Method and machine for producing rigid packs of smoking articles

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a manufacturing method and machine for producing a rigid pack of smoking articles (1), which method and machine are provided for at least partially folding a blank (6) around at least one group of smoking articles (3) to form an outer container (4) having at least one wall (7; 15; 17) that is subsequently cut, and for forming at least one main through cut (9) in the wall (7; 15; 17) after at least partially folding the blank (6) around the group of smoking articles (3). The main cut (9) is formed by a laser beam focused on the wall (7; 15; 17) to sublimate a portion of the wrapping material forming the blank (6).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] (CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims priority to Italian Patent Application No. 102020000022189, filed September 21, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a manufacturing method and machine for producing rigid packs of smoking articles.

[0003] The present invention is advantageously applied in packaging machines which manufacture cigarette packs known as "wallets", whereby, without any loss of generality, explicit reference is made to the following disclosure. [Background technology]

[0004] A "wallet" type cigarette pack comprises (at least) two inner containers, each for storing a group of packaged cigarettes, each having an open upper end and hinged to one another by an outer container so as to rotate between a closed configuration in which the inner containers overlap one another and an open configuration in which the inner containers move away from one another, and further provided with a lid hinged to the outer containers and enclosing the upper parts of both inner containers in the closed configuration.

[0005] The manufacture of "wallet" type cigarette packs can be accomplished by using two corresponding blanks which are folded around each group of packaged cigarettes to form two inner containers, joining the two inner containers (by overlapping), and then folding a third blank around the two joined (by overlapping) inner containers to join the two inner containers and form an outer container with a common lid.

[0006] To facilitate manufacture of the outer container, one wall (e.g., the bottom wall) of the outer container may be adhesively bonded to both of the inner containers, and therefore it may be necessary to form a cut in the bottom wall of the outer container to allow separation of the two inner containers after the third blank is folded (i.e., to allow the two inner containers to rotate relative to one another).

[0007] It is known to use a single rotating blade to cut the bottom wall of the outer container in two to separate the two inner containers, however, during the performance of this cut the blade tends to become contaminated by the adhesive applied between the bottom wall of the outer container and the inner container, and therefore the manufacturing machine needs to be stopped frequently to remove the adhesive.

[0008] To solve this problem, it has been proposed to apply no adhesive on the bottom wall of the outer container in the separation area between the two inner containers (i.e. in the cut area). However, on the one hand, this solution is difficult to implement, since it is very difficult to control the movement of the adhesive when pressure is applied between the bottom wall of the outer container and the inner container (i.e., the adhesive moves randomly when pressure is applied and may in any case "erode" the cut area), and on the other hand, it leaves the edge of the bottom wall of the outer container free of adhesive upon cutting, which therefore tends to "flap" freely (without being fixed in the desired position by the adhesive), giving the end consumer the impression of a low-quality cigarette pack.

[0009] It is also possible to perform a double cut in the bottom wall of the outer container and remove the strap from the bottom wall of the outer container in the separation area between the two inner containers (i.e. two adjacent parallel cuts) in order to clearly separate the two inner containers. For this purpose, a cutting unit is used which comprises two parallel and adjacent rotating blades partially housed inside a collection chamber in which a suction action is performed which captures and removes the strap as soon as it is separated from the rest of the bottom wall.

[0010] However, even after cutting by the two rotating blades, it is not uncommon that the strap remains attached to the bottom wall and is therefore not removed by suction, so that downstream of the cutting unit, some "wallet" type cigarette packs still have the strap in more or less place on the bottom wall of the outer container. This can cause various problems such as the strap falling off inside the machine before the application of the clear plastic wrapping, or the strap being integral with the cigarette pack wrapping (with the clear plastic wrapping) in a completely random position, giving the end consumer the impression of a low quality cigarette pack.

[0011] Furthermore, after the cut is made by the two rotating blades, the strap may remain stuck between the two rotating blades and in the long run cause a jam that stops the packaging machine.

