Patent Publication Number: US-10766688-B2

Title: Pack for cigarettes and method and apparatus for producing said pack

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The application is the US PCT National Phase of International Application No. PCT/EP2016/001819 having an International Filing Date of 2 Nov. 2016, which claims priority on German Patent Application No. 10 2015 016 043.5 having a filing date of 10 Dec. 2015 and German Patent Application No. 10 2016 001 297.8 having a filing date of 5 Feb. 2016. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Technical Field 
     The invention relates to packs for cigarettes or other smoking articles having an outer pack, preferably in the realization as a hinge-lid box/hinge-lid pack with a box part and lid, as well as having an inner pack in the realization as a (sealing) foil block with a blank of foil which surrounds a cigarette group preferably on all sides, wherein the foil block comprises an opening aid, preferably in the end-face region of an inner front wall of the foil block and at least in a part region of an inner end wall, wherein the opening aid comprises a closure means—closure tab—which is preferably arranged on the outside of the foil block and is fastened on the foil block by means of releasable adhesion and for opening the foil block is pulled at least in part away from said foil block and, as a result, exposes a removal opening at least in part. 
     Prior Art 
     Sealing packs for cigarettes consist of a foil block or sealing block as the inner pack and an outer pack, in particular in the realization as a hinge-lid box. The sealing block is provided with an opening aid where a re-usable closure tab, which is fixed by means of suitable adhesive, is able to be moved into the open position and then back into the closed position again as a result of pulling. A removal opening in the foil block is exposed in the open position. 
     Packs where the closure tab is fixed with an actuating lug on the inside of a lid—lid front wall—of a hinge-lid box have also already been disclosed. When the lid of the outer pack is opened, the closure tab is (automatically) accordingly entrained into the open position. When the lid is closed, this also creates the closed position (WO 2013/120913). 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is the object of the invention to develop further and to improve the technology with regard to the design, the functionality and the production of sealing packs for cigarettes, in particular with regard to the structure of the opening aid. 
     To achieve said object, the pack according to the invention is a pack for cigarettes or other smoking articles having an outer pack, preferably in the realization as a hinge-lid box/hinge-lid pack with a box part and lid, as well as having an inner pack in the realization as a (sealing) foil block with a blank of foil which surrounds a cigarette group preferably on all sides, wherein the foil block comprises an opening aid, preferably in the end-face region of an inner front wall of the foil block and at least in a part region of an inner end wall, wherein the opening aid comprises a closure means—closure tab—which is preferably arranged on the outside of the foil block and is fastened on the foil block by means of releasable adhesion and for opening the foil block is pulled at least in part away from said foil block and, as a result, exposes a removal opening at least in part, characterized by the following features:
         a) the foil block is provided with a free opening—removal opening—which is produced during the production process;   b) the closure tab covers the opening completely and on all sides in the closed position, preferably with an overlapping edge or overlapping strip which extends all around;   c) the closure tab is free of adhesives in the region of the opening; and   d) the closure tab comprises a glue-free actuating tab preferably in the region of the inner front wall.       

     A characteristic of the innovation accordingly consists in that the removal opening is not generated the first time the pack is opened by removing an opening piece or an opening tab of the (sealing) foil. Rather, the foil block is provided with a prefabricated removal opening. Said removal opening is preferably provided in the region of a (continuous) foil web for the production of blanks for the foil block, as a result of cutting or punching in a position which corresponds to the position in the pack. 
     The opening or removal opening is covered (completely) by a closure tab. Overlapping edges are by means of permanent adhesive, preferably pressure sensitive adhesives (PSA adhesive) is connected to an edge of the foil which surrounds the opening. The closure tab is preferably also provided in the correct position in the region of the foil web, as an alternative to this prior to or after the production of the (removal) opening. A method where the closure tab is initially provided in the correct pack position on the foil web and an opening which forms the removal opening of the pack is then produced as a result of punching or by laser in the region of the closure tab is particularly advantageous. 
     According to a further (independent) invention, the opening aid for the foil block or sealing block is integrated into the (laminate) foil which consists of at least two layers or individual foils. From the layers or foils connected together predominantly all over (by glue), one layer or individual foil (on the outside of the foil block) forms a closure tab, the other (inside) layer or individual foil forms the removal opening. An opening tab, which, when the opening aid is actuated, is moved into an open position on account of the connection to the closure tab of the other individual foil and thus creates or exposes the removal opening, is formed, in particular, as a result of corresponding punching in the region of the inner layer or individual foil. A characteristic in the case of said realization is the selected positioning of glue fields, in particular in a U-shaped surface structure, for the (releasable) connection of elements of the opening aid to one another. 
