RU2713480C2 - High strength container - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: package and storage.

SUBSTANCE: container for consumer articles is at least partially formed from a layered workpiece having an inner surface and an outer surface and a thickness (T) of approximately 100 micrometers to approximately 350 micrometers. Proposed billet defines the part of container that contains at least first flat wall and second flat wall interconnected by first part in form of edge. Inner surface of first part in form of edge comprises one or several lines of ablation, extending in longitudinal direction of first part in form of edge, each of which is provided in form of groove inside billet, having minimum residual thickness (RT) from approximately 15 percent to approximately 40 percent of thickness (T) of layered workpiece, and width (X) of ablation measured transversely to longitudinal direction of first part in form of edge. Laminated workpiece is folded around one or more ablation lines, so that for each ablation line angle (α) between the outer surface of the first flat part of the workpiece adjacent to one side of the ablation line, and the outer surface of the second flat part of the workpiece adjacent to the other side of said ablation line is within 5 degrees

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EFFECT: high strength container is disclosed.

13 cl, 3 dwg

Description

The present invention relates to containers for consumer goods and to a blank for the formation of such containers, which find particular application in the storage of elongated consumer goods, such as smoking articles (for example, cigarettes). The present invention also relates to a method for forming such a container.

Smoking articles, such as cigarettes and cigars, are usually provided in soft packs or hard packs, such as hinged lid boxes or hinged lid boxes. They usually comprise a box-shaped part having a box front wall, a box back wall, box side walls and a box base. They also typically comprise a lid part with a lid front wall, a lid back wall, lid side walls and a lid top. The lid part is usually pivotally connected to the box part along the hinge line extending across the rear wall of the container. The hinge line is usually provided as a pre-folded line, a groove line or a creasing line.

Packaging in the form of solid packs, or at least part thereof, is usually obtained from a layered preform containing several panels. For packaging, one such preform is folded so that the panels of the preform can form the walls of the container.

In the case of solid packs, it is known that some edges of the box and lid are rounded or chamfered to give the container a distinctive appearance. Previously, this was usually done by creating groove lines or creasing lines in the workpiece in the areas forming the edges of the container. These lines allow the workpiece to be folded in such a way that the edge bends not just in a single line, but instead either gradually bends between two adjacent walls (in the case of a rounded edge), or bends in two or more separate places between adjacent walls (in the case of a beveled edge )

However, such scoring or scoring lines can increase the complexity of the manufacturing process. In addition, in some cases, the visual and tactile perception of the container may be impaired by the fact that the outer surface is not completely smooth and may contain folds or wave-like irregularities extending from the groove site.

Thus, it may be desirable to provide containers for consumer goods having one or more curved edges that have an improved appearance. It would also be desirable to provide a container for consumer goods with a part in the form of an edge that would be more durable and would also be easier to manufacture. Additionally, it would also be desirable to provide a blank for the manufacture of containers for consumer goods, which would simplify the manufacturing process and the assembly process and make them more flexible.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container for consumer products, the container being at least partially formed from a laminate preform having a thickness (T) and an inner surface and an outer surface, the laminate preform defining a portion of the container that comprises: a first flat wall; and a second flat wall connected to the first flat wall by means of the first part in the form of an edge, while the inner surface of the first part in the form of an edge contains one or more ablation lines extending essentially in the longitudinal direction of the first part in the form of an edge, each of one or several ablation lines are provided in the form of a groove inside the preform having a minimum residual thickness (RT) of from about 15 percent to about 40 percent of the thickness (T) of the laminate preform and the ablation width (X) measured crosswise to the longitudinal direction of the first part in the form of an edge, while the layered blank is folded around one or more ablation lines of the first part in the form of an edge so that for each ablation line the angle (α) between the outer surface of the first flat part of the workpiece adjacent to one side of the line ablation, and the outer surface of the second flat part of the workpiece adjacent to the other side of the specified ablation line is within 5 degrees:

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a laminate preform for forming containers for consumer products, the laminate preform having a thickness (T) and an inner surface and an outer surface, the preform comprising: a first wall panel for forming a first flat container wall; and a panel of the second wall to form a second flat wall of the container, the panel of the second wall being connected to the panel of the first wall by means of the first part in the form of an edge; and the inner surface of the first part in the form of an edge contains one or more ablation lines extending essentially in the longitudinal direction of the first part in the form of an edge, each of one or more ablation lines being provided as a groove inside the workpiece having a minimum residual thickness (RT ) from about 15 percent to about 40 percent of the thickness (T) of the laminate preform and the ablation width (X), measured transversely to the longitudinal direction of the first part in the form of an edge, while the laminate preform it can be folded around one or more ablation lines of the first part in the form of an edge, so that when folding for each ablation line, the angle (α) between the outer surface of the first flat part of the workpiece adjacent to one side of the ablation line and the outer surface of the second flat part of the workpiece adjacent to the other side of the specified ablation line is within 5 degrees:

