Technical Field

The present invention relates to a pack for a tobacco industry product such as smoking articles. In particular, the invention relates to a hinged-lid pack having a base containing a bundle of smoking articles and a lid mounted to the base for rotation between open and closed positions to enable access to the bundle of smoking articles to be obtained. The invention also relates to a label for use with a tobacco industry product pack, to a barrier layer for use in wrapping tobacco industry products, and a method of manufacturing a label.

Background

Smoking articles, such as cigarettes, are sold in packs. Known packs often comprise an outer carton made from cardboard which has a base and a hinged lid. The base contains a bundle of smoking articles. The smoking articles are wrapped in a flexible barrier layer having a section to define an extraction opening to facilitate removal of a smoking article from the pack by a consumer when the lid is open. The opening is closed by a flexible label which extends over, and is attached to, the removable section and to the lid so that the label is peeled back by a consumer simultaneously on opening the lid to reveal the extraction opening. A peripheral region of the label may be coated with a non-permanent re-sealable adhesive where it overlaps the barrier layer around the edge of the opening so that the label can be peeled back and replaced a number of times to re-seal the pack and maintain freshness of the smoking articles remaining in the pack. Summary

In accordance with embodiments of the invention, there is provided a pack comprising: a base containing a group of tobacco industry products wrapped in a barrier layer to form a bundle, the barrier layer comprising a section to define an extraction opening for the removal of tobacco industry products;

a lid attached to the base for rotation about an axis between open and closed positions; and

a resiliently flexible label attached to the lid and to the section in the barrier layer so that, when the lid is rotated into the open position, the label lifts the section to open the extraction opening; and a cut in the label, said vut being configured so that an edge of the label formed by the cut catches against the lid, or against the bundle, as the lid is rotated towards the closed position. The label has an outer periphery and the cut in the label may be spaced from said outer periphery.

The cut may be shaped to form a tongue in the label. The edge may be an edge of the tongue.

The edge of the tongue may catch against an inner surface of the lid when the lid is rotated towards the closed position.

The label may have an inner surface that is attached to the section of the barrier layer, and an outer surface having a portion that faces, and is attached to, the lid.

Said portion may be attached to the lid so that the label folds along a line between said portion and a remainder of the label when the lid is rotated from the closed position to the open position.

At least part of the edge of the tongue may be coincident with said line.

The tongue may extend into the portion of the label that is attached to the lid such that a part of the tongue is formed by said portion, said part of the tongue not being attached to the lid.

The tongue may comprise a plurality of tongues spaced from each other in side-by-side relation in a direction extending parallel to the axis of rotation of the lid across a width of the label.

The tongues may comprise a plurality of tongues spaced from each other in a longitudinal direction extending perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the lid.

The edge of the cut may extend parallel to the axis of rotation of the lid. The cut may be shaped to form a tongue in the label and the edge may be an edge that faces, or it opposite to, the tongue.

The label may have an inner surface that is attached to the section of the barrier layer, and an outer surface having a portion that faces, and is attached to, the lid.

The cut may be positioned so that the edge is spaced from the portion that is attached to the lid. The cut may comprise a substantially linear section and curved return sections at either end of the linear section.

The label may be configured so that after being caught, the edge of the label formed by the cut is released and emits an audible click as the lid continues to rotate towards the closed position.

The edge may be configured to temporarily catch against the bundle or the lid prior to flicking away from the bundle or the lid to emit an audible click, as the lid is rotated from the open position to the closed position.

The barrier layer may be formed of a laminate sheet having first and second lamina layers, wherein a first section of the first lamina layer defines the extraction opening and a second section in the second lamina layer defines the label. The second section may comprise an inner laminate layer to which the first laminate layer is attached and an outer laminate layer. The cut may be formed in the inner laminate layer.

The cut may be at least 2mm long.

