EP2471725A1

EP2471725A1 - Package with resealable cover layer

Info

Publication number: EP2471725A1
Application number: EP10252261A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Lucas Chatelain; Virginy Suchet
Original assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Current assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Priority date: 2010-12-31
Filing date: 2010-12-31
Publication date: 2012-07-04
Also published as: WO2012089812A1

Abstract

A package of consumer goods (2,52) comprises a wrapper (4,54) enclosing the consumer goods and having an access opening through which the consumer goods can be removed; and a cover layer comprising a resealable adhesive label (40,58), wherein the cover layer is moveable between a closed position, in which the cover layer covers the access opening and is sealed in place by the adhesive label (40,58), and an open position in which the adhesive label (40,58) is at least partially removed from the wrapper (4,54) and the access opening is uncovered. An inner surface of the cover layer is provided with a first indicium (60) and as the cover layer is moved from the closed position to the open position, the inner surface of the cover layer is exposed such that the first indicium (60) becomes visible.

Description

The present invention relates to a novel package for consumer goods comprising a resealable cover layer having an indicium applied to the inner surface. The package of the present invention finds particular application in a container for smoking articles, such as cigarettes.
Consumer goods are commonly packaged in wrappers formed of flexible polymeric or paper materials which are folded and sealed around a single consumer item, or a group of items. In order to provide access to the consumer goods within the package, it is common to provide an access opening in the flexible outer wrapper. A cover layer comprising a resealable adhesive label is then affixed over the access opening of the flexible outer wrapper.
A variety of consumer goods, including tissues, wipes and confectionery products, are packaged in a flexible outer wrapper provided with an adhesive label for reclosing the flexible outer wrapper between uses. In some cases, an access opening is cut into the flexible outer wrapper. The adhesive label is then used to cover the opening before the product is initially accessed as well as between uses. In other cases, the outer wrapper includes lines of weakness forming an opening tab. The opening tab can be separated from the remainder of the flexible outer wrapper in order to form the access opening. In this case, the adhesive label is provided over the opening tab and is used to separate the opening tab from the outer wrapper and to reseal the opening tab during uses. Typically, all or a substantial part of the opening tab is separated from the remainder of the outer wrapper.
Certain types of consumer goods are similarly wrapped in a flexible sheet material provided with a cover layer for resealing the package and the wrapped consumer goods are then housed in a more rigid outer container. For example, bundles of smoking articles, such as cigarettes, are typically wrapped in a sheet material and the wrapped bundle is provided within an outer container formed of folded laminar blanks. Such containers are often hinge lid containers having a box for housing the smoking articles and a lid connected to the box about a hinge line extending across the back wall of the container. Other types of containers have a slide and shell construction, with an inner slide for housing the smoking articles, mounted within an outer shell. The smoking articles may be accessed by opening the outer container and removing at least a part of the wrapper material around the bundle in order to provide an access opening.
Graphics and text are typically applied to the exterior of packaging for consumer goods in order to communicate information to the consumer. For example, the graphics and text usually contain information about the products, their origin, and the manufacturer. Graphic designs and patterns are also commonly applied to the surfaces of packaging for consumer goods in order to provide a visually appealing product.
It would be desirable to provide a resealable package for consumer goods that provides novel ways of visually presenting information or graphics to the consumer.
According to the invention there is provided a package of consumer goods comprising: a wrapper enclosing one or more consumer items and having an access opening through which the consumer items can be removed; and a cover layer comprising a resealable adhesive label, wherein the cover layer is moveable between a closed position, in which the cover layer covers the access opening and is sealed in place by the adhesive label, and an open position in which the adhesive label is at least partially removed from the wrapper and the access opening is substantially uncovered. An inner surface of the cover layer is provided with a first indicium, wherein as the cover layer is moved from the closed position to the open position, the inner surface of the cover layer is exposed such that the first indicium becomes visible.
