Patent ID: 6694708
Filing Date: 2004-02-24
Classification: B31B,B65B,B65D

Abstract:
A method of producing a substantially parallelepiped-shaped rigid packet of cigarettes comprising a front wall (19) and a rear wall (20) opposite and substantially parallel to each other, and a pair of lateral walls (18) opposite and substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the front wall and the rear wall (19, 20); the front wall and the rear wall (19, 20) each being connected to each of the lateral walls (18) at a single respective sharp edge (21); the method comprising the steps of feeding a flat, substantially rectangular blank (5) to a folding station (S2), and folding the blank (5) about an orderly group (3) of cigarettes at the folding station (S2); the blank (5) comprising two main longitudinal crease lines (29), and a number of transverse crease lines (30) defining, between said two main longitudinal crease lines (29), at least a first central panel (19â€³) eventually forming part of said front wall (19), and a second central panel (20â€²) eventually forming said rear wall (20); said two main longitudinal crease lines (29) defining, on opposite sides of each said central panel (19â€³, 20â€²), at least two respective lateral wings (18â€², 18â€³) eventually forming part of said lateral walls (18); and the method being characterized by feeding the flat blank (5) to a prefolding station (S4) upstream from said folding station (S2); folding, at said prefolding station (S4), the lateral wings (18â€², 18â€³) of at least one said central panel (19â€³, 20â€²) about the respective main longitudinal crease lines (29); and restoring the blank (5) to the flat configuration before feeding the blank (5) to said folding station (S2).