Package for tobacco related articles and method of manufacturing the package

Abstract

 A package for tobacco related articles and method of manufacturing the same is provided. The package comprises at least one compartment (6, 8) for accommodating the tobacco related articles. Furthermore, the package comprises a frame (4) and the at least one compartment is hinged to the frame. The package may be opened and closed by swiveling the compartment around the hinge. The frame (4) surrounds the compartment (6, 8) at least partially, when the package is in a closed state.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a package for tobacco related articles having at least one compartment for accommodating the tobacco related articles. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a package for tobacco related articles.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Tobacco related articles, preferably smoking articles like cigarettes or cigarillos, are often contained in disposable packages having a substantially cuboid or parallelepiped shape. A widespread type of a cigarette package is the hinged lid package. This type of package comprises a front wall and a rear wall and a pair of smaller longitudinal side walls. The walls of the package project substantially perpendicular from a bottom wall and surround a compartment for accommodating the smoking articles. Opposite to the bottom wall, there is an access opening at the top side of the package through which the smoking articles are accessible. The access opening is covered by a lid which is hinged to the rear wall.

[0003] A variety of different packages is known, ranging from soft packs to classical cigarette or cigar boxes. Packages for tobacco related articles which depart from the classical hinged lid design as described above are becoming more and more popular, for example, packages having a plurality of containers or boxes for accommodation of the smoking articles.

[0004] In document WO2010/060829, there is a package having three separate compartments. A common panel holds up the three containers side-by-side. When the package is opened, the panel is arranged at the backside of the containers. The package is foldable along several hinge lines in the backside panel and when the package is fold-up, the panel forms an exterior surface of the package.

[0005] Another multi-compartment package is disclosed in US 5,344,008. This cigarette package comprises a plurality of boxes which are bonded together using a binding member. The binding member fixes the individual boxes like a book jacket or book binder fixes the individual pages of a book.

SUMMARY

[0006] It is an object of the invention to provide an improved package for tobacco related articles and an improved method of manufacturing a package for tobacco related articles.

[0007] In one aspect of the invention, a package comprising at least one compartment for accommodating tobacco related articles is provided. The tobacco related articles may be smoking articles, for example cigarettes or cigars. The package further comprises a frame. In particular, the frame may be a rigid member. It may be manufactured using a synthetic material, for example PP (polypropylene) or ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer). However, any other suitable material may also be used for manufacturing the frame. The at least one compartment is hinged to the frame by a hinge and the package may be opened and closed by swiveling the compartment around the hinge. When the package is in a closed state, the frame at least partially surrounds the compartment.

[0008] The frame may advantageously have the same width as (for example the side walls of) the compartment. However, in other embodiments, the frame may be narrower than (for example the side walls of) the compartment or wider than (for example the side walls of) the compartment.

[0009] Advantageously, the frame serves as a protective member for the package and for the smoking articles which are accommodated in the compartment. The smoking articles inside the package will not be damaged because the frame at least partially surrounds the compartment. A durable package may be provided which keeps its attractive visual appearance even after frequent use for a long period of time.

[0010] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least one compartment comprises a bottom wall, a front wall, a rear wall, a first side wall and a second side wall. The front wall and the rear wall are opposite to each other with respect to an interior of the compartment. Similar, the first side wall and the second side wall are opposite to each other with respect to the interior of the compartment. The compartment may have a substantially parallelepiped or cuboid shape. However, the shape of the compartment is not limited to these shapes. For example, the compartment may be configured to have beveled edges or rounded edges. If the edges are beveled, a cross-section of the compartment may be substantially octagonal.

[0011] There may be an access opening for providing access to the compartment. The access opening can be arranged opposite to the bottom wall. According to this embodiment, the frame at least partially (advantageously completely) covers the access opening in the closed state of the package. In an open state of the package, the frame is swiveled away from the access opening as such that the content of the compartment is accessible. In a preferred embodiment, the frame at least partially (advantageously completely) covers the following walls of the compartment when the package is in a closed state: the bottom wall, the first side wall and the second side wall. The walls (i.e. advantageously those walls previously mentioned) and the access opening may be entirely covered by the frame.

