TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a packing method and machine for producing a sealed
package containing a group of tobacco articles.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Rigid, hinged-lid packets of cigarettes are currently the most widely marketed, by
being easy to produce and easy and practical to use, and by effectively protecting
the cigarettes inside.
[0003] A rigid, hinged-lid packet of cigarettes comprises an inner package comprising a
foil-wrapped group of cigarettes; and a rigid outer container housing the inner package.
The outer container comprises a cup-shaped container housing the group of cigarettes
and having an open top end; and a cup-shaped lid hinged to the container to rotate,
with respect to the container, between an open position and a closed position opening
and closing the open end respectively.
[0004] A sealed (i.e. airtight) package has recently been proposed comprising a cigarette
extraction opening closed by an open-close sealing flap (the sealing flap is applied
with non-dry, re-stick glue enabling it to be stuck repeatedly in the closed position
closing the cigarette extraction opening).
[0005] Patent Application
WO2011110272A1 describes a packing method for producing a sealed package containing a group of cigarettes.
As a whole, the packing method described is substantially conventional, by causing
the group of cigarettes to intercept a flat sheet of packing material, so that the
sheet of packing material folds into a 'U' about the group of cigarettes.
[0006] To improve the efficiency of the packing cycle described in Patent Application
WO2011110272A1, Patent Application
WO2011110272A1 proposes a further packing method for producing a sealed package containing a group
of cigarettes. This further method is based on the so-called 'flow-pack' method, in
which a tubular wrapping is formed about a succession of groups of cigarettes by continuously
and longitudinally heat-sealing a web of packing material folded into a tube; and
the tubular wrapping is heat-sealed and cut transversely, upstream and downstream
from each group of cigarettes, into individual sealed inner packages.
[0007] The sealed inner packages formed using the method described in Patent Application
WO2011110272A1, however, have the major drawback of complicating withdrawal of the cigarettes through
the extraction opening, due to the presence of a transverse heat-seal astride the
top wall of the inner package.
[0008] Patent Application
WO9849072A1 describes a further packing method for producing a sealed package containing a group
of cigarettes. This further method is based on the so-called 'flow-pack' method, in
which a tubular wrapping is formed about a succession of groups of cigarettes by continuously
and longitudinally heat-sealing a web of packing material folded into a tube; and
the tubular wrapping is heat-sealed and cut transversely, upstream and downstream
from each group of cigarettes, into individual sealed inner packages. Each group of
cigarettes, fitted with a stiffener, is fed transversely along a packing path, i.e.
with the longitudinal axes of the cigarettes perpendicular to the packing path and
to the longitudinal heat-seal, and parallel to the transverse heat-seals. The sealed
inner packages formed using the method described in Patent Application
WO9849072A1, however, have the major drawback of the groups of cigarettes very often 'falling
out of shape', i.e. failing to maintain the set orderly shape of the group (in other
words, at least some of the cigarettes in the group are 'out of place'). In other
words, when forming the tubular wrapping using the packing method described in Patent
Application
WO9849072A1, each group of cigarettes may possibly fall out of shape, i.e. the cigarettes in
the group may shift out of position, thus resulting in the formation of an irregularly
shaped sealed package which is inevitably rejected.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a packing method and machine
for producing a sealed package containing a group of tobacco articles, which method
and machine are designed to eliminate the above drawbacks and at the same time are
cheap and easy to implement.
[0010] According to the present invention, there are provided a packing method and machine
for producing a sealed package containing a group of tobacco articles, as claimed
in the accompanying Claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] A number of non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be described by
way of example with reference to the attached drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a front view in perspective of a packet of cigarettes in a closed configuration;
Figure 2 shows a front view in perspective of the Figure 1 packet of cigarettes in
an open configuration;
Figure 3 shows a rear view in perspective of the Figure 1 packet of cigarettes in
a closed configuration;
Figure 4a shows a front view in perspective of a sealed package of the Figure 1 packet
of cigarettes, formed using the packing method according to the present invention;
Figures 4b and 4c show front and rear views in perspective respectively of the Figure
4a sealed package prior to folding lateral heat-seal fins;
Figure 5 shows a view in perspective of a group of cigarettes enclosed in the Figure
4 sealed package;
Figure 6 shows a view in perspective of a stiffener inserted inside the Figure 4 sealed
package;
Figure 7 shows a longitudinal section of the Figure 6 stiffener;
Figure 8 shows a view in perspective of the Figure 6 stiffener, illustrating the way
in which a tab on the bottom wall is folded;
Figure 9 shows a spread-out view of a blank from which to form the Figure 6 stiffener;
Figures 10-31 show alternative embodiments of the Figure 6 stiffener and/or the blank
from which to form the Figure 6 stiffener;
Figure 32 shows a schematic view in perspective, with parts removed for clarity, of
a packing machine for producing the Figure 1 packet of cigarettes;
Figures 33 and 34 show two schematic views in perspective, with parts removed for
clarity, of a packing unit of the Figure 32 packing machine, for producing the sealed
package in Figure 4;
Figure 35 shows a schematic plan view, with parts removed for clarity, of the packing
unit in Figures 33 and 34;
Figure 36 shows a schematic plan view of material flow on the Figure 33 and 34 packing
unit;
Figure 37 shows a schematic view in perspective of how the Figure 9 blank is folded
to form the Figure 6 stiffener;
Figure 38 shows a schematic section, with parts removed for clarity, of a coupling
conveyor of the Figure 33 and 34 packing unit;
Figure 39 shows a schematic view in perspective, with parts removed for clarity, of
a packing conveyor of the Figure 33 and 34 packing unit;
Figure 40 shows a schematic view in perspective of material flow on an end portion
of the Figure 39 packing conveyor;
Figures 41, 42 and 43 show three schematic views in perspective, with parts removed
for clarity, of a variation of the Figure 33 and 34 packing unit.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Number 1 in Figures 1, 2 and 3 indicates as a whole a rigid packet of cigarettes.
Packet 1 of cigarettes comprises a cup-shaped outer container 2, which is made of
cardboard, has a hinged lid, and houses a sealed package 3 (Figure 2). Sealed package
3 encloses a parallelepiped-shaped group 4 of cigarettes (Figure 5) and, at the top
and front, has a central cigarette extraction opening 5 extending over part of a front
wall and part of a top wall of sealed package 3. The cigarettes in group 4 are cylindrical
with a longitudinal axis. Sealed package 3 comprises a reclosable (i.e. 'open-close')
sealing flap (i.e. sealing panel) 6 designed to seal extraction opening 5 and coated
on the underside with non-dry, re-stick glue (i.e. non-dry glue allowing the sealing
flap to be detached and re-attached repeatedly). That is, sealing flap 6 normally
adheres to sealed package 3 to seal extraction opening 5, and can be detached temporarily
from sealed package 3 to free, and so withdraw a cigarette through, extraction opening
5.
[0013] In the embodiment shown in the attached drawings, sealing flap 6 is applied externally
to the packing material of sealed package 3. In alternative embodiments, sealing flap
6 is either formed in two-layer packing material of sealed package 3, or is in the
form of a frame applied to the inside of the packing material of sealed package 3.
[0014] As shown more clearly in Figure 4, sealing flap 6 has a grip tab 7 with no re-stick
adhesive and located close to, normally beneath, extraction opening 5.
[0015] As shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8, sealed package 3 comprises a U-shaped stiffener (i.e.
tray) 8 made of cardboard (identical to that of outer container 2) and which is inserted
inside sealed package 3, contacting group 4 of cigarettes. Stiffener 8 comprises a
front wall 9 positioned contacting the cylindrical lateral walls of the cigarettes
in group 4; two lateral walls 10 on opposite sides of front wall 9 and positioned
contacting the cylindrical lateral walls of the cigarettes in group 4; and a bottom
wall 11 positioned contacting the tips of the cigarettes in group 4. Front wall 9
preferably has a top recess 12 located at cigarette extraction opening 5, so that
front wall 9 does not overlap cigarette extraction opening 5.
[0016] Each lateral wall 10 comprises a lateral tab 13, which is folded 90° with respect
to lateral wall 10 onto bottom wall 11. Bottom wall 11 comprises a bottom tab 14,
which is folded 180° with respect to and onto bottom wall 11; and bottom tab 14 comprises
an appendix 15, which is folded 90° with respect to bottom tab 14 onto front wall
9.
[0017] Stiffener 8 has no glue, and comprises a jointing system to hold bottom wall 11 and
lateral walls 10 in position. The jointing system comprises a U-shaped through slit
16 formed through front wall 9, along the fold line between front wall 9 and bottom
wall 11; and a U-shaped projection 17 formed on bottom tab 14, along the fold line
between bottom tab 14 and appendix 15. Projection 17 on bottom tab 14 is inserted
through slit 16 in front wall 9 (by elastically deforming projection 17) to form a
joint, between projection 17 and through slit 16, which holds bottom wall 11 and lateral
walls 10 in position, by requiring significant deformation for its release. Through
slit 16 is formed by making a U-shaped cut through front wall 9, along the fold line
between front wall 9 and bottom wall 11. Likewise, projection 17 is formed by making
a U-shaped cut through appendix 15, along the fold line between appendix 15 and bottom
tab 14.
