EP3013694B1 - Method and device for producing blanks for inner wrappers of a group of cigarettes - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for producing blanks for an inner envelope of a cigarette group, wherein the blanks are separated from a continuous material web, and wherein the material web is passed through an embossing device and provided with an embossing before separating the blanks, according to the preamble of the claim 1.
Furthermore, the invention relates to an apparatus for carrying out this method, according to the preamble of claim 10.

A method according to the preamble of claim 1 and an apparatus according to the preamble of claim 10 are made EP1698450A1 and DE4342737A1 known.

The invention can be used in connection with the production of blanks for inner liners of cigarette packs. These surround the cigarette group on all sides to form a cigarette block, which is then placed in the cigarette pack. When the cigarette pack is put into use for the first time, a tear-off flap is separated from the inner liner so that access to the cigarette group is free.
Also common is the application of imprints on the web for the innerliner. For example, the material web can be embossed throughout. Also known is the embossing of single or multiple markers, such as logos, labels and the like. For this purpose, the material web is passed through an embossing device with embossing rollers, which serve to attach the embossing (s). The circumference of the embossing rollers corresponds to the length of a blank, so that in one revolution of the embossing roll exactly a blank is processed.

The separation of blanks from the material web is usually carried out in accordance with existing on the material web or applied print marks or other markings.
A problem when embossing the material web or blanks to be separated therefrom is that the length of the material web is changed by the embossing, namely shortened or, in rare cases, increased. This can lead to the embossing not being placed correctly in relation to the separating cuts for separating the blanks from the material web, and thus the desired result is not achieved. However, it has been shown that the degree of shortening of the web or the blanks is not exactly predictable, since this depends on many factors, such as the material used, the degree of wear of the embossing rollers, the embossing depth, the machine speed, the environmental conditions (especially humidity) and other factors not known in part.
On this basis, the invention has the object to further develop methods and devices of the type mentioned, in particular to solve the above problems.

A method for achieving this object has the features of claim 1. Accordingly, it is provided that, for controlling the change in the length of the material web or a blank to be cut out of the same, at least one parameter influencing the embossing (during the processing of the material web) is varied in order to control the embossing. The parameter influencing the embossing comprises the embossing pressure and the embossing depth. Furthermore, parameters influencing the embossing are the extension of the embossing and / or the web tension of the material web in the region of an embossing device. The phrase "and / or" is to be understood as meaning that only a single one of the parameters may be varied or multiple parameters in any number and combination.

It can be particularly advantageous if the at least one parameter influencing the embossing is varied over the length of a blank to be separated out of the material web. Thus, individual regions of the material web can be provided with differently strong or deep embossments, in order to obtain the result of an inner liner of the desired length.

Preferably, the procedure is such that the at least one parameter influencing the embossing is varied in a region of the blank which is not visible to the consumer after being packaged in a cigarette packet, in particular outside a region of the blank which is visible when the cigarette packet is open.

Furthermore, the at least one parameter influencing the embossing can be varied in one or more sections of a blank to be separated out of the material web. For example, more than two sections may be provided with different embossments.

Furthermore, it may be provided that the length of the blank following the embossing device is checked on the basis of markings, in particular print marks or embossing marks, attached to the material web or the blank. If the length of the blanks does not match the desired length, the parameter can be changed by a controller to arrive at the desired destination.

