Hinge Lid Pack

Abstract

A hinge-lid pack for a delivery system is disclosed. The pack includes a base, a lid rotatable about the base between an open position and a closed position, where the lid and base meet at a joint line in the closed position, and a sealing member spanning the joint line, the sealing member being formed from an amorphous material configured to break when the lid is rotated about the hinge to the open position for the first time and to provide a visual indication that the lid has previously been rotated to the open position when the lid is subsequently closed. A method of manufacturing a hinge-lid pack for a delivery system is also disclosed.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a hinge-lid pack for a delivery system and a method of making a hinge-lid pack for a delivery system. [Background technology]

[0002] Smoking articles, such as cigarettes, are sold in packages. Known packages often include a cardboard outer box having a base and a hinged lid. The base typically contains the tobacco product, and the lid is rotatable relative to the base between an open position and a closed position. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In accordance with the present disclosure, a hinge-lid pack for a delivery system is provided that includes a base, a lid rotatable about the base between an open position and a closed position where the lid and base meet at a join line, and a sealing member spanning the join line, the sealing member being formed from an amorphous material that is configured to break when the lid is rotated about the hinge to the open position for the first time and to provide a visible indication that the lid has previously been rotated to the open position when the lid is subsequently closed.

[0004] The sealing member may include a line of weakness aligned with the bond line, and the sealing member may be configured to break along the line of weakness when the lid is rotated about the hinge to the open position for the first time.

[0005] The base may include a base front wall, the lid may include a lid front wall, and the base front wall and the lid front wall may meet at a join line.

[0006] The base may include a base sidewall, the lid may include a lid sidewall, and the base and lid sidewalls may meet at a join line.

[0007] The sealing member may straddle the join line between the front base wall and the front lid wall.

[0008] The sealing member may span the bond line between the base sidewall and the lid sidewall.

[0009] The sealing member may be transparent.

[0010] The sealing member may be applied to the hinge-lid pack in fluid form.

[0011] The amorphous material may be one of a glue or a varnish.

[0012] The sealing member may be substantially circular.

[0013] The sealing member may have a length and a width, and the length may be greater than the width.

[0014] The sealing member may straddle the bond line across the width of the sealing member.

[0015] The line of weakness may extend along the length of the sealing member.

[0016] The sealing member may straddle the bond line in a direction spanning the length of the sealing member.

[0017] The line of weakness may extend along the width of the sealing member.

[0018] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a hinge-lid pack for a delivery system, the method including the steps of providing a base, providing a lid rotatable about the base between an open position and a closed position, where in the closed position the lid and base meet at a join line, and applying an amorphous material to the hinge-lid pack, the amorphous material spanning the join line and forming a sealing member, the sealing member configured to break the first time the lid is rotated about the hinge to the open position.

[0019] The method may further include forming a line of weakness in the sealing member aligned with the bond line, and the sealing member may be configured to break along the line of weakness when the lid is rotated about the hinge to the open position for the first time.

[0020] The base may comprise a front base wall and the lid may comprise a front lid wall, the front base wall and the front lid wall meeting at a join line, and the step of applying the sealing member to the pack may include applying the sealing member to the pack such that the sealing member straddles the join line between the front base wall and the front lid wall.

[0021] The base may include a base sidewall and the lid may include a lid sidewall, the base sidewall and the lid sidewall meeting at a join line, and the step of applying the sealing member to the pack may include applying the sealing member to the pack such that the sealing member straddles the join line between the base sidewall and the lid sidewall.

[0022] The step of applying the sealing member to the puck may include applying the sealing member in fluid form. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hinge-lid pack according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a hinge-lid pack according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a hinge-lid pack according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view of a stack of parallelepiped-shaped hinge-lid packs according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a method for manufacturing a hinge-lid pack according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] As used herein, the term "delivery system" is intended to encompass systems that deliver at least one substance to a user, including: Combustible aerosol delivery systems, such as cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, and tobacco for pipes or for hand-rolled or handmade cigarettes (whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco substitutes, or other smoking materials). Non-combustible aerosol delivery systems that release compounds from aerosol-generating materials without burning the aerosol-generating materials, such as e-cigarettes, tobacco heating products, and hybrid systems that generate aerosols using a combination of aerosol-generating materials. An aerosol-free delivery system that delivers at least one substance to a user orally, nasally, transdermally, or otherwise without forming an aerosol, including, but not limited to, lozenges, gums, patches, articles containing inhalable powders, and oral products such as oral tobacco, including snus and moist snuff. The at least one substance may or may not contain nicotine.

