EP3497038B1 - Package for cigarettes and method for the production thereof - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to packs for cigarettes or other elongated smoking articles having the features of the preamble of claim 1.

It is particularly about further developments and improvements to cigarette packs in which a group of cigarettes is provided with sealing or connecting seams as the pack content of a film, in particular a "sealing pack" with a sealing block as an inner pack in a standard cigarette pack as an outer pack, in particular in a hinged box . The problem to be solved arises from the preferred design of (closure) seams of the sealing block as fin seams. These are advantageous because of the high tightness and strength of the (sealing) seam that can be achieved, in particular in the case of inner packs with negative or positive pressure in the pack.

The EP 2 832 663 A1 shows a generic cigarette pack with an outer pack in which a film sealing block is arranged as an inner pack. The side seams of the inner packing are designed as fin seams, lie against the side walls of the outer packing, are folded over towards the front of the sealing packing and have a reduced width.

The WO 2014/195008 A2 shows, after the side seams have been produced, reducing the width of the fin seams by cutting off an edge strip.

The fin seams resting against the interconnected walls of the inner pack by folding cause an increase in the outer dimensions of the inner pack. On the other hand, an outer pack - a hinged box - is desirable that is largely within the standard dimensions, in particular with regard to the pack width.

It is therefore an object of the invention to design the cigarette pack with an inner pack as a sealing block in such a way that the inner pack or the sealing block with a predetermined, standard number of cigarettes can be accommodated in a largely conventionally dimensioned hinged box.

To achieve this object, the pack according to the invention is characterized by the features of claims 1.

The measures according to claim 1 are aimed at ensuring an enlarged interior space of the outer pack by omitting a collar that is customary in hinged boxes. The inner pack is therefore in direct contact with the side walls of the box part and the lid of the hinged box. The measures of claim 1 ensure that collisions with the sealing block, in particular with the lateral fin seams, caused by the lid side walls, are avoided when the lid of the outer pack is opened and in particular when it is closed.

In order to influence the effective dimensions of the inner pack, a support or protective member for a group of cigarettes within the film or sealing pack is specially designed as an inner pack according to the invention. This organ, known as the inner collar or tray, is cup-shaped with tray side walls made of tray side flaps, with external tray side flaps, due to a special design, in particular due to the reduced width, creating free spaces on the outside of the tray in the area of which the (folded over ) Fin seams of the film cover are positioned, with the result of a reduced gross dimension.

A further measure can consist in a special formation of the cigarette group as the pack content. The cigarettes can be arranged in aligned transverse rows, each with three cigarettes per transverse row and with at least one cigarette row consisting of only two adjacent cigarettes, preferably in the area of a middle row, with the cigarettes of the reduced transverse row preferably in an offset (saddle) position to the cigarettes of the two adjacent rows of three are arranged. The special formation of the cigarettes makes it easier to remove the (first) cigarettes when the pack is used.

Particularly good results can be achieved if the aforementioned measures are implemented in full. The result would be a cigarette pack or box with essentially standard transverse dimensions and with a slightly greater depth. This result meets the requirement in practice, according to which the width of the pack for the completion of the pack, its storage and marketing play a decisive role.

Fig. 1

eine Innenpackung in der Ausführung als Dichtblock in perspektivischer Darstellung,

Fig. 2

eine Klappschachtel als Außenpackung mit einem Dichtblock als Innenpackung in perspektivischer Darstellung, bei geöffnetem Deckel,

Fig. 3

einen Vertikalschnitt III-III der Packung gemäß Fig. 2,

Fig. 4

einen Horizontalschnitt IV-IV der Fig. 2, in vergrößertem Maßstab,

Fig. 5

einen ausgebreiteten Zuschnitt für ein Halte- bzw. Stützorgan einer Zigarettengruppe - Tray,

Embodiments of the pack according to the invention and manufacturing steps are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. It shows:

Fig. 1

an inner packing designed as a sealing block in a perspective view,

Fig. 2

a hinged box as an outer pack with a sealing block as an inner pack in a perspective view, with the lid open,

Fig. 3

a vertical section III-III of the pack according to Fig. 2 ,

Fig. 4

a horizontal section IV-IV of Fig. 2 , on a larger scale,

Fig. 5

an expanded blank for a holding or supporting element of a cigarette group - tray,

Fig. 6

eine Fertigungsstufe des Trays aus einem Zuschnitt gemäß Fig. 5 mit einer Zigarettengruppe als Packungsinhalt,

Fig. 7

eine Einheit aus Zigarettengruppe und Tray bei einer weiteren Fertigungsphase, in Perspektive,

