A pack of smoking goods with a weakened overwrap

Abstract

A packet (1) of smoking goods comprises an outer container (2), an overwrap (14) surrounding the outer container (2), the overwrap (14) consisting of a packing sheet (15) folded around the outer container (2) and stabilized by at least one heat seal, and a tear band (16) connected to the overwrap (14) and designed to be pulled to divide the overwrap (14) into a first portion (17) not connected to the tear band (16) and a second portion (18) integral with the tear band (16). The packing sheet (15) has two opposing flaps (20, 21) which overlap and are heat sealed to each other to form a longitudinal seal (22). The lower portion (17) of the overwrap (14) has at least one line of weakness (26) that assists in tearing the overwrap (14) and that begins proximate an edge of the first portion (17) and is disposed near the longitudinal seal (22).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] (CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This patent application claims priority to Italian Patent Application No. 102020000032231, filed December 23, 2020, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The present invention relates to a packet of smoking goods provided with an overwrap. The invention finds advantageous application in the manufacture of rigid cigarette packets containing a set of cigarettes, and, consequently, without loss of generality, explicit reference is made to the following description. [Background technology]

[0002] A rigid cigarette packet has a flexible package consisting of a set of cigarettes enclosed in a metallic paper wrapper, and a rigid outer container which contains the flexible package.

[0003] Rigid cigarette packets generally comprise a sealed overwrap (or one that is opaque to air) whose function is to protect the tobacco from the external environment (in particular to maintain the correct humidity of the tobacco). The sealed overwrap surrounds the periphery of the outer container and consists of a wrapper sheet of transparent plastic material (typically cellophane or polypropylene) and is provided with a tear band that can be grasped and pulled by the user to separate (cut) the two overwraps, thus at least partially allowing simple and rapid removal of the overwrap.

[0004] In some rigid cigarette packets, such as, for example, rigid cigarette packets with a side-hinged lid, rigid cigarette packets with a sliding opening, so-called "wallet" rigid cigarette packets, it is always necessary to completely remove the sealed overwrap to be able to remove the cigarettes. However, while it is very easy to remove the upper part of the overwrap (directly connected to the tear band), in contrast, removing the lower part of the overwrap (not connected to the tear band) is more difficult and complicated, especially when the overwrap has been fully stretched around the outer container using a heat shrinking process (which gives the overwrap a particularly pleasing appearance).

[0005] In order to facilitate complete removal of the overwrap, it has been proposed, for example as described in US Pat. No. 5,399,239, to incline the tear band relative to the packing sheet so that it is positioned along the diagonal of the cigarette packet; in any case, this solution involves significant modifications to the tear band application unit and therefore very high equipment costs.

[0006] In order to allow complete removal of the overwrap, it has been proposed, for example as described in patent document 2, to create weakening notches in the lower part of the overwrap which induce rupture of the lower part of the overwrap after removal of the upper part of the overwrap (pulling on the tear band); in any case, these weakening notches compromise the integrity of the plastic material constituting the overwrap and impair the seal compared to the outside, thus at least partially eliminating the protective function of the overwrap for external substances.

[0007] In order to enable complete removal of the overwrap, it has been proposed to apply a tear element consisting of an adhesive label to the overwrap, as described, for example, in US Pat. No. 5,399,323; in any case, this solution is particularly expensive, both because of the need to add new material to the cigarette packet (label) and because of the need to add a new assembly for applying the label to the packing machine.

[0008] To facilitate complete removal of the overwrap, it has been proposed to apply additional secondary tear bands starting from the main tear band and extending laterally to the overwrap, as described, for example, in US Pat. No. 5,399,323. In any case, this solution involves significant modifications to the tear band application unit and therefore very high equipment costs.

