GB2564089A

GB2564089A - A tobacco industry product package and an apparatus and method for sealing a gas flow region of a wrapped bundle of tobacco industry products

Info

Publication number: GB2564089A
Application number: GB1708632.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Park Jeonghwan; Jonathan Bray Andrew; Fallon Gary
Original assignee: British American Tobacco Investments Ltd
Current assignee: British American Tobacco Investments Ltd
Priority date: 2017-05-31
Filing date: 2017-05-31
Publication date: 2019-01-09
Also published as: GB201708632D0

Abstract

A product surrounded by barrier material 5 sheet with a region 10 allowing gas flow which is blocked by hot melt adhesive G. The region can be covered by a flap. The adhesive can apply to the outer surface without sticking to surrounding packaging. There can be just a single gas flow region 10. A nozzle and sealing device of an apparatus can supply inert gas or evacuate F the packaging via the region while simultaneously supplying the adhesive to seal it. The adhesive can be supplied under pneumatic pressure 37 from a reservoir 33. The adhesive could be pre applied and only heated by the apparatus. The apparatus can also include a wrapper to apply the barrier material and a wrapper to apply outer packaging once the glue has dried.

Description

Α tobacco industry product package and an apparatus and method for sealing a gas flow region of a wrapped bundle of tobacco industry products

Field

The present invention relates to a tobacco industry product package. The present invention also relates to an apparatus and method for sealing a gas flow region of a wrapped bundle of tobacco industry products.

Background

It is known in the art to provide a smoking article pack having a base and a lid that together form an enclosure that houses a group of smoking articles. To preserve the freshness of the smoking articles before the pack is first opened, the enclosure is wrapped in an outer film.

Summary

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided a tobacco industry product package comprising: a wrapped bundle having a group of tobacco industry products and an enclosure comprising a sheet of barrier material wrapped 20 around the group of tobacco industry products, wherein the enclosure contains a modified atmosphere and wherein the sheet comprises a gas flow region in the barrier material; and, a hot melt adhesive on the sheet that blocks the gas flow region to form a barrier that seals the gas flow region.

In one embodiment, the sheet further comprises a product extraction region that is openable to provide access to the tobacco industry products.

In one embodiment, the modified atmosphere of the enclosure comprises an at least partial vacuum.

In one embodiment, the modified atmosphere of the sealed enclosure comprises or substantially consists of a gas other than air.

In one embodiment, the pressure of the modified atmosphere of the enclosure is greater than atmospheric pressure.

The hot melt adhesive may comprise a layer that extends across the gas flow region to seal the gas flow region.

The gas flow region may comprise a gas flow opening through the sheet of barrier material. The barrier material may comprise a flap that at least partially defines the gas flow region. The gas flow region may comprise an incision through the thickness of the barrier material. The incision maybe an open-figure, for example, U-shaped or Vshaped. The incision may be non-linear. In another embodiment, the incision may be a 10 straight line.

The enclosure may be a sealed enclosure. The sealed enclosure may be hermetically sealed.

In one embodiment, the enclosure comprises an inner surface, and wherein the hot melt adhesive is located on the inner surface. In another embodiment, the adhesive is provided on an outer surface of the enclosure.

In one embodiment, the sheet further comprises a second gas flow region. The second 20 gas flow region may comprise a second gas flow opening. In an alternative embodiment, the sheet has a single gas flow region and no further gas flow regions.

In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product package further comprises an inner support frame located between the group of tobacco industry products and the sheet. In 25 some embodiments, the inner support frame comprises a gas flow region that is configured to allow gas to flowthrough the inner support frame between the centre of the package and the gas flow opening of the sheet. The gas flow region of the inner support frame may comprise an aperture.

In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product package further comprises an outer pack that contains the wrapped bundle. The hot melt adhesive may be unbonded with respect to the outer pack, meaning that the hot melt adhesive is not adhered to the outer pack. Thus, the barrier is separate and distinct to the outer pack. In some embodiments, the wrapped bundle contacts the outer pack. The hot melt adhesive may contact the outer pack. The hot melt adhesive may be unconnected to the outer pack.

-3In some embodiments, the hot melt adhesive does not adhere the wrapped bundle to the outer pack.

The outer pack may be a hinged-lid pack. The outer pack may comprise a plurality of panels. The outer pack may comprise card. The outer pack may be formed from a card blank.

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an apparatus for sealing a gas flow region of a wrapped bundle of tobacco industry 10 products, the wrapped bundle comprising a group of tobacco industry products wrapped in a sheet of barrier material that has the gas flow region in the barrier material, the apparatus comprising: a nozzle for locating over the gas flow region, wherein the nozzle is configured to be connected to a gas flow device to induce a gas flow through the gas flow region; and, a sealing device configured to provide molten hot 15 melt adhesive at the gas flow region to block the gas flow region.

In one embodiment, the sealing device is configured to provide the molten hot melt adhesive at the gas flow region on an outer surface of the enclosure. In another embodiment, the sealing device is configured to provide the molten hot melt adhesive 20 at the gas flow region on an inner surface of the enclosure.

In one embodiment, the hot melt adhesive hardens to form a barrier that seals the gas flow region.

The hot melt adhesive may extend across the gas flow region to seal the gas flow region.

The sealing device may be configured to dispense the molten hot melt adhesive onto the sheet. The molten hot melt adhesive maybe separate to the sheet prior to being dispensed onto the sheet by the sealing device.

In one embodiment, the sealing device is configured to dispense the adhesive through the nozzle onto the sheet. The sealing device may be configured to project the adhesive onto the sheet. The sealing device may comprise a pressurised gas source operable to project the adhesive onto the sheet.

-4The sealing device may comprise a reservoir for containing hot melt adhesive. In one such embodiment, the sealing device further comprises a heater configured to heat hot melt adhesive in the reservoir to a molten state.

The sealing device may be an applicator.

In one embodiment, the gas flow region comprises a gas flow opening through the sheet of barrier material. The barrier material may comprise a flap that at least partially forms the gas flow region. The gas flow region may comprise an incision through the 10 thickness of the barrier material. The incision may be an open-figure, for example, Ushaped or V-shaped. The incision maybe non-linear.

In one embodiment, the hot melt adhesive is pre-applied to the sheet and wherein the sealing device is configured to heat the hot melt adhesive to a molten state such that the hot melt adhesive flows to seal the gas flow region.

In one embodiment, the apparatus is configured to simultaneously induce the gas flow through the gas flow region and provide molten hot melt adhesive at the gas flow region.

In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a gas flow device connected to the nozzle and configured to induce the gas flow through the gas flow region. The gas flow device may comprise a vacuum source configured to extract gas from the gas flow region so as to provide an at least partial vacuum within the wrapped bundle.

In one embodiment, the gas flow device comprises a gas source configured to insert a gas through the gas flow region so as to provide the gas within the wrapped bundle.

In one embodiment, the sealing device is configured to provide the hot melt adhesive at the gas flow region once the gas source has inserted the gas through the gas flow region 30 such that the pressure in the wrapped package is greater than atmospheric pressure.

In one embodiment, the sheet further comprises a second gas flow region and wherein the gas flow device further comprises a vacuum source configured to extract the first gas from the wrapped package via the second gas flow region. In an alternative embodiment, the sheet comprises a single gas flow region.

-5The sealing device may be configured to provide hot melt adhesive as a layer that extends across the gas flow region to seal the gas flow region.

The apparatus may further comprise a seal that is configured to abut the sheet about 5 the gas flow region.

In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises a blower, for example, a fan, pump or compressed gas source, which is configured to blow a gas such as air onto the hot melt adhesive to increase the rate at which the hot melt adhesive hardens.

In one embodiment, the wrapped package initially contains a first gas and wherein the gas flow device is configured to insert a second gas through the gas flow region such that at least a portion of the first gas in the wrapped package is replaced by the second gas, the second gas being different to the first gas.

The apparatus may comprise a sealing head that comprises the sealing device and the nozzle. The sealing head may comprise a housing. The sealing device and/or nozzle may be coupled or fixed relative to the housing. In some embodiments, the sealing device is at least partially located within the housing.

In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a connector port for fluidly coupling to the gas flow device.

In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a cutting device that is configured 25 to form the gas flow region.

In one embodiment, the cutting device is configured to form a product extraction region in the sheet such that, once the group of tobacco industry products is wrapped in the sheet to form the wrapped package, the product extraction region is openable to 30 provide access to the tobacco industry products in the wrapped package. The product extraction region may comprise a product extraction opening.

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided a packaging apparatus for packaging tobacco industry products, the packaging apparatus comprising an apparatus for sealing a wrapped package of tobacco industry products according to any of the embodiments described herein.

-6In one embodiment, the packaging apparatus further comprises a wrapping device configured to wrap a group of tobacco industry products with the sheet of barrier material to form the wrapped package, the sheet comprising a gas flow region.