     A further (independent) characteristic consists in that preparations are made for an opening aid of the foil block during the production of the blanks, in particular during the production of the continuous two-layered or multi-layered foil in the region of each blank to be produced. In this case, structured glue patterns produced from multi-use adhesive, in particular PSA adhesive, are applied to the individual foil in the region of a removal opening for the releasable fixing of the closure tab, which is formed by the outer layer or individual foil. A or the inside individual foil of the laminate foil is preferably provided with an, in particular, U-shaped tear line or continuous punching for defining an opening tab, which is provided with the surface adhesive for connecting the layers of the foil or is connected to the outer layer and is thus connected to a part region of the closure tab. 
     A further characteristic of the opening aid consists in that an end-side or edge-side gripping tab or actuating tab, which preferably extends over the full width of the closure tab, is realized free of adhesive and preferably with a single layer. The actuating tab is fixed to the inside of a lid front wall of a hinge-lid box in particular by means of a glue connection such that when the lid is opened the closure tab moves into an open position. 
     The method and apparatus serve for providing opening aids of varying realization on a continuous web or on a multi-layered web. The innovative characteristic consists in that during the production process the (removal) opening is produced or exposed in the region of the continuous foil web. The web is scanned by suitable (opto-electronic) sensors which are capable of checking the presence of the opening, the correct realization and positioning thereof. Particularly important is the action of an (opto-electronic) sensor in the region of the foil web following the provision of the closure tab and of the (removal) opening, the sensor being arranged on the inside of the web and detecting the presence of the closure tab in a precise manner in the region of the opening as a result of colored and/or graphic contrasts between the free surface of the closure tab (in the region of the opening) and the surrounding foil. 
     In addition, the closure tabs, which are preferably provided with glue (PSA glue), are provided in the region of the openings (to be produced subsequently) on the web. Sensors, which are assigned to suitable positions on the web, also check the correct positioning of the closure tabs. 
     Finally, complete, machinable blanks are separated from the web, the removal opening and the closure tab being most assuredly positioned in the correct place. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Exemplary embodiments of the packs, of pack material and of the method and apparatuses are explained in more detail below by way of the drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective representation of a foil block or sealing block with cigarettes, 
         FIG. 2  also shows a perspective representation of a complete (cigarette) pack in the open position, 
         FIG. 3  shows a vertical section III-III of an end-side part region of the pack according to  FIG. 2 , in an enlarged scale, 
         FIG. 4  shows a representation analogous to  FIG. 3  for another exemplary embodiment, 
         FIG. 5  shows a spread-out blank for a foil block according to  FIG. 1  in the realization according to  FIG. 4 , 
         FIG. 6  shows a cross section VI-VI of the blank in  FIG. 5 , in an enlarged scale, 
         FIG. 7  shows a perspective representation of a cigarette (sealing) block of another embodiment, 
         FIG. 8  shows a perspective representation of a (cigarette) pack with a hinge-lid box in the open position, 
         FIG. 9  shows a blank for an inner pack or a foil block in the realization according to  FIG. 7 , 
         FIG. 10  shows a cross section X-X of the blank according to  FIG. 9 , in an enlarged scale, 
         FIG. 11  shows a perspective representation of a further embodiment of a (cigarette) pack with the lid of an outer pack open, 
         FIG. 12  shows a vertical section of a lid-side region of the pack according to  FIG. 11  in the cutting plane XII-XII in an enlarged scale, 
         FIG. 13  shows a blank for an inner pack or a foil block in the realization according to  FIG. 11 ,  FIG. 12 , 
         FIG. 14  shows a cross section XIV-XIV through the blank according to  FIG. 13  in an enlarged scale, 
         FIG. 15  shows a perspective representation of a detail of a device for producing foil webs for the production of blanks according to  FIG. 5 , 
         FIG. 16  shows a detail analogous to  FIG. 15  with a production alternative, 
         FIG. 17  shows a detail of a production device for blanks with the features of  FIG. 4 , 
         FIG. 18  shows a schematic side view of a further realization of a device for preparing foil webs, and 
         FIG. 19  shows a detail XIX of the apparatus according to  FIG. 18  in an enlarged scale. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The exemplary embodiments of the drawings are concerned with the design of packs for cigarettes  10 . A formed cigarette group, which consists namely of (multiple) rows, is the contents of an inner pack, namely of a foil block  11 . Said foil block preferably consists of a blank  12  of foil, in particular of a moisture-proof and aroma-proof foil. The group of cigarettes  10  is preferably completely wrapped around, i.e. on all sides, by the blank, and consequently forms a sealing block with an inner front wall  13 , inner rear wall  14 , inner side walls  15 , inner bottom wall  16  and inner end wall  17 . The blank  12  is realized or is folded around the group of cigarettes  10  in such a way that the inner end wall  17  is free of folds, that is to say forms a continuously closed wall. An opening aid  18 , which enables easy, in particular automatic access to the pack contents, is provided in said region. The foil block  11  forms a removal opening  19  in the end-side region for this purpose. The removal opening  19  preferably extends in the region of the inner end wall  17  and in a connecting, end-side part piece of the inner front wall  13 . The removal opening  19  is preferably arranged centrally, with a (clearly) smaller width than the foil block  11 . 
