METHOD FOR PRODUCING A PACKAGE OF SMOKING ARTICLES, PLANT THAT IMPLEMENTS SAID METHOD AND PACKAGE OBTAINED FROM SAID METHOD

Abstract

A method for producing a package of smoking articles. The method includes a) wrapping a group of smoking articles with a wrap; b) arranging a containing frame around the wrap, so as to contain the group of smoking articles and the wrap, forming a semi-packaged unit; c) feeding a sheet of heat-sealable material having at least a cut; d) arranging an adhesive label on the cut of the sheet, to cover the same; e) wrapping the semi-packaged unit with the sheet of heat-sealable material; and f) welding the sheet of heat-sealable material, forming a sealed envelope.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority from Italian Patent Application No. 102017000025745 filed on Aug. 3, 2017 the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention falls within the technical field of packages of smoking articles. In detail, the invention refers to a method for producing a package of smoking articles, to a plant that implements this method and to a package obtained from said method.

PRIOR ART

Smoking articles are, for example, cigarettes, to be referred to explicitly, by way of example, in the following discussion.

A package of cigarettes of the known type comprises an outer envelope formed by a container made of rigid or soft cardboard, which is provided with an opening for extracting the cigarettes. The cigarettes, arranged in the container, are generally wrapped by a wrapping material.

In some cases, the outer envelope can be provided with a lid that closes the container, which may have different shapes and can be, for example, hinged to the container, sliding or rotating with respect to the container or completely independent from the container, or arranged according to other different conformations. All these variations are dictated, above all, by rapid changes in the market, which frequently require companies producing packages to change the appearance of the outer envelope (container and/or lid), in order to follow consumer preferences.

As is well known, in this field, the need to preserve the aroma of cigarettes over time and to protect them from external agents (e.g. humidity), aspects that contribute in determining the quality of the cigarettes, has always been deeply felt.

However, the different conformation of the outer envelope (container and/or possible cover) of the packages does not always allow to easily adopt the optimal measures for maintaining the aroma and the quality of the cigarettes contained in the package unaltered.

In other cases, it is possible to adopt said measures, but these must be prepared ad hoc for each type of outer envelope, resulting in significant financial investments. In fact, specialized processes and packing machines must be studied and designed from time to time.

The patent application US2016368645A1 describes a method for producing a package of cigarettes according to which a group of cigarettes is inserted into a rigid protective element which embraces the group of cigarettes on four sides and therefore the group of cigarettes surrounded by the protective element is enclosed by a sealed wrap which is made according to the FFS (“Form Fill Seal”) conformation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks.

This object is achieved by proposing a method for producing a package of smoking articles, a plant that implements the method and a package of smoking articles obtained with said method, according to the appended claims.

Advantageously, the proposed invention allows to produce a package of smoking articles which, independently of the presence or the shape of an outer envelope (container and/or lid), is able to maintain the aroma and the quality of the articles themselves unaltered over time. Furthermore, the invention is simple to produce and particularly versatile, as will be made clearer in the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages will be made clear in the following discussion, where reference will be made to the attached drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a group of smoking articles, specifically cigarettes;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a package of smoking articles according to the present invention, in which some parts have been removed to better highlight others;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the package of FIG. 2, following a different packaging operation step;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the package according to the invention, with some parts sectioned;

FIG. 5 illustrates a view similar to that of FIG. 4 in which the package is illustrated intact, i.e. without the sectioned parts;

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a package according to the invention, in a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective and schematic view of a part of a first packing machine comprised in the plant according to the invention;

FIG. 7A illustrates a perspective and schematic view of another part, different from that of FIG. 7, of a first packing machine comprised in the plant according to the invention;

FIGS. 7B and 7C illustrate as many embodiments of the detail K of FIG. 7A, according to a plan view;

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective and schematic view of an overwrapping machine, part of the plant according to the invention, in a first embodiment;

FIG. 8A illustrates a perspective, schematic and partial view of an overwrapping machine, part of the plant according to the invention, in a second embodiment;

FIG. 8B illustrates an enlarged view of the detail H of FIG. 8A;

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective and schematic view of a second packing machine, part of the plant according to the invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a plant 10 for producing packages of smoking articles, illustrated by way of example in FIGS. 7-9.

