TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a package; an insert for a package; and blanks for forming the same.
BACKGROUND
Consumer goods, particularly portable electronic goods, are often sold in packaging comprising an inner container and a lid. The lid is usually separable from the inner container so that a user can access the contents of the inner container unencumbered by the lid. The manner in which the contents are displayed in the inner container can influence a consumer's perception of their quality.
Electronic cigarettes and similar aerosol generating devices can be elongate in shape, presenting associated packaging challenges.
SUMMARY
In accordance with some embodiments described herein, in a first aspect there is provided a package for an elongate article, the package having an inner container and a lid, wherein the inner container comprises a base and side panels connected to the base along respective fold lines, the side panels being foldable between an open configuration, in which the side panels extend outwardly of the base, and a closed configuration, in which the side panels upstand relative to the base to form an enclosure; and wherein the lid is configured to fit over the inner container to hold the side panels in the closed configuration.
In accordance with some embodiments described herein, in a second aspect there is provided an insert for a package, the insert being configured to hold an elongate article to upstand within the package, the insert comprising:
- a holding panel having an aperture; and
- a spacing panel connected to the holding panel along a fold line, the spacing panel being configured to space the holding panel from a base of the package so that an elongate article may be inserted through the aperture in a direction toward the base and be supported by sides of the aperture.
In accordance with some embodiments described herein, in a third aspect there is provided a pair of blanks for forming a package according to any of claims 1 to 16, wherein the pair of blanks comprises a blank for forming the inner container and a blank for forming the lid.
In accordance with some embodiments described herein, in a fourth aspect there is provided blank for forming an insert according to any of claims 17 to 19.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 shows a package;
FIG. 2 shows an inner container for a package;
FIG. 3 shows an insert for an inner container;
FIG. 4 shows an insert for an inner container;
FIG. 5 shows a blank for forming a lid of a package;
FIG. 6 shows a blank for forming an inner container of a package;
FIG. 7 shows a blank for forming an insert for an inner container;
FIG. 8 shows a blank for forming an insert for an inner container;
FIG. 9 shows a blank for forming an insert for an inner container;
FIG. 10 shows a blank for forming an insert for an inner container;
FIG. 11 shows an inner container for a package;
FIG. 12 shows a blank for forming the inner container of FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 shows an inner container for a package; and
FIG. 14 shows a blank for forming the inner container of FIG. 13.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIGS. 1 to 3 shows a package 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The package 100 comprises a lid 200, an inner container 300 and an insert 400. FIG. 1 shows the package 100 in a closed state with the lid 200 placed over the inner container 300; FIG. 2 shows the inner container 300 with the lid 200 removed; and FIG. 3 shows the insert 400 removed from the inner container 300.
The inner container 300 comprises a base 301 and side panels 302 connected to the base 301 along respective fold lines 303. The side panels 302 are foldable between an open configuration, in which the side panels 302 extend outwardly of the base 301, and a closed configuration, in which the side panels 302 upstand relative to the base 301 to form an enclosure. The lid 200 is configured to fit over the inner container 300, holding the side panels 302 in the closed configuration.
The insert 400 is configured to hold an elongate article 500 to upstand from the base 301 of the inner container 300. Therefore, when the lid 200 is removed, and the side panels 302 fall into the open configuration, the elongate article 500 is displayed as if freestanding and can be viewed from all sides, as shown in FIG. 2.
The base 301 of the inner container 300 comprises a lower wall 304 and side walls 305 that upstand along edges of the lower wall 304 to provide a receiving space for the insert 400. Preferably the insert 400 sits within this receiving space so that an upper surface 401 of the insert sits flush with upper edges 303 of the side walls 305, where the side panels 302 fold.
