U.S. patent application number 14/779495 was filed with the patent office on 2016-02-04 for packaging insert.
The applicant listed for this patent is BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (INVESTMENTS) LIMITED. Invention is credited to Paul Hodges, Alfred Vincent Spencer.
Application Number | 20160031634 14/779495 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48326583 |
Filed Date | 2016-02-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160031634 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hodges; Paul ; et
al. |
February 4, 2016 |
Packaging Insert
Abstract
The invention provides a packaging insert containing
individually sealed elongate elements, comprising a first web
having a series of grooves running parallel to its length and a
second web arranged over the grooves of the first web providing a
series of parallel individual pockets each shaped to fit and
containing a single elongate element, a first end of the individual
pockets is sealed, and a second end is temporarily sealed allowing
individual access to each pocket containing a single elongate
element. The invention also provides a method of preparing the
same, and packet containing in it a packaging insert of the
invention.
Inventors: |
Hodges; Paul; (London,
GB) ; Spencer; Alfred Vincent; (London, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (INVESTMENTS) LIMITED |
London |
|
GB |
|
|
Family ID: |
48326583 |
Appl. No.: |
14/779495 |
Filed: |
March 25, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
March 25, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB2014/050928 |
371 Date: |
September 23, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/213.1 ;
206/256; 53/476 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 19/025 20130101;
B65D 85/1081 20130101; B65D 5/54 20130101; B65D 85/1045 20130101;
B65B 9/045 20130101; B65D 5/5078 20130101; B65D 75/367 20130101;
B65D 5/708 20130101; B65B 51/10 20130101; B65D 2575/3218 20130101;
B65D 85/1018 20130101; B65D 75/327 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/10 20060101
B65D085/10; B65B 19/02 20060101 B65B019/02; B65D 75/32 20060101
B65D075/32; B65B 51/10 20060101 B65B051/10; B65D 5/70 20060101
B65D005/70; B65D 5/50 20060101 B65D005/50 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 25, 2013 |
GB |
1305383.0 |
Claims
1. A packaging insert containing individually sealed elongate
elements, comprising a first web having a series of parallel
grooves and a second web arranged over the grooves of the first web
providing a series of parallel individual pockets each shaped to
fit and contain a single elongate element, each first end of the
individual pockets having a first seal, and each second end having
a temporary second seal allowing individual access to each pocket
containing a single elongate element.
2. The packaging insert of claim 1, wherein the grooves of the
first web have a V-shaped cross section or a U-shaped cross
section.
3. The packaging insert of claim 1, wherein the second web has no
grooves.
4. The packaging insert of claim 1, wherein the individual pockets
have a triangular, circular, semi-circular, or hexagonal cross
section.
5. The packaging insert of claim 1, wherein the first web and the
second web both have a series of parallel grooves, the webs are
arranged so that the grooves of the first web face and align with
the grooves of the second web.
6. The packaging insert of claim 5, wherein the first web and the
second web have the same shaped cross section.
7. The packaging insert of claim 1, wherein the first web and the
second web may both have grooves having a three-sided polygonal
shaped cross section, the second web is positioned over the first
web so that the grooves of the second web face and align with the
grooves of the first web resulting in a series of individual
pockets having a hexagonal shaped cross-section each shaped to
contain a single elongate element.
8. The packaging insert of claim 1, wherein the grooves of the
first web and/or the grooves of the second web are equally spaced
along the web.
9. The packaging insert of claim 1, wherein the first web and/or
the second web may be made of one material that is impervious to
water, moisture, and/or air.
10. The packaging insert of claim 1, wherein the first web and/or
the second web comprise a base material and a layer or membrane
that is impervious to water, moisture, and/or air.
11. The packaging insert of claim 1, wherein the first end is
permanently sealed by the first seal.
12. The packaging insert of claim 1, wherein the temporary second
seal comprises perforations arranged so as to allow individual
access to each pocket.
13. The packaging insert of claim 1, wherein the first seal and/or
the temporary second seal comprises a continuous strip of material
positioned over the ends of the individual pockets.
14. The packaging insert of claim 1, wherein the first seal and/or
the second seal is formed by an extension of the second web that
when folded closes the ends of the individual pockets.
