EP3386886A1

EP3386886A1 - Pack for cigarettes and method and apparatus for producing said pack

Info

Publication number: EP3386886A1
Application number: EP16790524.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Henry Buse
Original assignee: Focke and Co GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Focke and Co GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2015-12-10
Filing date: 2016-11-02
Publication date: 2018-10-17
Also published as: EP3508440A1; US20180334316A1; RU2018123942A3; JP2019501837A; EP3508440B1; CN108495796B; CN108495796A; JP6831381B2; RU2727073C2; WO2017097388A1; DE102016001297A1; US10766688B2; PL3508440T3; RU2018123942A

Abstract

A cigarette pack configured in the form of a sealed pack consists of an inner pack configured in the form of a sheet-material block (11) and of an outer pack (25) configured in the form of a hinge-lid box. An opening aid (18) of the sheet-material block (11) is provided with a removal opening (19) which is formed in the manner of an open aperture, by punching, during production of a blank for the sheet-material block (11), in particular in the region of a continuous sheet-material web. Said removal opening (19), which is free from the outset, is closed by a closure flap (20) which, on account of appropriate glue connection, can be opened and closed repeatedly. The closure flap (20) is preferably connected on a permanent basis, via an actuating flap (24), to the inner side of a lid front wall (31) of the outer pack (25).

Description

Pack of cigarettes and method and apparatus for making same

description

The invention relates to packages for cigarettes having the features of the preamble of claim 1. Packings for cigarettes consist of a foil or sealing block as an inner pack and an outer pack, in particular in the form of a folding box. The sealing block is provided with an opening aid in which a reusable, fixed by suitable adhesive closure tab can be brought by pulling in the open position and then back to the closed position. In the open position, a removal opening of the film block is exposed.

Also known are packages in which the closure flap is fixed with an actuating tab on the inside of a lid - lid front wall - a folding box. When opening the lid of the outer pack, therefore, the closing tab is (automatically) moved into the open position. When you close the lid so the closure position is created (WO 2013/120913). It is an object of the invention to further develop and improve the technology with regard to the construction, the functionality and the production of sealing packs for cigarettes, in particular with regard to the structure of the opening aid. To solve this problem, the package according to the invention with the features of claim 1 is formed. A peculiarity of the innovation is therefore that the removal opening is not formed when opening the package for the first time by removing an opening piece or an opening tab of the (sealing) film. Rather, the film block is provided with a prefabricated removal opening. Preferably, this is applied in the region of a (continuous) film web for the production of blanks for the film block, by cutting or punching in a position corresponding to the pack position.

The opening or removal opening is (completely) covered by a locking tab. Cover edges are connected by means of permanent adhesive, preferably Pressure Sensitive Adhesives (PSA adhesive) with a wheel surrounding the opening of the film. The closure flap is preferably also positioned in the area of the film web, alternatively before or after the production of the (removal) opening. Particularly advantageous is a method in which the closure flap is first attached to the film web in a package-oriented position and then an opening forming the removal opening of the package is produced in the region of the closure flap by punching or by laser.

According to a further (independent) invention, the opening aid for the film or sealing block is integrated into the (laminate) film consisting of at least two layers or individual films. Of the predominantly over the entire surface (by glue) associated layers or films, a layer or single film (on the outside of the film block) forms a closure tab, the other (inner) layer or single film forms the removal opening. In particular, an opening tab is formed by appropriate punching in the region of the inner layer or individual film, which is brought into an open position upon actuation of the opening aid due to connection with the locking tab of the other single sheet and thus creates the discharge opening and releases. A special feature of this design is the selected positioning of glue fields, in particular in a U-shaped surface structure, for the (detachable) connection of elements of the opening aid with each other. A further (independent) feature is that preparations are made for an opening aid of the film block in the production of the blanks, in particular in the production of the continuous two- or multi-layer film in the region of each blank to be produced. In this case, structured adhesive images of multi-acting adhesive, in particular PSA adhesive, are applied to the individual film for releasably fixing the closure flap formed by the outer layer or individual film in the region of a removal opening. Preferably, one or the inside single film of the laminate film is provided with a particular U-shaped weakening line or continuous punching for defining an opening tab provided with the surface adhesive for bonding the layers of the film or with the outer layer and thus connected to a portion of the closure flap is.

Another special feature of the opening aid is that a preferably over the full width of the closure flap extending end or edge-side handle or operating tab is formed free of adhesive and preferably single-ply. The actuating tab is fixed in particular via a glue connection on the inside of a lid front wall of a folding box, so that when the lid is opened, the closing tab reaches an open position.