For greater clarity, a package 1 of smoking articles will be first described, which can be produced with the proposed plant 10, the latter also being part of the present invention.

A package 1 of smoking articles according to the invention (illustrated in FIGS. 2-6) comprises: a group 2 of smoking articles (for example cigarettes, illustrated in FIG. 1); a wrap 3 which wraps the group 2 of smoking articles (shown for example in FIG. 2); and a containing frame 4 (shown in FIG. 3 and partly in FIG. 4) wound around the wrap 3, so as to contain the group 2 of smoking articles and the wrap 3, forming a semi-packed unit 5.

The package 1 further comprises a sealed envelope 6 made of heat-sealable material (shown in FIG. 5 and partly in FIG. 4), which contains the semi-packaged unit 5 and which is provided with at least one cut 60 (illustrated for example in FIG. 6) covered by an adhesive label 7 (see FIG. 5).

Advantageously, the package 1 proposed above has a simple structure and, at the same time, makes it possible to maintain the aroma and quality of the smoking articles unaltered over time.

The presence of a wrap 3 which wraps the smoking articles and, in combination, with a sealed envelope 6 closed by an adhesive label 7, in fact, offers an optimal protection for the smoking articles contained in the package 1. Furthermore, the proposed package 1 is particularly versatile because it can also be implemented with a container 8 of any type and a possible lid 9 (as will be explained in the following).

Preferably the wrap 3, with which the group 2 of smoking articles is wrapped, is a sheet of metalized paper (also called “silver paper” or “foil”), i.e. a non-heat-sealable material. The wrap 3 completely wraps the smoking articles and preferably comprises a removable tear-off portion (tearable by means of a pre-fracture or pre-cut line, not shown in the attached figures) by a user the first time the package 1 is opened, for accessing the smoking articles.

For greater clarity in FIG. 5, the edges of the wrap 3 have been illustrated with dashed lines and denoted with the numerical reference 30, following the respective fold around the group 2, otherwise not shown on the outside.

On the contrary, with respect to the sealed envelope 6, the heat-sealable material of which it is made, is an opaque thermoplastic material, i.e. which does not allow light to penetrate. Preferably, the thermoplastic material of which the envelope 6 is made, is a reflective opaque thermoplastic material, i.e. capable of reflecting light.

The cut 60 of the heat-sealable envelope 6 may be formed by at least one incision 600 (or pre-fracture of the envelope 6 itself, with a substantially U-shaped profile, shown in FIG. 5) or by a removal of material in the envelope 6 itself (i.e. an opening which creates a “window”, obtained from a cut that extends along a closed profile).

The envelope 6 illustrated in FIG. 5 has, on both sides, respective flaps 61, 62 folded one over the other and then welded. The envelope 6 also has a welding 63 which is flattened in the lower part, which is only partially visible.

Alternatively, according to an alternative not illustrated, the envelope can have, also laterally, two opposing and flattened weldings, as described in the international publication WO2015136510.

The adhesive label 7 is fixed to the envelope 6 made of heat-sealable material to cover (and close) the cut 60 by means of a glue (i.e. an adhesive substance) that is repositionable (also called “weak glue” or “non-drying glue”), which is applied to the lower surface of the adhesive label 7 and is arranged all around the opening for extracting the smoking articles so as to allow the label 7 to be repeatedly partially separated from the envelope 6 made of heat-sealable material (i.e. for each opening of the package 1) and then fixed again in a non-permanent manner to the envelope 6.

The adhesive label 7 can be provided with a tab devoid of repositionable glue, which can be gripped by a user to facilitate the lifting of the adhesive label 7 for accessing the smoking articles.

In the case in which the cut 60 of the envelope 6 made of heat-sealable material is formed by a U-shaped incision, as described above, when the adhesive label 7 is lifted for accessing the smoking articles it takes along with itself a flap of the envelope 6 made of heat-sealable material, to which the adhesive label 7 is preferably fixed by means of a permanent glue, i.e. in a non-separable manner.

Preferably, the containing frame 4 is a blank 41 made of an inner packaging material (provided with suitable fold lines P1, indicated by way of example in FIG. 7B and 7C and made according to known methods), for example cardboard, which defines an open area 40 to allow access to the smoking articles.