Fig. 8

die komplette Einheit aus Zigarettengruppe und Tray in perspektivischer Darstellung,

Fig. 9

eine vereinfachte Darstellung des Fertigungsprozesses für eine Innenpackung bzw. einen Dichtblock, in Perspektive,

Fig. 10

eine Darstellung analog Fig. 1 für eine andere, nicht beanspruchte, Ausführung einer Innenpackung, mit Blick auf eine Innen-Rückwand,

Fig. 11

eine Darstellung analog Fig. 2 mit einer Innenpackung gemäß Fig. 10,

Fig. 12

einen Vertikalschnitt der Packung gemäß Fig. 11 in Schnittebene XII-XII,

Fig. 13

einen Horizontalschnitt der Packung gemäß Fig. 11 in Schnittebene XIII-XIII,

Fig. 14

einen ausgebreiteten Zuschnitt eines Trays einer anderen Ausführung,

Fig. 15

eine Zwischenfaltstellung bei der Herstellung eines Trays aus einem Zuschnitt gemäß Fig. 14, in Perspektive,

Fig. 16

eine weitere Fertigungssituation eines Trays mit Zigarettengruppe,

Fig. 17

eine komplette Einheit aus Zigarettengruppe und Tray in der Ausführung gemäß Fig. 14 bis Fig. 16,

Fig. 18

eine Dichtpackung für Zigaretten mit zwei nebeneinanderliegenden Zigarettenblöcken bei geöffneter Außenpackung, in perspektivischer Darstellung,

Fig. 19

die Packung gemäß Fig. 18 im Horizontalschnitt in der Schnittebene XIX-XIX bei vergrößertem Maßstab,

Fig. 20

eine schematische Darstellung des Fertigungsablaufs für Packungen gemäß Fig. 18, Fig. 19 in perspektivischer Darstellung,

Fig. 21

eine Siegeleinheit für die Herstellung von Seitennähten der Dichtblöcke im Vertikalschnitt entsprechend Schnittebene XXI-XXI, bei vergrößertem Maßstab,

Fig. 22

eine Einzelheit, nämlich einen Querschnitt in der Schnittebene XXII-XXII der Fig. 20, in vergrößertem Maßstab.

Continued according to WO 2018/028815 , starting on page 4, line 1: " Fig. 6 a production stage of the tray from a blank according to Fig. 5 with a group of cigarettes as package contents, ... " until the end of the description.

Fig. 6

a production stage of the tray from a blank according to Fig. 5 with a group of cigarettes as pack contents,

Fig. 7

a unit of cigarette group and tray in a further production phase, in perspective,

Fig. 8

the complete unit of cigarette group and tray in perspective view,

Fig. 9

a simplified representation of the manufacturing process for an inner pack or a sealing block, in perspective,

Fig. 10

a representation analogous Fig. 1 for another, unclaimed, version of an inner pack, with a view of an inner rear wall,

Fig. 11

a representation analogous Fig. 2 with an inner pack according to Fig. 10 ,

Fig. 12

a vertical section of the pack according to Fig. 11 in section plane XII-XII,

Fig. 13

a horizontal section of the pack according to Fig. 11 in section plane XIII-XIII,

Fig. 14

an expanded blank of a tray of another design,

Fig. 15

an intermediate folding position in the production of a tray from a blank according to FIG Fig. 14 , in perspective,

Fig. 16

another production situation of a tray with a group of cigarettes,

Fig. 17

a complete unit of cigarette group and tray in the design according to FIGS. 14 to 16 ,

Fig. 18

a sealing pack for cigarettes with two cigarette blocks lying next to one another with the outer pack open, in a perspective view,

Fig. 19

the pack according to Fig. 18 in the horizontal section in the section plane XIX-XIX on an enlarged scale,

Fig. 20

a schematic representation of the production process for packs according to Fig. 18, Fig. 19 in perspective view,

Fig. 21

a sealing unit for the production of side seams of the sealing blocks in vertical section according to section plane XXI-XXI, on an enlarged scale,

Fig. 22

a detail, namely a cross section in the section plane XXII-XXII of Fig. 20 , on a larger scale.

The basic structure of the innovative cigarette pack consists of an outer pack 10 and an inner pack 11. The former is designed as a hard pack - made of thin cardboard -, in particular in the form of a hinged box. In this type of pack, a box part 12 and a lid 13 are connected to one another in one piece, specifically due to a rear line hinge 14 between box part 12 and lid 13.

