PACK FOR CONSUMER ARTICLES PROVIDED WITH A HINGED CLOSING TAB

Abstract

A pack for consumer articles comprising: a plurality of consumer articles arranged in a row extending along a longitudinal extension of the pack; and a parallelepiped-shaped box, which houses the consumer articles and has two bottom walls parallel and opposite one another and arranged orthogonally to the longitudinal extension of the pack, and four side walls arranged parallel to the longitudinal extension, in pairs, parallel to and opposite one another. The box comprises: an extraction opening for the articles arranged at a distance other than zero from both bottom walls and is obtained through at least one side wall; and a closing tab hinged along a hinge so as to rotate between an open position, in which it is spaced apart from the extraction opening, allowing the consumer articles to be extracted, and a closed position, in which it covers the extraction opening, preventing the consumer articles from being extracted.

Claims

1. A pack (1) for consumer articles (3) comprising: a plurality of consumer articles (3) arranged in order one behind the other in a row that extends along a longitudinal extension (L) of the pack (1); and a parallelepiped-shaped box (2), which houses, on the inside, said plurality of consumer articles (3) and has two bottom walls (4), which are parallel to and opposite one another and are arranged orthogonally relative to the longitudinal extension (L) of the pack (1), and four side walls (5), which are arranged parallel to the longitudinal extension (L) of the pack (1) and are, in pairs, parallel to and opposite one another; the pack (1) is characterized in that the box (2) comprises: an extraction opening (6) for the articles (3), which is arranged at a distance (D1, D2) other than zero from both bottom walls (4) and is obtained through at least one side wall (5); and a closing tab (7), which is hinged along a hinge (8) so as to rotate between an open position, in which the closing tab (7) is spaced apart from the extraction opening (6), thus allowing the consumer articles (3) to be extracted, and a closed position, in which the closing tab (7) covers the extraction opening (6), thus preventing the consumer articles (3) from being extracted.

2. The pack (1) according to claim 1, wherein the extraction opening (6) extends through two side walls (5), which are adjacent and perpendicular to one another.

3. The pack (1) according to claim 2, wherein the extraction opening (6) exclusively extends through two sole side walls (5), which are adjacent and perpendicular to one another.

4. The pack (1) according to claim 2, wherein, in the closed position, the closing tab (7) is L-shaped.

5. The pack (1) according to claim 1, wherein the hinge (8) of the closing tab (7) is arranged in the area of a corner defined between two adjacent side walls (5).

6. The pack (1) according to claim 1, wherein the hinge (8) of the closing tab (7) is arranged spaced apart from a corner defined between two adjacent side walls (5).

7. The pack (1) according to claim 1, wherein the closing tab (7) is delimited by at least two tearable weakening lines (11), along which it may be separated from the remaining portion of said at least one side wall (5).

8. The pack (1) according to claim 1, wherein the closing tab (7) is delimited by: two tearable weakening lines (11), which are parallel to one another and originate in the area of opposite ends of the hinge (8); and by a separation line (12), which is perpendicular to the two tearable weakening lines (11) and joins the two tearable weakening lines (11) to one another.

9. The pack (1) according to claim 1, wherein: a side wall (5) is formed by two parallel and overlapping panels (5, 5); an outer panel (5) has an extraction opening (6); and an inner panel (5) serves as striker for the closing tab (7), when it is in the closed position.

10. The pack (1) according to claim 1, wherein the pack (1) comprises a locking means (15), which is configured to hold the closing tab (7) in the closed position.

11. The pack (1) according to claim 10, wherein: a side wall (5) is formed by two parallel and overlapping panels (5, 5); an outer panel (5) has the extraction opening (6); an inner panel (5) serves as striker for the closing tab (7), when it is in the closed position; and the locking means (15) comprises at least one seat (16) obtained in the inner panel (5) and a claw (17), which is obtained in an inner surface of the closing tab (7) and is configured to engage the seat (16).

12. The pack (1) according to claim 10, wherein: a side wall (5) is formed by two parallel and overlapping panels (5 and 5); an outer panel (5) has the extraction opening (6); an inner panel (5) serves as striker for the closing tab (7), when it is in the closed position; and the locking means (15) comprises a re-stick glue arranged between an inner surface of the closing tab (7) and the inner panel (5).

13. The pack (1) according to claim 1, wherein the extraction opening (6) is arranged at a first distance (D1) from a first bottom wall (4) and at a second distance (D2), which is smaller than the first distance (D1), from a second bottom wall (4).

14. The pack (1) according to claim 13, wherein the second distance (D2) ranges from 5 to 40% of the first distance (D1).

