Packet for cigarette industry products
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2024708198
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-03-14
- Filing Date
- 2024-02-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-21
AI Technical Summary
Existing cigarette industry packs lack an efficient and cost-effective method to securely fix a separating element within the tray, which delimits receiving spaces for different product groups, often resulting in misalignment and reduced product capacity due to restrictive fixing mechanisms.
A securing tab is integrated into the tray, allowing the separating element to be pivoted and fixed through 90° to 180°, with an incision and perforations for precise alignment, ensuring a force-fitting and positive fixation without obstructing the interior space, and optionally arranged on the front, rear, or bottom walls to prevent product transfer between compartments.
This solution enables simple, cost-effective fixation of the separating element, ensuring secure separation of product groups while maintaining a spacious interior, preventing accidental product transfer and allowing for efficient packaging of various tobacco products like cigarettes and e-cigarettes.
Smart Images
Figure EP2024055052_19092024_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Packaging for cigarette industry products
[0002] Description
[0003] The invention relates to a pack for products of the cigarette industry with a tray for receiving at least two groups of products, wherein a separating element for delimiting at least two receiving spaces for one group of products each is arranged in an interior of the tray, and wherein the separating element is formed from a wall of the tray.
[0004] Such packs or trays are known, for example, from DE 10 2019 119 609 A1 of the applicant.
[0005] Based on this, the invention is based on the object of further developing packs or trays of the type mentioned at the beginning, or at least of providing further alternatives.
[0006] A package for solving this problem has the features of claim 1. It is accordingly provided that the separating element is fixed in a position delimiting the receiving spaces by a securing tab of the tray, which is designed to be brought into a position fixing the separating element by pivoting in particular by 90° to 180°.
[0007] With the help of the securing tab according to the invention, a simple and cost-effective fixation of the separating element is possible.
[0008] Preferably, it can be provided that the separating element is a folding tab formed by punching into the material of a wall of the tray, which can be moved into the interior of the tray by pivoting relative to the respective wall of the tray, in order to delimit the receiving spaces. Furthermore, it can be provided that the tray has two large, opposite walls, namely an (upright) front wall and a corresponding rear wall, and that the tray has two (upright) narrow side walls, which lie opposite one another and respectively connect the front wall and rear wall to one another, and that the tray preferably has a (lower) bottom wall which connects the front wall, rear wall and side walls to one another, and that the separating element is arranged in at least one of the large-area walls, in particular the front wall and / or rear wall.
[0009] A special feature can be that the securing tab is located on the front or rear wall of the tray, especially as an extension of the front or rear wall. The securing tab can then be pivoted 180° to secure the separator.
[0010] Alternatively or additionally, the securing tab can be formed from the base wall. This securing tab is preferably pivoted by 90° to secure the separating element.
[0011] Furthermore, it can be provided that the securing tab has a notch for securing the separating element, with the separating element being arranged so as to protrude into the notch in the secured position. In this way, the separating element can be secured, for example, in a force-fitting and / or form-fitting manner.
[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, it can be provided that the incision has a fixing portion and a supporting portion which adjoin one another.
[0013] It is preferably provided that the fixing section of the incision runs parallel to the longitudinal direction of the separating element.
[0014] Furthermore, it can be provided that the supporting section of the incision runs at an angle to the fixing section of the incision to form a support tab, in particular at an angle of up to and including 30°. In addition to forming the support tab that rests on the separating element, the angled profile can also increase the fixing effect. In a particularly preferred embodiment, it can be provided that the support tab is dimensioned such that it does not come into contact with the products when in the position fixing the separating element, in particular by selecting an appropriate angle between the fixing section and the supporting section. In this way, it can be ensured that the support tab does not significantly restrict the interior of the receiving space, so that the number of products that can be accommodated is not limited.
[0015] A further special feature may be that at least one perforation is formed in the material of the securing tab laterally of the incision, which perforation runs at an angle to the incision, in particular to the fixing portion of the incision, with the angle being less than 35°. Corresponding perforations are preferably arranged on both sides of the incision.
[0016] The perforation(s) can serve as a "threading aid" if the cut and the separating element for securing the cut are not perfectly aligned. The perforation(s) make the material of the cut more flexible, allowing certain misalignments to be compensated for.
[0017] Furthermore, it can be provided that the securing tab is arranged on the side of the separating element on which the punching is located.
[0018] Alternatively, it can be provided that securing tabs are arranged on both sides of the separating element, in particular by a zigzag or wave-shaped cut.
[0019] In this case, it can preferably be provided that the angle of side edges of the securing tabs with respect to the separating element is between 30° and 60°.
