US20190270577A1 - Resealable container including release elements - Google Patents

Resealable container including release elements Download PDF

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Publication number
US20190270577A1
US20190270577A1 US16/345,292 US201716345292A US2019270577A1 US 20190270577 A1 US20190270577 A1 US 20190270577A1 US 201716345292 A US201716345292 A US 201716345292A US 2019270577 A1 US2019270577 A1 US 2019270577A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
inner package
release
container
sealed inner
box
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US16/345,292
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English (en)
Inventor
Timothee Cailleaux
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Philip Morris Products SA
Original Assignee
Philip Morris Products SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Philip Morris Products SA filed Critical Philip Morris Products SA
Publication of US20190270577A1 publication Critical patent/US20190270577A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
    • B65D85/07—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for compressible or flexible articles
    • B65D85/08—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for compressible or flexible articles rod-shaped or tubular
    • B65D85/10—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for compressible or flexible articles rod-shaped or tubular for cigarettes
    • B65D85/1036—Containers formed by erecting a rigid or semi-rigid blank
    • B65D85/1045—Containers formed by erecting a rigid or semi-rigid blank having a cap-like lid hinged to an edge
    • B65D85/1056—Containers formed by erecting a rigid or semi-rigid blank having a cap-like lid hinged to an edge characterized by the lid
    • B65D85/10568—Containers formed by erecting a rigid or semi-rigid blank having a cap-like lid hinged to an edge characterized by the lid opening of the lid opens simultaneously an inner package within the container
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
    • B65D85/07—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for compressible or flexible articles
    • B65D85/08—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for compressible or flexible articles rod-shaped or tubular
    • B65D85/10—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for compressible or flexible articles rod-shaped or tubular for cigarettes
    • B65D85/1036—Containers formed by erecting a rigid or semi-rigid blank
    • B65D85/1045—Containers formed by erecting a rigid or semi-rigid blank having a cap-like lid hinged to an edge
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B19/00—Packaging rod-shaped or tubular articles susceptible to damage by abrasion or pressure, e.g. cigarettes, cigars, macaroni, spaghetti, drinking straws or welding electrodes
    • B65B19/02—Packaging cigarettes
    • B65B19/12—Inserting the cigarettes, or wrapped groups thereof, into preformed containers
    • B65B19/20—Inserting the cigarettes, or wrapped groups thereof, into preformed containers into boxes with hinged lids
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B5/00—Packaging individual articles in containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, jars
    • B65B5/02—Machines characterised by incorporation of means for making the containers or receptacles
    • B65B5/024—Machines characterised by incorporation of means for making the containers or receptacles for making containers from preformed blanks
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
    • B65D85/07—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for compressible or flexible articles
    • B65D85/08—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for compressible or flexible articles rod-shaped or tubular
    • B65D85/10—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for compressible or flexible articles rod-shaped or tubular for cigarettes
    • B65D85/1081—Inserts or accessories added or joined to the container, e.g. coins, pens, cards, spacers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2203/00—Decoration means, markings, information elements, contents indicators
    • B65D2203/12—Audible, olfactory or visual signalling means

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a container for consumer goods with a resealable inner package that contains one or more release elements to provide sensory-enhancing components such as flavourants, humidification or both to the consumer goods.
  • the container finds particular application as a container for elongate smoking articles such as cigarettes.
  • Smoking articles such as cigarettes and cigars are commonly sealed during manufacturing by shrink wrapping an outer wrapper around the cardboard package.
  • Resealable packages have offered some measure of control however there remains a desire to be able to further control the humidification, flavour or both of the articles.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide a container for consumer goods that provides a consumer with the possibility to activate additional flavour or moisture but allows the retention of the additionally released material over an extended amount of time.
  • the current invention is directed to a container for consumer goods, comprising a housing comprising a box and a lid hingedly attached to the box, wherein the box comprises a box front wall and an interior box volume and wherein the lid comprises a lid front wall and a sealed inner package disposed at least partially within the interior box volume and defining an interior sealed volume for housing consumer goods.
  • a resealable flap is configured to open and close the sealed inner package when the lid of the housing is opened and closed.
  • the resealable flap is positioned to cover an access opening in the sealed inner package, where the access opening extends at least partially across the top wall of the inner package.
  • At least one release element is positioned within the interior sealed volume of the sealed inner package even after the sealed inner package has been opened and closed.
