EP2847074B1 - Method and apparatus for making blanks in particular for packages for cigarettes - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for producing blanks, in particular for packs for cigarettes, wherein a material web for the production of individual blanks is provided at intervals with a printing, and wherein the material web is provided by means of a stamping device at intervals with an embossing and wherein individual blanks the material web are separated by means of a cutting device, such that preferably each blank has a printing and embossing at a predetermined position, according to the preamble of claim 1.

Furthermore, the invention relates to an apparatus for carrying out this method according to the preamble of claim 11.

A method and a device of the type mentioned are, for example, from WO 2007/059820 A1 known from the house of the applicant. The publication deals with the stamping of blanks for inner liners of a cigarette pack, wherein the inner liners have both an imprint and an imprint. The subject of the application is a special design of a pair of embossing rolls, which allows a shift in the relative position of the printing and the embossing on the blank.

On this basis, the invention has the object to further develop methods and devices of the type mentioned, in particular with regard to a simpler or more accurate alignment of the printing and embossing each other.

To solve this problem, a method according to the invention has the features of claim 1. It is therefore provided that, in each case a marking is attached to the material web together with the embossments, and that the relative position of the imprints and the embossments to each other by comparing the relative position of the imprints and marks is determined to each other, the relative position of the imprints and imprints as needed is aligned with each other, in particular by corresponding change in the conveying speed of the material web.

The invention is based on the recognition that the embossing as such can not be detected with sufficient accuracy by conventional sensors such as cameras, light barriers and the like at the usual, high speeds with which the material web is transported. This is especially true for complex or large imprints. In this respect, a marking is attached to the material web together or synchronously with the embossing, which can be detected in a simple manner at high speeds. In particular, corresponding markings allow the use of simpler sensors.

In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention it is provided that the material web is preferably provided for each blank with a print mark and a preferably decorative element, wherein the relative position of the imprints and the embossments to each other by comparing the relative position of the print marks and markings is determined. It is therefore provided that the printing of each blank contains on the one hand a print mark and on the other hand a preferably decorative element. Of course, it may also be that the element preferably contains information to the consumer.

In practice, it is preferably provided that the prints and embossings are applied in such a way that each blank has a print and an embossing. In addition, the imprinting and embossing are preferably applied in a portion of the blank visible on a pack of cigarettes for the consumer. In a preferred Application of the invention, the imprints and imprints are attached to a web for producing collars for packs for cigarettes, such that each collar in a visible to the consumer area a printing and the printing preferably surrounding full-surface embossing of the visible area, in particular a portion of the collar protruding from a box portion of a hinge-lid pack.

Another special feature may consist in that the marking is attached by means of the embossing device, in particular a pair of embossing rollers. The marking may be in the form of an embossing, a punching, a grooving, a cut, a perforation or a machining of the surface of the material web or the like.

Alternatively or additionally, the marking may be applied as a (separate) print mark, preferably by means of a printing device, preferably synchronously with the embossing by the embossing device, in particular in a region of the material web or of the blank which has no embossing.

Further details and embodiments of the method according to the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, moreover, the following description and the drawings.

An apparatus for solving the above-mentioned problem has the features of claim 11. It is therefore provided that in synchronism with the embossing in each case a mark on the material web is attachable, wherein preferably independent sensors for detecting the imprints and the markings are provided and wherein a control device for comparing the relative position of the imprints and markings is provided to each other and wherein means The control unit, if necessary, an adaptation of the relative position of the imprints and imprints is feasible, preferably by appropriate change in the conveying speed of the web.

As in the method according to the invention, it is provided that the material web is provided for each blank with a print mark and a preferably decorative element, and that the comparison of the relative position of the imprints and the embossments to each other by comparing the relative position of the print marks and markings to each other by means of the control unit ,

Another special feature may be that the embossing is applied upstream of the cutting device, preferably in the area of a device for handling reels with the continuous material web. Accordingly, it is proposed to make the embossing in advance of the actual packaging machine. This has the advantage that the already limited space in the packaging machine is not required for the embossing device.

