GB2435030A

GB2435030A - Triangular prism pack

Info

Publication number: GB2435030A
Application number: GB0610656A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Jonathan Bray; Alan Douglas Tearle
Original assignee: British American Tobacco Co Ltd
Current assignee: British American Tobacco Investments Ltd
Priority date: 2006-02-08
Filing date: 2006-05-30
Publication date: 2007-08-15
Also published as: GB0610656D0; GB0602483D0

Abstract

A blank for a forming a prismatic pack of triangular cross section has a generally rectangular portion 6, 8 in which crease lines 34, 342 and 343 divide the portion into a middle 12 and two outer 13 and 11 side panels (together with a connecting panel 14 for connecting the two outer side panels). A top triangular panel 21 and a bottom triangular panel 25 are connected to top and bottom edges 31 and 30 of the rectangular portion. A plurality of flaps is provided for connecting the triangular panels to the side panels in the erected pack. One 21 of the triangular panels has at least one free edge and the other panel 25 has a flap 24, 26 attached to at least one edge. Preferably at least one flap 22 is provided on the rectangular portion to engage the said one of the panels if it has no flaps. The erected pack may be put to storing cigarettes.

Description

PACK

The present invention relates to a pack for containing articles. The pack may contain smoking articles, for example cigars, cigarillos and cigarettes. The invention also relates to a blank for forming the pack and a method of making the pack from the blank.

An embodiment of the invention relates to a pack which is prismatic and of triangular cross-section. Such a pack is known from WO0l/44077. In one example of the known pack, the pack is formed of a rectangular blank divided by crease lines into 4 panels 3 of which from the sides of the pack and the fourth is a connector which connects the outer two of the 3 panels. The blank has, attached to opposite top and bottom edges of one panel, triangular panels which define the cross-sectional shape of the pack. In this one example of the blank (Fig 5) two connecting flaps are connected to respective edges of each triangular panel. The flaps connect the triangular panel to the sides of the erected pack. In another example of the blank (Fig 20), for each triangular panel, there are two connecting flaps attached to respective side panels rather than to the triangular panel.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a blank for forming a prismatic pack of triangular cross section the blank having: a generally rectangular portion which is divisible into a middle and two outer side panels; a top triangular panel and a bottom triangular panel connected to top and bottom edges of the rectangular portion; and a plurality of flaps for connecting the triangular panels to the side panels in the erected pack; wherein one of the triangular panels has at least one free edge and the other panel has a flap attached to at least one edge.

The invention also provides a pack formed from the said blank. The pack may contain articles, for example smoking articles.

The invention also provides a method of making a pack using the said blank.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a blank for forming a prismatic pack of triangular cross section, the blank having: a generally rectangular portion which is divisible into a middle panel and two outer side panels; a top triangular panel connected to the top edge of one of said side panels and a top flap connected to the top edge of another of the side panels; a bottom triangular panel connected to the bottom edge of one of said side panels and a bottom flap connected to the bottom edge of another of the side panels; the top and bottom triangular panels defining in the erected pack said bottom triangular cross-section of the pack; a further flap connected to the top edge of the side panel which has no top triangular panel or top flap connected thereto, the further flap being of length along the said top edge substantially equal to the width of the side panel to which it is connected; and a further flap connected to the bottom edge of the side panel which has no bottom triangular panel or bottom flap connected thereto, the flap being of length along the said bottom edge substantially equal to the width of the side panel to which it is connected; the top flap and further top flap being arranged so that, in the erected pack, each provides a continuous fold line across the panel to which it is attached and together extend into the vertices of the triangular cross-section.

The resulting triangular pack has triangular ends which, when viewed from the sides, have complete fold lines extending along the whole length of the straight portion of each side. Furthermore, any gaps which may appear at the vertices of the triangular ends are minimised. That improves the appearance of the pack. The use of a triangular flap and a triangular panel of substantially equal size and shape at each end stiffens the ends. The blank simplifies erection of the pack because the triangular end panels and the flaps have no flaps connected thereto, and all panels and flaps are connected to the edges of rectangular portion of the blank providing the side panels and the connecting panel.

