TOBACCO POUCH

Abstract: The invention relates to a tobacco pouch (1) provided with a front wall (2) and a back wall (4) manufactured from plastic film and with a flap (6) attached to the back wall (4). The tobacco pouch is further provided with connecting means for closing off the tobacco pouch by releasably connecting the flap to the front wall. The connecting means comprise a first part (12) which is connected to the flap (6) and a second part (14) which is connected to the front wall (2). One of the two parts is provided with hooks (18) which can be releasably fastened to co-operating means provided on the other of the two parts. The first and second parts (12, 14) consist of a strip-shaped area, the lengthwise direction (16, 22) of one of which is at least substantially directed parallel to the side edge (8) when the flap (6) is connected to the front wall (2).

Description: TOBACCO POUCH The invention relates to a tobacco pouch provided with a front wall and a back wall manufactured from plastic film and with a flap attached to the back wall, whereby the front wall and back wall are connected to one another at side edges and whereby the tobacco pouch is further provided with connecting means for closing off the tobacco pouch by releasably connecting the flap to the front or back wall, the connecting means comprising a first part which is fastened to the flap and comprising a second part which is fastened to the front or back wall, one of the two parts being provided with hooks which can be releasably fastened to co-operating means provided on the other of the two parts. A tobacco pouch of such a type is known, for example, from German Utility Model DE 295 13 893 and can be realised in the form of a block-bottom pouch or a wrapping pouch. In this utility model the first part consists of a rectangular material, the lengthwise direction of which is directed perpendicular to the side edges, said material being provided with hooks. Moreover, the second part consists of a rectangular area of felt-like material comprising loops, the lengthwise direction of which is likewise directed perpendicular to the side edges. One disadvantage of the known tobacco pouch is that it is not easy, either in the case of an entirely filled pouch or in the case of an almost empty pouch, to position the first part easily on the second part prior to closing the tobacco pouch. Moreover, when it is realised in the form of a block-bottom pouch, the tobacco pouch has the disadvantage that the flap does not close off the tobacco pouch well when the latter is not filled completely. In the closed state the flap is located in each instance opposite approximately the same position of the front wall, so that the opening on the upper side of the pouch is not closed off well by the flap. According to the present invention there is provided a tobacco pouch provided with a front wall and a back wall manufactured from plastic film and with a flap attached to the back wall, whereby the front wall and back wall are connected to one another at side edges and whereby the tobacco pouch is further provided with connecting means for closing off the tobacco pouch by releasably connecting the flap to the front or back wall, the connecting means comprising a first part which is fastened to the flap and comprising a second part which is fastened to the front or back wall, one of the two parts being provided with hooks which can be releasably connected to loops pertaining to another of the two parts, characterised in that the first and/or second part consists of a strip-shaped area, the lengthwise direction of which is at least substantially directed parallel to the side edges when the flap is connected to the front wall. By virtue of the fact that the first and/or second parts consist of a strip-shaped area, the lengthwise direction of which is at least substantially directed parallel to the side edges, it is ensured that the flap, viewed in the direction of the side edges, can be connected to the front wall in various positions with respect to the front wall when the tobacco pouch is realised in the form of a block-bottom pouch. In other words, depending on the degree of filling of the pouch, the flap can be passed over the front wall to a greater or lesser extent in order to be fastened to said front wall. According to the invention, the pouch may at the same time be employed as a wrapping pouch. In this case the flap is passed over the front wall prior to the pouch being closed and is turned over at the underside of the front wall towards the back wall, in order subsequently to be fastened to the back wall. The second part of the fastening means is then also fastened to the back wall. Preferably said co-operating means also comprises hooks. It is preferably the case that the first part consists of the aforementioned strip-shaped area. Moreover it is the case that the second part preferably consists of a strip-shaped area, the lengthwise direction of which is at least substantially directed perpendicular to the side edges. This latter case has the advantage that the flap can still be connected easily to the front wall even when the flap is turned over in a direction perpendicular to the side edges, shifted with respect to the front or back wall. The invention will now be elucidated in more detail on the basis of the drawing, in which there are shown: Fig. la: a view of a first embodiment of the tobacco pouch according to the invention in the opened state; Fig. lb: the tobacco pouch according to Fig. la when said tobacco pouch is only partially filled and is closed; Fig. lc: the tobacco pouch according to Fig. la when said tobacco pouch is almost entirely filled with tobacco and is closed; Fig. 2a: a second embodiment of the tobacco pouch according to the invention in the opened state; Fig. 2b: the tobacco pouch according to Fig. 2a in the closed state; Fig. 3a: a third embodiment of the tobacco pouch according to the invention in the opened state; Fig. 3b: the tobacco pouch according to Fig. 3a in the closed state; Fig. 4a: a fourth