Method and device for processing packaging material, and cigarette industry product package

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and a method for treating a packaging material for a casing (12) of cigarette industry products (11), in which a line of weakness (18) is applied to the packaging material, in particular as an opening aid. According to the invention, the weakening line (18) is formed (exclusively) by embossing the packaging material, preferably on a continuous web (28) of packaging material. The invention also relates to a package (10) of cigarette industry products (11) having such a line of weakness (18).

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for processing packaging material for cigarette industry product wrappers according to the preamble of claim 1, wherein score lines are provided on the packaging material, in particular as opening aids.

[0002] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a corresponding device according to the preamble of claim 15 and a cigarette industry product package according to the preamble of claim 20. Background Art

[0003] A cigarette industry product package is known from EP 0007423 A1, in which score lines in the packaging material for the (inner) wrapper of a cigarette group are formed by perforations. The perforations serve to define a tear tab for opening the wrapper. This solution has the disadvantage, on the one hand, that the perforations cause the wrapper to be non-sealed, so that the cigarettes may be exposed to adverse environmental influences. This technique is therefore particularly suitable for the hermetically sealed packages common today, in which the wrapper encloses the cigarette group hermetically. Another disadvantage may be that the perforations weaken the packaging material and in particular reduce its stretchability. Correspondingly, during the manufacture of the wrapper, the packaging material may be torn in the perforation area under tensile stress. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the object of the present invention is to further improve the known methods and devices for processing packaging material for cigarette industry product wrappers and the corresponding packages, in particular with regard to the provision of opening aids which do not reduce the sealability of the packaging material and / or enable good processability of the packaging material. In addition, a corresponding package should be provided.

[0005] The method according to the invention has the features of claim 1. It is thus provided that the score lines are formed (only) by embossing the packaging material, preferably by embossing on a continuous web of the packaging material.

[0006] It has surprisingly been shown that score lines can be produced in this way. During embossing, the packaging material is only compressed or squeezed and is not (partially) cut as in the case of score lines produced in other ways. Thus, the sealability of the wrapper and the stretchability of the packaging material are maintained.

[0007] Furthermore, it can be provided that the score lines are on one side only and during embossing the packaging material is only squeezed or compressed and is not (partially) cut as in the case of weak lines produced in other ways. Thus, the sealability of the outer shell and the stretchability of the packaging material are maintained.

[0008] Furthermore, it can be provided that the packaging material has a barrier layer on one side and that the weakening line is applied by embossing from the side opposite the barrier layer without damaging the barrier layer.

[0009] In this way, the barrier layer is not mechanically loaded by the embossed weakening lines.

[0010] Furthermore, it can be provided that a tear strip is applied to the packaging material as a tearing aid and that the weakening line is applied adjacent to the tear strip.

[0011] This solution can have the advantage that when the wrapper is opened by means of the tear strip, a straight, in particular sharp-edged material edge is produced by the weakening line.

[0012] Furthermore, it can be provided that two weakening lines are applied, which are arranged on both sides of the tear strip, or that a weakening line is applied, the width of which is greater than the width of the tear strip, so that the edges of the weakening line extend on both sides of the tear strip.

[0013] The advantage of this solution can be that straight, in particular sharp-edged material edges are produced on both sides of the tear strip.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment it can be provided that the or each weakening line and the tear strip are applied parallel to one another and preferably have a linear course.

[0015] Furthermore, it can be provided that the or each weakening line and the tear strip are arranged at a small, defined distance from one another.

[0016] This solution may have the advantage that no unintentional separating cuts occur during embossing, since the tear-off strip rests on the counter-roller of the knife roller.

[0017] A feature may also be that a preferably multi-operable adhesive label is applied to the packaging material for closing the dispensing opening and that the weakening line is applied as a border of the dispensing opening.

[0018] In this way, the line of weakness can also be used in sealed packages with tamper evident labels.

[0019] Furthermore, it can be provided that the weakening line is applied in such a way that it is arranged within the contour of the adhesive label and is covered by the adhesive label (preferably on all sides).

[0020] Preferably, a continuous web of packaging material is drawn off a roll and conveyed along a conveying path, along which a plurality of stations for processing the web are arranged, and each processing station downstream of these processing stations is then provided with a web pulling unit, by means of which the web is conveyed.

[0021] The advantages of this solution can lie in that the tensile force acting on the web during conveying is reduced in this way. This also allows the use of sensitive packaging materials such as paper.

