U.S. patent application number 13/824686 was filed with the patent office on 2013-07-25 for folding wallet packaging for confectionery products, more particularly bars or slabs of chewing gum.
This patent application is currently assigned to PERFETTI VAN MELLE S.P.A.. The applicant listed for this patent is Ubaldo Traldi. Invention is credited to Ubaldo Traldi.
Application Number | 20130189393 13/824686 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43738927 |
Filed Date | 2013-07-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130189393 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Traldi; Ubaldo |
July 25, 2013 |
FOLDING WALLET PACKAGING FOR CONFECTIONERY PRODUCTS, MORE
PARTICULARLY BARS OR SLABS OF CHEWING GUM
Abstract
Packaging (10; 20; 30) for confectionery products, more
particularly bars of chewing gum (G), having a folding
configuration of the book or wallet type comprising at least two
main parts (11; 12; 21, 22, 23; 31, 32, 33, 34) designed to be
folded one in relation to the other around an intermediate zone of
folding (15; 15', 15''), between a closed or folded configuration
(C) and an open configuration (C') of the packaging (10), wherein
each one of these two main folding parts (11, 12) is provided,
along a respective internal surface (11a, 12a), with at least one
pocket or compartment (13, 14) containing a plurality of bars or
slabs (G1, G2) of chewing gum, and wherein these bars of chewing
gum (G), contained in the two compartments (13, 14), are available
and offered in two different formulations and/or flavours (G1, G2),
more particularly corresponding to the respective compartments (13,
14). The packaging (10) has the important advantage of offering for
sale on the market a single product which allows the consumer to
choose between several preferred flavours and/or formulations of
bars of chewing gum.
Inventors: |
Traldi; Ubaldo; (Milan,
IT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Traldi; Ubaldo |
Milan |
|
IT |
|
|
Assignee: |
PERFETTI VAN MELLE S.P.A.
Lainate (MI)
IT
|
Family ID: |
43738927 |
Appl. No.: |
13/824686 |
Filed: |
October 4, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
October 4, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2010/006044 |
371 Date: |
March 18, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
426/5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/009 20130101;
B65D 85/60 20130101; B65D 75/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
426/5 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/60 20060101
B65D085/60 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 21, 2010 |
IT |
MI 2010 A 001716 |
Claims
1. Packaging (10; 20; 30) for confectionery products in the form of
bars or slabs (G1, G2) of chewing gum (G), having a folding
configuration of the book or wallet type, comprising: at least two
parts (11; 12; 21, 22, 23; 31, 32, 33, 34) connected one to the
other along an intermediate zone of folding (15; 15', 15'') and
defining each one a respective internal surface (11a, 12a) and a
respective external surface (11b, 12b), said at least two parts
(11; 12; 21, 22, 23) being foldable one in relation to the other
around said zone of folding (15; 15', 15'') between a closed or
folded configuration (C) of said packaging (10), wherein the
internal surfaces (11a, 12a) of said at least two parts (11, 12)
are facing one in respect of the other, and an open configuration
(C) of said packaging (10), wherein said two parts (11, 12) and the
respective internal surfaces (11a, 12a) are distanced one from the
other in order to allow access to said bars or slabs of chewing gum
(G1, G2), wherein each one of said two parts (11, 12) is provided,
along the respective internal surface (11a, 12a) with at least one
pocket or compartment (13, 14) containing said bars or slabs (G1,
G2) of chewing gum (G), and wherein said bars or slabs (G1, G2) of
chewing gum (G), contained in these compartments (13, 14), are
available and offered in at least two different formulations, more
particularly flavours (G1, G2), each one corresponding to a
respective compartment (13, 14).
2. Packaging (10) for confectionery products according to claim 1,
wherein each one of said at least two folding parts (11, 12) is
provided with one single compartment (13, 14) containing a
corresponding and specific type or flavour (G1, G2) of bars or
slabs of chewing gum.
3. Packaging (10) for confectionery products according to claim 1,
wherein said at least two folding parts (11, 12) have substantially
the same shape and extension, so that, once folded in said closed
configuration (C), they are completely superimposed one on the
other along the respective internal surfaces (11a, 12a).
4. Packaging (10) for confectionery products according to claim 3,
wherein said two parts (11, 12) both have a rectangular shape.
5. Packaging (10) for confectionery products according to claim 2,
wherein the two compartments (13, 14), provided in said two folding
parts (11, 12) and containing two different formulations and/or
flavours (G1, G2) of bars or slabs of chewing gum (G), are formed
by a folded panel (13a, 14a) having a substantially equal length
and a height smaller than that of a panel which extends along the
external surface (11b, 12b) of the corresponding folding part (11,
12).
