BR112017010754B1 - Packaging including access opening with closing flap and container - Google Patents

Abstract

A cigarette package (110) comprises a box (112) with a front wall (114), a back wall (116), a bottom wall (122), opposite side walls (118, 118') and a top wall (120). ) with an opening (124) therein for accessing the cigarettes (146) inside the package, wherein the opening extends across the entire top wall from the front edge thereof and wherein the periphery of the The access opening is spaced from the rear edge (132) and side edges of the top wall, so that the top wall extends around the rear (126) and sides (128, 128') of the opening. A closing flap (130), movable between a closed position, where the flap covers the opening, and an open position, where the opening is uncovered, extends from the rear wall of the package. A plate for such a package is also disclosed.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an innovative packaging for consumer goods that includes an opening for accessing the contents of the package and a flap for closing the opening. The invention also encompasses a container that includes said package in an external compartment. The containers and packages of the invention are useful for packaging elongated articles such as cigarettes and other smoking articles.

[0002] Cigarettes are often presented in hinged lid packs, which comprise a rectangular box bottom portion with the side and back walls connected by side walls and a bottom wall, and with a lid comprising front and rear walls connected by walls. sides and a top wall, and such a lid is hinged to the box to close it.

[0003] A packaging provision with front and back walls connected by side walls, bottom wall and top wall has also been proposed. Access to the inside of the pack is provided by a top wall cutout that extends from the rear edge across the top wall at the front edge of the top wall and partially into the front wall of the pack, leaving margins on either side of the top wall. and leaving most of the front wall intact. A flap extends from the rear wall of the package, which can be folded along the top wall and front wall to close the opening and be secured to the front wall. Packaging of this type can suffer from a lack of rigidity, especially when made from relatively thin cardboard or paper.

[0004] It would be useful to provide a package of the aforementioned type with greater rigidity to minimize deformation of the package in use, so as to provide greater protection to the consumer goods within the package. It would also be useful to provide such packaging that can be manufactured and assembled with minimal modification to conventional packaging techniques and machinery.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the invention, a package for consumer goods is provided, comprising a box, which comprises a front wall, a rear wall opposite the front wall, a bottom wall, opposite side walls and a top wall. with an opening allowing access to the consumer goods within the package, wherein the opening extends through the top wall from the front edge thereof, and wherein the periphery of the access opening is spaced from the rear edge and from the side edges of the top wall, so that the top wall extends around the back and sides of the opening.

[0006] In some embodiments, the package further comprises a flap movable between a closed position in which the flap covers the opening, and an open position in which the opening is uncovered. In some embodiments, the flap is hinged to the back wall along the top edge of the back wall.

[0007] In some embodiments, the opening also extends partially along the front wall from the edge of the front wall to the top wall, and the flap comprises an upper portion that overlaps the top wall when in the closed position. , and a front portion that at least partially covers the front wall when the flap is in the closed position.

[0008] In some embodiments, the opening extends to a maximum of 80%, preferably up to 70%, still preferably up to 60% of the depth of the top wall from the leading edge of the top wall and towards the trailing edge thereof. In some embodiments, the surface of the opening in the top wall of the compartment is at most 70%, preferably up to 60%, most preferably at most 50% of the surface of the top of the package. In some embodiments, the surface of the opening is at least 5%, preferably at least 20 percent, of the surface of the top of the package.

[0009] In some embodiments, the flap, in its closed position, may be received behind the front wall of the compartment or in a slot or cutout in the front wall of the package in its closed position.

[00010] In some embodiments, the flap includes a resealable adhesive on at least a portion of its interior surface, so that the closure flap can be resealably affixed to the front wall of the package in its closed position.

[00011] In some embodiments, the top wall comprises a top wall top panel extending from the front wall of the compartment and includes an integral rear portion and side portions and a pair of top wall bottom panels extending from the top edges of the compartments. side walls of the compartment and underlying the side portions of the top panel of the top wall.

