MAKING SAID PACKAGING

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to packaging for smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos. In particular, it relates to packaging which can be assembled, filled and re-filled by a consumer themselves. The consumer can fill the packaging with ready-made smoking articles from a larger carton so that a smaller number of smoking articles can be carried with them, for example in a pocket or handbag. Alternatively the consumer can fill the packaging with smoking articles they have rolled themselves.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to packaging for smoking articles, a blank for forming said packaging, methods of packaging smoking articles and of making said packaging.

BACKGROUND

There are many different packaging formats available for smoking articles, both for ready-made smoking articles and for smoking articles which the consumer rolls themselves. However, many of the existing packaging formats have weak structures which can easily collapse or come open when carried, for example in a pocket or handbag. This can result in crushing and/or loss of the smoking articles the packaging is intended to protect.

In addition, consumer (re)fillable packaging is generally distributed assembled, while space could be saved by providing it in a flat pack format for assembly by the user. Various flat pack packaging formats are known, for example as disclosed in PL 171429 B1 , US 8573471 B2, CN 202593975 U and CN 205972161 U. What is needed is flat pack format packaging for smoking articles, which provides a strong protective shell for the smoking articles.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect, there is provided packaging for smoking articles, the packaging being configured to transform between a flat configuration and a box configuration. The box configuration comprises a front wall, a back wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, a left side wall and a right side wall. Each wall is formed of at least one panel. The left and right side walls are respectively formed of left and right side panels which overlie respective left and right edge portions of a back panel in the flat configuration. The left and right side panels are configured to be pivoted inwards respectively from left and right edges of said back panel as part of a transformation from the flat configuration to the box configuration.

In the box configuration, the left and right side walls can be inwardly spaced from respective left and right edges of each of the front, back, top and bottom walls.

The front wall can be formed of two overlapping front panels.

The two overlapping front panels can comprise securing means configured to hold the packaging closed in the box configuration. The securing means can comprise magnets.

The packaging can be formed of card.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a method of packaging smoking articles. The method comprises, with the packaging of any preceding claim in the flat configuration, placing smoking articles on a medial portion of the back panel intermediate the left and right edge portions. The method further comprises transforming the packaging into the box configuration by pivoting the left and right side panels inwards towards the smoking articles and wrapping the bottom, top and front panels around the smoking articles such that they are enclosed by the front, back, top, bottom, left side and right side walls. According to a third aspect, there is provided a blank for forming the packaging of the first aspect. The blank comprises a top front panel, a back panel, a top panel, a bottom panel, a left side panel, a right side panel, a left back flap and a right back flap. The top front panel is articulated along a first fold line to the top panel. The top panel is articulated along a second fold line to the back panel. The back panel is articulated along a third fold line to the bottom panel. The first to third fold lines are all parallel to one another. The left side panel is articulated along a fourth fold line to the left back flap. The left back flap is articulated along a fifth fold line to the back panel. The back panel is articulated along a sixth fold line to the right back flap. The right side panel is articulated along a seventh fold line to the right back flap. The fourth to seventh fold lines are all parallel to one another and perpendicular to the first fold line.

The blank can further comprise a left top flap, a left top tab, a left bottom flap, a left bottom tab, a right top flap, a right top tab, a right bottom flap and a right bottom tab. The left top tab can be articulated along an eight fold line to the left top flap. The left top flap can be articulated along a ninth fold line to the left side panel. The left side panel can be articulated along a tenth fold line to the left bottom flap. The left bottom flap can be articulated along an eleventh fold line to the left bottom tab. The ninth and tenth fold lines can both be parallel to the first fold line. The right top tab can be articulated along a twelfth fold line to the right top flap. The right top flap can be articulated along a thirteenth fold line to the right side panel. The right side panel can be articulated along a fourteenth fold line to the right bottom flap. The right bottom flap can be articulated along a fifteenth fold line to the right bottom tab. The thirteenth and fourteenth fold lines can both be parallel to the first fold line. The eighth fold line can beat an acute angle to the ninth fold line and parallel to the fifteenth fold line. The eleventh fold line can be at an acute angle to the tenth fold line and parallel to the twelfth fold line.