In one embodiment, the packaging apparatus further comprises a packing device configured to provide the wrapped package in an outer pack. The packing device may be configured to provide the wrapped bundle in the outer pack once the hot melt adhesive at the gas flow region has hardened. The outer pack may be formed from a 10 blank of material. The hot melt adhesive may be unbonded with respect to the outer pack, meaning that the hot melt adhesive is not adhered to the outer pack. Thus, the barrier is separate and distinct to the outer pack. In some embodiments, the wrapped bundle contacts the outer pack. The hot melt adhesive may contact the outer pack. The hot melt adhesive may be unconnected to the outer pack.

In one embodiment, the packaging apparatus further comprises an inner support frame packing device configured to provide the group of tobacco industry products in an inner support frame. In one embodiment, the wrapping device is configured to wrap the group of tobacco industry products and the inner support frame with the sheet to form 20 the wrapped package.

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided a method of sealing a gas flow region of a wrapped bundle of tobacco industry products, the method comprising: providing a wrapped bundle having a group of tobacco industry products 25 wrapped in a sheet of barrier material that comprises a gas flow region in the barrier material; inducing a gas flow through the gas flow region; providing molten hot melt adhesive at the gas flow region to block the gas flow region; and, allowing the hot melt adhesive to harden such that the hot melt adhesive forms a barrier that seals the gas flow region.

In one embodiment, providing the wrapped package comprises providing the sheet of barrier material and the group of tobacco industry products; and, wrapping the group of tobacco industry products in the sheet to form the wrapped package.

-ΊΙη one embodiment, the hot melt adhesive is provided at the gas flow region on an outer surface of the enclosure. In another embodiment, the hot melt adhesive is provided at the gas flow region on an inner surface of the enclosure.

In one embodiment, inducing the gas flow through the gas flow region comprises applying a vacuum to the gas flow region such that an at least partial vacuum is provided within the wrapped bundle.

In one embodiment, inducing the gas flow through the gas flow region comprises 10 inserting a gas through the gas flow region.

In one embodiment, inducing the gas flow through the gas flow region comprises inserting a gas through the gas flow region, and wherein the hot melt adhesive is provided at the gas flow region such that the pressure in the wrapped package is greater 15 than atmospheric pressure.

In one embodiment, the wrapped package initially contains a first gas and wherein inducing the gas flow through the gas flow region comprises inserting a second gas through the gas flow region such that at least a portion of the first gas in the wrapped 20 package is replaced by the second gas, the second gas being different to the first gas.

In one embodiment, the sheet further comprises a second gas flow region and wherein the method further comprises applying a vacuum to the second gas flow region to remove the first gas from the wrapped package. The second gas flow region may comprise a second gas flow opening through the barrier material. The second gas flow opening may comprise an incision. The incision may comprise a closed-figure. In another embodiment, the sheet comprises a single gas flow region.

In one embodiment, the hot melt adhesive is provided at the gas flow region by a 30 nozzle. In one such embodiment, the nozzle also induces the gas flow through the gas flow region.

In one embodiment, allowing the hot melt adhesive to harden such that the hot melt adhesive forms the barrier comprises blowing a gas, for example, air, onto the hot melt 35 adhesive.

-8In one embodiment, the method comprises wrapping the group of tobacco industry products in the sheet to provide the wrapped package and, subsequently, dispensing the hot melt adhesive on the sheet such that the hot melt adhesive extends across the gas flow region.

In one embodiment, providing the hot melt adhesive at the gas flow region comprises dispensing the adhesive onto the sheet. The hot melt adhesive may be separate to the sheet prior to being dispensed onto the sheet.

In one embodiment, providing the adhesive at the gas flow region comprises projecting the hot melt adhesive onto the sheet. The hot melt adhesive maybe projected onto the sheet using a pressurised gas.

In one embodiment, the method comprises providing the hot melt adhesive on the sheet and, subsequently, wrapping the group of tobacco industry products in the sheet 15 to provide the wrapped package, heating the hot melt adhesive to a molten state such that the hot melt adhesive flows to seal the gas flow region.

The hot melt adhesive may be provided at the gas flow region as a layer that extends across the gas flow region to seal the gas flow region.

The gas flow region the gas flow region comprises a gas flow opening through the sheet of barrier material. The barrier material may comprise a flap that at least partially forms the gas flow region. The gas flow region may comprise an incision through the thickness of the barrier material. The incision may be an open-figure, for example, U25 shaped or V-shaped. The incision may be non-linear.

The sheet may further comprises a product extraction region such that, once the group of tobacco industry products is wrapped in the sheet to form the wrapped package, the product extraction region is openable to provide access to the tobacco industry products in the wrapped package. The product extraction region may comprise a product extraction opening. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing the product extraction region in the sheet.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises providing the group of tobacco 35 industry products in an inner support frame, wherein the group of tobacco industry products and the inner support frame are wrapped in the sheet to provide the wrapped

-9package. The method may comprise providing the inner support frame with a gas flow region that is configured to allow gas to flow through the inner support frame between the centre of the package and the gas flow opening of the sheet. The gas flow region of the inner support frame may comprise an aperture.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises providing the wrapped package in an outer pack. The outer pack may be formed from a blank of material. Providing the wrapped package in the outer pack may comprise folding the blank of material about the wrapped package. In an alternative embodiment, providing the wrapped package in 10 the outer pack may comprise inserting the wrapped package into the outer pack. The hot melt adhesive may be unbonded with respect to the outer pack, meaning that the hot melt adhesive is not adhered to the outer pack. Thus, the barrier maybe separate and distinct to the outer pack. In some embodiments, the wrapped bundle contacts the outer pack. The hot melt adhesive may contact the outer pack. The hot melt adhesive 15 may be unconnected to the outer pack.

In some embodiments, the tobacco industry product package does not comprise a oneway valve that seals a gas flow region of the sheet.

According to with some embodiments described herein, a tobacco industry product package is provided comprising a wrapped bundle manufactured by the above apparatus and/or method.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a package for tobacco industry products, with a section of a sheet of barrier material of the package cut-away;

Fig. 2 is a front perspective view of a group of tobacco industry products and an inner support frame of the package shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a rear perspective view of the group of tobacco industry products and inner support frame of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a top view of a blank for the inner support frame shown in Figs. 2 and 3;

Fig. 5 is a top view of the sheet of barrier material of the package of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of the package of Fig. 1;

- 10 Fig. 7 is a block diagram representing an embodiment of a method of sealing a gas flow region of a wrapped bundle of tobacco industry products;

Fig. 8 shows a schematic sequence of steps performed by an embodiment of a packaging apparatus for manufacturing a package;

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a sealing apparatus of the packaging apparatus of Fig.

8, wherein a nozzle of the sealing apparatus is located over a gas flow region of the package;

Fig. io is a cross-sectional view of the sealing apparatus of Fig. 9, wherein a gas flow is induced though the gas flow region of the package;

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the sealing apparatus of Fig. 9, wherein a molten hot melt adhesive is projected towards the gas flow region of the package;

Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the sealing apparatus of the apparatus of Fig. 9, wherein the hot melt adhesive is deposited on the sheet to at the gas flow region;

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a sealing apparatus of a packaging apparatus of an alternative embodiment, wherein a nozzle of the sealing apparatus is located over a gas flow region of the package;

Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the sealing apparatus of Fig. 13, wherein a gas flow is induced though the gas flow region of the package;

Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the sealing apparatus of Fig. 13, wherein the hot melt 20 adhesive flows to seal the gas flow region to form a barrier; and,

Fig. 16 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of an outer pack.

Detailed Description

Referring to Figs. 1 to 6, an embodiment of a package 1 for tobacco industry products 2 25 is shown.

The package 1 comprises a wrapped bundle comprising a generally cuboidal group of tobacco industry products 2 and an inner support frame 3 extending around the group of tobacco industry products 2. In the present embodiment, the tobacco industry 30 products 2 comprise smoking articles in the form of cigarettes. However, it should be recognised that the tobacco industry products 2 may alternatively comprise a different type of smoking article or may comprise tobacco industry products other than smoking articles.

The package 1 comprises parallel front and rear faces 1A, 1B, which are the largest faces of the package 1. Parallel elongate side faces 1C, 1D extend between the front and rear

- 11 faces 1A, 1B on opposite sides of the package 1. Parallel top and bottom faces 1E, 1F extend between the front and rear faces 1A, 1B, and side faces 1C, 1D of the package 1 and comprise the smallest faces of the package 1.

The inner support frame 3 extends over the group of tobacco industry products 2 on at least part of the front, rear, side and bottom faces 1A - 1E of the package 1. The inner support frame 3 is formed from a single-piece flat blank of card 3’, as shown in Fig. 4. The blank 3’ comprises a number of connected panels separated by fold lines 4. The fold lines 4 are lines of weakening formed in the blank 3’ and are shown in dashed lines 10 in Fig. 4. The blank 3’ may be cut from a continuous web 21 of card by a cutting device, for example, the cutting station 22 described below. The cutting device may also provide the fold lines 4 by an embossing tool, creasing knife or scoring blade.