  • the release element or release elements can be enclosed within the resealable inner package and therefore do not interfere with the opening or closing of the inner package.
  • the release or release elements can be independently modulated to release the flavourant or flavourants, water or both contained in each element.
  • the inner liner can include indicia that inform the location, identities, or both of the release element or release elements.
  • the release element or release elements can be disposed between an inner stiffener and the inner liner of the resealable inner package to ensure that the articles within the resealable inner package are not damaged by the application of pressure to break the release element or release elements.
  • the one or more release element or release elements may afford the ability to include flavouring, humidification, or both to consumer articles in a resealable package.
  • the flavouring, humidification, or both can be maintained even after the container is opened for the first (and subsequent) times.
  • the ability to include more than one release element or release elements that can be independently actuated may afford the ability to tailor the flavourings provided to the consumer goods.
  • indicia on the inner liner can indicate location, identities, or both of the one or more release element or release elements.
  • the present invention is applicable to any suitable container for consumer goods such as for example elongate smoking articles. It is known to package consumer goods such as, for example, elongate smoking articles in containers formed from folded laminar blanks. For example, elongate smoking articles, such as cigarettes and cigars, are commonly sold in hinge lid packs having a box for housing the smoking articles and a lid connected to the box about a hinge line extending across the back wall of the container.
  • the container may take any suitable form for housing consumer goods.
  • the container may comprise a housing that can be described as a hinge-lid container of the Flip-Top® type with a hinged lids connected to a box housing the consumer goods.
  • the container may be a slide and shell container having an inner slide for housing the consumer goods mounted within an outer shell.
  • the outer shell or the inner slide may include one or more hinge lids.
  • the container may be formed from any suitable materials including, but not limited to, cardboard, paperboard, plastic, metal, other materials, or combinations thereof.
  • the cardboard may have a weight of between about 100 grams per square meter and about 350 grams per square meter.
  • housings according to the invention may be in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, with right-angled longitudinal and right-angled transverse edges.
  • the housing may comprise one or more rounded longitudinal edges, rounded transverse edges, bevelled longitudinal edges, or bevelled transverse edges, other types of edges, or combinations thereof.
  • the housing according to the invention may comprise, without limitation, one or more of the following features:
  • the blanks forming the housing comprise three, four, five, six, or seven scoring lines or creasing lines to form each rounded edge in the assembled container.
  • the scoring lines or creasing lines may be either on the inside of the housing or on the outside of the housing.
  • the scoring lines or creasing lines are spaced from each other by between about 0.3 millimetres (mm) and 4 mm.
  • the spacing of the creasing lines or scoring lines is a function of the thickness of the laminar blank.
  • the spacing between the creasing lines or scoring lines is between about 0.5 and about 4 times larger than the thickness of the laminar blank.
  • the housing comprises one or more bevelled edges, preferably the bevelled edge has a width of between about 1 mm and about 10 mm, preferably between about 2 mm and about 6 mm.
  • the housing may comprise a double bevel formed by three parallel creasing or scoring lines that are spaced such that two distinct bevels are formed on the edge of the container.
  • the bevel may be formed by two parallel creasing lines or scoring lines in the laminar blank from which the container is formed.
  • the creasing lines or scoring lines may be arranged symmetrically to the edge between a first wall and a second wall.
  • the creasing lines or scoring lines may be arranged asymmetrically to the edge between the first wall and the second wall, such that the bevel reaches further into the first wall of the container than into the second wall of the housing.
  • the housing may have a non-rectangular transverse cross section, for example, polygonal such as triangular or hexagonal, or oval, semi-oval, circular or semi-circular.
  • Containers according to the invention find particular application as packs for elongate smoking articles such as, for example, cigarettes, cigars or cigarillos.
  • the consumer goods may be aerosol-generating articles such as articles that heat but not burn tobacco.
  • containers according to the invention may be designed for different numbers of conventional size, king size, super-king size, slim or super-slim cigarettes.
  • containers or housings according to the invention may be designed to hold different total numbers of smoking articles, or different arrangements of smoking articles.
  • containers or housings according to the invention may be designed to hold a total of between ten and thirty smoking articles.
  • the container may further comprise other consumer goods, for example, matches, lighters, extinguishing means, breath-fresheners, or electronics.
  • the other consumer goods may be attached to the outside of the container, contained within the container along with the smoking articles, in a separate compartment of the container, or any combination thereof.
  • Disclosed containers comprise a housing.