According to the preferred embodiment, shown in FIG. 3, the containing frame 4 completely covers the wrap 3, except for the open area 40 for accessing the smoking articles. In other words, in this case the containing frame 4 has a box-like shape which has, for example, six walls, to define a parallelepiped shape. The open area 40, for example, partially involves the front wall and partially the upper wall of the frame 4, i.e. the walls being arranged at the adhesive label 7. Advantageously, this embodiment is particularly robust.

The containing frame 4 preferably comprises portions (or flaps) overlapping one another for containing the wrap 3 with the group 2 of smoking articles inside the same; said overlapping portions can be bound one to the other to stabilize the frame 4 itself, for example they can be glued on top of one another.

FIGS. 7B and 7C illustrate two alternatives of blanks 41 made of an inner packaging material that can be used to form a corresponding containing frame 4. With the blank 41 of the alternative of FIG. 7B, in particular, a frame is obtained in which the overlapping portions indicated above are located at the respective upper wall; otherwise, with the blank 41 of the alternative of FIG. 7C a frame is obtained in which the overlapping portions indicated above are located at the respective lower wall.

The package 1 can further comprise a container 8 which contains the sealed envelope 6 (shown by way of example in FIG. 6) and which is provided with an opening 80 (indicated only in a generic manner in FIG. 6). The container 8 is preferably made of rigid cardboard. Alternatively, the container 8 is for example made of plastic or metal material.

According to an embodiment, the opening 80 of the container 8 is arranged at the label 7 of the envelope 6 to allow access to the smoking articles, and the package 1 further comprises a lid 9 hinged to the container 8, rotatable to open and close the opening 80 of the container 8. The lid 9 is for example made in a single body with the container 8, it is also made of rigid cardboard (or, in any case, of the same material with which the container 8 is made) and it can be cup-shaped (always with reference to FIG. 6).

Preferably, considering the aforesaid embodiment, the adhesive label 7 of the envelope 6 is bound to the lid 9, so that by rotating the lid 9 with respect to the container 8, the adhesive label 7 is simultaneously moved (as illustrated in FIG. 6). This embodiment is particularly practical for the user, who can rotate the lid 9 and, in a single gesture, lift (or repositioning) the adhesive label 7. Preferably, for this embodiment the containing frame 4 is obtained from a blank 41 like that of FIG. 7C.

As an alternative to what has been described above, according to a different embodiment not illustrated, the package can further comprise a container (for example made of rigid cardboard) which contains the sealed envelope and that has an opening, arranged so as to allow the semi-packaged unit, wrapped by the wrap of the container, to at least partially exit by way of a translation or rotation movement, through the same opening, allowing access to the smoking articles. In this case, the opening of the container can be arranged at a side wall or at the upper wall of the container (considering the orientation of the package in use). Preferably, for this embodiment the containing frame 4 is obtained from a blank 41 like that of FIG. 7B.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that the package 1 object of the invention is suitable for any production and/or technical need, since it can be devoid of a container 8 or it can comprise a container 8 having a different shape and a possible lid 9.

In the case in which that the package 1 comprises a container 8 and a possible lid 9, as in the embodiments described above, in order to preserve the aroma and the quality of the smoking articles over time, it is not necessary to provide, outside the container 8 and the possible lid 9, a layer made of transparent thermoplastic material, as instead provided with the known solutions.

Returning now to the plant 10 for the production of packages of smoking articles according to the present invention, this comprises: at least a first packing machine M1 (illustrated by way of example in FIGS. 7 and 7A), in turn comprising (arranged in cascade):

• • a section 12 for forming groups 2 of smoking articles (shown in FIG. 7);
  • a section 13 for wrapping each group 2 of smoking articles with a wrap 3 (shown in FIG. 7); and
  • a section 14 which arranges a containing frame 4 around each wrap 3, so as to contain at least partially the group 2 of smoking articles and the wrap 3, forming a semi-packed unit 5 (shown in FIG. 7A).

The plant 10 further comprises an overwrapping machine S (illustrated by way of example in FIG. 8 and in FIG. 8A, according to two alternatives better described in the following), in turn comprising:

• • a section 20 which wraps the semi-packaged unit 5 with a sheet 61 made of heat-sealable material, said sheet 61 is provided with at least one cut 60;
  • a section 21 which seals, by means of welding, each sheet 61 wrapped around a semi-packaged unit 5, forming a sealed envelope 6 (shown only in FIG. 8).

