ITBO20130467A1 - RIGID PACKAGE WITH HINGED LID AND CORRESPONDING METHOD OF WRITING AND PACKAGING MACHINE. - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

of the industrial invention entitled:

"Rigid packaging with hinged lid and corresponding wrapping method and packing machine."

TECHNIQUE SECTOR

The present invention relates to a packaging of smoking articles and to the corresponding wrapping method and packing machine. In particular, the present invention relates to a package of smoking articles of the rigid type with hinged lid and to the corresponding wrapping method and packing machine.

In the following description, reference will be made, for the sake of brevity, to a rigid packet of cigarettes with a hinged lid, without the present invention having to lose generality.

ANTERIOR ART

Generally, a hinged lid rigid cigarette packet comprises a soft inner envelope enclosed within a rigid outer container. Access to the internal casing is obtained by means of a lid, also of the rigid type, provided for the external container and hinged to it.

The soft inner casing is made by wrapping a group of cigarettes around a suitably shaped sheet of wrapping. In particular, the wrapping sheet is in metallic material or in multilayer or metallized paper, typically with aluminum. The soft inner wrapping is made by wrapping the wrapping sheet over the group of smoking items without sealing the same. In this way the group of cigarettes is protected from contact with external agents without requiring gluing and sealing which is expensive in terms of time and cost.

To allow the cigarettes to be extracted from the internal wrapping, a separable portion is made on the wrapping sheet, which can be detached by the user the first time it is opened. This is normally accomplished by means of a separable portion of metallized paper. This separable portion is pre-cut along a parting line to allow the user to simply tear off the separable potion without excessive effort and in a well-defined area. Therefore, to access the group of smoking items, a user can easily grab a folded flap of the wrapping sheet by lifting and pulling part of the separable portion which can be easily torn off by continuing with the lifting and pulling action.

When removed, the detached portion becomes an independent element with respect to the cigarette pack and, therefore, annoying for the user. In addition, the user is forced to immediately place the detached portion in the waste after opening. In this case, given the small size of the detachable portion, this is often dispersed by the user, becoming a polluting element.

To overcome this problem, it is further known to produce a cigarette pack in which the separable portion in correspondence with the extraction opening is glued to the lid of the external container. In this case, upon first opening, the separable portion is automatically detached when the user lifts the lid for the first time. This separable portion therefore becomes an integral part of the external container remaining glued to the internal surface of the front and upper wall of the lid. This solution, although solving the problem of dispersion of the detached portion, is extremely difficult for the user forced to make a visual impact with this portion every time he opens the package.

Furthermore, the first opening requires the application of sufficient force, such as to allow the closing element to break the perimeter pre-incisions, made on the portion of the inner container below, designed to define the opening for extracting the cigarettes .

It would therefore be desirable to have a package of smoking articles, in particular cigarettes, capable of minimizing the drawbacks described above. In particular, it would be desirable to have a package of smoking items that presents an improved usability for the user, simplifying the opening and closing operations of the same.

It would also be desirable to have a package of smoking articles which are cheap and simple to manufacture.

Finally, it would be desirable to have a package of smoking articles which has a pleasant aesthetic appearance even when the package is open.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a package of smoking articles, in particular cigarettes, of the rigid type with hinged lid which has an improved usability and is, at the same time, easy and economical to manufacture.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a package of smoking articles in which the lifting of the movable portion of the inner casing, corresponding to the extraction opening of the smoking articles, is simultaneous to the first opening of the lid. In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a package of smoking articles in which the movable portion of the inner casing is not dispersible separately from the casing itself. Another object of the present invention is to provide a package of smoking articles in which this movable portion is not detachable with respect to the internal casing of which it is a part.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a wrapping method and a packing machine for manufacturing a package of smoking articles, in particular cigarettes, of the rigid type with hinged lid. In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a wrapping method and a packing machine for the production of a package of smoking articles provided with an internal wrapping comprising a movable portion that cannot be detached able to lift and remain integral with the lid of the external container upon first opening.

The aforementioned purposes are achieved by a package of smoking articles, in particular of cigarettes, in accordance with the attached claims.

The package includes:

- a soft inner casing enclosing a group of smoking articles;

- a rigid external container of substantially polyhedral shape, enclosing the soft internal casing, comprising at least a front wall, a rear wall, a back wall and provided with an extraction opening for smoking articles, opposite the wall basically;

- a rigid lid hinged to the rear wall along a connection hinge and able to rotate between a first open position and a second closed position of the extraction opening, the rigid lid comprises at least a front wall, a back wall and an upper wall coplanar with the front, rear and bottom walls respectively when the lid is in the second closed position;

the soft inner casing is provided with a movable portion in correspondence with the extraction opening and integrally coupled to the rigid lid so that when the rigid lid is opened for the first time the movable portion remains coupled to the surfaces internal hard cover;

the package is characterized by the fact that the movable portion extends between the connection hinge and an upper portion of the internal casing in correspondence with the upper wall.

In this way, the usability of the package for the user is significantly improved thanks to the possibility of obtaining the opening of the lid and the movable portion through a single operation with the rotation of the lid itself, allowing the user to easily access to the enclosed smoking articles. The extension of the movable portion starting from the connection hinge and up to the upper portion of the internal casing allows the extraction opening to be defined starting from the rear wall of the lid. This allows the movable portion to be obtained without detaching it completely from the internal container while avoiding that it is visible on the internal surface of the front wall of the lid every time the user opens the package.

Preferably, the movable portion is glued to the back and / or upper walls of the lid.

