Package for Collating a Plurality of Smoking Articles

Abstract

A package for collating a plurality of smoking articles includes a substantially cuboidal pouch including: a front major portion; a rear major portion; a top minor portion; a bottom minor portion; a first side portion; and a second side portion. The pouch is made from material configured and sealed to prevent the transfer of moisture in and out of the pouch. The pouch is formed from a wrapper that is folded and sealed along a lap seal between an overlapping section and an underlapping section of the wrapper at the front major portion, the lap seal extending across the width of the front major portion. An edge region of the overlapping section is configured to be pulled such that the lap seal breaks along at least part of the width of the front major portion thereby opening the pouch.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a package for collating a plurality of smoking articles, and a container comprising a package for collating a plurality of smoking articles.BACKGROUND

[0002] Smoking articles, such as cigarettes, are often wrapped within a pouch which is sealed to prevent the exchange of moisture. The use of a sealed pouch increases the shelf-life of the smoking articles and ensures that a high quality product is provided to consumers. Such pouches are generally housed within a further container, such as a hinged-lid box, which provides additional structural protection for the smoking articles contained within the pouch.

[0003] It is desirable to provide a pouch for smoking articles which is reliably sealed with respect to the external environment, whilst also allowing the user to open the pouch and access the smoking articles with ease. It is further desirable to achieve this aim whilst improving the ease of manufacturability and preferably utilising environmentally friendly packaging materials.

[0004] An object of the present invention is to address one or more of these issues.SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0005] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a package for collating a plurality of smoking articles, comprising: a substantially cuboidal pouch comprising: a front major portion; a rear major portion; a top minor portion; a bottom minor portion; a first side portion; and a second side portion, wherein the pouch is made from material configured and sealed to prevent the transfer of moisture in and out of the pouch, wherein the pouch is formed from a wrapper that is folded and sealed along a lap seal between an overlapping section and an underlapping section of the wrapper at the front major portion, the lap seal extending across the width of the front major portion, and wherein an edge region of the overlapping section is configured to be pulled such that the lap seal breaks along at least part of the width of the front major portion thereby opening the pouch.

[0006] In this way, the pouch is provided with a reliable opening mechanism without requiring any additional pieces of material to be attached to the pouch, i.e. the pouch including the opening mechanism is constructed from the wrapper alone. In contrast, in conventional pouches, a separate adhesive flap is often attached to the wrapper and positioned over a pre-cut opening area of the wrapper. When the flap is pulled, the flap opens and reveals the contents of the pouch through the pre-cut opening area. This conventional approach is associated with greater manufacturing difficulty, and typically requires the use of a plastic flap to ensure reliable opening. By constructing the pouch from a (single) wrapper which is sealed to itself along a lap seal across its front major portion, the ease of manufacturability of the pouch is improved. In addition, as the overlapping section is configured to be pulled along its edge region, rather than a region away from the edge of the overlapping section, the pouch may be easily and reliably opened. This configuration, i.e. the pouch being made from a single piece of material, enables the pouch to be constructed from sustainable materials such as paper.

[0007] The skilled person will understand that the width of the front major portion is the (e.g. perpendicular) distance between the first side portion and the second side portion. The skilled person will also understand that the edge region of the overlapping section refers to a region at the periphery of the overlapping section, e.g. at the lower edge or margin of the overlapping section. In other words, the edge of the overlapping section defines a pullable tab or flap.

[0008] Preferably, at least part of the edge region of the overlapping section is not sealed to the underlapping section. In this way, the ease of opening of the pouch is further improved. More preferably, the (entire) edge region of the overlapping section is not sealed to the underlapping section.

[0009] Preferably, wherein a pair of lines of weakening are formed in the overlapping section such that, when the edge region is pulled, the overlapping section tears along each line of weakening to open the pouch. In this way, the pouch is biased to rip along the lines of weakening, thereby increasing the speed and reliability of opening.

[0010] Preferably, each line of weakening comprises a slit extending from the edge of the overlapping section and terminating at or before the lap seal, wherein the edge region that is configured to be pulled is defined between the pair of slits. In this way, the presence of each slit further biases the pouch to open as intended by providing an initial flaw along which a rip may propagate. Advantageously, as each slit does not extend past the lap seal, the seal of the pouch is not compromised by the presence of each slit.

[0011] Preferably, wherein each line of weakening comprises a line segment that cuts partially through the thickness of the pouch, e.g. cuts at least partially though the wrapper without extending through the moisture barrier coating. The line segment is substantially continuous with the respective slit and extends towards the top minor portion.

[0012] Preferably, each line segment comprises a cut-line, a kiss-cut line, a score line, an embossing line or a crease line. Each line segment may be made by laser scoring, mechanical indentation, or mechanical scoring. Advantageously, by only extending partially though the pouch, the seal of the pouch is not detrimentally affected by the presence of each line segment.

[0013] Preferably, wherein each line segment further extends along at least part of the top minor portion. In this way, the pouch is further biased to rip along the top minor portion, thereby increasing the opening area of the pouch and improving the accessibility of the smoking articles contained within the pouch.

[0014] In alternative embodiments, each line of weakening may consist of a cut line, kiss-cut line, a score line, a embossing line or a crease line (i.e. a lone of weakening which cuts partially though the thickness of the pouch) which extends from the edge of the overlapping section towards the top minor portion.

[0015] Preferably, wherein the wrapper is further sealed along a first fin seal extending along the length of the first side portion and along a second fin seal extending along the length of the second side portion. The use of fin seals is advantageous as, during sealing of the pouch along the fin seals, the smoking articles contained within the pouch are not compressed by the action of sealing.

[0016] The skilled person will appreciate that the length of the first and second side portion refers to the (e.g. perpendicular) distance between the top minor portion and the bottom minor portion. This may also be referred to as the height of the pouch.

[0017] Preferably, each of the first fin seal and the second fin seal are folded towards the rear major portion of the pouch. Alternatively, the first fin seal and the second fin seal may be folded towards the front major portion of the pouch.

[0018] Preferably, wherein the wrapper is a cellulose-based wrapper, and wherein the pouch further comprises a moisture barrier coating formed on the wrapper. In this way, the pouch is constructed from sustainable materials which are effective in sealing and protecting the smoking articles housed within the pouch from the external environment.

[0019] For example, the wrapper may comprise (or consist of) paper, hemp, moulded cellulose pulp or tobacco dust with paper.

[0020] Preferably, wherein the moisture barrier coating is a water-based lacquer. Alternatively, the moisture barrier coating may be a hot melt adhesive.

[0021] Preferably, the moisture barrier coating also reduces or prevents the transfer of oxygen, air, flavourings, and / or menthol.

[0022] Preferably, the pouch (i.e. the wrapper and the moisture barrier coating) may have a water vapour transmission rate of 2-10 g / m2 / day (at 23° C., 50% RH) and an oxygen transmission rate of <10 ccm / m2 / day (at 23° C., 50% RH).

[0023] Preferably, the thickness of the pouch (i.e. the wrapper and the moisture barrier coating) is 65 to 85 microns.

[0024] Preferably, the density of the pouch (i.e. the wrapper and the moisture barrier coating) is 50 to 85 grams per square metre.

[0025] Preferably, the moisture barrier coating is formed on the internal surface of the pouch. Preferably, the kiss-cut line is formed in the external surface of the pouch.

[0026] Preferably, where the package further comprises a stiffening element disposed within the pouch and arranged to lie substantially flush against the internal surface of the pouch, preferably wherein the stiffening element comprises cellulose-based material. In this way, as the stiffening element provides additional stiffness, the size of the opening area of the pouch may be increased whilst maintaining appropriate stiffness of the package.

[0027] Preferably, the stiffening element is a folded element having a front section, a first side section, and a second side section, wherein the front section, first side section, and second side section are arranged to interface with the front major portion, first side portion, and second side portion of the pouch respectively, and wherein the first and second side section each have a length equal to the length of the pouch. More preferably the stiffening element consists of the front section, the first side section, and the second side section. In this way, the weight of the package is reduced whilst maintaining high stiffness.

