WO2017064616A1

WO2017064616A1 - Cigarette packet and method for making it.

Info

Publication number: WO2017064616A1
Application number: PCT/IB2016/056075
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michele Ferrari; Luca Federici
Original assignee: G.D S.P.A.
Priority date: 2015-10-16
Filing date: 2016-10-11
Publication date: 2017-04-20
Also published as: ITUB20154894A1

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 having a first end (301), defined by the first end (201) of the cigarettes (2), a second end (302), defined by the second end (202) of the cigarettes (2), and a side wall having four sides; 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 covering (5) made of soft paper, positioned inside the sealed wrapper (4) and wrapped around the group of cigarettes and in direct contact with the group to surround it on its side wall and on at least one of the first and second ends (301, 302).

Description

DESCRIPTION

CIGARETTE PACKET AND METHOD FOR MAKING IT 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. Typically, the packet also comprises an outer case or wrapper, which may be rigid or soft, and an inner wrapper, in direct contact with the cigarettes and made for example, of foil paper wrapped around the group of cigarettes.

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 WO201 1069575 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 which is particularly neat and easy to make and a method for making it.

A further aim of the invention is to provide a sealed packet of cigarettes which is particularly easy to re-close.

Another aim is to provide a sealed packet of cigarettes which is particularly practical to use.

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

The sealed wrapper includes a sheet of thermoplastic material. The sheet of thermoplastic material has a first face operatively directed towards the inner covering, that is, towards the group of cigarettes, and a second face, opposite the first face, operatively directed towards the outside of the packet.

The sheet of thermoplastic material is applied to the group of cigarettes wrapped in the soft covering in such a way as to form a plurality of joining zones. At least one joining zone of the plurality of joining zones is of the type known as "fin seal". The expression "fin seal" means that two edges of the sheet of thermoplastic material are permanently joined to each other (for example by ultrasounds or by application of heat) at respective contact surfaces belonging to the same face of the sheet (in particular, the first face). Operatively, these joined edges are initially projected in a plane at right angles to one of the side walls of the group of cigarettes; next, the joined edges, defining the "fin" are folded (by 90 sexagesimal degrees) into contact with the side wall of the group of cigarettes.

In one embodiment, the sealed wrapper comprises a plurality of fin seals. In particular (if possible) the sealed wrapper comprises three fin seals. The sealed wrapper defines a hermetic seal of the packet.

As regards the sealing panel, attention is also drawn to the following. In one embodiment, the sealing panel has at least a first and a second zone; preferably, it has a first zone, a second zone and a third zone.

The first zone of the sealing panel is fixed permanently and irreversibly to (the remaining portion of) the sealing panel.

The second zone of the sealing panel is provided with glue (non-drying glue to allow connection and disconnection numerous times) to allow the second zone to removably adhere the second zone to (the remaining portion of) the sealing panel so that the sealed wrapper can be opened and closed repeatedly.

The third zone (if any) is separated from (the remaining portion of) the sealed wrapper and does not have glue on it to allow the user to hold the sealing panel between two fingers.

The packet also comprises a soft covering, that is, a covering made of soft paper. This covering is in direct contact with the cigarettes and is wrapped at least partly round it. In particular, the covering surrounds the group of cigarettes on the side wall and at least one of the first and second ends of the group itself.

The covering is positioned inside the sealed wrapper. Thus, this covering constitutes an inner covering for the packet. The sealed wrapper constitutes an outer covering for the packet.

In one embodiment, the covering (that is, the soft inner covering) is in contact with the group of cigarettes on five sides and leaves uncovered only the first end of the group of cigarettes.

The covering includes a sheet of soft paper. The sheet of soft paper has a first face operatively directed towards the group of cigarettes, and a second face, opposite the first face, operatively in contact with the sealed wrapper. The sheet of soft paper is wrapped around the group of cigarettes. In one embodiment, the covering is closed at one more joining zones. Preferably (but not exclusively), the inner paper covering is held in place by glue.

