GB2525192A

GB2525192A - Package for tobacco industry products

Info

Publication number: GB2525192A
Application number: GB1406687.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Dixon; Mark Shaw
Original assignee: Parkside Flexibles Europe Ltd
Current assignee: Parkside Flexibles Europe Ltd
Priority date: 2014-04-14
Filing date: 2014-04-14
Publication date: 2015-10-21
Also published as: GB201406687D0

Abstract

A tobacco industry product package comprises a container 25 comprising a body 26 and an openable lid 27. A wrapper 20 of a flexible sheet material encloses a quantity of tobacco industry products. The wrapper 20 has edges and also comprises an openable portion 21 which defines an opening in the wrapper. A frame 24 is positioned around the wrapper enclosed products at an end of the body of the container proximate the openable lid 27 and the openable portion 21. The wrapper-enclosed products and the frame 24 are positioned within the container 25. All edges of the wrapper are within the body 26 of the container and the frame 24. The openable portion may be reclosable and resealable, and the wrapper may include a laminate defining first and second lines of weakness. A resealable adhesive may be used.

Description

PACKAGE FOR TOBACCO INDUSTRY PRODUCTS

Technical Field

This disclosure relates to packaging for use with tobacco industry products, such as cigarettes and cigars, and to a method of forming a package.

Background

It is desirable that packaged cigareftes remain fresh for consumption for as long as possible. A conventional way of packaging cigarettes is to wrap the cigarettes within a foil paper, with the foil paper lying within a card box. A plastic film wrapper may surround the card box. The plastic film wrapper is typically discarded when the pack is first opened, and provides an indication that the pack has not previously been opened.

More recently, cigarettes have been packaged with a multi-layer laminate wrapper.

The laminate wrapper can be provided with a resealable opening. The laminate wrapper can be provided within a card box or can be provided around the outside of a card frame. The laminate can remain in place after the package has been opened. The wrapper with the resealable opening helps to preserve the freshness of the cigarettes after the package has been opened.

There is a requirement for alternative packaging which can help to preserve freshness of tobacco industry products.

Summary

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

There is provided a tobacco industry product package comprising: a container comprising a body and an openable lid; a wrapper of a flexible sheet material enclosing a quantity of tobacco industry products, the wrapper having edges and also comprising an openable portion; a frame positioned around the wrapper-enclosed products at an end of the body of the container proximate the openable lid and the openable portion; wherein the wrapper-enclosed products and the frame are positioned within the container, and wherein all edges of the wrapper are within the body of the container and the frame.

An advantage of at least one embodiment is that the only accessible part of the wrapper is the opening formed by the openable portion. Edges of the wrapper are positioned within the body of the container and behind the frame. The frame and body of the container hold the wrapper closed and help to preserve freshness of the contents within the wrapper.

An advantage of at least one embodiment is that the package can be formed without the need for an induction sealing machine. With the wrapper positioned within the container and free edges held within the body of the container and the frame, it is possible to avoid the need to seal edges of an external laminate wrapper by an induction sealing machine.

Advantageously, the package can be formed by a conventional cigarette packing machine with relatively minor changes required to the cigarette packing machine.

The openable portion may be reclosable.

The openable portion may be resealable.

The wrapper-enclosed products may have a first end face proximate the openable lid, a second end face and side faces, wherein edges of the wrapper are located on side faces of the package and the second end face.

The frame may extend beyond the body of the container when the lid is opened.

The package may further comprise adhesive between the wrapper and the body of the container.

The package may further comprise adhesive securing at least one free edge of the wrapper.

The lid may be openable to expose a portion of the wrapper-enclosed products, and the openable portion of the wrapper may be located on the exposed portion of the wrapper-enclosed products.

The opening may be defined by a line of weakness in the flexible sheet material.

The wrapper may comprise a multi-layer laminate and the openable portion may be defined by: a first line of weakness in at least a first of the layers of the laminate defining a first flap portion; a second line of weakness in at least a second layer of the laminate defining a second flap portion, wherein the at least a first of the layers is different from the at least a second of the layers; wherein the second line of weakness is located within the first line of weakness, the arrangement of the first and second lines of weakness allowing the first flap portion and the second flap portion to be lifted togetherto create an opening in the laminate, the first flap portion separating from the second layer in a peripheral region of the first flap portion between the first and second lines of weakness, and wherein a resealable adhesive seal is provided between the peripheral region and the second layer of the laminate.

