US20250002237A1 - Bundle of containers - Google Patents

Bundle of containers Download PDF

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Publication number
US20250002237A1
US20250002237A1 US18/697,880 US202218697880A US2025002237A1 US 20250002237 A1 US20250002237 A1 US 20250002237A1 US 202218697880 A US202218697880 A US 202218697880A US 2025002237 A1 US2025002237 A1 US 2025002237A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
bundle
containers
face
strip
container
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.)
Pending
Application number
US18/697,880
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Antoine Vilain
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
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Philip Morris Products SA filed Critical Philip Morris Products SA
Assigned to PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS S.A. reassignment PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS S.A. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: VILAIN, Antoine
Publication of US20250002237A1 publication Critical patent/US20250002237A1/en
Pending 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
    • B65D71/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material
    • B65D71/0085—Packaging elements adhered to the articles, e.g. a carton sheet
    • 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
    • B65D63/00—Flexible elongated elements, e.g. straps, for bundling or supporting articles
    • B65D63/10—Non-metallic straps, tapes, or bands; Filamentary elements, e.g. strings, threads or wires; Joints between ends thereof
    • 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
    • B65D2313/00—Connecting or fastening means
    • B65D2313/10—Adhesive or cohesive means for holding the contents attached to 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

Definitions

  • the plurality of containers can be arranged in an array of rows and columns and may be wrapped in a transparent film wrapper to form a bundle of containers. Said wrappers are typically provided for one or both of storage and transport purposes. Alternatively or additionally, the plurality of containers may be placed in a display carton to form a bundle.
  • the display carton may typically be made from a folded cardboard laminar blank, which forms a box in which the containers reside.
  • the display carton may be used in addition to or in place of a transparent film wrapper, which is wrapped around the plurality of containers. This typically involves wrapping the transparent film wrapper around the entire bundle of containers and fully covering all six sides of the bundle.
  • a wrapper surrounding the containers is provided with a tear strip or perforations to facilitate opening of the bundle.
  • a user of the bundle can tear along the strip or perforations such that a portion of the bundle wrapper can be lifted away or removed from the bundle to expose the containers within the wrapper.
  • a surrounding display carton housing may itself be wrapped by a transparent wrapper, which must first be removed before the display carton housing can be accessed.
  • Such arrangements may therefore be undesirably burdensome for those using or handling the bundle.
  • such arrangements can involve the use of multiple different components, potentially formed of differing material. This may be undesirable for one or both of environmental and costs reasons.
  • the present invention relates to a bundle of containers for consumer goods.
  • the bundle may comprise a group of containers for consumer goods.
  • Each container may comprise a first container wall.
  • the group of containers may be arranged such that the first container walls collectively form a first face of the bundle.
  • the bundle may comprise a strip.
  • the strip may extend across at least the first face of the bundle.
  • the strip may be affixed to each of the first container walls to secure the group of containers together.
  • the strip may comprise a plurality of lines of weakness. Each line of weakness may extend across the first face of the bundle.
  • the plurality of lines of weakness may be arranged such that each container in the group of containers is separable from the group of containers by tearing the strip along one or more respective lines of weakness.
  • a bundle of containers for consumer goods comprising a group of containers for consumer goods, each container comprises a first container wall, the group of containers being arranged such that the first container walls collectively form a first face of the bundle; and a strip extending across at least the first face of the bundle, the strip being affixed to each of the first container walls to thereby secure the group of containers together, wherein the strip comprises a plurality of lines of weakness each extending across the first face of the bundle, the lines of weakness being arranged such that each container in the group of containers is separable from the group of containers by tearing the strip along one or more respective lines of weakness.
  • the plurality of lines of weakness of the strip may be a plurality of interconnected lines of weakness each extending across the first face of the bundle.
  • the present invention relates to a bundle of containers of consumer goods.
  • the bundle has a strip which can allow the containers to be held together in the bundle, yet also separated from one another by way of separation along the lines of weakness of the strip.
  • the strip of the invention therefore provides a reliable means for securely retaining the plurality of containers together in a bundle, whilst also permitting easy access to the containers when desired.
  • the strip may help to securely retain the plurality of containers together in a bundle, whilst using less material than conventional means for such purposes.
  • the strip may use less material than a conventional transparent wrapper which fully surrounds the plurality of containers.
  • the strip may also negate or reduce the need for a display carton housing for the bundle. The strip may therefore improve one or both of the environmental and cost credentials of the bundle.