[0012] In another advantageous aspect of the invention, the package comprises a first compartment and a second compartment. The first compartment and the second compartment may each comprise a bottom wall, a front wall, a rear wall, a first side wall and a second side wall. The walls of the compartment may project substantially perpendicular from the bottom wall. The front wall and the rear wall are opposite to each other with respect to an interior of the compartment. Similar, the first side wall and the second side wall are opposite to each other with respect to the interior of the compartment. The front wall and the rear wall are substantially parallel to each other. The first side wall and the second side wall are likewise substantially parallel to each other. The first compartment and the second compartment may have a substantially parallelepiped or cuboid shape. The front wall and the rear wall may be the broad surfaces and the side walls may be the small surfaces of this cuboid. In particular, the side walls are smaller when compared to the front wall and the rear wall and if considered in a plane which is substantially parallel to the bottom wall. Opposite to the bottom wall, the first compartment and the second compartment each comprise an access opening for providing access to the compartment.

[0013] According to an aspect of the invention, there may be a clearance between the first hinge and the second hinge. The clearance may have a width that corresponds to two times the width of the first or second side wall. The clearance may also have a width that corresponds to the sum of the widths of the first and the second compartment.

[0014] The clearance may also be larger than the combined width of the first and the second compartment in order to provide an additional space between the two compartments. This additional space may then be used for accommodating advertisement or other information, for example in form of a folded sheet of paper. Even a small additional compartment or box may be provided between the two compartments. This compartment may contain promotional or other information material.

[0015] The frame may then at least partially (or completely) cover the bottom wall, the first side wall, the second side wall and the access openings of the first compartment and the second compartment, when the package is in a closed state.

[0016] The bottom wall, the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall and/or the second side wall of the first compartment and / or the second compartment may be manufactured from rigid or half-rigid material, for example from card-board or paperboard material.

[0017] Multi-compartment packages according to the prior art often lack durability due to their individual compartments becoming detached from the rest of the package. Furthermore, a provision of several compartments has often resulted in packages being relatively fragile which means that the package quickly becomes worn when it is used.

[0018] The package according to aspects of the invention overcomes these drawbacks. An easy to handle, hard-wearing package is provided. The frame surrounding the first and second compartment serves as a protective member for the package and for the smoking articles. The smoking articles inside the package will not be damaged and the durable package will keep its attractive visual appearance after frequent use for a long period of time.

[0019] Preferably, the frame is manufactured using four substantially flat bars, namely a front bar, a rear bar, a top bar and a bottom bar. The four bars of the frame cover at least partially the side walls, the bottom wall and the access opening of the at least one package. If the package comprises a first compartment and a second compartment, the four bars of the frame will cover at least partially the side walls, the bottom walls and the access openings of the first compartment and the second compartment. The front bar may be configured to cover the first side wall(s) when the package (of both compartments) is in the closed state. The rear bar is configured to cover the second side wall(s) when the package is in the closed state. The top bar is configured to cover the access opening(s) or top side(s) of the at least one compartment (of both compartments) when the package is in the closed state. The bottom bar of the frame is configured to cover the bottom wall(s) of the at least one compartment when the package (when the two compartments) is (are) in the closed state. The coverage of the respective bars of the frame is considered when the package is closed. The coverage applies to a package having a single compartment and to a package having a plurality of compartment. For a package having for example two compartments, the first compartment and the second compartment may be hinged to the rear bar of the frame.

[0020] A width of the top bar may be chosen in that the access opening of the first compartment and the access opening of the second compartment is covered by the top bar, when the package is in the closed state. If the top bar covers the access openings, the compartments may be designed without a lid. The bars of the frame may be configured to have substantially the same width. The frame offers a smooth front side rim and backside rim which may be flush with the front wall of the first compartment and with the front wall of the second compartment. The front wall of the first compartment may be a front side wall of the package and the front wall of the second compartment may be a backside wall of the package, if the package is closed.

[0021] Advantageously, the front bar of the frame comprises at least one recess. In particular, the front bar may comprise a first recess and a second recess, which may be further arranged to be opposite to each other. The front wall of the at least one compartment may comprise a protrusion which preferably serves as a handle for opening the compartment and which projects into the recess. If the package comprises a first compartment and a second compartment, the front wall of the first compartment and / or the front wall of the second compartment may comprise a protrusion which preferably serves as a handle for opening a respective one of the compartments.

