Cleaning method for a plant for packaging objects

Abstract

A cleaning method is disclosed for a plant (1) for packaging objects (2) by a tape packaging material (3) designed to define respective enclosures (4) for the objects (2). The method includes a step of supplying a tape cleaning material (5) along an advancement path (W) intended - in normal operation - to be traversed by the tape packaging material (3), and a step of running the tape cleaning material (5) in contact with parts (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) of the plant (1) that - during normal operation - interact in contact with the tape packaging material (3) so as to remove and / or neutralize by contact undesired particles present along, or near, the advancement path (W).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] “Cleaning method for a plant for packaging objects”

[0003] Background of the invention

[0004] The invention relates to a cleaning method for a plant for packaging objects by a tape packaging material intended to define respective enclosures for such objects.

[0005] Specifically but not exclusively, the method according to the invention can be applied to a plant for packaging groups of elongated objects, in particular smoke articles. Smoke articles mean, for example, cigarettes, in particular aromatized cigarettes, in particular menthol cigarettes, or aerosol generating articles.

[0006] Further on in this description, explicit reference will be made to packaging aromatized cigarettes, in particular with menthol, without thereby losing general relevance.

[0007] Prior art

[0008] Apparatuses are known for packaging aromatized cigarettes, in particular mentholated cigarettes, the aroma of which is provided by an aromatized tape packaging material that is wrapped to form an enclosure around a group of cigarettes. This enclosure is also called “inner liner” which can be turn be coated with an external enclosure.

[0009] Using an aromatized material in the packaging plant entails problems, as set out below.

[0010] In a packaging cycle, the tape packaging material, advancing along the plant and coming into contact with various parts thereof, inevitably releases there aromatic particles thereupon.

[0011] The aromatic particles can collect in accumulations (or dry deposits) on the parts of the packaging plant present in the transition zones of the tape material, causing both a loss of efficiency and / or malfunctions of the plant, and quality defects in the enclosure made.

[0012] Further, in the case of a production change, in particular a change between the production of aromatized articles and production of non-aromatized conventional articles with a fir. aroma and production with a second aroma other than the first, contamination of the second production batch with the aroma of the first must be avoided.

[0013] In the case of tape packaging material aromatized with menthol, in order to avoid major accumulations and solid incrustations of menthol, the contact surfaces of the parts of the packaging plant are heated so as to maintain the menthol fluid. Nevertheless, heating the parts it not sufficient to reduce significantly or eliminate the menthol residues that may alter subsequent production.

[0014] It is observed that the above drawbacks can be created by any type of undesired particle other than aromatized particles, like for example particles arising from an additional substance, or a coating product, or from a substance that is removable from the surface of the packaging or wrapping material that is liable to generate undesired accumulations along the packaging path, with the result of lowering production quality and efficiency.

[0015] In order to overcome these drawbacks, all the sliding surfaces are cleaned thoroughly that come into contact with the tape packaging material or which are near the advancement path of the tape packaging material.

[0016] This cleaning task is performed manually by an operator with significant expenditure of time and adversely affects production efficiency because enable to reach all the various parts of the plant, it is necessary to stop the latter.

[0017] This manual cleaning task is moreover ineffective because the tape packaging material - in normal operation - traverses processing zones that are cramped and difficult for the operator to reach.

[0018] In the light of what has been set out above, ample room for improvement for current methods of cleaning a plant for packaging objects is noted.

[0019] In particular, it would be desirable to dispose of a cleaning method for a plant for packaging objects that enables the parts of the plant for packaging objects to be cleaned rapidly and effectively.

[0020] Objects of the invention

[0021] One object of the invention is to improve current methods of cleaning for packaging objects by a tape packaging material intended to define respective enclosures. Another object is to provide a solution that is able to speed up the cleaning operations of a plant for packaging objects while decreasing the downtime of the plant.

[0022] Another object is to provide a solution that is effective in removing and / or neutralizing the undesired particles from all parts of the plant that have been in contact with the tape packaging material and also from the parts nearer the advancement path traversed by the tape packaging material.

[0023] Another object is to provide a solution that enables the cleaning operations for cleaning a plant for packaging objects to be automated.

[0024] Such objects and still others are achieved by a cleaning method for a plant for packaging objects as defined in the appended claims.

