JP2018513061A - Improved container with no angular edges - Google Patents

Abstract

A container for consumer goods is provided, the container comprising a first flat wall, a second flat wall connected to the first flat wall by a first end, and a second A third flat wall connected to the first flat wall by an end, and at least partially formed from a blank defining a portion of the container. The major axis direction of the first end is transverse to the major axis direction of the second end. The first end and the second end form an adjacent end of the container that contacts at the junction when the container is assembled from a layered blank. Each of the first end and the second end has an inner surface and an outer surface, and the inner surface of the first end and the second end includes the first ablation region (A1) and the first end. Two ablation areas (A2) are defined respectively. Each ablation region (A1, A2) has a remaining thickness less than the thickness (T) of the layered blank, a longitudinal length of each end, and a respective width extending across the length. One or more ablation zones are included. At least one of the first ablation region and the second ablation region (A1, A2) includes a first portion and an end portion extending from the first portion. The end portion tapers from the width (W) of the first portion to a point at the junction with the other of the first and second ablation regions (A1, A2). [Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a consumer goods container, and a blank for forming such a container, with particular application for holding consumer goods such as smoking articles (eg, cigarettes).

  Smoking articles such as cigarettes and cigarettes are usually provided in soft or rigid packaging boxes such as flip top boxes or hinged lid boxes. These typically have a box portion with a box front wall, a box rear wall, a box sidewall and a box bottom. They also typically have a lid portion having a lid front wall, a lid rear wall, a lid sidewall, and a lid top. The lid portion is typically hinged to the box portion along a hinge line extending across the rear wall of the container. The hinge lines are usually provided as pre-folded lines, vertical ruled lines, or horizontal ruled lines.

  In rigid packaging boxes, it is known to round or chamfer some corners of the box and lid to give the container a distinctive appearance. It has been typical to achieve this by providing vertical or horizontal ruled lines on the blank in the area forming the edge of the container. These lines allow the blank to be folded in such a way that the corners gradually bend instead of suddenly bending between two adjacent walls.

  However, if the container includes rounded or chamfered adjacent edges that form an angle, such as an orthogonal angle, sometimes the strength and finish of the container are affected during the folding of the blank to form the container. There is a case. In some cases, there may even be a hole or gap at the junction between adjacent rounded or chamfered ends. Thus, not only is the visual and tactile perception of the container affected, but the container may be structurally damaged.

  Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a container for consumer goods that is less prone to damage during the assembly operation and that has an improved look and a smoother feel. In particular, it is desirable that one such container be simple to assemble using standard packaging equipment and techniques without requiring significant changes to existing machinery and methods. At the same time, it would be desirable to provide a blank for manufacturing containers for consumer goods that make the production and assembly process easier, more flexible, and less likely to cause damage to the assembled container.

  According to a first aspect of the invention, a container for consumer goods is provided, the container being at least partly formed from a layered blank having a thickness (T). The laminar blank is connected to the first flat wall by the first end, the second flat wall connected to the first flat wall by the first end, and the first flat wall by the second end. A third flat wall defining a portion of the container. The major axis direction of the first end portion is transverse to the major axis direction of the second end portion. The first end and the second end form an adjacent end of the container that contacts at the junction when the container is assembled from a layered blank. Each of the first end and the second end has an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surfaces of the first end and the second end define a first ablation region (A1) and a second ablation region (A2), respectively. Each ablation area (A1, A2) includes one or more ablation zones having a residual thickness less than the thickness (T) of the layered blank, and each ablation area (A1, A2) is at a respective end. Each has a length in the longitudinal direction and a width extending in the transverse direction with respect to the length. Further, at least one of the first ablation region and the second ablation region (A1, A2) includes a first portion and a terminal portion extending from the first portion, the terminal portion being a first portion of the first portion. The width (W) tapers to a point at the junction with the other of the first ablation region and the second ablation region (A1, A2).