The blank can further comprise a bottom front panel articulated along a sixteenth fold line to the bottom panel. The sixteenth fold line can be parallel to the first fold line. The blank can further comprise a top front flap articulated along a seventeenth fold line to the top front panel. The seventeenth fold line can be parallel to the first fold line.

The blank can further comprise a bottom front flap articulated along an eighteenth fold line to the bottom front panel. The eighteenth fold line can be parallel to the first fold line.

The top front flap or top front panel can comprise one or more top magnets. The bottom front flap or bottom front panel can comprise one or more bottom magnets. The top and bottom magnets can be arranged such that they cooperate with one another to hold the packaging closed when the blank is formed into the packaging in its box configuration.

The blank can further comprise a left side flap articulated along a nineteenth fold line to the left side panel. The blank can further comprise a right side flap articulated along a twentieth fold line to the right side panel. The nineteenth and twentieth fold lines can both be perpendicular to the first fold line.

According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a method of making the packaging of the first aspect, the method comprising folding the blank of the third aspect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Aspects of the present disclosure will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures:

Figures 1A, 1 B, 1 C and 1 D illustrate an example process of filling and closing example packaging;

Figure 2 illustrates an example blank for forming example packaging;

Figure 3 illustrates example packaging formed by folding the example blank of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a flowchart outlining an example method of packaging smoking articles; and

Figure 5 is a flowchart outlining an example method of making example packaging.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the system, and is provided in the context of a particular application. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

The terms“top”,“bottom”,“side”,“front”,“back� �,“forward”,“rear” and other terms describing the orientation of features are not intended to be limiting and, where used, are purely included in order to facilitate the description of the relative location of these features in the context of the accompanying drawings. In use, or during storage, the features may be disposed in other orientations.

Flat-pack packaging for smoking articles is described herein which is configured to be transformed between flat and box configurations. The packaging is arranged so that smoking articles can be placed on a back panel of the packaging in its flat configuration, then side walls formed by folding side panels inwards towards the smoking articles, before top, bottom and front walls are formed by wrapping further panels around the smoking articles to enclose them. Since the side walls are formed by folding them in towards the smoking articles, they do not exhibit any tendency to collapse inwards further and crush the smoking articles.

The side walls are formed from panels which overlie the back panel in the flat configuration. This means that the smoking articles are contained within a medial portion of the packaging when formed into the box configuration, further protecting them from any forces applied to the sides of the box. Figures 1A to 1 D illustrate an example process of filling and closing example packaging 1000, which is configured to transform between a flat configuration, as shown in Figure 1A, and a box configuration, as shown in Figures 1 C (with the box open) and 1 D (with the box closed). Figure 1 B illustrates a semi-raised state of the packaging 1000 between the flat configuration shown in Figure 1A and the open box configuration shown in Figure 1 C.

The box configuration shown in Figures 1 C and 1 D comprises a front wall 1 120, a back wall 1130, a top wall 1140, a bottom wall 1 150, a left side wall 1160 and a right side wall 1 170, each wall being formed of at least one panel. The left and right side walls 1 160, 1 170 are respectively formed of left and right side panels 1060, 1070 which are shown in Figure 1A overlying respective left and right edge portions of a back panel 1030 in the flat configuration. As shown through Figures 1A to 1 C, the left and right side panels 1060, 1070 are configured to be pivoted inwards respectively from left and right edges 1033, 1034 of the back panel 1030 as part of a transformation from the flat configuration to the box configuration.

As is most evident from Figure 1 C, the left and right side walls 1 160, 1170 are inwardly spaced from respective left and right edges 1 123, 1124, 1 133, 1 134, 1143, 1144, 1153, 1 154 of each of the front, back, top and bottom walls 1 120, 1130, 1 140, 1 150. This means that the smoking articles 1 100 are retained within a medial portion of the packaging 1000, protecting their ends from damage.

As is most evident from Figure 1 D, the front wall 1120 in this example is formed of two overlapping front panels 1021 , 1022. The two overlapping front panels 1021 , 1022 can comprise securing means configured to hold the packaging closed in the box configuration. For example, the securing means can comprise magnets. Alternative or additional securing means could be provided. According to one example a locking tab could be provided on one front panel configured to engage with a slit in the other. According to another example a button could be provided on one front panel configured to be retained by a loop or buttonhole provided on the other. In other examples the front wall could be formed by a single panel, or by more than two panels. In examples comprising multiple front panels, those front panels may overlap as shown in Figure 1 D, or may abut one another.