The resealable adhesive seal may be a pressure sensitive adhesive between the first layer and the second layer of the laminate.

The flexible sheet material may comprise a multi-layer laminate.

The multi-layer laminate may comprise at least one foil layer.

There is also provided a method of packaging tobacco industry products comprising: enclosing a quantity of tobacco industry products within a wrapper comprising a flexible sheet material, wherein the wrapper has edges and also comprises an openable portion; fitting a frame around the wrapper-enclosed products at an end proximate the openable portion; packaging the wrapper-enclosed products and the frame within a container having a body and an openable lid, wherein all edges of the wrapper are located within the body of the container and the frame.

The step of enclosing a quantity of tobacco industry products within a wrapper may locate edges on an end face of the package, remote from the filter ends of the tobacco industry products and on side faces of the package.

The step of enclosing a quantity of tobacco industry products may locate the openable portion proximate the filter or cap end of the tobacco-industry products, and the method may further comprise rotating the wrapper-enclosed products before the step of packaging the wrapper-enclosed products and the frame within the container.

The rotating of the wrapper-enclosed products may occur beforethe step of fitting the frame around the wrapper-enclosed products.

The method may further comprise sealing the wrapper using adhesive.

The method may further comprise securing at least one of the frame and the wrapper to the container by adhesive.

The tobacco industry products may comprise, for example, cigarettes, cigars or cigarillos.

The preferred features may be combined as appropriate, as would be apparent to a skilled person, and may be combined with any of the aspects of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a conventional method of packaging tobacco industry products; Figures 2A-2G show a method of packaging tobacco industry products in accordance with an embodiment; Figure 3A shows a three-layer laminate which can be used for providing a resealable opening in the wrapper; Figures 36 and 3C show a resealable opening in the sheet laminate; Figure 4 shows the opening of Figures 36 and 30 partially opened; Figure 5A shows a two-layer laminate which can be used for providing a resealable opening in the wrapper; Figures SB and SC show a resealable opening in the sheet laminate; Figure 6 shows a method of packaging tobacco industry products.

S Common reference numerals are used throughout the figures to indicate similar features.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present invention are described below by way of example only.

These examples represent the best ways of putting the invention into practice that are currently known to the Applicant although they are not the only ways in which this could be achieved. The description sets forth the functions of the example and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the example. However, the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different examples.

By way of contrast, Figure 1 shows a conventional sequence of steps for packaging cigarettes. Some steps of the process have been omitted. At step A, a quantity of cigarettes S are positioned on a foil paper 10 and the foil paper 10 is wrapped around the cigarettes.

The cigarettes are arranged such that the filter end 6 of the cigarette is located at a first end 12. Step B shows the wrapped cigarettes, after the foil wrapper 10 has been wrapped around the cigarettes. Flaps 11 are formed at the first end 12. An inner frame 14 is fitted around the first end 12 of the wrapped foil paper package. The inner frame 14 is typically made of card and can be secured by adhesive to the foil wrapper 10 and/or the box 15. Step C shows the package after the inner frame 14 has been fitted. Finally, the items shown in step C are packaged within a box 15. The box iSis typically a card box, with a flip top lid 16 to access the box. The box 15 may be wrapped in an outer wrapper of plastic film material. When a user first opens the package, they remove and discard any plastic outer wrapper (if present) and open the lid 16 of the box 15. This exposes part of the front face and the top end face of the foil wrapped package. The user removes a portion of the foil wrapper 10 and access the cigarettes.

Figures 2A-2G show a method of packaging cigarettes or other tobacco products according to an embodiment. Some steps of the process have been omitted for clarity. In each step, an arrow 12 is shown as a reference position for an orientation of the package.

Multiple steps of the method can be performed using machinery comprising a planar surface called a board, platform or table.

In a first step (Figure 2A) a quantity of cigarettes 5 are positioned on a wrapper 20.

