TW201641027A - Improved container with non-squared edges - Google Patents

Abstract

There is provided a container for consumer articles, the container being at least partially formed from a blank defining a portion of the container, which comprises a first planar wall; a second planar wall connected to the first planar wall by a first edge portion; and a third planar wall connected to the first planar wall by a second edge portion. The longitudinal direction of the first edge portion is transverse to the longitudinal direction of the second edge portion. The first edge portion and the second edge portion form, when the container is assembled from the laminar blank, adjacent edges of the container meeting at a junction. Each of the first and the second edge portions have an inner surface and an outer surface, and the inner surfaces of the first and second edge portions define a first ablation area (A1) and a second ablation area (A2), respectively. Each ablation area (A1, A2) comprises one or more ablated zones with a residual thickness less than the thickness (T) of the laminar blank and a length in the longitudinal direction of the respective edge portion and a respective width extending transversely to the length. At least one of the first and second ablation areas (A1, A2) comprises a first portion and an end portion extending from the first portion. The end portion tapers from a width (W) of the first portion to a point at the junction with the other one of the first and second ablation areas (A1, A2).

Description

Improved container with non-square edges

The present invention relates to containers for consumer products and blanks for forming such containers that find a particular application for holding consumer products such as smoking articles (e.g., cigarettes).

Smoking items such as cigarettes and cigars are usually supplied in flexible or hard-packed packages, such as clamshell boxes or flip-top boxes. These items typically have a box portion with a front wall of the box, a back wall of the box, a side wall of the box, and a base of the box. These items also typically have a lid portion having a lid front wall, a lid back wall, a lid side wall, and a lid top side. The lid portion is typically hinged to the box portion along a hinge line that extends across the rear wall of the container. The hinge line is typically provided as a pre-folded line, a crease line, or a score line.

For hard-packaged packaging, it is known to round or corner some of the corners of the box and lid to give the container a unique appearance. This has been the case in the past by providing a creped line or score line in the blank at the area where the edge of the container is formed. These lines allow the blank to be folded in such a way that the corners do not bend sharply but rather gradually bend between two adjacent walls.

However, where the container contains adjacent rounded or beveled edges that form angles (such as orthogonal angles), the strength of the container and the finish may sometimes be impacted during folding of the blank to form the container. In some cases, the holes or gaps may even be formed at joints between adjacent rounded or beveled edges. Therefore, not only the visual and tactile perception of the container is impacted, but the container can also be structurally damaged.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a container for consumer products that is less susceptible to damage during assembly operations and that has an improved appearance and a smoother feel. In particular, it would be desirable to have one container that is easy to assemble using standard packaging equipment and techniques without requiring significant changes to existing machines and methods. At the same time, it would be desirable to provide a blank for the manufacture of containers for consumer products 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 present invention, there is provided a container for a consumer article formed at least in part from a layered blank having a thickness (T). The layered blank defines a portion of the container including a first planar wall joined to a second planar wall of the first planar wall by a first edge portion and coupled to the first by a second edge portion A third planar wall of one of the planar walls. The longitudinal direction of the first edge portion is transverse to the longitudinal direction of the second edge portion. When the container is assembled from the layered blank, the first edge portion and the second edge portion form adjacent edges of the container that meet at a joint. Each of the first edge portion and the second edge portion has an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surfaces of the first edge portion and the second edge portion are respectively defined A first cut-out area (A1) and a second cut-out area (A2). Each of the cut-out regions (A1, A2) includes one or more cut-out regions having a residual thickness smaller than the thickness (T) of the layered blank, and each cut-off region (A1, A2) has a respective edge at the respective edge a length of the portion in the longitudinal direction and a respective width extending transverse to the length. In addition, at least one of the first cutout region and the second cutout region (A1, A2) includes a first portion and an end portion extending from the first portion, the width of the end portion from the first portion (W) Gradually narrowing to a point at the joint with the other of the first cut region and the second cut region (A1, A2).