In one embodiment, a (first) joining zone extends longitudinally and includes two overlapping edges (of a sheet of soft paper defining the covering); at this joining zone, the edges are in contact with each other on respective opposite faces of the sheet. In one embodiment, a (second) joining zone is located at the second end of the group of cigarettes and defines a "soap-bar wrapping style" seal. The expression "soap-bar wrapping style seal" is used to mean a joining zone with a plurality of flaps which are permanently joined to each other, each flap being defined by a fold of the sheet. In an example embodiment of the "soap-bar wrapping style" fold the sheet is operatively wrapped around the group of cigarettes, in contact with the side wall thereof in such a way that one end of it protrudes beyond the second end of the group of cigarettes to form a tubular head. The tubular head defines two pairs of mutually opposed, parallel flaps, attached in twos. The flaps are folded onto a flat surface into contact with the second end of the group of cigarettes by folding respective edges of sheet a plurality of times in sequence to define one or more overlap zones (for example, trapezoidal in shape) where respective opposite faces of the sheet are in contact with each other. In a possible embodiment (defining one of the possible folding sequences) two mutually opposed flaps (preferably the two smaller flaps) are simultaneously folded flat against the second end of the group of cigarettes, thereby causing two triangular end portions of each of the other two flaps to be folded over inwards; each triangular portion is folded over and fixed in place in contact with an inside surface of the respective flap, which thus adopts a trapezoidal shape, before these trapezoidal flaps are folded in sequence flat against the second group of cigarettes, these trapezoidal flaps being fixed to each other. Fixing is preferably done by applying glue.

With regard to the covering (that is, the soft inner covering), attention is also drawn to the following. Operatively, applying the covering to the group of cigarettes comprises a step of wrapping and folding the sheet of soft paper around (and in direct contact with) the group of cigarettes and a step of closing the covering by stably joining respective edges of the sheet or portions thereof. The closing step follows (or is concurrent with, but never precedes) the step of wrapping and folding.

It should be noted that the expression "soft paper" is used to mean paper with a low grammage and, in particular, whose grammage is less than that of rigid paper or paperboard. More specifically, the grammage of the paper used for the covering is less than 170 g/sq m, preferably less than 120 g/sq m (or 1 10 g/sq m); for example, the grammage is between 90 and 70 g/sq m, or, preferably, between 90 and 1 10 g/sq m.

The fact that the group of cigarettes is in direct contact with the soft covering and further wrapped in the sealed wrapper means that the packet is neat and easy to make and guaranteed to preserve the flavour of the tobacco (thanks to the sealed wrapper).

In effect, the soft covering is in direct contact with the group of cigarettes, is easy to make and allows the sealed wrapper to be made in a machine (or station or section of a machine) of the flow pack type in a particularly convenient manner, because the cigarettes are wrapped on at least five sides by the soft covering, are held effectively in place without having to use a rigid reinforcing element (that is, an inner frame or collar of paperboard).

The covering has a front wall, a rear wall and two side walls, which surround the four sides of the side wall of the group of cigarettes, and a bottom wall, which covers the second end of the group of cigarettes.

In an example embodiment, the covering leaves uncovered the first end of the group of cigarettes; thus, to take out a cigarette it is necessary to open the sealed wrapper. To make it easier to take out the cigarettes, the covering also comprises a tapered indentation on its front wall.

In this case, only the second end of the group of cigarettes is closed by the covering (the first end is left uncovered).

In another example embodiment, the covering completely surrounds the group of cigarettes, on all six sides.

In this case, the covering also has a top wall which covers the second end of the group of cigarettes.

In an example embodiment, the film of thermoplastic material the sealed wrapper is made of is transparent (or semi-transparent); preferably, the transparent sealed wrapper is (substantially) free of decorations; it may be coloured or, more preferably, not coloured.

In this case, the covering is preferably externally decorated, that is, it has on the outside surface of it at least one logo and/or text visible through the sealed wrapper.

That way, the packet, made up of the group of cigarettes, the decorated (inner) covering, and, over them, the transparent sealed (outer) wrapper, is (or may be) preferably a finished packet.

In another example embodiment, the sealed wrapper is opaque, or not transparent; in such case, the sealed wrapper is preferably externally coloured and/or decorated.

In this case, the inner covering is made of white paper, without decorations.

It should be noted, that independently of the embodiments mentioned above, the sealed wrapper might in turn be enclosed in an outer case, which may be soft or rigid, (a covering additional to the inner covering positioned inside the sealed wrapper in contact with the cigarettes).

