US2026239A - Cigarette package - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 31, 1935. 'w, s u E 2,026,239

CIGARETTE PACKAGE 7 Filed Sept. 20, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 F .l 20 'i 28" INVENTOR.

W/LL/HM 5. LUCK 51-1- ATTORNEY.

31, 1935. w s LUcKETT 2,026,239

CIGARETTE PACKAGE 7 Filed Sept. 20, 1954 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. W/LL/HM E'.LUE'KET a "aLy 9 ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 31, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE '1 Claims.

My present invention relates to a new and attractive container especially designed for packaging cigarettes, and to a novel method of merchandising cigarettes. v

It is well known that the most popular brands of cigarettes are now packed in what are commonly known as cup or pouch packages. In packages of this type the cigarettes are first enclosed in a composite wrapper of separate but adhesively attached sheets of foil and paper,

such packages being then slipped into a paper cup or pouch, one end of which is normally open to receive the wrapped package of cigarettes, and the other end of which is permanently closed by adhesively attached flaps. In such packages the exposed end of the wrapped package of cigarettes is closed by folding the composite wrapper of foil and paper into oppositely disposed folded flaps normally unsealed but held in closed relation by an overlying revenue stamp. Such packages are then usually enclosed within an outer wrapper of transparent paper, such as glassine or the product commonly known as cellophane, said outer wrapper being closed by opposed folded flaps at the upper or open end of the cup or pouch. In such packages, the upper or dispensing end is not tightly sealed, because both of the wrappers, namely, the inner composite sheet of foil and paper and the outer transparent wrapper are merely interfolded to provide opposed closure flaps, neither of which is sealed, therefore the tobacco of the cigarettes dries out more quickly than is desirable, and furthermore it is necessary to tear away the multiple folds of the composite wrapper before the cigarettes are exposed for withdrawal.

Each package of the type above referred to contains 20 cigarettes, and it has been the universal custom to pack such packages to a carton. Considerable unprofitable and confusing competition and merchandising difliculties have arisen in the trade because certain marketing or selling agencies not primarily tobacconists, have adopted the practice of selling cartons of well known brands of cigarettes at a price much below the price at which such cartons are regularly sold by tobacco retailers. Because of this practice certain recent governmental regulations have been promulgated in an attempt to correct what has been considered to be an unfair trade practice, and this notwithstanding the demand for a carton containing a given number of cigarettes at a popular price, the carton price being of relatively more importance than the exact number of cigarettes in the carton.

With the foregoing in mind, the objects of my present invention are to provide individual packages of standard size containing the usual stand- 5 ard number of cigarettes and so constructed as to be adapted for folding and packaging with present standard machinery, and yet affording a -readily accessible closure which can be opened with facility, and to provide a neat opening not 0 adversely affecting the appearance of the package.

Another object of the invention is to provide a package of the above type which materially reduces the number of wrappers, and which in fact can be made of a single wrapper, sealed to materially preserve the moisture content of the cigarettes.

A further object is to provide a distinctly new cup or pouch cigarette package made from a material not heretofore employed in this particular field, and which is not only capable of providing an extremely attractive package, but one that is more adequately sealed.

Another object of the invention is to provide for applying the outer or transparent wrapper, when such is used, in such a manner as to more tightly seal the folded end of the wrapper on which the opening means is provided without requiring material alteration in the existing machinery for applying these outer wrappers.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new means of packing the individual packages in a carton preferably with provision of means for displaying the face of at least one of the packages within the carton.

A further object is to provide a novel and effective method of merchandising packages of cigarettes of the kind referred to in novel and attractive display cartons that may be sold to the trade at a given price, and without causing the confusion now existing in the trade.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will be pointed out in detail during the course of the following description of the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a plan view of a blank from which the wrapper is formed by folding along predetermined lines;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a package made from the blank of Fig. 1 before the usual revenue stamp is applied, and showing the means for opening the package in said position; 5

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the completely folded package made from the blank of Fig. 1 with the revenue stamp applied and holding the closure and opening flaps sealed;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the package of Fig. 4 showing an end of the same opened;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing a modification of the invention;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 3 of the modification shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the top part of the package shown in Fig. 6 when opened;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the package similar to Fig. 6 when enclosed within a transparent outer wrapper in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view on the line ||l||l of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a bottom view of the package shown in Fig. 9, and v Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a filled display carton of cigarettes packed according to my invention.

