WO2008071936A1

WO2008071936A1 - Package of smoking articles and method of assembly thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2008071936A1
Application number: PCT/GB2007/004736
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nguyen Nhu Tien
Original assignee: B.A.T. Vietnam Limited; British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited
Priority date: 2006-12-13
Filing date: 2007-12-11
Publication date: 2008-06-19
Also published as: AR064811A1; GB0624859D0

Abstract

A package (10) of smoking articles comprises an outer compartment (20) comprising opposing top (22) and bottom (23). panels, two opposing side panels (24), and a front panel (21), an inner compartment (30) comprising opposing front (31) and back- (32) panels and two opposing side panels (33) and a wrapped bundle of smoking articles (41) in the inner compartment (30), wherein the outer compartment bottom panel (23) and the inner compartment back panel. are hingedly joined, and a portion of a top edge of the wrapped bundle (41) comprises a frame (40).

Description

Package of Smoking Articles and Method of Assembly Thereof

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to packages for smoking articles and methods of assembly thereof.

Background of the Invention

Packages for smoking articles can vary considerably. One series of packaging that relies on the traditional rectangular shape comprises an inner compartment hingedly connected to an outer compartment, where the hinged area is located at the base of the rectangular package. See, for example, GB 2,254,314.

In such a package the outer compartment comprises opposing top and bottom panels, two opposing side panels, and a front panel, while the inner compartment comprises opposing front and back panels, two opposing side panels, and a partial top panel extending along the length of the back panel. The outer compartment bottom panel and the base of the inner compartment back panel are joined together by a hinged attachment; in some embodiments the hinged attachment is merely a fold in a material which forms both the inner and outer compartments. A foil-wrapped bundle of smoking articles is provided inside the inner compartment.

A package thus supplied with smoking articles is also provided with an overwrap, for example clear cellophane. This holds the pack in a closed position and forms an environmental barrier to protect the smoking articles stored therein from adverse moisture, odours, and the like. In use, to access the first smoking article a consumer removes and discards the overwrap. Thus the overwrap ceases to perform the function of holding the hingedly connected portions in a closed position.

After the overwrap is removed and the package is opened, the user removes foil along the length of the open top portion, exposing the smoking articles. The user thus has access to the smoking articles contained therein. After removing a smoking article the package is usually closed. One drawback with packages having hingedly connecting compartments is that they can fail to re-close completely or fail to remain completely closed. This is commonly referred to as yawning and can result both in negative effects on the smoking articles stored therein and loss of the articles through the open top end of the inner compartment. Furthermore, contents or foil visible through the gap caused by the yawn can be unsightly.

One known solution to the problem of yawning packs is to incorporate various engaging means which help to snap the package shut. However, these engaging means can be too robust for the package, meaning the user has a difficult time opening and closing the package. Alternatively, where the engaging means are not as strong, they wear out within a few series of openings and closings. Since a typical package contains twenty smoking articles and can therefore be expected to be opened and closed twenty times such a transitory benefit is not ideal, either.

Summary of the Invention

According to an embodiment, the invention provides a package of smoking articles comprising an outer compartment comprising opposing top and bottom panels, two opposing side panels, and a front panel, an inner compartment comprising opposing front and back panels and two opposing side panels, and a wrapped bundle of smoking articles in the inner compartment, wherein a rear portion of the outer compartment bottom panel and a bottom portion of the inner compartment back panel are hingedly joined and a portion of a top edge of the wrapped bundle comprises a frame.

According to another embodiment, the invention provides a package of smoking articles comprising an outer compartment comprising a top panel, two opposing side panels, and a front panel, an inner compartment comprising opposing front and back panels, two opposing side panels, and a bottom panel, and a wrapped bundle of smoking articles in the inner compartment, wherein a bottom portion of the outer compartment front panel and a front portion of the inner compartment bottom panel are hingedly joined and a portion of a top edge of the wrapped bundle comprises a frame. In an embodiment of the invention, the inner compartment further comprises a partial top panel.

In an embodiment of the invention, the frame is joined to the wrapped bundle with a fixing means.

In an embodiment of the invention, the frame is formed integrally with a wrapper for the wrapped bundle.

