Device and method for handling blanks for wrapping packaging items for products of the cigarette industry

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for handling blanks (67) for wrapping packaging items (10) for products of the cigarette industry, comprising a conveying path for transporting blanks (67) for the wrapping process in a conveying direction, and comprising a transfer station (70), in which the blanks (67) are kept ready in an in particular upright blank plane, wherein: the device is designed to transport packaging items (10) transversely to the conveying direction of the blanks (67) through the transfer station (70) and to transport the kept-ready blanks (67) by carrying one kept-ready blank (67) through a packaging item (10) in each case; and the device is designed to place the blanks (67) in a U-shape around the packaging items (10) and then to interconnect free ends of the particular blanks (67) such that the packaging items (10) are wrapped in the blanks (67) which have formed a tube; and the blanks (67) are held in the transfer station (70) in the region of lateral edges of the blanks (67) by means of a vacuum on holding members (72), in particular on suction belts. According to the invention, the blanks (67) are held in the region between the holding members (72) by being placed on holding means (76) in the blank plane, wherein the holding means (76) are designed to bleed off electrostatic charges of the blanks (67).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for handling blanks for wrapping packages of cigarette products, comprising a conveyor for transporting blanks for wrapping in a conveying direction, and a transfer station in which the blanks are held in a, in particular upright, cutting plane, wherein the device is configured to transport packages transversely to the conveying direction of the blanks through the transfer station and the held blanks, taking one held blank with it each time through a package, and wherein the device is configured to place the blanks in a U-shape around the packages and then connect the free ends of the respective blanks to each other in such a way that the packages are wrapped in the blanks formed into a tube.and wherein the blanks are held in the transfer station in the area of ​​the lateral edges of the blanks by means of negative pressure on holding elements, in particular on suction belts, according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding method according to the preamble of claim 14. Generic devices and methods are described in patents US5411699A, EP3880432A1 and US2016 / 325483A1.

[0002] For the purposes of this application, products of the cigarette industry include tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigarillos and the like, but also novel tobacco products, such as heat-not-burn products or liquid carriers for e-cigarettes.

[0003] During the packaging process for cigarette products, each pack is wrapped in a blank of packaging material. These blanks are cut from a continuous web of material by slicing the web to defined lengths. The resulting blanks are then conveyed and wrapped around the packs.

[0004] The basic principle described above is known, for example, from DE 29 49 685 A1. The web of material is transferred to suction belts via feed rollers whose speed can be controlled. These suction belts guide the web of material towards a die. Along this path, the web of material is cut into individual blanks by a knife assembly. The blanks then remain attached to the suction belts until they reach a transfer point in front of the die.

[0005] It has been found that cut pieces of film, in particular, tend to develop bulges during the conveying process. The problem here is that these bulges cause the cut pieces to run up against the nozzle and prevent them from being conveyed past it. At the very least, the contact between the nozzle and the cut piece causes damage to the film (e.g., scratches, etc.).

[0006] Based on this, the invention aims to further develop devices and methods of the type mentioned above, particularly with regard to handling the cut pieces with as little disruption as possible.

[0007] A device according to the invention has the features of claim 1. It is therefore provided that the blanks are held in the area between the holding elements by contact with holding means in the cutting plane, wherein the holding means are configured to dissipate electrostatic charges of the blanks.

[0008] The invention is based on the understanding that one cause of the problem lies in the electrostatic charging of the blanks during the transport process. This electrostatic charging leads to bulges and subsequent damage to the blanks, particularly in the area of ​​the nozzle. This problem is solved by securing the blanks against the holding devices. Furthermore, the holding devices can also counteract dents in the blanks.

[0009] Preferably, the holding means are made of an electrically conductive material, preferably a metallic material, in particular as guide plates.

[0010] Preferably, several holding means are arranged between the holding elements.

[0011] Preferably, the number of holding devices is variable.

[0012] Preferably, the distances between the holding means are variably adjustable.

[0013] Preferably, the distances between the holding means are adjustable independently of the cutting width.

[0014] Preferably, the distances between the holding means are adjustable depending on the distance between the holding elements.

[0015] Preferably, spring means are arranged between adjacent holding means in order to align the distances between the holding means.

