EP1023991B1 - Method and machine for making packages for cigarettes - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for producing cigarette packs from Cut from particularly thin cardboard or similar packaging material, projections, in particular support projections, within the pack, are arranged and the projections at least partially on the flat or preferably largely unfolded blank can be deformed. Furthermore concerns the invention a corresponding device according to the preamble of the claim Third

The main focus is on the production of cigarette packs of the hinged box type in the version according to US 4,241,827. In this known cigarette pack are projections in the area of the bottom wall by means of folding webs or folding tabs formed on which the cuboid package contents, namely one of a group of cigarettes surrounded by an inner wrapper rests. The support projections cause that a smaller package contents a correct Prosition occupies, especially with respect to a lid.

The invention is concerned with the production of such or similar packs.

No. 5,439,167 describes an apparatus and a method for producing Cigarette packets known, the embossed protruding to the inside of the pack Have projections. These serve to support a collar of the Pack. The protrusions are removed during the continuous transport of the unfolded blanks attached along a transport path by embossing elements. The preamble of claims 1 and 3 corresponds this state of the art.

The invention has for its object the manufacture of support projections to make sense in the packaging in the manufacturing process of the same.

a) die Vorsprünge zur Abstützung des Packungsinhalts, nämlich eines Zigarettenblocks, werden durch Faltstege bzw. durch Faltlappen im Bereich einer Bodenwand der Packung gebildet,

b) die ungefalteten, ebenen Zuschnitte werden im Bereich einer Zuschnittbahn hinsichtlich der Faltstege bzw. Faltlappen mindestens teilweise gefaltet, insbesondere vorgefaltet, zur Brechung von Faltlinien,

c) die Faltstege kehren im Anschluss an die Vorfaltung zur weiteren Verarbeitung in die ebene Ursprungsform des Zuschnitts zurück,

d) nach dem Zurückkehren des Zuschnitts in die ebene Ursprungsform wird der Zuschnitt in üblicher Weise verarbeitet, nämlich gefaltet und befüllt.

To achieve this object, the method according to the invention is characterized by the following features:

a) the projections for supporting the contents of the pack, namely a cigarette block, are formed by folding webs or by folding tabs in the region of a bottom wall of the pack,

b) the unfolded, flat blanks are at least partially folded, in particular pre-folded, in the region of a blank web with respect to the folding webs or folding flaps, in order to break fold lines,

c) after the pre-folding, the folding webs return to the flat original form of the blank for further processing,

d) after the blank has returned to its flat original shape, the blank is processed in the usual way, namely folded and filled.

In the invention, the procedure is such that during the transportation of the unfolded At least cut the folding flaps or folding webs along a cutting path partially folded or pre-folded and during the further folding process of the blanks ready to be folded. The folding or pre-folding takes place during the continuous transport of the blanks along the cutting path. The default Manufacturing process for the packs is done by attaching the Support projections not affected.

a) durch die Falt- bzw. Formorgane sind durch Stanzungen begrenzte Faltstege und/oder Faltlappen der Zuschnitte als Vorsprünge zur Abstützung eines Packungsinhalts nämlich eines Zigarettenblocks mindestens teilweise faltbar, insbesondere vorfaltbar, zur Brechung von Faltlinien,

b) der Zuschnittbahn sind Führungsorgane, insbesondere Unterführung und/oder Oberführung, zugeordnet zur Rückbewegung der teilweise gefalteten Faltstege in die ebene Ursprungsform des Zuschnitts.

The device according to the invention is characterized by the following features:

a) through the folding or shaping elements, folding webs and / or folding tabs of the blanks delimited by punchings as projections for supporting a pack content, namely a cigarette block, are at least partially foldable, in particular foldable, to break fold lines,

b) the cutting path is assigned guide elements, in particular underpass and / or top guide, for moving the partially folded folding webs back into the flat original shape of the blank.

The device consists of a horizontal or inclined cutting path for the transport of the largely unfolded blanks. In the area of the cutting path are fixed, but movable folding or shaping elements arranged the folding or shaping of the folding flaps during the movement of the blanks or fold webs. The folding can then be completed especially in the area of a folding turret or when transferring the blanks on this folding turret.

Further details of the invention relate to the configuration the folding or shaping organs for the folding flaps or folding webs as well the integration of these organs in the packaging machine for the manufacture of the relevant packs.

