ITBO20130086A1 - PACKAGING OF SMOKE ARTICLES, IN PARTICULAR OF CIGARETTES, AND METHOD FOR ITS PRODUCTION. - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

"Manufacture of smoking articles, especially cigarettes, and method for its production."

The present invention relates to a packaging of smoking articles, in particular cigarettes, and to a method for its production.

In particular, the present invention relates to a package made by wrapping a wrapper around a packet of cigarettes or around a carton of packets of cigarettes. As is known, cigarette packets are usually provided with an outer protective covering, made of transparent and possibly heat-shrinkable material, commonly referred to as overwrapping material.

Generally, the overwrapping material of which the aforementioned wrapping is made is polypropylene.

Appropriate packaging machines wrap the overwrapping material onto the packages and then, in the case of heat-shrinkable material, heat it to make it better adhere to the outer walls of the packages themselves.

The outer casing is normally equipped with a small transverse ribbon, the so-called tear-off ribbon, by which, when you want to open a package, you can easily and immediately tear the casing. external itself.

For the realization of the external wrapping the ribbon is continuously unwound from a reel and is applied, by heat sealing or gluing, on a strip of overwrapping material fed continuously or intermittently. On the overwrapping material, a succession of U-shaped notches can be made arranged above the aforementioned ribbon, each of which helps to define a gripping end (free edge) of the ribbon for guided and facilitated opening of the package. Subsequently, or simultaneously with the making of the notches, the web of overwrapping material coupled to the ribbon is cut into pieces which, fed to the packaging machine, define the aforementioned external envelopes.

In the case of packets of cigarettes with hinged lids, for example, the ribbon is positioned, once the pack is finished, on the inner face of the outer casing and in such a position as to be placed along the perimeter of a head of the pack, to tear the External envelope along a direction transversal to the longitudinal development of the package and of the external envelope. In these packages, the ribbon is coupled at the upper head to divide the outer casing, following its tearing, into two portions: a smaller portion wrapped around the head, and a larger portion wrapped around the main body of the pack .

Also in the case of cartons of cigarette packets, especially in those reproducing the shape of a cigarette packet, the ribbon is frequently coupled at a head to divide the outer casing and obtain a smaller portion and a larger portion.

After tearing the outer envelope with the tape, portions of the outer envelope must often be torn to be completely removed. Such removal is not always easy, due to the fact that the overwrapping material, which, as mentioned, is often made to adhere to the outer walls of the package by shrinking, is so adherent around the package itself that it is difficult to remove. This drawback is particularly evident when the major portion of the casing has to be removed.

In order to eliminate or at least minimize the aforementioned drawback, the patent EP1839845B1 describes making notches near the tear-off tape in the overwrapping material intended to constitute the external envelopes. These notches constitute triggers to break for the tearing of the external casings. When the tear-off tape is used to open an external wrapping, it stresses the aforementioned notches, consequently tearing the part of the overwrapping material adjacent to them. The notches generate tear guidelines in the wrapping material that extend away from the tear-off tape.

The aforementioned carvings, however, are sometimes of modest effectiveness and in any case negatively affect the tightness of the package, as well as the aesthetics of the latter.

In patents JP08164926A and JP11321882A it is provided to arrange the tear-off tape in contact with the wrapping material constituting the outer wrapping in such a way as to make it assume a substantially spiral shape around the wrapped package. As a consequence of this arrangement, the use of the tear-off tape involves a very marked tearing of the overwrapping material, and the torn outer wrapping can be easily removed from the packaging to which it is associated.

This solution, although rather effective, is however decidedly not very pleasant from an aesthetic point of view.

The object of the present invention is to provide a package of smoking articles, in particular cigarettes, which does not have the drawbacks described above with reference to the known art.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a method for the production of packages of smoking articles free of the drawbacks described above with reference to the known art, which is easy and relatively cheap to implement.

In accordance with the present invention, a package of smoking articles, in particular of cigarettes, and a method for the production of such package, made in accordance with what is stated in the attached claims, are described.

