Description

The present invention relates to a packaging for aerosol-generating articles comprising a packaging body and a lid being pivotable with respect to the packaging body. The lid is at- tached to the packaging body in a first and a second attachment section. The second attach ment section is breakable and comprises at least a first and a second breaking lines, wherein one breaking line extends from an inner surface of the packaging body or lid towards an outer surface thereof without reaching the outer surface and another breaking line extends from the outer surface of the packaging body or lid towards the inner surface without reach- ing the inner surface. The present invention further relates to a foldable material blank to form said packaging.

Packaging is known as a system of boxes with different sizes, materials and tasks to solve. When packaging is used for housing a plurality of aerosol-generating articles, an outer box is mostly made of cellulosic material, such as paper or carton and is used to provide mechani cal protection for cigarettes or the like. The aerosol-generating articles are usually grouped as a tight collation of articles often wrapped in the outer box with a barrier layer preventing direct contact between the articles and outer box and protect the articles from outer environ ment to retain proper moisture level and improve shelf life of products before consumption, in particular in high humidity or very dry regions.

Usually, an additional flexible overwrapping material, mostly based on plastic, encloses the outer box of a packaging system before first opening thereof. That overwrapping material helps to maintain freshness of the products therein before sale. It is also the most commonly used means for tamper evidencing of a first packaging opening, in particular in countries where no tax stamps are used to seal the packaging before opening..

However, such an overwrapping material forces consumers to tear away that overwrapping material and dispose of it and thus bothers them with that additional unpackaging step. More over, such overwrapping material causes additional costs during production and in most cases is not eco-friendly nor sustainable.

It is therefore an objective of the invention to provide packaging for aerosol-generating arti cles comprising tamper evidence means, which can make the need for outer overwrapping materials moot to ease manufacturing and reduce packaging costs. Another objective of the invention is to provide a more sustainable packaging for aerosol-generating articles.

The afore-mentioned problems are eliminated by a packaging for aerosol-generating articles comprising a packaging body with a reception volume for receiving a plurality of aerosol-gen erating articles. The packaging body extends in a length direction, a width direction and a height direction.

The packaging further comprises a lid attached to the packaging body via a first attachment section. The lid is pivotable with respect to the packaging body for opening and closing the packaging about the first attachment section. The lid is further attached, before first opening of the packaging, to the packaging body in a second attachment section, wherein the second attachment section comprises an inner surface and an outer surface facing the inner surface. The second attachment section is breakable to open the packaging. The second attachment section further comprises at least a first and a second breaking line, wherein one breaking line extends from the inner surface towards the outer surface without reaching the outer sur face and another breaking line extends from the outer surface towards the inner surface with out reaching the inner surface. According to the invention, the second attachment section has a predetermined width (w) from the inner surface to the outer surface and both the first and second breaking lines and/or cut extends more than 50% of that width. This advanta geously ensures that the packaging remains closed before removal of the second attachment section, e.g. so that air cannot enter to packaging before its first opening. In addition, this en sures that no delamination of the packaging material between the first and second breaking lines or cuts occurs upon opening of the second attachment section, thereby a visually clean continuous opening along the packaging lid, without damaging or tearing off the material along the split opening line of the lid that is released free through the tearing of the second attachment section.

Ideally, the first and the second breaking lines are shifted relative to each other and espe cially arranged in a distance from one another to provide a tamper evidence in the appear ance of a ripped packaging material after breaking the breaking lines.

The packaging further comprises a packaging material, wherein the outer surface is prefera bly printed to provide some Information for consumers. Preferably, the inner surface faces the aerosol-generating articles. Moreover, the packaging might comprise an inner packaging to house the aerosol-generating articles and protect them against moisture. Ideally, the lid is pivotable with respect to a straight pivot axis for opening and closing the packaging.

It is further conceivable that the first breaking line is a cut made in one of the surfaces, with out reaching the other surface. Preferably, the packaging material is cuttable by knife and /or another cutting tool and/or laser to create the breaking lines.