Method and apparatus are used for attaching opening aids of different design on a continuous web or on a multilayer web. The innovative feature is that in the manufacturing process, the (removal) opening in the region of the continuous film web is produced or exposed. The web is scanned by suitable (opto-electronic) sensors capable of checking the presence of the aperture, its correct formation and positioning. Particularly important is the effect of an (optoelectronic) sensor in the region of the film web following the attachment of the closure tab and the (removal) opening, wherein the sensor is arranged on the inside of the web and by color and / or graphic contrasts between the free Surface of the locking tab (in the region of the opening) and the surrounding film detects the presence of the locking tab exactly in the region of the opening. Furthermore, the closure tabs, which are preferably provided with glue (PSA glue), are attached to the web in the region of the openings (which are subsequently to be produced). Also, the correct positioning of the locking tabs is checked by sensors that are assigned to the web at a suitable location.

Finally, complete, workable blanks are separated from the web, with the assurance that the removal opening and the closure tab are positioned at the correct location.

Exemplary embodiments of the packs, packaging material and methods and devices are explained below with reference to the drawings. It shows:

1 is a block of film or sealing block with cigarettes in perspective,

2 shows a complete (cigarette) pack in the open position, also in perspective,

3 is a frontal portion of the package of FIG. 2 in vertical section III-III, on an enlarged scale,

4 shows an illustration analogous to FIG. 3 for another exemplary embodiment, FIG. 5 shows a spread-out blank for a film block according to FIG. 1 in the embodiment according to FIG. 4, FIG.

6 is a cross-section Vl-Vl of the blank in Fig. 5, on an enlarged scale,

7 shows a cigarette (sealing) block of another embodiment in perspective,

8 shows a (cigarette) pack with folding box in the open position in a perspective view,

9 shows a blank for an inner pack or a foil block in the embodiment according to FIG. 7, FIG.

10 is a cross-section XX of the blank according to FIG. 9, on an enlarged scale, FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of a (cigarette) package with the lid of an outer package in perspective,

12 is a vertical section of a lid-side region of the package according to FIG. 11 in the sectional plane XII-XII on an enlarged scale, FIG.

13 shows a blank for an inner pack or a foil block in the embodiment according to FIG. 11, FIG. 12, FIG.

14 shows a cross section XIV-XIV through the blank according to FIG. 13 on an enlarged scale,

15 shows a detail of a device for producing film webs for the production of blanks according to FIG. 5 in a perspective representation, FIG. 16 shows a detail analogous to FIG. 15 with a production alternative,

17 shows a detail of a production facility for blanks with the features of FIG. 4, FIG.

18 shows a further embodiment of a device for preparing film webs in a schematic side view,

19 shows a section XIX of the device according to FIG. 18 on an enlarged scale.

The exemplary embodiments of the drawings are concerned with the design of packs for cigarettes 10. A shaped cigarette group consisting of (several) rows is content of an inner pack, namely a film block 11. This consists preferably of a blank 12 made of film, in particular of a moisture and aroma-proof film. The group of cigarettes 10 is preferably completely, ie wrapped on all sides of the blank, thus forming a sealing block with inner front wall 13, inner rear wall 14, inner side walls 15, inner bottom wall 16 and inner end wall 17. Der Blank 12 is formed or folded around the group of cigarettes 10 such that the inner end wall 17 is free of folds, that is forms a continuous closed wall. In this area, an opening aid 18 is attached, which allows easy, especially automatic access to the contents of the package. The film block 11 forms for this purpose a removal opening 19 in the frontal region. Preferably, the removal opening 19 extends in the region of the inner end wall 17 and a subsequent frontal portion of the inner front wall 13. Die Removal opening 19 is preferably arranged centrally, with (significantly) smaller width than the film block eleventh

The removal opening 19 is - when the package is closed - covered by a closure means, in particular a closure flap 20. This covers the removal opening 19 preferably completely and preferably forms around a strip-like projection with longitudinal strips 21 and transverse strips 22. An anchoring strip 23 is permanently connected to the film block 11 , in particular as limbs of the closure flap 20 in the region of the inner rear wall 14. The aforementioned edge strips 21, 22, 23 are connected by gluing to the film block 11, in each case in an edge strip surrounding the removal opening 19. At least the longitudinal strips 21 and the transverse strips 22 are fixed with releasable and multiple-acting adhesive, in particular PSA adhesive.

The closure tab 20 is provided in an end region, namely in the region of a leg projecting into the inner front wall 13, with a gripping or actuating tab 24. This is at least on the inner front wall 13 facing side free of glue and can be detected thereby. The actuating tab 24 preferably extends over the full width of the locking tab 20 as edge strips thereof.