In order to provide a package of unusual attractiveness I prefer to make the same from a composite blank of relatively stiff, but readily foldable paper A, having a thin sheet of metal foil B, permanently united to one face thereof as more clearly shown in Fig. 2, the said foil sheet being attached throughout its entire area, but as more clearly shown in Fig. 1, the foil preferably does not extend across the upper or the lower portions of the blank, that is to say, those portions that are to be folded to close the top and bottom of the package. The foil is preferably composed of very thin and highly polished sheet-metal to represent gold, silver, bronze or other metals, and may be printed upon in colors to provide for further decoration. Such a composite sheet is not only highly moisture-repetlant, which affords additional protection to the enclosed cigarettes, but makes an unusually attractive package.

Since it is necessary to seal the dispensing end of the package by an adhesively applied revenue stamp, S, usually applied across the top thereof, with its ends pasted to the opposite flat faces of the package, and as ordinary adhesive will not stick to the metal foil, I print or apply a band D, of dull ink, or otherwise treat or roughen the foil to provide a surface to which the stamp will stick, and at the same time the band gives an ornamental effect since it is preferably of a contrasting color. I may also print upon or treat the face of the metal foil with other lines or bands D, at the points where the blank is folded to provide the corners of the package, and these lines give the opposite faces of the package a panelled effect, thus further adding to the attractiveness of the package. One edge portion D of the blank is also printed upon, roughened or otherwise treated to permit the other edge portion to be pasted thereto when the blank is folded to form the cup or pouch.

The blank will of course also carry the brand name of the cigarettes, which may be printed upon the foil face thereof at the time the band effects are printed, and the printed matter may be in two or more colors if desired.

While I may apply the foil sheet B over a part only of the backing sheet A, so that it will cover the side-walls of the package, I wish it understood that the foil sheet may extendover the entire face of the backing sheet in which event the top and bottom folded and foldable portions of the blank will be foil-faced or metalized. With this arrangement the foldable portions of the foil are printed upon, or otherwise treated so they may be adhesively attached to one another where desired and in order that the revenue stamp will readily stick thereto.

In Fig. 1, the numeral designates the panel of the blank which forms the front of the pack age when completed. The numerals I 2 and I3 designate the panels of the blank which form the sides of the package, and the numerals l4 and I5 designate the panels which overlap and are secured together to form the back of the package. The respective panels are separated from each other by creases 6 which when the package is formed, constitute the corners of the package. I prefer to use a relatively stiff metal paper, that is, the paper having a metal coating or facing firmly united to one of its faces to form the blank and package, since such paper is substantially moisture-proof and can be sharply bent along the hnes Hi to form sharp corners, and consequently providing an attractive package.

The bottom of the blank has a transverse crease providing a strip l8, which is intersected by the lines or creases l6, and from which the flaps or folds on the bottom of the panel are formed in the usual manner to close the bottom.

In the embodiment of the invention being described, the upper metalized or non-metalized end of the blank is provided with a crease I9 above which on the upper ends of panels l5 and 3 are flaps 28, 2!, and on approximately one half of the upper end of the panel II a flap 22 generally similar to the flap 20. The flaps 20, 2| and 22 are integral with each other and with the panels l5, l3 and II. In fact the flaps and 22 are preferably substantially two-fifths to one-half of the length of the usual overlapping flaps on the upper end of the conventional packages, in which parts 2| are folded down over the tops of the cigarettes at opposite sides of the package, causing flaps similar to 20, 22, partially to fold upon themselves, after which they are folded down in overlapping relation on top of the folds 2| and tops of the cigarettes to close the upper end of the package.

In my package, the flaps 20, 2|, 22, close only substantially one-half of the upper end of the package, and I provide separate and distinct flaps to complete the closing, said flaps being especially constructed to facilitate opening the upper end of the package. In the embodiment of my invention shown in Figs. 1-3, the other half of the upper end of the panel carries a relatively short tab 23 which is divided by a slit 24 from the flap 22, and by a similar slit 25, from another tab 26 on the upper end of the panel l2. The tab 26 is also divided by a slit 21 from a. longer tab 28 on the upper end of panel l4. When the blank is folded and the overlapping portions of the panels l4 and I5 overlie one another or are secured together, a portion of the tab 28 extends beyond and overlaps the folded flaps 2022, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Also when the package is closed, the tabs 26 and 23 overlie the ends of some of the cigarettes in the package, and the tab 28 covers the tabs 23, 26 and has one of its edges disposed along the top of the panel l2, and another edge disposed along part of the top of the panel II. The said edges of the tab 28 are also above the tabs 23,28. and if desired marginal portions along said edges -may be adhesively. secured to the tops of tabs 23 and 28, but preferably in such a manner as to provide for readily lifting the tab 23, as presentlydescribed. When the parts are folded as above described and as shown in Fig. 3, when the revenue stamp S, is applied, one side edge of the stamp overlaps the remaining free edge of the tab 28 further securing the tab in closed position, while the ends of the stamp are pasted to the band portions D, impressed upon the metal foil at the top of the package as previously described.

