WO2022058991A1

WO2022058991A1 - Manufacturing method and machine to manufacture a rigid pack of smoking articles

Info

Publication number: WO2022058991A1
Application number: PCT/IB2021/058596
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gilberto Spirito; Alessandro Venturoli; Michele Ferrari; Giuliano Gamberini
Original assignee: G.D Societa' Per Azioni
Priority date: 2020-09-21
Filing date: 2021-09-21
Publication date: 2022-03-24
Also published as: JP2023542519A; KR20230072499A; CN116323398A; DE112021004921T5

Abstract

A manufacturing method and machine to manufacture a rigid pack (1) of smoking articles. It is provided for: forming at least one group (3) of smoking articles; at least partially folding a blank (6) around the group (3) of smoking articles so as to form an outer container (4) having at least one wall (7; 15; 17) to be subsequently cut; and making at least one main through cut (9) in the wall (7; 15; 17) after having at least partially folded the blank (6) around the group (3) of smoking articles. The main cut (9) is made by means of a laser beam, which is focussed on the wall (7; 15; 17) to sublimate part of the wrapping material making up the blank (6).

Description

"MANUFACTURING METHOD AND MACHINE TO MANUFACTURE A RIGID PACK

OF SMOKING ARTICLES"

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority from Italian patent application no. 102020000022189 filed on 21/09/2020, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a manufacturing method and machine to manufacture a rigid pack of smoking articles.

The present invention finds advantageous application in a packing machine to manufacture a pack of cigarettes, known as "wallet" , to which the following disclosure will make explicit reference without thereby any loss of generality.

PRIOR ART

A "wallet" pack of cigarettes comprises (at least) two inner containers, which house respective groups of wrapped cigarettes, have respective open upper ends, and are hinged to one another by means of an outer container so as to rotate between a closed configuration, in which the two inner containers are overlapping one another, and an open configuration, in which the two inner containers are separated; furthermore, a lid is provided which is hinged to the outer container and, when in a closed position, embraces the upper part of both inner containers.

The production of a "wallet" pack of cigarettes provides for forming the two inner containers by using two corresponding blanks that are folded around respective groups of wrapped cigarettes, (overlapping) coupling the two inner containers, and then folding a third blank around the two (overlapped) coupled inner containers that joins the two inner containers and creates the outer container provided with the common lid. To simplify the manufacturing of the outer container, one wall (for example, bottom wall) of the outer container could be glued to both the inner containers and therefore after folding of the third blank it may be necessary to make a cut on the bottom wall of the outer container so as to allow the separation of the two inner containers (i.e., to allow the two inner containers to rotate relative to one another) .

It is known to use a single rotary blade to cut the bottom wall of the outer container into two in order to separate the two inner containers; however, it has been observed that during the execution of this cut the blade tends to get dirty with the glue that has been laid between the bottom wall of the outer container and the inner containers and therefore the rotary blade requires frequent stops of the manufacturing machine in order to remove the glue.

To solve this problem, it has been proposed not to lay the glue on the bottom wall of the outer container at the separation area between the two inner containers (i.e., at the cutting area) ; however, on the one hand, this solution is difficult to implement as it is very difficult to control the movements of the glue when it is squeezed between the bottom wall of the container and the inner containers (i.e., the glue moves randomly when it is squeezed and can, in any case, "invade" the cutting area) and, on the other hand, it leaves the edge of the bottom wall of the outer container devoid of glue at the cut and therefore this edge (not being held in the desired position by the glue) tends to "flap" freely thus providing the final user with the impression of a poor quality pack of cigarettes.

It could also be possible to perform a double cut on the bottom wall of the outer container and at the separation area between the two inner containers (i.e. , two close and parallel cuts) to remove a strap (strip) from the bottom wall of the outer container so as to create a clear separation between the two inner containers. For this purpose, a cutting unit is used which is provided with two parallel and adjacent rotary blades which are partially housed in a collection chamber in which a suction action is performed that should capture and remove the strap as soon as the strap has been separated from the rest of the bottom wall .

However, it is not infrequent that even after the cut made by the two rotary blades the strap remains stuck in the bottom wall and therefore is not removed by suction; consequently, downstream of the cutting unit some "wallet" packs of cigarettes still have the strap on the bottom wall of the outer container, which can be more or less in position. This can generate various problems such as the loss of the strap in the machine before the application of the transparent plastic overwrapping or the wrap (with the transparent plastic overwrapping) of the strap together with the pack of cigarettes in completely random positions, thus giving the final user the impression of a poorquality pack of cigarettes.