[0026] According to this disclosure, a "combustible" aerosol delivery system is one in which, during use, the aerosol-generating material that is a component of the aerosol delivery system (or a part thereof) is combusted or burned to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

[0027] In some embodiments, the delivery system is a combustible aerosol delivery system, for example, a system selected from the group consisting of a cigarette, a cigarillo, and a cigar.

[0028] According to the present disclosure, a "non-flammable" aerosol delivery system is one in which the aerosol-generating materials that are components of the aerosol delivery system (or parts thereof) are not burned or combusted to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

[0029] In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-flammable aerosol delivery system, for example, a powered non-flammable aerosol delivery system.

[0030] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol delivery system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it should be noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating material is not a requirement.

[0031] In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol delivery system is an aerosol-generating material heating system, also known as a non-combustion heating system. One example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.

[0032] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol delivery system is a hybrid system that generates aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or more of which may be heated. Each aerosol-generating material may be, for example, in solid, liquid, or gel form and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system includes a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material may, for example, contain tobacco or a non-tobacco product.

[0033] Typically, a non-combustible aerosol delivery system may comprise a non-combustible aerosol delivery device and a consumable item for use with the non-combustible aerosol delivery device.

[0034] In some embodiments, a non-combustible aerosol delivery system, e.g., a non-combustible aerosol delivery device of the system, can include a power source and a controller. The power source can be, for example, an electrical source or a heat-generating power source. In some embodiments, the heat-generating power source includes a carbon substrate that can be activated to provide power in the form of heat to the aerosol-generating material or to a heat-transfer material in proximity to the heat-generating power source.

[0035] In some embodiments, the non-flammable aerosol delivery system may comprise a consumable-receiving area, an aerosol generator, an aerosol-generating area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0036] In some embodiments, consumables used with the non-flammable aerosol delivery device may include an aerosol-generating material, an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol-generating area, a housing, a wrapper, a filter, a mouthpiece, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0037] In some embodiments, the delivery system is an aerosol-free delivery system that delivers at least one substance to a user orally, nasally, transdermally, or otherwise without forming an aerosol, including, but not limited to, lozenges, gums, patches, articles containing inhalable powders, and oral products such as oral tobacco, including snus or moist snuff, which may or may not contain nicotine.

[0038] In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered may be an aerosol-generating material or a material not intended to be aerosolized, either of which may optionally include one or more active ingredients, one or more flavoring agents, one or more aerosol-forming materials, and / or one or more other functional materials.

[0039] In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered comprises an active agent.

[0040] As used herein, an active substance may be a bioactive material. A bioactive material is a material intended to achieve or enhance a physiological response. The active substance may be selected from, for example, nutraceuticals, nootropics, and psychotropic drugs. The active substance may be naturally derived or synthetically obtained. The active substance may include, for example, nicotine, caffeine, taurine, theine, vitamin B6, B12, or C, melatonin, cannabinoids, or components, derivatives, or combinations thereof. The active substance may include one or more components, derivatives, or extracts of tobacco, cannabis, or other plant derivatives.

[0041] In some embodiments, the active agent comprises nicotine, hi some embodiments, the active agent comprises caffeine, melatonin, or vitamin B12.

[0042] As referred to herein, an active substance may include one or more components, derivatives, or extracts of cannabis, such as one or more cannabinoids or terpenes.

