JP2018513068A - Packaging for smoking articles - Google Patents

Abstract

An outer container (2) having an open upper end (9) and an outer container (2) so as to pivot relative to the outer container (2) between an open position and a closed position of the open upper end (9). ) Hinged to the lid (3) and the first paper housed inside the outer container (2) and surrounding the first group (6) of smoking articles and closed by the first sealing flap (30) A flexible first inner package (5) having a smoking article extraction opening (28) and a first group of smoking articles (8) housed side by side with the first inner package (5) inside the outer container (2). ) And a smoking article package (1) with a flexible second inner package (7) having a second smoking article extraction opening (41) closed by a second sealing flap (43). is there. At least a portion (31) of the first sealing flap (30) is permanently removable with respect to the lid (3) so that opening and closing of the lid (3) simultaneously opens and closes the first sealing flap (30). It is connected without. The package (1) is removable, a layer of adhesive material disposed between the second sealing flap (43) and the lid (3) and at least partially over the layer of adhesive material And the lid (3) can be connected to the second sealing flap (43) by the layer of adhesive material if the removable tab (44) has been removed from the layer of adhesive material. It has become.

Description

  The present invention is a package of smoking articles for accommodating a group of reduced size smoking articles, i.e. a group of smoking articles having a longitudinal dimension that is less than or equal to the larger lateral dimension of the package. The present invention relates to a package for smoking articles.

  In the following description, for the sake of brevity, reference will be made to a cigarette package that is rigid and has a hinged lid, without the scope of the present invention thereby being narrowed.

  Traditional types of hard and hinged lids of cigarette packages are currently the most popular cigarette packages on the market. These packages are easy to make, simple and practical to use, and provide good mechanical protection for the cigarettes contained therein.

  A rigid, hinged lid cigarette package comprises an inner package of metal foil that completely encloses a group of cigarettes, and an outer container with a hinged lid that accommodates the inner package therein. Yes. The outer container is cup-shaped and contains a group of cigarettes and has an open upper end. On the other hand, the lid, which is also cup-shaped, is hinged to the outer container so as to pivot relative to the outer container between the open and closed positions of the open end. An inner frame bent like “U” is further provided. The inner frame projects partially outside the open end and is connected to the inside of the outer container to engage the corresponding inner surface of the lid when the lid is in the closed position.

  Nevertheless, traditional types of packages are unsuitable for accommodating a group of reduced longitudinal dimensions of cigarettes. This is because when there are only a few cigarettes, they may fall into a difficult position to extract.

  To overcome this drawback, cigarette packages known as “twin packages” and “double pocket packages” have been developed. The dual package consists of two inner half packages. These semi-wrapped bodies are provided with respective metal foil inner packages, combined with a single inner frame, and arranged side by side in the same outer container provided with a hinged lid. The central part of the inner frame is bent like a book and sandwiched between the half-wrapped bodies.

  Cigarettes are known to be very sensitive to external environmental influences. When exposed to the atmosphere, the effects of changes in humidity (the chopped tobacco would be very dry, i.e. it would absorb too much moisture) and the vaporization of volatiles that were soaked in the chopped tobacco (especially, This is because the sensory stimulation characteristics change depending on both the case of cigarettes with a specific aroma such as menthol.

  In order to preserve the integrity of the cut tobacco in the cigarette, the above-described twin packages are cellophane packaged (ie, they are packaged in a heat-sealing overwrap of an airtight plastic material). Nonetheless, heat-sealable wrappings fully enhance the sensory stimulating properties of cut tobacco contained in cigarette packages, especially when the cigarette package is consumed after some time has elapsed since manufacture. It may not be enough to keep. Furthermore, when the package is first opened, the overwrap is removed, thus exposing the cigarette chopped tobacco contained in the package to the outside environment. If the cigarette contained in the package is not consumed immediately after opening the package for the first time, the sensory stimulation properties of the cigarettes contained in the remaining cigarette may be significantly degraded. There is.

  To alleviate the above-mentioned drawbacks, a package known as a “sealed twin package” of the type disclosed in the international patent applications of Patent Document 1 (WO2010 / 026020A1) and Patent Document 2 (WO02 / 30790A2) Has been developed.

  U.S. Patent Nos. 5,099,086 and 5,057,086 disclose a rigid cigarette package comprising an outer container provided with a hinged lid, the outer container containing two individual groups of cigarettes. . Such packages are provided with a heat-tight inner package that is heat-sealed, the inner package comprising a sheet of heat-fusible material that forms a hermetic barrier. In the package disclosed in the international patent applications of Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, the inner package has two cigarette extraction openings, one for each individual cigarette group. Their extraction openings are closed by respective reclosable adhesive panels. Each of the reclosable adhesive panels is provided with a reusable adhesive strip. The adhesive strip is non-drying, allowing each panel to be secured several times in the closed position of the corresponding cigarette extraction opening. Further, in such a package, a rigid inner frame is disposed inside the inner package. A stiff inner frame surrounds the group of cigarettes and has a front wall, a pair of side walls, and a central portion folded like a book. The stiff inner frame also protects the cigarette during folding and heat sealing of the inner package sheet of heat-sealable material and has the function of separating the two groups of cigarettes by the folded central portion. doing.

  The packages disclosed in US Pat. Nos. 5,099,086 and 5,037,834 allow one group of cigarettes to be consumed first, and then the remaining group of cigarettes to be consumed, and then consumed. It keeps the sensory stimulation properties of chopped tobacco in the group of cigarettes better over time.

