CN108137187B

CN108137187B - Resealable container containing insert and method of making same

Info

Publication number: CN108137187B
Application number: CN201680057247.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: A·H·斯卢夫; T·卡约
Original assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Current assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Priority date: 2015-10-26
Filing date: 2016-10-17
Publication date: 2020-11-03
Anticipated expiration: 2036-10-17
Also published as: US20180305112A1; EP3368428A1; CA3003231A1; RU2709919C2; BR112018006190B1; RU2018119312A; IL258616A; RU2018119312A3; KR20180070565A; CN108137187A; KR102649825B1; JP2018531188A; BR112018006190A2; JP7385354B2; MX2018004792A; PH12018500839A1; AU2016347364A1; EP3368428B1; SG11201803315PA; WO2017072624A1

Abstract

The method includes cutting an inner liner (30) having an outer surface and an inner surface to form an opening (54) of the inner package. First, an insert (60) is applied to the outer surface of the inner liner. Thereafter, a resealable label (45) is applied over both a portion of the insert and a portion of the outer surface of the inner liner. The inner surface of the resealable label has a sealing region (46) and a non-sealing region (47), and only the non-sealing region is disposed on the insert. Forming a bundle of consumer goods by packaging the consumer goods with the inner liner. Forming a container (10) around the bundle of consumer goods such that the insert is located between the inner liner and the container. Containers formed using such methods are also disclosed.

Description

Resealable container containing insert and method of making same

Technical Field

A resealable container including an accessible insert and a method of making the container are disclosed. The container is particularly useful as a container for elongate smoking articles such as cigarettes.

Background

Inserts are commonly used in the industry as a means of communication.

WO 2015/011621 shows a resealable bag containing an insert, but the insert (at its top) has a shape which mirrors the offset seal on the lid. The mirrored portion of the insert provides a boss with which to capture the insert. This arrangement would require substantial modifications to the container and the method of manufacturing the container.

WO 2015/045070 provides an inner liner with a fin seal across the front wall which forms a recess in the front wall of the container to receive an insert. The recess greatly limits the size of the insert.

With the containers discussed above, and with the resealable containers generally utilized, and more particularly automatically resealable containers, the use of inserts is not possible because there is no space available for accessing additional components such as inserts.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a container that can automatically open and reseal an inside sealed package after opening an outer lid and accessing an insert. Another object of the invention is a method of manufacturing such a container.

In one aspect of the invention, a container is described. The container includes a housing including a box and a lid hingedly attached to the box. The cover has an inner surface and an outer surface. The container also includes an inner package disposed at least partially within the outer shell and at least partially defining an interior volume for containing consumer goods. The inner package has an outer surface and an inner surface and the inner surface contacts the inner surface of the box. The container also includes a resealable label configured to open and close the inner package when the lid of the outer shell is opened and closed. The resealable label has an outer surface and an inner surface and the inner surface includes a sealed region and a non-sealed region. The container further comprises an insert located between the inner surface of the box and the outer surface of the inner package. At least a portion of the insert contacts a non-sealing region of the inner surface of the resealable label.

In other aspects of the invention, the method comprises cutting an inner liner having an outer surface and an inner surface to form an opening for the inner package. The insert is applied to the outer surface of the inner liner. A resealable label is applied over both the portion of the insert and the portion of the outer surface of the inner liner. The inner surface of the resealable label has a sealed region and a non-sealed region, and only the non-sealed region is disposed on the insert. Forming a bundle of consumer goods by packaging the consumer goods with the inner liner. Forming a container around the bundle of consumer goods such that the insert is located between the inner liner and the container.

Various aspects of the present invention may provide one or more advantages over currently available or previously described containers and methods. For example, the present container combines the feature of auto-resealable with the use of an insert until the present invention cannot be combined. In addition, additional space is made available for the insert by allowing the insert to be at least partially under the label, as compared to the insert without any overlap. This is particularly important for self-resealable bags, where the lower edge of the label is attached to the inside of the lid. This prevents the insert from being placed on the outside of the label, since otherwise the insert would interfere with the attachment of the label to the cover. Advantageously, the extra space is available for easier access to the insert. Furthermore, additional communication space is made available. Furthermore, the container of the present invention provides a combination of these two features without sacrificing the proper functionality of the automatic closure of the internal features. Further, the methods disclosed herein may be performed with little or no modification using standard sealed bundle processing equipment and processes, thereby not increasing manufacturing complexity or cost, but enabling a resealable container with an insert.

