Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
  • B65D5/38—Drawer-and-shell type containers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
  • B65D85/07—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for compressible or flexible articles
  • B65D85/08—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for compressible or flexible articles rod-shaped or tubular
  • B65D85/10—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for compressible or flexible articles rod-shaped or tubular for cigarettes
  • B65D85/1036—Containers formed by erecting a rigid or semi-rigid blank
  • B65D85/1045—Containers formed by erecting a rigid or semi-rigid blank having a cap-like lid hinged to an edge
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D2203/00—Decoration means, markings, information elements, contents indicators
  • B65D2203/12—Audible, olfactory or visual signalling means

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a novel container having a fine cut element which interacts with a design element upon opening and closing of the container.
• the container of the present invention finds particular application as a container for consumer goods, for example elongate smoking articles such as cigarettes.
• Blanks for constructing such containers are typically formed from a sheet material and provide a two-dimensional arrangement of connected panels for forming the walls of the container. Adjacent panels of the blank are connected together along hinge lines, formed by creases or score lines in the sheet material.
• the container is assembled by folding the blank along the hinge lines to form the three-dimensional shape of the container and using a suitable adhesive or seal to retain the assembled shape.
• Elongate smoking articles such as cigarettes and cigars
• the hinge lid containers have a box portion for housing the smoking articles and a lid portion connected to the box portion about a hinge line extending across the rear wall of the container.
• Such containers are typically constructed from one-piece laminar cardboard blanks. In use, the lid portion is pivoted about the hinge line to open the container to gain access to the smoking articles housed in the box portion.
• Graphics and text are typically applied to the exterior of packaging for consumer goods in order to communicate information to the consumer, for example, information about the products and the manufacturer. Graphic designs and patterns are also commonly applied to the surfaces of packaging for consumer goods in order to provide a visually appealing product.
• a container for consumer goods comprising a first, inner portion and a second, outer portion that are moveable relative to each other between a closed position and an open position, the container further comprising: a first surface on the inner portion wherein a printed design element is applied to an area of the first surface; and a second surface on the second portion comprising a fine cut element formed of one or more cut outs having a minimum cut width of between 0.01 mm and 3 mm.
• the first surface and the second surface are arranged such that as the inner portion and the outer portion of the container are moved between the closed position and the open position, the fine cut element moves over the printed design element whereby an image of the printed design element is visible through the cut outs of the fine cut element, and wherein the image is visually altered as the fine cut element moves relative to the printed design element.
• the printed design element comprises a sequence of differing images such that as the fine cut element moves over the printed design element an animated image is visible.
• Containers according to the invention comprise a fine cut element, which interacts with the printed design element on the container in order to provide a new visual effect upon opening or closing of the container.
• fine cut element refers to a design of cuts or cut outs on the second surface which have been provided using fine cut technology. The cuts or cut outs are provided by removing material at the second surface.
• the cut outs of the fine cut element extend all of the way through the material forming the second portion since it is necessary to be able to view the design element through the cut outs when the second surface overlies the first surface.
• the fine cut element of containers of the present invention is formed on the second surface using a fine cutting technique, which enables the formation of cut outs having a significantly narrower cut width than is possible using conventional cutting techniques, such as standard die-cutting. Furthermore, the fine cutting techniques enables more complex patterns and shapes to be formed, with less limitation on the angle or curvature in the cut out shapes.
• the clearance or separation between cut outs can also advantageously be minimised. For example, where a laser cutting technique is used to form the cut outs the clearance may be less than 100 micrometres, or in some cases less than 25 micrometres, or about 10 micrometres. Where knives or blades are used to form the cut outs the minimum clearance is preferably less than 2 mm, more preferably less than 1 .5 mm and more preferably around 1 .1 mm.
• the "cut width" of the fine cut element is the internal width or dimension of the one or more cut outs in a given direction.
• the cut width of at least a portion of the one or more cut outs is between 0.01 mm and 3 mm. In all other directions, the cut width may be within this range, or may be greater. This means that at its narrowest part, each cut out has at least one dimension between 0.01 mm and 3 mm.
