AU2009321692A1 - Container for tobacco industry products - Google Patents

Description

WO 2010/063528 PCT/EP2009/064543 Container for tobacco industry products Description 5 This invention relates to a container for tobacco industry products. As used herein, the term tobacco industry product includes any item made in, or sold by the tobacco industry, typically including a) cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, tobacco for pipes or for roll-your-own cigarettes, (whether based on tobacco, 10 tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes); b) non-smoking products incorporating tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes such as snuff, snus, hard tobacco, and heat-not-burn products; and c) smokeless products, including oral tobacco products such as Snus, and nicotine delivery products. This list is not 15 intended to be exclusive, but merely illustrates a range of products which are relevant to the tobacco industry. Conventional tobacco industry product containers often include an outer wrap of heat salable clear film, most commonly polypropylene with an embedded tear tape 20 to assist in easy opening. The outer film provides both functional and user benefits. The film acts as a moisture barrier and thereby contributes to the shelf life stability of the packaged product. Furthermore, for the user, the plastic film confirms the freshness of the tobacco industry product therein. 25 The present invention provides an improved container for tobacco industry products. The present invention provides a container for tobacco industry products, the container being adjustable between an open configuration and a closed 30 configuration, comprising an interior region and first and second parts adapted to slidably fit together such that sliding one of said parts towards the other part causes the interior region to become pressurised to a pressure of greater than atmospheric pressure.

WO 2010/063528 PCT/EP2009/064543 -2 Sliding one of the parts towards the other part may cause the interior region to become pressurised to a pressure of greater than 1.1 bar. However, the interior 5 region may become pressurised to a pressure of greater than 1.2 bar, or greater than 1.5 bar. Preferably, said sliding causes the interior region to become pressurised to a pressure of between 1.1 and 2 bar. The overpressure within the container improves the shelf life potential of the 10 tobacco industry products therein by reducing the potential for spotting and staining of the cigarettes as compared with a corresponding container at atmospheric pressure. The present invention also provides a container for tobacco industry products, the 15 container being adjustable between an open configuration and a closed configuration and comprising an interior region and first and second parts adapted to slidably fit together such that sliding one of said parts towards the other part causes the interior region to become sufficiently pressurised so that pressure is perceivably released upon opening the container. 20 Thus, when a user opens the container, he or she may perceive a release of pressure. The release of pressure provides a cue to the user as to the freshness of the tobacco industry products in the container. 25 The present invention also provides a container for tobacco industry products, the container being adjustable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, the container comprising an interior region and first and second parts adapted to slidably fit together such that sliding one of said parts towards the other part causes the interior region to pressurise and such that the pressure is maintained 30 in the interior of the container until the pack is opened or until the seal is broken.

WO 2010/063528 PCT/EP2009/064543 -3 Thus, the container may be arranged so that functional and user benefits of the pressurised container are preserved until the pack is opened or until the seal is broken 5 When the container is pressurised, the pressure forces therein tend to urge the first and second parts apart. In one example, the first and second parts are held in place against the pressure force by the frictional resistance therebetween. In another example, the container comprises a fastening mechanism adapted to hold the first and second parts in place after one of the parts has been slid towards the other part. 10 Preferably, the container is a container for smoking articles. As used herein, the term "smoking article" includes smokeable products such as cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes and also heat-not-burn products. The 15 smoking article may be provided with a filter for the gaseous flow drawn by the smoker. In order that the invention may be more fully understood, embodiments thereof will now be described by way of illustrative example with reference to the accompanying 20 drawings, in which: Figure la shows a perspective view of a tubular cigarette container. Figure lb shows a cross-sectional view of the container of Figure la Figures 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d illustrate steps of a process to pressurise the container of 25 Figure Ia. Figures 2e, 2f, 2 g and 2h are cross-sectional views corresponding to Figures 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d respectively. Figures 3a, 3b and 3c illustrate a fastening mechanism. Figures 4a and 4b illustrate steps of a process of fastening the lid and body of a 30 tubular cigarette container, the cigarette container comprising a fastening mechanism. Figure 4c is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Figure 4a, taken along the line A-A shown in Figure 4a.