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a layered blank for forming a container for a consumer article is provided. The layered blank has a thickness (T) and comprises: a first wall panel for forming a first planar wall of the container; and a first edge portion for forming a second planar wall of the container a second wall panel of the first wall panel; and a third wall panel connected to the first wall panel by a second edge portion for forming a third planar wall of the container. The longitudinal direction of the first edge portion is transverse to the longitudinal direction of the second edge portion. When the container is assembled from the layered blank, the first edge portion and the second edge portion form adjacent edges of the container that meet at a joint. The first edge portion and the second edge portion have an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surfaces of the first edge portion and the second edge portion respectively define a first cut-out area (A1) and a second cut-out area (A2). Each of the cut-out regions (A1, A2) includes one or more cut-out regions having a residual thickness that is less than the thickness (T) of the layered stock. In addition, each of the cut-out regions (A1, A2) has one in the longitudinal direction of the respective modified edge portion A length and a width that extends transversely to the length. In addition, at least one of the first cutout region and the second cutout region (A1, A2) includes a first portion and extends from the first portion and gradually narrows from a width (W) of the first portion to An end portion of a point at the joint of the other of the first cut region and the second cut region (A1, A2).

It will be appreciated that any feature described with reference to one aspect of the invention is equally applicable to any other aspect of the invention.

In contrast to known blanks/containers, at least one of the resected areas is oriented and adjacently removed in the event that material is removed from portions of the blank forming adjacent non-square (eg, rounded or beveled) corners of the container. The intersection of the areas gradually narrows. In more detail, the material is removed within a cut-out region that extends substantially along the edge of the planar wall of the container. The cut-out region includes a first portion, such as a first portion having a substantially constant width over at least a portion of its length, and at least one tapered end portion extending from the first portion to an intersection of the cut-away region and the other cut-away region, wherein A cut-out region extends substantially along adjacent edges of the same planar wall of the container.

Because the interference between adjacent resection areas is limited, if the interference is not completely eliminated, the risk of damage to the blank/container during the folding operation is significantly reduced. Therefore, it is easier to bend the blank when forming the container, resulting in a surface that is smooth to the touch. At the same time, the strength of the container at the rounded/beveled edge can be better preserved.

Therefore, it is easy to form a non-square edge, such as a rounded or beveled edge, in the container according to the invention. When the blank is bent into a shape at the rounded or beveled edge, each thickness reduction portion of the cut-out region Absorbing one of the total deflections allows the resulting container edge to smoothly assume the desired shape as compared to the case where it forms a sharp crease. In addition, due to the tapered shape and mutual configuration of the adjacent resection zones, the adjacent rounded or beveled edges of the container are formed so as not to impart any significant damage to the blank or container that can be caused by interfering with the resection zone. Thus, the risk of forming holes or gaps in the container during the assembly operation is advantageously greatly reduced.

Since the outer surface of the blank is not affected by the cutting process, the outer surface of the container is smoothed for visual and tactile inspection as far as the consumer is concerned. In addition, because of this smoothing, the rounded surface can be obtained by a relatively small number of cut-out regions, and thus the strength of the container at the rounded or beveled corners can be adjusted by limited material removal, so that advantageously Improve both the appearance and tolerance of the container.

Advantageously, the blank can be made by accurately removing material from a rounded corner portion with a linear ablation tool (eg, a laser, a blade). Repeated delivery of the ablation tool over a given portion of the blank results in a controlled (ie, reduced residual thickness) removal of a larger percentage of material.

The term "edge portion" is used herein to refer, in particular, to the edge portion of a container having a non-square shape as viewed in cross section. This case may, for example, be referred to as a "curved edge portion", that is, as the edge portion of the inspection container in the cross section has an arc shape. The term "arc" refers to any non-linear line, including circular arcs, parabolic arcs, hyperbolic arcs, elliptical arcs, and the like. In addition, this may, for example, be referred to as "beveled edge portion", that is, as viewed in cross-section, having the edge of a substantially rectilinear container that forms an angle between 0 and 90 degrees with the adjacent wall of the container. section.

The term "inner surface" is used throughout the specification to refer to the side of a portion of the blank that faces the interior of the container (eg, toward the consumer product when the container is closed) once the container is assembled. Therefore, the inner surface of the consumer is not directly visible when the container is closed. The term "outer surface" is used throughout the specification to refer to the side of a portion of the blank that faces the exterior of the container once the container is assembled.

The term "resection area" is used herein to refer to the smallest area of the blank of all the cut-out areas on the closed edge portion.

The term "cut-out zone" is used herein to refer to the area of the curved edge portion of the material that has been cut from the surface of the layered blank or container (eg, by means of a laser beam or blade). Therefore, the residual thickness of the cut-out zone is smaller than the thickness (T) of the layered blank. Preferably, the cut-out zone is provided as a recess in the blank. This groove can be formed by a linear cutting tool such as a laser or a blade. In embodiments where all of the cut-out regions are defined by parallel grooves in the blank, the region of the cut-out region can be considered to be the region that encloses all of the grooves on the curved edge portion. Thus, in these embodiments, the width of the cut-out region can be considered to extend transversely to the groove from the first groove on the curved edge portion to the last groove.

