Abstract: Apparatus, namely folding turret (20), for producing (cigarette) packs (10), in the case of which a blank, in particular an outer paper blank (13), has folding tabs, namely side tabs (18, 19), which are connected to one another by spots of glue (28). The spots of glue (28) are transferred onto the side tab (18) by glue nozzles (31), the guidance of the movement path of the packs (10) relative to the glue nozzles (31) being such that, following a portion of glue (29) for the spot of glue (28), unwanted portions (32) emerging from the glue nozzle (31) are intercepted by the radially inner side tab (19). For this purpose, said radially inner side tab may be formed so as to be in an oblique position.

Abstract: Valve, in particular glue valve, having a magnetostrictive actuator (14) for actuating a closure member (15) in consequence of a change in a magnetic field. In order to nullify the effects of uncontrolled changes in length of the actuator (14), in particular in consequence of temperature fluctuations, the actuator (14) is connected to a holder, more specifically a holding block (23), which can be moved with inertia.

Abstract: Packaging a plurality of cuboid containers, such as cigarette packs, in a package that is larger than the containers is enabled by arranging the containers in an offset array in which adjacent sides of the containers are offset from each other by a predetermined amount. A blank of relatively stiff material is folded around the array to form the package. The amount the containers are offset in the array is the same amount by which the package sides are longer than the adjacent sides of the containers. This enables the array in effect to fill the package even though the containers themselves are smaller than the package. The invention is particularly useful for cigarette packs since it enables the same package blank to be used for different size cigarette packs.

Abstract: Device for packaging groups, i.e. layers (14), of packages (10) in a carton (11) or the like, and individually arriving packages (10) are collected in the area of a grouping station (23) so as to form rows of packages (13), and the latter are pushed off in the transverse direction by a transverse slide (28) onto a collecting plate (29) in order to establish layers (14) comprising a plurality of rows of packages (13). The complete layers (14) are handled by a lifting conveyer (33) and delivered to the carton (11).

Abstract: For the purpose of checking packs (10), in particular cigarette packs, for the correct configuration of the outer appearance, the packs (10) are moved past stationary optoelectronic checking means, namely cameras (32, 33). The latter register outer surfaces of the packs (10). The checking means, namely cameras (32, 33), are triggered by the pack to be checked via an activating sensor (39). A downstream ejector (34) is actuated by a further sensor, namely by a defect sensor (42), which reacts to a defective pack.

Abstract: For the continuous production of the cigarette rod (10), the strip-like outer wrapper (12) and a tobacco strand (11) are provided on a forming belt (15) and conveyed, with the latter, through a rod-forming unit (13). Located within the latter is a forming bed (19) which, during transportation, deforms the forming belt (15) along with the outer wrapper (12) and the tobacco rod (11) so as to produce a cigarette rod (10). A compensating belt (21) is provided in order to avoid or reduce the friction of the forming belt on the forming bed (19), and said compensating belt circulates at reduced speed between the forming belt (15) and forming bed (19) The compensating belt (21) reduces the friction and dissipates (frictional) heat.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for handling (individual) packs (10), namely for packaging the latter in a folding box or the like. The packs (10), which, for production or other reasons, are fed in a specific relative position, to be introduced into the folding box as a pack group (22) in another predetermined relative position. For this purpose, turning stations (27, 49) are installed in the region of the pack conveyor and rotate the packs (10)--depending on requirements--about a horizontal axis and/or about a vertical axis.

Abstract: Monitoring unit with one light beam for monitoring the postion of and/or forming material webs or blanks. Monitoring units of this type usually consist of a transmitter, for example, a LED and a receiver, for example, a photocell. The operation of the machine entails the light emitting and receiving units being covered by dust and other contamination. In order to avoid this, a flow of gas or air is directed onto the translucent housing surrounding the same. The air is supplied via an air line in which an electrical cable to supply power to the monitoring unit is also accomodated.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for connecting material webs, namely one end of a new web (34) to one end of a runoff web (58).The new web (34), on the one hand, and run-off web (29), on the other hand, are each gripped individually, and stopped, by clamping parts (49, 50; 51, 52). The run-off web (29) and new web (34) are then severed. The fixed web ends--run-off end (58) and new, initial portion (59)--are positioned in a common plane by the clamping parts (49, 50; 51, 52) and connected to one another by a tape (60).

Abstract: Cigarette packs (10) are usually provided with an outer wrapper (13) made of thin, transparent or clear film. Furthermore, cigarette packs (10) are furnished with a (revenue) stamp (25). This is attached to the inner side of the outer wrapper (13) with glue or by other means. A tear-off strip (28) for the outer wrapper (13) is laid in place so that it severs the stamp (25) when torn off. This is connected to the pack by gluing its inner side to the facing side wall (16) of the pack.

