Packaging Insert

Abstract

The invention provides a packaging insert containing individually sealed elongate elements, comprising a first web having a series of grooves running parallel to its length and a second web arranged over the grooves of the first web providing a series of parallel individual pockets each shaped to fit and containing a single elongate element, a first end of the individual pockets is sealed, and a second end is temporarily sealed allowing individual access to each pocket containing a single elongate element. The invention also provides a method of preparing the same, and packet containing in it a packaging insert of the invention.

1 . A packaging insert containing individually sealed elongate elements, comprising a first web having a series of parallel grooves and a second web arranged over the grooves of the first web providing a series of parallel individual pockets each shaped to fit and contain a single elongate element, each first end of the individual pockets having a first seal, and each second end having a temporary second seal allowing individual access to each pocket containing a single elongate element. 
     
     
         2 . The packaging insert of  claim 1 , wherein the grooves of the first web have a V-shaped cross section or a U-shaped cross section. 
     
     
         3 . The packaging insert of  claim 1 , wherein the second web has no grooves. 
     
     
         4 . The packaging insert of  claim 1 , wherein the individual pockets have a triangular, circular, semi-circular, or hexagonal cross section. 
     
     
         5 . The packaging insert of  claim 1 , wherein the first web and the second web both have a series of parallel grooves, the webs are arranged so that the grooves of the first web face and align with the grooves of the second web. 
     
     
         6 . The packaging insert of  claim 5 , wherein the first web and the second web have the same shaped cross section. 
     
     
         7 . The packaging insert of  claim 1 , wherein the first web and the second web may both have grooves having a three-sided polygonal shaped cross section, the second web is positioned over the first web so that the grooves of the second web face and align with the grooves of the first web resulting in a series of individual pockets having a hexagonal shaped cross-section each shaped to contain a single elongate element. 
     
     
         8 . The packaging insert of  claim 1 , wherein the grooves of the first web and/or the grooves of the second web are equally spaced along the web. 
     
     
         9 . The packaging insert of  claim 1 , wherein the first web and/or the second web may be made of one material that is impervious to water, moisture, and/or air. 
     
     
         10 . The packaging insert of  claim 1 , wherein the first web and/or the second web comprise a base material and a layer or membrane that is impervious to water, moisture, and/or air. 
     
     
         11 . The packaging insert of  claim 1 , wherein the first end is permanently sealed by the first seal. 
     
     
         12 . The packaging insert of  claim 1 , wherein the temporary second seal comprises perforations arranged so as to allow individual access to each pocket. 
     
     
         13 . The packaging insert of  claim 1 , wherein the first seal and/or the temporary second seal comprises a continuous strip of material positioned over the ends of the individual pockets. 
     
     
         14 . The packaging insert of  claim 1 , wherein the first seal and/or the second seal is formed by an extension of the second web that when folded closes the ends of the individual pockets. 
     
     
         15 . The packaging insert of  claim 1 , wherein the first seal and/or the temporary second seal is the same shape and size as the cross section of each individual pocket. 
     
     
         16 . The packaging insert of  claim 1 , wherein the temporary second seal further comprises a tab. 
     
     
         17 . The packaging insert of  claim 16 , wherein the tab is semi-circular shaped. 
     
     
         18 . The packaging insert of  claim 1 , the packaging insert further comprising an inert gas in each of the individual pockets. 
     
     
         19 . The packaging insert of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate element is a smoking article. 
     
     
         20 . A method of preparing a packaging insert, the method comprises providing a series of parallel individual pockets each shaped to fit and containing a single elongate element, sealing a first end of each pocket with a first seal, and sealing a second end of each pocket with a temporary second seal allowing individual access to each pocket containing a single elongate element. 
     
     
         21 . A packaging insert containing individually sealed smoking articles, comprising a first web having a series of parallel V-shaped or U-shaped grooves, and a second web having no grooves arranged over the grooves of the first web providing a series of parallel individual pockets each shaped to fit and contain a single smoking article, a first end of the individual pockets has a first seal, a second end has a temporary second seal comprising a continuous strip of material arranged over the ends of the individual pockets, the continuous strip comprising perforations arranged to allow individual access to each pocket containing a smoking article. 
     
     
         22 . A packaging insert containing individually sealed smoking articles, comprising a first web having a series of parallel V-shaped or U-shaped grooves, and a second web having no grooves arranged over the grooves of the first web providing a series of parallel individual pockets each shaped to fit and contain a single smoking article, a first end of the individual pockets has a first seal, a second end has a temporary second seal formed by an extension of the second web that when folded covers the ends of the individual pockets creating a seal. 
     
     
         23 . A packaging insert containing individually sealed smoking articles, comprising a first web having a series of parallel V-shaped or U-shaped grooves, and a second web having no grooves arranged over the grooves of the first web providing a series of parallel individual pockets each shaped to fit and contain a single smoking article, each first end of the individual pockets has a first seal, and each second end has a temporary second seal formed by an extension of the second web that when folded covers the ends of the individual pockets creating a seal, each temporary second seal having the same shape and size as the cross section of each individual pocket. 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A packet for elongate elements comprising within it a packaging insert as defined in  claim 1 .