The term "first indicium" is used to refer to a self-contained design element that provides a representation of information in the form of text, a pattern, an image or a combination thereof. For example, the first indicium on the cover layer of packages according to the present invention may comprise a brand or manufacturer name or logo that allows the consumer to identify the type or origin of the consumer goods within the package. The first indicium is provided on the inner surface of the cover layer so that the indicium is only visible when the cover layer is in the open position and the access opening in the wrapper is uncovered. In the closed position of the cover layer, the inner surface of the cover layer lies against the outer surface of the wrapper and the first indicium is hidden.
The package according to the present invention therefore provides a novel way of presenting a design element to the consumer once the package has been opened to access the consumer goods. The total surface area of the package which is available for the presentation of information to the consumer is also advantageously increased.
The adhesive label provided for sealing the cover layer over the access aperture comprises a resealable adhesive, such that the label can be removed from a surface of the wrapper or other packaging and reattached to the same or a different surface a number of times. This allows for repeated opening and closing of the wrapper in order to access the consumer goods individually. The resealable adhesive on the adhesive label will preferably provide sufficient adhesion for the label to be reattached at least as many times as there are consumer goods within the wrapper. This enables a consumer to open and reseal the wrapper until the package is empty.
Suitable resealable adhesives would be known to the skilled person and a wide variety of adhesives are commercially available from a number of suppliers. The selection of a suitable adhesive may depend upon the material forming the wrapper or package to which the adhesive label is sealed or resealed during use.
Where the package is intended to be used to wrap the consumer goods, the adhesive label is preferably sealed to a surface of the wrapper when the cover layer is in the closed position. However, where the package is incorporated into another container or outer package, the adhesive label may alternatively be at least partially sealed to a surface of that container or outer package. The adhesive label may be sealed to any available surface, provided the cover layer is retained over the access opening.
The cover layer may be formed of a single layer of material, or may be formed of one or more overlying layers of material. For example, the adhesive label may be a multilayer label comprising two or more layers of different materials that have been laminated together. Alternatively or in addition, the cover layer may include one or more layers forming part of the wrapper together with the adhesive label, as described in more detail below.
The adhesive label may form the entirety of the cover layer. This is so that the adhesive label performs the function of covering the access opening in the wrapper as well as resealably adhering to the wrapper. The first indicium is applied to the adhesive label so that it extends over at least a part of the inner surface of the adhesive label. In this case, the adhesive label preferably comprises an adhesive free surface area, wherein this adhesive free surface area corresponds in size to the access opening in the wrapper. When the cover layer is in the closed position with the adhesive label sealed to the wrapper, this adhesive free surface area covers the access opening in the wrapper. This will prevent dust or small particles, for example tobacco shorts or other residue from the consumer goods within the package, from adhering to the adhesive label. This can happen if the adhesive label comes into contact with the consumer goods within the wrapper.
In alternative embodiments, the cover layer of packages according to the invention may additionally comprise one or more non-adhesive layers for covering the access opening in the wrapper. In such cases, the adhesive label is adhered to the one or more non-adhesive layers in such a way that it retains the non-adhesive layers in the closed position over the access opening. The first indicium may extend over at least a portion of the inner surface of the non-adhesive layers, or at least a portion of the inner surface of the adhesive label, or both.
In certain preferred embodiments, the one or more non-adhesive layers are a part of the wrapper. In such embodiments, the cover layer further comprises a wrapper tab portion to which the adhesive layer is applied, wherein the wrapper tab portion is defined by at least one line of weakness in the wrapper. During the first opening of the package, the access opening is formed by at least partially separating the wrapper tab portion from the rest of the wrapper along the at least one line of weakness. When the cover layer is moved back to the closed position, the wrapper tab portion closes back to its original position over the access opening and is sealed in place by the adhesive label. The first indicium may extend over at least a part of the inner surface of the wrapper tab portion, which is exposed when the cover layer is moved to an open position. In some cases, the first indicium may additionally extend over at least a part of the inner surface of the adhesive label, which may be visible for example around the edges of the wrapper tab portion.
