PACKAGE FOR HOLDING CIGARETTES, AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A PACKAGE FOR HOLDING CIGARETTES

Abstract

A package, for holding cigarettes, including an open top side, a bottom panel and four side panels. The package includes an expandable pocket for extinguishing, storing and disposing cigarette butts. The expandable pocket is formed by a sheet of a heat resistant, non-combustible material. The expandable pocket is configured to be arranged in a folded configuration wherein the expandable pocket is substantially flat, and an unfolded configuration. The expandable pocket including a first side surface and a second opposing side surface. The first and second side surfaces are interconnected by interconnecting walls. The first side surface is substantially flat and at least partly attached to an inner side of one of the four side panels being a first side panel. A pocket opening is configured to provide access to an interior of the pocket. A tab is configured to reversibly close the pocket opening.

Claims

1. A package for holding cigarettes, the package comprising: an open top side configured to provide access to an interior of the package, a bottom panel being opposite to the open top side, and four side panels extending between the open top side and the bottom panel; an expandable pocket for extinguishing, storing and disposing cigarette butts, wherein the expandable pocket is formed by a sheet of a heat resistant, non-combustible material, wherein the expandable pocket is configured to be arranged in a folded configuration wherein the expandable pocket is substantially flat, and an unfolded configuration; wherein the expandable pocket comprises a first side surface and a second opposing side surface, the first and second side surfaces being interconnected by interconnecting walls, wherein the first side surface is substantially flat and at least partly attached to an inner side of one of the four side panels being a first side panel, and a pocket opening configured to provide access to an interior of the expandable pocket; wherein the package further comprises: a tab configured to reversibly close the pocket opening.

2. The package according to claim 1, wherein the second side surface is spaced apart from the first side surface when the expandable pocket is in the unfolded configuration.

3. The package according to claim 1, wherein the interconnecting walls are pleated.

4. The package according to claim 1, further comprising a securing arrangement configured to hold the expandable pocket in the first configuration.

5. The package according to claim 4, wherein the securing arrangement is configured to attach to the first side panel.

6. The package according to claim 5, wherein the securing arrangement comprises a preformed weakened structure allowing at least part of the securing arrangement to release from the first side panel and the expandable pocket to move from the folded configuration to the unfolded configuration.

7. The package according to claim 1, wherein the pocket opening is arranged between the first and second side surfaces.

8. The package according to any one of claim 1, wherein the package further comprises a package opening arranged on the first side panel and/or on the bottom panel, and wherein the pocket opening is arranged on the first side surface in line with the package opening.

9. The package according to claim 8, wherein the tab is arranged on an outer side of the first side panel and/or an outer side of the bottom panel, and wherein the tab is further configured to reversibly close the package opening.

10. The package according to claim 8, wherein the pocket opening and the package opening are arranged closer to the bottom panel than the top side of the package.

11. The package according to claim 1, further comprising a guiding element configured to be partly attached to the package opening and to be pushed inwards into the expandable pocket.

12. A method for manufacturing the package according to claim 1, the method comprising the steps of: providing a sheet of package material; performing a first blanking or piercing of the sheet to form at least the bottom panel and the four side panels; providing the expandable pocket; attaching the expandable pocket to one of the four side panels being a first side panel; and folding the sheet such that an open top side configured to provide access to an interior of the package is created, and such that the expandable pocket is arranged on an inner surface of the first side panel, and such that the four side panels extend between the open top side and the bottom panel.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the step of attaching the expandable pocket to the first side panel comprises the sub-steps of: attaching the expandable pocket to a supporting member, and attaching the supporting member at least to the first side panel of the sheet.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present inventive concept, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of different embodiments of the present inventive concept, with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:

[0037] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a package wherein a tab is in an open position;

[0038] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a package wherein a tab is in a closed position;

[0039] FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of a partly assembled package; FIG. 4a illustrates an exploded view of a package;

[0040] FIG. 4b illustrates a package comprising a pocket opening arranged between first and second side surfaces;

[0041] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an expandable pocket;

[0042] FIG. 6a illustrates an exploded view of an expandable pocket and a securing arrangement;

[0043] FIG. 6b illustrates an expandable pocket and a securing arrangement arranged on a supporting member;

[0044] FIG. 6c illustrates a guiding element on a package;

[0045] FIG. 7 illustrates a method for manufacturing a package in a block diagram.

