Packing machine and packing method for producing an inner container of a slide-open package of tobacco articles and with a hinged lid

Abstract

Packing machine and packing method for producing an inner container of a slide-open package of tobacco articles and with hinged lid by folding an inner blank about a wrapped group of tobacco articles; by way of a packing conveyor the inner blank is fed along a packing path and through a first work station, wherein portions of the inner blank are folded by way of a folding device provided with a body which is movable in a work direction perpendicular to the packing path; the folding body has a center member, two top side members, and two bottom side members which are arranged in different positions in the first work direction to perform in succession respective folds of the inner blank while the folding body moves with a continuous movement along the first work direction.

1 . A packing machine ( 47 ) for producing an inner container ( 3 ) by folding an inner blank ( 38 ) about a wrapped group ( 2 ) of tobacco articles;
 wherein the inner container ( 3 ) comprises a lid ( 6 );   wherein the inner blank ( 38 ) has two longitudinal fold lines ( 40 ) and a number of transverse fold lines ( 41 ) which define, between the two longitudinal fold lines ( 40 ), at least one first panel ( 9 ′) forming a front wall ( 9 ) of the inner container ( 3 ); a second panel ( 8 ′) forming a bottom wall ( 8 ) of the inner container ( 3 ); a third panel ( 10 ′) forming a rear wall ( 10 ) of the inner container ( 3 ); a fourth panel ( 13 ′) forming a rear wall ( 13 ) of the lid ( 6 ); a fifth panel ( 12 ′) forming a top wall ( 12 ) of the lid ( 6 );   wherein the fourth panel ( 13 ′) has two first wings ( 14 ′) which form respective lateral walls ( 14 ) of the lid ( 6 ), are arranged on opposite sides of the fourth panel ( 13 ′), and are connected to the fourth panel ( 13 ′) by the longitudinal fold lines ( 40 ); and   wherein each wing ( 14 ′) has a tab ( 43 ) which is connected to the wing ( 14 ′) by a transverse fold line ( 41 );   the packing machine ( 47 ) comprises:   a packing conveyor ( 54 ) which has a packing pocket ( 55 ) and feeds the inner blank ( 38 ) along a packing path (P 1 ) and through a first work station (S 10 ); and   a first folding device ( 71 ) which is arranged at the first work station (S 10 ) to fold portions of the inner blank ( 38 );   the packing machine ( 47 ) is characterized in that:   the first folding device ( 71 ) comprises a first folding body ( 83 ) which is movable in a first direction (D 1 ) perpendicular to the packing path (P 1 ) for folding portions of the inner blank ( 38 ); and   said first folding body ( 83 ) first folds the tabs ( 43 ) by 90°, with respect to the first wings ( 14 ′) and about a corresponding transverse fold line ( 41 ), then folds the wings ( 14 ′) by 90°, with respect to the fourth panel ( 13 ′) and about corresponding longitudinal fold lines ( 40 ), and then folds the fifth panel ( 12 ′) by 90°, with respect to the fourth panel ( 13 ′) and about a corresponding transverse fold line ( 41 ) bringing the fifth panel ( 12 ) in contact with the tabs ( 43 ) while the first folding body ( 83 ) moves with a continuous movement in the first work direction (D 1 ).   
     
     
         2 . The packing machine ( 47 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein in the inner blank ( 38 ) the transverse fold lines ( 41 ) further define, between the two longitudinal fold lines ( 40 ), a sixth reinforcing panel ( 12 ″) which is glued to the inside of the fifth panel ( 12 ′), a seventh reinforcing panel ( 13 ″) which is glued to the inside of the fourth panel ( 13 ′), and an eighth reinforcing panel ( 10 ″) which is glued to the inside of the third panel ( 10 ′). 
     
     
         3 . The packing machine ( 47 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the first folding body ( 83 ) comprises a center member ( 84 ), two top side members ( 85 ), and two bottom side members ( 86 ) which are arranged in different positions in the first work direction (D 1 ). 
     
     
         4 . The packing machine ( 47 ) according to  claim 3 , wherein as the first folding body ( 83 ) moves continuously in the first work direction (D 1 ), the top side members ( 85 ) first fold the tabs ( 43 ) by 90°, with respect to the first wings ( 14 ′) and about corresponding transverse fold lines ( 41 ), the two bottom side members ( 86 ) then fold the first wings ( 14 ′) by 90°, with respect to the fourth panel ( 13 ′) and about corresponding longitudinal fold lines ( 40 ), and the center member ( 84 ) folds the fifth panel ( 12 ′) by 90°, with respect to the fourth panel ( 13 ′) and about a corresponding transverse fold line ( 41 ) bringing the fifth panel ( 12 ′) in contact with the tabs ( 43 ). 
     