[0022] According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the frame comprises a stop which projects into an interior of the frame and which is arranged in that at least a part of the rear wall of the first compartment and / or at least a part of the rear wall of the second compartment abuts the stop, if the package is closed. Preferably, the stop is a rim with projects into the interior of the frame and which is attached to an inner surface of the front bar of the frame. The stop defines a closed position of the first compartment and a closed position of the second compartment.

[0023] Preferably, the front wall of the first compartment and the front wall of the second compartment form part of an interconnecting panel which further comprises an intermediate wall. The intermediate part is connected to the front wall of the first compartment and to the front wall of the second compartment. The hinges may be formed by folding lines in the interconnecting panel. In particular, there may be a first folding line providing the first hinge between the front wall of the first compartment and the intermediate wall. A second folding line for providing the second hinge may be arranged between the front wall of the second compartment and the intermediate wall. The interconnecting panel may be manufactured from a rigid or half rigid material, for example from card-board or paperboard material.

[0024] According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the intermediate wall of the interconnecting panel is fixed to the frame. In particular, the intermediate wall may be fixed to an inner surface of the rear bar of the frame.

[0025] According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first hinge is arranged along an edge which is between the front wall and the first or second side wall of the first compartment. The second hinge is preferably arranged along an edge which is between the front wall and the first or a second side wall of the second compartment. The hinges are arranged at / or in close proximity to the edges of the package.

[0026] According to another embodiment of the invention, the rear wall of the first compartment and the rear wall of the second compartment face each other, if the package is closed. Accordingly, the front wall of the first compartment is a front side wall of the package and the front wall of the second compartment is a backside wall of the package.

[0027] According to another aspect of the invention, a method of manufacturing a package for tobacco related articles is provided. A package is manufactured comprising a first compartment and a second compartment for accommodating the tobacco related articles. A front wall of the first compartment and a front wall of the second compartment form part of an interconnecting panel. This panel further comprises an intermediate wall which interconnects the front wall of the first compartment and the front wall of the second compartment. The intermediate wall is fixed to a frame. In particular, the frame comprises four bars and the intermediate wall is connected to in inner side of one of the four bars. An inner side is a side which faces an interior of the frame. By connecting the intermediate wall to the frame, a hinged connection between the first compartment and the frame and the second compartment and the frame may be provided. The package may be opened and closed by swiveling the first compartment around the first hinge and by swiveling the second compartment around the second hinge.

[0028] Advantageously, the frame, on the one hand, and the first and the second compartment together with the interconnecting wall, on the other hand, may be manufactured separately. This is advantageous because the two parts may be manufactured using different materials. The frame may be manufactured from a synthetic material. The first and the second compartment may be manufactured using a card-board or paperboard material. The two pre-fabricated parts are joined in a subsequent production step. For instance, the frame and the intermediate wall are fixed using a suitable adhesive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0029] Further aspects and characteristics of the invention ensue from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein

FIG. 1 is a simplified perspective view of a package having two compartments, according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein the package is in an opened state,

FIG. 2 is a simplified perspective view of the package of FIG. 1 showing the package in a closed state,

FIG. 3 is a simplified front side view of this package,

FIG. 4 is a simplified side view of this package,

FIG. 5 is a simplified top side view of this package,

FIG. 6 is a simplified view showing the package of FIG. 1 from its back side, wherein one of the compartments is opened,

FIG. 7 is a simplified perspective view of a first and a second compartment which are connected by an intermediate wall for manufacturing a package according to another embodiment of the invention,

FIG.8 is a simplified perspective view of a package having a single compartment according to another embodiment of the invention, wherein the package is in an opened state, and

FIG. 9 is a set of panels for covering a package according to embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0030] In FIG. 1, there is a simplified perspective view of a package 2 for tobacco related articles, according to a first embodiment of the invention. The package 2 comprises a frame 4, a first compartment 6 and a second compartment 8. The compartments 6, 8 are for accommodating tobacco related articles, in particular for accommodating cigarettes 10.

