Resealable container having tactile elements

Abstract

The present invention relates to a resealable package ( 106 ) for consumer goods. The package ( 106 ) has an access opening ( 114 ) through which consumer goods can be removed, and an adhesive label ( 108 ) covering the access opening of the package and extending beyond the periphery of the access opening of the package. The adhesive label ( 108 ) is at least partially releasably affixed to the package by a resealable adhesive provided on the inner surface of the label extending about at least a sealing portion of the package located at the periphery of the access opening ( 114 ). At least the sealing portion of the package is provided with a plurality of formations ( 116 ), the plurality of formations being adapted to reduce the effective area of the sealing portion. A hinge lid container ( 100 ) is also provided that comprises a box ( 102 ) having such a resealable package ( 106 ), and a lid ( 104 ) hinged to the box along a hinge line extending across a rear wall of the container.

1 . A resealable container for consumer goods comprising:
 a package for containing consumer goods, the package having an access opening through which consumer goods can be removed; and   an adhesive label covering the access opening of the package and extending beyond the periphery of the access opening of the package, the adhesive label is at least partially releasably affixed to the package by a resealable adhesive provided on the inner surface of the label extending about at least a sealing portion of the package located at the periphery of the access opening,   wherein, at least the sealing portion of the package is provided with a plurality of formations provided in a continuous repeating pattern and in spaced apart rows, the plurality of formations being adapted to reduce the effective area of the sealing portion, and wherein the formations are embossed or debossed into the package.   
     
     
         2 . A resealable container according to  claim 1 , wherein the rows are substantially linear. 
     
     
         3 . A resealable container according to  claim 1 , wherein the rows are substantially non-linear. 
     
     
         4 . A resealable container according to  claim 1 , wherein the rows are parallel to the direction the adhesive label is peeled from the package. 
     
     
         5 . A resealable container according to  claim 1 , wherein the rows are perpendicular to the direction the adhesive label is peeled from the package. 
     
     
         6 . A resealable container according to  claim 1 , wherein the formations reduce said effective area by at least about 10 percent. 
     
     
         7 . A resealable container according to  claim 1 , wherein the shape of each formation is rectangular, triangular or circular. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A resealable container according to  claim 1 , wherein the formations are printed on the package. 
     
     
         10 . A resealable container according to  claim 1 , wherein substantially the entire package is provided with the plurality of formations. 
     
     
         11 . A resealable container according to  claim 1 , wherein the consumer goods are smoking articles. 
     
     
         12 . A hinge lid container for consumer goods, comprising:
 a box,   a lid hinged to the box along a hinge line extending across a rear wall of the hinged lid container and a resealable container for consumer goods, the resealable container received within the box and comprising:   a package for containing consumer goods, the package having an access opening through which consumer goods can be removed; and   an adhesive label covering the access opening of the package and extending beyond the periphery of the access opening of the package, the adhesive label is at least partially releasably affixed to the package by a resealable adhesive provided on the inner surface of the label extending about at least a sealing portion of the package located at the periphery of the access opening,   wherein, at least the sealing portion of the package is provided with a plurality of formations provided in a continuous repeating pattern and in spaced apart rows, the plurality of formations being adapted to reduce the effective area of the sealing portion, and   wherein the adhesive label is permanently affixed to the inner surface of the front wall of the lid such that upon opening the lid the adhesive label is peeled away to reveal the access opening.   
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A hinge lid container according to  claim 12 , wherein the formations are embossed or debossed into the package. 
     
     
         15 . A hinge lid container according to  claim 12 , wherein the adhesive label forms a convex shape when the lid is moved into an open position. 
     
     
         16 . A hinge lid container according to  claim 12 , wherein the formations reduce said effective area by at least about 10 percent. 
     
     
         17 . A hinge lid container according to  claim 12 , wherein the consumer goods are smoking articles. 
     
     
         18 . A resealable container according to  claim 2 , wherein the rows are parallel to the direction the adhesive label is peeled from the package 
     
     
         19 . A resealable container according to  claim 3 , wherein the rows are parallel to the direction the adhesive label is peeled from the package 
     
     
         20 . A resealable container according to  claim 2 , wherein the rows are perpendicular to the direction the adhesive label is peeled from the package. 
     
     
         21 . A resealable container according to  claim 3 , wherein the rows are perpendicular to the direction the adhesive label is peeled from the package. 
     
     
         22 . A resealable container according to  claim 1 , wherein the formations reduce said effective area by at least about 17 percent.