WO2019034744A1

WO2019034744A1 - Container with means for improved closure

Info

Publication number: WO2019034744A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/072258
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gregory HERIN; Onésio Luis THESING
Original assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
Priority date: 2017-08-17
Filing date: 2018-08-16
Publication date: 2019-02-21

Abstract

A container (100)(300) for consumer goods comprises: a housing (20,50)(330) having an opening for accessing the consumer goods; and a cover portion (40)(350) connected to the housing (20,50)(330) and movable relative to the housing (20,50)(330) between a closed position in which the cover portion (40)(350) covers the opening and an open position in which the opening is uncovered. When the cover portion (40)(350) is in the closed position, a first surface of the cover portion (40)(350) is disposed adjacent to a first surface of the housing (20,50)(330). A first layer (60)(360) of a self-healing material is provided on the first surface of the housing (20,50)(330) and a second layer (62)(362) of the self-healing material is provided on the first surface of the cover portion (40)(350), such that upon movement of the cover portion (40)(350) into the closed position the first layer (60)(360) and the second layer (62)(362) of the self-healing material are brought into contact with each other, whereby the self-healing material self-heals to form a seal between the first surface of the cover portion (40)(350) and the first surface of the housing (20,50)(330). The self-healing material comprising a network of one or more self-healing supramolecular polymers.

Description

CONTAINER WITH MEANS FOR IMPROVED CLOSURE

The present invention relates to a container for consumer goods having a housing and a cover portion movable relative to the housing, wherein means are provided within the container for improved closure of the cover portion. Containers according to the present invention find particular application as containers for smoking articles, such as cigarettes.

It is known to package elongate smoking articles and other consumer goods in containers formed from folded laminar blanks. Elongate smoking articles, such as cigarettes and cigars, are commonly sold in hinge-lid packs having a box for housing the smoking articles and a lid connected to the box about a hinge line extending across the back wall of the container. The hinge-lid pack may also comprise an inner frame secured to an inner surface of the box, the inner frame having front and side walls against which the lid closes. Such packs are typically constructed from laminar cardboard blanks. In use, the lid is pivoted about the hinge line to open the pack and so gain access to the smoking articles held in the box.

In many cases, it is important to ensure that the lid or other closure means remains in the closed position during normal handling, so that, for example, the consumer goods do not accidentally get exposed or fall out of the container. For smoking articles it can be particularly important that the lid or other closure means remains tightly shut in the closed position, so that the freshness of the articles can be preserved.

Various mechanisms have been proposed for improving the interaction between the lid and the box of such containers, and in particular, for reducing the chances of the lid inadvertently moving away from the closed position during normal handling. For example, retention cuts may be provided on the inner frame for interacting with the lid. Alternatively, a temporary adhesive may be provided on the lid or the box. However, such mechanisms deteriorate and become less effective after several repetitions of opening and closing of the lid. The same problem may be experienced with the resealable labels that can be incorporated into containers for closure of the opening in the box, as described above. This can be particular problematic for containers containing smoking articles, where a consumer may need to open and close the lid on multiple occasions each time they access an individual smoking article.

Furthermore, where an adhesive is provided on the box, lid or other closure means, loose material from the consumer goods - such as loose tobacco material from a smoking article - can become undesirably stuck to the adhesive during use of the container. This can result in an undesirable appearance of the container and a less effectively functioning closing mechanism. This can also create a gap that can allow air to pass into the container when the closure means is in a closed position, which can result in an undesired change in the moisture level of the consumer goods. It would be desirable to provide a container having improved closure means for retaining the container in a closed position during normal handling. It would be further desirable to provide such a container wherein the closure means provides a strong closure and retains effectiveness after repeated closure and opening without significant deterioration. It would be particularly desirable to provide such a container that can be manufactured without significant modification of existing container designs or packaging equipment and techniques.

According to the present invention there is provided a container for consumer goods, the container comprising: a housing having an opening for accessing the consumer goods; and a cover portion connected to the housing and movable relative to the housing between a closed position in which the cover portion covers the opening and an open position in which the opening is uncovered. A first surface of the cover portion is disposed adjacent to a first surface of the housing when the cover portion is in the closed position, wherein a first layer of a self-healing material is provided on the first surface of the housing and a second layer of the self-healing material is provided on the first surface of the cover portion. Upon movement of the cover portion into the closed position the first layer and the second layer of the self-healing material are brought into contact with each other, whereby the self-healing material self-heals to form a seal between the first surface of the cover portion and the first surface of the housing.