Fig. 1

eine teilweise fertiggestellte Zigarettenpackung des Typs Klappschachtel in perspektivischer Darstellung,

Fig. 2

einen Abschnitt eines Zuschnitts für eine Klappschachtel gemäß Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

einen Teilbereich einer Verpackungsmaschine in Seitenansicht bzw. im Vertikalschnitt,

Fig. 4

eine Einzelheit der Verpackungsmaschine in Seitenansicht bzw. in der Schnittebene IV-IV der Fig. 5,

Fig. 5

die Einzelheit der Fig. 4 in queraxialer Ansicht,

Fig. 6

eine weitere Einzelheit der Vorrichtung im Bereich der Einführung des Zuschnitts in einen Faltrevolver,

Fig. 7

die Einzelheit gemäß Fig. 6 in Queransicht, mit Vertikalschnitt,

Fig. 8

die Einzelheit gemäß Fig. 6 und Fig. 7 im Grundriß,

Fig. 9

eine Darstellung einer Zigarettenpackung analog Fig. 1 für ein anderes Ausführungsbeispiel,

Fig. 10

einen Teil eines Zuschnitts für eine Packung gemäß Fig. 9,

Fig. 11

eine Bearbeitungseinheit für einen Zuschnitt gemäß Fig. 9 bzw. Fig. 10,

Fig. 12

eine Einzelheit des Organs gemäß Fig. 11 in Queransicht,

Fig. 13

ein weiteres Detail der Einheit gemäß Fig. 11,

Fig. 14

eine andere Ausführungsform einer Bearbeitungseinheit für Zuschnitte für Packungen gemäß Fig. 9 in Seitenansicht,

Fig. 15

eine Queransicht der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 14,

Fig. 16

einen Grundriß zu Fig. 14 und Fig. 15,

Fig. 17

eine Darstellung analog Fig. 14 in einer veränderten Position,

Fig. 18

eine nochmals veränderte Stellung eines Organs der Einheit gemäß Fig. 17.

The manufacturing process and exemplary embodiments of the devices according to the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. It shows:

Fig. 1

a partially completed cigarette packet of the hinged box type in a perspective view,

Fig. 2

1 shows a section of a blank for a hinged box according to FIG. 1,

Fig. 3

a partial area of a packaging machine in side view or in vertical section,

Fig. 4

a detail of the packaging machine in side view or in the section plane IV-IV of Fig. 5,

Fig. 5

the detail of Fig. 4 in a transverse axial view,

Fig. 6

another detail of the device in the area of the introduction of the blank into a folding turret,

Fig. 7

6 in transverse view, with vertical section,

Fig. 8

the detail according to Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 in plan,

Fig. 9

2 shows a representation of a cigarette packet analogous to FIG. 1 for another exemplary embodiment,

Fig. 10

part of a blank for a pack according to FIG. 9,

Fig. 11

10 a processing unit for a blank according to FIG. 9 or FIG. 10,

Fig. 12

11 shows a detail of the organ according to FIG. 11 in a transverse view,

Fig. 13

another detail of the unit according to FIG. 11,

Fig. 14

another embodiment of a processing unit for blanks for packs according to FIG. 9 in side view,

Fig. 15

14 shows a transverse view of the device according to FIG. 14,

Fig. 16

14 shows a plan view of FIGS. 14 and 15,

Fig. 17

14 in a changed position,

Fig. 18

another position of an organ of the unit according to FIG. 17.

The examples shown in the drawings deal with each other with the production of a design detail of cigarette packs of the hinged box type (hinge-lid pack). such Packs consist of a cut from thin cardboard. The package itself forms a (lower) box part 10 and a lid 11 connected to this. The box part 10 consists of a front wall 12, a rear wall 13 and narrow, upright side walls, each consisting of an inner Side tab 14 and an outer side tab 15 exist. In the finished pack, these lie all over each other and are bonded together.

Lateral support projections 17 are in the area of a bottom wall 16 educated. These serve to support the contents of the pack, namely a cuboid cigarette block 18.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2 exist the two side protrusions from an angular shape folded folding web 19. This consists of two legs 20, 21, which are on the one hand in the region of the side tabs 14 and on the other hand in the area of connected to the inner side tabs 14 extend corner flaps 22. A fold line 23 between side tabs 14 and corner tabs 22 separates them into one angular position to fold legs 20, 21 from each other.

The attachment of the support projections 17 or the folding of the Folding bars 19 are integrated in the manufacturing process of the pack. The procedure is such that the folding webs 19 are unfolded Condition of the blank to be preformed, in particular by breaking the fold lines delimiting the legs 20, 21. After that, namely when folding the blank for the rest, the folding web 19 in the position to form the support projections 17 folded.

