EP1116661B1 - Method and device for making (cigarette-) packages - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for the production of packages with Innenummüllung made of thermally sealable film and sealed together associated folding flaps, in particular for producing a cigarette block for Cigarette packs, preferably the package contents - a Cigarette group - surrounded by a support insert made of thin cardboard, wherein a blank for the support insert U-shaped partially around the Cigarette group laid around and then a foil blank of thermal sealable film for forming the wrap around the cigarette group and Support insert existing unit is folded around, and then folding flaps the wrapping is joined together by thermal sealing and so on formed cigarette block in a pack, in particular a folding box is introduced.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for producing such or similar packs.

It is primarily about the production of packages according to WO 98/22367. Of the Package contents, namely the cigarette group, is in this type of pack of surrounded by a dense inner covering with by thermal sealing connected folding flaps. To open the pack or the cigarette block is this on the front with a through weakening lines of the material provided defined opening tab. In the same area is an adhesive Closing tape attached, which opening and if necessary Reclosing the cigarette block ensures. The application of Heat and pressure on the film of the (inner) cladding is problematic for sensitive pack contents, such as cigarettes. For this purpose is within the Cigarette blocks arranged a thin cardboard support insert, which surrounds the group of cigarettes in the area of those surfaces which are to be sealed Heat and pressure are applied by folding flaps.

From EP-A-0 895 930 a method and an apparatus for the production are known of cigarette packs known in the sideways flaps of a Envelope be sealed in unspecified manner. Claim 1 is delimited from this prior art.

Method and device for producing a cigarette packet with sealable envelope (but without support insert) are also known from US-A-4 887 408 known. Side folding flaps of the wrapper are in several Sealed clocks. The three sealing jaws provided for this purpose are the same trained and act in each case in the same way on the tabs to be sealed Serving. Claim 8 is compared to this state of Technology delineated.

The invention is based on the object, method and apparatus for Manufacture of said type of a (cigarette) pack and for the production to propose similar packages.

To solve this problem, the inventive method is characterized in that at least side walls of the cigarette block or the Serving in a first sealing cycle or over several promotion acts only in the Range of overlaps of folding flaps - side lobes - sealed and afterwards over the full packing area and into adjacent areas of the Cigarette blocks shaping by transfer of heat and pressure treated become.

The device according to the invention is defined in claim 8.

Is the tight film or inner wrapper with a closing tape provided, this is according to another proposal of the invention on the continuous web for producing the Foil blanks applied correctly and then the Foil blanks separated from the thus prepared web.

The device according to the invention consists of a continuous Packing track, in whose area conveying, folding and sealing organs are arranged for making and sealing the pack or the cigarette block.

A special feature is the folding and sealing of the (inner) cladding, namely the formation of an end wall in particular Way folded end wall flap and the sealing of the enclosure, such that the geometric shape of the same takes into account is.

Fig. 1

eine Vorrichtung zum Herstellen von Klappschachteln für Zigaretten in Draufsicht.

Fig. 2

die Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1 in Seitenansicht,

Fig. 3

eine Einzelheit der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1 und 2, nämlich ein Faltrevolver im Grundriss, bei vergrößertem Maßstab,

Fig. 4

eine Einzelheit des Faltrevolvers gemäß Fig. 3, nämlich eine Draufsicht auf eine Einschubstation gemäß Pfeil IV in Fig. 3,

Fig. 5

die Einzelheit gemäß Fig. 4 in Seitenansicht bzw. teilweise im Vertikalschnitt, entsprechend Pfeil V in Fig. 3.

Fig. 6

eine Einzelheit der Zuführung einer Materialbahn, nämlich einen Ausschnitt aus der Darstellung gemäß Fig. 2. in vergrößertem Maßstab,

Fig. 7

die Einzelheit gemäß Fig. 6 in Queransicht gemäß Pfeil VII in Fig. 6,

Fig. 8

einen Abschnitt einer Materialbahn für die Herstellung von Schließtapes.

Fig. 9

eine Siegelstation, nämlich einen Siegelrevolver für die (Innen-)Umhüllung in Seitenansicht.

Fig. 10

eine Einzelheit des Siegelrevolvers, nämlich eine Tasche desselben in einer Schnittebene X-X der Fig. 9.

