Method of collectively holding arranged group consisting of multiple packages and multiple packages of arranged group

Abstract

To provide an arranged group consisting of multiple packages.SOLUTION: Each package in the arranged group is positioned in multiple rows such that the second face of the packages at the ends of each row and the first face of each package in a certain row are exposed. The second face of the packages at the ends of each row and the first face of each package in a certain row are exposed. The arranged group further includes multiple bands extending around the packages to hold the arranged group together. Each band is spaced apart from the adjacent bands and extends over the exposed first face and exposed second face of each package.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an array of packages. A method for holding the packages of the array together is also disclosed. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventional delivery systems, such as combustion and non-combustion aerosol delivery systems and other tobacco industry products, are typically packaged in packages. Multiple packages are often grouped together in an array and placed in a carton. The carton may be made from paperboard or similar material. Alternatively, multiple packages may be wrapped in plastic. The carton and / or wrapper may be opened to allow access to the individual packages. Summary of the Invention

[0003] A first aspect of the present disclosure provides an arranged group consisting of a plurality of rectangular parallelepiped-shaped packages, each package in the arranged group including a pair of opposing first faces, a pair of opposing second faces, and a pair of opposing end faces, the plurality of packages being arranged in a plurality of rows such that the second face of one package faces the second face of an adjacent package in the same row, the first face of a package in a row faces the first face of a package in an adjacent row, and the second face of an end package in each row and the first face of each package in a row are exposed, and a plurality of bands extend around the packages to hold the group together, each band being spaced apart from its adjacent band and extending over the exposed first face and exposed second face of each package.

[0004] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides an arranged group of multiple packages, each package having a rectangular parallelepiped shape and including a pair of opposing first faces, a pair of opposing second faces, and a pair of opposing end faces, the multiple packages arranged in a row such that the first face of one package faces the first face of an adjacent package in the row and the first face of an end package in the row and the second face of each package in the row are exposed, and multiple bands extend around the packages to hold the group together, each band being spaced from its adjacent band and extending over the exposed first face and exposed second face of each package.

[0005] The pair of opposing end faces of each package may include a top end face and a bottom end face, with all of the top end faces of the packages in the arranged group lying in a first plane and all of the bottom end faces of the packages in the arranged group lying in a second plane parallel to the first plane.

[0006] Preferably, each band of the plurality of bands extends parallel to said first and second planes.

[0007] The plurality of bands may include a first band and a second band, and the first band may be spaced apart from the first and second planes.

[0008] Optionally, a second band may be spaced apart from said first and second planes.

[0009] The plurality of bands may include a first band and a second band, and the second band may be spaced apart from the first and second planes.

[0010] The plurality of bands may include a first band and a second band, and the first band may be adjacent to the first plane.

[0011] Optionally, the second band may be adjacent to the second plane.

[0012] The arranged group of packages may include a third band between the first and second bands.

[0013] Optionally, each package may include a wrapper and a tear strip for removing the wrapper, and the bands may extend around the periphery of the package such that they do not overlap the tear strip.

[0014] Preferably, the bands may be equally spaced apart from one another.

[0015] Each band of the plurality of bands may be endless.

[0016] The bands may be strips or ribbons.

[0017] Preferably, the strip or ribbon may include an adhesive layer that is removably attached to an array of packages.

[0018] Each strip or ribbon may include an overlapping region.

[0019] Optionally, the strip or ribbon may be attached to itself with a releasable adhesive in the overlapping area, and the distal portion of the overlapping portion may be free of adhesive to form a pull tab.

[0020] Preferably, at least one of the plurality of bands may be formed from a transparent material.

[0021] At least one of the plurality of bands may be formed from MOPP.

[0022] At least one of the plurality of bands may be formed from PET.

[0023] Optionally, the bands may each have a width of between 1.6mm and 20mm, preferably between 5mm and 15mm, preferably about 8mm.

[0024] The first side of each package may be the major side and the second side of each package may be the minor side.

