EP1960269B1 - Method and device for wrapping packs - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device for producing cuboid (cigarette) packs (10) which are covered with an outer film wrap. The packs (10) are fed one after the other to a continuously revolving rotary folder (24) and are introduced into respective pockets (34) together with a cut (17) that is kept ready. During the subsequent rotary motion of the rotary folder (24) the cut (17) is folded around the pack (10) and overlapping folded tabs are interlinked by heat sealing.

Description

The invention relates to a method for producing packages by wrapping an article in a blank of packaging material, according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to an apparatus for performing the method according to the preamble of claim 4.

The performance of packaging machines, in particular for the production of cigarette packs, can only be appreciably increased if the most important aggregates of the packaging machine or these are geared overall to continuous operation. It is known. Folding turrets in such a way that objects to be enveloped, in particular partially finished packages during the continuous rotation of the folding turret folded through each pocket folded folding organs and so the package is completed. Such a device is for example off EP 1 574 435 A2 known.

Furthermore, it is from the DE 40 28 308 A1 known to pivot pockets of a folding turret to seal folding flaps of the packaging material.

The invention has for its object to increase the performance of a packaging machine by improving the continuous operations.

To solve this problem, the inventive method has the features of claim 1. It is therefore provided that the attached to a pivotable lever pocket is moved in preferably two different radial positions on the folding turret, being introduced in a radially outer position of the blank and the package in the pocket, and in the region of a radially inner Folding tab position folded and connected by stitching or caulking with each other, and wherein the bag is moved back to the radially outward position to perform the end seal.

The continuously revolving turret used according to the invention is, on the one hand, a folding turret, but on the other hand also a sealing turret for sealing thermally sealable foils in the region of overlapping folding tabs of the sheath. Accordingly, the method according to the invention is particularly applicable for attaching the outer envelope of thermally sealable film typical of cigarette packs.

The device according to the invention has the features of claim 4. It is therefore provided that the attached to a pivotable lever pocket can be positioned in preferably two different radial positions on the folding turret, wherein in a radially outer position of the blank and the pack can be inserted into the pocket, in the region of a radially inner position folding tabs folded and connectable by stitching or caulking, and wherein the bag is again moved back into the radially outward position for performing the end seal.

A special feature of the invention is that after the introduction of a package into the pocket of the revolver, the necessary folding steps are first carried out and then folding flaps are thermally sealed in the region of overlaps, first a pre-seal and then an end seal is carried out.

Important folding and sealing organs are therefore associated with each pocket of the revolver, namely folding members with a double function, which fold two adjacent folding flaps of the blank during a movement or working cycle. Furthermore, sealing elements are provided for each pocket, likewise with a double function, namely for pre-sealing and for end sealing due to different relative positions. In particular, the pocket attached to a pivotable lever is positioned along an arcuate path in preferably two radial planes of the folding turret. In the radially outer position blank and pack are supplied. Furthermore, sealing takes place in this position, namely end sealing of the folding tabs. In the radially inward position, the folding flaps are folded and stapled at the same time or at different times (pre-sealing). The bag is thereby aligned with the respective position of corresponding folding or sealing tools. The bag is essentially movable in the radial direction for positioning the package or blank relative to the acting folding or sealing members.

Fig. 1

eine Packung, nämlich Klappschachtel für Zigaretten mit Außenumhüllung in perspektivischer Darstellung,

Fig. 2

einen Teilbereich einer Verpackungsmaschine für die Herstellung von Packun- gen gemäß Fig. 1 in schematischer Seitenansicht,

Fig. 3

einen Ausschnitt eines Faltrevolvers der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 2 in vergrößer- tem Maßstab, teilweise im Schnitt,

Fig. 4

ein anderes Detail der Fig. 2 im Bereich des Faltrevolvers, ebenfalls in ver- größertem Maßstab,

Fig. 5-

eine weitere Arbeitsstation des Faltrevolvers der Fig. 2 bei veränderter Stellung von Faltorganen,

Fig. 6

einen Teilschnitt zu der Einzelheit gemäß Fig. 5 entsprechend Schnittebene VI- VI der Fig. 5,

Fig. 7

die Einzelheit gemäß Fig. 5 mit veränderter Stellung von Arbeitsorganen,

Fig. 8

eine achsparallele Rückansicht der Einzelheit gemäß Fig. 7 entsprechend Pfeil VIII in Fig. 7,

Fig. 9

eine im Arbeitsablauf nochmals veränderte Stellung der Organe gemäß Fig. 5, Fig. 7,

