Two-pack kit for packaging make-your-own cigarettes

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6223895
  • Patent Number
    6,223,895
  • Date Filed
    Friday, September 24, 1999
    25 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, May 1, 2001
    23 years ago
Abstract
In accordance with the present invention there is provided a novel cigarette packaging system for “making your own” smokeable cigarettes. The kit is easily opened and allows a smoker to assemble a smokeable cigarette quickly without requiring great effort. The kit is inexpensive, convenient to use and also convenient to carry and store as its compact size is such that it fits in a person's hand, a shirt or coat pocket as well as in a ladies bag or purse. The kit is also advantageous because it is less expensive than tailor made cigarettes, yet is not that much wider than a standard, typical package of cigarettes. The construction of the kit, is such that it keeps the unsmokeable tobacco elements in a separate compartment which serves to help maintain the freshness of the tobacco.
Description




FIELD OF THE INVENTION




This invention relates to cigarette packages and more specifically, the invention is directed to a two-pack cigarette kit packaging system for making your own cigarettes.




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




Cigarettes are normally sold as complete tailor made cigarettes which can be smoked without further assembly or processing by the consumer. There are, however, several advantages including financial for smokers to assemble their own cigarettes.




There are a variety of available forms of inherently-unsmokeable cigarettes which can be assembled in different manners such as for example described in Canadian Patent No. 2,011,254. However, up until now, such cigarettes have not been available in a convenient, compact and easy to use kit that is pocket sized and provides for the rapid and simple assembly of smokeable cigarettes.




Several different types of cigarette packaging have been developed over the years. For example, Canadian Patent 487,165 discloses a packaging means for cigarettes in which several individual packages of cigarettes are held together with an encircling band and retained together with an adhesive strip made of cellulose tape. Canadian Patent 604,546 is directed to an interconnected container unit for retaining cigarettes which is essentially a foldable unit. The unit is made of a flat single sheet of material having opposed ends which is folded into several sections and held together with an adhesive.




Canadian Patent 711,109 is directed to a multi-compartment cigarette package where each compartment contains six cigarettes. The package itself is approximately the size of a conventional package of cigarettes. Each compartment has an inner foil wrapping and a sealed cellophane wrapper enclosing each separable compartment with pull tape securing each individual compartments together.




U.S. Pat. No. 2,984,340 discloses a cigarette package for holding short cigarettes. The package comprises two individual packages each having a flip top lid which are held together by a revenue stamp and outer cellophane wrapping.




U.S. Pat. No. 3,007,623 discloses a dual cigarette pack for packaging two different kinds of cigarettes in a single container. One compartment may contain filter tipped cigarettes and the other plain cigarettes. The dual pack has an outer sealing wrapper (cellophane) which is removable in such a manner that one portion of the pack is kept closed while the other is in use. This is a single package with two separate compartments.




U.S. Pat. No. 3,051,305 discloses a cigarette display carton comprising a cardboard to form a bottom panel into which several cigarette packages are stood upright thereon. Side panels are also provided. A transparent film is wrapped tightly around the plurality of packages.




U.S. Pat. No. 3,226,010 discloses a cigarette packaging system for dual compartment cigarette packages in which both compartments are made of a common paper wrapper and the entire system enclosed in cellophane.




U.S. Pat. No. 3,809,227 discloses a cigarette packaging system in which individual packages are wrapped in an aligned single row or double row. A frangible strip is provided to open the wrapper or alternatively the frangible strip may be used to connect packages together.




U.S. Pat. No. 4,669,611 discloses a package group comprising two individual packages having a pricing bar code on one side and are fastened together in a stacked relationship by a wrap around adhesive band of a transparent material.




U.S. Pat. No. 4,928,817 discloses packaging for a plurality of small cigarette packs in which several cigarette packs are combined to form small groups. Each group of cigarette packs is held together by means of a wrapping consisting of paper, cardboard or film material open on at least one side such that at least the bottom walls of the cigarette packs are exposed or accessible. The cigarette packs are connected to one another and to the wrapping by an adhesively bonded film strip.




U.S. Pat. No. 5,467,872 discloses a rigid, hinged-lid packet for cigarettes which has an intermediate portion closed at opposite ends by two hinged lids and housing two opposite orderly groups of cigarettes. Each group of cigarettes are accessible by opening a respective lid. The intermediate portion also houses at least one substantially rigid reinforcing structure having a number of sleeves engaged by respective cigarettes.