  • the strip By affixing the strip to each of the first container walls to thereby secure the group of containers together, whilst also providing the strip with the plurality of lines of weakness, it is possible to securely hold the containers together in the bundle, yet also allow the containers to be separated from one another. This can provide a convenient means for transporting and storing the containers, whilst also offering a convenient means for a user of the bundle to access each container when desired.
  • the lines of weakness By arranging for the lines of weakness to be interconnected with one another it is possible to offer improved flexibility to the user in respect of which container they wish to remove from the bundle.
  • the interconnected nature of the lines of weakness may allow a user of the bundle to choose between several containers in the bundle which can be removed without first requiring removal of another container in the bundle. This may improve the flexibility of choice the consumer has in respect of the order in which they remove containers from a bundle.
  • the group of containers may be arranged in at least two rows, each row containing a plurality of containers. Each row may comprise at least two containers, more preferably at least four containers. Each row may consist of no more than ten containers.
  • the group of containers may be arranged in no more than four rows, no more than three rows, or no more than two rows. In some embodiments, the group of containers is arranged in two rows, each row consisting of five containers. The containers may therefore be provided in a grid arrangement.
  • the group of containers may be grouped together such that each container abuts at least one other container of the group of containers.
  • the group of containers may be grouped together such that a front, back or side wall of each container abuts with a corresponding front, back or side wall of at least one other container.
  • the group of containers may be grouped together such that each container abuts at least two other containers of the group of containers.
  • the terms “side”, “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “back” and other terms used to describe relative positions of the components of bundles according to the invention refer to the bundle in an upright position with the access openings of the plurality of containers of the bundle at the top. When describing bundles according to the present invention, these terms are used irrespective of the orientation of the bundle being described.
  • the “bottom” of the bundle refers to the side of the bundle opposite the “top” of the bundle.
  • face and wall refers more generally to a facet of the bundle or a container of consumer goods.
  • a face and a wall may be formed from a single panel or component of the bundle, or may be formed from two or more overlapping panels or components of the bundle.
  • a face or wall of the container may be formed by a wall of the housing and a portion of the wrapper overlapping said wall.
  • a face of the bundle may be formed by a wall of at least one container and a portion of the strip overlapping said wall or walls.
  • a side wall or face may extend directly from an adjacent front wall or face.
  • the wall or face typically depends along a fold line from the adjacent wall or face.
  • a side wall or ace may depend indirectly from a front wall or face.
  • a curved or bevelled edge connects the side wall or face and the front wall or face.
  • both side wall or face and front wall or face may depend from the connecting bevelled edge wall or face along respective fold lines.
  • line of weakness is used herein to describe a portion of a surface of the bundle (or the blank from which the bundle is formed) wherein the structural strength of the material, from which the bundle (or blank) is formed has been weakened by any suitable technique, for example with respect to bending, folding or tearing along the line of weakness.
  • a line of weakness may be straight, curved, segmented or continuous or a combination thereof. Lines of weakness can be created by removal of material, by displacement of material, by compression of material, by locally reducing the forces that hold the material together, such as by breaking fibres in a fibrous material, as well as by combinations of all the above.
  • a line of weakness may be formed as a scoring line, a creasing line, an ablation line, or a perforation line.
  • scoring line is used to describe a line formed by partially cutting into the material of the blank.
  • a scoring line may be formed by removing material from the blank, that is, by forming a groove or trough in the blank.
  • a scoring line may be formed without removing any material from the blank. This would typically involve a partial sideways displacement and compression of material.
  • creasing line typically refers to a line formed by displacing a portion of the material substantially perpendicular to the plane of the blank, which results in the formation of a groove or trough in the blank.
  • the displacement may involve compression and is typically achieved by means of a compression tool, such as a roller.
  • the material in the creasing line may be displaced so as to at least partially protrude from the opposite side of the blank. Generally, no material is removed when a creasing line is formed.
  • ablation line is used instead to describe a line formed by removing material from a surface of the blank to a predetermined depth by way of ablation, such as by means of a laser beam or a blade.
  • perforated line describes a line or sequence of discrete holes or slots formed in the blank.
  • the holes may be formed by pushing an object through the blank, which may result in material being removed from the blank, for example by punching.
  • the holes may be created without effectively removing material, the object being used to push material outwardly from a centre of the hole.
  • susceptor element refers to a material that can convert electromagnetic energy into heat. When located within a fluctuating electromagnetic field, eddy currents induced in the susceptor element cause heating of the susceptor element.
