Patent Application
20190075844
The present invention relates to a pouch, in particular a pouch for tobacco, with a cover flap and an extension flap. The inner surface of the extension flap adheres to the inner surface of the cover flap.
It is known to market consumer goods and in particular tobacco in pouches wherein the pouches contain a pouch front wall and a pouch rear wall which are connected to each other at the bottom and their sides but which are open at the upper edges of the pouch to form an opening to allow the consumer an access to the interior of the pouch and its contents. These known pouches further comprise a relatively long flap. This relatively long flap serves the consumer as a support and, if the consumer goods are tobacco, also as an aid to roll its own cigarettes. This relatively long flap is folded in the known products forward towards the front side of the pouch and then wrapped around the bottom of the pouch and is eventually connected to the pouch rear wall. Such a pouch has the advantage of providing a long flap to the consumer but has the disadvantage that two separate steps are needed to open the flap, namely a first step to open the closing mechanism on the pouch rear wall and then folding the flap around the pouch bottom in order to open the pouch and give the consumer access to the tobacco or other consumer articles.
It would be desirable to have a pouch which can be easily opened with one single action. Moreover, it would be desirable to have a back panel that is non-split. A non-split back panel or rear wall offers more space for both branding and information purposes. That means that the extension flap is not wrapped around the back panel as shown in
According to the invention a pouch in its closed position is provided, wherein the pouch comprises a pouch front wall and a pouch rear wall. An access opening is provided between the upper edges of the pouch front wall and the pouch rear wall. The pouch further comprises a cover flap. The cover flap depends from the pouch rear wall. The pouch further comprises an extension flap. The extension flap depends from the cover flap. In the closed position of the pouch, the cover flap is folded over the front wall in order to overlie the access opening. In the closed position of the pouch, the extension flap is folded between the pouch front wall and the cover flap. In the closed position of the pouch, the inner surface of the extension flap adheres to the inner surface of the cover flap. Preferably, this adherence is peelable. Preferably, this adherence is peelable and extends along adherence zones along the side edges of the inner surfaces of the cover flap and the extension flap.
There may be exclusively peelable adhesion between the inner surfaces of the cover flap and the extension flap. Accordingly, in such embodiment there is no permanent adhesion between each the inner surface of the cover flap and the inner surface of the extension flap. This means that the cover flap and the extension flap may be unfolded by a user in order to provide a long flap. Such a pouch has the advantage of providing a long flap to the user. Such pouch further has the advantage that it can be easily opened with one single action.
Preferably, each folding line which depends from the cover flap defines either a separation line between the cover flap and the pouch rear wall or defines a separation line between the cover flap and the first of the one or more extension flaps. In such embodiment, each folding line which is present along the area of the cover flap defines an end side of the cover flap.
The cover flap may depend from the pouch rear wall at a first folding line, the first extension flap may depend from the cover flap at a second folding line, and, optionally, each further extension flap may depend from the foregoing extension flap at a further folding line.
Thus the cover flap and the extension flap are non-wrapped solutions. That means that they are not folded around the bottom of the pouch as in the prior art. Instead the cover flap and the extension flaps both being folded against each other and both lying on the pouch front wall adhering to one another along the adherence zones. This has the advantage to allow the consumer an easy opening of the flap and the pouch and an easy access to the pouch content such as loose tobacco. At the same time the long combined cover and extension flap and their advantages are maintained. Furthermore, due to the non-split back panel or rear wall of the pouch of the present invention, more space is available for both branding and information purposes.
Furthermore, in another embodiment, in its closed position, the adhered extension and cover flaps provide an additional pocket. This pocket can store consumer articles, in particular accessories such as cigarette paper or other wrappers.
Moreover, the pouch of the invention is easy to manufacture as the inner surface of the extension flap adheres to the inner surface of the cover flap forming adherence zones. The adherence zones are preferably located along the side edges of the inner surface of the cover flap and the inner surface of the extension flap.
The pouch can be made of flexible plastic sheets, laminate sheets, for example laminates made from layers of paper, metal, plastics and combinations thereof.
