WO2016087828A1

WO2016087828A1 - Wrapper for tobacco industry products

Info

Publication number: WO2016087828A1
Application number: PCT/GB2015/053641
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrew Bray; Jeonghwan Park
Original assignee: British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited
Priority date: 2014-12-05
Filing date: 2015-11-27
Publication date: 2016-06-09
Also published as: KR20170081679A; TW201632431A; GB201421703D0; BR112017011930A2; AR102931A1

Abstract

A wrapper for a group of tobacco industry products is disclosed. The wrapper has a barrier material and a tab arranged so that, when the tab is pulled away from the barrier material, a tear line propagates in the barrier material to form an extraction opening. The wrapper also has a strengthened section arranged to guide the path of the tear line.

Description

Wrapper for Tobacco Industry Products

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a wrapper for a group of tobacco industry products, particularly but not exclusively to a wrapper for packaging cigarettes.

Background

Cigarette packs are known to have a re-closable label that is provided on a wrapped bundle of cigarettes. Pulling the label exposes an extraction opening for retrieving the cigarettes. The label includes a region of pressure sensitive adhesive that allows the label to be re-positioned over the extraction opening and held in place.

Summary

In accordance with embodiments of the invention, there is provided a wrapper for a group of tobacco industry products comprising a barrier material and a tab arranged so that when the tab is pulled a tear line propagates in the barrier material to form an extraction opening, wherein the wrapper comprises a strengthened section arranged to guide the path of the tear line. The wrapper may further comprise a label attached to the barrier material, the label comprising the tab.

The label may be attached to the barrier material such that when the label is pulled a section of the barrier material adhered to the label separates from the remainder of the barrier material to form the extraction opening.

The label may be larger than the section of the barrier material that separates from the remainder of the barrier material, such that the label can re-cover the extraction opening and a part of the label overlaps the remainder of the barrier material at least partially around the extraction opening.

The part of the label that overlaps the remainder of the barrier material at least partially around the extraction opening may comprise pressure sensitive adhesive such that the label can be re-attached to the barrier material at least partially around the extraction opening. The strengthened region may comprise a label attached to the barrier material.

The strengthened region may comprise a printed material. The strengthened region may be provided on an opposite side of the barrier material to the tab.

The label may comprise a region that delaminates from the label upon initial pulling of the label away from the barrier material, the region remaining attached to the barrier material to provide the strengthened region.

The strengthened region may be arranged such that the tear line follows an edge of the strengthened region. The wrapper may comprise two or more strengthened regions arranged such that the tear line follows a path between the strengthened regions.

The two or more strengthened regions maybe spaced such that the tear line propagates along the space between those strengthened regions.

The strengthened region may comprise a line of weakness along which the tear line propagates.

The barrier material may comprise a cut arranged such that, on initial pulling of the tab, the line of separation propagates from the cut through the barrier material.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a bundle comprising the wrapper described above, wrapped around a group of tobacco industry products. Edges of the barrier material may be sealably attached to each other.

Edges of the barrier material may be fin sealed to each other.

In one example, the bundle may have at least a partial vacuum therein. Alternatively, the bundle may have an increased pressure therein. The bundle may have a modified atmosphere therein.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is also provided a pack comprising a base, a hingedly attached lid, and the bundle of tobacco industry products as described above, received in the base.

A part of the barrier material may be attached to the lid such that opening and closing the lid simultaneously opens and closes the extraction opening.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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

FIG. l shows a wrapped bundle of tobacco industry products;

FIG. 2 shows an opened wrapped bundle of tobacco industry products;

FIG. 3 shows an inner frame for a wrapped bundle of tobacco industry products;

FIG. 4 shows a first example of a profile of the aperture of the inner frame of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows a second example of profile of the aperture of the inner frame of FIG. 3; FIG. 6 shows an example of a barrier material provided with strengthening labels;

FIG. 7 shows an example of an adhesive pattern for the adhesive label of FIG. 6;

FIGS. 8a and 8b show a further example of a barrier material for forming a wrapped bundle of tobacco industry products;

FIGS. 9a and 9b show another example of a barrier material for forming a wrapped bundle of tobacco industry products;

FIG. 10 shows an example of an adhesive pattern on the adhesive labels of FIGS. 8a to 9b;

FIG. 11 shows another example of a barrier material for forming a wrapped bundle of tobacco industry products;

FIG. 12 shows a schematic diagram of a process for making a wrapped bundle of tobacco industry products;

FIG. 13 shows a wrapped bundle of tobacco industry products having fin seals;

FIG. 14 shows an alternative schematic diagram of a process for making a wrapped bundle of tobacco industry products;

FIG. 15 shows a pack containing the wrapped bundle of tobacco industry products of any previous FIG.; FIG. 16 shows a first example of a pack containing the wrapped bundle of tobacco industry products, where a part of the barrier material is attached to the lid; and, FIG. 17 shows a second example of a pack containing the wrapped bundle of tobacco industry products, where a part of the barrier material is attached to the lid.