6. Packaging (10) for confectionery products (G) according to claim
5, wherein said bars or slabs (G1, G2) of chewing gum (G),
contained in said compartments (13, 14), have an elongated shape of
such length that they project at least partially from the
respective compartments (13, 14).
7. Packaging (10) for confectionery products (G) according claim 1,
further comprising a folding cover flap (17) suitable for covering
said two parts (11, 12) in the closed configuration (C) of said
packaging (10).
8. Packaging (10) for confectionery products (G) according claim 1,
wherein the packaging is made from a single starting sheet and by
folding successively specific portions, appropriately shaped, of
said single sheet, so as to obtain said parts (11, 12) and the
respective compartments (13, 14) suitable for containing the bars
or slabs (G1, G2) of chewing gum (G).
9. Packaging (20, 30) for confectionery products (G) according to
claim 1, comprising at least three parts (21, 22, 23; 31, 32, 33,
34) reciprocally folding one on the other and each one provided
with at least one pocket or compartment (24, 25, 26; 35, 36, 37,
38), wherein the compartments (24, 25, 26; 35, 36, 37, 38) provided
in said three folding parts (21, 22, 23; 31, 32, 33, 34) contain
three different formulations and/or flavours (G1, G2, G3; G1, G2,
G3, G4) of bars or slabs of chewing gum corresponding to said
compartments (24, 25, 26; 35, 36, 37, 38).
10. Packaging (10, 20, 30) for confectionery products (G) according
to claim 1, wherein the distinctive features which define the
different types of bars or slabs of chewing gum contained in the
various compartments of said packaging (10, 20, 30) comprise the
colour and/or the design of the wrapping of the bars and/or the
actual shape of said bars or slabs of chewing gum.
11. Packaging (10) for confectionery products according to claim 2,
wherein said at least two folding parts (11, 12) have substantially
the same shape and extension, so that, once folded in said closed
configuration (C), they are completely superimposed one on the
other along the respective internal surfaces (11a, 12a).
12. Packaging (10) for confectionery products according to any one
of claim 3, wherein the two compartments (13, 14), provided in said
two folding parts (11, 12) and containing two different
formulations and/or flavours (G1, G2) of bars or slabs of chewing
gum (G), are formed by a folded panel (13a, 14a) having a
substantially equal length and a height smaller than that of a
panel which extends along the external surface (11b, 12b) of the
corresponding folding part (11, 12).
13. Packaging (10) for confectionery products according to any one
of claim 4, wherein the two compartments (13, 14), provided in said
two folding parts (11, 12) and containing two different
formulations and/or flavours (G1, G2) of bars or slabs of chewing
gum (G), are formed by a folded panel (13a, 14a) having a
substantially equal length and a height smaller than that of a
panel which extends along the external surface (11b, 12b) of the
corresponding folding part (11, 12).
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates in general to the sector of
packagings for confectionery products and more specifically
concerns a folding packaging of the book or wallet type containing
confectionery products, such as more particularly bars or slabs or
similar shapes of chewing gum.
CURRENT STATE OF THE ART
[0002] The current market has, as anyone can easily ascertain, a
numberless and vast range of packagings and containers for
confectionery products, each one with its own peculiarities and
features, more particularly linked both to the specific shape and
type of the confectionery products or product contained in these
packagings and containers, and to elements, of a more innately
commercial nature, aimed at making the supply of these
confectionery products, such as chocolates, sweets, sugar-coated
confectionery and others, particularly attractive to consumers on
the market.
[0003] Among these packagings mention is made, being related more
directly to the field of the present invention, of those that are
provided for containing chewing gum.
[0004] Naturally, also in this field of packagings and/or of
containers for chewing gum, the market offers a vast range of
packagings and/or containers, for example in the form of a tube,
boxes of various shapes and forms, dispensers, and others.
[0005] The chewing gum is in turn packaged and offered on the
market, by means of these packagings and containers, in a
multiplicity of forms, for example sugar-coated gums, bars, slabs,
sweets, and others, just as it can be present and available in
these packagings and containers in various ways, for example loose
or ordered in respective compartments or cells.
