EP4669591A1

EP4669591A1 - HINGED LID PACK

Info

Publication number: EP4669591A1
Application number: EP24708879.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Stephen Lewis; Michael CHURCHER; Paul Hodges
Original assignee: British American Tobacco Investments Ltd
Current assignee: British American Tobacco Investments Ltd
Priority date: 2023-02-22
Filing date: 2024-02-20
Publication date: 2025-12-31
Also published as: JP2026505292A; GB202302528D0; WO2024175897A1; CN121263366A

Abstract

A hinged-lid pack for delivery systems is disclosed. The pack comprises a base; a lid rotatable about the base between an open and a closed position in which the lid and the base meet at a line of juncture; and a sealing member that bridges the line of juncture and is formed from an amorphous material that is configured to break when the lid is rotated about the hinge into an open position for the first time, to provide a visible indication that the lid has previously been rotated into an open position when the lid is subsequently closed. A method of manufacturing a hinged-lid pack for delivery systems is also disclosed.

Description

A Hinged- Lid Pack

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a hinged-lid pack for delivery systems and a method of manufacturing a hinged-lid pack for delivery systems.

Background

Smoking articles, such as cigarettes, are sold in packages. Known packages often comprise an outer carton made from cardboard which has a base and a hinged lid. The base typically receives a tobacco industry product and the lid is rotatable relative to the base between open and closed positions.

Summary

According to the present disclosure, there is provided a hinged-lid pack for delivery systems, the hinged-lid pack comprising: a base; a lid rotatable about the base between an open and a closed position in which the lid and the base meet at a line of juncture; and a sealing member that bridges the line of juncture and is formed from an amorphous material that is configured to break when the lid is rotated about the hinge into an open position for the first time, to provide a visible indication that the lid has previously been rotated into an open position when the lid is subsequently closed.

The sealing member may comprise a line of weakness aligned with the line of juncture, the sealing member may be configured to break along said line of weakness when the lid is rotated about the hinge into an open position for the first time.

The base may comprise a base front wall and the lid may comprise a lid front wall, the base front wall and the lid front wall may meet at said line of juncture.

The base may comprise a base side wall and the lid may comprise a lid side wall, the base side wall and lid side wall may meet at said line of juncture.

The sealing member may bridge the line of juncture between the base front wall and the lid front wall. The sealing member may bridge the line of juncture between the base side wall and the lid side wall. The sealing member may be transparent.

The sealing member maybe applied to the hinged-lid pack in fluid form.

The amorphous material may be one of a glue or varnish.

The sealing member may be substantially circular. The sealing member may have a length and a width, the length may be longer than the width.

The sealing member may bridge the line of juncture in a direction extending across the width of the sealing member.

The line of weakness may extend along the length of the sealing member.

The sealing member may bridge the line of juncture in a direction extending across the length of the sealing member.

The line of weakness may extend along the width of the sealing member.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a hinged-lid pack for delivery systems, the method comprising: providing a base; providing a lid rotatable about the base between an open and a closed position in which the lid and the base meet at a line of juncture; and applying an amorphous material to the hinged-lid pack that bridges the line of juncture and forms a sealing member that is configured to break when the lid is rotated about the hinge into an open position for the first time.

The method may comprise forming a line of weakness in the sealing member aligned with the line of juncture, the sealing member maybe configured to break along said line of weakness when the lid is rotated about the hinge into an open position for the first time. The base may comprise a base front wall and the lid may comprise a lid front wall, the base front wall and lid front wall meeting at said line of juncture, and the step of applying the sealing member to the pack may comprise applying the sealing member to the pack such that the sealing member bridges the line of juncture between the base front wall and the lid front wall.

The base may comprise a base side wall and the lid may comprise a lid side wall, the base side wall and lid side wall meeting at said line of juncture, and the step of applying the sealing member to the pack may comprise applying the sealing member to the pack such that the sealing member bridges the line of juncture between the base side wall and the lid side wall.

