EP0542158A1 - Packaging unit for cigarette packs, and the blank,method and apparatus for forming such a packaging - Google Patents

Abstract

Packaging units for cigarette sticks conventionally consist of thin card or paper. In the latter case, opening and reclosing of the cigarette stick creates problems. The invention is intended to remedy this. To this end, a packaging blank provided as a packaging for cigarette sticks has full-area reinforcements (16, 22) in the region of closure flaps (17, 21) or plug-in tabs. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to packaging, in particular packaging for packs of cigarettes, made from a blank made of thin packaging material, in particular paper, which completely surrounds the contents of the pack to form the top wall, front wall, back wall, bottom wall and end walls. Furthermore, the invention relates to a blank for forming a packaging from thin packaging material and to a method for producing a packaging and a corresponding device.

The invention is primarily concerned with the combination of individual cigarette packs into larger containers, so-called cigarette packs. The packaging previously used for this is either made of cardboard, that is, made of relatively thick, expensive, and inconvenient material for disposal, or consist of a light paper wrapper. The latter is only reasonably stable in the closed state and can only be closed again with great effort after the first opening in such a way that a certain strength is achieved. It is desirable to have packaging that can be opened and closed several times, if necessary, and yet is light and inexpensive. In some countries there is tax legislation for cigarettes that requires opening and closing the packaging of cigarette packs on the way between the manufacturer and the retailer. In the USA, for example, the local wholesaler has to affix tax stamps on the individual small packages. For this, of course, the cigarette carton or the packaging must be opened and then closed again. The durability and strength of the packaging must be preserved and the process must not be too labor-intensive.

The object of the present invention is to provide a packaging which is as inexpensive as possible, which has increased strength and which, if appropriate, can be reclosed without loss of function.

According to the invention the object is achieved in that in the region of the upper wall a plug-in tab or closing flap for closing the filled packaging is formed, and in that the plug-in flap or the closing flaps have flat reinforcements to increase their stiffness, the full-area permanent with the plug-in tab or the Closing flaps are connected. The latter are exposed to an increased load when opening and reclosing and are prevented from tearing or the like by the reinforcements provided according to the invention.

The reinforcements are advantageously formed by a plurality of interconnected, in particular glued, layers of the container blank. Simple folding operations during the manufacture of the packaging from a blank can thus provide targeted reinforcements in certain areas. The reinforcements are fully glued to the clip or the locking tab. A narrow grid of connection points or adhesive points is also all-over in the sense of the invention. The only thing that matters is to create the mechanical properties of a thicker layer.

A package is particularly advantageous in which strip-shaped regions have reinforcements along free edges of a package opening, the reinforcements preferably being formed inwards by folding over edge regions of the blank beyond the region of the closing flap or the tongue. Additional reinforcements are particularly useful within the areas near the package opening.

In another embodiment of the invention, the locking tabs or plug-in tabs are multilayered, in particular three-layered, by Z-folds of edge regions of the blank, and are preferably further reinforced by end portions protruding inwards. Z-folds can be achieved in a simple manner with very few work steps. This results in three-layer locking tabs or tabs. Free legs of the Z-fold are longer for the inward folding of protruding end regions. The freely projecting end areas can be folded around the Z-fold, so that a total of four layers lie on top of each other.

A basic blank of a blank according to the invention for forming a packaging from thin packaging material is based on a rectangle. A hinge line is used to define a locking tab or a tongue provided parallel to an outer edge. In addition, a fold line is provided between the hinge line parallel to this and the aforementioned outer edge to define a reinforcement. This type of blank can be used to produce packaging with reinforced closing flaps or tabs in a simple manner.

It is also possible to manufacture with two hinge lines for the corresponding formation of two locking tabs or plug-in tabs. The cut used accordingly has one hinge line and one fold line more.

Another blank according to the invention in its basic form is again based on a rectangle. Around the middle and preferably in the longitudinal direction of the blank, adjacent areas are provided to form a large side surface (front wall), a bottom wall and again a large side surface (rear wall). In this case, adjoining areas are provided on the outside of the side faces - that is, opposite the bottom wall - in each case to form a closing flap having a three-layer Z-fold. A packaging according to the invention can also be produced in a simple manner from this blank.

