US2143866A

US2143866A - Package

Info

Publication number: US2143866A
Application number: US137405A
Authority: US
Inventors: John S Cromelin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1937-04-17
Filing date: 1937-04-17
Publication date: 1939-01-17
Anticipated expiration: 1956-01-17

Description

Jan. L7, 1939. J, s. CROMELIN PACKAGE 2 Sheee'cs--Sheei'l l Filed Apri; 17, 1937 Jan. 17, 1939. J, s CROMEUN 2,143,866

PACKAGE Filed April 17, 1957 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented Jan. 17, 1939 UNITED STATES Aldil@ PATENT OFFICE 13 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in cigarette packages, and refers specifically to a cigarette package characterized in that it is of convenient form or shape, is relatively rigid and rugged affording protection to the cigarettes contained therein, and is provided with means whereby ready and convenient access to the cigarettes carried in the package may be had.

One of the features of my invention comprises the provision of a package for cigarettes or the like which is light in weight and convenient in shape and yet is characterized by its rigidity and ruggedness.

Another feature of my invention resides in the provision of a package for cigarettes which can be economically produced, both from the standpoint of material, and of the operations involved in the manufacture of the package and the packaging of the cigarettes or other contents.

As a most important feature of my invention, means is provided whereby convenient access to the contents of the cigarette package may be gained, permitting the removal of cigarettes one at a time without disturbing the remaining cigarettes in the package or causing them to be displaced as a result of the removal of one or more cigarettes from the package.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the acompanying drawings and following detailed description.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a side elevational view, parts being broken away, of my improved cigarette package.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on 35 line 2 2 of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional View taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevational View of a portion of the package illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. Li. n

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of a portion of the tab-carrying top of the package.

Fig. 'i is a fragmentary transverse sectional view, similar to Fig. 5, of a slight modification of my invention.

5o Fig. 8 is a perspective View, parts being broken away, of a modified form of my cigarette package.

Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional View of the package shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a development of the frame of the g5 package illustrated in Fig. 8.

(Cl. 20G- 56) Fig. 11 `is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line H-il of Fig. 8.

Fig. 12 is a perspective View of another modification of my invention.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line I3--I3 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a transverse sectional view of the package shown in Fig. 12.

Fig. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary, bottom plan View of the lower frame member.

Fig. 16 is a sectional view taken on line iii-i 6 of Fig. 15.

Referring in detail to the drawings, I indicates a cigarette package of the type wherein cigarettes 2 are' disposed side by side in a single row. The package l is adapted to accommodate any desired number of cigarettes, but is preferably constructed to contain twenty cigarettes, the number commonly marketed in packages. By disposing the cigarettes ina single row, the package l may be made very thin, permitting its accommodation in the breast, side or hip pocket without forming an unsightly bulge; or the same may slip easily into a womans handbag.

The package I comprises essentially a frame or skeleton structure 3 and an outer wrapper fa. The frame 3 is preferably constructed of cardboard or similar relatively heavy material of sufficient caliper to furnish rigidity to the package. I have found that 15 point fibrous board serves admirably for the frame, but I do not wish to be limited to this thickness since the board may be selected, as to thickness, in conformity with `rigidity or ruggedness desired. The wrapper il,

on the other hand, serves a different function,

namely, that of an envelope or covering and accordingly may comprise a relatively light paper having a desired finish or coating. I have found that an 80 pound Litho paper serves ideally, but, of course, myinvention contemplates a paper of any weight' or nish desired. However, as will be hereinafter more fully described, it is desirable that the wrapper ,or at least that portion of the wrapper which covers the top of the package, be of short fibre so that it may be easily torn.

The frame 3 is constructed in the form of a relatively narrow unitary strip of material, of an effective width substantially equal to the diameter of the usual cigarette. The strip is folded transversely at spaced intervals along its length to provide a top 5, ends 6 and 'i and a bottom 3, the two ends of the strip terminating at a corner of the package, as indicated at 9 in Fig. 1.

