Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Piece Tobacco Product and Method
of Piece Tobacco Products Packing
T his invention relates to the art of food-processing indu~trv and concerns to
manufacture and packing of piece tobacco products.
Background art
Cigarettes made, at least partially, of fineiv' cut tobac:vo wrapped in thin
("tissue") paper are the most widespread type of piece tobacco products.
~ o Here and below in the description. claims and abstract. if no otherwise
indicated, the term "cigarette'' includes one popular in Russia called
"papyroce".
The papyroce has a portion about one-third in length filled in finely cut
tobacco
and another portion about rivo-thirds in length of basically empty paper tube
with
or without filtering substance wrapped together in the tissue paper. The paper
tube
i s part of the papyroce sreves as a mouthpiece.
Cibars made of compact rolls of tobacco leaves are a little less widespread
type of piece tobacco products.
The simplest cigarette consists wholly of finely cut tobacco wrapped in the
tissue paper.
2o Morc widespread types of cigarettes are filled in finely cut tobacco only
partially and are provided by an end portion of nicotine filter or mouthpiece.
Cigarettes made of finely cut tobacco relates to piece tobacco products of
mass demand which are. relatively quickly consumed. They are packed for retail
trade. as a rule, in packs containing not less. than 10 pieces. Cigars made of
2s compact rolls of tobacco lea~~es relates to piece tobacco products of more
restricted
demand which are relatively slowly consu;ned. They are packed for retail
trade. as
a rule, in pieces or in packs containing 3-5 pieces.
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Piece tobacco products having a portion not filled in finely cut tobacco are
placed (oriented) in a pack in such a manner that just these portions become.
accessible after opening the pack.
However, an opinion was ey~ressed that it is more expedient to place that
s tobacco products in a pack in such a manner that portions of piece tobacco
products filled in tobacco should be accessible after opening the pack In such
a
case, the piece tobacco producrt will be extracted from common pack by
touching
the tobacco filled portion , and the probabtr pollution of portions contacting
with
lips of a consumer will be prevented. (See Russian patent application of
Burchu
io V.I. and al, for the "Method of Cigarettes Packing in a Pack", No.
94023179/13,
IPC B 65 B 19/22, published March 1996.)
It was proposed, with the same purpose, to cover the cigarette portion,
touched by fingers at el-traction from common pack, by hygienic proterctor in
the
form of a cartridge or a cup. which shall be easily removed before the use.
The
~s hygienic protector can cover the part of cigarette curve surface adjacent
to the end
portion, or it can cover the end portion with the adjacent curve surface. (See
Russian patent of Chachaturov Ju.R. for the "Cigarette", RU 2061396. IPC A 24
D 1;00, published June 1996.)
In simplest cases such piece tobacco products as cigarettes are packed in
2o packs directly, but in most cases the cigarettes which are the content of
the pack,
have additional shell, common for all or for a part of the content. Such
individual
shell is made. as a rule, from a foil. The additional shell may be considered
as an
element of the common packing.
Indi~ridual cigars may be wrapped from all sides in separate covers which
zs are made of a material more dense than the tissue paper. for example, from
cellophane.
There is a patent for a method of piece tobacco products packing and a
corresponding piece tobacco product. It characterized in that group of piece
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tobacco products such as cigarettes is wrapped additionally by common shell of
a
paper or similar floppy band in such a way that each piece product appears to
be
placed in separate compartment having no communications with other
compartments. (See United States patent c:t Mikhail A.G. for the "Individually
s Wrapped Cigarettes in Cigarette Pack or Bo:~", US X006698, IPC B 65 D SSilO,
Nat Cl. 206/257, published April 1991.)
Each such individual compartment with puce tobacco product is separated
from the neh-t compartment by a sealing seam, h o,-metizing t'~e corredspondmg
compartment, and by longitudinal line of perforations which allows to separate
an
~o individual tobacco product, not opening the next compartments containing
the
other tobacco products.
The described method of piece tobacco products packing allows to preserve
their aroma and freshness.
In this case any piece tobacco product may be considered as the constituent
's element of a set of uniform products incorporated by the continuous common
shell, and may not be considered as an individual independent unit.
