WO2013079650A1

WO2013079650A1 - Packaged consumer goods

Info

Publication number: WO2013079650A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/074064
Authority: WO
Inventors: Philip Leung
Original assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
Priority date: 2011-11-30
Filing date: 2012-11-30
Publication date: 2013-06-06
Also published as: AR089036A1

Abstract

According to the invention there is provided a package for consumer goods, comprising: a first portion (102) adapted to partially enclose at least one consumer good; and a second portion (104) adapted to partially enclose the at least one consumer good, comprising means (110) for detachably retaining the at least one consumer good; the first and second portions being joined at a line of weakness (106), wherein said first portion (102) is movable about said line of weakness (106) to expose a first end of the at least one consumer good. There is also provided packaged consumer goods, comprising at least one consumer good and a package as aforementioned. A method of manufacturing packaged consumer goods is also provided.

Description

Packaged consumer goods

The present invention relates to a package for consumer goods. The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing of a package for consumer goods. In particular, the present invention relates to packaging for cartridges suitable for a consumable.

Aerosol generating devices typically consume a supply of aerosol-forming substrate during use. If the device is to be reused, the aerosol-forming substrate must be replenished. This can be done by refilling a housing or reservoir for the aerosol-forming substrate, or by providing the substrate in a consumable cartridge. It is known to provide such consumable cartridges with over-packaging to protect the cartridge during transportation and storage. Known over-packaging takes the form of blister packaging, clamshell type packaging, boxes, and over-wrapped packaging in the form of a plastic bag. In all cases, the cartridge is manufactured and then subsequently packaged. And, although these forms of packaging may provide adequate protection for transportation and storage, they present potential problems relating to the ease of use. These forms of packaging may also present potential problems relating to hygiene. These forms of packaging may also present potential problems relating to safety. This is because once the cartridge is removed from the over-packaging it can be difficult to insert into a device due to its relatively small size. In addition, the user must handle the cartridge which raises potential hygiene-related issues. Finally, in certain circumstances the relatively small size of the cartridge could present a safety hazard.

It would therefore be desirable to provide packaging suitable for consumable cartridges that facilitates the handling of the cartridges. It would also be desirable to provide packaging suitable for consumable cartridges that is hygienic. Finally, it would also be desirable to provide packaging suitable for consumable cartridges that reduces any safety risk. It would also be desirable if such a packaging could be manufactured efficiently compared to other conventional packaging techniques.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided packaged consumer goods comprising at least one consumer good, and a package comprising: a first portion adapted to partially enclose at least one consumer good; and a second portion adapted to partially enclose the at least one consumer good, comprising means for detachably retaining the at least one consumer good; the first and second portions being joined at a line of weakness. The first portion is movable about said line of weakness to expose a first end of the at least one consumer good. In addition, the means for detachably retaining the consumer good comprises at least one breakable tab being integrally formed with at least a portion of the at least one consumer good and either of the first portion or the second portion. By providing a package with two such portions and a retaining means, the consumer good can be made accessible by moving the first portion relative to the second portion about the line of weakness. Preferably, the first portion and the second portion could be made of a stiff material to facilitate this movement. The consumer good can then be inserted into the device, and then the second portion can be detached so that the device can be used in a conventional manner. Advantageously, the second portion provides means for facilitating the handling of the consumer good into the device, thus making it easier to use. In addition, the consumer good does not need to be handled directly by the user, so the process of replacing the consumer good may be more hygienic. Furthermore, the consumer good is always connected to at least one other component as it is transferred from the packaging to the device, enhancing the safety.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a package for consumer goods, comprising:

a first portion adapted to partially enclose at least one consumer good; and a second portion adapted to partially enclose the at least one consumer good, comprising means for detachably retaining the at least one consumer good; the first and second portions being joined at a line of weakness, wherein said first portion is movable about said line of weakness to expose a first end of the at least one consumer good.

Preferably, the consumer good is a disposable item for use in a device and the device is adapted to use the consumer good.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided packaged consumer goods comprising a plurality of packages as described herein. Each package is joined to at least one other such package at a line of weakness, wherein the line of weakness is along one edge of the package. This configuration of the packaging allows a plurality of consumer goods to be supplied to a user, but each consumer good remains individually packaged. Advantageously, this ensures that the consumer goods are retained within the packaging until they are required for use.