Detailed Description

FIG. 1 shows a wrapped bundle of tobacco industry products 1, for example smoking articles. In this example, the tobacco industry products are cigarettes. The wrapped bundle 1 comprises a flexible barrier material 21 that has been wrapped around a group of cigarettes, for example 20 cigarettes. However, it will be appreciated that the wrapped bundle 1 may contain any number of cigarettes, for example 10 or 14 cigarettes. The cigarettes are elongate cylindrical articles and are arranged in rows such that the overall shape of the wrapped bundle 1 is substantially cuboid, or

parallelepiped.

The wrapped bundle 1 comprises a front face 2, a rear face 3, opposing side faces 4, 5 and opposing end faces 6, 7. The wrapped bundle 1 shown in the accompanying drawings have square edges, but it will be appreciated that the edges may be rounded or otherwise shaped according to the shape of the contents of the wrapped bundle 1.

As shown in FIG.i, the wrapped bundle 1 is provided with a starting cut 8 in the barrier material 21. The barrier material 21 is at least partially cut through in a 'U' shape on the front face 2 of the wrapped bundle 1. The starting cut 8 comprises a first cut line 9 extending across the wrapped bundle 1, in a direction between the opposing side faces 4, 5, and second and third cut lines 10, 11 extending from the ends of the first cut line 9 towards an end face 6 of the wrapped bundle 1. Therefore, the starting cut 8 defines a tab of material 12 enclosed by the first, second and third cuts 9, 10, 11. It will be appreciated that the starting cut 8 may comprise other shapes. For example, the starting cut 8 may be a single curved cut shaped such that the ends of that cut are directed towards the end face 6 of the wrapped bundle 1.

An adhesive label 13 is adhered to the outside of the wrapped bundle 1 such that it covers and seals the starting cut 8. The adhesive label 13 shown in FIG. 1 extends from the front face 2 of the wrapped bundle 1, over a front end edge 14 of the wrapped bundle 1, and onto the end face 6 of the wrapped bundle 1. The adhesive label 13 may also extend over a rear end edge 15 of the wrapped bundle 1 onto the rear face 3 of the wrapped bundle 1, as shown in FIG. 1.

Also shown in FIG. 1, the adhesive label 13 comprises a pull tab 16. When a user pulls the pull tab 16 of the adhesive label 13 in a direction away from the front face 2 of the wrapped bundle 1 the adhesive label 13 peels off the front face 2 of the wrapped bundle 1 and pulls on the tab of material 12 formed by the starting cut 8.

As the tab of material 12 is pulled, tears propagate through the barrier material 21, starting from the ends of the second and third cuts 10, 11 and propagating along lines 33 that are in the direction of the second and third cuts 10, 11, towards the end face 6 of the wrapped bundle 1. As the pull tab 16 is pulled the tears propagate in the front face 2 of the barrier material 21, over the front end edge 14 of the wrapped bundle 1 and across the end face 6 of the wrapped bundle 1.

Depending on the arrangement and extent of the adhesive label 13, and how far the user pulls the pull tab 16, the tears may propagate along lines 33 to a point on the end face 6 of the wrapped bundle 1, or to the rear end edge 15 of the wrapped bundle 1, or over the rear end edge 15 and onto the rear face 3 of the wrapped bundle 1.

The above described pulling of the adhesive label 13 and tearing of the barrier material 21 along lines 33 creates an extraction opening 17, as shown in FIG. 2. The extraction opening 17 extends from the front face 2, over the front end edge 14 and into the end face 6 of the wrapped bundle 1. The cigarettes 18 can be removed from the wrapped bundle 1 via the extraction opening 17 when the adhesive label 16 is in the lifted position. In an alterative embodiment, the starting cut 8 comprises a line of weakness, and not a through cut as described above. In this way, pulling the pull tab 16 will cause the line of weakness to tear and create a starting cut, from which the barrier material 21 will tear and the extraction opening 17 is formed. In another alternative embodiment, the barrier material 21 is not provided with any cut or weakening to form a starting cut as described above. In this example, the adhesive label 13 can be permanently adhered to selected regions of the barrier material 21 so that, on pulling the adhesive label 13, the barrier material 21 is subjected to a shear force in some locations that causes the barrier material 21 to tear in a predetermined shape.

The adhesive label 13 may be adhered to the wrapped bundle 1 at least partially with pressure sensitive adhesive. In particular, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the edges of the adhesive label 13 are offset from the cut lines 9, 10, 11 of the starting cut 8 and are therefore offset from the edges of the extraction opening 17 in the barrier material 21 after first opening of the wrapped bundle 1.

Therefore, the label 13 comprises an overlapping region 19 that surrounds the extraction opening 17. This overlapping region 19 of the adhesive label 13 may be provided with pressure sensitive adhesive so that the adhesive label 13 can be repositioned over the extraction opening 17 and the pressure sensitive adhesive will re- adhere to the barrier material 21 and hold the adhesive label 13 in place over the extraction opening 17.