Design of common packing of group of tobacco products and its elements
was improved in the process of manufacture development.
For example, a method of packing of group of cigarettes in common foil
2o shell was decscribed which provides for formation of overlapped shell tucks
on the
narrow lateral parts. so that the movable lateral tucks are settled down
inclined,
that increasing the width of the frontal part of the shell. (See Soviet Union
inventor's certificate SU 456402 of the Maschinen Fabrick F.R. Nipmann & Co.,
for the "Method of Cigarrette Packing in a Foil Envelope", IPC B 65 D 85/I0,
2s published May 1975.)
It was proposed to make the top part of common envelope for group of
tobacco products separable from the envelope bottom part remaining in the
pack.
For doing so, a line of perforations is provided between these parts of the
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envclopc. (Scc European patent of the Ellcan Deutschland GMBH. for the
"Packaging for Cigarettes, Cigars, or similar", EP 0620166, IPC B 65 D 85/10,
published 1997. )
For the use of niece tobacco products packings a an information carriers,
s mainly of advertising nature, there was recommended to place in a pack with
a
group of tobacco products, besides a common shell, an extra sheet (an insert)
bearing on the surface corresponding information such as texts or f gures.
(See, for
example, German patent DE 4122999, IPC B 65 D 85/10, 199?, United Kingdom
patent (JB 533033, IPC B 6~ D 85/1 O, 199?, or European patent of Minarelli
~o Alessandro for the "Cigarette Packet", EP 065174, IPC B 6~ D 85//0,
published
1997.)
It was proposed to put the similar information for the same purpose on top
part of the common shell of group of tobacco products, which becomes
accessible
to a review by the consumer after opening of such pack of tobacco products.
(See
~s European patent of Focke car. Co., for the "Package for Cigarettes As Well
As a
Web of Material for Producing an Inner Enclosure for It", EP 0646531, IPC B 65
D 85/10, published 1997.)
The appropriate information can also be placed on separable element
attached to common shell of piece tobacco products which becomes accessible to
a
zo review at opening the pack. (See European patent EP 0476882, IPC B 65 D
85/10, 1992.)
Thus, the known piece tobacco products have the inherent classical forms,
and the known methods of their packing provides for placing of such products
directly in a pack.
2s In case of tobacco products such as cigarettes, all or part of such
products
can be additionally placed in common shells. but sometimes each product can be
covered with the individual shell. In case of tobacco products such as cigars,
each
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of them can previously be placed in an individual shell covering such product
from
all sides.
By other words, the tobacco products which are made, at least partially, of
finely cut tobacco ar:d placed in the shell of a tissue paper, may
additionally have
s only such individual shell, which only partially cover corresponding
product, and
only tobacco products made from compact roll of tobacco leaves may have
individual shells, covering the appropriate product from aII sides.
In all cases the individual shells covering corresponding tobacco products
partially or completely, are made from uniformely coloured and homogeneous
~ o material, without any images on their surfaces.
Common and individual shells of all known piece tobacco products are
made from a material which may differ on density, but identical on appearance.
known methods of piece tobacco products packing provide for placing in
common pack only identical on appearance tobacco products.
~s The known and previously described ways of the use tobacco products
being the minimal commodity units as carriers of an information, mainly of
advertising nature. provide for placing this information on elements of common
packing of tobacco products or on the separate sheets (inserts) placed in a
pack_
but not on the tobacco products itself.
2o In current time of advanced industry of advertising business the existence
of
the advertising texts on elements of packings of tobacco products may not
provide
for effective positive influence to increase consumer's demand for tobacco
products bearing advertising statements in comparison with tobacco products
which are not bearing such statements.
2s The efficiency of advertising considerably depends on its repetability. In
the
same time the constant presence on paekings of tobacco products one and the
same advertising te~-ts will leave the ordinary consumer emotially indifferent
to
advertising, or even can cause an irritation.
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The main aim solved by the present invention, is to mode more attraction to
piece tobacco products and to increase consumer demand, simultaneously
improving their consumer properties.
s Brief Description of the Invention
The aim in view is achieved by means of covering the piece tobacco
products by individual shells made of material which surface bears, in most
cases.
images in the form of texts :.,ld/or pictucrs which shall bo attraotivo to a
ovneumor.
