EP4408759B1

EP4408759B1 - Bundle of containers of consumer goods and wrapper thereof

Info

Publication number: EP4408759B1
Application number: EP22801714.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ross LANGE; Alexander ANDROSENKO
Original assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Current assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Priority date: 2021-09-29
Filing date: 2022-09-29
Publication date: 2025-07-09
Anticipated expiration: 2042-09-29
Also published as: US20240383638A1; JP2024533679A; CN117980234A; WO2023052551A1; EP4408759A1; EP4408759C0; KR20240089064A

Description

The present invention relates to a bundle for consumer goods and a wrapper for wrapping around the consumer goods for forming a bundle. Bundles according to the invention find particular application as bundles of a plurality of containers of consumer goods such as aerosol-generating articles.
It is generally known to package and sell aerosol-generating articles and other consumer goods in rigid box shaped containers.
It is also known to display and sell containers for aerosol-generating articles and other consumer goods in multipacks or bundles containing a plurality of containers. The plurality of containers can be arranged in an array of rows and columns and may be wrapped in a transparent film wrapper to form a bundle of containers. Said wrappers are typically provided for one or both of storage and transport. Alternatively or additionally, the plurality of containers may be placed in a display carton to form a bundle. The display carton may typically be made from a folded cardboard laminar blank, which forms a box in which the containers reside. The display carton may be used in addition to or in place of a transparent film wrapper, which is wrapped around the plurality of containers.
In some known bundles, a wrapper surrounding the containers is provided with a tear strip or perforations to facilitate opening of the bundle. For example, a consumer can tear along the strip or perforations such that a portion of the bundle wrapper can be lifted away or removed from the bundle to expose the containers within.
It is generally desirable to provide a bundle of containers of consumer goods and a wrapper of the bundle, wherein the bundle maintains the plurality of containers as a tightly wrapped bundle at least until access to the containers is desired. However, in some conventional bundles, the wrappers serving such a purpose are merely discarded after the bundle has been opened, without providing any further function.
Furthermore, in some conventional bundles, it can be necessary to first remove the plurality of containers from a surrounding display carton housing, and then subsequently remove a surrounding wrapper from the plurality of containers, before any of the containers can be fully accessed. Such arrangements may therefore be undesirably burdensome for those using or handling the bundle. Furthermore, such arrangements can involve the use of multiple different components, potentially formed of differing material. This may be undesirable for one or both of environmental and costs reasons.
US 2011/233266 A1 describes a container formed from a blank of a material that includes side panels extending between a top portion and a bottom portion. A tear line extends around the side panels for disengaging the top portion from the container thereby exposing all of the items extending along the side panels. A second tear section is defined in the portion of the container by a perforation line with the tear section being separable from the top portion thereby partially exposing the items contained in the container.
US 2016/176601 A1 describes an easy open package comprising a package body formed from a flexible film having a pair of transverse end seals and a longitudinal seal generally therebetween. A tear strip and pull tab formed in the package body are configured such that initiation of a tear by pulling the pull tab in one direction causes controlled tearing of the flexible film along the line of weakness defining the tear strip.
US 2016/318655 A1 describes an easy open carton comprising a paperboard including an inner face and an outer face, with the paperboard including a plurality of folding flaps permitting the paperboard to be folded to form a three dimensional carton. At least one cut line is provided on the inner face of the paperboard. The paperboard further includes a force application portion having a plurality of cuts disposed intermittently or continuously. Each cut extends from the inner face through the outer face of the paperboard.
It would therefore be desirable to provide a bundle of containers of consumer goods and a wrapper thereof, which can securely retain the plurality of containers together in a bundle, whilst also permitting easy access to the containers when desired, without suffering from one or more of the abovementioned drawbacks.
The present disclosure relates to a bundle of containers of consumer goods. The bundle comprises a plurality of containers of consumer goods and a wrapper wrapped around the plurality of containers to form a bundle housing. The bundle housing comprises a bundle front wall, a bundle back wall, a bundle top wall a bundle bottom wall, a first bundle side wall and a second bundle side wall. The wrapper comprises a first tearing portion and a second tearing portion. The first tearing portion is discrete from the second tearing portion on the wrapper. The wrapper is wrapped around the plurality of containers such that a first end segment of the first tearing portion overlaps with and is affixed to a first end segment of the second tearing portion to form a tear strip of the bundle. The tear strip extends along the bundle front wall, the first bundle side wall, and the bundle back wall.
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a bundle of containers of consumer goods, the bundle comprising: a plurality of containers of consumer goods; and a wrapper wrapped around the plurality of containers to form a bundle housing comprising: a bundle front wall; a bundle back wall; a bundle top wall; a bundle bottom wall; a first bundle side wall; and a second bundle side wall; wherein the wrapper comprises a first tearing portion and a second tearing portion, the first tearing portion being discrete from the second tearing portion on the wrapper; wherein the wrapper is wrapped around the plurality of containers such that a first end segment of the first tearing portion overlaps with and is affixed to a first end segment of the second tearing portion to form a tear strip of the bundle, the tear strip extending along the bundle front wall, the first bundle side wall, and the bundle back wall.
As used herein, the terms "side", "top", "bottom", "front", "back" and other terms used to describe relative positions of the components of bundles according to the invention refer to the bundle in an upright position with the access openings of the plurality of containers of the bundle at the top. When describing bundles according to the present invention, these terms are used irrespective of the orientation of the bundle being described. The "bottom" of the bundle refers to the side of the bundle opposite the "top" of the bundle.
The term "panel" refers to a portion of the bundle or a container of consumer goods formed from a single, continuous portion of the material forming the bundle or a container of consumer goods. The term "wall" refers more generally to a facet of the bundle or a container of consumer goods, and a wall may be formed from a single panel or flap, or a wall may be formed from two or more abutting or overlapping panels or flaps.
The term "envelope fold" is used herein to describe a sequence of folds which results in the at least partial overlap of two or more panels or flaps of a wrapper to form a wall. A wall formed by an envelope fold thus consists of a wall portion of overlap, wherein two or more of the partially overlapping panels or flaps overlap, and a wall portion of no overlap formed by non-overlapping portions of the partially overlapping panels or flaps.