In addition to the wrapper tab portion formed in the wrapper material, an additional non-adhesive layer may be provided on the inside of the wrapper in the region of the access opening. The additional non-adhesive layer is then lifted with the wrapper tab portion and provides reinforcement both to the wrapper tab portion and the area of the wrapper around the access opening. The adhesive layer may be adhered to the wrapper tab portion, or the underlying non-adhesive layer, or to both. The first indicium may extend over at least a part of the inner surface of the underlying non-adhesive layer. It may additionally extend over at least a part of the inner surface of the wrapper tab portion or the adhesive label, where the inner surfaces are visible.
In embodiments of the present invention where the cover layer does not include a wrapper tab portion, the access opening may be provided in the form of a cut out in the wrapper over which the cover layer is applied during production of the packages. In such cases, the first indicium is typically applied to the inner surface of the adhesive label. In certain cases, a non-adhesive layer may be provided underneath the cut out in the wrapper and the adhesive label may be adhered to the non-adhesive layer through the cut out in the wrapper. The first indicium may extend over at least a part of the inner surface of the non-adhesive layer in addition to, or alternatively to, extending over the inner surface of the adhesive label.
In certain embodiments, the adhesive label may include an end portion that does not have any adhesive on it. This may be advantageous since it facilitates the removal of the adhesive label from the wrapper in order to move the cover layer to the open position.
The first indicium may take any desired form and may be applied using any suitable technique or method. In a first preferred embodiment, the first indicium is embossed onto the inner surface of the cover layer so that the first indicium is visible in relief. By 'embossed' is meant that the first indicium has been impressed or imprinted onto the inner surface such that the indicium is raised or inset from the overall inner surface of the cover layer, depending on which side of the cover layer the embossment is made. The first indicium may be embossed on the inner surface of the cover layer using a variety of known embossing techniques.
Where the cover layer comprises a wrapper tab portion, as described above, the embossment forming the first indicium is preferably provided on the inner surface of the wrapper tab portion or on the inner surface of the underlying non-adhesive layer, where present. Wherever the cover layer comprises two or more overlying layers, the first indicium is preferably provided on the inner layer or on any layer providing the inner surface of the cover layer.
In addition or as an alternative to embossing, the first indicium may be printed onto the inner surface of the cover layer using a variety of known printing techniques.
In addition or as an alternative to embossing or printing, the first indicium may be applied by cutting, or engraving the inner surface of the cover layer, or by providing one or more cut outs. As with the embossing, the first indicium will be visible in relief from the remainder of the inner surface of the cover layer. Where the cover layer comprises two or more overlying layers, the first indicium is preferably engraved or cut on the surface of the inner layer or on any layer providing the inner surface of the cover layer.
In some cases, a negative image of the first indicium may be embossed, imprinted or engraved on the opposite, outer side of the cover layer or the inner layer of the cover layer, so that the first indicium is visible the correct way around on the inner surface
As described above, the cover layer may be formed of a single layer to which the first indicium is applied. Alternatively, the cover layer may be formed of an inner layer provided with the first indicium and an outer layer overlying the inner layer. This may be advantageous in packages where the first indicium is applied by embossing, since where only a single layer is used in the cover layer, the embossment may also be visible on the outer surface of the cover layer. Where a double layer cover layer is used, the embossment can be applied to the inner layer and the outer layer can cover the inner layer such that the embossment is not visible on the outer surface. Alternatively, where the first indicium is provided by a plurality of cuts, engravings or cut outs, these can be provided in the inner layer, which can be covered by the outer layer. In this case, a different visual effect may be achieved by applying a colour or pattern to the inner surface of the outer layer, which will be at least partially visible through the cuts or cut outs in the inner layer.