[0022] It is preferably provided that a continuous web of packaging material is unwound from a reel and conveyed along a conveying path, and a plurality of stations for processing the web are provided along the conveying path, and the processing control of the web is carried out according to printing marks applied to the web or according to a tear strip applied to the web.

[0023] Furthermore, it can be provided that a continuous web of packaging material is unwound from a reel and conveyed along a conveying path, and a plurality of stations for processing the web are provided along the conveying path, the web is provided with an adhesive on one side along the conveying path in a gluing station, and a web pulling unit conveys the web provided with the adhesive by means of a suction roller immediately following the gluing station, and the web is held on the suction roller by negative pressure with the side facing the adhesive.

[0024] In this way, the applied adhesive has sufficient time to dry. Therefore, there is also no risk of contaminating the equipment drive rollers.

[0025] Furthermore, it can be provided that, in addition to the tear strip, edge-side incisions are applied in the packaging material, which incisions extend parallel to the longitudinal direction of the tear strip and are preferably provided on both sides of the gripping end of the tear strip.

[0026] Furthermore, it can be provided that, in addition to the weakening line, additional weakening lines for forming folding lines are applied to the packaging material by embossing.

[0027] The advantage of this solution can lie in that, compared to otherwise common grooved lines, embossing does not deform or damage the barrier layer.

[0028] Furthermore, it can be provided that a continuous web of packaging material is unwound from a reel and conveyed along a conveying path, and a plurality of stations for processing the web are provided along the conveying path, and blanks for one or more cigarette industrial product wrappers are cut out of the continuous web by means of a tool roller, which tool roller is forcibly controlled by an embossing roller for applying weakening lines.

[0029] This forced control can be carried out, for example, by a mechanical connection (gear) or by a synchronous servo motor or similar device. The advantage of this solution can lie in that the tolerance between the cutting edges formed by different tools is very small and contributes to the good appearance of the package.

[0030] The device according to the invention has the features of claim 15. Accordingly, it is provided that (only) an embossing device is used for applying weakening lines to the packaging material.

[0031] The advantages of this solution have been mentioned at the beginning at the corresponding positions.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, it can be provided that the packaging material can be withdrawn from a roll as a continuous web and conveyed along a conveying path of the device, a station for applying a tear strip to the web is provided along the conveying path, and an embossing station including an embossing device for applying a weakening line is provided downstream of the station for applying the tear strip.

[0033] It goes without saying that this arrangement can also be provided in the reverse order. In this case, embossing is first carried out at regular intervals, and a suitable sensor tracks these embossing lines, and this sensor controls the device for applying the tear line downstream.

[0034] Furthermore, it can be provided that a gluing station is provided downstream of the embossing station, in which gluing agent is provided for the web, in particular by means of a wide slot nozzle, and the web can then be guided through a suction box, and the web abuts against a suction roller in the region of the suction box, and this suction roller holds and conveys the web on the side opposite to the gluing agent by means of negative pressure.

[0035] The advantages of this solution have been mentioned at the beginning at the corresponding positions.

[0036] Furthermore, it can be provided that a web pulling unit is provided downstream of each station for processing the web (in particular the station for applying the tear strip, the embossing station and the gluing station) for conveying the processed web in the conveying direction.

[0037] The advantages of this solution have been mentioned at the beginning at the corresponding positions.

[0038] Furthermore, it can be provided that blanks for one or more cigarette industrial product wrappers are cut out from the continuous web by means of a tool roller in a cutting station downstream of the embossing roller, and the tool roller is forcibly controlled by the embossing roller for applying the weakening line.

[0039] The advantages of this solution have been mentioned at the beginning at the corresponding positions.

[0040] The packaging according to the invention has the features of claim 20. Thus, there is provided a weakening line formed (only) by embossing the packaging material, in particular a weakening line as an opening aid.

[0041] Furthermore, it can be provided that the packaging material has a single-sided coating as a barrier layer, and the weakening line is constructed starting from the side of the packaging material opposite to the barrier layer such that the barrier layer is not damaged due to embossing.

[0042] The advantages of this solution have been mentioned at the beginning at the corresponding positions.

[0043] Furthermore, it can be provided that the wrapper has a tear strip as a tearing aid and the weakening line is applied adjacent to the tear strip.

[0044] The advantages of this solution have been mentioned at the beginning at the corresponding location.

[0045] Furthermore, it can be provided that two weakening lines are applied, which are arranged on both sides of the tear strip, or one weakening line is applied, the width of which is so much greater than the width of the tear strip that the edges of the weakening line extend on both sides of the tear strip.

