JP2008513306A - Freshness preservation pack for rectangular items - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a pack (10) with increased gas pressure inside the pack (10) compared to the gas pressure surrounding the pack (10). The pack (10) contains one or more oblong articles, such as elongate tobacco products, in particular cigarettes.

Description

  The present invention relates to a freshness preservation pack. Such packs are particularly suitable for rectangular articles, in particular elongated tobacco products.

  Various types of packs are used to maintain the freshness of products whose quality can be impaired, for example, by exposure to air or light, loss of moisture or flavor, or absorption of unpleasant odors. Known means for preserving the freshness of such products include, for example, wrapping the packed contents in an internal plastic bag, or overwrapping the pack with a suitable film barrier material. For example, cigarette packs typically include cellophane or polypropylene overwrap. Prior art references disclosing packs designed to extend inventory storage and preserve the freshness of packaged products include:

  In WO 99/28212 A1, a smoking article resealable rigid pack is described in which a barrier material is sealed around the pack. The rigid pack has a potential access aperture that extends from the upper end surface of the pack to the front surface, or an access aperture that actually exists. The barrier material has a separation or fragile line that defines a flap, which corresponds to the access aperture.

EP 0392737 A1 discloses a hinge lid type freshness holding container. The container includes mechanical freshness retaining means between the inward surface of the lid front wall and the outward surface of the container front wall. The means generates a clicking sound when the container is closed to indicate to the user a freshness maintaining function.
GB 1447233 A1 discloses an air-impermeable tubular pack made of a rectangular blank made of a multilayer air-impermeable material.

DE 2743048 A1 discloses a pack made from multi-layered precut sheets, where the precut sheets provide folding flaps that can be connected to each other by heat or pressure. The outer surface of the pack is made of aluminum foil. The pack cannot be resealed.
WO 01/83326 A1 discloses applying pressure to a package containing tobacco products to prevent the occurrence of mildew and microorganisms and to control the humidity in the package.

WO99 / 28212 A1 publication EP0392737A1 publication GB1447233A1 publication DE2743048A1 publication WO01 / 83326A1

In particular, there remains a need for an improved pack that maintains the freshness of the packaged contents until the pack is opened. It is desirable for the user or consumer to have a means to check the freshness-keeping quality and integrity of the pack when it is opened.
The object of the present invention is to meet this and other needs.

  The present invention provides a pack comprising an article or articles, in particular one or more rectangular articles, which pack is pressurized before opening. In this unopened and sealed state, the pack is substantially gas impermeable. Opening the pack preferably produces an appropriate sound that indicates the freshness-keeping quality and integrity of the pack.

  In the context of the present invention, the term “pressurized pack” means that the pressure inside the pack before opening is greater than the pressure outside the pack, ie atmospheric pressure. Atmospheric pressure can range, for example, from about 900 to about 1080 mbar at sea level. The pressure difference is preferably large enough to generate an audible sound when the pack is opened. Advantageously, the pressure inside the pack is at least about 50 mbar higher than the pressure outside the pack, ie the associated atmospheric pressure, and preferably higher than 1130 mbar. On the other hand, the pressure inside the pack must be low enough that the pack does not rupture due to a drop in atmospheric pressure during transport to another location, for example. Preferably, the pressure inside the pack is less than about 500 mbar above atmospheric pressure (at 1000 mbar atmospheric pressure, the pressure inside the pack will be less than about 1500 mbar). A pressure difference between about 100 mbar and about 250 mbar (between the inner pressure and the atmospheric pressure of 1000 mbar) is particularly preferred.

  The pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the pack is obtained by supplying the pack (including its contents) with a suitable gas including, for example, argon, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen. The gas is preferably an inert gas. The most preferred gas is nitrogen. Advantageously, the pack is at least partially evacuated before being filled with the aforementioned gas. Preferably, the pack is evacuated to at least 50%.