It is evident that there are several different types of cigarette packaging systems for complete tailor made ready to smoke cigarettes. However, there are no cigarette packaging systems specifically for “make-your-own” cigarettes that can be conveniently assembled from a sufficiently compact kit to be portable in a pocket or purse and provide the necessary elements in a compact kit.




There is therefore a need to develop a simple and cost efficient cigarette kit packaging system designed specifically for “make-your-own” cigarettes.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




In accordance with the present invention there is provided a novel cigarette packaging system for “making your own” smokeable cigarettes. The kit is easily opened and allows a smoker to assemble a smokeable cigarette quickly without requiring great effort. The kit is inexpensive, convenient to use and also convenient to carry and store as its compact size is such that it fits in a person's hand, a shirt or coat pocket as well as in a ladies bag or purse. The kit is also advantageous because it is less expensive than tailor made cigarettes, yet is not that much wider than a standard, typical package of cigarettes. The construction of the kit, is such that it keeps the unsmokeable tobacco elements in a separate compartment which serves to help maintain the freshness of the tobacco.




According to an aspect of the present invention is a two-pack cigarette kit packaging system comprising;




a first package containing a plurality of unsmokeable tobacco elements;




a second package containing a plurality of elements to render said tobacco elements smokeable, the first and second packages being independently openable; and




a removable outer wrapper for enclosing and holding together said first and said second packages in a stacked superimposed relationship.




The packaging kit of the present invention can be used to package various different types of “make-your-own” cigarettes. The kit can also be packaged in multiples to provide a multitude of kits in the form of a carton.




In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method for packaging “make-your-own” cigarettes, the method comprising;




providing a plurality of unsmokeable tobacco elements in a first openable package;




providing a plurality of elements for rendering the tobacco elements smokeable in a second openable package; and




placing the first and second packages in a stacked and superimposed relationship and placing a removable outer wrapper over both first and second packages to hold the packages together.




Preferably, the first openable package has means to indicate that a tobacco duty has been paid. Also, it is preferred that the first package containing tobacco is separately covered with a removable outer wrapper to help keep the tobacco contained therein fresher.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




A detailed description of the preferred embodiments are provided herein below with reference to the following drawings in which:





FIG. 1

is a front perspective view of the two-pack cigarette kit packaging system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;





FIG. 2

is a rear perspective view of the packaging system in accordance with the preferred embodiment;





FIG. 3

is a front perspective view of the packaging system showing the individual packages;





FIG. 4

is a front perspective view of the packaging system showing the individual packages of

FIG. 3

in the open position;





FIGS. 5A through 5D

show a first embodiment of a “make-your-own” cigarette which can be used in conjunction with the packaging of the present invention;





FIGS. 6A through 6C

show a second embodiment of a “make-your-own” cigarette which can be used in conjunction with the packaging of the present invention;





FIG. 7

is a front perspective view of a carton containing multiples of the packaging system of the present invention; and





FIG. 8

is a front perspective partially broken away view of the carton of

FIG. 7

illustrating multiples of the kits being packaged together.











In the drawings, preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood that the description and drawings are only for the purpose of illustration and as an aid to understanding, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.




DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS




Referring to

FIG. 1 and 2

there is illustrated a two-pack cigarette kit packaging system generally indicated


10


. The kit preferably comprises two identical individual packages


12


,


14


which are stacked and registered in a superimposed relationship. It is understood that the kit may comprise different size packages as well. The first package


12


has a frangible government duty strip


16


and preferably an overwrap to maintain freshness of the contained unsmokeable tobacco elements. The second package


14


contains non-perishable elements for use with the unsmokeable tobacco elements to render them smokeable. The second package does not have to be separately wrapped. Both packages


12


,


14


are covered in a removable outer cellophane wrapper


18


which has a pull tab


20


and frangible strip


22


to effect removal of the wrapper


18


.




While the packages


12


,


14


are shown to be of a large regular size in terms of cigarette packaging, it is appreciated that the packages can be made to be king size in terms of cigarette packaging as well. Also, the packages can vary in size somewhat from each other so long as the entire kit remains compact enough to be placed in a purse or a pocket.




Cellophane or polypropylene are the preferred wrapping materials used to form the removable outer wrapper for the packaging system, however, it is understood that any suitable wrapper material which is transparent, translucent or opaque can be used for this purpose so long as it can be readily opened by hand.





FIGS. 3 and 4

illustrate the use of the two-pack cigarette kit of the present invention. The outer wrapping


18


is removed by pulling on the pull tab


20


and the tear strip


22


. This separates the two packages


12


,


14


each of which are separately openable. The first package


12


is covered with its own wrapper


19


having a separate pull tab


21


to effect opening of the frangible duty strip


23


. To open the first package


12


containing the tobacco, the wrapper which may be cellophane


19


is removed by pulling on the pull tab


21


of the frangible duty strip


23


. This acts to also remove the duty strip


16


from around the first package. It is also understood that the first package


12


may be closed with a frangible duty strip and no overwrap


19


in view of the outer overwrap


18


for the two pack system


10


. Both the first package


12


and the second package


14


have standard shell and slide lids


24


and


25


located on the top portion of each package which is openable to reveal the contents of the packages.




As shown in

FIG. 4

, the first package


12


containing unsmokeable cigarette elements


26


has an inner foil wrapping


28


to maintain the freshness of the tobacco contained within the elements


26


. The second package


14


contains filter sleeves


30


as the necessary elements for application to the unsmokeable cigarette elements to render them smokeable. The second package does not require an inner foil wrapper. It is preferred that foil wrapping always be used to maintain the freshness of the tobacco. The additional cellophane wrapping on the first package also helps to maintain kit freshness.




The two-pack cigarette kit packaging system can be used with different embodiments of “make-your-own” cigarettes. In one such embodiment shown in

FIGS. 4 and 5A

through


5


D, a smokeable cigarette is made by combining an unsmokeable cigarette element


26


located within the first package


12


with a filter sleeve


30


located in the second package


14


of the kit. The unsmokeable cigarette element


26


comprises an outer cigarette wrapper paper


32


enclosing a tobacco rod


34


and a filter plug


36


connected at one end by tipping paper


33


. The filter plug


36


is surrounded by a highly porous paper material


38


such that the cigarette element


26


is not smokeable. The filter sleeve


30


is made of a substantially non-porous paper material. The filter sleeve fitted to the unsmokeable cigarette by rotating in direction of arrow


37


and slide over the porous filter portion of the unsmokeable cigarette element in the direction of arrow


39


. The resultant cigarette


40


is thus rendered smokeable.




In a second embodiment shown in

FIGS. 6A through 6C

, a smokeable cigarette is made by combining an unsmokeable tobacco stick


42


which is encased in a highly porous paper material


44


with a cigarette paper sleeve


46


which has a substantially large recess


48


along most of its length but which has at one end, a filter plug


50


inserted therein. The tobacco stick is simply inserted into the recess


48


of the cigarette paper sleeve and again, the resultant cigarette


52


is now smokeable. In this embodiment, the unsmokeable tobacco sticks


42


are placed in the first package


12


of the kit contained within an inner foil wrapper


28


. The cigarette paper sleeve


46


would be placed in the second package


14


of the kit and both packages are then stacked and covered and sealed together with a removable outer wrapper.




As seen in

FIGS. 8 and 9

, the two-pack cigarette kit packaging system


10


of the present invention can be packaged in multiples to provide a multitude of kits


10


in the form of a carton


54


. The carton is enclosed within a removable paper or foil packaging


56


. Although, not seen in these Figures, such packaging is also provided with a pull tab and frangible strip. As best seen in

FIG. 8

, the carton


54


comprises the usual eight or ten kits


10


stacked in two adjacent bundles of four superimposed kits.




In summary, the present invention provides a two-pack cigarette kit packaging system for use with different types of “make-your-own” cigarettes. The kit provides an easy and fast method for making smokeable cigarettes which is less-expensive to purchase than tailor made cigarettes. The kit is also compact and convenient to carry in a pocket or a purse.




Although preferred embodiments have been described herein in detail, it is understood by those skilled in the art that variations may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention or the spirit of the appended claims.



Claims
  • 1. A two-pack cigarette kit packaging system comprising:a first package containing a plurality of unsmokeable tobacco elements, said package being enclosed in a removable overwrap having a frangible duty strip incorporated therein, said duty strip indicating a duty has been paid; a second package containing a plurality of elements to render said tobacco elements smokeable, said first and second packages being independently openable; a removable outer wrapper for enclosing and holding together said first and said second packages.
  • 2. The system of claim 1, wherein said removable overwrap is made of a transparent material and has a pull tab to effect the removal of said frangible duty strip and said overwrap.
  • 3. The system of claim 2, wherein said transparent material is cellophane or polypropylene.
Priority Claims (1)
Number Date Country Kind
2253134 Nov 1998 CA
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