JP2011515288A - Pack for smoking goods - Google Patents

Abstract

Pack for smoking articles having one or more chamfered or rounded longitudinal edges, in particular a rigid cup shape with one or more chamfered or rounded longitudinal edges Provide pack. A pack (2) for a smoking article in the form of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped has a pair of opposing main sidewalls (4, 6), a pair of opposing secondary sidewalls (8, 10), and a main sidewall (4 , 6) and the subordinate side walls (8, 10), the four longitudinal edges (16) and the lateral edges of the main side walls (4, 6) and the sub side walls (8, 10). And a pair of substantially rectangular opposing end faces (12, 14). At least one of the opposing substantially rectangular end faces (14) is an open end face formed by the free lateral edges of the main side walls (4, 6) and the sub-side walls (8, 10), the four longitudinal directions At least one of the edges (16) has a non-perpendicular portion (20) and the lateral perimeter of the pack (2) is substantially constant. The pack (2) is preferably formed of a folded blank (22) and the non-right angle portion (20) is preferably formed by at least three lines of weakness in the blank (22).
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a pack for a smoking article having one or more chamfered or rounded longitudinal edges, in particular one or more chamfered or rounded longitudinal directions. The present invention relates to a rigid cup-shaped pack having an edge.

  Cigarettes are typically packaged in three separate packages: an inner liner, a flexible or rigid outer pack, and a top wrap. For example, an inner liner in the form of a metal foil or metallized paper is wrapped around a cigarette bundle and folded at the end of the bundle. The printed cardboard or paper blank is folded around the cigarette bundle and the inner liner to form a flexible or rigid outer pack. In the art, these outer packs are commonly referred to as having a sleeve, cup, or box configuration depending on the number of walls. “Sleeve” packs typically have four side walls and open upper and lower ends. A “cup” pack typically has four side walls, a bottom wall, and an open top end. A “box” pack typically has four side walls, a bottom wall, and a top wall. In order to keep the cigarette bundles fresh, the packs are shrink wrapped with a wrapping paper, eg, a polyethylene or polypropylene film, typically containing a tear tape to facilitate opening.

Rigid packs for cigarettes are typically in the form of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped having two main and two sub-side walls connected along a vertical longitudinal edge. When the upper wrapping paper is wrapped around the cuboidal rigid pack, rectangular folded sections of the upper wrapping paper are created at the upper and lower ends of the pack.
Also known are rigid packs having one or more chamfered or rounded longitudinal edges formed by cutting into a cardboard blank folded to make a rigid pack. Rigid packs with chamfered or rounded longitudinal edges are, in an advantageous manner, more ergonomic than those with right-angled longitudinal edges, reducing wear on consumer clothing and bags. Can do. However, the upper and lower ends of such packs are not at right angles, but instead are “corner free” due to the chamfering or rounding of the longitudinal edges of the pack. When the top wrapper is wrapped around a chamfered or rounded longitudinal edge rigid pack, a rectangular folded section of the top wrapper is still created at the top and bottom of the pack. These rectangular folded sections of the upper wrapper do not follow the shape of the chamfer or round upper and lower corners of the pack. Instead, the right-angled corners of the rectangular folded section of the upper wrapper project beyond the chamfered or rounded upper and lower corners of the pack. As a result, to avoid unsightly folding, the rigid pack top wrap with chamfered or rounded longitudinal edges is more at the upper and lower corners of the pack than the rigid cuboid pack top wrap. It needs to shrink a lot.

  In a rigid cup pack, the upper end of the pack is open and the chamfered or rounded longitudinal edge rigid cup due to the force created by the additional shrinkage necessary to compensate for the absence of corners. When the pack is shrink-wrapped with the upper wrapping paper, it tends to deform inwardly. As a result, if the rigid cup pack has chamfered or rounded longitudinal edges, it will additionally shrink the clear upper wrapper at the upper and lower corners of the pack without creating unsightly wrinkles on the upper wrapper. I can't let you.

US-A-4,714,082 US-A-5, 692, 525

  Has chamfered or rounded longitudinal edges that can be overwrapped at the upper and lower corners of the pack or along its chamfered or rounded longitudinal edges without the need for additional shrinkage of the transparent top wrapping paper It would be desirable to produce a pack for smoking articles.

  According to the present invention, a pack for a smoking article substantially in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped is provided, the pack comprising a pair of opposing main sidewalls, a pair of opposing secondary sidewalls, and a 4 between the primary and secondary sidewalls. Two longitudinal edges and a pair of opposing substantially rectangular end faces formed by the transverse edges of the main and secondary sidewalls, wherein at least one of the opposing substantially rectangular end faces is the main And an open end surface formed by the free lateral edges of the secondary side wall, wherein at least one of the four longitudinal edges includes a non-right angle portion, and the lateral perimeter of the pack is substantially constant. is there.

Throughout this specification, the lateral perimeter is used to indicate the distance around the main and secondary side walls of the pack perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pack.
The combination of opposing rectangular end faces with a substantially constant lateral perimeter is advantageously in any of the upper and lower corners of the pack or along the four longitudinal edges of the pack, It makes it possible to overwrap a pack according to the invention without the need to additionally shrink the top wrapping paper.

  When wrapped over the opposing rectangular end faces of the pack according to the present invention, the top wrapping paper follows the shape of a substantially right-angled corner of the opposing substantially rectangular end faces of the pack. Furthermore, since the lateral perimeter of the pack according to the present invention is substantially constant, no additional shrinkage of the upper wrapping paper is required to conform the upper wrapping paper to the shape of the longitudinal edge of the pack. The substantially constant lateral perimeter is such that the lateral perimeter of opposing substantially rectangular end faces of the pack according to the present invention is substantially the same as the lateral perimeter around the non-perpendicular portions of its four longitudinal edges. Means the same. This advantageously makes it easier to obtain a smooth and wrinkle-free upper wrapping paper when the pack according to the invention is overwrapped.

At least one of the four longitudinal edges can have a non-right angle flat chamfer. For example, at least one of the four longitudinal edges may have a flat chamfered portion that is inclined between about 30 degrees and about 60 degrees, preferably about 45 degrees, with respect to adjacent main and minor side walls of the pack. it can.
Alternatively or additionally, at least one of the four longitudinal edges can have a non-perpendicular round portion with a substantially curved cross section. For example, at least one of the four longitudinal edges can have a round portion with a substantially outwardly convex cross section. Alternatively or additionally, at least one of the four longitudinal edges can have a round portion with a concave cross section substantially outward.
Preferably, each of the four longitudinal edges includes a non-right angle portion.

  In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each of the four longitudinal edges of the pack has a non-right angle flat chamfer. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, each of the four longitudinal edges of the pack has a non-perpendicular round portion with a substantially curved cross section. However, in an alternative embodiment of the invention, at least a first of the four longitudinal edges of the pack has a non-perpendicular flat chamfered portion and at least a second of the four longitudinal edges of the pack. One has a non-right-angled round portion with a substantially curved cross-section. For example, each of the first pair of four longitudinal edges can have a non-perpendicular flat chamfered portion, and each of the second pair of four longitudinal edges can be substantially non-curved in cross-section. It can have a right-angled round part.

Preferably, at least one of the four longitudinal edges is disposed between a pair of opposing substantially right-angled portions adjacent to the opposing substantially rectangular end faces and the pair of substantially right-angled portions. And non-right angle portions. The opposing substantially right-angled pairs can be the same or different lengths.
More preferably, at least one of the four longitudinal edges is between a pair of opposing substantially right-angled sub-parts adjacent to the opposing substantially rectangular end faces and a pair of substantially right-angled parts. And a non-perpendicular main portion disposed on the surface.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the four longitudinal edges includes a pair of opposing substantially right-angle sub-portions adjacent to the opposing substantially rectangular end faces and a pair of substantially right-angle sub-portions. And a non-perpendicular main portion disposed between the two.

