GB2474849A

GB2474849A - A package for tobacco products

Info

Publication number: GB2474849A
Application number: GB0918823A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Jonathan Bray
Original assignee: British American Tobacco Co Ltd
Current assignee: British American Tobacco Investments Ltd
Priority date: 2009-10-27
Filing date: 2009-10-27
Publication date: 2011-05-04
Also published as: GB0918823D0

Abstract

A package (1, Fig 1) for tobacco products comprises an enclosure (2, Fig 1) of barrier material, wherein fin seals 15, 17 are formed on adjacent first and second faces (22, Fig 3), 23. Fin seals 15,17 have a sealed section (12b, Fig 2) and a converging section (12a, Fig 2), and there is a fold line 34 between fin seal 15 and fin seal 17, which extends from the corner of the 35 of the first and second faces (22, Fig 3), 23 to a corresponding corner 36 of the converging section of fin seal 17 on second face 23. The first face fin seal 15 may be partially folded such that it is folded at an end distal to the second face 23 of the enclosure (2, Fig 1) and not folded proximal to the second face 23, and the fin seal 17 on the second face 23 may be formed while the first face seal 15 is partially folded. There may be an access aperture 7 with re-sealing means, and the package may be made from a bio-degradable material. A method and apparatus for leaking the package is also disclosed.

Description

A Package for Tobacco Products

Description

The present invention relates to packaging for tobacco products, and in particular, smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos and loose tobacco. For convenience, these will be referred to as "cigarettes" in this specification.

It is known to provide a barrier layer as an inner wrap of a cigarette pack. The provision of a barrier layer greatly improves commercial shelf life in areas having hostile climatic conditions, especially in high temperature, high humidity areas.

W098/22367 describes a barrier layer made of a laminate material of metalli2ed plastics or of a plastics/metal foil laminate. An enclosure for cigarettes is formed by folding the barrier material, and sealed in any suitable manner sealing to join overlapped parts together, e.g. induction sealing. Induction sealing requires metal as part of the barrier material. The packaging also includes a resealable cover layer which allows an access aperture to be opened (for removal of cigarettes by the consumer) and resealed.

US 4,375,260 describes a laminated foil wrapper surrounding cigarettes, and located in a flip-top container. The foil wrapper is joined using fin seals. The foil wrapper contains metal, and accordingly is not biodegradable. In addition, the foil wrapper does not provide for re-sealing after it has been opened, and so does not function as an effective barrier material once the package has been opened. The barrier material has the disadvantage that it is not biodegradable, since it includes a metal layer. Furthermore, the structure of a conventional foil paper is relatively "open" compared to a plastic or metal sheet material.

Thus, foil paper material does not form a good barrier material since moisture and/or aromas may pass through its "open" structure.

WO 2005/082738 describes a resealable wrapper for smoking products. The access opening is formed on a large front side of the wrapper, and fin seals are formed on the small end sides of the wrapper.

W098/49072 describes a resealable cigarette package. A flow seal package is formed having seals across the front face and side faces of the package.

EPI,686,060 describes a method of producing a sealed wrapping for cigarettes. A sheet is folded around a charge of cigarettes, and fin seals made on two side faces and a bottom face. A closeable opening is formed at the non-sealed end wall. The wrapping may be a laminated or non-laminated sheet of polypropylene. The wrapper may be an inner wrapper in a "soft" or "rigid" packet of cigarettes.

The present invention provides, in a first aspect, a method of manufacturing a package for tobacco products comprising: forming an enclosure of barrier material around a charge of tobacco products, the enclosure having adjacent first and second faces; wherein forming the enclosure comprises: forming a fin seal with the barrier material on the first face; partially folding the first face fin seal such that the first face fin seal is folded at an end distal to the second face of the enclosure and not folded proximal to the first face of the enclosure, and forming a fin seal at the second face of the enclosure while the first face fin seal is partially folded.

Thus, the package includes a re-sealable enclosure formed of a barrier material and using fin seals..

