EP3003870B1 - Method and device for producing packs, especially cigarette packs - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for producing cigarette packs with the features of the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, a device having the features of the preamble of claim 6 for a device for producing cigarette packs is the subject of the invention.

It is about the production of cigarette packs with a cigarette group enveloping sealing foil as an inner pack. Within it is a support member for the cigarette group, namely an inner collar ( WO 2011/110272 A1 ). The inner collar is tray-like, namely with a collar front wall and transverse side or, support walls and a collar bottom. The inner collar is arranged so that the front wall of the front side of the inner pack, namely facing an inner front wall. In the region of an end face and on the back side, the cigarette group is preferably not covered by the inner collar. The unit of cigarette group and inner collar - hereafter: cigarette block - forms the contents of the inner pack. This can be arranged in an outer pack, preferably in a folding box.

In this prior art blanks for the inner collar are fed by a feed conveyor a folding or forming unit and introduced by means of stamp in this U-shaped unit under erection of the collar side tabs.

The inner collar is then removed from the forming unit by a ram and inserted into an adjacent pocket of a revolver. This transports the folded inner collar into a loading station in which groups of cigarettes supplied by a cigarette turret are pushed into the inner collar by a plunger.

Already the folding or shaping of an inner collar is already known directly by insertion into the pocket of a revolver ( US 2009/0288371 A1 ). The inner collar is formed in this prior art as a strip-shaped member in a U-shaped folding position in the region of side surfaces and bottom surface of the cigarette group. This is inserted in a subsequent loading station in the U-shaped inner collar within the revolver pocket.

The invention has for its object to improve the production of units of cigarette group and inner collar - hereinafter cigarette block - and in particular to avoid misalignment in efficient packers.

To solve this problem, a method with the features of claim 1 is proposed.

A special feature of the method steps is that with the help of a folding turret, the shape of the inner collar in a single folding step, the supply of the cigarette group and the transfer to a block conveyor for removal of the cigarette blocks is carried out for tray-like trained inner collar.

A further special feature are measures for folding folding flaps in the area of a collar bottom to produce a glue-free connection of the folding flaps, exclusively by plug connection.

Fig. 1

einen ausgebreiteten Zuschnitt für einen Innenkragen,

Fig. 2

den gefalteten Innenkragen während des Einschubs einer Zigarettengruppe in perspektivischer Darstellung,

Fig. 3

einen Ausschnitt der Vorrichtung für die Herstellung des Zigarettenblocks in perspektivischer Darstellung,

Fig. 4

eine Teilansicht IV der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 3 in vergrößertem Maßstab,

Fig. 5

eine Einzelheit im Vertikalschnitt V-V der Fig. 4, bei nochmals vergrößertem Maßstab,

Fig. 6

die Einzelheit gemäß Fig. 5 bei veränderter Stellung von Organen,

Fig. 7

eine Einzelheit im Bereich eines Faltrevolvers, nämlich ein Vertikalschnitt VII-VII der Fig. 6 in nochmals vergrößertem Maßstab,

Fig. 8

eine Detailansicht VIII der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 3, bei vergrößertem Maßstab,

Fig. 9

eine Einzelheit des Faltrevolvers in einer Schnittebene IX-IX der Fig. 4, bei vergrößertem Maßstab,

Fig. 10

die Einzelheit gemäß Fig. 9 bei veränderter Stellung eines Faltorgans,

Fig. 11

eine Einzelheit des Faltrevolvers gemäß Fig. 4 in einer Schnittebene XI-XI, bei vergrößertem Maßstab,

Fig. 12

eine Detailansicht XII der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 3, bei vergrößertem Maßstab,

Fig. 13

die Einzelheit gemäß Fig. 12 in quergerichteter Schnittebene XIII-XIII,

Fig. 14

einen an die Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 3 anschließende weitere Vorrichtung (XIV in Fig. 3),

Fig. 15

eine Packung -Innenpackung- als fertiges Produkt in perspektivischer Darstellung,

Fig. 16

eine Einzelheit XVI der Fig. 15 in vergrößertem Maßstab.