A part, at least, of tobacco products which are placed in common packing
should
~ o be covered by individual shell, and at least a part of that shell shall
have surfaces
which bear images. Such images shall be not identical in preferred mode of
realization of the method.
Individual shell may cover appropriate product either partially, or from all
sides, forming inside the individual shell a closed space. A cavity, formed by
the
~ s individual shell, can be tight {hermetical).
Here and below the "individual shell" means a shell covering a ready
tobacco product having already the wrapping of tissue paper {if any) which
creates
and supports the appropriate form of the product.
Accordins to the invention. tobacco products of finely cut tobacco may have
Zo individual shells which necessarily bear images on its surfaces, if these
shells
cover products only partially, and mar bear or not bear images on surfaces. if
they
cover products from all sides.
The tobacco products which are compact rolls of tobacco leaves may have
individual shells necessarily bearing images on its surfaces, if these shells
cover
2s the products from all sides, and may bear or to not bear images on its
surfaces, if
these shells cover the products only partially.
The distinction of this claimed invenytion from all known ones lies in the
observance of the afore mentioned conditions.
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Figures 1 to ~ ShUIV schematically the various types of patented tobacco
products: a papyroce (Fig. 1 ), a traditional cigarette without the filter
(Fig. 2), a
traditional cigarette with the filter (Fig. 3), and a cigar (Fig. 4). These
figures
illustrate one of the possible modes of : ealization of the invc;ntion.
s Cigarettes have part l, filled in finaly cut tobacco, and mouthpiece part 2
or
nicotine filter 3. They are covered with wrapping 4 of the tissue paper
creating and
supporting the traditional form of these products. Cigars are wholly made as
ce-npact roll of tobacco leaves 5.
Each product is additionally covered frem all sides by individual shell 6,
~o which size exceedes a little the sine of the product itself.
Fig.S shows the unfolded surface of the external part of the individual shell
6. Images 7, crhich may be texts and/or ;~ictues are placed on this surface.
Fig. 6 shows the individual packing 8 of cigarettes 9 with flters placed in
individual shells 4 which unfolded surfaces 10, 11, 12 bear non-identical
images
1s 13,14,15.
The "piece tobacco products" means, within the framework of this
invention, cigarettes, cigars and similar products.
The individual shell shall cover a corresponding tobacco product, preferably
from all sides, creating inside a closed space.The shell should be made of a
2o material which is more dense than the tissue paper.
Images which are placed on a surface of the individual shell may be in the
form of texts whic shall be integral on sense and plot. and shall attract
attention of
a consumer and cause his (hers) interest and positive emotions, by its content
and
form.
2s The leading principle of attracting consumer to images on individual shells
of tobacco products (and. accordingly, to products themselves) is to make
these
images entertaining, interesting and useful from thr point of view of the
consumer.
It can be made through the images content.
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Images of only decorative character can be used as au:Yiliary elements of the
design of an individual shell surface.
Within the limits of present invention the "text" means the independent
lIr_a;e bearing a readable information which occupies, at least, a part of a
material
s surface; and the "picture'' means all other independent images, except for
textual.
The text may contain an information of educational, entertaining,
instructive, training or other nature, which can cause consumer's interest and
positive t;~notions.
The texts may, for example, contain riddles, proverbs, sayings, aphorisms,
io signs, wishes, parting words and similar texts.
Pictures may, for example, be puzzzle ones, rebuses, chess tasks and etudes,
conundrums. Reverse surface of the shell may bears key wards and answers to
tasks.
The images which are placed on an individual shell surface of the separate
i s tobacco products shall be mainly not identical They shall be regularly
updated.
Except for the unequal images on surfaces, the individual shells may differ
each other by colour and texture.
Such individual shells may have an aroma of the corresponding brand of
tobacco.
so Tobacco products placed in individual shells which constitute the tight
closed internal spaces may be sterilized, for example, by radiation method.
The proposed method of piece tobacco products packing includes placing a
some number of piece tobacco products in common pack. At Least, part of the
products are placed previously in individual shells. At least, part of the
shells has
2s surfaces which bear images in the form of pictures and/or texts.