The wrapper is a flexible sheet material. The wrapper has edges on four sides, including edge 22. The cigarettes 5 are arranged such that the filter ends 6 of the cigarettes are located away from the edge 22 of the wrapper 20 nearest end 12. Stated another way, the filter ends 6 of the cigarettes are located nearest the centre of the wrapper 20. An openable portion 21 is located proximate the filter ends 6 of the cigarettes. In the final package the openable portion 21 is openable by a user to form an opening in the wrapper 20 to provide access to the cigarettes. The openable portion 21 can be defined by a line of weakness in the flexible sheet material. In this example, the openable portion 21 is located away from any edges of the wrapper 20. The wrapper 20 is wrapped around the cigarettes 5.

The wrapper 20 can take one of various possible forms. The wrapper 20 can be formed of a single layer of sheet material, such as a plastic or polymer material. In another embodiment, the wrapper can be formed of multiple layer laminate comprising at least two layers. The wrapper 20 may comprise a foil layer, or a metallised fflm layer Figure 2B shows a perspective view of the wrapped package to illustrate the folds/edges. At this step the package will normally remain lying flat on the packing board, platform or table. The wrapper 20 is continuous (i.e. no edges of the wrapper) in a region where the opening 21 is located. Edges of the wrapper can be finished using folds (e.g. an envelope fold). Another way of finishing edges of the wrapper is by overlapping an edge of the wrapper over another part of the wrapper. As will be described below, all edges are located within a body of the container in the final package. A fold 29 is located at an end 32 of the wrapped package. Fold 29 is called an envelope fold. In this example, the openable portion 21 for accessing the interior of the wrapped package is located on one major face of the wrapped package (the front face) and on an end face of the wrapped package (the top face). The openable portion 21 may be located on only one of these faces. Edges of the wrapper are located on other faces of the wrapped package, away from the openable portion 21. In the example shown, the edges are located on the minor side faces (folds/overlaps 23) and the bottom end face 32 (fold 29).

Optionally, at Figure 2C, the wrapped package is rotated by 180 degrees. This can be achieved by rotating the planar surface (board, platform, table) on which the wrapped package is lying through 180 degrees.

Figure 2D shows the wrapped package after rotation. The filter ends 6 of the cigarettes and the openable portion 21 are now located at the first end 12 of the machinery.

Next a frame 24 is fitted around the end of the wrapped package proximate the end 12 where the openable portion 21 is located. This is shown in Figure 2E. The frame 24 is shown with hatching. The frame 24 can be made of card or any other suitable material. The frame 24 can be the same as the inner frame 14 used in conventional packaging, as shown in Figure 1, or it can be a modified frame. In an embodiment, frame 24 has a front face 33 and two side faces 34. The front face 33 has a cut-out for providing access to the openable portion 21 of the wrapper 20. Adhesive can be used between the frame and the body of the container. For example, adhesive can be applied to the outside of the frame 24 and/or an inner surface of the container 25. The frame 24 conceals the folds 23 of the wrapper 20.

Figure 2E shows the package after the frame 14 has been fitted to the wrapper 20.

Finally, the items shown in Figure 2E are packaged within a container 25, shown in Figure 2F. The container 25 and frame 24 cover the folds 23, 29. The container 25 can be a conventional flip top container or box, such as the box 15 shown in Figure 1. The container has a body 26 and a lid 27 to access the interior of the container. The lid 27 is connected to the body 26 by a hinge 25, and typically the lid 27 is unitary with the body 26. The container 25 can be formed, in situ, around the wrapped package starting with a card blank and folding the blank around the wrapped package, applying adhesive to the blank as required. Finally, the container 25 may be wrapped in an outer wrapper of plastic film material. The frame 24 is secured to the body 26 of the container 25, such as by adhesive between the outer surface of the frame 24 and an inner surface of the body 26.

Figure 20 shows the final package (minus any outer wrapper), with the lid 27 of the container in an open position. Dashed lines indicate positions of edges of the wrapper 20.

The lower edge of the frame 24 is also indicated in dashed form. The body 26 of the container has an angled shape, such that a top edge 36 of a front face of the container is lower than a top edge 38 of a rear face of the container. An angled edge 35 of a side face of the container connects the top edge 36 of the front face of the container to the top edge 35 of the rear face of the container. Frame 24 extends beyond the body 26 of the container 25 when the lid 27 is opened. That is, frame 24 extends beyond the top edge 36 of the front face of the container and beyond the angled edge 35 of the side face of the container when the lid 27 is opened. Frame 24 also has a portion located inside the body 26 of the container.