In an embodiment of the invention, a portion of the top edge of the wrapped bundle not comprising the frame is an access area and the frame is coextensive with the entire wrapped bundle except the access area.

According to another embodiment, the invention provides a blank for manufacturing at least a portion of a package according to any of the inventive embodiments.

According to another embodiment, the invention provides a method of assembling a package of smoking articles which comprises providing a container having an inner compartment and an outer compartment hingedly connected to the inner compartment and providing a wrapped bundle of smoking articles in the inner compartment, where at least a portion of a top edge of the wrapped bundle is provided with a frame.

Brief Description of the Drawing Figures

In order that the subject invention may be easily understood and readily carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:

Fig. IA shows a hingedly connected outer and inner compartment, with the inner compartment in an unassembled position;

Fig. IB shows a hingedly connected outer and inner compartment, with the inner compartment in an assembled position;

Fig. 1C shows a frame;

Fig. ID shows a frame attached to a wrapped bundle of smoking articles; Fig. IE is a perspective view of a package of smoking articles in a closed position; Fig. IF is a perspective view of a package of smoking articles in a yawning position; Fig. 2 shows a pre-cut blank for hingedly-connected inner and outer compartments; Fig. 3 shows a pre-cut blank for a frame; and Fig. 4 shows a pre-cut blank for a frame.

Detailed Description

Figure IA illustrates a partially formed package 10 for smoking articles according to the invention. Package 10 comprises an outer compartment 20 which has a front 21, the rear facing side of which is shown in Figure IA. Outer compartment 20 further comprises opposing top 22 and bottom 23 portions as well as two opposing side 24 portions. A hinged connection 25 connects outer compartment 20 with an inner compartment 30. Inner compartment 30 is shown unassembled in Figure IA.

Figure IB shows package 10 in a stage of further assembly with outer compartment 20 assembled and inner compartment 30 showing its opposing front 31 and back 32 portions as well as two opposing sides 33.

Figure 1C shows an embodiment of a frame 40 which is designed to be placed on a wrapped bundle of smoking articles. Frame 40 is designed to allow access to 2-3 standard sized smoking articles, most suitably for a right-handed user. That is, in use the package will most likely be held and opened in the left hand and the right hand used to reach into the contents and remove smoking article. Alternative configurations are within the scope of the invention, for example the position of the opening could be reversed to cater to left-handed users. The opening could be rounded or otherwise vary in shape.

Figure ID shows frame 40 in position on a wrapped bundle of smoking articles 41. An access area 42 is evident through the opening in frame 40. The wrapper used for wrapping the bundle of smoking articles could be positioned and closed in such a way so that an edge of the wrapper is accessible through access area 42. For example, a foil could be used as a wrapper, which foil could be folded such that a free edge of foil is located along the edge of access area 42 and available to be folded back to reveal the articles in the bundle.

Figures IE and IF show an assembled package containing smoking articles in closed and yawning positions, respectively.

Figure 2 is an example of a blank which could be used to form a package according to the invention. Outer compartment is formed from portions which represent front face 21, top 22, bottom 23, and sides 24. Liner compartment is formed from portions which represent front 31 , back 32, and sides 33.

Referring not only to Figure 2 but also to Figures IA, 3, and 4, continuous lines indicate cuts, dashed lines indicate fold lines (which may be creased or perforated) and dash-dot lines indicate perforated lines. The blanks of Figures 2-4 may be cut during assembly of the package from, e.g., a reel of cardboard. Alternatively, the blanks may be provided pre-cut to the assembly line. In most applications it is preferable to cut blanks from a blank material source in such a way so as minimize waste. Thus, the blanks shown in Figures 2-4 herein are merely suggested forms for practicing the invention.

It will be apparent to the skilled worker that other, existing blanks can be modified to suit the teachings of the invention, furthermore, new blanks may be developed that provide the inventive features. One example of modification which may be useful in certain applications would be to provide separate blanks for the inner and outer compartments, respectively. Such separate components could be, for example, adhesively joined together at the hinging location to form a single unit after assembly.