[0006] In general the packagings and containers for chewing gum,
currently on sale and offered on the market, contain chewing gum of
a single formulation or flavour, where instead chewing gum, leaving
aside the forms of consumption wherein it is offered, i.e.
sugar-coated gums, bars, pastilles, slabs, sweets, etc., is
notoriously produced in various formulations and flavours, for
example mint, lemon, liquorice and strawberry, with the addition of
fluorine, vitamins, mineral salts, etc., in order to meet the
desires of the consumer halfway and satisfy the various needs and
preferences of consumers for flavour of consumers.
[0007] In other words the packagings of chewing gum currently
offered and on sale on the market usually contain one and only one
formulation or one and only one flavour of chewing gum, whatever
form of its consumption is foreseen, i.e. slabs, sugar-coated gums,
sweets, etc.
[0008] Therefore the consumer, when buying one of these packagings
of chewing gum currently present on the market, in fact has
available and can make use of one single formulation or one single
flavour of chewing gum.
[0009] Also known for some time are packagings and in general
containers, for consumer products, which have a folding
configuration of the so-called book or wallet type, i.e. comprising
at least two parts in the form of panels and the like which are
connected along a zone or line of folding and are designed to be
folded one in relation to the other.
[0010] In detail, these wallet packagings and containers of the
known type are provided to contain and house consumer products,
such as for example tissues or pharmaceutical pills, in respective
seats and/or pockets and/or in general housings which are defined
in each of the two folding panels or sheets or parts of the
packaging.
[0011] During use the consumer opens the wallet packaging so as to
access the seats and housings defined by the two folding parts and
then take out the product contained in them, for example, in the
case of tissues, through slots associated with these housings.
[0012] By way of an example some of these wallet packagings,
containing specifically tissues, are described in the patent
documents WO 2008/026190 A2 and WO 2008/026098 A2.
[0013] In any case these folding wallet packagings, although very
practical and convenient and therefore having achieved a certain
commercial success, more particularly in the sector of disposable
tissues, refer to a market and meet needs which are considerably
different from those of the packaging and supply on the market of
confectionery products, and furthermore they are distanced from the
field of packaging of a specific confectionery product such as
chewing gum.
[0014] By now analysing the market for chewing gum and the
respective products on sale currently proposed thereon, according
to what is described in brief above, the Applicant Perfetti Van
Melle spa has perceived how the availability of a single
formulation or flavour in the packagings of chewing gum, currently
offered for sale on the market, in fact limits the possibilities of
choice of the consumer, where instead the availability of several
formulations or flavours of chewing gum in a single packaging on
sale could considerably extend these possibilities of choice and
therefore meet the aspirations of the consumer halfway, and at the
same time represent an important element for determining the
commercial success of the product on the market.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] Therefore a first object of the present invention is to
propose a packaging for confectionery products, and more
particularly for chewing gum, which meets the needs mentioned above
halfway, i.e. is such as to extend the possibilities of choice of
the consumer, at the same time avoiding for the latter certain
inconveniences, frequently also not clearly perceived, such as for
example that of having to purchase two or more packagings of
chewing gum of different formulations and/or flavours, when the
consumer usually prefers to consume and alternate chewing gum of
different formulations and/or flavours.
[0016] Another object of the present invention is also that of
promoting and further improving the supply on the market of the
specific chewing gum product, also taking account of the
foreseeable and future evolution of this market towards an
increasingly higher number of alternatives and of flavours, in
order to meet the increasingly varied and complex needs of
consumers.
[0017] A further object of the present invention is also to propose
a packaging of bars or slabs of chewing gum of several flavours
which, in addition to being practical and convenient to use by the
consumer, can be produced industrially in a simple manner and with
low costs.
[0018] These objects are fully achieved by the folding packaging
for confectionery products, more particularly chewing gum, which
has the features defined by the main independent claim 1.
[0019] Particular and advantageous embodiments of the invention are
also defined by the dependent claims.
[0020] The packaging for chewing gum in accordance with the present
invention is associated with numerous advantages, partly already
implicitly mentioned previously, among which the following are
repeated: [0021] the availability on the market of a single product
which gives the consumer a wider possibility of choice between the
various preferred flavours and formulations of chewing gum which
the consumer usually consumes; [0022] greater convenience and
practicality of use, in the sense that the consumer used to
consuming chewing gum of different flavours and formulation no
longer has to purchase and carry along numerous packagings of
chewing gum, but only has to purchase one where he or she can find
his or her favourite flavours and formulations of chewing gum;
[0023] low cost of packaging and therefore a lower cost of the
product to the consumer, with the same number of formulations and
flavours of chewing gum offered for sale.