The - cuboid - inner packing 11 is designed as a foil packing or as a sealing packing with a foil covering 15 of preferably moisture- and aroma-proof material. The film is sealable for the production of sealing seams, alternatively by thermal sealing or by cold sealing.

The package content is a cigarette group of cigarettes 10, preferably arranged in a special formation. These cigarettes are positioned in transverse rows 18. Each transverse row consists of several, preferably three, cigarettes 17 which are supported centrally on one another in the transverse direction and preferably also in the longitudinal direction. At least one of the transverse rows of cigarettes consists of a small number of cigarettes. At least one intermediate row 19 is preferably provided with two cigarettes lying next to one another, which are offset, that is to say in a saddle position, with respect to the cigarettes 17 of the adjacent transverse rows 18.

The intermediate row 19 is preferably positioned centrally within the cigarette group 16. On both sides of the intermediate row 19, two subgroups of the cigarettes, each with three transverse rows 18 with a total of nine cigarettes 17, are thus created.

The film wrapping 15 can surround the cigarette group 16 directly. Preferably, however, the group of cigarettes 16 within the inner pack 11 is (partially) surrounded by a supporting or protective organ, namely by an inner collar or by a tray 20, preferably made of thin cardboard. In the present case, the tray 20 is cup-shaped from a blank according to FIG Fig. 5 or according to Fig. 14 with successive areas for a tray front wall 21, a tray bottom wall 22 and a tray rear wall 23. Tray side tabs 24 are attached to the tray front wall 21, which are finished with further tray side tabs 25 on the tray rear wall 23 at Form folded tray 20 due to a (partial) overlap tray side walls 26. The individual walls or folding tabs of the blank are delimited from one another by longitudinal folding lines 27 and transverse folding lines 28, the folding lines 27, 28 being able to be formed as embossings or as (partial) punching. Furthermore, the blank for the tray 20 is provided with corner tabs 29 which, when the tray 20 is folded, rest on the inside of the tray bottom wall 22 and are in particular foldably connected to the (inner) tray side tabs 24, 25.

During the production of the (overall) pack, a unit 30 comprising cigarette group 16 and tray 20 is preferably produced first. For this purpose, the blank of the tray 20 is preferably brought into an intermediate folding position ( Fig. 6 , Fig. 15 ). The blank is in an L-shaped shape. One large wall - tray front wall 21 in Fig. 6 and tray back wall 23 in Fig. 15 - With the upright side tabs 24 or 25, forms a container that is open at the front (and at the top), into which the formed cigarette group 16 is inserted via the open front ( Fig. 6 , Fig. 15 ). The tray 20 is then completely folded, with the outer side tabs 25 ( Fig. 7, Fig. 8 ) or side tabs 24 ( FIGS. 15 to 17 ) is connected to the respective associated side tabs 24, 25 by gluing, in particular by means of glue dots 51 applied to the respective inner side tabs 24, 25. The glue dots 51 are preferably applied to the side tabs 24, 25 on both sides of the movement path of the units 30 during the transport of the units 30 by means of stationary glue nozzles 33.

According to Fig. 8 , according to Fig. 17 or a unit 30 embodied in another way is surrounded by the film envelope 15 in such a way that closure or connecting seams are preferably formed as a fin seam, i.e. with double-layer fins 32 protruding in the immediate production state. These are preferably folded over against an adjacent wall of the film envelope 15 or the inner pack 11 and connected to this by fixing, gluing or (thermal) sealing.

The inner pack 11 is formed by the film wrapping 15 which completely surrounds the cigarette group 16 or the unit 30, forming an inner front wall 34, an inner rear wall 35, an inner side wall 36, an inner end wall 37 and an inner bottom wall 38 Foil wrapping 15 preferably encloses the contents in such a way that side seams 39, 40 arise in the area of the inner side walls 36. Furthermore, a transverse seam 41 is formed, which extends in the area of the inner rear wall 35 ( Fig. 3 ) or in the area of the inner front wall 34 ( Fig. 12 ) extends. The seams 39, 40, 41 are designed as fin seams, with fins 32 formed by (two) layers of the film covering 15 being folded over against the associated inner wall and fixed to it.

The inner pack 11, which is closed on all sides, is provided with an opening aid. This consists in particular of an actuating tab 42, which is connected to the inner pack 11 in the area of the inner end wall 37 and adjacent areas of the inner front wall 34 and the inner rear wall 35 by means of adhesive, such that the actuating tab 42 is repeatedly in the open position and can be brought back into the closed position. To form a removal opening 43 in a central area of the inner front wall 37 and an adjacent area of the inner front wall 34, an opening tab 44 can be pulled out of the connection with the film envelope 15, due to an adhesive connection with the actuating tab 42 43 exposed. The actuating tab 42 can be operated manually. In the present exemplary embodiment, the actuating tab 42 is permanently attached to the inside of a cover front wall 46 with an actuating leg 45 on the edge, so that the actuating tab is moved into the open and closed position when the cover 13 is opened and closed.