[0028] Preferably, the stiffening element is a cellulose-based stiffening element. For example, the stiffening element may comprise (or consist of) paper, hemp, or moulded cellulose pulp.

[0029] Preferably, the stiffening element has a higher rigidity than the pouch. For example, the stiffening element may have a density of 130 to 200 grams per square metre.

[0030] Preferably, the front section of the stiffening element has a cut-out in its top edge, and wherein the cut-out extends down to at least level with an edge of the underlapping section. In this way, the ease of access to the smoking articles is improved whilst maintaining a high stiffness of the package.

[0031] Preferably, the cut-out has a width of at least 50% of the width of the front section. Preferably, the cut-out has a length of 10 to 20% of the length of the front section.

[0032] Preferably, the cut-out is centrally positioned along the top edge of the front section of the stiffening element.

[0033] Preferably, the pouch and / or stiffening element do not comprise plastic film or metal. In particular, the pouch and / or stiffening element are not made of a paper laminate comprising plastic film or metal.

[0034] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a container for smoking articles, comprising: an outer casing having a lid moveable between an open position and a closed position; and a package according to the first aspect, wherein the package is housed within the outer casing.

[0035] Preferably, wherein the edge region is coupled to an inner surface of the lid such that the lap seal breaks along at least part of the width of the front major portion when the lid is opened, thereby opening the pouch.

[0036] According to third aspect of the invention, there is provided a system comprising: a package according to the first aspect; or a smoking article container according to the second aspect; and a plurality of smoking articles contained within the pouch.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0037] Embodiments of the invention are now described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0038] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container for smoking articles having a lid in an open position and including a pouch that has been partially opened;

[0039] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container in which the pouch has been fully opened;

[0040] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the pouch in a closed state and sealed along a lap seal;

[0041] FIG. 4A is a schematic front view of the pouch;

[0042] FIG. 4B is a schematic side view of the pouch;

[0043] FIG. 4C is a schematic cross-sectional top view of the pouch;

[0044] FIG. 5 is a schematic front view of the pouch in which the lap seal is shown as visible for illustrative purposes;

[0045] FIG. 6 is cross-sectional view of the pouch comprising a wrapper and a moisture barrier coating formed thereon;

[0046] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a stiffening element of the container in unfolded form; and

[0047] FIG. 8 is a schematic top view of a blank which may be used to form the pouch.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a container 10 for smoking articles 8 in accordance with the present invention. The container 10 comprises an outer casing 12 which includes a main body 14 and a lid 16. The lid 16 is hingedly connected to the main body 14 by a hinge 30 such that the lid 16 may be moved between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the contents housed within the outer casing 12 may be accessed by a user. In the closed position, the contents of the outer casing 12 are not accessible and the main body 14 and the lid 16 cooperatively define a cuboidal box. The skilled person will appreciate the container 10, or outer casing 12, may also be referred to as a hinged-lid box.

[0049] The main body 14 comprises a plurality of panels 18-26 including a front panel 18, a rear panel 20, a bottom panel 22, a first side panel 24 (i.e. left side panel), and a second side panel 26 (i.e. right side panel). These panels 18-26 cooperatively define a main compartment having an opening 28 opposite to the bottom panel 22. The height of the rear panel 20 is preferably greater than the height of the front panel 18 such that the first side panel 24 and the second side panel 26 increase in height towards the rear panel 20.

[0050] The lid 16 comprises a plurality of panels 72-80 including a front panel 72, a rear panel 74, a top panel 76, a first side panel 78 (e.g. a left side panel), and a second side panel 80 (e.g. a right side panel). These panels 72-80 cooperatively define a secondary compartment having an opening opposite to the top panel 76. The height of the front panel 72 is preferably greater than the height of the rear panel 74 such that the first side panel 78 and the second side panel 80 increase in height towards the rear panel 74.

[0051] The lid 16 is connected to the main body 14 by the hinge 30 which is positioned between the rear panel 74 of the lid 16 and the rear panel 20 of the main body 14. The skilled person will appreciate that the hinge 30 is not a separable component of the container 10, but instead is a connecting portion between the rear panel 74 of the lid 16 and the rear panel 20 of the main body 14 about which the lid 16 may be pivoted. That is, the hinge 30 may be described as a fold line or a crease line in the outer casing 12 which is formed from the same material as the main body 14 and the lid 16.