Fig. 11

die Tasche gemäß Fig. 10 in einem Querschnitt bzw. in Draufsicht gemäß Pfeil XI in Fig. 10,

Fig. 12

eine Darstellung analog Fig. 11. jedoch in einer in Umfangsrichtung des Faltrevolvers versetzten Position.

Fig. 13 und Fig. 14

Phasen der Herstellung einer (Innen-)Umhüllung, nämlich Faltschritte im Bereich einer Stirnwand, in perspektivischer Darstellung.

Further details and features of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. It shows:

Fig. 1

a device for producing folding boxes for cigarettes in plan view.

Fig. 2

the apparatus of FIG. 1 in side view,

Fig. 3

a detail of the device according to FIGS. 1 and 2, namely a folding turret in plan view, on an enlarged scale,

Fig. 4

3 shows a detail of the folding turret according to FIG. 3, namely a plan view of a push-in station according to the arrow IV in FIG. 3,

Fig. 5

the detail of FIG. 4 in side view and partially in vertical section, corresponding to arrow V in Fig. 3rd

Fig. 6

a detail of the feeding of a material web, namely a section of the illustration according to FIG. 2 on an enlarged scale,

Fig. 7

the detail of FIG. 6 in a transverse view according to arrow VII in Fig. 6,

Fig. 8

a section of a material web for the production of closing tapes.

Fig. 9

a sealing station, namely a sealing turret for the (inner) wrapping in side view.

Fig. 10

a detail of the sealing turret, namely a pocket thereof in a sectional plane XX of FIG. 9.

Fig. 11

10 in a cross section or in plan view according to arrow XI in Fig. 10,

Fig. 12

a representation analogous to FIG. 11, however, in a position offset in the circumferential direction of the folding turret.

FIGS. 13 and 14

Phases of producing an (inner) sheath, namely folding steps in the region of an end wall, in perspective view.

The examples shown in the drawings relate on the production of cigarette packs 10 of the type folding box. Package contents is therefore a cigarette group 11. This is surrounded by a foil blank, the one (Inner) serving for the cigarette group 11 forms. Of the Foil blank or the envelope 12 is preferably one multilayer, dense film, which is thermally sealable at the same time. The wrapper 12 may alternatively also be the end or outer packaging represent. The cigarette group 11 with wrapping 12 forms a cigarette block 13 as the contents of the folding box or cigarette pack 10. The envelope 12 may alternatively also an outer wrapper of a corresponding cigarette packet be.

Part of the cigarette block 13 is disposed within the same Support insert 14. This protects the cigarette group 11 within the cigarette block 13 against the influences of Heat and pressure during thermal sealing of folding flaps. in the In the present case, the support insert 14 forms a front wall 15, side flaps 16, 17 and a bottom wall 18. Furthermore are in continuation of the side lobes 16, 17 front lobes 19. 20 provided in the plane of an end wall within the Cigarette block 13 are foldable. The front wall 15 forms in one of the top or end wall facing area a Recess 21 corresponding to the recess of a folding boxes usual collar.

The thus formed support insert 14 is in the region of a front surface, in the range of narrow, upright side surfaces and in the area of a bottom surface around the cigarette group 11 folded around. The unit thus formed from cigarette group 11 and support insert 14 is then surrounded by the foil blank forming the envelope 12 or the cigarette block 13. Partially overlapping folding flaps of the wrapping 12 are connected by thermal sealing. The cigarette block 13 is then in the cigarette pack 10th inserted. In the present example, the support insert is 14 formed so that edges between the front wall 15th on the one hand and side flaps 16, 17 on the other hand as round edges 22, 23 are formed. These consist of a plurality of parallel, embossed grooves that fold when folding the side lobes 16, 17 transverse to the front wall 15 rounded, so round edges 22. 23. form.

The device for producing the described package or of the cigarette block 13 consists of a plurality of organs and aggregates running along a rectilinear packing web 24 are positioned in a coordinated manner. At the beginning of this Packungsbahn 24, the cigarette groups 11 are supplied, and although by ejection from a conventional cigarette turret 25th This is in connection with a likewise usual cigarette magazine (Not shown). The cigarette group 11 is out the cigarette turret 25 off and in a first folding turret 26 inserted. This is designed in a special way, namely consists of a flat, about a vertical axis (im Clockwise) rotating plate. In this are several, namely four pockets 27 arranged. It is about after at the top and on the radially outer side open recesses in the plate, according to the size of a cigarette group 11. The four pockets 27 are arranged so that these successively through several stations, during the Standstill of the folding turret 26 in the area of each pocket 27 measures are carried out. In the area of a plug-in station 28, the cigarette group becomes a unit in the radial direction inserted into the pocket 27 positioned there.