Also in accordance with embodiments of the invention, there is provided a label for use with a tobacco industry product pack that includes a base containing a group of tobacco industry products wrapped in a barrier layer to form a bundle, the barrier layer comprising a section to define an extraction opening for the removal of tobacco industry products; and a lid attached to the base for rotation about an axis between open and closed positions; wherein the label is made from a resiliently flexible material and comprises an edge formed by a cut in the label, the label being configured for attachment to the lid and to the section in the barrier layer so that, when the lid is rotated into the open position, the label lifts the section to open the extraction opening and , the label comprising an edge catches on the lid or on the bundle.

The cut may be at least 2mm long.

The label may comprise a region having a varnished surface, the cut being made through the region having a varnished surface.

The label may be coated with restick adhesive on an opposite side of the label to the varnished surface, the label further comprising a backing sheet applied over the restick adhesive. The barrier layer may be formed of a laminate sheet having first and second lamina layers, wherein a first section of the first lamina layer defines an extraction opening and a second section in the second lamina layer defines a label which extends over the first section, and wherein the label comprises an edge formed by a cut made in the label. Also in accordance with embodiments of the invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a label for use with a tobacco industry product pack, the method comprising cutting the label from a sheet of material, said cutting also providing a cut within the bounds of the label. The cut maybe formed by crush cutting and/or die cutting and/or laser cutting.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure l shows a tobacco industry product pack;

Figure 2 is a front elevation view of the pack;

Figure 3 is a side elevation view of the pack;

Figure 4 shows an example label for use with the pack;

Figure 5 shows an example label for use with the pack;

Figure 6 shows an example label for use with the pack;

Figure 7 shows a barrier layer in section; and Figure 8 schematically illustrates a method step.

Detailed Description

Figure 1 illustrates a pack according to embodiments of the invention. The pack comprises a rigid card pack l with a hinged lid 2 and a base 3 containing a group of cigarettes 4 wrapped in a barrier layer 5 to form a bundle 6 that protrudes from an open end of the base 3 of the pack 1 when the lid 2 is in its open position. The bounds or edges 7 of an extraction opening 8 form a removable flap 5a, or section 5a, in the barrier layer 5 for allowing access to the cigarettes 4 and extend from the rear side of the barrier layer 5 across the top of the bundle 6 and down the front as far as a lower front wall extraction opening edge 7a. The barrier layer 5, which wraps about the cigarettes 4, maybe made of metallized plastics or of a plastics/metal foil laminate. A label 9 is provided to lift flap 5a as will be explained below. The label 9 is made of a flexible thin sheet of resiliently deformable material and comprises a first region 10 overlying the extraction opening 8 and section 5a, prior to a first opening of the pack 1. This is shown most clearly in figure 2, in which a lower boundary of the first region 10 is illustrated by a dashed line Xi which demarks the first region 10 from further regions 11, 12 of the label 9 that will be expanded upon below. The first region 10 of the label 9 overlaps the extraction opening 8 and extends beyond it, so that a peripheral portion of the first region 10 lies beyond the extraction opening 8 for releasable adherence to the bundle 6.

A part of a first surface formed by the first region 10 of the label 9 facing the barrier layer 5, and section 5a, is coated with a re-stick adhesive. For the avoidance of doubt, the first surface of the label 9 is the underside of the label, that is, the side of the label 9 facing the barrier layer 5.

Alternatively, a permanent bonding adhesive may be applied to the portion of the underside of the first region 10 of the label 9 that overlaps section 5a but does not extend beyond it, with a coating of re-stick adhesive applied to the peripheral portion.

In use, the label 9 is peeled progressively from a lower edge 27 away from the bundle 6 to reveal the extraction opening 8 as described below. If re-stick adhesive is used to stick the label to the removable section 5a, the strength of that adhesive is selected so that the label will always remain adhered to the removable section 5a. The lid 2 hinges with respect to the base 3 along a lower edge 13 of a rear wall 14 and further comprises a front wall 15 disposed opposite the rear wall 14 and separated by side panels 16, 17. Lower edges of the front wall 15, rear wall 14 and side panels 16, 17 define an opening through which the protruding part of the bundle 6 is received when the lid 2 is in its closed position.

