EP2874887B1 - Packing method and machine for producing a sealed package containing a group of tobacco articles - Google Patents
Packing method and machine for producing a sealed package containing a group of tobacco articles Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2874887B1 EP2874887B1 EP13767113.7A EP13767113A EP2874887B1 EP 2874887 B1 EP2874887 B1 EP 2874887B1 EP 13767113 A EP13767113 A EP 13767113A EP 2874887 B1 EP2874887 B1 EP 2874887B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- packing
- group
- stiffener
- tobacco articles
- conveyor
- 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.)
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Links
- 238000012856 packing Methods 0.000 title claims description 131
- 241000208125 Nicotiana Species 0.000 title claims description 42
- 235000002637 Nicotiana tabacum Nutrition 0.000 title claims description 42
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 30
- 239000003351 stiffener Substances 0.000 claims description 95
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims description 33
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 27
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 claims description 20
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims description 17
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims description 17
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 17
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 claims description 13
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000004320 controlled atmosphere Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000011261 inert gas Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 claims 2
- 235000019504 cigarettes Nutrition 0.000 description 101
- 239000003292 glue Substances 0.000 description 11
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 235000019506 cigar Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 230000003068 static effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B19/00—Packaging rod-shaped or tubular articles susceptible to damage by abrasion or pressure, e.g. cigarettes, cigars, macaroni, spaghetti, drinking straws or welding electrodes
- B65B19/02—Packaging cigarettes
- B65B19/025—Packaging cigarettes in webs of flexible sheet material
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B19/00—Packaging rod-shaped or tubular articles susceptible to damage by abrasion or pressure, e.g. cigarettes, cigars, macaroni, spaghetti, drinking straws or welding electrodes
- B65B19/02—Packaging cigarettes
- B65B19/12—Inserting the cigarettes, or wrapped groups thereof, into preformed containers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B19/00—Packaging rod-shaped or tubular articles susceptible to damage by abrasion or pressure, e.g. cigarettes, cigars, macaroni, spaghetti, drinking straws or welding electrodes
- B65B19/02—Packaging cigarettes
- B65B19/12—Inserting the cigarettes, or wrapped groups thereof, into preformed containers
- B65B19/20—Inserting the cigarettes, or wrapped groups thereof, into preformed containers into boxes with hinged lids
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B19/00—Packaging rod-shaped or tubular articles susceptible to damage by abrasion or pressure, e.g. cigarettes, cigars, macaroni, spaghetti, drinking straws or welding electrodes
- B65B19/02—Packaging cigarettes
- B65B19/22—Wrapping the cigarettes; Packaging the cigarettes in containers formed by folding wrapping material around formers
- B65B19/223—Wrapping the cigarettes; Packaging the cigarettes in containers formed by folding wrapping material around formers in a curved path; in a combination of straight and curved paths, e.g. on rotary tables or other endless conveyors
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B19/00—Packaging rod-shaped or tubular articles susceptible to damage by abrasion or pressure, e.g. cigarettes, cigars, macaroni, spaghetti, drinking straws or welding electrodes
- B65B19/02—Packaging cigarettes
- B65B19/22—Wrapping the cigarettes; Packaging the cigarettes in containers formed by folding wrapping material around formers
- B65B19/228—Preparing and feeding blanks
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B9/00—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
- B65B9/06—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in a longitudinally-folded web, or in a web folded into a tube about the articles or quantities of material placed upon it
- B65B9/067—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in a longitudinally-folded web, or in a web folded into a tube about the articles or quantities of material placed upon it the web advancing continuously
-
- 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
- B65D75/54—Cards, coupons, or other inserts or accessories
-
- 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
-
- 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
- B65D85/1036—Containers formed by erecting a rigid or semi-rigid blank
- B65D85/1045—Containers formed by erecting a rigid or semi-rigid blank having a cap-like lid hinged to an edge
-
- 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
- B65D2575/00—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
- B65D2575/52—Details
- B65D2575/58—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture
- B65D2575/586—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture with means for reclosing
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a packing method and machine for producing a sealed package containing a group of tobacco articles.
- Rigid, hinged-lid packets of cigarettes are currently the most widely marketed, by being easy to produce and easy and practical to use, and by effectively protecting the cigarettes inside.
- a rigid, hinged-lid packet of cigarettes comprises an inner package comprising a foil-wrapped group of cigarettes; and a rigid outer container housing the inner package.
- the outer container comprises a cup-shaped container housing the group of cigarettes and having an open top end; and a cup-shaped lid hinged to the container to rotate, with respect to the container, between an open position and a closed position opening and closing the open end respectively.
- a sealed (i.e. airtight) package has recently been proposed comprising a cigarette extraction opening closed by an open-close sealing flap (the sealing flap is applied with non-dry, re-stick glue enabling it to be stuck repeatedly in the closed position closing the cigarette extraction opening).
- Patent Application WO2011110272A1 describes a packing method for producing a sealed package containing a group of cigarettes. As a whole, the packing method described is substantially conventional, by causing the group of cigarettes to intercept a flat sheet of packing material, so that the sheet of packing material folds into a 'U' about the group of cigarettes.
- Patent Application WO2011110272A1 proposes a further packing method for producing a sealed package containing a group of cigarettes.
- This further method is based on the so-called 'flow-pack' method, in which a tubular wrapping is formed about a succession of groups of cigarettes by continuously and longitudinally heat-sealing a web of packing material folded into a tube; and the tubular wrapping is heat-sealed and cut transversely, upstream and downstream from each group of cigarettes, into individual sealed inner packages.
- Patent Application WO9849072A1 describes a further packing method for producing a sealed package containing a group of cigarettes.
- This further method is based on the so-called ⁇ flow-pack' method, in which a tubular wrapping is formed about a succession of groups of cigarettes by continuously and longitudinally heat-sealing a web of packing material folded into a tube; and the tubular wrapping is heat-sealed and cut transversely, upstream and downstream from each group of cigarettes, into individual sealed inner packages.
- Each group of cigarettes, fitted with a stiffener is fed transversely along a packing path, i.e. with the longitudinal axes of the cigarettes perpendicular to the packing path and to the longitudinal heat-seal, and parallel to the transverse heat-seals.
- Number 1 in Figures 1, 2 and 3 indicates as a whole a rigid packet of cigarettes.
- Packet 1 of cigarettes comprises a cup-shaped outer container 2, which is made of cardboard, has a hinged lid, and houses a sealed package 3 ( Figure 2 ).
- Sealed package 3 encloses a parallelepiped-shaped group 4 of cigarettes ( Figure 5 ) and, at the top and front, has a central cigarette extraction opening 5 extending over part of a front wall and part of a top wall of sealed package 3.
- the cigarettes in group 4 are cylindrical with a longitudinal axis.
- Sealed package 3 comprises a reclosable (i.e. 'open-close') sealing flap (i.e.
- sealing panel 6 designed to seal extraction opening 5 and coated on the underside with non-dry, re-stick glue (i.e. non-dry glue allowing the sealing flap to be detached and re-attached repeatedly). That is, sealing flap 6 normally adheres to sealed package 3 to seal extraction opening 5, and can be detached temporarily from sealed package 3 to free, and so withdraw a cigarette through, extraction opening 5.
- sealing flap 6 is applied externally to the packing material of sealed package 3.
- sealing flap 6 is either formed in two-layer packing material of sealed package 3, or is in the form of a frame applied to the inside of the packing material of sealed package 3.
- sealing flap 6 has a grip tab 7 with no re-stick adhesive and located close to, normally beneath, extraction opening 5.
- sealed package 3 comprises a U-shaped stiffener (i.e. tray) 8 made of cardboard (identical to that of outer container 2) and which is inserted inside sealed package 3, contacting group 4 of cigarettes.
- Stiffener 8 comprises a front wall 9 positioned contacting the cylindrical lateral walls of the cigarettes in group 4; two lateral walls 10 on opposite sides of front wall 9 and positioned contacting the cylindrical lateral walls of the cigarettes in group 4; and a bottom wall 11 positioned contacting the tips of the cigarettes in group 4.
- Front wall 9 preferably has a top recess 12 located at cigarette extraction opening 5, so that front wall 9 does not overlap cigarette extraction opening 5.
- Each lateral wall 10 comprises a lateral tab 13, which is folded 90° with respect to lateral wall 10 onto bottom wall 11.
- Bottom wall 11 comprises a bottom tab 14, which is folded 180° with respect to and onto bottom wall 11; and bottom tab 14 comprises an appendix 15, which is folded 90° with respect to bottom tab 14 onto front wall 9.
- Stiffener 8 has no glue, and comprises a jointing system to hold bottom wall 11 and lateral walls 10 in position.
- the jointing system comprises a U-shaped through slit 16 formed through front wall 9, along the fold line between front wall 9 and bottom wall 11; and a U-shaped projection 17 formed on bottom tab 14, along the fold line between bottom tab 14 and appendix 15.
