Composite Packaging System For Particulate Smokable Product

Abstract

A composite packaging system for particulate smokable product comprises an aggregate of particulate smokable product, a bag element of organic polymeric film, an envelope element of metallized organic polymeric film, and at least one externally viewable image disposed on the envelope element. The bag element includes a distribution zone within which the aggregate is generally evenly distributed along an elongated profile. The bag element is rolled about its distribution zone, and along with the aggregate, is snugly retained within a hermetically sealed cavity of the envelope element. What results is a packaging system which is compact, lightweight, attractive and low-cost, yet capable of maintaining the freshness and flocculence of the smokable product throughout shipment, retail display and consumer handling of the packaged product.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composite packaging system for particulate smokable product, said composite packaging system comprising:
 (a) an aggregate of particulate smokable product, said aggregate being generally flocculent;   (b) a wrapping being substantially comprised of organic polymeric film, said wrapping being in wrapping engagement with said aggregate;   (c) an envelope element substantially comprised of metallized organic polymeric film, said envelope element having a hermetically sealed cavity therewithin, said aggregate and wrapping being snugly retained within said hermetically sealed cavity; and   (d) an externally viewable image disposed on said envelope element.   
     
     
         2 . A composite packaging system for particulate smokable product as defined in  claim 1  in which said envelope element is comprised of a first side sheet and a second side sheet, said first side sheet and said second side sheet being sealingly adjoined generally at their respective peripheries thereby forming said hermetically sealed cavity. 
     
     
         3 . A composite packaging system for particulate smokable product as defined in  claim 1  in which said wrapping is a bag element, said bag element having a mouth portion, a floor portion, a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge, and a distribution zone, said distribution zone being generally adjacent said floor portion and extending from generally said first lateral edge toward said second lateral edge, said aggregate being approximately evenly distributed within said distribution zone, said bag element being in a rolled configuration whereby said bag element is rolled multiple times about said distribution zone. 
     
     
         4 . A composite packaging system for particulate smokable product as defined in  claim 3  in which said bag element further has an outer surface and an adhesive strip, said adhesive strip being disposed on said outer surface at a location proximate said mouth portion and contacting said outer surface at an additional location, thereby releasably securing said bag element in said rolled configuration. 
     
     
         5 . A composite packaging system for particulate smokable product as defined in  claim 1  in which said aggregate weighs between approximately 1.5 and 2.5 grams. 
     
     
         6 . A composite packaging system for particulate smokable product as defined in  claim 1  in which said aggregate has an aggregate length and an aggregate width, the aspect ratio between said aggregate length and said aggregate width being greater than approximately 5. 
     
     
         7 . A composite packaging system for particulate smokable product as defined in  claim 1  in which said aggregate has an aggregate length of less than approximately 5.5 inches and an aggregate width of less than approximately 1 inch. 
     
     
         8 . A composite packaging system for particulate smokable product as defined in  claim 1  in which said envelope has an envelope length, an envelope width and an envelope thickness, the aspect ratio between said envelope width and said envelope thickness being greater than approximately 3, the aspect ratio between said envelope length and said envelope width being greater than approximately 2.5. 
     
     
         9 . A composite packaging system for particulate smokable product as defined in  claim 1  in which said envelope has an envelope length of less than approximately 6.5 inches, an envelope width of less than approximately 2.25 inches, and an envelope thickness of less than approximately 0.65 inches. 
     
     
         10 . A composite packaging system for particulate smokable product as defined in  claim 1  in which said envelope includes a pouch portion with a proximal end and a tear-away portion thereat, said tear-away portion being at least partially separable from said pouch portion by way of lateral tearing from a first edge notch toward a second edge notch. 
     