[0012] US Patent No. 5,399,633 discloses a manufacturing machine configured to form "wallet" type cigarette packs, comprising a first machine coupled to a first inner frame to form a first wrapped group of cigarettes, a second machine coupled to a second inner frame to form a second wrapped group of cigarettes, and a third machine combining the two wrapped groups of cigarettes into a single hinged pack having a vertical hinge.

[0013] US Pat. No. 5,399,433 discloses a packaging unit in which a tape-like packaging material is subjected to a process involving material removal by a laser.

[0014] US Pat. No. 5,399,633 discloses a rigid pack of cigarettes with a hinged lid storing two separate groups of cigarettes. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0015] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2005 / 054056 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2016 / 166692 [Patent Document 3] European Patent Application Publication No. 2253547 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0016] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT It is an object of the present invention to provide a manufacturing method and machine for producing rigid packs of smoking articles which do not suffer from the above mentioned drawbacks. [Means for solving the problem]

[0017] According to the present invention there is provided a manufacturing method and machine for producing a rigid pack of smoking articles in accordance with the subject matter set out in the accompanying claims.

[0018] The claims describe embodiments of the invention that form an integral part of this disclosure.

[0019] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate non-limiting embodiments of the invention. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a "wallet" style cigarette pack in a closed configuration. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the "wallet" style cigarette pack of FIG. 1 in an open configuration. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a group of uncovered cigarettes stored within the "wallet" style cigarette pack of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a group of wrapped cigarettes stored within the "wallet" style cigarette pack of FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of two inner containers of the "wallet" type cigarette pack of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the two inner containers of the "wallet" type cigarette pack of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a plan view of a blank used to manufacture the outer container of the "wallet" type cigarette pack of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of a cutting unit for removing straps from the walls of the "wallet" type cigarette pack of FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a wall of the “wallet” style cigarette pack of FIG. 1, showing the cuts made to remove the straps; [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a detail of a wall of the "wallet" type cigarette pack of FIG. 1 at a double through cut performed by a conventional mechanical cut. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a detail of a wall of the "wallet" type cigarette pack of FIG. 1 at the double through cut performed by the cutting unit of FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a detail of a wall of the “wallet” type cigarette pack of FIG. 1 at a double through cut performed by the cutting unit of FIG. 8 and according to a further operating variation. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a detail of a wall of the "wallet" type cigarette pack of FIG. 1 at a double through cut performed by the cutting unit of FIG. 8 and according to a further operating variation. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of one "slide" style cigarette pack in a closed configuration. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the "slide" style cigarette pack of FIG. 14 in an open configuration. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of another "slide" style cigarette pack in a closed configuration. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the "slide" style cigarette pack of FIG. 16 in an open configuration. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a further "slide" style cigarette pack in a closed configuration. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the "slide" style cigarette pack of FIG. 18 in an open configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] In Figures 1 and 2, the number 1 indicates generally a "wallet" type rigid cigarette pack comprising two inner containers 2 (shown separately in Figures 5 and 6) housing respective wrapped groups 3 of cigarettes (shown in Figures 3 and 4). In particular, Figure 3 shows the cigarette group 3 bare (i.e. devoid of wrapping), whereas Figure 4 shows the cigarette group 3 wrapped (i.e. provided with a soft wrapping with a cut-out portion at the top).

[0022] According to the illustrated (non-limiting) embodiment, the two cigarette groups 3 (and therefore the two inner containers 2) have different sizes, ie one cigarette group 3 is larger than the other cigarette group 3.

[0023] 1 and 2, the cigarette pack 1 includes an outer container 4 that encloses (contains) two inner containers 2 therein, and has a hinge that allows the two inner containers 2 to rotate between a closed configuration (see FIG. 1) in which the two inner containers 2 overlap each other, and an open configuration (see FIG. 2) in which the two inner containers 2 are separated from each other. Furthermore, the outer container 4 is provided with a lid 5 that is hinged to the outer container 4, and the lid 5 surrounds both upper portions of the inner containers 2 when in the closed configuration (see FIG. 1).