The present invention is applicable to any suitable container for consumer goods such as elongate smoking articles. It is well known to package consumer goods, such as elongate smoking articles, in containers formed from folded laminar blanks. For example, elongate smoking articles such as cigarettes and cigars are commonly sold in hinged lids having a box for containing the smoking articles and a lid connected to the box about a hinge line extending across a rear wall of the container.

The container may take any suitable form for containing consumer goods. For example, as already mentioned, the container may comprise an outer shell which may be described as a hinge-lid container having one or more hinge lids connected to a box containing consumer goods. In one or more embodiments, the container may be a slide and shell container having an internal slide for containing consumer goods housed within an outer shell. Where the container is a slide and shell container, the outer shell or inner slide may comprise one or more hinged lids. The container may be formed from any suitable material including, but not limited to, cardboard, paperboard, plastic, metal, other materials, or combinations thereof. The weight of the cardboard may be between about 100 grams per square meter and about 350 grams per square meter.

The containers described herein generally have the same or similar shape as the housing. Thus, the housing according to the invention may be rectangular in shape, having right-angled longitudinal and right-angled transverse edges. Alternatively, the housing may include one or more rounded longitudinal edges, rounded lateral edges, chamfered longitudinal or chamfered lateral edges, other types of edges, or combinations thereof. For example, a housing according to the present invention may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following features:

● one or two longitudinally rounded or chamfered edges on at least one of the front and rear walls;

● one or two laterally rounded or chamfered edges on at least one of the front and rear walls;

● a longitudinal rounded edge and a longitudinal chamfered edge on the front wall, or a transverse rounded edge and a transverse chamfered edge on the rear wall;

● a longitudinal rounded edge and a longitudinal chamfered edge on the front wall, and a transverse rounded edge and a transverse chamfered edge on the rear wall;

● one or two transverse rounded or chamfered edges on the front wall, and one or two longitudinal rounded or chamfered edges on the front wall; and

● two longitudinal rounded or chamfered edges on a first side wall or two transverse rounded or chamfered edges on a second side wall.

Wherein the outer shell comprises one or more rounded edges, preferably the blank forming the outer shell comprises three, four, five, six or seven score lines or fold lines to form each rounded edge in the assembled container. The score line or fold line may be on the inside of the housing or on the outside of the housing. Preferably, the score lines or fold lines are spaced about 0.3 millimeters (mm) to 4mm from each other.

Preferably, the spacing of the fold or score lines depends on the thickness of the laminar blank. Preferably, the spacing between the fold or score lines is about 0.5 to about 4 times greater than the thickness of the laminar blank.

Where the housing includes one or more chamfered edges, it is preferred that the chamfered edges have a width of between about 1mm and about 10mm, preferably between about 2mm and about 6 mm. In one or more embodiments, the shell may include two spaced-apart bevels formed by three parallel fold or score lines, such that two distinct bevels are formed on the edge of the container. Where the outer shell comprises a chamfered edge, the chamfer may be formed by two parallel fold or score lines from a sheet blank forming the container. The fold or score line may be symmetrically arranged about the edge between the first wall and the second wall. Alternatively, the fold or score line may be asymmetrically arranged with respect to the edge between the first wall and the second wall such that the bevel enters further into the first wall of the container than into the second wall of the housing.

Alternatively, the housing may have a non-rectangular transverse cross-section, for example a polygonal shape such as a triangle or hexagon, or an oval, semi-oval, circular or semi-circular shape.

