BR112013016310B1 - consumer goods container, hermetically sealed smoke pack and method of hermetically sealing a container - Google Patents

Abstract

ARTICULATED LID CONTAINER HERMETIC SEALING. The present invention relates to a container (2, 50) for consumer goods comprising: a box (10, 10 ') for housing the consumer goods; an internal structure (30) mounted inside the box and having an upper portion extending above the upper edges of the box; and a hinged lid (20, 20 ') connected to the box along a hinged line (A) and pivotable around the hinged line between an open position and a closed position, where the inner surfaces of the hinge cover are in contact with the external surfaces of the upper portion of the internal structure (30). The inner surfaces of the hinged lid and the outer surfaces of the upper portion of the inner structure (30) are covered by a layer of sealing lining (138) of a sealable material that is capable of sealing. Before the first opening of the hinged lid, the layer of sealing linings (138) on the contact surfaces of the hinged lid and the internal structure are connected to each other to form the hermetic seal.

Description

CONTAINER FOR CONSUMER GOODS, HERMETICALLY SEALED SMOKE ITEMS PACKAGE AND HERMETICALLY SEAL A CONTAINER METHOD

[001] The present invention relates to a hinged lid container having a layer of sealing coating that provides the container with an airtight seal before the first opening. The containers of the present invention find particular application as containers for smoking articles, such as filter cigarettes.

[002] It is for packing consumer goods in hinged lid containers formed by folded laminar blanks. For example, elongated smoking articles, such as cigarettes or cigars, are commonly sold in hinged lid packs having a box to house the smoking articles and a lid connected to the box about a hinge line extending along the back wall. of the container. Such packages are typically manufactured from one-piece laminated cardboard blanks. In use, the lid is pivoted around the hinged line to open the package and thus have access to the smoking articles contained in the box.

[003] Hinged lid containers are commonly used to pack cigarettes and other consumer goods that are adversely affected by prolonged contact with air or moisture. Prior to the first opening, a filled container, in this way, will typically be wrapped in a wrapper, which provides a barrier layer against the ingress or immersion of air, moisture, odors or flavors inside and outside the container during storage. Transparent plastic materials, such as polypropylene, are commonly used for this purpose. The provision of the outer wrapper ensures that consumer goods are kept fresh for a longer period of time and increases the shelf life of consumer goods. However, the effectiveness of the outer shell depends on the quality of the seal provided at the ends of the container, where the outer shell is folded and sealed.

[004] Conventional cigarette pack packaging consists of a pack of cigarettes wrapped in a laminated sheet of paper / metal, received in a container typically formed from a cardboard box. The container usually has a hinged lid to provide access to the cigarette pack. The container is often formed of pre-painted blank cardboard stock that is folded and wrapped around the cigarette pack. The container is wrapped in a clear heat-sealed film, most commonly polypropylene with a built-in disposable tape to aid easy opening.

[005] Of these packaging components, only the outermost film contributes significantly to the stability of the shelf life of packaged cigarettes. The plastic film acts as a moisture barrier, but its effectiveness highly depends on obtaining the appropriate seals in the folded, overlapping areas of the film wrap. Nevertheless, the rate of transmission of the moisture barrier, through plastic films, helps to maintain the starting moisture and other volatile components of cigarettes as manufactured, when packaged cigarettes are exposed to environments that have a higher relative humidity or lower than the internal humidity of the cigarette pack. While polypropylene film has commonly been used as an external wrap, other film materials have been used that offer reduced moisture transmission rates, for example, vacuum metallized plastic films, but these materials are still highly dependent on sealing. folding, overlapping areas of the film when wrapped around the container.

[006] It was proposed, for example, in WO-A-2009/083344, to apply a continuous layer of plastic coating over a filled container in order to provide an improved seal.

[007] It would be desirable to provide a new way to prevent the ingress or immersion of air, moisture, odors or flavors inside or outside the container during storage.

[008] According to the invention, a container for consumer goods is provided comprising: a box for storing consumer goods; an internal structure mounted inside the box and having an upper portion extending above the upper edges of the box; a hinged lid connected to the box along a hinged and pivotable line on the hinged line between an open position and a closed position, where the inner surfaces of the hinged lid are in contact with the outer surfaces of the upper portion of the inner structure. The inner surfaces of the hinged lid and the outer surfaces of the upper portion of the inner structure are at least partially covered by a layer of sealing lining of a sealable material. The material may be able to be sealed to itself, to other areas of the container that are not covered by a layer of sealing coating, such as coated cardboard, or both, to itself and other areas not covered by the seal. container. Before the first opening of the hinged lid, the layers of sealing lining in contact with the hinged lid surfaces and the internal structure are connected together to form an airtight seal.

[009] The 'inner surfaces' of the container components of the present invention are the surfaces that are turned inwardly towards the interior of the container and the consumer goods within the box. Internal surfaces typically provide surfaces within the container when the hinged lid is in the closed position. The container components comprise the container box and lid as well as the internal structure.