The fins 32 of the connecting seams 39, 40, 41 can have different widths. FIGS. 1 to 4 show an embodiment in which the fins 32 - if necessary by cutting off an edge strip - are relatively narrow, at least with a width that is significantly less than half the width of the inner side wall 36. The fins formed in this way are preferably of the side seams 39 , 40 folded over towards the front, that is to say in the direction of the inner front wall 34.

The fins 32 of the side seams 39, 40 of the exemplary embodiment according to FIG FIGS. 10 to 13 are designed with an "excess width", in particular significantly wider than half the transverse dimension of the inner side walls 36. Edge strips of the fins 32, namely connecting legs 47, are folded over into the plane of a large-area inner wall adjoining the inner side walls 36, in particular into the plane the inner rear wall 35. The connecting legs 47 of the fins 32 therefore lie against the inner rear wall 35 and are preferably connected to this by gluing. In the embodiment shown ( Fig. 10 , Fig. 13 ) the legs 47 are connected to the rear wall 35 by a number of glue dots 48 lying in an upright row. The construction is made such that in an area adjacent to the inner end wall 37, a fastening leg 49 of the actuating tab 42 is covered by the front ends of the legs 47.

In this exemplary embodiment, the transverse seam 41 extends over the full width of the inner packing 11 or the fins 32 of the side seams 39, 40, that is to say also into the inner rear wall 35.

The parts of the pack, namely outer pack 10, inner pack 11 or film wrapping 15 and tray 20, are coordinated with one another in such a way that optimum space utilization is achieved with a given number of cigarettes 17 as pack contents.

When executing according to FIGS. 1 to 8 The outer side flap 25 connected to the tray rear wall 23 is smaller in width, namely less than half the width, than the inner side flap 24 connected to the tray front wall 21. The cigarette group 16 is thereby immediately surrounded by a largely closed front wall 21 and enclosed by side walls 24 which approximately correspond to the dimensions of the cigarette group 16. The tray rear wall 23 is folded over after the cigarette group 16 has been inserted into the partially folded tray 20 until it rests against the cigarette group 16 ( Fig. 7 ). During the onward transport, the glue dots 31 - by glue nozzles 33 - are thus placed on the tray side tabs 24 applied so that the subsequently folded outer tray side flap 25 is fixed by the glue dots 31.

The outer side tab 25 is designed in a special way, namely with bevels 53 preferably at both ends. The bevels 53 are arranged and designed with regard to the angle in such a way that triangular folding gussets 54 on the end regions of the inner side walls 26 in the region facing the outer side tab 25 fit in the recess formed by the bevel 53. The (local) multilayer structure brought about by the gusset 54 is compensated for by a free space 50 created by the bevels 53 ( Fig. 1 ).

The reduced width of the outer side flaps 25 leads to a free space 50 in the remaining area of the inner side flap 24. Here the folded fin 32 of the side seams 39, 40 is positioned ( Fig. 4 ). A special feature is that the fin 32 of the side seam 39, 40, which is designed with a reduced width, is folded over towards the front of the pack, i.e. towards the inner front wall 34. Around the free space or a recess for the fin 32 in the front area of the inside -Pack 11, the outer, narrower side tab 25 is attached to the tray rear wall 23. The position of the side seam 39, 40 or the fin 32 ensures that the lid 13 of the outer pack 10 can be moved into the closed position without interference, specifically without a collar in the box part 12.

A free space is also created for the transverse seam 41, in the present case in the region of the tray rear wall 23. This is provided with a depression or recess 55 created by punching. This is located in the area of the transverse seam 41. The dimensions, in particular the width or height of the recess 55 is selected so that free space 50 is created above and below the fin 32 of the seam 41 so that the transverse seam 41 reliably enters the recess 55 ( Fig. 3 ).