  • Each container of the bundle may comprise one or more of: a container top wall, a container bottom wall, a container front wall, a container back wall and first and second container side walls.
  • each container of the bundle comprises a container top wall, a container bottom wall, a container front wall, a container back wall and first and second container side walls.
  • the first container wall may be a container top wall.
  • the first container wall may be a container bottom wall.
  • the bundle may comprise one or more of: a top face, a bottom face, a front face, a back face and first and second side faces.
  • the bundle comprises a top face, a bottom face, a front face, a back face and first and second side faces.
  • the first face of the bundle may be a top face of the bundle.
  • the first face of the bundle may be a bottom face of the bundle bottom wall.
  • the bundle may be in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped.
  • the rectangular parallelepiped may comprise right-angled longitudinal and right-angled transverse edges.
  • the bundle may comprise one or more rounded longitudinal edges, rounded transverse edges, bevelled longitudinal edges or bevelled transverse edges, or combinations thereof.
  • the rectangular parallelepiped may comprise two wider faces or walls, such as a front and back face or wall, spaced apart by two narrower side faces or walls.
  • the strip may be individually affixed to each of the first container walls by means of an adhesive. That is, an adhesive may be provided between a portion of the strip and a corresponding portion of the first wall of a container in the group of containers to affix the strip to said container.
  • Suitable adhesives include cyanoacrylate adhesives, UV curable adhesives, methyl methacrylate adhesives, and epoxy adhesives.
  • the adhesives may be water-based.
  • the adhesives may be solvent-based.
  • the strip may be individually affixed to each of the first container walls by means of a weld. That is, a weld may be formed between a portion of the strip and a corresponding portion of the first wall of a container in the group of containers to affix the strip to said container. The weld may be formed by way of applying heat to the portion of the strip and the corresponding portion of the first wall of the container.
  • the strip may be individually affixed to the first container walls at one or more predefined locations.
  • the plurality of lines of weakness may be spaced apart from said one or more predefined locations. In this way, it is possible to minimise or entirely avoid unintended interference between the lines of weakness and the means for affixing the strip to the first container walls. This may be particularly beneficial in embodiments where the group of containers are grouped together such that each container abuts at least one other container of the group of containers and where each line of weakness of the strip is positioned at a point at which two containers in the group of containers abut one another.
  • the strip may extend across only a portion of the first face of the bundle.
  • the portion of the strip extending across the first face of the bundle may be spaced from at least one edge of the first face of the bundle. This may help to minimise or entirely avoid unintended interference between one or more edges of the strip and one or more edges of the bundle. This may also help to facilitate manufacture of the bundle, since it may allow for a greater tolerance between alignment of the strip with the plurality of containers.
  • the portion of the strip extending across the first face of the bundle may be spaced from at least a front edge of the first face of the bundle.
  • the portion of the strip extending across the first face of the bundle may be spaced from at least a front edge of the first face of the bundle by a distance of at least 2 millimetres, by a distance of at least 5 millimetres, or by a distance of at least 10 millimetres.
  • the portion of the strip extending across the first face of the bundle may be spaced from at least a back edge of the first face of the bundle.
  • the portion of the strip extending across the first face of the bundle may be spaced from at least a back edge of the first face of the bundle by a distance of at least 5 millimetres, more preferably by a distance of at least 10 millimetres.
  • the portion of the strip extending across the first face of the bundle may be spaced from at least a first side edge of the first face of the bundle.
  • the portion of the strip extending across the first face of the bundle may be spaced from at least a first side edge of the first face of the bundle by a distance of at least 5 millimetres, more preferably by a distance of at least 10 millimetres.
  • the portion of the strip extending across the first face of the bundle may have a width which is less than the width of the first face of the bundle.
  • the portion of the strip extending across the first face of the bundle may have a width which is at least 10 millimetres less than the width of the first face of the bundle.
  • the portion of the strip extending across the first face of the bundle may have a width which is at least 20 millimetres less than the width of the first face of the bundle.
  • the portion of the strip extending across the first face of the bundle may have a width which is at least 30 millimetres less than the width of the first face of the bundle.
  • the plurality of lines of weakness extending across the first face of the bundle may comprise a first group of lines of weakness extending in a first direction across the first face of the bundle and a second group of lines of weakness extending in a second direction across the first face of the bundle.
  • the first direction may be substantially perpendicular to the second direction.