In this form of my invention, the top 5 is of CIK greater width than the members 6, 'I and 8, said top being provided with two integral side flanges score lines I2 so as to be disposed at right anglesV to the tabs I3. The remaining frame members are formed by folding the strip along the respective transverse lines to form the corners of the package. These transverse folded lines vare so arranged that the length of the ends 6 and I is substantially equal to the length of the cigarettes 2 so that the cigarettes can be snugly positioned side by side between the top and bottom. It is preferable that there be, when the package is completely assembled, a very slight pressure at the tops and bottoms of the cigarettes so that relative slipping or displacement of the cigarettes will not take place when one or more cigarettes are removed from the package. The wrapper 4 is then positioned over the cigarettes thus embraced by the frame 3 and is properly folded and sealed to provide an en' velope for the cigarettes and frame.

The envelope may be sealed by gluing, pasting, cementing or the like or the envelope may be heat sealed. The wrapper is preferably sealed at the ends of the package, but may, if found desirable, be sealed elsewhere on the package.

To gain access to the contents of the package I, the ngernail may be used to sever the wrapper at the corner 9. It will be noted that the end I terminates short of the top at this corner leaving a slot I4 unsupported by the frame and only covered by the wrapper. At this point, of course, the wrapper may be easily severed. It will also be noted that the top 5, that is, the endmost tab I3 overhangs the endmost cigarette 2 whereby purchase may be obtained at the edge of the tab I3. The endmost tab I 3 may then be raised, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4, the tab being severed along the opposite score-lines I2. Simultaneously, the wrapper embracing the tab I3 is also severed being of easily severable stock. It can readily be seen that when the tab I3 is thus raised, it hinges along the cross-portion of the L.shaped score-lines defining the adjacent tab I3. By exerting a slight lateralpull upon the tab, the same may then be severed from the next adjacent tab exposing the rst or endmost cigarette 2. 'Ihe package may then be tapped or jarred in well known fashion to cause the endmost cigarette, now unconned at its top, to slip outwardly whereby it may be readily grasped.

Due to manufacturing peculiarities in the making of the cigarette, some cigarettes may be of smaller or larger diameters than others; or some may be packed harder thanothers and may resist squeezing to a greater degree. To compensate or provide for this irregularity, I purposely form the endmost tab I3 slightly larger than the remaining tabs I3. This normally necessitates making the endmost tab I3 at the opposite end of the top correspondingly smaller. By this provision, inasmuch as the package will be opened 'adjacent the tab.I3', the removal of any tab in sequence will always expose at least one full cigarette. Y

In forming the score-lines I2, small ridges I5 protrude from the bottom face of the tabs. Although theseridges are relatively small they function to retain the cigarettes in their proper positions until their respective confining tabs are raised. This, of course, prevents the unused cigarettes from slipping or tilting within the package.

As shown best in Figs. 15 and 16 the bottom 8 may be provided with spaced indentations I5 which may be stamped in the lower face of the bottom thereby providing projections I 6 upon the upper face of the bottom member. It is preferable that the projections be relatively small so as not to impair the strength of the bottom member and also that in section said projections be formed ratchet-fashion, with the long tapered side toward the end of the package which is to be opened. It can readily be seen that by the provision of the projections IS the unused cigarettes will be prevented from shifting when one or more cigarettes are removed from the package.

My cigarette package constructed as hereinbefore described is of light weight, convenient shape and extremely rugged. The construction of the package is such that, in spite of the sparing use of heavy material, it is exceptionally rigid. The rigidity is obtained primarily through the assistance of the envelope o-r wrapper which, when the package is twisted or subjected to torsion, is immediately placed in tension, thus resisting any efforts which may tend to distort or displace the frame from its normal position. In addition, by the provision of the side flanges Ill and II, the top is reinforced against stresses which tend to compress the cigarettes endwise.