[0046] The figures are not necessarily to scale, and generally only show parts that are necessary in order to elucidate the inventive concept, wherein other parts may be omitted or merely suggested.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] FIG. 1 illustrates a package 100 for holding cigarettes 102. The package 100 comprises an open top side 104 configured to provide access to an interior of the package 100, a bottom panel 106 being opposite to the open top side, and four side panels 108 extending between the open top side 104 and the bottom panel 106.

[0048] Although not shown in the illustrated figure, the package 100 comprises an expandable pocket for extinguishing, storing and disposing cigarette butts, wherein the expandable pocket is formed by a sheet of a heat resistant, non-combustible material. The expandable pocket is configured to be arranged in a folded configuration wherein the expandable pocket is substantially flat, and an unfolded configuration. The expandable pocket comprises a first side surface and a second opposing side surface, the first and second side surfaces being interconnected by interconnecting walls, wherein the first side surface is substantially flat and at least partly attached to an inner side of one of the four side panels 108 being a first side panel 116, and a pocket opening configured to provide access to an interior of the expandable pocket. The package here further comprises a package opening 110 arranged in line with the pocket opening, which is obstructed in the figure by a cigarette butt 112. The package further comprises a tab 114 configured to reversibly close the pocket opening. Further, the tab 114 is here configured to reversibly close the package opening 110.

[0049] The tab 114 is here arranged on an outer side of the first side panel 116, and as can be seen in FIG. 2, the tab 114 is configured to reversibly attach to the bottom panel 106. However, it is envisioned that the tab 114 may be configured to reversibly attach to the first side panel 116 in order to reversibly close the pocket opening 110. The tab 114 may in the illustrated figure be said to be in an open position.

[0050] Referring now to FIG. 2, the tab 114 is in a closed position wherein the pocket opening has been reversibly closed.

[0051] Referring now to FIG. 3, an exploded view of a partly assembled package 100 is illustrated. The person skilled in the art is familiar with manufacturing processes of carton packages such as the conventional cigarette package, and the present disclosure therefore does not go into further detail regarding these processes. However, for the sake of clarity, it may be noted that the package is provided in the form of a flat piece having the necessary features to form an assembled package. Some of the surfaces of the package are overlapping such that they may be bonded by e.g. an adhesive.

[0052] The expandable pocket 118 is here arranged on a supporting member 120. In particular the supporting member comprises a side walls 122, 124 configured to attach to respective side panels 108 of the package 100, and a main body 121 interconnecting the side walls 122, 124, In particular, a first side wall 122 is here configured to attach to the first side panel 116. Further, the expandable pocket 118 is arranged on the first side wall 122. Preferably, the expandable pocket 118 is arranged on one side 123 of the first side wall 122, and at least part of another opposing side 125 of the first side wall 122 is attached to an inner surface of the first side panel 116. In this figure the tab 114 is also visible being partly arranged on the one side 123 of the first side wall 122. As is readily understood by the person skilled in the art, the tab 114 may also be arranged such that it does not extend to the one side 123 of the first side wall 122. Hereby, the tab 114 may not interfere with the attachment of the expandable pocket 118 to the inner surface of the first side panel 116.

