ES2666823T3 - Package of tobacco related items - Google Patents

Abstract

A package or package of tobacco-related items, -which comprises a sealed protective housing or main housing (2) comprising a flexible barrier material that wraps an assortment of tobacco-related items (30) and forms a front wall or front wall (4), a rear wall (5), two side walls (6), an upper wall (8) and a lower wall (9), so that the front wall (4) has an area greater than the upper wall (8), -so that an access opening (12) extends over part of the front wall (4) and, optionally, over part of the upper wall (8), and is covered by a resealable flap '(20) that can be folded around a hinge line (14) located at or near the upper wall (8) to allow access to the inside of the housing (2), and - so that the flap (20) it comprises a seal or label (18) having areas with adhesive edges (22) that are adapted to seal the flap (20) cua The flap covers the access opening (12), -which is characterized by the fact that the part of the label (18) extending along the front wall (4) of the housing (2) has a length of at minus 65% of the length of the front wall (4), so that the length of the front wall (4) is measured between the edges at which the lower wall (9) and the upper wall (8) of the housing (2) connect to the front wall (4); and by the fact that the flap (20) contains a layer (16) that includes barrier material cut from the barrier material of the housing (2), so that this layer (16) is covered by the label (18), and The parts with adhesive edges (22) of the label extend beyond the trimmed edges of said layer (16).

Description

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Package of tobacco related items Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a package of tobacco related items (or packaging for tobacco related items).

[0002] WO 98/22368 A discloses a package or box comprising a frame or structure (which includes a main panel, two sidewalls or side flaps and a flap at one end) and a sealed protective housing or case that is made of a flexible barrier material that wraps around the frame and the assortment of tobacco items. The sealed joints of the housing at least partially cover the frame. The housing may have a 'resealable' access opening.

[0003] WO 98/22367 A discloses a similar package. In this case, the access opening of the sealed housing extends from the upper side to the main side of the housing and can be closed by means of a relatively short 'resealable' adhesive cover, which can be folded around a hinge line in the edge of the upper side (away from the mentioned main side) to allow access to the interior of the package. Some parts of the frame provide a 'back pressure' when the cover is resealed. The package can be introduced in an additional rigid outer package.

[0004] WO 00/01594 A discloses a sheet or 'lamella' (sticky or adhesive label) that is applied to the barrier material in the area of the access opening of the sealed housing of a package similar to those explained above. In this way, a 'resealable' flap is formed that has adhesive edges, which can be folded around a hinge line located on the edge of the upper side of the package (away from the main side). The label contains two layers (in addition to adhesive), so that the inner layer includes a main part and a secondary, non-adhesive part, separated from the main part by a cut through the inner layer. The secondary part functions as a tongue or grip tab, so that the cut causes the grip tab to rise slightly from the barrier material under the grip tab itself, which facilitates the handling of the tab. However, the manufacture of the 'lamella' requires certain expenses.

[0005] WO 2013/120916 A1 describes the classic package with hinge cover that contains or wraps a 'resealable' package comprising a short flap with an adhesive label that is slightly longer than the flap. The characteristics of the introduction of claim 1 are known from this document.

[0006] In the package disclosed in GB 530 316 A, the cigarettes are wrapped in a wrapper located at the bottom of the box that has a V-shaped shape. To access the cigarettes, the top of the wrapper is trimmed by a tear-off flap and the edges of the V-shaped access opening. This package does not include a 'resealable' flap with a label and parts with adhesive edges.

[0007] The object of the invention is to improve the label or seal used in the 'resealable' access openings of packages of tobacco-related articles comprising a sealed housing.

[0008] This objective is achieved thanks to the package of tobacco-related articles specified in claim 1. Some advantageous versions of the invention are explained below with reference to the complementary claims.

[0009] The package of tobacco-related articles according to the present invention comprises a main housing or sealed protection box (or simply sealed housing) containing a flexible barrier material that envelops a supply or assortment of articles related to the tobacco and forms a front wall, a rear wall, two side walls, an upper wall and a lower wall. The side walls may be flat, but other designs are also possible (for example, rounded or with parts with beveled edges). Also, the term 'wall' does not imply that these walls are rigid. According to this terminology (and regardless of the actual orientation of the package), the front or front wall has an area larger than the upper wall.