In a slightly modied form of my package, the flanges lil and II may be formed separate from the tab-carrying top. Such a construction is illustrated in transverse section in Fig. 7 wherei in Illa and I Ia comprise the separate side flanges. In this construction it is unnecessary to provide the staffs or longitudinal score-lines and only cross score-lines are provided on the top I3a. The remaining construction is similar to that described in conjunction with the package I.

Of course, one of the important features of my invention resides in the scored or perforated top whereby tabs may be torn 01T one by one to expose and gain access to the cigarettes. Io avoid difficulty in severing the tabs, it will be noted in both constructions hereinbefore described, the tabs may be torn from a body (the remaining portion of the Itop and the side flanges) which is reinforced to resist the tearing stresses. In other words, by the provision of thev side flanges ill and ll, or Illa and IIa which may be adhesively united to the envelope or wrapper, an upward pull on one of the Vtabs immediately sets the side walls of the wrapper in tension and provides an anchorage against which the pull may be exerted. In this manner the tearing of one tab will not tend to be entirely resisted by the next adjacent tab.

Referring particularly toFigs. 8, 9, 10 and 1l, another modication of my invention is illustrated. In this form of my invention a frame I6 and a wrapper il is used. The frame I6 is constructed of a material similar to the frame 3 and the wrapper I 'i may comprise the same material as that comprising wrapper 4.

Frame I comprises astrip of cardboard or the like which is cut to provide a plurality of spaced notches I'I. The strip is adapted to be folded longitudinally along the lines I8 and I9 to divide the strip `into three sections, namely, side flanges 2l) and 2i and a central section 22. 'I'he strip is also transversely folded along the spaced lines 23, 23 and 25 to divide the strip into ends 26 and 2'?, bottom 28 and topi 29. To facilitate tbe folding of the strip I6, the material comprising said strip may be scored along the lines -I8 and I9, and lines i3, 24 and 25.

To assemble the package, the strip I6 is folded along the lines I8 and I9 so as to dispose the side ang-es at right-angles to the central section 22. Cigarettes 3B may be positioned in a row With their bottom ends resting upon theY central section 22 of the bottom 28, the lower sides ofthe cigarettes being embraced by the

side flanges

20 and 2! of the bottom. The strip may then be folded along

lines

23, 24 and 25 to dispose the respective frame members at right-angles to each other, the side iianges overlapping each other in progressive fashion around the periphery of the frame. The Wrapper I'I is then applied to the frame in the manner hereinbefore described in conjunction with package I.

Similar to package I, the top 29 is scored or perforated to provide a plurality of removable tabs 3i, andthe endmost tab 3i at one end is larger than the remaining tabs 3|, the endmost tab 3i at the opposite end being smaller than the tabs 3i. Similar to package I, the tab 3i overhangs the endmost cigarette 3U and the end oi the frame member 21 is spaced from the top, as shown at 32 in Fig. 8, whereby the wrapper Il may be readily punctured to lift the first tab 3I.

It can readily be seen that, in essence, the package illustrated in Figs. 8, 9, l0 and 11 is similar to the package i except that side iianges are provided for each frame member. Other- Wise, the function of all the coresponding parts is the same as in package i. Of course, by the provision of th-e side anges 2i! and 2 I, a stronger package can be` constructed, or for the same strength, lighter Weight materials may be used.

Referring particularly to Figs. 12, 13 and 14, another modification of my invention is shown, wherein 32 indicates my modied cigarette package. In this form of my invention, the skeleton frames of the forms hereinbefore described are supplanted by a substantially completely enclosed inner box 33 constructed entirely of the heavier board hereinbefore described in conjunction with the frames 3 and i6. The box 33 comprises` two end Walls 3Q (one only of which is illustrated), a bottom Wall 35, top Wall 36, and side Walls 3'! and 38, all formed from a single blank and appropriately scored and folded to dispose the various Walls at right-anglesto each other. A Wrapper 39 similar to Wrapper i and I'I em.- braces the box i3 after cigarettes 4l) have been packed therein in side by side relation.

