EP3508440B1 - Package for cigarettes - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to packs for cigarettes having the features of the preamble of claim 1.

Sealing packs for cigarettes consist of a sealing block as an inner pack and an outer pack, in particular in the form of a hinged box. The sealing block is provided with an opening aid, in which a reusable closure flap, fixed with a suitable adhesive, can be pulled into the open position and then brought back into the closed position. In the open position, a removal opening of the sealing block is exposed.

Packs are also already known in which the closure flap is fixed with an actuating tab on the inside of a lid - lid front wall - of a hinged box. When the lid of the outer pack is opened, the closure flap is accordingly moved (automatically) into the open position. When the lid is closed, the locking position is also created ( WO 2013/120913 ).

In the WO 02/079051 A1 shows a dimensionally stable, cup-shaped inner part for cigarettes produced in a complex deep-drawing process, the removal opening of which is covered by a closure label.

It is the object of the invention to further develop and improve the technology with regard to the structure, functionality and production of sealing packs for cigarettes, in particular with regard to the structure of the opening aid.

To achieve this object, the pack according to the invention is designed with the features of claim 1.

A special feature of the innovation is that the removal opening is not created when the pack is opened for the first time by removing an opening piece or an opening tab of the sealing block. Rather, the sealing block is provided with a prefabricated removal opening. If the sealing block is made from a foil blank, this is preferably attached in the area of a (continuous) foil web for the production of blanks for the sealing block, specifically by cutting or punching in a position that corresponds to the position according to the package.

The opening or removal opening is (completely) covered by a closure flap. Overlapping edges are connected to an edge of the film surrounding the opening by means of permanent adhesive, preferably Pressure Sensitive Adhesives (PSA adhesive). Preferably, the closure tab is also attached in the correct position in the area of the film web, alternatively before or after the (removal) opening is made. A method is particularly advantageous in which first the closure flap is attached to the film web in the correct position for the pack and then an opening forming the removal opening of the pack is produced in the area of the closure flap by punching or by laser.

According to a further (independent) invention, the opening aid for the sealing block is integrated into the (laminate) film consisting of at least two layers or individual films. Of the layers or foils that are predominantly connected to one another over the entire surface (by glue), one layer or individual foil (on the outside of the foil block) forms a closure flap, the other (inner) layer or individual foil forms the removal opening. In particular, an opening tab is formed by corresponding punching in the area of the inner layer or individual film, which, due to the connection with the closing tab of the other individual film, is brought into an open position when the opening aid is actuated and thus creates or releases the removal opening. A special feature of this design is the selected positioning of glue fields, in particular in a U-shaped surface structure, for the (releasable) connection of elements of the opening aid to one another.

A special feature of the opening aid is that an end or edge grip or actuation tab, which preferably extends over the full width of the closure tab, is free of adhesive and preferably has a single layer. The actuating tab is fixed in particular by means of a glue connection on the inside of a lid front wall of a hinged box, so that when the lid is opened the closing tab moves into an open position.

Fig. 1

einen Folienblock bzw. Dichtblock mit Zigaretten in perspektivischer Darstellung,

Fig. 2

eine komplette (Zigaretten-)Packung in geöffneter Stellung, ebenfalls in Perspektive,

Fig. 3

einen stirnseitigen Teilbereich der Packung gemäß Fig. 2 im Vertikalschnitt III-III, bei vergrößertem Maßstab,

Fig. 4

eine Darstellung analog Fig. 3 für ein anderes Ausführungsbeispiel,

Fig. 5

einen ausgebreiteten Zuschnitt für einen Folienblock gemäß Fig. 1 in der Ausführung gemäß Fig. 4,

Fig. 6

einen Querschnitt VI-VI des Zuschnitts in Fig. 5, bei vergrößertem Maßstab,

Fig. 7

einen Zigaretten-(Dicht-)Block einer anderen Ausführungsform in Perspektive,

Fig. 8

eine (Zigaretten-)Packung mit Klappschachtel in geöffneter Stellung in perspektivischer Darstellung,

