EP1839845B2 - A method of producing overwrap material, and a pack furnished with the material produced - Google Patents

A method of producing overwrap material, and a pack furnished with the material produced Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1839845B2
EP1839845B2 EP07104905.0A EP07104905A EP1839845B2 EP 1839845 B2 EP1839845 B2 EP 1839845B2 EP 07104905 A EP07104905 A EP 07104905A EP 1839845 B2 EP1839845 B2 EP 1839845B2
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
ribbon
slit
succession
slits
strip
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP07104905.0A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1839845A8 (en
EP1839845B1 (en
EP1839845A1 (en
Inventor
Silvano Boriani
Stefano Negrini
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
GD SpA
Original Assignee
GD SpA
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Publication date
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Publication of EP1839845A1 publication Critical patent/EP1839845A1/en
Publication of EP1839845A8 publication Critical patent/EP1839845A8/en
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Publication of EP1839845B2 publication Critical patent/EP1839845B2/en
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
    • B65D75/52—Details
    • B65D75/58—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture
    • B65D75/66—Inserted or applied tearing-strings or like flexible elements
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
    • B65D85/07—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for compressible or flexible articles
    • B65D85/08—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for compressible or flexible articles rod-shaped or tubular
    • B65D85/10—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for compressible or flexible articles rod-shaped or tubular for cigarettes
    • B65D85/1018—Container formed by a flexible material, i.e. soft-packages
    • B65D85/1027—Opening devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B50/00—Making rigid or semi-rigid containers, e.g. boxes or cartons
    • B31B50/14—Cutting, e.g. perforating, punching, slitting or trimming
    • B31B50/16—Cutting webs
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B50/00—Making rigid or semi-rigid containers, e.g. boxes or cartons
    • B31B50/74—Auxiliary operations
    • B31B50/81—Forming or attaching accessories, e.g. opening devices, closures or tear strings
    • B31B50/812—Applying tabs, patches, strips or strings on blanks or webs
    • B31B50/8125—Applying strips or strings, e.g. tear strips or strings
    • B31B50/8126—Applying strips or strings, e.g. tear strips or strings parallel to the direction of movement of the webs or the blanks
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B70/00—Making flexible containers, e.g. envelopes or bags
    • B31B70/14—Cutting, e.g. perforating, punching, slitting or trimming
    • B31B70/146—Cutting, e.g. perforating, punching, slitting or trimming using tools mounted on a drum
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B70/00—Making flexible containers, e.g. envelopes or bags
    • B31B70/14—Cutting, e.g. perforating, punching, slitting or trimming
    • B31B70/16—Cutting webs
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B70/00—Making flexible containers, e.g. envelopes or bags
    • B31B70/74—Auxiliary operations
    • B31B70/81—Forming or attaching accessories, e.g. opening devices, closures or tear strings
    • B31B70/812—Applying patches, strips or strings on sheets or webs
    • B31B70/8123—Applying strips

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method of producing overwrap material, and to a pack covered with the material obtainable by such a method.
  • the present invention relates to packs for tobacco products, typically cigarette packets, and indeed reference is made to products of this type in the following specification, albeit implying no limitation in scope.
  • packets of cigarettes are provided with a protective outer wrapper of transparent heat-shrinkable material, referred to generally as overwrap material.
  • Dedicated packaging machines first envelop each successive pack in the overwrap material and then apply heat to the selfsame material, causing it to tighten against the outer faces of the pack.
  • the outer wrapper also incorporates a so-called tear tape or tear-off ribbon, of small transverse dimensions, by means of which the outer wrapper can be broken simply and swiftly when the moment comes to open up the pack.
  • the ribbon is decoiled continuously from a roll and applied, by welding or gluing, to a strip of overwrap material moving continuously along a predetermined feed direction.
  • a succession of U-shaped notches can then be fashioned in the overwrap material, placed along the line of the ribbon.
  • Each notch serves to free one end of the ribbon, thereby creating a tab that can be gripped and pulled to break open the pack neatly and easily.
  • the strip of wrapping material with its bonded ribbon is cut into discrete leaves, each providing one protective wrapper, and fed to the packaging machine.
  • the ribbon With the wrapper in place around the finished pack, the ribbon will be positioned on the inside of the overwrap material, peripherally adjacent to one end face on all sides, in such a way that the material can be torn in a direction transverse to its longitudinal dimension.