The blank may have a demarcation between a container portion and a lid portion. The triangular flap and panel of the lid stiffen the lid.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect reference will now be made by way of example to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a prismatic pack of triangular cross section; Figures 2 to 7 show illustrative blanks according to one aspect of the invention for forming the pack of Figure 1; Figure 8 is a perspective view of another prismatic pack of triangular cross-section with its lid in an open position, and having an inner frame; Figure 9 shows a blank according to one aspect of the invention for the pack of Figure 8; Figure 10 is a top view of the pack of Figure 8; Figure 11 is a flow chart of a method of making the pack of Figure 8; and Figure 12 shows an illustrative blank according to another aspect of the invention for forming a triangular pack; and Figures 1 3A and B are partial plan views of illustrative blanks according to said another aspect of the invention for forming a triangular pack.

Referring to Figure 1 the pack has a cross sectional shape of an equilateral triangle. The cross sectional shape is defined by triangular top 21 and bottom 25 panels. The pack has a container portion 6 and a lid portion 8, separated by a separation line 19. The container portion 6 has side panels 11, 12 and 13 and the lid portion has side panels 15, 16 and 17 respectively. The shown edges 34, 341 and 342, 342' of the pack and the unshown edges 343, 343' are rounded in the example of Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 2, one example of a blank 10 for forming the pack of Figure 1 is shown. The blank 10 has a generally rectangular section divided by 3 crease zones extending between the top 31 and bottom 30 edges parallel to side edges 381 and 382. The crease zones correspond to the rounded edges of the pack and divide the blank into the side panels 11 and 15, 12 and 16, and 13 and 17, together with a connecting panel 14 and 18 which in the erected pack overlaps, and is adhered to, a marginal zone of panel 13 and 17.

A cut defines the demarcation line 19 between the lid portion 8 and the container portion 6. The line 19 extends across the blank between panels 11 and 15 and between panels 12 and 16. A crease line 28 in connecting panel 14, 18 is aligned with a corresponding crease line 27 in panel 13, 17 to provide a hinge for the lid. The crease lines 28 and 27 meet the ends of the demarcation line 19.

In the example of Figure 2 the top and bottom triangular panels 21 and 25 are hinged to the panels 17 and 13, in effect being at opposite ends of the same panel.

Triangular panel 21 has one flap 23 on one edge thereof, the other edge being free.

Triangular panel 25 has two flaps 24, 26 on respective edges and thus has no free edges.

The pack is erected by for example;-Folding the flaps 23, 24 and 26 at right angles to their triangular end panels 21 and 25 so when the flaps 21 and 25 are folded towards the side panels, the flaps can engage the inside surfaces of the side panels. The triangular end panels 21, 25 are folded to be at right angles to the side panels. The side panels 11, 12 and 13 are folded around the end panels 21 and 25, with the flaps 23, 24 and 26 contacting their inner surfaces. The flaps 23, 24 and 26 are glued to their corresponding side panels. The connecting panel 14 overlaps the outside (or inside) surface of a marginal zone of the panel 13 and is glued to it. In practice the order in which the pack is erected may be wholly different.

The blank may additionally comprise a further flap 22 for engaging the inner surface of the top panel 21 of the lid adjacent its free edge.

The top and bottom triangular panels may be offset as indicated by 2511, 2411 and 2611; i.e. the top and bottom panels may be on different side panels.

Figure 3 shows a modification 10' of the blank of Figure 2. The blank 10' differs from the blank 10 in that the top panel has only flap 22'on a different edge. A flap 23' may be provided on the side panel 15 of the lid 8. The top and bottom panels may be on the same side panel as shown or on different side panels.

Figure 4 shows another modification 102 of the blank of Figure 2. The blank 102 differs from the blank 10 in that the top panel 21 has two flaps 23 and 22'on respective edges and bottom panel 25 has only one flap 26. A flap 24' may be provided on the side panel 11 of the container 8. The top and bottom panels may be on the same side panel as shown or on different side panels.

Figure 5 shows a modification i03 of the blank of Figure 4. The blank i03 differs from the blank 102 in that the bottom panel 25 has only one flap 24 on a different edge. A flap 26' may be provided on the side panel 12 of the container 6. The top and bottom panels may be on the same side panel as shown or on different side panels.

