WO2023041350A1

WO2023041350A1 - Method and device for producing packs for products of the cigarette industry

Info

Publication number: WO2023041350A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/074467
Authority: WO
Inventors: Johann Köster
Original assignee: Focke & Co. (Gmbh & Co. Kg)
Priority date: 2021-09-14
Filing date: 2022-09-02
Publication date: 2023-03-23
Also published as: DE102021123724A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and a method for producing packs (10) for products (11) of the cigarette industry. Each group (12) of products (11), in particular a cigarette group, is wrapped in a sleeve (13) made of a packaging material as pack contents (17), and folding flaps of the packaging material are connected together in order to form an inner pack (24), preferably an aroma- and moisture-tight inner pack, in particular in the form of a sealing block. According to the invention, groups (12) of products (11) are continuously transported in a transport direction (31) along a transport path (32); the groups (12) of products (11) are transported along the transport path (32) such that the respective longitudinal extension thereof is transverse to the transport direction (31) while a continuous material web (33) made of a packaging material is placed around multiple groups (12) of products (11) in the form of a tube and while the groups (12) of products (11) are being continuously transported in a mutually spaced manner along the transport path (32) in the transport direction (31); the continuous material web (33) is then severed between adjacent groups (12) of products (11); and the groups (12) of products (11) are then transported together with a respective blank (28) detached from the material web (33) along the transport path (32) such that the longitudinal extension thereof is parallel to the transport direction (31), wherein folding flaps of each blank (28) detached from the material web (33) are connected together, said folding flaps lying on narrow faces (21) of the groups (12) of products (11) and being oriented parallel to the transport direction (31).

Description

Process and device for manufacturing packs for products in the cigarette industry

Description:

The invention relates to a method for producing packs for products in the cigarette industry, in which a group of products, in particular a group of cigarettes, is wrapped as the pack contents in an envelope made of packaging material and folding flaps of the packaging material are connected to one another to form a preferably aromatic and Moisture-tight inner packing, in particular in the form of a sealing block, according to the preamble of claim 1.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding device according to the preamble of claim 14.

Methods and devices of the type mentioned above are known from practice in various variants. A solution is shown, for example, in WO 2011/069575 A1 from the applicant's company. A disadvantage of the solution shown therein can be that the clocked production of the sealing block means that the time for sealing the seams is limited and the performance of such machines is correspondingly limited. In addition, such machines are also comparatively complex and expensive, since a large number of heating elements are required in order to introduce the necessary amount of heat in the short time available for sealing. Proceeding from this, the invention is based on the object of further developing methods and devices of the type mentioned at the outset, in particular with regard to simple, rapid and/or cost-effective production of the products in question.

A method according to the invention for solving this problem has the features of claim 1. Accordingly, it is provided that groups of products are transported continuously along a transport route in one transport direction, and that the groups of products are transported along the transport route with their longitudinal extension each pointing transversely to the transport direction, while a continuous material web of packaging material is wrapped around several groups of products is laid, while the groups of products are continuously transported at a distance from one another in the transport direction along the transport path, and that the continuous web of material is then severed between adjacent groups of products, and that the groups of products then have a respective blank cut off from the web of material are transported with their longitudinal extension pointing parallel to the transport direction along the transport path, folding flaps of the blanks cut off from the material web being connected to one another are located on side surfaces, in particular narrow sides, of the groups of products, and which are directed parallel to the direction of transport.

In other words, the groups of products are wrapped in a continuous flow-wrap or flow-pack process. The rest of the packaging process is also designed in such a way that the packs can be manufactured in a continuous process that does not require any downtime. Accordingly, the possible disadvantages of clocked production can be avoided.

According to a preferred development of the invention, it can be provided that folded flaps of the packaging material surrounding the groups of products like a tube, which run parallel to the transport direction, are connected to one another, in particular to form a fin seam, the connection of the folded flaps taking place before the continuous web of material is severed , so that the connected folding flaps run across a large-area side of the groups of products, in particular across a rear side. Furthermore, it can be provided that the groups of products are rotated in the transport path with a respective blank severed from the material web, so that the groups of products are transported along the transport path with their longitudinal extension pointing parallel to the transport direction, or that the groups of products with a each blank separated from the web of material is pushed transversely out of the transport path into a second transport path, so that the groups of products are transported with their longitudinal extension pointing parallel to the transport direction along the second transport path

In a preferred exemplary embodiment, it can be provided that the groups of products are transported lying on a large side, in particular a rear side, along the transport path, and that while several groups of products are wrapped in a continuous material web like a tube during the continuous transport, and that Folded flaps of the material web are connected to one another during continuous transport in the area of the large side of the groups of products, and that finally folded flaps of the blank separated from the material web are folded like an envelope and connected to one another in the area of narrow sides of the groups of products, which are directed parallel to the transport direction get connected.

