WO2015117873A1

WO2015117873A1 - Packaging sleeve

Info

Publication number: WO2015117873A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/051729
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yusuke KAYAMA; Juan Antonio ESCAMEZ FERNANDEZ
Original assignee: Jt International Sa
Priority date: 2014-02-06
Filing date: 2015-01-28
Publication date: 2015-08-13
Also published as: EA035102B1; TW201538404A; JP2017505740A; KR102076886B1; JP6612241B2; TWI686338B; EA201691311A1; KR20160117477A; JP6908677B2; JP2020033107A

Abstract

An outer packet part for e.g. cigarette packaging, comprising: front and back walls parallel to one another and connected in a spaced relationship by top and bottom walls to form an enclosure; wherein: said outer packet part is configured to have an inner packet part disposed therein, and to allow movement of said inner packet part therein between a closed position and an open position; and grip-enhancing means are provided on an outer surface of at least one of said walls to help a user grip the outer packet part while moving the inner packet part.

Description

PACKAGING SLEEVE

The present disclosure generally relates to the field of packaging, for example for tobacco products. More particularly, the disclosure relates to the field of cigarette packaging, blanks used in the construction of such packaging and methods of constructing such packaging.

It is an on-going requirement to improve the ergonomic and practical design of packaging. One area in which such a requirement is prevalent is the provision of packaging for tobacco products such as cigarette packaging.

Cigarette packaging must meet a range of challenging requirements. In particular, not only should the packaging be cheap and capable of mass production, but it should also be sufficiently robust to keep the cigarettes safe, maintain their freshness and retain its integrity over multiple sequences of opening and closing the packaging.

Perhaps the most common design for cigarette packaging today can be characterised as a hinged lid pack. This is typically a cardboard pack with a hinged lid integrally formed at an upper end. The cigarettes are disposed longitudinally such that a user may remove the cigarettes by their ends when the lid is open.

It has been proposed to provide cigarette packaging with slide or swing opening mechanisms. In such an approach, an inner packet part which holds the cigarettes is disposed within an outer packet part. In a closed position, an opening of the inner packet part is covered by the outer packet part, while the inner packet part is movable relative to the outer packet part to an open position in order to allow access to the cigarettes stored within.

In a slide arrangement, the inner packet part moves relative to the outer packet part with a linear motion, while in a swing arrangement the inner packet part moves relative to the outer packet part with motion comprising at least some rotation. In these arrangements, as well as in others, there is an on-going desire to provide some control over the relative movement of the inner packet part and the outer packet part to avoid unwanted opening of the packaging.

Some means of keeping slide and swing opening packs closed when not in use (i.e. so that they cannot simply fall open under gravity) is generally provided. This can be by friction caused by the inner packet part being a tight fit in the outer packet part or by a specific mechanism such as an interlocking tab arrangement (see, for example, PCT patent application publication number WO 2013/164372).

However, such inhibition of free sliding or swinging of the inner packet part relative to the outer packet part can make opening and closing packets with one hand difficult. This can be a particular problem with packs for superslim cigarettes which are narrower than packs for standard cigarettes.

There is described herein packaging having an inner packet part at least partially contained by an outer packet part, the inner and outer packet parts being configured for relative movement between an open position in which contents of the inner packet part can be accessed and a closed position in which said contents are inaccessible. A user's grip on the outer packet part when opening and/or closing the packaging is improved by features on one or more of its exterior surfaces.

Such grip-enhancing means can be provided for example on packaging for tobacco products/smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars or cigarillos, in particular cardboard slide and swing cigarette packets. However their use is not limited to this field. For example, their use could be envisaged for other handheld packets such as chewing gum packets or toothpick dispensers which could be constructed from plastic, metal, wood or other suitable materials.