The step of applying the sealing member to the pack may comprise applying the sealing member in fluid form.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an isometric view of a hinged-lid pack according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is an isometric view of a hinged-lid pack according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 is an isometric view of a hinged-lid pack according to another embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is an isometric view of a collation of parallelepiped-shaped hinged-lid packs according to an embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 5 is a flow diagram of a method of manufacturing a hinged-lid pack according to an embodiment of the invention. Detailed Description

As used herein, the term “delivery system” is intended to encompass systems that deliver at least one substance to a user, and includes: combustible aerosol provision systems, such as cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, and tobacco for pipes or for roll-your-own or for make-your-own cigarettes (whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco substitutes or other smokable material); non-combustible aerosol provision systems that release compounds from an aerosol-generating material without combusting the aerosol-generating material, such as electronic cigarettes, tobacco heating products, and hybrid systems to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials; and aerosol-free delivery systems that deliver the at least one substance to a user orally, nasally, transdermally or in another way without forming an aerosol, including but not limited to, lozenges, gums, patches, articles comprising inhalable powders, and oral products such as oral tobacco which includes snus or moist snuff, wherein the at least one substance may or may not comprise nicotine.

According to the present disclosure, a “combustible” aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is combusted or burned during use in order to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

In some embodiments, the delivery system is a combustible aerosol provision system, such as a system selected from the group consisting of a cigarette, a cigarillo and a cigar. According to the present disclosure, a “non-combustible” aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is not combusted or burned in order to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user. In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a powered non-combustible aerosol provision system.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it is noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating material is not a requirement.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an aerosolgenerating material heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system. In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a hybrid system to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or a plurality of which may be heated. Each of the aerosol-generating materials may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid or gel and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.

Typically, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a non- combustible aerosol provision device and a consumable for use with the non- combustible aerosol provision device.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a non- combustible aerosol provision device thereof, may comprise a power source and a controller. The power source may, for example, be an electric power source or an exothermic power source. In some embodiments, the exothermic power source comprises a carbon substrate which may be energised so as to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosol-generating material or to a heat transfer material in proximity to the exothermic power source.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise an area for receiving the consumable, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter and/or an aerosol-modifying agent. In some embodiments, the consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise aerosol-generating material, an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a filter, a mouthpiece, and/or an aerosol-modifying agent.

In some embodiments, the delivery system is an aerosol-free delivery system that delivers at least one substance to a user orally, nasally, transdermally or in another way without forming an aerosol, including but not limited to, lozenges, gums, patches, articles comprising inhalable powders, and oral products such as oral tobacco which includes snus or moist snuff, wherein the at least one substance may or may not comprise nicotine.. In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered may be an aerosol-generating material or a material that is not intended to be aerosolised. As appropriate, either material may comprise one or more active constituents, one or more flavours, one or more aerosol-former materials, and/ or one or more other functional materials.

In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered comprises an active substance.

The active substance as used herein may be a physiologically active material, which is a material intended to achieve or enhance a physiological response. The active substance may for example be selected from nutraceuticals, nootropics, psychoactives. The active substance may be naturally occurring or synthetically obtained. The active substance may comprise for example nicotine, caffeine, taurine, theine, vitamins such as B6 or B12 or C, melatonin, cannabinoids, or constituents, derivatives, or combinations thereof. The active substance may comprise one or more constituents, derivatives or extracts of tobacco, cannabis or another botanical.

In some embodiments, the active substance comprises nicotine. In some embodiments, the active substance comprises caffeine, melatonin or vitamin B12.

As noted herein, the active substance may comprise one or more constituents, derivatives or extracts of cannabis, such as one or more cannabinoids or terpenes.

