KR102520340B1 - Package including access opening with closure flap - Google Patents

Abstract

A package for cigarettes 110 has a front wall 114, a rear wall 116, a bottom wall 122, opposing side wall surfaces 118, 118', an opening 124 for access to the cigarettes 146 within the package. ) in the box 112, including a top wall 120 having an opening extending across the top wall from its front edge, wherein the periphery of the access opening extends from the rear edge of the top wall ( 132) and the side edges such that the top wall extends around the back 126 and side portions 128, 128' of the opening. A closure flap 130 extends from the back wall of the package and is movable between a closed position where the flap covers the opening and an open position where the opening is open. A blank for such a pack is also disclosed.

Description

Package comprising an access opening with a closing flap {PACKAGE INCLUDING ACCESS OPENING WITH CLOSURE FLAP}

The present invention relates to a novel package for consumer products comprising an opening for access to the pack contents and a flap for closing the opening. The invention also includes a container containing such a package inside an outer housing. Packages and containers of the present invention are useful for packaging elongated articles such as cigarettes and other smoking articles.

Cigarettes are often supplied in hinged lid packs, comprising: a lower rectangular box portion having front and back walls connected by side walls, and a lower rectangular box section having a bottom wall, and a front and back wall connected by side walls, and a top. It contains a lid that contains the walls, and the lid is hinged to the box to close it.

It is also proposed to provide a pack comprising front and back walls, a bottom wall and a top wall connected by side wall faces. Access to the inside of the pack is provided by an incision from the top wall extending from the back edge across the top wall to the front edge of the top wall and partially into the front wall of the pack, with edges on either side of the top wall and Leave most of the front wall intact. A flap extends upward from the back wall of the pack that can be bent over the top and front walls to close the opening and be secured to the front wall. Packs of this type can suffer from a lack of rigidity, especially if they are made of relatively thin card or paper.

It would be useful to provide a package of this type with more rigidity to minimize distortion of the package in use, thereby providing greater protection to the consumer product within the package. It would also be useful to provide such a package that can be manufactured and assembled with minimal modifications to conventional packaging machinery and techniques.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a package for consumer goods comprising a box, the box having a front wall, a rear wall opposite the front wall, a bottom wall, opposite sidewalls and access to the consumer goods in the package. a top wall having an opening therein for opening, the opening extending across the top wall and from a front edge thereof, wherein a periphery of the access opening is spaced from the rear and side edges of the top wall, so that the top wall It extends around the rear and side portions of this opening.

1 is an isometric view of a package according to one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 shows a blank for the package of FIG. 1 .
3 is an isometric view of a package according to another embodiment of the present invention; and
Figure 4 shows the blank for the package of Figure 3.

In some embodiments, the package further includes a flap movable between a closed position in which the flap covers the opening and an open position in which the opening is open. In some embodiments, the flap is hinged to the back wall along a top edge of the back wall.

In some embodiments, the opening extends from the front edge of the top wall and partially below the front wall and the flap comprises a top flap portion over the top wall when the flap is in the closed position and a top flap portion over the top wall when the flap is in the closed position. and a front flap portion at least partially over the front wall.

In some embodiments, the opening is not more than 80%, preferably not more than 70%, more preferably not more than 60% of the depth of the top wall from the front edge of the top wall towards the rear edge of the top wall. has been extended In some embodiments, the surface area of the opening in the top wall of the housing does not exceed 70%, preferably does not exceed 60%, more preferably does not exceed 50% of the surface area of the top of the package. In some embodiments, the surface area of the opening is at least 5%, preferably at least 20%, of the surface area of the top of the package.

In some embodiments, in the closed position the flap may be received in a slit or incision behind the front wall of the housing or in the front wall of the package in the closed position.

In some embodiments, the flap comprises a resealable adhesive on at least a portion of its inner surface so that the closure flap can be resealably attached to the front wall of the package in a closed position.

