WO2012123189A1 - Pack with round edge - Google Patents

Pack with round edge Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2012123189A1
WO2012123189A1 PCT/EP2012/052062 EP2012052062W WO2012123189A1 WO 2012123189 A1 WO2012123189 A1 WO 2012123189A1 EP 2012052062 W EP2012052062 W EP 2012052062W WO 2012123189 A1 WO2012123189 A1 WO 2012123189A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
pack
lines
weakening
longitudinal edge
collar
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2012/052062
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Steven Holford
Aaron Mckenzie
Original Assignee
British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited
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 British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited filed Critical British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited
Publication of WO2012123189A1 publication Critical patent/WO2012123189A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • B65B19/22—Wrapping the cigarettes; Packaging the cigarettes in containers formed by folding wrapping material around formers
    • B65B19/228—Preparing and feeding blanks
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B50/00—Making rigid or semi-rigid containers, e.g. boxes or cartons
    • B31B50/74—Auxiliary operations
    • B31B50/81—Forming or attaching accessories, e.g. opening devices, closures or tear strings
    • 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
    • B65D85/1048—Containers formed by erecting a rigid or semi-rigid blank having a cap-like lid hinged to an edge characterized by the shape of the container
    • B65D85/10484—Containers formed by erecting a rigid or semi-rigid blank having a cap-like lid hinged to an edge characterized by the shape of the container having rounded corners
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B2105/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers made by assembling separate sheets, blanks or webs
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B2120/00—Construction of rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B31B2120/10—Construction of rigid or semi-rigid containers provided with covers, e.g. lids
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B2241/00—Making bags or boxes intended for a specific use
    • B31B2241/003—Making cigarette boxes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B50/00—Making rigid or semi-rigid containers, e.g. boxes or cartons
    • B31B50/25—Surface scoring
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B50/00—Making rigid or semi-rigid containers, e.g. boxes or cartons
    • B31B50/74—Auxiliary operations
    • B31B50/88—Printing; Embossing

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a pack having specific edge configurations and methods of producing such a pack, including a pack for containing tobacco industry products, for instance smoking aiticles such as cigarettes.
  • packs for smoking articles are generally parallelepiped packs having square edges formed where the faces of the pack meet. More recently, packs have been produced having bevelled or round edges at the intersection of at least some of the pack faces, such as the longitudinal edges between the front and side walls and/or the rear and side walls.
  • the present invention provides a pack comprising a substantially curved portion, and a plurality of lines of weakening formed m the material of the pack at the substantially curved portion defining a plurality of substantially flat and uniform surfaces such that two or more of the surfaces are relatively disposed in a first direction on the curved portion and two or more of the surfaces are relatively disposed in a second direction on the curved portion different from the first direction.
  • the two or more of the surfaces which are relatively disposed m the second direction are relatively disposed on a line perpendicular to the first direction.
  • a preferred embodiment of the invention further comprises first and second walls having intersecting planes, and the curved portion of the pack connects the first and second walls, the plurality of lines of weakening define the shape of the curved portion of the pack, and wherein the two or more of the surfaces relatively disposed in the first direction are arranged in series m the direction of the line of intersection of the planes and the two or more of the surfaces relatively disposed in the second direction are arranged m series along a line perpendicular to said line of
  • the lines of weakening may comprise a plurality of discrete, non-contmuous lines of weakening formed in the mateiial of the pack, and/ or a plurality of non- longitudmally extending lines of weakening formed in the material of the pack.
  • the pack may further comprise first and second walls connected to form a longitudinal edge of the pack, wherein the longitudinal edge is of a non-square configuration and includes said plurality of non-continuous and/ or non- longitudmally extending lines of weakening which define the shape of said longitudinal edge.
  • the at least one non-square longitudinal edge may be
  • the transverse cross-section of the at least one non-square longitudinal edge may be substantially constant along its longitudinal length.
  • the lines of weakening are configured to define a plurality of surfaces along at least a part of the pack or a portion of the non-square longitudinal edge of the pack.
  • the surfaces may be defined by closed lines of weakening to form discrete surfaces, or the surfaces may be defined by dis-continuous lines such that the one or more adjacent surfaces are connected by bridging portions.
  • the surfaces may comprise tessellatmg polygons and the polygons of the surfaces may all be identical.
  • the surfaces may be substantially planar.
  • a plurality of adjacent surfaces m a transverse perimeter direction of the pack form the at least part of the pack or the at least one non- square longitudinal edge.
  • the surfaces may be hexagonal or quadrilateral.
  • the longitudinally adjacent surfaces may be transversely offset to form a staggered arrangement m a longitudinal direction of the pack and/ or of the at least one non- square longitudinal edge.
  • the lines of weakening may comprise a series of non-continuous parallel longitudinally extending lines defining regions of un-weakened material spaced longitudinally along each line.
  • the regions of un-weakened material of adjacent lines of weakening may be substantially transversely aligned.
  • the regions of un- weakened material of adjacent lines may be longitudinally off-set to form a zig-zag foimation along part of the pack or the respective pack edge.
  • the lines of weakening may run m a curved manner along at least part of the pack or along the at least one non-square longitudinal edge.
  • the pack may further comprise a body portion having an open upper end and a lid portion hingedly attached to a rear wall of the body portion and pivotable to open and close the open end of the body portion, said at least one longitudinal edge extending from the body portion to the lid portion.
  • the pack may further include a collar disposed within the body portion adjacent the front and side walls thereof and projecting out of the open end of the body portion, the collar being formed with an edge having a non-square configuration
  • the collar may include a plurality of non-contmuous and/ or non-longitudinally extending lines of weakening formed in the material thereof which define the shape of the longitudinal edge(s) of the collar and which correspond to those formed m the material of the pack.
  • the collar may include a front wall and side walls, the side walls preferably including a section extending to the front wall which is angled downwards toward the body portion of the pack.
  • the lid may include a front wall and side walls, and a flap on the inside of the front wall that preferably includes at least one laterally extending portion that extends across at least part of the non-square longitudinal edge of the lid and across the lines of weakening thereof.
  • the flap may include laterally extending portions from opposite sides thereof that extend across at least part of non-square longitudinal edges on either side of the lid and across the lines of weakening thereof.
  • the pack may be formed of card having a gram which extends m a generally transverse direction of the pack generally perpendicular to the length of the pack and/or to the longitudinal edges.
  • the lines of weakening may be formed m the material of the pack on the inside of the pack, and/ or the lines of weakening may be formed in the material of the pack on the outside of the pack. At least some of the lines of weakening may compiise cuts extending partially through the thickness of the material of the pack. At least some of the lines of weakening may comprise cuts extending entirely through the thickness of the material of the pack. Furthermore, at least some of the lines of weakening may comprise creases formed in the material of the pack.
  • a preferred embodiment of the pack may comprise opposing front and rear walls connected along their longitudinal edges by side walls, wherein at least one of the side walls is non-planar and includes said plurality of non-continuous and/or non- longitudinally extending lines of weakening which define the shape of said at least one side wall.
  • the at least one non-planar side wall may be substantially rounded and may be of a substantially constant radius.
  • the transverse cross-section of the at least one non-planar side wall may be substantially constant along its longitudinal length.
  • the lines of weakening may be configured to define a plurality of surfaces along at least a portion of the non-planar side wall and the surfaces may be of any configuration described above.
  • the longitudinally adjacent surfaces may be transversely offset to form a staggered arrangement in a longitudinal direction of the at least one non-planar side wall.
  • the lines of weakening may be of any form defined above.
  • the regions of un-weakened material of adjacent lines may be longitudinally off-set to form a zig-zag formation along the at least one non-planar side wall.
  • the lines of weakening may run in a curved manner along the at least one non- planar side wall.
  • a pack of the invention may comprise a body portion having an open upper end and a lid portion hmgedly attached to a rear wall of the body portion and pivotable to open and close the open end of the body portion, said at least one non-planar side wall extending from the body portion to the lid portion
  • the pack may include a collar disposed within the body portion adjacent the front and side walls thereof and projecting out of the open end of the body portion, the collar being formed with a front wall and at least one side wall having a non-planar configuration corresponding to said at least one non-planar side wall.
  • the collar may include a plurality of non-continuous and/or non longitudinally extending lines of weakening formed m the material thereof which define the shape of the at least one non-planar side wall of the collar and which correspond to those formed in the material of the pack.
  • the side walls of the collar may include a section extending to the front wall thereof which is angled downwards toward the body portion of the pack.
  • the lid may include a front wall and side walls, and a flap on the inside of the front wall that includes at least one laterally extending portion that extends across at least part of the non-planar side wall of the lid and across the lines of weakening thereof.
  • the flap may include laterally extending portions from opposite sides thereof that extend across at least part of non-planar side walls on either side of the lid and acioss the lines of weakening thereof.
  • the present invention also provides a blank for a pack comprising any feature defined above.
  • the piesent invention also piovides a method of manufacturing a pack for smoking articles, the method comprising foimmg m a blank of card a plurality of lines of weakening and folding the blank to form a pack with a substantially curved portion defined by said lines of weakening and defining a plurality of substantially flat and uniform surfaces such that two or more of the surfaces are relatively disposed in a first direction on the curved portion and two or more of the surfaces are relatively disposed in a second direction on the curved portion different from the first direction.
  • the method may further comprise forming a curved portion of the pack with the two or more surfaces relatively disposed m the second direction being disposed on a line perpendicular to the first direction.