According to a first aspect, there is provided an outer packet part for packaging comprising: a front wall, a back wall, a top wall and a bottom wall; said front and back walls being parallel to one another and connected in a spaced relationship by at least said top wall and said bottom wall to form an enclosure; wherein: said outer packet part is configured to have an inner packet part disposed therein, and to allow movement of said inner packet part relative to the outer packet part between a closed position and an open position; and one or more grip- enhancing means are provided on an outer surface of at least one of said walls and are configured to help a user grip the outer packet part while moving the inner packet part relative to the outer packet part.

At least one of the grip-enhancing means could be located on the front wall or on the back wall.

At least one of the grip-enhancing means could be located substantially within a substantially median section of the front and/or back walls.

At least one of the grip-enhancing means could be located on the top wall or on the bottom wall.

At least one of the grip-enhancing means could be located adjacent an edge of the top wall or the back wall. At least one of the grip-enhancing means could comprise a coating having a high friction coefficient.

At least one of the grip-enhancing means could comprise raised features on the outer surface of the outer packet part.

The raised features could comprise embossed lines or dots.

The raised features could comprise varnish lines or dots. The outer packet part could comprise a plurality of said grip-enhancing means regularly spaced from one another at a pitch of at least 0.5 mm, preferably up to 5.0 mm.

The grip-enhancing means could have a height from 0.02 mm to 0.50 mm. Movement of the inner packet part from the open position to the closed position could comprise linear movement. Movement of the inner packet part from the open position to the closed position could comprise rotational movement.

At least one of the grip-enhancing means could extend along at least one line inclined relative to at least one longitudinal side of the outer packet part.

At least one of the grip-enhancing means could be configured to indicate orientation of the packaging to a user by touch.

Said at least one of the grip-enhancing means could be configured to indicate orientation by asymmetry: in its shape or in the shape of a group of grip- enhancing means it is comprised in; in its size or the size of a group of grip- enhancing means it is comprised in; in its height or in the height of a group of grip-enhancing means it is comprised in; in its depth or the depth of a group of grip-enhancing means it is comprised in; or in its texture or in the texture of a group of grip-enhancing means it is comprised in.

The outer packet part could comprise means for reversible connection with the inner packet part configured such that the inner packet part can be removed and replaced.

The outer packet part could be formed of cardboard or plastic or metal or wood.

According to a second aspect there is provided a blank for forming an outer packet part according to the first aspect.

Said blank could comprise: at least two main panels for forming the front and back walls; at least one connecting panel between said two main panels and articulated thereon along fold lines; and at least one flap articulated along a fold line at each longitudinal end of at least one of the two main panels to form the top wall and the bottom wall; wherein at least one of the two main panels or at least one of said flaps comprises the grip-enhancing means on an outer surface thereof. According to a third aspect there is provided a method of making an outer packet part according to the first aspect, comprising folding a blank according to the second aspect.

According to a fourth aspect there is provided packaging comprising an inner packet part and an outer packet part according to the first aspect, the inner packet part being disposed within the outer packet part and movable relative to the outer packet part between a closed position and an open position.

Said packaging could be for smoking articles; said smoking articles optionally being cigarettes; said cigarettes optionally being superslim.

Examples of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1A shows an example slide packet in a closed position;

Figure 1 B shows the slide packet of Figure 1A in an open position;

Figure 1 C shows a blank for use in the production of the outer packet part of the slide packet of Figures 1A and 1 B;

Figure 2A shows an example swing packet in a closed position;

Figure 2B shows the swing packet of Figure 2A in an open position; and

Figure 2C shows a blank for use in the production of the outer packet part of the swing packet of Figures 2A and 2B.

Referring to Figure 1 , there is shown packaging 10 in the form of a slide packet. The packaging comprises an outer packet part 1 1 and an inner packet part 12. The inner packet part is movable relative to the outer packet part and in particular is slidable between a first, closed position as illustrated in Figure 1A and a second, open position as shown in Figure 1 B. A user may effect sliding of the inner packet part by pushing the part of the inner packet part that is exposed through an opening 13 in the outer packet part with a thumb or finger. Although not shown in Figure 1 B, when the outer packet part is in the open position, contents of the inner packet part may be accessed by the user.