15. The pack (1) according to claim 14, wherein the second distance (D2) ranges from 5% to 20 of the first distance (D1)

16. The pack (1) according to claim 1, wherein a dimension (D3) of the extraction opening (6) measured parallel to the longitudinal extension (L) of the pack ranges from 10% to 30% of the respective total dimension of the box (2).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The present invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings, which illustrate some non-limiting embodiments thereof, wherein:

[0019] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view and in a closed configuration of the pack made according to a possible embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the pack of FIG. 1 in the closed configuration;

[0021] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the pack of FIG. 1 in an open configuration;

[0022] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the pack of FIG. 1 in the open configuration;

[0023] FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 3, in which an example of possible consumer articles housed in the pack of FIG. 1 has been illustrated;

[0024] FIGS. 6-8 schematically show other types for consumer articles that can be housed in the pack of FIG. 1;

[0025] FIG. 9 is a plan view from the bottom of the pack in FIG. 1;

[0026] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a possible embodiment of a blank to form the pack of FIG. 1.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0027] In FIGS. 1-5 and 9, number 1 denotes a pack for consumer articles as a whole. The pack 1 comprises a rigid box 2 (namely made of rigid cardboard or paperboard) and a plurality of consumer articles 3 arranged in order one behind the other in a row (or in more than one row) which extends along a longitudinal extension of the pack 1 (denoted with L in the attached figures). The present invention does not comprise packs 1 in which the consumer articles 3 are arranged haphazardly, namely arranged randomly and without order or distinction in the pack.

[0028] In the following disclosure, the term consumer articles 3 for example (non-exhaustive list): capsules for means infusion products (illustrated schematically in FIGS. 5 and 6, in which the infusion product can be in powder, granules, solid pieces, leaf or a combination thereof and typically comprises coffee, barley, chocolate, powdered milk and tea), confectionery (as illustrated schematically in FIG. 7 for example chocolates, sweets or biscuits), smoking articles (as illustrated schematically in FIG. 8 and which comprise cigarettes, cigars, small cigars or cigarillos, electronic cigarettes or ecigs, auxiliary products such as filters, refills for ecigs and other tobacco products or alternative or substitute components for tobacco) or vials or small bottles (not illustrated and which typically contain a product in powder, granules, liquid or gel).

[0029] In FIGS. 5-8, an orientation of the consumer articles 3 arranged in a row has been illustrated which is purely illustrative and not limiting. It is given that the consumer articles 3 may have a different orientation (in particular with regard to FIGS. 5, 6 and 8) compared to the one illustrated. Furthermore, as regards the capsules of infusion products, it is highlighted that the row can have a sequence of capsules all having the same orientation (as for example illustrated schematically in FIG. 6, in which all the capsules have the larger base side by side, namely coplanar one with the other) or it can have a sequence of capsules in which two adjacent capsules have a different and opposite orientation one relative to the other (that is, two adjacent capsules have the base of larger size arranged on opposite and alternating sides). Preferably, the capsules of FIG. 5 are arranged in the box 2 with the alternate arrangement described. Alternatively, the capsules of FIG. 5 can be arranged in a uniform orientation, as illustrated in FIG. 6.

[0030] The box 2 is parallelepiped (with a predominantly horizontal direction of extension) and houses within the same the plurality of consumer articles 3. The box 2 has two bottom walls 4 parallel and opposite one another and arranged orthogonally relative to the longitudinal extension L of the pack 1 and four side walls 5 which are arranged parallel to the longitudinal extension L of the pack 1 and are in parallel and opposite pairs between the same.

[0031] Four longitudinal corners are defined between the side walls 5 of the box 2, while four transverse corners are defined between the side walls 5 and each bottom wall 4, respectively.

[0032] The box 2 also has an extraction opening 6 for the articles 3 and a closing tab 7. The extraction opening 6 for the articles 3 is arranged at a distance D1 and D2 other than zero (that is, they are spaced apart) from both bottom walls 4 and is obtained through at least one side wall 5. The closing tab 7 is hinged along a hinge 8 so as to rotate between an open position (illustrated in FIGS. 3-5 and 9) in which the closing tab 7 is away from the extraction opening 6 thus allowing the extraction of the consumer articles 3 and a closed position (illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2) in which the closing tab 7 covers the extraction opening 6, thus preventing the extraction of the consumer articles 3. The closing tab 7 is therefore obtained directly in at least one side wall 5. In other words, the closing tab 7 is not a distinct and separate element applied to the box 2.

