Secondary Packaging of Smoking Articles

Abstract

A system for applying a stamp to packs includes a carton opening system, a pack stamping system, and a carton sealing system, including at least one strip dispenser to selectively unwind at least one roll of tacky polymer strips, a strip separator to remove the tacky polymer strips from a backing roll and place the removed tacky polymer strips on the carton, and a flap closer. A method of applying at least one stamp to at least one pack within a carton includes opening at least one carton, stamping at least one stamp onto at least one pack within the carton, and applying at least one tacky polymer strip to a lower flap of the carton. The method further includes folding an upper flap of the carton to adhere to the applied tacky polymer strip.

1 . A system for applying a stamp to a pack within a carton, the system comprising: 
 a carton opening system;    a pack stamping system; and    a carton sealing system including at least one strip dispenser to selectively unwind at least one roll of tacky polymer strips disposed upon a backing roll, a strip separator to remove the tacky polymer strips from the backing roll and place the removed tacky polymer strips on a lower flap of the carton, and a flap closer to place a lower flap on top of the lower flap after placing the tacky polymer strip.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the carton opening system comprises an auxiliary plow.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the carton opening system comprises a first suction device and a second suction device.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the pack stamping system includes a stamp cartridge.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a payout roll supporting the roll of tacky polymer strips disposed on the backing roll and a takeup roll receiving the backing paper after removing the tacky polymer strips.  
   
   
       6 . A method of applying at least one stamp to at least one pack within a carton, the method comprising: 
 opening at least one carton;    stamping at least one stamp onto at least one pack within the carton;    applying at least one tacky polymer strip to a lower flap of the carton; and    folding an upper flap of the carton to adhere to the applied tacky polymer strip.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising: 
 lifting the folded upper flap to separate the upper flap from the lower flap;    lifting the lower flap;    inspecting the stamped stamps;    lowering the lower flap; and    folding an upper flap of the carton to re-adhere to the applied tacky polymer strip.