GB2261871A

GB2261871A - Non-rigid type packet of cigarettes with easy opening feature

Info

Publication number: GB2261871A
Application number: GB9223623A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alberto Manservigi; Antonio Gamberini
Original assignee: GD SpA
Current assignee: GD SpA
Priority date: 1991-11-29
Filing date: 1992-11-11
Publication date: 1993-06-02
Also published as: IT1253899B; ITBO910444A1; GB9223623D0; DE4238907A1; ITBO910444A0

Abstract

In a typical crush pack (1), composed of an inner wrapping (3) enveloping the cigarettes, and an outer wrapping (4), the inner wrapping has a front face (5), a rear face (6), two flank faces (7) and two end faces (9) each comprising two longitudinal flaps (10) hinged respectively to the front face (5) and to the rear face (6), and two lateral flaps (11, 12) hinged to the flanks (7). The inner wrapping is pierced or otherwise weakened along a break or tear line (14) compassing at least a portion of the top end face (9) in such a way as to create a neatly removable patch (16), conveniently associated with a tab (13) formed by folding one of the lateral flaps (11 or 12) over the top of the longitudinal flaps. <IMAGE>

Description

1 " '; 1 ' 1 1 A non-rigid type packet of cigarettes with easy opening

feature The present invention relates to a non-rigid type packet of cigarettes with an easy opening feature. A cigarette packet of the non-rigid or "crush" type is composed generally of an inner wrapping and an outer wrapping, each of which exhibiting a front face, a rear face, two flank faces and at least one end face at bottom. In addition, the inner wrapping is fashioned typically with a top end face, whereas the outer wrapping has none. Each end face consists in two longitudinal flaps articulated respectively with the front and the rear face of the wrapper, and two lateral flaps articulated with the relative flank faces. The packet further exhibits a label or revenue seal applied to the top end face of the inner wrapping, of which the two opposite ends are also attached to the front and rear faces of the outer wrapping. Certain types of crush packet also comprise a third...:rapper or overwrapping fashioned from transparent normally heat-sealable, and incorporating 2 a ribbon serving to facilitate the operation of breaking the wrapper open. To open the packet, the overwrapping must first be broken by means of the ribbon, whereupon a portion of the inner wrapping is removed by seizing one edge of the uppermost longitudinal flap of the top end face and tearing it back, using the edges of the outer wrapping and of the seal as a guide. Self-evidently, defacing the inner wrapping in this manner spoils the appearance of the packet, besides wasting valuable technical know-how employed in the construction of cigarette manufacturing machines to the specific end of producing packets devoid of any blemish. Similarly, it will be clear that the operation of tearing open the inner wrapping as described above is relatively laborious and inconvenient. The object of the present invention is to provide a non- rigid type packet of cigarettes, of which the inner wrapping can be opened without its appearance being spoiled. An additional object of the invention is to provide a nonrigid type packet of cigarettes embodied in such a way that the end face of the inner wrapper can be opened simply and swiftly.

3 The stated objects are realized, according to the invention, in a nonrigid packet of cigarettes of the type comprising an inner wrapping enveloping a group of cigarettes, and an outer wrapping, wherein the inner wrapping exhibits a front face, a rear face, two flank faces, a bottom end face and a top end face, and each of the end faces is composed of two longitudinal flaps mutually overlapping in part and articulated respectively with the front and rear faces, and two lateral flaps articulated with the flank faces, characterized in that the inner wrapping exhibits a weakening or perforation line compassing at least a portion of the top end face, in such a way as to create a clearly defined patch allowing the packet to be opened easily and neatly. The invention will now be described in detail, by,;jay of example, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which: -fig 1 illustrates a first perspective of the top part of a non-rigid packet of cigarettes according to the present invention, seen in the process of being opened and with certain parts cut away better to reveal others, and a further perspective of the selfsame top part viewed from a direction different to that of the first perspective; 4 -fig 2 is a perspective showing the top part of a packet as in fig 1 when opened; -fig 3 is the perspective of a non-rigid packet of cigarettes according to the present invention, seen unopened and enveloped in an overwrapping. Referring to the accompanying drawings, 1 denotes a nonrigid type packet of cigarettes according to the present invention, which comprises an inner wrapping 3 and an outer wrapping 4. Each such wrapping, inner 3 and outer 4, exhibits a front face 5, a rear face 6, two flank faces 7 and at least a bottom end face 8. The inner wrapping 3 also exhibits a top end face 9. Each end face 8 and 9 consists in two longitudinal flaps 10 and two"lateral flaps 11 and12, of which the longitudinal flaps 10 are articulated with the front faces 5 and the rear faces 6 of the relative wrappings, whilst the lateral flaps 11 and 12 are articulated with the flank faces 7. When flattened, the longitudinal flaps 10 mutually overlap in part. The inner wrapping 3 affords a line of perforations denoted 14, compassing at least a portion of its top end face 9, of which the purpose is to create a patch 16 in the wrapping 3 such as will allow the packet 1 to be opened with ease and precision.

