U.S. patent application number 17/554555 was filed with the patent office on 2022-04-07 for container for consumer goods with reclosable flap.
This patent application is currently assigned to JT International S.A.. The applicant listed for this patent is JT International S.A.. Invention is credited to Tim Collins, Gabriela Greco, Jurgen Kumpel.
Application Number | 20220106097 17/554555 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-04-07 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20220106097 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Collins; Tim ; et
al. |
April 7, 2022 |
Container For Consumer Goods With Reclosable Flap
Abstract
A container for consumer goods, such as smoking articles,
includes an outer housing with a hinged lid that houses an inner
package of consumer goods. The inner package has an access opening
through which consumer goods can be removed and that is covered by
a reclosable flap, which is attached to a first lid panel that is
relatively movable to a second lid panel throughout rotation of the
lid between lid open and dosed positions. Blanks for forming the
outer housing and a method of forming the container are also
provided.
Inventors: |
Collins; Tim; (Surrey,
GB) ; Greco; Gabriela; (Ch ne-Bourg, CH) ;
Kumpel; Jurgen; (Konz, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
JT International S.A. |
Geneva |
|
CH |
|
|
Assignee: |
JT International S.A.
Geneva
CH
|
Appl. No.: |
17/554555 |
Filed: |
December 17, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16498781 |
Sep 27, 2019 |
11214421 |
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PCT/EP2018/057027 |
Mar 20, 2018 |
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17554555 |
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International
Class: |
B65D 75/58 20060101
B65D075/58; B65D 85/10 20060101 B65D085/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 27, 2017 |
EP |
17163184.9 |
Claims
1. A container for consumer goods, comprising: an outer housing
comprising a hinged lid rotatable between an open position and a
closed position, the hinged lid comprising an outer front panel, a
first inner lid panel, and a second inner lid panel; and an inner
package of consumer goods within the outer housing defining an
access opening through which consumer goods can be removed, the
access opening being covered by a reclosable flap, wherein the
first inner lid panel is connected to the outer front panel and the
second inner lid panel, and wherein the reclosable flap is attached
to the first inner lid panel such that the first inner lid panel
moves relative to the outer front panel and the second inner lid
panel when the hinged lid is moved between the open and closed
positions.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein the first inner lid panel is
hingedly connected to the second inner lid panel.
3. The container of claim 1, wherein the first inner lid panel is
completed surrounded by the outer front panel and the second inner
lid panel.
4. The container of claim 3, wherein the first inner lid panel is
connected to the outer front panel by one or more breakable
connections.
5. The container of claim 1, wherein the reclosable flap and the
first inner lid panel cooperate to generate a biasing force on the
hinged lid.
6. The container of claim 1, wherein the first inner lid panel
rotates about a rotation axis and relative to the second inner lid
panel throughout movement of the lid between the open and closed
positions.
7. The container of claim 1, further comprising an inner frame
positioned inside the inner package.
8. The container of claim 7, wherein the first inner lid panel
comprises an edge that is configured to pivotally contact the inner
package or the inner frame during movement of the lid between the
open and closed positions.
9. The container of claim 1, wherein, in the closed position, the
reclosable flap and the inner package are arranged to engage one
another around a periphery of the access opening at a coupling
region, the coupling region having a resealable adhesive to
releasably affix the reclosable flap to the inner package.
10. The container of claim 1, wherein the reclosable flap is
attached to the inner package and is movable relative to the inner
package about a hinge line.
11. The container of claim 1, wherein the reclosable flap extends
beyond a periphery of the access opening when the hinged lid is in
the closed position.
12. A method of forming a container for consumer goods, comprising
the steps of: providing an inner package of consumer goods
comprising an access opening through which consumer goods can be
removed, the access opening being coverable by a reclosable flap;
folding a blank about the inner package to form an outer housing
with a hinged lid, the hinged lid including a first inner lid panel
connected to both an outer front panel and a second inner lid
panel; attaching the reclosable flap to the first inner lid panel
of the hinged lid, wherein the step of folding the blank comprises
a step of forming the hinged lid to be rotatable between open and
closed positions which in turn causes the first inner lid panel to
move relative to the outer front panel and the second inner lid
panel.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of forming the hinged
lid comprises forming the first inner lid panel to be rotatable
about an axis formed at a junction between the first inner lid
panel and the second inner lid panel.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of forming the hinged
lid comprises completely surrounding the first inner lid panel by
the outer front panel and the second inner lid panel.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of forming the hinged
lid comprises initially coupling the first inner lid panel to the
outer front panel by one or more breakable connections designed to
break during movement of the first inner lid panel relative to the
outer front panel.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of forming the hinged
lid comprises forming the one or more breakable connections along
edges of the first inner lid panel that are inclined with respect
to the axis.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of forming the hinged
lid comprises forming the one or more breakable connections at a
distance of at least 0.3 mm from the axis.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein the one or more breakable
connections are provided substantially symmetrically with respect
to the first inner lid panel.
19. The method of claim 15, wherein the one or more breakable
connections are each formed to have a width that is between about
0.2 mm and about 0.5 mm.
20. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of forming the hinged
lid does not comprises applying permanent adhesive to fix the first
inner lid panel to any other lid panel.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 16/498,781, which is a national phase entry under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn. 371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2018/057027,
filed on Mar. 20, 2018, which claims priority to European Patent
Application No. 17163184.9 filed Mar. 27, 2017, the disclosures of
which are each incorporated herein by reference in their
entireties.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a container for consumer
goods, in particular a container for smoking articles.
[0003] Some cigarette containers comprise a rigid outer housing and
a sealed inner package within which cigarettes are contained, such
as described in WO 2008/142540. Those containers have a resealable
extraction opening in the inner sealed package selectively covered
by a cover flap. The cover flap is connected to a hinged lid so
that opening and closing the lid simultaneously opens and closes
the cover flap over the resealable extraction opening. The cover
flap is fixed to the inner package using an adhesive which extends
about the whole of the extraction opening so that the cover flap
can be detached from the inner package and fixed back again. This
can allow the cover flap to seal cigarettes within the inner
package when the lid is closed.
[0004] With those conventional pack structures, it is challenging
to select a bonding strength of the adhesive surfaces adequate for
a high quality sealing throughout the life of the container and
that allows opening the lid, especially when the container is
opened for the first time. If too strong, first opening causes
damage to the lid, especially at the hinge and side panels, and, if
too weak, attachment of the cover flap to the inner package fails
and could even rub off after a number of openings. Further, such a
selection has to be done for each combination of cover flap and
inner package material or texture.
[0005] Several solutions to this problem have been proposed based
on a reduction of the effective adhesion area. These solutions are
still found unsatisfactory for they are complex and still dependent
on the adhering surfaces, thus, only partially addressing the
problem.
[0006] Another problem identified in these containers is that, once
some cigarettes are removed from the inner package, repositioning
of the cover flap to the inner package is notoriously less precise,
even causing reattachment problems. To solve this problem there
have been attempts to use either more complex, and therefore
costly, materials, especially for the cover flap, or to rigidise
the inner package, for example, by using stiff inner frames located
under the sealed package and that surround the cigarettes almost
entirely. These solutions are still unsatisfactory as they are more
costly and increase manufacturing complexity.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide an
improved container for consumer goods with a reclosable flap.
Another object of the invention is to provide a blank for forming
an outer housing of the improved container.
[0008] A first aspect of the invention refers to a container for
consumer goods, such as smoking articles, having an outer housing
with a hinged lid that houses an inner package of consumer goods.
The inner package has an access opening through which consumer
goods can be removed and that is covered by a reclosable flap. The
reclosable flap is attached to a first lid panel that is relatively
movable to a second lid panel throughout rotation of the lid
between lid open and closed positions. By providing a first lid
panel relatively movable to a second lid panel throughout lid
movement between the open and closed positions, and attaching the
reclosable flap to the first, movable panel, the reliability of
closing the access opening with the reclosable flap is enhanced
throughout the life of the container.
[0009] The reclosable flap and the first lid panel may be arranged
to generate a biasing force on the hinged lid. The biasing force
may be generated in favour or against lid movement between the open
and closed positions, in one or both senses. The biasing force may
be generated to initially oppose lid movement and subsequently
favour lid movement.
[0010] The reclosable flap and the movable panel may be arranged to
generate a biasing force towards the open position when the lid is
moved from the closed position towards the open position. By
arranging the reclosable flap and the movable panel to generate
such biasing force during lid opening, lid opening is eased.
[0011] The reclosable flap and the movable panel may be arranged to
generate a biasing force towards the closed position when the lid
is moved from the closed position towards the open position. By
arranging the reclosable flap and the movable panel to generate
such biasing force during lid opening, inadvertent lid opening is
prevented, particularly when the container is held in a bag or
pocket.
[0012] The reclosable flap and the movable panel may be arranged to
generate a biasing force towards the closed position when the lid
is moved from the open position towards the closed position. By
arranging the reclosable flap and the movable panel to generate a
biasing force towards the closed position during lid closing, lid
closing is eased.
[0013] The reclosable flap and the movable panel may be arranged to
generate a biasing force towards the open position when the lid is
moved from the open position towards the closed position. By
arranging the reclosable flap and the movable panel to generate
such biasing force, a user has to apply an additional force to
close the lid. As a result, the user is reassured that the lid is
firmly closed.
[0014] In some embodiments, the first lid panel may be rotatable
about the second lid panel about a rotation axis, in which case a
biasing force may be generated by a lever effect. The biasing force
may assist lid opening and/or lid closing. Alternatively, or in
addition, the biasing force may prevent inadvertent lid opening
and/or lid closing.
[0015] For example, the first lid panel may be hingedly connected
(e.g. by a crease line) to the second lid panel. In a particularly
preferred example, an edge of the rotatable panel, which may be
opposite the rotation axis of the first lid panel, is in pivoting
contact with the inner package throughout a part of the movement of
the lid between the open and closed positions. The pivoting contact
occurs between the closed position of the lid and an intermediate,
stable position, after which the pivoting contact ceases.
Preferably, the access opening is covered by the reclosable flap in
the intermediate position.