The pack according to the present invention is not limited to any suitable known materials used for packaging including, but not limited to, paper, cardboard, paperboard, metals such as aluminum, or plastics. Can be formed from a combination of
The pack according to the present invention is preferably formed of a folded blank, more preferably a folded cardboard blank, most preferably a folded cardboard blank having a weight between about 200 grams and about 400 grams per square meter. The In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the pack is formed of a folded cardboard blank weighing about 250 grams per square meter.

Preferably, the pack is formed of a folded blank and at least one of the four longitudinal edges has a non-perpendicular portion formed by two or more longitudinal weakening lines in the blank. More preferably, at least one of the four longitudinal edges has a non-perpendicular portion formed by a longitudinal line of weakness between two and five in the blank.
The term “fragile line” as used herein describes a line formed by creasing, notching, embossing, or compressing or partially cutting a blank by an equivalent known process. Used to do.

For example, at least one of the four longitudinal edges can have a non-perpendicular flat chamfer formed by two longitudinal weakening lines in the blank. Alternatively or additionally, at least one of the four longitudinal edges is a non-perpendicular round portion with a substantially curved cross section formed by three or more longitudinal weakening lines in the blank. Can have.
Preferably, at least one of the four longitudinal edges has a non-perpendicular portion formed by at least three longitudinal weakening lines in the blank. More preferably, at least one of the four longitudinal edges has a non-perpendicular portion formed by three and five longitudinal weakening lines in the blank.

The formation of the non-perpendicular portion by at least three longitudinal weakening lines advantageously increases the curvature of the non-perpendicular portion of the longitudinal edge, providing a round, ergonomic pack.
The non-perpendicular portion includes two or more straight longitudinal weakening lines in the blank, or two or more curved longitudinal weakening lines in the blank, or at least one straight longitudinal weakening line in the blank. It can be formed by a combination with at least one curved longitudinal line of weakness.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the four longitudinal edges has a non-perpendicular portion formed by at least three substantially parallel straight longitudinal weakening lines in the blank.
At least one of the four longitudinal edges has a non-perpendicular portion formed by at least two longitudinal weakening lines in the blank extending from each adjacent main sidewall of the pack into each adjacent sub-sidewall of the pack. be able to. This gives the impression that the non-perpendicular portion is “twisted” around the longitudinal edge of the pack.
Preferably, one of the opposing substantially rectangular end faces is an open end face formed by the free lateral edges of the main and secondary side walls, and the opposing substantial formed by the lateral edges of the main and secondary side walls. The other of the rectangular end faces is the substantially rectangular end wall of the pack.

  The pack according to the present invention is preferably a rigid cup-shaped pack comprising an upper substantially rectangular end face and a lower substantially rectangular end wall formed by the free lateral edges of the main and secondary side walls. . However, it will be appreciated that packs according to the present invention can be other known types of packs for smoking articles, including but not limited to slide and shell packs and booklet packs. I will.

Packs according to the present invention may be any suitable known material or combination of materials including, but not limited to, cellophane, eg, polymer films of polyethylene or oriented polypropylene, metallized polymer films, and laminated polymer films. And can be overwrapped in a known manner.
Preferably, the pack according to the present invention is shrink-wrapped using a transparent top wrapping paper. More preferably, the pack according to the present invention is shrink-wrapped using a transparent top wrapping paper of polyethylene or polypropylene film.