It is desirable. that images which are placed on the s~.trfaces of individual
shells of piece tobacco products packed in common pack, would be, preferably,
unequal.
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The optimum mode of realization of the proposed method provides for
placing in common packing the piece tobacco products covered with individual
shells with only unequal images on their surfaces.
A variety ~..nd non-repeatability of an information placed on surfaces of the
s individual shells, which is attractive for an average consumer, would be
essential
stimulus for bying the tobacco products made according to the present
invention.
Detai~~:d Descrip~on of the Invention
Piece tobacco products, such as cigarettes, cigars and similar products are
i o placed now in common packing which traditionally have identical
appearance, i.e.,
for example, any cigarette in a pack by no means differs from any other
cigarette
from this pack.
The basic inventive idea which is the basis of this invention, is to preserve
the identical qualities of all piece tobacco products which are placed in a
common
packing, and to give unequal appearance, at least, to parts of the tobacco
products.
This idea is realized in piece tobacco products which are additionally
covered by individual shells of a material which is preferably more dense,
than the
tissue paper. The external surfaces of the additional individual shells bear,
preferably, images.in the form of texts and/or pictures having a character
which
zo would be attractive to a consumer. At least part of the individual shells
of tobacco
products piaced in a common packing bear images on its .surfaces; the images
shall be preferably unequal.
The proposed piece tobacco product is a product which is made, at least
partaallv, of finely cut tobacco. wrapped in tissue paper, and which is
additionally
z5 co~~ered by an individual shell. or it is a product which is a compact roll
of tobacco
leaves, also covered by an individual shell.
The individual shell can cover piece tobacco product only partially (the
cun~e surface along all or part of the length of the product, closing or not
closing
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one of a flat end face surface), or completely (all surfaces, including the
end face
surfaces), the Iast is preferable.
The tobacco product can be covered with the individual shell in one or
several layers; tl:;; shell may be fastened on the product or can settle de:~n
freely.
s For convenience of releasing the tobacco product from the individual shell
it
is desirable, that said shell should be made of a material, which is more
dense,
than the tissue paper. A paper based material is preferable, but any other
material
rnay be used, in particular, it may t,<: cellophane or foil.
If the individual shell covers piece tobacco product completely, the size of
i o the shell should exceed the size of piece tobacco product so to allow to
open the
individual shell without touching the piece tobacco product itself, and freely
extract it from the ndividual shell.
If the individual shell covers the product from all sides. than the closed
space is created, which may be tight (hermetical).
~ s It is desirable that images shall be placed on the individual shell
surface or
on a part of it. The images shall be in the form of pictures and/or texts
completed
in a sence and plot, which contents and form may attract a consumer s
attention
and cause his positive emotions.
There are several modes of the invention embodiment in respect of various
~o piece tobacco products.
The piece tobacco products formed of a finely cut tobacco may have
individual shells with or without images on the shells surfaces.
If the individual shells cover the products only partially, the shells must
bear
images.
2s If the individual shells comer products from all sides, the images on the
shells surfaces of rnay or mar not be present.
The tobacco products which are compact rolls of tobacco leaves, shall be
covered by the individual shells bearing or not bearing images on their
surfaces.
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If the individual shells of such products cover the products only partially,
the images on the shells surfaces may or may not be present.
If the individual shells cover the products from all sides, the images on the
shells surfaces must be present.
Distinction of this claimed invention from all other ones lies in the
observance of the afore mentioned conditions.
Really, known tobacco products of finely cut tobacco may have individual
shells which cover the ;product partially, but which bear no images on its
surfaces;
and the known tobacco products which are compact rolls of tobacco leaves may
~o have individual shells covering products from alI sides, but which bear no
images
on the surfaces. At the same time,.tobacco products from finely cut tobacco
covered by individual shells from all sides. and tobacco products which are
compact rolls of tobacco leaves covered with individual shells only partially,
are
not described at all.
~s A particular semantic content is the main characteristic of the images on
surfaces of individual shells. It is the basic element called to increase
attractiveness
of the products.
The images which may be te~-ts and/or pictures shall positively influence the
consumer's mood; thev shall be useful. interestinu and attractive to him.