[0016] In such configuration, the rotatable panel and the
reclosable flap oppose lid opening over the first few degrees of
opening, thereby preventing inadvertent lid opening, especially
when the container is in a bag or pocket. Further rotation of the
lid towards the open position causes the rotatable panel to come
into pivoting contact with the inner package and to pivot about the
pivoting edge. As a result, the rotatable panel locally pulls the
reclosable flap away from the inner package, thereby reducing the
necessary force required to pull apart the reclosable flap from the
inner package.
[0017] The rotatable panel extends the reclosable flap reach in the
open position and tensions the reclosable flap during lid closing,
thereby ensuring the precise repositioning of the reclosable flap
against the inner package. During lid closing, the pivoting edge of
the rotatable panel comes into contact with the inner package at a
stop motion position. By applying an additional force, the
rotatable panel overcomes the stop motion position and pivots about
the pivoting edge to the lid closed position without requiring an
additional force. Therefore, a user is reassured that the container
is positively closed by this tactile feedback and snapping
effect.
[0018] The first lid panel may have a length, measured from its
rotation axis to an opposite edge, of at least 6 mm, for example of
at least 7 mm. This aids attachment of the reclosable flap to the
first lid panel, especially when a permanent adhesive is used for
that purpose.
[0019] The first lid panel may have a length, measured from its
rotation axis to an opposite edge, of no more than 12 mm, for
example of no more than 10 mm, such as of about 9 mm. By limiting
the length of the first lid panel, risk of damaging the panel
during lid opening and closing (e.g. by bending) is reduced,
thereby broadening material selection options.
[0020] In some embodiments the relative movement of the movable
panel is rotation. In a preferred embodiment, the first lid panel
rotates about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the lid.
In other embodiments, though, the relative movement of the movable
panel is translation, for example, in a direction substantially
perpendicular to the inner package. In yet further embodiments, the
relative movement of the movable panel is a combination of rotation
and translation.
[0021] In some embodiments, the first lid panel may be initially
fixed relative to the second lid panel. By providing an initial
relative fixation of the first and second lid panels, the first lid
panel is not relatively movable to the second lid panel during
manufacturing and only becomes movable once the one or more
breakable connections are ruptured, which occurs when the container
is opened for the first time as the reclosable flap is attached to
the first lid panel. This eases attachment of the reclosable flap
to the first lid panel during manufacturing and prevents possible
machine jams.
[0022] For example, the first lid panel may be relatively movable
to the second lid panel after a breakable connection has been
broken. In one particularly preferred example, the first lid panel
is connected by one or more breakable connections to a third lid
panel.
[0023] The one or more breakable or rupturable connections may be
formed in different manners. For example, the first and third lid
panels may be connected by a line of weakness, which can be
continuous or discontinuous. In some examples, the first and third
lid panels are connected by a row of perforations. In other
examples, the first and third lid panels are connected by a score
line with a suitable depth. For example, the depth of the score
line can be of about 80% of the thickness of the first and third
lid panels, such as of about 90% of the thickness of the first and
third lid panels. In yet another example, the first lid panel is
partially die cut from the third lid panel, leaving one or more
connecting notches.
[0024] The container may also include an inner frame, for example a
U-shaped inner frame having a front wall and a pair of opposed side
walls. In some embodiments the inner frame may be provided inside
the inner package surrounding a portion of the consumer goods. In
other embodiments, the inner frame is provided between the outer
housing and the inner package. By providing an inner frame, the
rigidity of the container is increased, which further contributes
to increase the reliability of the closing of the access
opening.
[0025] In a preferred embodiment, in the closed position, the
reclosable flap and the inner package are provided next to one
another around the periphery of the access opening at a coupling
region, the coupling region having a resealable adhesive to
releasably affix the inner package and the reclosable flap.
[0026] The reclosable flap may be attached to the inner package so
as to be movable relative to the inner package about a hinge line.
In some embodiments, the reclosable flap may be attached to the
outer surface of the inner package so that it covers the access
opening in the inner package. In such case, the reclosable flap
preferably extends beyond the periphery of the access opening.
[0027] In other embodiments, the reclosable flap is defined by a
cut line or a line of weakness in the outer surface of the inner
package that covers the access opening. In such case, an adhesive
label may be adhered to the inner surface of the inner package in a
portion where the reclosable flap overlies the adhesive label and
the access opening may be provided in the adhesive label, for
example, by a cut-out or a line of weakness, or a cut line, that
defines a flap that covers the access opening.
[0028] The inner package may be formed of metal foil, metallised
paper or a plastics film. The inner package material may be formed
as a laminate of a metallised plastics film, such as metallised
polyethylene film or metallised polypropylene, and a liner
material. In addition, the inner package material may be provided
with a print-receptive top coating.
[0029] The reclosable flap may be formed of, for example, high
density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE),
biaxially oriented polyproplyene (BOPP), nylon, polystyrene,
cellulosic films, such as cellophane.RTM. and cellulose acetate,
polyvinylchloride (PVC), paper, polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
and mixtures of the foregoing.
[0030] Preferably, the consumer goods are smoking articles.