     The removal opening  19 —with the pack closed—is covered by a closure means, in particular a closure tab  20 . Said closure tab covers the removal opening  19  preferably completely and preferably forms a strip-shaped protrusion all around with longitudinal strips  21  and transverse strips  22 . An anchoring strip  23  is permanently connected to the foil block  11 , in particular as a leg of the closure tab  20  in the region of the inner rear wall  14 . The aforementioned edge strips  21 ,  22 ,  23  are connected to the foil block  11  as a result of bonding, in each case in an edge strip surrounding the removal opening  19 . At least the longitudinal strips  21  and the transverse strips  22  are fixed with removable and re-usable adhesive, in particular PSA adhesive. 
     The closure tab  20  is provided in an end region, namely in the region of a leg which projects into the inner front wall  13 , with a gripping or actuating tab  24 . Said tab is glue-free at least on the side facing the inner front wall  13  and can be gripped as a result. The actuating tab  24  preferably extends over the full width of the closure tab  20  as an edge strip of the same. 
     A characteristic consists in that the actuating tab  24  in the case of the exemplary embodiments shown is connected to a movable part of an outer pack  25 . The outer pack here is a hinge-lid box with a box part  26  and a lid  27 . It is connected to the box part  26  so as to be pivotable via a line joint  30  in the region of a box rear wall  28  with a lid rear wall  29 . 
     The closure tab  20  is connected to the lid  27  in such a manner that when the same is opened, the closure tab  20  also moves into the open position ( FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4 ). For this purpose, the actuating tab  24  of the closure tab  20  is connected to the lid, namely to a lid front wall  31 . In particular, by means of glue or by means of a glue strip  32  which extends in the longitudinal direction of the actuating tab  24 . Said glue strip is applied on the outside of the actuating tab  24 . The connection to the actuating tab  24  by means of the glue strip  32  is produced during the production of the pack or when the foil block  11  is inserted into the outer pack  25 , with the lid  27  in the closed position. A lid inner tab  33  is preferably provided on the inside of the lid front wall  31 . The actuating tab  24  is (permanently) connected to said lid inner tab. When the lid  27  is closed, the closure tab  20  also returns into the closed position ( FIG. 1 ). 
     The foil block  11  is preferably realized as a sealing block, according to  FIG. 1  with a cover fold in the region of the inner side walls  15 . Fold tabs which cover one another, preferably as a cover fold, are also formed in the region of the bottom wall  16 . The fold tabs are tightly connected together as a result of thermal sealing. A support member, in particular a tray  34  in a known realization, preferably with a front wall, side lugs and a bottom wall, is additionally arranged inside the foil block  11 . 
     A characteristic consists in that the removal opening  19  is free at least in part, that is to say without the opening lugs  35  located in the region of the removal opening  19  during the preparation of the blank  12 . It is part of the foil in the region of the removal opening  19 . In the case of the exemplary embodiment according to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3 , the opening lug  35  has been completely removed. The blank is accordingly provided with a recess which forms the removal opening  19  in the case of the finished pack—foil block  11 . For this purpose, in the region of the unfolded blank, preferably in the region of a continuous foil web  36  for producing the blanks  12 , a punching process is performed aligned precisely to the design of the foil block  11 , in the case of the exemplary embodiment in  FIGS. 1 to 3  an all-around closed punching process which results in a substantially rectangular recess corresponding to the removal opening  19 , in particular with edges which converge slightly—to the actuating tab  24 . The opening lug  35  accordingly occurs as a blank part and is removed. 
