Packaging for products of the tobacco industry and methods for manufacturing the same

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a package for products of the tobacco industry, comprising an inner package for receiving the package contents and an outer package for receiving the inner package, wherein the inner package is designed as a (tobacco) pouch having a resealable opening, and wherein the opening can be resealed by a resealable, strip-shaped closure means, and wherein the inner package has pouch corners in the region of the lateral ends of the closure means, according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] The invention relates in particular to packaging for bulk goods, e.g., finely cut tobacco. Such goods are currently packaged in large stand-up pouches or cans in the tobacco and cigarette industries. The cans are usually made of plastic, metal, or coated cardboard and / or combinations of these materials with a resealable lid. Stand-up pouches, on the other hand, are significantly softer and more flexible than cans, but consequently have less stability. It is common practice to close the pouch opening with a type of ziplock. Disadvantages of the described solutions include, firstly, their less-than-ideal environmental compatibility due to the packaging materials used, and secondly, their poor stability.

[0003] From GB 759, 127, a package of the type mentioned above is known, in which a tobacco pouch is arranged in a cardboard box. One upper end of the pouch is closed by a double fold 13, whereupon the lateral ends of the double fold are folded over. The side walls of the cardboard box then prevent the corners of the pouch from unfolding ( Fig. 7 Similar solutions are known from US 2012 / 187182 A1 and US 2016 / 244243 A1. Based on this, the invention aims to further develop packaging of the type mentioned above, particularly with regard to improving upon the disadvantages described.

[0004] A package according to the invention has the features of claim 1. It is therefore provided that the first retaining elements are deactivatable, namely, that they can be changed from a configuration in which they secure the bag corners in the folded position to a configuration in which they do not secure the bag corners in the folded position, in order to move the bag corners from the folded position to an open position in which the closure means can be opened to remove the package contents, such that the first retaining elements can be detached from the respective side walls or folded out of the plane of the respective side walls.

[0005] In particular, it is provided that initial retention elements are formed by areas of the tray's side walls designed to press the bag corners against the bag's side walls.

[0006] Preferably, the first retention elements may be limited by material weaknesses in the material of the tray's side walls and may be deactivated after at least partial removal of these weaknesses. Preferably, the retention elements may extend to the upper edge of the side walls, i.e., to the tray's opening.

[0007] In particular, it may be provided that at least one tear-off opening is formed on the edge in the area of ​​the first retaining elements to facilitate access to the retaining elements for deactivation. The tear-off opening may be located below the retaining element, i.e., on the side facing the bottom wall of the tray.

[0008] One special feature may be that second retaining elements are formed on the side walls of the tray, which, after deactivation of the first retaining elements, are designed to fix the bag corners in the folded position, preferably after the bag has been opened for the first time and subsequently resealed.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, it can be provided that the second retaining elements are formed by retaining tabs or fixing tabs formed by the material of the side walls of the tray.

[0010] In particular, it may be provided that the retaining tabs protrude beyond adjacent areas of the material weaknesses, so that the bag corners can each be fixed by clamping the bag material between a retaining tab and the side wall of the bag, especially in the area of ​​a folding edge of the bag.

[0011] Furthermore, it may be provided that the fixing tabs are formed by incisions in the material of the side walls, which are designed to fix the bag corners by clamping the material of the bag between the fixing tab and the side wall of the bag, particularly in the area of ​​a folding edge of the bag.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, it can be provided that first retention elements are designed as fixing tabs with the features of claim 8, and that the side walls of the tray in the area of ​​the bag corners are otherwise essentially closed, in particular not having any deactivatable retention elements according to one of the preceding claims, and that the bag corners are each folded over an upper edge of a side wall of the tray and lie against the outside of it and can be fixed there by means of a fixing tab.

[0013] It is also conceivable that the first retaining elements are pivotably mounted on the side walls of the tray, and that the first retaining elements can be pivoted out of the plane of the side walls to expose the bag corners, and that the first retaining elements can be pivoted back into the plane of the side walls, so that the bag corners can each be folded over an upper edge of a side wall of the tray and lie against it on the outside and can be fixed there by means of a fixing tab.

[0014] In particular, it can be provided that the retaining elements are arranged on two opposite, preferably upright, side walls of the tray, wherein it is preferably provided that the tray has a (lower) bottom wall and four upright side walls and is open opposite the bottom wall in the area of ​​a top.

[0015] It is also conceivable that the outer packaging has a lid for closing the open top of the tray, and that the lid preferably has four side walls corresponding to the side walls of the tray, which substantially cover the side walls of the tray.

[0016] Furthermore, it may be provided that the bag and tray are connected to each other by adhesive, in particular by adhesive surfaces.

