WO2025253238A1 - Unité d'emballage et procédé de production, conjointement, de deux paquets scellés contenant deux groupes correspondants d'articles à fumer - Google Patents

Unité d'emballage et procédé de production, conjointement, de deux paquets scellés contenant deux groupes correspondants d'articles à fumer

Info

Publication number
WO2025253238A1
WO2025253238A1 PCT/IB2025/055525 IB2025055525W WO2025253238A1 WO 2025253238 A1 WO2025253238 A1 WO 2025253238A1 IB 2025055525 W IB2025055525 W IB 2025055525W WO 2025253238 A1 WO2025253238 A1 WO 2025253238A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
wrapping
sheets
transverse heat
heat seals
smoking articles
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
PCT/IB2025/055525
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Stefano Sarti
Michele Squarzoni
Quintino MARRONE
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
GD SpA
Original Assignee
GD SpA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by GD SpA filed Critical GD SpA
Publication of WO2025253238A1 publication Critical patent/WO2025253238A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B19/00—Packaging rod-shaped or tubular articles susceptible to damage by abrasion or pressure, e.g. cigarettes, cigars, macaroni, spaghetti, drinking straws or welding electrodes
    • B65B19/02—Packaging cigarettes
    • B65B19/22—Wrapping the cigarettes; Packaging the cigarettes in containers formed by folding wrapping material around formers
    • B65B19/223—Wrapping the cigarettes; Packaging the cigarettes in containers formed by folding wrapping material around formers in a curved path; in a combination of straight and curved paths, e.g. on rotary tables or other endless conveyors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/18—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated tools
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/78—Means for handling the parts to be joined, e.g. for making containers or hollow articles, e.g. means for handling sheets, plates, web-like materials, tubular articles, hollow articles or elements to be joined therewith; Means for discharging the joined articles from the joining apparatus
    • B29C65/7858—Means for handling the parts to be joined, e.g. for making containers or hollow articles, e.g. means for handling sheets, plates, web-like materials, tubular articles, hollow articles or elements to be joined therewith; Means for discharging the joined articles from the joining apparatus characterised by the feeding movement of the parts to be joined
    • B29C65/7879—Means for handling the parts to be joined, e.g. for making containers or hollow articles, e.g. means for handling sheets, plates, web-like materials, tubular articles, hollow articles or elements to be joined therewith; Means for discharging the joined articles from the joining apparatus characterised by the feeding movement of the parts to be joined said parts to be joined moving in a closed path, e.g. a rectangular path
    • B29C65/7882—Means for handling the parts to be joined, e.g. for making containers or hollow articles, e.g. means for handling sheets, plates, web-like materials, tubular articles, hollow articles or elements to be joined therewith; Means for discharging the joined articles from the joining apparatus characterised by the feeding movement of the parts to be joined said parts to be joined moving in a closed path, e.g. a rectangular path said parts to be joined moving in a circular path
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/13—Single flanged joints; Fin-type joints; Single hem joints; Edge joints; Interpenetrating fingered joints; Other specific particular designs of joint cross-sections not provided for in groups B29C66/11 - B29C66/12
    • B29C66/133—Fin-type joints, the parts to be joined being flexible
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/40—General aspects of joining substantially flat articles, e.g. plates, sheets or web-like materials; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles; Joining single elements to substantially flat surfaces
    • B29C66/41—Joining substantially flat articles ; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles
    • B29C66/43—Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles
    • B29C66/431—Joining the articles to themselves
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/814—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/8141—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/81431—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined comprising a single cavity, e.g. a groove
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/814—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/8145—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the constructional aspects of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/81463—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the constructional aspects of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps comprising a plurality of single pressing elements, e.g. a plurality of sonotrodes, or comprising a plurality of single counter-pressing elements, e.g. a plurality of anvils, said plurality of said single elements being suitable for making a single joint
    • B29C66/81465—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the constructional aspects of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps comprising a plurality of single pressing elements, e.g. a plurality of sonotrodes, or comprising a plurality of single counter-pressing elements, e.g. a plurality of anvils, said plurality of said single elements being suitable for making a single joint one placed behind the other in a single row in the feed direction