     As an alternative to this ( FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 6 ), U-shaped punching is applied in the blank  12  or the foil web  36  for forming an opening. The generated opening lug  35  remains connected to the blank  12  along an edge  37 . Here, the opening lug  35  is folded out of the region of the removal opening  19  and is placed against a wall of the foil block  11 , in the present case ( FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5 ) against the inside of the inner rear wall  14 . A free opening is also accordingly formed here too as a removal opening  19 . The opening lug  35  is preferably connected to the wall of the foil block  11 , in particular as a result of adhesion and/or as a result of thermal sealing, in the present case with two sealing strips  38 . 
     An (independent) characteristic is the realization of the glue regions or of the glue pattern for the (releasable) connection between the closure tab  20  and the foil block  11 . As can be seen in particular in  FIG. 5 , the closure tab  20  is provided with a glue pattern which is realized in a frame-like manner and surrounds the removal opening  19 . It can be applied to the closure tab  20  (which consists of a separate blank) and/or to the blank  12  during production 
     The glue pattern (preferably PSA adhesive), in particular with longitudinal strips  21 , transverse strips  22  and anchoring strips  23 , is realized with different degrees of bond, corresponding to the stress when the foil block  11  is opened and closed. Preferably at least the transverse strip  22  is realized with a lesser degree of bond than the remaining portions of the glue pattern. In the present case, initial legs  39  of the longitudinal strips  21  are also realized with a lesser degree of bond such that, in particular, the introduction of the opening operation for the closure tab  20  is made easier. The further parts of the glue pattern, namely the longitudinal strips  21  and the transverse strips  22 , are realized with a greater bonding force, preferably consistently with the same bonding force. As an alternative to this, the anchoring strip  23  can be realized with an even greater bonding force in order to ensure the permanent fixing of the opening tab  20  on the foil block  11 . 
     The various bonding and connecting effects of the regions of the glue pattern can be brought about by the corresponding selection of different glue types and/or can be achieved by different layer thicknesses and/or by different structures of the transverse strip  22  on the one hand and of the longitudinal strips  21  on the other hand. 
     Said design of the glue connection between the closure tab  20  and the foil block  11  can also be applied in the case of conventional (sealing) packs and in the case of packs corresponding to  FIG. 11  to  FIG. 14 . The conventional packs mentioned can be such where the opening lug  35  remains in the initial position and is connected to the closure tab  20 . 
     In the case of the foil block  11  according to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2  and the blank  12  matching hereto according to  FIG. 5 , the inner side walls  15  are formed by trapezoidal fold lugs.  FIG. 7  to  FIG. 10  are concerned with an alternative with regard to the realization of the opening aid  18 , but also with regard to the realization of the foil block  11 . In the region of the inner side walls  15 , said foil block comprises connection seams in the realization as fin seams. In addition, the inner bottom wall  16  here is free of folds. A transverse seam  40  is situated in the region of an inner rear wall  14 , in particular in the realization as a fin seam. 
     The opening aid  18  is realized in the case of said exemplary embodiment such that the blank  12  ( FIG. 9 ) receives a removal opening  19  that is free all around. Complete punching is accordingly applied—in the region of the foil web  36 —thereby generating a (removal) opening  19 . The opening lug  35  generated in this case is disposed of as a waste piece. A free opening remains, in particular with opening edges which converge to the side of the actuating tab  24 . 
     In the case of exemplary embodiments with a closure tab  20  produced from a separate blank, the (PSA) adhesive is preferably applied on the inside of the closure tab  20 . A glue pattern in the realization of a closed frame is preferably created with the legs or strips  21 ,  22 ,  23 . A central region of the closure tab  20  is glue-free and preferably provided with printing  61 . The glue fields or glue strips are slightly offset in relation to the (removal) opening  19  such that a narrow, glue-free strip is preferably generated all around, with a width of approximately 1.5 mm. 
     The glue patterns are applied in the region of a glue-free part of the closure tab  20 , namely in the region of the actuating tab  24 , for connecting the actuating tab  24  to the inside of the lid front wall  31 . Two alternatives are shown: a closed, continuous glue strip  32  can be applied. An alternative to this is a number of glue dots  41  located side by side. 