[0025] Short description of the drawings

[0026] The invention can be better understood and implemented with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0027] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a packaging plant for packaging objects in which some elements are removed to show others better;

[0028] Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the packaging plant of Figure 1 ;

[0029] Figure 3 is a schematic side view of an upper part of the packaging plant;

[0030] Figure 4 is a schematic top view of the packaging plant part of Figure 3;

[0031] Figure 5 is a schematic plan view of a portion of a tape cleaning material with weakening zones;

[0032] Figures 6 and 6A are schematic plan views of a tape cleaning material joined to a tape packaging material;

[0033] Figure 7 is a schematic plan view of a tape cleaning material joined to a further tape cleaning material;

[0034] Figure 8 is a perspective view that illustrates material flows in a further embodiment of a packaging plant. Detailed description

[0035] With reference to the aforesaid figures, is indicated by numeric reference 1 a packaging plant for packaging objects 2 by a tape packaging material 3 designed to define respective enclosures 4 for such objects 2 (Figures 1 and 2). The objects 2 can comprise elongated objects (i.e., having an axis of prevalent extent) preferably cylindrical. Examples of said objects 2 are cigarettes or aerosol generating articles (in particular of the heat-not-burn type), in particular groups of cigarettes or of aerosol generating articles. Alternatively, said objects 2 can be further products of the tobacco industry or of other industries like the food industry.

[0036] The term “packaging plant” means one or more machines for packaging objects 2. In particular, one or more machines for enclosing objects 2 inside packaging materials.

[0037] If the objects 2 are products of the tobacco industry, in particular aromatized cigarettes or articles generating aromatized aerosols (for example mentholated cigarettes or articles), the packaging plant 1 is suitable for packaging said aromatized objects 2, the aroma of which is provided by an aromatized (in particular mentholated) tape packaging material.

[0038] The tape packaging material 3 can be wrapped in an aromatized reel (for example with menthol or mentholated reel).

[0039] The tape base material can comprise a layer of paper coupled with a layer of aluminium. It is alternatively possible to provide only one or more layers of paper.

[0040] The aromatized reel can be prepared by unwinding a virgin reel, applying to an inner side of the tape base material (the side with the layer of paper) an aromatized alcohol solution, for example menthol alcohol solution (with ethyl alcohol) and subsequently rewinding the reel. The aromatized alcohol solution can be applied by a volumetric needle valve dispenser.

[0041] After the application, the aromatized alcohol solution is absorbed by the tape layer 3 to which it is applied and remains trapped between two successive coils when the reel is rewound. The solvent does not evaporate completely between rewinding, so at the interface between the coils the zone affected by the aromatizer (for example the menthol) is still wet and the latter sticks to the outer surface of the coil, at the outer side of the tape base material 3. Traces of the aromatizing deposit nevertheless remain on this outer side.

[0042] Accordingly, the aromatizer (for example the menthol, in the form of crystals) is present on both sides of the tape packaging material 3, in a greater quantity on the inner side (usually made of paper).

[0043] Once the reels have been aromatized they are bagged and placed in a vacuum to be kept and for the aroma to be preserved. Before being used in the packaging plant 1 , the reels of tape packaging material 3 are brought to ambient temperature or heated to activate the evaporation of the aromatizer crystals (menthol).

[0044] During the normal operation of the packaging plant 1 , or in one packaging cycle, the tape packaging material 3, after it has been cut into sheets, is wrapped around a group of objects 2 to form an enclosure 4 around such objects 2 (also called a “bundle”). The enclosure 4 is also called an “inner liner”, which, in a subsequent packaging step, can be covered by an outer enclosure 13 (Figure 8) usually made by folding a cardboard blank.

[0045] During the operation cycle, the tape packaging material 3 is fed through an advancement path W. Along the advancement path W, the tape packaging material 3 interacts in contact with parts 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d of the packaging plant 1 (shown schematically in Figures 3 and 4).

[0046] Further on in the description, explicit reference is made to menthol as an aromatic substance provided in the tape packaging material 3. Nevertheless, the disclosed cleaning method can also be applied in a conventional packaging process, in which there is no aromatic substance, or in a process of packaging aromatized objects in which an aromatic substance other than menthol is present, like for example: vanilla, chocolate, coffee, raspberry, strawberry, clove, etc. In fact, this cleaning method can be applied to remove and / or neutralize any type of undesired particles present along, or near, advancement path W or near the latter. The undesired particles can comprise (in addition to or instead of the aromatic substance) particles coming from covering products / substances or from functional dispersions present in the packaging material and which may act as contaminants of a subsequent production batch. The undesired particles can comprise, in addition to aromatic particles, also dirt particles.