- Projection 17 on bottom tab 14 is inserted through slit 16 in front wall 9 (by elastically deforming projection 17) to form a joint, between projection 17 and through slit 16, which holds bottom wall 11 and lateral walls 10 in position, by requiring significant deformation for its release.
- Through slit 16 is formed by making a U-shaped cut through front wall 9, along the fold line between front wall 9 and bottom wall 11.
- projection 17 is formed by making a U-shaped cut through appendix 15, along the fold line between appendix 15 and bottom tab 14.
- stiffener 8 serves to reinforce and maintain the shape of sealed package 3, to prevent sealed package 3 from collapsing, when some of the cigarettes are removed, and so complicating withdrawal of the remaining cigarettes and, in particular, opening and closing of sealing flap 6.
- stiffener 8 serves to hold the cigarettes in group 4 together in the right position.
- Figure 9 shows a blank 18, which is folded to form the stiffener 8 in Figures 6 , 7 and 8.
- Figure 8 clearly shows the cuts defining through slit 16 and projection 17.
- Figure 10 shows a variation of the Figure 9 blank 18.
- the Figure 10 blank 18 differs from the Figure 9 blank 18 by comprising a ⁇ logo', which is visible in positive form at top recess 12 (i.e. at the part of stiffener 8 visible through extraction opening 5 of sealed package 3), and in negative form at bottom tab 14 and appendix 15 (in this way, the Figure 10 blank 18 can be formed from a continuous web of cardboard with no waste).
- Figures 11 and 12 show an alternative embodiment of the Figure 6 , 7 and 8 stiffener 8, which differs from the Figure 6 , 7 and 8 stiffener 8 by comprising an appendix 15 reduced to a minimum in size.
- Figures 13 and 14 show an alternative embodiment of the Figure 6 , 7 and 8 stiffener 8, which is formed from the blank 18 shown in Figure 15 , and which differs from the Figure 6 , 7 and 8 stiffener 8 by having no appendix 15, and by the tip of bottom tab 14 being inserted (by elastically deforming bottom tab 14) through slit 16 to form a joint between bottom tab 14 and through slit 16.
- Figures 16 and 17 show an alternative embodiment of the Figure 6 , 7 and 8 stiffener 8, which is formed from the blank 18 shown in Figure 18 , and which differs from the Figure 6 , 7 and 8 stiffener 8 by having no through slit 16 and no projection 17, and by front wall 9 having a through cut 19 (typically inverted-U-shaped) through which appendix 15 is fitted (by elastically deforming through cut 19).
- the jointing system comprises the inverted-U-shaped through cut 19 in front wall 9; and appendix 15 on bottom tab 14, which is folded 90° with respect to bottom tab 14 onto front wall 9, at and to fit inside through cut 19.
- Figure 19 shows a variation of the Figure 18 blank 18, which differs from the Figure 18 blank 18 by comprising a ⁇ logo', which is visible in positive form at top recess 12 (i.e. at the part of stiffener 8 visible through extraction opening 5 of sealed package 3), and in negative form at bottom tab 14 and appendix 15 (in this way, the Figure 19 blank 18 can be formed from a continuous web of cardboard with no waste).
- Figures 20, 21 and 22 show an alternative embodiment of the Figure 6 , 7 and 8 stiffener 8, which is formed from the blank 18 shown in Figure 23 , and which differs from the Figure 6 , 7 and 8 stiffener 8 by having no appendix 15, no through slit 16, and no projection 17, and by lateral tabs 13 having cuts 20 into which bottom tab 14 fits (by elastically deforming lateral tabs 13).
- Figures 24 , 25 and 26 show three alternative embodiments of the Figure 9 blank 18, which differ from the Figure 9 blank 18 by having no bottom tab 14, no appendix 15, no through slit 16, and no projection 17; by lateral tabs 13 having cuts 20; and by bottom wall 11 having two cuts 21.
- lateral tabs 13 When lateral tabs 13 are superimposed on bottom wall 11, each cut 20 fits inside a corresponding cut 21 (by elastically deforming relative lateral tab 13).
- Figure 27 shows an alternative embodiment of the Figure 6 , 7 and 8 stiffener 8, which differs from the Figure 6 , 7 and 8 stiffener 8 by having no bottom tab 14, no appendix 15, no through slit 16, and no projection 17, and by bottom wall 11 having two cuts 21.
- lateral tabs 13 are superimposed on bottom wall 11, the tip of each lateral tab 13 deforms elastically to fit inside a corresponding cut 21.
- Figure 28 shows an alternative embodiment of the Figure 6 , 7 and 8 stiffener 8, which differs from the Figure 6 , 7 and 8 stiffener 8 by having no bottom tab 14, no appendix 15, no through slit 16, and no projection 17; by the two lateral tabs 13 being connected to opposite ends of bottom wall 11, and being folded 90° with respect to bottom wall 11 onto lateral walls 10; and by each lateral wall 10 comprising a lateral wing 22, which is folded 180° with respect to and onto lateral wall 10 to enclose a corresponding lateral tab 13.
- Each lateral wing 22 has two projections 23, which (by deforming elastically) fit through corresponding through slits 24 in front wall 9 to form a joint between projections 23 and through slits 24.
- Figures 29 and 30 show an alternative embodiment of the Figure 6 , 7 and 8 stiffener 8, which differs from the Figure 6 , 7 and 8 stiffener 8 by having no appendix 15, no through slit 16, and no projection 17; and by bottom tab 14 being folded 90° with respect to bottom wall 11.
- Figure 31 shows an alternative embodiment of the Figure 9 blank 18, which differs from the Figure 9 blank 18 by having no bottom tab 14, no appendix 15, no through slit 16, and no projection 17; and by each lateral tab 13 being glued by glue 25 to bottom wall 11.
- stiffener 8 has no glue, and comprises a jointing system to hold bottom wall 11 and lateral walls 10 in position; whereas, in the Figure 31 embodiment, stiffener 8 has no jointing system, but has two areas of glue 25 to hold bottom wall 11 and lateral walls 10 in position.
- the two lateral tabs 13 are connected to opposite ends of bottom wall 11, are folded 90° with respect to bottom wall 11 onto lateral walls 10, and are glued by glue 25 to lateral walls 10.
- stiffener 8 chooses which of the above embodiments of stiffener 8 to employ depends on the relationship between the thickness of group 4 of cigarettes (and therefore the size of bottom wall 11 of stiffener 8) and the size of recess 12 (which, to avoid waste, also affects the shape and size of bottom tab 14 and appendix 15) .
- Number 26 in Figure 32 indicates as a whole a packing machine for producing packet 1 of cigarettes in Figures 1, 2 and 3 .
- Packing machine 26 comprises a packing section 27 for producing sealed packages 3; and a follow-up packing section 28 for producing outer containers 2 by folding rigid blanks 29 about the sealed packages 3 from packing section 27.
- packing section 27 comprises a forming unit 30 for producing groups 4 of cigarettes, and for producing stiffeners 8 by folding blanks 18; a coupling unit 31 for fitting groups 4 of cigarettes with respective stiffeners 8; and a packing unit 32 for producing sealed packages 3 by folding and heat-sealing a strip 33 of packing material (complete with extraction openings 5 and superimposed sealing flaps 6) about groups 4 of cigarettes fitted with respective stiffeners 8.
- Forming unit 30 comprises a hopper 34 with four outlets; and a forming belt conveyor 35 supporting a number of forming pockets 36.
- Forming conveyor 35 feeds each forming pocket 36 from an input station 37, located in front of an outlet of hopper 34 and where a group 4 of cigarettes is expelled from the outlet of hopper 34 into forming pocket 36, to an output station 38 where the group 4 of cigarettes is expelled from forming pocket 36.
- Forming unit 30 also comprises a folding belt conveyor 39 supporting a number of folding pockets (not shown) and extending parallel to and alongside forming conveyor 35.
- Folding conveyor 39 feeds each folding pocket from an input station 40, where a blank 18 is fed into the folding pocket; through a number of folding stations, where blank 18 is folded (completely or partly) to form a stiffener 8; and to an output station 41, where the stiffener 8 is expelled from the folding pocket.
- coupling unit 31 comprises a coupling conveyor 42, which is positioned perpendicular to forming conveyor 35 and folding conveyor 39, picks up each group 4 of cigarettes at output station 38 of forming conveyor 35, couples group 4 of cigarettes with a corresponding stiffener 8 at a coupling station 43 (located over and aligned vertically with output station 41 of folding conveyor 39), and feeds group 4 of cigarettes, fitted with stiffener 8, to an input station 44 of packing unit 32.
- Coupling conveyor 42 comprises an endless belt 45 fitted with a number of paddles 46, which push groups 4 of cigarettes along a slide surface 47 connecting output station 38 of forming conveyor 35 to input station 44 of packing unit 32.
- Slide surface 47 is static (i.e. mounted in a fixed position) and is connected to an elevator 47a movable vertically between a bottom position ( Figure 38 ), in which elevator 47a is located at output station 41 of folding conveyor 39, and a top position (not shown in Figure 38 ), in which elevator 47a is located at coupling station 43.
- Slide surface 47 has a through opening, through which a stiffener 8 is raised by elevator 47a.
