Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02911632 2015-11-06
IMPROVED CIGARETTE PACKAGING, AND
METHOD FOR SEALING A CIGARETTE PACKAGE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to the field of cigarette boxes,
particularly those of
the hinged-lid type. More specifically, the invention relates to cigarette
boxes having improved
structure for preserving freshness of the contents.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This section is intended to introduce various aspects of the art,
which may be
associated with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. This
discussion is believed to
assist in providing a framework to facilitate a better understanding of
particular aspects of the
present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that this section
should be read in this
light, and not necessarily as admissions of prior art.
[0003] Cigarette packs are marketed in different embodiments. The
conventional structure
of a cigarette pack includes a small box, which may be either a so-called soft
box or a hard box.
Such boxes form a housing for a plurality of cigarettes, such as 20
cigarettes, and may be
fabricated from either a cellulosic material or a synthetic material such as
plastic.
[0004] Cigarettes have a shelf life. Unfortunately, many cigarettes are not
consumed until
after extended periods of storage, transportation and retail presentation. In
some cases,
particularly where cross-country or international transportation is involved,
a package of
cigarettes may not be consumed for many weeks or even months after manufacture
and
packaging.
[0005] A box of cigarettes is generally good for a period of about one year
from the date of
manufacture (unless vacuum sealed in freezer storage, which is uncommon).
After that one year,
cigarettes will become stale and lose flavor. This is because the individual
cigarettes become dry
and brittle due to the evaporation of aromatic oils. Some stores and
individuals use humidors
that control humidity to preserve moisture and freshness of tobacco, but these
generally are not
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used for off-the-shelf cigarettes. Further, humidors do not help tobacco
packages while they are
in transit.
[0006] To help maintain freshness, cigarette boxes are typically enwrapped
by an outer
wrapping made of a plastic foil. Such an outer wrapping keeps air and moisture
out of the
interior of the box. Cigarette boxes frequently also include an inner lining,
which is fabricated
from tin or other metal material. Thus, a multi-layer structure is provided to
help maintain
freshness of the tobacco products therein. Unfortunately, once the package is
opened the seal
offered by the outer wrapping is lost and the cluster of cigarettes is exposed
to ambient
conditions. This accelerates the drying of the cigarettes and the loss of
aromatic oils.
[0007] Several patents have issued in the field of cigarette packaging. One
example is U.S.
Patent No. 4,961,496 issued in 1990. This patent is entitled "Cigarette Pack,
Especially Hinge-
Lid Box." This package includes a deformable partition within the box, the
partition creating an
inner waste compartment for the placement of used or partially-used
cigarettes. This reduces the
likelihood that smoked cigarettes would be tossed away in public streets. The
'496 patent is not
directed to preserving freshness of the tobacco contents other than the
incidental effect of the
partition preventing used cigarettes from contacting unsmoked ones.
[0008] Another example is U.S. Patent No. 4,664,310 entitled "Blank for
Parallelepipedal
Boxes or Box Elements." The '310 patent offers a "blank" for forming a
parallelepipedal box
for holding cigarettes. The box is constructed with a removal strip in such a
manner that parallel
tear lines extend through three connected wall sections of the blank. The
patent is not directed
towards increasing shelf life of the tobacco contents.
[0009] A need exists for an improved cigarette package that extends the
shelf life for
cigarettes or other smoke tobacco products. A need further exists for a
cigarette package that, in
one embodiment, does not rely upon a mechanical connection or a friction fit
for securing a
hinged lid to the box, but relies solely upon a releasable adhesive
connection.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] An improved cigarette package is first provided. In one embodiment,
the cigarette
package first comprises a container. The container serves as a housing for a
plurality of
cigarettes. In one aspect, the housing is fabricated from a compliant
synthetic material such as a
plastic material. In another aspect, the housing is fabricated from a rigid
cellulosic material. In
either aspect, the housing is a rectangularly-shaped outer container formed
from a blank, and is
configured to closely hold a plurality of cigarettes.