WO 2010/063528 PCT/EP2009/064543 -4 Figure 4d is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Figure 4b, taken along the line B-B shown in Figure 4b. Figure 5 shows a hinged lid cigarette container. Figure 6 shows elevations of the hinged lid cigarette container of Figure 5. 5 Figure 7 shows the hinged lid cigarette container in an open position. Figure 8 shows the hinged lid cigarette container in a closed position. Figures Ia and lb show a perspective view and sectional view of a tubular container 10 for smoking articles such as cigarettes 20. The container 10 is preferably made 10 from moulded plastic, although it could alternatively be made from any other suitable material which is impermeable to air. Suitable materials for the container include, but are not limited to: metal, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), styrene acrylonitrile (SAN), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) or Hardwood. 15 As shown in Figures Ia and Ib, the container 10 has a first part, in the form of an elongate body 30 and a second part, in the form of a tubular cap 40, which is adapted to slidably fit together with the body 30. As described in more detail below, the cap and the body fit together sufficiently tightly such that sliding one towards the other causes the interior 50 of the container 10 to become positively 20 pressurised. Referring in detail to the construction of the elongate body, as shown in Figure 1, the body 30 has a cylindrical lower section 60 and a cylindrical collar section 70, the collar section 70 having an outer diameter less than that of the lower section 60. 25 The lower section 60 comprises a closed cylindrical wall 65 having an annular upper face 66 and a closed bottom part 80. The bottom part 80 is integral with the cylindrical wall 65 and is disposed at substantially right angles to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body. 30 The collar section 70 has a closed cylindrical wall 75 which is integral with the annular upper face 66 of the body 40. The inner space defined by the wall 75 is open to the inner space defined by the wall 65 and in this way the walls 65, 75 WO 2010/063528 PCT/EP2009/064543 -5 define an elongate space inside the container for the cigarettes 20. As shown, the collar section 70 has an open end 90 for accessing the cigarettes. Although the collar 70, annular upper face 66, cylindrical wall 65 and bottom part 5 80 are described above as being integral with one another, alternatively the body may be formed from two tubes, one fixed within the other, the inner tube comprising the collar section, and the outer tube comprising the cylindrical wall, annular upper face and base. 10 Referring to Figures Ia and Ib, the tubular cap 40 has an open end 110, a cylindrical wall 120, and a closed top 100, the top 100 being integral with the cylindrical wall 120. The cylindrical wall 120 defines a receiving space for the cylindrical collar section 70 of the elongate body and is adapted so that the cap 40 can slidably fit onto the body 30.. As shown, the diameter of the inner surface 125 of the 15 cylindrical wall 120 of the cap 40 is the same as, or very slightly greater than the diameter of the outer surface 76 of the cylindrical wall 75 of the collar section 70 so that the cap 40 and body 30 fit together hermetically. As is graphically described in Figures 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d, sliding the cap 40 and the 20 body 30 together causes the container 10 to become positively pressurised. Figures 2e, 2f, 2 g and 2h show cross-sectional views corresponding to Figures 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d respectively. As shown in Figures 2e and 2f, the cap 40 is placed over the collar region 70 such that the inner surface 125 of the wall 120 of the cap 40 and the outer surface 76 of the wall 75 of the collar region 70 just contact one another, thereby 25 hermetically sealing a volume V, of air in the region enclosed by the body 30 and the cap 40. As shown in Figure 2 g and Figure 2h, sliding the cap and the body together reduces the volume of the hermetically sealed region to a volume V 2 , V 2 being less than V 1 . The hermetically sealed region is substantially or completely airtight, so that air does not escape, or does not substantially escape, upon sliding 30 the cap and body together. Thus, the air in the hermetically sealed region is compressed upon sliding the cap and body together, thereby increasing the pressure of the interior region of the container 10 above that of the surrounding air. That is, the container 10 becomes positively pressurised.