[0025] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for assembling an array of rectangular parallelepiped-shaped packages, the method including: providing an array of packages each including a pair of opposing first faces, a pair of opposing second faces, and a pair of opposing end faces; arranging the packages in a plurality of rows such that the second face of one package faces the second face of an adjacent package in the same row, the first face of a package in a row faces the first face of a package in an adjacent row, and the second face of an end package in each row and the first face of each package in a row are exposed; providing a plurality of bands; and arranging each band so that it is spaced from its adjacent band and extends over the exposed first face and exposed second face of each package.

[0026] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for holding together an array of packages, the method including: providing an array of a plurality of rectangular parallelepiped-shaped packages, each package including a pair of opposing first faces, a pair of opposing second faces, and a pair of opposing end faces; arranging the plurality of packages in a row such that the first face of one package faces the first face of an adjacent package in the row, and the first face of an end package in the row and the second face of each package in the row are exposed; providing a plurality of bands, and arranging each band so that it is spaced from its adjacent band and extends over the exposed first face and exposed second face of each package.

[0027] Each band may be endless and may be formed from a heat-sensitive material, and the method may include heat-shrinking each band when positioned so that the band extends over the exposed first surface and the exposed second surface.

[0028] The plurality of bands may be strips or ribbons and the method may include attaching the strips or ribbons to the package with an adhesive.

[0029] The package may be a package for a delivery system. Optionally, the package may be a package for a combustion-based product. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0030] In order that the invention may be more fully understood, embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0031] [Figure 1] 1 shows an array of packages for a delivery system with no bands applied to the packages. [Figure 2] 1 shows an array of packages for a delivery system with no bands applied to the packages. [Figure 3] An individual package of an arrayed group of packages is shown. [Figure 4] 1 shows a first embodiment of an arranged group of packages for a delivery system. [Figure 5] 1 shows a second embodiment of an arranged group of packages for a delivery system. [Figure 6] 10 illustrates another embodiment of an arranged group of packages for a delivery system. [Figure 7] This shows how to organize an array of rectangular shaped packages. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] As used herein, the term "delivery system" is intended to encompass systems that deliver a substance to a user, including combustion-based aerosol delivery systems such as cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, and pipe or rolling tobacco (whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco substitutes, or other smoking materials); non-combustion-based aerosol delivery systems that release compounds from aerosolizable materials without burning the aerosolizable material, such as electronic cigarettes, tobacco heating products, and hybrid systems that generate an aerosol using a combination of aerosolizable materials; articles that contain aerosolizable materials and are configured to be used within one of these non-combustion-based aerosol delivery systems; and aerosol-free systems such as lozenges, gums, patches, articles that contain inhalable powders, and smokeless tobacco products such as snus and snuff that deliver nicotine-containing or non-nicotine containing materials to the user without forming an aerosol.

[0033] For purposes of this disclosure, a "combustion-based" aerosol delivery system is one in which the constituent aerosolizable materials (or components thereof) of the aerosol delivery system are combusted or burned to facilitate delivery to the user.

[0034] For purposes of this disclosure, a "non-combustion" aerosol delivery system is one that does not burn or ignite to facilitate delivery of the aerosolizable component materials of the aerosol delivery system (or components thereof) to a user.

[0035] Referring to Figure 1, there is shown an array 1 of packages 2 for a delivery system (not shown). The array 1 of packages 2 includes a plurality of individual rectangular shaped packages 2. A typical individual package 2 for a delivery system is shown in Figure 3.

[0036] Referring generally to Figure 3, package 2 may be, for example, but not limited to, a hinged-lid package as shown. Package 2 includes a container 3 and a lid 4 hingedly connected to container 3 along hinge line 5 to allow the package to be opened and closed. Of course, container 3 defines a delivery system receiving space within which smoking articles or other tobacco industry products are contained and stored. The delivery system is accessible when lid 4 is in the open position, and the delivery system is retained within delivery system receiving space 6 when lid 4 is in the closed position. Other types of packages, such as those known as folding or sliding shell packages, are also within the scope of the present invention.