  • the housing has an inner surface and an outer surface.
  • the housing also has a rear wall, a front wall and two side walls.
  • the housing comprises a lid and a box.
  • the lid of the housing is hingedly attached to the box and is adapted to be manipulated between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the consumer can access the consumer goods disposed within the housing.
  • the lid is hingedly attached to the box along a hinge line that extends across the rear wall or the upper edge of the rear wall of the housing.
  • a hinge line may be, for example, a fold line or a score line in the panel forming the back wall of the housing.
  • the lid and box are further defined by an opening line.
  • the opening line refers to the delineation between the lid and the box which begins at one end of the hinge line traverses the right side of the housing, the front of the housing then the left side of the housing, or vice versa, and ends at the other end of the hinge line.
  • the lid comprises a lid front wall, a lid left side wall, a lid right side wall, a lid back wall, and a lid top wall.
  • the lid has an inner surface and an outer surface.
  • the front wall of the lid also has a lower edge.
  • the box comprises a box front wall, a box left side wall, a box right side wall, a box back wall, and a box bottom wall.
  • the box has an inner surface and an outer surface.
  • the front wall of the box has an upper edge, which when the container is closed at least partially meets the lower edge of the lid.
  • the box defines an interior box volume.
  • the container also comprises an inner package.
  • the inner package is initially sealed and may be resealed after opening; as such, the inner package can be referred to as either a sealed inner package or a resealable inner package.
  • the sealed inner package is disposed within the housing of the container.
  • the sealed inner package is more particularly disposed at least partially within the interior box volume.
  • the sealed inner package defines a sealed interior volume within.
  • the sealed inner package can be configured to house or hold consumer goods.
  • Illustrative consumer goods can include smoking articles such as elongate smoking articles.
  • Specific illustrative elongate smoking articles can include for example cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos consumer goods such as aerosol-generating articles that heat but not burn tobacco, or combinations thereof.
  • the sealed inner package is made of any suitable materials, for example, polymeric materials, metal foils, other materials, or combinations thereof.
  • the sealed inner package preferably comprises polymeric materials such as polyethylene films, polyolefin films, poly lactic acid (PLA) films, or some combination thereof.
  • the sealed inner package can comprise a first layer and a second layer that are attached, at least at their peripheries to form a package with an interior sealed volume.
  • the interior sealed volume, when housed in the housing is substantially the same before opening and after resealing.
  • the sealed inner package comprises a top wall, a bottom wall, a front wall, a back wall, a right side wall and a left side wall when housed in the housing.
  • the sealed inner package comprises an access opening that affords access to the consumer goods housed inside when the sealed inner package is opened.
  • a resealable flap associated with the sealed inner package covers the access opening when the container and the resealable flap are in a closed position.
  • the access opening is at least partially uncovered when the container and the resealable flap are in the open position.
  • the access opening can be cut during manufacturing, for example.
  • the resealable flap forms an S-shape, a curve with at least two turning points when the resealable flap is open.
  • the access opening can extend at least partially across the top wall of the sealed inner package.
  • the access opening can at least partially extend across the front wall of the inner package, the back wall of the inner package, or some combination thereof.
  • the access opening can extend at least into the area of the sealed inner package that is above the box front wall upper edge.
  • the container also comprises a resealable flap.
  • the resealable flap can be integrally formed from the sealed inner package, for example from a multilayer sealed inner package or can be a separate label configured to work with the sealed inner package to seal and reseal the sealed inner package.
  • the first layer of a multilayer inner package forms the resealable flap.
  • Such an integrally formed resalable flap can be attached to the inner surface of the lid, via adhesive, or otherwise.
  • the resalable flap can be a separate label attached to the inner surface of the lid with one or more adhesive portions that is configured to seal and reseal the sealed inner package.
  • the sealed inner package or preferably a portion of the sealed inner package that is part of the access opening comprises or can be coupled to a resealable label.
  • the resealable label can be configured to attach the portion of the sealed inner package to the inner surface of the lid as well as reseal the sealed inner package.
  • a portion of the second layer attached to the flap, the sealing region are separated from each other along first and second cut lines respectively to reveal the access opening.
  • the resealable label can be attached to the lid using any suitable techniques, for example, mechanical attachment, adhesive, thermal, or ultrasonic bonding.
  • the resealable label can be attached to the lid using an adhesive, more preferably a permanent adhesive.