[00012] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a package according to the first aspect of the invention, housed in an outer compartment.

[00013] Packages according to the invention are useful for containing clusters of smoking articles, such as cigarettes, in the box. In a third aspect, the invention encompasses a pack according to the invention, with one or more groupings of smoking articles therein. The package may contain, for example, cigarettes, cigars or cigarillos. It will be appreciated that, by choosing suitable dimensions for the package, packages in accordance with the invention can be made for different numbers of cigarettes of conventional size, large size, extra large size, and slim or extra slim size. Packages in accordance with the present invention may also be used for consumer goods other than smoking articles.

[00014] In packages according to the invention, the periphery of the opening is defined beyond the side and rear edges of the top wall of the package. The top wall therefore extends around three sides (rear and both sides) of the opening so that the side portions of the top wall are contoured by the rear portion. This provides greater rigidity and, in particular, greater resistance to shear forces. This, in turn, reduces the chances of the package deforming, for example, when a user holds it, which provides better protection for the consumer goods inside the package.

[00015] The top wall can be formed as a single panel, rather than two separate side panels as in the prior art, due to the inclusion of a rear contour portion. This reduces the number of bends required during the assembly process, simplifying production.

[00016] Closing tab works similarly to prior art packages; the presence of the contour portion of the top wall does not significantly affect the construction or closure of the package.

[00017] Also according to the invention there is provided a laminar sheet for a package according to any one of claims 1 to 11, and such sheet comprises a portion defining the box, including a front wall panel and a wall panel back, a first panel and a second side wall panel, and a top wall panel in which the opening extends from the front edge of the top wall panel and in which the top wall panel extends around the rear and sides of the opening, and a flap hinged to the back wall panel of the box-forming portion along the upper edge of the back wall panel. Preferably, the front wall panel has an opening contiguous with the opening of the top wall panel.

[00018] In preferred embodiments, the sheet comprises a front wall panel, an exterior wall panel extending from each of the two opposite edges of the front wall panel, a top wall panel extending from one edge of the panel a front wall panel, a bottom (bottom) wall panel extending from one edge of the front wall panel, a side flap wall extending from one of the opposite edges of the bottom wall panel, a back wall panel that extending from an edge of the back panel opposite the front wall panel, an interior panel extending from each of the opposite edges of the back panel, and a closing flap panel extending from the edge of the opposite back panel to the bottom panel, wherein such panels are distinguished from each other by fold lines. Preferably, the closing flap panel comprises a top wall closing panel extending from the edge of the rear wall panel as opposed to the lower wall panel, and a front wall closing panel extending from the edge of the rear wall panel. top wall closure as opposed to back wall panel.

[00019] It will be appreciated that the features described with reference to one aspect of the present invention are applicable to any other aspect of the invention. The advantages described in relation to one aspect of the invention may also be applicable to another aspect of the invention.

[00020] The terms "front", "back", "top", "bottom", "above", "below", "side", "left", "right", "side", "top" "bottom" ", and other terms used to describe relative positions of the components of the containers according to the invention refer to the container in an upright position, with an open end of the box portion positioned upwards, and with the consumer goods accessible from the top end. The terms "side" and "side" are used with reference to the side walls of the container when the container is viewed from the front in its upright position.

[00021] When the packages of the invention are used as cigarette packs or other smoking articles, they can be made to accommodate different numbers of smoking articles, or different arrangements of smoking articles. For example, a packet in accordance with the invention may be designed to hold a total of ten to twenty smoking articles.

[00022] The smoking articles can be arranged in the package in different groupings depending on the total number of smoking articles. Preferably, the smoking articles are arranged in two or more rows. The two or more rows may contain the same number of smoking articles. Alternatively, the two or more rows may include at least two rows that contain different numbers of smoking articles. Preferably, the ratio of the height of the container to the depth of the container is between about 0.3 to 1 and about 10 to 1, even more preferably, between about 2 to 1 and about 8 to 1, and even more preferably , between about 3 to 1 and 5 to 1.