Since all of the tabs 23, 28 and 28 areseparated from each other and from the flaps 28, 22,

the package may be readily opened by'lifting the corner 29 of tab 28 and pulling thereon to cause the tab to tear the overlying portion of the revenue stamp and restoring the tab to the position of Fig. 2. Then the tabs 23, 28may be lifted up to the position of Fig. 2 giving access to the cigarettes at one end of the package. When I use a' metal-faced paper of the character above described, the user may if he so desires, after opening the package in the manner stated and removing a cigarette, fold the tabs down again to their original position before placing the package in his pocket. However, many smokers prefer to have the corner of the package completely opened, so I may score the blank along the lines [8 between the tabs 28, 26, 23 and panels l4, l2 and H respectively, to facilitate tearing the tabs off, and thus providing an even edge along the top of the panel where the tabs have been removed, as shown in Fig. 4.

In Figs. 6, 7 and 8, the primed numerals designate the same parts as the unprimed numerals of Figs. 1-4, and the invention is substantially the same with the exception of the relative arrangement of the opening tabs. In other words, the blank from which the package of Figs. 6 to 8 is made, is the same as the blank of Fig. 1, and is folded in the same manner, with the following exceptions. Instead of providing the relatively long tab 28 on the panel l5 to fold transversely from one face of the package to the other, I provide a relatively long tab 38 on the side l3 and relatively short confronting tabs 23' and 3| on the front and back of the package respectively. It will be understood that the tab 23' corresponds to the tab 23; that the flap 3|, except for dimensions corresponds to the flap 28, and that the flap 30 except for dimensions corresponds to the flap 26. In other words, the blank is made in substantially the same manner as the blank of Fig. 1 with the exceptions just noted.

In forming the package of Figs. 6 to 8, the tabs 23', 3! are folded toward each other, and then the flap 30 is folded thereover up to the end of the flaps 20', 22', and the stamp is then pasted on slightly overlapping the flap 30.

Another modification shown in Figs. 6, '7 and 8, which could also be applied to the form of the invention shown in Figs. l-4 if desired, is the provision of a scoring or weakened line 32 across the side panel [3, that is, the side panel carrying one of the removable flaps. This is so that the flap 3!! carried by the side panel I3, in the embodiment shown in Figs. 6 to 8, can be torn down to the scored line 32 and torn oil at that point so as to expose, as shown in Fig. 8, the portions of the ends of the cigarettes to facilitate removal thereof.

When transparent outer wrappers are provided on cigarette packages, they have always been applied with overlapping folds or flaps superimposed on the overlapping folds and flaps of the inner wrapper at the top of the package, 5 and since there are crevices or cracks between the folds of both the outer and inner wrappers, the package is not as securely sealed-against atmospheric conditions as may be desired. On the other hand, the-bottom of the pouch which is 0 tightly sealed, and which is against the folds on the lower end of the inner wrapper, is also completely covered on its outside by a solid panel of the transparent outer wrapper, since the outer transparent wrapper is usually folded against the sides instead of against the bottom \of the package.

In Figs. 9, 10 and 11 I have shown, the package of Figs. 6 to 8 enclosed by an outer transparent wrapper, and the top of my package is shown completely covered by a solid panel 33 of the transparent outer wrapper which is tightly folded and sealed as at 34 on the sides of the package just below the top,while the bottom of the package has the overlapping folds 35 secured thereon. I deem this a much more effective manner of applying an outer wrapper to the package, because the flaps which form the bottom of the package or wrapper, are themselves tightly sealed and'any leakage between the folds does not affect the contents. Of course the package shown in Figs. 10 and 11 could be easily opened by completely removing the transparent wrapper to give access to the flaps 23', 30 and 3!. Removal of the outer 35 wrapper does not affect the contents of an opened package, since the opening in the package exposes the contents.

Furthermore according to my invention I propose to enclose three of the packages either with 40 or without the usual inner wrapper in a larger transparent wrapper, so that the packages may be sold in units of three, or the units of three may be arranged as shown in Fig. 12 me carton of a size to accommodate three of the units or nine of the packages.

In Fig. 12, I have designated the carton generally by the numeral 35, and have shown in full lines the lid 31 closed, and in dot and dash lines the lid opened. I preferably provide the lid with a centrally located window opening 38 of slightly less width and length than the packages, so that the topmost package of the central unit can be exhibited through the window with the cover of the carton closed.