The term "depending" is used herein to describe a physical connection between two elements of a bundle in accordance with the invention. In more detail, the term "depending" is used to indicate that there is a material continuity between two elements, such as two walls or panels of a bundle or blank. This encompasses both cases wherein a wall or panel depends directly from an adjacent wall or panel as well as cases wherein an intermediate wall or panel effectively connects two walls or panels.
By way of example, a side wall or panel may depend directly from an adjacent front wall or panel. In such case, the wall or panel typically depends along a fold line from the adjacent wall. As an alternative, especially in bundles having curved or bevelled edges, a side wall or panel may depend indirectly from a front wall or panel. In such case a curved or bevelled edge wall or panel connects the side wall or panel and the front wall or panel. In the case of a bevelled edge, both side wall or panel and front wall or panel may depend from the connecting bevelled edge wall or panel along respective fold lines.
The term "longitudinal" refers to a direction from side to side. The term "transverse" refers to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction from front to back or vice versa. The term "vertical" refers to a direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal and transverse directions from bottom to top or vice versa.
The term "length" denotes the dimension of an element, such as a panel of a blank or wall of a bundle or of a container of consumer goods measured in the longitudinal direction.
The term "width" is used to describe the dimension of an element, such as a panel of a blank or a wall of a bundle or of a container of consumer goods as measured in the transverse direction. The term "height" is used to describe the dimension of one such element as measured in the vertical direction. When describing an element of the container, such as a panel of a blank or a wall of a bundle or of a container of consumer goods, reference is generally made to the element in a flat state.
The term "line of weakness" is used herein to describe a portion of a surface of the bundle (or the blank from which the bundle is formed) wherein the structural strength of the material, from which the bundle (or blank) is formed has been weakened by any suitable technique, for example with respect to bending, folding or tearing along the line of weakness. A line of weakness may be straight, curved, segmented or continuous or a combination thereof. Lines of weakness can be created by removal of material, by displacement of material, by compression of material, by locally reducing the forces that hold the material together, such as by breaking fibres in a fibrous material, as well as by combinations of all the above. For example, a line of weakness may be formed as a scoring line, a creasing line, an ablation line, or a perforation line.
The term "scoring line" is used to describe a line formed by partially cutting into the material of the blank. A scoring line may be formed by removing material from the blank, that is, by forming a groove or trough in the blank. As an alternative, a scoring line may be formed without removing any material from the blank. This would typically involve a partial sideways displacement and compression of material.
The term "creasing line" typically refers to a line formed by displacing a portion of the material substantially perpendicular to the plane of the blank, which results in the formation of a groove or trough in the blank. The displacement may involve compression and is typically achieved by means of a compression tool, such as a roller. Alternatively, or in addition, the material in the creasing line may be displaced so as to at least partially protrude from the opposite side of the blank. Generally, no material is removed when a creasing line is formed.
The term "ablation line" is used instead to describe a line formed by removing material from a surface of the blank to a predetermined depth by way of ablation, such as by means of a laser beam or a blade.
The term "perforated line" describes a line or sequence of discrete holes or slots formed in the blank. The holes may be formed by pushing an object through the blank, which may result in material being removed from the blank, for example by punching. Alternatively, the holes may be created without effectively removing material, the object being used to push material outwardly from a centre of the hole.
As used herein, the term "susceptor element" refers to a material that can convert electromagnetic energy into heat. When located within a fluctuating electromagnetic field, eddy currents induced in the susceptor element cause heating of the susceptor element.
As described briefly above, the present invention relates to a bundle of containers of consumer goods. The bundle may comprise a plurality of containers of consumer goods and a wrapper wrapped around the plurality of containers to form a bundle housing. The wrapper may have first and second discrete tearing portions which overlap with, and are affixed to, one another when the wrapper is wrapped around the plurality of containers. The first and second tearing portions along with their overlapping end segments form a tear strip, which can be torn to permit access to the containers in the bundle.
By arranging for the discrete tearing portions to have end segments which overlap with and are affixed to one another in the assembled bundle, the act of tearing the wrapper along one of the tearing portions can be continued without interruption into the act of tearing the wrapper along the other of the tearing portions. This allows a single tear strip to be formed in the wrapper from the two discrete tearing portions. For example, when a consumer pulls the first tearing portion away from the remainder of the wrapper to tear the wrapper along the first tearing portion, such a tearing action will, if continued, eventually result in the wrapper also being torn at the first end segment of the first tearing portion. At this point, said tearing action will then transfer into the second tearing portion of the wrapper, because the first end segment of the first tearing portion overlaps with, and is affixed to, the first end segment of the second tearing portion. Consequently, a user will experience a continuous tearing of the wrapper along the two discrete tearing portions, because the ends of said tearing portions are overlapping with, and affixed to, one another in the assembled bundle. The tear strip may therefore be considered to be extending in a continuous manner along the bundle front wall, across the first bundle side wall, and then on to the bundle back wall.
The bundle and wrapper of the present invention provides one or more advancements over prior art bundles for consumer goods and wrappers thereof. In contrast with existing bundles, bundles according to the present invention have a tear strip arrangement which can permit easy access to the containers of the bundle, whilst enabling the wrapper of the bundle to serve at least one further purpose after the wrapper has been torn along the tear strip. In particular, the tear strip arrangement allows the wrapper to form a bundle housing, in which a first part of the bundle housing can be lifted to allow access to the plurality of containers, whilst a second part of the bundle housing remains wrapped around the plurality of containers. The second part of the bundle housing may then provide a convenient structure, in which the plurality of containers can reside. This can advantageously allow the containers to be easily viewable and accessible, yet also securely retained together, after a portion of the wrapper has been removed from the bundle. Such a structure or tray may be desirable for retailers wishing to display the bundle of containers of consumer goods in a retail setting. Alternatively or additionally, such a tray may be desirable for a consumer to utilise once the consumer has acquired the bundle.