In this way, the movable portion adheres to the internal surfaces of the lid, avoiding obstructing access to the group of smoking articles and being hardly visible to the user when the package is open.

Preferably, the movable portion is separated from the internal casing by three sides, a fourth side remaining integral with the internal casing in correspondence with the connection hinge. Alternatively, the movable portion is separated from the internal casing by four sides, one of which is in correspondence with the connection hinge.

In this way, the movable portion makes the group of smoking articles accessible starting from the hinge and therefore in the opposite position to the wall visible to the user when opening the lid.

Preferably, the package comprises a collar coupled to the internal casing and protruding from the extraction opening towards the lid. Even more preferably, the collar is shaped to completely cover the front portion of the internal casing in correspondence with the front wall, the movable portion extends between the connection hinge and an upper portion of the internal casing in correspondence with the upper wall or with the connecting edge between the anterior portion and the upper portion.

In this way, the collar completely covers the front portion of the smoking items, made accessible by lifting the lid, improving the aesthetic appearance of the package even with the lid open.

Even more preferably, the collar is shaped to completely cover the front portion and partially the upper portion of the internal casing, the movable portion extends between the connection hinge and an upper portion of the internal casing in correspondence with the wall upper or with the perimeter edge of the collar overlapping the upper portion.

In this way, the extension of the collar allows both to improve the aesthetic appearance of the package when opened and to better preserve the contents.

Even more preferably, the collar is provided with inscriptions and / or logos and / or images on the external surface visible to a user.

The aforementioned purposes are further achieved by a wrapping method for manufacturing a container for smoking articles, in particular cigarettes, in accordance with the attached claims.

The wrapping method includes the phases of:

- create a plurality of partially engraved portions on a ribbon of wrapping material;

- obtain a sheet of wrapping material with a partially engraved portion by cutting the ribbon;

- fold the sheet, enclosing a group of smoking articles by positioning the partially engraved portion in correspondence with the extraction opening, creating a soft inner casing provided with a movable portion for the extraction of cigarettes; - folding a first portion of a blank, enclosing the internal casing, creating a rigid external container of a substantially polyhedral shape comprising at least a front wall, a rear wall, a bottom wall and an extraction opening for the items to be smoke, opposite the back wall;

- folding a second portion of the blank by making a rigid lid hinged to the rear wall along a connection hinge and able to rotate between a first opening position and a second closing position of the extraction opening, the lid comprising at least one front wall , a back wall and an upper wall coplanar with the front, rear and bottom walls respectively when the lid is in the second closed position;

- integrally coupling the movable portion to the lid in such a way that when the lid is opened for the first time, the movable portion remains coupled to the internal surfaces of the rigid lid;

the method is characterized by the fact that the sheet is folded around the group of smoking articles by positioning the movable portion between the connection hinge and an upper portion of the internal envelope in correspondence with the upper wall;

the movable portion is coupled to the internal surfaces of the back and / or upper walls of the lid.

In this way, it is possible to obtain a package with significantly improved usability thanks to the possibility of obtaining the rotation of the lid and the lifting of the movable portion through a single operation with the rotation of the lid itself, allowing the user to easily access the enclosed smoking articles. It is also possible to obtain a package in which the movable portion for access to the group of smoking articles can be lifted for access to the group of cigarettes without this being completely detached from the internal container. The positioning of the sheet also makes it possible to prevent the movable portion from being visible on the internal surface of the front wall of the lid every time the user opens the package.

Preferably, the method further comprises the step of making on the blank, before folding around the internal envelope, a raised portion in correspondence with the extraction opening, the raised portion by making a collar integrated with the external container.

In this way, any collar necessary to guarantee the coupling of the rigid lid with the remaining part of the external rigid container is made on the blank during the making of the package.

Alternatively, the method further includes the step of applying a collar to the inner casing in correspondence with the extraction opening.

In this way, it is possible to produce a package provided with a collar separated from the blank and superimposed both on the internal envelope and on the front wall of the external container.

Preferably, the method further includes the step of obtaining the collar by separating a piece from a continuous tape before applying it to the inner casing, the collar is shaped to completely cover the front portion of the inner casing in correspondence with the front wall;

the movable portion is engraved to extend between the connection hinge and an upper portion of the internal casing in correspondence with the upper wall or with the connecting edge between the front portion and the upper portion.

In this way, the collar completely covers the front portion of the smoking items, made accessible by lifting the lid, improving the aesthetic appearance of the package even with the lid open.

Alternatively, the method further includes the step of obtaining the collar by separating a piece from a continuous tape before applying it to the inner casing, the collar is shaped to completely cover the front portion of the inner casing in correspondence with the front wall and partially the upper portion of the internal envelope in correspondence with the upper wall;

the movable portion is engraved to extend between the connection hinge and an upper portion of the internal casing in correspondence with the upper wall or with the perimeter edge of the collar superimposed on the upper portion.

In this way, the extension of the collar allows both to improve the aesthetic appearance of the package when opened and to better preserve the contents.

The aforementioned purposes are further achieved by a packing machine for manufacturing a container for smoking articles, in particular for cigarettes, in accordance with the attached claims.