While I have mentioned particularly the use of a metalized paper as being preferred in the formation of a single wrapper package, I wish it to be understood that the several features of the invention are not limited to use in conjunction with such wrappers. For instance, my improved cup or pouch with itsseparate closure flaps, may be substituted for the usual open end cup or pouch now commonly in use and with the cigarettes enclosed within an inner wrapper or wrappers. With such a construction the removable closure flaps forming a part of my improved cup or pouch greatly facilitate the opening of the package at a portion only at its top.

While I have herein shown and described several preferred embodiments of the invention, I. wish it understood that certain changes or further modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and obvi- 76 ously my improved cup" orpouch may be made from other foldable material than the metal-faced paper described.-

What I claim is:

1. A cigarette package including a composite wrapper composed of a paper blank having a facing sheet of metal foil permanently united therewith. said foil sheet being of less width than the paper blank to leave unfaced portions at opposite ends thereof; the said blank being folded and secured to form a pouch-like container with the foil sheet on the outside thereof, said blank having portions thereof interfolded at the top of the package to partially close the same, and another portion provided with separate foldable tabs adapted to be opened up to expose a portion of the contents of the package.

2. A cigarette package including a composite wrapper composed of a paper blank having a facing sheet of highly polished metal foil permanently united therewith, said foil sheet being of a less width than the paper blank leaving non-metallic portions thereof at opposite ends of the blank, said blank being folded and pasted to form a pouch-like container permanently closed at one end, with the foil sheet exposed on the outer side and end walls of the container and said blank having a portion thereof interfolded at the top of the package to partially close the same, and another portion provided with separate foldable tabs adapted to be opened up to expose a portion of the contents of the package, and a revenue stamp extending across and overlapping the interfolded portion and the foldable tabs at the top of the package, with an end of the revenue stamp adhesively attached to a side wall of the package.

3. A cigarette package including a wrapper composed of a paper blank having a facing sheet of metal foil intimately united therewith, said blank being folded and secured to form a pouch-like container, with the foil sheet on the outside thereof, said blank having a portion thereof interfolded at the top of the package to partially close the same, and another portion provided with separate foldable tabs adapted to be opened up to expose a portion of the contents of the package.

4. A cigarette, package including a wrapper composed of a paper blank having a facing sheet of metal foil permanently united to one face thereof, said facing sheet terminating at a point below the normal upper end of the blank to provide readily foldable unfaced portions and the upper portion of the facing sheet being treated to adherently receive a revenue stamp, said blank being folded and secured to form a aocaaao pouch"-like container with the upper end thereof provided with closure flaps, and a revenue stamp extending across 'the top of the package and having its ends pasted to the treated portions of the foil facing, said stamp normally holding the closure flaps in closed position.

5. In a cigarette package, a wrapper surrounding the cigarettes and closing the package at both ends, one of said ends having overlapping folds closing one side thereof with a revenue stamp sealed across parts of the overlapping folds, the other portion of said end having tabs separate fromsaid folds and from each other formed as parts of the wrapper and folded down in superposed relation with two edges of the topmost tab located along the lines where the other tabs are attached to the wrapper walls, and the third edge of said topmost tab located under the revenue stamp whereby the tabs are normally held in closed position.

6. In a cigarette package, a wrapper around the cigarettes and closing the package at both ends, the closure at one of said ends comprising a portion of the wrapper folded upon itself to form overlapping flaps extending from one side of the package to the approximate center of said end, and tabs separated from each other and from the overlapping flaps, folded down in superposed relation at the other side of the approximate center of said end, the topmost flap having two edges and a corner formed thereby located above two edges and a corner of said end to facilitate grasping to open the package, said topmost tab covering the area of said end not covered by said flaps, and a strip sealed across portions of the overlapping flaps and thethird edge of said topmost tab.

7. In a cigarette package, a wrapper around the cigarettes closing the package at both ends, the closure at one of said ends comprising a portion of the wrapper folded upon itself to form overlapping flaps extending from one side of the package to the approximate center of said end, and tabs separated from each other and from the overlapping flaps, folded down in superposed relation at the other side of the approximate a center of said end, the topmost flap having two edges and a comer located above two edges and a corner of said end of the package to facilitate grasping to open the package, said topmost tab covering the area of said end not covered by said flaps, and a strip sealed across portions of the overlapping flaps and the third edge of said topmost tab, said topmost tab overlapping adjacent edges of said iiaps beneath the strip sealed thereacross.

WILLIAM S. LUCKETT.

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