ITUB20153399A1 - Rigid packet of smoking articles with hinged lid and with an internal wrapping having a closure label fixed to the lid, and relative folding method. - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

"Rigid package of smoking articles with hinged lid and with an internal wrapping featuring a closure label attached to the lid, and relative folding method"

TECHNIQUE SECTOR

The present invention relates to a rigid package of smoking articles with a hinged lid and with an internal wrapping having a closure label fixed to the lid, and to a relative folding method.

The present invention finds advantageous application to a packet of cigarettes, to which the following description will make explicit reference without thereby losing generality.

ANTERIOR ART

Rigid cigarette packets with hinged lid are the most popular cigarette packets currently on the market as they are simple to make, are easy and practical to use, and offer good protection to the cigarettes contained inside.

A rigid packet of cigarettes with a hinged lid comprises an internal wrapping consisting of a group of cigarettes wrapped in a sheet of metallized paper and a rigid outer wrapping which houses an internal wrapping. The external envelope consists of a cup-shaped container having an open upper end, and a lid, which is also cup-shaped and is hinged to the container to rotate, with respect to the container itself, between an open position and a position open end closure.

In the rigid cigarette packet with hinged lid described in patent applications EP2155568-A1 and WO201 2147073- Al the internal wrapping is waterproof and has a cigarette extraction opening, which is closed by a reusable closure label; in other words, the closure label is provided with reusable adhesive which does not dry, which allows the closure label to be blocked several times in a closed position of the cigarette extraction opening. To simplify the opening and closing of the cigarette packet, i.e. to allow the lid of the outer casing and the closing label of the internal wrapping to be opened and closed together with a single maneuver, a portion of the closing label is permanently and inseparably bonded to an internal surface of a front wall of the lid so that opening or closing the lid also opens and closes the closure label simultaneously.

However, it has been observed that in rigid packets of cigarettes with hinged lid made as described in patent applications EP2155568- Al and W 02012147073- Al, it may happen that during normal use (i.e. after some operations of opening and subsequent closing of the lid) , the glue which connects a portion of the closure label to the lid yields an undesirable separation of the closure label from the lid.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a rigid package of smoking articles with a hinged lid and with an internal wrapping having a closing label fixed to the lid and a relative folding method, which package is free of the drawbacks described above and is, at the same time, , easy and inexpensive to make.

In accordance with the present invention, a rigid package of smoking articles with a hinged lid and with an internal wrapping having a closure label fixed to the lid and a relative folding method are provided, according to what is claimed in the attached claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

Figure 1 is a front perspective view and in a closed configuration of a packet of cigarettes made in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the packet of cigarettes of Figure 1 in a closed configuration;

Figure 3 is a front perspective view of the packet of cigarettes of Figure 1 in a partially open configuration;

Figures 4, 5 and 6 are three schematic and side views of a lid of the package of Figure 1 respectively in a closed position, in a partially open position, and in a completely open position; Figure 7 is a front perspective view of an internal wrapping of the package of Figure 1 in a closed configuration;

- Figure 8 is a front perspective view of the internal wrapping of Figure 7 in an open configuration;

- figure 9 is an extended view of a closing label of the internal wrapping of figure 7 highlighting the areas of glue present on the closing label itself;

- Figure 10 is a front perspective view of a group of cigarettes contained in the internal wrapping of Figure 7;

- Figure 11 is a plan view of a sheet of heat-sealable wrapping used to make the internal wrapping of Figure 7;

Figure 12 is a view of a blank used to make an external container and the relative lid of the packet of cigarettes of Figure 1;

- Figures 13 and 14 are respectively a front perspective view and an extended view of a folded reinforcement element contained in the internal wrapping of Figure 7;

Figure 15 is a plan view of a variant of a label for closing the packet of cigarettes of Figure 1;

- Figures 16-22 are seven plan views that schematically illustrate a succession of operations for folding the blank of Figure 12 around the internal wrapping of Figure 7;

- Figures 23-26 are four plan views that schematically illustrate an alternative embodiment of the succession of operations for folding the blank of Figure 12 around the internal wrapping of Figure 7; and - Figures 27-29 are three plan views that schematically illustrate a further embodiment of the succession of operations for folding the blank of Figure 12 around the internal wrapping of Figure 7.

PREFERRED FORMS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INVENTION

In Figures 1, 2 and 3, the number 1 indicates a rigid packet of cigarettes as a whole. The pack 1 of cigarettes comprises an external container 2 made of cardboard or rigid cardboard and shaped like a cup and an internal sealed wrapping 3 (better illustrated in figures 7 and 8) housed inside the container 2.