[0043] As referred to herein, an active agent may include or be derived from one or more plant derivatives or components, derivatives, or extracts thereof. As used herein, the term "plant derivative" includes any material derived from a plant, including, but not limited to, extracts, leaves, bark, fiber, stems, roots, seeds, flowers, fruit, pollen, husks, rinds, etc. Alternatively, the material may include synthetically derived active compounds naturally occurring in the plant. The material may be in the form of a liquid, gas, solid, powder, dust, crushed particles, granules, pellets, fragments, strips, sheets, etc. Examples of plant-derived substances include tobacco, eucalyptus, star anise, hemp, cacao, cannabis, fennel, lemongrass, peppermint, spearmint, rooibos, chamomile, flax, ginger, ginkgo, hazel, hibiscus, bay leaf, licorice, matcha, yerba mate, orange peel, papaya, rose, sage, tea (green tea, black tea, etc.), thyme, cloves, cinnamon, coffee, aniseed, basil, bay leaf, cardamom, coriander, cumin, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, and rabe. The active ingredient is selected from the group consisting of laurel, lemon peel, mint, juniper, elderflower, vanilla, wintergreen, shiso, turmeric, sandalwood, coriander, bergamot, orange blossom, myrtle, blackcurrant, valerian, pimento, mace, damiana, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chives, caraway, verbena, tarragon, geranium, mulberry, ginseng, theanine, teacurrant, maca, ashwagandha, damiana, guarana, chlorophyll, baobab, or any combination thereof.The mint may be selected from the following mint varieties: Mentha arventis, Mentha cv, Mentha niliaca, Mentha piperita, Mentha piperita citrata cv, Mentha piperita cv, Mentha spicata crispa, Mentha cardifolia, Mentha longifolia, Mentha suaveolens variegata, Mentha pulegium, Mentha spicata cv and Mentha suaveolens.

[0044] In some embodiments, the active agent comprises or is derived from one or more plant derivatives or components, derivatives, or extracts thereof, and the plant derivative is tobacco.

[0045] In some embodiments, the active agent comprises or is derived from one or more plant derivatives or components, derivatives, or extracts thereof, and the plant derivatives are selected from eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, and hemp.

[0046] In some embodiments, the active agent comprises or is derived from one or more plant derivatives or components, derivatives, or extracts thereof, and the plant derivatives are selected from rooibos and fennel.

[0047] In some embodiments, the substance delivered comprises a fragrance.

[0048] As used herein, the terms "flavor" and "flavoring" refer to materials that may be used, where local regulations permit, to produce a desired taste, scent, or other somatic sensation in products intended for adult consumers.They may be naturally occurring flavoring materials, plant derivatives, extracts of plant derivatives, synthetically derived materials, or combinations thereof (e.g., tobacco, cannabis, licorice, hydrangea, eugenol, magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, maple, matcha, menthol, mint, aniseed, cinnamon, turmeric, Indian spices, Asian spices, herbs, wintergreen, cherry, berry, red berry, cranberry, peach, apple, orange, mango, clementine, lemon, lime, tomato, etc.). Pikar fruit, papaya, rhubarb, grape, durian, dragon fruit, cucumber, blueberry, mulberry, citrus fruits, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, gin, tequila, rum, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, aloe vera, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, khat, naswar, betel nut, shisha, pine, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, orange blossom, cherry blossom, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine Ming, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, wasabi, pimento, ginger, coriander, coffee, hemp, mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha, eucalyptus, star anise, cacao, lemongrass, rooibos, flax, ginkgo, hazel, hibiscus, bay leaf, yerba mate, orange peel, rose, tea (green tea, black tea, etc.), thyme, juniper, elderflower, basil, bay leaf, cumin, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lemon peel, mint, perilla, turmeric, coriander, myrtle, black currant, valerian, pimento, mace, da The present invention may also include other additives such as sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, cyclamate, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol, as well as other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath fresheners.They may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients, or blends thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example, a liquid such as an oil, a solid such as a powder, or a gas.

[0049] In some embodiments, the flavoring comprises menthol, spearmint, and / or peppermint. In some embodiments, the flavoring comprises flavoring ingredients consisting of cucumber, blueberry, citrus, and / or red berry. In some embodiments, the flavoring comprises eugenol. In some embodiments, the flavoring comprises flavoring ingredients extracted from tobacco. In some embodiments, the flavoring comprises flavoring ingredients extracted from cannabis.

[0050] In some embodiments, the fragrance may include a sensate agent. The sensate agent is intended to achieve a somatic sensation, usually chemically induced, that is perceived by stimulation of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve) in addition to, or instead of, the scent or taste nerves. The sensate agent may include agents that provide a warming, cooling, tingling, or numbing effect. A suitable warming agent may be, but is not limited to, vanillyl ethyl ether, and a suitable cooling agent may be, but is not limited to, eucalyptol or WS-3.

[0051] Figure 1 illustrates a hinge-lid pack 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Pack 1 includes a base 2 and a lid 3 hingedly connected to base 2 along a hinge (not shown) to allow the pack to be opened and closed. Lid 3 is rotatable relative to base 2 between an open position and a closed position in which lid 3 and base 2 meet at joint line 4. Base 2 includes a base front wall 5, and lid 3 includes a lid front wall 6, and when lid 3 is in the closed position, base front wall 5 and lid front wall 6 meet at joint line 4. Additionally, base 2 includes a base side wall 7, and lid 3 includes a lid side wall 8, and base side wall 7 and lid side wall 8 meet at joint line 4.