According to a preferred embodiment, it can be provided that the length of the blank is checked by scanning printing marks or stamping marks which are arranged on the unembossed material web at predetermined intervals, in particular such that the distance between two successive printed marks or stamping marks is detected by means of sensors becomes. Preferably, two successive print marks or embossing marks are detected simultaneously by means of a single sensor.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer geöffneten Zigarettenpackung des Typs Hinge-Lid, bei der einige Seitenwände teilweise nicht dargestellt sind,

Fig. 2

einen Zuschnitt für einen Innerliner der Zigarettenpackung gemäß Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

einen alternativen Zuschnitt für einen Innerliner der Zigarettenpackung gemäß Fig. 1,

Fig. 4

eine Seitenansicht einer Verpackungsmaschine für Zigaretten,

Fig. 5

eine teilweise Darstellung der Verpackungsmaschine gemäß Fig. 4 in vergrößertem Maßstab,

Fig. 6

einen Schnitt durch eine Prägeeinrichtung entlang Schnittlinie VI-VI in Fig. 5,

Fig. 7

eine alternative Ausführungsform der Prägeeinrichtung in einer Darstellung gemäß Fig. 6, und

Fig. 8

eine schematische Darstellung der Steuerung bzw. des Steuerungsvorgangs.

Another special feature may be that, in addition to the at least one parameter influencing the embossing, further parameters are stored in the control, according to which the at least one parameter is varied. It is conceivable, for example, the deposit or specification of the type of material of the material web and / or the machine speed and / or the machine acceleration and / or the quality of the embossing and / or web tension and / or the type of embossing unit and / or the presence and the Type of further embossing elements and / or the degree of wear of the embossing rollers and / or the position of the embossing areas and / or the location of areas in which no variation of parameters is allowed.
An apparatus for solving the above-mentioned problem has the features of claim 10. It is therefore provided that, for controlling a change in the length of the material web or a blank to be cut out of the same, at least one parameter influencing the embossing can be varied by means of a control which comprises embossing pressure and embossing depth. Further advantageous embodiments and features of the invention are to be taken from the dependent claims and the description of the rest.
Preferred embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawing. In this show:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of an open cigarette pack of the hinge-lid type, in which some side walls are partially not shown,

Fig. 2

a blank for an inner liner of the cigarette pack according to Fig. 1 .

Fig. 3

an alternative blank for an inner liner of the cigarette pack according to Fig. 1 .

Fig. 4

a side view of a packaging machine for cigarettes,

Fig. 5

a partial view of the packaging machine according to Fig. 4 on an enlarged scale,

Fig. 6

a section through an embossing device along section line VI-VI in Fig. 5 .

Fig. 7

an alternative embodiment of the embossing device in a representation according to Fig. 6 , and

Fig. 8

a schematic representation of the control or the control process.

The invention is explained below with reference to a cigarette pack 10 of the Hinge-Lid type. Cigarette packs 10 of this type have a box part 11, as well as a lid 12 pivotally mounted on the box part 11. By opening the lid 12, the consumer gets to the package contents, namely the cigarette block 13. The cigarette block 13 is a group not shown made of cigarettes, which is wrapped in a blank 14 of thin packaging material (so-called inner liner). The blank 14 surrounds the cigarette group on all sides and serves as aroma protection.

The cigarette block 13 projects up out of the box part 11 and has a tear-off flap 15 which can be separated from the remainder of the blank 14 by a perforation line. The tear-off flap 15 is removed on first use of the cigarette pack 10, so that the consumer gets access to the cigarettes.

Furthermore, a component of the cigarette pack 10 is a collar 17, which is arranged in the box part 11 and projects out of the upper opening of the box part 11. A collar window 18 is indicated in the region of a collar front wall. In the area of this collar window 18, the blank 14 or the tear-off flap 15 is provided with a marking 19, which in the present case gives an indication that the tear-off flap 15 is to be removed for putting the cigarette packet 10 into use. The marker 19 may be attached by embossing or printing, for example.

Fig. 2 shows an expanded blank 14 for the inner wrapping or as an inner liner. By different hatching differently embossed areas of the blank 14 are indicated. Furthermore, longitudinal fold lines 20 and transverse fold lines 21 are shown, which delimit the individual regions or folding tabs of the blank 14 from each other.

The blank 14 is laid from an underside of the cigarette group over the front and back and sealed in the region of an upper side of the cigarette group by a Kuvertfaltung. Side tabs of the blank 14 are superimposed in the region of narrow sides of the cigarette group, so that the cigarette group is surrounded on all sides by the blank 14.

