Method and device for handling packaging material, and packet for cigarette industry products

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and method for handling packaging material for wrapping (12) of cigarette industry products (11), wherein a line of weakness (18) is provided in the packaging material, in particular as an opening aid. According to the invention, the line of weakness (18) is formed (only) by embossing the packaging material, preferably on a continuous material web (28) of the packaging material. The invention also relates to a packet (10) for cigarette industry products (11) comprising such a line of weakness (18).

Description

[0001] Method and device for handling packaging material and pack for products of the cigarette industry

[0002] Description

[0003] The invention relates to a method for handling packaging material for wrapping products of the cigarette industry, wherein a weakening line is applied to the packaging material, in particular as an opening aid, according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0004] Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding device according to the preamble of claim 15 and one for products of the cigarette industry according to the preamble of claim 20.

[0005] EP 0 007423 A1 discloses a pack for products of the cigarette industry in which a line of weakness in the packaging material for an inner wrapper of a group of cigarettes is formed by perforations. The perforations serve to delimit a pull-off tab 49 which is used to open the wrapper. This solution has the disadvantage that the wrapper is not tight due to the perforations, so that the cigarettes can be exposed to adverse environmental influences. This technology is therefore particularly suitable for today's common sealed packs in which the wrapper tightly encloses the group of cigarettes. A further disadvantage can be that the perforations weaken the packaging material and in particular reduce its tensile strength. Accordingly, during production of the wrapper, the packaging material can tear in the area of ​​the perforations under tensile stress.

[0006] Based on this, the invention is based on the object of further developing known methods and devices for handling packaging material for wrapping products in the cigarette industry, as well as corresponding packages, particularly with regard to the arrangement of opening aids that do not reduce the tightness of the packaging material and / or enable good processability of the packaging material. Furthermore, a corresponding package is to be created.

[0007] A method according to the invention has the features of claim 1. It is accordingly provided that the weakening line is formed (only) by embossing the packaging material, preferably on a continuous material web of the packaging material.

[0008] It has been surprisingly demonstrated that lines of weakness can be produced this way. During embossing, the packaging material is merely compressed or squeezed, rather than (partially) cut as with lines of weakness produced by other methods. This preserves the tightness of the wrapping and also the tensile strength of the packaging material.

[0009] Furthermore, it can be provided that the packaging material has a barrier layer on one side and that the line of weakness is applied by embossing from the side opposite the barrier layer without damaging the barrier layer.

[0010] In this way, the barrier layer is not exposed to any mechanical stress by embossing the line of weakness.

[0011] Furthermore, it can be provided that a tear strip is attached to the packaging material as a tear-open aid and that the weakening line is attached adjacent to the tear strip.

[0012] This solution can have the advantage that when the wrapping is opened using the tear strip, a straight, particularly sharp-edged material edge is created by the weakening line.

[0013] Furthermore, it can be provided that two lines of weakness are applied, which are arranged on both sides of the tear strip, or that one line of weakness is applied, the width of which is greater than the width of the tear strip, such that the edges of the line of weakness extend on both sides of the tear strip.

[0014] An advantage of this solution can be that a straight, particularly sharp-edged material edge is created on both sides of the tear strip.

[0015] In a preferred 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.

[0016] Furthermore, it can be provided that the or each weakening line and the tear strip are arranged in a small, defined section relative to each other.

[0017] An advantage of this solution may be that no accidental cutting occurs during the embossing process because the tear thread is applied to a counter roller of a knife roller.

[0018] A special feature may also be that an adhesive label, preferably one that can be actuated multiple times, is attached to the packaging material to close a removal opening and that the weakening line is attached as a boundary of the removal opening.

[0019] In this way, the weakening line can also be used in a sealed package with an opening label.

[0020] 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 preferably covered by it on all sides.

[0021] Preferably, a continuous web of packaging material is drawn from a reel and transported along a conveyor line, with several stations for processing the web of material being arranged along the conveyor line. Following each of these processing stations, a web advance unit is provided for transporting the web of material. One advantage of this solution can be that it reduces the tensile forces acting on the web of material during transport. This also enables the use of sensitive packaging materials such as paper.