The blanks for the hinged box become a blank magazine 24 removed and in a downward inclined in the conveying direction Cutting path 25 introduced. This consists of underpasses 26 and top guides 27, between which the blanks are managed with sections. The cutting path 25 runs above a folding turret 28, which is plate-shaped and is driven to rotate in the horizontal plane. The folding turret 28 has a plurality of pockets 29, in each of which a blank is introduced from above. The executive body, namely a pivotally mounted pressure plate 30, detects the cut in the area of the rear wall 13 and possibly adjacent Areas of the lid 11. By swiveling movement the cutting through the pressure plate 30 from the area of the cutting path 25 moved down into the pocket positioned below 29, parts of the blank being folded at the same time, so that an L-shaped position of the blank is created according to Fig. 1. The packaging machine is regarding of the organs described, especially with regard to the folding turret 28 and the cutting web 25, corresponding to US 4,084,393 educated.

Folding members are arranged in the region of the cutting path 25 Pre-fold or finish folding the folding webs 19 or folding flaps for the support projections 17.

According to FIG. 3, the blanks deposited on the blank web 25 transported by conveyor rollers 31. In connection to this is a folding organ below the plane of movement of the blanks arranged for the blanks, namely a folding bike 32 as well a counter organ, namely a counter wheel 33 above the path of movement. The folding web 19 is pre-folded by these two organs, by breaking the material in the range of Fold lines. The folding web 19 becomes at least partially erected, taking the corner flap 22 into one erected or inclined position (Fig. 4). After that Folded web 19 and corner flap 22 moved back into the flat starting position, namely through underpass 26 and overpass 27.

The result is a largely flat cut into the position conveyed above the folding turret 28.

The folding bike 32 is used to carry out the (pre) folding of the folding web 19 provided on the circumference with a folding projection 34. This occurs with the rotation of the folding bike 32 precisely from below forth against the cut in the area of the folding web 19. The folding projection 34 is set up to the dimensions of the folding web 19, namely has about the same width (Fig. 5). The cross-section of the folding projection 34 is trapezoidal. A front 35 in the direction of rotation detects the Leg 20 of the folding web 19 and presses this as a result of the relative movement up. A transverse edge 36 of the folding tab 34 acts in the area of the folding line 23, so that the folding web 19 by the shape of the folding projection 34 in that shown in FIG. 4 Shape is formed. Through the connection with the corner flap 22 this is automatically erected.

In order to ensure correct (pre) folding of the folding web 19, the counter wheel 33 presses the blank, namely the side tab 14, against the peripheral surface of the folding bike 32 or secures this area of the cut against lifting or raising. For this purpose, the counter wheel 33 consists of two wheel disks 37, 38, between which the folding projection 34 is movable is. The wheel disks 37, 38 extend on both sides of the folding projection 34 or of the folding web 19, so that in the area in addition to the folding web 19, a back pressure is exerted on the blank will (Fig. 5).

The counter wheel 33 or its wheel disks 37, 38 are with a provided segment-shaped cutout 39. This is positioned that the erecting corner flap 22 during the Folding occurs in this cutout 39.

Due to the design of the support projection 17 according to FIG. 1 it becomes when the side tab 14 is folded or erected and the corner tab 22 folded. This folding process takes place when pressing the blank into a pocket 29 of the folding turret 28. As can be seen from FIGS. 6 and 8, the Pressure plate 30 the blank in the area of the rear wall 13. A A special feature is that the pressure plate 30 is adjacent to the bottom wall 16 has a smaller width by lateral Corner recesses 40. The support projections are located in this area 17 when the blank in the pocket 29 of the folding turret 28 has been pressed in (position according to FIG. 1).

During the downward movement of the blank into the pocket 29 side guides 41 are effective, which the blank parts erect (US 4,084,393). At the same time in this area Effective folding organs that erect the folding web 19. It deals fold fingers 42, which in the present case are L-shaped are formed and the folding using an upward Execute folding leg 43. This occurs from the bottom forth in the area of the folding web 19 during the downward movement of the cut. The folding leg 43 is in the Embodiment shown in the region of the leg 21 of the Faltstegs 19 effective. This also makes the corner flap in question 22 by the folding finger 42 with erected or in the folded position brought. Then the folding fingers 42 become disengaged moved with the blank, by down and sideways movement. The folding fingers 42 are to be carried out the up and down movement on an actuating linkage 44 appropriate. The movement is due to the downward movement of the pressure plate 30 matched, namely to the sequence of the folding process for cutting.