A second indicium may be provided on the outer surface of the cover layer, for example, on the outer surface of the adhesive label. The second indicium may be the same as the first indicium, or the first indicium and the second indicium may be different to each other.
The wrapper of packages according to the invention may provide all of the necessary packaging for the consumer goods. In this case, the wrapper provides the outer wrapper of the consumer goods. Alternatively, packages according to the invention may be further packaged within an outer container, for example a more rigid cardboard or plastic container. In this case, the wrapper provides an inner liner, which can be opened once the outer container is opened. This type of arrangement may be desirable for breakable or fragile consumer goods.
According to the invention there is also provided a container for consumer goods comprising a box portion and a hinge lid portion, wherein the box portion contains a package according to the invention, as described above. For example, the container may be a hinge lid container comprising a plurality of smoking articles wrapped within the package, wherein the wrapper of the package replaces the conventional inner liner used to wrap smoking articles.
The box portion is typically open at the upper end so that the consumer goods can be removed. The hinge lid of containers according to the invention is pivotable between a closed position and an open position. The hinge lid must be moved to the open position before the consumer goods within the package can be accessed. The access opening and the cover layer of the package are preferably provided at the open end of the box portion, so that the cover layer can be readily moved between the closed position and the open position without removing the package from the box portion.
In certain preferred embodiments of containers according to the present invention, the adhesive label of the cover layer is connected to an inner surface of the hinge lid such that the opening of the hinge lid brings about the movement of the cover layer from the closed position to the open position. The access opening can therefore be easily uncovered in one step, by opening the hinge lid of the container. In the open position of the hinge lid, the cover layer extends from the edge of the hinge lid to the position on the wrapper where the cover layer is attached and the inner surface of the cover layer with the first indicium applied is clearly visible.
Preferably, containers according to the present invention further comprise an inner frame between the box portion and the wrapper of the package. In the closed position of the cover layer, at least a part of the adhesive label is sealed to the inner frame. For example, the adhesive label may be secured to the front wall of the inner frame to retain the cover layer in a closed position to seal the package containing the consumer goods. Advantageously, the inner frame increases the structural strength of the container, which allows a secure closing of the adhesive label. This is particularly advantageous for subsequent closing operations when the container is no longer full.
In order to increase the available surface area of the inner frame to which the at least one adhesive label may be adhered, at least one of the front wall of the inner frame and the front wall of the container may be adapted such that a greater area of the inner frame is exposed upon opening the container. For example, in one embodiment a cut out is provided at the top edge of the front wall of the box of the container. The size and shape of the cut out preferably correspond to the size and shape of the at least one adhesive label so that the adhesive label may be adhered to the inner frame exposed by the cut out.
The container, inner frame and wrapper of the package may be formed from any suitable materials including, but not limited to, cardboard, paperboard, plastic, metal, or combinations thereof. Preferably, the container is formed from one or more folded laminar cardboard blanks and preferably, the cardboard has a weight of between about 100 grams per square metre and about 350 grams per square metre.
Preferably, the wrapper is formed of metal foil or metallised paper.
Containers according to the invention may be overwrapped with a transparent polymeric film of, for example, high or low density polyethylene, polypropylene, oriented polypropylene, polyvinylidene chloride, cellulose film, or combinations thereof. The outer wrapper may be applied in a conventional manner. The outer wrapper may include a tear tape and may be printed with images, consumer information or other data. Containers according to the invention may be in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, 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. For example, the container according to the invention may comprise, without limitation:

