Cigarette package
An assembled container for smoking articles includes an outer sleeve that includes a front wall, a rear wall, a right side wall, and a left side wall. Packets of cigarettes are positioned within the outer sleeve. For example, two packets, each containing ten cigarettes, are positioned within the outer sleeve. The packets, and the outer sleeve, may include mechanisms that interact during movement of the individual packets within the outer sleeve.
This application is a Continuation-in-Part of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/584,436, filed Oct. 20, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to tobacco products, such as smoking articles, and in particular, to packages suitable for containing tobacco products.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONPopular smoking articles, such as cigarettes, conventionally have been sold in packages. Typically, each full package contains about 20 cigarettes. Cigarettes have been packaged in containers known as so-called “soft packs.” See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,695,422 to Tripodi; 4,717,017 to Sprinkel, Jr., et al.; and 5,333,729 to Wolfe, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Cigarettes also have been packaged in containers known as so-called “hard packs” or “crush proof boxes.” See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,874,581 to Fox et al.; 3,944,066 to Niepmann; and 4,852,734 to Allen et al., all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
In certain circumstances, two or more packages, each package containing 20 cigarettes, are contained in paperboard sleeves, particularly for promotional purposes (e.g., for “Buy One—Get One Free,” “By Two—Get One Free,” or “Buy Two—Get a Lighter,” types of marketing promotions). See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,932,219 to Chacko et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. Various proposed types of cigarette package designs and configurations also are set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,007,623 to Clemens; 3,148,768 to Gatto; 3,226,010 to Rogers, Jr.; 4,294,353 to Focke et al.; 4,784,261 to Kutchin; 5,139,140 to Burrows et al.; 5,214,901 to Milliner; 5,682,986 to Cobler; 5,938,018 to Keaveney; 6,612,429 to Dennen; 6,837,369 to Amos; 6,889,827 to Stringfield; 7,100,763 to Draghetti; 7,100,764 to Focke; D509,623 to Mitten; D523,171 to Mitten et al.; D523,990 to Mitten et al.; and U.S. Pat. App. Pub. Nos. 2005/0023158 to Mitten et al.; 2005/0150786 to Mitten et al.; 2005/0155878 to Pham; and 2006/0091026 to Mitten et al., each of which is incorporated herein by reference. See also, for example, the types of packaging configurations used for cigarettes sold in Japan under the tradename “Duo Virginia Slims.”
It would be highly desirable to provide an aesthetically pleasing cigarette package having at least two compartments that contain cigarettes. It also would be desirable to provide a cigarette package having discrete compartments, allowing each to be moved therein and opened independently to expose the cigarettes contained therein. Such an arrangement may provide an aesthetically pleasing package and may present improved freshness maintenance for the cigarettes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to assembled containers for smoking articles, such as cigarettes. A representative container assembly includes an outer sleeve. At least two packets, each containing smoking articles, are positioned within that outer sleeve. For example, two packets, each packet containing 10 filtered cigarettes, can be positioned within the outer sleeve. Each packet can be moveable within the outer sleeve, and can readily be opened independently from one another in order to expose the cigarettes contained therein. Most preferably, the outer sleeve and each packet are adapted and arranged such that the packets tend to remain in contact with the outer sleeve during conditions of normal or intended use. That is, the overall construction of the container assembly preferably provides resistance to separating the individual packets from the container assembly. Specifically, it is preferable that, although each individual packet can be independently maneuvered and operated, the packets each are adapted and arranged in order to prevent release of the packets from the outer sleeve by a retaining means on the packet configured to interact with a retaining means on the outer sleeve, each retaining means being embodied as a flap, tab, or similar protrusion. Thus, the ability to maintain the overall integrity of packet assembly during conditions of normal and intended use over the useful lifetime of the container assembly is maintained.
