EP1960275B8

EP1960275B8 - Smoking-article pack with push-out aperture

Info

Publication number: EP1960275B8
Application number: EP06818398A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Erdinc Agirbas
Original assignee: British American Tobacco Germany GmbH; BAT Cigarettenfabriken GmbH
Current assignee: British American Tobacco Germany GmbH
Priority date: 2005-12-08
Filing date: 2006-11-07
Publication date: 2011-09-28
Anticipated expiration: 2026-11-07
Also published as: CA2630546A1; ATE481327T1; RU2380302C1; US20090008277A1; CN101321669B; ZA200803387B; AR058294A1; PL1960275T3; DE502006007906D1; EP1960275B1; US8245841B2; CN101321669A; BRPI0618625A2; RU2518803C1; CA2630546C; EP1960275A1; WO2007065514A1; DE102005058720A1; MY147605A; BRPI0618625B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a smoking-article pack (1) with an inner pack part (3) for accommodating the smoking articles and with an outer pack part (2) for accommodating the inner pack part (3), wherein the outer pack part (2) comprises an essentially open surface through which the inner pack part (3) can be pushed out of the outer pack part, and with a push-out aperture (5) in the outer pack part (3), wherein the push-out aperture (5) is located essentially on a surface of the outer pack part which is not located opposite the open surface. The invention also relates to a smoking-article pack in which the inner pack part (3) has a lid (6) arranged, in particular articulated, on it, wherein, in the region of the line of articulation, a lid-opening tab (7) is arranged between the lid (6) and that surface of the inner pack part (3) which adjoins the line of articulation, and in which the lid-opening tab (7) has a punched-out portion (21) in which a counterpart on the outer pack part (2) can engage in order to cause the lid (7) to open when the inner pack part (3) is pushed out of the outer pack part (2).

Description

Smoking article pack with Ausschiebedurchgang

The invention relates to a package for smoking articles, in particular for cigarettes. More specifically, it is a pack that falls into the familiar category of shell and slide packs.

Shell and slide packages, especially for cigarettes are already known from the prior art. Common to this pack category is that the packs are usually made from two blanks. The one blank encloses the cigarette block and constitutes the inner part of the pack. The second blank accommodates the inner pack part with the cigarette block and thus constitutes the outer pack part. In this case, the inner pack part is displaceable in the outer pack part, whereby the cigarettes for the consumer become accessible.

Shell and slide packages are known from the prior art, which can be opened by displacement in a direction perpendicular to the cigarette axis in the package (first category), or by displacement along the axis of the cigarette (second category).

Packings of the first category include, for example, the embodiments described in WO 2004/024595A and GB 2115386A. These are essentially cuboid packages whose inner packing part is on a narrow side, the top is open to allow access to the cigarettes. The other five sides of the inner pack part are closed. A closure or lid member over the open side is not provided. The outer package part is also closed on five sides, but the open side is a narrow side. On the opposite narrow side there is a recess through which the inner packing part of the outer Packing part can be ejected. Opening and closing of the pack is not possible in a pleasant, ergonomic way with one hand, but rather requires ambidextrous handling.

The second category includes more diverse embodiments. Again, these are essentially parallelepipedic packages. In the inner parts of the pack are the cigarettes. However, the packages are also closed on the top by a closure or a lid member. By pushing out the inner packing part from the outer packing part, the closure of the inner packing part is opened in different ways and often closed again during insertion.

The outer packing part may be smaller than the inner packing part. He then forms a kind of bandage around the inner packing part, which can be on the inner packing part and deported. Examples of such packages can be found in US 3,773,247, US 3,977,520, GB 979302 and US 4,049,117. Again, opening and closing the package with one hand is almost impossible and can not be called ergonomic in any case.

However, most packages of the second category are characterized in that the outer package encloses the inner package over the entire package height but leaves the lower and upper surfaces free. From the lower side, the package is pushed upwards out of the outer packing part. This handling again requires the use of a second hand and is ergonomically not possible with one hand.

Packs as described above differ essentially only by the mechanism with which the closure or lid of the inner pack part is opened and possibly also closed again. Some embodiments will be discussed below.

In DE 28 09 548, US 3,311, 283 and US 4,646,960 hook-like folds are described on the two packing parts, which engage in pushing out each other and open the lid of the inner pack part. The US 3,933,299 and EP 1 105 313 also have a similar opening mechanism, but differ from the other packages by a partially closed underside of the outer package member. A disadvantage of such embodiments of the opening mechanism is that these folds are complex and it is not ensured that after repeated use of the mechanism still works reliably.