  According to a second aspect of the invention, a layered blank is provided for forming a container for a consumer article. The layered blank has a thickness (T) and a first flat wall panel for forming the first flat wall of the container and a first for forming the second flat wall of the container. A second wall panel connected to the first wall panel by the end and a third wall panel connected to the first wall panel by the second end to form a third flat wall of the container. And wall panels. The major axis direction of the first end portion is transverse to the major axis direction of the second end portion. The first end and the second end form an adjacent end of the container that contacts at the junction when the container is assembled from a layered blank. The first end and the second end have an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surfaces of the first end and the second end define a first ablation region (A1) and a second ablation region (A2), respectively. Each ablation region (A1, A2) includes one or more ablation zones having a residual thickness that is less than the thickness (T) of the layered blank. Further, each ablation region (A1, A2) has a major length of a respective modified end and a respective width extending transverse to the length. In addition, at least one of the first ablation region and the second ablation region (A1, A2) extends from the first portion, the first portion, and the width (W) of the first portion. And a terminal portion that tapers to a point at the junction with the other of the first ablation region and the second ablation region (A1, A2).

  Of course, any feature described in connection with one aspect of the invention is equally applicable to any other aspect of the invention.

  In contrast to known blanks / containers, material in the portion of the blank that forms two adjacent non-angular (eg, rounded or chamfered) corners of the container is removed. At least one of the regions tapers toward an intersection with an adjacent ablation region. More particularly, material in the ablation region that extends substantially along the edge of the flat wall of the container is removed. The ablation region has a first portion, for example, having a substantially constant width over at least a portion of its length, and from the first portion substantially the same flat wall of the ablation region and the container. And at least a tapered termination extending to the intersection with another ablation region extending along the adjacent edge.

  If not completely removed, the risk of damaging the blank / container during the folding operation is significantly reduced due to the limited interference between adjacent ablation areas. Thus, the folding of the blank when forming the container is easier and results in a smoother surface when touched. At the same time, the strength of the container at the rounded / chamfered end can be better maintained.

  Thus, in a container according to the present invention, it is easy to form a non-angular end, such as a rounded or chamfered end. When the blank is bent into shape at the rounded or chamfered end, a portion of the overall strain is absorbed by the reduced thickness of each of the ablation areas, thereby resulting in the end of the resulting container It is presumed that the part advantageously has a desired shape that is smoother than if formed using sharp wrinkles. In addition, thanks to the tapered shape and the mutual placement of adjacent ablation zones, the adjacent rounded or chamfered edges of the container are free of any significant damage to the blank or the container that may be caused by the interfering ablation zone. Formed. Thus, the risk of forming holes or gaps in the container during the assembly operation is advantageously greatly reduced.

  Since the external surface of the blank is not affected by the ablation process, the resulting external surface of the container is smoother during some visual and tactile inspections of the consumer. In addition, this smooth rounded surface can be obtained with a relatively small number of ablation zones, thus requiring limited material removal and the strength of the container at rounded or chamfered corners is Advantageously, it can be adjusted to improve both the appearance and resistance of the container.

  Advantageously, the blank can be manufactured by accurately removing material from the rounded corners using a linear ablation tool (eg, laser, blade). Repeated passage of the cutting tool over a given portion of the blank results in a controlled removal of a higher proportion of material, i.e. a reduction in the remaining thickness.

  The term “end” as used herein specifically refers to the end of a container that has a non-angular shape, as seen in a cross-sectional view. This may refer, for example, to a “curved end”, which is the end of a container having an arcuate shape, as seen in a cross-sectional view. The term “arc-shaped” refers to any non-straight line including circular arcs, parabolic arcs, elliptical arcs. Furthermore, this is the "chamfered end", which is the end of the container with a substantially straight shape that forms an angle of 0 to 90 degrees with the adjacent walls of the container, as seen for example in a cross-sectional view. Point to.

  The term “inner surface” is used throughout this specification to refer to the part of a blank that faces the interior of a container (eg, faces consumer goods) when the container is assembled and the container is closed. Used to mean part. Thus, the internal surface is not directly visible to the consumer when the container is closed. The term “external surface” is used throughout this specification to mean the side of the portion of the blank that faces the outside of the container once it is assembled.

  The term “ablation area” as used herein refers to the smallest area of a blank that surrounds all ablation zones on the edge.

  The term “ablation zone” as used herein refers to a curved end region where material has been ablated (eg, removed by a laser beam or blade) from the surface of a layered blank or container. Thus, the remaining thickness of the ablation zone is less than the thickness (T) of the layered blank. The ablation zone is preferably provided as a groove in the blank. This may be formed using a linear ablation tool such as a laser or blade. In embodiments where all ablation zones are defined by parallel grooves in the blank, the area of the ablation area may be considered as the area surrounding all the grooves on the curved end. Thus, in these embodiments, the width of the ablation region may be considered to extend transversely to the groove from the first groove at the curved end to the last groove.

  As used herein, the term “tilted” describes a section of an ablation zone that extends along a direction that forms a non-zero angle with respect to a reference direction (eg, the longitudinal direction of the ablation region or the axis of the vessel wall). Used to do. For example, the “tilted” section of the ablation zone may extend entirely along the direction. In other words, the “tilted” section of the ablation zone may extend along a substantially straight line. Alternatively, the direction along which the “tilted” section of the ablation zone extends may be different. Thus, the “tilted” section of the ablation zone may extend substantially along the polyline or curved line.

  The term “residual thickness” as used herein refers to the minimum distance measured between two opposing surfaces of a wall of a container formed from a layered blank or blank. In practice, the distance of a given location is measured locally perpendicular to the opposite surface. The “residual thickness” of the ablation zone can be constant across the removed zone (flat profile) if material is removed substantially uniformly across all of the ablation zone. Alternatively, the remaining thickness of the ablation zone may vary across the width of the ablation zone (eg, V-shaped, U-shaped groove) if material is removed non-uniformly across the ablation zone.

  As used herein, the terms "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "upper", "lower" and "side" refer to the access opening at the top of the container Means the relative position of the container and its component parts according to the invention when the container is in an upright position. In particular, if the container is a hinge lid container, this means the container in an upright position with the lid in the closed position and the hinge line at the rear of the container. When describing a container according to the present invention, these terms are used regardless of the orientation of the container depicted.

  The term “springback force” is a term known in the art that refers to a particular property of a layered blank. It is often referred to as “wrinkle recovery” and refers to the force (N) required to hold a creased sample bent at 90 degrees for 15 seconds. The measurement is made at the end of 15 seconds. The springback force of a portion of the layered blank can be measured using a known PIRA Crease and Board Stiffness Tester (eg, available from commercially available Messmer and Buchel (UK)). As is known in the art, in order to measure the springback force at the curved end of the container, the sample of the portion to be tested must first be removed from the laminar blank. For rounded corner packs, for the purposes of the present invention, the pack's springback force is 21 from one side of the blank using a sample measuring 38 ± 1 millimeters × 38 ± 0.5 millimeters. It is evaluated with a corner forming part arranged at ± 0.5 mm. The blank should be conditioned at 22 ° C. and 60% relative humidity for at least 24 hours prior to testing.

  In the most general terms, the container according to the invention is at least partly formed from a layered blank having a thickness (T). More particularly, the laminar blank has a first flat wall, a second flat wall connected to the first flat wall by a first end, and a first flat wall by a second end. And defining a portion of the container including a third flat wall connected to the flat wall. The major end direction of the first end is transverse to the major end direction of the second end, and the first end and the second end are joined when the container is assembled from a layered blank. Forming an adjacent end of the container contacting at the part. Each of the first end and the second end has an inner surface and an outer surface, and the inner surface of the first end and the second end includes the first ablation region (A1) and the first end. Two ablation areas (A2) are defined respectively. Each ablation region (A1, A2) has a longitudinal length at each end and a respective width extending transversely to the length, and a remainder less than the thickness (T) of the layered blank. It includes one or more ablation zones with a thickness. At least one of the first ablation region and the second ablation region (A1, A2) includes a first portion and a terminal portion extending from the first portion, the terminal portion being a width of the first portion ( W) tapers from the first ablation region and the point at the junction with the other of the second ablation regions (A1, A2).

  In some embodiments, both the first ablation region and the second ablation region (A1, A2) extend from the respective first portion and from the respective first portion and to the respective first portion. Each end portion tapering from the width of the portion to a point at the junction with the other of the first ablation region and the second ablation region (A1, A2). In these embodiments, the corners of the first flat wall are defined by an inclined ablation zone at the end of the first ablation region (A1) and an inclined ablation zone of the second ablation region (A2) Each inclined ablation zone forms a non-zero angle with the major axis of the respective end.

  This is believed to minimize the interaction between adjacent ends, so that the risk of damaging the container during the assembly process is particularly limited. Furthermore, the finish and appearance of the container is advantageously enhanced.

  Each ablation region (A1, A2) preferably includes a first ablation zone and a second ablation zone extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the end in the first portion of the ablation region. . Further, each of the first ablation zone and the second ablation zone are each disposed proximate to the first flat wall and one of the second flat wall or the third flat wall. .

  At least one of the first ablation region (A1) and the second ablation region (A2) includes a plurality of ablation zones, and all ablation zones in the first portion of the ablation region are end lengths It is preferable to extend parallel to the axial direction.

  Furthermore, the at least one ablation zone is a straight line in the longitudinal direction of the end modified over at least part of the tapered end of the first ablation region (A1) or the second ablation region (A2). It is preferable to extend along. This can help to further weaken the tapered end of the layered blank. This can help create a more gradual curvature and contour around the junction in the container that the adjacent ends of the container contact.

  In the embodiment identified above, the at least one ablation zone has an inclination extending over a portion of the tapered end of the ablation region along a direction that forms a non-zero angle with the major axis of the modified end Preferably including a section.

  Further, at least one of the first ablation region (A1) and the second ablation region (A2) extends in the longitudinal direction of the modified end portion over at least a portion of the tapered end portion of the ablation region. Preferably, it includes a pair of ablation zones and a second pair of ablation zones comprising respective inclined sections forming a non-zero angle with the first pair of ablation zones. The ablation zones in the second pair of ablation zones are symmetric with respect to the ablation zones in the first pair of ablation zones.

  In an alternative embodiment, as described above, the first ablation region (A1) extends from the first portion, the first portion, and from the width of the first portion, the second ablation region (A2). A second ablation region (A2) extending in the longitudinal direction of the end portion over the entire length of the second ablation region (A2). Including ablation zones. Therefore, in these embodiments, the corners of the first flat wall are defined by the straight ablation zone of the second ablation region (A2) and at the end of the end of the first ablation region (A1). It is delimited by an inclined ablation zone that forms a non-zero angle with the major axis of one end.

  In some embodiments, the layered blank comprises a first flat wall, a second flat wall connected to the first flat wall by a first end, and a second end by a second end. A portion of the container is defined that includes a third flat wall connected to the one flat wall and a fourth flat wall connected to the first flat wall by a third end. The major axis direction of the first end portion is transverse to the major axis direction of the second end portion, and is transverse to the major axis direction of the third end portion. The major axis direction of the second end portion is substantially parallel to the major axis direction of the third end portion. When the container is assembled from a layered blank, the first end and the second end form an adjacent end of the container that contacts at the first joint. Similarly, in the assembled container, the first end and the third end form an adjacent end of the container that contacts at the second joint. Each of the first end, the second end, and the third end has an inner surface and an outer surface, and the inner surface includes a first ablation region (A1) and a second ablation region (A2). ) And a third ablation region (A3), respectively. Each ablation region (A1, A2, A3) has a longitudinal length at each end and a respective width extending transversely to the length, and the thickness (T) of the layered blank It includes one or more ablation zones with a residual thickness of less than. The first ablation region (A1) includes a first portion and two opposite end portions extending from the first portion, each end portion being a second portion from the width (W) of the first portion. Tapering to a point at the junction with each one of the ablation region and the third ablation region (A2, A3).

  Each ablation line preferably has a remaining thickness of at least about 5% of the blank thickness (T). More preferably, each ablation line has a remaining thickness of at least about 10% of the blank thickness (T). Even more preferably, each ablation line has a residual thickness of at least about 20% of the blank thickness (T). Additionally or alternatively, it is preferred that each ablation line has a remaining thickness of less than about 50% of the blank thickness (T). More preferably, each ablation line has a remaining thickness of less than about 40% of the blank thickness (T). Even more preferably, each ablation line has a remaining thickness of less than about 30% of the blank thickness (T). In some particularly preferred embodiments, it is preferred that each ablation line has a remaining thickness of about 20% of the blank thickness (T).

