WO2017017637A2

WO2017017637A2 - Cigarette packet

Info

Publication number: WO2017017637A2
Application number: PCT/IB2016/054521
Authority: WO
Inventors: Angelo Li Vigni; Luca Federici
Original assignee: G.D S.P.A.
Priority date: 2015-07-30
Filing date: 2016-07-28
Publication date: 2017-02-02
Also published as: ITUB20152640A1; WO2017017637A3

Abstract

A packet (1) of cigarettes (2) or other smokable articles, each having a first and a second end (201, 202), elongate in shape and extending along a longitudinal direction, comprises: a group (3) of cigarettes; a sealed wrapper (4) enclosing the group (3) of cigarettes, made from a film (401) of thermoplastic material and having an extraction opening though which the cigarettes (2) can be taken out; a sealing panel (402) applied to the opening of the sealed wrapper (4); a reinforcing element (5), made of thin cardboard, located inside the sealed wrapper (4) in contact with the group (3) of cigarettes to surround it at least partly, and having a front wall (501), a rear wall (502), a first and a second side wall (503) and a bottom wall (504) positioned at a first end of the reinforcing element (5), in contact with the first end (201) of the cigarettes (2). The rear wall (502) of the reinforcing element (5) has a first and a second portion (513A, 513B) which are spaced along a direction transversal to the longitudinal direction and having a short side (514A) contiguous with the bottom wall (504) and a long side (514B) joined to the first or the second side wall (513), respectively.

Description

DESCRIPTION CIGARETTE PACKET

Technical field

This invention relates to a packet of cigarettes or other smokable articles, each having a first and a second end, elongate in shape and extending along a longitudinal direction. The invention also relates to a method for making the packet.

Background art

A packet of cigarettes contains a plurality of cigarettes placed side by side to form a group. It also comprises an outer case or wrapper, which may be rigid or soft, and an inner wrapper made, for example, of foil paper wrapped around the group of cigarettes. Rigid outer cases come in several alternative kinds, which differ according to their edges, which may be sharp, bevelled (in which case the packet is referred to as "octagonal") or rounded.

As regards the inner wrapper, known in the prior art is the use of a sealed wrapper made from a thermoplastic film and provided with a reclosable opening for taking out the cigarettes.

Examples of this type of solution are provided in the following patent documents, in the name of the same Applicant as this invention: WO2014013478, WO2014013479 and WO2014013479; other examples are described in the following patent documents: WO9849072, WO2015062681 , WO2013053408, WO201 1 1 10272, WO201 1069575 and WO201 1032625.

To wrap the group of cigarettes with the thermoplastic film, it is necessary to handle the group of cigarettes in a specific machine or machine section, for example of the flow-pack type.

This creates the risk of disarranging the cigarettes making up the group. Thus, a reinforcement element or collar is applied to the group of cigarettes. The reinforcing element is made of thin paperboard, at least partly surrounds the group of cigarettes and, in the finished packet, is located inside the sealed wrapper.

To properly fulfil its function of holding the cigarettes in the group together, the reinforcing element must be wrapped snugly around the group of cigarettes. In this respect, the solutions described in documents WO2014013478, WO2014013479, WO2014013479, WO2013053408, WO9849072 and WO2011069575 are disadvantageous because the reinforcing element is too loose and does not guarantee that the cigarettes in the group are held together while the sealed wrapper is being made. Another problem that prevents the reinforcing element from effectively holding the cigarettes in the group in place is linked to the mechanical stability of the reinforcing element itself. In this regard, it is noted that the solutions of patent documents WO201 1 1 10272 and WO201 1032625 are disadvantageous because the reinforcing element is relatively unstable. In particular, the reinforcing element of WO201 1 1 10272 is in the shape of a case and tends to sag, whilst the reinforcing element of WO201 1032625 is relatively weak, especially at the top end zone of the group of cigarettes. Another problem connected with making the sealed wrapper is that the cigarettes are subjected to considerable mechanical stress, with the risk of being damaged, especially at the filter end. In light of this, it is noted that the solution of document WO2015062681 , as well as those of documents WO2014013478, WO2014013479, WO2014013479, WO2013053408, WO9849072 and WO201 1069575 is limited because it does not effectively protect both ends of the group of cigarettes, especially the zone near the opening from which the cigarettes are taken out, where the cigarette filters are. Disclosure of the invention

This invention has for an aim to provide a packet of cigarettes (or other smokable articles having a first and a second end, being elongate in shape along a longitudinal direction) and a method for making the packet and which overcome the abovementioned disadvantages of the prior art.. More specifically, the aim of this invention is to provide a packet of cigarettes and a method for making it which is particularly precise and easy to implement.

A further aim of the invention is to provide a packet of cigarettes and a method for making it wherein the reinforcing element is particularly robust and snugly wrapped.

Another aim is to provide a packet of cigarettes and a method for making it wherein the reinforcing element, besides being snugly wrapped, protects the cigarettes in the zone where the packet is opened.

A further aim of the invention is to provide a packet of cigarettes and a method for making it wherein the reinforcing element is particularly easy to make and requires only a very small quantity of glue.

These aims are fully achieved by the packet and the method forming the object of this invention and as characterized in the appended claims.

More specifically, the invention relates to a packet of cigarettes, in particular smokable articles having a first and a second end and being elongate in shape along a longitudinal direction. For convenience of description, specific reference is hereinafter made to cigarettes without thereby limiting the scope of the patent to cigarettes only.

The packet contains a group of cigarettes placed side by side and aligned. The group of cigarettes has a first zone facing towards the first end of the cigarettes, and a second zone facing towards the second end of the cigarettes The first and second zones of the group of cigarettes are positioned one after the other in succession along the longitudinal direction defined by the group of cigarettes from the first to the second end; in other words, the first and second zones of the packet are longitudinally spaced.