A part of a second surface formed by a second region 12 of the label 9 is permanently adhered to the inside surface of the front wall 15 of the lid 2 so that the label 9 is peeled away from the barrier layer 5 simultaneously with opening of the lid 2. A lower boundary of the second region is illustrated by line X2 in figures 1 and 2. It shall be appreciated that the second surface of the label 9 is the opposite side of the label 9 to the first surface, so that the second surface faces away from the barrier layer 5.

When the lid 2 is pivoted about its hinge into its open position, the label 9 is also pulled due to the connection between the second region 12 of the label 9 and the lid 2. This results in the label 9 being peeled back or rolled away from the extraction opening 8 with the section 5a of the barrier layer 5 also being lifted away from the extraction opening 8 together with the label 9, as most clearly illustrated by figure 1. On first opening, the edge 7 of the extraction opening 8 separating section 5a from the remainder of the barrier layer 5 may be defined by lines of weakening in the barrier layer 5 or by actual cuts so that, when the label 9 is pulled back, the section 5a of the barrier layer 5, which remains adhered to the underside of the first region 10 of the label 9, separates from the remainder of the barrier layer 5 along the lines of weakening or cuts to open the extraction opening 8. The consumer is then free to remove cigarettes 4 from the bundle 6 through the extraction opening 8. To reseal or close the extraction opening 8 the consumer moves the lid into its closed position and the label 9 is rolled back over the extraction opening 8 so that the peripheral portion of the label 9 re-adheres to the barrier layer 5 in a region surrounding the periphery of the extraction opening 8. The section 5a of barrier layer 5 formed by the separation when label 9 is peeled back is returned to its previous position within the extraction opening 8.

Although there is a line of separation in the barrier layer 5, it is covered by the adhered peripheral portion of the label 9. To ensure proper adhesion, an inner frame (not shown), is provided within the bundle 6 so that it extends partially around the cigarettes 4 beneath the barrier layer 5. The inner frame provides a reaction surface underneath the barrier layer 5 against the resealing pressure exerted by the label 9 around the periphery of the extraction opening 8 and helps the bundle 6 maintain its shape within the base 3 of the pack following removal of cigarettes 4.

In the present embodiments, because the second surface of the second region 12 of the label 9 is attached to the lid 2, an intermediate portion 11, which extends between first and second regions 10, 12 of the label 9, forms an S shape fold when the lid 2 is in a partially opened state, as show in figure 3.

A cut 18 is provided in the intermediate portion 11. The cut 18 is configured to cause a discontinuity in the intermediate portion 11 of the label 9 as it forms the S shape fold. More specifically, edges of the cut 18 separate to form the discontinuity in the intermediate portion 11 of the label 9 in response to bending stress as it adopts the S shaped fold.

The discontinuity exposes an edge of the cut 18 as the S shape fold is formed. Therefore, this edge is free and catches on the bundle 6 or the inside surface of the front wall 15 of the lid 2 and to flick against one of these surfaces to make an audible click as will be explained further below. Such audible clicks are considered by adult consumers to signify a mark of quality.

Labels 9 according to embodiments are shown in Figs 4 to 6 which are designed for use with the pack described above.

In one embodiment the cut 18 extends transversely across the intermediate portion 11 of the label as shown in figure 6. That is to say, the cut extends perpendicular to a longitudinal axis A-A of the label. The cut does not extend substantially across the width of the label 9. The length of the cut 18 is limited in this way to ensure the label 9 has sufficient strength that, during opening and closing of the lid 2, the intermediate portion of the label 9 remains intact. The cut 18 is a single continuous cut which is distinct from perforated lines and other known lines of weakening that would not serve the same technical effect. It’s important the cut 18 is made wholly through the label 9 - as opposed to a score line which is a cut made not wholly through the label 9 - to ensure that the cut 18 provides the required discontinuity discussed further below. In the illustrated embodiment, the cut 18 has a linear section 19 and curved return sections 20 at either end of the linear section 19. The curved return sections 20 prevent a tear propagating from ends of the linear section 19 as the label 9 is stressed into the S shape fold. Although preferable, the curved return sections 20 are not, however, essential and their use is merely preventative of tear propagation that may, or may not, otherwise occur without them.

