GB2448816A

GB2448816A - Packing cigarettes in slide-open packets

Info

Publication number: GB2448816A
Application number: GB0807342A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stefano Negrini
Original assignee: GD SpA
Current assignee: GD SpA
Priority date: 2007-04-23
Filing date: 2008-04-22
Publication date: 2008-10-29
Anticipated expiration: 2028-04-22
Also published as: CN101293570B; GB0807342D0; DE102008020296A1; GB2448816B8; CN101293570A; GB2448816B; ITBO20070300A1

Abstract

A packing machine and method for producing slide-open packets (1) of cigarettes; the packing machine (28) having: a packing assembly (29), which folds a first blank (19) about a group (2) of cigarettes to form a respective inner container (4), and then folds a second blank (20) about the inner container (4) to form a respective outer container (5); at least a first gumming station (49) for applying gum spots (24, 25) to each first blank (19); at least a second gumming station (63) for applying gum spots (26, 27) to each second blank (20); and a control unit (67) which controls the gumming stations (49, 63) to produce a first gumming 15 pattern of the blanks (19, 20) to form packets (1) of cigarettes with straight slide-open containers (figure 2), or a second gumming pattern of the blanks (19, 20) to form packets (1) of cigarettes with swing-open containers (figure 5).

Description

PACKING MACHINE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING SLIDE-OPEN

PACKETS OF CIGARETTES

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a packing machine and method for producing slide-open packets of cigarettes.

BACKGROUND ART

Rigid, hinged-lid packets of cigarettes are currently the most widely marketed, by being easy to produce, practical and easy to use, and by effectively protecting the cigarettes inside.

A rigid, hinged-lid packet of cigarettes comprises a cup-shaped container having an open top end; and a cup-shaped lid hinged to the container along a hinge to rotate, with respect to the container, between an open and a closed position opening and closing the open end respectively. A rigid, hinged-lid packet of cigarettes of the above type is normally produced by folding a single flat, substantially elongated rectangular blank about a foil-wrapped group of cigarettes; in which case, the lid and container both form part of the same blank.

A U-folded collar, separate from the blank, is normally fitted inside the container, and projects partly outwards of the open end to engage a corresponding inner surface of the lid when the lid is in the closed position.

In addition to the above rigid, hinged-lid packets of cigarettes, rigid slide-open packets of cigarettes have been proposed comprising two containers, one inserted in partly removable manner inside the other. In other words, a rigid slide-open packet of cigarettes comprises a first container housing a foil-wrapped group of cigarettes, and in turn housed inside a second container to slide, with respect to the second container, between a closed position, in which the first container is inserted inside the second container, and an open position, in which the first container is expelled from the second container. The first container may be either slid straight or swung with respect to the second container, by rotating the two containers about a connecting hinge.

A number of embodiments of rigid, straight slide-open packets of cigarettes are described in FR2499947A1, US4534463A1, tJS5O8O227A1 and 1T1169163B. One embodiment of a rigid, swing-open packet of cigarettes is described in W02006021581.

Standard packing machines for producing rigid, hinged-lid packets of cigarettes are designed to fold a small collar and one blank about each group of cigarettes, and are therefore unsuitable for producing rigid slide-open packets of cigarettes, which call for folding two separate blanks -each forming a respective container -about each group of cigarettes in two successive steps.

The solution currently adopted to produce rigid slide-open packets of cigarettes is to employ two standard packing machines in series: a first folds a first blank about each group of cigarettes to form a first inner container, which is fed to a second packing machine which folds a second blank about the first inner container to form a second outer container.

Using two standard packing machines in series is both operationally and economically unfeasible, by not only doubling the cost and size, but also reducing the reliability of the machinery. By way of a solution to the problem, Patent Application W02005087595A1 proposes a cigarette packing machine specially designed to produce rigid slide-open packets of cigarettes, and on which wrapped groups of cigarettes are fed successively to a packing assembly, where they are overwrapped on two series packing wheels. A first packing wheel forms a succession of semifinished packets by folding a first blank about each wrapped group to form a rigid first container; and a second packing wheel forms a succession of finished rigid packets, each defined by at least a semifinished packet and by a rigid second outer container formed by folding a second blank.