The external container 2 has an open upper end 19 and is provided with a lid 4, which is cup-shaped and is hinged to the external container 2 along a hinge 5 (illustrated in Figure 2) to rotate, with respect to the external container 2 itself. , between an open position (illustrated in Figure 3) and a closed position (illustrated in Figures 1 and 2) of the open upper end 19. The outer container 2 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, is cup-shaped, and has an open upper end 19, a lower wall 6 opposite the open upper end 19, a front wall 7 and a rear wall 8 (in which the hinge 5) parallel and opposite to each other, and two side walls 9 parallel and opposite to each other. The lid 4 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, is cup-shaped, and has an open lower end (facing the open upper end 19 of the outer container 2 when the lid 4 is in the closed position), an upper wall 10 (which is parallel and opposite to the lower wall 6 of the outer container 2 when the lid 4 is in the closed position), a front wall 11 (which is parallel and aligned with the front wall 7 of the outer container 2 when the lid 4 is in the closed position) , a rear wall 12 (which is parallel and aligned with the rear wall 8 of the outer container 2 when the lid 4 is in the closed position and is hinged to the rear wall 8 of the outer container 2 along the hinge 5), and two side walls 13 parallel and opposite to each other (which are parallel and aligned with the side walls 9 of the external container 2 when the lid 4 is in the position closing ion).

According to the embodiment illustrated in the attached figures, the pack 1 of cigarettes is devoid of a collar; according to a different embodiment not shown, the pack 1 of cigarettes comprises a collar, which is fixed (normally by gluing) folded in a "U" shape inside the external container 2 to partially protrude outside the upper end 19 open and engage a corresponding internal surface of the lid 4 when the lid 4 itself is arranged in the aforementioned closed position; the collar is preferably provided with closing elements (for example a pair of claws projecting laterally) to keep the lid 4 in the closed position.

According to what is illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, the inner wrapper 3 encloses a group 14 of cigarettes (partially illustrated in Figure 8 and completely illustrated in Figure 10) of parallelepiped shape and has an upper and frontal opening 15 for extracting the cigarettes closed by a reusable closure label 16.

The closing label 16 is fixed to the internal wrapping 3 by means of repositionable glue 17 which does not dry (illustrated in figure 9), which is applied to the internal surface 18 of the closing label 16 (i.e. the surface of the label 16 closure facing towards the inner wrapper 3) and is arranged all around the extraction opening 15 to allow the closure label 16 to come several times (i.e. at each opening of the pack 1 of cigarettes) partially separated from the wrapper 3 internal and then fixed again to the internal wrapping 3. The closure label 16 is provided with a connection tab 20, which is permanently and non-separable glued to the external surface of the front wall 11 of the lid 4 by means of permanent glue 21 (illustrated in figure 9) which is applied to the external surface 22 of the closure label 16 (ie the surface of the closure label 16 facing outward, ie from the opposite wall of the internal wrapper 3).

According to what is better illustrated in Figures 4-7, the connection tab 20 of the closing label 16 is bent in a "U" shape (ie it is bent by 180 °) around two folding lines 23 (better illustrated in Figure 9) between parallel and close together to be glued permanently and inseparably to the external surface of the front wall 11 of the lid 4 by means of the permanent glue 21. In this way, by opening or closing the lid 4 simultaneously, the closing label 16 is also opened and closed as well illustrated in Figures 4, 5 and 6. When the lid 4 is in the closed position and as illustrated in Figure 4, the closure label 16 surrounds (i.e. embraces on both sides) the lower edge of the front wall of the lid.

By making the connecting tab 20 of the closing label 16 permanently integral with the external surface of the front wall 11 of the lid 4, it is possible to obtain the simultaneous lifting (i.e. simultaneous opening) of the closing label 16 together. to the lid 4. The lifting (i.e. opening) of the closing label 16 from the inner wrapper 3 during the opening of the lid 4 takes place smoothly and gradually without any stress on the cigarettes contained in the inner wrapper 3 itself ; furthermore, the descent (i.e. the closing) of the closing label 16 on the internal wrapper 3 during the closing of the lid 4 takes place in a gentle and gradual way, allowing the closing label 16 to wrap in sequence and with precision the profile of the 3 internal wrapping. In particular, by making the connection tab 20 integral with the external surface of the front wall 11 of the lid 4 it is possible to reduce the mechanical stresses to which the permanent glue 21 is subjected (which makes the connection tongue 20 integral with the front wall 11 of the lid 4 ) during the movement of the lid 4 and therefore it is possible to considerably reduce (if not completely eliminate) the risk that the permanent glue 21 fractures in use, causing an undesirable detachment of the closing label 16 from the lid 4. In particular, this The result is obtained thanks to the fact that the closing label 16 wraps around the lower edge of the front wall 11 of the lid 4, consequently varying the inclination with which the traction force is transmitted to the connecting tab 20 which is glued to the wall 11 at the front by means of permanent glue 21; that is, the lower edge of the front wall 11 of the lid 4 acts as a static transmission which changes the direction of the traction force in proximity to the connecting tab 20 which is glued to the front wall 11 by means of the permanent glue 21.

