KR101905203B1 - Hinge lid container having hermetic seal - Google Patents

Abstract

A container (2, 50) for a consumer article comprises: a box (10) (10 ') for receiving a consumer article; An inner frame (30) installed in the box with an upper portion extending over the upper edges of the box; And a hinge lid (20, 20 ') connected to the box along the hinge line (A) and rotatable about a hinge line between an open position and a closed position, the inner surfaces of the hinge lid The outer surface of the upper portion of the housing. The inner surfaces of the hinge lid and the outer surfaces of the upper portion of the inner frame 30 are covered by a seal coat layer 138 of a sealable material having sealing capability. The seal coat layers 138 on the contact surfaces of the inner frame and the hinge lid prior to the initial opening of the hinge lid are bonded together to form an airtight seal.

Description

[0001] HINGE LID CONTAINER HAVING HERMETIC SEAL WITH HYDRAULIC SEALING [0002]

The present invention relates to a hinge lid container with a sealable coating layer providing a container with a hermetic seal prior to initial opening. The container according to the present invention has a specific use as a container for smoking articles such as a filter cigarette.

It is known to pack consumer goods in a hinged lid container formed from a folded laminar blank. For example, an elongated smoking article such as a cigarette and a cigar typically includes a box for receiving the smoking article and a hinge lid pack having a lid connected to the box around a hinge line extending across the rear wall of the container. (pack). These packs are typically constructed from a one-piece lamina cardboard blank. In use, the lid is rotated around the hinge line to open the pack, so that access to the boxed smoking article is possible.

Hinge lid containers are often used to package cigarettes and other consumer items that are adversely affected by prolonged contact with air or moisture. Therefore, prior to the initial opening, a filled container is an outer wrapper that provides a barrier layer to prevent penetration or release of air, moisture, odor, or flavor into and out of the container during storage. Lt; / RTI > Transparent plastic materials such as polypropylene are commonly used for this purpose. The provision of the outer wrapper ensures that the consumable remains fresh for a longer period of time and increases the shelf life of the consumable. However, the effectiveness of the outer wrapper depends on the quality of the seal provided at the ends of the sealed and folded outer wrapper.

Conventional cigarette box packaging consists of a bundle of cigarettes packed in a paper / metal foil laminate sheet, typically housed in a container formed of a carton board. The container generally has a hinged lid to provide access to the cigarette bundle. The container is often formed from a preprinted blank of a folded board stock and wrapped around the cigarette bundle. The container is packaged with a heat sealable transparent film, most commonly polypropylene, with built-in tear tape to aid in easy opening.

Of these packaging components, only the outermost film significantly contributes to the shelf life stability of the packaged cigarettes. The plastic film acts as a moisture barrier, but its effectiveness is highly dependent on obtaining a suitable seal in the folded wrapped areas of the film package. Nevertheless, when the packaged cigarettes are exposed to an environment having a relative humidity that is higher or lower than the internal humidity of the tobacco pack, a low moisture barrier transmission rate through the plastic film causes the starting humidity of the cigarettes and other volatile components Helping to keep it as it is. Although polypropylene films are commonly employed as outer packaging materials, other film materials, such as vacuum metallized plastic films, which provide a reduced moisture transmission rate have been used, but when these materials are wrapped around the container Is still very much dependent on obtaining suitable seals of the folded overlap regions of the film.

For example, in WO-A-2009/083344 it has been proposed to apply a continuous plastic coating layer over a filled container to provide an improved seal.

The present invention aims to provide a new way of preventing the penetration or release of air, moisture, odor, or flavor into and out of the container during storage.

According to the present invention there is provided a container for a consumer article, comprising: a box for containing the consumable article; An inner frame installed in the box with an upper portion extending over upper edges of the box; And a hinge lid connected to the box along the hinge line and pivotable about a hinge line between an open position and a closed position, And contacts the outer surfaces of the upper portion. The inner surfaces of the hinge lid and the outer surfaces of the upper portion of the inner frame are at least partially covered by a seal coating layer of a sealable material. This material may be applied to other areas of the container itself or of non-covered containers such as, for example, a coated cardboard, or other areas of the container itself and other uncovered areas of the container It may be possible to seal both of them. Prior to the initial opening of the hinge lid, the sealing coatings on the contacting surfaces of the inner frame and the hinge lid are bonded together to form a hermetic seal.

The 'inner surfaces' of the components of the container of the present invention are those surfaces that face inward toward the interior of the container and the consumables in the box. The inner surfaces typically provide inner surfaces of the container when the hinge lid is in the closed position. The components of the container include not only the inner frame but also the lid and box of the container.

