GB2541429A

GB2541429A - Package

Info

Publication number: GB2541429A
Application number: GB1514755.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Beardsall Ian; Shaw Mark; Hill Mark
Original assignee: Parkside Flexibles Europe Ltd
Current assignee: Parkside Flexibles Europe Ltd
Priority date: 2015-08-19
Filing date: 2015-08-19
Publication date: 2017-02-22
Anticipated expiration: 2035-08-19
Also published as: GB2541429B; GB201514755D0

Abstract

A package, e.g. a tobacco product package, comprises a container 10 having a body 11 and a lid 12. The lid 12 is attached to the body 11 by a hinge 13. An aroma- or fragrance-releasing receptacle 20 is located within the container 10. The aroma-releasing receptacle 20 is configured to hold a quantity of an aroma-producing substance, e.g. menthol. The aroma-releasing receptacle 20 has an outlet 22. The aroma-releasing receptacle 20 is flexible and is connected to an interior of the body 11 and an interior of the lid 12 and bridges the hinge 13. The aroma-releasing receptacle 20 is configured to bend when the lid 12 is moved to the open position to force aroma from the outlet 22. The lid and/or container body may have an inner and outer wall, and the receptacle 20 might be situated between the inner and outer walls. The receptacle 20 might be at least partially concealed by the inner wall of the body and/or lid.

Description

PACKAGE

Background

For some packaged products it is desirable to provide an aroma or fragrance when the package is opened.

One known way of providing an aroma is to incorporate an aroma-releasing substance on an area of the package where it can be released by friction upon opening the package. US 6,612,429 describes a flip open box with encapsulated flavour materials incorporated on an interior surface of the flip top.

Known types of packaging may only release an aroma upon an initial opening of the package, or may only dispense a limited quantity of aroma.

There is a requirement for alternative packaging.

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.

An aspect of the invention provides a package comprises a container comprising a body and a lid. The lid is attached to the body by a hinge. The lid is movable between a closed position and an open position. An aroma-releasing receptacle is located within the container. The receptacle is configured to hold a quantity of an aroma-producing substance. The aroma-releasing receptacle has an outlet. The aroma-releasing receptacle is flexible and is connected to an interior of the body and an interior of the lid and bridges the hinge. The aroma-releasing receptacle is configured to bend when the lid is moved to the open position to force aroma from the outlet.

An advantage of at least one example is that aroma is released the first time the package is opened, and is also released on subsequent openings of the package.

An advantage of at least one example is that a significant quantity of aroma can be released, to provide a ‘burst’ of aroma.

The package may comprise a first portion of the aroma-releasing receptacle located alongside the body and a second portion of the aroma-releasing receptacle located alongside the lid, with the outlet located on the second portion of the aroma-releasing receptacle.

The aroma-releasing receptacle may have a front face and a back face, with the back face located alongside the container and the outlet located on the front face of the aromareleasing receptacle.

The package may comprise an inner wall located within the body of the container, and the aroma-releasing receptacle may be located between the inner wall and an outer wall of the container. A lower portion of the aroma-releasing receptacle may be fully concealed by the inner wall within the container.

The package may comprise an inner wall located within the lid of the container, and the aroma-releasing receptacle may be located between the inner wall and an outer wall of the lid.

An upper portion of the aroma-releasing receptacle may be fully concealed by the inner wall within the lid.

The aroma-releasing receptacle may comprise a tubular body which is sealed at each end.

The tubular body may have a non-circular cross-section.

The aroma-releasing receptacle may comprise a carrier which carries the aroma-producing substance.

The outlet may be configured to open when the lid is moved to the open position.

The outlet may be configured to close when the lid is moved to the closed position.

The outlet may comprise a valve.

The outlet may be sealed before the container is first opened, and the outlet may be configured to open when the lid is first moved to the open position.

The container may be configured to hold a quantity of tobacco products, and wherein the aroma-releasing receptacle is located in a void between adjacent tobacco products.

The aroma releasing receptacle may be formed of a material which is resiliently deformable.

The package may comprise a plurality of the aroma-releasing receptacles within the container.