The plant 10 further comprises means 210 (illustrated only in FIG. 8A) for arranging an adhesive label 7 on the cut 60 of each sheet 61 made of heat-sealable material, to cover the same, or on the sealed envelope 6, as will be better clarified in the following.

This plant 10 is a simple structure.

Further still, the overwrapping machine S can comprise means (not illustrated) for producing the aforementioned U-shaped incision on the heat-sealable material (or, alternatively, the “window” like opening in the material).

For example, in the first packing machine Ml, the section 14 which arranges a containing frame 4, folds a blank 41 made of an inner packaging material around the wrap 3 so as to completely cover the wrap 3, except for an open area 40 for accessing the smoking articles. The blank 41, once folded, forms the frame 4. Advantageously, an abutment is created (i.e. the containing frame 4, which has a box-like structure, as previously described) for the operations of the section 21 which seals the sheets 61 of heat-sealable material for forming the sealed envelopes 6. Furthermore, for these operations a “traditional” type packing machine can be used, i.e. usually used for producing the container of the packages.

For example, in the first packing machine M1, the section 14 which arranges a containing frame 4 overlaps one over the other the portions of the frame 4 for containing the wrap 3 itself with the group 2 of smoking articles inside the same; in this case, the plant 10 further comprises second means for applying glue (not illustrated), for applying glue to the portions of the containing frame 4 to be overlapped in order to bind the same one to the other, so that the frame 4 is stabilized.

Preferably, the plant 10 according to the invention further comprises: a second packing machine M2 (illustrated by way of example in FIG. 9), in turn comprising a section 30 which folds a blank 81 made of outer packaging material around each sealed envelope 6, forming a container 8 provided with an opening 80.

For example, the opening 80 of the container 8, once the respective blank 81 has been folded, is arranged at the label 7 of the envelope 6, for accessing the smoking articles. Preferably, the section of the second packing machine M2 which folds a blank 81 made of outer packaging material around each sealed envelope 6 also forms a lid 9 hinged to the container 8, rotatable to open and close the opening 80 of the container 8.

Preferably, the above-described plant 10 further comprises: first glue application means (not illustrated), for applying glue on the adhesive label 7 so that, once the lid 9 has been formed, the label is bound to the lid 9, so by rotating the lid 9 with respect to the container 8 the adhesive label 7 is simultaneously moved.

As an alternative to the above, according to an alternative not illustrated, the second packing machine can in turn comprise: a section which folds a blank made of an outer packaging material around each sealed envelope, to form a container provided with an opening arranged so as to allow, the semi-packaged unit to at least partially exit by way of a translation or rotation movement, through the same opening, allowing access to the smoking articles.

As is evident from what has been described above, the second packing machine M2 can be configured according to need, or it can also be absent, without precluding the production of a package 1 which maintains the aroma and quality of the smoking articles, inside the same, unaltered over time.

An embodiment of the plant 10 according to the invention will now be described in detail, with particular reference to the accompanying FIGS. 7-9, although, clearly, the plant 10 may comprise other means suitable for carrying out the operations described above. It should be noted that some elements and parts of the plant 10 are illustrated in FIGS. 7-9 in a schematic and indicative manner, for greater clarity.

With reference to FIG. 7, the section 12 for forming groups 2 of smoking articles of the first packing machine M1 comprises a unit 120 for feeding smoking articles, in turn comprising a pocket conveyor 121 which advances by step along a feeding direction, to which supply hoppers 122 are associated comprising a plurality of channels or veins. The smoking articles are fed by pusher means 123 within the channels of the hoppers 122, to form groups 2 each comprising a plurality of predefined layers of smoking articles, arranged one over the other, which fill the pockets of the conveyor 121.

Still with reference to FIG. 7, downstream of the pocket conveyor 121 a transfer wheel 124 is provided, through which the groups 2 of smoking articles, once formed, reach the section 13 for wrapping each group 2 of smoking articles with a wrap 3. The latter for example comprises a unit 130 for feeding wraps 3, in the area of which at least one reel B1 of continuous web of wrapping material (non-heat-sealable metallized paper) is provided, which is unwound and then cut to generate individual wraps 3. In this case, the wrap feeding unit 130 also comprises cutting means 131 for cutting the continuous web into individual wraps 3. As an alternative to the embodiment just described, according to a variant not illustrated, the wraps can be arranged in the pre-cut wrap feeding unit.