The method according to the invention for producing a packaging preferably starts from a blank according to the invention and is particularly suitable for producing a packaging according to the invention. The individual steps consist in the fact that at least on both sides at least one hinge line provided parallel to an outer edge in the area from the ends of the hinge line edge areas with a width (width parallel to the hinge line) preferably inwards according to the width of the finished packaging (and up to the system on Blank) that are then folded inwards (up to the contact with the blank) around a folding line located between the hinge line and an outer edge, a locking tab or a tongue with reinforcement is formed and that the packaging is then folded to form a cuboid shape.

A method according to the invention for producing a packaging with a Z-fold and preferably using a blank according to one or more of claims 7 to 10 is such that a loop is drawn into a continuous packaging material web to form multi-layer, in particular three-layer areas of the later packaging is such that two successive, oppositely directed Z-folds arise. Accordingly, two Z-folds are formed at the same time, while no individual blanks have yet been separated from the packaging material web. The process is therefore particularly efficient.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention result from the remaining claims. This involves in particular the attachment and arrangement of further reinforcements, the formation of suitable folding lines or folding edges, hinge lines and Z-folds as well as suitable cuts, various processes for producing packaging and a device therefor.

Fig. 1

einen Zuschnitt für eine erste Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Verpackung mit zwei Schließlappen,

Fig. 2

den Zuschnitt gemäß Fig. 1 nach Durchführung einiger Faltungen,

Fig. 3

eine aus einem Zuschnitt gemäß Fig. 1 hergestellte Verpackung im geschlossenen Zustand und im Querschnitt,

Fig. 4

eine Verpackung gemäß Fig. 1 im geöffneten Zustand und in perspektivischer Darstellung,

Fig. 5

einen Zuschnitt einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Verpackung mit einer Stecklasche,

Fig. 6

den Zuschnitt gemäß Fig. 5 nach Durchführung einiger Faltungen,

Fig. 7

eine aus einem Zuschnitt gemäß Fig. 5 hergestellte Verpackung im geschlossenen Zustand und im Querschnitt,

Fig. 8

eine mit einem Zuschnitt gemäß Fig. 5 hergestellte Verpackung in geöffnetem Zustand und in perspektivischer Darstellung,

Fig. 9

einen Zuschnitt einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Erfindung,

Fig. 10

einen Schnitt durch die Ansicht gemäß Fig. 9 entlang der Linie X-X.

Fig. 11a bis 11e

eine Darstellung aufeinanderfolgender Verarbeitungsschritte für eine fortlaufend aneinanderhängende Zuschnitte aufweisende Verpackungsmaterial-Bahn,

Fig. 12

eine fertig gefaltete, gefüllte und verschlossene Packung im Querschnitt, entsprechend dem in den Fig. 11a bis 11e gezeigten Zuschnitt,

Fig. 13a bis 13e

eine Darstellung der einzelnen Verfahrensschritte sowie eine entsprechende Vorrichtung zur Bildung einer Schleife mit zwei einander gegenüberliegenden Z-Faltungen in der Verpackungsmaterial-Bahn gemäß der Fig. 11b,

Fig. 14a

eine Ansicht in Richtung des Pfeils XIVa in Fig. 13d,

Fig. 14b

eine Ansicht entlang der Linie XIVb-XIVb gemäß Fig. 13e.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

1 shows a blank for a first embodiment of a packaging according to the invention with two closing flaps,

Fig. 2

1 after performing some folds,

Fig. 3

1 in the closed state and in cross section, made from a blank according to FIG. 1,

Fig. 4

1 in the open state and in a perspective view,

Fig. 5

1 a cut of a further embodiment of a packaging according to the invention with a plug-in tab

Fig. 6

5 after performing a few folds,

Fig. 7

5 in the closed state and in cross section, made from a blank according to FIG. 5,

Fig. 8

5 in the opened state and in a perspective view,

Fig. 9

a blank of a further embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 10

a section through the view of FIG. 9 along the line XX.