The two layers of self-healing material incorporated into the containers according to the invention provides a novel and improved closure means for retaining the cover portion of the container in a closed position between uses.

The "cover portion" of containers according to the present invention refers to the portion of the container that has the function of covering and therefore closing the opening in the housing prior to use and between uses. The cover portion may take a variety of forms, depending upon the construction of the container, as described in more detail below. For example, the cover portion may be a substantially flat, two dimensional portion of the container, such as a flap or label, or the cover portion may be a three dimensional portion of the container, such as a hinge lid.

The term "self-healing material" is used herein to refer to a material that is capable of repairing damage to itself in order to "self-heal", without external intervention. The first and second layers must be formed from the same self-healing material so that the self-healing can occur. Prior to the first opening of the containers of the present invention, the first and second layers of self-healing material will be substantially integral with each other but the layers will be torn apart as the cover portion of the container is opened. Upon reclosure of the cover portion, the first and second layers are brought back into contact with each other and the self-healing material is able to repair itself and self-heal so that the two layers become integrated with each other and bond back together. In this way, the seal between the first surface of the cover portion and the first surface of the housing is re-formed each time the cover portion is moved back to the closed position.

Advantageously, the seal between the first and second layers of self-healing material provides a strong and secure closure for the cover portion. This ensures that the cover portion is securely retained in the closed position between uses. Furthermore, the self-healing of the self- healing material upon closure of the cover portion provides a highly effective seal that can minimise and preferably substantially prevent the ingress of air and moisture into the housing of the container. The freshness of the consumer goods within the housing can therefore be retained between uses. In some cases, it may also be desirable to reduce or prevent loss of moisture from the consumer goods.

The processes of tearing the self-healing material when the cover portion is opened and sealing the self-healing material when the cover portion is closed can be repeated potentially indefinitely and there should be little or no degradation of the material in view of its capability of self-healing any damage. The closure means can therefore retain effectiveness over the entire period during which the container is likely to be in use.

Advantageously, the surface of the first and second layer of the self-healing material can be non-sticky so that loose material from the consumer goods, for example, loose tobacco from smoking articles, does not stick to the layers of the self-healing material. This enables the appearance and the function of the layers of self-healing material to be retained during use.

Certain self-healing materials may be suitable to be applied by printing techniques. The first and second layers of the self-healing material can therefore be conveniently and efficiently applied to the selected areas of the housing and cover portion during the manufacturing process, without needing to significantly modify the container. Advantageously, the layers of self-healing material may be applied to the laminar blanks used to the form the housing and cover portion of the container before the container is assembled, such that the assembly process is substantially unaffected by the presence of the self-healing material.

Several different types of self-healing material are available and such materials would be known to the skilled person. Preferably, the self-healing material used in the containers of the present invention is a polymeric material and particularly preferably, a network formed of one or more supramolecular polymers. The term "supramolecular polymer" is used herein to refer to a polymer in which the polymer chains are held together by reversible, non-covalent bonds.

Therefore according to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a container for consumer goods, the container comprising: a housing having an opening for accessing the consumer goods; and a cover portion connected to the housing and movable relative to the housing between a closed position in which the cover portion covers the opening and an open position in which the opening is uncovered. A first surface of the cover portion is disposed adjacent to a first surface of the housing when the cover portion is in the closed position, wherein a first layer of a self-healing material is provided on the first surface of the housing and a second layer of the self-healing material is provided on the first surface of the cover portion. The self- healing material comprising a network of one or more self-healing supramolecular polymers. Upon movement of the cover portion into the closed position the first layer and the second layer of the self-healing material are brought into contact with each other, whereby the self-healing material self-heals to form a seal between the first surface of the cover portion and the first surface of the housing.