The blank 3’ comprises a bottom panel 3E connected between a front panel 3A and a rear panel 3B. First side panels 3C, 3D extend from side edges of the front panel 3A. Second side panels 3G, 3H extend from side edges of the rear panel 3B. Top flaps 3F extend from an end edge of each of the outer side panels 3C, 3D remote from the bottom panel 3E. Hereafter, the first side panels 3C, 3D are referred to as outer side panels 3C, 3D, and the second side panels 3G, 3H are referred to as inner side panels

3G, 3H. However, it should be understood that the relative position of the first and second side panels 3C, 3D, 3G, 3H in the inner support frame 3 within the package 1 may be different in alternative embodiments of the package 1.

In the package 1, the front and rear panels 3A, 3B extend across the group of tobacco industry products 2 at the front and rear faces 1A, 1B of the package 1. The bottom panel 3E extends across the bottom ends of the tobacco industry products 2 at the bottom face 1E of the package 1. The inner side panels 3G, 3H extend across the sides of the group of tobacco industry products 2 at the side faces 1C, 1D of the package 1, and the outer side panels 3C, 3D extend across and in contact with the inner side panels 3G,

3H. The top flaps 3F are folded down to extend across the tops of the tobacco industry products 2 at the sides of the top face 1F of the package 1.

The wrapped bundle further comprises a sheet 5 of barrier material, as shown in Fig. 5. The sheet 5 is wrapped about the group of tobacco industry products 2 and the inner support frame 3 to form an enclosure containing the group of tobacco industry products 2. The sheet 5 may comprise plastic or metal foil. In one embodiment, the

- 12 sheet 5 comprises a laminated metal foil, for example, a flexible foil-polymer laminate sheet. As shown in Fig. 1, the package 1 is wrapped with fin seals along its elongate side faces 1C, 1D.

The sheet 5 comprises first and second exterior surfaces 5A, 5B. The first and second exterior surfaces 5A, 5B are located on opposite sides of the sheet 5. The first and second exterior surfaces 5A, 5B comprise major surfaces of the sheet 5. When the sheet 5 is wrapped around the group of tobacco industiy products 2 and the inner support frame 3 to form the package 1, the first exterior surface 5A of the sheet 5 comprises an 10 outer surface of the package 1 and the second exterior surface 5B comprises an inner surface of the package 1.

In some embodiments (not shown), the sheet comprises a laminate having first and second layers each comprising first and second surfaces. A first surface of the first layer faces a first surface of the second layer and is adhered thereto such that the first surfaces comprise interior surfaces that are adhered together. The second surfaces of the first and second layers face in opposite directions and form respective first and second exterior surfaces of the sheet. The first and second exterior surfaces are on opposite sides of the sheet.

The package 1 comprises a product extraction region 6 that is openable by the user to provide access to the tobacco industry products 2. In the present embodiment, the product extraction region 6 is a product extraction opening 6. The product extraction opening 6 comprises a line of weakening 7 in the sheet 5 and a label 8 that is adhered to 25 the first exterior surface 5A of the sheet 5.

The line of weakening 7 comprises a line of cut or perforations formed through, or at least partially through, the thickness of the sheet 5. The line of weakening 7 forms an open figure that defines an access portion 9 of the sheet 5. The line of weakening 7 may 30 be a continuous cut or a perforated line. In one embodiment, the line of weakening 7 comprises a U-shaped line of weakening 7A and a pair of linear lines of weakening 7B that extend from opposite ends of the U-shaped line of weakening 7A. The U-shaped line of weakening 7A extends through the entire thickness of the sheet 5 and the linear lines of weakening 7B extend partially through the thickness of the sheet 5. In one 35 embodiment, the linear lines of cut 7B each have a length depicted by arrow ‘X’ in Fig.

5·

-13The label 8 is adhered to the first exterior surface 5A of the sheet 5 by a non-permanent adhesive such that the label 8 covers the line of weakening 7. In use, the user peels the label 8 away from the sheet 5 such that the access portion 9 of the sheet 5, which is also 5 adhered to the label 8, is separated from the remainder of the sheet 5 and thus an access aperture is provided in the sheet 5 to allow access to the tobacco industry products 2 contained in the package 1. In one embodiment, the access portion 9 of the sheet 5 is adhered to the label 8 by a permanent adhesive which aids the separation of the access portion 9 from the remainder of the sheet 5. A permanent adhesive may also 10 be provided along an edge of the label 8 such that said edge is not separated from the sheet 5 when the label 8 is peeled away from the sheet 5 and instead acts as a hinge.

In one embodiment, a portion of the label 8 is not adhered to the sheet 5 and instead comprises a tab 8A. The tab 8A may be gripped and pulled by the user to peel the label 15 8 away from the sheet 5.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 6 the line of weakening 7 is an open figure, for example, U-shaped or V-shaped, such that the access portion 9 of the sheet 5 comprises a flap that is lifted to reveal the access aperture when the label 8 is peeled away from the sheet 5 by the user. However, it should be recognised that the line of weakening may alternatively be a closed figure.

The sheet 5 further comprises a gas flow region 10. In the present embodiment, the gas flow region 10 is a gas flow opening 10. The gas flow opening 10 is formed through the 25 thickness of the barrier material such that the gas flow opening 10 extends between the first and second exterior surfaces 5A, 5B of the sheet 5.

The gas flow opening 10 comprises an incision 10 in the sheet 5. The incision 10 maybe arranged such that a flap 10A is provided in the sheet 5. The gas flow region 10 maybe 30 at least partially defined by the flap 10A, permitting the flow of gas through the sheet 5.

The incision 10 may follow a non-linear path. The incision 10 may be an open figure, for example, U-shaped or V-shaped. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), a portion of barrier material may be removed from the sheet 5 such that the gas flow opening 10 comprises a hole in the sheet 5.

-14The package 1 further comprises a barrier 11. The barrier 11 is disposed over a portion of the first exterior surface 5A of the sheet 5 to seal the gas flow opening 10. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the barrier 11 is disposed over a portion of the second exterior surface 5B of the sheet 5 to seal the gas flow opening 10. In yet another embodiment (not shown), the barrier 11 is disposed in the gas flow opening 10. The barrier 11 maybe disposed as a layer on the sheet 5. In some embodiments, the barrier 11 is also provided in the gas flow opening 10 in addition to being provided on the first and/or second exterior surfaces 5A, 5B of the sheet 5.

The barrier 11 comprises hot melt adhesive 11 that blocks the gas flow opening 10 to seal the gas flow opening 10. The barrier 11 maybe in the form of a layer of adhesive 11 that extends continuously across the entire gas flow region 10 to seal the gas flow region 10.

As described in more detail below, once the sheet 5 has been wrapped around the group of tobacco industry products 2 and the inner support frame 3, a gas flow is induced through the gas flow opening 10 to modify the atmosphere in the package 1. The barrier 11 is then applied over the gas flow opening 10 to seal the gas flow opening 10 and provide an enclosure containing the modified atmosphere. The enclosure may be a sealed enclosure and may be hermetically sealed. In some embodiments, the package 1 20 contains gas at non-atmospheric pressure. In other words, the package 1 may contain an at least partial vacuum or the pressure in the package 1 may be greater than atmospheric pressure. Alternatively, or additionally, the composition of the gas in the sealed package 1 maybe different to the composition of the gas of the environment in which the sheet 5 is wrapped around the group of tobacco industry products 2 and the 25 inner support frame 3. The gas may comprise, or essentially consist of, a gas other than air. The gas may be less reactive than air. The gas in the sealed package 1 may comprise, or essentially consist of, a gas with an oxygen content that is less than the oxygen content of air in order to help preserve the flavour and freshness of the tobacco industry products 2. For example, the gas in the sealed package 1 may comprise, or essentially consist of, oxygen, carbon dioxide or nitrogen. The gas may comprise an inert gas. The gas may comprise an additive that modifies an organoleptic property of the contents of the package 1. For example, the additive may comprise a flavourant such as menthol.

In one embodiment, a vacuum is applied to the gas flow opening 10 to evacuate at least some of the gas within the package 1 to provide at least a partial vacuum within the

-ι₅package 1 before the gas flow opening 10 is sealed. This may help to preserve the flavour and freshness of the tobacco industry products 2. In an alternative embodiment, a gas source is applied to the gas flow opening 10 to insert a gas into the package 1 such that the pressure in the package 1 is above-atmospheric pressure (referred to hereinafter as “positive pressure”). The positive pressure within the package 1 helps to prevent the ingress of contaminants into the package 1 once the gas flow opening 10 has been sealed by the barrier 11.

In another embodiment, the package 1 initially contains a first gas which is subsequently replaced with a second gas, different to the first gas. The gas flow opening 10 is then sealed by the barrier 11. In one such embodiment, the first gas is extracted out of the gas flow opening 10 and the second gas is then inserted into the package 1 via the gas flow opening 10 and the gas flow opening 10 is subsequently sealed by the barrier 11. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the sheet 5 further comprises a second gas flow opening (not shown). The first gas is evacuated from the package 1 via the gas flow opening 10 and the second gas is inserted into the package 1 via the second gas flow opening. The second gas flow opening may also be sealed by a barrier (not shown) that is provided over a portion of the first and/or second exterior surfaces 5A, 5B of the sheet 5. The second gas may comprise, or essentially consist of, a gas other than air. The second gas may be less reactive than air. The second gas in the sealed package 1 may comprise, or essentially consist of, a gas with an oxygen content that is less than the oxygen content of the first gas in order to help preserve the flavour and freshness of the tobacco industry products 2. For example, the second gas may comprise, or essentially consist of, oxygen, carbon dioxide or nitrogen. The second gas may comprise, or essentially consist of, an inert gas. The second gas may comprise an additive that modifies an organoleptic property of the contents of the package 1. For example, the additive may comprise a flavourant such as menthol.