[0052] The outer casing 12 may be made of a cellulose-based material. For example, the outer casing 12 may comprise (or consists of) paper, hemp, or moulded cellulose pulp.

[0053] A pouch 32 is housed within the outer casing 12. Specifically, the pouch 32 is received within the main compartment of the main body 14 such that a portion of the pouch 32 protrudes through the opening 28 and is completely contained within the outer casing 12 when the lid 16 is moved into the closed position. The pouch 32 is sized to store and collate a plurality of smoking articles 8. That is, the height of the pouch 32 is substantially equal to the height of the smoking articles 8 such that the smoking articles 8 may be securely held within the pouch 32. In one example, the smoking articles 8 may be cigarettes. In other examples, the smoking articles 8 may be heat-not-burn sticks.

[0054] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the pouch 32 is substantially cuboidal and includes a front major portion 110, a rear major portion 112, a top minor portion 114, a bottom minor portion 116, a first side portion 118 (e.g. a left side portion), and a second side portion 120 (e.g. a right side portion). The pouch 32 is illustrated in further detail in FIGS. 4A-4C. FIG. 4A shows a schematic view of the front major portion 110 of the pouch 32, FIG. 4B shows a schematic view of the second side portion 120 of the pouch 32, and FIG. 4C shows a schematic cross-sectional view looking along the top minor portion 114 of the pouch 32.

[0055] The pouch 32 comprises a wrapper 122 having a moisture barrier coating 124 formed thereon. The wrapper 122 is folded and sealed to form the substantially cuboidal pouch 32 having an exterior surface 126 and an interior surface 128. In particular, the pouch 32 is sealed by a lap seal 48 extending across the width of the front major portion 110 of the pouch 32, a first fin seal 50 extending along the length of the first side portion 118 of the pouch 32, and a second fin seal 52 extending along the length of the second side portion 120 of the pouch 32. The skilled person will understand that a lap seal refers to a seal formed by sealing a region of the interior surface 128 of the wrapper 122 to a region of the exterior surface 126 of the wrapper 122. The skilled person will also understand that a fin seal refers to seal formed by sealing a region of the interior surface 128 of the wrapper 122 to another region of the interior surface 128 of the wrapper 122.

[0056] The lap seal 48 is formed between an underlapping section 34 of the wrapper 122 and an overlapping section 36 of the wrapper 122. That is, at the front major portion 110 of the pouch 32, the overlapping section 36 of the wrapper 122 extends over the underlapping section 34 of the wrapper 122, and the overlapping section 36 and the underlapping section 34 are bonded together. It will be understood that the overlapping section 34 refers to the part of the front major portion 110 extending from the top minor portion 114 of the pouch 32 to a lower edge 37 of the overlapping section 36. The underlapping section 34 refers to the part of the front major portion 110 extending from the rear minor portion 116 to an upper edge 39 of the underlapping section 34.

[0057] The lap seal 48 is best illustrated in FIG. 5 which, for ease of understanding, shows the overlapping section 36 as being transparent adjacent the underlying lap seal 48 in order to illustrate the position of the lap seal 48. The lap seal 48 extends across the entire width of the front major portion 110 (i.e. extends between the first side portion 118 and the second side portion 120), and preferably extends across at least part of the width of each of the first side portion 118 and second side portion 120. Preferably, the lap seal 48 is sealed using an adhesive configured to debond upon application of a threshold pulling force such that the pouch 32 can be reliably opened, as will be discussed further below.

[0058] In the assembled pouch 32, the first fin seal 50 and the second fin seal 52 are typically folded against (e.g. arranged to lie substantially flat against) the front the first side portion 118 and the second side portion 120 of the pouch 32 respectively. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first fin seal 50 and the second fin seal 52 may be folded towards the rear major portion 112 of the pouch 32. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the first fin seal 50 and the second fin seal 52 may be folded towards the front major portion 110 of the pouch 32. The first fin seal 50 and the second fin seal 52 are typically sealed after the sealing of the lap seal 48.

