A group of multiple packages arranged in a sequence, and a method for storing multiple packages from such a group together.

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 arrayed group consisting of a plurality of packages. A method of collectively holding the plurality of packages in the arrayed group is also disclosed.

Background Art

[0002] Conventional delivery systems such as combustion and non-combustion aerosol supply systems and other tobacco industry products are usually packaged. It is often the case that a plurality of packages are grouped into an arrayed group and placed in a paper pack. The paper pack is formed from cardboard or a similar material. Separately, the plurality of packages may be wrapped in plastic. The paper pack and / or the packaging material are designed to be opened and allow access to the individual packages.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] In a first aspect of the present disclosure, an arrayed group consisting of a plurality of rectangular parallelepiped packages is provided. Each package in the arrayed group includes a pair of opposing first faces, a pair of opposing second faces, and a pair of opposing end faces. The plurality of packages are arranged such that the second face of one package faces the second face of an adjacent package within the same column, and the first face of the packages in one column faces the first face of the packages in an adjacent column. The second faces of the packages at the ends of each column and the first faces of each package in a column are arranged in a plurality of columns so as to be exposed. A plurality of bands extend around the packages to hold the group together, and each band is spaced apart from its adjacent band and extends over the exposed first face and the exposed second face of each package.

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

[0005] Each package has a pair of opposing end faces, which may include an upper end face and a lower end face. All upper end faces of the arranged group of packages lie in a first plane, and all lower end faces of the arranged group of packages lie in a second plane parallel to the first plane.

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

[0007] The multiple 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] The second band may optionally be positioned at a distance from the first and second planes.

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

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

[0011] The second band may optionally be adjacent to the second plane.

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

[0013] Each package may optionally include a wrapper and an opening strip for removing the wrapper, and multiple strips may extend around the package such that they do not overlap the opening strip.

[0014] Preferably, the multiple bands may be spaced equally apart from each other.

[0015] Each of the multiple bands may play endlessly.

[0016] Multiple bands may be strips or ribbons.

[0017] Preferably, the strip or ribbon may include an adhesive layer that can be detachably attached to an arranged group consisting of multiple packages.

[0018] Each strip or ribbon may include overlapping areas.

[0019] The strips or ribbons may optionally be attached to themselves with a peelable adhesive in the overlapping areas, and the leading edges of the overlapping portions may not contain adhesive to form a pull tab.

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

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

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

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

[0024] The first face of each package may be the larger face, and the second face of each package may be the smaller face.

[0025] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for assembling an array of a plurality of rectangular parallelepiped packages, the method comprising: providing an array of a plurality of packages, each having 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 faces of one package face the second faces of adjacent packages in the same row, the first faces of packages in one row face the first faces of packages in an adjacent row, and the second faces of packages at the ends of each row and the first faces of each package in a given row are exposed; providing a plurality of bands, each band positioned so as to be spaced apart from its adjacent bands and extending over the exposed first and exposed second faces of each package.

[0026] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for holding together an arranged group of packages, the method comprising: providing an arranged group of a plurality of cuboidal packages, each having 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 faces of one package face the first faces of adjacent packages in the row, and the first faces of the end packages in the row and the second faces of each package in the row are exposed; providing a plurality of bands, each band positioned so as to be spaced apart from its adjacent bands and extending over the exposed first and exposed second faces of each package.

[0027] Each band may be endless, or may be formed from a heat-sensitive material, and the method of the present invention may include heat-shrinking each band when it is positioned to extend over an exposed first surface and an exposed second surface.

[0028] The plurality of bands may be strips or ribbons, and the method of the present invention 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 Description of the Drawings

[0030] Embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings so that the present invention can be more fully understood.