[0018] In the finished packet 1 of cigarettes, stiffener 8 serves to reinforce and maintain
the shape of sealed package 3, to prevent sealed package 3 from collapsing, when some
of the cigarettes are removed, and so complicating withdrawal of the remaining cigarettes
and, in particular, opening and closing of sealing flap 6. When producing sealed package
3, on the other hand, and as described in detail below, stiffener 8 serves to hold
the cigarettes in group 4 together in the right position.
[0019] Figure 9 shows a blank 18, which is folded to form the stiffener 8 in Figures 6,
7 and 8. Figure 8 clearly shows the cuts defining through slit 16 and projection 17.
[0020] Figure 10 shows a variation of the Figure 9 blank 18. The Figure 10 blank 18 differs
from the Figure 9 blank 18 by comprising a 'logo', which is visible in positive form
at top recess 12 (i.e. at the part of stiffener 8 visible through extraction opening
5 of sealed package 3), and in negative form at bottom tab 14 and appendix 15 (in
this way, the Figure 10 blank 18 can be formed from a continuous web of cardboard
with no waste).
[0021] Figures 11 and 12 show an alternative embodiment of the Figure 6, 7 and 8 stiffener
8, which differs from the Figure 6, 7 and 8 stiffener 8 by comprising an appendix
15 reduced to a minimum in size.
[0022] Figures 13 and 14 show an alternative embodiment of the Figure 6, 7 and 8 stiffener
8, which is formed from the blank 18 shown in Figure 15, and which differs from the
Figure 6, 7 and 8 stiffener 8 by having no appendix 15, and by the tip of bottom tab
14 being inserted (by elastically deforming bottom tab 14) through slit 16 to form
a joint between bottom tab 14 and through slit 16.
[0023] Figures 16 and 17 show an alternative embodiment of the Figure 6, 7 and 8 stiffener
8, which is formed from the blank 18 shown in Figure 18, and which differs from the
Figure 6, 7 and 8 stiffener 8 by having no through slit 16 and no projection 17, and
by front wall 9 having a through cut 19 (typically inverted-U-shaped) through which
appendix 15 is fitted (by elastically deforming through cut 19). In other words, the
jointing system comprises the inverted-U-shaped through cut 19 in front wall 9; and
appendix 15 on bottom tab 14, which is folded 90° with respect to bottom tab 14 onto
front wall 9, at and to fit inside through cut 19. Figure 19 shows a variation of
the Figure 18 blank 18, which differs from the Figure 18 blank 18 by comprising a
'logo', which is visible in positive form at top recess 12 (i.e. at the part of stiffener
8 visible through extraction opening 5 of sealed package 3), and in negative form
at bottom tab 14 and appendix 15 (in this way, the Figure 19 blank 18 can be formed
from a continuous web of cardboard with no waste).
[0024] Figures 20, 21 and 22 show an alternative embodiment of the Figure 6, 7 and 8 stiffener
8, which is formed from the blank 18 shown in Figure 23, and which differs from the
Figure 6, 7 and 8 stiffener 8 by having no appendix 15, no through slit 16, and no
projection 17, and by lateral tabs 13 having cuts 20 into which bottom tab 14 fits
(by elastically deforming lateral tabs 13).
[0025] Figures 24, 25 and 26 show three alternative embodiments of the Figure 9 blank 18,
which differ from the Figure 9 blank 18 by having no bottom tab 14, no appendix 15,
no through slit 16, and no projection 17; by lateral tabs 13 having cuts 20; and by
bottom wall 11 having two cuts 21. When lateral tabs 13 are superimposed on bottom
wall 11, each cut 20 fits inside a corresponding cut 21 (by elastically deforming
relative lateral tab 13).
[0026] Figure 27 shows an alternative embodiment of the Figure 6, 7 and 8 stiffener 8, which
differs from the Figure 6, 7 and 8 stiffener 8 by having no bottom tab 14, no appendix
15, no through slit 16, and no projection 17, and by bottom wall 11 having two cuts
21. When lateral tabs 13 are superimposed on bottom wall 11, the tip of each lateral
tab 13 deforms elastically to fit inside a corresponding cut 21.
[0027] Figure 28 shows an alternative embodiment of the Figure 6, 7 and 8 stiffener 8, which
differs from the Figure 6, 7 and 8 stiffener 8 by having no bottom tab 14, no appendix
15, no through slit 16, and no projection 17; by the two lateral tabs 13 being connected
to opposite ends of bottom wall 11, and being folded 90° with respect to bottom wall
11 onto lateral walls 10; and by each lateral wall 10 comprising a lateral wing 22,
which is folded 180° with respect to and onto lateral wall 10 to enclose a corresponding
lateral tab 13. Each lateral wing 22 has two projections 23, which (by deforming elastically)
fit through corresponding through slits 24 in front wall 9 to form a joint between
projections 23 and through slits 24.
[0028] Figures 29 and 30 show an alternative embodiment of the Figure 6, 7 and 8 stiffener
8, which differs from the Figure 6, 7 and 8 stiffener 8 by having no appendix 15,
no through slit 16, and no projection 17; and by bottom tab 14 being folded 90° with
respect to bottom wall 11.
[0029] Figure 31 shows an alternative embodiment of the Figure 9 blank 18, which differs
from the Figure 9 blank 18 by having no bottom tab 14, no appendix 15, no through
slit 16, and no projection 17; and by each lateral tab 13 being glued by glue 25 to
bottom wall 11. In other words, in all the embodiments shown in Figures 6-30, stiffener
8 has no glue, and comprises a jointing system to hold bottom wall 11 and lateral
walls 10 in position; whereas, in the Figure 31 embodiment, stiffener 8 has no jointing
system, but has two areas of glue 25 to hold bottom wall 11 and lateral walls 10 in
position. In an alternative embodiment (not shown) perfectly equivalent to the one
in Figure 31, the two lateral tabs 13 are connected to opposite ends of bottom wall
11, are folded 90° with respect to bottom wall 11 onto lateral walls 10, and are glued
by glue 25 to lateral walls 10.
[0030] Choosing which of the above embodiments of stiffener 8 to employ depends on the relationship
between the thickness of group 4 of cigarettes (and therefore the size of bottom wall
11 of stiffener 8) and the size of recess 12 (which, to avoid waste, also affects
the shape and size of bottom tab 14 and appendix 15) .
[0031] Number 26 in Figure 32 indicates as a whole a packing machine for producing packet
1 of cigarettes in Figures 1, 2 and 3. Packing machine 26 comprises a packing section
27 for producing sealed packages 3; and a follow-up packing section 28 for producing
outer containers 2 by folding rigid blanks 29 about the sealed packages 3 from packing
section 27.
[0032] As shown in Figure 33, packing section 27 comprises a forming unit 30 for producing
groups 4 of cigarettes, and for producing stiffeners 8 by folding blanks 18; a coupling
unit 31 for fitting groups 4 of cigarettes with respective stiffeners 8; and a packing
unit 32 for producing sealed packages 3 by folding and heat-sealing a strip 33 of
packing material (complete with extraction openings 5 and superimposed sealing flaps
6) about groups 4 of cigarettes fitted with respective stiffeners 8.
[0033] Forming unit 30 comprises a hopper 34 with four outlets; and a forming belt conveyor
35 supporting a number of forming pockets 36. Forming conveyor 35 feeds each forming
pocket 36 from an input station 37, located in front of an outlet of hopper 34 and
where a group 4 of cigarettes is expelled from the outlet of hopper 34 into forming
pocket 36, to an output station 38 where the group 4 of cigarettes is expelled from
forming pocket 36. Forming unit 30 also comprises a folding belt conveyor 39 supporting
a number of folding pockets (not shown) and extending parallel to and alongside forming
conveyor 35. Folding conveyor 39 feeds each folding pocket from an input station 40,
where a blank 18 is fed into the folding pocket; through a number of folding stations,
where blank 18 is folded (completely or partly) to form a stiffener 8; and to an output
station 41, where the stiffener 8 is expelled from the folding pocket.
[0034] As shown in Figure 38, coupling unit 31 comprises a coupling conveyor 42, which is
positioned perpendicular to forming conveyor 35 and folding conveyor 39, picks up
each group 4 of cigarettes at output station 38 of forming conveyor 35, couples group
4 of cigarettes with a corresponding stiffener 8 at a coupling station 43 (located
over and aligned vertically with output station 41 of folding conveyor 39), and feeds
group 4 of cigarettes, fitted with stiffener 8, to an input station 44 of packing
unit 32. Coupling conveyor 42 comprises an endless belt 45 fitted with a number of
paddles 46, which push groups 4 of cigarettes along a slide surface 47 connecting
output station 38 of forming conveyor 35 to input station 44 of packing unit 32.
[0035] Slide surface 47 is static (i.e. mounted in a fixed position) and is connected to
an elevator 47a movable vertically between a bottom position (Figure 38), in which
elevator 47a is located at output station 41 of folding conveyor 39, and a top position
(not shown in Figure 38), in which elevator 47a is located at coupling station 43.