[0047] The cleaning cycle includes a cleaning cycle comprising a step of feeding a tape cleaning material 5 along the advancement path W designed - in normal operation - to be traversed by the tape packaging material 3. The cleaning cycle further comprises a step of running the tape cleaning material 5 in contact with the parts 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d of the plant 1 that - during normal operation - interact in contact with the tape packaging material 3 so as to remove and / or neutralize by contact the undesired particles present along, or near the advancement path W.

[0048] In other words, in the cleaning cycle for the plant 1 , the tape cleaning material 5 is slid against the surfaces of the parts 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d of the plant 1 with which the tape packaging material 3 has come into contact. In addition, the tape cleaning material 5 can be brought into contact with further parts that are near the parts 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d and / or which are provided near the advancement path W.

[0049] In still other words, in the cleaning cycle it is possible to run the plant 1 “on empty”, i.e. without packaging the objects 2, so as to move the tape cleaning material 5 (instead of the tape packaging material 3) onto the surfaces of the parts 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d of the plant 1 that - during normal operation - interact in contact with the tape packaging material 3 and / or onto further surfaces near the parts 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d.

[0050] In the packaging cycle, the tape packaging material 3 intended to form the (inner) enclosure 4 for a group of objects 2 (cigarettes or aerosol generating products) is fed by a reel-holding unwinding device 8 (Figures 1 and 2) and is advanced through a possible embossing unit to then reach, by a series of rollers 6a and guides 6b (Figures 3 and 4), a buffer zone and through a transverse cutting unit and through a (rotary or linear) forming unit where the tape packaging material 3 is cut (into sheets) and folded around a group of objects 2 to form the enclosure 4.

[0051] According to the illustrated embodiment, the objects 2 are fed by a feeding hopper 9 to a belt conveyor 10 that advances a series of pockets inside which the objects 2 are set up to form the group of objects 2 intended to be wrapped by the tape packaging material 3 (clearly suitably cut into sheets). Once the groups of objects 2 are formed, the groups of objects 2 are conveyed by the belt conveyor 10 near the forming unit where the tape packaging material 3 is folded around the group of objects 2 forming the enclosure 4 containing the group of objects 2. Said enclosure 4 is conveyed to a second belt conveyor 11 as far as a series of packaging wheels (or conveyors) at which the packaging cycle will be completed with the application of a stiffening element 12 and with an outer enclosure 13 (Figure 8). The parts of the plant 1 comprise, by way of non-exhaustive example: unwinding guides, embossing unit parts, joining mechanism parts, dragging and return roller parts 6a (including roller adjustment), guides 6b, buffer parts, longitudinal cutting unit parts, unwinding and cutting unit parts, forming wheel parts, in particular forming pockets, cutting blades, belt conveyor parts 12, 13, wheel conveyor parts, in particular conveying pockets 6c, 6d and (fixed or movable) folding elements.

[0052] As disclosed further below, the cleaning cycle can be performed for a period of time that is necessary to remove and / or neutralize the deposits of undesired particles.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the step of feeding the tape cleaning material 5 can be performed automatically. In particular, the tape cleaning material 5 is fed at the end of the packaging cycle of a specific production sequence.

[0054] According to a possible embodiment, it is possible to join a final end flap of the tape packaging material 3 being processed in the plant 1 (and near finishing) with an initial end flap of the tape cleaning material 5 (Figure 6A) to start the cleaning cycle.

[0055] Alternatively, or in addition, to the step of feeding the tape cleaning material 5 to the end of the packaging cycle, it is possible to provide a joining step between a final end flap of the tape cleaning material 5 that is about to finish (and thus to the end of the cleaning cycle) with an initial end flap of a tape packaging material 3 (Figure 6) to resume the normal production cycle. This enables the tape cleaning material 5 to drag the tape packaging material 3 along the advancement path W automatically to start a (new) packaging cycle.