In some embodiments, the top wall includes an upper top wall panel extending from the front wall of the housing and including an integral back and side portions, and a lower top portion extending from the top edge of the side walls of the housing and below the side portion of the upper top wall panel. Includes wall panels.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a package according to the first aspect of the present invention housed in an outer housing.

Packages according to the present invention are useful for containing a bundle of smoking articles, such as cigarettes, within a box. In a third aspect, the present invention includes a pack according to the present invention having one or more bundles of smoking articles therein. The package may include, for example, cigarettes, cigars or cigars. It will be appreciated that the package according to the present invention may be made for any number of regular size, king size, super king size, slim or super slim cigarettes by appropriately choosing the package dimensions. Also, the package according to the present invention may be used for various consumer products other than smoking articles.

In the package according to the present invention, the periphery of the opening is set apart from the back and side edges of the top wall of the package. Accordingly, the uppermost wall surface extends around three sides (rear surface and both side surfaces) of the opening such that the side surfaces of the upper surface wall are bridged by the rear surface. This provides improved stiffness and, in particular, improved resistance to shear strength. This reduces the likelihood of warping of the package and provides improved protection for the consumables within the package, for example when a user is holding it.

Since the top wall contains the back bridge, it can be formed as a single panel rather than two separate side panels as in the prior art. This simplifies production by reducing the number of folds required during the assembly process.

The closure flaps function in a manner similar to prior art packs; The presence of a bridge on the top wall does not significantly affect the construction or closure of the package. Also according to the present invention, there is provided a thin-layer blank for a package according to any one of claims 1 to 11, said blank comprising a front wall panel, a rear wall panel, first and second outer side wall surfaces and an opening. a box-defining portion comprising a top wall panel, wherein the opening extends from the front edge of the top wall panel and the top wall panel extends around the rear and side portions of the opening; , and a flap hingedly connected to the box-defining rear wall panel along the top edge of the rear wall panel. Preferably, the front wall panel has an opening adjacent to an opening in the top wall panel.

In preferred embodiments, the blank comprises a front wall panel, an outer side wall panel extending from each of the two opposing edges of the front wall panel, a top wall panel extending from an edge of the front wall panel, the top wall panel A lowermost wall panel extending from the edge of the front wall panel facing the lowermost wall panel, a side wall tab extending from each of the two opposite edges of the lowermost wall panel, and extending from the edge of the lowermost wall panel opposite the front panel. a back wall panel, an inner side wall panel extending from each of the two opposing edges of the back wall panel, and a closed flap panel extending from an edge of the back wall panel opposite the lowermost wall panel, the panel and tab are bounded to each other by fold lines. Preferably, the closure flap panel comprises: a top wall closure panel extending from the panel edge of the rear wall panel opposite the bottom wall panel, and a front wall closure panel extending from the edge of the top wall closure panel opposite the rear wall panel. contains

It will be understood that features described with reference to one aspect of the invention may be applied to any other aspect of the invention. Further, the advantages described with respect to one aspect of the invention can also be applied to other aspects of the invention.

The terms "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "above" used to describe the relative position of components of a container according to the present invention ”, “below”, “side”, “left”, “right”, “lateral”, “top”, “bottom” " and other terms refer to a container in an upright position with the open end of the box portion on top and the consumables accessible from the top end. The terms “side” and “lateral” are used to refer to the side walls of the container when viewed from the front in the container's upright position.

When the package of the present invention is used as a pack of cigarettes or other smoking articles, it may hold a different number of smoking articles, or a different arrangement of smoking articles. For example, a pack according to the present invention may be designed to hold between 10 and 20 total smoking articles.

The smoking articles in the pack may be arranged in different collations depending on the total number of smoking articles. Preferably, the smoking articles are arranged in two or more rows. The two or more rows may contain the same number of smoking articles. Alternatively, the two or more rows may include at least two rows containing different numbers of smoking articles. Preferably, the ratio of the height of the container to the depth of the container is between about 0.3 to 1 and about 10 to 1, more preferably between about 2 to 1 and about 8 to 1, most preferably between about 3 to 1 and It is between 5 to 1.