[0024] A further advantage of the present invention is that of
making, once the packaging has been opened, a plurality of
compartments equally and easily accessible to the consumer, for the
greatest possible ease of choice.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] These and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will be made clearer and more evident by the
following description of one of its preferred embodiments, given by
way of a non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0026] FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of a folding packaging
containing chewing gum, in accordance with the present invention,
in an open configuration;
[0027] FIG. 2 is a second perspective view, from an opposite
viewpoint, of the open folding packaging of FIG. 1;
[0028] FIG. 3 is a front view of the folding packaging of FIG. 1,
in the open configuration;
[0029] FIG. 4 is a third perspective view of the folding packaging
of FIG. 1, in a closed or folded configuration;
[0030] FIG. 5 is a view from above of the folding packaging of FIG.
4, in the closed configuration, with a raised covering sheet;
[0031] FIG. 6A is a perspective view, with a portion in schematic
form, of a first variant, with three compartments, of the folding
packaging of FIG. 1, for chewing gum, in an open configuration;
[0032] FIG. 6B is a schematic view from above of the first variant,
with three compartments, of FIG. 6A, in a closed or folded
configuration; and
[0033] FIGS. 7A and 7B show schematically in a perspective form and
from above a second variant, with four compartments, of the folding
packaging of FIG. 1, for chewing gum, in an open configuration and
in a closed or folded configuration respectively.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0034] Referring to FIGS. 1-5, a packaging, containing
confectionery products and made in accordance with the present
invention, is denoted overall by 10.
[0035] More particularly the confectionery products contained in
the packaging 10 are made up of a plurality of single pieces,
elongated in shape, such as bars, slabs or similar forms, of
chewing gum, denoted in general by G, while the single bars or
slabs of chewing gum are denoted by G1 and G2.
[0036] The packaging 10 has a typical folding configuration of the
so-called book or wallet type in turn defined by a container
comprising two main parts, by 11 and 12, folded from a sheet or
panel or the like, wherein these two main parts 11 and 12 are
connected one to the other along an intermediate zone of folding 15
and each has a respective internal surface 11a and 12a, and a
respective external surface 11b and 12b.
[0037] These two parts 11 and 12 are foldable one in relation to
the other around the zone of folding 15 between a closed or folded
configuration of the packaging 10, denoted by C and shown in FIGS.
4 and 5, wherein the internal surfaces 11a and 12a of the two parts
11 and 12 are facing and in contact one with the other, and an open
configuration, denoted by C' and shown in FIGS. 1-3, of the same
packaging 10, wherein the internal surfaces 11a and 12a are
distanced one from the other in order to allow access by the
consumer to the bars of chewing gum contained in the packaging
10.
[0038] According to a salient feature of the present invention,
each one of the two folding parts 11, 12 of the packaging 10 is
provided, along the respective internal surface 11a, 12a, with at
least one pocket or compartment, denoted respectively by 13 and 14,
which contain the confectionery product, i.e. the bars of chewing
gum, so that the packaging 10 has at least two compartments or
pockets for the bars G1 and G2 of chewing gum, each one
corresponding to a respective folding part. The zone of folding 15
has a width dimension extending between the two parts 11, 12 which
is approximately equal to the combined depth of the pockets or
compartments 13 and 14 on either side of it.
[0039] More particularly, as shown in the drawings, each one of the
two folding parts 11 and 12 is associated with a single
compartment, respectively 13 and 14, containing the bars of chewing
gum, yet it is clear however that each of the two folding parts can
define and be provided with several compartments, without thereby
departing from the sphere of the present invention.
[0040] Moreover, according to another salient feature of the
present invention, the confectionery product, i.e. the bars of
chewing gum, which are contained and housed in these two
compartments 13, 14, are available and offered in at least two
different formulations, and more particularly in two different
flavours or combinations of flavours corresponding to the bars G1
contained in the first compartment 13 and to the bars G2 contained
in the second compartment 14.
[0041] For example the first compartment 13 provided in the first
part 11 contains a plurality of bars or slabs G1 of chewing gum
with a first flavour such as lemon, orange or another flavour,
while the second compartment 14, provided in the second part 12,
contains a plurality of bars or slabs G2 of chewing gum with a
second flavour such as mint or liquorice flavour, or other
flavours, different from those of the bars or slabs G1 contained in
the first compartment 13.
[0042] In brief, exemplifying the concept of the present invention,
the packaging 10 is characterised by a folding configuration of the
book or wallet type with two parts or folding sheets which contain
in at least two respective compartments at least two types of bars
of chewing gum, more particularly of at least two different
flavours.