[0056] In one embodiment, the feeding step further provides a joining step between a final end flap of the tape cleaning material 5 near the finish to joint an initial end flap of a further tape cleaning material 7 (Figure 7). This enables the tape cleaning material 5 (and the further tape cleaning material 7) to perform the cleaning action also on parts of the plant provided along the advancement path W in the start zone of the automatic change (for example on the joining mechanism). It is possible to implement this joining step between the two tape cleaning materials 5 and 7 by using two respective cleaning reels and automatically performing repeated reel-changing tasks.

[0057] The joining step is performed by applying an adhesive tape that is compatible with the tape cleaning material 5 and suitable for ensuring correct adhesion of the two flaps to be joined (also in the presence of a cleaning fluid or of abrasive, particles, as will be disclosed below).

[0058] The advancement path W crossed both by the tape packaging material 3 and by the tape cleaning material 5 can comprise a first path portion that extends from an unwinding zone, in which it is supported and unwound (from the reel-holding unwinding device 8) a reel of (packaging 3 and / or cleaning 5) tape material as far as a cutting zone in which the tape material is cut into portions that are suitable for forming the individual enclosures 4 (“inner liners”) for the objects 2. In this first advancement path portion the (cleaning 5 and / or conveying 3) tape material is conveyed in the form of an elongated tape.

[0059] The advancement path W can comprise a second advancement path portion in which the (cleaning 5 and / or conveying 3) tape material is conveyed in the form of an enclosure 4 in which the tape material was cut, or portioned (into sheets ), and folded.

[0060] According to one embodiment, during the cleaning cycle, it is further possible to provide a sampling step in which the portion of cut tape cleaning material 5 is sampled.

[0061] This sampling step occurs in an intermediate portion of the advancement path W upstream of the forming unit, in which the portions of tape cleaning material 5 are collected to be disposed of or analyzed (the portions of tape cleaning material 5 can be, in particular, analyzed to determine the residual content of undesired particles, as will be disclosed below). Alternatively, the sampling step occurs downstream of the forming unit in which the tape cleaning material 5 is sampled in the form of an enclosure 4.

[0062] Alternatively to the sampling step of the portions of tape cleaning material 5, it is possible, in a final step of the packaging cycle - during the normal operation - replacing the objects 2 with service objects (having a similar shape to the objects 2) that are intended to be wrapped by the portion of the (previously cut) tape cleaning material 5 to form the enclosure 4.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the service objects comprise rods of filtering material (for example, of the same type and dimensions used for packaging traditional cigarettes). Alternatively, the service objects can comprise elongated cylindrical objects with a diameter that is greater than that of the cigarettes to be so packaged that the enclosure 4 formed from the service objects wrapped by the tape cleaning material 5 exerts increased pressure on the parts of the plant 1 with which it comes into contact.

[0064] In this replacement step, the action of cleaning and / or removing the undesired particles by the portioned tape cleaning material 5 continues along the second advancement path portion W through which - in the packaging cycle - the single enclosures 4 are conveyed to complete the packaging cycle.

[0065] The tape cleaning material 5 is configurable in a cleaning reel. The core of the cleaning reel can have dimensions that are comparable with those of the reel of tape packaging material 3 so that this cleaning reel can be loaded onto the reelholding unwinding device 8 of the plant 1 (Figures 1 and 2) and start the cleaning cycle automatically as in a reel-change operation. The cleaning reel can be provided, in particular, with a core measuring 152.4 mm, or 6” in diameter. The cleaning reel can be provided with a group of adaptors for reel holders (for example a group of 120-76-54 mm adaptors) that are progressively dismantlable on the basis of the dimension of the reel-holding unwinding device 8. Alternatively, the cleaning reel can be provided with a set of adaptors to be fitted on the basis of the dimensions of the reel-holding unwinding device 8. In the embodiment of the plant illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, there are two reel-holding unwinding devices 8; in this embodiment of the plant 1 it is possible to load a respective cleaning reel onto each unwinding device 8; alternatively, as shown in Figure 1 , one unwinding device 8 is loaded with a packaging reel (tape packaging material 3) and another unwinding device 8 with a cleaning reel (tape cleaning material 5).

[0066] The cleaning cycle preferably has a shorter duration than the packaging cycle.

