WO2010026020A1

WO2010026020A1 - Packaging for smoking articles

Info

Publication number: WO2010026020A1
Application number: PCT/EP2009/060349
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alan Tearle
Original assignee: British American Tobacco Investments Ltd; British American Tobacco Co Ltd
Current assignee: British American Tobacco Investments Ltd
Priority date: 2008-09-02
Filing date: 2009-08-10
Publication date: 2010-03-11
Anticipated expiration: 2011-03-02
Also published as: GB0815948D0; AR073357A1

Abstract

A smoking article package (1) comprising a sealed enclosure of a layer of barrier material (5) around a charge of smoking articles (30), two smoking article access apertures (6a, 6b) defined in the barrier material, and two cover layers (8a, 8b), each cover layer extending over a corresponding access aperture and extending outwardly of the edges (7a, 7b) of the corresponding access aperture, each cover layer having a permanently tacky surface engagable with the barrier material layer adjacent to the openable edges of the aperture.

Description

Packaging for smoking articles

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to packaging of smoking articles or products such as cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos and loose tobacco. For convenience these will be referred to as cigarettes in this specification.

Background to the Invention

The provision of barrier layers either as an inner wrap of a cigarette carton or an outer wrap or both is commonplace. Provision is more or less essential if cigarettes are to have any sort of commercial shelf life in zones having hostile climatic conditions, especially in high temperature, high humidity zones.

Previously described barrier layers have provided a resealable layer over the cigarette access aperture of the pack to offer protection to the product both prior to and after first opening of the pack. For example, WO98/22367 discloses a pack for smoking articles such as cigarettes having a sealed enclosure of barrier material, with a resealable access aperture to the enclosure. A cover over the access aperture has on all its openable edges a permanently tacky surface overlapping the barrier material. The label is provided with a tab which can be grasped and pulled by a user to reveal the access opening. The access aperture may be defined as a flap in the barrier material. WO08/062159 discloses a smoking article package comprising a cover layer configured such that at least a portion of the cover layer is completely removable from the package.

These forms of pack are particularly suitable for holding a charge of twenty cigarettes broadly arranged in three rows. This arrangement is commonly used in cigarette packaging.

Other forms of cigarette pack are also used. For example, a pack may be shaped to hold a charge of twenty cigarettes arranged in only two rows. Such a pack is wider than the commonly used form of pack described above. Therefore, a frame is often provided inside the pack, which increases the rigidity of the pack and divides the cigarettes into separate bundles, thus preventing cigarettes in a partially empty pack from shifting too far from their original orientations.

However, the previously described resealable barrier layers are not suitable for all forms of cigarette packs, particularly wide packs having, for example, a width greater than or approximately equal to the length of a cigarette. In particular, to enable easy access to all of the cigarettes in a large and/or wide pack, the cigarette access aperture and the cover layer over the access aperture must also be large. However, a larger cover layer may be more likely to become deformed on opening and/or incorrectly positioned on reclosing. Furthermore, a larger access aperture may lead to greater exposure of the cigarettes and, thus, greater loss of flavour, for example, when the cover layer is opened or removed.

The present invention seeks to provide an alternative resealable cigarette package.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a smoking article package comprising a sealed enclosure of a layer of barrier material around a charge of smoking articles, two smoking article access apertures defined in the barrier material, and two cover layers, each cover layer extending over a corresponding access aperture and extending outwardly of the edges of the corresponding access aperture, each cover layer having a permanently tacky surface engagable with the barrier material layer adjacent to the openable edges of the aperture.

Thus, all of cigarettes in a wide pack can be easily accessed via one of the two cigarette access apertures, and each access aperture is easily resealable and/or does not overly expose the charge of cigarettes to the air when it is open.

At least one aperture in the sealed enclosure may be defined by a line of cut penetrating through the thickness of the barrier material or by a line of weakening not penetrating through the thickness of the barrier material. The line defining at least one of the access apertures may be interrupted by a plurality of uncut or unweakened tab regions.