The packet comprises a sealed wrapper which encloses the group of cigarettes. The sealed wrapping is made from a film of thermoplastic material. The sealed wrapper has an opening through which the cigarettes can be taken out. The packet also has a sealing panel, applied to the opening of the sealed wrapper, to allow it to be opened and closed repeatedly.

The packet further comprises a reinforcing element which is operatively in contact with the group of cigarettes to at least partly surround it. The reinforcing element is made of thin cardboard, paperboard or paper. In the finished packet, the reinforcing element is positioned inside the sealed wrapper.

The reinforcing element has a front wall, a rear wall, two side walls and a bottom wall. The bottom wall of the reinforcing element is operatively in contact with the first end of the cigarettes. It should be noted that the opening of the packet for taking out the cigarettes is located at the second end of the cigarettes; the cigarette filters are also located at the second ends of the cigarettes.

The rear wall of the reinforcing element comprises a first and a second portion which are spaced along a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction; thus, the first and second portions of the rear wall of the reinforcing element leave the group of cigarettes uncovered in an intermediate zone located between the first and second portions and extending longitudinally from one end of the group of cigarettes to the other.

The first and second portions of the rear wall of the reinforcing element each has two long sides and two short sides; preferably, it is rectangular or substantially rectangular in shape.

One of the short sides of each first and second portion of the rear wall of the reinforcing element is contiguous with the base and one of its the long sides is joined to the first or the second side wall, respectively.

This allows the reinforcing element to be snugly wrapped and at the same time makes it stable and robust. The front wall of the reinforcing element has a tapered indentation to facilitate taking out the cigarettes. The tapered indentation is located in the second portion of the reinforcing element (distal from the bottom wall). Preferably, the front wall and the rear wall of the reinforcing element extend for the full longitudinal extension of the cigarettes (that is, of the packet). This makes the reinforcing element even more stable and snugly wrapped without complicating its production.

Preferably, the first end of the reinforcing element is completely closed by the bottom wall.

To stably join (or close) the reinforcing element, adhesive material, such as hot-melt glue, for example, applied to one or more joining points, is preferably used.

The joining (or junction points) are located between corresponding and at least partially overlapping flaps of the reinforcing blank.

Preferably, these joining points are located on the bottom wall.

In an example embodiment, the joining points are located between the bottom wall and a first and a second joining flap of the reinforcing element. The first and second joining flaps of the reinforcing element are joined to the first and second portions of the rear wall, respectively, and constitute extensions thereof towards the bottom wall.

This simplifies the forming of the reinforcing element itself.

Alternatively, or in addition, the joining points are located on flaps which project from the bottom wall or from the side walls.

It should be noted that the functional characteristics of the reinforcing element must be such as to make the reinforcing element particularly suitable for a packet of one particular type, with reference in particular to packets with rigid outer case having sharp or bevelled edges.

In an example embodiment (designed in particular, but not exclusively, for octagonal packets), each of the two side walls of the reinforcing element has a main side, positioned perpendicularly to the front and rear walls, and a first and a second connecting side, inclined to the main side. The first and second connecting sides are each joined along longitudinal edges to the corresponding main side and to the front or rear wall. This configuration allows the reinforcing element to be snugly wrapped around the group of cigarettes and in turn wrapped in an outer case with bevelled edges.

This invention also provides a method for making a packet of cigarettes or other smokable articles having a first and a second end, and being elongate in shape along a longitudinal direction.

The method comprises a step of preparing a reinforcing blank made of thin, flexible cardboard, or similar material, to form the reinforcing element. The method comprises a step of coupling the reinforcing element to the group of cigarettes to surround it at least partly, in such a way that a bottom wall of the reinforcing element is in contact with the first end of the cigarettes.

The method also comprises a step of making, by means of a film of thermoplastic material having an extraction opening for taking out the cigarettes and closed by a sealing panel, a sealed wrapper containing the group of cigarettes and the reinforcing element coupled thereto.

The reinforcing element is coupled to the group of cigarettes in such a way as to surround it on four sides by means of the front wall, the two side walls and the rear wall, which is divided into the first and second portions spaced transversely and, at one end edge of them, contiguous to the bottom wall

The reinforcing element is coupled to the group of cigarettes in such a way as to leave it uncovered at a second end of it (where the filters are), opposite the first end, and in a middle zone of it, interposed between the first and second portions of the rear wall.

The reinforcing element is made from a reinforcing blank. The reinforcing blank has a base with two short sides and two long sides. The reinforcing blank also has a front panel joined to one of the long sides of the base along a fold line and defining lateral edges. The reinforcing blank also has a first and a second lateral wing joined to the front panel along corresponding longitudinal fold lines. Further, the reinforcing blank has a first and a second side panel joined to the first and second lateral wings, respectively, along further longitudinal fold lines.

When the reinforcing element is coupled to the group of cigarettes, the operations described below are carried out.

The base of the blank is placed in contact with the first ends of the cigarettes to form a bottom wall of the reinforcing element; the front panel is placed in contact with the group of cigarettes to form a front wall of the reinforcing element; the at least one first and second lateral wing are folded along the respective longitudinal fold lines to form side walls of the reinforcing element; the first and second side panels are folded along the respective further longitudinal fold lines to form the first and second portions of the rear wall of the reinforcing element

Operatively, the reinforcing element is coupled to a box-shaped body which is open at the ends and which is designed to precisely receive the group of cigarettes.

In an example embodiment, this box-shaped body may be a pocket forming part of a plurality of pockets configured to receive the cigarettes from a plurality of hoppers.

In this case, the reinforcing blank is coupled to the second end of the pocket, in contact with the outside surface of the pocket, while the cigarettes are inserted into the pocket through the first end thereof.

An extractor or pusher element then pushes the group of cigarettes out of the pocket through the second end, in such a way as to drag the reinforcing element along with it.

In another example embodiment the box-shaped body may be a sleeve forming part of a plurality of sleeves configured to receive a group of cigarettes from a corresponding pocket aligned therewith (in an alignment station) and to receive the reinforcing blank on its outside surface.