When in the closed configuration, the side panels 302 upstand perpendicular to the upper surface 401 of the insert 400 to enclose an article 500 held therein. Each side wall 305 of the base 301 and respective side panel 302 present a substantially planar outer surface when in the closed configuration. In the present embodiment, the inner container 300 comprises a four sided lower wall 304 and, correspondingly, four side walls 305 and four side panels 302. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3, the side panels 302 are connected to the package 100 only at the base 301 along the respective fold lines 303. This means that each side panel 302 is free to fold about its respective fold line 303 independently of any other side panel 302. In other embodiments, the side panels 302 are connected to each other by intermediate panels, as will be explained further in connection with FIGS. 13 and 14, below.
When assembled together, as in FIG. 1, the package 100 of the present embodiment is a parallelepiped having a top face 101 and four side faces 102 that are formed by an end wall 201 and side walls 202 of the lid 200, respectively. A lower face 103 of the package is formed by the lower wall 304 of the inner container 300 and is substantially the same shape as the end wall 201 of the lid 200 and, therefore, top face 102 of the package 100.
The planar outer surfaces of the inner container 300 sit against inner surfaces of the side walls 202 of the lid 200, which extend to the lower wall 304 of the inner container 300. A pair of cut outs 203 are provided in opposing side walls 202 of the lid 200 and extend in from lower edges 204 of the side walls 202 so that the inner container 300 can be gripped through the cut outs 203. This allows the inner container 300 to be pulled from within the lid 200 to remove the lid 200 from the inner container 300. The side panels 302, no longer held in place by the side walls 202 of the lid 200, fall outward into the open configuration.
It will be appreciated that, by providing an extended surface to bear against the lid 200, the side panels 302 ensure that the inner container 300 is better supported within the lid 200 when the package 100 is assembled. It shall be further appreciated that, when the lid 200 is removed, the side panels 302 may be configured to fall outward into the open configuration without any direct user manipulation of the side panels 302. This way, the side panels 302 do not obstruct access to the contents of the package 100 and add an element of theatre when the package 100 is opened and the lid is removed 200.
The inner container 300 further may comprise intermediate panels 306, as shown in FIG. 2. Each intermediate panel 306 extends from an edge of a respective side panel 302 to give four intermediate panels 306. Each intermediate panel 306 is configured to fold into overlapping relation with an adjacent side panel 302 when the inner container 300 is in the closed configuration. Preferably each intermediate panel 306 overlaps the adjacent side panel 302 so that an outer surface of the intermediate panels 306 faces an inner surface of a respective adjacent side panel 302. The intermediate panels 306 may press against respective adjacent side panels 302 to add to the stiffness of the inner container 300 in the closed configuration. Therefore the intermediate panels 306 may contribute to a more robust package 100.
The insert 400 comprises a holding panel 402 to hold an elongate article 500 so that it upstands from the holding panel 402. To achieve this, the holding panel 402 is provided with an aperture 403. One end of the elongate article 500 is inserted through the aperture 403 and supported by sides of the aperture 403. When the insert 400 is placed in the inner container 300, the holding panel 402 is spaced from the lower wall 304 of the inner container 300 by a spacing panel 404 of the insert 400. In the illustrated embodiment, two spacing panels 404 are provided, one either side of the holding panel 402. The spacing panels 404 extend perpendicular to the holding panel 402 and are the same height as the side walls 305 of the inner container 300. The holding panel 402 is therefore flush with the upper edges 303 of the side walls 305 when the insert 400 is placed in the inner container 300.
The insert may be further provided with an internal shelf 405 which supports the article 500, as shown in FIG. 4. The shelf 405 extends between spacing panels 404 and provides a lower compartment 420 beneath the shelf 405 that can be used to pack items related to the article 500, such as charging equipment.