The package is preferably adapted to package consumer goods that are elongate. The consumer good preferably has a principal axis that extends along the length of the elongate consumer good from a first end to a second end. The first end of the consumer good is adapted to be inserted into a device that uses the consumer good. The term "principal axis" used herein specifies the longitudinal axis of an elongate body.

The first portion of the package may be in the form of a square, rectangle, circle or any other suitable shape, in each case the first portion has a cut-out to accept and partially enclose the first end of the consumer good. The second portion of the package is preferably in a form complimentary to the form of the first portion, such as a square, a rectangle, a circle. In each case, the second portion comprises a cut-out. The second portion is preferably adapted to partially enclose the second end of a consumer good. The first portion and second portion may have rounded corners, or angle-cut corners such as chamfered corners. The term "partially enclose" used herein specifies that the consumer good is not completely enclosed, and is therefore exposed along at least a portion of its length or width. In one embodiment, the first and second portions extend around the consumer good at substantially the plane comprising the longitudinal axis. By only partially enclosing the consumer good, the amount of material used for the packaging may be reduced. In addition, by exposing at least a portion of the consumer good the user may more easily determine the type of consumer good.

The line of weakness is preferably positioned such that when the second portion is moved relative to the first portion at least 20%, 30%, 40% or more preferably 50% of the consumer good is exposed.

The line of weakness may be an area between the first and second portions comprising material that is thinner than the material adjacent the line of weakness. In this case, the first and second portions have a material thickness that is greater than the material thickness at the line of weakness. To enable the package to have such a line of weakness, the material thickness of the first and second portions preferably reduces linearly to the thinner material thickness at the line of weakness. The line of weakness is preferably therefore a narrowing of the material between the first and second portions. Preferably, the narrowing of the material between the first and second portions is effected during manufacture of the first and second portions, such as during a moulding process. Alternatively, the reduction in the material thickness at the line of weakness may be effected by a score line which is scored into the joined between the first and second portions. The score line preferably removes a portion of material at the line of weakness.

Alternatively, or in addition to the reduced thickness of material, the line of weakness may comprise a series of spaced apart perforations that reduce the strength in the area of the line of weakness as compared to the strength of the material comprising the first and second portions. The series of perforations may, for example, comprise up to 50%, 60% or 70% of the total length of the line of weakness.

In an alternative embodiment, the first and second portions are bonded together, the bond forming the line of weakness. In this alternative embodiment, the bond comprises an adhesive, such as a glue, that has a lower tensile strength than the material of the first and second portions. The glue may be spaced apart along the line of weakness to yet further weaken the joint between the first and second portions. Preferably, the means for detachably retaining the at least one consumer good comprises at least one holder the at least one holder being adapted to accept a respective consumer good and retain the at least one consumer good, using friction. Alternatively, the at least one holder may be adapted to retain the at least one consumer good using clips, hooks, or other protruding features that interact with the consumer good to detachably retain the consumer good in the at least one holder. The term "detachably retaining" used herein specifies that the consumer good may be held within the package, but can be removed from the package by a user by detaching it from the packaging. Preferably, the holder is adapted to provide sufficient frictional force to enable the consumer good to be inserted into a device that uses the consumer good. The frictional force is such that the user can remove the packaging once the consumer good is inserted. Where clips, hooks, or other protruding features are used, sufficient retaining force is provided to enable the consumer good to be inserted into a device that uses the consumer good.

Preferably, the first portion and the second portion are integrally formed. Integrally formed specifies that the first and second portions are formed in the same manufacturing process step, from the same piece of material, and are of suitable material. Examples of suitable materials include metals, alloys, plastics or composite materials containing one or more of those materials, or thermoplastics that are suitable for food or pharmaceutical applications, for example polypropylene, polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and polyethylene. Preferably, the material is light and non-brittle. Preferably, the material is plastic. Preferably, the first and second portions are manufactured in a single mould.

Preferably, the first and second portions are substantially planar. The planar first and second portions may be relatively thin compared to the height and width of the portions. By forming the first and second portions substantially planar, an area can be provided for displaying information to the user of the consumer good. Alternatively, or in addition, graphics or indicia can be applied to the planar first and second portions. The graphics or indicia may take the form of images, letters, words, logos, other graphical representations, or text. The graphics or indicia may be applied using embossing, debossing, cutting, drilling, or milling.