[0010] An access opening extends over part of the front wall and, optionally and additionally, over part of the upper wall, and is covered by a 'resealable' flap that can be folded around a hinge line located on the wall top of the package to allow access to the inside of the case. If the access opening does not include an area in the upper wall of the housing, the hinge line may be located on the front wall, on the edge or near the edge where the upper wall is connected to the front wall.

[0011] The flap comprises a seal or label that has areas with adhesive edges that are adapted to seal the flap when it covers or covers the access opening. According to the invention, the part of the label that extends along the front wall of the housing has a length of at least 65% of the length of the front wall, so that the length of the front wall is measured between the edges at which the lower wall and the upper wall of the housing are connected to the front wall. The length of the label can exceed 65% of the length of the front wall, and can even exceed 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90% or 95%

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of the length of the front wall.

[0012] In this way, the part of the tag that extends along the front wall of the housing is of great length even though this is not necessary to cover or cover a large access opening. A large tag can be used as a flashy claim or to include information on it. Since the label can be produced and, for example, print information on it in a process independent of the preparation of the barrier material, the overall manufacturing process is more flexible.

[0013] In general, the label can be designed in multiple ways. For example, the label may be blank, may be printed with decorative elements and / or information, may have colors or not, may contain straight or non-straight edges, etc. Also, the label can be provided with perforated holes or with perforated graphic elements. The latter will not impair the sealing effect of the housing if said holes or perforated elements cover the barrier material of the housing after the label has been placed. Any combination of different element designs for the label is also contemplated.

[0014] In advantageous embodiments of the invention, the flap comprises a layer that includes barrier material cut out of the barrier material of the housing. This layer of the flap is covered by the label, and the parts with adhesive edges of the label extend beyond the trimmed edges of this layer. The label can be provided with a bottom side that is completely coated with an adhesive, which forms the parts with adhesive edges of the label and allows the label to stick or adhere to the layer of flap barrier material in a simple manner. If the layer of barrier material of the flap covering the access opening is considerably smaller than the label, it may be advantageous that part of the adhesive on the lower side of the label, in the area outside the access opening, does not is present or neutralized (for example, removed, chemically treated or capped) or that the adhesive in this area is weak or weak. Otherwise, it may be too difficult to open the flap.

[0015] Preferably, the flap comprises a tongue or grip tab located on the front wall of the housing. The user can grab the grip tab and this helps to open the flap. To form an accessible grip tab on the front wall of the housing, the label - in an area opposite the hinge line of the flap - can be folded or folded around a fold line. For reasons related to sealing, there may be an adhesive zone between the fold line of the grip flange and the cutting edge of the layer of barrier material of the flap, near the fold line. Preferably, the grip tab is not adhesive. In the area of the grip tab, the adhesive can be removed or neutralized or covered, for example, with some kind of paper or film material.

[0016] The fold line that defines or delimits the grip flange may be a fold line in which the grip flange bends about 180 °. Since the grip tab will not remain so firmly folded, but will be released to some extent, it can be easily grasped to open the flap. For this, a particular treatment of the label in the area of the fold line is generally not required, so that the label can be manufactured with relatively low costs.

[0017] To provide stability to the package, an internal frame or structure can be provided located between the assortment of tobacco-related items and the housing. The internal frame, made of cardboard, has a suitable shape so as not to obstruct the area of the access opening. Normally, it is not necessary for the internal framework to completely cover or wrap tobacco-related items since the barrier material already has some stiffness and tobacco-related items also contribute to this stability. Thanks to WO 98/22368 A or WO 98/22367 A, examples of internal frames are well known in this field. Also contemplated are embodiments that do not use an internal framework.

[0018] The package according to the invention can also comprise an outer shell that at least partially surrounds the main shell. The outer shell - for example, made of cardboard - can have different designs. Normally, the 'resealable' flap of the main housing has to be accessible from the outer shell or has to be made accessible, for example, by opening a lid of the outer shell and / or moving the main shell in relation to the outer shell. These designs combine the advantages of a 'resealable' main housing - for example, the freshness of its contents - and an external housing - for example, the rigidity and plenty of space for information and brand names.