[0033] Advantageously, according to the illustrated embodiment, the extraction opening 6 extends through two side walls 5 adjacent and perpendicular to one another. In particular, the extraction opening 6 exclusively extends through two sole side walls 5 which are adjacent and perpendicular to one another. Therefore, as illustrated in the attached figures, in this case the closing tab 7 comprises (in particular it is made up of) two panels 9 and 10. In the closed position of the closing tab 7 the two panels 9 and 10 are substantially orthogonal to one another. In other words, in the closed position, the closing tab 7 is L-shaped. While in the open position of the closing tab 7, the two panels 9 and 10 can assume a different mutual positioning, that is, they are transversal (in particular they can still be orthogonal) to one another. This different positioning of the panels 9 and 10 is due to the elastic return due to the deformation of the folded rigid material.

[0034] According to a possible embodiment not illustrated, the extraction opening 6 can extend through a single side wall 5. In this case the closing tab 7 only has the panel 10.

[0035] As illustrated in the attached figures, the four side walls 5 have the same dimensions and therefore the pack 1 has a square cross section.

[0036] Alternatively, two opposite side walls 5 could have a different dimension compared to the other two side walls 5 opposite and orthogonal to the same. In this case, the pack 1 has a rectangular cross section.

[0037] According to a further possible alternative embodiment, the pack 1 has more than four side walls 5 and therefore in this case the pack 1 has a polygonal cross section.

[0038] Advantageously (but not limitedly), as illustrated in the attached figures, the hinge 8 of the closing tab 7 is arranged in the area of a corner defined between two adjacent side walls 5. According to a possible alternative (not illustrated), the hinge 8 of the closing tab 7 is arranged spaced apart from the corner defined between two adjacent side walls 5. In other words, in the latter case the hinge 8 is arranged in the area of a portion of one of the side walls 5 which is different from its edge.

[0039] Advantageously (but not limitedly), the closing tab 7 is delimited by at least two tearable weakening lines 11 (comprising for example incisions, notches, or perforations), along which the tab 7 can be separated from the remaining portion of the at least one side wall 5 (through which it is obtained). Specifically, when opening the pack for the first time, the user tears the weakening lines 11 to separate the closing tab 7 from the remaining portion of the side wall 5. In particular, in FIGS. 1 and 2 the weakening lines 11 have been illustrated with broken lines, as the closing label 7 has not yet been opened and therefore the weakening lines 11 have not yet been torn. In FIGS. 3-5, however, the edges defined by the weakening lines 11 have been illustrated with a different line compared to FIGS. 1 and 2 (in particular continuous), since in these figures the closing label 7 has been opened and the lines 11 were torn.

[0040] Advantageously (but not limitedly), the closing tab 7 is delimited by the two tearable weakening lines 11 which are parallel to one another and that originate in the area of opposite ends of the hinge 8 and by a separation line 12 (comprising, for example, a cutting line) which is perpendicular to the two tearable weakening lines 11 and joins (that is, connects) the two tearable weakening lines 11 to one another.

[0041] Advantageously (but not limitedly), as illustrated in the attached figures, the weakening lines 11 comprise at least a portion at which the two weakening lines 11 are not parallel to one another.

[0042] According to a possible, non-limiting embodiment, the extraction opening 6 can have at least one portion of the (non-exhaustive list): square, rectangular, semi-circular, or trapezoidal shape.

[0043] Advantageously, the separation line 12 is arranged parallel and spaced apart from the hinge 8. According to a possible alternative not illustrated, the separation line 12 is arranged transversely and spaced apart from the hinge 8

[0044] According to a possible embodiment not illustrated, the separation line 12 is shaped so as to define a gripping edge of the closing tab 7.

[0045] The pack 1 is made by folding a single blank 13 (one embodiment thereof is illustrated in FIG. 10). The blank 13 is folded so that one of the side walls 5 is made of two overlapping panels. In particular, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5, and as will be described in detail in the following, a side wall 5 (in which the extraction opening 6 is at least partially formed) is made up of two parallel and overlapping panels 5 and 5. The panel 5 is arranged on the outer part and a portion of the same defines the panel 10 of the closing tab 7. In other words, the outer panel 5 has the extraction opening 6. The inner panel 5 serves, however, as a striker for the closing tab 7 when it is in the closed position.

[0046] Advantageously, but not limitedly, the pack 1 comprises a locking means 15 configured to hold the closing tab 7 in the closed position.