Preferably, the first portion is detachable from the second portion at the line of weakness. Advantageously, forming the first portion to be detachable from the second portion allows the user to more easily insert the consumer good into a device. Alternatively, the first portion may be folded about the line of weakness to provide access to the consumer good. In this case, the user folds the first portion towards the second portion and holds both portions together while inserting the consumer good into a device. Preferably, the means for detachably retaining the consumer good comprises at least one breakable tab being connected between the second portion and the consumer good. The breakable tab preferably forms a bond between the package and the consumer good. For example, the bond may be formed by a glue. Preferably, the breakable tab is manufactured from the same material as the first and second portions of the package. More preferably, the package comprises a plurality of breakable tabs. The breakable tabs may be provided in pairs, each breakable tab of each pair being located on opposite sides of the consumer good. For example, the package may be provided with one pair, two pairs, three pairs or more of breakable tabs. Alternatively, an odd number of breakable tabs may be provided, such that each tab does not have a directly corresponding tab located on the opposite side of the consumer good. In this case, 3, 5, 7 or more, breakable tabs may be provided.

Preferably, the breakable tab is adapted to preferentially break adjacent the consumer good, such that the tab remains connected to the second portion. More preferably, the breakable tab is adapted to preferentially break adjacent the consumer good, such that the majority of the tab remains connected to the second portion. In this case, a relatively small amount of the breakable tab may remain attached to the cartridge. The relatively small amount of the breakable tab can be used to provide a firm attachment for a portion of the device that the consumer good is inserted into.

Preferably, at least a portion of the at least one consumer good is integrally formed with the at least one breakable tab and either of the first portion or the second portion. More preferably, the consumer good is integrally formed with the breakable tab, the second portion, and the first portion. A portion of the consumer good, the breakable tab and the first and second portions are preferably made from the same material. In this case, a portion of the consumer good is manufactured during the same process step as the breakable tab and the first and second portions. The portion of the consumer good is preferably a portion of the housing or casing.

Preferably, the second portion is adapted to at least partially enclose a second end of the consumer good.

Preferably, the at least one consumer good is elongate, and the line of weakness is substantially perpendicular to a principal axis of the elongate consumer good. By providing the line of weakness substantially perpendicular to the principal axis of the consumer good the first portion of the package may be more easily moved towards the second portion of the package. The at least one consumer good may have an external diameter between approximately 5 mm and approximately 30 mm, and a length of between approximately 5 mm and approximately 80 mm. Preferably, the at least one consumer good has an external diameter between approximately 7 mm and approximately 13 mm, and a length of between approximately 15 mm and approximately 50 mm.

Preferably, the at least one consumer good is a cartridge for use in a device. More preferably, the at least one consumer good is a cartridge for an electric aerosol device. More preferably, the at least one consumer good is a disposable electric aerosol device cartridge. However, the at least one consumer good could be for any device requiring the use of a cartridge, such as in pharmaceutical devices.

The cartridge is adapted to be used in a device. The disposable electric aerosol device cartridge is adapted to be used in an electric aerosol device. The electric aerosol device is an electrically operated aerosol generating system for heating a liquid aerosol- forming substrate. The liquid aerosol-forming substrate is contained within the disposable cartridge. The liquid substrate is consumable, so the cartridge must be replaced when the liquid runs out. The present invention provides the packaged cartridge for use in such an electric aerosol device.

Preferably, the means for detachably retaining the at least one cartridge is adapted to provide sufficient retaining force to enable the cartridge to be inserted into an electric aerosol device.

According to a yet further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing packaged consumer goods. The method comprises forming a first portion adapted to partially enclose at least one consumer good. A second portion is formed which is adapted to partially enclose the at least one consumer good, and comprises at least one breakable tab for detachably retaining the at least one consumer good. In addition, a casing portion of the at least one consumer good is formed. The first and second portions are joined at a line of weakness, and the first portion is movable about the line of weakness to expose a first end of the at least one consumer good. The first and second portions, the housing portion, and the retaining means are all integrally formed.

The method of forming the package preferably comprises moulding the package components from plastic. Preferably, a pre-manufactured portion of the consumer good is inserted into the mould prior to plastic being injected into the mould. In this way, the pre- manufactured portion of the consumer good may be over-moulded with the casing portion that is integrally formed with the breakable tab, the first portion of the package and the second portion of the package. Advantageously, this increases the efficiency of the manufacturing process.