Fig. 9

einen Zuschnitt für eine Innen-Packung bzw. einen Folienblock in der Ausführung gemäß Fig. 7,

Fig. 10

einen Querschnitt X-X des Zuschnitts gemäß Fig. 9, in vergrößertem Maßstab,

Fig. 11

eine weitere Ausführungsform einer (Zigaretten-)Packung bei geöffnetem Deckel einer Außenpackung in Perspektive,

Fig. 12

einen Vertikalschnitt eines deckelseitigen Bereichs der Packung gemäß Fig. 11 in der Schnittebene XII-XII in vergrößertem Maßstab,

Fig. 13

einen Zuschnitt für eine Innenpackung bzw. einen Folienblock in der Ausführung gemäß Fig. 11, Fig. 12,

Fig. 14

einen Querschnitt XIV-XIV durch den Zuschnitt gemäß Fig. 13 in vergrößertem Maßstab,

Fig. 15

einen Ausschnitt einer Einrichtung zum Fertigen von Folienbahnen für die Herstellung von Zuschnitten gemäß Fig. 5 in perspektivischer Darstellung,

Fig. 16

einen Ausschnitt analog Fig. 15 mit einer Fertigungsalternative,

Fig. 17

einen Ausschnitt einer Fertigungseinrichtung für Zuschnitte mit den Merkmalen der Fig. 4,

Fig. 18

eine weitere Ausführung einer Einrichtung zum Vorbereiten von Folienbahnen in schematischer Seitenansicht,

Fig. 19

einen Ausschnitt XIX der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 18 in vergrößertem Maßstab.

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

Fig. 1

a film block or sealing block with cigarettes in a perspective view,

Fig. 2

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

Fig. 3

a front portion of the pack according to Fig. 2 in vertical section III-III, on an enlarged scale,

Fig. 4

a representation analog Fig. 3 for another embodiment,

Fig. 5

an expanded blank for a film block according to Fig. 1 in the execution according to Fig. 4 ,

Fig. 6

a cross-section VI-VI of the blank in Fig. 5 , on a larger scale,

Fig. 7

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

Fig. 8

a (cigarette) pack with a hinged box in the open position in a perspective view,

Fig. 9

a blank for an inner pack or a film block in the embodiment according to Fig. 7 ,

Fig. 10

a cross-section XX of the blank according to Fig. 9 , on a larger scale,

Fig. 11

a further embodiment of a (cigarette) pack with the lid of an outer pack open in perspective,

Fig. 12

a vertical section of a lid-side area of the pack according to FIG Fig. 11 in the section plane XII-XII on an enlarged scale,

Fig. 13

a blank for an inner pack or a film block in the embodiment according to Fig. 11, Fig. 12 ,

Fig. 14

a cross-section XIV-XIV through the cut according to Fig. 13 on a larger scale,

Fig. 15

a section of a device for the production of film webs for the production of blanks according to Fig. 5 in perspective view,

Fig. 16

a section analog Fig. 15 with a manufacturing alternative,

Fig. 17

a section of a production facility for blanks with the features of Fig. 4 ,

Fig. 18

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

Fig. 19

a section XIX of the device according to Fig. 18 on a larger scale.

The exemplary embodiments of the drawings deal with the design of packs for cigarettes 10. A formed cigarette group, namely consisting of (several) rows, is the content of an inner pack, namely a sealing block 11 designed as a film block.

In the present case, this consists of a blank 12 made of foil, namely a moisture-proof and aroma-proof foil. The group of cigarettes 10 is preferably complete, i.e. H. on all sides, enveloped by the blank, thus forms 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. The blank 12 is formed in this way or around the group of the cigarettes 10 folded around so that the inner end wall 17 is free of folds, that is to say forms a continuously closed wall. An opening aid 18 is attached in this area, which enables easy, in particular automatic, access to the contents of the pack. For this purpose, the film block 11 forms a removal opening 19 in the frontal area. The removal opening 19 preferably extends in the area of the inner front wall 17 and an adjoining, frontal section of the inner front wall 13. The removal opening 19 is preferably arranged in the center, with a (significantly) smaller width than the film block 11.