Upon opening of the container, the first and second layers of the self-healing material are torn apart from each other and this causes the non-covalent bonds between polymer chains in the polymeric network to be broken. However, with self-healing materials, the non-covalent bonds will re-form when the first and second layers are brought back into contact with each other upon closure of the cover portion, thereby sealing up the gap between the layers.

Supramolecular polymeric materials can be easily processed due to the large decrease in viscosity that typically occurs with relatively small increases in temperature of the material. In particular, the reduced viscosity of the supramolecular polymeric material upon heating enables the material to be effectively applied to the container using printing techniques.

Preferred supramolecular polymeric materials for use in the present invention form networks based on hydrogen bonds. Hydrogen bonds advantageously provide high strength bonds between polymer chains, which ensures that a strong and effective seal can be formed between the first and second layers of the self-healing materials. In such embodiments, the polymer chains within the supramolecular polymeric material are adapted to incorporate one or more hydrogen bonding units, wherein the hydrogen bonding units provide the self-healing properties of the material, as described above. The hydrogen bonding units may be incorporated as end groups in the polymeric chain. Alternatively or in addition, the hydrogen bonding units may be incorporated as side groups from the polymeric chain. Alternatively or in addition, the hydrogen bonding units may be incorporated within the backbone of the polymeric chain.

Preferably, the hydrogen bonding units incorporated within the polymeric chains of the supramolecular polymeric material are multiple hydrogen bonding units, which means that they are capable of forming more than one hydrogen bond. For example, certain supramolecular polymeric materials comprise quadruple hydrogen bonding units, which are capable of forming four hydrogen bonds. Such polymeric materials are described, for example, in EP-A-2310376. The use of multiple hydrogen bonding units provides a strong bond between the polymer chains, which in turn provides a strong seal between the layers of self-healing material.

The backbone of the polymeric chain may be selected based on the desired properties of the self-healing material. Suitable polymeric backbones include but are not limited to polyethylene glycol and polyurethane. Examples of suitable self-healing polymeric materials for use in the present invention are SupraB™ available from SupraPolix BV and Reverlink™ available from Arkema.

Preferably, the self-healing material is printed onto the first surface of the housing and the first surface of the cover portion to provide the first and second layers. The self-healing material may be printed using any suitable printing process, including but not limited to flexographic printing, gravure printing, offset printing or digital printing. Preferably, the self-healing material is printed using a flexographic printing process or a gravure printing process, most preferably a flexographic printing process.

Preferably, the first and second layers of self-healing material are substantially transparent. This means that the self-healing material can be incorporated onto the surfaces of the container without adversely affecting the appearance of the container.

If desired, the areas to which the self-healing material is applied may be printed with a suitable ink prior to the application of the self-healing material. Such printing can modify the surface appearance in these areas. For example, selective printing may be helpful where it is desired for the consumer to be able to identify the position of the areas of the self-healing material.

When the cover portion of containers according to the invention is in the closed position, the first surface of the cover portion is disposed adjacent to the first surface of the housing so that the surfaces overlap with each other over a first overlapping area. Additional surfaces of the cover portion and housing may also be disposed adjacent to each other in the closed position of the cover portion, depending on the position and size of the first surfaces. The total overlapping area between the surfaces of the cover portion and the surfaces of the housing may therefore be the same as the first overlapping area, or it may be larger.

In some preferred embodiments, the first overlapping area is substantially the same as the total overlapping area so that the self-healing material is provided over substantially the entire area in which the surfaces of the cover portion and the housing are overlapping, corresponding to the total overlapping area. In such embodiments, a highly effective seal can be provided, which substantially eliminates gaps or spaces between the housing and the cover portion when the cover portion is in the closed position. The movement of moisture and air into or out of the housing can therefore be minimised so that the freshness of the consumer goods can be retained.

Alternatively, the self-healing material may only be provided in specific areas of the overlapping surfaces of the cover portion and the housing, so that the first overlapping area is less than the total overlapping area. In such embodiments, each layer of the self-healing material preferably has a total surface area of at least 25 percent of the total overlapping area of the cover portion and the housing.