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of forming containers for consumer products, the container being at least partially formed from a preform having a thickness (T), the method comprising: providing a layered preform having a thickness (T), the preform comprising: a first wall panel for the formation of the first flat wall of the container; and a panel of the second wall to form a second flat wall of the container, the panel of the second wall being connected to the panel of the first wall by means of the first part in the form of an edge; wherein the inner surface of the first part in the form of an edge contains one or more ablation lines extending essentially in the longitudinal direction of the first part in the form of an edge, while each of one or more ablation lines is provided in the form of a groove inside the workpiece having a minimum residual thickness (RT ) from about 15 percent to about 40 percent of the thickness (T) of the laminate preform and the ablation width (X), measured transverse to the longitudinal direction of the first part in the form of an edge; and folding the panel of the first wall of the laminate preform relative to the panel of the second wall, so that for each ablation line, the angle (α) between the outer surface of the first flat part of the preform adjacent to one side of the ablation line and the outer surface of the second flat part of the preform adjacent to the other side of said ablation line, within 5 degrees:

It should be borne in mind that any features described in relation to one aspect of the present invention are equally applicable to any other aspect of the present invention.

Unlike existing types of containers that use mechanical grooving lines to define a part in the form of a container edge, the present invention includes removing material from special places in a part of a workpiece that defines the first part in the form of a container edge. Providing ablation areas, including ablation lines (for example, formed by laser ablation) to form the first part as the edge of the container, advantageously reduces the force required to fold the workpiece along the first part in the form of an edge.

However, this also leads to the fact that the container is more susceptible to local deformation around the first part in the form of an edge, since less material resists external force. In order to solve this problem, the authors of the present invention determined that the material should be removed from the workpiece in accordance with certain criteria. In particular, the authors of the present invention determined that the material should be removed from the workpiece so that for each ablation line, the angle (α) between the outer surface of the first flat part of the workpiece adjacent to one side of the ablation line and the outer surface of the second flat part of the workpiece, adjacent to the other side of the specified ablation line, was within 5 degrees:

This allows you to fold the workpiece on any one ablation groove so that the sides of the ablation groove come into contact with each other and thereby provide additional strength on the specified part in the form of an edge. As a result, a pack is provided that is more reliable and less prone to deformation when exposed to external forces. Accordingly, the inventors of the present invention unexpectedly discovered that it is actually possible to remove material from the inner surface of the workpiece so that the workpiece folds more easily, while at the same time it is more durable and less prone to deformation when exposed to external force.

A container can be traditionally formed from a single blank by means of a traditional packaging machine. Additionally, since the outer surface of the workpiece is not exposed to the ablation process, the resulting outer surface of the container does not have localized folds or wave-like irregularities in the place of the ablation line (as would be the case with the mechanical lines of the grooves).

The preform according to the present invention can be advantageously made by accurately removing material from the first portion in the form of an edge using a linear ablation tool (e.g., a laser or a blade). The laser is a particularly preferred ablation tool because it is non-invasive and can be digitally programmed to increase design flexibility. In particular, the use of a laser as an ablation tool makes it possible to obtain a wide range of ablation profiles and configurations with minimal need for adjustment of the laser tool. As a result of multiple passes of the ablation tool over a given part of the workpiece, a larger percentage of the material in the region of reduced residual thickness is removed. Thus, the manufacturing process can be simplified. Laser ablation can be performed using any suitable equipment, preferably a 1000 W carbon dioxide laser, such as commercially available from DIAMOND, for example, E-1000. Ablation can be performed in the direction of processing the layered workpiece or in the transverse direction.

A container made from a laminate preform according to the present invention can be obtained without the preliminary bending step, which is usually required with traditional methods for producing rounded corners, for example, stamping.

The term “edge portion” in the context of this document refers to a portion of a workpiece defining an edge between two adjacent container walls. The first part in the form of an edge is a part of the workpiece, which defines the edge between the first flat wall and the second flat wall.