• at least a portion of the one or more cut outs has a cut width between 0.05 mm and 3 mm, more preferably between 0.1 mm and 2 mm, more preferably between 0.5 mm and 2 mm, more preferably between 0.5 mm and 1 mm, more preferably between 0.7 mm and 1 mm.
• the cut width of at least a part of the one or more cut outs must have a cut width falling with the range of 0.01 mm to 3 mm. In some cases, the entire cut out will have a least one dimension with this range. In other cases, other parts of the one or more cut outs may be above 3 mm.
• the maximum cut width of the fine cut element i.e. the cut width of the one or more cut outs at the widest point, is between 1 mm and 10 mm, more preferably between 1 mm and 5 mm, more preferably between 1 mm and 3 mm.
• the cut width of each cut out in the fine cut element may vary at different positions, particularly if the fine cut element is relatively complex in shape.
• the cut outs may include straight line portions, curved line portions, wavy line portions, regular and irregular shape portions, or any combination of these. If desired, the cut outs may form a pattern or image.
• the minimum cut width that is typically achievable is about 5 mm to 8 mm.
• the use of fine cutting on containers according to the invention therefore allows for much finer and more intricately shaped cut outs to be included in the fine cut element on the second surface. This in turn allows for more complex and effective interactions between the design element and the fine cut element.
• the fine cut element of containers according to the invention may be formed on the second surface using any suitable means.
• the fine cut element is laser cut so that a high level of precision can be achieved.
• the use of laser cutting is particularly advantageous for producing cut outs having a narrow cut width, for example, a cut width of less than 0.1 mm.
• Suitable laser systems for fine cutting applications include Nd:YAG lasers, disc lasers, fibre optical lasers and C0 2 lasers (without illumination).
• the wavelength of the Nd:YAG, disc and optical fibre lasers is preferably between 1030 nm and 1090 nm.
• the wavelength of the C0 2 laser is preferably about 10.6 micrometres.
• the maximum laser power at these wavelengths is preferably around 500 Watts.
• the laser is preferably used in conjunction with a distance sensor, such as the Lasermatic® Z system. Cutting may be monitored using commercially available integrated camera and lighting systems.
• the fine cut element may be formed on the second surface using an arrangement of knives or blades.
• a rotary system of blades or a cutting mill may be used to carry out fine cutting on a continuous sheet of material.
• the cut width is preferably between 0.5 mm and 3 mm, more preferably between 1 mm and 3 mm.
• a further suitable type of system for forming the fine cut element is a flatbed die-cutting system in which a shaped knife, blade or rule, such as a steel-rule die, is used to stamp shapes from a stationary piece of sheet material. This type of system may be useful for the cutting of relatively thick materials.
• Flatbed die-cutters are also known as click presses.
• the term "printed design element” refers to any pattern, design or indicia comprising a sequence of differing images that has been printed onto the first surface of the first, inner portion of the container and that is adapted so that the movement of the fine cut element over the design element produces an animated image of the design element. The consumer can therefore observe a unique animation effect on the container as the container is opened or closed.
• the design element may be used to provide information to the consumer, or may be a decorative feature of the container, or both.
• the printed design element may be printed on the surface of the inner portion using known printing techniques.
• the interaction of the fine cut element with the printed design element produces a unique, optical or visual effect which will be observed by the consumer during opening or closing of the container.
• the visual effect produced can be varied by altering the printed design element, or the form of the cut outs in the fine cut element, or both.
• the printed design element on the first surface is at least partially visible to the consumer when the fine cut element overlies the first surface.
• This arrangement advantageously increases the total surface area of the container that is visible to the consumer and which can therefore be used to present or communicate additional images or information when the container is opened.
• the printed design element is covered and the fine cut element does not overlie the printed design element whilst in the open position the printed design element is at least partially visible through the cut outs of the fine cut element.
• the printed design element is therefore only revealed to the consumer when the container is opened.
• a moire pattern effect is produced as the fine cut element moves over the printed design element as a result of changing interference patterns produced from the superposition of the fine cut element and the design element.
