Resealable container including insert

Abstract

Containers that comprise a housing that comprises a box and a lid that is hingedly attached to the box. The lid comprises a front wall that has an inner surface, an outer surface and a bottom edge. The container also comprises an inner package disposed at least partially within the housing and at least partially defining an interior volume for housing consumer goods. The container also comprises a resealable label configured to open and close the inner package when the lid of the housing is opened and closed, wherein the resealable lable is positioned adjacent the inner surface of the front wall of the lid. The container also comprises an insert comprising a line of weakness and a communication portion, wherein the insert is coupled to the resealable label to maintain connection of the insert with the container until the line of weakness is broken.

Claims

1. A container (10) for consumer goods, comprising: a housing (12) comprising a box (14) and a lid (20) hingedly attached to the box, wherein the box comprises an interior volume and the lid has an inner (22) and an outer (26) surface, a front wall (24) and a front bottom edge; an inner package (30) disposed at least partially within the interior volume of the box and at least partially defining an interior volume for housing consumer goods; a resealable label (45) configured to open and close the inner package when the lid of the housing is opened and closed, wherein the resealable label is positioned adjacent the inner surface of the front wall of the lid; and an insert (60), the insert comprising a first a line of weakness (64), a second line of weakness (73), and a communication portion (61), wherein the insert is coupled to the resealable label to maintain connection of the insert with the container until the first line of weakness is broken; and a locating portion (74), wherein the second line of weakness is between the locating portion and the insert.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein opening the container automatically forces the insert away from the container.

3. The container of claim 1, wherein the insert is a different material than the housing.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein the insert is an extension of the resealable label and the insert extends beyond the bottom edge of the lid.

5. The container of claim 1, wherein the line of weakness of the insert separates the communication portion of the insert from the resealable label.

6. The container of claim 1, wherein the resealable label is affixed to the inner surface of the front wall of the lid.

7. The container of claim 6, wherein the resealable label and the insert are positioned so that the line of weakness is positioned above the bottom edge of the lid but below the position where the resealable label is affixed to the inner surface of the front wall of the lid.

8. The container of claim 1, wherein the insert is at least partially adhered to both the label and the inner surface of the front wall of the lid.

9. The container of claim 1, wherein the communication portion of the insert is attached to the inner container or the box.

10. The container of claim 1, wherein the line of weakness, the second line of weakness and the inner package can all be broken with a force not greater than about 15 N.

11. A container (10) for consumer goods, comprising: a housing (12) comprising a box (14) and a lid (20) hingedly attached to the box, wherein the box comprises an interior volume and the lid has an inner (22) and an outer (26) surface, a front wall (24) and a front bottom edge; an inner package (30) disposed at least partially within the interior volume of the box and at least partially defining an interior volume for housing consumer goods; a resealable label (45) configured to open and close the inner package when the lid of the housing is opened and closed, wherein the resealable label is positioned adjacent the inner surface of the front wall of the lid; an insert (60), the insert characterized by comprising a line of weakness (64) and a communication portion (61), wherein the insert is affixed to the resealable label to maintain connection of the insert with the container until the line of weakness is broken, wherein the label is positioned between the insert and the inner surface of the front wall of the lid.

12. A container (10) for consumer goods, comprising: a housing (12) comprising a box (14) and a lid (20) hingedly attached to the box, wherein the box comprises an interior volume and the lid has an inner (22) and an outer (26) surface, a front wall (24) and a front bottom edge; an inner package (30) disposed at least partially within the interior volume of the box and at least partially defining an interior volume for housing consumer goods; a resealable label (45) configured to open and close the inner package when the lid of the housing is opened and closed, wherein the resealable label is positioned adjacent the inner surface of the front wall of the lid; an insert (60), the insert characterized by comprising a line of weakness (64) and a communication portion (61), wherein the insert is affixed to the resealable label to maintain connection of the insert with the container until the line of weakness is broken, wherein the line of weakness of the insert is positioned between the bottom edge of the lid and the point at which the insert is affixed to the resealable label.

Description

(1) FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a container in an open position, where the container comprises an insert coupled with the label.

(2) FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an insert that can be affixed to a label.

(3) FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of an insert that is coextensive with a label.

(4) FIGS. 4 to 6 illustrate schematic perspective views of a container that includes an insert that is part of or an extension of the label at various points of opening.

(5) FIG. 7 depicts a cross section of an illustrative example of one configuration in which an insert can be affixed to a label.

(6) FIG. 8 depicts a cross section of an illustrative example of another configuration in which an insert can be affixed to a label.

(7) FIGS. 9 to 11 illustrate schematic perspective views of a container that includes an insert that is affixed to a label at various points of opening.

(8) FIGS. 12 to 14 illustrate schematic perspective views of a container that includes an insert that is coupled to a label and a locating portion.

(9) Referring to FIG. 1, a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a container 10 for consumer goods is depicted. The container includes a housing 12 that includes a box 14 and a lid 20 hingedly attached to the box via a hinge line (not shown). The box has a front wall 16 and a rear wall 18. The front wall of the box has an upper edge 21. The lid 20 has a front wall 24 that has an inner surface 22 and an outer surface 26.