However, the container may be suitable for a variety of consumer
goods, such as confectionary, dry foodstuff, or the like.
[0031] The container is preferably a rectangular parallelepiped
comprising two wider walls spaced apart by two narrower walls with
right-angled longitudinal and right-angled transverse edges.
Alternatively, the container may comprise one or more rounded
longitudinal edges, rounded transverse edges, bevelled longitudinal
edges or bevelled transverse edges, or combinations thereof.
[0032] The container may be formed from any suitable materials
including, but not limited to, cardboard, paperboard, plastic,
metal, or combinations thereof. Preferably, the outer housing is
formed from one or more folded laminar cardboard blanks and,
preferably, the cardboard has a weight of between about 230
g/m.sup.2 and about 350 g/m.sup.2. In some examples, the cardboard
has a weight of at least 250 g/m.sup.2, for example of about 270
g/m.sup.2.
[0033] When the container has dimensions similar to those of a
conventional smoking article container, the hinge line is located
preferably at a distance of the top, back edge of the container of
12 mm or less, such as 10 mm or less, for example of about 8
mm.
[0034] Once filled, containers according to the invention may be
shrink wrapped or otherwise over wrapped with a transparent
polymeric film of, for example, high or low density polyethylene,
polypropylene, oriented polypropylene, polyvinylidene chloride,
cellulose film, or combinations thereof in a conventional manner.
Where containers according to the invention are over wrapped, the
over wrapper may include one or more tear tapes. In addition, the
over wrapper may be printed with images, consumer information or
other data.
[0035] As used herein, the terms "front", "back", "upper", "lower",
"top", "bottom" and "side" refer to the relative positions of
portions of containers according to the invention and components
thereof when the container is in an upright position with the lid
of the outer housing in the closed position and the hinge line at
the back of the container.
[0036] The term "longitudinal" refers to a direction from bottom to
top or vice versa. The term "transverse" refers to a direction
perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.
[0037] The term "inner surface" is used throughout the
specification to refer to the surface of a component of the
assembled container that is facing towards the interior of the
container, for example towards the consumer goods, when the
container is in the closed position. The term "outer surface" is
used throughout the specification to refer to the surface of a
component of the container that is facing towards the exterior of
the container.
[0038] The term "permanent adhesive" is used throughout the present
specification to refer to a generally high tack adhesive capable of
forming a reliable and secure connection between two substrates
such that the two substrates do not become substantially separated
during the normal and intended use of the container. In fact,
separation of two substrates affixed to one another by means of a
permanent adhesive would typically cause some undesirable damage
(e.g. tearing) to one or both substrates involved.
[0039] The term "resealable adhesive" is used throughout the
present specification to describe a generally low tack, removable
adhesive capable of forming connection between two substrates such
that the two substrates can be repeatedly separated and re-attached
to one another.
[0040] A second aspect of the invention refers to a blank for
forming the outer housing of the container of the first aspect of
the invention. The blank has box and lid portions, the lid portion
having first, second and third panels. The first panel is hingedly
connected to the second panel and is also connected to the third
panel by one or more breakable connections. By providing a hinged
connection between the first and second panels and one or more
breakable connections between the first and third panels, the first
panel can be movilised by breaking the one or more connections with
the third panel and become rotatable to the second panel. This
eases attachment of the reclosable flap to the first lid panel
during manufacturing and prevents possible machine jams.
[0041] A third aspect of the invention refers to a blank for
forming the outer housing of the container of the first aspect of
the invention. The blank has box and lid portions, the lid portion
having first, second and third panels. The second panel is
connected to the first and third panels, the first panel being
surrounded by the second and third panels.
[0042] According to yet another aspect, the invention also provides
a method of forming a container for consumer goods. The method
includes the steps of providing an inner package of consumer goods
comprising an access opening through which consumer goods can be
removed, the access opening being covered by a reclosable flap;
providing a blank and folding it about the inner package for
forming an outer housing with a hinged lid; and attaching the
reclosable flap to a first lid panel of the hinged lid. The step of
forming the outer housing from the blank comprises a step of
forming the hinged lid in a way such that the first lid panel can
move relative to a second lid panel when the container is in
use.
[0043] In some embodiments, the step of forming the hinged lid
comprises not applying permanent adhesive to fix the first lid
panel to any other lid panel. By not providing permanent adhesive
to fix the first lid panel to any other lid panel, the first lid
panel is movable with respect to the second lid panel.
[0044] In some embodiments, the step of forming the hinged lid
comprises folding the first lid panel against the second lid panel
without permanently adhering the first and second lid panels. In
other words, the first lid panel may be folded against the second
lid panel, but no permanent adhesive may be provided between the
first and second lid panels.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0045] The invention will be further described, by way of example
only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0046] FIG. 1 shows a container of the present invention in a lid
open position;
[0047] FIG. 2 shows a detail of the container of FIG. 1;
[0048] FIG. 3 shows the container of FIG. 1 with the lid in an
intermediate position;
[0049] FIGS. 4A and 4B show a first embodiment of a blank for
forming an outer housing of the present invention, the one in FIG.