- elevator 47a is moved into the bottom position to pick up a stiffener 8, and is then raised to feed stiffener 8 into coupling station 43, where stiffener 8 intercepts and couples with a corresponding group 4 of cigarettes (i.e.
- group 4 of cigarettes impacts bottom wall 11 of stiffener 8, thus drawing stiffener 8 along with it).
- the end of slide surface 47 around the through opening is designed to finish folding bottom tab 14 and appendix 15 as stiffener 8 is pushed up by elevator 47a.
- packing unit 32 comprises a packing conveyor 48, which feeds each group 4 of cigarettes (fitted with respective stiffener 8) along a straight packing path P.
- a fixed folding device 49 (shown schematically in Figure 35 ) winds strip 33 of packing material longitudinally, i.e. parallel to packing path P, about packing path P to bring the two opposite edges of strip 33 of packing material into contact and so form a tubular wrapping enclosing groups 4 of tobacco articles (fitted with respective stiffeners 8).
- Packing unit 32 also comprises a heat-sealing device 50 (shown schematically in Figures 35 and 40 ) located downstream from folding device 49, and which heat-seals the two opposite overlapping edges of strip 33 of packing material longitudinally, i.e.
- Packing unit 32 also comprises a heat-sealing device 51 (shown schematically in Figures 35 and 40 ) located downstream from heat-sealing device 50, and which heat-seals and cuts the tubular wrapping transversely, i.e. perpendicularly to packing path P, upstream and downstream from each group 4 of cigarettes (fitted with respective stiffener 8), to complete sealed packages 3.
- a heat-sealing device 51 shown schematically in Figures 35 and 40 ) located downstream from heat-sealing device 50, and which heat-seals and cuts the tubular wrapping transversely, i.e. perpendicularly to packing path P, upstream and downstream from each group 4 of cigarettes (fitted with respective stiffener 8), to complete sealed packages 3.
- packing conveyor 48 feeds each group 4 of cigarettes (fitted with respective stiffener 8) transversely along packing path P, i.e. with the longitudinal axes of the cigarettes perpendicular to packing path P and to the longitudinal heat-seal, and parallel to the transverse heat-seals. Feeding groups 4 of cigarettes along the packing path in this way is extremely important, by enabling the formation of sealed packages 3 with the transverse heat-seals along the lateral walls, and with no heat-seals at all on the bottom wall and, more importantly, on the top wall in which extraction opening 5 is formed.
- strip 33 of packing material is already complete with extraction openings 5 covered with open-close sealing flaps 6, which are formed and applied respectively at work stations (not shown) upstream from packing unit 32.
- extraction openings 5 covered with open-close sealing flaps 6 are located on the opposite side of the tubular wrapping to the longitudinal heat-seal, and are centred between the two transverse heat-seals.
- extraction openings 5 covered with open-close sealing flaps 6 may be located on the same side as the longitudinal heat-seal and, as opposed to being centred, may be more or less asymmetrical in shape and/or position.
- packing conveyor 48 comprises a static (i.e. stationary) slide surface 52, along which each group 4 of cigarettes slides, and about which strip 33 of packing material is wound; and a push device 53 located over groups 4 of cigarettes, and which pushes each group 4 of cigarettes along packing path P.
- Push device 53 comprises a conveyor belt 54, which is located over each group 4 of cigarettes, extends parallel to packing path P, presses each group 4 of cigarettes against slide surface 52, and comprises paddles 55, which project from conveyor belt 54 and are positioned upstream and downstream from, to define a seat for, each group 4 of cigarettes.
- packing unit 32 comprises a feed conveyor 56, which receives groups 4 of cigarettes from coupling conveyor 42 at input station 44, and feeds groups 4 of cigarettes onto slide surface 52.
- Feed conveyor 56 comprises two parallel, side by side conveyor belts 57 located beneath groups 4 of cigarettes, and on which groups 4 of cigarettes rest.
- Each conveyor belt 57 comprises paddles 58, which project from conveyor belt 57 and are positioned upstream and downstream from, to define a seat for, each group 4 of cigarettes.
- packing unit 32 comprises two conveyor belts 59 positioned facing each other on opposite sides of packing path P, directly upstream from heat-sealing device 50.
- the two conveyor belts 59 press on opposite sides of the tubular wrapping to compress the two opposite longitudinal edges of the tubular wrapping transversely (i.e. the two conveyor belts 59 press on the longitudinally oriented bottom wall and top wall of each sealed package 3 in the making).
- longitudinally heat-sealing by means of heat-sealing device 50 the two opposite overlapping edges of strip 33 of packing material to stabilize the tubular wrapping produces a longitudinal fin 60, which initially projects perpendicularly from the tubular wrapping.
- heat-sealing device 50 forming the longitudinal heat-seal is connected to a folding device, which folds the longitudinal fin 60 ninety degrees and presses it onto the tubular wrapping.
- each transverse heat-seal (by heat-sealing device 51) on the tubular wrapping produces a transverse fin 61, which initially projects perpendicularly from (i.e. from a lateral wall of) the corresponding sealed package 3.
- a folding device downstream from heat-sealing device 51 folds each transverse fin 61 ninety degrees and presses it onto the corresponding sealed package 3 (i.e. onto a lateral wall of the corresponding sealed package 3).
- Each transverse fin 61 is preferably fixed (heat-sealed or glued) to the corresponding sealed package 3 (i.e. to a lateral wall of the corresponding sealed package 3) so that it remains permanently contacting sealed package 3.
- each transverse fin 61 must be fixed to remain permanently contacting the corresponding sealed package 3
- the transverse heat-seals provide for holding the longitudinal fin 60 permanently contacting the corresponding sealed package 3.
- Figures 4b and 4c show a sealed package 3 prior to folding (fixing) the two transverse fins 61, and Figure 4a a sealed package 3 after the two transverse fins 61 are folded (fixed).
- each group 4 of cigarettes is formed on forming conveyor 35 independently and separately from the corresponding stiffener 8; each stiffener 8 is folded on folding conveyor 39 independently and separately from formation of the corresponding group 4 of cigarettes; and each pre-formed group 4 of cigarettes is coupled on coupling conveyor 42 with the corresponding pre-folded stiffener 8.
- forming conveyor 35 for forming groups 4 of cigarettes extends parallel to and alongside folding conveyor 38 for folding stiffeners 8; whereas coupling conveyor 42, on which each pre-formed group 4 of cigarettes is coupled with the corresponding pre-folded stiffener 8, is perpendicular to forming conveyor 35 and folding conveyor 38.
- each stiffener 8 is fed into a forming pocket 36 on forming conveyor 35, upstream from hopper 34; and each group 4 of cigarettes is transferred from hopper 34 into forming pocket 36 (containing stiffener 8) and directly into stiffener 8.
- folding conveyor 39 for folding stiffeners 8 is located upstream from forming conveyor 35 to feed stiffeners 8, already folded, to the start of forming conveyor 35.
- Figures 41-43 show a simplified stiffener 8 with only front wall 9 and lateral walls 10 (i.e. with no bottom wall 11). Though, clearly, stiffener 8 in the Figure 41-43 embodiment may also be as described with reference to Figures 6-31 .
- packing unit 32 comprises a processing device for extracting air (by suction) from the tubular wrapping to form vacuum-sealed packages 3.
- the processing device also injects inert gas to form controlled-atmosphere sealed packages 3.
- the sealed package production process may therefore comprise a step of extracting air from the tubular wrapping to form vacuum-sealed packages, and/or a step of injecting inert gas into the tubular wrapping to form controlled-atmosphere sealed packages.
- packing machine 26 only comprises packing section 27 for producing sealed packages 3, which are marketed as they are, without outer containers 2 (i.e. each packet 1 of cigarettes only comprises sealed package 3, and has no outer container 2); or else a further packing machine (separate from and fully independent of packing machine 26) receives sealed packages 3 from packing machine 26, and forms outer containers 2 about sealed packages 3.
- each sealed package 3 having the transverse heat-seals (i.e. transverse fins 61) along the lateral walls, and no heat-seals at all on the bottom wall and, more importantly, on the top wall in which extraction opening 5 is formed.
- the packing method and machine 26 described provide for 'flow-pack' producing sealed packages 3 with perfectly formed groups 4 of cigarettes, i.e. in which the cigarettes are positioned correctly as shown in Figure 5 .
- packing conveyor 48 On packing conveyor 48, on which each group 4 of cigarettes travels transversely (i.e. with the longitudinal axes of the cigarettes perpendicular to packing path P), the danger of group 4 of cigarettes falling out of shape, i.e. of the cigarettes in group 4 shifting out of position, is averted by the combined action of stiffener 8, which defines a 'box' for containing and retaining group 4 of cigarettes, and of packing conveyor 48, which maintains sufficient transverse and longitudinal pressure on stiffener 8 (and therefore on group 4 of cigarettes inside stiffener 8).
- stiffener 8 (and therefore group 4 of cigarettes inside stiffener 8) is compressed longitudinally by paddles 55 of push device 53, which define a seat for group 4 of cigarettes; and stiffener 8 (and therefore group 4 of cigarettes inside stiffener 8) is compressed transversely by the two conveyor belts 59.
- stiffener 8 comprises a system for connecting bottom wall 11 to lateral walls 10, and for preventing bottom wall 11 from moving with respect to lateral walls 10 (or, conversely, preventing lateral walls 10 from moving with respect to bottom wall 11).
- This connecting system in fact, increases the rigidity of stiffener 8 and so further prevents unwanted movements of the cigarettes in group 4, particularly when forming the tubular wrapping.
- the system connecting bottom wall 11 and lateral walls 10 has no glue, thus eliminating any glue inside sealed package 3, and the possibility of the substances in the glue somehow altering the taste and/or aroma of the tobacco in the cigarettes.
- packet 1 of cigarettes described may also be used for producing a carton of cigarettes, which is substantially the same as packet 1 described, except that it contains a group of packets of cigarettes as opposed to a group of cigarettes, or for producing a packet of cigars or similar, which is substantially the same as packet 1 described, except that it contains a group of cigars or similar, as opposed to a group of cigarettes.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Packaging Of Annular Or Rod-Shaped Articles, Wearing Apparel, Cassettes, Or The Like (AREA)
- Wrapping Of Specific Fragile Articles (AREA)
- Packaging Of Special Articles (AREA)
- Containers And Plastic Fillers For Packaging (AREA)
- Package Closures (AREA)
- Packages (AREA)
Description
- The present invention relates to a packing method and machine for producing a sealed package containing a group of tobacco articles.
- Rigid, hinged-lid packets of cigarettes are currently the most widely marketed, by being easy to produce and easy and practical to use, and by effectively protecting the cigarettes inside.
- A rigid, hinged-lid packet of cigarettes comprises an inner package comprising a foil-wrapped group of cigarettes; and a rigid outer container housing the inner package. The outer container comprises a cup-shaped container housing the group of cigarettes and having an open top end; and a cup-shaped lid hinged to the container to rotate, with respect to the container, between an open position and a closed position opening and closing the open end respectively.
- A sealed (i.e. airtight) package has recently been proposed comprising a cigarette extraction opening closed by an open-close sealing flap (the sealing flap is applied with non-dry, re-stick glue enabling it to be stuck repeatedly in the closed position closing the cigarette extraction opening).
- Patent Application
WO2011110272A1 describes a packing method for producing a sealed package containing a group of cigarettes. As a whole, the packing method described is substantially conventional, by causing the group of cigarettes to intercept a flat sheet of packing material, so that the sheet of packing material folds into a 'U' about the group of cigarettes. - To improve the efficiency of the packing cycle described in Patent Application
WO2011110272A1 , Patent ApplicationWO2011110272A1 proposes a further packing method for producing a sealed package containing a group of cigarettes. This further method is based on the so-called 'flow-pack' method, in which a tubular wrapping is formed about a succession of groups of cigarettes by continuously and longitudinally heat-sealing a web of packing material folded into a tube; and the tubular wrapping is heat-sealed and cut transversely, upstream and downstream from each group of cigarettes, into individual sealed inner packages. - The sealed inner packages formed using the method described in Patent Application
WO2011110272A1 , however, have the major drawback of complicating withdrawal of the cigarettes through the extraction opening, due to the presence of a transverse heat-seal astride the top wall of the inner package. - Patent Application
WO9849072A1 WO9849072A1 WO9849072A1 - It is an object of the present invention to provide a packing method and machine for producing a sealed package containing a group of tobacco articles, which method and machine are designed to eliminate the above drawbacks and at the same time are cheap and easy to implement.
- According to the present invention, there are provided a packing method and machine for producing a sealed package containing a group of tobacco articles, as claimed in the accompanying Claims.
- A number of non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the attached drawings, in which:
-
Figure 1 shows a front view in perspective of a packet of cigarettes in a closed configuration; -
Figure 2 shows a front view in perspective of theFigure 1 packet of cigarettes in an open configuration; -
Figure 3 shows a rear view in perspective of theFigure 1 packet of cigarettes in a closed configuration; -
Figure 4a shows a front view in perspective of a sealed package of theFigure 1 packet of cigarettes, formed using the packing method according to the present invention; -
Figures 4b and 4c show front and rear views in perspective respectively of theFigure 4a sealed package prior to folding lateral heat-seal fins; -
Figure 5 shows a view in perspective of a group of cigarettes enclosed in theFigure 4 sealed package; -
Figure 6 shows a view in perspective of a stiffener inserted inside theFigure 4 sealed package; -
Figure 7 shows a longitudinal section of theFigure 6 stiffener; -
Figure 8 shows a view in perspective of theFigure 6 stiffener, illustrating the way in which a tab on the bottom wall is folded; -
Figure 9 shows a spread-out view of a blank from which to form theFigure 6 stiffener; -
Figures 10-31 show alternative embodiments of theFigure 6 stiffener and/or the blank from which to form theFigure 6 stiffener; -
Figure 32 shows a schematic view in perspective, with parts removed for clarity, of a packing machine for producing theFigure 1 packet of cigarettes; -
Figures 33 and34 show two schematic views in perspective, with parts removed for clarity, of a packing unit of theFigure 32 packing machine, for producing the sealed package inFigure 4 ; -
Figure 35 shows a schematic plan view, with parts removed for clarity, of the packing unit inFigures 33 and34 ; -
Figure 36 shows a schematic plan view of material flow on theFigure 33 and34 packing unit; -
Figure 37 shows a schematic view in perspective of how theFigure 9 blank is folded to form theFigure 6 stiffener; -
Figure 38 shows a schematic section, with parts removed for clarity, of a coupling conveyor of theFigure 33 and34 packing unit; -
Figure 39 shows a schematic view in perspective, with parts removed for clarity, of a packing conveyor of theFigure 33 and34 packing unit; -
Figure 40 shows a schematic view in perspective of material flow on an end portion of theFigure 39 packing conveyor; -
Figures 41 ,42 and43 show three schematic views in perspective, with parts removed for clarity, of a variation of theFigure 33 and34 packing unit. -
Number 1 inFigures 1, 2 and 3 indicates as a whole a rigid packet of cigarettes.Packet 1 of cigarettes comprises a cup-shapedouter container 2, which is made of cardboard, has a hinged lid, and houses a sealed package 3 (Figure 2 ). Sealedpackage 3 encloses a parallelepiped-shaped group 4 of cigarettes (Figure 5 ) and, at the top and front, has a central cigarette extraction opening 5 extending over part of a front wall and part of a top wall of sealedpackage 3. The cigarettes ingroup 4 are cylindrical with a longitudinal axis. Sealedpackage 3 comprises a reclosable (i.e. 'open-close') sealing flap (i.e. sealing panel) 6 designed to sealextraction opening 5 and coated on the underside with non-dry, re-stick glue (i.e. non-dry glue allowing the sealing flap to be detached and re-attached repeatedly). That is, sealingflap 6 normally adheres to sealedpackage 3 toseal extraction opening 5, and can be detached temporarily from sealedpackage 3 to free, and so withdraw a cigarette through, extraction opening 5. - In the embodiment shown in the attached drawings, sealing
flap 6 is applied externally to the packing material of sealedpackage 3. In alternative embodiments, sealingflap 6 is either formed in two-layer packing material of sealedpackage 3, or is in the form of a frame applied to the inside of the packing material of sealedpackage 3. - As shown more clearly in
Figure 4 , sealingflap 6 has agrip tab 7 with no re-stick adhesive and located close to, normally beneath,extraction opening 5. - As shown in
Figures 6 ,7 and 8 , sealedpackage 3 comprises a U-shaped stiffener (i.e. tray) 8 made of cardboard (identical to that of outer container 2) and which is inserted inside sealedpackage 3, contactinggroup 4 of cigarettes.Stiffener 8 comprises afront wall 9 positioned contacting the cylindrical lateral walls of the cigarettes ingroup 4; twolateral walls 10 on opposite sides offront wall 9 and positioned contacting the cylindrical lateral walls of the cigarettes ingroup 4; and abottom wall 11 positioned contacting the tips of the cigarettes ingroup 4.Front wall 9 preferably has atop recess 12 located at cigarette extraction opening 5, so thatfront wall 9 does not overlap cigarette extraction opening 5. - Each