[0046] The advantages of this solution have been mentioned at the beginning at the corresponding location.

[0047] In another embodiment, it can be provided that the or each weakening line and the tear strip are applied parallel to each other and preferably have a linear course.

[0048] Furthermore, it can be provided that the or each weakening line and the tear strip are arranged at a small defined distance relative to each other.

[0049] The advantages of this solution have been mentioned at the beginning at the corresponding location.

[0050] Furthermore, it can be provided that the wrapper has an adhesively bonded label, preferably operable multiple times, for closing the access opening, and the weakening line is arranged as a boundary of the access opening.

[0051] The advantages of this solution have been mentioned at the beginning at the corresponding location.

[0052] Furthermore, it can be provided that the weakening line is arranged such that it is arranged within the contour of the adhesively bonded label and (preferably on all sides) is covered by the adhesively bonded label.

[0053] Furthermore, it can be provided that the wrapper has edge-side incisions in the packaging material in addition to the tear strip, which incisions extend parallel to the longitudinal direction of the tear strip and are preferably arranged on both sides of the gripping end of the tear strip.

[0054] The advantages of this solution have been mentioned at the beginning at the corresponding location.

[0055] Furthermore, it can be provided that the wrapper has additional weakening lines formed by embossing on the packaging material in addition to the weakening line for forming folding lines.

[0056] Furthermore, it can be provided that the packaging material is made of paper or mainly of paper and is provided with a coating on one side as a barrier layer.

[0057] Furthermore, it can be provided that the tear strip is arranged around the wrapper such that the cap-shaped section of the wrapper can be separated from the rest of the wrapper by means of the tear strip.

[0058] Furthermore, it can be stipulated that the cap-shaped section includes a material enclosing a narrow-side area of the package and edge-side sections in the front, top, rear, and bottom areas of the enclosure adjacent to the narrow side.

[0059] Furthermore, it can be stipulated that the package is a strip package and the cigarette industrial product packages are enclosed in the enclosure, and these packages are arranged in an ordered form, in particular arranged as a so-called cigarette strip, and the weakening line extends in the area between adjacent packages, preferably extending around the strip package. Description of the Drawings

[0060] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are as follows:

[0061] Figure 1 Showing a package with an open lid known from the prior art;

[0062] Figure 2 Showing a package according to Figure 1 with an open access opening;

[0063] Figure 3 Showing a first embodiment of a package with an open lid;

[0064] Figure 4 Showing a second embodiment of a package with an open lid;

[0065] Figure 5 Showing a package according to Figure 4 with a partially torn tear strip;

[0066] Figure 6 Showing a sectional view of a package according to Figure 3 along the cutting line VI-VI;

[0067] Figure 7 Showing a sectional view of a package according to Figure 4 along the cutting line VII-VII;

[0068] Figure 8 Showing a sectional view of a package according to Figure 5 along the cutting line VIII-VIII;

[0069] Figure 9 Showing a sectional view of an alternative solution of a package according to Figure 7 in a view similar to Figure 4 ;

[0070] Figure 10 Showing a third embodiment of the package;

[0071] Figure 11Shows a sectional view of a package according to Figure 10 along the cutting line XI-XI in Figure 10 ;

[0072] Figure 12 Shows a schematic view of a device for processing packaging material;

[0073] Figure 13 Shows a side view of the device in the region of arrow XIII;

[0074] Figure 14 Shows a schematic view of another section of a device according to Figure 12 ;

[0075] Figure 15 Shows a section of a processed web;

[0076] Figure 16 Shows region XVI of the web in an enlarged view;

[0077] Figure 17 Shows an alternative embodiment of the web in a view similar to Figure 16 ; and

[0078] Figure 18 Shows a sectional view of a device according to Figure 13 along the cutting line XVIII-XVIII. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0079] Figure 1 and 2 show a cigarette package disclosed by the prior art according to EP 0007423 A1 as described at the beginning. Here, the tab in the extraction opening region of the wrapper is defined by a perforation or a perforation line that is torn when the extraction opening is opened. The wrapper directly encloses the cigarettes here. Figure 3 and 4 show an alternative cigarette package 10 having a structure similar to that of the packages in the prior art.

[0080] Since the present invention can be used not only for the cigarette package 10, cigarette industry products 11 are generally mentioned below. Cigarette industry products should be understood within the scope of this application as tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigarillos, etc., but also as new tobacco products such as heat-not-burn products or e-cigarette liquid carriers.