Another shape and space-providing aid is created in that the outer tray side tab 25 is connected to the tray rear wall 23 via inclined edges (or round edges). The beveled edges are parallel by two Inclined fold lines 56, 57 are limited. When the side flaps 25 are folded, these cause the blank to run obliquely in the area of these upright shaped edges of the tray 20. The effect of this design is a simplified and conforming shaping, particularly in the area of the transverse seam 41 ( Fig. 4 ), which can be shaped into the final folded position with less space requirement. In this design, the recess 55 is extended to the outer diagonal fold line 57, so that the full width of the inclined edge is covered by the recess 55. The inclined edges 56, 57 are preferably arranged on that side of the pack or the unit 30 which has the transverse seam 41 to facilitate the multilayer deflection. In the example according to FIGS. 1 to 8 Accordingly, the inclined edges 56, 57 of the rear side or the inner rear wall 23 are assigned. In the embodiment of Figs. 10 to 17 the inclined edges 56, 57 are located in the area of the front side or the tray front wall 21.

In the unclaimed version according to Figs. 10 to 17 the front area of the pack or the sealing block, namely the inner pack 11, is kept free of additional material layers due to the side seams 39, 40. These are folded towards the rear or the inner rear wall 23. The tray 20 is aligned with this with regard to the wall parts. It is also taken into account that the transverse seam 41 extends in the area of the inner front wall 21 and thus in the area of the tray front wall 34. This is - as usual - provided with a recess 58 in the area of the removal opening 43 of the film envelope 15, in order to enable easier removal of the cigarettes 17.

Furthermore, the front wall 21 of the tray has a recess 55 formed by punching, the function and design of the recess 55 according to FIG FIGS. 5 to 8 corresponds. The (front) transverse seam 41 lies (with a partial section) in the region of the recess 55. The wide inner tray side tabs 24, which extend approximately over the dimensions of the cigarette group 16, are connected to the tray rear wall 23 in this embodiment, namely over Inclined edges with inclined fold lines 56, 57. The tray front wall 21 is provided with outer side tabs 25, which analogously to the embodiment according to FIG FIGS. 5 to 8 are formed, so have bevels 53. The corner tabs 29 are shaped here, namely with a smaller width that they are in the folded position ( Fig. 17 ) lie outside the area of the inclined edges 56, 57 and preferably cover approximately half the width of the (inner) side tabs 24 connected to the tray rear wall 23.

The manufacturing or folding process for this alternative pack design is analogous to the example described: The blank of the tray 20 is brought into a first angled or L-shaped folding position ( Fig. 15 ). The cigarette group 16 is then pushed in over the open side, resting on the tray rear wall 23. The further folding steps are then carried out analogously to the exemplary embodiment described up to the completion of the unit 30 from the cigarette group 16 and tray 20 ( Fig. 17 ).

The inner pack 11 is designed in the manner described, but with the deviations with regard to the design and arrangement of (sealed) seams. In particular, the transverse seam 41 is arranged in the front area, that is, in the area of a box front wall 59 of the box part 12, specifically in such a way that the transverse seam 41 lies completely below a closing edge 60 of the box front wall 59. The recess 55 can end flush with the closing edge 60, that is to say (approximately) lie at the same height.

The fin 32 of the transverse seam 41 is folded towards the rear, that is to the tray rear wall 23, and extends with the fastening legs 49 into the area of the tray rear wall 23 or the inner rear wall 35. The inclined edges 56, 57 arranged on the rear side facilitate the shape of the fins of the transverse seam 41.

Due to the structure of the cigarette block or the cigarette group 16 and / or when the transverse seam 41 is formed accordingly Figs. 10 to 17 the result is a slightly greater depth of the outer pack 10, that is to say of the hinged box.

The hinged box as the outer pack 10 is preferably designed as a standard, but without the usual collar which is fixed in the box part 12 and partially protrudes therefrom. In the inventive training of Pack, the inner pack 11 or the sealing block with the inner side walls 36 rests directly on the side walls of the outer pack 10, namely on the box side walls 67 and lid side walls 68. The aforementioned side walls 67, 68 usually consist of at least partially overlapping side flaps namely, inner and outer box side flaps and inner and outer lid side flaps. The inner pack 11 therefore rests directly on the inner box side tabs 69 and the inner lid side tabs 70. This results in an optimal use of space in the width of the pack.

The inner pack 10 can be manufactured in various ways. A method according to FIG Fig. 9 . The units 30 are then fed along a pack path at a distance from one another and with the cigarettes 17 in a transverse position, to a wrapping station in which a film web 62, preferably with a finished opening aid, is folded around the continuous row of units 30 in the form of a tube, with a The connecting seam - corresponding to the transverse seam 41 - is formed and fixed by sealing in a first sealing station 63. Thereafter, the units 30 with the tubular film wrapping arrive in the area of a separating and sealing station 64. In this area, the (transversely directed) side seams 39, 40 produced by transversely directed sealing jaws 65. At the same time, a separating cut is made in the area of the double-wide transversely directed sealing seams so that closed inner packs 11 are produced. In this station, the gussets 54 are preferably also produced by cross-acting folding members 66. The finished inner packs 11 are fed to a suitable device for introducing the inner packs 11 into the outer packs 10.

