“A multifunctional packaging solution for pre-rolled smoking cones”

Technical Field:

This invention relates to a multifunctional packaging solution for pre-rolled smoking cones.

Background Art:

Pre-rolled cones are popular with smokers of tobacco and other plant-based products. The pre-rolled cones are empty conical tubes made from cigarette rolling paper and preinstalled filter tip which offers efficiency and consistency to the user. The user of the prerolled cone simply fills the pre-rolled cone with their preferred blend of tobacco and/or other plant-based substances, and they have a ready-made cigarette to enjoy. Pre-rolled cones are typically provided in small packages containing relatively small quantities, with six or less cones in each package.

Although popular, there are some problems with the known offerings. First of all, the packaging is very limited in its functionality. It has been known for some packaging to provide material for filter tips however aside from that, the packaging has little or no function once it has been used to transport the cones. It would be advantageous to use the resources that were used for the packaging to greater effect. Secondly, many of the existing offerings are relatively expensive to produce, often due to relatively complex manufacturing techniques and materials. It would be advantageous to provide a package for pre-rolled cones that is simple and cost effective to manufacture.

In addition to the foregoing, the known packaging offerings that are not constructed from metal have the prospect of the cones being damaged during transit, for example when the cones are being carried in the user’s pocket. The cones are made from lightweight cigarette paper and are quite fragile. Very little force is required for the cones to become misshapen and damaged. This can also happen when the cones are placed into the packaging. Damage to the cone can lead to a cone that is harder to fill, or that will detract in some other way from the user experience. Therefore, it is preferable to provide packaging that will protect the structural integrity of the cones, even when they are being transported.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a multifunctional package for pre-rolled cones that overcomes at least some of these problems. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a useful choice for the consumer.

Summary of Invention:

According to the invention there is provided a multifunctional package for pre-rolled cones comprising an elongate tapered body having a charging aperture at the wider end thereof, a closure for releasably closing the charging aperture, and in which there is provided a perforated cut strip extending circumferentially around the body intermediate its ends operable to allow detachment of portion of the tapered body from the remainder of the tapered body for use of the detached portion as a scoop and funnel to fill a pre-rolled cone with smoking materials.