[0081] In Figure 3 and 4In this case, the product 11 is directly surrounded or wrapped by the envelope 12 as in the prior art. The envelope is formed in the usual way by enclosing the product 11 in the packaging material for the envelope 12 and connecting the overlapping laminations of the packaging material or the envelope 12 to one another, for example by sealing. In this way, one or more longitudinal seams 13 and / or transverse seams 14 can be formed, which seams are in particular designed as fin seams. The closed envelope 12 (sealing block) thus formed protects the packaged contents or the product 11 from harmful environmental influences. The packaged contents with the envelope 12 are in both cases arranged in an outer packaging 15 in the form of a hinged lid packaging, i.e. having a box part and a lid pivotally supported on the box part. As a special feature, in Figure 4 it is shown that the outer packaging 15 can also have a lateral opening, instead of the conventional opening in the upper side area as shown in Figures 1 to 3 .

[0082] In the solution according to Figure 3 , tabs 16 are formed in the upper top wall and the adjacent front wall area of the envelope 12, which tabs are covered by an opening label 17, which opening label is adhesively bonded to the envelope 12 as an adhesive label. The opening label can be opened and closed again several times by means of a corresponding adhesive. When the packaging 10 is used for the first time or when the opening label 17 is opened for the first time, the tab 16 is separated from the rest of the envelope to form an access opening. In order to ensure a neat separation, according to the invention, the tab 16 is delimited by a weakening line 18, which weakening line is formed (only) by embossing on the packaging material of the envelope 12. Thus, instead of the perforation lines in the prior art according to Figure 1 and 2 , an embossed weakening line 18 is used.

[0083] In an alternative according to Figure 4 , it is provided that a tear strip 19 is arranged on the envelope 12 in the usual way for opening the packaging 10. The tear strip 19 extends around the envelope 12, i.e. in the vicinity of a narrow side wall of the envelope 12 or at a short distance from a narrow side wall of the envelope 12 and parallel to the narrow side wall. The tear strip 19 thus delimits a separable cap 20 of the envelope 12, which cap is formed by the material of the envelope 12 in the narrow side wall area and the adjacent, surrounding areas of the front wall, top wall, rear wall and bottom wall of the envelope 12.

[0084] The tear strip 19 has a gripping end 21 as usual, by means of which the consumer can grasp the free end of the tear strip 19 and tear open the envelope 12 by means of the tear strip 19. Figure 5 The packaging 10 with the envelope 12 partly opened is correspondingly shown.

[0085] In accordance with Figure 4 and 5In the package 10, there is also a weakening line 18 formed only by embossing. In this embodiment, the weakening line is located only on one side of the tear strip 19 and extends parallel to the tear strip 19. Due to the weakening line 18, when the wrapper 12 is torn along the tear strip 19, a sharp or neat tear edge 22 is produced, while an irregular tear edge 23 is formed on the other side of the weakening line 18. However, this does not cause further interference because the cap 20 with the irregular tear edge 23 is to be removed by the consumer after the wrapper 12 is opened. In this way, a large access opening is formed, which extends over the entire area of the separated cap 20.

[0086] The weakening line 18 is adjacent to or disposed in the height of the tear strip 19 here.

[0087] Figure 6 shows a cross-section of the wrapper 12 of the package 10 according to Figure 3 in the area of the opening label 17. The opening label also shows an adhesive layer 24 by means of which the opening label 17 can be releasably closed on the wrapper 12. Figure 6 is characterized in that the packaging material for the wrapper 12 has a barrier layer 25 on one side. Since the packaging material is made of paper or mainly of paper, this barrier layer 25 is required to equip the packaging material in such a way that the packaged contents are sufficiently protected from the environment. Figure 6 It is now shown that the weakening line 18 is embossed from the side facing away from the barrier layer 25 so that the barrier layer 25 is not damaged by the weakening line 18. In addition, Figure 6 it is shown that the barrier layer 25 is disposed on the side of the packaging material facing the product 11.

[0088] Figure 7 shows a cross-section of the closed wrapper 12 of the package 10 according to Figure 4 . Here, the barrier layer 25 is also located inside and the weakening line 18 is introduced from the opposite side. It can also be seen that the tear strip 19 is disposed on the inside on the packaging material or the barrier layer 25. Figure 8 shows a cross-section after the wrapper 12 is opened. It can be clearly seen the neat tear edge 22 on the left side of the figure and the irregular tear edge 23 on the right side of the figure.