lateral wall 10 comprises alateral tab 13, which is folded 90° with respect tolateral wall 10 ontobottom wall 11.Bottom wall 11 comprises abottom tab 14, which is folded 180° with respect to and ontobottom wall 11; andbottom tab 14 comprises anappendix 15, which is folded 90° with respect tobottom tab 14 ontofront wall 9. - Stiffener 8 has no glue, and comprises a jointing system to hold
bottom wall 11 andlateral walls 10 in position. The jointing system comprises a U-shaped throughslit 16 formed throughfront wall 9, along the fold line betweenfront wall 9 andbottom wall 11; and aU-shaped projection 17 formed onbottom tab 14, along the fold line betweenbottom tab 14 andappendix 15.Projection 17 onbottom tab 14 is inserted throughslit 16 in front wall 9 (by elastically deforming projection 17) to form a joint, betweenprojection 17 and throughslit 16, which holdsbottom wall 11 andlateral walls 10 in position, by requiring significant deformation for its release. Throughslit 16 is formed by making a U-shaped cut throughfront wall 9, along the fold line betweenfront wall 9 andbottom wall 11. Likewise,projection 17 is formed by making a U-shaped cut throughappendix 15, along the fold line betweenappendix 15 andbottom tab 14. - In the finished
packet 1 of cigarettes,stiffener 8 serves to reinforce and maintain the shape of sealedpackage 3, to prevent sealedpackage 3 from collapsing, when some of the cigarettes are removed, and so complicating withdrawal of the remaining cigarettes and, in particular, opening and closing of sealingflap 6. When producing sealedpackage 3, on the other hand, and as described in detail below,stiffener 8 serves to hold the cigarettes ingroup 4 together in the right position. -
Figure 9 shows a blank 18, which is folded to form thestiffener 8 inFigures 6 ,7 and 8. Figure 8 clearly shows the cuts defining throughslit 16 andprojection 17. -
Figure 10 shows a variation of theFigure 9 blank 18. TheFigure 10 blank 18 differs from theFigure 9 blank 18 by comprising a `logo', which is visible in positive form at top recess 12 (i.e. at the part ofstiffener 8 visible throughextraction opening 5 of sealed package 3), and in negative form atbottom tab 14 and appendix 15 (in this way, theFigure 10 blank 18 can be formed from a continuous web of cardboard with no waste). -
Figures 11 and 12 show an alternative embodiment of theFigure 6 ,7 and 8 stiffener 8, which differs from theFigure 6 ,7 and 8 stiffener 8 by comprising anappendix 15 reduced to a minimum in size. -
Figures 13 and 14 show an alternative embodiment of theFigure 6 ,7 and 8 stiffener 8, which is formed from the blank 18 shown inFigure 15 , and which differs from theFigure 6 ,7 and 8 stiffener 8 by having noappendix 15, and by the tip ofbottom tab 14 being inserted (by elastically deforming bottom tab 14) throughslit 16 to form a joint betweenbottom tab 14 and throughslit 16. -
Figures 16 and 17 show an alternative embodiment of theFigure 6 ,7 and 8 stiffener 8, which is formed from the blank 18 shown inFigure 18 , and which differs from theFigure 6 ,7 and 8 stiffener 8 by having no throughslit 16 and noprojection 17, and byfront wall 9 having a through cut 19 (typically inverted-U-shaped) through whichappendix 15 is fitted (by elastically deforming through cut 19). In other words, the jointing system comprises the inverted-U-shaped throughcut 19 infront wall 9; andappendix 15 onbottom tab 14, which is folded 90° with respect tobottom tab 14 ontofront wall 9, at and to fit inside throughcut 19.Figure 19 shows a variation of theFigure 18 blank 18, which differs from theFigure 18 blank 18 by comprising a `logo', which is visible in positive form at top recess 12 (i.e. at the part ofstiffener 8 visible throughextraction opening 5 of sealed package 3), and in negative form atbottom tab 14 and appendix 15 (in this way, theFigure 19 blank 18 can be formed from a continuous web of cardboard with no waste). -
Figures 20, 21 and22 show an alternative embodiment of theFigure 6 ,7 and 8 stiffener 8, which is formed from the blank 18 shown inFigure 23 , and which differs from theFigure 6 ,7 and 8 stiffener 8 by having noappendix 15, no throughslit 16, and noprojection 17, and bylateral tabs 13 havingcuts 20 into whichbottom tab 14 fits (by elastically deforming lateral tabs 13). -
Figures 24 ,25 and 26 show three alternative embodiments of theFigure 9 blank 18, which differ from theFigure 9 blank 18 by having nobottom tab 14, noappendix 15, no throughslit 16, and noprojection 17; bylateral tabs 13 havingcuts 20; and bybottom wall 11 having twocuts 21. Whenlateral tabs 13 are superimposed onbottom wall 11, each cut 20 fits inside a corresponding cut 21 (by elastically deforming relative lateral tab 13). -
Figure 27 shows an alternative embodiment of theFigure 6 ,7 and 8 stiffener 8, which differs from theFigure 6 ,7 and 8 stiffener 8 by having nobottom tab 14, noappendix 15, no throughslit 16, and noprojection 17, and bybottom wall 11 having twocuts 21. Whenlateral tabs 13 are superimposed onbottom wall 11, the tip of eachlateral tab 13 deforms elastically to fit inside acorresponding cut 21. -
Figure 28 shows an alternative embodiment of theFigure 6 ,7 and 8 stiffener 8, which differs from theFigure 6 ,7 and 8 stiffener 8 by having nobottom tab 14, noappendix 15, no throughslit 16, and noprojection 17; by the twolateral tabs 13 being connected to opposite ends ofbottom wall 11, and being folded 90° with respect tobottom wall 11 ontolateral walls 10; and by eachlateral wall 10 comprising alateral wing 22, which is folded 180° with respect to and ontolateral wall 10 to enclose a correspondinglateral tab 13. Eachlateral wing 22 has twoprojections 23, which (by deforming elastically) fit through corresponding throughslits 24 infront wall 9 to form a joint betweenprojections 23 and throughslits 24. -
Figures 29 and 30 show an alternative embodiment of theFigure 6 ,7 and 8 stiffener 8, which differs from theFigure 6 ,7 and 8 stiffener 8 by having noappendix 15, no throughslit 16, and noprojection 17; and bybottom tab 14 being folded 90° with respect tobottom wall 11. -
Figure 31 shows an alternative embodiment of theFigure 9 blank 18, which differs from theFigure 9 blank 18 by having nobottom tab 14, noappendix 15, no throughslit 16, and noprojection 17; and by eachlateral tab 13 being glued byglue 25 tobottom wall 11. In other words, in all the embodiments shown inFigures 6-30 ,stiffener 8 has no glue, and comprises a jointing system to holdbottom wall 11 andlateral walls 10 in position; whereas, in theFigure 31 embodiment,stiffener 8 has no jointing system, but has two areas ofglue 25 to holdbottom wall 11 andlateral walls 10 in position. In an alternative embodiment (not shown) perfectly equivalent to the one inFigure 31 , the twolateral tabs 13 are connected to opposite ends ofbottom wall 11, are folded 90° with respect tobottom wall 11 ontolateral walls 10, and are glued byglue 25 tolateral walls 10. - Choosing which of the above embodiments of
stiffener 8 to employ depends on the relationship between the thickness ofgroup 4 of cigarettes (and therefore the size ofbottom wall 11 of stiffener 8) and the size of recess 12 (which, to avoid waste, also affects the shape and size ofbottom tab 14 and appendix 15) . -
Number 26 inFigure 32 indicates as a whole a packing machine for producingpacket 1 of cigarettes inFigures 1, 2 and 3 .Packing machine 26 comprises apacking section 27 for producing sealedpackages 3; and a follow-uppacking section 28 for producingouter containers 2 by foldingrigid blanks 29 about the sealedpackages 3 from packingsection 27. - As shown in
Figure 33 , packingsection 27 comprises a formingunit 30 for producinggroups 4 of cigarettes, and for producingstiffeners 8 by foldingblanks 18; acoupling unit 31 forfitting groups 4 of cigarettes withrespective stiffeners 8; and apacking unit 32 for producing sealedpackages 3 by folding and heat-sealing astrip 33 of packing material (complete withextraction openings 5 and superimposed sealing flaps 6) aboutgroups 4 of cigarettes fitted withrespective stiffeners 8. - Forming
unit 30 comprises ahopper 34 with four outlets; and a formingbelt conveyor 35 supporting a number of formingpockets 36. Formingconveyor 35 feeds each formingpocket 36 from aninput station 37, located in front of an outlet ofhopper 34 and where agroup 4 of cigarettes is expelled from the outlet ofhopper 34 into formingpocket 36, to anoutput station 38 where thegroup 4 of cigarettes is expelled from formingpocket 36. Formingunit 30 also comprises afolding belt conveyor 39 supporting a number of folding pockets (not shown) and extending parallel to and alongside formingconveyor 35. Foldingconveyor 39 feeds each folding pocket from aninput station 40, where a blank 18 is fed into the folding pocket; through a number of folding stations, where blank 18 is folded (completely or partly) to form astiffener 8; and to anoutput station 41, where thestiffener 8 is expelled from the folding pocket. - As shown in
