WO2020035664A1

WO2020035664A1 - A package for tobacco industry products

Info

Publication number: WO2020035664A1
Application number: PCT/GB2019/052245
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul Hodges
Original assignee: British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited
Priority date: 2018-08-15
Filing date: 2019-08-09
Publication date: 2020-02-20
Also published as: GB201813329D0

Abstract

A package for tobacco industry products is disclosed. It comprises inner and outer shells (2, 3) separated by first and second non-linear creases (15, 16) about which said inner and outer shells rotate as the package is opened and closed.

Description

A Package for Tobacco Industry Products

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a package for tobacco industry products. In particular, the invention relates to a package commonly referred to as being of the‘clam-shell’ type. A pack of tobacco industry products comprising the package according to the invention is also disclosed.

Background

Clam-shell packages have been used in the tobacco industry for holding tobacco industry products, which maybe smoking articles such as cigarettes. Such packages are generally formed from a cardboard blank and generally hold ten to twenty individual cigarettes in rows. A clam-shell pack typically comprises an outer shell and an inner shell which may be received in the outer shell when the pack is closed. The inner and outer shells can be rotated relative to each other about a fold-line that forms a hinge between the inner and outer shells, into an open position so that access to the contents of the pack maybe obtained.

Summary

In accordance with embodiments of the invention, there is provided a package for tobacco industry products, comprising inner and outer shells separated by first and second non-linear creases about which said inner and outer shells rotate as the package is opened and closed.

The first and second non-linear creases may be located on either side of a straight line that divides the package into said inner and outer shells. The first and second non-linear creases may extend from the straight line.

Opposite ends of each of the first and second non-linear creases may meet on the straight line such that said first and second non-linear creases enclose an intermediate panel. In some embodiments, the outer and inner shells each comprise a major panel, and the outer shell includes an end panel depending from its major panel. In such

embodiments, the first non-linear crease may extend between an edge of said end panel and said intermediate panel. The second non-linear crease may extend between an edge of the major panel of the inner shell and said intermediate panel.

The straight line may form a line of symmetry extending between the first and second non-linear creases. In some embodiments, the first and second non-linear creases may extend across the full width of the package in a direction along the straight line.

In other embodiments, the first and second non-linear creases may extend partially across the width of the package in a direction along the straight line.

If the first and second arcuate creases only extend partially across the width of the package, the package may comprise a linear hinge axis extending from said first and second non-linear creases along the straight line to an edge of the package. In some embodiments, each of said first and second non-linear creases may be at least partially formed from a series of linear creases arranged at an angle to each other. The creases forming one series may extend directly from each other or be spaced or staggered. In other embodiments, the first and second non-linear creases are arcuate.

The first and second non-linear creases may be formed from a series of sections and at least some of the sections may be arcuate.

At least some sections may be spaced or staggered from their adjacent sections.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a blank for a package for tobacco industry products, the blank being foldable to form inner and outer shells separated by first and second non-linear creases about which said inner and outer shells will rotate when the package is opened and closed. The package may be folded from a single sheet of foldable material, such as card.

According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a pack of tobacco industry products or a tobacco industry product package, comprising the package according to the invention, and a wrapped bundle of smoking articles received in said package.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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

Figure 1 shows a perspective view from the front and above of a package according to an embodiment of the present invention when closed;

Figure 2 shows another perspective view from the rear and above of the package when closed;

Figure 3 shows a rear perspective view of the package shown in Figure 1 or 2 after partial rotation of the inner and outer shells relative to each other towards an open position;

Figure 4 shows a front perspective view of the open package shown in Figures 1 to 3; Figure 5 shows a rear perspective view of a partially open package according to another embodiment;

Figure 6 shows a partial rear perspective view of a partially open package according to another embodiment, and

Figure 7 shows a partial rear perspective view of a partially open package according to yet another embodiment

Detailed Description

With reference to the drawings, there is shown a package 1 for tobacco industry products (not shown) according to an embodiment of the invention. The package 1 comprises inner and outer shells 2, 3 that are rotatable relative to each other, in the directions indicated by arrow‘A’ in Figure 3 and 5, about a hinge 4 between a closed position of the package 1, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and a partially open, or open, position as shown in Figures 3 to 5. The package 1 is preferably formed from a single sheet of material, preferably card or card-like material such as cardboard, which may be folded from a flat sheet or blank, using cigarette pack manufacturing machinery, to form the assembled and filled package 1. The outer shell 3 comprises a rectangular shaped outer shell major panel 5, outer shell side panels 6 and outer shell minor end panels 7, all of which upstand from the periphery of the outer shell major panel 5 around its circumference. The outer shell minor side and end panels 6, 7 are integral with the outer shell major panel 5 and are each separated therefrom by a fold-line 8.