A special feature is that the actuating tab 24 is connected in the embodiments shown with a movable part of an outer pack 25. The outer package is here a folding box with box part 26 and lid 27. This is connected in the region of a box rear wall 28 with a lid rear wall 29 via a line joint 30 pivotally connected to the box part 26. The closure tab 20 is connected to the lid 27, such that when it is opened, the closure tab 20 likewise comes into the open position (FIGS. 3, 4). For this purpose, the actuating tab 24 of the locking tab 20 with the lid, namely with a lid front wall 31, connected. In particular, by glue or by a in the longitudinal direction of the actuating tab 24 extending glue strip 32. This is at the Outside of the actuating tab 24 attached. In the manufacture of the package or during insertion of the film block 11 in the outer package 25, the connection with the actuating tab 24 is made via the glue strip 32 in the closed position of the lid 27. Preferably, a lid inner tab 33 is attached to the inside of the lid front wall 31. With this the operating tab 24 (permanently) is connected. When the lid 27 is closed, the closing tab 20 also returns to the closed position (FIG. 1).

The film block 1 1 is preferably designed as a sealing block, as shown in FIG. 1 with an envelope fold in the region of the inner side walls 15. Also in the region of the bottom wall 16 are overlapping folding flaps, preferably as an envelope fold formed. The folding flaps are sealed together by thermal sealing. Furthermore, a support member is disposed within the film block 11, in particular a tray 34 of known design, preferably with front wall, side flaps and bottom wall.

A special feature consists in that the removal opening 19 is at least partially free, ie without the opening tabs 35 lying in the region of the removal opening 19 during the preparation of the blank 12. This is part of the film in the region of the removal opening 19. In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG Until Fig. 3, the opening tab 35 is completely eliminated. The blank is therefore provided with a recess which forms the removal opening 19 in the finished package - film block 11. For this purpose, in the area of the unfolded blank, preferably in the region of a continuous film web 36 for producing the blanks 12, a punching aligned exactly with the design of the film block 11 is provided, namely in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3 of a blank closed punching which leads to a substantially rectangular recess corresponding to the removal opening 19, in particular with slightly converging - to the operating tab 24 - edges. The opening tab 35 thus falls as a blank part and is eliminated.

Alternatively (FIGS. 4, 5, 6), a U-shaped cut is made in the blank 12 or the film web 36 to form an opening. The resulting opening tab 35 remains along an edge 37 in conjunction with the Blank 12. The opening tab 35 is here folded out of the region of the removal opening 19 and applied to a wall of the film block 11, in the present case (FIGS. 4, 5) to the inside of the inner rear wall 14. Here too, therefore, there is a free opening formed as a removal opening 19. The opening tab 35 is preferably connected to the wall of the film block 1 1, in particular by bonding and / or by thermal sealing, in this case with two sealing strips 38th

An (independent) feature is the formation of the glue areas or the glue pattern for (releasably) connecting the closure flap 20 to the film block 11. As shown particularly in FIG. 5, the closure flap 20 is provided with a frame-like glue pattern surrounding the removal opening 19 , This can be attached during manufacture to the closure flap 20 (consisting of a separate blank) and / or to the blank 2.

The glue pattern (preferably PSA adhesive), in particular with longitudinal strips 21, transverse strips 22 and anchoring strips 23, is formed with different adhesive action, corresponding to the stress during opening and closing of the film block 1 1. Preferably, at least the transverse strip 22 is formed with a lower adhesive effect than the remaining sections of the glue picture. In the present case, initial limbs 39 of the longitudinal strips 21 are formed with a lower adhesive effect, so that in particular the initiation of the opening process for the closure lug 20 is facilitated. The other parts of the glue pattern, namely the longitudinal strips 21 and the transverse strips 22, are formed with a higher holding force, preferably continuously with the same holding force. Alternatively, the anchoring strip 23 may be formed with a further increased holding force in order to ensure the permanent fixation of the opening tab 20 on the film block 1 1.

The different holding or connecting effects of the areas of the glue pattern can be effected by appropriate selection of different types of glue and / or achieved by different layer thicknesses and / or by different structures of the transverse strip 22 on the one hand and the longitudinal strips 21 on the other. This design of the glue connection of the closure flap 20 with the film block 1 1 can also be used in conventional (sealing) packages and in packages according to FIGS. 11 to 14. In the mentioned conventional packages may be those in which the opening tab 35 remains in the starting position and is connected to the locking tab 20.

In the film block 11 according to. Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and the matching blank 12 according to FIG. 5, the inner side walls 15 are formed by trapezoidal folding flaps. FIG. 7 to FIG. 10 deals with an alternative with regard to the design of the opening aid 18, but also with regard to the formation of the film block 11. In the region of the inner side walls 15, this has connecting seams in the form of a fin seam. Furthermore, here the inner bottom wall 16 is free of folds. A transverse seam 40 is located in the region of an inner rear wall 14, in particular in the form of a fin seam.

In this exemplary embodiment, the opening aid 18 is designed such that the blank 12 (FIG. 9) receives a removal opening 19 which is free around it. Accordingly, in the region of the film web 36, a complete punching is made, producing a (removal) opening 19. The resulting opening flap 35 is disposed of as waste. There remains a free opening, in particular with to the side of the operating tab 24 converging opening edges.