  The pack of the present invention has an excellent freshness-keeping quality over a long period of time, in particular until the pack is opened, thus effectively retaining the quality of the packaged article or articles. For example, the required moisture content or humidity level as well as the unique flavor of the packaged article or articles is substantially retained until the pack is opened for the first time. Interactions between the pack contents and external harmful factors such as air, light or unpleasant odors are avoided. The contents of the pack are effectively protected from drying, loss of original flavor, or other flavor deposits. One advantage of the pack provided herein is that no overwrap and inner foil is required.

  The pack according to the invention comprises a bottom, an upper end and a web or sleeve that forms the body or main part of the pack and encloses the contents. The three parts are connected to each other so that the pack is substantially gas impermeable (and preferably light impermeable) and has the required freshness retention characteristics. While it is envisioned that the bottom and / or top can be formed of a web, these three parts are preferably distinct elements that are structurally different until integrated into the pack. Optionally, the pack can further include an inner frame.

  Usually, the bottom provides a gas injection means that can be used during pack manufacture. Such gas injection means is suitable for supplying gas into the pack and establishing the required pressure inside the pack. Suitable gas injection means are known in the art and include, for example, a valve or preferably a small hole and are completely closed and preferably sealed after the gas filling process is complete. The small hole can be formed by an injection port such as a small tube. The gas injection means are preferably inconspicuous on the finished pack.

  Advantageously, the top end includes at least one actual or potential aperture, which allows the consumer to remove the packaged article. An example of a real aperture is a lid, such as a hinge lid, which allows the pack to be opened and closed repeatedly. The potential aperture is generated by the user at the time of opening the pack and can be defined by a fragile or separating line or by a removable or resealable label. Advantageously, the one or more apertures of the pack are designed so that the freshness maintaining quality of the pack is not compromised.

  If the upper end includes a lid, it may further comprise a gasket, preferably a gasket under the lid, which is preferably a hinge lid. Preferably, the gasket is such that the pack of the present invention is substantially water resistant even after opening the pack. The gasket can be made of any suitable conventional sealing material such as, for example, a polyether, polyurethane, or polyester based material. Preferably, the gasket is a silicone gasket.

  The bottom, top, and web are each made from a substantially gas impermeable material or from materials that can be combined to form a substantially gas impermeable pack when constituting different elements. Methods for properly combining pack components are known in the art and include, for example, seals, particularly heat seals or inductive seals. Preferably, the high pressure inside such a gas impermeable pack is substantially maintained over an extended period of time, preferably for at least 6 months, more preferably for at least 1 year. In addition, the material must not be strong enough to include stiffness, stiffness, and thickness so that it does not expand inappropriately when the pack is pressed and does not “crush” when pressure is released. Don't be. Preferably, the pack of the present invention exhibits the same rigidity and stability as a conventional hinge lid pack made of cardboard.

  The web is a film packaging material that is sufficiently rigid and thick enough to allow the required pack properties, particularly the retention of gas inside the pack. Suitable materials are commercially available. Preferably the web is a multilayer film comprising at least one plastic material such as, for example, a polyolefin. Preferably the web is between about 100 and about 400 microns thick. Preferably the web has a metallic appearance. The web can be printed, embossed, labeled, or otherwise printed as desired or required. The web is preferably less glossy.

  Preferably, the pack of the present invention contains one or more rectangular articles. Preferably, the one or more rectangular articles exhibit a solid structure and have a length to width ratio of at least about 3 to 1. The ratio of length to width is preferably between about 5 to about 1 to about 20 to about 1. Preferred rectangular articles are elongated tobacco products such as cigars, cigarillos, or cigarettes. The most preferred pack of the present invention includes cigarettes.

  In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a pack that is pressurized prior to opening comprising one or more rectangular articles, wherein the bottom is formed by a first end cap having a dependent flange. The upper end is formed by a second end cap having a dependent flange, and the web or sleeve is wound and mounted on the dependent flange of the first and second end caps. Advantageously, each flange extends beyond a portion of one or more rectangular articles in the pack.