According to a yet further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of using a consumable cartridge stored within a package as described herein. The method comprises separating the first portion of the package from the second portion at the line of weakness; inserting the cartridge into an electric aerosol device; and separating the second portion of the package from the cartridge.

The invention extends to methods and apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As used herein, means plus function features may be expressed alternatively in terms of their corresponding structure.

Any feature in one aspect of the invention may be applied to other aspects of the invention, in any appropriate combination. In particular, method aspects may be applied to apparatus aspects, and vice versa. Furthermore, any, some or all features in one aspect can be applied to any, some or all features in any other aspect, in any appropriate combination.

It should also be appreciated that particular combinations of the various features described and defined in any aspects of the invention can be implemented or supplied or used independently.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following exemplary embodiments that are described with reference to the following figures in which:

Figure 1 shows one embodiment of packaged consumer goods according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows an end view of the packaged consumer goods shown in Figure 1 ;

Figures 3 show the packaged consumer goods shown in Figure 1 during the process of removing the consumer good from the package;

Figure 4 shows a detailed view of the tabs connecting the consumer good to the package;

Figure 5 shows a multiple package comprising three packaged consumer goods joined together;

Figure 6 shows a further embodiment of packaged consumer goods according to the present invention; and

Figure 7 shows a detail view of the cross-section A-A of Figure 5

Figure 1 shows packaged consumer good 100, the packaged consumer goods comprising a package 101 and a consumer good 108. The package 101 is formed from two portions 102 and 104. The two portions of the package 101 are joined together at the line of weakness 106. The consumer good 108 is held within the package 101 by tabs 110. The consumer good 108 is partially enclosed by each portion 102 and 104. In this example, the consumer good is a disposable cartridge for an electric aerosol device. The cartridge is adapted to be inserted into an electric aerosol device. To form the line of weakness 106 the material at the joint between the first and second portions 102 and 104 is thinner than the material forming the remainder of the portions.

Figure 2 shows an end view of the packaged cartridges 100 shown in Figure 1. As can be seen, the first and second portions are planar, and are relatively thin in comparison to the cartridge 108. The cartridge 108 is exposed on the two sides 200 and 202 of the package, and is only enclosed by the package in one plane that extends around the periphery of the cartridge. In this example, the portions 102 and 104 extend around the periphery of the centre line of the cartridge.

Figures 3(a) to 3(d) show the packaged cartridge 100 during the process of removing the cartridge from the package 101 and inserting it into a device. As shown in Figure 3(a), the package 101 contains the cartridge 108 enclosed in the first and second portions 102 and 104 of the package as described above. Figure 3(a) also shows the line of weakness in further detail. As can be seen, the first and second portions waist down at the line of weakness to form an area that is thinner than the remainder of the first and second portions. For clarity, the thickness of the package is not shown in Figures 3(b) to 3(d).

As shown in Figure 3(b), to access the cartridge for inserting into the electric aerosol device, the user first bends the first portion 102 relative to the second portion 104 along the line of weakness 106. In this example, and as shown in Figure 3(c), the first portion 102 is separated from the second portion 104 to provide easy access to one end of the cartridge 108. The cartridge can then be inserted into the electric aerosol device 300 using the second portion 104 as a handling device to make the insertion of the cartridge easier. Finally, the second portion 104 is detached from the cartridge by breaking the tabs 1 10. For example, the tabs 1 10 can be broken by the user applying a torsional force to the second portion 104 while the user holds the electric aerosol device 300. If required by the electric aerosol device a mouthpiece can then be engaged with the free end of the cartridge. In this case, the portions of the tabs 110 that remain attached to the cartridge can be used to ensure the mouthpiece remains firmly attached to the cartridge.

Figure 4 shows an enlarged view of the breakable tabs 1 10 in connection with the cartridge 108. To ensure that the tabs 1 10 break adjacent the cartridge, with the majority of the tab remaining attached to the second portion 104, a neck 400 is formed at the junction between the cartridge 108 and the tabs 110.

Figure 5 shows a variation of the package shown in Figure 1. As can be seen in this example, three packages 100 are joined together to form a multiple package 500. The packages 100 are joined together at the lines of weakness 502 and 504. In use, the user first separates a package 100 from the other packages at the line of weakness 502 or 504, and then accesses the cartridge in the manner described above.