[0010] The ‘outer surfaces’ of the container components of the present invention are the surfaces that face outwardly towards the outside of the container and away from consumer goods within the box. In some cases, the outer surfaces of a component, such as the box, can also provide the outer surfaces of the container when the hinged lid is in the open and closed position. In other cases, the outer surfaces of a component may not form the outer surfaces of the container in both the open position and the closed position, but may instead be covered by panels of other components of the container when the hinged lid is attached. in the open position or in the closed position, or both. For example, the outer surfaces of the upper portion of the internal structure are covered by the hinged lid when the hinged lid is in the closed position. The rest of the external surfaces of the internal structure are covered by box walls in both positions.

[0011] The term 'sealable' is used to refer to a type of adhesive material that is capable of forming a seal upon exposure to specific conditions, such as heat, pressure, ultrasound or UV light. Prior to exposure to these specific conditions, the sealable material will not typically adhere to itself or other surfaces of the container. This means that it can be conveniently applied to the laminar blanks to form the container according to the present invention during the production of the blanks, before filling and assembling the container. In the container of the present invention, the sealable material is capable of sealing itself or other areas of the container, in order to guarantee the closed lid in a closed position and provide restricted water vapor, airtight seal between the hinged lid and until the internal structure is opened for the first time.

[0012] The 'hermetic seal' according to the invention is a form of restricted water vapor closure that substantially prevents moisture and humidification from migrating through the container from the outside to the inside, in which the consumer goods are housed and also from the inside of the container towards the outside of the container. This ensures that the moisture inside the container remains substantially constant for as long as the container is closed. This advantageously increases the shelf life of consumer goods housed within the container.

[0013] Preferably, the rate of moisture transmission through airtight sealing of containers, according to the invention, is less than 15 grams of water per day per square meter, when measured according to the ASTM D3079 - 94 method. More preferably, the rate of moisture transmission through the airtight sealing of containers according to the invention is about 0.2 grams of water per day per square meter and about 8 grams of water per day per square meter of surface area. sealing.

[0014] In closed hinged lid containers, the main way in which gases such as oxygen or water vapor can permeate through consumer goods housed within the container box, is probably any gaps between the hinged lid and the box or container. internal structure. In the hinged lid container according to the invention, the sealing coating layer is thus provided on the hinged lid contact surfaces and the internal structure in order to provide an airtight seal such as gases that can no longer enter the container via such intervals.

[0015] Advantageously, the hermetic seal provided by the sealing coating layer provides an effective barrier layer such as an outer wrap or coating layer, it is no longer required in order to achieve the desired level of freshness of consumer goods within the container. In this way, the final step of overwrapping the container can be eliminated from the wrapping process. In this way, neither super-wrapping apparatus nor wrapping material is required. The production process of the containers according to the invention is thus more efficient than the existing processes, both in terms of time and cost.

[0016] Furthermore, the hermetic seal formed by the bonding of the sealing coating layers advantageously provides a way of tampering evident in the seal that allows the consumer to say whether or not the container was previously opened or tampered with in any way. The hermetic seal must be intact at the time of sale of the filled container and must be broken by the consumer in order to have access to consumer goods. The presence of an unbreakable seal between the hinged lid and the internal structure indicates that the hinged lid has not yet been opened and consumer goods have not been accessed. It can also reflect to the consumer that the consumer goods inside the container are still fresh, since the hermetic seal has not yet been broken.

[0017] Advantageously, the sealable lining material can be applied to the surfaces of the container during the production of laminar blanks, in such a way that the process of assembling and filling the containers, according to the invention, can be carried out using apparatus and conventional methods. The only modification necessary for the process is to subject the filled container to the necessary conditions, such as heat or pressure, to form the connection between the layers of seal liner on the hinged lid and the internal structure. Alternatively, the panels are sealed together in succession in separate sealing steps.

[0018] In order to provide a restricted water vapor seal between the hinged lid and the inner frame, the sealing lining layer preferably covers the entire surface area of the outer surfaces of the inner frame and the inner surfaces for the hinged lid. , which are placed in contact with each other, when the hinged lid is in the closed position. This further prevents gases from entering the container through any gaps or breaks in the seal.

[0019] The entire covering of the sealing coating layer can conveniently be accomplished by coating an entire surface of the blank or laminar blanks that are used to form the hinged lid and the internal structure. For example, the inner surface of the laminar blank to form the hinged lid (and optionally the box) of the containers according to the invention can be completely covered with a coating layer of the sealable material. The 'inner surface' of the laminar blank refers to the surface on the side of the blank that will form most of the inner surfaces of the hinged lid and box when the container is assembled. Typically, most of the opposite, outer surface, will be printed with graphics and text to be displayed on the outside of the assembled container.

[0020] Once sealed, the sealable material must provide a sufficiently resistant seal between the hinged lid and the internal structure that the seal remains airtight and the hinged lid remains securely in place before the first opening of the container. However, it may also be possible for the consumer to be able to readily break the seal and separate the hinged lid from the internal structure in order to access consumer goods without damaging the container. The strength of the seal between the hinged lid and the internal structure is therefore preferably between 2 Newtons and 7 Newtons, preferably between about 2 Newtons and 4 Newtons.