[0031] The first compartment 6 is hinged to the frame 4 by a first hinge H1. The second compartment 8 is hinged to the frame 4 via a second hinge H2. The package 2 may be opened and closed by swiveling the first compartment 6 around the first hinge H1 and / or by swiveling the second compartment 8 around the second hinge H2. The two compartments 6 and 8 may be opened and closed separately to provide access to either one of the first compartment 6 and the second compartment 8.

[0032] The first compartment 6 and the second compartment 8 each comprise a front wall F1, F2, a rear wall R1, R2, a first side wall S1, S2, a second side wall S3, S4 and a bottom wall B1, B2. The front walls F1, F2 and the rear walls R1, R2 are opposite to each other with respect to an interior of either one of the compartments 6 and 8 which accommodate the tobacco related articles. Similar, the side walls S1..S4 are arranged opposite to each other with respect to the compartments 6, 8. The front walls F1, F2, the rear walls R1, R2, the first side walls S1, S2 and the second side walls S3, S4 project substantially perpendicular to the bottom walls B1, B2. Opposite to the bottom walls B1, B2, each compartment 6, 8 comprises an access opening 12 for providing access to the interior of the first compartment 6 and the second compartment 8, respectively.

[0033] According to the embodiment, the first hinge H1 and the second hinge H2 are substantially parallel to each other and there is a clearance 14 between the hinges H1 and H2.

[0034] The frame 4 comprises four substantially flat bars: a front bar 16, a rear bar 18, a top bar 20 and a bottom bar 22. The front bar 16 covers the first side walls S1, S2, the rear bar 18 covers the second side walls S3, S4, the top bar 20 covers the access openings 12 and the bottom bar 22 covers the bottom walls B1, B2.

[0035] According to the embodiment, the clearance 14 has a width that (substantially) corresponds to the combined widths of the second side walls S3 and S4. However, the clearance 14 may be greater than the combined widths of the second side walls S3 and S4 so as to provide a package 2 having a desired thickness.

[0036] The clearance 14 may also be larger than the combined width of the first and the second compartment in order to provide an additional space between the two compartments. This additional space may then be used for accommodating advertisement or other information, for example in form of a folded sheet of paper. Even a small additional compartment or box may be provided between the two compartments. This compartment may contain promotional or other information material.

[0037] In FIG. 2, which is another simplified perspective view, the package 2 is closed. The front wall F1 of the first compartment 6 is a front side wall of the package 2. Similar, a front wall F2 of the second compartment 8 is a rear side wall of the package 2.

[0038] There is a first recess 24 and a second recess 26 in the front bar 16. The recesses 24, 26 are arranged opposite to each other. The first recess 24 is for accommodating a first protrusion 28 of the front wall F1 of the first compartment 6. This first protrusion 28 serves as a handle to facilitate opening of the first compartment 6 by swiveling the compartment 6 around the first hinge H1. The front wall F2 of the second compartment 8 comprises a similar protrusion 29, which is accommodated in the second recess 26, when the second compartment 8 is in a closed state. The second protrusion 29 is to facilitate swiveling the second compartment 8 around the second hinge H2.

[0039] The first hinge H1 is arranged along an edge of the first compartment 6 which is between the front side F1 of the first compartment 6, which is the front side wall of the package 2, and the second side wall S3 of the first compartment 6. The second hinge H2 is arranged along the front wall F2 of the second compartment 8 (which is the backside wall of the package 2) and the second side wall S4 of the second compartment 8.

[0040] A front side rim 31 and a backside rim of the frame 4 may be provided with a bevel 30. The front side rim 31, which is adjacent to the front side wall of the package 2, may be flush with the front side of the package 2. Similar, the backside rim may be flush with the backside wall of the package 2.

[0041] A width 32 of the top bar 20 may be chosen in that the access openings 12 of the first compartment 6 and the second compartment 8 are covered and / or sealed by the top bar 20, when the package 2 is in its closed state. Furthermore, the width 32 of the top bar 20 defines the clearance 14 between the first hinge H1 and the second hinge H2. In particular, the four bars16..22 of the frame 4 may have an equal width, which may be for example the width 32 of the top side bar 20.