[0053] Referring now to FIG. 4a, an exploded view of a package 100 is illustrated. In this view, the supporting member 120 comprising the main body 121 and the side walls 122, 124 can be more clearly seen. In the exploded view, the expandable pocket 118a is here partly unfolded, and the tab 114a is in an open position providing access to the expandable pocket 118a via the pocket opening 126. However, the observant reader may note that the expandable pocket 118b is also illustrated arranged in the package 100, where the tab 114b is in a closed position and the expandable pocket 118b is in a folded configuration

[0054] Referring now to FIG. 4b, a package 100 comprising a pocket opening 126 arranged between first and second side surfaces 128, 130, and the intended direction of insertion of a cigarette butt 110 are illustrated. In this view, the interconnecting walls 132 are also visible.

[0055] Referring now to FIG. 5, a perspective view of an expandable pocket in four stages I-IV is illustrated. Referring first to stage I, the expandable pocket 118 is in a folded configuration. The pocket opening 126 can here be seen arranged on the first side surface 128. The pocket opening 126 is here initially closed by a pocket flap 136 defined by a preformed slit 134 in the first side surface 128. Upon exerting a force upon the pocket flap 136, the pocket flap 136 may be pushed inwards into the expandable pocket, and access to the expandable pocket 118 is given such that e.g. a cigarette butt may be disposed in the expandable pocket 118. It is also envisioned that the pocket flap 136 may be pulled outwards and/or ripped off entirely from the expandable pocket 118.

[0056] Referring now to stage II of FIG. 5, the expandable pocket 118 has been partly unfolded and is in an unfolded configuration. Pleats or folds 138 are here visible in the interconnecting walls 132. It should be noted that the pattern and arrangement of pleats 138 are merely illustrated as a schematic example. The expandable pocket 118 may comprise an elastic material which allows the folds 138 to move relative each other.

[0057] Referring now to stage III of FIG. 5, the expandable pocket 118 is in an unfolded configuration. In particular, the expandable pocket 118 is here in a maximally unfolded configuration. A distance D between two folds 138 is here equal to or less than a width W of the first side surface 128.

[0058] Referring now to stage IV of FIG. 5, the expandable pocket 118 is illustrated storing a number of cigarette butts 110. The pocket opening and in particular the pocket flap 136 is here in its original position as illustrated at stage I before any cigarette butts had been disposed into the expandable pocket. However, in some embodiments the pocket flap 136 may be irreversibly penetrated, moved and/or removed such that permanent access to the interior of the expandable pocket 118 is given as long as the tab (not shown) is in an open position.

[0059] It should be noted that the slit 134 and the pocket flap 136 may preferably be arranged at a proximal end of the expandable pocket 138, and the slit 134 and the pocket flap 136 may preferably be configured such that the pocket flap 136 points towards a distal end of the expandable pocket (in contrast to what is illustrated in FIG. 5). In other words, the pocket flap 136 may point in a direction from the bottom panel towards the open top side of the package, Hereby, insertion of cigarette butts into the expandable pocket 118 may be facilitated, and in particular cigarette butts may be guided by the pocket flap 136 upwards into the expandable pocket 118.

[0060] Referring now to FIG. 6a, an exploded view of an expandable pocket 118 and a securing arrangement 140 are illustrated. It should be noted that the expandable pocket 118 is here schematically illustrated. The securing arrangement 140 comprises a frame 142 and a plate 144. The frame 142 may be attached to an inner side of the first panel of the package, and the plate 144 may be attached to the opposing second side surface of the expandable pocket. The frame 142 and plate 144 may be connected via a weakened structure 146, here in the form of a number of joints 148. By overcoming a force of resistance of the weakened structure 146, the plate 144, i.e. a first part of the securing arrangement 140, may be released from the frame 142, i.e. a second part of the securing arrangement 140. Hence, the securing arrangement may be in a secured state, wherein the first and second part of the securing arrangement 140 are connected, and an unsecured state, wherein the first and second part of the securing arrangement 140 are separated. The securing arrangement 142 may be configured to be reversibly moved between the secured state and the unsecured state. This may be achieved by e.g. pushing the plate 144 into place in the frame 142 after release, such that the plate 144 is held by the frame 142 via e.g. frictional forces between the frame 142 and the plate 144 via the weakened structure 146.