[00023] 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 between about 2 to 1 and 3 to 1.

[00024] The external surfaces of containers according to the invention may be printed, embossed, engraved or otherwise embellished with the manufacturer's or brand's logos, trademarks, slogans and other information and indicia for the consumer.

[00025] The term "hinging" is used throughout this report to refer to a common line between the flap and the packaging box; the flap pivots on the hinge line between a closed position and an open position. The hinge may extend all or a portion of the width of the top wall of the container at any location on the trailing edge of the top wall of the box - i.e. between the trailing edge of the top wall of the box and the trailing edge of the box. opening. In some embodiments, the hinge line may substantially coincide with the trailing edge of the top wall of the box. In other embodiments, the hinge may extend across all or a portion of the width of the top wall of the container at an intermediate position between the rear edge of the top wall of the box and the front edge of the top wall of the box.

[00026] In using a package according to the invention, the user rotates the flap around the hinge line to reveal the opening and thus gain access to the contents stored within the box. The user rotates the flap back to cover the opening. When the flap is in the closed position, the opening is at least partially obstructed by the lid so that the inside of the package is inaccessible and the consumer goods cannot be removed from the package.

[00027] Packages according to the invention can be formed from a single laminar sheet. In a fourth aspect, the invention provides a laminar sheet for a package in accordance with the invention. In some embodiments, the laminar sheet comprises a portion defining the box, including a front wall panel and a back wall panel, a first panel and a second side wall panel, and a top wall panel in which the opening opens. extends from the front edge of the top wall panel and wherein the top wall panel extends around the rear and sides of the opening, and a flap hinged to the box. In some embodiments, the flap is hinged to the back wall panel of the portion defining the box along the upper edge of the back wall panel.

[00028] The term "panel" is used in this specification to refer to a portion of a packaging sheet that forms part or all of a wall of the assembled container. A panel can be one or more fold lines from one or more other panels. The term "fold line" refers to a fold between two adjacent panels. When the container is formed, adjacent panels are folded along their common fold line, which may define an edge of the container or a portion thereof. In the assembled container, a "wall" can be formed from one or several overlying panels which are connected to each other, for example, by means of an adhesive. In addition, a wall can be formed by two or more overlapping or adjacent panels.

[00029] Packages in accordance with the present invention may conveniently be fabricated using collapsible laminar sheets made of any suitable material, including, but not limited to, cardboard, paperboard, plastic, metal or combinations thereof. Preferably, the package is formed from a folded sheet of cardboard. Preferably, the paperboard has a weight of between about 100 grams per square meter and about 250 grams per square meter, preferably between about 120 grams per square meter and about 180 grams per square meter. Packages in accordance with the invention will typically be assembled in the conventional manner, using standard manufacturing equipment, by folding one or more sheet metal sheets around the consumer goods, followed by sealing the overlying sheets of sheet metal to retain the container in assembled form. This can be achieved using conventional glues or adhesives.

[00030] Laminar sheets include dotted lines or bend lines that distinguish one panel from another, allowing the sheet to be molded into a package, and in some cases, the panels to be hinged to another panel. In the final package, the dotted lines or fold lines may be located on the inside or outside of the package.

[00031] The invention will be described in greater detail, by way of example, with reference to the figures, in which:

[00032] Figure 1 is an isometric view of a package according to an embodiment of the invention;

[00033] Figure 2 shows a plate for the packaging of Figure 1.

[00034] Figure 3 is an isometric view of a package according to another embodiment of the invention; and

[00035] Figure 4 shows a plate for the packaging of Figure 3.