Furthermore, it may also occur that after the cut made by the two rotary blades a strap remains stuck between the two rotary blades, causing in the long run a jam which forces the packing machine to stop.

The patent application W02005054056A1 describes a manufacturing machine configured to make a "wallet" pack of cigarettes and comprising a first machine to form a first group of cigarettes wrapped and coupled to a first inner frame, a second machine to form a second group of cigarettes wrapped and coupled to a second inner frame, and a third machine to combine the two groups of wrapped cigarettes in a single hinged pack having a vertical hinge .

The patent application WO2016166692A1 describes a wrapping unit in which a tape of wrapping material is subjected to processes that involve the removal of material by means of a laser.

The patent application EP2253547A1 describes a rigid pack of cigarettes with a hinged lid which houses two distinct groups of cigarettes.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a manufacturing method and machine to manufacture a rigid pack of smoking articles without the drawbacks described above.

According to the present invention, a manufacturing method and machine are provided to manufacture a rigid pack of smoking articles, according to what is claimed in the attached claims.

The claims describe embodiments of the present invention forming an integral part of the present description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

• Figure 1 is a perspective view of a "wallet" pack of cigarettes in a closed configuration;

• Figure 2 is a perspective view of the "wallet" pack of cigarettes of Figure 1 in an open configuration;

• Figure 3 is a perspective view of a group of naked cigarettes contained in the "wallet" pack of cigarettes of Figure 1;

• Figure 4 is a perspective view of a group of wrapped cigarettes contained in the "wallet" pack of cigarettes of Figure 1;

• Figures 5 and 6 are perspective views of two inner containers of the "wallet" pack of cigarettes of Figure 1;

• Figure 7 is a plan view of a blank used to manufacture an outer container of the "wallet" pack of cigarettes of Figure 1;

• Figure 8 is a perspective and schematic view of a cutting unit for removing a strap from a wall of the "wallet" pack of cigarettes of Figure 1;

• Figure 9 is a view, on an enlarged scale, of a wall of the "wallet" pack of cigarettes of Figure 1 showing the cuts that are made to remove the strap;

• Figure 10 is a schematic and sectional view of a detail of a wall of the "wallet" pack of cigarettes of Figure 1 at a double through cut performed by means of a traditional mechanical cut;

• Figure 11 is a schematic and sectional view of a detail of a wall of the "wallet" pack of cigarettes of Figure 1 at a double through cut performed by the cutting unit of Figure 8;

• Figure 12 is a schematic and sectional view of a detail of a wall of the "wallet" pack of cigarettes of Figure 1 at a double through cut performed by the cutting unit of Figure 8 and according to an operating variation;

• Figure 13 is a schematic and sectional view of a detail of a wall of the "wallet" pack of cigarettes of Figure 1 at a double through cut performed by the cutting unit of Figure 8 and according to a further operating variation;

• Figure 14 is a perspective view of a "sliding" pack of cigarettes in a closed configuration;

• Figure 15 is a perspective view of the "sliding" pack of cigarettes of Figure 14 in an open configuration;

• Figure 16 is a perspective view of another "sliding" pack of cigarettes in a closed configuration;

• Figure 17 is a perspective view of the "sliding" pack of cigarettes of Figure 16 in an open configuration;

• Figure 18 is a perspective view of a further "sliding" pack of cigarettes in a closed configuration; and

• Figure 19 is a perspective view of the "sliding" pack of cigarettes of Figure 18 in an open configuration.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In Figures 1 and 2, number 1 denotes as a whole a rigid pack of cigarettes of the "wallet" type comprising two inner containers 2 (illustrated individually in Figures 5 and 6) , which house respective groups 3 of wrapped cigarettes (illustrated in Figures 3 and 4) . In particular, Figure 3 illustrates a group 3 of nude cigarettes (i.e. , devoid of wrap) , whereas Figure 4 illustrates a group 3 of wrapped cigarettes (i.e., provided with a soft wrap provided with an upper tear-off portion) .