Figure 20 shows a lower edge 39 of the frame, located below the top edge 36 of the front face of the container. The frame 24 can be secured to the body 26 of the container by adhesive located between the frame 24 and the body 26 of the container in the area between the lower edge 39 of the front face 33 of the frame and the top edge 36 of the front face of the container. Additionally, or alternatively, adhesive can be used in an area between the top edge 35 of the side faces of the container and the lower edge 39 of the side face 34 of the frame. The frame 24 has a function of holding tobacco products in place when the lid of the container is opened. The frame 24 also has a function of providing friction between the frame 24 and the interior surface of the lid 27, thereby helping to secure the lid 27 in the closed position.

It can be seen that all edges of the wrapper 20 are either located within the body 26 of the container, or within (underneath) the frame 24. Edges lie alongside an inner face of the body 26 of the container, or the edges lie alongside an inner face of the frame 24. Stated another way, a user opening the lid 27 of the container 25 cannot see any free edges of the wrapper 20. The only accessible part of the wrapper is the opening formed by the openable portion 21. The frame 24 and body 26 of the container hold the wrapper 20 closed and help to preserve freshness of the contents within the wrapper.

The method shown in Figures 2A-2G is one possible embodiment. The rotation in Figure 2C is a way of re-using the conventional packing process and/or machinery of Figure 1 with minimal changes. Step A of Figure 1 forms a wrapper with folds at end 12 of the machinery. By orienting the cigarettes such that they are the opposite way around (filter tips nearest the centre of the wrapper 20 in Figure 2A compared to filter tips nearest the edge of the wrapper 10 in Figure 1) in the new method, it is possible to re-use the existing wrapping stepA, Figure 1 of the conventional process. The 180 degree rotation at Figure 20 restores the cigarettes to the normal orientation, with the filter tips nearest end 12 of the machinery, as required for the conventional steps of frame-fitting and box-fitting (steps C and, 0, Figure 1).

In situations where there is flexibility to adapt the conventional process and/or machinery, the method can be adapted. For example, the rotation performed in Figure 2C can be performed later, or can be omitted altogether. In situations where the box can be fitted to wrapper-enclosed products with an orientation to match the package at Figure ZA, the rotation at Figure 20 is not required.

The steps of the method shown in Figures 2A-20 can be performed by a conventional packing machine, such as a machine which performs the method shown in Figure 1, with relatively minor changes required to the machine.

In one embodiment the method shown in Figures 2A-2G is performed without using any adhesive to secure the edges of the wrapper 20. Adhesive can be used to help secure the wrapper, before the inner frame 24 is fitted to it and/or before the container 25 is fitted around the wrapped package. Adhesive can be used to secure the flaps of the wrapper.

Inductive heating can be used to secure a wrapper which has a metal layer and a heat sensitive adhesive. However, it is desirable to avoid using inductive heating as this requires considerable, expensive, modifications to a packing machine.

The method has been described with reference to cigarettes. The method can also be used with cigars, cigarillos or similar tobacco industry products which lack a filter. In that case, the cap' end of the cigar, or other product is located nearest the openable portion 21 of the wrapper.

The openable portion 21 of the wrapper 20 can be defined by a line of weakness in the layer of sheet material, or in at least one layer of the multi-layer sheet material, which can be used to create the opening at the time of first opening the package. The openable portion 21 can comprise a flap in the flexible sheet material of the wrapper which remains connected to (i.e. is unitary with) the remainder of the wrapper after the flap has been opened.

Alternatively, the openable portion 21 can be fully separable from the wrapper and resealed to the wrapper when it is required to seal the opening.

The openable portion 21 can be provided with an adhesive label or similar element which can reclose or reseal the openable portion 21 after the opening in the wrapper has been created. An adhesive label can be provided which can adhere to an outer surface of the openable portion 21 and to a region of the wrapper 20 around the openable portion 21. In one example, the adhesive label can have a larger area than the openable portion 21. In another example, the adhesive label can be provided in part, or all, of the region around the perimeter of the openable portion 21.