The "outer surfaces" of the components of the container of the present invention are the surfaces that are spaced apart from the consumable in the box and facing outwardly toward the exterior of the container. In some cases, the outer surfaces of the component, such as the box, may also provide the outer surfaces of the container when the hinge lid is in the open position and the closed position. In other cases, the outer surfaces of the component can not form the outer surfaces of the container in both the open position and the closed position, but instead, the hinge lid can be in the open position, closed position, The panels can be covered. For example, when the hinge lid is in the closed position, the outer surfaces of the upper portion of the inner frame are covered by the hinge lid. The rest of the outer surfaces of the inner frame are covered by the box walls at both locations.

The term " sealable " is used to refer to the type of adhesive material that can form a seal upon exposure to a particular environment, such as heat, pressure, ultrasound, or ultraviolet light. Prior to exposure to this particular environment, the sealable material will typically not adhere to the container itself or to other surfaces. This means that it can be easily applied to the lamina blank to form the container according to the invention during the filling of the container and during the production of the blank before assembly. In the container of the present invention, in order to secure the hinge lid in the closed position and to provide a water vapor tight hermetic seal between the hinge lid and the inner frame until the container is first opened, The container itself or other areas of the container may be sealed.

A "hermetic seal" according to the present invention is a hermetic seal which is configured to move from the outside through the container to the inside where moisture and humidity are contained in the consumable article and to move from the inside of the container toward the outside of the container, Clogging is a form of water vapor barrier closure. This ensures that the moisture inside the container remains substantially constant during the time the container is closed. This advantageously increases the shelf life of the consumable articles contained in the container.

Preferably, the moisture transmission rate through the airtight seal of the containers according to the invention is less than 15 grams of water per square meter per meter when measured according to ASTM Method D3079-94. More preferably, the moisture transmission rate through the hermetically sealed portion of the containers according to the present invention is between about 0.2 grams of water per square meter of surface area of the seal and about 8 grams of water per square meter per day.

In closed hinge lid containers, the primary method by which gases such as oxygen or water vapor can penetrate into the consumer articles contained within the container of the container is through a gap between the hinge lid and the box or inner frame . Therefore, in the hinge lid containers according to the present invention, a sealing coating layer is provided on the contact surfaces of the inner frame and the hinge lid to provide a gas-tight seal so that the gas can no longer enter the container through these gaps.

Advantageously, the airtight seal provided by the seal coat layer provides an effective barrier layer so that no outer wrapper or coating layer is required to achieve the desired freshness level for the consumer article in the container. Thus, the final step of overwrapping the container can be removed from the packaging process. Therefore, no packaging equipment and no packaging material is required. Therefore, the production process of the containers according to the present invention is more efficient than existing processes in terms of time and cost.

In addition, advantageously, the gas-tight seal formed by the adherence of the seal coat layers is a tamper evident seal that allows the consumer to distinguish in any way whether the container has been previously opened or tampered. Shape. The airtight seal must be intact at the point of sale of the filled container and broken by the consumer to access the consumable item. The presence of an unbroken seal between the hinge lid and the inner frame indicates that the hinge lid has not yet been opened and that the consumable has not been accessed. This can also indicate to the consumer that the consumer item in the container is still fresh because the airtight seal has not yet broken.

Advantageously, a sealable coating material can be applied to the surfaces of the container during the production of the lamina blank, so that a process of assembling and filling the containers according to the present invention can be carried out using conventional apparatus and methods. The only necessary change to the process is to allow the filled container to be subjected to necessary conditions such as heat or pressure to form an adhesion between the seal coat layers on the inner frame and the hinge lid. Alternatively, the panels are sealed to each other in succession in separate sealing steps.

In order to provide a water vapor barrier seal between the hinge lid and the inner frame, the seal coating layer preferably includes inner surfaces of the hinge lid which are brought into contact with each other when the hinge lid is in the closed position, Cover the area. Furthermore, this prevents ingress of gas into the vessel through any cracks or breaks in the seal.

Full coverage of the seal coat layer can be easily achieved by coating the entire surface of the lamina blank or blanks used to form the hinge lid and the inner frame. For example, the inner surface of a lamina blank to form a hinge lid (and optionally a box) of containers according to the present invention is fully covered with a coating layer of a sealable material. The "inner surface" of the lamina blank refers to the surfaces on the sides of the blank that will form most of the inner surfaces of the box and hinge lid when the container is assembled. Typically, the majority of the opposite outer surface will be printed with graphics and text to be displayed outside the assembled container.