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/83—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools
    • B29C66/832—Reciprocating joining or pressing tools
    • B29C66/8322—Joining or pressing tools reciprocating along one axis
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/84—Specific machine types or machines suitable for specific applications
    • B29C66/843—Machines for making separate joints at the same time in different planes; Machines for making separate joints at the same time mounted in parallel or in series
    • B29C66/8432—Machines for making separate joints at the same time mounted in parallel or in series
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/84—Specific machine types or machines suitable for specific applications
    • B29C66/849—Packaging machines
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B19/00—Packaging rod-shaped or tubular articles susceptible to damage by abrasion or pressure, e.g. cigarettes, cigars, macaroni, spaghetti, drinking straws or welding electrodes
    • B65B19/02—Packaging cigarettes
    • B65B19/025—Packaging cigarettes in webs of flexible sheet material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B51/00—Devices for, or methods of, sealing or securing package folds or closures; Devices for gathering or twisting wrappers, or necks of bags
    • B65B51/10—Applying or generating heat or pressure or combinations thereof
    • B65B51/14—Applying or generating heat or pressure or combinations thereof by reciprocating or oscillating members
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B65/00—Details peculiar to packaging machines and not otherwise provided for; Arrangements of such details
    • B65B65/003—Packaging lines, e.g. general layout
    • B65B65/006—Multiple parallel packaging lines
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/7414—Smokers'' requisites, e.g. pipe cleaners
    • B29L2031/7416—Smokers'' requisites, e.g. pipe cleaners for cigars or cigarettes

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a wrapping unit and to a wrapping method to produce, together, two sealed wraps containing two corresponding groups of smoking articles.
  • Rigid packs for cigarettes with a hinged lid are currently the most widespread packs for cigarettes on the market as they are simple to manufacture, are easy and practical to use, and offer good protection to the cigarettes contained on their inside.
  • a rigid pack for cigarettes with a hinged lid comprises a wrap consisting of a group of cigarettes wrapped in a wrapping sheet and a rigid outer casing which houses the wrap on its inside.
  • the outer casing consists of a cup-shaped container, which houses the wrap and has an open upper end, and a lid, which is also cup- shaped and is hinged to the container so as to rotate, with respect to the container, between an open position and a closed position of the open end.
  • a sealed (waterproof) wrap consisting of a wrapping sheet made of waterproof and heat-sealable material having an extraction opening for extracting the cigarettes, which is closed by a reusable closing label.
  • a pack for cigarettes commercially called “twin” comprising a rigid outer container which houses on its inside two groups of cigarettes (namely “twins”, hence the commercial name of the pack for cigarettes), which are arranged side by side and wrapped in corresponding wrapping sheets.
  • Patent application WO2023180862A1 describes a packing machine which manufactures a rigid pack for cigarettes with a hinged lid of “twin” type and in which two sealed wraps are manufactured simultaneously by operating on a double line.
  • the packing machine comprises, among the other things, a wrapping drum which supports a plurality of pairs of pockets, each designed to contain a group of cigarettes coupled to a wrapping sheet (therefore, a pair of pockets axially side by side supports a pair of groups of cigarettes side by side and coupled to the respective wrapping sheets).
  • the wrapping drum is coupled to three different sealing heads which are configured to make, in distinct and subsequent steps, a transverse seal on two wrapping sheets folded, in a tube-like manner, around two corresponding groups of cigarettes contained in two pockets side by side.
  • the packing machine described in patent application WO2023180862A1 is generally capable of guaranteeing a high final quality of the packs for cigarettes also operating at a high production speed (measured as packs for cigarettes produced in the time unit); however, it has been observed that the frequency of packs for cigarettes containing faulty sealed wraps (in particular having irregular tears at an inner edge of the wrapping sheet) is relatively high.
  • Patent application DE 102007004029 Al describes the actuation of a rotating drum which is rotated in a cyclic manner and cooperates with a stationary sealing element; a safety device is provided which guarantees that the rotating drum and the working element are perfectly aligned during the stop phases in which the rotating drum is in a standstill.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a wrapping unit and a wrapping method to produce, together, two sealed wraps containing two corresponding groups of smoking articles, said wrapping unit and method being simple to manufacture and implement and allowing avoiding undesired breakings of the wrapping sheets also operating at a high production speed (measured as packs for cigarettes produced in the time unit).