• the fine cut element preferably comprises a plurality of cut outs forming a type of grating, which moves over a grating pattern on the first surface and generates a changing optical effect as a result of the interference between the patterns.
• the moire pattern may be in the form or a graphic or wave like pattern.
• the design element incorporates an image, for example of an object or animal, and the moire effect of the fine cut element over the image creates an illusion of a moving image.
• the first, inner portion and the second, outer portion of containers according to the present invention may be formed from separate laminar blanks.
• the inner portion and the outer portion are formed from a single laminar blank so that registration of the design element and the fine cut element during assembly of the container is facilitated.
• the laminar blank or blanks can advantageously be assembled and filled using conventional techniques and apparatus.
• a laminar blank for forming a container comprising: an inner slide-defining portion including a first surface with a printed design element applied thereto; and an outer shell-defining portion connected to the inner slide-defining portion and including a second panel with a fine cut element.
• the present invention find application in any containers formed of two portions that move relative to each other when the container is opened and closed and have at least one pair of contacting surfaces that move over each other as the portions are moved relative to each other.
• first portion and the second portion may be rotatable or pivotable relative to each other between the closed position and the open position. In alternative embodiments, the first portion and the second portion may be slidably moveable relative to each other between the closed position and the open position.
• Containers according to the invention may be in the form of a slide and shell container comprising: an inner slide for housing the consumer goods; and an outer shell mounted around the inner slide for movement relative thereto between a closed position and an open position.
• the first surface is provided on an outer surface of a wall of the inner slide and the fine cut element is provided on an overlying wall of the outer shell.
• the inner slide is slidable into and out of the outer shell in a straight line, either from the top or bottom of the outer shell, or from one side of the outer shell. To move to an open position, the inner slide is therefore typically moved in one direction out of the outer shell to expose an opening in the inner slide through which the consumer goods can be removed.
• the inner slide is pivotable into and out of the outer shell about a hinge line provided along a free edge of the outer shell. To move to an open position, the inner slide is therefore rotated to bring at least a part of the inner slide out of the outer shell and the expose an opening through which the consumer goods can be removed.
• the inner slide may comprise one or more hinge lids which are openable upon moving the inner slide out of the outer shell into an open position.
• Containers according to the invention may alternatively be hinge lid containers comprising: a box for housing the consumer goods; a hinge lid connected to the box along a hinge line extending across a wall of the container and pivotable about the hinge line between a closed position and an open position; and an inner frame mounted within the box and having a protruding portion extending beyond the free edges of the box.
• the hinge lid is pivotable relative to the inner frame between the closed position and the open position.
• the first surface is provided on an outer surface of a wall of the inner frame and the fine cut element is provided on an overlying wall of the outer shell.
• Containers according to the invention may be formed from any suitable materials including, but not limited to, cardboard, paperboard, plastic, or combinations thereof.
• the container is formed from one or more folded laminar cardboard blanks and preferably, the cardboard has a weight of between about 100 grams per square metre and about 350 grams per square metre.
• Containers according to the invention may be in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, with right-angled longitudinal and right-angled transverse edges.
• the container may comprise one or more rounded longitudinal edges, rounded transverse edges, bevelled longitudinal edges or bevelled transverse edges, or combinations thereof.
• the container according to the invention may comprise, without limitation:
• the container comprises one or more rounded edges and is made from one or more laminar blanks
• the blanks comprise three, four, five, six or seven scoring lines or creasing lines to form each rounded edge in the assembled container.
• the scoring lines or creasing lines may be either on the inside of the container or on the outside of the container.
• the scoring lines or creasing lines are spaced from each other by between about 0.3 mm and 4 mm.
• the spacing of the creasing lines or scoring lines is a function of the thickness of the laminar blank.
• the spacing between the creasing lines or scoring lines is between about 0.5 and about 4 times larger than the thickness of the laminar blank.
• the bevelled edge has a width of between about 1 mm and about 10 mm, preferably between about 2 and about 6 mm.
• the container may comprise a double bevel formed by three parallel creasing or scoring lines that are spaced such that two distinct bevels are formed on the edge of the container.