[0017] Preferably, it is provided that, prior to the first use of the bag, the bag corners are connected to the side walls of the bag by adhesive surfaces.

[0018] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings. These show: Fig. 1 Components of a package in a schematic spatial representation, Fig. 2 the components of the package according to Fig. 1 After removal of retaining elements, Fig. 3, the packaging according to Fig. 1 and 2in closed position, Fig. 4 the packaging according to Fig. 1 and 2 in the open position, Fig. 5 a schematic representation of the manufacturing process, Fig. 6 components of a variant of the packaging not belonging to the invention in a schematic spatial representation, Fig. 7 components of another variant of the packaging in a schematic spatial representation after opening the retaining elements, and Fig. 8 components of the packaging according to Fig. 7 after re-closing the retaining elements.

[0019] The first embodiment of a package 10 for products of the tobacco industry has a tray 11 and a lid 12, which belong to an outer package 13.

[0020] The outer packaging 13 contains a bag 14 as an inner packaging 15. The bag contains the package contents 16.

[0021] The contents of package 16 in this case are a bulk product, namely finely cut tobacco. It is understood that package 10 can also be used for other products of the tobacco or cigarette industry.

[0022] The tray 11 and the lid 12 are preferably manufactured from corresponding blanks 17, 18 of a rigid packaging material, in particular by folding and gluing. Cardboard is preferably used for this purpose. Thicker paper or other common materials are also conceivable.

[0023] The bag 14 is preferably made from a film material which can be provided, for example, as a continuous web of material from which individual cut pieces can be separated and closed by forming (weld) seams.

[0024] The bag 14 typically has an opening 19 for dispensing the package contents 16. The opening 19 can be closed by a closure 20. The closure 20 is a strip-shaped, multi-actuated device located near the upper edge of the bag 14. Preferably, a Ziplock is used. This usually consists of two plastic profile pieces that extend across the opening and interlock in the closed position with projections and recesses.

[0025] The tray 11 serves to hold the bag 14. For this purpose, the bag 14 is folded so that, in the first embodiment, it is essentially completely contained within the bag 14. Two bag corners 21, located in the area of ​​the lateral, free ends of the closure element 20, pose a problem. Due to the material-related restoring forces of the strip-shaped closure element 20, the bag corners 21 tend to spring open, so special measures are provided to secure the bag corners 21 in a folded position.

[0026] In the folded position ( Fig. 1 and 2 The two bag corners 21 are folded against the (upright) side walls 22 of the bag 14. Accordingly, the two bag corners 21 lie against the corresponding side walls 23 of the tray 11 on the inside. Sections or areas of the side walls 23 against which the bag corners 21 lie serve as retaining elements 24 for the bag corners 21.

[0027] A special feature is that, in the first embodiment, the two retaining elements 24 can be detached from the tray 11. For this purpose, the retaining elements 24 are limited by material weakenings, for example by a corresponding tear perforation 25.

[0028] To facilitate the removal or tearing off of a retention element 24, a tear opening 26 is provided, which is positioned at the edge of the tear perforation 25 or of the retention element 24. With the help of the tear opening 26, the consumer can reach behind the retention element and tear it off.

[0029] Fig. 2 shows that the retaining elements 24 are arranged such that, after their removal, the respective bag corner 21 is exposed and can be swung upwards (in Fig. 4(indicated). Afterwards, the upper end of the bag 14 can be easily pulled upwards out of the tray 11 and the sealing device 20 and thus the opening 19 can be opened so that the package contents 16 can be partially removed.

[0030] The procedure for resealing the bag 14 is reversed. First, the opening 19 is closed with the sealing element 20, and then the bag corners 21 are folded laterally into the folded position. After the retaining elements 24 have been removed, they can no longer be used to secure the bag corners 21. This function is therefore taken over by second retaining elements in the form of retaining tabs 27. The retaining tabs 27 are material projections of the side walls 23 of the tray 11, which extend beyond an imaginary plane along which the tear perforation 25 extends on both sides of the retaining tabs 27. Accordingly, the bag corners 21 can be held behind the retaining tabs 27. Finally, the lid 12 can be placed on the tray 11 without any protruding bag corners 21 interfering.

[0031] In the present example, the package 10 is cuboid in shape and rectangular, in particular square, in plan view. Accordingly, the tray 11 has a (lower) bottom wall 28 and four (upright) side walls 23. The top of the tray 11 is (completely) open. The lid 12 is designed as a snap-on lid with a lid wall 29 and four (upright) side walls 30. The tray 11 with the bag 14 is essentially completely enclosed in the lid 12. The two bag corners 21 are located on two opposite side walls 23 of the tray 11 and are each secured by a retaining element 24 or a retaining tab 27 located there. It is understood that, within the scope of the invention, deviations from this specific solution are possible if other bag shapes appear appropriate. Furthermore, the figures show optional gripping holes 31 (lid) and 32 (tray), which can facilitate handling.