[0031] [Figure 1] An array of packages consisting of delivery system packages to which bands are not attached is shown. [Figure 2] An array of packages consisting of delivery system packages to which bands are not attached is shown. [Figure 3] An individual package of the array of packages is shown. [Figure 4] A first embodiment of an array of packages consisting of delivery system packages is shown. [Figure 5] A second embodiment of an array of packages consisting of delivery system packages is shown. [Figure 6] Another embodiment of an array of packages consisting of delivery system packages is shown. [Figure 7] A method of grouping an array of packages consisting of rectangular parallelepiped packages is shown.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0032] In this specification, the term “dispensing system” is intended to encompass systems that dispense substances to a user, including: combustion-type aerosol dispensing systems such as cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars and pipe or hand-roll tobacco (whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, re-tobacco, tobacco substitutes or other smoking materials); non-combustion-type aerosol dispensing systems that release compounds from aerosolizable materials without burning the aerosolizable materials, such as e-cigarettes, tobacco heated products, and hybrid systems that generate aerosols using a combination of aerosolizable materials; articles containing aerosolizable materials and configured for use within one of these non-combustion-type aerosol dispensing systems; and aerosol-free systems such as articles containing lozenges, gums, patches, and inhalable powders; and smokeless tobacco products such as snus and snuff that supply nicotine-containing or nicotine-free materials to a user without forming an aerosol.

[0033] In this disclosure, a “combustion-type” aerosol supply system is a system in which the aerosolizable material (or its components) constituting the aerosol supply system is burned or incinerated to facilitate delivery to the user.

[0034] In this disclosure, a “non-combustible” aerosol supply system is a system that does not burn or incinerate the aerosolizable component material of the aerosol supply system (or its components) in order to facilitate supply to the user.

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

[0036] Referring broadly to Figure 3, Package 2 may, for example, be a package with a hinged lid as shown, but is not limited thereto. Package 2 includes a container 3 and a lid 4 hinged to the container 3 along a hinge line 5 to allow the package to be opened and closed. Naturally, the container 3 forms a dispensing system housing space, in which smoking products or other tobacco industry products are contained and stored. The dispensing system is accessible when the lid 4 is in the open position, and the dispensing system is held within the dispensing system housing space 6 when the lid 4 is in the closed position. Other types of packages, such as packages known as folding or sliding shells, are also within the scope of the present invention.

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

[0038] Referring again to Figure 1, we can see that multiple individual packages 2 for the delivery system, which constitute the group 1 of the arranged packages 2, are arranged in a column. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the group 1 of the arranged packages 2 includes a first column 16 and a second column 17. First and second columns 16, 17 They are adjacent to each other.

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

[0040] However, naturally, in another embodiment, package 2 may be arranged such that the first faces 11, 12 of package 2 face the first faces 11, 12 of adjacent packages 2 in the same row 16, 17, or 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 columns, each consisting of five packages. However, naturally, in other embodiments, the number of packages in a column may differ, and the number of columns provided may also differ. For example, as shown in Figure 2, packages 2 may be arranged together in a single column, with the first faces 11 and 12 of package 2 facing the first faces 11 and 12 of the adjacent packages in that column. In particular, a column may contain 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 packages.

[0042] Each row 16, 17 has two ends as described above. Each end 18, 19 of rows 16, 17 includes free faces 21, 22. Free faces 21, 22 are formed by the second faces of individual packages 2 located at ends 18, 19 of rows 16, 17. Therefore, the free faces 21, 22 formed by the second faces 8, 9 of packages 2 at ends 18, 19 of rows 16, 17 do not face 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 free faces 21 which are the second faces 8 of individual packages 2 located at end 18 of the first row 16, and the second row 17 of packages has an end 19 formed by free faces 22 which are the second faces 9 of individual packages 2 located at end 19 of the second row 17.

[0043] Each package 2 in each row 16, 17 has exposed first faces 11, 12 that form a free face 23. The free face 23 formed by the first faces 11, 12 of package 2 does not face the package 2 of the adjacent row.

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

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

[0046] As illustrated in Figure 4, the multiple bands 24 include a first band 25 and a second band 26. The first band 25 is positioned at a distance from the first and second planes. In addition, the second band 26 is positioned at a distance from the first and second planes. Naturally, the bands 24 may be positioned at any position where they are positioned at a distance from the first and second planes.

[0047] Figure 5 illustrates another embodiment of the arranged group of package 2. As shown in the figure, the first band 25 is adjacent to the first plane. Furthermore, the second band 26 is adjacent to the second plane.

[0048] Naturally, the arrangement of band 24 is not limited to the illustrated embodiment. Band 24 may be at any position where it extends on the exposed first surfaces 11, 12 and exposed surfaces 8, 9 of the package 2 and in a direction parallel to the first and second surfaces defined by the top and bottom end surfaces 13, 14 of the package 2. Furthermore, naturally, the arranged group 1 is not limited to including two bands 24. In another embodiment (not shown), the arranged group 1 includes a third band located between the first and second bands 25, 26. In addition, the arranged group 1 may include any number of bands 24. Having more bands around the arranged group of packages can equalize the pressure applied to the arranged group. Furthermore, bands may be placed around the arranged group of packages so as not to obscure any information or notices on the packages. Here, more than two bands are applied to the arranged group to ensure that the arranged group is securely fixed and that all information or notices on the packages are clearly visible to the consumer.