[0089] Figure 9 shows an alternative to the solution according to Figure 7 . In Figure 9 it is provided that two weakening lines 18 are provided, which are disposed on both sides of the tear strip 19. In this way, the cap 20 also has a neat tear edge 22. As an alternative not shown in the figures, it is also conceivable to use a single weakening line 18 with a larger width instead of the two weakening lines 18, which extends over the width of the two single weakening lines 18.

[0090] Figure 10 As another embodiment, a strip package 26 for a package 10 of cigarette industry products 11 is shown. The packages 10 are arranged in a regular two-row arrangement and are surrounded by a packaging material forming an envelope 12. Weakening lines 18 formed only by embossing are provided between the packages 10, and these weakening lines extend around the envelope 12. By tearing the weakening lines 18, a pair of packages 10 can be removed from the envelope 12 respectively. As a hint to the consumer, a marking 27 is applied adjacent to the weakening lines 18. In this way, the consumer is informed at which positions he can simply open the envelope 12, for example by pressing in with a fingernail.

[0091] In this embodiment, the packaging material is also made of paper or mainly made of paper and has a barrier layer 25 on the inner side. In this case, the weakening lines 18 are also applied from the side opposite to the barrier layer 25 without damaging the barrier layer 25.

[0092] As can be seen from the above, the weakening lines 18 formed by embossing are used as opening aids in all embodiments.

[0093] It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to using packaging materials made of paper or mainly made of paper. Other materials can also be used within the scope of the present invention. In particular, multi-layer packaging materials can also be considered, which do not require a separate barrier layer 25 or which already integrate such a layer.

[0094] Figures 12 to 18 A way for manufacturing one of the described envelopes 12 is shown. Thus, according to Figure 12 , a continuous web 28 of packaging material is drawn off a reel 29 by a first pulling unit 30 and conveyed along a conveying path 31. By means of a printing mark sensor 32, a printing mark 33 applied to the web 28 can be scanned, so that subsequently, according to the printing mark 33, a laterally oriented tear strip 19 is applied from below to the side of the web 28 where the barrier layer 25 is located in a first station 34. The application of the tear strip 19 on the web 28 is known from the prior art.

[0095] As a second station 35, a station for embossing the web 28 is provided downstream of the first station for applying the tear strip 19. In this second station, the weakening lines 18 can be applied to the web 28 by embossing according to the package 10 or envelope 12 to be manufactured. For this purpose, an embossing roller 36 can be used, which works together with a mating roller 37, and the web 28 is guided through between the rollers and is embossed on one side by the embossing roller 36, from above in this embodiment. The embossing roller 36 can also be configured as a cutting roller as needed, so as to apply separation cuts to the web 28.

[0096] In Figure 12In this case, two types of embossing mechanisms 38, 39 are provided on the embossing roller 36. On the one hand, the embossing mechanisms are used to apply weakening lines according to Figure 4 and on the other hand to apply weakening lines according to Figure 3 . However, in practice, if the package 10 to be manufactured only requires one of these two types of embossing parts, the embossing roller 36 only has one of these two types of embossing mechanisms 38, 39.

[0097] As Figure 13 shown, the embossing roller 36 can be configured as a magnetic roller on the circumferential surface of which a magnetizable metal foil 57 is magnetically held. The metal foil has the embossing mechanisms 38, 39 mounted thereon. Figure 13 The arrangement of corresponding magnets 40 evenly distributed and spaced apart from each other on the circumference is shown.

[0098] As an alternative to the printing mark sensor 32, Figure 12 a sensor 41 for identifying the position of the tear strip 19 on the web 28 is shown. The sensor 41 can be used accordingly to control the embossing roller 36. This is particularly advantageous because the embossing must be carried out in the immediate vicinity of the tear strip 19 and thus must be carried out with correspondingly small tolerances. In general, however, the embossing roller 36 is still controlled by means of the said or a printing mark sensor 32.

[0099] A second pulling unit 42 is provided downstream of the second station 35. The second pulling unit further conveys the web (turning 90° here) along the conveying path. Upstream of the second pulling unit 42, the opening label 17 can be supplied to the web 28.

[0100] In a further conveying path of the web, there is (another) sensor 41 for identifying the position of the tear strip 19 on the web 28. The sensor is used to control the subsequent wide slot nozzle 43 by means of which the adhesive 44 is applied to the underside of the web 28 at the third station 45 (gluing station). The newly glued web 28 is then conveyed further by means of the third pulling unit 46. Here, a structure with a suction box 47 and a plurality of suction rollers 48 is provided. The web 28 is held on these suction rollers by negative pressure with the non-adhesive side.