The line defining at least one of the access apertures may form a flap in the barrier material, the flap being connected to the remainder of the barrier material by a hinge dimensioned so as to resist separation of the flap from the remainder of the barrier material.

The line defining at least one of the access apertures may form a closed figure. The portion of the barrier material within the closed figure may be completely removable from the sealed enclosure and the corresponding cover layer may be engageable with the portion of the barrier material within the closed figure and may be removable from the sealed enclosure together with the portion of the barrier layer within the closed figure.

At least one cover layer may be a discrete layer applied to the barrier material layer. At least one cover layer may be provided with a tab unconnected to the barrier material of the sealed enclosure. The tab may be free from adhesive. The tab may comprise a deadening agent which agent neutralizes the tacky properties of an adhesive applied to the tab.

The sealed enclosure around the charge of smoking articles may be an enclosure comprising two major faces, two side faces and two end faces, and at least one smoking article access aperture may be configured to extend from a top end face of the sealed enclosure into the front major face of the sealed enclosure.

The smoking article package may further comprise an inner frame defining a tray for the charge of smoking articles, the inner frame having at least a major face, and a central web intermediate to the major face, which central web may divide the charge of smoking articles into two or more portions. The inner frame may have two side flaps at opposite edges of the major face parallel with the central web. The inner frame may have top flaps adjacent each lateral side of each of the access apertures. - A -

The smoking article package may further comprise one or more further smoking article access apertures defined in the barrier material, and one or more further cover layers, each further cover layer extending over a corresponding further access aperture and extending outwardly of the edges of the corresponding further access aperture, each further cover layer having a permanently tacky surface engagable with the barrier material layer adjacent to the openable edges of the aperture.

The smoking article package may further comprise an outer body portion, wherein the sealed enclosure is contained in the outer body portion. The outer pack may be any suitable pack, for example one known in the art.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a blank, formable into the sealed enclosure of a layer of barrier material.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a blank, formable into the inner frame of the smoking article package. The blank may be configured to be combined with one or more other, similar blanks in order to form the inner frame.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a blank which is foldable to form an inner frame of a smoking article package, wherein on the blank there are defined at least two major panels and two intermediate panels, wherein the major panels are configured, in the erected frame, to cover at least a portion of a major face of a charge of smoking articles and the intermediate panels are configured, in the erected frame, to form a central web which divides the charge of smoking articles into two or more portions.

The blank may further comprise two minor panels configured, in the erected frame, to cover at least a portion of two minor faces of the charge of smoking articles parallel with the central web. The blank may further comprise a plurality of minor panels configured, in the erected frame, to cover at least a portion of a minor face of the charge of smoking articles perpendicular to the central web. The blank may further comprise a recess in a collinear edge of each major panel and the plurality of minor panels may be configured, in the erected frame, to cover at least a portion of the minor face of the charge of smoking articles which has an edge collinear with the recessed edge of each major panel. The blank may be divided into two or more similar blanks by one or more lines of cut penetrating through the thickness of the blank.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view, from the front and above, of a smoking article package according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a plan view from above of a blank formable into the outer body of the smoking article package shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a perspective view, from the front and above, of an inner frame assembled around a charge of cigarettes according to the present invention;

Figure 4 shows a plan view from above of a blank formable into the inner frame of

Figure 3;

Figure 5 shows a plan view from above of blanks formable into an alternative inner frame according to the present invention;

Figure 6 shows a perspective view, from the front and above, of a sealed charge of cigarettes according to the present invention;

Figure 7 shows a perspective view, from the rear and below, of the sealed charge of

Figure 6; Figure 8 shows a plan view from above of a blank formable into the sealed enclosure of a layer of barrier material of Figure 6;

Figure 9 shows a perspective view, from the front and above, of an alternative sealed charge of cigarettes according to the present invention;

Figure 10 shows a perspective view, from the rear and below, of the sealed charge of Figure 9;

Figure 11 shows a plan view from above of a blank formable into the sealed enclosure of a layer of barrier material of Figure 9; Detailed Description of the Invention