The container according to the invention is particularly useful as a pack for elongate smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars or cigarillos. In other embodiments, the consumer product may be an aerosol-generating article, such as an article that heats but does not burn tobacco. It will be appreciated that by appropriate choice of dimensions, containers according to the invention can be designed for different numbers of standard size, king size, super size, slim or extra slim cigarettes. By appropriate selection of its dimensions, containers according to the invention can be designed to accommodate different total numbers of smoking articles, or different arrangements of smoking articles. For example, by appropriate selection of its dimensions, a container according to the invention may be designed to accommodate between ten and thirty total smoking articles.

In addition to containing the bundle of smoking articles, the container may further comprise other consumer goods, such as matches, lighters, extinguishing devices, breath fresheners or electronics. Other consumer goods may be attached to the outside of the container, contained within the container along with the smoking article, in a separate compartment of the container, or any combination thereof.

The disclosed container includes a housing. The housing has an inner surface and an outer surface. The housing also has a back wall, a front wall, and two side walls. The housing includes a lid and a cartridge.

A cover of the housing is hingedly attached to the box and adapted to be manipulated between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the consumer can access the consumer product disposed within the housing. The lid is hingedly attached to the box along a hinge line extending across the rear wall or an upper edge of the rear wall of the housing. The hinge line may be, for example, a fold or score line in the panel forming the rear wall of the housing. The lid and the box are further defined by an opening line. An opening line refers to the delimitation between the lid and the box starting at one end of the hinge line, traversing the right side of the housing, the front of the housing, then to the left side of the housing, or vice versa, and ending at the other end of the hinge line.

Preferably, the box comprises a box front wall, a box left side wall, a box right side wall, a box rear wall and a box bottom wall. The cassette has an inner surface and an outer surface. The front wall of the box has an upper edge which, when closed, meets the bottom edge of the lid.

Preferably, the lid comprises a lid front wall, a lid left side wall, a lid right side wall, a lid rear wall and a lid top wall. The cover has an inner surface and an outer surface. The front wall of the lid also has a bottom edge.

The container also includes an inner package. The inner package is at least partially disposed within the outer shell of the container. The inner package can be configured to contain consumer goods. An illustrative consumer product may comprise a smoking article, such as an elongate smoking article. Particular illustrative elongate smoking articles may include consumer products such as cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, aerosol-generating articles such as heated but not burning tobacco, or combinations thereof.

The inner package may be made of any suitable material, such as a polymeric material, a metal foil, other materials, or combinations thereof. The inner package preferably comprises a polymeric material, such as a polyethylene film, a polyolefin film, a polylactic acid (PLA) film, or some combination thereof. Preferably, the inner package may comprise a first layer and a second layer attached at least at their peripheries to form a package having an interior volume.

The inner package comprises an access opening which provides access to the consumer goods contained inside when the inner package is opened. The flap of the inner package covers the access opening when the container and flap are in the closed position. The access opening is at least partially uncovered when the container and flap are in the open position. For example, the access openings may be cut during manufacturing. Preferably, the flap forms an S-shaped curve with at least two turning points when the flap is in open.

The inner package further comprises a flap. Preferably, the first layer of the multi-layer inner package comprises a flap. The flap may be attached to the inner surface of the lid using a resealable label that includes one or more adhesive regions.

The resealable label may be configured to attach the flap to the inner surface of the lid and to reseal the inner package. In this embodiment, upon opening the lid and the inner package, the flap and the portion of the second layer attached to the flap, the sealing region are separated from each other along a first cut line and a second cut line, respectively, to reveal the access opening. The resealable label may be attached to the lid using any suitable technique, such as mechanical attachment, adhesive, thermal bonding, or ultrasonic bonding. Preferably, the resealable label may be attached to the lid using an adhesive, more preferably a permanent adhesive. The flap via the resealable label may be configured to be repeatedly attached to the second layer when the flap of the container and the lid are in the closed position.

As mentioned above, advantageously, the extra space is available for easier access to the insert. Furthermore, additional communication space is made available. Resealable labels allow for repeated opening and closing of the inner package to individually access the consumer goods. The resealable label preferably provides sufficient glue to the flap for repeated attachment at least as many times as there are consumer goods within the inner package. The resealable label preferably enables the consumer to open and reseal the inner package until the package is empty.