In addition, by arranging for the tear strip to be formed from two discrete tearing portions having end segments that overlap with and are affix to one another in the assembled bundle, advantageously, a single tear strip may be used to open the bundle. The tear strip may have a simple design. The tear strip may require only minor modification to the wrapper. The tear strip may also be incorporated into a wrapper design, which is particularly well suited for use in high speed machinery settings.
Furthermore, in contrast with some prior art bundles, the wrapper of the present invention can be configured to act as a protective wrapper, which can be easily removed to permit access to the containers when desired, as well as acting as a display housing, in the form of a tray, when a part of the wrapper has been removed. Such dual functionality from a single component of the bundle can provide a simplified experience for a user. Furthermore, such dual functionality from a single component of the bundle can also mean that less material is needed to form the overall bundle or carton structure. This may lead to improvements concerning one or both of the cost and the sustainability associated with manufacturing such a bundle.
The first end segment of the first tearing portion may overlap with and be affixed to the first end segment of the second tearing portion at the first bundle side wall. Arranging for the overlap to occur at a side wall of the bundle may reduce the chances that any overlap of the wrapper is required on another wall or other walls of the bundle, such as one or more of the bundle front wall, bundle top wall, bundle back wall and bundle bottom wall. This may advantageously mean that one or more of said other wall or walls are less likely to have a visible disruption caused by an overlap of the wrapper on said wall or walls. This may be desirable where said other wall or walls are being used for communication purposes, for example by carrying one or more indicia.
The first bundle side wall may formed by an envelope fold of the wrapper. The overlap of the first end segment of the first tearing portion with the first end segment of the second tearing portion may be formed by overlapping parts of the envelope fold of the wrapper at the first bundle side wall. The second bundle side wall may be formed by an envelope fold of the wrapper. It will be appreciated that an envelope fold is merely illustrative of one type of fold that can be used to form the overlap in the wrapper at the first bundle side wall. Other forms of folds leading to an overlap between the first end segment of the first tearing portion with the first end segment of the second tearing portion will be readily understood by one of skill in the art.
The first tearing portion may define a portion of the tear strip extending along at least the bundle front wall. Put another way, the first tearing portion may extend along at least the bundle front wall. The portion of the tear strip extending along at least the bundle front wall may extend from a first side edge of the bundle front wall to an opposed second side edge of the bundle front wall. The tear strip may extend across at least the entire length of the bundle front wall.
The second tearing portion may define a portion of the tear strip extending along at least the bundle back wall. Put another way, the second tearing portion may extend along at least the bundle back wall. The portion of the tear strip extending along at least the bundle back wall may extend from a first side edge of the bundle back wall to an opposed second side edge of the bundle back wall. The tear strip may extend across at least the entire length of the bundle back wall.
The tear strip may further extend along the second bundle side wall. The tear strip may across at least the entire width of the second bundle side wall.
The tear strip may entirely circumscribe the bundle. The tear strip may extend across the entire length of the bundle front wall, the entire length of the bundle back wall and the entire width of each of the first and second bundle side walls.
The tear strip may be spaced apart from one or both of the bundle top wall and the bundle bottom wall. Preferably, the tear strip is spaced apart from the bundle top wall by a distance equal to at least about 20 percent of the height of the bundle, more preferably at least about 40 percent of the height of the bundle. Preferably, the tear strip is spaced apart from the bundle bottom wall by a distance equal to at least about 20 percent of the height of the bundle, more preferably at least about 40 percent of the height of the bundle. This can advantageously lead to a sufficient amount of wrapper being removed from the bundle to enable access to the containers, whilst also ensuring the tray formed by the wrapper can have sufficiently high side walls.
The first tearing portion may comprise a second end segment. The second end segment of the first tearing portion may comprise a pull tab. The pull tab may be disposed at the second bundle side wall.
The wrapper may be wrapped around the plurality of containers such that opposed edges of the wrapper form an overlap extending along one of the bundle front wall, the bundle back wall, the bundle top wall, and the bundle bottom wall. The overlap may form a seam for the wrapper. The seam may be formed in the overlap by way of an adhesive placed between the overlapping layers of the wrapper. The seam may be formed in the overlap by way of a weld between the overlapping layers of the wrapper. The seam may extend along the bundle bottom wall.
In the wrapper and bundle of the present invention, there may be a risk of the first tearing portion and the second tearing portion not aligning well with one another, and thus not overlapping properly at the ends of said tearing portions when the wrapper is wrapped around the plurality of containers. Such a problem could undesirably result in the tear strip being one or both of unreliable and ineffective. This is particularly relevant in embodiments where the first tearing portion and the second tearing portion are relatively narrow, for example, in comparison to the rest of the wrapper or bundle.
Accordingly, the wrapper of the present invention may be provided with one or more of the following features to help address the problems that a continuous tearing of the wrapper along the two discrete tearing portions may not be made, because the first tearing portion and the second tearing portion may not align well with one another, and thus not overlapping properly at the ends of said tearing portions.
For example, the first end segment of the first tearing portion may have a generally trapezoidal shape. Put another way, the first end segment of the first tearing portion may have a width that progressively increases along a length of the first end segment of the first tearing portion. In particular, the width of the first end segment of the first tearing portion may progressively increase along the entire length of the first end segment of the first tearing portion. Such an arrangement may be considered to give the first end segment of the first tearing portion a generally trapezoidal shape. Where the first tearing portion is delimited by a pair of spaced apart lines of weakness, the width of the first tearing portion may be considered as the distance between said lines of weakness.
By increasing the width of the first tearing portion along the length of the first end segment of the first tearing portion, the overall area of the first tearing portion which is available to overlap with the second tearing portion may be increased relative to the remainder of the first tearing portion. This may enable a more effective overlap to occur between the first tearing portion and the second tearing portion, without necessarily requiring precise alignment for the first tearing portion and the second tearing portion on one or both of the wrapper and the assembled bundle. Consequently, a more effective transfer of the tearing action from the first tearing portion to the second tearing portion may be achieved. Such an arrangement may also advantageously help to better distribute the tearing force applied to the wrapper, and thus help to avoid unintentional breakage of the tear strip.