  • a further object of the present invention is to provide a pack for smocking articles containing two sealed wraps side by side which can be manufactured in a wrapping unit which is simple to manufacture and can operate at a high production speed (measured as packs for cigarettes produced in the time unit) avoiding undesired breakings of the wrapping sheets.
  • a wrapping unit and a wrapping method are provided for producing, together, two sealed wraps containing two corresponding groups of smoking articles, according to what is claimed in the appended claims.
  • Figure 1 is a front perspective view in a closed configuration of a rigid pack for cigarettes of “twin” type, namely containing two sealed wraps side by side;
  • Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the pack for cigarettes of Figure 1 in a closed configuration
  • Figure 3 is a front perspective view of the pack for cigarettes of Figure 1 in an open configuration
  • Figure 4 is a front perspective view of a single sealed wrap contained in the pack for cigarettes of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 5 is a perspective view of a group of cigarettes coupled to a reinforcement element and contained in the sealed wrap of Figure 4;
  • Figure 6 is a plan view of a wrapping sheet utilized for manufacturing the sealed wrap of Figure 4.
  • Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view which shows the paths followed by the components of the sealed wrap of Figure 4 in a wrapping unit which is manufactured in accordance with the present invention
  • Figure 8 is a front view with parts removed for clarity of a wrapping drum of the wrapping unit of Figure 7 ;
  • Figure 9 is a perspective view with parts removed for clarity of a detail of the wrapping drum of Figure 7 ;
  • Figure 10 is a perspective view with parts removed for clarity of a single sealer of the wrapping drum of Figure 7 ;
  • Figure 11 is a perspective view of two sealed wraps of Figure 4 being formed and in particular during the making of a transverse heat seal.
  • reference numeral 1 indicates, as a whole, a rigid “twin” pack for cigarettes.
  • the pack 1 for cigarettes comprises a cup-shaped container 2 made of cardboard or rigid paperboard and a pair of sealed wraps 3 (one of which is better illustrated in Figure 4) housed side by side inside the container 2.
  • the container 2 has an open upper end and is provided with a lid 4, which is cup-shaped and is hinged to the container 2 along a hinge (illustrated in Figure 2) so as to rotate, with respect to the container 2, between an open position (illustrated in Figure 3) and a closed position (illustrated in Figures 1 and 2) of the open upper end.
  • a hinge illustrated in Figure 2
  • Each sealed wrap 3 (better illustrated in Figure 4) encloses a group 5 of cigarettes having a parallelepiped shape (illustrated in Figure 5) and has, at the top and frontally, an extraction opening 6 for extracting the cigarettes, which is delimited by a tearable preweakened line, is closed by a reusable closing label 7 and involves a portion of a front wall of the sealed wrap 3 and a portion of an upper wall of the sealed wrap 3.
  • the sealed wrap 3 is free of the extraction opening 6 and of the relative closing label 7 and has a removable upper portion, which is separate from the remaining part of the sealed wrap 3 by a tearable pre-weakened line so as to be eliminated by tear upon the first opening of the sealed wrap 3; in this embodiment, the sealed wrap 3 is preferably provided with a tearable opening tape in order to facilitate the breaking of the sealed wrap 3 along the pre- weakened line.
  • the sealed wrap 3 is obtained by folding a wrapping sheet 8 (illustrated in Figure 6), which has a rectangular shape, comprises at least one layer of airproof and heat- sealable plastic material, and is directly folded around the group 5 of cigarettes so as to be in direct contact with the cigarettes.
  • a wrapping sheet 8 illustrated in Figure 6
  • the shape of the sealed wrap 3 is stabilized by making a transverse heat seal TS (schematically illustrated in Figure 11) of the overlapping portions of the wrapping sheet 8.
  • the sealed wrap 3 could comprise a reinforcement element 9 (better illustrated in Figure 5), which consists of carboard or rigid paperboard, is “U”-shaped and is arranged inside the sealed wrap 3 in contact with the group 5 of cigarettes.
  • a reinforcement element 9 (better illustrated in Figure 5), which consists of carboard or rigid paperboard, is “U”-shaped and is arranged inside the sealed wrap 3 in contact with the group 5 of cigarettes.
