Container with multilayer self-adhesive reclosable sticker

Abstract

A hinge-lid container comprises a resealable package of consumer goods, the package having an opening through which consumer goods can be removed; and a self-adhesive reclosable sticker covering the opening of the package and extending beyond the periphery of the opening of the package. The sticker comprises a first and a second layer of labelling web material. The first layer is affixed to the package by a first adhesive provided on the inner surface of the first layer extending about at least a sealing portion of the package at the periphery of the opening. The first layer comprises a cut-out aligned with the opening of the package. The second layer is at least partially releasably affixed to the first layer by a second adhesive provided on a first area of the inner surface of the second layer extending about at least the lower periphery of the cut-out of the first layer. The second adhesive is a removable adhesive and a peel strength for peeling the first layer from the package is greater than a peel strength for peeling the second layer from the first layer. The second layer of the self-adhesive reclosable sticker is permanently affixed to the inner surface of the lid.

Claims

1. A hinge lid container for consumer goods comprising: a box; a lid hinged to the box along a hinge line extending across a back wall of the container; and a resealable package of consumer goods within the box, the package having an access opening through which consumer goods can be removed from an upper end of the hinge lid container, the access opening extending across a top wall and a front wall of the package; and a self-adhesive reclosable sticker covering the access opening of the package and extending beyond the periphery of the access opening of the package, wherein the self-adhesive reclosable sticker comprises at least a first and a second layer, each one of the first and second layer being formed of a respective labelling material web, wherein the first layer of labelling material web is affixed to the package by a first adhesive provided on the inner surface of the first layer extending about at least a sealing portion of the package located at the periphery of the access opening, the first layer comprising a cut-out at least partly aligned with the access opening of the package; and wherein the second layer of labelling material web is at least partially releasably affixed to the first layer by a second adhesive provided on a first area of the inner surface of the second layer extending about at least the lower periphery of the cut-out of the first layer; the second adhesive being a removable adhesive, and a peel strength for peeling the first layer from the package being greater than a peel strength for peeling the second layer from the first layer; wherein the second layer of the self-adhesive reclosable sticker is permanently affixed to the first layer by a connection portion extending along an edge of the second layer adjacent an edge of the cut-out in the first layer, the connection portion of the second layer being located towards the back of the top of the package, so that a hinge line is provided about which the second layer of the self-adhesive reclosable sticker can be pivoted in order to open and close the access opening of the package; and wherein a surface of the second layer of the self-adhesive reclosable sticker is permanently affixed by means of adhesive directly to the inner surface of the lid, such that upon pivoting the lid about the hinge line, the lid peels the second layer of the self-adhesive reclosable sticker off the first layer of the self-adhesive reclosable sticker to at least partly reveal the access opening.

2. A container according to claim 1, wherein the peel strength of the first adhesive is greater than the peel strength of the second adhesive by at least 10 percent.

3. A container according to claim 1, wherein the peel strength of the first adhesive is greater than the peel strength of the second adhesive by at least 15 percent.

4. A container according to claim 3, wherein the self-adhesive reclosable sticker comprises a pair of flaps extending laterally and permanently affixed to the side walls of the container by a layer of the first adhesive provided on the inner surface of the flaps.

5. A container according to claim 1, wherein the self-adhesive reclosable sticker comprises a pair of flaps extending laterally and permanently affixed to the side walls of the container by a layer of the first adhesive provided on the inner surface of the flaps.

6. A container according to claim 5, wherein the access opening of the package is defined by one or more lines of weakness in the package.

7. A container according to claim 5, wherein the cut-out of the first layer of the self-adhesive reclosable sticker panel is defined by one or more lines of weakness in the first layer of the self-adhesive reclosable sticker panel; and wherein the self-adhesive reclosable sticker panel comprises a further area of the inner surface of the second layer permanently affixed to the portion of the first layer bounded by the one or more lines of weakness.

8. A container according to claim 1, wherein the access opening of the package is defined by one or more lines of weakness in the package.

9. A container according to claim 1, wherein the cut-out of the first layer of the self-adhesive reclosable sticker panel is defined by one or more lines of weakness in the first layer of the self-adhesive reclosable sticker panel; and wherein the self-adhesive reclosable sticker panel comprises a further area of the inner surface of the second layer permanently affixed to the portion of the first layer bounded by the one or more lines of weakness.

10. A container according to claim 9 further comprising indicia that are hidden to the consumer by the self-adhesive resealable sticker covering the opening access of the package and that become visible when the second layer is peeled off the first layer to reveal the access opening.

