GB2530715A

GB2530715A - Pack of tobacco industry products

Info

Publication number: GB2530715A
Application number: GB1415416.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Hodges
Original assignee: British American Tobacco Investments Ltd; British American Tobacco Co Ltd
Current assignee: British American Tobacco Investments Ltd
Priority date: 2014-09-01
Filing date: 2014-09-01
Publication date: 2016-04-06
Also published as: WO2016034854A1; PH12017500195A1; CA2957863A1; GB201415416D0; AU2015310733A1; AU2015310733B2; EP3188985A1; ZA201700923B

Abstract

A pack of tobacco industry products 1 comprising a base 2 having walls and an open end 8, and a wrapped bundle 20 of tobacco products attached to the pack in order to maintain a void between the bundle and at least one base wall. The pack may comprise a front 3, rear 4, end 7 and opposing side 5,6 walls and a hinged lid 9. The bundle may be attached to maintain a void between itself and the end, rear and side wall(s). The pack may comprise an inner frame 15, to which the bundle is attached, protruding from the open base comprising a front 16 and opposing side 17,18 walls. The inner frame may extend across a front face and opposing sides of the bundle. The bundle may be attached to at least one base wall, comprise a removable portion and a closed face, formed of a continuous part of a sheet material or with two parts attached together, adjacent to the void. An independent method claim is included for assembling a pack such that a wrapped bundle of tobacco products is supported to maintain a void between itself and at least one wall of a base.

Description

Pack of Tobacco Industry Products

Field

The present invention relates to a pack of tobacco industry products, for example smoking articles.

Background

A pack for smoking articles has a base and a hinged lid which covers an open end of the base. A bundle of smoking articles fits within the pack and the hinged lid is operable to io give access to the smoking articles.

Summary

According to the present invention, there is provided a pack of tobacco industry products comprising a base having walls and an open end, and a wrapped bundle of i tobacco industry products attached to the pack such that the wrapped bundle is supported within the base to maintain a void between said wrapped bundle and at least one wall of the base.

The base may comprise a front wan, a rear wall and opposing side walls which separate the front and rear walls, and an end wall which is opposite to the open end, and the pack may further comprise a lid which is hingedly attached to the rear wall.

The wrapped bundle may be attached to the pack to maintain a void between said wrapped bundle and the end wall of the base.

The wrapped bundle may be attached to the pack to maintain a void between said wrapped bundle and a side wail of the base.

The wrapped bundle may be attached to the pack to maintain a void between said wrapped bundle and both opposing side walls of the base.

The wrapped bundle may be attached to the pack to maintain a void between said wrapped bundle and the rear wall of the base.

The pack may further comprise an inner frame attached to the base and protruding from the open end.

The wrapped bundle may be attached to the inner frame.

The wrapped bundle may be attached to the pack such that the wrapped bundle does not extend past an end of the inner frame which protrudes from the open end of the base.

The wrapped bundle maybe attached to the pack such that an end of the wrapped bundle is aligned with an end of the inner frame which protrudes from the open end of jo the base.

The inner frame may comprise a front wall and opposing side walls extending from the front wall.

The wrapped bundle may comprise a front face and opposing side faces, the inner frame extends across the front face and the opposing side faces of the wrapped bundle, and the wrapped bundle is attached to at east one wall of the inner frame.

The inner frame may consist of a front wall and opposing side walls extending from the front wall, and wherein the wrapped bundle may be attached to at least one of the front wall and opposing side walls of the inner frame.

The wrapped bundle may be attached to at least one wall of the base.

The wrapped bundle may comprise a removable portion, said removable portion not being attached to the pack.

The wrapped bundle may comprise a closed face, said closed face being adjacent to the void.

The wrapped bundle may comprise a sheet material which is wrapped around the tobacco industry products such that the closed face of the wrapped bundle is formed of a continuous part of the sheet material.