  • the ribbon is located near the top end face, so that when pulled along the tear line, the wrapper will divide into two portions: a smaller portion enveloping the end face, and a larger portion enveloping the main body of the packet.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a method of producing overwrap material, also a pack furnished with an easily removable material obtained by such a method.
  • the invention relates to a method of producing overwrap material 1.
  • a continuous strip of preferably transparent and heat-shrinkable overwrap material 1 is caused to advance along a predetermined feed path "P" in a predetermined direction "A".
  • a predetermined area 2 of the advancing strip 1 is provided with slits or incisions 4 having a geometrical component transverse to the aforementioned direction "A".
  • the step in question involves creating a succession of such slits 4 through the agency of suitable cutting or punching means 5 composed of a main roller 5a carrying a blade 6, and a matching anvil roller 5b.
  • the two rollers 5a and 5b are set in contrarotation about respective axes extending transversely to the aforementioned feed direction "A".
  • the blade 6 presents a profile selected according to the shape of the slit 4 and strikes against the anvil roller 5b with each rotation of the main roller 5a, producing a slit 4 at each stroke.
  • a ribbon 7 of small transverse dimensions is applied to the strip of overwrap material 1; the ribbon 7 is decoiled from a roll 8, directed continuously downstream of a diverting roller 8a along a path "P1" parallel to the feed path "P”, and applied to the aforementioned area 2 of the strip in parallel alignment with the feed direction "A".
  • the ribbon 7 is bonded utilizing an ultrasonic welding unit 3 of familiar type, not described in detail.
  • the slits 4 are cut before applying the ribbon 7, so that the ribbon can be positioned relative to the selfsame slits.
  • the ribbon 7 is shown placed over a central portion 4a of the slit 4, so that the two respective ends 4b of the slit will be located on opposite sides of the ribbon 7.
  • the ribbon 7 can be placed over one end 4b of the slit 4, as illustrated clearly in figure 4 where the slits are shown staggered one from the next, or in a part of the area 2 adjacent to but not effectively coinciding with the slits 4.
  • the slits 4 are cut parallel one with another and appear substantially rectilinear, extending at right angles to the feed direction "A" and to the longitudinal dimension of the ribbon 7.
  • the slits 4 are cut parallel with one another and angled obliquely, relative to the longitudinal dimension of the ribbon 7.
  • Figures 5 and 6 illustrate examples in accordance with the invention in which the slits 4 are generated as chevrons, each presenting a vertex 9 that coincides with the line of the ribbon 7.
  • the chevron slits 4 can be disposed, as in the example of figure 5 , with the vertex 9 oriented along a tear direction "B" of the narrow ribbon.
  • the selfsame slits 4 can be disposed with the vertex 9 oriented in a direction opposite to the tear direction "B" of the ribbon 7, as in figure 6 .
  • the step of applying the ribbon 7 to the strip of overwrap material 1 is followed by a step of forming a U-shaped notch 10 in the aforementioned area 2 of the strip.
  • the U-shaped notch 10 is positioned between two successive slits 4 of the type cut previously, and serves to create a pull tab 11 at one end of the ribbon 7, as will be described in due course.
  • a succession of the U-shaped notches 10 will be generated through the agency of a further blade 12 of conventional type (not illustrated), by which the ribbon 7 is cut transversely.
  • the strip of overwrap material 1 is divided up into discrete lengths, or leaves 13, which are then fed into an overwrapping unit not illustrated in the accompanying drawings, being of conventional type and only incidental to the present invention.
  • the step of dividing the strip of overwrap material 1 into leaves is effected by a pair of contrarotating cutter rollers 14 equipped with respective blades 14a.
  • Each leaf 13 cut by the rollers 14 presents a succession of slits 4 and one U-shaped notch 10.
  • the strip of overwrap material 1 is wound onto a reel (not illustrated) for use by the overwrapping unit.
  • overwrap material 1 obtained by the method thus described is utilized for packs 15 of the type illustrated in figures 7 and 8 .
  • the pack 15 of figures 7 and 8 consists in a pack of cigarettes, around which the overwrap material 1 provides a protective outer wrapper 16.
  • the wrapper 16 appears with the aforementioned ribbon 7 extending peripherally around one end face of the pack 15.
  • the ribbon 7 is disposed with the tear direction "B" extending parallel to its own longitudinal dimension, and occupying a plane transverse to the longitudinal dimension of the pack 15.