embodiment of the tobacco pouch according to the invention in the opened state; Fig. 4b: the tobacco pouch according to Fig. 4a in the closed state; Fig. 5a: the front of a fifth embodiment of the tobacco pouch according to the invention in the opened state; Fig. 5b: the back of the tobacco pouch according to Fig. 5a; and Fig. 5c: the tobacco pouch according to Fig. 5a in the closed state. In Fig. la a tobacco pouch in the form of a block- bottom pouch according to the invention is indicated by reference numeral 1. The tobacco pouch is provided with a front wall 2 and a back wall 4 manufactured from plastic film and with a flap 6 attached to the back wall. The front wall 2 and the back wall 4 are connected to one another at the side edges 8 of the front wall 2 and back wall 4. In this example the aforementioned side edges 8 are connected to one another via side walls 10. The tobacco pouch is further provided with fastening means 12, 14 for closing the tobacco pouch by releasably connecting the flap 6 to the front wall 2. The fastening means comprise a first part 12 which is fastened to the flap 6 and a second part 14 which is fastened to the front wall. In this example the first part 12 consists of a strip-shaped area, the lengthwise direction of which, indicated in the drawing by the dotted line 16, is directed at least substantially parallel to the side edges 8 of the flap when the flap is connected to the front wall, as shown in Figs, lb and lc. Here it is the case that one of the two parts is provided with hooks 18 (in this example the first part 12) which can be releasably connected to hooks 20 provided on the other of the two parts (in this example the second part 14). The fastening means are made, in this example, from the hook part of a material that is known as a hook-and- loop strip and is marketed under the brand name VELCRO ® . The loop part of the hook-and-loop strip is not however used in this example. In this example it is moreover the case that the second part consists of a strip-shaped area, the lengthwise direction of which (indicated in the drawing by dotted line 22) is at least substantially directed perpendicular to the side edges 8 when the flap is connected to the front wall 2, as shown in Figs, lb and lc. In this example it is the case that the first part is fastened to an inside 24 of the flap which is formed in the closed state of the tobacco pouch. It is moreover the case that the first part extends partly outside the contours of the flap 6. The flap can be closed in various positions with respect to the front wall 2. These positions may vary as regards the height of the tobacco pouch, that is to say in the direction of the side edges 8. When, for example, the tobacco pouch is almost entirely empty, as shown in Fig. lb, the flap can be pulled far over the front wall 2 and the tobacco pouch can be closed by connecting the first part, that is to say a part of the first part, to the second part 14. Because the first part 12 is realised in the form of a strip, there is always a section of the first part 12 that makes contact with the second part 14 when the flap is closed. Also when the flap 6 is not completely pulled over the front wall 2, the pouch can be closed by connecting the first part 12 to the second part 14. This is also due to the fact that the lengthwise direction 16 of the strip- shaped area of the first part 12 in the closed state is at least substantially directed parallel to the side edges 8. In addition, due to the fact that it is the case that the lengthwise direction 22 of the second part is directed transverse to the side edges 8, the first part 12 will likewise make contact with the second part 14 when the first part 12, that is to say the flap 6, is, for whatever reason, not passed over the front wall 2 precisely in the middle of the front wall 2 but has a deviation in, for example, the direction of one of the side edges 8. In other words, the flap 6 can be adjustably connected to the front wall 2 in the direction of the arrow 26 in Fig. la. This is handy for closing the tobacco pouch in the case of a varying degree of filling. Besides this, the flap 6 can be connected to the front wall 2 varying in the direction of the arrow 28. In Figs. 2a and 2b an alternative embodiment of the tobacco pouch is shown in which components corresponding to Figs, la-lc are provided with the same reference numerals. Now it is the case that the first part 12 is situated over its full length within the contours of the flap 6. In this case the second part 14 may possibly be placed closer to a top side of the tobacco pouch, so that also when the tobacco pouch is entirely filled the first part 12 can be manipulated easily on the second part 14 when the flap 6 is used in order to close the tobacco pouch, as shown in Fig. 2b. In the closed state it is the case that both the first part 12 and the second part 14 are hidden from view, which may be regarded as an advantage. As shown in Figs. 3a and 3b, it is also possible that the first part 12 is fastened to an outside 30 of the flap which is formed in the closed state of the tobacco pouch. In this case the second part 14 may, in addition, be fastened to the front wall 2 somewhat lower down with respect to the situation in Fig. la. This is by reason of the fact that only the section of the first part 12 that extends outside the contours of the flap 6 can be utilised for closing the flap 6. Also, on the basis of the embodiment according to Figs. 4a and 4b it is shown that it is also possible for the second part to consist of a strip-shaped area, the lengthwise direction of which is at least substantially directed parallel to the side edges 8 when the flap 6 is connected to the front wall 2. In addition, in this example it is the case that the first part likewise consists of a strip-shaped area, the lengthwise direction 16 of which is at least substantially directed perpendicular to the side edges 8 when the flap is closed. Also in this example the flap can be closed variably in the directions 26 and 28, depending on the