Figure 38 ,coupling unit 31 comprises acoupling conveyor 42, which is positioned perpendicular to formingconveyor 35 andfolding conveyor 39, picks up eachgroup 4 of cigarettes atoutput station 38 of formingconveyor 35,couples group 4 of cigarettes with acorresponding stiffener 8 at a coupling station 43 (located over and aligned vertically withoutput station 41 of folding conveyor 39), and feedsgroup 4 of cigarettes, fitted withstiffener 8, to aninput station 44 of packingunit 32. Couplingconveyor 42 comprises anendless belt 45 fitted with a number ofpaddles 46, which pushgroups 4 of cigarettes along aslide surface 47 connectingoutput station 38 of formingconveyor 35 to inputstation 44 of packingunit 32. -
Slide surface 47 is static (i.e. mounted in a fixed position) and is connected to anelevator 47a movable vertically between a bottom position (Figure 38 ), in whichelevator 47a is located atoutput station 41 of foldingconveyor 39, and a top position (not shown inFigure 38 ), in whichelevator 47a is located atcoupling station 43.Slide surface 47 has a through opening, through which astiffener 8 is raised byelevator 47a. In actual use,elevator 47a is moved into the bottom position to pick up astiffener 8, and is then raised to feedstiffener 8 intocoupling station 43, wherestiffener 8 intercepts and couples with acorresponding group 4 of cigarettes (i.e. as it moves along,group 4 of cigarettes impactsbottom wall 11 ofstiffener 8, thus drawingstiffener 8 along with it). In a preferred embodiment, the end ofslide surface 47 around the through opening is designed to finish foldingbottom tab 14 andappendix 15 asstiffener 8 is pushed up byelevator 47a. - As shown in
Figure 39 , packingunit 32 comprises a packingconveyor 48, which feeds eachgroup 4 of cigarettes (fitted with respective stiffener 8) along a straight packing path P. A fixed folding device 49 (shown schematically inFigure 35 ) winds strip 33 of packing material longitudinally, i.e. parallel to packing path P, about packing path P to bring the two opposite edges ofstrip 33 of packing material into contact and so form a tubularwrapping enclosing groups 4 of tobacco articles (fitted with respective stiffeners 8).Packing unit 32 also comprises a heat-sealing device 50 (shown schematically inFigures 35 and40 ) located downstream from foldingdevice 49, and which heat-seals the two opposite overlapping edges ofstrip 33 of packing material longitudinally, i.e. parallel to packing path P, to stabilize the tubular wrapping.Packing unit 32 also comprises a heat-sealing device 51 (shown schematically inFigures 35 and40 ) located downstream from heat-sealingdevice 50, and which heat-seals and cuts the tubular wrapping transversely, i.e. perpendicularly to packing path P, upstream and downstream from eachgroup 4 of cigarettes (fitted with respective stiffener 8), to complete sealed packages 3. - It is important to note that packing
conveyor 48 feeds eachgroup 4 of cigarettes (fitted with respective stiffener 8) transversely along packing path P, i.e. with the longitudinal axes of the cigarettes perpendicular to packing path P and to the longitudinal heat-seal, and parallel to the transverse heat-seals. Feedinggroups 4 of cigarettes along the packing path in this way is extremely important, by enabling the formation of sealedpackages 3 with the transverse heat-seals along the lateral walls, and with no heat-seals at all on the bottom wall and, more importantly, on the top wall in whichextraction opening 5 is formed. - As stated,
strip 33 of packing material is already complete withextraction openings 5 covered with open-close sealing flaps 6, which are formed and applied respectively at work stations (not shown) upstream from packingunit 32. Onstrip 33 of packing material,extraction openings 5 covered with open-close sealing flaps 6 are located on the opposite side of the tubular wrapping to the longitudinal heat-seal, and are centred between the two transverse heat-seals. In a different embodiment not shown,extraction openings 5 covered with open-close sealing flaps 6 may be located on the same side as the longitudinal heat-seal and, as opposed to being centred, may be more or less asymmetrical in shape and/or position. - As shown in
Figure 39 , packingconveyor 48 comprises a static (i.e. stationary)slide surface 52, along which eachgroup 4 of cigarettes slides, and about which strip 33 of packing material is wound; and apush device 53 located overgroups 4 of cigarettes, and which pushes eachgroup 4 of cigarettes along packing pathP. Push device 53 comprises aconveyor belt 54, which is located over eachgroup 4 of cigarettes, extends parallel to packing path P, presses eachgroup 4 of cigarettes againstslide surface 52, and comprisespaddles 55, which project fromconveyor belt 54 and are positioned upstream and downstream from, to define a seat for, eachgroup 4 of cigarettes. - Finally, packing
unit 32 comprises afeed conveyor 56, which receivesgroups 4 of cigarettes from couplingconveyor 42 atinput station 44, and feedsgroups 4 of cigarettes ontoslide surface 52.Feed conveyor 56 comprises two parallel, side byside conveyor belts 57 located beneathgroups 4 of cigarettes, and on whichgroups 4 of cigarettes rest. Eachconveyor belt 57 comprisespaddles 58, which project fromconveyor belt 57 and are positioned upstream and downstream from, to define a seat for, eachgroup 4 of cigarettes. - In a preferred embodiment, packing
unit 32 comprises twoconveyor belts 59 positioned facing each other on opposite sides of packing path P, directly upstream from heat-sealingdevice 50. Asstrip 33 of packing material is wound, the twoconveyor belts 59 press on opposite sides of the tubular wrapping to compress the two opposite longitudinal edges of the tubular wrapping transversely (i.e. the twoconveyor belts 59 press on the longitudinally oriented bottom wall and top wall of each sealedpackage 3 in the making). - As shown more clearly in
Figure 40 , longitudinally heat-sealing (by means of heat-sealing device 50) the two opposite overlapping edges ofstrip 33 of packing material to stabilize the tubular wrapping produces alongitudinal fin 60, which initially projects perpendicularly from the tubular wrapping. In a preferred embodiment, heat-sealingdevice 50 forming the longitudinal heat-seal is connected to a folding device, which folds thelongitudinal fin 60 ninety degrees and presses it onto the tubular wrapping. Likewise, each transverse heat-seal (by heat-sealing device 51) on the tubular wrapping produces atransverse fin 61, which initially projects perpendicularly from (i.e. from a lateral wall of) the corresponding sealedpackage 3. In a preferred embodiment, a folding device downstream from heat-sealingdevice 51 folds eachtransverse fin 61 ninety degrees and presses it onto the corresponding sealed package 3 (i.e. onto a lateral wall of the corresponding sealed package 3). Eachtransverse fin 61 is preferably fixed (heat-sealed or glued) to the corresponding sealed package 3 (i.e. to a lateral wall of the corresponding sealed package 3) so that it remains permanently contacting sealedpackage 3. - It is important to note that, whereas each
transverse fin 61 must be fixed to remain permanently contacting the corresponding sealedpackage 3, the transverse heat-seals provide for holding thelongitudinal fin 60 permanently contacting the corresponding sealedpackage 3. -
Figures 4b and 4c show asealed package 3 prior to folding (fixing) the twotransverse fins 61, andFigure 4a a sealedpackage 3 after the twotransverse fins 61 are folded (fixed). - In the
Figure 32-40 embodiment, eachgroup 4 of cigarettes is formed on formingconveyor 35 independently and separately from thecorresponding stiffener 8; eachstiffener 8 is folded on foldingconveyor 39 independently and separately from formation of thecorresponding group 4 of cigarettes; and eachpre-formed group 4 of cigarettes is coupled oncoupling conveyor 42 with the correspondingpre-folded stiffener 8. As stated, formingconveyor 35 for forminggroups 4 of cigarettes extends parallel to and alongside foldingconveyor 38 for foldingstiffeners 8; whereascoupling conveyor 42, on which eachpre-formed group 4 of cigarettes is coupled with the correspondingpre-folded stiffener 8, is perpendicular to formingconveyor 35 andfolding conveyor 38. - In the
Figure 41-43 embodiment, on the other hand, eachstiffener 8 is fed into a formingpocket 36 on formingconveyor 35, upstream fromhopper 34; and eachgroup 4 of cigarettes is transferred fromhopper 34 into forming pocket 36 (containing stiffener 8) and directly intostiffener 8. In this embodiment, as opposed to extending parallel to and alongside formingconveyor 35, foldingconveyor 39 for foldingstiffeners 8 is located upstream from formingconveyor 35 to feedstiffeners 8, already folded, to the start of formingconveyor 35. - For the sake of simplicity,
Figures 41-43 show asimplified stiffener 8 with onlyfront wall 9 and lateral walls 10 (i.e. with no bottom wall 11). Though, clearly,stiffener 8 in theFigure 41-43 embodiment may also be as described with reference toFigures 6-31 . - In one embodiment, packing
unit 32 comprises a processing device for extracting air (by suction) from the tubular wrapping to form vacuum-sealedpackages 3. Alternatively, in addition to extracting air by suction from the tubular wrapping, the processing device also injects inert gas to form controlled-atmosphere sealed packages 3. - The sealed package production process may therefore comprise a step of extracting air from the tubular wrapping to form vacuum-sealed packages, and/or a step of injecting inert gas into the tubular wrapping to form controlled-atmosphere sealed packages.