[0009] US Pat. No. 5,399,633 describes a sealed overwrap having a tear band and at least one line of weakness disposed adjacent to the tear band and perpendicular to the minor tear band. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0010] [Patent Document 1] European Patent Application Publication No. 0601583(A1) [Patent Document 2] European Patent Application Publication No. 1839845(A1) [Patent Document 3] International Publication No. 2014 / 132171(A1) [Patent Document 4] International Publication No. 2015 / 145304(A1) [Patent Document 5] European Patent Application Publication No. 1666376(A1) Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT It is an object of the present invention to provide a cigarette packet with an overwrap which allows easy removal of the entire overwrap and which is at the same time easy and economical to manufacture.

[0012] According to the present invention there is provided a hinged-lid cigarette packet provided with an overwrap, as claimed in the accompanying claims. The claims describe certain embodiments of the invention and form an integral part of this specification. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show some non-limiting embodiments thereof. [Figure 1-2] 1 and 2 are two perspective views, front and back, respectively, of a rigid hinged-lid cigarette packet provided with a transparent overwrap. [Diagram 3-4] Figures 3 and 4 are two perspective views, respectively front and back, of the cigarette packet in Figures 1 and 2, after removal of the transparent overwrap, still in a closed configuration. [Figure 5-6] 5 and 6 are two exploded perspective views of the front and the packet respectively of the transparent overwrap of the cigarette packet in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a plan view of a wrapping sheet used to manufacture the transparent overwrap of the cigarette packets in FIGS. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a plan view of a modified example of the packaging sheet in FIG. [Figure 9-10] Figures 9 and 10 are two side views of the cigarette packet in Figures 1 and 2 respectively before and after removal of the upper part of the transparent overwrap. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of a rigid cigarette packet having a sliding opening with a transparent overwrap. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of the cigarette packet of FIG. 11 in an open configuration, after removal of the transparent overwrap; [Figure 13-14] Figures 13 and 14 are two side views of the cigarette packet in Figures 11 and 12, respectively, before and after removal of the upper part of the transparent overwrap. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] In Figures 1 and 2, reference number 1 generally indicates a rigid hinged-lid cigarette packet. The cigarette packet 1 comprises an outer container 2 of rigid cardboard or card and cup-shaped and a flexible wrapper 3 (partially shown in Figure 12) contained within the outer container 2, enclosing a set of cigarettes.

[0015] In the following description of the cigarette packet 1, terms such as "low", "high", "bottom" and "top" are used to indicate the positions of parts of the cigarette packet. Assuming that the packet is oriented such that its main extension, i.e. its longitudinal direction, coincides with the vertical direction, the bottom wall and the top wall are respectively positioned in a "low position" and a "high position", and the transverse direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0016] The outer container 2 has an open top and is provided with a lid 4 which is cup-shaped and hinged to the outer container 2 along a hinge 5 (shown in FIG. 2) for rotation relative to the outer container 2 between an open position (not shown) at the open top and a closed position (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2).

[0017] As better shown in Figures 3 and 4, the outer container 2 has an essentially parallelepiped, rectangular shape oriented according to a vertical main extension direction, is cup-shaped and has an open top end, a bottom wall 6 opposite the open top end, parallel and opposite front and rear walls 7 and 8 (wherein the hinge 5 is arranged), and two parallel and opposite side walls 9. Four longitudinal corners are defined between the front wall 7, rear wall 8 and side walls 9 of the outer container 2, while four transverse corners are defined between the walls 7, 8 and 9 and the bottom wall 6 of the outer container 2.