As noted herein, the active substance may comprise or be derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof. As used herein, the term "botanical" includes any material derived from plants including, but not limited to, extracts, leaves, bark, fibres, stems, roots, seeds, flowers, fruits, pollen, husk, shells or the like. Alternatively, the material may comprise an active compound naturally existing in a botanical, obtained synthetically. The material may be in the form of liquid, gas, solid, powder, dust, crushed particles, granules, pellets, shreds, strips, sheets, or the like. Example botanicals are tobacco, eucalyptus, star anise, hemp, cocoa, cannabis, fennel, lemongrass, peppermint, spearmint, rooibos, chamomile, flax, ginger, ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, licorice (liquorice), matcha, mate, orange skin, papaya, rose, sage, tea such as green tea or black tea, thyme, clove, cinnamon, coffee, aniseed (anise), basil, bay leaves, cardamom, coriander, cumin, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lavender, lemon peel, mint, juniper, elderflower, vanilla, wintergreen, beefsteak plant, curcuma, turmeric, sandalwood, cilantro, bergamot, orange blossom, myrtle, cassis, valerian, pimento, mace, damien, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, carvi, verbena, tarragon, geranium, mulberry, ginseng, theanine, theacrine, maca, ashwagandha, damiana, guarana, chlorophyll, baobab or any combination thereof. The mint may be chosen from the following mint varieties: Mentha Arventis, Mentha c.v., Mentha niliaca, Mentha piperita, Mentha piperita citrata c.v., Mentha piperita c.v, Mentha spicata crispa, Mentha cardifolia, Mentha longifolia, Mentha suaveolens variegata, Mentha pulegium, Mentha spicata c.v. and Mentha suaveolens

In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or is derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is tobacco.

In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is selected from eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa and hemp.

In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is selected from rooibos and fennel.

In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered comprises a flavour.

As used herein, the terms "flavour" and "flavourant" refer to materials which, where local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste, aroma or other somatosensorial sensation in a product for adult consumers. They may include naturally occurring flavour materials, botanicals, extracts of botanicals, synthetically obtained materials, or combinations thereof (e.g., tobacco, cannabis, licorice (liquorice), hydrangea, eugenol, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, maple, matcha, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed (anise), cinnamon, turmeric, Indian spices, Asian spices, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, red berry, cranberry, peach, apple, orange, mango, clementine, lemon, lime, tropical fruit, papaya, rhubarb, grape, durian, dragon fruit, cucumber, blueberry, mulberry, citrus fruits, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, gin, tequila, rum, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, aloe vera, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, khat, naswar, betel, shisha, pine, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, orange blossom, cherry blossom, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang- ylang, sage, fennel, wasabi, piment, ginger, coriander, coffee, hemp, a mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha, eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, lemongrass, rooibos, flax, ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, mate, orange skin, rose, tea such as green tea or black tea, thyme, juniper, elderflower, basil, bay leaves, cumin, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lemon peel, mint, beefsteak plant, curcuma, cilantro, myrtle, cassis, valerian, pimento, mace, damien, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, carvi, verbena, tarragon, limonene, thymol, camphene), flavour enhancers, bitterness receptor site blockers, sensorial receptor site activators or stimulators, sugars and/or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath freshening agents. They maybe imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example, liquid such as an oil, solid such as a powder, or gas.

In some embodiments, the flavour comprises menthol, spearmint and/or peppermint.

In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components of cucumber, blueberry, citrus fruits and/or redberry. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises eugenol. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components extracted from tobacco. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components extracted from cannabis.

In some embodiments, the flavour may comprise a sensate, which is intended to achieve a somatosensorial sensation which are usually chemically induced and perceived by the stimulation of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve), in addition to or in place of aroma or taste nerves, and these may include agents providing heating, cooling, tingling, numbing effect. A suitable heat effect agent may be, but is not limited to, vanillyl ethyl ether and a suitable cooling agent may be, but not limited to eucalyptol, WS-3.

Figure 1 illustrates a hinged-lid pack 1 according to an embodiment of the invention.

The pack 1 comprises a base 2 and a lid 3 hingedly connected to the base 2 along a hinge (not visible) in order to allow the pack to be opened and closed. The lid 3 is rotatable relative to the base 2 between an open and a closed position in which the lid 3 and the base 2 meet at a line of juncture 4. The base 2 comprises a base front wall 5 and the lid 3 comprises a lid front wall 6, the base front wall 5 and lid front wall 6 meeting at the line of juncture 4 when the lid 3 is in the closed position. Additionally, the base 2 comprises a base side wall 7 and the lid 3 comprises a lid side wall 8, the base side wall 7 and the lid side wall 8 meeting at the line of juncture 4.