  • the resealable label can be configured to be re-attached to the second layer when the flap and the lid of the container are in the closed position.
  • the resealable label allows for repeated opening and closing of the sealed inner package to access the consumer goods individually.
  • the resealable label preferably provides sufficient adhesion for the access opening to be opened and closed at least as many times as there are consumer goods within the sealed inner package.
  • the resealable label preferably enables a consumer to open and reseal the sealed inner package until the sealed inner package is empty of consumer goods.
  • the resealable label has an inner surface and an outer surface.
  • the outer surface of the resealable label can be configured to permanently attach the label and in some embodiments a portion of the sealed inner package to the inner surface of the front wall of the lid.
  • the inner surface of the resealable label can comprise at least an adhesive portion and a non-adhesive portion.
  • the adhesive portion can be such that movement of the lid between open and closed positions simultaneously moves the access opening of the sealed inner package and the sealed inner package itself between opened and closed positions.
  • a flap and label cover the access opening of the sealed inner package and is resealably attached to the sealed inner package by the resealable adhesive.
  • the flap and label are at least partially detached from the sealed inner package and the access opening of the sealed inner package is at least partially uncovered or opened.
  • the adhesive portion of the label can utilize an adhesive for example, preferably a pressure sensitive adhesive.
  • the non-adhesive portion of the inner surface of the label can be positioned at the lower end of the label, which will be towards the lower edge of the lid.
  • the non-adhesive portion can allow for the resealable adhesive portion to be more easily opened.
  • Disclosed containers also include at least one release element. Any suitable release element may be employed in a container as described herein.
  • a release element can comprise water or a humidity release agent, one or more sensory enhancing agents, one or more humectants, one or more lipid compounds, one or more additional compounds, or any combination thereof.
  • the core preferably consists essentially of, or consists of, a mixture of one or more of water or a humidity release agent, one or more sensory enhancing agents, or a combination thereof; one or more humectants; one or more lipid compounds; and optionally one or more additional compounds.
  • Some release elements can include water, a humidity release agent, or both. Such release elements can be useful to allow for ongoing control of the humidity level within the sealed inner package.
  • the water or humidity release agent can be contained within a water-insoluble core that upon application of pressure thereto releases the water or humidity release agent into the sealed inner package.
  • Some release elements can include a sensory-enhancing agent either with or in place of water or a humidity release agent. Any suitable sensory-enhancing agent may be included in a release element. Suitable sensory-enhancing agents include flavourants and sensation agents. Suitable flavourants include aromatic or fragrance molecule as conventionally used in the formulation of flavoring or fragrance compositions.
  • Those sensory-enhancing agents having limited low or medium solubility in water may benefit from high concentrations of lipid compounds in the mixture of the core, if a core is utilized in the release element, as they may be more soluble in the lipid component.
  • Those sensory-enhancing agents having high solubility in water will likely be present in the hydrophilic portion of the core, if a core is utilized in the release element, such as with hydrophilic humectants.
  • the concentration of sensory-enhancing agent in a release element can be adjusted or modified to provide a desired amount of the sensory-enhancing agent.
  • concentration of sensory-enhancing agent within each release element can be the same or can vary depending on the desired sensory result.
  • Preferred release elements can include a core and a shell. Some such release elements can include, along with water or a humidity release agent, sensory-enhancing agents or both, humectants, lipids, other components, or a combination thereof.
  • one or more of the humectants in the core are hydrophilic, that is, the humectant is a molecule that is at least partially polarized and capable of hydrogen bonding, enabling it to dissolve more readily in water than in oil.
  • hydrophilic means having a solubility in water of 25 grams or more per 100 milliliters at 25 degrees Celsius.
  • hydrophobic means having a solubility in water of less than 25 grams per 100 milliliters at 25 degrees Celsius.
  • humectants have a solubility in water that is about 40 grams or more per 100 milliliters at 25 degrees Celsius, such as about 50 grams or more per 100 milliliters at 25 degrees Celsius.
  • a humectant can be present in the core or in the mixture in any suitable concentration.
  • the cumulative concentration of the one or more humectants in the mixture can be in a range from about 1 percent to about 20 percent.
  • the cumulative concentration of the one or more humectants in the mixture is in a range from about 2 percent to about 15 percent. More preferably, the cumulative concentration of the one or more humectants in the mixture is in a range from about 7 percent to about 10 percent.
  • the mixture contains only one humectant.