Preferably, the packet also comprises a sealing panel applied to the opening of the sealed wrapper and movable in such a way as to open and close the sealed wrapper. Preferably, the sealing panel has an adhesive zone. The sealing panel preferably also has a grip tab located in proximity to the adhesive zone.

In an example embodiment, the sealing panel is positioned to cover a central zone of the first end of the group of cigarettes.

In this case, the adhesive zone of the sealing panel is preferably positioned on the front wall of the covering.

In another example embodiment, the sealing panel is positioned to cover a lateral zone of the first end of the group of cigarettes.

Preferably, the lateral zone of the first end of the group of cigarettes covered by the sealing panel is confined to an area which is smaller than (or equal or substantially equal to) half the area defined by the first end of the group of cigarettes.

In this case, the adhesive zone of the sealing panel is preferably positioned on one of the side walls of the covering; in particular, on the side wall of the covering adjacent to the lateral zone of the first end of the group of cigarettes covered by the sealing panel.

This description 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.

Preferably, the method comprises a step of forming a group of cigarettes. The method comprises a step of wrapping the group of cigarettes in a covering made of soft paper and placed in direct contact with the group of cigarettes.

This wrapping step is carried out in such a way as to surround the group of cigarettes at least on its side wall and second end; the wrapping step might also be carried out in such a way as to also cover the first end of the group of cigarettes (in such case, a label is also placed transversely across the top of the covering half way along the first end of the group of cigarettes).

The method comprises a step of wrapping the group of cigarettes, and the covering which at least partly surrounds the group of cigarettes, in a sealed wrapper having an opening for taking the cigarettes out.

The sealed wrapper is preferably made from a film of thermoplastic material.

The wrapping step preferably also comprises a step of preparing a sealing panel to close the opening for taking out the cigarettes, where the sealing panel preferably has one or more of the features described above.

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 soft paper blanks and with (loose) cigarettes. The first wrapping section is configured to form groups of cigarettes from the loose cigarettes and to form soft coverings from the soft paper blanks; the first wrapping section couples the soft paper blanks to corresponding groups of cigarettes to at least party surround them, according to one or more of the features described above.

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 soft covering 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.

In a possible example embodiment, the machine might also comprise a third wrapping section configured to make an outer case applied outside 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. Alternatively, the outer case may be of the soft type.

The first wrapping section is not described in detail because it is of substantially known type, described for example in patent document EP2716555B1 , which is incorporated herein by reference to the features of the wrapping section designed to wrap a soft covering (soft paper) around a group of cigarettes.

Brief description of the drawings

This and other features will become more apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, 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 2 shows a group of cigarettes;

- Figure 3 shows the group of cigarettes of Figure 2 wrapped in an inner covering according to this description;

- Figure 4 shows the group of cigarettes of Figure 3 wrapped in an inner covering according to a variant embodiment;

- Figure 5 shows the group of cigarettes of Figure 3 wrapped in an inner covering according to a further variant embodiment;

- Figure 6 illustrates a packet according to this description;

- Figure 6A illustrates a variant embodiment of the packet of Figure 6;

- Figure 7 illustrates a variant embodiment of the packet of Figure 6.

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 comprises a covering 5 made of soft paper, wrapped around the group 3 of cigarettes 2 and placed in direct contact therewith.

The paper the covering 5 is made of has a grammage, for example, in the interval from 90 to 170 g/sq m but, more preferably, the grammage is less than 1 10 s/sq m.

The covering 5 surrounds the group 3 of cigarettes 2 on at least five sides. More specifically, it surrounds the side wall and the second end 302.

The covering 5 might also surround the group 3 of cigarettes 2 on the first end 301 ; that way, it would be surrounded on all six sides.

In another example embodiment, the covering 5 leaves the first end 301 of the group 3 of cigarettes 2 uncovered. To facilitate taking out the cigarettes 2, the covering 5 also has a tapered indentation 502 on its front wall, adjacent to the first end 301 of the group 3 of cigarettes 2.

The covering 5 is closed around the group of cigarettes preferably by making a soap-bar wrapping style fold 501 at the end (or at both ends, depending on the embodiment) of the group 3 surrounded by the covering.

The covering 5 has a front wall, a rear wall and two side walls, which surround the four sides of the side wall of the group of cigarettes, and a bottom wall, which covers the second end of the group of cigarettes. If the covering 5 surrounds the group 3 of cigarettes 2 completely, it also has a top wall.