  • the pack may have first and second walls having intersecting planes, and the method may further comprise forming the curved portion of the pack to connect the first and second walls such that the plurality of lines of weakening define the shape of the curved portion of the pack, and such that the two or more of the surfaces relatively disposed m the first direction are arranged m series in the direction of the line of intersection of the planes and the two or more of the suifaces relatively disposed in the second direction aie arranged in series along a line perpendicular to said line of intersection.
  • the step of forming the lines of weakening may comprise forming a plurality of discrete, non-continuous lines of weakening and/or a plurality of non-longitudmally extending lines of weakening.
  • the pack may comprise opposing front and rear walls connected by opposing side walls, and the step of folding the blank may comprises forming at least one longitudinal edge between a side wall and the front/rear wall with a non-square configuration defined by said plurality of non-continuous and/ or non-longitudmally extending lines of weakening,
  • the pack may comprise opposing front and rear walls connected along their longitudinal edges by side walls, and the step of folding the blank may comprise forming at least one of the side walls as a non-planar wall defined by said plurality of non-continuous and/ or non-longitudinally extending lines of weakening.
  • the method may further comprise forming the lines of weakening by cutting the card partially and/ or entirely through the thickness thereof, and/ or creasing the card.
  • the method may further comprise forming the lines of weakness using at least one of a flat bed cutter, a roller cutter or a laser.
  • the method may further comprise forming the pack with the at least one non- square longitudinal edge/non-planar end wall being rounded.
  • the method may further comprise forming the pack from card with a gram running m a single direction and forming the pack such that the gram runs transversely across the width of the pack, perpendicular to the at least one non-square longitudinal edge/non-planar end wall.
  • the method may comprise forming the blank for the pack on-line from a continuous roll of card, forming the lines of weakness therein and feeding the blanks to a cigarette pack wrapping machine.
  • the present invention also provide a pack comprising first and second walls connected to foim a longitudinal edge of the pack, a plurality of discrete, unconnected lines of weakening formed in the material of the pack which define the shape of at least part of the pack and which are relatively disposed m the direction of the longitudinal edge.
  • the lines of weakening may be arranged such that two or more of the lines of weakening are relatively disposed in a first direction and two or more of the lines of weakening are relatively disposed m a second direction different from the first direction.
  • the two or more lines of weakening relatively disposed m the second direction may be relatively disposed on a line perpendicular to the first direction.
  • the pack may further comprise fust and second walls having intersecting planes, and a curved portion connecting the first and second walls, wherein the plurality of lines of weakening define the shape of the curved portion of the pack, and wherein the two or more of the lines of weakening relatively disposed in the first direction are arranged m series m the direction of the line of intersection of the planes and the two or more of the lines of weakening relatively disposed m the second direction are arranged m series along a line perpendicular to said line of
  • the present invention also provides a pack comprising first and second walls connected to form a longitudinal edge of the pack, and a plurality of lines of weakening formed m the material of the pack m the region of the longitudinal edge and defining the shape of the longitudinal edge, the lines of weakening extending m one or more directions other than the direction of the longitudinal edge.
  • At least two of the lines of weakening may be adjacent parallel lines - Si -
  • Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a pack of a first embodiment of the invention in a closed position
  • Figure 2 shows the pack of Figure 1 m an open position
  • Figure 3 shows a plan view of a blank for producing the pack shown m Figures 1 and 2, including a blank for a collar portion;
  • Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a pack of a second embodiment of the invention m a closed position
  • Figure 5 shows the pack of Figure 4 in an open position
  • Figure 6 shows a plan view of a blank for producing the pack shown m Figures 4 and 5, including a blank for a collar portion;
  • Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a pack of a third embodiment of the invention in a closed position
  • Figure 8 shows the pack of Figure 7 in an open position
  • Figure 9 shows a plan view of a blank for producing the pack shown m Figures 7 and 8, including a blank for a collar poition;
  • Figure 10 shows a perspective view of a pack of a fourth embodiment of the invention m a closed position
  • Figure 11 shows the pack of Figure 10 m an open position
  • Figure 12 shows a plan view of a blank for producing the pack shown m Figures 10 and 11, including a blank for a collar portion;
  • Figure 13 shows a perspective view of a pack of a fifth embodiment of the invention in a closed position
  • Figure 14 shows the pack of Figure 13 in an open position
  • Figure 15 shows a plan view of a blank for producing the pack shown in Figures 13 and 14, including a blank for a collar portion;
  • Figure 16 shows a perspective view of a pack of a sixth embodiment of the invention in a closed position
  • Figure 17 shows the pack of Figure 16 in an open position
  • Figure 18 shows a plan view of a blank for producing the pack shown in Figures 16 and 17, including a blank for a collar portion;
  • Figure 19 shows a perspective view of a pack of a seventh embodiment of the invention in a closed position;
  • Figure 20 shows the pack of Figure 1 m an open position
  • Figure 21 shows a plan view of a blank for producing the pack shown m Figuies 19 and 20, including a blank for a collar portion;
  • Figure 22 shows a perspective view of a pack of an eighth embodiment of the invention in a closed position
  • Figure 23 shows the pack of Figure 22 m an open position
  • Figure 24 shows a plan view of a blank for producing the pack shown m Figures 22 and 23, including a blank for a collar portion;
  • Figure 25 shows a perspective view of a pack of a ninth embodiment of the invention m an open position
  • Figure 26 shows a perspective view of a pack of a tenth embodiment of the invention in an open position
  • Figure 27 shows a perspective view of a pack of an eleventh embodiment of the invention in an open position
  • Figure 28 shows an enlarged view of a section of a pack blank of a twelfth embodiment of the invention corresponding to the blank shown m Figure 24;
  • Figure 29 shows a schematic view of an apparatus and process for forming lines of weakness in blanks for packs of the invention;
  • Figure 30 shows a further schematic view of an apparatus for forming lines of weakness m blanks for packs of the invention
  • Figure 31 shows yet another schematic view of an apparatus for forming lines of weakness m blanks for packs of the invention.
  • Figure 32 shows a perspective view of a pack of a thirteenth embodiment of the invention m an open position
  • Known round cornel packs are conventionally formed from blanks of card m which mechanical cuts, embossing or laser cuts are formed into the card m continuous straight lines which extend along the length of the part of the blank which is to form the rounded corner. The rounded corner is then bent into place by the pack- making machinery during pack construction and the weakened cut/embossed regions allow the card to form smooth curved pack edges.
  • Card used for smoking article packs conventionally has a 'grain' which runs m one direction of the card.
  • a pack 1 of the first embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 1 and 2 and comprises a generally parallelepiped container having a body 2 and a hinged lid 3.
  • the pack 1 has major front and rear walls 4, 5, minor side walls 6, 7, a bottom wall 8 and a top wall 9.
  • the front, rear and side walls 4, 5, 6, 7 comprise front, rear and side wall body panels 4a, 5a, 6a, 7a, and front, rear and side wall lid panels 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b.
  • the hinged lid 3 is integrally connected to the body 2 at a folding hinge line 10 between the rear body panel 5a and the rear lid panel 5b and is pivotable between an open position m which an access opening 11 m the top of the body 2 is exposed to allow access to smoking articles contained therein, and a closed position.
  • the longitudinal edges of the pack 16, 17, 18, 19 between the front, rear and side walls 4, 5, 6, 7 are rounded.
  • the body 2 includes a collar 12 having a front panel 13 and side panels 14, 15 and is disposed within the body 2 to project out of the opening 11 therein.
  • Figure 3 shows the blanks 20, 21 used to form the pack of Figures 1 and 2, the mam pack blank 20 and the collar blank 21.
  • the various panels of the constructed pack described above retain the same reference numerals.
  • the parts of the blanks 20, 21 corresponding to the rounded edges 16, 17, 18, 19 of the pack 1 include a plurality of lines of weakening 22. These are formed as a series of discontmuous parallel lines extending in the longitudinal direction of the pack edges 16, 17, 18, 19 which are broken intermittently along their length to form regions 23 of un-weakened card between the lines of weakening 22 in the longitudinal direction of the edges.
  • Figure 3 also shows that the body blank 20 includes a lid tab 26 which, m the constructed pack, is folded over and glued onto the inside of the lid front wall 4b (see Figure 2).
  • the rounded edges 16, 17, 18, 19 are formed with surfaces 24 m the regions transversely between the lines of weakening 22, but which surfaces 24 merge into continuous round corner portion 25 m the un-weakened regions 23 longitudinally between the lines of weakening 22.
  • the collar blank 21 includes corresponding lines of weakening 22 to those of the body/lid blank 20 such that the collar 12 can he flush against the inside of the front and side walls 4, 6, 7 of the constructed pack 1.
  • pack 1 allows rounded pack edges to be formed without the need for lines of weakening which extend the entire length of edges 16, 17, 18, 19 of the pack 1. This results m reinforced rounded edges of significantly increased strength and rigidity than is obtained by conventional round-edged pack
  • a pack 31 of a second embodiment of the invention is shown m Figures 3— 6 m which like features of the first embodiment retain the same reference numerals.
  • the pack 31 of the second embodiment differs from that of the first m that the lines of weakening 22 that form the rounded edges 16, 17, 18, 1 comprise a different configuration, and aie formed m a generally cross-hatched manner.
  • the curves of the rounded edges 16, 17, 18, 19 are formed by a plurality of facets or surfaces m a transverse perimeter direction of the pack 31 extending around the corners.