  The disadvantages of the packages disclosed in US Pat. Nos. 5,099,086 and 5,056,037 are that in order to remove the cigarette from the package, the user must first open the lid and then remove one of the two reclosable adhesive panels. It must be opened (by grabbing the grabbing tab provided on the panel). Opening the reclosable adhesive panel can be very cumbersome, especially for users with poor dexterity. This is because the gripping tabs of each panel are reduced, i.e., have dimensions of a few millimeters.

  Thus, it has been proposed to increase the size of the tabs that can be gripped.

  Nevertheless, such increased size grip tabs inevitably come out of the lower edge of the lid, making it more difficult to keep the lid in the closed position and tend to catch on other objects. Thus, the lid is accidentally opened, and the aesthetic value of the cigarette package with the lid closed is lost.

International Publication No. 2010/026020 Pamphlet International Publication No. 02/30790 Pamphlet

  The object of the present invention is to provide a package of smoking articles which does not have the above-mentioned drawbacks, ie is easy and inexpensive to manufacture at the same time.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a package of smoking articles as described in the appended claims.

  The present invention will now be disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate embodiments of the invention as non-limiting examples.

FIG. 3 is a front axial projection view of a cigarette package made in accordance with the present invention in a closed configuration. FIG. 3 is a rear axis projection view of the cigarette package of FIG. 1 in a closed configuration. FIG. 3 is a front axial projection view of the cigarette package of FIG. 1 in an open configuration. FIG. 6 is a front axial projection view of the cigarette package of FIG. 1 in another open configuration. The side view in the open form of the cigarette package of FIG. FIG. 3 is a front axonometric view of a first inner package contained within the cigarette package of FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is a rear axis projection view of the first inner package of FIG. 6. FIG. 4 is a front axonometric view of a second inner package contained within the cigarette package of FIG. 1. FIG. 10 is a rear axis projection view of the second inner package of FIG. 8. FIG. 9 is a front axonometric view of a stiffener housed in the first inner package of FIG. 6 and in the second inner package of FIG. 8. The figure which shows the punching material used for making the rigid body of FIG. FIG. 2 is a front view of a first sealing flap included in the cigarette package of FIG. 1. The front view of the 2nd sealing flap contained in the package of the cigarette of FIG. The front view of the components which comprise the 2nd sealing flap of FIG. The front view of the components which comprise the 2nd sealing flap of FIG. The front view of the components which comprise the 2nd sealing flap of FIG. The figure which shows the punching material used for making the outer side container in the package of the cigarette of FIG. The figure which shows the sheet | seat for packaging used for making the 1st inner package of FIG. The figure which shows the sheet | seat for packaging used for making the 2nd inner package of FIG.

  1 through 4, reference numeral 1 generally indicates a rigid cigarette package extending along a longitudinal axis A parallel to the longitudinal axis of a generally accepted extension of cigarettes. The cigarette package 1 includes an outer container 2, a lid 3, a first inner package 5, and a second inner package 7. The lid 3 is hinged behind the outer container 2 along the hinge 4 so as to pivot between a closed position (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) and an open position (shown in FIGS. 3 and 4). Has been. The first inner package 5 surrounds the first group 6 of cigarettes and is housed inside the outer container 2. The second inner package 7 surrounds the second group 8 of cigarettes and is housed inside the outer container 2 along with the first inner package 5.

  The container 2 is of a rigid (rigid) type, i.e. formed of a rigid packaging material, is cup-shaped and has a parallelepiped shape. The container 2 also has an open upper end 9, a bottom wall 10 opposite to the open upper end 9, a front wall 11 and a rear wall 12 facing each other in parallel with each other, and walls 11, 12 parallel to each other. The first side wall 13 and the second side wall 14 are disposed between the first side wall 13 and the second side wall 14.

  In the container 2, four longitudinal ridges arranged in parallel with the cigarettes in the first group 6 and second group 8 of cigarettes between the front and rear walls 11 and 12 and the side walls 13 and 14, respectively. Is defined. In the container 2, between the walls 11, 12, 13 and 14 and the bottom wall 10, four laterally arranged perpendicular to each cigarette in the first group 6 and second group 8 of cigarettes. Direction ridges are defined.

  The length of the diagonal line of the bottom wall 10 in the container 2 is not less than the dimension in the longitudinal direction of each cigarette constituting the first group 6 and the second group 8 of cigarettes (that is, measured in parallel with the longitudinal axis A). ing.

  The lid 3 is cup-shaped and has a parallelepiped shape. The lid 3 also has an upper wall 12 that faces parallel to the bottom wall 10 of the container 2 when the lid 3 is placed in the closed position, and a front wall 11 of the container 2 when the lid 3 is placed in the closed position. A front wall 16 which is flush with the rear wall 12 and hinged to the rear wall 12 of the container 2 by means of a hinge 4 so that the rear wall 12 is flush with the rear wall 12 of the container 2 when the lid 3 is placed in the closed position. A wall 17, a first side wall 18 that is coplanar with the first side wall 13 of the container 2 when the lid 3 is placed in the closed position, and a second side of the container 2 when the lid 3 is placed in the closed position. The side wall 14 and the second side wall 19 which is on the same plane are provided.