Alternatively it can be provided that the embossing is applied immediately upstream of the cutting device, preferably in the region of a device for handling blanks for collars of a pack for cigarettes. In this case, it can also be provided that the embossing device and the cutting device are coupled to each other in a gear.

Preferably, the sensor for detecting the print marks and the sensor for detecting the marks should be arranged at a small spatial distance from each other. In this way, a possible elongation of the material web, a compression of the material web during embossing or environmental changes in the length of the material web to the measurement results can be minimized.

Further details and embodiments of the device according to the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, moreover, the following description and the drawings.

Fig. 1

eine Packung für Zigaretten mit geöffnetem Deckel in räumlicher Darstellung,

Fig. 2

einen Zuschnitt für einen Kragen der Packung,

Fig. 3

einen alternativen Zuschnitt für einen Kragen der Packung,

Fig. 4

eine schematische Darstellung der Prüfung einer Materialbahn auf vorhandene Markierungen,

Fig. 5

einen Vertikalschnitt durch eine Materialbahn mit einer Markierung,

Fig. 6

einen Vertikalschnitt durch eine Materialbahn mit einer alternativen Markierung,

Fig. 7

einen Vertikalschnitt durch eine Materialbahn mit einer alternativen Markierung,

Fig. 8

eine Draufsicht auf die Materialbahn gemäß Fig. 5,

Fig. 9

eine Draufsicht auf die Materialbahn gemäß Fig. 6,

Fig. 10

eine Draufsicht auf die Materialbahn gemäß Fig. 7,

Fig. 11

eine Draufsicht auf eine Variante der Materialbahn gemäß Fig. 5,

Fig. 12

eine schematische Seitenansicht einer Vorrichtung zum Prägen einer Materialbahn für Kragen,

Fig. 13

eine Draufsicht auf eine geprägte Materialbahn sowie auf einen aus der Materialbahn vereinzelten Kragen,

Fig. 14

eine Draufsicht auf eine alternative geprägte Materialbahn sowie auf einen aus der Materialbahn vereinzelten Kragen, und

Fig. 15

eine schematische Seitenansicht einer alternativen Vorrichtung zum Prägen einer Materialbahn für Kragen.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference to the drawing. In this show:

Fig. 1

a pack of cigarettes with lid open in a spatial representation,

Fig. 2

a blank for a collar of the package,

Fig. 3

an alternative blank for a collar of the package,

Fig. 4

a schematic representation of the examination of a material web on existing markings,

Fig. 5

a vertical section through a material web with a marker,

Fig. 6

a vertical section through a material web with an alternative marking,

Fig. 7

a vertical section through a material web with an alternative marking,

Fig. 8

a plan view of the web according to Fig. 5 .

Fig. 9

a plan view of the web according to Fig. 6 .

Fig. 10

a plan view of the web according to Fig. 7 .

Fig. 11

a plan view of a variant of the material web according to Fig. 5 .

Fig. 12

a schematic side view of an apparatus for embossing a material web for collar,

Fig. 13

a top view of an embossed material web as well as on an isolated from the material web collar,

Fig. 14

a plan view of an alternative embossed material web as well as on an isolated from the material web collar, and

Fig. 15

a schematic side view of an alternative device for embossing a material web for collar.

The invention is described using the example of a pack 10 for cigarettes of the Hinge-Lid type. The pack 10 consists of the components box part 11, cover 12 and collar 13th

The package 10 has a large area front side and an opposite rear side formed by a box front wall 14 and a lid front wall 15 and a box rear wall 16 and a lid rear wall 17, respectively. Furthermore, the package 10 has two opposite narrow sides connecting the front wall and the rear wall. These narrow sides are formed by box side walls 18 and lid side walls 19. Furthermore, the package 10 has a lid end wall 20 and a box bottom wall 21.