[0011] The package also includes a lid. The lid is pivotally connected to
the container
proximate an upper end. Opening and closing the lid provides selective access
and closure to the
container.
[0012] The package further includes an inner layer of foil. The inner foil
layer is configured
to reside along an inner surface of the container. The inner layer of foil is
fabricated from a
metallic material that maintains a generally air-tight and moisture-proof
environment for the
container, thereby holding in aromatic oils and moisture. In one embodiment,
the layer of foil
comprises aluminum, tin, nickel, or combinations thereof.
[0013] The package additionally includes a tab. The tab extends up from a
back side of the
container and resides along an inner surface of the lid. The tab is also
fabricated from a
moisture-proof material to increase the life of the cigarettes when the
cigarettes are placed inside
the box and the lid is in its closed position.
[0014] The package additionally includes a substrate. The substrate resides
at least along an
inner surface of the lid, and is also preferably fabricated from a moisture-
proof material. The
substrate includes an adhesive material applied along a distal end of the
substrate as a coating.
Preferably, the substrate comprises a cellulosic material or a plastic
material, with the adhesive
material applied as a coating thereon. For this reason, the substrate may be
referred to as a
"sticker." Closing the lid causes the sticker to attach to a portion of the
inner layer of foil along a
front of the housing.
[0015] In one embodiment, a body of the substrate resides between the tab
and the lid. The
distal end of the substrate extends beyond the tab and along the inner surface
of the lid. In one
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aspect, the sticker arrangement extends the life of the cigarettes by up to 20
or, more preferably,
up to 30% or, more preferably still, greater than 40%.
[0016] In one aspect, the cigarette package further comprises an exterior
layer of water-
resistant foil. The exterior layer resides around the container. The exterior
foil layer is
preferably fabricated from a transparent, flexible polycarbonate material.
[0017] In any arrangement, the substrate comprises a distal end having a
contour that
matches an upper contour of a front surface of the container. In addition, the
tab comprises a
distal end having a contour that matches an upper contour of the front surface
of the inner lining.
This enables a one-step closure and seal for the cigarette package.
[0018] A method of sealing a cigarette package is also provided herein. The
method first
includes providing a package of cigarettes. The package is designed in
accordance with the
packaging described above, in its various embodiments.
[0019] The method also includes:
opening the lid;
removing a cigarette from the container; and
moving the lid from an open position to a closed position to both close and
seal the
cigarette package in one step.
[0020] A method for assembling a cigarette package is also provided herein.
The method
first includes providing a blank of material to serve as an inner layer of
foil. Preferably, the
blank of material that serves as the inner layer of foil is fabricated from a
moisture and aroma
proof material, such as aluminum, tin, nickel or combinations thereof
[0021] The method also includes providing a blank of material to serve as a
container. The
blank includes a lid portion. The container serves as a housing for a
plurality of cigarettes. In
one aspect, the housing is fabricated from a compliant synthetic material such
as a plastic
material. In another aspect, the housing is fabricated from a rigid cellulosic
material. In either
aspect, the housing is a rectangularly-shaped outer container formed from a
blank, and is
configured to closely hold a plurality of cigarettes.
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[0022] The method additionally includes providing a blank of material to
serve as a tab. The
tab is also fabricated from a moisture-proof material.
[0023] The method further includes providing a blank of material to serve
as a substrate.
Preferably, the substrate comprises a distal end having an adhesive material
placed thereon.
[0024] The method also comprises adhering the blank of material that serves
as the inner
layer of foil to an inner surface of the container. The method then includes
folding the blank of
material that serves as the container, along with the adhered inner layer of
foil, to form a
rectangular housing. The method still further includes folding the blank of
material that serves
as the container to create a hinged lid.