The packaging could be formed of card or any other suitable material, for example plastic or metal.

Figure 2 illustrates an example blank 2000 for forming packaging like that of Figure 1 , wherein dashed lines indicate fold lines, which could for example be scored in card or formed of hinges between adjacent portions of the blank which are pivoted about each other upon erection of the blank to form the packaging. The blank 2000 comprises a top front panel 2021 , a back panel 2030, a top panel 2040, a bottom panel 2050, a left side panel 2060, a right side panel 2070, a left back flap 2061 and a right back flap 2071. The top front panel 2021 is articulated along a first fold line 2201 to the top panel 2040. The top panel 2040 is articulated along a second fold line 2202 to the back panel 2030. The back panel 2030 is articulated along a third fold line 2203 to the bottom panel 2050. The first to third fold lines 2201 , 2202, 2203 are all parallel to one another. The left side panel 2060 is articulated along a fourth fold line 2204 to the left back flap 2061. The left back flap 2061 is articulated along a fifth fold line 2205 to the back panel 2030. The back panel 2030 is articulated along a sixth fold line 2206 to the right back flap 2071. The right side panel 2070 is articulated along a seventh fold line 2207 to the right back flap 2071. The fourth to seventh fold lines 2204, 2205, 2206, 2207 are all parallel to one another and perpendicular to the first fold line 2201.

The cross-hatched regions 2031 , 2032 respectively indicate the left and right edge portions of the back panel 2030 which the left and right side panels 2060, 200 respectively overlie once the blank is formed into the packaging in its flat configuration.

One way in which the side walls of the packaging can be provided so that they can be raised and flattened is for the blank 2000 to further comprise a left top flap 2062, a left top tab 2063, a left bottom flap 2064, a left bottom tab 2065, a right top flap 2072, a right top tab 2073, a right bottom flap 2074 and a right bottom tab 2075. As shown in Figure 2, the left top tab 2063 is articulated along an eight fold line 2208 to the left top flap 2062, the left top flap 2062 is articulated along a ninth fold line 2209 to the left side panel 2060, the left side panel 2060 is articulated along a tenth fold line 2210 to the left bottom flap 2064 and the left bottom flap 2064 is articulated along an eleventh fold line 221 1 to the left bottom tab. The ninth and tenth fold lines 2209, 2210 are both parallel to the first fold line 2201. The right top tab 2073 is articulated along a twelfth fold line 2212 to the right top flap 2072, the right top flap 2072 is articulated along a thirteenth fold line 2213 to the right side panel 2070, the right side panel 2070 is articulated along a fourteenth fold line 2214 to the right bottom flap 2074 and the right bottom flap 2074 is articulated along a fifteenth fold line 2215 to the right bottom tab 2075. The thirteenth and fourteenth fold lines 2213, 2214 are both parallel to the first fold line 2201. The eighth fold line 2208 is at an acute angle to the ninth fold line 2209 and parallel to the fifteenth fold line 2215. The eleventh fold line 221 1 is at an acute angle to the tenth fold line 2210 and parallel to the twelfth fold line 2212.

If the packaging is to be provided with two front panels, per the example of Figure 1 , then the blank 2000 can further comprise a bottom front panel 2022 articulated along a sixteenth fold line 2216 to the bottom panel 2050. The sixteenth fold line 2216 is parallel to the first fold line 2201. Example packaging with only a single front panel could omit either of the top and bottom front panels 2021 , 2022.

In order to reinforce the top front panel once the blank is formed into the packaging, and in some examples to aid in the incorporation of securing means 2081 as will be described further below, the blank 2000 can further comprise a top front flap 2023 articulated along a seventeenth fold line 2217 to the top front panel 2021. The seventeenth fold line 2217 is parallel to the first fold line 2201.

Similarly, in order to reinforce the bottom front panel once the blank is formed into the packaging, and in some examples to aid in the incorporation of securing means 2082 as will be described further below, the blank 2000 can further comprise a bottom front flap 2024 articulated along an eighteenth fold line 2218 to the bottom front panel 2022. The eighteenth fold line 2218 is parallel to the first fold line 2201.