The resealable label has an inner surface and an outer surface. The outer surface of the resealable label may be configured to permanently attach the label and the flap of the inner package to the inner surface of the front wall of the lid.

The inner surface of the resealable label may include at least a sealed region and a non-sealed region. The sealing region may allow the flap of the inner package and the access opening to be moved between the open and closed positions while the lid is moved between the open and closed positions. In the closed position, the flap and label cover the access opening of the inner package and are resealably attached to the inner package by the resealable adhesive of the sealing region. In the open position, the flap and label are at least partially disengaged from the inner package and the access opening of the inner package is at least partially uncovered or opened. The sealed area of the label may utilize an adhesive, such as preferably a pressure sensitive adhesive. The non-sealed area of the inner surface of the label may be located on the resealable label such that the resealable label, when attached to the lid, will be positioned towards the bottom edge of the lid. The non-sealed area may allow the adhesive area to be more easily opened. It should be noted that the non-sealed area may comprise an adhesive, but this adhesive does not contribute to the sealing of the inner package. The adhesive in this embodiment is preferably used to attach the insert to the label such that opening the label pulls the insert away from the container.

The container also includes an insert. The insert may be used for communication. The insert may comprise or be made of any suitable material. For example, the insert may comprise cardboard, paperboard, paper, plastic, metal, or a combination thereof. The insert may be printed, for example, using any known printing technique. The insert may be folded in order to increase the available communication space. The insert may be folded in either the longitudinal or transverse direction or both. Preferably, at least one dimension of the insert (either entirely or after folding), for example the height of the insert, may be less than the height of the front wall of the box. Preferably, the length of the insert is between the length of the longest longitudinal length of the front wall and the length of the front wall in the area of the access region. Such a configuration enables the use of the maximum length of the insert. Preferably, the insert is of other dimensions (either entirely or after folding), for example the width of the insert may be less than the width of the front face of the box. Because of the ability to fold the insert, the total surface area of the insert after folding may typically be more than twice or more than twice the front wall of the box.

The insert is located between the inner surface of the front wall of the box and the outer surface of the front wall of the inner package. At least a portion of the insert contacts a non-sealing region of the inner surface of the resealable label. The insert may, but need not, be adhered to the outer surface of the inner package. This may be accomplished using any suitable technique, such as mechanical attachment, adhesives, thermal bonding, ultrasonic bonding, the use of micro-suction features, or any combination thereof. Preferably, the insert is adhered to the outer surface of the inner package using an adhesive, a micro-suction feature, or some combination thereof.

The container may also include an optional internal frame disposed within the box. The inner frame may be disposed inside the front wall of the box. Alternatively, the inner frame may be disposed within the inner liner. Advantageously, providing an internal frame with a large surface area adjacent the front wall of the box increases the structural strength of the container. This is particularly advantageous for subsequent use when the container is no longer full. The container may also optionally include an inner liner. The inner liner may wrap the consumer product. The inner liner and consumer goods may be collectively referred to as an inner package. A carton comprising a lid and at least one side wall can contain a plurality of containers as described herein.

Also disclosed herein are methods of making the containers. As mentioned above, advantageously, the configuration in which the label at least partially overlies the insert enables additional space to be available for the insert, compared to the insert without any overlap. Specifically, the insert may not overlie the label because the lower edge of the label is attached to the inside of the cover. Which would otherwise interfere with the attachment of the tag to the cover. However, in similar containers available on the market today, the label is pre-applied to the inner liner at the converter and provided during the manufacture of the container on the bobbin, which complicates the application of the insert located under the label.

The disclosed methods may be utilized in conjunction with any process for forming a consumer product bundle package and forming a container therearound. For example, the disclosed methods may be used with standard seal-strapping processes, machines and systems for carrying out such processes. In some embodiments, the disclosed methods may utilize two labelers, one applying the insert to the inner package and a second applying the resealable label to the inner package to insert the combination.

The disclosed methods may include various steps that may be performed in various orders and may or may not include other steps. The various steps may be accomplished while, before, or after the material of interest is conveyed along the conveyor belt or conveyor system. Various steps may also be implemented along the conveying system through or in conjunction with electronic or machine control of the material to carry out the disclosed methods. Other known control and movement processes may also be utilized in connection with the specific steps discussed herein. Any one or more of the steps disclosed herein may be implemented in a single machine or a system using one or more machines that have been configured to work together to perform one or more steps.