[0020] Furthermore, it can be provided that a free space is formed in the corner areas of the receiving spaces that is not filled with the products, whereby the free space or the distance between the separating element and the adjacent front or rear wall is not larger than a radius of the cross-section of the products. In this way, it can be ensured that the products cannot move from one receiving space to another.
[0021] Accordingly, it can also be provided that a free space is formed in corner areas of the receiving spaces which is not filled by the products, wherein the free space or the distance between the separating element and the bottom wall is not larger than a radius of the cross-section of the products.
[0022] It is preferably provided that the groups of products or the products are arranged in the tray directly adjacent to the walls of the tray.
[0023] In particular, it is intended that the tray is part of a sealed package and, together with the groups of products, is surrounded by a closed wrapping of packaging material.
[0024] Furthermore, it can be provided that the blank for the tray is designed in such a way that it can be separated from a continuous material web without waste, wherein a recess is formed in the region of a free edge of the front wall or rear wall, which corresponds to the securing tab.
[0025] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0026] Fig. 1 a tray filled with two groups of products in a first spatial representation,
[0027] Fig. 2 the tray according to Fig. 1 in a second spatial representation,
[0028] Fig. 3 shows a first embodiment of a blank for a tray,
[0029] Fig. 4 shows a second embodiment of a blank for a tray,
[0030] Fig. 5 shows a detail of the cut according to Fig. 3 in an enlarged view,
[0031] Fig. 6 shows a detail of the blank according to Fig. 4 in an enlarged view, Figs. 7 to 10 show a schematic representation of the successive folding steps when erecting and filling the tray,
[0032] Fig. 11 a section through a tray according to section plane XI - XI in Fig. 2,
[0033] Fig. 12 a section through a tray according to Fig. 6 in a representation analogous to
[0034] Fig. 11.
[0035] The invention is explained below using the example of a package for products from the cigarette industry. For the purposes of this application, this includes tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigarillos, and the like, but also includes novel tobacco products such as heat-not-burn products or liquid carriers for e-cigarettes.
[0036] The products are arranged in two groups 10 in a tray 11. Each group 10 has two rows of products, each with five products per row. It is understood that the number of rows and the number of products per row may vary.
[0037] The tray 11 is cup-shaped with a large front wall 12, a corresponding rear wall 13 opposite the front wall 12, and two narrow side walls 14 connecting the front wall 12 to the rear wall 13. The tray 11 is open at the top. The tray 11 is closed at the bottom by a base wall 15. A recess 16 is formed at the upper edge of the front wall 12, which facilitates the removal of the products. The products are arranged upright in the tray 11 and preferably end flush with the top of the tray 11.
[0038] The tray 11 is formed from a one-piece blank 17 (Figs. 3 and 4) of packaging material, for example cardboard. For this purpose, the walls of the blank 17 are folded along fold lines and folding tabs are glued together. The narrow side walls 14 are formed by interconnected side tabs 18. The bottom wall 15 is connected to the narrow side walls 14 by bottom corner tabs 19. A separating element 20 serves to separate the two groups 10 in the tray 11. The separating element 20 is part of the blank 17 and not a separate element. In the present case, the separating element 20 is formed by a punch 21 or punch cut in the material of the front wall 12 and can be folded or pivoted about a fold line by approximately 90° into a position arranged between the two groups 10. There, the separating element 20 is aligned transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the front wall 12 of the tray 11.The separating element 20 separates two receiving spaces formed in the interior of the tray 11, each for a group 10 of products. Alternatively, the separating element 20 can also be part of the rear wall 13.
[0039] In this case, the walls of the tray 11 are, apart from the punching
[0040] 21 is designed to be closed. Of course, deviations from this are possible within the scope of the invention. It is conceivable to provide additional openings or to omit walls (such as the bottom wall 15).
[0041] In order to ensure that the separating element 20 remains in its position dividing the groups 10 or receiving spaces, measures are provided to hold the separating element 20 in this position.
[0042] In this case, a securing tab 22 is provided to fix the separating element 20 in its position dividing the receiving spaces. The securing tab
[0043] In the embodiments shown in the drawings, the securing tab 22 is arranged as an extension of the rear wall 13 and is connected to it via a fold line. The securing tab 22 is pivoted about this fold line to fix the separating element 20. The angle by which the securing tab 22 is pivoted is approximately 180° in the present case. This is based on the unfolded blank 17 for the tray 11, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. Accordingly, the securing tab 22, which is initially in the same plane as the rest of the blank 17 or the rear wall 13, is folded 180° onto the rear wall 13.
