WO2012176220A1

WO2012176220A1 - A pack of cigarettes or chewing-gums with an integrated compartment for collecting the cigarette butts or the chewed gums

Info

Publication number: WO2012176220A1
Application number: PCT/IT2011/000214
Authority: WO
Inventors: Antonio Giovanni ZIZI
Original assignee: Zizi Antonio Giovanni
Priority date: 2011-06-22
Filing date: 2011-06-22
Publication date: 2012-12-27

Abstract

The present invention concerns a disposable pack (1) for containing cigarettes or chewing gums made by means of a sheet (2; 200) of paper material provided with one or more folding lines by which it is folded so as to form a first containment volume (3). In accordance with a first embodiment, the folding lines are such as to form a second volume (5), isolated from the first volume (3) and provided with an opening (7) that faces the outside of the pack (1) and through which it is possible to insert inside it the cigarette butts or the residues of the chewed gums. Alternatively, a common pack can be produced and a dividing septum can be inserted inside it so as to subdivide the pack into two chambers, one of them destined to the collection of the cigarette butts or the chewed gums.

Description

TITLE

A PACK OF CIGARETTES OR CHEWING-GUMS WITH AN INTEGRATED COMPARTMENT FOR COLLECTING THE CIGARETTE BUTTS OR THE CHEWED GUMS

Technical field

The present invention refers to the technical field relative to the production of both the packs of cigarettes and the packs containing chewing gums, preferably pillow- shaped .

In particular, the invention refers to an innovative disposable pack of the traditional type but that allows in both cases, according to the pack in use, the contemporary collection of the residues.

Background art

There is a technical problem that has long been known relative to the discard of the cigarette butts which, unfortunately, are often thrown to the ground creating significant environmental damage. The problem is particularly important above all in places where it is not possible, or it is difficult, to arrange for specific containers. For example beaches are places where, unfortunately, great quantities of butts left everywhere are often found.

In order to solve this technical problem, some technical solutions have been proposed.

For example, American patent US2418188 describes a case for cigarettes which includes a specific container into which the cigarette butts can be thrown. Such a solution, however, does not describe a disposable pack but rather a structurally and mechanically very complex case. This solution does not solve anyway said technical problem since two things would be necessary: the purchase of the additional case and the frequent removal of the cigarettes contained in . the original pack of paper to place them in the personal case. Not everyone is willing to purchase a further case which, above all, should be regularly emptied and cleaned of the butts.

French patent FR2754678 proposes a similar solution by means of a container for the butts produced in a fireproof material and conformed so that it can be placed in a specific dedicated space inside the traditional pack of cigarettes. The container is therefore separable from the pack and is provided with a cover that opens and closes by means of a torsion spring. This solution, however, results economically impracticable and of difficult realization as well. It is in fact necessary to think a priori of packs of cigarettes having a volume free from cigarettes such as to allow the eventual insertion of the container which, given its structural complexity, cannot be of the disposable type. Moreover, also in this case it is not sure that the user will be willing to further purchase such a container to be integrated separately to the pack.

British patent GB2236737 improves the situation by simply proposing a container for the butts separable from the pack, exactly as the French patent mentioned above, but made of a material similar to that of the pack itself, that is in the form of a folded paper sheet. In this case, the production costs would be lower to the point that the production of packs that bring integrated inside the container would become acceptable, or anyway the separate purchase by a user of the container itself would be more reasonable. In the first case, however, the production of a separate container increases the productive complexity since it is necessary to include a specific production line and a subsequent phase of coupling between the two parts. The whole would cause an alteration in the production lines that would be economically unacceptable. In the second case, an appeal should be made to the civic sense of people, who should buy separately a container for the butts to then use it.

The technical problem is equivalent also in the case of the chewing gums, which are often thrown to the ground creating a significant problem of environmental impact.

Disclosure of invention

It is therefore the aim of the present invention to provide a new type of disposable pack, for cigarettes or for chewing gums, which solves at least in part said drawbacks .

In particular, it is the aim of the present invention to provide a disposable pack, for the containment of cigarettes or chewing gums, which allows to place inside the cigarette butts or the residues of the chewed gums and avoids the user's separate purchase of a specific container.

It is also the aim of the present invention to provide a disposable pack for containing cigarettes or chewing gums that does not require a modification in the current production lines of the pack itself but that, on the contrary, adapts well to the existing ones and results of very contained production costs.

These and other aims are therefore obtained with the present disposable pack (1) for containing cigarettes or chewing gums as per claim 1.