As explained in relation to Figure 1 above, the packaging can comprise securing means to hold it closed, for example incorporated into the front wall. For example, in the blank 2000 of Figure 2, the top front flap 2023 could comprise one or more top magnets 2081 ; the bottom front flap 2022 could comprise one or more bottom magnets 2082; and the top and bottom magnets 2081 , 2082 could be arranged such that they cooperate with one another to hold the packaging closed when the blank 2000 is formed into the packaging in its box configuration. The top magnets could alternatively be provided in the top front panel 2021 and the bottom magnets in the bottom front panel 2022. Either way, the blank can be configured so that the top and bottom magnets 2081 , 2082 are respectively sandwiched between the top and bottom front flaps and front panels once the blank is formed into the packaging. In this way the magnets 2081 , 2082 are hidden from view in the finished packaging and are protected from being dislodged from the panels or flaps they are affixed to. The strength of the magnets 2081 , 2082 is also slightly dampened by the two layers of material between them when the packaging is in the closed box configuration, so that the box can be opened by the user with relatively little effort, for example with one hand.

In order to reinforce the left and right side panels 2060, 2070 once the blank is formed into the packaging, the blank can further comprise a left side flap 2066 articulated along a nineteenth fold line 2219 to the left side panel 2060 and a right side flap 2076 articulated along a twentieth fold line 2220 to the right side panel 2070. The nineteenth and twentieth fold lines 2219, 2220 are both perpendicular to the first fold line 2201.

In the example blank 2000 shown in Figure 2, the left and right top and bottom flaps 2062, 2064, 2072, 2074 are in the form of right angled triangles, with the left and right top and bottom tabs 2063, 2065, 2073, 2075 articulated along their respective hypotenuses. All the other panels and flaps are substantially rectangular.

The single-hatched regions in Figure 2 illustrate where adhesive can be applied so that the various panels and flaps will hold together as required to form the packaging once the blank 2000 is folded. The dotted outlines of these regions shown on left and right top and bottom tabs 2063, 2065, 2073, 2075 indicate that in those regions the adhesive is applied on the reverse side of the blank 2000.

Adhesive is shown on the top and bottom front flaps 2023, 2024 to aid in respectively adhering them to the top and bottom front panels 2021 , 2022. Adhesive could alternatively or additionally be provided on the top and bottom front panels 2021 , 2022 for this purpose.

Adhesive is shown on left and right side flaps 2066, 2076 to aid in respectively adhering them to the left and right side panel 2060, 2070. Adhesive could alternatively or additionally be provided on the left and right side panels 2060, 2070 for this purpose.

Adhesive is shown on the left and right back flaps 2061 , 2071 to aid in respectively adhering them to the left and right edge portions 2031 , 2032 of the back panel 2030. Adhesive could alternatively or additionally be provided on the left and right edge portions 2031 , 2032 of the back panel 2030 for this purpose.

Adhesive is shown on the left and right top and bottom tabs 2063, 2065, 2073, 2075 to aid in respectively adhering them to the left and right of the top and bottom panels 2040, 2050. Adhesive could alternatively or additionally be provided on corresponding regions of the top and bottom panels 2040, 2050 for this purpose.

Figure 3 illustrates example packaging 3000 formed by folding the blank 2000 of Figure 2. The top and bottom front flaps 3023, 3024 are respectively adhered to the top and bottom front panels 3021 , 3022. The top and bottom magnets (not visible in Figure 3, but respectively corresponding to the top and bottom magnets 2081 , 2082 of Figure 2) are respectively sandwiched therebetween.

The left and right side flaps 3066, 3076 are respectively adhered to the left and right side panels (not visible in Figure 3, but respectively corresponding to the left and right side panels 2060 and 2070 of Figure 2). The left and right side flaps 3066, 3076 and the left and right side panels respectively overlie the left and right back flaps (not visible in Figure 3, but respectively corresponding to the left and right back flaps 2061 , 2071 of Figure 2), without being adhered thereto. The left and right back flaps are respectively adhered to the left and right edge portions of the back panel (not visible in Figure 3, but respectively corresponding to the left and right edge portions 2031 , 2032 of the back panel 2030 of Figure 2).