[0044] Alternatively, the securing tab 22 can, of course, also be formed as an extension of the front wall 12. Even then, the pivot angle is approximately 180°. Alternatively, a securing tab 22 formed by a punch in the bottom wall 15 and folded at an angle of approximately 90° is also conceivable to secure the separating element 20.
[0045] To enable the securing tab 22 to secure the separating element 22, the securing tab 22 shown in Fig. 3 has a notch 23. The notch 23 begins at a free edge of the securing tab 22 and extends into the securing tab 22. When the securing tab 22 is pivoted, the separating element 22 is threaded into the notch 23 and is thus held laterally and thus fixed.
[0046] The notch 23 has two adjoining sections. A fixing section 24 of the notch 23 runs parallel to the longitudinal direction of the separating element 20. A supporting section 25 of the notch 23 runs at an angle of up to 30° to the fixing section 24 of the notch 23. The supporting section 25 terminates in the free edge of the securing tab 22.
[0047] Obliquely directed perforations 26 are provided on both sides of the notch 23. It is also conceivable that only one perforation 26 may be provided on one side of the notch 23. The or each perforation 26 serves to facilitate the threading process of the separating element 20 into the securing tab 22 if the notch 23 and the separating element 20 are not perfectly aligned. In this case, the perforations 26 provide somewhat more flexibility in the material of the blank 17, so that misalignments up to a certain extent can be compensated.
[0048] The perforations 26 are arranged at an angle to the incision 23 or to the fixing portion 24 of the incision 23. In this case, the angle is less than 35°.
[0049] The perforations 26 end at a distance from the incision 23 or the free edge of the securing tab 22.
[0050] A support tab 27 is located between the notch 23 and a perforation 26. The support tab 27 is slightly bent upwards when the separating element 20 is threaded into the securing tab 22, so that it rests against a flank of the separating element 20 and also secures it. In the variant shown in Fig. 4, the notch 23 is zigzag-shaped or wave-shaped, creating a total of three support tabs 27. The perforations 26 of the support tabs 27 are each located in the area of a base of the triangular support tabs 27 and end at a distance from the notch 23.
[0051] 7 to 10 show, by way of example, the erection of the tray 11 and the feeding of the products for the blank 17 according to FIG. 3. Accordingly, the tray 11 is first partially erected, with the bottom corner tabs 19 being connected to the bottom wall 15. For this purpose, the side tabs 18 on both sides of the rear wall 13 are also erected. The bottom wall 15 and the front wall 12 are located in a plane transverse to the rear wall 13 with the securing tab 22. In the next step according to FIG. 8, the separating element 20 is pivoted by 90° and thus erected. The securing tab 22 is preferably erected by 90° at the same time. In the next step according to FIG. 9, the securing tab 22 is folded by a further 90° so that the separating element 20 engages in the notch 23. In the process, the supporting tab 27 is also slightly raised, as mentioned. Then, as shown in Fig. 10, the two groups 10 of products are inserted into the open tray 11. The closing of the tray 11 is not shown.The front wall 12 is folded by 90° and the side flaps 18 on both sides of the front wall 12 are placed by 90° against the side flaps 18 on both sides of the rear wall 13 and connected to them, for example by gluing.
[0052] Another special feature is that the blanks 17 can be separated from a continuous material web without waste. For this purpose, the recess 16 in the front wall 12 and the securing tab 22 have identical dimensions.
[0053] 11 and 12 show that the support tabs 27 are arranged in corner regions of the interior of the tray 11 in such a way that there is no collision with the products. A further special feature can be that the position or size of the separating element 20 prevents products from getting from one receiving space into another. For this purpose, the distance between the separating element 20 and the front wall 12 is smaller than the radius of the products. This creates a free space 28 which is not occupied by the products, but the dimensions of the free space are not such that the products can accidentally move between the receiving spaces. The same applies to the distance between the separating element 20 and the bottom wall 15. Here, too, the dimensions of the free space 28 are smaller than the radius of the products. The groups 10 of products lie directly on the tray 11 orits separating element 20 and can be arranged together with the tray 11 in a wrapper to form a sealed package with preferably sealed wrapper seams. The sealed package thus created can be arranged in an outer package, for example, of the hinge-lid type.