  The ablated width of each ablation zone is preferably at least about 0.01 millimeter. More preferably, the ablated width of each ablation zone is at least about 0.05 millimeters. Additionally or alternatively, the ablated width of each ablation zone is less than about 0.4 millimeters. More preferably, the ablated width of each ablation zone is less than about 0.2 millimeters. In some preferred embodiments, the ablated width of each ablation zone is from about 0.01 millimeters to about 0.4 millimeters. Even more preferably, the ablated width of each ablation zone is between about 0.05 millimeters and 0.2 millimeters.

  The container preferably has a springback force of less than about 10 millinewton meters between two flat walls connected by a curved end.

  The container according to the invention has application as a container for consumer goods, in particular as a container for elongated consumer goods such as smoking articles. However, it can also be used for some other types of consumer goods.

  The blank may be formed from any suitable material, including but not limited to cardboard, paperboard, plastic, metal, or combinations thereof. The blank is preferably a layered cardboard blank having a weight of about 100 grams / square meter to about 350 grams / square meter. In preferred embodiments, the thickness of the blank is from about 100 micrometers to about 500 micrometers, preferably from about 200 micrometers to about 350 micrometers.

  The container may optionally include an outer wrapper, which may be a transparent polymer film such as, for example, high or low density polyethylene, polypropylene, directional polypropylene, polyvinylidene chloride, cellulose film, or combinations thereof. Preferably, the outer wrapper is applied in a conventional manner. The outer wrapper can include an opening tape. In addition, the outer wrapper may be printed with images, consumer information, or other data.

  Further, the consumer article may be provided in the container in the form of a bundle wrapped in an inner package formed of metal foil or metallized paper. The inner packaging material can be formed as a laminate of metallized polyethylene film and liner material. The liner material may be superfinished glassine paper. In addition, the inner packaging material may be provided with a print receptive topcoat. The inner package has an access opening through which the consumer goods can be removed when the container lid is in the respective opening position.

The container is preferably a rectangular parallelepiped comprising two wide walls with a gap between two narrow walls. The hinge lid container according to the present invention may be in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped having a longitudinal right end and a transverse right end. Alternatively, the hinge lid container may include one or more longitudinally rounded ends, transverse rounded ends, longitudinal chamfered ends or transverse chamfered ends, or combinations thereof Can be included. For example, a hinge lid container according to the present invention may include, but is not limited to:
One or two major rounded or chamfered ends of the front wall and / or one or two major rounded or chamfered ends of the rear wall.
One or two transversely rounded or chamfered edges of the front wall and / or one or two transversely rounded or chamfered edges of the rear wall.
One longitudinal rounded end and one longitudinal chamfered end of the front wall and / or one transverse rounded end and one transverse direction of the rear wall Chamfered end.
One or two transverse rounded or chamfered edges of the front wall and one or two longitudinal rounded or chamfered edges of the rear wall.
Two longitudinal rounded or chamfered ends of the first side wall or two transverse rounded or chamfered ends of the second side wall.

  Where the container includes one or more chamfered ends, the chamfered end width is preferably from about 1 mm to about 10 mm, and preferably from about 2 mm to about 6 mm. Alternatively, the container has a plurality of chamfered ends formed by parallel vertical or horizontal ruled lines spaced such that two or more distinct chamfers are formed on at least one end of the container. May be included.

  Alternatively, the container may have a non-rectangular cross section, eg, a polygon (such as a triangle or hexagon), or a semi-elliptical, or semi-circular.

  Containers according to the present invention have particular application as packs for elongated smoking articles, such as, for example, cigarettes, cigars or cigarillos. Of course, by proper selection of its dimensions, the container according to the invention can be designed for different numbers of conventional sizes, king sizes, super king sizes, slim or super slim cigarettes. Alternatively, other consumer goods can be contained in the container.

  By appropriate selection of dimensions, containers according to the present invention can be designed to hold different total numbers of smoking articles or different arrangements of smoking articles. For example, with an appropriate choice of dimensions, a container according to the present invention can be designed to hold a total of 10-30 smoking articles.

  The smoking articles can be arranged in different arrangements depending on the total number of smoking articles.