In use, as the lid 2 is closed and moved between an open state and a closed state, the lid 2 moves into the partially open state shown in figure 3. In the partially open state, the intermediate portion 11 of the label is stressed by the S shape fold and this forces edges of the cut 18 apart to form the desired discontinuity. The discontinuity of the intermediate portion 11 means that an edge of the cut 18 is exposed outwardly of the S shape fold. The edge catches against the face of the bundle 6 just prior to the lid 2 being moved into the fully closed state which causes a part of the label in the vicinity of the edge to deform. As the lid continues to close, the edge suddenly frees. This sudden release of the deformity in the label 9 generates an audible‘click’ type sound. This effect is enhanced if the user presses against the front wall 15 of the lid directly over region in which the cut 18 is provided in the label 9, as the lid is closed. It shall be appreciated that the linear section 19 my instead be curved. All that is essential is that the cut 18 provides an edge with is free to catch on the bundle 6 as the lid is rotated from the open position to the closed position and intermediate portion 11 is bent into the S shape fold. In another embodiment shown in figures 4 and 5, the cut 18 in the intermediate portion defines a tongue 21. The cut 18 maybe U shaped cut 18, as shown in figure 5, or any shape that demarks a region of the intermediate portion 11 for independent movement of the rest of the label 9 as it adopts the S shape fold. Said region will only herein be referred to as the tongue 21.

In use, as the lid 2 is closed, the tongue 21, being delimited by the cut 18, engages and is caught by the inner surface of the front wall of the lid and initially conforms to the S shape fold. The tongue 21 is pressed against the inner surface of the lid and resiliently deforms. However, as the lid continues to close, the tongue 21 is suddenly released and, due to the resilience of the material from which the tongue 21 and the label is made, the tongue 21 assumes its original, undeformed state. This sudden release of the tongue 21 generates an audible“click” type sound.

In particular, an edge 22 of the tongue 21 defined by the cut 18 is free to interact with the lid as will be explained below. Said edge 22 of the tongue will herein be referred to as the free end 22. The free end 22 is relatively closer to an upper edge U of the label 9 than a fixed end of the tongue 21. Therefore, when the label 9 is fixed to the pack, the free end 22 is relatively closer to the top of the bundle 6. As the label 9 is rolled back over the extraction opening 8, the free end 22 of the tongue 21 is pressed up against the inside face of the lid 2, specifically when the intermediate portion 11 forms the S shaped fold. Further movement of the lid 2 toward its closed position results in the free end 22 of the tongue 21 being rolled clear of the inside face of the lid 2, at which point, it flicks outwards of the S shaped fold due to the stress in the label 9. This flicking outward of the free end 22 of the tongue causes the audible click as the stress is released and the tongue becomes discontinuous with the rest of the label 9.

The free end 22 of the tongue 21 may be coincident with line X2, or may extend over it into the portion adhered to the lid 2. This ensures that the free end 22 of the tongue 21

21 catches the inside of the lid 2 as the lid 2 is moved from the open position into the closed position.

The label 9 may be provided with two or more tongues 21, as shown in figure 5, positioned so that multiple audible clicks are given as the lid 2 is closed. The free ends

22 of the tongues 21 may be offset along the longitudinal axis A-A such that, as the label 9 is rolled back over the extraction opening 8, the free ends 22 of the tongues 21 are brought to the point of flicking away from the lid 2 at different points in time.