The machine includes:

- an incision device for defining in a wrapping tape a plurality of non-passing incisions suitable for at least partially defining a plurality of movable portions defining the extraction openings for the smoking articles;

- a first cutting unit for obtaining a wrapping sheet by cutting the tape, the sheet comprising an extraction opening;

- a first wrapping unit for folding said sheet enclosing a group of smoking articles to create a soft inner wrapping provided with an extraction opening;

- a second wrapping unit for folding a blank, enclosing the internal casing, making a rigid external container comprising at least a front wall, a rear wall and a rigid lid hinged along a connection hinge to the rear wall to rotate between a first opening position and a second closing position of the extraction opening;

the machine is characterized by the fact that the scoring device defines the extraction opening from the connection hinge to the connecting edge between the front portion and the upper portion or from the connection hinge to the upper portion of the internal casing in correspondence with the upper wall;

the machine further comprises a gumming device operatively connected with the second wrapping unit and able to apply glue to the internal bottom and / or upper surfaces of the lid in correspondence with the area overlapping with the movable portion before the second wrapping unit wrapping rotates the lid in the second closing position, allowing the coupling between the internal surfaces of the bottom and / or top of the lid and the corresponding surfaces of the movable portion.

Preferably, the packing machine further comprises: - a second cutting unit for obtaining a plurality of collars from a reel of strip of wrapping material;

- a third wrapping unit, placed between the first and second wrapping units to couple the collar to the internal wrapping before folding the blank;

the packing machine is characterized by the fact that the second cutting unit shapes the collar to completely cover the front portion of the internal casing in correspondence with the front wall; the incision device defines the movable portions between the connection hinge and an upper portion of the inner casing in correspondence with the upper wall or with the connecting edge between the front portion and the upper portion of the inner casing.

Alternatively, the packing machine further comprising: - a second cutting unit for obtaining a plurality of collars from a reel of tape of wrapping material;

- a third wrapping unit, placed between the first and third wrapping units to couple the collar to the internal wrapping before folding the blank;

the packing machine is characterized by the fact that the second cutting unit shapes the collar to completely cover the front portion and partially the upper portion of the soft inner casing;

the incision device defines the movable portions between the connection hinge and an upper portion of the internal casing in correspondence with the upper wall or with the perimeter edge of the collar superimposed on the upper portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become evident from the description of preferred embodiments, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the attached figures, in which: - Figure 1 is a perspective view from above of a first embodiment of the cigarette pack, according to the present invention, when the lid is in the first open position; - Figure 2 is a top perspective view of a second embodiment of the cigarette pack, in accordance with the present invention, when the lid is in the first open position and the collar completely covers the front portion of the € ™ internal casing;

- Figure 3 is a front perspective view of a third embodiment of the cigarette pack, according to the present invention, when the lid is in the first open position and the collar entirely covers the front portion and partially the portion upper part of the inner shell.

PREFERRED FORMS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to Figure 1, a pack 1 of smoking articles, in particular cigarettes, according to the present invention is illustrated.

The cigarette pack 1 comprises a rigid external container 31 of polyhedral shape, in particular parallelepiped, made of rigid paper material, such as cardboard or cardboard, and a soft internal envelope 11 housed inside the external container 31.

The inner casing 11, also parallelepiped in shape, encloses a group 21 of cigarettes and is of the soft type. In particular, the internal wrapping 11 is obtained by wrapping the group 21 of cigarettes with a sheet of wrapping material without making any sealing. In the embodiment described therein, the soft inner casing 11 is made starting from a sheet of metallic material, for example aluminum, or from a sheet of paper material coated on at least one of the surfaces of metallic material, commonly called â € œ metallized paperâ €. The external container 31 has a parallelepiped shape with a rectangular base and comprises a front wall 131 parallel and opposite to a rear wall (not shown), a bottom wall (not shown), perpendicular to the previous ones, and a pair of lateral walls 231, they too parallel and opposite, which connect the aforementioned front 131, rear and bottom walls. In the opposite position to the back wall, the external container 31 is also provided with an open end which creates an extraction opening for the smoking articles enclosed within the internal casing 11.

The closure of the package 1 is guaranteed by a rigid lid 41, which the container 31 is provided with. This lid 41 is hinged to the rear wall of the external container 31 along a connection hinge 441. In particular, the lid 41 is able to rotate between a first opening position of the external container 31 (as illustrated in Figure 1), which allows access to the open end and, therefore, to the extraction opening, and a second closing position (not shown), which allows the open end of the same external container 31 to be closed.

The lid 41 has a parallelepiped shape which matches the external container 31 when the lid 41 is arranged in the second closing position. The latter thus includes, in the same way, a front wall 141 parallel and opposite to a back wall 241, an upper wall 341, perpendicular to the previous ones, as well as a pair of side walls 541, coplanar to the side walls 231. In in particular, when in the second closing position the coupling between the lid 41 and the external container 31 gives the package 1 a rectangular parallelepiped shape provided with the walls described above. Embodiments different from that illustrated in Figure 1, in accordance with the present invention, can provide alternative configurations for the external container 31 and, consequently, for the internal envelope 11. Likewise, the edges of the external container 31, all shown with a straight conformation in the embodiment of Figure 1, could have, according to alternative embodiments of the present invention, a blunt or rounded conformation.

The extraction of the cigarettes 21 from the inner wrapper 11 is achieved by means of a movable portion 111 with which the inner wrapper 11 is provided. Said movable portion 111 is obtained in correspondence with the open end of the external container 31 which creates the opening for extracting the cigarettes 21. This movable portion 111 is obtained by cutting part of the sheet that wraps the group 21 of cigarettes to make the soft inner casing 11, as described in detail below, and is coupled integrally to the lid 41. This allows the movable portion 111 to be detached, carved to allow access to the group 21 of cigarettes when the lid 41 is arranged in the first open position for the first time. In particular, according to the present invention, the coupling of the movable portion 111 with the internal surfaces of the lid 41 is such as to allow the movable portion 111 to remain coupled to the lid 41 without detaching completely from the remaining part of the casing 11 internal.