[0059] The edge 37, which may also be referred to a border, margin or fringe of the overlapping section 36, is a lower edge which is located on an opposing side of the overlapping section 36 to the top minor portion 114 of the pouch 32. An edge region 38 of the overlapping section 36 is defined at the edge 37. That is, the edge region 38 is defined adjacent and along the edge 37 of the overlapping section 36. This means that the edge region 38 is a peripheral region of the overlapping section 36.

[0060] The edge region 38 is configured to pulled by a user in order to open the pouch 32 by separating at least part of the overlapping section 36 from the underlapping section 34. In particular, by pulling the edge region 38, the lap seal 48 is broken along at least part of the width of the front major portion 110, thereby allowing access to the smoking articles 8 contained with the pouch 32. The skilled person will understand that the edge region 38 may be described as providing a tab that may be pulled by a user. To break the lap seal 48, the edge region 38 should preferably be pulled in a generally upwards direction with respect to the height of the pouch 32. It will be appreciated that the overlapping section 36 may also be referred to as a rippable flap which allows access to the smoking articles 8 contained with the pouch 32 and is secured by virtue of the lap seal 48.

[0061] As best illustrated in FIG. 5, the edge region 38 of the overlapping section 36 is not sealed to the underlapping section 34. That is, the lap seal 48 does not extend to the edge 37 of the overlapping section 36. In this way, the edge region 38 may be easily gripped and pulled by the user. In other examples, the lap seal 48 may extend to the edge 37 of the overlapping section 36 such that the edge region 38 is sealed to the underlapping section 34. In this case, to allow the pouch 32 to be easily opened, the external surface of the edge region 38 may be bonded to an inner surface of the lid 16 such that the edge region 38 is pulled when the lid 16 is initially opened, thereby breaking the lap seal 48 along at least part of the width of the front major portion 110 and opening the pouch 32. Alternatively, a grippable element may be attached to the external surface of the edge region 38 to be gripped and pulled by a user.

[0062] In some embodiments the lap seal 48 may extend to the upper edge 39 of the underlapping section 34, but in other embodiments the lap seal 48 may not extend to the upper edge 39 of the underlapping section 34.

[0063] The overlapping section 36 includes a pair of lines of weakening 40. The lines of weakening 40 are configured such that, when the edge region 38 is pulled, the pouch 32 rips along each line of weakening 40 thereby opening the pouch 32. As illustrated, the lines of weakening 40 are parallel and extend from the edge 37 of the overlapping section 36 to the top minor portion 114 in a direction parallel to the height of the pouch 32. The lines of weakening 40 also extend along the top minor portion 114 of the pouch 32. In alternative embodiments, however, the lines of weakening 40 may not extend along the top minor portion 114, or may only extend along part of the top minor portion 114. In addition, in some embodiments, the lines of weakening 40 may terminate before the top minor portion 114 of the pouch 32.

[0064] Each line of weakening 40 comprises a slit 42 which extends from the edge 37 of the overlapping section 36. Each slit 42 may also be described as a pre-cut line. The slits 42 extend towards the top minor portion 114, but terminate adjacent or before the lap seal 48. In this way, it is ensured that the slits 42 do not allow air to enter or exit the sealed pouch 32. The edge region 38 that is pullable by the user is defined between the pair of slits 42. The slits 42 provide an initial flaw along which a rip may begin to propagate, thereby providing a reliable mechanism for opening the pouch 32. It will therefore also be appreciated that, along the regions of the overlapping section 36 on opposing sides of the slits 42 to the edge region 38, it is possible for the lap seal 48 to extend to the edge 37 of the overlapping section 36.