Fig. 10

die Einzelheit gemäß Fig. 9 in radial gerichteter Ansicht entsprechend Pfeil X in Fig. 9,

Fig. 11

die Tasche des Faltrevolvers in einer fortgesetzten Arbeitsstellung,

Fig. 12

die Einzelheit gemäß Fig. 11 in rückseitiger Ansicht entsprechend Pfeil XII-XII der Fig. 11,

Fig. 13

eine Tasche des Faltrevolvers in einer weiteren Faltstellung der Organe bzw. in einer Siegelstellung,

Fig. 14

die Tasche in der Stellung gemäß Fig. 13 in einem Quer- bzw. Radialschnitt in Schnittebene XIV-XIV der Fig. 13,

Fig. 15

eine Tasche des Faltrevolvers während der Siegelung von Faltlappen,

Fig. 16

die Einzelheit gemäß Fig. 15 in quer- bzw. radial gerichteter Schnittebene XVI- XVI der Fig. 15,

Fig. 17

eine Tasche des Faltrevolvers nach Fertigstellung der Packung bei der Über- gabe an einen anschließenden Förderer,

Fig. 18

Einzelheiten der Tasche gemäß Fig. 17 in einer rückseitigen Ansicht ent- sprechend Pfeil XVIII in Fig. 17.

Further details of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings:

Fig. 1

a pack, namely folding box for cigarettes with outer wrapping in perspective view,

Fig. 2

a section of a packaging machine for the production of packages according to Fig. 1 in a schematic side view,

Fig. 3

a section of a folding turret of the device according to Fig. 2 on an enlarged scale, partly in section,

Fig. 4

another detail of Fig. 2 in the area of the folding turret, also on an enlarged scale,

Fig. 5-

another work station of the folding turret Fig. 2 with changed position of folding organs,

Fig. 6

a partial section to the detail according to Fig. 5 according to sectional plane VI-VI of the Fig. 5 .

Fig. 7

the detail according to Fig. 5 with a changed position of working bodies,

Fig. 8

an axially parallel rear view of the detail according to Fig. 7 according to arrow VIII in Fig. 7 .

Fig. 9

a changed position of the organs according to the workflow Fig. 5 . Fig. 7 .

Fig. 10

the detail according to Fig. 9 in a radially directed view according to arrow X in Fig. 9 .

Fig. 11

the pocket of the folding turret in a continued working position,

Fig. 12

the detail according to Fig. 11 in back view according to arrow XII-XII the Fig. 11 .

Fig. 13

a pocket of the folding turret in a further folded position of the organs or in a sealed position,

Fig. 14

the bag in the position according to Fig. 13 in a transverse or radial section in sectional plane XIV-XIV of Fig. 13 .

Fig. 15

a pocket of the folding turret during the sealing of folding flaps,

Fig. 16

the detail according to Fig. 15 in transverse or radial sectional plane XVI- XVI of Fig. 15 .

Fig. 17

a pocket of the folding turret after completion of the package when transferring to a subsequent conveyor,

Fig. 18

Details of the bag according to Fig. 17 in a rear view according to arrow XVIII in Fig. 17 ,

It is about the production of packages 10 with an outer sheath of in particular thermally sealable film. The concrete example ( Fig. 1 ) is a cigarette box of the type folding box. The cuboidal packing 10 has a large-area front side 11, rear side 12, narrow side surfaces 13, 14 as well as a cover-side end face 15 and an opposite bottom surface 16.

The package 10 is surrounded by a blank 17 of foil. The fold is designed so that in the region of the side surface 13 mutually overlapping folding tabs, namely side tabs 18, 19 are formed. Another fold in the area of the end face 15 and the bottom face 16 consists of the inside, namely on the pack 10, adjacent end tabs 20, 21 and trapezoidal longitudinal tabs 22, 23. The aforementioned folding tabs are 18.23 positioned at least partially covered. In their area, the folding flaps are connected to each other by thermal sealing.

The device according to Fig. 2 as part of a comprehensive packaging machine is used to attach the outer wrap or blank 17 to the package during continuous transport thereof. A folding turret 24 is designed such that the blank 17 is folded around the package 10 with the formation of the folding tabs 18 .23 and, moreover, the sealing of the folding tabs is carried out, so that in the region of a removal station 25 finished packages correspondingly Fig. 1 can be transferred from the folding turret 24 to a discharge conveyor or to another processing unit, here to a shrinking turret 26 for a shrinkage treatment of the film. From this then the packs 10 are transferred to a discharge conveyor 27.