According to a preferred embodiment, the second attachment section comprises a third breaking line extending from one surface towards the other surface without reaching the other surface. With a third breaking line a tearing strip is creatable to provide an easy mecha nism to open the packaging by just tearing the tearing strip. Ideally, the third breaking line is arranged in parallel to at least one breaking line extending from the outer surface towards the inner surface without reaching the inner surface to be suitable to create a tearing strip. The third breaking line preferably extends from the outer surface towards the inner surface with out reaching the inner surface to create the tearing strip on the outside of the packaging.

In a further preferred embodiment, the second attachment section has a predetermined width from the inner surface to the outer surface and at least one breaking line extends less than 80% of that width, preferably less than 70% of that width and preferably less than 60% of that width. Preferably, at least one, but in particular all breaking lines define a cut through about half of the packaging material, so that the packaging remains closed, e.g. so that air cannot enter to packaging. In a region of the breaking lines, the material is weakened, especially weakened to stress perpendicular to the cut, wherein the cut is preferably perpendicular to the inner and/or outer surface. It is also possible that a depth of the first breaking line and a depth of the second breaking line together represent the width of the packaging material or rather of the second attachment section.

In another preferred embodiment, the first attachment section and the second attachment section are parallel to each other and distant from each other. When the first and the second attachment section are parallel and distant to each other, the packaging can be opened very easily by tearing the tearing strip and pivoting the lid. For that purpose, the first and second attachment section ideally extend in the length direction and in particular extend along straight lines.

In a preferred embodiment the cuts create a tearing section. Especially tearing is facilitated in a direction perpendicular to the extension of the cuts.

Another preferred embodiment, the second attachment section comprises at least one further breaking line. Preferably, this fourth breaking line is arranged in parallel to at least one break ing line extending from the inner surface towards the outer surface, but without reaching the outer surface. Ideally, the fourth breaking line extends from the inner surface towards the outer surface without reaching the outer surface so that the packaging remains closed. It is also possible that a depth of the third breaking line and a depth of the fourth breaking line to gether represent the width of the packaging material so that breaking these lines will open the packaging.

In a preferred embodiment, the second attachment section comprises at least four breaking lines wherein at least two breaking lines extend from the inner surface to the outer surface without reaching the outer surface and wherein at least two breaking lines extend from the outer surface to the inner surface but without reaching the inner surface. That way, a com plete cut through the packaging material in the form of a stripe after tearing the tearing strip is creatable.

In a preferred embodiment, the breaking lines extending from the outer surface to the inner surface without reaching the inner surface are arranged in a predefined distance to one an other and the breaking lines extending from the inner surface to the outer surface without reaching the outer surface are arranged between the breaking lines extending from the outer surface to the inner surface without reaching the inner surface. Ideally, a distance between the breaking lines extending from the inner surface to the outer surface without reaching the outer surface is smaller than the predefined distance between the breaking lines extending from the outer surface to the inner surface without reaching the inner surface.

Preferably, the predefined distance between the breaking lines extending from the outer sur face to the inner surface without reaching the inner surface and/or the distance between the breaking lines extending from the inner surface to the outer surface without reaching the outer surface are relative to the height direction. Ideally, the first and third breaking line are arranged in a distance to the second and forth breaking line with respect to the height direc tion. Such an arrangement provides a complete cut through the packaging material in the form of a stripe with visible ripped material edges after tearing the tearing strip.

These ripped material edges situated between the breaking lines extending from the outer surface to the inner surface without reaching the inner surface and the breaking lines extend ing from the inner surface to the outer surface without reaching the outer surface preferably provide a tamper evidence for the consumer. Preferably, at least one line section of each breaking line, but preferably the whole breaking lines are arranged in parallel to each other to create a straight tearing strip.

In a preferred embodiment, the breaking lines extending from the inner surface to the outer surface without reaching outer surface and/or the breaking lines extending from the outer surface to the inner surface without reaching the inner surface comprise at least two sections angled to each other. Ideally, each breaking line extending from the inner surface to the outer surface without reaching outer surface comprises an inner middle section, arranged between two inner end sections.