The package 1 is also provided with a collar 51 which is coupled to the internal envelope 11 in such a way as to protrude from the external container 31 at the extraction opening and towards the lid 41. This collar 51 has the function of stiffen the structure of the external container 31 and allow a better coupling with the lid 41 when the latter is arranged in the second closing position. As shown in Figure 1, the collar 51 has a typical "U" shape with a recess in correspondence with the front portion 311 of the internal casing 11. This conformation allows to partially cover the front portion 311 and the side portions 511 of the internal casing 11, leaving the upper portion 211 of the same internal casing 11 completely uncovered.

The aim of the present invention is therefore to produce a package of smoking articles provided with a movable portion 111 of the internal casing 11 capable of allowing access to the group 21 of smoking articles without dispersing parts of the same casing 11 internal. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, to achieve the above, the movable portion 111 is made by cutting, at least partially, the internal casing 11 in an area that extends between the connection hinge 441, which allows the rotation of the lid 41, to the upper portion 211 of the internal casing 11 in correspondence with the upper wall 341 of the same lid 41. In particular, the incision of the movable portion 111 is made on three sides, allowing a fourth side to remain integral with the internal casing 11. The side integral with the internal casing 11 corresponds to the side superimposed on the connection hinge 441, creating a continuum with the remaining portion of the internal casing 11 itself.

In the same way, the movable portion 111 could be separated from the internal casing 11 on four sides, ie completely. Also in this case, one of the four sides is in correspondence with the connection hinge 441.

The movable portion 111 therefore extends up to the center line of the aforementioned upper portion 211. Similarly, the incision defining the movable portion 111 in correspondence with the upper portion 211 could be closer to the connection hinge 441 or, vice versa, to the connecting edge 411 between the front 311 and upper portions 211 of the casing 11 internal.

The movement of the movable portion 111 together with the rotation of the lid 41 is obtained by integrally coupling, preferably by glue, this movable portion 111 to the internal walls of the lid 41. In particular, the movable portion 111 is glued to the back walls 241 and / or top 341 of the aforementioned lid 41, allowing access to the group 21 of cigarettes in correspondence with the portions glued to and raised by the lid 41 itself.

In use, the package 1, as previously described, has a parallelepiped shape when the lid 41 is arranged in the second closing position. The first opening of the pack 1 is obtained by the user by rotating the lid 41 to place it in the first opening position which allows access to the cigarette extraction opening 21. The rotation of the lid 41 raises the movable portion 111 is integrally coupled thereto and allows access to the group 21 of cigarettes. The user who wants to open the pack 1 for the first time to extract a cigarette from the internal wrapper 11 acts by rotating the lid and simultaneously separating part of the inner wrapping 11 intended for wrapping the group 21 of cigarettes. In other words, by rotating the lid 41 into the first opening position it is possible with a single gesture to open both the lid 41 itself and the movable portion 111 simultaneously, by accessing the extraction opening.

The lifting of the movable portion 111 while preserving the front portion of the internal casing 11 allows to minimize the visual impact of the portion of material coupled to the lid. In particular, since the movable portion 111 is arranged between the connection hinge 441 and the median portion of the upper portion 211, the portion of the inner casing 11 raised and glued to the lid will not affect the front appearance of the pack 1 while preserving its characteristics aesthetic. Furthermore, whenever the user proceeds with the extraction of a single cigarette, he will perceive the experience of a new opening.

The front 311 and upper portions 211 not removed of the wrapper 11 therefore allow to better preserve the cigarettes not extracted with the pack 1 open, maintaining the aroma of the cigarettes 21 for a longer time. Furthermore, the same front portions 311 and top 211 act as a barrier against tobacco fleas, that is the tobacco particulate that can detach from the cigarettes, trapping it even if the package 1 is shaken or turned upside down. In this way, the opened package 1 also preserves the functional characteristics of the same package 1 when closed.

The realization of the package 1 illustrated in Figure 1 can be obtained by means of a packaging machine (not illustrated) for the production of smoking items, in particular cigarettes, produced by the company G.D Società per share.

This packing machine allows to make a package 1 of smoking articles, in accordance with the present invention according to the first embodiment previously described and illustrated in Figure 1.

A packaging machine suitable for making package 1 is equipped with a first unwinding line for a reel of wrapping tape, of the â € œmetalized paperâ € type or similar wrapping material used to make the wrapping. 11 internal. This first unwinding line is provided with an engraving device (of the known type), preferably with laser technology, to produce a plurality of incisions in the unwound wrapping web, passing in sections. These incisions allow to obtain on the unwound belt a plurality of movable portions 111 which will define the respective extraction openings of the smoke articles 21 for the inner casing 11.

The movable portions 111 thus defined are â € œa rectangleâ € -shaped and have three sides with incisions passing in sections and a fourth side integrally coupled to the remaining part of the belt. In this way, the three sides engraved in pieces will allow a separation with minimum effort of the movable portion 111 while the fourth non-engraved side will maintain the coupling with the internal casing 11. In addition, the fourth side can also be engraved, at least partially, to allow the connection hinge 441, which it will overlap, to work effortlessly.

In particular, in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the movable portion 111 has incisions that pass in sections on the three sides to extend from the connection hinge 441 to the center line of the upper portion 211.