The section 13 for wrapping each group 2 of smoking articles further comprises a wheel 132 to which means dedicated to the wrap 3 are associated (not described herein since they are widely known in the art).

Once wrapped, the groups 2 of smoking articles, with the respective wrap 3, are transferred to the section 14, illustrated in FIG. 7A, which arranges a containing frame 4 around each wrap 3. This section comprises a unit 140 (illustrated only in an indicative manner) for feeding blanks 41 made of an inner packaging material (which are illustrated in FIG. 7A only in a schematic manner and may be, for example, of the type illustrated in FIG. 7B or 7C, previously cited). In the area of this latter unit 140 a conveyor (not illustrated) can be provided, adapted to feed the blanks 41, downstream of which a wheel 141 is located, (also comprised in the unit 140) provided with seats or pockets for containing the previously made wraps 3, and which receives the blanks 41 made of an inner packaging material and creates with each, a containing frame 4, for forming a semi-packaged unit 5.

In particular, known folding means (not illustrated) are associated to the wheel 141, which fold each blank 41 around each wrap 3, for forming semi-packaged units 5, according to what has been said in the previous description.

Clearly, the blanks 41, before being folded, are provided with glue (in particular “cold glue”), as previously anticipated; therefore, following the formation of the semi-packaged units 5, a drying conveyor or wheel 142 can be provided, which, according to known methods, following a path during which the applied glue in the formed frames 4 is dried.

The semi-packaged units 5 can then be transferred, passing from an output area U1 to the overwrapping machine S in a continuous and direct manner (for example by means of a suitable conveyor), or they can be temporarily stored in appropriate storage spaces, according to production needs or appropriate techniques.

The section 20 of the overwrapping machine S which wraps the semi-packaged unit 5 comprises, with reference to FIGS. 8 and 8A, a unit 200 for feeding sheets 61 of heat-sealable material. In particular, at the feeding unit 200 at least one reel B3 of a continuous web of heat-sealable material can be provided, which is unwound and then cut to generate individual sheets 61. In this case, the sheet feeding unit 200 also comprises cutting means (not illustrated) for cutting the continuous web into single sheets 61.

As an alternative to the embodiment just described, according to an alternative not illustrated, the sheets can be arranged in the pre-cut sheet feeding unit.

As regards the means 201 for arranging an adhesive label 7 on the cut 60 of each sheet 61 made of a heat-sealable material, these can be arranged at the overwrapping machine S (in particular at the section 20 which wraps the semi-packaged unit 5 with the sheet 61 made of a heat-sealable material, or at the sheet feeding unit), as in the case of FIG. 8A, or upstream thereof (situation not illustrated). With reference to FIG. 8A, the adhesive labels 7 are unwound from corresponding reels B2, then cut and applied onto the heat-sealable material.

The section 21 of the overwrapping machine S that seals each sheet 61 wrapped around a corresponding semi-packaged unit 5 (illustrated by way of example only in FIG. 8) comprises a wheel 210 which receives the semi-packaged units 5 to which means (not illustrated) are associated to perform the heat-sealing of the sheet 61, so as to form a sealed envelope 6.

The overwrapping machine S can further comprise a cooling conveyor, for example a wheel or a belt, provided with seats for receiving the sealed envelopes, which, according to known methods, following a path during which the sealed envelopes are cooled.

According to the embodiment of FIG. 8, the semi-packaged units 5 are fed towards the sheet 61 made of heat-sealable material so that the same first stops at (i.e. abuts upon) a side wall of the containing frame 4 (i.e. one of the walls which has the development parallel to the longitudinal development of the frame). In this case, in other words, the semi-packaged units 5 are fed towards the sheet 61 along a direction perpendicular to the relative longitudinal development.