[00036] The package 110 of the embodiment of Figure 1 is a pack of cigarettes. It is composed of a box 112 with a front wall 114, a back wall 116 (not visible in Figure 1) opposite the front wall, and sides, 118, 118' (only one of which is visible in Figure 1) connecting the front wall. to the rear wall, with an upper wall 120 and a lower (back) wall 122 (not visible in Figure 1). An opening 124 extends partially along the front portion of the top wall 120 and partially below the front wall 114. Rear 126 and side edges 128, 128' of the top wall remain and define that portion of the opening 124 in the top wall. The opening extends 25% below the height of the front wall 114; this proportion can be changed according to the size of the package in relation to the goods loaded inside the package. In the embodiment of Figure 1, the opening extends about 2/3 of the width of the package; again, this proportion can be changed depending on the size of the package in relation to the goods transported inside it.

[00037] A closing flap 130 extends from the rear wall 16 of the package and is hinged to the trailing edge 132 of the top wall 120. The closing flap consists of a top wall closing panel 134 extending from the rear wall 116 of the package, of which a front wall closure panel 136 extends along the fold 138. A handle 140 extends from the front wall closure panel 136 along the fold 142. A line 144 of resealable adhesive extends along the bottom of the front wall closure panel 136.

[00038] In using the package 110, the user holds the handle 138 of the flap 130 of the package closed and folds it up, peeling off the line 144 of resealable adhesive to reveal the opening 124, which allows a cigarette 146 to be removed from the package. packaging. The pack is closed by turning the flap top wall closing panel 134 toward the top wall 120 and subsequent turning the flap front wall closing panel 136 toward the front wall 114 of the pack to close the opening 124. over the front wall panel reseals the line 144 of resealable adhesive to hold the tab 130 in its closed position.

[00039] Figure 2 shows a sheet 200 for making a package of the type shown in Figure 1. In Figure 2, solid lines indicate cuts in the sheet and dashed lines indicate bend lines. The sheet is a single piece of paper or board comprising rectangular panels that correspond to each panel of the package and additional panels for the construction of the package, as follows. From each long edge of a front wall panel 214 extends an outer side wall panel 218, defined by a front wall panel by dashed lines 250. From a short edge of front wall panel 214 extends a front wall panel 214. top wall 220, defined from the front wall panel by a dashed line 252. A generally rectangular cutout 224 of the front wall and top wall panels provides opening 124 in the top and front walls of the package. From another short edge of the front wall panel 214 extends a lower wall panel 222, defined from the front wall panel by a dashed line 254. From the opposite edge of the rear wall panel 222 extends a panel of back wall 216, defined from the bottom wall panel by a dashed line 256. From each long edge of a back wall panel 216 extend side wall panels 218', defined by a back wall panel by dashed lines 250 '. From the short edges of the inner side wall panels 218' adjacent to the outer side wall panels 218 extend side wall handles 258, defined by the inner side wall panels of the box by the dotted lines 260. From the other short edges of the inner side wall panels of side wall 218' extend top wall lugs 262, distinguished from inner side wall panels by dotted lines 264. From the short edge of back wall panel 216 opposite which bottom panel 222 extends, a wall closure panel top 234 extends, distinguished from the back wall panel by a dotted line 266; from the opposite edge of this panel extends a front wall closure panel 236, defined by a dotted line 268. From the opposite edge of the front wall closure panel 236 extends a handle panel 240, defined by a dotted line 270 .

[00037] To form a package from the sheet, the sheet is folded around an array of cigarettes so that the front 214 and rear 216 panels are opposite each other, connected by the inner 218' and outer side walls. 218, which are glued together. The side wall lugs 258 are folded over and adhesive to the inside of the bottom wall panel 222. The top wall lugs 262 are folded over the top of the array and the top wall panel 220 is folded over and adhesive to the wall lugs. higher. A strip of resealable adhesive is applied to the inner side of the front wall closure panel 236. The dotted lines between the back wall panel 214, the upper wall closure panel 234, the front wall closure panel 236 and the straps 240 are folded so that the package can be closed by adhering the adhesive strip 144 (Figure 1) to the front wall closure panel 214. The package can then be wrapped on the outside with a clear plastic film, such as a bioriented polypropylene (BOPP) film.

[00038] The package 310 of the embodiment shown in Figure 3 is similar to that shown in Figure 1 (and similar reference numerals are used to indicate similar elements), except that the closing flap 330 is retained in the closed position.