In embodiments wherein the inside of the package 1 is provided with an at least partial vacuum, the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the package 1 causes an inward force to act on the sheet 5. However, the inner support frame 3 extending around both the front and rear faces 1A, 1B, as well as the side faces 1C, 1D of the package 1 provides reinforcement over at least part of all four sides of the perimeter of the group of tobacco industry products 2. This supports the sheet 5 and prevents the inward force acting on the sheet 5 from compressing, crushing or otherwise mechanically deforming the tobacco industry products 2 along their long sides. The

-16inner support frame 3 also includes the bottom panel 3E and the top flaps 3F which extend at least partially across the ends of the tobacco industry products 2. The bottom panel 3E and top flaps 3F further support the sheet 5 to help prevent the inward force acting on the sheet 5 from compressing, crushing or otherwise mechanically deforming 5 the tobacco industry products 2 at their ends in a longitudinal buckling direction.

The package 1 may contain a modified atmosphere, meaning that the atmosphere in the package 1 has a property that is different to atmospheric air exterior to the package 1. For instance, the pressure and/or composition of the gas in the package 1 may be 10 different to standard atmospheric conditions, for instance, different to the pressure and/or composition of ambient air at sea level and room temperature, for example, 20°C. The pressure of the atmosphere in the package 1 may be greater or lower than 1 atm.

In the above described embodiments, the gas flow opening 10 is located in a portion of the sheet 5 that forms the front face 1A of the package 1. However, it should be recognised that the gas flow opening 10 may instead be provided in a portion of the sheet 5 forming one or more of the rear, side, top or bottom faces 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E of the package 1.

In one embodiment, the inner support frame 3 comprises a gas flow region 3K that aligns with the gas flow opening 10 to allow gas to flow through the inner support frame 3 between the centre of the package 1 and the gas flow opening 10. The gas flow region 3K in the inner support frame 3 may comprise an aperture 3K. For example, in embodiments wherein the gas flow opening 10 is disposed in the front face 1A of the package 1, the gas flow region 3K may be located in the front panel 3A of the inner support frame 3 to underlie the gas flow opening 10. The inner support frame 3 may additionally, or alternatively, comprise a gas flow region (not shown) in one or more of the rear panel 3B, outer side panels 3C, 3D and inner side panels 3G, 3H to facilitate the flow of gas within the package 1 towards the gas flow opening 10.

Although in the above described embodiments the package 1 comprises an inner support frame 3, in alternative embodiments (not shown) the inner support frame 3 may be omitted.

-17In the embodiment shown in Fig. 16, the package 1 further comprises an outer pack 100 that contains the group of tobacco industry products 2 and inner support frame 3 wrapped in the sheet 5. The outer pack 100 may comprise a body 101 and a hinged-lid 102 and may be formed from a cardboard blank. The outer pack 100 may contact the wrapped bundle. In one embodiment, the barrier 11 is not adhered to the outer pack 100. In one such embodiment, the hot melt adhesive 11 is not adhered to the outer pack 100.

The block diagram of Fig. 7 illustrates one exemplary embodiment of a method of 10 manufacturing a package 1 of tobacco industry products 2. The method comprises: Si providing a wrapped bundle comprising a group of tobacco industry products 2 wrapped in a sheet 5 of barrier material that comprises a gas flow region 10 in the barrier material; S2 inducing a gas flow F through the gas flow region 10; S3 providing a hot melt adhesive 11 at the gas flow region 10 to block the gas flow region 10; and, S4 15 allowing the hot melt adhesive 11 to harden such that the hot melt adhesive 11 forms a barrier 11 that seals the gas flow region 10.

Fig. 8 is a sequential schematic view showing the operation of an embodiment of a packaging apparatus 20 for manufacturing a package 1 of tobacco industry products 2.

A continuous web 21 of card for forming the inner support frame blanks 3’ is supplied from a roll to a cutting station 22. The cutting station 22 cuts individual inner support frame blanks 3’ from the web 21 and also forms the fold lines 4 as lines of weakening in the blank 3’. The cutting station 22 may include a creasing knife to form the lines of weakening in the blank 3’.

Each blank 3’ is then fed to a packing station 23 where the blank 3’ is folded about a group of tobacco industry products 2. The group of tobacco industry products 2 is thereby enclosed within the inner support frame 3.

The folded inner support frame 3 and the tobacco industry products 2 enclosed therein are pushed into a section of a sheet 5 of barrier material. The group of tobacco industry products 2, inner support frame 3 and sheet 5 are fed to a wrapping station 24 which wraps a section of the sheet 5 around the group of tobacco industry products 2 and inner support frame 3 and seals the overlapping edges of the sheet 5 to form a wrapped bundle of the package 1. The package 1 is wrapped with fin seals along its elongate side faces 1C, 1D, as shown in Fig. 1.

-18The sheet 5 is fed from a continuous web with preformed lines of weakness 7 to define access portions 9 of the sheet 5 which are each covered by a respective label 8 to form product extraction openings 6. Each product extraction opening 6 of the sheet 5 is positioned such that, when the sheet 5 is wrapped around the group of tobacco industry products 2 and inner support frame 3, the label 8 and access portion 9 of the sheet 5 extend over the top and front faces 1F, 1A of the package 1 and are aligned with a recess in the inner support frame 3.

The packaging apparatus 20 may further comprise a cutting device (not shown) that is configured to form a gas flow opening 10 in the sheet 5. The wrapping station 24 may comprise the cutting device. The cutting device may be configured to provide an incision 10 through the thickness of the sheet 5 to form the gas flow opening 10. In the present embodiment, the cutting device forms the incision 10 such that a flap 10A is provided in the sheet 5.

The cutting device may comprise a knife that cuts through the sheet 5 to form the gas flow opening 10. Alternatively, the cutting device maybe configured to punch a hole in the sheet 5 to form the gas flow opening 10. In yet another embodiment (not shown), 20 the cutting device comprises a laser that cuts through the sheet 5 to form the gas flow opening 10. Alternatively, the sheet 5 may be fed from the continuous web with preformed gas flow openings 10 provided in the sheet 5. In yet another embodiment, the gas flow openings 10 are provided in each sheet 5 after the sheet 5 has been wrapped around the group of tobacco industry products 2 and inner support frame 3.

For example, the gas flow opening 10 may be formed in the barrier material of the sheet 5 of the package 1 using a laser (not shown) that is configured to cut through the sheet 5 but does not cut through the underlying inner support frame 3.

The package 1 comprising the group of tobacco industry products 2 and inner support 30 frame 3 wrapped in the sheet 5 is then fed to a sealing apparatus 25 which is configured to induce a gas flow F through the gas flow opening 10 and provide a barrier 11 on the first exterior surface 5A of the sheet 5 at the gas flow opening 10 to seal the package 1.

In one embodiment, the sealing apparatus 25 is in the form of a sealing head 26.

The sealing apparatus 25 is shown in more detail in Figs. 9 to 12 and comprises a sealing head 26. The sealing head 26 comprises a sealing device 27 and a nozzle 28 for

-19locating over the gas flow opening 10. In the present embodiment, the sealing device 27 comprises an applicator 27.

The nozzle 28 comprises a connector port 29. The sealing apparatus 25 further comprises a gas flow device 30 that is fluidly coupled to the connector port 29 of the nozzle 28. For example, the gas flow device 30 may be fluidly coupled to the connector port 29 by a conduit 29A. In one embodiment (not shown), the nozzle 28 comprises a plurality of connector ports 29Athat are fluidly connected to the gas flow device 30.

The gas flow device 30 is operable to generate a gas flow though the nozzle 28 such that a gas flow F is induced through the gas flow opening 10. In the present embodiment, the gas flow device 30 comprises a vacuum source, for example, a vacuum pump, configured to extract gas from the gas flow opening 10 such that the enclosure of the wrapped bundle contains an at least partial vacuum. As explained above, the at least partial vacuum may help to preserve the flavour and freshness of the tobacco industry products 2.

The nozzle 28 comprises a seal 31 that is configured to abut the first exterior surface 5A of the sheet 5 to seal about the gas flow opening 10. The seal 31 may comprise an O-ring 20 gasket. The seal 31 helps to prevent atmospheric air from passing between the nozzle 28 and the first exterior surface 5A of the sheet 5 and entering the nozzle 28, which would otherwise reduce the effect of the vacuum source and thus reduce the flow rate of the gas flow F induced through the gas flow opening 10. In the alternative embodiments described below wherein gas is inserted into the enclosure of the wrapped bundle via 25 the gas flow opening 10, the seal 31 helps to prevent the gas from passing between the nozzle 28 and the first exterior surface 5A of the sheet 5 to escape from the nozzle 28 to atmosphere, which would otherwise reduce the flow rate of the gas flow F induced through the gas flow opening 10. It should be recognised that in alternative embodiments the seal 31 maybe omitted. In one embodiment, the nozzle 28 does not 30 contact the first exterior surface 5A of the sheet 5 and is instead located in proximity to the first exterior surface 5A to induce the gas flow F through the gas flow opening 10.