[0022] Preferably, it is provided that a continuous material web of the packaging material is drawn off from a reel and transported along a conveyor line, wherein several stations for processing the material web are arranged along the conveyor line, wherein the control of the processing of the material web takes place either in accordance with print marks applied to the material web or in accordance with tear strips applied to the material web.

[0023] Furthermore, it can be provided that a continuous material web of the packaging material is pulled off a reel and transported along a conveyor line, wherein several stations for processing the material web are arranged along the conveyor line, wherein the material web is provided with an adhesive on one side in a glue application station along the conveyor line and wherein a web preference unit following the glue application station transports the material web provided with adhesive by means of a suction roller, on which the material web is held with the side opposite the adhesive by means of negative pressure.

[0024] This allows the applied adhesive sufficient time to dry, and eliminates the risk of the device's drive rollers becoming contaminated.

[0025] Furthermore, it can be provided that, in addition to the tear strip, edge cuts are made in the packaging material, which run parallel to the longitudinal direction of the tear strip and which are preferably arranged on both sides of a gripping tip of the tear strip.

[0026] Furthermore, it can be provided that, in addition to the weakening line, additional weakening lines are applied to the packaging material by embossing to form fold lines. One advantage of this solution is that, unlike a conventional crease line, the embossing does not deform or damage the barrier layer.

[0027] Furthermore, it can be provided that a continuous material web of the packaging material is pulled off a reel and transported along a conveyor line, wherein several stations for processing the material web are arranged along the conveyor line and wherein blanks for a wrapper of one or more products of the cigarette industry are separated from the continuous material web by means of a knife roller, wherein the knife roller is positively controlled with an embossing roller for applying the weakening lines.

[0028] This positive control can be achieved, for example, via a mechanical connection (gears) or via synchronized servo motors, etc. One advantage of this solution can be that the tolerances between the cutting edges created by different knives are very small, contributing to a good appearance of the package.

[0029] A device according to the invention has the features of claim 15. It is accordingly provided that (exclusively) the embossing device is used to apply a weakening line to the packaging material.

[0030] The advantages of this solution have already been listed at the beginning.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, it can be provided that the packaging material can be pulled off as a continuous material web from a reel and transported along a conveyor path of the device, wherein a station for applying tear strips to the material web is arranged along the conveyor path, and that an embossing station with the embossing device for applying weakening lines is arranged downstream of the station for applying the tear strips.

[0032] It goes without saying that the arrangement can also be reversed. The embossing is then applied at regular intervals, and a suitable sensor is guided by these embossing lines to control the subsequent device for applying the tear-off thread.

[0033] Furthermore, it can be provided that a glue application station is arranged downstream of the embossing station, in which the material web is provided with adhesive, in particular by means of a slot die, and that the material web can then be guided through a suction box, wherein the material web in the region of the suction box rests on suction rollers which hold and transport the material web by means of negative pressure on the side opposite the adhesive.

[0034] The advantages of this solution have already been listed at the beginning.

[0035] Furthermore, it can be provided that a web advance unit is arranged downstream of stations for processing the material web, in particular the station for applying tear strips, the embossing station and the glue application station, for transporting the processed material web in the conveying direction.

[0036] The advantages of this solution have already been listed at the beginning.

[0037] Furthermore, it can be provided that downstream of the embossing roller in a separating station, blanks for a wrapper of one or more products of the cigarette industry can be separated from the continuous material web by means of a knife roller, wherein the knife roller is positively controlled by an embossing roller for applying the weakening lines.

[0038] The advantages of this solution have already been listed at the beginning.

[0039] A package according to the invention has the features of claim 20. Accordingly, a line of weakness formed (solely) by embossing the packaging material is provided, in particular as an opening aid. Furthermore, the packaging material can have a one-sided coating as a barrier layer, wherein the line of weakness is formed from the side of the packaging material opposite the barrier layer, such that the barrier layer is not impaired by the embossing.