A plastic film or a paper web is preferably used as the packaging material. By using a paper web, the market requirement to use as little plastic as possible in the manufacture of packs can be met. In particular, it can be provided that the packaging material has a partial coating with adhesive in order to connect folded flaps to one another.

A further special feature can be that the coating is applied only in the area of the folded flaps of the web of material or of the blank separated from them that are to be connected to one another. In this way, a complex and cost-intensive coating of the packaging material can be avoided.

The coating can preferably be applied during the process, that is to say on site during the processing of the material web. Accordingly, it can be provided that the coating is applied during the feeding of the material web in the process.

A further special feature can be that the coating is applied at a distance from areas of the material web that come out when the blanks are cut off of the material web are severed. In particular, this solution can have the advantage that corresponding elements of a separating device do not come into contact with the adhesive and thus cannot be soiled by it.

In particular, it can be provided that each group of products is at least partially surrounded by a tray, in particular in the area of a large front side of the respective group, and that the material web is provided at intervals with an adhesive, in particular with a hot melt glue, which after wrapping of the groups of products into the material web is activated. This solution can have the advantage that a correct relative position of the web of material and the tray is ensured.

In particular, provision can be made for the adhesive to be activated before the material web is severed.

Another special feature can be that the activated adhesive for connecting the tray to the packaging material is actively cooled, in particular by means of a cooling section arranged along the transport section.

Provision is preferably made for the folding flaps of the packaging material to be connected to be connected to form a fin seam or for the folding flaps to be connected to one another in a single or multiple overlap.

A device according to the invention has the features of claim 14. Accordingly, it is provided that the device has the following features: a) the device has a transport route for the continuous transport of groups of products in one transport direction, the groups of products being transported with their longitudinal extent pointing transversely to the transport direction along the transport route, b) a wrapping station is arranged along the transport path, which is set up to wrap a continuous material web of packaging material around a plurality of groups of products in the manner of a tube, while the groups of products are continuously transported at a distance from one another in the transport direction along the transport path, c) a separating station following the wrapping station is set up to sever the continuous web of material between adjacent groups of products, d) an aligning station following the separating station is set up to align the groups of products with a respective blank cut from the web of material in of the transport route in such a way that the groups of products are transported along the transport route with their longitudinal extension pointing parallel to the transport direction, e) a folding station following the alignment station is set up to connect folding flaps of the blanks separated from the material web to one another, which lying on side surfaces of the groups of products, and which are directed parallel to the direction of transport.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the wrapping station is set up to connect folded flaps of the packaging material surrounding the groups of products like a tube, which run parallel to the transport direction, to one another, in particular to form a fin seam, so that the connected folded flaps cross a large side of the groups of Products run, in particular across a back.

In particular, it can be provided that in a folding station following the alignment station, folding tabs of the blank separated from the material web are connected to one another, which lie on the side surfaces of the groups of products that are directed parallel to the transport direction.

Provision can furthermore be made for the folding station to be set up to fold flaps of the blank separated from the web of material in the region of the narrow sides of the groups of products, which are directed parallel to the transport direction, like an envelope and to connect them to one another.

A special feature can also be that a gluing station upstream of the wrapping station is set up to apply adhesive to the continuous web of material, in particular only in certain areas, preferably at a distance from areas of the web of material that are severed in the cutting station. In particular, it can be provided that a heating device is arranged in the wrapping station, which is set up to activate an adhesive bond between the packaging material and a tray that at least partially surrounds a group of products.

Alternatively, it can be provided that a heating device assigned to the wrapping station is provided, which is set up to activate adhesive on a tray that at least partially surrounds a group of products, while the group of products is being conveyed with the tray, in particular in a carrier chain.