A degree of resistance may be provided to retain the inner packet part in the open position and in the closed position, for example by means of locking elements such as those disclosed in PCT patent application publication number WO 2013/164372. In this manner, accidental movement of the outer packet part relative to the inner packet part can be inhibited.

Grip-enhancing means 14 are provided on the outer packet part in locations to aid grip of the outer packet part during opening and/or closing of the packaging. For example, as shown in Figure 1 , grip-enhancing means can be provided towards a side wall adjoining edges of a top wall 15 and a bottom wall 16, and in median sections 17a and 17b (shown with dotted lines) of a front wall 18a and a back wall 18b respectively. These grip-enhancing means could, for example, take the form of embossed or debossed ribs, lines or dots of varnish, or particulate and/or synthetic material such as plastics deposited or extruded to the outer packet part surface. To open the packet, the user can for example grip the outer packet part with their thumb on the front or back wall (depending on whether they are using their right or left hand), their ring finger and optionally their little finger on the other of the front and back walls and their index finger on the top wall, and push on the inner packet through the opening 13 with their middle finger. Alternatively, the user may grip the packet between their thumb and index or middle finger on the bottom and top walls and push on the inner packet through the opening 13 with their middle or ring finger respectively. Other methods of opening the packet can be envisaged, whether with one hand or two. The grip-enhancing means can be positioned in one or more ergonomic locations to aid in one or more of the potential methods of opening and/or closing of the packet. The grip-enhancing means can be further configured to ensure a proper grip between a user's digits and the outer packet part, i.e. they show a sufficient height and spacing to create abutment surfaces for digits upon application by the digit of a tangential force to the surface of the outer packet part. The grip- enhancing means can, for example, have a height from 0.02 to 1 mm, preferably from 0.1 to 0.5 mm. When a plurality of grip-enhancing means is provided the spacing or pitch between two consecutive grip-enhancing means can be, for example, at least 0.5 mm, preferably from 0.5 to 5 mm. The grip-enhancing means can also be configured such that the static coefficient of friction of the external surface of the grip enhancing means is from 0.2 to 2.0.

Grip can be improved by increasing the static coefficient of friction of the grip- enhancing means and/or increasing their height. Therefore if the grip-enhancing means comprise additional material extruded or deposited on the external surface of the outer packet part, the quantity of such material required can be reduced by choosing a material with a higher static coefficient of friction.

Figure 1 C illustrates a cardboard blank to form the outer packet part by folding.

The outer packet part 1 1 comprises a front face 18a and a rear face 18b which oppose one another when the outer packet part is formed. The front face and the rear face are connected by a side face 19. The opening 13 is formed in the side face.

A top face 15 of the outer packet part is formed of a front top face part 15a, a rear top face part 15b and a side top face part 15c. When the outer packet part is formed, the rear and side top face parts are glued or otherwise attached to an underside of the front top face part. Similarly, a bottom face 16 of the outer packet part is formed of a front bottom face part 16a, a rear bottom face part 16b and a side bottom face part 16c. When the outer packet part is formed, the rear and side bottom face parts are glued or otherwise attached to a top side of the front bottom face part. Referring to Figure 2, there is shown packaging 20 in the form of a swing packet. Like the slide packet, the swing packet comprises an outer packet part 21 and an inner packet part 22. The inner packet part is movable relative to the outer packet part and in particular is rotatable between a closed position as illustrated in Figure 2A and an open position as shown in Figure 2B.

A user may effect rotation of the inner packet part by pushing the part of the inner packet part that is exposed through an opening 23 in the outer packet part with a thumb or finger. Although not shown in Figure 2B, when the outer packet part is in the open position, contents of the inner packet part may be accessed by the user.

As with the slide packet, a degree of resistance can be provided to retain the inner packet part in the open position and in the closed position, for example as disclosed in PCT patent application publication number WO 2013/164372. In this manner, accidental movement of the outer packet part relative to the inner packet part can be inhibited.