The adhesive label 13 may be provided entirely with pressure sensitive adhesive, or may include regions of permanent adhesive or regions having no adhesive in addition to the pressure sensitive adhesive in the overlapping region 19.

The torn section 20 of the barrier material 21, which has been separated from the wrapped bundle 1 to form the extraction opening 17, remains adhered to the adhesive label 13 as shown in FIG. 2.

The torn section 20 may be attached to the adhesive label 13 by pressure sensitive adhesive, or by a region of permanent adhesive provided between the torn section 20 and the adhesive label. If the torn section 20 is attached to the adhesive label 13 by pressure sensitive adhesive then the pressure sensitive adhesive may have an increased coating weight in the region of the torn section 20 to prevent the torn section 20 from detaching from the adhesive label 13 during use.

Therefore, the adhesive label 13 and the torn section 20 of the barrier material 21 form a re-usable cover flap 22 for closing the extraction opening 17 after first opening. The pressure sensitive adhesive on the overlapping region 19 of the adhesive label 13 is used to reattach the cover flap 22 and the barrier material 21.

In another embodiment, the adhesive label 13 is provided with one-use adhesive in the overlapping region 19, so that the cover flap 22 can be repositioned over the extraction opening 17 but the adhesive label 13 will not be re-adhered to the barrier material 21.

A part of the adhesive label 13 may be permanently adhered to the barrier material 21, so that the cover flap 22 is retained on the wrapped bundle 1 and can not be completely removed. In other embodiments, the cover flap 22 may be removed completely from the wrapped bundle 1 on opening, by using one-use adhesive over the whole of the adhesive label 13, or by providing a tear-off line through the adhesive label 13.

Prior to first opening, the barrier material 21 in the region of the front end edge 14 of the wrapped bundle 1 is unbroken so that this region of the barrier material 21 provides a strong and durable seal.

In combination with the adhesive label 13 covering the starting cut 8, the front face 2, end face 6 and rear face 3 of the wrapped bundle 1 are therefore sealably closed prior to first opening by pulling on the pull tab 16.

The starting cut 8 is spaced from the front end edge 14 so that an edge region 23 is defined, extending from the front end edge 14 onto the end face 6 and onto the front face 2 of the wrapped bundle 1. In this edge region 23 the barrier material 21 is unbroken. The edge region 23 extends across the width of the wrapped bundle 1, between the opposing side faces 4, 5, in the region of the front end edge 14. The edge region 23 may extend at least 5 millimetres onto each of the adjacent faces of the front end edge 14 - i.e. the end face 6 and the front face 2 of the wrapped bundle 1. The improved seal provided by maintaining an unbroken barrier material 21 in the front edge region 23 of the wrapped bundle 1 will prevent air from entering the wrapped bundle 1 after manufacture and therefore maintain the freshness of the cigarettes 18 for longer if compared to a wrapped bundle 1 with a cut or perforation in the front edge region 23. In another example, if a reduced pressure is provided within the wrapped bundle 1, i.e. a partial vacuum, then the barrier material 21 and adhesive label 13 would be pushed inwards towards the cigarettes 18 by the atmospheric pressure outside of the wrapped bundle 1. In this case, the barrier material 21 may deform to the shape of the contents of the wrapped bundle 1 and this may reduce the effectiveness of the seal provided by the adhesive label 13 over the front edge region 23 of the wrapped bundle 1.

Maintaining the integrity of the barrier material 21 in the front edge region 23 prevents any deformation in the barrier material 21 from affecting the seal provided, which helps to maintain the pressure differential for a longer period of time.

In each of these examples, the wrapped bundle 1, despite the stronger and more durable seal, is provided with a convenient means for opening the wrapped bundle 1 - the adhesive label 13 which causes the barrier material 21 to tear along lines 33 on first opening to create the extraction opening 17.

The above described sealed front edge of the wrapped bundle is advantageous because it provides for longevity of the seal which is important for maintaining freshness, or if a positive or negative pressure were to be provided within the wrapped bundle. In most cases, it will be many weeks, possibly months, between cigarettes being packaged and first opening by a consumer. During this time, the packs of cigarettes will have been moved from the place of packaging into storage, held in sales displays (or similar) and then might be kept by the consumer for some time before first opening.

Therefore, it is important to provide a strong and durable seal that prevents ingress of air between the adhesive label 13 and the barrier material 21.

FIG. 3 shows an inner frame 24 that holds the cigarettes 18 (see FIG. 2) and is wrapped by the barrier material 21 to form the wrapped bundle 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In other words, the inner frame 24 shown may be positioned between the cigarettes 18 and the barrier material 21.

The inner frame 24 comprises a front wall 25, a rear wall 26, opposing side walls 27, 28, a bottom wall 29 and a top wall 30, that correspond to the front face 2, rear face 3, opposing side faces 4, 5 and end faces 6, 7 of the wrapped bundle 1 once the inner frame 24 is wrapped in the barrier material 21. The inner frame 24 also comprises an aperture 31 formed in the end wall 30 and front wall 25 that is aligned with the above described extraction opening 17 after first opening of the wrapped bundle 1, as shown in FIG. 2.