The covering 5 is positioned inside the sealed wrapper 4.

The film 401 of thermoplastic material the sealed wrapper 4 is made of may be transparent, semi-transparent or non-transparent.

Further, the film 401 of thermoplastic material the sealed wrapper 4 is made of may be externally decorated (with at least one logo and/or text) or it may not have any decoration on it.

The outside surface of the covering 5 might be decorated, preferably with at least one logo and/or text 503. Alternatively, the covering 5 has no decorations and is preferably (completely) white.

In an example embodiment, the covering 5 is decorated and the sealed wrapper 4 is transparent so that the logo and/or text forming the decoration of the covering is visible from the outside of the packet through the sealed wrapper 4. In another example embodiment, the covering 5 is (white and) without any decoration and the sealed wrapper 4 is non-transparent, preferably coloured, for example, metallized and/or decorated.

The packet 1 comprises a sealing panel 402 applied to the opening of the sealed wrapper 4. The sealing panel 402 is preferably movable in such a way as to open and close the sealed wrapper 4.

The sealing panel 402 is positioned to cover a central zone or a lateral zone of the first end 301 of the group 3 of cigarettes 2, depending on the embodiment.

If the sealing panel 402 is positioned to cover a central zone of the first end 301 of the group 3 of cigarettes 2, the adhesive zone of the sealing panel 402 is positioned on the front wall of the covering 5.

If the sealing panel 402 is positioned to cover a lateral zone of the first end 301 of the group 3 of cigarettes 2, the adhesive zone is preferably positioned on the side walls of the covering 5, adjacent to the opening.

Again in the case where the sealing panel 402 is positioned to cover a lateral zone of the first end of the group of cigarettes, the lateral zone of the first end 301 of the group 3 of cigarettes 2 covered by the sealing panel 402 is confined to an area which is smaller than, or substantially equal to, half the area defined by the first end 301 of the group 3 of cigarettes 2.

The covering 5 is made from a soft blank 6, consisting of a shaped sheet of the soft paper.

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

201 , 202, and being elongate in shape along a longitudinal direction.

The method comprises a step of forming the group 3 of cigarettes 2.

The method comprises a step of wrapping the group 3 of cigarettes in a covering 5 made of soft paper by folding the soft blank 6 around the group 3 of cigarettes 2, in direct contact between the soft paper of the blank 6, that is of the covering 5 and at least part of the outside surface of the group 3 of cigarettes 2.

More specifically, the covering 5 is placed in direct contact with the group 3 of cigarettes to surround it at least on its side wall and on at least one of its first and second ends 301 , 302.

The method comprises a step of wrapping the group 3 of cigarettes 2 and the covering 5 in a sealed wrapper 4 having an extraction opening for taking out the cigarettes 2.

Wrapping is carried out using a film 401 of thermoplastic material, for example in a machine of the flow pack type.

This description therefore 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. In an example embodiment (not illustrated) the machine 100 also comprises a third wrapping section.

The first wrapping section 7 receives the soft 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 couple the soft blanks 6 to corresponding groups 3 of cigarettes 2 to form articles consisting of groups 3 of cigarettes at least partly surrounded by corresponding coverings 5.

The first section 7 feeds the articles to the second section 8.

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 3 of cigarettes 2 with the coverings 5 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 covering 5 inside it; preferably, these cigarettes groups 3, each individually wrapped in a covering 5 inside a sealed wrapper 4, constitute the (finished) packets 1 .

In an example embodiment, the groups 3 of cigarettes individually wrapped in the coverings 5 inside the sealed wrappers 4 are further fed to the third wrapping section to be further wrapped in respective cases, which may be of the soft or rigid type.

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

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 having a first end (301 ), defined by the first end (201 ) of the cigarettes (2), a second end (302), defined by the second end (202) of the cigarettes (2), and a side wall having four sides;

- 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,

characterized in that it comprises a covering (5) made of soft paper, wrapped around the group of cigarettes and in direct contact with the group to surround it on its side wall and on at least one of the first and second ends (301 , 302), wherein the covering (5) is positioned inside the sealed wrapper (4).

2. The packet according to claim 1 , wherein the paper the covering (5) is made of has a grammage of less than 170 g/m²

3. The packet according to claim 2, wherein the paper the covering (5) is made of has a grammage of less than 1 10 g/m².

4. The packet according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the covering (5) leaves uncovered the first end (301 ) of the group of cigarettes (2).

