EP3418213A1

EP3418213A1 - Packet of smoking articles and method for manufacturing the same

Info

Publication number: EP3418213A1
Application number: EP18178897.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Giuseppe Marchitto; Roberto Polloni; Luca Federici
Original assignee: GD SpA
Current assignee: GD SpA
Priority date: 2017-06-20
Filing date: 2018-06-20
Publication date: 2018-12-26
Also published as: IT201700068184A1

Abstract

Packet (1) of smoking articles and method for manufacturing the same, wherein the packet (1) comprises: a group of smoking articles; a container (2) that contains the group of articles; a wrapping (3) that wraps the container (2); a tear tape (4) that is fixed to the wrapping (3) to facilitate the removal of the same, which tear tape (4) defines a first wrapping (3) portion (30) and a second wrapping (3) portion (31); a stamp (5) that comprises a first part (50) and a second part (51) and which faces the first wrapping (3) portion (30), which first part (50) of the stamp (5) is fixed to the container (2); a connection element (6) that is arranged inside the wrapping (3) and which is fixed to the second part (51) of the stamp (5) and to the second wrapping (3) portion (31) so that by removing the second wrapping (3) portion (31) from the packet (1) the stamp (5) is torn.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority from Italian Patent Application No. 102017000068184 filed on 20/06/2017 .

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention falls within the technical field of packets of smoking articles. In detail, the invention relates to a wrapped packet of smoking articles, which packet comprises a stamp (or state stamp or tax seal) that must be torn at the first opening of the packet. Furthermore, the invention is a method for manufacturing said packet.

PRIOR ART

A commonly known wrapped packet of smoking articles, comprises a container that contains the group of smoking articles, a stamp fixed to the outside of the container and a wrapping made of transparent material that wraps the container.
In order to make the removal of the wrapping from the packet easier for the user, it is common practice to fix a tear tape to the wrapping so that the same defines two wrapping portions.
Therefore, at the first opening of the packet, the user proceeds by pulling the tear tape and removing only one of the wrapping portions (in particular, in the case of a hinged-lid type container, the user usually removes only the wrapping portion that covers the lid): part of the wrapping is maintained as it confers a protection to the container, in particular at the corners, and limits the spill of any tobacco dust from the container.
It is known that in order to prevent the reuse of stamps in counterfeit packets of smoking articles, it is important that at the first opening of the packet the stamp is torn.
In this regard, EP 1861324 discloses a wrapped packet, in particular of the hinged-lid type, in which the stamp is partly fixed to the lid of the container and partly fixed to the wrapping portion that wraps the lid so that, when the wrapping is removed, the stamp is torn.
However, the solution proposed in document EP 1861324 allows the tearing of the stamp by means of the partial removal of the wrapping only in the case wherein the stamp is fixed to the lid.
In fact, in the case of fixing the stamp near the bottom of the container (and not to the lid), the tearing of the stamp is assured only in the case in which the user removes all the wrapping from the packet.
Otherwise the stamp would not be torn and would therefore be reusable. Moreover, with the removal of the entire wrapping, the container would lose the protection of the edges and protection against the spill of possible tobacco dust from the container.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a wrapped packet of smoking articles which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks.
The aforesaid aim has been obtained by means of a packet of smoking articles and a method for manufacturing the same according to the attached claims.
Advantageously, the proposed packet guarantees the tearing of the stamp regardless of its arrangement and due to only the partial removal of the wrapping.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings, which illustrate non-limiting embodiments, wherein:

Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of a packet object of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a side view of the packet of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a rear view of the packet of Figure 1, in which the glue mapping has been highlighted;
Figure 4 is a rear perspective view of the packet of Figure 1, in which part of the wrapping is being removed;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of part of the wrapping, of the connection element and of part of the stamp of the packet of Figure 1;
Figures 6 and 7 are a rear view, highlighting the glue mapping and a side view of Figure 5, respectively;
Figures 8 and 9 are a rear perspective view and a side view of the packet of Figure 1, respectively, in which the wrapping has been removed;
Figure 10 is a side view of a further embodiment of a packet object of the present invention;
Figure 11 is a rear view of the packet of figure 10, in which the glue mapping has been highlighted;
Figure 12 is a side view of part of the wrapping, of the connection element and of part of the packet of Figure 10.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the attached figures, a wrapped packet of smoking articles, object of the present invention, has been generically denoted with the numerical reference 1.
The term "smoking article" refers to an article relating to the tobacco field such as a cigarette, a cigar, a cartridge for an electronic cigarette, an electronic cigarette or a heat-not-burn product. Generally, a smoking article is an object having a cylindrical shape with longitudinal development along a relative development axis.
The term "wrapped packet" means a packet wrapped in a sheet of wrapping material, e.g. polypropylene or cellophane. In particular, said sheet of wrapping material is usually a thin and transparent sheet.
The term "stamp" means a state stamp or tax seal.
With particular reference to Figures 1-9, a first preferred embodiment of the wrapped packet 1 object of the present invention is described in the following.
The packet 1 comprises: a group of smoking articles; a container 2 that contains the group of smoking articles; a wrapping 3 that wraps the container 2; a tear tape 4 that is fixed to the wrapping 3 to favour the removal of the wrapping 3 from the packet 1, which tear tape 4 defines a first wrapping 3 portion 30 and a second wrapping 3 portion 31; a stamp 5 that comprises a first part 50 and a second part 51 and which faces the first wrapping 3 portion 30. The first part 50 of the stamp 5 is fixed to the container 2.
Furthermore, the packet comprises a connection element 6 that is arranged inside the wrapping 3 and that is fixed to the second part 51 of the stamp 5 and to the second wrapping 3 portion 31 so that by removing (only) the second wrapping 3 portion 31 from the packet 1, the stamp 5 is torn.
Advantageously, the proposed wrapped packet 1 allows to remove only the first wrapping 3 portion 30 while simultaneously ensuring the tearing of the stamp 5. In other words, the proposed wrapped packet 1 ensures the tearing of the stamp 5 following a partial removal of the wrapping 3.
With particular reference to Figures 1, 2 and 4, the container 2 comprises: a containment portion 20 that contains the group of smoking articles and which comprises a bottom wall 21, a side wall 22 which rises from the bottom wall 21 and an extraction opening for extracting the smoking articles from the container 2; a lid 24 that is mobile for opening and closing the extraction opening.
The first wrapping 3 portion 30 wraps the containment portion 20 (wraps it partially) and the second wrapping 3 portion 31 wraps the lid 21 (completely wraps the lid 21 and a limited part of the containment portion 20). Moreover, the first part 50 of the stamp 5 is fixed to the containment portion 20 of the container 2.
Therefore, after the removal of the tear tape 4, the user extracts, that is, removes the second wrapping 3 portion 31 from the packet 1 (so that the user can access the lid 24): said operation will cause the tear of the stamp 5 as the connection element 6 is fixed to the second wrapping 3 portion 31 and to the second part 51 of the stamp 5.