In one aspect, an assembled container for smoking articles incorporates an outer sleeve or outer body portion that includes a front wall, a rear wall, a right side wall, and a left side wall, with each wall being generally vertically extending. The outer sleeve includes at least two vertically extending packets or compartments (e.g., one on the left side and one on the right side), and each packet contains smoking articles. Each packet includes a front wall, a rear wall, a right side wall and a left side wall; with each wall being generally vertically extending. The inner region of at least one side wall of the outer body portion includes a tab or other suitable means that acts as a stop or catch mechanism; and that mechanism cooperates with a corresponding or complementary tab or other suitable means that acts as a stop or catch mechanism located on at least one side wall of each packet. As such, each packet can be independently moved within the outer sleeve (e.g., vertically up and down), and independently operated (e.g., opened and shut), but under conditions of normal or intended use, at least a portion of each packet is maintained in contact with, or contained within, the outer sleeve.
Within the outer sleeve 110 is positioned a first packet 130 and a second packet 140. Other embodiments may have more packets. Preferably, each packet is substantially identical to the other packet(s) in overall shape, appearance, and size. For the embodiment shown, each packet is generally rectangular in cross-sectional shape. The outer body of each representative packet 130, 140 preferably is manufactured from a paperboard-type of material. Each packet 130, 140 includes a packet lid portion 130a, 140a, respectively (i.e., the packets are each shown in a closed position). For the embodiment shown, each packet 130, 140 is configured and positioned so that the right side wall of the first packet 130 and the left side wall 140b of the second packet 140 abut one another. Each packet is configured and positioned so that its vertical sides are generally circumscribed by the outer sleeve 110 when the container assembly 100 is fully closed. For the embodiment shown, the first and second packets each are configured so as to contain ten cigarettes (not shown). As such, an assembled container 100 containing twenty cigarettes can be provided. Preferably, the shapes and dimensions of the packets and outer sleeve are such that the packets, though movable within the outer sleeve, fit snugly within the outer sleeve, and as such, can generally be retained within the outer sleeve by friction fit. The assembled container 100 preferably is wrapped in an overwrap material, such as polypropylene film (e.g., of the type typically used for wrapping cigarette containers; not shown). Each of the packets 130, 140 may also be individually overwrapped, although, for the embodiment shown, each packet is not individually overwrapped.
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In a preferred use, each packet is assembled and filled with an appropriate number of smoking articles such as cigarettes or cigarillos. For example, each packet can be filled with ten cigarettes; those cigarettes are most preferably aligned so that the longitudinal axes of those cigarettes are generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the packet that contains those cigarettes. Either the lighting end or filter ends, but most preferably the filter ends, of those cigarettes are positioned at the top of each packet. The inner top region of each packet can contain an inner wrapping material (e.g., embossed foil lined paper laminate, or other aesthetically pleasing type of inner liner wrapping material of the type conventionally used within cigarette packages) that is fashioned, folded, or adapted so as to cover or contain the cigarettes within each packet. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2006/0168909 to Miyaoka et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. The packets then are positioned within the outer sleeve. During use by the smoker, the overwrap material is opened and removed from the outer sleeve. Then, either or both of the packets can be urged upwards within the outer sleeve, typically by pushing upwards on the bottom wall of either or both packets with fingers or thumb through the bottom of the outer sleeve. However, the cooperating catch mechanisms of each of the respective packets within the outer sleeve act to limit a user's ability to readily fully remove each packet from the outer sleeve. The packets, and the outer sleeve, include components that interact during movement of the individual packets within the outer sleeve. As such, a portion of each packet is maintained within the outer sleeve during conditions of normal use. That is, the overall integrity of the movable assembly can be maintained under conditions of intended normal use. Each individual packet can be opened by the smoker to remove a cigarette as desired and subsequently closed. The packets then can be slid back down into the outer sleeve into a fully closed position for handling and storage.
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For example, a flexible material that is comparable to tear tape commonly used for cigarette packaging, made of polyethylene, polystyrene, or the like, may be adhered to the outer surface of a relevant face of each inner packet (e.g., the strip of material can extend horizontally across at least a portion of the back face of that packet). Preferably, such strip is not bent or folded, but rather, is formed as a protrusion such as a ridge, or the like. For example, a strip may have a generally square or rectangular cross-sectional shape, and extend at least about 0.5 mm outwards from the relevant face of a packet. Adhesion can be provided using the types of commercially available pressure sensitive adhesives (e.g., acrylate-type adhesives) commonly used for construction of plastic films during cigarette packaging assembly or any other suitable adhesive. As such, suitable tabs or catch mechanisms for limiting vertical movement in an outer sleeve may be provided using a separate tab piece that is adhered to an appropriate location on the packet or its overwrap, if present.