Zo The tet't may contain an information of educational, entertaining,
instructive, reference, or other nature, which may be positively perceived by
a
consumer and cause the consumer's positive emotions.
In particular, proverbs, sayings. aphorisms. short poems or fragments of
poems and pro se may be cited, interesting facts and observations may be
2s indicated. advices may be given, wishes and parting words may be
ea°pressed.
Pictures may, for example, be puzzle ones, rebuses, chess tasks and etudes.
or conundrums.
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Reverse surface of the shell rnav bear kcv words or answers to tasks,
indications of authorship and titles of literary works. which (or which
fragments)
are placed on the face surface of the shell.
The images on surfaces of individual shells of piece tobacco r,~oducts may
contain images of decorative nature. to aughment the images bearing semantic
sense.
Patterns, vignettes. ornaments. abstract figures. other works of decorative
art may be used as t::e images ~f decorative nature.
Images may b.~ present on surfaces of individual shells of tobacco products
io which simultaneously include texts and pictures.
Individual shells may have different colour and (or) texture: they may have
an aroma of cetresponding brand of tobacco.
If the individual shell covers piece tobacco product from all sides and make
it tight, such product may be prepared sterile by means of sterilization. for
example, by radiation method.
The proposed method of piece tobacco products packing consists in that
some number of piece tobacco products are placed in common pacldng. At least.
part of piece tobacco products are placed in individual shells. At least part
of the
shells bear images in the form of pictures andior texts having a content which
2o shall be attractive to a consumer.
The proposed method of packing shall be considered as being used also in a
case. when even minimal part of packed piece tobacco products is represented
by
piece tobacco products covered by individual shells, as it is described above.
By other words. either part, or all of piece tobacco products in the common
2s pack shall be covered by the individual shells.
It is desirable. that surfaces of the individual shells of piece tobacco
products, packed in a common pack, may bear unequal images.
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In preferable mode of realization of the methad, surfaces of the individual
shells of piece tobacco products packed in a common pack. must bear unequal
images.
The "images inequality" means the non-coinsidence of the com~.iete
s corresponding images, though separate elements of the images may coincide.
It is understood in the limits of this invention, that the requirement of the;
"images inequality" is satisfied equally under the folloving conditions:
- at least one in~:age on a surface of the individual shell of tobacco
protit:ct in
a common packing does not repeat;
~o - the images on surfaces of the individual shells of each tobacco product
in a
common packing do not repeat.
It is preferable. that the images on surfaces of the individual shef.~ of
tobacco products in common packing would be linked logically, for example, by
a
common idea, by a uniform subject, or by another in a similar way.
1 s The principle of inequality of the images on surfaces of individual shells
of
tobacco products, which lies in the foundation of the proposed method, has,
ideally, the purpose that a consumer using any tobacco product will receive a
various information placed on surfaces of individual shells. When the consumer
byes the next common packing of such products. he (she) would receive the
block
~o piece of tobacco products, which individual shells would bear images
different
tom the images which were placed on surfaces of individual shells in the
earlier
acquired packs.
Really. it is possible only to ninimize the probability of repeated purchase
by one consumer of tobacco products with identical images on surfaces of
2s individual shells.
It is possiL~le. with this purpose. in particular, to limit the batch cf the
goods
with identical series of the images on individual shells of tobacco products
and
periodically to update these,images.
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The prcfcrrcd modc of realization of the proposed method provides for
placing in a common pack onlv such products which are covered by additional
individual shells with non-repeating images on their surfaces.
Pr:.~~ciples of completing packs by piece tobacco products caving individual
s shells with images on their surfaces may vary, in particular, they may be
thematic
or topical.
Packs of tobacco products provided for the sale. for example, at mass sports
events, may have an information on surfaces of individual shells of tob~~:co
products which relates to the history of corresponding kinds of sports, t~
i o prominent sportsmen, to sports successes of playing commands.
Packs of tobacco products distributed, for example, in elite institutions, may
bear on the surfaces of individual shells an information about experts of a
high
class such as, for example, lawyers, doctors, hairdressers, barbers,
veterinaries,
masseurs, jewellers, and also about experts rendering other services. Such
is information should have not advertising character, but reference one.
