, taking the separated blank of the material web 26 with it. There, the blanks are placed around the packs 10 with the assistance of an underfolder 45 and sealed in several sealing stations 46 and handed over to another inlet belt 47.

The representation of the inlet belt 47 is in 2 continued. Accordingly, the packs 10 are transported with the inlet belt 47 into the area of a vertical conveyor 48, which serves to transport the packs 10 in two lanes to a higher conveyor track. In the area of the vertical conveyor 48, a staple heater 49 is provided for the top and bottom sides of the packs 10, as well as heating cassettes 50. Following the inlet belt 47, packs 10 can be discharged via an ejection chute 51.

In the higher conveyor track, the packs 10 are transported on a track plate 52, namely initially with an upper belt 53 and then with a lower belt 54. With the help of heating elements 55 of a side heater 56, the top and bottom sides of the packs 10 are heated, whereas with shrink heaters 57, 58 the large side surfaces of the packs 10 are heated.

Following the lower belt 54 or the track plate 52, the packs 10 are transported by means of a belt conveyor 59. In the area of an ejection station 60, several ejectors 61 are provided in order to transport any defective packages 10 into an ejection chute 62. The packs 10 that have not been separated out reach a subsequent push-off belt 63, which can lead to a cartoner, for example.

• Die auf einer Bobine aufgewickelte Materialbahn 26 (z.B. eine Folienbahn) wird mittels Vorzugswalzen von dieser abgezogen und in Richtung eines Schneidapparats 25 gefördert. Auf ihrem Weg dorthin wird an der Materialbahn 26 ein Aufreißfaden 29 aufgelegt und beide Materialien werden in einen Schlaufenkasten 30, 31 oder Pendel befördert. Die Schlaufenkästen 30, 31 dienen der Pufferung des sich bewegenden Materials, um Geschwindigkeitsschwankungen bei konstanter Bahnspannung auszugleichen. Als Kontrolleinrichtung für den Schlaufenkasten 31 kann ein Ultraschallsensor 32 vorgesehen sein, der die Ausbildung der Schlaufe überwacht. Hinter dem Schlaufenkasten 31 kann ein Druckmarkensensor 33 installiert sein, der die Positioniergenauigkeit des später folgenden Schnitts zum Druckbild gewährleistet. Ein weiterer Sensor 34 dient der Erkennung eines Splices in der Materialbahn 26, um diesen doppellagigen Materialbereich im weiteren Verlauf aussondern zu können.

For the present invention the in 3 The facts shown ff are primarily of interest. To do this as follows:

• The material web 26 (eg a film web) wound on a reel is pulled off from it by means of feed rollers and conveyed in the direction of a cutting device 25. On their way there, a tear thread 29 is placed on the material web 26 and both materials are transported into a loop box 30, 31 or pendulum. The loop boxes 30, 31 serve to buffer the moving material in order to compensate for speed fluctuations with constant web tension. An ultrasonic sensor 32 can be provided as a control device for the loop box 31, which monitors the formation of the loop. A print mark sensor 33 can be installed behind the loop box 31, which ensures the positioning accuracy of the subsequent cut to the printed image. Another sensor 34 is used to detect a splice in the material web 26 in order to be able to separate out this double-layered material area in the further course.

Also in 3 It can be seen that the cutting device 25, the components just described and other components are designed as an independent module of the overall machine. For this purpose, all elements of this part of the wrapping process are arranged on a machine frame 64, which can be integrated into the packaging machine.

Starting from the 4 The further method or the further device will now be discussed ender described: The material web 26 is conveyed by the feed rollers 36 in the direction of the cutting device 25. The preferred rollers 36 are driven via a servo motor 81 so that their speed can be fully controlled. A U-knife 37 is provided between the feed rollers 36 and the cutting unit 41, which can make the U-cut for the grip tip of the tear thread 29. This U-knife 37 is also driven by a separate servo motor 81. The speed of rotation can be controlled and the knife can be disengaged (if a U-cut is not provided for in the cut). A sensor 38 for thread position detection can be provided behind the U-knife 37, with which the correct position of the tear thread 29 on the material web 26 is checked.

In principle, optional (partial) cuts such as the U-cut can be switched on or off depending on the format.