In the embodiments with a closure tab 20 from a separate blank preferably the (PSA) adhesive is attached to the inside of the closure tab 20. Preferably, a glue pattern in the embodiment of a closed frame is provided with the legs or strips 21, 22, 23. A central region of the closure flap 20 is free of glue and preferably provided with a printing 61. The glue fields or strips are set back slightly relative to the (removal) opening 19, so that a narrow, glue-free strip is preferably formed around, approximately 1, 5 mm in width. In the area of a glue-free part of the closure flap 20, namely in the region of the actuating flap 24, the glue images are attached to connect the actuating flap 24 to the inside of the lid front wall 31. Two alternatives are shown: A closed, continuous glue strip 32 can be attached , Alternatively, a number of adjacent glue spots 41.

A particular embodiment with regard to the sealing block or film block 11 and in particular in the area of the opening aid 18 is shown in FIGS. 11 to 13. The film for the film block 1 is multi-layered, consists in particular of two layers or individual films 42 and 43 (FIG. 14). These layers or foils 42, 43 are-predominantly-interconnected by a glue layer 44 of preferably non-releasable glue, so that in this area the individual foils 42, 43 form a non-separable film unit.

Preferably, at least one of the individual foils 42, 43, in this case the inside single foil 43, is formed as aroma- and moisture-proof, preferably by a (metallic) barrier layer 45 applied by vapor deposition. This is located here within the multilayer foil. The glue layer 44 therefore connects the individual foils 42, 43 in the region of the barrier layer 45.

The formed in the manner described multilayer film may be provided with an opening aid 18, which corresponds to the previous embodiments. However, the structure of the film allows a specially designed opening aid 18, which is integrated into the film using the individual films 42, 43.

The closure tab 20 is formed by the outer single film 42. The inner individual film 43 is processed so that it forms either an opening attached to the production as removal opening 19 or a detachable with the help of the locking tab 20 during the opening opening opening tab or an opening tab 35. This is, as shown, connected by preferably full-surface gluing (inside) with the locking tab 20. The opening aid 18 is produced in the case of this package in the area of the blank 2 (FIG. 3), but preferably in the production of the (multilayer) film-film web 36, specifically by applying different types of glue, by forming glue-free areas between the individual films 42, 43 and by targeted attachment of dividing lines in the individual layers 42, 43rd

The attachment of the opening aid 18 is integrated into the production process of the film or the film web 36. When joining the layers or individual foils 42, 43, surfaces are preferably recessed or provided with glue at the same time or offset, which are required for the functionality of the opening aid 18. In the present example, a preferably U-shaped surface between the individual sheets 42, 43 provided with releasable glue (PSA adhesive), analogous to the described embodiment for forming longitudinal strips 21, transverse strips 22. Alternatively, a partial or full coating with glue to be appropriate. Furthermore, with regard to the attachment of the glue layer 44, a strip-shaped, rectangular free zone 46 is created. In this area there is no glue, so neither the glue layer 44 nor the (PSA) glue the opening aid 18. Here is the handle or operating tab 24th

To form closure flap 20 and / or opening flap 35, separating cuts or lines are made in the region of the opening aid 18 to be produced, preferably in the film finished with respect to the layers 42, 43, 44, 45. The dividing lines which are applied only in the region of a layer are preferably produced by laser and are therefore limited in terms of their effectiveness to the relevant layer.

The outer contour of the closure flap 20 consists of a preferably continuous, ie uninterrupted, substantially U-shaped cutting line 47 (only) in the region of the outer layer, ie the individual film 42. This cutting line extends with preferably approximately parallel legs in the region of the inner end wall 17 (at least partially) and a subsequent frontal region of the inner front wall 13. In the embodiment of FIG. 13, the cutting line 47 extends with an end piece in the region of the inner rear wall 14. A transverse leg extends in the inner front wall 13 and limits the actuating tab 24. The cutting line 47 determines the outer contour of the locking tab 20th

The inner individual film 43 forms the removal opening 19 by removing the opening tab formed by the individual film 43, which is connected in the present example with the closure tab 20, preferably by the correspondingly arranged glue layer 44. The contour of the opening tab 35 is preferably also about U shaped weakening line 48, which is limited by applying appropriate technologies (laser) on the single film 43 (including the thin barrier layer 45). The weakening line 48 can be formed as a perforation-with residual connections-but preferably as a continuous cut line. In the present case, the arrangement is such that the ends of the cutting line 47 on the one hand and the weakening line 48 on the other end - in the region of the inner rear wall 14 - adjacent to each other.

The glue pattern of the opening aid 8, that is to say the U-shaped glue pattern with longitudinal strips 21 and transverse strips 22, is designed with regard to the glue thickness in the manner described (FIG. 5). The glue strips 21, 22 are dimensioned so that the cutting line 47 and the weakening line 48 - the latter are completely in the region of the glue pattern 21, 22, of course, except for the contour for the actuating tab 24. The glue field preferably PSA adhesive is 13 and 14, slightly wider than the distance between the cutting lines 47 and weakening lines 48, so that in this area the dividing lines are covered by the releasable adhesive.