The removal opening 19 is - when the pack is closed - covered by a closure means, in particular a closure flap 20. This preferably completely covers the removal opening 19 and preferably forms a strip-shaped overhang with longitudinal strips 21 and transverse strips 22 all around. An anchoring strip 23 is permanently connected to the film block 11 , in particular as the legs of the closure flap 20 in the area of the inner rear wall 14. The aforementioned edge strips 21, 22, 23 are bonded to the film block 11, each in an edge strip surrounding the removal opening 19. At least the longitudinal strips 21 and the transverse strips 22 are fixed with detachable and multi-acting adhesive, in particular PSA adhesive.

The closure tab 20 is provided with a grip or actuation tab 24 in one end area, namely in the area of a leg protruding into the inner front wall 13. This is glue-free at least on the side facing the inner front wall 13 and can thus be detected. The actuation tab 24 preferably extends over the full width of the closure tab 20 as an edge strip thereof.

A special feature is that the actuating tab 24 in the exemplary embodiments shown is connected to a movable part of an outer pack 25. The outer pack is here a hinged box with a box part 26 and a lid 27. This is pivotably connected to the box part 26 in the area of a box rear wall 28 with a lid rear wall 29 via a line hinge 30.

The closure flap 20 is connected to the cover 27 in such a way that when it is opened, the closure flap 20 also moves into the open position ( Fig. 3, Fig. 4 ). For this purpose, the actuating tab 24 of the closing tab 20 is connected to the cover, namely to a cover front wall 31. In particular by glue or by a glue strip 32 extending in the longitudinal direction of the actuating tab 24. This is attached to the outside of the actuating tab 24. During the manufacture of the pack or when the film block 11 is inserted into the outer pack 25, the connection to the actuating tab 24 is established via the glue strip 32 in the closed position of the lid 27. A lid inner tab 33 is preferably attached to the inside of the lid front wall 31. The actuating tab 24 is (permanently) connected to this. When the cover 27 is closed, the locking tab 20 also returns to the closed position ( Fig. 1 ) back.

The film block 11 or sealing block is according to Fig. 1 formed with an envelope fold in the area of the inner side walls 15. Folding flaps that overlap one another, preferably as envelope folds, are also formed in the area of the bottom wall 16. The folding flaps are tightly connected to one another by thermal sealing. Furthermore, a support member is arranged within the film block 11, in particular a tray 34 of known design, preferably with a front wall, side tabs and bottom wall.

A special feature is that the removal opening 19 is at least partially free, that is, without the during the preparation of the blank 12 in the area of Withdrawal opening 19 lying opening tab 35. This is part of the film in the area of withdrawal opening 19. In the embodiment according to FIG FIGS. 1 to 3 the opening tab 35 is completely eliminated. The blank is accordingly provided with a recess which forms the removal opening 19 in the finished pack - film block 11. For this purpose, in the area of the unfolded blank, preferably in the area of a continuous film web 36 for producing the blanks 12, a punching precisely aligned with the design of the film block 11 is made, specifically in the embodiment of FIG Figs. 1 to 3 a punching closed around the ring, which leads to an essentially rectangular recess corresponding to the removal opening 19, in particular with slightly converging edges - towards the actuating tab 24. The opening flap 35 is therefore produced as a cut part and is eliminated.

Alternatively ( Fig. 4 , Fig. 5, Fig. 6 ) a U-shaped punch is made in the blank 12 or the film web 36 to form an opening. The resulting opening flap 35 remains in connection with the blank 12 along an edge 37. The opening flap 35 is here folded out of the area of the removal opening 19 and placed against a wall of the film block 11, in the present case ( Fig. 4 , Fig. 5 ) to the inside of the inner rear wall 14. Here, too, a free opening is formed as a removal opening 19. The opening tab 35 is preferably connected to the wall of the film block 11, in particular by gluing and / or by thermal sealing, in the present case with two sealing strips 38 .