[0047] According to the possible embodiment illustrated, the locking means 15 comprises at least a seat 16 obtained in the inner panel 5 and a claw 17 which is obtained in an inner surface of the closing tab 7 (in particular in the panel 10) and is configured to engage the seat 16 (when the tab 7 is in the closed position). In particular, the claw 17 is configured to engage the seat 16 by interference, when the closing tab 7 is in the closed position so as to hold the same in said position.

[0048] According to a possible alternative embodiment, not illustrated, the locking means 15 comprises a re-stick glue (that is, a weak glue) arranged between an inner surface of the closing tab 7 (in particular the panel 10 of the tab 7) and the inner panel 5. The re-stick glue does not dry and allows the closing tab 7 to be positioned several times in a closed position of the extraction opening 6 for the consumer articles 3. In particular, the re-stick glue can be applied to the panel 10 of the closing tab 7 and/or to the inner panel 5.

[0049] Advantageously, as illustrated in the attached figures, the extraction opening 6 is arranged at a distance D1 from one of the bottom walls 4 and at a distance D2, which is less than the distance D1, from the other bottom wall 4. In other words, the extraction opening 6 is arranged decentralized (that is, it is not arranged centrally or in the middle of the side wall 5 of the box 2) and is moved towards one of the bottom walls 4. In particular, the distance D2 ranges from 5 to 40%, preferably from 5% to 20%, of the distance D1.

[0050] Advantageously, as illustrated in the attached figures, a dimension D3 of the extraction opening 6 measured parallel to the longitudinal extension L of the pack 1 ranges from 10% to 30% of the respective total dimension (that is, the sum of the distances D1 and D2 and of the dimension D3) of the box 2. In other words, the extraction opening 6 has a dimension D3 which is much smaller than the total dimension of the box 2.

[0051] Preferably, the extraction opening 6 has a dimension D3 such as to remove one consumer article 3 at a time. In other words, the extraction opening 6 has a dimension D3 such as to prevent multiple consumer articles 3 from dropping out of the pack 1.

[0052] In use, upon opening the pack 1 for the first time, the user grabs the closing tab 7 (in particular, lifts the closing tab 7 in the area of the separation line 12) and tears one or two side walls 5 (depending on the extension of the weakening lines 11) to obtain the extraction opening 6 so as to withdraw the consumer article 3. Once the consumer article 3 has been withdrawn, the user repositions the closing label 7 in the closed position. The closing label 7 is held in this position by the locking means 15.

[0053] As illustrated in FIG. 10, the box 2 is made by folding the flat blank 13 made of cardboard or rigid paperboard and having a substantially elongated rectangular shape. The blank 13 comprises two transverse (pre-weakening) fold lines 18 and a plurality of (pre-weakening) longitudinal fold lines 19. The longitudinal fold lines 19 define, between the two transverse fold lines 18, four panels 5 (that is, in FIG. 10 in succession from above: a first panel 5, a second panel 5, a third panel 5 and a fourth panel 5) which form the side walls 5 of the box 2 and a panel 5 which is joined to the preceding panel 5 (that is, to the third panel 5) along the longitudinal fold line 19, forms part of one of the side walls 5, and overlaps and is glued (at least partially), in particular by means of permanent glue, to the panel 5 (in particular to the first panel 5) to form one of the side walls 5 of the box 2. Preferably, the panel 5 is not joined by permanent glue in the area of the closing tab 7.

[0054] Advantageously, as illustrated in the attached figures, the first panel 5 and the panel 5 have the same size (measured both parallel and orthogonal to the longitudinal extension L of the box 2).

[0055] According to a possible alternative, not illustrated, the first panel 5 and the panel 5 have two different sizes. In particular, the first panel 5 (namely, the one that forms the inner panel 5 precedingly described) has a dimension measured orthogonally to the longitudinal extension L of the box 2 which is smaller than the respective dimension (measured in the same way) of the panel 5 (namely, the one that forms on the outside the precedingly described panel 5).

[0056] The blank 13 comprises, furthermore, a first pair of fins 4, which are arranged on opposite sides of the first panel 5, are joined to the first panel 5 along the two transverse fold lines 18, and form part of the bottom walls 4 of the box 2 and second pair of fins 4, which are arranged on opposite sides of the third panel 5, are joined to the third panel 5 along the two transverse fold lines 18, and form part of the bottom walls 4 of the box 2. In particular, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10, the two pairs of fins 4 have a size in that, when they are folded by 90? along the transverse fold line 18, they are not overlapping one another. According to a possible alternative embodiment, the two pairs of fins 4 have a size such that, when they are folded by 90? along the transverse fold line 18 they are at least partially overlapping one another.