Details of the manufacturing method and the device are explained below with reference to the drawings. It shows:

Fig. 1

a spread blank for an inner collar,

Fig. 2

the folded inner collar during the insertion of a cigarette group in perspective view,

Fig. 3

a detail of the device for the production of the cigarette block in a perspective view,

Fig. 4

a partial view IV of the device according to Fig. 3 on an enlarged scale,

Fig. 5

a detail in vertical section VV the Fig. 4 , at a further enlarged scale,

Fig. 6

the detail according to Fig. 5 with altered position of organs,

Fig. 7

a detail in the field of a folding turret, namely a vertical section VII-VII of Fig. 6 on an even larger scale,

Fig. 8

a detailed view VIII of the device according to Fig. 3 on an enlarged scale,

Fig. 9

a detail of the folding turret in a sectional plane IX-IX of Fig. 4 on an enlarged scale,

Fig. 10

the detail according to Fig. 9 with changed position of a folding organ,

Fig. 11

a detail of the folding turret according to Fig. 4 in a sectional plane XI-XI, on an enlarged scale,

Fig. 12

a detailed view XII of the device according to Fig. 3 on an enlarged scale,

Fig. 13

the detail according to Fig. 12 in transverse section XIII-XIII,

Fig. 14

one to the device according to Fig. 3 subsequent further device (XIV in Fig. 3 )

Fig. 15

a pack -Inner-pack- as a finished product in perspective,

Fig. 16

a detail XVI of Fig. 15 on an enlarged scale.

It is about the manufacture of packs for cigarettes 10 or a cigarette group 11 or other smokers. The immediate package to be produced, namely inner package 12 ( Fig. 15 ) consists of the cigarette group 11 and a completely surrounding this envelope of sealing film, namely a film wrapping 13. Within the inner packing 12 is a protective or supporting member of preferably (thin) cardboard arranged, namely an inner collar 14th

For the production of an inner packing 12 with cigarette group 11, film wrapping 13 and inner collar 14, the inner collar 14 is manufactured in a first step and filled with a cigarette group 11. The unit thus formed - cigarette block 16 - is fed to a wrapping station 15, in which the transverse and with a predetermined distance from each transported cigarette blocks 16 reach the region of a continuous film web 17 and are enveloped by this. In a conveying section of the film web 17, this is shaped as a film tube 18, in the present example (FIG. Fig. 14 ) with formed on the underside, continuous tube seam.

The cigarette blocks 16 are disposed within the film tube 18 at a distance from each other. In a sealing and separating station 19 transversely directed sealing seams 20, 21 are produced in the embodiment as a fin seam in the middle between successive cigarette blocks with simultaneous cutting of the film tube 18 between the successive cigarette blocks 16 in the region of the sealing seams 20, 21, so that inner packs 12 with lateral, protruding sealing seams 20, 21 in the area of side walls - inside walls - arise, in the execution as a fin seam.

The inner collar 14 can be formed in various ways, but has at least one large front wall or collar front wall 22 and on both sides transverse side tabs, so that the inner collar is formed in cross-section U-shaped. In the present, particular embodiment, a transverse to the walls 22, 23, 24 end wall is further provided, namely a collar bottom 25. Overall, therefore, the inner collar 14 is tray-shaped. Collar edges formed between collar front wall 22 and side tabs 23, 24 are formed as beveled edges 26 with two parallel fold lines (FIG. Fig. 7 ).

The cigarette blocks 16 formed in this way or in a similar manner are transported by a block conveyor 27 into the wrapping station 15. The block conveyor 27 transports the cigarette blocks 16 at exact distances from each other, in the present case by at least one rear driver 28 and preferably a front stop 29.

The prepared film web 17 is lowered in the region of the wrapping station 15 from above onto the block conveyor 27 or the successive cigarette blocks 16 and placed on the collar front wall 22. Laterally projecting areas are formed around the cigarette blocks 16 by stationary guiding and folding organs. The block conveyor 27 ends in the region of the wrapping station 15 by deflecting at a guide roller 30 down. In this area, the film web 17 is folded so far that the film tube 18 is formed, the cigarette blocks 16 while maintaining the relative position entraining. Around the same time, the (in Fig. 14 not shown), which stabilizes the wrapping of the cigarette blocks 16.

In order to secure the relative position of the cigarette blocks 16 on the film web 17 or in the region of the film tube 18, the film web 17 is fixed to the cigarette blocks 16, in particular on the upwardly directed collar front wall 22. The connection can be made by means of glue fields. In the present case, however, a connection is produced by thermal sealing. The film web 17 is subjected to heat and pressed against the collar front wall 22, whereby a sufficient connection is formed. In the embodiment according to Fig. 14 an elongated sealing member is arranged above the film web 17 or the film tube 18, which transfers heat and pressure to the film web 17 over a sufficient transport distance. It is a tracking belt 31 and a stationary sealing jaw 32, which rests against the free side of a running (lower) run of the belt 31. The run of the belt 31 runs frictionless with the film web 17 and transfers heat and pressure in the region of the collar front wall 22. It is important that the sealing unit 31, 32 extends into the area of the block conveyor 27, so that the fixation already takes place while the packages or the cigarette blocks 16 are positively guided by the block conveyor 27. Thereafter, the connection between the film web 17 and cigarette blocks 16 is sufficient to obtain the relative position.