In a front in the direction of rotation cutting station 29th The blank for the support insert 14 is also in the radial direction inserted into a ready-held bag 27, and although with simultaneous prefolding.

The arriving on a radially directed blank track Support insert 14 is in the region of the folding turret 26 of two Pairs of conveyor rollers 30, 31 detected and in a range transported above the bag 27. The conveyor rollers 30, 31 each grip in an edge region of the sideways Side tabs 16, 17 on. The dimensions are chosen so that in the end position, the area of the front wall 15 in the center located above the pocket 27.

Located in a plane above the feed of the support inserts 14 an introductory organ, namely a stamp 32nd This detects the blank positioned above the pocket 27 by downward movement and pushes him into the upwardly open Bag. In this case, by side walls of the pocket 27, the side lobes 16, 17 forming the round edges 22, 23 in a folded upright position, so that the support insert 14 is U-shaped is positioned in the pocket 27. Here is also the Bottom wall 18 - radially inward - in an upright position folded. The folding movement is by a guide piece 33rd supported, which at the end of the bag 27 above the folding turret 26 is positioned and an oblique or funnel-shaped to the pocket directed guide surface for the bottom wall 18 has.

To ensure an exact relative position of the support insert 14 in the pocket 27 - namely at the bottom of the same - is used an adjustment shoulder 34 on the underside of the punch 32. This Justier approach occurs in the region of the recess 21 of the support insert 14, under contact with an edge of the blank.

In the area of this cutting station 29 are also the frontal lobes 19, 20 folded, but in a funnel-shaped outward directed position. For this purpose serve folding rollers 35, the segment-like are formed and having a peripheral surface in a row Rotation about a vertical axis, the front lobes 19, 20 in a fold outward position.

After return of the movable up and down punch 32 in the upper position outside the pocket 27 (Figure 5) becomes the pocket 27 with the support insert 14 by corresponding rotation of the Folding turret 26 promoted in the insertion station 28. It will now the cigarette group 11 by a driver 36 of an endless Conveyor 37 in the pocket 27 and in the pre-folded Support insert 14 inserted.

In the subsequent station of the folding turret 26 are the obliquely directed end tabs 19, 20 folded, by tangentially movable folding fingers 38, 39 on both sides of the Bag 27.

The finished unit of cigarette group 11 and support insert 14 is in the region of a subsequent Ausschubstation 40 in the radial direction pushed out of the folding turret 26 and through the Conveyor 37 transported further.

The unit consisting of cigarette group 11 and support insert 14 is conveyed through a cutting station 41. In their area becomes a blank of the (inner) sheath 12 ready held so that the blank transported through the Cigarette group 11 detected under U-shaped folding becomes. The envelope 12 is folded so that an in The conveying direction forward bottom wall 42, the cigarette group 11 - with support insert 14 - from the front ends or enveloped by the bottom wall 18 (FIG. 13). At the same time, a executed further folding step on the envelope 12, namely the folding in of bottom-sided corner lobes 43. During the further Transports are folded side lobes 44, 45 under formation of two narrow side walls 46 of the enclosure 12. Thereafter is by appropriate folding steps in the transport direction Rear end wall 47 folded (Fig. 14).

The folding of the end wall 47 takes place essentially on one Faltbühne 78 during insertion into a (sealed) revolver 48. The folding platform is expediently in accordance with US 4,612,756.