[0040] The advantages of this solution have already been listed at the beginning.

[0041] Furthermore, it can be provided that the wrapping has a tear strip as a tear aid and that the weakening line is arranged adjacent to the tear strip.

[0042] The advantages of this solution have already been listed at the beginning.

[0043] Furthermore, it can be provided that two lines of weakness are applied, which are arranged on both sides of the tear strip, or that one line of weakness is applied, the width of which is greater than the width of the tear strip, such that the edges of the line of weakness extend on both sides of the tear strip.

[0044] The advantages of this solution have already been listed at the beginning.

[0045] In a further embodiment, it can be provided that the or each weakening line and the tear strip are arranged parallel to each other and preferably have a linear course.

[0046] Furthermore, it can be provided that the or each weakening line and the tear strip are arranged in a small, defined section relative to each other.

[0047] The advantages of this solution have already been mentioned at the beginning. Furthermore, the wrapping can be provided with a preferably multi-use adhesive label for closing a dispensing opening, and the weakening line can be arranged to delimit the dispensing opening.

[0048] The advantages of this solution have already been listed at the beginning.

[0049] Furthermore, it can be provided that the weakening line is arranged such that it is located within the contour of the adhesive label and is preferably covered by it on all sides.

[0050] Furthermore, it can be provided that, in addition to the tear strip, the wrapping also has edge-side cuts in the packaging material which run parallel to the longitudinal direction of the tear strip and which are preferably arranged on both sides of a gripping tip of the tear strip.

[0051] The advantages of this solution have already been listed at the beginning.

[0052] Furthermore, it can be provided that, in addition to the weakening line, the wrapping has additional weakening lines formed by embossing to form fold lines on the packaging material.

[0053] Furthermore, it can be provided that the packaging material consists of paper or essentially of paper and is provided on one side with a coating as a barrier layer.

[0054] Furthermore, it can be provided that the tear strip is arranged circumferentially on the wrapping in such a way that a cap-like section of the wrapping can be separated from the rest of the wrapping by means of the tear strip.

[0055] Furthermore, it can be provided that the cap-like section contains the wrapping material in the region of a narrow side of the pack, as well as edge sections of the wrapping in the region of a front side, a front side, a back side, and a bottom side of the wrapping adjacent to the narrow side. Furthermore, it can be provided that the pack is a multipack, and that the wrapping contains packs for products of the cigarette industry arranged in an orderly formation, in particular as a so-called cigarette rod, with the weakening line running in the region between adjacent packs, preferably circumferentially around the multipack.

[0056] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0057] Fig. 1 shows a package known from the prior art with the lid open,

[0058] Fig. 2 the package according to Fig. 1 with the removal opening open,

[0059] Fig. 3 shows a first embodiment of a package with the lid open,

[0060] Fig. 4 shows a second embodiment of a package with the lid open,

[0061] Fig. 5 the package according to Fig. 4 with partially separated tear strip,

[0062] Fig. 6 a section through the package according to Fig. 3 along section line VI -

[0063] VI,

[0064] Fig. 7 a section through the package according to Fig. 4 along section line VII -

[0065] VII,

[0066] Fig. 8 shows a section through the package according to Fig. 5 along section line VIII - VIII,

[0067] Fig. 9 shows a section through an alternative solution to the packing according to Fig. 4 in a representation analogous to Fig. 7,

[0068] Fig. 10 shows a third embodiment of a package, Fig. 11 shows a section through the package according to Fig. 10 along section line XI - XI in Fig. 10,

[0069] Fig. 12 is a schematic representation of a device for handling packaging material,

[0070] Fig. 13 is a side view of the device in the area of ​​arrow XIII,

[0071] Fig. 14 is a schematic representation of another section of the device according to Fig. 12,

[0072] Fig. 15 a section of a processed material web,

[0073] Fig. 16 an area XVI of the material web in an enlarged view,

[0074] Fig. 17 shows an alternative embodiment of the material web in a representation analogous to Fig. 16, and

[0075] Fig. 18 is a section through the device according to Fig. 13 along section line XVIII - XVIII.

