ITUB20152672A1 - Pack of cigarettes and method to make it happen. - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

"Pack of cigarettes and method of making it."

The present invention relates to a packet of cigarettes, or other smoking articles having a first and a second end and an elongated shape along a longitudinal direction; the invention also concerns a method for making the package.

A cigarette packet contains a plurality of cigarettes side by side to form a group; furthermore it comprises an outer wrapper, which can be rigid or soft, and an inner wrapper, made for example of aluminum foil wrapped around the group of cigarettes. As regards the rigid outer casing, there are alternative types in relation to the edges of the casing itself, which can be sharp, rounded (in this case the package is called "octagonal") or rounded.

As for the internal wrapping, the use of a sealed wrapping is known, made using a thermoplastic film and equipped with a resealable opening for removing cigarettes.

Examples of this type of solution are provided by the following patent documents of the same Applicant: WO2014013478, WO2014013479, and WO2014013479; other examples are described in the following patent documents: WO9849072, WO2015062681, WO2013053408, WO201 1110272, WO2011069575 and WO2011032625.

To wrap the group of cigarettes with thermoplastic film, it is necessary to manipulate the group of cigarettes in a special machine or machine section, for example belonging to the flow-pack type.

In such manipulation, there is a risk that the cigarettes of the group will break down; therefore, a reinforcing element or collar is applied to the group of cigarettes. The reinforcing element is made of thin cardboard, at least partially surrounds the group of cigarettes and, in the finished package, is positioned inside the sealed wrapping.

To effectively perform its function of retaining the cigarettes of the group, the reinforcing element must be enveloping with respect to the group of cigarettes. In this regard, the solutions described in documents WO20I4013478, WO2014013479, WO2014013479, W02013053408, WO9849072 and WO201 1069575 are disadvantageous because the reinforcing element is not very enveloping and does not guarantee that the cigarettes of the group do not break up during the handling to achieve sealed wrapping. .

Another problem that prevents the reinforcing element from effectively holding the cigarettes of the group in position is related to the mechanical stability of the reinforcing element itself. In this regard, it is noted that the solutions of the patent documents WO2011110272 and WO2011032625 are inconvenient since the reinforcing element has poor stability. In particular, the reinforcing element of WO2011110272 is shaped like a case and tends to sag, while the reinforcing element of WO2011032625 is not very strong, especially in the head areas of the group of cigarettes.

Another problem related to the creation of the sealed wrapping is given by the fact that cigarettes are subjected to considerable mechanical stress, which risks causing damage to the cigarettes themselves, especially in the filter area. In this light, it is observed that the solution of document WO201506268I, as well as those of documents WO2014013478, WO20 14013479, WO2014013479, W020I3053408, WO9849072 and WO2011069575, is limited because it does not effectively protect both head areas of the group of cigarettes, with particular regard to the area near the opening for extracting the cigarettes, where the cigarette filters are positioned.

The object of the present invention is to make available a packet of cigarettes (or of other smoking articles having a first and a second end and an elongated shape along a longitudinal direction) and a method for making it that overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the known art.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a packet of cigarettes and a method for making it that is particularly precise, as well as simple to implement.

A further object of the present invention is to propose a pack of cigarettes and a method for making it in which the reinforcing element is particularly robust and enveloping.

Another purpose is to provide a pack of cigarettes and a method for making it in which the reinforcing element protects the cigarettes in the opening area of the pack, as well as being enveloping.

A further purpose of the present invention is to propose a pack of cigarettes and a method for making it in which the reinforcing element is particularly simple to make, without however requiring the use of glue except in small quantities.

Said objects are fully achieved by the package and by the method object of the present invention, which are characterized by what is contained in the claims reported below.

In particular, the invention relates to a package of smoking articles, in particular smoking articles having a first and a second end and an elongated shape along a longitudinal direction. In the following we will refer in particular to cigarettes, for simplicity of description, without this being intended to limit the scope of the patent to cigarettes only.

The pack contains a group of cigarettes, side by side and lined up. The group of cigarettes has a first zone, facing the first end of the cigarettes, and a second zone, facing the second end of the cigarettes. The first and second zones of the group of cigarettes are arranged in succession to each other along the longitudinal direction defined by the group of cigarettes, from the first to the second end; that is, the first and second zones of the packet are longitudinally spaced.

The package includes a sealed wrapper, which encloses the group of cigarettes. The sealed wrapping is made of a film of thermoplastic material. The sealed wrapping has an opening for removing cigarettes. In addition, the packet has a sealing panel, applied to the opening of the sealed wrapping, to allow repeated closing and opening.

The packet also comprises a reinforcing element, operatively in contact with the group of cigarettes to surround it at least in part. The reinforcing element is made of thin cardboard or cardboard or paper. The reinforcing element, in the finished package, is positioned inside the sealed wrapping.

The reinforcing element has a front wall, a rear wall, two side walls and a back wall. The bottom wall of the reinforcing element is operationally in contact with the first end of the cigarettes. Note that the opening of the packet for removing cigarettes is positioned at the second end of the cigarettes; the cigarette filters are positioned at said second end of the cigarettes themselves. The reinforcing element, in the second zone of the group of cigarettes, surrounds the group of cigarettes in a ring; in other words, it is in contact with all four sides of the group of cigarettes defined by the side surfaces of the cigarettes themselves. Instead, the reinforcing element, in the first zone of the group of cigarettes defines side openings, whereby the side walls of the reinforcing element are present in a second portion of the reinforcing element, but are absent, i.e. they are interrupted (leaving thus the place with corresponding lateral openings), in a first zone of the reinforcing element; in which the first zone of the reinforcing element is operatively coupled (i.e. overlapped, or fitted) to the first zone of the group of cigarettes and the second zone of the reinforcing element is operatively coupled (i.e. overlapped, or fitted) to the second zone of the group of cigarettes.

In other words, the reinforcing element, in a zone of the group of cigarettes distal from the back wall (i.e. the second zone of the group of cigarettes), surrounds the group of cigarettes in a ring and, in a zone of the proximal group of cigarettes to the back wall (ie the first zone of the group of cigarettes), it defines side openings.