Grip-enhancing means 24 are provided on the outer packet part in locations to aid grip of the outer packet part. For example, as shown in Figure 2, grip- enhancing means can be provided on a front wall 28a and a back wall 28b respectively. These grip-enhancing means could, for example, take the form of embossed or debossed ribs, lines or dots of varnish, or particulate and/or synthetic material such as plastics deposited or extruded to the outer packet part surface. To open the packet, the user can for example grip the outer packet part between their thumb and middle and/or ring and optionally little finger on the front and back walls and push on the inner packet through the opening 23 with their index or middle finger. Other methods of opening the packet can be envisaged, whether with one hand or two. The grip-enhancing means can be positioned in one or more ergonomic locations to aid in one or more of the potential methods of opening and/or closing of the packet.

Figure 2C illustrates a cardboard blank to form the outer packet part 21 by folding. The outer packet part comprises a front face 28a and a rear face 28b which oppose one another when the outer packet part is formed. The front face and the rear face are connected by a side face 29. The opening 23 is formed in the side face.

A top face 25 of the outer packet part is formed of a front top face part 25a, a rear top face part 25b and a side top face part 25c. When the outer packet part is formed, the rear top and side top face parts are glued or otherwise attached to an underside of the front top face part. Similarly, a bottom face 26 of the outer packet part is formed of a front bottom face part 26a, a rear bottom face part 26b and a side bottom face part 26c. When the outer packet part is formed, the rear bottom and side bottom face parts are glued to a top side of the front bottom face part.

The bottom face does not cover the entire bottom surface of the outer packet part when formed. The outer packet part further comprises a connecting flap 26d, which is foldably connected to the bottom face part. Unlike the bottom face part, the connecting flap is separated from the rear face. As a result, when the outer packet part is formed, the connecting flap is able to move rotationally relative to the rest of the outer packet part. The inner packet part is mounted to the connecting flap when the packaging is formed.

The above description relates to two exemplary uses of the invention, but it will be appreciated that other implementations and variations are possible.

For example, rather than being formed by embossing, debossing or extruding, the grip-enhancing means can be formed of a coating or varnish deposited on the exterior surface of the outer packet part and having a relatively high coefficient of static friction, an absence of a smooth varnish or paint layer present elsewhere on the exterior of the packaging, or any other suitable texturising means. The shape of the grip-enhancing means can also vary, for example they may be shaped as lines, dots, patches or any other shape. The grip-enhancing means can be grouped into sets covering specific areas. They may be arranged regularly within these areas, for example with a fixed pitch.

The arrangement or feel of the grip-enhancing means can be asymmetric with respect to the opening in the inner packet from which its contents can be taken. This asymmetry allows the user to determine the correct orientation to hold the packet in when opening it without looking at the packet. For example, a user of packaging 20 can keep it with the grip-enhancing means lowermost when opening it in order to avoid any cigarettes falling out. In this or similar ways, location of grip-enhancing means which are identifiable by touch can be used to indicate orientation to a user. Other touch-identifiable characteristics of the grip- enhancing means (whether individually or as one or more groups) can be used to indicate orientation, for example shape, size, height/depth or texture. There could be clear boundaries between regions in which grip-enhancing means have different characteristics, or such characteristics could vary gradually. For example the density of a pattern of dots or lines and/or the height of embossing could decrease from the bottom to the top of the pack.

The packaging could be of cardboard as suggested above. The outer packet part could however be made to be more durable than the inner packet part to tolerate the greater handling time the outer packet part is likely to experience. For example the outer packet part could be made of thicker cardboard, or of plastic, metal or wood. The outer packet part could be made as a reusable case for replaceable inner packet parts. Such replaceable inner packet parts could be separately sold disposable refilling cartridges or inner packet parts extracted from existing slide or swing packaging found on the market. Branding and/or decoration and/or identifying features such as monograms could be applied to the outer packet part. Some or all of the grip-enhancing means could be arranged to provide such branding/decorative/identifying features.

