Abstract: Transfer system for transferring items, which transfer system comprises a first transfer device for receiving the items, a second transfer device for discharging the items, and a buffer device for buffering items between the first transfer device and the second transfer device, wherein the first transfer device comprises a first transfer rotator and the second transfer device comprises a second transfer rotator and the transfer system is configured to adjust at least one of a first transfer speed of the first transfer rotator and a second transfer speed of the second transfer rotator.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for making a hard pack cigarette package composed of a transparent material that includes an inner frame that is also composed of a transparent material. The package is assembled using a hot-melt adhesive material to bind the package together as well as to bind the inner frame insert and a foil wrapped assemblage of smoking articles to the package. The hot-melt adhesive material is applied by an electronically controlled hot-melt adhesive applicator working in conjunction with a uniform contrast roller.

Abstract: A rigid pack for tobacco products comprises an outer wrapper (3) furnished with a container (4) presenting an open top (5), surmounted by a lid (6) hinged to the container (4) and rotatable between a position in which the open top (5) is exposed and a position, interacting with a frame (20) anchored to the open top (5), in which the open top is closed, the tobacco products being enveloped by an inner wrapper (19). The pack (1) presents four lateral faces (16, 17, 18) arranged in two parallel pairs, also a top end face (15) and a bottom end face (11) disposed transversely to the lateral faces (16, 17, 18), which define a front, a back and two flanks. At least one of the lateral faces (16, 17, 18) presents a deformation referable to at least one bend line (21), coinciding with a crease line (3) impressed previously on the blank from which the pack is fashioned, and obtained by subjecting the flank faces (18) to compression in such a way that the bend line (21) is forced into relief.

Abstract: An automatic packaging machine for forming a latching flip-top box from a blank. A plurality of mandrels are coupled to a conveyor system. Each of the mandrels includes a mounting block for coupling the mandrel to the automatic packaging machine, a package-holding assembly operatively connected to the mounting block and being rotatable about a first axis from a first position to a second position, and a flap holder assembly operatively connected to the mounting block. The flap holder assembly is rotatable about a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis. A plurality of plows and tucker assemblies sequentially manipulate portions of the blank in order to form portions of the box.

Abstract: A method and device for producing a rigid container, having two end walls and a lateral wall, from a flat blank having two flat first portions, each of which has a relative panel defining a relative end wall of the container, and a drawn rim integral with the panel, extending along at least one portion of an outer edge of the panel, and square with respect to the panel; and three flat second portions alternating with the two panels; each panel being folded squarely with respect to the flat second portions adjacent to it; the second portions being wrapped about and onto the rims to form the lateral wall; and each panel being stiffened by means of an external stiffening member, at least when forming the lateral wall.

Abstract: An automatic packaging machine for forming a latching flip-top box from a blank. A plurality of mandrels are coupled to a conveyor system. Each of the mandrels include a mounting block for coupling the mandrel to the automatic packaging machine, a package-holding assembly operatively connected to the mounting block and being rotatable about a first axis from a first position to a second position, and a flap holder assembly operatively connected to the mounting block. The flap holder assembly is rotatable about a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis. A plurality of plows and tucker assemblies sequentially manipulate portions of the blank in order to form portions of the box.

Abstract: A re-sealable container closure label including a base label and a cover label, and a hook-and-loop fastener system and a tamper-evident tear strip is sandwiched therebetween. In a preferred embodiment, the base label is adhered to the front wall of a container, preferably a bag, adjacent an opening in the bag. A flap of the bag is folded downwardly over the opening and adheres to the front wall, the cover label, the two-part hook-and-loop fastener system and the tear strip. In an alternative embodiment, container closure label includes a hook-and-loop fastener system and a tear strip secured only to a base label. This alternative embodiment label is adhered to the front wall of a bag as in the preferred embodiment, except that the flap is adhered directly over the fastener system and tear strip. To open a bag sealed with the re-sealable container closure label, a user pulls the tear strip, which permits the flap to open and form a pour opening.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for producing (cigarette) packs with supporting protrusions (17), formed within the pack, above a base wall (16), the supporting protrusions (17) being formed by folding webs (19). The folding webs (19) or folding tabs are pre-folded or folded definitively, during the (customary) transportation of the blanks along a blank path (25), by corresponding folding elements, in particular by a folding wheel (32) with a folding protrusion (34) which folds the folding web (19).