  Containers according to the present invention may hold smoking articles of the same type or brand or of different types or brands. In addition, it can include both unfiltered smoking articles and smoking articles with various filter tips, as well as smoking articles of different lengths (eg, about 40 mm to about 180 mm) and diameters (eg, about 4 mm to about 9 mm). . The dimensions of the container are preferably adapted to the length of the smoking article and the way the smoking article is arranged. The external dimensions of the container are typically about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm larger than the dimensions of the bundle of smoking articles contained within the container.

  The length, width and depth of the container according to the present invention may be sized such that the resulting overall dimensions of the container are similar to those of a typical disposable pack of 20 cigarettes.

  The height of the container according to the present invention is preferably about 60 mm to about 150 mm, more preferably about 70 mm to about 125 mm, where the height is from the bottom wall to the top wall of the container. It is measured.

  The width of the container according to the present invention is preferably about 12 mm to about 150 mm, more preferably about 70 mm to about 125 mm, where the width is measured from one side wall of the container to the other side wall. It is a thing.

  The depth of the container according to the present invention is preferably from about 6 mm to about 150 mm, more preferably from about 12 mm to about 25 mm, where the depth was measured from the front wall to the rear wall of the container. Is.

  The ratio of container height to container depth is preferably from about 0.3 to 1 to about 10 to 1, more preferably from about 2 to 1 to about 8 to 1, and from about 3 to 1 Most preferably, it is 5 to 1.

  The ratio of container width to container depth is preferably from about 0.3 to 1 to about 10 to 1, more preferably from about 2 to 1 to about 8 to 1, and from about 2 to 1 to 3. Most preferred is one-to-one.

  The ratio of the height of the lid rear wall to the height of the box rear wall of the outer sleeve is preferably from about 0 to 1 (the lid is at the top of the container) to about 1 to 1, preferably about 1 to 5 More preferred is about 1:10, and most preferred is about 1: 6 to about 1: 8.

  The ratio of the outer sleeve lid front wall height to the outer sleeve box front wall height is preferably between about 1 to 0 (the lid covers the entire front wall) to about 1 to 10. About 1 to about 1 to 5, more preferably about 1 to 2 to about 1 to 3.

  The outer surface of the container according to the present invention may be decorated by printing, embossing, debossing or other methods using manufacturer or brand logos, trademarks, slogans and other consumer information and indicia.

  Containers according to the present invention may be filled and assembled using conventional devices and methods modified to include the step of forming a cutting zone in the blank. The ablation zone may be created using an ablation tool such as a laser or a blade. Lasers are particularly preferred as ablation tools that can allow a wide variety of ablation profiles and configurations with the minimum adjustment required for laser tools. For example, the laser can be repeatedly passed through a given location in the blank to repeatedly remove different amounts of material, allowing a very finely controlled ablation profile. This is particularly advantageous when narrow, finely cut lines are required. The relative motion of the laser and blank can be precisely controlled to form any type of pattern with removal intensity ("depth") that varies across the ablation area.

  The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the following accompanying drawings.

Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary portion of a layered blank used to determine the springback force of the blank. Fig. 4 illustrates an apparatus for determining a blank springback force. 1 shows a schematic top view of the details of a first embodiment of a layered blank for the manufacture of a container according to the invention. Figure 3 shows a schematic top view of the details of a second embodiment of a layered blank for the production of a container according to the invention.

  FIG. 3 illustrates the surface of a cardboard layered blank 100 having a thickness (T) of about 300 micrometers. This includes a first wall panel 101 for forming the first flat wall of the container, a second wall panel 102 for forming the second flat wall of the container, and a third flat panel of the container. And a third wall panel 103 forming a wall. The first end 104 connects the first wall panel 101 and the second wall panel 102. The second end 105 connects the first wall panel 101 and the third wall panel 103. The major axis direction of the first end portion 104 is substantially perpendicular to the major axis direction of the second end portion 105. When the container is assembled from the blank, the first end 104 and the second end 105 form the adjacent ends of the container that contact at the joint.

  The surfaces of the first end 104 and the second end 105 define a first ablation region A1 and a second ablation region A2, respectively. As will be described in more detail below, each ablation region A1, A2 includes a plurality of ablation zones where the remaining thickness is less than the thickness (T) of the layered blank. The ablation zone defines a fragile region so that the blank 100 can be bent easily when the container is assembled, and a rounded corner of the container can be formed. The remaining thickness of each of the ablation zones is about 20 percent of the blank thickness (T). The ablation zone is formed in the blank 100 by laser ablation.

