Wrapped Container

Abstract

A wrapped container of consumer goods, includes a container for housing consumer goods enclosed by a wrapper with a tear tape, a label positioned between the container and the wrapper, the label and the tear tape arranged such that actuation of the tear tape to open the wrapper causes the label to become severed, wherein at least a portion of the tear tape is at an angle with a longitudinal axis of the container and with a transverse axis of the container.

Claims

1. A wrapped container of consumer goods, comprising: a container for housing consumer goods enclosed by a wrapper with a tear tape, a label positioned between the container and the wrapper at a side or rear wall of the container, the label and the tear tape arranged such that actuation of the tear tape to open the wrapper causes the label to become severed, wherein at least a portion of the tear tape is at an angle with a longitudinal axis of the container and with a transverse axis of the container.

2. The wrapped container according to claim 1, wherein the label is located between distal ends of the tear tape.

3. The wrapped container according to claim 1, wherein the label is substantially rectangular and is positioned such that a shortest side of the rectangular label is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container.

4. The wrapped container according to claim 1, wherein the label is positioned at a height of less than 50% of a total height of the container, the height measured from a bottom edge of the container along the longitudinal axis of the container.

5. The wrapped container according to claim 1, wherein the label comprises a weakening arranged such that actuation of the tear tape to open the wrapper causes the label to become severed at least at the weakening.

6. The wrapped container according to claim 1, wherein the tear tape comprises first and second bands that intersect each other at an intersection to form first and second intersecting branches.

7. The wrapped container according to claim 6, wherein the first and second bands are arranged such that opening of the wrapper follows a first opening stage along the first branch from a first end thereof, followed by a second stage along the first and second intersecting branches from said intersection until at least one of a second end of the first branch and an end of the second branch.

8. The wrapped container according to claim 7, wherein the at least a portion of the tear tape is one of the first and second bands.

9. The wrapped container according to claim 6, wherein one of the first and second bands is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container.

10. The wrapped container according to claim 6, wherein the label is located between the intersection of the first and second bands and a distal end of one of the first and second bands.

11. The wrapped container according to claim 6, wherein the container comprises a plurality of walls, wherein the intersection between the first and second bands and the label are provided at the same wall of the container.

12. The wrapped container according to claim 1, wherein the container comprises a box with an open top end closed by a lid hinged to the box along a hinge line, and wherein an end of the tear tape is provided near a longitudinal edge connecting a box front wall to a box side wall.

13. A method of manufacturing a wrapped container of consumer goods, the method comprising the steps of: providing a container of consumer goods; providing a sheet of wrapping material; applying a label to one of the sheet of wrapping material and the container; applying a tear tape to the sheet of wrapping material; applying the wrapping material comprising the tear tape to the container such that at least a portion of the tear tape is at an angle with a longitudinal axis of the container and with a transverse axis of the container, and such that the label is adhered to both the container and the tear tape of the wrapping material, such that actuation of the tear tape to open the wrapper causes the label to become severed; and sealing the container with the wrapping material.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the tear tape is affixed to the label by the application of a heat-activatable adhesive to one or both of the tear tape and the label.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of providing a weakening in the label.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] An example of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0049] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a container wrapped in a product wrapper according to the present invention in a closed position showing the tear tape and label;

[0050] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a container wrapped in a product wrapper according to the present invention being opened by pulling the tear tape;

[0051] FIGS. 3A and 3B are plan views of product wrappers according to the present invention comprising tear tape and label according to different examples of the present invention;

[0052] FIG. 4A and 4B show two sectional views of containers according to the invention;

[0053] FIG. 5 shows an exemplary apparatus for performing a method to make a product wrapper according to the invention and subsequently apply the product wrapper to a container;

[0054] FIGS. 6A to 6C show the steps of a possible manufacturing method according to the invention; and

[0055] FIGS. 7A and 7B are front and rear perspective views of a further example of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] Referring to FIG. 3A, a tear tape 1 is provided on a product wrapper 6. The tear tape 1 comprises an adhesive band 2 which, in use, is adhered to the surface 7 of the product wrapper 6. The adhesive band 2 is configured to comprise first and second branches 3, 4 which meet at an intersection 8 on the tear tape 1. Band 2 can be formed as a unitary adhesive component with the separate branches 3, 4 prior to application onto the surface 7 of the wrapper 6. It can also be formed from two or more separate adhesive bands 2, 5 forming the separate branches 3, 4. Label 10 is shown in this example at the base of branch 4 adhered to the product wrapper but could be placed at any point and either underlies or overlies a portion of the tear tape 1, such that in use the label 10 is severed by action of the tear tape 1. The label 10 may also, or alternatively, be adhered to the container. In this example the angle between the two branches 3, 4 is approximately 45 but it can be anywhere between 1 and 80, or preferably between 5 and 75, and even more preferably between 35 and 55. Preferably, the angle between each branches 3, 4 of the adhesive band 2 can be chosen and adjusted in the previously defined range depending on the shape and/or size of the product to be wrapped in wrapper 6 to ensure efficient and complete tearing of the wrapper 6 and severing of label 10 in a single opening action by an end user.

[0057] FIG. 3B shows an alternative example with a single tear tape 1 provided on a product wrapper 6. Tear tape 1 is formed of a single band at an angle of approximately 45 to the longitudinal or transverse axis of the product container. Label 10 is shown in this example at a mid-point along tear tape 1 adhered to the product wrapper (and/or container) but could be placed at any point overlying a portion of the tear tape 1, such that in use the label 10 is severed by action of the tear tape 1.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 4A, a first example container 11 is shown in partial sectional view with the wrapper 6 also shown, together with a dual-band tear tape 1 and label 10. As can be seen from this view, in this particular construction the label 10 is adhered to the surface of the container 11 but not the wrapper 6. However, the label 10 is adhered to band 5 via glue component 12 such that when the tear tape 1 is removed during an opening action the label 10 is severed.

[0059] FIG. 4B shows an alternative example of container 11 according to the invention, again with the wrapper 6, label 10 and dual-band tear tape 1 shown in sectional view. Here the label 10 is adhered to the wrapper 6 and band 5 then overlies the wrapper 6, with the wrapper placed around the container 11.

[0060] Similar to the example described in FIG. 4A, the label 10 may be adhered to band 5 such that the tear tape 1 is connected to the label 10. This can be achieved for example by the application of an adhesive, particularly a heat-activatable adhesive, onto one or both of the tear tape 1 and the label 10. Alternatively, the tear tape 1 can be fused to the label 10.

[0061] Removal of the tear tape 1 removes the wrapper 6 and pulls band 5, removing and severing the label 10. In some examples, the label 10 is adhered to both the container and the wrapper 6. For example, the label 10 may be partially adhered to the surface of the container 11 to ensure it severs as the band 5 passes therethrough as it is removed.

[0062] The label 10 may comprise a weakening to ease the severing action of the tear tape 1. Preferably, the weakening is formed by perforating or scoring the label 10.

[0063] FIG. 5 shows an exemplary apparatus for performing a method to make a product wrapper and container according to the present invention and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4B. The apparatus provides two separate adhesive bands 2, 5 forming branches 3, 4 of the tear tape 1.

[0064] Referring to FIG. 5, a bobbin 33 provides a sheet of film 6 comprising multiple labels 10, the film 6 is passed over a number of rollers and ultimately cut by a film cutting rotary knife 35 and wrapped using a wrapping wheel over containers 11 to form over wrapped containers 11 and 6 on a conveyor 37. As the film 6 is passed over the rollers a spool of tear tape 31 is provided via a rolling cutting knife component 32 onto the surface of the film 6. The spool 31 and knife component 32 are inclined at an angle to the direction of movement of the film 6 such that individual cut tear tape components 5 are applied at an angle to the direction of movement of the film 6 that is selected at a desired angle in the range described above with reference to the end wrapping product. The spool 31 and knife component 32 are also arranged and appropriately controlled such that each tear tape component 5 overlies a label 10. The individual band 5 may be adhered to the surface of the film 6 and label 10 by traditional adhesive or other forms as will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art.

[0065] The combination of the band 5, label 10 and film 6 is then passed onward from where the bands 5 and label 10 are applied to the film 6 at location A to a location B where a bobbin 34 of band 2 is also applied to the film 6 at a location at which it forms an intersection with a respective band 5. Again, the band 2 may be applied on the surface 7 using adhesive or other known techniques. Following application of the band 1 to the surface of the film 6, the film 6 is passed through a cutting knife 35 and individual sections of film, together with the adhered bands 2, 5 forming a tear tape 1 and label 10 arrangement according to the present invention, are wrapped using the wrapping wheel 36 over individual containers 11. The label 10 may be fully or partially coated with adhesive prior to wrapping such that the label 10 is partly or fully adhered to the container 11 as well as the wrapper 6.

[0066] Inclined band 5 is provided by cut strips from spool 31 of adhesive band material. The cut strips are positioned at regular intervals according to the label 10 positions on the film 6 and maintained with a vacuum belt on the product wrapper film 6 which is unwound in a continuous manner in a product packaging line. The spool 31 from which the inclined bands 5 are made is orientated at an angle to the unwinding direction of the wrapper film 6 corresponding to the desired angle between the two branches 3, 4 of the tear tape 1. Once attached to the film 6 and label 10, the cut strips forming bands 5 join the main horizontal adhesive band 2 of the tear tape 1 dispensed from a bobbin 34 during the unwinding process. Thereby, a product wrapper film 6 with inclined and horizontal adhesive bands 2, 5 forming a unitary tear tape 1 overlying a label 10 is produced and can be wrapped inline around containers 11 to be wrapped.

[0067] FIGS. 6A to 6C show an alternative manufacturing process for producing a container in accordance with the invention and generally as described in relation to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4A.

[0068] Here in a first step shown in FIG. 6A, wrapper 6 has inclined band 5 applied thereto and dots of glue 13 are applied to the band 5. Band 2 is then adhered to the wrapper 6 in the second step to form tear tape 1 as shown in FIG. 6B. In a third step shown in FIG. 6C, label 10 is adhered via dots of glue 14 onto container 11. The wrapper 6 is then wrapped around the container 11 with the inclined band 5 aligned over the label 10. As part of the wrapping process the wrapper 6 is heat-shrunk about the container 11, activating the dots of glue 13 to adhere the band 5 to the label 10.

[0069] Once the wrapper is wrapped around the container 11, the inclined band 5 is adhered to the label 10 at a contact area 15 between two parallel rows of perforations 16. The tear tape 1 is, therefore, connected to the label 10 at the contact area 15, which is not adhered to the container 11. As a result, actuation of the tear tape 1 severs the label 10 along the perforation lines 16 and removes the portion of the label 10 between the perforation lines 16 (contact area 15). Preferably, the contact area 15 of the label 10 lies between the two ends of the inclined band 5 to ensure full removal of the contact area 15.

[0070] In the example described above, the connection between the tear tape 1 and the label 10 is achieved by the application of glue dots 13 to the inclined band 5. In other examples, the tear tape 1 is connected to the label 10 at the contact area 15 by the application of any suitable adhesive, preferably a heat-activatable adhesive, onto one or both of the tear tape 1 and the label 10. Alternatively, the tear tape 1 can be fused to the label 10 at the contact area 15.

[0071] Alternative apparatus arrangements for producing a product wrapper of the present invention with a single tear tape would be appreciated by a skilled person in the art.

[0072] In use the product wrapper 6 is provided as an overwrap over container 11 such as a cigarette pack as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. A tab 9 is provided on the product wrapper 6 such that an end portion of the band 2 is within the tab 9, thereby forming the starting or grasping end of the tear tape 1. In use, a user can grasp the tab 9 to remove the tear tape 1 from the wrapper 6 and thereby sever the label 10, disposed anywhere along the length of the tear tape 1. Pulling on the tab 9 initiates a first stage of the opening of the wrapper 6, wherein the band 2 breaks the wrapper 6, along a first linear direction, in a clean linear cut at a first angle relative to the container 11 until the intersection 8 of the branches 3, 4 is reached, the intersection 8 being located over a main face of the container 11. At this point, a second stage of the opening is engaged whereby further pulling on the tear tape 1 breaks the wrapper 6 in two directions, along bands 2, 5, removing a portion of the wrapper 6 with it, as shown in FIG. 2, and severing the label 10 located at the end of band 5 in this example. This allows a user to remove the wrapper 6 and sever the label 10 with a single action. This also allows the user to gain access to the inner container 11 more easily in a single motion, two-stage opening action. This also allows the label 10 to be placed anywhere on the product wrapper 6 and/or the container 11, providing it is over or under a part of the tear tape 1, thereby allowing much increased design freedom over containers in the art.

[0073] It should be appreciated that the location of the intersection 8 between the distal ends of the main band 2 of the tear tape 1 in this example is preferably located at a distance from the distal ends of the main band 2. For example, the intersection 8 may be located mid-way along the component of main band 2 that extends over a main face of the container 11. A particular advantage of this arrangement is that it ensures that, when the wrapper 6 is placed over container 11, the ends of the band 2, forming the first branch 3 of the tear tape 1, are located adjacent to a first face of the container 11, preferably a side face of a cigarette container 11 as shown in the figures. Meanwhile, the intersection 8 overlies a main face 7 of said container 11 which is adjacent to the first face. This configuration ensures proper initiation of the wrapper opening process during the first stage and complete removal of said wrapper 6 starting from the intersection 8 during the second stage of the opening.