[0016] Preferably, it is provided that when adjusting the distance between the holding elements, the distance between the holding means is maintained by uniform spring constants of the spring means, or that the distance between the holding elements can be changed by different spring constants of the spring means.

[0017] Preferably, the cutting plane has a curved profile, at least in the area of ​​the holding means, in particular convex with respect to the conveying direction of the packages.

[0018] Preferably, a nozzle is provided in the conveying path of the packages downstream of the transfer station, through which the packages are transported together with the respective blank.

[0019] Preferably, the mouthpiece is provided to have upper guides and lower guides, each of which is arranged in the area of ​​opposite side surfaces of the packaging.

[0020] Preferably, the upper guides are arranged to be adjustable relative to the lower guides to adapt to the format of the packages.

[0021] Preferably, the spacing of the holding elements is designed to diverge in the conveying direction, particularly at least in the transfer station.

[0022] Preferably, the holding devices are arranged upstream of the transfer station in the conveying direction of the blanks.

[0023] Preferably, the holding means are arranged on at least one common axis, and spring means are arranged between adjacent holding means on at least one axis.

[0024] Preferably, the holding means are rotatably arranged on a common axis.

[0025] Preferably, the holding means are fixedly mounted on several axes.

[0026] A method according to the invention has the features of claim 14. It is therefore provided that the blanks are held in the area between the holding elements by contact with holding means in the cutting plane, wherein the holding means dissipate electrostatic charges of the blanks.

[0027] A preferred embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the drawings. These show: Fig. 1 shows a first part of a device for manufacturing packages for products of the cigarette industry in a schematic side view, Fig. 2 shows a second part of the device in another schematic side view, Fig. 3 shows a detail of the device in area III according to Fig. 3 In enlarged view, Fig. 4 shows a detail of the device according to Fig. 3 In enlarged view, Fig. 5 shows a vertical section through the device along section line V - V. Fig. 4, Fig. 6 a vertical section through the device along section line VI - VI in Fig. 4 , Figs. 7 and 8 show a horizontal section through the device along section line VII - VII in Fig. 6 to illustrate the adaptation to different widths of cutouts, and Fig. 9 a vertical section through the device along section line IX - IX in Fig. 6 .

[0028] The invention relates to the handling of packs 10 for products of the cigarette industry. Fig. 1 and 2 The diagram shows parts of a packaging machine for such packages 10. It depicts individual steps that follow the actual production of the packages 10. These are as follows:

[0029] The packages 10 are transferred by means of a feeder to a storage belt 11 and in this way into a transfer station 12. The accumulated packages 10 are then transferred from the transfer station 12 to a singulation station 13 and thereby separated from each other.

[0030] By means of a turning wheel 14, the packages 10 are transferred after singulation to a conveying device 15 and transported along a conveyor section 16. During transport along the conveyor section 16, the packages 10 are held between two holding elements 17 of the conveying device 15. A device 18 for attaching pressure carriers is arranged in the area of ​​the conveyor section 16. This device serves to attach pressure carriers to a side surface of the packages 10. To orient the packages 10 so that a specific side surface faces the device 18, the packages 10 held by the holding elements 17 are rotated during transport by means of a stationary guide. At the end of the conveyor section 16, a second turning wheel 19 is arranged. This device serves to remove the packages 10 from the conveying device 15 and feed them to a removal conveyor 20.

[0031] Sensors 21 are used to detect the presence of the packages 10 between the holding devices 17. Sensors 22 are used to determine the edges of the packages 10. The device 18 is controlled via the detected edges. Cameras 23 are used to check whether the packages 10 already have printing plates, whereas cameras 24 are used to check the correct position of the printing plate on the package.

[0032] In the next step, the packages 10 are wrapped in a blank for an outer covering. A corresponding web of material 26 for the outer covering is guided over deflection rollers 27. A tear strip 29 is unwound from a spool 28 and attached to the web of material 26. The tear strip 29 and the web of material 26 with the attached tear strip 29 are each guided over loop boxes 30, 31 as buffers. An ultrasonic sensor 32 is arranged in the area of ​​the second loop box 31, which serves to monitor the formation of the loop in the loop box 31. Via a print mark sensor 33 and a splice sensor 34, the web of material 26 enters a so-called film extruder 35 with feed rollers 36 for conveying the web of material 26, a U-knife 37, and a thread position sensor 38.The U-shaped knife 37 serves to form a U-shaped cut for a grasping tab of the tear thread 29, while the thread position sensor 38 serves to monitor the position of the tear thread 29 on the material web 26. The material web 26 is held in an upright plane in the area of ​​a suction box 40 by means of suction belts 39 and separated by a cutting unit 41. The packages 10, fed via an infeed belt 42, are pushed into a sealing turret 44 by a pusher 43, taking with them the cut-off section of the material web 26. There, the cut sections are folded around the packages 10 with the assistance of an underfolder 45 and sealed in several sealing stations 46 and transferred to another infeed belt 47.