US Pat. Nos. 4,240,548 and DE 10 52 308 describe packages which open a lid by means of a Z-shaped fold and release a part or the entire surface of the inner pack part. A disadvantage of such embodiments that the lids are not very stable and that an adhesion of the inner packing member with the outer packing part is necessary to realize the closing and opening mechanism.

US Pat. Nos. 3,048,320 and 4,267,926 describe packages which connect the inner and outer packing parts by means of one or more flexible blank elements. When pushing out the inner package part, this flexible compound rolls off first and then opens the lid of the pack. Again, the additional bonds and the problematic mechanics of the connecting part are disadvantageous.

In CH 370699 a package is described, the opening mechanism is realized in that moves a strip of material of the inner packing part when pushed out in a groove, reaches a stop and unfolds on further pushing the package lid. Similar to US Pat. No. 3,933,299, the underside of the outer packing part is partially closed and only accessible by punching in this packing. A disadvantage of this package, that the opening mechanism is designed very unstable and parts protrude beyond the remaining dimensions of the package.

In summary, all packages of both categories have disadvantages in the ergonomics of opening and closing the package and are very often impractical to manufacture and unreliable due to labile mechanical elements and elaborate folds. The present invention improves on the prior art in that the above-mentioned disadvantages are overcome. In particular, it is an object of the package according to the invention to offer a very ergonomically operable opening mechanism.

The solution of these objects of the invention is described by the claim 1 and preferred embodiments by the associated subclaims.

The invention therefore relates to a smoking article pack having an inner packing part for holding the smoking articles and having an outer packing part for receiving the inner packing part, wherein the outer packing part comprises a substantially open surface through which the inner packing part can be pushed out of the outer packing part, and with a discharge passage in the outer packing part. The Ausschiebedurchgang lies substantially on a surface of the outer pack part, which does not face the open surface. In other words, the push-out passage is applied to a surface on which a thrust force, the effective portion of which acts substantially along the surface, in contrast to the prior art, where a compressive force is applied regularly, their effective proportion when opening substantially perpendicular acts on the surface. These surfaces according to the invention with the Ausschiebedurchgang have the advantage that they are ergonomically accessible with the same hand, which also holds the package, so that the opening can be done easily with one hand. Furthermore, the package can be produced in a simple manner and, in particular, can be integrated into the production process without major changes to the existing packaging machine technology.

In one embodiment, the surface or portion of the surface with the push-out passage is substantially non-parallel to the open surface, in particular at an angle greater than 30 °, especially at an angle of 90 ° to the open surface. The Ausschiebedurchgang may lie on a surface which is substantially immediately adjacent and in particular perpendicular to the open surface. It is possible according to the invention that the inner packing part perpendicular to

Smoke article longitudinal axis can be pushed out of the outer packing part.

On the other hand, it is also possible that the inner packing part can be pushed out of the outer packing part parallel to the smoking article longitudinal axis.

A push-out passage may be arranged on different surfaces, namely on at least one of two opposing major major surfaces of the package, or substantially on at least one of two opposing smaller side surfaces of the package. Also, more than one push-out passage may be disposed on one or more surfaces of the outer package member that are not opposed to the open surface.

In various embodiments, the pack is a hexahedral, cuboidal pack, wherein

- The open area is one of the shorter narrow edge surfaces and the Ausschiebedurchgang is disposed on at least one of the longer narrow edge surfaces and / or at least one of the major surfaces; or

- The open area is one of the longer narrow edge surfaces and the Ausschiebedurchgang is disposed on at least one of the shorter narrow edge surfaces and / or at least one of the major surfaces; or

- The open surface is one of the major surfaces and the Ausschiebedurchgang is disposed on at least one of the longer narrow edge surfaces and / or at least one of the shorter narrow edge surfaces.

The push-out passage is particularly a face punching in the outer packing part, and more particularly, the push-out passage has a round, in particular circular or oval shape, and / or a slot-like shape, and / or an angular, in particular rectangular, square or triangular or polygonal shape.

The Ausschiebedurchgang may have in the Ausschichtungichtung a length which corresponds to at least one fifth of the surface length in this direction and can occupy up to 90% of the surface length. Perpendicular to Ausschieberichtung the Ausschiebedurchgang have a width of at least 2 mm, in particular at least 5 mm and especially at least 10 mm.