The present invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings, which illustrate some non-limiting examples of embodiment in which:

Figures 1a, 1b and 1c schematically illustrate in perspective three variants of a packaging of smoking articles made in accordance with the present invention;

Figures 2 and 3 show, according to two respective embodiment variants, a wrapping sheet from which an external wrapping is obtained in accordance with the present invention;

Figures 4-6 show respective support belts to which different tearing elements adhered made in accordance with the present invention;

- figure 7 represents in schematic and block form a plant for the production of the packages according to the present invention.

With reference to Figures 1a, 1b and 1c, 1 illustrates a packet or carton of cigarettes as a whole, forming part of a package C made in accordance with the present invention. For simplicity of discussion, from here on, reference will be made, unless otherwise specified, to a pack 1 of cigarettes. This packet 1 is schematically represented with a parallelepiped element, but it could have a different shape since its shape is not relevant in the context of the present invention.

Furthermore, in packet 1 no details such as the lid or the box-like body containing the smoking articles (cigarettes) have been highlighted, as these details, and in particular their presence, their shape and their reciprocal dimensions, are also without relevance for the description of the invention.

The packet 1 houses inside it some smoking articles not illustrated, consisting for example of cigarettes, and is preferably made of paper material such as cardboard. The package 1 is completely covered externally by a sheet 2 preferably made of transparent heat-sealable material, for example polypropylene, constituting the external envelope 3 of the package 1 itself. The sheets 2 are preferably obtained in succession, by cutting, from a belt 4 fed continuously or intermittently.

Sheet 2, like package 1, is also part of package C.

A tearing element 5 is integral with a portion of the surface of the sheet 2, which can be both internal and external to the envelope 3, which can be used manually to tear a substantial portion of the envelope 3 itself. This laceration makes it possible for a user to easily remove the casing 3 before starting to use the package 1.

As shown in the attached figures, the tearing element 5 is made in the form of a label 6 coupled to the sheet 2. The coupling is preferably made using an adhesive such as repositionable glue applied by heat, for example of the type that does not dry. Alternatively, cold-applied glue, for example of the vinyl type, could be used.

In a further embodiment, the coupling between the label 6 and the sheet 2 can be obtained by heat sealing the two elements.

In the case of connection by means of adhesive, the labels 6 are preferably made in the form of self-adhesive labels, i.e. they are covered on one face with adhesive, and are applied in succession on certain areas of the tape 4 so as to be present on each sheet 2 afterwards. the separation of the sheet 2 from the belt 4 itself. These labels 6, before their application to the tape 4, are preferably connected to a support tape 7 shown in Figures 4-6, from which they are led in a known way and not illustrated towards the area of application to the tape 4 itself.

Alternatively, the labels 6 can be obtained from a reel of adhesive or partially adhesive tape. This tape must be cut, preferably into pieces, to obtain the labels 6 suitable for defining the tearing elements 5.

Each label 6 is provided with an edge or side 6â € ™ in correspondence with which a gripping edge 8 adapted to be gripped manually can be identified, preferably in a substantially median area. Said gripping flap 8, preferably, is not coupled to the sheet 2 to which the label 6 adheres, and can be spaced from the sheet 2 itself and easily grasped by a user to create the opening of the wrapper 3 as described below.

In the embodiment of Figure 2, which corresponds to a package C not shown but immediately deducible from the context, the label 6 is applied to the portion of the tape 4 which defines a sheet 2, in contact with any of the two faces of the sheet 2 itself. The gripping flap 8 is positioned in such a way as to follow for a short distance a cutting line 10â € ™ suitable for separating sheet 2 from the belt 4. This cutting line 10â € ™, with pack C assembled, lies on a side wall L of package 1.

On the sheet 2, in correspondence with two portions adjacent to the respective sides of the gripping flap 8, there are preferably elements for triggering the tearing of the sheet 2 itself. The tear initiation elements are preferably defined by two notches 11. These notches 11 extend transversely to the cutting line 10 '. Preferably, the notches 11 are defined by respective passing incision lines.

The purpose of these notches 11 is to trigger the breaking of the sheet 2 alongside the gripping edge 8 when the gripping edge 8 itself is grasped and pulled in order to cause the tearing of the sheet 2 and its removal from the package C .