[0057] The blank 13 comprises, furthermore, a pair of fins 4, which are arranged on opposite sides of the second panel 5, are joined to the second panel 5 along the two transverse fold lines 18, and form part of the bottom walls 4 of the box 2 and overlapping and glued, in particular by means of permanent glue, to the corresponding tabs 4 so as to form the respective bottom wall 4.

[0058] In addition, the blank 13 has a pair of fins 4, which are arranged on opposite sides of the fourth panel 5, are joined to the fourth panel 5 along the two transverse fold lines 18, and form part of the bottom walls 4 of the box 2 and overlapping and glued, in particular by using a permanent glue, to the corresponding tabs 4 so as to form the respective bottom wall 4.

[0059] According to an alternative embodiment, the fins 4 and 4 are reversed, namely, the pair of fins 4 are arranged on opposite sides of the fourth panel 5, are joined to the fourth panel 5 along the two transverse fold lines 18, and form part of the bottom walls 4 of the box 2; while, the pair of fins 4 are arranged on opposite sides of the second panel 5, are joined to the second panel 5 along the two transverse fold lines 18, and form part of the bottom walls 4 of the box 2 and overlap and are glued, in particular by using a permanent glue, to the corresponding fins 4 so as to form the respective bottom wall 4.

[0060] Advantageously, at least in the area of the panel 5 (in particular, of the fourth and the panel 5) the weakening lines 11 are provided and optionally also the separation line 12 which delimit the portion that forms the closing tab 7.

[0061] Advantageously, if the box 2 has the locking means 15, the latter will be present at least in the area of the first panel 5. In particular, if the locking means 15 comprises a re-stick glue, it will be applied to the first panel 5 in the area that faces the closing tab 7, in particular at one of its free ends, when the closing tab 7 is in the closed position. Whereas, if the locking means 15 comprises a claw 17 and its respective seat 16 then the blank 13 (as illustrated in FIG. 10) has the seat 16 obtained in the area of the first panel 5 and the claw 17 obtained instead in the area of the fourth panel 5.

[0062] In the embodiments illustrated in the attached figures, the longitudinal and transversal corners are straight; alternatively, the longitudinal and/or transversal corners could be rounded or bevelled.

[0063] The embodiments described herein can be combined one with the other without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0064] The pack 1 described above has numerous advantages.

[0065] Mainly, the pack 1 described above has a high (structural) stability even if the first opening has already been carried out. In other words, the pack 1 maintains its original shape even if it has already been opened for the first time. In particular, the inner panel 5, in addition to serving as a reinforcing and supporting element of the pack 1, also allows the size of the extraction opening 6 to be limited and also allows to serve as barrier for the consumer article 3 facing the extraction opening 6. In addition, the inner panel 5 also forms a striker for the closing tab 7, which in the closed position is positioned against the same.

[0066] The pack 1 also has the advantage of being resealable, since the closing tab 7 can be arranged several times between the closed position and the open position. In other words, the locking means 15 (if present) allow the closing tab 7 to be held in the closed position, thus avoiding involuntary opening of the same with a consequent unwanted dropping out of the consumer articles 3.

[0067] Therefore, the pack 1 has better storage and preservation for the consumer articles 3. In particular, the pack 1 allows to avoid involuntary impacts and therefore dents between several adjacent articles 3. The pack 1, thanks to the presence of the re-closing tab 7, also allows the organoleptic characteristics (aroma, flavour, smell) of the consumer article 3 to be preserved.

[0068] The pack 1 also has the advantage that having an elongated parallelepiped shape and the extraction opening 6 being obtained in the side wall 5 close to one of the two bottom walls 4 and the consumer articles 3 being arranged in order along a row, at least one of the side walls 5 serves as a sliding surface for the consumer articles 3. In other words, to be positioned at the extraction opening 6, the consumer articles 3 can roll and/or slide against at least one side wall 5, which guides them precisely up to the extraction opening 6.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS OF THE FIGURES

[0069] 1 pack [0070] 2 box [0071] 3 consumer article [0072] 4 bottom wall [0073] 5 side wall [0074] 6 extraction opening [0075] 7 closing tab [0076] 8 hinge [0077] 9 panel [0078] 10 panel [0079] 11 weakening line [0080] 12 separation line [0081] 13 blank [0082] 15 locking means [0083] 16 seat [0084] 17 claw [0085] 18 transverse fold lines [0086] 19 longitudinal fold lines [0087] D1 distance [0088] D2 distance [0089] D3 dimension [0090] L longitudinal extension [0091] 4 panel [0092] 4 panel [0093] 4 panel [0094] 5 panel [0095] 5 panel