One or two longitudinal rounded or bevelled edges on the front wall, and/or one or two longitudinal rounded or bevelled edges on the back wall.
One or two transverse rounded or bevelled edges on the front wall, and/or one or two transverse rounded or bevelled edges on the back wall.
One longitudinal rounded edge and one longitudinal bevelled edge on the front wall, and/or one transverse rounded edge and one transverse bevelled edge on the back wall.
One or two transverse rounded or bevelled edges on the front wall and one or two longitudinal rounded or bevelled edges on the front wall.
Two longitudinal rounded or bevelled edges on a first side wall or two transverse rounded or bevelled edges on the second side wall.

Where the container comprises one or more rounded edges and is made from one or more laminar blanks, preferably the blanks comprise three, four, five, six or seven scoring lines or creasing lines to form each rounded edge in the assembled container. The scoring lines or creasing lines may be either on the inside of the container or on the outside of the container. Preferably, the scoring lines or creasing lines are spaced from each other by between about 0.3 mm and 4 mm.
Preferably, the spacing of the creasing lines or scoring lines is a function of the thickness of the laminar blank. Preferably, the spacing between the creasing lines or scoring lines is between about 0.5 and about 4 times larger than the thickness of the laminar blank.
Where the container comprises one or more bevelled edge, preferably the bevelled edge has a width of between about 1 mm and about 10 mm, preferably between about 2 and about 6 mm. Alternatively, the container may comprise a double bevel formed by three parallel creasing or scoring lines that are spaced such that two distinct bevels are formed on the edge of the container.
Where the container comprises a bevelled edge and is made from one or more laminar blanks, the bevel may be formed by two parallel creasing lines or scoring lines in the laminar blank. The creasing lines or scoring lines may be arranged symmetrically to the edge between a first wall and a second wall. Alternatively, the creasing lines or scoring lines may be arranged asymmetrically to the edge between the first wall and the second wall, such that the bevel reaches further into the first wall of the container than into the second wall of the container.
Alternatively, the container may have a non-rectangular transversal cross section, for example polygonal such as triangular or hexagonal, or oval, semi-oval, circular or semi-circular.
Containers according to the invention find particular application as packs for elongate smoking articles such as, for example, cigarettes, cigars or cigarillos. It will be appreciated that through appropriate choices of the dimensions thereof, containers according to the invention may be designed for different numbers of conventional size, king size, super-king size, slim or super-slim cigarettes.
Through an appropriate choice of the dimensions thereof, containers according to the invention may be designed to hold different total numbers of smoking articles, or different arrangements of smoking articles. For example, through an appropriate choice of the dimensions thereof, containers according to the invention may be designed to hold a total of between ten and thirty smoking articles.
The smoking articles in the container may be arranged in different collations, depending on the total number of smoking articles. For example, the smoking articles may be arranged in a single row of six, seven, eight, nine or ten. Alternatively, the smoking articles may be arranged in two or more rows. The two or more rows may contain the same number of smoking articles. For example, the smoking articles may be arranged in: two rows of five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten; three rows of five or seven; or four rows of four, five or six. Alternatively, the two or more rows may include at least two rows containing different number of smoking articles to each other. For example, the smoking articles may be arranged in: a row of five and a row of six (5-6); a row of six and a row of seven (6-7); a row of seven and a row of eight (7-8); a middle row of five and two outer rows of six (6-5-6); a middle row of five and two outer rows of seven (7-5-7); a middle row of six and two outer rows of five (5-6-5); a middle row of six and two outer rows of seven (7-6-7); a middle row of seven and two outer rows of six (6-7-6); a middle row of nine and two outer rows of eight (8-9-8); or a middle row of six with one outer row of five and one outer row of seven (5-6-7).
Containers according to the present invention may hold smoking articles of the same type or brand, or of different types or brands. In addition, both filterless smoking articles and smoking articles with various filter tips may be contained, as well as smoking articles of differing length (for example, between about 40 mm and about 180 mm), diameter (for example, between about 4 mm and about 9 mm). In addition, the smoking articles may differ in strength of taste, resistance to draw and total particulate matter delivery. Preferably, the dimensions of the container are adapted to the length of the smoking articles, and the collation of the smoking articles. Typically, the outer dimensions of the container are between about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm larger than the dimensions of the bundle or bundles of smoking articles housed inside the container.
The length, width and depth of containers according to the invention may be such that, in the closed position, the resultant overall dimensions of the container are similar to the dimensions of a typical disposable hinge-lid pack of twenty cigarettes.
Preferably, containers according to the invention have a height of between about 60 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably a height of between about 70 mm and about 125 mm, wherein the height is measured from the top wall to the bottom wall of the container.
Preferably, containers according to the invention have a width of between about 12 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably a width of between about 70 mm and about 125 mm, wherein the width is measured from one side wall to the other side wall of the container.
Preferably, containers according to the invention have a depth of between about 6 mm and about 100 mm, more preferably a depth of between about 12 mm and about 25 mm wherein the depth is measured from the front wall to the back wall of the container (comprising the hinge between box and lid).
Preferably, the ratio of the height of the container to the depth of the container is in between about 0.3 to 1 and about 10 to 1, more preferably between about 2 to 1 and about 8 to 1, most preferably between about 3 to 1 and 5 to 1
Preferably, the ratio of the width of the container to the depth of the container is in between about 0.3 to 1 and about 10 to 1, more preferably between about 2 to 1 and about 8 to 1, most preferably between about 2 to 1 and 3 to 1.
As well as housing a bundle of smoking articles, the container may further comprise other consumer goods, for example matches, lighters, extinguishing means, breath-fresheners or electronics. The other consumer goods may be attached to the outside of the container, contained within the container along with the smoking articles, in a separate compartment of the container or combinations thereof.
The exterior surfaces of containers according to the invention may be printed, embossed, debossed or otherwise embellished with manufacturer or brand logos, trade marks, slogans and other consumer information and indicia.
The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective, front view of a hinge lid container according to a first embodiment of the present invention, with the cover layer in a closed position; and
Figure 2 shows a perspective front view of a hinge lid container according to a second embodiment of the present invention, with the cover layer in an open position.