Referring to Figure 1, a smoking article package 1 according to the present invention is shown. The package 1 includes a sealed charge of cigarettes 2, which is optionally disposed within an outer body 3 with a "flip-top" lid 4. The sealed charge 2 comprises a charge of cigarettes (see Figure 3, feature 30), optionally embraced by an inner frame (see Figure 3, feature 31), the charge of cigarettes and optional frame being wrapped by and contained within a sealed enclosure of a layer of barrier material 5. The layer of barrier material 5 has defined therein two cigarette access apertures 6a, 6b, each formed by a line of cut 7a, 7b. A cover layer 8a, 8b having a pull tab 9a, 9b, is applied to the barrier material 5 in the region of each cigarette access aperture 6a, 6a.

Referring also to Figure 2, a blank 10 formable into the outer body 3 will now be described. The blank 10 is made of card or may be made of a similar, foldable material. The blank 10 has two major panels 11, 12 which, when the blank 10 is folded to form the outer body 3, will form the front and rear panels respectively of the outer body 3. An intermediate panel 13 will form the bottom panel of the outer body 3. Panel 14 will overlie and be adhered to panel 15 using a suitable adhesive to form a side panel of the outer body 3. Similarly, panels 16 and 17 will form the other side panel of the outer body 3. Tabs 18 and 19 will be located inside the outer body 3. Panels 20, 21 and 22 will form the rear, top and front panels respectively of the flip-top lid 4. Panel 23 will overlie and be adhered to panel 24 to form a side panel of the flip-top lid 4. Similarly, panels 25 and 26 will form the other side panel of the flip-top lid 4. Panel 27 will overlie the underside of panel 22 and panel 28 will overlie the underside of panel 21. The flip-top lid 4 and the remainder of the outer body 3 will be joined by a hinge line 29 which may comprise a score line and/or a line of discontinuous cuts.

The outer body 3 may have a different form to that shown in Figure 1. For example, the outer body 3 may be a differently shaped cuboid, for example a square cuboid, or may have a form other than a cuboid, for example including some curved edges. Furthermore, the outer body 3 need not have a flip-top lid 4 but may have a different type of lid or no lid at all. In addition, the outer body 3 need not be formed from a folded blank, but may be formed by other means from other materials. Here, the sealed charge 2 is disposed as a close fit within the outer body 3. The sealed charge 2 may also be adhered to the outer body 3 using a suitable adhesive. Alternatively, the sealed charge 2 may be slidable with respect to the outer body 3. Moreover, the smoking package 1 may be provided without an outer body 3. In this case, the smoking package 1 has some similarities to a conventional soft pack of cigarettes. However, when the inner frame 31 is provided, the smoking package 1 may be more rigid than a conventional soft pack and, thus, may be considered to be a "semi-rigid" pack. In any case, the smoking article package 1 may also be overwrapped, for example, by a clear celluloid overwrap.

Referring to Figure 3, the charge of cigarettes 30 embraced by the optional inner frame 31 is shown. Here, the charge of cigarettes 30 comprises twenty cigarettes arranged in two rows of ten cigarettes. The charge 30 is divided by a central web 32 of the inner frame 31 into two portions, each portion comprising ten cigarettes arranged in two rows of five cigarettes. The charge of cigarettes 30 may also comprise a different number of cigarettes and/or a different number of rows of cigarettes. Furthermore, the central web 32 may also divide the charge of cigarettes 30 in a different manner. For example, the charge of cigarettes 30 may comprise twenty-five cigarettes divided into one portion of twelve cigarettes and one portion of thirteen cigarettes. The charge of cigarettes 30 may be provided without an inner frame 31. However, as will be explained later, the inner frame 31 provides a reaction surface against the resealing pressure exerted by the user on the edges of the cover layer 8a, 8b. Therefore, a relatively rigid inner frame 31, provided by virtue of for example the central web 32, may be preferable.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, an embodiment of an inner frame 31, formable from a blank 33, will now be described. The blank 33 is made of card or any other suitable material. The blank 33 has two similar, major panels 34, 35, each of which is generally rectangular with a recess in a minor edge (the "top" edge). Intermediate to the major panels 34, 35 are two similar elongate rectangular panels 36, 37. Panel 36 has a major edge coextensive with a major edge of panel 37 at line 38 and each of the panels 36 and 37 has a major edge coextensive with the "inside" major edge of a major panel 34, 35. Elongate rectangular side wings 39, 40, similar to panels 36 and 37, extend from the "outside" minor edge of major panels 34 and 35 respectively. Rectangular flaps 41, 42, 43, 44 extend from the "top" edges of intermediate panels 36 and 37 and side wings 39 and 40 respectively. Rectangular panels 45, 46 extend from the "bottom" edges of major panels 34 and 35 respectively. Adjacent panels are separated by fold lines, each of which may comprise a score line and/or a line of discontinuous cuts. The blank 33 may be shaped so that two blanks 33 placed end- to-end would tessellate (for example, panels 45 and 46 may be shaped to fit into the recesses in the major panels 34, 35).