By having such a package, the package can be used for additional, alternative purposes, thereby better utilising the resources used for making the packaging. More specifically, the user will be able to convert the packaging into a scoop and funnel. The user can then use the scoop to gather up a quantity of tobacco and/or other plant-based products from their pouch or other receptacle and dispense the tobacco and/or other plant-based products into the pre-rolled cone. Furthermore, this will facilitate the filling of the pre-rolled cone as it will be easier to fill the cone using a funnel and there will be less spillage. In addition, this will enable the user to gauge more accurately how much tobacco and/or other plant-based products they are putting into the cone each time. This in turn will allow the user to more accurately repeat quantities when making other cones, thereby providing the user with a more consistent cigarette that they can tailor to their individual taste/needs.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a multifunctional package for prerolled cones in which the elongate tapered body is open at the narrow end thereof, this is seen as a simple way to manufacture the pre-rolled cones package and further will allow this end of the package to be readily used as a funnel. In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a multifunctional package for prerolled cones in which the tapered body is a frusto-tetrahedron-shaped body. This is seen as a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention that will provide for very simple manufacture and construction, and that further will allow the resulting package to operate very effectively as a scoop when the packaging has been torn along the perforated strip. The tetrahedrally-shaped body is compact, relatively strong and capable of withstanding external forces. In addition, the packaging does not require a lot of material in order to form this strong, compact configuration and therefore is an efficient use of resources.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a multifunctional package for prerolled cones in which portion of the perforated strip is formed laterally across the elongate body, substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongate body. By having a portion of the perforated strip formed laterally across the elongate body, this will provide an effective scoop that will be able to gather up the tobacco or other substances with relative ease.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a multifunctional package for prerolled cones in which the remainder of the perforated strip extends from either end of the lateral portion towards the narrow end of the body and converges to an intersection point intermediate the lateral portion and the narrow end of the body. Again, this is seen as useful as the resulting configuration of scoop will be such to allow the user scoop up the tobacco with relative ease and at the same time, see precisely how much tobacco has been scooped up and is entering into the scoop / funnel.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a multifunctional package for prerolled cones in which there is provide a notch cut into the elongate body located proximal to but spaced apart from the narrow end of the elongate body. In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a multifunctional package for pre-rolled cones in which the notch defines a flap that is moveable to and from a position substantially in line with the surface of the elongate body and a position extending across the interior of the elongate body. This is seen as a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention. By having a notch cut into the elongate body, a false bottom in the package can be provided in a very simple and inexpensive manner. The false bottom may be formed by simply pressing the flap created by the notch inwardly, where it will form a friction fit with the internal walls of the packaging and thereby provide the false bottom. Importantly, the pre-rolled cones are constructed from very lightweight paper and are prone to crumple if subjected to even a light force. It has been found that if multiple cones are all placed into tapered packaging, there can be a tendency for one of the cones to fall lower into the packaging that the remaining cones. The weight of the remaining cones will then in turn put pressure on the lowest cone in the package. This has the possibility of the lowest cone becoming distorted and losing its shape, appearing damaged and resulting in an intrinsically less aesthetically pleasing and valuable product for the end user. The false bottom ensures that there is a common base for all the cones so that one or more cones will not tend to distort one or more of the other cones in the package.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a multifunctional package for prerolled cones in which the closure for releasably closing the charging aperture comprises a lid connected to the remainder of the body by a living hinge. Again, this is seen as a very simple and inexpensive way of providing the closure and will simplify manufacture and construction. The closure can be stamped with the remainder of the body of the package from a single sheet of material and thereafter constructed with ease.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a multifunctional package for prerolled cones in which the lid has a pair of tabs for releasably securing the flap in a closed configuration.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a multifunctional package for prerolled cones in which the package is constructed from a single sheet of material.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a multifunctional package for prerolled cones in which the sheet of material is provided with at least one slit, and a complementary tab for the at least one slit, the complementary tab configured for insertion into the slit for maintaining the package in a constructed, tapered body configuration. Preferably, there are two slits, each having a complementary tab for insertion therein. The slit and tab construction will enable the package to be constructed without the need for adhesives or other binding material to be used to keep the package in a constructed configuration. This will also allow the package to be manufactured in one location and shipped and constructed in another location with ease.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a multifunctional package for prerolled cones in which the sheet of material is provided with a plurality of fold lines. The fold lines will ensure simple, reliable construction of the package.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a multifunctional package for prerolled cones in which the fold lines define a plurality of strips of material that in turn define the sides of the package, and in which two of the strips of material overlap when the package is in a constructed, tapered configuration.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a multifunctional package for prerolled cones in which the package is manufactured from paper.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a multifunctional package for prerolled cones in which the paper has a weight of the order of 170 GSM.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided an article for smokers comprising a multifunctional package for pre-rolled cones as claimed in any preceding claim and a plurality of pre-rolled cones contained therein.

Brief of the

The invention will now be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is a side view of a package according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a view from above showing pre-rolled cones contained in the package;

Figure 3 is a view of an open package with pre-rolled cones removed from the package;

Figure 4 is a view of a material blank showing the cut, fold and perforation lines of the package prior to construction;

Figure 5 is a top plan view of a constructed package;

Figure 6 is a bottom plan view of a constructed package;

Figure 7 is an enlarged side view of a first side of the constructed package showing the transverse perforated cut strip;

Figure 8 is a view of a second side of the constructed package showing the continuation of the perforated cut strip;

Figure 9 is a view of a third side of the constructed package showing the continuation of the perforated cut strip

Figure 10 is an enlarged side view of the lower portion of the first side of the constructed package showing the notch;

Figure 1 1 is an enlarged view, similar to Figure 10, showing the flap defined by the notch having been pushed inwardly into the package; Figure 1 is a view showing the package partially deconstructed;

Figure 13 is a view of the exterior of the package deconstructed;

Figure 14 is a view of the interior of the package deconstructed;

Figure 15 is a side view of the package with portion of the perforated cut strip torn;

Figure 16 is an alternative side view, similar to Figure 15, of the package with portion of the perforated cut strip torn;

Figure 17 is a view of the package after the perforated cut strip has been fully torn, thereby forming a scoop/funnel from a detached portion;

Figure 18 is a perspective view from above of the scoop/funnel portion;

Figure 19 is a front view of the scoop/funnel portion;