The aroma-producing substance may be menthol. Other possible aromas include coffee, fruit, chocolate, coffee, floral, washing powder, perfume

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 an example of a container with the lid in the open position;

Figure 2 shows the container of Figure 1 with the lid in the closed position;

Figure 3 shows a sequence of drawings illustrating operation of the aroma-releasing receptacle 20;

Figure 4 shows a plan view of a container with an aroma-releasing receptacle fitted between tobacco articles;

Figure 5 shows an aroma-releasing receptacle in cross-section;

Figure 6 shows a plan view of a container with an aroma-releasing receptacle fitted between a pair of walls of the container;

Figure 7 shows another example of an aroma-releasing receptacle with a valve.

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 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.

Figures 1 and 2 show a first example of a package which can be used for tobacco industry products, such as cigarettes. More generally, a package can be provided for any type of packaged commodity. A container, or box, 10 is shaped as a cuboid, with a front face/wall 1, rear face/wall 2, side faces/walls 3, base 4 and top face 5. The container 10 comprises a first container portion (body) 11 and a second container portion (lid) 12. The second container portion 12 is hingedly connected to the first container portion 11 about a hinge line 13 located part-way down the rear face 2. In use, items (e.g. cigarettes) are held in the first container portion 11. The second container portion 12 forms a hinged lid for the first container portion 11. In this example the lid 12 is in the form of a hood-shaped part of the container. The container 10 may be formed from a single blank of material, or the body 11 and lid 12 may each be formed from a separate blank of material and connected together. Figure 1 shows the hinged lid 12 in an open position. Figure 2 shows the hinged lid in the closed position. A frame 8 may also be fixed to the first container portion 11. The frame 8 defines an access opening 9. The frame 8 retains contents of the container, while also allowing access to the contents. The frame 8 serves to provide frictional resistance when the lid 12 is closed, and serves to prevent the lid from accidentally opening. The frame 8 can be fixed (e.g. by adhesive) to an inner region of the front face 1. The lid 12 meets the first container portion along a line of contact 14A, 14B. In the closed position the lid 12 abuts against the body 11 along the line of contact 14A, 14B. A part of the line of contact 14A extends along the front face 1. Another part of the line of contact 14B extends diagonally along each of the side faces 3, from 14A to the hinge line 13.

The package is provided with a mechanism which dispenses a quantity of aroma, scent or fragrance when the package is opened. Figure 1 shows an aroma-releasing receptacle 20 located within the container 10. The aroma-releasing receptacle 20 is configured to hold a quantity of an aroma-producing substance. An example aroma-producing substance is menthol. Other aroma-producing substances can be used, depending on the type of product. The aroma-releasing receptacle 20 is connected to an interior of the body 11 and an interior of the lid 12. The aroma-releasing receptacle 20 bridges the hinge 13. The aroma-releasing receptacle 20 has an outlet 22. The aroma-releasing receptacle 20 is configured to bend about the hinge 13 when the lid 12 is moved to the open position to force a quantity of aroma from the outlet 22 of the receptacle 20. The aroma-releasing receptacle 20 works in the manner of a pump or bellows, forcing aroma-laden air from the outlet 22.

In the example shown in Figure 1 the aroma-releasing receptacle 20 is located on the back wall 2 of the container 10. A first (lower) portion of the receptacle 20 is located alongside the body 11 and a second (upper) portion of the receptacle 20 is located alongside the lid 12. The outlet 22 is located on the second (upper) portion of the receptacle 20. The aroma-releasing receptacle 20 may be secured to the back wall 2 of the container 10 by a suitable adhesive, such as hot melt adhesive. As a minimum, the aroma-releasing receptacle 20 can be secured by one adhesive spot between the first portion of the receptacle and the body 11 and one adhesive spot between the second portion of the receptacle and the lid 12. Alternatively, the aroma-releasing receptacle 20 can be secured to the container at multiple points, or by a continuous line of adhesive between the length of the receptacle 20 and the body 11 and lid 12 of the container 10.

Figure 3 shows a sequence of drawings (A)-(D) illustrating operation of the aromareleasing receptacle 20. Each drawing shows the back wall 2 of the container 10 and the aroma-releasina receDtacle 20. Fiaure 3(A1 shows a container with the lid 12 in a closed position. The back wall 2 of the body 11 and the lid 12 of the container 10 are aligned. The aroma-releasing receptacle 20 is aligned parallel with the back wall 2 of the container. In this position a minimal quantity of aroma may seep from the outlet 22. Alternatively, no aroma may be emitted from the receptacle 20 in this position.