  In the lid 3, four longitudinal ridges arranged parallel to each cigarette in the first group 6 and second group 8 of cigarettes between the front and rear walls 16 and 17 and the side walls 18 and 19. Is defined. In the lid 3, between the walls 16, 17, 18 and 19 and the top wall 15, four laterally arranged perpendicular to each cigarette in the first group 6 and second group 8 of cigarettes. Direction ridges are defined.

  In the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, all the edges are sharp, but in another completely equivalent embodiment not shown, a part of each longitudinal and / or lateral edge is chamfered. Can be rounded.

  3 to 7, the first inner package 5 (particularly hermetically sealed) has a parallelepiped shape and is parallel to the top wall 20 and the bottom wall 21 which are parallel to each other and face each other. It has a front wall 22 and a rear wall 23 facing each other, and a first side wall 24 and a second side wall 25 which are parallel to each other and placed between the wall 22 and the wall 23. The upper wall 20 and the bottom wall 21 face the inner surface of the upper wall 15 of the lid 3 and the inner surface of the bottom wall 10 of the container 2 when the lid 3 is disposed in the closed position, respectively. Further, the front wall 22 and the rear wall 23 respectively face the inner surfaces of the front walls 11 and 16 of the container 2 and the lid 3 and the inner surface of the rear wall 12 of the container 2 when the lid 3 is disposed at the closed position. . Further, the first side wall 24 and the second side wall 25 are arranged so that the inner surface of the first side wall 13 of the container 2 and the inner surface of the first side wall 18 of the lid 3 and the second inner package 7 when the lid 3 is disposed in the closed position. Respectively facing the outer surface of the first side wall 26.

  The first inner package 5 is formed by folding a packaging sheet 27 shown in FIG. 15 made of a metal foil or a transparent foil (that is, a flexible inner package material that is not heat-sealable and heat-sealable). It is manufactured by wrapping around the group 6 (in direct contact with each cigarette of the first group 6 of cigarettes) and fixing it by heat sealing.

  The first inner package 5 further includes a first cigarette extraction opening 28. The extraction opening 28 is disposed at the upper wall 20 and the front wall 22 of the first inner package 5 and is bounded by a separation line 29 indicated by a broken line in FIGS. 6 and 7. The tear line 29 can be cut off from the remainder of the first inner package 5 from the starting part, i.e. it can be cut off, typically completely cut off at the first opening of the cigarette package 1. Can be perforated to be taken. Generally, it is preferable that the separation line 29 can be cut off so as to simplify the handling of the packaging sheet 27 used to form the first inner package 5.

  3, 4, 6, and 7, the diagonal length of the bottom wall 21 in the first inner package 5 is the vertical length of each cigarette constituting the first group 6 of cigarettes. It is smaller than the dimension in the direction. This prevents each cigarette of the first group 6 of cigarettes from falling into the bottom of the first inner package 5 and being stuck, and facilitating extraction even for the last cigarette.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 7 and 12, the cigarette wrap 1 is reusable to close the first cigarette extraction opening 28 of the first inner package 5. 30.

  The first sealing flap 30 is of the “open / close” type, and covers the first extraction opening 28 of the first inner package 5 when the lid 3 is placed in the closed position, and the rear of the first inner package 5. Overlaid on the wall 23, the upper wall 20, and the front wall 22. The first sealing flap 30 is fixed to the first inner package 5 with a reattachable adhesive. The re-adhesive adhesive is non-drying (i.e. always sticky), i.e. allows the parts to be pulled apart and then re-bonded even after a long time It is an adhesive substance. In this way, the first sealing flap 30 adheres to the first inner package 5 to close (seal) the first extraction opening 28 when the lid 3 is placed in the closed position, and temporarily It can be pulled up from the first inner package 5 to open the first extraction opening 28, thus allowing the cigarette to be extracted through the first extraction opening 28.

  In other words, the presence of the non-drying re-adhesive adhesive applied to the lower surface of the first sealing flap 30 surrounds the separation line 29 of the first inner package 5 (that is, surrounds the first extraction opening 28). There is a temporary (i.e., pulled away in use) adhesion between the portion and the first sealing flap 30, and the first sealing flap 30 is removed from the first inner package 5 several times (i.e. It is possible to pull apart partly (every time the packaging body 1 is opened) and to be fixed to the first inner package 5 again.

  The first sealing flap 30 is further permanent (ie, to the first sealing flap 30 at the portion enclosed within the tear line 29 of the first inner package 5 (ie, at the first extraction opening 28). It has a permanent adhesive that produces a bond that is never pulled apart even when in use. Thus, when the first sealing flap 30 is lifted from the first inner package 5, the portion enclosed inside the separation line 29 of the first inner package 5 (that is, at the first extraction opening 28) is It is lifted together with the first sealing flap 30 to open the first extraction opening 28.

  3 to 6 and 12, the first sealing flap 30 is provided with a first connection tab 31 (which does not have a re-adhesive adhesive).

  The first connecting tab 31 of the first sealing flap 30 can be permanently separated from the inner surface of the lid 3 (preferably by adhesion) so that opening and closing of the lid 3 simultaneously opens and closes the first sealing flap 30 as well. Not connected. In particular, the outer surface 32 (shown in FIG. 6) of the first connecting tab 31 of the first sealing flap 30 is permanent (ie dry and reattachable) to the inner surface of the front wall 16 of the lid 2. Not) Adhered by adhesive spot. Specifically, the outer surface 32 of the first connection tab 31 of the first sealing flap 30 is adhered to the reinforcing flap 33 of the lid 2 by a permanent spot of adhesive.