[00039] The package 310 is composed of a box 112 with a front wall 114, a back wall 116 (not visible in Figure 3) opposite the front wall, and sides, 118, 118' (only one of which is visible in Figure 3). 3) connecting the front wall to the rear wall, with an upper wall 120 and a lower (back) wall 122 (not visible in Figure 3). An opening 124 extends partially along the front portion of the top wall 120 and partially below the front wall 114. Rear 126 and side edges 128, 128' of the top wall remain and define the portion of the opening 124 in the top wall. The opening extends 25% below the height of the front wall 114; this proportion can be changed according to the size of the package in relation to the goods loaded inside the package. In the embodiment of Figure 3, the opening extends about 2/3 of the width of the package; the width of the opening; again, this proportion can be changed depending on the size of the package in relation to the goods transported inside it.

[00040] A closing flap 330 extends from the rear wall 116 of the package and is hinged to the rear edge 132 of the top wall. The flap consists of an upper wall closure panel 334 extending from the rear wall 116 of the package, of which a front wall closure panel 336 extends along the fold 338. The front wall closure panel comprises a upper portion 340 of substantially the same width as the front wall 114 from which, along the fold 342, a tapered panel 344 extends. The tapered panel 344 is of sufficient width to close the opening 124 in the front wall of the package. The width of the tapered panel 340 reduces in the opposite direction of the upper portion 340 of the front wall closure panel 336. A handle 346 extends from the tapered panel 344 of a fold 348 along the edge of the tapered panel opposite the upper portion 344. A slit 350 extends across the entire width of the front wall 114 of the package below the lower edge of opening 124. Slot 350 may receive the free end portion of the guide 346 of the tapered panel 344 and the bottom of the conical panel when the flap is in the closed position, and keep the flap in that position.

[00041] To open the package, the user pulls the conical handle 340 out of the slot 348 and rotates the flap 330 upward to reveal the opening 124. To close the package, the user rotates the top wall panel 334 of the flap in towards the top wall 20 and subsequently rotates the front wall panel 336 of the flap towards the front wall 114 of the package to close the opening 24. The free end portion of the tapered panel 340 is inserted into the slot 348 to hold the flap in position. closed. Fold lines, 342, 248 between top 340, tapered panel 344 and handle 346 of front wall closure panel 336 facilitate insertion and removal of panel from slot 350.

[00042] Figure 4 shows a sheet 400 for making a package of the type shown in Figure 3. In Figure 4, solid lines indicate cuts in the sheet and dashed lines indicate bend lines. The sheet is a single piece of paper or cardboard comprising rectangular panels that correspond to each wall of the package and additional panels for the construction of the package, as follows. Plate 400 is similar to plate 200 of Figure 2 (and like reference numerals are used to indicate like elements). The sheet is a single piece of paper or cardboard comprising rectangular panels that correspond to each wall of the package and additional panels for the construction of the package, as follows. From each long edge of a front wall panel 214 extends an outer side wall panel, defined by a front wall panel by dashed lines 250. From a short edge of front wall panel 214 extends a wall panel top 220, defined from the front wall panel by a dashed line 252. A generally rectangular cutout 224 of the front wall and top wall panels provides opening 124 in the top and front walls of the package. A slot 350 extends partially along the central portion of the front wall panel 214. From another short edge of the front wall panel 214 extends a bottom wall panel 222, defined from the front wall panel by a dashed line 254. From the opposite edge of back wall panel 222 extends a back wall panel 216, defined from the bottom wall panel by a dashed line 256. From each long edge of a back wall panel 216 extends side wall panels 218', defined by a back wall panel by dashed lines 250'. From the short edges of the inner wall panels 218' adjacent to the outer wall panels 218, side wall loops 258 extend, distinguished from the inner side wall panels of the box by the dotted lines 260. From the other short edges of the inner side wall panels 218' extend top wall handles 262, distinguished from inner side wall panels by dotted lines 264. From the short edge of back wall panel 216 opposite which bottom panel 222 extends, a top wall closure panel 434 extends, distinguished from the rear wall panel by a dotted line 466; from the opposite edge of this panel extends the upper portion 440 of a front wall closure panel 436, distinguished by a dotted line 468 from the upper wall closure panel 434. From the opposite edge of the upper portion 440 extends a tapered panel 444, distinguished from the upper portion 440 by a dotted line 470. From the opposite edge of the tapered panel 444 extends a handle panel 446, distinguished from the tapered panel by a dotted line 448.