Given the differences, however, at the present time between packing machines for producing rigid, straight slide-open and swing-open packets of cigarettes, manufacturers producing both types of packets must either install two different packing machines, thus doubling machinery cost and size, or make format changes to switch one packing machine over to the manufacture of a given type of packet. Format changes, however, are expensive, by calling for skilled labour, and, above all, by involving relatively prolonged, high-cost production hold-ups.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a packing machine and method for producing slide-open packets of cigarettes effectively and cheaply.

According to the present invention, there are provided a packing machine and method for producing slide-open packets of cigarettes, as claimed in the accompanying Claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A number of non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a front view in perspective of a rigid, straight slide-open packet of cigarettes in a closed configuration; Figure 2 shows a front view in perspective of the Figure 1. packet of cigarettes in an open configuration; Figure 3 shows an exploded view in perspective of the Figure 1 packet of cigarettes; Figure 4 shows a front view in perspective of a rigid, swing-open packet of cigarettes in a closed configuration; Figure 5 shows a front view in perspective of the Figure 4 packet of cigarettes in an open configuration; Figure 6 shows a front view, with a number of internal parts indicated by dash lines, of the Figure 4 packet of cigarettes in a closed configuration; Figure 7 shows a front view, with a number of internal parts indicated by dash lines, of the Figure 4 packet of cigarettes in an open configuration; Figure 8 shows a plan view of a first blank by which to form a first inner container of the Figure 1 and Figure 4 packets; Figure 9 shows a plan view of a second blank by which to form a second outer container of the Figure 1 and Figure 4 packets; Figure 10 shows a plan view of a variation of the second blank in Figure 9; Figure 11 shows a schematic, partial view in perspective of one embodiment of a packing machine in accordance with the present invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Number 1 in Figure 1 indicates as a whole a rigid, straight slide-open packet of cigarettes.

The Figure 1 packet 1 of cigarettes comprises a wrapped, i.e. foil-wrapped, group 2 of cigarettes (not shown); and a rigid outer package 3 made of cardboard or similar, housing the wrapped group 2, and in turn comprising a rigid inner container 4 actually housing the wrapped group 2, and a rigid outer container 5, in which inner container 4 is housed to slide straight, with respect to outer container 5, between a closed position (Figure 1), in which inner container 4 is fully inserted inside outer container 5, and an open position (Figure 2), in which inner container 4 is partly expelled from outer container 5 for direct user access to wrapped group 2.

As shown in Figure 3, inner container 4 is parallelepiped-shaped, and comprises a bottom wall 6; a top wall 7; two opposite parallel major lateral walls 8; and two parallel minor lateral walls 9a, 9b interposed between major lateral walls 8. Close to minor lateral wall 9a, top wall 7 has a withdrawal opening 10, which also extends over part of major lateral walls 8, and which, when inner container 4 is in the open position, is located outside outer container 5 to enable withdrawal of the cigarettes (not shown) from inner container 4, once group 2 is unwrapped by the user.

Close to minor lateral wall 9b, a retaining tab 1]. is cut from each major lateral wall 8, and projects outwards of inner container 4 from the edge between major lateral wall 8 and minor lateral wall 9b. Four longitudinal edges are defined between major lateral walls 8 and minor lateral walls 9, and eight transverse edges are defined between lateral walls 8, 9 and walls 6, 7.

As shown in Figure 3, outer container 5 is also parallelepiped-shaped, and comprises a bottom wall 12; a top wall 13; two opposite parallel major lateral walls 14; a minor lateral wall 15; and an opening 16 opposite minor lateral wall 15 and through which inner container 4 is fitted in sliding manner. A retaining tab 17 is connected to each major lateral wall 14, along the edge of major lateral wall 14 defining opening 16, projects inwards of outer container 5 from major lateral wall 14, and, as inner container 4 is expelled, engages a corresponding retaining tab 11 of inner container 4 to act as a limit stop and prevent detachment of inner container 4 from outer container 5. Two longitudinal edges are defined between major lateral walls 14 and minor lateral wall 15, and six transverse edges are defined between lateral walls 14, 15 and walls 12, 13.

Minor lateral wall 15 of outer container 5 has a central hole shaped and sized to allow the user to exert pressure, through minor lateral wall 15, on minor lateral wall 9b of inner container 4 to push inner container 4 into the open position.

Number 1 in Figure 4 indicates as a whole a rigid, swing-open packet of cigarettes.