  • the formation of the sealed wrap 3 provides for initially forming the group 5 of cigarettes and then folding the reinforcement element 9 around the group 5 of cigarettes; subsequently, the wrapping sheet 8 is folded around the group 5 of cigarettes coupled to the reinforcement element 9.
  • the modes for folding the wrapping sheet 8 around the group 5 of cigarettes coupled to the reinforcement element 9 are known and are for example described in patent application WO2023180862A1; in alternative, the two open lateral edges of the wrapping sheet 8 could be closed by means of two longitudinal sealing fins in place of the so-called “ soap fold''.
  • the wrapping sheet 8 is folded in a “U”- shape around the group 5 of cigarettes such that the wrapping sheet 8 folded in a “U”- shape has two ends 10 and 11 coming out of the group 5 of cigarettes; the two ends 10 and 11 are then folded against each other so as to give a tubular shape to the wrapping sheet 8 and then the overlapping portions of the ends 10 and 11 are heat-sealed to each other so as to stabilize the tubular shape of the wrapping sheet 8 and form a sealing fin 12 on which the transverse heat seal TS is made. Finally, the overlapping and heat sealed ends 10 and 11 (namely the sealing fin 12) are folded against a lower wall of the sealed wrap 3 or against a front wall of the sealed wrap 3.
  • a packing machine which is designed to manufacture the pack 1 for cigarettes described above generally operates with an intermittent motion (namely a motion which provides for a cyclic alternation of motion phases and stop phases) and comprises a forming unit in which the groups 5 of cigarettes are formed in sequence, a wrapping unit 13 (schematically illustrated in Figure 7) in which around each group 5 of cigarettes a respective wrapping sheet 8 is wrapped so as to create a sealed wrap 3, and a wrapping unit in which around each pair of sealed wraps 3 coupled to each other (namely arranged side by side) a blank is wrapped so as to manufacture the container 2 provided with the lid 4.
  • an intermittent motion namely a motion which provides for a cyclic alternation of motion phases and stop phases
  • the wrapping unit 13 (which produces, together, two sealed wraps 3 containing two corresponding groups 5 of cigarettes) comprises wrapping conveyors which are designed to convey the two groups 5 of cigarettes side by side along a wrapping path (in part circular, in part straight).
  • each wrapping conveyor supports a plurality of pairs of pockets side by side, each being shaped for receiving and accommodating a corresponding group 5 of cigarettes; in this manner, at every conveying step each wrapping conveyor conveys two pockets side by side (transverse, namely perpendicular to the wrapping path) and thus two groups 5 of cigarettes side by side contained in the respective pockets side by side.
  • the wrapping conveyors of the wrapping unit 13 receive the pairs of groups 5 of cigarettes already coupled to the respective reinforcement elements 9 from a forming conveyor of the forming unit and are configured to convey the pairs of groups 5 of cigarettes side by side together with the corresponding reinforcement elements 9 and together with the corresponding wrapping sheets 8 along the wrapping path so as to fold each wrapping sheet 8 around the corresponding group 5 of cigarettes.
  • the wrapping path passes through a coupling station S 1 in which each pair of groups 5 of cigarettes side by side couples to a corresponding pair of wrapping sheets 8 side by side.
  • the wrapping unit 13 comprises a series of folding devices which are configured to fold each wrapping sheet 8 around a respective group 5 of cigarettes coupled to a reinforcement element 9 so as to form (and stabilize by means of sealing) a respective sealed wrap 3.
  • each wrapping sheet 8 side by side is moved along a feeding path perpendicular to, and intersecting with, a moving path of the two groups 5 of cigarettes side by side; in this manner, the wrapping sheets 8 side by side are fed in front of the two groups 5 of cigarettes such that the two groups 5 of cigarettes in their movement intercept the wrapping sheets 8 and determine the progressive folding in a “U”-shape of the wrapping sheets 8. Subsequently, each wrapping sheet 8 is folded, in a tube-like manner, around the corresponding group 5 of cigarettes and the tubular wrap (having two open lateral ends) thereby formed is stabilized by means of the transverse heat seal TS which forms the sealing fin 12.
  • the wrapping unit 13 comprises a wrapping drum 14 (arranged vertically) which is mounted so as to rotate around a horizontal rotation axis 15, and supports a plurality of pairs of pockets 16 designed to contain a pair of groups 5 of cigarettes side by side and coupled to the respective wrapping sheets 8.