[0065] Each line of weakening 40 further comprises a line segment 44 which is arranged parallel and continuous with the respective slit 42. The line segment 44 extends partially through the thickness of pouch 32, i.e. at least partially through the wrapper 122 without extending through the moisture barrier coating. In this example, the segment 44 comprises a kiss-cut line, but in other examples the segment may comprise a cut-line, a score line, an embossing line or a crease line. The line segment 44 may be created by laser scoring, mechanical indentation, mechanical scoring, or any other suitable technique. When the edge portion 38 is pulled, the pouch 32 is torn along each slit 42, and the tear then propagates along each line segment 44. The overlapping section 38 therefore forms a flap which allows access to the smoking article 8 contained with the pouch 32. As each line segment 44 only extends partially though the thickness of the pouch 32, the seal of the pouch 32 is not compromised by the presence of the line segments 44.

[0066] In the illustrated embodiment, each line segment 44 extends from the lap seal 48 to the top minor portion 114 of the pouch 32, and along the width of the top minor portion 114. The width of the top minor portion 114 will be understood to refer to the (e.g. perpendicular) distance between the front major portion 110 and the rear major portion 112 of the pouch 32. However, it will be understood that, in alternative embodiments, the line segment 44 may extend from the edge 37 of the overlapping portion 36, i.e. no slit is formed in the overlapping portion 36 and each line of weakening 40 only comprises the line segment 44 (i.e. a cut-line, a kiss-cut line, a score line, a embossing line or a crease line). Additionally or alternatively, the line segment 44 may not extend across the entire width of the top minor portion 114, or the line segment 44 may terminate at or before the top minor portion 114. In further alternative embodiments, the line segment 44 may be absent, i.e. each line of weakening only comprises the slit 42.

[0067] FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the wrapper 122 and the moisture barrier coating 124 which form the pouch 32. The moisture barrier coating 124 is formed on (or forms) the interior surface 128 of the pouch 32. The kiss-cut line 44 is formed on the exterior surface 126 of the pouch 32.

[0068] The thickness of the pouch 32 (i.e. the wrapper 122 and the moisture barrier coating 124) may be 65 to 85 microns. The density of the pouch 32 (i.e. the wrapper 122 and the moisture barrier coating 124) may be 50 to 85 grams per square metre.

[0069] The wrapper 122 is made of a cellulose-based material, such as paper, hemp, moulded cellulose pulp or tobacco dust with paper. The moisture barrier coating 124 prevents the ingress of moisture through the wrapper 122, thereby protecting the smoking articles 8 contained within the pouch 32. Advantageously, by using a cellulose-based wrapper 122 with a moisture barrier coating 124, as opposed to a wrapper containing plastic or metal, the biodegradability and sustainability of the package 10 is improved without reducing the seal quality. The moisture barrier coating 124 may also reduce or prevent the transfer of oxygen, air, flavourings, and / or menthol through the pouch 32.

[0070] In one example, the moisture barrier coating 124 may be a water-based lacquer. In another example, the moisture barrier coating 124 may be a hot melt adhesive. As a result of the lap and fin sealing, and the properties of the moisture barrier coating 124, the pouch 32 (i.e. the wrapper 122 and the moisture barrier coating 124) may have a water vapour transmission rate of 2-10 g / m2 / day (at 23° C., 50% RH) and an oxygen transmission rate of <10 ccm / m2 / day (at 23° C., 50% RH).

[0071] Although not visible in FIG. 1 or 2, a stiffening element 82 is located within the pouch 32 between the interior surface 128 of the pouch 32 and the smoking articles 8 contained within the pouch 32.

[0072] The stiffening element 82 is a folded element comprising a front section 84, a first side section 88 (e.g. a left side section), and a second side section 90 (e.g. a right side section). FIG. 7 illustrates the stiffening element 82 in unfolded form. The first side section 88 and the second side section 90 are connected to the opposing sides of the front section 84 by respective fold lines. When the container 10 is constructed, the first side section 88 and the second side section 90 are folded approximately 90 degrees about the respective fold lines and the stiffening element 82 is arranged between the pouch 32 and the smoking article 8 such that the front section 84, the first side section 88 and the second side section 90 of the stiffening element 82 are arranged adjacent to (i.e. interface with) the front major portion 110 of the pouch 32, the first side portion 118 of the pouch 32, and the second side portion 120 of the pouch 32 respectively.

[0073] Advantageously, the presence of the stiffening element 82 improves the stiffness of the container 10, thereby further enhancing the protection and support of the smoking articles 8 contained with the pouch 32.