Abstract: Conventional cigarette packets with flap-tops are often referred to as hinge-lid packets. They consist of a packet portion 12, a lid 13 connected to the packet portion 12 by a hinge, and a collar 35 disposed in the packet portion 12. In order to create new appeal for hinge-lid packets, openings 52, 53 are formed with the packet portion 12 and the lid 13 so that imprinting may be displayed. The openings or recesses 52, 53 are closed on the side pointing towards the packet contents, namely the block of cigarettes 45. Regions 50, 51 of the collar front wall 36 and lid inner flap 43, respectively, serve as carriers for the imprinting so that it may be displayed through the openings 52 and 53.

Abstract: For the manufacture of soft-pouch packets for cigarettes, folding mandrels (10) configured as hollow bodies are used, on the outer side of which blanks (16, 17) are folded. The outer blank (17) has in the region of one narrow side wall (15) blank portions (23, 24) which overlap one another and are connected to one another by gluing. In the region of the glue connection, there is slight expansion of the cross-section of the package during the hardening of the adhesive. To compensate for this effect, the folding mandrel (10) does not have an exactly rectangular shape. Rather, the narrow side wall (15) adjoining the gluing point has a smaller width (B.sub.15) than the opposite narrow side wall (14).

Abstract: Cuboidal pack made of (thin) cardboard, in particular hinge-lid box, having a box part (11) and a lid (12), it being the case that a sleeve (28) is provided on a box side wall (18), in the region of the box part (11), and encloses a lighter (27) or the like. The sleeve (28) and the parts thereof--flaps (30, 31)--are parts of a blank (10) for the pack. Furthermore, a supporting flap (29), which is also formed from the blank (10), is provided in the plane of a base wall (19).

Abstract: Pack with an outer wrapping consisting of transparent or clear packaging material and with a tear-open tape having a gripping end. For the coloured marking of the gripping end of the tear-open tape, there is applied to the latter a strip (15) which is detached from a material tape (17) and which is colour-contrasted relative to the tear-open tape and which thus marks the gripping end. In this case, the strip (15) is gripped by a holding segment (43) of a conveying roller (26) and is supplied to a film web (13) in order to bear on the latter. For the transfer of the strip (15) onto the film web (13), the holding segment (43) is moved in the radial direction, in order to overcome a clearance until it comes to bear on the film web (13).

Abstract: Process and apparatus for handling flexible film packs (10), namely transporting them and introducing them into a folding box (12), having a lifting head (17) which grips a group of packs (13) on the top side by suction. The lifting head (17) is part of a lifting conveyer (16) and is connected, via a suction line (28), to a vacuum suction fan (31) which, with high delivery capacity, produces a slight suction action, such that the group of packs (13) is deformed in a wedge-shaped manner, that is to say such that it converges in the downward direction, and is thus introduced into the open folding box (12).

Abstract: Apparatus, in particular packaging machine, with movable members which are exposed to wearing stresses on one side.Primarily packaging machines for the manufacture of cigarette packs (10) of the soft-cup type employ folding mandrels (15), on which blanks (14) are temporarily fixed by means of pressure members, in particular by means of pressure rods (19). These are exposed to wearing stresses on one side, specifically in the region in which they bear on the folding mandrel (15). In order to avoid operating faults caused thereby, the pressure member, specifically the pivoting lever (20), is adjusted from time to time, specifically by partial rotation, so that, after a particular operating period, another circumferential region of the pivoting lever (20) is exposed to wearing stress.

Abstract: An installation for manufacturing and packaging cigarettes consists of a production station (10) and a packaging station (11). The production station (10) consists of a plurality of, especially two, manufacturing machines (12, 13) positioned in a special way in relation to one another. The cigarettes produced by the two manufacturing machines (12, 13) are processed by a common packaging machine (14), in order to produce cigarette packets.

Abstract: Method and device for handling material webs coated on one side with an adhesive (15). The material web (14) coated on one side with adhesive (15) is drawn from an (active) reel (16). A replacement reel (18) is prepared (manually) for connecting an initial section (19) to the material web which is running out. Once the material web (14) from the reel (16) has been used up, the initial section (19) of the replacement reel (18) is pressed against the adhesive (15) side of the outgoing material web (14) and thus connected to the material web (14).

Abstract: Method for the operation of packaging machines and packaging machine. In packaging machines for the manufacture of cigarette packs (10) in particular, interruptions in operation are often unavoidable, in order to change the type of pack, but also, for example, on account of the end of a workshift. In the case of interruptions in operation of this kind, the packaging machine is emptied. For this purpose, members and assemblies are coordinated with one another and controlled in such a way that, after the operating phase "emptying" has been initiated, a last pack content, in particular a cigarette group (11) is identified and is transferred completely through the packaging machine. After this cigarette group (11) has passed through individual members, the latter are switched off, in particular a tin foil assembly (20), a paper assembly (23) and a revenue-seal appliance (29) in the region of a drying turret (26).

Abstract: Following a process or handling apparatus, in particular following a drying turret (11), (cigarette) packs (10) are transported along a horizontal conveying section. The latter has a checking section (30). In the region of this checking section, the cameras (48, 49) check the packs (10) for correct formation. In the region of the checking section (30), the packs (10) are transported, or retained by intermediate belts (31, 32), such that the cameras (48, 49) can sense a sub-region of the packs (10) in optimum fashion in each case.