The pack, in accordance with the invention, comprises a sheet (2; 200) of paper material provided with one or more folding lines by which it is folded so as to form a first containment volume (3; 203) for the cigarettes or the chewing gums. In addition, the folding lines are such as to further form . a second volume (5; 205), isolated from the first volume (3; 203) and provided with an opening (7) that faces the outside of the pack (1) and through which it is possible to insert inside it the cigarette butts or the chewed gums .

The first volume forms a first containment chamber for the cigarettes or the chewing gums as per the background art, while the second volume forms a second chamber for the containment of the residues.

The second chamber (5; 205) is therefore physically integrated in the pack itself and is not separable from it.

In particular, said two volumes are formed by the same starting sheet, appropriately folded. This makes the pack well adaptable for the production with the current machines, which just cut out, punch and fold the sheets in the production line. The production cost is therefore very contained.

Moreover, becoming now the residue holder an integral part of the pack itself, that is not separable from it but integrated in a single piece, it is not necessary anymore that the user buys separately a specific container, as described in the example of the French patent in the case of cigarettes, and completely equivalent in the case of chewing gums. The pack is thus created, with the reside holder integrated to it.

In this way, the user can easily insert the butts or the chewed gums into the second chamber (5; 205) and, when the cigarettes or the chewing gums contained in the pack will be finished, he will be able to throw away the entire pack that includes the residues contained inside it. Advantageously, although realizable in any shape, the opening (7) c.an be circular.

Advantageously, the opening (7) can be formed by a plurality of radial cuttings (7' ) so that, during the insertion of the residue the cuttings widen and, once the insertion has taken place, close elastically avoiding the exit of the butt or the gum.

Advantageously, in a possible variant, the cuttings (7') can be made on a membrane element arranged so as to close a free hole (7).

Advantageously, the internal walls of the volume (5) can be covered, in the case of cigarettes, with a fireproof material.

Advantageously, the sheet (2; 200) is a single continuous sheet so that the first (3; 203) and the second volume (5; 205) formed result connected between them along a junction line (6).

Advantageously, the sheet (2) includes a superior part (7, 8, 9, 10) and an inferior part (60, 70) shaped and punched so as to form the superior part (3' ) , and an intermediate part (20, 30, 40, 50) interposed between the superior part and the inferior one shaped and punched so as to form the underlying chamber (5) when the pack (1) is formed by the folding of said sheet.

Advantageously, the first volume (3; 203) is closed inferiorly by a surface (60) and the second volume (5; 205) is closed superiorly by a surface (50), the first and the second volume being kept in adherence one to the other through the application of one or more glue dots in correspondence of one or both of the surfaces (50, 60) placed in contact between them.

Advantageously, alternatively, the first and the second volume are kept in adherence one to the other through a transparent wrapping that covers the pack (1).

It is also here described a paper sheet (2; 200) for the formation of a pack of cigarettes or chewing gums and provided with one or more folding lines by which it can be folded so as to form a first containment volume (3; 203) for the cigarettes or the gums. Such sheet is characterized in that said folding lines are such as to allow, when folded, the further formation of a second volume (5; 205) , isolated from the first volume (3; 203) and into which, through an opening, the cigarette butts or the chewed gums can be inserted (7) inside it.

Advantageously, a superior part (7, 8, 9, 10) and an inferior part (60, 70) can be included, which can be folded and combined between them to form said first containment volume (3) and wherein an intermediate part (20, 30, 40, 50) is further included interposed between the superior part and the inferior one configured so that, when folded, it forms said underlying volume (5) connected along an edge (6) to the overlying volume (3) .

Advantageously, the intermediate part can be formed by a succession of four rectangles (20, 30, 40, 50) connected between them in succession along the folding line so as to be folded for the formation of a parallelepiped (5), the rectangles (20, 30, 40) being further provided with lateral wings (20' 20", 30', 30", 40', 40") for the closure of the parallelepiped at its bases.

Advantageously, said paper sheet (2; 200) can be of cardboard or plastic-coated cardboard.

It is also described here a method for the formation of a pack of cigarettes or chewing gums and comprising the operation of folding of a sheet (2) provided with a superior part (7, 8, 9, 10), an inferior part (60, 70) and an intermediate part (20, 30, 40, 50) interposed between the superior .part and the inferior one, said operation of folding including the formation of a parallelepiped (5) through the folding in succession of the four continuous rectangular strips (20, 30, 40, 50) forming the intermediate part so as to close between them in succession to form a quadrilateral (5) that remains connected to the superior and inferior part.