[0021] Preferably, the sealing lining layer on the outer surfaces of the internal structure extends below the level of the free edges of the box, such that the sealing lining layer can additionally be used to provide an airtight seal between the structure inner and inner surfaces of the box. This is particularly convenient in cases where the inner surface of the laminar blanks, or blanks forming the hinged lid and box, are fully lined with the sealable material. Advantageously, this also simplifies the positioning of the internal structure inside the box, as there is a sealable material below and above the upper edge of the front wall of the box. The seal between the inner frame and the box ensures that the inner frame remains in place inside the box and also further improves the seal of the container before the first opening.

[0022] The sealing coating layer can be formed of any suitable sealing material that is capable of sealing under certain conditions that can be conveniently provided during the production of filling containers and without adversely affecting the consumer goods within the container. Preferred sealable materials include heat sealable materials that become viscous and can seal upon application of heat. Suitable sealable materials include non-water-based materials or water-based materials that can later become resistant to water or water vapor. For example, suitable sealable materials, but which are not limited to polyolefins, PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride) resin and adhesive waxes. Preferably, the outer shell is coated with a sealable polyolefin as one or a combination of: polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene, an ethylene-propylene copolymer, a propylene-butylene copolymer, an ethylene-butylene copolymer, an ethylene-propylene terpolymer - butylene.

[0023] The sealing coating layer is preferably applied in the form of an emulsion or dispersion born of solvent, oil or water from at least one of the coating materials indicated above. The dry weight of the coating layer is preferably between about 1 gram per square meter and about 100 grams per square meter (gsm).

[0024] Containers according to the invention will typically be assembled in a conventional manner, folding one or more laminar blanks around the consumer goods and giving overlapping panels of the laminar blanks together in order to retain the container in the assembled structure. This can be accomplished using conventional glues or adhesives. However, using standard bonding techniques, the adhesive used to seal overlapping panels of the container is not typically applied to the entire surface area of the contact surfaces. In this way, even though the overlapping panels are successfully attached together, there may be gaps or channels extending between the outside of the container and the inside of the container in which no adhesive is provided. This means that the seal between the overlapping panels may not be entirely restricted water vapor and thus air or moisture may migrate into the container and adversely affect consumer goods.

[0025] In preferred embodiments of the present invention at least one wall of each container comprises an inner panel and an outer panel overlapping the inner panel, wherein the contact surfaces of the inner panel and the outer panel are covered by a coating layer of seal that a sealable material that is able to seal and in which the layers of seal liner, on the contact surfaces of the inner panel and the outer panel, are bonded together to form the hermetic seal. Preferably, the area that is covered by the sealable coating is about 100 percent of the contact surface. Alternatively, through a suitable choice of pattern, a smaller coating can be carried out, for example, between about 30 percent and about 100 percent of the contact surface. The sealable material between the overlap of the inner panel and the outer panel is preferably the same material used to provide the hermetic seal between the hinged cover and the inner structure, as described above.

[0026] Preferably, the sealable material is used in place of the conventional adhesive to tightly seal all overlapping panels of the container, in addition to the hinged lid seal and the internal structure. For example, in a hinged lid container of conventional construction, the sealable material can be used to seal overlapping panels formed on the side of the walls and the bottom wall of the box, as well as the side walls and the top of the hinged lid wall. . In this way, all the seals provided in the container are restricted water vapor and the migration of moisture in the container can be further reduced.

[0027] As with the contact surfaces of the hinged cover and the internal structure, the sealable material should preferably cover the entire surface area of the contact surfaces of the inner panel and the outer panel overlapping so that there are no gaps or breaks in the resulting seal, through which air or moisture may be able to permeate.

[0028] Preferably, a sealing force between the overlapping panels is adjusted in such a way that the seal remains airtight and is sufficiently resistant and the container is able to withstand the stress to which it can be subjected within the supplied chain, or during the use. In contrast, the seal between the hinged lid and the internal structure is generally not desirable for the seal between overlapping panels of the container as it is breakable by the consumer. Furthermore, the seals must remain intact, when the necessary force is applied to break the seal between the hinged cover and the internal structure. The sealing force between the overlapping panels is, therefore, at least about 4 Newtons and is preferably at least the same as the sealing force between the hinged cover and the internal structure, and more preferably greater.

[0029] Preferably, the sealing coating layer is applied to the corresponding panels of the laminar blank or blanks forming the box and hinged cover in such a way that the panels are fully covered. In preferred embodiments, the inner surface of the laminar blanks, or blanks, is completely covered with the sealing coating layer, as described above. In addition, the outer surfaces of the panels that form the inner panels of the panels superimposed on the hinged cover and the housing must be fully covered with the sealing lining layer. If desired, both sides of the laminar blanks, or blanks, can be completely covered with the sealing coating layer.

[0030] Preferably, consumer products within the container box, according to the invention, are wrapped in an inner lining to further ensure that the freshness of consumer goods is maintained during storage. Preferably, the inner liner comprises one or more lines of fragility defining an opening loop, wherein the opening loop is separable from the rest of the inner liner to provide an access opening in the inner liner through which consumer goods can be removed . If desired, a releasable adhesive label can be provided on the opening handle on the inner liner, such that the opening handle can be released in the closed position between uses.

