WO2012164247A1

WO2012164247A1 - A wrapper assembly for smoking articles

Info

Publication number: WO2012164247A1
Application number: PCT/GB2012/050911
Authority: WO
Inventors: Aaron Brookbank; Paul Hodges
Original assignee: British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited
Priority date: 2011-05-27
Filing date: 2012-04-25
Publication date: 2012-12-06
Also published as: GB201108938D0; JP2014521562A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a wrapper assembly for smoking articles comprising a base (2) and a wrapper (3) in which an individual smoking article (4) is enclosable. The wrapper has a line of weakening (10) defining first (12) and second (13) sections of the wrapper, and the first section is fixedly mounted to the base. Therefore, when the second section is drawn away from the base, the second section separates from the first section to expose a portion of the smoking article from the second section of the wrapper. The present invention also relates to a package for smoking articles comprising a wrapper assembly.

Description

A wrapper assembly for smoking articles Description

The present invention relates to a wrapper assembly for smoking articles.

Furthermore, the invention also relates to a package for smoking articles comprising a wrapper assembly, but is not limited thereto.

Protective packages or containers for smoking articles are well known, and are in widespread use in the tobacco industry to protect smoking articles from damage and/ or contamination. Such a protective package generally comprises a rigid shell in which a plurality of smoking articles are received, together with a flexible protective cover which envelopes the rigid shell and seals the contents of the package in an airtight manner, for example to prevent contamination from moisture. One example of such a protective cover is a cellophane film or wrapper which is folded about the rigid shell of a package and sealed therearound. The wrapper prevents the ingress of unwanted contaminants or moisture, and hermetically seals the package of smoking articles to maintain the freshness of the smoking articles. Such a wrapper is generally opened by a user by means of a tear strip.

However, a recognised problem of a conventional wrapper is that the remaining smoking articles are not protected by the wrapper once the user opens the wrapper to access one or more smoking articles in the package. Therefore, the remaining contents of the package are not protected from ingress and contamination once the cellophane wrapper has been removed, because the wrapper is not resealable.

In an attempt to overcome the above problem, it is known to provide individual smoking articles wrapped in individual wrappers. However, a disadvantage of such wrappers is that it may be difficult and time consuming to open each individual wrapper and may cause the individual smoking article in the wrapper to be damaged when the wrapper is manipulated to be opened. In view of the foregoing, the present invention seeks to provide a wrapper assembly for smoking articles and/ or a package for smoking articles that overcomes or substantially alleviates the problems referred to above. According to the present invention, there is provided a wrapper assembly for smoking articles comprising a base and a wrapper in which an individual smoking article is enclosable, the wrapper having a line of weakening defining first and second sections of the wrapper, wherein the first section is fixedly mounted to the base so that, upon the second section being drawn away from the base, the second section separates from the first section to expose a portion of the smoking article from the second section of the wrapper.

Advantageously, the wrapper assembly further comprises two or more wrappers, wherein each wrapper is fixedly mounted to the base.

Conveniently, the wrapper forms a sleeve in which a smoking article is receivable.

Advantageously, the line of weakening extends circumferentially around the wrapper.

In one embodiment, the line of weakening is a series of perforations.

In another embodiment, the line of weakening is a line of reduced thickness extending partially through the wrapper.

Conveniently, the second section of the wrapper is configured to enclose more of a smoking article than the first section.

The wrapper may upstand from the base.

Advantageously, the base comprises a wall and a support upstanding from the base, the wrapper being mounted to the support. The second section of the wrapper may be spaced from the base.

Advantageously, an end of the first section is fixedly mounted to the base. The wrapper assembly may further comprise a smoking article received in the wrapper.

The smoking article may comprise a filter part at one end and the filter part may be received in the first section.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a package for smoking articles comprising a wrapper assembly according to any preceding claim. Conveniently, the package further comprises an outer shell, wherein the wrapper assembly is received in the outer shell.