  The first end cap preferably comprises gas injection means in the form of a sealable integral inlet as described above. The second end cap is covered by an integral hinge lid and optionally includes a real aperture with a click closure feature and / or a gasket. Prior to opening, substantial gas impermeability is ensured by a heat-sealable lid under the hinge lid. This lid is advantageously made from a heat-sealable foil, such as a coated aluminum foil, and is intended to be peelable, i.e. removed by the user when the pack is opened. In essence, the integrated hinge lid allows the pack to be opened and closed. Advantageously, the actual aperture of the second end cap extends over less than about half, preferably less than about one third of the surface of the second end cap.

  The cap can be any suitable shape, for example, can be substantially oval, circular, or square. It will be readily understood that the shape of the end cap determines the final shape of the pack. Accordingly, the shape of the end cap is selected according to the required shape of the pack. Although the end caps can be of different shapes, the end caps are preferably of the same or similar shape. Advantageously, the cap is designed to facilitate collation retention when the pack contents are comprised of a plurality of rectangular articles, such as between about 10 and about 20 cigarettes. This can include rib inclusions at the bottom and / or top. Preferably, the end caps are made from the same material. A preferred material is plastic, especially hard plastic, which is sufficiently rigid to provide adequate stability to the pack. The material is selected to facilitate attachment of the web to the end cap by conventional sealing methods such as heat sealing or inductive sealing. Advantageously, the plastic material is polyethylene or polypropylene. The end cap can be made using conventional methods such as injection molding. If desired, the end caps can be colored or have a special surface finish. Preferably the end cap is substantially light opaque.

  The web is wound around at least a portion of the dependent flange of the end cap to form a tubular or sleeve-like structure. It is very important that the attachment of the web to the end caps is substantially gas impermeable and the material of the component is selected to meet this requirement. Preferably the web has a multilayer structure comprising at least one layer of plastic material, such as polyolefins, in particular polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP). For example, a suitable multilayer structure includes a three layer film comprising a laminate with a polyolefin forming an outer layer. Preferably the web is a metal including, for example, aluminum (AL) and is substantially light impermeable. A particularly preferred web material is a three-layer film, preferably a laminate, having a PE / AL / PE or PP / AL / PP structure. Another suitable web material is coextrusion coated aluminum foil. The web is sufficiently rigid or rigid and thick so that it does not substantially crimp when pressure is pulled from the pack when opened. Preferably the web is printed and not easily damaged.

  Suitable machines and techniques for forming packs according to the present invention are known to those skilled in the art. For example, the cigarette pack of the present invention can be manufactured as described herein below.

  The cigarette collation is packaged in a pack having two rigid plastic ends and a web that is wrapped around the dependent flange of the cigarette and end cap. The end cap that forms the upper end of the pack includes a hinge lid for removing the cigarette by the user. The foil is added to the hinge lid that is removed by the user upon opening. The web is sealed, deflated from the pack and then filled with nitrogen to provide a pressurized pack according to the present invention.

  Cigarettes are fed to the collation mandrel. While it is advantageous to fill several mandrels simultaneously, for example 3 to 6 mandrels, the process is described with one mandrel. The mandrel has a plurality of through holes arranged to define the shape of the collation to be packaged. Advantageously, the cigarettes are transferred from the hopper to the through hole one by one, for example by a push rod. The collation is then transferred from the mandrel to the forming pocket, where the cigarettes are no longer spaced apart from each other and are ready to form a package around them. Transfer to the molding pocket takes place via a set of parallel push rods. The filling molding pocket is then moved to a pack filling station where the end cap is inserted over the end of the cigarette and the web is wound around the cigarette collation and the flange of the end cap.

  The web is fed from a web roll and transferred to a web preparation and cutting station via a tension roller assembly. This station ensures that the web is cut to the exact length required for the pack. Web formation around the collation is performed by the first formation of the web sleeve, which is then slid over the collation and end cap. The sleeve is formed by folding a properly cut web around the mandrel and sealing along its length. Any convenient sealing method can be used, such as gluing or heat sealing. The sleeve is then slid over the end cap and cigarette collation so that the end of the sleeve is sealed against the end of the cap. Any convenient type of seal can be used, and heat sealing is preferred. The air in the pack is then evacuated through a small hole or port in the bottom cap, which port is also used to fill with an inert gas, preferably nitrogen. The holes are then sealed by heating and melting the surrounding plastic. The pressure pack is then labeled as required.