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

Manufacturer or brand logos, trademarks, slogans and other consumer information and indicia may be printed, embossed, debossed or otherwise decorated on the outer surface of containers of the present invention.

The term "hinge" is used throughout this specification to refer to a line common to the flaps and boxes of packages; The flap pivots about the hinge line between the closed and open positions. The hinge may extend across all or part of the width of the top wall of the container anywhere on the back edge of the box top wall, ie between the back edge of the box top wall and the back edge of the opening. In some embodiments, the hinge line may substantially coincide with the back edge of the box top wall. In other embodiments, the hinge may extend across all or part of the width of the box top wall of the container at a position midway between the back edge of the box top wall and the front edge of the box top wall.

In use of the package according to the present invention, the user pivots the flap about the hinge line to open the opening and thus allow access to the items contained in the box. The user pivots the flap back to cover the opening. When the flap is in the closed position, the opening is at least partially blocked by the lid so that the interior of the package is not accessible and the consumer goods cannot be removed from the package.

A package according to the present invention may be formed from a single laminar blank. In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a thin-layer blank for a package according to the present invention. In some embodiments, the blank is a box-defining portion comprising a front wall panel, a back wall panel, first and second exterior sidewall surfaces, and a top wall panel comprising an opening, wherein the opening is the top wall panel. the box-defining portion extending from the front edge of the box and the top wall panel extending around the back and side portions of the opening; and a flap hinged to the box. In some embodiments, the flap is hinged to the box-defining rear wall panel along the top edge of the rear wall panel.

The term “panel” is used herein to refer to a portion of a package blank that forms part or all of the wall of an assembled container. A panel can be determined along one or more fold lines from one or more panels. The term “fold line” refers to the fold between two adjacent panels. When forming the container, adjacent panels are folded along their common fold line which may result in forming an edge of the container or part thereof. In an assembled container, the "wall" may be formed from one or several overlying panels attached to each other, for example by adhesive. Additionally, the wall may be formed from two or more abutting or overlying panels.

Packages according to the present invention may conveniently be fabricated by folding laminar blanks made of any suitable material including, but not limited to, cardboard, paperboard, plastic, metal, or combinations thereof. Preferably, the package is formed from a folded laminated card blank. Preferably, the card has a weight of about 100 gsm to about 250 gsm, more preferably about 120 gsm to about 180 gsm. Packages according to the present invention will typically be assembled in a conventional manner using standard manufacturing equipment by folding one or more laminar blanks around a consumer article and sealing together the panels of the laminar blanks overlaid to maintain the container in its assembled shape. will be. This may be accomplished using conventional glue or glue.

Laminated blanks include a dividing line or fold line that delineates one panel of the blank from another panel, allowing the blank to be formed into a package and, in some panels, hinged to the other panel. In a finished package, the dividing line or fold line may be inside the package or outside the package.

The present invention will now be further described for purposes of illustration only with reference to the following figures:

The package 110 of the embodiment of Figure 1 is a pack for cigarettes. A front wall 114, a rear wall 116 opposite the front wall (not shown in FIG. 1) and side wall surfaces 118, 118' connecting the front wall to the rear wall (only one of which is shown in FIG. 1). ), a box 112 having a top wall surface 120 and a bottom wall surface 122 (not shown in FIG. 1). The opening 124 extends partially over the front portion of the top wall surface 120 and partially down the front wall surface 114 . The edges of the back portion 126 and side portions 128, 128' of the top wall remain and define that portion of the opening 124 in the top wall. the opening extends down 25% of the height of the front wall 114; This percentage may change depending on the size of the package in relation to the goods contained in the package. In the embodiment of Figure 1, the opening extends over about two-thirds of the width of the package; the width of the opening; Again, this percentage may change depending on the size of the package in relation to the product contained in the package.