The fact that the reinforcing element loops around the second zone of the group of cigarettes and, on the opposite side of the group of cigarettes, closes the first ends of the cigarettes with the back wall allows the reinforcement element itself to be stable and enveloping. Furthermore, the filter area is particularly protected.

The bottom wall of the reinforcement element is joined to the front wall and the rear wall of the reinforcement element itself; instead, the back wall is not (directly) joined to the side walls, because these are interrupted and give way to the side openings, in the first portion of the reinforcement element facing the back wall.

This simplifies the construction of the reinforcement element starting from a planar blank. The front wall of the reinforcing element has a flare to facilitate the extraction of cigarettes; this flare is positioned in the second portion of the reinforcement element (distal from the back wall).

Preferably, the front wall and the rear wall of the reinforcing element are elongated for the entire longitudinal extension of the cigarettes (or of the packet). This makes the reinforcement element even more enveloping and stable, without penalizing its simplicity of construction.

Preferably, the lateral openings of the reinforcing element extend for at least half (preferably from 50% to 60%) of the overall longitudinal extension of the reinforcing element. This simplifies the stable union of the reinforcing element, reducing the use of adhesive material.

In fact, preferably, the reinforcing element is closed by applying adhesive material (for example hot glue) to corresponding and at least partially overlapping edges, at the points of union (or junction).

In particular, these joining points are positioned in the second portion of the reinforcing element, or in correspondence with the second area of the group of cigarettes, distal from the back wall of the reinforcing element itself.

Preferably, the joining points are positioned in the side walls of the reinforcing element. This allows to simplify the forming of the reinforcement element itself. Furthermore, this also allows to reduce the amount of paper or thin cardboard used for the reinforcing element.

Alternatively or in addition, the joining points are placed in the front wall or in the rear wall.

It should be noted that the reinforcing element is expected to have functional characteristics to make it particularly suitable for a package of a particular type, with particular reference to packages with a rigid outer casing with sharp or rounded edges.

In an embodiment example (aimed in particular, but not exclusively, at the octagonal packets), each of the two side walls of the reinforcing element has a main side, arranged perpendicular to the front and rear walls, and a first and a second connection side inclined with respect to the main side. Each of said first and second connecting sides is joined along longitudinal edges to the corresponding main side and to the front wall or to the rear wall. This configuration makes the reinforcement element particularly enveloping and facilitates its wrapping in an outer casing with rounded edges.

The invention also provides a method for making a packet of cigarettes or other smoking articles having a first and a second end and an elongated shape along a longitudinal direction.

This method includes a step of preparing a reinforcement blank, made of thin cardboard or a similar material, and foldable to form the reinforcing element.

The method involves a step of coupling the reinforcing element to the group of cigarettes to surround it at least in part, with a bottom wall of the reinforcing element in contact with in contact with the first end of the cigarettes.

Furthermore, the method includes a step of making, by means of a film of thermoplastic material having an opening for the extraction of cigarettes closed by a sealing panel, of a sealed wrapping containing the group of cigarettes and the reinforcing element coupled therein.

The reinforcing element is coupled to the group of cigarettes so that it surrounds it in a ring in a second area of the group of cigarettes facing the second end of the cigarettes; in particular, in the second zone of the group of cigarettes, the reinforcing element leaves the second ends of the cigarettes uncovered but surrounds the group of cigarettes on the four sides being there in contact on the four sides in a lateral surface of the group of cigarettes adjacent to the second ends of cigarettes.

Furthermore, the reinforcing element is coupled to the group of cigarettes so that the reinforcing element leaves it uncovered in correspondence with lateral openings of the reinforcing element itself, in a first area of the group of cigarettes facing the first end of the cigarettes.

The reinforcement blank has a base, having two short sides and two long sides. Further, the reinforcement blank has a front panel and a rear panel joined to respective long sides of the base along fold lines and defining side edges. The reinforcement blank also has at least a first and a second side flap joined to the front panel or the rear panel along corresponding longitudinal fold lines. In particular, these fold lines (along which the first and second side flaps are joined to the front panel or to the rear panel) are positioned in a portion of the side edges of the front or rear panel which is spaced longitudinally with respect to the base; preferably, it is spaced longitudinally from the base by an amount equal to (at least) half of the longitudinal extension of the front panel or rear panel (which determine the overall longitudinal extension of the reinforcement element itself).

Operationally, in the coupling of the reinforcing element to the group of cigarettes, the base of the blank is placed in contact with the first ends (first tip areas) of the cigarettes to form the bottom wall of the reinforcing element.

The front and rear panels of the reinforcement blank are placed in contact with the group of cigarettes on opposite and parallel surfaces of the same to form the front wall and the rear wall of the reinforcing element, respectively.

Furthermore, subsequently, the side flaps (called at least one first and a second side flap) are folded along the respective longitudinal fold lines to form the side walls of the reinforcing element and thus surround the group of ring cigarettes in said second part of the group of cigarettes (distal from the back wall of the reinforcing member). For the closure of the reinforcing element, the method preferably provides a step of applying adhesive material (for example hot glue) to the side flaps.

In this regard, it should be noted that in the reinforcement blank, preferably, both the front panel and the rear panel are provided with a respective pair of side flaps.

In particular, the reinforcement blank preferably has the first and second side flaps joined to the front panel (along corresponding longitudinal fold lines positioned in a portion of the side edges of the front panel spaced apart from the base), and has a third and a fourth lateral flap, joined to the rear panel along corresponding longitudinal fold lines, also positioned in a portion of the lateral edges of the rear panel spaced from the base.

Operationally, the first and third lateral flaps are overlapped at least in part (in a longitudinally elongated overlapping surface) and concur to form a corresponding side wall of the reinforcing element; similarly, the second and fourth lateral flaps are overlapped at least in part (in a corresponding longitudinally elongated overlapping surface) and concur to form the other side wall of the side walls of the reinforcing element.

These overlapping surfaces extend longitudinally for a shorter length (equal to about half or less) than the overall longitudinal extension of the reinforcing element, because the side walls of the reinforcing element are interrupted in a section, in which they are defined said openings.

This allows you to reduce the amount of glue used. In addition, it allows to contain the transverse extension of the side flaps, thus reducing the waste of material in the realization of the reinforcement blanks.