  In this way, the first connecting tab 31 of the first sealing flap 30 extends from the remainder of the first sealing flap 30 and remains separated from it, and the first sealing flap 30 is opened during the opening of the lid 3. Has an “S” shape (shown schematically in FIG. 5).

  According to another embodiment (not shown), a part of the first sealing flap 30 different from the first connection tab 31 is added to the first connection tab 31 or instead of the first connection tab 31. It could be adhered to the inner surface in a permanent and non-separable manner. In the latter case, the first sealing flap 30 may not have the first connection tab 31.

  According to another embodiment not shown, the inner surface of the first connecting tab 31 of the first sealing flap 30 is permanently attached to the inner surface of the front wall 16 of the lid 3, in particular to the reinforcing flap 33 of the lid 2. Bonded by glue spots. In this case, the first connection tab 31 of the first sealing flap 30 is bent 180 ° onto the rest of the first sealing flap 30, and the first sealing flap 30 has a “U” shape while the lid 3 is opened. ing

  The fact that the first connecting tab 31 of the first sealing flap 30 is permanently integrated with the lid 3 makes it possible to pull the first sealing flap 30 together with the lid 3 at the same time. The lifting of the first sealing flap 30 from the first inner package 5 during the opening of the lid 3 occurs gently and gradually without any pressure on the cigarette contained in the first inner package 5. Furthermore, the lowering of the first sealing flap 30 onto the first inner package 5 during the closure of the lid 3 occurs gently and gradually, so that the first sealing flap 30 sequentially follows the contour of the first inner package 5; It is possible to cover accurately.

  According to the present invention, the first connecting tab 31 is separated from the remainder of the first sealing flap 30 by a weakening line 34 (shown in FIGS. 6 and 12). The function of the weakening line 34 facilitates the folding of the first sealing flap 30 at the first connecting tab 31 and applies a smaller strength folding force to the first connecting tab 31 at the first connecting tab 31. 1 sealing flap 30 can be folded (thus providing an elastic restoring force to return the original sealing flap 30 to its original unfolded position after the first sealing flap 30 is folded at the first connecting tab 31). To lower).

  The presence of the weakening line 34 makes it easier for the first sealing flap 30 to move at the first connecting tab 31 during the movement of the first sealing flap 30 on and integral with the lid 3 (i.e. , With a smaller “force”. Thus, the first sealing flap 30 can be obtained by applying a smaller traction force between the first connection tab 31 and the inner surface of the lid 3 (ie, by applying a smaller traction force to each spot of the adhesive). It is bent at the position of the one connection tab 31. Therefore, the presence of the weakening line 34 makes it possible to reduce the stress on each spot of the adhesive that connects the first connection tab 31 of the first sealing flap 30 to the inner surface of the lid 3. Thus, it is possible to significantly reduce (or otherwise eliminate) the risk of the adhesive spot breaking during use and causing undesired peeling from the lid 3 of the first sealing flap 30. Become.

  The weakening line 34 is created by cutting or removing the material comprising the first sealing flap 30, i.e., creating a “groove” that affects the material comprising the first sealing flap 30. According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the weakening line 34 is continuous (ie, extends along the entire length of the first connecting tab 34) and constitutes the first sealing flap 30. It consists of a partial (i.e. non-penetrating) cut in the material to be cut. According to another embodiment, not shown, the weakening line 34 is intermittent (i.e., extending in discrete portions) and is completely (i.e., penetrated) of the material comprising the first sealing flap 30. Made up of notches. According to a further embodiment, not shown, the weakening line 34 is intermittent (i.e., extending in discrete portions) and is part of the material comprising the first sealing flap 30 (i.e. It is made up of notches. When the material comprising the first sealing flap 30 is multi-layered (ie, consists of at least two layers superimposed and bonded together), the weakening line 34 comprises a partial cut. This partial cut will affect one (or several) layers of material, and each remaining layer (or remaining layer) of material could be left intact.

  For example, the weakening line 34 can be made by a blade that mechanically cuts the material forming the first sealing flap 30 or can be made by a laser beam that removes a portion of the material forming the first sealing flap 30. it can.

  3, 4, 8, and 9, the second inner package 7 (particularly hermetically sealed) has a parallelepiped shape and has a top wall 35 and a bottom that are parallel and face each other. It has a wall 36, a front wall 37 and a rear wall 38 that are parallel to each other, and a first side wall 26 and a second side wall 39 that are parallel to each other and located between the wall 37 and the wall 38. The upper wall 35 and the bottom wall 36 respectively face the inner surface of the upper wall 15 of the lid 3 and the inner surface of the bottom wall 10 of the container 2 when the lid 3 is disposed in the closed position. Further, the front wall 37 and the rear wall 38 respectively face the inner surfaces of the front walls 11 and 16 of the container 2 and the lid 3 and the inner surface of the rear wall 12 of the container 2 when the lid 3 is disposed in the closed position. . Further, the first side wall 26 and the second side wall 39 are arranged such that the outer surface of the second side wall 25 of the first inner package 5 and the inner surface of the second side wall 14 of the container 2 and the lid 3 when the lid 3 is disposed in the closed position. It faces the inner surface of the second side wall 19.

  The second inner package 7 is formed by folding a packaging sheet shown in FIG. 16 made of a metal foil or a transparent foil (that is, a flexible inner package material that is not rigid and heat-sealable), and a second group of cigarettes. 8 is produced by wrapping around 8 (in direct contact with each cigarette of the second group 8 of cigarettes) and fixing it by heat sealing.