[0031] In certain preferred embodiments, the opening loop of the inner lining adheres to an inner surface of the hinged lid in such a way that the movement of the hinged lid to the open position causes the opening loop to separate from the rest of the inner lining to form opening access. The opening handle can be directly adhered to the inner surface of the hinged lid, or it can be adhered to the surface by means of an adhesive label.

[0032] Preferably, the inner liner is at least partially in contact with the box and the outer surface of the inner liner and the inner surface of the box are at least partially covered by a sealing coating layer of a sealable material . Preferably, the sealing coating layers on the contact surfaces of the inner liner and the housing are bonded together. The sealing force between the inner liner and the housing is preferably at least about 4 Newtons. The sealable material used to connect the inner liner and the box is preferably the same as that used to form the hermetic seal between the hinged lid and the inner structure. The sealable material secures the inner liner to the box in such a way that the opening handle can be readily detached from the rest of the inner liner without displacing the inner liner, or pulling the entire inner liner out of the box.

[0033] Preferably, the inner lining is formed of sheet metal or metallized paper.

[0034] In preferred embodiments, the laminar white space to form the box is already fully covered on the inner surface with the sealing coating layer, as described above. In order to seal between the inner liner and the housing, the sealing liner layer must also be applied to at least part of the outer surface of the inner liner.

[0035] Preferably, containers according to the invention further comprise a layer of peelable adhesive applied over the sealing coating layer in one or more areas on the outer surface of the internal structure, wherein the peelable adhesive releasably seals the hinged lid in position closed. Once the hermetic seal is broken, the release adhesive allows the hinged lid to be sealed in the closed position between uses. In this way, the hinged lid does not become inadvertently opened. This ensures that the freshness of the consumer goods is retained as much as possible after the first opening of the container and also prevents dust or other foreign particles from entering the container and coming into contact with the consumer goods.

[0036] Preferably, the release adhesive will provide sufficient adhesion for the hinged lid to be released in the closed position, at least as many times as consumer goods have in the container in such a way that it can be used to reseal the hinged lid until the container is empty.

[0037] Materials suitable for use as a release adhesive are known to the skilled person. In an example of the present invention, the releasable adhesive comprises an acrylate component. Preferably the resealable adhesive is applied in the form of an emulsion or dispersion of water origin comprising the adhesive component. The dry weight of the resealable adhesive is preferably between about 1 gram per square meter and about 50 grams per square meter (gsm).

[0038] Preferably, the front wall of the hinged cover comprises a pull tab extending from the free edge of the front wall. Preferably, the front wall of the box comprises a piece cut on the free edge, corresponding in size, shape and position to the pull handle of the hinged lid, such that the pull handle can stay within the cut when the hinged lid is in the closed position. The pull handle facilitates the opening of the hinged lid and, in particular, the breaking of the hermetic seal between the hinged lid and the internal structure during the first opening of the container. If desired, the pull handle can be attached to the front wall along the hinged line, such as a folding line, to further facilitate grabbing of the pull handle by the consumer during use. The pull handle can extend, breaking along the free edge of the front wall of the hinged lid, or it can extend from the beginning to the end of the free edge. When the pull handle extends only in part along the free edge, the pull handle is preferably provided substantially in the center of the free edge of the front wall.

[0039] In certain preferred embodiments of the invention, the container further comprises a disposable adhesive tape applied to one or more of the free edges of the hinged lid, before the first opening of the hinged lid in order to seal the hinged lid in the closed position. The adhesive tape provides an additional airtight seal around at least part of the hinge cover junction and the internal structure, or the corresponding free edge of the box when the hinge cover is in the closed position. This further improves the seal closure of the hinged lid. The disposable adhesive tape must be removed from the container before the hinged lid can be removed to an open position.

[0040] Preferably, the disposable adhesive tape extends at least along the junction of the edge of the front wall of the hinged lid with the internal structure or the free edge of the front wall of the box. Optionally, the disposable adhesive tape can also extend along the junction of the edges of the side walls of the hinged lid with the internal structure, or the corresponding free edges of the side walls of the box so that the disposable tape covers the entire length of the free edge hinged lid. Preferably, when the disposable adhesive tape extends along the junctions of the side walls of the container, the free edges of the side walls and the front wall of the hinged lid are substantially horizontal. In this way, the junction between the hinged lid and the internal structure or box extends around the container in a substantially resistant line. This facilitates the application and removal of the disposable adhesive tape.

[0041] Materials suitable for forming the disposable tape must be known to the person skilled. In one example, disposable OPP (oriented polypropylene) tape is provided.

[0042] Alternatively or in addition to the disposable adhesive tape, containers according to the present invention may further comprise an adhesive label provided on the free edges of the hinged lid and connecting the hinged lid to the box before the first opening of the container, where the The label comprises a line of weaknesses substantially coinciding with a free edge of the hinged lid in such a way that the label that is separated along the hinge line of the hinge lid is moved to the open position for the first time. The adhesive label provides another obvious way to tamper with the seal, since the presence of an intact adhesive label provides evidence that the container has not yet been opened or tampered with.

