Rigid package, particularly for cigarettes

Abstract

 A rigid wrapping (1) for a number of packets (2), in particular packets of cigarettes, presenting a cup-shaped container (4) and lid (6) connected to each other by a hinge (19), and a collar (23) projecting outwards from the open end (5) of the container (4); the container (4) presenting a front wall (7) connected at one end to the front wall (11) of the lid (6) along a precut line (48), and at the other end to a tab (40); and a T-shaped appendix (54) being connected to the intermediate portion of a free edge (55) of the tab (40), and being folded on to the front wall (7) of the container (4) to define the collar (23).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a rigid wrapping for a number of packets, particularly packets of cigarettes.

[0002] In the following description, specific reference is made purely by way of example to a rigid wrapping for a number of packets of cigarettes.

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a wrapping which is not only strong and ensures effective protection of the packets inside, but which, once opened, may also be used to advantage as a container for the unused packets.

[0004] According to the present invention, there is provided a rigid wrapping for packets, particularly packets of cigarettes, the wrapping comprising a cup-shaped container and lid, and a collar projecting from the open end of the container; the lid and container presenting respective rear walls connected by a hinge, and respective front walls in turn presenting respective mating edges preferably defined by a precut line; characterized in that it comprises a tab connected to the edge of the front wall of the container opposite the edge facing the lid; and an appendix connected to an intermediate portion of a free edge of said tab and comprising said collar; said appendix being folded on to the inner surface of said tab and the front wall of the container, to position said collar in relation to the front wall of the container.

[0005] A non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1 and 2 show a preferred embodiment of the wrapping according to the present invention, in the closed and open position respectively;

Figure 3 shows a spread-out view of the blank of the Figure 1 and 2 wrapping;

Figure 4 shows a partially folded view of the Figure 3 blank.

[0006] Number 1 in Figures 1 and 2 indicates a wrapping in the form of a rectangular parallelepipedon, for housing a group of packets 2 of cigarettes arranged in two rows 3, each comprising five side by side packets 2. Wrapping 1 comprises a cup-shaped bottom container 4 with an open top end 5; and a cup-shaped top lid 6 hinged to container 4 so as to rotate between an open position (Figure 2) and a closed position (Figure 1) closing end 5.

[0007] Container 4 presents a front wall 7 and a rear wall 8 facing and parallel to each other; two lateral walls 9 parallel to each other and perpendicular to walls 7 and 8; and a bottom wall 10 perpendicular to walls 7, 8 and 9.

[0008] Lid 6 presents a front wall 11 and a rear wall 12 facing and parallel to each other; two lateral walls 13 parallel to each other and perpendicular to walls 11 and 12; and an end wall 14 perpendicular to walls 11, 12 and 13. Walls 11, 13 and wall 12 present respective free edges 15 and 16 respectively facing the free edge 17 of walls 7, 9 and edge 18 of wall 8; edge 15 is complementary in shape to that of edge 17; and edge 16 is integral with edge 18 with which it defines a hinge 19 for rotating lid 6, in relation to container 4, between said open and closed positions. Walls 7 and 11 together define the front wall 20 of wrapping 1; walls 8 and 12 together define the rear wall 21 of wrapping 1; and each wall 9 and corresponding wall 13 together define a lateral wall 22 of wrapping 1.

[0009] Wrapping 1 also comprises a U-shaped inner element or collar 23 projecting partially outwards of end 5 and in turn comprising a central wall 24; which wall 24 presents a central recess 25 facing lid 6 and defining, on wall 24, a low central portion 26, and two lateral wings 27 extending towards lid 6. Wall 24 is connected to the inner surface of wall 7; presents part of portion 26 and wings 27 projecting from wall 7; and is connected to two lateral walls 28 contacting the inner surface of respective walls 9 from which they project partially towards lid 6.

[0010] As shown in Figure 3, wrapping 1 is formed, by way of example, from a substantially rectangular blank 29 of cardboard or similar, the parts of which, wherever possible, are indicated using the same reference numbers (plus ' or '') as for the corresponding parts of wrapping 1.

[0011] As shown in Figure 3, blank 29 presents a number of preformed longitudinal bend lines 30, 31, 32, 33, and two preformed transverse bend lines 34, 35.

[0012] Lines 30 and 31 define, between them and between lines 34 and 35, a panel 20'; lines 32 and 33 define, between them and between lines 34 and 35, a panel 21'; line 30 defines, between lines 34 and 35, a panel 22'; lines 31 and 32 define, between them and lines 34 and 35, a panel 22''; and line 33 defines a transverse tab 36.

[0013] Lines 34 and 35 also define two longitudinal tabs 37 and 38 projecting from opposite longitudinal ends of panel 22'; two longitudinal tabs 39 and 40 projecting from opposite longitudinal ends of panel 20'; two longitudinal tabs 41 and 42 projecting from opposite longitudinal ends of panel 22''; and two longitudinal tabs 43 and 44 projecting from opposite longitudinal ends of panel 21'.