Figure 20 is a side view of the scoop/funnel portion;

Figure 21 is an end view of the scoop/funnel portion;

Figure 22 is a view of a material blank showing the cut, fold and perforation lines of an alternative embodiment of package according to the invention prior to construction; and

Figure 23 is a view of a material blank showing the cut, fold and perforation lines of another alternative embodiment of package according to the invention prior to construction. Detailed of the

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, there is shown a multifunctional package for pre-rolled cones, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 , comprising an elongate tapered body 3 having a wide end 5 and a narrow end 7. The elongate tapered body 3 has a charging aperture 9 at the wide end 5, and a closure 11 for releasably closing the charging aperture 9. There is provided a perforated cut strip 13 extending circumferentially around the body 3 intermediate its ends. The perforated cut strip 13 is operable to allow detachment of a portion of the tapered body from the remainder of the tapered body (as will be illustrated in more detail below) for use of the detached portion as a scoop and funnel to fill a prerolled cone 15 with smoking materials (not shown).

Referring now to Figure 4, there is shown a material blank, indicated by the reference numeral 20, for forming the package 1 , where like parts have been given the same reference numeral as before. It can be seen that the material blank 20 is provided from a single unitary sheet of material. The material blank 20 has a plurality of fold lines 21 that define strips of material 23, 25, 27 and 29 that in turn will form the sides of the constructed package 1 . The perforated cut strip 13 is formed into the strips of material 23, 25, 27, 29, and a notch 31 is stamped into the lower portion of the material blank 20. There is provided a fold line 33 adjacent to the notch 31 to guide the direction of fold of a flap 35 formed by the notch. In the embodiment shown, the notch is V-shaped and downwardly depending however other configurations of notch will be readily envisaged.

The closure 11 of the package 1 is connected to the remainder of the package material by a living hinge 37 created by a fold line in the material blank. The closure has a pair of flaps 39, 41 , connected to the closure along fold lines 43, 45 respectively, that are bent inwardly and provide a friction fit for the closure 11 against the interior of the package when the package is constructed. The material blank 20 further comprises a pair of slits 47, 49 cut or stamped into the material blank and a pair of complementary tabs 51 , 53 respectively, configured for insertion and retention in the slits 47, 49. The complementary tabs 51 , 53 are connected to the remainder of the blank along fold lines 55, 57, so that the tabs 51 , 53 can be bent inwardly along those fold lines 55, 57. In order to construct the package 1 from the blank 20, the blank is bent along the fold lines 21 until the strip of material 29 overlaps on the outside the strip of material 23. Once in this position, the tabs 51 , 53 are bent inwardly at an angle of approximately 12° along their fold lines 55, 57 and the tabs 51 , 53 are inserted into the slits 47, 49 respectively. The pair of flaps 39, 41 , of the closure 11 are bent along their fold lines 43, 45 respectively, and the closure is bent along the living hinge 37 so that the flaps 39, 41 can be inserted into the interior of the package defined by the strips of material 23, 25, 27, 29. The flaps 39, 41 provide a friction fit for the closure 11 against the interior of the package when the package is constructed. Finally, the flap 35 formed by the notch 31 is pushed inwardly into the interior of the package along the fold line 33, and the flap 35 forms a friction fit with the internal surface of one or more of the strips of material 23, 25, 27, thereby holding the flap 35 in place to form a false bottom to the package. (It will be understood that the closure 11 will not be closed until after the package has been filled with pre-rolled cones).

Referring to Figure 5, there is shown a top plan view of the constructed package. It will be noted that the package is effectively a frusto tetrahedral in shape. Referring to Figure 6, there is shown a bottom plan view of the constructed package. It can be seen that the flap 35 forming the false bottom blocks off the bottom of the package and is spaced apart from the bottommost tip of the package.