In some illustrative methods, one step includes cutting the inner liner, which will eventually be folded to form the inner package, forming the opening. The illustrative method may further comprise the step of cutting the inner liner from the continuous roll of inner liner material. These two steps of cutting (and any others) may occur at the same or different times. The inner liner may be cut using any suitable technique or combination of techniques. For example, cutting the inner liner or the inner liner of a continuous roll (or both) may be performed, for example, using a rotating wheel having one or more blades attached to the rotating wheel, using one or more die cutting tools or other suitable cutting mechanisms, separating mechanisms, or both cutting and separating mechanisms

Some illustrative methods may also include the step of embossing the inner liner. This step may be accomplished before, after, or both before and after cutting the inner liner. The step of embossing the inner liner may be used to provide a fold line that will be used to form an inner package around the consumer goods. Further, the embossing may be designed to create a pattern that may improve or control the opening and closing force of the resealable label. If this step is complete, the inner liner may be embossed using any suitable technique or combination of techniques.

In some illustrative methods, an insert is applied to the outer surface of the inner liner. This step may be accomplished before or after the inner liner has been cut to form the openings. Preferably, this step is performed after the inner liner has been cut to form the openings. The insert may be applied to or to the outer surface of the inner liner by any suitable technique or combination of techniques. The purpose of this step is to avoid the insert falling off the inner liner during the remaining manufacturing process. Thus, this step may be accomplished through or in conjunction with the use of adhesives (permanent or temporary), micro-suction features (on the insert or the inner liner or both), inherent adhesion between the two articles (e.g., static electricity, etc.), or any combination thereof. The insert may be applied to or to the outer surface of the inner liner by any suitable technique or combination of techniques. The particular technique utilized may depend, at least in part, on the particular manner (e.g., adhesive, micro-suction features, or combinations thereof, if present) in which the insert and the inner liner are held in contact.

In some embodiments, the insert may be applied to the inner liner using a labeler. The labeler places the insert on the outer surface of the inner liner, or more preferably on the portion of the outer surface of the inner liner that will ultimately become the front panel of the inner package. In some embodiments, the tagger may be configured in connection with a process or machine to affect a method of maintaining contact between the insert and the inner liner. It should be noted that the adhesive between the insert and the inner liner should be strong enough so that contact is maintained during manufacture, but not so strong or long lasting (or both) that the insert cannot be removed from the outer surface of the inner liner during use. For example, an adhesive (permanent or temporary) may be placed between the insert and the inner liner, on the insert, on the inner liner, or some combination thereof. Alternatively, one or both of the inner liner and the insert may have micro-suction features formed therein or thereon. Alternatively, a drop of liquid, such as water, may be placed on the insert, the inner liner, or both, and van der waals forces generated by the interaction of the liquid with the insert, the inner liner, or both, may maintain contact of the insert, the inner liner until the liquid evaporates. Preferably, the liquid used to induce van der waals forces is one that does not substantially degrade the insert, the inner liner, or both.

The next step involves applying a resealable label to the insert to the inner liner combination. This step may be accomplished after the insert is applied to the outer surface of the inner liner. A resealable label is applied over portions of the outer surface of the inner liner and portions of the insert. Only the non-sealing region of the resealable label is disposed on or contacts the insert. Preferably, a labeler may be used to apply a resealable label to the inner liner to the insert assembly. The labeler places the inner surface of the resealable label, more preferably it places the sealing area of the resealable label on the outer surface of the inner liner, or even more preferably on a portion of the outer surface of the inner liner that is ultimately attached to the inner surface of the lid of the container. In some embodiments, the labeler may be configured in conjunction with a process or machine (or both) to affect placement of the resealable label. It should be noted that the resealable label may be used in the manufacturing process, and that the release liner (e.g., paper or similar material that has been coated with a release or non-stick material) contacts at least the sealing area of the inner surface of the resealable label. The methods disclosed herein may also optionally include removing such release liners prior to placing the resealable label in contact with the insert and inner liner.