Referring still to Figures 3 and 4, the central web 32 of the inner frame 31 is formed by folding the blank 33 so that panels 36 and 37 are facing each other and are perpendicular to the major panels 34, 35. Panels 36 and 37 may be adhered to each other using a suitable adhesive. The major panels 34, 35 together form the front face of a cuboid enclosing the charge of cigarettes 30. The side wings 39, 40 and panels 45 and 46 are folded so that they cover the side faces and the bottom face of the cuboid enclosing the charge of cigarettes 30. Flaps 41, 42, 43 and 44 are folded so that they partially cover the top face. The height of the inner frame 31 may be such that some of the charge of cigarettes 30 support, and may be gently squeezed longitudinally by, flaps 41, 42, 43 and 44 by virtue of the latter being wrapped by the barrier layer 5 (see Figure 6), thereby increasing the rigidity of the inner frame 31. Flaps 41, 42, 43 and 44 may each extend so as to partly cover the ends of the cigarettes in one column of the charge of cigarettes 30, as shown in Figure 3. The remainders of the recessed top edges of the major panels 34, 35 may extend the same distances as flaps 41, 42, 43 and 44. Thus, the inner frame 31 defines two separate areas where the front and the top of the charge of cigarettes 30 are exposed.

When assembling the inner frame 31 and the charge of cigarettes 30, some of the folds (for example, to form the central web 32) can be made before the cigarettes are positioned in relation to the partially formed inner frame 31 and some folds can be made after. Alternatively, all of the folds can be made either before or after positioning the cigarettes.

Referring particularly to Figure 5, an alternative inner frame 31, formable from two similar blanks 47 and 48, will now be described. In combination, the two blanks 47, 48 have similar features to blank 33, except for the separation at line 38 (compare Figures 4 and 5). The alternative inner frame 31 is formed by folding the blanks 47, 48 in a similar way to that described earlier. Panels 36' and 37' may then be adhered to each other using a suitable adhesive to form the central web 32.

The inner frame 31 may have a different form to that shown in Figure 3. For example, the inner frame 31 may be shaped to cover less area on the front, sides and/or bottom of the cuboid enclosing the charge of cigarettes 30. In particular, some material could be removed from lower regions of the inner frame 31. Furthermore, the inner frame 31 may be provided without the panels 45, 46 on the bottom and/or the flaps, 42, 43 and 44 on the top. In addition, the charge of cigarettes 30 may be arranged such that it may be enclosed by a differently shaped inner frame 31, for example a square cuboid or even a form including some curved edges. The recesses in the top edges of the major panels 34, 35 which define parts of the areas where the charge of cigarettes 30 is exposed may also be differently shaped. For example, the recesses need not be rectangular but may be trapezoidal, triangular and /or may have curved edges.

Referring to Figures 6, 7 and 8, an embodiment of the sealed charge 2 will now be described. The sealed charge 2 comprises the charge of cigarettes 30 (see Figure 3) and the optional inner frame 31 (see Figure 3), which are wrapped by and contained within a sealed enclosure of a layer of barrier material 5 and two cover layers 8a, 8b.