The hinge lid container 2 shown in Figure 1 is a rectangular parallelepiped and comprises a box 10 and a lid 20 that is hinged to the box 10 along a hinge line extending substantially horizontally along the back wall of the container 2. Figure 1 shows the container with the hinge lid 20 in an open position. A bundle of cigarettes (not shown) is housed in the box 10 of the container 2. The bundle is wrapped in a wrapper 4, described in more detail below. The overall size and construction of the box 10 and lid 20 of container 2 are substantially the same as that of a standard hinge lid cigarette pack.
The box 10 has a box front wall 12, a box left side wall, a box right side wall 14, a box back wall, and a box bottom wall. The upper side of the box 10 is open, to provide an upper opening through which the cigarettes can be removed.
The terms "front", "back", "upper", "lower", "side", "top", "bottom" and other terms used to describe relative positions of the components of containers 2 according to the invention refer to the container in an upright position with the lid 20 at the top end and the hinge on the back. The terms "left" and "right" are used with reference to side walls of the container when the container 2 is viewed from the front in its upright position. When the container in the upright position is open, the cigarettes 5 contained in the box 10 may be removed from the upper end of the container 2.
The lid 20 has a lid front wall 22, a lid left side wall, a lid right side wall 24, a lid back wall and a lid top wall 26. When the container 2 is closed, the free edges of the walls of the lid 20 abut the free edges of the walls of the box 10 along a line of abutment, except for at the front of the container where the cut out 16 is provided. In the closed position, the walls of the lid 20 therefore form extensions of the corresponding walls of the box 10 to define the walls of the container 2.
An inner frame 30 is mounted within the box 10 of the container 2. The inner frame 30 comprises an inner frame front wall 32, an inner frame left side wall and an inner frame right side wall 34 which are connected to the inner surface of the box front wall 12, box left side wall and box right side wall 14, respectively. The inner frame front wall 32 includes a rectangular cut out at the top free edge thereof, in order to facilitate removal of the cigarettes from the box 10. The walls of the inner frame 30 extend above the upper edges of the box 10.
Prior to first opening, the container 2 is wrapped in an outer wrapper (not shown) formed of a transparent film, in the conventional manner.
The wrapper 4 includes a cut-out through which the cigarettes can be removed. When the wrapped bundle of cigarettes is in place within the box the cut out is positioned at the open, upper end of the box portion.
A rectangular, self-adhesive label 40 is attached to the outer surface of the wrapper so that the label 40 covers the cut-out in the wrapper 4. The free end of the label 40 is attached to the portion of the inner frame front wall extending above the box front wall. The label 40 includes an adhesive-free area on the inner surface, which overlies the cut-out in the wrapper when the adhesive label is sealed in the closed position shown in Figure 1. The inner surface of the adhesive label 40 is printed with a design element, such as a logo. The label 40 is sealed to the wrapper at the upper, back edge of the wrapper bundle using a strip of permanent adhesive. This provides a hinge line about which the adhesive layer can be pivoted in order to open and close the wrapper.
In order to access the cigarettes within the wrapper when the hinge lid is in the open position shown in Figure 1, the label 40 may be removed from the inner frame front wall and the front face of the wrapper and pulled backwards towards the hinge lid, thereby uncovering the cut-out in the wrapper through which one or more cigarettes can be removed. As the label 40 is pulled backwards, the embossed design element also becomes visible. The adhesive label 40 can be resealed to the wrapper and the inner frame front wall between uses.
The adhesive on the label 40 is such that the label 40 may be removed from the inner frame 3 and re-sealed in order to open and close the wrapper 4 a plurality of times, until the container 2 is empty.
The container 52 shown in Figure 2 is similar in construction to the container 2 shown in Figure 1 and described above. However, in place of the cut-out in the wrapper 4 enclosing the bundle of smoking articles, the wrapper 54 of the container 52 comprises lines of perforation defining a wrapper tab portion 56. The adhesive label 58 is provided over the wrapper tab portion 56 and the lines of perforation and the free end of the label is sealed to the inner surface of the lid front wall 22, as shown in Figure 2. The label 58 extends beyond the edges of the wrapper tab portion 56 and in these regions a resealable adhesive is provided, so that the label 58 can be resealed to the wrapper 54 and inner frame between uses.
As the hinge lid 20 of the container 52 is moved to the open position for the first time, the lid pulls the adhesive label 58 back away from the remainder of the wrapper 54 and the lines of perforation are broken to form the wrapper tab portion 56 and a corresponding access opening in the wrapper 54.
The wrapper tab portion 56 of the wrapper 54 is embossed with a design element 60 which becomes visible as the hinge lid 20 is opened and the inner surface of the wrapper tab 56 portion is exposed.
In order to close the container 52, the hinge lid 20 is moved back to the closed position, which brings the wrapper tab portion 56 back to its original position over the access opening and brings the resealable adhesive on the adhesive label 58 into contact with the inner frame 30 and the wrapper at the front of the container, thereby resealing the access opening.
The containers 2 and 52 may be filled and assembled using conventional apparatus and methods, modified to include the step of applying the adhesive label 40,58 over the cut-out or wrapper tab portion 56 in the wrapper 4.
It will be appreciated that in other embodiments of the present invention, the outer container may not be required and the wrapper 4 may provide all of the necessary packaging of the consumer goods.