Therefore, each of the audible clicks given by each of the tongues 21 is distinguishable from each other. With particular reference to figure 4, the cut 18 further defines two eared portions 23 that flank the tongue 21. These eared portions 23 maybe adhered to the inside face of the lid 2 so that the eared portions 23 do not conform to the S shaped fold, but remain in the plane of the lid 2 as it is moved between the open and closed positions. This arrangement more readily exposes the free end 22 of the tongue 21 for interaction with the inside face of the lid 2. In the above described embodiments, the cut 18 may be at least 2mm in length, or preferably at least 3mm in length, or yet more preferably at least 5mm in length. Cuts 18 of the recited length result in an audible click when the lid 2 is moved from the open to the closed position.

Also, in the above described embodiments, the barrier layer 5 may be formed of a laminate sheet having first and second lamina layers 24, 25, wherein a first section of the first lamina layer 24 defines the removable flap 5a and a second section in the second lamina layer 25 defines the label 9. In detail, the extraction opening 8 and removable flap 5a is defined by a first cut line 26 which extends through the thickness of the first laminate layer 24 only, while the label 9 is defined by a second cut line 27 that extends through the thickness of the second laminate layer 25 only. The second cut line 27 is offset outwardly of the first cut line 26 to form the peripheral portion in which re-stick adhesive is applied to allow the label 9 to be resealably adhered to the first laminate layer 24. This is as opposed to other embodiments in which a separate label 9 is applied directly to the barrier layer 5 to overlie the extraction opening. A barrier layer according to such an embodiment is shown in figure 7 in section.

Also, in the above described embodiments, the second surface of the intermediate portion 11 of the label 9 may be coated in lacquer, varnish, or another appropriate glue repellent material, so that permanent adhesive is prevented from seeping from the second region 12 into the intermediate portion 11. This ensures that line X2 remains well defined to control the relative position of the edge of the cut 18 to the lid 2 during rotation of the lid 2 from the open to the closed position.

It will be appreciated that the cut is preferably formed in the body of the label, i.e. remote from the edges or outer periphery of the label. The label 9 of the above described embodiments maybe made using a crush cutting and/or die cutting and/or laser cutting process in which the label 9 is cut using said process in a first step Si - see figure 8 - from a sheet of label material or barrier layer 5. Said step cuts both the edges of the label 9 and the cut 18 of the above described embodiments. Die cutting may comprise feeding the label 9 or barrier material 5 through a pair of cutting rollers.

As used herein, the term“tobacco industry product” is to be understood as including smoking articles comprising combustible smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, tobacco for pipes or for roll-your-own cigarettes, (whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco substitutes or other smokable material), electronic smoking articles such as e-cigarettes, heating devices that release compounds from substrate materials without burning such as tobacco heating products; and hybrid systems to generate aerosol from a combination of substrate materials, for example hybrid systems containing a liquid or gel or solid substrate.

In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product is a smoking article for combustion selected from the group consisting of a cigarette, a cigarillo and a cigar.

In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product is a non-combustible smoking article.

In one embodiment the tobacco industry product is a heating device which releases compounds by heating, but not burning, a substrate material. The material may be for example tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment the heating device is a tobacco heating device.

In another embodiment the tobacco industry product is a hybrid system to generate aerosol by heating, but not burning, a combination of substrate materials. The substrate materials may comprise for example solid, liquid or gel which may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel substrate and a solid substrate. The solid substrate may be for example tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel substrate and tobacco.

Embodiments of the invention are described with reference to tobacco industry products, for example cigarettes. However, it will be appreciated that packages of the invention may alternatively be used for non-tobacco industry related products.

In order to address various issues and advance the art, the entirety of this disclosure shows by way of illustration various embodiments in which the claimed invention(s) may be practiced and provide a superior package for tobacco industry products. The advantages and features of the disclosure are of a representative sample of

embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/ or exclusive. They are presented only to assist in understanding and teach the claimed features. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects of the disclosure are not to be considered limitations on the disclosure as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments maybe utilised and modifications maybe made without departing from the scope and/ or spirit of the disclosure. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. In addition, the disclosure includes other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.