[0076] Figs. 1 and 2 show the cigarette pack known from the prior art according to the aforementioned EP 0 007423 A1. A pull tab in the area of ​​the removal opening of a wrapper is defined by perforations or perforation lines, which are separated when the removal opening is opened. The wrapper directly surrounds the cigarettes. Figs. 3 and 4 show alternative cigarette packs 10 with a structure similar to the structure of the prior art packs.

[0077] Since the invention is applicable not only to cigarette packs 10, reference is made below generally to products 11 of the cigarette industry. 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.

[0078] In Fig. 3 and 4, the products 11 are directly surrounded or wrapped by a wrapping 12, as in the prior art. The wrapping is formed as usual by wrapping the products 11 in a packaging material for the wrapping 12 and connecting overlapping flaps of the packaging material or the wrapping 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, particularly in the form of a fin seam. The closed wrapping 12 (sealing block) formed in this way protects the package contents or the products 11 against harmful environmental influences. In both cases, the package contents with the wrapping 12 are arranged in an outer package 15 in the form of a hinge-lid package, i.e. with a box part and a lid pivotably mounted on this. A special feature in Fig.4 shows that the outer package 15 can also have a lateral opening instead of a conventional opening in the region of the top as shown in Figs. 1 to 3.

[0079] In the solution according to Fig. 3, a tab 16 is formed in the area of ​​the upper end wall and the adjacent front wall of the wrapper 12, which tab is covered by an opening label 17, which is glued to the wrapper 12 as an adhesive label. Using appropriate adhesive, the opening label can be opened and reclosed multiple times. When the pack 10 is used for the first time or the opening label 17 is opened for the first time, the tab 16 is separated from the rest of the wrapper to form a removal opening. To ensure a clean separation, the tab 16 is delimited according to the invention by a weakening line 18, which is formed (only) by embossing the packaging material of the wrapper 12. Instead of the perforation line in the prior art according to Figs. 1 and 2, an embossed weakening line 18 is therefore used.

[0080] In the alternative according to Fig. 4, a tear strip 19 is arranged in the usual way on the wrapper 12 for opening the pack 10. The tear strip 19 extends circumferentially around the wrapper 12, namely close to or at a short distance from a narrow side wall of the wrapper 12 and parallel to it. The tear strip 19 thus delimits a detachable cap 20 of the wrapper 12, which consists of the material of the wrapper 12 in the region of the narrow side wall and the adjacent, circumferential area of ​​the front wall, end wall, rear wall, and bottom wall of the wrapper 12.

[0081] As is often the case, the tear strip 19 has a gripping tip 21 with which the consumer can grasp a free end of the tear strip 19 and tear open the wrapping 12 by means of the tear strip 19. Fig. 5 accordingly shows a package 10 with the wrapping 12 partially opened.

[0082] The pack 10 according to Figs. 4 and 5 also has a weakening line 18 formed (exclusively) by embossing, which in this exemplary embodiment runs (only) on one side of the tear strip 19 and parallel to the tear strip 19. The weakening line 18 creates a sharp-edged or clean tear-off edge 22 when the wrapper 12 is severed using the tear strip 19, whereas a conventional, unclean tear-off edge 23 is formed on the other side of the weakening line 18. This is not a problem, however, since the cap 20 with the unclean tear-off edge 23 is disposed of by the consumer anyway after the wrapper 12 has been opened. In this way, a large removal opening is formed that extends over the entire area of ​​the severed cap 20.

[0083] The weakening line 18 is arranged in the immediate vicinity or at the level of the tear strip 19.

[0084] Fig. 6 shows a section through the wrapping 12 of the pack 10 according to Fig. 3 in the area of ​​the opening label 17, which also shows the adhesive layer 24 with which the opening label 17 can be resealably attached to the wrapping 12. A special feature resulting from Fig. 6 is that the packaging material for the wrapping 12 has a barrier layer 25 on one side. Since the packaging material consists of paper or essentially of paper, this barrier layer 25 is required to equip the packaging material in such a way that the package contents are adequately protected against environmental influences. Fig. 6 now shows that the embossing of the weakening line 18 takes place from the side facing away from the barrier layer 25, so that the barrier layer 25 is not impaired by the weakening line 18. Furthermore, Fig. 6 shows that the barrier layer 25 is arranged on the side of the packaging material facing the products 11.