The wrapped bundle may comprise a sheet material which is wrapped around the tobacco industry products such that the closed face of the wrapped bundle comprises an attachment between at least two different parts of the sheet material.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of assembling a pack of tobacco industry products, the method comprising attaching a wrapped bundle of tobacco industry products to the pack such that the wrapped bundle is supported within a base of the pack to maintain a void between said wrapped bundle and at least a wall of the base.

Tn one example, the method may further comprise attaching an inner frame to the pack such that the inner frame protrudes from an open end of said base, and then attaching the wrapped bundle to the inner frame.

Alternatively, the method may comprise attaching the wrapped bundle to at east one wall of the base of the pack.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a pack of tobacco industry products assembled using the method described above.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to accompanying drawings, in which: Figure t shows a pack of smoking articles; Figure a shows a wrapped bundle of smoking articles, Figure 2b and c show cross-sections of examples of wrapped bundles of smoking articles; Figure a shows an example of a wrapped bundle of smoking articles and an inner frame of a pack; Figure 3b shows an example of a pack of smoking articles; Figure a shows an example of a wrapped bundle of smoking artides and an inner frame of a pack; Figure 4b shows an examp'e of a pack of smoking articles; Figures a to c show schematic drawings of a first example of forming a wrapped bundle of smoking articles; and, Figures 6a to 6c show schematic drawings of a second examp'e of forming a wrapped bundle of smoking articles.

Detailed Description

Figure 1 shows pack 1 of tobacco industry products, such as smoking articles. The pack 1 has a base 2 with a front wail 3, a rear wail 4 which is opposite to the front wall 3, opposing side walls 5, 6 that extend between the front and rear walls 3, 4, and an end wall 7, which doses one end of the base 2. At an opposite end of the base 2 to the end wall 7 is an open end 8.

A hinged lid 9 is attached to the rear wafl 4 at the open end 8 and is pivotable to close the open end 8 of the base. The lid itself has a front wall 10, a rear wall ii, opposing side walls 12, 13 and a top wall 14, so that when the lid 9 is in a closed position the walls of the lid 9 are aligned with the walls of the base 2.

An inner frame 15 is attached to the base 2 such that it protrudes from the open end 8.

The inner frame i has a front wall 16 and two opposing side walls 17, 18 on either side of the front wall 16. The front wall 16 of the inner frame is positioned against the front wall 3 of the base 2, and the opposing side walls 17, 18 of the inner frame 15 are positioned against the opposing side walls 5, 6 of the base 2. In this way, the inner frame 15 is received within, and protrudes from, the base 2 such that when the hinged lid 9 is closed it covers the inner frame 15.

The inner frame 15 may be attached to the base 2 of the pack 1 by an adhesive.

Alternatively, the inner frame 15 may be attached to the base 2 of the pack 1 by some engagement between pails of the inner frame 15 and the walls 3,4, s, 6 of the base 2.

For example, the inner frame 15 may include tabs (not shown) that engage with slots or cut-outs (not shown) in the base 2 to attach the inner frame 15 to the base 2 in the position dcscribcd abovc.

Attaching the inner frame i to the base 2 of the pack 1 will improve the rigidity of the pack 2, which is important in manufacture, transport and use.

The front wall i6 of the inner frame i comprises a cut-out 19 which is positioned to allow a user to grasp smoking articles when the hinged lid 9 is open.

A wrapped bundle 20 of smoking articles is positioned within the base 2 such that a top end 21 of the wrapped bundle 20 is approximately aligned with the protruding end 22 of the inner frame 15. The wrapped bundle 20 comprises a phirality of smoking articles.

Figure a shows the wrapped bundle 20 of smoking articles. The wrapped bundle 20 is formed by wrapping a sheet material around a plurality of smoking articles such that a substantially cuboid wrapped bundle 20 is formed. However, it will be appreciated that the edges of the wrapped bundle may be curved, and that the sharp edges shown in Figure a are merely representations. As shown, the wrapped bundle 20 is formed by Jo folding flaps of the sheet material against the sides of the wrapped bundle 20.

