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(11) | EP 0 380 898 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Double aperture container pack |
| (57) It is a container of semirigid structure, whose basic principal element, Fig-1, is
a laminate which when assembled becomes a hollow solid in the shape of a regular rectangle,
that once completed by the addition of the closing element [1 - 4] of the said hollow
solid, Fig-2, also laminated, results in an hermetic box, Fig-3, with double pressure
closure [1 - 4], having two symmetrical openings opposite each other at either end
of the longest axis, permitting separation and/or removal of its contents via both
or only one, whichever proves the most convenient. It is intended for use as a receptacle
for anything required, although essentially for cigarettes, arranged in two groups
and situated in opposite directions parallel to the longest axis of the box. |
[0001] The invention consists of a container of semirigid structure, made mainly of cardboard, hardened paper stock, plastic or other materials with a crushproof capability, seeking to provide robustness, secure closure and impermeability.
[0002] It is intended essentially to contain cigarettes, arranged in two groups and situated in opposite directions, parallel to the longest axis of the container, allowing them to be removed by a double opening system with apertures at either end of the said axis.
[0004] The container when complete, Fig-3, is an hermetic box with double pressure closure, having two symmetrical openings opposite each other at either end of the longest axis.
[0005] It is in the shape of a regular rectangular parallelepiped and consists of two elements designated Fig-1 and Fig-2 on the attached plans, which when properly folded along the dotted lines and having the correct surfaces suitably glued, sealed or welded and the two elements properly assembled together, results in the finished container, Fig-3, subject of this report.
[0006] The element corresponding to Fig-1 is a flat, laminated surface, whose irregular polygonal shape is sufficiently clear on the attached plans and once properly folded along the dotted lines with the correct surfaces suitably glued becomes a hollow shape, resulting in a semirigid box in the form of a regular, rectangular parallelepiped, with two pressure closed symmetrical apertures situated at either end of its longest axis.
[0007] The element corresponding to Fig-2, is also a laminated surface of irregular polygonal shape, sufficiently clear on the attached plans, such that once properly folded along the dotted lines and having its external surface suitably glued to the internal one of the element described above, constitutes the pressure closing flap of the double aperture system which when assembled and attached to the element corresponding to Fig-1 forms the said opening and closing system of the resulting hermetic box, Fig-3.
[0008] Having fully detailed the nature of this invention, it is obvious, that it constitutes a novelty, non-existent at present, and as such is presented.
[0009] Already in existence on the market is a type of pack, also laminated, that when assembled becomes a hollow shape in the form of a regular rectangle with a single, exclusive aperture for access to its interior. This is the classic 20 cigarette hard pack whose particular details and functions we do not intend to mention here since they have been sufficiently well known by everybody for a great many years.
[0010] Amongst the advantages possessed by the present invention, which perfects and improves considerably the original technique, it is necessary to emphasizes the fact that this container allows for easy removal of its contents thanks to its configuration with a double aperture making access to its interior possible from either side. In addition, it makes feasible the separation of its contents so that removal of the latter is by one or other aperture, as required, either because they are products whose particular qualities, directions or uses are contrary, opposed or mutually incompatible, or because they are complementary but should not be mixed together, as is the case with products such as salt and sugar, salt and pepper, coffee and milk, coffee and sugar, oil and vinegar, tomato and mustard, etc. Thus is facilitated the removal, via the selected aperture, of each one of the products, arranged at one's discretion in its interior.
[0011] As far as the advantages in relation to its intended use as a receptacle for cigarettes are concerned, when comparing it with the traditional King Size packet it is to be pointed out that its innate innovative utility means that it can contain, given the same dimensions, instead of the classic 20 cigarettes of 12 centimetres, 40 cigarettes of 6 centimetres situated in opposite directions parallel to the longest axis. By this method achieving two fundamental objectives: a double reserve of cigarettes and a considerable diminution in the damaging effects on the health of the smoker by offering him 40 opportunities of smoking an equal quantity of tobacco, since large numbers of the cigarettes consumed daily by an habitual smoker are smoked in obedience to reflexes conditional upon certain repetitive routine situations. It has been scientifically proved that the majority of smokers satisfy their desire to smoke by the automatic gesture of lighting a cigarette regardless of its length. Another advantage derived from its capacity to separate is that of offering in the same packet the possibility of two distinct types of cigarette, dark and light, normal and low in nicotine, menthol, or simply two different brands.
[0012] Finally, we emphasize that its uniform rectangular shape and dimensions make for ease of handling, portability and storage, as well as simplicity of manufacture, either manual or mechanical.