4A without breakable connections, the one in FIG. 4B showing a
preferred embodiment with breakable connections;
[0050] FIGS. 5 and 6 show, respectively, second and third
embodiments of a blank for forming an outer housing of the present
invention;
[0051] FIGS. 7A and 7B show two different embodiments of a blank
for forming an inner package of the present invention;
[0052] FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a blank for forming an inner
frame of the present invention; and
[0053] FIG. 9 shows a system for forming an inner package of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0054] The hinge lid container 1 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a box 2
and a lid 3 that is hinged to the box 2 along a hinge line. FIG. 1
shows the container 1 with the lid 3 in an open position. A bundle
of cigarettes, wrapped in an inner package 5, is housed in the box
2 of the container 1.
[0055] The box 2 has a box front wall, a box left side wall, a box
right side wall, a box back wall, and a box bottom wall. The upper
side of the box 2 is open, to provide an upper opening through
which the cigarettes can be removed.
[0056] The lid 3 has a lid front wall, a lid left side wall, a lid
right side wall, a lid back wall and a lid top wall. When the
container 1 is closed, the free edges of the walls of the lid 3
abut the free edges of the walls of the box 2 along a line of
abutment. In the closed position, the walls of the lid 3 therefore
form extensions of the corresponding walls of the box 2 to define
the walls of the outer housing 1.
[0057] The inner package 5 includes an access opening 6 through
which the cigarettes can be removed. When the inner package 5 of
cigarettes is in place within the box 2, the access opening 6 is
positioned at the open, upper end of the box 2. The access opening
6 includes a cut line that defines a flap 7 that covers the access
opening 6. The flap 7 is movable to cover and uncover the access
opening 6 and thus negate or allow access to the cigarettes. A line
of weakness may be provided instead of the cut line so that the
flap 7 separates from the inner package 5 only upon first opening
of the container 1. Alternatively, the access opening 6 is a
cut-out.
[0058] An inner frame 4 (shown in FIG. 9) is mounted within the
inner package 5 of the container 1. The inner frame 4 comprises an
inner frame front wall, an inner frame left side wall and an inner
frame right side wall which are positioned proximate the inner
surface of the inner package front wall, inner package left side
wall and inner package right side wall, respectively. The inner
frame 4 may be optionally connected, for example, glued, to the
inner package 5. The inner frame front wall includes a rectangular
cut-out at the top free edge, in order to facilitate removal of the
cigarettes from the box 2. The rectangular cut-out substantially
corresponds to a front wall portion of the access opening 6 in the
inner package 5. The walls of the inner frame extend above the
upper edges of the box 2.
[0059] A reclosable flap 8 is attached to the outer surface of the
inner package 5 so that it covers the access opening 6 in the inner
package 5. The reclosable flap 8 is affixed to the inner package 5
at the upper, back edge of the inner package 5, which provides a
hinge line about which the reclosable flap 8 can be pivoted to open
and close the access opening 6. The reclosable flap 8 extends
beyond the periphery of the access opening and is also affixed to
the inner package flap 7.
[0060] The reclosable flap 8 in this embodiment is a self-adhesive
label. The label includes a resealable adhesive on its inner
surface, which overlies a portion of the inner package 5
substantially around the periphery of the access opening 6.
[0061] When the lid 3 is in the closed position the resealable
adhesive affixes the adhesive label to the inner package 5.
[0062] The resealable adhesive may also be used to affix the inner
package flap 7, although it is preferred to use a permanent
adhesive to prevent the inner package flap 7 from peeling off the
label after a number of openings. The resealable adhesive may be a
pressure sensitive adhesive. The permanent adhesive may be a
UV-cured pressure sensitive adhesive.
[0063] As shown in FIG. 2, the lid front wall comprises a lid outer
front panel 31 and two lid inner front panels 32, 33 connected to
the lid outer front panel 31 by a crease line. A first lid inner
front panel 32 is connected to the lid outer front panel 31 only by
the crease line, which defines a rotation axis 32' about which the
first lid inner front panel 32 may rotate relative to the lid outer
front panel 31.
[0064] The first lid inner front panel 32 is, thus, rotatable about
the lower front edge of the lid 3 relative to the lid outer front
panel 31. A second lid inner front panel 33 is connected to the lid
outer front panel 31 by the crease line and by permanent adhesive
so that the lid outer front panel 31 and the second lid inner front
panel 33 do not move relatively.
[0065] The outer surface of the label is permanently affixed at its
free end 9 to the first lid inner front panel 32, for example with
a permanent adhesive, such as a hot melt adhesive. As a result,
movement of the lid 3 causes movement of the label and of the first
lid inner front panel 32, which rotates relatively to the lid outer
front panel 31. The inner surface of the free end 9 of the label
may be substantially free of resealable adhesive to reduce the
force required to open the lid 3. Alternatively, the resealable
adhesive applied to the inner surface of the label may extend to
its free end 9 to firmly close the lid 3.