     A particular realization with regard to the sealing block or foil block  11  and in particular in the region of the opening aid  18  is shown in  FIG. 11  to  FIG. 13 . The foil for the foil block  11  is realized with multiple layers, it consists in particular of two layers or individual foils  42  and  43  ( FIG. 14 ). Said layers or foils  42 ,  43  are connected together—predominantly—all over by a glue layer  44  produced preferably from non-releasable glue such that the individual foils  42 ,  43  form a non-detachable foil unit in said region. 
     At least one of the individual foils  42 ,  43 , in the present case the inside individual foil  43 , is preferably realized as aroma-proof and moisture-proof, preferably as a result of a (metal) barrier layer  45  which is applied by metallization. Here said barrier layer lies inside the multi-layered foil. The glue layer  44  accordingly connects the individual foils  42 ,  43  in the region of the barrier layer  45 . 
     The multi-layered foil realized in the described manner can be provided with an opening aid  18  which corresponds to the previous exemplary embodiments. The structure of the foil, however, enables an opening aid  18  which is realized in a specific manner and is integrated into the foil thereby utilizing the individual foils  42 ,  43 . 
     The closure tab  20  is formed by the outside individual foil  42 . The inside individual foil  43  is processed such that it forms either an opening, which is provided during production, as a removal opening  19  or an opening tab or an opening lug  35  which is detachable by means of the closure tab  20  during the opening operation. It is connected to the closure tab  20 , as shown preferably by full-surface bonding (on the inside). 
     The opening aid  18  in the case of said pack is produced in the region of the blank  12  ( FIG. 13 ), preferably, however, during production of the (multi-layered) foil—foil web  36 —by the targeted application of different glue types, by forming glue-free regions between the individual foils  42 ,  43  and by the targeted application of cutting lines in the individual layers  42 ,  43 . 
     The provision of the opening aid  18  is integrated into the production process of the foil or of the foil web  36 . When the layers or individual foils  42 ,  43  are joined together, surfaces which are necessary to the functionality of the opening aid  18  are preferably left out or are provided with glue at the same time or in an offset manner. In the case of the present example, a preferably U-shaped surface between the individual foils  42 ,  43  is provided with releasable glue (PSA adhesive), analogously to the described exemplary embodiment for forming longitudinal strips  21  and transverse strips  22 . As an alternative to this, a part or full coating with glue can be applied. In addition, with regard to the application of the glue layer  44 , a—strip-shaped, rectangular—free zone  46  is created. There is no glue in said region, that is to say no glue layer  44  or (PSA) adhesive of the opening aid  18 . The gripping or actuating tab  24  is situated here. 
     For forming the closure tab  20  and/or opening lugs  35 , separation cuts or separation lines are applied in the region of the opening aid  18  to be produced, preferably in the foil which is finished with regard to the layers  42 ,  43 ,  44 ,  45 . The separation lines, which are applied purely in the region of one layer, are preferably produced by laser and, as a result, are restricted to the relevant layer with regard to effectiveness. 
     The outer contour of the closure tab  20  consists of a preferably continuous, that is to say uninterrupted, substantially U-shaped cutting line  47  (only) in the region of the outer layer, that is to say of the individual foil  42 . Said cutting line extends with preferably approximately parallel legs in the region of the inner end wall  17  (at least in part) and a connecting, end-face region of the inner front wall  13 . In the case of the exemplary embodiment in  FIG. 13 , the cutting line  47  extends with an end piece in the region of the inner rear wall  14 . A transversely directed leg extends in the inner front wall  13  and defines the actuating tab  24 . The cutting line  47  determines the outer contour of the closure tab  20 . 
     The inside individual foil  43  forms the removal opening  19  as a result of removing the opening lug which is formed by the individual foil  43  and is connected in the present example to the closure tab  20 , preferably by means of the correspondingly arranged glue layer  44 . The contour of the opening lug  35  is determined by a tear line  48  which is preferably also approximately U-shaped and is defined by applying corresponding technologies (laser) to the individual foil  43  (including the thin barrier layer  45 ). The tear line  48  can be realized as a perforation—with residual connections—, preferably however as a continuous cutting line. In the present case, the arrangement made is such that the ends of the cutting line  47 , on the one hand, and of the tear line  48 , on the other hand, end adjacent one another—in the region of the inner rear wall  14 . 