15. The packaging insert of claim 1, wherein the first seal and/or
the temporary second seal is the same shape and size as the cross
section of each individual pocket.
16. The packaging insert of claim 1, wherein the temporary second
seal further comprises a tab.
17. The packaging insert of claim 16, wherein the tab is
semi-circular shaped.
18. The packaging insert of claim 1, the packaging insert further
comprising an inert gas in each of the individual pockets.
19. The packaging insert of claim 1, wherein the elongate element
is a smoking article.
20. A method of preparing a packaging insert, the method comprises
providing a series of parallel individual pockets each shaped to
fit and containing a single elongate element, sealing a first end
of each pocket with a first seal, and sealing a second end of each
pocket with a temporary second seal allowing individual access to
each pocket containing a single elongate element.
21. A packaging insert containing individually sealed smoking
articles, comprising a first web having a series of parallel
V-shaped or U-shaped grooves, and a second web having no grooves
arranged over the grooves of the first web providing a series of
parallel individual pockets each shaped to fit and contain a single
smoking article, a first end of the individual pockets has a first
seal, a second end has a temporary second seal comprising a
continuous strip of material arranged over the ends of the
individual pockets, the continuous strip comprising perforations
arranged to allow individual access to each pocket containing a
smoking article.
22. A packaging insert containing individually sealed smoking
articles, comprising a first web having a series of parallel
V-shaped or U-shaped grooves, and a second web having no grooves
arranged over the grooves of the first web providing a series of
parallel individual pockets each shaped to fit and contain a single
smoking article, a first end of the individual pockets has a first
seal, a second end has a temporary second seal formed by an
extension of the second web that when folded covers the ends of the
individual pockets creating a seal.
23. A packaging insert containing individually sealed smoking
articles, comprising a first web having a series of parallel
V-shaped or U-shaped grooves, and a second web having no grooves
arranged over the grooves of the first web providing a series of
parallel individual pockets each shaped to fit and contain a single
smoking article, each first end of the individual pockets has a
first seal, and each second end has a temporary second seal formed
by an extension of the second web that when folded covers the ends
of the individual pockets creating a seal, each temporary second
seal having the same shape and size as the cross section of each
individual pocket.
24. (canceled)
25. A packet for elongate elements comprising within it a packaging
insert as defined in claim 1.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to packaging inserts
containing elongate elements, particularly but not exclusively to
packaging inserts containing smoking articles.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Many variations of packets for elongate elements, such as
smoking articles, are employed. Improvements in these types of
packaging are desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] According to a first aspect, there is provided a packaging
insert containing individually sealed elongate elements, comprising
a first web having a series of parallel grooves and a second web
arranged over the grooves of the first web providing a series of
parallel individual pockets each shaped to fit and hold a single
elongate element, each first end of the individual pockets has a
first seal, and each second end has a temporary second seal
allowing individual access to each pocket containing a single
elongate element.
[0004] The first and second seals cover the respective ends of the
individual pockets providing a series of individually sealed
pockets. The first end may be permanently or temporarily sealed.
The second seal is a temporary seal allowing individual access to
each pocket containing a single elongate element. Providing access
to each pocket individually allows the user to remove a single
elongate element without breaking the seal around any other
elongate element in the packaging insert. Hence, the shelf-life of
the elongate elements remaining in the packaging insert is
increased.
[0005] The individual pockets may have any suitable cross section.
For example, the individual pockets may have a triangular,
circular, semi-circular, or hexagonal cross section.
[0006] The grooves of the first web may have any suitable shaped
cross section so that each groove is shaped to form part of an
individual pocket containing a single elongate element. For
example, the grooves of the first web may have a V-shaped cross
section or a U-shaped cross section. In embodiments in which the
second web has no grooves, V-shaped and U-shaped grooves provide
individual pockets having triangular and semi-circular cross
sections respectively. Alternatively, the grooves of the first web
may have a polygonal shaped cross section such as a three-sided
polygonal shaped cross section. In embodiments in which both the
first web and the second web have three-sided polygonal shaped
cross sections, the resulting individual pockets have a hexagonal
cross section.
[0007] The second web may have no grooves. The second web may
therefore be substantially flat.