[0037] The package 2 includes a pair of opposing first surfaces 11, 12, a pair of opposing second surfaces 8, 9, and a pair of opposing end surfaces 13, 14. The pair of opposing first surfaces 11, 12 are separated by an opposing second surface. In this embodiment, the opposing first surfaces 11, 12 form larger panels 11, 12, which constitute the front and rear panels of the package 2. The front first surface or larger panel 11 may include a front container wall and a front lid wall. The rear first surface or larger panel 12 may include a rear container wall and a rear lid wall. In this embodiment, the opposing second surfaces 8, 9 form smaller walls 8, 9, which constitute the side walls of the package 2. The second surfaces or side walls 8, 9 of the package 2 may include a container side wall and a lid side wall. Both ends of the package 2 are closed by opposing end surfaces 13, 14, which include a top end surface 13 and a bottom end surface 14. In this embodiment, top end surface 13 may comprise the top wall of the lid, and bottom end surface 14 may comprise the bottom wall of the container.

[0038] Referring again to Figure 1, it can be seen that a plurality of individual packages 2 for a delivery system are arranged in rows, forming an array 1 of packages 2. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the array 1 of packages 2 includes a first row 16 and a second row 17. The first and second rows 16, 17 are adjacent to each other.

[0039] In this embodiment, the packages 2 are arranged in rows 16, 17 such that the second surface 8, 9 of one package 2 faces the second surface 8, 9 of an adjacent package 2 in the same row. The packages 2 are further arranged such that the first surfaces 11, 12 of the packages 2 in row 16 face the first surfaces 11, 12 of the packages 2 in the adjacent row. Additionally, the packages 2 are arranged such that the second surfaces 8, 9 of the packages 2 at the ends 18, 19 of each row 16, 17 and the first surfaces 11, 12 of each package 2 along the rows 16, 17 are exposed.

[0040] However, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the packages 2 may be arranged such that the first faces 11, 12 of the packages 2 face the first faces 11, 12 of adjacent packages 2 in the same row 16, 17, or such that the end faces 13, 14 of adjacent packages in the same row 16, 17 face each other.

[0041] In this embodiment, the arranged group 1 includes two rows of five packages. However, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the number of packages in a row may be different, and the number of rows provided may be different. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the packages 2 may be arranged together in a single row with the first faces 11, 12 of the packages 2 facing the first faces 11, 12 of the adjacent packages in that row. In particular, the row may include 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 packages.

[0042] Each row 16, 17 has two ends, as described above. Each end 18, 19 of the rows 16, 17 includes a free surface 21, 22. The free surfaces 21, 22 are formed by the second surfaces of the individual packages 2 located at the ends 18, 19 of the rows 16, 17. Thus, the free surfaces 21, 22 formed by the second surfaces 8, 9 of the packages 2 located at the ends 18, 19 of the rows 16, 17 do not face toward adjacent packages in the same row 16, 17. For example, in this embodiment, the first row 16 of packages has an end 18 formed by the free surface 21, which is the second surface 8 of the individual packages 2 located at the end 18 of the first row 16, and the second row 17 of packages has an end 19 formed by the free surface 22, which is the second surface 9 of the individual packages 2 located at the end 19 of the second row 17.

[0043] Each package 2 in each row 16, 17 has an exposed first surface 11, 12 that forms a free surface 23. The free surface 23 formed by the first surfaces 11, 12 of a package 2 faces away from the packages 2 in the adjacent row.

[0044] 4, the arrayed group 1 of packages 2 further includes a plurality of bands 24 extending around the periphery of the packages 2 to hold the arrayed group together. Each band 25, 26 is spaced apart from its adjacent band 25, 26 and extends over the exposed first faces 11, 12 and the exposed second faces 8, 9 of each package 2. In other words, each band extends over a free face 21, 22, 23 of the package 2.

