Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
  • B65D5/42—Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
  • B65D5/72—Contents-dispensing means
  • B65D5/728—Contents-dispensing means for drawer-and-shell-type containers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
  • B65D85/07—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for compressible or flexible articles
  • B65D85/08—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for compressible or flexible articles rod-shaped or tubular
  • B65D85/10—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for compressible or flexible articles rod-shaped or tubular for cigarettes
  • B65D85/1036—Containers formed by erecting a rigid or semi-rigid blank
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D2203/00—Decoration means, markings, information elements, contents indicators
  • B65D2203/12—Audible, olfactory or visual signalling means

Definitions

• the present invention generally relates to the field of packaging, particularly for tobacco products. More particularly, the present invention relates to a new type of cigarette packaging, and blanks used in the construction of such packaging.
• Cigarette packaging must meet a range of challenging requirements. In particular, not only should the packaging be cheap and capable of mass production, but it should also be sufficiently robust to keep the cigarettes safe, maintain their freshness and retain its integrity over multiple sequences of opening and closing the packaging.
• a hinged lid pack Perhaps the most common design for cigarette packaging today can be characterised as a hinged lid pack.
• a cardboard pack is provided with a hinged lid integrally formed at an upper end.
• the cigarettes are disposed longitudinally such that a user may remove the cigarettes by their ends when the lid is open.
• the inner pack is often configured such that it has a relatively large opening in it to allow a user to access the contents of the packaging.
• the lack of rigidity of the inner pack part caused by the opening can also cause issues in terms of retention of the inner packet part within the outer packet part, as well as the reliable operation of any interface components between the inner and outer packet parts. In these arrangements, as well as in others, there is also an ongoing desire to provide some control over the relative movement of the inner packet part and the outer packet part to avoid unwanted opening of the packaging. Summary of the Invention
• packaging comprising: an outer packet part; an inner packet part disposed within the outer packet part, the inner packet part being movable relative to the outer packet part between a first position where the inner packet part is concealed within the outer packet part and a second position in which a user can gain access to the interior of the inner packet part via an opening, and wherein the inner packet part further comprises a reinforcing member arranged to withstand deformation at corners of the inner packet part at least after first access by a user to the interior of the inner packet part.
• the present invention by providing a reinforcing member for the inner packet part it is possible to increase the rigidity of the inner packet without reducing to any significant degree the accessibility of the contents contained therein. This increases the lifetime of the pack, as well as improving the operation of any additional features, such as retaining or locking components, by assuring appropriate operation by improving their engagement with one another throughout the lifetime of the pack.
• the inner packet part comprises at least one opening in an upper face to allow access to a product in the inner packet part, wherein the opening is concealed by the outer packet part when the inner packet part is in the first position. Accordingly, the first position is a closed position in which access to the product is not possible. In the second, open position, the outer packet part does not conceal the opening.
• the opening may be placed on any face through which it is desired to provide access to the contents of the inner packet part.
• the inner packet part has a removable closure component provided over at least a portion of the opening.
• a removable closure component can advantageously act as a freshness and/or tamper evident means untel first access to the interior of the inner packet part by a user.
• the reinforcing member extends at least on one edge of the opening, which may further extend into at least one side of the inner packet part. This arrangement facilitates user access to products within the inner packet part while preserving rigidity of the inner packet part.
• the reinforcing member extends between at least two adjacent faces of the inner packet part forming a corner. Still preferably, the reinforcing member further extends between two opposing faces.
• the inner packet part comprises at least two main front and rear faces connected laterally by two opposite side faces to form an enclosure closed at a bottom by at least one bottom face and wherein said opening is defined by top edges of the main faces and an edge of said reinforcing member.
• the inner packet part further comprises at least one top face attached at least to the edges of the main rear and front faces, and wherein at least part of the top face is removable therefrom along perforations to form said opening and said reinforcing member.
• the inner packet part comprises rounded corners.
• the packaging of the invention further comprises at least one locking mechanism comprising a locking element and an engagement portion, wherein the locking element projects laterally from the inner packet part and the engagement portion protrudes laterally from an internal surface of the outer packet part facing the inner packet part, wherein the locking element and the engagement portion engage with each other at first and second edges of the engagement portion between the first position and the second position.