[0024] The manufacture of the cigarette pack 1 comprises first forming two cigarette groups 3, wrapping each package around a group of cigarettes 3, and then producing two inner containers 2 by using two corresponding blanks (not shown, as this is known) that are folded (and stabilized by adhesive) around each cigarette group 3. Once the two inner containers 2 have been formed, the two inner containers 2 (containing each wrapped group of cigarettes 3) are joined together (superimposed) and an outer container 4 is formed by folding a blank 6 (shown in Figure 7) around the two joined inner containers 2.

[0025] 1 and 2, as soon as the blank 6 is folded, the outer container 4 has both a bottom wall 7, which is attached to both of the inner containers 2 (thus allowing the inner containers 2 to rotate relative to each other), and a side wall 7, which is attached to both of the inner containers 2 (thus allowing the inner containers 2 to rotate relative to each other), and therefore it is necessary to make cuts in both the bottom wall 7 and the side wall 7 of the outer container 4 so that the two inner containers 2 can be separated from each other (i.e. so that the two inner containers 2 can rotate relative to each other). During folding of the blank 6 to form the outer container 4, it is important to take care that the walls 7 (which are part of the blank 6 and therefore part of the outer container 4) sit against both of the packaged smoking article groups 3 (with the interposition of each inner container 2).

[0026] In FIG. 8, the number 8 generally indicates a cutting unit to which a group of already fully formed cigarette packs 1 are fed in order to perform a cut in the walls 7 of the outer container 4 of each cigarette pack 1 (for convenience, in FIG. 8 only the cut in the bottom wall 7 is shown, but the cut in the side walls 7 is performed in the same way).

[0027] In particular, as better shown in FIG. 9 , the cutting unit 8 performs a double main through cut (i.e. two main through cuts 9 that are spaced apart and parallel to each other) to remove a strap 10 in each wall 7 to form a clear separation between the two inner containers 2, i.e. the cutting unit 8 removes a corresponding relatively thin central portion (strap 10) from each wall 7 of the cigarette pack 1 to separate the two inner containers 2.

[0028] In the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, the two main through cuts 9 separating the straps 10 from the rest of each wall 7 are parallel to each other and therefore the straps 10 have a constant width; according to a different embodiment not shown, the two main cuts 9 separating the straps 10 from the rest of each wall 7 may not be perfectly parallel to each other (i.e. they may slightly converge or diverge relative to each other) and therefore the straps 10 may have a variable width.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 8, the cutting unit 8 comprises a conveyor for continuously feeding the cigarette packs 1 along a linear path P, the conveyor being formed, for example, as described in EP 1 916 188 A1 and EP 2 172 339 A2. The cutting unit 8 further comprises (at least) one emitter 11 formed to focus a laser beam on each wall 7 of each blank 6 (or of the corresponding outer container 4 formed by the blank 6) so as to form the main through cuts 9 by sublimating (vaporizing) a part of the packaging material forming the blank 6. In other words, for each cigarette pack 1 fed along the path P, the main through cuts 9 separating the straps 10 from the other parts of each wall 7 are formed by a laser beam focused on the wall 7 of the outer container 4 (or, correctly, of the blank 6 forming the outer container 4) so ​​as to sublimate (vaporize) a part of the packaging material forming the blank 6.

[0030] By way of example, a laser spot is focused on each wall 7 and moved by use of mirrors motorized by galvanometers (laser marker and two-axis scanner head), although there may be additional motor drives acting on the laser focus (marker and scanner head with three or even more axes). Schematically, during the performance of the main cut 9 by the emitter 11, the cigarette packs 1 may be stationary or moving, and during any movement the position of the cigarette packs 1 may be tracked by a position sensor, connected to the conveyor mechanism, or by visual optics.

[0031] The main cut 9 made by the emitter 11 can be a straight line or can follow a freely programmable path.