The sealing device 27 is configured to provide molten hot melt adhesive G on a portion of the first exterior surface 5A of the sheet 5 at the gas flow opening 10 to block the gas 35 flow opening 10 and form the barrier 11 that seals the enclosure. The barrier 11 prevents

- 20 the ingress of atmospheric air and contaminants into the enclosure via the gas flow opening 10 and thus helps to maintain the at least partial vacuum in the package 1.

The sealing device 27 comprises a non-contact glue gun 32 that is configured to dispense a hot melt adhesive G through the nozzle 28 and onto the sheet 5 to provide said barrier 11 over the gas flow opening 10. The hot melt adhesive G may comprise, for example, Henkel (TM) Hotmelt Glue Technomelt Supra 100. However, it should be recognised that other hot melt adhesives may be used.

In one embodiment, the hot melt adhesive G has a viscosity of at least 800 mPas, and, preferably, at least 1000 mPas or at least 1200 mPas, at i6o°C. In one embodiment, the hot melt adhesive G has a viscosity in the range of 1200 to 1600 mPas at 6o°C. The aforementioned values of viscosity may refer to the Brookfield viscosity.

In one embodiment, the glue gun 32 comprises a HME-500 manufactured by Hhs Baumer Group (TM). However, it should be recognised that other types of glue gun may be used.

The glue gun 32 comprises a reservoir 33 and a heater 34. The reservoir 33 contains the hot melt adhesive G. The heater 34 is configured to heat the hot melt adhesive G in the reservoir 33 to a molten state such that the hot melt adhesive G is a liquid in the reservoir 33. In some embodiments, the heater 34 is configured to heat the hot melt adhesive G to a temperature of at least ioo°C and, preferably, at least 140 °C or at least i6o°C. In some embodiments, the heater 34 is configured to heat the hot melt adhesive

G to a temperature in the range of ioo°C to 25O°C and, preferably, in the range of 14O°C to 200°C or i6o°C to 19O°C. The heater 34 may comprise a resistive heating element (not shown) connected to an electrical power source (not shown).

The glue gun 32 further comprises a body 35 and an outlet passage 36 that extends into the body 35 and is fluidly communicated with the reservoir 33 such that molten hot melt adhesive G in the reservoir 33 is fed into the outlet passage 36. The outlet passage 36 is fluidly connected to a pressurised gas source 37 via a conduit 38 in the body 35. The pressurised gas source 37 may comprise, for example, a pump or a canister of compressed gas that is selectively communicated with the conduit 38 via a control valve.

- 21 The pressurised gas source 37 is operable to supply pressurised gas to the outlet passage 36, via the conduit 38, such that molten hot melt adhesive G in the outlet passage 36 is propelled out of the outlet passage 36 and is projected through the nozzle 28 and onto the sheet 5 to provide the barrier 11 over the gas flow opening 10. The hot melt adhesive G solidifies on the sheet 5 and adheres to the sheet 5. Thus, the hot melt adhesive G is provided as a layer that extends over the gas flow opening 10 to seal the gas flow opening 10.

In the present embodiment, the cutting device forms the incision 10 such that a flap

10A is provided in the sheet 5. When the gas flow device 30 is operated to induce the gas flow F through the gas flow opening 10, the flap 10A is lifted out of the plane of the sheet 5 to expose an aperture (not shown) in the sheet 5 through which the gas can travel. This increases the flow rate of the gas flow F through the gas flow opening 10. When the barrier 11 is applied over the gas flow opening 10, the flap 10A lies flat with the sheet 5 to cover the aperture. Thus, the hot melt adhesive G only needs to be applied to the sheet 5 at the incision 10, rather than to the entire flap 10A, to seal the gas flow opening 10. The hot melt adhesive G extends across the incision 10 to seal the incision 10. Therefore, the arrangement of the incision 10 and flap 10A reduces the amount of hot melt adhesive G that is required to seal the gas flow opening 10A in comparison to embodiments wherein a hole is punched in the sheet 5, whilst still allowing for a relatively high flow rate through the gas flow opening 10 during the gas extraction/insertion process during which the flap 10A is lifted out of the sheet 5.

An exemplary operation of the sealing apparatus 25 will now be described with reference to Figs. 9 to 12. Firstly, the wrapped bundle is fed to the sealing apparatus 25 and the nozzle 28 of the sealing head 26 is located over the gas flow opening 10 (as shown in Fig. 9). Next, the gas flow device 30 is operated to generate a gas flow though the nozzle 28 such that a gas flow F is induced through the gas flow opening 10 (as shown in Fig. 10). More specifically, the vacuum source extracts gas, for example, air, from the wrapped bundle via the gas flow opening 10 such that the wrapped bundle contains an at least partial vacuum. The at least partial vacuum in the wrapped bundle causes the sheet 5 to bow inwardly. However, as explained above, the inner support frame 3 prevents the inward force acting on the sheet 5 from compressing, crushing or otherwise mechanically deforming the tobacco industry products 2.

- 22 The pressurised gas source 37 of the sealing device 27 is then operated to supply pressurised gas to the outlet passage 36, via the conduit 38 in the body 35, such that molten hot melt adhesive G in the outlet passage 36 is propelled out of the outlet passage 36 by the pressurised gas and travels through the nozzle 28 towards the gas flow opening 10 (as shown in Fig. 11). The molten hot melt adhesive G is projected onto a portion of one of the first exterior surface 5A of the sheet 5 at the gas flow opening 10 to cover the gas flow opening 10. The molten hot melt adhesive G on the sheet 5 then cools and hardens to form a barrier 11 that seals the gas flow opening 10 (as shown in Fig. 12), thereby preventing the ingress of atmospheric air and contaminants into the sealed package 1 via the gas flow opening 10. In some embodiments, the wrapped bundle is then fed to a further packing station to be enclosed within an outer pack too in a further packaging process. For example, the package 1 may be provided within an outer pack too comprising a card box having a body 101 and a hinged-lid 102, as shown in Fig. 16. In one embodiment, the barrier 11 is not adhered to the outer pack too. The outer pack too may be further wrapped in an outer film (not shown) in a known packaging process.

The sealing apparatus 25 therefore provides a relatively simple and quick system for modifying the atmosphere of the wrapped bundle and sealing the wrapped bundle. This 20 is because the only necessary modification to the sheet 5 is the provision of the gas flow opening 10, which can easily be provided in the sheet 5 when the lines of weakness 7 are formed to define access portions 9. For instance, the sheet 5 can be fed from a continuous web having preformed gas flow openings 10 or the gas flow openings 10 can be formed in the sheet 5 using a cutting device before or after the sheet 5 is wrapped 25 about the inner support frame 3 and tobacco industry products 2.

Moreover, blocking the gas flow region 10 with hot melt adhesive G allows for a quick and cost-effective sealing of the gas flow region 10 without requiring any further components, such as labels, valves or parts of the outer pack 100, to be fixed to the 30 sheet 5 to seal the gas flow region 10. Hot melt adhesive can be applied to the gas flow opening 10 at high speed and hardens sufficiently quickly to prevent the flow of gas through the gas flow region 10 in embodiments wherein there is a pressure difference between the inside and outside of the enclosure. The sealing process can be expedited by blowing gas, such as air, onto the molten adhesive to increase the rate at which the 35 adhesive G dries and hardens.

-23In some embodiments, the sealing apparatus 25, or a different part of the packaging apparatus 20, comprises a blower, for example, a fan or pump, which is configured to blow a gas such as air onto the hot melt adhesive G to increase the rate at which the adhesive hardens.

An alternative solution for modifying the atmosphere of the wrapped bundle would be to provide the sheet with a one-way valve through which the gas is drawn out of the wrapped bundle, the one-way valve preventing air from entering the wrapped bundle. However, such one-way valves are complex and increase the cost of manufacturing the 10 package. Moreover, the one-way valve needs to first be adhered to the sheet using adhesive. The adhesive must be allowed to set to provide a seal before the gas is drawn out of the one-way valve. This slows down the production of the package. The sealing apparatus 25 of Figs. 8 to 12 instead provides a relatively simple barrier 11 over the sheet 5 to seal the gas flow opening 10 after the gas has been drawn out of the wrapped 15 bundle such that no one-way valve is required.