The Figure 4 packet 1 of cigarettes comprises a wrapped, i.e. foil-wrapped, group 2 of cigarettes (not shown); and a rigid outer package 3 made of cardboard or similar, housing the wrapped group 2, and in turn comprising a rigid inner container 4 actually housing the wrapped group 2, and a rigid outer container 5, in which inner container 4 is housed to swing, with respect to outer container 5 and about a hinge 18, between a closed position (Figure 4), in which inner container 4 is fully inserted inside outer container 5, and an open position (Figure 5), in which inner container 4 is partly expelled from outer container 5 for direct user access to wrapped group 2.

Inner container 4 of the Figure 4 packet 1 of cigarettes is almost identical to inner container 4 of the Figure 1 packet 1 of cigarettes; and, similarly, outer container 5 of the Figure 4 packet 1 of cigarettes is almost identical to outer container 5 of the Figure 1 packet 1 of cigarettes. Hinge 18 is located between bottom wall 6 of inner container 4 and bottom wall 12 of outer container 5, i.e. connects bottom wall 6 of inner container 4 to bottom wall 12 of outer container 5.

The main difference between the Figure 1 and Figure 4 packets 1 of cigarettes lies in the inner container 4 of the Figure 4 packet 1 of cigarettes being hinged (i.e. connected) to outer container 5 at hinge 18, whereas, in the Figure 1 packet 1 of cigarettes, inner container 4 is simply inserted inside outer container 5, with no connection of any sort between the two containers 4 and 5. As a result, containers 4 and 5 of the Figure 4 packet 1 of cigarettes swing with respect to each other about hinge 18, whereas containers 4 and 5 of the Figure 1 packet 1 of cigarettes slide straight with respect to each other.

In the Figure 1-7 embodiments, the longitudinal and transverse edges of containers 4 and 5 are all square.

In a different embodiment not shown, the longitudinal edges of containers 4 and 5 are non-square rounded or bevelled edges.

In other embodiments not shown, at least some of the longitudinal edges of containers 4 and 5 are rounded or bevelled, or at least some of the transverse edges of containers 4 and 5 are rounded or bevelled (as in the packet of cigarettes described in Patent Application EP0764595A1) . Alternatively, both some longitudinal edges and some transverse edges of containers 4 and 5 may be non-square rounded or bevelled edges.

In an alternative embodiment not shown, containers 4 and 5 of packet 1 of cigarettes may be as described in Patent Application EP1066206A1; in which case, each major lateral wall 8, 14 is outwardly convex, is connected to each minor lateral wall 9, 15 by a sharp longitudinal edge, and forms an obtuse dihedral angle with minor lateral wall 9, 15. More specifically, each major lateral wall 8, 14 comprises a flat central portion, and two longitudinally creased lateral bands; and each lateral band curves outwards to connect the central portion to minor lateral wall 9, 15 and form an obtuse dihedral angle with minor lateral wall 9, 15.

Clearly, changes may be made to containers 4 and 5 of packet 1 of cigarettes resembling that described in Patent Application EP1066206A1, such as forming partly convex walls, or only one as opposed to two opposite convex walls, or convex minor laterals 9, 15 as opposed -10 -to major lateral walls 8, 14. By way of example, several variations of the packet of cigarettes described in Patent Application EP1066206A1 are proposed in Patent Application W003026984A1.

Containers 4 and 5 of both the packets 1 of cigarettes in Figures 1 and 4 are formed from respective known blanks 19 and 20, as shown respectively in Figures 8 and 9. Each blank 19, 20 comprises, among other things, a number of panels, which are indicated, when possible, using the same reference numbers, with superscripts, as for the corresponding walls of respective container 4, 5.

With reference to Figure 8, blank 19 comprises two longitudinal fold lines, and a number of transverse fold lines defining, between the two longitudinal fold lines, a panel 7' forming part of top wall 7; a panel 8' forming one major lateral wall 8; a panel 6' forming bottom wall 6 and comprising a tab 21 connected to panel 6' by hinge 18; a panel 8" forming the other major lateral wall 8; and a panel 7" forming the rest of top wall 7.

Panel 8' has two lateral wings 9', which form respective inner portions of minor lateral walls 9, are located on opposite sides of panel 8', and are separated from panel 8' by the longitudinal fold lines. Panel 8" has two lateral wings 9", which form respective outer portions of minor lateral walls 9, are located on opposite sides of panel 8", and are separated from panel -11 - 8" by the longitudinal fold lines. Each lateral wing 9" of panel 8" has a tab 22, 23 separated from lateral wing 9" by a transverse fold line. And a window, defining a respective retaining tab 11, is formed in each panel 8', 8".