In one embodiment, the inner packing part in the region of the Ausschiebedurchgangs on a friction or attack-enhancing surface or a Ausschiebehilfe on, in particular it comprises a folding Ausschiebehilfe.

In one embodiment variant, the inner packing part has a lid which is arranged on it, in particular a hinged lid, which lies against the open surface of the outer packing part when the inner packing part is inserted. In this case, the lid can be hinged folded away at a joint line of the inner packing part, wherein in particular in the region of the hinge line a Deckelöffnungslasche between the lid and the adjoining the joint line surface of the inner packing member is arranged, the lid when pushing the inner packing member from the outer Packing part opens. Specifically, the lid opening tab has an engagement, in particular a punched, into which a counterpart can engage the outer package member to cause the opening of the lid upon expulsion of the inner package member from the outer package member.

An opening mechanism according to the invention is overall reliable and simple and the inner packing part is sufficiently secured against slipping out of the outer packing part.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to a smoking article pack, in particular as described above, having an inner packing part for receiving the smoking articles and having an outer packing part for receiving the inner packing part, wherein the outer packing part comprises a substantially open area through which the inner packing part can be pushed out of the outer packing part, wherein the inner packing part has arranged on him, in particular articulated lid, and wherein in the region of the hinge line a lid opening tab between the lid and the subsequent to the hinge line surface of the inner packing part is arranged. The Lid opening tab has a punched hole into which a mating piece on the outer packing member can engage to effect opening of the lid upon pushing out of the inner packing member from the outer packing member.

In one embodiment, the counterpart on the outer packing part comprises a lug arranged on its edge, in particular an embossed lug, which can be folded inwardly by 180 ° and has engagement lugs. Also conceivable is arranged in several segments tab which is foldable by a groove along the edge by 180 ° inwards and thus assumes the function of "engagement nose (s)" It is also specifically possible to choose an embodiment in which the Punching the lid opening tab closer to the hinge line is as at least one further punched out, which serves to limit the Ausschiebebewegung.The tabs 21, 23, 24 but can also lie in a different design of the tab 33 on a line.

The invention will now be explained in more detail by means of examples and drawings. It will be understood by those skilled in the art, however, that these are examples and obvious packaging variants, e.g. are summarized with rounded or single or multiple bevelled edges in the basic idea of the invention of the pack.

In the drawings, solid lines represent edges of the blank and dashed lines represent fold lines. In the drawings, parts with the same reference number represent parts having identical functions. Show it:

Figure 1 shows the opening mechanism of a package according to the invention in three-dimensional representation; Figure 2 shows the opening mechanism of a package according to the invention in a side view; 3 shows a blank for an inner packing part in a first

embodiment; 4 shows a blank for an outer packing part in a first

embodiment; Figure 5 shows a blank for an outer packing part in a second

embodiment; 6 shows a blank for an inner packing part in a third

embodiment; and Figure 7 shows a blank for an outer packing part for the third

Embodiment.

The closed package 1 according to the invention is shown in FIG. 1a. For pushing out the inner packing part 3 from the outer packing part 2, a punch-out 5 is provided in the outer packing part 2, FIG. 1b. For this purpose, the consumer can hold the pack in one hand and, for example, act with the thumb through the punch 5 on the inner packing part 3 and push the pack upwards. The pack is held in one hand, as well as a cell phone is held when a number is typed with the thumb of the same hand.

By pushing out the inner packing part 3, the wrapped cigarette block 4 becomes visible. If the inner packing part 3 is further pushed out of the outer packing part 2, the lid 6 of the packing attached to the inner packing part 3 begins to open. The inner packing part 3 can be pushed up to a stop which prevents the inner packing part 3 from unintentionally sliding out of the outer packing part completely. When the stop of this movement has been reached, the cover 6 has opened completely, in particular folded back more than 90 °, and released the wrapped cigarette block 4 (FIG. 1c).

In the figure 1, the punched-5 is shown in a circle. It can, however, e.g. also oblong, oval, rectangular, square or triangular. It makes sense, however, that the punch-out 5 should be so large that the package can be completely opened and closed by a movement, in particular without having to follow up.

In FIG. 2, the opening mechanism is again shown from the side, from the completely closed packing 1 in FIG. 2 a via the intermediate stages of FIG Figures 2b and 2c to fully open pack 1 in Figure 2d. In this case, the tongue 7 is visible, which opens the lid 6 when pushing out the inner packing part 3. This mechanism engages in a position of the inner packing part 3 which lies between that of FIGS. 2b and 2c.