[0043] Preferably, containers according to the invention still comprise a cut extending from each of the opposite ends of the hinge line along the back wall to the adjacent side edge of the back wall of the container. Preferably each cut extends no more than about 2 mm from the side edge. Typically, similarly positioned cuts are provided in a conventional hinged lid container in order to improve the opening and closing of the hinged lid. However, in the containers of the present invention the cuts are shorter in length than in conventional containers. For example, the cuts in containers according to the invention are preferably about half the length of the cuts in conventional containers. Decreasing the length of the cuts further reduces any potential pathways within the container, through which oxygen, moisture or other gases may migrate during storage. In this way, the reduced cuts further improve the seal provided by the containers according to the invention before the first opening.

[0044] As described above, containers according to the invention are preferably formed of one or more laminar blanks which are provided with the sealing coating layers on the appropriate surfaces of the space or blanks.

[0045] According to the invention, a laminar blank is provided to form a container according to any preceding claim, the blank comprising a box defining portion, and a hinged lid defining portion, wherein the inner surface of the lid articulated defining the portion is covered with a sealing coating layer of a sealable material that is able to seal. The laminar blank of the present invention is used in combination with a laminar blank to form the internal structure, which is mounted within the container box and which is provided with a layer of sealing coating on the external surfaces, for connection with the sealing coating layer on the inner surface of the hinged cover.

[0046] According to the invention there is also provided a method of hermetically sealing a container for consumer goods according to the invention, as described above, the method comprising: providing a layer of sealing coating on the inner surfaces of the hinged lid and on the external surfaces of the internal structure; provide consumer goods within the portion of the box; move the hinged lid to a closed position; and connecting the sealing lining layers of the contact surfaces of the internal structure and the hinged cover to provide an airtight seal. The bonding step of the method of the present invention preferably comprises exposing the coating layers to heat, pressure, or both in order to adhere the sealable material.

• - Uma ou duas bordas longitudinais redondas ou cônicas na parede da frente, e/ou uma ou duas bordas longitudinais redondas ou cônicas na parede de trás.
• - Uma ou duas bordas transversas redondas ou cônicas na parede da frente, e/ou uma ou duas bordas transversas redondas ou cônicas na parede de trás.
• - Uma borda longitudinal redonda e uma borda longitudinal cônica na parede da frente, e/ou um borda transversal redonda e um borda transversal cônica na parede de trás.
• - Uma ou duas bordas transversais redondas ou cônicas na parede da frente e uma ou duas bordas longitudinais redondas ou cônicas na parede da frente.

[0047] Containers according to the invention may be in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped, with longitudinal right-angle edges and longitudinal right-angle edges. Alternatively, the container may comprise one or more round longitudinal edges, round transverse edges, conical longitudinal edges or conical transverse edges thereof. For example, the container according to the invention can comprise, without limitation:

• - One or two longitudinal round or tapered edges on the front wall, and / or one or two longitudinal round or tapered edges on the back wall.
• - One or two round or tapered transverse edges on the front wall, and / or one or two round or tapered transverse edges on the back wall.
• - A round longitudinal edge and a tapered longitudinal edge on the front wall, and / or a round cross edge and a tapered cross edge on the back wall.
• - One or two round or tapered transverse edges on the front wall and one or two round or tapered longitudinal edges on the front wall.

[0048] - Two longitudinal round or tapered edges on a first side wall or two round or tapered transverse edges on the second side wall.

[0049] When the container comprises one or more round edges and is made of one or more laminar blanks, preferably the blanks comprise three, four, five, six or seven dashed lines or wrinkled lines to form each round edge in the mounted container. The dashed lines or wrinkled lines can be on the inside of the container or on the outside of the container. Preferably, the dashed lines or the wrinkled lines are spaced from each other by between about 0.3 mm and 4 mm.

[0050] Preferably, the spaced or wrinkled lines are a function of the thick laminar white space. Preferably, the spacing between the wrinkled lines and the dashed lines is between about 0.5 and about 4 times greater than the thickness of the laminar blank.

[0051] When the container comprises one or more tapered edges, preferably the tapered 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 cone formed by three parallel, dashed lines that are spaced in such a way that two distinct conical lines are formed at the edge of the container.

[0052] When the container comprises a tapered edge and is made of one or more laminar blanks, the cone can be formed by two wrinkled lines or parallel dashed lines in the laminar blank. Wrinkled lines or dashed lines can be arranged symmetrically to the edge between a first wall and a second wall. Alternatively, the wrinkled lines or dashed lines can be arranged asymmetrically to the edge between the first wall and the second wall, such that the wrinkle extends on a first wall of the container than on the second wall of the container.

[0053] Alternatively, the container may have a non-rectangular, for example, polygonal cross-section such as triangular or hexagonal, or oval, semi-oval, circular or semicircular.

[0054] Containers according to the invention find particular application as packages for elongated smoking articles such as, for example, cigarettes, cigars or cigarillos.