After the inner liner-to-insert-to-label combination has been formed, a bundle of consumer products may be formed by packaging the consumer products with the inner liner-to-insert-to-label combination. The bundle is formed such that the insert-to-label is outside the bundle. This step may be accomplished using any suitable technique or combination of techniques, including cutting techniques, folding techniques, packaging techniques, or a combination thereof. After the bundle of consumer goods has been formed, a container may be formed around the bundle. The container ultimately contains a box and a lid hingedly attached to the box. This step may be accomplished using any suitable technique or combination of techniques, including cutting techniques, folding techniques, packaging techniques, and the like.

The term "inner surface" is used throughout the present specification to refer to the surface of the component of the container that faces the interior of the container (e.g., toward the consumer goods) when the assembled container is in the closed position. For example, the outer membrane comprises an inner surface of the housing facing the container.

The term "outer surface" is used throughout the present specification to refer to the surface of a component of a container that faces the exterior of the container. For example, the outer membrane includes an outer surface facing away from the outer shell of the container. It should be noted that the inside or outside surface is not necessarily equivalent to a side of the blank used in assembling the container. Depending on how the blank is folded around the consumer goods, the areas on the same side of the container may face towards the inside of the container or towards the outside of the container.

The terms "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "top", "bottom" and "side" refer to the relative positions of the parts of the container and its components according to the invention when the container is in an upright position, the lid of the outer housing is in a closed position and the hinge line is at the rear of the container. These terms are used when describing a container according to the present invention, regardless of the orientation of the container. The rear or rear wall of the container contains a hinge line.

Drawings

Referring now to the drawings, wherein some aspects of the present invention are illustrated.

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a container in an open position, wherein the container includes a access region comprising a line of weakness and an insert.

Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the side of the container of fig. 1 in an open position.

Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the front of the container of fig. 1 in a closed position.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the container showing only portions of the inner package, the resealable label and the insert.

Fig. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the container in the open position with the insert adhered to the inner package.

Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view of the container of fig. 5 with the insert removed from the container.

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, depicted are schematic perspective views of an embodiment of a container 10 for consumer goods (and cross-sectional views in fig. 2). The container comprises a housing 12, said housing 12 comprising a box 14 and a lid 20 hingedly attached to the box via a hinge line (not shown). The box has a front wall 16 and a rear wall 18. The front wall of the box has an upper edge 21. The cartridge also has an inner surface 17 and an outer surface 19. The hinge line extends across the rear wall 18 of the box 14 of the container 10 and serves to allow the lid 20 to move from the closed position (fig. 3) to the open position as shown in fig. 1. The lid 20 has a front wall 24, the front wall 24 having an inner surface 22 and an outer surface 26 (fig. 2).

The inner package 30 is disposed within the outer shell 12. The inner package 30 at least partially defines an interior volume for containing consumer goods. The inner package 30 is made of one or more barrier materials that hermetically seal the consumer goods before the container is first opened. The barrier material may be a metal foil or a plastic and metal laminate. The inner package 30 includes a front wall 32 and a rear wall 34 (seen in FIG. 2). The inner package 30 includes an outer surface 33. The inner package also includes a first layer 40 and a second layer 50 attached to the inner surface of the first layer.

The inner package 30 includes an access opening 54 through which consumer goods (not shown) may be removed. When the flap is in the closed position (fig. 3), the access opening 54 is covered by the flap 44. In addition, the access opening 54 is at least partially uncovered when the flap 44 is in the open position. The flap may be attached to the inner surface of the lid using a resealable label 45. The resealable label 45 includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface contains a sealed region and a non-sealed region (shown in more detail in fig. 4). Flap 44 may be attached to first layer 40 along hinge line 49 (fig. 2). The flap 44 is also attached to the inner surface 22 (fig. 2) of the front wall 24 of the lid 20 such that the flap and a portion 55 of the second layer 50 attached to the flap are separated from the inner package 30 along the first and second lines of weakness (not shown herein) after opening the lid to reveal the access opening 54. The flap 44 is adapted to overlap the access opening 54 into the sealed region 72 such that the flap is attached to the second layer 50 within the sealed region 72 when the flap is in the closed position.