When forming inner container 4, gum spots 24 are applied to blank 19 between lateral wings 9' and lateral wings 9" (to lateral wings 9" of panel 8", as shown in Figure 8, or to lateral wings 9' of panel 8'), between panels 7' and 7" (to panel 7", as shown in Figure 8, or to panel 7'), and between tab 22 and panel 6' (to tab 22, as shown in Figure 8, or to panel 6').

When forming an inner container 4 for a rigid packet 1 of cigarettes with straight, slide-open containers 4 and 5, a gum spot 25 is also applied to blank 19 between tab 21 and tab 23 (to tab 21, as shown in Figure 8, or to tab 23) to secure tab 21 to tab 23 and prevent tab 23 of inner container 4 from jamming inside outer container 5 as inner container 4 slides with respect to outer container 5.

Conversely, when forming an inner container 4 for a rigid packet 1 of cigarettes with swing-open containers 4 and 5, no gum is applied between tabs 21 and 23, so as to permit relative movement between tabs 21 and 23 and so allow inner container 4 to rotate about hinge 18 with respect to outer container 5.

In both (i.e. straight slide-open and swing-open) embodiments, gum spots may also be applied to the inner -12 -surface of panel 6' and/or tab 23 to secure the bottom wall of wrapped group 2 to panel 6' and/or tab 23.

Similarly, in both (i.e. straight slide-open and swing-open) embodiments, gum spots may also be applied to the inner surfaces of panels 8' and 8" to secure the major lateral walls of wrapped group 2 to panels 8' and 8".

Moreover, in both (i.e. straight slide-open and swing-open) embodiments, gum spots may also be applied to the inner surfaces of lateral wings 9' to secure the minor lateral walls of wrapped group 2 to lateral wings 9'.

With reference to Figure 9, blank 20 comprises two transverse fold lines, and a number of longitudinal fold lines defining, between the two transverse fold lines, a panel 14' forming one major lateral wall 14; a panel 15' forming minor lateral wall 15; and a panel 14" forming the other major lateral wall 14. Each panel 14', 14" has a retaining tab 17 located on the opposite side to panel 15', and separated from respective panel 14', 14" by a longitudinal fold line.

Panel 14' has two rectangular end wings 12' and 13', which are located at opposite ends of panel 14', are separated from panel 14' by the transverse fold lines, and form respective outer portions of walls 12 and 13. Panel 15' has two end wings 12" and 13", which are located at opposite ends of panel 15', are separated from panel 15' by the transverse fold lines, are triangular in shape with a rounded outer apex, and form respective inner portions of walls 12 and 13. Panel 14" -13 -has two trapezoidal end wings 12"' and 13"', which are located at opposite ends of panel 14", are separated from panel 14" by the transverse fold lines, and form respective inner portions of walls 12 and 13. End wings 12" and 12"' and end wings 13" and 13"' are designed not to overlap when folded onto end wings 12' and 13' to define walls 12 and 13 of container 5.

Figure 10 shows a variation of blank 20 in Figure 9, in which blank 20 differs from blank 20 in Figure 9 solely as to the shape and size of end wings 12', 12" and 12"'.

When forming outer container 5, gum spots 26 are applied to blank 20 between end wings 13', 13" and 13"' (to end wing 13', as shown in Figures 9 and 10, or to end wings 13" and 13"'), and between end wings 12', 12" and 12"' (to end wing 12', as shown in Figures 9 and 10, or to end wings 12" and 12"').

When forming a rigid packet 1 of cigarettes with swing-open containers 4 and 5, a gum spot 27 is applied between the outer surface of tab 21 of inner container 4 (blank 19) and the inner surface of end wing 12"' of outer container 5 (blank 20) to connect the two containers 4 and 5 close to hinge 18, and permit rotation of containers 4 and 5 about hinge 18. Gum spot 27 may be applied to the inner surface of end wing 12"' of outer container 5 (blank 20), as shown in Figures 9 and 10, or to the outer surface of tab 21 of inner container 4 (blank 19) -14 -Number 28 in Figure 11 indicates as a whole a cigarette packing machine comprising a packing assembly 29, which is fed with a succession of wrapped groups 2 of cigarettes by a feed line 30, and forms a rigid outer package 3 about each wrapped group 2 of cigarettes.