[0033] The illustration of the inlet belt 47 is in Fig. 2continued. Accordingly, the packages 10 are transported by the infeed belt 47 into the area of ​​a vertical conveyor 48, which serves to transport the packages 10 in two lanes to a higher conveyor. In the area of ​​the vertical conveyor 48, a heat seal 49 is provided for the top and bottom sides of the packages 10, as well as heating cassettes 50. Following the infeed belt 47, packages 10 can be discharged via a discharge chute 51.

[0034] In the higher-level conveyor, the packages 10 are transported on a track plate 52, first with an upper belt 53 and then with a lower belt 54. Heating elements 55 and a side heater 56 are used to heat the top and bottom sides of the packages 10, while shrink heaters 57, 58 heat the large side surfaces of the packages 10.

[0035] Following the lower belt 54 or the track plate 52, the packages 10 are transported by means of a belt conveyor 59. In the area of ​​a discharge station 60, several ejectors 61 are provided to convey any defective packages 10 into a discharge chute 62. The packages 10 that are not rejected are conveyed onto a subsequent push-off belt 63, which can, for example, lead to a cartoner.

[0036] For the present invention, the one in Fig. 3The following facts are of particular interest. The process is as follows: The material web 26 (e.g., a film web) wound on a bobbin is unwound by feed rollers and conveyed towards a cutting device 25. On its way there, a tear thread 29 is applied to the material web 26, and both materials are conveyed into a loop box 30, 31, or pendulum. The loop boxes 30, 31 serve to buffer the moving material in order to compensate for speed fluctuations while maintaining constant web tension. An ultrasonic sensor 32 can be provided as a control device for the loop box 31, which monitors the formation of the loop. A print mark sensor 33 can be installed downstream of the loop box 31, which ensures the positioning accuracy of the subsequent cut relative to the printed image.Another sensor 34 serves to detect a splice in the material web 26 in order to be able to separate this double-layered material area in the further course.

[0037] Also in Fig. 3 It can be seen that the cutting device 25, the components just described, and other components are designed as an independent module of the overall machine. For this purpose, all elements of this part of the wrapping process are arranged on a machine frame 64, which can be integrated into the packaging machine.

[0038] Starting from the Fig. 4The further process and / or device will now be described in more detail: The material web 26 is conveyed by the feed rollers 36 towards the cutting unit 25. The feed rollers 36 are driven by a servo motor 81, so that their speed is fully controllable. A U-shaped knife 37 is provided between the feed rollers 36 and the cutting unit 41, which can make the U-shaped cut for the ripping thread 29. This U-shaped knife 37 is also driven by a separate servo motor 81. Its rotational speed is thus controllable, and the knife can be disengaged (if a U-shaped cut is not required in the cutting process). A sensor 38 for thread position detection can be provided behind the U-shaped knife 37, which checks the correct position of the ripping thread 29 on the material web 26.

[0039] In principle, optional (partial) cuts such as the U-cut can be switched on or off depending on the format.

[0040] The cutting apparatus 25 is built according to the modular principle and, in addition to the feed rollers 36, U-knife 37 and cutting unit 41, also consists of the components knife roller 65, suction belt as holding elements 72, handwheel 66 and suction box 40 with integrated guide plates (see Fig. 5 The material web 26, conveyed by the feed rollers 36, is placed onto the knife roller 65 and held there by means of vacuum (bores). This generates the required web tension behind the feed rollers 36. The holding elements 72, which transport both the material web 26 and the cut blanks 67, are mechanically connected to the knife roller 65. The knife roller 65 and the correspondingly coupled holding elements 72 are also driven by a separate servo motor 81.