  Optionally, the pack of the present invention includes an inner frame that can further enhance the stability of the pack. Such an inner frame can also be used to divide the pack into separate compartments, preferably two or three compartments. The inner frame is a support structure within the pack and can be made of a rigid material such as hard paper, cardboard, laminate, metal, plastic, or combinations thereof. It is preferred to use cardboard or plastic. For example, the inner frame can be designed to connect the bottom to the top at one or more, preferably two corresponding positions. Suitable connection means may comprise one or more, preferably two rod-like structures. In order to receive the connecting means, the inner surfaces of the top and bottom can show holes or cutouts suitably adapted to receive and secure the connecting means, for example by a friction fit. When assembling the pack, the connecting means is slid into corresponding holes or cutouts at the top and bottom so that both parts are connected to each other. The connecting means can be made of the same or different material as the top and bottom. In particular, the connecting means are preferably made of the same material as the bottom and top, in particular made of plastic.

  The present invention is illustrated using an exemplary pack with reference to the accompanying figures. The examples should not be construed as limiting the invention, which is limited only by the scope of the claims.

  FIG. 1 shows a pack 10 used in the present invention with a sleeve 23 and an upper end cap 22. The upper end cap 22 includes an access aperture 40 covered with a hinge lid 41. The hinge lid 41 includes a nozzle 43 that generates a click sound when the pack 10 is opened and closed. The sleeve 23 is made of a film sheet.

It is the pack 10 for cigarettes of an open state.

Explanation of symbols

10 pack 22 upper end cap 23 sleeve 40 access aperture 41 hinge lid 43 sleeve

Claims (16)

  A pack (10) comprising a rectangular article or a plurality of rectangular articles that have been pressurized prior to opening.   The pack (10) according to claim 1, wherein the pressure inside the pack (10) before opening is greater than the pressure outside the pack (10).   Pack according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure inside the pack (10) is at least about 50 mbar higher, preferably less than about 500 mbar, higher than the pressure outside the pack (10). (10).   A difference according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the difference between the pressure inside the pack (10) and the pressure outside the pack (10) is about 100 mbar, preferably about 250 mbar. Pack (10).   Pack (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is substantially gas-impermeable.   The pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the pack (10) is preferably such as an inert gas, preferably nitrogen, through a valve or preferably a sealable hole in the pack (10) containing its contents. Pack (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is achieved by supplying a suitable gas.   Pack (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a bottom, an upper end (22) and a web or sleeve (23).   Pack (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that the three parts are connected to each other.   9. A pack (10) according to any one of claims 7 to 8, further comprising an inner frame.   Pack (10) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the bottom comprises gas injection means.   A pack (10) according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the upper end (22) comprises at least one real or potential aperture (40).   The bottom is formed by a first end cap having a dependent flange, the upper end (22) is formed by a second end cap having a dependent flange, and the web or sleeve (23) is a first end cap. 12. A pack (10) according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the pack (10) is wound and attached to a dependent flange of the first and second end caps.   The pack (10) of claim 12, wherein each flange extends over a portion of one or more rectangular articles in the pack.   Pack (10) according to any one of claims 7 to 13, characterized in that the web (23) has a multilayer structure comprising at least one layer of plastic material, preferably a polyolefin, in particular polyethylene or polypropylene.   Pack (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rectangular article is a smokable article, in particular a cigarette. A process for manufacturing a pack (10) according to any of the preceding claims,
A cigarette collation is packaged in the pack (10), the pack (10) including two rigid plastic ends and a web (23) wound around the cigarette and a dependent flange of the end cap. The end cap forming the upper end (22) of the pack (10) includes a hinge lid (41);
Foil is applied to the hinge lid (41),
The web (23) is sealed;
Air is exhausted from the pack (10) through the holes,
The pack (10) is then filled with nitrogen through the holes,
The hole is closed by a seal;
Process characterized by that.

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