BLANK FOR FORMING CIGARETTE PRODUCT PACKAGE AND CIGARETTE PRODUCT PACKAGE

Abstract

 This blank is provided with: a plurality of panel parts which are continuous with a folding line therebetween; a plurality of outer panel parts included in the plurality of panel parts and having an outer surface serving as an outer surface of a package; and a textured part formed on the outer surface of at least one outer panel part, the outer surface relatively protruding or recessed compared to a surrounding area thereof. In the textured outer panel part having the outer surface with the textured part formed thereon, the textured part is arranged to be separated from a ridge-line forming part comprising a folding line or a free edge for defining a region of the textured outer panel part and forming a ridge line of the package, and a ridge-line proximate textured part which is a textured part of which a minimum separation dimension with respect to at least the ridge-line forming part is set at 5 mm or less is provided so that the minimum separation dimension is 0.5 mm or more.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to blanks for forming tobacco-product packages and to tobacco-product packages.

Background Art

[0002] There are various packaging materials for packaging tobacco products. Typical known examples include a hard package and a soft package for packaging a bundle of a predetermined number of tobacco items (e.g., about 20 items).

[0003] For example, a widely known type of a hard package is a hinge-lid package that includes a lid coupled to an outer box in an openable-closable manner by a hinge. A tobacco product contained in the outer box is normally accommodated in the outer box by using an inner package formed of a folded flexible sheet material. The outer box is normally formed into a box shape by preparing a blank formed of paper having a plurality of panels extending continuously via folding lines (ruled lines), folding the blank along the folding lines, and bonding the edges of the panels to each other.

[0004] Because the folded ends of the inner package that wraps around the tobacco product are not sealed, it is difficult to ensure the sealability of the tobacco product with the inner package alone. On the other hand, the tobacco product is shipped in a state where the water vapor content thereof is controlled. Therefore, in a typical tobacco-product package, the tobacco product is sealed by covering the outer side of the outer box with a transparent resinous wrapping film.

[0005] Patent Literature 1 discloses a decorative technique that involves applying one or more layers of varnish with a pattern corresponding to a brand logo printed on the outer surface of a blank onto the outer surface of the blank that is to form a tobacco-product package, thereby forming a discontinuous coating protruding from the outer surface of the blank. In addition to a method of applying a thick layer of varnish to the outer surface of the blank, a technique for decorating a package by texturing the outer surface of the package (blank) may include performing embossing or debossing on the blank.

Citation List

Patent Literature

[0006] 

PTL 1: Japanese Registered Utility Model No. 3176709

PTL 2: Japanese Patent No. 3378434

Summary of Invention

Technical Problem

[0007] The texturing, such as embossing, debossing, or thick-varnishing mentioned above, performed on the surface of the package (blank) is relatively inexpensive and is widely used. However, when the texturing is performed on the surface of the package (blank), an outer film that covers the package becomes creased due to steps formed at the boundaries between the protrusions and recesses formed on the surface, possibly impairing the external appearance quality of the package. Such creases formed in the outer film is less likely to be noticeable particularly in the central region of each panel constituting the package, but is likely to be noticeable near the corners (ridges) formed as a result of coupling the panels to each other.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances described above, and an object thereof is to provide a technique for making creases in an outer film less noticeable in a tobacco-product package sealed with the outer film. Solution to Problem

[0009] An aspect of the present invention provides a blank for forming a tobacco-product package sealed by an outer film. The blank comprises a plurality of panels extending continuously via a folding line, a plurality of outer panels included in the plurality of panels and each having an outer surface that is to serve as an outer surface of the package, and a textured section provided in the outer surface of at least one of the outer panels. The outer surface of the textured section relatively protrudes or is relatively recessed as compared with a surrounding region. In a textured outer panel having the textured section in the outer surface thereof, the textured section is disposed away from a ridge forming section formed of a folding line or a free edge for defining a region of the textured outer panel and forming a ridge of the tobacco-product package, and a near-ridge textured section serving as a textured section whose minimum separation dimension from at least the ridge forming section is set to be smaller than or equal to 5 mm is provided such that the minimum separation dimension is larger than or equal to 0.5 mm.

[0010] Furthermore, the near-ridge textured section may be provided in the outer surface of the textured outer panel such that the minimum separation dimension between the near-ridge textured section and the ridge forming section is larger than or equal to 2 mm.

[0011] Furthermore, the near-ridge textured section may be a protruding section in which the outer surface of the textured outer panel relatively protrudes as compared with a surrounding region. The protruding section may include at least one of an embossed section and a protruding varnished section.

[0012] Furthermore, the near-ridge textured section may be a recessed section in which the outer surface of the textured outer panel is relatively recessed as compared with a surrounding region. The recessed section may include at least one of a debossed section and a debossed recess.

[0013] Furthermore, the near-ridge textured section may be a protruding section in which the outer surface of the textured outer panel relatively protrudes as compared with a surrounding region. The protruding section may have a chamfered section in a nearest-to-ridge area where a separation dimension from the ridge forming section is at a minimum.

[0014] Furthermore, the near-ridge textured section may include a formation recessed ruled line in which the outer surface of the textured outer panel is relatively recessed as compared with a surrounding region. The recessed ruled line is provided for forming a rounded corner of the package and is provided in the outer surface of the textured outer panel. An end of the recessed ruled line may be provided such that the recessed ruled line is separated from the edge for forming the ridge of the tobacco-product package by a minimum separation dimension of 0.5 mm or larger.

[0015] Furthermore, an aspect of the present invention provides a blank for forming a tobacco-product package sealed by an outer film. The blank comprises a plurality of panels extending continuously via a folding line, a plurality of outer panels included in the plurality of panels and each having an outer surface that is to serve as an outer surface of the tobacco-product package, and a protruding section provided in the outer surface of at least one of the outer panels. The outer surface of the protruding section relatively protrudes as compared with a surrounding region. In a protruding outer panel having the protruding section in the outer surface thereof, the protruding section has a chamfered section in a contact region that is in contact with a ridge forming section formed of a folding line or an edge for defining a region of the protrusion outer panel and forming a ridge of the package.