[0008] Alternatively, the second web may comprise a series of
parallel grooves. The grooves of the second web may have any
suitable shaped cross section so that each groove is shaped to form
part of an individual pocket. For example, the grooves of the
second web may have a V-shaped cross section or a U-shaped cross
section. Alternatively, the grooves of the second web may have a
polygonal shaped cross section such as a three-sided polygonal
shaped cross section.
[0009] In one embodiment, the first web and the second web both
have a series of parallel grooves, wherein the webs are arranged so
that the grooves of the first web face and align with the grooves
of the second web.
[0010] The grooves of the first web and the second web may have the
same shaped cross section.
[0011] For example, the first web and the second web may both have
grooves having a three-sided polygonal shaped cross section,
wherein the webs are arranged so that the grooves of the second web
face and align with the grooves of the first web resulting in a
series of individual pockets having a hexagon shaped cross-section
each shaped to contain a single elongate element.
[0012] The grooves of the first web and/or the grooves of the
second web may be equally spaced along each web.
[0013] The first and second webs may be made of the same material
or of different materials. Any suitable material may be used
including but not limited to thin walled card. For example, the
first and second webs may be impervious to water, moisture and/or
air. In such circumstances, the first and second webs may be made
of one material that is impervious to water/moisture/air.
Alternatively, the first/second web may comprise any suitable base
material, such as thin walled card, board, film or foil, and
further comprise a layer or membrane that is impervious to water,
moisture and/or air.
[0014] The first and second webs may be joined together. For
example, the first and second webs may be bonded together. Any
suitable bonding means may be employed including but not limited to
adhesive.
[0015] The first web and the second web may be joined together
where the second web contacts with areas between the grooves of the
first web. For example, a first web having grooves and ridges may
be joined to a second web where the second web contacts the ridges
of the first web facing the second web. A first web having grooves
and ridges may be joined to a second web having grooves and ridges
where the ridges of the first web contact the ridges of the second
web facing the first web.
[0016] In the present invention, the individually sealed pockets
are sealed at both ends. In one embodiment, the first end is
permanently sealed.
[0017] The seal at the second end is temporary and may comprise
perforations arranged to allow individual access to each pocket.
Access to each individual pocket is achieved by breaking the
perforations; this in turn allows removal of an elongate element
from the pocket.
[0018] In one embodiment, the temporary seal at the end of each
individual pocket comprises a tab. The tab may provide a part of
the seal that a user can hold to help opening of each temporary
seal and allow access to each individual pocket.
[0019] The seal(s) at one or both ends of the individual pockets
may be formed from a continuous strip of material positioned over
the (open) ends of the individual pockets. The strip may be joined
to the ends of the individual pockets, for example by adhesive.
[0020] The strip may be the same width as the depth of the grooves
of the first web or the same width as the combined depth of the
grooves of the first and second webs (in embodiments in which the
pockets are formed by a first web and a second web both having
grooves that face and align with each other). When the strip of
material is the same width as the grooves, part of the strip
extends beyond the end of the individual pockets providing a tab
for each individual pocket. The tab makes it easier to open the
seal, and allow access to each individual pocket. Alternatively,
the strip may be wider than the ends of the individual pockets.
[0021] The continuous strip may be joined to the end of the
individual pockets by any suitable means including but not limited
to bonding the strip to the ends of the individual pockets. For
example, the continuous strip may be heat bonded to the ends of the
individual pockets.
[0022] Positioning such a continuous strip at the ends of the
individual pockets may create a temporary seal or a permanent seal.
For example, a temporary seal may be created by providing a
continuous strip having a series of perforated lines arranged
lateral to the length of the strip so that perforation of one or
more perforated lines allows access to one individual pocket
containing an elongate element.
[0023] The strip may be made of the same material as the first
and/or second webs, or can be different from the first and/or
second webs. The strip may be made from any suitable material
including but not limited to thin walled card, foil, opaque foil,
or plastic such as transparent or translucent plastic. In some
embodiments, the seal is impervious to water, moisture and/or
air.
[0024] Alternatively, the seal at one or both ends of the
individual pockets is formed by an extension of the second web that
is folded such that it covers the ends of the individual pockets
creating a seal. Such a seal may be possible when the second web
has no grooves. For example, the second web may be folded along an
axis running along the ends of the individual pockets.