Abstract: The cardboard blanks for conversion into hinged-lid packets for arrays of cigarettes are dimensioned and configurated in such a way that an elongated reinforcing strip at the inner side of the front panel of the lid is longer than the front panel. Those terminal sections of the reinforcing strip which extend beyond the ends of the front panel in a blank are bent prior to or during the folding of the reinforcing strip against the inner side of the front panel so that they do not adversely affect the configuration of the lateral panels of the lid and the appearance of a finished packet because the lateral panels are not caused to bulge outwardly.

Abstract: An automatic packaging machine for forming and filling a latching flip-top box uses a two part mandrel which are joined by a hinge. One of the two hinged parts has a roller thereon for following a cam track having a quarter turn spiral therein. As the roller follows the spiral causing one hinged part to move through a quarter turn causing the flip-top to fold over and be formed. A somewhat loose tab on the top edge of the bottom of the box is a latch tab which is caught when the flip-top folds over.

Abstract: Rigid packets of the type with a hinged lid are fashioned from diecut blanks presenting a central longitudinal portion flanked by two lateral portions, each consisting in a series of longitudinally disposed flaps. The method of manufacture involves directing the blanks singly and in succession between a pair of contrarotating rollers with dies shaped and positioned to engage each lateral portion; the dies are designed to modify a pair of adjoining flaps on each side, which ultimately will be bent through a right angle to form an internal layer of the relative flank face of the packet, by producing at least one bend in one flap at an end adjacent to the other flap, and forming a projection on the longer flap which in the finished packet will be breasted permanently in contact with an inner reinforcing frame.

Abstract: The cardboard blanks for conversion into hinged-lid packets for arrays of cigarettes are dimensioned and configurated in such a way that an elongated reinforcing strip at the inner side of the front panel of the lid is longer than the front panel. Those terminal sections of the reinforcing strip which extend beyond the ends of the front panel in a blank are bent prior to or during the folding of the reinforcing strip against the inner side of the front panel so that they do not adversely affect the configuration of the lateral panels of the lid and the appearance of a finished packet because the lateral panels are not caused to bulge outwardly.

Abstract: A method and unit for feeding collars for packets of cigarettes to a continuous packing line, whereby the collars, picked up successively and in steps by a transfer device, are transferred rapidly by the transfer device to a continuously-moving supply assembly, which feeds the collars successively to the packing line after squarely folding two lateral wings of each collar; the collars being fed on to the packing line with the lateral wings crosswise to a traveling direction of the line.

Abstract: A label (e.g., a revenue stamp) for the application to a closed and filled hinged-lid packet for cigarettes or the like has a first part provided with an elongated weakened portion which is to overlie the abutting sloping edges of one lateral wall of the main section and the corresponding lateral panel of the lid in the closed position of the lid, and a second part overlying portions of the rear wall of the main section and of the rear panel of the lid at opposite sides of the elongated transversely extending hinge which pivotally connects the rear panel to the rear wall. The weakened portion is formed by a perforating, scoring, piercing, material removing or other suitable implement which is adjustably mounted on a support adjacent to an arcuate path for a succession of labels at the periphery of a rotary conveyor. One side of each label is coated with an adhesive subsequent to weakening and preparatory to attachment to a hinged-lid packet.

Abstract: Packaging material, particularly for forming blanks for hinged lid packets, is delivered to a packaging machine in web form and at least one creasing or shaping operation is performed (44; 112) on the web (2) prior to severing individual blanks (50) from the web. Folding or wrapping of a blank around an article to be packed in the machine is monitored and the creasing or shaping operation varied to optimise machine performance: for example, an adjustable creasing tool can be adjusted to compensate for tool wear. Individual blanks are inspected for longitudinal curl, usually caused by the web having been wound on a reel, and where necessary a correction is applied during feeding of the web, e.g. by adjusting the angle of wrap of the web around a decurling roller (38; 108).