A (further) special feature is the production of the cigarette blocks 16, that is, the combination of cigarette groups 11 with inner collar 14.

The first manufacturing step is concerned with the inner collar 14. A blank for the inner collar 14, corresponding to the execution in Fig. 1 , is made by severing from a material web 33 (of thin cardboard), in the area of a knife block 34. This is formed so that the blank 14 separated from the web 33 and then by two pairs of knife rollers 35, 36 two groups of punching lines and perforations, for limiting the side flaps 23, 24 and the complex folding flaps of the collar bottom 25. The individual blanks for Inner collar 14 are then carried along by conveyor belts 37 and transferred to a special feed conveyor 38, which successively feeds the blanks 14 to a folding turret 39 rotating in a vertical plane (cyclically).

The feed conveyor 38 consists of a continuous base for the blanks 14 - web plate 40 - on which the blanks 14 are transported at a distance from each other by upper straps 41, by detecting means of drivers until the handover to the folding turret 39th

The folding turret 39 has a plurality of pockets 42, each for receiving a blank 14. The pockets 42 are attached to radially directed carriers and open to the outside. In the present case, the folding turret 39, which rotates about a horizontal axis, is formed with eight uniformly distributed pockets 42.

The blanks 14 are transferred in the region of a transfer station 43 to the folding turret 39, namely introduced into a respective upwardly directed pocket 42. The transfer takes place in such a way that the (unfolded) blank 14 above the cross-sectionally substantially U-shaped pocket 42 (FIG. Fig. 7 ) held by a lowering member, in this case by a punch 44, downwardly moved and inserted into the pocket 42. In this case, arranged on the blank 14 folding tabs 23, 24, 25 erected. The punch 44 is from an upper starting position ( Fig. 3 ) moved down to a lower end position ( Fig. 6 . Fig. 7 The inner collar 14 is then in the pocket 42 with the collar front wall 22 at a bottom of the bag 45 at upright side tabs 23, 24. The punch 44 is provided with a (lower) stamp plate 46, which in the dimensions and Contours of the bag 42 corresponds.

In connection with the insertion of the blank 14 in the (upwardly facing) pocket 42 takes place a plurality of sometimes complex folding steps. Accordingly, the transfer station 43 is equipped with different organs.

The blanks 14 are transported by the feed conveyor 38 to an exact position above the bag 42 to be charged, until it rests against a stop 47. This is present bow-shaped ( Fig. 5 ), wherein the blank 14 is driven against a lower crosspiece.

The - with the longitudinal extent transverse - blank 14 is adjusted in the transfer position (initially) by organs in the transverse direction and held. In the present case, alignment levers 48, 49 are arranged on both sides of the path of movement of the blanks 14 above the pocket 42. The alignment lever 48, 49 are pivotally mounted and actuated by means of articulated levers 50 via tie rods 51, such that the alignment lever 48, 49 can be pivoted about a pivot bearing 52. In the alignment and support position according to Fig. 5 is a blank 14 on opposite sides - in the field of folding flaps for the collar bottom 25 on the one hand and opposite in the region of the front ends on the other hand - held by an alignment lever 48, 49 in exact relative position. The alignment levers 48, 49 have horizontally directed receptacles for end regions of the blank 14, in the present case longitudinally extending retaining slots 53, 54. These are dimensioned such that on the one hand they carry the blank 14 and on the other hand cause an adjustment thereof transversely to the conveying direction. The blank 14 is in each case by the feed conveyor 38 in this position ( Fig. 5 ). When the blank 14 is moved downwards into the pocket 42 by the punch 44, the alignment levers 48, 49 are moved by pivoting movement into a release position (FIG. Fig. 6 ), in which the blank 14 wholly or partially exits the retaining slots 53, 54 and exposed for the downward movement.

During the downward movement into the pocket, the blank 14 is moved through a folding or Aufrichtorgan such that the folding tabs 23, 24, 25 in an (approximately) upright position - transverse to the collar front wall 22 - are folded or prefolded. The Aufrichtorgan is designed so that it has in the range of movement of the folding tabs 23, 24 of the blank 14 folding webs 55 parallel to these folding flaps and rounded folding edges 56. As a whole, the folding member 57 is fork-shaped or U-shaped with the two parallel lateral folding webs 55 only for the folding tabs 23, 24 (with corner tabs 67) and the crossbar 58 as a connecting means for the folding webs 55th

The folding member 57 is adjusted in the introduction of a blank 14 in the pocket 42. In an (upper) starting position ( Fig. 5 ), the folding member 57 is located at a greater distance above the pocket 42, but below the plane of the prepared blank 14. When this is moved with the punch 44 downwards or in the direction of the pocket 42, the folding member 57 follows this (downward) Move. In the lower position, the folding member 57 is located immediately above the pocket 42, so that when folding the blank 14 into the pocket, the folding tabs are erected.