Thus, the reinforcing blank is preferably coupled to the pocket or to the sleeve before the group of cigarettes is moved through the pocket or sleeve and intercepts the reinforcing element itself.

Operatively, coupling the blank to the sleeve or pocket is carried out according to several embodiments.

In one embodiment, first the base of the blank is aligned with the transverse outfeed end (or second end) of the pocket or sleeve and then the front panel, followed by the lateral wings and, lastly, the side panels are folded.

In another embodiment, first the front panel is aligned with a longitudinal portion (for example at the bottom) of the part of the pocket or sleeve located towards the outfeed end thereof; next, the base of the blank is folded into line with the outfeed end (or second end) of the pocket or sleeve; after or at the same time as that, the lateral wings and, lastly, the side panels, are folded,

Whatever the case, the forming of the reinforcing element on the sleeve or on the pocket ends when the reinforcing element is closed by joining points where adhesive material is applied.

In an example embodiment (designed in particular, but not exclusively, for octagonal packets), each of the two side walls of the reinforcing blank has at least a first and a second segment which are joined to each other along a longitudinal fold line; of these, the first segment is a main segment and at least a second segment is a connecting segment.

Operatively, when the reinforcing blank is folded and closed to form the reinforcing element, the main segment of each lateral wing of the reinforcing blank defines a main side of a corresponding side wall of the reinforcing element. The connecting segment of each lateral wing of the reinforcing blank defines a connecting side of a corresponding side wall of the reinforcing element, inclined to the respective main side. That way, the side walls of the reinforcing element include respective main sides which are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the front and rear walls of the reinforcing element and respective connecting sides which are inclined both to the main sides and to the front and rear walls.

The invention also provides a packing machine for packing in a packet a group of cigarettes or other smokable articles having a first and a second end, and being elongate in shape along a longitudinal direction.

The machine comprises a first wrapping section designed to be fed with reinforcing blanks and with (loose) cigarettes. The first wrapping section is configured to form groups of cigarettes from the loose cigarettes and to form reinforcing elements from the reinforcing blanks. The first wrapping section couples the reinforcing elements to corresponding groups of cigarettes to at least party surround them.

The machine also comprises a second wrapping section, of the flow-pack type. The second wrapping section is designed to be fed with a succession of articles, where each article consists of a group of cigarettes and a corresponding reinforcing element coupled thereto. The second wrapping section is configured to enclose the individual articles in a sealed wrapper made from a film of thermoplastic material. The sealed wrapper is also provided with an opening for taking out the cigarettes and with a sealing panel applied to the opening.

The machine also comprises a third wrapping section configured to make an outer case for the sealed wrapper. More specifically, the third wrapping section is preferably configured to make a rigid, box-shaped body containing the sealed wrapper and provided with a lid hinged to the box- shaped body.

The first wrapping section comprises a centring device configured to position a portion of the reinforcing blank in alignment with a corresponding portion of the corresponding sleeve or pocket.

The first wrapping section also comprises a folding unit for folding the reinforcing blank around the group of cigarettes to make the reinforcing element coupled to the group of cigarettes itself.

The folding unit of the first wrapping section has two or more folding elements configured to operate in temporal succession to fold the different parts of the reinforcing blank in one of the ways described above.

The first wrapping section also comprises gluer elements configured to apply adhesive material to one or more joining points.

First of all, the group of cigarettes is formed in the first wrapping section by a plurality of hoppers. The groups of cigarettes are housed in respective pockets which are movable as one with a conveyor.

Brief description of the drawings

This and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of it, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 schematically illustrates a packing machine according to this description;

- Figure 2A shows a part of the machine 100 comprising a first and a second wrapping section;

- Figure 2AA is an enlarged view of a detail from Figure 2A;

- Figure 2B shows a variant embodiment of a part of the machine 100 of Figure 2A;

- Figure 2BB is an enlarged view of a detail from Figure 2B;

- Figure 3A shows a packet of the type with sharp edges, according to this description;

- Figure 3B shows an octagonal packet, according to this description;

- Figure 4 shows a group of cigarettes;

- Figure 5 shows a sealed wrapper round the group of cigarettes of Figure 4, for the packet of Figure 3A;

- Figure 6 shows a reinforcing element contained in the packet of Figure 3B;

- Figure 7 shows the reinforcing element of Figure 6 applied to the group cigarettes of Figure 4;

- Figure 8 shows a reinforcing blank used to make a reinforcing element for the packet of Figure 3A; - Figure 9 shows a reinforcing blank used to make a reinforcing element for the packet of Figure 3B;

- Figure 10A shows a variant embodiment of the reinforcing blank of Figure 8;

- Figure 10B shows a further variant embodiment of the reinforcing blank of Figure 8.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

The numeral 1 in the accompanying drawings denotes a packet of other smokable articles. More specifically, but not exclusively, the packet 1 is a packet of cigarettes 2.

Each cigarette 2 is elongate along a longitudinal axis and has a first end 201 and a second end 202. At the first and second ends 201 and 202, the cigarette 2 has surfaces which are transverse to the longitudinal axis. In an example embodiment, the cigarette 2 has a filter 203 at the second end.

It should be noted that this description refers to cigarettes 2 but, more generally, applies to any smokable article which is elongate in shape along a longitudinal axis and which has a first and a second end (for example, a cigar).

For each packet 1 , the cigarettes 2 are organized in a group 3 of cigarettes 2 aligned and oriented in the same way, which means the first ends 201 of all the cigarettes 2 of the group 3 are on the same side and all the second ends 202 are on the same side. Thus, a first end 301 of the group 3 of cigarettes and a second end of the group 3 of cigarettes 2 are defined.

The group 3 of cigarettes has a first zone 303 facing towards the first end 201 of the cigarettes 2, that is to say, facing towards the first end 301 of the group 3 of cigarettes 2; similarly, the group 3 of cigarettes has a second zone 304 facing towards the second end 202 of the cigarettes 2, that is to say, facing towards the second end 302 of the group 3 of cigarettes 2.