[0032] As mentioned above, in each cigarette pack 1 and in each wall 7, two main through cuts 9 are spaced apart from each other and delimit a strap 10 which is the waste part of the wall, i.e. the part which must be separated and removed from the rest of the wall 7. According to what is shown in Fig. 9, in order to facilitate the separation and removal of the strap 10 (which constitutes the waste part of each wall 7), it is possible to form, through the cutting unit 8, not only the main through cut 9, but also a series of secondary through cuts 12 which divide the strap 10 (i.e. the waste part) into a number of smaller parts which are easier to separate and remove from each wall. In particular, each secondary cut 12 is oriented transversely (perpendicularly or respectively inclined) to the two main cuts 9 and joins together the two main cuts 9 (so as to divide the waste part into two parts 13). In the embodiment shown in Fig. 9, a group of secondary cuts are formed to divide the strap 10 (i.e. the waste part) into different parts 13. In other embodiments not shown, a single secondary cut 12 can be made to divide the strap 10 (ie, the waste portion) into only two portions 13 .

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the cutting unit is arranged at a cutting station in which a laser beam is focused on the walls 7 of each cigarette pack 1 and includes a suction device 14 configured to suck up the waste portion (i.e. the strap 10, which may be whole or may be divided into a plurality of portions 13).

[0034] Furthermore, the cutting unit 8 also comprises a suction system for sucking the fumes (dust) generated after sublimation (vaporization) of the packaging material forming each wall 7. According to a possible embodiment, the suction device 14 is able to suck both the waste part (i.e. the strap 10, which may be whole or divided into several parts 13) and the fumes (dust) generated after sublimation (vaporization) of the packaging material, downstream of the suction device 14 the packaging material can be separated from the fumes (dust) by suitable filters in order to be treated differently.

[0035] In each embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, the cutting unit 8 performs a cut on two different walls 7 of each cigarette pack 1 (i.e. both on the bottom wall 7 and on the side wall 7). According to different but entirely equivalent embodiments, the blanks 6 are formed differently and therefore the cutting unit 8 performs a cut only on a single wall 7 of each cigarette pack 1 (i.e. only on the bottom wall 7 or only on the side wall 7).

[0036] To summarise, in the forming unit, two wrapped cigarette groups 3 are formed for each cigarette pack 1, in a first packaging unit, two inner containers 2 are formed around the two wrapped cigarette groups 3, in a second packaging unit, a blank 6 is folded around the two inner containers (i.e. around the two wrapped cigarette groups 3) to form an outer container 4, in this step (at least) a bottom wall 7 of the outer container 4 is glued to both inner containers. Finally, in a cutting unit 8, two main cuts 9 are made on the bottom wall 7 of the outer container 4, which are spaced apart from each other and extend between two opposite ends of the wall 7, separating a first part of the wall 7 glued to the first inner container 2 and a second part of the wall 7 glued to the second inner container 2.

[0037] The cutting unit 8, in addition to making the through cuts 9 (and possibly 12), can also be used to perform additional processes on each cigarette pack 1. For example, the laser emitted by the emitter 11 can also be used (in addition to making the cuts 9 and possibly 12) to form vector or raster alphanumeric indicia, bar codes, logos, or even pictorial and decorative elements on the outer container 4. Generally, the operating parameters of the emitter 11 (force, speed, frequency, repetition rate, diameter, and spot focus) can differ from one process to another, and furthermore, the operating parameters of the emitter 11 can be changed even during the same process.

[0038] In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 9 and 11, in each cigarette pack 1, the cutting unit 8 makes two spaced apart main cuts 9 extending between two opposite ends of the walls 7 and separating the straps 10 (i.e. the waste portions) to be removed from each wall 7.

[0039] According to a different embodiment shown in Figure 12, in each cigarette pack 1, the cutting unit 8 makes a single main cut 9 extending between two opposite ends of each wall 7. In this embodiment, each wall 7 is in any case divided into two parts (each only adhered to the corresponding inner container 2), but without the formation of any waste part (i.e. any strap 10 that is removed from the wall 7).

[0040] According to a further embodiment shown in Figure 13, in each cigarette pack 1, the cutting unit 8 makes two or even more main cuts 9 in each wall 7 (i.e. the wall 7 is divided in any case into two parts) adjacent and abutting each other (i.e. without any wrapping material remaining between two adjacent main cuts 9) so as to form an even wider separation in the wall 7, but without the formation of any waste parts (i.e. any straps 10 removed from the wall 7). In other words, in the embodiment shown in Figure 13, the straps 10 (i.e. the waste parts) are completely "broken down" (vaporized, sublimated) by multiple adjacent laser passes (strokes), i.e. by multiple main cuts 9 adjacent and abutting each other, so that no wrapping material remains between like cuts (i.e. the waste material is mechanically removed).