[0074] The height of stiffening element 82, and in particular the height of the first side section 88 and the second side section 90 of the stiffening element 82, is preferably equal to the height of the pouch 32. This arrangement provides optimal protection and support for the smoking articles 8 contained with the pouch 32.

[0075] The stiffening element 82 has a top edge 85 in which a cut-out 86 is formed. That is, a portion of material is removed along the top edge 85 of the front section 84 of the stiffening element 82 to form the cut-out 86, which may also be referred to as a recessed portion.

[0076] The cut-out 86 extends level or below the upper edge 39 of the underlapping section 34 of the wrapper 122. In this way, when the edge portion 38 of the overlapping section 36 is pulled to open the pouch 32, the smoking articles 8 are exposed through the cut-out 86, allowing a user to easily grasp and remove the smoking articles 8.

[0077] The cut-out 86 is centrally positioned along the top edge 85 of the front section 84 of the stiffening element 82, thereby providing optimal access to the smoking articles 8. The cut-out 86 may have a width of at least 50% of the width of the front section 84 of the stiffening element 82.

[0078] The stiffening element 82 may be made from a cellulose-based material, such as paper, hemp, or moulded cellulose pulp. Advantageously, the stiffening element 82 may have a higher rigidity than the pouch 32. For example, the stiffening element 82 may have a density of 130 to 200 grams per square metre.

[0079] The pouch 32 may be formed from a blank 130 comprising the wrapper 122 and the moisture barrier coating 128. The blank 130 is illustrated in FIG. 8.

[0080] The blank 130 comprises a plurality of panels 132-150 separated by fold lines. The plurality of panels 132-150 include a rear blank panel 132 for forming the rear major portion 112 of the pouch 32, a top blank panel 134 for forming the top minor portion 114 of the pouch 32, and a bottom blank panel 136 for forming the bottom minor portion 116 of the pouch 32. The plurality of panels 132-150 further includes a first front blank panel 146, a second front blank panel 148, and a third front blank panel 150 for cooperatively forming the front major portion 110 of the pouch 32. In particular, the first front blank panel 146 corresponds to the overlapping section 36 of the pouch 32 and the second front blank panel 148 and the third front blank panel 150 correspond to the underlapping section 34 of the pouch 32. In some embodiments, however, the third front blank panel 150 may be omitted. An adhesive area 152, such as a peelable seal, is arranged on the first front blank panel 146 for forming the lap seal 48 between the overlapping section 36 and the underlapping section 32. Alternatively or additionally, the adhesive area 152 may be located on the second front blank panel 148. The first front blank panel 146 includes an edge area 158 which corresponds to the edge portion 38 in the assembled pouch 32.

[0081] The plurality of panels 132-150 further include a pair of first side blank panels 138, 140 for cooperatively forming the first side portion 118, and a pair of second side blank panels 142, 144 for cooperatively forming the second side portion 120. The blank 130 further comprises a first longitudinal fin tab 154 and a second longitudinal fin tab 156 which form the longitudinal borders (i.e. the edge portions) of the blank 130.

[0082] The lines of weakening 40 including the pair of slits 42 and the pair of line segments 44 (e.g. kiss-cut lines) which extend along the first front blank panel 146 and the top blank panel 134, although it will be appreciated that this arrangement may vary as discussed above.

[0083] The blank 130 (and thus also panels 132-150 and tabs 154-156) may be described as having two surfaces: an exterior surface and an opposed interior surface. When formed, the exterior surface 126 of the pouch 32 corresponds to the exterior surface of the blank 130 and the interior surface 128 of the pouch 32 corresponds to the interior surface of the blank 130. The moisture barrier coating 128 is formed on the interior surface of the blank 130, whereas the kiss-cut line 44 is formed in the exterior surface of the blank 130.