In the present specification, the term "tilt" is used to describe a section of an ablation zone that extends in a direction that forms a non-zero angle with respect to a reference direction (eg, the longitudinal direction of the resection zone or the axis of the wall of the container). For example, the "tilted" sections of the ablation zone may all extend along this direction. In other words, the "tilted" section of the ablation zone can extend along a substantially straight line. Alternatively, the "tilted" section of the cut-out zone may vary along the direction of extension. Thus, the "tilted" section of the ablation zone can extend substantially along a fold line or curve.

The term "residual thickness" is used herein to mean the minimum distance measured between two opposing surfaces of a layered blank or a wall of a container formed from a blank, in practice, measured along a direction perpendicular to the opposing surface. The distance at a given location. If the material is removed uniformly over all of the cut-out areas (straight cross-section), the "residual thickness" of the cut-out area can be constant over the cut-out area. Alternatively, if material is removed non-uniformly over the ablation zone (eg, a V-shaped, U-shaped groove), the residual thickness of the ablation zone may vary across the width of the ablation zone.

As used herein, the terms "front", "back", "upper", "lower", "top", "bottom" and "side" when the container is in an upright position (where the proximal opening is at the top of the container) By reference is made to the relative position of the parts of the container and its components according to the invention. In particular, where the container is a folded-out container, this condition means that the container is in an upright position with the lid in the closed position and the hinge line behind the container. When describing a container in accordance with the present invention, the terms are used regardless of the orientation of the container.

The term "rebound force" is a technically known term used to refer to the specific properties of a layered blank. It is sometimes referred to as "crease recovery" and means the force (N) required to hold a 90 degree folded score sample for a period of 15 seconds. Measurements were taken at the end of the 15 second period. The resilience of a portion of the layered blank can be measured using a known PIRA crease and plate hardness tester (e.g., commercially available Messmer Buchel, UK). As is known in the art, to measure the resilience of the curved edge portion of the container, the sample of the portion to be tested is first removed from the layered blank. For round corner packaging, for the purposes of the present invention, the measurement is 38 ± 1 mm by 38 ± 0.5 mm The sample evaluates the resilience of the package, wherein the corner forming portion is positioned 21 ± 0.5 mm from one side of the blank. The blank should be adjusted at 22 degrees Celsius and 60% relative humidity for at least 24 hours prior to testing.

In its most general sense, the container according to the invention is at least partially formed from a layered blank having a thickness (T). In more detail, the layered blank defines a portion of the container comprising a first planar wall, a second planar wall joined to the first planar wall by the first edge portion; and a second edge portion connected to the first planar wall The third plane wall. The longitudinal direction of the first edge portion is transverse to the longitudinal direction of the second edge portion and when the container is assembled from the layered blank, the first edge portion and the second edge portion form adjacent edges of the container that meet at the joint. Each of the first edge portion and the second edge portion has an inner surface and an outer surface, and the inner surfaces of the first edge portion and the second edge portion respectively define a first cut region (A1) and a second cut region (A2 ). Each of the cut-out regions (A1, A2) has a length in the longitudinal direction of the respective edge portions and a respective width extending transversely to the length, and includes one or more having a residual thickness smaller than the thickness (T) of the layered blank An excision area. At least one of the first cutout region and the second cutout region (A1, A2) includes a first portion and an end portion extending from the first portion, the end portion being gradually narrowed from a width (W) of the first portion to a first cutout region And a point at the junction of the other of the second cut regions (A1, A2).

In some embodiments, both the first resection region and the second resection region (A1, A2) comprise respective first portions and extend from the respective first portions and gradually narrow from the width of the respective first portions to the first resection region and a point at the junction of the other of the second cut regions (A1, A2) The respective end parts. In these embodiments, the corner portion of the first planar wall is delimited by a sloped resection region of the end portion of the first resection region (A1) and a sloped resection region of the second resection region (A2), each of the oblique resection regions and The longitudinal direction of the respective edge portions forms a non-zero angle.

This situation is believed to minimize the interaction between adjacent edge portions, thus the risk of damage to the container during the assembly process is particularly limited. In addition, the trim finish and appearance of the container are advantageously enhanced.