[0025] The method additionally comprises adhering the substrate to an inner
surface of the
lid. In one aspect, a body of the substrate resides between the tab and the
lid, and the distal end
of the substrate extends beyond the tab and along the inner surface of the
lid. In this way, a one-
step closure and seal system for the cigarette package, with the system being
designed to increase
the shelf life of the cigarettes when the cigarettes are placed inside the
box, when the lid is closed
at the top end. In one aspect, the system with the one-step adhesive substrate
extends the life of
the cigarettes, calculated from when the consumer first opens the package, by
up to 20% or even
up to 40%.
[0026] The method also includes placing a plurality of cigarettes into the
housing, and
releasably sealing the hinged lid to an outer front surface of the container.
[0027] Optionally, the method further comprises providing a water-resistant
foil material,
and wrapping the container with the water-resistant foil material to provide a
moisture barrier.
The exterior foil layer is preferably fabricated from a transparent, flexible
polycarbonate
material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] So that the present inventions can be better understood, certain
drawings, charts,
graphs and/or flow charts are appended hereto. It is to be noted, however,
that the drawings
illustrate only selected embodiments of the inventions and are therefore not
to be considered
CA 02911632 2015-11-06
limiting of scope, for the inventions may admit to other equally effective
embodiments and
applications.
[0029] Figures 1A and 1B are perspective views showing a known cigarette
package design.
This represents a hard box.
[0030] Figures 2A through 2H present a series of views of a cigarette
package in accordance
with the present invention, in one embodiment. The package is intended to
illustrate a hard box
as the container.
[0031] Figure 2A is a perspective view of the cigarette package.
[0032] Figures 2B and 2C are front and back plan views of the cigarette
package of Figure
2A, respectively.
[0033] Figures 2D and 2E are left and right side plan views of the
cigarette package of
Figure 2A, respectively.
[0034] Figures 2F and 2G are additional perspective views of the cigarette
package of Figure
2A. In Figure 2F, the hinged lid is being moved from a closed position to an
open position,
revealing cigarettes within the container. In Figure 2G, the hinged lid is in
its fully open
position. The cigarettes have been removed.
[0035] Figure 2H is still another perspective view of the cigarette package
of Figure 2A.
Here, certain internal components of the package are shown in exploded-apart
relation.
[0036] Figures 3A through 3D present engineering views of "blank" materials
used in
forming the cigarette package of Figures 2A through 2H.
[0037] Figure 3A is a plan view of a blank of material used to create a
container for the
package of Figure 2A, in one embodiment
[0038] Figure 3B is a plan view of a blank of material used to create a
front portion of the
container of Figure 3A.
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[0039] Figure 3C is a plan view of a blank of material used to create the
inner lining, or inner
foil layer, for the package of Figure 2A, in one embodiment. A sealing tab is
shown there along.
[0040] Figure 3D is a plan view of a blank of material used to create a
substrate. The
substrate receives an adhesive material.
[0041] Figures 4A through 4H present a series of views of a cigarette
package in accordance
with the present invention, in an alternate embodiment. The package is
intended to illustrate a
soft box as the container.
[0042] Figure 4A is a perspective view of the cigarette package.
[0043] Figures 4B and 4C are front and back plan views of the cigarette
package of Figure
4A, respectively.
[0044] Figures 4D and 4E are left and right side plan views of the
cigarette package of
Figure 4A, respectively.
[0045] Figures 4F and 4G are additional perspective views of the cigarette
package of Figure
4A. In Figure 4F, the hinged lid is being moved from a closed position to an
open position,
revealing cigarettes within the container. In Figure 4G, the hinged lid is in
its fully open
position. The cigarettes have been removed.
[0046] Figure 4H is still another perspective view of the cigarette package
of Figure 4A.
Here, certain internal components of the package are shown in exploded-apart
relation.
[0047] Figures 5A through 5C present engineering views of "blank" materials
used in
forming the cigarette package of Figures 4A through 4H.
[0048] Figure 5A is a plan view of a blank of material used to create the
soft outer container,
in one embodiment.
[0049] Figure 5B is a plan view of a blank of material used to create the
inner lining, or foil,
for the package of Figure 4A, in one embodiment. A sealing tab is shown
therein.