11. A container according to claim 9, wherein the second layer of the self-adhesive reclosable sticker is permanently affixed to the inner surface of the lid by a permanent adhesive provided on a second area of the inner surface of the second layer; and wherein a third area of the inner surface of the adhesive label disposed between the first and second areas is substantially free of adhesive.

12. A container according to claim 9, wherein a second area of the inner surface of the second layer is substantially free of adhesive; wherein the second layer of the self-adhesive reclosable sticker is permanently affixed to the inner surface of the lid by a permanent adhesive provided on a first area of the outer surface of the second layer; and wherein the second area of the inner surface of the second layer and the first area of the outer surface of the second layer at least partially overlie each other.

13. A container according to claim 1, wherein the self-adhesive reclosable sticker cover panel extends beyond the periphery of the access opening of the package by less than 5 millimetres.

14. A container according to claim 1 further comprising indicia that are hidden to the consumer by the self-adhesive resealable sticker covering the opening access of the package and that become visible when the second layer is peeled off the first layer to reveal the access opening.

15. A container according to claim 1, further comprising a reinforcement frame within the package.

16. A container according to claim 1, further comprising a reinforcement frame outside the package, side walls of the reinforcement frame defining the side walls of the container.

17. A container according to claim 1, wherein the consumer goods are smoking articles.

18. A container according to claim 1, wherein the second layer of the self-adhesive reclosable sticker is permanently affixed to the inner surface of the lid by a permanent adhesive provided on a second area of the inner surface of the second layer; and wherein a third area of the inner surface of the adhesive label disposed between the first and second areas is substantially free of adhesive.

19. A container according to claim 1, wherein a second area of the inner surface of the second layer is substantially free of adhesive; wherein the second layer of the self-adhesive reclosable sticker is permanently affixed to the inner surface of the lid by a permanent adhesive provided on a first area of the outer surface of the second layer; and wherein the second area of the inner surface of the second layer and the first area of the outer surface of the second layer at least partially overlie each other.

Description

(1) The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross section of the top portion of a resealable container in accordance with the present invention as seen from the front, with the resealable self-adhesive sticker in the closed position;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross section of the top portion of a resealable container self-adhesive reclosable sticker package in accordance with the present invention as seen from the front, with the resealable self-adhesive sticker in the open position;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross section of the top portion of a resealable container in accordance with the present invention as seen from the side, with the resealable self-adhesive sticker in the closed position; and

(5) FIG. 4 shows a schematic partial perspective view of a hinge lid container housing a resealable container in accordance with the present invention.

(6) FIGS. 1 to 3 show cross sections of the top portion of a package 106 for housing a bundle of cigarettes (not shown). The package 106 includes a cut-out providing an access opening through which the cigarettes can be removed. The cut-out of the package 106 is defined by lines of weakness in the package delimiting an access portion of the package 106.

(7) A self-adhesive reclosable sticker 108 is attached to the outer surface of the package 106 so that the self-adhesive reclosable sticker 108 covers the cut-out defining the access opening in the package 106. In more detail, the self-adhesive reclosable sticker 108 extends beyond the periphery of the cut-out of the package 106. As shall be explained in more detail below, this enables a consumer to open and reseal the package 106 until the package 106 is empty. The access portion of the package 106 is partially separated from the remainder of the package along the lines of weakness on first opening the package 106, such that the access portion of the package remains attached to the remainder of the package 106 during subsequent opening and closing of the package.

(8) An inner frame (not shown) is mounted within the package 106. The inner frame comprises an inner frame front wall, an inner frame left side wall and an inner frame right side wall which are connected to the inner surface of the package front wall, package left side wall and package right side wall, respectively. The inner frame front wall includes a rectangular cut out at the top free edge, in order to facilitate removal of the cigarettes from the package 106.

(9) The self-adhesive reclosable sticker 108 comprises a first layer 200 and a second layer 202 formed from webs of a labelling thermoplastic material, such as for example polyethylene therephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), oriented polypropylene (OPP).

(10) The first layer 200 is affixed to the package 106 by a first adhesive 204 provided on the inner surface of the first layer 200 extending about a sealing portion of the package 106. The sealing portion of the package is located about the periphery of the access opening. Further, the first layer comprises a cut-out 206 aligned with the access opening of the package. The cut-out 206 in the first layer 200 is defined by lines of weaknesses in the first layer. Thus, the lines of weakness in the first layer 200 define an access portion of the first layer, which is bounded on three sides by the lines of weakness. The access portion of the first layer 200 is partially separated from the remainder of the first layer 200 along the lines of weakness on first opening the self-adhesive reclosable sticker 108, such that the access portion of the first layer 200 remains attached on one side to the remainder of the first layer 200 during subsequent opening and closing of the package 106. Further, the access portion of the first layer 200 is affixed to the access portion of the package.