In an exemplary embodiment (intended mainly but not exclusively for octagonal packets), in the reinforcement blank, each lateral flap has at least a first and a second segment joined together along a longitudinal fold line; of these, the first segment is a main segment and Γ at least one second segment is a connecting segment.

Operationally, when the reinforcement blank is folded and closed to form the reinforcing element, the main segment of each side flap of the reinforcement blank defines a main side of a corresponding side wall of the reinforcing element; the connecting segment of each side flap of the reinforcement blank defines a connecting side of a corresponding side wall of the reinforcing element, inclined with respect to the respective main side. In this way, the reinforcing element has, in its side walls, respective main sides parallel to each other and perpendicular to the front and rear walls of the reinforcing element, and respective connection sides inclined both with respect to the main sides and with respect to the walls. front and rear.

The invention also provides a packing machine for packaging a group of cigarettes or other smoking articles having a first and a second ends and an elongated shape along a longitudinal direction in a packet.

The machine comprises a first wrapping section, designed to be fed with reinforcement blanks and cigarettes (loose). The first wrapping section is configured to form groups of cigarettes starting from the loose cigarettes and to form elements starting from the reinforcing blanks; the first wrapping section couples the reinforcing elements to corresponding groups of cigarettes to surround them at least in part.

Furthermore, the machine includes a second wrapping section, of the flow-pack type.

This second section of wrapping is designed to be fed with a succession of articles, in which each article is constituted by a group of cigarettes and by a corresponding reinforcing element coupled therein. The second wrapping section is configured to enclose the individual items within a sealed wrapping made of a thermoplastic film. The sealed wrapping is also equipped with an opening for removing cigarettes and a sealing panel applied to the opening of the sealed wrapping itself.

The machine also includes a third wrapping section, configured to create an external envelope for the sealed wrapping. In particular, the third wrapping section is preferably configured to create a rigid box-like body containing the sealed wrapping and equipped with a lid hinged to the box-like body itself.

The first wrapping section comprises a centering device configured to position the base of the reinforcing blank in alignment with the first cigarette end of the group of cigarettes.

Furthermore, the first wrapping section includes a folding group, to fold the reinforcement blank around the group of cigarettes, thus making the reinforcing element coupled to the group of cigarettes itself.

The folding assembly of the first wrapping section has first folding elements, configured to fold the front panel and the rear panel of the reinforcing blank into contact with the group of cigarettes; folding assembly also has second folding elements, for folding the side flaps of the reinforcing blank around corresponding longitudinal folding lines.

The first wrapping section also comprises gluing elements configured to apply adhesive material on at least one surface of the side flaps, to stably join the front and rear panels of the reinforcing blank through the side flaps, in an area of the group of cigarettes spaced longitudinally from the base. of the reinforcing blank and facing the second end of the cigarettes of the group of cigarettes.

In the first wrapping section, the group of cigarettes is first formed by means of a plurality of hoppers. The groups of cigarettes are housed in respective pockets, which are movable integrally with a conveyor.

Preferably, each group of cigarettes is transferred (by means of an extractor element) from the pocket to a corresponding sleeve. Each sleeve is longitudinally elongated and has an inlet opening and an outlet opening, at its longitudinal ends, to allow the group of cigarettes to be inserted through the inlet opening and an exit of the same group through the outlet opening. .

The sleeve is shaped so as to surround the group of cigarettes on four sides. Preferably, the group of cigarettes, upon insertion into the sleeve, is compressed transversely (the individual cigarettes are compressed radially) and inserted into the sleeve to size, so that a cross section of the internal passage defined by the sleeve has an area ( slightly) less than the cross-sectional area of the cigarette group.

Preferably, the reinforcement blank is folded onto the sleeve, so that the bottom wall of the reinforcement blank is positioned on the exit opening of the sleeve, to close it.

Thus, preferably, the reinforcement blank is formed on the sleeve so that an inner surface of the reinforcement blank is in contact with an outer surface of the sleeve.

Preferably, the reinforcing blank is formed on the sleeve, i.e. it is formed before the sleeve receives the group of cigarettes. This speeds up production.

Therefore, in an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of sleeves moves in succession, according to its own path of advancement. At the same time, a corresponding plurality of pockets moves along their own path of advancement (determined by the conveyor to which the pockets are fixed).

During their movement, the pockets internally receive the groups of cigarettes (in particular, the cigarettes are progressively taken from the hoppers and inserted into the pockets).

During their movement, the sleeves receive the reinforcement elements externally; in fact, the reinforcement blanks are progressively formed using an external surface of the sleeve as a shape.

In a possible embodiment, in a transfer station along the advancement path, the pocket is aligned with a corresponding sleeve; in a corresponding transfer step, the group of cigarettes positioned in the pocket is transferred from the pocket to the corresponding sleeve aligned with it; this transfer takes place by means of an extractor element which acts on the first end of the group of cigarettes.

In an extraction phase, the group of cigarettes is moved inside the sleeve until it exits through the outlet opening of the sleeve itself, thus intercepting the internal surface of the bottom wall of the reinforcing element (in particular, it is the second end of the group of cigarettes to intercept the back wall of the reinforcing element).

In this way, exiting longitudinally from the sleeve, the group of cigarettes drags the reinforcing element away from the sleeve, so that the reinforcing element remains coupled externally to the group of cigarettes, forming an article consisting of the group of cigarettes and the respective reinforcing element coupled therein.

Preferably, the step of extracting the group of cigarettes from the sleeve occurs subsequently with respect to the step of transferring the group from the pocket to the sleeve; preferably, a time interval elapses between the step of transferring the group from the pocket to the sleeve and the step of extracting the group of cigarettes from the sleeve.

Preferably, the step of transferring the group from the pocket to the sleeve and the step of extracting the group of cigarettes from the sleeve take place in two distinct stations.

Preferably, for the step of extracting the group of cigarettes from the sleeve, a pusher element different from the extractor element is used for the step of transferring the group from the pocket to the sleeve. This is to avoid a particularly long stroke for the extractor element and a slowdown in the production process. Preferably, the pusher element is a piston pusher element; preferably, the pusher element acts on the first end of the group of cigarettes, moving longitudinally (with reciprocating motion).