Another solution for modifying the atmosphere of the wrapped bundle would be to wrap the sheet of barrier material about the tobacco industry products in a modified packing atmosphere. The sheet would not be provided with any openings and therefore, 20 once the sheet has been wrapped about tobacco industry products, the sheet forms a sealed enclosure that contains the same atmosphere as the environment in which the tobacco industry products were wrapped in. For instance, if the sheet is wrapped about the tobacco industry products in a partial vacuum then the atmosphere of the sealed enclosure will contain a partial vacuum. However, wrapping the sheet of barrier 25 material about the tobacco industry products in a modified packing atmosphere is complex and expensive. For instance, the wrapping needs to be performed in a sealed container that is maintained with a modified packing atmosphere, for example, maintained with a constant vacuum. The packaging apparatus 20 of Figs. 8 to 12 instead allows the wrapping station 24 to perform the process of wrapping the sheet 5 30 about the inner support frame 3 and group of tobacco industry products 2 under normal atmospheric conditions. A vacuum only needs to be applied to the wrapped bundle once the nozzle 28 is located over the gas flow opening 10.

In addition, the sealing apparatus 25 (and also the cutting device for forming the gas 35 flow opening 10 in the sheet 5, if the gas flow opening 10 is not pre-formed in the sheet

5) can easily be retrofitted to an existing apparatus for producing tobacco industry

-24product packages. For instance, an existing apparatus for producing tobacco industry product packages can be modified such that the sealing station 25 is provided after the wrapping station 24.

In the above described embodiments, the sealing device 27 is configured to project the liquid hot melt adhesive G through the same nozzle 28 that induces the gas flow F through the gas flow opening 10. Therefore, once the gas has been extracted from the gas flow opening 10, the sealing device 27 is able to immediately apply the barrier 11 over the gas flow opening 10 to prevent the ingress of gas into enclosure of the wrapped 10 bundle. If the wrapped bundle was instead advanced to a separate sealing device (not shown) that provides the barrier 11 after extraction of the gas from the wrapped bundle, then atmospheric air would be able to enter the wrapped bundle via the gas flow opening 10 until the gas flow opening 10 is sealed by the separate sealing device. Such ingress of air into the wrapped bundle would reduce the partial vacuum within the wrapped bundle. Similarly, if the wrapped bundle contained a positive pressure then gas would escape from the wrapped bundle until the gas flow opening 10 is sealed by the separate sealing device. However, it should be recognised that embodiments wherein the sealing device 27 is separate to the nozzle 28 for inducing the gas flow F through the gas flow opening 10 are still intended to fall within the scope of the invention.

In the above described embodiments, the gas flow device 30 comprises a vacuum source configured to extract gas from the gas flow opening 10 such that the enclosure of the wrapped bundle contains an at least partial vacuum. However, in alternative embodiments (not shown), the gas flow device 30 comprises a gas source (not shown) configured to insert a gas into the wrapped bundle through the gas flow opening 10. The gas source is fluidly coupled to the connector port 29 of the nozzle 28. The gas source may comprise, for example, a pump or a canister of pressurised gas that is selectively fluidly communicated with the connector port 29 via a control valve. As with the embodiment described above in relation to Figs. 8 to 12, the nozzle 28 is located over the gas flow opening 10 and the gas flow device 30 is operated to induce a gas flow F through the gas flow opening 10. However, the gas source inserts a gas into the wrapped bundle such that the pressure in the wrapped bundle is greater than atmospheric pressure. The sealing device 27 then applies the barrier 11 over the gas flow opening 10 to seal the wrapped bundle and maintain the positive pressure within the wrapped bundle. As explained above, the positive pressure within the wrapped

-25bundle helps to prevent the ingress of contaminants into the package 1. The gas in the sealed package 1 may comprise, or essentially consist of, a gas other than air. The gas in the sealed package 1 may comprise, or essentially consist of, a gas with an oxygen content that is less than the oxygen content of air in order to help preserve the flavour and freshness of the tobacco industry products 2. For example, the gas in the sealed package 1 may comprise, or essentially consist of, oxygen, carbon dioxide or nitrogen. The gas may be less reactive than air. The gas may comprise, or essentially consist of, an inert gas. The gas may comprise an additive that modifies an organoleptic property of the contents of the package 1. For example, the additive may comprise a flavourant 10 such as menthol.

In yet another embodiment (not shown), the sealing apparatus comprises first and second sealing heads. The first sealing head is connected to a gas flow device comprising a vacuum source that is configured to extract gas from the gas flow opening 15 10. The second sealing head is connected to a gas flow device comprising a gas source (not shown) configured to insert a gas through a second gas flow opening (not shown) in the sheet 5. The second gas flow opening maybe provided in the sheet 5 in a similar manner to the gas flow opening 10 described above. The first and second sealing heads may be located on opposite sides of the package 1 such that a gas flow is induced that 20 flows between the opposite sides of the package from the second sealing head to the first sealing head. For example, the first sealing head maybe located on one of the front and rear faces 1A, 1B and the second sealing head may be located on the other one of the front and rear faces 1A, 1B, or the first sealing head may be located on one of the top and bottom faces 1C, 1D and the second sealing head may be located on the other one of 25 the top and bottom faces 1C, 1D.

The enclosure of the wrapped bundle may initially contain a first gas, for example, air. The vacuum source connected to the first sealing head is configured to evacuate the first gas from the wrapped bundle via the gas flow opening 10. The gas source connected to the second sealing head is configured to insert a second gas, different to the first gas, into the wrapped bundle via the second gas flow opening. The first sealing head is configured to provide a barrier 11 at the gas flow opening 10 to seal the gas flow opening 10. Similarly, the second sealing head is configured to provide a barrier (not shown) at the second gas flow opening to seal the second gas flow opening. The first and second sealing heads may each comprise a sealing device that is similar to the sealing device 27 described above. In one embodiment, the first sealing head extracts

- 26 the first gas from the wrapped bundle at the same time that the second sealing head inserts the second gas into the wrapped bundle. This reduces the time it takes to replace, or partially replace, the first gas in the wrapped bundle with the second gas.

Alternatively, the first sealing head extracts the first gas from the wrapped bundle and, 5 subsequently, the second sealing head inserts the second gas into the wrapped bundle.

In another embodiment, the second gas flow opening is omitted and instead the first sealing head extracts the first gas from the wrapped bundle via the gas flow opening 10 and then the second sealing head is located over the same gas flow opening 10 and 10 inserts the second gas into the wrapped bundle via the gas flow opening 10. In yet another embodiment, the second sealing head is omitted and the first sealing head is configured to evacuate the first gas from the wrapped bundle via the gas flow opening 10 and then insert the second gas into the wrapped bundle via the gas flow opening io. For instance, the first sealing head may comprise first and second connector ports (not 15 shown), wherein the first connector port is fluidly coupled to a vacuum source and the second connector port is fluidly coupled to a gas source that supplies the second gas.

The vacuum source and gas source are selectively operated, or selectively communicated with the first sealing head via a control valve, to supply the vacuum or second gas to the first sealing head as required.

The second gas in the package 1 may comprise, or essentially consist of, a gas other than air. The second gas maybe less reactive than air. The second gas may comprise, or essentially consist of, a gas with an oxygen content that is less than the oxygen content of the first gas in order to help preserve the flavour and freshness of the tobacco industry products 2. For example, the second gas may comprise, or essentially consist of, oxygen, carbon dioxide or nitrogen. The second gas may comprise, or essentially consist of, an inert gas. The second gas may comprise an additive that modifies an organoleptic property of the contents of the package 1. For example, the additive may comprise a flavourant such as menthol.

In the above described embodiments, the hot melt adhesive G is projected onto the sheet 5 using pressurised gas to provide the barrier n that seals the gas flow opening io. This allows for the hot melt adhesive G to be quickly and accurately applied to the sheet 5 without the sealing device 27 contacting the sheet 5. However, in an alternative 35 embodiment (not shown), the hot melt adhesive G is instead projected onto the sheet 5 using a spring loaded mechanism or under the effect of gravity. For instance, the

-27sealing device 27 may be located above the gas flow opening 10 such that a portion of adhesive G is fed from the sealing device 27 and falls onto the gas flow opening 10 under the effect of gravity to provide the barrier 11 over the gas flow opening 10. Projecting the hot melt adhesive G onto the sheet 5 allows for the hot melt adhesive G 5 to be disposed on the sheet 5 without any complex mechanism obscuring the inside of the nozzle 28, which may otherwise disrupt the gas flow F through the nozzle 28. However, in alternative embodiments (not shown), the hot melt adhesive G is instead deposited onto the sheet 5 using a different method, for example, the hot melt adhesive G may be sprayed, brushed or dabbed onto the sheet 5 to block the gas flow opening 10.

In the above described embodiments, the sealing apparatus 25 is configured to provide the hot melt adhesive G over a portion of the first exterior surface 5A of the sheet 5 at the gas flow opening 10 to seal the wrapped bundle. The first exterior surface 5A comprises an outer surface of the wrapped bundle. The first exterior surface 5A faces 15 away from the group of tobacco industry products 2 contained in the enclosure. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the sealing apparatus is configured to provide the hot melt adhesive G inside the gas flow opening 10 to block the gas flow opening 10. Figs. 13 to 15 show a sealing apparatus 45 of a packaging apparatus of yet another alternative embodiment, in which the sealing apparatus 45 is configured to provide the 20 hot melt adhesive G over a portion of the second exterior surface 5B of the sheet 5 at the gas flow opening 10 to seal the wrapped bundle. The second exterior surface 5B comprises an inner surface of the wrapped bundle. The second exterior surface 5B faces towards the group of tobacco industry products 2 contained in the enclosure.