Preferably, at least one inner end section connects the inner middle section with an outer end section of one of the breaking lines extending from the outer surface to the inner surface without reaching the inner surface, wherein at least one outer end section of each breaking line extending from the outer surface to the inner surface without reaching the inner surface is preferably connected to the outer end section of another breaking line extending from the outer surface to the inner surface without reaching the inner surface. However, it is possible that two outer end sections of different breaking lines extending from the outer surface to the inner surface without reaching the inner surface form a continuous curved line. The angled sections of the breaking lines provide an easier operation of the tearing strip. ln a preferred embodiment, the packaging is made out of a paper and/or cardboard material so that the filling of the packaging is protected against mechanical stress. Ideally, the paper, carton or cardboard material has weight higher than 180gsm, preferably higher than 190gsm, preferably higher than 200gsm and preferably lower than 500gsm, preferably lower than 300gsm, preferably lower than 250gsm. The packaging material ideally has weight between 200gsm and 220gsm to ensure a sufficient stiffness of the material.

In a preferred embodiment, the second attachment section comprises at least one cutout. Preferably, the cutout defines a cut section through the whole width of the packaging material and is ideally arranged at an end of the second attachment section to provide space for a fin ger of the consumer.

In a preferred embodiment, the second attachment section comprises a second cutout, wherein the at least one breaking line is arranged between these two cutouts. Preferably, the second cutout is arranged opposing the first cutout and/or is severing one end of the tearing strip form the packaging so that the tearing strip is completely removable from the packaging by tearing the tearing strip. Ideally, the at least one, preferably all cutouts are shaped triangu lar, curvy, or have other polygonal shapes.

In a further preferred embodiment, the second attachment section comprises at least one grip element to grip the strip defining of the second attachment section. The grip element serves to break open the second attachment section. Preferably, the packaging comprises two grip elements, in particular arranged opposing each other, wherein each grip element is ideally arranged at one cutout to allow both, right and left handers to tear the strip with their preferred hand. It may be possible that one of the two grip elements are arranged adjacent, and in particular connected to a sidewall section of the packaging via a perforated line.

The objective is also reached by a foldable material blank to form a packaging for aerosol generating articles comprising a first front wall section, a first back wall section, two first side wall sections, and a first bottom wall section being arranged such to fold a packaging body. Further the foldable material blank comprises a second front wall section, a second back wall section and two second side wall sections being arranged such to fold a packaging lid and one second section being attached to one first section via a first attachment section. The one second section is attached to one first section via a second attachment section, wherein the second attachment section comprises an inner surface and an outer surface facing the inner surface. The second attachment section is breakable, wherein one breaking line extends from the inner surface towards the outer surface without reaching the outer surface and an other breaking line extends from the outer surface towards the inner surface without reaching the inner surface. The second attachment section has a predetermined width from the inner sur-face to the outer surface and both the first and second breaking lines and/or cut extends at least over 50% of that width. The breaking lines provide a tamper evidence in the appear ance of a ripped packaging material after breaking the breaking lines and opening the pack aging.

In a preferred embodiment, the foldable material blank comprises at least four first sidewall sections and/or at least four second sidewall sections to provide a possibility to fix at least two first sidewall sections on one another and/or to fix at least two second sidewall sections on one another in order to create a closed packaging box.

In a preferred embodiment, the foldable material blank comprises folding pattern in the form of folding lines and perforated lines to allow the foldable material to be foldable in a specific way. Ideally, the foldable material blank further comprises at least four first bottom wall sec tions, especially arranged such that one first bottom wall section is arranged at the first front wall section, one is arranged at the first back wall section and one is arranged at each first sidewall section to provide a full bottom connected to these sections in a folded state. The perforated lines allow the folded packaging to be openable at the lid.

In a further preferred embodiment, the foldable material comprises at least, but preferably two and especially three top wall sections to provide a foldable top of the lid.

Further advantages, objectives and features of the present invention will be described, by way of example only, in the following description with reference to the appended figures. In the figures, like components in different embodiments can exhibit the same reference sym bols.

The figures show:

Fig. 1 Schematic view of a packaging according to the present invention with a sec ond attachment section at the front side of the packaging. Fig. 2a Detailed schematic view of a closed second attachment section.

Fig. 2b Detailed schematic view of an open second attachment section.

Fig. 3 Detailed schematic view a cross section through the width of the second at tachment section.