Once sealed, the sealable material should provide a sufficiently strong seal between the hinge lid and the inner frame so that the seal remains hermetic prior to the initial opening of the container and the hinge lid remains securely in place. However, it should also be possible for the consumer to easily break the seal and remove the hinge lid from the inner frame in order to access the consumer item without damaging the container. Therefore, the sealing force between the hinge lid and the inner frame is preferably between 2 Newtons and 7 Newtons, preferably between about 2 Newtons and 4 Newtons.

Preferably, the seal coating layer on the outer surfaces of the inner frame extends below the height of the free ends of the box so that the seal coat layer can be further utilized to provide an airtight seal between the inner surfaces of the box and the inner frame have. This is particularly convenient when the inner surface of the lamina blank or blanks forming the hinge lid and box is completely coated with a sealable material. Advantageously, this also simplifies the placement of the inner frame in the box when a sealable substance is present above and below the upper edge of the box front wall. The seal between the box and the inner frame ensures that the inner frame is held in place in the box and further improves the sealing of the container before the initial opening.

The seal coat layer can be made of any suitable seal material capable of sealing under certain circumstances that can be readily provided during the production of the filler container without adversely affecting the consumer in the container. A preferred sealable material comprises a heat seal material that can be sealed while being tacky under heat application. Suitable sealable materials include water-based or non-aqueous based materials that may later be resistant to water or water vapor. For example, suitable sealable materials include, but are not limited to, polyolefins, PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride) resins, and adhesive waxes. Preferably, the outer wrapper is a sealable polyolefin such as one or a combination of polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene, an ethylene-propylene copolymer, a propylene-butyl Propylene-butylene terpolymer, ethylene-propylene-butylene copolymer, ethylene-butylene copolymer and ethylene-propylene-butylene terpolymer.

The seal coat layer is preferably applied in the form of a solvent, oil or water borne emulsion or dispersion consisting of at least one of the coating materials described above. The dry weight of the coating layer is preferably between about 1 gsm (gram per square meter) and about 100 gsm.

The containers according to the present invention will typically be assembled in a conventional manner, by folding one or more lamina blanks around the consumable article and sealing the overlapping panels of the lamina blanks together to maintain the container in an assembled configuration. This can be achieved using a conventional paste or adhesive. However, in the case of using standard gluing techniques, the adhesive used to seal the overlapping panels of the container typically does not apply to the entire surface area of the contact surfaces. Therefore, even if the overlapping panels are successfully secured to each other, there may be gaps or channels extending between the interior of the container and the exterior of the container where no adhesive is provided. This means that the seal between the overlapping panels may not be completely water vapor barrier so that air or moisture may move into the container and adversely affect the consumable.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, at least one wall of each container comprises an inner panel and an outer panel overlapping the inner panel, wherein the contact surfaces of the outer panel and the inner panel are made of a sealable material The sealing coating layer is covered and the sealing coating layers on the contact surfaces of the outer panel and the inner panel are bonded together to form an airtight seal. Preferably, the area covered by the sealable coating is about 100 percent of the contact surface. Alternatively, a lower cover range can be achieved, for example, between about 30 percent and about 100 percent of the contact surface, through appropriate selection of the pattern. The sealable material between the overlapping inner panel and the outer panel is preferably the same material as used to provide an airtight seal between the inner frame and the hinge lid, as described above.

Preferably, the sealable material is used in place of conventional adhesives to hermetically seal all overlapping panels of the container, as well as to seal the hinge lid and the inner frame. For example, in conventional hinge-lid containers, the sealable material can be used to seal overlapping panels that form side walls and bottom walls of the box as well as side walls and top walls of the hinge lid. have. In this way, all the seals provided in the vessel are water vapor barrier and the movement of moisture into the vessel can be further reduced.

The sealable material, such as at the contact surfaces of the hinge lid and the inner frame, preferably has an inner surface and an outer surface of the overlapping outer panel so that there is no air or moisture- The entire surface area of the contact surfaces must be covered.

Preferably, the sealing force between the overlapping panels is adjusted so that the seal is kept airtight and strong enough to withstand the stresses that can be affected in the supply chain or during use. Unlike the seal between the hinge lid and the inner frame, it is generally undesirable that the seal between the overlapping panels of the container can be broken by the consumer. In addition, these seals must remain untouched when the necessary force is applied to break the seal between the hinge lid and the inner frame. Therefore, the sealing force between the overlapping panels should be at least about four newtons, preferably at least equal to the sealing force between the hinge lid and the inner frame, and more preferably greater.

Preferably, the sealing coating layer is applied to the corresponding panels of the lamina blank or blanks forming the box and hinge lid so that the panels are completely covered. In the preferred embodiments, the inner surfaces of the lamina blanks or blanks are completely covered with a seal coating layer as described above. In addition, the outer surfaces of the panels forming the inner panels of the hinge lid and the panels overlapping in the box must be completely covered with a seal coating layer. If desired, both sides of the lamina blank or blanks can be completely covered with the seal coat layer.