The first unwinding line also comprises a cutting unit (also of a known type and not shown) to obtain a wrapping sheet, provided with a single movable portion 111 in correspondence with the aforesaid extraction opening. The sheets are therefore obtained by suitably cutting the wrapping tape at a predetermined pitch in such a way that a single movable portion 111 is present on each tape.

Downstream of the first unwinding line, the packing machine is provided with a second line for forming the groups 21 of cigarettes and the relative internal wrapping 11 which encloses them. The second formation line comprises a first transfer wheel which is rotatable about its own horizontal rotation axis. This receives the groups 21 of cigarettes in succession and transfers them to a second wrapping wheel provided with a plurality of peripheral pockets at a first wrapping unit. In correspondence with the second wrapping wheel, which rotates around its own vertical rotation axis, each pocket receives the group of cigarettes and the relative wrapping sheet. The rotation of the second wrapping wheel allows, therefore, to fold the wrapping sheet enclosing the aforementioned group 21 of previously formed smoking articles, to make the soft inner wrapping 11 provided with the extraction opening. In particular, the wrapping of the wrapping sheet is such as to position the portion engraved in sections in correspondence with the extraction opening, creating the soft internal wrapping 11 provided with the movable portion 111 for the extraction of said cigarettes, object of the present invention. To obtain the correct positioning of the movable portion 111, the wrapping of the wrapping sheet preferably takes place starting from the head of the group 21 of cigarettes, so that the movable portion 111, suitable for making the extraction opening , position itself in correspondence with the tail of the cigarettes, coinciding with the portion of the filter. The rotation in the second wrapping wheel therefore results in the completion of the couplings of the inner casing with the formation of the rear and side overlapping edges of the same inner casing 11.

Once the construction of the internal container 11 has been completed and before the construction of the external container 31 on a second wrapping unit, the internal envelopes 11 are transferred to a third wheel to implement the application step of the collar 51. This collar 51 is previously obtained in line starting from a further reel of wrapping material, in particular of material such as cardboard.

A second cutting unit separates pieces of cardboard from the continuous tape from the relative reel of wrapping material before being applied to the internal wrapping 11. The knife, or blade, provided on the second cutting unit shapes the piece constituting the collar 51 in the shape of a "U", ie with a recess in correspondence with the front portion 311 of the internal casing 11. A third wrapping unit, interposed between the first and second wrapping unit, therefore allows the collar 51 thus made to be coupled to the internal wrapping 11 before folding the blank, as described below. In particular, the conformation allows to partially cover the front portion 311 and the lateral portions 511 of the inner casing 11, leaving the upper portion 211 of the casing 11 completely uncovered.

Finally, the packing machine is provided with a second wrapping unit for folding a blank, enclosing the soft inner wrapping 11. This second wrapping unit comprises a fourth wrapping wheel which rotates around its own vertical rotation axis and is also provided with a plurality of peripheral pockets. Finally, the second wrapping unit is equipped with a fifth wrapping wheel that rotates around its own horizontal rotation axis, perpendicular to the rotation axis of the aforementioned fourth wrapping wheel, and also equipped with a plurality of peripheral pockets.

The fourth wrapping wheel is partially superimposed on the transfer wheel and has a peripheral pocket suitable for transferring the internal wrapping 11, coupled with the blank fed by a specific feeding line, to the corresponding peripheral pocket of the fifth wrapping wheel.

In correspondence with the fifth wrapping wheel, the packing machine is also provided with a gumming device operatively connected with the second wrapping unit and, in particular, with the same fifth wrapping wheel.

The fifth wrapping wheel therefore receives each internal wrapper 11 and the relative blank, making the folds necessary for making the pack 1 of smoking articles according to the present invention. In particular, by folding the blank, an external rigid container 31 of a substantially parallelepiped shape and enclosing the internal envelope 11 is formed. This outer container 31 comprises a front wall 131, a rear wall, a bottom wall and an extraction opening for the group 21 of cigarettes, opposite the bottom wall.

In a pocket of the fifth wrapping wheel, the blank is in the partially folded condition around the internal wrapping 11. The subsequent step therefore requires the folding of the front wall 131 of the external container 31 and the folding of the relative lid 41.

Once the front wall 131 is folded, the second wrapping unit folds the head portions making up the rigid lid 41. In particular, a second portion of the blank hinged to the rear wall of the external container 31 already formed along a connection hinge 441 is folded.

Once the bending of the blank portion constituting the rigid lid 41 has been completed, the aforementioned gumming device applies the glue to the internal surfaces of the back 241 and / or top 341 of the lid 41 in correspondence with the area that will overlap with the movable portion 111 before the second wrapping unit rotates the same lid 41 placing it in the second closing position.

The second wrapping unit completes the cigarette pack 1 by coupling the internal surfaces of the back 241 and / or the upper surface 341 of the lid 41 to the corresponding surfaces of the movable portion 111 superimposed on these, arranging the lid 41 in the second closing position. The coupling of the aforesaid surfaces allows to keep the movable portion 111 adherent to the internal surfaces of the lid 41 when this is opened for the first time, avoiding having to act subsequently to remove part of the internal casing 11 to define the extraction opening.

A second embodiment of the packaging of smoking articles, in particular of cigarettes, according to the present invention is illustrated in Figure 2.

This second embodiment of the package 2 differs from the embodiment previously described and illustrated in Figure 1 by the presence of a collar 52 shaped to completely cover the front portion of the inner envelope 12 in correspondence with the front wall.