Looking now at the blanks of the inner packing part 3 and the outer packing part 2 in FIGS. 3 and 4, the functional elements of the opening mechanism become clearer.

In Figure 3, the inner packing part 3 is shown. In detail, 10 designates the front surface, 11 the bottom surface, 12 the rear surface, 13 the back of the lid, 14 the top, 15 a lid stiffener, 16a and b side flaps of the front surface, 17a and b side flaps of the bottom surface, 18a and b side flaps of the back surface, 19a and b and 20a and b side tabs of the lid. The inner package member 3 is folded and adhered in a conventional manner to provide a substantially cuboidal receiving space for the wrapped cigarette block.

In the area of the back 12 and the back of the lid 13 is the tongue 7 of the opening mechanism. Below the tongue is a punch-out 22 in which the tongue can move during movement when opening the lid 6. Within the tongue is also a punched-21, in which a nose engages the outer packing part to open the lid 6. The two punches 23 and 24 serve as stops to prevent the inner packing part 3 can be unintentionally ejected from the outer packing part.

FIG. 4 shows the outer packing part. In detail, 30 designates the front surface, 31 the bottom surface, 32 the back surface, 33 the tab, 34 the opening tab, 35a and b stop tabs, 36a and b side flaps of the front surface, 37a and b side flaps of the bottom surface, and 38a side flaps of the rear surface. The punch 5 is shown in this case as a slot. The outer packing part 2 is folded in a conventional manner and glued to a substantially cuboid receiving space for the inner Packing part 3 to create. The tab 33 is folded inwards by 180 ° and, by virtue of the restoring forces present in the material, tends to engage in the corresponding punches in the inner packing part when it is pushed out of the outer packing part. Serve this purpose, the nose 34, which can engage in the punched-21, the lugs 35a and b in the punch-outs 23 and 24, when the inner packing part 3 is pushed out of the outer packing part 2.

In order to facilitate the meshing of the noses and punch-outs, it is possible and advantageous to give the corresponding areas of the pack blanks during stamping and creasing by a corresponding embossing tool in the region 21, 22 of the tab a corresponding three-dimensional shape.

FIG. 5 shows an alternative version 2 'of the outer packing part from FIG. It differs only in the position of the punching 5. This is now on a side surface. Since two side flaps overlap in the folded package, it is also mandatory to perform the punching on both side flaps. Preferably, in the folded state, the punched out on both sides of the front, but also punched on only one side are conceivable. Punches on the left side of the package and the back are also possible alternatives.

A further alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. In contrast to the packs of Figures 1 to 5, here the inner packing part 3 "is not displaced along the cigarette longitudinal axis but perpendicular to the cigarette longitudinal axis, so that a packing opening is made possible over the longitudinal side The individual elements of the inner packing part 3 "in Figure 6 and the outer packing part 2" in Figure 7 are identical to those in Figures 3 and 4 and the wrapped cigarette block parallel to the cover. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

I pack / sliding box

2, 2 \ 2 "outer packing section / slider

3, 3 ', 3 "inner packing part / slider

4 wrapped cigarette block

5 punching / Ausschiebedurchgang

6 lids

7 tongue / lid flap 10 front surface

I 1 floor area

12 rear surface

13 Back of the lid

14 top

15 lid stiffening

16 a and b side flaps of the front surface

17 a and b side flaps of the bottom surface / dust flaps

18 a and b side flaps of the back surface

19 a and b Side flaps of the cover 0 a and b Side flaps of the cover 1 Punching 2 Punching 3 Punching 4 Punching 0 Front surface 1 Bottom surface 2 Rear surface 3 Tab 4 Opening tabs 5 a and b Stop tabs 6 a and b Side tabs of the front surface 7 a and b Side tabs of Bottom surface / dust flaps 8 a and b Side flaps of the back surface

Claims

claims

A smoking article package (1) comprising: a) an inner package member (3) for containing the smoking articles and an outer package member (2) for receiving the inner package member (3), the outer package member (2) comprising a substantially open surface; by which the inner packing part (3) can be pushed out of the outer packing part, and b) at least one discharge passage (5) in the outer packing part (3), characterized in that c) the discharge passage (5) is located substantially on one face of the outer packing part, which does not face the open surface.

2. A smoking article pack according to claim 1, characterized in that the surface or a portion of the surface with the Ausschiebedurchgang (5) is substantially not parallel to the open surface, in particular at an angle of more than 30 °, especially at an angle of 90 ° to the open area.