• the bevel may be formed by two parallel creasing lines or scoring lines in the laminar blank.
• the creasing lines or scoring lines may be arranged symmetrically to the edge between a first wall and a second wall.
• the creasing lines or scoring lines may be arranged asymmetrically to the edge between the first wall and the second wall, such that the bevel reaches further into the first wall of the container than into the second wall of the container.
• the container may have a non-rectangular transversal cross section, for example polygonal such as triangular or hexagonal, semi-oval or semi-circular.
• Containers according to the invention find particular application as packs for elongate smoking articles such as, for example, cigarettes, cigars or cigarillos. It will be appreciated that through appropriate choices of the dimensions thereof, containers according to the invention may be designed for different numbers of conventional size, king size, super-king size, slim or super-slim cigarettes. Alternatively, other consumer goods may be housed inside the container.
• containers according to the invention may be designed to hold different total numbers of smoking articles, or different arrangements of smoking articles.
• containers according to the invention may be designed to hold a total of between ten and thirty smoking articles.
• the smoking articles may be arranged in different collations, depending on the total number of smoking articles.
• the smoking articles may be arranged in a single row of six, seven, eight, nine or ten.
• the smoking articles may be arranged in two or more rows.
• the two or more rows may contain the same number of smoking articles.
• the smoking articles may be arranged in: two rows of five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten; three rows of five or seven; or four rows of four, five or six.
• the two or more rows may include at least two rows containing different number of smoking articles to each other.
• the smoking articles may be arranged in: a row of five and a row of six (5- 6); a row of six and a row of seven (6-7); a row of seven and a row of eight (7-8); a middle row of five and two outer rows of six (6-5-6); a middle row of five and two outer rows of seven (7-5- 7); a middle row of six and two outer rows of five (5-6-5); a middle row of six and two outer rows of seven (7-6-7); a middle row of seven and two outer rows of six (6-7-6) ; a middle row of nine and two outer rows of eight (8-9-8); or a middle row of six with one outer row of five and one outer row of seven (5-6-7).
• Containers according to the present invention may hold smoking articles of the same type or brand, or of different types or brands.
• both filterless smoking articles and smoking articles with various filter tips may be contained, as well as smoking articles of differing length (for example, between about 40 mm and about 180 mm), diameter (for example, between about 4 mm and about 9 mm).
• the smoking articles may differ in strength of taste, resistance to draw and total particulate matter delivery.
• the dimensions of the container are adapted to the length of the smoking articles, and the collation of the smoking articles.
• the outer dimensions of the container are between about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm larger than the dimensions of the bundle or bundles of smoking articles housed inside the container.
• the length, width and depth of containers according to the invention may be such that, in the closed lid position, the resultant overall dimensions of the container are similar to the dimensions of a typical disposable hinge-lid pack of twenty cigarettes.
• containers according to the invention have a height of between about 60 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably a height of between about 70 mm and about 125 mm, wherein the height is measured from the bottom wall to the top wall of the container.
• containers according to the invention have a width of between about 12 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably a width of between about 70 mm and about 125 mm, wherein the width is measured from one side wall to the other side wall of the container.
• containers according to the invention have a depth of between about 6 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably a depth of between about 12 mm and about 25 mm wherein the depth is measured from the front wall to the back wall of the container.
• the ratio of the height of the container to the depth of the container is in between about 0.3 to 1 and about 10 to 1 , more preferably between about 2 to 1 and about 8 to 1 , most preferably between about 3 to 1 and 5 to 1
• the ratio of the width of the container to the depth of the container is in between about 0.3 to 1 and about 10 to 1 , more preferably between about 2 to 1 and about 8 to 1 , most preferably between about 2 to 1 and 3 to 1 .
• the interior surfaces or exterior surfaces of containers or both interior and exterior surfaces of containers according to the invention may be printed, embossed, debossed or otherwise embellished with manufacturer or brand logos, trade marks, slogans and other consumer information and indicia.