The packaging apparatus comprises cutting and packing stations (not shown) that are similar to those of the packaging apparatus 20 of the embodiment shown in Figs. 8 to 12. The cutting station cuts individual inner support frame blanks from a continuous web of card and also forms fold lines as lines of weakening in the blank. The packing station is configured to fold each blank about a group of tobacco industry products 2 30 such that the group of tobacco industry products 2 are enclosed within an inner support frame 3.

The folded inner support frame 3 and the group of tobacco industry products 2 enclosed therein are then pushed into a section of a sheet 5 of barrier material. The 35 group of tobacco industry products 2 with the inner support frame 3 and sheet 5 are fed to a wrapping station (not shown) which wraps a section of the sheet 5 around the

- 28 group of tobacco industry products 2 and inner support frame 3 to form a wrapped bundle. The sheet 5 is fed from a continuous web with preformed lines of weakness 7 which define access portions 9 of the sheet 5 that are each covered by a respective label 8 to form product extraction openings 6. The product extraction opening 6 of each sheet 5 is positioned such that the label 8 and access portion 9 extend over the top and front faces 1F, 1A of the package 1 and are aligned with a recess in the inner support frame 3 when the sheet 5 is wrapped around the group of tobacco industry products 2 and inner support frame 3.

The packaging apparatus may further comprise a cutting device (not shown) that is configured to form a gas flow region 10 in the sheet 5. The wrapping station (not shown) may comprise the cutting device. Alternatively, the sheet 5 may be fed from the continuous web with preformed gas flow openings 10 provided in each sheet 5. In yet another embodiment, the gas flow opening 10 is provided in the sheet 5 after the sheet

5 has been wrapped around the group of tobacco industry products 2 and inner support frame 3.

Before the sheet 5 is wrapped around the inner support frame 3 and group of tobacco industry products 2 by the wrapping station, a deposit of hot melt adhesive G is first 20 applied to the second exterior surface 5B of the sheet 5 in proximity to the gas flow opening 10. The hot melt adhesive G may comprise any agent that can be heated to a molten state but which solidifies at room temperature and which adheres or attaches to the barrier material. In some embodiments, the hot melt adhesive is heated to a molten state at a temperature greater than 50 degrees Celsius, 75 degrees Celsius, too degrees 25 Celsius, 120 degrees Celsius, 150 degrees Celsius, 170 degrees Celsius, 200 degrees

Celsius, or 300 degrees Celsius. The hot melt adhesive G is provided on the second exterior surface 5B of the sheet 5 such that the hot melt adhesive G solidifies to form a deposit. The deposit of hot melt adhesive G is located adjacent to the gas flow opening 10 but does not overlie the gas flow opening 10, or at least does not overlie the entire gas flow opening 10. Thus, the deposit of adhesive G located on the sheet 5 initially does not block the gas flow opening 10. It should be recognised that in an alternative embodiment, the deposit of adhesive G is provided on the first exterior surface 5A of the sheet 5.

The deposit of hot melt adhesive G may be applied to the second exterior surface 5B of the sheet 5 using a non-contact glue gun, or any other suitable dispensing mechanism,

-29before the sheet 5 is wrapped around the inner support frame 3 and group of tobacco industry products 2. In the present embodiment, the deposit of hot melt adhesive G is provided on the second exterior surface 5B of the sheet 5 after the gas flow opening 10 has been provided in the sheet 5. However, it should be recognised that in alternative embodiments the deposit of hot melt adhesive G may first be provided on the sheet 5 and subsequently the gas flow opening 10 is formed in the sheet 5 in proximity to the deposit of hot melt adhesive G. In some embodiments, the sheet 5 is fed from the continuous web with pre-applied deposits of hot melt adhesive G provided on the sheet 5 and/or preformed gas flow regions 10.

The wrapped bundle is fed to a sealing apparatus 45 which is configured to induce a gas flow F through the gas flow opening 10 and provide a barrier 11 over a portion of the second exterior surface 5B of the sheet 5 at the gas flow opening 10 to seal the wrapped bundle. In some embodiments, the sealing apparatus 45 is in the form of a sealing head 15 46.

The sealing apparatus 45 comprises a sealing head 46 having a sealing device 47 and a nozzle 48 for locating over the gas flow opening 10. The nozzle 48 comprises a connector port 49. The sealing apparatus 45 further comprises a gas flow device 50 that 20 is fluidly coupled to the connector port 49 of the nozzle 48 by a conduit 49A.

The gas flow device 50 is operable to generate a gas flow though the nozzle 48 such that a gas flow F is induced through the gas flow opening 10. In the present embodiment, the gas flow device 50 comprises a vacuum source configured to extract gas from the 25 gas flow opening 10 such that the wrapped bundle contains an at least partial vacuum.

However, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), the gas flow device instead comprises a gas source configured to insert gas into the wrapped bundle via the gas flow opening 10 such that the pressure in the wrapped bundle is greater than atmospheric pressure. In yet another embodiment (not shown), the gas flow device is 30 configured to extract a first gas from the wrapped bundle and insert a second gas into the wrapped bundle, as has been previously described.

The nozzle 48 comprises a seal 51 that is configured to abut the first exterior surface 5A of the sheet 5 to seal about the gas flow opening 10. The seal 51 may comprise an O-ring 35 gasket. However, it should be recognised that in alternative embodiments the seal 51 maybe omitted. In one embodiment, the nozzle 48 does not contact the first exterior

-30surface 5A of the sheet 5 and is instead located in proximity to the first exterior surface 5A to induce the gas flow F through the gas flow opening 10.

The sealing device 47 is configured to provide hot melt adhesive 11 over the gas flow opening 10 to block the gas flow opening 10 and thus seal the enclosure. The sealing device 47 comprises a heater 54. The heater 54 may be located proximate to the end of the nozzle 48 that abuts the sheet 5.

The heater 54 is configured to heat the deposit of hot melt adhesive G on the sheet 5 to 10 a molten state such that the hot melt adhesive G liquefies and spreads over a portion of the second exterior surface 5B of the sheet 5 to extend across the gas flow opening 10.

The heater 54 is able to heat the deposit of hot melt adhesive G through the sheet 5. The hot melt adhesive G then cools such that the hot melt adhesive G hardens to provide the barrier 11 that seals the gas flow opening 10. The hot melt adhesive G is provided as a 15 layer that extends across the gas flow opening 10. In one embodiment, the package 1 is moved away from the heater 54 to cool the adhesive G. Additionally, or alternatively, the adhesive G may be cooled using a blower, for example, a fan, pump or compressed gas source, that blows a gas such as air onto the layer of hot melt adhesive G.

In the present embodiment, the portion of the sheet 5 onto which the deposit of hot melt adhesive G is disposed is orientated vertically when adjacent the heater 54 such that the deposit of hot melt adhesive G is located above the gas flow opening 10. Therefore, when the heater 54 is operated to heat the deposit of hot melt adhesive G to a molten state, the hot melt adhesive G flows downwardly under the effect of gravity to 25 cover the gas flow opening 10. However, it should be recognised that in alternative embodiments (not shown), the portion of the sheet 5 onto which the deposit of hot melt adhesive G is disposed is orientated at an angle between the horizontal and vertical when adjacent the heater 54 such that the deposit of hot melt adhesive G is located above the gas flow opening 10. In yet another embodiment (not shown), the portion of the sheet 5 onto which the deposit of hot melt adhesive G is disposed is orientated horizontally when adjacent the heater 54. In such an embodiment, the deposit of hot melt adhesive G is arranged such that it flattens and spreads out over the gas flow opening 10 when the heater 54 is operated to heat the deposit of hot melt adhesive G to a molten state. In one embodiment, the deposit of hot melt adhesive G is initially applied as a thick layer that thins and spreads out over the gas flow opening 10 when the heater 54 is operated to heat the deposit of hot melt adhesive G to a molten state. In

-31one such embodiment, the deposit of hot melt adhesive G is first applied to the second exterior surface 5B of the sheet 5 when the second exterior surface 5B is orientated horizontally and faces downwardly. Thus, the effect of gravity causes the thickness of the deposit of hot melt adhesive G to be increased before the hot melt adhesive G solidifies.

An exemplary operation of the sealing apparatus 45 will now be described with reference to Figs. 13 to 15. Firstly, the wrapped bundle is fed to the sealing apparatus 45 and the nozzle 48 of the sealing head 46 is located over the gas flow opening 10 (as shown in Fig. 13). Next, the gas flow device 50 is operated to generate a gas flow though the nozzle 48 such that a gas flow F is induced through the gas flow opening 10 (as shown in Fig. 14). More specifically, the vacuum source extracts gas from the gas flow opening 10 such that the enclosure of the wrapped bundle contains an at least partial vacuum.