  • the surfaces 34 themselves are substantially planar and the curve of the rounded edges 16, 17, 18, 19 is created by the card folding at the lines of weakening 22 between the surfaces 34. It will be appreciated that the advantages of the more reinforced rounded edges and strengthened front pack wall described above for the pack 1 of the first embodiment of the invention apply equally to the pack 31 of the second embodiment of the invention.
  • a pack 41 of a third embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 7— 9 m which like features of the first and second embodiments retain the same reference numerals.
  • the pack 41 of the third embodiment differs from that of the previous embodiments in that the lines of weakening 22 that form the rounded edges 16, 17, 18, 19 comprise a different configuration and are formed as elongate tessellatmg hexagons, elongate m the longitudinal direction of the pack 41. This results m the longitudinal rounded edges 16, 17, 18, 19 being formed by a plurality of discrete hexagonal facets or surfaces 44, each surface 44 being a discrete island bounded by the lines of weakening 22.
  • curves of the rounded edges 16, 17, 18, 19 are formed by the plurality of surfaces 44 extending m a transverse perimeter direction of the pack 41.
  • the surfaces 44 themselves are substantially planar and the curve of the rounded edges 16, 17, 18, 19 is created by the card folding at the lines of weakening 22 between the surfaces 44.
  • the advantages of the more reinforced rounded edges and strengthened front pack wall described above apply equally to the pack 41 of the third embodiment of the invention.
  • a pack 51 of a fourth embodiment is shown m Figures 10 - 12 m which like features of the previous embodiments retain the same reference numerals and which differs from the pievious embodiments in that the lines of weakening 22 that form the rounded edges 16, 17, 18, 19 comprise a different configuration.
  • the lines of weakening 22 are formed as longitudinal rows of spaced elongate hexagons 42a joined by straight lines 42b of weakening. This results m the longitudinal rounded edges 16, 17, 18, 1 being formed by a plurality of discrete spaced hexagonal facets or surfaces 54 (which are substantially planar, as described above m relation to the previous embodiments), each of such surfaces 54 being a discrete island bounded by the lines of weakening 22.
  • the configuration also defines continuous regions 55 in between the hexagonal surfaces 54, which are also substantially planar.
  • the rounded edges 16, 17, 18, 19 are formed by the plurality of surfaces 54 extending m a transverse perimeter direction of the pack 51, as well as the continuous regions 55 between the surfaces 54.
  • the curve of the rounded edges 16, 17, 18, 19 is created by folded card at the lines of weakening 22 between the surfaces 54 and continuous regions 55.
  • a pack 61 of a fifth embodiment of the invention is shown m Figures 13 - 15 in which like features of the previous embodiments retain the same reference numerals and which differs from that of the previous embodiments in that the lines of weakening 22 are curved wavy lines extending longitudinally down the pack edges 16, 17, 18, 19.
  • Adjacent lines of weakening 22 are longitudinally off-set so as to meet at regular intervals (indicated at 63) and form as elongate surfaces 64 which are substantially planar, as described above in relation to the previous embodiments. This results in the longitudinal rounded edges 16, 17, 18, 19 being formed by a plurality of surfaces 64, each being bounded by the lines of weakening 22.
  • curves of the rounded edges 16, 17, 18, 19 are formed by the plurality of surfaces 64 extending m a transverse perimeter direction of the pack 61.
  • the curve of the rounded edges 16, 17, 18, 19 is created by the card folding at the lines of weakening 22 between the surfaces 64.
  • a pack 71 of a sixth embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 16— 18 in which like features of the previous embodiments retain the same reference numerals.
  • the pack 71 of the sixth embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment in that the lines of weakening 22 are formed as a series of
  • the pack 71 of the sixth embodiment differs in that the intermittent breaks m the longitudinal lines of weakening 22 are not all transversely aligned, but are staggered so that the regions 73 of un-weakened card are alternately diagonal in a longitudinal direction of the pack edges 16, 17, 18, 19.
  • the rounded edges 16, 17, 18, 19 are formed with substantially planar surfaces 74 in the regions transversely between the lines of weakening 22, but which merge into continuous round corner portion 75 m the un- weakened regions 73 longitudinally between the lines of weakening 22.
  • a pack 81 of a seventh embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 19— 21 m which like features of the previous embodiments retain the same reference numerals.
  • the pack 81 of the sixth embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment except that the lines of weakening 22 do not extend straight in the longitudinal direction of the pack edges 16, 17, 18, 19, but instead zig-zig to form a chevroned appearance. This creates a series of tessellating chevron-shaped portions 84 separated by the zig-zig lines of weakening 22
  • a pack 91 of an eighth embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 22— 24 m which like features of the previous embodiments retain the same reference numerals and is similar to that of the third embodiment m that the lines of weakening 22 that form the rounded edges 16, 17, 18, 19 comprise tessellating hexagons, although they are regular hexagons in the pack 91 of the eighth embodiment of the invention
  • the advantages of the more reinforced rounded edges and strengthened front pack wall described above apply equally to the pack 91 of the eighth embodiment of the invention.
  • a pack 101 of a ninth embodiment of the invention is shown m Figure 25 which is similar to the pack of the eighth embodiment of the invention shown m Figures 22 — 24, and like features retain the same reference numerals.
  • the difference in the pack 101 of the ninth embodiment of the invention is that the lid inner tab 26 includes side wings 27 which extend around the inside of the longitudinal edges 16, 17 of the lid 3 and terminate at the lid side walls 6b, 7b.
  • the lid inner tab 26 is glued to the mside of the lid front wall 4b and the wings 27 he against the mside walls of the lid and cover the lines of weakening 22 and the surfaces 94 formed thereby.
  • the corners 12a of the upper edge of the collar 12 contact and slides acioss the wings 27 on the inside of the lid 3 as the lid 3 moves from the open position to the fully closed position. This prevents the upper edge of the collar snagging on the edges of the individual discrete surfaces 94 which could hinder smooth closure of the pack 101 and could also wear/fray the corners 12a of the upper edge of the collar 12. This may be the case if the lines of weakening are score lines of cuts m the card.
  • any snagging on the upper edge of the collar 12 which may occur in the absence of the wings 27 could, after repeated closures of the pack 101, result m some of the discrete surfaces 94 delammating from the mside of the lid 3 and peeling away.
  • a pack 111 of a tenth embodiment of the invention is shown m Figure 26 and is similar to the pack of the eighth embodiment of the invention, with like features retaining the same reference numerals.
  • the pack 111 of the tenth embodiment of the invention is modified to overcome the snagging issue discussed above with reference to the pack 101 of the ninth embodiment of the invention
  • the difference with the tenth embodiment is that the collar 12 is shorted and has a much lower upper edge 12b so that, upon closure of the pack 111, the upper edge 12b of the collar avoids snagging on the edges of the individual discrete surfaces 94.
  • a pack 121 of an eleventh embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 27 and is similar to the pack of the eighth and tenth embodiments of the invention, with like features retaining the same reference numerals.
  • the pack 121 of the eleventh embodiment of the invention is also modified to overcome the snagging issue discussed above with reference to the pack 101 of the ninth embodiment of the invention, although rather than the whole collar being shortened, only the front corners 12c (and correspondingly the front edge 12d) are lowered so that the parts of the collar 12 most likely to snag on the edges of the individual discrete surfaces 94 are removed.
  • the blanks of the various embodiments described above that have surfaces on the round corners m the form of closed shapes, include continuous lines of weakening foimmg said shapes.
  • the invention is also intended to include a configuration of pack in which the lines of weakening are not continuous and so the surfaces formed thereby are not discrete islands, but include bridging portions between them.
  • a section of the lines of weakening of such an embodiment of the invention is shown m Figure 28, which relates to a pack 131 of a twelfth
  • the lines of weakening 22 are not continuous and so do not form closed hexagonal shapes on the blank, but instead, are broken and define hexagonal surfaces 134 but which are joined together by bridging portions 135. This results m strengthened surfaces forming the rounded edges 16, 17, 18, 19 of the pack 131 and which are more resistant to delamination by contact with the collar 12 when the lid 3 is closed, as described above.
  • discontinuous lines of weakening forming joined surfaces of the twelfth embodiment of the invention may be applied to all lines of weakening on the pack blank, it may only be applied to those sections of the lid front edges which are most susceptible to snagging on the collar 12.
  • the packs described above have rounded longitudinal edges 16, 17, 18, 19 which foim a substantially 90 degree angle between major and minor side panels of the packs and in which the minor side walls 6, 7 are substantially planar.
  • the invention is not intended to be limited to such embodiments, and a pack 141 of a thirteenth embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 32 in which the planar minor side walls 6, 7, of the previous embodiments are omitted and instead the front and rear walls 4, 5 of the pack 141 are joined at their respective longitudinal side edges by rounded side walls 142.
  • non-planar side walls 142 are shown as curving through substantially 180 degrees between the major front and rear walls 4, 5, although smaller angles are intended within the scope of the invention (which would result in an angular edge where the non-planar side walls 142 meet the major front and rear walls 4, 5).
  • the non-planar side walls 142 could include any of the configurations of lines of weakness described above extending entirely across such side walls to form rounded edges.
  • the lines of weakening 22 may be formed m a generally cross-hatched manner to define a plurality of discrete diamond-shaped surfaces 144, and partial surfaces 144a that meige into the major front/rear faces 4, 5, with features as generally described above with reference to the second embodiment of the invention.
  • the advantages of the more reinforced rounded edges and strengthened front pack wall described above for the previous embodiments of the invention apply equally to the pack 141 of the thirteenth embodiment of the invention.