The present invention provides, in a second aspect, a package for tobacco products comprising: an enclosure of barrier material for enclosing a charge of tobacco products; wherein fin seals are formed with the barrier material on adjacent first and second faces to form the enclosure, the fin seals having a sealed section and a converging section, and a fold line between the fin seal on the first face and the fin seal on the second face extends from a corner of the first and second faces of the enclosure to a corresponding corner of a converging section of the fin seal on the second face.

The present invention may provide a package for tobacco products comprising: an enclosure of barrier material for enclosing a charge of tobacco products; wherein the enclosure is substantially in the form of an elongate cuboid, having a front face and a rear face, two longitudinally extending side faces, a top face and a bottom face, the top and bottom faces being the smallest faces; wherein the enclosure defines an access aperture in said top face; and the package further comprising:a moveable cover extending over the access aperture; re-sealing means arranged to allow opening and re-sealing of the access aperture; wherein fin seals are formed with the barrier material on the side faces and bottom face to form the enclosure.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a package according to the present invention; Figure 2 is an end view of an enclosure according to the present invention, in a first state prior to the fin seals being folded; Figure 3 is a plan view of the enclosure according to the present invention, in a first state prior to the fin seals being folded; Figure 4 is an end view of the enclosure of Figure 2 according to the present invention, in a second state in which the fin seals are folded; Figure 5 is a side view of the enclosure according to the present invention, in a first state prior to the fin seals being folded; Figure 6 is a side view of the enclosure of Figure 5 according to the present invention, in a second state in which the fin seals are folded; and Figure 7 is an end view of the enclosure from a base end according to the present invention, in a second state in which the fin seals are folded; Figure 8 is a side view of the enclosure according to a further embodiment of the present invention, in a first state prior to the fin seals being formed; Figure 9 is a plan view of the enclosure according to a further embodiment of the present invention, prior to the bottom face fin seals being formed; Figure 10 is a side view of the enclosure of Figure 9 according to the present invention; Figure 11 is a side view of the enclosure according to the present invention, in a second state in which the fin seals are folded.

Referring to Figure 1, a package I for tobacco products according to the present invention is shown. The package I includes an enclosure 2 for containing a tobacco product, preferably a charge of cigarettes. The enclosure 2 surrounds a charge of tobacco products 40. The enclosure 2 is located within a "flip-top" container having a body 3 and a lid 4 hingedly connected to the body 3. The enclosure is substantially an elongate cuboid, having six faces. A top face 21 is opposite a bottom face 23, the top and bottom faces being the smallest faces by area. A front face 20 and rear face 24 are opposite, and are the largest faces by area. Two sides faces 22 extend along the length of the enclosure. The faces of the enclosure referred to correspond to the faces of the enclosed charge of tobacco products.

The enclosure 2 has an access opening 9 through which cigarettes can be removed. The access opening 9 is defined by edges 8 on the top face 21 of the enclosure, and edges 6 on the front face 20 of the enclosure 2, as shown by dotted lines. The access opening 9 may optionally also extend to the rear face 24 of the enclosure. The access opening 9 is re-sealably closed by a movable cover 7. The cover 7 is preferably in form of a flap having a hinge line 5. The hinge line 5 is preferably on the rear face 24 of the enclosure.

The cover 7 may be closed to seal the access opening 9. The enclosure 2 and/or cover 7 is provided with a re-sealing means to allow repeated opening and re-sealing of the cover 7.

The re-sealing means is preferably a permanently tacky surface adjacent to the access opening, provided on the cover 7 or enclosure 2. The cover 7 is provided with a graspable tab 10. The tab 10 does not have a tacky surface and is graspable by a user to open the cover 7. The cover 7 is attached to the enclosure 2, or integrally formed with the enclosure 2.

The enclosure 2 is constructed of a barrier material. The barrier material is a laminate material. The laminate material is preferably made from one or more biodegradable materials, and accordingly is biodegradable. The barrier material preferably does not contain a metal, and in particular, does not include a metal layer. The cover 7 is preferably made of the same material as the enclosure 2, or alternatively may be formed of a different material. Preferably the barrier material of the enclosure and the cover are selected from one or more of the following types of material: i) a coated paper, in which the coating form the barrier and seal, ii) a high barrier material, iii) a laminated material, e.g. a paper / film lamination, iv) a metallised film.