The collar 13 is arranged as usual in hinge-lid packs in the interior of the box part 11 and protrudes from the box part 11 open at the top. In the closed position of the lid 12, the collar 13 is covered by this. The collar 13 extends in the area of the box front wall 14 and the box side walls 18. In the area of the box rear wall 16, no collar 13 is arranged. Accordingly, the collar 13 is formed by a collar front wall 22 and collar side walls 23 which extend along corresponding walls of the box part 11.

Lid 12 and box part 11 are pivotally connected to one another in the region of a line joint 24. The line joint 24 extends in the region of the rear side of the pack 10, namely between the box rear wall 16 and the lid rear wall 17.

The box part 11 serves as a receiving space for a package contents, namely in the present case for a cigarette block 25. In the cigarette block 25th it is a group of cigarettes wrapped in a common wrapper 26.

A further special feature of the exemplary embodiment is that the package 10 is an octagonal package, that is to say a package with eight upright package edges in the area of the front side, back side or narrow sides. Accordingly, in the transition from the front to the narrow sides or in the transition from the back to the narrow sides oblique edges are formed, whereby box part 11, cover 12 and collar 13 corresponding box inclined walls 27, cover inclined walls 28 and collar inclined walls 29 have.

It is understood that the package 10 may have other planforms, in particular a rectangular in plan shape, in which then the inclined walls 27, 28, 29 are missing and the packing edges are formed at right angles. Furthermore, the package 10 may of course also have a larger number of beveled edges 27, 28, 29.

A special feature of the package 10 is that the collar 13 has an embossment 30 and a preferably decorative element 31, wherein the element 31 is part of a printing of the collar 13.

The embossment 30 preferably extends over the entire surface over a large part of the collar 13, namely as shown in the exemplary embodiments over at least the visible to the consumer area of the collar 13, which extends above a closing edge 59 of the box part 11. Also, the element 31 is arranged in this area. The embossment 30 may be formed as a particular regular pattern. Also conceivable, however, are all other forms of embossing, such as grooves, raised areas, etc.

In the embodiments shown, the embossment 30 extends in the region of the collar front wall 22, the adjoining collar oblique walls 29, the adjoining collar side walls 23 and the adjoining collar oblique walls 29. It is understood that the embossment 30 is natural may extend only over one or more walls of the collar 13. In addition, the embossing need not be provided over the entire visible area, although this is the preferred solution.

Also, the element 31 is located in the region of the collar front wall 22. Conceivable, of course, is also an arrangement on one of the other walls of the collar 13 or the arrangement of a plurality of elements 31 on one or more walls.

In all embodiments, the element 31 is surrounded by the embossment 30. Preferably, however, the embossment 30 does not directly adjoin the element 31, but terminates at a small, preferably uniform distance from it, so that virtually a preferably narrow, in particular circumferential edge is formed around the element 31. However, cases are also conceivable, for example in the case of a not full-surface embossing 30, in which the element 31 is only partially or not at all surrounded by the embossment 30. It is also conceivable that the embossment 30 is used to emphasize the element 31 in which the embossment extends at least partially in the region of the element 31. In the extreme case, embossment 30 and element 31 can also coincide, so that, for example, a raised area is formed by the embossment 30, in whose area the element 31 is located.

The collars 13 are produced by separating individual blanks 33, preferably without waste, from a continuous material web 32. Preferably, the web 32 is already supplied by the supplier with a printing, i. the material web 32 is provided at predetermined intervals with the element 31, wherein the distance between two adjacent elements 31 on the material web 32 corresponds to the length of a blank 33.

Preferably, in the region of a packaging machine for cigarettes, the material web 32 is provided with the embossment 30. The embossment 30 is preferably attached by means of an embossing device 34, in particular with a pair of embossing rollers 35. The embossing device 34 and the embossing rollers 35 may be in accordance with the aforementioned WO 2007/059820 A1 be set up and operated.