In some embodiments, the implementation of the first part in the form of an edge may have a relatively small width and have a square shape, as seen in cross section. In such embodiments, the inner surface of the first portion in the form of an edge may have only one ablation line.

Alternatively, the first portion in the form of an edge may have a large width and have a non-square shape, as seen in cross section. For example, this may refer to a “part in the form of a curved edge”, that is, a part in the form of an edge of a container having an arcuate shape when viewed in cross section. The term "curved" means any indirect line, including a circular arc, a parabola arc, a hyperbola arc, an ellipse arc, etc. Preferably, however, the first part in the form of an edge is a "part in the form of a beveled edge", that is, a part in the form the edges of the containers, which, when viewed in cross section, have one or more substantially straight shapes that form an angle from 0 to 90 degrees with adjacent container walls. The beveled edge portion can only be defined by two ablation lines, so that a single face extends between the first flat wall and the second flat wall. Alternatively, the ablation region may comprise at least three ablation lines in any given longitudinal position. For such embodiments, the chamfered portion will comprise two or more faces extending between the first flat wall and the second flat wall. The faces may have any suitable shape, but preferably have a substantially rectangular shape.

The term "inner surface" in the context of this description refers to the side of the part of the workpiece, which in the case of assembled containers facing the inside of the container, for example, in the direction of consumer goods, when the container is closed. Thus, the inner surface is not directly visible to the consumer when the container is closed. The term "outer surface" in the context of this description refers to the side of the part of the workpiece, which in the case of assembled containers facing outward from the container.

The term "ablation line" in the context of this document refers to a line along the inner surface of the part in the form of the edge from which the material was ablated (for example, removed by means of a laser beam or blade). Accordingly, the residual thickness of the ablation line is less than the thickness (T) of the laminate preform. Preferably, the ablation line is in the form of a groove in the workpiece. It can be formed using a linear ablation tool, such as a laser or a blade.

The “thickness” (T) of the workpiece is the thickness of the workpiece after its manufacture, but before the formation of any ablation lines or groove lines on the workpiece. That is, the thickness (T) of the preform is the thickness in any area of the preform that does not contain an ablation line or a groove line.

The term "residual thickness" in the context of this document refers to the minimum distance measured between two opposite surfaces of a laminated preform or a container wall formed from a preform. In practice, a distance at a given location is measured along a direction locally perpendicular to opposing surfaces. The residual thickness of the ablation line can vary across the width of the ablation line (e.g., V-shaped, U-shaped grooves).

The term "minimum residual thickness" in the context of this document refers to the smallest value of "residual thickness" measured in the ablation line.

In the context of this document, the terms "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "top", "bottom" and "side" refer to the relative positions of the parts of the packaging according to the present invention and its components when the packaging is vertical position with a hole for access at the top of the container. In particular, when the container is a container with a hinged lid, this means that the container is in an upright position with the lid in the closed position and the hinge line in the back of the container. When describing containers according to the present invention, these terms are used regardless of the orientation of the described containers.

The term "elastic return force" is a well-known term in the art to refer to a particular property of a laminate preform. It is sometimes referred to as “crush resistance,” and it refers to the force (N) required to hold a scribed sample bent at an angle of 90 degrees for a 15-second period. Measurement is carried out at the end of a 15 second period. The elastic return force of a portion of the laminate preform can be measured using the well-known PIRA bending and panel stiffness tester (commercially available, for example, from Messmer and Buchel, UK). As is known from the prior art, in order to measure the elastic return force of a part in the form of a container edge, it is first necessary to extract a sample of the test part from the layered preform. For the purposes of the present invention, the elastic return force of the bundle was evaluated using a sample measuring 38 ± 1 millimeter by 38 ± 0.5 millimeters, the first part in the form of an edge located at a distance of 21 ± 0.5 millimeters from one side of the workpiece. Before testing, the workpiece must be held at a temperature of 22 degrees Celsius and a relative humidity of 60 percent for at least 24 hours.

Preferably, the angle (α) is at least:

Preferably, each of one or more ablation lines is made in the form of a substantially V-shaped groove in the layered preform. That is, preferably, each of the one or more ablation lines made has a substantially V-shaped cross-sectional profile in the laminate preform when the laminate preform is in an unfolded state. The cross-sectional profile of ablation lines can be determined by using an optical profile created by 2D non-contact surface metrology, such as a MicroSpy profile (RTM) (commercially available from Fries Research & Technology GmbH, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany).