An (independent) special 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 in particular from FIG Fig. 5 As can be seen, the closure flap 20 is provided with a frame-like pattern of glue surrounding the removal opening 19. This can be attached to the closure tab 20 (consisting of a separate blank) and / or to the blank 12 during manufacture.

The glue pattern (preferably PSA adhesive), in particular with longitudinal strips 21, transverse strips 22 and anchoring strips 23, is designed with different adhesive effects, depending on the stresses when opening and closing the film block 11 remaining sections of the glue pattern. In the present case, the starting legs 39 of the longitudinal strips 21 are also designed with a lower adhesive effect, so that in particular the initiation of the opening process for the closure flap 20 is facilitated. The other parts of the glue pattern, namely the longitudinal strips 21 and the transverse strips 22, are designed with a higher holding force, preferably with the same holding force throughout. Alternatively, the anchoring strip 23 can be designed with a further increased holding force in order to ensure the permanent fixation of the opening tab 20 on the film block 11.

The different holding or connecting effects of the areas of the glue pattern can be brought about by appropriate selection of different types of glue and / or 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 configuration of the glue connection of the closure flap 20 with the film block 11 can also be used accordingly in conventional (sealing) packs and packs FIGS. 11 to 14 be applied. The conventional packs mentioned can be those in which the opening tab 35 remains in the starting position and is connected to the closure tab 20.

In the case of 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. FIGS. 7 to 10 deals with an alternative with regard to the design of the opening aid 18, but also with regard to the design of the film block 11. In the area of the inner side walls 15, this has connecting seams in the form of a fin seam. Furthermore, the inner bottom wall 16 is free of folds here. A transverse seam 40 is located in the area 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 in such a way that the blank 12 ( Fig. 9 ) a free removal opening 19 all around. Accordingly - in the area of the film web 36 - a complete punching is made with the creation of a (removal) opening 19. The opening flap 35 thus created is disposed of as a piece of waste. A free opening remains, in particular with opening edges that converge towards the side of the actuating tab 24.

In the exemplary embodiments with a closure flap 20 made from a separate blank, the (PSA) adhesive is preferably attached to the inside of the closure flap 20. A glue pattern is preferably created in the form of a closed frame with the legs or strips 21, 22, 23. A central area the closure flap 20 is glue-free and is preferably provided with printing 61. The glue fields or strips are set back slightly with respect to the (removal) opening 19, so that a narrow, glue-free strip is created, preferably around 1.5 mm wide.

In the area of a glue-free part of the closure flap 20, namely in the area of the actuation flap 24, the glue patterns are attached to connect the actuation flap 24 to the inside of the cover front wall 31. Two alternatives are shown: A closed, continuous strip of glue 32 can be attached . Alternatively, there is a number of glue dots 41 lying next to one another.

A special design with regard to the sealing block or film block 11 and in particular in the area of the opening aid 18 is shown in FIG FIGS. 11 to 13 shown. The film for the film block 11 is multi-layered and consists in particular of two layers or individual films 42 and 43 ( Fig. 14 ). These layers or foils 42, 43 are - predominantly - connected to one another over their entire surface by a glue layer 44 of preferably non-detachable glue, so that in this area the individual foils 42, 43 form a non-separable foil unit.

Preferably, at least one of the individual foils 42, 43, in this case the inner individual foil 43, is designed as aroma- and moisture-proof, preferably by a (metallic) barrier layer 45 applied by vapor deposition. This lies within the multilayer foil. The glue layer 44 accordingly connects the individual foils 42, 43 in the area of the barrier layer 45.

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

The closure flap 20 is formed by the individual film 42 on the outside. The inner individual film 43 is processed in such a way that it forms either an opening made during manufacture as a removal opening 19 or an opening tab or an opening tab 35 that can be detached with the aid of the closure tab 20 during the opening process. As shown, this is connected to the closure flap 20 by preferably full-surface gluing (on the inside).