Slide surface 47 has a through opening, through which a stiffener 8 is raised by elevator
47a. In actual use, elevator 47a is moved into the bottom position to pick up a stiffener
8, and is then raised to feed stiffener 8 into coupling station 43, where stiffener
8 intercepts and couples with a corresponding group 4 of cigarettes (i.e. as it moves
along, group 4 of cigarettes impacts bottom wall 11 of stiffener 8, thus drawing stiffener
8 along with it). In a preferred embodiment, the end of slide surface 47 around the
through opening is designed to finish folding bottom tab 14 and appendix 15 as stiffener
8 is pushed up by elevator 47a.
[0036] As shown in Figure 39, packing unit 32 comprises a packing conveyor 48, which feeds
each group 4 of cigarettes (fitted with respective stiffener 8) along a straight packing
path P. A fixed folding device 49 (shown schematically in Figure 35) winds strip 33
of packing material longitudinally, i.e. parallel to packing path P, about packing
path P to bring the two opposite edges of strip 33 of packing material into contact
and so form a tubular wrapping enclosing groups 4 of tobacco articles (fitted with
respective stiffeners 8). Packing unit 32 also comprises a heat-sealing device 50
(shown schematically in Figures 35 and 40) located downstream from folding device
49, and which heat-seals the two opposite overlapping edges of strip 33 of packing
material longitudinally, i.e. parallel to packing path P, to stabilize the tubular
wrapping. Packing unit 32 also comprises a heat-sealing device 51 (shown schematically
in Figures 35 and 40) located downstream from heat-sealing device 50, and which heat-seals
and cuts the tubular wrapping transversely, i.e. perpendicularly to packing path P,
upstream and downstream from each group 4 of cigarettes (fitted with respective stiffener
8), to complete sealed packages 3.
[0037] It is important to note that packing conveyor 48 feeds each group 4 of cigarettes
(fitted with respective stiffener 8) transversely along packing path P, i.e. with
the longitudinal axes of the cigarettes perpendicular to packing path P and to the
longitudinal heat-seal, and parallel to the transverse heat-seals. Feeding groups
4 of cigarettes along the packing path in this way is extremely important, by enabling
the formation of sealed packages 3 with the transverse heat-seals along the lateral
walls, and with no heat-seals at all on the bottom wall and, more importantly, on
the top wall in which extraction opening 5 is formed.
[0038] As stated, strip 33 of packing material is already complete with extraction openings
5 covered with open-close sealing flaps 6, which are formed and applied respectively
at work stations (not shown) upstream from packing unit 32. On strip 33 of packing
material, extraction openings 5 covered with open-close sealing flaps 6 are located
on the opposite side of the tubular wrapping to the longitudinal heat-seal, and are
centred between the two transverse heat-seals. In a different embodiment not shown,
extraction openings 5 covered with open-close sealing flaps 6 may be located on the
same side as the longitudinal heat-seal and, as opposed to being centred, may be more
or less asymmetrical in shape and/or position.
[0039] As shown in Figure 39, packing conveyor 48 comprises a static (i.e. stationary) slide
surface 52, along which each group 4 of cigarettes slides, and about which strip 33
of packing material is wound; and a push device 53 located over groups 4 of cigarettes,
and which pushes each group 4 of cigarettes along packing path P. Push device 53 comprises
a conveyor belt 54, which is located over each group 4 of cigarettes, extends parallel
to packing path P, presses each group 4 of cigarettes against slide surface 52, and
comprises paddles 55, which project from conveyor belt 54 and are positioned upstream
and downstream from, to define a seat for, each group 4 of cigarettes.
[0040] Finally, packing unit 32 comprises a feed conveyor 56, which receives groups 4 of
cigarettes from coupling conveyor 42 at input station 44, and feeds groups 4 of cigarettes
onto slide surface 52. Feed conveyor 56 comprises two parallel, side by side conveyor
belts 57 located beneath groups 4 of cigarettes, and on which groups 4 of cigarettes
rest. Each conveyor belt 57 comprises paddles 58, which project from conveyor belt
57 and are positioned upstream and downstream from, to define a seat for, each group
4 of cigarettes.
[0041] In a preferred embodiment, packing unit 32 comprises two conveyor belts 59 positioned
facing each other on opposite sides of packing path P, directly upstream from heat-sealing
device 50. As strip 33 of packing material is wound, the two conveyor belts 59 press
on opposite sides of the tubular wrapping to compress the two opposite longitudinal
edges of the tubular wrapping transversely (i.e. the two conveyor belts 59 press on
the longitudinally oriented bottom wall and top wall of each sealed package 3 in the
making).
[0042] As shown more clearly in Figure 40, longitudinally heat-sealing (by means of heat-sealing
device 50) the two opposite overlapping edges of strip 33 of packing material to stabilize
the tubular wrapping produces a longitudinal fin 60, which initially projects perpendicularly
from the tubular wrapping. In a preferred embodiment, heat-sealing device 50 forming
the longitudinal heat-seal is connected to a folding device, which folds the longitudinal
fin 60 ninety degrees and presses it onto the tubular wrapping. Likewise, each transverse
heat-seal (by heat-sealing device 51) on the tubular wrapping produces a transverse
fin 61, which initially projects perpendicularly from (i.e. from a lateral wall of)
the corresponding sealed package 3. In a preferred embodiment, a folding device downstream
from heat-sealing device 51 folds each transverse fin 61 ninety degrees and presses
it onto the corresponding sealed package 3 (i.e. onto a lateral wall of the corresponding
sealed package 3). Each transverse fin 61 is preferably fixed (heat-sealed or glued)
to the corresponding sealed package 3 (i.e. to a lateral wall of the corresponding
sealed package 3) so that it remains permanently contacting sealed package 3.
[0043] It is important to note that, whereas each transverse fin 61 must be fixed to remain
permanently contacting the corresponding sealed package 3, the transverse heat-seals
provide for holding the longitudinal fin 60 permanently contacting the corresponding
sealed package 3.
[0044] Figures 4b and 4c show a sealed package 3 prior to folding (fixing) the two transverse
fins 61, and Figure 4a a sealed package 3 after the two transverse fins 61 are folded
(fixed).
[0045] In the Figure 32-40 embodiment, each group 4 of cigarettes is formed on forming conveyor
35 independently and separately from the corresponding stiffener 8; each stiffener
8 is folded on folding conveyor 39 independently and separately from formation of
the corresponding group 4 of cigarettes; and each pre-formed group 4 of cigarettes
is coupled on coupling conveyor 42 with the corresponding pre-folded stiffener 8.
As stated, forming conveyor 35 for forming groups 4 of cigarettes extends parallel
to and alongside folding conveyor 38 for folding stiffeners 8; whereas coupling conveyor
42, on which each pre-formed group 4 of cigarettes is coupled with the corresponding
pre-folded stiffener 8, is perpendicular to forming conveyor 35 and folding conveyor
38.
[0046] In the Figure 41-43 embodiment, on the other hand, each stiffener 8 is fed into a
forming pocket 36 on forming conveyor 35, upstream from hopper 34; and each group
4 of cigarettes is transferred from hopper 34 into forming pocket 36 (containing stiffener
8) and directly into stiffener 8. In this embodiment, as opposed to extending parallel
to and alongside forming conveyor 35, folding conveyor 39 for folding stiffeners 8
is located upstream from forming conveyor 35 to feed stiffeners 8, already folded,
to the start of forming conveyor 35.
[0047] For the sake of simplicity, Figures 41-43 show a simplified stiffener 8 with only
front wall 9 and lateral walls 10 (i.e. with no bottom wall 11). Though, clearly,
stiffener 8 in the Figure 41-43 embodiment may also be as described with reference
to Figures 6-31.
[0048] In one embodiment, packing unit 32 comprises a processing device for extracting air
(by suction) from the tubular wrapping to form vacuum-sealed packages 3. Alternatively,
in addition to extracting air by suction from the tubular wrapping, the processing
device also injects inert gas to form controlled-atmosphere sealed packages 3.
[0049] The sealed package production process may therefore comprise a step of extracting
air from the tubular wrapping to form vacuum-sealed packages, and/or a step of injecting
inert gas into the tubular wrapping to form controlled-atmosphere sealed packages.
[0050] In a different embodiment not shown, packing machine 26 only comprises packing section
27 for producing sealed packages 3, which are marketed as they are, without outer
containers 2 (i.e. each packet 1 of cigarettes only comprises sealed package 3, and
has no outer container 2); or else a further packing machine (separate from and fully
independent of packing machine 26) receives sealed packages 3 from packing machine
26, and forms outer containers 2 about sealed packages 3.
[0051] The packing method and machine 26 described above have numerous advantages.
[0052] Firstly, they provide for 'flow-pack' producing sealed packages 3 enabling trouble-free
withdrawal of the cigarettes through extraction opening 5. As stated, this is achieved
by each sealed package 3 having the transverse heat-seals (i.e. transverse fins 61)
along the lateral walls, and no heat-seals at all on the bottom wall and, more importantly,
on the top wall in which extraction opening 5 is formed.