An upper edge of one of the outer shell minor end panels 7 is connected to an edge of a rear major panel 11 of the inner shell 2 for rotation of the inner and outer shells 2, 3 relative to each other about the hinge 4.

The inner shell 2 has a pair of parallel, facing, inner shell side panels 12, and an end panel 13, each of which are folded relative to, and upstand from, the major rear panel 11. The side panels 12 are integral with the major rear panel 11 and are separated therefrom by a fold-line 14.

The packages 1 according to embodiments of the invention differ from conventional packages due to the design of the hinge 4. The hinge 4 about which the inner and outer shells 2, 3 rotate relative to each other comprises first second arcuate creases 15, 16, which are represented by dashed-lines in the drawings, and extend laterally across the width of the package 1 from each package edge. The first and second arcuate creases 15, 16 diverge away from each other from each edge towards the centre of the package 1 so that they are at their maximum distance apart in the middle of the package 1, i.e. mid- way between the package edges between the outer shell side panels 6 or the inner shell side panels 12. At the edges of the package 1, each arcuate crease 15, 16 has ends 15a, 15b; 16a, 16b that meet and lie on a straight line that divides the package 1 into inner and outer shells 2, 3. In a conventional pack that has a single, linear, hinge axis about which the inner and outer shells 2, 3 would rotate relative to each other, the straight line that divides the package 1 of the invention into inner and outer shells 2, 3 would be a line extending along this hinge axis. The straight line is indicated by a dot-dash line in each of Figures 3 to 5 and is marked X-X. The straight line X-X forms a line of symmetry between the first and second arcuate creases 15, 16. It will be understood that the straight line X-X is referred to for ease of understanding only, but is not a fold-line or a crease in embodiments according to the present invention. The first arcuate crease 15 is formed at an edge of the end panel 7 of the outer shell 3 remote from the major panel 5 from which it depends, and the second arcuate crease 16 is formed at an edge of the major panel 11 of the inner shell 2, on opposite sides of the straight line X-X.

As can be seen in the Figures, the arcuate creases 15, 16 are identical and their opposite ends 15a, 15b; 16a, 16b meet each other on the straight line X-X at the same point to define a hinge area or region 19 extending between, and enclosed by, the arcuate creases 15, 16 which is intersected down the middle by the straight line X-X extending between them. In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4, the arcuate creases 15, 16 extend across the full width of the package 1. However, a modified embodiment is shown in Figure 5, from which it can be seen that the arcuate creases 15, 16 extend across only a portion of the package 1 rather than all the way to the edges of the package 1. In Figure 5, the arcuate creases 15, 16 are centrally located between the edges of the package and so have their maximum distance apart at a mid-point along the line X-X between the edges of the package 1. A linear hinge line 18 extends from the ends 15a, 16a; 15b, 16b of the arcuate creases 15, 16 on the straight line X-X to each edge of the package 1. It will be understood that the arcuate creases 15, 16 need not be centrally located and could be offset towards one edge of the package 1 or the other.

In another, unillustrated embodiment, it maybe possible to provide multiple hinges 4 each having a pair of arcuate creases 15, 16 spaced from each other in a direction along the straight line X-X. For example, there could be two sets of arcuate creases 15, 16 spaced from each other along the straight line X-X. In such an embodiment, each hinge 4 would be separated from its adjacent hinge 4 by a linear fold 18 extending along the straight line X-X.

When the inner and outer shells 2, 3 are rotated relative to each other from a closed position, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, rotation occurs about both the first and second arcuate creases 15, 16. More specifically, rotation occurs between the outer shell 3 and the hinge region 19 about the first arcuate crease 15, and preferably simultaneous rotation occurs between the inner shell 2 and the hinge region 19 about the second arcuate crease 16. An angle of rotation between the first and second outer shells 2, 3 is reached at which resistance to further rotation is felt because further rotation about each of the first and second arcuate creases 15, 16 can only occur as a result of the major panel 11 of the inner shell 2, and the end panel 7 of the outer shell 3, bowing inwardly, due to the arcuate shape of each of the first and second creases 15, 16. This resistance can be felt by a consumer and has the objective of limiting the extent to which they will rotate the inner and outer shells 2, 3 relative to each other. Due to the resilient nature of the card from which the package 1 is made, a spring-effect is also generated when the inner and outer shells 2, 3 are over-rotated about the first and second creases 15, 16 to cause bowing of the major panel 11 and end panel 7. In this over-rotated position, when the inner and outer shells 2, 3 are released, the inner and outer shells 2, 3 will rotate back towards the closed position.

