Package making – Wrapping machines – Cover-wiping passage or pocket for initial wrap
Reexamination Certificate
1998-01-21
2004-02-24
Kim, Eugene (Department: 3721)
Package making
Wrapping machines
Cover-wiping passage or pocket for initial wrap
C053S232000, C053S586000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06694703
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to improvements in methods of and in apparatus for converting prefabricated blanks into receptacles or containers, such as packets for arrays of cigarettes or other smokers' products. More particularly, the invention relates to improvements in methods of and in apparatus for converting prefabricated blanks into receptacles or packets as a result of selective deformation of normally flat or substantially flat blanks directly around the commodities which are to be confined in the thus obtained or shaped receptacles or containers. Still more particularly, the invention relates to improvements in methods and in apparatus which can be utilized with advantage, but not necessarily exclusively, for the making of so-called hinged-lid packets for substantially block-shaped arrays of plain or filter cigarettes.
A so-called hinged-lid packet normally confines a block-shaped array of (for example, twenty) plain or filter cigarettes or other rod-shaped smokers' products (hereinafter called cigarettes for short) which is confined in an inner envelope normally consisting of metallic foil (such as aluminum foil). The packet can be made of cardboard or a relatively rigid plastic material and is designed and dimensioned to tightly re-receive and confine the inner envelope and the full array of normally twenty cigarettes. As a rule, or at least in many instances, the hinged-lid packet comprises a substantially U-shaped insert of cardboard or the like; such insert is confined in and engaged by the pivotable top portion or lid when the latter is pivoted to its closed position. In order to gain access to cigarettes, the purchaser must pivot the lid to its open position and must remove the then accessible top portion of the inner envelope; such top portion is surrounded by and extends outwardly beyond the aforementioned U-shaped inlet of the packet.
As concerns the making and the manipulation of the inserts for use in hinged-lid packets for cigarettes or the like, reference may be had to the commonly owned copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/780,744 filed Jan. 8, 1997 by Nikolaos Georgitsis and Nils Rose for “Method of and apparatus for transferring cigarette packet blanks into the receptacles of a conveyor”. If and when allowed, the disclosure of this copending patent application will be incorporated herein by reference.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to provide a simple but reliable method of assembling convertible blanks and commodities to be confined in converted blanks in a highly predictable manner and at a rate which is required in a modern machine for the mass production of cigarette packets or the like.
Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved method of advancing blanks which are to be converted into receptacles, and commodities which are to be confined in such receptacles relative to as well as with each other toward and thereupon through a series of packet forming stations.
A further object of the invention is to provide a method which can be resorted to with particular advantage for the making of so-called hinged-lid packets, for example, for block-shaped arrays of smokers' products such as plain or filter cigarettes.
An additional object of the invention is to provide a method which can be resorted to for the manipulation of block-shaped commodities and convertible blanks in single-track or multiple-track (such as dual-track) packing machines for cigarettes or the like.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved method of pivoting and/or otherwise folding various sections (such as panels and flaps including tucks) of each of a series of successive blanks in a predetermined sequence, in predetermined directions and to a predetermined extent in order to convert the blanks into receptacles for block-shaped commodities such as arrays of plain or filter cigarettes.
A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved apparatus for the practice of the above outlined method.
Another object of the invention is to provide the apparatus with novel and improved means for transporting the constituents of hinged-lid packets or analogous receptacles and their contents with and relative to each other.
An additional object of the invention is to provide the above outlined apparatus with novel and improved means for draping blanks around commodities in a highly predictable manner and in such a way that the appearance of each of a short or long series of finished receptacles will be the same.
Still another object of the invention is to provide the above outlined apparatus with novel and improved means for completing the draping of blanks around substantially block-shaped commodities in a small area and with resort to simple and compact wrapping or folding implements.
A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved machine for the packing of arrays of cigarettes or other products of the tobacco processing industry.
Another object of the invention is to provide a novel machine which can simultaneously pack plural sequences of block-shaped commodities in accordance with the above outlined method and by resorting to the above outlined apparatus.
An additional object of the invention is to provide a receptacle which is produced in accordance with the above outlined method and/or in the above outlined apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a method of confining discrete substantially block-shaped commodities in discrete deformable blanks having a plurality of mutually foldable sections in the form of panels and flaps. The method comprises the steps of advancing successive commodities of a series of commodities along a first path to an assembling station, conveying successive blanks of a series of discrete blanks to the assembling station along a second path so that each blank reaching the assembling station assumes a predetermined position of alignment with a discrete commodity at such station, intermittently advancing successive commodities and the aligned blanks along a third path to a plurality of additional stations, and draping the blanks around the aligned commodities including folding at least some of the sections relative to each other in fewer than four stages each of which is carried out at a different one of the aforementioned stations.
The commodities can constitute at least substantially rectangular parallelepiped bodes. For example, each commodity can comprise a substantially rectangular parallelepiped array of rod-shaped smokers' products and an envelope of metallic foil which confines the array.
In accordance with a desirable feature of the improved method, the draping step is completed in two successive stages while the advancement of the commodities and of the aligned blanks along the third path is being interrupted at the respective stations.
The draping step can include folding selected sections of each of the blanks relative to each other and against he respective commodities. As a rule, each blank comprises more than four sections (for example, well in excess of ten sections), and the draping step can include folding all but four sections of each blank against the respective commodity.
In accordance with a presently preferred embodiment of the method, the aforementioned first, second and third paths are at least substantially horizontal, and at least two of these paths are disposed at different levels. The arrangement is or can be such that the first and second paths include portions which overlap each other at the assembling station, and the third path is coplanar with one of the first and second paths, preferably with the second path. The draping step can include moving the blank or the commodity which is aligned therewith at the assembling station substantially vertically into the path of the commodity or the aligned blank.
At least the third path is preferably an arcuate path wherein the blanks and the aligned commodities are inde
Bley Frank
Glösmann Josef
Grossmann Jürgen
Wächter Michael Kleine
Anderson Chad C.
Kim Eugene
Kinberg Robert
Topack Verpackungstechnik GmbH
Venable LLP
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