ES2365559T3 - TOBACCO PACKAGE. - Google Patents

Abstract

A package for tobacco comprising a receptacle for receiving tobacco, the receptacle having an upper face (12) that closes the receptacle, and a hinge line (18) that runs through the upper face (12), dividing the line of hinge (18) the upper face (12) in a lid portion (20) and a fixed portion (22), the fixed portion (22) remaining in a closed position and the lid portion (20) rotating around the hinge line (18) between a closed position, which is substantially coplanar with the fixed portion (22), and an open position that gives access to the interior of the receptacle, wherein the receptacle has one or more side walls (14), characterized because the package further comprises one or more support members (24) extending from upper edges of said lateral wall (s) (s) so that they are adjacent to the lower side of the cover portion (20), when said lid portion (20) is in a closed position gives, to suppress the rotation of the lid portion (20) below the plane of the fixed portion (22), and the package further comprises an operable closure assembly for releasably keeping the lid in its closed position, comprising the closure assembly one or more recessed portions (32a) at one edge of the lid portion (20), and one or more corresponding protruding portions (34a) that are raised on an adjacent edge of the receptacle, the portions of the edge being interconnected to the portion of cover (20) with the adjacent edge portions in an interference fit when the cover portion (20) is in a closed position.

Description

Background of the invention

The present invention relates to a package for tobacco, particularly for loose tobacco.

Tobacco can be supplied to the consumer as loose tobacco, either to make hand-rolled cigarettes or as pipe tobacco. Traditionally, loose tobacco of this type is packaged in sachets, comprising a portion of the bag to contain the tobacco and a portion of flap that extends from the top of the bag and that can be folded over the opening of the bag and, Sometimes, wrap around the bag before being glued down to close the bag. The bag is typically made of thin paper or cardboard laminated or otherwise covered with a layer of transparent plastic material through which a printed label can be seen on the paper or cardboard, or only of plastic material on which it can be made an impression.

Traditional bags of this type are soft and lack rigidity and, therefore, it can be difficult to pack them in boxes in sufficient quantity to transport them. For the same reasons, vending machines find it difficult to handle them, and it is also difficult for a retailer to stack them on a shelf. It can also be complicated to manipulate while rolling a cigarette.

The present invention seeks to address some of these issues.

Summary of the invention

It is known from WO 02/051720 to provide a package comprising a receptacle for receiving tobacco, the receptacle having an upper face that closes the receptacle, and a hinge line that runs through the upper face, dividing the line of hinge the upper face in a lid portion and a fixed portion, the fixed portion remaining in a closed position and the lid portion rotating around the hinge line between a closed position, which is substantially coplanar with the fixed portion, and an open position that gives access to the interior of the receptacle, where the receptacle has one or more side walls.

The present invention is characterized in that the package further comprises one or more support members extending from upper edges of said lateral wall (s) in order to be adjacent to the lower side of the lid portion, when said lid portion is in a closed position, to suppress rotation of the lid portion below the plane of the fixed portion, and the package further comprises an operable closure assembly for releasably keeping the lid in its closed position. , the closure assembly comprising one or more recessed portions at one edge of the lid portion, and one or more corresponding protruding portions that rise above an adjacent edge of the receptacle, the edge portions interconnecting the lid portion with the portions of the adjacent edge in an interference fit when the lid portions are in a closed position.

This gives a package with a flat surface, defined by the upper face, which is useful for a smoker who rolls up a cigarette. The fixed portion offers a flat surface to receive tobacco that is removed from the package when the lid portion is opened, and also to accommodate cigarette papers and other smoking materials while the smoker is opening and closing the package and handling the tobacco. Subsequently, the flat surface area can be increased by closing the lid portion, offering a convenient flat surface for rolling a cigarette.

The receptacle may have a parallelepiped shape, defined by the upper face, a lower face opposite the upper face, and four side walls extending between the upper face and the lower face, the upper and lower faces having a substantially more area larger than that of the side walls. Such a configuration maximizes the area offered by the upper face for a given package volume. Also, a parallelepiped shape is convenient for efficient packaging of the boxes in cardboard packaging for transport and storage purposes, and to fit the packages in vending machines and display the packages for retail purposes.

The hinge line can run between two opposite corners of the upper face. This gives resistance to the package to resist crushing and other damage, and also to offer a smoother flat surface to the smoker.

The package can be formed from a piece in folded rough.