Also shown in Figure a, the sheet material of the wrapped bundle 20 includes a line of weakness 23, such as a line of perforations. Therefore, when the pack 1 of smoking articles is opened, as shown in Figure 1, a consumer can grasp a top flap 24 of the wrapped bundle 20 and remove a front removable portion 30 of the sheet material of the wrapped bundle 20, to provide access to the smoking articles.

Figure 2b shows cross-section A-A of the wrapped bundle 20, as indicated in Figure 2a.

As shown, smoking articles 25 are arranged in rows within the wrapped bundle 20, and are surrounded by the sheet material 26. In this example, twenty smoking articles 25 are arranged in three rows (7-6-7).

Figure 2c shows an alternative arrangement of the smoking articles 25 within the wrapped bundle, in this example, fourteen smoking articles 25 are arranged in three rows (--) within the sheet material 26.

It will be appreciated that the smoking articles 25 may be arranged in various ways within the wrapped bundle 20. In another example, twenty smoking articles may be arranged in two rows often smoking articles.

Tt will also be appreciated that the smoking articles 25 themselves may have various dimensions. For examp'e, king-size smoking ardcles typically have a circumference of between mm and 9 mm, whereas slimmer smoking articles may have a circumference of between 4 mm and 7mm.

Moreover, different smoking artides may have different lengths. For examp'e, some smoking articles have a kngth of between 8o mm and 90 mm, while others have a length of between 6o mm and 100mm. Some smoking articles have a ength of between approximately6o mm and approximately 75 mm.

Therefore, depending on the type of smoking articles 25 and their arrangement within the wrapped bundle 20, the dimensions of the wrapped bundle 20 will valy. For example, wrapped bundles 20 may have different lengths, widths and depths.

o Figure a shows a wrapped bundle 20 of smoking artides, together with an inner frame i as described with reference to Figure 1. Tn this example, the wrapped bundle 20 of smoking articles has a length 27 which is less than a dimension of the pack in which the wrapped bundle 20 will be packaged. For example, a pack may have a length of between approximately So mm and approximately 95 mm, which is suitable for smoking articles having approximately the same length. On the other hand, the smoking articles, and therefore the wrapped bundle 20, of this example may have a ength of between 60 mm and mm.

The wrapped bundle 20 is attached to the inner frame 15 such that the top end 21 of the wrapped bundle 20 is level with the protruding end 22 of the inner frame 15. Therefore, once the wrapped bundle 20 has been opened, the smoking artides are easily retrieved from the pack 1.

As shown in Figure a, the inner frame 15 comprises a sleeve which partially surrounds the wrapped bundle 20. Tn this example, as previously exp'ained with reference to Figure 1, the inner frame 15 comprises three sides: a front wall i6 and opposing side walls 17, i8, which surround the wrapped bundle 20 on three sides.

Thc wrappcd bundlc 20 may bc attachcdto thc inncr framc 15 by hot mclt adhcsivc, adhesive tape, other adhesive, heat seal, or any other suitable means of attachment. Tn another example, the wrapped bundle 20 may be attached to the inner frame i by a hook-and-loop mechanism -where a male hook part is provided on one of the inner frame i and wrapped bundle 20 and a female loop part is provided on the other. Such a mechanism may be very fine and thin such that it is not visible to the human eye.

Figure 3b shows the inner frame 15 and the wrapped bundle 20 of Figure a positioned within a hinged-lid pack 1, similar to that described with reference to Figure 1. tn Figure 3b, parts of the pack 1 are shown in translucent, so that the relative positions of the base 2, fid 9, wrapped bundle 20 and inner frame i are shown.

As previously described with reference to Fignre 1, the inner frame 15 is attached to the base 2 of the hinged-lid pack 1 such that the inner frame 15 protrudes from the open end (8, see Figure i) of the base 2. Therefore, when the hinged lid 9 is open, the wrapped bundle 20 of smoking articles is accessible to the consumer.