is More exactly, the perforation line 14 is positioned in such a way as to mark out a marginal portion of the top end face 9. As discernible from fig 1, the perforation line 14 is positioned to coincide substantially with the fold allowing articulation of one or other lateral flap 11 or 12 (in the example of the drawings, the flap denoted 12) and with a part of each adjoining fold allowing articulation of the corresponding longitudinal flap 10. In the same drawing (fig 1), 15 denotes a part of the perforation line 14 which is extended transversely across each longitudinal flap 10, in such a way that the line describes a substantially closed loop. observing figs 1 and 4 in particular, one lateral flap 11 of the top end face 9 will be seen to lie beneath the longitudinal flaps 10, whereas the remaining lateral flap 12 is flattened over the longitudinal flaps 10. In effect, to allow the patch 16 to be seized more easily, the lateral flap 12 is flattened over the longitudinal flaps 10 in such a way as to afford a readily accessible tab denoted 13. '.:ith this type of arrangement, the lateral flap 1-1 tends to become distanced, i.e. to lift, from the top end face 9 by reason of its elastic properties, 6 is and accordingly, means 18 are provided by which to restrain th flap 12 in the folded position. In the case of fig 3, which illustrates a packet 1 enveloped in an overwrapping 20 of heat-sealable transparent materiall the restraint means 18 are one and the same as the overwrapping 20. In the packet 1 of fig 1, which is finished without any overwrapping 20, the restraint means 18 might consist, by way of example, in a layer of adhesive material 19 interposed between the lateral flap 12 and the longitudinal flap 10 beneath. The perforation line denoted 14 is positioned in such a way as to remain substantially concealed by the outer wrapping 4, whereas the lines denoted 15 extend from either end of the first line 14 to the corresponding edge of the inner wrapping 3. Where a label or revenue seal 17 is applied to the top end face 9 of the inner wrapping 3 and the adjacent top edges of the front and rear faces 5 and 6 of the outer wrapping 4, the two transverse perforation lines 15 will coincide with the edge of the seal 17 and thus remain substantially concealed. To open a nonrigid type packet 1 of cigarettes as described above, having removed the overwrapping 20 (if provided), the lateral flap 12, or rather the 1 7 tab 13, is seized and distanced from the top of the packet as shown in fig 1. The effect of this action is to separate the patch 16 from the remainder of the inner wrapping 3 (as shown in fig 2), and thus afford access to the group of cigarettes 2 within. The provision of the perforation lines 14 and 15 ensures that the edges of the inner wrapping 3 left by forcible removal of the patch 16 will present a pleasing appearance, as if cut with care, and that the operation of opening the packet 1 is rendered swift and simple. one advantage of the invention is the simplicity with which the solution can be carried into effect, given that it suffices to produce the perforation lines 14 and 15 and to introduce a minor variation into the cycle of the folding mechanisms by which the lateral flaps 11 and 12 are flattened. In the event that the packet is provided with an overwrapping 20, there is no requirement even for means of dispensing an adhesive material.

8 claims 1) 2) and an outer wrapping, 1 exhibits a front and a a bottom end face and a A non-rigid type packet of cigarettes comprising an inner wrapping enveloping a group of cigarettes, wherein the inner wrapping rear face, two flank faces, top end face, and each end face is composed of two longitudinal flaps mutually overlapping in part and articulated respectively with the front and rear faces and two lateral flaps articulated with the flank faces, characterized - in that the inner wrapping exhibits a weakening or perforation line compassing at least a portion of the top end face, in such a way as to create a clearly defined patch allowing the packet to be opened easily and neatly.

A packet as in claim 1, wherein the inner wrapping exhibits a weakening or perforation line compassing at least a marginal portion of the top end face.

9 A packet as in claim 1, wherein the perforation line is positioned at least in close proximity to the fold allowing articulation of one of the lateral flaps and to at least a part of the fold allowing articulation of each longitudinal flap.

4) A packet as in claim 1, wherein the perforation line is positioned at least in close proximity to the fold allowing articulation of one of the lateral flaps and to at least a part of the fold allowing articulation of each longitudinal flap, and extended transversely across each longitudinal flap in such a way as to describe a substantially closed loop.

A packet as in claim 3, wherein at least the lateral flap nearest to the perforation line is folded over the longitudinal flaps in such a way as to afford a tab directly associated with the clearly defined patch, further comprising means by,,:llich to restrain the folded lateral flap in contact with the longitudinal flaps beneath.

packet as in clain, 3, wherein at least the 1..-eral flap nearest to the perforation line is folded over the corresponding flank face of the outer wrapping in such a way as to afford a tab directly associated with the clearly defined patch, further comprising means by which to restrain the folded lateral flap in contact with the flank face of the outer wrapping beneath.

A nonrigid type packet of cigarettes with an easy opening feature, substantially as described with reference to the figures of the accompanying sheet of drawings.