• at least one locking mechanism comprising a locking element and an engagement portion, wherein the locking element projects laterally from the inner packet part and the engagement portion protrudes laterally from an internal surface of the outer packet part facing the inner packet part, wherein the locking element and the engagement portion engage with each other at first and second edges of the engagement portion between the first position and the second position.
• engagement of said locking element and said engagement portion generates a sound to indicate opening and closing of the inner packet part.
• Such sound generated upon opening and/or closing of the inner packet pack helps a user
• the packaging of the invention comprises a restraining mechanism comprising a first restraining element and a second restraining element provided on opposing faces of the inner packet part and the outer packet part, wherein engagement of the first and second elements is effective to limit movement of the inner packet part relative to the outer packet part.
• Movement of the inner packet part from the first position to the second position may comprise linear movement.
• movement of the inner packet part from the first position to the second position may comprise rotational movement.
• the inner packet part and the outer packet part are each obtained from a single foldable blank of paper, cardboard, plastic material or a combination thereof.
• the present invention further encompasses blanks for use in the production of the inner packet part and the outer packet part.
• the invention comprises forming the inner packet part or the outer packet part from such blanks.
• a blank to form the inner packet part comprises at least:
• the top panel of such a blank comprises perforations such that at least a part of said top face is removable to form said opening and said reinforcing member when the blank is folded into said inner packet part.
• These perforations may particularly define the edges of a removable closure element for the opening of the inner packet part.
• Figure 1A shows a first preferred embodiment of the present invention in a closed position
• Figure 1 B shows the first preferred embodiment in an open position
• Figure 2A shows a blank for use in the production of the inner packet part of the first preferred embodiment
• Figure 2B shows a blank for use in the production of the outer packet part of the first preferred embodiment
• Figure 3A shows a second preferred embodiment of the present invention in a closed position
• Figure 3B shows the second preferred embodiment in an open position
• Figure 4A shows a blank for use in the production of the inner packet part of the second preferred embodiment
• Figure 4B shows a blank for use in the production of the outer packet part of the second preferred embodiment
• the packaging comprises an outer packet part 100 and an inner packet part 150.
• the inner packet part 150 is movable relative to the outer packet part and in particularly is slidable between a first, closed position as illustrated in Figure 1A and a second, open position as shown in Figure 1 B.
• the inner packet part 150 comprises a tear strip 152 which can be removed to form an opening in the inner packet part 150 to expose cigarettes 170.
• Adjacent to the removable tear strip 152 is a reinforcing member 154 which passes adjacent to the opening in the inner packet part 150. This reinforcing member 154 ensures that the inner packet part 150 has rigidity to improve its strength, in particular when said inner packet part has round corners as shown in the figure and where the ends and top corners of the inner packet part may be more easily crushable than in a square corner pack.
• the reinforcing member is also important to ensure that other components formed therein, such that any locking means, which engage with corresponding locking components on the outer pack to provide locking functionality for the packaging, operate correctly and do not disengage through crushing of the front and rear faces 151 a, 151 b of the inner packet part 150.
• the outer packet part 100 and the inner packet part 150 are coupled to each other in such a way as to provide an audible noise when the pack enters either the closed position or the open position.
• a degree of resistance is provided to retain the inner packet part in the open position and in the closed position. In this manner, accidental movement of the outer pack 100 relative to the inner packet part 150 can be inhibited.
• Figure 2B illustrates the outer packet part 100.
• the outer packet part is formed by folding the cardboard blank, illustrated in Figure 2B.
• the outer packet part 100 comprises a front face 101a and a rear face 101 b which oppose each other when the outer packet part 100 is formed.
• the front face 101 a and the rear face 101 b are connected by a side face 105.
• the opening 11 1 is formed in the side face 105.
• a top face of the outer packet part 100 is formed of front top face part 102a, rear top face part 102b and side top face part 102c.
• rear top face part 102b and side top face part 102c are glued to an underside of front top face part 102a.
• a bottom face of the outer packet part is formed of front bottom face part 103a, rear bottom face part 103b and side bottom face part 103c.
• rear bottom face part 103b and side bottom face part 103c are glued to a top side of front bottom face part 103a.
• the outer packet part 100 further comprises a front restraining flap 107a and a rear restraining flap 107b, which extend from the front face 101a and the rear face 101 b respectively.
• the front restraining flap 107a and the rear restraining flap 107b are folded inwardly.
• the restraining flaps 107a, 107b underneath the engagement flaps are preferably glued to the front and rear faces 101 a, 101 b of the outer packet part.