The base may be fixedly mounted to the outer shell. onveniently, the base is a wall of the outer shell.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a wrapper assembly for smoking articles in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the wrapper assembly for smoking articles shown in Figure 1 with one smoking article in a separated condition;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a wrapper assembly for smoking articles shown in Figure 1 with two smoking articles in a separated condition, with one smoking article partially withdrawn from an upper section of a wrapper; and

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of a package for smoking articles comprising a wrapper assembly for smoking articles. Referring to Figures 1 to 3, a wrapper assembly 1 for smoking articles is shown comprising a base 2 and a plurality of individual wrappers 3a-3h upstanding from the base 2. An individual smoking article 4 is received in each of the individual wrappers 3a-3h so that each smoking article 4 is individually encased by one of the wrappers 3a-3h.

As used herein, the term "smoking article" includes smokeable products such as cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes and also heat-not- burn products but is not limited thereto. The smoking article may be provided with a filter for the gaseous flow drawn by the smoker. In the present embodiment, each individual wrapper 3a-3h encases a cigarette, although it will be appreciated that such an arrangement is also usable with other smoking articles, for example a cigar or cigarillo.

The base 2 is a panel element, which in the present embodiment is formed from rigid cardboard, although it will be appreciated that the material is not limited thereto. The base 2 is rectangular with upper and lower faces 5, 6, and is configured to be inserted into an outer shell of a package for smoking articles, as will become apparent hereinafter.

Each individual wrapper 3a-3h comprises a cylindrical outer wall 7, a lower end 8 and an upper end 9, each of which locate against and encase the smoking article 4 received in the wrapper 3.

The individual wrappers 3a-3h are formed from a flexible plastic material, such as a cellophane film, although it will be appreciated that the wrappers may be formed from an alternative material, for example an aluminium foil. Printed or embossed graphics (not shown) are formed on the outer surface of each of the cylindrical outer wall 7 and the upper end 9. Each wrapper 3a-3h has a perforated strip 10 extending circumferentially around the cylindrical outer wall 7 and spaced from the lower and upper ends 9. The perforated strip 10 acts as a line of weakening extending around the cylindrical outer wall 7 of the wrapper, and divides the wrapper into first and second sections 12, 13 which are separable from each other along the line of weakening 10.

Although in the present embodiment the line of weakening between the first and second sections 12, 13 is a perforated strip, it will be appreciated that any other line of weakening may be used which enables the first section 12 to be easily separated from the second section 13 when a separating force urging the two sections relative to each other is applied. In particular, in an alternative embodiment the line of weakening 10 is a line of reduced wall thickness extending circumferentially around the cylindrical outer wall 7. The line of reduced wall thickness extends partially through the wrapper, but does not extend through the cylindrical outer wall 7 to an inner surface of the wrapper. Therefore, the integrity of the wrapper 3a-3h is maintained, and it is not possible for contaminants and air external to the wrapper 3a-3h to communicate with the smoking article encased in the wrapper 3a-3h. The line of reduced wall thickness is formed by a laser cut, although alternative means of forming the line of reduced wall thickness are envisaged. In the present

embodiment the line of reduced wall thickness has a uniform thickness, although the thickness may be varied.

The first section 12 of each wrapper 3a-3h includes the lower end 8 of the wrapper and a lower portion of the cylindrical outer wall 7 upstanding from the lower end 8 to the line of weakening, and the second section 13 of the each wrapper 3a-3h includes the upper end 9 of the wrapper and an upper portion of the cylindrical outer wall 7 upstanding from the upper end 9 to the line of weakening.

The lower end 8 of each wrapper 3a-3h is adhered to the upper face 5 of the base 2 by an adhesive so that each wrapper is fixedly mounted to the base 2. Therefore, each of the wrappers 3a-3h upstands from the base 2, with the first section 12 of each wrapper fixedly mounted thereto, and the second section 13 spaced from the base 2. In the present embodiment, eight wrappers 3a-3h are shown, although it will be understood that the number of wrappers is not limited thereto. Furthermore, in the Figures the wrappers 3a-3h are shown spaced from each other in a uniform arrangement, however is will be appreciated that adjacent wrappers may abut each other, or be spaced apart by unequal amounts.