Referring to Figure 6 one triangular panel, in this example panel 21, has no flaps and the other, 25 has two flaps 24 and 26. The edge 31 to which the panel 21 having no flaps is attached, has flaps 22 and 231 for connection to the free edges of the triangular panel 21 when the pack is erected.

Referring to Figure 7, one triangular panel, in this example panel 21 has one flap and the other, 25, has no flaps. The edge 31 to which panel 21 is attached has a flap 231 for engaging the free edge of panel 21 when the pack is erected. The edge 30 to which panel 25 is attached has flaps 26' and 24' for connection to the free edges of the panel 25 when the pack erected.

In other possible modifications the triangular top and bottom panels 21 and 25 may both have only one flap e.g. 22' and 26 with optionally one flap 23', 24' being provided on each of the top and bottom edges 31 and 31 to engage the otherwise free edge of the triangular panel in the erected pack. See for example Figure 9. In Figure 9 the flaps on the top and bottom panels 21 and 25 are arranged to engage the same side panel 12, 16. However they may engage different side panels.

Figure 8 shows a modification of the pack of Figure 1 with the lid 8 open. The pack of Figure 8 has an inner frame 40 which overlaps the lid and container. The inner frame may be separate from the blank for forming the main body of the pack.

However, the inner frame may be integral with the blank as shown in Figure 9. The frame has panels 141, 111, 121 and 131 corresponding respectively to panels 14, 11, 12 and 13 of the pack. Panels 14 and 141 are of identical width. Panel 131 of the frame is of smaller width than side panel 13 of the pack. The panels of the frame are separated by crease zones 3431, 3411 corresponding to the crease zones 343, 34 and 342 of the pack. When erecting the pack the frame is folded onto the rear surface of the blank of the pack so the crease zones of the inner frame coincide with the corresponding crease zones of the pack.

Figure 10 shows a top view of the opened pack in its erected state, showing a bundle of cigarettes 52 within a layer of foil 50 inside the pack.

Referring to Figure 11, the pack may be erected from a blank as follows using a hollow arbour of cross section identical to the cross section of the pack.

Referring to step S2 in Figure 11 firstly foil 50 may be folded around the arbour. Then the inner frame if separate from the blank of the pack is folded around the arbour, followed by the blank of the pack. Then one end of the pack is closed S4 by suitably folding the foil and the relevant flaps followed by folding down the triangular panel of that end. The end which is closed may be the top end or the bottom end. Usually cigarettes are arranged in a pack with the filter at the top end. In that case it is preferable to close the bottom end of the pack first.

The bundle of cigarettes is the introduced S6 into the arbour through the open end of the pack. The bundle may be wrapped in foil instead of providing the foil around the arbour as described above.

The pack containing the cigarettes is then removed from the arbour S8 preferably by pushing on the filter ends of the cigarettes avoiding risk of damaging the tobacco end of the bundle of cigarettes.

Then the open end of the pack is closed Si 0 in the same manner as the other end.

The process may take place on a carousel having many arbours with the different steps taking place in a continuous process at different positions on the carousel as the arbours travel around the carousel.

Glue is applied to the pack in known manner as necessary during the process of erecting the pack.

The blank may be of card or any other suitable material.

The edges of the erected pack may be rounded as shown or sharp or chamfered or any other suitable shape.

The pack is described as being an equilateral triangle in cross section. It may be an isosceles triangle or a right angled triangle amongst other triangular shapes The triangular end panels may be offset, i.e. not both attached to the same rectangular side panel. The connecting panel may be omitted in some embodiments.

The pack is then held by the various flaps on the triangular end panels and/or the edges and 31.

Figure 12 shows a blank I 5 according to another aspect of the invention. The blank 1 comprises a generally rectangular section divided by 3 crease zones 342, 342', 34, 341, and 343, 343' and extending between the top 31 and bottom 30 edges parallel to side edges 381 and 382. The crease zones correspond to the rounded edges of the pack and divide the blank into the side panels 11 and 15, 12 and 16, and 13 and 17, together with a connecting panel 14 and 18 which in the erected pack overlaps, and is adhered to, a marginal zone of panel 13 and 17.

In the example of Figure 12 the top and bottom triangular panels 21 and 25 are connected to the panels 17 and 13, being at opposite ends of the same panel.