WO 2010/063528 PCT/EP2009/064543 -6 Sliding the cap 40 towards the body 30 may cause the interior region to become pressurised to a pressure of greater than 1.1 bar. However, the interior region may become pressurised to a pressure of greater than 1.2 bar, or greater than 1.5 bar. 5 Preferably, the interior region becomes pressurised to a pressure of between 1.1 and 2 bar. In the example shown in Figure 2e, 2f, 2 g and 2h, the height L of the cylindrical collar section 70 of the body 30 is the same as the height of the cylindrical inner 10 wall 125 of the cap 40. The cap 40 and the body 30 are therefore slidable over a distance L. The distance L determines the pressure to which the container may be pressurised. For example, the distance L may be chosen so that upon sliding the cap and the body together, the interior of the container is pressurised to a pressure of greater than 1.1 bar. However, the length L may be chosen so that the container 15 is pressurised to a pressure of between 1.5 and 3 bar. Furthermore, the tight seal between the cap 40 and the body 30 preferably allows a positive pressure to be maintained within the container for an extended period of time, for example, I week, I month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year or longer. 20 In this way, the cap and the body may fit together sufficiently tightly such that a positive pressure of greater than atmospheric pressure is maintained within the container for a period of longer than, for example: I week, or longer than I month; longer than 3 months; longer than 6 months, or longer than 1 year. 25 The fully closed container is shown in Figure 2d and in cross-section of Figure 2h. The container has a compressed volume of air sealed therein, and the interior of the container has a positive pressure of greater than atmospheric pressure. 30 Although the illustrated pressurisation process shows sliding a second part, in the form of a tubular cap 40 towards a first part, in the form of a tubular body 30, alternatively the container could be pressurised by sliding the tubular body 30 WO 2010/063528 PCT/EP2009/064543 -7 towards the tubular cap 40 or by simultaneously sliding the body 30 and cap 40 towards one another. Furthermore, the skilled person would understand that many different adaptations 5 and shapes of the first and second parts are possible in order to achieve the desired positive pressure. Once the container has been closed in this manner, the compressed air inside the container exerts a pressure force which tends to urge the body and the cap apart. 10 The pressure force may, for example, be balanced by frictional resistance between the inner surface of the cap and the outer surface of the collar region. That is, frictional resistance may maintain the cap in place on the body in spite of the pressure force from the compressed air in the container. 15 However, alternatively or in addition, the container 10 may have a fastening mechanism such as a bayonet-type fixing for holding the cap 40 and the elongated body 30 together. Figures 3a and 3b show orthogonal sectional views of the cap 40 and Figure 3c 20 shows a perspective view of the body 30 of a container having such a fastening mechanism. Referring to Figures 3a and 3b, the bayonet-type fastening mechanism comprises a protrusion 130, disposed on an inner surface 125 of the cylindrical wall 120 of the cap 40, an elongated groove 150 in the wall 75 of the collar section 70 for hermetically receiving the protrusion, and a rubber o-ring 155 circumscribing 25 the bottom edge of the collar section 70. As shown, the groove 150 comprises a longitudinally extending portion 160 and a circumferentially extending portion 170. Referring to Figures 4a and 4b, when fastening the cap 40 to the body, the cap 40 is placed over the collar portion 70 such that the protrusion 130 is received in the longitudinally extending portion 160. The protrusion and the groove are adapted so 30 that there is a hermetically tight fit therebetween so that sliding the cap and the body together pressurises the container in the manner described above. The cap and the body are pushed together until the protrusion reaches the bottom of the longitudinal section, thereby compressing the o-ring 155, as shown in Figure 4b.

WO 2010/063528 PCT/EP2009/064543 -8 The cap 40 is then twisted, so as to guide the protrusion 130 into the circumferentially extending portion 170, and is then released. When the cap is released in this position, the restoring force from the compressed o-ring 155 urges the protrusion 130 against the upper wall 175 of the circumferential portion 170 of 5 the groove 150 so that the lid and the body are securely held together. The compressed o-ring 155 also provides a high quality hermetic seal between the cap and the base. Although the closed container has been described hereinabove as containing a 10 positively pressurised volume of air, alternatively, the container could contain a positively pressurised volume of another gas, such as nitrogen. This could be achieved by sliding the cap onto the base in a nitrogen atmosphere, thereby hermetically sealing a volume of nitrogen in the container. 15 Moreover, in another, example, the height of the cylindrical collar section of the body is different to the height of the cylindrical inner wall of the cap 40. In this case, the distance L over which the cap 40 and body are 30 slidable is the shorter of these two heights. 20 The container 10 may further comprise an indicating element (not shown) for indicating whether the container is pressurised. The indicating element may, for example, be a button or nipple disposed on the body 30 or cap 40, which noticeably protrudes from the surface of the container 10 when the container is pressurised. 25 The container may be pressurised by a human or a machine packer prior to being sold. The overpressure within the container improves the shelf life potential of the tobacco industry products therein by reducing the potential for spotting and staining of the cigarettes as compared with a corresponding container at atmospheric pressure. One possible, non-limiting explanation for this improvement 30 is that the overpressure reduces the internal vapour pressure of the water and other volatile components. In addition, a purchaser opening the container for the first time may perceive a pressure release, thereby providing a cue to the freshness of the cigarettes.