[0032] Fig. 6Figure 10 shows a second embodiment of such a package. The difference from the first embodiment is, firstly, that no retaining elements 24 are provided. Instead, the bag corners 21 are folded over the upper edge of the side walls 23 and pressed against them from the outside. Secondly, to hold them in this folded position, retaining elements in the form of fixing tabs 33 are formed on the side walls 23. For example, a perforation in the material of the side walls could form such a tab. As with the retaining tabs 27, the bag corners 21 are threaded behind the fixing tabs 33 with a folded edge 49 and thus held in the folded position ( Fig. 6 ) was held.

[0033] A third embodiment is described in Figs. 7 and 8shown. The difference to the two previous embodiments is, firstly, that both retaining elements 24 and fixing tabs 33 are present. Secondly, the retaining elements 24 are partly detachable and partly pivotable. This enables the following functionality:

[0034] How Fig. 7As shown, the retaining elements 24 can be separated from the side walls 23 along a tear perforation 25 and can also be pivoted out along a fold line extending from the tear perforation 25. In this way, as in the first embodiment, access to the bag corners 21 can be provided. Afterwards, with the bag corners 21 raised, the retaining elements 24 can be folded back into the plane of the side walls 30, and the bag corners 21 can be folded from the outside against the retaining elements 24, where they are held in the folded position by the fixing tabs 33, as in the second embodiment.

[0035] A device or a method for manufacturing, for example, the packages 10 according to the first embodiment are described in Fig. 5 shown.

[0036] Accordingly, blanks 17 are removed from a first cutting magazine 34 by cutting suction device 35 and placed unfolded on cutting guides 48 and transported by a transport belt 36 towards a first folding station 37.

[0037] Filled bags 14 are transported on a conveyor belt 38 towards the folding station 37 and pushed by pushers 39 onto a blank 17 in the folding station 37. The blank 17 is then folded around the bag 14 by means of a tray folder 40.

[0038] To avoid conflict with protruding bag corners 21, these can be folded against the side walls of the bag 14 with adhesive surfaces.

[0039] The trays 11 with bags 14 are then transported towards a second folding station 41. In this case, the trays 11 rest on support rails 42 and are conveyed by a drive belt 43.

[0040] In the second folding station 41, unfolded blanks 18 are again held ready, which are placed from above onto the trays 11 and folded around the tray 11 by means of a lid folder 44. Afterwards, the now complete package 10 is transported away by means of a conveyor belt 45.

[0041] The feeding of the blanks 18 to the second folding station 41 is analogous to the feeding of the blanks 17 to the first folding station 37, beginning with removal from a blank magazine 46. Instead of a transport belt, a lateral suction unit 47 is used to transport the blanks 17.

[0042] Furthermore, it should be mentioned that the blanks 17, 18 can be provided with adhesive surfaces at the respective gluing stations 50 on their way to the first and second folding stations 37, 41, in order to join the folding flaps of the tray 11 and lid 12 together. Alternatively, pre-glued blanks can also be used. Reference symbol list: 10 pack 36 Transport belt 11 Tray 37 Folding station 12 Lid 38 conveyor belt 13 Outer packaging 39 Slider 14 bag 40 Tray folder 15 Inner packaging 41 Folding station 16 Package contents 42 support rail 17 Cutting (tray) 43 drive belt 18 Cut-to-size (lid) 44 Cap butterfly 19 opening 45 conveyor belt 20 Closure device 46 Cutting magazine (lid) 21 Bag corner 47 Suction unit 22 Side wall (bag) 48 Cutting guide 23 Side panel (tray) 49 Folding edge 24 Retaining element 50 Gluing station 25 Tear perforation 26 Tear opening 27 Retaining tab 28 Base wall (tray) 29 Cover wall 30 Side wall (lid) 31 Grip hole (lid) 32 Reach hole (tray) 33 fixing tab 34 Cutting magazine (tray) 35 Cutting dust extractor