- In a different embodiment not shown, packing
machine 26 only comprises packingsection 27 for producing sealedpackages 3, which are marketed as they are, without outer containers 2 (i.e. eachpacket 1 of cigarettes only comprises sealedpackage 3, and has no outer container 2); or else a further packing machine (separate from and fully independent of packing machine 26) receives sealedpackages 3 from packingmachine 26, and formsouter containers 2 about sealedpackages 3. - The packing method and
machine 26 described above have numerous advantages. - Firstly, they provide for 'flow-pack' producing sealed
packages 3 enabling trouble-free withdrawal of the cigarettes throughextraction opening 5. As stated, this is achieved by each sealedpackage 3 having the transverse heat-seals (i.e. transverse fins 61) along the lateral walls, and no heat-seals at all on the bottom wall and, more importantly, on the top wall in whichextraction opening 5 is formed. - Secondly, the packing method and
machine 26 described provide for 'flow-pack' producing sealedpackages 3 with perfectly formedgroups 4 of cigarettes, i.e. in which the cigarettes are positioned correctly as shown inFigure 5 . On packingconveyor 48, on which eachgroup 4 of cigarettes travels transversely (i.e. with the longitudinal axes of the cigarettes perpendicular to packing path P), the danger ofgroup 4 of cigarettes falling out of shape, i.e. of the cigarettes ingroup 4 shifting out of position, is averted by the combined action ofstiffener 8, which defines a 'box' for containing and retaininggroup 4 of cigarettes, and of packingconveyor 48, which maintains sufficient transverse and longitudinal pressure on stiffener 8 (and therefore ongroup 4 of cigarettes inside stiffener 8). More specifically, stiffener 8 (and thereforegroup 4 of cigarettes inside stiffener 8) is compressed longitudinally bypaddles 55 ofpush device 53, which define a seat forgroup 4 of cigarettes; and stiffener 8 (and thereforegroup 4 of cigarettes inside stiffener 8) is compressed transversely by the twoconveyor belts 59. - Essential to ensuring the correct shape of
group 4 of cigarettes is the fact thatstiffener 8 comprises a system for connectingbottom wall 11 tolateral walls 10, and for preventingbottom wall 11 from moving with respect to lateral walls 10 (or, conversely, preventinglateral walls 10 from moving with respect to bottom wall 11). This connecting system, in fact, increases the rigidity ofstiffener 8 and so further prevents unwanted movements of the cigarettes ingroup 4, particularly when forming the tubular wrapping. - Moreover, in a preferred but non-limiting embodiment, the system connecting
bottom wall 11 andlateral walls 10 has no glue, thus eliminating any glue inside sealedpackage 3, and the possibility of the substances in the glue somehow altering the taste and/or aroma of the tobacco in the cigarettes. - Finally, the packing method and
machine 26 described are cheap and easy to implement, by employing simple, easily powered component parts. - Given its numerous advantages, the design of
packet 1 of cigarettes described may also be used for producing a carton of cigarettes, which is substantially the same aspacket 1 described, except that it contains a group of packets of cigarettes as opposed to a group of cigarettes, or for producing a packet of cigars or similar, which is substantially the same aspacket 1 described, except that it contains a group of cigars or similar, as opposed to a group of cigarettes.
Claims (13)
- A packing method for producing a sealed package (3) containing a group (4) of cylindrical tobacco articles, the packing method comprising the steps of:coupling the group (4) of tobacco articles with a stiffener (8) comprising a front wall (9) oriented longitudinally and positioned contacting the cylindrical lateral walls of the tobacco articles; and two lateral walls (10) located on opposite sides of the front wall (9), positioned contacting the cylindrical lateral walls of the tobacco articles, and oriented crosswise to a packing path (P);feeding the group (4) of tobacco articles, coupled with the stiffener (8), along the packing path (P) on a packing conveyor (48);folding a strip (33) of packing material longitudinally, i.e. parallel to the packing path (P), about the packing path (P) to bring the two opposite edges of the strip (33) of packing material into contact and so form a tubular wrapping enclosing the group (4) of tobacco articles coupled with the stiffener (8);heat-sealing the two opposite overlapping edges of the strip (33) of packing material longitudinally, i.e. parallel to the packing path (P), to stabilize the tubular wrapping; andheat-sealing and cutting the tubular wrapping transversely, i.e. perpendicularly to the packing path (P), upstream and downstream from the group (4) of tobacco articles coupled with the stiffener (8), to complete the sealed package (3);wherein the group (4) of tobacco articles coupled with the stiffener (8) is fed transversely along the packing path (P), i.e. with the longitudinal axes of the tobacco articles perpendicular to the packing path (P) and to the longitudinal heat-seal, and parallel to the transverse heat-seals;
the packing method being characterized in that:the stiffener (8) comprises a bottom wall (11) positioned contacting the tips of the tobacco articles and oriented longitudinally with respect to the packing path (P); andthe stiffener (8) comprises a connecting system connecting the bottom wall (11) and the lateral walls (10) of the stiffener (8), and which prevents the two lateral walls (10) from moving with respect to the bottom wall (11). - A packing method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the strip (33) of packing material has an extraction opening (5), which is covered by an open-close sealing flap (6), and is located on the opposite side of the tubular wrapping to the longitudinal seal, and centrally between the two transverse heat-seals.
- A packing method as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, and comprising the further steps of:forming the group (4) of tobacco articles independently and separately from the stiffener (8);folding the stiffener (8) independently and separately from formation of the group (4) of tobacco articles; andcoupling the pre-formed group (4) of tobacco articles with the pre-folded stiffener (8).
- A packing method as claimed in Claim 3, and comprising the further steps of:forming the group (4) of tobacco articles by means of a forming conveyor (35) connected to a hopper (34); andfolding the stiffener (8) by means of a folding conveyor (38) parallel to and alongside the forming conveyor (35).
- A packing method as claimed in Claim 4, and comprising the further step of coupling the group (4) of tobacco articles with the stiffener (8) by means of a coupling conveyor (42) perpendicular to the forming conveyor (35) and the folding conveyor (38).
- A packing method as claimed in Claim 1 o 2, and comprising the further steps of:inserting the stiffener (8) into a forming pocket (36) of a forming conveyor (35) upstream from a hopper (34); andtransferring the group (4) of tobacco articles from the hopper (34) to the forming pocket (36) and directly into the previously inserted stiffener (8).
- A packing method as claimed in one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the packing conveyor (48) comprises a slide surface (52) on which the group (4) of tobacco articles slides, and about which the strip (33) of packing material is wound; and a push device (53) located over the group (4) of tobacco articles, and which pushes the group (4) of tobacco articles along the packing path (P).
- A packing method as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the push device (53) comprises a first conveyor belt (54), which is located over the group (4) of tobacco articles, parallel to the packing path (P), presses the group (4) of tobacco articles against the slide surface (52), and comprises paddles (55), which project from the first conveyor belt (54), and are positioned upstream and downstream from the group (4) of tobacco articles, to form a seat housing the group (4) of tobacco articles.
- A packing method as claimed in Claim 7 or 8, wherein the group (4) of tobacco articles is fed onto the slide surface (52) by a feed conveyor (56) comprising at least one second conveyor belt (57) beneath the group (4) of tobacco articles and on which the group (4) of tobacco articles rests.
- A packing method as claimed in one of Claims 1 to 9, and comprising the further step, when folding the strip (33) of packing material, of compressing two opposite longitudinal edges of the tubular wrapping transversely by means of two corresponding third conveyor belts (59) positioned facing each other on opposite sides of the packing path (P).
- A packing method as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized by comprising the step of extracting air from the tubular wrapping to form vacuum-sealed packages (3).
- A packing method as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized by comprising the step of injecting inert gas into the tubular wrapping to form controlled-atmosphere sealed packages (3).