In another container assembly embodiment, an outer sleeve may include a bottom wall that includes an open space for access to push up packets in the outer sleeve. For example,
Those of skill in the art will readily appreciate functional variations of the described folding configuration for forming the packet 820a from the illustrated packet blank by folding along the dashed lines. Likewise, those of skill in the art will readily appreciate the ease with which one may assemble the blanks for outer sleeves described herein.
In some preferred embodiments, the region of the outer surface of the packet formed by the blank 820 and visible when it is extended from the outer sleeve 801 may be printed with brand logos, brand-related colors and graphics, UPC bar code graphics, excise tax related information, regulatory content, or the like. Such a packet blank may be configured to provide a packet 820a, 820b suitable for containing ten filtered cigarettes (or a different number, as desired).
Different embodiments of an outer sleeve portion for a container of the present invention are described below with reference to
Components of the container assembly can be constructed from materials of the type traditionally used for cigarette packaging manufacture. For example, the various components of the container assembly can be constructed from resilient, durable paperboard-type material (e.g., low density solid bleached sulfate paperboard). Typically, the thickness of the paperboard-type material is in the range of about 0.010 inch to about 0.015 inch. Preferably, the thickness of paperboard-type material that is used to construct the outer sleeve portion is about 0.012 inch to about 0.014 inch. Most preferably, the thickness of paperboard-type material that is used to construct the packet portions of the container assembly is about 0.010 inch to about 0.012 inch.
Adhesive material used to assemble the various components of the container assembly can vary. Preferred adhesives include water-based polyvinylacetate-type adhesives. Adhesive materials useful for assembling paperboard cigarette packages, and manners and methods for applying those adhesives to paperboard-types of materials will be apparent to those skilled in the art of cigarette package design and assembly.
Overwrap materials can be used in association with the types of container assemblies set forth herein. Suitable overwrap materials include polypropylene films, such as films characterized as “cellophane-type films” that traditionally have been employed for wrapping packaged cigarettes. (See also the types of overwrap materials that are set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,807,745 to Langley et al.; 5,139,140 to Burrows et al.; 5,542,529 to Hein, III et al.; and 6,874,623 to Bray, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.) In certain preferred embodiments, the entire package assembly is wrapped with overwrap material.
The wrapping material of the assembly can be equipped with tear tape. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,717,017 to Sprinkel, Jr. et al.; 4,836,378 to Lephardt; 5,192,262 to Amendola et al.; 5,595,803 to May et al.; 6,363,691 to Flaherty; and 7,118,792 to Hewitt et al., each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Representative types of tear tape materials suitable for use in association with other cigarette packaging materials are available from sources such as Arlin Mfg. Co., Inc. and P. P. Payne Limited.
The maximum height of each container assembly can vary. The height of each container assembly typically is dependent upon factors such as the lengths of the cigarettes that are contained therein. Generally, the height may be within the range of about 70 mm to about 130 mm. For example, in a container assembly designed to contain cigarettes, that are about 99 mm in length, a representative container assembly can have a height of about 100 mm to about 103 mm. Alternatively, for example, in a container assembly designed to contain cigarettes, each about 84 mm in length, a representative container assembly may have a height of about 85 mm to about 89 mm.
The width of each container assembly can also be varied depending upon the number and arrangement of cigarettes to be held. Typically, the width of a representative container assembly configured to hold twenty cigarettes is at least about 55 mm, and often is at least about 60 mm. Typically, the width of a representative container assembly does not exceed about 70 mm and often does not exceed about 65 mm.
Likewise, the depth of each container assembly may be varied. For a container configured to hold twenty cigarettes, the depth of a representative container assembly is at least about 20 mm and often is at least about 25 mm. Typically, the width of a representative container assembly does not exceed about 35 mm and often does not exceed about 30 mm. Preferably, the width and depth of the container assembly provide a convenient size for a user to carry (e.g., in a pocket or purse).