[0053] Secondly, the packing method and machine 26 described provide for 'flow-pack' producing
sealed packages 3 with perfectly formed groups 4 of cigarettes, i.e. in which the
cigarettes are positioned correctly as shown in Figure 5. On packing conveyor 48,
on which each group 4 of cigarettes travels transversely (i.e. with the longitudinal
axes of the cigarettes perpendicular to packing path P), the danger of group 4 of
cigarettes falling out of shape, i.e. of the cigarettes in group 4 shifting out of
position, is averted by the combined action of stiffener 8, which defines a 'box'
for containing and retaining group 4 of cigarettes, and of packing conveyor 48, which
maintains sufficient transverse and longitudinal pressure on stiffener 8 (and therefore
on group 4 of cigarettes inside stiffener 8). More specifically, stiffener 8 (and
therefore group 4 of cigarettes inside stiffener 8) is compressed longitudinally by
paddles 55 of push device 53, which define a seat for group 4 of cigarettes; and stiffener
8 (and therefore group 4 of cigarettes inside stiffener 8) is compressed transversely
by the two conveyor belts 59.
[0054] Essential to ensuring the correct shape of group 4 of cigarettes is the fact that
stiffener 8 comprises a system for connecting bottom wall 11 to lateral walls 10,
and for preventing bottom wall 11 from moving with respect to lateral walls 10 (or,
conversely, preventing lateral walls 10 from moving with respect to bottom wall 11).
This connecting system, in fact, increases the rigidity of stiffener 8 and so further
prevents unwanted movements of the cigarettes in group 4, particularly when forming
the tubular wrapping.
[0055] Moreover, in a preferred but non-limiting embodiment, the system connecting bottom
wall 11 and lateral walls 10 has no glue, thus eliminating any glue inside sealed
package 3, and the possibility of the substances in the glue somehow altering the
taste and/or aroma of the tobacco in the cigarettes.
[0056] Finally, the packing method and machine 26 described are cheap and easy to implement,
by employing simple, easily powered component parts.
[0057] Given its numerous advantages, the design of packet 1 of cigarettes described may
also be used for producing a carton of cigarettes, which is substantially the same
as packet 1 described, except that it contains a group of packets of cigarettes as
opposed to a group of cigarettes, or for producing a packet of cigars or similar,
which is substantially the same as packet 1 described, except that it contains a group
of cigars or similar, as opposed to a group of cigarettes.
1. A packing method for producing a sealed package (3) containing a group (4) of cylindrical
tobacco articles, the packing method comprising the steps of:
coupling the group (4) of tobacco articles with a stiffener (8) comprising a front
wall (9) oriented longitudinally and positioned contacting the cylindrical lateral
walls of the tobacco articles; and two lateral walls (10) located on opposite sides
of the front wall (9), positioned contacting the cylindrical lateral walls of the
tobacco articles, and oriented crosswise to a packing path (P);
feeding the group (4) of tobacco articles, coupled with the stiffener (8), along the
packing path (P) on a packing conveyor (48);
folding a strip (33) of packing material longitudinally, i.e. parallel to the packing
path (P), about the packing path (P) to bring the two opposite edges of the strip
(33) of packing material into contact and so form a tubular wrapping enclosing the
group (4) of tobacco articles coupled with the stiffener (8);
heat-sealing the two opposite overlapping edges of the strip (33) of packing material
longitudinally, i.e. parallel to the packing path (P), to stabilize the tubular wrapping;
and
heat-sealing and cutting the tubular wrapping transversely, i.e. perpendicularly to
the packing path (P), upstream and downstream from the group (4) of tobacco articles
coupled with the stiffener (8), to complete the sealed package (3);
wherein the group (4) of tobacco articles coupled with the stiffener (8) is fed transversely
along the packing path (P), i.e. with the longitudinal axes of the tobacco articles
perpendicular to the packing path (P) and to the longitudinal heat-seal, and parallel
to the transverse heat-seals;
the packing method being characterized in that:
the stiffener (8) comprises a bottom wall (11) positioned contacting the tips of the
tobacco articles and oriented longitudinally with respect to the packing path (P);
the stiffener (8) comprises a connecting system connecting the bottom wall (11) and
the lateral walls (10) of the stiffener (8), and which prevents the two lateral walls
(10) from moving with respect to the bottom wall (11); and
the packing method comprises the further steps of: forming the group (4) of tobacco
articles independently and separately from the stiffener (8); folding the stiffener
(8) independently and separately from formation of the group (4) of tobacco articles;
and coupling the pre-formed group (4) of tobacco articles with the pre-folded stiffener
(8).
2. A packing method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the strip (33) of packing material
has an extraction opening (5), which is covered by an open-close sealing flap (6),
and is located on the opposite side of the tubular wrapping to the longitudinal seal,
and centrally between the two transverse heat-seals.
3. A packing method as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, and comprising the further steps of:
forming the group (4) of tobacco articles by means of a forming conveyor (35) connected
to a hopper (34); and
folding the stiffener (8) by means of a folding conveyor (38) parallel to and alongside
the forming conveyor (35).
4. A packing method as claimed in Claim 3, and comprising the further step of coupling
the group (4) of tobacco articles with the stiffener (8) by means of a coupling conveyor
(42) perpendicular to the forming conveyor (35) and the folding conveyor (38).
5. A packing method for producing a sealed package (3) containing a group (4) of cylindrical
tobacco articles, the packing method comprising the steps of:
coupling the group (4) of tobacco articles with a stiffener (8) comprising a front
wall (9) oriented longitudinally and positioned contacting the cylindrical lateral
walls of the tobacco articles; and two lateral walls (10) located on opposite sides
of the front wall (9), positioned contacting the cylindrical lateral walls of the
tobacco articles, and oriented crosswise to a packing path (P);
feeding the group (4) of tobacco articles, coupled with the stiffener (8), along the
packing path (P) on a packing conveyor (48);
folding a strip (33) of packing material longitudinally, i.e. parallel to the packing
path (P), about the packing path (P) to bring the two opposite edges of the strip
(33) of packing material into contact and so form a tubular wrapping enclosing the
group (4) of tobacco articles coupled with the stiffener (8);
heat-sealing the two opposite overlapping edges of the strip (33) of packing material
longitudinally, i.e. parallel to the packing path (P), to stabilize the tubular wrapping;
and
heat-sealing and cutting the tubular wrapping transversely, i.e. perpendicularly to
the packing path (P), upstream and downstream from the group (4) of tobacco articles
coupled with the stiffener (8), to complete the sealed package (3);
wherein the group (4) of tobacco articles coupled with the stiffener (8) is fed transversely
along the packing path (P), i.e. with the longitudinal axes of the tobacco articles
perpendicular to the packing path (P) and to the longitudinal heat-seal, and parallel
to the transverse heat-seals;
the packing method being characterized in that:
the stiffener (8) comprises a bottom wall (11) positioned contacting the tips of the
tobacco articles and oriented longitudinally with respect to the packing path (P);
the stiffener (8) comprises a connecting system connecting the bottom wall (11) and
the lateral walls (10) of the stiffener (8), and which prevents the two lateral walls
(10) from moving with respect to the bottom wall (11); and
the packing method comprises the further steps of: inserting the stiffener (8) into
a forming pocket (36) of a forming conveyor (35) upstream from a hopper (34); and
transferring the group (4) of tobacco articles from the hopper (34) to the forming
pocket (36) and directly into the previously inserted stiffener (8).
6. A packing method as claimed in one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the packing conveyor
(48) comprises a slide surface (52) on which the group (4) of tobacco articles slides,
and about which the strip (33) of packing material is wound; and a push device (53)
located over the group (4) of tobacco articles, and which pushes the group (4) of
tobacco articles along the packing path (P).
7. A packing method as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the push device (53) comprises a first
conveyor belt (54), which is located over the group (4) of tobacco articles, parallel
to the packing path (P), presses the group (4) of tobacco articles against the slide
surface (52), and comprises paddles (55), which project from the first conveyor belt
(54), and are positioned upstream and downstream from the group (4) of tobacco articles,
to form a seat housing the group (4) of tobacco articles.
8. A packing method as claimed in Claim 6 or 7, wherein the group (4) of tobacco articles
is fed onto the slide surface (52) by a feed conveyor (56) comprising at least one
second conveyor belt (57) beneath the group (4) of tobacco articles and on which the
group (4) of tobacco articles rests.
9. A packing method as claimed in one of Claims 1 to 8, and comprising the further step,
when folding the strip (33) of packing material, of compressing two opposite longitudinal
edges of the tubular wrapping transversely by means of two corresponding third conveyor
belts (59) positioned facing each other on opposite sides of the packing path (P).
10. A packing method as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized by comprising the step of extracting air from the tubular wrapping to form vacuum-sealed
packages (3).
11. A packing method as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized by comprising the step of injecting inert gas into the tubular wrapping to form controlled-atmosphere
sealed packages (3).