Also in this case the movable portion 112 can extend between the connection hinge 442 and an upper portion 212 of the internal casing 12 in correspondence with the upper wall 342 or with the connecting edge 412 between the front portion and the upper portion 212 . In particular, the incision that defines the movable portion 112 in correspondence with the upper portion 212 can be made at the centerline of the aforementioned upper portion 212, as illustrated in Figure 2, or it could be closer to the connection hinge 442 or, vice versa, at the connecting edge 412 between the front and upper portions 212 of the internal casing 12, in correspondence with the upper edge of the collar 52.

In use for package 2, what has already been said for package 1 relating to the first embodiment to which reference is made is valid. The conformation of the collar 52 provided entirely on the front portion of the internal envelope 12 allows to preserve the aesthetic and functional characteristics described in relation to the package 1 of the first embodiment, further improving the characteristics of structural rigidity of the package 2 itself.

The packaging machine described above can also be used for the realization of the package 2 and, therefore, reference should also be made to what has already been described for it. The only difference is related to the conformation of the collar 52 and, therefore, to its realization.

The collar 52 is obtained in line starting from the relative reel of wrapping material, in particular of material such as cardboard. To define the collar 52 to completely cover the front portion of the internal wrapping 12, the second cutting unit separates pieces of cardboard from the continuous tape from the relative reel of wrapping material before applying it to the inner wrapping 12. The knife, or blade, provided on the second cutting unit shapes the piece constituting the collar 52 in a rectangular shape, or by means of a straight blade cut without creating any recess. In this way, the production of the individual collars 52 starting from the cardboard reel is practical and without shaping scraps. A third wrapping unit, interposed between the first and second wrapping unit, therefore allows to couple the collar 52 thus made to the internal wrapping 12 before folding the blank, as previously described, shaping the collar 52 to completely cover the front portion of the internal casing 12 in correspondence with the front wall.

Furthermore, the scoring device produces a plurality of incisions in the unwound metallized paper wrapping web. These incisions make it possible to obtain on the unwound belt a plurality of movable portions 112 which will define the respective extraction openings of the smoke articles 22 for the inner casing 12. Such movable portions 112 are incised to extend between the connecting hinge 442 and an upper portion 212 of the inner casing 12 in correspondence with the upper wall 342 or with the connecting edge 412 between the front portion and the upper portion 212. In particular, in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, the movable portion 112 has incisions that pass in sections on the three sides to extend from the connection hinge 442 to the center line of the upper portion 212 of the internal casing 12.

A third embodiment of the packaging of smoking articles, in particular cigarettes, according to the present invention is illustrated in Figure 3.

This third embodiment of the package 3 differs from the embodiment previously described and illustrated in Figure 2 by the presence of a collar 53 shaped to completely cover the front portion and partially the upper portion of the inner casing.

The particular shape of the collar 53 allows the movable portion 113 to be defined in such a way that it extends between the connection hinge 443 and an upper portion of the internal casing in correspondence with the upper wall 343 or with the perimeter edge 153 of the collar 53 superimposed on the upper portion. In particular, the incision defining the movable portion 113 at the upper portion could be closer to the connection hinge 443 or, vice versa, to the connecting edge between the front and upper portions of the internal casing. In the latter case, illustrated in Figure 3, the movable portion 113 is arranged below the collar portion 53 made on the upper portion of the casing 13 until the user arranges the first opening.

Similarly, the incision defining the movable portion 113 at the upper portion could be made at the perimeter edge 153 of the collar superimposed on the upper portion itself.

In use for the package 3 what has already been said for the package 1 relating to the first embodiment to which reference is made is valid. The conformation of the collar 53 provided entirely on the front portion and partially on the upper portion of the internal envelope allows to preserve the aesthetic and functional characteristics described in relation to the package 1 of the first embodiment, also improving the structural rigidity of the package 3 itself.

The packaging machine described above can also be used for the realization of the package 3 and, therefore, reference should also be made to what has already been described for it. The only difference is related to the conformation of the collar 53 and, therefore, to its realization.

The collar 53 is obtained in line starting from the relative reel of wrapping material, in particular of material such as cardboard. To define the collar 53 to entirely cover the front portion and partially the upper portion of the internal casing, the second cutting unit separates pieces of cardboard from the continuous tape from the relative reel of wrapping material before applying it to the inner shell itself. The knife, or blade, provided on the second cutting unit shapes the piece constituting the collar 53 in the shape of an inverted â € œUâ €, ie with a recess in correspondence with the area in contact with the front wall 133 of the external container 33. By placing the recess in correspondence with the bottom wall of the external container 33, it is possible to subsequently shape the portion of the collar 53 protruding with respect to the front portion of the internal casing.

A third wrapping unit, interposed between the first and second wrapping unit, allows, in fact, to couple the collar 53 to the inner wrapping before folding the blank, as previously described, creating the fold on the sides and simultaneously on the upper portion of the same. In this way, the third wrapping unit allows the collar 53 to be applied by covering the front portion entirely and partially the upper portion of the inner wrapping visible when this is inserted into the outer container 33.

The scoring device also realizes movable portions 113 to extend between the connection hinge 443 and an upper portion of the internal casing 13 in correspondence with the upper wall 343 or with the perimeter edge 153 of the collar 53 superimposed on the upper portion.

A further embodiment (not shown) of the packaging of smoking articles, in particular of cigarettes, in accordance with the present invention differs from the embodiments previously described and illustrated in Figures 1-3 by the presence of a collar integrated with the container external. In particular, the collar can be shaped according to what previously described in one of the embodiments described and illustrated and realizing a raised portion on the rigid outer container in correspondence with the lid. This raised portion reproduces the shape of a traditional collar, or of one of the previously described collars for the second or third embodiment, making a collar integrated with the front wall and with the side walls of the external container. The coupling of the lid with the remaining part of the external container is guaranteed even if it is made by folding a single blank.