The embossing device 34 or preferably the embossing rollers 35 are designed such that a substantially full-surface embossing 30 is attached to the blanks 33, which is interrupted by an unembossed region 36. The unembossed region 36 serves to correct the position of the embossment 30 on the blank 33, since the unembossed region 36 permits a change in the web speed of the material web 32, since or during the embossing rollers 35 are then not in engagement with one another. Regarding the details will turn to the WO 2007/059820 A1 directed.

A special feature is that together with each stamping 30 an associated marking 37 is attached to the material web 32. The marking 37 is attached to the material web 32 at a predetermined distance or in a predetermined relative position relative to the embossing 30. The marker 37 is later used to determine the relative position of embossment 30 and element 31.

It is conceivable, on the one hand, that the marking 37 be attached to the material web 32 as a print mark 38. This can be done in synchronism with the attachment of the embossment 30 to ensure a constant relative position of the marker 37 and embossment 30.

Alternatively, it is preferably conceivable that the marking 37 as the embossment 30 by the embossing device 34 or embossing rollers 35 or similar organs is attached. It is conceivable, for example, a punch 39, which is attached by the embossing rollers 35. Further alternative forms of markings 37 will be described below.

The coordination of the relative position of element 31 and embossment 30 is carried out in a first variant as follows: The material web 32 for blanks 33 or collar 13 is withdrawn from a reel 40 and guided over guide rollers 41 through a web memory 42. Thereafter, the material web 32 is guided in the region of a preferably horizontal transport path through the embossing device 34 and the embossing rollers 35 and provided at intervals with the embossment 30. Thereafter, with the aid of two sensors 43, 44, the position of the element 31 on the one hand and the position of the embossing 30 on the other hand determined and determined by a control device, not shown, the relative position thereof. In this case, a sensor 43 serves to detect the elements 31 and a sensor 44 for detecting the markings 37. In case of misalignments of the embossments 30 and elements 31, these can preferably as in the WO 2007/059820 A1 be compensated described. Thereafter, the material web 32 is in turn guided over further deflection rollers 41 and a further web memory 42 in the region of a cutting device 45, where the blanks 33 are separated out of the material web 32.

In this variant, the embossment 30 is mounted outside the actual packaging machine or a collar apparatus, namely preferably in the area of the so-called bobbin trestle.

For transporting the material web 32 along the transport path to the cutting device 45, advancing rollers 46 are arranged at different locations. Furthermore, another pair of sensors 47, 48 are used to correctly carry out separating cuts between the individual blanks 33 in the material web 32. The severing cut can take place by means of at least one of the two sensors 47, 48 on the basis of the marking 37 and / or the print mark 49.

It is understood that the guidance of the material web 32 can be adapted via the pulleys and the arrangement of web stores 42 according to the respective individual requirements. The method described above includes, for example, a collar 13 or blank 33, as in Fig. 3 is shown.

Alternatively, instead of a direct detection of the element 31, the position of a print mark 49 can also be detected. An associated collar 13 is exemplified in FIG Fig. 2 shown. The print mark 49 is preferably already finished together with the element 31 as printing on the material web 32 when it arrives at the place of processing. Print mark 49 and element 31 are like embossment 30 and mark 37 arranged at a predetermined distance or in a predetermined relative position to each other. In Fig. 13 the corresponding process sequence for this variant is again shown with reference to a material web 32.

A further alternative, as already described, is that instead of the punching 39, a print mark 38 is provided as marking 37, which is printed together with the stamping 30. Fig. 12 shows a suitable printing device 50, which is arranged immediately in front of the embossing device 34, to attach together with the embossment 30 each have a print mark 38 so that embossment 30 and locally mounted print mark 38 are arranged at a predetermined distance from each other. In Fig. 14 this procedure is analogous to the variant of Fig. 13 shown. Preferably, the print mark 38 is printed in the unembossed region 36.