In an embodiment where the wrapper 20 is formed of multiple layer laminate, it is possible to provide a resealable opening within the layers of the laminate material, as will be described below, without the need for an adhesive label or similar element.

An example three layer laminate is shown in Figure 3A, comprising: a first outer layer 200, an inner layer 201 and a second outer layer 202. The first outer layer 200 is bonded to the inner layer 201. The inner (foil) layer 201 is bonded to the second outer layer 202. The first outer layer 200 can be formed, for example, of a polymer material, such as a 20 micron orientated polypropylene (OPP). The inner layer 201 can be formed, for example, of a foil, such as a 9 micron Aluminium foil. A foil layer is particularly advantageous at providing a moisture barrier to maintain freshness. The second outer layer 202 can be formed of a polymer material, which may be the same as the first outer layer, or a different polymer material. The layers 200, 201, 202 can be laminated together utilising a permanent lamination adhesive. In an advantageous embodiment, a resealable opening is created in the laminate package by utilising a Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (PSA) 203 to bond the second outer layer 202 to the inner layer 201. The Pressure Sensitive Adhesive can be used between these layers locally in the region of the opening, or generally between these layers.

In the example of Figures 3B, 3C, the second outer layer 202 will form the inside of a package formed of the laminate material. An opening is defined by cuts forms in the first outer layer and the inner layer 201. The cuts are offset from one another, to define a region where the first outer layer can adhere to the inner layer. A first cut 206 is formed in the first outer layer 200 and the inner layer 201. A second cut 205 is formed through the second outer layer 202. Figure 3B shows the laminate, after the cuts 205, 206 are formed, from the second outer side (the inside of a package). Figure 30 shows the laminate, after the cuts 205, 206 are formed, from the first outer side (the outside of a package). The dashed lines indicate the location of cuts 205, 206 where the actual cut is not visible in the particular view as it is through a layer of material which is hidden from view.

The cuts 205, 206 form a flap of laminate material 207 which is unitary with the rest of the sheet 209 along the top edge 208 of the flap. The location of the two cuts 205, 206 defines an overlap region 210 in which layers of the flap extend over layers of the remainder of the package. The central area of the flap 207 is formed of all three layers while the edge of the flap, in the overlap region 210, is formed of inner layer 201 and first outer layer 200. In the overlap region the inner layer 201 of the flap is adhered to the second outer layer 202 which remains part of the rest of the material in that region due to the offset of the two cuts 205, 206.

Figure 4 shows the resealable opening of Figures 3A-3C in a partially opened position. The flap 207 has been pulled open to separate the overlap region 210. Area 300 therefore comprises the second outer layer 202. The PSA 203 remains adhered to the first inner layer 201 in area 302 as it has a greater affinity for that material than the material of the outer layers. As the flap 207 is opened, an opening 301 is created through the laminate material. The opening 301 may be resealed by pressing the edge region of the flap which carries the PSA on to the exposed area 300 of the second outer layer 202, to return the opening to the configuration shown in Figures 3B and 3C. The arrangement of cuts through selected layers and use of a pressure sensitive adhesive between two layers thereby allow the formation of a resealable opening in the laminate material without any additional components.

In an alternative embodiment, the edge region of the flap can be formed of only an outer layer as opposed to an outer and an inner layer as shown in the embodiment of Figures 36 and 3C. To form a resealable opening, a first cut is formed in the first outer layer and a second cut is formed through the second outer layer and the inner layer. The central region of the flap comprises all three layers, but the edge of the flap in the overlap region is only formed of first outer layer. The opening of this embodiment operates on the same principles as that of Figure 36 and 3C, but the separation in the overlap region is between the inner layer remains part of the remainder of the package in the overlap region, not part of the flap.

This arrangement may give a different tactile feel to the opening as the edge of the flap will be thinner.

The pressure sensitive adhesive of any embodiments may be patterned to leave areas without any adhesive to make the flap easier to open. In particular, an area in the overlap region 210 may be left without any adhesive. The PSA 203 between the inner layer 201 and the second outer layer 202 can be patterned such that the region below the pull tab is free from PSA. The pull tab may therefore be easily lifted up and used to pull open the flap.