  Each ablation region A1, A2 has a longitudinal length of a respective end 104, 105 and a respective width extending transversely to the length.

  The first ablation region A1 extends from the first portion 106 and the first portion 106 and terminates from the width of the first portion 106 to a point at the junction with the second ablation region A2. Part 107.

  The first ablation zone A1 has a first ablation zone 201 and a second ablation zone 202 extending parallel in the longitudinal direction of the first end 104 in the first portion 106 of the ablation zone A1. Including. The first ablation zone 201 and the second ablation zone 202 taper across the end portion 107 to the end at the junction with the second ablation region A2.

  The first ablation zone 201 is disposed proximate to the first wall panel 101 and the second ablation zone 202 is disposed proximate to the second wall panel 102. In addition, the first ablation region A1 includes four ablation zones 203, 204, 205, 206 that extend parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first end 104 in the first portion 106 of the ablation region.

  The pair of ablation zones formed by the ablation zones 204 and 205 extends in the longitudinal direction of the first end 104 and further to a portion of the tapered end portion 107 of the first ablation region A1. In contrast, the pair of ablation zones 203 and 206 includes respective inclined sections 2031 and 2061 that form an angle of about 10 degrees with the ablation zones 204 and 205. As illustrated in FIG. 3, ablation zones 203 and 206 are symmetric with respect to the pair formed by ablation zones 204 and 205.

  The second ablation region A2 includes a plurality of ablation zones 300 extending in the longitudinal direction of the second end portion 105 over the entire length of the second ablation region A2. Thus, the corners of the first flat wall panel 101 are cut by the substantially straight cut zone 300 of the second cut region A2 and by the tapered portion of the cut zone 201 of the first cut region A1. Delimited.

  FIG. 4 illustrates the surface of another cardboard layered blank 400. Only where the cardboard layered blank 400 differs from the cardboard layered blank 100 will be described below, and parts of the blank 400 having the same features and functions as the corresponding parts of the layered blank 100 will be denoted by the same reference numerals whenever possible. To be mentioned.

  As illustrated in FIG. 4, the blank 400 has a first ablation region A2 that also extends from the first portion 406 and the first portion 406 and from the width of the first portion 406. It differs from the blank 100 because it includes a termination 407 that tapers to a point at the junction with A1. The mutual arrangement of the ablation zones 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506 in the second ablation area A 2 is the same as that of the ablation zones 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206 in the first ablation area A 1 described above. Corresponds to mutual placement.

  Thus, in the blank 400, the corners of the first flat wall panel 101 are tapered by the tapered portion of the ablation zone 501 in the second ablation area A2 and in the ablated zone 201 of the first ablation area A1. Separated by parts.

Claims (15)