In this form of my invention the top Wall 36 is provided with appropriately .spaced L-shaped perforations 4I, similar to the scores I2, in order to form the separable tabs d2. Provision for the convenient puncturing of the Wrapper is also made at the corner d3, the same relationship existing between the top wall 36 and the end Wall 3A as hereinbefore described in conjunction with the skeleton form of frame.

Of course, by the provision of the separable tabs d2 comprising the top Wall 36 convenient access may be gained to the contents of the package 32 and in this respect all forms of my invention are similar. However, a more rigid, rugged and durable package can be made in using the inner box 33.

It is to be understood, of course, that I do not wish to be limited to the specific type of materials used, since my invention is operative when used With a wide variety of materials. Further, my package may be used for commodities other than cigarettes; for instance, my package may be used for cigars, small or full size, stick candy or the like. Wrappers as comprising a unitary sheet, the use of one or more sheets is contemplated. For eX- ample, a long-fibre paper or a paper high in tensile strength, may be used to cover the sides, ends and bottom of the package, wher-eas a short-fibre i.

or easily tearable material may cover the top as is clearly shown in the sections illustrated in Figs. 5 and 7. In this connection, transparent Cellophane or the like may be used to cover the sides, ends and bottom and an easily tearable sheet material may cover the top. The advantages of a package having transparent walls, as is the case Where my skeleton frame construction is used With Cellophane, of course, are obvious. Consequently, I do not wish to be limited as to size,

materials, or product to be packaged except as necessitated by the prior art.

Although the projections I5 are not shown in all of my modifications, it is to be understood that they may be formed. if desired, upon the lowerA frame member.

I claim as my invention:

l. A package for cigarettes which comprises a frame constructed of relatively rigid material embracing a plurality of cigarettes disposed side by" v side in a single row, a Wrapper of relatively flexible sheet material enveloping said frame and cigarettes, the portion of the frame adjacent one end of said cigarettes being scored to define a plurality of separable tabs corresponding in number 1 to the number of cigarettes confined.

2. A package for cigarettes which comprises a frame constructed of relatively rigid material embracing a plurality of cigarettes disposed side by side in a single row, a Wrapper of relatively iiexible sheet material enveloping said frame and cigarettes, the portion of the frame adjacent one end of said cigarettes being scored to deiine a plurality of separable tabs corresponding in number to the number of cigarettes coni-ined, and substantially corresponding in position with the ends of the respective cigarettes.

3. A package for cigarettes comprising a strip of relatively rigid material folded to form a substantially close rectangular frame, said frame being adapt-ed to embrace a plurality of cigarettes disposed side by side in a single row within said frame, a wrapper of relatively flexible sheet material enveloping said frame and cigarettes, the portion of said frame adjacent one end oi said cigarettes being Scored to define a plurality of separable tabs corresponding in number to the number of cigarettes.

4. A package for cigarettes comprising a strip of relatively rigid material ofwidth substantially yequal to the diameter of a cigarette folded to form a substantially close rectangular frame, said frame being adapted to embrace a plurality of cigarettes disposed side by side in a single row Within said frame, a Wrapper of relatively iiexible sheet material enveloping said frame and cigarettes, the portion of said frame adjacent one end of said cigarettes being scored to dene a plurality of separable tabs corresponding in number to the number of cigarettes.

In addition, although.l I have described my i' ill) 5. A package for cigarettes comprising a strip of relatively rigid material folded to form the top, bottom and both ends of a substantially closed rectangular, frame, said frame being adapted to embrace a plurality of cigarettes disposed side by side parallel to the ends of the frame in a single rovv Within said frame,v a wrapper of relatively flexible sheet material enveloping said frame and cigarettes, the top of said frame being scored to define a plurality of separable tabs corresponding in number to the number of cigarettes, and side flanges constructed of material similar to that comprising the frame disposed adjacent and coextensive with the top of the frame, said side flanges also being enveloped by the Wrapper.