[0041] By making a comparison between Figures 10 and 11, one can appreciate the difference between the double main cut 9 performed by the double rotating blade (Figure 10) and the double main cut 9 performed by the laser (Figure 11). The main cut 9 performed by the laser creates a good separation down to the adhesive interposed between the wall 7 and the underlying inner container 2 (and in some cases even removes and vaporizes some of the adhesive interposed between the wall 7 and the underlying inner container 2), whereas the main cut 9 performed mechanically to prevent the blade from being contaminated by the adhesive interposed between the wall 7 and the underlying inner container 2 must be very thin (and therefore unclear) in the vicinity of the adhesive. Thus, the straps 10 delimited by the main cut 9 performed by a laser (Figure 11) can be removed very easily since the main cut 9 (Figure 11) no longer has any kind of residual connection with the wall 7, whereas the straps 10 delimited by the double main cut, which is performed mechanically by double rotating blades (Figure 10), are removed with much greater difficulty since there is some residual connection with the wall 7 (in addition, it is difficult to remove in advance without soiling the rotating blades with adhesive). In the different embodiment shown in Figures 14 and 15, a single wrapped group of cigarettes 3 is obtained for insertion inside a single inner container 2 which is slidably stored inside the outer container 4 (i.e. the blank 6 is thus wrapped around the single inner container 2 which is inside the outer container 4), and a single main through cut is provided which closes on itself and separates the fastener 16 which is glued to the underlying inner container 2 from the side wall 15 of the outer container 4. In this embodiment, the main cut 9 may also be discontinuous (so as to leave residual connection points as a guarantee of integrity which must be broken upon initial opening of the cigarette pack 1).Furthermore, in this embodiment, the fastener 16 formed by the main cut 9 has the function of making the opening of the cigarette pack 1 more "complicated" (i.e. extraction by sliding the inner container 2 from the outer container 4) in order to make the opening of the cigarette pack 1 "childproof".

[0042] In a different embodiment shown in Figures 16 to 19, a single wrapped group of cigarettes 3 is formed, which is inserted directly inside the outer container 4 (i.e. the blank 6 is wrapped directly around the wrapped group of cigarettes 3, no inner container 2 is present), the outer container 4 is provided with a slide lid 5, and a single main through cut 9 is provided in the rear wall 17 of the outer container 4, forming a complete separation between the outer container 4 and the slide lid 5 (i.e. initially the slide lid 5 is connected to the rest of the outer container 4 and is completely separated from the rest of the outer container 4 only by said main through cut 9). In this embodiment, the main cut 9 may also be discontinuous (to leave residual connection points as a guarantee of integrity, which must be broken upon initial opening of the cigarette pack 1). Furthermore, in this embodiment, the main cuts 9 may be straight (as shown in Figures 16 and 17) or may be zigzag formed with sharp or rounded ends (as shown in Figures 18 and 19).

[0043] Obviously, also in each of the embodiments shown in Figures 14 to 19, it is also possible to make two adjacent main cuts 9 in the walls 15 and 17 and to separate and remove the straps 10 from the corresponding walls 15 and 17.

[0044] The embodiments described herein may be combined with each other without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0045] The manufacturing method described above has many advantages.

[0046] First, the manufacturing method described above allows the use of blanks 6 that are easier and quicker to manufacture and fold, since some blank 6 cutting operations are performed after the folding of the blank 6 is completed (or during the folding of the blank 6), allowing the hard pack 1 of cigarettes to be manufactured efficiently and effectively.

[0047] Furthermore, the manufacturing method described above allows the main cuts 9 to be performed with great precision, without any risk of errors and contamination (and therefore without any need for regular cleaning), even in cases where adhesive is found underneath the main cuts 9.