The so-formed opening aid can be operated by hand (by detecting the actuating tab 24). In the present example, the operating tab 24 is connected in the manner described with the inside of the lid 27 of a designed as a folding box outer pack 25, so that an automatic opening and closing is ensured. As can be seen in particular from FIG. 12, the (multilayer) film is completely separated from the composite during the opening process in the region of the removal opening 19 to be produced. The outer packs 25 are preferably designed as hard packs, in particular as a folding box. This can be provided without a collar, but alternatively also with a conventional collar 49 (FIG. 8). The collar is provided with a front recess 50, which is bounded in the region of the front side by lateral collar webs 51. Preferably, the recess 50 - between the collar webs 51 - - is formed so that it extends to a closing edge 52 of the package or the box part 26. In this area - between the collar webs 51 - is the locking tab 20 and in particular the actuating tab 24th

In packs with a fixation of the actuating tab 24 of the opening aid 18 on the inside of the lid front wall 31, a contact pressure on the outside of the lid front wall 31 is preferably applied after completion of the pack, preferably in the range of a device (in particular dry turret). The pressure is specifically transmitted by a special pressure piece on the lid front wall 31 in the region of the connection with the actuating tab 24 - with the lid closed 27 - transferred. In a package with collar 49 in the region between the collar webs 51. This makes it possible to insert a lid inner tab 33 in the folding boxes as an outer pack 25, which preferably extends over the full (transverse) dimension of the lid front wall 31. A certain deformation of the lid front wall 31 is canceled by the restoring forces of the material after completion of the pressure load. The opening aid is preferably produced completely in the region of a continuous film web 36. FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 relate to different concepts for an opening aid according to FIG. 4, FIG. 5, ie with opening tabs 35 suspended on the blank 12. According to FIG. 15, a shortened (residual connection of the tab 35 formed by punching 53 remains The film web 36, so a shortened edge 37. The opening tab 35 is detected during transport of the film web 35, lifted and folded until it rests on the film web outside the range of the created removal opening 19. For this purpose, in the region of a deflection - guide roller 54 - in terms The opening tab 35 can now be detected by a lifting member, in this case of a (curved) pointed Due to the transport of the film web 36 of the flap 35 is raised and finally folded. This results in the area of the web, the positionally accurate removal opening 19. Subsequently - in the region of a vertical transport section of the film web 36 - the closure tab 20 is applied in the region of the discharge opening 19 under exact alignment with the film web 36. The closure tab 20 is pressed as a separate blank of a carrier web 56 in the region of an acute-angled deflection of the film web 36, on the side opposite to the tab 35 (outer) side of the film web. Thereafter, the film web 35 enters the region of a separation station 57. Here, the blanks 12 are separated by transverse cutting knife 58 successively from the web 36. Alternatively, the film web 36 can be folded around a series of groups of cigarettes to form a continuous, tubular envelope, from which packages (film block 1) are separated by cross-section (in particular in connection with a sealed seam), in particular in the manner removable from WO 2014/195016 , A special feature is that the work on the film web 36 and in particular the exact positioning of elements of the opening aid 18 are controlled by supervisory bodies. Thus, sensors, in particular optoelectronic sensors 59, are preferably positioned in the region of the vertical transport path of the film web 36 in the region of a control station. These sensors 59 are designed to detect the presence of the (extraction) opening 19, both in terms of correct relative position and in terms of correct formation (dimension, contour). After passing through the sensors 59, there is certainty about the correct arrangement of the opening 19.

Following the transfer station for the closure tabs 20, another (stationary) inspection station with sensors 60 is installed on both sides of the web 36. These (electro-optical) sensors detect the presence of the locking tab 20 in the correct relative position. The free side of the closure tab 20 is preferably provided with a print 61, namely on the inside of the closure tab 20, with promotional and / or informative hints that can be detected by the sensors 60.

The separating cut for producing the blanks 12 is preferably controlled by printing marks 62.

The film web 36 is also assigned a sealing member 63 for attaching the sealing strips 38. In the present case, this is a rotatable sealing wheel with a plurality of sealing jaws 64 arranged parallel to one another along the circumference. This organ, if necessary, can also be controlled by the sensors 59.

The embodiment according to FIG. 16 differs from the preceding exemplary embodiment in that the closure tabs 20 are already attached to the web 36 in a pre-routed transfer station - in the area of the punched section 53, which is in particular attached first. Thereafter, the process already described for lifting the opening tab 35 and for moving this tab 35. The film web are also in the embodiment of FIG. 16 control organs (sensors) assigned, in particular the presence and correct formation of the opening 19 and the presence Check the locking tab 20.