[0018] The lid 4 has an essentially parallelepiped, rectangular shape, is cup-shaped, and has an open lower end (facing the open upper end of the outer container 2 when the lid 4 is in the closed position), a top wall 10 (parallel to and opposite the bottom wall 6 of the outer container 2 when the lid 4 is in the closed position), a front wall 11 (parallel to and aligned with the front wall 7 of the outer container 2 when the lid 4 is in the closed position), a rear wall 12 (parallel to and aligned with the rear wall 8 of the outer container 2 when the lid 4 is in the closed position and hinged to the rear wall 8 of the outer container 2 along hinge 5), and two parallel and opposite side walls 13 (parallel to and aligned with the side walls 9 of the outer container 2 when the lid 4 is in the closed position, in particular coplanar and adjacent). Four longitudinal corners are defined between the front wall 11, the rear wall 12 and the side walls 13 of the lid 4, while the walls 11, 12 and 13 of the lid 4 are parallel to and aligned with the side walls 9 of the outer container 2 when the lid 4 is in the closed position. above Four lateral corners are defined between the walls 10. The longitudinal and transverse corners of the lid 4 are parallel to and aligned with corresponding longitudinal and transverse corners of the outer container 2 when the lid 4 is in the closed position.

[0019] According to what is shown in Figures 1 and 2, a cigarette packet 1 comprises an overwrap 14 surrounding an outer container 2, and a lid 4 (the lid 4 being an integral part of the outer container 2) consisting of a wrapper sheet 15 (shown in Figure 7) of a transparent plastic material (typically cellophane or polypropylene) folded around the outer container 2 and the lid 4, which comprises a tear band 16 that is grasped and pulled by a user to divide (sever) the overwrap 14 into two parts 17 and 18, thus allowing easy and quick removal of the overwrap 14. In particular, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the tear band 16 divides (severs) the overwrap 14 into a lower part 17 (which is completely detached from the tear band 16, i.e. has no connection point with the tear band 16), and an upper part 18 (which is connected to the tear band 16, i.e. is integral with the tear band 16).

[0020] To allow for a grip, the tear band 16 has an initiation end 19 which is completely separated and lifted by the overwrap 14 when the wrapping sheet 15 is separated by the continuous band of plastic packaging material (as clearly shown in Figures 7 and 8) and formed through a suitable cut formed by the wrapping sheet 15.

[0021] The wrapping sheet 15 is folded around the outer container 2 and the lid 4 and is thus stabilized using heat sealing, i.e. by joining via the heat-sealed overlapping portions of the wrapping sheet 15. According to what is shown in Figures 5 and 6, the wrapping sheet 15 has two opposing flaps 20 and 21 (shown separately in Figure 7) that are overlapped and heat-sealed to each other to form a longitudinal seal 22 that contributes to stabilizing the overwrap 14, and in addition the overwrap 14 comprises two additional transverse seals 23 (shown in Figures 5 and 6) that are arranged at opposite ends of the overwrap 14, extend perpendicular to the longitudinal seal 22 and contribute to stabilizing the overwrap 14.

[0022] 1 to 4, the lid 4 has a front edge 24 that defines the front wall 11 at the bottom, and two side edges 25 that define the side walls 13 at the bottom and connect one end of the front edge 24 to one end of the hinge 5. The front edge 24 of the lid 4 (when the lid 4 is closed) rests against a front edge of the outer container 2, and similarly the side edges 25 of the lid 4 (when the lid 4 is closed) rest against corresponding edges of the outer container 2.

[0023] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the tear band 16 is arranged between the upper wall 10 of the lid 4 and the front edge 24 of the lid 4, in this way the upper part 18 of the overwrap 14 is smaller than the lid 4 and the lower part 17 of the overwrap 14 also extends over a part of the lid 4 (i.e. partially covers the lid 4). In this way, when only the upper part 18 of the overwrap 14 is removed, it is still not possible to open the lid 4 by pulling the tear band 16, since the lid 4 is blocked by the lower part 17 of the overwrap 14, so that when first opening the cigarette packet 1, the user is forced to remove not only the upper part 18 of the overwrap 14 but also the lower part 17 of the overwrap 14, which are thus pushed together in order to recycle correctly both parts 17 and 18 of the overwrap 14 (i.e. all the overwrap 14).

[0024] 1 and 2, the tear band 16 is positioned higher than the leading edge 24 of the lid 4 such that the tear band 16 does not have any overlapping portion with the leading edge 24 of the lid 4. In particular, the tear band 16 is positioned at a non-zero distance D from the leading edge 24 of the lid 4, preferably such that the distance D is at least equal to 2 mm and typically greater than 4 mm (typically in the range of 4 mm to 8 mm).