The otherwise manufactured packs 10 (without foil) are delivered to a feed conveyor 28. This is designed as a belt conveyor. The lying on an upper strand packs 10 are detected by drivers 29 back.

The packs are picked up by an intermediate conveyor and passed on to the folding turret 24. In the intermediate conveyor is a transfer turret 30. This is provided on the circumference with a plurality of holding members for each pack 10. These are converging clamping arms 31 which, with thin-walled clamping webs 32 arranged at their ends, engage a pack 10 in an upper region facing the transfer turret 30 on opposite sides of the pack, specifically on the side surfaces 13, 14, from the feed conveyor 28 lift off and feed the folding turret 24. The clamping arms 31 are pivotable between an open expanded position and a holding position for detecting and holding a pack 10. The clamping webs 32 are formed thin-walled. The direction of rotation of the transfer turret 30 is matched to the direction of rotation of the folding turret 24, so that in the region of a transfer station 33, the holding members for the packs 10 and the folding turret 24 have the same direction of movement.

The folding turret 24 has along the circumference at equal distances from each other arranged receptacles for each pack 10, namely pockets 34. The continuously rotating folding turret 24 passes through the pockets 34 several stations. In the area of a cutting station 35, the blanks 17 of the film are fed to the circumference of the folding turret 24 and kept ready in a special relative position for the pocket 34. A transfer member (not shown) having a suction bore (not shown), namely a cutting roller 36, is positioned with the peripheral surface immediately adjacent the orbit of the pockets 34, such that the blanks 17, which are spaced apart, are applied in a positionally accurate manner to the folding turret 24 or to the pockets 34 ( Fig. 3 ). The blanks 17 are separated from a continuous film web 37 and the blanking roller 36 passed.

Each pocket 34 is associated with a number of folding and sealing members, which rotate with the folding turret 24 and perform folding and sealing steps in a coordinated manner. The packs 10 are positioned in the pockets 34 such that a large-area pack side, namely the front 11, inwards and the side surface 13 in the conveying direction backward, the side surface 14 are directed forward. The blank 17 is positioned offset to the pocket 34 such that upon insertion of the pack 10 into the pocket 34, the inner side flap 18 is folded. Next, a portion of the blank 17 comes to rest against the side surface 14. Then a folded portion of the blank 17 next to the pocket 34, namely a folding leg 38 against the direction of rotation of the folding turret 24 against the radially outwardly directed packing surface, namely against the back 12th , folded. At the same time, the end flap 21 lying in the direction of rotation is folded.

In a next step, the outer side flap 19 is folded over against the inner side flap 18 to form a tube as Zwischenfaltstellung the blank 17. Thereafter, the rear end flap 20 in the conveying direction against the front and bottom wall 15, 16 is folded. This is followed by the longitudinal tabs 22, 23. During the folding steps or immediately thereafter, the overlapping folding tabs are first pre-sealed and finally sealed by applying heat and pressure.

The pocket 34 is provided with a holding member for the package 10, namely with a pocket bottom 39 on which only a transverse, approximately radial pocket leg 40 is arranged. The pack 10 is located on the bottom of the bag 39 with a large packing area - front side 11. The front side lying in the direction of rotation 14 receives contact with the pocket leg 40, in each case together with areas of the blank 17.

The pocket 34 is substantially movable in the radial direction and attached to a pivotable pocket arm 41 for this purpose. This extends approximately in the circumferential direction of the folding turret 24 and is pivotable about a spaced from the pocket 34 pivot bearing 42 - in the direction of rotation in front of the pocket 34 lying. The pocket 34 - pocket bottom 39 and pocket legs 40 - are accordingly along a circular arc movable (directional arrow in Fig. 3 ). In a recording position ( Fig. 4 ) is the bag 34 in an outer end position at the smallest distance from the

The pocket 34 or the bottom of the bag 39 is in an inclined position, parallel to the clamping arms 31. The movements are coordinated so that the package 10 without relative movement in the radial direction in the pocket 34th can be introduced until it rests against the pocket leg 40 (FIG. Fig. 4 ). With continued movement, the bag 34 is retracted with the pack 10 by pivotal movement of the pocket arm 41 in the radial direction, so that the pack is released from the organs of the transfer turret 30 (Fig. Fig. 5 ).

The blank 17 is held in the region of the pocket 34 in a circumferential plane for acceptance by the pack 10 ( Fig. 3 ). On both sides of the pocket 34 are holding members for end portions of the blank 17. These are organs that act at the same time as folding organs, namely an overfalter 43. This plate-shaped member is pivotable on a substantially radially directed, approximately S-shaped Folding lever 44 attached. This is about a remote from the outer contour of the folding turret 24 pivot bearing 455 back and forth.