As will be appreciated the shape and design of the cuts may be varied according to the aesthetic and functional requirements of each design, provided the offset relationship of the first and second cuts is maintained to provide the overlap region 210. For example, different shapes may be utilised according to design, or the curvature and shape of the cuts may be selected to avoid tearing of the materials as the flap is opened. As the cut designs become more complex and/or the dimensions of the outlines increase the time taken to form the openings may increase.

In a variation of the opening described above, a two-layer laminate may be utilised.

The principles described above apply in the same way to such a laminate. Figure 5A shows a two-layer laminate with a resealable opening. First layer 600 is bonded to second layer 601 with a PSA 602. To form the opening, a first cut 603 is made through first layer 600, and a second cut 604 is made through second layer 601. As explained hereinbefore, dashed lines indicate cuts through a layer which is not visible in a particular view. Second layer 601 will form the outside of a package formed from the laminate material. The resealable opening opens in the same way as the triple-laminate opening described above by pulling the flap 605 open to separate the layers around the overlap region 606. The PSA may be patterned as described hereinbefore to provide a pull-tab, and as noted above the shape and design of the cuts may be varied as required.

The above embodiments have been described in relation to a three-and two-layer laminate, but as will be appreciated any number of layers may be utilised provided two of the layers are bonded with a PSA. The layers of the laminate material may be selected to provide the desired mechanical and tactile performance. For example, a thicker material may give a better feel to a user opening the flap. Different aspects of the package may require different characteristics, requiring a design compromise to select an appropriate material. For example, the body of the package may preferably have a thicker material to give a more rigid package, whereas the flap may preferably use a thinner material to make opening the closure more tactile. The relative thicknesses of the materials may also affect the performance of the product. For example, thickening a metallic layer will have a different effect to thickening a plastic layer.

The PSA is selected such that a sufficient bond is formed to retain the flap in the closed position, while also allowing the flap to be opened by the application of an appropriate force. Furthermore, since the same layer of PSA retains the layers of the laminate together, the bond should be sufficient to prevent delamination during use. The required bond may be achieved by the selection of an appropriate adhesive, and the amount of that adhesive utilised.

Some possible three layer laminates are: 16m Oriented Polypropylene (OPP)/ Sm foil/iBm OPP; 2Dm app i Sm foil /40gm Paper; Glassine paper / 9m foil! 16m app; 20m app / Sm foil! 20m OPP; 12m Nylon! Sm foil! 12m Nylon.

Figure 6 shows a method of packaging tobacco industry products. The method comprises a step 101 of enclosing a quantity of tobacco industry products within a wrapper comprising a flexible sheet material. The wrapper has an openable portion which defines an opening in the wrapper. Step 103 comprises fitting a frame around the wrapper-enclosed products at an end proximate the openable portion. Step 104 comprises packaging the wrapper-enclosed products and the frame within a container having a boc' and an openable lid such that all edges of the wrapper are located within the body of the container and the frame. Optionally, step 103 comprises rotating the wrapper-enclosed products through 180 degrees before fitting the frame.

It will be understood that the benefits and advantages described above may relate to one embodiment or may relate to several embodiments. The embodiments are not limited to those that solve any or all of the stated problems or those that have any or all of the stated benefits and advantages.

Any reference to an' item refers to one or more of those items. The term comprising' is used herein to mean including the method blocks or elements identified, but that such blocks or elements do not comprise an exclusive list and a method or apparatus may contain additional blocks or elements.

The steps of the methods described herein may be carried out in any suitable order, or simultaneously where appropriate. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from any of the methods without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. Aspects of any of the examples described above may be combined with aspects of any of the other examples described to form further examples without losing the effect sought.

It will be understood that the above description of a preferred embodiment is given by way of example only and that various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art.