In a preferred exemplary embodiment, provision can be made for the heating device to be followed by a cooling device which is set up to cool the activated adhesive after a connection has been made between the tray and the packaging material.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is explained below with reference to the drawing. In this show:

1 shows a pack for products from the cigarette industry with the lid open in a schematic, three-dimensional representation,

FIG. 2 shows the contents of the pack according to FIG. 1 in a corresponding representation,

Fig. 3 shows another view of the pack contents according to Fig. 2,

4 shows two variants of a blank for wrapping the contents of the pack,

Fig. 5 shows a vertical section through the pack along section line V - V in Fig. 2,

6 shows a vertical section through the pack along section line VI-VI in FIG. 5,

7 and 8 two variants regarding the formation of seams of the cover in an enlarged view in area VI 1/VII I in FIG. 5, 9 shows a schematic, three-dimensional representation of the wrapping of the package contents,

FIG. 10 shows a schematic representation of the further folding sequence following FIG. 9,

11 shows a schematic, three-dimensional representation of the entire folding process with representation of organs of the corresponding device,

Fig. 12 is a side view of part of the device according to arrow XII in Fig. 11,

Fig. 13 is a side view of another part of the device according to arrow XIII in Fig. 11,

Fig. 14 is a plan view of part of the device according to arrow XIV in Fig. 11,

15 shows an alternative to the solution shown in FIG. 13 in a corresponding representation, and

16 shows a vertical section through the device according to FIG. 15 along section line XVI-XVI in FIG.

The invention deals with the production of packs 10 for products 11 of the cigarette industry.

Within the scope of the application, products 11 of the cigarette industry are understood to mean tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigarillos and the like, but also novel tobacco products such as heat-not-burn products or liquid carriers for e-cigarettes.

In the exemplary embodiments shown, the products 11 are cigarettes. The terms are used synonymously in this respect. The products 11 or cigarettes are assembled in a regular formation as a cuboid group 12 or cigarette group. The cuboid group 12 is surrounded by a corresponding cuboid casing 13 made of a packaging material. For access to the products 11, the cover 13 has a removal opening 14, which can be closed again by a label 15 that can be actuated multiple times.

A (sealable) plastic film or possibly coated paper is particularly suitable as the packaging material for the cover 13 . A possible coating is preferably limited to the areas of the folding flaps to be connected to one another.

The group 12 can be arranged in order to protect the products 11 and/or to stabilize the group 12 from a tray 16 of rigid packaging material arranged in the casing 13 . (Thick or stiff) paper or (thin) cardboard is particularly suitable as the packaging material for the tray 16 .

The group 12 (possibly with tray 16) arranged in the casing 13 can be arranged as the pack contents 17 in an outer pack 18. In the exemplary embodiment shown according to FIG. 1, the outer pack 18 is a hinged lid pack (hinge-lid pack) with a (professionally) customary structure, which is why the design details are not described.

Pack 10, group 12, cover 13, tray 16 and outer pack 18 are essentially cuboid in shape, each with six sides, namely a large front 19, a large rear 20 opposite front 19, and two narrow sides 21, front 19 and rear connect 20 together. Furthermore, a bottom side 22 and a front side 23 are provided. Corresponding packaging material extends along the sides in each case to form corresponding walls. 2 shows that the tray 16 has no end wall in the area of the end face 23, but is (completely) open at the end.

The removal opening 14 extends at least in the area of the end face 23 of the cover 13 and adjacent to the area of the front side 19 of the cover 13. In the present exemplary embodiment, the removal opening 14 also extends slightly into the area of the rear side 20 of the cover 13 (Fig. 3 and 4). The label 15 covers the removal opening 14 on all sides and is permanently attached to the cover 13 in the area of the rear side 20 .

In the exemplary embodiments shown, the casing 13 is in the form of a so-called sealing block (sealed bundle) and is closed by overlapping folded flaps of the packaging material which are connected to one another. In this way, a preferably aroma and/or moisture-tight inner pack 24 is created.

In the exemplary embodiments shown, the cover 13 has three seams along which the folded flaps of the packaging material are connected to one another. A first seam 25 is preferably arranged as a fin seam (FIG. 6) running across a large-area rear side 20 (alternatively across the front side 19). Two further seams 26 are formed on both narrow sides 21. Folded flaps of the packaging material are folded like an envelope there. The seams 25, 26 can be formed by sealing and/or gluing, if necessary. under the action of pressure. Alternatively, the seam 25 on the rear side 20 can also be formed by simple overlapping (FIG. 7).