[0066] In order to access the cigarettes within the inner package
5, the hinge lid 3 is moved from the closed position to the open
position shown in FIG. 1. As the lid 3 is moved from the closed
position, an edge 32'' of the first lid inner front wall 32 is
brought into pivotal contact with the outer surface of the inner
package 5. This causes the first lid inner front wall 32 to pivot
about the edge 32'' from an initial position in which the first lid
inner front wall 32 is substantially parallel to the lid outer
front wall 31 to a position in which the first lid inner front wall
32 is approximately perpendicular to the lid outer front wall 31,
as can be appreciated in FIG. 3. Further rotation of the hinge lid
3 peels off the label from the inner package 5, thereby uncovering
the access opening 6 in the inner package 5 through which one or
more cigarettes can be removed.
[0067] Therefore, the container 1 of the present invention provides
a two-stage opening of the lid 3. In a first stage, the free end 9
of the reclosable flap or label is pivoted about the inner package
5. In a second stage, the reclosable flap or label is peeled off
the inner package 5, thereby uncovering the access opening 6 in the
inner package 5. In the first stage the reclosable flap or label
preferably does not even partially uncover the access opening
6.
[0068] In order to close the container 1, the hinge lid 3 is moved
from the open position to the closed position. As the lid 3 is
moved from the open position, the label is rolled over the inner
package 5, thereby covering the access opening 6 in the inner
package 5. The first lid inner front panel 32 extends the label
reach in the open position and tensions the label during lid
closing, thereby ensuring the precise repositioning of the adhesive
label against the inner package 5. The edge 32'' of the first lid
inner front wall 32 comes into contact with the inner package 5 at
a stop motion position shown in FIG. 3. Further rotation of the
hinge lid 3 causes the first lid inner front wall 32 to pivot about
the edge 32'' from an initial position in which the first lid inner
front wall 32 is approximately perpendicular to the lid outer front
wall 31 to a position in which the first lid inner front wall 32 is
substantially parallel to the lid outer front wall 31, thereby
closing the container 1.
[0069] Therefore, the container 1 of the present invention provides
a two-stage closing of the lid 3. In a first stage, the reclosable
flap or label is rolled over the inner package 5, thereby covering
the access opening 6 in the inner package 5. In a second stage, the
free end 9 of the reclosable flap or label is pivoted about the
inner package 5.
[0070] The lid 3 is therefore movable about the box 2 between open
and closed positions through an intermediate, stable position shown
in FIG. 3. Movement of the lid 3 between the closed position and
the intermediate position, or vice versa, requires overcoming a
biasing force, which may be generated by cooperation of the
reclosable flap 8 and a movable lid panel, the first lid inner
front panel 32 in this embodiment.
[0071] FIGS. 4A and 4B show a blank 10 for forming the outer
housing 1 represented in FIGS. 1 to 3. The blank 10 is divided into
two blank portions, a box portion 20 and a lid portion 30. Each
blank portion comprises a plurality of panels in which each
individual panel is connected to at least another panel, for
example, by a crease or fold line.
[0072] The box portion 20 comprises a box front panel 21, box outer
and inner left side panels 22', 22'', box outer and inner right
side panels 23', 23'', a box back panel 24, a box bottom panel 25
and two box gluing flaps 26. Although in FIGS. 4A and 4B the
connections of the box front panel 21 and the box back panel 24 to
the box outer and inner left and right side panels 23', 23'', 24',
24'' are shown as a plurality of parallel longitudinal crease
lines, these connections could equally be made by single
longitudinal crease lines. The remaining panel connections are
single transverse crease lines.
[0073] In order to assemble the box 2 of the outer housing 1, the
box gluing flaps 26 are glued to the box bottom panel 25 to form
the box bottom wall. To form the box left side wall, the box inner
left side panel 22'' is glued to the box outer left side panel 22'.
The box inner right side panel 23'' is glued to the box outer right
side panel 23' to form the box right wall. The lid portion 30
comprises a lid outer front panel 31, two lid inner front panels
32, 33, lid outer and inner left side panels 34', 34'', lid outer
and inner right side panels 35', 35'', a lid back panel 36, a lid
top panel 37 and two lid gluing flaps 38. The lid back panel 36 is
hingedly connected (e.g. by a crease line) to box back panel
24.
[0074] Although in FIGS. 4A and 4B the connections of the lid outer
front panel 31 and the lid back panel 36 to the lid outer and inner
left and right side panels 34', 34'', 35', 35'' are shown as a
plurality of parallel longitudinal crease lines, these connections
could equally be made by single longitudinal crease lines. The
remaining panel connections are single transverse crease lines.
[0075] In this embodiment, both the first and second lid inner
front panels 32, 33 are connected to the lid outer front panel 31
as the first lid inner front panel 32 is surrounded by the second
lid inner front panel 33. As shown in FIG. 4B, the first and second
lid inner front panels 32, 33 may be connected by one or more
breakable connections. These one or more breakable connections may
be provided along at least one of the edges of the first lid inner
front panel 32 that are not connected to the lid outer front panel
31. Although not shown in FIG. 4B, the one or more breakable
connections may be provided at least along an edge 32'', which is
opposite the edge 32' of the first lid inner front panel 32 that is
connected to the lid outer front panel 31.