The coating or film may be a plastic coating or plastic film.

Referring to Figures 2 to 7, the enclosure 2 is formed of a sheet of barrier material 12 which is folded and attached to itself using fin seals.

Figure 2 shows an end view of the enclosure 2, showing the top face 21. Fin seals 15, 16 are formed along side faces 22 of the enclosure. The fin seals 15, 16 are formed by converging sections 12a of barrier material 12, and overlapped and joined (or sealed) sections 12b of barrier material 12. A section 12c of barrier material forms the front face of the enclosure, and a section 12d forms the rear face 24 of the enclosure 2. The fin seals 15, 16 are formed by joining the interior surface of two adjacent parts 12b of the barrier material, as is known in the art. The fin seals 15, 16 protrude outwardly when initially formed. The fin seals 15, 16 and converging sections 12a are shown as cross-sections for clarity.

Figure 3 shows the fin seals 15, 16 extending along the two sides 22. A fin seal 17 is formed at a bottom face 23 of the enclosure 2. The fin seals 15, 16, 17 extend over a plurality of faces of the enclosure. The fin seals 15, 16, 17 form a continuous seal. In particular, the seals 15, 16, 17 are aligned with no gaps between them; forming a continuous air-tight join.

The fin seals may be created using any conventional method of forming fin seals. In particular, the fin seals in the present invention may be formed using pressure and heat to join the two parts of barrier material. The surface structure of the barrier material may melted or softened by the heat and pressure. The barrier material may be formed of a base layer provided with a coating or film applied. The fin seal may be formed by the base layer, or by the coating. Alternatively, a coating or a lacquer may be selectively applied to the barrier material in the region where the fin seals are to be created. The additional coating or lacquer is melted or softened to form the seal. Alternatively, pressure without external heating may be applied to form the fin seals. The seal is made through a pressure activated cold seal lacquer, which is applied selectively in the region where the fin seals are to be created.

Figure 4 shows the enclosure 2 of Figure 2, with the fin seals 15, 16 folded to lie flush against an adjacent part of the barrier material. The fin seals in the folded position are in contact with the interior of the container body 3. The fin seals 15, 16 and converging sections 12a are shown as cross-sections for clarity.

Figure 5 shows a side view of the enclosure 2 with side face fin seal 15 and bottom face fin seal 17 visible. The fin seals 15, 17 have not been folded yet. Excess material 30 from side fin seals 15, 16 extends beyond top face 21, as also shown in Figure 3. Dotted line 26 shows where side face fin seal 15 will be folded to, in order to fit the container lid 4.

Dotted line 28 shows where bottom face fin seal 17 will be folded to in order to fit in the container body 3.

Figure 6 shows the fin seals 15 and 17 folded to be flush against an adjacent part of the enclosure 2. A flap 18 is formed by fin seal 15 which extends beyond the top face of the enclosure 2. The flap 18 is folded back to overlie an adjacent part of the enclosure 2. Fin seal 16 (not shown in Fig. 6) is folded back in a corresponding manner.

Figure 7 shows the fin seal 17 on the bottom face of the enclosure 2. Flaps 19 are formed by excess material at the junction with fin seals 15, 16 being folded to form the bottom face 23. References to the faces of the enclosure refer to the faces formed once the fin seals have been folded against adjacent material and the enclosed charge.

Figure 8 shows a side view of an alternate embodiment of the enclosure 2 during manufacture. The excess material 30 adjacent the top face 21 is folded back along the side faces 22. After the excess material 30 is folded back, barrier material 12 extending from the front face 20 and rear face 24 is brought together and the side fin seal 15 formed.

Figures 9 and 10 show an intermediate stage in the manufacture of the enclosure 2. After the side face fin seals 15,16 are formed, and before the bottom face fin seal 17 is formed, the side face fin seals 15,16 are partially folded down against the side faces 22. The side face fin seals 15,16 are fully folded down adjacent the top face 21. The degree of folding reduces along the length of the enclosure 2 such that adjacent the bottom face 23 the side face fin seals 15,16 are not folded. The bottom face fin seal 17 is formed whilst the side face fin seals 15,16 are in this partially folded state.