A connection between the tray 16 and the cover 13 is also optionally provided. In the present case, a (large-area) adhesive surface 27 is provided in the region of the front side 19 (FIG. 2). Hot glue can be used as an adhesive, which can be activated by the action of heat.

Fig. 4 shows two variants of a blank 28 for a cover 13. The blank 28 is designed in both variants according to the principle of a longitudinal winding, so that in the longitudinal direction corresponding areas for an upper part of the back 20, the front 23, the front 19 and a lower part of the back 20 consecutive. The folding tabs for forming the envelope folds on the narrow sides 21 extend along the longitudinal edges of the blank 28. The folding tabs for forming the seam 25 are located along the transverse edges.

In FIG. 4, adhesive surfaces are applied in the area of the folding flaps in order to connect the folding flaps to one another accordingly. In the variant of the blank 28 shown on the left in Fig. 4 for a double-layer fin seam according to Fig. 6, an adhesive surface 29 extends along the longitudinal edge of the blank 28. Two transversely directed adhesive surfaces 30 extend along both transverse edges of the blank 28. In the case of the right-hand side in Fig 4 variant of the blank 28 for a single-layer seam 25 According to FIG. 7, an adhesive surface 29 is required only along one of the two transverse edges of the blank.

4 shows at the bottom right that the adhesive surfaces 30 do not have to extend to the edge of the blank 28 or end at a distance from it. This feature has the advantage that in this way the adhesive surfaces do not come into contact with a corresponding cutting blade when the blank 28 is cut off.

Furthermore, Fig. 4 shows the arrangement of a print mark 38 and the position of an incision 37 for the removal opening 14.

8 shows the overlapping arrangement of the folding tabs in the area of the envelope fold and the overlapping of the adhesive surfaces in this area. This results in a tight design of the casing 13.

9 shows a first section of the method. Accordingly, the group 12 is fed to a tray 16 , with the products 11 being transported along the transport route 32 pointing transversely to the transport direction 31 . Next, a plurality of groups 12 are wrapped in a tube of continuous web 33 . For this purpose, the material web 33 is placed around the groups and the continuous seam 25 is formed parallel to the transport direction 31 . In this way, the seam 25 runs across the groups 12. The adhesive surface 27 is then activated in order to connect the tray 16 and the material web 33 or the cover 13. Tray 16 and material web 33 can then no longer move relative to one another. The material web 33 is then severed so that a blank 28 separated from the material web 33 is formed and a group 12 with a partially closed cover 13 is thus isolated. A sealing does not take place when the material web 33 is severed.

Fig. 10 shows the subsequent steps. The isolated group 12 with a partially closed cover 13 is aligned in such a way that the folding tabs in the area of the narrow sides 21 point parallel to the transport direction 31 . This can e.g. This can be done, for example, by rotating the group 12 with the blank 28 by about 90°, as indicated in FIG. 10, and transporting it further in the transport direction 31. According to an alternative not shown in the drawing, the group 12 with the blank 28 can also be pushed off the transport section 32 transversely to the transport direction 31 into a transverse second transport section and transported there in a transverse second transport direction, so that the narrow sides 21 there parallel to the second transport direction are transported. In both variants, the group 12 is then transported with its longitudinal direction pointing in the transport direction, so that the narrow sides are oriented parallel to the transport direction, so that the seams 26 can be formed there. First, end folding tabs 34 are folded against the tray 16 in the extension of the bottom side 22 or front side 23 and then longitudinal folding tabs 35, 36 in the extension of the front side 19 and back side 20 are folded onto the folded end folding tabs 34 in the plane of the narrow sides 21. The longitudinal folding tabs 35 are folded as an extension of the front side 19 and then the longitudinal folding tabs 36 are folded as an extension of the rear side 20, which also have end sections of the seam 25. Finally, the seams 26 are formed, preferably by heating and sealing the adhesive surfaces 30.

11 shows an overview of a device suitable for producing the inner pack 24 . Accordingly, the continuous Mate rial web 33 is conveyed downwards in a vertical plane, the labels 15 and the incisions 37 for the removal opening 14 are already provided. These can be attached during the process or during the production of the material web 33.