[0061] Preferably, the frame 142 is larger than the first side surface of the expandable pocket 118, such that the expandable pocket 118 may be at least partly housed within the frame 142 when the expandable pocket 118 is in the folded configuration. Further, the plate 144 may comprise a rim 150 arranged on a periphery of the plate 144, defining an inner volume wherein at least part of the expandable pocket 118 may be housed when the expandable pocket 118 is in the folded configuration.

[0062] Referring now to FIG. 6b, an expandable pocket and a securing arrangement 140 arranged on a supporting member 120 is illustrated. Since the expandable pocket is illustrated in a folded configuration, the expandable pocket's view is obstructed in the figure by the securing arrangement 140. The expandable pocket is thus completely housed within the securing arrangement 140 in the folded configuration. The tab 114 may provide for that the securing arrangement 140 is held in the secured configuration.

[0063] Referring now to FIG. 6c, a guiding element 162 on a package 100 is illustrated. The guiding element 162 may be configured to cover the package opening. The guiding element 162 may be configured to be pushed inwards into the expandable pocket upon being exerted to a force, and to partly release from the package via a preformed slit 164. The slit 164 and the guiding element 162 may be arranged at a proximal end of the package (e.g. bottom panel), and configured such that the guiding element 162 points towards a distal end of the package (e.g. open top side). Hereby, insertion of cigarette butts into the expandable pocket may be facilitated, and in particular cigarette butts may be guided by the guiding element 162 upwards into the expandable pocket.

[0064] A method for manufacturing a package according to the inventive concept will now be described with reference to FIG. 7. For clarity and simplicity, the method will be described in terms of steps. It is emphasized that steps are not necessarily processes that are delimited in time or separate from each other, and more than one step may be performed at the same time in a parallel fashion.

[0065] A method for manufacturing the package according to the first aspect of the inventive concept comprises a step 752 of providing a sheet of package material; a step 754 of performing a first blanking or piercing of the sheet to form at least the bottom panel and the four side panels; a step 756 of providing the expandable pocket; a step 758 of attaching the expandable pocket to one of the four side panels being a first side panel; and a step 760 of folding the sheet such that an open top side configured to provide access to an interior of the package is created, and such that the expandable pocket is arranged on an inner surface of the first side panel, and such that the four side panels extend between the open top side and the bottom panel.

[0066] The inventive concept has mainly been described above with reference to a few embodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the inventive concept, as defined by the appended patent claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0067] 100 Package [0068] 102 Cigarettes [0069] 104 Top side [0070] 106 Bottom panel [0071] 108 Side panels [0072] 110 Package opening [0073] 112 Cigarette butt [0074] 114 Tab [0075] 114a Tab [0076] 114b Tab [0077] 116 First side panel [0078] 118 Expandable pocket [0079] 118a Expandable pocket [0080] 118b Expandable pocket [0081] 120 Supporting member [0082] 121 Main body [0083] 122 Side wall [0084] 123 Side [0085] 124 Side wall [0086] 125 Side [0087] 126 Pocket opening [0088] 128 First side surface [0089] 130 Second side surface [0090] 132 Interconnecting walls [0091] 134 Preformed slit [0092] 136 Pocket flap [0093] 138 Pleats, folds [0094] 140 Securing arrangement [0095] 142 Frame [0096] 144 Plate [0097] 146 Weakened structure [0098] 148 Joints [0099] 150 Rim [0100] 162 Guiding element [0101] 164 Preformed slit [0102] 752 Step of providing a sheet of package material [0103] 754 Step of performing first blanking or piercing [0104] 756 Step of providing the expandable pocket [0105] 758 Step of attaching the expandable pocket [0106] 760 Step of folding the sheet