Figure 3(B) shows the container as the lid 12 is moved to the open position. The lid 12 is opened by rotating the lid 12 with respect to the body 11 about the hinge line 13. In Figure 3(B) the lid is opened by rotation in a clockwise direction about the hinge 13. The aroma-releasing receptacle 20 is secured to the back wall 2 of the body 11 and the lid 12 of the container 10. Therefore, as the lid 12 is rotated, it carries the upper portion of the receptacle 20 with it. The aroma-releasing receptacle 20 flexes about the hinge 13. The cross-section of the aroma-releasing receptacle 20 is reduced in the region of the hinge 13. This resilient deformation of the receptacle 20 causes a pumping action on air within the receptacle 20. Aroma-laden air within the receptacle 20 is forced, or pumped, from the outlet 22 of the receptacle 20 and dispensed 25 into the surrounding environment. This provides a user of the package with a burst of aroma. The receptacle 20 performs like a bellows. A pumping action is achieved by a reduction of the cross-section of the aroma-releasing receptacle 20. The quantity of aroma-laden air pumped from the receptacle 20 can be maximised by minimising the cross-section of the aroma-releasing receptacle 20 when the receptacle 20 is in the flexed state.

Figure 3(C) shows the container as the lid 12 is returned to the closed position. The cross-section of the aroma-releasing receptacle 20 in the region of the hinge 13 begins to return to the original state of Figure 3(A). That is, the cross-section of the aroma-releasing receptacle 20 increases. Air is drawn back into the receptacle 20 via the outlet 22.

Figure 3(D) shows the container with the lid 12 returned to the fully closed position. The receptacle 20 is now fully recharged with air. The aroma-producing substance 21 can recharge the air within the receptacle 20 with aroma during the period while the container 10 remains closed.

The amount of aroma-laden air dispensed from the receptacle 20 may be based on factors such as the volume of the receptacle 20 and the amount by which the receptacle 20 deforms when it is flexed. The velocity of the aroma-laden air (and/or distance by which the aroma-laden air is projected from the outlet) may be based on factors such as: the volume of the receptacle 20; the amount by which the receptacle 20 deforms when it is flexed (i.e. cross-section of receptacle in the hinge region when the receptacle is flexed); the size of the outlet 22; the speed at which the receptacle is opened.

Figure 3 shows a quantity of aroma-producing substance within the receptacle 20. The aroma-producing substance may be in solid form (e.g. menthol in crystalline form), or in liquid form. A carrier, such as a pad or sponge, may be impregnated with a solution of the aroma-producing substance. The aroma-producing substance may be in gel form. A gel form can provide a degree of resilience to the receptacle 20 which can help to restore the receptacle to its original shape when the container is closed.

In some examples, it may be desirable to store the aroma-producing substance in the lower portion of the receptacle 20 and to keep the hinge region 13 free of aroma-producing substance so as to allow the receptacle to deform to a small cross-sectional area, and maximise the quantity of pumped air. In other examples, it may be advantageous to store some of the aroma-producing substance in the hinge region of the receptacle 20 (e.g. a gel, or gel-like aroma-producing substance) to help restore the shape of the receptacle 20 after the receptacle has been flexed.

Figures 4 and 6 show two possible examples of positioning the aroma-releasing receptacle 20 within the container 10. Figure 4 shows a plan (top) view of the body 11 of the container. A quantity of tobacco articles 30 (e.g. cigarettes) are stored within the container 10 in a conventional 7-6-7 relationship. That is, a first row of 7 articles, a second row of 6 articles, and a third row of 7 articles. This relationship creates small voids 33 between the back wall 2 and the tobacco articles 30. The aroma-releasing receptacle 20 is located on the back wall 2 of the container in one of the voids 33 between two adjacent tobacco articles 30 and the back wall 2 of the container 10. In this example the aroma-releasing receptacle 20 is shown positioned relatively centrally along the back wall 2 of the container. It will be understood that there is a plurality of suitable voids 33 along the back wall 2 of the container where one or more aroma-releasing receptacles 20 can be located.