  • the wrapper 16 is opened by hand, gripping the tab 11 of the ribbon 7 and pulling. This causes the ribbon 7 to break the overwrap material 1 along the aforementioned tear direction "B" until the first slit 4 is encountered.
  • This slit 4 shown perpendicular to the ribbon 7 in figure 7 , will at this point initiate two new break lines 17 departing and diverging from the line of the ribbon 7 on either side.
  • wrapper 16 shown in figures 7 and 8 presents just one slit 4, according to the invention a succession of slits 4 is provided in order to facilitate the removal of the material 1, wherein the number of slits depends on the size of the pack 15.
  • the pack 15 does not need to be extracted from the wrapper 16 once a tear has been made with the ribbon 7.
  • the action of pulling the ribbon 7 serves also to initiate the break lines 17 and allow the wrapper 16 to be torn off completely, without the material sticking fast to the outer faces of the pack 15. Accordingly, the pack 15 is spared any damage that might be caused in the attempt to remove portions of the overwrap material 1 that continue to cling to the outer surfaces.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Packaging Of Annular Or Rod-Shaped Articles, Wearing Apparel, Cassettes, Or The Like (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
  • Wrapping Of Specific Fragile Articles (AREA)
  • Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)
  • Wrappers (AREA)

Description

  • The present invention relates to a method of producing overwrap material, and to a pack covered with the material obtainable by such a method.
  • In particular, the present invention relates to packs for tobacco products, typically cigarette packets, and indeed reference is made to products of this type in the following specification, albeit implying no limitation in scope.
  • Conventionally, packets of cigarettes are provided with a protective outer wrapper of transparent heat-shrinkable material, referred to generally as overwrap material.
  • Dedicated packaging machines first envelop each successive pack in the overwrap material and then apply heat to the selfsame material, causing it to tighten against the outer faces of the pack.
  • The outer wrapper also incorporates a so-called tear tape or tear-off ribbon, of small transverse dimensions, by means of which the outer wrapper can be broken simply and swiftly when the moment comes to open up the pack.
  • To prepare the aforementioned wrapper, the ribbon is decoiled continuously from a roll and applied, by welding or gluing, to a strip of overwrap material moving continuously along a predetermined feed direction.
  • A succession of U-shaped notches can then be fashioned in the overwrap material, placed along the line of the ribbon. Each notch serves to free one end of the ribbon, thereby creating a tab that can be gripped and pulled to break open the pack neatly and easily.
  • Thereafter, the strip of wrapping material with its bonded ribbon is cut into discrete leaves, each providing one protective wrapper, and fed to the packaging machine.
  • With the wrapper in place around the finished pack, the ribbon will be positioned on the inside of the overwrap material, peripherally adjacent to one end face on all sides, in such a way that the material can be torn in a direction transverse to its longitudinal dimension.
  • In the case of cigarette packets, more exactly, the ribbon is located near the top end face, so that when pulled along the tear line, the wrapper will divide into two portions: a smaller portion enveloping the end face, and a larger portion enveloping the main body of the packet.
  • In this situation, after the tear has been made with the ribbon, the two portions of the wrapper must often be jerked away forcibly in order to remove them completely. In effect, because the overwrap material is pulled so tightly against the outer faces of the pack, by heat-shrinking, it is difficult to dislodge.
  • Accordingly, additional tears or cuts are made by hand to enable the removal of the larger portion, resulting in damage to the pack.
  • The object of the present invention is to provide a method of producing overwrap material, also a pack furnished with an easily removable material obtained by such a method.
  • The stated object is realized in a method of producing overwrap material as characterized in any one or more of claims 1 to 4.
  • The stated object is realized similarly in a pack comprising a protective wrapper, as characterized in any one or more of claims 5 to 10.
  • The invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:
    • figure 1 is a perspective illustration showing the preparation of an overwrap material in accordance with the present invention;
    • figures 2 to 6 show different solutions for the embodiment of a detail in the illustration of figure 1, viewed in plan from above;
    • figure 7 is a perspective illustration showing a packet of cigarettes furnished with the overwrap material;
    • figure 8 is a perspective illustration showing a packet of cigarettes furnished with the overwrap material, in which the material is partially torn.
  • With reference to figure 1, the invention relates to a method of producing overwrap material 1.