A closure flap 130 extends from the rear wall 16 of the package and is hinged to the rear edge 132 of the top wall 120 . The closure flap consists of a top wall closure panel 134 extending from the rear wall 116 of the pack, from which a front wall closure panel 136 extends along a fold 138 . Tab 140 extends from front wall closure panel 136 along fold 142 . A line 144 of resealable adhesive extends across the bottom of the front wall closure panel 136 .

In use of the package 110, the user grabs the tab 140 of the flap 130 of the closed package and hinges it up, unsealing the line 144 of the resealable adhesive and opening the opening 124 to open the opening 124. Allow the cigarette 146 to be removed from the package. The pack hinges the flap's top wall closure panel (134) onto the top wall (120) and then hinges the flap's front wall closure panel (136) onto the package's front wall (114) to open an opening (124). ) is closed by closing Pressure on the front wall panel will reseal the lines 144 of resealable adhesive and hold the flap 130 in the closed position.

FIG. 2 shows a blank 200 for making a pack of the type shown in FIG. 1 . In Fig. 2, the solid line indicates the cut portion of the blank and the broken line indicates where the fold is placed. A blank is a single piece of paper or card containing a rectangular panel corresponding to each panel in the pack, plus additional panels for constructing the pack, such as: From each long edge of the front wall panel 214 extends an outer side wall panel 218 defined from the front wall panel by a dividing line 250 . From one short edge of the front wall panel 214 extends a top wall panel 220 defined from the front wall panel by a dividing line 252 . Approximately rectangular cutouts 224 from the front wall and top wall panels provide openings 124 in the top and front wall of the finished pack. From the other shorter edge of the front wall panel 214 extends a lowermost wall panel 222 defined from the front wall panel by a dividing line 254 . From opposite edges of the bottom wall panel 222 extends a rear wall panel 216 defined from the bottom wall panel by a dividing line 256 . Extending from each long edge of the back wall panel 216 are inner side wall panels 218' defined from the back wall panel by a dividing line 250'. From the short edge of the inner sidewall panels 218' adjacent the outer sidewall panels 218, a sidewall tab 258 defined from the box inner sidewall panel by a dividing line 260 extends. From the other shorter edge of the inner sidewall panels 218' extends a top wall tab 262 defined from the inner sidewall panel by a dividing line 264. From the short edge of the back wall panel 216 opposite to which the bottom panel 222 extends, a top wall closure panel 234 defined from the back wall panel by a dividing line 266 extends; From the opposite edge of this panel, a front wall closure panel 236 defined by a dividing line 268 extends. Extending from opposite edges of the front wall closure panel 236 is a tab panel 240 defined by a dividing line 270 .

To form a pack from the blank, the pack is folded around the bundle of cigarettes so that the front (214) and back (216) wall panels face each other, connected by inner (218′) and outer (218) sidewall surfaces; They are glued together. The sidewall tabs 258 are folded over the inside of the bottom wall panel 222 and glued to it. Top wall tab 262 is folded over the top of the bundle and top wall panel 220 is folded over and glued to the top wall tab. A strip of resealable adhesive is applied to the inner surface of the front wall closure panel 236 . The dividing line between the back wall panel 214, top wall closure panel 234, front wall closure panel 236 and tab panel 240 is folded so that the pack is glued to the adhesive strip 144 on the front wall closure panel (FIG. 1). ) to the front wall panel 214. The pack may then be overwrapped with a transparent plastic film, such as biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film.

The pack 310 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is similar to that shown in FIG. 1 except in the way that the closure flaps 330 are retained in the closed position (and like reference numbers are used to indicate like elements). .