In this example, the aperture 31 in the inner frame 24 extends partially across the top wall 30 and front wall 25 of the inner frame 24, i.e. across the front edge region 23 of the wrapped bundle 1. Therefore, when the extraction opening 17 is formed it is aligned with the aperture 31 in the inner frame 24.

The inner frame 24 provides additional strength and supports the cigarettes 18.

Moreover, if the wrapped bundle 1 is provided with a reduced internal pressure, for example a partial vacuum, then the inner frame 24 helps protect the cigarettes 18 against the crushing force of the atmospheric pressure acting on the outside of the wrapped bundle 1. In some examples, the aperture 31 in the inner frame 24 is sized and positioned such that, after creating the extraction opening 17 in the barrier material 21 by pulling the adhesive label 13, at least some edges of the aperture 31 lie within the extraction opening 17. FIG. 4 shows an example of the inner frame 24, viewed from the front wall 25. In this example, the aperture 31 in the inner frame 24 is arranged to support the starting cut 8 formed in the barrier material 21, as shown. In particular, the aperture 31 is formed such that supporting portions 32 of the inner frame 24 lie directly behind the starting cut 8 when the barrier material 21 is wrapped around the inner frame 24.

In this way, when the barrier material 21 is deformed, for example by applying a reduced pressure to the interior of the wrapped bundle 1, the starting cut 8, being pushed towards the inner frame 24 by atmospheric pressure, is supported by the supporting portions 32 of the inner frame 24 and will not bend or deform, meaning that the adhesive label 13 can effectively seal the starting cut 8 and prevent ingress of air between the adhesive label 13 and the barrier material 21. The flat supporting surface provided by the supporting portions 32 of the inner frame 24 prevents the barrier material 21 from deforming in the region of the starting cut 8, and thereby improves the seal provided before first opening of the wrapped bundle 1 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3· In another example, shown in FIG. 5, the aperture 31 of the inner frame 24 is arranged such that the edges of the aperture 31 lie within the boundary of the extraction opening 17 around all of, or the majority of, its periphery. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, supporting portions 32 of the inner frame 24 lie directly behind the projected tear lines in the barrier material, which are aligned with the ends of the starting cut 8. This provides increased support for the barrier material 21 in the region of the starting cut 8 prior to first opening of the wrapped bundle 1.

In the examples described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 11, the barrier material 21 comprises strengthened regions that act to guide the tear lines 33 through the barrier material 21. Therefore, the tears will be guided along the path-of-least-resistance, between the strengthened regions.

The strengthened regions can be formed by attaching one or more strengthening labels 40 to the barrier material 21, for example on an opposite side of the barrier material to the adhesive label 13.

In alternative embodiments, regions of the barrier material 21 could be strengthened by printing a material onto the surface of the barrier material 21. For example, a lacquer, varnish or adhesive could be printed onto the surface of the barrier material 21 to increase the strength in that region.

FIG. 6 shows a first example of the strengthening labels 40. As shown, strengthening labels 40 are applied to the inside face of the barrier material 21 in a spaced

relationship, such that spaces 41 are formed between the strengthening labels 40. The spaces 41 between the labels 40 are aligned with the ends of the starting cut 8, so that as the barrier material 21 starts to tear on first opening, the tears are guided from the ends of the starting cut 8 along the weakest path through the barrier material 21 - along the spaces 41 between the strengthening labels 40.

In this example, the front edge region 23 of the barrier material 21 remains intact prior to first opening, without any of the barrier material 21 being weakened, and so the integrity of the seal in the front edge region 23 of the wrapped bundle 1 is not compromised. Moreover, the strengthened regions 40 ensure that the barrier material 21 is torn to create an appropriately shaped and sized opening that allows a user to extract cigarettes from within the wrapper 1. Instead of applying strengthening labels 40 to the barrier material 21, as described above, the barrier material 21 may be printed in locations corresponding to the strengthening labels 40 shown in FIG. 6. The printed substance will strengthen the barrier material 21 in those locations, resulting in the same effect as the strengthening labels 40 described above. The printed substance may be a lacquer, varnish, adhesive or other substance capable of being printed and that will increase the strength of the barrier material 21 in the location in which it is printed.

In alternative embodiments, a single strengthening label 40 is provided with cuts or perforations along the desired tear line. Therefore, in the same way as the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 6, as the tears propagate from the starting cut 8 they will pass along the weakest lines through the barrier material 21 and strengthening label 40, which is along the cuts/perforations in the strengthening label 40.

It will be appreciated that in the embodiments described with reference to FIG. 6, the starting cut 8 may be a through cut in the barrier material 21, or it may be a line of weakness formed by scoring or partially cutting the barrier material along the starting cut 8. Alternatively, the barrier material 21 may not be provided with any cut or weakening to form a starting cut 8. In this example, the adhesive label 13 can be permanently adhered to selected regions of the barrier material 21 so that, on pulling the adhesive label 13, the barrier material 21 is subjected to a shear force in some locations that causes the barrier material 21 to tear in a predetermined shape and thereby form the starting cut 8.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the arrangement of adhesive applied between the adhesive label 13 and the barrier material 21 for the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 7 shows the underside of the adhesive label 13.

As shown in FIG. 7, the pull tab 16 is not provided with any adhesive, so that a user can easily lift and grasp the pull tab 16 for opening the wrapped bundle 1. A first area 37 is provided with permanent adhesive between the adhesive label 13 and the barrier material 21 that corresponds approximately to the torn section (20, see FIG. 2) of the barrier material 21 that is torn away from the wrapped bundle 1 to form the extraction opening (17, see FIG. 2). The permanent adhesive means that the torn section 22 remains attached to the adhesive label 13 to form the cover flap (22, see FIG. 2).

Optionally, a second area 38 is provided with single-use adhesive between the adhesive label 13 and the barrier material 21 that corresponds approximately to the area surrounding the starting cut 8. The second area 38 of single-use adhesive overlaps the starting cut 8 and provides a gasket or seal over the starting cut 8 prior to first opening of the wrapped bundle 1, to increase the strength of the seal. The second area 38 of single-use adhesive is easily broken by the user on first opening of the wrapped bundle 16, and will not re-adhere when the adhesive label 13 is repositioned over the extraction opening 17.

The remaining area 39 between the adhesive label 13 and the barrier material 21 is provided with a pressure sensitive adhesive. In this way, the adhesive label 13 can be repositioned over the extraction opening 17 and re-adhere to the barrier material 21 around the edges of the extraction opening 17, as previously explained. It will be appreciated that parts of the remaining area may be covered by parts of the torn section 22 of barrier material.

Instead of permanent adhesive, the first area 37 may instead be provided with pressure-sensitive adhesive having an increased coating weight so as to provide a stronger bon between the adhesive label 13 and the barrier material in that area.

FIGS. 8a to 9b show examples of a barrier material 21 where the adhesive label 13 is adapted to provide lines of relative weakness similar to the strengthening labels 40 described with reference to FIG. 6.

In these embodiments, the adhesive label 13 may comprise a laminate material having at least two layers of material.

As shown in FIG. 8a the adhesive label 13 has side regions 42 that are formed by cutting at least the innermost layer of the adhesive label. These side regions 42 are permanently adhered to the barrier material 21 such that the innermost layer of the side regions 42 is arranged to delaminate as the adhesive label 13 is pulled away from the barrier material 21 for the first time. In this way, after first opening, a part of each side region 42 remains attached to the barrier material 21, as shown in FIG. 8b.

For reasons of clarity, FIG. 8b does not show the adhesive label 13.

Pressure sensitive adhesive is provided between the layers of the adhesive label 13 in the side regions 42 of the adhesive label 13. In this way, after first opening, the adhesive label 13 can be repositioned over the extraction opening 17 and will reattach to the delaminated parts of the adhesive label 13 as well as around the starting cut 8.

The delaminating side regions 42 of the adhesive label 13 each provide an edge that is aligned with the desired tear line, i.e. aligned with the ends of the starting cut 8.

Therefore, as the adhesive label 13 is opened for the first time, by pulling on the pull tab 16, tears will propagate from the starting cut 8 and be torn against the edge of the delaminated parts of the side regions 42 of the adhesive label 13. The delaminated parts of the side regions 42 of the adhesive label 13 each provide an edge 43 against which the barrier material 21 is sheared when the adhesive label 13 is pulled on.

In an alternative embodiment, the side regions 42 may be formed by cutting through the entire thickness of the adhesive label 13, so that the side regions are effectively strengthening labels applied to the outer surface of the barrier material 21. In this case, the side regions 42 may be attached to the barrier material 21 by permanent adhesive. In this example, the adhesive label 13 may be formed of a single layer, or a laminate or two or more layers.

In the examples described with reference to FIGS. 8a and 8b, the starting cut 8 maybe a through cut in the barrier material 21, or it may be a line of weakness formed by scoring or partially cutting the barrier material along the starting cut 8. Alternatively, the barrier material 21 may not be provided with any cut or weakening to form a starting cut 8. In this example, the adhesive label 13 can be permanently adhered to selected regions of the barrier material 21 so that, on pulling the adhesive label 13, the barrier material 21 is subjected to a shear force in some locations that causes the barrier material 21 to tear in a predetermined shape and thereby form the starting cut 8. FIGS. 9a and 9b show another example where the barrier material 21 is additionally provided with an overlapping region 35 which provides an additional region of pressure sensitive adhesive for re-attaching the adhesive label 13 to the barrier material 21 to over the extraction opening 17 after first opening.