6. A package for cigarettes comprising a strip of relatively rigid material folded to form the top, bottom and both ends of a substantially closed rectangular frame, said frame being adapted to embrace a plurality of cigarettes disposed side by side parallel to the ends of the frame in a single row within said frame, a Wrapper of relatively flexible sheet material enveloping said frame and cigarettes, the top of said frame being scored to dene a plurality of separable tabs corresponding in number to the number of cigarettes, and side flanges formed integral with the top frame member and coeXtensive there-Vith folded on each' side of said top frame member, said side flanges also being enveloped by the wrapper.

7. A package for cigarettes comprising a strip of relatively rigid material folded to form the top, bottom and both ends of a substantially closed rectangular frame, said strip being folded longitudinally to form side anges on each side of said top, bottom and ends, said frame being adapted to embrace a plurality of cigarettes disposed side by side parallel to the ends of the frame in a single row Within said frame, a Wrapper of relatively ilexible sheet material enveloping said frame and cigarettes, the top of said frame being scored to dene a plurality of separable tabs corresponding in number to the number of cigarettes, and side flanges constructed of material similar to that comprising the frame disposed adjacent and coextensive with the top of the frame, said side flanges also being enveloped by the Wrapper.

8. A package for cigarettes comprising an inner member constructed of relatively rigid material defining a box-like body, said body being adapt-ed to carry a plurality of cigarettes side by side in contiguous relationship in a single roW, an outer member comprising a Wrapper of relatively exible sheet material enveloping said body, the portion of said body adjacent one end of said cigarettes being scored to dene a plurality of separable tabs corresponding in number with the number of cigarettes carried by said body, and substantially corresponding in position With the ends of the respective cigarettes, the endmost tab at one end being larger than the remaining tabs.

9. A package for cigarettes comprising an inner member constructed of relatively rigid material dening a box-like body, said body being adapted to carry a plurality of cigarettes side by side in contiguous relationship in a single row, an outer member comprising a Wrapper of relatively flexible sheet material enveloping said body, the portion of said body adjacent one end of said cigarettes being scored to define a plurality of separable tabs corresponding in number with the number of cigarettes carried by said body and substantially corresponding in position with the ends of the respective cigarettes, the

end of said cigarettes being scored to dei-lne a plurality of separable tabs corresponding in number to the number of cigarettes confined, and substantially corresponding in position with the ends of the respective cigarettes, the endmost tab at one end being larger than the remaining f tabs.

l1. A package for cigarettes Which comprises a frame constructed of relatively rigid material embracing a plurality of cigarettes disposed side by side in a single row, a Wrapper of relatively iiexible sheet material enveloping said frame and cigarettes, the portion of the frame adjacent one end of said cigarettes being scored to define a plurality of separable tabs corresponding in number to the number of cigarettes conned, and substantially corresponding in position with the ends of the respective cigarettes, the endmost tab at one end being larger than the remaining tabs, and the endmost tab at the opposite end being smaller than the remaining tabs.

12. A package for cigarettes which comprises a frame construction of relatively rigid material embracing a plurality of cigarettes disposed side by side in a single row, a wrapper of relatively flexible sheet material enveloping said frame and cigarettes, the portion of the frame adjacent one end of said cigarettes being scored to dene a plurality of separable tabs corresponding in number to the number of cigarettes confined, said tabs having means extending inwardly into the tobacco of the cigarettes.

13. A package for cigarettes which comprises a frame construction of relatively rigid material embracing a plurality of cigarettes disposed side by side in a single row, a Wrapper of relatively flexible sheet material enveloping said frame and cigarettes, the portion of the frame adjacent one end of said cigarettes being scored to define a plurality of separable tabs corresponding in number to the number of cigarettes conned, said tabs having means extending inwardly into the tobacco of the cigarettes, and means at the bottom of said package extending inwardly into the tobacco of the cigarettes to maintain said cigarettes in xed position within said package.

JOHN S. CROMELIN.

Cil