[0041] It is also conceivable that the suction belts or holding elements 72 could each be driven by separate drives. This would make it possible to align a blank 67 by means of different speeds of the two suction belts or holding elements 72, should a blank 67 become tilted during the process and this tilt is detected by the sensors 75.

[0042] For setup operation, the knife roller 65 with holding elements 72 can also be moved by the operator via the handwheel 66. In this operating mode, the feed rollers 36 and the U-knife 37 are electronically coupled to the knife roller 65 so that they follow the manually performed movement. For safety reasons, the feed rollers 36 and the U-knife 37 are enclosed in a protective cover 68 so that there is no risk of injury to the operator from the electric drives (see Fig. 4 ).

[0043] Preferably, all rotary-driven components of the device are driven separately via servomotors 81 and their speed can be individually controlled and coupled to each other.

[0044] The cutting process is carried out according to the following procedure: The speed v1 of the feed rollers 36 / material web 26 remains constant. The speed v2 of the cutter roller 65 / holding elements 72 follows the law of motion that v2 is exactly equal to the speed v1 at the moment of cutting. The material web is held in static friction on the cutter roller 65 or the holding elements 72. The cut itself takes place between the stationary counter-knife 69 of the cutting unit 41 and the knife of the rotating cutter roller 65 (see Fig. 6 ). After the cut has been made, v 2 is accelerated to distance the cut piece 67 from the continuous material web 26 (see Fig. 5During this acceleration, v2 > v1, and the continuous material web 26 is held taut by slippage on the knife roller 65. A flexible cutting length is also possible with this approach: By controlling the speed difference between v1 and v2, the cutting length can be adjusted between two defined limits (minimum and maximum cutting length depending on the circumference of the suction drum). Alternatively, the speed v1 (feed rollers / web material) can vary, while the speed v2 (knife roller / holding elements) remains constant. In this way, the cutting lengths can be flexibly adjusted by controlling the speeds of the servo drives.

[0045] After the cut has been made, the holding elements 72 transport the blank 67 to a transfer station 70 in front of a nozzle 71. The blank 67 is held in place by negative pressure, which is generated in suction air channels 73 and transferred to the blank 67 via suction bores 74 in the holding elements 72 (see Fig. 7 ). In the transfer station 70 in front of the mouthpiece 71, the package 10 conveyed (by means of infeed belt 42) is pushed through the blank 67 by means of a pusher 43 (see Fig. 6 In this process, the blank 67 is pulled away from the holding elements 72 by the passing package 10 and, together with the package, is pushed into the mouthpiece 71 and subsequently into the sealing revolver 44. The basic principle of this solution is known from EP 00 31 515 A1, to which reference is made for the purpose of full disclosure. Additional sensors are provided to increase the positioning accuracy between the blank 67 and the package 10 (see Fig. 6These sensors 75 detect the lower edge of the blank 67, allowing the position of the blank 67 on the holding elements 72 to be determined. Based on this position, appropriate adjustments (interaction of the feed roller 36 and the knife roller 65) can be made as soon as the position deviates too much from a previously determined target position. Determining the position also allows for the detection of errors that occur before the feed rollers 36 (e.g., insufficient web tension during material transport).

[0046] In the inlet area of ​​the mouthpiece 71, there are folding thumbs as upper guides 78 and lower guides 79, which serve to guide the packaging 10 with the blank 67 laterally. Furthermore, the blank 67 is pre-folded by these guides 78, 79 (see Fig. 9If a different packaging format (taller packaging) is used, the inlet opening of the mouthpiece 71 can be adjusted in height. This simultaneously adjusts the height of the upper guide 78 accordingly (see also Fig. 9 ).

[0047] During transport of the blanks 67, they are guided over vertical guide plates as holding means 76, which extend between the knife roller 65 and the transfer station 70 to the nozzle 71 (see Figs. 5 to 8These holding elements 76 serve two purposes: firstly, to guide and support the blank 67, preventing it from sagging between the holding elements 72; and secondly, to dissipate static charges generated during blank transport via these holding elements 76 (which are in direct contact with the blank 67). The curved shape of the holding elements 72 and the holding elements 76 facilitates the guidance of the blank 67 and its contact with the holding element 76. This significantly reduces any bulging of the blank 67 caused by static electricity.