  The second inner package 7 further includes a second cigarette extraction opening 41. The extraction opening 41 is disposed at the upper wall 35 and the front wall 37 of the second inner package 7 and is bounded by a separation line 42 indicated by a broken line in FIGS. 8 and 9. The tear line 42 can be separated from the remainder of the second inner package 7 from the starting portion, i.e. can be cut off, and is typically completely cut off at the first opening of the second inner package 7. Can be perforated to be done. Generally, it is preferable that the separation line 29 can be cut off so as to simplify the handling of the packaging sheet used to form the second inner package 7.

  3, 4, 8, and 9, the diagonal length of the bottom wall 36 in the second inner package 7 is the vertical length of each cigarette that constitutes the second group 8 of cigarettes. It is smaller than the dimension in the direction. This prevents each cigarette of the second group 8 of cigarettes from falling into the bottom of the second inner package 7 and becoming stuck, and even the last cigarette can be easily removed.

  3, 4, 8, 9, 13, and 13 A to 13 C, the cigarette package 1 closes the second cigarette extraction opening 41 of the second inner package 7. A second sealing flap 43 that is reusable.

  The second sealing flap 43 is of the “open / close” type, that is, allows the second extraction opening 41 of the second inner package 7 to be opened and closed, on the rear wall 38 of the second inner package 7 and above Overlaid on the wall 35 and the front wall 37. The second sealing flap 43 is fixed to the second inner package 7 with a reattachable adhesive. The re-adhesive adhesive is non-drying (i.e. always sticky), i.e. allows the parts to be pulled apart and then re-bonded even after a long time It is an adhesive substance. In this way, the second sealing flap 43 adheres to the second inner package 7 to close (seal) the second extraction opening 41 and is temporarily lifted from the second inner package 7 to be second. The extraction opening 41 can be opened, thus allowing the cigarette to be extracted through the second extraction opening 41.

  In other words, the presence of the non-drying re-adhesive adhesive applied to the lower surface of the second sealing flap 43 surrounds the separation line 42 of the second inner package 7 (that is, surrounds the second extraction opening 41). There is a temporary (i.e., pulled apart in use) bond between the part and the second sealing flap 43, and the second sealing flap 43 is removed from the second inner package 7 several times (i.e., the second inner flap). Each time the package 7 is opened, it can be partly separated and again secured to the second inner package 7.

  The second sealing flap 43 is further permanent (ie, to the second sealing flap 43 at the portion enclosed within the tear line 42 of the second inner package 7 (ie, at the second extraction opening 41). It has a permanent adhesive that produces a bond that is never pulled apart even when in use. Thus, when the second sealing flap 43 is lifted from the second inner package 7, the portion enclosed inside the separation line 42 of the second inner package 7 (that is, at the second extraction opening 41) is It is lifted together with the second sealing flap 43 to open the second extraction opening 41.

  The second sealing flap 43 further includes a removable tab 44.

  The removable tab 44 is disposed at least partially below the front wall 16 of the lid 3 when the lid 3 is disposed in the closed position.

  The tab 44 preferably has a gripping flap 45 that facilitates its removal from its second sealing flap 43.

  As shown in FIGS. 8, 13, and 13B, the second sealing flap 43 is provided with a second connecting tab 46 (which does not have a re-adhesive adhesive).

  In particular, the second connection tab 46 has an inner surface 47 (shown in FIG. 4) without a re-adhesive adhesive facing the front wall 37 of the second inner package 7, and the lid 3 on the side opposite to the inner surface 47. And an outer surface 48 facing the inner surface of the front wall 16 of the lid 3 when placed in the closed position. Specifically, the outer surface 48 of the second connection tab 46 of the second sealing flap 43 faces the reinforcing flap 33 of the lid 3 when the lid 3 is placed in the closed position.

  The outer surface 48 of the second connecting tab 46 includes an end portion 49 that is attached in a permanent and inseparable manner (preferably by gluing) to the corresponding end portion 50 of the second sealing flap 43.

  On the remainder of the outer surface 48 of the second connection tab 46, a layer of adhesive material is provided. The layer of adhesive material is disposed between the second sealing flap 43 and the lid 3 when the lid 3 is disposed in the closed position.

  A removable tab 44 as disclosed above is placed over the layer of adhesive material. A layer of adhesive material is then placed between the remainder of the outer surface 48 of the second connecting tab 46 and the inner surface of the removable tab 44. The tab 44 is defined to be removable to the extent that it can be pulled away from the layer of adhesive material.

  In accordance with the present invention, the distal portion 49 of the outer surface 48 of the second connecting tab 46 is formed by a weakening line 64 (shown in FIGS. 13 and 13B) with the remainder of the outer surface 48 (on which a layer of adhesive material is provided. Are classified). The function of the weakening line 64 facilitates the bending of the second connecting tab 46 at the end portion 50 of the second sealing flap 43 and applies a less strong bending force, thereby providing a second sealing flap 43. The second connecting tab 46 can be folded at the distal end portion 50 (and thus the original folding after the second connecting tab 46 is folded at the distal end portion 50 of the second sealing flap 43). Reducing the elastic restoring force to return to a position where it has not been performed).