12. A packing machine (26) for producing a sealed package (3) containing a group (4) of
tobacco articles, the packing machine (26) comprising:
a coupling unit (31) for coupling the group (4) of tobacco articles with a stiffener
(8) comprising a front wall (9) oriented longitudinally and positioned contacting
the cylindrical lateral walls of the tobacco articles; and two lateral walls (10)
located on opposite sides of the front wall (9), positioned contacting the cylindrical
lateral walls of the tobacco articles, and oriented crosswise to a packing path (P);
a packing conveyor (48) for feeding the group (4) of tobacco articles, coupled with
the stiffener (8), along the packing path (P);
a folding device (49) for folding a strip (33) of packing material longitudinally,
i.e. parallel to the packing path (P), about the packing path (P) to bring the two
opposite edges of the strip (33) of packing material into contact and so form a tubular
wrapping enclosing the group (4) of tobacco articles coupled with the stiffener (8);
a first heat-sealing device (50) for heat-sealing the two opposite overlapping edges
of the strip (33) of packing material longitudinally, i.e. parallel to the packing
path (P), to stabilize the tubular wrapping; and
a second heat-sealing device (51) for heat-sealing and cutting the tubular wrapping
transversely, i.e. perpendicularly to the packing path (P), upstream and downstream
from the group (4) of tobacco articles coupled with the stiffener (8), to complete
the sealed package (3);
wherein the packing conveyor (48) feeds the group (4) of tobacco articles, coupled
with the stiffener (8), transversely along the packing path (P), i.e. with the longitudinal
axes of the tobacco articles perpendicular to the packing path (P) and to the longitudinal
heat-seal, and parallel to the transverse heat-seals;
the packing machine (26) being characterized in that:
it comprises folding means which fold a blank (18) to form the stiffener (8) provided
with a bottom wall (11) positioned contacting the tips of the tobacco articles and
oriented longitudinally with respect to the packing path (P), and to form a connecting
system connecting the bottom wall (11) and the lateral walls (10) of the stiffener
(8), and which prevents the two lateral walls (10) from moving with respect to the
bottom wall (11); and
the group (4) of tobacco articles is formed independently and separately from the
stiffener (8); the stiffener (8) is folded independently and separately from formation
of the group (4) of tobacco articles; and the pre-formed group (4) of tobacco articles
is coupled with the pre-folded stiffener (8).
13. A packing machine (26) for producing a sealed package (3) containing a group (4) of
tobacco articles, the packing machine (26) comprising:
a coupling unit (31) for coupling the group (4) of tobacco articles with a stiffener
(8) comprising a front wall (9) oriented longitudinally and positioned contacting
the cylindrical lateral walls of the tobacco articles; and two lateral walls (10)
located on opposite sides of the front wall (9), positioned contacting the cylindrical
lateral walls of the tobacco articles, and oriented crosswise to a packing path (P);
a packing conveyor (48) for feeding the group (4) of tobacco articles, coupled with
the stiffener (8), along the packing path (P);
a folding device (49) for folding a strip (33) of packing material longitudinally,
i.e. parallel to the packing path (P), about the packing path (P) to bring the two
opposite edges of the strip (33) of packing material into contact and so form a tubular
wrapping enclosing the group (4) of tobacco articles coupled with the stiffener (8);
a first heat-sealing device (50) for heat-sealing the two opposite overlapping edges
of the strip (33) of packing material longitudinally, i.e. parallel to the packing
path (P), to stabilize the tubular wrapping; and
a second heat-sealing device (51) for heat-sealing and cutting the tubular wrapping
transversely, i.e. perpendicularly to the packing path (P), upstream and downstream
from the group (4) of tobacco articles coupled with the stiffener (8), to complete
the sealed package (3);
wherein the packing conveyor (48) feeds the group (4) of tobacco articles, coupled
with the stiffener (8), transversely along the packing path (P), i.e. with the longitudinal
axes of the tobacco articles perpendicular to the packing path (P) and to the longitudinal
heat-seal, and parallel to the transverse heat-seals;
the packing machine (26) being characterized in that:
it comprises folding means which fold a blank (18) to form the stiffener (8) provided
with a bottom wall (11) positioned contacting the tips of the tobacco articles and
oriented longitudinally with respect to the packing path (P), and to form a connecting
system connecting the bottom wall (11) and the lateral walls (10) of the stiffener
(8), and which prevents the two lateral walls (10) from moving with respect to the
bottom wall (11); and
the stiffener (8) is inserted into a forming pocket (36) of a forming conveyor (35)
upstream from a hopper (34); and the group (4) of tobacco articles is transferred
from the hopper (34) to the forming pocket (36) and directly into the previously inserted
stiffener (8).
1. Verpackungsverfahren zur Herstellung einer versiegelten Packung (3), die eine Gruppe
(4) zylindrischer Tabakartikel enthält, wobei das Verpackungsverfahren die folgenden
Schritte umfasst:
Koppeln der Gruppe (4) von Tabakartikeln mit einer Versteifung (8), die eine Vorderwand
(9), die längs orientiert ist und die zylindrischen Seitenwände der Tabakartikel berührend
positioniert ist, und zwei Seitenwände (10), die auf gegenüberliegenden Seiten der
Vorderwand (9) angeordnet sind, welche die zylindrischen Seitenwände der Tabakartikel
berührend positioniert sind und quer zu einem Verpackungsweg (P) orientiert sind,
umfasst;
Transportieren der Gruppe (4) von Tabakartikeln, die mit der Versteifung (8) gekoppelt
sind, entlang des Verpackungswegs (P) auf einem Verpackungsförderer (48);
Längsfalten eines Streifens (33) aus Verpackungsmaterial, d.h. parallel zu dem Verpackungsweg
(P) um den Verpackungsweg (P), um die zwei gegenüberliegenden Ränder des Streifens
(33) aus Verpackungsmaterial in Berührung zu bringen und so eine rohrförmige Umhüllung
zu bilden, welche die mit der Versteifung (8) gekoppelte Gruppe (4) von Tabakartikeln
umschließt;
Längsverschweißen der zwei gegenüberliegenden überlappenden Ränder des Streifens (33)
aus Verpackungsmaterial, d.h. parallel zu dem Verpackungsweg (P), um die rohrförmige
Umhüllung zu stabilisieren; und
Querverschweißen und Schneiden der rohrförmigen Umhüllung, d.h. senkrecht zu dem Verpackungsweg
(P), stromaufwärts und stromabwärts von der mit der Versteifung (8) gekoppelten Gruppe
(4) von Tabakartikeln, um die versiegelte Packung (3) fertigzustellen;
wobei die mit der Versteifung (8) gekoppelte Gruppe (4) von Tabakartikeln quer entlang
des Verpackungswegs (P), d.h. mit den Längsachsen der Tabakartikel senkrecht zu dem
Verpackungsweg (P) und zu der Längsverschweißung und parallel zu den Querverschweißungen,
transportiert wird;
wobei das Verpackungsverfahren dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass:
die Versteifung (8) eine Bodenwand (11) aufweist, welche die Spitzen der Tabakartikel
berührend positioniert ist und in Bezug auf den Verpackungsweg (P) längs orientiert
ist;
die Versteifung (8) ein Verbindungssystem aufweist, das die Bodenwand (11) und die
Seitenwände (10) der Versteifung (8) verbindet und das verhindert, dass sich die zwei
Seitenwände (10) in Bezug auf die Bodenwand (11) bewegen; und
das Verpackungsverfahren folgende weitere Schritte umfasst: Ausbilden der Gruppe (4)
von Tabakartikeln unabhängig und getrennt von der Versteifung (8); Falten der Versteifung
(8) unabhängig und getrennt von der Ausbildung der Gruppe (4) von Tabakartikeln; und
Koppeln der vorgeformten Gruppe (4) von Tabakartikeln mit der vorgefalteten Versteifung
(8).
2. Verpackungsverfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Streifen (33) aus Verpackungsmaterial
eine Extraktionsöffnung (5) hat, die von einer Öffnungs- /Schließversiegelungsklappe
(6) bedeckt ist und auf der zu der Längsverschweißung gegenüberliegenden Seite der
rohrförmigen Umhüllung und zentral zwischen den zwei Querverschweißungen angeordnet
ist.
3. Verpackungsverfahren nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, das die folgenden weiteren Schritte umfasst:
Ausbilden der Gruppe (4) von Tabakartikeln mittels eines Ausbildungsförderers (35),
der mit einem Behälter (34) verbunden ist; und
Falten der Versteifung (8) mittels eines Faltförderers (38) parallel zu und entlang
des Ausbildungsförderers (35).
4. Verpackungsverfahren nach Anspruch 3, das ferner den Schritt des Koppelns der Gruppe
(4) von Tabakartikeln mit der Versteifung (8) mittels eines Kopplungsförderers (42)
senkrecht zu dem Ausbildungsförderer (38) und dem Faltförderer (38) umfasst.