[0054] List of reference symbols
[0055] 10 Group
[0056] 11 trays
[0057] 12 front wall
[0058] 13 Rear wall
[0059] 14 Narrow side wall
[0060] 15 floor wall
[0061] 16 Recess
[0062] 17 Cutting
[0063] 18 side lobes
[0064] 19 bottom corner flaps
[0065] 20 Separator
[0066] 21 Punching
[0067] 22 securing tab
[0068] 23 incision
[0069] 24 fixing section
[0070] 25 supporting section
[0071] 26 Perforation
[0072] 27 Support tab
[0073] 28 open space
Claims
Patent claims 1. A pack for products of the cigarette industry, comprising a tray (11) for receiving at least two groups (10) of products, wherein a separating element (20) for demarcating at least two receiving spaces for one group (10) of products each is arranged in an interior of the tray (11), and wherein the separating element (20) is formed from a wall of the tray (11), characterized in that the separating element (20) is fixed in a position demarcating the receiving spaces by a securing tab (22) of the tray (11), which is designed to be brought into a position fixing the separating element (20) by pivoting, in particular by 90° to 180°.
2. Pack according to claim 1, characterized in that the separating element (20) is a folding flap formed by punching in the material of a wall of the tray (11), which can be moved into the interior of the tray (11) by pivoting relative to the respective wall of the tray (11) in order to delimit the receiving spaces.
3. Pack according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the tray (11) has two large-area, opposite walls, namely an (upright) front wall (12) and a corresponding rear wall (13), and that the tray (11) has two (upright) narrow side walls (14) which are opposite one another and each connect the front wall (12) and rear wall (13) to one another, and that the tray (11) preferably has a (lower) bottom wall (15) which connects the front wall (12), rear wall (13) and side walls (14) to one another, and that the separating element (20) is arranged in at least one of the large-area walls, in particular the front wall (12) and / or rear wall (13).
4. Pack according to claim 1 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the securing tab (22) is arranged on the front wall (12) or rear wall (13) of the tray (11), in particular in extension of the front wall (12) or rear wall (13).
5. Pack according to claim 1 or one of the other preceding claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the securing tab (22) is formed from the bottom wall (15).
6. Pack according to claim 1 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the securing tab (22) has a notch (23) for fixing the separating element (20), wherein the separating element (20) is arranged in the fixed position projecting into the notch (23).
7. Pack according to claim 1 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the incision (23) has a fixing portion (24) and a supporting portion (25) which adjoin one another.
8. Pack according to claim 7 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing portion (24) of the incision (23) runs parallel to the longitudinal direction of the separating element (22).
9. Pack according to claim 7 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the supporting portion (25) of the incision (23) for forming a support tab (27) extends at an angle to the fixing portion (24) of the incision (23), in particular at an angle of up to and including 30°.
10. Pack according to claim 9 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the support tab (27) is dimensioned such that it does not come into contact with the products in the position fixing the separating element (20), in particular by selecting an appropriate angle between the fixing section (24) and the supporting section (25).
11. Pack according to claim 1 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that at least one perforation (26) is formed in the material of the securing tab (22) laterally of the incision (23), which perforation runs at an angle to the incision (23), in particular to the fixing section (24) of the incision (23), wherein the angle is less than 35°.
12. Pack according to claim 2 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the securing tab (22) is arranged on the side of the separating element (22) on which the punching is also located.
13. Pack according to claim 1 or one of the other preceding claims 2 to 11, characterized in that securing tabs (27) are arranged on both sides of the separating element (22), in particular by a zigzag or wave-shaped course of the incision (23).
14. Pack according to claim 12 or any of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the angle of side edges of the securing tabs (27) with respect to the separating element (20) is between 30° and 60°.
15. Pack according to claim 1 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that in corner regions of the receiving spaces a free space (28) is formed which is not filled by the products, wherein the free space (28) or the distance between the separating element (20) and the adjacent front wall (12) or rear wall (13) is not greater than a radius of the cross-section of the products.
16. Pack according to claim 1 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that in corner regions of the receiving spaces a free space (28) is formed which is not filled by the products, wherein the free space (28) or the distance between the separating element (20) and the bottom wall (15) is not greater than a radius of the cross section of the products.
17. Pack according to claim 1 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the groups (10) of products or the products are arranged in the tray (11) directly adjacent to the walls of the same.
18. Pack according to claim 1 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the tray (11) is part of a Sealed packaging and, together with the groups (10) of products, is enclosed in a closed wrapping of packaging material.
19. Pack according to claim 1 or one of the other preceding claims, characterized in that the blank (17) for the tray (11) is designed in such a way that it can be separated from a continuous material web without waste, wherein in the region of a free edge of the front wall (12) or rear wall (13) a recess (16) is formed which corresponds to the securing tab (22). *****