Preferably, each of the cut-out regions (A1, A2) includes a first cut-out region and a second cut-out region extending in a longitudinal direction parallel to the edge portion in the first portion of the cut-out region. Additionally, each of the first cutout region and the second cutout region is configured to be adjacent to each of the first planar wall and the second or third planar wall.

Preferably, at least one of the first resection area (A1) and the second resection area (A2) comprises a plurality of resection areas, all of which extend parallel to the longitudinal direction of the edge portion in the first portion of the resection area.

Further, the at least one cut-out region preferably extends along a straight line in the longitudinal direction of the modified edge portion on at least a portion of the tapered end portion of the first cut-out region (A1) or the second cut-out region (A2). This condition can help to further weaken the tapered end portion of the layered blank. This condition can help to create a gentler curvature and profile around the joint where the adjacent edges of the container meet.

In the above-described embodiments, the at least one cut-out region preferably includes a sloped section extending along a portion of the tapered end portion of the cut-out region in a direction that forms a non-zero angle with the longitudinal direction of the modified edge portion. .

In addition, at least one of the first ablation region (A1) and the second ablation region (A2) preferably includes a portion extending in a longitudinal direction of the modified edge portion on at least a portion of the tapered end portion of the resection region A pair of cut-out regions, and a second pair of cut-out regions including respective inclined sections that form a non-zero angle with the first pair of cut-out regions. The ablation zone in the second pair of resection zones is symmetrical with respect to the resection zone in the first pair of resection zones.

In an alternative embodiment, the first cut-out region (A1) includes a first portion and an end portion extending from the first portion and gradually narrowing from a width of the first portion to a point at a junction with the second cut-away region (A2), As described above, however, the second cut-out region (A2) includes a plurality of cut-out regions extending in the longitudinal direction of the edge portion over the entire length of the second cut-off region (A2). Thus, in such embodiments, the corner portion of the first planar wall is defined by the linear cut-out region of the second cut-out region (A2) and the first cut-away region (A1) that forms a non-zero angle with the longitudinal direction of the first edge portion. The oblique cut-out area of the end portion is delimited.

In some embodiments, the layered blank defines a portion of the container, the container comprising a first planar wall, a second planar wall joined to the first planar wall by the first edge portion; and the first planar wall joined to the first planar wall by the second edge portion a third planar wall; and a fourth planar wall joined to the first planar wall by the third edge portion. The longitudinal direction of the first edge portion is transverse to the longitudinal direction of the second edge portion and the longitudinal direction of the third edge portion. The longitudinal direction of the second edge portion is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the third edge portion. When the layered blank is assembled from the container, the first edge portion and the second edge portion form adjacent edges of the container that meet at the first joint. Similarly, in the assembled container, the first edge portion and the third edge Portions form adjacent edges of the container that meet at the second joint. Each of the first, second, and third edge portions has an inner surface and an outer surface, and the inner surfaces define a first cut region (A1), a second cut region (A2), and a third cut region, respectively A3). Each of the cut-out regions (A1, A2, A3) has a length in the longitudinal direction of the respective edge portions and a respective width extending transversely to the length, and includes one having a residual thickness smaller than the thickness (T) of the layered blank Or multiple cut-out areas. The first cut-out region (A1) includes a first portion and two opposite end portions extending from the first portion, each end portion being gradually narrowed from a width (W) of the first portion to a second cut-off region and a third cut-off region (A2) , the point at the junction of each of A3).

Preferably, each of the cut lines has a residual thickness of at least about 5% of the thickness (T) of the blank. More preferably, each of the cut lines has a residual thickness of at least about 10% of the thickness (T) of the blank. Even more preferably, each of the cut lines has a residual thickness of at least about 20% of the thickness (T) of the blank. Additionally or alternatively, each of the cut lines preferably has a residual thickness of less than about 50% of the thickness (T) of the blank. More preferably, each of the cut lines has a residual thickness of less than about 40% of the thickness (T) of the blank. Even more preferably, each of the cut lines preferably has a residual thickness of less than about 30% of the thickness (T) of the blank. In some particularly preferred embodiments, each of the cut lines preferably has a residual thickness of about 20% of the thickness (T) of the blank.

Preferably, each of the cut-out regions has a cut width of at least about 0.01 mm. More preferably, each resection zone has a cut width of at least about 0.05 mm. In addition or as an alternative, the resection width of each resection zone is small It is about 0.4 mm. More preferably, the resection width of each resection zone is less than about 0.2 mm. In some preferred embodiments, the cut width of each cut region is from about 0.01 mm to about 0.4 mm. Even more preferably, the resection width of each resection zone is from about 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm.