[0025] To provide such an arrangement, the width of the first web
may be less than the width of the second web, such that the width
of the second web extends beyond the width of the first web,
providing an additional width of second web in relation to the
first web. The second web is then folded such that the additional
width of the second web is positioned over one end of the series of
individual pockets containing elongate elements thereby sealing one
end of the individual pockets. The individual pockets may be sealed
in this way at one end or both ends.
[0026] The seals may be of any suitable shape including but not
limited to semicircular, triangular, and hexagonal. For example, a
seal may be the same shape and size as the end of each individual
pocket. Alternatively, the seal has a size greater than the end of
each individual pocket. Each seal would therefore overlap the end
of each pocket providing an easy way of removing a temporary seal
from the end of an individual pocket.
[0027] In the context of a temporary seal, the extension of the
second web may further comprise a series of perforations that
extend from the edge(s) of each individual pocket (where the first
web joins the second web). The perforations are arranged to allow
access to each individual pocket when the perforations are broken
and to allow removal of an elongate element from each pocket.
[0028] Any kind of temporary seal may further comprise a tab. A tab
facilitates the opening of a seal from the end of the pockets and
allows the user to gain access to an elongate element inside each
pocket.
[0029] A tab may be of any suitable shape including but not limited
to semicircular.
[0030] Any individually sealed elongate element/smoking article may
further benefit from being stored in an inert atmosphere.
Accordingly, in one embodiment, the packaging inserts of the
present invention further comprise an inert gas in each of the
individual pockets. For example, an individual pocket may further
comprise an inert gas such as nitrogen. The inert gas may be added
during the preparation of the packaging insert. In some
circumstances, it may be appropriate to add the inert gas under
positive pressure. Adding an inert gas may take place before,
during and/or after the elongate elements/smoking articles are fed
to the grooves/pockets.
[0031] According to a second aspect, the invention provides a
method of preparing a packaging insert of the present invention,
the method comprises providing a series of parallel individual
pockets each shaped to fit and containing a single elongate
element, sealing a first end of each pocket, and sealing a second
end of each pocket with a temporary seal allowing individual access
to each pocket containing a single elongate element.
[0032] In one embodiment, the elongate article is a smoking
article.
[0033] The step of sealing one or both ends of the individual
pockets may comprise positioning a continuous strip along the
(open) ends of the individual pockets and joining the strip to the
pockets creating a seal.
[0034] The strip may be the same width as the depth of the grooves
of the first web or the same width as the combined depth of the
grooves of the first and second webs (in embodiments in which the
pockets are formed by a first web and a second web both having
grooves that face and align with each other).
[0035] Joining the continuous strip to the end of the individual
pockets may be carried out in any suitable way including but not
limited to bonding the strip to the ends of the individual pockets.
For example, the continuous strip may be heat bonded to the ends of
the individual pockets.
[0036] Positioning such a continuous strip at the ends of the
individual pockets may create a temporary seal or a permanent seal.
For example, a temporary seal may be created by providing a
continuous strip having a series of perforated lines arranged
lateral to the length of the strip so that perforation of one or
more perforated lines allows access to one individual pocket
containing an elongate element.
[0037] The strip may be made of the same material as the first
and/or second webs, or can be different from the first and/or
second webs. The strip may be made from any suitable material
including but not limited to thin walled card, foil, opaque foil,
or plastic such as transparent or translucent plastic. In some
embodiments, the seal is impervious to water, moisture and/or
air.
[0038] Alternatively, the step of sealing one or both ends of the
individual pockets may comprise folding part of the second web such
that it covers the ends of the pockets creating a seal. Such a step
may be possible when the second web has no grooves and no ridges,
and has a width greater than the width of the first web. The second
web may be folded along an axis running in the direction of travel
of the second web.
[0039] For example, the width of the first web may be less than the
width of the second web, such that the width of the second web
extends beyond the width of the first web, providing an additional
width of second web in relation to the first web. The second web is
then folded such that the additional width of the second web is
positioned over one end of the series of individual pockets
containing elongate elements thereby sealing one end of the
individual pockets. The individual pockets may be sealed in this
way at one end or both ends.
[0040] The steps above may create a permanent seal or a temporary
seal.