  • the plurality of lines of weakness may be distributed in a grid or mesh arrangement. This may allow the lines of weakness to follow the pattern defined by the boundaries between the containers in the bundle.
  • Each line of weakness of the strip may comprise one or more of: an embossed line, a debossed line, a crease line, and a perforation line.
  • Each line of weakness of the strip may comprise a perforation line.
  • Each line of weakness of the strip may be positioned substantially at a boundary between two containers in the group of containers.
  • Each line of weakness of the strip may be positioned at a boundary between two containers in the group of containers.
  • the boundary between two containers in the group of containers may be the point at which two containers in the group of containers abut one another.
  • Each line of weakness of the strip may be positioned no more than 5 millimetres away from a boundary between two containers in the group of containers.
  • Each line of weakness of the strip may be positioned no more than 2 millimetres away from a boundary between two containers in the group of containers.
  • each line of weakness of the strip may be positioned to overlie a boundary between two containers in the group of containers.
  • Each container in the group of containers may further comprise a second container wall opposed to the first container wall.
  • the group of containers may be arranged such that the second container walls collectively form a second face of the bundle.
  • the strip may further extend across the second face of the bundle and be individually affixed to each of the second container walls to thereby secure the group of containers together. Accordingly, in such embodiments, the strip may secure the group of containers together across two faces of the bundle. This may help the containers to be better held together in a group, when compared to arrangements in which the group of containers are only secured together across a single face of the bundle.
  • the strip may further comprise a plurality of lines of weakness extending across the second face of the bundle.
  • the plurality of lines of weakness extending across the second face of the bundle may be arranged such that each container in the group of containers is separable from the group of containers by tearing the strip along one or more of the lines of weakness extending across the second face of the bundle.
  • the plurality of lines of weakness extending across the second face of the bundle may be a plurality of interconnected lines of weakness each extending across the second face of the bundle.
  • the plurality of lines of weakness extending across the second face of the bundle may comprise a first group of lines of weakness extending in a first direction across the second face of the bundle and a second group of lines of weakness extending in a second direction across the second face of the bundle.
  • the first direction may be substantially perpendicular to the second direction.
  • the strip may further extends across a third face of the bundle.
  • the third face of the bundle may be positioned between the first face of the bundle and the second face of the bundle. That is, the third face of the bundle may connect the first face of the bundle to the second face of the bundle.
  • the third face of the bundle may therefore be considered to extend from first face of the bundle to the second face of the bundle.
  • the third face of the bundle may be substantially perpendicular to one or both of the first face of the bundle and the second face of the bundle.
  • the strip extends across a third face of the bundle
  • the strip is not affixed to the third face of the bundle.
  • the portion of the strip extending across the third face of the bundle may comprise a label.
  • the portion of the strip extending across the third face of the bundle may comprise one or more indicia.
  • the one or more indicia may carry branding or other information, such as information related to any consumer goods contained in the containers of the group of containers.
  • the portion of the strip extending across the third face of the bundle may be absent of any lines of weakness.
  • the third face of the bundle may be a first side face of the bundle.
  • the third face of the bundle may be a face of the bundle defined by one or more container walls, which carry product information.
  • the product information may be represented by one or more barcodes, such as a two-dimensional barcode.
  • the containers are arranged in the bundle, such that one face of the bundle contains a barcode or barcodes, said face may be the third face of the bundle.
  • Arranging for the strip to extend across this face of the bundle may be particularly advantageous as the strip may help to obscure the barcode or barcodes being carried by the walls defining said face.
  • the strip may therefore help to prevent any inadvertent scanning of the barcode or barcodes of the individual containers when the containers are held together in the bundle. This may advantageously prevent inadvertent product identification, which could lead to one or both of inadvertent handling and inadvertent transaction of the bundle.
  • the strip may only extend across the first face, second face and third face of the bundle.
  • the strip may have a substantially C-shaped profile, when positioned on the bundle. This may provide a desirable balance between helping to secure the group of containers together, whilst also minimising the amount of material needed for the strip. This may facilitate one or more aspects of manufacture, for example, in comparison to bundles having two or more strips.
  • the strip may extend over no more than three faces of the bundle, the strip may extend over no more than two faces of the bundle or the strip may extend over no more than one face of the bundle.
  • the strip extending across the first face of the bundle is a first strip of the bundle.
  • Each container may further comprise a second container wall opposed to the first container wall, with the group of containers arranged such that the second container walls collectively form a second face of the bundle.
  • the bundle may further comprise a second strip, the second strip extending across the second face of the bundle and being individually affixed to each of the second container walls to thereby secure the group of containers together.
  • the bundle comprises two discrete strips, each extending across opposed faces of the bundle.
  • Each strip may therefore be configured to secure the group of containers together across one face of the bundle.
  • the strips can be particularly effective at securing the group of containers together.
  • the plurality of lines of weakness of the first strip may be referred to as a first set of lines of weakness
  • the second strip may comprises a second set of lines of weakness.
  • the second set of lines of weakness may extend across the second face of the bundle and be arranged such that each container in the group of containers is separable from the group of containers by tearing the second strip along one or more lines of weakness in said second set of lines of weakness.
  • Each strip may therefore comprise its own set of lines of weakness. Removal of a first container from the bundle of containers may therefore be achieved by tearing each of the first and second strips along lines of weakness corresponding to the first container.
  • the second set of lines of weakness may be substantially aligned with the first set of lines of weakness.
  • each line of weakness in the second set of lines of weakness may have a corresponding line of weakness in the first set of lines of weakness.
  • the correspondence between the lines of weakness may help to ensure each container is easily removable from the bundle by separation of the first and second strips along said corresponding lines of weakness.
  • Correspondence between a line of weakness in the first set with a line of weakness in the second set may be achieved by arranging for said lines to have substantially the same longitudinal and transverse positions on the bundle.
  • the second set of lines of weakness extending across the second face of the bundle may comprise a first group of lines of weakness extending in a first direction across the second face of the bundle and a second group of lines of weakness extending in a second direction across the second face of the bundle.
  • the first direction may be substantially perpendicular to the second direction.
  • the first face of the bundle may be opposed to the second face of the bundle.
  • the first face of the bundle may be a top face of the bundle and the second face of the bundle may be a bottom face of the bundle.
  • the first face of the bundle may be a bottom face of the bundle and the second face of the bundle may be a top face of the bundle.
  • At least the portion of the strip extending across the first face of the bundle may be substantially transparent.
  • the entirety of the strip is substantially transparent.
  • the strip may comprises a polymeric film.
  • the strip may be a polymeric film.
  • the polymeric film may comprise polypropylene, such as bi-oriented polypropylene.
  • the strip may define an outer surface of the bundle of containers. That is, the strip may be an outermost component of the bundle.
  • the strip may extend over no more than three faces of the bundle, the strip may extend over no more than two faces of the bundle or the strip may extend over no more than one face of the bundle.
  • the strip may be a sheet of paper or paperboard.
  • the strip may be a multi-layer sheet.
  • the multi-layer sheet may comprise a cellulose base layer and a polymeric layer.
  • the polymeric layer may be provided on one or both of the inner side of the cellulose base layer and the outer side of the cellulose base layer.
  • the polymeric layer is provided on the inner side (i.e. the side facing the contained containers) of the cellulose base layer.
  • the polymeric layer may provide the strip with one or both of a moisture barrier and a heat sealable layer.
  • the strip may have a thickness of between about 70 micrometres and about 110 micrometres.
  • Such a strip may be preferable over other materials of strip for ease of manufacturing as it can be folded to form a bundle, without necessarily requiring any additional process steps, such as shrink wrapping.
  • a paper strip may also enable the user to more easily separate a container from the bundle when desired.
  • a paper strip may also be suitable for printing.
  • the bundle may comprise any suitable container for consumer goods.
  • Each container in the group of containers may comprise a housing for consumer goods.
  • Each container in the group of containers may further comprise an outer wrapper wrapped around the housing.
  • the outer wrapper of each container may entirely surround its respective housing.
  • the housing may be formed from one or more folded laminar blanks.
  • the one or more laminar blanks may be one or more cardboard laminar blanks.
  • the housing may have a first housing wall.
  • the first housing wall may form the first container wall. Accordingly, the strip may be directly affixed to the first housing wall of each container.
  • the first container wall may be formed by the first housing wall and a portion of the outer wrapper wrapped around the first housing wall.
  • the first housing wall and the portion of the wrapper wrapped around the first housing wall may collectively form the first container wall.
  • the strip is individually affixed to a portion of the outer wrapper of each container.
  • each container may comprise a box for housing the consumer goods.
  • the box may comprise an opening for accessing the consumer goods, and one or more of: a box front wall, a box back wall, a box bottom wall, and first and second opposed box side walls.
  • each container may further comprise a lid hingedly connected to the box by a hinge line extending across the box back wall.