Abstract: Blanks (10) for hinge-lid packs are provided with glue in the form of glue spots (29a to 29i). A plurality of rows (33 to 36) of the glue spots are distributed over the blank (10) in such a manner that the pack collar (84) and the inner wrapping (82) are sufficiently fixed, and that a lid inner tab (22) is permanently connected to a lid front wall (20). The glue spots (29a to 29i) are applied by a gluing unit (37) which can be removed as a unit from the packaging machine and which is connected to a glue container via a main glue line (56).

Abstract: In the production of packs, especially hinge-lid packs, from rigid packaging material (thin cardboard), hitherto individual blanks have been supplied in stacks and introduced into the packaging machine in succession. To make the handling of the blanks easier and to increase the storage capacity, the blanks (23) are now connected to one another via residual connections (25) into a continuous web of material (24) wound as a reel (30). Within the packaging machine, the blanks are severed from the web of material (23) in succession, specifically as a result of the elimination of the residual connections, preferably by being torn off. The residual connections (25) are formed in a region of the blanks (23) or in the region of folding tabs of the latter which, in the finished pack (hinge-lid pack), are concealed by other folding tabs, that is to say are on the inside.

Abstract: In the production of hinge lid packs with rounded longitudinal edges, collars (10) which are present in this type of pack are preshaped in the region of longitudinal edges (13) which are also rounded. For this purpose, a scoring (embossed strip 21, 22) which extends in the longitudinal direction is applied to a web of material (14). Thereafter, the collars (10) are severed from the web of material (14) and are preshaped in the region of the longitudinal edges (13) which are to be formed. The collars (10) which have been prepared in this way can be placed on a cigarette block and be further processed in the conventional manner.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a hinged top cigarette box having a cross-section with one or more arcuate surfaces from a one piece blank, the apparatus comprising a mandrel that engages the one piece blank along an edge, and which mandrel rotates to wrap the blank around the mandrel to form a hinged top cigarette box having inner and outer walls. Alternative embodiments of the apparatus may include either an ultrasonic device or wet adhesives to secure the inner and outer walls of the box in proper relation. A method is provided for forming a dual layer hinged top cigarette box having a cross-section with one or more arcuate surfaces wherein a box blank is engaged along one end and then rotated and secured so that the resulting box has its inner and outer layers fixed in proper relation.

Abstract: A cigarette-packing machine for packing cigarettes into hinged-lid hard boxes. The machine is fitted with an arbor-carrying drum (1) which is stepwise rotatable around its axis, and has a plurality of tubular matrices or arbors (3) projectingly mounted thereon. Hard cigarette boxes (P) are formed by blanks (F) and neck elements (C) to be folded about arbors (3) in a number of operative steps carried out at successive cigarette box-forming stations (S1 and S12), arranged around the arbor-carrying drum (1). In order to have the neck elements (C) accurately laid on the respective arbor (3), in their correct position relative to a box (P), the machine provides for the neck elements (C) and the blanks (F) to be separately fed.

Abstract: A frame for securely retaining a bundle of elongated members, as for example cigarettes, within a container is provided. The container includes a bottom box panel, a top lid box panel, opposing right and left side box panels, and opposing front and back box panels. The frame is inserted into the container and comprises: a front frame panel portion defined by a left side and a right side, and a top and bottom margin; a left side frame panel connected to the front panel along the left side of the front panel, the left side panel including a left side biasing portion formed therein; and a right side frame panel connected to the front frame panel along the right side of the front panel, the right side panel including a right side biasing portion formed thereupon. The frame is erected and inserted into the box so that the front frame panel is contiguous with the front box panel, the left frame panel is contiguous with the left side box panel, and the right frame panel is contiguous with the right side box panel.

Abstract: In the production of packs made of (thin) cardboard such as cigarette packs, complex folding processes may cause problems when blank portions are moved to the proper pack position, especially when blank portions are "too long" for the folding process. To remove this problem, the respective blank portion is, during the folding process, temporarily deformed in a way which shortens its effective length, i.e. curved in an arched manner. In the production of hinge lid packs having a collar (11) attached to a front wall (12) thereof in a single piece, this blank portion is, while being folded from an upright to a horizontal position, temporarily curved by a folding lever (58) applying pressure until the blank portion reaches the horizontal folding position.