[0085] Fig. 7 shows a section through the closed wrapper 12 of the pack 10 according to Fig. 4. Here, too, the barrier layer 25 is located on the inside, and the weakening line 18 is introduced from the opposite side. Furthermore, it can be seen that the tear strip 19 is attached to the inside of the packaging material or barrier layer 25. Fig. 8 shows the section after opening the wrapper 12. Clearly visible are the clean tear-off edge 22 on the left and the unclean tear-off edge 23 on the right.

[0086] Fig. 9 shows an alternative to the solution according to Fig. 7. In Fig. 9, two weakening lines 18 are provided, arranged on either side of the tear strip 19. In this way, the cap 20 also has a clean tear-off edge 22. Another conceivable alternative not shown in the drawing is that instead of the two weakening lines 18, a single weakening line 18 with a greater width is used, extending across the width of the two individual weakening lines 18.

[0087] Fig. 10 shows, as a further exemplary embodiment, a bundle pack 26 for packs 10 for products 11 of the cigarette industry. The packs 10 are arranged in a regular formation of two rows and surrounded by a packaging material which forms the wrapping 12. Between the packs 10, weakening lines 18 formed (only) by embossing are provided, which extend circumferentially around the wrapping 12. By separating the weakening lines 18, a pair of packs 10 can be removed from the wrapping 12. As an indication for the consumer, markings 27 are applied adjacent to the weakening lines 18. In this way, the consumer is informed at which points he can easily open the wrapping 12, for example by pressing in with his fingernails.

[0088] In this embodiment, too, the packaging material is made of paper or substantially of paper and has an inner barrier layer 25. In this case, too, the weakening lines 18 are applied from the side opposite the barrier layer 25 without impairing the barrier layer 25.

[0089] From the above it follows that the weakening lines 18 formed by embossing serve as an opening aid in all embodiments.

[0090] It is understood that the invention is not limited to the use of a packaging material made of paper or essentially made of paper. The use of other materials is also possible within the scope of the invention. Multilayer packaging materials that do not require a separate barrier layer 25 or that have such a layer integrated are particularly conceivable.

[0091] Fig. 12 to 18 show ways of producing one of the described wrappings 12. Accordingly, according to Fig. 12, a continuous material web 28 of the packaging material is drawn from a reel 29 by a first feed unit 30 and transported along a conveyor line 31. With the aid of a print mark sensor 32, print marks 33 applied to the material web 28 can be scanned in order to then, in accordance with the print marks 33, apply tear strips 19 transversely from below in a first station 34 to the side of the material web 28 on which the barrier layer 25 is also located. The application of the tear strips 19 to the material web 28 is known from the prior art.

[0092] A second station 35 is provided downstream of the first station for applying the tear strips 19, a station for embossing the material web 28. Depending on the package 10 or wrapper 12 to be produced, the weakening lines 18 can be applied to the material web 28 by embossing in this second station. This can be achieved using an embossing roller 36 that cooperates with a counter-roller 37, between which the material web 28 is guided and embossed on one side by the embossing roller 36, in the present embodiment from above. The embossing roller 36 can also be designed as a cutting roller, if required, to make separating cuts in the material web 28.

[0093] In Fig. 12, two (or both) types of embossing elements 38, 39 are arranged on the embossing roller 36, which are used, on the one hand, to apply the weakening line according to Fig. 4 and, on the other hand, to apply the weakening line according to Fig. 3. In practice, however, the embossing roller 36 will have only one of the two types of embossing elements 38, 39 if the package 10 to be produced requires only one of the two types of embossing.