According to the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 8A and 8B, instead, the semi-packaged units 5 are fed towards the sheet 61 made of heat-sealable material so that the same first stops at (i.e. abuts upon) the upper wall or the lower wall of the containing frame 4 (i.e. one of the walls which has the development transverse to the longitudinal development of the frame). In this case, the semi-packaged units 5 are fed towards the sheet 61 along a direction parallel to the relative longitudinal development (i.e. rotated by 90° with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 8). Said embodiment is advantageous and has no technical impediments for the application and preparation of the label 7 which covers the cut 60, since these are provided in areas of the sheet 61 made of heat-sealable material devoid of weldings and/or folds in the material. In fact, the welding is opposite to the area in which the adhesive label 7 and the cut 60 are provided.

The sealed envelopes 6 can then be transferred, by means of an outlet area U2 (indicated by way of example only in FIG. 8), to the second packing machine M2 in a continuous and direct manner (for example by means of a suitable conveyor), or temporarily stored in appropriate storage spaces. In this case, the overwrapping machine S and the second packing machine M2 can be arranged in places/plants that are also different and distant from each other, and the packaging operations can be carried out in remote times, according to the production and/or technical needs.

The second packing machine M2 comprises, with reference to FIG. 9, a unit 300 for feeding blanks 81 made of an outer packaging material (e.g. cardboard), arranged upstream of the section 30 which folds a blank 81. In particular, in the area of the unit 300 for feeding blanks 81 a conveyor 301 is provided, which receives the individual blanks 81 made of outer packaging material and transfers them to the section which folds the blanks 81 made of outer packaging material around the sealed envelopes 6. The latter comprises a wheel 302 which receives the sealed envelopes 6 and the blanks 81 made of outer packaging material, to which known and not illustrated folding means are associated, which fold each blank 81 around each sealed envelope 6, for forming a container 8 possibly provided with a hinged lid 9, according to what previously described.

Third means for applying glue (not illustrated), arranged in the second packing machine M2, upstream of the section 30 which folds the blanks 81 around the sealed envelopes 6, can be further provided for applying glue on the blanks 81 made of outer packaging material, so that, following the relative fold, they are stabilized.

The second packing machine M2 can further comprise a drying conveyor 303, for example a wheel, which, according to known methods, follows a path during which the glue applied on the containers 8 and possibly on the folded lid 9 is dried.

The second packing machine M2 comprises, finally, an outlet section U3, comprising for example a conveyor, which conveys the packages 1 to the outside of the plant 10.

Moreover, control means (not illustrated) and discard stations W can be provided in different positions of the plant 10, according to known methods.

The invention further relates to a method for producing a package 1 of smoking articles (for example cigarettes), comprising the steps of:

a) wrapping a group 2 of smoking articles with a wrap 3;

b) arranging a containing frame 4 around the section 3, so as to contain the group 2 of smoking articles and the wrap 3, forming a semi-packed unit 5;

c) feeding a sheet 61 made of heat-sealable material provided with at least a cut 60;

d) arranging an adhesive label 7 on the cut 60 of the sheet 61, to cover the same (and close it);

e) wrapping the semi-packaged unit 5 with the heat-sealable sheet 61; and

f) welding the sheet 61 made of heat-sealable material, forming a sealed envelope 6.

Advantageously, the method proposed above allows producing a package 1 for smoking articles such as to guarantee the quality of the articles contained therein over time (aroma and protection against external agents), independently of the presence of an outer container 8 and a lid 9 or by the shape thereof, as already described above.

The method according to the invention furthermore allows, the production of a particularly simple and versatile package 1 of smoking articles. In fact, the method allows to use the package 1 obtained only from the steps described above, or it can be combined with further steps, as will be described in the following.

The step d) of arranging an adhesive label 7 on the cut 60 of the sheet 61 can take place before or after step c) of feeding a sheet 61 made of heat-sealable material. In other words, according to what has been previously described, the sheet 61 made of heat-sealable material being fed may already be provided with the adhesive label 7 or not. The remaining steps a), b), c), e) and f) are carried out in succession one after the other.

Preferably, according to FIG. 8A, the step of wrapping the semi-packaged unit 5 with the heat-sealable sheet 61 comprises the sub-step of feeding the semi-packaged units 5 towards the heat-sealable sheet 61 so that the same first stops at (i.e. abuts upon) the upper wall or the lower wall of the containing frame 4 (i.e. one of the walls which has the development transverse to the longitudinal development of the frame). In this case, the semi-packaged units 5 are fed towards the sheet 61 along a direction parallel to the relative longitudinal extension.