The opening aid 18 is in this pack in the area of the blank 12 ( Fig. 13 ), but preferably during the production of the (multi-layer) film - film web 36 - produced by the targeted application of different types of glue, through the formation of glue-free areas between the individual films 42, 43 and through targeted application of dividing lines in the individual layers 42, 43 .

The attachment of the opening aid 18 is integrated into the manufacturing process of the film or the film web 36. When the layers or individual films 42, 43 are joined together, areas are preferably left out 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 films 42, 43 is provided with detachable glue (PSA adhesive), analogous to the embodiment described for the formation of longitudinal strips 21, transverse strips 22. Alternatively, a partial or full coating with glue to be appropriate. Furthermore, a - strip-shaped, rectangular - free zone 46 is created with regard to the application of the glue layer 44. There is no glue in this area, that is, neither the glue layer 44 nor the (PSA) glue of the opening aid 18. The grip or actuation tab 24 is located here.

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

The outer contour of the closure flap 20 consists of a preferably continuous, i.e. uninterrupted, essentially U-shaped cutting line 47 (only) in the area of the outer layer, i.e. the individual film 42. This cutting line extends with preferably approximately parallel legs in the area of the inner end wall 17 (at least partially) and an adjoining, frontal area of the inner front wall 13. In the embodiment of FIG Fig. 13 the cutting line 47 runs with an end piece in the area of the inner rear wall 14. A transversely directed leg extends in the inner front wall 13 and delimits the actuating tab 24. The cutting line 47 defines the outer contour of the closing tab 20.

The inner individual film 43 forms the removal opening 19 by removing the opening flap formed by the individual film 43, which in the present example is connected to the closure flap 20, preferably by the correspondingly arranged Glue layer 44. The contour of the opening flap 35 is determined by a preferably also approximately U-shaped weakening line 48, which is limited to the individual film 43 (including the thin barrier layer 45) by using appropriate technologies (laser). The weakening line 48 can be designed as a perforation - with residual connections -, but preferably as a continuous cutting 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 hand - in the region of the inner rear wall 14 - end adjacent to one another.

The glue pattern of the opening aid 18, i.e. the U-shaped glue pattern with longitudinal strips 21 and transverse strips 22, is as described with regard to the glue thickness ( Fig. 5 ) educated. The glue strips 21, 22 are dimensioned so that the cutting line 47 and the weakening line 48 - the latter completely - lie in the area of the glue pattern 21, 22, of course with the exception of the contour for the actuating tab 24. The glue field is preferably made of PSA adhesive, such as out Figures 13 and 14 can be seen, slightly wider than the distance between the cutting lines 47 and weakening lines 48, so that the separating lines are covered by the releasable adhesive in this area.

The opening aid formed in this way can be actuated by hand (by grasping the actuating tab 24). In the present example, the actuating tab 24 is connected in the manner described to the inside of the lid 27 of an outer pack 25 designed as a hinged box, so that automatic opening and closing is ensured. Like in particular from Fig. 12 As can be seen, during the opening process in the area of the removal opening 19 to be produced, the (multi-layer) film is completely separated from the composite.

The outer packs 25 are preferably designed as hard packs, in particular as a hinged 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-side recess 50 which is delimited in the area of the front side by lateral collar webs 51. The recess 50 - between the collar webs 51 - is preferably designed in such a way that it extends as far as a closing edge 52 of the pack or of the box part 26. The closure tab 20 and in particular the actuation tab 24 are located in this area - between the collar webs 51.

In the case of packs with a fixation of the actuating tab 24 of the opening aid 18 on the inside of the cover front wall 31, preferably after completion of the Pack exerted a contact pressure on the outside of the lid front wall 31, preferably in the area of a device (in particular drying turret). The pressure is transmitted in a targeted manner to the cover front wall 31 in the area of the connection with the actuating tab 24 - with the cover 27 closed - by means of a special pressure piece. In the case of a pack with a collar 49 in the area between the collar webs 51, it is possible to use an inner lid tab 33 as the outer pack 25 of the hinged boxes, which preferably extends over the full (transverse) dimension of the front lid wall 31. A certain deformation of the cover front wall 31 is canceled by the restoring forces of the material after the end of the pressure load.