[0019] In one embodiment, the outer shell is designed as a 'support package' that is composed of a body and a cover. The lid can be rotated around a hinge line located on a body wall. When the lid is closed, it covers the main face of the body. The wall of the main housing called 'front wall', that is, the main wall that includes the access opening (or, at least, part of it), is oriented towards the lid when the lid is closed. In this way, the 'resealable' flap can be easily accessed in a typical 'support package', which is composed of a body that has relatively low walls and a relatively large hinge cover. Normally, in a 'support package' the front wall of the main housing points upwards.

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[0020] In a different embodiment, the outer shell is designed as a hinge-capped package that is composed of a body and a lid, which can be rotated around a hinge line located on a body wall. In this case, the cover is adapted to cover a secondary face of the body. The wall of the main housing called 'front wall' is oriented towards the lid. When the lid is turned to an open position, a notch or opening located in the body allows better access to the flap of the main housing. Normally, in a package with a hinge cover the upper wall of the main housing points upwards.

[0021] The package can also be designed as a 'sliding housing package'. In the closed position, the main housing is at least partially surrounded by the outer housing, so that the outer housing at least partially covers the access opening of the main housing. The main housing can move sliding with respect to the outer housing from the closed position to the access position, in which the 'resealable' flap is accessible so that it can be folded and allows access to the interior of the main housing.

[0022] If the flap material is relatively rigid, the flap may have a tendency to close on its own after it has been opened to access the contents of the package. To avoid this effect of automatic closure, the flap can comprise - for example, in an area away from the hinge line of the flap - a self-adhesive zone containing an adhesive means pointing outwards. The self-adhesive zone can be used to glue or adhere the flap - in the open position, when the flap is folded or folded back - for example, to a wall of the main shell or to a wall of the outer shell, respectively. To close the flap again, it is easy to remove the self-adhesive area from its 'counter face' or opposite face. The adhesive means of the self-adhesive zone can be provided in several ways; for example, with a pressure sensitive adhesive (which, preferably, adheres better to itself and to the flap material than to the material of the main shell or the outer shell, respectively, to avoid remaining adhesive residue in the wrong face), or with suction devices, etc.

[0023] Next, the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the various embodiments. The illustrations show the following:

Figure 1 is a three-dimensional view of an embodiment of a package according to the invention - which is designed as a sealed (and 'resealable') housing - from its front or front, so that the 'resealable' flap contains a long tag that is closed, and

Figure 2 shows several three-dimensional views of another embodiment of the package according to the invention, such that a sealed (and 'resealable') housing similar to that of Figure 1 is inserted into an outer housing designed as a 'support package' . Thus, in part (a) the support package lid is closed; in part (b) the lid is open and the 'resealable' flap of the main housing is closed; and in part (c) the lid is open and the 'resealable' flap is open.

[0024] Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of a package of tobacco-related articles in the form of a soft package 1 that includes a sealed protective housing or main housing 2 (and 'resealable').

[0025] The housing 2 is made of a flexible barrier material. Said barrier material is well known in this field. When sealed, it retains moisture and aromas of items related to the tobacco it contains. In this embodiment, the flexible barrier material is arranged as a wrap around an assortment of cigarettes. This wrapper forms a front wall or front wall 4, a rear wall 5 (which is not seen directly in Figure 1), two side walls 6 (of which only one is directly visible in Figure 1), an upper wall 8 and a lower wall 9 (which is not seen directly in Figure 1). In this context, the term 'wall' is used instead of 'side', which has no special meaning, and does not imply any property related to stiffness. The designation of the walls takes as reference the vertical position of the housing 2 as shown in Figure 1, but does not imply any other assumption. In other embodiments, the orientation may be different (see Figure 2). However, in all cases the front wall 4 has an area greater than the upper wall 8. The housing 2 is sealed, for example, by means that include heat sealing, bonding and / or friction or by any other means known in this field, such as the joints 10. Figure 1 shows one of these joints.

[0026] An access opening allows access to the interior of the housing 2. In the embodiment of Figure 1, the access opening extends over a part of the front wall 4 and a part of the upper wall 8, and can be covered by means of a 'resealable' flap. In the view shown in Figure 1, this 'resealable' flap is closed. However, in the illustration illustrated by Figure 2, a carcass very similar to carcass 2 is used, which is shown in Figure 2 (c) with the 'resealable' flap open, so that the corresponding access opening Due to the similarity between the housings, identical or similar reference numbers are used for the corresponding parts of Figure 1 and Figure 2, and Figure 2 (c) can be taken as a reference in relation to the embodiment of Figure 1 It should be noted that, in Figure 2, the front wall 4 of the housing points upwards, unlike in Figure 1.