An end fold 34 forms in the converging sections of the barrier material between each of the side faces 22 and the bottom face 23. The forming of the bottom face fin seal 17 when the side face fin seals 15,16 are partially folded prevents distortion of the end folds 34 and bottom face fin seal 17 during forming and sealing. In particular, the end folds 34 extend from a corner 35 of the section 12c of barrier material forming the front face 20 of the enclosure to the corner 36 of the converging section 12a. An equivalent fold is formed from a corner 35 of the section 12d of barrier material forming the rear face 24 of the enclosure to the corner 36 of the converging section 12a. The corner 35 may be considered as a corner of the side and bottom faces. This sequence of forming the fin seals 15,16,17 and partial folding of the side face fin seals 17 ensures the reliable forming of the end folds 34. If the bottom face fin seal 17 and side face fin seals 15,16 are formed simultaneously, an end fold may extend differently. In particular, the end fold may extend from a corner 35 to a distal corner 38 of the overlapping and joined section 12b of the bottom face fin seal 17. A fold extending to corner 38 may introduce a distortion into the fin seal 17.

The side face fin seals 15,16 are described above as fully folded at an end distal to the bottom face. Alternatively, the side face fin seals 15,16 may be partly, not fully, folded at an end distal to the bottom face 23, when the fin seals 15,16 are partially folded.

Figure 11 shows a further embodiment of the invention in which flaps 19, formed by excess material at the junction of bottom face fin seal 17 with fin seals 15, 16, are folded against side faces 22. Excess material 30 adjacent the top face 21 is folded back along the side faces 22. The folded positions of excess material 30 and flaps 19 in each embodiment may be used in any combination.

The enclosure 2 of the present invention has fin seals only on the side surfaces 22 and bottom surface 23 of the enclosure. The front face 20, the top face 21, and the rear face 24 of the enclosure are preferably formed as a continuous sheet of barrier material. The fin seals 15, 16, 17 join the sheet of barrier material along the side faces 22 and bottom face 23 to form a protective enclosure. The visual impact of the fin seals 15, 16, 17 is therefore minimised. In particular, there is no overlapping portion or fin seal on the front or top face of the enclosure where the access opening 9 is located. The fin seals 15, 16, 17 do not affect the opening or resealing of the cover 7. Accordingly, careful alignment of the overlapping portions of the fin seals is not required to form the access opening 9 or cover 7.

The body 3 of the container surrounds the bottom face, and a major part of the front face, rear face and side faces. The movable lid 4 covers the top face, and a remainder part of the front face, rear face and side faces. The lid 4 extends over the access opening, such that the opening is only accessible once the lid 4 is open.

The present invention further provides a method of manufacturing the package I for tobacco products. The enclosure is a single sheet of material wrapped longitudinally around the charge of tobacco products, such that the material covers the front, rear and top faces, and the side faces and bottom faces require sealing. The method comprises forming fin seals 15,16,17 as described with reference to Figures 1 to 11. The enclosure is preferably inserted into a hinged lid container 3,4. Preferably, the side face fin seals 15,16 are partially folded prior to the bottom face fin seal 17 being formed. The partial folding of the side face fin seals is such that the side face fin seals are folded fully or partly against the side faces, at an end distal to a bottom face of the enclosure; and not folded proximal to the bottom face of the enclosure. The fin seal at the bottom face of the enclosure is formed while the side face fin seals are partially folded, in order to prevent distortion of the bottom face fin seal. A resealable opening is formed in the non-sealed end, i.e. the top face. The present invention may also provide an apparatus for manufacturing the package in accordance with the above method.

The fin seal on the side faces are described as partially folded during formation of the bottom face fin seal. Alternatively, the bottom face fin seal may be partially folded during forming of the side face fin seals. The side face fin seals may be formed simultaneously or consecutively in any embodiment. Alternatively, one or more of the fin seals may not be partially folded during forming of a fin seal on an adjacent side, and the fold line may not extend from a corner of the first and second faces of the enclosure to a corresponding corner of a converging section of the fin seal on the second face Any of the described features from any embodiment may be used in combination with any feature from any other embodiment.