     The glue pattern of the opening aid  18 , that is to say the U-shaped glue pattern with longitudinal strips  21  and transverse strips  22 , is realized in the described manner ( FIG. 5 ) with regard to the glue strength. The glue strips  21 ,  22  are dimensioned such that the cutting line  47  and the tear line  48 —the latter completely—are located in the region of the glue pattern  21 ,  22 , naturally with the exception of the contour for the actuating tab  24 . The glue field produced preferably from PSA adhesive, as can be seen in  FIG. 13  and  FIG. 14 , is slightly wider than the distance between the cutting lines  47  and tear lines  48  such that the separation lines are covered by the releasable adhesive in said region. 
     The opening aid realized in this manner can be actuated by hand (by grasping the actuating tab  24 ). In the case of the present example, the actuating tab  24  is connected in the manner described to the inside of the lid  27  of an outer pack  25  which is realized as a hinge-lid box such that automatic opening and closing is ensured. As can be seen in particular from  FIG. 12 , the (multi-layered) foil is completely detached from the bond during the opening operation in the region of the removal opening  19  to be produced. 
     The outer packs  25  are preferably realized as hard packs, in particular as hinge-lid boxes. They can be without a collar, as an alternative to this, however, they can also be provided with a conventional collar  49  ( FIG. 8 ). The collar is provided with a front-side recess  50  which is defined in the region of the front side by side collar webs  51 . The recess  50  is preferably realized—between the collar webs  51 —such that it extends up to a closing edge  52  of the pack or of the box part  26 . The closure tab  20 , and in particular the actuating tab  24 , is situated—between the collar webs  51 —in said region. 
     In the case of packs where the actuating tab  24  of the opening aid  18  is fixed on the inside of the lid front wall  31 , preferably after completion of the pack, a pressing pressure is exerted onto the outside of the lid front wall  31 , preferably in the region of an apparatus (in particular the drying turret). The pressure is transmitted in a targeted manner onto the lid front wall  31  by means of a particular pressure piece in the region of the connection to the actuating tab  24 —with the lid  27  closed. In the case of a pack with a collar  49 , in the region between the collar webs  51 . As a result, it is possible, in the case of hinge-lid boxes as an outer pack  25 , to use a lid inner lug  33  which extends preferably over the full (transverse) dimension of the lid front wall  31 . Certain deformation of the lid front wall  31  is eliminated by the restoring forces of the material once the compressive stress has been removed. 
     The opening aid is preferably produced completely in the region of a continuous foil web  36 .  FIG. 15  and  FIG. 16  relate to different concepts for an opening aid according to  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5 , that is to say with an opening lug  35  suspended on blank  12 . According to  FIG. 15 , a shortened (residual) connection remains between the lug  35  formed by punching  53  and the foil web  36 , that is to say a shortened edge  37 . The opening lug  35  is gripped, lifted and turned during the transport of the foil web  35  until it abuts against the foil web outside of the region of the created removal opening  19 . To this end, lifting with regard to a front-side edge takes place in the region of a deflection—deflection roller  54 . The opening lug  35  can then be gripped by a lifting member, in the present case by a (curved) tapered lifting rail  55 . As a result of the transporting of the foil web  36 , the lug  35  is lifted and finally turned over. As a result, the removal opening  19  is positioned precisely in the region of the web. 
     The closure tab  20  is then applied onto the foil web  36 , aligned in a precise manner, in the region of the removal opening  19 —in the region of a vertical transport portion of the foil web  36 . The closure tab  20  is pressed onto the foil web  36  as a separate blank from a carrier belt  56  in the region of an acutely angled deflection, on the (outer) side of the foil web located opposite the tab  35 . The foil web  35  then moves into the region of a separation station  57 . Here the blanks  12  are cut from the web  36  one after another by means of transversely directed cutting blades  58 . As an alternative to this, the foil web  36  can be folded around a sequence of cigarette groups thereby forming a continuous hose-shaped wrapping, from which as a result of cross cutting (in particular in conjunction with a sealing seam) packs—foil block  11 —are cut, in particular in the manner to be found in WO 2014/195016. 
     A characteristic consists in that the work on the foil web  36  and in particular the precise positioning of elements of the opening aid  18  are checked by monitoring members. Thus, sensors, in particular opto-electronic sensors  59 , are preferably positioned in the region of the vertical transport section of the foil web  36  in the region of a control station. Said sensors  59  are realized such that they detect the presence of the (removal) opening  19 , both with regard to the correct relative position and with regard to the correct realization (dimension, contour). Once the sensors  59  have been passed, there is certainty regarding the correct arrangement of the opening  19 . 