The print marks 38 located on the material web 33 are scanned by a print mark sensor 39 . In accordance with the recognized print marks 38, the adhesive surfaces 29, 30 and 27 are applied to the web of material 33 in a gluing station 40 with a slot nozzle 41. This can either be done on one side or, alternatively, completely or partially on both sides.

In the further conveying path of the material web 33, it is guided over a stationary guide element, namely over a forming shoulder 43 arranged at the start of a wrapping station 42. With the aid of the forming shoulder 43, the material web 33 is placed in the manner of a hose around the groups 12 with tray 16, which are transported along the transport path 32 be transported.

A driver belt 44 is used to feed the groups 12 with tray 16 to the wrapping station 42, between the drivers 45 of which the groups 12 with tray 16 are held securely (FIG. 12). The material web 33 is advanced in the wrapping station by sealing rollers 46 below the transport path 32, which are used to form the seam 26. Following the driver belt 44, the groups 12 with the tray 16 are carried along by the web of material 33, in which they are encased like a tube. A heating device 47 , which serves to activate the adhesive surfaces 27 , is arranged above the transport section 32 . Not shown in the drawing is an optional cooling device downstream of the heating device 47, which can be used to cool the activated adhesive in order to stabilize the connection between the tray 16 and the material web 33. The heating device 47 can also be arranged further upstream in the process, so that it connects the tray 16 and the material web 33 to one another, as long as the groups 12 with the tray 16 are still held in the driver belt 44 .

Towards the end of the wrapping station 42 the (fin) seam 25 formed on the underside is folded over by a roller 48 . In the present exemplary embodiment, the seam 25 is folded over in the direction of the end face 23 .

Finally, in a separating station 49 following the wrapping station 42, the blanks 28 are separated from the material web 33, with a separating cut being carried out by two knife rollers 50 on opposite sides of the transport path 32 between two successive groups 12.

Following the separating station 49, the individual groups 12 with the blank 28 are again conveyed lying on a carrier belt 51. However, the groups 12 with the blank 28 are not in contact with the carriers of the carrier belt 51, so as not to damage the edges of the blank 28. The transfer to the carrier belt 51 is effected by belts 52 lying on the side. The transport speed of the belts 52 is higher than the speed at which the material web 33 is transported.

In the area of the driver belt 51, the groups 12 with the blank 28 pass an alignment station 53, in which the groups 12 with the blank 28 are rotated by 90°, so that the narrow sides 21 point parallel to the transport direction 31. In order to be able to rotate the groups 12, the pitch of the entrainment belt 51 is larger than the group 12 in the longitudinal direction. The construction of the alignment station 53 can be designed according to WO 2019/110704 A1 or WO 2019/110729 A1, to which reference is made for the purpose of a complete disclosure. Accordingly, a suction device is provided in the aligning station, which in each case grasps a group 12 with blank 28 from above, pivots it through 90° with a linkage and forwards it.

After the groups 12 with the blank 28 have been rotated, the rear end folding tabs 34 are folded in a folding station 56 by folding members 54 running along. The leading end folding tabs 34 can be folded over, for example by a guide. In the Following the folding of the end folding flaps 34, the longitudinal folding flaps 35, 36 are folded by means of switches 55 and then the adhesive surfaces 30 in the area of the narrow sides 21 are heated and sealed in a sealing station 57.

The device described so far preferably works completely continuously. The sealing pack that has been completed to this extent is then transferred to a hinge-lid packer in order to pack the inner pack 24 into an outer pack 18 .

An alternative solution to the device according to FIG. 13 is shown in FIG. 15, starting with the folding station 56. The main difference from the previous exemplary embodiment is that instead of the switches 55 for folding the longitudinal folding flaps 35, 36, movable folding elements 59, 60 are used.

Two pairs of folding members 59 are arranged on an upper rotary receptacle 58 continuously rotating about an axis 65 and are moved one after the other on both sides of the packs 10 into the transport path 32 and thereby fold the inner longitudinal folding tabs 35 of the packs 10 . Thereafter, the outer longitudinal folding tabs 36 are folded against the inner longitudinal folding tabs 35 by folding elements 60, which are arranged in pairs on a lower rotary receptacle 61 rotating continuously about an axis 66.