According to the (non-limiting) embodiment illustrated, the two groups 3 of cigarettes (therefore the two inner containers 2) have different sizes, i.e. , one group 3 of cigarettes is larger than the other group 3 of cigarettes.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the pack 1 of cigarettes comprises an outer container 4 which encloses (houses) therein the two inner containers 2 and has a hinge that allows the two inner containers 2 to rotate between a closed configuration (illustrated in Figure 1) , in which the two inner containers 2 are overlapping one another, and an open configuration (illustrated in Figure 2) , in which the two inner containers 2 are separated. Furthermore, the outer container 4 is provided with a lid 5 which is hinged to the outer container 4 and, when in a closed position (illustrated in Figure 1) , embraces the upper part of both inner containers 2.

The production of the pack 1 of cigarettes initially provides for forming the two groups 3 of cigarettes, wrapping the respective wraps around the groups 3 of cigarettes, and then manufacturing the two inner containers 2 by using two corresponding blanks (known and not illustrated) which are folded (and stabilized by means of glue) around the respective groups 3 of cigarettes. Once formed, the two inner containers 2 (containing the respective groups 3 of wrapped cigarettes) are (overlapped) coupled to one another and then the outer container 4 is made by folding (and stabilizing by means of glue) a blank 6 (illustrated in Figure 7) around the two inner containers 2 coupled to one another.

According to what is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, immediately after folding of the blank 6, the outer container 4 has both a bottom wall 7, which is glued to both inner containers 2 (and therefore does not allow the inner containers 2 to rotate relative to one another) , and a side wall 7, which is glued to both inner containers 2 (and therefore does not allow the inner containers 2 to rotate relative to one another) ; it is therefore necessary to make a cut on both the bottom wall 7 and the side wall 7 of the outer container 4 to allow the separation of the two inner containers 2 (i.e. , to allow the two inner containers 2 to rotate relative to one another) . It is important to note that during the folding of the blank 6 to form the outer container 4, the walls 7 (which are part of the blank 6 and therefore of the outer container 4) are brought to rest against both groups 3 of wrapped smoking articles (with the interposition of the respective inner containers 2) .

In Figure 8, number 8 illustrates as a whole a cutting unit where the packs 1 of cigarettes already completely formed are fed to perform the cut of the walls 7 of the outer container 4 of each pack 1 of cigarettes (in Figure 8, for simplicity, only the cut of the bottom wall 7 is shown, but the cut of the side wall 7 is also performed in the same identical manner) .

In particular, according to what is better illustrated in Figure 9, the cutting unit 8, to create a clear separation between the two inner containers 2, performs a double main through cut 9 (i.e., two main through cuts 9, spaced apart and parallel to one another) to remove a strap 10 (strip) of each wall 7; i.e., the cutting unit 8 removes a corresponding relatively thin central part (the strap 10) from each wall 7 of a pack 1 of cigarettes to divide the two inner containers 2.

In the embodiment illustrated in the attached figures, the two main cuts 9, which separate the strap 10 from the rest of each wall 7, are parallel to one another and therefore the strap 10 has a constant width; according to a different embodiment not illustrated, the two main cuts 9 that separate the strap 10 from the rest of each wall 7 may not be perfectly parallel to one another (i.e., they can be slightly convergent or divergent relative to one another) and therefore the strap 10 may have a variable width.

As illustrated in Figure 8, the cutting unit 8 comprises a conveyor that feeds the packs 1 of cigarettes in succession along a straight path P and is, for example, made as described in the patent applications EP1916188A1 and EP2172399A1. Furthermore, the cutting unit 8 comprises (at least) one emitter 11 which is configured to focus on each wall 7 of each blank 6 (or of the corresponding outer container 4 formed by the blank 6) a laser beam so as to make the main through cuts 9 by sublimating (vaporizing) part of the wrapping material making up the blank 6. In other words, for each pack 1 of cigarettes fed along the path P, the main through cuts 9 which separate the strap 10 from the rest of each wall 7 are made by means of a laser beam, which is focussed on the wall 7 of the outer container 4 (or rather of the blank 6 which forms the outer container 4) to sublimate (vaporize) part of the wrapping material .

By way of example, the laser spot is focussed on each wall 7 and moved by means of the use of mirrors motorized by galvanometers (laser marker and two-axis scanning head) , but there may be additional motorizations that act on the laser focus (markers and scanner heads with 3 or more axes) . In general, during the execution of the main cuts 9 by means of the emitter 11, the packs 1 of cigarettes can be still or in motion; the position of the packs 1 of cigarettes during any movement can be traced either by a position sensor, connected to the conveyor mechanics, or by a visual optical system.