As previously said, the connecting tab 20 is separated from the remaining part of the closing label 16 by two folding lines 23 which are close to each other and are preferably pre-weakened; the distance existing between the two fold lines 23 is equal to the thickness of the front wall 11 of the lid 4 at the lower edge of the front wall 11 itself. The function of the folding lines 23 is to facilitate the folding of the closing label 16 at the connection tab 20 by allowing the closing label 16 to be folded at the connection tab 20 by applying a folding force. of lower intensity (and therefore also reducing the elastic return force with which the closure label 16 tends to return to its original unfolded position after being folded along the two fold lines 23). Thanks to the presence of the folding lines 23, it is possible to fold the connecting tab 20 along the folding lines 23 with greater precision; furthermore, thanks to the presence of the bending lines 23, the elastic return force is reduced, which tends to make the connecting tongue 20 go flat and therefore the mechanical stresses to which the glue 21 is subjected permanent (which makes the tongue 20 for connection integral with the front wall 11 of the cover 4) during the movement of the cover 4.

According to a possible embodiment, each folding line 23 is pre-weakened by a mechanical deformation (typically by punching) of the closing label 16; this mechanical deformation stresses (deforms) the material that constitutes the closing label 16 causing localized weakening. Alternatively, each fold line 23 is pre-weakened by cutting (obviously partial); in this case the weakening can be continuous (i.e. it develops without any interruption of continuity along the entire extension of the folding line 23) and consists of a partial (i.e. non-passing) incision of the material constituting the closure label 16 , or Γ weakening can be intermittent (ie it develops in separate sections) and consists of a complete (ie through) incision of the material constituting Γ closure label 16. By way of example, the weakening of the folding lines 23 can be achieved by means of knives which mechanically engrave the material constituting the closure label 16 or it can be achieved by means of a laser beam which removes part of the material constituting the closure label 16.

In the embodiment illustrated in the attached figures, the connecting tab 20 is separated from the remaining part of the closing label 16 by two folding lines 23 which are close to each other; the presence of two fold lines 23 close to each other makes it possible to follow the course of the front wall 11 of the lid 4 with greater fidelity, taking into account the thickness of the front wall 11 itself in correspondence with the lower edge (this thickness is small but not zero, particularly due to the presence of the flap of the lid 4 which is riveted and glued against the internal surface of the front wall 11, locally doubling the thickness of the front wall 11 itself). According to an alternative and simplified embodiment, the connection tab 20 is separated from the remaining part of the closing label 16 by a single folding line 23.

As shown in Figure 9, the tab 20 connecting the closure label 16 is provided only with the permanent glue 21 and is completely free of repositionable glue 17. According to a preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 9, the permanent glue 21 is arranged at a non-zero distance D1 from the corresponding folding line 23, i.e. the permanent glue 21 does not touch the folding line 23 and therefore there is an intermediate space without any permanent glue 21 close to the folding line 23. Similarly, according to a preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 9, the repositionable glue 17 is arranged at a non-zero distance D2 from the corresponding folding line 23, i.e. the repositionable glue 17 does not touch the folding line 23 and therefore there is an intermediate space glue-free 17 repositionable close to the bending line 23. In this way, an area of the closing label 16 arranged across the folding line 23 is completely free of glue on both sides (both of the repositionable glue 17 and of the permanent glue 21); this feature allows the permanent glue 21 to be subjected to lower mechanical stresses as it allows the closing label 16 to deform freely in correspondence with the folding line 23. Generally the distance D2 is greater than the distance DI and may not be constant, or in correspondence with the bending line 23 the profile of the area on which the repositionable glue 17 has been applied can be arched. During the opening operation of the lid 4, the closing label 16 must be partially separated from the internal wrapping 3 "ungluing" part of the repositionable glue 17; to “unglue” the repositionable glue 17 with a limited effort, it is necessary to “peel” the repositionable glue 17, that is to apply a mainly tangential separation force to the repositionable glue 17. The most critical moment is always the initial detachment of the closing label 16, i.e. the first separation of the repositionable glue 17, and therefore it is necessary that when the first detachment occurs, the closing label 16 is free to deform locally to assume in proximity of the beginning of the repositionable glue 17 a substantially tangential shape for applying a mainly tangential separation force to the repositionable glue 17.