     
         5 . The packing machine ( 47 ) according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 the first folding device ( 71 ) comprises a second folding body ( 82 ) which has an L-shaped cross section and is movable in a second work direction (D 2 ) perpendicular to the packing path (P 1 ) and to the first work direction (D 1 ); and   as the first folding body ( 83 ) completes its movement in the first work direction (D 1 ), the second folding body ( 82 ) moves in the second work direction (D 2 ) to fold the sixth panel ( 12 ″) by 90° with respect to the fifth panel ( 12 ′) and about a corresponding transverse fold line ( 41 ) and to fold the seventh panel ( 13 ″) by 90° with respect to the sixth panel ( 12 ″) and about a corresponding transverse fold line ( 41 ).   
     
     
         6 . The packing machine ( 47 ) according to  claim 5 , wherein:
 the first folding device ( 71 ) comprises a contrast body ( 87 ); and   the second folding body ( 82 ) moves in the second work direction (D 2 ) and towards the contrast body ( 87 ) to fold the sixth panel ( 12 ″) by 90° and onto the contrast body ( 87 ), with respect to the fifth panel ( 12 ′) and fold the seventh panel ( 13 ″) by 90°, with respect to the sixth panel ( 12 ″) and about a corresponding transverse fold line ( 41 ).   
     
     
         7 . The packing machine ( 47 ) according to  claim 6 , wherein the contrast body ( 87 ) comprises a “hoe”-shaped center member ( 88 ) and two lateral appendixes ( 89 ) on opposite sides of the center member ( 88 ) and is mounted to rotate about an axis of rotation ( 90 ) parallel to the packing path (P 1 ). 
     
     
         8 . The packing machine ( 47 ) according to  claim 3 , wherein:
 the first folding device ( 71 ) comprises a contrast body ( 87 ) which has a “hoe”-shaped center member ( 88 ) and two lateral appendixes ( 89 ) on opposite sides of the center member ( 88 ), and is mounted to rotate about an axis of rotation ( 90 ) parallel to the packing path (P 1 );   when the inner blank ( 38 ) stops at the first work station (S 10 ), the contrast body ( 87 ) rotates about the axis of rotation ( 90 ) to arrange the two lateral appendixes ( 89 ) on the first wings ( 14 ′) and close to the tabs ( 43 ), to form a contrast for the top side members ( 85 ) of the first folding body ( 83 ); and   the contrast body ( 87 ) then rotates in the opposite direction about the axis of rotation ( 90 ) to remove the two appendixes ( 89 ) from the first wings ( 14 ′) and simultaneously bring the center member ( 88 ) to rest on the fourth panel ( 13 ′), to form a contrast for the center member ( 84 ) of the first folding body ( 83 ).   
     
     
         9 . The packing machine ( 47 ) according to  claim 2  and comprising a second work station (S 11 ) downstream from the first work station (S 10 ) and provided with a second folding device ( 73 ) comprising a third folding body ( 91 ) which is movable in the first work direction (D 1 ); when the inner blank ( 38 ) stops at the second work station (S 11 ), the third folding body ( 91 ) moves in the first work direction (D 1 ) to fold the sixth panel ( 12 ″) by 90° with respect to the fifth panel ( 12 ′) and about a corresponding transverse fold line ( 41 ) and to simultaneously fold the seventh panel ( 13 ″) by 90°, with respect to the sixth panel ( 12 ″) and about a corresponding transverse fold line ( 41 ). 
     
     
         10 . The packing machine ( 47 ) according to  claim 9 , wherein:
 the second folding device ( 73 ) comprises a fourth aligning body ( 92 ) movable in a third work direction (D 3 ) which is not parallel neither to the first work direction (D 1 ), to the second work direction (D 2 ) nor to the packing path (P 1 ); and, when the third folding body ( 91 ) completes its movement, the fourth aligning body ( 92 ) moves in the third work direction (D 3 ) to rest and press on the end edge of the eighth panel ( 10 ″), and to hold down the end edge of the eighth panel ( 10 ″) as the inner blank ( 38 ) moves along the packing path (P 1 ) downstream from the second work station (S 11 ).   
     
     
         11 . The packing machine ( 47 ) according to  claim 10 , wherein:
 the third panel ( 10 ′) has two second wings ( 11 ″) which form respective lateral walls ( 11 ) of the inner container ( 3 ), are arranged on opposite sides of the third panel ( 10 ′), and are connected to the third panel ( 10 ′) by the longitudinal fold lines ( 40 );   the eighth panel ( 10 ″) has two reinforcing third wings ( 11 ′) which are gummed to the inside in correspondence of the second wings ( 11 ″), are arranged on opposite sides of the eighth panel ( 10 ″), and are connected to the eighth panel ( 10 ″) by the longitudinal fold lines ( 40 ); and   the fourth aligning body ( 92 ) keeps the third wings ( 11 ′″) raised slightly with respect to the underlying second wings ( 11 ″) while the eighth panel ( 10 ″) rests completely on the underlying third panel ( 10 ′).   
     
     
         12 . The packing machine ( 47 ) according to  claim 9  and comprising a third folding device ( 72 ) which is arranged between the first work station (S 10 ) and the second work station (S 11 ), and which folds the seventh panel ( 13 ″) by 90°, with respect to the sixth panel ( 12 ″), about a corresponding transverse fold line ( 41 ) and in the opposite direction to the similar fold made by the first folding device ( 71 ) at the first work station (S 10 ). 
     