[0016] Furthermore, the present invention may provide a tobacco-product package formed by using any one of the aforementioned blanks. The outer surface of the tobacco-product package is formed of the outer surfaces of the plurality of outer panels, and the outer surface is sealed by the outer film so as to be covered by the outer film.

[0017] The solutions for solving the problems in the present invention can be used by being combined with each other as much as possible.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0018] The present invention can provide a technique for making creases in an outer film less noticeable in a tobacco-product package sealed with the outer film.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0019] 

[Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is an external perspective view of a package according to a first embodiment in an unopened state.

[Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is an external perspective view of the package according to the first embodiment in an opened state.

[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is an external perspective view of the package according to the first embodiment in the opened state.

[Fig. 4] Fig. 4 illustrates a blank according to the first embodiment.

[Fig. 5] Fig. 5 illustrates an area surrounding a connection between a top-wall panel and a front-wall panel in a lid region of the blank according to the first embodiment.

[Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Fig. 5.

[Fig. 7] Fig. 7 illustrates a modification (1) of Fig. 6.

[Fig. 8] Fig. 8 illustrates a modification (2) of Fig. 6.

[Fig. 9] Fig. 9 illustrates another modification (1) of near-ridge textured sections provided in textured outer panels of the blank according to the first embodiment.

[Fig. 10] Fig. 10 illustrates another modification (2) of the near-ridge textured sections provided in the textured outer panels of the blank according to the first embodiment.

[Fig. 11] Fig. 11 is an external perspective view of a package according to a second embodiment in an unopened state.

[Fig. 12] Fig. 12 is an external perspective view of the package according to the second embodiment in an opened state.

[Fig. 13] Fig. 13 illustrates a blank according to the second embodiment.

[Fig. 14] Fig. 14 illustrates an area surrounding outer-panel recessed ruled lines and ridge edges in sidewall panels of the blank according to the second embodiment.

Description of Embodiments

[0020] Embodiments of a tobacco-product package and a blank therefor according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. The sizes, materials, shapes, and relative arrangement of structural elements described in the embodiments are examples.

[First Embodiment]

[0021] Fig. 1 is an external perspective view of a tobacco-product package (simply referred to as "package" hereinafter) 1 according to a first embodiment in an unopened state. Figs. 2 and 3 are external perspective views of the package 1 according to the first embodiment in an opened state. The package 1 is, for example, a package box formed by folding a blank formed of paper into a box shape, and accommodates therein a tobacco product, such as cigarettes. Although the base material of the blank that forms the package 1 is not particularly limited, examples include wood-free paper, art paper, coated paper, cast-coated paper, and synthetic-resin-impregnated paper. The tobacco product accommodated in the package 1 is not limited to cigarettes and may be any of other tobacco products. Other tobacco products include, for example, cigars, cigarillos, snus, snuff, chewing tobacco, and heat-not-burn tobacco.

[0022] The package 1 includes a package body 2 and a lid 3 that extends integrally from the rear edge at the opening end of the package body 2 via a hinge H, and is a box-shaped hinge-lid package entirely having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the package 1 in an unopened state is entirely sealed by being covered by an outer film 4. The outer film 4 is provided with an opening tape (tear tape) 41. The outer film 4 can be torn by pulling a tab 42 provided at an end of the opening tape, so that the package 1 can be opened. The outer film 4 is a thin transparent film and is composed of, for example, polypropylene, cellophane, or polyethylene terephthalate. However, the material used for the outer film 4 may be a material other than the ones listed above. Furthermore, although a hinge-lid package is described as an example of the package 1 in this embodiment, the package type is not particularly limited. The package 1 may be of another package type, such as a sliding package or a tongue-lid package.

[0023] As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, with regard to the package 1, the lid 3 is openable and closable about the hinge H. For example, the tobacco product is accommodated in the package 1 by using an inner wrapper IP that wraps around the cigarettes with an inner wrapping sheet. The inner wrapper IP may wrap around, for example, 20 cigarettes with aluminum foil, and may also be referred to as an inner package.

[0024] In this description, the surface of the package 1 provided with the hinge H is defined as a rear surface and the surface opposite therefrom is defined as a front surface. In the drawings, reference sign 21 denotes a "front wall" of the package body 2, reference sign 22 denotes a "rear wall" of the package body 2, and each reference sign 23 denotes a "sidewall" of the package body 2. The package body 2 has a bottom wall 24 coupled to the lower edges of the front wall 21, the rear wall 22, and the left and right sidewalls 23. Furthermore, in the drawings, reference sign 31 denotes a "front wall" of the lid 3, reference sign 32 denotes a "rear wall" of the lid 3, and each reference sign 33 denotes a "sidewall" of the lid 3. The lid 3 has a top wall 34 coupled to the upper edges of the front wall 31, the rear wall 32, and the left and right sidewalls 33.

[0025] In the drawings, each reference sign EG denotes a ridge (edge) formed as a result of connecting the panels of the package 1 to each other. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the ridges EG of the package 1 define the outer shape of the package 1 in a state where the package 1 is sealed by the outer film 4 (i.e., a state where the lid 3 of the package 1 is closed, as illustrated in Fig. 2). The package 1 according to this embodiment has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, so that the package 1 has 12 ridges EG.

[0026] Next, a blank 10 for forming the package 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 illustrates the blank 10 according to the first embodiment. The package body 2 and the lid 3 of the package 1 can be formed into a box shape by folding a single blank 10 illustrated in Fig. 4.

[0027] In Fig. 4, dashed lines indicate folding lines of the blank 10, and solid lines indicate the outer shape of a blank BL1. The blank 10 is obtained by cutting a sheet of base paper by punching. The sheet of base paper may be formed of a paper material, such as Manila cardboard, cardboard, high-quality paper, wood-free paper, art paper, coated paper, cast-coated paper, or synthetic-resin-impregnated paper, but is not limited thereto. For example, the blank 10 may be a sheet material composed of plastic or another material. The folding lines of the blank 10 are to be used for folding the blank 10 during assembly of the blank 10. For example, the folding lines may be indentations formed when the blank 10 is cut from the sheet of base paper by, for example, punching.

[0028] In Fig. 4, reference sign R1 denotes a "body region" that is to serve as the package body 2 after the blank 10 is assembled, and reference sign R2 denotes a "lid region" that is to serve as the lid 3 after the blank 10 is assembled. By folding the body region R1 of the blank 10 along the folding lines and bonding appropriate sections to each other, the package body 2 is formed. Furthermore, by folding the lid region R2 of the blank 10 along the folding lines and bonding appropriate sections to each other, the lid 3 is formed.

[0029] As illustrated in Fig. 4, the body region R1 of the blank 10 has a front-wall panel P1 that is to serve as the front wall 21 and sidewall panels P2 that are to serve as the sidewalls 23 and that extend from the opposite side edges of the front-wall panel P1. Furthermore, a bottom-wall panel P3 that is to serve as the bottom wall 24 extends from the upper edge of the front-wall panel P1, and a rear-wall panel P4 that is to serve as the rear wall 22 extends from the bottom-wall panel P3. Inner side flaps P5 extend from the opposite side edges of the rear-wall panel P4, and an inner bottom flap P6 extends from the lower end of each inner side flap P5. The inner bottom flaps P6 are laid over the inner side of the bottom-wall panel P3 and are bonded to the bottom-wall panel P3, thereby reinforcing the bottom wall 24. The inner side flaps P5 are laid over the inner side of the sidewall panels P2 and are bonded to the sidewall panels P2, thereby reinforcing the sidewalls 23.

[0030] The lid region R2 of the blank 10 has a rear-wall panel P7 that is to serve as the rear wall 32, and the lower edge of the rear-wall panel P7 is coupled to the rear-wall panel P4 via the hinge H. A top-wall panel P8 that is to serve as the top wall 34 extends from the upper edge of the rear-wall panel P7 in the lid region R2. Inner side flaps P9 that are to form the inner surfaces of the sidewalls 33 extend from the opposite side edges of the rear-wall panel P7. An inner top flap P10 extends from the upper edge of each inner side flap P9. The inner top flaps P10 are laid over the inner side of the top-wall panel P8 so as to reinforce the top wall 34.

[0031] Furthermore, a front-wall panel P11 and an inner front flap P12 that are to serve as the front wall 31 extend successively from the top-wall panel P8. The inner front flap P12 is folded back toward the inner side of the front-wall panel P11 so as to reinforce the front wall 31. Moreover, sidewall panels P13 that are to serve as the sidewalls 33 extend respectively from the opposite side edges of the front-wall panel P11. The inner side flaps P9 mentioned above are laid over the inner side of the sidewall panels P13 and are bonded thereto, thereby reinforcing the sidewalls 33.

[0032] In Fig. 4, hatched areas of the blank 10 indicate outer surfaces 100A that are to form the outer surface of the box-shaped package 1. Of the plurality of panels included in the blank 10, the panels having the outer surfaces 100A will be referred to as "outer panels 100". In this embodiment, the front-wall panel P1, the sidewall panels P2, the bottom-wall panel P3, and the rear-wall panel P4 in the body region R1 of the blank 10 and the rear-wall panel P7, the top-wall panel P8, the front-wall panel P11, and the sidewall panels P13 in the lid region R2 of the blank 10 correspond to the outer panels 100. In Fig. 4, only some of the outer panels 100 and the outer surfaces 100A are given reference signs due to illustrative purposes.

[0033] In the blank 10 according to this embodiment, the outer surface 100A of at least one of the outer panels 100 is provided with a textured section 5. In the example illustrated in Fig. 4, the outer surfaces 100A of the top-wall panel P8 and the front-wall panel P11 in the lid region R2 of the blank 10 are provided with semicircular textured sections 5A and 5B, respectively. Furthermore, the outer surface 100A of the front-wall panel P1 in the body region R1 of the blank 10 is provided with a rectangular textured section 6. Although the textured sections 5 and 6 are illustrated with simple graphical shapes for simplifying the description of the present invention, the shapes thereof are not particularly limited. Moreover, the sizes, the number, and the positions of the textured sections 5 and 6 are not particularly limited.

[0034] Fig. 5 illustrates an area surrounding a connection between the top-wall panel P8 and the front-wall panel P11 in the lid region R2 of the blank 10 according to the first embodiment. The textured sections 5 and 6 are regions that have been textured such that the outer surfaces 100A relatively bulge (protrude) or are recessed, as compared with the surrounding regions (referred to as surrounding regions 7 of the outer panels 100), and such that a step is formed in the thickness direction with respect to each surrounding region 7 (see Fig. 4 for the textured section 6).

[0035] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Fig. 5. In the example illustrated in Fig. 6, each textured section 5 (5A, 5B) is provided as a decorative embossed section in which the outer surface 100A of the blank 10 protrudes relative to the surrounding region 7. The embossed section forming each textured section 5 (5A, 5B) is an example of a protruding section. Each embossed section can be formed by embossing. In detail, for example, the outer panels 100 are sandwiched and pressed between a recessed plate disposed at the outer surface 100A side of the outer panels 100 of the blank 10 and a protruding plate disposed at an inner surface 100B side opposite the outer surface 100A side so that the inner surface 100B side is pressed upward, whereby the textured sections 5 (5A and 5B) can be formed as embossed sections in which the outer surfaces 100A of the blank 10 protrude relative to the surrounding regions 7. Similar to the textured sections 5, the textured section 6 formed in the outer surface 100A of the front-wall panel P1 is also formed as a decorative embossed section in which the outer surface 100A protrudes relative to the surrounding region 7. The outer panels 100 of the blank 10 having the textured sections 5 and 6 formed in the outer surfaces 100A will be referred to as "textured outer panels 110" hereinafter. In this embodiment, the front-wall panel P1 in the body region R1 and the top-wall panel P8 and the front-wall panel P11 in the lid region R2 correspond to the "textured outer panels 110".

[0036] Each reference sign FL illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 denotes a "ridge folding line" (ruled line) for defining the region of each panel of the blank 10 and for forming a ridge EG of the package 1 in the assembled state. A "ruled line" is mechanically processed for facilitating folding at the boundary between the panels of the blank 10, and is, for example, a debossed line or a half-cut line. Each reference sign EL denotes a "ridge edge" for defining the region of each panel of the blank 10 and for forming a ridge EG of the package 1 in the assembled state. Specifically, the ridge folding lines FL and the ridge edges EL of the blank 10 form the ridges EG of the package 1 after the sheet-shaped blank 10 is formed into a box-shaped package. The ridge folding lines FL and the ridge edges EL located at the boundaries between the textured outer panels 110 (the front-wall panel P1 in the body region R1 and the top-wall panel P8 and the front-wall panel P11 in the lid region R2) of the blank 10, that is, the ridge folding lines FL and the ridge edges EL that define the regions of the textured outer panels 110, will be collectively referred to as "ridge forming sections EP" hereinafter. The ridge forming sections EP are either the ridge folding lines FL or the ridge edges EL that define the regions of the textured outer panels 110.

[0037] In this embodiment, the ridge folding lines FL of the blank 10 are formed of debossed sections obtained by, for example, debossing the base paper of the blank 10. As illustrated in Fig. 6, at the ridge folding lines FL, the outer surfaces 100A are recessed toward the inner surface 100B relative to the surrounding regions 7. For example, the outer panels 100 are sandwiched and pressed between a protruding plate disposed at the outer surface 100A side of the outer panels 100 and a recessed plate disposed at the inner surface 100B side so that the outer surface 100A side is pressed downward, whereby the ridge folding lines FL of the blank 10 can be formed.

[0038] As illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, the region of the top-wall panel P8 in the lid region R2 serving as one of the textured outer panels 110 is defined by a first ridge folding line FL1 located at the boundary between the top-wall panel P8 and the front-wall panel P11, a second ridge folding line FL2 located at the boundary between the rear-wall panel P7 and the top-wall panel P8, and a first ridge edge EL1 and a second ridge edge EL2 serving as left and right edges of the top-wall panel P8. The first ridge folding line FL1, the second ridge folding line FL2, the first ridge edge EL1, and the second ridge edge EL2 all correspond to the "ridge forming sections EP" that are to form the ridges (edges) of the package 1.

[0039] The region of the front-wall panel P11 is defined by the aforementioned first ridge folding line FL1, a third ridge folding line FL3 and a fourth ridge folding line FL4 that are located at the boundaries between the front-wall panel P11 and the left and right sidewall panels P13, respectively, and a folding line located at the boundary between the front-wall panel P11 and the inner front flap P12. The first ridge folding line FL1, the third ridge folding line FL3, and the fourth ridge folding line FL4 correspond to the "ridge forming sections EP" that are to form the ridges (edges) of the package 1 in the assembled state. Although the folding line located at the boundary between the front-wall panel P11 and the inner front flap P12 is to form the lower edge of the front wall 31 of the lid 3 after the package 1 is assembled, the front wall 31 is to extend in flush with the front wall 21 of the package body 2 when the lid 3 of the package 1 is closed, so that the folding line is not to form a ridge EG of the package 1 in the assembled state. Thus, the folding line located at the boundary between the front-wall panel P11 and the inner front flap P12 does not correspond to a "ridge forming section EP".

[0040] As illustrated in Fig. 4, the region of the front-wall panel P1 in the body region R1 serving as one of the textured outer panels 110 is defined by a fifth ridge folding line FL5 located at the boundary between the front-wall panel P1 and the bottom-wall panel P3, a sixth ridge folding line FL6 and a seventh ridge folding line FL7 that are located at the boundaries between the front-wall panel P1 and the left and right sidewall panels P2, respectively, and an edge of the front-wall panel P1 located opposite the fifth ridge folding line FL5. The fifth ridge folding line FL5 to the seventh ridge folding line FL7 correspond to the "ridge forming sections EP" that are to form the ridges (edges) of the package 1 in the assembled state. On the other hand, although the edge of the front-wall panel P1 located opposite the fifth ridge folding line FL5 is to form the upper edge of the front wall 21 of the package body 2 after the package 1 is assembled, the front wall 21 is to extend in flush with the front wall 31 of the lid 3 when the lid 3 of the package 1 is closed, so that the edge is not to form a ridge EG of the package 1 in the assembled state. Thus, the edge of the front-wall panel P1 located opposite the fifth ridge folding line FL5 does not correspond to a "ridge forming section EP".

[0041] In the textured outer panels 110 (the top-wall panel P8 and the front-wall panels P1 and P11) of the blank 10 according to this embodiment, the textured sections 5 and 6 are disposed away from the ridge forming sections EP. Of the textured sections 5 (5A and 5B) and 6, a textured section whose minimum separation dimension from the corresponding ridge forming section EP is set to 5 mm or smaller and a textured section whose minimum separation dimension from the corresponding ridge forming section EP is set to be larger than 5 mm will be differentiated from each other by being referred to as "near-ridge textured section" and "non-near-ridge textured section", respectively.

[0042] In this embodiment, the textured sections 5A and 5B provided in the top-wall panel P8 and the front-wall panel P11 in the lid region R2 are such that the separation dimension thereof from the first ridge folding line FL1 of the "ridge forming sections EP" in the top-wall panel P8 and the front-wall panel P11 is set to be smaller than or equal to 5 mm. Thus, the textured sections 5A and 5B are separated from the ridge forming sections EP by a minimum separation dimension of 5 mm or smaller, and each correspond to a "near-ridge textured section". The textured sections 5A and 5B will be referred to as "near-ridge textured sections 5A and 5B" hereinafter. In this example, the near-ridge textured sections 5A and 5B are separated from the ridge forming sections EP other than the first ridge folding line FL1 by a separation dimension larger than 5 mm.

[0043] The textured section 6 provided in the front-wall panel P1 in the body region R1 is separated from any of the ridge forming sections EP (the fifth ridge folding line FL5 to the seventh ridge folding line FL7) of the front-wall panel P1 by a separation dimension larger than 5 mm. Specifically, in this case, the minimum separation dimension between the textured section 6 and each ridge forming section EP is larger than 5 mm. Therefore, in this embodiment, the textured section 6 does not correspond to a "near-ridge textured section", but corresponds to a "non-near-ridge textured section". The textured section 6 will be referred to as "non-near-ridge textured section 6" hereinafter.

[0044] In the blank 10 according to this embodiment, the near-ridge textured sections 5 (5A and 5B) and the non-near-ridge textured section 6 in the outer surfaces 100A of the textured outer panels 110 are provided such that a minimum separation dimension of 0.5 mm or larger is ensured between at least the near-ridge textured sections 5 and the ridge forming sections EP. In other words, in the blank 10 according to this embodiment, the minimum separation dimension between each near-ridge textured section 5 (5A, 5B) near the corresponding ridge forming section EP and the ridge forming section EP is not smaller than 0.5 mm. In each near-ridge textured section 5 (5A, 5B), an area with the minimum separation dimension from the corresponding ridge forming section EP will be referred to as "nearest-to-ridge area NP" (see Figs. 5 and 6).

[0045] Although this embodiment relates to an example where the near-ridge textured sections 5 provided in the textured outer panels 110 of the blank 10 are formed in the top-wall panel P8 and the front-wall panel P11 in the lid region R2, the near-ridge textured sections 5 may be formed in other textured outer panels 110.

[0046] Furthermore, although this embodiment relates to an example where the near-ridge textured sections 5 provided in the textured outer panels 110 of the blank 10 are formed of embossed sections, the near-ridge textured sections 5 may be, for example, protruding varnished sections formed by applying a thick layer of varnish to the outer surfaces 100A of the textured outer panels 110. In this case, the protruding varnished sections that form the near-ridge textured sections 5 are an example of protruding sections.

[0047] Alternatively, the near-ridge textured sections 5 provided in the textured outer panels 110 of the blank 10 may be recessed sections in which the outer surfaces 100A are relatively recessed, as compared with the surrounding regions (referred to as the surrounding regions 7 of the textured outer panels 110). In this case, the recessed sections that form the near-ridge textured sections 5 may at least include either of debossed sections and debossed recesses.

[0048] As described above, the package 1 assembled into a box by using the blank 10 according to this embodiment is ultimately covered with the outer film 4. Normally, when the outer surface of a tobacco package (blank) is textured, the outer film that covers the package becomes creased due to steps formed at the boundaries between the protrusions and recesses formed in the outer surface, possibly impairing the external appearance quality of the package. Specifically, the tension applied when the outer film is shrunk during the manufacturing process tends to decrease near the ridges (edges) of the package, and the decreased tension in combination with the steps formed as a result of the texturing may cause creases to occur in the outer film. In other words, when the package is externally covered by shrinking the outer film, the creases formed in the outer film is less likely to be noticeable particularly in the central region of each panel constituting the package, but is likely to be noticeable near the corners (ridges) formed as a result of coupling the panels to each other. The creases formed in the outer film may more likely to become noticeable as the steps between the textured sections formed in the outer surface of the tobacco package (blank) and the surrounding regions become larger. If the textured sections in the outer surface of the tobacco package (blank) are protruding sections, such as embossed sections or protruding varnished sections, the pressure from the shrunk outer film acts on the protruding sections. On the other hand, if the textured sections in the outer surface of the tobacco package (blank) are recessed sections, such as debossed sections or debossed recesses, the pressure from the shrunk outer film acts on the regions surrounding the recessed sections.

[0049] The blank 10 having the above-described configuration is assembled into a box shape so that the package 1 is formed. When the package 1 is sealed by the outer film 4, creases formed in the outer film 4 are less likely to be noticeable. More specifically, in the package 1, creases tend to occur due to the texture in the outer surfaces 100A at the ridges (edges) EG formed at the boundaries where the outer panels 100 oriented in different directions are connected to each other. In contrast, with the blank 10 according to this embodiment, the near-ridge textured sections 5A and 5B do not extend continuously from the ridges EG after the package 1 is assembled, so that the near-ridge textured sections 5A and 5B can be disposed away from the ridges EG. Accordingly, creases occurring in the outer film 4 due to the steps between the near-ridge textured sections 5A and 5B and the surrounding regions 7 can be made less noticeable. As a result, the external appearance quality of the package 1 can be enhanced.

[0050] In particular, in this embodiment, the nearest-to-ridge area NP of each of the near-ridge textured sections 5A and 5B is located away from the corresponding ridge EG (i.e., the ridge forming section EP of the blank 10) of the package 1 in the assembled state by 0.5 mm or larger, so that creases occurring due to the step between the ridge forming section EP and the surrounding region 7 can be made less noticeable. From the standpoint of making the creases in the outer film 4 near the ridges EG of the package 1 less noticeable, it is more preferable that the near-ridge textured sections 5A and 5B formed in the textured outer panels 110 of the blank 10 be separated from the ridge forming sections EP by a minimum separation dimension of 2 mm or larger.

[0051] Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate modifications of Fig. 6. Similar to Fig. 6, Figs. 7 and 8 schematically illustrate a cross-sectional structure in the area surrounding the connection between the top-wall panel P8 and the front-wall panel P11 serving as the textured outer panels 110 of the blank 10. In the modification illustrated in Fig. 7, the textured outer panels 110 are debossed (die-stamped) so that the near-ridge textured sections 5 (5A and 5B) are formed as debossed sections in which the outer surfaces 100A are recessed relative to the surrounding regions. As illustrated in Fig. 7, the near-ridge textured sections 5 (5A and 5B) formed as debossed sections have a recessed shape at the outer surface 100A side and a protruding shape at the inner surface 100B side. In the modification illustrated in Fig. 8, the textured outer panels 110 are debossed from the outer surface 100A side so that the near-ridge textured sections 5 (5A and 5B) are formed as debossed recesses in which the outer surfaces 100A are recessed relative to the surrounding regions. The debossed recesses can be formed by, for example, sandwiching and pressing the textured outer panels 110 between a protruding plate disposed at the outer surface 100A side of the textured outer panels 110 and a flat plate disposed at the inner surface 100B side. As illustrated in Fig. 8, the near-ridge textured sections 5 (5A and 5B) formed as debossed recesses are recessed at the outer surface 100A side and are flat at the inner surface 100B side. Specifically, the inner surfaces 100B of the textured outer panels 110 are flush with each other with no steps occurring between the near-ridge textured sections 5 (5A and 5B) and the surrounding regions 7.

[0052] As described above with reference to Figs. 7 and 8, even in the case where the near-ridge textured sections 5 provided in the textured outer panels 110 of the blank 10 are recessed sections in which the outer surfaces 100A are recessed relative to the surrounding regions 7, a minimum separation dimension of 0.5 mm or larger is ensured between each near-ridge textured section 5 (recessed section) and the corresponding ridge forming section EP in this embodiment. Accordingly, after the package 1 is assembled, the near-ridge textured sections 5A and 5B are not disposed adjacent to the ridges EG of the package 1, so that creases occurring in the outer film 4 due to the texture of the near-ridge textured sections 5A and 5B can be made less noticeable. As a result, the external appearance quality of the package 1 can be enhanced. Needless to say, in the modifications illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, it is preferable that the near-ridge textured sections 5A and 5B provided in the textured outer panels 110 of the blank 10 be separated from the ridge forming sections EP by a minimum separation dimension of 2 mm or larger from the standpoint of making creases in the outer film 4 less noticeable near the ridges EG of the package 1.

[0053] Fig. 9 illustrates another modification of the near-ridge textured sections 5 provided in the textured outer panels 110 of the blank 10 according to the first embodiment. Similar to Figs. 6 to 8, Fig. 9 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional structure in the area surrounding the connection between the top-wall panel P8 and the front-wall panel P11 serving as the textured outer panels 110 of the blank 10. In the modification illustrated in Fig. 9, the structure of the near-ridge textured sections 5 is identical to that illustrated in Fig. 6 except that the nearest-to-ridge area NP of the embossed section (protruding section) forming each near-ridge textured section 5 (5A, 5B) is provided with a chamfered section 8.

[0054] In the example illustrated in Fig. 9, the nearest-to-ridge area NP of the near-ridge textured section 5A disposed in the top-wall panel P8 is provided with a chamfered section 8 by so-called flat-chamfering. On the other hand, the nearest-to-ridge area NP of the near-ridge textured section 5B disposed in the front-wall panel P11 is provided with a chamfered section 8 by so-called round-chamfering. The chamfered sections 8 of the near-ridge textured sections 5A and 5B may both be formed by flat-chamfering or round-chamfering.

[0055] By providing the nearest-to-ridge areas NP of the near-ridge textured sections 5 with the chamfered sections 8 in this manner, sharp steps between the near-ridge textured sections 5 and the surrounding regions 7 can be eliminated, so that the near-ridge textured sections 5 and the surrounding regions 7 can be connected to each other in a gradual fashion. Accordingly, after the package 1 is assembled, creases occurring in the outer film 4 near the ridges EG of the package 1 can be made less noticeable in a more preferable fashion.

[0056] Fig. 10 illustrates another modification of the near-ridge textured sections 5 provided in the textured outer panels 110 of the blank 10. The near-ridge textured sections 5 illustrated in Fig. 10 are similar to the near-ridge textured sections 5 described with reference to Fig. 9 in that the embossed sections (protruding sections) forming the near-ridge textured sections 5 (5A and 5B) are provided with the chamfered sections 8. On the other hand, the near-ridge textured sections 5A and 5B illustrated in Fig. 10 are not separated from the corresponding ridge forming section EP (first ridge folding line FL1), such that the near-ridge textured sections 5A and 5B are in contact with the ridge forming section EP (first ridge folding line FL1). In each of the near-ridge textured sections 5A and 5B, a region in contact with the ridge forming section EP (i.e., the first ridge folding line FL1 in the example illustrated in Fig. 10) will be referred to as "contact region CP". In this modification, the contact regions CP of the near-ridge textured sections 5A and 5B are respectively provided with the chamfered sections 8.

[0057] In the example illustrated in Fig. 10, the chamfered sections 8 provided in the contact regions CP of the near-ridge textured section 5A and the near-ridge textured section 5B are both formed by round-chamfering. Alternatively, at least one of the chamfered sections 8 may be formed by flat-chamfering. As in the modification illustrated in Fig. 10, even in the case where the near-ridge textured sections 5A and 5B of the blank 10 are disposed in contact with the corresponding ridge forming section EP (i.e., the first ridge folding line FL1 in the example illustrated in Fig. 10), the near-ridge textured sections 5A and 5B are provided with the chamfered sections 8 in the contact regions CP that are in contact with the ridge forming section EP, so that the texture caused by the near-ridge textured sections 5A and 5B can be moderated. As a result, after the package 1 is assembled, creases occurring in the outer film 4 near the ridges EG of the package 1 can be made less noticeable in a more preferable fashion. Furthermore, in this modification, the chamfered sections 8 are formed by round-chamfering, so that the crease suppression effect of the outer film 4 can be further enhanced.

[Second Embodiment]

[0058] Next, a package 1A and a blank 10A therefor according to a second embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, detailed descriptions of structural elements identical to those in the above-described embodiment will be omitted by giving the same reference signs to such structural elements.

[0059] Fig. 11 is an external perspective view of the package 1A according to the second embodiment in an unopened state. Similar to the package 1 illustrated in Fig. 1, the package 1A includes the package body 2 and the lid 3 that extends integrally from the rear edge at the opening end of the package body 2 via the hinge H, and is entirely sealed by the outer film 4.

[0060] Fig. 12 is an external perspective view of the package 1A according to the second embodiment in an opened state. Fig. 12 illustrates a front view, a side view, and a rear view of the package 1A in that order from the left. In the package 1A, the connections between the front wall 21 and the left and right sidewalls 23 of the package body 2 and the connections between the rear wall 22 and the left and right sidewalls 23 are formed as rounded corners 9. Likewise, the connections between the front wall 31 and the left and right sidewalls 33 of the lid 3 and the connections between the rear wall 32 and the left and right sidewalls 33 are also formed as rounded corners 9.

[0061] Fig. 13 illustrates the blank 10A for forming the package 1A according to the second embodiment. Detailed descriptions of components identical to those of the blank 10 illustrated in Fig. 4 will be omitted by giving the same reference signs to such components. Dashed lines illustrated in Fig. 13 indicate folding lines for folding the panels. The sidewall panels P2 and the inner side flaps P5 in the body region R1 and the inner side flaps P9 and the sidewall panels P13 in the lid region R2 of the blank 10A are provided with recessed ruled lines GL (indicated with chain lines in Fig. 13). By folding the sidewall panels P2 and the inner side flaps P5 in the body region R1 and the inner side flaps P9 and the sidewall panels P13 in the lid region R2 along the recessed ruled lines GL, the rounded corners 9 of the package 1A are formed. Specifically, the recessed ruled lines GL provided in the sidewall panels P2 and the inner side flaps P5 in the body region R1 and the inner side flaps P9 and the sidewall panels P13 in the lid region R2 of the blank 10A are ruled lines for forming the rounded corners 9 of the package 1A after the blank 10A is assembled. The recessed ruled lines GL in the respective panels are recessed relatively from the outer surfaces 100A as compared with the surrounding regions, and can be formed in accordance with recessed sections, such as debossed sections or debossed recesses, described in the first embodiment.

[0062] Hatched areas illustrated in Fig. 13 indicate the outer surfaces 100A of the outer panels 100 of the blank 10A and are areas that are to form the outer surface of the package 1 in the assembled state. In the blank 10A illustrated in Fig. 13, the front-wall panel P1, the sidewall panels P2, the bottom-wall panel P3, and the rear-wall panel P4 in the body region R1 and the rear-wall panel P7, the top-wall panel P8, the front-wall panel P11, and the sidewall panels P13 in the lid region R2 correspond to the outer panels 100. Furthermore, as mentioned above, the recessed ruled lines GL are recessed sections in which the outer surfaces 100A of the blank 10A are recessed relative to the surrounding regions. Thus, in the blank 10A according to this embodiment, of the outer panels 100, the sidewall panels P2 and the sidewall panels P13 provided with the recessed ruled lines GL correspond to the textured outer panels 110. Of the recessed ruled lines GL in the blank 10A, the recessed ruled lines GL provided in the textured outer panels 110 will particularly be referred to as "rounded-corner-formation outer-panel recessed ruled lines GL1" (see Fig. 13) hereinafter. The rounded-corner-formation outer-panel recessed ruled lines GL1 correspond to the near-ridge textured sections.

[0063] In this embodiment, the rounded-corner-formation outer-panel recessed ruled lines GL1 provided in the textured outer panels 110 (sidewall panels P2 and P13) have ends GLE that extend away from the ridge edges EL (ridge forming sections EP) for forming the ridges EG of the package 1A. Each reference sign ELN illustrated in Fig. 13 denotes an edge located opposite the corresponding ridge edge EL (ridge forming section EP) in each textured outer panel 110 (sidewall panel P2, P13). These edges ELN are edges (referred to as "non-ridge-formation edges" hereinafter) where the ridges EG are not to be formed after the package 1 is assembled. In this embodiment, the ends GLE of the rounded-corner-formation outer-panel recessed ruled lines GL1 do not need to be separated from the non-ridge-formation edges ELN. In other words, the ends GLE of the rounded-corner-formation outer-panel recessed ruled lines GL1 may extend in contact with the non-ridge-formation edges ELN, or the ends GLE of the rounded-corner-formation outer-panel recessed ruled lines GL1 may be separated from the non-ridge-formation edges ELN. In this embodiment, if the minimum separation dimension between the ends GLE of the rounded-corner-formation outer-panel recessed ruled lines GL1 and the ridge edges EL (ridge forming sections EP) of the textured outer panels 110 (sidewall panels P2 and P13) is set to be smaller than or equal to 5 mm, the ends GLE of the rounded-corner-formation outer-panel recessed ruled lines GL1 and the ridge edges EL are separated from each other by a minimum separation dimension larger than or equal to 0.5 mm.

[0064] Fig. 14 illustrates an area surrounding the rounded-corner-formation outer-panel recessed ruled lines GL1 and the ridge edges EL (ridge forming sections EP) of the sidewall panels P2 of the blank 10A according to the second embodiment. The rounded-corner-formation outer-panel recessed ruled lines GL1 are recessed from the outer surfaces 100A relative to the surrounding regions 7 of the sidewall panels P2. The ends GLE of the rounded-corner-formation outer-panel recessed ruled lines GL1 and the ridge edges EL (ridge forming sections EP) of the sidewall panels P2 are separated from each other such that the minimum separation dimension between the ends GLE of the rounded-corner-formation outer-panel recessed ruled lines GL1 and the ridge edges EL is larger than or equal to 0.5 mm. Accordingly, after the blank 10A is assembled into the package 1A, the ends GLE of the rounded-corner-formation outer-panel recessed ruled lines GL1 do not extend continuously from the ridges EG, and the ends GLE of the rounded-corner-formation outer-panel recessed ruled lines GL1 can be separated from the ridges EG by at least 0.5 mm or larger. Consequently, creases occurring in the outer film 4 due to steps between the rounded-corner-formation outer-panel recessed ruled lines GL1 and the surrounding regions 7 can be made less noticeable. As a result, the external appearance quality of the package 1A can be enhanced. From the standpoint of making the creases in the outer film 4 near the ridges EG of the package 1 less noticeable, it is more preferable that the ends GLE of the rounded-corner-formation outer-panel recessed ruled lines GL1 formed in the textured outer panels 110 (sidewall panels P2 and P13) of the blank 10A be separated from the ridge edges EL (ridge forming sections EP) by a larger minimum separation dimension. However, from the standpoint of better formability of the rounded corners 9 (i.e., from the standpoint of forming the rounded corners 9 in a smoothly curved manner), it is more preferable that the ends GLE of the rounded-corner-formation outer-panel recessed ruled lines GL1 and the ridge edges EL (ridge forming sections EP) not be separated from each other by an excessively large minimum separation dimension. It is preferable that the minimum separation dimension between the ends GLE of the rounded-corner-formation outer-panel recessed ruled lines GL1 and the ridge edges EL (ridge forming sections EP) be set to be smaller than or equal to 2 mm. In addition, from the standpoint of better formability of the rounded corners 9, if the ends GLE of the rounded-corner-formation outer-panel recessed ruled lines GL1 are connected to the ridge edges EL (ridge forming sections EP) (i.e., if the separation dimension is zero), it is difficult to smoothly bend and fold the panels along the ends GLE of the rounded-corner-formation outer-panel recessed ruled lines GL1. Therefore, as in this embodiment, separating the ends GLE of the rounded-corner-formation outer-panel recessed ruled lines GL1 from the ridge edges EL (ridge forming sections EP) is advantageous not only from the standpoint of making the creases in the outer film 4 near the ridges EG of the package 1 less noticeable, but also from the standpoint of forming the rounded corners 9 in a smoothly curved manner.

[0065] Although the embodiments and the modifications of the tobacco-product package and the blank therefor according to the present invention have been described above, the various modes disclosed in this description may be combined with any other features disclosed in this description.

[0066] Furthermore, although each of the above embodiments relates to an example where cigarettes are accommodated within the package 1 or 1A, the tobacco product to be accommodated in the package 1 or 1A is not particularly limited. Moreover, although the above embodiments relate to an example where the packages 1 and 1A are individual packages of a hinge-lid type, the packages 1 and 1A are not limited to this type. For example, the tobacco-product package to which the present invention is applied may be a carton package capable of collectively accommodating a plurality of individual packages.

Reference Signs List

[0067] 

1, 1A package

2 package body

3 lid

4 outer film

5, 6 textured section

7 surrounding region

8 chamfered section

9 rounded corner

10, 10A blank

100 outer panel

110 textured outer panel

EG ridge

EL ridge edge

EP ridge forming section

FL ridge folding line

Claims

1. A blank for forming a tobacco-product package sealed by an outer film, the blank comprising:

a plurality of panels extending continuously via a folding line;

a plurality of outer panels included in the plurality of panels and each having an outer surface that is to serve as an outer surface of the package; and

a textured section provided in the outer surface of at least one of the outer panels, the outer surface of the textured section relatively protruding or being relatively recessed as compared with a surrounding region,

wherein, in a textured outer panel having the textured section in the outer surface thereof, the textured section is disposed away from a ridge forming section formed of a folding line or an edge for defining a region of the textured outer panel and forming a ridge of the tobacco-product package, and a near-ridge textured section serving as a textured section whose minimum separation dimension from at least the ridge forming section is set to be smaller than or equal to 5 mm is provided such that the minimum separation dimension is larger than or equal to 0.5 mm.

2. The blank for forming the tobacco-product package according to claim 1,
wherein the near-ridge textured section is provided in the outer surface of the textured outer panel such that the minimum separation dimension between the near-ridge textured section and the ridge forming section is larger than or equal to 2 mm.

3.  The blank for forming the tobacco-product package according to claim 1 or 2,
wherein the near-ridge textured section is a protruding section in which the outer surface of the textured outer panel relatively protrudes as compared with a surrounding region, the protruding section including at least one of an embossed section and a protruding varnished section.

4. The blank for forming the tobacco-product package according to claim 1 or 2,
wherein the near-ridge textured section is a recessed section in which the outer surface of the textured outer panel is relatively recessed as compared with a surrounding region, the recessed section including at least one of a debossed section and a debossed recess.

5. The blank for forming the tobacco-product package according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

wherein the near-ridge textured section is a protruding section in which the outer surface of the textured outer panel relatively protrudes as compared with a surrounding region, and

wherein the protruding section has a chamfered section in a nearest-to-ridge area where a separation dimension from the ridge forming section is at a minimum.

6. The blank for forming the tobacco-product package according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

wherein the near-ridge textured section includes a formation recessed ruled line in which the outer surface of the textured outer panel is relatively recessed as compared with a surrounding region, the recessed ruled line being provided for forming a rounded corner of the package and being provided in the outer surface of the textured outer panel, and

wherein an end of the recessed ruled line is provided such that the recessed ruled line is separated from the edge for forming the ridge of the tobacco-product package by a minimum separation dimension of 0.5 mm or larger.

7. A blank for forming a tobacco-product package sealed by an outer film, the blank comprising:

a plurality of panels extending continuously via a folding line;

a plurality of outer panels included in the plurality of panels and each having an outer surface that is to serve as an outer surface of the tobacco-product package; and

a protruding section provided in the outer surface of at least one of the outer panels, the outer surface of the protruding section relatively protruding as compared with a surrounding region,

wherein, in a protruding outer panel having the protruding section in the outer surface thereof, the protruding section has a chamfered section in a contact region that is in contact with a ridge forming section formed of a folding line or an edge for defining a region of the protrusion outer panel and forming a ridge of the package.

8. A tobacco-product package formed by using the blank according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
wherein the outer surface of the tobacco-product package is formed of the outer surfaces of the plurality of outer panels, and the outer surface is sealed by the outer film so as to be covered by the outer film.

Drawing