[0048] The holding elements 76 are variably adjustable relative to each other, depending on the distance between the two holding components 72 (depending on the cutting width to be conveyed). However, the respective distance between the individual holding elements 76 is preferably always kept constant by means of compression springs as spring elements 77 (see Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 This allows for a uniform distribution of the contact surfaces between the holding elements 76 and the cut piece 67. The number of holding elements 76 is also variable. This can vary depending on the cut piece properties (film thickness, cut width, cut length, etc.).

[0049] The retaining elements 76 are fixedly arranged on several axes 80, on which the spring elements 77 are also arranged. In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining elements 76 are mounted on three axes 80. A variant is also conceivable, but not shown in the drawings, in which all retaining elements 76 are rotatably mounted on a common axis 80.

[0050] Preferably, the holding elements 76 are arranged parallel to one another. In an alternative embodiment, which is not shown in the drawings, the holding elements 76 may have a diverging orientation relative to one another in the conveying direction of the blanks 67. This diverging orientation can cause any wrinkles present in the blanks 67 to be smoothed out during transport along the holding elements 76. One way to implement such a diverging orientation is to use different spring elements 88 on the axes 80. For example, on an upstream axis 80, the distances between the holding elements 76 can be reduced by means of corresponding spring elements 88 compared to a downstream axis, thus creating the diverging orientation.It is also conceivable that stronger spring elements 88 are arranged only on the outside of the retaining means 76 on the upstream axis 80, which compress the retaining means 76.

[0051] Another possibility is that the holding elements 72 are arranged in a divergent manner. This would increase the distance between the holding elements 72 in the conveying direction, thereby pulling the blanks 67 taut. This would help to reduce wrinkling and hold the blanks 67 against the holding elements 76.

[0052] The separate drives of the cutting unit 25 allow individual blanks 67 to be locked within a machine cycle. This means that the drives are stopped and the blank 67 or the material web 26 is not advanced further. This locking is particularly advantageous if a pack 10 is missing on the infeed belt (e.g., pre-rejected) and the pusher 43 would otherwise perform an empty cycle. This prevents the unused blank 67 from being scrapped. Furthermore, the separate drive control makes it possible to separate and reject the pre-detected (splice sensor 34) double-layer splices from the material web.

[0053] After the package 10 with blank 67 is transferred, the package 10 is sealed in the sealing turret 44 according to a known principle, for example in accordance with the aforementioned EP 00 31 515 A1. For this purpose, several sealing stations 46 with heating jaws are provided, which are lowered onto the side of the package during the rotation of the sealing turret 44 (see Fig. 4 Finally, the packages (10) are transported away and fed into the further processing process (see Fig. 2 ). Reference symbol list

[0054] 10 pack 42 enema belt 11 strap 43 Insert 12 transfer station 44 Seal revolver 13 Isolation station 45 Underleaf butterfly 14 Reversing wheel 46 Sealing station 15 Funding 47 enema belt 16 Conveyor 48 Vertical conveyor 17 Holding device 49 Hand heating 18 Furnishings 50 Heating cassettes 19 Reversing wheel 51 Ejection chute 20 Removal 52 track board 21 sensor 53 Upper chord 22 sensor 54 lower belt 23 camera 55 Heating element 24 camera 56 Side heating 25 Cutting device 57 shrink heater 26 Material track 58 shrink heater 27 pulley 59 Belt conveyor 28 Bobbin 60 Ejection station 29 Tear thread 61 ejector 30 Loop box 62 Ejection chute 31 Loop box 63 push-off belt 32 Ultrasonic sensor 64 machine frame 33 Print mark sensor 65 knife roller 34 Splice sensor 66 handwheel 35 Film apparatus 67 Cut 36 Preferred roller 68 Protective covering 37 U-knife 69 Counter knife 38 Thread position sensor 70 transfer station 39 Suction belt 71 mouthpiece 40 Suction box 72 Holding device 41 Cutting unit 73 Intake air duct 74 Suction bore 75 sensor 76 Holding device 77 Spring elements 78 Leadership (upper) 79 Guide (lower) 80 axis 81 servo motor