Preferably, each layer of the self-healing material extends circumferentially around the periphery of the opening in the housing, across substantially all of the total overlapping area between the surfaces of the cover portion and the surfaces of the housing. The layers of self- healing material therefore extend continuously around the opening. This enables an hermetic seal to be provided around the opening so that the container is effectively airtight. This may be achieved by providing the self-healing material over the entire total overlapping area, as described above. Alternatively, it may be achieved by providing an area of the self-healing material that extends circumferentially all of the way around the total overlapping area whilst not extending over the full height of the total overlapping area. For example, a strip of self-healing material may be provided that extends circumferentially all of the way around the total overlapping area. The provision of an hermetic seal around the opening of containers according to the invention advantageously enables the freshness of the consumer goods within the housing to be retained between uses.

Preferably, each of the first and second layers of self-healing material covers a surface area of at least 1 centimetre squared on the respective surface of the cover portion or the housing, more preferably at least 2 centimetres squared, even more preferably at least 3 centimetres squared. Preferably, each of the first and second layers of self-healing material covers a surface area of less than 10 centimetres squared on the respective surface of the cover portion or the housing, more preferably of less than 5 centimetres squared. Preferably, the first layer and the second layer of the self-healing material have substantially the same surface area as each other so that the area of overlap of the layers and therefore the sealing effect between the layers may be maximised.

At least one of the first surfaces of the cover portion and housing onto which the self- healing material is applied may optionally be embossed in order to raise at least a part of the first surface relative to the surrounding surface of the container. This may advantageously enhance contact between the layers of self-healing material, in order to provide an optimised seal.

Where embossments are provided, the depth of the embossments is preferably between about 20 micrometres and about 100 micrometres, more preferably between about 30 micrometres and about 70 micrometres, most preferably between about 30 micrometres and about 50 micrometres. Preferably, at least about 50 percent of the first surface is covered by embossments, more preferably at least about 75 percent of the first surface and most preferably about 100 percent of the first surface.

Preferably, the first and second layers of self-healing material are provided such that the force required to separate the cover portion from the housing when the cover portion is in the closed position is less than about 15 Newtons. This can ensure that the container is still relatively easy to open when a consumer wishes to access the consumer goods.

Preferably, the force required to separate the cover portion from the housing when the cover portion is in the closed position is at least about 4 Newtons, more preferably at least about 6 Newtons, more preferably at least about 10 Newtons. This can reduce the likelihood of the cover portion accidentally being opened during normal handling of the container, for example, when the container is in a consumer's pocket.

The housing of containers according to the invention may have any suitable structure. However, in some particularly preferred embodiments, the housing comprises a box comprising: a box front wall, a box back wall, first and second box side walls, and a box bottom wall, wherein the first surface of the housing is located on the box front wall. The cover portion is typically connected to the box along a hinge line extending across the back wall of the container. In such embodiments, in the closed position of the cover portion, at least part of the cover portion overlies the box front wall and the first surface of the cover portion is located on the inner surface of the cover portion.

As used herein the terms "side", "top", "bottom", "front", "back", "inner", "outer" and other terms used to describe relative positions of the components of containers according to the invention refer to the container in an upright position with the cover portion at the top and in a closed position, and the box bottom wall at the bottom. When describing containers according to the present invention, these terms are used irrespective of the orientation of the container being described.

In other preferred embodiments of the invention, the housing comprises a box as defined above and an inner frame mounted within the box, wherein the first layer of self-healing material is provided on the inner frame. In such embodiments, the walls of the inner frame extend beyond the top edges of the corresponding walls of the box at the opening of the housing so that when the cover portion is in the closed position, the walls of the cover portion overlie the corresponding walls of the portion of the inner frame extending above the box. The inner frame can be provided with the first layer of self-healing material prior to the assembly of the container so that the container assembly process is substantially unaffected by the inclusion of the self-healing material on the inner frame.

Where the first layer of self-healing material is provided on the inner frame, as described above, the self-healing material may be provided over a specific area or areas of the inner frame surface. Alternatively, the self-healing material may be provided over substantially the entire outer surface of the inner frame. In this case, the self-healing material can conveniently be applied as a single, continuous element on the surface of the inner frame to provide a laminated inner frame.

The cover portion of containers according to the invention may take any suitable form and may be adapted depending on the construction of the housing.