The cutting device 25 is constructed according to the modular principle and, in addition to the feed rollers 36, U-knife 37 and cutting unit 41, also consists of the components knife roller 65, suction belt as holding elements 72, handwheel 66 and suction box 40 with integrated guide plates (see 5 ). The material web 26 conveyed by the feed rollers 36 is placed on the knife roller 65 and held thereon by means of vacuum (holes). This creates the required web tension behind the feed rollers 36. The holding elements 72 are mechanically connected to the knife roller 65 and transport both the material web 26 and the blanks 67 cut from it. The knife roller 65 and the correspondingly coupled holding elements 72 are also driven by their own servo motor 81.

It is also conceivable that the suction belts or holding elements 72 can each be driven by separate drives. This would open up the possibility of aligning a blank 67 using different speeds of the two suction belts or holding elements 72 if a blank 67 were to become tilted during the process and this tilt was detected by the sensors 75.

For the set-up operation, the knife roller 65 with holding elements 72 can also be moved by the operator using the handwheel 66. For this operating mode, the preferential rollers 36 and the U-knife 37 are electronically coupled to the knife roller 65 so that they follow the manually executed movement. For safety reasons, the feed rollers 36 and the U-knife 37 are housed in a protective cover 68, so that there is no risk of injury to the operator from the electric drives (see 4 ).

Preferably, all rotationally driven components of the device are driven separately via servo motors 81 and their speed can be individually controlled and coupled to one another.

The cutting process is carried out according to the following procedure: The speed V ₁ of the feed rollers 36 / material web 26 remains constant. The speed v ₂ of the knife roller 65 / holding elements 72 follows the law of motion that v ₂ is equal to the speed V ₁ exactly at the time of cutting. The material web is attached to the knife roller 65 or the holding elements 72 in static friction. The cut itself takes place between the stationary counter knife 69 of the cutting unit 41 and the knife of the rotating knife roller 65 (see 6 ). After the cut has been made, v ₂ is accelerated in order to space the blank 67 from the continuous material web 26 (see 5 ). During this acceleration, v ₂ > V ₁ and the continuous material web 26 is held taut on the knife roller 65 while slipping. According to this approach, a flexible cutting length can also be implemented: By controlling the speed difference between V ₁ and v ₂ , the cutting length can be adjusted between two defined limits (minimum and maximum cutting length depending on the circumference of the suction drum). Alternatively, the speed v ₁ (preferred rollers/web material) can also vary and the speed v ₂ (knife roller/holding elements) remains constant. In this way, the cutting lengths can be flexibly adjusted by controlling the speeds of the servo drives

After the cut has been made, the holding elements 72 transport the blank 67 to a transfer station 70 in front of a mouthpiece 71. The blank 67 is held here by negative pressure, which is generated in suction air channels 73 and is transferred to the blank 67 via suction holes 74 in the holding elements 72 (see 7 ). In the transfer station 70 in front of the mouthpiece 71, the package 10 conveyed (by means of an inlet belt 42) is pushed through the blank 67 by means of an inserter 43 (see 6 ). Here, the blank 67 is pulled off the holding elements 72 through the pack 10 passing through it and pushed together with it into the mouthpiece 71 and then into the sealing turret 44. The basic principle of this solution is from the EP 00 31 515 A1 known, to which reference is made for the purpose of full disclosure. To increase the positioning accuracy between blank 67 and pack 10, additional sensors are provided (see 6 ). These sensors 75 detect the lower edge of the blank 67, so that the placement of the blank 67 on the holding elements 72 can be determined. Appropriate adjustment work (interplay of feed roller 36 and knife roller 65) can be derived from this storage as soon as the storage becomes too large from a previously theoretically determined target position. Determining the deposit also makes it possible to detect errors that occur before the feed rollers 36 (e.g. lack of web tension during material transport).

In the inlet area of the mouthpiece 71 there are folding thumbs as upper guides 78 and lower guides 79, which serve to guide the pack 10 with blank 67 laterally. Furthermore, the blank 67 is already pre-folded by these guides 78, 79 (see 9 ). If a different pack format (higher pack) is used, the height of the inlet opening of the mouthpiece 71 can be adjusted. This means that the height of the upper guide 78 is adjusted at the same time (see also 9 ).