  • the invention is also intended to include within its scope a pack in which the lines of weakening create a non-planar/non-square edge/wall extending over more than 180 degrees.
  • the pack could be of a cylindrical configuration and the lines of weakening could be configured to create a single side wall of the pack that is curved over 360 degrees into a tubular shape.
  • such a non-planar side wall could include any of the configurations of lines of weakening described above extending entirely thereacross to form the rounded surface.
  • the advantages of the more reinforced rounded edges and strengthened front pack wall described above for the previous embodiments of the invention apply equally to such a (un-illustrated) pack of the invention
  • Many of the patterns forming the rounded longitudinal edges described above include surfaces or facets that are staggered m the longitudinal direction of the pack edges which is found helps provide the increased rigidity across the radius of the curved edge.
  • the blanks 20, 21 of the packs may be formed with their respective lines of weakening in an on-line process, as shown schematically m Figure 29.
  • a roll 141 of card 142 is fed to a flat bed cutter 143 which presses down on the card (see arrow ⁇ ') against a substrate 144, and a blade 145 on the cutter 143 forms the desired cuts m the card for the lines of weakening, and also cuts separating each blank from the adjacent one from the continuous roll 141 of card 142
  • This process may be used to produce the mam pack blanks 20 and/or the collar blanks 21.
  • the mam pack blanks 20 may be provided pre-cut and the collar blanks formed as described above from a continuous roll 141 of card at the smoking article packing machine and produced in the above on-line process and fed directly to the packing machine.
  • Figure 30 shows a close up of the cutting blade 145 which includes first poitions 145a which form cuts all of the way though the card 142 and second, raised portions 145b which are configured to produce only partial cuts or score lines m the card, but which do not extend all the way through the card 142.
  • the lines of weakening may be formed by cutting, they could equally be formed by creasing, such as shown in Figure 31, m which card 142 is fed between a stamp 146 with projections 147 corresponding to the desired lines of weakening and a substrate base 148 with depressions 149 corresponding to the projections 147. The stamp 146 would then be pressed down on the base 148 creating the lines of weakness m the card 142.
  • the lines of weakening may take a variety of forms within the scope of the invention. Such forms include cuts extending through the entire thickness of the card, score lines extending only partially through the thickness of the card, or crease lines or embossed lines formed m the card, such as by compression between appropriately formed stamps, or any combination thereof.
  • the cuts may be formed by any known means such as flat bed or roller cutters, or by laser.
  • the lines of weakening are intended to be formed on the inside surface of the packs, although may equally be formed on the outside surfaces.
  • the longitudinal pack edges 16, 17, 18, 19 are rounded and formed by a plurality of formations, defined by the lines of weakness, extending around the round corners to form a substantially smooth curve.
  • round edges are described above, other non-square, that is, non-right-angled, shaped edges are envisaged within the scope of the invention, such as bevelled edges with a plurality of substantially planar facets/surfaces.
  • the packs described above all have all four longitudinal pack edges 16, 17, 18, 1 which are non-square with configurations defined by the particular lines of weakening, although the invention is intended to cover packs having one or any number of the longitudinal edges so shaped, as well one or any number of the transverse edges of the pack formed m such a manner. Alternatively, only one or more of the transverse edges may be so shaped.
  • the collar 12 is shown and described as a separate part to the mam pack body and lid, from a separate blank 21, it is intended within the scope of the invention that the collar may be formed integrally with the mam pack from a single blank and folded into the configurations of embodiments shown and described.

Abstract

A pack (1) comprising a substantially curved portion, and a plurality of lines of weakening (22) formed in the material of the pack at the substantially curved portion The lines of weakening define a plurality of substantially flat and uniform surfaces such that two or more of the surfaces are relatively disposed in a first direction on the curved portion and two or more of the surfaces are relatively disposed m a second direction on the curved portion different from the first direction.

Description

PACK WITH ROUND EDGE
Description
The present invention relates to a pack having specific edge configurations and methods of producing such a pack, including a pack for containing tobacco industry products, for instance smoking aiticles such as cigarettes.
Conventional packs for smoking articles are generally parallelepiped packs having square edges formed where the faces of the pack meet. More recently, packs have been produced having bevelled or round edges at the intersection of at least some of the pack faces, such as the longitudinal edges between the front and side walls and/or the rear and side walls.
It is an object of the invention to provide a pack having an alternative edge configuration.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a pack comprising a substantially curved portion, and a plurality of lines of weakening formed m the material of the pack at the substantially curved portion defining a plurality of substantially flat and uniform surfaces such that two or more of the surfaces are relatively disposed in a first direction on the curved portion and two or more of the surfaces are relatively disposed in a second direction on the curved portion different from the first direction. In a preferred embodiment, the two or more of the surfaces which are relatively disposed m the second direction are relatively disposed on a line perpendicular to the first direction.
A preferred embodiment of the invention further comprises first and second walls having intersecting planes, and the curved portion of the pack connects the first and second walls, the plurality of lines of weakening define the shape of the curved portion of the pack, and wherein the two or more of the surfaces relatively disposed in the first direction are arranged in series m the direction of the line of intersection of the planes and the two or more of the surfaces relatively disposed in the second direction are arranged m series along a line perpendicular to said line of
intersection. The lines of weakening may comprise a plurality of discrete, non-contmuous lines of weakening formed in the mateiial of the pack, and/ or a plurality of non- longitudmally extending lines of weakening formed in the material of the pack.
The pack may further comprise first and second walls connected to form a longitudinal edge of the pack, wherein the longitudinal edge is of a non-square configuration and includes said plurality of non-continuous and/ or non- longitudmally extending lines of weakening which define the shape of said longitudinal edge. The at least one non-square longitudinal edge may be
substantially rounded and may have a substantially constant radius The transverse cross-section of the at least one non-square longitudinal edge may be substantially constant along its longitudinal length.
In a preferred embodiment, the lines of weakening are configured to define a plurality of surfaces along at least a part of the pack or a portion of the non-square longitudinal edge of the pack.
The surfaces may be defined by closed lines of weakening to form discrete surfaces, or the surfaces may be defined by dis-continuous lines such that the one or more adjacent surfaces are connected by bridging portions. The surfaces may comprise tessellatmg polygons and the polygons of the surfaces may all be identical. The surfaces may be substantially planar.
In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of adjacent surfaces m a transverse perimeter direction of the pack form the at least part of the pack or the at least one non- square longitudinal edge. The surfaces may be hexagonal or quadrilateral. The longitudinally adjacent surfaces may be transversely offset to form a staggered arrangement m a longitudinal direction of the pack and/ or of the at least one non- square longitudinal edge. The lines of weakening may comprise a series of non-continuous parallel longitudinally extending lines defining regions of un-weakened material spaced longitudinally along each line. The regions of un-weakened material of adjacent lines of weakening may be substantially transversely aligned. The regions of un- weakened material of adjacent lines may be longitudinally off-set to form a zig-zag foimation along part of the pack or the respective pack edge.
The lines of weakening may run m a curved manner along at least part of the pack or along the at least one non-square longitudinal edge. The pack may further comprise a body portion having an open upper end and a lid portion hingedly attached to a rear wall of the body portion and pivotable to open and close the open end of the body portion, said at least one longitudinal edge extending from the body portion to the lid portion. The pack may further include a collar disposed within the body portion adjacent the front and side walls thereof and projecting out of the open end of the body portion, the collar being formed with an edge having a non-square configuration
corresponding to said non-square longitudinal edge of the pack. The collar may include a plurality of non-contmuous and/ or non-longitudinally extending lines of weakening formed in the material thereof which define the shape of the longitudinal edge(s) of the collar and which correspond to those formed m the material of the pack. The collar may include a front wall and side walls, the side walls preferably including a section extending to the front wall which is angled downwards toward the body portion of the pack. The lid may include a front wall and side walls, and a flap on the inside of the front wall that preferably includes at least one laterally extending portion that extends across at least part of the non-square longitudinal edge of the lid and across the lines of weakening thereof.
The flap may include laterally extending portions from opposite sides thereof that extend across at least part of non-square longitudinal edges on either side of the lid and across the lines of weakening thereof. The pack may be formed of card having a gram which extends m a generally transverse direction of the pack generally perpendicular to the length of the pack and/or to the longitudinal edges.
The lines of weakening may be formed m the material of the pack on the inside of the pack, and/ or the lines of weakening may be formed in the material of the pack on the outside of the pack. At least some of the lines of weakening may compiise cuts extending partially through the thickness of the material of the pack. At least some of the lines of weakening may comprise cuts extending entirely through the thickness of the material of the pack. Furthermore, at least some of the lines of weakening may comprise creases formed in the material of the pack.
A preferred embodiment of the pack may comprise opposing front and rear walls connected along their longitudinal edges by side walls, wherein at least one of the side walls is non-planar and includes said plurality of non-continuous and/or non- longitudinally extending lines of weakening which define the shape of said at least one side wall.
The at least one non-planar side wall may be substantially rounded and may be of a substantially constant radius.
The transverse cross-section of the at least one non-planar side wall may be substantially constant along its longitudinal length. The lines of weakening may be configured to define a plurality of surfaces along at least a portion of the non-planar side wall and the surfaces may be of any configuration described above. The longitudinally adjacent surfaces may be transversely offset to form a staggered arrangement in a longitudinal direction of the at least one non-planar side wall.
The lines of weakening may be of any form defined above. The regions of un-weakened material of adjacent lines may be longitudinally off-set to form a zig-zag formation along the at least one non-planar side wall.