Preferably, each of one or more ablation lines has a minimum residual thickness (RT) of less than about 40 percent of the thickness (T) of the laminate preform. Preferably, each of one or more ablation lines has a minimum residual thickness (RT) of at least about 20 percent of the thickness (T) of the laminate preform.

The residual thickness of each ablation line can be determined using an optical profilometer for 2D and 3D non-contact surface metrology, such as a MicroSpy profile (RTM) (commercially available from Fries Research & Technology GmbH, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany). Preferably, several points of minimum residual thickness are measured along the length of the ablation line, wherein the measurement points are evenly distributed along the length of one ablation line, and the arithmetic mean is calculated. Even more preferably, to obtain a “minimum residual thickness” according to the present invention, five measurements are taken uniformly distributed along the length of the ablation line, and then the arithmetic average is calculated.

Even more preferably, to obtain a “minimum residual thickness” according to the present invention, five measurements are taken uniformly distributed along the length of the ablation line, and then the arithmetic average is calculated.

For example, if the length of the ablation line is 80 millimeters, the residual thickness is measured at both ends of the ablation line and at three additional points located at a distance of 20 millimeters, forty millimeters and sixty millimeters respectively from one end of the ablation line, preferably from the lower end of the ablation line.

The term “clearance” as used herein refers to the distance between the bottom points of two adjacent ablation lines.

Preferably, several clearance points are measured along the length of the pair of parallel ablation lines, wherein the measurement points are evenly distributed along the length of the parallel parts of the ablation lines, and the arithmetic mean is calculated.

Even more preferably, in order to obtain a “gap” according to the present invention, five measurements are performed uniformly distributed along the parallel parts of two adjacent ablation lines, and then the arithmetic average is calculated.

For example, if the length of the parallel part of two adjacent ablation lines is 80 millimeters, respectively, the gap is measured at both ends and at three additional points located at a distance of 20 millimeters, forty millimeters and sixty millimeters respectively from one end of the parallel part, preferably from the lower end of the ablation line .

The first edge portion may contain any suitable number of ablation lines. For example, in some preferred embodiments, the implementation of the first part in the form of an edge contains five or less lines of ablation in any given longitudinal position on its inner surface. If more than five ablation lines are provided in any given longitudinal position on the first part in the form of an edge, then measuring the angle (α) for each ablation line can be difficult.

Ablation lines can have any suitable length profile in the longitudinal direction of the first part in the form of an edge. For example, the ablation line may extend along a curved path along at least part of its profile along the length in the longitudinal direction of the first part in the form of an edge. In such embodiments, the face formed by such an ablation line will have a non-linear perimeter.

In some preferred embodiments, the one or more ablation lines comprise at least two ablation lines that extend parallel to at least a portion of the first portion in the form of an edge in its longitudinal direction. This can create a face of a substantially rectangular shape in the first part in the form of an edge. In some particularly preferred embodiments, all of one or more ablation lines in the first portion in the form of an edge extend parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first portion in the form of an edge. This can create the first part in the form of an edge having faces of only substantially rectangular shape.

The preform is preferably a laminated cellulosic fiber preform. Preferably, the laminate preform is formed from cardboard or heavy paper.

The term “cellulosic fiber-based laminate preform” as used herein refers to a laminate preform containing at least 50 percent by weight of cellulosic fibers based on the total fiber content of the laminate preform. The cellulosic or wood fiber based laminate preform of the present invention may contain other types of fibers, for example polymer fibers.

Preferably, the laminate preform has a base weight of from about 100 grams per square meter to about 350 grams per square meter. In some preferred embodiments, the laminate preform has a base weight of from about 160 grams per square meter to about 240 grams per square meter. It is understood that such ranges represent average values, and that the bulk of the laminate may vary between several batches, for example, plus ten percent or minus ten percent, preferably plus 5 percent or minus five percent. Preferably, for the beveled portion, a preferred base weight range is combined with an average distance between two adjacent ablation lines measured from their inner adjacent edges from about 1.2 mm to about 6 mm, more preferably from about 1.2 mm to about 4 mm

Preferably, the thickness (T) of the laminate preform is from about 260 micrometers to about 360 micrometers. More preferably, the thickness (T) of the laminate preform is from about 300 micrometers to about 350 micrometers. The thickness (T) of the laminate preform can be measured according to ISO 534: 2011.