The mode of packing of the piece tobacco products will have certain
advantages when products will be covered from all sides by mufti-colored
individual shells and placed in a pack in such a manner that face parts of
products
having different color would form some pattern after opening the pack.
2o If the products which have undergone sterilization are packed into a
common pack, it is et-pedient to till in a pack only sterile.products.
The essence of t1e proposed invention is illustrated by the following
examples which are not having, however, any limiting character.
as E'~AMPLE 1.
A pi. ce tobacco product being a cigarette without a nicotine filter which was
made of finely cut tobacco wrapped in tissue paper, was additionally covered
with
an individual shell of a material which is more dense than the tissue paper.
The
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additional individual shell had covered the product from all sides. The sizes
of this
individual shell exceeded the sizes of the product, so the cigaret'e can be
freely
extracted from the additional individual shell after the shell opening.
'~'he individual shell was painted, and a part of its external surface beared
the textual fragment which was one of the proverbs about work.
Cigarettes, each of which was covered by such additional individual shell,
were placed in a common pack in such a manner that in any pack there were
cigarettes witi~ individual shells of different colour, and the proverbs .gin
their
surface did not repeat.
i o The infomnation placed on the individual shell surface becomes accessible
to
a review after the cigarette extraction and after the shell was unfolded.
EXAMPLE 2.
A piece tobacco product being papyroce was made partially of finely cut
is tobacco wrapped in tissue paper; it had a mouthpiece portion which i~ free
from
the tobacco. The product was additionally covered by the individual shell of a
material which is more dense, than the tissue paper. The additional shell
contacted
directly the tissue paper wrapping. The papyroce had been covered by the
individual shell almost on all curve surface and on an end face of the
mouthpiece
2o portion. A papyroce end face on the part of its portion which is filled in
by the
tobacco, and some adjacent part of the lateral part remained free from the
shell
and this free part is used for the papyTOCe el-traction from the individual
shell.
The individual shell covered the papyroce by several layers, which number
depends on volume of information placed on its surface. An external layer of
the
2s individual shell was fined by glue drops. The shell having such design
keeps the
form and not to be opened spontaneously during a storage.
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The shell was painted. it had an aroma of that brand of tobacco, which was
used for manufacture of the given papyroces, and all its external side bested
picture which was some rebus.
The papyroces, each of which was covered by such additions! individual
s shell, were placed in a common pack in such a manner that in a pack there
were
papyroces with the individual shells of different colour, and the rebuses
placed on
their surfaces did not repeat.
The informati.;..n placed a:~ the individual shell becomes accessible to v
review alter the papyroce extraction, removal of a face part of the shell and
after
~ o the shell was unfolded.
EXAMPLE 3.
A piece tobacco product being a cigarette with a nicotine filter was formed
partially of finely cut tobacco wrapped in tissue paper; it ended by the
nicotine
is filter. The cigarette was covered.by an additional individual shell of a
material
which was more dense, than the tissue paper. The additional individual shell
covers cigarette from all sides, including both end faces. The sizes of the
additional
shell exceed the sizes of the cigarette so to allow to remove the end part of
the
shell. not touching the cigarette and to e.~tract it freely from the
individual shell,
2o which covers the cigarette in several layers.
The shell may or may be not painted; its external surface shall bear the text
and corresponding picture concerning the signs about the weather.
Each cigarette was covered by the additional individual shell. Thev were
placed in a common pack in such a manner, that face surfaces of individual
shells
2s of different colour made some pattern which will be accessible to a review
after
opening the pack, and the individual images on the shells did not repeat.
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The information which was placed on a surface of the induvidual shell,
becomes accessible to a review after extraction the cigarette. removal of both
face
parts of the shell and after the shell was unfolded.
EXAMPLE 4.
A piece tobacco product made of compact rolls of tobacco leaves, was
covered with the individual shell of a material which is more dense, than the
tissue
paper. An individual shell cover~,~' the cigar .'rom all sides, including both
end
faces. The sizes of the individual shell exceed the sizes of the cigar, so to
allow to
~o remove the face parts of the shell, not touching the cigar and to extract
it freely
from the individual shell.