  • In a first step of the method, a continuous strip of preferably transparent and heat-shrinkable overwrap material 1 is caused to advance along a predetermined feed path "P" in a predetermined direction "A".
  • In a further step, a predetermined area 2 of the advancing strip 1 is provided with slits or incisions 4 having a geometrical component transverse to the aforementioned direction "A".
  • The step in question involves creating a succession of such slits 4 through the agency of suitable cutting or punching means 5 composed of a main roller 5a carrying a blade 6, and a matching anvil roller 5b. The two rollers 5a and 5b are set in contrarotation about respective axes extending transversely to the aforementioned feed direction "A".
  • The blade 6 presents a profile selected according to the shape of the slit 4 and strikes against the anvil roller 5b with each rotation of the main roller 5a, producing a slit 4 at each stroke.
  • Thereafter, a ribbon 7 of small transverse dimensions is applied to the strip of overwrap material 1; the ribbon 7 is decoiled from a roll 8, directed continuously downstream of a diverting roller 8a along a path "P1" parallel to the feed path "P", and applied to the aforementioned area 2 of the strip in parallel alignment with the feed direction "A".
  • To advantage, and by way of example, the ribbon 7 is bonded utilizing an ultrasonic welding unit 3 of familiar type, not described in detail.
  • It will be seen that the slits 4 are cut before applying the ribbon 7, so that the ribbon can be positioned relative to the selfsame slits.
  • In figures 1 to 3, the ribbon 7 is shown placed over a central portion 4a of the slit 4, so that the two respective ends 4b of the slit will be located on opposite sides of the ribbon 7.
  • In an embodiment not part of the invention, the ribbon 7 can be placed over one end 4b of the slit 4, as illustrated clearly in figure 4 where the slits are shown staggered one from the next, or in a part of the area 2 adjacent to but not effectively coinciding with the slits 4.
  • In the example of figure 1, the slits 4 are cut parallel one with another and appear substantially rectilinear, extending at right angles to the feed direction "A" and to the longitudinal dimension of the ribbon 7.
  • In the examples of figures 2 and 3, the slits 4 are cut parallel with one another and angled obliquely, relative to the longitudinal dimension of the ribbon 7.
  • Figures 5 and 6 illustrate examples in accordance with the invention in which the slits 4 are generated as chevrons, each presenting a vertex 9 that coincides with the line of the ribbon 7.
  • The chevron slits 4 can be disposed, as in the example of figure 5, with the vertex 9 oriented along a tear direction "B" of the narrow ribbon. Alternatively, the selfsame slits 4 can be disposed with the vertex 9 oriented in a direction opposite to the tear direction "B" of the ribbon 7, as in figure 6.
  • The step of applying the ribbon 7 to the strip of overwrap material 1 is followed by a step of forming a U-shaped notch 10 in the aforementioned area 2 of the strip.
  • The U-shaped notch 10 is positioned between two successive slits 4 of the type cut previously, and serves to create a pull tab 11 at one end of the ribbon 7, as will be described in due course. To advantage, a succession of the U-shaped notches 10 will be generated through the agency of a further blade 12 of conventional type (not illustrated), by which the ribbon 7 is cut transversely.
  • After the U-shaped notches 10 have been cut, as illustrated in figure 1, the strip of overwrap material 1 is divided up into discrete lengths, or leaves 13, which are then fed into an overwrapping unit not illustrated in the accompanying drawings, being of conventional type and only incidental to the present invention.
  • To advantage, the step of dividing the strip of overwrap material 1 into leaves is effected by a pair of contrarotating cutter rollers 14 equipped with respective blades 14a. Each leaf 13 cut by the rollers 14 presents a succession of slits 4 and one U-shaped notch 10.
  • In an alternative solution according to the invention, after the U-shaped notches 10 have been cut, the strip of overwrap material 1 is wound onto a reel (not illustrated) for use by the overwrapping unit.
  • The overwrap material 1 obtained by the method thus described is utilized for packs 15 of the type illustrated in figures 7 and 8.
  • In particular, and with no limitation in scope implied, the pack 15 of figures 7 and 8 consists in a pack of cigarettes, around which the overwrap material 1 provides a protective outer wrapper 16.
  • The wrapper 16 appears with the aforementioned ribbon 7 extending peripherally around one end face of the pack 15. In addition, the ribbon 7 is disposed with the tear direction "B" extending parallel to its own longitudinal dimension, and occupying a plane transverse to the longitudinal dimension of the pack 15.