According to a possible embodiment illustrated in Figure 9, the closure label 16 is connected to the internal wrapping 3 also by means of permanent glue 24 which is arranged in correspondence with a rear wall of the inner wrapping 3, or in correspondence with a an area in which the separation between the closing label 16 and the internal wrapping 3 should never take place. The presence of the permanent glue 24 ensures greater and more certain adhesion between the closing label 16 and the internal wrapping 3 and therefore avoids any risk of complete (and therefore unwanted) separation of the closing label 16 from the inner wrapping 3. same.

As illustrated in Figure 11, the internal wrapping 3 is obtained by folding a sheet 25 of heat-sealable wrapping, which has a rectangular shape, is folded around the group 14 of cigarettes and once folded is stabilized by heat-sealing (i.e. overlapping portions of the sheet 25 of wrapping are connected to each other in a stable way by heat sealing). The wrapping sheet 25 has an incision 26 which is shaped like a "U" and defines the opening 15 for extracting the internal wrapping 3; furthermore, the closing label 16 is glued to the wrapping sheet 25, which completely covers the incision 26 (ie the extraction opening 15). Between the closing label 16 and the wrapping sheet 25 is interposed the repositionable pressure-sensitive adhesive 17 (i.e. that does not dry) which allows even after a long time to separate the closing label 16 from the wrapping sheet 25 and then to reunite the closing label 16 to the wrapping sheet 25 for a high number of times.

The presence of the repositionable adhesive 16 sensitive to pressure (i.e. that does not dry) between the closing label 16 and the wrapping sheet 25 determines Γ permanent gluing (i.e. that even in use it is never separated) of the portion of the sheet 25 of wrapping enclosed inside the incision 26 (ie in correspondence with the extraction opening 15) to the closing label 16; therefore, when the closure label 16 is lifted from the wrapping sheet 25, the portion of the closure label 16 enclosed within the incision 26 (i.e. in correspondence with the extraction opening 15) rises together with the closure label 16, freeing the extraction opening 15 (as illustrated in Figure 8). Furthermore, the presence of the repositionable pressure-sensitive adhesive 16 (i.e. that does not dry) between the closing label 16 and the wrapping sheet 25 determines a temporary bond (i.e. that in use is separated) between the portion of the sheet 25 of wrapping surrounding the incision 26 on the outside (i.e. surrounding the extraction opening 15) and the closing label 16 so as to normally keep the closing label 16 in contact with the wrapping sheet 25 for closing ( seal) the extraction opening 15.

According to what is illustrated in Figure 12, the external container 2 is obtained by folding a flat blank 27 made of cardboard or rigid cardboard and having a substantially elongated rectangular shape; the parts of the blank 27 are indicated with accented reference numbers equal to the reference numbers which distinguish the corresponding walls of the external container 2.

The blank 27 has two pairs of pre-weakened longitudinal folding lines 28 (which define the longitudinal edges of the outer container 2) and a plurality of pre-weakened transverse folding lines 29 (which define the transverse edges of the external container 2) which delimit, between the two longitudinal folding lines 28, a panel 7 'which constitutes the front wall 7 of the outer container 2, a panel 6' which constitutes the lower wall 6 of the outer container 2, a panel 8 'which constitutes the rear wall 8 of the external container 2, a panel 12 'which forms the rear wall 12 of the lid 4, a panel 10' which forms the upper wall 10 of the lid 4, a panel 11 'which forms the front wall 11 of the lid 4, and a panel 11 "Which constitutes a reinforcing flap and is bent by 180 ° and glued against an internal surface of the panel 11 '(i.e. against an internal surface of the front wall 11 of the cover 4).

The blank 27 comprises a pair of fins 9 ', which are arranged on opposite sides of the panel 7', are connected to the panel 7 'along the two pairs of longitudinal folding lines 28, and form part of the side walls 9 of the container 2 external. The blank 27 comprises a pair of fins 9 ", which are arranged on opposite sides of the panel 8 ', are connected to the panel 8' along the two pairs of longitudinal folding lines 28, forming part of the side walls 9 of the external container 2 , and are glued and superimposed on the corresponding tabs 9 '. Each flap 9 "includes a tab 6" which is bent 90 ° with respect to the flap 9 "to be subsequently placed and glued to the panel 6 '.