Figure 5 shows the aroma-releasing receptacle 30 in cross-section. The aromareleasing receptacle 30 may have a cross-sectional shape which is compatible with the shape of the void 33 between tobacco articles. For example, the aroma-releasing receptacle 30 may have a cross-sectional shape which is triangular, semi-circular or a truncated ellipse (as shown in Figure 5). It will be understood that the position of the voids is predetermined, and therefore the one or more aroma-releasing receptacles 20 can be secured to the back wall 2 of the container 10 before the tobacco articles 30 are inserted into the container 10, or before the container 10 is fitted around the tobacco articles 30.

Figure 6 shows another example with an aroma-releasing receptacle 30 positioned on the back wall 2 of the container 10. This example differs from Figure 4 in that an internal wall 32 is provided within the container 10. The wall 32 extends across the container 10, parallel to the back wall 2. The wall 32 may be located in the body 11 of the container 10. Additionally, or alternatively, the wall 32 may be located in the lid 12 of the container 10. The wall 32 may have a height which is substantially the same as the height of the body 11 of the container (i.e. the height of the back wall 2 between the base 4 and the hinge line 13). Alternatively, the wall 32 may have a height which is less than the height of the body 11 of the container (i.e. less than the height of the back wall 2 between the base 4 and the hinge line 13). The wall 32 may have a height which is substantially the same as the height of the lid 12 of the container (i.e. the height of the back wall 2 between the top face 5 and the hinge line 13). Alternatively, the wall 32 may have a height which is less than the height of the lid 12 of the container (i.e. less than the height of the back wall 2 between the top face 5 and the hinge line 13).

The aroma-releasing receptacle 20 is located between the inner wall 32 and the back wall 2 of the container 10. A lower portion of the aroma-releasing receptacle 20 may be fully concealed by the inner wall 32 within the body 11 of the container 10. An upper portion of the aroma-releasing receptacle 20 may be fully concealed by the inner wall 32 within the lid 12 of the container 10.

In any of the examples, the aroma-releasing receptacle 20 may be in the form of a flexible tubular body which is sealed at each end.

The aroma-releasing receptacle shown in the drawings has a width which is small compared to the height/length of the receptacle. This shape can be said to have a small aspect ratio, where the aspect ratio is the ratio of the width to the height/length. Other shapes or aspect ratios are possible. For example, the aroma-releasing receptacle can have the form of a rectangular body with a larger aspect ratio. The receptacle may be in the form of a sachet or bag. The sachet or bag is sealed and has an outlet.

In any of the examples, the outlet 22 may be a small aperture in a wall of the receptacle. A possible, non-limiting, range of sizes for the aperture is 800 to 1500 microns.

The aroma-releasing receptacle described above has a single outlet. The aromareleasing receptacle may have more than one outlet. This is particularly useful with receptacles having a larger aspect ratio, where the aspect ratio is the ratio of the width to the height/length. The outlets can be distributed along the width of the receptacle.

In any of the examples, the aroma-releasing receptacle 20 may be formed of a polymer material, such as, but not limited to: oriented polypropylene (OPP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), cellulose, nylon. The aroma-releasing receptacle 20 may be formed of a material which is resiliently deformable. That is, the aroma-releasing receptacle 20 is deformable when it is flexed, and can return to its original shape.

Figure 7 shows another example of the aroma-releasing receptacle 20. A valve 28 is fitted to the outlet 22. The valve 28 may open when the container 10 is opened or closed. For example, the valve 28 may open when the container is moved from the position shown in Figure 3(A) to the position shown in Figure 3(B), and the valve 28 may open when the container is moved from the position shown in Figure 3(B) to the position shown in Figure 3(D). The valve 28 may remain closed when the container is closed, as shown in Figures 3(A) and Figure 3(D). Similarly, the valve 28 may remain closed when the container is open, as no air flows at this time. This helps to prevent leakage from the receptacle 20. A similar effect may be achieved without using a valve 28. The receptacle 20 may be manufactured of a material which has self-sealing properties. Opening or closing the container may cause a force of air which is sufficient to open the outlet 22. At other times, the outlet remains closed by virtue of the material of receptacle 20. This helps to prevent leakage from the receptacle 20. A similar effect may be achieved with an outlet 22 of the receptacle 20 in the form of a slit which has the property of sealing when no air is pushed or pulled through the slit. Opening or closing the container may cause a force of air which is sufficient to open the outlet 22. At other times, the outlet remains closed by virtue of the slit. This helps to prevent leakage from the receptacle 20.