(11) The second layer 202 is partially releasably affixed to the first layer 200 by a second, removable adhesive 208 provided on a first area of the inner surface of the second layer 202 that extends about the lower periphery of the cut-out 206 in the first layer 200. The peel strength for peeling the first layer 200 from the package 106 is greater than the peel strength for peeling the second layer 202 from the underlying first layer 200 by 20 percent.

(12) When the cover is in the closed position (see FIG. 2) the second adhesive 208 forms a seal between second layer 202 and the first layer 200, and consequently the package 106 to which the first layer 200 is affixed. In addition, the second layer 202 is sealed to the first layer 200 at the upper, back edge of the package using permanent adhesive 204, so that a hinge line is provided about which the self-adhesive reclosable sticker 108 can be pivoted in order to open and close the access opening of the package 106.

(13) A further area of the inner surface of the second layer 202 is permanently affixed to the access portion of the first layer 200 by means of permanent adhesive 204. The second, removable adhesive 208 provided on the first area of the inner surface of the second layer 202 extends about substantially the entire periphery of the access portion of the first layer 200. The second layer 202 is permanently affixed to the first layer 200 by a connection portion 220 extending along an edge of the second layer 202 adjacent an edge of the cut-out 206 in the first layer 200 and located towards the back of the top of the package 106.

(14) In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the self-adhesive reclosable sticker 108 further comprises an optional top layer film 209 covered by a layer of protective varnish 210. The top layer film 208 is affixed to the second layer 202 by means of permanent adhesive 204. Further, the self-adhesive reclosable sticker 108 comprises an adhesive neutralisation varnish 212 applied on the inner surface of the first layer 200 substantially at the boundary of the access portion of the first layer. This advantageously favours separation of the access portion of the first layer 200 from the remainder of the first layer upon first opening.

(15) As illustrated in FIG. 3, in some embodiments, the self-adhesive reclosable sticker 108 may further comprise an adhesive neutralisation varnish 212 applied on the inner surface of the second layer 202 over a portion of the second layer extending beyond the first later 200 of the self-adhesive reclosable sticker 108. Thus an adhesive free end tab of the self-adhesive reclosable sticker 108 is defined, which is easy to grab for the consumer when opening and closing the self-adhesive reclosable sticker 108 over the access opening of the package 106.

(16) In certain preferred embodiments, a package 106 as described above can be received in a hinge lid container of the type schematically illustrated in FIG. 4. The hinge lid container 100 shown in FIG. 1 is a rectangular parallelepiped and comprises a lower box 102 and an upper lid 104 that is hinged to the box 102 along a hinge line extending substantially horizontally along the back wall of the container 100. FIG. 4 shows the container with the hinge lid 104 in an open position. The overall size and construction of the box 102 and lid 104 of container 100 are substantially the same as that of a standard hinge lid cigarette pack.

(17) The box 102 has a box front wall, a box left side wall, a box right side wall, a box back wall, and a box bottom wall. The upper side of the box 102 is open, to provide an upper opening through which the cigarettes can be removed. When the container in the upright position is open, the cigarettes contained in the box 102 may be removed from the upper end of the hinge lid container 100.

(18) The lid 104 has a lid front wall, a lid left side wall, a lid right side wall, a lid back wall and a lid top wall. When the hinge lid container 100 is closed, the free edges of the walls of the lid 104 abut the free edges of the walls of the box 102 along a line of abutment. In the closed position, the walls of the lid 104 therefore form extensions of the corresponding walls of the box 102 to define the walls of the hinge lid container 100. Prior to the first opening, the container 100 is wrapped in an outer wrapper (not shown) formed of a transparent film, in the conventional manner.

(19) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the self-adhesive reclosable sticker 108 has a pair of flaps 110 extending laterally and permanently affixed to the side walls of the package 106 by a permanent adhesive provided on the inner surface of the flaps 110.

(20) Further, the self-adhesive reclosable sticker 108 is affixed to the surface of the lid 104 so that opening and closing of the lid 104 causes opening and closing of the access opening of the inner package 106. In practice, the second layer 202 of the self-adhesive reclosable sticker 108 is permanently affixed to the lid 104, so that when the lid 104 is pivoted about a hinge line extending across the back wall of the hinge lid container 100, the second layer 202 is peeled off the first layer 200, which, in contrast, lies permanently affixed to the inner package 106.