The present disclosure also contemplates the second tearing portion being provided with features for addressing such alignment problems as an alternative, or in addition, to providing the first tearing portion with such features. Therefore, the first end segment of the second tearing portion may have a generally trapezoidal shape. The first end segment of the second tearing portion may have a width that progressively increases along a length of the first end segment of the second tearing portion. In particular, the width of the first end segment of the second tearing portion may progressively increase along the entire length of the first end segment of the second tearing portion.
The first end segment of the first tearing portion and the first end segment of the second tearing portion may be configured such that their widest portions overlap with one another.
The first tearing portion may be delimited by at least one line of weakness. The lines of weakness described herein may be formed as one or more of: a scoring line, a creasing line, an ablation line, and a perforation line. Preferably, the line of weakness is formed as a perforation line.
The first tearing portion may be delimited by a pair of spaced apart lines of weakness. This may improve the ease with which the wrapper can be torn along the first tearing portion. Furthermore, this may improve the consistency of tearing of the wrapper.
The pair of spaced apart lines of weakness of the first tearing portion may extend substantially parallel to each other along the bundle front wall. Consequently, the tear strip may have a constant width along the bundle front wall.
The pair of spaced apart lines of weakness of the first tearing portion may extend substantially parallel to each other along at least a portion of the second bundle side wall. Consequently, the tear strip may have a constant width along at least a portion of the second bundle side wall.
The pair of spaced apart lines of weakness of the first tearing portion may diverge from each other along at least a portion of the first bundle side wall. The pair of spaced apart lines of weakness of the first tearing portion may diverge from each other at the first end segment of the first tearing portion. This may improve the reliability of transferring the tearing action from the first tearing portion to the second tearing portion in the region of the bundle where the first end segments of the first tearing portion and the second tearing portion overlap. In particular, by having the lines of weakness diverge from one another in this region of the bundle, the width of the first tearing portion, and consequently the width of the tearing strip in said region, may be increased. This in turn increases the likelihood of a more significant overlap occurring between the first end segment of the first tearing portion and the first end segment of the second tearing portion. As a result, a more reliable transfer of the tearing action from the first tearing portion to the second tearing portion may be realised. Furthermore, such an advantageous feature means that there is less reliance on a precise alignment being achieved between the first end segment of the first tearing portion and the first end segment of the second tearing portion during manufacture. Consequently, the tolerance for manufacture of the bundle can be relatively for this aspect of the bundle without significantly compromising the functionality of the tear strip of the bundle.
The second tearing portion may be delimited by at least one line of weakness. The line of weakness may be formed as one or more of: a scoring line, a creasing line, an ablation line, and a perforation line. Preferably, the line of weakness is formed as a perforation line.
The second tearing portion may be delimited by a pair of spaced apart lines of weakness. This may improve the ease with which the wrapper can be torn along the second tearing portion. Furthermore, this may improve the consistency of tearing of the wrapper.
The pair of spaced apart lines of weakness of the second tearing portion may extend substantially parallel to each other along the bundle back wall. Consequently, the tear strip may have a constant width along the bundle back wall.
The pair of spaced apart lines of weakness of the second tearing portion may extend substantially parallel to each other along at least a portion of the second bundle side wall. Consequently, the tear strip may have a constant width along at least a portion of the second bundle side wall.
The pair of spaced apart lines of weakness of the second tearing portion may diverge from each other along at least a portion of the first bundle side wall. The pair of spaced apart lines of weakness of the second tearing portion may diverge from each other at the first end segment of the second tearing portion. This may improve the reliability of transferring the tearing action from the first tearing portion to the second tearing portion in the region of the bundle where the first end segment of the first tearing portion and the first end segment of the second tearing portion overlap. In particular, by having the lines of weakness diverge from one another in this region of the bundle, the width of the second tearing portion, and consequently the width of the tearing strip in said region, may be increased. This in turn increases the likelihood of a more significant overlap occurring between the first end segment of the first tearing portion and the first end segment of the second tearing portion. As a result, a more reliable transfer of the tearing action from the first tearing portion to the second tearing portion may be realised. Furthermore, such an advantageous feature means that there is less reliance on a precise alignment being achieved between the first end segment of the first tearing portion and the first end segment of the second tearing portions during manufacture. Consequently, the tolerance for manufacture of the bundle can be relatively high for this aspect of the bundle's design, without significantly compromising the functionality of the tear strip of the bundle.
Each line of weakness may comprise one or more of: an embossed line, a debossed line, a crease line, and a lines of perforation holes. Where the bundle comprises one or more lines of weakness defining the first tearing portion or the second tearing portion with said lines of weakness comprising perforation holes, the bundle may further comprises an adhesive applied to at least some of the perforation holes.
The wrapper may be configured to be torn along the tear strip to divide the bundle housing into a first part and a second part. When the wrapper has been torn along the tear strip, the first part of the bundle housing may be configured to be lifted away from the second part of the bundle housing to permit access to the plurality of containers in the bundle housing. When the wrapper has been torn along the tear strip, the first part of the bundle housing may be removable from the rest of the bundle.
The second part of the bundle housing may comprise the bundle bottom wall and at least a portion of each of the bundle front wall; the bundle back wall; the first bundle side wall; and the second bundle side wall.
The second part of the bundle housing may carry one or more indicia.
The first part of the bundle housing may comprise the bundle top wall and at least a portion of each of the bundle front wall; the bundle back wall; the first bundle side wall; and the second bundle side wall.
The bundle housing may be in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. The rectangular parallelepiped may comprise right-angled longitudinal edges and right-angled transverse edges. The bundle housing may comprise one or more rounded longitudinal edges, rounded transverse edges, bevelled longitudinal edges or bevelled transverse edges, or combinations thereof. The rectangular parallelepiped may comprise two wider walls, such as a front and back wall, spaced apart by two narrower side walls.