3. smoking article pack according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the Ausschiebedurchgang (5) lies on a surface which is adjacent substantially directly and in particular perpendicular to the open surface.

4. smoking article pack according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the inner packing part (3) perpendicular to the smoking article longitudinal axis of the outer packing part (2) can be pushed out.

5. smoking article pack according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the inner packing part (3) parallel to the smoking article longitudinal axis of the outer packing part (2) can be pushed out.

6. smoking article pack according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a Ausschiebedurchgang (5) on at least one of two opposing major major surfaces of the pack (1) is arranged.

7. smoking article pack according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a Ausschiebedurchgang (5) is arranged substantially on at least one of two opposing smaller side surfaces of the pack (1).

8. A smoking article pack according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that more than one Ausschiebedurchgang (5) are arranged on one or more surfaces of the outer packing part, which do not face the open surface.

9. smoking article pack according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the package is a hexahedral, cuboidal package (1), wherein

- The open area is one of the shorter narrow edge surfaces and the Ausschiebedurchgang (5) is arranged on at least one of the longer narrow edge surfaces and / or at least one of the main surfaces; or

- The open area is one of the longer narrow edge surfaces and the Ausschiebedurchgang (5) is arranged on at least one of the shorter narrow edge surfaces and / or at least one of the main surfaces; or

- The open surface is one of the major surfaces and the Ausschiebedurchgang (5) is arranged on at least one of the longer narrow edge surfaces and / or at least one of the shorter narrow edge surfaces.

10. smoking article pack according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the Ausschiebedurchgang (5) is a surface punched in the outer packing part.

11. smoking article pack according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the Ausschiebedurchgang (5) has a round, in particular circular or oval shape, and / or has a slot-like shape, and / or has an angular, in particular rectangular, square or triangular or polygonal shape.

12. smoking article pack according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the Ausschiebedurchgang (5) in Ausschieberichtung has a length which corresponds to at least one fifth of the surface length in this direction and can occupy up to 90% of the surface length.

13. smoking article pack according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the Ausschiebedurchgang (5) perpendicular to the Ausschieberichtung a width of at least 2 mm, in particular at least 5 mm and especially at least 10 mm.

14. smoking article pack according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the inner packing part in the area of the Ausschiebedurchgangs has a friction or attack-enhancing surface or a Ausschiebehilfe, in particular a folding Ausschiebehilfe comprises.

15. Smoking article according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the inner packing part (3) has a arranged on him, in particular articulated lid (6), which is inserted at the inner packing part (3) on the open surface of the outer packing part (3). 2) is located.

16. A smoking article pack according to claim 15, characterized in that the lid (6) on a hinge line of the inner pack part (3) is hingedly folded away, in particular in the region of the hinge line a lid opening tab (7) between the lid (6) and the the hinge line adjoining surface of the inner packing part (3) is arranged, which opens the lid (6) during the pushing out of the inner packing part (3) from the outer packing part (2).

17. smoking article pack according to claim 16, characterized in that the lid opening tab (7) an engagement or attack, in particular a punched (21) into which a counterpart on the outer packing part (2) can engage to effect opening of the lid (7) upon pushing out of the inner packing part (3) from the outer packing part (2).

18. smoking article pack, in particular according to one of claims 1 to 14, with an inner packing part (3) for receiving the smoking article and with an outer packing part (2) for receiving the inner packing part (3), wherein the outer packing part (2) in the Essentially open area comprises, by which the inner packing part (3) can be pushed out of the outer packing part, whereby the inner packing part (3) has a lid (6) arranged on it, in particular articulated, whereby in the area of the hinge line a lid opening tab (7 ) is arranged between the cover (6) and the adjoining the joint line surface of the inner packing part (3), characterized in that the lid opening tab (7) has a punched portion (21) into which a counterpart on the outer packing part (2) engage can be to cause the opening of the lid (7) during the pushing out of the inner packing part (3) from the outer packing part (2).

19. A smoking article pack according to claim 18, characterized in that the counterpart on the outer packing part comprises a lug (33) arranged on the edge thereof, in particular an embossed lug, which can be folded inward by 180 ° and engagement lugs (34; 35a, b) having.

20. smoking article pack according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the punched-out (21) of the lid opening tab is closer to the hinge line than at least one further punched out (23, 24), which serves to limit the Ausschiebebewegung.