In a possible example of embodiment, the sleeves are defined by an end portion of the pockets themselves, which is opposite to the insertion end of the cigarettes from the hoppers to form the group.

Therefore, the sleeves and the pockets could be defined by the same elements, with the advantage of simplifying the machine; or they could be defined by distinct elements; this second solution makes it possible to define a path for the sleeves that is autonomous and distinct from the path of the pockets.

This and other characteristics will be more evident from the following description of a preferred embodiment, illustrated purely by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawing tables, in which:

Figure 1 schematically illustrates a packing machine according to the present description;

Figure 2A illustrates a part of the machine 100 comprising a first and a second wrapping section;

Figure 2AA illustrates a detail of Figure 2A, in an enlarged view;

Figure 2B illustrates a part of the machine 100 of Figure 2A, according to a variant embodiment;

Figure 2BB illustrates a detail of Figure 2B, in an enlarged view;

Figure 3A illustrates a package of the sharp-edged type, according to the present description;

Figure 3B illustrates an octagonal package, according to the present description;

Figure 4 illustrates a group of cigarettes;

Figure 5 illustrates a sealed package of the group of cigarettes of Figure 4, for the packet of Figure 3A;

Figure 6 illustrates a reinforcing element contained in the package of Figure 3B;

- figure 7 illustrates the reinforcement element of figure 6 applied to the group of cigarettes of figure 4;

Figure 8 illustrates a reinforcement blank intended to form a reinforcing element for the package of Figure 3A;

Figure 9 illustrates a reinforcement blank intended to form a reinforcing element for the package of Figure 3B;

Figure 10A illustrates the reinforcement blank of Figure 8 according to an embodied variant; - figure 10B illustrates the reinforcement blank of figure 9 according to an embodied variant. In the figures, 1 indicates a package of other smoking articles. Specifically, but not exclusively, pack 1 is a pack of cigarettes 2.

Each cigarette 2 is elongated along a longitudinal axis and has a first end 201 and a second end 202. At these first and second ends 201 and 202, the cigarette 2 has surfaces arranged transversely to the longitudinal axis. In an embodiment, the cigarette 2 has a filter 203 at the second end.

It should be noted that the present description refers to cigarettes 2, but, more generally, it applies to any smoking article having an elongated shape along a longitudinal axis and a first and a second ends (such as for example a cigar).

For each pack 1, the cigarettes 2 are organized in a group 3 of cigarettes 2 aligned and oriented in the same way, so that all the cigarettes 2 of the group 3 have the first ends 201 and the second ends 202 oriented in a concordant way. Therefore, in the group 3 of cigarettes a first end 301 and a second end of the group 3 of cigarettes 2 itself remain defined.

The group 3 of cigarettes has a first zone 303 facing the first end 201 of the cigarettes 2, or facing the first end 301 of the group 3 of cigarettes 2 itself; similarly, the group 3 of cigarettes has a second zone 304 facing the second end 202 of the cigarettes 2, that is, facing the second end 302 of the group 3 of cigarettes 2.

The first zone 303 and the second zone 304 of the group 3 of cigarettes 2 are staggered, i.e. spaced longitudinally (along the longitudinal direction in which the cigarettes 2 are oriented),

Packet 1 has 4 sealed wrapping, which encloses group 3 of 2 cigarettes.

The sealed package 4 is made of a 401 film, The 401 film is of thermoplastic material; film 401 is impermeable to odors (i.e. it constitutes a barrier for the passage of aromas).

The sealed package 4 has an opening for the extraction of cigarettes 2. In addition, the sealed package 4 has a 402 sealant panel, applied to the opening of the sealed package 4. The sealing panel 402 is movable from a closed position to an open position and vice versa, repeatedly over time. A tab 403 having a portion free of adhesives is fixed to a free end of the sealing panel 402 to facilitate its grip with the fingers. Package I also includes a reinforcement element 5, made of thin cardboard or another similar material. The reinforcing element 5 is substantially a box-like body shaped so as to fit around the group 5 of cigarettes 2,

The reinforcement element 5 is made starting from a reinforcement blank 6; the reinforcement blank 6 has a planar shape and is obtained from a sheet of paper or cardboard by punching.

The reinforcement element 5 is positioned inside the sealed wrapper 4. The reinforcing element 5 is in contact (in one of its internal surfaces) with the group 3 of cigarettes. The reinforcing element 5 is positioned around the group 3 of cigarettes 2 to surround at least a part of it. The reinforcement element 5 has a front wall 501, a rear wall 502, two side walls 503 and a bottom wall 504. The bottom wall 504 is in contact with the first end 301 of the group 3 of cigarettes 2, or with the first end 201 of the cigarettes 2. The reinforcing element 5 is elongated along the longitudinal direction; in other words, the reinforcing element 5 is elongated along a direction which, operationally (when the reinforcing element 5 is coupled to the group 3 of cigarettes 2) is the same longitudinal direction along which the group 3 of cigarettes 2 is elongated .

The reinforcement element 5, with respect to the longitudinal direction, has a first and a second end. The bottom wall 504 is positioned at the first end of the reinforcement element 5. At the second end of the reinforcement element there is an opening 505 for the extraction of cigarettes 2. To facilitate the extraction of cigarettes 2, the front wall 501 of the reinforcement element is equipped with a flare 506.

A first portion 507 and a second portion 508 staggered along the longitudinal direction can be identified in the reinforcement element 5. The first portion 507 of the reinforcement element 5 faces the first end of the same, or towards the bottom wall 504; the second portion 508 of the reinforcement element 5 faces the second end of the same, or towards the opening 505,

The side walls 503 of the reinforcement element 5 are positioned in the second portion 508 of the reinforcement element 5; in the first portion 507, the reinforcement element 5 defines at least one lateral opening 509. Preferably, the reinforcing element 5 defines two lateral openings 509, in its first portion 508. In the embodiment (not shown) which provides a single lateral opening 509, the corresponding side wall 3.

In the second portion 508 of the reinforcing element 5, the side walls 503 cooperate with the front wall 501 and with the rear wall 502 to form a section closed in a ring on four sides, to surround the second zone 304 of the group 3 of cigarettes 2 , leaving uncovered the first end 301 of the group 3 of cigarettes 2 itself.