The first zone 303 and the second zone 304 of the group 3 of cigarettes 2 are offset, that is, longitudinally spaced from each other (along the longitudinal direction in which the cigarettes 2 are oriented).

The packet 1 has a sealed wrapper 4 which encloses the group 3 of cigarettes 2.

The sealed wrapper 4 is made from a film 401 . The film 401 is made of thermoplastic material; the film 401 is odour impermeable (that is, it constitutes a barrier preventing aromas and flavours from passing through).

The sealed wrapper 4 has an opening through which the cigarettes 2 can be taken out. The sealed wrapper 4 also has a sealing panel 402, applied to the opening of the sealed wrapper 4. The sealing panel 402 can be moved from a closed position to an open position and vice versa repeatedly over time. A tab 403 having a portion without adhesive on it is fixed to a free end of the sealing panel 402 to facilitate gripping between the fingers.

The packet 1 also comprises a reinforcing element 5 made of thin cardboard or other similar material. The reinforcing element 5 is substantially a box-shaped body shaped in such a way as to fit round the group 3 of cigarettes 2.

The reinforcing element 5 is made from a reinforcing blank 6; the reinforcing blank 6 is planar in shape and is obtained from a sheet of paper or paperboard by blanking.

The reinforcing element 5 is positioned inside the sealed wrapper 4. The reinforcing element 5 (with an inside surface of it) is in contact with the group 3 of cigarettes. The reinforcing element 5 is placed around the group 3 of cigarettes 2 to at least partly surround it.

The reinforcing element 5 has a front wall 501 , a rear wall 502I, two side walls 503 and a bottom wall 504. The bottom wall 504 is in contact with the first end 301 of the group 3 of cigarettes 2, that is, with the first end 201 of the cigarettes 2.

The reinforcing element 5 is elongate along the longitudinal direction; in other words, the reinforcing element 5 is elongate along a direction which, operatively (when the reinforcing element 5 is coupled to the group 3 of cigarettes 2) is the same as the longitudinal direction along which the group 3 of cigarettes 2 extends.

Relative to the longitudinal direction, the reinforcing element 5 has a first end and a second end. The bottom wall 504 is located at the first end of the reinforcing element 5. At the second end of the reinforcing element 5, there is an opening 505 for taking out the cigarettes 2. To facilitate taking out the cigarettes 2, the front wall 501 of the reinforcing element is provided with a tapered indentation 506, at the end opposite to the bottom wall 504.

The rear wall 502 of the reinforcing element 5 comprises a first portion 513A and a second portion 513B. The first and second portions 513A and 513B of the rear wall 502 of the reinforcing element 5 are spaced along a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction.

The first and second portions 513A and 513B of the rear wall 502 of the reinforcing element 5 each has (a perimeter comprising) two short sides 514A and two long sides 514B. Preferably, the first and second portions 513A and 513B of the rear wall 502 of the reinforcing element 5 are rectangular in shape.

One of the short sides 514A of each first and second portion 513A and 513B of the rear wall 502 of the reinforcing element 5 is adjacent to, that is to say, contiguous with, the bottom wall 504.

One of the long sides 514B of the first portion 513A of the rear wall 502 of the reinforcing element 5 is joined to a first of the side walls 503; one of the long sides 514B of the second portion 513B of the rear wall 502 of the reinforcing element 5 is joined to a second of the side walls 503.

The reinforcing element 5 is open at its second end (opposite to the first end where the filters 203 of the cigarettes 2 are). Further, the reinforcing element 5 is open in a central zone 515 interposed between the first and second portions 513A, 513B of the rear wall 502. Preferably, the first end of the reinforcing element 5 is completely closed by the bottom wall 504. The bottom wall 504 is contiguous with the front wall 501 and with the first and second portions 513A, 513B of the rear wall 502.

The first and second portions 513A, 513B of the rear wall 502 each have a transverse extension which is smaller than a third of the total maximum transverse extension of the bottom wall 504 (which corresponds to the distance between the side walls 503). Preferably, the first and second portions 513A, 513B of the rear wall 502 each have a transverse extension which is smaller than a quarter (preferably between a fifth and a quarter) of the total maximum transverse extension of the bottom wall 504. Preferably, the front wall 501 of the reinforcing element 5 extends for the full longitudinal length of the cigarettes 2. Preferably, the rear wall 502 of the reinforcing element 5 extends for the full longitudinal length of the cigarettes 2.

Preferably, the side walls 503 of the reinforcing element 5 extend for the full longitudinal length of the cigarettes 2 (have the same longitudinal extension).

In an example embodiment of the reinforcing element 5, used in particular for octagonal packets, each side wall 503 (or the at least one side wall 503) of the reinforcing element 5 has a plurality of sides which are joined to each other along longitudinal fold lines 510. Of these sides, which make up the side wall 503, at least one is a main side 51 1 A and at least one is a connecting side 51 1 B. In this example embodiment, each side wall 503 has a main side 51 1 A and a first and a second connecting side 51 1 B, located on opposite flanks of the main side 51 1 A, which is thus interposed between the first and the second connecting side 51 1 B. In an example embodiment, the main side 51 1 A is perpendicular to the front and rear walls 501 , 502. The connecting sides 51 1 B are inclined to the main side 51 1 A. In an example embodiment, each connecting side 51 1 B is joined along longitudinal edges, that is, along respective longitudinal fold lines 510, to the corresponding main side 51 1A and to the front wall 501 or to the rear wall 502. Preferably, the main sides 51 1 A of the opposite side walls 503 are parallel to each other and are at a distance which defines the maximum (transverse) distance between the side walls 503 of the reinforcing element 5. It should be noted that this distance, that is to say, the maximum mutual distance between the side walls 503, is preferably greater than the maximum transverse extension of the front wall 501 and of the rear wall 502.