11a to 11e

a representation of successive processing steps for a continuously interconnected blanks having packaging material web,

Fig. 12

a finished folded, filled and closed package in cross-section, corresponding to the blank shown in FIGS. 11a to 11e,

13a to 13e

a representation of the individual process steps and a corresponding device for forming a loop with two opposite one another Z folds in the packaging material web according to FIG. 11b,

14a

12 a view in the direction of the arrow XIVa in FIG. 13d,

14b

a view along the line XIVb-XIVb according to FIG. 13e.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 is first dealt with. A package 10 for forming a cigarette rod as a bundle of several individual cigarette packs 11 is produced using a rectangular blank 12. In particular, a cigarette stick consists of two rows of standard cigarette packs, for example so-called hinge-lid packs. The blank 12 has long blank edges 13 and short blank edges 14 opposite each other. From one to the other long cutting edge 13, mutually parallel fold lines extend to form different packaging parts or walls. Special fold lines are described in more detail below. The following packaging parts or walls are provided from left to right in FIG. 1:

Left edge reinforcement 15, left closing flap reinforcement 16, left closing flap 17, rear wall 18, bottom wall 19, front wall 20, right closing flap 21, right closing flap reinforcement 22 and right edge reinforcement 23. Each of the aforementioned parts 15 to 23 immediately adjoins an adjacent one and is rectangular . The designations refer to the position within the finished packaging.

A hinge line 24 is provided between the left closing flap 17 and the rear wall 18. Accordingly, a hinge line 25 lies between the right closing flap 21 and the front wall 20. Both hinge lines 24, 25 are preferably perforated and to a certain extent form the fulcrum for the locking tabs 17, 21.

Fold lines 26, 27 for folds of 90 ° are provided between the rear wall 18, the bottom wall 19 and the front wall 20. Between the left closing flap 17 and the left closing flap reinforcement 16, a fold line 28 is provided for a 180 ° fold. A fold line 29 with the same function lies between the right closing flap 21 and the right closing flap reinforcement 22. In the finished packaging 10, folding lines 30, 31 coming to lie on the hinge lines 24, 25 lie between the left edge reinforcement 15 and the left closing flap reinforcement 16 and between the right flap reinforcement 22 and the right edge reinforcement 23.

Lateral areas 32 directly adjoining the long cut edges 13 are in some cases subdivided differently than the previously described walls 15 to 23. Areas adjacent to the rear wall 18 and adjacent to the long cut edges 13 are referred to as end flaps 33. A total of three lobes are involved in the formation of an end wall 34 of the finished packaging, namely the end lugs 33 just mentioned as well as bottom wall lugs 35 adjoining them to the right and front wall lugs 36 adjoining further to the right.

Between the long cut edges 13 and the right closing flap 21 in connection with the right closing flap reinforcement 22 there are respectively reinforcing flaps 37. The corner regions of the cutting 12 at the top right and bottom right are edge flaps 38. Corresponding to the left closing flap 17, the left closing flap reinforcement 16 and the left edge reinforcement 15 from the front flap 33 to the left starting reinforcement flap 39 and left edge flap 40 are formed.

As a special feature, the lateral areas 32 each have incisions 41a to 41e, which are aligned parallel to the fold lines 26 to 29 and are drawn with strong lines. Notch 41a is aligned with fold line 30, 41b with hinge line 25, 41c with fold line 26, 41d with hinge line 25 and notch 41e with fold line 31. To limit the lateral areas 32 towards the center of the cut, there are 13 fold lines parallel to the long cut edges 42 provided.

FIG. 2 shows the blank according to FIG. 1 after some foldings have been carried out, so that the flap reinforcements 16, 22 abut the flaps 17, 21. For this purpose - starting from FIG. 1 - first the right and left reinforcing flaps 37, 39 are each folded inwards so that they come to rest on the closing flaps 17, 21 and the closing flap reinforcements 16, 22, in each case in their Fold lines 42 adjacent areas. Then the left closing flap reinforcement 16 is folded around the folding line 28 on the left closing flap 17. The folding line 30 comes to rest on the hinge line 24, as does the left edge reinforcement 15 with the left edge flap 40 on the rear wall 18 or the front flap 33. Analogously to the folding just described, the right closing flap reinforcement 22 is shown on the right in FIG. 1 the right closing flap 21 folded. As a result of the folding operations, the folding lines 28, 29 now lie on the outside as boundary edges for the closing flaps 17, 21. Similar to the hinge lines 24, 25, the folding lines 30, 31 are also preferably perforated, as is also shown in FIG. 2.

In the next step, folds are made around fold lines 26, 27. This is preferably done by supplying a group of cigarette packs, the blank 12 being folded in a U shape around the pack group, so that the rear wall 18 and the bottom wall 20 on the front and Fit the back of the cigarette packs.