A special version of a (cigarette) pack, which can be made with or without the above features, is the subject of innovation 18 to 22 . The outer pack 10 is preferably designed as a hinged box or hinge lid pack with a box part 12 and a lid 13. Several, preferably two, film blocks 71, 72 lying next to one another are positioned as the contents of the pack, namely as an inner pack 11. These can have the same dimensions or the same width, so that they side by side within the correspondingly dimensioned outer pack 10, each filling about half of the inner space. The cigarette blocks 71, 72 can also have different widths. The cigarettes 17 of the blocks 71, 72 can match, but can also be designed differently, in particular with different aromas.

The film blocks 71, 72 can be independent, non-interconnected individual blocks, preferably in the structural design of the in connection with FIGS. 1 to 9 described execution or in the execution according to FIGS. 10 to 15 .

An embodiment of the film blocks 71, 72 in the illustration according to FIG Fig. 19 , so analogous to FIGS. 1 to 8 . The group of cigarettes 16 is (partially) surrounded by an inner collar or tray 20, which is preferably made from a blank Fig. 5 is formed. The unit 30 formed from the cigarette group 16 and inner collar or tray 20 corresponds to the embodiment according to FIG Fig. 8 . In particular, tray side tabs 24 and 25 are designed and arranged in the same or a similar manner, so that free spaces 50 are created for the (multi-layer) side seams 39, 40 and the fins 32 formed by them. The outer pack 10 can (alternatively) be provided with a conventional collar 73 in all embodiments ( Fig. 18 , left section / Fig. 19 , right section). The collar 73 consists in the usual manner of collar front wall 74 and collar side tabs 75. The side seams 40 or the side fins 32, in the case of an outer pack with a collar 73, lie against the side tabs 75 thereof. The formation of the cigarette groups 16 can be achieved with the arrangement of the exemplary embodiments ( FIGS. 6 to 8 ) match or be designed differently, namely accordingly Fig. 19 .

The foil blocks 71, 72, preferably in the form of sealing blocks, are connected to one another according to an innovative feature. In the present case, this connection results from a special manufacturing process. The analogous to the procedure according to FIGS. 1 to 17 Units 30 made from cigarette group 16 and tray 20 are connected in succession to a film web 62, even if they are of different sizes or designs, analogous to the illustration in FIG Fig. 9 . The film web 62 is around the with Units 30 fed in at a predetermined distance from one another are folded around in the shape of a tube, forming a connecting seam on the underside which is at the same time the transverse seam 41 of the film blocks 71, 72. The film tube is fed with the units 30 to the separating and sealing unit 80, which applies the transversely directed sealing seams and produces double blocks 76 from two film blocks 71, 72 ( Fig. 20 ). These have side seams 39, 40 in the embodiment described and form a film connection 77 made of side seams 39, 40, which, however, are not separated from one another.

The film connection 77 is created in the region of the separating and sealing unit 80 by a correspondingly designed sealing element which produces the side seams 39, 40 assigned to the film blocks 71 by sealing the film tube, without the one in connection with Fig. 9 to carry out the separation described. Instead of a severing cut, a line of weakness in the film material is created in the area of the film connection 77, in particular a perforation line 78. This is approximately in the middle between the adjacent sealing seams 39, 40.

The double block 76 produced in the area of the unit 80 is processed further in such a way that the outer side seams 39, 40 are folded over against the inner side walls 36, preferably after a fin strip 79 on the edge has been severed.

The foil connection 77 is processed in a special way, namely folded in a V-shape, in such a way that the free areas of the foil connection 77, i.e. essentially the adjacent side seams 30, 40, are erected and as a folded construct ( Fig. 19 ) lie between the side walls of the film blocks 71, 72. The position of the folded, multi-layer film connection 77 on the one hand and the overlap area of the preferably shown in FIG Fig. 8 The tray side tabs 24, 25 formed and arranged are matched to one another in such a way that the folded areas of the film connection 77 are positioned in the free space 50 created by the cover of the side tabs ( Fig. 19 ). The line of perforations 78 ensures a relatively sharp fold line.