The lines of weakening may run in a curved manner along the at least one non- planar side wall.
A pack of the invention may comprise a body portion having an open upper end and a lid portion hmgedly attached to a rear wall of the body portion and pivotable to open and close the open end of the body portion, said at least one non-planar side wall extending from the body portion to the lid portion
The pack may include a collar disposed within the body portion adjacent the front and side walls thereof and projecting out of the open end of the body portion, the collar being formed with a front wall and at least one side wall having a non-planar configuration corresponding to said at least one non-planar side wall.
The collar may include a plurality of non-continuous and/or non longitudinally extending lines of weakening formed m the material thereof which define the shape of the at least one non-planar side wall of the collar and which correspond to those formed in the material of the pack.
The side walls of the collar may include a section extending to the front wall thereof which is angled downwards toward the body portion of the pack. The lid may include a front wall and side walls, and a flap on the inside of the front wall that includes at least one laterally extending portion that extends across at least part of the non-planar side wall of the lid and across the lines of weakening thereof. The flap may include laterally extending portions from opposite sides thereof that extend across at least part of non-planar side walls on either side of the lid and acioss the lines of weakening thereof.
The present invention also provides a blank for a pack comprising any feature defined above.
The piesent invention also piovides a method of manufacturing a pack for smoking articles, the method comprising foimmg m a blank of card a plurality of lines of weakening and folding the blank to form a pack with a substantially curved portion defined by said lines of weakening and defining a plurality of substantially flat and uniform surfaces such that two or more of the surfaces are relatively disposed in a first direction on the curved portion and two or more of the surfaces are relatively disposed in a second direction on the curved portion different from the first direction.
The method may further comprise forming a curved portion of the pack with the two or more surfaces relatively disposed m the second direction being disposed on a line perpendicular to the first direction. The pack may have first and second walls having intersecting planes, and the method may further comprise forming the curved portion of the pack to connect the first and second walls such that the plurality of lines of weakening define the shape of the curved portion of the pack, and such that the two or more of the surfaces relatively disposed m the first direction are arranged m series in the direction of the line of intersection of the planes and the two or more of the suifaces relatively disposed in the second direction aie arranged in series along a line perpendicular to said line of intersection. The step of forming the lines of weakening may comprise forming a plurality of discrete, non-continuous lines of weakening and/or a plurality of non-longitudmally extending lines of weakening. The pack may comprise opposing front and rear walls connected by opposing side walls, and the step of folding the blank may comprises forming at least one longitudinal edge between a side wall and the front/rear wall with a non-square configuration defined by said plurality of non-continuous and/ or non-longitudmally extending lines of weakening,
The pack may comprise opposing front and rear walls connected along their longitudinal edges by side walls, and the step of folding the blank may comprise forming at least one of the side walls as a non-planar wall defined by said plurality of non-continuous and/ or non-longitudinally extending lines of weakening.
The method may further comprise forming the lines of weakening by cutting the card partially and/ or entirely through the thickness thereof, and/ or creasing the card. The method may further comprise forming the lines of weakness using at least one of a flat bed cutter, a roller cutter or a laser.
The method may further comprise forming the pack with the at least one non- square longitudinal edge/non-planar end wall being rounded.
The method may further comprise forming the pack from card with a gram running m a single direction and forming the pack such that the gram runs transversely across the width of the pack, perpendicular to the at least one non-square longitudinal edge/non-planar end wall.
The method may comprise forming the blank for the pack on-line from a continuous roll of card, forming the lines of weakness therein and feeding the blanks to a cigarette pack wrapping machine. The present invention also provide a pack comprising first and second walls connected to foim a longitudinal edge of the pack, a plurality of discrete, unconnected lines of weakening formed in the material of the pack which define the shape of at least part of the pack and which are relatively disposed m the direction of the longitudinal edge.
The lines of weakening may be arranged such that two or more of the lines of weakening are relatively disposed in a first direction and two or more of the lines of weakening are relatively disposed m a second direction different from the first direction.
The two or more lines of weakening relatively disposed m the second direction may be relatively disposed on a line perpendicular to the first direction.
The pack may further comprise fust and second walls having intersecting planes, and a curved portion connecting the first and second walls, wherein the plurality of lines of weakening define the shape of the curved portion of the pack, and wherein the two or more of the lines of weakening relatively disposed in the first direction are arranged m series m the direction of the line of intersection of the planes and the two or more of the lines of weakening relatively disposed m the second direction are arranged m series along a line perpendicular to said line of
intersection. The present invention also provides a pack comprising first and second walls connected to form a longitudinal edge of the pack, and a plurality of lines of weakening formed m the material of the pack m the region of the longitudinal edge and defining the shape of the longitudinal edge, the lines of weakening extending m one or more directions other than the direction of the longitudinal edge.
At least two of the lines of weakening may be adjacent parallel lines - Si -
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, m which:
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a pack of a first embodiment of the invention in a closed position;
Figure 2 shows the pack of Figure 1 m an open position;
Figure 3 shows a plan view of a blank for producing the pack shown m Figures 1 and 2, including a blank for a collar portion;
Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a pack of a second embodiment of the invention m a closed position;
Figure 5 shows the pack of Figure 4 in an open position;
Figure 6 shows a plan view of a blank for producing the pack shown m Figures 4 and 5, including a blank for a collar portion;
Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a pack of a third embodiment of the invention in a closed position;
Figure 8 shows the pack of Figure 7 in an open position;
Figure 9 shows a plan view of a blank for producing the pack shown m Figures 7 and 8, including a blank for a collar poition;
Figure 10 shows a perspective view of a pack of a fourth embodiment of the invention m a closed position;
Figure 11 shows the pack of Figure 10 m an open position;
Figure 12 shows a plan view of a blank for producing the pack shown m Figures 10 and 11, including a blank for a collar portion;
Figure 13 shows a perspective view of a pack of a fifth embodiment of the invention in a closed position;
Figure 14 shows the pack of Figure 13 in an open position;
Figure 15 shows a plan view of a blank for producing the pack shown in Figures 13 and 14, including a blank for a collar portion;
Figure 16 shows a perspective view of a pack of a sixth embodiment of the invention in a closed position;
Figure 17 shows the pack of Figure 16 in an open position;
Figure 18 shows a plan view of a blank for producing the pack shown in Figures 16 and 17, including a blank for a collar portion; Figure 19 shows a perspective view of a pack of a seventh embodiment of the invention in a closed position;
Figure 20 shows the pack of Figure 1 m an open position;
Figure 21 shows a plan view of a blank for producing the pack shown m Figuies 19 and 20, including a blank for a collar portion;
Figure 22 shows a perspective view of a pack of an eighth embodiment of the invention in a closed position;
Figure 23 shows the pack of Figure 22 m an open position;
Figure 24 shows a plan view of a blank for producing the pack shown m Figures 22 and 23, including a blank for a collar portion;
Figure 25 shows a perspective view of a pack of a ninth embodiment of the invention m an open position;
Figure 26 shows a perspective view of a pack of a tenth embodiment of the invention in an open position;
Figure 27 shows a perspective view of a pack of an eleventh embodiment of the invention in an open position;
Figure 28 shows an enlarged view of a section of a pack blank of a twelfth embodiment of the invention corresponding to the blank shown m Figure 24; Figure 29 shows a schematic view of an apparatus and process for forming lines of weakness in blanks for packs of the invention;
Figure 30 shows a further schematic view of an apparatus for forming lines of weakness m blanks for packs of the invention;
Figure 31 shows yet another schematic view of an apparatus for forming lines of weakness m blanks for packs of the invention; and
Figure 32 shows a perspective view of a pack of a thirteenth embodiment of the invention m an open position;
Known round cornel packs are conventionally formed from blanks of card m which mechanical cuts, embossing or laser cuts are formed into the card m continuous straight lines which extend along the length of the part of the blank which is to form the rounded corner. The rounded corner is then bent into place by the pack- making machinery during pack construction and the weakened cut/embossed regions allow the card to form smooth curved pack edges. Card used for smoking article packs conventionally has a 'grain' which runs m one direction of the card. It is usual for packs to have the gram running transversely acioss the width of the pack rather than longitudinally down the length of the pack, because this limits the extent to which the middle of the front face of the pack bows and bends away from a bundle of smoking articles contained within the pack when the pack is held. In known packs having rounded corners m which continuous straight lines cuts/embossmg is used, however, it is generally necessary for the gram to lun longitudinally down the length of the pack m order for the round corner to be effectively formed. However, this has the detrimental effect of weakening the major faces of the pack making them more susceptible to bowing when the pack is compressed or even just held by a consumer.
A pack 1 of the first embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 1 and 2 and comprises a generally parallelepiped container having a body 2 and a hinged lid 3. The pack 1 has major front and rear walls 4, 5, minor side walls 6, 7, a bottom wall 8 and a top wall 9. The front, rear and side walls 4, 5, 6, 7 comprise front, rear and side wall body panels 4a, 5a, 6a, 7a, and front, rear and side wall lid panels 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b. The hinged lid 3 is integrally connected to the body 2 at a folding hinge line 10 between the rear body panel 5a and the rear lid panel 5b and is pivotable between an open position m which an access opening 11 m the top of the body 2 is exposed to allow access to smoking articles contained therein, and a closed position. The longitudinal edges of the pack 16, 17, 18, 19 between the front, rear and side walls 4, 5, 6, 7 are rounded.
The body 2 includes a collar 12 having a front panel 13 and side panels 14, 15 and is disposed within the body 2 to project out of the opening 11 therein.