As a folding organ for upper and lower flaps of the end wall 47, namely of longitudinal tabs 49, 50, serves for a one designed as an angle-shaped lever moth 53, the pivoting positioned below the trajectory of the cigarette block 13 is. As a further folding organ is a slider 51 for Conveying the cigarette block into a pocket 52 of the sealing turret 48th

The folding of the end wall 47 can be accomplished in a conventional manner become. A special feature is the production and Embodiment of the end wall 47 of FIG. 13 and FIG. 14. Thereafter First, the inner (lower) longitudinal tab 49 is folded, namely until it attaches to the contents of the package. In the process, too triangular folding gusset 54 in a Zwischenfaltstellung as Transition between the longitudinal tab 49 and protrusions of the Blank as extension of the side walls 46. Next These supernatants are folded to form corner lobes 55, 56. These lie with a portion of the previously folded inner longitudinal tabs 49, wherein the Faltzwickel 54th between the longitudinal tabs 49 and the corner tabs 55, 56 extend. The corner tabs 55, 56 also form triangular Faltzwickel 57 as a transition to the outer (upper) longitudinal flap 50. This is folded in a last folding step (Fig. 14). The outer longitudinal flap 50 is therefore also trapezoidal designed and lies with lateral areas on the corner lobes 55, 56 and in the central region on the inner longitudinal lobe 49 on. This folding principle of the end wall 47 is special favorable for the thermal sealing of the folding flaps, because above all the outer longitudinal tab 50 a larger area of the end wall 47th covers.

In the area of the sealing turret 48 folding flaps of the cigarette block 13 and the enclosure 12 by thermal sealing fixed. The sealing or construction and operation of sealing organs are a special feature.

The sealing turret 48 is driven clockwise in the counterclockwise direction. At open end faces of the pockets 52, so to both Seals revolver 48 pages, are stationary sealed tools 58, 59 positioned. These are each in the middle of the axle mounted the sealing turret 48 and extend with a Segment 60 over almost half the conveying path of the cigarette blocks 13 in the region of the sealing turret 48. The segments 60 are therefore approximately semicircular.

The sealing tools 58, 59 are in the axial direction of the sealing turret 48 movable back and forth. On the pockets 52 and the cigarette blocks 13 facing side are on the sealing tools 58, 59 each individual sealing jaws 61, 62 arranged. These are each on the exposed side surfaces or side walls 46 of the cigarette block 13 pressed against the seal the folded side flaps 44, 45. The sealing jaws 61, 62, which perform a first sealing cycle, are as strip-shaped Projections of the sealing tools 58, 59 are formed, and although with a width slightly smaller than that of the side walls 46, so that only in the region of the overlap of the side tabs 44, 45 heat and pressure are transferred. Appropriately, are several of these sealing jaws 61, 62 in the circumferential or conveying direction of the sealing turret 48 arranged so that at each seal clock in each case a plurality of cigarette blocks 13 in the pockets 52 be charged.

After sealing by the sealing jaws 61. 62 over several Fördertakte other sealing jaws are used, namely Molded jaws 63, 64. These are also strip-shaped Projections on the common sealing tools 58, 59 in the area each of the pockets 52 arranged. The mold jaws 63, 64 However, they are designed so that they the cigarette block 13th during a sealing or forming cycle across the entire width Capture and get into the adjacent areas of the cigarette block 13 extend.

In the embodiment of FIG. 12 is a cigarette block 13 made having rounded upright edges, namely round edges 65. Accordingly, the mold jaws 63, 64, namely with an approximately C-shaped seal or molding surface. The side walls 46 of the cigarette block 13 are positively enclosed by the mold jaws 63, 64 under Forming the round edges 65 according to the diameter or the roundness of the packaged cigarettes. Lateral projections 66 the mold jaws 63, 64 occur in recesses 67 of the boundary the pockets 52 a. The mold jaws 63.64 thus effect a completion of the seal with simultaneous improvement the outer shape of the cigarette block 13 by heat transfer.

To improve the sealing effect are in the field of sealing tools 58, 59 formed in the sense of Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 Baking arranged, which are not heated, possibly even cooled are and therefore at every stroke of the sealing tools 58th 59 a cooling effect on the previously sealed side lobes 44, 45 transmitted. As a result, with gentle treatment of the Package contents achieved a particularly effective sealing compound.

The radially outer end walls 47 are by sealing organs sealed, the stationary on the outer circumference of the sealing turret 48 arranged, but approximately movable in the radial direction are. In the present embodiment is around three sealing members 68, 69, 70. These are circular arc-shaped designed according to the outer contour of the sealing turret 48. Each sealing member 68, 69, 70 is on a pivoting arm 71st 72, 73 attached for lifting and pressing the sealing organs 68, 69, 70 respectively to the outwardly directed end walls 47.

Each sealing member 68. 69, 70 is provided with a plurality of projections, forming the sealing jaws 74, approximately in shape and size the end wall 47. The sealing member 68 has three such sealing jaws 74, the sealing organ 69 four and the sealing organ 70 again three sealing jaws 74, which in the circumferential direction respectively positioned according to the distances of the pockets 52 from each other are. The end wall 47 and its folding tabs are therefore also in several successive Siegeltakten thermally sealed, with individual sealing jaws 74, in particular the sealing member 70th for the reasons described a can exert a cooling effect.

The completely sealed after a conveyance of a semicircle Cigarette blocks 13 are in the area of a Ausschubstation 75 - diametrically opposite to a plug-in station - pushed out of the sealing turret 48 by a slide 76 and immediately a folding turret 77 for an outer wrapping, namely a blank for folding boxes, pass. This makes cigarette packs 10, namely folding boxes known Type with the dense cigarette block 13 as package contents ago.

In a cigarette pack or a cigarette block 13 in the embodiment according to WO 98/22367 is in the range of a front wall 79 formed an opening aid, which is an outside on the Enclosure 12 applied adhesive label 80 includes. This is so attached and provided with an adhesive-free grip tab, that with the help of the adhesive label 80, an opening tab the sheath 12 can be exposed.

In Fig. 6, 7 and 8 features are shown in terms of Design and attachment of the adhesive label 80th This will Accordingly, separated from a continuous material web 81. at the embodiment of FIG. 2, this material web 81 is corresponding the shape of the adhesive labels 80 to be produced an edge provided with a straight edge. Recesses 82 are formed on the opposite side, which define a suitably formed grip tab 83. Separating cuts for producing the individual adhesive labels 80 are respectively in the middle of the recesses 82 in the transverse direction carried out. At the opposite edge of the web 81, a print mark 84 is attached for this purpose, an exact separation cut in the area of a cutting device 85 guaranteed. This is therefore the print marks 84 controlled.

Another embodiment of the web 81 and the adhesive labels 80 is shown in FIG. Both longitudinal edges of the material web 81 are contoured, leaving several side by side lying material webs 81 without waste from a corresponding trained large train can be made. Opposite to the recesses 82 are formed analogous projections 86 arranged. The print marks 84 are here in the middle in the area the protrusions 86 are positioned. By dash-dotted lines in each case the position of the separating cut is indicated.

The device is designed so that the succession of the web 81 separated adhesive labels 80 a Film web 87 supplied and attached thereto. The Film web 87 is used to produce the blanks for the envelope 12. The adhesive labels 80 are so on the film web 87 attached that the blanks obtained after the separation cut for the wraps 12 in exact position the adhesive label 80 have.

The released by the cutting device 85, individual adhesive labels 80 are taken over by an intermediate conveyor, namely, a segment roller 88. This is along the circumference with several, in the present case with three retaining segments 89 each provided with an adhesive label. The adhesive labels 80 are with outwardly facing adhesive layer on the retaining segments 89 releasably fixed, by suction through suction holes (Not shown).

The segment roller 88 is positioned adjacent to the film web 87. This is guided by deflection rollers so that a horizontal extending conveyor section 90 is formed. In the area the same one after the other at appropriate intervals the Adhesive labels 80 from the segment roller 88 on the film web 87th transfer. For this purpose, the holding force of the retaining segments 89 be removed gradually. By spherical contact surfaces the retaining segment 89 is the adhesive label by a Rolling transferred to the film web 87, with a forward in the conveying direction area first.

The thus prepared film web 87 is over other guide rollers fed to the cutting station 41. This is basically in conventionally formed, namely provided with cutting rollers, the blanks for the envelope 12 positionally accurate and to be taken over by cigarette group 11 keep ready.

The organs for the handling of the film web 87 and the adhesive labels 80 are above the trajectory of the cigarette groups 11 and positioned above the conveyor 37.