[0055] According to the invention there is provided a hermetically sealed package of tobacco articles comprising a container according to the invention, as described above, with a plurality of tobacco articles housed within the box, wherein the connection between the layers lining which can be sealed on the inner surface of the hinged lid and on the outer surface of the inner structure is intact to provide an airtight seal.

[0056] It will be realized that through appropriate choices of the dimensions of the same, containers according to the invention can be designed for different numbers of conventional sizes, "king size", "super-king size", thin or super-thin cigarettes.

[0057] Through an appropriate choice of the dimensions of the same, the containers, according to the invention, can be designed to maintain different total numbers of smoking articles, or different arrangements of smoking articles. For example, through an appropriate choice of their dimensions, containers according to the invention can be designed to hold a total of between ten and thirty tobacco articles.

[0058] The tobacco articles in the container can be arranged in different collages, depending on the total number of tobacco articles. For example, tobacco articles can be arranged in a single row of six, seven, eight, nine or ten. Alternatively, the smoking articles can be arranged in two or more rows. The two or more rows contain the same number of articles of tobacco. For example, tobacco articles can 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 a different number of smoking articles from each other. For example, smoking articles can 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 row in the middle of five out of 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 an outer row of five and an outer row of seven (5-6-7).

[0059] Containers according to the present invention can hold tobacco articles of the same type or brand, or of different types or brands. In addition, both unfiltered smoking articles and smoking articles with multiple filter tips can be included, as well as smoking articles of different lengths (for example, between about 40 mm and about 180 mm), diameter ( for example, between about 4 mm and about 9 mm). In addition, tobacco articles may differ in flavor resistance, resistance to extraction and distribution of the particulate matter. Preferably, the dimensions of the container are adapted to the length of the smoking articles, and the bonding 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 tobacco articles or packs housed within the container.

[0060] The length, width and depth of the containers according to the invention can be such that, in the closed position, the total dimensions resulting from the container are similar to the dimensions of a hinged lid package to the typical twenty cigarette arrangement .

[0061] Preferably, containers according to the invention have a height of about 60 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably the height of about 70 mm and about 125 mm, where the height is measured from the top wall to the bottom wall of the container.

[0062] Preferably, containers according to the invention have a width of about 12 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably a width of about 70 mm and about 125 mm, where the width is measured from a side wall to the other side wall of the container.

[0063] Preferably, containers according to the invention have a depth of about 6 mm and about 100 mm, more preferably a depth of about 12 mm and about 25 mm in which the depth is measured from the wall of the facing the back wall of the container (comprising the hinge between the box and the lid).

[0064] Preferably, the ratio of the height of the container to the depth of the container is about 0.3 to 1 and about 10 to 1, more preferably about 2 to 1 and about 8 to 1, most preferably between about from 3 to 1 and 5 to 1

[0065] Preferably, the ratio of the width of the container to the depth of the container is between about 0.3 to 1 and about 10 to 1, more preferably between about 2 to 1 and about 8 to 1, more preferably about from 2 to 1 and 3 to 1.

[0066] In spite of being sealed, once filled, containers according to the invention can be rolled up shrunk or on the contrary supercoiled with a transparent polymeric film of, for example, high or low density polyethylene, polypropylene, oriented polypropylene, chloride polyvinylidene, cellulose film, or combinations thereof in a conventional manner. When containers according to the invention are supercoiled, the wrapper can include one or more disposable tapes. In addition, the super-envelope can be printed with images, consumer information or other data. The additional outer casing can advantageously protect the surface of the container, for example, against abrasion during handling.

[0067] As well as housing a packet of tobacco articles, the container can also comprise other consumer goods, for example, matches, lighters, extinguishing means, breath fresheners or electronics. The other consumer goods can be attached to the outside of the container, contained within the container together with the smoking articles, in a separate compartment of the container or in combinations thereof.

[0068] The external surfaces of the containers according to the invention can be printed, embossed, not embossed or otherwise embellished with the manufacturer's or brand logos, trademarks, slogans and other consumption information and indications.

[0069] The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached drawings in which:

[0070] Figure 1 shows a front perspective view of a hinged lid container according to the present invention with the hinged lid in an open position;

[0071] Figure 2a shows a top view of a laminar blank to form the box and hinged lid of the container of Figure 1;

[0072] Figure 2b shows a top view of a laminar blank to form the internal structure of the container of Figure 1; and

[0073] Figure 3 shows a front perspective view of another hinged lid container according to the present invention with the hinged lid in a closed position.

[0074] The hinged lid container 2 shown in Figure 1 is a rectangular parallelepiped and comprises a box 10 and a lid 20 which is hinged to the box 10 along with the hinge line 45 extending substantially horizontally along the back wall of the container 2. A rolled-up cigarette pack (not shown) is housed in box 10 of container 2. The total size and structure of box 10 and lid 20 of container 2 is substantially the same as that of a hinged-cigarette pack standard.

[0075] Box 10 has a front wall of box 12, a wall on the left side of box 14, a wall on the right side of box 15, a wall behind the box, and a bottom wall of box. The upper side of the box 10 is opened to provide an upper opening through which the cigarettes can be removed. The front wall of the box 12 comprises a semicircular cut 16 at the upper free edge 18. Each of the side walls of the box 14,15 is formed by an inner panel 14a, 15a and lying on the outer panel 14b, 14a, in which the inner panel and outer panel are sealed together, as described below.