Furthermore, it can be seen that the hatched areas extend over the entire surface of the blank 14. The blank 14 is thus provided throughout over the full length and width (full surface) with an embossment 22, 23.

The embossings 22, 23 are applied by means of an embossing device 24 described in detail below. The embossing device 24 has a pair of embossing rollers 25, 26, between which a continuous material web 27 is guided for the attachment of the embossing. Thereafter, individual blanks 14 are cut out of the web 27. This is done by means of a cutting device 28 which is controlled via a print mark 29 on the blank 14.

Both the embossing device 24 and the cutting device 28 are preferably coupled to the machine cycle.

• Der Zuschnitt 14 verfügt über Prägungen 22, die mit einem bestimmten Prägedruck 30 erstellt werden. Im vorliegenden Fall handelt es sich dabei um Bereiche des Zuschnitts 14, die bei geöffneter Zigarettenpackung 10 sichtbar sind, nämlich im Bereich einer Oberseite der Zigarettengruppe, sowie einem die Oberseite umlaufenden Abschnitt der Seitenflächen der Zigarettengruppe, soweit diese aus dem Schachtelteil 11 herausragen und nicht durch den Kragen 17 verdeckt sind. Konkret handelt es sich dabei um Abschnitte der Zuschnitts 14 im Bereich einer Vorderseite, der Rückseite sowie der beiden Schmalseiten der Zigarettengruppe.

In Fig. 2 In addition to the expanded blank 14 or parallel to its longitudinal extent, the embossing pressure 30 of the embossing rollers 25, 26 is plotted over the machine angle Φ. Furthermore, some variants are shown with dashed lines. In detail:

• The blank 14 has embossments 22, which are created with a specific embossing pressure 30. In the present case, these are areas of the blank 14, which are visible when the cigarette packet 10 is open, namely in the region of an upper side of the cigarette group, and a portion of the side surfaces of the cigarette group surrounding the upper side, as far as they protrude from the box part 11 and not through the collar 17 are hidden. Specifically, these are sections of the blank 14 in the region of a front side, the back and the two narrow sides of the cigarette group.

According to the winding of the blank 14 around the cigarette group, the embossments 22 are each arranged in the end region of the blank 14. In between there is an embossment 23, which is generated in the present case with a lower embossing pressure 30 and thus has a weaker expression. For this purpose, as shown in Fig. 2 the embossing pressure 30 is initially reduced from an initial pressure needed to create the embossments 22 and kept constant at a lower level for a time, and then later increased again to the initial pressure. Correspondingly, the higher embossing pressure 30 leads to a greater shortening of the blank 14 and the lower embossing pressure 30 leads to a smaller shortening of the blank 14.

Fig. 2 FIG. 2 also shows that the more embossed embossment 22 extends just beyond the perforation line 16 of the tearflap 15. However, the embossing pressure 30 is already lowered gradually as it passes through the region of the perforation line 16. Accordingly, the subsequent increase of the embossing pressure 30 is dealt with. This is raised before the later visible portion of the blank 14 is treated so as to ensure that the visible area of the blank 14 (completely) the desired embossment 22 having. The non-visible to the consumer areas of the blank 14 receive a less pronounced embossment 23rd

As a result, at least the region of the blank 14 which is provided with the weaker embossing 23 is available as a so-called control region 31. When this control region 31 passes through the embossing device 24, the embossing pressure 30 can be varied according to the respective requirements. This does not necessarily have to be a reduction of the embossing pressure 30, as the dashed lines show. Furthermore, of course, the time of the variation of the embossing pressure 30 can be displaced, as indicated by the two double arrows 33. As a result, by varying the embossing pressure 30, the length of the blank 14 can be adjusted in this way. The details of the control will be discussed in more detail below.