  • the wrapping drum 14 by rotating around the rotation axis 15 moves each pair of pockets 16 side by side between the coupling station SI in which the pair of pockets 16 side by side receives a pair of groups 5 of cigarettes side by side and coupled to the respective wrapping sheets 8 and a transfer station S2 in which the pair of pockets 16 side by side yields the pair of groups 5 of cigarettes side by side and coupled to the respective wrapping sheets 8 folded in a tube-like manner.
  • the wrapping unit 13 comprises a folding device 17 which is coupled to the wrapping drum 14 and is configured to fold, in a tube-like manner, each wrapping sheet 8 around the corresponding group 5 of cigarettes, namely to overlap the two ends 10 and 11 of the wrapping sheet 8 on each other.
  • a sealing device 18 is provided which is coupled to the wrapping drum 14 and is configured to make the transverse seal on two wrapping sheets 8 side by side and folded, in a tube-like manner, around the corresponding pair of groups 5 of cigarettes.
  • the sealing device 18 comprises three different sealing heads 19 (better illustrated in Figure 9) arranged in sequence around the wrapping drum 14 such that the transverse seal on each wrapping sheet 8 folded in a tube-like manner is made in three distinct and subsequent steps.
  • each sealing head 19 comprises a single operating body 20, which is heated (typically by means of electric resistor) at the desired sealing temperature and simultaneously makes the seal of two wrapping sheets 8 side by side.
  • Each operating body 20 is radially movable so as to cyclically move along a radial direction (namely perpendicular to the rotation axis 15) between a sealing position, in which the operating body 20 is in contact (exerting a predetermined pressure) with the overlapping portions of the ends 10 and 11 of each wrapping sheet 8, and a moving position, in which the operating body 20 is detached from the wrapping sheets 8 so as to allow the sealed wraps 3, which are located inside seats 16 of the wrapping drum 14, to move without touching (sliding against) the operating body 20.
  • the wrapping unit 13 comprises an actuator device which is configured to move each operating body 20 between the sealing and moving positions; in particular, the actuator device 27 cyclically moves each operating body 20 between the sealing position during the stop phases of the wrapping drum 14 and the moving position during the motion phases of the wrapping drum 14.
  • each operating body 20 has an active surface 21, which, in use, comes into contact with the overlapping portions of the ends 10 and 11 of two wrapping sheets 8 side by side so as to simultaneously make two transverse heat seals TS (schematically illustrated in Figure 11) and then simultaneously make two sealing fins 12.
  • the active surface 21 of each operating body 20 centrally has a recess 22 (i.e.
  • the sealing fin 12 interrupts at a certain distance (different from zero) from an edge that separates the wrapping sheet 8 from the adjacent wrapping sheet 8 and a buffer zone 23, which is free of heat seals, is located between the two transverse heat seals TS (i.e. astride the separation line between the two wrapping sheets 8 side by side).
  • the buffer zone 23, which is free of heat seals, could have an overall width of several mm (for example 2-10 mm), namely could extend from the edge of each wrapping sheet 8, for example, by a width of 1-5 mm.
  • each pocket 16 of the wrapping drum 14 also comprises a countering body 24 (illustrated in Figure 9) which is arranged in a fixed position and on which the two ends 10 and 11 of each wrapping sheet 8 rest when they are folded (overlapped) on each other; in use, the operating body 20 of each sealing head 19 presses the two ends 10 and 11 of each wrapping sheet 8 against the respective countering body 24.
  • each countering body 24 is perfectly smooth (namely has no recesses at the recess 22 of the operating bodies 20); in alternative, each countering body 24 has a recess at the recess 22 of the operating bodies 20.
  • each sealing head 19 comprises a single common operating body 20, which simultaneously makes both the transverse heat seals TS on the two wrapping sheets 8 side by side; according to a different embodiment not illustrated, each sealing head 19 comprises two operating bodies 20, which are separate (distanced) from and independent of each other and each make the transverse heat seal TS of a respective wrapping sheet 8.
  • each sealing head 19 is shaped so as to simultaneously make two transverse heat seals TS on two wrapping sheets 8 side by side leaving between the two transverse heat seals TS a buffer zone 23 which is free of heat seals and is located astride the separation line between the two wrapping sheets 8 side by side.