[0101] The advantage of using a plurality of pulling units 30, 42, 46 is that each unit only exerts a small pulling force on the crack-sensitive web 38. The rotational speed of the downstream pulling unit is slightly higher than that of the upstream pulling unit. Thereby ensuring the tension of the web 28.

[0102] According to Figure 14, the web 28 thus produced can be guided by the forming shoulder 49 and form a group 50 of hose-wrapped products 11. Then, a continuous seam corresponding to the later transverse seam 14 known from the prior art is formed in the fourth station 51 in a manner known from the prior art. Then, a longitudinal seam 15 according to Figures 4 to 6 is formed by means of a pair of sealing and cutting rollers 52 and the individual finished (inner) packages 10 are separated. Figures 4 to 6 Then, the longitudinal seam 15 according to Figures 4 to 6 is formed by means of a pair of sealing and cutting rollers 52 and the individual finished (inner) packages 10 are separated. Figures 4 to 6 Then, a longitudinal seam 15 according to Figures 4 to 6 is formed by means of a pair of sealing and cutting rollers 52 and the individual finished (inner) packages 10 are separated.

[0103] Figure 15 Top view showing the web 28. The positions of the printed markings 33, the tear strip 19 and the weakening line 18 can be seen. Furthermore, it can be seen that additional embossing lines 53 are applied to the web 28, which serve as folding aids instead of the grooved lines known from the prior art. In addition, the positions of the opening tab 17 and the weakening line 18 for the tab 16 and the later position of the separating cut 56 during separation are also shown.

[0104] Figure 16 As can be seen in , the gripping end 21 of the tear strip 19 projects beyond the edge of the web 28. Optionally, two edge-side cuts 54 are provided on both sides of the tear strip 19, which run parallel to the tear strip and serve as additional tear aids. The cuts 54 can be aligned with the associated weakening line 18. Figure 17 Shows an alternative according to the view of Figure 16 and without the tear strip 19. Figure 16 Shows an alternative according to the view of Figure 16 and without the tear strip 19.

[0105] Figure 18 Details of the embossing roller 36 and the mating roller 37 are shown. The embossing mechanism 38 for the weakening line 18 thus transitions into the cutting mechanism 55, which is used to form one or more cuts 54.

[0106] List of reference numerals

[0107] 10 Package

[0108] 11 Product

[0109] 12 Sheath

[0110] 13 Longitudinal seam

[0111] 14 Transverse seam

[0112] 15 Outer package

[0113] 16 Tab

[0114] 17 Opening tab

[0115] 18 Weakening line

[0116] 19 Tear strip

[0117] 20 Cap

[0118] 21 Gripping end

[0119] 22 Neat tear edge

[0120] 23 Ragged tear edge

[0121] 24 Adhesive layer

[0122] 25 Barrier layer

[0123] 26 Strapping package

[0124] 27 Marking

[0125] 28 Web

[0126] 29 Reel

[0127] 30 First pulling unit

[0128] 31 Conveyor path

[0129] 32 Printed mark sensor

[0130] 33 Printed mark

[0131] 34 First station (tear strip)

[0132] 35 Second station (embossing)

[0133] 36 Embossing roller

[0134] 37 Mate roller

[0135] 38 Embossing mechanism (weakening line)

[0136] 39 Embossing mechanism (tab)

[0137] 40 Magnet

[0138] 41 Sensor (tear strip)

[0139] 42 Second pulling unit

[0140] 43 Wide slot nozzle

[0141] 44 Adhesive

[0142] 45 Third station (adhesive application)

[0143] 46 Third pulling unit

[0144] 47 Suction box

[0145] 48 Suction roller

[0146] 49 Forming shoulder

[0147] 50 Group

[0148] 51 Fourth Station (Horizontal Seam)

[0149] 52 Sealing and Cutting Roll

[0150] 53 Embossing Line

[0151] 54 Notch

[0152] 55 Cutting Mechanism

[0153] 56 Separation Notch

[0154] 57 Metal Foil

Claims

1. A method for processing packaging materials for envelopes (12) for products (11) of the cigarette industry, wherein, A weakening line (18), in particular a weakening line as an opening aid, is applied to the packaging material, characterized in that the weakening line (18) is formed by embossing the packaging material, preferably on a continuous web (28) of the packaging material.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The packaging material has a barrier layer (25) on one side and the weakening line (18) is applied by embossing from the side opposite to the barrier layer (25) without damaging the barrier layer (25).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, A tear strip (19) is applied as a tearing aid to the packaging material, and the weakening line (18) is applied adjacent to the tear strip (19).