The overfold 43 forms an outwardly directed, curved holding surface 46 for a part of the blank 17, namely for the folding leg. The holding surface 46 has suction holes 47 for fixing the blank 17. This extends in the starting position ( Fig. 3 A facing end piece 48 of the folding lever 44 or the holding surface 46 serves for receiving and temporarily fixing an end piece of the blank 17. This is a strip to form the inner side flap 18. The tail 48 has suction holes 47. The blank 17 is thus fixed in a front region and in a rear region. In the intermediate free area, the package 10 is transferred, wherein the blank 17 is withdrawn from the end piece 48 by the outward movement of the pocket 34 on the one hand and the supply of the package 10 on the other hand and rests against the rear side surface 13 of the pack 10 , The end piece 48 consists of individual webs with gaps formed between them. Each bar has (two) suction holes. This ensures that the relevant area of the blank 17 is removed during insertion of the pack 10 into the pocket 34 of the tail. After the handing over of the pack 10 to the bag 34, therefore, the blank is in the area of Front 11, the side surface 14 and partially in the region of the side surface 13 on the package 10 at.

Thereafter, the bag 34 returns to a radially inner (end) position ( Fig. 5 ). In this position, the overfalter 43 is pivoted counter to the direction of rotation relative to the pocket 34 and the package 10 by the folding lever 44. At the same time, the suction air is switched off in the region of the suction bores 47, so that the folding leg 38 can be pulled off the holding surface 46. The folding lever 44 can rest against the outside of the pack 10, namely against the rear side 12, after the pocket 34 has been moved by a corresponding movement of the pocket arm 41 into a position retracted radially inwardly before the beginning of this folding movement (FIG. Fig. 5 ). The folding leg 38 is held by the inside of the folding lever 44 on the outside of the package 10 by a correspondingly formed, flat counter surface 49 on the inside of the folding lever 44. The counter surface 49 is located on the entire surface of the back 12 at.

The abutting on the rear side surface 13 side tabs 18 is fixed in the pocket 34, by another folding member with multiple function, namely by a lower folder 50. This is attached to a pivotable folding arm 51, which is also substantially in the circumferential direction of the folding turret 24th extends, approximately corresponding to the pocket arm 41. The lower folder 50 is therefore also along a circular path of movement about radially displaceable. In the present embodiment, the folding arm 51 is arranged coaxially with the pocket arm 41 in the pivot bearing 42.

The lower folder 50 has a transverse or approximately radially directed folding web 52. This is directed as a leg approximately transversely to the folding arm 51 and freely projecting. The path of movement of the fold web 52 detects the rear side of the pack 10 in the region of the pocket 34. In an initial position (FIG. Fig. 3 ), the lower folder 50 is retracted radially inward. After insertion of the pack 10 with blank 17 into the pocket 34, the lower folder 50 is moved radially outward, such that the fold web 52 or a projection at the free end of the same on the rear side of the pack 10, ie on the side surface 13, is applied , In this case, the tail of the blank 17, so the side flap 18 is folded against the package surface. The folding web 52 fixes the side flap 18 and holds the package 10 in the pocket 34, which is open at the back.

After folding over the folding leg 38 by the overfalter 43 (FIG. Fig. 5 A folding member moves the side tabs 19 to rest on the back of the package 10 in partial overlap with the side tabs 18. It is in a coordinated movement of the Folding web 52 retracted inwards.

As a folding organ is a thin-walled longitudinal folder 53. This is stationary outside the range of the folding turret 24 stored. The longitudinal folder 53 is mounted on an actuating arm 54, which is actuated by a parallel transmission, namely by a drive pulley 55 and a balance arm 56. Through this transmission, a movement is transmitted to the actuating arm 54, which initially causes a radial movement of the longitudinal folder 53 and then a with the folding turret 24 mitge, substantially circular arc-shaped movement, such that the longitudinal folder 53 follows in folding position at the back of the pack 10 and on the side tabs 19 of the rotational movement of the folding turret 24.

The Überfalter 43 projecting back on the package 10 is formed like a comb in the end region or provided with a plurality of recesses 57. Through this occurs the corresponding comb-like Längsfalter 53 with folding fingers 58 therethrough. These are at the back of the pack 10 ( Fig. 5 ).