Fig. 15 shows a further variant, in which, in contrast to the embodiment according to Fig. 15 the embossment 30 is not mounted in the area of the Bobinenbocks, but in the area of the cutting device 45, that is in the region of the collar apparatus. Following a pair of feed rollers 46, the embossing device 34 or the embossing rollers 35 are arranged. Immediately behind them are the sensors 44, 43 and this in turn immediately follows the cutting device 45. A special feature is that the embossing device 34 and the cutting device 45 are coupled together by a common gear 51.

Fig. 4 shows some possible variants of the attachment of the marker 37. In addition to the attachment of a print mark 38 as a marker 37 by means of a printing device 50 (FIG. Fig. 12 In particular, the attachment of the marking 37 by means of the embossing device 34 and the embossing rollers 35 in Consideration. Conceivable, for example, by the embossing rollers 35 attached to the material web 32 material deformations, such as notches 52, grooves or punches 39. The embossing rollers 35 bring the markings 37 at the top of the web 32 in the region of an ink layer 53. These can be easily detected by means of the sensor 43, as in Fig. 4 shown schematically. It is conceivable in particular the assignment of a tab 54, which may be formed for example by the punch 39, by means of a fixed switch 55 on which the material web 32 and the flap 54 is moved past. In this way, for example, a hole 56 in the material web 32 are formed. Alternatively, the hole 56 can also be punched out of the material web 32.

Fig. 5 to 11 show further variants of markings 37, which can also be attached by means of the embossing device 34 to the material web 32. FIGS. 5, 8 and 11 show a region 57, which is obtained either by smoothing the upper side of the material web 32 as a reflecting surface (FIG. Fig. 8 ) or as by roughened surface ( Fig. 11 ) is trained. In addition, the area 57 with respect to the material web 32 can otherwise be slightly increased, as shown, which can also be achieved by corresponding embossing of the material web 32.

6 and 9 show a fracture line 58, which can also be formed by corresponding embossing of the material web 32.

FIGS. 7 and 10 show a hole 56 in the web 32, which may be formed by punching.

Suitable sensors 43 are, in particular, simple transmitted light barriers, triangulation barriers, reflection light sensors or gloss sensors. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS 10 pack 39 Punching (marking) 11 box part 40 reel 12 cover 41 idler pulley 13 collar 42 web store 14 Box front wall 43 Sensor (printing) 15 Lid front wall 44 Sensor (marking) 16 Box rear wall 45 cutter 17 Lid rear wall 46 advancement roller 18 Box side wall 47 sensor 19 Lid sidewall 48 sensor 20 Lid front wall 49 Print mark (imprint) 21 Box bottom-wall 50 print Setup 22 Collar front wall 51 transmission 23 Collar side walls 52 notch 24 line joint 53 Ink layer 25 cigarette block 54 flap 26 inner liner 55 switch 27 Box-scaling wall 56 hole 28 Cover-scaling wall 57 Area 29 Collar scaling wall 58 breakline 30 embossing 59 closing edge 31 Element (imprint) 32 web 33 cut 34 embosser 35 embossing rollers 36 unembossed area 37 mark 38 Print mark (marking)

Claims (16)

