The invention relates to a cuboidal pack, in particular a cigarette pack, with an outer wrapper made of film, and with an open-ended tear-open thread or a weakened line fitted on the outer wrapper. The invention also relates to a process and to an apparatus for producing packaging material configured in the aforementioned manner.
Packs of different shapes and forms are frequently provided, in order to protect the pack contents, with an outer wrapper made of film or of a comparable packaging material. In order to open the pack or the outer wrapper, the latter is frequently provided with a tear-open thread or tear-open strip, which is fastened on the outer wrapper by adhesive bonding or sealing. This outer wrapper can be severed, and thus removed, by virtue of the tear-open thread being gripped at a grip end.
The invention is concerned with such packs, to be precise, in particular with cigarette packs configured as a cuboidal rigid pack (made of thin cardboard).
The object of the invention is to fit a tear-open thread or tear-open strip, or a weakened line, on the outer wrapper of a pack such that, when the tear-open thread or weakened line is actuated, the entire outer wrapper is reliably removed.
In order to achieve this object, the pack according to the invention is characterized in that the tear-open thread or the weakened line, in the region of the large-surface-area front wall and/or rear wall, extends at an oblique or approximately diagonal direction from one (bottom) pack corner to a diagonally opposite (top) pack corner.
The (more or less) diagonal course taken by the tear-open thread or the weakened line in the region of at least one of the large-surface-area pack walls ensures that the outer wrapper is optimally severed when the pack is opened for the first time, with the result that the remaining parts of the wrapper can easily be drawn off from the pack corners. The invention is thus suitable, in particular, for cigarette packs of the hinge-lid-box type with shrink film as the outer wrapper.
A special feature is the weakened line of the outer wrapper, which is configured as a film or the like. This line forms a weakening of the wall thickness of the packaging material while maintaining its tightness. The film can be easily severed in the region of the linear material weakening. As an option, this feature can incorporate a double line, i.e. two parallel weakened lines, which define a material strip of the film that can be stripped away or a single weakened line, which can be severed manually for opening the wrapper.
The tear-open thread or the weakened line is preferably arranged such that a transverse, rectilinear section is formed in the region of the narrow, upright side surfaces, to be precise adjacent to an end wall, on the one hand, and to a base wall, on the other hand, and that, by means of these sections, diagonal sections of the front wall and rear wall, these running in the same direction in each case, are connected to one another.
One special feature is the production of a (film) web with a continuous tear-open thread or tear-open strip, or with a continuous weakened line, and of blanks for outer wrappers. According to a particular embodiment, the tear-open thread or tear-open strip, or the weakened line, is applied to the material web, made of film, paper or the like, during continuous transportation of the same, the tear-open thread being moved by precisely controlled thread guides, in accordance with the thread configuration which is to be produced, transversely to the conveying direction of the (film) web.
According to another important embodiment, thread sections, that is to say tear-open threads or tear-open strips which are completed in terms of shape and length, are applied to the continuous (film) web. The tear-open strips are severed from a thread web by a contoured cut and positioned on the web directly in accordance with the position of a blank for the outer wrapper.
The apparatus according to the invention for applying a continuous tear-open thread or tear-open strip to a continuously moving web has a particular guide element for the tear-open thread, namely with a guide roller. This has a double function, that is to say it serves for positioning the tear-open thread on the web and, at the same time, as a guide element. The guide roller is moved, by a controlled gear mechanism, in the direction transverse to the web or transverse to the conveying direction of the same, with the result that the tear-open thread is transferred onto the web in a curved configuration. It is also the case that the operation of driving the tear-open thread, which is drawn off from a thread reel, is controlled with account being taken of the relative movement between, on the one hand, the web, which is preferably conveyed continuously and at uniform speed, and, on the other hand, the tear-open thread.
The apparatus according to the invention for applying contoured thread sections or complete tear-open threads has a contoured, that is to say curved, severing cutout by means of which in each operating cycle, during a momentary standstill of the web or of a web section, a tear-open thread which is shaped according to the invention is cut off from a transversely fed thread web and positioned precisely on the (film) web, to be precise in the region of a blank which is to be cut off from the latter.
Both processes and apparatuses are expediently set up for double-web operation.