The opening aid is preferably produced completely in the area 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 , that is, with the opening tab 35 hanging on the blank 12 Fig. 15 What remains is a shortened (residual) connection between the tab 35 formed by the punching 53 and the film web 36, i.e. a shortened edge 37. The opening tab 35 is grasped during the transport of the film web 35, lifted off and folded over until it rests on the film web outside of the area the created removal opening 19. For this purpose, in the area of a deflection - deflection roller 54 - is raised with respect to a front edge. The opening flap 35 can now be grasped by a lifting member, in the present case by a (curved) tapering lifting rail 55. The flap 35 is lifted and finally folded over by the transport of the film web 36. The precisely positioned removal opening 19 is thereby created in the area of the web.

Subsequently - in the area of a vertical transport section of the film web 36 - the closure flap 20 is applied to the film web 36 in the region of the removal opening 19 with exact alignment. The closure tab 20 is pressed as a separate blank by a carrier web 56 in the area of an acute-angled deflection on the film web 36, specifically on the (outer) side of the film web opposite to the tab 35. The film web 35 then arrives in the area of a separating station 57. Here, the blanks 12 are separated from the web 36 one after the other by transversely directed separating knives 58. Alternatively, the film web 36 can be folded around a sequence of cigarette groups to form a continuous, tubular envelope, from which packs - film block 11 - are separated by cross-section (in particular in connection with a sealed seam), in particular in the from WO 2014/195016 removable way.

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 monitoring devices. For example, sensors, in particular optoelectronic sensors 59, are preferably positioned in the area of the vertical transport path of the film web 36 in the area of a control station. These sensors 59 are designed in such a way that they detect the presence of the (removal) opening 19, both with regard to the correct relative position and with regard to the correct design (dimensions, contour). After passing 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) test station with sensors 60 is installed on both sides of the web 36. These (electro-optical) sensors also recognize the presence of the closure tab 20 in the correct relative position. The free side of the closure flap 20 is preferably provided with an imprint 61, namely on the inside of the closure flap 20, with advertising and / or informational information 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, it is a rotatable sealing wheel with several (parallel) sealing jaws 64 arranged along the circumference. This element can also be controlled by the sensors 59 if necessary.

The execution according to Fig. 16 differs from the above exemplary embodiment in that the closure tabs 20 are already attached to the web 36 in a forward transfer station - in the area of the punching 53, which in particular is attached first. Then the process already described for lifting the opening flap 35 and turning over this flap 35 takes place Fig. 16 Control organs (sensors) assigned, which in particular check the presence and correct design of the opening 19 and the presence of the closure flap 20.

The device according to Fig. 17 is designed so that the opening flap 35 is removed so that a (removal) opening 19 that is free on all sides is created. For this purpose, a punching unit 65 is preferably provided in the area 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 designed as an approximately rectangular knife which is closed all around and which makes a corresponding opening 19 in the web 36 in a precisely positioned manner.

Then the track is diverted. In the area of a vertical conveyor section, testing or control elements of the described embodiment are positioned, as well as a transfer station for attaching the closure flap 20 in the area of the openings 19. The pieces of material corresponding to the opening 19 created in the punching station by the punching unit 65 are removed, in this case by a Collecting funnel 69, in particular with a suction effect.

A special production technology for preparing the film web 36 for producing blanks of the film packs is shown in FIG Fig. 18 and Fig. 19 shown. The (sealing) film web 36 is preferably moved along upright and transversely directed transport paths. A first (upright) track section 70 is provided for an upward movement of the track 36. This is deflected via deflection rollers 71, 72 into a preferably horizontal path section 73 and then back into a preferably downwardly directed path section 74. The closure flap 20 is preferably fed to the vertical web section 70 and applied to the film web 36 in the correct packaging, specifically preferably on the outer or upper side of the web. A special punching unit 65 with a punching roller 66, which preferably acts below the (horizontal) film web 36, is preferably located in the area of the horizontal web section 73. A counter roll 68 is mounted above the web 36.