Also in this example embodiment, relating to octagonal packets, the perimeter of the bottom wall 504 has two long sides 512A and two short sides 512B. The front wall 501 and the rear wall 502 are joined to the long sides 512B. The short sides 512B are perpendicular to the long sides 512A.. Preferably, the mutual distance between the short sides 512B is greater than the maximum transverse extension of the front wall 501 and of the rear wall 502; that is to say, the mutual distance between the short sides 512B is greater than the length of the long sides 512A of the base wall 504 of the reinforcing element 5. Preferably, the mutual distance between the short sides 512B is equal to the maximum distance between the side walls 503 (that is, between the main sides 51 1 A of the side walls 503). In the example illustrated, the perimeter of the base wall 504 is octagonal.

In an example embodiment, the reinforcing element 5 is permanently closed by adhesive material applied to one or more joining points. The joining points, not illustrated in the drawings, are located on overlapping flaps of the reinforcing element 5.

Preferably, the joining points are located on the bottom wall 504.

In an example embodiment, the joining points are located between the bottom wall 504 and a first and a second joining flap of the reinforcing element 5 joined to the first portion 513A and to the second portion 513B of the rear wall 502, respectively.

In another example embodiment, the joining points are located between the bottom wall 504 and the side walls 503. The joining points might also be located between the first portion 513A and the second portion 513B of the rear wall 502 and a first and a second joining flap of the reinforcing element 5 joined to the bottom wall 504, respectively.

The joining points may be located at distinct positions, spaced from each other, in succession (for example along a longitudinal trajectory) or along uninterrupted strips (for example oriented longitudinally).

To better understand how different flaps of the reinforcing element 5 are joined to each other, it is useful, to describe the method for making the reinforcing element 5, in the context of a method for making a packet 1 of cigarettes 2 (or other smokable articles having a first and a second end and being elongate along a longitudinal direction).

The reinforcing element 5 is made by folding and closing the reinforcing blank 6.

The reinforcing blank 6 has a front panel 601 and a rear panel 602. The reinforcing blank 6 also has at least a first lateral wing 603A and a second lateral wing 603B joined to the front panel 601 along corresponding longitudinal fold lines 602.

The reinforcing blank 6 also has a base 604. The base 604 has two long sides 605A and two short sides 605B.

The front panel 601 joined to a respective long side 605A of the base 604 along fold lines 606.

The lateral wings 603A, 603B are joined to the front panel 601 along corresponding longitudinal fold lines 607. The front panel 601 is substantially rectangular in shape and has lateral edges.

The longitudinal fold lines 607 preferably extend for the full length of the reinforcing blank 6.

The reinforcing blank 6 also has a first side panel 613A and a second side panel 613B. The first side panel 613A is joined to the first lateral wing 603A along a further longitudinal fold line 617, so that the first lateral wing 603A is interposed between the first side panel 613A and the front panel 601 . The second side panel 613B is joined to the second lateral wing 603B along a further longitudinal fold line 617, so that the second lateral wing 603B is interposed between the second side panel 613B and the front panel 601 .

In an example embodiment, the reinforcing blank 6 comprises a first and a second upper joining lap 616A, 616B, joined respectively to the first and second side panels 613A, 613B along respective transverse fold lines and projecting in the direction in which the base 604 projects from the front panel 601 .

The first and second upper joining laps 616A, 616B are designed to be folded into contact with the base 604 and joined thereto at corresponding joining points or zones.

In an example embodiment (additional or alternative to the previous example embodiment), the reinforcing blank 6 comprises at least one lower joining lap 614A (for example, it comprises a first and second lower joining lap 614A, 614B) joined to the base 604 along a respective transverse fold line and projecting in the direction in which the base 604 projects from the front panel 601 .

The at least one lower joining lap 614 is designed to be folded into contact with the front panel 601 and joined thereto at a corresponding joining point or zone.

In an example embodiment (additional or alternative to the previous example embodiment), the reinforcing blank 6 comprises a first and a second side joining lap 615A, 615B, joined respectively to the first and second lateral wings 603A, 603B along respective transverse fold lines and projecting in the direction in which the base 604 projects from the front panel 601.

The first and second side joining laps 615A, 615B are designed to be folded into contact with the base 604 and joined thereto at corresponding joining points or zones.

The reinforcing element 5 can be made from the reinforcing blank, according to different embodiments, a first and a second example of which are described below.

In a first embodiment for making the reinforcing element 5 from the reinforcing blank 6, the front panel 601 is aligned with a reference surface and placed in contact with that surface.

Once the front panel 601 has been aligned, the lateral wings 603A, 603B are folded relative to the front panel 601 along respective longitudinal fold lines 607. Next (or simultaneously), the side panels 613A, 613B are folded relative to the lateral wings 603A, 603B. along respective longitudinal fold lines 617.

Once the front panel 601 has been aligned, the base 604 is folded along a transverse fold line 606.

In a second embodiment for making the reinforcing element 5 from the reinforcing blank 6, the base 604 is aligned with a respective reference surface and placed in contact with that surface.

Once the base 604 has been aligned, the front panel 601 is folded relative to the base 604 along the transverse fold line 606. Next (or simultaneously), the lateral wings 603A, 603B are folded relative to the front panel 601 along respective longitudinal fold lines 607. Next (or simultaneously), the side panels 613A, 613B are folded relative to the lateral wings 603A, 603B. along respective longitudinal fold lines 617. Whatever the case, the process whereby the reinforcing element 5 is made comprises a further step of closing, that is, permanently joining, the reinforcing element 5.

Joining is done by applying adhesive strips (pieces of film, for example heat sealing film) to join corresponding different parts of the reinforcing element 5; for example, adhesive strips are applied between the bottom wall 504 and the side panels 613A, 613B, in the zones defined by the respective contiguous edges.

Preferably (alternatively to the adhesive strips), joining is accomplished by way of a gluing step, for example using hot-melt glue applied to joining points.

In one example, there are joining points between the base 504 and the upper laps 616A, 616B folded onto the base 504.