- A packing machine (26) for producing a sealed package (3) containing a group (4) of tobacco articles, the packing machine (26) comprising:a coupling unit (31) for coupling the group (4) of tobacco articles with a stiffener (8) comprising a front wall (9) oriented longitudinally and positioned contacting the cylindrical lateral walls of the tobacco articles; and two lateral walls (10) located on opposite sides of the front wall (9), positioned contacting the cylindrical lateral walls of the tobacco articles, and oriented crosswise to a packing path (P);a packing conveyor (48) for feeding the group (4) of tobacco articles, coupled with the stiffener (8), along the packing path (P);a folding device (49) for folding a strip (33) of packing material longitudinally, i.e. parallel to the packing path (P), about the packing path (P) to bring the two opposite edges of the strip (33) of packing material into contact and so form a tubular wrapping enclosing the group (4) of tobacco articles coupled with the stiffener (8);a first heat-sealing device (50) for heat-sealing the two opposite overlapping edges of the strip (33) of packing material longitudinally, i.e. parallel to the packing path (P), to stabilize the tubular wrapping; anda second heat-sealing device (51) for heat-sealing and cutting the tubular wrapping transversely, i.e. perpendicularly to the packing path (P), upstream and downstream from the group (4) of tobacco articles coupled with the stiffener (8), to complete the sealed package (3);wherein the packing conveyor (48) feeds the group (4) of tobacco articles, coupled with the stiffener (8), transversely along the packing path (P), i.e. with the longitudinal axes of the tobacco articles perpendicular to the packing path (P) and to the longitudinal heat-seal, and parallel to the transverse heat-seals;
the packing machine (26) being characterized in that it comprises folding means which fold a blank (18) to form the stiffener (8) provided with a bottom wall (11) positioned contacting the tips of the tobacco articles and oriented longitudinally with respect to the packing path (P), and to form a connecting system connecting the bottom wall (11) and the lateral walls (10) of the stiffener (8), and which prevents the two lateral walls (10) from moving with respect to the bottom wall (11).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT000391A ITBO20120391A1 (en) | 2012-07-20 | 2012-07-20 | METHOD OF INCARTO AND PACKAGING MACHINE TO MAKE A SEALED SHEET CONTAINING A GROUP OF SMOKE ITEMS |
PCT/IB2013/055992 WO2014013478A1 (en) | 2012-07-20 | 2013-07-22 | Packing method and machine for producing a sealed package containing a group of tobacco articles |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2874887A1 EP2874887A1 (en) | 2015-05-27 |
EP2874887B1 true EP2874887B1 (en) | 2016-07-13 |
EP2874887B2 EP2874887B2 (en) | 2021-12-29 |
Family
ID=46800246
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP13767113.7A Active EP2874887B2 (en) | 2012-07-20 | 2013-07-22 | Packing method and machine for producing a sealed package containing a group of tobacco articles |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP2874887B2 (en) |
BR (1) | BR112014031951A2 (en) |
IT (1) | ITBO20120391A1 (en) |
PL (1) | PL2874887T3 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2014013478A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (36)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102013009471A1 (en) * | 2013-06-06 | 2014-12-11 | Focke & Co. (Gmbh & Co. Kg) | Method and device for producing (cigarette) packages |
DE102013012715A1 (en) * | 2013-08-01 | 2015-02-05 | Focke & Co. (Gmbh & Co. Kg) | cigarette pack |
DE102013018429A1 (en) * | 2013-11-04 | 2015-05-21 | Focke & Co. (Gmbh & Co. Kg) | cigarette pack |
DE102014009283A1 (en) * | 2014-03-25 | 2015-10-01 | Focke & Co. (Gmbh & Co. Kg) | A smoking article package and method and apparatus for making the same |
WO2015145372A1 (en) | 2014-03-27 | 2015-10-01 | G.D S.P.A. | Packet for tobacco products, in particular cigarettes |
DE102014011396A1 (en) * | 2014-08-06 | 2016-02-11 | Focke & Co. (Gmbh & Co. Kg) | cigarette pack |
GB201421704D0 (en) * | 2014-12-05 | 2015-01-21 | British American Tobacco Co | A wrapper bundle of tobacco industry products |
GB201421700D0 (en) * | 2014-12-05 | 2015-01-21 | British American Tobacco Co | Wrapper for tobacco industry products |
GB201421702D0 (en) | 2014-12-05 | 2015-01-21 | British American Tobacco Co | Wrapper for tobacco industry products |
GB201421705D0 (en) * | 2014-12-05 | 2015-01-21 | British American Tobacco Co | Wrapper for tobacco industry products |
WO2016120848A1 (en) * | 2015-01-29 | 2016-08-04 | G.D Società per Azioni | Pack for tobacco articles provided with a sealed wrap with an inner pressure that is different from the atmospheric pressure and relative wrapping method |
WO2016120847A1 (en) * | 2015-01-29 | 2016-08-04 | G.D Societa' Per Azioni | Pack for tobacco articles provided with a sealed wrap with an inner pressure that is different from the atmospheric pressure and relative wrapping method |
ITUB20152568A1 (en) | 2015-07-29 | 2017-01-29 | Gd Spa | Rigid package with hinged lid and inner container with a lower extension. |
ITUB20152640A1 (en) * | 2015-07-30 | 2017-01-30 | Gd Spa | Pack of cigarettes. |
DE102016001297A1 (en) | 2015-12-10 | 2017-06-14 | Focke & Co. (Gmbh & Co. Kg) | Pack of cigarettes and method and apparatus for making same |
ITUB20159249A1 (en) * | 2015-12-22 | 2017-06-22 | Gd Spa | Package of smoking items. |
EP3248903B1 (en) * | 2016-05-23 | 2019-02-20 | Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co. KG) | Package for cigarettes and method and device for producing same |
DE102016007827A1 (en) * | 2016-05-23 | 2017-11-23 | Focke & Co. (Gmbh & Co. Kg) | Pack of cigarettes and method and apparatus for making same |
JP6715691B2 (en) * | 2016-06-14 | 2020-07-01 | 大森機械工業株式会社 | Packaging device and posture holding device |
CH712797A1 (en) * | 2016-08-10 | 2018-02-15 | Wrh Walter Reist Holding Ag | Transfer system with sliding device for piece goods. |
IT201600130442A1 (en) * | 2016-12-23 | 2018-06-23 | Gd Spa | Pack of cigarettes and method to make it happen |
IT201800000568A1 (en) | 2018-01-05 | 2019-07-05 | Gd Spa | Wrapping method and packing machine to make a sealed wrapping of smoking articles stabilized by heat sealing. |
IT201800000574A1 (en) | 2018-01-05 | 2019-07-05 | Gd Spa | Wrapping method and packing machine to make a sealed wrapping of smoking articles stabilized by heat sealing. |
IT201800000567A1 (en) | 2018-01-05 | 2019-07-05 | Gd Spa | Wrapping method and packing machine to make a sealed wrapping of smoking articles stabilized by heat sealing |
IT201800000570A1 (en) | 2018-01-05 | 2019-07-05 | Gd Spa | Wrapping method and packing machine to make a sealed wrapping of smoking articles stabilized by heat sealing |
IT201800006711A1 (en) * | 2018-06-27 | 2019-12-27 | Drawer designed to hold a group of smoking articles and a collar, method of feeding a group of smoking articles and a collar to the drawer, and a packaging machine for smoking articles equipped with a wrapping conveyor equipped with the drawer | |
DE102018005626A1 (en) * | 2018-07-17 | 2020-01-23 | Focke & Co. (Gmbh & Co. Kg) | Pack for products of the cigarette industry |
IT201800009892A1 (en) * | 2018-10-30 | 2020-04-30 | Sasib Spa | Packaging machine |
GB201821304D0 (en) * | 2018-12-31 | 2019-02-13 | British American Tobacco Investments Ltd | Apparatus and metod for packaging tobacco industry products |
GB201821305D0 (en) * | 2018-12-31 | 2019-02-13 | British American Tobacco Investments Ltd | Apparatus and method for packaging tobaccoindustry products |
IT201900005956A1 (en) * | 2019-04-17 | 2020-10-17 | Gd Spa | Packing machine and wrapping method to produce rigid smoking items package |
IT202000024433A1 (en) * | 2020-10-16 | 2022-04-16 | Gd Spa | PACKAGING MACHINE AND WRAPPING METHOD TO PRODUCE A PACKAGE OF RIGID SMOKING ITEMS WITH A SEALED INTERNAL WRAPPING. |
IT202100002912A1 (en) * | 2021-02-10 | 2022-08-10 | Gd Spa | PACKAGING MACHINE AND WRAPPING METHOD TO PRODUCE A PACKAGE OF RIGID SMOKING ITEMS WITH A SEALED INTERNAL WRAPPING |
DE102021123724A1 (en) * | 2021-09-14 | 2023-03-16 | Focke & Co. (Gmbh & Co. Kg) | Process and device for manufacturing packs for products in the cigarette industry |
JP7538547B2 (en) | 2022-05-17 | 2024-08-22 | 株式会社フジキカイ | Product holding device for horizontal bag making and filling machines |
KR102686109B1 (en) * | 2022-11-28 | 2024-07-17 | 김준모 | Seaweed transfer device capable of separating and cutting seaweed |
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CA2203597A1 (en) * | 1997-04-24 | 1998-10-24 | Rothmans, Benson & Hedges Inc. | Freshness pack |
DE102010019867A1 (en) * | 2010-03-10 | 2011-09-15 | Focke & Co.(Gmbh & Co. Kg) | Pack for cigarettes and method and device for producing same |
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2012
- 2012-07-20 IT IT000391A patent/ITBO20120391A1/en unknown
-
2013
- 2013-07-22 BR BR112014031951A patent/BR112014031951A2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2013-07-22 PL PL13767113.7T patent/PL2874887T3/en unknown
- 2013-07-22 EP EP13767113.7A patent/EP2874887B2/en active Active
- 2013-07-22 WO PCT/IB2013/055992 patent/WO2014013478A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (1)
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US20030164314A1 (en) * | 2000-05-23 | 2003-09-04 | Bray Jonathan Andrew | Smoking article packaging |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
PL2874887T3 (en) | 2016-12-30 |
WO2014013478A1 (en) | 2014-01-23 |
ITBO20120391A1 (en) | 2014-01-21 |
EP2874887B2 (en) | 2021-12-29 |
EP2874887A1 (en) | 2015-05-27 |
BR112014031951A2 (en) | 2017-06-27 |
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