Brief description of the drawings

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how it can be carried out, reference is now made, by way of example, to the attached drawings, in which:

Figures 1A and 1B show perspective views of a package according to a first embodiment of the invention, in open and closed positions respectively;

Figures 2A, 2B and 2C show perspective views of packages according to additional embodiments having various exterior shapes; Y

Figures 3A, 3B and 3C show partial cross-sectional views of packages according to additional embodiments, which have various support members that limit the movement of a lid portion.

Detailed description

Figure 1A shows a perspective view of a package according to an embodiment of the invention, the package being in an open configuration. Figure 1B shows the same package in a closed configuration.

The package 10 has the shape of a receptacle for tobacco, which in this embodiment has a parallelepipedic shape. The receptacle is defined by an upper face 12, a lower face opposite the upper face 12 (not visible in the figures), and four side walls 14 that extend between the lower face and the upper face 12 and which are attached thereto. . In this example, the upper face 12 and the lower face each have a square shape. Likewise, the edges of the upper face 12 and the lower face are significantly longer than the vertical edges of the side walls 14, so that the upper face 12 and the lower face have a much larger surface area than that of the side walls 14. Accordingly, the receptacle is in the form of a shallow tray with a lid, wherein the upper face 12 forms the "lid" and acts to close the receptacle and retain its contents, in this case loose tobacco 16.

The upper face 12 is divided by two by a hinge line 18 that runs through the upper face 12 from a corner to the diagonally opposite corner. Hinge line 18 is best seen in Figure 1B. The hinge line 18 defines two portions: on one side of the hinge line 18 the upper face 12 has the shape of a lid portion 20 and on the other side of the hinge line 18 the upper face 12 has the formation of a fixed portion 22. Depending on the material and manufacturing method used to manufacture the package 10, the hinge line 18 can be formed, for example, by a dotted line, a climbing line, or a thinner material line.

The fixed portion 22 joins at its edges other than the edge defined by the hinge line 18 to the side walls

14. The fixed portion 22 thus has a fixed closed position in relation to the receptacle, and is not movable in relation to it. However, tobacco 16 is accommodated in the space below the fixed portion 22.

The lid portion 20 does not join the side walls and is instead connected to the receptacle by means of the hinge line 18, so that it is continuous with the fixed portion 22. The lid portion 20 is rotatable about the hinge line 18 between a closed position shown in Figure 1B and an open position shown in Figure 1A. When in the closed position, the lid portion 20 is in contact, or closely adjacent, with the upper edges of the side walls 14 to close the receptacle. Also, when in the closed position, the lid portion 20 and the fixed portion 22 are substantially coplanar, so that the upper face 12 is in the form of a substantially flat surface. To open the package 10, in order to gain access to the contents of the receptacle, the user lifts an edge of the lid portion 20 and rotates the lid portion 20 around the hinge line 18 in order to fold it toward the portion fixed 22. This opens an opening under the lid portion 20 that is delineated by the hinge line 18 and the upper edges of the side walls 14.

This provision gives a package that is particularly well suited to the needs of a smoker who wishes to roll his own cigarettes. The package opens easily (in some embodiments with one hand, as described below) to give access to tobacco inside. Once opened, the fixed portion 22 of the upper face 12 offers a flat surface on which the smoker can deposit the tobacco 16 removed from the package 10. This surface can also accommodate cigarette papers, matches, filters and the like while the smoker picks up the tobacco 16 of the package 10. In addition, the flat surface can then be used as a surface on which to roll a cigarette using the tobacco of the package and, more usefully, a larger area can be obtained by lowering the lid portion 20 to return it to its position closed, so that the entire upper surface forms a single flat plane on which the cigarette can be made.

The particular shape and configuration of the package shown in Figures 1A and 1B are useful because the square packages can be more easily deposited in larger cardboard boxes for transport, since it is irrelevant how the package is placed in the cardboard box. Also, the diagonal arrangement of the hinge line imparts rigidity to the package, since the package is then braced through its longer dimension. Improved stiffness reduces damage and crush during transport, storage and use of the package. However, the packages according to the invention are not limited to the configuration of Figures 1A and 1B, and can take a wide range of forms.

For example, Figure 2A shows a package 30 having the shape of a square parallelepiped, such as the package 10 of Figures 1A and 1B, but in which the hinge line 18 is positioned parallel to two opposite sides of the upper face 12. The two options of a diagonal hinge line or a parallel hinge line can be similarly implemented with a parallelepiped package in which the upper and lower faces are rectangular.

Figure 2B shows a package 40 in which the upper face 12 and the lower face are triangular, so that these faces are connected by three side walls 14. The hinge line 18 runs through the upper face 12 from a vertex from the triangle to the center of the opposite side. Other polygonal shapes, both regular and irregular, can also be used.