Further details of the pack according to the invention, of the process for producing the outer wrapper, and of the apparatus are explained more specifically hereinbelow with reference to the patent drawings, in which:
and
The drawings shows cigarette packs as the preferred application cases, to be precise a hinge-lid box 10 (hinge-lid pack) and a multipack for cigarette packs, namely a cigarette multipack 11 (
A blank 12, 13 for forming the outer wrapper comprises a front wall 14, rear wall 15 and side walls 16, 17. The blanks 12, 13 also form end walls 18 and a base wall 19 (hinge-lid box 10). The side wall 16 is positioned as a continuous material strip between the front wall 14 and rear wall 15, while the opposite side wall 17 comprises an outer side flap 20 and an inner side flap 21. The two side flaps 20, 21 overlap one another and are connected to one another by sealing or adhesive bonding. The end wall 18 and base wall 19 comprise end flaps 22, 23 which extend over the entire length of the blank 12, 13.
The resulting blank 12, 13, in a first folding step, is folded in a U-shaped manner, as is known, around the pack, namely hinge-lid box 10 or cigarette multipack 11. The side flaps 20, 21, which initially project beyond the pack, are folded one after the other, with partial overlapping (
In order to open the pack unit or the outer wrapper, a tear-open thread 24 pursuant to
The tear-open thread 24 is fitted on the blank 12, 13 in a particular configuration, such that the outer wrapper is severed essentially diagonally in the region of the large-surface-area pack sides by the cut-off tear-open thread 24. This allows corner caps of the outer wrapper which are formed to be easily drawn off diagonally.
The (single-piece) tear-open thread 24 is positioned on the blank 12, 13 such that, in the region of the front wall 14, on the one hand, and of the rear wall 15, on the other hand, it follows a more or less diagonal course (in a common imaginary diagonal plane). Accordingly, thread sections 26, 27 extend approximately from one bottom pack corner 28 to the diagonally opposite pack corner 29. In the case of the actual example, the thread section 26, 27 runs at a small distance in each case from the relevant pack corner 28, 29, and thus from the base 19, on the one hand, and the end wall 18, on the other hand. In the region adjacent to these pack corners 28, 29, that is to say at the ends of the thread sections 26, 27 in each case, the tear-open thread forms a rounded portion 30 as a transition into transversely directed, rectilinear thread sections 31, 32. A continuous thread section 31 extends, in the region of the single-piece side wall 16, transversely beyond the latter and directly adjacent to, and above, the base wall 19. The other thread section 32 extends in the top region—adjacent to the end wall 18 and beneath the same—in the region of the side wall 17. This thread section 32 comprises two partially overlapping sub-sections. Accordingly, the tear-open thread is arranged such that its ends overlap. In the region of the outer side flap 20, a grip tab 25 is provided on the segment of the thread section 32.
One special feature is the production of the blanks 12, 13 from a continuous web 33, from which blanks 12, 13 are cut off along a severing cut 68 in a blank subassembly 34 of the packaging machine (
The operation of applying the tear-open thread 24 to the continuous web 33 involves a process-related and equipment-related special feature. The tear-open thread 24 is transferred to the web 33 by a guide element, in the present case by a rotating guide roller 35, the latter being fitted on a mount. The tear-open thread 24 is fed such that a sufficient thread section butts against the circumference of the guide roller 35. The latter can be moved transversely to the continuously conveyed web 33 by a particular, controlled gear mechanism such that the tear-open thread 24 is applied to the web 33 so as to follow a course which is shown in
An apparatus for applying the tear-open thread 24 to the web 33 is expediently a constituent part of the packaging machine (
The tear-open thread 24 is drawn off from a thread reel 40. The tear-open thread 24 is expediently provided with adhesive on one side, namely on the side which is directed toward the web 33. The thread reel 40 is driven in rotation, to be precise, in the case of this example, with a constant conveying speed of the drawn-off tear-open thread 24. The tear-open thread is guided over compensating rollers 41, which can be moved relative to one another and bring about conveying compensation to the tear-open thread 24 during start-up and stoppage of the packaging machine, that is to say in operating situations which differ from the standard operating procedure.
The actual thread subassembly comprises two gear units 42, 43. The gear unit 42 serves for compensating for the conveying speed of the tear-open thread 24 on account of the relative movement between the web 33 and tear-open thread 24. The gear unit 43 executes the controlled transverse movements of the transfer element, that is to say of the guide roller 35, for the tear-open thread 24.
With a constant drawing-off speed of the tear-open thread 24 in the region of the thread reel 40, the gear unit 42 has to provide an increased conveying speed of the tear-open thread 24 during formation of the thread section 26 and 27. In the region of the thread sections 31 and 32, the conveying speed of the tear-open thread 24 essentially corresponds to that of the web 33.