In a preferred embodiment, a representative assembled container has a height, width, depth, and overall shape that is comparable to that of cigarette packages that are traditionally employed to contain 20 cigarettes. As such, a preferred assembled container has overall dimensions that make it compatible with the dimensional requirements of applicable tax stamp machines and the associated carton recasing requirements. A representative assembled container has a maximum height of about 85 mm, a width of about 63 mm, a maximum depth of about 33 mm, and a minimum depth of about 26 mm. The outer sleeve preferably is constructed from paperboard having a thickness of about 0.012 inches (3.05 mm). The preferred container assembly includes two virtually identical packets, each packet independent of the other (i.e., each packet is not connected to the other, and each is configured to be moved/used independently of the other), and each packet containing ten filtered cigarettes. Each packet preferably is constructed from paperboard having a thickness of about 0.012 inches. In a preferred application using a package of the present invention for containing cigarettes, each cigarette is about 84 mm in length and about 24.5 mm in circumference. The packets are each generally rectangular in cross-sectional shape. Each packet is about 31 mm in width, about 25 mm in depth, and about 85 mm in length. A cut-out region in the bottom rear wall of each packet extends upwards about 23 mm, and the upwardly extending tab within that cut-out region has a width of about 8 mm and a height of about 18 mm.
Although the embodiments have been described with reference to particular tab designs and configurations, alternative types of tab arrangements can be employed. For example, coordinating and cooperating tabs or other stopping/retaining means can be positioned in more than one wall (i.e., to more than simply the rear walls of each of the outer sleeves and the associated packets). That is, tabs also can be positioned in appropriate locations in the front walls of the outer sleeve and the packets; and/or on side walls of the outer sleeve and on the side wall of each packet that contacts the outer sleeve. Alternatively, tabs can be positioned in appropriate locations in either or both of the side walls and/or the front wall. Furthermore, the tabs that are located on the bottom regions of the packets can be located more towards the upper region of those packets, and/or the tab located in the upper region of the outer sleeve can be provided by a horizontally-extending slit cut into at least a portion of the width of the rear face of the outer sleeve. Suitable types of catch mechanisms that can be suitably adapted include those of the type set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,682,986 to Cobler. As yet another example, appropriately positioned and configured tabs located on the upper regions of the packet and the lower region of the outer sleeve can act to limit the ability of the packets to be removed or separated from the container assembly by pushing those packets out through the bottom of the outer sleeve.
Although the embodiments have been described with reference to an outer sleeve of a particular design and configuration, alternative types of outer sleeve designs and configurations can be employed. For example, the outer sleeve of the container assembly can include removable top and/or bottom portions. As another example, the outer sleeve can have an integrally connected movable top, such as the type of top characteristic of crush proof boxes or hard packs traditionally used for the packaging of filtered cigarettes. As another example, the outer sleeve can include a bottom wall that partially covers the bottom region of the container assembly, and at least one opening in the bottom of the outer sleeve can allow for the ability to upwardly push the packets within the outer sleeve.
Although the preferred outer sleeve and associated components are constructed from paperboard-types of materials, the outer sleeve and certain other associated components can be constructed from a variety of other materials. For example, those components can be constructed from composite materials, laminated materials, or the like. Alternatively, those components can be molded from plastic materials, fashioned from metal, or the like.
In one aspect, the present container system provides for discrete packaging together of two cigarette types. For example, in a container with two packets, a first packet may contain a first cigarette flavor (e.g., fruit, natural, menthol) while the second packet contains another cigarette flavor. Likewise, different cigarette qualities may be packaged side by side (e.g., tobacco density, variety, etc.). In such embodiments, it is most preferable that each individual packet be individually overwrapped with a suitable material.
It is therefore intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and it should be understood that the following claims, including all equivalents, are intended to define the spirit and scope of this invention.