The rotary receptacles 58, 61 are arranged with a slight lateral offset to one another along the transport path 32, so that first the folding elements 59 on the upper rotary receptacle 58 fold the longitudinal folding tabs 35 and then the longitudinal folding tabs 36 are folded against the longitudinal folding tabs by the folding elements 60 of the lower rotary receptacle 61. The folding elements 59, 60 each have a straight folding edge 62, which is directed parallel to the transport path 32 and is held in the appropriate alignment via a gear associated with the rotary receptacles 59, 61, while the rotary receptacles 59, 61 rotate continuously.

Fig. 15 also shows the use of a stationary switch 63 for folding end flaps before folding the longitudinal folding flaps 35, 36.

16 shows the arrangement of the folding elements 59, 60 on support arms 64 which are connected to the upper rotary receptacle 58 or the lower rotary receptacle 61.

***** Reference list:

Pack 36 Product longitudinal folding flap 37 Group incision 38 Wrapping print mark 39 Print mark sensor, removal opening 40 Label gluing station 41 Slot die, tray 42 Wrapping station, package content 43 Forming shoulder, outer pack 44 Driver belt, front side 45 Driver, rear side 46 Sealing roller, narrow side 47 Heating device, bottom side 48 Roller, front side 49 Separating station, inner pack 50 Knife roller, seam (transverse) 51 Driving belt Seam (longitudinal) 52 Belt adhesive surface 53 Alignment station cut 54 Folding element (end folding flap) adhesive surface (longitudinal) 55 Switch (longitudinal folding flap) adhesive surface (transverse) 56 Folding station transport direction 57 Sealing station transport route 58 Rotary mount material web 59 Folding element final folding flap 60 Folding element longitudinal folding flap 61 rotary receptacle Folded edge soft support arm axis axis

Claims

Patent Claims:

1. A method for producing packs (10) for products (11) of the cigarette industry, wherein a group (12) of products (11), in particular a group of cigarettes, is wrapped as pack contents (17) in an envelope (13) made of packaging material and wherein folding flaps of the packaging material are connected to one another to form an inner pack (24) that is preferably impermeable to aromas and moisture, in particular in the form of a sealing block, characterized in that groups (12) of products (11) are transported continuously along a transport path (32) are transported in a transport direction (31), and that the groups (12) of products (11) are transported with their longitudinal extension each pointing transversely to the transport direction (31) along the transport path (32), while a continuous material web (33) made of packaging material is placed like a tube around several groups (12) of products (11), while the groups (12) of products (11) mi t distance from one another are transported continuously in the transport direction (31) along the transport path (32), and that the continuous material web (33) is then severed between adjacent groups (12) of products (11), and that the groups (12) of Products (11) with a respective blank (28) separated from the material web (33) are transported along the transport path (32) with their longitudinal extension pointing parallel to the transport direction (31), with folding tabs (34, 35, 36) of the material web (33) each separated blanks (28) connected to each other are located on the side surfaces of the groups (12) of products (11), in particular on narrow sides (21), and which are directed parallel to the transport direction (31).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that folding flaps of the packaging material surrounding the groups (12) of products (11) like a tube and running parallel to the transport direction (31) are connected to one another, in particular to form a fin seam (25), wherein the joining of the folded tabs takes place before the continuous material web (33) is severed, so that the joined folded tabs (25) run across a large side of the groups (12) of products (11), in particular across a rear side (20).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the groups (12) of products (11) are rotated in the transport path (32) with a respective blank (28) cut from the material web (33), so that the groups ( 12) of products (11) are transported along the transport path (32) with their longitudinal extent pointing parallel to the transport direction (31), or that the groups (12) of products (11) are each provided with a blank ( 28) are pushed transversely out of the transport path (32) into a second transport path, so that the groups (12) of products (11) are transported along the second transport path with their longitudinal extension pointing parallel to the transport direction (31).

4. The method according to claim 1 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the groups (12) of products (11) are transported lying on a large side, in particular a rear side (20), along the transport path (32), and that while several groups (12) of products (11) are wrapped like a tube in a continuous web of material (33) during the continuous transport, and that folded flaps of the web of material (33) during the continuous transport in the area of the large-surface side of the groups (12) together are connected, and that finally folding flaps (34, 35, 36) of the blank separated from the material web (33) in the area of narrow sides (21) of the groups (12) of products (11), which are directed parallel to the transport direction (31). , folded like an envelope and connected to each other. 18

5. The method according to claim 1 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that a plastic film or a paper web is used as the packaging material.