     Following the transfer station for the closure tabs  20 , a further (fixed) testing station with sensors  60  is installed on both sides of the web  36 . Said (electro-optical) sensors also detect the presence of the closure tab  20  in the correct relative position. The free side of the closure tab  20  is preferably provided with printing  61 , namely on the inside of the closure tab  20 , with advertising and/or informative references which can be detected by the sensors  60 . 
     The separation cut for producing the blanks  12  is preferably controlled by print marks  62 . 
     The foil web  36  also has assigned thereto a sealing member  63  for attaching the sealing strip  38 . In the present case, this is a rotatable sealing wheel with multiple parallel sealing jaws  64  which are arranged longitudinally of the periphery. Said member is also able to be controlled, where necessary, by the sensors  59 . 
     The realization according to  FIG. 16  differs from the previous exemplary embodiment as a result of the closure tabs  20  already being attached to the web  36  in a transfer station arranged upstream—in the region of the punching  53  which is applied in particular first of all. The already described operation to lift the opening lug  35  and to turn said lug  35  is then completed. The foil web also has assigned thereto, in the case of the exemplary embodiment in  FIG. 16 , control members (sensors) which test, in particular, the presence and the correct realization of the opening  19  and the presence of the closure tab  20 . 
     The apparatus according to  FIG. 17  is designed to remove the opening lug  35  such that a (removal) opening  19  which is free on all sides is generated. A punching unit  65 , which in the present case consists of a punching roller  66  with a punching blade  67  and a counter roller  68 , is preferably provided for this purpose in the region of a horizontal transport section of the foil web  36 . The punching blade  67  is realized as a blade which is closed all around, is approximately rectangular and provides a corresponding opening  19  in a precise position in the web  36 . 
     The web is then deflected. Testing and control members of the described realization are positioned in the region of a vertical conveying section and also a transfer station for providing the closure tab  20  in the region of the openings  19 . The material pieces corresponding to the opening  19  generated in the punching station by the punching unit  65  are removed, in the present case by means of a collecting funnel  69 , in particular with a suction effect. 
     A particular production technology for the preparation of the foil web  36  for producing blanks of the foil packs is shown in  FIG. 18  and  FIG. 19 . The (sealing) foil web  36  is preferably moved along upright and transversely directed transport belts. A first (upright) belt portion  70  is provided for an upwardly directed movement of the belt  36 . Said belt is deflected via deflection rollers  71 ,  72  into a preferably horizontal belt portion  73  and then back into a preferably downwardly directed belt portion  74 . The closure tab  20  is preferably fed to the vertical belt portion  70  and placed onto the foil web  36  in a manner that suits the pack, preferably on the belt outside or top side. A particular punching unit  65  with a punching roller  66 , which preferably acts underneath the (horizontal) foil web  36 , is preferably situated in the region of the horizontal belt portion  73 . A counter roller  68  is mounted above the belt  36 . 
     The blanks of the closure tabs  20  are preferably arranged side by side on a continuous carrier belt  56 . This is removed from a reel  75 . The carrier belt  56  is fed to a transfer station  76 . In the region thereof, the closure tabs  20  are removed from the carrier belt  56  and transferred to the foil web  36  in a precise manner. The carrier belt  56  is guided around an acutely angled deflection member  77  for this purpose, as a result of which the closure tabs  20 , adhering in a bonding manner to the carrier belt  56 , are peeled off and transferred to the foil web  36  which runs at an acute angle to a leg of the carrier belt  56 . The closure tab  20  is fixed in the precise position by a pressing roller  78 . The pressing roller  78  lies opposite a counter member, in the present case a support plate  79 . 
     In the following punching or cutting station or in the punching unit  65 , a preferably closed cutting line is applied, preferably by means of punching, on the free (bottom) side of the foil web  36  in the region of the respective closure tab  20 , which detaches a foil piece—opening lug  35 —which corresponds to the opening (removal opening  19 ). The punching unit  65  is controlled precisely in such a manner that the opening is produced in a precise alignment on the closure tab  20  outside the gluing, as a result of a separation cut exclusively in the region of the foil web  36 . 
     The punching roller  66  is provided with preferably multiple, in particular with two punching units, along the circumference, that is to say corresponding groups of punching blades  80 . These are preferably realized as closed blade frames for generating a closed cutting line in the foil web  36 . 