The device according to FIG. 17 is designed so that the opening tab 35 is removed, so that a free (removal) opening 19 is created on all sides. For this purpose, a punching unit 65 is preferably provided in the region of a horizontal transport path of the film web 36, which in the present case consists of a punching roller 66 with a punching knife 67 and a counter-roller 68. The punching knife 67 is formed as a closed around, approximately rectangular knife, which attaches a corresponding opening 19 positionally accurate in the web 36.

Thereafter, the web is deflected. In the area of a vertical conveyor section, inspection and control organs of the described embodiment are positioned and also a transfer station for attaching the closing tab 20 in the area of the openings 19. The in the punching station by the punching unit 65 arising material pieces corresponding to the opening 19 are eliminated, in this case by a collecting funnel 69, in particular with suction effect.

A special production technology for the preparation of the film web 36 for producing blanks of the film packs is shown in FIGS. 18 and 19. The (sealing) film web 36 is preferably moved along upright and transverse transport paths. A first (upright) track section 70 is provided for upward movement of the track 36. This is deflected by deflecting rollers 71, 72 into a preferably horizontal track section 73 and then back into a preferably downwardly directed track section 74. The closure flap 20 is preferably fed to the vertical web section 70 and applied to the film web 36 in a package-oriented manner, preferably at the web outer or upper side. Preferably, in the region of the horizontal track section 73 is a special punching unit 65 with a punching roller 66, which preferably acts below the (horizontal) film web 36. A counter roll 68 is mounted above the web 36.

The blanks of the closure tabs 20 are preferably arranged close together on a continuous carrier web 56. This is deducted from a reel 75. The carrier web 56 is fed to a transfer station 76. In their area, the decrease of the closure tabs 20 of the carrier web 56 and the precise transfer to the film web 36. The carrier web 56 is led around for this purpose around an acute-angled deflecting member 77, whereby the adhesive adhering to the carrier web 56 closing tab 20 peeled off and to the passed at an acute angle to a leg of the carrier web 56 running film web 36. The locking tab 20 is fixed in the exact position by a pressure roller 78. The pressure roller 78 is opposite a counter-element, in this case a support plate 79th

In the subsequent punching or separating station or in the punching unit 65, a preferably closed dividing line is attached to the free (lower) side of the film web 36 in the region of the respective closing tab 20, preferably by punching, which forms one of the opening (removal opening 19). corresponding piece of film - opening flap 35 - cut out. The punching unit 65 is precisely controlled, such that the opening is produced in exact alignment with the closure tab 20 outside the gluing, by means of a separating cut exclusively in the area of the film web 36.

The punching roller 66 is provided along the circumference with preferably several, in particular two punching units, ie corresponding groups of punching blades 80. These are preferably designed as a closed blade frame for producing a closed dividing line in the film web 36.

The opening tab 35 is conveyed away by suction. Preferably, the punching roller 66 is provided with suction holes 81 in the area of the punching blades 80. These (multiple) suction holes are within the surface area of the opening tab 35 so that it is fixed under application of pressure on the circumference of the punching roller 66 and taken with the rotation of the same. By venting the opening tabs 35 is released and can be disposed of. For this purpose, a special measure is provided: On the underside of the punching roller 66 and below it is a suction unit 82. The suction holes 81 of the punching roller 66 are preferably controlled so that takes place at the bottom of the rotary motion switching to compressed air. Accordingly, compressed air is transmitted via the suction bores 81, which leads to a lifting of the opening tab 35 and to the transfer to the suction unit 82. This takes over the film piece 35 in a suction 83.

The thus prepared film web is fed in the manner described a separating station for producing the blanks or foil packs.

The carrier web 56 freed from the closure tabs 20 is returned and received by a collection bob 84. The drive of the carrier web 56 takes place in this area without closure tabs 20 by a drive roller 85. The carrier web 56 is thus pulled over the deflecting member 77. Important are monitoring or control organs for correct positioning of closure tab 20 and / or opening 19 in the preferably continuously driven film web 36. First, the positionally accurate transmission of the closure tab from the carrier web 56 on the film web 36 by sensors (not shown) is monitored and Then, with continued (continuous) transport of the film web 36, a first (optoelectronic) sensor 86 becomes effective, preferably in the region of the upright web section 17, on the side of the arrangement of the closure web 20 The sensor 86 is arranged and operative to detect at least one preferably transverse edge of the closure tab 20. From this, a signal for the control of the punching unit 65 is derived, namely with regard to a precise attachment of the parting line for the production of the opening 19th

Another sensor 87 is effective after the punching unit 65, on the inside of the film web 36 - preferably in the region of the downwardly directed web portion 74 - for detecting the punched hole or opening formed. This sensor 87 also detects the presence of the locking tab 20 in exact relative position to the (removal) opening 19. For this purpose, the free inner side of the locking tab 20 is provided with markings and / or colorations, which provide a fast, reliable detection by the sensor 87 ensure the differently shaped film web 36.