The main cuts 9 performed by the emitter 11 can be straight or follow freely programmable trajectories. As previously stated, in each pack 1 of cigarettes and in each wall 7 the two main through cuts 9, spaced apart from one another, delimit the strap 10 which is a disposable portion of the wall, i.e., it is a portion that must be separated and removed from the remaining part of the wall 7. According to what is illustrated in Figure 9, to simplify the separation and removal of the strap 10 (which makes up a disposable portion of each wall 7) , it is possible to make through the cutting unit 8 not only the two main through cuts 9, but also a series of secondary through cuts 12 which divide the strap 10 (i.e., the disposable portion) into a plurality of smaller parts 13 which are easier to separate and remove from each wall 7. In particular, each secondary cut 12 is transversal (perpendicular or variously inclined) relative to the two main cuts 9 and connects said two main cuts 9 together (to divide the disposable portion into two parts 13) . In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 9, various secondary cuts 12 are made to divide the strap 10 (i.e., the disposable part) into different parts 13; according to other embodiments not illustrated, a single secondary cut 12 could be made to divide the strap 10 (i.e., the disposable part) into only two parts 13.

According to a preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 8, the cutting unit 8 comprises a sucking device 14 which is arranged at a cutting station in which the laser beam is focussed on the walls 7 of each pack 1 of cigarettes and is configured to suck up the disposable portion (i.e. , the strap 10 which can be whole or divided into several parts 13) away from the walls 7.

Furthermore, the cutting unit 8 also comprises a suction system for sucking the fumes (dust) which are generated following the sublimation (vaporization) of the wrapping material which makes up each wall 7. According to a possible embodiment, the sucking device 14 it could suck both the disposable portion (i.e., the strap 10, which can be whole or divided into several parts 13) , and the fumes (dust) that are generated following the sublimation (vaporization) of the wrapping material; downstream of the sucking device 14, the wrapping material can be separated from the fumes (dust) by means of suitable filters so as to be treated differently.

In the embodiment illustrated in the attached figures, the cutting unit 8 performs a cut on two different walls 7 (i.e., both on the bottom wall 7 and on the side wall 7) of each pack 1 of cigarettes; according to a different and perfectly equivalent embodiment, the blank 6 is shaped differently and therefore the cutting unit 8 performs a cut only on a single wall 7 (i.e., only on the bottom wall 7 or only on the side wall 7) of each pack 1 of cigarettes.

To summarize the above, for each pack 1 of cigarettes in a forming unit, two groups 3 of wrapped cigarettes are formed, in a first wrapping unit the two inner containers 2 are formed around the two groups 3 of wrapped cigarettes, in a second wrapping unit the blank 6 is folded around the two inner containers 2 (i.e., around the two groups 3 of wrapped cigarettes) to form the outer container 4 and in this step (at least) the bottom wall 7 of the outer container 4 is glued to both inner containers 2; finally, in the cutting unit 8 (at least) on the bottom wall 7 of the outer container 4 the two main cuts 9 are made, which are spaced apart from one another and extend between two opposite ends of the bottom wall 7 and separate a first part of the wall 7 glued to a first inner container 2 from a second part of the wall 7 glued to a second inner container 2.

The cutting unit 8 could also be used to perform additional processing on each pack 1 of cigarettes in addition to the execution of the through cuts 9 (and 12 possibly) ; for example, the laser emitted by the emitter 11 could be used (in addition to the execution of the cuts 9 and 12 possibly) also to create vector or raster alphanumerical markings, bar codes, logos, or even graphic and decorative elements on the walls of the outer container 4. Generally, the operating parameters of the emitter 11 (power, speed, frequency, number of repetitions, diameter and spot focus) may differ between one processing and another; moreover, the operating parameters of the emitter 11 can be made to vary even during the same process.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1-9 and 11, in each pack 1 of cigarettes the cutting unit 8 makes two main cuts 9 spaced apart from one another which extend between two opposite ends of the walls 7 and separate a strap 10 (i.e., a disposable portion) , which is removed, from each wall 7.

According to a different embodiment illustrated in Figure 12, in each pack 1 of cigarettes the cutting unit 8 makes a single main cut 9 that extends between two opposite ends of each wall 7; in this embodiment, each wall 7 is, in any case, divided into two parts (each glued only to a corresponding inner container 2) but there is no formation of any disposable part (i.e., of any strap 10 to be removed from the wall 7) .