[0025] According to a possible embodiment, the tear band 16 is arranged closer to the top wall 10 of the lid 4 than the front edge 24 of the lid 4 .

[0026] 1 and 2, the tear band 16 is positioned to straddle the hinge 5. According to an alternative embodiment not shown, the tear band 16 is positioned between the hinge 5 and the front edge 24 of the lid 4, and according to an additional embodiment not shown, the tear band 16 is positioned between the top wall 10 of the lid 4 and the front edge 24 of the lid 4.

[0027] As shown in Figures 5-6 and 9-10, the lower part 17 of the upper envelope 14 has at least one weakened line 26, which assists in tearing it, occurring near the upper edge of the lower part 17 and extending towards the lower wall 6; according to possible embodiments, the weakened line 26 can start exactly at the upper edge of the lower part 17 (i.e., next to the tear band 16), the weakened line 26 can start beyond the upper edge of the lower part 17 (i.e., including a small piece of the tear band 16), i.e., the weakened line 26 can start a short distance from the upper edge of the lower part 17 (i.e., a short distance from the tear band 16).

[0028] According to a preferred, but not yet limiting embodiment, the weakened line 26 is parallel to the longitudinal corner of the outer container 2 (defined between the front wall 7, the rear wall 8 and the two side walls 9), or the weakened line 26 can be slightly inclined relative to the longitudinal corner of the outer container 2 and can also have a zigzag progression.

[0029] According to a preferred embodiment, the weakened line 26 comprises at least one through cut that passes completely through the packaging sheet 15, i.e., the weakened line 26 may comprise a single continuous through cut, or it may comprise a series (row) of evenly spaced through cuts (i.e., spaced a constant distance from one to the other).

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment, the weakened line 26 is 15 2. The weakened line 26 is disposed near the longitudinal seal 22 (consisting of the junction of the two opposing flaps 20 and 21) so that the line of weakness 26 is completely surrounded by the junction where the two flaps 20 and 21 are sealed together, and in this way the line of weakness 26 does not put the inner overwrap 14 in communication with the outside environment, thus ensuring in any case the seal of the overwrap 14 which remains completely sealed from the outside environment.

[0031] According to a preferred embodiment, the longitudinal seal 22 has on the inside an intermediate region 27 without any seal between the two flaps 20, 21 and on the inside includes the line of weakness 26 and is completely surrounded by the junction where the two flaps 20, 21 are sealed together. The function of the intermediate region 27 is inter alia to form a seal over the line of weakness 26, to prevent the seal from "closing" the line of weakness 26 (i.e. at least partially restoring the continuity of the packaging material across the line of weakness 26) and thus eliminating its functionality. An additional (secondary) function of the intermediate region 27 is to increase the local weakening of the lower portion 17 of the overwrap 14 in order to facilitate breaking of the lower portion 17 of the overwrap 14.

[0032] According to one possible embodiment, the intermediate region 27 has a longitudinal extension direction that is greater than its transverse extension direction, i.e. parallel to the longitudinal corners of the outer container 2 (defined between the front wall 7, the rear wall 8 and the two side walls 9), i.e. the intermediate region 27 has a "length" that is its "width".

[0033] According to one possible embodiment, the intermediate region 27 is larger than the longitudinal extension of the weakened line 26, i.e. has a longitudinal extension parallel to the longitudinal corners of the outer container 2 (defined between the front wall 7, the rear wall 8 and the two side walls 9), i.e. the intermediate region 27 is larger than the weakened line in order to increase the local weakening of the lower part 17 of the upper envelope 14.