[0067] According to one embodiment, the tape cleaning material 5 is configured with a length that is less than the length of the tape packaging material 3 and is correlated with the duration of the cleaning cycle. With this configuration of less length, it is possible to load a single cleaning reel to perform the respective cleaning cycle.

[0068] According to one alternative embodiment, the tape cleaning material 5 is configured with a length that is about equal to that of the tape packaging material 3. With approximately equal length configuration, it is possible to use a single cleaning reel several times to perform respective cleaning cycles. The length of the tape packaging material 3 is comprised in the 1000-1800 meters range. The length of the tape cleaning material 5 can be comprised in the 1000-1800 meters range, or reduced in proportion to the possible thickness increase with respect to the packaging material.

[0069] According to one illustrated embodiment (Figure 6), the tape cleaning material 5 is configured with a width (i.e. a dimension that is transverse to an advancement direction defined by the advancement path W) that is greater than the width of the tape packaging material 3 so that the action of removal and / or neutralization affects all the zones affected by the tape packaging material 3 and also further zones adjacent to and near the advancement path W.

[0070] In other words, in this embodiment, the width of the tape cleaning material 5 is (slightly) greater than the material of the tape packaging material 3 to enable a greater width to be covered to affect also slipping zones in the portions of the advancement path W and to also interact on “concave” corners along the advancement path W, like for example bottom comers of the guide adjustments. The width of the tape packaging material 3 falls within the range 50-140 mm. The width of the tape cleaning material 5 falls within the range 50-140 mm.

[0071] Further, in particular in the case of a greater width of the tape cleaning material 5, it is possible to provide weakening zones 5a in longitudinal edges of the tape cleaning material 5 to facilitate the shape adaptation of the tape cleaning material 5 near the parts 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d of the plant 1 with which the tape cleaning material 5 comes into contact. In other words, providing weakening zones 5a enables the tape cleaning material 5 to be appropriately deformed to engage the plant parts 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d that are near the advancement path W.

[0072] According to one embodiment, the tape cleaning material 5 is configured with a thickness (i.e. the lesser dimension of the tape cleaning material 5) that is comparable with the thickness of the tape packaging material 3 so as not to generate undesired forces on the parts 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d of the plant 1 that come into contact with the tape cleaning material 5. In particular, the thickness of the tape cleaning material 5 can be (slightly) greater than the material of the tape packaging material 3. The thickness of the tape cleaning material 5 is comprised in the range 50-400 pm, in particular in the range 80-300 pm.

[0073] The thickness of the tape packaging material 5 is comprised in the range 40-120 pm.

[0074] The tape cleaning material 5 can be deformable so as not to cause obstacles or damage to the parts 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d of the plant 1 that come into contact with the tape cleaning material 5 (in particular when it is in contact with unwinding rollers and / or the embosser).

[0075] Further, the tape cleaning material 5 has such resistance to tensile stress as not to cause undesired faults or stress in the plant 1 during advancement in the cleaning cycle.

[0076] Further, the tape cleaning material 5 can be cut by the cutting blades that are suitable for cutting the tape packaging material 3 so that the cleaning action also affects the cutting edges of the blades.

[0077] It is possible to configure the tape cleaning material 5 with a material that is able to absorb and maintain internally a cleaning fluid and release this cleaning fluid during advancement. The cleaning fluid comprises, in particular, a detergent fluid and / or a solvent fluid and / or a disinfecting fluid. In one embodiment, the cleaning fluid contains suspended abrasive particles. In the context of the invention, the term fluid means a substance including at least one liquid phase, like for example a liquid or a gel.

[0078] According to one embodiment, the tape cleaning material 5 is impregnated with the cleaning fluid that is released during advancement of the tape cleaning material 5 in the cleaning cycle. In one embodiment thereof, the tape cleaning material 5 can be soaked in a suitable solvent for menthol like an (ethanol or methanol-based) alcohol solution. In particular, the liquid can be released from both sides of the tape cleaning material 5 during advancement along the path W.

[0079] In one embodiment, the impregnation step can be before the feeding step. In other words the cleaning reel loaded into the plant 1 is already soaked with the liquid (or gel) before the start of the cleaning cycle. The supply status of this impregnated tape cleaning material can be identical to that of wipes dampened by detergent. In the case of a pre-impregnated cleaning reel, the cleaning action exerted by the cleaning liquid is exerted on the entire advancement path W, also in the unwinding zone and / or in the (preferably automatic) change zone. Further, if there is a pre-impregnated cleaning reel, the latter can be kept inside a hermetically sealed enclosure so that the features of the liquid (or of the gel) contained therein are maintained.