  • As illustrated in figure 8, the wrapper 16 is opened by hand, gripping the tab 11 of the ribbon 7 and pulling. This causes the ribbon 7 to break the overwrap material 1 along the aforementioned tear direction "B" until the first slit 4 is encountered. This slit 4, shown perpendicular to the ribbon 7 in figure 7, will at this point initiate two new break lines 17 departing and diverging from the line of the ribbon 7 on either side.
  • When the ribbon 7 is pulled, accordingly, the break lines 17 will cause the entire wrapper 16 to tear readily in a direction transverse to the main tear direction "B", and facilitate the removal of the overwrap material 1 completely.
  • In the case of the chevron slit 4 shown in figures 5 and 6, two break lines 17 are initiated, generating appendages 18 on opposite sides of the ribbon, from which the wrapper 16 can be torn toward the ends of the pack 15 and peripherally around the end faces.
  • Whilst the wrapper 16 shown in figures 7 and 8 presents just one slit 4, according to the invention a succession of slits 4 is provided in order to facilitate the removal of the material 1, wherein the number of slits depends on the size of the pack 15.
  • Self-evidently, the pack 15 does not need to be extracted from the wrapper 16 once a tear has been made with the ribbon 7. In practice, the action of pulling the ribbon 7 serves also to initiate the break lines 17 and allow the wrapper 16 to be torn off completely, without the material sticking fast to the outer faces of the pack 15. Accordingly, the pack 15 is spared any damage that might be caused in the attempt to remove portions of the overwrap material 1 that continue to cling to the outer surfaces.

Claims (10)

  1. A method of producing cigarette pack overwrap material usable as protective outer wrapper for packets of cigarettes, including the steps of:
    - causing a continuous strip of transparent, heat-shrinkable overwrap material (1) to advance along a predetermined feed path (P) in a predetermined feed direction (A);
    - processing a predetermined area (2) of the strip of overwrap material (1) in such a way as to make a succession of slits or incisions (4) made in the predetermined area (2) of the strip and spaced apart one from the next, each slit or incision (4) having a geometrical component transverse to the feed direction (A);
    - applying a ribbon (7) of small transverse dimensions to the strip (1), along the predetermined area (2) over a central portion (4a) of each slit (4) so that two respective ends (4b) of each slit (4) will be located on opposite sides of the ribbon (7), wherein the step of making the succession of slits (4) is effected prior to the step of applying the ribbon (7) of small transverse dimensions;
    the method further includes the step of making a succession of U-shaped notches (10) in the predetermined area (2) of the strip (1), effected after the step of applying the ribbon (7), said U-shaped notch (10) creating a gripping tab (11) of the ribbon (7) which can be pulled towards a respective slit (4) for tearing the overwrap material; and the further steps, effected following the step of making the U-shaped notches (10), of:
    - dividing the strip (1) into discrete leaves (13) in such a manner that each leaf (13) has one U-shaped notch (10) and a succession of slits (4) made in said predetermined area (2) of the strip and spaced apart one from the next, and
    - feeding the leaves (13) to an overwrapping unit.
  2. A method of producing cigarette pack overwrap material usable as protective outer wrapper for packets of cigarettes, including the steps of:
    - causing a continuous strip of transparent, heat-shrinkable overwrap material (1) to advance along a predetermined feed path (P) in a predetermined feed direction (A);
    - processing a predetermined area (2) of the strip of overwrap material (1) in such a way as to make a succession of slits or incisions (4) made in the predetermined area (2) of the strip and spaced apart one from the next, each slit or incision (4) having a geometrical component transverse to the feed direction (A);
    - applying a ribbon (7) of small transverse dimensions to the strip (1), along the predetermined area (2) over a central portion (4a) of each slit (4) so that two respective ends (4b) of each slit (4) will be located on opposite sides of the ribbon (7), wherein the step of making the succession of slits (4) is effected prior to the step of applying the ribbon (7) of small transverse dimensions;
    wherein the method further includes:
    - a step of making a succession of U-shaped notches (10) in the predetermined area (2) of the strip (1), effected after the step of applying the ribbon (7), said U-shaped notch (10) creating a gripping tab (11) of the ribbon (7) which can be pulled towards a respective slit (4) for tearing the overwrap material; wherein the step of making a succession of U-shaped notches (10) in the predetermined area (2) of the strip (1) is carried out by placing the U-shaped notches (10) in a position such that between two subsequent U-shaped notches (10) a succession of slits (4) is included; and
    - after the U-shaped notches (10) have been cut, a step of wind the strip of overwrap material (1) onto a reel for use by an overwrapping unit.