[0048] If necessary, the manufacturing method described above allows easy and safe removal of any strap 10 (i.e. any waste part) after cutting, thus avoiding that the strap 10 (or a piece of the strap 10) remains in contact with the wall 7 downstream of the cutting unit 8.

[0049] Finally, the manufacturing method described above is simple and inexpensive to implement compared to similar known manufacturing methods, which require short changeover times using commercially available components (such as emitter 11) or components that can be readily obtained with standard machining.

[0050] Although the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings relate to the manufacture of cigarette packs, the present invention may be applied without substantial modification to the manufacture of any other type of smoking article pack (e.g., cigar packs, liquid vaporization electronic cigarette packs, new generation smokeless cigarette packs, etc.). The present disclosure also includes the following aspects. [Aspect 1] A method for producing a hard pack of smoking articles (1), the method comprising the steps of: forming at least one group of smoking articles (3); at least partially folding the blank (6) around the group of smoking articles (3) to form an outer container (4) having at least one wall (7; 15; 17) which is subsequently cut; forming at least one main through cut (9) in said wall (7; 15; 17) after at least partially folding said blank (6) around said group of smoking articles (3); Including, A method of manufacturing, characterised in that the main through cut (9) is made by a laser beam which is focused on the walls (7; 15; 17) to sublimate a portion of the packaging material forming the blank (6). [Aspect 2] A method according to embodiment 1, wherein the walls (7; 15; 17) are provided in their interior with an adhesive layer, the adhesive layer being located in the area of ​​the main cut (9) and connecting the walls (7; 15; 17) to other components of the rigid pack (1) of smoking articles. [Aspect 3] said main cut (9) defines a waste portion of said wall (7); The waste portion is separated from the wall (7). 3. The method of claim 1 or 2. Aspect 4 A method according to embodiment 3, wherein two main cuts (9) are made, the two main cuts (9) being spaced apart from each other so as to define the waste portion. Aspect 5 5. The method of claim 3 or 4, wherein at least one secondary through cut (12) is formed, the secondary through cut (12) being oriented transverse to the main cut (9) and dividing the waste portion into two portions (13). Aspect 6 The method of any one of claims 3, 4 or 5, wherein a plurality of secondary through cuts (12) are formed, the secondary through cuts (12) being oriented transverse to the main cut (9) and dividing the waste portion into a plurality of portions (13). Aspect 7 The method according to any one of aspects 3 to 6, further comprising removing the waste portion from the wall (7) by means of a suction device (14) arranged in the area of ​​a cutting station where the laser beam is focused on the wall (7). Aspect 8 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein at least two main cuts (9) are formed, the at least two main cuts being parallel and adjacent to each other, with no packaging material left between them. Aspect 9 Two groups of smoking articles (3) are formed, the two groups of smoking articles (3) being inserted into two inner containers (2) that are separate and independent from each other; Both inner containers (2) are wrapped by the blank (6) so as to be inside the outer container (4), The wall (7) is bonded to both inner containers (2), and the main through cut (9) extends between two opposite ends of the wall (7) and separates a first portion of the wall (7) bonded to a first inner container (2) from a second portion of the wall (7) bonded to a second inner container (2); A method for producing a compound according to any one of aspects 1 to 8. Aspect 10 A group of smoking articles (3) is formed for insertion into the inner container (2); The inner container (2) is wrapped by the blank (6) so as to be inside the outer container (4); and the main through cut (9) has a closed circular shape and separates a fastener (16) from the wall (15) and the fastener (16) is bonded to the inner container (2) located immediately below; 3. The method of claim 1 or 2. Aspect 11 The outer container (4) is provided with a sliding lid (5); and the main through cut (9) forms a complete separation between the outer container (4) and the sliding lid (5) to allow the sliding lid (5) to slide relative to the outer container (4); 3. The method of claim 1 or 2. Aspect 12 A manufacturing machine for producing a rigid pack of smoking articles (1), the manufacturing machine comprising: a forming unit for forming at least one group of smoking articles (3); a packaging unit for at least partially folding a blank (6) around said group of smoking articles (3) to form an outer container (4) having at least one wall (7; 15; 17) which is subsequently cut; a cutting unit (8) for making at least one main through cut (9) in said wall (7; 15; 17) of said blank (6) after at least partially folding said blank (6) around said group of smoking articles (3); Including, 1. A manufacturing machine, characterized in that the cutting unit (8) comprises an emitter (11) configured to focus a laser beam on the wall (7; 15; 17) to form the through cuts (9) which sublimate a portion of the packaging material forming the blank (6).