[0041] The series of parallel individual pockets formed from a
first web and a second web as defined may be prepared by any
conventional method. For example, the first web having grooves may
be arranged with the second web to form the individual pockets
before the elongate elements are positioned in the pockets.
Alternatively, the elongate elements may be positioned in the
grooves of the first web before the second web is arranged with the
first web to provide a series of individual pockets each containing
a single elongate element.
[0042] A suitable method is described in United Kingdom patent
application no. GB1305383.0 which is hereby incorporated by
reference.
[0043] According to a third aspect, the invention provides a
packet, such as a cigarette packet, containing within it a
packaging insert according to the first aspect of the
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0044] FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the present invention and in
particular illustrates one example of how the individual pockets of
the packaging insert may be sealed.
[0045] FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the present
invention and in particular illustrates an alternative example of
how the individual pockets of the packaging insert may be
sealed.
[0046] FIGS. 3a and 3b show alternative embodiments of the present
invention and in particular illustrate alternative examples of how
the individual pockets of the packaging insert may be sealed.
[0047] FIG. 4 shows an example of a packaging insert of the present
invention in a rolled configuration having individual pockets that
are sealed.
[0048] FIGS. 5a and 5b show examples of packaging inserts in a
triangular configuration having individually sealed pockets.
[0049] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the present invention
including an example of a method useful in preparing the same.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0050] It is desirable to package elongate elements in a manner
that provides protection from bending and/or crushing during
transportation and/or storage of the elements. It is also desirable
to package elongate elements, in particular smoking articles, in a
manner that improves customer experience both during the opening
and withdrawing of the element from its container and preserving
the element for longer in its desired state ready for use. In this
respect, a packaging insert may be employed that retains one or
more elongate elements and improves the protection provided by the
packaging as a whole. Such a packaging insert may then be
incorporated into a package.
[0051] Elongate elements may be, but are not limited to, any
cylindrical article. Examples of suitable elongate elements include
but are not limited to smoking articles and electronic cigarettes.
As used herein, the term "smoking article" includes smokeable
products such as cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos whether based on
tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted
tobacco or tobacco substitutes and also heat-not-burn products. The
smoking article may be provided with a filter for the gaseous flow
drawn by the smoker. Other suitable elongate elements include any
delicate or degradable items such as but not limited to halogen
bulbs and glass ampules. Glass test-tubes containing one, two,
three or more smoking articles may also be appropriate.
[0052] In the following examples, the invention is described in the
context of packaging inserts containing smoking articles, although
the invention should not to be viewed as limited as such. The
packaging inserts of the invention are applicable to any suitable
elongate element.
[0053] The invention provides a packaging insert having
individually sealed pockets containing elongate elements. In the
context of smoking articles, complete sealing of each individual
pocket in this way provides a way of keeping the smoking article in
an optimised environment to which it is best suited. In particular,
the state of the smoking article just after manufacture may be
maintained. Environmental factors such as moisture and humidity can
adversely affect a smoking article over time. Most importantly, a
smoking article comprising tobacco that is packaged in an
individually sealed pocket can avoid moisture loss and therefore
retain its ideal moisture content. Sealing the individual pockets
containing a smoking article helps avoid the negative effects such
environmental factors can cause. By preserving the individual
smoking articles in their own individual pocket/environment until
they are smoked allows each smoking article to be at its optimised
and intended state when it is smoked. Smoking articles that have
been left for a period of time in an unsealed packet during which
time they have been subjected to varying humidity and other
environmental conditions, can when smoked lead to a harsher taste
and hence a degraded smoking experience.
[0054] Furthermore, the packaging inserts of the present invention
provide a way of extending the life of an elongate element product,
such as a smoking article, without requiring plastic wrappers.
Avoiding the use of such wrappers has a beneficial environmental
impact. The packaging inserts of the present invention can reduce
the amount of non-recyclable materials (e.g. plastic wrappers)
employed in the package as a whole and employ materials that are
easier to recycle.