Each individual wrapper 3a-3h encases and seals a corresponding smoking article 4. Each wrapper 3a-3h is formed about a respective smoking article 4 during assembly of the wrapper assembly 1 so that the wrapper encases the smoking article 4.

However, it will be appreciated that the smoking article 4 is slidable from the wrapper 3a-3h when the first and second sections 12, 13 of the wrapper are separated, as will become apparent hereinafter.

Each smoking article 4 is generally cylindrical and comprises a smokable product part 14 and a filter part 15 (refer to Figure 3). The filter part 15 is disposed at one end of the smokable product part 14. The filter part 15 of each smoking article 4 is received in the first section 12 of the respective wrapper, although a portion of the filter part 15 may extend into the second section 13 of the wrapper.

The wrapper assembly 1 is received in a package for smoking articles 16, and such packages are conventional, although it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited thereto. An outline of such a conventional package 16 is shown in Figure 4 and generally comprises an outer shell 18 defining a smoking article receiving space 19, with a base wall 20, front, back and side walls 21, 22, 23 upstanding from the base wall 20 and an upper opening 24, through which smoking articles disposed in the package are accessible. The upper opening 24 of such a conventional package is closable by a lid (not shown), and the outer shell 18 and lid are generally formed from a rigid material, such as a rigid cardboard to restrict the smoking articles received in the smoking article receiving space 19 from being crushed or otherwise damaged.

The wrapper assembly 1 is disposed in the smoking article receiving space 19 during assembly of the package 16. The base 2 is located against the base wall 20 and is adhered to the base wall 20 so that the wrapper assembly 1 is fixedly mounted within the package 16. Therefore, the smoking articles 4 disposed in the wrappers 3a-3h of the wrapper assembly 1 are disposed in the smoking article receiving space 19 of the formed package 16 with the filter part 15 of each smoking article 4 and the first section 12 of each wrapper 3a-3h being disposed distal to the upper opening 24.

When a user opens the lid of the package, or otherwise opens the package, to allow access to the smoking article receiving space 19 an upper portion of the second section 13 of each wrapper 3a-3h is exposed. However, it will be appreciated that each smoking article 4 contained in the package is protected from the ingress of unwanted contaminants, moisture and is hermetically sealed from the atmosphere to maintain the freshness of the smoking articles by the individual wrappers 3a-3h, despite the outer shell 18 being opened. To obtain access to a smoking article 4 contained in one of the individual wrappers 3a, the user holds the package 16 and grips the exposed upper portion of a second section 13a of one of the wrappers 3a encasing a smoking article 4. The user then pulls the exposed second section 13a of the wrapper 3a in a direction out of the package. This removal force causes the first and second sections 12a, 13a to separate along the line of weakness 10 so that the second section 13a is drawn away from the first section 12a and out of the package. The first section 12a is retained in the smoking article receiving space 19 of the package due to it being adhered to the base 2. The smoking article 4 contained in the wrapper 3a is retained in the second section 13a of the wrapper 3a and drawn out of the package 18 along with second section 13a due to the pressure applied by the user on the outer surface of the second section 13a as the wrapper 3a is flexible. Therefore, the smoking article 4 slides out of the first section 12a of the wrapper 3a such that a length of smoking article 4 is exposed, as shown in Figure 2. It will be understood that the filter part 15 of the smoking article will be exposed as the filter part 15 is received in the first section 12a of the wrapper 3a. Once the second section 13a of the wrapper 3a with the smoking article 4 disposed therein is drawn out of the package, the user may then insert the filter part 15 of the smoking article into their mouth. The remaining second section 13a of the wrapper 3a may then be slid from the smoking article by easing the user's applied pressure on the wrapper and sliding it along the smokable product part 14 of the smoking article 4, as shown in Figure 3. An advantage of this arrangement is that the user can insert the smoking article into their mouth without touching the smoking article, which improves hygiene. Furthermore, the wrapper may be removed from the smoking article with only a single hand contacting the wrapper, therefore reducing the risk of damage to the smoking article.