A container for consumer goods, wherein the container is at least partially formed from a layered blank having a thickness (T), the layered blank defining a portion of the container, the container comprising:
The first flat wall,
A second flat wall connected to the first flat wall by a first end;
A third flat wall connected to the first flat wall by a second end;
The major axis direction of the first end is transverse to the major axis direction of the second end, and when the container is assembled from the layered blank, the first end and the first Forming two adjacent ends of the container where the two ends contact at the junction;
Each of the first end and the second end has an inner surface and an outer surface, and the inner surface of the first end and the second end is a first ablation region (A1). ) And a second ablation area (A2), respectively,
Each ablation area (A1, A2) includes one or more ablation zones having a residual thickness less than the thickness (T) of the layered blank, and each ablation area (A1, A2) is the respective ablation area (A1, A2). Having an end length in the longitudinal direction and a respective width extending transversely to the length;
At least one of the first ablation region and the second ablation region (A1, A2) includes a first portion and a termination extending from the first portion, the termination being the first A container for consumer goods that tapers from a width (W) of a portion of the portion to a point at the junction with the other of the first ablation region and the second ablation region (A1, A2).   Both the first ablation region and the second ablation region (A1, A2) extend from the respective first part and the respective first part and from the width of the respective first part. Each terminal portion tapering to a point at the junction with the other of the first ablation region and the second ablation region (A1, A2). container. Each ablation zone includes a first ablation zone and a second ablation zone extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the end in the first portion of the ablation zone;
Each of the first ablation zone and the second ablation zone is proximate to one of the first flat wall and the first flat wall or the second flat wall, respectively. The container according to claim 1, wherein the container is disposed as follows.   At least one of the first ablation region (A1) and the second ablation region (A2) includes a plurality of ablation zones, and all of the ablation zones are within the first portion of the ablation region. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the container extends in parallel with the major axis direction of the end portion.   At least one ablation zone extends in the longitudinal direction of the modified end over at least a portion of the tapered end of the first ablation region (A1) or the second ablation region (A2). The container according to claim 4.   At least one ablation zone includes a sloped section extending across a portion of the tapered end of the ablation region along a direction that forms a non-zero angle with the major axis of the modified end; The container according to any one of claims 3 to 5. At least one of the first ablation region (A1) and the second ablation region (A2) extends in the major axis direction of the end over at least a portion of the tapered end portion of the ablation region. A first pair of ablation zones; and a second pair of ablation zones including respective inclined sections forming a non-zero angle with said first pair of ablation zones;
7. The container of claim 6, wherein the ablation zone of the second pair of ablation zones is symmetric with respect to the ablation zone of the first pair of ablation zones.   A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the remaining thickness of each of the ablation zones is less than about 50 percent of the thickness (T) of the layered blank.   9. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the remaining thickness of each of the one or more ablation zones is at least about 5 percent of the thickness (T) of the layered blank.   The first ablation region (A1) extends from the first part and the point at the junction between the first part and the second ablation region (A2) from the width of the first part. A plurality of ablation zones, wherein the second ablation region (A2) extends in the longitudinal direction of the end portion over the entire length of the second ablation region (A2). A container according to claim 1 comprising. A fourth flat wall connected to the first flat wall by a third end, and when the container is assembled from the layered blank, the first end and the third end; The major axis direction of the third end is transverse to the major axis direction of the first end so that a portion forms an adjacent end of the container that contacts at a second joint. And is substantially parallel to the major axis direction of the second end,
The third end has an inner surface and an outer surface, and the inner surface of the third end crosses the length of the third end in the major axis direction and the length. Defining a third ablation region (A3) having a width extending
The third ablation region (A3) includes one or more ablation zones having a residual thickness less than the thickness (T) of the layered blank, and the first ablation region (A1) And two opposing terminations extending from the first portion, each termination having a width (W) of the first portion and the second and third ablation regions (A2, A3) The container of claim 1, wherein the container tapers to a point at one of the junctions of each.   The container has a springback force of less than about 10 millinewton meters between the first flat wall and at least one of the first flat wall or the second flat wall; The container according to any one of claims 1 to 11.   The container according to any one of claims 1 to 12, which houses a smoking article. A layered blank for forming a container for consumer goods, said blank having a thickness (T), and
A first wall panel for forming a first flat wall of the container;
A second panel connected to the first wall panel by a first end to form a second flat wall of the container;
A third wall panel connected to the first flat wall by a second end to form a third flat wall of the container;
When the major axis direction of the first end is transverse to the major axis direction of the second end and the container is assembled from the layered blank, the first end and Forming an adjacent end of the container with which the second end contacts at the junction;
The first end and the second end have an inner surface and an outer surface, and the inner surface of the first end and the second end includes a first ablation region (A1) and a first Two ablation areas (A2) are defined respectively;
Each ablation area (A1, A2) includes one or more ablation zones having a residual thickness less than the thickness (T) of the layered blank, and each ablation area (A1, A2) is the respective ablation area (A1, A2). Having an end length in the longitudinal direction and a respective width extending transversely to the length;
At least one of the first ablation region and the second ablation region (A1, A2) includes a first portion and a width (W of the first portion) extending from the first portion. ) To a point at the junction with the other of the first ablation region and the second ablation region (A1, A2), and a layered blank.   Both the first ablation region and the second ablation region (A1, A2) extend from the respective first part and the respective first part and from the width of the respective first part. 15, each termination portion tapering to a point at the junction with the other of the first ablation region and the second ablation region (A1, A2). Layered blank.

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