After folding the support projections 17 into the position shown in FIG. 1, the blank is known in the area of the folding turret 28 Way folded and the package filled.

FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are representations analogous to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 for a different configuration of the support projections 17. These consist of two folding tabs 45, 46 in the area of the (inner) side tab 14 are formed, immediately above the bottom wall 16. The two folding tabs 45, 46 are through two longitudinal punchings 47 and a transverse punching 48 are limited. Everyone Folding tab 45, 46 is foldable about a hinge line 49, 50 in a position transverse to the side tab 14.

Since the support projections 17 in this embodiment only consist of a folding flap of the pack, namely the side flaps 14, the folding flaps 45, 46 on the unfolded, flat blank can be folded into the end position. To for this purpose there are corresponding folding elements in a transport path of the blank is provided, namely in the area of the blank web 25. Below the cutting path is a folding organ attached, namely a folding bike 51. This is on a (cylindrical) peripheral surface in the middle with a folding projection 52 provided, due to the rotation of the folding bike 51st is moved from below against the blank, in the area the folding tab 45, 46. The folding projection 52 is with a tapering towards the outside, for example tapering or sharp-edged Provide cross section (Fig. 12). An upper or radial outer edge 53 acts in the area of the transverse punching 48 on the folding tab 45, 46 so that it is in an inclined position be raised (Fig. 12).

This first folding position of the folding tabs 45, 46 is one further folding organ completed, namely from a stationary Folding shoe 54, which is positioned above the movement path of the blank is and the pre-folded folding tabs 45, 46 in one folds upright position. The folding shoe 54 is on the incoming Cutting or the folding tab 45, 46 facing Side with a tapered end 55. This enters the area between the preformed folding tabs 45, 46 and aligns them with continued movement of the blank on. The folding shoe 54 has a width for this purpose, approximately the distance between the erected folding tabs 45, 46 from one another equivalent.

The cutting is after these folding steps for further processing prepared, especially in accordance with the 3 in connection with US 4,084,393.

In the embodiments described so far, the elongated, approximately rectangular blanks with their Transmitted longitudinal extent in the conveying direction, whereby the areas of the cover 11 are in the conveying direction at the front. FIG. 14 to 18 show details of an apparatus for the Folding of support projections 17 in the case of cross-conveyed blanks, that is, with the longitudinal extension lying transversely to the conveying direction. An embodiment with support projections is shown 17 corresponding to FIGS. 9 and 10.

In this configuration, the folding tabs 45 and 46 are in the direction of movement of the blank successively arranged. By means of special folding elements, the first one is in the direction of conveyance rear folding tab 46 and then the front one Folding flap 45 folded.

For this purpose is below the trajectory, namely on the Underside of the blank web 25, a folding unit 56 is arranged. This has a folding element that can be moved in several directions on, namely a folding rod 57. The folding rod 57 is one transverse axis rotatable and at the same time in the longitudinal direction or Slidable in the radial direction. For this purpose the folding rod is 57 in a transverse axial recess of a rotating body 58 slidably mounted. In a starting position (Fig. 14) the folding rod 57 obliquely, with the upper folding end incoming blank facing. With continued movement the folding rod 57 occurs by rotating the rotating body 58 and due to upward displacement in the area of the folding flaps 45, 46, namely through the blank. Thereby the folding tabs 45, 46 are erected. Due to the initially existing oblique position is the in Direction of delivery rear folding tab 46 over the hinge line 49 into a backward "broken" Position folded. With continued movement and by rotation of the rotating body 58, the folding rod 57 passes into another, in Inclined conveying direction (Fig. 18). In this is in the same way the front folding tab 45 on the deformed upright position. This keeps the folding tabs 45, 46 after pulling back the folding rod 57 in the upright position Position (Fig. 18).

The folding unit 56 works together with counterfolding elements. It these are two spaced apart Folding strips 59 above the movement path of the blanks. The fixed folding strips 59 point in the conveying direction of the blanks and are spaced from each other that corresponds approximately to the width of the folding tabs 45, 46. these can accordingly erected between the folding strips 59 by the folding rod 57 become. Those which extend next to the folding tabs 45, 46 Areas of the cut are shown by the folding bar 59 held in the flat position or in the plane of the conveyor track.