During the transport of the blanks 67, they are guided over vertical guide plates as holding means 76, which extend between the knife roller 65 and the transfer station 70 to the mouthpiece 71 (see 5 until 8th ). On the one hand, these holding means 76 have the task of guiding or supporting the blank 67 so that it cannot sag between the holding elements 72. On the other hand, the static charges on the blanks 67 that arise during the blank transport are dissipated via these holding means 76 (which are in direct contact with the blank 67). The curved shape of the holding elements 72 and the holding means 76 support the guiding of the blanks 67 and the contact of the blank 67 with the holding means 76. A bulging of the blank 67, which was caused by the static charge, can at least be greatly reduced in this way .

The holding means 76 can be variably adjusted to one another, depending on the distance between the two holding elements 72 (depending on the blank width to be conveyed). However, the respective distance between the individual holding means 76 is preferably always kept the same using compression springs as spring means 77 (see 7 and 8th ). A uniform distribution of the contact surfaces between holding means 76 and blank 67 can thus be implemented. The number of holding means 76 is also variable. This can vary depending on the cutting properties (film thickness, cutting width, cutting length, etc.).

The holding means 76 are arranged in a stationary manner on several axes 80, on which the spring means 77 are also arranged. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the holding means 76 are mounted on three axes 80. Also conceivable, but not shown in the drawings, is a variant in which all holding means 76 are rotatably mounted on a common axis 80.

The holding means 76 are preferably arranged parallel to one another. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, which is not shown in the drawings, it can be provided that the holding means 76 have a course that diverges from one another in the conveying direction of the blanks 67. The diverging course can result in any wrinkles that may be present in the blanks 67 being smoothed out during transport along the holding means 76. One way to implement such a diverging course constructively is to use different spring means 88 on the axles 80. For example, on an axis 80 arranged upstream, the distances between the holding means 76 can be smaller due to corresponding spring means 88 than in the area of a subsequent axis, so that the diverging course is established. It is also conceivable that stronger spring means 88 are arranged on the upstream axis 80 only on the outside of the holding means 76, which compress the holding means 76.

Another possibility can be that the holding members 72 are arranged divergently. In this way, the distance between the holding elements 72 would increase in the conveying direction and the blanks 67 would thereby be pulled taut. This would help reduce wrinkling and hold the blanks 67 on the holding means 76.

Thanks to the separate drives of the cutting device 25, individual blanks 67 can be locked within one machine cycle. This means that the drives are stopped and the blank 67 or the material web 26 are no longer conveyed. This blocking is particularly advantageous if a pack 10 is missing on the inlet belt (e.g. separated out in advance) and the inserter 43 would accordingly run an empty cycle. This way it is prevented that the unused blank 67 ends up as scrap. In addition, using the separate drive control, it is possible to separate and reject the previously detected (splice sensor 34) double-layer splices from the material web.

After the pack 10 with blank 67 has been handed over, the pack 10 is sealed in the sealing turret 44 according to a known principle, for example in accordance with the one already mentioned EP 00 31 515 A1 . For this purpose, several sealing stations 46 with heating jaws are provided, which are used during the Rotary movement of the sealing turret 44 can be lowered onto the side of the pack (see 4 ). Finally, the packs 10 are transported away and sent to further processing (see 2 ).

List of reference symbols:

10

pack

11

Storage belt

12

transfer station

13

Isolation station

14

turning wheel

15

funding

16

conveyor line

17

Holding means

18

Furnishings

19

turning wheel

20

Removal

21

sensor

22

sensor

23

camera

24

camera

25

cutting apparatus

26

material web

27

pulley

28

Bobine

29

Tear thread

30

loop box

31

loop box

32

Ultrasonic sensor

33

Print mark sensor

34

Splice sensor

35

Film apparatus

36

preferential roller

37

U-knife

38

Thread position sensor

39

suction belt

40

Suction box

41

cutting unit

42

Inlet belt

43

inserter

44

Seal revolver

45

Unterfalter

46

Sealing station

47

Inlet belt

48

Vertical conveyor

49

Staple heater

50

Heating cassettes

51

Ejection chute

52

Railway plate

53

Top strap

54

Lower belt

55

Heating organ

56

Side heating

57

Shrink heater

58

Shrink heater

59

Belt conveyor

60

Ejection station

61

Ejector

62

Ejection chute

63

Deportation belt

64

Machine frame

65

Knife roller

66

Handwheel

67

Cutting

68

Protective cladding

69

counter knife

70

transfer station

71

Mouthpiece

72

holding organ

73

Suction air duct

74

Suction hole

75

sensor

76

Holding means

77

Spring means

78

leadership (upper)

79

leadership (lower)