[0055] FIG. 1 shows the preparation of a packaging insert according
to one embodiment of the present invention. The packaging insert
comprises a series of individual pockets 54 formed by a first web
51 having grooves and a second web 52 (which is shown in FIG. 1 as
having no grooves). Each pocket contains a single smoking article
53. FIG. 1 illustrates one possible method of preparing such a
packaging insert although any suitable method is applicable. In the
exemplified method, to the series of individual pockets 54 are
supplied two continuous strips 55 which are positioned over each
end of the individual pockets 54. The resulting arrangement is then
fed to a means 58 of heat sealing the continuous strip 55 to the
ends of the individual pockets 54 to provide seals at each end of
the individual pockets 54. Although it will be appreciated that
other means of bonding the continuous strips to the ends of the
pockets are possible.
[0056] The seals shown on the near side of FIG. 1 have perforations
56 arranged so that each individual pocket containing a smoking
article can be accessed independently. In FIG. 5, each strip has
equally spaced perforations 56 arranged so that breaking one or
more perforations 56, for example a pair of adjacent perforations
56, allows access to one individual pocket 54 containing a single
smoking article 53. A single smoking article may then be removed
from an individual pocket. The strip 55 is arranged at the end of
the individual pockets 54 so that the perforations 56 align with
the edges of the pockets 54.
[0057] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the invention in which
a strip 55 is arranged at each end of the individual pockets 54.
However, in an alternative, the strip 55 may be arranged at just
one end of the individual pockets. Likewise, in one embodiment the
individual pockets may be permanently sealed at the far end shown
in FIG. 5 by any suitable means, for example by using a continuous
strip that does not have perforations.
[0058] In general however a strip may be joined to the end of a
series of individual pockets in any suitable way. For example, FIG.
2 shows an alternative packaging insert of the present invention in
which a continuous strip 61 is arranged at one end of the
individual pockets 60 each containing a single smoking article (not
shown). The strip of sealing material 61 may be joined to the ends
of the individual pockets by any suitable means, for example using
an adhesive.
[0059] The strip of sealing material 61 shown in FIG. 2 also has
equally spaced perforations 62 arranged to allow access to each
individual pocket 60. The perforations may be broken to allow
access to each individual pocket and to allow a smoking article to
be removed. The perforations 62 align with the beginning and end of
one pocket and the next. As a result, breaking one or more
perforations, for example breaking a pair of adjacent perforations
62, allows access to one individual pocket 60 containing a single
smoking article (not shown).
[0060] As explained above, the temporary seals of the present
invention may further comprise a tab. A seal with a tab provides
improved access to each smoking article positioned in each
individual pocket. For example, the strip 61 shown in FIG. 2 has a
tab 63 located between every pair of perforations 62. The tab 63
provides an effective 30 way of pulling the seal 61 away from the
end of each individual pocket 60, thus breaking a pair of adjacent
perforations 62 and allowing access to a smoking article.
[0061] Alternatively, a seal may be incorporated into a packaging
insert as illustrated in FIGS. 3a and 3b. FIGS. 3a and 3b show a
packaging insert 71 comprising a series of parallel individual
pockets 72 each pocket containing a single smoking article 73. The
packaging insert is made up of two webs. The first web 75 has
grooves having a V-shaped cross section and the second web 74 has
no grooves (is flat). Although it will be appreciated that other
cross sections could be suitable in the exemplified arrangement.
The second web 74 is wider than the first web 75 and therefore a
portion of the second web 74 extends beyond the end of each pocket
72 containing a smoking article 73. The extension of the second web
74 is folded along an axis 76 (shown in FIG. 3a) running along the
ends of the individual pockets 72. When folded (as shown by the
arrows in FIGS. 3a and 3b), the extension of the second web 74
provides a seal 77 over the ends of the individual pockets 72. Each
individual pocket can then be opened as shown in FIG. 3b by pulling
the seal 77 away from the end of individual pocket 72 and allowing
access to the smoking article 73 contained within it. The seals 77
illustrated in FIGS. 3a and 3b also include a tab 78. The tab 78
extends further beyond the end of the individual pockets providing
a grip with which the user can open a single individual pocket. As
discussed above, the packaging inserts of the present invention do
not need to include a tab. In fact, the arrangement illustrated in
FIGS. 7a and 7b is also useful without the tables 78. It is seen
that without the tab the extension of the second web that forms the
seal at the end of the individual pockets also extends beyond the
openings of the individual pockets. This could also be used to help
pull the seal away and allow access to the individual pockets.