Preferably, the container has a resilience of less than about 10 millinewtons between two planar walls joined by curved edge portions.

Containers in accordance with the present invention find particular application as a container for consumer products, particularly elongate consumer products such as smoking articles. However, it can also be used for several other types of consumer products.

The blank can be formed from any suitable material or combination of materials including, but not limited to, cardboard, cardboard, plastic, metal, or combinations thereof. Preferably, the blank is a layered cardboard blank having a weight of between about 100 grams per square meter and about 350 grams per square meter. In a preferred embodiment, the blank has a thickness from about 100 microns to about 500 microns, preferably from about 200 microns to about 350 microns.

The container may optionally comprise an overwrap paper, preferably a transparent polymeric film of, for example, high or low density polyethylene, polypropylene, oriented polypropylene, polyvinylidene chloride, cellulose film or combinations thereof, and is conventionally known The method is applied to the outer wrapping paper. The outer wrapper can include a tear strip. In addition, the outer wrapper can be printed with images, consumer information or other materials.

Alternatively, the consumer article may be provided in a container in the form of a bundle wrapped in a metal foil or metallized sandpaper. The inner encapsulating material can be formed as a laminate of a metallized polyethylene film and a liner material. The gasket material can be supercalendered cellophane. In addition, the inner packaging material can be provided with a top coating that is easy to accept printing. Inner package has a container The proximity opening of the consumer product can be removed by the lid when it is in the respective open position.

The container preferably comprises two wider walled rectangular parallelepipeds separated by two narrower walls. The flip-top container according to the present invention may be in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped having a right-angled longitudinal edge and a right-angled lateral edge. Alternatively, the flip-top container may comprise one or more rounded longitudinal edges, rounded lateral edges, chamfered longitudinal edges or beveled transverse edges or a combination thereof. For example, a flip-type container according to the present invention may include (but is not limited to):

One or two longitudinally rounded or beveled edges on one or both of the longitudinally rounded edges and/or the back wall of the front wall.

- one or both of the laterally rounded edges and/or the rear wall on the front wall or two laterally rounded or beveled edges.

a longitudinally rounded edge on the front wall and a longitudinally beveled edge and/or a transversely rounded edge on the rear wall and a transverse beveled edge.

- one or two laterally rounded or beveled edges on the front wall and one or two longitudinally rounded or beveled edges on the front wall.

- two longitudinally rounded or beveled edges on the first side wall or two laterally rounded or beveled edges on the second side wall.

Where the container comprises one or more chamfered edges, preferably the beveled edge has a width of between about 1 mm and about 10 mm, preferably between about 2 mm and about 6 mm. Alternatively, the container may comprise a multi-beveled edge formed by spaced apart parallel creases or score lines such that two or more distinct bevels are formed on at least one edge of the container.

Alternatively, the container may have a non-rectangular transverse cross-section, such as a polygon such as a triangle or a hexagon, a semi-ellipse or a semi-circle.

The container according to the invention finds particular application as a package for elongate smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars or cigarillos. It will be appreciated that via appropriate selection of the dimensions of the container, the container according to the present invention can be designed for use with different numbers of conventional size, extra large size, super large size, fine or ultra-fine cigarettes. Alternatively, other consumer products can be contained within the interior of the container.

By appropriately selecting the size of the container, the container according to the present invention can be designed to hold a different total number of smoking articles, or differently configured smoking articles. For example, a container according to the present invention can be designed to hold a total of ten to thirty smoking articles by appropriately selecting the size of the container.

Smoking items can be arranged in different configurations depending on the total number of smoking items.

The container according to the invention can hold smoking articles of the same type or brand or of different types or brands. In addition, it may contain both non-filtered smoking articles and smoking articles having various filters, as well as different lengths (eg, between about 40 mm and about 180 mm), diameters (eg, between about 4 mm and about 9 mm). Smoking items. Preferably, the size of the container is adapted to the length of the smoking article and the finishing of the smoking article. Typically, the outer dimensions of the container are between about 0.5 mm and about 5 mm greater than the size of the bundle of smoking articles contained within the interior of the container.

The length, width and depth of the container according to the invention allow the resulting overall size of the container to be similar to the size of a typical disposable package of twenty cigarettes.

Preferably, the container according to the present invention has a height of between about 60 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably between about 70 mm and about 125 mm, wherein the height is measured from the bottom wall to the top wall of the container.