As previously explained, in this example the length (27, see Figure 3a) of the wrapped bundle 20 is less than a length of the pack 1. Therefore, as shown in Figure 3b, the wrapped bundle 20, being attached to the inner frame 15, is supported in the pack 1 such that it is spaced from the end wall 7 of the base 2 and a void 28 is formed within the pack 1, between the wrapped bundle 20 and the end wall 7 of the base 2.

Given the above described example dimensions of packs 1, wrapped bundles 20, and smoking articles 25, in this example the wrapped bundle 20 maybe spaced from the end wall 7 of the base 2 by between approximately mm and approximately 35 mm.

That is, the void 28 may be between approximately mm and 35 mm in length.

tn this way, a wrapped bundle 20 of smoking articles can be packaged in a pack 1 which is significantly longer than the smoking articles. This is advantageous for machine change-over, distribution networks, and sales displays. For example, cigarettes of various length can be packaged in packs having the same size base 2 and lid 9, giving uniform pack size despite varying cigarette size.

Figure a shows another example of a wrapped bundle 20 of smoking articles together with an inncr framc 15, as dcscribcd with rcfcrcncc to Figurc 1. In this exampic, thc wrapped bundle 20 of smoking articles has a width 29 which is less than a dimension of the pack in which the wrapped bundle 20 may be packaged. For example, a pack may have a width of between approximately o mm and approximately 60 mm, which is suitable for a wrapped bundle 20 of twenty smoking articles arranged in three rows 6-7), each smoking article having a diameter of between approximately 50 mm and approximately 6o mm.

On the other hand, the wrapped bundle 20 of this example may contain less than twenty smoking articles, for example fourteen, sixteen or eighteen smoking articles, meaning that the width of the wrapped bundle 20 is reduced. Tn this case, the width 29 ofthewrappedbundle 20 maybebetween approximately35 mm and approximately5o mm.

In an alternative example, the wrapped bundle 20 may contain slim smoking articles, having a circumference of less than approximately 7 mm, meaning that the width 29 of the wrapped bundle 20 may be reduced. For example, the wrapped bundle 20 may jo contain twenty smoking articles arranged in three rows (7-6-7) and each have a diameter of between approximately mm and approximately 7mm. Therefore, the width 29 of the wrapped bundle 20 maybe between approximately 28 mm and approximately 49 mm.

Tn the above described examples of different size wrapped bundles 20, the smoking articles, and therefore the wrapped bundle 20, may have a length (i.e. between 80 mm and 85mm) or maybe have a shorter length (i.e. between 60mm and 75mm).

As shown in Figure a, in this example the wrapped bundle 20 is attached to the inner frame 15 on the front wall i6 of the inner frame 15 and on one of the opposing side walls 18 of the inner frame 15. The inner frame 15 is sized to fit within the base 2, and so the wrapped bundle 20 is offset to one side.

As shown, the wrapped bundle 20 is attached to the inner frame 15 such that the top end 21 of the wrapped bundle 20 is level with the protruding end 22 of the inner frame 15. However, it will be appreciated that the wrapped bundle 20 may be attached to the inner frame 15 such that it is below the protruding end 22 of the inner frame is, and therefore does not extend past the protruding end 22.

As shown in Figure a, the inner frame 15 comprises a sleeve which partially surrounds the wrapped bundle 20. Tn this example, as previously explained with reference to Figure 1, the inner frame 15 comprises three sides: a front wall 16 and opposing side walls 17, i8, which surround the wrapped bundle 20 on three sides. However, as the wrapped bundle 20 has a width 29 which is less than the width of the inner frame i, the wrapped bundle 20 only contacts the inner frame 15 on one of the opposing side walls 18.

The wrapped bundle 20 may be attached to the inner frame 15 by hot melt adhesive, adhesive tape, other adhesive, heat seal, or any other suitable means of attachment.

Discrete areas of adhesive can be provided between the inner frame i and the wrapped bundle 20, on at least one wall of the inner frame i against which the wrapped bundle is disposed.