The bottom wall 504 of the reinforcement element 5 is joined to the front wall 501 and to the rear wall 502. In the example illustrated, the bottom wall 504 of the reinforcement element 5 is joined only to the front wall 501 and to the rear wall 502, because, laterally, it has the two side openings 509.

Preferably, the front wall 501 of the reinforcing element 5 extends along the entire longitudinal length of the cigarettes 2. Preferably, the rear wall 502 of the reinforcing element 5 extends along the entire longitudinal length of the cigarettes 2. Preferably, the walls 503 of the reinforcing element 5 have the same longitudinal extension; consequently, preferably, the lateral openings 509 have the same longitudinal extension.

Preferably, the ratio between the extension of the side walls 503 (or of at least one side wall 503) and the overall longitudinal extension of the reinforcement element 5 is in the range [0.3 - 0.6]; more preferably, this ratio is in the range [0.4 - 0.5]; in the example illustrated, this ratio is about 0.47.

Each side wall 503 (or called at least one side wall 503) of the reinforcement element 5 has a plurality of sides joined together along longitudinal folding lines 510. Of these sides constituting the side wall 503, there is at least one main side 5ΠA and at least one connecting side 511B. In the example illustrated, each side wall 503 has a main side 511A and a first and a second connecting side 511B, positioned on the opposite sides of the main side 51 1A, which is thus interposed between the first and second connecting side 51 1B .

In an embodiment, the main side 511A is arranged perpendicular to the front and rear walls 501, 502.

The connecting sides 511B are inclined with respect to the main side 511 A.

In an exemplary embodiment, each connecting side 511B is joined along longitudinal edges, ie along respective longitudinal folding lines 510, to the corresponding main side 511 A and to the front wall 501 or to the rear wall 502.

Preferably, the main sides 511 A of the opposite side walls 503 are parallel to each other and are at a distance that defines the maximum distance (transverse) between the side walls 503 of the reinforcement element 5. It should be noted that preferably this distance, ie the maximum mutual distance between the side walls 503, is greater than a maximum transverse extension of the front wall 501 and of the rear wall 502.

A perimeter of the bottom wall 504 has two long sides 512A and two short sides 512B. The front wall 501 and the rear wall 502 are joined to the long sides 512B. The short sides 512B are perpendicular to the long sides 512A,

Preferably, the mutual distance between the short sides 512B is greater than the maximum transverse extension of the front wall 501 and the rear wall 502; that is, the mutual distance between the short sides 512B is greater than the length of the long sides 512A of the base wall 504 of the reinforcing element 5. Preferably, the mutual distance between the short sides 512B is equal to the maximum distance between the side walls 503 (i.e. between the main sides 511A of the side walls 503).

In the example shown, the perimeter of the base wall 504 is octagonal.

The rear wall 502 of the reinforcing element 5 has a transverse edge 513, which helps to delimit the opening 505 intended for the extraction of the cigarettes 2. Preferably, this transverse edge 513 of the rear wall 502 has an arched shape and turns the concavity towards the outside of the reinforcing element 5.

The reinforcing element 5, in the second area 304 of the group of cigarettes, or in the second portion 508 of the reinforcing element 5 itself, has joining points made by means of adhesive material, for example by means of hot glue.

The joining points, not shown in the figures, are in correspondence with overlapping edges of the reinforcement element 5.

In an exemplary embodiment, the joining points are positioned in the side walls 503. Preferably, the joining points are positioned only in the side walls 503. But it is also envisaged that, alternatively or in addition to the joining points at the side walls 503, there are joining points that are positioned at the front wall 501 or the rear wall 502.

The joining points can be arranged in distinct spaced positions, in succession (for example along a longitudinal trajectory), or along continuous strips (for example longitudinally oriented).

To better understand how different edges of the reinforcing element 5 are joined together, it is useful to describe the method of manufacturing the reinforcing element 5, which is part of a method for making a pack 1 of cigarettes 2 (or other articles for smoke having a first and a second ends and an elongated shape along a longitudinal direction).

The reinforcement element 5 is made by folding and closing the reinforcement blank 6. The reinforcing blank 6 has a front panel 601 and a rear panel 602. In addition, the reinforcing blank 6 has at least one side first flap 603A and a second side flap 603 B, joined to the front panel 601 or the rear panel 602.

The reinforcement blank 6 also has a base 604. The base 604 has two long sides 605A and two short sides 605B.

Front panel 601 and rear panel 602 are joined to respective long sides 605A of base 604 along fold lines 606.

Side fins 603A, 603B are joined to front panel 601 or rear panel 602 along corresponding longitudinal fold lines 607. The front 601 and rear 602 panels have a substantially rectangular shape and each have lateral edges (corners). Such longitudinal fold lines 607 are positioned in a portion of the side edges of the front panel 601 or rear panel 602 which is spaced longitudinally with respect to the base 604. In particular, longitudinal fold lines 607 are positioned in a portion of the side edges of the front panel 601 or rear 602 which is located at the end of the front 601 or rear 602 opposite the base 604.

Operationally, the base 604 of the reinforcement blank 6 is placed in contact with the first end 301 of the group of cigarettes 2, to form the bottom wall 504 of the reinforcement element 5. The front 601 and rear 602 panels are placed in contact with the group 3 of cigarettes on opposite and parallel surfaces thereof to form the front wall 501 and the rear wall 502 of the reinforcing element, respectively.

The first and second side flaps 603A, 603B are folded along the respective longitudinal folding lines 607 to form the side walls 503 of the reinforcing element 5.

In an exemplary embodiment, the reinforcement blank 6 also has a third lateral flap 603 C and a fourth lateral flap 603D. The first and second lateral fin 603 A, 603B are joined to the front panel 601, while the third and fourth lateral fin 603 C, 603 D are joined to the rear panel 601.

All the side flaps 603A, 603B, 603C, 603D are joined to the respective front or rear panel 601, 602 along a corresponding longitudinal folding line 607 positioned in a section of the corresponding lateral edge of the panel spaced longitudinally with respect to the base 604, i.e. distal from the base 604.