The packages illustrated and described herein can be formed from any suitable material, such as cardboard. The material used for the packages may be coated, printed, and the like, depending on desired appearance and performance of the package. Such modifications are known in the art. The embodiments shown in the figures show a variety of holes and openings to allow for single-hand opening of the package. These features are style choices and may be modified or eliminated.

Figures 3 and 4 show a blank for frame 40 which in Figure 4 has been provided with fixing means 43. Fixing means 43 is provided to fix the frame to the wrapped bundle as shown in Figure ID. The location and extent of fixing means is a design variable and could be based on the choice of materials for the frame and wrapper for the wrapped bundle. Such a choice could also take into account manufacturing requirements, and may be guided by the location and position of means which will apply fixing means. Fixing means 43 is shown on frame 40 but could be provided on a suitable portion of the wrapped bundle instead or in addition.

Frame 40 may furthermore be an integral component of the wrapper used to wrap the bundle. For example, where foil is used to wrap the bundle it could be provided with regions in which the foil is thicker or reinforced to form a frame once the foil is wrapped about the bundle. Alternatively, a paper-lined foil might be used, in which a layer of paper and a layer of foil are fixed, with a second layer of paper, cardboard or the like located therebetween. In such a case the wrapper would have an integral frame, however, for ease of use it might be desired to provide indications to the user where they will find the access area such that the frame is not destroyed by a user attempting to access the smoking articles at an undesired location.

When a frame is employed it serves to keep the wrapper from loosening and catching along the top edge of the outer compartment when the package is closed.

Furthermore, it helps restrict the access area to the smoking articles which limits the ingress of undesired environmental factors into the bundle of smoking articles, it restricts the egress of flavourants or other components of the smoking articles, and significantly reduces or eliminates the loss of smoking articles experienced with yawning packs.

The limited ingress of undesired environmental factors helps ensure the smoking products are in a desirable condition and not deteriorated such that they offer sub- standard performance or require incorporation of additional materials which are rendered ineffective due to environmental exposure.

By providing the frame with the wrapped bundle of smoking articles manufacturing and assembly of complicated inner and outer compartment-containing blanks and packs can be reduced, and the options for materials and shapes for the frame area become much broader. It will be apparent to the skilled person that certain smoking articles could benefit from different types of frames and materials used for their preparation, allowing greater freedom to design the most desirable package for smoking articles.

Methods for assembling, forming and fixing packages of smoking articles are well known in the art, any available technology or equipment could be considered for use according to the present invention.

The foregoing description and examples have been set forth merely to illustrate the invention and are not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the described embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed broadly to include all variations within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A package of smoking articles, comprising an outer compartment comprising opposing top and bottom panels, two opposing side panels, and a front panel; an inner compartment comprising opposing front and back panels and two opposing side panels; and a wrapped bundle of smoking articles in the inner compartment, wherein a rear portion of the outer compartment bottom panel and a bottom portion of the inner compartment back panel are hingedly joined, characterised in that a portion of a top edge of the wrapped bundle comprises a frame.

2. A package of smoking articles, comprising an outer compartment comprising a top panel, two opposing side panels, and a front panel; an inner compartment comprising opposing front and back panels, two opposing side panels, and a bottom panel; and a wrapped bundle of smoking articles in the inner compartment, wherein a bottom portion of the outer compartment front panel and a front portion of the inner compartment bottom panel are hingedly joined, characterised in that a portion of a top edge of the wrapped bundle comprises a frame.

3. A package according to either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the inner compartment further comprises a partial top panel.

4. A package according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the frame is joined to the wrapped bundle with a fixing means.

5. A package according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the frame is formed integrally with a wrapper for the wrapped bundle.

6. A package according to any of claims lto 5, wherein a portion of the top edge of the wrapped bundle not comprising the frame is an access area; and the frame is coextensive with the entire wrapped bundle except the access area.

7. A blank for manufacturing at least a portion of a package according to any of claims 1-6.

8. A package substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

9. A method of assembling a package of smoking articles, comprising providing a container having an inner compartment and an outer compartment hingedly connected to the inner compartment; and providing a wrapped bundle of smoking articles in the inner compartment, characterised in that at least a portion of a top edge of the wrapped bundle is provided with a frame.