The end walls 34 are then folded. For this purpose, a flap consisting of bottom wall flap 35 and front wall flap 36 is folded inwards. Here gussets 43 come to lie between the tabs 35, 36. Finally, the front flaps 33 are folded against the tabs 35, 36 just mentioned. The last two folding steps can also be carried out in reverse order.

The fully folded package 10 has two special features. One consists in the reinforced closing tabs 17, 21, which come to lie one above the other for closing the packaging and are glued together, for example. Opening is possible, either by means of an easily removable adhesive or by tearing off the closing flaps 17, 21 along the perforated folding lines 30, 31 or hinge lines 24, 25. A reclosing can be done by re-gluing the closing flaps or by connecting the torn closing flaps to the Packing is done with an adhesive tape.

The other special feature is a reinforced edge running around the area of the package opening. This is formed by the left edge reinforcement 15, the right edge reinforcement 23 and in the region of the end walls 34 by the edge tabs 38, 40. The edge reinforcement described even results in four layers in the region of the end walls 34. A corresponding four-layer region formed by edge tabs 38, 40 is designated by 44 in FIG. 4.

Another special feature is an additional reinforcement of the closing flaps 17, 21 in areas adjacent to the fold lines 42. The inward folding of the reinforcing flaps 37, 39 described above also results in four layers here.

Fig. 3 shows again the individual layers in the area of the locking flaps 17, 21. The left, larger locking flap 17 extends from the rear wall 18 to form an upper wall 44a to the front wall 20, while the right, smaller locking flap 21 only about half as much goes far. The individual cigarette packs 11 are arranged in the packaging 10 in such a way that several - side wall to side wall - side by side and two - front side 45 and rear side 46 - lie against one another. End faces 47 lie on the opening side of the packaging 10, that is to say below the closing flaps 17, 21.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 5 to 8. This embodiment, in contrast to the previous one, has only one locking tab designed as a tongue 48. This is provided in FIGS. 5, 6 in the right area of the blank 12 '. Otherwise, the blanks 12 and 12 'largely correspond. Existing special features of the embodiment in FIGS. 5 to 8 are shown below.

Due to the lack of a left closing flap, the left edge reinforcement 15 'borders directly on the rear wall 18', likewise the left edge flap 40 'on the front flap 33'. The height-width ratio of the finished packaging 10 'is also different from that previously used for the packaging 10. In FIG. 7 it can be seen that the cigarette packs 11' with their large front sides 45 'face up to the opening of the pack, that is to say , to the tongue 48 or to the top wall 44a '. Accordingly, the bottom wall 19 'is made larger relative to the rear wall 18' and front wall 20 '. This size ratio is exactly the opposite in the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 4.

When the packaging is produced from the blank 12 ', reinforcement tabs 37' - corresponding to the right reinforcement tab 37 - are first folded inwards. Then the plug-in reinforcement 22 'on the Plug tab 48 and the edge reinforcement 15 'folded onto the rear wall 18'. The edge flaps 38 'come to lie on the front wall flaps 36' or 40 'on 33', cf. Fig. 6. The fold line 31 'lies on the hinge line 25' as a limitation of the plug-in tab 48.

6 has bevels 51 at the ends of the free edge 49. A plug-in tab end 52 extends between these. This is reinforced by a plug-in tab end reinforcement 53, which in FIG. 5 lies between the plug-in tab end 52 and the plug-in tab reinforcement 22 '. The bevels 51 result from a cut 55 along the fold line 29 ', in each case at the intersection 54 with the fold lines 42'. Around the intersection 54, further fold lines are provided in the form of a diamond, the transverse dimension of the diamonds extending at most over the length of the cuts 55 and the longitudinal dimension in each case no further than adjacent fold lines 56 delimiting the tab end 52 or the tab end reinforcement 53. The bevels 51 are obtained after the reinforcing tabs 37 'have been folded over by folding corners 57 inward before the plug-in tab reinforcement 22' is folded inward. After the plug-in tab reinforcement 22 'has been folded onto the plug-in tab 48, the packaging is ready to be folded against a group of cigarette packs.

The exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 5 to 8 also shows a full-surface reinforcement of the closing flap designed as a plug-in tab 48 and an edge-side reinforcement of the packaging opening. In FIG. 7 it can be seen that the plug-in tab end 52 is inserted in the region of the front wall 20 'between cigarette packs lying one on top of the other and the front wall 20'.