In certain preferred embodiments of the invention, the cover portion comprises a hinge lid connected to the housing along a hinge line, wherein the first surface is provided on an inner surface of the hinge lid. The hinge lid is preferably formed of one or more walls that are arranged to cover the opening in the housing when the hinge lid is in the closed position. For example, in any of the embodiments described above in which the housing comprises a box, the lid may comprise a lid front wall, a lid back wall, first and second lid side walls, and a lid top wall, wherein the first surface of the lid is located on the inner surface of the lid front wall. Preferably, the lid front wall comprises a lid front wall outer panel defining the outer surface of the lid front wall, and a lid front wall under panel defining the inner surface of the lid front wall. In such an embodiment, the lid front wall under panel depends from and underlies the lid front wall outer panel. Alternatively, the hinge lid may comprise a flap that is hinged to the box, the flap comprising a top flap portion that overlies the top of the box when the flap is in the closed position and a front flap portion that at least partly overlies the box front wall when the flap is in the closed position, and wherein the first surface of the lid is located on the inner surface of the front flap portion.

The term "panel" is used herein to refer to a portion of the container formed from a single, continuous portion of material. A panel may depend along one or more weakening lines from one or more other panels. The term "flap" refers to a panel that depends along only one weakening line from only one other panel.

The term "wall" refers more generally to a facet of the container, and a wall may be formed from a single panel or flap, or a wall may be formed from two or more abutting or overlapping panels or flaps.

In alternative preferred embodiments of the invention, the cover portion comprises a reclosable adhesive label which is affixed to the housing, wherein the first surface is provided on the inner surface of the label. The reclosable adhesive label is permanently affixed to the housing by means of a permanent adhesive provided in an area of the inner surface of the label. In the closed position, the label covers the opening in the housing and also extends beyond the periphery of the opening to make contact with the surfaces of the housing surrounding the opening. The second layer of the self-healing material may be provided over substantially the entire inner surface of the label. Alternatively, it may be provided in the areas of the label which will contact the surfaces of the housing that surround the opening. In such embodiments, the first layer of the self-healing material may similarly be provided only in those areas of the housing that contact the label when the label covers the opening.

Containers of this type incorporating a reclosable adhesive label are known to the skilled person. For example, containers incorporating a reclosable adhesive label are described in WO- A-2013/120915 and WO-A-2016/189108. Preferably, such containers further comprise a hinge lid, which is closes over the adhesive label. In certain embodiments, the label may be permanently affixed to an inner surface of the hinge lid such that the label is automatically moved between the open position and the closed position through the opening and closing of the hinge lid. In other embodiments, the label is not affixed to the hinge lid but is removable manually by the consumer. The housing of such containers typically comprises an inner package including the access opening, which is housed in an outer housing having a box and a hinge lid. Preferably, each of the first and second layers of self-healing material has thickness of less than about 300 micrometres, more preferably a thickness of less than about 150 micrometres, even more preferably a thickness of less than about 100 micrometres. Preferably, each of the first and second layers of self-healing material has a thickness of at least about 20 micrometres, more preferably at least about 60 micrometres. Ensuring that the thickness of each of the first and second layers of self-healing material is within the aforementioned ranges eliminates the need for significant modification of the container dimensions. For embodiments in which the cover portion is in the form of a reclosable adhesive label, as described above, the second layer of self-healing material may be thinner than indicated above, for example, between about 10 micrometres and about 15 micrometres.

Preferably, the first layer of self-healing material is provided on the front wall of the housing. The corresponding second layer of self-healing material will therefore typically be provided on the inner surface of a front wall of the cover portion. Alternatively or in addition, the first layer of self-healing material may be provided on at least one of the side walls of the housing. In this case, the corresponding second layer of self-healing material will typically be the inner surface of a corresponding side wall or walls of the cover portion.

Containers according to the present invention may take any suitable shape or form. Containers according to the present invention are preferably in the form of a hard-pack container which has a relatively rigid three dimensional structure. However, containers according to the invention may take a variety of other, non-rigid forms.