[0076] However, it is preferred to provide the one or more
breakable connections along edges 32''' that are inclined with
respect to the axis of rotation 32', as shown in
[0077] FIG. 4B. By providing the breakable connections between
respective edges 32''' of the first and second lid inner front
panels 32, 33 and the third panel that are inclined with respect to
the axis of rotation 32', the breakable connections can be broken
more easily when a pulling force is applied to the first lid inner
front panel 32 by tension in the adhesive label. The breakable
connections can be ruptured more effectively in this arrangement
than if they were provided between edges that were parallel to the
axis of rotation 32'.
[0078] During manufacturing, the blank 30 is manipulated by
machinery at different stages and is subject to some pull forces
within the plane of the blank 30, particularly during printing. By
providing the breakable connections between edges 32''' that are
inclined relative to the axis of rotation 32', these breakable
connections are less vulnerable to accidental rupture within the
machinery due to pulling forces within the plane of the blank 30
during manufacture, particularly during printing. Advantageously
this can help to ensure that the container 1 is in its intended
configuration prior to the first opening of the hinged lid 3.
[0079] When the one or more breakable connections are provided
between respective edges 32''' of the first and second lid inner
front panels 32, 33, it is preferred that these edges 32''' are
provided at angles comprised between 30.degree. and 150.degree.
relative to the axis of rotation 32', such as at angles comprised
between 60.degree. and 120.degree.. It is further preferred that
edges 32''' are substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation
32'.
[0080] The one of more breakable connections may be positioned
along edges 32''' adjacent the axis of rotation 32'. By placing the
breakable connections close to the axis of rotation 32', they can
be broken easily when a force is applied on them by the adhesive
label during opening of the hinged lid 3. Preferably, the one or
more breakable connections are provided close to but not at the
axis of rotation 32' to avoid any visible board fibres when the lid
3 is closed. To this end, the one or more breakable connections may
be positioned at a distance to the axis of rotation 32' of about
0.3 mm, or about 0.5 mm.
[0081] Preferably, a plurality of breakable connections are
provided substantially symmetrically with respect to the first lid
inner front panel 32. This can ensure that the breakable
connections experience force evenly when an opening force is
applied.
[0082] The one or more breakable connections may each have a width
that is between 0.2 mm and 0.5 mm. The strength of the breakable
connections may be influenced in part by their width. The strength
of the breakable connections is selected to balance competing
interests. In particular, the breakable connections are preferably
strong enough to withstand forces experienced during manufacture,
but weak enough to rupture without requiring the user to apply
excessive force during first opening of the hinged lid 3.
[0083] The blank 30 of FIG. 4B is preferably formed by a fibrous
material having a grain direction defined by an average orientation
of the fibres that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of
rotation 32'. It has been found that this arrangement provides the
desired strength to the breakable connections along edges 32''. In
another configuration a cross-grain may be provided in which the
grain direction is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation
32'.
[0084] To form the lid 3, both lid inner front panels are folded
180.degree. with respect to the lid outer front panel 31 so that
they contact, but only the lid outer front panel 31 and the second
lid inner front panel 33 are glued together. The lid gluing flaps
38 are glued to the lid top panel 37 to form the lid top wall. The
lid left side wall is formed by gluing the lid inner left side
panel 34'' to the lid outer side panel 34'. Finally, the lid inner
right side panel 35'' is glued to the lid outer right side panel
35'.
[0085] Preferably, an adhesive-free region is defined around the
periphery of the first lid inner front panel 32 to prevent adhesive
trickling into the first lid inner front panel 32. The average
width of the adhesive-free region may be of at least 1 mm, for
example of about 2 mm.
[0086] FIGS. 5 and 6 show alternative blanks 11, 12 for forming an
outer housing 1 similar to the one represented in FIGS. 1 to 3. For
the sake of brevity, only differences between the blanks will be
explained below and the same numbering used for the blank 10 of the
first embodiment will be used to refer to similar elements.
[0087] The blank 11 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5
differs from the blank 10 of the first embodiment in that the lid
portion 30 has only one lid inner front panel 32. When the lid 3 is
formed, the lid inner front panel 32 is folded 180.degree. with
respect to the lid outer front panel 31 so that they contact, but
no glue is applied to adhere those two panels.
[0088] The blank 12 of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 6 differs
from the blank 10 of the first embodiment in that the first lid
inner front panel 32 is connected at one edge 32' to the lid outer
front panel 30 by a crease or fold line and to the second lid inner
front panel 33 at another, opposite edge 32'' by a line of
weakness, such as a row of perforations. The line of weakness 32''
may be formed during a step of forming the outer housing 1,
preferably before any panels of the blank 12 are folded, for
example with a rotary scoring tool.
[0089] When the lid 3 is formed, the first lid inner front panel 32
is folded 180.degree. with respect to the lid outer front panel 31
so as to contact. As the second lid inner front panel 33 is
connected to the first lid inner front panel 32, by folding the
first lid inner front panel 32 with respect to the lid outer front
panel 31, the second lid inner front panel 33 and the lid outer
front panel 31 also contact. These latter panels are adhered
together.