Operationally, the first and third lateral fins 603A, 603C are superimposed at least in part and concur to form a corresponding lateral wall 503 of the reinforcing element 5; similarly, the second and fourth lateral flaps 603B, 603D are overlapped at least in part and concur to form the other corresponding side wall 503 of the reinforcement element 5.

In this case, in order to close the reinforcement blank 6 and form the reinforcing element 5, adhesive material (hot glue) is applied at the junction points positioned between the first and third lateral fin 603A, 603 C, in the overlapping area , and between the second and fourth lateral fin 603B, 603 D, in the corresponding overlapping area.

In another embodiment, there are only the first and the second side flaps 603A, 603B, joined to the front panel 601 or to the rear panel 602 from opposite sides; in this case, the side flaps 603 A, 603B have a transversal extension greater than the length of the small side 604B of the base 604, to allow the side flap, joined to one of the front 601 or rear panels 602, to overlap, in an overlapping surface, to the other of the front 601 or rear 602 panels; in this case, the joining points where the adhesive material is applied are in this overlapping surface.

It should be noted that, in the case in which there are only two lateral fins, they are preferably joined to the same panel, of the front panels 601 or rear panels 602; however, in a possible variant made not shown, it is provided that the first and second side flaps 603 A, 603B side are joined to the front panel 601 and the other to the rear panel 602, on opposite sides.

In an example of embodiment (regardless of the number of lateral fins, relating in particular to octagonal packets), each lateral fin 603 A, 603 B, 603C, 603 D of the reinforcement blank 6 has at least a first segment and a second segment between them joined along a longitudinal fold line 608. In other words, each side flap 603A, 603B, 603C, 603D is interrupted or crossed by one or more longitudinal folding lines 608, which divide the side flap into two or more segments that can be tilted together by folding.

Still in an embodiment example relating in particular to octagonal packets (regardless of the number of side flaps), preferably, the base 604 of the reinforcement blank 6 has the short sides 605B spaced apart by an amount greater than the transverse width of the front and rear panels 601 , 602; therefore, the base 604 has lateral portions projecting laterally with respect to the lateral edges defined by the portions of the front and rear panels 601, 602 facing towards the base 604.

In case the package is sharp-edged, the short sides 605B are spaced by an amount equal to the transverse width of the front and rear panels 601, 602.

Operationally, these segments of the side fins 603A, 603B, 603 C, 603 D define, for each side wall 503 of the reinforcing element 5, the main side 511A (arranged perpendicular to the front and rear walls) and the connecting sides 511B, inclined with respect to the main side 511 A and to the corresponding front 501 or rear 502 walls of the reinforcing element 5.

It should also be noted that the front panel 601 has, at an end opposite the base 604, a flare 609 (of trapezoidal shape) to define the flare 506 of the front wall 501 of the reinforcing element 5.

It should also be noted that the rear panel 602 has, at one end opposite the base 604, an arched (hollowed) profile 610 which turns the concavity outwards, in the opposite direction with respect to the base 604, to define the transverse arched edge 513 of the front wall 501 of the reinforcing element 5.

The present description also relates to a packing machine 100. The packing machine 100 is designed to pack in the packet 1 the group 3 of cigarettes 2, or other smoking articles having a first and a second end and an elongated shape along a longitudinal direction.

The packing machine 100 has a first wrapping section 7 and a second wrapping section 8; moreover, preferably, the packing machine 100 also has a third wrapping section 9.

The first wrapping section 7 is designed to receive reinforcement blanks 6 (for example in stacks of blanks arranged one on top of the other) and cigarettes 2 (for example loose, coming from a cigarette manufacturing machine 2).

The first wrapping section 7 is configured to form the reinforcing elements 5, starting from the planar reinforcement blanks 6.

The first wrapping section 7 is configured to couple the reinforcing elements 5 to corresponding groups 3 of cigarettes 2.

The first wrapping section 7 is preferably configured to form the groups 3 of cigarettes 2, for example by means of a system of hoppers 701 cooperating with a conveyor 702 equipped with a plurality of pockets 703.

A plurality of cigarettes 2, equal in number to that constituting group 3 (for example 20 cigarettes 2), is extracted from the hoppers 701 and introduced into one of the pockets 703; inside the pocket 703, the plurality of cigarettes 2 is transported to an area in which an extractor element 704 is active.

The first wrapping section 7 preferably comprises a plurality of sleeves 705 (mandrels) designed to receive the groups 3 of cigarettes 2 from the corresponding pockets 703, by means of the action of the extractor element 704.

Each 705 sleeve has an entrance and an exit. Sleeve 705 has a thin (side) wall, for example two millimeters. The sleeve 705 has a rectangular or substantially rectangular section, equal or similar in size to that of the pocket 703, to receive to size the group 3 of cigarettes 2 advanced longitudinally through the inlet of the sleeve 705, in the direction of the outlet of the sleeve 705 itself.

The group 3 of cigarettes is advanced inside the sleeve 705 until the first end 301 of the group of cigarettes 2 (ie the first ends 201 without the filters 203) is positioned flush with the outlet of the pocket 705.

In an exemplary embodiment, the sleeves 705 and the pockets 703 are defined by a first and a second section, respectively, of the same elements connected to the conveyor 702, which have a greater longitudinal extension than the overall length of a cigarette 2. In this case, the cigarettes 2 are inserted in the first section of the element, constituting the pocket 703, while a reinforcing blank 6 is coupled to the second section of the element, constituting the sleeve 705.

In another embodiment, the sleeves 705 are distinct elements with respect to the pockets 703; in this case, the sleeves 705 are preferably connected to their own conveyor, to be moved along their own path.

In this case (in which sleeves 705 and pockets 703 are distinct and movable along their own handling paths), the first wrapping section 7 preferably comprises one or more centering elements (not shown), designed to manipulate the reinforcement blanks 6 to align the base 604 of the reinforcement blank 6 with the outlet of the sleeve 705, so that the outlet end of the sleeve 705 rests in contact with the base 604 of the reinforcement blank 6.

The first wrapping section 7 preferably comprises a folding unit (not illustrated), designed to fold the reinforcement blank 6 onto the outer surface of the sleeve 705 (or a portion thereof).