80

axis

81

servo motor

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 2949685 A1 [0004]
• EP 0031515 A1 [0044, 0052]

Claims (20)

Device for handling blanks (67) for a wrapper of packs (10) for cigarette industry products, with a conveyor line for transporting blanks (67) for the wrapper in a conveying direction, and with a transfer station (70) in which the blanks (67) are kept ready in a, in particular upright, cutting plane, the device being set up to transport packages (10) transversely to the conveying direction of the blanks (67) through the transfer station (70) and the blanks (67) held ready, while taking them along each of a prepared blank (67) through a pack (10), and the device is set up to place the blanks (67) in a U-shape around the packs (10) and then to place the free ends of the respective blanks (67) together in this way to connect that the packs (10) are wrapped in the blanks (67) formed into a tube, and the blanks (67) are held in the transfer station (70) in the area of the lateral edges of the blanks (67) by means of negative pressure on holding elements ( 72), in particular on suction belts, are held, characterized in that the blanks (67) are held in the cutting plane in the area between the holding elements (72) by resting on holding means (76), the holding means (76) being designed to to dissipate electrostatic charges on the blanks (67). Device according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the holding means (76) are formed from an electrically conductive material, preferably from a metallic material, in particular as baffles. Device according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that a plurality of holding means (76) are arranged between the holding members (72). Device according to Claim 3 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the number of holding means (76) is variable. Device according to Claim 3 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the distances between the holding means (76) from one another can be variably adjusted. Device according to Claim 3 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the distances between the holding means (76) from one another can be adjusted independently of the blank width. Device according to Claim 3 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the distances between the holding means (76) from one another can be adjusted depending on the distance between the holding members (72). Device according to Claim 3 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that spring means (77) are arranged between adjacent holding means (76) in order to align the distances between the holding means (76) to one another. Device according to Claim 8 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that when adjusting the distance between the holding members (72) from one another, the distance between the holding means (76) is maintained by uniform spring constants of the spring means (77) or that the distance between the holding means (76) from one another by different Spring constants of the spring means (77) can be changed. Device according to Claim 3 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the cutting plane has a curved course, in particular convex in relation to the conveying direction of the packs (10), at least in the area of the holding means (76). Device according to Claim 1 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that a mouthpiece (71) is arranged in the conveying section of the packs (10) downstream of the transfer station (70), through which the packs (10) are transported together with the respective blank (67). . Device according to Claim 11 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the mouthpiece (71) has upper guides (78) and lower guides (79), each of which is arranged in the region of opposite side surfaces of the packs (10). Device according to Claim 12 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the upper guides (78) are arranged to be adjustable relative to the lower guides (79) in order to adapt to the format of the packs (10). Device according to Claim 1 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the distance between the holding members (72) is designed to diverge in the conveying direction, in particular at least in the transfer station (70). Device according to Claim 1 or one of the other preceding claims, thereby characterized in that the holding means (76) are arranged upstream of the transfer station (70) in the conveying direction of the blanks (67). Device according to Claim 1 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the holding means (76) are arranged on at least one common axis (80), and that spring means (77) are arranged on at least one axis (80) between adjacent holding means (76). Device according to Claim 16 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the holding means (76) are rotatably arranged on a common axis (80). Device according to Claim 16 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the holding means (76) are fixedly mounted on several axes (80). Method for handling blanks (67) for a wrapper of packs (10) for cigarette industry products, wherein blanks (67) for the wrapper are transported along a conveyor path in a conveying direction and wherein the blanks (67) are in a transfer station (70) are kept ready in a, in particular upright, cutting plane, and wherein the packs (10) are transported transversely to the conveying direction of the blanks (67) through the transfer station (70) and the blanks (67) held ready, each taking one blank (67) held ready with them. through a pack (10), and wherein the blanks (67) are placed in a U-shape around the packs (10) and then free ends of the respective blanks (67) are connected to one another in such a way that the packs (10) are inserted into a tube shaped blanks (67) are wrapped, the blanks (67) being held in the transfer station (70) in the area of the lateral edges of the blanks (67) by means of negative pressure on holding elements (72), in particular on suction belts, characterized in that the Blanks (67) in the area between the holding members (72) are held in the cutting plane by resting on holding means (76), the holding means (76) dissipating electrostatic charges from the blanks (67). Procedure according to Claim 19 , characterized by features of one or more of the Claims 1 until 18 .

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