[0052] It will be appreciated that the base 2 defines a delivery system receiving space in which a delivery system, such as a smoking article or other tobacco industry product, is received and stored. The delivery system is accessible when the lid 3 is in the open position, and the delivery system is retained within the delivery system receiving space when the lid 3 is in the closed position.

[0053] Pack 1 includes a sealing member 9 that straddles join line 4. In FIG. 1 , sealing member 9 straddles join line 4 between base front wall 5 and lid front wall 6. In FIG. 2 , sealing member 9 straddles join line 4 between base side wall 7 and lid side wall 8. Sealing member 9 is formed from an amorphous material, which refers to a substance that can be applied to the pack in fluid form and then harden on a surface of the pack. In some embodiments, the amorphous material is substantially non-fibrous. For example, the amorphous solid can be a gel, glue, or varnish that subsequently dries on a surface of the pack.

[0054] The sealing member 9 may also be transparent so that it does not obscure information printed on the pack 1 from the consumer's view. When the pack 1 is opened for the first time (i.e., when the lid 3 is rotated about the hinge to the open position for the first time), the sealing member 9 is configured to break, providing the consumer with a visible indication that the lid 3 has previously been rotated to the open position when the lid 3 is subsequently closed. In other words, the sealing member 9 functions as a tamper-evident feature. Additionally, the sealing member 9 may be configured to provide the consumer with auditory or resistive feedback when the sealing member 9 breaks.

[0055] The sealing member 9 may further comprise a line of weakness 10 aligned with the join line 4 between the lid 3 and base 2 of the pack 1. The sealing member 9 is configured to break along the line of weakness 10 when the lid 3 is rotated about the hinge for the first time.

[0056] 1 and 2, the sealing member is substantially circular. It should be understood that the sealing member 9 may be of any shape or size such that it straddles the join line 4 of the pack 1.

[0057] 3 and 4 show another embodiment of the pack 1. Here, the sealing member 9 has a length and a width, with the length being greater than the width. In other words, the sealing member 9 is substantially elongated. In FIG. 3, the elongated sealing member 9 extends across the base front wall 5 and the lid front wall 6. In FIG. 4, the elongated sealing member 9 extends across the base side wall 7 and the lid side wall 8. In both FIGS. 3 and 4, the sealing member 9 straddles the bond line 4 in a direction spanning the width of the sealing member 9. The line of weakness 10 extends along the length of the sealing member 9. It should be understood that in other embodiments, the sealing member 9 straddles the bond line 4 in a direction spanning the length of the sealing member 9. Here, the line of weakness 10 extends along the width of the sealing member 9. In other words, the elongated sealing member 9 extends in a direction substantially parallel or perpendicular to the bond line 4. Alternatively, the elongate sealing member 9 may be arranged to extend at any angle relative to the bond line 4, so long as the elongate sealing member 9 straddles the bond line 4 and is configured to break when the lid 3 is first rotated to the open position. In embodiments in which the line of weakness 10 extends along the width of the sealing member 9, less force is required to break the line of weakness 10 compared to embodiments in which the line of weakness 10 extends along the length of the sealing member 9, making the pack 1 easier to open.

[0058] It should be understood that the elongated sealing member 9 may extend along the entire width of the base front wall 5 and the lid front wall 6. Similarly, it should be understood that the elongated label 9 may extend along the entire width of the base side wall 7 and the lid side wall 8.

[0059] 5 shows a flow diagram of a method for manufacturing a hinge-lid pack according to one embodiment of the present invention. The method includes a first step S1 of providing a base, a second step S2 of providing a lid rotatable about the base between an open position and a closed position, where in the closed position the lid and base meet at a join line, and a third step S3 of applying an amorphous material to the hinge-lid pack, the amorphous material spanning the join line and forming a sealing member, the sealing member configured to break the first time the lid is rotated about the hinge to the open position.

[0060] The method may further include a fourth step S4 of forming a line of weakness in the sealing member aligned with the bond line, the sealing member being configured to break along the line of weakness when the lid is rotated about the hinge to the open position for the first time.