REFERENCE LIST;

10

cigarette pack

11

cigarette group

12

wrapping

13

cigarette block

14

support insert

15

front wall

16

side tabs

17

side tabs

18

bottom wall

19

frontal lobe

20

frontal lobe

21

recess

22

round edge

23

round edge

24

packing sheet

25

cigarette revolver

26

folding turret

27

bag

28

insertion station

29

blank station

30

conveyor roller

31

conveyor roller

32

stamp

33

guide piece

34

adjustment attachment

35

folding roller

36

takeaway

37

promoter

38

folding fingers

39

folding fingers

40

out station

41

blank station

42

bottom wall

43

corner tabs

44

side tabs

45

side tabs

46

Side wall

47

bulkhead

48

seal revolver

49

longitudinal tabs

50

longitudinal tabs

51

pusher

52

bag

53

butterfly

54

folding gussets

55

corner tabs

56

corner tabs

57

folding gussets

58

sealing tool

59

sealing tool

60

segment

61

sealing jaw

62

sealing jaw

63

forming jaw

64

forming jaw

65

round edge

66

head Start

67

recess

68

seal organ

69

seal organ

70

seal organ

71

swivel arm

72

swivel arm

73

swivel arm

74

sealing jaw

75

out station

76

pusher

77

folding turret

78

folding platform

79

front wall

80

adhesive label

81

web

82

deepening

83

grip tab

84

print mark

85

cutter

86

head Start

87

sheet

88

segment roll

89

holding segment

90

conveyor section

Claims (17)