[0094] The embossing roller 36 can be designed as a magnetic roller, as shown in Fig. 13, on whose circumferential surface a magnetizable metal foil 57 with embossing elements 38, 29 attached thereto is magnetically held. Fig. 13 shows the arrangement of corresponding magnets 40 spaced apart from one another, evenly distributed over the circumference.

[0095] Fig. 12 shows, as an alternative to the print mark sensor 32, a sensor 41 for detecting the position of the tear strips 19 on the material web 28. The sensor 41 can be used accordingly to control the embossing roller 36. This is particularly advantageous because the embossing must take place directly near the tear strip 19, which is why it must be carried out with correspondingly small tolerances. Typically, however, the embossing roller 36 is controlled by the print mark sensor 32 or a print mark sensor 32.

[0096] Downstream of the second station 35, a second advance unit 42 is arranged, which conveys the material web further along the conveyor line (here with a 90° deflection). The opening labels 17 can be fed to the material web 28 upstream of the second advance unit 42.

[0097] Further along the material web's transport path is a (further) sensor 41 for detecting the position of the tear strips 19 on the material web 28. This sensor serves to control a subsequent wide-slot nozzle 43, with which adhesive 44 is applied to the underside of the material web 28 in a third station 45 (glue application station). The freshly coated material web 28 is then transported further by means of a third advance unit 46. This unit includes a structure with a suction box 47 and suction rollers 48, to which the material web 28 is held by vacuum with the adhesive-free side.

[0098] The use of multiple pull-up units 30, 42, 46 has the advantage that each unit exerts only low tensile forces on the tear-sensitive material web 38. The speed of each subsequent pull-up unit is slightly higher than the speed of the upstream unit. This ensures that the material web 28 is taut.

[0099] The material web 28 thus prepared can be guided over a forming shoulder 49 as shown in Fig. 14 and wrapped as a tube around groups 50 of products 11. This is followed by the formation of a continuous seam in a fourth station 51, as known from the prior art, which corresponds to the later transverse seam 14 in Figs. 4 to 6. By means of a pair of sealing and cutting rollers 52, the longitudinal seams 15 are then formed as shown in Figs. 4 to 6, and the finished (inner) package 10 is separated.

[0100] Fig. 15 shows a top view of the material web 28. The position of the printed mark 33, the tear strip 19, and the weakening line 18 can be seen. Furthermore, it can be seen that additional embossed lines 53 are applied to the material web 28, which serve as folding aids instead of the crease lines known from the prior art. Furthermore, the position of the opening label 17 and the weakening line 18 for the flap 16 are indicated, as well as the position of the subsequent separating cuts 56 during separation.

[0101] Fig. 16 shows that the gripping tip 21 of the tear strip 19 extends beyond the edge of the material web 28. Optionally, two edge-side incisions 54 are provided on either side of the tear strip 19, extending parallel to it and serving as an additional tear-open aid. The incisions 54 can be aligned with an associated weakening line 18. Fig. 17 shows an alternative to the illustration according to Fig. 16 without the tear strip 19.

[0102] Fig. 18 shows a detail of the embossing roller 36 and the counter roller 37. The embossing element 38 for the weakening line 18 thus merges into a cutting element 55, which serves to form an incision 54 or incisions 54.

[0103] ***** List of reference symbols

[0104] 10 pack 42 second preferential unit

[0105] 11 Product 43 Wide slot die

[0106] 12 Wrapping 44 Adhesive

[0107] 13 Longitudinal seam 45 third station (glue application)

[0108] 14 cross seam 46 third preferential unit

[0109] 15 Outer packing 47 Suction box

[0110] 16 Tab 48 Suction roller

[0111] 17 Opening label 49 Form shoulder

[0112] 18 Line of weakness 50 group

[0113] 19 Tear strip 51 fourth station (cross seam)