The pouch front wall and the pouch rear wall are connected to each other at the bottom and at their side edges. This can either be achieved by a direct connection or via additional intermediate walls. For example, pouch side walls can be present extending between the side edges of pouch front wall and pouch rear wall. Alternatively or in addition, a pouch bottom wall can be present extending between the lower edges of pouch front wall and pouch rear wall. The upper ends of pouch front wall and pouch rear wall are not connected to each other with the consequence that an access opening results which allows the consumer to access the contents of the pouch.
The inner surface of the extension flap adheres to the inner surface of the cover flap. The adhering surfaces are hereinafter referred to as adherence zones. The adherence zones can be defined, that means local in the form of spots or thin or broader lines for example along the side edges of the extension flap. Various portions of the inner surface of the extension flap may form adherence zones, for example 25 percent, preferably 50 percent, more preferably 75 percent of the inner surface of the extension flap or more adhere to the inner surface of the cover flap.
Preferably, the adherence zones are lines along the side edges of the cover flap and the extension flap. The length of the adherence zones may vary, for example, the adherence zone may extend 25 percent, preferably 50 percent more preferably 75 percent and most preferably along entire length of the side edge of the extension flap. That means, in the case of an extension of an extension flap whose side edge is 43 millimetres, the adherence zone may be from about 10 millimetres to up to 43 millimetres.
These lines may vary in their broadness, for example from about 1 millimetres to about 10 millimetres, preferably from about 2 to about 5 millimetres.
The inner surface of the extension flap can also adhere substantially throughout the inner surface of the extension flap. That means that about the entire inner surface of the extension flap adheres to the inner surface of the cover flap, for example more than 90 percent, preferably more than 95 percent and even more preferably more than 99 percent of the inner surface of the extension flap adhere to the inner surface of the cover flap.
The adherence may be permanent. Permanent adherence as used herein requires an opening force of from about 15 Newton to about 40 Newton, preferably from about 20 Newton to about 30 Newton.
Preferably the adherence is peelable. Peelable adherence as used herein requires an opening force from about 0.5 to about 15 Newton, preferably from about 1 to about 10 Newton, more preferable from about 2 to 6 Newton. There may be exclusively peelable adherence between the inner surface of the extension flap and the inner surface of the cover flap. There may be peelable adherence and permanent adherence at different areas between the inner surface of the extension flap and the inner surface of the cover flap.
The opening force is determined using the peel force test for pouches.
The peel force test for pouches measures the force needed to separate adhered surfaces, for example to separate sealed surfaces.
Two clamps are placed on a pouch of the invention as shown in
The peelable adhesion of the inner surface of the extension flap and the inner surface of the cover flap can be reclosable. This means that after the peeling of the extension flap from the cover flap, the extension flap does re-adhere to the cover flap when folded back.
Preferably, the peelable adhesion of the inner surface of the extension flap and the inner surface of the cover flap are not reclosable. This means that after the peeling of the extension flap from the cover flap, the extension flap does not re-adhere to the cover flap when folded back.
Permanent adhesion can be obtained using for example thermo sealing, cold sealing, ultrasound sealing or an adhesive.
Peelable adhesion is at least one of a chemical connection such an adhesive, thermos sealing, cold sealing, ultrasound sealing, a mechanical connection such as a hook and loop fastener, Velcro or a micro-suction surface, or an electrostatic connection.
Preferably, in the closed position of the pouch, the cover flap substantially covers the pocket panel. Substantial coverage means a coverage of more than half of the surface of the pocket panel, preferably more than 75 percent, more preferably more than 90 percent and even more preferably more than 95 percent of the surface of the pocket panel. The pocket panel is the consumer good containing part of the front panel in its fully filled state.
The consumer goods are preferably tobacco, more preferably loose fine cut tobacco for roll-your-own cigarettes or make-your-own cigarettes.
Terms such as “front”, “rear”, “top”, “bottom”, “side”, “upper”, “lower”, “height”, “width”, “depth” and other terms used to describe relative positions of the components of the pouch according to the invention refer to the pouch in an upright position with the consumer goods housed in the pouch and with the opening of the pouch at the top and the consumer goods accessible from the top.