Referring particularly to Figure 8, a blank 49 formable into the sealed enclosure of the layer of barrier material 5 is shown. The barrier material 5 may be, for example, a plastics/metal foil laminate or a vacuum metallised plastics material. The barrier layer 5 may also be made of other materials such as, for example, a non-metallised plastics film, a metal/paper laminate or metallised paper. The blank 49 has major rectangular panels 50 and 51 which, when the blank 49 is wrapped around the charge of cigarettes 30 and the optional inner frame 31, will form the front and rear panels respectively of the sealed charge 2. An intermediate rectangular panel 52 will form the top panel of the sealed charge 2. Rectangular panels 53 to 64 around the edge of the blank 49 will form the side panels and the bottom panels of the sealed charge 2. For example, one side panel 65 (see Figure 7) of the sealed charge 2 may be formed by consecutively folding in panels 53, 54 and 55 of the blank 49 so as to partly overlie one another. Diagonal fold lines may be formed in the more major panels 54, 55. Similarly, the other side panel 66 (see Figure 6) of the sealed charge 2 is formed by consecutively folding in panels 56, 57 and 58 of the blank 49. The bottom panel 67 (see Figure 7) of the sealed charge 2 may be formed after formation of the side panels 65, 66 by folding in panels 59, 60, 61 and 62, followed by panel 63 and then panel 64. Other arrangements of panels 53 to 64 may also be used.

Referring particularly to Figures 6 and 7, seams on the side panels 65, 66 and the bottom panel 67 of the barrier layer 5 are formed by heat sealing. The sealing may be accomplished using any suitable mechanism, for example using an induction sealing mechanism. Alternatively, the barrier layer 5 need not comprise a heat- sealable material, in which case the seams may be formed using glue or heat-sealable strips which are added to the barrier layer 5, for example, by being printed on.

The sealed enclosure of the layer of barrier material 5 may be formed in a different way to that shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8. For example, the blank 49 may be arranged so that, when wrapped around the charge of cigarettes 30 and the optional inner frame 31, it is continuous over one side of the charge 30 and is sealed over the top, bottom and other side of the charge 30. Furthermore, the blank 49 may, in principle, be suitably arranged so as to form a sealed enclosure around any alternative shape of the charge of cigarettes 30 and the inner frame 31.

Referring particularly to Figures 6, 7 and 8, the two cigarette access apertures 6a, 6b defined in the barrier layer 5 by the lines of cut 7a, 7b will now be described. The access apertures 6a, 6b are similar, each being generally rectangular, extending from an edge 68 separating panel 51 (the rear panel of the sealed charge 2) and panel 52 (the top panel), and extending over portions of panels 52 and 50 (the top and front panels of the sealed charge 2). The access apertures 6a, 6b are evenly distributed along, for example, edge 68. In the region of each access aperture 6a, 6b closest to panel 51 (the rear panel) is a hinge region 69a, 69b, dimensioned so as to resist separation of the portion of barrier layer defining the access aperture 6a, 6b from the remainder of the barrier layer 5. Each line of cut 7a, 7b has interruptions or uncut regions 70. For example, there may be two interruptions 70 located near the "corners" of each access aperture 6a, 6b furthest from the hinge region 69a, 69b, as shown in Figure 8. Each line 7a, 7b need not be a line of cut but may be a line of weakening such as a line of perforations or a score line which may or may not have interruptions or unweakened regions 70. The interruptions or uncut regions 70a, 70b together with the hinge regions 69a, 69b connect the portions of barrier material within the access apertures 6a, 6b to the remainder of the barrier material 5 during formation of the sealed charge 2, thus preventing premature opening of the access apertures 6a, 6b prior to opening by the consumer and for ease of manufacture. Furthermore, when each access aperture 6a, 6b is opened for the first time by the consumer, the uncut regions 70 are severed by a shearing force and the user feels that a separating action has occurred.