The mark 19 is in the embodiment according to Fig. 2 formed as printing, which is mounted at predetermined intervals on the unembossed material web 27. By controlling the embossing pressure 30 and optionally other parameters, such as web tension, etc., the shortening of the material web 27 and the blank 14 can be controlled so that the separating cut is carried out so that the marker 19 is positioned correctly on the blank 14.

Fig. 3 shows a further variant of an embossed blank 14. Here, a strong embossment 22 in the region of the later top of the cigarette block 13 is provided. This is followed by a region with a weaker embossment 23 which extends slightly beyond the visible region 32, namely in the direction of the underside of the cigarette block. By further lowering of the embossing pressure 30, an even less embossed area or optionally an unembossed area 34 results around the longitudinal center of the blank 14. Thereafter, the embossing pressure 30 is increased again, so that an area with a weak embossment 23 is formed, to which again by applying a higher embossing pressure 30 is followed by an area with a stronger embossment 22.

In addition to the control of the length of the blank 14 and the positioning of the marking 19, optical effects can also be achieved by varying the embossing pressure 30.
Furthermore, the blank 14 differently than in the embodiment according to Fig. 2 no print mark, but an embossed mark 67 applied by embossing. In the present case, the embossing mark 67 is preferably attached to the material web 27 together with the embossings 22, 23 by the embossing device 24. It is also conceivable that the embossed mark 67 is attached separately from the other embossments 22, 23.
Furthermore, the mark 19 is formed by embossing in this embodiment. The marker 19 may preferably be applied by the embossing device 24 or by a separate unit. The embossed marking 19 is supplemented by a highlighting 68, which is attached at predetermined intervals on the unembossed material web 27.
Accordingly, the position of the marker 19 and the highlighting 68 must be matched to each other and to the position of the separating cut. This is done by the already described control of one or more, the change in the length of the material web influencing parameters, according to the invention at least the embossing pressure and the embossing depth. Furthermore, the position of the embossed mark 67 and / or the emphasis 68 can be influenced by the fact that the position of the embossing rollers 25, 26 is changed while the material web 27 passes freely through the embossing device 24. For the purpose of full disclosure, this will be to the DE 10 2005 056 627 A1 from the applicant's home.
It is understood that, of course, the marking 19 may be formed by embossing as in the first embodiment by printing and highlighting 68. It is also conceivable that marking 19 and highlighting 68 can both be formed in unison by embossing or printing.

As a result, the two embodiments show that on the one hand, the depth of the embossing or the embossing pressure can be changed. On the other hand, it is shown that the size of the area of the blank 14 to be embossed can also be varied. Both can be used to "adjust" or control the pregonditioned change in length so that the blank 14 later has exactly the intended length, or the mark 19 at the intended position on the blank 14 or in relation to the emphasis 68 is located.

Fig. 4 and 5 show a packaging machine for Hinge-lid packs, as well as the arrangement of reels 35 with the material web 27. Below the reels 35 is a web memory 36, and the embossing device 24. The web 27 is withdrawn from one of the two reels 35 and over the Track memory 36 of the embossing device 24 is supplied. There, the web 27 undergoes an embossing, wherein it is passed between the two embossing rollers 25, 26. Thereafter, the material web 27 is guided in the region of the cutting device 28 and separated there into individual blanks 14. Subsequently, the individual blanks 14 are wound one after the other by one cigarette group 13.

Fig. 6 shows a possible construction of the embossing device 24. The embossing device 24 therefore has a housing 37 in which the two embossing rollers 25, 26 are mounted. A first embossing roller 25 is fixedly rotatably mounted on the housing 37 via an axle 38. An axis 39 of the second embossing roll 26 is displaceably mounted, namely transversely to the embossing plane or to the plane of the material web 27. In the present case, the axis 39 of the second embossing roll 26 is mounted via disc springs 40. The embossing pressure is generated by two plungers 41, which act via the disc springs 40 on the axis 39 of the second embossing roller 26. The plungers 41 are connected to each other via a pressure bar 42. Via a lever 43, the pressure bar 42 and thus the plunger 41 can be moved transversely to the embossing plane. For actuating the lever 43 in the present case, a compressed air cylinder 44 is used.