The folding member 57 is connected to an actuating gear - in the region of the transverse web 58 - which in the present case consists of an upwardly and downwardly movable, angular support lever 59 and parallel levers 60 for (linear) up and down movement of the support lever 59 with folding member 57. For the folding of the folding tabs of the collar bottom 25 separate folding members in the region of the transfer station 43 are provided. These are stationary folding means, namely a fixed folding switch 61 next to the pocket 42 or next to the folding turret 39. The folding switch 61 is located below a provisioning plane for the blank 14 (FIG. Fig. 5 ). However, folding surfaces or folding means are formed above the pocket 42, in the present case an arcuate fold surface 62, which elevates a leg of folding tabs for the collar bottom 25 during the downward movement. In the end position of the blank 14 in the pocket 42, accordingly, on the one hand, the lateral folding tabs, namely side tabs 23, 24 are erected and, on the other hand, the unit of the folding tabs for the collar bottom 25.

In the pocket 42, the blanks are fixed by additional holding means, in this case by suction.

In the area of upright side surfaces and in the region of the pocket bottom 45, suction bores 63 are arranged distributed in the axial direction of the folding turret 39, so that the collar front wall 22 and the side tabs 23, 24 in the pocket 42 - After insertion - be held by suction. The suction bores 63 are connected to a common suction line 82, which is connected to a central vacuum source.

After insertion of the blank 14 into the pocket 42 (FIG. Fig. 7 ), the punch 44 returns by upward movement in the starting position ( Fig. 5 ) back. The folding turret 39 is now further rotated by one division section, as a result of which the pocket 42 with blank 14 reaches the region of a folding station 64. In this station 64 of the inner collar 14 is completed, in this case by folding steps in the region of the collar bottom 25. This is complex, namely with a bottom wall 65, a tab 66 and the corner tabs 67. Already in the introduction of the blank 14 in the pocket 42 (in the transfer station 43), the corner tabs 67 are erected or folded up by stationary Eckfalter 83 due to the (downward) relative movement ( Fig. 8 ). The corner tabs 67 are initially in an inclined position - relative to the adjacent side tabs 23, 24. In the further insertion movement of the blank 14, the corner tabs 67 are folded due to the relative position against the inside of the bottom wall 65.

During the rotation of the folding turret 39 folding members are effective, the plug tab 66 as part of the collar bottom 25 from the erected position - in the pocket 42 - in a horizontal, ie transverse intermediate position ( Fig. 9 ) move. It is the continued, correspondingly designed folding switch 61, which runs due to appropriate design on the top of the bag 42 and due to the relative movement causes the folding of the insertion flap 66. In an intermediate position, therefore, there is the plug-in tab 66 as a horizontal leg above the pocket contour ( Fig. 9 ).

In the region of the folding station 64, a movable folding member is used, namely a flap folder 68. This is stationary, movably outside the range of movement of the pocket 42 (in the starting position). By downward or oblique movement into the pocket 42 is due to corresponding relative position the - transverse - tab 66 through the Laschenfalter 68 or detected by a Faltnase 69 and moved by the continued movement in an inclined plane of movement until it rests against the bottom wall 65 with insertion of an end into a slot next to the bottom wall 65 (FIG. Fig. 10 ). The flap folder 68 then returns to the home position out of the region of the pocket 42. The movements of the tab flap 68 are accomplished by an actuating gear 70, which is shown schematically in FIG Fig. 4 is shown.

The bag 42 is now fed to the finished inner collar 14 of a further processing station, namely a filling station 71. This is in terms of alignment by 90 ° offset to the transfer station 43, so directed horizontally with respect to the open side of the bag 42. The bag 42 is closed during movement from the folding station 64 to the filling station 71 on the outside. Each pocket 42 are associated with closing walls 72, 73, which are each arranged on both sides of a pocket 42 on pivot levers 74. The relative position is such that in the open position the closing walls 72, 73 are positioned completely outside the area of the pocket 42 ( Fig. 7 ). When the bag is transferred to the filling station 71, the closing walls 72, 73 reach the closed position, in which they close off the free side of the pocket 42 (in half) ( Fig. 4 ).