  Due to the presence of the weakening line 64, the second connecting tab 46 is in a second sealed state during the movement of the second sealing flap 43 of the lid 3 (when the second sealing flap 43 is adhered to the lid 3 as will be described later). It is easier to fold at the end portion 50 of the flap 43 (ie, with less “force”). Thus, the second connection tab 46 is provided by applying a smaller traction force between the second connection tab 46 and the inner surface of the lid 3 (ie, applying a smaller traction force to each spot of the adhesive). It is folded at the end portion 50 of the two sealing flaps 43. Accordingly, the presence of the weakening line 64 can reduce the stress on the layer of adhesive material that connects the second connection tab 46 of the second sealing flap 43 to the inner surface of the lid 3 (as described below). . Thus, the risk of undesired peeling of the second sealing flap 43 from the lid 3 during use can be significantly reduced (otherwise it can be completely removed).

  The weakening line 64 is created by cutting or removing the material comprising the second connection tab 46, ie, creating a “groove” that affects the material comprising the second connection tab 46. The weakening line 64 is continuous (i.e., extends along the entire length of the second connection tab 46) and is partially (i.e., does not penetrate) the material comprising the second connection tab 46. ) Made of incisions. According to another embodiment, not shown, the weakening line 64 is intermittent (i.e., extending in discrete portions) and is completely (i.e., penetrated) of the material comprising the second connecting tab 46. Made up of notches. According to a further embodiment not shown, the weakening line 64 is intermittent (i.e., extending in discrete portions) and is part of the material comprising the second connecting tab 46 (i.e. It is made up of notches.

  For example, the weakening line 64 can be made by a blade that mechanically cuts the material forming the second connection tab 46, or can be made by a laser beam that removes a portion of the material forming the second connection tab 46. it can.

  In use, once the removable tab 44 is removed, the underlying layer of adhesive material is exposed.

  It should be appreciated that in the closed state of the cigarette package 1 the tab 44 and its gripping flap 45 are obscured by the lid 3 and in particular by its front wall 16.

  Thus, to remove the removable tab 44 from the second connecting tab 46 and thus from the second sealing flap 43, the consumer is forced to lift the lid 3.

  The removable tab 44 is preferably removed along a direction transverse to the axis A of the generally accepted longitudinal extension of the cigarette.

  In use, it is left to the consumer to remove the removable tab 44 from the second connecting tab 46 by the gripping flap 45.

  The advantage is that the second sealing flap 43 is automatically connected to the lid 3 by the second connecting tab 46 when the removable tab 44 is removed and the underlying layer of adhesive material remains exposed. There is. That is, the second inner package 7 is opened and closed by simultaneous opening and closing of the lid 3.

  Permanent adhesion of the lid 3 to the second sealing flap 43, ie to the second connecting tab 46, by a layer of adhesive material can be facilitated by pressing the front wall 16 of the lid 3 by the consumer. .

  In this way, the front wall 16 of the lid 3, i.e. the inner surface of the reinforcing flap 33, is fixed to the layer of adhesive material.

  Thus, the connecting action of the lid 3 to the second sealing flap 43, ie to the second connecting tab 46, takes place with the second sealing flap 43 placed in the closed position of the second inner package 7.

  If the lid 3 is connected to the second sealing flap 43, i.e. the second connecting tab 46, the consumer simply opens and closes the second inner package 7 by acting on the lid 3. I want to be recognized.

  In order to ensure a good fixation between the lid 3 and the second sealing flap 43, i.e. the second connecting tab 46, a layer of adhesive material and the front wall 16 of the lid 3, i.e. a reinforcing flap. The layer of adhesive material must have a defined width (allowing for the generally accepted longitudinal extension of the package 1) to allow gripping with the inner surface of 33, Please note that.

  If the consumer decides not to remove the removable tab 44 from the second sealing flap 43, i.e., from the second connection tab 46, the second inner package 7 (by grasping the second connection tab 46) The two sealing flaps 43 will be opened and closed manually by pulling apart and reattaching.

  The cigarette package 1 disclosed above has the advantage of being customizable in that it is the consumer who decides how to open and close the second inner package 7 according to their preference.

  Further, the second inner package 7 can be opened and closed in a single action by removing the removable tab 44 by the gripping flap 45 and securing the second sealing flap 43 to the lid 3 using a layer of adhesive material. It becomes possible.

  According to another embodiment not shown, the second sealing flap 43 comprises at least two layers of inner packaging material, the first layer being the outer (i.e. when the lid 3 is placed in the closed position) (Facing the inner surface of the front wall 16 of the lid 3), the second layer is inside (ie facing the second inner package 7).

  In this way, the first layer defines the outer surface of the second sealing flap 43 and the second layer defines the inner surface of the second sealing flap 43. In this embodiment, the layer of adhesive material is sandwiched between the first layer and the second layer. Also in this embodiment, the removable tab 44 is pulled away from the flap 43 along at least one score line that defines one of the edges of the second sealing flap 43. Specifically, the score line affects the first layer of the second sealing flap 43. Thus, in this embodiment, the removable tab 44 is defined by a portion of the first layer that is at least partially disposed over the layer of adhesive material. In effect, once the removable tab 44 is removed, the underlying layer of adhesive material is exposed. That is, the removable tab 44 is obtained by the second sealing flap 43 by a score line. Further, in this embodiment, the second connection tab 46 is the portion of the second layer of the second sealing flap 43 that is below the removable tab 44. In this embodiment, the weakening line 64 comprises a score line.