The heater 54 is then operated to heat the deposit of hot melt adhesive G on the sheet 5 to a molten state such that the hot melt adhesive G liquefies and spreads over a portion of the second exterior surface 5B of the sheet 5 to cover the gas flow opening 10. The hot melt adhesive G thus blocks the gas flow opening 10. The molten hot melt adhesive 20 G extending that blocks the gas flow opening 10 then cools and hardens to form a barrier 11 that seals the gas flow opening 10 (as shown in Fig. 15), thereby preventing the ingress of atmospheric air into the enclosure via the gas flow opening 10. In some embodiments (not shown), the package 1 then proceeds to a further packing station (not shown) to be enclosed within an outer card package in a further packaging process.

For example, the wrapped bundle may be provided within an outer pack too. The outer pack too may comprise a card box having a body 101 and a hinged-lid 102, as shown in Fig. 16. The outer pack too maybe formed from a blank of material. The hot melt adhesive G maybe unbonded with respect to the outer pack too, meaning that the hot melt adhesive G is not adhered to the outer pack 100. This allows for the wrapped bundle to be sealed prior to being provided within the outer pack too. Thus, the barrier is separate and distinct to the outer pack too. In some embodiments, the wrapped bundle contacts the outer pack too. The hot melt adhesive G may contact the outer pack too.

In the above described embodiments, the sealing head 26,46 provides a modular and compact unit that can be positioned after the wrapping station 24 to induce the gas flow

-32F through the gas flow opening to and also block the gas flow region to with the hot melt adhesive G. However, it should be recognised that in alternative embodiments (not shown), the sealing head 26,46 does not connect to the gas flow device and instead a separate nozzle (not shown) is provided to induce a gas flowthrough the gas 5 flow opening 10.

In the above described embodiments, the sealing apparatus 25,45 is configured to induce a gas flow through the gas flow opening 10 and block the gas flow opening 10 to seal the wrapped bundle. However, it should be recognised that in alternative embodiments a first station may be provided to induce said gas flow F through the gas flow opening 10 and then the wrapped bundle is fed to a second station that provides hot melt adhesive G at the gas flow region 10 to block the gas flow opening 10. For example, the first station may comprise a gas flow device and the second station may comprise a sealing device.

In the above described embodiments, the package maybe transported between the cutting station 22, packing station 23, wrapping station 24 and sealing station 25, 45 using any suitable package transport system, for example, a conveyor belt or a pneumatic system.

The package 1 described above is described with reference to cigarettes. However, it will be appreciated that the package may alternatively be used to package any smoking article or tobacco industiy product.

As used herein, the term “tobacco industry product” is to be understood as including smoking articles comprising combustible smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, tobacco for pipes or for roll-your-own cigarettes, (whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco substitutes or other smokable material), electronic smoking articles such as e-cigarettes, heating devices that release compounds from substrate materials without burning such as tobacco heating products; and hybrid systems to generate aerosol from a combination of substrate materials, for example hybrid systems containing a liquid or gel or solid substrate.

In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product is a smoking article for combustion selected from the group consisting of a cigarette, a cigarillo and a cigar.

-33In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product is a non-combustible smoking article.

In one embodiment the tobacco industry product is a heating device which releases compounds by heating, but not burning, a substrate material. The material may be for example tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment the heating device is a tobacco heating device.

In another embodiment the tobacco industry product is a hybrid system to generate aerosol by heating, but not burning, a combination of substrate materials. The substrate materials may comprise for example solid, liquid or gel which may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel substrate and a solid substrate. The solid substrate may be for example tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel substrate and tobacco.

The package 1 described above is described with reference to tobacco industry products, for example cigarettes. However, it will be appreciated that the package may alternatively be used to package non-tobacco-industry products. For example, the package may alternatively be used to package any consumer product, such as an article or a product. In examples, the package is used to package food products, electronics, or other consumer goods, such as for example tissues.

In 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 tobacco industry product package and apparatus and method for sealing a gas flow region of a wrapped bundle of tobacco industry products. The advantages and features of the disclosure are of a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. They are presented only to assist in understanding and teach the claimed features. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects of the disclosure are not to be considered limitations on the disclosure as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and/or spirit of the disclosure. Various embodiments may suitably

-34comprise, 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 may be claimed in future.

Claims

1. A tobacco industry product package comprising:

a wrapped bundle having a group of tobacco industry products and an enclosure

5 comprising a sheet of barrier material wrapped around the group of tobacco industry products, wherein the enclosure contains a modified atmosphere and wherein the sheet comprises a gas flow region in the barrier material; and a hot melt adhesive on the sheet that blocks the gas flow region to form a barrier that seals the gas flow region.

io

2. A tobacco industry product package according to claim 1, wherein the barrier material comprises a flap that at least partially defines the gas flow region.

3. A tobacco industry product package according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the

15 enclosure comprises an outer surface, and wherein the hot melt adhesive is located on the outer surface.

4. A tobacco industry product package according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sheet has a single gas flow region and no further gas flow regions.

5. A tobacco industry product package according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an outer pack that contains the wrapped bundle, wherein the hot melt adhesive does not adhere the wrapped bundle to the outer pack.

25

6. An apparatus for sealing a gas flow region of a wrapped bundle of tobacco industry products, the wrapped bundle comprising a group of tobacco industry products wrapped in a sheet of barrier material that has the gas flow region in the barrier material, the apparatus comprising:

a nozzle for locating over the gas flow region, wherein the nozzle is configured to

30 be connected to a gas flow device to induce a gas flow through the gas flow region; and, a sealing device configured to provide molten hot melt adhesive at the gas flow region to block the gas flow region.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the sealing device is configured to

35 dispense the hot melt adhesive through the nozzle onto the sheet.

8. An apparatus according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the sealing device is configured to project the hot melt adhesive onto the sheet.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the sealing device comprises a

5 pressurised gas source operable to project the hot melt adhesive onto the sheet.

10. An apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the sealing device comprises a reservoir for containing hot melt adhesive.

10

11. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the hot melt adhesive is pre-applied to the sheet and wherein the sealing device is configured to heat the hot melt adhesive to a molten state such that the hot melt adhesive flows to seal the gas flow region.

12. An apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 11, wherein the apparatus is

15 configured to simultaneously induce the gas flow through the gas flow region and provide the molten hot melt adhesive at the gas flow region.

13. An apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 12, further comprising a gas flow device connected to the nozzle and configured to induce the gas flow through the

20 gas flow region.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the gas flow device comprises a vacuum source configured to extract gas from the gas flow region so as to provide an at least partial vacuum within the wrapped bundle.

15. An apparatus according to claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the gas flow device is configured to insert a gas through the gas flow region so as to provide the gas within the wrapped bundle.

30

16. An apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 15, wherein the apparatus comprises a sealing head that comprises the sealing device and the nozzle.

17. A packaging apparatus for packaging tobacco industry products, the packaging apparatus comprising an apparatus for sealing a gas flow region of a wrapped bundle of

35 tobacco industry products according to any one of claims 6 to 16.

18. A packaging apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising a wrapping device configured to wrap a group of tobacco industry products with a sheet of barrier material to form the wrapped bundle, the sheet comprising the gas flow region.

5

19. A packaging apparatus according to claim 17 or claim 18, further comprising a packing device configured to provide the wrapped bundle in an outer pack once the hot melt adhesive at the gas flow region has hardened.

20. A method of sealing a gas flow region of a wrapped bundle of tobacco industry

10 products, the method comprising:

providing a wrapped bundle having a group of tobacco industry products wrapped in a sheet of barrier material that comprises a gas flow region in the barrier material;

inducing a gas flow through the gas flow region;

15 providing molten hot melt adhesive at the gas flow region to block the gas flow region; and, allowing the hot melt adhesive to harden such that the hot melt adhesive forms a barrier that seals the gas flow region.

20

21. A method according to claim 20, wherein inducing the gas flow through the gas flow region comprises applying a vacuum to the gas flow region such that an at least partial vacuum is provided within the wrapped bundle.

22. A method according to claim 20 or claim 21, wherein the wrapped bundle

25 initially contains a first gas and wherein inducing the gas flow through the gas flow region comprises inserting a second gas through the gas flow region such that at least a portion of the first gas in the wrapped bundle is replaced by the second gas, the second gas being different to the first gas.

30

23. A method according to any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein the hot melt adhesive is provided at the gas flow region by a nozzle.

24. A method according to claim 23, wherein the nozzle also induces the gas flow through the gas flow region.

25. A method according to any one of claims 20 to 24, wherein providing the hot melt adhesive at the gas flow region comprises projecting the adhesive onto the sheet.

26. A method according to claim 25, wherein the hot melt adhesive is projected onto 5 the sheet using a pressurised gas.

27. A method according to any one of claims 20 to 22, comprising providing the hot melt adhesive on the sheet and, subsequently, wrapping the group of tobacco industry products in the sheet to provide the wrapped bundle, and heating the hot melt adhesive

10 to a molten state such that the hot melt adhesive flows to seal the gas flow region.

28. A method according to any one of claims 20 to 27, comprising, subsequently providing the wrapped bundle in an outer pack.