To access a second smoking article, the user simply repeats the process by gripping the second section 13b of another wrapper 3b and applying a force to the second section 13b to separate the second section 13b from the first section 12b.

Although in the above embodiment the base is a cardboard panel with the individual wrappers adhered to an upper surface, it will be appreciated that alternative embodiments are envisaged. For example, the base may have upright walls extending from a base wall, and the individual wrappers may be adhered to the upright walls.

Although in the present embodiment the wrapper assembly 1 is an insert which is received in a package for smoking articles and fixedly mounted therein, it will be appreciated that alternative arrangements are envisaged. For example, the wrapper assembly may form part of a package for smoking articles. In such an embodiment, the wrapper assembly is integrally formed with the package for smoking articles, with the base forming the base wall of the package. Alternatively, it is also envisaged that the base of the wrapper assembly may include one or more side walls of the package upstanding from a base wall, with the first section of each wrapper being adhered to a side wall. In another embodiment, it is envisaged that the base of the wrapper assembly includes one or more supports upstanding from a base wall to which the first section of each wrapper is mounted. Although one conventional package is shown and described above, it will be appreciated that the package for smoking articles is not limited thereto, and that the invention is applicable to alternative packages for smoking articles, for example in one embodiment the package may comprise a front wall and a rear wall that are hingable about a base wall relative to each other to allow access to the smoking article receiving space.

Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations may be made to the above exemplary embodiment that lie within the scope of the invention, as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A wrapper assembly for smoking articles comprising a base (2) and a wrapper (3a-3h) in which an individual smoking article (4) is enclosable, the wrapper (3a-3h) having a line of weakening (10) defining first and second sections (12,13) of the wrapper (3a-3h), wherein the first section (12) is fixedly mounted to the base (2) so that, upon the second section (13) being drawn away from the base (2), the second section (13) separates from the first section (12) to expose a portion of the smoking article (4) from the second section (13) of the wrapper (3a-3h).

2. A wrapper assembly according to claim 1, further comprising two or more wrappers (3a-3h), wherein each wrapper (3a-3h) is fixedly mounted to the base (2).

3. A wrapper assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the wrapper (3a-3h) forms a sleeve in which a smoking article (4) is receivable.

4. A wrapper assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the line of weakening (10) extends circumferentially around the wrapper (3a-3h).

5. A wrapper assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the line of weakening (10) is a series of perforations (3a-3h).

6. A wrapper assembly according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the line of weakening (10) is a line of reduced wall thickness extending partially through the wrapper (3a-3h).

7. A wrapper assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the second section (13) of the wrapper (3a-3h) is configured to enclose more of a smoking article (4) than the first section (12).

8. A wrapper assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the wrapper (3a-3h) upstands from the base (2).

9. A wrapper assembly according to claim 8, wherein the base (2) comprises a wall and a support upstanding from the base (2), the wrapper (3a-3h) being mounted to the support.

10. A wrapper assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the second section (13) of the wrapper (3a-3h) is spaced from the base (2).

11. A wrapper assembly according to any preceding claim wherein an end (8) of the first section (12) is fixedly mounted to the base (2).

12. A wrapper assembly according to any preceding claim, further comprising a smoking article (4) received in the wrapper (3a-3h).

13. A wrapper assembly according to claim 12, wherein the smoking article (4) comprises a filter part (15) at one end and the filter part (15) is received in the first section (12).

14. A package for smoking articles comprising a wrapper assembly according to any preceding claim.

15. A package according to claim 14, further comprising an outer shell (18) wherein the wrapper assembly is received in the outer shell ( 8).

16. A package according to claim 15, wherein the base (2) is fixedly mounted to the outer shell (18).

17. A package according to claim 15, wherein the base (2) is a wall (20,21,22,23) of the outer shell ( 8).