In the embodiment of figure 3, to which the package C of figure 1a corresponds, the label 6 is applied on the portion of the tape 4 that defines the sheet 2, in contact with the face of the sheet 2 itself disposed externally to the package 1. The gripping flap 8 is positioned in such a way as to have its own edge located on a folding line 10. This folding line 10 with the assembled package C substantially corresponds to an edge of the package 1.

On sheet 2 there is a notch 11â € ™ arranged below the label 6 and covered by the latter. The notch 11â € ™ preferably follows the profile, that is the periphery, of the label 6. In particular, the notch 11â € ™ develops along the aforementioned edge 6â € ™ of the label 6 which defines the edge socket 8.

Preferably, the notch 11 'develops along a line substantially parallel to the aforementioned edge 6' of the label 6 which defines the grip edge 8.

Preferably, notch 11â € ™ is defined by a continuous score line.

Preferably, notch 11â € ™ is defined by a passing incision line.

Advantageously, the notch 11â € ™ is completely covered by the label 6 so that the hermetic seal of the package C is ensured. In other words, the label 6 covers and closes the opening line of the casing 3 which is defined by the notch 11â € ™.

In practice, on the aforementioned ribbon 4 of wrapping material a notch 11 'is made for each label 6 to be applied on the ribbon 4 itself. The realization phase of the notch 11â € ™ precedes the application phase of the label 6, and the said application phase of the label 6 foresees to completely cover the notch 11â € ™.

In the illustrative representations of figures 1a, 1c, 2, 3 and 4 the side 6â € ™, or edge, of the label 6 presenting the grip edge 8 and the edge or side 6â € opposite to the side 6â € ™ are equipped with an equal arched shape and have the respective end portions joined in pairs by straight sides of the label 6 itself. In the same way, the portions of the ends can be connected in a different way without losing generality.

Figure 4 shows a support tape 7 on which a plurality of labels 6 of the type shown in figures 1a, 1c, 2 and 3 are superimposed. These labels 6 all have the same shape which allows them to be mutually coupled without being spaced apart, ie without empty spaces or excess material between two consecutive labels 6 ,.

In an embodiment not shown, the tape 7 constitutes per se the plurality of labels 6. In particular, the continuous tape, adhesive or partially adhesive, can be separated to define the individual labels 6.

For the packaging of the packets 1, with reference to Figure 7, the steps of feeding from a first reel 13 a tape 7 defining a plurality of labels 6 subsequent to a labeling device 15 are carried out; feeding a web 4 of wrapping material from a second reel 14; separating the labels 6 from the tape 7 which defines them, each label 6 defining a tearing element 5; applying the labels 6 sequentially and equidistantly by means of the labeling device 15 to the web 4 of wrapping material, in a portion of the web 4 itself which extends partially with respect to the length and width of the wrapping sheet 2; cut the web 4 of wrapping material provided with the labels 6, by means of a cutting device 16, obtaining a succession of wrapping sheets 2 provided with respective tearing elements 5 and adapted to be wrapped around respective packages 1 of articles to be smoke; feeding the wrapping sheets 2 to a packing device 18; feeding the packets 1 of smoking articles to be wrapped from a packing unit 17 to the packing device 18; and wrapping a wrapping sheet 2 around each packet 1 of smoking articles by the packing device 18.

With reference to a ribbon `` defining '' a plurality of labels, the term `` defining '' means, in the present invention, the possibility that the ribbon acts as a support for labels detachable from the same or that from the same ribbon it is possible to make labels by cutting pieces, adhesive or partially adhesive, of the same.

In the event that the labels 6 are obtained from a tape 7 that supports them, the feeding of these is preferably carried out by means of a labeling machine capable of guaranteeing the detachment, or peeling, of the label 6 from the support during the unwinding of the tape 7. In the event that the labels are placed side by side without spacing, or in the case of zero-waste labels, a further device can be provided in correspondence with the labeling device 15 to move the detached or partially detached labels before of the application on the sheet 2. In particular, an intermediate group can be provided to rotate the labels in the desired direction or to distance them by a useful step for the application of each label 6 on the ribbon 4 of wrapping material . The aforementioned intermediate group can be an integral part of the labeling device or be provided upstream of a labeling machine.