[0062] FIGS. 4, 5a and 5b illustrate other ways in which seals can
be added to a packaging insert. For example, FIG. 4 shows a
packaging insert 80 comprising a first web 81 having grooves and a
second web 82 which together provide a series of individual pockets
84 each pocket 84 containing a single smoking article 83. Although
not essential, the packaging insert 80 of FIG. 8 is shown in a
rolled configuration. Each individual pocket 84 also has a seal 85
attached to one end allowing access to each smoking article 83 in
each pocket 84. The seal 85 in FIG. 8 also comprises a tab 86 to
facilitate removal of the seal 85 from the end of the pocket 84. In
particular, the seal 85 is shaped to match the cross section shape
of the individual pockets 84. In this case, both are essentially
triangular, although other cross sections such as semi-circular,
hexagonal would also be appropriate.
[0063] FIGS. 5a and 5b show packaging inserts 90 according to
embodiments of the present invention. The packaging inserts 90
comprise a first web 91 having grooves and a second web 92 arranged
so as to provide a series of individual pockets 94, each pocket
containing a single smoking article 93. The second web 92 in both
cases has no grooves. In FIG. 5a the grooves of the first web 91
have a V-shaped cross section, whereas in FIG. 5b they have a
U-shaped cross section. The individual pockets 94 each have a seal
95 that covers one end of the pockets 94. In both cases the shape
of the seal 95 corresponds to the shape of the cross section of the
individual pockets 94. In these Figures, the seals 95 shown are the
temporary seals and may be pulled away to allow access to the
smoking articles 93 contained within them. Furthermore, the seals
95 of FIGS. 5a and 5b further comprise a tab 96 to help remove of
the seals 95 from the ends of the pockets 94.
[0064] FIGS. 5a and 5b also illustrate how the packaging inserts of
the present invention may be modified into different
configurations. For example, the packaging inserts 90 of FIGS. 5a
and 5b are both folded into triangular configurations. However, in
FIG. 5a the packaging insert 90 is folded such that the individual
pockets 94 are located on the inside of the triangular
configuration, whereas in FIG. 5b the packing insert 90 is folded
such that the individual pockets 94 are located on the outside of
the triangular configuration.
[0065] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the invention and a method of
preparing the same. A first web 131 is provided having grooves 134
shaped for receiving a smoking article 133. In FIG. 6, a continuous
supply of a first web 131 is provided and fed to a means (not
shown) for shaping the first web 131 into a groove shaped for
receiving a single smoking article 133. For example, the first web
131 may be shaped using a vacuum mould. A continuous supply of
smoking articles 133 is provided and the smoking articles 133 are
positioned in the grooves. The first web 131 is arranged with a
second web 132 (having no grooves). A continuous supply of a second
web 132 is provided over the smoking articles 133 located in the
grooves 134 of the first web resulting in a series of parallel
individual pockets 135 each containing a single smoking article
133. The second web 132 shown in FIG. 6 is made of a transparent
material, although it will be appreciated that any suitable
material may be employed. The first web 131 may also optionally be
made of a transparent material although it will be appreciated that
the first web 131 may be made of any suitable material.
[0066] In FIG. 6, it is also possible to use a first web 131 is
used that is wider (in a lateral direction relative to the
direction of travel of the first web 131) than the second web 132.
The first web 131 would therefore extend beyond the width of the
second web 132 providing an additional width of the first web 131.
The additional width of the first web 131 may then be positioned
over the ends of the individual pockets 134 creating a seal. In
practice, this method of sealing the ends of the pockets may be
carried out at one end or both ends of the individual pockets.
[0067] In order to address various issues and advance the art, the
entirety of this disclosure shows by way of illustration various
embodiments in which the claimed invention(s) may be practiced and
provide for superior packaging inserts containing elongate
elements. The advantages and features of the disclosure are of a
representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive
and/or exclusive. They are presented only to assist in
understanding and teach the claimed features. It is to be
understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions,
features, structures, and/or other aspects of the disclosure are
not to be considered limitations on the disclosure as defined by
the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that
other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made
without departing from the scope and/or spirit of the disclosure.
Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist
essentially of, various combinations of the disclosed elements,
components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. In addition, the
disclosure includes other inventions not presently claimed, but
which may be claimed in future.
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