Preferably, the consumer products in the box of containers according to the present invention are packaged in an inner liner to further ensure freshness of the consumable product during storage. Preferably, the innerliner comprises at least one line of weakness defining an opening tab, wherein the opening tab extends from the rest of the innerliner to provide an access opening in the innerliner Removable, and the consumer can be removed through the access opening. If desired, a resealable adhesive label may be provided on the opening tab of the inner liner so that the unsealed opening tab may be resealed in the closed position.

In certain preferred embodiments, the opening tab of the innerliner is attached to the inner surface of the hinge lid such that movement of the hinge lid to the open position results in separation of the opening tab from the rest of the innerliner to form an access opening. The opening tabs may be attached directly to the inner surface of the hinge lid, or may be attached to the surface using an adhesive label.

Preferably, the inner liner is at least partially in contact with the box, and the inner surface of the box and the outer surface of the inner liner are at least partially covered by a seal coating layer of a sealable material. Preferably, the seal coating layers on the contact surfaces of the box and inner liner are bonded together. The sealing force between the innerliner and the box is preferably about 4 Newtons. The sealable material used to bond the inner liner to the box is preferably the same as that used to form the airtight seal between the hinge lid and the inner frame. A sealable material fastens the inner liner to the box so that the opening tab can be easily separated from the rest of the inner liner without removing the inner liner or pulling the entire inner liner out of the box.

Preferably, the innerliner is formed of a metal foil or metallized paper.

In the preferred embodiments, the lamina blank for forming the box is already completely covered with a seal coating layer on the inner surface as described above. In addition, in order to obtain a seal between the inner liner and the box, the seal coat layer must be applied to at least a portion of the outer surface of the inner liner.

Preferably, the containers according to the present invention further comprise a layer of resealable adhesive applied over the seal coating layer in at least one area on the outer surface of the inner frame, the resealable adhesive having a hinge lid at the closed position Releasably sealed. Once the airtight seal is broken, the resealable adhesive enables the hinge lid to be sealed in the closed position upon its unused use. In this way, the hinge lid is unintentionally opened. This ensures that the freshness of the consumer article is maintained as high as possible after the initial opening of the container and also prevents dust or other foreign particles from entering the container and coming into contact with the consumable article.

Preferably, the resealable adhesive will provide sufficient adhesive force to allow the hinge lid to be sewn in the closed position at least as much as there is a consumer item in the container so that it can be used to reseal the hinge lid until the container is empty .

Materials suitable for use as resealable adhesives are known to those of ordinary skill in the art. In one example of the present invention, the resealable adhesive comprises an acrylate component. Preferably, the resealable adhesive is applied in the form of a water-soluble emulsion or dispersion containing the adhesive component. The dry weight of the resealable adhesive is preferably between about 1 gsm and about 50 gsm.

Preferably, the front wall of the hinge lid includes a pull tab extending from the free end of the front wall. Preferably, the front wall of the box includes a cutout at a free end corresponding to a pull tab of the hinge lid in size, shape, and position so that when the hinge lid is in the closed position, Lt; / RTI > The pull tab facilitates breaking of the hermetic seal between the hinge lid and the inner frame during opening of the hinge lid, particularly during the initial opening of the container. If desired, the pull tab may be connected to the front wall along a hinge line, such as a fold line, to further facilitate grasping of the pull tab by the consumer during use. The pull tab may extend partially across the free end of the front wall of the hinge lid or may extend all the way across the free end. In the case where the pull tab extends only across a portion of the free end, the pull tab is preferably provided at a substantially central portion of the free end of the front wall.

In certain preferred embodiments of the present invention the container further comprises an adhesive tear tape applied over one or more free ends of the hinge lid prior to the initial opening of the hinge lid to seal the hinge lid in the closed position. The adhesive tare tape provides an additional hermetic seal around at least a portion of the junction of the inner frame or corresponding free end of the box and the hinge lid when the hinge lid is in the closed position. This further improves the closure seal of the hinge lid. The adhesive tear tape must be removed from the container before the hinge lid can be moved to the open position.

Preferably, the adhesive tear tape extends at least along the junction of the free end of the box front wall or the inner frame and the edge of the front wall of the hinge lid. Optionally, the adhesive tear tape may also extend along the junction of the inner frame of box side walls or the corresponding free ends with the edges of the side walls of the hinge lid so that the tare tape covers the entire length of the free end of the hinge lid . Preferably, the free ends of the front and side walls of the hinge lid are substantially horizontal when the adhesive tear tape extends along the junctions of the side walls of the container. Thus, the junction between the box or inner frame and the hinge lid extends around the container in a substantially straight line. This facilitates the application and removal of adhesive tear tape.