In the filling station 71 an otherwise prepared cigarette group 11 is kept ready, which is transported by means of group pockets 75 of a cigarette conveyor 76 to the filling station 71 ( Fig. 4 ). The group pockets 75 and the pockets 42 with the inner collar 14 are transported in staggered, parallel planes ( Fig. 11 ). During a standstill phase of both conveyors - folding turret 39, cigarette conveyor 76 - a cigarette group 11 is pushed out of the group pocket 75 by a Ausschuborgan - ram 77 - and introduced into the exactly aligned thereon pocket 42 of the folding turret 39. The relative position is chosen so that the cigarette group 11 passes over the open side of the inner collar 14 - opposite to the collar bottom 25- in the inner collar 14. The cigarette group 11 is due to corresponding relative position of the pockets 42, 75 in an upright orientation, ie with upright rows of cigarettes. At the radially outer Side of the bag 42, the cigarettes are maintained while maintaining the formation by the closing walls 72, 73.

The units of inner collar 14 and cigarette group 11 - cigarette block 16 - are in the range of a discharge station 84 ( Fig. 12 ) passed to the block conveyor 27. When handing over the cigarette block 16 to the block conveyor 27, the respective pocket 42 of the folding turret 39 is in a downwardly directed position - opposite to the transfer station 43. The transport path from the filling station 71 to the discharge station 84 is therefore two switching steps of the folding turret 39.

The block conveyor 27 schematically shown here is arranged in a plane offset from the folding turret 39, such that the parcel blocks 16 pushed out of the pocket 42 in the direction parallel to the folding turret 39 are deposited directly on the block conveyor 27, ie between the driver 28 and the stop 29 Discharge is carried out by a slide 78 which passes axially parallel from the free side through the (closed) pocket 42 with entrainment of the cigarette block 16 (FIG. Fig. 13 ). Due to the relative position of the conveyors, it is ensured that the cigarette blocks 16 are deposited on the block conveyor 27 with the collar front wall 22 directed upwards or to the free side, ie according to the further processing (FIG. Fig. 14 ).

During the ejection movement of the cigarette block 16 out of the pocket 42, a holding or supporting member in the region of the collar bottom 25 on the outside becomes effective, namely a reciprocable pick-up 100, which rests with the free end on the collar bottom 25 and is moved synchronously with the ejection movement of the cigarette block 16, so that the cohesion of cigarette group 11 and inner collar 14 is ensured.

The block conveyor 27 is designed so that the holding members for a cigarette block 16, so driver 28 and stop 29, for the acquisition of a cigarette block 16 are movable. According to example in Fig. 12 . Fig. 13 is attached to the block conveyor 27, a block pocket 79 consisting of a through bottom 80 and a fixed side part - driver 28 - consists. Opposite, here at the forward in the conveying direction side, a movable holding member is provided, namely the stop 29, which is attached to a pivot lever 81. This is so mounted on the trained in a special way block conveyor 27 that in the region of a deflection of the same for taking over a cigarette block 16 from Faltrevolver 39 by corresponding movement of the pivot lever 81 of the stop 29 is moved into an open or in an expanded position ( Fig. 12 ), so that the insertion of the cigarette block 16 due to increased distance of the lateral boundaries 28, 29 can proceed smoothly.

The inner package 12 is presently designed in a special way ( Fig. 15, Fig. 16 ). It is a gasket due to the use of a suitable, heat-sealable film. The film envelope 13 is provided with lateral sealing or sealing seams, namely the sealing seams 20, 21. The generally closed inner package 12 is vented in the further process. Excess air is removed from the interior of the package 12, in particular by applying (flat) pressure on the package 12. The film envelope 13 is provided with vents 85, in the region of a rear wall 86 of the film envelope 13, laterally outside the range of the cigarette block 16 ( Fig. 15 ). The vents 85 - at least one on each side of the cigarette block 16- are formed as a U-shaped punched with outward or to the side directed tongue. The vents 85 are closed after removal of the air by another seal in this area.

In addition to the vents 85 - or alternatively to these - air openings 87 are formed in the region of the sealing seams 20, 21, by interrupting the sealing seams 20, 21, so that they form a gap ( Fig. 16 ), in the region of which the layers or fins of the film envelope 13 are not connected to one another. Here too (additionally) air can escape.

The formed with interruptions sealing seams 20, 21 are formed by appropriately trained, radially directed sealing webs 88 on sealing rollers 89th the sealing and separating station 19 created. The sealing webs 88, which produce double-wide sealing seams and at the same time perform a separating cut, have - here eccentrically - a recess 90 in the outer sealing surface, which leads to the interruption of the sealing seams 20, 21 and thus to the creation of the air opening 87.