Line 30 supplying wrapped groups 2 comprises an output wheel 31 fitted to a frame 32 of packing machine 28 to rotate clockwise, in Figure 11, in steps about a vertical axis of rotation 33, and having a number of pockets 34 equally spaced about axis of rotation 33, and each for feeding a respective wrapped group 2 of cigarettes to a loading station 35 defining the output of a longitudinal feed line 36 supplying blanks 19.

Packing assembly 29 comprises a packing wheel 37, which is tangent to output wheel 31 at loading station 35, is fitted to frame 32 of packing machine 28 to rotate, anticlockwise in Figure 11, in steps about a horizontal axis of rotation 38 parallel to a substantially vertical machine front A, and has a number of pockets 39 equally spaced about axis of rotation 38, and each for receiving, in known manner at loading station 35, a respective wrapped group 2 and a respective blank 19 interposed between wrapped group 2 and the periphery of packing wheel 37.

Packing assembly 29 also comprises a packing wheel fitted to frame 32 to rotate, anticlockwise in Figure 11, in steps about an axis of rotation 41 parallel to axis of rotation 38 and to machine front A, and having a -15 -number of pockets 42 equally spaced about axis of rotation 41.

Packing assembly 29 also comprises a transfer wheel 43, which is interposed between packing wheels 37 and 40, is fitted to frame 32 to rotate, clockwise in Figure 11, about a vertical axis 44 of rotation parallel to machine front A, and lies in a radial plane of packing wheel 37 and beneath packing wheel 40. More specifically, transfer wheel 43 is tangent to packing wheel 37 at a transfer station 45 between packing wheel 37 and transfer wheel 43, and is tangent to packing wheel 40 at a transfer station 46 between transfer wheel 43 and packing wheel 40. Transfer wheel 43 has a number of pockets 47 equally spaced about axis of rotation 44, and each of which receives, radially with respect to axis of rotation 44 and at transfer station 45, a respective inner container 4 formed on packing wheel 37 by folding a blank 19 about a wrapped group 2, and releases the inner container 4, axially with respect to axis of rotation 44, at transfer station 46.

Packing wheel 37 feeds pockets 39 along an endless path extending through loading station 35, transfer station 45, and a number of packing stations 48 located between loading station 35 and transfer station 45. At packing stations 48, each blank 19 -previously folded into a U inside pocket 39 as it is inserted inside pocket 39 together with respective wrapped group 2 -is gradually folded in known manner about wrapped group 2 -16 -to form inner container 4, which is completed in known manner at transfer station 45.

At a gumming station 49 along feed line 36 and immediately upstream from loading station 35, spray gumming devices 50 apply gum spots 24, and possibly also gum spot 25, to the inner surface (i.e. the rough, non-printed surface) of blank 19. In a different embodiment not shown, gumming station 49 is located along the periphery of packing wheel 37, as opposed to along feed line 36 and immediately upstream from loading station 35 (i.e. from packing wheel 37).

Transfer station 45 comprises a pusher 51, which moves radially in and out with respect to packing wheel 37 to transfer a container 4 in known manner from a pocket 39 of packing wheel 37 arrested at transfer station 45, to a corresponding pocket 47 of transfer wheel 43. And each pocket 47 of transfer wheel 43 transfers an inner container 4 from transfer station 45 to transfer station 46 via a reject station 52.

Transfer station 46 comprises a pusher 53, which moves vertically, and radially with respect to packing wheel 40, through a pocket 47 of transfer wheel 43 arrested at transfer station 46, to transfer an inner container 4 from pocket 47 of transfer wheel 43 to a pocket 42 of packing wheel 40 arrested at transfer station 46.

As it rotates in steps about axis of rotation 41, packing wheel 40 feeds pockets 42 along an endless path -17 -extending through transfer station 46, and through a load-and-pack station 54 located upstream from transfer station 46 in the rotation direction of packing wheel 40, and where blanks 20, fed successively to load-and-pack station 54 by a known feed line 55, are folded into a U inside respective pockets 42 by a pusher 56 moving back and forth radially with respect to packing wheel 40. The endless path of packing wheel 40 also extends through a number of packing stations 57 -one located upstream and the others downstream from transfer station 46 -which gradually fold each blank 20 about respective inner container 4 to form a packet 1 of cigarettes.