[00043] To form a package from the sheet, the sheet is folded around an array of cigarettes so that the front 214 and rear 216 panels are opposite each other, connected by the inner 218' and outer side walls. 218, which are glued together. The side wall lugs 258 are folded over and adhesive to the inside of the bottom wall panel 222. The top wall lugs 262 are folded over the top of the array and the top wall panel 220 is folded over and adhesive to the wall lugs. higher. The dotted lines between the back wall panel 214, the upper wall closure panel 434, the upper portion 440 of the front wall closure panel 436, the tapered portion 444 of the front wall closure panel and the handle panel 446 are folded so that the package can be closed by inserting the handle panel and part of the tapered panel into the slot 350 in the front wall panel 214. The package can then be packaged on the outside, with a clear plastic film, as a bioriented polypropylene (BOPP) film.

Claims (9)

1. Packaging (110, 310) for consumer goods comprising a box (112), the box (112) comprising: a front wall (114); a rear wall (116) opposite the front wall (114); a bottom wall (122); opposing side walls (118, 118'); a top wall (120) with an opening (124) for accessing the consumer goods in the package (110, 310), wherein the opening (124) extends across the entire top wall (120) from the front edge thereof , and wherein the periphery of the access opening (124) is spaced from the trailing edge and side edges of the top wall (120), so that the top wall (120) extends around the back and sides of the opening. (124); and a flap (130, 330) hinged to the back wall (116), along the upper edge of the back wall (116), movable between a closed position, wherein the flap (130, 330) covers the opening (124), and an open position, in which the opening (124) is uncovered, characterized in that the package (110, 310) is formed from a single laminar sheet (200) of cardboard, paperboard or cardboard, the package comprising a box (112), and wherein the top wall (120) comprises a top wall top panel that extends from the front wall (114) of the housing and includes an integral rear portion and side portions and a pair of bottom wall panels. extending from the upper edges of the side walls (118, 118') of the housing and underlying and adhered to the side portions of the upper panel of the upper wall. 2. Packaging (110, 310) according to claim 1, characterized in that the opening (124) also extends partially below the front wall (114), from the front edge of the top wall (120), and wherein the flap (130, 230) comprises an upper flap portion (134, 234, 334) covering the top wall (120) when the flap is in the closed position and a front flap portion (136, 236, 336) which at least partially covers the front wall (114, 214) when the flap (130, 230) is in the closed position. 3. Packaging (110, 310) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the opening (124) extends over 80 percent or less of the depth of the top wall (120) from the front edge of the top wall (120) towards the rear edge thereof. A package (110, 310) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the surface area of the opening (124) in the upper wall (120) of the compartment is 70 percent or less of the top of the package. A package (110, 310) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the surface area of the opening (124) is at least 5 percent of the surface area of the top of the package. A package (110, 310) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flap (130, 230) can be received behind the front wall (114, 214) of the compartment in the closed position. A package (110, 310) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the flap (130, 330) includes a resealable adhesive on at least a portion of its inner surface, so that the closure flap (130, 330) can be resealably affixed to the front wall (114) of the package in its closed position, or wherein the flap can be received in a slot or cutout in the front wall (114) of the package in its closed position. closed position. A package (110, 310) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it contains a grouping of smoking articles inside the box (112). 9. Container, characterized in that it comprises a package as defined in any of the preceding claims in an external compartment.

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