The first and second creases 15, 16 do not have to be arcuate. As shown in Figure 6, the first and second non-linear creases 15,16 may each be formed from a series of linear creases 15a, 15b, 15c; 16a, 16b, 16c each of which extend at an angle to each other. The linear creases 15, 16 may be j oined or their ends may be spaced from each other. As shown in Figure 7, the series of linear creases 15, 16 do not have to extend to the edges of the pack 1.

It will be understood that the first and second non-linear creases 15, 16 do not have to meet the straight line X-X between the inner and outer shells 2, 3 and may stop short of it, either at the edge of the pack 1 or, spaced from the edge of the pack 1 if the first and second non-linear creases 15, 16 do not extend across the entire width of the pack 1. In the latter case, a linear hinge axis 18 may extend along part of the straight line X-X on either side of the first and second non-linear creases 15, 16, but the linear hinge axis 18 will not extend directly from the end of each non-linear crease 15, 16.

As used herein, the term“tobacco industry product” is to be understood as including smoking articles comprising combustible smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, tobacco for pipes or for roll-your-own cigarettes, (whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco substitutes or other smokable material), electronic smoking articles such as e-cigarettes, heating devices that release compounds from substrate materials without burning such as tobacco heating products; and hybrid systems to generate aerosol from a combination of substrate materials, for example hybrid systems containing a liquid or gel or solid substrate. In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product is a smoking article for combustion selected from the group consisting of a cigarette, a cigarillo and a cigar.

In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product is a non-combustible smoking article.

In one embodiment the tobacco industry product is a heating device which releases compounds by heating, but not burning, a substrate material. The material may be for example tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment the heating device is a tobacco heating device.

In another embodiment the tobacco industry product is a hybrid system to generate aerosol by heating, but not burning, a combination of substrate materials. The substrate materials may comprise for example solid, liquid or gel which may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel substrate and a solid substrate. The solid substrate may be for example tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel substrate and tobacco. Embodiments of the invention are described with reference to tobacco industry products, for example cigarettes. However, it will be appreciated that packages of the invention may alternatively be used for non-tobacco industry related products.

In order to address various issues and advance the art, the entirety of this disclosure shows by way of illustration various embodiments in which the claimed invention(s) may be practiced and provide a superior package for tobacco industry products. The advantages and features of the disclosure are of a representative sample of

embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. They are presented only to assist in understanding and teach the claimed features. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects of the disclosure are not to be considered limitations on the disclosure as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments maybe utilised and modifications maybe made without departing from the scope and/ or spirit of the disclosure. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. In addition, the disclosure includes other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.

Claims

1. A package for tobacco industry products, comprising inner and outer shells separated by first and second non-linear creases about which said inner and outer shells rotate as the package is opened and closed.

2. A package according to claim l, wherein said first and second non-linear creases are located on either side of a straight line that divides the package into said inner and outer shells.

3. A package according to claim 2, wherein said first and second non-linear creases extend from said straight line.

4. A package according to claim 3, wherein opposite ends of each of the first and second non-linear creases meet on said straight line such that said first and second non-linear creases enclose an intermediate panel.

5. A package according to claim 4, wherein the outer and inner shells each comprise a major panel, and the outer shell includes an end panel depending from its major panel, said first non-linear crease extending between an edge of said end panel and said intermediate panel.

6. A package according to claim 5, wherein the second non-linear crease extends between an edge of the major panel of the inner shell and said intermediate panel.

7. A package according to any of claims 2 to 6, where in the straight line forms a line of symmetry extending between the first and second non-linear creases.

8. A package according to any of claims 2to 7, wherein the first and second non- linear creases extend across the full width of the package in a direction along the straight line.

9. A package according to any of claims 2107, wherein the first and second non- linear creases extend partially across the width of the package in a direction along the straight line.

10. A package according to claim 9, comprising a linear hinge axis extending from said first and second non-linear creases along the straight line to an edge of the package.

11. A package according to any preceding claim, wherein each of said first and second non-linear creases is at least partially formed from a series of linear creases arranged at an angle to each other.

12. A package according to claim 11, wherein each linear crease in a series is spaced from its adjacent linear crease.

13. A package according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the first and second non- linear creases are arcuate.

14. A package according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the first and second non- linear creases are formed from a series of sections, at least some of the sections being arcuate.

15. A package according to claim 14, wherein at least some sections are spaced from their adjacent sections.

16. A package according to any preceding claim, folded from a single sheet of foldable material.

17. A pack of tobacco industry products, comprising the package according to any preceding claim, and a wrapped bundle of smoking articles received in said package.

18. A blank for a package for tobacco industry products, the blank being foldable to form inner and outer shells separated by first and second non-linear creases about which said inner and outer shells will rotate when the package is opened and closed.