While a hinged package suitable for tobacco products has been shown, the package can be for other types of product. Other types of products include luxury goods, food, drinks, laundry products. Example hinged packages include washing powder boxes, chocolate box, coffee container.

The outlet 22 of the aroma-releasing receptacle 20 may remain sealed until the container 10 is first opened. The outlet 22 can be configured such that the pump of air upon initial opening of the container is sufficient to overcome the seal on the outlet 22. This sealing of the outlet 22 may be achieved by providing the wall of the receptacle 20 with a reduced thickness where the outlet 22 is required. Alternatively, a different material can be provided which will open the outlet 22 when a sufficient force of air pushes against the outlet 22.

Menthol has been described as an example aroma. Other examples of aromas include fruit, chocolate, coffee, floral, washing powder, perfume. The aroma may be similar to the aroma of the packaged goods (e.g. coffee). For example, a coffee package may have a receptacle 20 which releases a coffee aroma. Conventionally, the contents of a coffee package emit a strong aroma upon first opening of the package, but the contents emit a much weaker aroma upon subsequent openings of the package. The aroma-releasing receptacle 20 may provide a user, on subsequent openings of the coffee package, with a strong aroma similar to the first opening of the package. In the main example described above menthol may supplement a menthol aroma of the packaged cigarettes. In some examples, the aroma may be different to the aroma of the packaged goods, but may complement, or enhance, the aroma of the packaged goods. For example, an aroma of mint to complement mint chocolates which lack any aroma of their own. In some examples, the aroma may be different to the aroma of the packaged goods.

It will be understood that the benefits and advantages described above may relate to nnn nmhnrlimnnt nr mav mlatn tn several emhnrliments The emhnrliments arp nnt limited tn 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

1. A package comprising: a container comprising a body and a lid, wherein the lid is attached to the body by a hinge, the lid being movable between a closed position and an open position; an aroma-releasing receptacle located within the container, wherein the aromareleasing receptacle is configured to hold a quantity of an aroma-producing substance, wherein the aroma-releasing receptacle has an outlet, and wherein the aroma-releasing receptacle is flexible and is connected to an interior of the body and an interior of the lid and bridges the hinge, and the aroma-releasing receptacle is configured to bend when the lid is moved to the open position to force aroma from the outlet.

2. A package according to claim 1 wherein a first portion of the aroma-releasing receptacle is located alongside the body and a second portion of the aroma-releasing receptacle is located alongside the lid, and wherein the outlet is located on the second portion of the aroma-releasing receptacle.

3. A package according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the aroma-releasing receptacle has a front face and a back face, wherein the back face is located alongside the container and the outlet is located on the front face of the aroma-releasing receptacle.

4. A package according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising an inner wall located within the body of the container, and wherein the aroma-releasing receptacle is located between the inner wall and an outer wall of the container.

5. A package according to claim 4 wherein a lower portion of the aroma-releasing receptacle is fully concealed by the inner wall within the container.

6. A package according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising an inner wall located within the lid of the container, and wherein the aroma-releasing receptacle is located between the inner wall and an outer wall of the lid.

7. A package according to claim 4 wherein an upper portion of the aroma-releasing receptacle is fully concealed by the inner wall within the lid.

8. A package according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the aroma-releasing receptacle comprises a tubular body which is sealed at each end.

9. A package according to claim 8 wherein the tubular body has a non-circular cross-section.

10. A package according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the aroma-releasing receptacle comprises a carrier which carries the aroma-producing substance.

11. A package according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the outlet is configured to open when the lid is moved to the open position.

12. A package according to claim 11 wherein the outlet is configured to close when the lid is moved to the closed position.

13. A package according to claim 11 wherein the outlet comprises a valve.

14. A package according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the outlet is sealed before the container is first opened, and the outlet is configured to open when the lid is first moved to the open position.

15. A package according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the aroma-releasing receptacle is formed of a material which is resiliently deformable.

16. A package according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the container is configured to hold a quantity of tobacco products, and wherein the aroma-releasing receptacle is located in a void between adjacent tobacco products.

17. A package according to any one of the preceding claims wherein there is a plurality of the aroma-releasing receptacles within the container.

18. A package according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the aroma-producing substance is menthol.