  • two wrapping sheets 8 side by side can be already completely separate (namely there is no residual joining point between the two wrapping sheets 8 side by side which thus are completely independent of each other) or the two wrapping sheets 8 side by side can be joined by one or more tearable joining points which will be torn further on for definitively separating the two wrapping sheets 8 side by side (as is described in patent application EP3653518A1).
  • the wrapping unit 13 described above has numerous advantages.
  • the wrapping unit 13 described above allows producing a pack 1 for cigarettes containing two sealed wraps 3 side by side operating at a high production speed (measured as packs 1 for cigarettes produced in the time unit) guaranteeing at the same time a high final quality of the sealed wraps 3.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Wrapping Of Specific Fragile Articles (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne une unité d'emballage (13) et un procédé d'emballage pour produire, conjointement, deux paquets scellés (3) contenant deux groupes correspondants (5) d'articles à fumer. L'invention concerne : un dispositif de pliage (17), qui est conçu pour plier, de manière tubulaire, deux feuilles d'emballage (8) côte à côte autour des deux groupes correspondants (5) d'articles à fumer, chevauchant deux extrémités opposées (10, 11) de chaque feuille d'emballage (8) ; et un dispositif de scellage (18) conçu pour réaliser, simultanément et pendant que les deux feuilles d'emballage (8) se trouvent encore côte à côte, deux thermo-scellages transversaux (TS), joignant chacun les deux extrémités opposées et chevauchantes (10, 11) de chaque feuille d'emballage (8). Le dispositif de scellage (18) est conçu pour laisser, entre les deux thermo-scellages transversaux (TS), une zone tampon (23), qui est exempte de thermo-scellages et qui se situe à cheval sur une ligne de séparation entre les deux feuilles d'emballage (8) côte à côte.
PCT/IB2025/055525 2024-06-05 2025-05-28 Unité d'emballage et procédé de production, conjointement, de deux paquets scellés contenant deux groupes correspondants d'articles à fumer Pending WO2025253238A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT202400012844 2024-06-05
IT102024000012844 2024-06-05

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WO2025253238A1 true WO2025253238A1 (fr) 2025-12-11

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Country Link
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Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4617780A (en) * 1983-09-13 1986-10-21 Focke & Co. (Gmbh & Co.) Method and apparatus for wrapping cigarette packets in film blanks
DE102007004029A1 (de) 2007-01-22 2008-07-24 Focke & Co.(Gmbh & Co. Kg) Arbeitseinrichtung für Verpackungsmaschinen
EP2008935A1 (fr) * 2007-06-26 2008-12-31 G.D Societa' per Azioni Procédé et machine d' emballage pour combiner un insert et un groupe de cigarettes
EP3653518A1 (fr) 2018-11-14 2020-05-20 G.D Societa' Per Azioni Procédé et unité d'alimentation de deux plaques d'emballage dans une machine d'emballage
WO2023180862A1 (fr) 2022-03-23 2023-09-28 G.D Societa' Per Azioni Unité d'emballage et procédé pour produire deux emballages scellés, ensemble, par pliage simultané de deux feuilles d'emballage autour de deux groupes correspondants d'articles à fumer

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4617780A (en) * 1983-09-13 1986-10-21 Focke & Co. (Gmbh & Co.) Method and apparatus for wrapping cigarette packets in film blanks
DE102007004029A1 (de) 2007-01-22 2008-07-24 Focke & Co.(Gmbh & Co. Kg) Arbeitseinrichtung für Verpackungsmaschinen
EP2008935A1 (fr) * 2007-06-26 2008-12-31 G.D Societa' per Azioni Procédé et machine d' emballage pour combiner un insert et un groupe de cigarettes
EP3653518A1 (fr) 2018-11-14 2020-05-20 G.D Societa' Per Azioni Procédé et unité d'alimentation de deux plaques d'emballage dans une machine d'emballage
WO2023180862A1 (fr) 2022-03-23 2023-09-28 G.D Societa' Per Azioni Unité d'emballage et procédé pour produire deux emballages scellés, ensemble, par pliage simultané de deux feuilles d'emballage autour de deux groupes correspondants d'articles à fumer

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