[0114] 20 Cap 52 Sealing and cutting roller

[0115] 21 Gripping tip 53 Embossed line

[0116] 22 clean tear-off edge 54 cut

[0117] 23 unclean tear-off edge 55 cutting element

[0118] 24 Adhesive layer 56 Separation cut

[0119] 25 Barrier layer 57 Metal foil

[0120] 26 packs

[0121] 27 Marking

[0122] 28 Material web

[0123] 29 reels

[0124] 30 first preferential units

[0125] 31 conveyor line

[0126] 32 Print mark sensor

[0127] 33 Print mark

[0128] 34 first station (tear strip)

[0129] 35 second station (embossing)

[0130] 36 embossing roller

[0131] 37 Counter roller

[0132] 38 Imprinting organ (line of weakness)

[0133] 39 Embossing device (tab)

[0134] 40 Magnet

[0135] 41 Sensor (tear strip)

Claims

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

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

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

4. Method according to claim 3 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that two weakening lines (18) are applied, which are arranged on either side of the tear strip (19), or that 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 either side of the tear strip (19).

5. Method according to claim 3 or 4, 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.

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

7. Method according to claim 1 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that a preferably multi-actuable adhesive label (17) is attached to the packaging material for closing a removal opening, and in that the weakening line (18) is attached as a boundary of the removal opening.

8. Method according to claim 7 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the weakening line (18) is applied in such a way that it is arranged within the contour of the adhesive label (17) and is preferably covered by it on all sides.

9. Method according to claim 1 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that a continuous material web (28) of the packaging material is drawn off a reel (29) and transported along a conveyor path (31), wherein a plurality of stations (34, 35, 45) for processing the material web (28) are arranged along the conveyor path (31), wherein a web advance unit (30, 42, 46) is provided downstream of each of these processing stations, with which the material web (28) is transported.

10. Method according to claim 1 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that a continuous material web (28) of the packaging material is drawn off a reel (29) and transported along a conveyor line (31), wherein a plurality of stations (34, 35, 45) for processing the material web (28) are arranged along the conveyor line (31), wherein the control of the processing of the material web (28) takes place either in accordance with print marks applied to the material web (28) or in accordance with tear strips (19) applied to the material web (28).

11. Method according to claim 1 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that a continuous material web (28) of the packaging material is pulled off a reel (29) and transported along a conveyor line (31), wherein several stations (34, 35, 45) for processing the material web (28) are arranged along the conveyor line (31), wherein the material web (28) is provided on one side with an adhesive (44) in a glue application station (45) along the conveyor line (31), and wherein a web advance unit (30, 42, 46) following the glue application station (45), the material web (28) provided with adhesive (44) is transported by means of a suction roller (48), on which the material web (28) is held by means of negative pressure with the side opposite the adhesive (44).

12. Method according to claim 3 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that in addition to the tear strip (19), edge-side incisions (54) are made in the packaging material, which run parallel to the longitudinal direction of the tear strip (19) and which are preferably arranged on both sides of a gripping tip (21) of the tear strip (19).

13. Method according to claim 1 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that in addition to the weakening line (18), additional weakening lines (53) are applied to the packaging material by embossing to form fold lines.

14. Method according to claim 1 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that a continuous material web (28) of the packaging material is drawn off from a reel (29) and transported along a conveyor line (31), wherein a plurality of stations (34, 35, 45) for processing the material web (28) are arranged along the conveyor line (31), and wherein blanks for a wrapper (12) of one or more products of the cigarette industry are severed from the continuous material web (28) by means of a knife roller, wherein the knife roller is positively controlled with an embossing roller (36) for applying the weakening lines (18).

15. Device for handling packaging material for a wrapper (12) of products (11) of the cigarette industry, with an embossing device (35) for embossing the packaging material, in particular for carrying out the method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that (exclusively) the embossing device (35) is used to apply a weakening line (18) to the packaging material.

16. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that the packaging material is fed as a continuous material web (28) from a reel (29) peelable and transportable along a conveyor path (31) of the device, wherein a station (34) for applying tear strips (19) to the material web (28) is arranged along the conveyor path (31), and that downstream of the station (34) for applying the tear strips (19) an embossing station (35) with the embossing device (35) for applying weakening lines (18) is arranged.