Claims
1. A container for smoking articles, the container comprising:
- a generally rectilinear outer sleeve member having front, left side, right side, and rear walls forming a cavity open at least at a first cavity end;
- at least two generally rectilinear packet members configured for containing smoking articles and positioned adjacent each other at least partially within the cavity; and
- a catch mechanism configured to prevent the at least two packets from being fully removed from the outer sleeve cavity.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein the catch mechanism comprises:
- a first retention flap that is continuous with a wall of the outer sleeve member, said first flap being biased at least slightly into the outer sleeve cavity; and
- a first tab that is continuous with and extending at least slightly outwardly from a surface of a first one of the at least two packet members;
- wherein the first tab is configured to engage the first retention flap when the first packet member is moved in a first direction relative to the outer sleeve, and wherein the engagement prevents movement in the first direction beyond a first pre-determined position.
3. The container of claim 2, wherein the first pre-determined position is set such that the first packet member extends out of the first cavity end of the outer sleeve by less than the full length of the first packet member.
4. The container of claim 2, the catch mechanism further comprising:
- a second retention flap that is continuous with a wall of the outer sleeve member, said second flap being biased at least slightly into the outer sleeve cavity; and
- a second tab that is continuous with and biased slightly outwardly from a surface of a first one of the at least two packet members;
- wherein the second tab is configured to engage the second retention flap when the first packet member is moved in a second direction relative to the outer sleeve, and wherein the engagement prevents movement in the second direction beyond a second pre-determined position.
5. The container of claim 4, wherein the second pre-determined position is set such that the first packet member extends out of a second end of the outer sleeve cavity by less than the full length of the first packet member.
6. The container of claim 2, wherein a first of the at least two packet members comprises a front wall, a bottom wall, left and right side walls, a rear wall, and an openable lid portion.
7. The container of claim 6, wherein the first tab is substantially co-planar with at least one of the front wall, bottom wall, left side wall, right side wall, or rear wall.
8. The container of claim 7, wherein the first tab is oriented at substantially perpendicular to an other of the front wall, bottom wall, left side wall, right side wall, or rear wall.
9. The container of claim 6, wherein the first tab is biased outwardly at an acute angle relative to a plane defined by one of the front wall, bottom wall, left side wall, right side wall, or rear wall.
10. The container of claim 1, further comprising a wrapping material substantially covering a first of the at least two packets.
11. The container of claim 10, wherein the wrapping material comprises a generally transparent material.
12. The container of claim 10, wherein the catch mechanism comprises:
- a first retention flap that is continuous with a wall of the outer sleeve member, said first flap being biased at least slightly into the outer sleeve cavity; and
- a first tab that is attached to and extending at least slightly outwardly from a surface of the wrapping material;
- wherein the first tab is configured to engage the first retention flap when the first packet member is moved in a first direction relative to the outer sleeve, and wherein the engagement prevents movement in the first direction beyond a first pre-determined position.
13. The container of claim 1, further comprising a wrapping material substantially enclosing the container.
14. The container of claim 1, wherein a first of the at least two generally rectilinear packet members contains a plurality of cigarettes that differ in at least one property from a plurality of cigarettes contained in a second of the at least two generally rectilinear packet members.
15. A smoking article container system, the system comprising:
- a container comprising a generally rectilinear outer sleeve member having front, left side, right side, and rear walls forming a cavity open at least at a first cavity end; at least two generally rectilinear packet members, said packets positioned adjacent each other at least partially within the cavity; and a catch mechanism configured to prevent the at least two packets from being fully removed from the outer sleeve cavity; and
- a plurality of smoking articles contained within each of the at least two generally rectilinear packet members.
16. The smoking article container system of claim 15, wherein the plurality of smoking articles contained within a first of the at least two generally rectilinear packet members differ in at least one property from the plurality of smoking articles contained within a second of the at least two generally rectilinear packet members.
17. The smoking article container system of claim 15, wherein the catch mechanism comprises:
- a first retention flap that is continuous with a wall of the outer sleeve member, said first flap being biased at least slightly into the outer sleeve cavity; and
- a first tab that is continuous with and extending at least slightly outwardly from a surface of a first one of the at least two packet members;
- wherein the first tab is configured to engage the first retention flap when the first packet member is moved in a first direction relative to the outer sleeve, and wherein the engagement prevents movement in the first direction beyond a first pre-determined position.