In use for this package, what has already been said for package 1 relating to the first embodiment to which reference is made is valid.

The packaging machine described above can also be used for the realization of a package with integrated collar and, therefore, also refer to what has already been described for it. The only difference is related to the conformation of the blank which is fed to the feeding line already provided with the portion in relief.

Alternatively, if the blank is fed to the aforementioned supply line without the integrated collar portion, it is necessary to provide it by means of a device suitable for forming the necessary reliefs on the blank. Therefore, in this case, before folding the blank around the inner casing on the fifth wheel, the forming device generates a raised portion by making a collar integrated into the front wall of the outer container at the extraction opening . The lid therefore overlaps the raised portion when it is placed in the second closing position.

In this way, the collar allows the coupling of the lid with the remaining part of the external container while maintaining a sufficiently rigid conformation that avoids the common defect of the package that â € œrideâ €, that is, that leaves an interstice between the lid and the wall front.

In the embodiments described in which the package is provided with a collar, and in particular where the collar completely covers the front portion and / or partially the upper portion of the internal envelope, the collar can be provided with inscriptions and / or logos and / or images on the external surface visible to a user.

The packaging of smoking articles described above has numerous advantages.

In the first place, the packaging of smoking articles, in accordance with the present invention, allows the opening of the external container and the access to the extraction opening with a single gesture, by simply rotating and arranging the cover in the first open position. Access to the group of cigarettes is immediate and simultaneous with the rotation of the lid. The possibility of maintaining the frontal and, at least partially, superior aspect of the internal casing unchanged allows to improve the usability and ergonomics of the packaging of smoking items, previously described in a plurality of variants of realization, with respect to to the similar packages of smoking articles of the known type. In particular, by obtaining the extraction opening starting from the connection hinge, it is possible to open the package without detaching and dispersing wrapping material while maintaining the aesthetic appearance of the package itself almost unchanged. This results in the userâ € ™ s pleasant experience of having a new pack available at each extraction of the cigarette.

The particular shape of the movable portion and / or of the collar create a barrier suitable for maintaining the aroma that is simple and economical to make. Furthermore, the same conformation makes it possible to avoid the dispersion of tobacco particles in an open package. The extension of the collar to entirely cover the front portion and / or partially the upper portion also allows to obtain a large surface on which to create inscriptions and / or logos and / or images in such a way as to be visible to the public. ™ user with open package. Finally, the packaging of smoking articles described above can be produced in a simple and economical way using a standard packaging machine (which requires only modest modifications). The production of the package does not therefore require the use of special packaging machines with a considerable design and production cost.

Due to the numerous advantages of the package described above, this package can also be used to contain items other than cigarettes, for example food (sweets, chocolates or other sweets).

Claims (16)