degree of filling of the tobacco pouch and the accuracy with which the flap 6 is folded over. On the basis of Figs. 5a to 5c an application of the invention is shown in the case of a tobacco pouch in the form of a so-called wrapping pouch. The wrapping pouch is provided with a front wall 2 and a back wall 4 manufactured from plastic film and with a flap 6 attached to the back wall. In this example the aforementioned front wall 2 and back wall 4 are connected to one another at the side edges 8 of the front wall 2 and the back wall 4. In a manner entirely analogous to that discussed in connection with the preceding Figures, the tobacco pouch is further provided with fastening means which comprise a first part 12 which is fastened to the flap 6 and comprise a second part 14 which is now fastened to the back wall 4 instead of to the front wall 2. Once again it is the case that both of the two parts 12, 14 are provided with hooks, which can be releasably connected to each other. For this purpose, as shown in Fig. 5c, the flap 6 is folded over the front wall 2 and folded down on the underside of the front wall 2 in the direction of the back wall. In this case the first part 12 of the fastening means can subsequently be fastened to the second part 14. Once again it is the case that the flap can be closed in various positions with respect to the back wall. In this example it is moreover the case that the second part consists of a strip-shaped area, the lengthwise direction of which, indicated in the drawing by dotted line 22, is at least substantially directed perpendicular to the side edges 8, both cases being entirely analogous to those discussed in connection with the preceding Figures. As becomes clear from Fig. 5c, the tobacco pouch can always be closed well, even when the tobacco pouch is entirely, partially or almost empty. Also the orientation of the first and second parts 12, 14 can be reversed to that the first part 12 is substantially perpendicular to the side edges 8 and the second part 14 is substantially parallel to the side edges 8. The advantages of the variant according to Figs. 5a to 5c are then also as discussed in connection with the preceding Figures. It is also possible that the first part 12 is fastened to the flap in a manner such as has been discussed for Figs. 2a and 2b. In addition, it is possible that the first part 12 is fastened to the flap in a manner such as has been discussed in connection with Figs. 3a and 3b. Finally, it is possible that the first part is fastened to the flap 6 in a manner such as has been discussed in connection with Fig. 4a, whereas the second part 14 is fastened to the back wall 4 in a manner such as has been discussed for the strip 14 in connection with the front wall 2. In other words, the strip 14 may likewise be fastened in the upward direction of the tobacco pouch and in such a manner that dotted line 22 is directed vertically in this case. The invention is by no means restricted to the embodiment of a wrapping pouch and a block-bottom pouch that has been outlined here. Other embodiments of pouches also fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A tobacco pouch provided with a front wall and a back wall manufactured from plastic film and with a flap attached to the back wall, whereby the front wall and back wall are connected to one another at side edges and whereby the tobacco pouch is further provided with connecting means for closing off the tobacco pouch by releasably connecting the flap to the front or back wall, the connecting means comprising a first part which is fastened to the flap and comprising a second part which is fastened to the front or back wall, one of the two parts being provided with hooks which can be releasably connected to co-operating means provided on the other of the two parts, characterised in that the first and/or second part consists of a strip- shaped area, the lengthwise direction of which is at least substantially directed parallel to the side edges when the flap is connected to the front wall. 2. Tobacco pouch according to Claim 1, characterised in that the first part consists of the aforementioned strip- shaped area. 3. Tobacco pouch according to Claim 2, characterised in that the second part consists of a strip-shaped area, the lengthwise direction of which is at least substantially directed perpendicular to the side edges when the flap is connected to the front or back wall. . Tobacco pouch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said co-operating means comprises hooks. 5. Tobacco pouch according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first part is fastened to an inside of the flap which is formed in the closed state of the tobacco pouch. 6. Tobacco pouch according to Claim 5, characterised in that the first part is located over its full length within the contours of the flap. 7. Tobacco pouch according to one of Claims 1-4, characterised in that the first part is fastened to an outside of the flap which is formed in the closed state of the tobacco pouch. 8. Tobacco pouch according to Claim 5 or 8, characterised in that the first part extends partly outside the contours of the flap. 9. Tobacco pouch according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the tobacco pouch is realised in the form of a wrapping pouch, the second part of the fastening means being fastened to the back wall. 10. Tobacco pouch according to one of the preceding claims 1-8, characterised in that the tobacco pouch is realised in the form of a block-bottom pouch, the second part of the fastening means being fastened to the front wall.

Inventors: VAN DEN BERG EWOUD ALPHONSUS, VAN GERWEN MARIA PETRONELLA HE, VAN DEN BERG, EWOUD, ALPHONSUS, VAN GERWEN, MARIA, PETRONELLA, HENRIKA
Applicants: DEN BERG EWOUD ALPHONSUS VAN, GERWEN MARIA PETRONELLA HENRIK, IMP TOBACCO LTD, NELLE J VAN BV, IMPERIAL TOBACCO LIMITED, VAN DEN BERG, EWOUD, ALPHONSUS, VAN GERWEN, MARIA, PETRONELLA, HENRIKA, VAN NELLE TABAK NEDERLAND B.V.
Application year: 2000
Main classification: A24F23
IPC codes: A24F23, B65D33