[0076] The terms "front", "back", "top", "bottom", "side", "top", "bottom" and other terms used to describe positions relative to 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 at the back. The terms "left" and "right" are used with reference to the side walls of the container when container 2 is viewed from the front in its vertical position. When the upright container is open, the cigarettes contained in box 10 can be removed from the upper end of container 2.

[0077] The lid 20 has a front wall of the lid 22, a wall on the left side of the lid 24, a wall on the right side of the lid 25, a back wall of the lid and an upper wall of the lid. A semicircular pull handle 26 extends from the free edge 28 of the front wall of the lid 22. The pull handle 26 corresponds in size, shape and position to the semicircular cut 16 on the front wall of the box 12. Each of the side walls 24 , 25 of the cover is formed of an inner panel 24a, 25a and an overlapping outer panel 24b, 24a, in which the inner panel and the outer panel are sealed together, as described below.

[0078] When container 2 is closed, the free edges of the walls of the lid 20 limit the free edges of the walls of the box 10 along a line of contact point and the pull handle 26 fits within the semicircular cut 16. In the closed position, the walls of the lid 20 thus form extensions of the corresponding walls of the box 10 to define the walls of the container 2.

[0079] An internal structure 30 is mounted inside the box 10 of the container 2. The internal structure 30 comprises a front wall of the internal structure 32, a left side wall of the internal structure 34 and a right side wall of the internal structure which are connected to the inner surface of the front wall of the box 12, the left side wall of the box and the right side wall of the box 14, respectively. The internal structure of the front wall 32 includes a rectangular cut 36 at the free edge of the top of the internal structure of the front wall 32 in order to facilitate the removal of cigarettes from box 10. The internal structure of the front wall 32 is sufficient length extending below the cut 16 provided on the front wall of the box 12.

[0080] Box 10 and lid 20 of container 2 are formed from a single laminar blank 102 shown in Figure 2a. Dotted lines indicate folded lines in white space. The laminar blank 102 comprises a box definition portion 110 and a lid definition portion 120 connected along hinge line 45. The inner surface of the laminar blank 102 is fully coated with a layer of seal liner formed of a polyolefin material that is able to seal. The inner surface of the laminar blank 102 provides the inner surfaces of the hinged lid 20 and the box 10 and the sealing coating layer thereby covers the inner surfaces of the assembled container 2. The outer surface of the laminar blank 102, as shown in Figure 2a, is additionally coated with a sealing coating layer on the panels shown as shaded in Figure 2a. In the assembled container, these panels correspond to the inner panels 14a, 15a of the side walls of the box and the inner panels 24a, 25a of the side walls of the lid.

[0081] The internal structure 30 of the container 2 is formed from the laminar blank 130 shown in Figure 2b. Dotted lines indicate folded lines in white space. The outer surface of the laminar blank 130, as shown in Figure 2b, is coated with a sealing coating layer 138 in the areas of the front wall of the frame 32 and the side walls 34.35 of the frame that are located close to the edges free of the box in the assembled container. The sealing lining layer also extends under the front wall of the structure to cover the area of the wall that is in contact with the front wall of the box in the mounted container. As in Figure 2a, the sealing coating layer is shown as shaded in Figure 2b.

[0082] During the assembly of the container from the laminar blanks 102,130, the internal structure 30 is mounted on the portion of the box in such a way that the sealing coating layer 138 is provided in the correct position close to the free edges of the box 10 The sealing lining layer at the bottom of the front wall 32 of the structure is brought into contact with the sealing lining layer on the inner surface of the front wall of the housing 12 and the sealing lining layer is then shaded in such a way. so that the layers bond together to provide an airtight seal between the front wall of the frame 32 and the front wall of the box 12.

[0083] After the assembly of the container 2 from the laminar blanks and the filling of the container with the pack of tobacco articles, the hinged lid 20 is closed so that the sealing coating layer on the internal surfaces of the hinged lid 20 is placed in contact with the sealing liner layer on the outer surfaces of the internal structure 30. The sealing liner layers are then heated so that the layers are bonded together to provide the hermetic seal between the hinged cover 20 and the internal structure 30.

[0084] In order to open container 2 for the first time, the consumer can grab the pull handle 26 and push the hinged lid 20 to break the airtight seal between the hinged lid 20 and the inner frame 30 and to subsequently pivot the hinged lid 20 backwards towards the open position shown in Figure 1.

[0085] In alternative embodiments of container 2, a resealable adhesive is provided on at least the front wall of the structure 32 so that the hinged lid can be released in the closed position between uses, even after the hermetic seal provided by the coating layers have been broken.