Figure 2C shows a package 50 in which the upper face 12 and the lower face are circular, connected by a single cylindrical side wall 14. The hinge line 18 is defined along a diameter of the upper face

12. The upper and lower faces can be alternately oval.

Square, rounded or beveled edges or corners may be used in conjunction with any form of package.

In each of the previous examples, the hinge line 18 bisects the upper face 12, so that the lid portion 20 and the fixed portion 22 have the same area. This maximizes both the size of the opening through which the user accesses the contents of the package 10 and the available flat surface offered by the fixed portion 22, while the lid portion 20 is open. However, the hinge line can be positioned so that it divides the upper face into two uneven parts if desired.

Turning to Figure 1A, it will be seen that the package 10 further comprises a flange or support member 24. This is a portion that extends inwardly, into the receptacle, from the upper edges of the side walls 14, at least on the side walls 14 adjacent to the edges of the lid portion 20. Thus the flange 24 thus extends partially below the lid portion 20 in order to be adjacent to the edge of the lower side of the lid portion 20 when the lid portion 20 is in its closed position. Thus, when the lid portion 20 is closed, it rests on the flange 24. This arrangement prevents the lid portion 20 from rotating too much around the hinge line 18, beyond its closed position, and falling into the inside the receptacle, from where it would be difficult to open it. Likewise, the support with the flange 24 keeps the lid portion 20 and the fixed portion 22 substantially coplanar if pressure is exerted on the upper face 22, thus keeping the upper surface 12 flat while a cigarette is rolled thereon.

Figure 3A shows a first exemplary embodiment of the flange 24, illustrated as a partial vertical cross-sectional view through the package according to the invention. The flange 24 comprises an protruding flange extending from the upper edge of the side wall 14, at right angles to it. The flange can be stiffened so that it maintains its position under applied pressure by continuously extending the flange around corners of the package, as in Figure 1A. This embodiment offers a relatively simple construction, and also uses a minimum of material. However, the tobacco 16 that occupies the space under the flange may be difficult to remove from the package, or it may be overlooked as a whole.

Figure 3B shows a second exemplary embodiment of the flange 24, which addresses the previous problem of tobacco 16 under the flange 24 of the first example. In this embodiment, the flange 24 comprises a flange like that of the first example, but which is supported by a support member 26 extending downward, which extends vertically between the inner edge of the flange and the upper surface of the bottom face 28 of the receptacle. This gives a strong structure similar to a drawer beam, stiffening the package and making it more resistant to crushing. Also, tobacco cannot be trapped or hidden in the space under the flange. However, the presence of the support member 26 reduces the inner volume of the receptacle and, consequently, the amount of tobacco that can be disposed in the package.

Figure 3C shows a third exemplary embodiment of flange 24, which offers part of the increased resistance of the second example, while increasing the available interior volume. In this example, the flange is supported by an inclined support member 30 extending between the inner edge of the flange and the outer edge of the lower face 28, to create a triangular drawer beam structure.

Note that, for ease of compression, Figures 3A, 3B and 3C show the lid portion 20 slightly separated from the support member 24, while in use, if the lid is securely closed and / or pressure is applied on the upper face 12, the cover portion 20 will probably contact the support member 24.

The support member may have structures other than those illustrated. For example, the flange may extend outwardly from the side walls instead of inwardly, if used in conjunction with a portion of the flap. In addition, the support member does not need to be continuous along the side walls as in Figure 1A. Instead, one or more individual support members may be positioned separately at various locations along the side walls.

The packages according to the invention further comprise a closure assembly whereby the lid portion can be held in the closed position until the user wishes to open the package. A first example is illustrated in Figures 1A and 1B. An edge of the lid portion 20 has a recessed trimmed portion 32a that extends along most of its length from the end adjacent to the hinge line 18. The remaining part of the edge, adjacent to the opposite corner of hinge line 18, is not trimmed and forms an overhanging portion 32b. The upper edge of the adjacent side wall is formed so that it has corresponding protruding and recessed portions. That is, most of the edge is an overhang portion 34a of the same length as the recessed portion 32a of the lid portion, and the remaining portion of the edge, adjacent to the opposite corner of the hinge line 18, is clipped to forming a recessed portion 34b of the same length as the protruding portion 32b. When the cover portion 20 is brought to its closed position, the projecting portion 32b of the cover portion enters the recessed portion 34b of the side wall 14, and the projecting portion 34a of the side wall 14 enters the recessed portion 32a of the lid portion 20. Because the corresponding portions have substantially equal lengths, this mutual coupling produces an interference fit, and the lid portion 20 is kept closed.