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[0050] Figure 5C is a plan view of a blank of material used to create the
substrate. The
substrate receives an adhesive material.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS
Definitions
[0051] As used herein, the term "blank" refers to a substrate that is
folded along designated
lines to form a three-dimensional object.
Description of Selected Specific Embodiments
[0052] The inventions are described herein in connection with certain
specific embodiments.
However, to the extent that the following detailed description is specific to
a particular
embodiment or a particular use, such is intended to be illustrative only and
is not to be construed
as limiting the scope of the inventions or claims.
[0053] Figures 1A and 1B are perspective views showing a design for a known
cigarette
package 100. The cigarette package 100 defines a container 110 for holding a
plurality of
cigarettes 150. In Figure 1A, a few of the cigarettes 150 are shown extending
from the container
110 for illustrative purposes.
[0054] The container 110 has a lower end 112 and an upper end 114. A lid
115 is hingedly
connected to the container 110 at the upper end 114. A hinge line is shown at
116. The lid 115
is movable from an open position wherein in a cigarette 150 may be accessed,
to a closed
position wherein the lid 115 seats on a shoulder 118. It is observed that
while closing the lid 115
may limit contact of the cigarettes 150 with the air, it does not provide a
moisture barrier or an
air tight seal.
[0055] Figures 2A through 2H present a series of views of a cigarette
package 200 in
accordance with the present invention, in one embodiment. The package 200 is
intended to
illustrate a hard box as a container 210.
[0056] First, Figure 2A is a perspective view of the cigarette package 200.
A container 210
having a rectangular profile is first shown. The container 210 has a lower end
212 and an upper
end 214. A lid 215 is disposed at the upper end 214. The lid 215 is pivotally
connected to the
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container 210 through an integral hinge line 216. Preferably, the lid 215 is
integrally connected
to the container 210 as shown in Figure 3A.
[0057] Figures 2B and 2C are front and back plan views of the cigarette
package 200 of
Figure 2A, respectively. In Figure 2B, a front panel 210B of the container 210
is seen; in
Figure 2C, a back portion 210C of the container is shown. The front panel 210B
includes a
recessed portion (seen at 211 in Figure 2F) that accommodates the lid 215 when
the lid 215 is in
its closed position.
[0058] It is also noted that a front portion 215B of the lid 215 is seen in
Figure 2B, while a
back portion 215C of the lid 215 is visible in Figure 2C. The hinge line 216
is also shown in
Figure 2C.
[0059] Figures 2D and 2E are left and right side plan views of the
cigarette package 200 of
Figure 2A, respectively.
[0060] Figures 2F and 2G are additional perspective views of the cigarette
package 200 of
Figure 2A. In Figure 2F, the pivoting lid 215 is being moved from a closed
position to an open
position, revealing cigarettes 150 within the container 210. Arrow "0"
indicates a direction of
movement of the lid 215. In Figure 2G, the pivoting lid 215 is in its fully
open position. Here,
the cigarettes 150 have been removed for clarity.
[0061] Additional details of the package 200 are presented in Figures 2F
and 2G. First, it is
noted that the container 210 includes a shoulder 218. The shoulder 218 defines
a crease in the
material forming the container 210. Above the shoulder 218 is a recessed
portion 211. The
recessed portion 211 has a profile, or contour. As is seen partially in Figure
2G, and as will be
described further below, the contour matches a contour of a distal end of a
substrate 230. The
substrate 230 has an adhesive material coated thereon. In this way, the lid
215 may be closed
and sealed in one novel step.
[0062] Also visible in Figures 2F and 2G, wherein the lid 215 is open, is a
front portion 225
of an inner lining 220. The front portion 225 includes an upper contour 224.
The front portion
225 is part of a larger inner lining (seen more fully at 220 in Figure 3C)
that defines a layer of
foil material. The inner lining 220 resides along a substantial portion of an
inner surface 217 of
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the container 210. The inner lining 220 is fabricated from a material that is
moisture proof For
example, the material may comprise aluminum, tin, nickel or combinations
thereof The lining
220 helps to maintain the aromatic oils and moisture of the cigarettes within
the container 210,
even after the package 200 has been opened by the consumer.