18. The smoking article container system of claim 17, wherein the first pre-determined position is set such that the first packet member extends out of the first cavity end of the outer sleeve by less than the full length of the first packet member.
19. The smoking article container system of claim 17, wherein the catch mechanism further comprises:
- a second retention flap that is continuous with a wall of the outer sleeve member, said second flap being biased at least slightly into the outer sleeve cavity; and
- a second tab that is continuous with and biased slightly outwardly from a surface of a first one of the at least two packet members;
- wherein the second tab is configured to engage the second retention flap when the first packet member is moved in a second direction relative to the outer sleeve, and wherein the engagement prevents movement in the second direction beyond a second pre-determined position.
20. A container for smoking articles comprising:
- an outer sleeve defining an open cavity and having four side walls, with an abutment extending from at least one side wall into the open cavity;
- at least two packet members configured for containing smoking articles and slidably contained within the outer sleeve; the at least two packet members each comprising a tab that engages the abutment to stop a sliding movement of each packet member at a predetermined position when that packet member is slid toward a substantially open end of the outer sleeve.
21. The container of claim 20, wherein for a first of the at least two packet members, the tab is disposed on a first side wall of the first packet member and is defined by a cut-out region of the first side wall around three sides of the tab.
22. The container of claim 21, wherein the tab extends at least slightly out of a plane defined by the first side wall of the first packet member.
23. The container of claim 21, wherein the tab is generally coplanar with a plane defined by the second side wall of the first packet member that is substantially perpendicular to the first side wall of the first packet member.
24. The container claim 20, further comprising a plurality of smoking articles contained in each of the at least two packet members, wherein the plurality of smoking articles contained within a first of the at least two packet members differ in at least one property from the plurality of smoking articles contained within a second of the at least two packet members.
25. The container of claim 24, further comprising a wrapping material substantially enclosing at least one of the at least two packet members.
26. The container of claim 20, further comprising a wrapping material substantially enclosing the container.
27. The container of claim 20, further comprising a bottom wall in a plane substantially perpendicular to the four side walls and opposite the substantially open end of the outer sleeve.
28. The container of claim 27, wherein the bottom wall covers less than a total area bordered by the four side walls, thereby providing at least one open space configured to allow manipulation of at least one of the at least two packet members.
29. The container of claim 28, wherein the at least one open space is located near a center region of the area bordered by the four side walls.
30. The container of claim 28, wherein the at least one open space comprises two open spaces located at opposite ends of the area bordered by the four side walls.
31. The container of claim 28, wherein at least one of the four side walls is truncated such that a border of the at least one open space is out of the plane of the bottom wall.
32. The container of claim 31, further comprising a lid member that is at least partially continuous with one of the four side walls and that is operable to cover the substantially open end of the outer sleeve.
33. The container of claim 20, further comprising a lid member that is at least partially continuous with one of the four side walls and that is operable to cover the substantially open end of the outer sleeve.
34. The container of claim 33, wherein the side wall with the abutment is opposite the side wall that is at least partially continuous with the lid member.
35. The container of claim 33, wherein the side wall that is at least partially continuous with the lid member is a rear side wall, and a front side wall includes an opening providing for access to the lid member when the lid member is in contact with the front side wall.
36. A smoking article container system, the system comprising:
- a container comprising a generally rectilinear outer sleeve member having front, left side, right side, and rear walls forming a cavity having at least one opening at a first cavity end; at least two generally rectilinear packet members, said packets positioned adjacent each other at least partially within the cavity; and a plurality of smoking articles contained within each of the at least two generally rectilinear packet members.
37. The smoking article container system of claim 36, further comprising at least one opening on the front wall of the outer sleeve member.
38. The smoking article container system of claim 36, wherein the at least one opening at a first cavity end extends at least partially to at least one of the front wall and the rear wall.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 12, 2007
Publication Date: Apr 24, 2008
Inventors: Wesley Steven Jones (Winston-Salem, NC), Pankaj Patel (Clemmons, NC)
Application Number: 11/717,585