  • the lid may be pivotable about the hinge line between a closed position in which the lid covers the opening of the box and an open position in which consumer goods can be removed from the box.
  • the lid may comprise a lid front wall, a lid back wall, a lid top wall, and first and second opposed lid side walls.
  • the housing of each container may be in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped.
  • the rectangular parallelepiped may comprise right-angled longitudinal and right-angled transverse edges.
  • the housing of each container may comprise one or more rounded longitudinal edges, rounded transverse edges, bevelled longitudinal edges or bevelled transverse edges, or combinations thereof.
  • the rectangular parallelepiped may comprise two wider walls, such as a front and back wall, spaced apart by two narrower side walls.
  • Each aerosol-generating article may comprise an aerosol-generating substrate, which may comprise a nicotine-containing material, such as a tobacco material.
  • Each aerosol-generating article may comprise a susceptor element.
  • the aerosol-generating substrate may comprise the susceptor element.
  • the aerosol-generating articles may be filter cigarettes or other smoking articles in which an aerosol-generating substrate comprises a tobacco material that is combusted to form smoke.
  • the aerosol-generating articles may be articles in which an aerosol-generating substrate, for example a tobacco material, is heated to form an aerosol, rather than combusted.
  • the aerosol-generating articles may be articles in which a nicotine-containing aerosol is generated from a tobacco material, tobacco extract, or other nicotine source, without combustion, and in some cases without heating, for example through a chemical reaction.
  • FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a group of containers and a strip for forming a bundle of containers of consumer goods according to a first embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the bundle of containers of the first embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the bundle of containers of FIG. 2 with one container having been removed from the bundle;
  • FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the bundle of containers of the second embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a group of containers and two strips for forming a bundle of containers of consumer goods according to a third embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the bundle of containers of the third embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 1 shows a group of containers 50 and a strip 10 for forming a bundle 1 of containers of consumer goods according to a first embodiment of the invention.
  • Each container in the group 50 is in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped having a container front wall, container back wall, container top wall 51 , container bottom wall and first and second container side walls.
  • certain details and features of the containers 50 are not shown in any of FIGS. 1 to 7 .
  • further details of an exemplary container can be seen in FIG. 8 .
  • the containers 50 are grouped together such that a front, back or side wall of each container abuts with a corresponding front, back or side wall of at least one other container.
  • the containers are shown in an upright orientation.
  • the containers are grouped into two rows, each row containing five containers.
  • the top walls 51 of the containers When grouped together in the manner shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the top walls 51 of the containers collectively form a top face 4 of the bundle 1 .
  • the bundle 1 also has a front face 3 , a first side face 5 , a back face, a bottom face, and a second side face.
  • the bundle 1 therefore generally has the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped.
  • the back face, bottom face, and second side face of the bundle 1 are not visible in the perspective view of FIGS. 1 and 2 .
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 also shows a strip 10 , which is used for forming the bundle 1 of the first embodiment.
  • the strip 10 has a generally rectangular shape and is configured to overlie the top wall 51 of each container. This can be best appreciated from FIG. 2 .
  • the strip 10 is individually affixed to the first container wall 51 of each container at a predefined location 104 .
  • the predefined location 104 is generally centrally located on each first container wall 51 , and spaced apart from the plurality of lines of weakness. That is, each line of weakness does not overlie a location where the strip is affixed to a first container wall 51 .
  • the strip 10 can be affixed to each first container wall 51 by way of one or both of a weld and an adhesive between the strip 10 and the first container wall 51 of each container.
  • the location 104 at which the strip is affixed to each container is only shown in respect of two containers in the group of containers 50 of FIGS. 1 to 3 . However, it will be appreciate that corresponding locations are present for the remaining eight containers in the group of containers 50 of FIGS. 1 to 3 .
  • the strip 10 comprises a plurality of lines of weakness extending across the strip 10 .
  • Each line of weakness may be formed by a line of perforation holes in the strip 10 .
  • the plurality of lines of weakness are interconnected with one another, and form an interconnected network of lines of weakness. In the specific embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3 , the plurality of lines of weakness are distributed in a grid or mesh arrangement.
  • the plurality of lines of weakness of the strip 10 comprise a first group of lines of weakness 101 extending in a first direction across the top face 4 of the bundle 1 and a second group of lines of weakness 102 extending in a second direction across the second face of the bundle.
  • the first direction is substantially perpendicular to the second direction.