Claims

1. Package for products of the tobacco industry, having an inner pack (15) for receiving the pack content (16), and an outer pack (13) for receiving the inner pack (15), wherein the inner pack (15) is designed as a (tobacco) pouch (14) which has a resealable opening (19), and wherein the opening (19) is resealable by a resealable, strip-shaped closure means (20); and wherein the inner pack (15) in the region of lateral ends of the closure means (20) has pouch corners (21); and wherein the outer pack (13) has a tray (11) for at least partially receiving the inner pack (15), and that the tray (11) has retaining elements (24) for the pouch corners (21), which are specified to secure the pouch corners (21) in a folded position in which the pouch corners (21) bear on lateral walls (23) of the tray (11), characterized in that the first retaining elements (24) are deactivatable, specifically able to be transferred from a configuration in which they secure the pouch corners (21) in the folded position, to a configuration in which they do not secure the pouch corners (21) in the folded position, so as to transfer the pouch corners (21) from the folded position to an open position in which the closure means (20) for retrieving the pack content (16) is to be opened in such a manner that the first retaining elements (24) are able to be separated from the respective lateral walls (23), or are able to be folded out of the plane of the respective lateral walls (23).

2. Package according to Claim 1, characterized in that first retaining elements (24) are formed by regions of lateral walls (23) of the tray (11) that are specified to press the pouch corners (21) against lateral walls (23) of the pouch (14).

3. Package according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first retaining elements (24) are delimited by material weakenings (25) in the material of the lateral walls (23) of the tray (11) and are deactivatable upon at least partial ripping of the material weakenings (25), wherein it is preferably provided that the retaining elements (24) extend up to the upper periphery of the lateral walls (23).

4. Package according to Claim 1 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that at least one tear-open opening (26) is in each case formed in the lateral walls (23) of the tray (11) peripherally in the region of the first retaining elements (24), so as to facilitate access to the retaining elements (24) for deactivating the latter, wherein it is preferably provided that the tear-open opening (26) is in each case disposed below the retaining element (24) .

5. Package according to Claim 2 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that formed on lateral walls (23) of the tray (11) are second retaining elements (27, 33) which upon deactivation of the first retaining elements (24) are specified to fix the pouch corners (21) in the folded position, preferably upon initial opening (19) and subsequent resealing of the pouch (14).

6. Package according to Claim 5 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the second retaining elements are formed by retaining tabs (27) or fixing tabs (33) which are formed by the material of the lateral walls (23) of the tray (11).

7. Package according to Claim 6 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining tabs (27) protrude in relation to adjacent regions of the material weakenings (25) in such a way that the pouch corners (21) are in each case able to be fixed by pinching the material of the pouch (14) between a retaining tab (27) and the lateral wall (23) of the pouch (14), in particular in the region of a folding edge (49) of the pouch (14) .

8. Package according to Claim 6 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing tabs (33) are formed by incisions in the material of the lateral walls (23), which are specified to fix in each case the pouch corners (21) by pinching the material of the pouch (14) between the fixing tab (33) and the lateral wall (23) of the pouch (14), in particular in the region of a folding edge (49) of the pouch (14).

9. Package according to Claim 1 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that first retaining elements are designed as fixing tabs (33) having the features of Claim 8, and in that the lateral walls (23) of the tray (11) in the region of the pouch corners (21) are otherwise substantially closed, in particular do not have any deactivatable retaining elements (24) according to one of the preceding claims, and in that the pouch corners (21) are in each case folded over an upper edge of a lateral wall (23) of the tray (11) and bear externally on the latter and are able to be fixed thereon by means of a fixing tab (33).

10. Package according to Claim 1 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that first retaining elements (24) are pivotably mounted on lateral walls of the tray (11), and in that the first retaining elements (24) for exposing the pouch corners (21) are pivotable out of the plane of the lateral walls (23), and in that the first retaining elements (24) are pivotable back into the plane of the lateral walls (23) in such a way that the pouch corners (21) are in each case able to be folded over an upper edge of a lateral wall (23) of the tray (11) and bear externally on the latter and are able to be fixed thereon by means of a fixing tab (27).

11. Package according to Claim 1 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining elements (24) are disposed on two mutually opposite, preferably upright, lateral walls (23) of the tray (11), wherein it is preferably provided that the tray (11) has a (lower) base wall (28) and four upright lateral walls (23), and opposite the base wall (28) is open in the region of an upper side.

12. Package according to Claim 1 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the outer pack (13) has a lid (12), which is preferably separate from the tray (11), for closing the open upper side of the tray (11), and in that the lid (12) preferably possesses four lateral walls (30) which correspond to the lateral walls of the tray (11) and substantially obscure the lateral walls (23) of the tray (11).

13. Package according to Claim 1 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the pouch (14) and the tray (11) are connected to one another by way of adhesive bonding, in particular by adhesive faces, in particular in such a manner that, prior to the initial use of the pouch (14), the pouch corners (21) are connected to lateral walls (23) of the pouch (14) by adhesive faces.