It will be appreciated that the base 2 forms a delivery system receiving space in which delivery systems such as smoking articles or other tobacco industry products are received and stored. The delivery systems are accessible when the lid 3 is in an open position, and the delivery systems are retained in the delivery system receiving space when the lid 3 is in a closed position.

The pack 1 comprises a sealing member 9 that bridges the line of juncture 4. In Figure 1, the sealing member 9 bridges the line of juncture 4 between the base front wall 5 and the lid front wall 6. In Figure 2, the sealing member 9 bridges the line of juncture 4 between the base side wall 7 and the lid side wall 8. The sealing member 9 is formed from an amorphous material. Here, an amorphous material refers to a substance that maybe applied to the pack in fluid form so that it subsequently hardens on the surface of the pack. In some embodiments, the amorphous material is substantially non- fibrous. For example, the amorphous solid maybe a gel, a glue or a varnish which subsequently dries on the surface of the pack.

The sealing member 9 may also transparent so that the sealing member 9 does not block information printed on the pack 1 from the view of the consumer. When the pack 1 is opened for the first time (i.e. when the lid 3 is rotated about the hinge into an open position for the first time), the sealing member 9 is configured to break, providing a consumer with a visible indication that the lid 3 has previously been rotated into an open position when the lid 3 is subsequently closed. In other words, the sealing member 9 acts as a tamper evidence feature. Furthermore, the sealing member 9 may be configured to provide an audial or resistive feedback to a consumer when the sealing member 9 breaks.

The sealing member 9 may further comprise a line of weakness 10 that is in alignment with the line of juncture 4 between the lid 3 and the base 2 of the pack 1. The sealing member 9 is configured to break along the line of weakness 10 when the lid 3 is rotated about the hinge for the first time. In the embodiments shown in Figures i and 2, the sealing member is substantially circular in shape. It is to be appreciated that the sealing member 9 may be any shape or size such that it bridges the line of juncture 4 of the pack 1. Figures 3 and 4 illustrate other embodiments of the pack 1. Here, the sealing member 9 has a length and a width, the length being longer than the width. In other words, the sealing member 9 is substantially elongate in shape. In Figure 3, the elongate sealing member 9 extends across the base front wall 5 and lid front wall 6. In Figure 4, the elongate sealing member 9 extends across the base side wall 7 and lid side wall 8. In both Figures 3 and 4, the sealing member 9 bridges the line of juncture 4 in a direction extending across the width of the sealing member 9. The line of weakness 10 extends along the length of the sealing member 9. It is to be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the sealing member 9 bridges the line of juncture 4 in a direction extending across the length of the sealing member 9. Here, the line of weakness 10 extends along the width of the sealing member 9. In other words, the elongate sealing member 9 extends in a direction substantially parallel or perpendicular to the line of juncture 4. Alternatively, the elongate sealing member 9 may be arranged such that it extends at any angle relative to the line of juncture 4 so long as the elongate sealing member 9 bridges said line of juncture 4 and is configured to break when the lid 3 is rotated into an open position for the first time. In embodiments where the line of weakness 10 extends along the width of the sealing member 9, less force is required to break the line of weakness 10 when compared embodiments where the line of weakness 10 extends along the length of the sealing member 9, making the pack 1 easier to open. It is to be appreciated that the elongate sealing member 9 may extend along the entire width of the base front wall 5 and lid front wall 6. Likewise, it is to be appreciated that the elongate label 9 may extends along the entire width of the base side wall 7 and the lid side wall 8. Figure 5 illustrates a flow diagram of a method of manufacturing a hinged-lid pack according to an embodiment of the invention. The method comprises a first step Si of providing a base, a second step S2 of providing a lid rotatable about the base between an open and a closed position in which the lid and the base meet at a line of juncture; and a third step S3 of applying an amorphous material to the hinged-lid pack that bridges the line of juncture and forms a sealing member that is configured to break when the lid is rotated about the hinge into an open position for the first time. The method may further comprise a fourth step S4 of forming a line of weakness in the sealing member aligned with the line of juncture. The sealing member is configured to break along the line of weakness when the lid is rotated about the hinge into an open position for the first time.