Claims

1. A method for producing a rigid pack of smoking articles (1), the method comprising the steps of: forming at least one group of smoking articles (3); at least partially folding the blank (6) around said group of smoking articles (3) to form an outer container (4) having at least one wall (7; 15; 17) which is subsequently cut; making at least one main through cut (9) in said wall (7; 15; 17) after at least partially folding said blank (6) around said group of smoking articles (3); Including, said main through cut (9) being formed by a laser beam, which is focused on said wall (7; 15; 17) to sublimate a portion of the packaging material forming said blank (6); and the wall (7; 15; 17) is provided, inside the wall (7; 15; 17), with an adhesive layer, which is arranged in the area of ​​the main through cut (9) and which bonds the wall (7; 15; 17) to other components of the rigid pack (1) of smoking articles.

2. said main through cut (9) defines a waste portion of said wall (7); The waste portion is separated from the wall (7). The method of claim 1 .

3. 3. A method according to claim 2, in which two said main through cuts (9) are made, said two main through cuts (9) spaced apart from each other so as to define said waste portion.

4. 4. A method according to claim 2 or 3, in which at least one secondary through cut (12) is made, oriented transversely to the main through cut (9) and dividing the waste portion into two portions (13).

5. 5. The method of claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein a plurality of secondary through cuts (12) are made, oriented transversely to the main through cut (9) and dividing the waste portion into a plurality of portions (13).

6. 6. The method according to claim 2, further comprising the step of removing the waste part from the wall (7) by means of a suction device (14) arranged in the area of ​​a cutting station where the laser beam is focused on the wall (7).

7. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least two of the main through cuts (9) are made parallel and adjacent to each other, with no packaging material left between them.

8. Two groups of smoking articles (3) are formed, the two groups of smoking articles (3) being inserted into two inner containers (2) that are separate and independent from each other; Both inner containers (2) are wrapped by the blank (6) inside the outer container (4), The wall (7) is glued to both inner containers (2), and said main through cut (9) extends between two opposite ends of said wall (7) and separates a first portion of said wall (7) bonded to a first inner container (2) from a second portion of said wall (7) bonded to a second inner container (2); The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The group of smoking articles (3) to be inserted into the inner container (2) is formed; the inner container (2) is wrapped by the blank (6) so as to be inside the outer container (4); and the main through cut (9) has a closed circular shape and separates a fastener (16) from the wall (15) and the fastener (16) is bonded to the inner container (2) located immediately below; The method of claim 1 .

10. The outer container (4) is provided with a sliding lid (5), and the main through cut (9) forms a complete separation between the outer container (4) and the sliding lid (5) to allow the sliding lid (5) to slide relative to the outer container (4); The method of claim 1 .

11. A manufacturing machine for producing a rigid pack of smoking articles (1), the manufacturing machine comprising: a forming unit for forming at least one group of smoking articles (3); a packing unit for at least partially folding a blank (6) around said group of smoking articles (3) so as to form an outer container (4) having at least one wall (7; 15; 17) which is subsequently cut; a cutting unit (8) for making at least one main through cut (9) in said wall (7; 15; 17) of said blank (6) after at least partially folding said blank (6) around said group of smoking articles (3); Including, said cutting unit (8) comprising an emitter (11) configured to focus a laser beam on said wall (7; 15; 17) to form said main through cuts (9) which sublimate a portion of the packaging material forming said blank (6); and said wall (7; 15; 17) is provided, on the interior of said wall (7; 15; 17), with a layer of adhesive, said layer being located in the area of ​​said main through cut (9) and bonding said wall (7; 15; 17) to other components of said rigid pack (1) of smoking articles.

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