A method of manufacturing a pack of smoking articles. The method comprises providing a planar blank of an inner support frame comprising a front panel and a rear panel connected by a bottom panel, and folding the front and rear panels together about the bottom panel to form an inner support frame in a receiving configuration. In the receiving configuration, the front and rear panels diverge in a direction away from the bottom panel and define an opening remote from the bottom panel. The method includes inserting a bundle of smoking articles through the opening into the inner support frame and folding the front and rear panels together about the bottom panel from the receiving configuration to an enclosed configuration to enclose the bundle of smoking articles. The method includes wrapping the bundle of smoking articles and inner support frame with a film to form a sealed pack of smoking articles. Also an apparatus for manufacturing a pack of smoking articles according to such a method.

A method of manufacturing a pack of smoking articles. The method comprises providing a planar blank of an inner support frame comprising a front panel and a rear panel connected by a bottom panel, and folding the front and rear panels together about the bottom panel to form an inner support frame in a receiving configuration. In the receiving configuration, the front and rear panels diverge in a direction away from the bottom panel and define an opening remote from the bottom panel. The method includes inserting a bundle of smoking articles through the opening into the inner support frame and folding the front and rear panels together about the bottom panel from the receiving configuration to an enclosed configuration to enclose the bundle of smoking articles. The method includes wrapping the bundle of smoking articles and inner support frame with a film to form a sealed pack of smoking articles. Also an apparatus for manufacturing a pack of smoking articles according to such a method.

An apparatus for at least partially folding outer packaging includes a conveyor that transports the outer packaging, a first folder, a second folder, and a set of one or more rotating folders that are part of the second folder. The first folders swivel on the conveyor and fold a front side segment of the outer package that adjoins its base segment and connecting segments that are hinged relative to the base segment. The second folders are above the conveyor device and are configured to fold connecting segments that are hinged relative to the base segment of the outer package. The second folders act on the front side segment of the outer package in a direction oriented against an effective direction of the first folding device around a fold line running in the particular connecting segments.

An apparatus for at least partially folding outer packaging includes a conveyor that transports the outer packaging, a first folder, a second folder, and a set of one or more rotating folders that are part of the second folder. The first folders swivel on the conveyor and fold a front side segment of the outer package that adjoins its base segment and connecting segments that are hinged relative to the base segment. The second folders are above the conveyor device and are configured to fold connecting segments that are hinged relative to the base segment of the outer package. The second folders act on the front side segment of the outer package in a direction oriented against an effective direction of the first folding device around a fold line running in the particular connecting segments.

A transfer device, in particular as a robot gripper, for picking up at least one product disposed on a base section of a product carrier and the product carrier from a conveying and/or processing device for the product and/or for the product carrier and for delivering the product together with the product carrier to a device, in particular a packaging machine, arranged downstream, is characterized in that the transfer device has a pivoting device for pivoting a cover section connected to the base section about a kink line extending between the cover section and the base section.

Plural articles are arranged in a reusable crate. A cardboard blank is selected in accordance with the volume of the arranged articles. The blank has a first and a second longitudinal score line defining a main portion and a first, a second, a third and a fourth lateral portion, the blank also having a first, a second, a third and a fourth incision that subdivide auxiliary portions into first parts and second parts. The blank and the reusable crate are reciprocally positioned, the bottom of the reusable crate then opened to release the articles onto the blank. The first, second, third and fourth lateral portions are folded towards the articles, with the respective first parts and second parts of the auxiliary portions folding one on another to form respective flaps abutting the group of articles.

Plural articles are arranged in a reusable crate. A cardboard blank is selected in accordance with the volume of the arranged articles. The blank has a first and a second longitudinal score line defining a main portion and a first, a second, a third and a fourth lateral portion, the blank also having a first, a second, a third and a fourth incision that subdivide auxiliary portions into first parts and second parts. The blank and the reusable crate are reciprocally positioned, the bottom of the reusable crate then opened to release the articles onto the blank. The first, second, third and fourth lateral portions are folded towards the articles, with the respective first parts and second parts of the auxiliary portions folding one on another to form respective flaps abutting the group of articles.

The invention relates to a method of handling food products, in which at least one respective product is placed onto a carrier that has a base and a tab pivotable relative to the base about a kink line, the carrier together with the product disposed thereon is fed to a pick-up region that is disposed in a working region of a transfer device, and the carrier together with the product disposed thereon is picked up by the transfer device, is then fed by means of the transfer device to an insertion region of a packaging machine, and is inserted there with a downward movement of the transfer device into a package component, wherein the carrier is moved past a folding contour, which is arranged in the insertion region, during the downward movement and in so doing, on the one hand, the tab is pivoted relative to the base by cooperation with the folding contour and, on the other hand, the carrier is secured against lifting by a holding device of the transfer device that is effective at or in the region of the kink line.

A method and a packaging machine for packaging objects in a stiff package, for example in a carton box or in a box, the stiff package comprising a right flap, a left flap, an upper flap and a lower flap. After folding the right, left, and lower flaps in closed position, the upper flap is kept in a semi-closed position so as to only partially overlap the closed lower flap. Glue is then applied to the closed lower flap or semi-closed upper flap. After applying the glue, the upper flap is brought in closed position so that it is fixed to the lower flap. The application of the glue to the lower flap in closed position or to the upper flap in semi-closed position allows adjusting the squaring of the package immediately before bringing the upper flap from the semi-closed position to the closed position, i.e., immediately before fixing the flaps and closing the package.

A method and a packaging machine for packaging objects in a stiff package, for example in a carton box or in a box, the stiff package comprising a right flap, a left flap, an upper flap and a lower flap. After folding the right, left, and lower flaps in closed position, the upper flap is kept in a semi-closed position so as to only partially overlap the closed lower flap. Glue is then applied to the closed lower flap or semi-closed upper flap. After applying the glue, the upper flap is brought in closed position so that it is fixed to the lower flap. The application of the glue to the lower flap in closed position or to the upper flap in semi-closed position allows adjusting the squaring of the package immediately before bringing the upper flap from the semi-closed position to the closed position, i.e., immediately before fixing the flaps and closing the package.