Claims

1. Apparatus for handling blanks (67) for a wrapper of packs (10) for products of the cigarette industry, comprising a conveying route for transporting blanks (67) for the wrapper in a conveying direction, and comprising a transfer station (70) in which the blanks (67) are held ready in an, in particular upright, blank plane, wherein the apparatus is configured to transport packs (10) transversely to the conveying direction of the blanks (67) through the transfer station (70) and the held-ready blanks (67), such that in each case a pack (10) carries along a held-ready blank (67), and wherein the apparatus is configured to place the blanks (67) in the shape of a U around the packs (10) and then to connect free ends of the respective blanks (67) to one another in such a way that the packs (10) are wrapped in the blanks (67) which are shaped into a tube, and wherein the blanks (67) are held in the transfer station (70) in the region of lateral peripheries of the blanks (67) on holding members (72), in particular on suction belts, by means of negative pressure, characterized in that the blanks (67) are held in the region between the holding members (72) by abutment on holding means (76) in the blank plane, wherein the holding means (76) are configured to dissipate electrostatic charges of the blanks (67).

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that the holding means (76) are formed from an electrically conductive material, preferably from a metallic material, in particular in the form of guide plates.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a plurality of holding means (76) are arranged between the holding members (72), it preferably being provided that the number of holding means (76) is variable, and / or in that the distances of the holding means (76) from one another are variably settable.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 3 or any of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the distances of the holding means (76) from one another are settable independently of the blank width, and / or in that the distances of the holding means (76) from one another are settable in dependence on the distance between the holding members (72).

5. Apparatus according to Claim 3 or any of the other preceding claims, characterized in that in each case spring means (77) are arranged between adjacent holding means (76), in order to align the distances of the holding means (76) from one another.

6. Apparatus according to Claim 5 or any of the other preceding claims, characterized in that, when adapting the distance of the holding members (72) from one another, the distance between the holding means (76) remains unchanged by way of uniform spring constants of the spring means (77), or in that the distance of the holding means (76) from one another can be changed by way of different spring constants of the spring means (77).

7. Apparatus according to Claim 3 or any of the other preceding claims, characterized in that, at least in the region of the holding means (76), the blank plane has a curved profile, in particular convexly in relation to the conveying direction of the packs (10).

8. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or any of the other preceding claims, characterized in that, in the conveying route of the packs (10), a mouthpiece (71) is arranged downstream of the transfer station (70), by which mouthpiece the packs (10) are transported together with the respective blank (67), it preferably being provided that the mouthpiece (71) has upper guides (78) and lower guides (79) which are respectively arranged in the region of opposite side surfaces of the packs (10), it in particular being provided that the upper guides (78) are arranged so as to be adjustable in relation to the lower guides (79) for adaptation to the format of the packs (10).

9. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or any of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the distance between the holding members (72) in the conveying direction is designed to be divergent, in particular at least in the transfer station (70).

10. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or any of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the holding means (76) are arranged upstream of the transfer station (70) in the conveying direction of the blanks (67).

11. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or any of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the holding means (76) are arranged on at least one common shaft (80), and in that, between adjacent holding means (76), spring means (77) are arranged on at least one shaft (80).

12. Apparatus according to Claim 11 or any of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the holding means (76) are arranged rotatably on a common shaft (80).

13. Apparatus according to Claim 11 or any of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the holding means (76) are mounted fixedly on a plurality of shafts (80).

14. Method for handling blanks (67) for a wrapper of packs (10) for products of the cigarette industry, wherein the blanks (67) for the wrapper are transported along a conveying route in a conveying direction and wherein the blanks (67) are held ready in a transfer station (70) in an, in particular upright, blank plane, and wherein the packs (10) are transported transversely to the conveying direction of the blanks (67) through the transfer station (70) and the held-ready blanks (67), such that in each case a pack (10) carries along a held-ready blank (67), and wherein the blanks (67) are placed in the shape of a U around the packs (10) and then free ends of the respective blanks (67) are connected to one another in such a way that the packs (10) are wrapped in the blanks (67) which are shaped into a tube, wherein the blanks (67) are held in the transfer station (70) in the region of lateral peripheries of the blanks (67) on holding members (72), in particular on suction belts, by means of negative pressure, characterized in that the blanks (67) are held in the region between the holding members (72) by abutment on holding means (76) in the blank plane, wherein the holding means (76) dissipate electrostatic charges of the blanks (67).

Images