[0049] In another embodiment of the arranged group 1 of packages 2, each package 2 includes a wrapper and an opening band for the consumer to remove the wrapper. In this embodiment, multiple bands 24 extend around the package 2 so that they do not overlap the opening band and thus ensure that the bands 24 do not obstruct the opening band.

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

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

[0052] Separately, the band 24 may be a strip or ribbon. The strip or ribbon may include an adhesive layer for removably attaching to the arranged group 1 of the package 2. The adhesive is a type of non-reactive adhesive that forms a bond when pressure is applied to bond the adhesive to a substrate, instead of requiring a solvent, water, or heat to activate the adhesive. In some embodiments, the adhesive may be an elastomer compound having a tackifier, such as a rosin ester. The elastomer may be an acrylic or bioacrylate that does not require a tackifier.

[0053] In contrast to having a complete layer of adhesive, a strip or ribbon may contain an incomplete layer or pattern of adhesive to reduce the adhesive strength to the package. In other words, a strip or ribbon may have a smaller total adhesive contact area with the package compared to a complete layer of adhesive, resulting in a weaker overall adhesion 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 strips or ribbons may include overlapping areas. Within these overlapping areas, the strips or ribbons may be attached to themselves with a removable adhesive. The leading edge of the overlapping area may be treated without adhesive to form a pull tab. Thus, consumers can grasp the pull tab and remove the strips or ribbons from the arranged group in package 2. The strips or ribbons can be reattached with adhesive.

[0055] Separately, within the overlapping area, strips or ribbons may include areas of relatively strong adhesive. For example, strips or ribbons may be attached to the package with a relatively weak adhesive, and strips or ribbons may be bonded to each other in the overlapping area with a relatively strong adhesive. Both the relatively strong and weak adhesives may be permanent or removable. The strips or ribbons in the overlapping area may be aligned by a camera or sensor system. For example, the strips or ribbons in the overlapping area may be aligned using markings such as contrasting colors or UV ink.

[0056] Preferably, multiple bands 24 are formed from a transparent material. Therefore, 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 uniaxially 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. Furthermore, the material may be recycled, biodegradable, or compostable.

[0057] Multiple bands 24 have a width of 1.6 mm to 20 mm. Preferably, the bands 24 have a width of 8 mm.

[0058] Figure 6 illustrates another embodiment of an arranged group of packages 2. Here, the packages 2 are arranged in a single row, with the first faces 11, 12 of each package 2 facing the first faces 11, 12 of the adjacent packages in the row. The arranged group, similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 4, includes several bands 24 extending around the packages 2 to hold the group together. Each band 25, 26 is spaced apart from its adjacent bands 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 planes. In addition, the second band 26 is spaced apart from the first and second planes. Naturally, the bands 24 may be placed at any position where they are spaced apart from the first and second planes.

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

[0060] Naturally, the above description of the multiple bands 24 related to Figures 4 and 5 is also applicable to the arranged group shown in Figure 6.

[0061] Figure 7 illustrates a method for assembling an array of rectangular parallelepiped packages. This 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 involves arranging the packages in multiple rows such that the second faces of one package face the second faces of adjacent packages in the same row, the first faces of packages in one row face the first faces of packages in an adjacent row, and the second faces of packages at the ends of each row and the first faces of each package in a given row are exposed. A third step S3 is providing a plurality of bands, and a fourth step S4 of the method of the present invention involves arranging each band such that it is spaced apart from its adjacent bands and extends over the exposed first and exposed second faces of each package.

[0062] In addition, the method of the present invention may include a further step S5. If each band is endless and formed from a heat-sensitive material, the method of the present invention includes heat-shrinking each band once it is positioned to extend over the exposed first and second surfaces.