Materials suitable for applying tear tapes will be known to those of ordinary skill in the art. In one example, a tare tape made of oriented polypropylene (OPP) is provided.

Alternatively, or in addition to the adhesive tear tape, the containers according to the present invention may further comprise an adhesive label provided over the free ends of the hinge lid to connect the hinge lid to the box part prior to the initial opening of the container And the label includes a weak section line that substantially coincides with the free end of the hinge lid so that when the hinge lid is first moved into the open position, the label is separated along the weak section line. The adhesive label provides another form of tamper evident seal, because the presence of the unattached adhesive label provides evidence that the container has not yet been tampered or tampered with.

Preferably, the containers according to the present invention further comprise a cut extending from each of the opposed ends of the hinge line across the rear wall to the adjacent side edge of the rear wall of the container . Preferably, each cut extends 2 mm or less from the side edge. Typically, similarly arranged cuts are provided in conventional hinge lid containers to enhance the opening and closing of the hinge lid. However, in the containers of the present invention, cuts are shorter in length than conventional containers. For example, preferably the cuts in the containers according to the invention are about half the length of the cuts in conventional containers. The shortening of the length of the cuts further reduces the path to oxygen, moisture, or any potential vessel through which other gases can travel during storage. Thus, the shortened cuts further improve the seal provided by the containers according to the invention before the initial opening.

As described above, the containers according to the present invention are preferably formed of one or more lamina blanks provided with seal coating layers on appropriate surfaces of the blank or blanks.

According to the present invention there is provided a lamina blank for forming a container according to the invention as described above comprising a box defining portion and a hinge lid defining portion, the inner surface of the hinge lid defining portion being capable of sealing Is covered with a seal coat layer made of a sealable material. The lamina blank of the present invention is used in combination with a lamina blank for forming an inner frame, which is provided in the box of the container and provided with a seal coating layer on the outer surfaces, for bonding with the seal coat layer on the inner surface of the hinge lid .

According to the present invention there is also provided a method of airtightly sealing a container for a consumable article according to the invention as described above, comprising: providing a seal coat layer on outer surfaces of the inner frame and inner surfaces of the hinge lid, ; Providing a consumable item within the box portion; Moving the hinge lid to a closed position; And bonding seal coat layers of the contact surfaces of the hinge lid and the inner frame to provide a hermetic seal. The step of bonding in the method of the present invention preferably includes exposing the coating to heat, pressure, or both heat and pressure to cause adhesion of the sealable material.

The containers according to the present invention may be in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped having orthogonal longitudinal and transverse transverse edges. Alternatively, the container may include one or more rounded longitudinal edges, rounded transverse edges, bevelled longitudinal edges, or inclined transverse edges, or combinations thereof. For example, containers according to the present invention include, without limitation:

- one or two longitudinally rounded or inclined edges at the front wall and / or one or two longitudinally rounded or inclined edges at the rear wall,

- one or two transverse rounded or inclined edges at the front wall and / or one or two transverse rounded or inclined edges at the rear wall,

- one longitudinal rounded edge and one longitudinal oblique edge at the front wall and / or one transverse rounded edge and one transverse sloping edge at the rear wall,

- one or two transverse rounded or sloping edges at the front wall and one or two longitudinal rounded or sloping edges at the front wall,

Two rounded or inclined edges at the first side wall or two lateral rounded or inclined edges at the second side wall

. ≪ / RTI >

If the container comprises more than one rounded edge and is made from more than one lamina blank, preferably the blank is formed from three, four, five, six, or seven A scoring line or a creasing line. The scoring lines or creasing lines may be inside or outside the container. Preferably, the scoring lines or creasing lines are spaced apart from each other by an interval of between about 0.3 mm and 4 mm.

Preferably, the spacing of the creasing lines or scoring lines is a function of the thickness of the lamina blanks. Preferably, the spacing between the creasing lines or scoring lines is about 0.5 to about 4 times greater than the thickness of the lamina blank.

Where the container comprises more than one tapered edge, preferably the tapered edge has a width between about 1 mm and about 10 mm, and preferably between about 2 mm and about 6 mm. Alternatively, the container may comprise a double bevel formed by three parallel creasing or scoring lines spaced apart to form two distinct bevels at the edge of the container.

Where the container comprises a beveled edge and is made of one or more lamina blanks, the bevel can be formed by two parallel creasing lines or scoring lines in the lamina blank. Creasing lines or scoring lines may be symmetrically arranged at the edge between the first wall and the second wall. Alternatively, the creasing lines or scoring lines may be arranged asymmetrically at the edge between the first wall and the second wall such that the slope reaches more inside the second wall of the container than inside the first wall of the container .