The first end segment of the first tearing portion may be affixed to the first end segment of the second tearing portion by means of an adhesive. Suitable adhesives include polyvinyl acetate, styrene-acrylate and latex.
The first end segment of the first tearing portion may be affixed to the first end segment of the second tearing portion by means of a weld. Such a heat weld may be particularly applicable, where the wrapper is made of a laminar blank comprising a polymeric layer.
The wrapper may be wrapped around the plurality of containers such that a second end segment of the first tearing portion overlaps with a second end segment of the second tearing portion. The second end segment of the first tearing portion may be affixed to the second end segment of the second tearing portion. The second end segment of the first tearing portion may be affixed to the second end segment of the second tearing portion by means of an adhesive. The second end segment of the first tearing portion may overlap with the second end segment of the second tearing portion at the second bundle side wall.
The wrapper may be a folded laminar blank. The wrapper may be a sheet of paper or paperboard. In some preferred embodiments, the wrapper may be a multi-layer sheet. The multi-layer sheet may comprise a cellulose based layer and a polymeric layer. The polymeric layer may be provided on one or both of the inner side of the cellulose base layer and the outer side of the cellulose based layer. Preferably, the polymeric layer is provided on the inner side (i.e. the side facing the contained containers) of the cellulose based layer. The polymeric layer may provide the wrapper with one or both of a moisture barrier and a heat sealable layer. The wrapper may have a thickness of between about 70 micrometres and about 110 micrometres. Such a wrapper may be preferable over other materials of wrapper for ease of manufacturing as it can be folded to form a bundle, without necessarily requiring any additional process steps, such as shrink wrapping. A paper wrapper may also enable the user to more easily open the bundle in a single action whilst also providing a convenient tray to securely retain the plurality of containers once opened. A paper wrapper may also be suitable for printing, which may be particularly desirable if the wrapper forms a tray for the containers.
Preferably, the wrapper comprises a metallized layer.
By providing a wrapper having a metallized layer, or a metallized wrapper, the barrier features of the wrapper may be improved. The metallized wrapper, may have a significantly reduced permeability to gases or vapours such as oxygen or moisture, thus providing additional protection to the consumer goods housed within the bundle housing.
The wrapper may include additional layers, for example additional barrier layers may be added with the purpose of enhancing the barrier performances of the resulting bundle. For example, a pre-coated cellulose based layer may be used as substrate for the manufacturing of the wrapper of the present invention. Pre-coated cellulose based layers for instance may comprise one or more layers of polyvinyl-alcohol (PVOH), polyethylene-co-vinyl-alcohol (EVOH), polyvinylidene di-chloride coatings (PVDC), and styrene-butadiene or styrene-acrylate latexes. These pre-applied coatings (often applied in the paper-mills) may help to achieve a cellulose based layer with excellent surface planarity, hence further enhancing the performances of the coatings described in this invention. Furthermore, pre-applied coatings, such as PVOH, EVOH and PVDC may add additional functionalities such as barrier to odours, aromas and oxygen to the resulting bundle of the invention. Such pre-applied coatings may often contain mineral fillers such as calcium carbonate, kaolin, talcum, mica or other platelet type minerals.
Where the first polymeric layer is a heat sealable polymeric layer, the heat sealable polymeric layer may be a first heat sealable polymeric layer. A bundle according to the invention may comprise a second polymeric layer on the wrapper. The second polymeric layer may be between the cellulose based layer and the first heat sealable polymeric layer. The second polymeric layer may be alternatively be on the outer surface of the cellulose based layer. The second polymeric layer may be a moisture barrier. The moisture barrier may provide additional protection to the consumer goods housed in the bundle as it may provide a better barrier between the outside of the bundle and the inside of the bundle. The second polymeric layer may comprise fillers such as calcium carbonate, kaolin, talcum, mica or other platelet type minerals. Preferably the second polymeric layer is not sealable and may be crosslinked or comprise crosslinking agents.
The second polymeric layer may be on at least 50 percent of the inner surface of the wrapper, preferably the second polymeric layer is on at least 80 percent of the inner surface of the wrapper, more preferably, the second polymeric layer extends across the entire inner surface of the wrapper. It is desirable to have a large coverage area of the second polymeric layer as the greater the coverage of the second polymeric layer, the greater the seal achieved between the inside of the bundle and the outside of the wrapper.
Preferably, one or both of the first or second polymeric layer comprises a composition comprising one or more of a polymer or copolymer of ethylene, a polymer or copolymer of propylene, a copolymer of styrene acrylate, a copolymer of styrene butadiene, a copolymer of styrene isoprene, a copolymer of hydrogenated styrene butadiene, a copolymer of hydrogenated styrene isoprene, a copolymer of an ester of acrylic or methacrylic acid, a copolymer of vinyl acetate, or a copolymer of polybutene.
Preferably, the composition comprises a polymer, copolymer or omopolymer of ethylene and one of propylene, 1-butene, isobutylene, 1-octene, 1-exene, norbornene, vinyl acetate, acrylic or metacryllic esters, acrylic or metacryllic acids, dicyclopentadiene.
Preferably, the composition comprises a polymer, copolymer or omopolymer of propylene and one of ethylene, 1-butene, isobutylene, 1-octene, 1-exene, norbornene, vinyl acetate, acrylic or methacrylic esters, acrylic or methacrylic acids, dicyclopentadiene and polybutene.
Preferably, the composition further comprises wax. The wax may comprise one or more of paraffin wax, polyethylene wax, microcrystalline wax, polypropylene wax. The composition may have any percentage content of wax. Preferably, the content of wax may be comprised between 10 percent and 40 percent by weight of the composition.
Preferably, the composition further comprises hydrocarbon resin. The hydrocarbon resin may comprise one or more of hydrogenated hydrocarbon resin, polyterpene resin. The composition may have any percentage content of hydrocarbon resin. Preferably the content of hydrocarbon resin is comprised between 30 percent and 50 percent by weight of the composition.
Preferably, the content of polymer or copolymer is comprised between 30 percent and 50 percent by weight of the composition.
Preferably, the first heat sealable polymeric layer has a basis weight of between 4 grams per square meter and 10 grams per square meter.
Preferably the second polymeric layer has a basis weight of between 5 grams per square meter and 10 grams per square meter.
Preferably, the first heat sealable polymeric layer has a melting point measured according to differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) lower than 120 degrees Celsius.
Preferably, the second polymeric layer does not show a thermoplastic behaviour at the temperature and pressure used to melt the first heat sealable polymeric layer. This may ensure that the second polymeric layer is not affected by the heating of the first heat sealable polymeric layer. Thus when the first heat sealable polymeric layer is heated to seal the wrapper onto the bundle, the second polymeric layer remains intact.