With continuing rotational movement of the folding turret 24, the longitudinal folder 53 or the folding fingers 58 are pulled out of the folding and holding region of the pocket 34 in a superposed movement ( Fig. 7 ). In a coordinated manner, the fold web 52 follows the folding fingers 58 that are removed, so that the adjacent side tabs 18, 19 are fixed to the side face 13, in the end position by the fold web 52 (FIG. Fig. 7 ). For sufficient securing of the not yet connected side tabs 18, 19 and the folding web 52 is formed comb-like with folding fingers 59. These occur in the spaces formed by the folding fingers 58 of the longitudinal mote 53 ( Fig. 8 ), so that a mutual overlap of the folding organs for fixing the folding tabs is given.

The overfalter 43 takes on another task. On both sides of this plate-shaped member folding members are attached, namely folding tongues 60. These are moved with the overfalter 43. The folding tongues 60 lie directly next to the end face 15 and the bottom surface 16 of the pack 10. The movement of the overfalter 43 folds the end tabs 21, which protrude first beyond the pack 10, onto the front side of the pack 10 (FIG. Fig. 5 ). The end tabs 21 are fixed in the folded position.

The blank 17 is - except for the end tabs 21 - in a tubular Zwischenfaltstellung. In a subsequent folding step ( Fig. 9 ) are now folded in the conveying direction back end flap 20. At the same time a seal is performed in the region of the overlapping side tabs 18, 19, namely a pre-sealing. For this purpose, a folding and sealing organ is used. On a pivot lever 61 are on both sides of the pack, namely in the region of the end face 15 and bottom surface 16 acting folding tongues 62 arranged; In the form and effect analogous to the folding tongues 60 on the overfalter 43. Due to a movement of the pivot lever 61 about a pivot bearing 63, the folding tongue 62 along a circular path of movement (arrow in FIG Fig. 9 ), wherein the fold tongues 62 fold the end flaps 20 against the associated package surfaces. The folding tongues 62 occur between marginal folding fingers 59 of the folding web 52 therethrough. This is still in the stop position ( Fig. 9 ). The relative position of the folding tongues 62 is selected such that, with the radially inward position of the pocket 34, an alignment with the end tabs 20 is provided.

On the Faftorgan or on the pivot lever 61, a sealing member 64 is further attached, which is associated with the rear side surface 13 and the side lobes 18, 19. The sealing member is formed in a special way, namely provided with two sealing jaws 65 and 66. These come alternatively to the system at the overlapping area of the side tabs 18, 19. In a first sealing cycle, which corresponds to the folding position of the folding tongue 62 ( Fig. 9 ), the sealing jaw 65 receives contact with the lobes 18, 19 for the application of a first seal, namely a pre-seal. The sealing jaw 65 consists for this purpose of sealing pieces 67 which are arranged comb-like and pass through the recesses or spaces of the folding web 52 ( Fig. 3 . Fig. 9 ).

The sealing member 64 and the sealing jaws 66 are arranged offset in the radial direction outwardly to the sealing jaw 65. By relative displacement of the pocket 34, the side surface 13 passes into the area of the continuous sealing jaw 66 for carrying out the over the full length of the cover extending end seal. This second seal will take place during a later phase ( Fig. 15 ).

After the selective sealing of the side tabs 18, 19 by the sealing pieces 67, the entire unit of the folding tongues 62 is withdrawn with sealing member 64 ( Fig. 11 ). The longitudinal tabs 22, 23 in the region of end face 15 and bottom face 16 are now processed. Previously, the overfalter 43 is slightly retracted from the end position ( Fig. 11 ), such that the folding tongue 60 is withdrawn from the region of the pocket 34. It can now be effective on both sides of the pack 10, a first page folder 68. This is bow-shaped with folding legs 69, 70 on both sides of the pack for detecting the radially outer, inner longitudinal flap 22. This is folded by superimposed radial movement of Faltschenkel- 69, 70 against the associated packing surface. The side folder 68 is also stored stationary outside the area of the folding turret 24. An actuating gear has an actuating lever 71 for the Seitenfalter 68. The actuating lever 71 is eccentrically connected to a drive pulley 72 and with a compensating lever 73. The movement path generated by this gear causes the folding member, namely the folding legs 69, 70 perform a radial movement and run along during a section with the folding turret 24. Thereafter, the side folder 68 is retracted from the area of the folding turret 24 and the bag 34, respectively.

Now, the radially inner, outer longitudinal tab 23 is folded. For this purpose, the lower folder 50 is effective on which the folding web 52 is arranged. By additional pivoting movement to the outside or in the direction of the pocket 34, folding collars 74 attached to the folding arm 51 come into action. These fold the longitudinal tabs 23 until it rests against the end wall 15 or bottom wall 16 with partial overlap of the longitudinal tab 22 (FIG. Fig. 13 ). This folding operation is effected by an outwardly directed movement of the folding arm 51.