• the glue preferably does not extend across the entirety of the restraining flaps 107a, 107b, but instead is arranged so as to allow material to enter between the flaps 107a, 107b and the faces 101 a, 101 b.
• Figure 2A illustrates the inner packet part 150.
• the inner packet part 150 is formed by folding a cardboard blank, illustrated in Figure 2A.
• the inner packet part 150 comprises a front face 151 a and a rear face 151 b which oppose each other when the inner packet part 150 is formed.
• the front face 151 a and the rear face 151 b are connected by a base face 156.
• a first side face is formed of a front first side flap 154a and rear first side flap 154b, while a second side face is formed of a front second side flap 155a and a rear side face flap 155b.
• the rear side face flaps 154b, 155b are glued to inner surfaces of the front side flaps 154a, 155a to form front and rear sides of the inner packet part 150.
• Base flaps 157 are connected to the first and second rear side flaps 154b, 155b.
• the base flaps are glued to an upper surface of the base face 156.
• a top face of the inner packet part is formed of a rear top face flap 153b, a front top face flap 153a, a rear tear strip flap 152b and a front tear strip flap 152a.
• the front and rear top face flaps 152a, 152b are glued together to form a permanent portion of the top face of the inner packet part 150.
• the front and rear tear strip flaps 152a, 152b are glued together to form the tear strip 152 shown in Figure 1 B.
• the front and rear tear strip flaps are connected to the remainder of the inner packet part 150 by perforations, allowing the user to remove the tear strip 152 when they wish. Once the tear strip 152 is removed the reinforcing member 154 remains to ensure rigidity of the inner pack as described above.
• the inner packet part comprises a front restraining tab 159a and a rear restraining tab 159b.
• the restraining tabs 159a, 159b are disposed in cut away portions 158a, 158b of the front face 151 a and rear face 151 b respectively. It is noted that front restraining tab 159a is disposed in a lower portion of the front face 151 a, while the rear restraining tab 159b is disposed in an upper portion of the rear face 151 b.
• the front restraining tab 159a and rear restraining tab 159b are preferably disposed in different regions of the front and rear faces 151 a, 151 b, and in particular are offset in opposing directions from a centre of the front and rear faces 151 a, 151 b between the base face 156 and the opposing end of the front and rear faces 151 a, 151 b.
• Figure 1A shows the inner packet part 150 in a closed position relative to the outer packet part 100.
• the inner packet part 150 moves relative to the outer packet part 100 to the open position, as shown in Figure 1 B.
• Excessive opening of the inner packet part 150 relative to the outer packet part 100 is prevented by engagement of the restraining tabs 159a, 159b with the restraining flaps 107a, 107b.
• the restraining tabs 159a, 159b are received between the restraining flaps 107a, 107b and the front and rear faces 101 a, 101 b of the outer packet part 100 respectively.
• the inner packet part 150 can move no further relative to the outer packet part 100.
• a package according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figures 3A and 3B.
• the package of the second embodiment comprises an inner packet part 250 and an outer packet part 200 having round corners.
• the inner packet part 250 is movable relative to the outer packet part 200 and in particularly is rotatable between a closed position as illustrated in Figure 3A and an open position as shown in Figure 3B.
• the user may effect rotation of the inner packet part 250 by pushing the part of the inner packet part 250 that is exposed through an opening 211 in the outer packet part 200 with a thumb or finger.
• cigarettes held within the inner packet part 250 may be accessed by the user.
• FIG 4B illustrates the outer packet part 200.
• the outer packet part is formed by folding a cardboard blank, illustrated in Figure 4B.
• the outer packet part 200 comprises a front face 201a and a rear face 201 b which oppose each other when the outer packet part 200 is formed.
• the front face 201a and the rear face 201 b are connected by a side face 205.
• the opening 21 1 is formed in the side face 205.
• a front strengthening flap 206a and a rear strengthening flap 206b are formed towards the front and rear of the opening 31 1 respectively.
• the strengthening flaps 205a, 205b are folded inwardly and glued to the inner front and rear faces 201a, 201 b of the outer packet part 200.
• a top face of the outer packet part is formed of front top face part 202a, rear top face part 202b and side top face part 202c.
• rear top face part 202b and side top face part 202c are glued to an underside of front top face part 202a.
• a bottom face of the outer packet part 200 is formed of front bottom face part 203a, rear bottom face part 203b and side bottom face part 203c.
• rear bottom face part 203b and side bottom face part 203c are glued to a top side of front bottom face part 203a.
• the bottom face formed of the bottom face parts 203a, 203b, and 203c does not cover the entire bottom surface of the outer packet part 200 when formed.
• the outer packet part further comprises a connecting flap 204, which is foldably connected to the bottom face part 203b. Unlike the bottom face part 203b, the connecting flap is separated from the rear face 201 b. As a result, when the outer packet part 200 is formed, the connecting flap 204 is able to move rotationally relative to the rest of the outer packet part 200. As will be described further below, the inner packet part 250 is mounted to the connecting flap 204.
• the outer packet part 200 further comprises a front restraining flap 207a and a rear restraining flap 207b.
• the front restraining flap 207a and the rear restraining flap 207b are folded inwardly.
• the restraining flaps 207a, 207b are preferably glued to the front and rear faces 201 a, 201 b of the outer packet part.