[0063] Also visible (at least partially in Figure 2G) is a tab 240. The tab
240, in essence, is
an extension of the inner lining 220, and extends up into the inner-surface
217 of the lid 215.
The tab 240 is also fabricated from a moisture-proof material such as
aluminum, tin, nickel or
combinations thereof
[0064] Figure 2H is still another perspective view of the cigarette package
200 of Figure
2A. Here, certain inner components of the package 200 are shown in exploded-
apart relation.
Of interest, the tab 240 is seen extending up from a back of the container
210. Behind the tab
240 is the substrate 230. In practice, the substrate 230 resides between the
tab 240 and the under
surface 217 of the lid 215. The substrate 230 has a distal end (seen at 234 in
Figure 3D) that is
exposed above the tab 240, and that receives the adhesive material, or
coating.
[0065] Figures 3A through 3D present engineering views of "blank" materials
used in
forming the cigarette package 200 of Figures 2A through 211. These views
provide fuller
presentations of components.
[0066] Figure 3A is a plan view of a blank of material used to create the
container 210 for
the package 200 of Figure 2A, in one embodiment. The container 210 includes
front 210B and
back 210C panels. The container 210 also includes opposing side panels. Dashed
lines show
where the container 210 is to be creased during manufacture.
[0067] Figure 3B is a plan view of a blank of material used to create the
recessed portion
211 of the container 210 of Figure 3A. Dashed lines again show where the
material is to be
creased during manufacture.
[0068] Figure 3C is a plan view of a blank of material used to create the
inner lining 220, or
foil, in one embodiment. Dashed lines again show where the lining 220 is to be
creased during
manufacture. Opposing ends 221, 223 are folded over each other to form a base.
The lining 220
also includes opposing side panels.
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[0069] Along the blank material of Figure 3C, and forming a top portion
during
manufacture, is a sealing tab 240, in one embodiment. The sealing tab 240
includes distal end
244. The majority of the tab 240 resides along the under-surface 217 of the
lid 215. Dashed
lines show where the tab 240 is to be creased during manufacture.
[0070] Finally, Figure 3D is a plan view of a blank of material used to
create the substrate
230. Dashed lines show where the substrate 230 is to be creased during
manufacture. As shown
in Figure 3D, the substrate 230 has a proximal end 232 that preferably resides
below the back
panel 210C of the container 210. The substrate 230 also has a distal end 234.
The distal end 234
has a contour that generally matches the contour of the recessed portion 211
of the front cover
210B.
[0071] An area 235 of the substrate 230 is coated with an adhesive
material. Coated area
235 lands on the front portion 225 of the lining 220 when the lid 215 is moved
to its closed
position. In this way, the lid 215 may beneficially be closed and sealed in
one step.
[0072] Figures 4A through 411 present a series of views of a cigarette
package 400 in
accordance with the present invention, in an alternate embodiment. The package
400 is intended
to illustrate a soft box as the container.
[0073] First, Figure 4A is a perspective view of the cigarette package 400.
A container 410
having a rectangular profile is first shown. The container 410 has a lower end
412 and an upper
end 414. A lid 415 is disposed at the upper end 414. The lid 415 is pivotally
connected to the
container 410 through an integral hinge line 416.
[0074] Figures 4B and 4C are front and back plan views of the cigarette
package 400 of
Figure 4A, respectively. In Figure 4B, a front panel 410B of the container 410
is seen; in
Figure 4C, a back portion 410C of the container 410 is shown. The front panel
410B includes
an upper contour line (seen at 411 in Figure 4F) that accommodates the lid 415
when the lid 415
is in its closed position.
[0075] It is also noted that a front portion 415B of the lid 415 is seen in
Figure 4B; however,
there is no back portion of the lid 415 so no portion of the lid 415 is
visible in Figure 4C. The
hinge line 416 is shown at the top of Figure 4C.