FIG. 5 shows a blank for forming the lid 200 of the package of FIG. 1. The blank 500 comprises four rectangular primary panels 501. Each primary panel 501 is attached to an adjacent primary panel 501 along a fold line 502; and to an additional panel 503 along an upper fold lines 504. The additional panels 503 comprise an end wall panel 505 and reinforcing panels 506. To assemble the lid 200, the primary panels 501 are folded perpendicular to each other about fold lines 502 to form the side walls 202 of the lid 200. The additional panels 503 are then folded into overlapping relation about upper fold lines 503, with the end wall panel 505 outermost to form the end wall 201 of the lid 200. The reinforcing panels 506 are adhered to the end wall panel 505. To further reinforce the lid 200, the blank is provided with a tab 507 attached to an outer primary panel 508. When the blank 500 is assembled into the lid 200, the tab 507 is folded up against an opposing outer primary panel 509 and adhered thereto.
The blank 500 further comprises tuck in flaps 510 attached along lower edges 511 of the primary panels 501. The tuck in flaps 510 fold back against respective primary panels 501 and are adhered thereto to reinforce the lower edges 204 of the lid 200.
FIG. 6 shows a blank 600 for forming the inner container 300 of the package 100. The blank 600 comprises four rectangular side wall panels 601, each side wall panel 601 being attached to an adjacent side wall panel 601 along a fold line 602. To assemble the inner container 300, the side wall panels 601 are folded perpendicular to each other to form the side walls 305 of the inner container 300. The side panels 302 are attached only along the upper edges 603 of the side wall panels 601 so that, when assembled, the side panels 302 can fold between the closed and open configurations as described above. The blank 600 further comprises four additional panels 604. The additional panels 604 extend from lower edges 605 of the side wall panels 601. When the blank 600 is assembled, the additional panels 604 are folded into overlapping relation and adhered to each other to form the lower wall 304 of the inner container 300 and hold the inner container 300 together. A tab 606 is attached to an outer edge 607 of an outer side wall panel 608. The tab 606 folds against and is adhered to an opposing outer side wall panel 609 when the inner container 300 is assembled from the blank 600. The intermediate panels 306 extend from a diagonal edge 610 of each side panel 302. By diagonal edge, it is meant an edge of the side panels 302 that extends at a diagonal with respect to the other edges of the side panels 302. In the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 6, the side panels 302 are triangular and the diagonal edges 610 are a hypotenuse of the triangle.
FIGS. 7 to 10 show blanks 700 for forming the insert 400. The blanks 700 each comprise, at a minimum, the holding panel 401 and the spacing panel 404.
FIG. 7 shows a blank 700 for an insert 400 comprising the holding panel 402 and first and second spacing panels 404, 404′ that extend from opposite edges 405 of the holding panel. When assembled to form the insert 400, the spacing panels 404, 404′ are folded into facing relation to extend perpendicular to the holding panel 402. The insert of FIG. 7 further comprises a base panel 406, extending from an opposite edge of the first spacing panel 404 to the holding panel; and a tab 407 that extends from an opposite edge of the base panel 406 to the first spacing panel 404. When assembled, the base panel 406 is folded perpendicular to the spacing panels 404, 404′ to face the holding panel 401, so that the spacing panels 404, 404′, holding panel 402 and base panel 406 form opposing side faces 409, upper face 401 and lower face 408 of the insert 400, respectively. The tab 407 is folded into contact with the second spacing panel 404′ and adhered thereto to hold the folded panels together. Front and rear enclosure panels 410, 410′ are also provided and extend from opposite edges 411 of the holding panel 402, perpendicular to the spacing panels 404, 404′. Therefore the enclosure panels 410, 410′ may be folded to enclose a compartment 412 within the insert. Additionally, a support panel 413 is provided that extends from an edge of the base panel 406, perpendicular to the spacing panel 404 and tab 407. The support panel 413 is configured to fold perpendicular to the base panel 406 against the front enclosure panel 410. The front enclosure panel 410 is provided with a tuck-in-tab 414 that engages a slot 415 between the base panel 406 and the support panel 413 to increase the rigidity of the insert 400.
FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 further comprise a shelf panel 416 for forming the internal shelf 405 of the assembled insert 400, as shown, for example, in FIG. 4. Features of FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 10 that serve the same purpose retain the same reference numbers.
The insert of FIG. 8 is similar to the insert of FIG. 7, yet further comprises a shelf panel 416 and a shelf spacing panel 417. The shelf spacing panel 417 extends from an opposite edge of the base panel 406 to the spacing panel 404, while the shelf panel 416 extends from the shelf spacing panel 417, opposite the base panel 406. The shelf spacing panel 417 therefore extends between the base panel 406 and the shelf panel 416, connecting the shelf panel 416 to the base panel 406. A tab 418 extends from an opposite edge of the shelf panel 416 to the shelf spacing panel 417. When folded to form the insert 400, the shelf spacing panel 417 is folded perpendicular to the base panel 406 and the shelf panel 416 is folded perpendicular to the shelf spacing panel 417 to face the base panel 406. The base panel 406 is then folded perpendicular to the first spacing panel 404 and the first spacing panel 404 perpendicular to the base panel 406 so that the base panel 406, shelf panel 416 and the holding panel 402 are parallel and facing each other. The second spacing panel 404′ is folded against the shelf spacing panel and the tab 418 and adhered thereto. The shelf panel 416 therefore forms the internal shelf 405 and divides the compartment 412 into upper and lower compartments 419, 420.
The blank of FIG. 8 also comprises reinforcing tabs 421 that extend from opposing edges of the first and second spacing panels 404, 404′. The reinforcing tabs 421 fold in against the enclosure panels 410 when the blank 700 is assembled to form the insert 400.
It shall be appreciated that the enclosure panels 410 and reinforcing panels 421 are optional. For example, FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of an insert blank 700 substantially as described with reference to FIG. 8, but with the enclosure panels 410 and reinforcing panels 421 omitted.
In the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 10, the base panel 406 is omitted. Instead, three spacing panels 404, 404′, 404″ extend from respective, adjacent edges of the holding panel 402. The shelf spacing panel 417 extends from a fourth edge the holding panel 402. This makes for a more compact blank. In this embodiment triangular reinforcement tabs 422 connect adjacent spacing panels 404, 404′, 404″. To assemble the blank 700, the spacing panels 404, 404′, 404″ are folded perpendicular to the holding panel 416 to enclose the compartment 412. This causes the reinforcement tabs 422 to fold inwards and in half, so that the two halves of each reinforcement tab 422 come together in a concertina fashion. The reinforcement tabs 422 are then folded against an adjacent spacing panel 404, 404′ so that they do not obstruct the compartment 412. To form the shelf 405, the shelf spacing panel 417 is folded perpendicular to the holding panel 402 and the shelf panel 416 folded parallel to the holding panel 402 to divide the compartment into upper and lower compartments 419, 420. A tab 423 extends from the shelf panel and is folded against spacing panel 404″ and adhered thereto to complete assembly of the insert 400.
In each of the embodiments illustrated by FIGS. 7 to 10, the shelf panel 416 comprises a cut out 424 shaped to cooperate with an elongate article 500 received in the insert 400 to prevent rotation of the article 500 around its longitudinal axis. In the illustrated embodiments, the cut outs 424 are crescent shaped to cooperate with correspondingly crescent shaped electrical contacts that protrude from one end of the elongate article 500. However, it will be appreciated that the cuts outs can be any shape required to fix an elongate article 500 and prevent its rotation about its longitudinal axis. The shape of the cut outs are determined by the shape of the feature they are designed to cooperate with.
An inner container 300 according to another embodiment is shown in FIG. 11. In this embodiment, the holding panel 402 is integrated into the inner container 300 rather than being provided by a separate insert 400. In such embodiments, the inner container 300 is provided with two side panels 302 extending from opposite sides of the inner container 300. In this embodiment, intermediate panels 306 are also illustrated.
A blank 800 for forming the inner container of FIG. 11 is shown in FIG. 12. The blank comprises a four sided base panel 801. Side wall panels 802 extend from opposing sides of the base panel 801 and connect the side panels 302 to the base 801. A spacing panel 803 and shelf spacing panel 804 extend from the remaining two opposing sides of the base panel 801. The spacing panel 803 attaches the holding panel 402 to the base panel 801, while the shelf spacing panel 804 attaches a shelf panel 416 to the base panel 801. Reinforcing panels 805, 805′, 805″ are attached to the remaining sides of the holding panel 402 and a tuck in flap 806 extends from the shelf panel 416, opposite the shelf spacing panel 804. To assemble the inner container 300, the shelf spacing panel 804 is folded perpendicular to the base panel 801 and the shelf panel 416 folded to overlap and face the base panel 801. The tuck in flap 806 is folded into contact with the base panel 801 so that the shelf panel 416 is supported above the base panel 801 on two sides. The side wall panels 802 are then folded perpendicular to the base panel 801 to enclose a space between the shelf panel 416 and the base panel 801. The side wall panels 802 are taller than the shelf spacing panel 804 so that the side wall panels 802 upstand from the base panel 801, proud of the shelf panel 416. The holding panel 402 is then folded across upper edges of the side wall panels 802 to overlap and face the shelf panel 416. The shelf panel 416 is therefore spaced from the holding panel 402 by the difference in height between the side wall panels 802 and the shelf spacing panel 804. The reinforcing panels 805, 805′, 805″ are arranged as follows: two reinforcing panels 805, 805″ extend from opposite sides of the holding panel 402, perpendicular to the spacing panel 803; a third reinforcing panel 805′ extends opposite to the spacing panel 803. The pair of reinforcing panels 805, 805″ are folded against inner faces of the side wall panels 802. The third reinforcing panel 805′ is folded against an outer face of the shelf spacing panel 804 and adhered thereto to complete assembly of the inner container 300 of FIG. 11.
Another embodiment of the inner container is shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. In this embodiment intermediate panels extend between and connect adjacent side panels 302. The intermediate panels are configured to act as a spring to help urge the side panels from the closed configuration to the open configuration when the lid is removed.
FIG. 14 shows a blank for forming the inner container of FIG. 13. The blank comprises a four sided base panel 307, side panels 302 extending from each side of the base panel 307 and intermediate panels 306. The intermediate panels 306 extend to connect adjacent side panels 302. Each intermediate panel 306 comprises two scalene triangular panels 308, 308′ that fold inward about a common edge 309 when the blank is assembled to form the inner container 300. In this way, the intermediate panels 306 serve the additional purpose of providing locating support for an insert 400 received within the inner container 300.
As described herein, the package 100 is designed to hold an elongate article 500. The elongate article 500 may be any device that would benefit from being packaged in a package 100 according to this invention. Preferably the elongate article 500 is an electronic consumer good 500. Therefore the compartments 412, 420 can be utilised to store charging equipment or other items related to the electronic consumer good 500. In one example, the elongate article is a delivery system intended to deliver at least one substance to a user. As used herein, the term “delivery system” is intended to encompass systems that deliver at least one substance to a user, and includes:
- combustible aerosol provision systems, such as cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, and tobacco for pipes or for roll-your-own or for make-your-own cigarettes (whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco substitutes or other smokable material);
- non-combustible aerosol provision systems that release compounds from an aerosol-generating material without combusting the aerosol-generating material, such as electronic cigarettes, tobacco heating products, and hybrid systems to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials; and
- aerosol-free delivery systems that deliver the at least one substance to a user orally, nasally, transdermally or in another way without forming an aerosol, including but not limited to, lozenges, gums, patches, articles comprising inhalable powders, and oral products such as oral tobacco which includes snus or moist snuff, wherein the at least one substance may or may not comprise nicotine.
The various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects described herein are not to be considered limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, appropriate combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc, other than those specifically described herein. In addition, this disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.
Patent Application
20240359862