[0080] The impregnation step of the tape cleaning material 5 occurs according to one alternative embodiment, during the feeding step of feeding the tape cleaning material 5 into the cleaning cycle (“in-line” impregnation step). In this situation, the cleaning reel is in a “dry” state when it is loaded into the plant 1 . The fluid can be applied to both sides of the tape cleaning material 5 by a suitable dispensing nozzle. The fluid can be dispensed continuously or discontinuously by activating and deactivating in a controlled manner the dispensing nozzle or spraying nozzle during the cleaning cycle. Alternatively, it is possible to use a lubricating nozzle (that in normal operation dispenses a lubricant) to apply the cleaning fluid. If the tape cleaning material 5 is impregnated “in line” the cleaning action exerted by the cleaning fluid is exerted downstream of an impregnating zone (to which the jet of the dispensing nozzle is directed) along the advancement path W.

[0081] In one embodiment, the tape cleaning material 5 comprises a fabric material, in natural and / or synthetic fibres.

[0082] According to one embodiment, the tape cleaning material 5 comprises a nonwoven fabric material. One example of nonwoven fabric material is that which is usable in a (soaked or dampened) detergent wipe. A material of the detergent wipe type has average grammage of 25 gsm, average thickness of 200 pm and tensile strength of 60N (obtained with ISO1924 method).

[0083] Another example of nonwoven fabric material is the “fleece” that is usable to contain doses of material containing oral nicotine or doses of tea. A material of the fleece type has average grammage of 40 gsm, average thickness of 100 pm tensile strength of 40N (obtained with ISO1924 method).

[0084] In one embodiment, the tape cleaning material 5 comprises an antistatic material that is able to attract dust and other undesired particles, like an antistatic cloth. An antistatic cloth material has average grammage of 30 gsm, average thickness of 300 pm and tensile strength of 30N (obtained with ISO1924 method).

[0085] According to one embodiment, the tape cleaning material 5 comprises paper material. Examples of paper materials include the paper used in a filter for tea or absorbent paper. Another example of paper material is porous paper (of the type that is usable in a cigarette filter rod).

[0086] The tape cleaning material 5 can contain fibres of PLA, PHA, cellulose (and / or other compostable or biodegradable materials) so as to be disposed of as compostable (or biodegradable) material.

[0087] Further, or alternatively, it is possible to configure the tape cleaning material 5 with an abrasive material that is suitable for removing by rubbing (or abrasion) the undesired particles. In other words, the tape cleaning material 5 can have one or both sides made of abrasive material so as to remove accumulations of undesired particles mechanically.

[0088] During the feeding step, in particular, there is a step of testing cleaning that includes measuring a quantity of undesired residual particles on a piece of the tape cleaning material 5 and / or on one or more parts 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d of the plant 1 . The cleaning cycle reaches the end when the measured quantity of residual undesired particles is lower than a set threshold value.

[0089] In particular, it is possible to measure the quantity of undesired particles present in the portion of tape cleaning material 5 that is cut and rejected. In other words, it is possible to detect whether this portion still contains traces of menthol. The cleaning process continues until the traces of menthol (or of other undesired particles) have fallen below a set threshold value.

[0090] In addition, or alternatively, it is possibile to measure the quantity of undesired particles present on one or more “critical” parts of the plant 1 , or parts that are subject to great accumulation of undesired particles. In particular, it is possible to identify a set number of critical zones in the plant 1 and titre the content of undesired particles (for example menthol) by dissolving through the effect of local washing with a suitable solvent. The cleaning cycle finishes when it is no longer possible to remove the undesired particles (for example menthol) from the critical zones in a quantity that is greater than a further set threshold value.

[0091] The test step can be run at set intervals.

[0092] In one embodiment, at least one side of the tape cleaning material 5 is provided with a centring line or notch that is suitable for phasing or setting unwinding and advancement operations of the tape material in the plant 1 .

[0093] According to a further embodiment, the cleaning method can further comprise a further step of feeding a series of discrete cleaning materials that are separate from one another and have a geometric conformation corresponding to the packaged objects.