[0063] Furthermore, the method of the present invention may include step S6 instead of S5. If the multiple 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 solely 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, specific examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects of this disclosure should not be considered as limiting this disclosure to the claims or to equivalents thereof, but rather as potentially utilizing or modifying other embodiments without deviating from the scope and / or idea of ​​this disclosure. Various embodiments may appropriately comprise, consist of, or be essentially composed of, the disclosed components, components, features, parts, processes, means, and other combinations. This disclosure also includes other inventions that are not currently claimed but may be claimed in the future.

Claims

1. An array of multiple packages, each having a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and comprising a pair of opposing first faces, a pair of opposing second faces, and a pair of opposing end faces, Multiple packages are arranged in a row such that the first face of one package faces the first face of an adjacent package in that row, and the first face of the package at the end of the row and the second face of each package in that row are exposed. Multiple bands extend around the package to bring the group together into one. Each band is spaced apart from its adjacent bands and extends across the exposed first and exposed second surfaces of each package. Each package includes a wrapper and an opening strip for removing the wrapper, and the multiple strips are an arranged group of multiple packages that extend around the package such that they do not overlap the opening strips.

2. An arranged group of multiple packages according to claim 1, characterized in that each package has a pair of opposing end faces including an upper end face and a bottom end face, all upper end faces of the arranged group of packages are in a first plane, and all bottom end faces of the arranged group of packages are in a second plane parallel to the first plane.

3. An arranged group comprising a plurality of packages according to claim 2, characterized in that each band of the plurality of bands extends parallel to the first and second planes.

4. The arrangement of multiple packages according to claim 2, wherein the multiple bands include a first band and a second band, and the first band is arranged at intervals from the first and second planes.

5. The arranged group of multiple packages according to claim 4, characterized in that the second band is arranged at intervals from the first and second planes.

6. The arrangement of multiple packages according to claim 2, wherein the multiple bands include a first band and a second band, and the second band is arranged at intervals from the first and second planes.

7. An arranged group consisting of multiple packages according to claim 2, characterized in that the multiple bands include a first band and a second band, and the first band is adjacent to a first plane.

8. The arranged group consisting of a plurality of packages according to claim 7, characterized in that the second band is adjacent to the second plane.

9. An array of multiple packages according to claim 2, characterized in that a third band is included between the first and second bands.

10. An arranged group consisting of multiple packages according to claim 1, characterized in that the multiple bands are equally spaced apart from one another.

11. An array of multiple packages according to claim 1, characterized in that each band of the multiple bands is endless.

12. An arranged group comprising multiple packages according to claim 1, characterized in that the multiple bands are strips or ribbons.

13. The arrangement of multiple packages according to claim 12, characterized in that the strip or ribbon includes an adhesive layer which can be detachably attached to the arrangement of multiple packages.

14. An arranged group comprising multiple packages according to claim 12, characterized in that each strip or ribbon includes an overlapping region.

15. An array of multiple packages according to claim 14, characterized in that strips or ribbons are attached to themselves with a peelable adhesive in overlapping areas, and the leading edges of the overlapping portions are free of adhesive to form a pull tab.

16. An arranged group comprising multiple packages according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the multiple bands is formed from a transparent material.

17. An array of multiple packages according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the multiple bands is formed from MOPP.

18. An array of multiple packages according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the multiple bands is formed from PET.

19. An array of multiple packages according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the multiple bands has a width of 1.6 mm to 20 mm, 5 mm to 15 mm, or 8 mm.

20. An arranged group consisting of multiple packages according to claim 1, characterized in that the first face of each package is the larger face, and the second face of each package is the smaller face.

21. A method for collectively holding multiple packages of an arranged group, this method is: To provide an arranged group consisting of multiple rectangular parallelepiped packages, each including a pair of opposing first faces, a pair of opposing second faces, and a pair of opposing end faces, Arranging multiple packages in a row such that the first face of one package faces the first face of an adjacent package in that row, and the first face of the package at the end of the row and the second face of each package in that row are exposed, To provide multiple bands, This includes arranging each band so that it is spaced apart from its adjacent bands and so that it extends over the exposed first surface and the exposed second surface of each package, Each package includes a wrapper and an opening strip for removing the wrapper, and the method further includes arranging a plurality of bands so as to extend around the package without overlapping the opening strip.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein each band is endless and formed from a heat-sensitive material, and the method comprises heat-shrinking each band when the band is positioned to extend over an exposed first surface and an exposed second surface.

23. The method according to claim 21, wherein the multiple bands are strips or ribbons, and the method comprises attaching the strips or ribbons to the package with an adhesive.

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