In an example of embodiment, the folding assembly has first folding elements, configured to fold the front panel 601 and the rear panel 602 of the reinforcement blank 6 in direct contact with corresponding external surfaces of the sleeve 705 and therefore in indirect contact with the assembly 3 of cigarettes 2, which is in contact with corresponding inner surfaces of the sleeve 705,

Similarly, the folding assembly has second folding elements, for folding the lateral flaps 603A, 603 B, 603 C, 603 D of the reinforcement blank 6 around the corresponding longitudinal folding lines 607, in direct contact with corresponding external surfaces of the sleeve 705 and therefore in indirect contact with the group 3 of cigarettes 2, which is in contact with corresponding internal surfaces of the sleeve 705.

Furthermore, the first wrapping section 7 preferably comprises gluing elements (not shown, including for example hot glue dispensing nozzles) configured to apply adhesive material to at least one surface of the reinforcing blank 6 (for example on a surface of the side flaps). , to stably join the front and rear panels 601, 602 of the reinforcement blank 6 through the lateral fins 603A, 603B, 603 C, 603 D, in the first zone 303 of the group 3 of cigarettes 2.

Preferably, the pocket 705 has a longitudinal extension greater than the (longitudinal) length of the cigarettes 2, or greater than the overall (longitudinal) length of the reinforcing element 5, or rather of the front and rear panels 601, 602 of the reinforcement blank. This allows the sleeve 705 to be held in position while the reinforcement blank 6 is folded over a portion (which occupies all four sides and surrounds the group 3 of cigarettes 2) of the outer surface of the sleeve itself.

Furthermore, the first wrapping section 7 preferably comprises pusher elements (not shown) configured to push the group 3 of cigarettes longitudinally in a direction from the second end 302 to the first end 301 of the group 3 of cigarettes 2, pressing against the second end 302. During this thrust, the sleeve 705 is kept longitudinally stationary or is moved relative to the group 3 of cigarettes 2 in the opposite direction.

In this way, the group 3 of cigarettes is extracted from the sleeve 705 keeping with the first end 301 in contact with the base 604 of the reinforcing blank 6, or with the bottom wall 504 of the reinforcing element 5, and progressively coming to contact with the front and rear panels 601, 602 and with the side fins 603 of the reinforcing blank 6, or with the front and rear walls 501, 502 and with the side walls 503 of the reinforcing element 5.

Therefore, the first wrapping section 7 makes available at the outlet a succession of (single) articles, each formed by a group 3 of cigarettes with a corresponding reinforcing element 5 externally coupled.

The second wrapping section 8 is preferably of the flow-pack type, according to a technology known per se in the sector and therefore not described in detail and illustrated only schematically.

The second wrapping section 8 receives at its input the succession of articles constituted by the groups of cigarettes with the reinforcing elements coupled therein and is configured to enclose the individual articles inside respective sealed wrappers 4, made with a film 801 of thermoplastic material .

The second wrapping section 8 makes the groups 3 of cigarettes available at the outlet, individually wrapped in the sealed wrapping 4 containing the reinforcement element 5 inside.

The third section 9 of wrapping is configured to make a wrapper 11 external to the sealed wrapping. For example, the third section 9 of wrapping is configured to create a rigid box-like body containing the sealed wrapping 4 and equipped with a lid 12 hinged to the box-like body itself. The third wrapping section 9 exploits a technology known per se in the field and is not described further.

Therefore, the present description also provides a method for making a pack 1 of cigarettes 2 or other smoking articles having a first and a second end and an elongated shape along a longitudinal direction.

The method comprises a step of preparing a reinforcement blank 6, preferably made according to one or more of the characteristics described above, and of forming the reinforcing element 5 starting from the reinforcement blank 6.

The method also comprises the coupling of the reinforcing element 5 (already formed either at the end of the forming or during its formation) to the group 3 of cigarettes, to completely surround it on a lateral surface thereof in a second zone 303 and to cover it at least in the first end 301 (preferably also in the larger rectangular outer surfaces of the group 3 of cigarettes 2).

The method also provides for the creation of a sealed package 4 containing the group 3 of cigarettes and the reinforcement element 5 coupled therein, by means of the film 801 of thermoplastic material having the opening for the extraction of cigarettes closed by the sealant panel 402.

Claims (6)