According to a further embodiment illustrated in Figure 13, in each pack 1 of cigarettes the cutting unit 8 makes, in each wall 7, two or even more main cuts 9 adjacent to one another and in contact (i.e., without any wrapping material remaining between two adjacent main cuts 9) so as to create a wider separation in the wall 7 (i.e., the wall 7 is in any case divided into two parts) but there is no formation of any disposable part (i.e., of any strap 10 to be removed from the wall 7) . In other words, in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 13, the strap 10 (i.e., the disposable portion) is completely "disintegrated" (vaporized, sublimated) by means of a number of close passes (strokes) of the laser, i.e., by means of several main cuts 9 adjacent to one another and in contact so that no wrapping material remains between the same (i.e., waste material to be removed mechanically) .

By making a comparison between Figure 10 and Figure 11, the difference between a double main cut 9 performed mechanically by means of a double rotary blade (Figure 10) and a double main cut 9 performed by a laser (Figure 11) can be appreciated: the main cut 9 performed by a laser creates an excellent separation up to the glue interposed between the wall 7 and the underlying containers 2 (and possibly removing, vaporizing, even part of the glue interposed between the wall 7 and the underlying containers 2) , whereas the main cut 9, performed mechanically to prevent the blade from getting dirty with the glue interposed between the wall 7 and the underlying containers 2, must be very thin (and therefore uncertain) near the glue; consequently, the strap 10 delimited by the double main cut 9 performed by a laser (Figure 11) can be removed very simply as it no longer has any type of residual connection with the wall 7 whereas the strap 10 delimited by the double main cut 9, performed mechanically by means of a double rotary blade (Figure 10) , is removed with much more difficulty since there is some residual connection with the wall 7 (and difficult to eliminate in advance without dirtying the rotary blades with glue) . In the different embodiment illustrated in Figures 14 and 15 a single group 3 of wrapped cigarettes is obtained, which is inserted into a single inner container 2 that is housed in a slidable manner inside the outer container 4 (i.e., the blank 6 is wrapped around the single inner container 2 which is therefore inside the outer container 4) , and a single main through cut 9 is provided, which is closed on itself and separates a button 16, which is glued to the underlying inner container 2, from a lateral wall 15 of the outer container 4. In this embodiment, the main cut 9 could also be discontinuous (to leave residual connection points which must be broken upon the first opening of the pack 1 of cigarettes as a guarantee of integrity) . Furthermore, in this embodiment, the button 16 created by the main cut 9 has the function of making the opening of the pack 1 of cigarettes more "complex" (i.e., the extraction by sliding the inner container 2 from the outer container 4) so as to make the opening of the pack 1 of cigarettes " childproof" .

In the different embodiment illustrated in Figures 16-19, a single group 3 of wrapped cigarettes is made, which is inserted directly into the outer container 4 (i.e. the blank 6 is wrapped directly around the group 3 of wrapped cigarettes and no inner container 2 is present) , the outer container 4 is provided with a sliding lid 5, and a single main through cut 9 is provided which is made in a rear wall 17 of the outer container 4 and creates a complete separation between the outer container 4 and the sliding lid 5 so as to allow the sliding lid 5 to slide relative to the outer container 4 (i.e. initially the sliding lid 5 is connected to the rest of the outer container 4 at the rear wall 17 and is completely separated from the rest of the outer container 4 only due to the main through cut 9) . In this embodiment, the main cut 9 could also be discontinuous (to leave residual connection points which must be broken upon the first opening of the pack 1 of cigarettes as a guarantee of integrity) . Furthermore, in this embodiment, the main cut 9 could be straight (as illustrated in Figures 16 and 17) or it could also be shaped in a zig-zag manner (as illustrated in Figures 18 and 19) with sharp or rounded edges.

Obviously, also in the embodiments illustrated in Figures 14-19 it is possible to make two main cuts 9 side-by-side one another in the walls 15 and 17 to separate and then remove a strap 10 from the corresponding walls 15 and 17.

The embodiments described here can be combined with one another without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention .

The manufacturing method described above has numerous advantages . Firstly, the manufacturing method described above allows the rigid pack 1 of cigarettes to be manufactured efficiently and effectively, allowing the use of a blank 6, which is simpler and faster to manufacture and fold as some cutting operations of the blank 6 are made after having completed the folding of the blank 6 (or during the folding of the blank 6) .

Furthermore, the manufacturing method described above allows the main cuts 9 to be carried out with extreme precision without any risk of errors and soiling (therefore without any need for periodic cleaning) even when glue is found below the main cuts 9.