Preferably, the ablation width (X) of each ablation line is at least about 0.2 millimeters. More preferably, the ablation width of each ablation line is at least about 0.3 millimeters. Additionally or alternatively, the ablation width of each ablation line is less than about 0.5 millimeters. More preferably, the ablation width of each ablation line is less than about 0.45 millimeters. In some preferred embodiments, the ablation width of each ablation line is from about 0.1 millimeters to about 0.5 millimeters. Even more preferably, the ablation width of each ablation line is from about 0.2 millimeters to about 0.45 millimeters, more preferably from about 0.3 millimeters to 0.4 millimeters.

Preferably, the first planar wall is perpendicular to the second planar wall.

Preferably, the container has an elastic return force of less than about 10 millinewton meters between two flat walls that are joined by an edge in the first part.

In some preferred embodiments, the implementation of the layered preform forms at least part of the container, which contains the part in the form of a box having a front wall of the box, the rear wall of the box and the side walls of the box, passing between the front wall of the box and the rear wall of the box, and one of the side walls the box is connected to the front wall of the box or the rear wall of the box through the first part in the form of an edge. Alternatively or additionally, the first edge portion may connect the bottom wall of the box to one of the side walls of the box, the front wall of the box or the back wall of the box.

Additionally or in alternative embodiments, the implementation of the layered preform preferably forms at least part of the container, which contains a part in the form of a lid having a front wall of the lid, a rear wall of the lid and side walls of the lid extending between the front wall of the lid and the rear wall of the lid, one of the side the walls of the lid is connected to the front wall of the lid or to the rear wall of the lid by means of the first part in the form of an edge. Alternatively or additionally, the first edge portion may connect the top wall of the lid to one of the side walls of the lid, the front wall of the lid, or the rear wall of the lid.

In some particularly preferred embodiments, the implementation of the container contains two or more parts in the form of an edge along its transverse edges, longitudinal edges, or both, with each part in the form of an edge has any of the preferred features described above.

A container according to the present invention finds use as a container for consumer goods, in particular elongated consumer goods, such as smoking articles. However, it can also be used for several other types of consumer goods, such as confectionery.

Preferably, the width (W) of the ablation region is at least about 2 millimeters. More preferably, the width of the ablation region is at least about 4 millimeters. Additionally or alternatively, the width of the ablation region is less than about 8 millimeters. More preferably, the width of the ablation region is less than about 6 millimeters.

Preferably, the distance (Y) between two adjacent ablation lines in the ablation region is at least about 1.2 millimeters. More preferably, the distance (Y) between two adjacent ablation lines in the ablation region is at least about 1.5 millimeters. Additionally or alternatively, the distance (Y) between adjacent ablation lines in the ablation region is less than about 10 millimeters, more preferably less than about 6 millimeters. The distance (Y) should be measured between two adjacent edges of two adjacent ablation lines.

Preferably, the laminate preform has a bending stiffness of at least about 50 millinewtons, preferably at least about 75 millinewtons, most preferably at least about 90 millinewtons, in addition, or, alternatively, the laminate preform has a bending stiffness of less than about 500 millinewton, preferably less than about 200 millinewton, more preferably less than about 160 millinewton. The laminate preform preferably has a bending stiffness of from about 50 millinewtons to about 200 millinewtons. More preferably, the laminate preform has a stiffness in the processing direction of from about 75 millinewton to about 160 millinewton. Stiffness in the “bending direction” means that the bending stiffness is measured in the direction in which the finished panel should be folded in the ablation zone.

Preferably, the laminate preform has a bending stiffness of at least 10, preferably at least 12, more preferably at least 15 and even more preferably at least 20 millinewtons. More preferably, the laminate preform has a residual stiffness in the bending direction of about 60 or less, preferably 50 or less, even more preferably 40 or less millinewton.

Preferably, the laminate preform has a surface roughness of from about 0.5 micrometers to about 1.5 micrometers. More preferably, the laminate preform has a surface roughness of from about 0.75 micrometers to about 1.25 micrometers. Surface roughness can be measured according to ISO 8791-4.

Preferably, the laminate preform has a surface strength of from about 1 meter per second to about 2 meters per second. More preferably, the laminate preform has a surface strength of from about 1.25 meters per second to about 1.75 meters per second. Surface roughness can be measured according to ISO 3783.

The container may optionally contain an outer wrapper, which is preferably a transparent polymer film, for example, of high or low density polyethylene, polypropylene, oriented polypropylene, polyvinylidene chloride, cellulose film, or combinations thereof, the outer wrapper is applied in the usual way. The outer wrapper may comprise a tear tape. In addition, images, consumer information or other data may be printed on said outer wrapper.