With particular reference to Figure 2, the side wall 22 comprises a front wall 22a, a rear wall 22b opposite and parallel to the front wall 22a, and two lateral sides 22c that connected the front wall 22a and the rear wall 22b to one another. Similarly, the lid 24 also comprises a front wall 24a, a rear wall 24b opposite and parallel to the front wall 24a, two lateral sides 24c that connect the front wall 24a and the rear wall 24b to one another and an upper wall 25 from which the other walls rise. In detail, the rear wall 24b of the lid 24 is hinged to the rear wall 22b of the side wall 22 of the container 2.
Therefore, in this preferred embodiment the container 2 has a constant and rectangular cross-section. It is understood that the container 2 could have a non-constant cross-section and/or other shapes, for example triangular, oval or rectangular with rounded corners.
Preferably, the stamp 5 is arranged in proximal position, with respect to the extraction opening, to the bottom wall 21 of the container 2.
This positioning of the stamp 5 allows to use the upper part of the packet 1 for informative notices and/or images. Advantageously, said positioning and sizing of the informative notices and/or images are in accordance with the recent regulations of some countries.
In detail, the first part 50 of the stamp 5 is fixed to the rear wall 22b of the side wall 22 of the container 2 (Figure 1).
Alternatively, according to embodiments not illustrated, the first part 50 of the stamp 5 could be fixed to the front wall 22a and/or to one of the lateral sides 22c and/or to the bottom wall 21.
Preferably, the first part 50 and the second part 51 of the stamp 5 are separated by a pre-breaking line 7. Advantageously, it is easy to separate the second part 51 of the stamp 5 from the first part 50.
With pre-breaking line, we mean a line, even partial, comprising one or more cuts/incisions, to aid in the detaching of the second part 51 of the stamp 5 from the first part 50. As an alternative to the pre-breaking line 7 a weakening line can be provided (i.e. a creasing line or an embossed line suitable to allow the second part 51 of the stamp 5 to be detached from the first part 50), or a through cut at an edge of the connection element or a perforation point in the latter (cases not illustrated).
In any case, the fixing of the connection element 6 to the wrapping 3 and to the second part 51 of the stamp 5 must be such (that is, sufficiently strong) to ensure the tear of the stamp 5 upon the removal of the second wrapping 3 portion 31.
In particular, the connection element 6 is fixed to the wrapping 3 by means of glue (for example, by means of glue dots or by means of an adhesive). Similarly, the connection element 6 is fixed to the second part 51 of the stamp 5 by means of glue (for example by means of glue dots or by means of an adhesive).
Preferably, the connection element 6 is arranged between the stamp 5 and the wrapping 3 (Figure 2).
Alternatively, the connection element 6 could be arranged between the stamp 5 and the container 6.
With reference to Figures from 1 to 9, the connection element 6 is a flat element, with a rectangular shape and with a height smaller than the height of the packet 1. It is understood that the connection element 6 can have any other form granted that it connects the stamp 5 and the wrapping 3, in detail the second wrapping 3 portion 31.
With particular reference to Figure 2, the connection element 6 is fixed to the wrapping 3, i.e. to the second wrapping 3 portion 31, so as to face the rear wall 24b of the lid 24 (and also the rear wall 22b of the side wall 22).
Alternatively, the connection element 6 could face the front wall 24a of the lid 24 or one of the lateral sides 24c.
Moreover, with reference to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 10-12, the connection element 6 could have a greater development than the height of the packet 1. In said case, the connection element 6 could face both the rear wall 24b of the lid 24 and the upper wall 25. In said case, the connection element 6 faces a greater area of the second wrapping portion 31. Advantageously, the tear of the stamp 5 is further assured, even if a weaker glue is used to fix the connection element 6 to the wrapping 3.
Preferably, the wrapping 3 and the connection element 6 are made of a transparent material. Advantageously, notices and/or images printed on the container 2 are visible.
The connection element 6 can be made of a plastic material such as polyethylene or cellophane.
A method for manufacturing a packet 1 according to any of the aforementioned embodiments is described in the following.
The method comprises the steps of:

a) arranging the group of smoking articles inside the container 2;
b) fixing the tear tape 4 to a sheet of wrapping material which is designed to wrap the container 2 so that the tear tape 4 defines a first portion of the sheet of wrapping material and a second portion of the sheet of wrapping material;
c) fixing the first part 50 of the stamp 5 to the container 2;
d) fixing the second part 51 of the stamp 5 and the connection element 6 to one another;
e) fixing the second portion of the sheet of wrapping material and the connection element 6 to one another;
f) wrapping the sheet of wrapping material around the container 2 so that the first portion of the sheet of wrapping material faces the stamp 5.

In particular, in the case in which the container 2 comprises the containment portion 20 and the lid 24, the step f) is performed so that the first portion of the sheet of wrapping material (partially) wraps the containment portion 20 and the second portion of the sheet of wrapping material wraps (at least) the lid 21. In this case, step c) provides to fix the stamp 5 to the containment portion 20 of the container 2 (in detail, to the rear wall 22b of the side wall 22).
According to a preferred embodiment of the method, the step c) is performed before step d) and step d) comprises the following sub-steps: applying glue to the connection element 6 and/or to the second part 51 of the stamp 5; arranging the connection element 6 so that the stamp 5 is arranged between the connection element 6 and the container 2. By means of said method a packet 1 is obtained in which the connection element 6 is arranged between the stamp 5 and the wrapping 3. It is understood that, alternatively, the step d) could comprise the sub-step of arranging the connection element 6 so that it is arranged between the stamp 5 and the container 2.
According to an embodiment of the method, the latter can comprise, in the order of the following steps: fixing the first part 50 of the stamp 5 to the container 2; applying glue to the second part 51 of the stamp 5 or to a portion of the connection element 6; fixing the connection element 6 onto the second part 51 of the stamp 5; applying glue to a further portion of the connection element 6 which will be fixed to the second portion of the sheet of wrapping material; wrapping the sheet of wrapping material around the container so that the connection element 6 is fixed to the second wrapping 3 portion 31. In this case, step e) can be performed before or preferably simultaneously with the step f).
A further embodiment of the method could comprise, in the order the following steps: fixing the first part 50 of the stamp 5 to the container 2; fixing the connection element 6 to the sheet of wrapping material at the second portion; applying glue to the second part 51 of the stamp 5 or to the portion of the connection element 6 intended to be fixed to the stamp 5; wrapping the sheet of wrapping material around the container 2 so that the connection element 6 is fixed to the second part 51 of the stamp 5. In this case, the step d) can be performed before or preferably simultaneously with the step f).

Claims

A packet (1) of smoking articles, comprising:
a group of smoking articles;

a container (2) that contains the group of smoking articles;

a wrapping (3) that wraps the container (2);

a tear tape (4) that is fixed to the wrapping (3) to facilitate the removal of the wrapping (3) from the packet (1), which tear tape (4) defines a first wrapping (3) portion (30) and a second wrapping (3) portion (31);

a stamp (5) that comprises a first part (50) and a second part (51) and which faces the first wrapping (3) portion (30), which first part (50) of the stamp (5) is fixed to the container (2);

the packet (1) being characterized in that it comprises a connection element (6) that is arranged inside the wrapping (3) and which is fixed to the second part (51) of the stamp (5) and to the second wrapping (3) portion (31) so that by removing the second wrapping (3) portion (31) from the packet (1) the stamp (5) is torn.
The packet (1) according to claim 1, wherein:
the container (2) comprises: a containment portion (20) that contains the group of smoking articles and which comprises a bottom wall (21), a lateral wall (22) that rises from the bottom wall (21) and an extraction opening for the extraction of the smoking articles from the container (2); a lid (24) that is mobile for opening and closing the extraction opening;

the first wrapping (3) portion (30) wraps the containment portion (20) and the second wrapping (3) portion (31) wraps the lid (24);

the first part (50) of the stamp (5) is fixed to the containment portion (20) of the container (2).
The packet (1) according to claim 2, wherein the stamp (5) is arranged in proximal position, with respect to the extraction opening of the container (2), to the bottom wall (21) of the container (2).
The packet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connection element (6) is arranged between the stamp (5) and the wrapping (3).
The packet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first part (50) and the second part (51) of the stamp (5) are separated by a pre-breaking line (7).
The packet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wrapping (3) and the connection element (6) are made of a transparent material.
A method for manufacturing the packet (1) of smoking articles according to claim 1, comprising the steps of:
a) arranging the group of smoking articles inside the container (2) ;

b) fixing the tear tape (4) to a sheet of wrapping material that is designed to wrap the container (2) so that the tear tape (4) defines a first portion of the sheet of wrapping material and a second portion of the sheet of wrapping material;

c) fixing the first part (50) of the stamp (5) to the container (2) ;

d) fixing the second part (51) of the stamp (5) and the connection element (6) to one another;

e) fixing the second portion of the sheet of wrapping material and the connection element (6) to one another;

f) wrapping the sheet of wrapping material around the container (2) so that the first portion of the sheet of wrapping material faces the stamp (5).
The method according to claim 7, wherein the step c) is performed before step d) and wherein the step d) comprises the following sub-steps:
applying glue to the connection element (6) and/or to the second part (51) of the stamp (5);

arranging the connection element (6) on the stamp (5) fixed to the container (2) so that the stamp (5) is arranged between the connection element (6) and the container (2).
The method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein either the step d) or step c) is performed simultaneously with the step f).