  • the mixture containing the one or more lipid compounds and the one or more humectants comprises an emulsion.
  • One or more humectants can optionally be dissolved in an appropriate solvent prior to mixture with the one or more lipid compounds to favor formation of an emulsion.
  • the one or more lipid compounds can optionally be dissolved in an appropriate solvent prior to mixture with the one or more humectants.
  • the mixture of one or more lipid compounds and one or more humectants can include any suitable lipid compound.
  • Release elements can include a core and a shell. Any suitable shell that is breakable via the application of a reasonable force can be utilized.
  • the shell of a release element can include one or more hydrocolloids, which can be, for example, gelatin or a vegetable ingredient.
  • the shell can include gelatin; a modified starch; a polysaccharide based material, such as pectin or alginate; gelatin; a paraffin wax; agar; algin; glycerol; arabic guar; carrageenan; a vegetable gum such as ghatti gum, pullulan gum, mannan gum; or any other suitable material or combinations thereof.
  • the shell contains an alginate.
  • the shell may further include one or more fillers.
  • a “filler” is any suitable material that can increase or decrease the percentage of dry material in the shell, or change the viscoelastic properties of the shell (such as a plasticizer). Increasing the dry material amount in a shell can result in solidifying the shell, and in making the shell physically more resistant to deformation.
  • the filler is selected from the group comprising starch derivatives such as dextrin, maltodextrin, cyclodextrin (alpha, beta or gamma). Dextrin is a preferred filler.
  • the amount of filler in the shell is generally 98.5 percent or less, preferably from about 25 percent to about 95 percent, more preferably from about 40 percent to about 80 percent, and even more preferably from about 50 percent to about 60 percent by weight of the total dry weight of the shell.
  • the shell includes one or more humectants.
  • the one or more humectant can account for any suitable weight percentage of the shell.
  • the shell includes an alginate and a humectant.
  • the shell of a release element may be of any suitable thickness.
  • the shell thickness of the capsule is from about 10 microns to about 500 microns, preferably from about 20 microns to about 150 microns, more preferably from about 30 microns to about 80 microns.
  • a release element in accordance with the teachings presented herein may have any suitable ratio of the weight of the shell to the weight of the release element.
  • the ratio of the weight of the shell to the total weight of the release element can be from about 5 percent to about 15 percent, preferably from about 6 percent to about 10 percent, more preferably from about 8 percent by weight/total weight of the release element.
  • the core may represent any suitable weight percent of the release element.
  • the core of a release element represents by weight from about 85 percent to about 95 percent of the total weight of the release element, preferably from about 90 percent to about 94 percent by weight, more preferably from about 92 percent by weight of the total weight of the release element.
  • a release element may have any suitable total weight.
  • the total weight of the release element can be from about 5 mg to about 60 mg, preferably from about 10 mg to about 50 mg, more preferably from about 15 mg to about 40 mg.
  • a release element with a diameter of 3.5 mm may weigh 22 mg and a release element of diameter of 3.0 mm may weigh 17 mg.
  • a release element in accordance with the teachings presented herein may have any suitable outer diametric dimensions.
  • the outer diameter of the release element is in the range of about 2 mm to about 7 mm, preferably from about 3 mm to about 6 mm, more preferably from about 4 mm to about 5 mm.
  • the release element can be of varying size and shape, differing resistance to kinetic or thermal forces to break or rupture the release element, and can include alternative compositions and constituents.
  • a release element can be a seamless capsule obtained through a co-extrusion process.
  • the co-extrusion process can be a synchronous extrusion of two liquids: an external and hydrophilic liquid phase, and an internal and lipophilic liquid phase.
  • the co-extrusion process includes three main stages: compound drop formation, shell solidification and capsule collection.
  • the compound drop is a sphere of the liquid fill phase inside the shell phase.
  • the liquid fill phase constitutes the core.
  • the shell phase constitutes the shell.
  • the release element of the invention may be produced by any suitable co-extrusion process, such as described in EP1906775 or EP513603.
  • the release element can be formed by any methods known in the art that comprise dripping of a core emulsion and a shell solution into gelation bath, such as but not limited to, simple dripping, drip casting, electrostatic dripping, coaxial air flow technique, liquid-jet breakup technique, vibrating jet (nozzle) breakup technique, jet cutting technique, and rotating (or spinning) disk atomization.
  • the release elements are crushable.