[0090] Preferably, an adhesive-free region is defined around the
periphery of the first lid inner front panel 32 to prevent adhesive
trickling into the first lid inner front panel 32. The average
width of the adhesive-free region may be of at least 1 mm, for
example of about 2 mm.
[0091] When the reclosable flap 8 is affixed to the first lid inner
front panel 32 and the container 1 is opened for the first time,
the opening force breaks the line of weakness 32'' that connects
the first and second lid inner front panels 32, 33, thereby
movilising the first lid inner front panel 32, which becomes
rotatable about the crease line 32' that connects it to the lid
outer front panel 31. The second lid inner front panel 33 remains
attached to the lid outer front panel 31.
[0092] FIGS. 7A and 7B show two alternative blanks for forming the
inner package 5 represented in FIGS. 1 to 3. The inner package
blanks 50 are made from a substantially rectangular sheet of
wrapping material that is folded along the longitudinal and
transverse dashed lines represented in FIGS. 7A and 7B.
[0093] The inner package blank 50 comprises an inner package front
panel 51, inner package outer and inner left side panels 52', 52'',
inner package outer and inner right side panels 53', 53'', an inner
package back panel 54, an inner package bottom panel 55 and an
inner package top panel 56. Although in FIGS. 7A and 7B the
separation of the inner package front panel 51 and the inner
package back panel 54 from the inner package outer and inner left
and right side panels 53', 53'', 54', 54'' is shown each as two
parallel longitudinal fold lines, this separation could equally be
made by a single longitudinal fold line.
[0094] The inner package blank 50 represented in FIG. 7A includes a
cut line 57 that defines a flap 58. A line of weakness may be
provided instead of the cut line so that the flap 7 separates from
the inner package 5 only upon first opening of the container 1.
[0095] To form an inner package 5 from any of the blanks 50
represented in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the inner package outer and inner
left side panels 52', 52'' are connected (e.g. by glue application
or heat-sealing) to each other to form the inner package outer left
wall. The inner package right wall is formed by connecting the
inner package outer and inner right side panels 53', 53''.
[0096] In the inner package blank 50 represented in FIG. 7B, the
cut line 57 defines a cut-out 59.
[0097] FIG. 8 shows a blank 40 for forming the inner frame housed
in the inner package 5 of FIGS. 1 to 3. The inner frame blank 40
comprises an inner frame front panel 41, an inner frame left side
panel 42 and an inner frame right side panel 43. Although in FIG. 8
the connections of the inner frame front panel 41 to the inner
frame left and right side panels 42, 43 are shown as a plurality of
parallel longitudinal crease lines, these connections could equally
be made by single longitudinal crease lines.
[0098] The inner frame front panel 41 includes a rectangular
cut-out 44 at the top free edge, in order to facilitate removal of
the cigarettes from the box 2 when the inner frame is assembled
from the blank 40. The rectangular cut-out 44 substantially
corresponds to a front wall portion of the access opening 6 in the
inner package 5.
[0099] To form the inner frame, the inner frame left and right side
panels 42, 43 are folded approximately 90.degree. with respect to
the inner frame front panel 41. In the assembled condition, the
inner frame front panel 41 corresponds to the inner frame front
wall, and the inner frame left and right side panels 42, 43
correspond, respectively, to the inner frame left and right side
walls.
[0100] FIG. 9 shows a system or apparatus 100 for forming an inner
package 5 housing smoking articles, such as cigarettes or the like,
according to one embodiment of this invention. A series of inner
frames 4, each of which is respectively combined with a charge of
cigarettes, is transported in direction of arrow A along a
packaging path by apparatus 100. The framed charged cigarettes G
are conveyed under a continuous sheet of wrapping material 500
(e.g. a metallised plastics laminate film) which is fed from a
supply roll (not shown). The wrapping sheet 500 has pre-formed
reclosable flaps 8 for alignment with the respective access
apertures 44 in the inner frame front panel 41 of each inner frame
4 transported under the wrapping sheet 500.
[0101] Rollers 101 arranged below the serially progressing inner
frames 4 draw the wrapping sheet 500 tautly over the front and back
faces of the framed charge of cigarettes G and against opposite
ends of the framed charge of cigarettes G, thereby wrapping the
same to form inner package front, top, back and bottom walls. The
rollers 101 then cooperate with a sealing head 102 to fuse or seal
the drawn wrapping sheet 500 to form a transverse seam at the inner
package back wall (not shown). A further elongate sealing head 103
(or pair thereof) following the rollers 101 then operate(s) to
clamp and fuse a lateral seam (e.g. as a "fin seal") in the barrier
sheet 500 between each of the framed charge of cigarettes G to form
the inner package left and right side walls. Trimmers 104 and
rollers 105 may then trim and flatten the seams 13, 14 to complete
the individual inner packages 5.
[0102] A set of blanks for forming the outer housing 1 according to
any of the embodiments represented in FIGS. 4 to 6 are folded and
glued about the inner package 5 to form the box 2 and lid 3, as
previously explained. A permanent adhesive is applied at the outer
surface of the reclosable flap 8, particularly at its free edge 9,
to connect the reclosable flap 8 to the first lid inner front panel
32. As a result, a container for consumer goods according to the
invention is formed.
* * * * *