(10) An inner package 30 is disposed within the housing 12. The inner package 30 at least partially defines an interior volume for housing consumer goods. The inner package 30 is made from a barrier material or materials to hermetically seal the consumer goods before the container is opened for the first time. The barrier material may be a metal foil or a plastic and metal laminate. The inner package 30 includes an access opening 54 through which the consumer goods (not shown) can be removed. The access opening 54 is covered by a flap 44, when the inner package 30 is closed. Further, the access opening 54 is at least partially uncovered when the flap 44 is in the open position. The flap 44 is attached to and functions to seal the inner package via a label 45. The flap 44 is attached to an inner surface 22 of the front wall 24 of the lid 20 via a label 45 such that upon opening the lid the flap and a portion 55 of the second layer 50 attached to the flap are separated from the inner package 30 along first and second lines of weakness (not shown herein) to reveal the access opening 54. The label also functions to make the inner package resealable via at least a sealing area.

(11) FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an insert 60 that can be affixed to a label. The insert 60 includes a communication portion 61, a line of weakness 64 and an attachment portion 63. The communication portion 61 could include printing on one or both sides thereof.

(12) FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of an insert that is coextensive with a label. The insert 60 includes a communication portion 61 and a line of weakness 64. The communication portion 61 could include printing on one or both sides thereof. The label portion 45 can include on a first surface at least a non-sealing area and a sealing area that functions to seal the inner package and on the second opposing surface a permanent adhesive that functions to attach it as well as the flap of the inner package to the inner surface of the lid. The label portion could also comprise other features not seen in these embodiments.

(13) FIGS. 4 to 6 illustrate schematic perspective views of a container that includes an insert that is part of or an extension of the label at various points of opening. The container 10 includes a box 14 and a lid 20. Attachment region 42 indicates the point at which the extended label is affixed to the inner surface of the lid. (FIG. 4). Upon opening the container by separating the sealing area 43 of the label from the inner package, the communication portion 61 of the insert rises away from the box 14 (FIG. 5). The line of weakness 64, which can be positioned just below the attachment region 42 can then be broken to allow the communication portion 61 of the insert 60 to be removed from the container 10 (FIG. 6). It should be noted, as seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, opening the container via pushing the lid 20 back automatically forces the insert 60 to rise away from the box 14. Because of the location of the attachment portion 42 and the line of weakness 64, breaking the line of weakness 64 and removing the communication portion 61 does not leave any of the extended label or label to insert combination beyond the bottom edge of the lid.

(14) FIG. 7 depicts a cross section of an illustrative example of one configuration in which an insert can be affixed to a label. In FIG. 7, the label 45 can be affixed to the insert 60 that comprises in this case, the communication portion 61, the line of weakness 64 and the attachment portion 63; and the insert can be affixed to the lid 24. The sealing regions 51 located between each of the components can include mechanical attachments, adhesive, thermal attachments, ultrasonic bonding, or any combination thereof for example. Preferably, the sealing regions 51 comprise adhesive. As seen in this illustration, the insert and the label are preferably positioned so that the line of weakness 64 is relatively close to the lid, or even more preferably above the lower edge of the lid so that no portion of the insert is visible below the lid once the communication portion 61 has been removed.

(15) FIG. 8 depicts cross section of an illustrative example of another configuration of how an insert can be affixed to a label. In FIG. 8, the insert 60 (comprising a communication portion 61, a line of weakness 64 and an attachment portion 63) can be affixed to the label 45 and the label 45 can be affixed to the lid 24. The sealing regions 51 located between each of the components can include mechanical attachments, adhesive, thermal attachments, ultrasonic bonding, or any combination thereof for example. Preferably, the sealing regions 51 comprise adhesive. As seen in this illustration, the insert and the label are preferably positioned so that the line of weakness 64 is relatively close to the lid, or even more preferably above the lower edge of the lid so that no portion of the insert is visible below the lid once the communication portion has been removed.

(16) FIGS. 9 to 10 illustrate schematic perspective views of a container that includes an insert that is affixed to a label at various points of opening. The container 10 includes a box 14 and a lid 20. The label 45 in this embodiment assists in maintaining the resealable closure of the container (FIG. 9). Upon opening the container the communication portion 61 of the insert rises away from the box 14 (FIG. 10). The line of weakness 64 can then be broken to allow the communication portion 61 of the insert to be removed from the container 10 (FIG. 11). Because of the location of the line of weakness 64, breaking the line of weakness 64 and removing the communication portion 61 does not leave any of the insert beyond the bottom edge of the lid.

(17) FIGS. 12 to 14 illustrate schematic perspective views of a container that includes an insert that is coupled to a label and a locating portion at various points of opening. The container 10 includes a box 14 and a lid 20. Attachment region 70 indicates the point at which the extended label is affixed to the inner surface of the lid. (FIG. 12). Upon opening the container by separating the sealing area of the label from the inner package, the communication portion 72 of the insert rises away from the box 14 (FIG. 13) and the second line of weakness 73, which is positioned between the communication portion 72 and the locating portion 74 is also broken to allow the insert to be removed from the container 10. The first line of weakness 71, which can be positioned just below the attachment region 70 can then be broken to allow the communication portion 72 of the insert to be removed from the container 10 (FIG. 14). It should be noted, as seen in FIGS. 13 and 14, opening the container via pushing the lid 20 back automatically forces the insert to rise away from the box 14. Because of the location of the attachment portion 70 and the first line of weakness 71, breaking the first line of weakness 71 and removing the communication portion 72 does not leave any of the extended label or label to insert combination beyond the bottom edge of the lid. The locating portion 74 remains attached to the container after removal of the communication portion 72.