Auto opening cigarette pack outsert

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10683153-B2
Application number	US-201816011946-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 19, 2018
Priority date	Aug 17, 2016
Publication date	Jun 16, 2020
Grant date	Jun 16, 2020

Abstract

An outsert for affixing to a product package includes a base layer, a top layer, and a printed document. The base layer includes a perforated region arranged to be aligned with a tear tape on an outer wrapping of the package. The top layer is arranged on the base layer and has one or more edge regions adhered to the base layer. The printed document is enclosed in an inner volume established between the base layer and top layer. A laminate layer can be disposed in the inner volume between the top layer and the printed document to increase the rigidity of the outsert.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of affixing an outsert to a product package, the outsert comprising a base layer having a perforated region arranged to be aligned with a tear tape on an outer wrapping of the package, a top layer arranged on the base layer, the top layer having the same shape and size as the base layer and having top and bottom edge regions adhered to the base layer, and a printed document enclosed in an inner volume established between the base layer and top layer, the method comprising:
adhering the outsert to an outer surface of the outer wrapping of the product package such that the tear tape of the outer wrapping is aligned with the perforated region;
wherein the product package is a cigarette pack and the top layer is configured to be separated from the base layer via at least one of the top and bottom edge regions by lifting the printed document away from the base layer when the base layer is severed by the tear tape upon pulling the tear tape to open the outer wrapping of the cigarette pack.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the base layer is a transparent film.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the top layer is attached to the base layer with only adhesive and does not include a perforated region.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the perforated region includes at least one line with perforations extending across the base layer.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the perforated region includes a plurality of parallel lines with perforations extending across the base layer.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein at least part of the top layer is configured to separate from the base layer via the tear tape.

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the base layer is configured to separate into multiple portions upon opening of the package via the tear tape.

8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein on an inner side, the base layer has a top edge portion and a bottom edge portion with an adhesive adhered to the top layer.

9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the base layer comprises at least one of a semi-transparent, opaque, tinted or non-transparent material.

10. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising removing a removable liner from the outsert prior to adhering the outsert to the outer surface of the outer wrapping.

11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein a laminate layer is disposed in the inner volume between the top layer and the printed document.

12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the laminate layer at least partially covers the perforated region of the base layer.

13. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the printed document at least partially covers the perforated region of the base layer.

14. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the top layer is a non-transparent material.

15. A method of affixing an outsert to a product package, the outsert comprising:
a base layer having a perforated region arranged to be aligned with a tear tape on an outer wrapping of the package, a top layer arranged on the base layer and having one or more edge regions adhered to the base layer, and a printed document enclosed in an inner volume established between the base layer and top layer, the method comprising:
adhering the outsert to an outer surface of the outer wrapping of the product package such that the tear tape of the outer wrapping is aligned with the perforated region, wherein the top layer has an inner side with an adhesive at a top edge region and at a bottom edge region.

16. The method according to claim 15 , wherein the perforated region of the base layer is a first perforated region and the top layer includes a second perforated region that overlays the first perforated region.

17. The method according to claim 16 , wherein the second perforated region includes at least one line with perforations.

18. The method according to claim 16 , wherein the second perforated region includes a plurality of lines with perforations.

Assignees

• Altria Client Services Llc

Inventors

• Bellamah Stephen

Classifications

• A24F15/00

  Receptacles or boxes specially adapted for cigars, cigarettes, simulated smoking devices or cigarettes therefor (adaptations for use in vehicles B60N3/12; packages specially adapted for cigarettes B65D85/10) · CPC title

• B65D5/4233

  Cards, coupons, labels or the like formed separately from the container or lid · CPC title

• B65D75/545

  the inserts or accessories being located within a pouch or envelope attached to the exterior of the packages, e.g. shipping mailers (envelope construction B65D27/00) · CPC title

• B65D85/1027

  Opening devices · CPC title

• B65D85/10

  for cigarettes · CPC title