A pack according to the present invention can be overwrapped using a top wrapping paper containing one or more tear tapes. One or more tear tapes can extend laterally or longitudinally around the perimeter of the pack.
Packs according to the present invention include, but are not limited to, conventional ignition end cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, heated cigarettes (eg, cigarettes containing combustion heat sources or fuel elements (eg, US-A-4) , 714, 082), and cigarettes for use in electric smoking systems (eg, cigarettes of the type disclosed in US-A-5,692,525). Can be used for

  The pack according to the invention can be designed to accommodate a total of, for example, 10, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, or 25 smoking articles by appropriate selection of its dimensions. . The smoking articles contained in the pack according to the invention can be arranged in different collations depending on their total number. For example, a pack according to the present invention has 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 in one row, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 in two rows, 5-6, 6-7, or 7 -8, 2 rows, 5 or 7 in 3 rows, 5-6-5, 6-5-6, 5-6-7, 6-7-5, 7-5-7, 7- It is possible to accommodate smoking articles in which 6-7 or 8-9-8 is collated in 3 rows, 4, 5 or 6 in 4 rows.

  Alternatively or additionally, packs according to the present invention can be designed to accommodate smoking articles of different dimensions (eg, smoking articles of different lengths or different perimeters). Packs according to the present invention may be, for example, different numbers of short sizes (between about 60 mm and about 65 mm in length), regular sizes (about 70 mm in length), king sizes (about 75 mm in length), super king sizes, slim It can be designed to accommodate a super slim or wide cigarette. Cigarettes or other smoking articles housed in packs according to the present invention can have a circular or oval cross section.

The pack according to the present invention preferably further comprises an inner liner that is wrapped around a bundle of smoking articles contained in the pack. Preferably, the inner liner is formed of a substantially air impermeable material. In a preferred embodiment, the inner wrapper is sealed to form a substantially airtight package bundle of smoking articles. Preferably, the inner liner includes a reclosable flap that allows the consumer to open and reclose the wrapped bundle of smoking articles.
The outer surface of the pack according to the present invention may be decorated with a manufacturer or brand logo, trademark, slogan, and other consumer information and indicia printed, embossed, debossed, or otherwise (e.g., label or Using stickers).
The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a perspective view of an empty rigid cup pack according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is a side view of the pack shown in FIG. It is a top view of the blank for forming the pack of FIG. It is an expansion perspective view of the upper corner of the pack of FIG. It is a perspective view of the upper corner of the rigid cup-shaped pack by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the upper corner of the rigid cup pack according to the third embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the longitudinal direction edge part of the rigid cup shaped pack by the 4th Embodiment of this invention.

The empty rigid cup-shaped pack 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 is substantially in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped, and includes a main front wall 4, an opposing main rear wall 6, and a first sub-side wall. 8 and the opposing second sub-side wall 10, the lower rectangular end wall 12, the main front wall 4, the main rear wall 6, the first sub-side wall 8, and the upper side of the second sub-side wall 10. And an opposing open upper rectangular end surface 14 formed by a free edge.
The terms "front", "rear", "lower", and "upper" are used herein when the rigid cup pack is in an upright position with its open end face at the top of the pack, Used to describe the relative position of the walls, ends and faces of the rigid cup pack. When describing packs according to the present invention, these terms are used regardless of the orientation of the rigid cup pack being described.

  Each of the first sub-side wall 8 and the second sub-side wall 10 is connected to the main front wall 6 and the main rear wall 10 along a pair of opposing longitudinal edges 18. As shown in FIG. 1, each of the longitudinal edges 18 includes a pair of opposing minor right angle portions 18 adjacent to the lower end wall 12 and the open upper end surface 14 of the pack 2 and a pair of opposing right angle portions 18. And a main non-perpendicular flat chamfered portion 20 disposed therebetween. It will be appreciated that in alternative embodiments (not shown), the opposing right angle portions 18 may be of different lengths or omitted. The main non-perpendicular flat chamfered portion 20 of each longitudinal edge 16 is inclined about 45 degrees with respect to the main wall 6, 10 and the secondary side walls 8, 10 of the pack 2 adjacent to the longitudinal edge 16. When the rigid cup pack 2 accommodates a smoking article, the height of the rigid cup pack 2 preferably corresponds substantially to the length of the smoking article.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the rigid cup pack 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the main front wall 4 and the main rear wall 6 of the rigid cup pack 2 are slightly outwardly convex in the range of the main non-right angle flat chamfered portions 20 of the four longitudinal edges 16. is there. The lateral perimeter of the rigid cup pack 2 according to the first embodiment of the invention thus remains substantially constant.
An elongate unitary cardboard blank 22 for forming a rigid cup-shaped pack 2 according to the first embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 3, with respect to the portion of the blank 22 corresponding to the portion of the pack 2 in FIG. The same reference numbers are used. In FIG. 3, a solid line is used to indicate a cut line or other outer boundary of the blank 22. A broken line is used to indicate a weak line formed by compressing or partially cutting the cardboard of the blank 22 along which the blank 22 is bent during assembly of the rigid cup pack 2. The line of weakness is formed, for example, by crease, incision, embossing, or similar processes.