In this example, the barrier material 21 is a laminate comprising at least two layers. Moreover, pressure sensitive adhesive is provided between these two layers in at least one region 35 of the barrier material 21, as described hereinafter.

In this example, the starting cut 8 is formed by cutting at least the outermost layer of the barrier material 21, but not the innermost layer. The delaminating side regions 42 of the adhesive label 13 are arranged to guide the tear lines from the ends of the starting cut 8 when the pull tab 16 is pulled.

In this example, a cut 36 is also provided in the innermost layer of the barrier material 21 and is offset from the starting cut 8 in the outermost later to delimit an overlapping region 35 between the starting cut 8 and the cut 36. As shown, this overlapping region 35 does not extend further than the extent of the starting cut 8.

Pressure sensitive adhesive may be provided between the innermost and outermost layers of the barrier material 21 in this overlapping region 35.

As shown in FIG. 9b, when the pull tab 16 on the adhesive label 13 is pulled and the barrier material 21 is torn along the lines defined by the strengthening side regions 42 to form the extraction opening 17, the barrier material will be separated along cuts 8, 36 so that the barrier material 21 delaminates in the overlapping region 35. The outermost layer is adhered to the adhesive label 13 and forms a part of the cover flap (22, see FIG. 2), while the innermost layer remains in position.

Therefore, the cover flap 22 can be repositioned over the extraction opening 17 after first opening to re-close the extraction opening 17. In this example, the pressure sensitive adhesive in the overlapping region 35 and the pressure sensitive adhesive on the adhesive label 13 can both be used to re-close the extraction opening 17. In a further example, the side regions 42 may be formed by cutting through the entirety of the adhesive label 13 in this region, or providing a line of weakness along which the adhesive label 13 tears on opening. Therefore, the side regions 42 do not delaminate, but rather separate completely from the adhesive label 13 on first opening. Therefore, as the adhesive label 13 is opened, the side regions remain entirely attached to the barrier material 21 and provide the edges along which the tears are guided.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the regions of adhesive between the adhesive label 13 and the barrier material 21 for the examples described with reference to FIGS. 8a to 9b. As shown, regions 43 of permanent adhesive are provided between the side regions 42 of the adhesive label 13 and the barrier material 21, while the remainder of the adhesive label 13, except the pull tab 16, is provided with pressure sensitive adhesive.

A region 37 of permanent adhesive may optionally be provided to ensure that the separated part of the barrier material 21 which forms the extraction opening (17, see FIG. 2) remains attached to the adhesive label 13 to form the cover flap (22, see FIG. 2).

The region 37 of permanent adhesive may also increase the shear force being applied to the barrier material 21 along the edge of the strengthened regions 40 or side regions 42. That is, the barrier material 21 can be pulled more forcefully with the cover flap 22 due to the permanent adhesive region 37 and therefore increase the tearing force between the barrier material 21 and the edge of the strengthened regions 40 or side regions 42.

Alternatively, the region 37 may be provided with pressure sensitive adhesive with an increased coating weight compared to the remainder of the adhesive label 13 to provide a strong bond between this region 37 of the adhesive label 13 and the barrier material 21.

In an alternative example, illustrated in FIG. 11, the barrier material 21 may include a backing label 54 which incorporates strengthening side regions 42 and/or weakened lines 41, as described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 10. In this example, the backing label 54 has cut lines that define an opening when the wrapped bundle is opened.

The backing label 54 may be adhered to the inner surface of the barrier material 21. The backing label 54 may be provided in addition to the adhesive label 13 on the outer surface of the barrier material 21. In FIG. 11, the adhesive label 13 is provided on the opposite side of the barrier material 21 to that shown.

The backing label 54 may extend over the starting cut 8. In the region of the starting cut 8, the backing label 54 may have an adhesive-free area 55 such that the area defined by the starting cut 8 can be lifted when the pull tab 16 is pulled to open the wrapped bundle (1 - see FIG. 2).

The backing label 54 increases the strength and integrity of the sealed enclosure formed by the barrier material 21.

In all of the above described embodiments, the strengthened regions 40 and/ or strengthening side regions 42 of the adhesive label 13 provide a convenient and easy to use way of tearing the barrier material 21 to form an extraction opening 17 to access the cigarettes 18.

The unbroken portion of the barrier material 21 preferably comprises a polymer, such as polypropylene. In this case, the fibres of the polymer material may be orientated and the barrier material 21 arranged such that the fibres are orientated in the direction of the desired tear lines. Therefore, the polymer material will tear more easily and more neatly as the adhesive label 13 is pulled to form the extraction opening 17. Otherwise, the polymer may stretch and deform as it is torn, leaving the extraction opening 17 with uneven edges and the adhesive label 13 may not easily seal over such edges.

The barrier material, or more specifically the layer(s) of the barrier material, may be cut or weakened by mechanical means, for example a rotary cutter having a fixed blade depth. Alternatively, the barrier material 21 may be cut using lasers with a preselected power and/ or wavelength so that the laser cuts through only the desired parts of the layers of the barrier material.