Referring to fig. 2, depicted is a schematic cross-sectional view of the container 10 of fig. 1 with the lid 20 and flap 44 in an open position. The inner package 30 is shown disposed within the box 14 of the outer housing 12. Flap 44 is attached to lid 20. In the open position, the flap 44 forms an S-shape. The geometry of the container 10 is such that the flap 44 automatically reseals to the inner package 30 when the flap (and lid 20) returns to the closed position.

All figures also show an insert 60. The insert 60 is located between the inner surface 17 of the front wall 18 of the box and the outer surface 32 of the front wall 31 of the inner package 30. The insert has an upper edge 35 accessible via an access area 62. The insert may be made of any useful material, may have any useful dimensions, and may be folded laterally or longitudinally as appropriate. The insert is located completely below the sealing zone 72 of the second layer 50. If the insert is located above the sealing zone 72, the adhesive portion of the label used to close the inner package will adhere to the insert and the inner package will no longer be resealable.

Referring to fig. 3, a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a closed container is shown. From this view it can be seen that label 45 is inside the lid and contacts the inner surface of the lid. The inner surface of the label comprises a sealed region 46 and a non-sealed region 47. It can be seen from this view that the insert 60 between the inner liner and the container only contacts the non-sealing region 47 of the label 45 and not the sealing region 46.

Referring to fig. 4, a cross-sectional view of a portion of a container is depicted. The portion shown contains the inner liner 30, the insert 60 and the resealable label 45. As can be seen from fig. 4, the insert 60 is located between the inner liner 30 and the resealable label 45. The resealable label 45 has an inner surface 53 and an outer surface 51. The insert 60 contacts the inner surface 53. Only the non-sealing region 47 of the label 45 contacts the insert 60 and the sealing region 43 contacts the inner liner 30. It should also be noted that the sealing area 43 is on the inner surface 53, while the outer surface 51 contains a permanent adhesive area 52 that attaches the resealable label 45 to the inner surface of the lid 24.

Fig. 5 depicts a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a container 10 for consumer goods, the container 10 including some of the same features as seen in fig. 1 and 2 and also including an insert gluing portion 71 to attach the insert to the inner liner. It should be noted that the insert adhesive portion 71 is located between the inner liner and the insert. This adhesive may be applied to maintain the insert in contact with the inner liner during manufacture. Preferably, the adhesive (or other securing agent) is not so strong and durable that the adhesive does not permit the insert to be removed from the container. Fig. 6 depicts the same container with the insert removed from the container, and shows that the insert 64 may be optionally folded.

Claims

1. A method of providing a container for consumer goods, comprising:

cutting an inner liner to form an opening (54) of an inner package (30), the inner liner comprising an outer surface (33) and an inner surface;

applying an insert (60) to the outer surface of the inner liner first;

thereafter applying a resealable label (45) over both a portion of the insert and a portion of the outer surface of the inner liner so as to cover the cut forming the opening, wherein the resealable label has an inner surface (53) and an outer surface (51) and the inner surface of the resealable label includes a sealed area (46) and a non-sealed area (47), and wherein only the non-sealed area of the inner surface of the resealable label is disposed on the insert;

packaging the consumer goods with the inner liner to form a bundle of consumer goods; and

forming a container (10) around the bundle of consumer goods, wherein the insert is located between the inner liner and the container, and wherein the container comprises a box (14) and a lid (20) hingedly attached to the box.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of applying an insert onto the outer surface of the inner liner comprises application of an adhesive.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of applying an insert onto the outer surface of the inner liner includes the use of micro-suction features.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the micro-suction features are on the inner liner.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the micro-suction features are on the insert.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the insert is applied to the outer surface of a front wall (32) of the inner liner.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising embossing the inner liner prior to cutting the opening.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising attaching the outer surface of the resealable label to an inner surface (22) of the cover.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising forming an inner frame around the consumer goods prior to forming the bundle with the inner liner.