Last, it is here described also a disposable pack (1) for the containment of cigarettes or chewing gums comprising a sheet (2; 200) of paper material provided with one or more folding lines by which it is folded so as to form a containment volume (3, 5; 203, 205) and characterized in that a dividing septum is included arranged inside the containment volume (3, 5; 203, 205) so as to subdivide the containment volume into a first volume (3; 203), destined to the containment of the cigarettes or the chewing gums, and a second volume (5; 205) , isolated from the first volume (3; 203) and provided with an opening (7) that faces the outside of the pack (1) and through which it is possible to insert inside it the cigarette butts or the chewed gums.

Advantageously, such septum can be of paper material.

Advantageously, such septum can be glued inside the pack.

Brief description of drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will result clearer with the description that follows of some embodiments, made to illustrate but not to limit, with reference to the annexed drawings, wherein :

— Figure 1 describes in an axonometric view a pack of cigarettes in accordance with the invention; — Figure 2 shows the front and lateral view of the present pack .of cigarettes;

— Figure 3 shows a starting sheet of paper material cut out and punched so as to obtain with it the pack of figure 1;

— Figures from 4 to 7 show in succession the folding of the sheet 2 for obtaining the butt-holder chamber 5;

— Figures from 8 to 10 show the phase of insertion of the butt in the chamber 5;

— Figures from 11 to 15 show the folding of the sheet 2 for the formation of the cover 4 ;

— Figure 16 shows a sheet 200 folded and punched for obtaining a pack of containment for the chewing gums in accordance with the invention.

Description of some preferred embodiments

Figure 1 shows a first preferred embodiment of the invention .

In particular, the figure highlights a pack 1 for containing cigarettes subdivided into a superior part 3' and an inferior part 5. The superior part 3' is equivalent to the common packs that are in commerce, while an inferior part 5 is included connected to it and described in detail below.

The pack 1 in its superior part 3' is destined to the containment of the cigarettes as per the background art and, to that aim, forms inside it a first containment volume 3. The containment volume 3 for the cigarettes, as shown in figure 1, is delimited laterally by lateral walls 10' and 10'', frontally by a wall 70 and posteriorly by a wall 10. A base 60 closes the volume 3 inferiorly, while the part opposed to the base is open to allow the insertion of the cigarettes. Such a superior opening results selectively closable through a cover 4, as per the background art, which is rotatable around its connection line with the. superior end of the posterior wall 10.

In accordance with said first embodiment of the invention, the starting paper sheet 2, shown in figure 3 and as better described in detail below, is folded and cut out so as to allow, once mounted, the formation of a second containment volume 5 connected to the first volume along a connection line 6 which is equivalent to the connection of the overlying cover .

As shown in figure 1 and figure 2, the resulting second containment volume 5 is generally in the shape of a parallelepiped and is laterally delimited by two lateral walls 30' and 30'', superiorly by a wall 50 and inferiorly by a wall 30.

As shown in figure 1, the second containment volume

5 includes a hole 7, preferably circular, through which to insert inside it the cigarette butts as these are consumed. The hole 7 can be made on any of the walls of the parallelepiped 5 but, preferably, it is obtained on one of the lateral walls (30', 30'') so that the butt is inserted along the longitudinal axis of development of the parallelepiped, thus taking maximum advantage of the capacity of containment of the parallelepiped itself and avoiding that it gets full easily.

The hole, as for example shown in figure 8, can be obtained by simply making radial cuttings 7' (for example in slices) directly in the cardboard that forms the containment volume 5. In this way, following the insertion of the cigarette butt as per figure 9, the slices widen between them, allowing the passage of the butts. As per figure 10, once the insertion has taken place, the elastic effect of the slices takes them back to a return position that closes the hole again, as also shown in figure 8.

Alternatively, the hole can be open, that is the slices can lack or the hole can be closed by a membrane element cut out in slices 7' as per figure 8 and applied directly on the free hole. In this way, the appropriate choice of the realization material of the membrane makes that a better effect of elastic return can be obtained with respect to the solution cut out directly on the cardboard of the container (for example a membrane element of a plastic material) .

Figure 3 shows a sheet of paper material, of those commonly used for the production of packs of cigarettes, cut out and punched so as to be folded to obtain the pack in accordance with the invention as shown in figure 1.

In detail, figure 3 shows a cut-out strip which is formed by a superior part (7, 8, 9, 10) and an inferior part (60, 70) which, when folded and combined between them as described below, form the common pack 3 of cigarettes, that is the superior part 3' comprising the cover 4 of figure 1. The intermediate part (20, 30, 40, 50) interposed between the superior part and the inferior part is, on the contrary, cut out and shaped (substantially in rectangular portions with lateral wings) so as to form the underlying parallelepiped 5, which remains bound to the overlying packet 3' and into which, through the opening 7, the cigarette butts can be inserted inside it.

In detail, as shown in figure 3, the superior part is formed by a rectangular tang 7 foldable along the folding line 108 with respect to the portion 8 to which it results connected along said folding line 108. The portion 8 comprises two lateral wings (8', 8'') and is in turn connected to the underlying portion 9 through the folding line 109. The portion 9 comprises two lateral wings (9', 9 " ) as well.

Said portions, as shown in the succession of figures from 11 to 15, serve to the formation of the cover 4 as per the background art. Just for descriptive clarity purposes, the folded parts have been represented much thicker than the parts of the real common paperboard for cigarettes .

In particular, the wings 9' and 9' ' are lifted to 90° with respect to the portion 9 and are then folded following an L shape (see succession of figures 11 and 12) . The portion following an L shape serves to connect to the portion 9 when it is folded on said L, lifting it to 90° with respect to the portion 10 (see figure 13) . At this point, the wings 8' and 8'' are lifted to 90° with respect to the portion 8 (see figure 14) so that they can connect to the remaining part of the wings 9' and 9' ' folded in an L shape (see figure 15) . Also the portion 7 closes on the portion 8, completing the cover 4.

The succession of figures from 4 to 7 show in a schematic manner the succession of formation of the inferior part 5, that is of the containment chamber 5 for the cigarette butts. Making reference to the numbers indicated in figure 3, it is highlighted that the formation of the parallelepiped results very simple. This can precede the formation of the cover 4 previously described or can be followed by said formation of the cover .

In particular, figure 4 shows the rectangle 20 and the rectangle 40 that are folded so as to be arranged at 90° with respect to the rectangular strip 30, while the rectangle 50, connected in succession to the 40, closes the quadrilateral (succession of figures from 4 to 5) . At this point, as shown in figure 6, the appendix 60 is folded with respect to the remaining part 70 that, together with the part 10 forms the superior part 3' of figure 1 and represents the common pack of cigarettes (the formation of the cover 4 has been described before) . The final result is schematized in figure 7.

In accordance with such a technical solution, the underlying chamber 5 results connected to the overlying one 3' along a connection line and for that reason, it results oscillating with respect to the overlying chamber along said connection line. In order to keep the pack 1 in a compacted configuration, the use of one or more glue dots, for example, could be included for gluing the chamber 5 to the overlying part 3' . Alternatively, the wrapping in plastic transparent material already in use in the traditional packs could be used for sealing the cover. In this case, the wrapping, permanent, would keep the chamber 50 in adherence against the base 60 of the overlying volume 3, avoiding the use of glue.

A combination of glue and wrapping would also be possible .

The same inventive concept is applied in an equivalent manner to the packets of chewing gums which are equivalent to those of the cigarettes. Just as a way of example, and in a non limiting manner, figure 16 shows a sheet 200 cut out and punched so as to obtain a pack of chewing gums, for example pillow-shaped ones.

In that case, the pack includes an underlying part 205 which, when folded, generates a volume for the containment of the chewed gums equivalent to the one described before. The figure also shows the part of cover 204 and the part 203, interposed between the cover and the underlying part 205, for generating the common containment volume of the gums.

Such a pack is shown again just as a way of example since the pack of figure 1 is adaptable in the same way both for the cigarettes and for the gums, just as the pack of figure 16. Moreover, it is clear that, even if applying the same inventive concept described, equivalent ways of folding could be found for arriving at the same inventive concept described here.

A variant of the invention, particularly simple in terms of construction, can alternatively include the realization of a common pack of cigarettes or chewing gums exactly as described in the annexed figures but higher and with an excess of height equivalent to the height of the second chamber 5 or 205 that wants to be obtained.

For obtaining it, it is enough to place, for example by gluing, a dividing septum that divides the pack into two parts. The wall can be made of cardboard or other material suitable for the purpose.

Claims

CLAI S

A disposable pack (1) for containing cigarettes or chewing gums and comprising a sheet (2; 200) of paper material provided with one or more folding lines by which it is folded so as to form a first containment volume (3; 203) for the cigarettes or for the gums and characterized in that said folding lines are such as to form a second volume (5; 205), isolated from the first volume (3; 203) and provided with an opening (7) that faces the outside of the pack (1) and through which it is possible to insert inside it the cigarette butts or the chewed gums.

A disposable pack (1), according to claim 1, wherein the opening (7) is circular.

A disposable pack (1), according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the opening (7) is formed by a plurality of radial cuttings (7') so that, during the insertion of the residue the cuttings widen and, once the insertion has taken place, the cuttings close elastically avoiding the exit of the butt or gum.

A disposable pack (1), according to claim 3, wherein the cuttings (7') are made on a membrane element arranged in a such a manner as to close the free hole

(7) .

A pack, according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the internal walls of the volume (5) are covered with a flameproof material.

A pack, according to claim 1, wherein the sheet (2; 200) is a single continuous sheet so that the first (3; 203) and the second volume (5; 205) formed result connected between them along a junction line (6).

A pack (1), according to claim 1 or 6, wherein the sheet (2) includes a superior part (7, 8, 9, 10) and an inferi.or part (60, 70) shaped and punched so as to form the superior part (3')/ and an intermediate part (20, 30, 40, 50) interposed between the superior part and the inferior one shaped and punched so as to form the underlying chamber (5) when the pack (1) is formed by the folding of said sheet.

8. A pack (1), according to one or more of the preceding claims from 1 to 7, wherein the first volume (3; 203) is closed inferiorly by a surface (60) and the second volume (5; 205) is closed superiorly by a surface (50), the first and the second volume being kept in adherence one to the other through the application of one or more glue dots in correspondence of one or both of the surfaces (50, 60) placed in contact between them.

9. A pack (1), according to one or more of the preceding claims from 1 to 8, wherein the first and the second volume are kept in adherence one to the other through a transparent wrapping that covers the pack (1) .

10. A paper sheet (2; 200) for the formation of a pack of cigarettes or chewing gums and provided with one or more folding lines by which it results foldable so as to form a first containment volume (3; 203) for the cigarettes or for the gums and characterized in that said folding lines are such as to allow, when folded, the further formation of a second volume (5; 205) , isolated from the first volume (3; 203), and into which through an opening (7) the cigarette butts or the chewed gums can be inserted inside it.

11. A paper sheet (2), according to claim 10, wherein a superior part (7, 8, 9, 10) and an inferior part (60, 70) are included, foldable and combinable between them to form said first containment volume (3) and wherein an intermediate part (20, 30, 40, 50) is further included interposed between the superior part and the inferior one configured in such a way that, when folded, it forms said underlying volume (5) connected along an edge (6) to the overlying volume (3).

12. A paper sheet (2), according to claim 11, wherein the intermediate part is formed by a succession of four rectangles (20, 30, 40, 50) connected between them in succession along the folding line so as to be able to be folded for the formation of a parallelepiped (5) , the rectangles (20, 30, 40) being further provided with lateral wings (20' 20", 30', 30", 40', 40") for the closure of the parallelepiped at its bases.

13. A paper sheet (2; 200), according to one or more claims from 10 to 12, characterized in that it is made of cardboard or plastic-coated cardboard.

14. A method for the formation of a pack of cigarettes or chewing gums and comprising the operation of folding of a sheet (2) provided with a superior part (7, 8, 9,

10), an inferior part (60, 70) and an intermediate part (20, 30, 40, 50) interposed between the superior part and the inferior one, said operation of folding including the formation of a parallelepiped (5) through the folding in succession of the four rectangular continuous strips (20, 30, 40, 50) forming the intermediate part so as to be closed between them in succession to form a quadrilateral (5) that remains connected to the superior and inferior parts.

15. A method, according to claim 14, wherein the operation of formation of the superior part (3') of the pack is subsequently included through the combination of the superior part with the inferior one.

16. A disposable pack (1) for containing cigarettes or chewing gums comprising a sheet (2; 200) of paper material provided with one or more folding lines by which it is folded so as to form a containment volume (3, 5; 203, 205) and characterized in that a dividing septum is included arranged inside the containment volume (3, 5; 203, 205) so as to subdivide said containment volume into a first volume (3; 203), destined to the containment of the cigarettes or of the chewing gums, and a second volume (5; 205), isolated from the first volume (3; 203) and provided with an opening (7) that faces the outside of the pack (1) and through which it is possible to insert inside it the cigarette butts or the chewed gums.

17. A disposable pack (1), according to claim 16, wherein the septum is of paper material.

18. A disposable pack (1), according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the septum is glued inside the pack.

19. A disposable pack (1), according to one or more of the preceding claims from 16 to 18, wherein the second volume (5; 205) is covered with a flameproof material.