The blank 27 comprises a pair of fins 13 ', which are arranged on opposite sides of the panel 11', are connected to the panel IL along the two pairs of longitudinal folding lines 28, and form part of the side walls 13 of the lid 4. The blank 27 comprises a pair of fins 13 ", which are arranged on opposite sides of the panel 12 ', are connected to the panel 12' along the two pairs of longitudinal folding lines 28, forming part of the side walls 13 of the cover 4, and are glued and superimposed on the corresponding tabs 13 '. Each tab 13 "includes a tab 10" which is bent 90 ° with respect to the tab 13 "to be subsequently placed and glued to the panel 10 '.

According to what is illustrated in figures 13 and 14, the internal wrapping 3 comprises a reinforcing element 30, which is made of cardboard or rigid cardboard (completely similar to the cardboard or rigid cardboard making up the external container 2), is shaped like a "U" and is arranged inside the internal wrapping 3 in contact with the group 14 of cigarettes. The reinforcing element 30 comprises a front wall 31 of rectangular shape arranged on one side in contact with a front wall of the group 14 of cigarettes and on the opposite side in contact with the front wall of the internal wrapping 3 and a pair of side walls 32 , which are connected to opposite sides of the front wall 3 1 and are arranged on one side in contact with the side walls of the group 14 of cigarettes and on the opposite side in contact with the side walls of the inner pack 3. The front wall 31 of the reinforcing element 30 has a recess (window) 33 which is arranged at the top, is U-shaped, and facilitates the extraction of the cigarettes from the group 14 of cigarettes as it leaves an upper area of the wall exposed front of the group 14 of cigarettes at the extraction opening 15.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1-14, the free edge (ie the outer edge) of the connecting tab 20 is straight; in the variant illustrated in Figure 15, the free edge (ie the outer edge) of the connecting tab 20 has a jagged pattern which could also reproduce a drawing. In other words, the free edge (ie the outer edge) of the connecting tab 20 can be used to give the front wall 11 of the lid 4 (which is partially covered by the connecting tab 20) a particular aesthetic appearance.

With reference to what is illustrated in Figures 16-22, the methods for folding the blank 27 around the internal container 3 are described below.

Initially and as shown in Figure 16, the internal container 3 is placed on the panels 8 'and 12' of the blank 27.

Subsequently and as illustrated in figure 17, the 9 "and 13" tabs of the blank 27 are bent 90 ° with respect to the corresponding panels 8 'and 12' and the 6 "and 10" tabs are bent by 90 ° with respect to the corresponding 9 tabs "And 13".

Subsequently and as shown in Figure 18, the connecting tab 20 is bent 180 ° around the folding lines 23 and against the remaining part of the closing label 16 to move the connecting tab 20 away from the front surface of the internal wrapping 3. This operation could also be anticipated, or carried out earlier, for example before starting to fold the blank 27 around the inner container 3 or even before coupling the inner container 3 to the blank 27.

Subsequently and as illustrated in figure 19, the panel 6 'is bent 90 ° with respect to the panel 8' and the panel T is bent 90 ° with respect to the panel 6 'so as to rest the panel T against the front wall of the container 3 below the fold lines 23 of the closing label 16. In this phase, the panel 7 'does not interfere with the connection tab 20 which rests on the remaining part of the closing label 16.

Subsequently and as illustrated in Figure 20, the connecting tab 20 is bent 180 ° around the folding lines 23 to rest against an external surface of the previously bent panel 7 'and therefore to move the connecting tab 20 away from the remaining part. of the closing label 16. In this phase the panel 11 "which constitutes the reinforcement flap is bent by 180 ° and glued against an internal surface of the panel 1Γ; obviously this operation could be anticipated and carried out, for example, before coupling the internal container 3 to the blank 27.

Subsequently and as illustrated in Figure 21, the panel 10 'is bent 90 ° with respect to the panel 12' and the panel 11 'is bent 90 ° with respect to the panel 10' so as to rest the panel 11 'against the part of the closing label 16 disposed above the folding lines 23 (therefore against the front wall of the inner container 3 covered by the closing label 16 itself). In this phase, the panel 11 'does not interfere with the connection tab 20 which rests on the previously folded panel 7'. Subsequently and as illustrated in Figure 22, the connecting tab 20 is bent 180 ° around the bending lines 23 to rest against an external surface of the previously bent panel 1Γ and then assuming the final position; before completing this folding of the connecting tab 20, the permanent glue 21 is deposited on the connecting tab 20 and / or on the panel 11 ', intended to permanently glue the connecting tab 20 to the external surface of the panel 11' (i.e. to the external surface of the front wall 11 of the cover 4).