The package 310 includes a front wall 114, a rear wall 116 opposite the front wall (not shown in FIG. 3), and sidewalls 118, 118' connecting the front wall to the rear wall (of which It contains a box 112 with only one shown in FIG. 3), top wall 120 and bottom wall 122 (not shown in FIG. 3). The opening 124 extends partially over the front portion of the top wall surface 120 and partially down the front wall surface 114 . The edges of the back portion 126 and side portions 128, 128' of the top wall remain and define that portion of the opening 124 in the top wall. the opening extends down 25% of the height of the front wall 114; This percentage may change depending on the size of the package in relation to the goods contained in the package. In the embodiment of Figure 3, the opening extends over about two-thirds of the width of the package; Again, this percentage may change depending on the size of the package in relation to the product contained in the package.

A closure flap 330 extends from the rear wall 116 of the package and is hinged to the rear edge 132 of the top wall. The flap consists of a top wall closure panel 334 extending from the back wall 116 of the pack, from which a front wall closure panel 336 extends along a fold 338 . The front wall closure panel includes an upper portion 340 of substantially the same width as the front wall 114, from which, along a fold 342, a tapered panel 344 extends. The tapered panel 344 is of sufficient width to close the perforations 124 in the front wall of the pack. The width of the tapered panel 340 decreases away from the upper portion 340 of the front wall closure panel 336 . A tab 346 extends from the tapered panel 344 from the fold 348 along the edge of the tapered panel opposite the top portion 344 . Slot 350 extends under the lower edge of opening 124 across the middle of the width of front wall 114 of the pack. Slot 350 can receive the free end of tab 346 of tapered panel 344 and the lower portion of the tapered panel itself to hold the flap in position when the flap is in the closed position.

To open the pack, the user pulls the tapered tab 340 without the slot 348 and hinges the flap 330 upward to open the opening 124. To close the pack, the user hinges the top wall panel 334 of the flap onto the top wall 20 and then hinges the front wall panel 336 of the flap onto the front wall 114 of the package to open the opening. Close (24). The free end of tapered panel 340 is inserted into slot 348 to hold the flap in a closed position. Fold lines 342 and 248 between upper portion 340 of front wall closure panel 336, tapered panel 344 and tab 346 facilitate insertion of the panel into slot 350 and removal therefrom. let it

FIG. 4 shows a blank 400 for making a pack of the type shown in FIG. 3 . In Fig. 4, the solid line represents the cutting portion of the blank and the broken line represents the dividing line. A blank is a single piece of paper or card containing rectangular panels for each side of the pack and additional panels for pack construction, such as: Blank 400 is similar to blank 200 of FIG. 2 (and like reference numbers are used to indicate like elements). A blank is a single piece of paper or card containing rectangular panels for each side of the pack and additional panels for pack construction, such as: From each long edge of the front wall panel 214 extends an outer side wall panel defined from the front wall panel by a dividing line 250 . From one short edge of the front wall panel 214 extends a top wall panel 220 defined from the front wall panel by a dividing line 252 . Approximately rectangular cutouts 224 from the front wall and top wall panels provide openings 124 in the top and front wall of the finished pack. Slot 350 extends partially across the middle of front wall panel 214 . From the other shorter edge of the front wall panel 214 extends a lowermost wall panel 222 defined from the front wall panel by a dividing line 254 . From opposite edges of the bottom wall panel 222 extends a rear wall panel 216 defined from the bottom wall panel by a dividing line 256 . Extending from each long edge of the back wall panel 216 are inner side wall panels 218' defined from the back wall panel by a dividing line 250'. From the short edge of the inner sidewall panels 218' adjacent the outer sidewall panels 218, a sidewall tab 258 defined from the box inner sidewall panel by a dividing line 260 extends. From the other shorter edge of the inner sidewall panels 218' extends a top wall tab 262 defined from the inner sidewall panel by a dividing line 264. From the short edge of the back wall panel 216 opposite to which the bottom panel 222 extends, a top wall closure panel 434 defined from the back wall panel by a dividing line 466 extends; From the opposite edge of this panel extends an upper portion 440 of the front wall closure panel 436 defined by a dividing line 468 from the top wall closure panel 434 . Extending from opposite edges of upper portion 440 are tapered panels 444 defined from upper portion 440 by dividing lines 470 . Extending from opposite edges of the tapered panel 444 is a tab panel 446 defined from the tapered panel by a dividing line 448 .