The air cylinder 44 is controlled by a signal line 45 from a controller, not shown. The compressed air cylinder 44 is associated with a plurality of compressed air reservoirs 46, which are connected via compressed air lines 47 to the compressed air cylinder 44. The compressed air reservoirs 46 serve to provide the required pressure without delay and in sufficient quantity. By compressed air storage 46 "storage" and "consumption" quasi-merged.

In the present case, three compressed air reservoirs 46 are provided with preferably different pressures. The pressure in the respective compressed air reservoir 46 is controlled by a corresponding compressed air regulator 48. About corresponding compressed air lines 47 are the compressed air reservoir 46 with the pressure regulators 48 and a compressed air source 49 in connection.

Also, the compressed air regulator 48 may be connected via signal lines 45 to the controller to regulate the pressure in the compressed air reservoirs 46.

The compressed air cylinder 44 is associated with a three-way valve 50, with the pressure of one or more compressed air reservoirs 46 is acted upon in accordance with the control of the air cylinder 44. The three-way valve 50 is spatially arranged as close as possible to the compressed air cylinder 44, so long reaction times can be avoided by long compressed air lines 47.

With the aid of the air cylinder 44, either the pressure exerted by the Belleville washers 40 can be increased, or the air cylinder 44 is used to apply an opposite pressure and counteract the pressure of the Belleville washers.

It is understood that instead of a pneumatic control of the embossing pressure 30, a hydraulic control is possible.

Also conceivable is the use of servomotors to control the embossing pressure 30. This is also on Fig. 7 directed. Instead of the air cylinder 44 here (fixed) servomotor 51 is provided, which via a signal line 45 with the Control is connected. By the servo motor 51, a cam 52 is driven, which rests against a cam roller 53 on the lever 43, so that by corresponding rotation of the cam 52 of the embossing pressure 30 can be controlled.

Another special feature is that the embossing device 24 is mounted as a whole replaceable on the packaging machine. This is solved so that the control organs, such as the air cylinder 44 can remain on the machine. In order to identify the embossing device 24 used, each embossing device 24 carries an identification feature, for example a transponder 54. This embossing device works together with a read-out device 55 which is connected to the machine and which is connected to the controller.

To control the embossing of the material web 24, following the embossing device, sensors 56 or a camera 57 are provided with which the print marks 29 on the material web 24 are scanned so that information about the length of the blanks 14 to be separated can be obtained. Furthermore, the sensors 56 or the camera 57 may be used to monitor the quality of the imprint.

• Ergebnisse der Überwachung der Qualität der Prägung,
• Ergebnisse der Überwachung der Länge der Zuschnitte 14 anhand der abgetasteten Druckmarken 29,
• Informationen über die Art der anzubringenden Prägung,
• Informationen über das verwendete Material für die Materialbahn 27,
• Informationen über die Maschinengeschwindigkeit mittels eines Encoders 59,
• Informationen über die zum Einsatz kommende Prägeeinrichtung 24,
• Informationen über die gegebenenfalls zum Einsatz kommende Rilleinrichtung 60, sofern zusätzlich zur Prägung auch noch Rillungen am Zuschnitt 14 bzw. der Materialbahn 27 angebracht werden.

In Fig. 8 the processes running in the controller 58 are shown schematically. The controller can capture a range of input data, such as:

• Results of monitoring the quality of the embossing,
• Results of monitoring the length of the blanks 14 on the basis of the scanned print marks 29,
• Information about the type of embossing to be applied,
• Information about the material used for the material web 27,
• Information about the machine speed by means of an encoder 59,
• Information about the used embossing device 24,
• Information about the optionally used creasing device 60, if in addition to the embossing also grooves on the blank 14 and the web 27 are attached.