Fig-1.-
[0014] Surface 1 is folded along the dotted line A, in the direction of surface 2, until forming an angle of 180° with it, the two are then joined with a suitable glue.
[0015] Surfaces 3L and 3R are folded along the dotted lines CL and CR in the direction of surfaces 4L and 4R respectively, until forming an angle of 90° with them.
[0016] Surfaces 4L and 4R are folded along the dotted lines ELY and ERY respectively, in the direction of surface 4, until forming an angle of 90° with it.
[0017] Surface 3 is folded along the dotted line C, in the direction of surface 4 until forming an angle of 90° with it.
[0018] Surface 2 is folded along the dotted line B, in the direction of surface 3 until forming an angle of 90° with it.
[0019] Surfaces 2L and 2R are folded along the dotted lines ELX and ERX respectively, in the direction of surface 2 until forming an angle of 90° with it, the two are then joined with a suitable glue to the rear or external faces of surfaces 4L and 4R respectively.
[0020] Surfaces SL and SR are folded along the dotted lines ELZ and ERZ respectively, in the direction of of surface 5, until forming an angle of 90° with it.
[0021] Surface 6 is folded along the dotted line F, in the direction of surface 5L, until forming an angle of 90° with it.
[0022] Surface 6L is folded along the dotted line G, in the direction of surface 6, until forming an angle of 90° with it, the two are then joined with a suitable glue to the rear or external face of surface 5R.
Fig-2.-
[0023] Surfaces 7L and 7R are folded along the dotted lines HL and HR respectively, in the direction of surface 7, until forming an angle of 90° with it. The rear external face of surface 7 is joined by means of a suitable glue to surface 6 of Fig-1, prior to the action of joining surface 6L to the rear or external face of surface 5R.
1st.- DOUBLE APERTURE CONTAINER PACK is characterised by its laminated structure, consisting of two elements, Fig-1 and
Fig-2, of any material of a crush resistant nature, of irregular polygonal shape that
when correctly folded along the dotted lines, with the relevant surfaces suitably
glued, sealed or welded and with both elements correctly assembled, results in its
transformation into a hollow solid in the shape of a regular rectangular parallelepiped,
Fig-3, producing an hermetic box with double pressure closure by virtue of its construction
with two symmetrical apertures situated at the opposite ends of its long axis, through
which one has access to the interior, permitting separation and/or removal of its
contents either via both or only one, whichever proves the most convenient.
2nd.- DOUBLE APERTURE CONTAINER PACK, is, besides that stated previously in the 1st. claim characterised by the fact that its largest element, as represented in the attached
plans by Fig-1, conforms in configuration to the resulting hollow solid, Fig-3, thus
becoming the basic, main element. Its shape, accurately represented in the attached
plans, is that of an irregular rectangle. At its ends, the longest sides, initially
parallel, become inwardly convergent, afterwards however, becoming parallel again,
to end up by joining in a straight line thus forming the shorter sides. These shorter
sides of the irregular rectangle are themselves parallel. Projecting from the middle
third of one of the long sides of the said irregular rectangle is a flap, also an
irregular rectangle, whose short sides, themselves initially parallel, become outwardly
divergent to terminate quickly joining in a straight line to form its longest side.
On the surface delineating this irregular polygonal shape there are conveniently distributed
some lines to be cut along and some dotted ones to be folded, which, once carried
out correctly, creates the container pack as such.
3rd.- DOUBLE APERTURE CONTAINER PACK, is, besides that stated previously in the 1st. and 2nd. claims, characterised by the fact that the element of smaller dimensions, represented in
the attached plans by Fig-2, complements the larger one, forming the closing element
of the resulting hollow solid, Fig-3. Its shape, accurately represented in the attached
plans, is an irregular rectangle, with equal symmetrical sides, the longest ones parallel,
whilst the shortest, at first perpendicularly parallel to the longest sides become
inwardly convergent to quickly converge even more in the same direction and, after
a short outwardly curving line, become parallel again by means of a straight line.
On the surface delineating this irregular polygonal shape there are conveniently distributed
some lines to be cut along and some dotted ones to be folded, which once carried out
correctly creates the pressure closing flap of the double aperture system, shaped
in accordance with the element previously described and claimed , which it complements
by joining its external and internal surfaces respectively, thus achieving the said
opening and closing system of the resulting hermetic box.
4th.- DOUBLE APERTURE CONTAINER PACK, is, besides that stated previously in the 1st. to 3rd. claims , characterised by the fact that in order to transform the element represented by
Fig-1 from a plane surface into a hollow solid, Fig-3, it is necessary to carry out
the following procedure:
Surface 1 is folded along the dotted line A, in the direction of surface 2, until forming an angle of 180° with it, the two are then joined with a suitable glue.
