Patent ID: 7225600

Claim:
A method of producing a hinged-lid packet of cigarettes; the method comprising the steps of: folding a first blank ( 18 ) of foil about a group ( 8 ) of cigarettes ( 9 ) for forming an inner wrapping ( 7 ); folding a second blank ( 17 ) about the inner wrapping ( 7 ) to define a body ( 4 ) and a lid ( 5 ) hinged to each other and for forming an outer package ( 3 ); folding a third blank ( 19 ) for forming a collar ( 10 ), which is interposed between the inner wrapping ( 7 ) and the outer package ( 3 ) and projects from the body ( 4 ) to engage the lid ( 5 ); juxtaposing the third blank ( 19 ) and the first blank ( 18 ) in a given superimposed position; and simultaneously folding the first and the third blank ( 18 , 19 ) about the group ( 8 ) of cigarettes ( 9 ); the method being characterized in that both the inner wrapping ( 7 ) and the collar ( 10 ) are tubular, and the given superimposed position is a transversely offset position, wherein a first lateral portion ( 40 ) of the third blank ( 19 ) projects laterally with respect to the first blank ( 18 ), and a second lateral portion ( 44 ) of the first blank ( 18 ) projects laterally with respect to the third blank ( 19 ) on the opposite side of the third blank ( 19 ) to the first lateral portion ( 40 ).