• the consumer goods within the containers according to the invention may be individually wrapped. This has the advantage that once the container according to the invention is opened and a first consumer good is removed, the remainder of the consumer goods are still wrapped and remain such protected from dust, sunlight or other environmental influences.
• containers according to the invention may be shrink wrapped or otherwise over wrapped with a transparent polymeric film of, for example, high or low density polyethylene, polypropylene, oriented polypropylene, polyvinylidene chloride, cellulose film, or combinations thereof in a conventional manner.
• the over wrapper may include one or more a tear tapes.
• the over wrapper may be printed with images, consumer information or other data.
• Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a slide and shell container according to the present invention, in a closed position
• Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the slide and shell container of Figure 1 , in an open position.
• the container 2 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is a rectangular parallelepiped and comprises an outer shell 4 and an inner slide 6 mounted within the outer shell 4.
• the inner slide 6 comprises a box 10 and a hinge lid 20 that is hinged to the box 10 along a hinge line extending substantially horizontally along the back wall of the container 2.
• a bundle of cigarettes (not shown) is housed in the box 10 of the inner slide 6.
• the box 10 has a box front wall 12, a box left side wall 14, a box right side wall, a box back wall, and a box bottom wall.
• the upper side of the box 10 is open, to provide an upper opening through which the cigarettes can be removed.
• front, back, upper, lower, side, top, bottom and other terms used to describe relative positions of the components of containers 2 according to the invention refer to the container in an upright position with the lid 20 at the top end and the hinge on the back.
• the terms “left” and “right” are used with reference to side walls of the container when the container
• the container in the upright position is open, the cigarettes contained in the box 10 may be removed from the upper end of the container 2.
• the lid 20 has a lid front wall 22, a lid left side wall 24, a lid right side wall, a lid back wall and a lid top wall 26.
• the free edges of the walls of the lid 20 abut the free edges of the walls of the box 10 along a line of abutment. In the closed position, the walls of the lid 20 therefore form extensions of the corresponding walls of the box 10 to define the walls of the container 2.
• the container 2 Prior to first opening, the container 2 is wrapped in an outer wrapper (not shown) formed of a transparent film, in the conventional manner.
• the outer shell 4 comprises a front wall 30, a back wall, a right side wall, a left side wall 32 and a bottom wall.
• the top end of the outer shell 4 is open, to allow movement of the inner slide 6 into the open slide position.
• the bottom wall of the outer shell 4 includes a central cut out through which the inner slide 6 can be pushed upwards and out of the outer shell in order to access the smoking articles.
• Figure 1 shows the container 2 with the inner slide 6 fully within the outer shell 4, in a closed position whilst Figure 2 shows the container 2 in an open position, with the inner slide 6 protruding from the top of the outer shell 4 and the hinge lid 20 in an open position.
• a design element 50 is provided, which comprises a printed moire pattern.
• a fine cut element 60 is provided, which comprises a pattern formed of a plurality of cut outs 62 having a minimum cut width of approximately 0.5 mm.
• the fine cut element 60 does not overlie the design element 50 and the design element 50 is covered by a portion of the outer shell front wall 30 which does not include cut outs.
• the fine cut element 60 overlies the design element 50 so that parts of the design element are visible through the cut outs 62 of the fine cut element.
• the fine cut element 60 moves over the printed pattern of the design element 50 and a moire pattern effect is produced as a result of the interference of the fine cut element and the moire pattern.
• the optical effect changes as the inner slide 6 is moved further toward the open position.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Cartons (AREA)
• Packaging Of Annular Or Rod-Shaped Articles, Wearing Apparel, Cassettes, Or The Like (AREA)
• Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

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• 2011
  • 2011-12-16 EP EP11807888.0A patent/EP2651771A1/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2011-12-16 JP JP2013543817A patent/JP5986580B2/ja active Active
  • 2011-12-16 WO PCT/EP2011/073069 patent/WO2012080477A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2011-12-16 RU RU2013132943/12A patent/RU2584523C2/ru active
  • 2011-12-16 WO PCT/EP2011/073068 patent/WO2012089536A1/en active Application Filing

Non-Patent Citations (2)

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