  According to another embodiment, not shown, the removable tab 44 extends at least partly outside the outer container 2, in particular the removable tab 44 extends outside the lid 3. In such an embodiment, at least the gripping flap 45 of the removable tab 44 extends outside the lid 3 to allow the removable tab 44 to be removed while preventing the lid 3 from opening. Is advantageous.

  According to another embodiment, not shown, the lid 3 is provided with a cut, through which the removable grip 45 of the removable tab 44 protrudes. Specifically, the shaped cut is visible to the consumer on the front wall 16 of the lid 3.

  According to a further embodiment, not shown, the layer of adhesive material on which the removable tab 44 is superimposed is arranged on the inner surface of the front wall 16 of the lid 3.

  According to what is shown in FIG. 10, the cigarette package 1 further comprises two stiffening bodies 51 commonly known as “internal stiffening bodies”. The stiffeners 51 are of a stiff (stiff) type, are made of paperboard or stiff cardboard, are “U” shaped, and are in direct contact with the first group 6 of cigarettes to form a first inner package. 5 and in the second inner package 7 in direct contact with the second group 8 of cigarettes, respectively.

Each stiffener 51 includes
A front wall 52 facing the front wall 22 of the first inner package 5 and the front wall 37 of the second inner package 7 respectively;
A first side wall 53 facing the first side wall 24 of the first inner package 5 and the first side wall 26 of the second inner package 7, respectively.
A second side wall 54 facing the second side wall 25 of the first inner package 5 and the second side wall 54 of the second inner package 7, respectively.
A first rear wall 55 connected to the first side wall 53 and facing the front wall 52;
A second rear wall 56 coupled to the second side wall 54 and facing the front wall 52 and coplanar with the first rear 55 wall;
A “U” shaped recess 63 in the front wall 52 to facilitate removal of the cigarette;
have.

  The function of the stiffener 51 in use is to protect the cigarette while folding and heat-sealing the sheets 27, 40 of the heat-sealable packaging material, and to play a role in hitting the closing flaps 30, 43 Is to do.

  The container 2 and the lid 3 are the first inner package 5 and the second inner package 7 (in which the respective stiffeners 51 are wound beforehand around the cigarette groups 6 and 8), as shown in FIG. It is obtained by wrapping with a punching material 57 shown in FIG. The punching material 57 includes a plurality of panels which are represented by the same reference numerals with dashes as the reference numerals representing the corresponding parts of the container 2 and the lid 3.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the punched material 57 includes two longitudinal fold lines 58 (which define the longitudinal ridges of the container 2 and the lid 3), and a plurality of lateral fold lines 59. have. Each lateral fold line 59 includes a panel 11 ′ that forms the front wall 11 of the container 2 and a bottom wall 10 of the container 2 between the two vertical fold lines 58. A panel 10 'directly connected to the panel 11' along the line 59 and a panel directly connected to the panel 10 'along the lateral fold line 59 constituting the rear wall 12 of the container 2. 12 ', a panel 17' directly connected to the panel 12 'along a lateral fold line 59 constituting the rear wall 17 of the lid 3, and a lateral direction constituting the upper wall 15 of the lid 3 A panel 15 ′ directly connected to the panel 17 ′ along the fold line 59 and directly connected to the panel 15 ′ along the lateral fold line 59 constituting the front wall 16 of the lid 3. A panel 16 'is defined.

  The punching material 57 further includes a panel 33 ′ that constitutes the reinforcing flap 33. The panel 33 ′ is connected to the panel 16 ′ along the lateral fold line 59, bent 180 ° onto the panel 16 ′, and adhered to the inside of the panel 16 ′.

  The punching material 57 further includes a pair of flaps 13 'and 14' disposed on both sides of the panel 11 '. These flaps 13 ′, 14 ′ are connected to the panel 11 ′ along two longitudinal fold lines 58 and constitute part of the side walls 13, 14 of the container 2.

  The punching material 56 includes a pair of flaps 13 ″ and 14 ″ disposed on both sides of the panel 12 ′. The flaps 13 ″, 14 ″ are connected to the panel 12 ′ along two longitudinal fold lines 58 and constitute part of the side walls 13, 14 of the container 2 and the corresponding flap 13 ′. , 14 'and superimposed on them. Each flap 13 ″, 14 ″ has a tab 60. The tabs 60 are folded 90 ° with respect to the respective flaps 13 ″, 14 ″, superimposed on the panel 10 ′ and glued thereto.

  The punching material 57 further includes a pair of flaps 18 'and 19' disposed on both sides of the panel 16 '. These flaps 18 ′, 19 ′ are connected to the panel 16 ′ along two longitudinal fold lines 58 and form part of the side walls 18, 19 of the lid 3.

  The punching material 57 further includes a pair of flaps 18 ", 19" disposed on both sides of the panel 17 '. The flaps 18 ″, 19 ″ are connected to the panel 17 ′ along two longitudinal fold lines 58 and constitute part of the side walls 18, 19 of the lid 3 and the corresponding flap 18 ′. , 19 'and superimposed on them. Each flap 18 ", 19" is provided with a tab 61. The tabs 61 are bent 90 ° with respect to the respective flaps 18 ″, 19 ″, overlapped on the panel 15 'and adhered thereto.