During production, a separating and sealing unit 80 is preferably used, which is designed with different sealing jaws, namely on the one hand with sealing jaws 81, which have a continuous separating knife 82 and perform the separating cut to form a double block unit 76, with the simultaneous attachment of the outer side seams 39, 40. The other sealing jaw 83 is provided with a perforation knife 84 which - while the side seams 39, 40 in the area of the film connection 77 - produces the perforation line 78.

The double blocks 76 are then transported along a folding path 85. This is preferably directed transversely to the conveyor track in the area of the separating and sealing station. The double blocks 76 with foil blocks 71, 72 arranged at a distance from one another are accordingly transported with the cigarettes aligned in the conveying direction, preferably with the inner bottom wall 38 lying at the front in the conveying direction.

In the area of the folding path 85, the film connections 77 between the film blocks 71, 72 are folded during transport, namely correspondingly Fig. 22 erected in a V-shape, the two film blocks 71, 72 being moved analogously while reducing the distance from one another. The folding members preferably consist of interacting shaping lower and upper rails, in particular of two upper rails 86, 87 arranged at a distance from one another and of a lower rail 88 (partially) located between these. The folding rails 86, 87, 88 are coordinated so that during During transport, the film connection 77 is brought from the stretched starting position into a V-shaped erect shape, whereby in the final phase the legs of the film connection 77, i.e. the adjacent side seams 39, 40, are pushed against each other by transverse displacement ( Fig. 19 ) to be brought. The molding rails 86, 87, 88 are provided with shaping edges directed downwards or upwards, in particular with conical or acute-angled edge areas ( Fig. 22 ).

The so far prepared film blocks 71, 72 in the embodiment as a double block 76 are then fed to a sealing unit 89 with lateral Sealing elements in the form of rotatable sealing wheels 90 for producing a (second) sealing seam immediately adjacent to the inner side walls 36 of the film blocks 71, 72.

This is followed by a cutting station 91 for severing the lateral fin strip 79 by means of preferably rotating knife disks.

During the transport of the packs following the folding members (86, 87, 88) for the film connection 77, measures for tightening the film covering for the sealing block or for the double block 76 are provided. Lateral, stationary pressure elements, in the present case in the form of two interacting round rails 93, 94, are advantageous. These are effective on both sides of the movement path of the sealing blocks or double blocks 76 in the area of the outer inner side walls 36. The stationary round rails 93, 94 extending in the conveying direction are arranged in such a way that the laterally directed, outer fins 32 of the side seams 39, 40 are received between the round rails 93, 94 in a correspondingly dimensioned gap. The round rails 93, 94 are also arranged so that they have a close contact with the laterally directed inner side walls 36, possibly with increasing reduction in the distance between the opposing pairs of round rails 93, 94. The arrangement and mode of action of these organs achieves that, on the one hand, the film of the sealing blocks is tightened or stretched in the transverse direction. Furthermore, the film blocks 71, 72 are pressed together so that they lie very close to one another when the double blocks 76 come into the region of the (second) sealing unit 89.

The double blocks 76 ready for packaging are fed to a packaging station 92 in order to introduce the double blocks 76 - possibly with a collar 73 - into a partially folded blank of an outer pack 10 that is kept ready.

When producing packs with different film blocks 71, 72 as part of the double block 76, in particular with film blocks 71, 72 of different widths, the procedure for producing the double blocks 76 is analogous to the method described. The units 30 off Cigarette group 16 and tray 20 are combined with the continuous film web to form a film tube. By using servomotors to actuate folding and sealing members, film blocks 71, 72 of different widths can be produced as part of a double block 76 as a result of corresponding movement sequences (acceleration or deceleration of the folding or sealing tools).

The foil blocks 71, 72 are designed as a sealing block analogous to the embodiment according to FIG FIGS. 1 to 17 formed, in particular with an opening aid for each film block 71, 72. This consists in the usual way of a removal opening 43 and an actuating tab 42 covering this in the closed position. List of reference symbols 10 Outer packing 54 Gusset 11 Inner packing 55 Recess 12 Box part 56 Oblique fold line 13 cover 57 Oblique fold line 14th Line joint 58 deepening 15th Foil wrapping 59 Box front wall 16 Cigarette group 60 Closing edge 17th Cigarette 61 Wrapping station 18th Transverse row 62 Film web 19th Intermediate row 63 Sealing station 20th Tray 64 Separating and sealing station 21st Tray front wall 65 Sealing jaw 22nd Tray bottom wall 66 Folding organ 23 Tray back wall 67 Box side wall 24 Tray side flaps 68 Lid side wall 25th Tray side flaps 69 Box side flaps 26th Tray side wall 70 Lid side tabs 27 Longitudinal fold line 71 Foil block 28 Cross fold line 72 Foil block 29 Corner flaps 73 collar 30th unit 74 Collar front wall 31 Glue point 75 Collar side flaps 32 fin 76 Double block 33 Glue nozzle 77 Foil connection 34 Inside front wall 78 Perforation line 35 Inside rear wall 79 Fin strips 36 Inside sidewall 80 Separating and sealing unit 37 Inside front wall 81 Sealing jaw 38 Inside bottom wall 82 Cutting knife 39 Side seam 83 Sealing jaw 40 Side seam 84 Perforation knife 41 Cross seam 85 Folding track 42 Actuation tab 86 Head rail 43 Removal opening 87 Head rail 44 Opening tab 88 Lower rail 45 Actuating leg 89 Sealing unit 46 Lid front wall 90 Seal wheel 47 Connecting leg 91 Cutting station 48 Glue point 92 Projection station 49 Mounting leg 93 Round rail 50 free space 94 Round rail 51 Glue point 52 Mounting leg 53 bevel