Claims

-10 -Claims 1. A method of manufacturing a package for tobacco products comprising: forming an enclosure of barrier material around a charge of tobacco products, the enclosure having adjacent first and second faces; wherein forming the enclosure comprises: forming a fin seal with the barrier material on the first face; partially folding the first face fin seal such that the first face fin seal is folded at an end distal to the second face of the enclosure and not folded proximal to the first face of the enclosure, and forming a fin seal at the second face of the enclosure while the first face fin seal is partially folded.
2. The method according to claim 1 comprising forming an access aperture in the enclosure of barrier material; forming a movable cover extending over the access aperture; wherein the access aperture is in a different face or faces of the enclosure to a said fin seal.
3. The method according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the enclosure is substantially in the form of an elongate cuboid, the enclosure having a front face and a rear face, two longitudinally extending side faces, a top face and a bottom face, the top and bottom faces being the smallest faces; wherein the first face is one or both of the side faces and second face is the bottom face; or, the first face is the bottom face and the second face is one or both of the side faces.
4. The method according to claim 2 and claim 3 wherein the access aperture is in said top face; or, is in said top face and said front face.

-11 -
5. The method according to claim 2 further comprising providing a resealing means arranged to allow opening and re-sealing of the cover over the access aperture.
6. The method according to claim 3 wherein fin seals extend only along the side faces and the bottom face of the enclosure.
7. The method according to claim 3 further comprising forming a fin seal along the bottom face and said two side faces to form a continuous seal.
8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims comprising forming a container having a hinged lid, and inserting the enclosure in the container.
9. The method according to claim B comprising folding the fin seals to be flush with an adjacent part of the barrier material, prior to insertion of the enclosure into the container.
10. A package for tobacco products comprising: an enclosure of barrier material for enclosing a charge of tobacco products; wherein fin seals are formed with the barrier material on adjacent first and second faces to form the enclosure, the fin seals having a sealed section and a converging section, and a fold line between the fin seal on the first face and the fin seal on the second face extends from a corner of the first and second faces of the enclosure to a corresponding corner of a converging section of the fin seal on the second face.
11. The package according to claim 10 wherein the fold line is formed with a fin seal with the barrier material formed on the first face; the first face fin seal partially folded such that the first face fin seal is folded at an end distal to the second face of the enclosure and not folded proximal to the first face of the enclosure, and a fin seal at the second face of the enclosure formed while the first face fin seal is partially folded.
12. The package according to rlsini lOot 11 comprising an access aperture in the enclosure of barrier material; a movable cover extending over the access aperture; wherein the access aperture is in a different face or faces of the enclosure to a said fin seal.
13. The package according to any one of rlsinis 10 to 12 wherein the enclosure is substantially in the form of an elongate cuboid, the enclosure having a front face and a rear face, two longitudinally extending side faces, a top face and a bottom face, the top and bottom faces being the smallest faces; wherein the first face is one or both of the side faces and second face is the bottom face; or, the first face is the bottom face and the second face is one or both of the side faces.
14. The package according to any one of rlsinis 10 to 13 wherein the access aperture is in said top face; or, is on said top face and said front face.
15. The package according to r]sini 12 further comprising providing a re-sealing means arranged to aliow opening and re-sealing of the cover over the access aperture.
16. The package according to r]sini 13 wherein fin seals extend only along the side faces and the bottom face of the enclosure.
17. The package according to dsini 13 comprising fin seals along the bottom face said two side faces forming a continuous seal.
18. The package according to any one of the preceding r]sinis comprising a container having a hinged lid, the enclosure located in the container. -13-
19. The package according to r]sini 18 wherein the fin seals are folded flush with an adjacent part of the barrier material.
20. The package for tobacco products according to any one of the preceding ckinis wherein the bather material does not contain a metal.
21. The package for tobacco products according to any one of the preceding ckinis wherein the barrier material is biodegradable.
22. The package for tobacco products according to any one of the preceding daims wherein the enclosure of bather material contains a tobacco product, and preferably, contains cigarettes.
23. An apparatus configured to manufacture the package with the method according to any one of r]sinis I to 9.
24. A package for tobacco products as hereinbefore described and shown with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.