Alternatively, the container may have a non-rectangular cross-section, such as a triangular or hexagonal, or polygonal cross-section, such as elliptical, semi-oval, circular, or semicircular.

The container according to the present invention has particular application as a pack for an extended smoking article, such as, for example, a cigarette, a cigar, or a cigarillo.

According to the present invention there is provided a hermetically sealed smoking article pack comprising a container according to the invention as described above together with a plurality of smoking articles housed in a box part, And the seal coat layers on the inner surface of the hinge lid provide an airtight seal.

Through appropriate selection of dimensions, the containers according to the present invention may have different numbers of conventional sizes, king sizes, super-king sizes, slim, or super-slim, It will be understood that it can be designed for cigarettes.

Through appropriate selection of dimensions, the containers according to the invention can be designed to contain different total numbers of smoking articles, or different arrangements of smoking articles. For example, through appropriate selection of dimensions, the containers according to the present invention can be designed to contain a total of ten to thirty smoking articles.

The smoking articles in the container may be arranged in different collation depending on the total number of smoking articles. For example, the smoking article may be arranged in a row of six, seven, eight, nine, or ten. Alternatively, the smoking articles may be arranged in two or more rows. Two or more rows may contain the same number of smoking articles. For example, the smoking article may comprise: two rows of five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten; Three rows of five or seven; Or four rows of four, five, or six rows. Alternatively, the two or more rows may comprise at least two rows containing different numbers of smoking articles. For example, the smoking article may be: a row of five and a row of six (5-6); A row of six and a row of seven (6-7); A row of seven and a row of eight (7-8); Two outer rows of five middle rows and six rows (6-5-6); Two outer rows of five middle columns and seven columns (7-5-7); Two outer rows of six middle columns and five (5-6-5); Two outer rows of sixteen middle rows and seven rows (7-6-7); Two outer rows of seven rows of middle rows and six rows (6-7-6); Two outer rows of nine rows of middle rows and eight rows of eight rows (8-9-8); Or an outer row of six and six rows, and an outer row 5-6-7 of seven.

The containers according to the present invention may contain smoking articles of the same type or brand and may contain smoking articles of different types or brands. In addition, it has been found that not only smoking articles differing in length (for example between about 40 mm and about 180 mm), diameters (for example between about 4 mm and about 9 mm), but also filterless smoking articles Both types of smoking articles with various filter tips (ilter tip) can be contained. In addition, smoking articles may differ in strength of taste, resistance to draw, and total particulate matter delivery. Preferably, the dimensions of the container can be adapted to the length of the smoking article and the collision of the smoking article. Typically the outer dimensions of the container are about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm larger than the dimensions of the bundle or bundles of smoking articles housed inside the container.

The length, width, and depth of the containers according to the present invention can be configured such that the resulting overall dimensions of the container in the closed position are similar to those of a typical disposable hinge lid pack containing twenty cigarettes.

Preferably, the containers according to the present invention have a height between about 60 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably between about 70 mm and about 125 mm, the height ranging from the top wall of the container to the bottom wall .

Preferably, the containers according to the invention have a width between about 12 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably between about 70 mm and about 125 mm, the width being from one side wall of the container to the other Measured to the side wall.

Preferably, the containers according to the present invention have a depth between about 6 mm and about 100 mm, more preferably between about 12 mm and about 25 mm, the depth from the front wall of the container to the back wall (Including the hinge between the bath and the lid).

Preferably, the ratio of container height to container depth is between about 0.3: 1 and about 10: 1, more preferably between about 2: 1 and about 8: 1, and most preferably between about 3: 1 And 5: 1.

Preferably, the ratio of vessel width to vessel depth is between about 0.3: 1 and about 10: 1, more preferably between about 2: 1 and about 8: 1, and most preferably between about 2: 1 And about 3: 1.

Even if sealed, the filled containers according to the present invention can be used, for example, in high density or low density polyethylene, polypropylene, oriented polypropylene, polyvinylidene chloride, cellulose film, Or may be shrink wrapped with a polymeric film consisting of a combination of two or more polymeric films. In the case where the containers according to the invention are wrapped, the wrapper may comprise one or more tare tapes. In addition, the outer wrapper may be printed with images, consumer information, or other data. The additional outer wrapper can advantageously protect the surface of the container from wear during handling, for example.

The container may contain not only a bundle of smoking articles but also other consumer items such as matches, lighters, fire extinguishing means, breath-fresheners, or electronics. Other consumable items may be included in a manner such that they are attached to the outside of the container, contained in the container with the smoking article, contained in a separate compartment of the container, or a combination thereof.