Packing wheel 40 also comprises an unloading station 58 for unloading the finished packets 1 of cigarettes; and a station 59 located upstream from unloading station 58.

Feed line 55 comprises a known pneumatic pickoff device 60 for withdrawing blanks 20 from the bottom of a stack 61 of blanks 20; and a number of push rollers 62.

A gumming station 63 along feed line 55 has two spray gumming devices 64 for applying gum spots 26, and possibly gum spot 27, to the inner surface of each blank 20. And unloading station 58, diametrically opposite transfer station 46, comprises a pusher (not shown) movable radially back and forth with respect to packing wheel 40; and a pusher (not shown) movable tangentially with respect to packing wheel 40 to push each packet 1 of cigarettes radially in known manner from respective pocket 42 onto an unloading line 65 extending in a -18 -direction substantially tangent to packing wheel 40 and crosswise to axis of rotation 41, and comprising two belt conveyors 66 for gripping packets 1 of cigarettes.

Operation of packing assembly 29 of packing machine 28 will be clear from the above description, with no further explanation required.

Mention should be made, however, of the importance of gumming station 49 in the sequence of operations performed to produce inner container 4 on packing wheel 37. That is, gum spots 24 provide for firmly stabilizing inner container 4 before it is transferred by transfer wheel 43 to packing wheel 40.

Each inner container 4 is then transferred to a respective pocket 42 at transfer station 46, after first inserting a respective blank 20 inside pocket 42 at load-and-pack station 54, and then folding respective retaining tabs 17 inwards of pocket 42 at the packing station 57 upstream from transfer station 46.

It should be pointed out that, by folding each blank 20 into a U inside pocket 42 by means of pusher 56 off packing wheel 40 -i.e. unlike blanks 19 on packing wheel 37, which are folded inside respective pockets 39 by insertion of respective wrapped groups 2 inside pockets 39 -retaining tabs 17 can be folded in controlled manner at the packing station 57 upstream from transfer station 46, thus enabling one-way passage of retaining tabs 11 inside respective retaining tabs 17 as inner container 4 is inserted inside pocket 42.

-19 -Finally, packing machine 28 comprises a control unit 67 for controlling overall operation of the machine, and in particular spray gumming devices 50 for gumming blanks 19 at gumming station 49, and spray gumming devices 64 for gumming blanks 20 at gumming station 63. More specifically, control unit 67 controls gumming devices 50 and 64 at gumming stations 49 and 63 to apply gum spot 25 to a blank 19, and no gum spot 27 to the corresponding blank 20, to produce a rigid, straight slide-open packet 1 of cigarettes, and, conversely, to apply no gum spot 25 to a blank 19, and apply gum spot 27 to the corresponding blank 20, to produce a rigid swing-open packet 1 of cigarettes.

In other words, control unit 67 selectively controls gumming stations 49 and 63 to effect a first gumming pattern of blanks 19 and 20 (a gum spot 25 on each blank 19, and no gum spot 27) to form packets 1 of cigarettes with straight slide-open containers 4 and 5, or a second gumming pattern of blanks 19 and 20 (no gum spot 25, and a gum spot 27 on each blank 20) to form packets 1 of cigarettes with swing-open containers 4 and 5.

In other words, by simply controlling gumming devices 50 and 64 at gumming stations 49 and 63, and with no other alterations to the rest of packing machine 28, control unit 67 provides for producing a rigid, straight slide-open or a rigid, swing-open packet 1 of cigarettes. Switching production on packing machine 28 -20 -from one type of packet 1 of cigarettes to another therefore involves no alterations or adjustments other than changing the operating mode of gumming devices 50 and 64 at gumming stations 49 and 63.

Packing machine 28 is therefore capable of changing the type of packet 1 of cigarettes produced at each step, so as to produce a succession of alternating rigid, straight slide-open and rigid, swing- open packets 1 of cigarettes. In other words, unloading line 65 may be fed with a rigid, straight slide-open packet 1 of cigarettes followed and preceded by two rigid swing-open packets 1 of cigarettes, or vice versa.

It is important to note that changes may be made to the design of packing machine 28 to change, for example, the folding sequence of blanks 19 and 20 or the location or design of gumming stations 49 and 63. More specifically, three or four separate gumming stations may be provided to apply gum spots 24-27 at different stages of the folding sequence. This, however, in no way alters the ability of control unit 67 to determine production of a straight, slide-open or swing-open packet 1 of cigarettes by simply controlling the operating mode of gumming devices 50 and 64 at gumming stations 49 and 63.