In one example (alternative or additional to the previous one), there are joining points between the base 504 and the side laps 615A, 615B folded onto the base 504.

In one example (alternative or additional to the previous ones), there are joining points between the front wall 501 and the lower laps 614A, 614B folded onto the front wall 501 .

In an example embodiment (irrespective of the way the reinforcing blank 6 is folded and joined), each lateral wing 603A, 603B of the reinforcing blank 6 has at least a first segment and a second segment joined to each other along a longitudinal fold line 608. In other words, each lateral wing 603A, 603B, 603C, 603D is broken by, that is to say, intersected by, one or more longitudinal fold lines 608, which divide the lateral wing into two or more segments which can be inclined to each other by folding.

In another example embodiment relating in particular to octagonal packets (irrespective of the number of lateral wings), the short sides 605B of the base 604 of the reinforcing blank 6 are preferably spaced by a quantity greater than the transverse width of the front and rear panels 601 , 602; the base 604 thus has side portions which project sideways in cantilever fashion from the lateral edges defined by the stretches of the front and rear panels 601 , 602 directed towards the base 604.

In the case of a packet with sharp-edges, the short sides 605B are spaced by a quantity equal to the transverse width of the front and rear panels 601 , 602.

Operatively, these segments of the lateral wings 603A, 603B, 603C, 603D define, for each side wall 503 of the reinforcing element 5, the main side 511 A (positioned perpendicularly to the front and rear walls) and the connecting sides 51 1 B which are inclined to the main side 51 1 A and to the corresponding front wall 501 or rear wall 502 of the reinforcing element 5.

It should also be noted that the front panel 601 has, at the end of it opposite the base 604, a tapered indentation 609 (trapezoidal in shape) to define the tapered indentation 506 of the front wall 501 of the reinforcing element 5.

This description also relates to a packing machine 100. The packing machine 100 is designed to pack in the packet 1 the group 3 of cigarettes 2 or other smokable articles having a first and a second end, and being elongate in shape along a longitudinal direction.

The packing machine 100 has a first wrapping section 7 and a second wrapping section 8; the packing machine 100 preferably also has a third wrapping section 9.

The first wrapping section 7 receives reinforcing blanks 6 (for example piled one on top of the other in stacks) and the cigarettes 2 (for example, loose cigarettes from a machine which makes cigarettes 2).

The first wrapping section 7 is configured to form the reinforcing elements 5 from flat reinforcing blanks 6.

The first wrapping section 7 is configured to couple the reinforcing elements 5 to corresponding groups 3 of cigarettes 2.

The first wrapping section 7 is preferably configured to form the groups 3 of cigarettes 2, for example by means of a hopper system 701 acting in conjunction with a conveyor 702 provided with a plurality of pockets 703.

A plurality of cigarettes 2, equal in number to that making up the group 3 (for example, 20 cigarettes 2) is extracted from the hoppers 701 and inserted into one of the pockets 703; inside the pocket 703, the plurality of cigarettes 2 is transported into a zone where an extractor element 704 operates.

The first wrapping section 7 preferably comprises a plurality of sleeves 705 (mandrels) designed to receive the groups 3 of cigarettes 2 from the corresponding pockets 703 under the action of the extractor element 704. Each sleeve 705 has an inlet and an outlet. The sleeve 705 has a (side) wall which is thin, for example two millimetres. The sleeve 705 has a rectangular or substantially rectangular cross section, equal or similar in size to that of the pocket 703, so as to precisely receive the group 3 of cigarettes 2 fed longitudinally through the inlet of the sleeve 705 in the direction of the outlet of the sleeve 705 itself.

The group 3 of cigarettes is fed into the sleeve 705 until the first end 301 of the group of cigarettes 2 (that is, the first ends 201 without filters 203) is flush with the outlet of the pocket 705.

The first wrapping section 7 preferably comprises one or more centring elements (not illustrated) designed to handle the reinforcing blanks 6 in such a way as to align the base 604 of the reinforcing blank 6 with the outlet of the sleeve 705 so that the outlet end of the sleeve 705 comes into abutment with the base 604 of the reinforcing blank 6.

The first wrapping section 7 preferably comprises a folding unit (not illustrated) designed to fold the reinforcing blank 6 onto the outside surface of the sleeve 705 (or onto a portion thereof).

In an example embodiment, the folding unit has first folding elements configured to fold the front panel 601 and the rear panel 602 of the reinforcing blank 6 into direct contact with corresponding outside surfaces of the sleeve 705 and thus into indirect contact with the group 3 of cigarettes 2, which is in contact with corresponding inside surfaces of the sleeve 705.

Similarly, the folding unit has second folding elements for folding the lateral wings 603A, 603B, 603C, 603D of the reinforcing blank 6 about corresponding fold lines 607 into direct contact with corresponding outside surfaces of the sleeve 705 and thus into indirect contact with the group 3 of cigarettes 2, which is in contact with corresponding inside surfaces of the sleeve 705. It should be noted that the sleeves 705 are preferably defined by end portions of corresponding pockets 703 projecting in cantilever fashion from the conveyor 702. In this case, the transfer of the group 3 of cigarettes 2 from the pocket 703 to the sleeve 705 is achieved by the effect of displacing the group 3 along the pocket 703 itself, from the inlet (through which the cigarettes 2 from the hoppers 701 were inserted) to the outlet.

In an alternative solution (not illustrated), the sleeves 705 are elements distinct from the pockets 703 and movable along a specific path by means of a further conveyor; in this case, there is an alignment station where a sleeve 705 is aligned with a corresponding pocket 703 to allow the group 3 of cigarettes 2 to be transferred from the pocket 703 to the sleeve 705. Whatever the case, the reinforcing element 5 is preferably pre-coupled to the corresponding sleeve 705 by folding the reinforcing blank 6 around the self-same sleeve 705. Pre-coupling is carried out before (upstream of) a step (station) of transferring the group 3 of cigarettes 2 from the pocket 703 to the sleeve 705.