[0042] FIG. 3 is a simplified front side view of the package 2 according to the embodiment of FIGs. 1 and 2. In particular, the package 2 may have a length L which is between 50 mm and 150 mm. Furthermore, the length L may be between 80 mm and 110 mm, in particular, the length L may be approx. 90 mm. A height H of the package 2 may be of a similar dimension, which means, the value of the height H is between 50 mm and 150 mm, in particular between 80 mm and 110 mm and may be approx. 90 mm. A width W of the package 2 (see FIG. 4) may be between 10 mm and 20 mm. The width W may correspond to the width of the clearance 14 between the first hinge H1 and second hinge H2. This means that the width W corresponds to the combined widths of the second side walls S3 and S4 of the first and the second compartment 6, 8. A width WB of the bevel 30 may be about 1 mm to 5 mm. The frame 4 may be manufactured from a synthetic material, for example from PP or ABS. The first compartment 6 and the second compartment 8, to be more precise, the walls F1, F2, R1, R2, S1..S4 and the bottom B1, B2 of the compartments 6, 8, may be manufactured from card-board or paperboard material. The dimensions and materials are advantageously applicable to all embodiments of the invention.

[0043] In FIG. 4 there is a simplified front side view of the package 2 according to the embodiment and in FIG. 5 there is a simplified top side view of this package 2. In bother figures, the package 2 is in a closed state.

[0044] FIG. 6 is a simplified view showing a package 2, according to an embodiment of the invention. The package 2 comprises two compartments 6, 8, wherein the second compartment 8 is opened. For opening the second compartment 8, it has been swiveled around the second hinge H2. When the package 2 is closed, the rear wall R2 of the second compartment 8 faces the rear wall R1 of the first compartment 6. Furthermore, the rear walls R1, R2 abut a stop 34, when the compartments 6, 8 are in their closed position. The stop 34 projects into an interior of the frame 4 by a width WS, which may be between 3 mm an 10 mm. The stop 34 may be a rim which is injection molded together with the frame 4 and which substantially projects perpendicular from the front bar 16.

[0045] The stop 34 defines the closed position of the first compartment 6 and the closed position of the second compartment 8. A sum of the width of the first compartment 6 and the width of the second compartment 8 (which is determined in the direction of the width W of the package 2; see FIG. 4) and a material strength of the rim (which is considered in the direction), may be configured in that the front wall F1 of the first compartment 6 and the front wall F2 of the second compartment 8 are flush with the rims of the frame 4.

[0046] The four bars of the frame 4, namely the front bar 16, the rear bar 18, the top bar 20 and the bottom bar 22 may comprise bevels 30 adjacent to the outer rim of the frame 4. Further, the frame 4 may be reinforced in that, the four bars 16, 18, 20, 22 are connected by reinforcement members 36. These members 36 project into the interior of the frame 4 and connect adjacent bars 16..22. The reinforcement members 36 are particularly useful for taking up sheer forces which are applied to the frame 4.

[0047] In FIG. 7, there is another simplified perspective view showing a prefabricated part of the package 2, according to an embodiment of the invention. There is the first compartment 6 and the second compartment 8, wherein the front wall F1 of the first compartment 6 and the front wall F2 of the second compartment 8 form part of an interconnecting panel 40. The interconnecting panel 40 further comprises an intermediate wall 42 which connects the front wall F1 of the first compartment 6 and the front wall F2 of the second compartment 8. The interconnecting panel 40 is an integral part comprising the front walls F1, F2 and the intermediate wall 42. The first compartment 6 and the second compartment 8 may be prefabricated members which are subsequently attached to the interconnecting panel 40. This may be advantageous with respect to manufacture of the package 2.

[0048] Furthermore, the interconnecting panel 40 may be manufactured from a first part comprising the first compartment 6 and a second part comprising the second compartment 8. A front side wall F1 of this first compartment 6 may extend over the compartment 6 so as to provide at least a part of the intermediate wall 42. Similar, the front side wall F2 of this second compartment 8 may extend over the compartment 8 so as to provide at least a part of the intermediate wall 42. If both, the first part and the second part each provide an intermediate wall 42, these two intermediate walls 42 may be arranged so as to overlap. This will result in the member which is depicted in FIG. 7. However, the intermediate wall 42 is a double wall, according to this embodiment of the invention. Advantageously, the first part and the second part may be manufactured separately.