Containers according to the present invention find application for consumer goods, in particular elongate consumer goods such as smoking articles. Preferably, the container contains a bundle of smoking articles within the housing. It will be appreciated that through appropriate choices of the dimensions thereof, containers according to the invention may be designed for different numbers of conventional size, king size, super-king size, slim or super-slim cigarettes. In certain alternative embodiments, the container may house other tobacco products, such as loose tobacco, pouches of tobacco, cigarette papers or cigarette filters. Alternatively, other consumer goods may be housed inside the container.

Preferably, containers according to the invention are formed from one or more folded laminar blanks. The one or more folded laminar blanks may be formed from any suitable material or combination of materials, including, but not limited to, cardboard, paperboard, plastic, metal, or combinations thereof. Preferably, containers according to the invention are formed from one or more fibre-based laminar blanks and particularly preferably, one or more laminar cardboard or paperboard blanks having a weight of between about 100 grams per square metre and about 350 grams per square metre, more preferably between about 100 grams per square metre and about 300 grams per square metre. In preferred embodiments, the one or more blanks have a thickness of from about 200 to about 400 micrometres, more preferably from 250 micrometres to 350 micrometres.

The term "fibre-based laminar blank" is used herein to refer to a laminar blank made from fibrous material, and in particular one comprising at least 50 percent by weight of fibers, such as cellulose fibers, based on the total fiber content of the laminar blank.

Containers according to the invention are preferably rectangular parallelepiped containers comprising two wider walls spaced apart by two narrower walls.

The exterior surfaces 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.

The invention will be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container according to a first embodiment of the present invention, with the lid in the open position; and

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a container according to a second embodiment of the present invention, with the lid in the open position.

Figure 1 shows a container 100 for consumer goods, according to a first embodiment of the present invention, where the container 100 is in an open condition. The container 100 contains a wrapped bundle of consumer goods 30, such as a bundle of cigarettes. The container is formed from a folded laminar blank and has a lid 40 and a housing, the housing comprising a box 20 and an inner frame 50 mounted within the box 20. The lid 40 corresponds to the "cover portion" of the present invention.

The lid 40 has a first lid side wall 42, a second lid side wall 44, and a lid top wall 46. The lid 40 also has a lid front wall 48 and a lid back wall (not shown).

The box 20 has a box front wall 22, and a first box side wall 24. The box 20 also has a box bottom wall, a box back wall and a second box side wall (not shown). The lid 40 depends along a hinge line (not shown) from a top edge of the box back wall, and is movable about the hinge line between an open position, as shown in Figure 1 , and a closed position (not shown).

The inner frame 50 is attached to the inside of the box 20 and includes a first inner frame side wall 54, a second inner frame side wall (not shown), and an inner frame front wall 52.

A first layer of a self-healing material 60 is provided on the outer surface of the inner frame front wall 52. A second layer of the same self-healing material is provided on the inner surface of the lid front wall 48. The first layer 60 and the second layer of the self-healing material are substantially the same size and shape as each other and are positioned such that when the container is in the closed position, the first layer 60 and the second layer overlap with each other over substantially their full area. The first layer 60 and the second layer of the self-healing material provide a closure means to retain the lid in a closed position relative to the box. To close the container, the consumer pivots the lid 40 about the hinge line relative to the box 20, until the inner surface of the lid front wall 48 is adjacent to the outer surface of the inner frame front wall 52. In this position, the first layer 60 and the second layer of the self-healing material are brought into contact with each other and the self-healing material begins to repair itself, or self-heal, so that the layers become bonded to each other. The lid 40 is thereby sealed in the closed position.

When the lid 40 is subsequently moved by the consumer into the open position as shown in Figure 1 , the layers of the self-healing material are torn apart from each other. However, each time the lid 40 is closed, the self-healing of the material can take place again to re-form the seal.

Figure 2 shows a container 300 for consumer goods, according to a second embodiment of the present invention, where the container 300 is in an open condition. The container 300 comprises a lid 340 and a box 320 containing a wrapped bundle of consumer goods (not shown), such as a bundle of cigarettes. The bundle is wrapped in an inner package 330, described in more detail below. The inner package 330 corresponds to the "housing" of the present invention.

The lid 340 depends along a hinge line (not shown) from a top edge of the back wall of the box 320, and is movable about the hinge line between an open position, as shown in Figure 2, and a closed position (not shown).