4. The method according to any one of claim 3 or any of the other preceding claims, characterized in that, Two weakening lines (18) are applied, which are arranged on both sides of the tear strip (19); or one weakening line (18) is applied, the width of which is greater than the width of the tear strip (19), such that the edges of the weakening line (18) extend on both sides of the tear strip (19).

5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that The weakening line (18) or each weakening line and the tear strip (19) are applied parallel to each other and preferably have a linear course.

6. The method according to any one of claim 5 or any of the other preceding claims, characterized in that, The weakening line (18) or each weakening line and the tear strip (19) are arranged relative to each other at a small defined distance.

7. The method according to any one of claim 1 or any of the other preceding claims, characterized in that, An adhesively bonded label (17), preferably operable multiple times, for closing the access opening is applied to the packaging material, and the weakening line (18) is applied as a boundary of the access opening.

8. The method according to any one of claim 7 or any of the other preceding claims, characterized in that, The weakening line (18) is applied such that the weakening line is arranged within the contour of the adhesively bonded label (17) and is covered by the adhesively bonded label, preferably covered on all sides.

9. The method according to any one of claim 1 or any of the other preceding claims, characterized in that, A continuous web (28) of the packaging material is unwound from a reel (29) and conveyed along a conveying path (31), along which a plurality of workstations (34, 35, 45) for processing the web (28) are arranged. Then, each of these processing workstations is provided with a web pulling unit (30, 42, 46) by means of which the web (28) is conveyed.

10. The method according to any one of claim 1 or any of the other preceding claims, characterized in that, A continuous web (28) of the packaging material is unwound from a reel (29) and conveyed along a conveying path (31), along which a plurality of workstations (34, 35, 45) for processing the web (28) are arranged. The processing of the web (28) is controlled according to print marks applied to the web (28) or according to the tear strip (19) applied to the web (28).

11. The method according to any one of claim 1 or any of the other preceding claims, characterized in that, A continuous web (28) of the packaging material is unwound from a reel (29) and conveyed along a conveying path (31), along which a plurality of workstations (34, 35, 45) for processing the web (28) are arranged. The web (28) is provided with an adhesive (44) on one side along the conveying path (31) in a gluing workstation (45), and a web pulling unit (30, 42, 46) conveys the web (28) provided with the adhesive (44) by means of a suction roller (48) immediately after the gluing workstation (45). The web (28) is held on the suction roller by negative pressure with the side opposite to the adhesive (44).

12. The method according to any one of claim 3 or any of the other preceding claims, characterized in that, In addition to the tear strip (19), edge-side incisions (54) are applied in the packaging material, which incisions extend parallel to the longitudinal direction of the tear strip (19) and which incisions are preferably arranged on both sides of the gripping end (21) of the tear strip (19).

13. The method according to any one of claim 1 or any of the other preceding claims, characterized in that, In addition to the weakening line (18), additional weakening lines (53) for forming folding lines are applied to the packaging material by embossing.

14. The method according to any one of claim 1 or any of the other preceding claims, characterized in that, A continuous web (28) of the packaging material is withdrawn from a reel (29) and conveyed along a conveying path (31), along which conveying path (31) a plurality of workstations (34, 35, 45) for processing the web (28) are arranged, and a blank (12) for a wrapper for one or more cigarette industry products is cut out of the continuous web (28) by means of a tool roller, which tool roller is forcibly controlled by an embossing roller (36) for applying the weakening line (18).

15. An apparatus for processing packaging material for a wrapper (12) for a cigarette industry product (11), the apparatus having an embossing device (35) for embossing the packaging material, the apparatus being especially for carrying out the method according to any one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that An embossing device (35) is (only) used for applying the weakening line (18) to the packaging material.

16. The device according to claim 15, characterized in that, The packaging material can be withdrawn from a reel (29) as a continuous web (28) and conveyed along a conveying path (31) of the apparatus, along which conveying path (31) a workstation (34) for applying the tear strip (19) to the web (28) is arranged, and downstream of the workstation (34) for applying the tear strip (19) there is arranged an embossing workstation (35) comprising an embossing device (35) for applying the weakening line (18).