6. The method according to claim 5 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the packaging material has a partial coating with adhesive (29, 30) in order to connect folded flaps to one another.

7. The method according to claim 1 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the coating is applied only in the area of folding tabs of the material web (33) or of the blank (28) separated therefrom that are to be joined together.

8. The method according to claim 7 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the coating is applied during the feeding of the material web (33) in the process.

9. The method according to claim 1 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the coating is applied at a distance from areas of the material web (33) which are severed when cutting off blanks (28) from the material web (33).

10. The method according to claim 1 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that each group (12) of products (11) is at least partially surrounded by a tray (16), in particular in the area of a large front side of the respective group (12) and that the material web (33) is provided at intervals with an adhesive, in particular with a hot melt glue, which is activated after the wrapping of the groups (12) of products (11) in the material web (33).

11. The method according to claim 10 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the activation of the adhesive takes place before the material web (33) is severed.

12. The method according to claim 1 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the activated adhesive for connecting the tray (16) to the packaging material is actively cooled, in particular by means of a cooling section arranged along the transport section (32). 19

13. The method according to claim 1 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that folding tabs of the packaging material to be connected are connected to form a fin seam or that the folding tabs are connected to one another in a single or multiple overlap.

14. Device for producing packs (10) for products (11) of the cigarette industry, each pack containing a group (12) of products (11), in particular a group of cigarettes, as pack contents (17) which are placed in an envelope (13 ) is wrapped in packaging material and folding flaps of the packaging material are connected to one another to form an inner pack (24) that is preferably impermeable to aromas and moisture, in particular in the form of a sealing block, preferably for carrying out the method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the following features : a) the device has a transport section (32) for the continuous transport of groups (12) of products in a transport direction (31), the groups (12) of products (11) with their longitudinal extension transverse to the transport direction (31) pointing along the transport route (32) are transported, b) along the transport route (32) is a unit filling station (42), which is set up to place a continuous material web (33) of packaging material in the manner of a tube around a plurality of groups (12) of products (11), while the groups (12) of products (11) are spaced continuously in Transport direction (31) along the transport route

(32) are transported, c) a separating station (49) following the wrapping station (42) is set up to sever the continuous material web (33) between adjacent groups (12) of products (11), d) a separating station ( 49) following alignment station (53) is set up to the groups (12) of products (11) with a respective from the material web

(33) separate blank (28) in the transport path (32) to handle so that the groups (12) of products (11) parallel with their longitudinal extent 20 are transported along the transport path (32) pointing to the transport direction (31), e) a folding station (56) following the alignment station (53) is set up for folding flaps (34, 35, 36) of the web (33 ) to connect each separated blanks (28) to each other, which respectively lie on side surfaces (21) of the groups (12) of products (11) and which are directed parallel to the transport direction (31).

15. The device according to claim 14, characterized in that the wrapping station (42) is set up to connect folded flaps of the tube-like packaging material surrounding the groups (12) of products (11) which run parallel to the transport direction (31), in particular to a fin seam, so that the connected folded flaps run across a large side of the groups (12) of products (11), in particular across a rear side (20).

16. The device according to claim 14 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the folding station (56) is set up to fold flaps (34, 35, 36) of the material web (33) separated blank (28) in the region of narrow sides to fold the groups (12) of products (11), which are directed parallel to the transport direction (31), like an envelope and to connect them to one another.

17. The device according to claim 14 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that a gluing station (40) arranged upstream of the wrapping station (42) is set up to apply adhesive to the continuous material web (33), in particular only in certain areas, preferably at a distance Areas of the material web (33) that are severed in the separating station (49).

18. The device according to claim 14 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that a heating device (47) is arranged in the wrapping station (42), which is set up to create a bond between the packaging material and a group (12) of products (11) to activate at least partially surrounding tray (16).

19. Device according to claim 14 or one of the other preceding claims 15 to 17, characterized in that a heating device (47) assigned to the wrapping station (42) is provided, which is set up to apply adhesive 21 to activate a tray (16) at least partially surrounding a group (12) of products (11), while the group (12) of products (11) is being conveyed with the tray (16), in particular in a driver chain (44). . 20. The device according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the

A cooling device is arranged downstream of the heating device (47), which is designed to cool the activated adhesive after a connection has been made between the tray (16) and the packaging material.

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