[0043] The two folding parts 11 and 12 have substantially the same
extent and shape, typically rectangular, so that, once folded in
the closed configuration C of the packaging 10, they are completely
superimposed one on the other along the respective internal
surfaces 11a and 12a, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0044] The folding wallet configuration of the packaging 10 is made
from a single starting sheet, for example of card, appropriately
shaped, and by folding successively specific portions of this
single starting sheet so as to obtain the two main parts 11 and 12
with the respective compartments 13 and 14 intended to contain the
bars G1 and G2 of chewing gum G.
[0045] More particularly each one of the two compartments 13 and
14, provided in the two folding parts 11 and 12 and containing the
two different types G1 and G2 of bars of chewing gum, is formed by
a folded front flap denoted respectively by 13a and 14a, and a
folded side flap denoted respectively by 13b and 14b, which all
extend parallel to a panel in the sheet which defines the external
surface 11b, 12b of the corresponding folding part 11, 12. The
front flaps 13a and 14a are connected to the panels which define
the external surfaces 11b, 12b along respective bottom zones of
folding 15a and 15b. The side flaps 13b and 14b are connected to
the panels which define the external surfaces 11b, 12b along
respective side zones of folding 15a' and 15b', which are
perpendicular to the bottom zones of folding 15a and 15b,
respectively.
[0046] The side flaps 13b, 14b are provided only at the outer side
edges of the packaging 10, and prevent the chewing gum G from
falling out the sides of the compartments 13, 14.
[0047] Moreover these front flaps 13a and 14a have a length
substantially equal to and a smaller height, defined by a
respective edge 13a' and 14a', than that of the panel which defines
the external surface 11b, 12b of the corresponding folding part 11,
12.
[0048] The various bars G1 and G2 of chewing gum have an elongated
shape and are arranged in a vertical direction in the respective
compartments 13, 14 so as to project at least partially from the
latter, and therefore to be easily removable from the respective
compartments in the open configuration C' of the packaging 10.
[0049] The packaging 10 further comprises a folding covering flap,
denoted by 17 and connected to one of the parts (for example, the
first part 11) along a zone of folding 18, which is perpendicular
to the zone of folding 15, wherein the zone of folding 18 has a
depth dimension extending between the folding covering flap 17 and
the part 11 which is approximately equal to the combined depth of
the pockets or compartments 13 and 14, and wherein this covering
flap 17 is provided to cover stably the two parts 11 and 12 folded
one on the other in the closed configuration C of the packaging
10.
[0050] For this purpose, in this closed configuration C, the
covering flap 17 is folded and inserted in a corresponding slot 19
formed on the external surface 12b of the other part 12, as shown
in FIG. 4.
[0051] It is therefore clear, from what is described, that the
present invention achieves in full the objectives that had been
set, and more particularly proposes a packaging for confectionery
products, more particularly containing a plurality of bars of
chewing gum, which offers the consumer a wider choice between his
or her preferred formulations and the flavours of bars which he or
she usually consumes.
[0052] Without detriment to the basic concepts of the present
invention, it is also clear that changes, modifications and
improvements can be made to the packaging described hitherto for
confectionery products, consisting more particularly of bars of
chewing gum, without thereby departing from the sphere of the same
invention.
[0053] For example, according to a first variant denoted by 20 and
shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the packaging containing the bars of
chewing gum G can comprise three folding parts, denoted
respectively by 21, 22 and 23, instead of two like the packaging
10, wherein the part 22 is placed between the two end folding parts
21 and 23.
[0054] More particularly these folding parts 21, 22 and 23 are
connected in pairs along two intermediate zones of folding 15 and
15', are foldable one in relation to the other around these zones
of folding 15 and 15' and define each one a respective compartment,
24, 25 and 26, containing a plurality of bars of chewing gum,
wherein these bars of chewing gum contained in the compartments 24,
25 and 26 are available in three different flavours or
formulations, denoted by G1, G2, and G3, corresponding respectively
to the three compartments 24, 25 and 26.
[0055] The zones of folding 15 and 15' are dimensioned to allow the
folding parts 21, 22 and 23 to fold into a book or wallet. That is,
one of the zones of folding, in this example 15', has a width
dimension extending between its two adjacent parts 22, 23 which is
approximately equal to the combined depth of their respective
pockets or compartments 25, 26; and the other of the zones of
folding, in this example 15, has a width dimension extending
between its two adjacent parts 21, 22 which is approximately equal
to the combined depth of all three of the pockets or compartments
24, 25, 26.