Another peculiarity in the area of the sealing and separating station 19 relates to the exact, essentially parallelepipedal design of the (inner) packing 12. It concerns folds in the lateral area of an end wall 93 on the one hand and a bottom wall 94 on the other hand. In the manufacture of the transverse sealing seams 20, 21 through the sealing webs 88 in the sealing and separating station 19, film pieces or gussets directed towards the outside are formed on both sides. In the present case, these are avoided by folding the corresponding lateral regions-in each case adjacent to end wall 93 or bottom wall 94 -inwardly during the production of the (double) sealing seams 20, 21 and during the separating cut between them. The resulting structure after folding and sealing shows Fig. 15, Fig. 16 ,

For this purpose, in the area of the sealing and separating station 19, a fork-shaped folding member 91 is positioned laterally next to the path of movement of the inner packs 12 ( Fig. 14 ). The folding member 91 has two folding ends 92 formed by tapering of the profile. These occur in the region of an end wall 93 and a bottom wall 94 of the inner pack 12 in a folded position in which Faltzwickel be folded during the formation of the sealing seams 20, 21 inwardly, so that the folded position according to Fig. 15, Fig. 16 is created. The folding members 91 are mounted so that they run in the plane of movement of the inner packs 12 during a section and then return in a retracted position to the starting position, corresponding to the dash-dotted trajectory in Fig. 14 , The design and dimensions of the folding members 91 are selected such that the folds 93 formed at the ends of legs during a folding cycle process the edge regions of two successive packs 12 simultaneously by transverse folding movement, ie edge regions of the packs 12 on both sides of the respectively effective sealing ridge 88 (FIG. Fig. 14 ).

Another technical feature that is implemented in the manufacture of the inner package 12, the attachment of stamping lines 95, 96 for supporting or improving folding edges 97 which limit an inner end wall of the pack 10 in the transverse direction of the inner package 12. The stamping lines 95, 96 result in folding the film wrapping 13 sharp-edged or rectangular folding edges to limit the inner end wall 93. The stamping lines 95, 96 are attached to the continuous film web 17 according to the position of the produced inner end wall 93 while continuous Transports of the film web 17. Above the same - in the region of a counter-roller 98 - an embossing roll 99 is mounted, which rests with running around embossing projections and corresponding pressure on the film web and thus by stamping the stamping lines 95, 96 produces.

The relative position of the cigarette blocks 16 in the region of the film web 17 or the film tube 18 stabilizing connection between film and cigarette block or inner collar 14 is effected in that the film (inside) has a suitable for thermal bonding coating, namely in particular sealing wax. By applying heat and pressure, this sealing wax is prastifiziert locally and provides a sufficient for securing the relative position connection to the preferably made of cardboard inner collar 14 ago. Alternatively, the inner collar may be coated with a thermally plasticizable coating and / or with thermally activatable glue and / or with permanent adhesive (locally). When using (cold) glue, only pressure is used in the production of the compound.

In the illustrated embodiment of method and apparatus ( Fig. 14 ), the film web 17 is supplied at the top of the packs or cigarette blocks 16 and formed the tube seam for the film tube 18 at the bottom. Alternatively, the film web 17 can be fed to the lower side of the device and the film tube can be formed on the upper side. The co-acting aggregates, in particular the pressing or sealing unit 31, 32, is in this alternative according to the underside of Movement path of the cigarette blocks 16 is arranged. These are reversed in their relative position, so that the inner collar 14 is directed downward. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS 10 Cigarette 56 fold 11 cigarette group 57 folding member 12 interior package 58 crosspiece 13 film wrap 59 support lever 14 inner collar 60 parallel lever 15 wrapping station 61 Faltweiche 16 cigarette block 62 folding surface 17 sheet 63 suction bore 18 film tube 64 folding station 19 Sealing and separating station 65 bottom wall 20 seal 66 insertion flap 21 seal 67 corner tabs 22 Collar front wall 68 tab folders 23 side tabs 69 Faltnase 24 side tabs 70 actuating mechanism 25 Collar Floor 71 filling station 26 bevel 72 closing wall 27 block conveyor 73 closing wall 28 takeaway 74 pivoting lever 29 attack 75 group case 30 deflecting 76 cigarette conveyor 31 belt 77 tappet 32 sealing jaw 78 tappet 33 web 79 block bag 34 knife block 80 ground 35 knife roll 81 pivoting lever 36 knife roll 82 suction 37 conveyor belt 83 Eckfalter 38 feeder 84 Abförderstation 39 folding turret 85 vent 40 track plate 86 rear wall 41 upper chord 87 air opening 42 bag 88 sealing web 43 Transfer station 89 sealing roller 44 stamp 90 recess 45 pocket base 91 folding member 46 stamp plate 92 folding 47 attack 93 bulkhead 48 Unilever 94 bottom wall 49 Unilever 95 embossed line 50 articulated lever 96 embossed line 51 pull bar 97 fold 52 pivot bearing 98 backing roll 53 retaining slot 99 embossing roller 54 retaining slot 100 collector 55 Faltsteg