When necessary, the manufacturing method described above allows to remove in a simple and safe manner any strap 10 (i.e., any disposable part) after cutting, thus avoiding that the strap 10 (or a piece of the strap 10) remains in contact with the bottom wall 7 also downstream of the cutting unit 8.

Finally, the manufacturing method described above is simple and inexpensive to implement as compared to a similar known manufacturing method, it requires quick changes using commercial pieces (such as the emitter 11) or pieces that can be easily obtained with standard mechanical processing.

The embodiment illustrated in the attached figures refers to the manuf cturing of a pack of cigarettes, but the present invention can also be applied without substantial modifications to the production of any other type of pack of smoking articles (for example a pack of cigars, a pack of electronic cigarettes of the liquid vaporization type, a pack of new generation smokeless cigarettes . . . ) .

Claims

1) A manufacturing method to manufacture a rigid pack (1) of smoking articles; the manufacturing method comprises the steps of : forming at least one group (3) of smoking articles; at least partially folding a blank (6) around the group (3) of smoking articles so as to form an outer container (4) having at least one wall (7; 15; 17) to be subsequently cut; and making at least one main through cut (9) in the wall (7; 15;

17) after having at least partially folded the blank (6) around the group (3) of smoking articles; the manufacturing method is characterized in that the main through cut (9) is made by means of a laser beam, which is focussed on the wall (7; 15; 17) so as to sublimate part of the wrapping material making up the blank (6) .

2) The manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein the wall (7; 15; 17) has, on the inside, a glue layer, which is placed in the area of the main cut (9) and joins the wall (7; 15; 17) to another element of the rigid pack (1) of smoking articles .

3) The manufacturing method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: the main cut (9) delimits a disposable portion of the wall (7) ; and the disposable portion is separated from the wall (7) .

4) The manufacturing method according to claim 3, in which two main cuts (9) are made, which are spaced apart from one another so as to delimit the disposable portion.

5) The manufacturing method according to claim 3 or 4, wherein at least one secondary through cut (12) is made, which is transverse to the main cut (9) and divides the disposable portion into two parts (13) .

6) The manufacturing method according to claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein a plurality of secondary through cuts (12) are made, which are transverse to the main cut (9) and divide the disposable portion into a plurality of parts (13) . 7) The manufacturing method according to one of the claims from 3 to 6 and comprising the further step of sucking the disposable portion away from the wall (7) by means of a sucking device (14) located in the area of a cutting station where the laser beam is focussed on the wall (7) .

8) The manufacturing method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least two main cuts (9) are made, which are parallel and adjacent to one another with contact, so that no wrapping material is left between them.

9) The manufacturing method according to one of the claims from 1 to 8, wherein: two groups (3) of smoking articles are created, which are inserted into two respective inner containers (2) , which are separate from one another and independent; both inner containers (2) are wrapped by the blank (6) so as to be inside the outer container (4) ; the wall (7) is glued to both inner containers (2) ; and the main through cut (9) extends between two opposite ends of the wall (7) and separates a first part of the wall (7) glued to a first inner container (2) from a second part of the wall (7) glued to a second inner container (2) .

10) The manufacturing method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: a group (3) of smoking articles is created, which is inserted into an inner container (2) ; the inner container (2) is wrapped by the blank (6) so as to be inside the outer container (4) ; and the main through cut (9) has a closed round shape and separates a button (16) from the wall (15) , said button (16) being glued to the inner container (2) lying underneath.

11) The manufacturing method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: the outer container (4) is provided with a sliding lid (5) ; and the main through cut (9) determines a complete separation between the outer container (4) and the sliding lid (5) so as to allow the sliding lid (5) to slide relative to the outer container ( 4 ) .

12) A manufacturing machine to manufacture a rigid pack (1) of 17 smoking articles; the manuf cturing machine comprises: a forming unit to form at least one group (3) of smoking articles ; a wrapping unit to at least partially fold a blank (6) around the group (3) of smoking articles so as to form an outer container (4) having at least one wall (7; 15; 17) to be subsequently cut; and a cutting unit (8) to make at least one through cut (9) in the wall (7; 15; 17) of the blank (6) after having at least partially folded the blank (6) around the group (3) of smoking articles; the manufacturing machine is characterized in that the cutting unit (8) comprises an emitter (11) , which is configured to focus a laser beam on the wall (7; 15; 17) so as to make the through cut (9) sublimating part of the wrapping material making up the blank (6) .