External surface of the shell beared a text such as a short poem, and the
reverse side of the shell beared an information on the author and the poem
title.
Edges of the shell beared a pattern which is the same for all shells of
i s products placed in one common packing.
The cigars, each of which was covered by such individual shell, were placed
in a common packing. The poems which were placed on the surfaces of the
individual shells of products in common packing, did not repeat.
The information placed on the individual shell surface becomes accessible to
zo a review after the cigar extraction from the shell, removal of both face
parts of the
shell and after the shell was unfolded.
EXAMPLE S.
A piece tobacco product being a cigarette with a nicotine filter was formed
zs partially of finely cut tobacco wrapped in tissue paper. It ended by the
nicotine
filter. The cigarette was covered additionally by an individual shell of a
material
which is more dense, than the tissue paper.
CA 02342997 2001-03-08
WO 00/I3534 PCT/RU99/00324
The additional individual shell covers a cigarette from all sides, including
both end faces, in such a manner that a tight cavity is created inside.
The sizes of the additional shell exceed the cigarette sizes, so to allow to
remove the face part of the shell not touching the cigarette and to e;;tract
it freely
s from the individual shell.
Such cigarettes, covered with individual shells, were exposed by the
radiation sterilization.
The common hack was rolled in exclusively by the sterilized cigarettes which
were placed in the sealed individual shells.
~o
Differences were indicated above of claimed products from ones known
before and having individual shells which cover, partially or fully, thf:
corresponding products.
The differences. first of all, consist in that the known individual shells do
z s not bear any images on the shells surfaces, especially the images of such
character,
as provided for the claimed products.
So, the applicant's proposal differs from the afore mentioned invention
described in United States patent US 5005698 by that:
- the proposed method of tobacco product packing provides for placing in
~o any separate pack of individual products, which are additionally covered by
individual shells. The shells may have various colour and.texture. They may
bear
on the surface non-identical images. The known method of packing, contrary,
provides for placing in a separate pack of the block of individual and
completely
identical tobacco products incorporated by the common additional shell;
2s - the proposed product is a ip ece product, it additionally has an
individual
shell. while products described in the known method are blocks of products,
which are incorporated by common continuous shell;
18
CA 02342997 2001-03-08
WO 00113534 PCT/RU99/00324
- the proposed product provides a possibility of presence of the individual
shell which covers a product from all sides, or covering it only partially.
Products
described in the known method, contrasry, provide only the possibility of
presence
of the additional comm ~n shell covering each of the block of products from
alj
s sides;
- the proposed product bears on the individual shell surface an image such
as a picture or a text. There aie no such images on the products which are
described at disclosing the kr..~~wn method.;
- the proposed product can be made sterile. Its individual shell can be made
v o with an aroma of the corresponding sort of tobacco. Such opportunities are
not
described at disclosing the known method.
The individual shell, covering each proposed tobacco product, carries out
two functions: on the one hand, it preservs the product from loss of aroma,
from
pollution, shrinkage or moisture, and, on the other hand, it creates
additional
~ s surface, which can bear the useful information as the texts and (or)
pictures.
Hence, such individual shell is a functional element of the product and,
simultaneously, an information carrier. Various inserts which, for e~rample,
may
bear the similar information, are not functional elements of such products.
Besides presence of the individual shell on each piece product allows
2o considerably to increase information volume, and the information may be
presented in accessible, original and entertaining form.
At the present invention use it appears possible to increase competitiveness
of piece tobacco products which a.re made in accordance with this invention
because:
zs - variety. non-repetability, availability, attractiveness of the
information in
the form of images. placed on the individual tobacco products surfaces, will
induce
a consumer to buy such products, instead of products having no such images;
19
CA 02342997 2001-03-08
WO 00/13534 PCT/RU99/00324
- various colour, tea-ture, aroma, which can be additionally given to all or
some individual shells. covering the tobacco products, bring in an additional
element of the eh-ternal appearance variety of piece tobacco products placed
in
common packing, that strengthen effe~;t of their attractiveness;
s - possibility of piece tobacco products sterilization and keeping them
sterile even after opening the common packing, will attract attention of
smokers,
especially ones who cares about their health.