Fig. 4 Schematic view of a folding material for a Packaging with a second attachment section.

Figure 1 shows a rectangular packaging 1 extending in length x, width y and height z direc tion and comprising a folded foldable material 10, preferably made of a cardboard material with a weight higher than 180gsm, preferably higher than 190gsm, preferably higher than 200gsm and preferably lower than 500gsm, preferably lower than 300gsm, preferably lower than 250gsm. The packaging 1 further comprises a first 12 and second 22 front wall section, a first 14 and second 24 back wall section, at least two first 16, 18 and second 26, 28 side- wall section, at least one bottom wall section 20 and at least one top wall section 30.

The first sections 12, 14, 16, 18 as well as the bottom wall section 20 form a packaging body 2. The second section sections 22, 24, 26, 28 as well as the top wall section 30 form a lid 4. The lid 4 is connected to the packaging body 2 via perforated lines 39 at the sidewall sec tions 16, 18, 26, 28. Alternatively, the perforated lines 39 may also be fully cut lines. The sidewall sections 16, 18, 26, 28 are connected to the front wall sections 12, 22 and to the back wall sections 14, 24 such that they form a straight corner or rounded edge.

The lid 4 and the packaging body 2 are attached to one another via a first 5 (not shown in fig. 1) and second 6 attachment section. The first 5 and/or second 6 attachment section are pref erably arranged between the sidewall sections 16, 18, 26, 28 and in particular extend in the length direction x from one sidewall section 16, 26 to another opposing sidewall section 18, 28. Ideally, both attachment sections 5, 6 are arranged in parallel, especially such that the first attachment section 5 (not visible in Fig. 1) attaches the first 14 and second 24 back wall section, while the second attachment section 6 preferably attaches the first 12 and second 24 front wall sections. The first attachment section 5 is preferably formed as a folding line forming a hinge allowing the lid 4 to be pivotable thereabout with respect to the packaging body 2. The second attachment section 6 preferably attaches the first 12 and second 22 front wall sections in such a way that the first 12 and second 22 front wall sections are separable con nected to one another. The second attachment section 6 further comprises a first end 40a arranged at the first 16 and/or second 26 sidewall section and a second end 40b arranged at the opposing first 18 and/or second 28 sidewall section.

Moreover, the second attachment section 22 comprises a width w extending from an inner surface 62 (not visible in Figures 1 , 2a and 2b) to an outer surface 72 and at least two, but preferably four breaking lines 66, 68, 76, 78. All breaking lines 66, 68, 76, 78 extend along the length x direction and preferably between one end 40a and the other end 40b of the sec ond attachment section 6 without reaching any end 40a, 40b. Further, all breaking lines 66, 68, 76, 78 extend from one surface 62, 72 through the width w towards the other surface 72, 62 without reaching the other surface 72, 62.

While at least two breaking lines 66, 68, 76, 78, ideally the first 76 and third 78 breaking line extend from the outer surface 72 towards the inner surface 62 without reaching the inner sur face 62, at least two breaking lines 66, 68, 76, 78, ideally the second 66 and fourth 68 break ing line extend from the inner surface 62 towards the outer surface 72 without reaching the outer surface 72. All breaking lines 66, 68, 76, 78 preferably represent a cut made in one of the surfaces 62, 72 (shown in Figure 3).

Further, while at least two breaking lines 66, 68, 76, 78, ideally the first 76 and the third 78 breaking line are arranged in a predefined distance d7 to one another, preferably the second 66 and the fourth 68 breaking line are arranged in a distance d6, which in particular is smaller than the predefined distance d7 between the first 76 and the third 78 breaking line. The second 66 and fourth 68 breaking line are preferably arranged between the first 76 and the third 78 breaking line such that e.g. the first 76 and/or the third 78 breaking line/s is/are shifted relative to the second 66 and/or fourth 68 breaking line/s.

The second 66 and/or the fourth 68 breaking line/s comprise/s at least two, preferably three sections, one inner middle section 61b and one or two inner end sections 61a. Thereby, the inner end sections 61a are angled to the inner middle section 61b in angle 50 larger than 10°, preferably larger than 20°, preferably larger than 35° and smaller than 70°, preferably smaller than 60°, preferably smaller than 50° and preferably angled such that the inner end sections 61a of the second breaking line 66 are pointing away from the inner end sections 61a of the fourth breaking line 68.