Triangular panel 21 has no flaps on the edges thereof. Triangular panel 25 has no flaps on the edges thereof.

Side panel 12, 16 has rectangular flaps 22, 26 on its top and bottom edges 31 and 30. Each of the rectangular flaps extends along the edge 31, 30 by a distance substantially equal to the length of the straight part of the edge of the triangular flap 21.

Side panel 11, 15 has at each edge 30, 31 another triangular flap 121, 125 which are of the same shape as, but slightly smaller than, the triangular panel 21, 25.

The triangular flaps 121, 125 may be provided on panel 12, 16 with the rectangular flaps 22 26 on panel 11, 15.

The pack is erected by for example;-The side panels 11, 12 and 13 and the connecting panel 14, 18 are folded around into a triangular form of the same shape as the triangular end flaps and panels 121 and 125, 21 and 25. The connecting panel 14, 18 is overlapped by the side panel 13, 17. The rectangular flaps 22 and 26 are folded at right angles to their rectangular side panels 12 and 16. The triangular end flaps, 121 and 125 are folded to be at right angles to their side panels 11, 15, with the triangular end flaps overlapping the rectangular flaps 22, 26.. The triangular end panels 21 and 25 are folded down onto the triangular end flaps 121 and 125. The triangular flaps 121, 125 are glued to rectangular flaps 22, 26 and the triangular panels 21 and 25 are glued to the triangular flaps 121 and 125 at a suitable time or times in the process.

The resulting triangular pack has triangular ends which, when viewed from the sides, have complete fold lines extending along the whole length of the straight portion of each side. Furthermore, any gaps which may appear at the vertices of the triangular ends are minimised. That improves the appearance of the pack.

The use of a triangular flap and a triangular panel of substantially equal size and shape at each end stiffens the end. In particular the lid 8 is stiffened. The blank simplifies erection of the pack because the triangular end panels 21 and 25 (and the flaps 121 and 125) have no flaps, and all panels and flaps are connected to the edges and 31 of rectangular portion of the blank providing the side panels and the connecting panel.

The blank of Figure 12 may be erected to from a triangular pack as shown in Figure 1 or 8.

Referring to Figures 8 and 11, the pack may be erected from the blank of Figure 12 as follows using a hollow arbour of cross section identical to the cross section of the pack.

Referring to step S2 in Figure 11 firstly foil 50 may be folded around the arbour. Then the inner frame, if separate from the blank of the pack, is folded around the arbour followed by the blank of the pack. Then one end of the pack is closed S4 by suitably folding the foil, followed in order by the rectangular flap(22 or 26), the triangular flap 121 or and the triangular panel 21 or 25 of that end. The end which is closed may be the top end or the bottom end. Usually cigarettes are arranged in a pack with the filter at the top end. In that case it is preferable to close the bottom end of the pack first.

Then the open end of the pack is closed SlO in the same manner as the other end.

Figures 13A and 13B are partial views of modifications of the blank of Figure 12. It will be appreciated that in the blank of Figure 12, the triangular panels and the triangular flaps extend into, the vertices of the triangular cross-section leaving substantially no gaps at the edges thereof and provide folded edges extending across substantially the whole width of each side panel. The modified blanks of Figures 13A and B achieve the same result without having the triangular flaps.

Referring to Figure 13A, the triangular flap 121 shown in dash lines of Figure 12 is replaced by a flap 133 having rounded ends 133', 133" which, in the erected pack, extend into two of the vertices of the triangular cross-section. Flap 133 is a truncated version of triangular flap 121. The flap 131 of Figure 13 corresponding to flap 22 of Figure 12, may have a rounded end 134 to extend into the third vertex.

Figure 13B is similar except flap 135 (corresponding to flap 22) and flap 136 (replacing triangular flap 121) each have one rounded end 134', 136" to extend into a respective vertex. Flaps 135 may have two rounded ends 134, 135'.

The blank may be of card or any other suitable material.

The pack made using the blank of Figure 12 or 13 is an equilateral triangle in cross section. It may be an isosceles triangle or a right angled triangle amongst other triangular shapes The triangular end panels 21 and 25 of the blank of Figure 12 may be offset, i.e. not both attached to the same rectangular side panel. The triangular end flaps 121 and 125 may be offset, i.e. not both attached to the same rectangular side panel.