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[0076] Figures 4D and 4E are left and right side plan views of the
cigarette package 400 of
Figure 4A, respectively.
[0077] Figures 4F and 4G are additional perspective views of the cigarette
package 400 of
Figure 4A. In Figure 4F, the pivoting lid 415 is being moved from a closed
position to an open
position, revealing cigarettes 150 within the container 410. Arrow "0"
indicates a direction of
movement of the lid 415. In Figure 4G, the pivoting lid 415 is in its open
position. The
cigarettes have been removed for clarity.
[0078] Additional details of the package 400 are presented in Figures 4F
and 4G. First, it is
again noted that the container 410 includes the upper contour line 411. As is
seen partially in
Figure 4G, and as will be described more fully below, the contour line 411
matches a contour of
a distal end of a substrate 430. The substrate 430 has an adhesive material
coated thereon. In
this way, the lid 415 may be closed and sealed in one novel step.
[0079] Also visible in Figures 4F and 4G, wherein the lid 415 is open, is a
front portion 425
of an inner lining 420. The front portion 420 includes an upper contour 424.
The front portion
225 is part of a larger inner lining (seen fully at 420 in Figure 5B) that
defines a layer of foil
material. The inner lining 420 resides along a substantial portion of an inner
surface 417 of the
container 410. The inner lining 420 is fabricated from a material that is
moisture proof For
example, the material may comprise aluminum, tin, nickel or combinations
thereof. The lining
420 helps to maintain the aromatic oils and moisture within the container 210.
[0080] Also visible (at least partially in Figure 4G) is a tab 440. The tab
440, in essence, is
an extension of the inner lining 420, and extends up into an under-surface 417
of the lid 415.
The tab 440 is also fabricated from a moisture-proof material such as
aluminum, tin, nickel or
combinations thereof
[0081] Figure 4H is still another perspective view of the cigarette package
400 of Figure
4A. Here, certain components of the package 400 are shown in exploded-apart
relation. Of
interest, the tab 440 is seen extending up from a back of the container 410.
Behind the tab 440 is
the substrate 430. In practice, the substrate 430 resides between the tab 440
and the inner surface
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417 of the lid 415. The substrate 430 has a distal end (shown best at 434 in
Figure 5C) that is
exposed above the tab 440, and that receives the adhesive material.
[0082] Figures 5A through 5C present engineering views of "blank" materials
used in
forming the cigarette package 400 of Figures 4A through 411. These views
provide fuller
presentations of components.
[0083] Figure 5A is a plan view of a blank of material used to create the
container 410 for
the package 400 of Figure 4A, in one embodiment. The container 410 includes
front 410B and
back 410C panels. The container 410 also includes opposing side panels. Dashed
lines show
where the container 410 is to be creased during manufacture.
[0084] Figure 5B is a plan view of a blank of material used to create the
inner lining 420, or
foil, in one embodiment. Dashed lines show where the lining 420 is to be
creased during
manufacture. Opposing ends 421, 423 are folded over each other to form a base.
The lining 420
also includes opposing side panels.
[0085] Along the blank material of Figure 5B, and forming a top portion
during
manufacture, is a sealing tab 440, in one embodiment. The sealing tab 440
includes distal end
444. The majority of the tab 440 resides along the inner surface 417 of the
lid 415. Dashed lines
show where the tab 440 is to be creased during manufacture.
[0086] Finally, Figure 5C is a plan view of a blank of material used to
create the substrate
430. Dashed lines show where the substrate 430 is to be creased during
manufacture. As shown
in Figure 5C, the substrate 430 has a proximal end 432 that preferably resides
below the back
panel 410C of the container 410. The substrate 430 also has a distal end 434
that extends
beyond the tab 440. The distal end 434 has a contour that generally matches
the contour 411 of
the front cover 410B.