Packing machine 28 therefore provides for extremely fast, low-costchangeover from one type of rigid, slide-open packet 1 of cigarettes to another.

Claims

-21 - CLA I MS

1) A packing machine for producing slide-open packets of cigarettes; each packet of cigarettes comprising an inner container housing a group of cigarettes, and an outer container in which the inner container is housed to slide between a closed position, in which the inner container is inserted inside the outer container, and an open position, in which the inner container is at least partly expelled from the outer container; the packing machine comprising a packing assembly, which folds a first blank about each group of cigarettes to form a respective inner container, and then folds a second blank about the inner container to form a respective outer container; at least a first gumming station for applying gum spots to each first blank; and at least a second gumming station for applying gum spots to each second blank; the packing machine being characterized by comprising a control unit which controls the gumming stations to produce a first gumming pattern of the blanks to form packets of cigarettes with straight slide-open containers, or a second gumming pattern of the blanks to form packets of cigarettes with swing-open containers.

2) A packing machine as claimed in Claim 1, wherein -22 -the first gumming pattern of the blanks applies no gum spot to connect the two containers; and the second gumming pattern of the blanks applies a first gum spot to connect the two containers.

3) A packing machine as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the inner container comprises a first tab connected to the inner container by a hinge; and the first gum spot connects an outer surface of the first tab to an inner surface of a wall of the outer container.

4) A packing machine as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the first tab is connected by the hinge to a bottom wall of the inner container, and is gummed to a bottom wall of the outer container.

5) A packing machine as claimed in Claim 3 or 4, wherein the first gumming pattern of the blanks applies a second gum spot to connect the first tab of the inner container to the rest of the inner container; and the second gumming pattern of the blanks applies no gum spot between the first tab of the inner container and the rest of the inner container.

6) A packing machine as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the first gumming pattern of the blanks applies the second gum spot to connect the first tab of the inner container to a second tab of the inner container integral with a lateral wall of the inner container; and the second gumming pattern of the blanks applies no gum spot between the first tab of the inner container and the second tab of the inner container.

-23 - 7) A packing machine as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein each of the major lateral walls of the inner container has a respective first retaining tab projecting outwards of the inner container from the edge connecting the major lateral wall to a minor lateral wall; and a second retaining tab is connected to each major lateral wall of the outer container, along the edge of the major lateral wall, projects inwards of the outer container from the relative major lateral wall, and engages a corresponding first retaining tab of the inner container, as the inner container is expelled, to act as a limit stop for the inner container and prevent detachment of the inner container from the outer container.

8) A packing machine as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein a minor lateral wall of the outer container has a central hole shaped and sized to allow the user to exert pressure, through the minor lateral wall, on a minor lateral wall of the inner container to slide the inner container into the open position.

9) A packing machine as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the first blank has two longitudinal fold lines, and a number of transverse fold lines defining, between the two longitudinal fold lines, a first panel forming part of a top wall; a second panel forming one major lateral wall; a third panel forming a bottom wall and comprising a first tab connected to the third panel by a hinge; a fourth panel forming another -24 -major lateral wall; and a fifth panel forming the rest of the top wall; the second panel has two lateral wings, which form respective inner portions of the minor lateral walls, are located on opposite sides of the second panel, and are separated from the second panel by the longitudinal fold lines; the fourth panel has two lateral wings, which form respective outer portions of the minor lateral walls, are located on opposite sides of the fourth panel, and are separated from the fourth panel by the longitudinal fold lines; the lateral wings of the fourth panel have a second tab and a third tab, each separated from the respective lateral wing by a transverse fold line.

10) A packing machine as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the second blank has two transverse fold lines, and a number of longitudinal fold lines defining, between the two transverse fold lines, a first panel forming one major lateral wall; a second panel forming the minor lateral wall; and a third panel forming the other major lateral wall; the first panel has two end wings, which are located at opposite ends of the first panel, are separated from the first panel by the transverse fold lines, are rectangular in shape, and form respective outer portions of the bottom and top wall; the second panel has two end wings, which are -25 -located at opposite ends of the second panel, are separated from the second panel by the transverse fold lines, and form respective inner portions of the bottom and top wall; the third panel has two end wings, which are located at opposite ends of the third panel, are separated from the third panel by the transverse fold lines, and form respective inner portions of the bottom and top wall.