The particular arrangement of protruding and recessed portions of Figure 1A gives a small portion of the lid portion (the protruding portion 32b) located at the corner of the package opposite the hinge line 18 which is accessible from the side wall 14. This portion can be coupled using a finger or thumb, so that the lid portion 20 can be pushed up freeing it from the interference adjustment closure and rotated around the hinge line 18 in order to open the package. The package can thus be conveniently opened with one hand. However, other arrangements for engagement of protruding and recessed portions may be used instead, although operation with one hand in at least some of the other possible configurations will be possible.

In the example of Figure 1A, the distance at which the recessed portions are reduced from the protruding portions is equal to the thickness of the material from which the protruding portions are made. This means that when the lid portion is closed and the portions are coupled together, there are no discontinuities (protrusions or depressions) in the plane of the upper face 20. A substantially smooth upper face is provided, with no parts in which loose strands of tobacco could get trapped. Also, the appearance of the package is enhanced by the smooth outer surface. However, the protruding and recessed portions may have other dimensions, although the example in Figure 1 uses and wastes a minimum of material.

The packages according to the invention may further comprise a sealing layer (not shown) disposed under the lid portion 20 to seal the opening that is exposed when the lid portion is opened 20. Such sealing layer will keep the tobacco 16 fresh in the package until the package is first opened by a user. The sealing layer can adhere to the edges of the opening, for example to the flange 24 or to the upper edges of the side walls 14, so that it can be detached and discarded by the user after the first opening of the package. Alternatively, the sealing layer can be resealed, so that it can be glued back onto the opening to maintain the freshness of the tobacco after opening the package. Additionally or alternatively, the package can be provided with a removable outer wrap, for example a cellophane wrap

or plastic, which is removed during the first opening of the package.

The packages according to the invention can be made of any suitable material and using any suitable technique. For example, the packages can be assembled by folding and gluing one or more pieces in rough cardboard or rigid paper in the manner used to manufacture conventional crush-proof cigarette packages. Alternatively, packages can be made of plastic materials, for example by molding, including injection molding or thermal forming. The shape of the package can determine the choice of material and manufacturing technique. For example, the circular package of Figure 2C may be easier to manufacture from plastic than from cardboard. The mutual coupling closure portions of Figure 1A can also be more conveniently implemented in a plastic package.

The packages are not limited to being packages for tobacco intended for hand rolling of cigarettes. Although many features of the packages are of particular use for cigarette rolling, other features such as the outer shape and rigidity that are advantageous for packaging, transport, storage and dispensing are relevant to other tobacco products. For example, tobacco can be pipe tobacco, loose chewing tobacco or portioned chewing tobacco.

Claims (5)

one.

 A package for tobacco comprising a receptacle for receiving tobacco, the receptacle having an upper face (12) that closes the receptacle, and a hinge line (18) that runs through the upper face (12), dividing the line of hinge (18) the upper face (12) in a lid portion (20) and a fixed portion (22), the fixed portion (22) remaining in a closed position and the lid portion (20) rotating around the hinge line (18) between a closed position, which is substantially coplanar with the fixed portion (22), and an open position that gives access to the interior of the receptacle, wherein the receptacle has one or more side walls (14), characterized because the package further comprises one or more support members (24) extending from upper edges of said lateral wall (s) (s) so that they are adjacent to the lower side of the cover portion (20), when said lid portion (20) is in a closed position gives, to suppress the rotation of the lid portion (20) below the plane of the fixed portion (22), and the package further comprises an operable closure assembly for releasably keeping the lid in its closed position, comprising the closure assembly one or more recessed portions (32a) at one edge of the lid portion (20), and one or more corresponding protruding portions (34a) that are raised on an adjacent edge of the receptacle, the portions of the edge being interconnected to the portion of cover (20) with the adjacent edge portions in an interference fit when the cover portion (20) is in a closed position.

2.

A package according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle has a parallelepiped shape, defined by the upper face (12), a lower face opposite the upper face, and four side walls (14) extending between the upper face (12) and the lower face, the upper and lower faces having an area substantially larger than that of the side walls (14).

3.

 A package according to claim 2, wherein the hinge line (18) runs between two opposite corners of the upper face (12).

Four.

A package according to any preceding claim, wherein the closure assembly is configured such that, when the lid is in the closed position, there are substantially no discontinuities in the plane of the upper surface.

5.

A package according to any preceding claim, wherein the package is formed from a piece in folded rough.