[0087] An area 435 of the substrate 430 is coated with an adhesive
material. Area 435 lands
on the front portion 425 of the lining 420 when the lid 415 is moved to its
closed position. In
this way, the lid 415 may be closed and sealed in one step.
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[0088] For both Figures 2H and 411, the substrates 230, 430 (or stickers)
and tabs 240, 440
are designed, fabricated and configured to extend the life of the cigarettes
150 within the
package. It is believed that the life of the cigarettes, calculated from when
the consumer first
opens the package, may be extended by up to 20%, or even up to 40%. It is also
believed that
the shelf life of the cigarettes before the package is opened is also extended
greatly. In the
arrangement of Figure 3D, the distal end 234 of the sticker 230 is configured
to follow the
contour of the shoulder 218, while the distal end 244 of the tab 240 is
configured to follow the
upper end 224 of a front portion of the inner lining 220. Similarly, in the
arrangement of Figure
5C, the distal end 434 of the sticker 430 is configured to follow the edges of
the contour line
411, while the distal end 444 of the tab 440 is configured to follow the upper
end 424 of a front
portion of the inner lining 420. These provisions allow for a greater degree
of preservation of the
tobacco products provided within the containers 210, 410.
[0089] A method of sealing a cigarette package is also provided herein. The
method first
includes providing a package of cigarettes. The packaging is designed in
accordance with the
packages 200, 400 described above, in their various embodiments.
[0090] The method also includes
opening the lid;
removing a cigarette from the container; and
moving the lid from an open position to a closed position to both close and
seal the
cigarette package in one step.
[0091] A method for assembling a cigarette package is also provided herein.
The method
first includes providing a blank of material to serve as an inner layer of
foil. Preferably, the
blank of material that serves as the inner layer of foil is fabricated from a
moisture-proof
material, such as aluminum, tin, nickel or combinations thereof.
[0092] The method also includes providing a blank of material to serve as a
container. The
blank includes a lid portion. The container serves as a housing for a
plurality of cigarettes. In
one aspect, the housing is fabricated from a compliant synthetic material such
as a plastic
material. In another aspect, the housing is fabricated from a rigid cellulosic
material. In either
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aspect, the housing is a rectangularly-shaped outer container formed from
folding the blank, and
is configured to closely hold the plurality of cigarettes.
[0093] The method further includes providing a blank of material to serve
as a sticker.
Preferably, the sticker comprises a body having a distal end. The sticker
further comprises an
adhesive material placed along the distal end. Preferably, the sticker is
fabricated from a
cellulosic material. The distal end of the sticker is preferably configured to
closely follow the
edges of the inner layer of foil material at the front of the container, so
that a greater degree of
insulative preservation is provided within the container.
[0094] The method also comprises adhering the blank of material that serves
as the inner
layer of foil to an inner surface of the container. The method then includes
folding the blank of
material that serves as the container, along with the adhered inner layer of
foil, to form a
rectangular housing for a plurality of cigarettes. The method still further
includes folding the
blank of material that serves as the container to create a hinged lid.
[0095] The method additionally comprises adhering an inner surface of the
sticker to an
under-surface of the lid. The material is designed to increase the shelf life
of the cigarettes when
the cigarettes are placed inside the box, when the lid is closed at the top
end. In one
embodiment, the sticker comprises aluminum, tin, nickel, or combinations
thereof The sticker
enables a one-step closure and seal for the cigarettes.
[0096] The method also includes placing a plurality of cigarettes into the
housing, and
releasably sealing the hinged lid to an outer front surface of the container.
[0097] Optionally, the method further comprises providing a water-resistant
foil material,
and wrapping the container with the water-resistant foil material to provide a
moisture barrier.
[0098] As can be seen, an improved cigarette package is provided herein.
The cigarette
package operates to extend the life of a conventional package of cigarettes by
at least 20% to
40%. While it will be apparent that the inventions herein described are well
calculated to
achieve the benefits and advantages set forth above, it will be appreciated
that the inventions are
susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the
spirit thereof