5. Verpackungsverfahren zur Herstellung einer versiegelten Packung (3), die eine Gruppe
(4) zylindrischer Tabakartikel enthält, wobei das Verpackungsverfahren die folgenden
Schritte umfasst:
Koppeln der Gruppe (4) von Tabakartikeln mit einer Versteifung (8), die eine Vorderwand
(9), die längs orientiert ist und die zylindrischen Seitenwände der Tabakartikel berührend
positioniert ist, und zwei Seitenwände (10), die auf gegenüberliegenden Seiten der
Vorderwand (9) angeordnet sind, welche die zylindrischen Seitenwände der Tabakartikel
berührend positioniert sind und quer zu einem Verpackungsweg (P) orientiert sind,
umfasst;
Transportieren der Gruppe (4) von Tabakartikeln, die mit der Versteifung (8) gekoppelt
sind, entlang des Verpackungswegs (P) auf einem Verpackungsförderer (48);
Längsfalten eines Streifens (33) aus Verpackungsmaterial, d.h. parallel zu dem Verpackungsweg
(P) um den Verpackungsweg (P), um die zwei gegenüberliegenden Ränder des Streifens
(33) aus Verpackungsmaterial in Berührung zu bringen und so eine rohrförmige Umhüllung
zu bilden, welche die mit der Versteifung (8) gekoppelte Gruppe (4) von Tabakartikeln
umschließt;
Längsverschweißen der zwei gegenüberliegenden überlappenden Ränder des Streifens (33)
aus Verpackungsmaterial, d.h. parallel zu dem Verpackungsweg (P), um die rohrförmige
Umhüllung zu stabilisieren; und
Querverschweißen und Schneiden der rohrförmigen Umhüllung, d.h. senkrecht zu dem Verpackungsweg
(P), stromaufwärts und stromabwärts von der mit der Versteifung (8) gekoppelten Gruppe
(4) von Tabakartikeln, um die versiegelte Packung (3) fertigzustellen;
wobei die mit der Versteifung (8) gekoppelte Gruppe (4) von Tabakartikeln quer entlang
des Verpackungswegs (P), d.h. mit den Längsachsen der Tabakartikel senkrecht zu dem
Verpackungsweg (P) und zu der Längsverschweißung und parallel zu den Querverschweißungen,
transportiert wird;
wobei das Verpackungsverfahren dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass:
die Versteifung (8) eine Bodenwand (11) aufweist, welche die Spitzen der Tabakartikel
berührend positioniert ist und in Bezug auf den Verpackungsweg (P) längs orientiert
ist;
die Versteifung (8) ein Verbindungssystem aufweist, das die Bodenwand (11) und die
Seitenwände (10) der Versteifung (8) verbindet und das verhindert, dass sich die zwei
Seitenwände (10) in Bezug auf die Bodenwand (11) bewegen; und
das Verpackungsverfahren folgende weitere Schritte umfasst: Einsetzen der Versteifung
(8) in ein Ausbildungsfach (36) eines Ausbildungsförderers (35) stromaufwärts von
einem Behälter (34); und Überführen der Gruppe (4) von Tabakartikeln von dem Behälter
(34) in das Ausbildungsfach (36) und direkt in die vorher eingesetzte Versteifung
(8).
6. Verpackungsverfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, wobei der Verpackungsförderer
(48) eine Gleitfläche (52), auf der die Gruppe (4) von Tabakartikeln gleitet und um
die der Streifen (33) aus Verpackungsmaterial gewickelt ist; und eine Schiebevorrichtung
(53), welche über der Gruppe (4) von Tabakartikeln angeordnet ist und welche die Gruppe
(4) von Tabakartikeln entlang des Verpackungswegs (P) schiebt, aufweist.
7. Verpackungsverfahren nach Anspruch 6, wobei die Schiebevorrichtung (53) ein erstes
Förderband (54) aufweist, das über der Gruppe (4) von Tabakartikeln parallel zu dem
Verpackungsweg (P) angeordnet ist, die Gruppe (4) von Tabakartikeln gegen die Gleitfläche
(52) drückt und Schaufeln (55) umfasst, die von dem ersten Förderband (54) vorstehen
und stromaufwärts und stromabwärts von der Gruppe (4) von Tabakartikeln positioniert
sind, um ein Auflager zu bilden, das die Gruppe (4) von Tabakartikeln aufnimmt.
8. Verpackungsverfahren nach Anspruch 6 oder 7, wobei die Gruppe (4) von Tabakartikeln
durch einen Transportförderer (56), der wenigstens ein zweites Förderband (57) unterhalb
der Gruppe (4) von Tabakartikeln aufweist, auf dem die Gruppe (4) von Tabakartikeln
ruht, auf die Gleitfläche (52) transportiert wird.
9. Verpackungsverfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 8, das, wenn der Streifen (33)
aus Verpackungsmaterial gefaltet wird, den weiteren Schritt umfasst, in dem zwei gegenüberliegende
Längsränder der rohrförmigen Umhüllung mit Hilfe von zwei entsprechenden dritten Förderbändern
(59), die einander auf gegenüberliegenden Seiten des Verpackungswegs (P) zugewandt
positioniert sind, quer eingewickelt werden.
10. Verpackungsverfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass es den Schritt des Extrahierens von Luft aus der rohrförmigen Umhüllung umfasst,
um vakuumversiegelte Packungen (3) zu bilden.
11. Verpackungsverfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass es den Schritt des Einspritzens von inertem Gas in die rohrförmige Umhüllung umfasst,
um unter einer kontrollierten Atmosphäre versiegelte Packungen (3) zu bilden.
12. Verpackungsmaschine (26) zur Herstellung einer versiegelten Packung (3), die eine
Gruppe (4) von Tabakartikeln enthält, wobei die Verpackungsmaschine (26) aufweist:
eine Kopplungseinheit (31) zum Koppeln der Gruppe (4) von Tabakartikeln mit einer
Versteifung (8), die eine Vorderwand (9), die längs orientiert ist und die zylindrischen
Seitenwände der Tabakartikel berührend positioniert ist; und zwei Seitenwände (10),
die auf gegenüberliegenden Seiten der Vorderwand (9) angeordnet sind, welche die zylindrischen
Seitenwände der Tabakartikel berührend positioniert sind und quer zu einem Verpackungsweg
(P) orientiert sind, aufweist;
einen Verpackungsförderer (48) zum Transportieren der Gruppe (4) von Tabakartikeln,
die mit der Versteifung (8) gekoppelt sind, entlang des Verpackungswegs (P);
eine Faltvorrichtung (49) zum Längsfalten eines Streifens (33) aus Verpackungsmaterial,
d.h. parallel zu dem Verpackungsweg (P) um den Verpackungsweg (P), um die zwei gegenüberliegenden
Ränder des Streifens (33) aus Verpackungsmaterial in Berührung zu bringen und so eine
rohrförmige Umhüllung zu bilden, welche die mit der Versteifung (8) gekoppelte Gruppe
(4) von Tabakartikeln umschließt;
eine erste Schweißvorrichtung (50) zum Längsverschweißen der zwei gegenüberliegenden
überlappenden Ränder des Streifens (33) aus Verpackungsmaterial, d.h. parallel zu
dem Verpackungsweg (P), um die rohrförmige Umhüllung zu stabilisieren; und
eine zweite Schweißvorrichtung (51) zum Querverschweißen und Schneiden der rohrförmigen
Umhüllung, d.h. senkrecht zu dem Verpackungsweg (P), stromaufwärts und stromabwärts
von der mit der Versteifung (8) gekoppelten Gruppe (4) von Tabakartikeln, um die versiegelte
Packung (3) fertigzustellen;
wobei der Verpackungsförderer (48) die mit der Versteifung gekoppelte Gruppe (4) von
Tabakartikeln quer entlang des Verpackungswegs (P), d.h. mit den Längsachsen der Tabakartikel
senkrecht zu dem Verpackungsweg (P) und zu der Längsverschweißung und parallel zu
den Querverschweißungen transportiert;
wobei die Verpackungsmaschine (26) dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass:
sie Faltmittel aufweist, die ein Rohteil (18) falten, um die Versteifung (8) zu bilden,
die mit einer Bodenwand (11) versehen ist, welche die Spitzen der Tabakartikel berührend
positioniert ist und in Bezug auf den Verpackungsweg (P) längs orientiert ist, und
um ein Verbindungssystem zu bilden, das die Bodenwand (11) und die Seitenwände (10)
der Versteifung (8) verbindet und das verhindert, dass sich die zwei Seitenwände (10)
in Bezug auf die Bodenwand (11) bewegen; und
die Gruppe (4) von Tabakartikeln unabhängig und getrennt von der Versteifung (8) gebildet
wird; die Versteifung (8) unabhängig und getrennt von der Ausbildung der Gruppe (4)
von Tabakartikeln gebildet wird; und die vorgeformte Gruppe (4) von Tabakartikeln
mit der vorgefalteten Versteifung (8) gekoppelt wird.