In addition, the skilled person may modify or alter the particular geometry and arrangement of the particular features of the packaging. Other variations and modifications will also be apparent to the skilled person. Such variations and modifications may involve equivalent and other features which are already known and which may be used instead of, or in addition to, features described herein. Features that are described in the context of separate embodiments may be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, features which are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An outer packet part (1 1 , 21 ) for packaging (10, 20) comprising:

a front wall (18a, 28a), a back wall (18b, 28b), a top wall (15, 25) and a bottom wall (16, 26);

said front and back walls being parallel to one another and connected in a spaced relationship by at least said top wall and said bottom wall to form an enclosure; wherein:

said outer packet part is configured to have an inner packet part (12, 22) disposed therein, and to allow movement of said inner packet part relative to the outer packet part between a closed position and an open position; and

one or more grip-enhancing means (14, 24) are provided on an outer surface of at least one of said walls and are configured to help a user grip the outer packet part while moving the inner packet part relative to the outer packet part.

2. An outer packet part according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the grip-enhancing means is located:

substantially within a substantially median section (17a, 17b) of the front and/or back walls; and/or

adjacent an edge of the top wall or the back wall.

3. An outer packet part according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the grip-enhancing means comprises a coating having a friction coefficient from 0.2 to 2.0.

4. An outer packet part according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the grip-enhancing means comprises raised features on the outer surface of the outer packet part.

5. An outer packet part according to claim 4, wherein the raised features comprise embossed ribs, lines or dots, or varnish ribs, lines or dots, or extruded or deposited ribs, lines or dots of a particulate and/or synthetic material.

6. An outer packet part according to any preceding claim, comprising a plurality of said grip-enhancing means regularly spaced from one another at a pitch of at least 0.5 mm, preferably up to 5.0 mm.

7. An outer packet part according to claim 4 or either of claims 5 or 6 as dependent thereon, wherein the grip-enhancing means have a height from 0.02 mm to 0.10 mm.

8. An outer packet part according to any preceding claim, wherein movement of the inner packet part from the open position to the closed position comprises linear movement or rotational movement.

9. An outer packet part according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the grip-enhancing means extends along at least one line inclined relative to at least one longitudinal side of the outer packet part.

10. An outer packet part according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the grip-enhancing means is configured to indicate orientation of the packaging to a user by touch.

1 1. An outer packet part according to claim 10, wherein said at least one of the grip-enhancing means is configured to indicate orientation by asymmetry: in its shape or in the shape of a group of grip-enhancing means it is comprised in;

in its size or the size of a group of grip-enhancing means it is comprised in;

in its height or in the height of a group of grip-enhancing means it is comprised in;

in its depth or the depth of a group of grip-enhancing means it is comprised in; or

in its texture or in the texture of a group of grip-enhancing means it is comprised in.

12. An outer packet part according to any preceding claim, comprising means for reversible connection with the inner packet part configured such that the inner packet part can be removed and replaced.

13. A blank for forming an outer packet part according to any preceding claim, comprising:

at least two main panels (18a, 18b, 28a, 28b) for forming the front and back walls;

at least one connecting panel (19, 29) between said two main panels and articulated thereon along fold lines; and

at least one flap (15a, 15b, 16a, 16b, 25a, 25b, 26a, 26b) articulated along a fold line at each longitudinal end of at least one of the two main panels to form the top wall and the bottom wall;

wherein at least one of the two main panels or at least one of said flaps comprises the grip-enhancing means on an outer surface thereof.

14. A method of making an outer packet part according to any of claims 1 to 12, comprising folding a blank according to claim 13.

15. Packaging (10, 20) comprising an inner packet part and an outer packet part according to any of claims 1 to 12, the inner packet part being disposed within the outer packet part and movable relative to the outer packet part between a closed position and an open position.