The inner package 330 includes a cut out extending over the top wall and the front wall, which provides an opening through which the consumer goods can be removed. When the inner package is in place within the box 320, the cut out is positioned at the open, upper end of the box 320.

A rectangular label 350 is attached to the outer surface of the inner package 330 so that in the closed position, the label 350 covers the cut out defining the opening in the inner package 330. The label 350 provides the cover portion according to the present invention. The free end of the label 350 is permanently affixed to a portion of the of the inner surface of the front wall of the lid 340. The label 350 corresponds to the "cover portion" of the present invention.

A first layer 360 of a self-healing material is provided on the outer surface of the inner package 330, around the outside of the cut out providing the opening. A second layer 362 of the same self-healing material is provided on the inner surface of the label 350 in the area which overlies the surface of the inner package 330 around the opening. The first layer 360 and the second layer 362 of the self-healing material are arranged such that when the label 350 is in the closed position, the first layer 360 and the second layer 362 overlap with each other over substantially the full area of the second layer 362. The first layer 360 and the second layer 362 of the self-healing material provide a closure means to retain the label in a closed position over the opening in the inner package 330.

As the lid 320 is moved into the open position shown in Figure 2, the label 350 will automatically be pulled away from the outer surface of the inner package 330. This causes the layers of the self-healing material to be torn away from each other. In order to close the container 300, the label 350 is first returned to the closed position over the opening. In this position, the first layer 360 and the second layer 362 of the self-healing material are brought into contact with each other again and the self-healing material begins to repair itself, or self-heal, so that the layers become bonded to each other. The label 350 is therefore resealed in the closed position. The lid 320 may then be moved to the closed position relative to the box 340, in order to seal the inner package within the container.

Claims

1 . A container for consumer goods, the container comprising:

a housing having an opening for accessing the consumer goods; and

a cover portion connected to the housing and movable relative to the housing between a closed position in which the cover portion covers the opening and an open position in which the opening is uncovered;

wherein a first surface of the cover portion is disposed adjacent to a first surface of the housing when the cover portion is in the closed position, and wherein a first layer of a self-healing material is provided on the first surface of the housing and a second layer of the self-healing material is provided on the first surface of the cover portion, such that upon movement of the cover portion into the closed position the first layer and the second layer of the self-healing material are brought into contact with each other, the self-healing material comprising a network of one or more self-healing supramolecular polymers, and whereby the self-healing material self- heals to form a seal between the first surface of the cover portion and the first surface of the housing.

2. A container according to claim 1 , wherein the self-healing material comprises a network of one or more supramolecular polymers based on hydrogen bonds.

3. A container according to claim 2, wherein the polymer chains of the one or more supramolecular polymers comprise one or more multiple hydrogen bonding units.

4. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the force required to separate the cover portion from the housing when the cover portion is in the closed position is at least about 4 Newtons.

5. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein each layer of self-healing material covers a surface area of at least 1 centimetres squared on the respective surface of the housing or cover portion.

6. A container according to claim 5, wherein the self-healing material is provided over substantially the entire area in which the surfaces of the cover portion and the housing are overlapping when the cover portion is in the closed position.

7. A container according to claim 5, wherein each layer of the self-healing material extends circumferentially around the periphery of the opening in the housing, across substantially all of the total overlapping area between the surfaces of the cover portion and the surfaces of the housing.

8. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing comprises a box comprising: a box front wall, a box back wall, first and second box side walls, and a box bottom wall, and wherein the first surface of the housing is located on the box front wall.

9. A container according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the housing comprises an inner frame and wherein the first surface of the housing is provided on the outer surface of the inner frame.

10. A container according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the cover portion is a hinge lid connected to the housing along a hinge line.

1 1. A container according to claim 10, wherein the hinge lid comprises a lid front wall, a lid back wall, first and second lid side walls, and a lid top wall, and wherein the first surface of the hinge lid is located on the inner surface of the lid front wall.

12. A container according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the cover portion is a reclosable adhesive label affixed to the housing and wherein the first surface of the cover portion is provided on the inner surface of the label.

13. A container according to any preceding claim containing a bundle of smoking articles within the housing.

14. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the container is formed from one or more folded laminar blanks.