Referring now to Figures 7 to 9 inclusive, there is shown various side views of the package showing the perforated cut strip 13 formed into the sides of the package. The perforated cut strip 13 in the strip of material 27 (as illustrated in Figure 7) is formed transversely across the strip 27 in a lateral perforated strip portion, whereas the perforated cut strip 13 in the strip of material 25 (as shown in Figure 8) and the perforated cut strip 13 in the strip of material 29 (as shown in Figure 9) extend from either end of the lateral perforated strip portion towards the narrow end of the body, and converge to an intersection point 59 intermediate the lateral portion and the narrow end of the body. The perforated cut strip 13 in the strip of material 23, that is overlapped by the strip of material 29, will substantially coincide with the perforated cut strip 13 in the strip of material 29. In this way, as will be described in more detail below, the packaging can be torn along the perforated cut strip 13 to divide the package into two separate parts, one of which forms a scoop and funnel that can be used to fill the cones. Referring to Figures 10 and 11 , there is shown views of the package with the flap 33 formed by the V-shaped notch 31 , before the flap has been bent inwardly (as illustrated in Figure 10) and after the flap 33 has been bent inwardly (as illustrated in Figure 1 1 ) to form the false bottom inside the package.

Referring to Figures 12 to 14 inclusive, there are shown various views of the package at least partially deconstructed (Figure 12), a view of the exterior of the package when it is deconstructed (Figure 13), and a view of the interior of the package when it is deconstructed (Figure 14).

Referring to Figures 15 to 17, the process of forming the scoop and funnel from the package will be more clearly understood. The flap 35 is pushed back outwardly so that it no longer forms the false bottom and an obstruction in the interior of the package. Thereafter, the user begins to tear the perforated cut strip 13 to separate the package into two parts. In Figures 15 and 16, the perforated cut strip 13 has been partially torn along two of the faces of the frusto-tetrahedrally shaped package. In Figure 17, the package has been separated into two distinct portions by tearing the remainder of the perforated cut stripl 3. Once the perforated cut strip 13 has been fully cut, the scoop/funnel portion 61 is created.

Referring finally to Figures 18 to 21 inclusive, there are shown various views of the scoop and funnel portion 61 . It can be seen from Figure 20 in particular that the scoop and funnel portion 61 can be picked up by the user and dug into a pouch or other receptacle containing tobacco and/or other herb or plant-based substances for smoking in a prerolled cone. The scoop 61 will be dug into the tobacco or other substances with the wide mouth formed by the old perforation cut strip 13 leading. The scoop 61 will be at least partially filled with those materials before the user then brings the narrow end 7 of the scoop portion 61 into alignment with an open end of a pre-rolled cone (not shown) and dispenses the materials from the scoop/funnel into the pre-rolled cone. As illustrated in Figure 21 , the scoop has an open interior that acts as a funnel for the substances being dispensed into the pre-rolled cone. This will ensure less mess and less wastage of materials. Referring now to Figure 22, there is shown a material blank, indicated by the reference numeral 22, for forming an alternative construction of package, indicated generally by the reference numeral 71 , where like parts have been given the same reference numeral as before. It can be seen that the material blank 22 is provided from a single unitary sheet of material. The material blank 22 has a plurality of fold lines 21 that define strips of material 23, 25, 27 and 29 that in turn will form the sides of the constructed package 71. The perforated cut strip 13 is formed into the strips of material 23, 25, 27, 29, and a notch 31 is stamped into the lower portion of the material blank 22. There is provided a fold line 33 adjacent to the notch 31 to guide the direction of fold of a flap 35 formed by the notch. In the embodiment shown, the notch is V-shaped and downwardly depending however other configurations of notch will be readily envisaged.

The closure 11 of the package 71 is connected to the remainder of the package material by a living hinge 37 created by a fold line in the material blank. The closure has a pair of flaps 39, 41 , connected to the closure along fold lines 43, 45 respectively, that are bent inwardly and provide a friction fit for the closure 11 against the interior of the package when the package is constructed. The material blank 22 further comprises a pair of slits 47, 49 cut or stamped into the material blank and a pair of complementary tabs 51 , 53 respectively, configured for insertion and retention in the slits 47, 49. The complementary tabs 51 , 53 are connected to the remainder of the blank along fold lines 55, 57, so that the tabs 51 , 53 can be bent inwardly along those fold lines 55, 57.

In addition to the foregoing, there are provided a pair of arcuate cut-outs 73, 75, one on each of the strips of material 25, 27 respectively. In use, it was found that the closure 11 of the package 1 could be difficult to open, sometimes necessitating the package 1 to be squeezed between the user’s thumb and finger adjacent the closure 11 to allow the closure 11 to be released from the interior of the package. By doing so, there was a danger that the cones inside the package could be damaged. The arcuate cut-outs 73, 75 allow for the closure 11 of the package 71 to be opened with greater ease.