Although various embodiments have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A tobacco industry product package comprising: a container comprising a body and an openable lid; a wrapper of a flexible sheet material enclosing a quantity of tobacco industry products, the wrapper having edges and also comprising an openable portion; a frame positioned around the wrapper-enclosed products at an end of the body of the container proximate the openable lid and the openable portion; wherein the wrapper-enclosed products and the frame are positioned within the container, and wherein all edges of the wrapper are within the body of the container and the frame.
2. A package according to claim 1 wherein the openable portion is reclosable.
3. A package according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the openable portion is resealable.
4. A package according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the wrapper-enclosed products have a first end face proximate the openable lid, a second end face and side faces, wherein edges of the wrapper are located on side faces of the package and the second end face.
5. A package according to claim 4 wherein an envelope fold of the wrapper is located on the second end face.
6. A package according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the frame extends beyond the body of the container when the lid is opened.
7. A package according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising adhesive between the wrapper and the body of container.
8. A package according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising adhesive securing at least one free edge of the wrapper.
9. A package according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the lid is openable to expose a portion of the wrapper-enclosed products, and the openable portion of the wrapper is located on the exposed portion of the wrapper-enclosed products.
10. A package according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the openable portion is defined by a line of weakness in the flexible sheet material.
11. A package according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the wrapper comprises a multi-layer laminate and the openable portion is defined by: a first line of weakness in at least a first of the layers of the laminate defining a first flap portion; a second line of weakness in at least a second layer of the laminate defining a second flap portion, wherein the at least a first of the layers is different from the at least a second of the layers; wherein the second line of weakness is located within the first line of weakness, the arrangement of the first and second lines of weakness allowing the first flap portion and the second flap portion to be lifted together to create an opening in the laminate, the first flap portion separating from the second layer in a peripheral region of the first flap portion between the first and second lines of weakness, and wherein a resealable adhesive seal is provided between the peripheral region and the second layer of the laminate.
12. A package according to claim 11 wherein the resealable adhesive seal is a pressure sensitive adhesive between the first layer and the second layer of the laminate.
13. A package according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the flexible sheet material comprises a multi-layer laminate.
14. A package according to claim 13 wherein the multi-layer laminate comprises at least one foil layer.
15. A method of packaging tobacco industry products comprising: enclosing a quantity of tobacco industry products within a wrapper comprising a flexible sheet material, wherein the wrapper has edges and also comprises an openable portion; fitting a frame around the wrapper-enclosed products at an end proximate the openable portion; packaging the wrapper-enclosed products and the frame within a container having a body and an openable lid, wherein all edges of the wrapper are located within the body of the container and the frame.
16. A method according to claim 15 wherein the openable portion is reclosable.
17. A method according to claim 15 or 16 wherein the openable portion is resealable.
18. A method according to any of claims 15 to 17 wherein the step of enclosing a quantity of tobacco industry products within a wrapper locates edges on an end face of the package, remote from the filter ends of the tobacco industry products and on side faces of the package.
19. A method according to any one of claims 15 to 18 wherein the step of enclosing a quantity of tobacco industry products locates the openable portion proximate the filter or cap end of the tobacco-industry products, the method further comprising rotating the wrapper-enclosed products before the step of packaging the wrapper-enclosed products and the frame within the container.
20. A method according to claim 19 wherein the rotating of the wrapper-enclosed products occurs before the step of fitting the frame around the wrapper-enclosed products.
21. A method according to any one of claims 15 to 20 further comprising sealing the wrapper using adhesive.
22. A method according to any one of claims 15 to 21 further comprising securing at least one of the frame and the wrapper to the container by adhesive.
23. A method according to any one of claims 15 to 22 wherein the wrapper comprises a multi-layer laminate and the openable portion is defined by: a first line of weakness in at least a first of the layers of the laminate defining a first flap portion; a second line of weakness in at least a second layer of the laminate defining a second flap portion, wherein the at least a first of the layers is different from the at least a second of the layers; wherein the second line of weakness is located within the first line of weakness, the arrangement of the first and second lines of weakness allowing the first flap portion and the second flap portion to be lifted together to create an opening in the laminate, the first flap portion separating from the second layer in a peripheral region of the first flap portion between the first and second lines of weakness, and wherein a resealable adhesive seal is provided between the peripheral region and the second layer of the laminate.
24. A method according to any one of claims 15 to 23 wherein the flexible sheet material comprises a multi-layer laminate.
25. A method according to any one of claims 15 to 24 wherein the multi-layer laminate comprises at least one foil layer.
26. A package according to any one of claims ito 14 or a method according to any one of claims 15 to 25 wherein the tobacco industry products are one of: cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos.