POUCH FOR TOBACCO WITH WEAKENING LINE

Abstract

 The present invention is directed to a pouch (1) for tobacco comprising a first pocket (10) defined by opposing front (20) and back (30) walls, wherein the front wall (20) comprises two opposing lateral edges (21, 22) and opposing upper (23) and bottom (24) edges, the first pocket (10) being accessible via a first opening (40) defined by the upper edge (23) of the front wall (20), characterized in that the front wall (20) further comprises a first weakening line (50) arranged between the upper edge (23) and the bottom edge (24) of the front wall (20), which, upon breakage, allows access to the interior of the first pocket (10) via a second opening (60).

Description

[0001] The present invention is directed to a pouch for tobacco with a first pocket, wherein the pouch comprises a weakening line, which, upon breakage, allows access to the interior of the first pocket of the pouch.

[0002] Consumables like e.g. tobacco are often sold in form of a pouch package. Pouches for tobacco as well as methods of manufacturing the same are well known in the art. Exemplary embodiments of pouches for tobacco are disclosed in EP 1 215 973 A1.

[0003] A typical example of a classical pouch for tobacco comprises a pocket defined at least in part by opposing front and back wall and a flap which allows for closing of the pocket of the pouch by folding the flap over the pocket. Such pouches are filled with tobacco, sealed and wrapped for sale.

[0004] During use of the pouch by the consumer, tobacco from the pocket is progressively consumed and the level of tobacco remaining in the pocket of the pouch is declining. As a result, the consumer has to reach deeper into the pocket in order to access to the decreased tobacco level. This is uncomfortable and may result in contamination of the hand of the consumer with tobacco debris. Thus, there is a need for means which allow avoiding uncomfortable access to declined tobacco level in the pocket of the tobacco pouch.

[0005] Further, it is common practice in the art to use visible surfaces of the pouch for tobacco for communication with the consumer. In order to facilitate such communication, one or more printed elements are arranged on an outside surface of the pouch. However, the space available for arranging printed elements on a surface of the pouch for tobacco is limited. Thus, there is a need for means which allow providing additional space available for communication with the consumer.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a pouch for tobacco which improves comfortable access to declined tobacco level in the pocket of the pouch and/or to provide a pouch with additional space available for communication with the consumer.

[0007] The present invention provides a pouch for tobacco comprising a first pocket defined at least in part by opposing front and back walls, wherein the front wall comprises two opposing lateral edges and opposing upper and bottom edges, the first pocket being accessible via a first opening defined at least in part by the upper edge of the front wall, characterized in that, the front wall further comprises a first weakening line arranged between the upper edge and the bottom edge of the front wall, which, upon breakage, allows access to the interior of the first pocket via a second opening.

[0008] The pouch for tobacco of the present invention allows comfortable access to tobacco comprised in the first pocket even when tobacco level in the first pocket has already declined. When the tobacco level in the first pocket has declined below a certain level, the consumer can break the first weakening line arranged in the front wall of the pouch. By doing so, a second opening to the interior of the first pocket is created by partial or complete separation of a part of the front wall from the remainder of the front wall, the separated part of the front wall can be moved, hinged or removed to open the second opening, and the consumer can access tobacco remaining in the first pocket via said second opening comfortably and without contaminating his hand by undesired contact to one of the surfaces of the front and/or back wall of the pouch facing the interior of the first pocket.

[0009] The pouch for tobacco of the present invention comprises a first pocket at least in part defined by opposing front and back walls, wherein the front wall comprises two opposing lateral edges and opposing upper and bottom edges. The first pocket is accessible via a first opening at least in part defined by the upper edge of the front wall.

[0010] The present invention is not limited to a certain type of pouch and in principle works with all known basic pouch architectures. There are several types of pouches for tobacco known in the art like e.g. wrap-around pouches, block pouches and stand-up pouches.

[0011] The first pocket of the pouch of the invention may be formed only of a front and a back wall, like e.g. in a wrap-around pouch. Alternatively, the first pocket may be formed of a front wall, a back wall and a bottom wall as well as optionally one or more side walls, like e.g. in a block pouch or stand-up pouch. Optionally, the pouch may comprise a flap which can be regarded as part of the back wall or one of the side walls or which may be provided as separate wall of the pouch.

[0012] The pouch of the invention preferably comprises a first pocket formed by a front wall and a back wall which are opposed to each other and optionally a flap as integral part of the back wall. Usually, the lateral edges of the front and back walls are sealed together, defining a first opening through which the interior of the first pocket of the pouch is accessible. The flap is arranged at the upper edge of the back wall and allows for closing of the first pocket of the pouch by folding the flap over the pocket. Usually, the flap has a length sufficient to cover the first opening of the first pocket. Preferably, the flap has a length which exceeds the height of the front wall so that the flap can be efficiently wrapped around the first pocket in order to close the pouch. The pouch may comprise a reclosable seal provided at the first opening of the pocket which makes it possible for the consumer the seal the pocket after accessing the content of the first pocket, thereby preventing loss of contents by spillage from the pocket. The reclosable seal also reduces ingress of air into the first pocket and loss of moisture from the contents of the first pocket ensuring that the content remains moist and does not dry out. Thus, tobacco within the first pocket is kept fresh (by the preservation of aroma and moisture) over a prolonged period of time after the time of first use.

[0013] Preferably, the pouch of the present invention is formed from a single blank, e.g. a single piece of flexible sheet material, by folding the front wall part over the back wall part and adhesively bonding the overlapping lateral edges of the front and back wall to form the first pocket of the pouch. A portion of the blank extending beyond the first pocket may form a flap which can then be used to fold over the first pocket.

[0014] Alternatively, the back wall and optionally the flap of the pouch can be formed from a single piece of flexible sheet material. The front wall of the pouch is then built from a second piece of flexible sheet material. In such a case, the first pocket of the pouch can be formed by adhesively bonding a second smaller piece of flexible sheet material, e.g. of flexible sheet laminate, along three of its edges to the first sheet.

[0015] The pouch of the invention may comprise a flap, wherein the flap does not form integral part of the front wall of the pouch. The flap may be arranged and configured to cover the first opening of the pouch. The flap may comprise an adhesive tab for resealable closure of the flap against a surface of the pouch. Preferably, the flap forms integral part of the back wall of the pouch.

[0016] The pouch may comprise further walls in addition to the front and back wall. The pouch may further comprise a bottom wall and/or one or more side walls.

[0017] One, more than one or all walls of the pouch of the invention are preferably formed of a flexible sheet material. Such flexible sheet material can comprise or consist of:

• a polymer, preferably a plastic polymer like e.g. a polyolefine, polyethylene, polyester or methylized polyester;
• a metal, a metal alloy, a metal foil and/or a metallized laminate;
• a paper;
• or a combination thereof.

[0018] The flexible sheet material may comprise or consist of a polymer having thermoplastic properties such as a polyolefin, e.g. polyethylene or the like. The flexible sheet material can be present as a single layer or in form of a material comprising more than one layer, e.g. in form of a laminate.

[0019] The pouch of the present invention allows easy access to declined tobacco levels in the first pocket. To facilitate this, the front wall of the pouch defining at least in part the first pocket comprises a first weakening line which defines a second opening allowing, upon breakage of the first weakening line, access to the interior of the first pocket. In other words, the front wall of the pouch of the invention comprises a first weakening line arranged between the upper edge and the bottom edge of the front wall, which, upon breakage of the first weakening line, allows access to the interior of the first pocket via a second opening. Weakening may be facilitated by partial or complete removal of material of the front wall along the weakening line. Thus, said weakening may be achieved by perforation, a slit or a groove or combinations thereof. Preferably, the first weakening line of the pouch is formed as a perforation line, a slit, a groove or combinations thereof. Upon breakage of the first weakening line, part of the front wall of the pouch can be extended, lifted or bend and a second opening is formed which allows access to the declined tobacco level comprised in the first pocket. The contours of said second opening are defined by the first weakening line and the second opening is preferably dimensioned to allow proper access to the interior of the first pocket without undesired contact to a surface of the front or back wall of the pouch facing the interior of the first pocket. Thus, upon breakage of the first weakening line the consumer is able to conveniently access the tobacco contained in the first pocket, even at declined tobacco levels.

[0020] In order to define the contours of the second opening, the first weakening line can be formed at least partially as a straight or curved line or as a combination thereof.

[0021] In order to allow exceptional convenient access to declined tobacco levels, it is beneficial if the first weakening line extends at least in part substantially parallel to the upper edge of the front wall.

[0022] If it is ensured that the first weakening line extends longitudinally across at least half the width of the front wall, the second opening will have a convenient dimension and, after breakage of the first weakening line, access to declined tobacco levels is even more comfortable. The width of the front wall is defined as shortest or average direct distance between the two opposing lateral edges of the front wall. Preferably, the first weakening line extends longitudinally across at least 75% of the width of the front wall, more preferably across 75% to 99% of the width of the front wall.

[0023] In order to facilitate convenient access to declined tobacco levels in the first pocket of the pouch of the invention, it is desirable that the first weakening line comprises a longitudinally extending part which is arranged at a certain height of the front wall. It is particularly beneficial if the longitudinal extending part of the first weakening line is arranged at a height closer to the bottom edge of the front wall than to the upper edge. The height of the front wall is defined as shortest or average distance between the two opposing upper and bottom edges of the front wall.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the pouch of the invention, the ends of the first weakening line are formed to prevent further tearing. This can be achieved e.g. by providing hooked or branched ends of the first weakening line.

[0025] The first weakening line may be formed as a simple straight or curved line. Alternatively, the first weakening line can exhibit a more complex shape which comprises e.g. one or more parts each of which independently may be formed as straight or curved line. Preferably, the first weakening line comprises a central part, which extends substantially parallel to the upper or bottom edge of the front wall, and opposing lateral parts. The opposing lateral parts may be formed with the same or different shape, respectively. The opposing lateral parts can e.g. extend at least in part substantially parallel to one or more lateral edges of the front wall. Preferably, the opposing lateral parts of the first weakening line extend at least in part substantially parallel to the corresponding opposing lateral edges of the front wall. Preferably, the central part of the first weakening line extends longitudinally across at least half the width of the front wall, more preferably across at least 75% of the width of the front wall, even more preferably across 75% to 99% of the width of the front wall.

[0026] In a particular embodiment, the first weakening line is formed to create upon breakage a strap, which, upon lifting, allows access to the interior of the first pocket via the second opening. In this embodiment, the strap remains physically connected to the remainder of the front wall and cannot be removed without further tearing of the front wall material. In order to facilitate this, the opposing lateral parts of the first weakening line do not extend through the upper edge of the front wall. The front wall may comprise an adhesive tab which is arranged to allow, upon pulling of the adhesive tab, breakage of the weakening line, lifting of the strap and/or resealable closure of the strap against the front wall. Preferably, the adhesive tab is formed as a strap. Alternatively or in addition, the adhesive tab is formed to circumference or cover the first weakening line in part or entirely.

[0027] In another embodiment of the pouch of the invention, the first weakening line is formed such that, upon breakage, a part of the front wall is removable without further tearing of the material of the front wall, thereby allowing access to the first pocket via the second opening, wherein first and second opening are directly joined together. In order to facilitate this, the opposing lateral parts of the first weakening line extend through the upper edge of the front wall such that, upon breakage of the first weakening line, part of the front wall is removable or removed.

[0028] The pouch of the invention may comprise further weakening lines in addition to the first weakening line. Presence of such additional weakening lines allows the consumer to stepwise access the interior of the first pocket depending on the actual tobacco level left. If the tobacco level has declined to a certain extent, the consumer may break the first weakening line to conveniently access the remaining tobacco in the first pocket. If the tobacco level has further declined the consumer may break a second weakening line arranged e.g. between the first weakening line and the bottom edge of the front wall which allows convenient access to the further declined tobacco level in the first pocket and so on. Preferably, said additional weakening lines are arranged at least in part in parallel to the first weakening line and/or on a height between the first weakening line and the bottom edge of the front wall.

[0029] In addition to allowing convenient access to declined tobacco levels, the pouch of the present invention exhibits further advantages. By creating and opening a second opening to the first pocket additional space for arrangement of printed elements is generated. The pouch of the present invention may comprise one or more printed elements arranged on a surface of the front wall and/or on a surface of the back wall of the pouch facing the interior of the first pocket. Upon breakage of the first weakening line and extending, hinging or removing part of the front wall, said one or more printed elements are uncovered and exposed for perception by the consumer. Preferably, the pouch of the invention comprises one or more printed elements on at least one of the surfaces of the front and/or back wall facing the interior of the first pocket. Said one or more printed elements are preferably arranged such that the printed elements are uncoverable upon breakage of the weakening line. In particular when the first weakening line defines a part of the front wall which is removable upon breakage of the weakening line, the removable part of the front wall can comprise one or more printed elements on a surface facing the interior of the first pocket prior to breakage of the weakening line. This removable part of the front wall comprising such printed elements may by designed to be usable as a coupon, a ticket, a lot, a collector's picture, trading card/picture or the like.

[0030] The nature of the invention is further exemplified by way of the following figures and examples.

FIGURES:

[0031] 

Fig. 1

shows a first embodiment of the pouch for tobacco of the invention, wherein in (A) a cross-sectional view is given and in (B) a planar view is depicted.

Fig. 2

shows a second embodiment of the pouch for tobacco of the present invention, wherein in (A) a planar view of the pouch before breakage of the weakening line is shown and in (B) a planar view of the pouch after breakage of the weakening line is given.

Fig. 3

shows a third embodiment of the pouch for tobacco of the present invention, wherein in (A) a planar view of the pouch before breakage of the weakening line is shown and in (B) a planar view of the pouch after breakage of the weakening line is given.

EXAMPLES:

[0032] In Fig. 1 a first embodiment of the pouch for tobacco of the present invention is shown. In Fig. 1A a cross-sectional view of the pouch 1 is given, whereas Fig. 1B shows a planar view of the pouch 1 of Fig. 1A.

[0033] The pouch 1 of Fig. 1 comprises a first pocket 10 which is defined by a back wall 30 and an opposing front wall 20. The front wall 20 comprises two opposing lateral edges 21 and 22 as well as an upper edge 23 and a bottom edge 24. The interior of the first pocket 10 is accessible via a first opening 40. The first opening 40 is defined by the upper edge 23 of the front wall 20 and by the back wall 30. The back wall 30 of pouch 1 comprises a part which extends beyond the upper edge 23 of the front wall 20. This part of the back wall 30 serves as flap which can be used to close the first opening 40 of the first pocket 10. The front wall 20 further comprises a first weakening line 50. The weakening line 50 is arranged between the upper edge 23 and the bottom edge 24 of the front wall 20. This weakening line 50 is formed by partial removal of material from the front wall 20. Said weakening line 50 can be formed as a perforation line, a slit, a groove or a combination thereof. Said weakening line 50 is designed to break upon execution of an appropriate force. Upon breakage of the weakening line 50, a second opening 60 is created in the front wall 20 which allows access to the interior of the first pocket 10.

[0034] In the pouch of Fig. 1, the weakening line 50 is shown as straight line which extends substantially parallel to the upper edge 23 of the front wall 20. However, it is understood that the weakening line 50 can also have other shape and/or position. Basically, the weakening line 50 can be formed at least in part as a straight or curved line or as a combination thereof. The weakening line 50 preferably extends longitudinally across at least half the width of the front wall 20. Optionally, a longitudinally extending part of the weakening line 50 is arranged at a height closer to the bottom edge 24 than to the upper edge 23 of the front wall 20.

[0035] Upon breakage of the weakening line 50 the interior of the first pocket 10 is accessible via a second opening 60. This allows the consumer to conveniently access tobacco from the pouch 1 even if the tobacco level in the first pocket 10 has already declined.

[0036] In Fig. 2 a second embodiment of the pouch 1 of the present invention is depicted, wherein in Fig. 2A the pouch 1 is shown with a weakening line 50 before breakage whereas in Fig. 2B the same pouch 1 is presented after breakage of the weakening line 50. The pouch 1 of Fig. 2 differs from the pouch of Fig. 1 in that the weakening line 50 comprises a central part 51 and two opposing lateral parts 52 and 53. The central part 51 of the weakening line 50 extends substantially parallel to the upper or bottom edge 23, 24 of the front wall 20. The lateral parts 52 and 53 extend substantially parallel to the lateral edges 21, 22 of the front wall 20 and are arranged on opposing ends of the central part 51 of the weakening line 50. The central part 51 and the lateral parts 51, 52 of the weakening line 50 are arranged such that the weakening line 50 does not extend through the upper edge 23 of the front wall 20. Upon breakage of the weakening line 50, a strap is formed, which, upon lifting, creates and/or opens the second opening 60 through which the consumer has access to the interior of the first pocket 10. This allows the consumer to conveniently access tobacco of the pouch 1 even if the tobacco level in the first pocket 10 has already declined.

[0037] Optionally, the front wall 20 may further comprise an adhesive tab (not shown) arranged to allow, upon pulling of the adhesive tab, breakage of the weakening line 50, lifting of the strap formed and/or resealable closure of the strap against part of the front wall 20 of the pouch 1. The adhesive tab may be formed to circumference or cover the weakening line 50 in part or entirely.