As shown in Figure 4b, when the inner frame and wrapped bundle 20 described with reference to Figure a are received in a pack 1, the wrapped bundle 20 is spaced from jo one of the opposing side walls 5 of the base 2 and a void 28 is created within the pack i, to one side of the wrapped bundle 20. This void 28 extends to the protruding end 22 of the inner frame, so that a consumer is able access the void 28. Therefore, additional items, for example information leaflets, could be included in the void 28.

Given the above described example dimensions of packs 1, wrapped bundles 20 and smoking articles 25, in this example the wrapped bundle 20 maybe spaced from one of the opposing side walls 5 of the base 2 by up to approximately 32 mm. That is, the void 28 could be up to approximately 32 mm in width and extend the length of the pack 1.

As previously explained, in this example the wrapped bundle 20 may have a length which is similar to the length of the pack 1, such that the wrapped bundle 20 abuts the bottom wall 7 of the base 2, as shown in Figure 4b.

In other examples, a wrapped bundle 20 having a width which is less than the pack 1, for example that shown in Figure a, may be positioned centrally within the pack i, relative to the inner frame, such that the wrapped bundle 20 is spaced from both of the opposing side walls 17,18 of the inner frame is and the opposing side walls 5,6 of the base of the pack. In this case, a void is formed on both sides of the wrapped bundle 20, bctwccn tim wrappcd bundlc 20 and cach opposing sidc wall s, 6 of thc basc. Thc wrapped bundle 20 may be spaced from each of the opposing side wafls 5,6 of the base 2 by up to approximately 6 mm.

Referring to Figures land 3, in another example, the wrapped bundle 20 may have a width 29 which is equivalent to the width of the pack 1, and a depth 30 which is less than a depth of the pack 1. Therefore, the wrapped bundle 20 extends between the opposing side walls 17, 18 of the inner frame 15 and the opposing side walls j, 6 of the -10-base 2 of the pack 1, and the wrapped bundle 20 is spaced from the rear wail 4 of the pack 1. In this case, a void is formed along the rear side of the wrapped bundle 20, between the wrapped bundle 20 and the rear wall 4 of the base 2. This void extends to the protruding end 22 of the inner frame 15, SO will be accessible by a consumer.

Therefore, additional items can be placed in this void, for example an information leaflet.

For example, the wrapped bundle 20 may contain twenty smoking articles arranged in two rows (io-io) and each smoking article may have a diameter of between jo approximately 4 mm and approximately 7 mm. A pack may have a depth of between approximately 20 mm and approximately 25 mm. Therefore, in this examp'e, the wrapped bundle 20 maybe spaced from the rear wall 4 of the base 2 by up to approximately 17 mm.

Tn each of the above described examples, the inner frame 15 is attached to the base 2 of the pack 1, and the wrapped bundle 20 is attached to the inner frame i such that the wrapped bundle 20 is supported within the pack 1 and is spaced from at least one wall of the base 2 of the pack 1. Thus, a void 28 is formed within the pack 1, between the wrapped bundle 20 and at least one wall of the base 2.

The inner frame 15 may be attached to the base 2 of the pack 1 by hot melt adhesive, adhesive tape, other adhesive, heat seal, or any other suitable means of aft achment.

Discrete areas of adhesive can be provided between the inner frame 15 and the wrapped bundle 20, on at least one wall of the inner frame 15 against which the wrapped bundle 20 abuts.

The wrapped bundle 20 is attached to the inner frame 15 on a part of the wrapped bundle 20 which abuts a wall of the inner frame 15. For example, in the example shown in Figurcs a and 3b, thc wrappcd bundle 20 can be attachcd to thc inncr framc 15 on the front wafl 16 and the opposing side wafls 17,18 of the inner frame. Referring to the examp'e shown in Figures a and 4b, the wrapped bundle 20 can be attached to the inner frame i on the front wafl 16 and one of the opposing side walls 18 of the inner frame.

-11 -The wrapped bundle 20 can be attached to the inner frame 15 via one or more walls of the inner frame 15, such that the wrapped bundle 20 is supported within the pack 1 by the attachment between the wrapped bundle 20 and the inner frame i.