Finally, the bending of the blank 27 is completed in a completely conventional way by bending the flaps 9 'and 13' by 90 ° with respect to the panels 7 'and 11' and against the corresponding flaps 9 "and 13" folded previously; obviously glue is interposed between the fins 9 'and 13' and the corresponding fins 9 "and 13" to stabilize the shape of the external container and lid 4.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 16-22, the connecting tab 20 is bent 180 ° several times around the folding lines 23 during the folding of the blank 27 to move the connecting tab 20 away from the front surface of the inner wrapper 3 or to move the connecting tab 20 away from the remaining part of the closure label 16; alternatively, during the bending of the blank 27, the connecting tab 20 could be bent at a lower angle of 180 ° around the folding lines 23: in general, during the bending of the blank 27, the connecting tab 20 could be bent of an angle comprised between 90 ° and 180 ° around the fold lines 23.

In the alternative embodiment illustrated in Figures 23-26, before resting the panel T against the front wall of the inner container 3 below the folding lines 23 of the closing label 16, the connecting tab 20 is folded around 90 °. to the fold lines 23 to move the connecting tab 20 away from the front surface of the inner wrapper 3. In particular, according to what is illustrated in Figure 23, the connecting tab 20 is bent 90 ° around the folding lines 23 so as to be arranged perpendicularly to the front wall of the inner container 3 and perpendicular to the rest of the closure label 16 to remove the connection tab 20 from the front surface of the internal wrapping 3 and from the remaining part of the closing label 16.

Subsequently and as illustrated in figure 24, the panel 6 'is bent 90 ° with respect to the panel 8' and the panel 7 'is bent 90 ° with respect to the panel 6' so as to rest the panel 7 'against a front wall of the inner container 3 below the fold lines 23 of the closure label 16. In this phase, the panel 7 'does not interfere with the connection tab 20 which is perpendicular to the front wall of the internal container 3 and therefore to the rest of the closing label 16.

Subsequently and as illustrated in figure 25, and after having folded the panel 11 "as described above, the panel 10 'is folded by 90 ° with respect to the panel 12' and the panel 1Γ is folded by 90 ° with respect to the panel 10 'in so as to rest the panel 11 'against a front wall of the internal container 3 above the folding lines 23 of the closure label 16 (therefore above the closure label 16 itself). In this step, the panel 1Γ does not interfere with the connection tab 20 which is perpendicular to the front wall of the internal container 3 and therefore to the rest of the closing label 16. In other words, the connecting tab 20 is bent 90 ° around the folding lines 23 so as to be arranged perpendicularly to the front wall of the inner container 3 and perpendicular to the rest of the closure label 16 both to move the connecting tab 20 away from the front surface of the inner wrapping 3, and to move the connecting tab 20 away from the remaining part of the closing label 16.

Subsequently and as illustrated in Figure 26, the connecting tab 20 is bent 90 ° around the bending lines 23 to rest against an external surface of the previously bent panel 1Γ and thus assuming the final position; before completing this folding of the connecting tab 20, the permanent glue 21 is deposited on the connecting tab 20 and / or on the panel 11 ', intended to permanently glue the connecting tab 20 to the external surface of the panel 11' (i.e. to the external surface of the front wall 11 of the cover 4).

The embodiment illustrated in figures 23-26 allows on the one hand to reduce the number of folds to which the connecting tab 20 is subjected during the folding of the blank 27, but on the other hand it requires greater precision in the folding of the tab 20. connection which must be perfectly perpendicular to the front wall of the internal container 3 to avoid interfering both with the folding of the panel 7 'and with the folding of the panel 11'. Furthermore, keeping the connecting tab 20 perpendicular to the front wall of the internal container 3 during the folding of the panels 7 'and 1Γ is relatively complex.

In the embodiments illustrated in Figures 16-26, the panel 7 'is folded first, which is placed first on the front surface of the internal wrapping 3 and then the panel 11' is folded second, which is placed second on the front surface of the internal wrapping 3 (with the interposition of the closing label 16) after the panel 7 'has been previously placed on the front surface of the inner wrapping 3; this wrapping sequence (i.e. folding panel 7 'first and then panel 1Γ) resumes what is normally done in packaging machines currently on the market.

According to an alternative embodiment illustrated in figures 27, 28 and 29, the panel 1Γ is folded first, which is placed first on the front surface of the inner wrapping 3 (with Γ interposition of the closing label 16) and then is folded to according to the panel 7 'which is placed second on the front surface of the inner wrapping 3 after the panel 11' has been previously placed on the front surface of the inner wrapping 3.