Figure 3 shows the blanks 20, 21 used to form the pack of Figures 1 and 2, the mam pack blank 20 and the collar blank 21. The various panels of the constructed pack described above retain the same reference numerals. It can be seen that the parts of the blanks 20, 21 corresponding to the rounded edges 16, 17, 18, 19 of the pack 1 include a plurality of lines of weakening 22. These are formed as a series of discontmuous parallel lines extending in the longitudinal direction of the pack edges 16, 17, 18, 19 which are broken intermittently along their length to form regions 23 of un-weakened card between the lines of weakening 22 in the longitudinal direction of the edges. Figure 3 also shows that the body blank 20 includes a lid tab 26 which, m the constructed pack, is folded over and glued onto the inside of the lid front wall 4b (see Figure 2).
Once the pack 1 is constructed from the blanks 20, 21 , the rounded edges 16, 17, 18, 19 are formed with surfaces 24 m the regions transversely between the lines of weakening 22, but which surfaces 24 merge into continuous round corner portion 25 m the un-weakened regions 23 longitudinally between the lines of weakening 22. It will be appreciated that the collar blank 21 includes corresponding lines of weakening 22 to those of the body/lid blank 20 such that the collar 12 can he flush against the inside of the front and side walls 4, 6, 7 of the constructed pack 1.
The above construction of pack 1 allows rounded pack edges to be formed without the need for lines of weakening which extend the entire length of edges 16, 17, 18, 19 of the pack 1. This results m reinforced rounded edges of significantly increased strength and rigidity than is obtained by conventional round-edged pack
construction methods. This is because conventional longitudinal lines of weakening which extend the entire length of the pack edges makes those edges between the adjacent pack panels very flexible in the folding direction along the lines of weakness. However, having lines of weakness that do not extend longitudinally along the entire length of the pack edge means that there is always a portion of un- weakened card at any point m the longitudinal direction of the pack edge to provide increased strength and rigidity to the rounded corner, whilst also allowing the edge to assume a substantially rounded shape.
In addition to the above, forming the lines of weakening as described above allows the pack 1 to be formed with the gram of the card running transversely across the pack (see arrow 'Τ' in Figure 1), instead of having to have the gram of the card running longitudinally (see arrow 'L' in Figure 1) as is necessary with conventional round edged packs. This results in much stronger major faces 4, 5 of the pack 1 which are less prone to bowing in use, as described above. This is most effectively achieved when the lines of weakening are formed by partial cuts m the card, such as by knife blade of laser cutting. A pack 31 of a second embodiment of the invention is shown m Figures 3— 6 m which like features of the first embodiment retain the same reference numerals. The pack 31 of the second embodiment differs from that of the first m that the lines of weakening 22 that form the rounded edges 16, 17, 18, 1 comprise a different configuration, and aie formed m a generally cross-hatched manner. This results m a pack 31 m which the longitudinal rounded edges 16, 17, 18, 19 are formed by a plurality of discrete diamond-shaped suifaces 34, each complete surface 34 (not including the partial surfaces 34a that merge into the major/minor side faces 4, 5, 6, 7, of the pack 31) being a discrete island bounded by the lines of weakening 22. Thereby, the curves of the rounded edges 16, 17, 18, 19 are formed by a plurality of facets or surfaces m a transverse perimeter direction of the pack 31 extending around the corners. The surfaces 34 themselves are substantially planar and the curve of the rounded edges 16, 17, 18, 19 is created by the card folding at the lines of weakening 22 between the surfaces 34. It will be appreciated that the advantages of the more reinforced rounded edges and strengthened front pack wall described above for the pack 1 of the first embodiment of the invention apply equally to the pack 31 of the second embodiment of the invention.
A pack 41 of a third embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 7— 9 m which like features of the first and second embodiments retain the same reference numerals. The pack 41 of the third embodiment differs from that of the previous embodiments in that the lines of weakening 22 that form the rounded edges 16, 17, 18, 19 comprise a different configuration and are formed as elongate tessellatmg hexagons, elongate m the longitudinal direction of the pack 41. This results m the longitudinal rounded edges 16, 17, 18, 19 being formed by a plurality of discrete hexagonal facets or surfaces 44, each surface 44 being a discrete island bounded by the lines of weakening 22. Thereby, curves of the rounded edges 16, 17, 18, 19 are formed by the plurality of surfaces 44 extending m a transverse perimeter direction of the pack 41. The surfaces 44 themselves are substantially planar and the curve of the rounded edges 16, 17, 18, 19 is created by the card folding at the lines of weakening 22 between the surfaces 44. As stated previously, the advantages of the more reinforced rounded edges and strengthened front pack wall described above apply equally to the pack 41 of the third embodiment of the invention.
A pack 51 of a fourth embodiment is shown m Figures 10 - 12 m which like features of the previous embodiments retain the same reference numerals and which differs from the pievious embodiments in that the lines of weakening 22 that form the rounded edges 16, 17, 18, 19 comprise a different configuration. In the pack 51 of the fourth embodiment, the lines of weakening 22 are formed as longitudinal rows of spaced elongate hexagons 42a joined by straight lines 42b of weakening. This results m the longitudinal rounded edges 16, 17, 18, 1 being formed by a plurality of discrete spaced hexagonal facets or surfaces 54 (which are substantially planar, as described above m relation to the previous embodiments), each of such surfaces 54 being a discrete island bounded by the lines of weakening 22. The configuration also defines continuous regions 55 in between the hexagonal surfaces 54, which are also substantially planar. Thereby, the rounded edges 16, 17, 18, 19 are formed by the plurality of surfaces 54 extending m a transverse perimeter direction of the pack 51, as well as the continuous regions 55 between the surfaces 54. The curve of the rounded edges 16, 17, 18, 19 is created by folded card at the lines of weakening 22 between the surfaces 54 and continuous regions 55. As stated previously, the advantages of the more reinforced rounded edges and strengthened front pack wall described above apply equally to the pack 51 of the fourth embodiment of the invention.
A pack 61 of a fifth embodiment of the invention is shown m Figures 13 - 15 in which like features of the previous embodiments retain the same reference numerals and which differs from that of the previous embodiments in that the lines of weakening 22 are curved wavy lines extending longitudinally down the pack edges 16, 17, 18, 19. Adjacent lines of weakening 22 are longitudinally off-set so as to meet at regular intervals (indicated at 63) and form as elongate surfaces 64 which are substantially planar, as described above in relation to the previous embodiments. This results in the longitudinal rounded edges 16, 17, 18, 19 being formed by a plurality of surfaces 64, each being bounded by the lines of weakening 22. Thereby, curves of the rounded edges 16, 17, 18, 19 are formed by the plurality of surfaces 64 extending m a transverse perimeter direction of the pack 61. As the surfaces are substantially planar, the curve of the rounded edges 16, 17, 18, 19 is created by the card folding at the lines of weakening 22 between the surfaces 64. As stated previously, the advantages of the more reinforced rounded edges and strengthened front pack wall described above apply equally to the pack 61 of the fifth
embodiment of the invention. A pack 71 of a sixth embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 16— 18 in which like features of the previous embodiments retain the same reference numerals. The pack 71 of the sixth embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment in that the lines of weakening 22 are formed as a series of
discontinuous parallel lines extending in the longitudinal direction of the pack edges 16, 17, 18, 19 which are broken intermittently along their length to form regions 73 of un-weakened card between the lines of weakening 22 m the longitudinal direction of the edges. The pack 71 of the sixth embodiment differs in that the intermittent breaks m the longitudinal lines of weakening 22 are not all transversely aligned, but are staggered so that the regions 73 of un-weakened card are alternately diagonal in a longitudinal direction of the pack edges 16, 17, 18, 19.
As with the first embodiment, the rounded edges 16, 17, 18, 19 are formed with substantially planar surfaces 74 in the regions transversely between the lines of weakening 22, but which merge into continuous round corner portion 75 m the un- weakened regions 73 longitudinally between the lines of weakening 22. This results m the curves of the longitudinal rounded edges 16, 17, 18, 19 being formed by a plurality of surfaces 74 extending in a transverse perimeter direction of the pack 71 and with the card folding at the lines of weakening 22 between the surfaces 74. As stated previously, the advantages of the more reinforced rounded edges and strengthened front pack wall described above apply equally to the pack 71 of the sixth embodiment of the invention A pack 81 of a seventh embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 19— 21 m which like features of the previous embodiments retain the same reference numerals. The pack 81 of the sixth embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment except that the lines of weakening 22 do not extend straight in the longitudinal direction of the pack edges 16, 17, 18, 19, but instead zig-zig to form a chevroned appearance. This creates a series of tessellating chevron-shaped portions 84 separated by the zig-zig lines of weakening 22
The resilience of the card piovides resistance to bending of the chevron portions 84 around the curves of the rounded edges 16, 17, 18, 1 , although it will be appreciated that the chevrons portions 84 cannot remain absolutely planar.
However, the card folds to a greater degree at the lines of weakening 22 between the chevron portions 84 to cieate the round edges than the chevron portions 84 deflect As stated previously, the advantages of the more reinforced rounded edges and strengthened front pack wall described above apply equally to the pack 81 of the seventh embodiment of the invention.