     
         11 . A composite packaging system for particulate smokable product as defined in  claim 1  in which said smokable product is comprised substantially of smokable tobacco, smokable non-tobacco herb, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         12 . A composite packaging system for particulate smokable product, said packaging system comprising:
 (a) an aggregate of particulate smokable product, said aggregate being generally flocculent and weighing between approximately 1.5 and 2.5 grams, said aggregate having an aggregate length and an aggregate width, the aspect ratio between said aggregate length and said aggregate width being greater than approximately 5;   (b) a bag element being substantially comprised of organic polymeric film, said bag element having a mouth portion, a floor portion, a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge and a distribution zone generally adjacent said floor portion and extending generally from said first lateral edge toward said second lateral edge, said aggregate being approximately evenly distributed within said distribution zone, said bag element being in a rolled configuration whereby said bag element is rolled multiple times about said distribution zone;   (c) an envelope element substantially comprised of metallized organic polymeric film and having a first side sheet and a second side sheet, said first side sheet and said second side sheet being sealingly adjoined generally at their respective peripheries thereby forming a hermetically sealed cavity within said envelope element, said aggregate and bag element being snugly retained within said hermetically sealed cavity; and   (d) an externally viewable image disposed on said envelope element.   
     
     
         13 . A composite packaging system for particulate smokable product as defined in  claim 12  in which said bag element further has an outer surface and an adhesive strip, said adhesive strip being disposed on said outer surface at a location proximate said mouth portion and contacting said outer surface at an additional location, thereby releasably securing said bag element in said rolled configuration. 
     
     
         14 . A composite packaging system for particulate smokable product as defined in  claim 12  in which said envelope has an envelope length, an envelope width and an envelope thickness, the aspect ratio between said envelope width and said envelope thickness being greater than 3, the aspect ratio between said envelope length and said envelope width being greater than 2.5. 
     
     
         15 . A composite packaging system for particulate smokable product as defined in  claim 12  in which said envelope has an envelope length of less than 6.5 inches, an envelope width of less than 2.25 inches, and an envelope thickness of less than 0.65 inches. 
     
     
         16 . A composite packaging system for particulate smokable product as defined in  claim 12  in which said envelope includes a pouch portion with a proximal end and a tear-away portion thereat, said tear-away portion being at least partially separable from said pouch portion by way of lateral tearing from a first edge notch toward a second edge notch. 
     
     
         17 . A composite packaging system for particulate smokable product, said packaging system comprising:
 (a) an aggregate of particulate smokable product comprised substantially of smokable non-tobacco herb, said aggregate being generally flocculent and weighing between approximately 1.5 and 2.5 grams, said aggregate having an aggregate length of less than approximately 5.5 inches and an aggregate width of less than approximately 1 inch;   (b) a bag element being substantially comprised of organic polymeric film, said bag element having a mouth portion, a floor portion, a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge and a distribution zone generally adjacent said floor portion and extending generally from said first lateral edge toward said second lateral edge, said aggregate being approximately evenly distributed within said distribution zone, said bag element being in a rolled configuration whereby said bag element is rolled multiple times about said distribution zone, said bag element further having an outer surface and an adhesive strip, said adhesive strip being disposed on said outer surface at a location proximate said mouth portion and contacting said outer surface at an additional location, thereby releasably securing said bag element in said rolled configuration.   (c) an envelope element substantially comprised of metallized organic polymeric film and having a first side sheet and a second side sheet, said first side sheet and said second side sheet being sealingly adjoined generally at their respective peripheries thereby forming a hermetically sealed cavity within said envelope element, said aggregate and bag element being snugly retained within said hermetically sealed cavity, said envelope having an envelope length of less than 6.5 inches, an envelope width of less than 2.25 inches, and an envelope thickness of less than 0.65 inches; and   (d) an externally viewable image disposed on said envelope element.   
     
     
         18 . A composite packaging system for particulate smokable product as defined in  claim 17  in which said envelope includes a pouch portion with a proximal end and a tear-away portion thereat, said tear-away portion being at least partially separable from said pouch portion by way of lateral tearing from a first edge notch toward a second edge notch. 
     
     
         19 . A composite packaging system for particulate smokable product as defined in  claim 17  in which said metallized organic polymeric film is metallized polyester film. 
     
     
         20 . A composite packaging system for particulate smokable product as defined in  claim 17  in which said first side sheet and said second side sheet are each comprised of a layer of PET, a layer of metal foil and a layer of LLDPE.