Abstract: A carton formed from a carton blank comprising a unitary sheet of material hvaing cut out portions, cut lines, fold lines and perforated lines to form various sections which are folded together to form a carton having a hinged lid which may be moved between closed and opened positions to remove materials from the carton and which lid is retained in the closed position by a frictional fit between portions of the lid and a front panel portion of the carton.

Abstract: A carton (11) with parallel flat front and rear surfaces joined by curved sides and a flip-top lid (10) hinged to the carton. The carton is composed of two superimposed layers adhesively secured at a joint line at lapped edges. The outer layer is slit along its front surface parallel to the carton ends and along upwardly extending curves around the sides to a fold line parallel to and raised above the front slit and the inner layer (12) has a cutout in its front surface above the front slit of the outer layer. The cutout curves upwardly short of the sides where tags (13) are cut out of the sides of the inner layer and the outer layer overlaps the inner layer at the carton ends. Top and bottom closures are adhesively secured to the outer layer at the ends of the carton.

Abstract: Hinge-lid packs, especially for cigarettes, are equipped with a collar which extends in the region of the front wall and side walls of a pack part of the hinge-lid pack and which projects from this. The collar is formed from a collar blank severed from a material web of thin cardboard, specifically by being laid onto the pack content, especially a cigarette block. On high-performance packaging machines, the hinge-lid packs are produced in two production tracks running next to one another. Two collar blanks (10, 11, 12) therefore have to be fed simultaneously to the cigarette blocks (15, 16) to be packaged simultaneously. For reasons of space, the collar blanks (10, etc.) are severed from a single material web (13), then grouped next to one another in pairs and finally transported into the region of a transfer station (14) by means of a transversely directed feed conveyor (41).

Abstract: In the apparatus used for producing cuboid (cigarette) packs of the hinge-lid type having bevelled or rounded longitudinal edges (37,38,39,40) the blank is brought into an angular intermediate folding position thereby erecting the side tabs and forming the bevelled or rounded longitudinal edges. For this purpose, the blank is pressed, by means of a shaping punch (58) with punch plate (59), into a pocket (47) of a folding turret (46), the blank parts being folded, thereby forming the bevelled longitudinal edges, by means of stationary or movable folding tools.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for forming cigarette packs having rounded or beveled longitudinal edges includes forming the contoured edges on a flat blank at a shaping station as a preliminary shaping step. The shaping station includes a shaping mandrel or plate having rounded or beveled edges and shaping rollers or strips for wrapping the blank about the plate to produce the desired longitudinal edges contours.

Abstract: A token, such as a coin for making change in a cigarette package dispensing machine, is inserted into a "hard pack" or box of the type having a hinged lid by placing the token on the front face of the box, pressing down on the front face to form a slit-like opening under the edge of the lid, and then shoving the token under the lid through the opening. One or more recesses can be formed in a box insert under the lid to accept the token or tokens. An apparatus for accomplishing this is disclosed.

Abstract: A flip-top box is folded from a one-piece skillet by bringing a contents retainer panel (R) into overlapping relationship with a front panel (C.sub.1); thereafter pressing the skillet into a rectangular opening of a die (70), to cause certain panels of the skillet to stand perpendicular to rear panels of the container and lid, folding portions of the skillet projecting from the die into a plane parallel spaced from the rear panel and causing other portions to enter the die; and pressing the partially folded skillet into a rectangular opening of a second die opposite the first die to fold down the outside panels of the box to complete the box formation.

Abstract: A hinged lid packet has an integral inner frame comprising a recessed panel extending upwardly from the front wall of the body of the packet, and a pair of side flaps extending backwards from the sides of the recessed panel. A cut-away part is formed at the top of each side flap to provide access for securing each outer flap of the lid of the packet to the respective inner flap. Each inner flap may be of a shape corresponding to the cut-away part, so that with the lid closed the inner flap and the respective side flap are substantially contiguous.