Referring now to Figure 23, there is shown a material blank, indicated by the reference numeral 24, for forming an alternative construction of package, indicated generally by the reference numeral 81 , where like parts have been given the same reference numeral as before. It can be seen that the material blank 24 is provided from a single unitary sheet of material. As before, the material blank 24 has a plurality of fold lines 21 that define strips of material 23, 25, 27 and 29 that in turn will form the sides of the constructed package 81 . The perforated cut strip 13 is formed into the strips of material 23, 25, 27, 29, and a notch 31 is stamped into the lower portion of the material blank 24. There is provided a fold line 33 adjacent to the notch 31 to guide the direction of fold of a flap 35 formed by the notch. In the embodiment shown, the notch is V-shaped and downwardly depending however other configurations of notch will be readily envisaged.

The closure 83, 85 of the package 81 differs from the closure of previous embodiments in that the closure is a two-part closure. The first part of the closure 83 is connected to the remainder of the package material by a living hinge 37 created by a fold line in the material blank. The closure has a single flap 39, connected to the closure along fold lines 43, that is bent inwardly and provides a friction fit for the closure 83 against the interior of the package when the package 81 is constructed. The second part of the closure 85 is connected to the remainder of the package by a living hinge 87 created by a fold line in the material blank. The second part of the closure is connected by the living hinge 87 to the strip of material 25.

In use, when closing the package 81 , the closure 85 is bent about the living hinge 87 so that the closure 85 is positioned across the aperture created by the strips of material at the wider end of the package 81 . Then, the flap 39 is bent about the fold line 43 and the closure 83 is then bent about the living hinge so that the closure part 83 overlaps above the closure part 85. The flap 39 is sandwiched in part between the closure part 85 and the inner wall of the package formed by the strip of material 27. As with the embodiment described with reference to Figure 22, the configuration shown will facilitate opening of the closure 83, 85 of the package 81 .

In addition to the foregoing, the material blank 24 differs from the other material blanks 20, 22, in that it further comprises three slits 47, 49, 89 cut or stamped into the material blank and three complementary tabs 51 , 53, 91 respectively, configured for insertion and retention in the slits 47, 49, 89. The complementary tabs 51 , 53, 91 are connected to the remainder of the blank 24 along fold lines 55, 57, 93 so that the tabs 51 , 53, 91 can be bent inwardly along those fold lines 55, 57, 93. In the embodiments described, the shape of the package has been frusto-tetrahedrally shaped. It is envisaged that other shapes of package could be provided to useful effect. For example, a pyramidically shaped package, or frusto-pyramidically shaped package could be provided, a conical shaped package or frusto-conically shaped package could be provided, or indeed a polyhedrally shaped package or frusto-polyhedrally shaped package may be provided. In the embodiment shown, two strips of material overlap in the formation of the package however it is envisaged that more than two strips of material could be configured to overlap. This might be preferable if relatively light paper is being used for the package or if more structural rigidity is required. Indeed, if desired, it is envisaged that there may be no overlapping strips of material in the formation of the package (with of course the exception of the tabs inserted into the slits and/or a portion for connecting two strips of material together by, for example, adhesive).

It will be understood that the material blanks 20, 22 of the first and second embodiments could be provided with a third slit and a third complementary tab, as illustrated in the third embodiment. Similarly, the material blank 24 as illustrated in the third embodiment could be provided with only two slots and only two complementary tabs, ass illustrated in the first and second embodiments. Conceivably, a single slit and a single complementary tab could suffice on any of the embodiments shown.

In the embodiment shown, the package 1 contains three pre-rolled cones 15, however it is envisaged that more or less pre-rolled cones could be provided in the package as desired. It is envisaged that although the present invention is particularly suited to storage of pre-rolled cones, it is envisaged that other products may also benefit from being stored in the package according to the present invention.

In this specification the terms “comprise, comprises, comprised and comprising” and the terms “include, includes, included and including” are all deemed interchangeable and should be afforded the widest possible interpretation.

The invention is not limited solely to the embodiments hereinbefore described but may be varied in both construction and detail within the scope of the appended claims.