[0038] In Fig. 3 a third embodiment of the pouch 1 of the present invention is depicted, wherein in Fig. 3A pouch 1 is shown with a weakening line 50 before breakage whereas in Fig. 3B the same pouch 1 is presented after breakage of the weakening line 50. The pouch 1 of Fig. 3 differs from the pouch of Fig. 2 in that the weakening line 50 comprises a central part 51 and two opposing lateral parts 52 and 53, wherein the two lateral parts 52 and 53 extend through the upper edge 23 of the front wall 20. This has the effect that, upon breakage of the weakening line 50, part of the front wall 20 is removed and the second opening 60 is created as joint opening fused with the first opening 40.

Claims

1. Pouch (1) for tobacco comprising a first pocket (10) defined at least in part by opposing front (20) and back (30) walls, wherein the front wall (20) comprises two opposing lateral edges (21, 22) and opposing upper (23) and bottom (24) edges, the first pocket (10) being accessible via a first opening (40) defined at least in part by the upper edge (23) of the front wall (20), characterized in that, the front wall (20) further comprises a first weakening line (50) arranged between the upper edge (23) and the bottom edge (24) of the front wall (20), which, upon breakage, allows access to the interior of the first pocket (10) via a second opening (60).

2. Pouch (1) of claim 1, wherein the first weakening line (50) is formed by partial removal of material of the front wall (20), preferably the first weakening line (50) is formed of a perforation line, a slit, a groove or a combination thereof.

3. Pouch (1) of one of the preceding claims, wherein the first weakening line (50) is formed at least in part as a straight or curved line or as a combination thereof.

4. Pouch (1) of one of the preceding claims, wherein the first weakening line (50) extends at least in part substantially parallel to the upper edge (23) of the front wall (20).

5. Pouch (1) of one of the preceding claims, wherein the first weakening line (50) extends longitudinally across at least half the width of the front wall (20).

6. Pouch (1) of claim 5, wherein the longitudinally extending part of the first weakening line (50) is arranged at a height closer to a bottom edge (24) than to the opposing upper edge (23) of the front wall (20).

7. Pouch (1) of one of the preceding claims, wherein the ends of the first weakening line (50) are formed to prevent further tearing, preferably the ends of the first weakening line (50) are hooked or branched.

8. Pouch (1) of one of the preceding claims, wherein the first weakening line (50) comprises a central part (51), which extends substantially parallel to the upper (23) or bottom (24) edge of the front wall (20), and opposing lateral parts (52, 53), preferably the central part (51) of the first weakening line (50) extends longitudinally across at least half the width of the front wall (20).

9. Pouch (1) of claim 8, wherein the opposing lateral parts (52, 53) of the first weakening line (50) extend at least in part substantially parallel to the opposing lateral edges (21, 22) of the front wall (20).

10. Pouch (1) of claim 8 or 9, wherein the opposing lateral parts (52, 53) of the first weakening line (50) do not extend through the upper edge (23) of the front wall (20), preferably the central and lateral parts (51, 52, 53) of the first weakening line (50) are arranged such that, upon breakage, a strap is created which, upon lifting, allows access to the interior of the first pocket (10) via the second opening (60).

11. Pouch (1) of claim 10, wherein the front wall (20) comprises an adhesive tab arranged to allow, upon pulling of the adhesive tab, breakage of the weakening line (50), lifting of the strap and/or resealable closure of the strap against the front wall (20), preferably the adhesive tab is formed as a strap and/or is formed to circumference or cover the first weakening line (50) in part or entirely.

12. Pouch (1) of claim 8 or 9, wherein the opposing lateral parts (52, 53) of the first weakening line (50) extend through the upper edge (23) of the front wall (20) such that, upon breakage of the first weakening line (50), part of the front wall (20) is removed.

13. Pouch (1) of one of the preceding claims, wherein the front wall (20) comprises additional weakening lines, preferably said additional weakening lines are arranged at least in part parallel to the first weakening line (50) and/or on a height between the first weakening line (50) and the bottom edge (24) of the front wall (20).

14. Pouch (1) of one of the preceding claims, wherein the pouch (1) comprises a flap, wherein the flap does not form integral part of the front wall (20), preferably the flap forms integral part of the back wall (30).

15. Pouch (1) of one of the preceding claims, wherein the pouch (1) further comprises a bottom wall and/or one or more side walls.

16. Pouch (1) of one of the preceding claims, wherein the pouch (1) comprises one or more printed elements on at least one of the surfaces of the front and/or back wall (20, 30) facing the interior of the first pocket (10); preferably one or more of said printed elements are arranged such that the printed elements are uncoverable upon breakage of the weakening line (50).

Drawing