[0034] Generally, the weakened line 26 includes only one of the two flaps 20 and 21 of the packaging sheet 15, i.e., the weakened line 26 is formed only on the inner flap 20 of the packaging sheet 15 (as shown in FIG. 8), i.e., the weakened line 26 is formed only on the outer flap 21 of the packaging sheet 15 (as shown in FIG. 7). It is also possible that only the flap 20 of the packaging sheet 15 has several weakened lines 26 separated and parallel between them, i.e., only the flap 21 of the packaging sheet 15 has several weakened lines separated and parallel to each other. Usually, it is avoided to form two different weakened lines 26 on both the flaps 20 and 21 of the packaging sheet 15, so that any possible overlap (including only accidental overlap due to the influence of construction tolerances) of the two different weakened lines 26 on both the flaps 20 and 21 of the packaging sheet 15 does not allow the inside of the overwrap 14 to communicate with the outside environment.

[0035] According to a possible embodiment not shown, the weakened line 26 is also formed near the upper portion 18 of the overwrap 14 and has the same structure as the weakened line 26 formed near the lower portion 17 of the overwrap 14. Obviously, the weakened line 26 also formed in the upper portion 18 of the overwrap 14 weakens the tear band 16 and therefore must be located above the tear band 16 (i.e., must not affect the tear band 16 unless marginally) to avoid causing undesirable breakage thereto when the tear band 16 is pulled.

[0036] According to an alternative embodiment shown in Figures 11 and 12, the cigarette packet 1 has a sliding opening and comprises an outer container 2 having an open end that is no longer located on top (as in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4) but on the side, and the cigarette packet 1 further comprises an inner container 28 containing the packages 3 and is slidably accommodated within the outer container 2 so as to slide between a closed position (shown in Figure 11) in which the inner container 28 is completely located in the outer container 2, and an open position (shown in Figure 12) in which the inner container 28 is partially extracted from the outer container 2.

[0037] In the example of cigarette packets 1 shown in Figures 11 and 12, it is clear that in each case the overwrap 14 needs to be completely removed to allow access to the tobacco, i.e. regardless of the position of the tear band 16, both the lower part 17 of the overwrap 14 and the upper part 18 of the overwrap 14 need to be removed to allow access to the tobacco.

[0038] In the embodiments shown in Figures 11, 13, and 14, the rupture band 16 is positioned (approximately) halfway so that the two portions 17 and 18 of the overwrap 14 have (approximately) the same size, while in other embodiments, the rupture band 16 may be positioned higher (so that the lower portion 17 of the overwrap 14 is larger than the upper portion 18 of the overwrap 14) or even lower (so that the lower portion 17 of the overwrap 14 is smaller than the upper portion 18 of the overwrap 14) compared to what is shown in Figures 11, 13, and 14.

[0039] Notably, in the embodiment shown in Figures 11, 13, and 14, the overwrap 14 is provided with a weakened line 26 (manufactured as described above, i.e., located in the middle region 27 of the longitudinal seal 22) to facilitate removal of the lower portion 17 of the overwrap 14 after the upper portion 18 of the overwrap 14 has been removed.

[0040] According to one possible embodiment, indicia (symbols and / or text) may be printed on the overwrap 14 (i.e., on the wrapping sheet 15) explaining (indicating) how to proceed with rapid removal of the lower portion 17 of the overwrap 14.

[0041] The embodiments described herein can be combined among themselves without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0042] The cigarette packet 1 described above has many advantages. Firstly, in the above-mentioned cigarette packet 1, the removal of the lower part 17 of the overwrap 14 is easy and quick thanks to the presence of the weakened line 26, which makes it possible to easily break the lower part 17 of the overwrap 14 (including when the overwrap 14 has been stretched by heat shrinkage) by simply pulling the overwrap 14 with a finger at the weakened line 26. To this end, it is important to observe that thanks to the specific positioning of the weakened line 26 in the longitudinal seal 22 of the winding sheet 15, the presence of the weakened line 26 does not affect the sealing of the overwrap 14, which in any case remains completely sealed from the external environment.