  Each of the stiffening bodies 51 is obtained by wrapping the respective cigarette groups 6, 8 with the punching material 62 shown in FIG. The punching material 62 includes a plurality of panels which are represented by the same reference numerals with dashes as the reference numerals representing the corresponding walls of the stiffening body 51.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the punching material 62 is formed by a panel 52 ′ that constitutes the front wall 52 of the stiffening body 51, and the respective longitudinal fold lines that constitute the side walls 53 and 54 of the stiffening body 51. A pair of panels 53 ′ and 54 ′ connected to both sides of 52 ′ and a pair of panels 53 ′ and 54 ′ that are connected to the panels 53 ′ and 54 ′ by respective longitudinal fold lines constituting the side walls 55 and 56 of the stiffener 51. Flaps 55 'and 56'.

  According to an embodiment not shown, the cigarette package 1 is modified to accommodate cigarettes of any size.

  The cigarette package 1 disclosed above has a number of advantages. The package 1 is easy and inexpensive to manufacture, and opens and closes the lid 5 and the flaps 30 and 43 with a single operation that is quick and easy even for a user who is inferior to hand dexterity. Because it makes it possible.

  Furthermore, the cigarette package 1 disclosed above is customizable in that it is the consumer who decides how to open and close the second inner package 7 according to his / her preference.

  Finally, the cigarette package 1 disclosed above substantially eliminates the risk of undesired peeling from the lid 3 of the closure flaps 30, 43 due to the presence of the weakening lines 34, 64. is there.

Claims (10)

An outer container (2) having an open upper end (9);
A lid (3) hinged to the outer container (2) to pivot relative to the outer container (2) between an open position and a closed position of the open upper end (9);
Contained within the outer container (2) and having a first paper smoking article extraction opening (28) surrounding a first group (6) of smoking articles and closed by a first sealing flap (30); A flexible first inner package (5);
A second smoking article housed side by side with the first inner package (5) inside the outer container (2) and surrounding a second group (8) of smoking articles and closed by a second sealing flap (43) A flexible second inner package (7) having a withdrawal opening (41);
In a smoking article package (1) comprising:
At least a portion (31) of the first sealing flap (30) is permanently attached to the lid (3) so that opening and closing of the lid (3) simultaneously opens and closes the first sealing flap (30). , Not detachably connected, and the package (1) includes at least a layer of adhesive material disposed between the second sealing flap (43) and the lid (3), A removable tab (44) partially disposed on the layer of adhesive material, and if the removable tab (44) has been removed from the layer of adhesive material, the adhesive A package (1) for a smoking article, characterized in that the lid (3) is connectable to the second sealing tab (43) by means of a layer of functional material.   The first sealing flap (30) is provided with a first connection tab (31), and the first connection tab (31) is permanently and non-detachably connected to the inner surface of the lid (3). A package (1) of a smoking article according to claim 1.   The outer surface (32) of the first connecting tab (31) in the first sealing flap (30) is adhered to the inner surface of the lid (3) by a permanent spot of adhesive, or The first connection tab (31) of the first sealing flap (30) is folded 180 ° onto the remainder of the first sealing flap (30), and the first connection in the first sealing flap (30). Package of smoking articles (1) according to claim 2, wherein the inner surface of the tab (31) is adhered to the inner surface of the lid (3) by a permanent spot of adhesive.   The first connection tab (31) is separated from the remainder of the first sealing flap (30) by a weakening line (34) formed by cutting or removing material of the first sealing flap (30). A package (1) of a smoking article according to claim 2 or 3.   The weakening line (34) is continuous and formed by scoring the material of the first sealing flap (30), or the weakening line (34) is discontinuous, Formed by cutting through the material of one sealing flap (30) or the weakening line (34) is discontinuous and notches the material of the first sealing flap (30) The package (1) of the smoking article according to claim 4, which is formed by:   The removable tab (44) of claim 1 to 5, wherein the removable tab (44) is arranged at least partially below the front wall (16) of the lid (3) when the lid (3) is in the closed position. The package (1) of the smoking article as described in any one.   A second connection tab (46) is provided on the second sealing flap (43), and the layer of adhesive material is disposed on the second connection tab (46), and the second connection tab (46). ) Is permanently attachable to the inner surface of the front wall (16) of the lid (3) if the removable tab (44) has been removed from the layer of adhesive material. The package (1) of a smoking article according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The second connection tab (46) is permanently attached to the rest of the second sealing flap (43), not detachable,
The layer of adhesive material is disposed on the outer surface (48) of the second connecting tab (46) facing the inner surface of the front wall (16) of the lid (3). A package (1) of a smoking article according to any one of the above. The second sealing flap (43) includes at least two layers of packaging material, an outer first layer and an inner second layer, and the adhesive material layer is sandwiched between the layers. And
The removable tab (44) is a portion of the first layer in the second sealing flap (43);
The second connecting tab (46) is the portion of the second layer of the second sealing flap (43) facing the removable tab (44);
The second sealing flap (43) comprises a score line for at least the first layer, the score line defining at least one of the edges of the removable tab (44). A package (1) of a smoking article according to any one of 1 to 7.   The first sealing flap (30) is repeatedly and partially separable and refastenable from the first inner package (5), and the second sealing flap (43) is repeated from the second inner package (7). The first sealing flap (30) and the second sealing flap (43) include the first smoking article extraction opening (28) and the second smoking article so as to be partially separable and refastenable. The first connection is fixed to the first inner package (5) and the second inner package (7) by a non-drying and re-adhesive adhesive disposed around the extraction opening (41). The smoking article package (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tab (31) and the second connecting tab (46) are free of re-adhesive adhesive.

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