13. Verpackungsmaschine (26) zur Herstellung einer versiegelten Packung (3), die eine
Gruppe (4) von Tabakartikeln enthält, wobei die Verpackungsmaschine (26) aufweist:
eine Kopplungseinheit (31) zum Koppeln der Gruppe (4) von Tabakartikeln mit einer
Versteifung (8), die eine Vorderwand (9), die längs orientiert ist und die zylindrischen
Seitenwände der Tabakartikel berührend positioniert ist; und zwei Seitenwände (10),
die auf gegenüberliegenden Seiten der Vorderwand (9) angeordnet sind, welche die zylindrischen
Seitenwände der Tabakartikel berührend positioniert sind und quer zu einem Verpackungsweg
(P) orientiert sind, aufweist;
einen Verpackungsförderer (48) zum Transportieren der Gruppe (4) von Tabakartikeln,
die mit der Versteifung (8) gekoppelt sind, entlang des Verpackungswegs (P);
eine Faltvorrichtung (49) zum Längsfalten eines Streifens (33) aus Verpackungsmaterial,
d.h. parallel zu dem Verpackungsweg (P) um den Verpackungsweg (P), um die zwei gegenüberliegenden
Ränder des Streifens (33) aus Verpackungsmaterial in Berührung zu bringen und so eine
rohrförmige Umhüllung zu bilden, welche die mit der Versteifung (8) gekoppelte Gruppe
(4) von Tabakartikeln umschließt;
eine erste Schweißvorrichtung (50) zum Längsverschweißen der zwei gegenüberliegenden
überlappenden Ränder des Streifens (33) aus Verpackungsmaterial, d.h. parallel zu
dem Verpackungsweg (P), um die rohrförmige Umhüllung zu stabilisieren; und
eine zweite Schweißvorrichtung (51) zum Querverschweißen und Schneiden der rohrförmigen
Umhüllung, d.h. senkrecht zu dem Verpackungsweg (P), stromaufwärts und stromabwärts
von der mit der Versteifung (8) gekoppelten Gruppe (4) von Tabakartikeln, um die versiegelte
Packung (3) fertigzustellen;
wobei der Verpackungsförderer (48) die mit der Versteifung gekoppelte Gruppe (4) von
Tabakartikeln quer entlang des Verpackungswegs (P), d.h. mit den Längsachsen der Tabakartikel
senkrecht zu dem Verpackungsweg (P) und zu der Längsverschweißung und parallel zu
den Querverschweißungen transportiert;
wobei die Verpackungsmaschine (26) dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass:
sie Faltmittel aufweist, die ein Rohteil (18) falten, um die Versteifung (8) zu bilden,
die mit einer Bodenwand (11) versehen ist, welche die Spitzen der Tabakartikel berührend
positioniert ist und in Bezug auf den Verpackungsweg (P) längs orientiert ist, und
um ein Verbindungssystem zu bilden, das die Bodenwand (11) und die Seitenwände (10)
der Versteifung (8) verbindet und das verhindert, dass sich die zwei Seitenwände (10)
in Bezug auf die Bodenwand (11) bewegen; und
die Versteifung (8) in ein Ausbildungsfach (36) eines Ausbildungsförderers (35) stromaufwärts
von einem Behälter (34) eingesetzt wird; und die Gruppe (4) von Tabakartikeln von
dem Behälter (34) in das Ausbildungsfach (36) und direkt in die vorher eingesetzte
Versteifung (8) transportiert wird.
1. Procédé d'emballage pour produire un paquet scellé (3) contenant un groupe (4) d'articles
de tabac cylindriques, le procédé d'emballage comprenant les étapes consistant à :
coupler le groupe (4) d'articles de tabac à un élément de renfort (8) comprenant une
paroi avant (9) orientée longitudinalement et positionnée en contact avec les parois
latérales cylindriques des articles de tabac ; et deux parois latérales (10) positionnées
sur les côtés opposés de la paroi avant (9), positionnées en contact avec les parois
latérales cylindriques des articles de tabac et orientées transversalement par rapport
à une trajectoire d'emballage (P) ;
amener le groupe (4) d'articles de tabac, couplé à l'élément de renfort (8), le long
de la trajectoire d'emballage (P) sur un transporteur d'emballage (48) ;
plier une bande (33) de matériau d'emballage longitudinalement, c'est-à-dire parallèlement
à la trajectoire d'emballage (P), autour de la trajectoire d'emballage (P) pour amener
les deux bords opposés de la bande (33) de matériau d'emballage en contact et afin
de former un emballage tubulaire enfermant le groupe (4) d'articles de tabac couplé
à l'élément de renfort (8) ;
thermosouder les deux bords chevauchants opposés de la bande (33) du matériau d'emballage
longitudinalement, c'est-à-dire parallèlement à la trajectoire d'emballage (P), afin
de stabiliser l'emballage tubulaire ; et
thermosouder et couper l'emballage tubulaire transversalement, c'est-à-dire perpendiculairement
à la trajectoire d'emballage (P), en amont et en aval du groupe (4) d'articles de
tabac couplé à l'élément de renfort (8), afin de terminer le paquet scellé (3) ;
dans lequel le groupe (4) d'articles de tabac couplé à l'élément de renfort (8) est
amené transversalement le long de la trajectoire d'emballage (P), c'est-à-dire avec
les axes longitudinaux des articles de tabac perpendiculaires à la trajectoire d'emballage
(P) et à la soudure thermique longitudinale et parallèlement aux soudures thermiques
transversales ;
le procédé d'emballage étant caractérisé en ce que :
l'élément de renfort (8) comprend une paroi inférieure (11) positionnée en contact
avec les embouts des articles de tabac et orientée longitudinalement par rapport à
la trajectoire d'emballage (P) ; et
l'élément de renfort (8) comprend un système de raccordement raccordant la paroi inférieure
(11) et les parois latérales (10) de l'élément de renfort (8), et qui empêche les
deux parois latérales (10) de se déplacer par rapport à la paroi inférieure (11) ;
et
le procédé d'emballage comprend les étapes supplémentaires consistant à : former le
groupe (4) d'articles de tabac indépendamment et séparément de l'élément de renfort
(8) ; plier l'élément de renfort (8) indépendamment et séparément de la formation
du groupe (4) d'articles de tabac ; et coupler le groupe (4) préformé d'articles de
tabac avec l'élément de renfort (8) pré-plié.
2. Procédé d'emballage selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la bande (33) de matériau
d'emballage a une ouverture d'extraction (5) qui est recouverte par un rabat de scellement
pouvant s'ouvrir (6), et est positionnée sur le côté opposé de l'emballage tubulaire
sur la soudure longitudinale, et de manière centrale entre les deux soudures thermiques
transversales.
3. Procédé d'emballage selon la revendication 1 ou 2, et comprenant en outre les étapes
supplémentaires consistant à :
former le groupe (4) d'articles de tabac au moyen d'un transporteur de formage (35)
raccordé à une trémie (34) ; et
plier l'élément de renfort (8) au moyen d'un transporteur de pliage (38) parallèle
à et le long du transporteur de formage (35).
4. Procédé d'emballage selon la revendication 3, et comprenant en outre l'étape supplémentaire
consistant à coupler le groupe (4) d'articles de tabac avec l'élément de renfort (8)
au moyen d'un transporteur de couplage (42) perpendiculaire au transporteur de formage
(35) et au transporteur de pliage (38).
5. Procédé d'emballage pour produire un paquet scellé (3) contenant un groupe (4) d'articles
de tabac cylindriques, le procédé d'emballage comprenant les étapes consistant à :
coupler le groupe (4) d'articles de tabac à un élément de renfort (8) comprenant une
paroi avant (9) orientée longitudinalement et positionnée en contact avec les parois
latérales cylindriques des articles de tabac ; et deux parois latérales (10) positionnées
sur les côtés opposés de la paroi avant (9), positionnées en contact avec les parois
latérales cylindriques des articles de tabac, et orientées transversalement par rapport
à une trajectoire d'emballage (P) ;
amener le groupe (4) d'articles de tabac, couplé à l'élément de renfort (8), le long
de la trajectoire d'emballage (P) sur un transporteur d'emballage (48) ;
plier une bande (33) de matériau d'emballage longitudinalement, c'est-à-dire parallèlement
à la trajectoire d'emballage (P), autour de la trajectoire d'emballage (P) pour amener
les deux bords opposés de la bande (33) de matériau d'emballage en contact et afin
de former un emballage tubulaire enfermant le groupe (4) d'articles de tabac couplé
à l'élément de renfort (8) ;
thermosouder les deux bords chevauchants opposés de la bande (33) de matériau d'emballage
longitudinalement, c'est-à-dire parallèlement à la trajectoire d'emballage (P), afin
de stabiliser l'emballage tubulaire ; et
thermosouder et couper l'emballage tubulaire transversalement, c'est-à-dire perpendiculairement
à la trajectoire d'emballage (P), en amont et en aval du groupe (4) d'articles de
tabac couplé à l'élément de renfort (8), pour terminer le paquet scellé (3) ;
dans lequel le groupe (4) d'articles de tabac couplé à l'élément de renfort (8) est
alimenté transversalement le long de la trajectoire d'emballage (P), c'est-à-dire
avec les axes longitudinaux des articles de tabac perpendiculaires à la trajectoire
d'emballage (P) et à la soudure thermique longitudinale, et parallèles aux soudures
thermiques transversales ;
le procédé d'emballage étant caractérisé en ce que :
l'élément de renfort (8) comprend une paroi inférieure (11) positionnée en contact
avec les embouts des articles de tabac et orientée longitudinalement par rapport à
la trajectoire d'emballage (P) ;
l'élément de renfort (8) comprend un système de raccordement raccordant la paroi inférieure
(11) et les parois latérales (10) de l'élément de renfort (8) et qui empêche les deux
parois latérales (10) de se déplacer par rapport à la paroi inférieure (11) ; et
le procédé d'emballage comprend les étapes supplémentaires consistant à : insérer
l'élément de renfort (8) dans une poche de formage (36) d'un transporteur de formage
(35) en amont d'une trémie (34) ; et transférer le groupe (4) d'articles de tabac
de la trémie (34) à la poche de formage (36) et directement dans l'élément de renfort
(8) préalablement inséré.