Likewise the rectangular flaps 22, 26 may be offset. The flaps 22 and 26 need not be rectangular.

The blank of Figure 12 or 13 may be modified to be integral with an inner frame as shown in Figure 9.

The pack may contain smoking articles.

Cartons A carton for containing a plurality of triangular packs may be formed from a blank having the same shape as the blank of any one of Figures 2 to 7, 9, 12 and 13.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. A blank for forming a prismatic pack of triangular cross section the blank having: a generally rectangular portion which is divisible into a middle panel and two outer side panels; a top triangular panel and a bottom triangular panel connected to top and bottom edges of the rectangular portion; and a plurality of flaps for connecting the triangular panels to the side panels in the erected pack; wherein one of the triangular panels has at least one free edge and the other panel has a flap attached to at least one edge.

2. A blank according to claim 1 wherein each triangular panel has only one flap.

3. A blank according to claim I wherein one triangular panel has two flaps and the other only one.

4. A blank according to claim 2 or 3, comprising at least one flap on the rectangular section for engaging a free edge region of a triangular panel.

5. A blank according to claim 1 wherein the said one triangular panel has no flaps and the other triangular panel has one or two flaps and at least one flap is provided on the rectangular portion to engage the said one of the panels.

6. A blank according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein the top and bottom triangular panels are attached to different side panels.

7. A blank according to any preceding claim, further comprising a connecting panel for connecting two outer side panels.

8. A blank according to any preceding claim integral with an inner frame.

9. A blank according to any preceding claim having a lid portion and a container portion defined by a demarcation within the blank.

10. A blank according to any preceding claim, wherein the said rectangular portion has crease lines which divide the rectangular portion into the middle panel and two outer side panels.

11. A blank substantially as herein before described with reference to Figure 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 9 of the accompanying drawings.

12. A pack formed from a blank according to any preceding claim.

13. A pack according to claim 12 containing smoking articles.

14. A pack substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 together with one of Figures 2 to 7 or with reference to figures 8 to 10.

15. A method of making a pack comprising using a blank according to any one of claims I to 11.

16. A blank for forming a prismatic pack of triangular cross section, the blank having: a generally rectangular portion which is divisible into a middle panel and two outer side panels; a top triangular panel connected to the top edge of one of said side panels and a top flap connected to the top edge of another of the side panels; a bottom triangular panel connected to the bottom edge of one of said side panels and a bottom flap connected to the bottom edge of another of the side panels; the top and bottom triangular panels defining in the erected pack said bottom triangular cross-section of the pack; a further flap connected to the top edge of the side panel which has no top triangular panel or top flap connected thereto, the further flap being of length along the said top edge substantially equal to the width of the side panel to which it is connected; and a further flap connected to the bottom edge of the side panel which has no bottom triangular panel or bottom flap connected thereto, the flap being of length along the said bottom edge substantially equal to the width of the side panel to which it is connected; the top flap and further top flap being arranged so that, in the erected pack, each provides a continuous fold line across the panel to which it is attached and together extend into the vertices of the triangular cross-section.

17. A blank according to claim 16, wherein the said top and bottom flaps are triangular of the same shape as the top and bottom triangular panels.

18. A blank according to claim 17, wherein the triangular top and bottom flaps are slightly smaller than the top and bottom triangular panels.

19. A blank according to claim 16, 17 or 18, wherein the top and bottom triangular panels are connected to different side panels.

20. A blank according to claim 16, 17 or 18, wherein the top and bottom triangular panels are connected to the same side panel.

21. A blank according to any one of claims 16 to 20 integral with an inner frame.

22. A blank according to any one of claims 16 to 21, having a lid portion and a container portion defined by a demarcation within the blank.

23. A blank substantially as herein before described with reference to Figure 12 of the accompanying drawings.

24. A pack formed from a blank according to any one of claims 16 to 23.

25. A pack according to claim 24, containing smoking articles.

26. A pack substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 or 8 together with Figurel2.

27. A method of making a pack comprising using a blank according to any one of claims 16 to 23.