[0094] The outer surface of these discrete cleaning materials has, in particular, the same ability to absorb, retain and release a cleaning fluid of the tape cleaning material 5. It is further possible for outer surfaces also to be provided with abrasive particles.

[0095] Feeding such discrete cleaning materials enables the cleaning action to be performed in the second advancement path portion W along the quale the (cleaning 5 and / or conveying 3) tape material is conveyed in the form of an enclosure 4.

[0096] From what has been disclosed above, it is clear that the cleaning method according to the invention successfully achieves the set objects. In particular, plant downtime is cut significantly and at the same time the efficacy and thoroughness of the operations of cleaning and deodorizing all the parts of the plant is assured.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Cleaning method for a plant (1 ) for packaging objects (2) by a tape packaging material (3) designed to define respective enclosures (4) for said objects (2), comprising the following steps: feeding a tape cleaning material (5) along an advancement path (W) intended - in normal operation - to be traversed by said tape packaging material (3), running said cleaning material in web form (5) in contact with parts (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) of said plant (1 ) that - during normal operation - interact in contact with said tape packaging material (3) so as to remove and / or neutralize by contact undesired particles present along, or near, said advancement path (W).

2. Cleaning method according to claim 1 , further comprising a further step of feeding a series of discrete cleaning materials that are separate from one another and having a geometric conformation corresponding to the packaged objects.

3. Cleaning method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the feeding step is performed automatically.

4. Cleaning method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, prior to the feeding step, said tape cleaning material (5) is configured with a width - transversely to an advancement direction (3) defined by said advancement path (W) - that is greater than the width of said tape packaging material (3) so that the removing and / or neutralizing action affects all the zones touched by said tape packaging material (3) and also further zones adjacent to and near the advancement path (W).

5. Cleaning method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein before said feeding there is a step of providing weakening zones in longitudinal borders (5a) of said tape cleaning material (5) to facilitate the shape adaptation of said tape cleaning material (5) near the parts (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) of said plant (1 ) with which said tape cleaning material (5) comes into contact.

6. Cleaning method according to any one of the preceding claims, whereinsaid tape cleaning material (5) is impregnated with a detergent fluid and / or a solvent fluid and / or a disinfectant fluid that is released during advancement of said tape cleaning material (5) in the cleaning cycle. / .Cleaning method according to claim 6, wherein the step of impregnating said tape cleaning material (5) occurs before the feeding step.

8. Cleaning method according to claim 6, the step of impregnating said tape cleaning material (5) occurs during the feeding step.

9. Cleaning method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said tape cleaning material (5) is configured with an abrasive material that is suitable for removing said undesired particles by rubbing.

10. Cleaning method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in an end step of the packaging cycle - during normal operation -said objects (2) are replaced with service objects intended to be wrapped with a portion of said tape cleaning material (5) to form one of said enclosures (4).11 . Cleaning method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, during feeding, there is a step of checking the level of cleaning achieved that includes measuring a quantity of said residual undesired particles on a piece of said tape cleaning material (5) and / or on one or more parts (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) of said plant (1 ) and a step of terminating said cleaning cycle when said measured quantity of residual undesired particles is lower than a set threshold value.

12. Cleaning method according to claim 11 , wherein said measuring step involves titring the content of said residual undesired particles by dissolving said residual undesired particles through topical washing with a solvent.

13. Cleaning method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein said step of checking is performed at set time intervals.

14. Cleaning method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said one or more objects comprise elongated products, in particular smoke articles.

15. Cleaning method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said undesired particles comprise dirt particles and / or aromatic particles.

16. Cleaning method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said tape packaging material (5) comprises a tape of aromatized paper, in particular a tape of mentholated paper.

17. Cleaning method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the feeding step joins a final end flap of said tape packaging material (3) near the end of a packaging cycle - during normal operation - to an initial end flap of said tape cleaning material (5).

18. Cleaning method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the feeding step involves a step of joining a final end flap of the tape cleaning material (5) near the end of the cleaning cycle to an initial end flap of a further tape packaging material (3) to start a new packaging cycle.

19. Tape cleaning material (5) that is usable in a cleaning method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said tape cleaning material (5) has a width and a thickness equal to or greater than the width and the thickness of said tape packaging material (3) used for packaging said objects (2).

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