[0084] To form the pouch 32 from the blank 130, each of the panels 132-150 and tabs 154-156 are folded about the respective fold lines that connect them with other panels 132-150 and tabs 154-156 of the blank 130. Each of the panels 136-150 and tabs 154-160 are folded about the respective fold lines at approximately 90 degrees, other than the (optional) third front blank panel 150 which is folded against the second front blank panel 148 (i.e. folded about 180 degrees with respect to the second front blank panel 148). The interior surface of the first front blank panel 146 is sealed to the exterior surface of the second front blank panel 148 along the adhesive area 152. The first longitudinal fin tab 154 is sealed to itself along the interior surface, thereby forming the first fin seal 50. The second longitudinal fin tab 156 is sealed to itself along the interior surface, thereby forming the second fin seal 52. Each fin seal 50, 52 may be sealed using a suitable adhesive. The edge area 158 of the first front blank panel 146 is not sealed to the second front blank panel 148 when forming the pouch 32, thereby providing a tab configured to be pulled by a user.

[0085] As discussed above, in the assembled pouch 32, the first fin seal 50 and the second fin seal 52 are typically folded against the first side portion 118 and the second side portion 120. The lap seal 48 and the fin seals 50, 52 are effective in sealing the pouch 32 from the external environment. The smoking articles 8 may be provided within the pouch 32 before or during the folding and sealing process.

Claims

1. A package for collating a plurality of smoking articles, comprising:a substantially cuboidal pouch comprising: a front major portion; a rear major portion; a top minor portion; a bottom minor portion; a first side portion; and a second side portion,wherein the pouch is made from material configured and sealed to prevent the transfer of moisture in and out of the pouch,wherein the pouch is formed from a wrapper that is folded and sealed along a lap seal between an overlapping section and an underlapping section of the wrapper at the front major portion, the lap seal extending across a width of the front major portion, andwherein an edge region of the overlapping section is configured to be pulled such that the lap seal breaks along at least part of the width of the front major portion thereby opening the pouch.

2. The package of claim 1, wherein at least part of the edge region of the overlapping section is not sealed to the underlapping section.

3. The package of claim 1, wherein a pair of lines of weakening are formed in the overlapping section such that, when the edge region is pulled, the overlapping section tears along each line of weakening to open the pouch.

4. The package of claim 3, wherein each line of weakening comprises a slit extending from an edge of the overlapping section and terminating at or before the lap seal, wherein the edge region that is configured to be pulled is defined between the pair of slits.

5. The package of claim 4, wherein each line of weakening comprises a line segment that cuts partially through the pouch, wherein the line segment is substantially continuous with the respective slit and extends towards the top minor portion.

6. The package of claim 5, wherein each line segment comprises a cut-line, a kiss-cut line, a score line, an embossing line, or a crease line.

7. The package of claim 5, wherein each line segment further extends along at least part of the top minor portion.

8. The package of claim 1, wherein the wrapper is further sealed along a first fin seal extending along a length of the first side portion and along a second fin seal extending along a length of the second side portion.

9. The package of claim 1, wherein the wrapper is a cellulose-based wrapper, and wherein the pouch further comprises a moisture barrier coating formed on the wrapper.

10. The package of claim 9, wherein the moisture barrier coating is a water-based lacquer.

11. The package of claim 1, further comprising a stiffening element disposed within the pouch and arranged to lie substantially flush against an internal surface of the pouch.

12. The package of claim 11, wherein the stiffening element is a folded element having a front section, a first side section, and a second side section, wherein the front section, the first side section, and the second side section are arranged to interface with the front major portion, the first side portion, and the second side portion of the pouch, respectively, and wherein the first and second side sections each have a length equal to a length of the pouch.

13. A container for smoking articles, comprising:an outer casing having a lid moveable between an open position and a closed position; andthe package of claim 1, wherein the package is housed within the outer casing.

14. The container of claim 13, wherein the edge region is coupled to an inner surface of the lid such that the lap seal breaks along at least part of the width of the front major portion when the lid is opened, thereby opening the pouch.

15. A system comprising:the package of claim 1; anda plurality of smoking articles contained within the pouch.

16. A system comprising:the container of claim 13; anda plurality of smoking articles contained within the pouch.

17. The package of claim 9, wherein the moisture barrier coating is formed on an inside of the wrapper.

18. The package of claim 11, wherein the stiffening element comprises cellulose-based material.

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