Referring still to Figures 6, 7 and 8, the cover layers 8a, 8b applied to the barrier material 5 in the region of the cigarette access apertures 6a, 6b will now be described. The cover layers 8a, 8b are applied to the blank 49 either prior to or subsequent to the blank 49 being wrapped around the charge of cigarettes 30. Each cover layer 8a, 8b is in the form of a label, usually of a film of plastics material, the underside of which is coated with a permanently adhesive, that is to say a permanently tacky, material so that it adheres to the barrier layer and can readhere to it. Each cover layer 8a, 8b is generally rectangular and extends beyond all of the edges of a corresponding access aperture 6a, 6b, which is delineated by the line of cut 7a, 7b and the hinge region 69a, 69b. Thus, each cover layer 8a, 8b extends over portions of panels 50, 51 and 52 (the front, rear and top panels respectively of the sealed charge 2). Each cover layer 8a, 8b overlaps and adheres to the barrier layer 5 in a region outward of the edges of the aperture 6a, 6b defined by the line of cut 7a, 7b and the hinge region 69a, 69b. Thus, the cover layer 8a, 8b forms a seal over the access aperture 6a, 6b. The cover layer 8a, 8b also adheres to the portion of barrier layer within the access aperture 6a, 6b. The force of adhesion of each cover layer 8a, 8b to the portion of barrier layer within the access aperture 6a, 6b is sufficient such that the portion of barrier layer within the access aperture 6a, 6b is removed with the cover layer 8a, 8b as same is peeled away from the barrier material. The permanently tacky material may cover continuously or intermittently the whole of the undersurface of each cover layer 8a, 8b. Alternatively, a permanent bonding adhesive may be provided on the portion of the undersurface which does not overlie the region outward of the line of cut 7a, 7b and the hinge region 69a, 69b.

Each cover layer 8a, 8b may further include a pull tab or flap 9a, 9b which is at least partly free from adhesive and/or has a deadening agent applied thereto to neutralize the effects of the adhesive on the flap 9a, 9b. Thus, the flap 9a, 9b remains unconnected to the barrier layer 5 so as to provide the consumer with a place to grasp the cover layer 8a, 8b and to peel same back from the barrier layer 5. The flap 9a, 9b may be separated from the remainder of the cover layer 8a, 8b by a hinge line which may coextend with a cut through an inner layer only of a bilaminate cover layer 8a, 8b.

Referring particularly to Figures 1, 3 and 6, the relative arrangement of the apertures 6a, 6b, the cover layers 8a, 8b and the areas where the charge of cigarettes 30 is exposed by the inner frame 31 will now be described. The apertures 6a, 6b are arranged such that the lines of cut 7a, 7b overlie the edges of the inner frame 31 which define the areas where the front and top of charge of cigarettes 30 is exposed. The apertures 6a, 6b may be somewhat smaller than the areas where the charge of cigarettes 30 is exposed so that the inner frame 31 is partially hidden from view by the barrier layer 5 even when an aperture 6a, 6b is open. Alternatively, the apertures 6a, 6b may be larger so that a portion of the inner frame 31 is exposed when an aperture 6a, 6b is open. Furthermore, the area of each cover layer 8a, 8b which overlies the remainder of the barrier material 5 not within each access aperture 6a, 6b may be more or less than is shown in Figure 6. In addition, the apertures 6a, 6b, cover layers 8a, 8b and areas where the charge of cigarettes 30 is exposed may extend over any one or more of the sides of the cuboid enclosing the charge of cigarettes 30. In any case, it may be preferable for the inner frame 31 to underlie at least some of the portion of the barrier material 5 outside each access aperture 6a, 6b to which each cover layer 8a, 8b adheres. This offers a reaction surface against the resealing pressure exerted by the user on the edges of the cover layer 8a, 8b and, thus, ensures as far as possible efficient adhesion and/or re- adhesion. When the sealed charge is disposed within an outer body 3 with a flip-top lid 4, the cover layers 8a, 8b and apertures 6a, 6b should be arranged such that the user is able to access the charge of cigarettes 30 when the lid 4 is open.