  • a crushable release element is a release element having a crush strength from about 0.01 kp to about 5 kp, preferably from about 0.5 kp to about 2.5 kp.
  • the crush strength of the release element can be measured by continuously applying a load vertically onto one release element until rupture.
  • the crush strength of the release elements can be measured by using a LLOYD-CHATILLON Digital Force Gauge, Model DFIS 50, having a capacity of 25 kg, a resolution of 0.02 kg, and an accuracy of plus/minus 0.15 percent.
  • the force gauge can be attached to a stand; the release element can be positioned in the middle of a plate that is moved up with a manual thread screw device. Pressure can then be applied manually.
  • the gauge records the maximum force applied at the very moment of the rupture of the release element (measured in, for example, kg or in lb). Rupture of the release element results in the release of contents of the core.
  • release element Additional methods for characterizing release element include crush force which is the maximum compressive force measured in, for example, Newtons that a release element can withstand before breakage also referred to as the maximum resistance to breakage; and distance at breakage which is the change in dimension of the release element due to compression, that is, deformation, at breakage. It can also be expressed for example by the ratio between a dimension of the release element (for example, the release element diameter) and the dimension of the release element, measured in the direction of the compression force, when it is compressed to the point of breakage.
  • the compression is generally applied toward the floor by the compression plates of an automatic or manual compression testing machine. Such machines are well known in the art and commercially available.
  • the release element should have characteristics that allow the water or humidity release agent, sensory enhancing agent or both to be released into the sealed inner package without damaging the container, the consumer goods within the container, or both.
  • the release element has a crush strength prior to introduction into the container of from about 0.6 kp to about 2 kp, preferably from about 0.8 kp to about 1.2 kp.
  • the release element has a maximum resistance to breaking of about 17 N, preferably about 14 N.
  • the above maximum resistance to breaking is typically obtained when a universal tensile/compression testing machine equipped with 100 N tension load cell like, Instron or equivalent, is operating at about 30 mm/min and at 22 degrees Celsius under 60 percent relative humidity.
  • An example of a manual test machine is the Alluris Type FMI-220C2-Digital Force Gauge 0-200N-Supplier: Alluris GmbH & Co.
  • the one or more release elements may be located at various locations within the container.
  • the release elements are always located so that they are within the sealed inner package even after the inner package has been resealed.
  • the one or more release elements can be located so that the sealing and resealing of the inner package is not affected by their presence.
  • the one or more release elements are located above the portion of the box where the resealable portion of the lid contacts the box.
  • the one or more release elements are located between the inner liner and an optional pressure resistant element.
  • the one or more release elements can be located within the portion of the sealed inner package that is within the lid.
  • the one or more release elements can be located within the portion of the sealed inner package adjacent a side wall of the lid or the box, or both. In some embodiments, the one or more release elements can be located within the portion of the sealed inner package adjacent a back wall of the lid, the box, or both. In some embodiments, the one or more release elements can be located within the portion of the sealed inner package adjacent a front wall of the lid, the box, or both. In some embodiments, the one or more release elements can be located within voids of smoking articles contained within the inner package.
  • the one or more release elements are located at any combination of locations.
  • the one or more release elements can have the same or different shapes. A desired shape of a release element may depend in part on the location of the release element within the container.
  • the container can also comprise a pressure resistant element.
  • the pressure resistant element may provide resistance against the force necessary to release materials from the release element.
  • a pressure resistant element can be an optional inner frame disposed within the sealed inner package.
  • the inner may be disposed for example adjacent the front wall, the back wall, the right side wall, the left side wall, the top wall, the bottom wall of the sealed inner package.
  • the inner frame can be disposed adjacent the same portion of the sealed inner package as the release element. For example, if the release element is adjacent a front wall of the sealed inner package, the inner frame can also be adjacent the front wall of the sealed inner package.
  • an inner frame with a large surface area provided adjacent the front wall of the sealed inner package increases the structural strength of the overall container.
  • An optional inner frame may also provide resistance against force necessary to release material from the release element. This may be particularly advantageous for subsequent use when the container is no longer full.
  • a container can also optionally include an inner stiffener as a pressure resistant element.
  • An inner stiffener can be a piece of cardboard, paperboard, plastic, metal, or other material that can function to protect the consumer goods contained in the sealed inner package particularly during the manufacturing of the container, even more particularly during sealing operations.