*****

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 cigarette 50 recess

11 film block 51 collar web

12 blank 52 closing edge

13 inside front wall 53 punched

14 Inner rear wall 54 Guide roller

15 inside sidewall 55 lifting rail

16 inside bottom wall 56 carrier web

17 Inside end wall 57 Separating station

18 Opening aid 58 Cutting knife

19 Removal opening 59 Sensor

20 locking tab 60 sensor

21 vertical stripes 61 printing

22 horizontal stripes 62 print mark

23 anchoring strips 63 sealing organ

24 Operating tab 64 Sealing jaw

25 outer packing 65 punching unit

26 box part 66 punching roller

27 Lid 67 Punching knife

28 box back wall 68 counter roll

29 Lid rear wall 69 Collecting funnel

30 line joint 70 track section

31 Lid front wall 71 Guide roller

32 glue strip 72 guide roller

33 Cover Inner Flaps 73 Track section

34 Tray 74 track section

35 opening tabs 75 Bobine

36 film web 76 transfer station

37 edge 77 deflecting element

38 Sealing strip 78 Pressure roller

39 Starting leg 79 Support plate

40 cross seam 80 punching knives

41 glue point 81 Suction hole

42 single foil 82 suction unit

43 single foil 83 suction channel

44 glue layer 84 collecting bins

45 barrier layer 85 drive roller

46 Free Zone 86 Sensor

47 Cutting line 87 Sensor

48 weakening line

49 collar

Claims

claims

1. Pack for cigarettes (10) or other smokers articles with an outer pack (25), preferably in the form of a folding box / Hinge- Lid pack with box part (26) and lid (27) and with an inner pack in the execution as (Dicht -) film block with a cigarette group preferably on all sides surrounding blank (12) made of film, wherein the film block (1 1) has an opening aid (18), preferably in the frontal region of an inner front wall (13) of the film block (1 1) and at least in a portion of an inner end wall (17), wherein the opening aid (18) has a preferably attached to the outside of the film block closure means - locking tab (20) - which is attached by means of releasable adhesive bond to the film block (1 1) and for opening the slide block

(11) is at least partially deducted from this and thereby at least partially exposing a removal opening (19), characterized by the following features:

a) the film block (10) is provided with a manufactured in the production, free opening - removal opening -

b) the closure flap (20) covers the opening (19) in the closed position completely and on all sides, preferably with a surrounding covering edge or strip (21, 22, 23),

c) the closure flap (20) is free from adhesives in the area of the opening (19),

d) preferably in the region of the inner front wall (13), the closure tab (20) has a glue-free actuating tab (24).

2. A package according to claim 1, characterized in that to create the (open) removal opening (19) preferably a (foil) blank (12) or a film web (36) for producing the blanks

(12) is provided with a preferably formed by punching removal opening (19), wherein an optionally resulting from the punch opening flap (35) is completely removed or via a (edge) connection part of Blank (12) remains and is moved out of the region of the removal opening (19) by folding.

3. A package according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the blank (12) connected to the opening tab (35) against a wall of the film block (1 1) is folded, in particular against the inside of an inner rear wall (14) the opening tab (35) is fixed in the folded position, preferably by thermal sealing and / or by gluing.

4. A package (in particular) according to claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the in particular on the inside of the closure flap (20) attached to the gluing or the glue fields (21, 22, 23) for connecting the closure flap (20) the film block (1 1) has areas of different intensity or strength of adhesion, in particular such that in a region of the opening start when pressing the closure flap (20) an adhesive zone - transverse strips (22) - with comparatively weaker adhesive effect, then an area - longitudinal strips (21) - is formed with a relatively stronger adhesive effect and another area - anchoring strip (23) also with higher adhesive effect.

5. A package according to claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the closure tab (20) or its actuating tab (24) (permanently) with the inside of a lid front wall (31) of the outer pack (25) is connected, preferably via a glue strip (32) and / or glue points (41) on the free outer side of the actuating tab (24).

6. Pack (in particular) according to claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized by the following features:

a) the blank (12) for the film block (11) consists of at least two surface and permanently interconnected layers or individual films (42, 43), of which preferably at least one layer or a single film (42, 43) formed as a sealing film is, preferably by (one-sided) Metallevampfung,

b) the layers or individual films (42, 43) are provided to form an opening aid (18) with partial or separating cuts, in particular such that an (outer) individual film (42) has cut lines (47) limited to the relevant individual film (42) for limiting the outer contour of the closure tab (20) (exclusively) formed by the individual film (42),

c) the other (inner) individual film (43) is provided with cut or weakening lines (48) offset relative to the cut lines (47) of the individual film (42) to delimit an opening flap formed as part of the (inner) individual film (43) ,

7. A package according to claim 6 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the preferably continuous cutting line (47) for limiting the locking tab (20) in the (outer) individual film (42) is U-shaped and preferably also the glue-free actuating tab (24) delimited as part of the individual foil (42) and that preferably the cut or weakening line (48) of the individual foil (43) arranged within the U-shaped cutting line (47) is approximately U-shaped for delimiting (on three sides) of the opening tab (35).