After performing this folding step, the parts of the support tabs are 17 folded. The cutting can now be done in the known Be processed further.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

box part

11

cover

12

front wall

13

rear wall

14

side tabs

15

side tabs

16

bottom wall

17

supporting projection

18

cigarette block

19

Faltsteg

20

leg

21

leg

22

corner tabs

23

fold line

24

blank magazine

25

blank path

26

underpass

27

upper guide

28

folding turret

29

bag

30

printing plate

31

conveyor roller

32

Folding

33

counter wheel

34

Faltvorsprung

35

flank

36

transverse edge

37

wheel disc

38

wheel disc

39

neckline

40

corner recess

41

guide

42

folding fingers

43

folding legs

44

operating linkage

45

folding tabs

46

folding tabs

47

Longitudinal punching

48

Cross punch

49

joint line

50

joint line

51

Folding

52

Faltvorsprung

53

edge

54

fait Shoe

55

The End

56

folding unit

57

pleating

58

rotating body

59

creaser

Claims (8)

1. Process for producing cigarette packs from blanks made of in particular thin cardboard or similar packaging material, with protrusions, in particular supporting protrusions (17), being arranged inside the pack, with said protrusions being deformed on the flat or preferably largely non-folded blank, characterized by the following features:

   a) projections for supporting a pack's contents, namely a cigarette block (18), are formed by folding webs (19) or folding tabs (45, 46) in the region of a base wall (16) of the pack,

   b) the non-folded, flat blanks are at least partially folded, in particularly pre-folded, in the region of a blanks path (25) with respect to the folding webs (19) or folding tabs (45, 46) in order to break the folding lines,

   c) after the pre-folding operation, the folding webs (19) return to the initial flat form of the blank in order to facilitate further processing,

   d) after the blank has returned to its initial, flat form, the blank is processing in the usual manner, namely folded and filled.
2. Process according to Claim 1, characterized in that, prior to the processing of the blanks in the conventional manner, namely prior to their folding and filling, individual folding tabs (45, 46) are folded into the folding position required for the pack in the region of the blanks path (25).
3. Apparatus for producing cigarette packs from blanks made of thin cardboard or similar packaging material, preferably for hinge-lid packs, the packs to be produced having projections, in particular supporting projections (17), with a blanks path (25) for the purpose of transporting the flat, largely non-folded blanks in the direction of a folding turret (28) with pockets (29) for receiving the blanks and for folding same, with stationary folding and/or shaping elements being positioned in the region of the blanks path (25) for executing at least partially the folding or deforming of the projections during transport of the blanks along the blanks path (25), characterized by the following features:

   a) by means of the folding or shaping elements it is possible to fold, in particular pre-fold, at least partially the folding webs (19) and/or folding tabs (45, 46) of the blanks, said webs and tabs being delimited by punch lines and forming projections for supporting a pack's contents, namely a cigarette block (18), for the purpose of breaking the folding lines.

   b) the blank path (25) is assigned guide elements, in particular lower guide (26) and/or upper guide (27), for the purpose of moving the partially folded folding webs back to the initial, flat form of the blank.
4. Apparatus according to Claim 3, characterized in that displaceable, in particular rotating, folding elements are arranged above and/or underneath the blanks path (25), preferably folding wheels (32, 51) or rotating bodies (58) with folding tools which either project or are arranged on the outer circumference, in particular folding protrusions (34, 52) or folding rods (57), which act in the region of the movement path of the folding webs (19) or folding tabs (45, 46) and act on the folding webs (19) or folding tabs (45, 46) from below or above, said webs or tabs being deformed in the process
5. Apparatus according to Claim 4, characterized in that mating tools on the side of the movement path of the blanks which is opposite the folding tools (32, 51, 58), in particular stationary or fixed holding-down means, such as mating wheels (33) or folding bars (59).
6. Apparatus according to Claim 4 or 5, characterized in that additional folding elements are located downstream of the folding tools (51) in the conveying direction and intended for completing the deformation or folding of the folding webs (19) or folding tabs (45, 46), preferably arranged on the side of the blanks movement path that is opposite the folding tools (51)
7. Apparatus according to Claim 6, characterized in that the further, additional folding elements assume a stationary arrangement, in particular as fixed folding bars or folding shoes (54), which support the folding of the folding webs (19) or folding tabs (45, 46) by virtue of the relative movement of the transported blanks.
8. Apparatus according to Claim 3 or one of the further claims, characterized in that, in order to complete pre-folded folding webs (19) or folding tabs (45, 46), further folding elements are assigned to the blanks, preferably in the region where the blanks are transferred to the folding turret (28), in particular folding fingers (42) which can be moved relative to the blanks.

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