11) A packing method for producing slide-open packets of cigarettes; each packet of cigarettes comprising an inner container housing a group of cigarettes, and an outer container in which the inner container is housed to slide between a closed position, in which the inner container is inserted inside the outer container, and an open position, in which the inner container is at least partly expelled from the outer container; the packing method comprising the steps of folding a first blank about each group of cigarettes to form a respective inner container, and then folding a second blank about the inner container to form a respective outer container; applying gum spots to each first blank at at least a first gumming station; and applying gum spots to each second blank at at least a second gumming station; the packing method being characterized by -26 -comprising the further step of controlling the gumming stations to produce a first gumming pattern of the blanks to form packets of cigarettes with straight slide-open containers, or a second gumming pattern of the blanks to form packets of cigarettes with swing-open containers.

12) A packing method as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the first gumming pattern of the blanks applies no gum spot to connect the two containers; and the second gumming pattern of the blanks applies a first gum spot to connect the two containers.

13) A packing method as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the inner container comprises a first tab connected to the inner container by a hinge; and the first gum spot connects an outer surface of the first tab to an inner surface of a wall of the outer container.

14) A packing method as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the first tab is connected by the hinge to a bottom wall of the inner container, and is gummed to a bottom wall of the outer container.

15) A packing method as claimed in Claim 13 or 14, wherein the first gumming pattern of the blanks applies a second gum spot to connect the first tab of the inner container to the rest of the inner container; and the second gumming pattern of the blanks applies no gum spot between the first tab of the inner container and the rest of the inner container.

-27 - 16) A packing method as claimed in Claim 15, wherein the first gumming pattern of the blanks applies the second gum spot to connect the first tab of the inner container to a second tab of the inner container integral with a lateral wall of the inner container; and the second gumming pattern of the blanks applies no gum spot between the first tab of the inner container and the second tab of the inner container.

17) A packing method as claimed in any one of Claims 11 to 16, wherein each of the major lateral walls of the inner container has a respective first retaining tab projecting outwards of the inner container from the edge connecting the major lateral wall to a minor lateral wall; and a second retaining tab is connected to each major lateral wall of the outer container, along the edge of the major lateral wall, projects inwards of the outer container from the relative major lateral wall, and engages a corresponding first retaining tab of the inner container, as the inner container is expelled, to act as a limit stop for the inner container and prevent detachment of the inner container from the outer container.

18) A packing method as claimed in any one of Claims 11 to 17, wherein a minor lateral wall of the outer container has a central hole shaped and sized to allow the user to exert pressure, through the minor lateral wall, on a minor lateral wall of the inner container to slide the inner container into the open -28 -position.

19) A packing method as claimed in any one of Claims 11 to 18, wherein the first blank has two longitudinal fold lines, and a number of transverse fold lines defining, between the two longitudinal fold lines, a first panel forming part of a top wall; a second panel forming one major lateral wall; a third panel forming a bottom wall and comprising a first tab connected to the third panel by a hinge; a fourth panel forming another major lateral wall; and a fifth panel forming the rest of the top wall; the second panel has two lateral wings, which form respective inner portions of the minor lateral walls, are located on opposite sides of the second panel, and are separated from the second panel by the longitudinal fold lines; the fourth panel has two lateral wings, which form respective outer portions of the minor lateral walls, are located on opposite sides of the fourth panel, and are separated from the fourth panel by the longitudinal fold lines; the lateral wings of the fourth panel have a second tab and a third tab, each separated from the respective lateral wing by a transverse fold line.

20) A packing method as claimed in any one of Claims 11 to 19, wherein the second blank has two transverse fold lines, and a number of longitudinal fold lines defining, between the two transverse fold lines, a -29 -first panel forming one major lateral wall; a second panel forming the minor lateral wall; and a third panel forming the other major lateral wall; the first panel has two end wings, which are located at opposite ends of the first panel, are separated from the first panel by the transverse fold lines, are rectangular in shape, and form respective outer portions of the bottom and top wall; the second panel has two end wings, which are located at opposite ends of the second panel, are separated from the second panel by the transverse fold lines, and form respective inner portions of the bottom and top wall; the third panel has two end wings, which are located at opposite ends of the third panel, are separated from the third panel by the transverse fold lines, and form respective inner portions of the bottom and top wall.