The container 50 shown in Figure 3 is similar in construction to the container 2 shown in Figure 1 and comprises a hinged lid 20 'connected to a box 10' for housing the smoking articles. The hinged lid is hermetically sealed to the internal structure as a result of bonding the sealing liner layers, as described above for container 2. In addition, in container 50 disposable tape 52 is provided over the boundary line between the edges free of the hinged lid 20 'and the free edges of the box portion 10'. The line of limitations is different from that of container 2, since it extends in a straight horizontal line, along the front wall and both side walls of the container. As a result, the hinge line portion 45 is above the level at which the free edges of the side walls of the lid meet the back wall of the container in the closed position of the hinge lid. In order to maintain the vertical limit line, on the pull or cut handle, they are provided on the front walls of the lid and the box.

[0087] Container 50 is shown in Figure 3 with the disposable tape 52 partially removed. In order to open the container 50 for the first time, the disposable tape 52 must be completely removed from the container and the airtight seal between the hinged lid 20 'and the broken inner structure, as described above.

Claims (14)

Container (2, 50) for consumer goods comprising:
a box (10, 10 ') for storing consumer goods;
an internal structure (30) mounted inside the box (10) and having an upper portion extending above the upper edges of the box (18); and
a hinged lid (20, 20 ') connected to the box (10) along a hinged line (45) and pivoted around the hinged line (45) between an open position and a closed position, where the inner surfaces of the lid articulated (20) are in contact with the external surfaces of the upper portion of the internal structure (30);
characterized by the fact that the inner surfaces of the hinged lid (20) and the outer surfaces of the upper portion of the inner structure (30) are at least partially covered by a sealable coating layer of a sealable material such that the coating layers sealable on the contact surfaces of the hinged lid (20) and the internal structure (30) can be connected together to form a hermetic seal before the first opening of the hinged lid (20). Container according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the sealable material is selected from the group consisting of polyolefin, PVDC or an adhesive wax. Container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one wall of the container comprises an inner panel (14a, 15a, 24a, 25a) and an outer panel (14b, 15b, 24b, 25b) overlapping to the inner panel (14a, 15a, 24a, 25a), where the contact surfaces of the inner panel (14a, 15a, 24a, 25a) and the outer panel (14b, 15b, 24b, 25b) are covered by a layer of sealable coating of the sealable material and where the sealable coating layers on the contact surfaces of the inner panel (14a, 15a, 24a, 25a) and the outer panel (14b, 15b, 24b, 25b) are joined together to form an airtight seal . Container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the hinged lid (20) and the box (10, 10 ') are formed of one or more laminar voids (102, 130) and in which the surfaces internal of one or more laminar voids (102, 130) are completely covered by the layer of visible coating. Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the consumer goods are wrapped in an inner liner comprising one or more lines of fragility defining an opening handle, in which the opening handle is adhered to a surface inner of the hinged lid (20, 20 ') in such a way that the movement of the hinged lid (20, 20') to the open position produces a separation of the opening handle from the rest of the inner lining to provide an access opening in the inner lining . Container according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the consumer goods are wrapped in an inner liner at least partially in contact with the box (10, 10 '), in which the outer surface of the inner liner and the inner surface of the box (10, 10 ') is at least partially covered by a sealable coating layer of the sealable material and wherein the sealable coating layers on the contact surfaces of the inner liner and the box (10, 10') are connected to each other. Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it still comprises a layer of a releaseable adhesive applied over the sealable covering layer, in one or more areas on the external surface of the internal structure, in which the adhesive release releasably seals the hinged lid (20, 20 ') in the closed position. Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front wall (22) of the hinged lid (20, 20 ') comprises a push handle (26) extending from the free edge (28) of the wall from the front (22). Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it still comprises an adhesive loop tape (52) applied over one or more free edges of the hinged lid (20 '), before the first opening of the hinged lid (20 ') in order to seal the hinged cover (20') in the closed position. Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing force of the connection between the sealable covering layer on the inner surface of the hinged lid (20, 20 ') and the sealable covering layer on the surface The external structure (30) is between 4 Newtons and 7 Newtons. Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it still comprises an adhesive label provided on the free edges of the hinged lid (20, 20 ') and connecting the hinged lid (20, 20') to the portion of the box (10, 10 ') prior to the first opening of the container (2, 50), wherein the label comprises a line of fragility substantially coinciding with a free edge of the hinged lid (20, 20') such that the label is separated along the line of weakness when the hinged lid (20, 20 ') is moved to the open position for the first time. Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a cut extending from the opposite ends of the hinged line (45) along the rear wall to the adjacent side edge of the rear wall of the container, wherein each cut extends no more than 2 mm from the side edge. Hermetically sealed tobacco article package comprising a container (2, 50) for consumer goods as defined in any of claims 1 to 12, and with a plurality of tobacco articles housed within the box portion (10, 10 ' ), characterized by the fact that the connection between the sealable covering layers on the inner surface of the hinged cover (20, 20 ') and the outer surface of the inner structure (30) is intact to provide an airtight seal. Method of hermetically sealing a container (2, 50) for consumer goods as defined in any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it comprises: providing a sealable coating layer on the internal surfaces of the hinged lid (20, 20 ' ) and on the external surfaces of the internal structure (30); providing consumer goods within the box portion (10, 10 ’); moving the hinged lid (20, 20 ’) to a closed position; and connecting the sealable coating layers of the contact surfaces of the internal structure (30) and the hinged cover (20, 20 ’) to provide an airtight seal.

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