Preferably, the second polymeric layer has a melting point measured according to differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) higher than the melting temperature of the first heat sealable polymeric layer.
Preferably, the wrapper comprises a metallized layer. For example, a pre-coated cellulose based layer may be a metallized paper. For the purpose of this invention. A cellulose based layer may be metallized before the application of one or more polymeric layers. The metallized layer may be a barrier layer with the purpose of enhancing the barrier performances of the resulting bundle. By providing an wrapper having a metallized layer, or a metallized wrapper, the barrier features of the wrapper may be improved. The metallized wrapper, may have a significantly reduced permeability to gases or vapours such as oxygen or moisture, thus providing additional protection to the consumer goods housed within the bundle. The metallized layer may also be used for decorative purposes.
Preferably, the metallized layer may be applied to the cellulose based layer.
The metallized layer may be on an inner surface of the cellulose based layer. Alternatively, the metallized layer may be on an outer surface of the cellulose based layer. Where the metallized layer is on an outer surface of the of the cellulose based layer, the metallized layer may impart a more appealing visual appearance to the wrapper.
Preferably, the metallized layer is an aluminium layer. However, the metallized layer may be a layer comprising any suitable metal.
Preferably, the metallized layer is between the cellulose based layer and the first polymeric layer.
The first polymeric layer may be on at least 50 percent of the inner surface of the metallized layer, preferably the first polymeric layer is on at least 80 percent of the inner surface of the metallized layer, more preferably, the first polymeric layer is on the entire inner surface of the metallized layer.
The metallized layer may have a thickness of at least 10 nanometres, preferably, the metallized layer has a thickness of at least 15 nanometres.
The metallized layer may be deposited using a physical vapor deposition (PVD) technique under a high vacuum.
A primer layer may be between the cellulose based layer and the metallized layer. The primer layer may smoothen the surface of the cellulose based layer and provide a suitable anchoring layer for the deposition of the metallized layer.
A protective layer may cover the metallized layer . The protective layer may protect the metallized layer from damage that may occur during handling and forming of the bundle. The protective layer can be manufactured by applying solutions or dispersions of appropriate polyester resins such as polycondensates of terephatalic acid, isophthalic acid, adipic acid, azelaic acid, and one or more diols such as ethylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,4 propane diol, diethylene glycol, neopentyl glycol, 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol. The protective layer may also be manufactured from a mixture from at least two diacids or their methyl esters monomers and at least one or more glycols enable to have polymers with good solubility and adhesion toward the metallic layer. Other suitable compositions suitable for the manufacture of top coatings comprise solutions of polymers such as cellulose acetate or propionate, dispersions of copolymers of various olefins such as ethylene and acrylic or methacrylic acid, solutions or dispersions of hydrogenated hydrocarbon resins.
Preferably, the cellulose based layer has a basis weight of between 40 grams per square meter and 70 grams per square meter.
The bundle may comprise a plurality of consumer goods housed within each container. The plurality of consumer goods may be a plurality of aerosol-generating articles. Each aerosol-generating article may comprise an aerosol-generating substrate, which may comprise a nicotine-containing material, such as a tobacco material. Each aerosol-generating article may comprise a susceptor element. The aerosol-generating substrate may comprise the susceptor element.
The aerosol-generating articles may be filter cigarettes or other smoking articles in which an aerosol-generating substrate comprises a tobacco material that is combusted to form smoke. The aerosol-generating articles may be articles in which an aerosol-generating substrate, for example a tobacco material, is heated to form an aerosol, rather than combusted. The aerosol-generating articles may be articles in which a nicotine-containing aerosol is generated from a tobacco material, tobacco extract, or other nicotine source, without combustion, and in some cases without heating, for example through a chemical reaction.
The plurality of consumer goods may comprise a plurality of elongate articles, such as elongate aerosol-generating articles. Each elongate article may be substantially cylindrical.
Each container of the bundle may comprise a box portion and a lid portion hingedly connected to the box portion by a hinge line. The lid portion may be pivotable about the hinge line between a closed position in which the lid portion covers an opening of the box portion and an open position in which consumer goods can be removed from the box portion. The lid portion may comprise a lid portion front wall, a lid portion back wall, a lid portion top wall, and first and second opposed lid portion side walls. The box portion may comprise a box portion front wall, a box portion back wall, a box portion bottom wall, and first and second opposed box portion side walls.
Each container of the bundle may be in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. The rectangular parallelepiped may comprise right-angled longitudinal edges 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 rectangular parallelepiped may comprise two wider walls, such as a front and back wall, spaced apart by two narrower side walls.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a wrapper for wrapping around a plurality of containers of consumer goods to form a bundle of containers of consumer goods, the wrapper comprising: a plurality of panels and a plurality of fold lines separating the plurality of panels, wherein the plurality of panels are configured to be folded about the plurality of fold lines to form a bundle housing comprising: a bundle front wall; a bundle back wall; a bundle top wall; a bundle bottom wall; a first bundle side wall; and a second bundle side wall, wherein the wrapper further comprises a first tearing portion and a second tearing portion, the first tearing portion being discrete from the second tearing portion on the wrapper, and wherein the first tearing portion and the second tearing portion are arranged on the wrapper such that, when the wrapper is folded to form the bundle housing, a first end segment of the first tearing portion overlaps with and is affixed to a first end segment of the second tearing portion to form a tear strip of the bundle, with the tear strip extending along the bundle front wall, the first bundle side wall, and the bundle back wall. The wrapper may have any feature or combination of features of the wrapper described above in respect of the bundle of the invention.
Features described in relation to one example or embodiment may also be applicable to other examples and embodiments.
The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a bundle of containers of consumer goods according to a first embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 shows the bundle of Figure 1 with a wrapper of the bundle in a partially torn condition;
Figure 3 shows the bundle of Figure 2 where a tear strip of the wrapper has been completely removed to divide a housing of the bundle into two parts;
Figure 4 shows the bundle of Figure 3 where a first part of the housing has been moved away from the remainder of the bundle; and
Figure 5 shows a wrapper for wrapping around a plurality of containers of consumer goods to form the bundle of Figure 1.