To form a pack from the blank, the pack is folded around the bundle of cigarettes so that the front (214) and back (216) wall panels face each other, connected by inner (218′) and outer (218) sidewall surfaces; They are glued together. The sidewall tabs 258 are folded over the inside of the bottom wall panel 222 and glued to it. Top wall tab 262 is folded over the top of the bundle and top wall panel 220 is folded over and glued to the top wall tab. The dividing line between the rear wall panel 214, the top wall closure panel 434, the upper portion 440 of the front wall closure panel 436, the tapered panel 444 of the front wall closure panel and the tab panel 446. When this is folded, the pack can be closed by inserting the tab panel and a portion of the tapered panel into the slot 350 of the front wall panel 214 . The pack may then be overwrapped with a transparent plastic film, such as biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film.

110: package
112: box
114: front wall
116: rear wall
118, 118': side wall
120: top wall
122: lowermost wall surface
124: opening
126: the rear part of the wall
128, 128': side part
130: closing flap
132 rear edge
134: top wall closure panel
136 Front wall closure panel
138: folding part
140: tab
142: folding part
144: line
200: blank
214,336: front wall panel
216; rear wall panel
218: outer side wall panel
218 ': inner side wall panel
220,334: top wall panel
222: lowermost wall panel
224: incision
234,334,434: top wall closure panel
236,436: front wall closure panel
248,342: fold line
250,250',252,254,256,260,264,266,268,270,448,466,468,470: split line
258: sidewall tab
262: wall tab
310: package
330: closing flap
338,342,348: folding part
340,440: upper part
344,444: tapered panel
346: tab
350: slot
400: blank
446: tab panel

Claims (15)

A package for consumer goods including a box, the box comprising:
front wall;
a rear wall surface facing the front wall surface;
lowermost wall;
opposing sidewall surfaces;
a top wall having therein an opening for access to consumables in the package, the opening extending across the top wall from a front edge thereof, wherein the periphery of the access opening is at the back edge and the side edge of the top wall; a top wall surface, the top wall surface extending around the rear and side surfaces of the opening; and
a flap movable between a closed position covering the opening and an open position in which the opening is open and hinged to the rear wall panel along a top edge of the rear wall;
The top wall extends from the front wall of the package and extends from the top edge of the side walls of the package and the top top wall panel including integral rear and side surfaces and is below and to the side surfaces of the top wall panel. A package intended to include lower top wall tabs that are bonded. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the opening extends from a front edge of the top wall and partially below the front wall and the flap comprises a top flap portion over the top wall and the flap when the flap is in the closed position. and a front flap portion that is at least partially over the front wall when in the closed position. 3. A package according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the opening extends from the front edge of the top wall toward the back edge of the top wall for no more than 80% of the depth of the top wall. 3. The package according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the surface area of the opening in the top wall of the package does not exceed 70% of the top of the package. 3. The package of claim 1 or 2, wherein the surface area of the opening is at least 5% of the surface area of the top of the package. 3. A package according to claim 1 or 2, formed from a single laminar blank. 3. A package according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flap is receivable behind a front wall of the package in the closed position. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the flap comprises a resealable adhesive on at least a portion of its interior surface so that the flap can be resealably attached to the front wall of the package in the closed position. or wherein the flap can be received within a slit or cutout in the front wall of the package in the closed position.
delete 3. A package according to claim 1 or 2, containing a bundle of smoking articles within the box. A container comprising the package according to claim 1 or 2 in an outer housing. delete delete delete delete

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