A pack 91 of an eighth embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 22— 24 m which like features of the previous embodiments retain the same reference numerals and is similar to that of the third embodiment m that the lines of weakening 22 that form the rounded edges 16, 17, 18, 19 comprise tessellating hexagons, although they are regular hexagons in the pack 91 of the eighth embodiment of the invention This results m the longitudinal rounded edges 16, 17, 18, 19 being formed by a plurality of discrete hexagonal surfaces 94 which aie substantially planar and a plurality of which extend in a transverse perimeter direction of the pack 91, the curve of the rounded edges 16, 17, 18, 19 being created substantially by the card folding at the lines of weakening 22 between the facets/surfaces 94. As stated previously, the advantages of the more reinforced rounded edges and strengthened front pack wall described above apply equally to the pack 91 of the eighth embodiment of the invention.
A pack 101 of a ninth embodiment of the invention is shown m Figure 25 which is similar to the pack of the eighth embodiment of the invention shown m Figures 22 — 24, and like features retain the same reference numerals. The difference in the pack 101 of the ninth embodiment of the invention is that the lid inner tab 26 includes side wings 27 which extend around the inside of the longitudinal edges 16, 17 of the lid 3 and terminate at the lid side walls 6b, 7b. The lid inner tab 26 is glued to the mside of the lid front wall 4b and the wings 27 he against the mside walls of the lid and cover the lines of weakening 22 and the surfaces 94 formed thereby.
In use, during closure of the pack 101, the corners 12a of the upper edge of the collar 12 contact and slides acioss the wings 27 on the inside of the lid 3 as the lid 3 moves from the open position to the fully closed position. This prevents the upper edge of the collar snagging on the edges of the individual discrete surfaces 94 which could hinder smooth closure of the pack 101 and could also wear/fray the corners 12a of the upper edge of the collar 12. This may be the case if the lines of weakening are score lines of cuts m the card. Also, as the lines of weakening 22 form discrete surfaces 94, and the card may comprise a laminar material, any snagging on the upper edge of the collar 12 which may occur in the absence of the wings 27 could, after repeated closures of the pack 101, result m some of the discrete surfaces 94 delammating from the mside of the lid 3 and peeling away.
A pack 111 of a tenth embodiment of the invention is shown m Figure 26 and is similar to the pack of the eighth embodiment of the invention, with like features retaining the same reference numerals. The pack 111 of the tenth embodiment of the invention is modified to overcome the snagging issue discussed above with reference to the pack 101 of the ninth embodiment of the invention The difference with the tenth embodiment is that the collar 12 is shorted and has a much lower upper edge 12b so that, upon closure of the pack 111, the upper edge 12b of the collar avoids snagging on the edges of the individual discrete surfaces 94. A pack 121 of an eleventh embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 27 and is similar to the pack of the eighth and tenth embodiments of the invention, with like features retaining the same reference numerals. The pack 121 of the eleventh embodiment of the invention is also modified to overcome the snagging issue discussed above with reference to the pack 101 of the ninth embodiment of the invention, although rather than the whole collar being shortened, only the front corners 12c (and correspondingly the front edge 12d) are lowered so that the parts of the collar 12 most likely to snag on the edges of the individual discrete surfaces 94 are removed.
The blanks of the various embodiments described above that have surfaces on the round corners m the form of closed shapes, include continuous lines of weakening foimmg said shapes. However, the invention is also intended to include a configuration of pack in which the lines of weakening are not continuous and so the surfaces formed thereby are not discrete islands, but include bridging portions between them. A section of the lines of weakening of such an embodiment of the invention is shown m Figure 28, which relates to a pack 131 of a twelfth
embodiment of the invention and which corresponds to an equivalent portion of the circled section of the blank 20 of Figure 24 of the eighth embodiment of the invention. Here, the lines of weakening 22 are not continuous and so do not form closed hexagonal shapes on the blank, but instead, are broken and define hexagonal surfaces 134 but which are joined together by bridging portions 135. This results m strengthened surfaces forming the rounded edges 16, 17, 18, 19 of the pack 131 and which are more resistant to delamination by contact with the collar 12 when the lid 3 is closed, as described above.
Although the discontinuous lines of weakening forming joined surfaces of the twelfth embodiment of the invention may be applied to all lines of weakening on the pack blank, it may only be applied to those sections of the lid front edges which are most susceptible to snagging on the collar 12.
The packs described above have rounded longitudinal edges 16, 17, 18, 19 which foim a substantially 90 degree angle between major and minor side panels of the packs and in which the minor side walls 6, 7 are substantially planar. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to such embodiments, and a pack 141 of a thirteenth embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 32 in which the planar minor side walls 6, 7, of the previous embodiments are omitted and instead the front and rear walls 4, 5 of the pack 141 are joined at their respective longitudinal side edges by rounded side walls 142. These non-planar side walls 142 are shown as curving through substantially 180 degrees between the major front and rear walls 4, 5, although smaller angles are intended within the scope of the invention (which would result in an angular edge where the non-planar side walls 142 meet the major front and rear walls 4, 5). The non-planar side walls 142 could include any of the configurations of lines of weakness described above extending entirely across such side walls to form rounded edges. However, as shown in Figure 32, the lines of weakening 22 may be formed m a generally cross-hatched manner to define a plurality of discrete diamond-shaped surfaces 144, and partial surfaces 144a that meige into the major front/rear faces 4, 5, with features as generally described above with reference to the second embodiment of the invention. Again, the advantages of the more reinforced rounded edges and strengthened front pack wall described above for the previous embodiments of the invention apply equally to the pack 141 of the thirteenth embodiment of the invention.
Yet further to the above, as well as non-square edges oi end walls which extend over approximately 90 degrees or 180 degrees between pack faces, the invention is also intended to include within its scope a pack in which the lines of weakening create a non-planar/non-square edge/wall extending over more than 180 degrees. For example, the pack could be of a cylindrical configuration and the lines of weakening could be configured to create a single side wall of the pack that is curved over 360 degrees into a tubular shape. Again, such a non-planar side wall could include any of the configurations of lines of weakening described above extending entirely thereacross to form the rounded surface. Again, the advantages of the more reinforced rounded edges and strengthened front pack wall described above for the previous embodiments of the invention apply equally to such a (un-illustrated) pack of the invention Many of the patterns forming the rounded longitudinal edges described above include surfaces or facets that are staggered m the longitudinal direction of the pack edges which is found helps provide the increased rigidity across the radius of the curved edge. The blanks 20, 21 of the packs may be formed with their respective lines of weakening in an on-line process, as shown schematically m Figure 29. Here, a roll 141 of card 142 is fed to a flat bed cutter 143 which presses down on the card (see arrow Ά') against a substrate 144, and a blade 145 on the cutter 143 forms the desired cuts m the card for the lines of weakening, and also cuts separating each blank from the adjacent one from the continuous roll 141 of card 142 This process may be used to produce the mam pack blanks 20 and/or the collar blanks 21. In production of packs of smoking aiticles, the mam pack blanks 20 may be provided pre-cut and the collar blanks formed as described above from a continuous roll 141 of card at the smoking article packing machine and produced in the above on-line process and fed directly to the packing machine.
Figure 30 shows a close up of the cutting blade 145 which includes first poitions 145a which form cuts all of the way though the card 142 and second, raised portions 145b which are configured to produce only partial cuts or score lines m the card, but which do not extend all the way through the card 142.
Although the lines of weakening may be formed by cutting, they could equally be formed by creasing, such as shown in Figure 31, m which card 142 is fed between a stamp 146 with projections 147 corresponding to the desired lines of weakening and a substrate base 148 with depressions 149 corresponding to the projections 147. The stamp 146 would then be pressed down on the base 148 creating the lines of weakness m the card 142.
In the various embodiments described above, the lines of weakening may take a variety of forms within the scope of the invention. Such forms include cuts extending through the entire thickness of the card, score lines extending only partially through the thickness of the card, or crease lines or embossed lines formed m the card, such as by compression between appropriately formed stamps, or any combination thereof. The cuts may be formed by any known means such as flat bed or roller cutters, or by laser. Furthermore, the lines of weakening are intended to be formed on the inside surface of the packs, although may equally be formed on the outside surfaces.
In the packs described above, the longitudinal pack edges 16, 17, 18, 19 are rounded and formed by a plurality of formations, defined by the lines of weakness, extending around the round corners to form a substantially smooth curve. Although round edges are described above, other non-square, that is, non-right-angled, shaped edges are envisaged within the scope of the invention, such as bevelled edges with a plurality of substantially planar facets/surfaces.
The packs described above all have all four longitudinal pack edges 16, 17, 18, 1 which are non-square with configurations defined by the particular lines of weakening, although the invention is intended to cover packs having one or any number of the longitudinal edges so shaped, as well one or any number of the transverse edges of the pack formed m such a manner. Alternatively, only one or more of the transverse edges may be so shaped.
Although the collar 12 is shown and described as a separate part to the mam pack body and lid, from a separate blank 21, it is intended within the scope of the invention that the collar may be formed integrally with the mam pack from a single blank and folded into the configurations of embodiments shown and described.
The invention is not intended to be limited to the specific configurations of lines of weakness described above, and includes any alternative configuration and patterns of lines of weakness that fall within the scope of the claims hereafter.
Any combination of non-mutually exclusive features described m any of the embodiments herein is intended to fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims
1. A pack comprising:
a substantially curved portion; and
a plurality of lines of weakening formed in the material of the pack at the substantially curved portion defining a plurality of substantially flat and uniform surfaces such that two or more of the surfaces are relatively disposed m a first direction on the curved portion and two or more of the surfaces are relatively disposed m a second direction on the curved portion diffeient from the first direction.