Preferably, the removable portion 30 of the wrapped bundle 20, as described with reference to Figure 2a, is not attached to the inner frame 15. Therefore, the removable portion 30 of the wrapped bundle 20 can be removed by the consumer to give access to the smoking articles.

jo Tn each of the above examples, the wrapped bundle 20 is supported only by being attached to the inner frame 15, and no further support is provided. For example, no part of the inner frame 15 is folded to support the wrapped bundle 20, and no additional support structure is included. Therefore, the wrapped bundle 20 is supported without having to alter the shape or configuration of the inner frame 15, and without having to greatly alter the pack assembly process.

The above described pack 1 of smoking articles may be assembled by forming a wrapped bundle 20 of smoking articles 25, attaching an inner frame 15 to that wrapped bundle 20 in the manner described above, and then forming the base 2 and lid 9 of the pack 1 around the wrapped bundle 20 and inner frame is, and at the same time attaching the inner frame 15 to the base 2 of the pack 1. The base 2 and lid 9 can be formed around the wrapped bundle 20 and inner frame 15 by folding a pre-cut blank around the wrapped bundle 20 and inner frame 15 and adhering the appropriate parts of the blank together to form the base 2 and lid 9.

In each of the examples described above, the wrapped bundle 20 comprises at least one face which is spaced from a wall of the base 2 of the pack 1. Therefore, this face of the wrapped bundle 20 is adjacent to a void 28. In each example, this face of the wrapped bundlc 20 is closcd, such that thc wrappcd bundlc 20 can not opcn into thc void 28, which may allow the smoking articles 25 to move into the void 28, making them more difficult to retrieve from the pack 1.

Figures a to 5c, and Figures 6a to 6c, show examples of processes for wrapping a sheet material 26 around a bundle of smoking articles to form a wrapped bundle 20 having at least one closed face. In each of these examples, the wrapped bundle 20 is that described with reference to Figures a and 3b -the wrapped bundle 20 has a -12 -length 27 which is less than a length of the pack 1, such that the wrapped bundle 20 is spaced from the end wall 7 of the base 2 of the pack land a void is formed between the wrapped bundle 20 and the end wall 7 of the base 2.

Figures a to c show a first example of a process of forming a wrapped bundle 20 by wrapping a sheet material 26 around a bundle 25a of smoking articles 20.

As shown in Figure a, a first step of the process comprises wrapping a sheet material 26 around a bundle 25 of smoking articles such that the sheet material 26 extends o continuously around one end 31 of the bundle 25 of smoking articles. As shown in Figure b, the sheet material 26 is then folded on the top side 21, and opposing sides 32,33 of the bundle 25 to complete the wrapping.

As shown in Figure c, in this way, the end face 31 of the wrapped bundle 20, which is spaced from the end wall 7 of the base 2 of the pack 1 (see Figure 3b), is a closed face formed of a continuous part of the sheet material 26. The closed end face 31 of the wrapped bundle 20 therefore supports the smoking articles within the wrapped bundle and prevents the wrapped bundle 20 from opening into the void created by the wrapped bundle 20 being spaced from the end wall 7 of the base 2 of the pack 1.

It will be appreciated that the closed end face 31 may be formed on any side of the wrapped bundle 20 by rotating the bundle 25a of smoking articles relative to the sheet material 26 before starting the wrapping process. Therefore, regardless of which face of the wrapped bundle 20 is adjacent to the void 28, that face can be formed from a continuous part of the sheet material 26 to form a closed face 31.

Figures 6a to 6c show a second example of forming a wrapped bundle 20 by wrapping a sheet material 26 around a bundle 252! of smoking articles.

As shown in Figure 6a, a first step of the process comprises wrapping a sheet material 26 around a bundle 252! of smoking articles such that the sheet material 26 extends continuously around one side 32 of the bundle of smoking articles. As shown in Figure 6b, the sheet material 26 is then folded into flaps 34 on the opposite side face 33 and on the opposing top face 21 and end face 31 of the bundle 252! to complete the wrapping. The flaps 34 are then folded flat against the sides of the wrapped bundle 20.