Preferably, the container according to the present invention has a width of between about 12 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably a width of between about 70 mm and about 125 mm, wherein the width is measured from one side wall to the other side of the container.

Preferably, the container according to the present invention has a depth of between about 6 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably between about 12 mm and about 25 mm, wherein the depth is measured from the front wall to the back wall of the container.

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, and most preferably about 3 to 1 and 5. Between 1 and 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 about 2 to 1 and 3. Between 1 and 1.

Preferably, the ratio of the height of the rear wall of the cover to the height of the rear wall of the outer sleeve is between about 0 and 1 (the cover is at the top edge of the container) to between about 1 and 1, more preferably about 1 to 5. Between about 1 and 10, preferably between about 1 and 6 to about 1 to 8.

Preferably, the ratio of the height of the front wall of the outer sleeve to the height of the front wall of the outer sleeve is between about 1 and 0 (the cover covers the entire front wall) to between about 1 and 10, more preferably about 1 Between 1 and about 1 to 5, preferably between about 1 and 2 and about 1 to 3.

The exterior surface of the container according to the present invention may be printed, stamped, recessed or otherwise decorated with manufacturer or brand logos, trademarks, slogans and other consumer information and indicia.

Containers in accordance with the present invention may be filled and assembled using conventional equipment and methods modified to include the steps of forming a cut-out zone in the blank. The ablation zone can be created using a resection tool such as a laser or a blade. Lasers are particularly preferred as a resection tool because they allow for a wide variety of resection profiles and configurations that require minimal adjustment of the laser tool. For example, a laser can be repeatedly transferred over a given portion of the blank to repeatedly remove different amounts of material to achieve a very finely controlled cut profile. This is especially beneficial if a fine cut line with a narrow width is required. It is possible to accurately control the relative movement of the laser and the blank to form any type of pattern on the cut-out area by varying the removal strength ("depth").

100‧‧‧ cardboard layered blank

101‧‧‧First wall panel

102‧‧‧Second wall panel

103‧‧‧ third wall panel

104‧‧‧First edge part

105‧‧‧second edge part

106‧‧‧Part I

107‧‧‧End part

201‧‧‧First resection area

202‧‧‧Second resection area

203‧‧‧Resection area

2031‧‧‧Sloping section

204‧‧‧Resection area

205‧‧‧Resection area

206‧‧‧Resection area

2061‧‧‧Slope section

300‧‧‧Resection area

400‧‧‧Another cardboard layered blank

406‧‧‧Part I

407‧‧‧End part

501‧‧‧Resection area

502‧‧‧Resection area

503‧‧‧Resection area

504‧‧‧Resection area

505‧‧‧Resection area

506‧‧‧Resection area

A1‧‧‧First resection area

A2‧‧‧Second resection area

T‧‧‧ thickness

The invention will be further described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 depicts a sample portion of a layered blank for determining the resilience of a blank; FIG. 2 depicts a method for determining the resilience of a blank. Figure 3 shows a schematic plan view of a detail of a first embodiment of a layered blank for the manufacture of a container according to the invention; and Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of a layered blank for the manufacture of a container according to the invention Schematic top view of the details.

Figure 3 depicts the surface of the cardboard layered blank 100 having a thickness (T) of about 300 microns. It comprises a first wall panel 101 for forming a first planar wall of the container, a second wall panel 102 for forming a second planar wall of the container, and a third wall panel 103 for forming a third planar wall of the container . The first edge portion 104 connects the first wall panel 101 and the second wall panel 102. The second edge portion 105 connects the first wall panel 101 and the third wall panel 103. The longitudinal direction of the first edge portion 104 is substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the second edge portion 105. When the container is assembled from the blank, the first edge portion 104 and the second edge portion 105 form adjacent edges of the container that meet at the joint.

The surfaces of the first edge portion 104 and the second edge portion 105 define a first cut-out area A1 and a second cut-out area A2, respectively. As will be explained in more detail below, each of the cut-out regions A1, A2 comprises a plurality of cut-out regions having a residual thickness that is less than the thickness (T) of the layered blank. The ablation zone defines a weakened zone such that the blank 100 can be easily bent and the rounded corners of the container can be formed when the container is assembled. Each of the cut-out zones has a residual thickness of about 20% of the thickness T of the blank. The cut-out area is formed in the blank 100 by laser ablation.

Each of the cut-out areas A1, A2 has a length in the longitudinal direction of the respective edge portions 104, 105 and a respective width extending transversely to the length.