Preferably the pouch front wall and the pouch rear wall are both rectangular. Further preferably, pouch front wall and the pouch rear wall do have the same height. It is more preferred that pouch rear wall and pouch front wall are both rectangular and of same size and are directly connected to each other at their side edges and their lower edges.
Preferably, the extension flap and the cover flap have a width which corresponds essentially to the width of the pouch rear wall. This has the advantage that, when the cover flap and the extension flap are folded, the pouch is substantially completely closed, reducing the likelihood of consumer goods falling out of open gaps at the top of the pouch.
The pouch front wall starts at its bottom and ends at its upper edge. The pouch rear wall starts at its bottom and ends where the cover flap starts. There is not necessarily a folding line or hinge line between pouch rear wall and cover flap but more preferred the cover flap is just a continuation of the pouch rear wall. The cover flap in turn ends where the extension flap starts. The extension flap ends either at its upper edge or where an optional further, second extension flap starts. The further, second extension flap ends either at its upper edge or where an optional third extension flap starts. The third extension flap ends at its upper edge.
Preferably, in the upper third of the pouch rear wall or, alternatively, at the end of the pouch rear wall and the beginning of the cover flap there is provided a first folding line. At the end of the cover flap and the beginning of the extension flap there is provided a second folding line. Optionally, at the end of the extension flap and the beginning of the further, second extension flap there is provided a third folding line. Further optionally, at the end of the second extension flap and the beginning of the third extension flap there is provided a fourth folding line.
In case of cover flap and only one extension flap the distance between first and second folding lines preferably is about 3 to about 8 centimeters, more preferably about 4 to about 7 centimeters, and even more preferably about 5 to about 6 centimeters. In case of cover flap and two or three extension flaps the distance between second and third folding lines is about 3 to about 7 centimeters, preferably about 4 to about 7 centimeters, and more preferably about 5 to about 6 centimeters and the distance between third and fourth folding lines is about 3 to about 6 centimeters, preferably about 4 to about 6 centimeters, and more preferably about 4 to about 5 centimeters.
Preferably, only the cover flap and the extension flap are present. In that case the cover flap and the extension flap are bent forward around the first folding line and towards the pouch front wall. The extension flap is then bent inwardly by about 180° around the second folding line such that it is lying on the pouch front wall and essentially parallel to the pouch front wall and the cover flap. The inner surface of the extension flap is adhered to the inner surface of the cover flap along adherence zones preferably along the side edges of the extension and cover flaps.
In the event that two extension flaps are present, the cover flap and the first extension flaps are bent the same way as described above in the preceding paragraph and the second extension flap is then bent by about 180° such that it is lying between and parallel to cover flap and first extension flap. In the event that three extension flaps are present they and the cover flap are bent in a similar way as described above with the result that all extension flaps and the cover flap are arranged in the closed position of the pouch in a more or less parallel arrangement. Preferably, the one extension flap depends from the cover panel. If not specified otherwise, the description refers to one extension flap.
The bent and folded cover and extension flaps lying on the pouch front wall are then connected to the pouch in a reclosable manner. The reclosable connection can be obtained by at least one of a chemical connection such as an adhesive, a mechanical connection such as a hook and loop fastener, a sticker or a micro-suction surface, or an electrostatic connection. The reclosable connection is either between the cover flap and the pouch, more preferably the pouch front wall, or between the extension flap and the pouch, more preferably the pouch front wall, or between both the cover flap and the extension flap and the pouch, more preferably the pouch front wall. For example, it is preferred that an adhesive is applied to the cover flap such that it comes into contact with the pouch, more preferably the pouch front wall, and closes the pouch. The adhesive is of such a nature that it allows a repeated opening and closing of the pouch. Preferably, the pouch is provided with a sticker which allows repeated opening and closing of the pouch. Part of such a sticker is in a fixed connection to the cover flap such that it is permanently connected to the cover flap and cannot be removed during normal operation conditions of the pouch. A further part of the sticker which is not connected to the cover flap is provided with an adhesive which gets in contact with the pouch, more preferably the pouch front wall, and allows a repeated opening and closing of the pouch. It is more preferred that the adhesive on the sticker is not applied to the whole part of the sticker which is not fixed to the cover flap and in particular not to the free end of this part. This allows the consumer an easy grip of the sticker for opening and closing and reopening the pouch.
In the closed position of the pouch, the inner surface of the extension flap will preferably cover from 15 to 95 percent, preferably from about 25 to about 75 percent and more preferably about 30 to about 60 percent of the inner surface of the cover flap.
In a preferred embodiment, if the cover flap is about from about 70 to about 80 millimetres long, the length of the extension flap will be from about 40 to about 50 millimetres.
Preferably the cover flap is rectangular, the extension flap is rectangular and the heights and the widths of the extension flap and of the cover flap are essentially the same.
A pouch according to the invention can be prepared from a rectangular sheet, wherein the lower edge of the rectangular sheet is folded once by about 180 degrees or twice by about 180 degrees, which means by about 90 degrees in each of the two folding steps such that a pouch bottom wall results, the facing side edges of the folded lower part of the rectangular sheet are connected to each other, optionally after adding pouch side walls, to form a pouch with a pouch front wall, a pouch rear wall, a cover flap, an extension flap, optionally a pouch bottom wall and optionally pouch side walls, wherein before or after folding the lower edge of the rectangular sheet consumer goods are applied to the rectangular sheet or into the pouch such that these consumer goods are within the pouch after the folding step, the cover flap is folded towards the pouch front wall and the extension flap is folded inwardly such that it is arranged between pouch front wall and cover flap. The inner surface of the extension flap is adhered, preferably peelably sealed to the inner surface of the cover flap. A means for the reclosable connection of cover flap or extension flap to the pouch or of cover flap and extension flap to the pouch is applied to the cover flap or to the extension flap or to the cover flap and the extension flap such that it allows closing and opening of the pouch in a reversible manner. The means for the reclosable connection is connected to the pouch yielding the pouch in a closed condition. The method optionally further comprises applying two complementary closure strips onto the rectangular sheet such that after folding of the rectangular sheet to the pouch these complementary closure strips are located on opposite sides of the access opening of the pouch. In the case of heat sealing, the step order of the manufacturing process may be as follows. The adhesive is applied either online during the manufacturing of the pouch or preapplied to the sheet by the sheet supplier. Then the sheet is folded to form the pouch as described above. Finally, the adhesive is heat activated to provide for the permanent and peelable seal.
Where connecting of different walls or parts of the pouch is necessary, for example of the edges of the pouch front wall and the pouch rear wall, this can be done by heat-sealing, ultrasonic welding, adhesive, cold sealing or other suitable connecting techniques that preferably create a substantially gas or moisture tight connection between the walls. Either before that connecting step or thereafter consumer goods, such as loose or cut tobacco, can be introduced into the pouch formed by the pouch front wall and the pouch rear wall. Thereafter the cover flap and the extension flap is folded at least twice and each time by about 180 degrees around first and second folding lines as described above. Thereinafter the inner surface of the extension flap is adhered, preferably peelably sealed to the inner surface of the cover flap. An adhesive or a sticker is applied to the pouch and the pouch of the invention is closed, yielding the pouch of the invention in closed position.
Optionally, the rectangular sheet wherefrom the pouch is made includes a second and further optionally a third extension flap. In that case the second extension flap depends from the first extension flap and a third folding line is provided between first and second extension flaps and the third extension flap depends from the second extension flap and a fourth folding line is provided between second and third extension flaps. If present, the second extension flap is folded by about 180 degrees around the third folding line and the third extension flap is folded by about 180 degrees around the fourth folding line.
The present invention further comprises a method of preparing a pouch of the invention comprising the steps of
reclosably connecting the cover flap to the pouch by way of a connecting means.
The present invention further comprises a method of preparing a pouch comprising the steps of
The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
The reference numerals in
In
In
The pouch 10 in
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16163280.7 | Mar 2016 | EP | regional |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2017/057597 | 3/30/2017 | WO | 00 |