Figure 1 shows a bundle 1 of containers 90 of consumer goods. The bundle 1 has an outer housing 2 formed by a wrapper 100, which is wrapped around the containers 90.
The bundle housing is in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped and comprises a bundle front wall 3, a bundle back wall, a bundle top wall 4 a bundle bottom wall, a first bundle side wall 5 and a second bundle side wall. The bundle back wall, bundle bottom wall, and second bundle side wall are not visible in the perspective view of Figure 1.
The wrapper 100 comprises a first tearing portion 10 having a first end segment 11 and a second tearing portion 20 having a first end segment 21. As will become further apparent from the description in relation to Figure 5 below, the first tearing portion 10 is discrete from the second tearing portion 20 on the wrapper 100. As shown in Figure 1, when the wrapper 100 is wrapped around the plurality of container 90, the first end segment 11 of the first tearing portion 10 overlaps with and is affixed to the first end segment 21 of the second tearing portion 20. The overlap is in the form of an envelope fold of the wrapper. This results in the bundle 1 having a tear strip 30, which can be torn away from the remainder of the wrapper 100 to open the bundle 1 and permit access to the containers 90. The tear strip 30 extends along the entire length of the bundle front wall 2, along the entire width of the first bundle side wall 5 and along the entire length of the bundle back wall. The tear strip 30 also extends along the second bundle side wall.
The first tear strip 10 is delimited by a pair of spaced apart perforation lines 13, 14. The perforations lines 13 and 14 extend substantially parallel to one another across the entire length of the bundle front wall 2. The perforations lines 13 and 14 diverge from each other at the first end segment 11 of the first tearing portion 10, and in particular diverge from each other where said lines 13 and 14 extend along the first bundle side wall 5. This results in the first end segment 11 of the first tearing portion 10 having a generally trapezoidal shape, with the width of the first end segment 11 progressively increasing along its length.
The second tear strip 20 is delimited by a pair of spaced apart perforation lines 23, 24. The perforations lines 23 and 24 extend substantially parallel to one another across the entire length of the bundle back wall. The perforations lines 23 and 24 diverge from each other at the first end segment 21 of the second tearing portion 20, and in particular diverge from each other where said lines 23 and 24 extend along the first bundle side wall 5. This results in the first end segment 21 of the second tearing portion 20 having a generally trapezoidal shape, with the width of the first end segment 20 progressively increasing along its length.
As will be appreciated from Figures 1 and 2, by arranging for the discrete tearing portions 10, 20 to have end segments 21, 11 which overlap with and are affixed to one another in the assembled bundle 1, the act of tearing the wrapper 100 along the first tearing portion 10 can be continued without interruption into the act of tearing the wrapper along the second tearing portion 20. This allows the single tear strip 30 to be formed in the wrapper 100 from the two discrete tearing portions 110, 120. Consequently, when a consumer pulls the first tearing portion 10 away from the remainder of the wrapper 100 to tear the wrapper 100 along the first tearing portion 10, such a tearing action will, if continued, eventually result in the wrapper 100 also being torn at the first end segment 11 of the first tearing portion 10. At this point, said tearing action will then transfer into the second tearing portion 20 of the wrapper 100, because the first end segment 11 of the first tearing portion 10 overlaps with, and is affixed to, the first end segment 21 of the second tearing portion 20. The tearing action may then be continued into the remainder of the second tearing portion 20 to result in complete removal of the tear strip 30 from the bundle 1.
This can lead to the bundle 1 being in the condition shown in Figure 3. In Figure 3, the tear strip 30 has been completely removed. The wrapper 100 has been divided in two, such that the bundle housing 2 now comprises a first part 40 and a second part 50. The first part 40 of the bundle housing 2 comprises the bundle top wall 4 and at least a portion of each of the bundle front wall 3; the bundle back wall; the first bundle side wall 5; and the second bundle side wall. The second part 50 of the bundle housing comprises the bundle bottom wall and at least a portion of each of the bundle front wall 3; the bundle back wall; the first bundle side wall 5; and the second bundle side wall.
As best seen from Figure 4, the first part 40 of the bundle housing 2 can be lifted away from the remainder of the bundle to further expose the containers 90 housed underneath the first part 40. At this point, each container 90 of the bundle 1 may be easily accessible. Furthermore, by leaving the second part 50 of the housing 2 in place, the second part 50 may act as a tray for the containers 90 of the bundle 2. Such a structure may be desirable for retailers wishing to display the bundle 1 of containers 90 in a retail setting. Alternatively or additionally, such a tray may be desirable for a consumer to utilise once the consumer has acquired the bundle 1.
Figure 5 shows a wrapper 100 for wrapping around a plurality of containers 90 of consumer goods to form the bundle 1 of Figure 1. The wrapper 100 is shown in Figure 5 in an unwrapped state, where the wrapper is substantially flat. The wrapper 100 comprises a plurality of panels connected together by a plurality of fold lines. In particular, the wrapper 100 comprises a bundle back wall panel 106 connected to a bundle top wall panel 107 by a respective fold line. The bundle top wall panel 107 is connected to a bundle front wall panel 103 by a respective fold line.
The wrapper also comprises first and second panels 108a, 108b for forming the bundle bottom wall. Said panels 108a, 108b are configured to partially overlap with one another when the wrapper 100 is wrapped around the plurality of containers 90 to form the bundle bottom wall. The partial overlap of panels 108a, 108b may then be secured by way of an adhesive or a weld to form a seam. The first panel 108a for forming the bundle bottom wall is connected to the bundle back wall panel 106 by a respective fold line. The second panel 108b for forming the bundle bottom wall is connected to the bundle front wall panel 103 by a respective fold line.
The wrapper also comprises a plurality of interconnected panels 105 for forming the first bundle side wall 5. Said panels 105 may be folded about their respective fold lines to form an envelope fold at the first bundle side wall 5. Similarly, the wrapper further comprises a plurality of interconnected panels 109 for forming the second bundle side wall. Said panels 109 may be folded about their respective fold lines to form an envelope fold at the second bundle side wall.
A pair of spaced apart lines of weakness 13, 14 extend across the entire length of the wrapper 100, and in particular, extend across one of interconnected panels 109, one of interconnected panels 105 and the bundle front wall panel 103 to define a first tearing portion 110 of the wrapper. The lines of weakness 13, 14 extend substantially parallel to each other across the interconnected panel 109 and the bundle front wall panel 103. However, the lines of weakness 13, 14 then diverge from one another as they extend across the interconnected panel 105. In particular, the gap between the lines of weakness 13, 14 progressively increases as the lines of weakness extend across panel 105 and away from the bundle front wall panel 103. This defines a first end segment 111 of the first tearing portion 110 having a generally trapezoidal shape.
Similarly, a pair of spaced apart lines of weakness 23, 24 extend across the entire length of the wrapper 100, and in particular, extend across one of interconnected panels 109, one of interconnected panels 105 and the bundle back wall panel 106 to define a second tearing portion 120 of the wrapper. The lines of weakness 23, 24 extend substantially parallel to each other across the interconnected panel 109 and the bundle back wall panel 106. However, the lines of weakness 23, 24 then diverge from one another as they extend across the interconnected panel 105. In particular, the gap between the lines of weakness 23, 24 progressively increases as the lines of weakness extend across panel 105 and away from the bundle back wall panel 106. This defines a first end segment 121 of the second tearing portion 120 having a generally trapezoidal shape.
A second end segment 112 of the first tearing portion 110 is arranged to overlap with a second end segment 122 of the second tearing portion 120 when the wrapper 100 is wrapped around the plurality of containers 90. The second end segment 112 of the first tearing portion 110 comprises a pull tab 60. The pull tab 60 is configured to provide a suitable gripping point for a user of the bundle 1 to grasp, when wishing to tear the wrapper 100 along the tear strip.