On the one hand, the control 58 controls the web tension, for example one via a pressure cylinder 61 for influencing the web memory 36, the embossing pressure 30 of the creasing device 60, and the embossing pressure 30 of the embossing device 24. For this purpose, in the control 58 corresponding cams 62, 63, 64, 65 deposited.

In practice, the user selects the type of embossing to be produced and enters information for identifying the material used. Alternatively, the type of material can also be detected by sensors. The type of embossing device 24 and the creasing device 60 can also be detected by readout devices 55 or manually entered by the operator. The machine speed is detected by the encoder 59.

Based on the given boundary conditions, the controller 58 selects suitable control curves 62, 63, 64, 65 for controlling the individual units. These are preferably stored in a database 66, so that corresponding control curves 62, 63, 64, 65 are available for each individual case.

Furthermore, during operation of the packaging machine, the control cams 62, 63, 64, 65 may also be adapted to adapt, for example, the length of the blanks 14, for example, if the environmental conditions, in particular the humidity has changed or not in the control 58th deposited cams 62, 63, 64, 65 fits. It is understood that not always all cams 62, 63, 64, 65 need to be adjusted, but possibly only one or more of the parameters or the control cams 62, 63, 64, 65, for example, only the embossing pressure 30 of the embossing device 24 and / or the web tension.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the embossing pressure or the embossing depth depending on the packaging material to be processed be chosen for the innerliner. It is conceivable, for example, that the operator or machine operator manually sets the embossing pressure in relation to the material. It is also conceivable that the embossing pressure is adjusted by the controller 58 based on the material. Furthermore, the embossing pressure can preferably be constant, in particular constant over the length of one or more blanks 14 to be separated out of the material web. The embossing pressure or embossing strength can also be adjusted manually relative to the value predetermined by the material. This can be done either manually by the operator or automatically by corresponding scanning of print marks 29 as already described, in each case such that the length of auszutrennenden from the material blank blank 14 corresponds to a desired length. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS 10 cigarette pack 37 casing 11 box part 38 axis 12 cover 39 axis 13 cigarette block 40 Belleville spring assembly 14 cut 41 tappet 15 Abreißflap 42 pressure beam 16 perforation 43 lever 17 collar 44 Air Cylinder 18 collar window 45 signal line 19 mark 46 Compressed air storage 20 longitudinal folding lines 47 Compressed air line 21 transverse fold 48 Air Regulator 22 Embossing (strong) 49 Compressed air source 23 Embossing (weak) 50 Three-way valve 24 embosser 51 servomotor 25 embossing roller 52 cam 26 embossing roller 53 follower 27 web 54 transponder 28 cutter 55 reader 29 print mark 56 sensor 30 Embossing print (P) 57 camera 31 control range 58 control 32 visible area of the blank 59 encoder 60 scoring device 33 double arrow 61 pressure cylinder 34 unembossed area of the blank 62 cam 63 cam 35 reel 64 cam 36 web store 65 cam 66 Database 67 impressed mark 68 emphasis Φ machine angle

Claims (14)