  • Such an inner stiffener can be disposed adjacent the front wall, the back wall, the right side wall, the left side wall, the top wall, the bottom wall, or any combination thereof of the sealed inner package.
  • the inner stiffener can be disposed adjacent the same portion of the sealed inner package as the release element. For example, if the release element is adjacent a front wall of the sealed inner package, the inner stiffener can also be adjacent the front wall of the sealed inner package.
  • an inner stiffener with a large surface area provided adjacent the front wall of the sealed inner package increases the structural strength of the overall container.
  • An optional inner stiffener may also provide resistance against force necessary to release material from the release element. This may be particularly advantageous for subsequent use when the container is no longer full.
  • a container can include visible indicia indicating location, identity, or both of the one or more release elements.
  • indicia could be located on the outer surface of the sealed inner package to indicate position, identity (for example, type of flavourant, humidity release agent or water), or both.
  • indicia could be located on the outer surface of the box, the outer surface of the lid, or both to indicate position, identity (for example, type of flavourant, humidity release agent or water), or both.
  • the portion of the housing (lid, box, or both) overlying the release elements may be debossed or thinned to compensate for the pressure of the release element or elements.
  • a carton that includes a lid and at least one sidewall can contain multiple containers as described herein.
  • a carton comprises houses or holds at least one container.
  • a carton can contain only disclosed containers or can contain disclosed containers as well as other items.
  • a carton comprises houses or holds from five to ten disclosed containers.
  • Methods can include steps of forming a sealable inner package or a precursor to a sealable inner package; disposing at least one release element in or on the sealable inner package;
  • the step of forming a sealable inner package or a precursor to a sealable inner package can be accomplished by providing material (for example plastic, paper, foil, or other materials as described above) that once manipulated (for example folded, crimped, cut, adhered to itself or some other material, or other actions) forms a sealable or sealed inner package.
  • material for example plastic, paper, foil, or other materials as described above
  • Once manipulated for example folded, crimped, cut, adhered to itself or some other material, or other actions
  • Characteristics of sealed inner packages, release elements, consumer goods and other features of containers described above can all be utilized in disclosed methods.
  • outer surface is used throughout the specification to refer to the surface of a component of the assembled container that is facing towards the interior of the container, for example towards the consumer goods, when the container is in the closed position.
  • the outer film comprises an inner surface that is facing the housing of the container.
  • outer surface is used throughout the specification to refer to the surface of a component of the container that is facing towards the exterior of the container.
  • the outer film comprises an outer surface that is facing away from the housing of the container.
  • inside or outside surface is not necessarily equivalent to a certain side of a blank used in assembly of the container. Depending on how the blank is folded around the consumer goods, areas that are on the same side of the container can either face towards the inside or the towards the outside of the container.
  • front refers to the relative positions of portions of containers according to the invention and components thereof when the container is in an upright position with the lid of the housing in the closed position and the hinge line at the rear of the container.
  • rear or back wall of the container includes the hinge line.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a container in an open position, where the container comprises at least one release element.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the side of the container of FIG. 1 in an open position.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the front of the container of FIG. 1 in a closed position.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a container in a closed position where the container comprises indicia to indicate location and identity of the release elements.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a container 10 for consumer goods is depicted.
  • the container includes a housing 12 that includes a box 14 and a lid 20 hingedly attached to the box via a hinge line (not shown).
  • the box has a front wall 16 and a rear wall 18 .
  • the front wall of the box has an upper edge 21 .
  • the box also has an inner surface 17 and an outer surface 19 .
  • the hinge line extends across the back wall 18 of the box 14 of the container 10 , and acts to allow the lid 20 to be moved from a closed position ( FIG. 3 ) to an open position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 .
  • the lid 20 has a front wall 24 that has an inner surface 22 and an outer surface 26 .
  • the lid 20 also has a lower edge 25 .
  • An inner package 30 is disposed within the housing 12 .
  • the inner package 30 at least partially defines an interior volume or sealed volume for housing consumer goods.
  • the inner package 30 can be made from a barrier material or materials to hermetically seal the consumer goods before the container is opened for the first time.
  • the barrier material may be a metal foil or a plastic and metal laminate.
  • the inner package 30 includes a front wall 32 , a back wall 34 , a bottom wall 35 , a top wall 36 , a right side wall 37 and a left side wall (not shown).
  • the inner package 30 includes an outer surface 33 .
  • the inner package 30 includes an access opening 54 through which the consumer goods (not shown) can be removed.