1. Process for producing packs with an inner wrapper made of heat-sealable film and with folding tabs which are connected to one another by sealing, namely for producing a cigarette block (13) for the cigarette packs, the pack contents, namely a cigarette group (11), being enclosed by a supporting insert (14) made of thin cardboard, with a blank for the supporting insert (14) being placed partially around the cigarette group (11) in a U-shape, and with a film blank of heat-sealable film for forming the wrapper (12) then being folded around the unit comprising the cigarette group (11) and supporting insert (14), and with folding tabs of the wrapper then being connected to each other by thermal sealing, and the cigarette block thus formed being introduced into a pack, characterized in that at least side walls (64) of the cigarette block (13) and/or wrapper (12) are sealed in a first sealing cycle or over the course of a plurality of conveying cycles merely in the overlapping regions of the folding tabs - side tabs (44, 45) - with the entire pack surface and the adjacent surfaces of the cigarette block then being shaped by the application of heat and pressure.
2. Process according to Claim 1, characterized in that, in order to form a rear end wall (47), as seen in the conveying direction of the cigarette block (13), an in particular bottom longitudinal tab is first folded against the pack contents, followed by lateral corner tabs (55, 56) and, finally, by an in particular top outer longitudinal tab (50) being folded onto the corner tabs (55, 56) and the inner longitudinal tab (49).
3. Process according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a film web (87) for producing blanks for the wrapper (12) is provided with adhesive labels (80), serving as an opening aid for the wrapper (12), and then, in a precisely positioned manner, the blanks are severed from the film web (87) and fed to the cigarette group (11).
4. Process according to Claim 3, characterized in that the adhesive labels (80) are severed from a continuous material web (81), which is contoured on at least one border and is provided with an adhesive on one side, and are fed individually to the film web (87) and pressed onto same in a precisely positioned manner by way of the adhesive-bonding side.
5. Process according to Claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that, in the region of a sealing apparatus, namely a sealing turret (48), with pockets (52) for accommodating in each case one cigarette block (13), the cigarette block (13) provided with the wrapper (12) is sealed in successive cycles, to be precise at the same time in each case in the region of laterally directed side walls (46) and radially outwardly directed end walls (47), the sealed regions being cooled following the sealing operation - with the transmission of heat and pressure.
6. Process according to Claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the supporting insert (14) is placed around the cigarette group (11) at least in the region of a front side and in the region of long side surface areas by means of U-shaped folding.
7. Process according to Claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that, in order to produce cigarette blocks (13) with a supporting insert (14) which is made of thin cardboard or the like and is arranged within the wrapper (12), first of all the supporting insert is preformed, namely folded, and then the cigarette group (11) can be introduced into the folded supporting insert (14), and in that, thereafter, the unit comprising the cigarette group (11) and supporting insert (14) is enclosed by the wrapper (12).
8. Apparatus for producing packs with an (inner) wrapper made of heat-sealable film and with folding tabs which are connected to one another by sealing, namely for producing a cigarette block (13) of a cigarette pack (10), the pack contents, namely a cigarette group (11), preferably being enclosed by a supporting insert (14) made of thin cardboard or the like, it being possible to introduce the cigarette block (13) into a sealing apparatus, in particular a sealing turret (48), for sealing the cigarette block (13) in the region of side walls (46) and end wall (47), characterized in that first sealing jaws (61, 62) are designed, in the conveying direction of the cigarette blocks (13), with a narrow, elongate sealing surface by means of which overlapping side tabs (44, 45) of the side walls (46) are sealed merely in the region of the overlap, and that additional sealing jaws, which follow in the conveying direction of the cigarette block (13), are designed as shaping jaws (63, 64) which enclose the relevant pack surfaces, in particular side walls (46), with shaping action over the entire surface area and into adjacent pack surfaces.
9. Apparatus according to Claim 8, characterized in that, positioned in the region of the sealing turret (48), along the movement path of the cigarette block (13) within the pockets (52), on both sides are sealing elements for sealing sideways directed side walls (46) of the wrapper (12), which, during a standstill phase of the sealing turret (48) and/or of the cigarette blocks (13), butt against same in order to transmit heat and pressure.
10. Apparatus according to Claim 8 or 9, characterized in that a plurality of sealing jaws (61, 62) are provided on carriers which can be moved back and forth in the axial direction of the sealing turret (48), in particular on segment-like sealing tools (58, 59), such that all the sealing jaws (61, 62) assigned to the side walls (46) can be moved at the same time.
11. Apparatus according to Claim 8 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the sealing turret (48) has sealing elements which are positioned in a stationary manner along the circumference, can be moved essentially in the radial direction and are intended for radially outwardly directed end walls (47) of the cigarette blocks (13), preferably sealing jaws (74) which are arranged on a plurality of independently movable sealing elements (68, 69, 70) and are approximately of the magnitude, and in the configuration, of the end walls (47).
12. Apparatus according to Claim 8 or one of the further claims, characterized in that elements which follow the sealing jaws (61, 62) and/or shaping jaws (63, 64) and/or sealing jaws (74) in the conveying direction of the cigarette blocks (13) and are intended for cooling the sealed regions of the wrapper (12) are assigned to the sealing turret (48), preferably such that one or more of the sealing jaws or other sealing elements are not heated and, if appropriate, are cooled.
13. Apparatus according to Claim 8 or one of the further claims, characterized in that a feeding device, namely a cigarette revolver (25), for the cigarette groups (11) is followed by an organ, namely a folding turret (26), for supplying the supporting insert (14) to the cigarette groups (11) such that the unit thus formed can be transferred to a blank station (41) for the purpose of applying a blank made of thermoplastic film for forming the wrapper (12), and that the cigarette block (13) formed from the folded wrapper (12) can be introduced to the sealing device, in particular to the sealing turret (48).
14. Apparatus according to Claim 8 or one of the further claims, characterized in that in order to apply the folded supporting insert (14) to the cigarette group (11) a folding turret (26) that rotates about a vertical axis is provided which preferably has four pockets that are distributed along its circumference and open at the top and the side, it being possible in a first position of the folding turret (26) to introduce the supporting insert (14) into the pocket from above, said insert being folded in the process, and, in a subsequent position of the folding turret (26), to slide the cigarette group (11) into the pocket with the folded supporting insert (14).
15. Apparatus according to Claim 8 or one of the further claims, characterized in that a blank station is formed above a movement path of the cigarette group (11) in order to produce blanks for the wrapper (12) by severing from a film web (87), it being possible, before the blanks are severed, for adhesive labels (80) to be attached to the film web (87) in the correct position in order to form an opening aid for the wrapper (12) and, thereafter, for the blanks provided with the adhesive label (80), and intended for the wrapper (12) to be severed and folded around the cigarette group (11).
16. Apparatus according to Claim 15, or one of the further claims, characterized in that the adhesive labels (80) can be severed from a continuous material web (81) with an adhesive layer on one side, preferably from a material web (81) which is contoured for a form fit at the borders and has printed marks (84) in order that a severing cut can be made in a precise manner.
17. Apparatus according to Claim 8 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the shaping jaws (63, 64) for the production of rounded, upright edges (round edges 65) of the cigarette block (13) are contoured, with an approximately C-shaped sealing and shaping surface.

Images