Surfaces 3L and 3R are folded along the dotted lines CL and CR in the direction of surfaces 4L and 4R, respectively, until forming an angle of 90° with them.
Surfaces 4L and 4R are folded along the dotted lines ELY and ERY respectively, in the direction of surface 4, until forming an angle of 90° with it. Surface 3 is folded along the dotted line C, in the direction of surface 4 until forming an angle of 90° with it.
Surface 2 is folded along the dotted line B, in the direction of surface 3 until forming an angle of 90° with it.
Surfaces 2L and 2R are folded along the dotted lines ELX and ERX respectively, in the direction of surface 2 until forming an angle of 90° with it, the two are then joined with a suitable glue to the rear or external faces of surfaces 4L and 4R respectively.
Surfaces 5L and 5R are folded along the dotted lines ELZ and ERZ respectively, in the direction of of surface 5, until forming an angle of 90° with it.
Surface 6 is folded along the dotted line F, in the direction of surface 5L, until forming an angle of 90° with it.
Surface 6L is folded along the dotted line G, in the direction of surface 6, until forming an angle of 90° with it, the two are then joined with a suitable glue to the rear or external face of surface 5R.
Surface 1 is folded along the dotted line A, in the direction of surface 2, until forming an angle of 180° with it, the two are then joined with a suitable glue.
Surfaces 3L and 3R are folded along the dotted lines CL and CR in the direction of surfaces 4L and 4R, respectively, until forming an angle of 90° with them.
Surfaces 4L and 4R are folded along the dotted lines ELY and ERY respectively, in the direction of surface 4, until forming an angle of 90° with it. Surface 3 is folded along the dotted line C, in the direction of surface 4 until forming an angle of 90° with it.
Surface 2 is folded along the dotted line B, in the direction of surface 3 until forming an angle of 90° with it.
Surfaces 2L and 2R are folded along the dotted lines ELX and ERX respectively, in the direction of surface 2 until forming an angle of 90° with it, the two are then joined with a suitable glue to the rear or external faces of surfaces 4L and 4R respectively.
Surfaces 5L and 5R are folded along the dotted lines ELZ and ERZ respectively, in the direction of of surface 5, until forming an angle of 90° with it.
Surface 6 is folded along the dotted line F, in the direction of surface 5L, until forming an angle of 90° with it.
Surface 6L is folded along the dotted line G, in the direction of surface 6, until forming an angle of 90° with it, the two are then joined with a suitable glue to the rear or external face of surface 5R.
5th.- DOUBLE APERTURE CONTAINER PACK, is, besides that stated previously in the 1st. to 4th. claims, characterised by the fact that in order to complement the previous procedure with
the element represented in Fig-2, it is necessary to carry out the following procedure:
Surfaces 7L and 7R are folded along the dotted lines HL and HR respectively, in the direction of surface 7, until forming an angle of 90° with it. The rear external face of surface 7 is joined by means of a suitable glue to surface 6 of Fig-1, prior to the action of joining surface 6L to the rear or external face of surface 5R.
Surfaces 7L and 7R are folded along the dotted lines HL and HR respectively, in the direction of surface 7, until forming an angle of 90° with it. The rear external face of surface 7 is joined by means of a suitable glue to surface 6 of Fig-1, prior to the action of joining surface 6L to the rear or external face of surface 5R.
6th.- DOUBLE APERTURE CONTAINER PACK, is, besides that stated previously in the 1st. to 5th. claims , characterised by the fact that its double aperture system allows access to its
interior by either aperture. In addition, it also has the feature of making feasible
the separation of its contents so that removal of the latter is by one or other aperture,
as required, either because they are products whose particular qualities, directions
or uses are contrary, opposed or mutually incompatible, or because they are complementary
but should not be mixed together. Thus is facilitated the removal, via the selected
aperture, of each one of the products, arranged at one's discretion in its interior.
7th.- DOUBLE APERTURE CONTAINER PACK, is, besides that stated previously in the 1st. to 6th. claims , characterised by the fact that in addition to being intended for use as a receptacle
for anything required, it is intended essentially to contain cigarettes, arranged
in two groups and situated in opposite directions, parallel to the longest axis of
the container, allowing them to be removed by a double opening system with apertures
at either end of the said axis. Equally, this double opening and closing system permits,
within a reasonable size and volume, twice the number of cigarettes of a traditional
packet, making for ease of handling, portability and storage. Likewise, it offers
the possibility of keeping two different brands of cigarette in the same packet.