[0045] As described above, the opposing end faces 13, 14 of the pair of packages 2 include a top end face 13 and a bottom end face 14. The packages 2 of the arranged group 1 are arranged such that all of the top end faces 13 of the packages 2 lie in a first plane and all of the bottom end faces of the packages 2 lie in a second plane parallel to the first plane. The bands 24 extend in directions parallel to the first and second planes, respectively.

[0046] 4, the plurality of bands 24 includes a first band 25 and a second band 26. The first band 25 is spaced apart from the first and second planes. Additionally, the second band 26 is spaced apart from the first and second planes. Of course, the bands 24 may be positioned in any position where they are spaced apart from the first and second planes.

[0047] 5 illustrates another embodiment of an array of packages 2. As shown, a first band 25 is adjacent to a first plane, and a second band 26 is adjacent to a second plane.

[0048] Of course, the placement of the bands 24 is not limited to the illustrated embodiment. The bands 24 may be located in any position where the bands 24 extend parallel to the first and second planes defined by the exposed first and second surfaces 11, 12 and 8, 9 of the package 2 and the top and bottom end surfaces 13, 14 of the package 2. It should also be understood that the array 1 is not limited to including two bands 24. In another embodiment (not shown), the array 1 includes a third band located between the first and second bands 25, 26. Additionally, the array 1 may include any number of bands 24. Having more bands around the array of packages can even out the pressure on the array. Furthermore, the bands may be positioned around the array of packages so as not to obscure information or notices on the packages. Here, more than two bands are applied to the array to ensure that the array is securely fastened and that all information or notices on the packages are visible to the consumer.

[0049] In another embodiment of the arranged group 1 of packages 2, each package 2 includes a wrapper and a tear strip for removal of the wrapper by the consumer. In this embodiment, a plurality of bands 24 extend around the periphery of the package 2 such that they do not overlap the tear strip, thus ensuring that the bands 24 do not interfere with the tear strip.

[0050] The bands 24 extending around the periphery of the package 2 may be equally spaced apart from one another.

[0051] Band 24 may be an endless band. To remove an individual package 2 from the arranged group 1 of packages 2, a consumer may pull endless band 24 away from the arranged group 1 of packages 2 or slide the package 2 away from the arranged group 1. Endless band 24 may be formed from a heat-sensitive material and may be shrunk using a heat shrink method to fit band 24 around the arranged group of packages 2.

[0052] Alternatively, band 24 may be a strip or ribbon. The strip or ribbon may include an adhesive layer for removably attaching to the arrayed group 1 of packages 2. An adhesive is a type of non-reactive adhesive that forms a bond when pressure is applied to bond the adhesive to a substrate, rather than requiring a solvent, water, or heat to activate the adhesive. In some embodiments, the adhesive may be an elastomeric compound with a tackifier, such as a rosin ester-based compound. The elastomer may also be an acrylic or bioacrylate-based compound, which does not require a tackifier.

[0053] As opposed to including a full layer of adhesive, the strip or ribbon may include an incomplete layer or pattern of adhesive to reduce the strength of the bond to the package. In other words, the strip or ribbon may have a contact area with the package that is less than the total adhesive amount compared to a full layer of adhesive, resulting in an overall weaker bond of the strip or ribbon to the package. This configuration is beneficial because a large adhesive contact area between the strip or ribbon and the package can be a quality issue.

[0054] The strip or ribbon may include an overlapping area. Within the overlapping area, the strip or ribbon may be adhered to itself with a releasable adhesive. The leading end of the overlapping area may be treated with an adhesive-free material to form a pull tab. A consumer may then grasp the pull tab to remove the strip or ribbon from the array on package 2. The strip or ribbon may be reattached with an adhesive.

[0055] Alternatively, the strips or ribbons within the overlapping region may include areas of relatively strong adhesive. For example, the strips or ribbons may be attached to the package with a relatively weak adhesive, and the strips or ribbons may be adhered to each other in the overlapping region with a relatively strong adhesive. The relatively strong and weak adhesives may both be permanent or removable. The strips or ribbons in the overlapping region may be aligned by a camera or sensor system. For example, registration marks such as contrasting colors or UV inks may be used to align the strips or ribbons in the overlapping region.