[0056] Similarly to the packaging 10, also in the packaging 20 a
folding covering flap 27, is connected along an intermediate zone
of folding 28 to one of the two folding parts which in the closed
configuration of the packaging 20 is on the outside, for example
21, to cover the three parts 21, 22 and 23, in the closed
configuration of the packaging 20. In this closed configuration C,
the covering flap 27 is inserted in a corresponding slot (not
shown) formed on the external surface of the other outside part
22.
[0057] The zone of folding 28 has a dimension extending between the
covering flap 27 and the folding part 21 which is approximately
equal to the combined depth of all three of the pockets or
compartments 24, 25, 26 when the packaging 20 is in the closed
configuration.
[0058] It will be appreciated that the width dimensions of the
zones of folding 15, 15' determine the order in which the folding
parts 21, 22, 23 are folded; and thus, which of the folding parts
21, 22, 23 are on the outside when the packaging 20 is in the
closed configuration. It will also be appreciated that the covering
flap 27 can be connected to either one of the folding parts 21, 22,
23 which is on the outside when the packaging 20 is in the closed
configuration, and that the corresponding slot for receiving the
covering flap 27 is formed on the other of the folding parts 21,
22, 23 which is on the outside.
[0059] Moreover, to complete the information, FIGS. 7A and 7B show
a further variant, denoted by 30, of the packaging which is the
object of the present invention, comprising four folding parts 31,
32, 33 and 34 each one defining a respective compartment 35, 36, 37
and 38, wherein each of these compartments in turn contains a
specific type or flavour of bars of chewing gum C.
[0060] Therefore in this case the packaging 30 contains four
formulations or flavours of bars, denoted by G1, G2, G3 and G4, of
chewing gum G, which are available to be selected and consumed by
the consumer in the respective four compartments 35, 36, 37 and 38
of the packaging 30.
[0061] The folding parts 31, 32, 33, 34 are connected in pairs
along three intermediate zones of folding 15, 15', 15'', and are
foldable one in relation to the other around these zones of folding
15, 15', 15''. The zones of folding 15, 15', 15'' are dimensioned
to allow the folding parts 31, 32, 33, 34 to fold into a book or
wallet. That is, one of the zones of folding, in this example 15',
has a width dimension extending between its two adjacent parts 33,
34 which is approximately equal to the combined depth of their
respective pockets or compartments 33, 34; the second of the zones
of folding, in this example 15'', has a width dimension extending
between its two adjacent parts 32, 33 which is approximately equal
to the combined depth of the three the pockets or compartments 32,
33, 34 which are adjacent the zones of folding 15' and 15''; and
the last of the zones of folding, in this example 15, has a width
dimension extending between its two adjacent parts 31, 32 which is
approximately equal to the combined depth of all four of the
pockets or compartments 31, 32, 33, 34.
[0062] Here too a folding covering flap 39 is connected along an
intermediate zone of folding 38 to one of the two folding parts
which in the closed configuration of the packaging 30 is on the
outside, in this example 31, to cover stably the reciprocally
folding parts 31, 32, 33 and 34 in the closed configuration of the
packaging 30. In this closed configuration C, the covering flap 37
is inserted in a corresponding slot (not shown) formed on the
external surface of the other outside part 32. The zone of folding
38 has a depth dimension extending between the covering flap 37 and
the folding part 31 which is approximately equal to the combined
depth of all four of the pockets or compartments 34, 35, 36, 37
when the packaging 30 is in the closed configuration.
[0063] It will again be appreciated that the width dimensions of
the zones of folding 15, 15', 15'' determine the order in which the
folding parts 31, 32, 33, 34 are folded; and thus, which of the
folding parts 31, 32, 33, 34 are on the outside when the packaging
30 is in the closed configuration. It will also gain be appreciated
that the covering flap 37 can be connected to either one of the
folding parts 31, 32, 33, 34 which is on the outside when the
packaging 30 is in the closed configuration, and that the
corresponding slot for receiving the covering flap 37 is formed on
the other of the folding parts 31, 32, 33, 34 which is on the
outside.
[0064] Moreover the distinctive features which define the different
types of bars or slabs of chewing gum which are contained in the
various compartments of the packaging 10, 20 and 30, can be
different from or complementary in relation to the flavour, and for
example comprise the colour and/or the design of the wrapping of
the bars, or the actual shape of the bars or of the slabs of
chewing gum, so that the consumer, on the basis of these
distinctive features, can easily recognise and identify the type of
bars of chewing gum which he or she wishes to consume.
* * * * *