The end walls 34 also have a special feature. The bottom wall tabs 35 are separated from the front wall tabs 36 by cuts 58 so that the end walls 34 ' are formed without gusset by abutting tabs 33 ', 35', 36 '. Due to the edge tabs 38 ', 40', the end walls 34 'are multilayered in the area of the edge tabs, namely when the end tab 33' overlaps with the front wall tab 36 'six layers, otherwise three layers.

1 to 4 show an embodiment similar to the application in FIGS. 9 and 10. Instead of the reinforcements 16, 22 shown in the first embodiment, in FIGS. 9, 10 there are separate reinforcement strips 60 applied individually to a blank 59, 61 provided. Insofar as there are corresponding sections corresponding to FIG. 1, the same reference numerals are used in FIGS. 9, 10. The reinforcing strips 60, 61 are made of cardboard, thin cardboard or the like and are preferably glued to the closing flaps 17, 21 and cover them almost over their entire surface. The reinforcement strips 60, 61 can be applied to the front and / or back of the blank 59. Without the edge reinforcements 15, 23 and without the closing flap reinforcements 16, 22, the edge flaps 38, 40 are also omitted. In addition, the reinforcing flaps 37, 39 are only as wide as the closing flaps 17, 21. Also in this embodiment, preferably at the beginning of the folding process Reinforcement flaps 37, 39 folded inwards and only then carried out the further folding.

11a to 11e show a packaging material web 62, initially as a continuous web, the web according to FIG. 11b adjoining the web in FIG. 11a. In FIGS. 11c, 11d and 11e there are blanks 63 separated from the continuous material web 62. In each case in the upper area of FIGS. 11b, 11c, 11d and 11e, the material web 62 or the blanks 63 are shown in cross section. The cross-sectional view results from a section along line 64.

The size and shape of a blank that is spread out flat is shown in FIG. 11a. The complete cut lies between the continuous, later dividing lines 65. Approximately in the middle, that is to say shifted somewhat to the right from the center, a narrow bottom wall 66 is provided with side surfaces adjoining left and right and functioning as rear wall 67 and front wall 68. The front wall 68 is followed by three narrow strips 69, 70, 71 of equal size in succession on the right. Another strip 72 of the same size finally represents the right edge of the blank.

To the left of the rear wall 67 are three strips 73, 74, 75 of approximately the same size. Another strip 76 finally forms the left edge of the blank. Correspondingly, a strip 72 and a strip 76 are always attached to one another in the region of the dividing lines 65. Thin fold lines are drawn between the walls 66, 67, 68 and strips 69 to 76, respectively, which extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the material web 62.

To form the end walls of the subsequent packaging, end flaps 77, 78, 79 adjoin the walls 67, 68, 69 on the outside, that is to say on the lateral edges of the material web 62. A common folding tab 80 connects laterally to the strips 73, 74. Accordingly, a folding tab 81, 82 and 83 for two strips 75, 76 and 69, 70 and 71, 72 is provided on each side. The front flaps 77, 78, 79 and the folding flaps 80 to 83 are each separated from one another by cuts. 11a to 11e, the sections are shown by thick solid lines.

The packaging 84 to be produced from the material web 62 is shown in FIG. 12. A right closing flap 85 and a left closing flap 86 to be located below are drawn in the upper area. Both are at least partially formed in four layers by a Z-fold with an additional fold. The approach to training Such locking tabs are again explained below with reference to FIGS. 11a to 11e.

In the continuous packaging material web 62, the folding lines described above are provided between the walls or strips 66 to 76, as are cuts for separating the tabs 77 to 83. The separating lines 65 for delimiting a blank 63 have been marked but have not yet been carried out.

In a first step, the folding flaps 80 and 82 are folded inwards by 180 ° so that they come to rest on the strips 73, 74 and 69, 70.

In a next step (FIG. 11b), a loop 87 is drawn into the continuous material web 62. That is to say that a part of the material web 62 is moved out of the conveying plane of the material web by suitable organs and partly issued against the conveying direction and partly with the conveying direction of the material web 62. In this way, two opposing Z-folds 88, 89 are formed, each with three layers one above the other. The direction of conveyance of the packaging material web 62 is indicated by the arrow 90 in the figures. Accordingly, the left beginning in FIG. 11b is the continuation of the right end in FIG. 11a.