     
         13 . The packing machine ( 47 ) according to  claim 1  and comprising at least one fourth folding device ( 56 ,  57 ) which is arranged upstream from the first work station (S 10 ) and which simultaneously folds the fifth panel ( 12 ′) by 90°, with respect to the fourth panel ( 13 ′) and the tabs ( 43 ) by 90° with respect to the first wings ( 14 ′), about the same transverse fold line ( 41 ), and in one direction and then in the opposite direction, to flex the inner blank ( 38 ) along the corresponding transverse fold line ( 41 ) itself. 
     
     
         14 . The packing machine ( 47 ) according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 the eighth panel ( 10 ″) has two reinforcing third wings ( 11 ′) which are arranged on opposite sides of the eighth panel ( 10 ″) and are connected to the eighth panel ( 10 ″) by the longitudinal fold lines ( 40 );   a fifth folding device ( 62 ) which is arranged upstream from the first work station (S 10 ) and folds the reinforcing third wings ( 11 ′″) by 90°, with respect to the eighth panel ( 10 ″) and about corresponding longitudinal fold lines ( 40 ) is provided; and   downstream from the fifth folding device ( 62 ) the reinforcing third wings ( 11 ′) are left free to spring back to their original position.   
     
     
         15 . The packing machine ( 47 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 a fifth folding device ( 62 ) is provided;   the blank ( 38 ) has a window ( 30 ) in correspondence of the third panel ( 10 ′), inside of which the connecting tab ( 20 ) is formed;   the connecting tab ( 20 ) comprises a top portion ( 31 ), in which the top edge is integral with the fifth panel ( 12 ′) and that is tilted with respect to said third panel ( 10 ′) to follow the rotation of the lid ( 6 ), an intermediate portion ( 32 ), which is connected to the top portion ( 31 ) along a transverse fold line ( 41 ) and has a central opening, and a bottom portion ( 33 ) that is connected to the intermediate portion ( 32 ) along a transverse fold line ( 41 );   the bottom portion ( 33 ) has a protrusion ( 34 ) at the opening of the intermediate portion ( 32 ); and   the fifth folding device ( 62 ) folds the bottom portion ( 33 ) by 180° with respect and onto the intermediate portion ( 32 ), about the transverse fold line ( 41 ) to form a hook.   
     
     
         16 . The packing machine ( 47 ) according to  claim 15 , wherein,
 when the bottom portion ( 33 ) is folded with respect to the intermediate portion ( 32 ) by 180°, the protrusion ( 34 ) is inserted at least partially below the third panel ( 10 ′).   
     
     
         17 . A packing method for producing an inner container ( 3 ) by folding an inner blank ( 38 ) about a wrapped group ( 2 ) of tobacco articles; wherein the inner container ( 3 ) comprises a lid ( 6 );
 wherein the inner blank ( 38 ) has two longitudinal fold lines ( 40 ) and a number of transverse fold lines ( 41 ) which define, between the two longitudinal fold lines ( 40 ), at least one first panel ( 9 ′) forming a front wall ( 9 ) of the inner container ( 3 ); a second panel ( 8 ′) forming a bottom wall ( 8 ) of the inner container ( 3 ); a third panel ( 10 ′) forming a rear wall ( 10 ) of the inner container ( 3 ); a fourth panel ( 13 ′) forming a rear wall ( 13 ) of the lid ( 6 ); a fifth panel ( 12 ′) forming a wall ( 12 ) of the lid ( 6 );   wherein the fourth panel ( 13 ′) has two first wings ( 14 ′) which form respective lateral walls ( 14 ) of the lid ( 6 ), are arranged on opposite sides of the fourth panel ( 13 ′), and are connected to the fourth panel ( 13 ′) by the longitudinal fold lines ( 40 ); and   wherein each wing ( 14 ′) has a tab ( 43 ) which is connected to the wing ( 14 ′) by a transverse fold line ( 41 );   the packing method comprises the steps of:   feeding the inner blank ( 38 ) along a packing path (P 1 ) and through a work station (S 10 ) by means of a packing conveyor ( 54 ) having a packing pocket ( 55 );   folding portions of the inner blank ( 38 ) by means of a folding device ( 71 ) which is arranged at the work station (S 10 );   the packing method is characterized in that:   the folding device ( 71 ) is provided with a first folding body ( 83 ) which is movable in a first work direction (D 1 ) perpendicular to the packing path (P 1 ) for folding portions of the inner blank ( 38 ); and   said first folding body ( 83 ) in succession folds the tabs ( 43 ) by 90°, with respect to the first wings ( 14 ′) and about corresponding transverse fold lines ( 41 ); folds the first wings ( 14 ′) by 90°, with respect to the fourth panel ( 13 ′) and about corresponding longitudinal fold lines ( 40 ); and folds the fifth panel ( 12 ′) by 90°, with respect to the fourth panel ( 13 ′) and about a corresponding transverse fold lines ( 41 ) bringing the fifth panel ( 12 ′) in contact with the tabs ( 43 ) while the first folding body ( 83 ) moves with a continuous movement along the first work direction (D 1 ).