Thus, the user is able to easily open and easily reseal one of the access apertures 6a, 6b upon each and every withdrawal of a cigarette from the sealed charge 2.

Accurate repositioning of the cover layer 8a, 8b is assisted by the hinge region 69a, 69b and the portion of the cover layer 8a, 8b, particularly on the rear panel of the sealed charge 2, which may remain attached to the barrier layer 5 throughout.

Furthermore, all of the cigarettes in the sealed charge 2 can be accessed by using one of the two access apertures 6a, 6b, while each access aperture 6a, 6b and corresponding cover layer 8a, 8b can be opened and resealed easily and reliably. For example, a single, larger access aperture allowing access to all of the cigarettes in the sealed charge would require a cover layer having a larger area and hence being more liable to become deformed on opening and/or incorrectly positioned on reclosing. Furthermore, using one of two smaller two apertures 6a, 6b to access the charge 30 reduces the exposure of the cigarettes and, thus, the loss of flavour, for example, when the aperture 6a, 6b is open.

The apertures 6a, 6b need not be a similar shape to the areas where the charge of cigarettes 30 is exposed. Similarly, the cover layers 8a, 8b need not be a similar shape to the access apertures 6a, 6b, as long as each cover layer 8a, 8b extends beyond all of the edges of the corresponding aperture 6a, 6b. For example, the areas where the charge of cigarettes 30 is exposed, the apertures 6a, 6b and/or the cover layers 8a, 8b need not be generally rectangular, but may each be trapezoidal, triangular and/or have a curved outline.

Referring to Figures 9, 10 and 11, an alternative embodiment of the sealed charge 2' will now be described. The sealed charge 2' also comprises the charge of cigarettes 30 (see Figure 3) and the optional inner frame 31 (see Figure 3). The sealed enclosure of the layer of barrier material 5' and the blank 49' formable thereinto are similar to those described previously, except for the access apertures 6a', 6b'. In this embodiment, there are no hinge regions, but instead the lines of cut or lines of weakness 7a', 7b' form closed figures. In this embodiment, an edge of each access aperture 6a', 6b' lies on panel 51' (the rear panel of the sealed charge 2') close to edge 68' and has two additional interruptions or uncut regions 71, as shown in Figure 11. Thus, there are interruptions 70', 71 located relatively near to each of the four "corners" of each aperture 6a', 6b'. The cover layers 8a', 8b' applied to the barrier material 5' in the region of the cigarette access apertures 6a', 6b' are also similar to those described previously except that they extend over a smaller area of panel 51' (the rear panel of the sealed charge 2'), terminating closer to edge 68'. Therefore, in this embodiment, the cover layer 8a', 8b' and the portion of barrier layer within the access aperture 6a', 6b' may be completely removed if the user so desires by pulling the tab 9a', 9b' firmly upwards. Thus, the user has the choice of whether or not to reseal the aperture 6a', 6b'.

It will be appreciated that many other modifications may be made to the embodiments hereinbefore described.

For example, although the present approach has been described generally in the context of packaging for cigarettes, it can be applied to a wider range of smoking articles and as used herein, the term "smoking article" includes smokable products such as cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes and also heat-not-burn products. The smoking article may be provided with a filter for the gaseous flow drawn by the smoker. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that a smoking article package having more than two access apertures may also be provided. For example, a package may have three, four, five, six or more access apertures.

The package may be of any shape known in the art, including packages having shaped edges, such as rounded or bevelled edges.

Claims

1. A smoking article package comprising a sealed enclosure of a layer of barrier material around a charge of smoking articles, two smoking article access apertures defined in the barrier material, and two cover layers, each cover layer extending over a corresponding access aperture and extending outwardly of the edges of the corresponding access aperture, each cover layer having a permanently tacky surface engagable with the barrier material layer adjacent to the openable edges of the aperture.