Additionally, consumer products may be placed inside the container in the form of a kit wrapped in an inner package formed of metal foil or metallized paper. The material of the inner packaging can be formed in the form of a layered structure of a metallized plastic film and a facing material. The cladding material may be supercalendered glassin paper. In addition, the material of the inner packaging may be provided with a topcoat on which printing is possible. The inner packaging has an access opening through which consumer goods can be removed when the packaging lid is in the corresponding open position.

The container is preferably a rectangular box containing two wider walls separated by two narrower walls. A hinged lid container according to the present invention may be in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped with longitudinal and transverse edges. In such embodiments, one of the longitudinal or transverse edges corresponds to the first part in the form of an edge of the laminate preform. Each of these longitudinal or transverse edges may have any of the preferred features described above.

Preferably, the first edge portion has a width of from about 2 mm to about 8 mm, preferably from about 4 to about 6 mm.

The packaging according to the present invention finds particular application as packs for elongated smoking articles, such as, for example, cigarettes, cigars or cigarillos. It will be understood that by properly selecting the container sizes according to the present invention, it is possible to produce it for a different number of cigarettes of the usual format and the king size, super-king size, slim or super-slim formats. Alternatively, other consumer goods may be stored inside the container.

By appropriately selecting container sizes, the present invention can be made to store different total quantities of smoking articles or different configurations of smoking articles. For example, by appropriately selecting container sizes according to the present invention, a total of ten to thirty smoking articles can be manufactured for storage.

Smoking articles can be arranged in different configurations, depending on the total number of smoking articles.

A container according to the present invention may store smoking articles of the same type or brand or of different types or brands. In addition, it is possible to store both smoking articles without a filter, and smoking articles with various filters, as well as smoking articles of various lengths (e.g., from about 40 mm to about 180 mm) and diameters (e.g., from about 4 mm to about 9 mm). Preferably, the container sizes are adapted to the length of the smoking articles and the layout of the smoking articles. Typically, the external dimensions of a container exceed the dimensions of a kit or sets of smoking articles placed inside the container by an amount of about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm.

The length, width and depth of the container according to the present invention may be such that the resulting overall dimensions of the container are similar to the dimensions of a typical disposable pack of twenty cigarettes.

Preferably, the container of the present invention has a height of from about 60 mm to about 150 mm, more preferably a height of from about 70 mm to about 125 mm, the height being measured from the bottom wall to the top wall of the container.

Preferably, the container according to the present invention has a width of from about 12 mm to about 150 mm, more preferably a width of from about 70 mm to about 125 mm, the width being measured from one side wall to the other side wall of the container.

Preferably, the container according to the present invention has a depth of from about 6 mm to about 150 mm, more preferably a depth of from about 12 mm to about 25 mm, the depth being measured from the front wall to the rear wall of the container.

Preferably, the ratio of tare height to tare depth is from about 0.3 to 1 to about 10 to 1, more preferably from about 2 to 1 to about 8 to 1, most preferably from about 3 to 1 to 5 to 1.

Preferably, the ratio of tare width to tare depth is from about 0.3 to 1 to about 10 to 1, more preferably from about 2 to 1 to about 8 to 1, most preferably from about 2 to 1 to 3 to 1.

Preferably, the ratio of the height of the back wall of the lid to the height of the back wall of the box of the outer casing is from about 0 to 1 (the lid is located on the top edge of the container) to about 1 to 1, more preferably from about 1 to 5 to about 1 to 10, most preferably from about 1 to 6 to about 1 to 8.

Preferably, the ratio of the height of the front wall of the lid of the outer casing to the height of the front wall of the box of the outer casing is from about 1 to 0 (the lid covers the entire front wall) to about 1 to 10, more preferably from about 1 to 1 to about 1 to 5, most preferably from about 1 to 2 to about 1 to 3.

The outer surfaces of the containers of the present invention may be printed, stamped, embossed, or otherwise decorated with the manufacturer’s or brand’s logos, trademarks, slogans and other consumer information and marks.

The container of the present invention may be filled and assembled using conventional equipment and methods modified to include the step of forming two or more ablation lines in the preform. Ablation lines can be made using an ablation tool such as a laser or a blade. A laser is particularly preferred as an ablation tool because it provides the ability to produce a wide range of ablation profiles and configurations with minimal need for laser tool adjustment. For example, a laser can repeatedly pass over a given part of a workpiece for phased removal of different amounts of material, making it possible to obtain an ablation profile with very high control accuracy. This is also useful if thin ablation lines with small widths are required. It is possible to precisely control the relative movement of the laser and the workpiece in such a way as to form any type of pattern with varying removal intensity ("depth") over the ablation area.