-13 -In this example, at least some of the flaps 34 of sheet material can be attached to each other to form at least one closed face on the wrapped bundle 20. For example, the flaps 34 on the end face 31 of the wrapped bundle 20, which is adjacent to the void 28 in the pack 1 (see Figure 3b), may be attached to each other to form a closed end face 31.

Furthermore, the flaps 34 on the side face 33 of the wrapped bundle 20 may also be attached to each other to form a closed side face 33.

The flaps 34 of sheet material 26 can be attached together using, for example, adhesive, heat seal, or ultrasonic weld, or any other suitable attachment means.

As shown in Figure 6c, in this way, the end face 31 of the wrapped bundle 20, which is spaced from the end wall 7 of the base 2 of the pack 1 (see Figure 3b), is a closed face that includes an attachment between the flaps 34 of sheet material 26 that are folded to form the end face 31. The closed end face 31 of the wrapped bundle 20 therefore supports the smoking artides within the wrapped bundle 20 and prevents the wrapped bundle 20 from opening into the void 28 within the pack 1.

It will be appreciated that a closed face may be formed on any side of the wrapped bundle 20 of smoking articles by rotating the bundle 25a of smoking articles relative to the sheet material 26 before starting the wrapping process. Therefore, regardless of which face of the wrapped bundle 20 is adjacent to the void, that face can be closed by attaching the flaps 24 of sheet material 26 together to form a closed face.

The sheet material 26 of the wrapped bundle 20 may comprise a foil paper, laminate material. For example the sheet material 26 may comprise a laminate of a sealing layer and heat sealing layer. In other examples, the sheet material 26 may comprise a plastics layer which is suitable for heat sealing.

Although thc cxamplcs dcscribcd with rcfcrcncc to Figurcs ito 6c rclatc to hinged-lid packs for smoking artides, it wifl be appreciated that the invention may be applied to other types of pack for smoking articles. For example, the pack may comprise two telescopically arranged parts that can sUde relative to each other to open the pack. Tn this example, the inner part maybe substantiafly similar to the base as previously described, and the outer part may act as a cover for the open end. The two parts of this pack may be slid in any direction to open the pack. Alternatively, the pack may have a wallet arrangement, with two bases, substantially similar to the base 2 previously described, hingedly attached to each other along a side walL Optionafly, this embodiment may include a hinged-lid that covers the open end of both of these bases.

Tt will be appreciated that the invention may be applied to any pack for smoking articles that includes a base portion, an inner frame and a wrapped bundle of smoking articles.

In an alternative embodiment, the pack may not comprise an inner frame, and the wrapped bundle of smoking articles may be attached directly to a wall of the base, for example the front wall of the base. In this way, the wrapped bunifie can be attached jo directly to the pack and therefore supported within the base to maintain a void between the wrapped bundle and at least one wall of the base.

A tobacco industry product refers to any item made in, or sold by the tobacco industry, typically including a) smoking artides, cigarifios, cigars, tobacco for pipes or for roll-your-own smoking articles, (whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes); b) non-smoking products incorporating tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes such as snuff, snus, hard tobacco, and heat-not-burn products; and c) other nicotine-delivery systems such as inhalers, aerosol generation devices including c-smoking articles, lozenges and gum. This list is not intended to be exclusive, but merely illustrates a range of products which are made and sold in the tobacco industry.

As used herein, the term "smoking article" inc'udes smokeable products such as smoking articles, cigars and cigarillos whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes and also heat-not-burn products and other nicotine delivery product such as aerosol generation devices including c-smoking articles. The smoking article maybe provided with a filter for the gascous flow drawn by the smokcr.