[0056] Preferably, the plurality of bands 24 are formed from a transparent material, so that the bands 24 do not obscure important information or notices printed on the surface of the package 2. For example, the bands 24 may be formed from monoaxially oriented polypropylene (MOPP). Alternatively, the bands 24 may be formed from polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The bands 24 may also be formed from PP, PE, PVC, HDPE, LDPE, PP derivatives, and / or polyester. Additionally, the material may be recycled, biodegradable, or compostable.

[0057] The bands 24 have a width of 1.6 mm to 20 mm, and preferably have a width of 8 mm.

[0058] FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of an arrayed group of packages 2. Here, the packages 2 are arranged in a single row, with the first faces 11, 12 of the packages 2 facing the first faces 11, 12 of adjacent packages in the row. Similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the arrayed group includes multiple bands 24 extending around the packages 2 to organize the group. Each band 25, 26 is spaced apart from its adjacent band 25, 26 and extends over the exposed first faces 11, 12 and exposed second faces 8, 9 of each package 2. The first band 25 is spaced apart from the first and second planar faces. Additionally, the second band 26 is spaced apart from the first and second planar faces. Of course, the bands 24 may be positioned in any position where they are spaced apart from the first and second planar faces.

[0059] Alternatively, similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the first band 25 may be adjacent to a first plane, and in addition the second band may be adjacent to a second plane.

[0060] It should be understood that the above description of the plurality of bands 24 in connection with FIGS. 4 and 5 is alternatively applicable to the array shown in FIG.

[0061] 7 illustrates a method for assembling an array of rectangular parallelepiped-shaped packages. The method includes a first step S1 of providing an array of packages each having a pair of opposing first faces, a pair of opposing second faces, and a pair of opposing end faces. A second step S2 includes arranging the packages in rows such that the second face of one package faces the second face of an adjacent package in the same row, the first face of a package in a row faces the first face of a package in an adjacent row, and the second faces of the packages at the ends of each row and the first faces of each package in a row are exposed. A third step S3 is providing a plurality of bands. A fourth step S4 of the method includes arranging each band so that it is spaced from its adjacent band and extends over the exposed first and second faces of each package.

[0062] Additionally, the method may include the further step S5: if each band is endless and formed from a heat-sensitive material, the method may include heat-shrinking each band once it has been positioned to extend over the exposed first and second faces.

[0063] Additionally, the method of the present invention may include step S6 instead of step S5. If the plurality of bands are strips or ribbons, the method of the present invention includes attaching the strips or ribbons to the package with an adhesive.

[0064] The various embodiments described herein are provided merely to aid in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are merely representative examples and are neither comprehensive nor exclusive. However, the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects of the present disclosure should not be construed as limiting the disclosure to the exact terms set forth in the claims or to the equivalents of the claims, and other embodiments may be utilized or modified without departing from the scope and / or spirit of the present disclosure. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, or other combinations. The present disclosure also includes other inventions not currently claimed but which may be claimed in the future.

Claims

1. An arrayed group consisting of a plurality of packages, each of which has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and includes a pair of opposing first faces, a pair of opposing second faces, and a pair of opposing end faces, wherein the packages are arranged in a plurality of rows such that the second face of one package faces the second face of an adjacent package in the same row, the first face of a package in a row faces the first face of a package in an adjacent row, and the second faces of the packages at the ends of each row and the first faces of each package in a row are exposed; and a plurality of bands extend around the packages to hold the group together, each band being spaced from its adjacent band and extending over the exposed first face and exposed second face of each package.

2. An array of packages, each of which is rectangular and includes a pair of opposing first faces, a pair of opposing second faces, and a pair of opposing end faces, the packages being arranged in a row such that the first face of one package faces the first face of an adjacent package in the row, and the first face of an end package in the row and the second face of each package in the row are exposed; a plurality of bands extending around the packages to hold the group together, each band being spaced apart from its adjacent band and extending over the exposed first face and exposed second face of each package.