Alternatively, the step of wrapping the semi-packaged unit 5 with the heat-sealable sheet 61 comprises the sub-step of feeding the semi-packaged units 5 towards the heat-sealable sheet 61 so that the same first stops at (i.e. abuts upon) a side wall of the containing frame 4 (i.e. one of the walls which has the development parallel to the longitudinal development of the frame). In this case, in other words, the semi-packaged units are fed towards the sheet 61 along a direction perpendicular to the relative longitudinal development (according to what is illustrated in FIG. 8).

Preferably, the step of arranging a containing frame 4 around the wrap 3 comprises the sub-step of folding a blank made of an inner packaging material around the wrap 3 so as to completely cover the wrap 3, except for an open area 40 for accessing the smoking articles.

According to a preferred embodiment, the step of folding a blank made of an inner packaging material around the wrap 3 comprises the sub-step of overlapping one over the other portions of the containing frame 4 for containing the wrap 3 with the group 2 of smoking articles on the inside thereof. The method further comprises the step of binding (for example, by means of “cold glue”) the overlapping portions of the containing frame 4 to stabilize the frame 4.

The method according to the invention can further comprise the step of folding a blank made of outer packaging material (e.g. cardboard) around the sealed envelope 6, forming a container 8 having an opening 80.

According to the embodiment of the invention already described above in which the opening 80 of the container 8 is arranged at the adhesive label 7 of the sealed envelope 6, a lid 9 is formed, together with the container 8, which is hinged to the container 8, in particular rotatable to open and close the opening 80 of the container 8.

Preferably, with reference to the embodiment just described, the method further comprises the step of binding the adhesive label 7 of the envelope 6 to the lid 9, so that by rotating the lid 9 with respect to the container 8 the adhesive label is simultaneously moved. In particular, the method can comprise the step of permanently binding a portion of the adhesive label 7 to the inner surface of the lid 9 (which is for example cup-shaped), so that by opening or closing the lid 9 simultaneously the adhesive label 7 is also lifted and repositioned (with reference to what has been previously described).

As an alternative to what has just been described, the method according to the invention can further comprise the step of folding a blank made of an outer packaging material around the sealed envelope, forming a container having an opening, arranged so as to allow, the semi-packaged unit to at least partially exit by way of a translation or rotation movement, through the same opening, allowing access to the smoking articles.

For example, the method is implemented by a plant 10 such as the one described above.

Claims

1. A method for producing a package (1) of smoking articles, comprising:

a) wrapping a group (2) of smoking articles with a wrap (3);

b) arranging a containing frame (4) around the wrap (3), so as to contain the group (2) of smoking articles and the wrap (3), forming a semi-packaged unit (5);

c) feeding a sheet (61) of heat-sealable material having at least a cut (60);

d) arranging an adhesive label (7) on the cut (60) of the sheet (61), to cover the same;

e) wrapping the semi-packaged unit (5) with the sheet (61) of heat-sealable material;

f) welding the sheet (61) of heat-sealable material, forming a sealed envelope (6).

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising folding a blank of an outer packaging material around the sealed envelope (6), forming a container (8) having an opening (80) for accessing the smoking articles, the opening (80) being arranged at the adhesive label (7), and a lid (9) that is hinged to the container (8), rotatable to open and close the opening (80) of the container (8).

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising binding the adhesive label (7) of the envelope (6) to the lid (9), so that by rotating the lid (9) with respect to the container (8), the adhesive label (7) is simultaneously moved.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising folding a blank of an outer packaging material around the sealed envelope, forming a container having an opening, the latter being arranged so as to allow the semi-packaged unit, wrapped in the envelope, to exit, at least partially from the container, for accessing the smoking articles, by way of a translation or rotation movement.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of arranging a containing frame (4) around the wrap (3) comprises the sub-step of folding a blank made of an inner packaging material around the wrap (3) so as to completely cover the wrap (3), except for an open area (40) for accessing the smoking articles.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step b) comprises the sub-step of overlapping one over the other portions of the containing frame (4) for containing the wrap (3) with the group (2) of smoking articles on the inside thereof; the method further comprising the step of binding one to the other said overlapping portions of the containing frame (4), for stabilizing the frame (4).