The first wrapping section 7 preferably also comprises gluing elements (not illustrated, comprising for example hot-melt glue dispensing nozzles) configured to apply adhesive material to at least one surface of the reinforcing blank 6 (for example on a surface of the lateral wings) to permanently join the front and rear panels 601 , 602 of the reinforcing blank 6 by means of the lateral wings 603A, 603B, 603C, 603D in the first zone 303 of the group 3 of cigarettes 2.

Preferably, the pocket 703 (or the sleeve 705) has a longitudinal extension which is greater than the (longitudinal) length of the cigarettes 2, that is to say, greater than the total (longitudinal) length of the reinforcing element 5, that is, of the front and rear panels 601 , 602 of the reinforcing blank. This allows the sleeve 705 to be held in position while the reinforcing blank 6 is folded onto a stretch (which occupies all four sides and surrounds the group 3 of cigarettes 2) of the outside surface of the sleeve itself.

The first wrapping section 7 preferably also comprises pusher elements (not illustrated) configured to push the group 3 of cigarettes longitudinally in a direction from the second end 302 to the first end 301 of the group 3 of cigarettes 2 by pressing against the second end 302. During the pushing action, the sleeve 705 is held longitudinally in place or is moved in the opposite direction relative to the group 3 of cigarettes 2.

That way, the group 3 of cigarettes is extracted from the sleeve 705 remaining with its first end 301 in contact with the base 604 of the reinforcing blank 6, that is, with the bottom wall 504 of the reinforcing element 5 and coming progressively into contact with the front and rear panels 601 , 602 and with the lateral wings 603 of the reinforcing blank 6, that is, with the front and rear walls 501 , 502 and the side walls 503 of the reinforcing element 5.

Thus, at its outfeed end, the first wrapping section 7 delivers a succession of (individual) articles, each made up of a group 3 of cigarettes with a corresponding reinforcing element 5 coupled to the outside of it.

The second wrapping section 8 is preferably of the flow-pack type, based on technology which is known to experts in the trade and which is therefore not described in detail and is illustrated only schematically.

The second wrapping section 8 receives the succession of articles made up of groups of cigarettes with the reinforcing elements coupled thereto and is configured to enclose the individual articles in respective sealed wrappers 4 made from a film 801 of thermoplastic material.

At its outfeed end, the second wrapping section 8 delivers the cigarette groups 3 individually wrapped in a sealed wrapper 4 containing the reinforcing element 5 inside it.

The third wrapping section 9 is configured to make an outer case 1 1 around the sealed wrapper. For example, the third wrapping section 9 is configured to make a rigid, box-shaped body containing the sealed wrapper 4 and provided with a lid 12 hinged to the box-shaped body itself. The third wrapping section 9 uses technology known in the trade and is not described further.

This description also provides a method for making a packet 1 of cigarettes 2 or other smokable articles having a first and a second end, and being elongate in shape along a longitudinal direction.

The method comprises a step of preparing a reinforcing blank 6, preferably made according to one or more of the features described above, and forming the reinforcing element 5 from the reinforcing blank 6. The method also comprises coupling the reinforcing element 5 (already formed or after or during its formation) to the cigarette group 3 in order to completely surround a first end 303 of the group on three of the four faces of the side walls, namely the two small ones and one of the two large ones, and on a first and a second portion of the fourth face of the side wall, which is the second of the two large lateral faces. The first and the second portions of the second large lateral face extend longitudinally for the full length of the group 3 of cigarettes and are adjacent to the small lateral faces and to the ends of the group 3 of cigarettes 2.

On the other hand, a third portion of the second large lateral face of the group 3 of cigarettes 2, interposed between the first and second portions of the second large lateral face is left uncovered by the reinforcing element 5, as is one of the two ends of the group 3 of cigarettes. The first and the second (and thus also the third) portion of the second large lateral face are substantially rectangular in shape.

The method also comprises making a sealed wrapper 4 containing the group 3 of cigarettes and the reinforcing element 5 coupled thereto by means of the film 801 of thermoplastic material having the extraction opening for taking out the cigarettes and closed by a the sealing panel 402.

Claims

1 . A packet (1 ) of cigarettes (2) or other smokable articles, each having a first and a second end (201 , 202), elongate in shape and extending along a longitudinal direction, comprising:

- a group (3) of cigarettes;

- a sealed wrapper (4) enclosing the group (3) of cigarettes, made from a film (401 ) of thermoplastic material and having an extraction opening though which the cigarettes (2) can be taken out;

- a sealing panel (402) applied to the opening of the sealed wrapper (4);

- a reinforcing element (5), made of thin cardboard, located inside the sealed wrapper (4) in contact with the group (3) of cigarettes to surround it at least partly, and having a front wall (501 ), a rear wall (502), a first and a second side wall (503) and a bottom wall (504) positioned at a first end of the reinforcing element (5), in contact with the first end (201 ) of the cigarettes (2),

characterized in that the rear wall (502) of the reinforcing element (5) comprises a first and a second portion (513A, 513B) which are spaced along a direction transversal to the longitudinal direction and having a short side (514A) contiguous with the bottom wall (504) and a long side (514B) joined to the first or the second side wall (513), respectively.

2. The packet (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing element (5) is open at a second end, opposite to the first end, and in a central zone (515) interposed between the first and second portions (513A, 513B) of the rear wall (502).

3. The packet (1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first end of the reinforcing element (5) is completely closed by the bottom wall (504).

4. The packet (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the front wall (501 ) and the rear wall (502) of the reinforcing element (5) extend for the full longitudinal extension of the cigarettes (2).

5. The packet (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the front wall (501 ) has a tapered indentation (506) to facilitate taking out the cigarettes (2) and positioned in the second zone (304) of the group (3) of cigarettes.

6. The packet (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second portions (513A, 513B) of the rear wall (502) of the reinforcing element (5) each have a transverse extension which is less than a third of the maximum transverse width of the reinforcing element (5).

7. The packet (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reinforcing element (5) has joining points made by means of adhesive material.