17. The device according to claim 16, characterized in that, Downstream of the embossing workstation (35) there is arranged a gluing workstation (45), in which a binder (44) is applied to the web (28), in particular by means of a wide-gap nozzle (43), and the web (28) can then be guided through a suction box (47), the web (28) being pressed against a suction roller (48) in the region of the suction box (47), which suction roller holds and conveys the web (28) on the side opposite the binder (44) by means of negative pressure.

18. The device according to claim 15 or any of the preceding claims 16 or 17, characterized in that, Downstream of each of the workstations (34, 35, 45) for processing the web (28), in particular the workstation (34) for applying the tear strip (19), the embossing workstation (35) and the gluing workstation (45)), there is respectively arranged a web pulling unit (30, 42, 46) for conveying the processed web (28) in the conveying direction.

19. The device according to claim 15 or any one of the other preceding claims 16 to 18, characterized in that, Downstream of the embossing workstation (35) in a cutting workstation a blank (12) for a wrapper for one or more cigarette industry products can be cut out of the continuous web (28) by means of a tool roller, which tool roller is forcibly controlled by an embossing roller for applying the weakening line (18).

20. A package of cigarette industrial products, wherein, One or more products are preferably at least partly surrounded directly by a wrapper (12) made of packaging material, which packaging is in particular manufactured by the method according to any one or more of the preceding claims 1 to 14, characterized in that it is provided with (only) weakening lines (18) formed by embossing the packaging material, which weakening lines are in particular serving as opening aids.

21. The package according to claim 20, characterized in that, The packaging material has a single-sided coating as a barrier layer (25), and the weakening line (18) is constructed starting from the side of the packaging material opposite to the barrier layer (25) such that the barrier layer (25) is not damaged due to embossing.

22. The package according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that, The wrapper (12) has a tear strip (19) as a tearing aid and the weakening line (18) is applied adjacent to the tear strip (19).

23. The package according to claim 22, wherein, Two weakening lines (18) are applied, which are arranged on both sides of the tear strip (19), or one weakening line (18) is applied, the width of which is greater than the width of the tear strip (19) such that the edges of the weakening line (18) extend on both sides of the tear strip (19).

24. The package according to any one of the preceding claims 20 to 23, characterized in that, The or each weakening line (18) and the tear strip (19) are applied parallel to each other and preferably have a linear course.

25. The package according to any one of the preceding claims 20 to 24, characterized in that, The or each weakening line (18) and the tear strip (19) are arranged relative to each other at a small defined distance.

26. The package according to any one of the preceding claims 20 to 25, characterized in that, The wrapper (12) has an adhesively bonded label (17), preferably operable multiple times, for closing the access opening, and the weakening line (18) is arranged as a boundary of the access opening.

27. The package according to any one of the preceding claims 20 to 26, characterized in that The weakening line (18) is arranged such that the weakening line is within the contour of the adhesively bonded label (17) and is covered by the adhesively bonded label, preferably covered on all sides.

28. The package according to any one of the preceding claims 20 to 27, characterized in that, The wrapper (12) has, in addition to the tear strip (19), edge-side incisions (54) in the packaging material, which extend parallel to the longitudinal direction of the tear strip (19) and are preferably arranged on both sides of the gripping end of the tear strip (19).

29. The package according to any one of the preceding claims 20 to 28, characterized in that, The wrapper (12) has, in addition to the weakening line (18), additional weakening lines (53) formed by embossing on the packaging material for forming folding lines.

30. The package according to any one of the preceding claims 20 to 29, characterized in that, The packaging material is made of paper or mainly made of paper and has a coating as a barrier layer (25) on one side.

31. The package according to any one of the preceding claims 20 to 30, characterized in that, The tear strip (19) is arranged circumferentially on the wrapper (12) such that the cap-shaped section of the wrapper (12) can be separated from the rest of the wrapper (12) by means of the tear strip (19).

32. The package according to any one of the preceding claims 20 to 31, characterized in that, The cap-shaped section includes the material of the wrapper (12) in a narrow-side region of the packaging and the edge-side sections of the wrapper (12) in the regions of the front side, top side, rear side, and bottom side of the wrapper (12) adjacent to the narrow side.

33. The package according to any one of the preceding claims 20 to 32, characterized in that, The packaging (10) is a strip packaging (26) and the packaging (10) of cigarette industrial products is enclosed in the wrapper (12), these packagings being arranged in an ordered arrangement, in particular arranged as a so-called cigarette strip, and the weakening line (18) extends in the region between adjacent packagings (10), preferably extending around the strip packaging (26).

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