[0049] The first and second hinge H1, H2 are provided by folding lines in the interconnecting panel 40. For example, the interconnecting panel 40 may be manufactured from card-board or paperboard material.

[0050] For manufacture of the package 2 according to embodiments of the invention, a backside surface 44 of the intermediate wall 42 may be fixed to an inner surface of the rear bar 18 of the frame 4. An inner surface of the rear bar 18 is a surface facing the interior of the frame 4. The intermediate wall 42 may be fixed to the rear bar 18 using a suitable adhesive.

[0051] Furthermore, the rear wall R1 of the first compartment 6 and the rear wall R2 of the second compartment 8 may be provided with fixing members 46 for fixing the first compartment 6 and the second compartment 8 in their closed position. For example, the fixing members 46 may be antagonistic magnets which apply an attractive force on each other if the package 2 is closed. The fixing members 46 may be opposite parts of a hook-and-loop fastener (velcro strap) or dots of a releasable adhesive.

[0052] FIG. 8 is a simplified perspective view showing a package 2 according to another embodiment of the invention. The package 2 may be configured similar to the package 2 according to the embodiments in FIGs. 1 to 7, however, the package 2 comprises a single compartment 70 which is hinged to the frame 4 via a hinge H. For opening and closing the package 2, the compartment 70 is swiveled around the hinge H. The compartment 70 comprises a front wall F7 and a rear wall R7 which are substantially parallel to each other and which project substantially perpendicular from a bottom wall B7. The front wall F7 and a rear wall R7 are opposite to each other with respect to an interior of the compartment 70. Similar, a first side wall S7 and a second side wall S8 are substantially parallel to each other and project substantially perpendicular from the bottom wall B7. The side walls S7, S8 are opposite to each other with respect to the interior space of the compartment 70.

[0053] The frame 4 comprises four substantially flat bars: a front bar 16, a rear bar 18, a top bar 20 and a bottom bar 22. The front bar 16 covers the first side wall S7, the rear bar 18 covers the second side wall S8, the top bar 20 covers an access opening 12 and the bottom bar 22 covers the bottom wall B7. The access opening is for accessing the tobacco related articles, for example cigarettes 10, which are arranged in the compartment 70. A width W of the frame 4 may be similar or equal to a width W7 of the compartment 70. In other words, a width of the side walls S7, S8 of the compartment 70, which is equal to the width W7 of the compartment 70, is similar or equal to a width of the bars 16..22 of the frame 4. The top bar 20 may be arranged to seal or close the access opening 12 of the compartment 70, when the package 2 is in the closed state. In this closed state, the rear wall R7 of the compartment 70 is a front wall of the package 2, the front wall F7 of the compartment 70 is a rear wall of the package 2. Similar to the package 2 in FIGs. 1 to 7, the frame 4 of the package in FIG. 8 may have a recess 72. There is a single compartment 70, accordingly, the frame 4 comprises a single recess 72. The front wall F7 of the compartment 70 may have a protrusion (not shown) which is accommodated in the recess 72, when the package 2 is in a closed state, and which facilitates opening of the compartment 70.

[0054] However, the frame 4 may be configured to have a separate front wall (not shown) for closing a side or aperture of the frame 4. Through this aperture, the rear wall R7 of the compartment 70 is visible in the embodiment of FIG. 8. This will be not the case, when the frame is provided with the separate front wall.

[0055] In FIG. 9, there is a set 50 of panels which may be applied to the outer surface of the package 2 in FIGs. 1 to 7. The set 50 comprises a front panel 52 which is for covering the front side F1 of the first compartment 6, a backside panel 54 which is for covering a front side F2 of the second compartment 8 (which is the backside wall of the package 2) and for side panels 56, 58, 60, 62. The side panels 56..62 comprise a backside panel 56 which is for covering an outer surface of the rear bar 18. A front side panel 58 is for covering an outer surface of the front bar 16 of the frame 4. The top panel 60 is for covering an outer surface of the top bar 20 and the bottom panel 62 for covering an outer surface of the bottom bar 22 of the frame 4. Furthermore, the set 50 of panels may be applied to a package 2 according to the embodiment in FIG. 8. For the package 2, the front panel 52 covers the rear side R7 of the compartment 6 and the backside panel 54 covers the front side F7. The side panels 56, 58, 60, 62 are for covering the frame 4 as mentioned before.