2. A smoking article package according to claim 1, wherein at least one aperture in the sealed enclosure is defined by a line of cut penetrating through the thickness of the barrier material or by a line of weakening not penetrating through the thickness of the barrier material.

3. A smoking article package according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the line defining at least one of the access apertures is interrupted by a plurality of uncut or unweakened tab regions.

4. A smoking article package according to any preceding claim, wherein the line defining at least one of the access apertures forms a flap in the barrier material, the flap being connected to the remainder of the barrier material by a hinge dimensioned so as to resist separation of the flap from the remainder of the barrier material.

5. A smoking article package according to any preceding claim, wherein the line defining at least one of the access apertures forms a closed figure, the portion of the barrier material within the closed figure is completely removable from the sealed enclosure and the corresponding cover layer is engageable with the portion of the barrier material within the closed figure and is removable from the sealed enclosure together with the portion of the barrier layer within the closed figure.

6. A smoking article package according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one cover layer is a discrete layer applied to the barrier material layer.

7. A smoking article package according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one cover layer is provided with a tab unconnected to the barrier material of the sealed enclosure.

8. A smoking article package according to claim 7, wherein the tab is free from adhesive.

9. A smoking article package according to claim 7, wherein the tab comprises a deadening agent which agent neutralizes the tacky properties of an adhesive applied to the tab.

10. A smoking article package according to any preceding claim, wherein the sealed enclosure around the charge of smoking articles is an enclosure comprising two major faces, two side faces and two end faces, and wherein at least one smoking article access aperture is configured to extend from a top end face of the sealed enclosure into the front major face of the sealed enclosure.

11. A smoking article package according to any preceding claim, further comprising an inner frame defining a tray for the charge of smoking articles, the inner frame having at least a major face and a central web intermediate to the major face, which central web divides the charge of smoking articles into two or more portions.

12. A smoking article package according claim 11, wherein the inner frame has two side flaps at opposite edges of the major face parallel with the central web.

13. A smoking article package according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the inner frame has top flaps adjacent each lateral side of each of the access apertures.

14. A smoking article package according to any preceding claim, further comprising one or more further smoking article access apertures defined in the barrier material, and one or more further cover layers, each further cover layer extending over a corresponding further access aperture and extending outwardly of the edges of the corresponding further access aperture, each further cover layer having a permanently tacky surface engagable with the barrier material layer adjacent to the openable edges of the aperture.

15. A smoking article package according to any preceding claim, further comprising an outer body portion, wherein the sealed enclosure is contained in the outer body portion.

16. A smoking article package substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 6, 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings.

17. A smoking article package substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 9, 10 and 11 of the accompanying drawings.

18. A blank, formable into the sealed enclosure of a layer of barrier material of the smoking article package according to any preceding claim.

19. A blank, formable into the inner frame of the smoking article package according to any one of claims 11 to 13.

20. A blank according to claim 19, wherein the blank is configured to be combined with one or more other, similar blanks in order to form the inner frame.

21. A blank which is foldable to form an inner frame of a smoking article package, wherein on the blank there are defined at least two major panels and two intermediate panels, wherein the major panels are configured, in the erected frame, to cover at least a portion of a major face of a charge of smoking articles and the intermediate panels are configured, in the erected frame, to form a central web which divides the charge of smoking articles into two or more portions.

22. A blank according to claim 21, further comprising two minor panels configured, in the erected frame, to cover at least a portion of two minor faces of the charge of smoking articles parallel with the central web.

23. A blank according to claim 21 or 22, further comprising a plurality of minor panels configured, in the erected frame, to cover at least a portion of a minor face of the charge of smoking articles perpendicular to the central web.

24. A blank according to claim 23, further comprising a recess in a collinear edge of each major panel and wherein the plurality of minor panels are configured, in the erected frame, to cover at least a portion of the minor face of the charge of smoking articles which has an edge collinear with the recessed edge of each major panel.

25. A blank according to any one of claims 21 to 24, wherein the blank is divided into two or more similar blanks by one or more lines of cut penetrating through the thickness of the blank.