[0043] Furthermore, the above described cigarette packet 1 is very simple to manufacture compared to similar known cigarette packets, since it suffices to insert an additional blade in the cutting unit (already present) to create the weakened line 26 and to slightly modify the geometry of the welding machine to create the intermediate area 27 in the longitudinal seal 22.

[0044] Although the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings refer to the manufacture of cigarette packets, the present invention can be applied without significant changes to the manufacture of any other type of packet of smoking goods (e.g. cigarette packets, e-cigarette packets for liquid vape, new generation cigarette packets without tobacco combustion). [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 1 cigarette pack 2 Outer container 3 Packaging 4 Lid 5 Hinge 6 Lower wall 7 Front wall 8 Back wall 9 side wall 10 Upper wall 11 Front wall 12 Back wall 13 Side wall 14 Upper bag 15 Packaging Sheets 16 Split Band 17 Lower 18 Top 19 Starting end 20 Inner flap 21 Outer flap 22 Longitudinal seal 23 Transverse seal 24 Leading Edge 25 Side edge 26 Weakened Line 27 Intermediate area 28 Inner container D Distance

Claims

1. A packet of smoking goods (1), comprising: An outer container (2); an overwrap (14) surrounding and wrapping said outer container (2) and comprising a packaging sheet (15) folded around said outer container (2) and stabilized by at least one heat seal; a tear band (16) connected to said overwrap (14) and designed to be pulled to split said overwrap (14) into a first portion (17) not connected to the tear band (16) and a second portion (18) integral with the tear band (16); The packaging sheet (15) has two opposing flaps (20, 21) that overlap and are heat sealed to one another to form a longitudinal seal (22); A packet (1) of smoking goods, wherein a first portion (17) of said overwrap (14) has at least one line of weakness (26) which assists in tearing said overwrap (14), said line of weakness (26) beginning near an edge of said first portion (17) and located near said longitudinal seal (22), The longitudinal seal (22) has, on the inside, a middle area (27) which is free from the seal between the two opposing flaps (20, 21), which middle area (27) includes, on the inside, the line of weakness (26) and which is completely surrounded by the joint where the two opposing flaps (20, 21) are sealed to each other.

2. A packet (1) of smoking articles according to claim 1, wherein said intermediate region (27) has a longitudinal extension greater than its lateral extension.

3. A packet of smoking articles (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said intermediate region (27) has a longitudinal extension greater than a longitudinal extension of said lines of weakness (26).

4. A packet of smoking goods (1) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the lines of weakness (26) are parallel to the longitudinal corners of the outer container (2).

5. A packet of smoking goods (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said line of weakness (26) comprises at least one through cut that passes completely through said wrapping sheet (15).

6. A packet (1) of smoking goods as claimed in claim 5, wherein said line of weakness (26) affects only one of said two opposing flaps (20, 21) of said wrapping sheet (15).

7. A packet of smoking articles (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, A lid (4) is provided, the lid (4) being hingedly connected to the outer container (2) along a hinge (5) and having a top wall (10), a front wall (11), a rear wall (12) and two side walls (13); The lid (4) has a front edge (24) that defines the front wall (11) at its bottom, and two side edges (25) that define side walls (13) at its bottom and connect the ends of the front edge (24) to the ends of the hinge (5); A packet (1) of smoking goods, wherein the tear band (16) is disposed between the top wall (10) of the lid (4) and the front edge (24) of the lid (4), the second portion (18) of the overwrap (14) is smaller than the lid (4), and the first portion (17) of the overwrap (14) partially covers the lid (4).

8. 8. A packet (1) of smoking goods as claimed in claim 7, wherein the tear band (16) is positioned higher than the front edge (24) of the lid (4) so ​​as not to overlap the front edge (24) of the lid (4).

9. A packet (1) of smoking articles according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the tear band (16) is arranged at a distance (D) other than 0 mm from the front edge (24) of the lid (4), preferably at a distance (D) at least equal to 2 mm.

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