[0014] Blank 29 also presents a further transverse line indicated as a whole by 45, located between lines 34 and 35, and comprising a preformed bend portion 19' extending, parallel to lines 34, 35, across panel 21' and defining hinge 19; and two precut portions 46 and 47, the first extending across panels 22', 20' and 22'', and the second extending across tab 36. More specifically, portion 46 comprises an intermediate portion 48 parallel to lines 34, 35 and extending across panel 20'; and two oblique, oppositely-inclined end portions 49 and 50 extending respectively across panels 22' and 22''. Line 45 divides panel 22' into two panels 9' and 13'; panel 20' into two panels 7' and 11'; panel 22'' into two panels 9'' and 13''; panel 21' into two panels 8' and 12'; and tab 36 into two tabs 51 and 52.

[0015] From the central portion of the free edge of tab 40, there extends outwards, perpendicular to line 35, the core 53 of a substantially T-shaped appendix 54 connected to tab 40 along a preformed bend line 55 parallel to line 35. Core 53 presents a preformed transverse bend line 56 parallel to line 55 and defining with it a panel 57 of substantially the same width as tab 40. The free end of core 53 is connected to a transverse wing parallel to tab 40, and which comprises collar 23 and is divided into walls 24 and 28 by two preformed bend lines 58 and 59 aligned with lines 30 and 31.

[0016] Finally, as shown in Figure 3, panel 7' and tab 40 present respective gummed portions 60.

[0017] As shown in Figure 1 and particularly in Figure 4, before folding blank 29, appendix 54 is folded 180° about line 55 so that panel 57 adheres to the inner surface of tab 40, and core 53 to the inner surface of panel 7' at respective gummed portions 60. At this point, tab 40-57, tabs 38, 42, and tabs 37, 41, 43 are folded squarely; panels 22', 22'', 21' and tab 36 are folded squarely about respective lines 30, 31, 32, 33; on one side, tabs 40-57, 38, 42 are gummed to the inner surface of tab 44 folded squarely about respective line 35; and, on the other side, tabs 37, 41, 43 are gummed to the inner surface of tab 39 folded squarely about respective line 34 to form wrapping 1. Prior to folding blank 29 as described above, the two rows 3 of packets 2 are obviously placed on appendix 54 folded over on to panel 20'.

[0018] When panels 22' and 22'' are folded squarely about lines 30 and 31, lateral walls 28 are simultaneously folded squarely about respective lines 58 and 59 to complete collar 23.

[0019] Wrapping 1 is opened by tearing lid 6 off container 4 along precut portions 46 and 47 of line 45, and rotating lid 6 about portion 19' of line 45 defining hinge 19.

[0020] In connection with the above, it should be pointed out that, by virtue of appendix 54 being connected to the central portion of tab 40, panels 9' and 9'' are left entirely free and may be provided with respective tabs 38 and 42 for forming a container 4 closed perfectly at the bottom along all the edges of wall 10 for better protecting packets 2.

[0021] According to a variation (not shown) of blank 29, as opposed to being connected to line 33, transverse tab 36 may be connected to the edge of panel 22' parallel to line 33.

Claims

1. A rigid wrapping for packets (2), particularly packets of cigarettes, the wrapping (1) comprising a cup-shaped container (4) and lid (6), and a collar (23) projecting from the open end (5) of the container (4); the lid (6) and container (4) presenting respective rear walls (12, 8) connected by a hinge (19), and respective front walls (11, 7) in turn presenting respective mating edges (15, 17); characterized in that it comprises a tab (40) connected to the edge (35) of the front wall (7) of the container (4) opposite the edge facing the lid (6); and an appendix (54) connected to an intermediate portion of a free edge (55) of said tab (40) and comprising said collar (23); said appendix (54) being folded on to the inner surface of said tab (40) and the front wall (7) of the container (4), to position said collar (23) in relation to the front wall (7) of the container (4).

2. A wrapping as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that said appendix (54) is substantially T-shaped, and comprises a core (53) extending from and crosswise to said tab (40); and a transverse wing parallel to said tab (40) and defining said collar (23).

3. A wrapping as claimed in Claim 2, characterized in that said core (53) presents a preformed transverse bend line (56) defining, on the core (53), a panel (57) adjacent to and of substantially the same width as said tab (40).

4. A wrapping as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, characterized in that said mating edges (15, 17) are defined by a precut line (46).

5. A wrapping as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, characterized in that, in addition to said front and rear walls (7, 8), said container (4) also comprises a bottom wall (10), and two lateral walls (9); said bottom wall (10) being defined by a tab (44) integral with said rear wall (8); and each lateral wall (9) presenting an end tab (38, 42) folded squarely and connected to the inner surface of said bottom wall (10) together with said tab (40) of the front wall (7).

Drawing