The present invention will be further described solely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

in FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container having at least one edge portion according to an embodiment of the present invention;

in FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a laminate preform for forming the container of FIG. 1, shown in unfolded condition;

in FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of part of a laminate preform for forming a container of FIG. 1 shown in the folded state.

As may be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, in FIG. 1 shows a container 100 for consumer goods that can be formed by folding a laminated blank of cardboard or thick paper having a thickness (T).

The container 100 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and comprises a box-shaped portion 30 and a hinge cover 40 connected to the box-shaped portion 30 along a hinge line 50 extending substantially along the rear wall of the container 100. The outer dimensions and construction of the box 30 and the lid 40 the packs 100 are essentially the same as the standard hinged-lid cigarette pack. Part 30 in the form of a box contains the front wall of the box, the back wall of the box, the bottom wall of the box, the left side wall of the box and the right side wall of the box. The hinge cover 40 includes a front wall of the cover, a rear wall of the cover, an upper wall of the cover, a left side wall of the cover, and a right side wall of the cover. The hinge cover 40 is rotatable around the hinge line 50 between the closed position and the open position. In the closed position, the hinge cover 40 closes the access opening of the container 100, and the walls of the hinge cover 40 form a continuation of the corresponding walls of the box portion 30. In the open position, the hinge cover 40 rotates around the hinge line 50 with a protrusion back from the box-shaped part 30, and completely opening the access hole in the upper side of the box-shaped part 30. The box-shaped portion 30 and the hinge cover 40 can be formed together from one laminate preform having a thickness T. The container can be assembled from the laminate preform and filled using standard equipment.

The container contains a first flat wall 4, which in FIG. 1 is a side wall of a box-shaped portion 30. The container also contains a second flat wall 8, which in FIG. 1 is a front wall of a box portion 30. The side wall 4 and the front wall 8 are connected to each other by means of the first part 20 in the form of an edge, which is shown in FIG. 1 as part 20 in the form of a beveled edge. Also not visible in perspective view in FIG. 1, the inner surface of the oblique edge portion 20 comprises first and second ablation lines, each of which defines corresponding inflection points of the oblique edge portion 22 and 24 when the container 100 is assembled. The inflection points 22 and 24 extend parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction of the part 20 in the form of a beveled edge, in order to thereby determine a single rectangular face 6 of the part 20 in the form of a beveled edge.

Thus, the layered workpiece passes from the side wall 4 to the face 6 at an angle (22α) around the first ablation line defining the inflection point 22. Thus, the first ablation line should be designed for a minimum residual thickness (RT) of from about 15 percent to about 40 percent of the thickness (T) of the laminate preform and the width (X) of ablation, measured transversely to the longitudinal direction of the first part in the form of an edge, so that angle (22α) is within five degrees:

Similarly, the laminate preform passes from the face 6 to the front wall 8 by an angle (24α) around the second ablation line defining the inflection point 24. Thus, the second ablation line should be designed for a minimum residual thickness (RT) of from about 15 percent to about 40 percent of the thickness (T) of the laminate preform and the width (X) of ablation, measured transversely to the longitudinal direction of the first part in the form of an edge, so that angle (24α) is within five degrees:

This may be best understood from FIG. 2 and 3, which show cross sections of the first part 20 in the form of an edge in an unfolded and folded state, respectively. In particular, in FIG. 2 shows a laminate preform in an unfolded substantially flat state, with the first ablation line 220 and the second ablation line 240 being substantially V-shaped in their cross-sectional profile. In FIG. 3 shows the workpiece in the folded state, with the side walls of each ablation groove 240, 220 being brought together to abut against each other. The preform was folded so that between the outer surface of the front wall 8 and face 6 there is an angle 24α, and between the outer surface of the side wall 4 and face 6 there is an angle 22α. As a consequence of the constructions of the ablation line and fold angles 24α and 22α, the portion 20 in the form of a beveled edge can have increased strength and be less susceptible to local deformation.

FIG. 2 and 3 are presented for illustrative purposes only, and it should be understood that they are not necessarily schematically accurate or scaled.

