GB2261648A

GB2261648A - A multiple pack of single products, in particular of packets of cigarettes

Info

Publication number: GB2261648A
Application number: GB9223624A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Eros Stivani; Antonio Gamberini
Original assignee: GD SpA
Current assignee: GD SpA
Priority date: 1991-11-20
Filing date: 1992-11-11
Publication date: 1993-05-26
Also published as: JPH05201466A; GB9223624D0; ITBO910431A0; ITBO910431A1; IT1253890B; DE4238448A1; BR9204462A

Abstract

A mutiple pack of single commodities, typically packets of cigarettes, consists in at least two packets (2) placed in mutual contact, each by way of one face (3, 4), and connection means such as an adhesive material (5) applied to at least one of the faces, which is able to ensure a substantially stable though detachable association of the single packets. The connection means may be situated proximate to two opposite edges of the face, or proximate to the corners of the face. The connection means may instead comprise strips of permanently magnetic material. <IMAGE>

Description

2 4L) ', '' 1 A multiple pack of single products, in particular of packets

of cigarettes

The present invention relates to a multiple pack of single products, and in particular, of packets of cigarettes. The.invention falls into the art field concerned with the packaging of single products in groups, the term 'single' signifying a product considered as an individual item for retailing purposes, and has as its subject a multiple pack of such single products, in particular of packets of cigarettes. Conventional packaging methods embrace the practice of enveloping groups of single products, typically packets of cigarettes (to which reference is made throughout the specification in the interests of simplicity), in paper wrappings of various kinds. Such a wrapping might consist, for example, in a paper diecut which is fashioned effectively into a container around the products, or in a length of paper or transparent heat-sealable strip material. Utilizing the packaging methods described above, the resulting pack can be handled as a single item

2 only unti 1 such time as the first single packet is removed, since the outer wrapping of the pack must necessarily be broken open to allow removal of the packet. Moreover, the outer wrapping generally will be discarded as a disposable material, with obvious environmental disadvantages; also, when the packets are sold individually, a discarded wrapping cannot perform its usual function as an advertising aid. In a move designed to defeat this type of drawback, Italian patent no 1 119 351 discloses a multiple pack of single products in which the products are enveloped tightly in a wrapping of strip material. The wrapping is weakened along lines placed so as to enable a clean, partial break and thus allow a single product to'be removed from the pack without losing the advantage of any advertising script that may be reproduced on the strip material. Nonetheless, the environmental drawback obviously remains even with this expedient, given that the wrapping is fashioned from an additional material destined ultimately to be discarded. The object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks mentioned above, and particularly the environmental drawback, in a multiple pack that is both practical and economical.

1 3 The stated object is realized in a multiple pack of single products, in particular single packets of cigarettes. characterized in that it consists in at least two single products placed in mutual contact each by way of one respective face, and connection means acting on the faces of the single products in mutual contact and able to ensure a substantially stable though detachable association of the single products. The invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which: -fig 1 is the perspective view of a pack of single products embodied in accordance with the present invention, seen partly undone better to reveal the characterizing features of the solution; -figs 2 and 3 each show a perspective view of a further embodiment of the pack according to the present invention. Referring to the accompanying drawings, the pack 1 according to the present invention consists in at least two packets 2 breasted in mutual contact each by way of a respective face 3 and 4, and means of connection 5, interacting with the joined faces 3 and 4, which are able to guarantee a substantially 1 4 stable but detachable association between the two packets 2. In the text and in the accompanying drawings, the reference numbers 3 and 4 denote the faces of any two adjacent products breasted in mutual contact, regardless of position, i.e. front, rear, flank or end. The connection means 5 used in the pack 1 consist in an adhesive material applied to at least one of the two faces 3 and 4 breasted in mutual contact. In the context of the specification, an adhesive material will be understood as a substance able to bring about adhesion between the faces 3 and 4 in question, of which the nature is clearly dependent on the material from which the faces 3 and 4 are fashioned. Thus, according to the type of material presented by the faces 3 and 4 of the packet, use will be made of an adhesive material having the appropriate physical and chemical properties. By way of example, fig 1 shows a pack 1 consisting in two rows of five packets 2 each. To reiterate, the faces 3 and 4 in mutual contact are those by way of which any two adjacent packets 2 are brought into association: observing the packet 2 removed from the pack 1, in effect, 4 denotes two adjoining

W z X faces breasted in contact with two other packets 2; accordingly, it is either to these faces or to the corresponding faces 3 of the two other packets that the adhesive material 5 is applied. In order to maximize the strength of the pack 1, adhesive material 5 is applied at least proximate to two opposite edges of one of the faces 3 and 4 breasted in mutual contact (see figs 1 and 2), or more simply, proximate to the corners of the face (see fig 1). In most instances, moreover, such an arrangement avoids the application of the adhesive material 5 to areas occupied by printed matter 6, whether illustrations or script, so that these will be unaffected by any surface abrasion occasioned as the packet 2 is removed from the pack 1. In effect, abrasions of this type can be avoided or at least limited by an appropriate selection of the type of adhesive material 5 utilized. The advantages of the invention are manifold, given in particular the drastic simplification that can be made to the wrapping machine used for producing such packs 1; in effect, it suffices to assemble the groups of packets 2, each with the adhesive material 5 previously applied to the appropriate faces, without fashioning any wrapping or container 6 of any description around the packs. A further advantage deriving from the above is that no wrapping material of any kind need be consumed, whether paper or transparent heat-sealable film, in producing a pack 1 according to the invention. This brings economical and ecological- benefits alike, as the effect of dispensing with a wrapping material is to achieve a reduction in costs and a limitation of the demand for such materials, and by extension, to eliminate problems connected with disposal and recycling after their use. A pack of the type described might also be adopted, advantageously, even for uniting just two packets, typically as a promotional or complimentary item. Fig 3 illustrates a group of packets of cigarettes in which certain of the faces in mutual contact are end faces. In the event that there is a need for the pack 1 to carry additional printed advertising or informative matter, this can be applied to a strip of reduced transverse dimensions wrapped around or affixed to the packets, such that the environmental impact of the wrapping is at least reduced. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, illustrated in fig 2, where 5 again denotes means k 7 of connection interacting with the faces 3 and 4 of two packets in mutual contact and able to endure a substantially stable though detachable association between the packets, such means 5 might take the form of strips or leaves 7 of permanently magnetic material applied to both faces 3 and 4.

11 8 claims A multiple pack of single products, in particular packets of cigarettes, characterized in that it consists in at least two single products placed in mutual contact each by way of one respective face, and connection means acting on the faces in contact and able to ensure a substantially stable but detachable association of the single products.

2) 3) A multiple pack as in claim 1, wherein the connection means acting on the faces of the singl products in mutual contact consist in an adhesive material applied to at least one of the two faces in contact.

e A multiple pack as in claim 2. wherein the adhesive material is applied at least proximate to two opposite edges of one of the faces of the single products in mutual contact.

1 9 4) 5) A multiple pack as in claim 2, wherein the adhesive material is applied at least proximate to the corners of one of the faces of the singleproducts in mutual contact.

A multiple pack of single products, in particular packets of cigarettes, substantially as described with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings.