WO2013131620A1

WO2013131620A1 - Container with a label cover for a wrapper opening

Info

Publication number: WO2013131620A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/000543
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andreas MÜLLER
Original assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
Priority date: 2012-03-09
Filing date: 2013-02-25
Publication date: 2013-09-12

Abstract

The present invention relates to a container for consumer goods, comprising a stiffening frame (2) which is at least partially enclosing the consumer goods, and a wrapper (28) enclosing the stiffening frame. The wrapper (28) comprises a wrapper opening (30) which is covered by a label (31), wherein the label is at least partially arranged adjacent and connected to a frame opening panel (26) of the stiffening frame, such that the frame opening panel (26) is adapted to be lifted together with the label (31) to provide access to the consumer goods. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing a container for consumer goods.

Description

Container with a Label Cover for a Wrapper Opening

The invention relates to a container for consumer goods, in particular for smoking articles, comprising a stiffening frame which is at least partially enclosing the consumer goods, and a wrapper with a label covering a wrapper opening, wherein the wrapper encloses the stiffening frame.

In the European Patent Application EP-A-944 539, a container for smoking articles is disclosed. Cigarettes are comprised in an inner frame which is provided with an aperture. A barrier sheath is wrapped around the inner frame, wherein the barrier sheath comprises an aperture which corresponds to the aperture in the inner frame. The aperture in the barrier sheath is covered by a label.

In the European Patent Application EP-A-1 037 822 a container of smoking articles is disclosed, wherein the smoking articles are arranged in a rigid pack which includes either a potential access aperture, being a flap defined by a weakening line in the material of the pack, or an actual access aperture, being a portion missing from the material of said pack. A barrier material overwraps the pack to form a sealed enclosure around said pack, and a label is applied on a barrier material flap to allow resealing the aperture. To enable that the flap can be automatically lifted together with the label, the label and the barrier material flap, and the barrier material flap and the flap formed by the material of the pack are connected. Thus, two separate connections are necessary, which renders the manufacture of the container more difficult, and further promotes the risk that one of the connections fails, in particular by involuntarily opening up when the label is lifted for opening the container.

Further, in those prior art containers, wherein the inner frame or the rigid pack includes an aperture, the barrier layer or the label may not have sufficient strength to protect the smoking articles for example from damage.

It would be desirable to provide a container for consumer goods, which is efficient to be manufactured, and an efficient method for manufacturing of same, wherein the container can be opened by means of lifting a label. Further, it would be desirable if in the closed configuration of the container the area of the label provides significant strength to protect the consumer goods from damage.

According to the invention a container for consumer goods, in particular for smoking articles, is provided, wherein the container comprises a stiffening frame which is at least partially enclosing the consumer goods, and a wrapper enclosing the stiffening frame. The wrapper is provided with a wrapper opening which is covered by a label. The label is at least partially arranged adjacent and connected to a frame opening panel of the stiffening frame. The frame opening panel of the stiffening frame is adapted to be lifted together with the label to provide access to the consumer goods. In contrast to the discussed prior art, the label is directly connected to the stiffening frame, whereas in the prior art, labels are connected to the wrapper only. In particular, in EP-A-1 037 822 the label is not connected to the material of the rigid pack but only to a flap of the barrier material on which the label is applied. However, due to the nature of the barrier material, which is usually a transparent polymer, in particular cellophane, the connection in between the barrier material flap and the material of the rigid pack, which is usually cardboard, has a high risk to fail, such that the container cannot be opened anymore automatically by only lifting the label. EP-A-1 037 822 teaches to provide barrier material which completely overwraps the inner container to form a sealed enclosure. However, the label together with the wrapper according to the invention provides a sealed enclosure for the consumer goods as well. When the label is lifted, the frame opening panel of the stiffening frame is lifted together with the label, such that immediate access to the consumer goods is possible. This provides an easy opening of the container.

Particularly, the label is larger than the wrapper opening to cover the wrapper opening.

Advantageously, in this arrangement, the stiffening frame is the element which provides stability to the container and protection from mechanical forces. The wrapper is the element with high barrier properties that is used in conjunction with the label to seal the consumer goods and protect them from potential adverse environmental conditions, like for example moisture or dryness.

The terms "front", "back", "upper", "lower", "side", "top", "bottom" and other terms used to describe relative positions of the components of containers, stiffening frames and wrappers according to the invention refer to the container, stiffening frame and wrapper in an upright position, in particular with the frame opening panel on top. The terms "left" and "right" are used with reference to side walls of the container when the container is viewed from the front in its upright position. When the container in the upright position is open, the consumer goods contained in the container may be removed from the upper end of the container. The term "longitudinal" refers to a direction from bottom to top or vice versa. The term "transverse" refers to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction across the front wall, the back wall or one of the side walls.

The stiffening frame can be a partial container, which is enclosing the consumer goods partially. In particular, such a stiffening frame has at least one a partial or fully open side wall, front wall or back wall.

The stiffening frame may in particular be in the form of a known cigarette container, for example a hinge lid box. In some embodiments an inner frame may be present. Thus, the folding of the blank forming the stiffening frame around the consumer goods can be carried out on a well known high speed cigarette packing machine. However, the blank is provided with a designated opening formed by the frame opening panel which will be connected directly to the label and can be lifted with the label for the purpose of opening the container.

As the stiffening frame is in some embodiments only partially enclosing the consumer goods, the desired strength of the container can be provided in the necessary regions of the container, while in other regions the consumer goods will be only covered by the wrapper. However, particularly in the region of the designated opening of the container, the frame opening panel of the stiffening frame is applied, such that in this region extra strength is provided. This particularly beneficial, as the consumer will grasp the container in this region or apply pressure in this region during opening of the container, and thus by means of the frame opening panel of the stiffening frame the consumer goods are protected. Further, the extra strength in the region of the opening provides sufficient support to securely reseal the label and with that, the container.

In particular, when a consumer grasps the label, he will apply pressure to the container in the region of the frame opening panel and next to the frame opening panel of the stiffening frame, such that he could damage the filter tips of smoking articles that are typically arranged next to the stiffening frame opening. However, as the stiffening frame protects this area, the filter ends of the smoking articles are protected as well.

The consumer goods may be a charge of cigarettes or other smoking articles.

A portion of the wrapper in the form of a flap may extend into the wrapper opening and may be fixed to the label, whereas the remaining portion of the label is fixed to the frame opening panel of the stiffening frame.

The wrapper may be either transparent, or may be printed, wherein in some embodiments the wrapper may be partially printed and partially transparent. In case that the wrapper is transparent, it is beneficial that the stiffening frame is printed. Thus, the print of the stiffening frame can be seen through the wrapper. Additionally, both the wrapper and the stiffening frame may be printed. The wrapper may be partially transparent, such that the print of the stiffening frame can be seen. The prints of the stiffening frame and wrapper may thus combine to an integral design.

The wrapper preferably comprise a barrier material, such as a film of polymer, for example oriented polypropylene. In particular, the wrapper is folded and heat sealed. Thus, an air tight container is provided, which enables to maintain the environment under which the consumer goods have been packed.

In one embodiment, the frame opening panel of the stiffening frame is covering a designated stiffening frame opening. The benefit of this feature is that the frame opening panel and the designated stiffening frame opening may be formed in a panel of a blank of the package, wherein a cutting line or weakening line and optionally a folding line is defining the stiffening frame opening. Thus, an integral structure of the stiffening frame in the area of the stiffening frame opening is provided that protects the consumer goods being arranged under and next to the stiffening frame opening.

In one embodiment, the frame opening panel is depending from the stiffening frame via at least one weakening line and is adapted to be at least partially severed along the at least one weakening line from the stiffening frame to create the stiffening frame opening, when the label is lifted for the first time. The weakening line may in some embodiments be formed by a scoring line, that is a line of reduced thickness of the stiffening frame. Alternatively, the weakening line may be formed by a perforation line, that is, a dashed line of several cuts or holes in a distance from each other. This provides the benefit of a tamper proof, as it will be immediately noticed by the consumer, if a container has already been opened before. Furthermore, the stability of the stiffening frame can be increased, if in an initial condition, the frame opening panel is still connected to the stiffening frame via the weakening line.

In one embodiment, the whole frame opening panel is depending from the stiffening frame only via a weakening line, such that the whole frame opening panel can be severed from the stiffening frame when the container is opened for the first time. However, even in this configuration, when the label is brought back into its closed position, the frame opening panel is again arranged in the stiffening frame opening and protects the consumer goods provided in this region. Preferably, the wrapper opening corresponds to the frame opening panel of the stiffening frame. This may optimize the wrapper opening size. However, the wrapper opening may also be larger than the frame opening panel of the stiffening frame.

In one embodiment, the frame opening panel forms a flap depending via a folding line from the stiffening frame. This provides the benefit that the opening motion of the frame opening panel with respect to the stiffening frame opening is predetermined, such that the frame opening panel will be in a defined position in the opened and closed state. In particular, in the closed state it is ensured that the frame opening panel fully covers the stiffening frame opening, such that the consumer goods in this region are protected. The remaining lines defining the frame opening panel forming the flap are cutting lines or weakening lines, such as scoring or partially cut lines.

In one embodiment, a folding line of the label and the folding line of the flap are arranged adjacent and parallel to each other. This facilitates the opening motion of the package.

In one embodiment, the label is fixed by means of permanent adhesive to the wrapper at one side of the wrapper opening, and by means of non-permanent adhesive at all remaining sides of the wrapper opening. This provides the benefit, that the wrapper can be closed air tight, such that, the consumer goods in the container are protected from ambient air and, thus, remain in a predetermined environment inside the wrapper. In many applications it is not desired that the consumer goods change, that is, either increase or decrease their content of volatile substances such as for example water (moisture) or flavor. This is for example particularly true for menthol cigarettes, which may otherwise easily lose their flavor as menthol is particularly volatile.

In another embodiment, the label may be fixed by means of permanent adhesive to the wrapper on one side of the wrapper opening, and by means of non-permanent adhesive at the opposite side of the wrapper opening. However, no adhesive needs to be applied at the other sides of the wrapper opening. This configuration enables that the label remains in a closed position. Preferably, low tack adhesive is also applied in the area where the label overlies the wrapper to provide adequate sealing of the container.

The fixing of the label by means of adhesive to the wrapper enables that different materials can be used for the wrapper and the label. In particular a robust material is used for the label, such as polymer film that has a greater thickness than the wrapper material. Also, the label may be opaque and the wrapper may be transparent or vice versa.

In one embodiment, the label may be an integral part of the wrapper. However, in this embodiment the label portion of the wrapper protrudes over the edges of the wrapper opening, such that the opening of the wrapper can be sealed. In particular, non-permanent adhesive is provided to the outer portion of the inner side of the label portion of the wrapper to fix the label portion to the upper side of the adjacent wrapper. This provides the benefit that only one film material sheet forms both wrapper and label.

Preferably, the label comprises a pull tab which is free of adhesive. Thus, the pull tab can be grasped by the consumer. A pull tab facilitates the opening of the container. A folding line may be provided in the label to define the pull tab, and to facilitate the grasping of the pull tab.

In particular, the stiffening frame is fully enclosing the consumer goods, wherein the stiffening frame comprises a front wall, a back wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, a right side wall and a left side wall. In particular, the stiffening frame defines a parallelepiped or a rectangular cuboid. The stiffening frame may be a standard cigarette pack. However, an inner frame is not required. Thus, the stiffening frame can be arranged around consumer goods, in particular a charge of cigarettes, on a standard cigarette packing line, which makes the container production efficient, as existing high speed machinery can be used.

In particular, the frame opening panel is arranged on the top side of the stiffening frame. This is beneficial for containers which comprise smoking articles which are extending in the longitudinal direction of the container, and can be lifted out of the opening at the top of the stiffening frame.

The wrapper opening and the stiffening frame opening may be in particular rectangular. The whole top side of the stiffening frame may be the stiffening frame opening. In one embodiment, an inner liner is provided around the consumer goods and in between the consumer goods and the stiffening frame. In particular, where the consumer goods are smoking articles, the smoking articles are fully enclosed by the inner liner. The inner liner provides the benefit of keeping the consumer goods in a defined arrangement during the manufacture of the container. In particular, the inner liner may be formed of a metalized paper.

A removable section of the inner liner may be defined by a weakening line in the inner liner to define a pull tab, such that by pulling the pull tab the inner liner may be opened. The removable section of the inner liner is preferably at least corresponding to or smaller than the frame opening panel of the stiffening frame in the normal direction of the stiffening frame opening. In particular, the pull tab of the inner liner is accessible through the stiffening frame opening.

In one embodiment, the inner liner comprises a removable section to create an inner liner opening, wherein a second section of the stiffening frame is connected to the removable section of the inner liner. Preferably the second section of the stiffening frame is adapted to be removed together with the removable section of the inner liner. In particular, the wrapper opening extends into the area of the second section of the stiffening frame. The label is in particular adapted in its size to fully cover the wrapper opening. A staged opening in consecutive steps by first lifting the label together with the frame opening panel and then lifting the second section of the stiffening frame can be provided. In particular, the second section may be removed together with the removable section of the inner liner. Thus, the stiffening frame opening can be further enlarged by removing the second section of the stiffening frame. In particular, the second section of the stiffening frame is provided on a panel of the stiffening frame, which is identical or adjacent to the panel which provides the frame opening panel of the stiffening frame. More generally, in addition to the opening which is provided by the frame opening panel, one or several walls or wall sections of the stiffening frame may be removed in consecutive steps of a staged opening process.

In one embodiment, the stiffening frame is formed from a blank, in particular a cardboard blank, comprising several panels depending from each other via folding lines. In particular, the blank may correspond to a blank for forming a cigarette pack, however with additional weakening lines or cutting lines delimiting the frame opening panel of the stiffening frame.

In one embodiment, folding lines are provided at least in side walls of the stiffening frame, such that the container can be flattened together with the wrapper, in particular after all consumer goods have been removed. The wrapper may comprise scoring lines which may be torn apart, when the container is flattened. In particular, the side walls of the stiffening frame comprise a folding line extending in the longitudinal direction, the top and bottom panels of the stiffening frame comprise a folding line extending in the transverse direction. The tabs connecting the side walls and the top or bottom walls of the container are provided with a weakening line, folding line or cutting line extending along the folding line of the top or bottom wall.

Independently of the features as discussed above, a further invention relates to a container for consumer goods, in particular for smoking articles, comprising a stiffening frame which is at least partially enclosing the consumer goods, and a wrapper enclosing the stiffening frame, wherein the left and right side walls of the stiffening frame comprise a folding line extending in the longitudinal direction, and the top and bottom panels of the stiffening frame comprise a folding line extending in the transverse direction.

More in particular, the weakening lines are provided substantially in the middle of the depth of the stiffening frame, the depth being defined as the distance from the front wall to the back wall of the stiffening frame. Further, the ends of the individual folding lines may be arranged adjacent to each other in a state wherein the stiffening frame is not yet flattened.

When pressure is applied to the front and back wall of the stiffening frame, the side walls and top and bottom walls fold along the folding lines, such that the container can be flattened.

In particular, cutting lines may be provided in the tabs connecting the side walls and the top or bottom walls of the container, wherein these cutting lines are extending along the respective adjacent folding lines of the side wall, top wall or bottom wall.

The object of the invention is further attained by a method for manufacturing a container for consumer goods, in particular for smoking articles with the following steps. First a charge of consumer goods is provided, then, a stiffening frame is arranged around the charge of consumer goods, such that the stiffening frame is at least partially enclosing the consumer goods. The stiffening frame and consumer goods are enclosed in a wrapper with a label covering a wrapper opening, and a portion of the label is permanently fixed to a frame opening panel of the stiffening frame, wherein the frame opening panel is adapted to be lifted with the label, such that when the label is lifted access is provided to the consumer goods.

In particular, the arranging of the stiffening frame around the charge of consumer goods is effected by folding the stiffening frame around the charge of consumer goods. The wrapper and the label may be provided subsequently in some embodiments, while in other embodiments, the wrapper and the label may be already combined, before the wrapper is used for enclosing the stiffening frame.

In one embodiment, the charge of consumer goods is wrapped in an inner liner, before the stiffening frame is arranged around the charge of consumer goods. In some embodiments, the charge of consumer goods is a bundle of smoking articles or a bundle of smoking articles wrapped in an inner liner. The consumer goods within the container may be wrapped with an inner liner, which is visible above the upper edge of the front wall when the container is open.

Containers according to the invention may be in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, with right-angled longitudinal and right-angled transverse edges. Alternatively, the container may comprise one or more rounded longitudinal edges, rounded transverse edges, bevelled longitudinal edges or bevelled transverse edges, or combinations thereof. For example, the container according to the invention may comprise, without limitation:

- One or two longitudinal rounded or bevelled edges on the front wall, and/or

- One or two longitudinal rounded or bevelled edges on the back wall.

- One or two transverse rounded or bevelled edges on the front wall, and/or

- One or two transverse rounded or bevelled edges on the back wall.

- One longitudinal rounded edge and one longitudinal bevelled edge on the front wall, and/or

- One transverse rounded edge and one transverse bevelled edge on the back wall.

- One or two transverse rounded or bevelled edges on the front wall and one or two longitudinal rounded or bevelled edges on the front wall.

- Two longitudinal rounded or bevelled edges on a first side wall or two transverse rounded or bevelled edges on the second side wall.

Where the container comprises one or more rounded edges and the stiffening frame is made from a laminar blank, preferably the blank comprises three, four, five, six or seven scoring lines or creasing lines to form the rounded edge in the assembled container. The scoring lines or creasing lines may be either on the inside of the container or on the outside of the container. Preferably, the scoring lines or creasing lines are spaced apart from each other by between about 0.3 mm and 4 mm.

Preferably, the spacing of the creasing lines or scoring lines is in function of the thickness of the laminar blank. Preferably, the spacing between the creasing lines or scoring lines is between about 0.5 and about 4 times larger than the thickness of the laminar blank.

Where the container comprises one or more bevelled edges, preferably the bevelled one or more edges have a width of between about 1 mm and about 10 mm, preferably between about 2 and about 6 mm. Alternatively, the container may comprise a double bevel formed by three parallel creasing lines or scoring lines that are spaced apart such that two distinct bevels form on the edge of the container.

Alternatively to a container with a rectangular transverse cross section, the container may have a for example a polygonal cross section such as triangular, quadrangular or hexagonal, or a cross section which is oval, semi-oval, circular or semi-circular.

Where the container comprises a bevelled edge and the stiffening frame is made from a laminar blank, the bevel may be formed by two parallel creasing lines or scoring lines in the laminar blank. The creasing lines or scoring lines may be arranged symmetrically to the edge between a first wall and a second wall. Alternatively, the creasing lines or scoring lines may be arranged asymmetrically to the edge between the first wall and the second wall, such that the bevel extends further into the first wall of the container than into the second wall of the container.

The stiffening frame of the container may be formed from any suitable materials including, but not limited to, cardboard, paperboard, plastic, metal, or combinations thereof. Preferably, the cardboard has a weight of between about 100 grams per square metre and about 350 grams per square metre.

Containers according to the invention may be used as packages for a variety of consumer goods. In particularly preferred embodiments, containers according to the invention are used to package smoking articles. Containers according to the invention may be advantageously used to package smoking articles including, but not limited to, known lit- end cigarettes, cigars or cigarillos, heated smoking articles comprising a combustible fuel element or heat source and an aerosol-generating substrate (for example cigarettes of the type disclosed in US-A-4, 714,082) and smoking articles for use with electrical smoking systems (for example cigarettes of the type disclosed in US-A-5,692,525).

Through an appropriate choice of the dimensions thereof, containers according to the invention may be designed to hold different total numbers of smoking articles, or different arrangements of smoking articles. For example, through an appropriate choice of the dimensions thereof, containers according to the invention may be designed to hold a total of between ten and thirty smoking articles.

Containers according to the invention may hold one, two, three four or five separate bundles of consumer goods. The separate bundles may be arranged substantially parallel to the front wall and to the back wall or substantially perpendicular to the front wall and to the back wall.

Within a bundle, the smoking articles may be arranged in different collations, depending on the total number of smoking articles, the dimensions of the smoking articles or the cross sectional shape of the container. For example, the smoking articles may be arranged in a bundle in a single row of five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten. Alternatively, the smoking articles may be arranged in two or more rows. The two or more rows may contain the same number of smoking articles. For example, the smoking articles may be arranged in: two rows of five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten; three rows of five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten; or four rows of four, five, six or seven. Alternatively, the two or more rows may include at least two rows containing different numbers of smoking articles to each other. For example, the smoking articles may be arranged in: a row of five and a row of six (5-6); a row of six and a row of seven (6-7); a row of seven and a row of eight (7-8); a middle row of five and two outer rows of six (6-5-6); a middle row of five and two outer rows of seven (7-5-7); a middle row of six and two outer rows of five (5-6-5); a middle row of six and two outer rows of seven (7-6-7); a middle row of seven and two outer rows of six (6-7-6); a middle row of nine and two outer rows of eight (8-9-8); or a middle row of six with one outer row of five and one outer row of seven (5-6-7).

Containers according to the present invention may hold smoking articles of the same type or brand, or of different types or brands. In addition, both filterless smoking articles and smoking articles with various filter tips may be contained, as well as smoking articles of differing length (for example, between about 40 mm and about 180 mm), diameter (for example, between about 4 mm and about 9 mm). In addition, the smoking articles may differ in strength of taste, resistance to draw and total particulate matter delivery. Wherein the container comprises more than one bundle, each bundle within the same container may hold the same or different types of smoking articles as listed above.

Preferably, the dimensions of the container are adapted to the length of the smoking articles, and the collation of the smoking articles. Typically, the outer dimensions of the container are between about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm larger than the dimensions of the bundle of smoking articles housed inside the container.

Preferably, containers according to the invention have a height of between about 60 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably a height of between about 70 mm and about 125 mm, wherein the height is measured from the top wall to the bottom wall of the container.

Preferably, containers according to the invention have a width of between about 12 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably a width of between about 70 mm and about 125 mm, wherein the width is measured from the first side wall to the second side wall of the container.

Preferably, containers according to the invention have a depth of between about 6 mm and about 100 mm, more preferably a depth of between about 12 mm and about 25 mm wherein the depth is measured from the front wall to the back wall of the container.

Preferably, the ratio of the height of the container to the depth of the container is in between about 0.3 to 1 and about 10 to 1 , more preferably between about 2 to 1 and about 8 to 1 , most preferably between about 3 to 1 and 5 to 1.

Preferably, the ratio of the width of the container to the depth of the container is in between about 1 to 1 and about 10 to 1 , more preferably between about 2 to 1 and about 8 to 1 , most preferably between about 2 to 1 and 3 to 1.

Preferably, the ratio of the height of the lid back wall to the height of the box back wall is between about 0 to 1 to about 1 to 1 , more preferably, between about 1 to 5 and about 1 to 10, most preferably, between about 1 to 6 to about 1 to 8. Preferably, the ratio of the height of the lid front wall to the height of the box front wall is between about 1 to 0 to about 1 to 10, more preferably, between about 1 to 1 and about 1 to 5, most preferably, between about 1 to 2 and about 1 to 3.

The exterior surfaces the stiffening frame or wrapper of containers according to the invention may be printed, embossed, debossed or otherwise embellished with manufacturer or brand logos, trade marks, slogans and other consumer information and indicia. Alternatively, or in addition, the exterior surfaces of the stiffening frame or wrapper of containers according to the invention may be at least partially covered with lacquer, metallisation, holograms, luminescent material, or any other materials that alter the feel, odour or appearance of the container.

Where the inner housing of a container according to the present invention contains one or more bundles of smoking articles, the smoking articles are preferably wrapped in an inner liner of, for example, metal foil or metallised paper.

Where the container comprises smoking articles, the container may further comprise waste-compartments (for example for ash or butts) or other consumer goods, for example matches, lighters, extinguishing means, breath-fresheners or electronics. The other consumer goods may be attached to the outside of the container, contained within the container along with the smoking articles, in a separate compartment of the container or combinations thereof.

Once filled, the stiffening frame of containers according to the invention may be shrink wrapped or otherwise over wrapped with the wrapper made of a transparent polymeric film of, for example, high or low density polyethylene, polypropylene, oriented polypropylene, polyvinylidene chloride, cellulose film, or combinations thereof in a conventional manner. The wrapper may include a tear tape. The tear tape is preferably positioned sideways around the container. Alternatively, the tear tape may be provided lengthways around the container.

The invention will now be further explained by means of an exemplary embodiment as shown in the following Figures:

Figure 1 shows a blank for the stiffening frame as comprised by the container according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows the folded stiffening frame for the container according to the embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 shows the film material forming the wrapper of the container according to the embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 shows the folded wrapper for the container according to the embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5 shows a label for the container according to the embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 shows the container according to the embodiment of the invention in a closed state;

Figure 7 shows the container according to the embodiment of the invention after a first opening step; and

Figure 8 shows the container according to the embodiment of the invention after a second opening step.

In Fig. 1 a blank 1 is shown in a perspective view, which can be folded to form a stiffening frame 2 as shown in Fig. 2. The blank 1 comprises the usual panels which are provided in a blank for forming a hinged lid cigarette container, namely a box front wall panel 3, a box back wall panel 4, a box bottom wall panel 5, a box outer left side wall panel 6, a box inner left side wall panel 7, a box outer right side wall panel 8, a box inner right side wall panel 9, a lid front wall panel 10, a lid back wall panel 11 , a lid top wall panel 12, a lid inner left side wall panel 13, a lid outer left side wall panel 14, a lid inner right side wall panel 15, and a lid outer right side wall panel 16.

The respective panels depend from each other via folding lines, wherein cutting lines are provided such that the blank 1 can be folded to form the stiffening frame 2 according to Fig. 2. However, the cutting line between the box inner left side wall panel 7 and the lid inner left side wall panel 13, and the box inner right side wall panel 9 and the lid inner right side wall panel 15 is optional, as a hingable motion of the lid of the container is not required in most embodiments.

Furthermore, lower dust flaps 17, 18 are provided which foldingly depend from box inner side wall panel 7, 9, and which are separated by cutting lines from the other adjacent panels. Similarly, upper dust flaps 19, 20 depend via a folding line from the lid inner side wall panels 13, 15, while a cutting line is provided between the upper dust flaps 19, 20 and the lid top wall panel 12. The upper dust flaps 19, 20 are shorter than in common hinged lid containers as they would otherwise reach into the opening in the lid top wall panel 12. Further, a front under panel 21 foldingly depends from the lid front wall panel 10, and will be folded adjacent to the inside and parallel to the lid front wall panel 10 in the folded stiffening frame 2.

As can be seen indicated by dashed lines in Fig. 1 , 2, folding lines are provided in the side box wall panels 6, 7, 8, 9, in the bottom wall panel 5, in the top wall panel 12, in the lid side wall panel 13, 14, 15, 16, and in the top wall panel 12. Further, the lower and upper dust flaps 17, 18, 19, 20 comprise cutting lines which are indicated as dashed lines as well. Thus, if a pressure is applied to the front and the back of the stiffening frame or a respective container, the container can be flattened by folding these folding lines. Further, the folding lines connecting the dust flaps 17, 18, 19, 20 to the respective adjacent panels may be weakening lines, which are severed during the flattening process to facilitate the flattening. These folding and cutting lines also relate to a further invention, which can be applied with any type of smoking article container, which is formed by a blank.

At the edges of and in the lid top wall panel 12, a folding line 22 and weakening lines 23, 24, 25 are provided, which define an frame opening panel 26 of the stiffening frame 2. The frame opening panel 26 basically forms a flap which can be folded open around the folding line 22 forming a hinge line, when the weakening lines 23, 24, 25 have been severed.

In Figure 2, the assembled stiffening frame 2 is shown with the respective panels indicated with respective reference numerals.

In Fig. 3, a film material 27 for a wrapper 28 as shown in Fig. 4 is depicted in a perspective view. The film material comprises several sections which will be connected to each other by means of adhesive or heat sealing, wherein in the top section 29 a rectangular wrapper opening 30 is provided. The wrapper opening 30 corresponds in its size to the frame opening panel 26 or is slightly larger, such that the frame opening panel 26 can be opened through the wrapper opening 30. More particularly, the frame opening panel 26 and the wrapper opening 30 are substantially aligned in the assembled container. The wrapper opening 30 may be a cut-out.

Fig. 5 shows a label 31 for a container according to the embodiment of the present invention. The label 31 comprises a first area 32 provided with permanent adhesive and a second area 33 provided with non-permanent adhesive. The non-permanent adhesive allows an airtight connection of the label to the wrapper 28 when brought into contact with the wrapper 28, and is adapted to be removed and reapplied to the wrapper 28 without significantly losing its adhesion properties. Furthermore, the label 31 comprises a pull tab 34, which is not provided with adhesive. A folding line 35 is arranged between the pull tab 34 and the second area 33 of the label 31.

In Fig. 6, a container 36 is shown, which comprises the stiffening frame 2, which is wrapped in a wrapper 28. The wrapper opening 30 is covered by the label 31. In particular, the label is applied with its first area 32 with permanent adhesive to the upper back side of the wrapper 28 and the frame opening panel 26 of the stiffening frame 2. The second area 33 with non-permanent adhesive is provided on the sides of the top section 29 of the wrapper 28 and on the upper front side 37 of the wrapper 28. Thus, the label 31 hermetically closes the wrapper opening 30. When the label 31 is grasped by the pull tab 34 and pulled towards the top, the second area 33 can be peeled from the wrapper 28, while the frame opening panel 26 is permanently fixed to the label 31 and is, thus, lifted together with the label 31. In particular, the weakening lines 23, 24, 25 are torn in when the label 31 is lifted for the first time, while the folding line 22 provides a hinge line for the frame opening panel 26. The state of the lifted label is shown in Fig. 7. Inside the stiffening frame 2 consumer goods in the form of a bundle of cigarettes wrapped in an inner liner 38 is provided. The inner liner 38 has a pull tab 39, which is visible when the frame opening panel 26 is in the lifted position. The consumer can grasp the pull tab 39 to remove a part of the inner liner 38, such that the smoking articles 40, in particular in the form of cigarettes, are visible in the wrapper opening 30. Then, the consumer can grasp and remove the individual smoking articles one after the other. The container 36 is re-closable by folding the label 31 back onto the top section 29 and on the front side 37 of the wrapper 30. Then, the non-permanent adhesive provided in the second area 33 hermetically recloses the wrapper opening 31. In particular, as the frame opening panel 26 is connected via the folding line 22 to the remaining part of the stiffening frame 2, the frame opening panel 26 will be rearranged in its previous closed position. However, when reopening the container 36, the consumer notices that weakening lines 23, 24, 25 are already torn open, and, thus, the container 36 provides an indicator regarding the fact that the container has been previously opened. The container 36 is, thus, tamper proof.

When all smoking articles 40 have been removed from the container 36, the container, comprising the remaining parts of the inner liner 38, the stiffening frame 2 and the wrapper 28, can be flattened by means of applying pressure to its front and back side. Thus the stiffening frame 2 which provides the stability of the container 36 is folded along the folding lines, which are indicated as dashed lines in Figs. 1 , 2 and, the container is flattened.

In the lid front wall panel 10 weakening lines may be provided adjacent to the frame opening panel 26, such that a part of the lid front wall panel can be removed after the label 31 has been lifted, to enlarge the opening and to facilitate access to the smoking articles 40. The weakening lines may extend towards the upper end of the front under panel 21 , and one weakening line may in particular be provided parallel and adjacent to the upper edge of the front under panel 21. The upper dust flaps 19, 20 are reduced in their length, such that they do not extend in the opening created by lifting the frame opening panel 26 of the stiffening frame 2.

In the following an exemplary method of manufacturing a container according to an embodiment of the invention is described. First, a blank 1 as shown in Fig. 1 is provided, and a consumer good, in particular a bundle of smoking articles, in particular cigarettes, wrapped in an inner liner 38, is arranged on the box and lid back wall panels 4, 11. Then the remaining panels of the blank are wrapped around the consumer good, such as to form a stiffening frame 2 as shown in Fig. 2. Then, the stiffening frame 2 is overwrapped with a film material for a wrapper 28 as shown in Fig. 3, such that the wrapper 28 has the form as shown in Fig. 4, and the wrapper opening 30 is provided over the frame opening panel 26 of the stiffening frame 2. A label 31 as shown in Fig. 5 may be already applied on the film material 27, such that the wrapper opening 30 is closed by the label 31. The label 31 is provided with permanent adhesive in a first area 32 thereof, such that the label 31 is permanently connected to the frame opening panel 26 of the stiffening frame 2. In other embodiments, the wrapper 30 may be first wrapped around stiffening frame 2, and then the label 31 may be applied in a subsequent step.

Thus, a container 36 for consumer goods is provided, which is hermetically closed by means of the wrapper 28 and the label 31 , wherein after lifting the label 31 together with the frame opening panel 26, the container can be resealed by means of the non-permanent adhesive provided in the second area 33 of the label 31.

Claims

1. Container for consumer goods,

comprising a stiffening frame which is at least partially enclosing the consumer goods, and a wrapper enclosing the stiffening frame,

the wrapper comprising a wrapper opening which is covered by a label,

wherein the label is at least partially arranged adjacent and connected to a frame opening panel of the stiffening frame, such that the frame opening panel is adapted to be lifted together with the label to provide access to the consumer goods.

2. Container according to claim 1 , wherein the frame opening panel of the stiffening frame is covering a designated stiffening frame opening in the stiffening frame.

3. Container according to claim 2, wherein the frame opening panel is depending from the stiffening frame via at least one weakening line, and is adapted to be at least partially severed along the at least one weakening line from the stiffening frame to create the stiffening frame opening, when the label is lifted for the first time.

4. Container according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the wrapper opening corresponds to the frame opening panel of the stiffening frame.

5. Container according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the frame opening panel forms a flap depending via a folding line from the stiffening frame.

6. Container according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the label is fixed by means of permanent adhesive to the wrapper at one side of the wrapper opening, and by means of non-permanent adhesive on at least one of the remaining sides of the wrapper opening.

7. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the label is an integral part of the wrapper.

8. Container according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the label comprises a pull tab free of adhesive.

9. Container according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the stiffening frame is fully enclosing the consumer goods, the stiffening frame comprising a front wall, a back wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, a right side wall and a left side wall.

10. Container according to any one of the previous claims, wherein an inner liner is provided around the consumer goods and in between the consumer goods and stiffening frame.

11. Container according to claim 10, wherein the inner liner comprises a removable section to create an inner liner opening, and wherein a second section of the stiffening frame is connected to the removable section of the inner liner, and is adapted to be removed together with the removable section of the inner liner, wherein the wrapper opening extends into the area of the second section of the stiffening frame.

12. Container according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the stiffening frame is formed from a blank, in particular a cardboard blank, comprising several panels depending from each other via folding lines.

13. Container according to any one of the previous claims, wherein folding lines are provided at least in side walls of the stiffening frame, such that the container can be flattened together with the wrapper, in particular after all consumer goods have been removed.

14. Method for manufacturing a container for consumer goods, in particular for smoking articles:

- providing a charge of consumer goods,

- arranging a stiffening frame around the charge of consumer goods, such that the stiffening frame is at least partially enclosing the consumer goods,

- enclosing the stiffening frame and consumer goods in a wrapper with a label covering a wrapper opening, and

- permanently fixing a portion of the label to a frame opening panel of the stiffening frame, wherein the frame opening panel is adapted to be lifted with the label, when the label is lifted, to provide access to the consumer goods.

15. Method according to claim 14, wherein the charge of consumer goods is wrapped in an inner liner, before the stiffening frame is arranged around the charge of consumer goods.