Immediately following the folding process or with temporal superimposition, a sealing tool 75 on the end face 15 and bottom surface 16 becomes effective. This sealing tool 75 is also set up for a double function. In a first working cycle, a single, central projection, namely a tack nose 76, comes into contact with the folding tabs 22, 23 and transfers heat and pressure. The stitching nose 76 passes through a recess 77 between the two leg-like folding projections 74, in the area the overlap of longitudinal tabs 22 and 23 ( Fig. 13 ). In this area, a localized seal of the relevant flaps is carried out.

Thereafter, the lower folder 50 is retracted inward by corresponding pivotal movement of the folding arm 51 (FIG. Fig. 15 ). The lower folder 50 is located at a considerable distance from the pocket 34 with all the organs. The blank is sufficiently fixed to the package 10 by the pre-stitching or sealing. By relative movement, namely by moving the bag 34 to the outside (pivotal movement of the pocket arm 41 according to arrow in Fig. 15 ) reaches the package 10 with end face 15 and bottom surface 16 in the area of sealing jaws 78 of the sealing tool 75. The longitudinal tabs 22, 23 can now be sealed over the entire surface Einschtuss the end tabs 20, 21 (position shown Fig. 15, 16 ). At about the same time, the end seal is carried out in the area of the rear-side packing surface, that is to say the side surface 13. Due to the changed relative position of the pocket 34, the sealing members 64 can be brought back into position by corresponding pivotal movement of the pivot lever 66, in such a way that the radially outer sealing jaw 66 receives on the side surface 13 system and the side tabs 18, 19 in the overlap can seal completely and permanently ( Fig. 15 ).

During this phase, the package 10 is fixed in the pocket 34 by the sealing members 78 on the one hand and 66 on the other hand. On the radially outer side, the overfalter 43 continues to rest on the package 10 with a partial region.

The now finished pack reaches the area of the removal station 25 set up below. Here, the sealing organs and the overfetter 43 are pivoted back. The pack 10 can now be detected by a transfer device, which detects the pack 10 at the end face 15 and bottom surface 16 with clamping jaws 79. The package is passed through these jaws to the subsequent organ, here to the shrinking turret 26.

The structural design of the folding turret 24 is designed in a special way. The folding and sealing members, including the levers and arms for actuating the same, are mounted on a turret disk 80. The positions of the pockets 34 and the folding lever, in particular of the overfalter 43, are selected such that in a radially outer End position a clear distance from the outer edge of the turret disk 80 is given. Drive and control means are arranged on the side opposite to the pockets 34, folding and sealing organs side of the turret disk 80, namely in particular cams, curved paths, etc. At these connected to the levers and arms shafts are supported with sensing rollers or the like, so by the expiration of this Organs on the fixed curves the movements are controlled. A special feature applies with regard to the pivot bearing 45. The pivot bearing 42 is formed by a hollow shaft 81 and a guided in this drive shaft 82. Hollow shaft 81 and drive shaft 82 lead to the separate cams.

Another special feature is the drive for the sealing organs, namely the sealing member 64 on the one hand and the sealing tools 75 on the other hand. The last-mentioned sealing tools, each with a stitching nose 76 and a sealing jaw 78, are each attached to a (two-armed) pivoting lever 83. This is mounted with a pivot bearing 84 on a fixed part, on a bearing plate connected to the turret 80 80. Mutually facing ends of the angular or C-shaped pivot lever 83 are connected via a ball joint 86 with the facing end of the pivot lever 61 for the Sealing member 64 connected. Both sealing units 75, on the one hand, and 64, on the other hand, are therefore connected to one another by way of the ball joints 86 and can be moved by a common drive in the described manner or sequence.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

pack

11

front

12

back

13

side surface

14

side surface

15

face

16

floor area

17

cut

18

side tabs

19

side tabs

20

end tab

21

end tab

22

longitudinal tabs

23

longitudinal tabs

24

folding turret

25

removal station

26

shrinking revolver

27

discharge conveyor

28

feeder

29

takeaway

30

Transfer turret

31

clamping arm

32

clamping web

33

Transfer station

34

bag

35

blank station

36

cutting roller

37

sheet

38

folding legs

39

pocket base

40

pocket leg

41

Taschenarm

42

pivot bearing

43

About Falter

44

folding lever

45

pivot bearing

46

holding surface

47

suction bore

48

tail

49

counter surface

50

under Falter

51

folding arm

52

Faltsteg

53

along Falter

54

actuating arm

55

sheave

56

balancing arm

57

recess

58

folding fingers

59

folding fingers

60

folding tongue

61

pivoting lever

62

folding tongue

63

pivot bearing

64

seal organ

65

sealing jaw

66

sealing jaw

67

seal piece

68

side folders

69

folding legs

70

folding legs

71

actuating lever

72

sheave

73

compensating lever

74

Faltvorsprung.