  The blank 22 includes a main front wall panel 4 and a main rear wall panel 6 separated in the longitudinal direction of the blank 22 by the lower rectangular end wall panel 12. Opposing first 8a and second 10a outer sub-sidewall panels 8 of the main front wall panel 4 along the longitudinal line of weakness forming the longitudinal edges 16 of the assembled rigid cup pack 2. Connected to either side. The opposing first 8b and second 10b inner secondary side wall panels 8 are either of the main rear wall panels 6 along the longitudinal line of weakness that forms the longitudinal edges 16 of the assembled rigid cup pack 2. Connected to either side. As shown in FIG. 3, the main non-perpendicular flat chamfered portion 20 of each longitudinal edge 16 is a pair of parallel and spaced linear longitudinal directions that converge to the ends of opposing perpendicular portions 18 of the longitudinal edge 16. Formed by a weak line.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown) in which a pair of opposing minor right angle portions 18 of the four longitudinal edges 16 of the pack 2 are omitted, the non-right angle flat chamfered portions 20 of the longitudinal edges 16 are The formed pair of longitudinal weakening lines converge at the corners of the main front wall panel 4 and the main rear wall 6 of the blank 22.
The blank 22 is a pair of lower ends connected to the ends of the first 8b and second 10b inner secondary side wall panels adjacent to the lower rectangular end wall panel 12 along the transverse line of weakness. A wall flap 28 is further included.

In the blank of FIG. 2, the vertical free edges of the outer side walls 8 a, 10 a and the inner side 8 b, 10 b of the blank 22 are the sub-perpendicular portions 18 of the four vertical edges 16 of the rigid cup pack 2. And is cut to follow the profile of the line of weakness forming the main non-right angle flat chamfered portion 20.
FIG. 4a is an enlarged perspective view of the upper front corner of the rigid cup pack 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention surrounded by a broken line in FIG. 4a and 4b are corresponding views of the upper corner of the rigid cup pack 2 according to the second and third embodiments of the present invention.

  As in the rigid cup pack 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, each of the four longitudinal edges of the rigid cup pack according to the second embodiment of the present invention is a pair of opposing minor right angle portions. 18 and a main non-right angle portion 20 disposed between a pair of opposing right angle portions 18. However, as shown in FIG. 4b, in the rigid cup pack according to the second embodiment of the present invention, each main non-right angle portion 20 of the longitudinal edge is at the end of the opposite right angle portion 18 of the longitudinal edge. It is formed by four parallel and straight longitudinal lines of weakness that converge to the part.