5. The packet according to claim 4, wherein the covering (5) has a tapered indentation on its front wall to facilitate taking out the cigarettes (2).

6. The packet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the covering (5) completely surrounds the group (3) of cigarettes (2).

7. The packet according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the film (401 ) of thermoplastic material of the sealed wrapper (4) is transparent.

8. The packet according to claim 7, wherein the covering (5) has an outside surface bearing at least a logo and a piece of text which are visible through the sealed wrapper (4).

9. The packet according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a sealing panel (402) applied to the opening of the sealed wrapper (4) and being movable to open and close the opening of the sealed wrapper (4).

10. The packet according to claim 9, wherein the sealing panel (402) is positioned to cover a central zone of the first end of the group of cigarettes.

1 1 . The packet according to claim 10, wherein

- the covering (5) has a front wall, a rear wall and two side walls, which surround the four sides of the side wall of the group of cigarettes, and a bottom wall, which covers the second end of the group of cigarettes;

- the sealing panel (402) has an adhesive zone located on the front wall of the covering (5).

12. The packet according to claim 9, wherein the sealing panel (402) is positioned to cover a lateral zone of the first end of the group of cigarettes.

13. The packet according to claim 12, wherein the lateral zone of the first end of the group of cigarettes covered by the sealing panel (402) is confined to an area which is smaller than half the area defined by the first end of the group of cigarettes.

14. The packet according to claim 12 or 13, wherein

- the sealing panel (402) has an adhesive zone located on one of the side walls of the covering (5).

15. The packet according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein the sealing panel (402) has an adhesive zone and a grip tab (403) located in proximity to the adhesive zone.

16. The packet according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealed wrapper (4) has at least one fin seal.

17. The packet according to claim 16, wherein the sealed wrapper (4) has a plurality of fin seals.

18. The packet according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealed wrapper (4) includes a sheet of thermoplastic material applied to the outside of the group (3) of cigarettes wrapped in the covering (5), and wherein the sheet of thermoplastic material has a first face and a second face, opposite to the first face, and wherein the sealed wrapper (4) includes at least one joining zone extending for the full longitudinal or transverse extension of the packet, where surfaces of the same face of the sheet of thermoplastic material are permanently joined to each other.

19. The packet according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the covering (5) has at least one "soap-bar wrapping style" seal at the second end (302) of the group (3) of cigarettes.

20. The packet according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the covering (5) includes a sheet of soft paper wrapped directly round the group (3) of cigarettes, the sheet of soft paper having a first face and a second face opposite the first face, and wherein the covering (5) includes at least one joining zone extending for the full longitudinal extension of the packet, where surfaces of opposite faces of the sheet of soft paper are superposed on each other.

21 . 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, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

- forming a group (3) of cigarettes having a first end (301 ), defined by the first end (201 ) of the cigarettes (2), a second end (302), defined by the second end (202) of the cigarettes (2), and a side wall having four sides;

- wrapping the group (3) of cigarettes in a covering (5) made of soft paper and placed in direct contact with the group (3) of cigarettes to surround it on its side wall and on at least one of its first and second ends (301 , 302); - wrapping the group (3) of cigarettes (2) and the covering (5) in a sealed wrapper (4) having an extraction opening for taking out the cigarettes (2) and made from a film (401 ) of thermoplastic material.

22. The method according to claim 21 , wherein the step of wrapping the group (3) of cigarettes (2) and the covering (5) in the sealed wrapper (4) is performed in a machine of the flow pack type.

23. The method according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the step of wrapping the group (3) of cigarettes (2) and the covering (5) in the sealed wrapper (4) results in the formation of one or more "fin seals".

24. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein the step of making the covering (5) includes forming a "soap-bar wrapping style" seal in contact with the second end (302) of the group (3) of cigarettes.

25. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 24, wherein the covering (5) is made by wrapping a sheet of soft paper directly round the group (3) of cigarettes, the sheet of soft paper having a first face and a second face opposite the first face, and wherein the step of making the covering (5) comprises forming at least one joining zone extending for the full longitudinal extension of the packet, where surfaces of opposite faces of the sheet of soft paper are superposed on each other.