The barrier material 21 may comprise a polymer (for example polypropylene), a metal foil, a metallised film (for example a metallised polymer) or any other flexible material suitable for packaging. In a preferred example, the barrier material 21 comprises a three-layer laminate, having outer layers of orientated polypropylene and a middle layer of metal foil, for example aluminium foil. As described hereinafter, to form the wrapped bundle 1 the barrier material 21 is wrapped around a group of cigarettes 18 and sealably closed. The cigarettes 18 may first be placed within an inner frame 24 to support and protect the cigarettes 18, and then the barrier material 21 can be wrapped around the inner frame 24 and group of cigarettes 18.

In one example, the edges of the barrier material 21 may be folded against the sides of the contents of the wrapped bundle 1, for example the inner frame 24, to form overlapping flaps that are sealed to each other, for example by using adhesive, heat seal or ultrasonic welding.

In another example, shown in FIG. 12, the barrier material 21 may be folded around the inner frame 24, and the ends of the barrier material 21 may be fin sealed.

In particular, the cigarettes 18 can be placed into the inner frame 24, for example by folding the inner frame 24 around the group of cigarettes 18, and then the barrier material 21 can be wrapped around the inner frame 24 as shown.

Firstly, edges of the barrier material 21 can be fin sealed to each other to form a first fin seal 45 that means the barrier material 21 is tubular around the inner frame 24. Then, the ends of the tubular barrier material 21 can also be fin sealed together, to form second and third fin seals 46, 47, as shown in FIG. 12. In this example, the fin sealed bundle 1 shown in FIG. 13 has the first fin seal 45 extending across the rear face 3 of the wrapped bundle 1, and the second and third fin seals 46, 47 extending along the opposing side faces 4, 5 of the wrapped bundle 1.

In another example, schematically shown in FIG. 14, the first fin seal 45 may be formed across the end face 7 of the wrapped bundle 1 which is opposite to the end face 6 having the adhesive label 13. The second and third fin seals 46, 47 can then be formed along the opposing side faces 4, 5 of the wrapped bundle 1. In an alternative example, the first fin seal 45 may be formed across the front face 2 of the wrapped bundle 1, below the adhesive label 13.

As shown in FIG. 13, the fin seals 45, 46, 47 can be folded flat against the faces of the wrapped bundle 1.

A fin seal can be formed by pressing parts of the barrier material 21 together and applying heat and/or adhesive to join those parts of the barrier material 21 together. The heat may melt and/or fuse components of the barrier material 21 together.

A fin sealed wrapped bundle 1, as described above, will provide a strong hermetic seal capable of holding a pressure differential. For example, the interior of the wrapped bundle may be provided with a pressure above or below atmospheric pressure. An increased pressure within the wrapped bundle 1 can be provided by adding air, or some other gas, or liquid, to the interior of the wrapped bundle 1 prior to forming the final seal. A reduced pressure, for example a partial vacuum, can be provided to the interior of the wrapped bundle 1 by extracting air prior to forming the final seal, for example by carrying out the wrapping and sealing process described with reference to FIG. 12 or FIG. 14 in a low pressure environment.

Alternatively, the wrapped bundle 1 may be provided with a one-way valve adapted to permit flow of air in one direction and not the other. The valve on the wrapped bundle 1 can then be provided with either a high pressure source or a low pressure source to move air into or out of the wrapped bundle 1.

Alternatively, the interior of the wrapped bundle 1 may be provided with a gas other than air, for example an inert gas. Additionally, other substances may be added to the interior of the pack as a liquid and allowed to evaporate within the wrapped bundle 1, for example to increase the pressure within the wrapped bundle 1.

As shown in FIG. 15, the various examples of wrapped bundles 1 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 14, may be received within a hinged-lid pack 48 to provide a pack of cigarettes. Alternatively, the wrapped bundle 1 may be provided as packaging itself, without any further pack outer or lid.

As shown in FIG. 15, the hinged-lid pack 48 has a base portion 49 having a

parallelepiped form and which is adapted to receive the wrapped bundle 1 such that the wrapped bundle 1 protrudes from the base portion 49. In this position, the adhesive label 13, in particular the pull tab 16, is accessible for opening the wrapped bundle 1 and providing access to the cigarettes within. A lid 50 is hingedly connected to the base portion 49 about a hinge 51. The lid 50 is pivotable between a closed position, where the lid 50 covers the wrapped bundle 1, and an open position, where the wrapped bundle 1 is exposed. FIG. 15 shows the lid 50 in the open position, such that a user can grasp the pull tab 16 on the adhesive label 13 and pull to tear the barrier material 21 and form the extraction opening 17.

In further embodiments, a part of the adhesive label 13 may be attached to an inside face of the lid 50, such that operation of the lid 50 simultaneously operates the cover flap 22 on the wrapped bundle 1. In particular, the tab 16 of the adhesive label 13 may be adhered to an inside face of the lid 50 so that when the lid 50 is pivoted about the hinge 51 into its open position, the tab 16 is pulled, thereby lifting the cover flap 22 and forming the extraction opening.