The package is manufactured using conventional moulding techniques. In particular, the package is manufactured using an insert moulding technique. A pre-manufactured portion of the cartridge is inserted into a mould. The pre-manufactured portion comprises all of the cartridge components except for a portion of the cartridge casing. A plastic material is then injected into the mould to form a casing portion of the cartridge, and at the same time the first portion and second portion of the package is moulded from the same plastic material in the same mould. The moulding process results in a complete packaged cartridge. The insert moulding process to produce the cartridge casing and the package can be part of the larger manufacturing process used to manufacture the electric aerosol device cartridges.

An alternative embodiment of the package is shown in Figures 6 and 7. As can be seen in Figure 6, the package 600 is similar to the package 101 in that it also comprises a first portion 602 and a second portion 604. The first and second portions 502 and 504 are joined together at a line of weakness 606. In this embodiment, the cartridge is detachably retained by the holder 608. Holder 608 is adapted to hold the cartridge in the package using friction.

As can be seen in Figure 7, the holder 608 comprises a thin section of material that has a radius of curvature such that an interference fit is produced when the cartridge is inserted into the package. The interference fit is such that sufficient frictional force is available to enable the cartridge to be inserted into the electric aerosol device. Once the cartridge is within the device the second portion 604 is removed from the cartridge. This is accomplished by sliding the second portion away from the cartridge along the cartridges principal axis. Alternatively, the user applies a force to the second portion 604 while holding the cartridge, the force being applied perpendicularly to the principal axis of the cartridge. The second portion 604 is therefore forced away from the cartridge, and the cartridge is removed through the gap 700.

It is of course to be understood that the invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above embodiments which are described by way of example only.

Claims

1. Packaged consumer goods, comprising:

at least one consumer good; and

a package comprising:

a first portion adapted to partially enclose at least one consumer good; and a second portion adapted to partially enclose the at least one consumer good, comprising means for detachably retaining the at least one consumer good; the first and second portions being joined at a line of weakness, wherein said first portion is movable about said line of weakness to expose a first end of the at least one consumer good; and

wherein the means for detachably retaining the consumer good comprises at least one breakable tab being integrally formed with at least a portion of the at least one consumer good and either of the first portion or the second portion.

2. Packaged consumer goods according to Claim 1 , the at least one tab being connected between the second portion and the at least one consumer good.

3. Packaged consumer goods according to Claim 1 or 2, the breakable tab being adapted to preferentially break adjacent the consumer good, such that the majority of the tab remains connected to the second portion.

4. Packaged consumer goods according to any of Claims 1 to 3, the second portion being adapted to at least partially enclose a second end of the consumer good.

5. Packaged consumer goods according to any of Claims 1 to 4, the at least one consumer good being elongate, wherein the line of weakness is substantially perpendicular to a principal axis of the elongate consumer good.

6. Packaged consumer goods according to any of Claims 1 to 5, said at least one consumer good being a disposable electric aerosol device cartridge.

7. Packaged consumer goods according to Claim 6, wherein said means for detachably retaining the at least one cartridge is adapted to provide sufficient retaining force to enable the cartridge to be inserted into an electric aerosol device.

8. Packaged consumer goods comprising a plurality of packages according to any of the preceding claims, each said packaging being joined to at least one other such packaging at a line of weakness, wherein the line of weakness is along one edge of the packaging.

9. A method of manufacturing packaged consumer goods, comprising:

forming a first portion adapted to partially enclose at least one consumer good;

forming a second portion adapted to partially enclose the at least one consumer good, comprising at least one breakable tab for detachably retaining the at least one consumer good; and

forming a casing portion of the at least one consumer good;

the first and second portions being joined at a line of weakness, said first portion being movable about said line of weakness to expose a first end of the at least one consumer good,

wherein the first and second portions, the casing portion, and the at least one breakable tab are integrally formed.

10. A method according to Claim 9, further comprising inserting a pre-manufactured portion of the consumer good into the mould prior to forming the package.

1 1. A package for consumer goods, comprising:

12. A package according to Claim 11 , wherein said means for detachably retaining the at least one consumer good comprises at least one holder, the at least one holder adapted to accept a respective consumer good and retain the at least one consumer good using friction.

13. A package according to Claim 1 1 or 12, the first portion and the second portion being integrally formed.

14. A package according to any of claims 1 1 , 12 or 13, the first and second portions being substantially planar.

15. A package according to any of claims 1 1 to 14, wherein said first portion is detachable from the second portion at said line of weakness.