3. 3. An arrayed group consisting of a plurality of packages according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pair of opposing end surfaces of each package includes a top end surface and a bottom end surface, and all of the top end surfaces of the packages in the arrayed group lie in a first plane, and all of the bottom end surfaces of the packages in the arrayed group lie in a second plane parallel to the first plane.

4. 4. The array of packages of claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of bands extends parallel to said first and second planes.

5. 4. The arrayed group of packages of claim 3, wherein the plurality of bands includes a first band and a second band, the first band being spaced apart from the first and second planes.

6. 6. The array of claim 5, wherein a second band is spaced apart from said first and second planes.

7. 4. The arrayed group of packages of claim 3, wherein the plurality of bands includes a first band and a second band, the second band being spaced apart from the first and second planes.

8. 4. The arrayed group of packages according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of bands includes a first band and a second band, the first band being adjacent to the first plane.

9. 9. The array of claim 8, wherein the second band is adjacent to the second plane.

10. 10. An array of packages according to any one of claims 3 to 9, including a third band between the first and second bands.

11. 11. An array of packages according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein each package includes a wrapper and a tear strip for removing the wrapper, and the bands extend around the package so that they do not overlap the tear strip.

12. 12. An array of packages according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the bands are equally spaced apart from one another.

13. 13. An array of packages according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein each band of the plurality of bands is endless.

14. 14. An array of packages according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the bands are strips or ribbons.

15. 15. The array of packages of claim 14, wherein the strip or ribbon includes an adhesive layer that removably adheres to the array of packages.

16. 16. An array of packages according to claim 14 or 15, wherein each strip or ribbon includes an overlapping area.

17. 17. The arrayed group of multiple packages of claim 16, wherein the strip or ribbon is attached to itself with a releasable adhesive in the overlapping area, and the leading end of the overlapping portion is adhesive-free to form a pull tab.

18. 18. An array of packages according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein at least one of the bands is made of a transparent material.

19. 19. An array of packages according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein at least one of the bands is made from MOPP.

20. 20. An array of packages according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein at least one of the bands is made from PET.

21. 21. An array of packages according to any one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the bands each have a width of 1.6 mm to 20 mm, preferably 5 mm to 15 mm, preferably about 8 mm.

22. 3. An array of multiple packages according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first face of each package is a larger face and the second face of each package is a smaller face.

23. A method for holding together an array of a plurality of packages, the method comprising: providing an array of a plurality of rectangular parallelepiped-shaped packages, each package including a pair of opposing first faces, a pair of opposing second faces, and a pair of opposing end faces; arranging the plurality of packages in a plurality of rows such that the second face of one package faces the second face of an adjacent package in the same row, the first face of the packages in a row faces the first face of the packages in an adjacent row, and the second faces of the packages at the ends of each row and the first faces of each package in a row are exposed; providing a plurality of bands; and arranging each band so that it is spaced from its adjacent band and extends over the exposed first face and exposed second face of each package.

24. A method for holding together an array of a plurality of packages, the method comprising: providing an array of a plurality of rectangular parallelepiped-shaped packages, each package including a pair of opposing first faces, a pair of opposing second faces, and a pair of opposing end faces; arranging the plurality of packages in a row so that the first face of one package faces the first face of an adjacent package in the row, and the first face of an end package in the row and the second face of each package in the row are exposed; providing a plurality of bands; and arranging each band so that it is spaced from its adjacent band and extends over the exposed first face and exposed second face of each package.

25. 25. The method of claim 23 or 24, wherein each band is endless and formed from a heat-sensitive material, the method including heat-shrinking each band when positioned so that the band extends over the exposed first surface and the exposed second surface.

26. 25. A method according to claim 23 or 24, wherein the plurality of bands are strips or ribbons, the method including attaching the strips or ribbons to the package with an adhesive.

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