     The opening lug  35  is removed by suction. The punching roller  66  is preferably provided with suction bores  81  in the region of the punching blades  80 . Said (multiple) suction bores are located inside the surface region of the opening lug  35  such that it is fixed on the circumference of the punching roller  66  when a vacuum is applied and is entrained when the said roller rotates. The opening lug  35  is released as a result of venting and can be disposed of. 
     A particular measure is provided for this purpose: A suction unit  82  is situated on the underside of the punching roller  66  or underneath the same. The suction bores  81  of the punching roller  66  are preferably controlled in such a manner that a switchover to compressed air takes place in the lower region of the rotation. Compressed air is accordingly transferred via the suction bores  81  which results in the opening lug  35  being lifted and transferred to the suction unit  82 . Said suction unit takes over the foil piece  35  in a suction channel  83 . 
     The foil web prepared in such a manner is fed in the described manner to a separation station for producing the blanks or foil packs. 
     The carrier belt  56 , rid of the closure tabs  20 , is returned and taken up by a collecting reel  84 . The carrier belt  56  is driven in said region without closure tabs  20  by a driving roller  85 . The carrier belt  56  is accordingly pulled over the deflection member  77 . 
     Monitoring or control members are important for correct positioning of the closure tab  20  and/or opening  19  in the preferably continuously driven foil web  36 . First of all, the positionally precise transfer of the closure tab from the carrier belt  56  to the foil web  36  is monitored and controlled by sensors (not shown), preferably in conjunction with print marks on the foil web  36 . Then, in the case of continued (continuous) transport of the foil web  36 , a first (opto-electronic) sensor  86  becomes active, preferably in the region of the upright belt portion  17 , on the side of the arrangement of the closure tab  20 . The sensor  86  is arranged and effective in such a manner that at least a preferably transversely directed edge of the closure tab  20  is detected. This results in a signal for the control of the punching unit  65 , namely with regard to a precise application of the cutting line for the production of the opening  19 . 
     A further sensor  87  is effective following the punching unit  65 , on the inside of the foil web  36 —preferably in the region of the downwardly directed belt portion  74 —to detect the formed punch-out or opening. Said sensor  87  also detects the presence of the closure tab  20  in a precise relative position with respect to the (removal) opening  19 . For this purpose, the free inside of the closure tab  20  is provided with markings and/or colorings which ensure rapid, reliable detection by the sensor  87  in relation to any foil web  36  which is shaped in a deviating manner. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
           10  Cigarette 
           11  Foil block 
           12  Blank 
           13  Inner front wall 
           14  Inner rear wall 
           15  Inner side wall 
           16  Inner bottom wall 
           17  Inner end wall 
           18  Opening aid 
           19  Removal opening 
           20  Closure tab 
           21  Longitudinal strip 
           22  Transverse strip 
           23  Anchoring strip 
           24  Actuating tab 
           25  Outer pack 
           26  Box part 
           27  Lid 
           28  Box rear wall 
           29  Lid rear wall 
           30  Line joint 
           31  Lid front wall 
           32  Glue strip 
           33  Lid inner lug 
           34  Tray 
           35  Opening lug 
           36  Foil belt 
           37  Edge 
           38  Sealing strip 
           39  Initial leg 
           40  Cross seam 
           41  Glue point 
           42  Individual foil 
           43  Individual foil 
           44  Glue layer 
           45  Barrier layer 
           46  Free zone 
           47  Cutting line 
           48  Tear line 
           49  Collar 
           50  Recess 
           51  Collar web 
           52  Closing edge 
           53  Punching 
           54  Deflection roller 
           55  Lifting rail 
           56  Carrier belt 
           57  Separation station 
           58  Cutting blade 
           59  Sensor 
           60  Sensor 
           61  Printing 
           62  Print mark 
           63  Sealing member 
           64  Sealing jaw 
           65  Punching unit 
           66  Punching roller 
           67  Punching blade 
           68  Counter roller 
           69  Collecting funnel 
           70  Belt portion 
           71  Deflection roller 
           72  Deflection roller 
           73  Belt portion 
           74  Belt portion 
           75  Reel 
           76  Transfer station 
           77  Deflection member 
           78  Pressing roller 
           79  Support plate 
           80  Punching blade 
           81  Suction bore 
           82  Suction unit 
           83  Suction channel 
           84  Collecting reel 
           85  Drive roller 
           86  Sensor 
           87  Sensor