The left and right top and bottom tabs 2063, 2065, 2073, 2075 are respectively adhered to edge portions of the top and bottom panels 3040, 3050. The left and right top and bottom flaps 3062, 3064, 3072, 3074 respectively overlie edge portions of the top and bottom panels 3040, 3050, without being adhered thereto.

Also visible in Figure 3 are fold lines 3201 to 3220, respectively corresponding to fold lines 2201 to 2220 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a flowchart outlining an example method 4000 of packaging smoking articles, for example as can be shown through the progression of Figures 1A to 1 D. The method 4000 comprises, with the packaging (for example the example packaging 1000, 3000 of either of Figures 1 or 3) in its flat configuration, at step 4100 placing smoking articles 1 100 on a medial portion 1035, 3035 of the back panel 1030 intermediate the left and right edge portions 2031 , 2032 of the back panel 1030. Then at step 4200 the packaging 1000, 3000 is transformed into the box configuration. This is achieved by, at step 4210, pivoting the left and right side panels 1060, 1070 inwards towards the smoking articles 1100 and, at step 4220, wrapping the bottom, top and front panels 3050, 3040, 1021 , 1022, 3021 , 3022 around the smoking articles 1 100 such that they are enclosed by the front, back, top, bottom, left side and right side walls 1 120, 1130, 1140, 1 150, 1160, 1 170. Steps 4210 and 4220 can be performed simultaneously or overlapping in time.

Figure 5 is a flowchart outlining an example method 5000 of making packaging such as the example packaging 1000, 3000 of either of Figures 1 or 3. The method 5000 comprises, at step 5300, folding a blank, such as the example blank 2000 of Figure 2. If the blank is affixed together with adhesive, then adhesive can be applied at pre-step 5200. If magnets 2081 , 2082 are to be used to hold the packaging 1000, 3000 closed in its box configuration, then they can be affixed to the blank at pre-step 5100.

For the blank 2000 of Figure 2, step 5300 could for example proceed as follows, though other folding orders are possible. (All folds referred to in this paragraph are about 180° ) First, the top and bottom front flaps 2023, 2024 are respectively folded inwards along the seventeenth and eighteenth fold lines 2217, 2218 so that the top and bottom front flaps 2023, 2024 are respectively glued down onto the top and bottom front panels 2021 , 2022. Then the left and right side flaps 2066, 2076 are respectively folded inwards along the nineteenth and twentieth fold lines 2219, 2220 so that the left and right side flaps 2066, 2076 are respectively glued down onto the left and right side panels 2060, 2070. Next, the left and right back flaps 2061 , 2071 (complete with the side panels

2060, 2070, the top and bottom flaps 2062, 2064, 2072, 2074 and tabs 2063, 2065, 2073, 2075 and the side flaps 2066, 2076) are respectively folded inwards along the fifth and sixth fold lines 2205, 2206 so that the left and right back flaps

2061 , 2071 are respectively glued down onto the left and right edge portions 2031 , 2032 of the back panel 2030. At this point adhesive is applied to the left and right top and bottom tabs 2063, 2065, 2073, 2075, since their reverse side is now facing upwards. Then the left and right side panels 200, 2070 (complete with the top and bottom flaps 2062, 2064, 2072, 2074 and tabs 2063, 2065, 2073, 2075 and the side flaps 2066, 2076) are respectively folded back outwards along the fourth and seventh fold lines 2204, 2207 so that the left and right top and bottom tabs 2063, 2065, 2073, 2075 are respectively glued down onto the top and bottom panels 2040, 2050. This folding method produces the packaging 3000 of Figure 3 from the blank 2000 of Figure 2. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the embodiments disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only.

In addition, where this application has listed the steps of a method or procedure in a specific order, it could be possible, or even expedient in certain circumstances, to change the order in which some steps are performed, and it is intended that the particular steps of the method or procedure claims set forth herein not be construed as being order-specific unless such order specificity is expressly stated in the claim. That is, the operations/steps may be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and embodiments may include additional or fewer operations/steps than those disclosed herein. It is further contemplated that executing or performing a particular operation/step before, contemporaneously with, or after another operation is in accordance with the described embodiments.