[0027] In the embodiments, the access opening - designated by reference number 12 - is defined or

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delimited by a cutting line made as a straight cut through the material of the housing 2 along three sides of the access opening 12, while the fourth side of the access opening 12 is defined or delimited by a hinge line or separation line 14. In this way, a layer 16 of the barrier material is partially cut out or separated from the housing 2. On the outside of this layer 16, there is a flexible and adhesive seal or label 18 (see also the Figure 1) which is glued by means of an adhesive that covers most of the area of the inner face of the tag 18. In this way, a flap is formed (designated by the number 20).

[0028] The area of the label 18 is larger than the area of the layer 16, so that areas with adhesive edges 22 are provided (see Figure 2 (c)). In a fold line 24, the tag 18 bends backwards in a pronounced way to form a tongue or grip tab 26. The inner face 28 of the grip tab 26 is not adhesive, something that can be achieved for example by removing the Adhesive label 18 in this area or covering it with a film. However, there is an area between the fold line 24 and the trimmed edge of the layer 16 which is adhesive.

[0029] Figure 2 (c) shows the housing 2 in a position where the flap 20 has been folded back to open the access opening 12. The contents of the housing 2 - for example, cigarettes 30 - can be removed conveniently. The flap 20 deviates or separates from the housing 2 along the hinge line 14. The hinge line 14 does not have to be a precise line, but indicates approximately where the flap 20 begins to separate from the housing 2.

[0030] When the flap 20 is closed, the adhesive in the areas of the edges 22 and in the area adjacent to the fold line 24 seals the housing 2. The flap 20 can be easily opened by pulling the grip tab 26 and carrying the flap 20 to the position shown in Figure 2 (c).

[0031] In addition, an internal structure or frame made of cardboard between the cigarettes 30 and the inner face of the housing 2 may be provided. The internal frame partially surrounds the batch of cigarettes 30 to provide some rigidity to the housing 2 and facilitate the 'resealed' the flap 20 by pressing lightly on the edge areas, especially after a part of the cigarettes 30 has been removed from the housing 2. In Figure 2 (c), the inner shell is not visible because no It is present in the area of the access opening 12.

[0032] Label 18 is manufactured in the form of an adhesive label from a material other than the barrier material. The area of the grip tab 26 is not adhesive. As can be seen in Figure 1 and Figure 2, the length of the tag 18 (measured in a direction from the upper wall 8 to the lower wall 9) is almost as large as the length of the wall front 4. An advantage offered by the large area of the tag 18 is the possibility of using this area to display information, something that can be done in a process independent of the preparation and manufacture of the housing barrier material 2. In the embodiment of Figure 1, the access opening may be considerably smaller than in the embodiment of Figure 2, although in both cases a long tag 18 is used. In any case, a large tag allows for a wide access opening , so that cigarettes 30 can be comfortably removed from the package.

[0033] Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a package 40 in which the main housing 2 is inserted into another outer housing 42 designed as a support package. In the orientation of Figure 2, which corresponds to normal use, the front wall 4 of the housing 2 points upwards.

[0034] The outer shell 42 is composed of a body 44 comprising four walls 46, which are relatively low and surround a bottom (not visible in Figure 2). The access to the body 44 is carried out by means of a main face 48. There is a cover 50 that is connected - so that it can be rotated - by a hinge line 52 to one of the walls 46. When the cover 50 is closed, an edge or edge 54 (see Figure 2 (b)) of the cover 50 rests on a step or level 56 of the body 44.

[0035] Figures 2 (b) and 2 (c) illustrate how the main housing 2 is placed in the body 44 of the outer housing 42. The details concerning the housing 2 have already been explained previously in relation to the embodiment of according to Figure 1. If the lid 50 is open (see Figure 2 (b)), the grip tab 26 can be easily grasped so that the flap 20 can be opened, which includes the tag 18 (see Figure 2 (c)). The large label 18 and the large access opening 12 allow easy access to the cigarettes 30. Before closing the lid 50 again, the flap 20 is closed and 'resealed' by applying gentle pressure on its peripheral area.