The inner end sections 61a therefore form an imaginary triangle, which has an open side to the first 40a or second 40b end of the second attachment section. However, the inner end sections 61a may be formed straight, curvy or jagged. At least the inner middle sections 61b are formed straight and/or are arranged in parallel to each other and/or to at least one of the first 76 and/or third 78 breaking line.

The first 76 and/or the third 78 breaking line ideally represent an outer middle section 62b and are arranged adjacent to at least one, preferably two outer end sections 62a. The outer end sections 62a may be formed straight, curvy or jagged and are preferably arranged such that an outer end section 62a of the first 76 breaking line is connected to an outer end sec tion 62a of the third 78 breaking line. These connected outer end sections 62a may be ar ranged such that they are formed as straight lines angled to each other in angle 51 larger than 10°, preferably larger than 20°, preferably larger than 35° and smaller than 70°, prefera bly smaller than 60°, preferably smaller than 50°. These connected outer end sections 62a may be arranged such that they form a peak pointing to the first 40a or second 40b end of the second attachment section 6, or form a continuous line, which may be shaped curvy.

The outer end sections 62a of the first 76 and third 78 breaking line are further connected in such a way that they form a grip element 90. The grip element 90 is ideally surrounded by at least two inner end sections 61a and at least one outer end section 62a or a connection of two outer end sections 62a. The grip element 90 is further positioned between two inner end sections 61a and the first 40a or second 40b end of the second attachment section 6. The second attachment section 6 may comprise two grip elements 90, each pointing to an oppo site sidewall section 16, 18, 26, 28.

A tearing strip 7 is defined by the first 76 and third 78 breaking line arranged in parallel to each other, the inner middle sections 61b, which are ideally also arranged in parallel to each other, as well as at least one, preferably two grip elements 90.

The second attachment section 6 comprises at least one, preferably at least two or more cut outs 80, 81, which are in particular arranged opposing each other and/or between the outer end sections 62a and the first 40a or second 40b end of the second attachment section 6. These cutouts 80, 81 define a cut section through the whole width w of the packaging mate rial 10 and preferably separate the outer end sections 62a from the sidewall sections 16, 18, 26, 28.

Figure 2a shows a detailed schematic view of the second attachment section 6 in a closed state. All features shown here are already described in figure 1.

Figure 2b shows a detailed schematic view of the second attachment section 6 in an opened state, where the tearing strip 7 has been removed. In this state, protrusions 91 of the second attachment section 6 have been created. These protrusions 91 are arranged between one breaking line 66, 68, 76, 78, e.g. the second 66 or fourth 68 breaking line extending from the inner surface 62 towards the outer surface 72 without reaching the outer surface 72 and an other breaking line, e.g. the first 76 or third 78 breaking line extending from the outer surface 72 towards the inner surface 62 without reaching the inner surface 62 (shown only in fig. 3). Each protrusion 91 is further defined by these breaking lines 66, 68, 76, 78 as well as two in ner end sections 61a. Further each protrusion 91 has a width that ideally resembles a depth 69, 79 (shown only in fig. 3) of one breaking line 66, 68, 76, 78.

Figure 3 shows a detailed schematic view of a cross section through the width w of the sec ond attachment section 6 with the inner 62 and outer 72 surface. At least the first 76 and third 78 or the second 66 and fourth 68 breaking line extends at least over 50% of the width w, and less than 80% of the width w, preferably less than 70% of the width w, preferably less than 60% of the width w. However, preferably, at least one, but in particular all breaking lines 66, 68, 76, 78 define a cut through half of the width w. The tearing direction in fig. 3 is in the z direction.

A depth 79 of the first 76 and/or third 78 breaking line and a depth 69 of the second 66 and/or fourth 68 breaking line together may represent the width w of the packaging material, but in particular extend that width w.