6. Procédé d'emballage selon l'une des revendications 1 à 5, dans lequel le transporteur
d'emballage (48) comprend une surface coulissante (52) sur laquelle le groupe (4)
d'articles de tabac coulisse, et autour de laquelle la bande (33) du matériau d'emballage
est enroulée ; et un dispositif de poussée (53) positionné sur le groupe (4) d'articles
de tabac, et qui pousse le groupe (4) d'articles de tabac le long de la trajectoire
d'emballage (P).
7. Procédé d'emballage selon la revendication 6, dans lequel le dispositif de poussée
(53) comprend une première courroie transporteuse (54) qui est positionnée sur le
groupe (4) d'articles de tabac, parallèle à la trajectoire d'emballage (P), comprime
le groupe (4) d'articles de tabac contre la surface coulissante (52), et comprend
des palettes (55) qui font saillie de la première courroie transporteuse (54), et
sont positionnées en amont et en aval du groupe (4) d'articles de tabac, afin de former
un siège logeant le groupe (4) d'articles de tabac.
8. Procédé d'emballage selon la revendication 6 ou 7, dans lequel le groupe (4) d'articles
de tabac est amené sur la surface coulissante (52) par un transporteur d'alimentation
(56) comprenant au moins une deuxième courroie transporteuse (57) au-dessous du groupe
(4) d'articles de tabac et sur laquelle le groupe (4) d'articles de tabac s'appuie.
9. Procédé d'emballage selon l'une des revendications 1 à 8, et comprenant l'étape supplémentaire,
lors du pliage de la bande (33) du matériau d'emballage, consistant à comprimer deux
bords longitudinaux opposés de l'emballage tubulaire transversalement au moyen de
deux troisièmes courroies transporteuses (59) correspondantes positionnées l'une en
face de l'autre sur les côtés opposés de la trajectoire d'emballage (P).
10. Procédé d'emballage selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 9, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend l'étape consistant à extraire l'air de l'emballage tubulaire afin de former
des paquets scellés sous vide (3) .
11. Procédé d'emballage selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 10, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend l'étape consistant à injecter du gaz inerte dans l'emballage tubulaire
afin de former des paquets scellés (3) sous atmosphère contrôlée.
12. Machine d'emballage (26) pour produire un paquet scellé (3) contenant un groupe (4)
d'articles de tabac, la machine d'emballage (26) comprenant :
une unité de couplage (31) pour coupler le groupe (4) d'articles de tabac à un élément
de renfort (8) comprenant une paroi avant (9) orientée longitudinalement et positionnée
en contact avec les parois latérales cylindriques des articles de tabac ; et deux
parois latérales (10) positionnées sur les côtés opposés de la paroi avant (9), positionnées
en contact avec les parois latérales cylindriques des articles de tabac, et orientées
transversalement par rapport à une trajectoire d'emballage (P) ;
un transporteur d'emballage (48) pour amener le groupe (4) d'articles de tabac, couplé
à l'élément de renfort (8), le long de la trajectoire d'emballage (P) ;
un dispositif de pliage (49) pour plier une bande (33) de matériau d'emballage longitudinalement,
c'est-à-dire parallèle à la trajectoire d'emballage (P), autour de la trajectoire
d'emballage (P) pour amener les deux bords opposés de la bande (33) de matériau d'emballage
en contact et afin de former un emballage tubulaire enfermant le groupe (4) d'articles
de tabac couplé à l'élément de renfort (8) ;
un premier dispositif de thermosoudage (50) pour thermosouder les deux bords chevauchants
opposés de la bande (33) du matériau d'emballage longitudinalement, c'est-à-dire parallèlement
à la trajectoire d'emballage (P), afin de stabiliser l'emballage tubulaire ; et
un second dispositif de thermosoudage (51) pour thermosouder et couper l'emballage
tubulaire transversalement, c'est-à-dire perpendiculairement à la trajectoire d'emballage
(P), en amont et en aval du groupe (4) d'articles de tabac couplé à l'élément de renfort
(8), afin de terminer le paquet scellé (3) ;
dans laquelle le transporteur d'emballage (48) amène le groupe (4) d'articles de tabac,
couplé à l'élément de renfort (8), transversalement le long de la trajectoire d'emballage
(P), c'est-à-dire avec les axes longitudinaux des articles de tabac perpendiculaires
à la trajectoire d'emballage (P) et à la soudure thermique longitudinale et parallèles
aux soudures thermiques transversales ;
la machine d'emballage (26) étant caractérisée en ce que :
elle comprend des moyens de pliage qui plient une découpe (18) afin de former l'élément
de renfort (8) prévu avec une paroi inférieure (11) positionnée en contact avec les
embouts des articles de tabac et orientée longitudinalement par rapport à la trajectoire
d'emballage (P) et afin de former un système de raccordement raccordant la paroi inférieure
(11) et les parois latérales (10) de l'élément de renfort (8), qui empêche les deux
parois latérales (10) de se déplacer par rapport à la paroi inférieure (11) ; et
le groupe (4) d'articles de tabac est formé indépendamment et séparément de l'élément
de renfort (8) ; l'élément de renfort (8) est plié indépendamment et séparément de
la formation du groupe (4) d'articles de tabac ; et le groupe (4) préformé d'articles
de tabac est couplé à l'élément de renfort (8) pré-plié.
13. Machine d'emballage (26) pour produire un paquet scellé (3) contenant un groupe (4)
d'articles de tabac, la machine d'emballage (26) comprenant :
une unité de couplage (31) pour coupler le groupe (4) d'articles de tabac à un élément
de renfort (8) comprenant une paroi avant (9) orientée longitudinalement et positionnée
en contact avec les parois latérales cylindriques des articles de tabac ; et deux
parois latérales (10) positionnées sur les côtés opposés de la paroi avant (9), positionnées
en contact avec les parois latérales cylindriques des articles de tabac, et orientées
transversalement par rapport à une trajectoire d'emballage (P) ;
un transporteur d'emballage (48) pour amener le groupe (4) d'articles de tabac, couplé
à l'élément de renfort (8), le long de la trajectoire d'emballage (P) ;
un dispositif de pliage (49) pour plier une bande (33) de matériau d'emballage longitudinalement,
c'est-à-dire parallèlement à la trajectoire d'emballage (P), autour de la trajectoire
d'emballage (P) pour amener les deux bords opposés de la bande (33) de matériau d'emballage
en contact et afin de former un emballage tubulaire enfermant le groupe (4) d'articles
de tabac couplé à l'élément de renfort (8) ;
un premier dispositif de thermosoudage (50) pour thermosouder les deux bords chevauchants
opposés de la bande (33) de matériau d'emballage longitudinalement, c'est-à-dire parallèlement
à la trajectoire d'emballage (P), afin de stabiliser l'emballage tubulaire ; et
un second dispositif de thermosoudage (51) pour thermosouder et couper l'emballage
tubulaire transversalement, c'est-à-dire perpendiculairement à la trajectoire d'emballage
(P), en amont et en aval du groupe (4) d'articles de tabac couplé à l'élément de renfort
(8), pour terminer le paquet scellé (3) ;
dans laquelle le transporteur d'emballage (48) amène le groupe (4) d'articles de tabac,
couplé à l'élément de renfort (8), transversalement le long de la trajectoire d'emballage
(P), c'est-à-dire avec les axes longitudinaux des articles de tabac perpendiculaires
à la trajectoire d'emballage (P) et à la soudure thermique longitudinale, et parallèles
aux soudures thermiques transversales ;
la machine d'emballage (26) étant caractérisée en ce que :
elle comprend des moyens de pliage qui plient une découpe (18) afin de former l'élément
de renfort (8) prévu avec une paroi inférieure (11) positionnée en contact avec les
embouts des articles de tabac et orientée longitudinalement par rapport à la trajectoire
d'emballage (P) et afin de former un système de raccordement raccordant la paroi inférieure
(11) et les parois latérales (10) de l'élément de renfort (8) et qui empêche les deux
parois latérales (10) de se déplacer par rapport à la paroi inférieure (11) ; et
l'élément de renfort (8) est inséré dans une poche de formage (36) d'un transporteur
de formage (35) en amont d'une trémie (34) ; et le groupe (4) d'articles de tabac
est transféré de la trémie (34) à la poche de formage (36) et directement dans l'élément
de renfort (8) préalablement inséré.