The first cut-out area A1 includes a first portion 106 and an end portion 107 extending from the first portion 106 and gradually narrowing from the width of the first portion 106 to a point at the junction with the second cut-away region A2.

The first cut-out area A1 includes a first cut-out area 201 and a second cut-out area 202 extending in a longitudinal direction parallel to the first edge portion 104 in the first portion 106 of the cut-out area A1. The first cutout region 201 and the second cutout region 202 are gradually narrowed on the end portion 107 to terminate at the junction with the second cutout region A2.

The first cutout region 201 is configured to be proximate to the first wall panel 101 and the second cutout region 202 is configured to be proximate to the second wall panel 102. Additionally, the first cut-out region A1 includes four cut-out regions 203, 204, 205, 206 extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first edge portion 104 within the first portion 106 of the cut-out region.

The pair of cut-out regions formed by the cut-out regions 204 and 205 further extend in a longitudinal direction of the first edge portion 104 into a portion of the tapered end portion 107 of the first cut-out region A1. In contrast, the pair of cut regions 203 and 206 include respective inclined segments 2031 and 2061 that form an angle of about 10 degrees with the cut regions 204 and 205. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the ablation zones 203 and 206 are symmetrical with respect to the pair of ablation zones formed by the ablation zones 204 and 205.

The second cutout region A2 includes a plurality of cutout regions 300 extending in the longitudinal direction of the second edge portion 105 over the entire length of the second cutout region A2. Therefore, the corner portion of the first planar wall panel 101 is delimited by the substantially straight cut region 300 of the second cut-away region A2 and the tapered portion of the cut 201 region of the first cut-away region A1.

Figure 4 depicts the surface of another cardboard layered blank 400. The cardboard layered blank 400 will be described below only in its scope different from the cardboard layered blank 100, and (whenever possible) having the same layer blank Parts of the blank 400 of the features and functions of the corresponding portions of the material 100 will be referred to the same numbers as much as possible.

As illustrated in Figure 4, the blank 400 is different from the blank 100 because the second cut-out region A2 also includes the first portion 406 and extends from the first portion 406 and tapers from the width of the first portion 406 to the first cut-away region A1. The end portion 407 of the point at the point. The resection areas 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506 in the second resection area A2 are mutually configured to correspond to the resection areas 201, 202, 203, 204, 205 in the first resection area A1 as described above. 206 mutual configuration.

Therefore, in the blank 400, the corner portion of the first planar wall panel 101 is delimited by the tapered portion of the cut-away region 501 of the second cut-away region A2 and the tapered portion of the cut-away region 201 of the first cut-away region A1.

100‧‧‧ cardboard layered blank

101‧‧‧First wall panel

102‧‧‧Second wall panel

103‧‧‧ third wall panel

104‧‧‧First edge part

105‧‧‧second edge part

106‧‧‧Part I

107‧‧‧End part

201‧‧‧First resection area

202‧‧‧Second resection area

203‧‧‧Resection area

204‧‧‧Resection area

205‧‧‧Resection area

206‧‧‧Resection area

300‧‧‧Resection area

A1‧‧‧First resection area

A2‧‧‧Second resection area

Claims (15)