Claims (6)

1. Pack for cigarettes (17), comprising a sheet-material pack in the form of an inner pack (11), in particular configured in the form of a sealed pack, having upright closure or sealing seams, referred to hereinbelow as side seams (39, 40), arranged in the region of (inner) side walls (36), and having an outer pack (10) configured in the form of a hinge-lid box with a box part (12) and lid (13), wherein the cigarettes (17) formed as a cigarette group (16) are at least partially enclosed within the inner pack (11) by a retaining or supporting means, referred to hereinbelow as a tray (20), the pack having the following further features:

   a) the side seams (39, 40) are designed in the form of fin seams with fins (32) and are folded over against a respectively associated inner side wall (36) of the inner pack (11),

   b) the fins (32) of the side seams (39, 40) have a reduced width, and are dimensioned in particular with a width which is smaller than half the width of the inner side wall (36),

   c) the fins (32) of the side seams (39, 40) are folded over towards the front side - towards the inner front wall (34),

   d) the side seams (39, 40) or the fins (32) thereof butt directly against side walls of the outer pack (10), that is to say against box side walls (67) and against lid side walls (68), to be precise over the full length and/or height on account of the outer pack (10) having no collar,
   characterized in that

   e) the tray (20), which is arranged within the inner pack (11), is designed in the form of a cup-like tray having tray side walls (26) which extend preferably over the height and/or length of the cigarette group (16) and are made up of at least partially overlapping tray side flaps (24, 25), wherein the respectively outer tray side flap (24, 25) is designed with a reduced width such that a free space is formed outside the region of the tray side flap (24, 25) for the purpose of accommodating a correspondingly formed side seam of the inner pack (11), in particular for the purpose of accommodating a folded-over fin (32) of the side seam (39, 40).
2. Pack according to Claim 1, characterized in that, once the side seams (39, 40) have been produced, the fin (32) is reduced in width by virtue of a peripheral strip being cut off.
3. Pack according to Claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the reduced-width, outer tray side flap (25) is connected to the tray rear wall (23) such that the against the inner tray side flap (24), which is connected to the tray front wall (21), delimits a free space for the purpose of accommodating the fin (32) of a side seam (39, 40) which is folded towards the front side of the pack or of the tray (20).
4. Pack according to Claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized by the following features:

   a) a tray front wall (21) or a tray rear wall (23) is provided with an aperture (55) in the region of the transverse seam (41) of the inner pack (11),

   b) the aperture (55) is of greater width and/or height than the corresponding dimensioning of the transverse seam (41) or of the fin (32), and this therefore results in the formation of a correspondingly enlarged free space for the purpose of accommodating the fin (32),

   c) the outer tray side flap (24, 25) of reduced width is fitted on that tray wall, that is to say the tray front wall (21) or tray rear wall (23), which has the aperture (55) for the transverse seam (41).
5. Pack according to Claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized by the following features:

   a) in the region of the tray front wall (21) or in the region of the tray rear wall (23), the tray (20) is formed with contoured, upright edges, in particular with oblique edges which are delimited by in each case two parallel oblique folding lines (56, 57),

   b) the oblique edges (56, 57) are provided on that tray wall, that is to say the tray front wall (21) or tray rear wall (23), which has deflections of the fin (32) of the transverse seam (41).
6. Pack according to Claim 5 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the oblique edges (56, 57) are provided on the tray rear wall (23) - as a transition to the tray side flaps (25) - where a transverse seam (41) which is provided essentially in the region of the inner front wall (34) has its ends folded into abutment against the inner rear wall (35).

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