The outside surface of the tab 16 may be attached directly to the inside face 52 of the lid front wall 53, as shown in FIG. 16. Alternatively, the tab 16 may be folded back and then attached to the inside face 52 of the lid front wall 53, as shown in FIG. 17.

In the embodiments of FIG. 16 and FIG. 17, attaching the pull tab 16 to the lid 50 has the advantage that the adhesive label 13 is pulled evenly and smoothly as the lid 50 is opened for the first time, which can help to control the tears in the barrier material 21. As used herein, the term 'pressure sensitive adhesive' means adhesives that are capable of being reused multiple times. That is, the adhesive is permanently tacky so that two components can be detached and reattached repeatedly.

As used herein, the term 'permanent adhesive' means adhesives that are intended to strongly bond together two components such that they will not separate in normal use. It will be appreciated that the above described examples of wrapped bundle and packaging may be used to package tobacco industry products other than cigarettes. A tobacco industry product refers to any item made in, or sold by the tobacco industry, typically including a) cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, tobacco for pipes or for roll-your-own cigarettes, (whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes); b) non-smoking products incorporating tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes such as snuff, snus, hard tobacco, and heat-not-burn products; and c) other nicotine-delivery systems such as inhalers, aerosol generation devices including e- cigarettes, lozenges and gum. This list is not intended to be exclusive, but merely illustrates a range of products which are made and sold in the tobacco industry. As used herein, the term "smoking article" includes smokeable products such as cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes and also heat-not-burn products and other nicotine delivery product such as aerosol generation devices including e-cigarettes. The smoking article maybe provided with a filter for the gaseous flow drawn by the smoker.

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 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 maybe utilised and modifications maybe made without departing from the scope and/ or spirit of the disclosure. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. In addition, the disclosure includes other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future. - 21 -

Claims

1. A wrapper for a group of tobacco industry products comprising a barrier material and a tab arranged so that when the tab is pulled a tear line propagates in the barrier material to form an extraction opening, wherein the wrapper comprises a strengthened section arranged to guide the path of the tear line.

2. The wrapper of claim l, further comprising a label attached to the barrier material, the label comprising the tab.

3. The wrapper of claim 2, wherein the label is attached to the barrier material such that when the label is pulled a section of the barrier material adhered to the label separates from the remainder of the barrier material to form the extraction opening.

4. The wrapper of claim 3, wherein the label is larger than the section of the barrier material that separates from the remainder of the barrier material, such that the label can re-cover the extraction opening and a part of the label overlaps the remainder of the barrier material at least partially around the extraction opening.

5. The wrapper of claim 4, wherein the part of the label that overlaps the remainder of the barrier material at least partially around the extraction opening comprises pressure sensitive adhesive such that the label can be re-attached to the barrier material at least partially around the extraction opening.

6. The wrapper of any preceding claim, wherein the strengthened region comprises a label attached to the barrier material.

7. The wrapper of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the strengthened region comprises a printed material.

8. The wrapper of any preceding claim, wherein the strengthened region is provided on an opposite side of the barrier material to the tab.

9. The wrapper of any of claims 2 to 5, wherein the label comprises a region that delaminates from the label upon initial pulling of the label, the region remaining attached to the barrier material to provide the strengthened region.

10. The wrapper of any preceding claim, wherein the strengthened region is arranged such that the tear line follows an edge of the strengthened region.

11. The wrapper of any preceding claim, wherein the wrapper comprises two or more strengthened regions arranged such that the tear line follows a path between the strengthened regions.

12. The wrapper of claim 11, wherein the two or more strengthened regions are spaced such that the tear line propagates along the space between those strengthened regions.

13. The wrapper of any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the strengthened region comprises a line of weakness along which the tear line propagates.

14. The wrapper of any preceding claim, wherein the barrier material comprises a cut arranged such that, on initial pulling of the tab away from the barrier material, the line of separation propagates from the cut through the barrier material.

15. A bundle comprising the wrapper of any preceding claim wrapped around a group of tobacco industry products.

16. The bundle of claim 15, wherein edges of barrier material are sealably attached to each other.

17. The bundle of claim 16, wherein edges of barrier material are fin sealed to each other.

18. The bundle of any of claims 15 to 17, wherein the bundle has at least a partial vacuum therein.

19. The bundle of any of claims 15 to 17, wherein the bundle has an increased pressure therein.

20. The bundle of any of claims 15 to 19, wherein the bundle has a modified atmosphere therein.

21. A pack comprising a base, a hingedly attached lid, and the bundle of tobacco industry products of any of claims 15 to 20 received in the base.

22. The pack of claim 21, wherein a part of the barrier material is attached to the lid such that opening and closing the lid simultaneously opens and closes the extraction opening.

23. A wrapper substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

24. A bundle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

25. A pack of tobacco industry products substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.