17. Device according to claim 16, characterized in that downstream of the embossing station (35) there is a glue application station (45) in which the material web (28) is provided with adhesive (44), in particular by means of a slot die (43), and that the material web (28) can then be guided through a suction box (47), wherein the material web (28) in the region of the suction box (47) rests against suction rollers (48) which hold and transport the material web (28) by means of negative pressure on the side opposite the adhesive (44).

18. Device according to claim 15 or one of the other preceding claims 16 or 17, characterized in that downstream of stations (34, 35, 45) for processing the material web (28), in particular the station (34) for applying tear strips (19), the embossing station (35) and the glue application station (45), a web advance unit (30, 42, 46) is arranged in each case for transporting the processed material web (28) in the conveying direction.

19. Device according to claim 15 or one of the other preceding claims 16 to 18, characterized in that downstream of the embossing station (35) in a separating station by means of a knife roller, blanks for a wrapper (12) of one or more products of the cigarette industry can be separated from the continuous material web (28), wherein the knife roller is positively controlled with an embossing roller for applying the weakening lines (18).

20. Pack for products of the cigarette industry, wherein one or more products are preferably directly surrounded at least partially by a wrapper (12) made of a packaging material, in particular produced in a method according to one or more of the preceding claims 1 to 14, characterized by a weakening line (18) formed (only) by embossing the packaging material, in particular as an opening aid.

21. Pack according to claim 20, characterized in that the packaging material has a one-sided coating as a barrier layer (25), wherein the line of weakness (18) is formed starting from the side of the packaging material opposite the barrier layer (25) in such a way that the barrier layer (25) is not impaired by the embossing.

22. Pack according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that the wrapping (12) has a tear-open strip (19) as a tear-open aid and that the weakening line (18) is arranged adjacent to the tear-open strip (19).

23. Pack according to claim 22, characterized in that two lines of weakness (18) are applied, which are arranged on both sides of the tear strip (19), or that one line of weakness (18) is applied, the width of which is greater than the width of the tear strip (19), such that the edges of the line of weakness (18) extend on both sides of the tear strip (19).

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

25. Pack according to one of the preceding claims 20 to 24, characterized in that the or each weakening line (18) and the tear strip (19) are arranged in a small, defined section relative to one another.

26. Pack according to one of the preceding claims 20 to 25, characterized in that the wrapping (12) has a preferably multiply operable adhesive label (17) for closing a removal opening, and in that the weakening line (18) is arranged as a boundary of the removal opening.

27. Pack according to one of the preceding claims 20 to 26, characterized in that the weakening line (18) is arranged such that it is located within the contour of the adhesive label (17) and is preferably covered by it on all sides.

28. Pack according to one of the preceding claims 20 to 27, characterized in that the wrapping (12) in addition to the tear strip (19) also has edge-side incisions (54) in the packaging material, which run parallel to the longitudinal direction of the tear strip (19) and which are preferably arranged on both sides of a gripping tip of the tear strip (19).

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

30. Pack according to one of the preceding claims 20 to 29, characterized in that the packaging material consists of paper or substantially of paper and is provided on one side with a coating as a barrier layer (25).

31. Pack according to one of the preceding claims 20 to 30, characterized in that the tear strip (19) is arranged circumferentially on the wrapping (12) in such a way that a cap-like section of the wrapping (12) can be separated from the rest of the wrapping (12) by means of the tear strip (19).

32. Pack according to one of the preceding claims 20 to 31, characterized in that the cap-like section contains the material of the wrapping (12) in the region of a narrow side of the pack as well as edge-side sections of the wrapping (12) in the region of a front side, an end side, a back side and a bottom side of the wrapping (12) adjacent to the narrow side.

33. Pack according to one of the preceding claims 20 to 32, characterized in that the pack (10) is a bundle pack (26), and that packs (10) for products of the cigarette industry are wrapped in the wrapping (12), which are arranged in an ordered formation, in particular as a so-called cigarette rod, wherein the weakening line (18) runs in the area between adjacent packs (10), preferably circumferentially around the bundle pack (26).

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