  3. A method as in claim 1 or 2, wherein the step of making the succession of slits (4) involves placing each slit (4) at right angles to the longitudinal dimension of the ribbon (7) of small transverse dimensions.
  4. A method as in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the step of making the succession of slits (4) involves placing each slit (4) at an oblique angle to the longitudinal dimension of the ribbon (7) of small transverse dimensions.
  5. A pack of cigarettes comprising a pack furnished with a protective wrapper (16) consisting in a leaf of transparent, heat-shrunk overwrap material (1) and a ribbon (7) of small transverse dimensions bonded to a predetermined area (2) of the material (1),
    characterized
    in that the wrapper (16) presents:
    - a succession of slits (4) made in the predetermined area (2) of the overwrap material (1) and spaced apart one from the next, each slit (4) having a geometrical component transverse to the longitudinal dimension of the ribbon (7) of small transverse dimensions, and
    - a notch (10) of "U" shape made in the predetermined area (2) of the overwrap material (1) and creating a tab (11) at one end of the ribbon (7) such as can be gripped and pulled to tear the wrapper (16),
    wherein each slit (4) of the succession of slits (4) is of chevron-like shape, presenting a vertex (9) over which the ribbon (7) of small transverse dimensions is placed, or
    wherein each slit of the succession of slits (4) appears substantially rectilinear with the ribbon (7) being placed over a central portion (4a) of each slit of the succession of slits (4) lying between two respective ends (4b) of each slit (4).
  6. A pack as in claim 5, wherein each slit (4) of the succession of slits (4) extends at right angles to the longitudinal dimension of the ribbon (7).
  7. A pack as in claim 5, wherein each slit (4) of the succession of slits (4) extends at an oblique angle to the longitudinal dimension of the ribbon (7).
  8. A pack as in claim 5, wherein the vertex (9) of each chevron-shaped slit (4) is oriented in a direction coinciding with a tear direction (B) of the ribbon (7).
  9. A pack as in claim 5, wherein the vertex (9) of each chevron-shaped slit (4) is oriented in a direction opposite to a tear direction (B) of the ribbon (7).
  10. A packet of cigarettes, characterized in that it comprises a pack (15) as in any of claims 5 to 9.
EP07104905.0A 2006-03-29 2007-03-26 A method of producing overwrap material, and a pack furnished with the material produced Active EP1839845B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT000214A ITBO20060214A1 (en) 2006-03-29 2006-03-29 METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF OVERHEAD MATERIAL AND PACKAGE EQUIPPED WITH MATERIALS SO PRODUCED.

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EP1839845A1 EP1839845A1 (en) 2007-10-03
EP1839845A8 EP1839845A8 (en) 2007-12-19
EP1839845B1 EP1839845B1 (en) 2009-10-28
EP1839845B2 true EP1839845B2 (en) 2014-12-03

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US (1) US20070228040A1 (en)
EP (1) EP1839845B2 (en)
JP (1) JP5242930B2 (en)
CN (1) CN101045344A (en)
DE (1) DE602007002937D1 (en)
IT (1) ITBO20060214A1 (en)

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JP6292375B2 (en) * 2013-11-28 2018-03-14 株式会社スズパック Rice ball packaging material and rice ball package packaged in the packaging material
JP6564391B2 (en) * 2014-03-25 2019-08-21 ジー．デー ソチエタ ペル アツィオニＧ．Ｄ Ｓｏｃｉｅｔａ Ｐｅｒ Ａｚｉｏｎｉ Packaging material sheet, packaging box for smoking products and method for producing packaging material sheet
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DE602007002937D1 (en) 2009-12-10
US20070228040A1 (en) 2007-10-04
EP1839845A8 (en) 2007-12-19
JP2007261689A (en) 2007-10-11
EP1839845B1 (en) 2009-10-28
CN101045344A (en) 2007-10-03
ITBO20060214A1 (en) 2006-06-28
EP1839845A1 (en) 2007-10-03
JP5242930B2 (en) 2013-07-24

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