Due to the described loop formation, the material web 62 is drawn together in the area of the dividing lines 65, in such a way that the strips 69, 70, 71 lying one above the other form the Z fold 88 and the strips 73, 74, 75 form the Z fold 89. The gaps in the lateral contour of the material web 62 resulting from the inward folding of the flaps 80 and 82 disappear as a result of the loop formation described.

In a next step, a single cut is cut off along the dividing line 65. This is shown between FIGS. 11b and 11c. This also divides the loop 87. The Z fold 88 now has the strip 72 as an end region 91 adjoining the separating cut 65. Correspondingly, for the Z-fold 89, an end region projecting outwards is designated by the number 92.

In a further step between FIGS. 11c and 11d, the previously described end regions 91, 92 are folded inwards by 180 ° around the respective Z-fold 88, 89. In the area of the Z fold 88, four layers are therefore one above the other. In the area of the Z fold 89, this is at least partially the case, corresponding to the dimensions of the end area 92.

Finally, in the next step (between FIGS. 11d and 11e), the already folded tabs 81 and 83 are folded inwards by 180 ° from the side edge of the material web 62.

The blanks prepared in this way are then folded and filled up to the finished packaging.

In the method described above, a continuous packaging material web 62 is assumed. Individual blanks are only cut off after the formation of the loop 87. Edges 93, 94 of adjacent, successive blanks facing one another are preferably subjected to further processing in one and the same method step. For example, the end region 91 of the blank in FIG. 11c is folded together with the end region 92 of the blank in FIG. 11d.

The described inward folding of the end regions 91, 92 has the consequence that the free edges 93, 94 each lie concealed when the closing flaps 85, 86 (FIG. 12) are closed come.

The process of loop formation described in connection with FIG. 11b takes place in a special way. Reference is made to FIGS. 13a to 13e. 13a, the continuous packaging material web 62 is shown as a continuous line. The path 62 is carried out between the rollers 95, 96 of a first pair of rollers. At a distance from this, a further pair of rollers 97, 98 is arranged in an analogous manner. The lower rollers 96, 98 are fixedly mounted transversely to the web 62 in a direction lying in the image plane and are each marked in the center with a small cross. The upper rollers 95, 97 can be moved in the direction of the arrows 99 into the conveying plane of the material web 62.

13b shows the beginning of a loop formation. Rollers 95, 97 have been moved into web 62 to form loop 87.

The Z-folds 88, 89 are produced by pivoting the rollers 95, 97 and moving them parallel to the conveying plane of the web 62. 13c, the roller 95 is moved further away from its corresponding roller 96 than the roller 97 relative to the roller 98. In this way, the Z-folds of different widths are formed corresponding to the width of the strips 73, 74, 75 on the one hand and 69, 70, 71 on the other hand.

According to FIG. 13d, the loop 87 is held in the position according to FIG. 13c by suction holders 100, 101, while the rollers 95, 97 swivel back into their starting position (FIG. 13a) in the direction of the arrows 102. The suction holders 100, 101 are each effective near the lower deflection points 103, 104 of the Z-folds 89, 88, in the area of the straight web section already designated as loop 87, parallel to the conveying plane of the material web 62.

Finally, the roller pairs 95, 96 and 97, 98 are moved apart along the conveying plane of the material web 62 (arrows 105), so that the Z-folds 88, 89 are freely accessible. Finally, the various layers of the material web are folded or pressed into the position shown in FIG. 13e with a plate aggregate. The state of the web according to FIG. 13e thus corresponds to the illustration in FIG. 11b. As a continuation of the method, the further steps, such as separating the blanks from one another and folding over the end regions 91, 92, are carried out.

The aforementioned plate assembly is a bracket plate 106, in the surface of which the suction holders 100, 101 are embedded. The ironing plate 106 extends in the conveying direction over a length which is somewhat greater than the length required for the Z-folds. At the same time, the width of the ironing plate 106 extends beyond the width of the web 62, cf. 14b.