2. A pack according to claim 1, further comprising
first and second walls having intersecting planes,
wherein the curved portion of the pack connects the first and second walls, the plurality of lines of weakening define the shape of the curved portion of the pack, and wherein the two or more of the surfaces relatively disposed in the first direction are arranged m series m the direction of the line of intersection of the planes and the two or more of the surfaces relatively disposed m the second direction are arranged m series along a line perpendicular to said line of intersection.
3. A pack according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lines of weakening comprise: a plurality of disciete, non-continuous lines of weakening formed m the material of the pack; and/ or
a plurality of non-longitudinally extending lines of weakening formed m the material of the pack .
4. A pack according to claim 3 comprising first and second walls connected to form a longitudinal edge of the pack, wherein the longitudinal edge is of a non- square configuration and includes said plurality of non-continuous and/ or non- longitudmally extending lines of weakening which define the shape of said longitudinal edge.
5. A pack according to any preceding claim wherein the lines of weakening are configured to define a plurality of surfaces along at least a part of the pack or a portion of the non-square longitudinal edge of the pack, wherein the surfaces aie defined by discontinuous lines such that the one or more adjacent surfaces are connected by bridging portions.
6. A pack according to claim 5 wherein the surfaces are hexagonal.
7. A pack according to any preceding claim wherein the lines of weakening comprise a series of non-continuous parallel longitudinally extending lines defining regions of un-weakened material spaced longitudinally along each line.
8 A pack according to claim 7 wherein the regions of un-weakened material of adjacent lines of weakening are substantially transversely aligned or the regions of un-weakened material of adjacent lines are longitudinally off-set to form a zig-zag formation along part of the pack or the respective pack edge.
9 A pack according to any preceding claim wherein the lines of weakening run m a curved manner along at least part of the pack or along the at least one non- square longitudinal edge.
10. A pack according to claim 4 or any of claims 5— 9 when dependent on claim 4, comprising a body portion having an open upper end, a lid portion hmgedly attached to a rear wall of the body poition and pivotable to open and close the open end of the body portion, said at least one longitudinal edge extending from the body portion to the lid portion, and a collar disposed within the body portion adjacent the front and side walls thereof and projecting out of the open end of the body portion, the collar being formed with an edge having a non-square configuration corresponding to said non-square longitudinal edge of the pack, wherein the collar includes a plurality of non-continuous and/or non-longitudinally extending lines of weakening formed in the material thereof which define the shape of the longitudinal edge(s) of the collar and which correspond to those formed in the material of the pack.
11. A pack according to claim 10 wherein the lid includes a front wall and side walls, and a flap on the inside of the front wall that includes at least one laterally extending portion that extends across at least part of the non-square longitudinal edge of the lid and across the lines of weakening thereof.
12. A pack according to any preceding claim wherein the pack is formed of card having a gram which extends in a geneially transverse direction of the pack generally perpendicular to the length of the pack and/or to the longitudinal edges.
13. A pack according to any preceding claim wherein the lines of weakening are formed m the material of the pack on the outside of the pack.
14. A pack according to any preceding claim wherein at least some of the lines of weakening comprise cuts extending entirely through the thickness of the material of the pack.
15. A pack according to claim 3 comprising opposing front and rear walls connected along their longitudinal edges by side walls, wherein at least one of the side walls is non-planar and includes said plurality of non-continuous and/oi non- longitudmally extending lines of weakening which define the shape of said at least one side wall.
16. A pack according to claim 15 wherein the lines of weakening run m a curved manner along the at least one non-planar side wall and/ or the lines of weakening are as defined in either of claims 7 or 8.
17. A pack according to claim 15 or claim 16 comprising: a body portion having an open upper end and a lid portion hingedly attached to a rear wall of the body portion and pivotable to open and close the open end of the body portion, said at least one non-planar side wall extending from the body portion to the lid portion; a collar disposed within the body portion adjacent the front and side walls thereof and projecting out of the open end of the body portion, the collar being formed with a front wall and at least one side wall having a non-planar configuration corresponding to said at least one non-planar side wall; and a plurality of non- continuous and/ or non longitudinally extending lines of weakening formed m the material thereof which define the shape of the at least one non-planar side wall of the collar and which correspond to those formed m the material of the pack.
18. A pack according to claim 17 wherein the lid includes a front wall and side walls, and a flap on the inside of the front wall that includes at least one laterally extending portion that extends across at least part of the non-planar side wall of the lid and across the lines of weakening thereof.
19. A pack according to any of claims 16— 18 wherein the pack has any feature defined m claims 12 - 14.
20. A method of manufacturing a pack for smoking articles, the method comprising forming in a blank of card a pluiality of lines of weakening and folding the blank to foim a pack with a substantially cuived portion defined by said lines of weakening and defining a plurality of substantially flat and uniform surfaces such that two or more of the surfaces are relatively disposed m a first direction on the curved portion and two or more of the surfaces are relatively disposed m a second direction on the curved portion different from the first direction.
21 A method accoiding to claim 20, wherein the step of forming the lines of weakening comprises forming a plurality of discrete, non-continuous lines of weakening and/or a plurality of non-longitudmally extending lines of weakening.
22. A method according to claim 21 wherein the pack comprises opposing front and rear walls connected by opposing side walls, step of folding the blank comprises forming at least one longitudinal edge between a side wall and the front/rear wall with a non-square configuration defined by said plurality of non-contmuous and/ or non-longitudmally extending lines of weakening or opposing front and rear walls connected along their longitudinal edges by side walls, the step of folding the blank comprising forming at least one of the side walls as a non-planar wall defined by said plurality of non-continuous and/ or non-longitudmally extending lines of weakening.
23. The method of claim 21 or claim 22 comprising forming the lines of weakening by cutting the card entirely thiough the thickness thereof.
24. A method according to claim 22 or claim 23 comprising forming the pack from card with a gram running m a single direction and forming the pack such that the gram runs transversely across the width of the pack, perpendicular to the at least one non-square longitudinal edge/non-planar end wall.
PCT/EP2012/052062 2011-03-14 2012-02-07 Pack with round edge WO2012123189A1 (en)

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GBGB1104265.2A GB201104265D0 (en) 2011-03-14 2011-03-14 Pack

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WO2017021343A1 (en) * 2015-07-31 2017-02-09 Philip Morris Products S.A. Creased blank for forming a container with round or bevelled corners
EP3225568A1 (en) * 2016-04-01 2017-10-04 A & R Carton GmbH Folding box
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RU2701849C2 (en) * 2015-05-27 2019-10-01 Филип Моррис Продактс С.А. Container having improved bevelled edge
WO2020243025A1 (en) * 2019-05-24 2020-12-03 Degrees of Freedom LLC Origami-inspired enclosure, table, and lamp

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EP2765094A1 (en) * 2013-02-08 2014-08-13 Mayr-Melnhof Karton AG Blank and three-dimensional structure made from the same
RU2672343C2 (en) * 2014-08-28 2018-11-13 Джапан Тобакко Инк. Device for supplying blanks and method for supplying blanks therewith
EP3176097A4 (en) * 2014-08-28 2018-09-19 Japan Tobacco, Inc. Blank supply device and blank supply method using same
CN107660195A (en) * 2015-05-27 2018-02-02 菲利普莫里斯生产公司 Container with improved curved edge
CN107660195B (en) * 2015-05-27 2020-06-26 菲利普莫里斯生产公司 Container with improved curved edge
RU2701849C2 (en) * 2015-05-27 2019-10-01 Филип Моррис Продактс С.А. Container having improved bevelled edge
RU2700952C2 (en) * 2015-05-27 2019-09-24 Филип Моррис Продактс С.А. Container having improved curvilinear edge
WO2016189128A1 (en) * 2015-05-27 2016-12-01 Philip Morris Products S.A. Container having improved curved edge
US20180093817A1 (en) * 2015-05-27 2018-04-05 Philip Morris Products S.A. Container having improved curved edge
JP2018516818A (en) * 2015-06-12 2018-06-28 マイヤー−メルンホフ カルトン アクチエンゲゼルシャフト Blank and 3D structure generated from it
EP3103740A1 (en) 2015-06-12 2016-12-14 Mayr-Melnhof Karton AG Blank and three-dimensional structure made from the same
US20180178944A1 (en) * 2015-06-12 2018-06-28 Mayr-Melnhof Karton Ag Blank and three-dimensional structure produced therefrom
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WO2017021343A1 (en) * 2015-07-31 2017-02-09 Philip Morris Products S.A. Creased blank for forming a container with round or bevelled corners
CN107709190A (en) * 2015-07-31 2018-02-16 菲利普莫里斯生产公司 For forming the collapsible blank of the container with fillet or oblique angle
US10442607B2 (en) 2015-07-31 2019-10-15 Philip Morris Products S.A. Creased blank for forming a container with round or beveled corners
CN107709190B (en) * 2015-07-31 2019-12-20 菲利普莫里斯生产公司 Folded blank for forming a container with rounded or bevelled corners
EP3225568A1 (en) * 2016-04-01 2017-10-04 A & R Carton GmbH Folding box
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JP2020531369A (en) * 2017-08-18 2020-11-05 マイヤー−メルンホフ カルトン アクチエンゲゼルシャフト Blanks, 3D structures manufactured from them, and folding boxes
RU2760053C2 (en) * 2017-08-18 2021-11-22 Майр-Мельнхоф Картон Аг Cutting billet, three-dimensional structure made of it and folding box
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US11866235B2 (en) 2017-08-18 2024-01-09 Mayr-Melnhof Karton Ag Blank, three-dimensional structure produced therefrom, and folding box
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