In the alternative embodiment illustrated in figures 27, 28 and 29, immediately after placing the container 3 inside the panels 8 'and 12' of the blank 27 (as shown in figure 16), the panel 10 'is bent 90 ° with respect to to the panel 12 'and the panel 1 Γ is bent 90 ° with respect to the panel 10' in such a way as to rest the panel 11 'against a front wall of the inner container 3 above the folding lines 23 of the closing label 16 ( then above the closing label 16 itself) as illustrated in Figure 27; obviously previously the panel 11 "which constitutes the reinforcement flap was bent by 180 ° and glued against an internal surface of the panel 1 Γ. In this phase, the panel 1Γ does not interfere with the connection tab 20 which is resting on the front wall of the internal wrapping 3 below the folding lines 23.

Subsequently and as shown in Figure 28, the connecting tab 20 is bent 180 ° around the bending lines 23 to be placed on an external surface of the previously bent panel 11 'and then assuming the final position; before completing this folding of the connecting tab 20, the permanent glue 21 is deposited on the connecting tab 20 and / or on the panel 11 'intended to permanently glue the connecting tab 20 to the external surface of the panel 1Γ (i.e. to the surface of the front wall 11 of the cover 4).

Subsequently and as illustrated in figure 29, the panel 6 'is bent 90 ° with respect to the panel 8' and the panel T is bent 90 ° with respect to the panel 6 'so as to rest the panel T against the front wall of the container 3 below the fold lines 23 of the closing label 16. In this phase, the panel T does not interfere with the connection tab 20 which is placed on the panel 11 '.

In the embodiment illustrated in the attached figures, the longitudinal edges are beveled; alternatively, the longitudinal edges could be rounded or straight.

In the example of non-limiting embodiment illustrated in the attached figures and described above, the pack 1 of cigarettes contains a group 14 of cigarettes; alternatively, the pack 1 of cigarettes can contain any other type of smoking articles such as for example cigars, electric or electronic cigarettes (i.e. cigarettes that generate an aerosol without combustion), cartridges and refills for electronic cigarettes, new generation cigarettes.

The packet 1 of cigarettes described above has numerous advantages.

In the first place, in the cigarette pack 1 described above the risk of an undesired detachment of the closing label 16 from the lid 4 due to the fracture of the permanent glue 21 is substantially eliminated thanks to the fact that the connecting tab 20 is glued to the surface outer wall 11 front cover 4.

Furthermore, the production of the packet 1 of cigarettes described above is also possible in a standard packaging machine with modifications that are neither very complex nor excessively expensive.

As a result of the numerous advantages presented by the packet 1 of cigarettes described above, the shape of this packet 1 can also be taken up in its entirety for the production of a carton of cigarette packets, which carton is substantially the same as the packet 1 described above, but contains a group of packs of cigarettes instead of the group of cigarettes.

Claims (1)