  • the first direction generally corresponds to the direction between the front face 3 and back face of the bundle 1 .
  • the second direction generally corresponds to the direction between the first side face 5 and the second side face of the bundle 1 .
  • the strip 10 is secured to the containers 50 such that each line of weakness of the strip 10 is positioned at a boundary between two containers in the group of containers 50 .
  • the manner in which the strip 10 is affixed to the containers 50 and the arrangement of the lines of weakness 101 , 102 is such that each container in the group of containers 50 is separable from the group of containers 50 by tearing the strip 10 along one or more respective lines of weakness.
  • FIG. 3 shows the bundle 1 in a configuration where a first container 53 has been removed from the bundle 1 . The first container 53 has been removed from the bundle 1 by tearing the strip 10 along lines of weakness 105 , 106 corresponding to the first container 53 .
  • lines of weakness 105 , 106 are each positioned at a boundary where the first container 53 abuts an adjacent container. Namely, line of weakness 105 resides at the boundary between the first container 53 and a second container 54 , whilst line of weakness 106 resides at the boundary between the first container 53 and a third container 55 . As the strip is individually affixed to the first container 53 , when such separation occurs, a portion of the strip 103 is removed from the bundle 1 along with the first container 53 .
  • the remaining containers of the bundle 1 remain intact and securely held together by the strip 10 .
  • a user of the bundle 1 can then choose a further container to remove from the bundle 1 by tearing the strip 10 along lines of weakness corresponding to said further container. Due to the configuration of the lines of weakness, the user is able to choose any of the remaining containers in the bundle 1 .
  • FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a group of containers 50 and a strip 20 for forming a bundle 21 of containers of consumer goods according to a second embodiment of the invention.
  • the group of containers of FIG. 4 are substantially the same as those of FIGS. 1 to 3 .
  • the strip 20 of FIG. 4 comprises a first portion 100 , which is substantially the same as the strip 10 of FIGS. 1 to 3 . That is, the first portion 100 of the strip 20 is configured to overlie the top face 4 of the bundle 21 in the same manner as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 with respect to strip 10 .
  • strip 20 also further comprises a second portion 200 , which is configured to overlie the bottom face of the bundle and be individually affixed to each container bottom wall (see FIG. 5 ). The second portion 200 of the strip 20 may therefore also help to securely hold the group of containers 50 together.
  • the strip 20 also comprises a third portion 300 , which connects the first portion 100 to the second portion 200 .
  • the third portion 300 of the strip 20 is configured to overlie the first side face 5 of the bundle 21 .
  • the third portion 300 is not affixed to the containers of the bundle forming the first side face 5 of the bundle 21 .
  • the third portion 300 carries an indicia 305 , which may convey branding or other information, such as information related to any consumer goods contained in the containers of the bundle 21 .
  • the plurality of lines of weakness 101 , 102 of the first portion 100 can be referred to as a first set of lines of weakness.
  • the second portion 200 also carries a plurality of lines of weakness 201 , 202 and these lines of weakness 201 , 202 can be referred to as a second set of lines of weakness.
  • the second set of lines of weakness 201 , 202 extend across the bottom face of the bundle 21 and are arranged such that each container in the group of containers 50 is separable from the group of containers by tearing the strip 20 along one or more lines of weakness in said second set of lines of weakness 201 , 202 .
  • the strip 20 needs to be torn along both the first portion 100 and the second portion 200 in order for a container to be removed from the bundle 21 .
  • each line of weakness 201 , 202 of the second portion 200 of the strip 20 is positioned at a boundary between two containers in the group of containers 50 .
  • FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a group of containers 50 and two strips 10 , 30 for forming a bundle 31 of containers of consumer goods according to a third embodiment of the invention.
  • the group of containers of FIG. 6 are substantially the same as those of FIGS. 1 to 5 .
  • the strips 10 , 30 of FIG. 6 may be considered equivalent to the strip 20 of FIG. 4 , in which the third portion 300 of the strip 20 has been removed.
  • there is a first strip 10 identical to the strip 10 of FIGS. 1 to 3 and a second discrete strip 30 , which is equivalent to the second portion 200 of the strip 20 of FIGS. 4 and 5 .
  • the second strip 30 is therefore configured to overlie the bottom face of the bundle 31 and be individually affixed to each container bottom wall (see FIG. 7 ).
  • the second strip 30 may therefore also help to securely hold the group of containers 50 together.