R I V E N D I C A Z I O N I 1) Packaging (1) of smoking articles, in particular cigarettes, comprising: - a soft inner casing (11) enclosing a group (21) of said smoking articles; - an external rigid container (31) of substantially polyhedral shape, enclosing said internal casing (11), comprising at least a front wall (131), a rear wall, a bottom wall and provided with an extraction opening for said articles from smoke, opposite said back wall; - a rigid lid (41) hinged to said rear wall along a connection hinge (441) and able to rotate between a first opening position and a second closing position of said extraction opening, said lid (41) comprises at least one front wall (141), a back wall (241) and an upper wall (341) coplanar with said front (131), rear and bottom walls respectively when said lid (41) is in said second closed position; said internal casing (11) is provided with a portion (111) movable in correspondence with said extraction opening and integrally coupled to said lid (41) in such a way that when said lid (41) is opened for the first time said movable portion (111) remains coupled to the internal surfaces of said lid (41); said package (1) is characterized by the fact that said movable portion (111) extends between said connection hinge (441) and an upper portion (211) of said inner casing (11) in correspondence with said upper wall (341) . 2) Package (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said movable portion (111) is glued to said back (241) and / or upper walls (341) of said lid (41). 3) Packaging (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said movable portion (111) is separated from said internal casing (11) by three sides, a fourth side remaining integral with said internal casing (11) in correspondence with said connection hinge (441). 4) Package (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said movable portion (111) is separated from said inner casing (11) by four sides, one of which is in correspondence with said hinge (441) of link. 5) Package (1) according to one or more claims from 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a collar (51) coupled to said internal envelope (11) and protruding from said extraction opening towards said lid (41). 6) Package (2) according to claim 5, characterized by the fact that said collar (52) is shaped to completely cover the front portion of said internal envelope (12) in correspondence with said front wall, said movable portion (112) is extends between said connecting hinge (442) and an upper portion (212) of said inner casing (12) in correspondence with said upper wall (342) or with the connecting edge (412) between said front portion and said portion (212 ) superior. 7) Package (3) according to claim 6, characterized in that said collar (53) is shaped to completely cover the front portion and partially the upper portion of said inner casing, said movable portion (113) extends between said hinge (443) for connection and an upper portion (213) of said inner casing in correspondence with said upper wall (343) or with the perimeter edge (153) of said collar (53) superimposed on said upper portion. 8) Packaging according to one or more claims from 5 to 7, characterized by the fact that said collar is provided with inscriptions and / or logos and / or images on the external surface visible to a user. 9) Wrapping method for making a package (1) of smoking articles, in particular cigarettes, comprising the steps of: - create on a strip of wrapping material a plurality of engraved portions passing in sections; - obtaining a sheet of wrapping material provided with an engraved portion passing at times by cutting said tape; - folding said sheet, enclosing a group (21) of said smoking articles, positioning said engraved portion passing in sections in correspondence with said extraction opening, creating a soft inner casing (11) provided with a movable portion (111) for the ™ extraction of said cigarettes; - folding a first portion of a blank, enclosing said internal casing (11), making a rigid external container (31) of a substantially polyhedral shape comprising at least a front wall (131), a rear wall, a bottom wall and a extraction opening for said smoking articles, opposite to said bottom wall; - folding a second portion of said blank to form a rigid lid (41) hinged to said rear wall along a connecting hinge (441) and able to rotate between a first opening position and a second closing position of said extraction opening, said lid (41) comprising at least a front wall (141), a back wall (241) and an upper wall (341) coplanar to said front (131), rear and bottom walls respectively when said lid (41) is in said second closing position; - integrally coupling said movable portion (111) to said lid (41) in such a way that when said lid (41) is opened for the first time said movable portion (111) remains coupled to the internal surfaces of said rigid lid (41) ; the method is characterized by the fact that said sheet is folded around said group of smoking articles by positioning said movable portion (111) between said connection hinge (441) and an upper portion (211) of said inner casing (11) in correspondence with said upper wall (341); said movable portion (111) is coupled to the internal surfaces of said back (241) and / or upper (341) walls of said lid (41). 10) Method according to claim 9, characterized in that it further comprises the step of making on said blank, before folding around said inner casing, a raised portion in correspondence with said extraction opening, said raised portion making a collar integrated in said external container. 11) Method according to claim 9, characterized by the fact of further understanding the step of applying a collar (51) to said inner casing (11) in correspondence with said extraction opening. 12) Method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized by the fact of further understanding the step of obtaining said collar (52) before applying it to said internal casing (12), said collar (52) is shaped to completely cover the front portion of said inner casing (12) in correspondence with said front wall; said movable portion (112) is engraved to extend between said connection hinge (442) and an upper portion (212) of said inner casing (12) in correspondence with said upper wall (342) or with the edge (412) of connection between said front portion and said upper portion (212). 13) Method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized by the fact of further understanding the step of obtaining said collar (53) before being applied on said inner casing, said collar (53) is shaped to completely cover the front portion of said inner casing in correspondence with said front wall and partially the upper portion of said inner casing in correspondence with said upper wall (343); said movable portion (113) is engraved to extend between said connection hinge (443) and an upper portion (213) of said internal casing in correspondence with said upper wall (343) or with the perimeter edge (153) of said collar (53) superimposed on said upper portion. 14) Packing machine for making a package (1) of smoking articles, in particular cigarettes, comprising: - an incision device for making in a wrapping tape a plurality of incisions passing in sections suitable for obtaining a plurality of movable portions (111) defining the extraction openings of said smoking articles; - a first cutting unit for obtaining a wrapping sheet by cutting said tape, said sheet comprising an extraction opening; - a first wrapping unit for folding said sheet enclosing a group (21) of said smoking articles to form a soft inner wrapping (11) provided with said extraction opening; - a second wrapping unit for folding a blank, enclosing said inner casing (11), making a rigid outer container (31) comprising at least a front wall (131), a rear wall and a rigid lid (41) hinged along a hinge (441) for connection to said rear wall to rotate between a first opening position and a second closing position of said extraction opening; the machine is characterized by the fact that said scoring device defines said extraction opening from said hinge (441) for connection to the edge (411) for connection between said front portion (311) and said upper portion (211) or from said hinge ( 441) for connection to the upper portion (211) of said inner casing (11) in correspondence with said upper wall (341); said machine further comprises a gumming device operatively connected with said second wrapping unit and able to apply glue to the internal bottom (241) and / or upper (341) surface of said lid (41) in correspondence with the overlapping area with said portion (111) movable before said second wrapping unit rotates said lid (41) into said second closing position, allowing the coupling between said internal bottom (241) and / or upper (341) surfaces of said cover (41) and the corresponding surfaces of said movable portion (111). 15) Packaging machine for making a package (2) of smoking articles, in particular cigarettes according to claim 14, further comprising: - a second cutting unit to obtain a plurality of collars (52) from a reel of tape of wrapping material; - a third wrapping unit, interposed between said first and second wrapping units to couple said collar (52) to said inner wrapping (12) before folding said blank; said packing machine is characterized in that said second cutting unit shapes said collar (52) to completely cover the front portion of said inner casing (12) in correspondence with said front wall; said incision device defines said portions (112) movable between said connection hinge (442) and an upper portion (212) of said inner casing (12) in correspondence with said upper wall (342) or with the edge (412) of connection between said front portion and said upper portion (212) of said inner casing (12). 16) Packing machine for making a package (3) of smoking articles, in particular of cigarettes according to claim 14, further comprising: - a second cutting unit for obtaining a plurality of collars (53) from a reel of tape of wrapping material; - a third wrapping unit, interposed between said first and third wrapping units to couple said collar (53) to said inner wrapping before folding said blank; said packing machine is characterized in that said second cutting unit shapes said collar (53) to cover entirely the front portion and partially the upper portion of said inner casing; said incision device defines said portions (113) movable between said connection hinge (443) and an upper portion of said inner casing in correspondence with said upper wall (343) or with the perimeter edge (153) of said collar (53) superimposed on said upper portion.