1. A method for producing blanks (33), in particular for packs (10) for cigarettes, wherein a material web (32) for producing individual blanks (33) is provided at intervals with a printed design (31, 49) and wherein the material web (32) is provided at intervals with an embossing (30) by means of an embossing device (34), and wherein individual blanks (33) are separated from the material web (32) by means of a cutting device (45) in such a way that each blank (33) preferably has a printed design (31, 49) and an embossing (30) at a predetermined position, characterized in that, together with the embossings (30), a marking (37) is applied in each case to the material web (32), and that the relative position of the printed designs (31, 49) and the embossings (30) relative to each other is determined by comparing the relative position of the printed designs (31, 49) and the markings (37) relative to each other, wherein when necessary the relative position of the printed designs (31, 49) and embossings (30) are aligned relative to each other, in particular by modifying the conveying speed of the material web (32) appropriately.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the material web (32) is provided for preferably each blank with a printed mark (49) and a preferably decorative element (31), wherein the relative position of the printed designs (31, 49) and the embossings (30) relative to each other is determined by comparing the relative position of the printed marks (49) and the markings (37) relative to each other.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the printed designs (31, 49) and embossings (30) are applied in such a way that each blank has a printed design (31, 49) and an embossing (30).
4. The method as claimed in claim 1 or one of the other above claims, characterized in that the printed design (31) and the embossing (30) are applied in a region of the blank (33) that is visible for consumers on a pack (10) for cigarettes.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1 or one of the other above claims, characterized in that the printed designs (31) and embossings (30) are applied to a material web (32) for producing collars (13) for packs (10) for cigarettes in such a way that each collar (13) has, in an area that is visible for consumers, a printed design (31) and embossing (30) of all of the visible area, preferably surrounding the printed design (31), in particular in an area of the collar (13) which projects from a carton part (12) of a hinged-lid pack.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1 or one of the other above claims, characterized in that the marking (32) is applied by means of the embossing device (34), in particular a pair of embossing rollers (35).
7. The method as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the marking (37) is applied in the form of an embossing, a die-cut, a groove, an incision, a perforation or a treatment of the surface of the material web (32).
8. The method as claimed in claim 1 or one of the other above claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the marking (37) is applied as a (separate) printed mark (38) preferably by means of a printing device (50), preferably at the same time as the embossing (30) by the embossing device (34), in particular in an area (36) of the material web (32) or of the blank (33) which has no embossing (30).
9. The method as claimed in claim 1 or one of the other above claims, characterized in that the material web (32) or each blank (33) has an unembossed area (36), wherein the relative position of the printed designs (31) and the embossings (30) is adapted whilst the material web (32) with the unembossed area (36) passes through the embossing device (34).
10. The method as claimed in claim 1 or one of the other above claims, characterized in that the embossing (30) and the printed design (31) are applied to the blank (33) in such a way that the embossing (30) surrounds the printed design (31).
11. A device for producing blanks (33), in particular for packs (10) for cigarettes, wherein a material web (32) for producing the blanks (33) at intervals is provided with a printed design (31, 49) and wherein the device has an embossing device (34) for applying embossings (30) at intervals along the material web (32), and wherein the device has a cutting device (45) for separating individual blanks (33) from the material web (32) in such a way that each blank (33) preferably has a printed design (31, 49) and an embossing (30) at a predetermined position, characterized in that a marking (37) can be applied to the material web (32) in each case at the same time as the embossing (30), wherein preferably independent sensors (43, 44) for detecting the printed designs (31, 49) and the markings (37) are provided, and wherein a control device is provided for comparing the relative position of the printed designs (31, 49) and markings (37) relative to each other, and wherein the relative position of the printed designs (31, 49) and embossings (30) can be adapted as necessary by means of the control unit, preferably by changing the conveying speed of the material web (32) appropriately.
12. The device as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the material web (32) is provided with a printed mark (49) and a preferably decorative element (31) for preferably each blank (33), and that the comparing of the relative position of the printed designs (31, 49) and embossings (30) relative to each other is carried out by means of the control unit by comparing the relative position of the printed marks (49) and markings (37) to each other.
13. The device as claimed in claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the embossing (30) is applied upstream from the cutting device (45), in particular in the region of a device for handling reels (40) with the continuous material web (32).
14. The device as claimed in claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the embossing (30) is applied immediately upstream from the cutting device (45), in particular in the area of a device for handling blanks (33) for collars (13) of a pack (10) for cigarettes.
15. The device as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that the embossing device (34) and the cutting device (45) are coupled to each other in terms of transmission.
16. The device as claimed in claim 11 or one of the other above claims, characterized in that the sensor (43) for detecting the printed marks (49) and the sensor (44) for detecting the markings (37) are arranged at a small spatial distance from each other.

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