8. The packet (1 ) according to claim 7, wherein the joining points are located on the bottom wall (504).

9. The packet (1 ) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the joining points are located between the bottom wall (504) and a first and a second joining flap of the reinforcing element (5) joined to the first and to the second portion (513A, 513B) of the rear wall (502), respectively.

10. The packet (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each side wall (503) of the reinforcing element (5) has a main face (51 1 A), positioned perpendicularly to the front wall (501 ) and to the rear wall (502), and a first and a second connecting face (511 B) inclined at an angle to the main face (51 1 A), wherein the first and second connecting faces (51 1 B) are each joined along longitudinal edges to the corresponding main face (51 1 A) and to the front wall (501 ) or to the rear wall (502), and wherein the side walls (503) of the reinforcing element (5) are positioned at a maximum distance from each other which is greater than a maximum transverse extension of the front wall (501 ) and of the rear wall (502).

1 1 . A method for making a packet (1 ) of cigarettes (2) or other smokable articles, each having a first and a second end (201 , 202), being elongate in shape and extending along a longitudinal direction, comprising the following steps:

- preparing a reinforcing blank (6) made of thin, flexible cardboard to form a reinforcing element (5);

- coupling the reinforcing element (5) to a group (3) of cigarettes to surround it at least partly, where a bottom wall (504) of the reinforcing element (5) is located at a first end of the reinforcing element (5) in contact with the first end (201 ) of the cigarettes (2);

- making, by means of a film (401 ) of thermoplastic material having an extraction opening for taking out the cigarettes (2) and closed by a sealing panel (402), a sealed wrapper (4) containing the group (3) of cigarettes and the reinforcing element (5) coupled thereto,

characterized in that the reinforcing element (5) is coupled to the group (3) of cigarettes (2) in such a way as to surround it on four sides by means of a front wall (501 ), two side walls (503) and a first and a second portion (513A, 513B) of a rear wall (502), spaced along a transverse direction and contiguous to the bottom wall (504), and leaving it uncovered at a second end of the reinforcing element (5) opposite to the first end, and in a central zone (515) interposed between the first and second portions (513A, 513B) of the rear wall (502).

12. The method according to claim 1 1 , wherein the reinforcing blank (6) has:

- a base (604) having two short sides (605B) and two long sides (605a);

- a front panel (601 ) joined to a respective long side (605A) of the base (604) along a fold line (606);

- a first and a second lateral wing (603A, 603B) joined to the front panel (601 ) along corresponding longitudinal fold lines (607);

- a first and a second side panel (613A, 613B) joined to the first and second lateral wings (603A, 603B), respectively, along further longitudinal fold lines (617), and wherein, in coupling the reinforcing element (5) to the group (3) of cigarettes:

- the base (604) of the blank (6) is placed in alignment with the first ends (201 ) of the cigarettes (2) to form a bottom wall (504) of the reinforcing element (5);

- the front panel (601 ) is placed in contact with the group (3) of cigarettes to form a front wall (501 ) of the reinforcing element (5);

- the at least one first and second lateral wing (603A, 603B) are folded along the respective longitudinal fold lines (607) to form side walls (503) of the reinforcing element (5);

- the first and second side panels (613A, 613B) are folded along the respective further longitudinal fold lines (617) to form the first and second portions (513A, 513B) of the rear wall (502) of the reinforcing element (5).

13. The method according to claim 12, comprising a step of applying hot- melt glue between the bottom wall (504) and at least a first and a second joining flap of the reinforcing element (5) joined to the first and to the second portion of the rear wall (502), respectively.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein each lateral wing of the reinforcing blank (6) has at least a first and a second segment which are joined to each other along a longitudinal fold line (608) to define, for each side wall (503) of the reinforcing element (5), a main face (51 1 A) of the reinforcing element (5), positioned perpendicularly to the front wall (501 ) and to the rear wall (502), and at least a first connecting face (51 1 B) inclined at an angle to the main face and joined along longitudinal edges to the corresponding main face (51 1 A) and to the front wall (501 ) or to the rear wall (502) of the reinforcing element (5).

15. A packing machine (100) for packing in a packet (1 ) a group (3) of cigarettes (2) or other smokable articles, each having a first and a second end (201 , 202), being elongate in shape and extending along a longitudinal direction, comprising: - a first wrapping section (7) designed to be fed with reinforcing blanks (6) made of thin cardboard and with cigarettes (2) and configured to form reinforcing elements (5) coupled to corresponding groups (3) of cigarettes to at least partly surround them;

- a second wrapping section (8), of the flow-pack type, designed to be fed with a succession of articles consisting of the groups (3) of cigarettes coupled to the reinforcing elements (5) and configured to enclose the single articles in a sealed wrapper (4) made from a film (801 ) of thermoplastic material and provided with an extraction opening though which the cigarettes (2) can be taken out and with sealing panel (402) applied to the sealed wrapper (4) itself;

- a third wrapping section (9) configured to make a rigid, box-shaped body (1 1 ) containing the sealed wrapper (4) and provided with a lid (12) hinged to the box-shaped body (1 1 ) itself,

characterized in that the first wrapping section (7) comprises:

- a folding unit having first folder elements configured to fold at least a first and a second lateral wing (603A, 603B) of the reinforcing blank (6) relative to a front panel (601 ), about corresponding longitudinal fold lines (607) and to fold a first and a second side panel (613A, 613B) relative to the respective lateral wings (603A, 603B) along respective further longitudinal fold lines (617);

- gluer elements configured to apply adhesive material to stably join a base (604) of the reinforcing blank (6) to the first and second side panels (613B, 613B).

16. The packing machine (100) according to claim 15, comprising a centring device configured to position, alternatively,

- the base (604) of the reinforcing blank (6) in alignment with the first end (201 ) of the cigarettes (2) of the group (3) of cigarettes;

- a front panel (601 ) of the reinforcing blank (6) in alignment with a front surface of the group (3) of cigarettes.