The gear unit 42 forms an alternating thread-length supply which, at increased conveying speed, is reduced and, at the lower conveying speed, is built up again. This thread supply comprises a thread loop as a result of deflection about a movable dancer roller 44. The latter is fitted in a displaceable manner on a carrier 45, namely in a slot guide 46. Two further, fixed deflector rollers 47, 48 for the tear-open thread are fitted on the carrier 45. The dancer roller 44 is mounted centrally between the deflecting rollers 47, 48, albeit in an offset manner in relation to the same, with the result that, when the dancer roller 44 is displaced, the distance from the deflecting rollers 47, 48 increases or decreases.
The dancer roller 44 is controlled in precise correspondence with the movement sequence of the web 33 and tear-open thread 24. For this purpose, the dancer roller 44 is assigned a servomotor 49 as drive element. This is connected to the dancer roller 44 via a gear mechanism, to be precise via a crank mechanism 50.
The gear unit 43 controls the movements of the guide roller 35, to be precise doubly so: on the one hand, in respect of the necessary movements of the guide roller 35 transverse to the web 33 and, on the other hand, in respect of the correct angle position of the guide roller 35 such that the latter is aligned with the angle position of the tear-open thread 24 in relation to the web 33.
The guide roller 35 is fitted on a transversely movable carrier, namely on a guide carriage 53, for the transverse movement. This guide carriage can be displaced on a transverse guide 54. Driving takes place via a tie rod 55, which may be driven by a servomotor or is controlled, via a supporting roller, by a cam.
The guide roller 35 is fastened on the guide carriage 53 by way of a carrying component 56, that is to say it is mounted on the carrying component 56 by way of a fork-like, pivotable mount 57. The mount 57 can be rotated or pivoted with the guide roller 35 about an axis, namely transversely to the axis of the guide roller 35. It is thus possible for the guide roller 35 to assume different angle positions. Fitted beneath the carrying component 56 is a pivoting gear mechanism, which comprises a connecting rod 58 which is connected to a pivoting arm 60 of the mount 57 via an articulation 59. It is also the case that the control of the connecting rod 58 is not shown here, and it takes place analogously to the control of the tie rod 55, such that the guide roller 35 is always oriented in the feed direction of the tear-open thread 24.
The guide roller 35 is of particular design, with the result that it can perform a double function, that is to say, on the one hand, that of guiding the tear-open thread 24 and, on the other hand, that of pressing the same onto the web 33. This is because the guide roller 35 has lateral elevations which do not take effect in the region where the tear-open thread 24 butts against the web 33. For this purpose, the guide roller 35 comprises three individual rollers 61, 62, 63. The central individual roller 62 accommodates the tear-open thread 24 on the circumference, while the lateral individual rollers 61, 63 perform the function of flanged wheels. The individual rollers 61, 62, 63 can be rotated independently of one another and are mounted on a fixed carrying spindle 64 by means of rolling-contact bearings. The carrying spindle 64 comprises offset sections, in a manner similar to a crankshaft. The individual rollers 61, 62, 63 are arranged such that the central individual roller 62 rotates centrally in relation to an imaginary axis, while the lateral individual rollers 61, 63 rotate in an offset manner, with the result that, in the region where the tear-open thread 24 is transferred to the web 33, the individual rollers 61, 62, 63 always have their circumferential surfaces aligned in a circumferential plane (
In order that the tear-open thread 24 achieves a sufficient region of wrap around the guide roller 35, a supporting roller 36 is fitted beneath the guide roller, namely beneath the carrying component 56, and deflects the tear-open thread 24 to a slight extent, and guides it, in relation to the guide roller 35.
The conveying movement of the tear-open thread 24 in the region of transfer to the web 33 is achieved by the conveying speed of the web 33. The latter draws along the tear-open thread 24 with it as a result of the adhesive connection. The transfer of the tear-open thread 24 to the web 33 takes place in the region of a deflecting roller 65 of the web 33. The guide roller 35 butts against the same. The deflecting roller 65 is mounted in an elastic manner, namely on a pivoting arm 66, which is loaded in the direction of the guide roller 35 by a compression spring 67.
In the case of the present example, the packaging machine and its subassemblies are set up for double-web operation. The (double-width) web 33 comprises two blank webs. Accordingly, the thread unit 39 is set up for the operation of fitting two tear-open threads 24 at the same time. Correspondingly, two identically equipped thread reels 40 are also provided, that is to say are arranged one above the other. The rest of the elements of the thread unit 39 and/or of the gear units 42 and 43 are set to processing of the two tear-open threads 24 either by appropriate dimensioning or by being provided in a double arrangement. In particular, two guide rollers 35 are thus provided, these being actuated and/or adjusted simultaneously by common elements.
The cigarette multipack 11 according to
It is also possible for the tear-open thread 24 or tear-open strip to be produced in sections and fed to an individual blank 12 or the web 33 made of film or the like (
Since the tear-open thread 24 of the present contour is produced in complete form, other configurations are also possible, in particular without rounded portions 30, that is to say, for example, in zigzag form or with different corners.
The thread unit 39 for producing and fitting tear-open threads 24 in
The thread web 71, 72 is fed to a cutting block 73 of the thread unit 39 transversely to the web 33. The thread cutter 69, 70 can be moved up and down within the cutting block 73. A leading end of the thread web 71, 72 is held ready as a projection, corresponding to the width of the tear-open thread 24 which is to be cut off, within the cutting block 73. The thread web 71, 72, within the cutting block 73, runs in a slot-like guide 74 and/or between a top and bottom guide roller 75, 76. For the severing cut, the thread cutter 69, 70 is moved upward out of a bottom, starting position (
The thread cutter 69, 70 feeds the cut-off tear-open thread 24, as (upward) movement continues, directly to the web 33 and positions the tear-open thread 24 on the underside of the web 33 and presses it against the same (
The web 33 is conveyed throughout the cutting block 73 in a (top) guide slot 80. On the side located opposite to the severing cutter 69, 70, an (elastic) pressure-exerting component 81 is formed in the cutting block 73 as an abutment when the tear-open thread 24 is pressed on. The pressure-exerting component 81 may be heated in order for the tear-open thread 24 to be attached by sealing.
It is also the case with this exemplary embodiment that the web 33 is conveyed continuously. A web section 82 in the region of thread unit 39 and/or of the cutting block 73, however, is controlled such that a temporary standstill takes place, that is to say as the tear-open thread 24 is being fitted. For this purpose, the web 33 is guided via two pivotably mounted compensating pendulum arrangements 83, 84 which can be moved back and forth synchronously. This mechanism, which is known per se, brings about a momentary standstill of the web section 82 despite essentially continuous driving operation.
The contoured bars 85 as carriers of the thread cutters 69, 70 have their ends fitted on a (horizontal) carrying arm 86 in each case. The latter is mounted in a machine framework and can be moved up and down in a slot 87, in order to allow the operation of severing the tear-open strip 24 and of feeding the same to the web 33.
The apparatus which is illustrated in
A particular alternative to the described exemplary embodiments with a tear-open strip is shown in
In the exemplary embodiment pursuant to
In the laser-assisted production of the weakened lines 89, 90 or 91, the web 33, which is conveyed in the longitudinal direction preferably in a continuous manner, has above it a laser which can be moved transversely relative to the web 33 in a controlled manner and in agreement with the conveying movement of the web 33 such that is the desired formation of the weakened lines 89, 90, 91 is generated. The device for moving the laser head can be configured analogously to
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
101 45 412 | Sep 2001 | DE | national |
101 60 025 | Dec 2001 | DE | national |
This is a Continuation-in-Part of application Ser. No. 10/489,356 filed Mar. 24, 2005, which is a National Stage Entry, filed on Mar. 12, 2004 of PCT/EP02/10240 filed on Sep. 12, 2002. The entire disclosure of the prior application Ser. No. 10/489,356 is hereby incorporated by reference.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2342646 | Crommey | Feb 1944 | A |
20050269220 | Focke et al. | Dec 2005 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
88 02 205 | Apr 1988 | DE |
297 00 830 | Mar 1997 | DE |
297 15 546 | Jan 1999 | DE |
343 857 | Nov 1989 | EP |
395 249 | Oct 1990 | EP |
601 583 | Jun 1994 | EP |
2 127 136 | Jan 1972 | FR |
56-038075 | Apr 1981 | JP |
56-088668 | Jul 1981 | JP |
58-049789 | Apr 1983 | JP |
02-028419 | Feb 1990 | JP |
02-032943 | Feb 1990 | JP |
04-035561 | Mar 1992 | JP |
04-253655 | Sep 1992 | JP |
08-164926 | Jun 1996 | JP |
WO 03 024834 | Mar 2003 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20050269220 A1 | Dec 2005 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 10489356 | US | |
Child | 11137496 | US |