Claims

A package of consumer goods comprising:
a wrapper enclosing one or more consumer items and having an access opening through which the consumer items can be removed; and

a cover layer comprising a resealable adhesive label, wherein the cover layer is moveable between a closed position, in which the cover layer covers the access opening and is sealed in place by the adhesive label, and an open position in which the adhesive label is at least partially removed from the wrapper and the access opening is uncovered,
wherein an inner surface of the cover layer is provided with a first indicium and wherein as the cover layer is moved from the closed position to the open position, the inner surface of the cover layer is exposed such that the first indicium becomes visible.
A package of consumer goods according to claim 1 wherein the first indicium extends over at least a part of the inner surface of the adhesive label.
A package of consumer goods according to claim 1 wherein the cover layer further comprises a wrapper tab portion to which the adhesive label is applied, wherein the wrapper tab portion is defined by at least one line of weakness in the wrapper and wherein the access opening is formed by at least partially separating the wrapper tab portion from the rest of the wrapper along the at least one line of weakness.
A package of consumer goods according to claim 3 wherein the first indicium extends over at least a part of the inner surface of the wrapper tab portion.
A package of consumer goods according to claim 3 wherein the wrapper further comprises an inner layer underlying the wrapper tab portion and wherein at least a portion of the inner layer provides the inner surface of the cover layer.
A package according to any preceding claim wherein the first indicium is embossed onto the inner surface of the cover layer.
A package according to any preceding claim wherein the first indicium is printed onto the inner surface of the cover layer.
A package according to any preceding claim wherein the first indicium on the inner surface of the cover layer is formed by applying a negative image of the first indicium to the opposite side of the cover layer.
A package according to any preceding claim wherein the cover layer comprises an inner layer provided with the first indicium and an outer layer overlying the inner layer.
A package according to any preceding claim where a second indicium is provided on an outer surface of the cover layer.
A container for consumer goods comprising a box portion and a hinge lid portion, wherein the box portion contains a package according to any preceding claim.
A container according to claim 11 wherein the adhesive label is connected to an inner surface of the hinge lid such that the opening of the hinge lid brings about the movement of the cover layer to the open position.
A container according to claim 11 or 12 further comprising an inner frame between the box portion and the wrapper of the package of consumer goods, wherein in the closed position of the cover layer, at least a part of the adhesive label is sealed to the inner frame.
A container for consumer goods, wherein the consumer items are smoking articles.