[0074] In addition, it is important that only one band 2 of the tear tape 1 extends over a corner or folded edge of the container 11 in order to avoid wrinkling of the wrapper 6 at the corners or folded edges when the wrapper 6 is heat-shrunk in a usual manner.

[0075] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate front and rear views of an example container 11 with an example wrapper 6 provided as an overwrap.

[0076] In this example, the container 11 is a hinged lid pack that comprises a lid part which is hingeably connected to an upper portion of a rear wall of the container 11. The lid part may move relative to the box by rotating about a hinging mechanism on the hingeable connection, between a first position in which the container is closed and the contents of the container are covered, and a second position in which the lid part swings open to reveal an opening at the top of the container such that a user may access the contents of the container. In the closed position, an upper edge of a front wall of the container 11 and a lower edge of a front wall of the lid part meet at a closure line.

[0077] A tab 9 is provided on the product wrapper 6 such that a first end portion of the first band 2 is within the tab 9, thereby forming a starting or grasping end of the tear tape 1. The tab 9 is positioned near the closure line and near a first side edge of the front wall of the container 11. In this example, a portion of the tab 9 extends past the first side edge of the front wall such that a portion of the tab 9 protrudes from the container 11 and wrapper 6. This eases grasping of the tab 9.

[0078] In contrast with the example of FIGS. 1 and 2, the wrapper 6 in this example is arranged around the container 11 such that the intersection 8 and label 10 are positioned at a wall of the container 11 different to the wall where the pull tab 9 is located. Namely, intersection 8 and label 10 are positioned at a rear wall of the container 11, while the pull tab 9 is positioned at a side wall of the container 11.

[0079] The first band 2 is located proximate the upper front edge of the front wall of the box of container 11 (i.e., the closure line along the front wall of the container 11) and is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container 11. As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the first band 2 surrounds the container 11 at or below the closure line.

[0080] In this example the label 10 is rectangular and is positioned near the bottom part of the container 11 such that its shortest side is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container 11. As label 10 is below the closure line of the container 11, any remaining material of the label 10 that is not removed after opening will not hinder lid movement.

[0081] As the label 10 is located near the bottom part of the container 11, unnoticeable tampering with the label 10 is yet more difficult. The latter is further enhanced when the label 10 is positioned at a height, measured from a bottom edge of the container 11, of less than 50% of the total height of the container 11. In this particular example, the label 10 is positioned at a height of less than 25% of the total height of the container 11.

[0082] To ensure that the label 10 becomes severed upon actuation of the tear tape 1, the label 10 is positioned between the two distal ends of the second band 5.

[0083] In use, a user can grasp the tab 9 to remove the tear tape 1 from the wrapper 6. In a first stage of the opening of the wrapper 6, the band 2 breaks the wrapper 6 along a first linear direction, in a clear linear cut substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container 11, and a portion of the wrapper 6 at the side wall of the container 11 is broken. As the user continues to pull on the tab 9, the band 2 guides the breaking action around to the rear wall of the container 11 until the intersection 8 of the branches 3, 4 is reached. At this point, a second stage of the opening is engaged whereby further pulling on the tear tape 1 breaks the wrapper 6 in two directions, along branches 3, 4 of bands 2, 5, respectively, thus removing a portion of the wrapper 6 with it, and severing the label 10 located at the end of the band 5.

[0084] This allows the user to pull on a tab 9 located at a front wall of the container 11, proximate the closure line of the lid part, and sever a label 10 located at a rear wall of the container 11, below the hingeable connection of the lid part. This also allows the label 10 to be positioned at a wall of the container that is different to the wall at which the pull tab 9 is located. In particular, the wrapper 6 allows a label 10 to be placed at a rear wall of the container 11, away from the front of the container 11 from which the lid part is opened, while maintaining an ergonomic pull tab 9.

[0085] As will be appreciated from the above, the present invention provides a wrapper for a product which is simple and cost effective to manufacture, yet which is also beneficial to an end consumer in terms of improved removal of the wrapper and access to the contents of internal container. The present invention is also beneficial to the manufacturer enabling increased design freedom in displaying graphics on the container alongside the requirement to include a label (e.g. duty stamp) that is severed when the packing is opened by an end user.