[0056] The panels 54..60 may be provided with riffles or an embossing so as to provide the package 2 with an appealing design. The panels 54..60 are fixed to the respective outer surfaces of the package 2 using a suitable adhesive.

[0057] Although the invention has been described hereinabove with reference to specific embodiments, it is not limited to these embodiments and no doubt further alternatives will occur to the skilled person that lie within the scope of the invention as claimed.

Claims

1. A package for tobacco related articles comprising at least one compartment for accommodating the tobacco related articles, wherein the package further comprises a frame and the compartment is hinged to the frame by a hinge, and the package may be opened and closed by swiveling the compartment around the hinge, wherein the compartment is at least partially surrounded by the frame when the package is in a closed state.

2. The package according to claim 1, wherein the at least one compartment comprises a bottom wall, a front wall, a rear wall, a first side wall and a second side wall, wherein the front wall and the rear wall are opposite to each other with respect to an interior of the compartment and the first side wall and the second side wall are opposite to each other with respect to the interior of the compartment, and wherein an access opening for providing access to the compartment is arranged opposite to the bottom wall, and wherein the frame at least partially covers the bottom wall, the first side wall, the second side wall and the access opening of the at least one compartment, when the package is in a closed state.

3. The package according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a first compartment and a second compartment for accommodating the tobacco related articles and the first compartment is hinged to the frame by a first hinge and the second compartment is hinged to the frame by a second hinge, wherein the package may be opened and closed by swiveling the first compartment around the first hinge and by swiveling the second compartment around the second hinge, wherein the first hinge and the second hinge are separate, preferably substantially parallel to each other and further preferably, there is a clearance between the first hinge and the second hinge, wherein the first compartment and the second compartment are at least partially surrounded by the frame, when the package is in a closed state.

4. The package according to claim 3, wherein a front wall of the first compartment and a front wall of the second compartment form part of an interconnecting panel which further comprises an intermediate wall, wherein the intermediate wall is fixed to the frame for connecting the front wall of the first compartment and the front wall of the second compartment to the frame.

5. The package according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the first hinge is arranged along an edge which is arranged between the front wall and the first side wall or the second side wall of the first compartment and the second hinge is arranged along an edge which is arranged between the front wall and the first side wall or the second side wall of the second compartment.

6. The package according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame is manufactured using four substantially flat bars, namely a front bar, a rear bar, a top bar and a bottom bar, and wherein the front bar at least partially covers the first side wall, the rear bar at least partially covers the second side wall, the top bar at least partially covers the access opening and the bottom bar at least partially covers the bottom wall of the at least one compartment, when the package is in a closed state.

7. The package according to claim 6, wherein the front bar of the frame comprises at least one recess and the front wall of the at least one compartment comprises a protrusion which projects into the recess.

8. The package according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the frame comprises a stop which projects into an interior of the frame, wherein at least a part of the rear wall of the at least one compartment abuts the stop, when the package is in a closed state.

9. The package according to anyone of claims 2 to 8, wherein the rear wall of the first compartment and the rear wall of the second compartment face each other if the package is closed and the front wall of the first compartment forms a frontside wall of the package and the front wall of the second compartment forms a back-side wall of the package.

10. A method of manufacturing a package for tobacco related articles, the package comprising a first compartment and a second compartment for accommodating the tobacco related articles, wherein a front wall of the first compartment and a front wall of the second compartment form part of an interconnecting panel which further comprises an intermediate wall, the method comprising the step of fixing the intermediate wall to a frame so as to provide a hinged connection between the first compartment and the frame and the second compartment and the frame, wherein the package may be opened and closed by swiveling the first compartment around the first hinge and by swiveling the second compartment around the second hinge.

Drawing