Tn order to address various issues and advance the art, the entirety of this disclosure shows by way of illustration various embodiments in which the claimed invention(s) may be practiced and provide for superior pack of smoking articles. The advantages and features of the disclosure are of a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exdusive. They are presented on'y to assist in understanding and teach the claimed features. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, -15 -examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects of the disclosure are not to be considered limitations on the disdosure as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications maybe made without departing from the scope and/or spirit of the disclosure. Various embodiments may suitalMy comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. In addition, the disclosure includes other inventions not presently claimed, but which maybe claimed in future. I 0

Claims

claims 1. A pack of tobacco industry products comprising a base having wafis and an open end, and a wrapped bundle of tobacco industry products attached to the pack such that the wrapped bundle is supported within the base to maintain a void between said wrapped bundle and at least one wall of the base.
2. The pack of tobacco industry products according to claim 1, wherein the base comprises a front wall, a rear wall and opposing side walls which separate the front and jo rear walls, and an end wall which is opposite to the open end, and wherein the pack further comprises a Ud which is hingedly attached to the rear wall.
3. The pack of tobacco industry products according to claim 2, wherein the wrapped bundle is attached to the pack to maintain a void between said wrapped bundle and the end wafl of the base.
4. The pack of tobacco industry products according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the wrapped bundle is attached to the pack to maintain a void between said wrapped bundle and a side wall of the base.
5. The pack of tobacco industry products according to claim 4, wherein the wrapped bundle is attached to the pack to maintain a void between said wrapped bundle and both opposing side walls of the base.
6. The pack of tobacco industry products according to any of claims 2 to 5, wherein the wrapped bundle is attached to the pack to maintain a void between said wrapped bundle and the rear wall of the base.
7. The pack of tobacco industry products according to any prcccding claim, wherein the pack further comprises an inner frame attached to the base and protruding from the open end.
8. The pack of tobacco industry products according to claim 7, wherein the wrapped bundle is attached to the inner frame. -17-
9. The pack of tobacco industry products according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the wrapped bundle is attached to the pack such that the wrapped bundle does not extend past an end of the inner frame which protrudes from the open end of the base.
10. The pack of tobacco industry products according to any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the wrapped bundle is attached to the pack such that an end of the wrapped bundle is aligned with an end of the inner frame which protrudes from the open end of the base.
ii. The pack of tobacco industry products according to any of claims 7 to 10, jo wherein the inner frame comprises a front wafi and opposing side walls extending from the front waif
12. The pack of tobacco industry products according to claim ii, wherein the wrapped bundle comprises a front face and opposing side faces, the inner frame extends across the front face and the opposing side faces of the wrapped bundle, and the wrapped bundle is attached to at least one wa1 of the inner frame.
13. The pack of tobacco industry products according to any of claims 7 to 12, wherein the inner frame consists of a front wall and opposing side walls extending from the front wall, and wherein the wrapped bund'e is attached to at least one of the front wall and opposing side walls of the inner frame.
14. The pack of tobacco industry products according to any of claims 2 to 6, wherein the wrapped bundle is attached to at east one wall of the base.
15. The pack of tobacco industry products according to any preceding claim, wherein the wrapped bundle comprises a removable portion, said removable portion not being attached to the pack.
16. The pack of tobacco industry products according to any preceding dam, wherein the wrapped bundle comprises a closed face, said closed face being adjacent to the void.
17. The pack of tobacco industry products according to claim i6, wherein the wrapped bundle comprises a sheet material which is wrapped around the tobacco -18 -industry products such that the dosed face of the wrapped bundle is formed of a continuous part of the sheet material.
18. The pack of tobacco industry products according to claim 16, wherein the wrapped bundle comprises a sheet material which is wrapped around the tobacco industry products such that the dosed face of the wrapped bundle comprises an attachment between at least two different parts of the sheet material.
19. A method of assembling a pack of tobacco industry products, the method o comprising attaching a wrapped bundle of tobacco industry products to the pack such that the wrapped bundle is supported within the base to maintain a void between said wrapped bundle and at east a wall of the base.
20. A pack of tobacco industry products assembled using the method of claim 19.
21. A pack of tobacco industry products substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.