The blanks of the closure flaps 20 are preferably arranged close to one another on a continuous carrier web 56. This is drawn off from a reel 75. The carrier web 56 is fed to a transfer station 76. In their area, the removal of the closure tabs 20 from the carrier web 56 and the precise transfer to the film web 36 takes place. For this purpose, the carrier web 56 is guided around an acute-angled deflection element 77, whereby the closure tab 20 adhering adhesively to the carrier web 56 is peeled off and attached to the Transfer film web 36 running at an acute angle to one leg of the carrier web 56. The locking tab 20 is fixed in the exact position by a pressure roller 78. Opposite the pressure roller 78 is a counter element, in the present case a support plate 79.

In the subsequent punching or separating station or in the punching unit 65, a preferably closed separating line is attached to the free (lower) side of the film web 36 in the area of the respective closure flap 20, preferably by punching, the piece of film corresponding to the opening (removal opening 19) - Opening flap 35 - separates out. The punching unit 65 is precisely controlled in such a way that the opening is produced in precise alignment with the closure flap 20 outside of the gluing, specifically 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, that is, corresponding groups of punching knives 80. These are preferably designed as a closed knife frame to create a closed dividing line in the film web 36.

The opening flap 35 is removed by suction. The punching roller 66 is preferably provided with suction bores 81 in the region of the punching knives 80. These (several) suction bores lie within the surface area of the opening flap 35, so that when it is acted upon by negative pressure, it is fixed on the circumference of the punching roller 66 and is carried along when the same is rotated. The opening flap 35 is released by venting and can be disposed of.

A special measure is provided for this: A suction unit 82 is located on the underside of the punching roller 66 or below it. The suction bores 81 of the punching roller 66 are preferably controlled in such a way that a switchover to compressed air takes place in the lower area of the rotary movement. Accordingly, compressed air is transmitted via the suction bores 81, which leads to the opening flap 35 being lifted off and transferred to the suction unit 82. This is done by the piece of film 35 in a suction channel 83.

The film web prepared in this way is fed in the manner described to a separating station for producing the blanks or film packs.

The carrier web 56 freed from the closure flaps 20 is returned and taken up by a collecting reel 84. The carrier web 56 is driven in this Area without closure tabs 20 by a drive roller 85. The carrier web 56 is accordingly pulled over the deflection element 77.

Monitoring or control organs are important for correct positioning of the closure flap 20 and / or opening 19 in the preferably continuously driven film web 36. First, the positionally accurate transfer of the closure flap from the carrier web 56 to the film web 36 is monitored by sensors (not shown) and controlled, preferably in connection with print marks on the film web 36. Then, with continued (continuous) transport of the film web 36, a first (optoelectronic) sensor 86 becomes effective, preferably in the area of the upright web section 17, namely on the side of the arrangement of the closure flap 20 The sensor 86 is arranged and effective in such a way that at least one preferably transversely directed edge of the closure tab 20 is detected. A signal for the control of the punching unit 65 is derived from this, namely with regard to a precise application of the dividing line for the production of the opening 19.