A container for a consumer article, the container being at least partially formed from a layered blank having a thickness (T) defining a portion of the container comprising: a first planar wall; a second planar a wall connected to the first planar wall by a first edge portion; and a third planar wall joined to the first planar wall by a second edge portion; the longitudinal direction of the first edge portion is transverse to a longitudinal direction of the second edge portion; when the container is assembled from the layered blank, the first edge portion and the second edge portion form an adjacent edge of the container that meets at a joint; wherein the first Each of the edge portion and the second edge portion has an inner surface and an outer surface, and the inner surfaces of the first edge portion and the second edge portion respectively define a first cut-out region (A1) and a second cut-out region (A2); wherein each of the cut-out regions (A1, A2) includes one or more cut-out regions having a residual thickness smaller than the thickness (T) of the layered blank, and each cut-off region ( A1, A2) have at the respective edge a length in the longitudinal direction and a respective width extending transverse to the length; wherein at least one of the first cutout region and the second cutout region (A1, A2) includes a first portion and the first portion a portion of the end portion extending from the width of one of the first portions (W) Gradually narrowing to a point at the joint with the other of the first cut region and the second cut region (A1, A2). The container of claim 1, wherein the first cutout region and the second cutout region (A1, A2) comprise a respective first portion and a width extending from the respective first portion and from one of the respective first portions The respective end portions of one point at the joint point with the other of the first cut region and the second cut region (A1, A2) are gradually narrowed. The container of claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the cut-out regions includes a first cut-out region and a second cut-out region extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the edge portion in the first portion of the cut-out region; Each of the first cutout region and the second cutout region is configured to be adjacent to one of the first planar wall and the first or second planar wall. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the first resection area (A1) and the second resection area (A2) comprises a plurality of resection areas, all of the resection areas being in the resection area The first portion extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the edge portion. A container according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the cut-out regions is in the longitudinal direction of the tapered portion of the first cut-out region (A1) or the second cut-off region (A2) at the portion of the modified edge portion Extend in the direction. The container of any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the at least one cut-out region comprises a non-zero angle along a portion of the tapered end portion of the cut-out region along the longitudinal direction of the modified edge portion An inclined section extending in one direction. The container of claim 6, wherein at least one of the first resection area (A1) and the second resection area (A2) is included in at least a portion of the tapered end portion of the resection area at the edge portion a first pair of cut-out regions extending in the longitudinal direction; and a second pair of cut-out regions including respective inclined sections forming a non-zero angle with the first pair of cut-out regions; wherein the second pair of cut-off regions The ablation zones are symmetrical with respect to the ablation zones of the first pair of ablation zones. A container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the cut-out zones has a residual thickness of less than about 50% of the thickness (T) of the layered stock. A container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the one or more cut-out zones has a residual thickness of at least about 5% of the thickness (T) of the layered stock. The container of claim 1, wherein the first cut-out region (A1) comprises a first portion and extends from the first portion and gradually narrows from a width of one of the first portions to the junction with the second cut-away region (A2) An end portion of a point at the point, and wherein the second cut-out region (A2) includes a plurality of cut-out regions extending in the longitudinal direction of the edge portion over the entire length of the second cut-away region (A2). The container of claim 1, further comprising a fourth planar wall joined to the first planar wall by a third edge portion, the longitudinal direction of the third edge portion being transverse to the longitudinal direction of the first edge portion and Substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the second edge portion such that when the container is assembled from the layered blank, the first edge portion and the first a third edge portion forming an adjacent edge of the container that meets at a second joint; wherein the third edge portion has an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface of the third edge portion being defined in the third a length of the edge portion in the longitudinal direction and a third cut-away region (A3) extending transversely to the length of the length; and wherein the third cut-away region (A3) comprises having a thickness smaller than the layered blank ( One or more cut-out regions of a residual thickness of T) and the first cut-away region (A1) includes a first portion and two opposite end portions extending from the first portion, each end portion being width from one of the first portions (W) gradually narrowing to a point at the joint point of each of the second cut region and the third cut region (A2, A3). A container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the container has a resilience of less than about 10 millinewtons of meter between the first planar wall and at least one of the first or second planar walls. A container according to any of the preceding claims, which contains a smoking article. A layered blank for forming a container for a consumer article, the layered blank having a thickness (T) and comprising: a first wall panel for forming a first planar wall of the container; a second panel connected to the first wall panel by a first edge portion for forming a second planar wall of the container; and a third wall panel coupled to the first plane by a second edge portion a wall for forming a third planar wall of one of the containers; The longitudinal direction of the first edge portion is transverse to the longitudinal direction of the second edge portion; when the container is assembled from the layered blank, the first edge portion and the second edge portion are formed to meet at a joint An adjacent edge of the container; wherein the first edge portion and the second edge portion have an inner surface and an outer surface, and the inner surfaces of the first edge portion and the second edge portion respectively define a first a resection area (A1) and a second resection area (A2); wherein each of the resection areas (A1, A2) comprises one or more resection areas having a residual thickness smaller than the thickness (T) of the layered blank, And each of the cutout regions (A1, A2) has a length in the longitudinal direction of the respective edge portions and a respective width extending transverse to the length; wherein the first cutout region and the second cutout region ( At least one of A1, A2) includes a first portion and extends from the first portion and gradually narrows from a width (W) of the first portion to the first cut region and the second cut region (A1, A2) a point at the junction of the other of A tip portion. The layered blank of claim 14, wherein the first cut-out region and the second cut-off region (A1, A2) comprise a respective first portion and extend from the respective first portion and from the respective first portion A width is gradually narrowed to a respective end portion of a point at the joint with the other of the first cut region and the second cut region (A1, A2).