  Each of the four longitudinal edges of the rigid cup pack 2 according to the third embodiment of the invention is also disposed between a pair of opposing minor right-angle portions 18 and a pair of opposing right-angle portions 18. Main non-right angle portion 20. However, in the rigid cup pack 2 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, each main non-right angle portion 20 of the longitudinal edge is formed by five parallel straight longitudinal weakening lines. As shown in FIG. 4 c, four of the five parallel straight longitudinal weakening lines converge at the ends of the opposing perpendicular portions 18 of the longitudinal edges that form each of the non-orthogonal portions 20. The fifth central straight longitudinal line of weakness is reduced in length compared to the other four longitudinal weakening lines and does not extend in the direction of the end of the opposing non-right angle portion 18.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the longitudinal edge of a rigid cup pack according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. As in the rigid cup pack according to the first, second and third embodiments of the present invention, each of the four longitudinal edges of the rigid cup pack according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is a pair. And two major non-right angle portions 20 disposed between a pair of opposed right angle portions 18. However, as shown in FIG. 5, in the rigid cup-shaped pack according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, each major non-right angle portion 20 of the longitudinal edge extends from each adjacent secondary side wall 8 of the pack to each of the packs. Extends downward to the adjacent main side wall 4. This gives the impression that the rigid cup pack according to the fourth embodiment of the invention is twisted counterclockwise. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), each major non-right angle portion 20 of the longitudinal edge extends downwardly from each adjacent main side wall 4 of the pack to each adjacent sub-side wall 8 of the pack. . This gives the impression that the rigid cup pack is twisted clockwise.

The rigid cup-shaped pack according to the second, third, and fourth embodiments of the present invention is otherwise identical in configuration to the rigid cup-shaped pack 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.
The rigid cup pack according to the invention can advantageously be produced using existing machines for producing known hinged lid packs with only minor modifications.
Although the present invention has been illustrated in connection with a rigid cup pack as described above, the pack according to the present invention can alternatively be a slide and shell pack, a booklet pack, or at least one substantially rectangular open end face. It will be appreciated that any other pack in the form of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped known in the art having a can be used.

2 Packs 4 and 6 for smoking articles Main side walls 8 and 10 Secondary side walls 12 and 14 End face 16 Longitudinal edge 20 Non-right angle part

Claims (10)

A pack (2) for a smoking article in the form of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped,
A pair of opposing main sidewalls (4, 6);
A pair of opposing sub-side walls (8, 10);
Four longitudinal edges (16) between the main side walls (4, 6) and sub-side walls (8, 10);
A pair of opposing substantially rectangular end faces (12, 14) formed by lateral edges of the main side walls (4, 6) and sub-side walls (8, 10);
Including
At least one of the opposing substantially rectangular end faces (14) is an open end face formed by free lateral edges of the main side walls (4, 6) and sub-side walls (8, 10); At least one of the two longitudinal edges (16) has a non-perpendicular portion (20) and the lateral perimeter of the pack (2) is substantially constant;
Pack (2) characterized by that.   At least one of the four longitudinal edges (16) has a pair of opposing substantially right-angled portions (18) adjacent to the opposing substantially rectangular end faces (12, 14); Pack (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a non-right angle part (20) arranged between a pair of generally right angle parts (18).   The pack (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one of the four longitudinal edges (16) has a non-perpendicular flat chamfered portion (20).   The at least one of the four longitudinal edges (16) has a substantially curved cross-section non-right angled round portion (20). Pack (2) described in 1. Formed from a folded blank (22),
At least one of the four longitudinal edges (16) has a non-right angle portion (20) formed by at least two longitudinal weakening lines in the blank (22);
The pack (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that:   The pack according to claim 5, characterized in that the at least two longitudinal weakening lines extend from each adjacent main side wall (4) of the pack into each adjacent sub-side wall (8) of the pack.   The at least one of the four longitudinal edges (16) has a non-right angle portion (20) formed by at least three longitudinal weakening lines in the blank (22). Item 7. The pack (2) according to item 6.   8. A pack according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the four longitudinal edges has a round portion with a substantially outwardly convex cross section. (2).   The first of the pair of opposing substantially rectangular end faces (14) is an open end face formed by the free lateral edges of the main side walls (4, 6) and sub-side walls (6, 8). A pack (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second of the opposing pair of substantially rectangular end faces (14) is a closed end face. ).   The pack (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of the four longitudinal edges (16) has a non-right-angled part (20).

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