8. A package according to claim 6 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the surface bonding of the individual films (42, 43) is interrupted by continuous glue layer of permanently acting glue in the region of the opening aid (18), preferably such that in the region of Cut lines (47) and the lines of weakness (48) a preferably approximately U-shaped glue pattern with longitudinal strips (21) and transverse strips (22) of releasable (PSA) glue is formed for releasably fixing the locking tab (20) outside the region of the opening flap ( 35).

9. A package according to claim 6 or one of the further claims, characterized in that by the inner single film (43) formed opening tabs (35) - over the entire surface - with the continuous glue layer (44) on the inside of the single film (42) formed Locking tab (20) is attached.

10. A package according to claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the glue-free region of the closure tab (20) (slightly) larger than the area or the area of the opening (19), in particular to form a circulating around the opening (19) surrounding glue-free strip of about 1, 5 mm wide.

11. A method for producing packages for cigarettes or for other smoker articles - film block (11) - or for producing (film) blanks (12) for wrapping the package contents - cigarette group - to form a film block (11), in particular a sealing block in which substantially finished packs - film blocks (11) - are separated from a continuous, tubular casing or blanks (12) are separated from a film web (36) and then folded around the package contents, characterized by the following features:

a) the film web (36) is provided with recesses or openings formed by separation processes, in particular by punching, which serve as removal opening (19) of the film block (11),

b) the recesses or openings are arranged on the continuous film web (36) at intervals from each other, which correspond to the packaged position of the removal opening (19) for the film block (1 1) or for a cut blank (12).

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the formation of the recess or removal opening resulting blank - opening tabs (35) - separated by appropriate complete punching the film web (36) from this and removed, in particular by suction or by suction to a conveyor and subsequent repulsion, preferably by means of compressed air.

13. The method according to claim 1 1, characterized in that the removal opening (19) in the film web (36) is produced by partial punching, in particular by U-shaped punching, such that the opening tabs (35) with a partial or residual connection remains on the film web (36), wherein the opening tab (35) to expose the removal opening (19) is folded against the film web (36) outside the region of the opening (19) and preferably with the film web (36) is connected, in particular by Bonding and / or thermal sealing.

14. The method of claim 1 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the existing of a separate blanking closure tab (20) to the (later) outside of the blank (12) or the film web (36) is applied, preferably before Attachment of a separating cut or cutout for the removal opening (19), wherein the (separate) closure flap (20) is provided with a U-shaped or with a frame-shaped glue pattern of detachable (PSA) glue such that the closure flap (20) only outside of the removal opening (19) forming opening of the film web (36) is connected thereto.

15. The method of claim 1 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the position and design of the removal opening (19) and in the region of the removal opening (19) attached closure tab (20) in the region of the continuous film web (36) checked by sensors is, in particular by an (optoelectronic) sensor (87), which is preferably on the side facing away from the closure flap (20) side of the film web (36) (stationary) and detects the area of the removal opening (19) with locking tab (20), wherein preferably at least in the region of the removal opening (19) recognizable region of the closure flap (20) (inside thereof) is provided with markings and / or area colorations that contrast with the film web (36) at least in an area surrounding the removal opening (19) form and so are detected by the sensor (87).

16. The method of claim 1 1 or one of the further claims, characterized by the following features:

a) the correct positioning of the closure tab (20) by transfer to the continuous film web (36) is checked by sensors, in particular in conjunction with print marks on the film web (36), b) then the position of the closure tab (20) on the film web (36) checked by (optoelectronic) sensors (86), preferably by scanning at least one edge of the film web (36) adjacent closing tab (20), wherein the sampled data for controlling a subsequent punching unit (65) are used.

17. Apparatus for producing packs (11) for cigarettes or other smoker articles from a package blank (foil blank (12) to form a foil block (11), in particular a sealing block, wherein (largely finished) foil block (11) or blanks (12) are separated from a continuous tubular wrapper or film web (36) by transverse severing and then folded around the package contents (blanks (12)), characterized by the following features:

a) a punching unit (65) serves for attaching punching or separating lines for producing a (removal) opening (19) of the film web (36), preferably by applying a closed separating cut to form a free opening tab (35),

b) in a transfer station (76), blanks of the closure flap (20) can be transferred from a carrier web (56) to the film web (36) in a position relative to the pack,

c) the punching unit (65) is preferably arranged downstream of the transfer station (76) in the direction of movement of the film web (36), such that in the area of the punching unit (65) the opening (19) in the region of the closing tab () 20) is detachable and dischargeable, preferably by suction on a punching roller (66) of the punching unit (65).

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