The labels 6 can be made from a reel of adhesive or partially adhesive tape. The strip is then separated by cutting into pieces of predetermined size. The cut adhesive or partially adhesive tape defines each label 6 corresponding to the tearing element 5 of each package C. Also in this case an intermediate group can be provided as described previously.

The production of the notches 11, illustrated and described with reference to Figure 2, can be performed downstream or upstream of the application of the label 6. Preferably, to allow the minimization of processing times, the notches 11 can be made in correspondence of the cutting device 16, ie simultaneously with the separation of the sheet 2 from the belt 4 along the cutting lines 10â € ™.

In the case of label 6 applied to the external face of the wrapping sheet 2 (figure 3) the notch lines 11â € ™ are made upstream of the application of the label 6 itself.

In an embodiment not shown, the label 6 can be applied when package C has already been made, ie when the package 1 is already completely wrapped by the relative wrapping sheet 2. In this case, the notches or notch lines can be made during the packaging steps or in correspondence with the labeling step.

In the embodiment of the package C shown in figure 1a, the sheet 2 is folded in such a way that the label 6 connected to it is superimposed on a front wall F of greater extension of the package 1. The label 6 is arranged in such a way that the central portion of the same is located near the intermediate portion of a longitudinal edge S1 of the packet 1, and has the ends located respectively near the upper and lower edges of the front wall F itself. The grip edge 8 of the label 6 protrudes laterally for a short distance from the longitudinal edge S1 of the packet 1 in correspondence with the central portion of the label 6 itself.

In the embodiment of the package C represented in figure 1c, the sheet 2 is folded in such a way that the label 6 connected to it is superimposed on a front wall F of greater extension of the package 1. The label 6 is arranged in such a way that the central portion of the same is located in the vicinity of an intermediate zone of an upper transverse edge S2 of the package 1, and has its end portions extended downwards, in correspondence with the respective longitudinal edges S1 of the package 1 , and folded on the side walls L of the package 1 itself. The grip edge 8 of the label 6 protrudes above for a short distance from the upper transverse edge S2 of the packet 1 in correspondence with the central portion of the label 6 itself.

In the embodiment of the package C shown in figure 1b, the label 6 has a substantially triangular isosceles shape with a first vertex arranged upwards, in correspondence with the upper transverse edge S2 of the packet 1. The sheet 2 is folded in such a way that the label 6 coupled to it is superimposed on a front wall F of greater extension of the package 1 itself. The gripping edge 8 of the label 6, consisting of the first aforementioned vertex, protrudes above for a short distance from the upper transverse edge S2 of the packet 1 in correspondence with the central portion of the label 6 itself.

In the embodiments described with reference to figures 1a and 1b, the width of the labels 6 approximates by default a dimension of the wall F of the package C to which the label 6 itself is applied, and adheres to only one wall F of the wrapper 3. In these cases, the label 6 extends substantially from edge to edge on a major face of the wrapper 3 in the direction transverse to the tear-off direction of the label 6 itself.

In the example of figure 1c, however, the label 6 adheres to only three walls F, L contiguous in pairs of the casing 3. In further embodiments of the present invention, not illustrated, the label 6 could adhere to only two contiguous walls of the casing 3 itself. In any case, in general, each label 6 applied to a portion of the wrapping sheet 2 extends partially with respect to the length and width of the wrapping sheet 2 itself. That is, the label 6 has dimensions such as not to affect the entire height or the entire width of the sheet 2 of the wrapping itself.

In Figures 5 and 6 the labels 6 have a substantially polygonal shape. In particular, the labels 6 are represented with the shape of an isosceles triangle, as in figure 1b, and the gripping edge 8 coincides with a corner area consisting of one of the vertices of the triangle.

In a further embodiment not shown, the labels can be made according to a geometric figure in the plane with respect to the wrapping sheet 2. The side of each label opposite the gripping flap, or the projection of its maximum width in the opposite position to the gripping flap, defines at least one tear side of the wrapping sheet 2.