A further sensor 87 is effective following the punching unit 65, namely on the inside of the film web 36 - preferably in the area of the downwardly directed web section 74 - to detect the punched-out or opening formed. This sensor 87 also detects the presence of the closure flap 20 in an exact position relative to the (removal) opening 19. For this purpose, the free inside of the closure flap 20 is provided with markings and / or colorations that enable rapid, reliable detection by the sensor 87 ensure the differently designed film web 36. <b> List of reference symbols: </b> 10 Cigarette 49 collar 11 Foil block 50 Recess 12th Cutting 51 Collar band 13th Inside front wall 52 Closing edge 14th Inside rear wall 53 Punching 15th Inside sidewall 54 Deflection roller 16 Inside bottom wall 55 Lifting rail 17th Inside front wall 56 Carrier web 18th Opening aid 57 Separation station 19th Removal opening 58 Cutting knife 20th Locking tab 59 sensor 21 Longitudinal stripes 60 sensor 22nd Horizontal stripes 61 Oppression 23 Anchoring strips 62 Print mark 24 Actuation tab 63 Sealing organ 25th Outer packing 64 Sealing jaw 26th Box part 65 Punching unit 27 cover 66 Punching roller 28 Box back wall 67 Punching knife 29 Lid back panel 68 Counter roll 30th Line joint 69 Collecting funnel 31 Lid front wall 70 Track section 32 Glue strips 71 Deflection roller 33 Lid inner flap 72 Deflection roller 34 Tray 73 Track section 35 Opening flap 74 Track section 36 Film web 75 Bobbin 37 Edge 76 Transfer station 38 Sealing strips 77 Deflection element 39 Initial leg 78 Pressure roller 40 Cross seam 79 Support plate 41 Glue point 80 Punching knife 42 Single slide 81 Suction hole 43 Single slide 82 Suction unit 44 Glue layer 83 Suction duct 45 Barrier 84 Collecting bobbin 46 Free zone 85 Drive roller 47 Cutting line 86 sensor 48 Line of weakness 87 sensor

Claims (6)

1. A pack for cigarettes (10) or other smoking articles having an outer pack (25), preferably in the realization as a hinge-lid box/hinge-lid pack with a box part (26) and lid (27), as well as having an inner pack in the realization as a sealed block with a blank (12) which surrounds a cigarette group preferably on all sides, wherein the sealed block (11) comprises an opening aid (18), preferably in the end-face region of an inner front wall (13) of the sealed block (11) and at least in a part region of an inner end wall (17), wherein the opening aid (18) comprises a closure means, namely a closure tab (20), which is preferably arranged on the outside of the sealed block and is fastened on the sealed block (11) by means of releasable adhesion and for opening the sealed block (11) is pulled at least in part away from said sealed block and, as a result, exposes a removal opening (19) at least in part, wherein the closure tab (20) covers the opening (19) completely and on all sides in the closed position, preferably with an overlapping edge or overlapping strip (21, 22, 23) which extends all around, wherein the closure tab (20) is free of adhesives in the region of the opening (19), and wherein the closure tab (20) comprises a glue-free actuating tab (24) preferably in the region of the inner front wall (13),
   characterized in that the sealed block (11) is provided with a free opening, namely a removal opening, which is produced during production by means of a severing process, in particular by punching or cutting.
2. The pack as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that to create the removal opening (19) a blank is provided with a removal opening (19) which is formed as a result, preferably, of punching, wherein an opening lug (35), which is created where applicable by the punching process, is completely removed or remains part of the blank (12) by means of an (edge-side) connection and as a result of folding over is moved out of the region of the removal opening (19).
3. The pack as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the opening tab (35), which is connected to the blank (12), is folded against a wall of the sealed block (11), in particular against the inside of an inner rear wall (14), wherein the opening lug (35) is fixed in the fold position, preferably as a result of thermal sealing and/or as a result of bonding.
4. The pack as claimed in claim 1 or in one of the further claims, characterized in that the gluing or the glue fields (21, 22, 23) applied in particular on the inside of the closure tab (20) for connection of the closure tab (20) to the sealed block (11) comprises regions of varying intensity or strength of adhesion, in particular in such a manner that in a region of the opening start, when the closure tab (20) is actuated, a bonding zone is realized with a comparatively weaker degree of bonding, then a region with a comparatively stronger degree of bonding and a further region (23) also with a higher degree of bonding.
5. The pack as claimed in claim 1 or in one of the further claims, characterized in that the closure tab (20) or the actuating tab thereof (24) is connected (in particular permanently) to the inside of a lid front wall (31) of the outer pack (25), preferably by means of a glue strip (32) and/or glue dots (41) on the free outside of the actuating tab (24).
6. The pack as claimed in claim 1 or in one of the further claims, characterized in that the glue-free region of the closure tab (20) is larger than the region or the surface of the opening (19), in particular forming a glue-free strip with a width of approximately 1.5 mm which runs all around and surrounds the opening (19).

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