WO 2010/063528 PCT/EP2009/064543 -9 Furthermore, each time the user closes the container, it becomes re-pressurised, so that the cigarettes can be stored with a reduced potential for spotting or staining. 5 Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8 illustrate a variation of the smoking article container shown in Figure 1, which may also be formed from moulded plastic. Figure 5 shows a container 180 comprising a first part, in the form of a body 190 for holding cigarettes and having a lid 200. The body 190 has a main body part 220 and a collar part 230, integral with the main body part 220. The lid 200 is attached to the body 10 190 by a hermitically sealed hinge 210 located at the back of the container. The hinge line of hinge 210 may be formed as a weakened, bendable portion of the plastic body 190. The hinge allows the lid to rotate between a closed position (as in Figure 5) and an open position (as in Figure 7). When the container is closed, the lid meets the body along a line of closure 215, located at the front of the container 15 and parallel to the hinge 210. Figure 6 shows front (Figure 6a), rear (Figure 6b) and side (Figure 6c, 6d) elevations of the smoking article container 180. As shown, the main body part 220 has first and second rectangular faces 240, 250, parallel to one another and connected via 20 first and second parallel quadrilateral side walls 260, 270. The collar part 230 has first and second rectangular faces 280, 290 parallel to one another and connected via first and second parallel rectangular side walls 300, 310. As shown, the cross sectional perimeter of the outer surface of the collar part is less than the cross sectional perimeter of the outer surface of the body part. The body 190 has a 25 latching mechanism for latching the body and the lid together hermetically, which may include a tab or protuberance (not shown) located on the lid 200, plus a corresponding hole or recess (not shown) located in the body part 220. In this way, when the pack is shut, the tab can engage or enter the recess to hermitically retain the pack in the closed position. 30 Referring to Figure 5 and 6, the container 180 further comprises a second part, in the form of a substantially parallelepiped shaped closure member 320, adapted to slidably fit together with the collar portion 230. As shown, the closure member has WO 2010/063528 PCT/EP2009/064543 - 10 first and second rectangular faces 330, 340, parallel to one another and connected via first and second parallel rectangular side walls 350, 360. The closure member further comprises an end wall 370, integral with the edges of the front faces and side walls 330, 340, 350, 360. 5 As shown in Figure 5, the cross sectional outer perimeter of the collar portion 230 is the same as, or very slightly less than the cross sectional inner perimeter of the closure member 320 so that the closure member and the body fit together hermetically. Thus, when the lid is hermetically latched to the body, sliding the 10 closure member and the body together causes the interior of the container to become positively pressurised. The closed container is shown in Figure 8. Once the container has been closed in this manner, the pressure force from the compressed air inside the container may, for example, be balanced by frictional resistance between the closure member and the collar region. Alternatively, 15 however, the container 180 may have a fastening mechanism for holding the closure member 320 and the body 190 in place. Many modifications and variations will be evident to those skilled in the art, which fall within the scope of the following claims:

Claims (16)

1. A container for tobacco industry products, the container being adjustable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, comprising: 5 an interior region; and first and second parts adapted to slidably fit together such that sliding one of said parts towards the other part causes the interior region to become sufficiently pressurised so that pressure is perceivably released upon opening the container. 10

2. A container for tobacco industry products, the container being adjustable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, comprising: an interior region; and first and second parts adapted to slidably fit together such that sliding one of said parts towards the other part causes the interior region to become pressurised to 15 a pressure of greater than approximately 1.1 bar.

3. A container for tobacco industry products, the container being adjustable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, comprising: an interior region; and 20 first and second parts adapted to slidably fit together such that sliding one of said parts towards the other part causes the interior region to pressurise and such that the pressure is maintained in the interior of the container until released.

4. A container for tobacco industry products according to any preceding claim, 25 further comprising a fastening mechanism adapted to fasten the first and second parts in place after said one of said parts has been slid towards said other part.

5. A container for tobacco industry products according to any preceding claim, further comprising an indicating element which indicates whether the container is 30 pressurised.

6. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the container is a container for smoking articles. WO 2010/063528 PCT/EP2009/064543 - 12

7. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the first part has a collar section; and wherein the collar section and the second part are adapted to slidably fit 5 together.

8. A container according to any of claims 1-6, wherein: the first part comprises a tubular body having a cylindrically shaped collar section; 10 the second part comprises a tubular lid; and wherein the cylindrical collar section and the tubular lid are adapted to slidably fit together

9. A container according to claim 8 and having a fastening mechanism, wherein 15 the fastening mechanism comprises a bayonet-type fastening mechanism.

10. A container according to any of claims 1-6, wherein the first part comprises a body, the body having a substantially parallelepiped shaped collar portion at one end and a hinged lid for opening and closing the container at an opposing end, and 20 wherein the second part comprises a substantially parallelepiped shaped closure member, the collar portion and the closure member being adapted to slidably fit together.

11. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the container is 25 formed from moulded plastic.

12. A method of pressurising a container for tobacco industry products, the method comprising sliding a part of the container towards another part of the container and thereby causing the interior region of the container to become 30 sufficiently pressurised so that pressure is perceivably released upon opening the container. WO 2010/063528 PCT/EP2009/064543 - 13

13. A method of pressurising a container for tobacco industry products, the method comprising sliding a part of the container towards another part of the container and thereby causing the interior region of the container to become pressurised to a pressure of greater than approximately 1.1 bar. 5

14. A method of pressurising a container for tobacco industry products, the method comprising sliding a part of the container towards another part of the container and thereby causing the interior region to pressurise such that the pressure is maintained in the interior of the container until released. 10

15. A method according to any of claims 12-14, wherein the method is performed in a nitrogen atmosphere.

16. A machine configured to carry out the method of any of claims 12-15