A pair of rollers 107, 108 act together with the ironing plate 106. These are arranged next to one another parallel to the conveying direction of the web and can be moved along the arrows 109 transversely to the conveying direction of the web. At the same time, the rollers 107, 108 can be lowered in the direction of the ironing plate 106, so that they already form the final Z-fold in this area in the central position with respect to the web 62 according to FIG. 14a by pressure on the ironing plate 106.

14a, 14b show a further peculiarity which has not yet been mentioned. The rollers 95 to 98 are not designed to be continuous across the web 62, but rather are divided, so that each of the rollers 95 to 98 shown in FIGS. 13a to 13b actually consists of two short, coaxially arranged edge rollers 95a, 95b, 96a, 96b , 97a, 97b, 98a, 98b. The edge rollers are arranged according to FIGS. 14a, 14b so that they are effective in the area of web edges 110, 111, respectively. That way between two Edge rollers 95a, 95b and correspondingly existing space between the other edge rollers is used for the movement of the rollers 107, 108 in the lowered position to form folded edges of the Z-fold. For the transition from the position according to FIG. 14a to the position according to FIG. 14b, the edge rollers 95a to 98b are moved apart in the direction of the arrows 105, so that the rollers 107, 108 fit with their length between the edge rollers when moving transversely to the web. Then the ironing plate 106 together with the rollers 107, 108 is raised slightly up to the original conveying plane of the web 62, cf. 13a.

Suitable mechanical drives are provided for moving the rollers 95 to 98 or edge rollers 95a to 98b as well as the rollers 107, 108 and the ironing plate 106. For a better overview, these are not shown in FIGS. 13a to 14b. For example, the rollers 95, 97 can be pivoted around the rollers 96, 98 on corresponding levers. A combined pivoting and pushing movement (extension of the levers) enables the rollers 95, 97 to move parallel to the track 62. The same applies to the configuration as edge rollers 95a, 95b etc. In a corresponding manner, the rollers 107, 108 and the ironing plate 106 can be moved. For example, electric stepper motors, linear motors and hydraulically or pneumatically acting piston-cylinder units can be provided as drives.

In a modification of the previously described embodiment, the edge rollers 95a to 98b or the rollers 95 to 98 can also be movable perpendicular to the conveying plane. The transition from the position according to FIG. 14 a to the position according to FIG. 14 b then takes place by a downward movement of the edge rollers 95 a to 98 b or rollers in the direction of the ironing plate 106, with the web 62 being carried along.

Claims (18)