Figure 4 shows a blank foldable material blank 10 to fold a packaging 1 as described in fig ures 1, 2a, 2b and 3. The foldable material blank 10 is made of a cardboard material with a weight higher than 180gsm, preferably higher than 190gsm, preferably higher than 200gsm and preferably lower than 50gsm, preferably lower than 260gsm, preferably lower than 25gsm. The foldable material blank 10 further comprises a first front wall section 12, a first back wall section 14, two, preferably four, first side wall sections 16, 18 and three first bottom wall sec tions 20. The foldable material blank 10 further comprises a second front wall section 22, a second back wall section 24, two, preferably six second side wall sections 26, 28, 26a, 28a, one top wall section 30, cut lines 37, folding lines 38 and perforated lines 39. The cut lines

37, folding lines 38 and/or perforated lines 39 are preferably straight but may be curvy or jag ged.

The folding lines 38 are arranged such to fold a lid 4 defined by the second sections 22, 24, 26, 28 and a packaging body 2 defined by the first sections 12, 14, 16, 18. All first sidewall sections 16, 18 ideally have a trapezoidal shape and/or four out of six second sidewall sec tions 26, 28 have a trapezoidal shape with the other two second sidewall sections 26a, 28a preferably being rectangular. Ideally, each first sidewall section 16, 18 is connected to one second sidewall section 26, 28 via the perforated lines 39.

The first 12 and second 22 front wall sections are attached to one another by the second at tachment section 6 as described in figure 1, 2a and 3. The first 14 and second 24 back wall sections are attached to one another at the first attachment section 5, which ideally is formed as a folding line 38.

While the first front wall section 12 is further attached to one first bottom wall section 20 and two first sidewall sections 16, 18 via folding lines 38, the second front wall section 22 is ide ally further attached to the top wall section 30 and two second sidewall sections 26, 28 via folding lines 38. Two first sidewall sections 16, 18 are also attached to one bottom wall sec tion 20 each. The top wall section 30 is further attached to the second back wall section 24 via a folding line 38. Each rectangular second sidewall section 26a, 28a is further attached to a trapezoidal sidewall section 26, 28. Each first sidewall section 16, 18 being attached to the first back wall section 14 is further attached to one bottom wall section 20 via a folding line

38.

The cut lines 37 separate the two bottom wall sections 20 from one middle bottom wall sec tion 20a and/or the cut lines 37 further separate the top wall sections 30 from the second sidewall sections 26, 28. The applicant reserves his right to claim all features disclosed in the application document as being an essential feature of the invention, as long as they are new, individually or in combi nation, in view of the prior art. Furthermore, it is noted that in the figures features are de scribed, which can be advantageous individually. Someone skilled in the art will directly rec- ognize that a specific feature being disclosed in a figure can be advantageous also without the adoption of further features from this figure. Furthermore, someone skilled in the art will recognize that advantages can evolve from a combination of diverse features being dis closed in one or various figures.

List of reference symbols

1. Packaging

2. Packaging body

4. Lid

5. First attachment section

6. Second attachment section

7. Strip

10. Foldable material

12. First front wall section

14. First back wall section

16/18. First sidewall sections

20. First bottom wall sections

20a. Middle bottom wall section

22. Second front wall section

24. Second back wall section

26/28. Second sidewall sections

26a/28a Rectangular second sidewall section

30. Top wall section

37. Cut lines

38. Folding lines

39. Perforated lines

40a. First end of the second attachment section

40b. Second end of the second attachment section

50. Angle between two sections of the same breaking lines

51. Angle between two outer end sections

61a. Inner end sections

61b. Inner middle sections

62a. Outer end sections

62b. Outer middle sections

62. Inner Surface of the second attachment section

66. Second breaking line (from the inner surface towards the outer surface)

68. Fourth breaking line (from the inner surface towards the outer surface)

69. Depth of the second and fourth breaking line

72. Outer Surface of the second attachment section 76. First breaking line (from the outer surface towards the inner surface)

78. Third breaking line (from the outer surface towards the inner surface)

79. Depth of the first and third breaking line

80. Cutout 81. Second cutout

90. Grip element

91. Protrusions d6. Distance between second and fourth breaking line d7. Distance between first and third breaking line

Width from one surface to the other surface of the second attachment section Length direction y- Width direction z. Height direction