The outer surfaces of the containers according to the invention may be printed, embossed, debossed, or otherwise decorated with a manufacturer or brand logo, trademark, slogan, and other consumer information and indicia .

1 shows a front perspective view of a hinge lid container according to the invention with a hinge lid in an open position;
Figure 2a shows a plan view of a laminar blank for forming the hinge lid and box of the container of Figure 1;
Figure 2b shows a plan view of a lamina blank for forming the inner frame of the container of Figure 1;
Figure 3 shows a front perspective view of another hinge lid container according to the present invention with a hinge lid in the closed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG.

The hinge lid container 2 shown in Figure 1 is a rectangular parallelepiped and is hinged to the box 10 along a hinge line 45 extending substantially horizontally along the rear wall of the container 2. [ Includes a hinged lid (20) and a box (10). Packaged cigarette bundles (not shown) are received in the box 10 of the container 2. The overall size and construction of the box 10 and lid 20 of the container 2 is substantially the same as a standard hinge lid cigarette pack.

The box 10 includes a box front wall 12, a box left side wall 14, a box right side wall 15, a box back wall, It has a box bottom wall. The upper side of the box 10 is open to provide an upper opening from which the cigarettes can be removed. The box front wall 12 includes a semicircular cutout 16 at an upper free edge 18. Each of the box sidewalls 14 and 15 is formed of an inner panel 14a and an overlying outer panel 14b and 14a and includes an inner panel 14a and an outer panel 14b, Are sealed together.

The terms "front," "back," "upper," "lower," "side," "top," " And other terms used to describe the relative positions of the components of the container 2 according to the present invention refer to a container in an upright position with a top 20 lid 20 and a rear hinge do. The terms "left" and "right" are used to refer to the side walls of the container when the container 2 is viewed from the front with the container standing upright. When the container in the upright position is open, the cigarettes contained in the box 10 can be removed from the upper end of the container 2.

The lid 20 includes a lid front wall 22, a lid left side wall 24, a lid right side wall 25, a lid back wall, It has a lid top wall. A semicircular pull tab 26 extends from the free end 28 of the lid front wall 22. The pull tab 26 corresponds to the semicircular cutout 16 in the box front wall 12 in size, shape, and position. Each of the lid side walls 24 and 25 is formed of inner panels 24a and 25a and overlapping outer panels 24b and 24a and the inner and outer panels are sealed together as described below.

When the container 2 is closed, the free ends of the walls of the lid 20 abut the free ends of the walls of the box 10 along the line of abutment and the pull tab 26 engages the semicircular cutouts 16 ). ≪ / RTI > Thus, in the closed position, the walls of the lid 20 form the extensions of the corresponding walls of the box 10 to define the walls of the container 2.

An inner frame (30) is installed in the box (10) of the container (2). The inner frame 30 includes an inner frame front wall 32, an inner frame left side wall 34, and an inner frame front wall 32 that are connected to the inner front surfaces of the box front wall 12, the box left side wall, Right side wall. The inner frame front wall 32 includes a rectangular cutout 36 at the top free end of the inner frame front wall 32 to facilitate removal of the cigarettes from the box 10. The inner frame front wall 32 is of sufficient length to extend below the cutout 16 provided in the box front wall 12.

The box 10 of the container 2 and the lid 20 are formed from a single lamina blank 102 shown in Fig. In this blank, the dotted line represents the fold line. The lamina blank 102 includes a lid-defining portion 120 connected along a box-defining portion 110 and a hinge line 45. The inner surface of the lamina blank 102 is fully coated with a seal coat layer formed of a polyolefin material with sealability. The inner surface of the lamina blank 102 provides the inner surface of the box 10 and the hinge lid 20 so that the seal coating layer covers the inner surface of the assembled container 2. As shown in FIG. 2A, the outer surface of the lamina blank 102 is further coated with a seal coating layer on the panels shown as hatch in FIG. 2A. In the assembled container, these panels correspond to the inner panels 14a, 15a of the box side walls and the inner panels 24a, 25a of the lid side walls.

The inner frame 30 of the vessel 2 is formed of the lamina blank 130 shown in Fig. 2B. In the blank, the dotted line indicates the folding line. As shown in Figure 2B, the outer surface of the lamina blanket 130 is positioned in the area of the frame sidewalls 34,35 and the frame front wall 32 located proximate to the free ends of the box in the assembled container And is coated with a seal coat layer 138. The seal coat layer also extends below the frame front wall to cover an area of the wall in contact with the box front wall in the assembled container. As in FIG. 2A, the seal coat layer is shown as hatched in FIG. 2B.