Claims

A bundle (1) of containers (90) of consumer goods, the bundle (1) comprising:
a plurality of containers (90) of consumer goods; and

a wrapper (100) wrapped around the plurality of containers (90) to form a bundle housing (2) comprising: a bundle front wall (3); a bundle back wall; a bundle top wall (4); a bundle bottom wall; a first bundle side wall (5); and a second bundle side wall;

wherein the wrapper (100) comprises a first tearing portion (10) and a second tearing portion (20), the first tearing portion (10) being discrete from the second tearing portion (20) on the wrapper (100);
wherein the wrapper (100) is wrapped around the plurality of containers (90) such that a first end segment (11) of the first tearing portion (10) overlaps with and is affixed to a first end segment (21) of the second tearing portion (20) to form a tear strip (30) of the bundle (1), the tear strip (30) extending along the bundle front wall (3), the first bundle side wall (5), and the bundle back wall; and

wherein the first end segment (11) of the first tearing portion (10) has a generally trapezoidal shape.
A bundle (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first tearing portion (10) defines a portion of the tear strip (30) extending along at least the bundle front wall (3); and/or
wherein the second tearing portion (20) defines a portion of the tear strip (30) extending along at least the bundle back wall; and/or

wherein the first end segment (21) of the second tearing portion (20) has a generally trapezoidal shape;

and/or, wherein the first tearing portion (10) is delimited by at least one line of weakness (13, 14).
A bundle (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the first tearing portion (10) is delimited by a pair of spaced apart lines of weakness (13, 14).
A bundle (1) according to claim 3, wherein the pair of spaced apart lines of weakness (13, 14) of the first tearing portion (10) extend substantially parallel to each other along the bundle front wall (3).
A bundle (1) according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the pair of spaced apart lines of weakness (13, 14) of the first tearing portion (10) diverge from each other along at least a portion of the first bundle side wall (5).
A bundle (1) according to any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the pair of spaced apart lines of weakness (13, 14) of the first tearing portion (10) extend substantially parallel to each other along at least a portion of the second bundle side wall.
A bundle (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the wrapper (100) is configured to be torn along the tear strip (30) to divide the bundle housing (2) into a first part (40) and a second part (50); and optionally
wherein, when the wrapper (100) has been torn along the tear strip (30), the first part (40) of the bundle housing (2) is configured to be lifted away from the second part (50) of the bundle housing (2) to permit access to the plurality of containers (90) in the bundle housing (2).
A bundle (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the wrapper (100) is wrapped around the plurality of containers (90) such that a second end segment of the first tearing portion (10) overlaps with and is affixed to a second end segment of the second tearing portion (20) and/or wherein the wrapper (100) is a sheet of paper or paperboard.
A bundle (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the wrapper (100) is a multi-layer sheet.
A bundle (1) according to claim 9, wherein the multi-layer sheet comprises a cellulose based layer and a polymeric layer.
A bundle (1) according to claim 10, wherein the polymeric layer is provided on the inner side of the cellulose based layer.
A bundle (1) according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the polymeric layer is a first polymeric layer; and
the multi-layer sheet comprises a second polymeric layer.
A bundle (1) according to claim 12, wherein the second polymeric layer is located between the cellulose based layer and the first polymeric layer; and optionally wherein the second polymeric layer is a moisture barrier layer.
A bundle (1) according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the first polymeric layer or the second polymeric layer comprises a composition comprising one or more of:
• a polymer or copolymer of ethylene;

• a polymer or copolymer of propylene;

• a copolymer of styrene acrylate;

• a copolymer of styrene butadiene;

• a copolymer of styrene isoprene;

• a copolymer of hydrogenated styrene butadiene;

• a copolymer of hydrogenated styrene isoprene;

• a copolymer of an ester of acrylic or methacrylic acid;

• a copolymer of vinyl acetate;

• a copolymer of polybutene; and optionally
wherein the composition further comprises one or both of wax; and hydrocarbon resin.
A wrapper (100) for wrapping around a plurality of containers (90) of consumer goods to form a bundle (1) of containers (90) of consumer goods, the wrapper (100) comprising:
a plurality of panels and a plurality of fold lines separating the plurality of panels, wherein the plurality of panels are configured to be folded about the plurality of fold lines to form a bundle housing (2) comprising: a bundle front wall (3); a bundle back wall; a bundle top wall (4); a bundle bottom wall; a first bundle side wall (5); and a second bundle side wall,

wherein the wrapper (100) further comprises a first tearing portion (10) and a second tearing portion (20), the first tearing portion (10) being discrete from the second tearing portion (20) on the wrapper (100), and

wherein the first and second tearing portions (10, 20) are arranged on the wrapper (100) such that, when the wrapper (100) is folded to form the bundle housing (2), a first end segment (11) of the first tearing portion (10) overlaps with and is affixed to a first end segment (21) of the second tearing portion (20) to form a tear strip (30) of the bundle (1), with the tear strip (30) extending along the bundle front wall (3), the first bundle side wall (5), and the bundle back wall; and

wherein the first end segment (11) of the first tearing portion (10) has a generally trapezoidal shape.