Claims (35)

1. A container for consumer products, wherein the container is at least partially formed from a laminate preform having an inner surface and an outer surface and a thickness (T) of from about 100 micrometers to about 350 micrometers, the layered preform defining a portion of the container that contains: first flat wall; and a second flat wall connected to the first flat wall by means of the first part in the form of an edge, wherein the inner surface of the first part in the form of an edge contains one or more ablation lines extending essentially in the longitudinal direction of the first part in the form of an edge, wherein each of one or more ablation lines is provided in the form of a groove inside the preform having a minimum residual thickness (RT) of from about 15 percent to about 40 percent of the thickness (T) of the layered preform and the ablation width (X) measured transversely to the longitudinal direction of the first edge parts wherein the laminated preform is folded around one or more ablation lines of the first part in the form of an edge, so that for each ablation line, the angle (α) between the outer surface of the first flat part of the preform adjacent to one side of the ablation line and the outer surface of the second flat part of the preform, adjacent to the other side of the specified ablation line, is within 5 degrees

. 2. A container according to claim 1, characterized in that the angle (α) is equal to at least

. 3. A container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each of one or more ablation lines is made in the form of a substantially V-shaped groove in the workpiece. 4. A container according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, characterized in that each of one or more ablation lines has a minimum residual thickness (RT) of at least about 20 percent of the thickness (T) of the laminate. 5. Packaging according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, characterized in that the first part in the form of an edge contains five or less of these ablation lines in any given longitudinal position on its inner surface. 6. A container according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, characterized in that one or more ablation lines extend in parallel in the longitudinal direction of the first part in the form of an edge. 7. A container according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, characterized in that the laminated preform is a laminated preform based on cellulose fiber or based on wood fiber. 8. A container according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, characterized in that the ablation width of each of one or more of the ablation lines is from about 0.1 millimeter to about 0.5 millimeter. 9. A container according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, characterized in that the first flat wall is perpendicular to the second flat wall. 10. A container according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, characterized in that it contains: a box-shaped part comprising a front wall of a part in the form of a box, a rear wall of the part in the form of a box, first and second side walls of the part in the form of a box, and a lower wall of the part in the form of a box; and part in the form of a cover extending along the hinge line from the upper edge of the part in the form of a box, while the part in the form of a cover is configured to move around the hinge line between the open position and the closed position. 11. A container according to claim 11, characterized in that the first flat wall represents the front wall of the part in the form of a box, and the second flat wall represents the side walls of the part in the form of a box. 12. A layered preform for forming containers for consumer products, the layered preform having an inner surface and an outer surface and a thickness (T) of from about 100 micrometers to about 350 micrometers, the preform containing: a panel of the first wall to form the first flat wall of the container; and a second wall panel for forming a second flat container wall, the second wall panel being connected to the first wall panel through the first portion in the form of an edge; and wherein the inner surface of the first part in the form of an edge contains one or more ablation lines extending essentially in the longitudinal direction of the first part in the form of an edge, wherein each of one or more ablation lines is provided in the form of a groove inside the preform having a minimum residual thickness (RT) of from about 15 percent to about 40 percent of the thickness (T) of the layered preform and the ablation width (X) measured transversely to the longitudinal direction of the first parts in the form of an edge, and wherein the layered preform is configured to fold around one or more ablation lines of the first part in the form of an edge, so that when folding for each ablation line, the angle (α) between the outer surface of the first flat part of the preform adjacent to one side of the ablation line and the outer surface the second flat part of the workpiece adjacent to the other side of the specified ablation line is within 5 degrees

. 13. A method of forming containers for consumer products, wherein the container is at least partially formed from a preform having a thickness (T) of from about 100 micrometers to about 350 micrometers, the method comprising: providing a layered preform having a thickness (T), the preform containing: a panel of the first wall to form the first flat wall of the container; and a panel of the second wall to form a second flat wall of the container, the panel of the second wall being connected to the panel of the first wall by means of the first part in the form of an edge; wherein the inner surface of the first part in the form of an edge contains one or more ablation lines extending essentially in the longitudinal direction of the first part in the form of an edge, wherein each of one or more ablation lines is provided in the form of a groove inside the preform having a minimum residual thickness (RT) of from about 15 percent to about 40 percent of the thickness (T) of the layered preform and the width (X) of ablation, measured transversely to the longitudinal direction of the first parts in the form of an edge; and folding the panel of the first wall of the layered blank relative to the panel of the second wall, so that for each ablation line, the angle (α) between the outer surface of the first flat part of the workpiece adjacent to one side of the ablation line and the outer surface of the second flat part of the workpiece adjacent to the other side of the specified line ablation, is within 5 degrees

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