During assembly of the container from the lamina blanks 102 and 130 the inner frame 30 is inserted into the box portion such that the seal coat layer 138 is provided at the correct position close to the free ends of the box 10. [ Respectively. The seal coat layer on the lower part of the frame front wall 32 is brought into contact with the seal coat layer on the inner surface of the box front wall 12 and then the frame front wall 32 and the box front wall 12, The seal coat layers are heated so that the layers bond to each other to form an airtight seal between them.

After the container 2 is assembled from the lamina blank and the container is filled with the bundle of smoking articles, the hermetic seal coat layers on the inner surface of the hinge lid 20 are hinged so as to come into contact with the seal coat layer on the outer surfaces of the inner frame 30. [ The lid 20 is closed. The seal coat layers are then heated so that the layers adhere to each other to provide an airtight seal between the hinge lid 20 and the inner frame 30.

To initially open the container 2 the consumer can grasp the pull tab 26 and pull the hinge lid 20 to break the airtight seal between the hinge lid 20 and the inner frame 30, The hinge lid 20 can be rotated backward toward the open position shown in Fig.

In other embodiments of the container 2, a resealable adhesive may be applied to at least the frame 2 so that the hinge lid may be resealed in the closed position when not in use even after the airtight seal provided by the coating layers is broken. And is provided at the front wall 32.

The container 50 shown in FIG. 3 is structurally similar to the container 2 shown in FIG. 1 and includes a hinge lid 20 'connected to a box 10' for receiving a smoking article. As described above for the container 2, the hinge lid is hermetically sealed to the inner frame as a result of the adhesion of the seal coating layers. In addition, in the container 50, a tear tape 52 is provided above the engagement lines between the free ends of the hinge lid 20 'and the free ends of the box portion 10'. This engagement line is different from the engagement line of the container 2, because it extends in a straight line, which is straight, across both sidewalls and the front wall of the container. As a result, the position of the hinge line 45 is above the height at which the free ends of the lid side walls meet the rear wall of the container at the closed position of the hinge lid. In order to maintain a straight engagement line, no pull tabs or cutouts are provided in the lid and box front walls.

The container 50 is shown in FIG. 3 with a partially stripped tear tape 52. To initially open the container 50, the tear tape 52 must be completely peeled from the container and the airtight seal between the hinge lid 20 'and the inner frame must be broken as described above.

Claims (14)

A box for receiving a consumable item;
An inner frame installed in the box with an upper portion extending over the upper edges of the box; And
A hinge lid connected to the box along the hinge line and rotatable about the hinge line between an open position and a closed position,
Further comprising a seal coating layer located on the outer surfaces of the inner frame below the height of the free ends of the box to provide an airtight seal between the inner surfaces of the box and the inner frame,
The inner surfaces of the hinge lid contact outer surfaces of the upper portion of the inner frame,
The inner surfaces of the hinge lid and the outer surfaces of the upper portion of the inner frame are at least partially covered by a sealable coating layer of a sealable material,
Characterized in that the seal coat layers on the contact surfaces of the inner frame and the hinge lid are bonded together to form a hermetic seal prior to the initial opening of the hinge lid. The method according to claim 1,
Characterized in that the sealable material is selected from the group consisting of polyolefin, PVDC, or adhesive wax. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The at least one wall of the container includes an inner panel and an outer panel overlapping the inner panel,
The contact surfaces of the outer panel and the inner panel are covered by a seal coating layer made of a sealable material,
Wherein the sealing coating layers on the contact surfaces of the outer panel and the inner panel are adhered to each other to form an airtight seal. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The hinge lid and box are formed from one or more laminar blanks,
Characterized in that the inner surfaces of one or more lamina blanks are completely covered by a seal coating layer. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The consumable product is packaged with an inner liner at least partially in contact with the box,
The inner surface of the box and the outer surface of the inner liner are at least partially covered by a seal coating layer of a sealable material,
Characterized in that the sealing coating layers on the contact surfaces of the box and the inner liner are bonded together. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
Characterized in that the sealing force of adhesion between the seal coating layer on the outer surface of the inner frame and the seal coat layer on the inner surface of the hinge lid is between 4 Newton and 7 Newton. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
Further comprising an adhesive label provided over the free ends of the hinge lid to connect the hinge lid to the box part prior to the initial opening of the container,
Characterized in that the label comprises a weak section line substantially coinciding with the free end of the hinge lid so that the label is separated along the weak section line when the hinge lid is first moved to the open position. Vessel. A container according to claim 1 or 2 together with a plurality of smoking articles contained in the box part,
Characterized in that the adhesion between the outer surface of the inner frame and the seal coating layers on the inner surface of the hinge lid is intact to provide an airtight seal. delete delete delete delete delete delete

Images