1. A method for producing blanks (14) for an inner wrapper of a cigarette group, wherein the blanks (14) are severed from a continuous material web (27) and wherein, before the blanks (14) are severed, the material web (27) is guided through an embossing device (24) and provided with an embossment (22, 23), and wherein, in order to control a change in the length of the material web (27) or of a blank (14) to be severed from the same, which change in length accompanies the embossment (22, 23), at least one parameter that influences the embossment (22, 23) is varied by means of a control unit (58), characterized in that the at least one parameter varied by the control unit includes embossing pressure and embossing depth, wherein the embossing pressure (30) and the embossing depth is varied over the length of a blank (14) to be severed from the material web (27) in the area of an embossing device (24).
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the extent of the embossment and/or the web tension of the material web (27) is varied in the area of an embossing device (24),
3. The method as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the at least one parameter that influences the embossment (22, 23) is varied over the length of a blank (14) to be severed from the material web (27).
4. The method as claimed in claim 1 or one of the further preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one parameter that influences the embossment (22, 23) is varied in order to adapt the length of a blank (14) to be severed from the material web (27).
5. The method as claimed in claim 1 or one of the further preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one parameter that influences the embossment (22, 23) is varied in an area of the blank (14) which is not visible to the consumer after being packaged in a cigarette pack (10), in particular outside an area of the blank (14) which is visible when the cigarette pack (10) is opened.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1 or one of the further preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one parameter that influences the embossment (22, 23) is varied in one or more sections of a blank (14) to be severed from the material web (27).
7. The method as claimed in claim 1 or one of the further preceding claims, characterized in that the length of the blank (14) is checked after the embossing device (24) by using markings applied to the material web (27) or to the blank (14), in particular printed marks (29) or embossed marks (67).
8. The method as claimed in claim 7 or one of the further preceding claims, characterized in that the checking of the length of the blank (14) is carried out by sensing printed marks (29) which are arranged on the un-embossed material web (27) at predetermined intervals or by sensing embossed marks (67) which are applied to the material web (27), in particular in such a way that the distance between two successive printed marks (29) or embossed marks (67) is detected by means of sensors (56, 57), preferably in such a way that two successive printed marks (29) or embossed marks (67) are detected simultaneously by means of a single sensor (56, 57).
9. The method as claimed in claim 1 or one of the further preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one parameter that influences the embossment (22, 23) is varied by means of a control system (58) in accordance with further parameters stored in the control system (58), such as for example in accordance with the type of material of the material web (27) and/or the machine speed and/or the machine acceleration and/or the quality of the embossment and/or the web tension and/or the type of the embossing device (24) and/or the presence and the type of further embossing elements and/or the level of wear of the embossing rolls (25, 26) and/or the position of the embossing areas and/or the position of areas in which no variation of parameters is permissible.
10. An apparatus for producing blanks (14) for an inner wrapper of a cigarette group as claimed in claim 1, having a cutting device (28) for severing blanks (14) from a continuous material web (27), and having an embossing device (24) arranged upstream of the cutting device (28) for applying an embossment (22, 23) to the material web (27) or to the blanks (14) to be severed therefrom, wherein in order to control a change in the length of the material web (27) and/or of a blank (14) to be severed from the same, which change in length accompanies the embossment (22, 23), at least one parameter that influences the embossment (22, 23) can be varied by means of a control system (58), characterized in that the at least one parameter that can be varied by means of the control unit (58) includes embossing pressure and embossing depth, wherein the embossing pressure (30) and the embossing depth of embossing rolls (25, 26) of the embossing device (24) can be changed by means of an in particular pneumatic pressure cylinder (44) over the length of a blank (14) to be severed from the material web (27).
11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the pressure for actuating the pressure cylinder (44) is kept ready in at least one pressure reservoir (46), wherein the pressure in the pressure reservoir (46) can preferably be regulated by the control system (58).
12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the pressure reservoir or reservoirs (46) are connected to the pressure cylinder (44) via respective pressure lines (47), and in that the pressure cylinder (44) is assigned a valve (50) in order to control the pressure in the pressure cylinder (44).
13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10 or one of the further preceding claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the embossing device (24) is constructed as a completely replaceable unit comprising a housing (37) and embossing rolls (25, 26) mounted thereon.
14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10 or one of the further preceding claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the control system (58) has a database (66) in which control curves (62..65) for elements of the apparatus are stored, in particular control curves (64, 65) for the embossing pressure (30) of the embossing device (24), and in that the control curves (62..65) can be activated by the control system (58) in accordance with the blank (14) to be produced and/or the material used and/or the embossing device (24) used and/or further factors.

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