[0036] As can be seen in Figure 2 (c), the access opening 12 of the housing 2 extends from the front wall 4 to the upper wall 8 of the housing 2. According to the terminology used, the wall upper 8 is in front of the wall 46 of the body 44, which includes the hinge line 52. In a variant embodiment, the hinge line 14 of the flap 20 is on the edge between the front wall 4 and the upper wall 8 In this case, it would be advantageous for the label 18 to extend upwardly, towards the upper wall 8 of the housing 2, to ensure a firm 'resealing' of the flap 20.

[0037] The outer shell can be provided in many other ways; for example, as a package with a hinge cover or as part of a sliding housing package, as is well known in this field. In these

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In cases, the 'resealable' housing may be similar to the housing 2 of Figures 1 and 2, but the proportions of the housing may be different.

Claims (11)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 40 Four. Five fifty 55 60 65 Claims 1. A container or package of tobacco-related items, -which comprises a sealed protective housing or main housing (2) comprising a flexible barrier material that wraps an assortment of tobacco-related items (30) and forms a front wall or front wall (4), a rear wall ( 5), two side walls (6), an upper wall (8) and a lower wall (9), so that the front wall (4) has an area larger than the upper wall (8), -so that an access opening (12) extends over part of the front wall (4) and, optionally, over part of the upper wall (8), and is covered by a 'resealable' flap (20) that can fold around a hinge line (14) located at or near the upper wall (8) to allow access to the inside of the housing (2), and -so that the flap (20) comprises a seal or label (18) having areas with adhesive edges (22) that are adapted to seal the flap (20) when the flap covers the access opening (12), -which is characterized by the fact that the part of the label (18) that extends along the front wall (4) of the housing (2) has a length of at least 65% of the length of the front wall (4), so that the length of the front wall (4) is measured between the edges at which the lower wall (9) and the upper wall (8) of the housing (2) are connected to the front wall (4); and by the fact that the flap (20) contains a layer (16) that includes barrier material cut from the barrier material of the housing (2), so that this layer (16) is covered by the label (18), and The parts with adhesive edges (22) of the label extend beyond the trimmed edges of said layer (16). 2. The package according to claim 1, characterized in that the length of the part of the label (18) extending along the front wall (4) of the housing (2), in relation to The length of the front wall (4) is greater than at least one of the values in the following list: 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%. 3. The package according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the flap (20) comprises a tongue or grip tab (26) which is located on the front wall (4) of the housing (2). 4. The package according to claim 3, characterized in that the label (18) - in an area opposite the hinge line (14) of the flap (20) - folds or folds towards back around a fold line (24) and forms a grip tab (26) which can be accessed by the front wall (4) of the housing (2). 5. The package according to claim 4, characterized in that the grip flange (26) is not adhesive. 6. The package according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that an internal structure or frame, preferably containing cardboard, is provided between the assortment of tobacco-related items (30) and the housing (2), so that the internal frame does not obstruct the area of the access opening (12). 7. The package according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it also comprises an outer shell (42) that at least partially surrounds the main shell (2). 8. The package according to claim 7, characterized in that the outer shell (42) is designed as a 'support package' consisting of a body (44) and a cover (50), which can be rotated around a hinge line (52) located on a wall (46) of the body (44) and that is adapted to cover the main face (48) of the body (44), so that, by definition, the front wall (4) of the housing (2) is oriented towards the cover (50) when the cover (50) is closed. 9. The package according to claim 7, characterized in that the outer casing is designed as a hinge-capped package consisting of a body and a lid, which can be rotated around a hinge line located on a wall of the body, and which is adapted to cover a secondary face of the body, so that, by definition, the upper wall of the housing (2) is oriented towards the lid, and so that a notch or opening located in the body it allows access to the flap (20) of the main housing (2) when the lid is turned to an open position. 10. The package according to claim 7, characterized in that, in a closed position, the main shell (2) is at least partially surrounded by the outer shell, so that the outer shell covers the less partially the access opening (12) of the main housing, and so that the main housing (2) can move - so that it slides - with respect to the outer housing from the closed position to the access position, in which you can access the flap (20) 'resealable' to fold it and have access to the 5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 40 Four. Five fifty 55 60 65 inside the main housing (2). 11. The package according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the flap (20) contains a self-adhesive part containing an outwardly adhesive adhesive means.