  • the access opening 54 is covered by the flap 44 when the flap is in the closed position ( FIG. 3 ). Further, the access opening 54 is at least partially uncovered when the flap 44 is in the open position.
  • the flap can include or be coupled with a label.
  • the label includes a sealing area and a non-sealing area. The flap and the label are not distinguishable in the figures and element 44 can be considered as referring to both of them.
  • the flap 44 can be attached to the top wall 36 along a hinge line 49 ( FIG. 2 ).
  • the flap 44 is also attached to an inner surface 22 ( FIG.
  • FIG. 1 also shows an optional pressure resistant element 70 .
  • the pressure resistant element 70 is located within the sealed inner package 30 .
  • FIG. 2 a schematic cross-section view of the container 10 of FIG. 1 is depicted with the lid 20 and the flap 44 in the open position.
  • the inner package 30 is shown disposed within the box 14 of housing 12 .
  • the flap 44 is attached to the lid 20 .
  • the flap 44 forms an S-shape.
  • the geometry of the container 10 is such that the flap 44 is automatically resealed to the sealed inner package 30 when the flap (and the lid 20 ) is returned to the closed position.
  • FIG. 3 a schematic perspective view of the container 10 of FIG. 1 is depicted.
  • the lid 20 of the container 10 and the flap 44 of the inner package 30 are in the closed position.
  • the flap 44 is attached to the second layer 50 when the flap is in the closed position.
  • release elements 72 are positioned so that they are within the sealed interior volume when the sealed inner package 30 is closed. In the particular embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1 to 3 , the release elements 72 are positioned above the upper edge 21 of the box 14 and above the lower edge 25 of the lid 20 when the lid is in the closed position ( FIG. 3 ). The release elements 72 are also positioned above the sealing region.
  • FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show three release elements 72 but any number of release elements can be utilized in disclosed containers.
  • FIG. 4 shows release elements 72 positioned adjacent the inner surface of the front wall 16 of the box 14 .
  • the outer surface 19 of the front wall 16 of the box 14 includes location indicia 80 , 81 and 82 as well as identity indicia 83 , 84 and 85 .
US16/345,292 2016-10-28 2017-10-27 Resealable container including release elements Abandoned US20190270577A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP16196426.7 2016-10-28
EP16196426 2016-10-28
PCT/IB2017/056693 WO2018078581A1 (en) 2016-10-28 2017-10-27 Resealable container including release elements

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EP (1) EP3532406A1 (es)
JP (1) JP2019533613A (es)
KR (1) KR20190073352A (es)
CN (1) CN109789963A (es)
MX (1) MX2019004726A (es)
RU (1) RU2019112112A (es)
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WO (1) WO2018078581A1 (es)

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US4997082A (en) * 1988-06-28 1991-03-05 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Humidistat
US5035731A (en) * 1988-10-07 1991-07-30 Philip Morris Management Corp. Device for controlling relative humidity within a substantially sealed container
JP3091254B2 (ja) 1991-05-14 2000-09-25 フロイント産業株式会社 シームレスカプセル製造装置
FR2864428B1 (fr) 2003-12-24 2006-09-22 Tabacs & Allumettes Ind Dispositif pour ajouter une substance volatile dans un produit a fumer et contenant de produit a fumer comportant un tel dispositif
AU2006271321B2 (en) 2005-06-21 2012-04-26 V. Mane Fils Smoking device incorporating a breakable capsule, breakable capsule and process for manufacturing said capsule
GB0623385D0 (en) * 2006-11-23 2007-01-03 British American Tobacco Co Packaging for smoking articles
JP5193615B2 (ja) 2008-01-24 2013-05-08 ブリティッシュ・アメリカン・タバコ・ジャパン合同会社 フレーバー付きタバコ産業製品用パック
JP2015013647A (ja) * 2011-10-26 2015-01-22 日本たばこ産業株式会社 シガレット類包装製品
TWI586596B (zh) * 2012-02-15 2017-06-11 菲利浦莫里斯製品股份有限公司 容器用強化之可再密封內包裝
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MX2019004726A (es) 2019-08-21
CN109789963A (zh) 2019-05-21
JP2019533613A (ja) 2019-11-21
WO2018078581A1 (en) 2018-05-03
EP3532406A1 (en) 2019-09-04
RU2019112112A (ru) 2020-11-30
KR20190073352A (ko) 2019-06-26

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