Packaging, in particular cuboid packaging for cigarette sticks, from a blank (12, 12 ', 59, 63) made of thin packaging material, in particular paper, which completely packs the contents to form the top wall (44a), front wall (20, 68), rear wall (18, 67), bottom wall (19, 66) and end walls (34), characterized in that in the area of the upper wall (44a, 44a ') from the blank a tab (48) or locking tabs (17, 21; 85, 86) are formed for closing the filled packaging, and that the plug-in flap or the closing flaps have flat reinforcements (16, 22, 22 ', 60, 61, 69 to 76) to increase their rigidity, the full-area permanent with the plug-in flap or the closing flaps are connected. Packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the reinforcements (16, 22, 22 ', 69 to 76) are formed by a plurality of interconnected, in particular glued, layers of the container blank (12, 12', 59, 63). Packaging according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the reinforcements are formed by individual reinforcement strips (60, 61) connected, in particular glued, to the blank (59), preferably of cardboard or cardboard. Packaging according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the closing flaps (16, 21) or the plug-in flap (48) reinforcing layers by folding over edges (14, 14 ') of the blank against the closing flap or the plug-in flap are formed. Packaging according to one or more of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that strip-shaped regions (15, 15 ', 23, 23', 38, 38 ', 40, 40') have reinforcements along free edges of a packaging opening (44, 44a) , the reinforcements preferably being formed by folding over edge regions (15, 23, 15 ', 23') of the blank (12, 12 ') beyond the region of the closing flaps (17, 21) or the plug-in flap (48). Packaging according to one or more of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the closing flaps (85, 86) or plug-in tabs are formed in multiple layers, in particular three layers, by Z-folds of edge regions of the blank (63) and preferably by inwardly folding overhanging end regions (91 , 92) are further reinforced. Blank for forming a packaging from thin packaging material, in particular according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, with a rectangular basic shape, characterized in that for defining a closing flap (17, 21; 85, 86) or a tongue (48) a hinge line (24, 25, 25 ') is provided parallel to an outer edge (14, 14'; 65), and that for the definition of a reinforcement (16, 22, 22 '; 69..76) a fold line (28, 29, 29') is provided between the hinge line parallel to this and the outer edge. Blank according to claim 7, characterized in that to define a reinforcement (15, 23, 15 ', 23') for an edge of a later package opening, the fold line (28, 29, 29 ') is closer to the hinge line than to the outer edge (14, 14 '). Blank for forming a packaging from thin packaging material, in particular according to claim 7, with a rectangular basic shape, characterized in that areas lying adjacent to one another approximately in the center and preferably in the longitudinal direction of the blank to form a large side surface (front wall 68), a bottom wall (66) and again a large side surface (rear wall 67) is provided and that on the side surfaces (67, 68) outside - that is to say the bottom wall (66) opposite - adjoining areas (69, 70, 71, 72; 73, 74, 75, 76) each to form a three-layer Z-fold having a locking tab (85, 86) are provided. Blank according to Claim 9, characterized in that a further, preferably smaller strip (72, 76) is used as the end region (91, 92) and to define a fourth layer in the outer region (71, 75), facing away from the central regions Area of the Z folds (88, 89) connects. Method for producing a packaging, in particular according to one or more of claims 1 to 6 and preferably using a blank according to one or more of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that at least one on both sides parallel to one outer edge (14, 14 ') provided hinge line (24, 25, 25') in the region of ends of the hinge line edge regions (40, 39, 33, 35, 36, 37, 38, 33 '...) with a Width (width parallel to the hinge line) should preferably be folded inwards (and up to the contact with the blank) in accordance with the width of the finished packaging, that then by inward folding (until the contact with the blank) around a fold line (28 , 29, 29 ') a closing flap (17, 21, plug-in tab 48) with reinforcement (16, 22, 22') is formed and that the packaging is then folded to form a cuboid shape. Method for producing a packaging, in particular according to one or more of claims 1 to 6 and preferably using a blank according to one or more of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that in a continuous packaging material web (62) for forming multilayer, in particular three-layer areas of the subsequent packaging (84), a loop (87) is drawn in such that two successive, oppositely directed Z-folds (88, 89) are formed. A method according to claim 12, characterized in that before the formation of the Z-folds (88, 89) lateral incisions are made to define individual flaps (77 to 83) and that preferably individual flaps (80, 82) to form reinforced areas in front of the Formation of the Z-folds (88, 89) are folded inwards. Method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the continuous packaging material web (62) is cut to form individual blanks (63) in the region of the Z-folds (88, 89), in particular between these, and in the region of the previously made separating cut lying end regions (91, 92) are folded inwards, that is to say around the Z-folds (88, 89), for abutment against the Z-folds and to form a particular one four-layer area. Method according to one or more of Claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the Z-folds (88, 89) are formed by pressure on the loop (87) drawn into the web (62), in particular by rolling out the web in the region of the Loop in the direction of the web. Device in particular for producing a packaging according to claim 6 from a continuous packaging material web (62), preferably using a method according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized by the following features:
the web (62) is guided by two pairs of rollers (95, 96; 97, 98) arranged at a distance from one another,
the respective upper rollers (95, 97) can be moved towards each other to form a loop (87) and into the conveying plane of the web (62) until the loop rests on a support (ironing plate 106),
the upper rollers (95, 97) can also be moved apart between the lower rollers (96, 98) and the base (ironing plate 106) parallel to the latter to form deflecting points (103, 104) of the web which are at a distance from one another in the region of the loop,
In the area of the base (ironing plate 106), holding members (suction holders 100, 102) are provided for holding the extended loop (87) in the area of a loop section resting on the base. Apparatus according to claim 16, characterized by rollers (107, 108) which are arranged parallel to the conveying direction of the web (62) and which form fold edges (Z-folds 88, 89) in the region of the web loop (87) into the conveying plane and transversely to the Direction of conveyance of the train are movable in the respective path plane. Apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that the rollers of each pair of rollers (95, 96; 97, 98) are designed in such a way that instead of a roller or roller extending over the entire web width, two short, coaxially arranged, one web edge each (110, 111) edge rollers (95a, 95b, 96a, 96b; 97a, 97b, 98a, 98b) are provided, between which - in the axial direction of the edge rollers - the rollers (107, 108) can be moved.

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