The shape of the labels 6 is preferably such that their edges, with the exception of the aforementioned corner or junction areas, do not show abrupt discontinuities or sudden changes in the direction of development.

Note that, if desired, the labels described above can be used to convey information or advertising messages. This is, for example, illustrated in figure 1b, in which the label 6 is equipped with a graphic design 12. Again, the labels can be colored or printed as desired with images or writings, in the limit reproducing graphically the portion of the package 1 capping. Alternatively, the labels can be made transparent, in order not to screen the writings and images printed on the surface of the package 1.

To open and completely remove the wrapper 3 of a package C, it is sufficient to grasp the gripping flap 8 of the label 6 connected to the wrapper 3 with two fingers and drag the gripping flap 8 along the tear direction. This corresponds to the unwinding direction of the label 6 starting from the grip edge 8.

The above is also applicable to the cartons of cigarette packets, to remove the protective coating of overwrapping material that frequently covers them.

The gripping flaps, shown protruding towards the outside of the relative envelopes 3 in the attached figures, in the completed packages C will be folded and placed against one wall of the relative packages 1, so that the packages C can be enclosed in groups in sticks or packs without the protruding gripping edges 8 causing problems.

Claims (23)

R I V E N D I C A Z I O N I 1) Packaging of smoking articles, in particular cigarettes, comprising a packet (1) or carton containing smoking articles and an external wrapping (3) made by wrapping a sheet (2) of wrapping around the package (1) or stick, the wrapping (3) being provided with a tearing element (5) able to at least partially separate the wrapping (3) from the package (1), characterized in that the element (5) tear is a label (6), which is applied to a portion of the wrapping sheet (2) and extends partially with respect to the length and width of the wrapping sheet (2) itself. 2) Packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the label (6) is provided with a gripping flap (8) that can be gripped by a user, the label (6) being fixed to the wrapping ( 3) with the exception of the grip flap (8) itself. 3) Packaging according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the wrapping sheet (2) is provided with at least one element for triggering the tearing, arranged at least in proximity to the gripping flap (8) of the label ( 6) and capable of defining at least one point of initiation at break for tearing of the wrapping (3) when the label (6) is grasped and pulled by a user. 4) Packaging according to claim 3, characterized in that the laceration trigger element is defined by a notch (11) made in the wrapping sheet (2). 5) Packaging according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the wrapping sheet (2) is provided with a notch (11â € ™) placed under the label (6) and covered by the label (6) itself. 6) Packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the envelope (3) is defined by a plurality of walls, characterized by the fact that the label (6) adheres only to one wall (F) of the casing (3). 7) Packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the envelope (3) is defined by a plurality of walls, characterized in that the label (6) adheres only to two contiguous walls of the envelope ( 3). 8) Packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the envelope (3) is defined by a plurality of walls, characterized by the fact that the label (6) adheres only to three walls (F, L) contiguous in pairs of the casing (3). 9) Packaging according to claim 2 or according to claim 2 and any of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the label (6) is shaped according to a geometric figure in the plane with respect to the sheet (2) of wrapping, the side of the label (6) opposite the grip flap (8) defining a tear side of the wrapping sheet (2) itself. 10) Packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the label (6) is fixed to the packaging (3) by means of glue, the label (6) being a self-adhesive label. 11) Packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the label (6) is fixed to the casing (3) by heat sealing. 12) Packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the label (6) is fixed to the inner surface of the wrapper (3). 13) Packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the label (6) is fixed to the outer surface of the wrapper (3). 14) Packaging according to claims 5 and 13, characterized by the fact that the notch (11â € ™) is defined by a passing incision line. 15) Packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the label (6) is delimited by two substantially arched opposite edges (6 ', 6 ") mutually connected at two pairs of their ends the gripping flap (8) being defined by a substantially central portion of at least one of said edges (6 ', 6 "). 16) Packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the label (6) has the shape of a polygon. 17) Packaging according to claims 2 and 16, characterized in that the label (6) substantially has the shape of a triangle, the grip edge (8) extending from a vertex of the triangle. 18) Packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the label (6) substantially extends between two opposite edges of a wall of greater extension of the envelope (3). 19) Packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the tearing element (5) is able to at least partially separate the wrapping (3) from the package (1) according to a tearing direction, characterized by the fact that the label (6) substantially extends from edge to edge on a major wall of the wrapper (3) in the direction transverse to the tear-off direction of the label (6) itself. 20) Method for the production of a package of smoking articles, in particular of cigarettes, the package (C) comprising a package (1) or carton containing the smoking articles, and an outer casing (3) made by means of the wrapping around the package (1) or stick of a wrapping sheet (2), the wrapping (3) being provided with a tearing element (5) able to at least partially separate the wrapping from the package (1) or stick ; the method being characterized in that it comprises at least the following steps: - feeding from a first reel (13) a ribbon (7) defining a plurality of labels (6) following a labeling device (15); - feeding from a second reel (14) a ribbon (4) of wrapping material from which to obtain a plurality of wrapping sheets (2); - separating the labels (6) from the tape (7), each label (6) defining a tearing element (5); - apply sequentially and equidistantly the labels (6) by means of the labeling device (15) to the web (4) of wrapping material in an area of said web (4) which extends partially with respect to the length and width of said wrapping sheet (2); - cutting the web (4) of wrapping material provided with the labels (6) obtaining a succession of wrapping sheets (2) provided with respective tearing elements (5) and able to be wrapped around respective packages (1) o sticks of smoking articles; - feeding the wrapping sheets (2) to a packing device (18); - feeding the packets (1) or the sticks of smoking articles to be wrapped to the packing device (18); - wrapping a sheet (2) of wrapping around each packet (1) or carton of smoking articles by means of the packing device (18). 21) Method for the production of a package of smoking articles, in particular of cigarettes, according to one or more of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that it comprises at least the following steps: - feeding from a first reel (13) a ribbon (7) supporting a plurality of labels (6) following a labeling device (15); - feeding from a second reel (14) a ribbon (4) of wrapping material from which to obtain a plurality of wrapping sheets (2); - separating the labels (6) from the tape (7), each label (6) defining a tearing element (5); - apply sequentially and equidistantly the labels (6) by means of the labeling device (15) to the web (4) of wrapping material in an area of said web (4) which extends partially with respect to the length and width of said wrapping sheet (2); - cutting the web (4) of wrapping material provided with the labels (6) obtaining a succession of wrapping sheets (2) provided with respective tearing elements (5) and able to be wrapped around respective packages (1) o sticks of smoking articles; - feeding the wrapping sheets (2) to a packing device (18); - feeding the packets (1) or the sticks of smoking articles to be wrapped to the packing device (18); - wrapping a sheet (2) of wrapping around each packet (1) or carton of smoking articles by means of the packing device (18). 22) Method for the production of a package of smoking articles, in particular of cigarettes, according to one or more of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that it comprises at least the following steps: - feeding from a first reel an adhesive or partially adhesive tape from which to obtain a plurality of labels (6); - feeding from a second reel (14) a ribbon (4) of wrapping material from which to obtain a plurality of wrapping sheets (2); - cutting the adhesive or partially adhesive tape to obtain the labels (6), each label (6) defining a tear element (5); - apply sequentially and equidistantly the labels (6) to the web (4) of wrapping material in an area of said web (4) which extends partially with respect to the length and width of said sheet (2); wrapping; - cutting the web (4) of wrapping material provided with the labels (6) obtaining a succession of wrapping sheets (2) provided with respective tearing elements (5) and able to be wrapped around respective packages (1) o sticks of smoking articles; - feeding the wrapping sheets (2) to a packing device (18); - feeding the packets (1) or the sticks of smoking articles to be wrapped to the packing device (18); - wrapping a sheet (2) of wrapping around each packet (1) or carton of smoking articles by means of the packing device (18). 23) Method for the production of a package of smoking articles, according to claim 21 or 22, characterized by the fact of comprising the step of making on the web (4) of wrapping material a notch (11â € ™) for each label (6) to be applied on the tape (4) itself; said phase of realization of the notch (11â € ™) preceding the said phase of application of the label (6); and the said step of applying the label (6) foreseeing to completely cover said notch (11â € ™).