75

sealing tool

76

Heft nose

77

recess

78

sealing jaw

79

jaw

80

turret disc

81

hollow shaft

82

drive shaft

83

pivoting lever

84

pivot bearing

85

bearing block

86

ball joint

Claims (15)

1. Method for producing packs for cigarettes by wrapping a pack (10) in a blank (17) made of packaging material, in particular of thermally sealable film, wherein the blank (17) is held ready in the region of a pocket (34) of a continuously rotating folding turret (24) such that the pack (10), as it is pushed into the pocket (34), butts against the blank (17) and the latter is folded partially around the pack (10) such that folding flaps or folding limbs of the blank (17) are held ready and, as rotary movement of the folding turret (24) continues, are folded onto a radially outwardly directed pack side and onto further pack sides, and wherein the blank (17), during transportation through the folding turret (24), is folded fully around the pack (10) to form overlapping side flaps (18, 19) in the region of a side surface (13) and folding flaps (20, 21; 22, 23) in the region of sideways directed end surfaces (15) and base surfaces (16), and wherein the overlapping folding flaps (18, 19; 20, 21, 22, 23), during transportation through the folding turret (24), in the first instance are sealed on a preliminary basis, namely by virtue of delimited, in particular punctiform, sealing surfaces being applied, and are then sealed definitively, characterized in that the pocket (34), which is fitted on a pivotable lever, in particular a pocket arm (41), is moved into preferably two different radial positions on the folding turret (24), wherein, in a radially outer position, the blank (17) and the pack (10) are introduced into the pocket (34) and, in the region of a radially inner position, folding flaps are folded and connected to one another by binding or sealing on a preliminary basis, and wherein the pocket (34) is moved back again into the radially outer position in order for definitive sealing to be carried out.
2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that large-surface-area sides of the cuboidal pack (10) are directed radially inwards and radially outwards, and the end surface (15) and base surfaces (16) are directed axially outwards, that is to say are located in the plane of the direction of rotation, such that, upon introduction of a pack (10) into a pocket (34), the blank (17) is positioned against the inwardly oriented pack surface, namely front side (11), and against the side surfaces (13, 14) extending on the front and rear sides, as seen in the conveying direction, and in that thereafter a folding limb (38) of the blank (17) is folded against the outwardly directed pack side, that is to say against the rear side (12), and against the rear side surface (13), as seen in the direction of rotation, with an already folded side flap (18) being overlapped in the process.
3. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, once a tubular wrapper has been formed for the pack (10) by the blank (17), projecting folding flaps are folded axially onto both sides, namely in the region of the end surface (15) and base surface (16), to be precise first of all a front end flap (21), as seen in the direction of rotation of the folding turret (24), then the opposite rear end flap (20), as seen in the direction of rotation, this being followed by a radially outwardly directed longitudinal flap (22) and, finally, the radially inner longitudinal flap (23).
4. Apparatus for producing packs for cigarettes by wrapping a pack (10) in a blank (17) made of packaging material, in particular in an outer wrapper made of film, wherein the blank (17) is held ready in the region of a pocket (34) of a continuously rotating folding turret (24), and therefore the pack (10), as it is pushed into the pocket (34), comes into abutment with the blank (17), wherein a free folding limb (38) of the blank (17), as rotation of the folding turret (24) continues, can be folded onto a radially outwardly directed pack side, in particular a rear side (12) of the pack (10), and wherein each pocket (34) is assigned movable folding mechanisms, and wherein the pocket (34) is also assigned sealing mechanisms (64) or sealing tools (75) for the thermal sealing of folding flaps following, or during, the folding process, characterized in that the pocket (34), which is fitted on a pivotable lever, in particular a pocket arm (41), can be positioned in preferably two different radial positions on the folding turret (24), wherein, in a radially outer position, the blank (17) and the pack (10) can be introduced into the pocket (34) and, in the region of a radially inner position, folding flaps are folded and can be connected to one another by binding and sealing on a preliminary basis, and wherein the pocket (34) can be moved back again into the radially outer position in order for definitive sealing to be carried out.
5. Apparatus according to Claim 4, characterized by the following features:

   a) an in particular plate-like retaining mechanism (43) alongside the pocket (34) serves for temporarily retaining a folding limb (38) of the blank (17) alongside the pocket (34),

   b) the retaining mechanism (43), once the article or the pack (10) has been introduced into the pocket (34), can be moved in the conveying direction or counter to the latter, with the folding limb (38) being carried along in the process and positioned against the radially outwardly directed pack surface.
6. Apparatus according to Claim 5, characterized in that the retaining mechanism, namely an upper folding means (43), in the region of an outwardly directed retaining surface (46) for the blank (17), has suction bores (47) for temporarily fixing the folding limb (38), wherein the latter can be drawn off from the retaining surface (46), as a result of movement of the upper folding means (43), in order to be positioned against the pack (10).
7. Apparatus according to Claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the upper folding means (43) has a counter-surface (49), which is located opposite to the retaining surface (46), as directed towards the pocket (34) or the pack (10) and, during movement of the upper folding means (43) and in the end position of the same, pushes the folding limb (38) onto the radially outwardly directed pack surface and fixes it thereon.
8. Apparatus according to Claim 5 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the blank (17) can be positioned against the folding turret (24) in an offset manner in relation to the pocket (34), such that the longer folding limb (38) butts against the upper folding means (43) assigned to the pocket (34) and a shorter folding limb or the side flap (18) of the blank (17) butts against a retaining mechanism arranged on the opposite side of the pocket (34), in particular against the upper folding means of the following pocket (34), as seen in the direction of rotation of the folding turret (24), wherein the side flap (18), upon introduction of the pack (10) into the pocket (34), can be drawn off from the following upper folding means (43) with the blank (17) being carried along in the process.
9. Apparatus according to Claim 4 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the folding mechanisms and/or sealing mechanisms are designed to carry out a number of different folding steps or sealing cycles, in particular such that the folding mechanisms have at least two different folding tools and the sealing mechanisms have at least two sealing tools or sealing jaws, in particular for sealing the folding flaps on a preliminary basis and for sealing the same definitively.
10. Apparatus according to Claim 9 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the upper folding means (43) has a folding mechanism, in particular a folding tongue (60), for folding a front end flap (21), as seen in the direction of rotation, on account of corresponding relative movement of the upper folding means (43), and/or a lower folding means (50) has a folding crosspiece (52) for folding and fixing the side flap (18) upon introduction of the pack (10), with blank (17), into the pocket (34).
11. Apparatus according to Claim 10 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the lower folding means (50) has additional folding tools, namely folding protrusions (74) for folding an internal outer longitudinal flap (23) in the region of the end surface (15) and base surface (16).
12. Apparatus according to Claim 9 or one of the further claims, characterized by a combined folding and sealing mechanism, in particular with a folding tongue (62) for folding rear end flaps (20) in the region of the end surface (15) and base surface (16) and with at least first sealing jaws for sealing the overlapping side flaps (18, 19) during folding of the end flap (20), in particular for sealing on a preliminary basis by means of a sealing jaw (65), in order to create delimited, in particular punctiform, sealing surfaces, wherein a further, offset sealing mechanism, in particular a sealing jaw (66) is fitted preferably on the folding mechanism, or on a pivot lever (61), for sealing the side flaps (18, 19) on a definitive basis with offset relative positioning of the pocket (34).
13. Apparatus according to Claim 9 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the end surfaces (15) and base surfaces (16) and/or the folding flaps (20..23) are assigned sealing tools (75) with at least two sealing mechanisms which are offset in relation to one another, namely with a binding nose (76) for sealing the folding flaps (20..23) on a preliminary basis, in particular in the central region of the longitudinal flaps (22, 23), and sealing jaws (78), which are offset in relation to the binding nose and are intended for sealing the folding flaps (20..23) on a definitive basis.
14. Apparatus according to Claim 4 or one of the further claims, characterized by folding mechanisms which are arranged at a fixed location outside the region of the folding turret (24), in particular longitudinal folders (53) for folding a radially outer side flap (19) and/or a side folder (68) for folding a radially outer longitudinal flap (23) in the region of the end surface (15) and base surface (16), wherein the longitudinal folders (53) and/or side folder (68) can be moved essentially radially in relation to the folding turret and, on account of a corresponding drive outside the folding turret (24), run along in the direction of rotation in order for the folding to be carried out.
15. Apparatus according to Claim 4 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the pocket (34) can be positioned in preferably two different radial positions on the folding turret (24), by corresponding pivoting movements of a pocket arm (41), which extends essentially in the circumferential direction of the folding turret (24).

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