• the glue preferably does not extend across the entirety of the restraining flaps 207a, 207b, but instead is arranged so to allow material to enter between restraining portions 210a, 210b of the restraining flaps 207a, 207b and the faces 201 a, 201 b.
• FIG 4A illustrates the inner packet part 250 of the second embodiment.
• the inner packet part 250 is formed by folding a cardboard blank, illustrated in Figure 4A.
• the inner packet part 250 comprises a front face 251a and a rear face 251 b which oppose each other when the inner packet part 250 is formed.
• the front face 251 a and the rear face 251 b are connected by a base face 256.
• a first side face is formed of a front first side flap 254a and rear first side flap 254b, while a second side face is formed of a front second side flap 255a and a rear side face flap 255b.
• the rear side face flaps 254b, 255b are glued to inner surfaces of the front side face flaps 254a, 255a to form front and rear sides of the inner packet part 250.
• Base flaps 257 are connected to the first and second rear side flaps 254b, 255b. When the inner packet part 250 is formed, the base flaps are glued to an upper surface of the base face 256.
• the inner packet part 250 has a top face made of a front flap 253a and rear flap 253b are connected to upper edges of the front and rear faces 251 a, 253b respectively.
• the flaps 253a and 253b are glued to one another to form said top face of the inner packet part, which includes a removable component 252 delimited by perforations in the top face and rear and side faces 251 a, 251 b and at least one reinforcing component 254 at the front end of the inner packet part.
• the reinforcing component 254 is particularly advantageous to reinforce the inner packet part in the front area thereof and the round corners in particular.
• the removable component 252 can therefore be removed by simply tearing the removable component 252 off along the perforations upon initial opening to provide a top opening and enable access to the contents of the inner packet part 250.
• the inner packet part comprises a front restraining tab 259a and a rear restraining tab 261 b.
• the restraining tabs 259a, 261 b are disposed in cut away portions 258a, 260b of the front face 251a and rear face 251 b respectively.
• Figure 3A shows the inner packet part 250 in a closed position relative to the outer packet part 200.
• the inner packet part 250 moves relative to the outer packet part 200 to the open position. Excessive opening of the inner packet part 250 relative to the outer packet part 200 is prevented by engagement of the front restraining tabs 259a with the restraining flap 207a and of the rear restraining tab 261 b with the restraining flap 207b. As a result, this engagement of the restraining tabs 259a, 261 b prevents movement of the inner packet part 250 beyond the open position.
• the above description relates to two particularly preferred embodiments of the invention, but it will be appreciated that other implementations are possible. In particular, the two embodiments described and represented in figures 1 to 4 may advantageously comprise a locking mechanism of the inner packet part in the outer packet part.
• Such locking mechanism may for example comprise a locking element and an engagement portion provided respectively on opposite faces of the inner packet part and the outer packet part.
• a preferred locking mechanism may include at least one locking element projecting laterally from the inner packet part and at least one engagement portion protruding laterally from an internal surface of the outer packet part facing the inner packet part, and wherein the locking element and the engagement portion engage with each other at first and second edges of the engagement portion between the first position and the second position.
• engagement of said locking element and said engagement portion generates a sound to indicate opening and closing of the inner packet part, the sound being generated by elastic release of said locking element from said engagement portion.
• the skilled person may modify or alter the particular geometry and arrangement of the particular features of the packaging. Particularly, the respective positions of the reinforcing elements and engagement portions on the inner and outer packet parts can easily be modified or inverted by the skilled person without affecting the functional behaviour of the packaging of the invention.
• Other variations and modifications will also be apparent to the skilled person. Such variations and modifications may involve equivalent and other features which are already known and which may be used instead of, or in addition to, features described herein.
• Features that are described in the context of separate embodiments may be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, features which are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Cartons (AREA)
• Packaging Of Annular Or Rod-Shaped Articles, Wearing Apparel, Cassettes, Or The Like (AREA)
• Buffer Packaging (AREA)

Priority Applications (6)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=48607058

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (8)

Citations (5)

Family Cites Families (2)

• 2014
  • 2014-05-20 KR KR1020157034329A patent/KR102191749B1/ko active IP Right Grant
  • 2014-05-20 MY MYPI2015704377A patent/MY171910A/en unknown
  • 2014-05-20 EA EA201592001A patent/EA031472B9/ru not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2014-05-20 WO PCT/EP2014/060370 patent/WO2014195128A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2014-05-20 MX MX2015014865A patent/MX2015014865A/es unknown
  • 2014-05-20 JP JP2016515725A patent/JP6426158B2/ja active Active
  • 2014-05-20 UA UAA201513016A patent/UA119444C2/uk unknown
• 2015
  • 2015-10-29 ZA ZA2015/08049A patent/ZA201508049B/en unknown

Patent Citations (5)

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