7. A package (1) of smoking articles, comprising:

a group (2) of smoking articles;

a wrap (3) that wraps the group (2) of smoking articles;

a containing frame (4) wound around the wrap (3), so as to contain the group (2) of smoking articles and the wrap (3), forming a semi-packaged unit (5);

a sealed envelope (6) made of a heat-sealable material, that contains the semi-packaged unit (5) and which is provided with a cut (60) covered by an adhesive label (7).

8. The package (1) according to claim 8, further comprising a container (8) which contains the sealed envelope (6) and that has an opening (80) for accessing the smoking articles, being arranged at the adhesive label (7) of the envelope (6), and a lid (9) hinged to the container (8), rotatable to open and close the opening (80) of the container (8).

9. The package (1) according to claim 8, wherein the adhesive label (7) of the envelope (6) is bound to the lid (9), so that when the lid (9) is rotated with respect to the container (8), the adhesive label (7) is simultaneously moved.

10. The package according to claim 7, further comprising a container which contains the sealed envelope and that has an opening, the latter being arranged to allow the semi-packaged unit, wrapped in the envelope, to exit, at least partially, from the container, for accessing the smoking articles, by way of a translation or rotation movement.

11. The package (1) according to claim 7, wherein the containing frame (4) completely covers the wrap (3), except for an open area (40) for accessing the smoking articles.

12. The package (1) according to claim 7, wherein the containing frame (4) comprises portions that are overlapping one over the other for containing the wrap (3) with the group (2) of smoking articles inside the same; said overlapping portions being bound one to the other for stabilizing the frame (4).

13. A plant (10) for producing packages (1) of smoking articles, comprising:

a first packing machine (M1), in turn comprising:

a section (12) for forming groups (2) of smoking articles;

a section (13) for wrapping each group (2) of smoking articles with a wrap (3);

a section (14) which arranges a containing frame (4) around each wrap (3), so as to at least partially contain the group (2) of smoking articles and the wrap (3), forming a semi-packaged unit (5);

and an overwrapping machine (S), in turn comprising:

a section (20) which wraps the semi-packaged unit (5) with a sheet (61) of heat-sealable material, said sheet (61) being provided with a cut (60);

a section (21) that seals, by means of welding, each sheet (61) wrapped around a semi-packaged unit (5), forming a sealed envelope (6);

the plant (10) further comprising means (201) for applying an adhesive label (7) on the cut (60) of each sheet (61) of heat-sealable material, to cover the same.

14. The plant (10) according to claim 13, further comprising:

a second packing machine (M2), in turn comprising a section (30) which folds a blank (81) of an outer packaging material around each sealed envelope (6), in order to form a container (8) having an opening (80) for accessing the smoking articles, said opening (80) being arranged at the adhesive label (7) of the envelope (6), and a lid (9) hinged to the container (8), rotatable to open and close the opening (80) of the container (8).

15. The plant (10) according to claim 13, further comprising:

first means for applying glue, which apply glue on the adhesive label (7) so once the lid (9) has been formed, the label (7) is bound to the lid (9), so that by rotating the lid (9) with respect to the container (8), the adhesive label (7) is simultaneously moved.

16. The plant according to claim 13, further comprising

a second packing machine, in turn comprising a section that folds a blank of an outer packaging material around each sealed envelope, in order to form a container having an opening, the latter being arranged so as to allow the semi-packaged unit, wrapped in the envelope, to exit, at least partially, from the container, for accessing the smoking articles, by way of a translation or rotation movement.

17. The plant (10) according to claim 13, wherein, in the first packing machine (M1), the section (14) which arranges a containing frame (4) folds a blank of an inner packaging material around the wrap (3) so as to completely cover the wrap (3), except for an open area (40) for accessing the smoking articles.

18. The plant (10) according to claim 13, wherein, in the first packing machine (M1), the section (14) that arranges a containing frame (4) overlaps portions of the containing frame (4) one over the other for containing the wrap (3) with the group (2) of smoking articles inside the same; the plant (10) further comprises second means for applying glue, which apply glue on the portions of the containing frame (4) to be overlapped in order to bind them one to the other, so that the frame (4) is stabilized.