Claims (12)

1. A method for producing cigarette packs in which a cigarette group (11) is at least partially surrounded by an inner collar (14) produced from a foldable blank, namely by a collar front wall (22), by collar side tabs (23, 24) and by a collar bottom wall (25) and, in a wrapping station (15), the units thus formed of cigarette group (11) and inner collar (14) are surrounded by a wrapping (13) made of thermally sealable film, which is aroma-tight and moisture-tight, to form an inner pack (12) for an outer pack, in particular a hinge-lid box, wherein blanks for the inner collar (14) are supplied by a feed conveyor (38) in a consecutive manner in the transverse direction, namely transverse to the longitudinal extension of the collar front wall (22) and the collar side tabs (23, 24), to a fold turret (39) which is arranged to rotate in a vertical plane, in each case a collar blank (14) is inserted into a pocket (42) of the fold turret in the region of a transfer station (43) with the lateral folding tabs of the blank, namely collar side tabs (23, 24), being aligned in an upright position and wherein furthermore, in a following fill station (71) of the fold turret (39), a formed cigarette group (11) is pushed in the axially parallel direction into the inner collar (14), which is realized in a tray-like manner, by means of the open side of the latter so as to form a cigarette block (16) characterized by the following features:

   a) the blanks for the inner collar (14) are fed by the feed conveyor (38) to the fold turret (39), which is arranged to rotate in a vertical plane, to be precise as far as into the transfer station (43), with the blank being exactly positioned above an upwardly directed pocket (42) of the fold turret (39), which is open in the radial direction,

   b) the blank of the inner collar (14) is then inserted by a punch (44) from the feed conveyor (38) into the pocket (42) of the fold turret (39) as a result of downward movement,

   c) during the movement pressing the blank (14) into the pocket (42), the collar front wall (22) is moved by the punch (44) against a pocket bottom (45) of the pocket (42), with the collar side tabs (23, 24) and fold tabs of the collar bottom (25) being aligned in an upright position,

   d) the subsequent fill station (71) of the fold turret (39) for the insertion of the cigarette group (11) into the pocket (42) of the fold turret (39) or into the inner collar (14) for the purpose of forming a cigarette block (16) is situated in a position offset by 90° relative to the transfer station (43),

   e) in a discharge station (84) located opposite, that is to say below the transfer station (43) of the fold turret (39), the cigarette block (16) is pushed out of pocket (42) by plungers (78), which are movable in an axially parallel manner to the fold turret (39), and transferred to a block conveyor (27), wherein an element, namely a collector (100), for fixing the collar bottom (25) during the pushing-out movement is arranged on the side located opposite the plunger (78).
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized by the following features:

   a) after the insertion of the blank (14), the collar bottom wall (25) of the inner collar (14), said collar bottom wall comprising bottom wall (65), tuck-in tab (66) and corner tabs (67), is folded ready in the pocket (42) of the collar turret (39),

   b) in a first fold step, the side tabs (23, 24) as well as the bottom wall (65) with tuck-in tab (66) are folded or aligned upright into a position transverse to the collar front wall (22),

   c) the tuck-in tab (66) is then folded against the inside surface of the aligned bottom wall (65) and inserted into a slot with a part region as a result of corresponding displacement.
3. The method as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the corner tabs (67), which are connected to the side tabs (23, 24), are also aligned and folded against the inside surface of the bottom wall (65) when the fold tabs (23, 24, 65) are aligned, wherein the tuck-in tab (66) is then folded with part regions onto the free inside surface of the corner tabs (67).
4. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized by the following features:

   a) the units produced from cigarette group (11) and inner collar (14) are wrapped by a film web (17) in the region of the wrapping station (15) and during the transport by the block conveyor (27),

   b) a sealing unit (31, 32), which extends in the conveying direction, is arranged above the path of movement of the units produced from cigarette group (11) and inner collar (14) and above the film web (17) or a film sleeve (18), which is formed from the film web (17) and which surrounds said units, for joining the film web (17) with the top surface of the units produced from cigarette group (11) and inner collar (14) by means of thermal sealing,

   c) the sealing unit (31, 32) extends up to into the region of the block conveyor (27) for fixing the film web (17) on the units produced from cigarette group (11) and inner collar (14) prior to release of same by the block conveyor (27).
5. A device for producing cigarette packs with at least one inner collar (14) and a cigarette group (11) so as to form a cigarette block (16) as contents of an inner pack (12), wherein a blank made of thin cardboard for the production of the inner collar (14), which is realized in a substantially tray-like manner with a collar front wall (22), side tabs (23, 24) mounted thereon and a crosswise collar bottom wall (25), can be fed by a feed conveyor (38) to a transfer station (43) in which the blank of the inner collar (14) can be inserted into a pocket (42) of a fold turret (39), which is arranged to rotate in a vertical plane, and which is foldable so as to produce the upright alignment of the collar side tabs (23, 24), characterized by the following features:

   a) the feed conveyor (38) serves for the transport of blanks for the inner collar (14) to the transfer station (43) arranged above the fold turret (39),

   b) a punch (44) serves for the downwardly directed insertion of the blank into an upwardly directed pocket (42) of the fold turret (39),

   c) the punch (44), which is movable up and down, strikes with a punch plate (46) the region of a collar front wall (22) and presses the latter toward a pocket bottom (45) of the pocket (42) as a result of a downward movement,

   d) folding members associated with the pocket (42) cause fold tabs of the inner collar (14), specifically the side tabs (23, 24), the bottom wall (65) with tuck-in tab (66) as well as corners tabs (67), to be aligned into an upright position in the pocket (42),

   e) a fill station (71) of the fold turret (39) in a position offset by 90° relative to the transfer station (43) serves for the insertion of the cigarette group (11) by means of plungers (77) into the pocket (42) of the turret (39) or into the inner collar (14) arranged in the pocket (42),

   f) a discharge station (84) located opposite, that is to say below the transfer station (43) of the fold turret (39) serves to push the cigarette block (16) out of the pocket (42) of the fold turret (39) by means of plungers (78) into a block conveyor (27), wherein an element, namely a collector (100), for fixing the collar bottom (25) during the pushing-out movement is arranged on the side located opposite the plunger (78)
6. The device as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that a separate fold member (57) serves for the upright alignment of the fold tabs (23, 24; 65, 66; 67), which are arranged on the inner collar (14), when they are inserted into the pocket (42), wherein the fold member (57) is provided with two transverse webs (58), which are located opposite one another for aligning the side tabs (23, 24), and is movable up and down relative to the fold turret (39) by means of support levers (59).
7. The device as claimed in claim 5 or 6, characterized in that fold tabs which are arranged on the blank of the inner collar (14), namely bottom wall (65) and tuck-in tab (66) for the formation of the collar bottom (25), are alignable by means of fixed fold members on a transverse side next to the pocket (42) or next to the fold turret (39), namely by means of a fold point (61) with an arcuate fold face (62), along which the base wall (65) and tuck-in tab (66) slide.
8. The device as claimed in claim 5, characterized by separate corner folders (83) which are arranged as elevations or projections on the fold point (61) and serve for folding-in or aligning corner tabs (67) of the blank (14) during the downward movement thereof into the pocket (42).
9. The device as claimed in claim 5, characterized by alignment members for the blank (14) relative to the pocket (42), which alignment members are arranged above the fold turret (39) or the upwardly directed pocket (42) and are fixed but movable, specifically by means of pivotable alignment levers (48, 49) which are active within the region of narrow transverse sides of the blank (14) and which have a stop (47) for determining the end position of the blank (14) in the feed direction.
10. The device as claimed in claim 5, characterized by a continuation of the fold point (61), which is active in the direction of movement of the fold turret (39) or of the pocket (42), for supporting the aligned fold tabs (65, 66) and for folding the tuck-in tab (66) arranged on the bottom wall (65) into a crosswise position, approximately parallel to the collar front wall (22), wherein the tuck-in tab (66) is foldable by a separate fold member, namely by a tab folder (68) with a fold lug (69), into the end position abutting against the bottom wall (65) and with a part piece of the tuck-in tab (66) inserted into a slot.
11. The device as claimed in claim 5, characterized by a fill station (71) preferably offset by 90° to the transfer station (43), in which a cigarette group (11), supplied by means of a cigarette conveyor (76), is pushable by a plunger (77) in the axially parallel direction to the fold turret (39) into the pocket (42) or into the ready folded inner collar (14) by means of the open side thereof, wherein movable closing walls (72, 73) cover the pocket (42) on the open side.
12. The device as claimed in claim 5, characterized by a discharge station (84) located opposite the transfer station (43), that is to say, on the bottom side of the fold turret (39), for the purpose of transferring the units produced from cigarette group (11) and inner collar (14) to the block conveyor (27) by means of a plunger (78) which is movable in an axially parallel manner to the fold turret (39) and which pushes the cigarette group (11) with inner collar (14) as a unit out of the pocket (42) and deposits it on the block conveyor (27), wherein an element, namely a collector (100), for fixing the collar bottom (25) during the pushing-out movement, is arranged on the side located opposite the plunger (77).

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