R I V E N D I C A Z I O N I 1) Packet (1) of cigarettes (2) or other smoking articles having a first and a second ends (201, 202) and an elongated shape along a longitudinal direction, comprising: - a group (3) of cigarettes having a first area (303), facing the first end of the cigarettes (2), and a second area (304), spaced longitudinally with respect to the first area (303) and facing the second end of the cigarettes (2); - a sealed package (4) enclosing the group (3) of cigarettes, made of a film (401) of thermoplastic material and having an opening for the extraction of cigarettes (2); - a sealing panel (402), applied to the opening of the sealed wrapping (4); - a reinforcing element (5), made of thin cardboard, positioned inside the package (4) sealed in contact with the group (3) of cigarettes to surround it at least in part, and having a front wall (501), a rear wall (502), two side walls (503) and a bottom wall (504) in contact with the first end (201) of the cigarettes (2), characterized in that the reinforcing element (5), in the second zone (304) of the group (3) of cigarettes, surrounds the group (3) of cigarettes in a ring and, in the first zone (303) of the group (3) of cigarettes, defines side openings (509). 2) Package (1) according to claim 1, wherein the bottom wall (504) of the reinforcing element (5) is joined only to the front wall (501) and the rear wall (502) of the reinforcing element ( 5) same. 3) Package (1) according to claim 1 or 2, in which the front wall (501) and the rear wall (502) of the reinforcing element (5) are elongated along the entire longitudinal extent of the cigarettes (2) , in which the front wall (501) has a flare (506) to facilitate the extraction of the cigarettes (2), positioned in the second zone (304) of the group (3) of cigarettes. 4) Package (1) according to any of the preceding claims, in which the lateral openings (509) of the reinforcing element (5) extend for at least half of an overall longitudinal extension of the reinforcing element (5). 5) Package (1) according to any of the preceding claims, in which the reinforcing element (5), in the second area (304) of the group (3) of cigarettes, has joining points made using adhesive material. 6) Package (1) according to claim 5, wherein said joining points are positioned in the side walls (503), 7) Package (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein said connection points are positioned in the front wall (501) or in the rear wall (502), 8) Package (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which each side wall (503) of the reinforcing element (5) has a main side (511 A), arranged perpendicular to the front (501) and rear (502) walls , and a first and a second connecting side (511B) inclined with respect to the main side (511A), in which each of said first and a second connecting side (511B) is joined along longitudinal edges to the corresponding main side (511A) and to the front wall (501) or to the rear wall (502). 9) Package (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the side walls (503) of the reinforcing element (5) are positioned at a maximum mutual distance greater than a maximum transverse extension of the front wall (501) and of the wall rear (502). 10) Method for making a packet (1) of cigarettes (2) or other smoking articles having a first and a second end (201, 202) and an elongated shape along a longitudinal direction, comprising the following steps: - preparation of a reinforcement blank (6) made of thin and foldable cardboard to form a reinforcing element (5); - coupling the reinforcing element (5) to a group (3) of cigarettes to surround it at least in part, with a bottom wall (504) of the reinforcing element (5) in contact with the first end (201) of the cigarettes (2) ; - making, by means of a film (401) of thermoplastic material having an opening for extracting the cigarettes (2) closed by a sealing panel (402), of a sealed wrapping (4) containing the group (3) of cigarettes and the reinforcing element (5) coupled therein, characterized in that the reinforcing element (5) is coupled to the group (3) of cigarettes so that it surrounds it in a ring in a second zone (304) of the group (3 ) of cigarettes facing the second end (202) of the cigarettes (2), and leaving it uncovered at the side openings (509) of the reinforcing element (5) itself, in a first zone (303) of the group (3) of cigarettes facing the first end (201) of the cigarettes (2). 11) Method according to claim 10, wherein the reinforcing blank (6) has: - a base (604) having two short sides (605B) and two long sides (605 A); - a front panel (601) and a rear panel (602) joined to respective long sides (605A) of the base (604) along fold lines (606); - at least a first and a second lateral flap (603 A, 603B) joined to the front panel (601) or to the rear panel (602) along corresponding longitudinal fold lines (607) positioned in a section of the side edges of the front panel (601 ) or rear (602) spaced longitudinally with respect to the base (604), and in which, in the coupling of the reinforcing element (5) to the group (3) of cigarettes: - the base (604) of the blank (6) is placed in contact with the first ends (201) of the cigarettes (2) to form a bottom wall (504) of the reinforcing element (5); - the front (601) and rear (602) panels are placed in contact with the group (3) of cigarettes on opposite and parallel surfaces thereof to form a front wall (501) and a rear wall (502) of the reinforcement (5), respectively; - said at least one first and second lateral tab (603A, 603 B) are folded along the respective longitudinal fold lines (607) to form side walls (503) of the reinforcing element (5) and surround the group (3) of cigarettes ring-shaped in said second zone (304) of the group (3) of cigarettes. 12) Method according to claim 11, comprising a step of applying hot glue to said at least one first and second lateral tab (603A, 603B) to close the reinforcing element (5) in a ring around said second zone (304 ) of group (3) of cigarettes. 13) Method according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the reinforcing blank (6) has: - a first and a second lateral flap (603A, 603B) joined to the front panel (601) along corresponding longitudinal fold lines (607) positioned in a section of lateral edges of the front panel (601) spaced longitudinally with respect to the base (604) ; - a third and a fourth lateral flap (603 C, 603D) joined to the rear panel (602) along corresponding longitudinal fold lines (607) positioned in a portion of the lateral edges of the rear panel (602) spaced longitudinally with respect to the base (604 ), in which the first and third tabs (603A, 603 C) are superimposed at least in part and concur to form a corresponding side wall of the side walls (503) of the reinforcing element (5), and the second and fourth fin (603B, 603 D) are superimposed at least in part and concur to form another corresponding side wall of the side walls (503) of the reinforcing element (5). 14) Method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein each side flap of the reinforcing blank (6) has at least a first and a second segment joined together along a longitudinal fold line (608), to define, for each side wall (503) of the reinforcing element (5), a main side (511A) of the reinforcing element (5), arranged perpendicular to the front (501) and rear (502) walls, and at least a first side of connection (511 B) inclined with respect to the main side and joined along longitudinal edges to the corresponding main side (511A) and to the front wall (501) or to the rear wall (502) of the reinforcement element (5). 15) Packing machine (100) for packing in a packet (1) a group (3) of cigarettes (2) or other smoking articles having a first and a second end (201, 202) and an elongated shape along a longitudinal direction , comprising: - a first section of wrapping (7), arranged to be fed with reinforcement blanks (6) in thin cardboard and with cigarettes (2) and configured to form reinforcing elements (5) coupled to corresponding groups (3) of cigarettes for surround them at least in part; - a second section of wrapping (8), of the fi ow-pack type, designed to be fed with a succession of articles consisting of groups (3) of cigarettes with the reinforcing elements (5) coupled therein and configured to enclose the individual items inside a sealed package (4) made of a film (801) of thermoplastic material and equipped with an opening for the extraction of cigarettes (2) and a sealing panel (402) applied to the opening of the sealed wrapping (4) itself; - a third section of wrapping (9), configured to form a rigid box-like body (11) containing said sealed wrapping (4) and equipped with a lid (12) hinged to the box-like body (11) itself, characterized by the fact that the first wrapping section (7) includes: - a centering device configured to position a base of the reinforcing blank (6) in alignment with the first end (201) of the cigarettes (2) of the group (3) of cigarettes; - a folding assembly having first folding elements, configured to fold a front panel (601) and a rear panel (602) of the reinforcing blank (6) in contact with the group (3) of cigarettes, and second folding elements, for folding at least a first and a second lateral flap (603 A, 603B) of the reinforcing blank (6) around corresponding longitudinal fold lines (607); - gluing elements configured to apply adhesive material on at least one surface of the side flaps (603A, 603B), to stably join the front (601) and rear (602) panels of the reinforcement blank (6) through the side flaps (603A, 603 B), in a second zone (304) of the group (3) of cigarettes spaced longitudinally from the base (604) of the reinforcement blank (6) and facing the second end (202) of the cigarettes (2) of the group (3) of cigarettes.