The third step S3 of applying the sealing member to the pack may comprise applying the sealing member to the pack such that the sealing member bridges the line of juncture between the base front wall and the lid front wall. Alternatively, the third step S3 of applying the sealing member to the pack may comprise applying the sealing member to the pack such that the sealing member bridges the line of juncture between the base side wall and the lid side wall.

Additionally, in some embodiments, the step S3 of applying the sealing member to the pack comprises applying the sealing member in fluid form.

The various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as a representative sample of embodiments only and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects described herein are not to be considered limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, appropriate combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc, other than those specifically described herein. In addition, this disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.

Claims

1. A hinged-lid pack for delivery systems, the hinged-lid pack comprising: a base; a lid rotatable about the base between an open and a closed position in which the lid and the base meet at a line of juncture; and a sealing member that bridges the line of juncture and is formed from an amorphous material that is configured to break when the lid is rotated about the hinge into an open position for the first time, to provide a visible indication that the lid has previously been rotated into an open position when the lid is subsequently closed.

2. A hinged-lid pack according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member comprises a line of weakness aligned with the line of juncture, the sealing member being configured to break along said line of weakness when the lid is rotated about the hinge into an open position for the first time.

3. A hinged-lid pack according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the base comprises a base front wall and the lid comprises a lid front wall, the base front wall and the lid front wall meeting at said line of juncture.

4. A hinged-lid pack according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the base comprises a base side wall and the lid comprises a lid side wall, the base side wall and lid side wall meeting at said line of juncture. 5. A hinged-lid pack according to claim 3, wherein the sealing member bridges the line of juncture between the base front wall and the lid front wall.

6. A hinged-lid pack according to claim 4, wherein the sealing member bridges the line of juncture between the base side wall and the lid side wall.

7. A hinged-lid pack according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the sealing member is transparent.

8. A hinged-lid pack according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the sealing member is applied to the hinged-lid pack in fluid form.

9. A hinged-lid pack according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the amorphous material is one of a gel, glue or varnish. to. A hinged-lid pack according to any preceding claim, wherein the sealing member is substantially circular. n. A hinged-lid pack according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the sealing member has a length and a width, the length being longer than the width. 12. A hinged-lid pack according to any of claims 2 to 11, wherein the sealing member bridges the line of juncture in a direction extending across the width of the sealing member.

13. A hinged-lid pack according to claim 12, wherein the line of weakness extends along the length of the sealing member.

14. A hinged-lid pack according to any of claims 2 to 11, wherein the sealing member bridges the line of juncture in a direction extending across the length of the sealing member.

15. A hinged-lid pack according to claim 14, wherein the line of weakness extends along the width of the sealing member.

16. A method of manufacturing a hinged-lid pack for delivery systems, the method comprising: providing a base; providing a lid rotatable about the base between an open and a closed position in which the lid and the base meet at a line of juncture; and applying an amorphous material to the hinged-lid pack that bridges the line of juncture and forms a sealing member that is configured to break when the lid is rotated about the hinge into an open position for the first time.

17. A method according to claim 14, comprising forming a line of weakness in the sealing member aligned with the line of juncture, the sealing member being configured to break along said line of weakness when the lid is rotated about the hinge into an open position for the first time.

18. A method according to claims 14 or 15, wherein the base comprises a base front wall and the lid comprises a lid front wall, the base front wall and lid front wall meeting at said line of juncture, and wherein the step of applying the sealing member to the pack comprises applying the sealing member to the pack such that the sealing member bridges the line of juncture between the base front wall and the lid front wall.

19. A method according to claims 14 or 15, wherein the base comprises a base side wall and the lid comprises a lid side wall, the base side wall and lid side wall meeting at said line of juncture, and wherein the step of applying the sealing member to the pack comprises applying the sealing member to the pack such that the sealing member bridges the line of juncture between the base side wall and the lid side wall.

20. A method according to any of claims 14 to 17, wherein the step of applying the sealing member to the pack comprises applying the sealing member in fluid form.