[0061] The third step S3 of applying the sealing member to the pack may include applying the sealing member to the pack such that the sealing member straddles the bond line between the front base wall and the front lid wall. Alternatively, the third step S3 of applying the sealing member to the pack may include applying the sealing member to the pack such that the sealing member straddles the bond line between the side base wall and the side lid wall.

[0062] Additionally, in some embodiments, the step S3 of applying a sealing member to the puck comprises applying the sealing member in fluid form.

[0063] The various embodiments described herein are presented solely to aid in the understanding and teaching of the claimed features. These embodiments are provided merely as representative samples of embodiments and are not exhaustive or exclusive. The advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects described herein should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or on the equivalents of the claims, and it should be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the present invention may suitably comprise, have, or essentially comprise any suitable combination of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc., other than those specifically described herein. Furthermore, the present disclosure may include other inventions not currently claimed but that may be claimed in the future.

Claims

1. 1. A hinge-lid pack for a delivery system comprising: A base and a lid rotatable about the base between an open position and a closed position, the lid and the base meeting at a joint line in the closed position; a sealing member spanning the bond line, the sealing member being formed from an amorphous material that is configured to break when the lid is rotated about the hinge to an open position for the first time and to provide a visible indication that the lid has previously been rotated to an open position when the lid is subsequently closed; and A hinged lid pack.

2. 2. The hinge-lid pack of claim 1, wherein the sealing member includes a line of weakness aligned with the bond line, the sealing member configured to break along the line of weakness when the lid is rotated about the hinge to an open position for the first time.

3. 3. The hinge-lid pack of claim 1 or 2, wherein the base includes a base front wall and the lid includes a lid front wall, the base front wall and the lid front wall meeting at the join line.

4. 3. The hinge-lid pack of claim 1 or 2, wherein the base comprises a base sidewall and the lid comprises a lid sidewall, the base sidewall and the lid sidewall meeting at the join line.

5. The hinge-lid pack of claim 3 , wherein the sealing member straddles the join line between the front base wall and the front lid wall.

6. The hinge-lid pack of claim 4 , wherein the sealing member straddles the bond line between the base sidewall and the lid sidewall.

7. The hinge-lid pack of any preceding claim, wherein the sealing member is transparent.

8. A hinge-lid pack according to any preceding claim, wherein the sealing member is applied to the hinge-lid pack in fluid form.

9. A hinge-lid pack according to any preceding claim, wherein the amorphous material is one of a gel, a glue or a varnish.

10. A hinge-lid pack according to any preceding claim, wherein the sealing member is substantially circular.

11. The hinge-lid pack of any preceding claim, wherein the sealing member has a length and a width, the length being greater than the width.

12. A hinge-lid pack according to any one of claims 2 to 11, wherein the sealing member straddles the bond line in a direction across the width of the sealing member.

13. The hinge-lid pack of claim 12, wherein the line of weakness extends along the length of the sealing member.

14. A hinge-lid pack according to any one of claims 2 to 11, wherein the sealing member straddles the bond line in a direction spanning the length of the sealing member.

15. 15. The hinge-lid pack of claim 14, wherein the line of weakness extends along the width of the sealing member.

16. 1. A method of manufacturing a hinge-lid pack for a delivery system, comprising: providing a base; providing a lid rotatable about the base between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the closed position the lid and the base meet at a joint line; applying an amorphous material to the hinge-lid pack, the amorphous material spanning the bond line and forming a sealing member, the sealing member configured to break the first time the lid is rotated about the hinge to an open position; A method comprising:

17. 15. The method of claim 14, comprising forming a line of weakness in the sealing member aligned with the bond line, the sealing member configured to break along the line of weakness when the lid is rotated about a hinge to an open position for the first time.

18. 16. The method of claim 14 or 15, wherein the base comprises a front base wall and the lid comprises a front lid wall, the front base wall and the front lid wall meeting at the join line, and wherein applying the sealing member to the pack comprises applying the sealing member to the pack such that the sealing member straddles the join line between the front base wall and the front lid wall.

19. 16. The method of claim 14 or 15, wherein the base comprises a base sidewall and the lid comprises a lid sidewall, the base sidewall and the lid sidewall meeting at the join line, and wherein applying the sealing member to the pack comprises applying the sealing member to the pack such that the sealing member straddles the join line between the base sidewall and the lid sidewall.

20. A method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the step of applying the sealing member to the puck comprises applying the sealing member in fluid form.

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