  • the strips 10 , 30 of FIGS. 6 and 7 therefore function in a similar manner to the strips 10 , 20 previously described in respect of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 5 , details of which will be readily understood by one of skill in the art.
  • FIG. 8 shows a container 800 suitable for use in the bundle of the first, second or third embodiments.
  • the container is a hinged-lid container of the type known to one of skill in the art of packaging for aerosol-generating articles.
  • the container 800 contains a wrapped bundle of consumer goods 70 , such as a bundle of cigarettes or aerosol-generating articles in which an aerosol-generating substrate, for example a tobacco material, is heated to form an aerosol, rather than combusted.
  • the container is formed from a folded laminar blank and has a lid portion 40 and a box portion 60 .
  • the lid portion has a first lid side wall 41 , a second lid side wall 42 , and a lid top wall 46 .
  • the lid portion also has a lid front wall 45 and a lid back wall (not shown in FIG. 8 ).
  • the box portion 60 has a box front wall 65 , and a first box side wall 61 .
  • the box portion 20 also has a box bottom wall, a box back wall and a second box side wall (not shown in FIG. 8 ).
  • the lid 40 depends along a hinge line (not shown in FIG. 8 ) from a top edge of the box back wall, and is movable about the hinge line between an open position (as shown in FIG. 8 ) and a closed position.
  • An inner frame 68 is attached to the inside of the box 20 and includes a first inner frame side wall 69 , a second inner frame side wall (not shown in FIG. 8 ), and an inner frame front wall.
  • the lid top wall 46 of the container of FIG. 8 provides the first container wall 51 , and thus defines part of the top face of the bundle.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
  • Packaging Of Annular Or Rod-Shaped Articles, Wearing Apparel, Cassettes, Or The Like (AREA)
US18/697,880 2021-10-11 2022-10-11 Bundle of containers Pending US20250002237A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP21202021 2021-10-11
EP21202021.8 2021-10-11
PCT/EP2022/078310 WO2023062040A1 (en) 2021-10-11 2022-10-11 Bundle of containers

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20250002237A1 true US20250002237A1 (en) 2025-01-02

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US18/697,880 Pending US20250002237A1 (en) 2021-10-11 2022-10-11 Bundle of containers

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US (1) US20250002237A1 (https=)
EP (1) EP4416072A1 (https=)
JP (1) JP2024535511A (https=)
KR (1) KR20240089442A (https=)
CN (1) CN118076543A (https=)
WO (1) WO2023062040A1 (https=)

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102022130687A1 (de) * 2022-11-21 2024-05-23 Focke & Co. (Gmbh & Co. Kg) Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Handhabung von Verpackungsmaterial sowie Packung für Produkte der Zigarettenindustrie

Family Cites Families (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1723021A (en) * 1924-07-01 1929-08-06 Gen Electric Package for fragile articles
GB702617A (en) * 1951-10-16 1954-01-20 British Thomson Houston Co Ltd Improvements relating to the packaging of a plurality of small articles
DE7727444U1 (de) * 1977-09-05 1978-07-27 Klaus Klages Gmbh Behaelter zur Lagerung von Schachteln
DE4227713A1 (de) * 1992-08-21 1994-02-24 Meurer Maschinen Gmbh & Co Kg Transporteinheit und Verfahren zur Bildung einer Transporteinheit
DE9413462U1 (de) * 1994-08-20 1994-11-10 BASF Magnetics (Holding) GmbH, 67059 Ludwigshafen Verpackung für gestapelte Gegenstände
IT1277060B1 (it) * 1995-12-12 1997-11-04 Cielle Di Loreto Tommaso Metodo per formare una confezione di una pluralita' di contenitori che sia facilmente rompibile
US5685428A (en) * 1996-03-15 1997-11-11 The Procter & Gamble Company Unitary package
PL3313754T3 (pl) * 2015-06-26 2020-01-31 Philip Morris Products S.A. Opakowanie na towary konsumpcyjne z częścią przesuwną
GB201916393D0 (en) * 2019-11-11 2019-12-25 British American Tobacco Investments Ltd A collation of packages for delivery system
DE202020107460U1 (de) * 2020-12-22 2021-01-25 Refresco Deutschland Gmbh Gebinde

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KR20240089442A (ko) 2024-06-20
JP2024535511A (ja) 2024-09-30
EP4416072A1 (en) 2024-08-21
CN118076543A (zh) 2024-05-24
WO2023062040A1 (en) 2023-04-20

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