R I V E N D I C A Z I O N I 1. Packet (1) of smoking items including: a group (14) of smoking articles; an external container (2) shaped like a cup and having an open upper end (19), a lower wall (6) opposite the open upper end (19), a front wall (7) and a rear wall (8) parallel to each other and opposite, and two side walls (9) parallel and opposite to each other; a lid (4), which is cup-shaped, is hinged to the external container (2) to rotate, with respect to the external container (2) itself, between an open position and a closed position of the upper end (19) open, and has an open lower end, an upper wall (10), a front wall (11) and a rear wall (12) parallel and opposite to each other, and two side walls (13) parallel and opposite to each other; an internal wrapping (3) which encloses the group (14) of articles, is housed in the external container (2), and has an upper and frontal opening (15) for the extraction of smoking articles closed by a closing label (16) repositionable; wherein the closing label (16) comprises a connecting tab (20), which is permanently and non-separable glued to the front wall (11) of the lid (4) by means of permanent glue (21) in such a way that by opening or closing the lid (4) the closing label (16) is simultaneously opened and closed; the package (1) of smoking articles is characterized in that the connecting tab (20) is glued to an external surface of the front wall (11) of the lid (4), Packet (1) of smoking articles according to claim 1, wherein the closure label (16) wraps around a lower edge of the front wall (11) of the lid (4) when the lid (4) is in a closed position. Packet (1) of smoking articles according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connecting tab (20) is folded relative to the rest of the closure label (16) along at least one fold line (23). A packet (1) of smoking articles according to claim 3, wherein the connecting tab (20) is folded in a "U" shape with respect to the rest of the closure label (16) along the fold line (23). Packet (1) of smoking articles according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the connecting tab (20) is folded 180 ° relative to the rest of the closure label (16) along two fold lines (23) which they are parallel and close together. Packet (1) of smoking articles according to claim 5, wherein the distance between the two fold lines (23) is equal to the thickness of the front wall (11) of the lid (4) at a lower edge of the front wall (11) itself. Packet (1) of smoking articles according to one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the folding line (23) is pre-weakened. Packet (1) of smoking articles according to claim 7, wherein the folding line (23) is pre-weakened by mechanical deformation or by partial etching. Packet (1) of smoking articles according to one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the permanent glue (21) in the connecting tab (20) is arranged at a first non-zero distance (DI) from the line (23) of bending. Packet (1) of smoking articles according to one of claims 3 to 9, wherein the closure label (16) is fixed to the inner wrapping (3) by means of repositionable glue (17) which does not dry, the which is applied to an internal surface (18) of the closure label (16), is arranged all around the extraction opening (15), and is arranged at a second non-zero distance (D2) from the line (23) of folding. Packet (1) of smoking articles according to claim 10, wherein the connecting tab (20) of the closure label (16) is provided only with the permanent glue (21) and is completely glue-free (17) repositionable. Packet (1) of smoking articles according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the closing label (16) is connected to the inner wrapping (3) also by means of further permanent glue (24) which is arranged in correspondence of a posterior wall of the internal wrapping (3). 13. Method of folding a blank (27) around an inner wrapper (3) to form an outer container (2) and a lid (4) hinged to the outer container (2) itself; the outer container (2) is cup-shaped and has an open upper end (19), a lower wall (6) opposite the open upper end (19), a front wall (7) and a rear wall (8) between them parallel and opposite, and two side walls (9) parallel and opposite to each other; the lid (4) is cup-shaped, is hinged to the external container (2) to rotate, with respect to the external container (2) itself, between an open position and a closed position of the open upper end (19), and it has an open lower end, an upper wall (10), a front wall (11) and a rear wall (12) parallel and opposite to each other, and two side walls (13) parallel and opposite to each other; the internal wrapping (3) encloses a group (14) of smoking articles, is housed in the external container (2), and has an upper and frontal opening (15) for the extraction of smoking articles closed by a label (16) repositionable closure; the closing label (16) comprises a connecting tab (20), which is connected to the rest of the closing label (16) by at least one folding line (23) and is permanently and inseparably glued to a surface exterior of the front wall (11) of the lid (4) by means of permanent glue (21) so that by opening or closing the lid (4) the closing label (16) is simultaneously opened and closed; And 10 blank (27) includes a first panel (7 ') which constitutes the front wall (7) of the external container (2), and a second panel (11') which constitutes the front wall (11) of the lid (4); The folding method includes the steps of: fold the first panel (7 ') against a front surface of the internal wrapping (3); fold the second panel (1Γ) against the front surface of the internal wrapping (3) with the interposition of the part of the closing label (16) arranged above the folding line (23); place the connecting tab (20) in a position that does not interfere with the movement of the first panel (7 ') and the second panel (11') when bending the first panel (7 ') and the second panel (11') ; And bend the connecting tab (20) against an external surface of the second panel (1Γ) and with the interposition of the permanent glue (21) after completing the folding of the second panel (1Γ) itself. The folding method according to claim 13 and comprising the further step of initially folding the first panel (7 ') against a front surface of the inner wrapping (3) and subsequently folding the second panel (1Γ) against the front surface of the internal wrapping (3). A folding method according to claim 14 and comprising the further step of folding the connecting tab (20) around the folding line (23) by 90 ° so as to arrange the connecting tab (20) perpendicular to the front surface of the inner wrapping (3) and then keeping the connecting tab (20) perpendicular to the front surface of the inner wrapping (3) while folding the first panel (7 ') and the second panel (1Γ). 16. A folding method according to claim 14 and comprising the further steps of: bend the connecting tab (20) around the folding line (23) by more than 90 ° to move the connecting tab (20) away from the front surface of the inner wrapping (3) before folding the first panel (7 ') against the front surface of the inner wrapping (3) itself; fold the first panel (7 ') against the front surface of the internal wrapping (3) while the connecting tab (20) is away from the front surface of the inner wrapping (3) itself; bend the connecting tab (20) around the folding line (23) by more than 90 ° to move the connecting tab (20) away from the part of the closing label (16) located above the folding line (23) after folding the first panel (7 '); And fold the second panel (1Γ) against the front surface of the internal wrapping (3) with Γ interposition of the part of the closing label (16) arranged above the folding line (23) while the connecting tab (20) is away from the part of the closure label (16) disposed above the fold line (23). The folding method according to claim 13 and comprising the further step of initially folding the second panel (11 ') against a front surface of the inner wrapping (3) and subsequently folding the first panel (7') against the surface front of the internal wrapping (3).