[0001] The present invention relates to a rigid, hinged-lid package for tobacco articles.
[0002] The present invention may be used to particular advantage in a rigid cigarette packet,
to which the following description refers purely by way of example.
[0003] Rigid, hinged-lid cigarette packets are currently the most commonly marketed, by
being easy to produce, easy and practical to use, and effectively protecting the cigarettes
inside.
[0004] A rigid, hinged-lid cigarette packet comprises a cup-shaped container having an open
top end; and a cup-shaped lid hinged to the container along a hinge to rotate, with
respect to the container, between an open position and a closed position respectively
opening and closing the open end. A rigid, hinged-lid cigarette packet of the type
described above is normally made by folding a single, flat, substantially elongated
rectangular blank about a respective group of cigarettes wrapped in a sheet of foil;
in which case, the lid and container both form part of the same blank. A U-folded
collar, separate from the flat blank, is normally connected to the inside of the container,
and projects partly outwards of the open end to engage a corresponding inner surface
of the lid when the lid is in the closed position.
[0005] Rigid, hinged-lid cigarette packets of the above type, however, have several drawbacks.
They tend to fall out of shape, and fail to adequately protect the cigarettes inside
when subjected to relatively severe stress (as when carried in the user's trouser
pocket), and accidental opening of the lid, thus possibly resulting in fall-out of
the contents of the packet, is fairly common.
[0006] To eliminate the above drawbacks, Patent
US 3881599 proposes a rigid cigarette packet of the above type, comprising a parallelepiped-shaped
container housing a group of cigarettes and having a withdrawal opening; and a cup-shaped
lid hinged to the container along a hinge to rotate, with respect to the container,
between an open position and a closed position respectively opening and closing the
withdrawal opening. The container and lid are formed by folding two respective independent,
separate blanks, and the lid is glued to a bottom end wall of the container.
[0007] The packet described in Patent
US 3881599, however, is expensive to produce, by requiring a special packing machine featuring
various parts modified with respect to a standard packing machine.
[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a rigid package for tobacco articles,
designed to eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks, and which, at the same time, is
cheap and easy to produce.
[0009] According to the present invention, there is provided a rigid package for tobacco
articles, as claimed in the accompanying Claims.
[0010] A number of non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be described by
way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a front view in perspective of a rigid cigarette packet in accordance
with the present invention and in a closed configuration;
Figure 2 shows a front view in perspective of the Figure 1 rigid cigarette packet
in an open configuration;
Figure 3 shows a front view of the Figure 1 rigid cigarette packet in a closed configuration,
and in which the dash lines indicate various inner component parts of the packet;
Figure 4 shows a front view of the Figure 1 rigid cigarette packet in an open configuration,
and in which the dash lines indicate various inner component parts of the packet;
Figure 5 shows a plan view of a first blank by which to produce the rigid cigarette
packet in Figure 1;
Figure 6 shows a plan view of a different embodiment of the Figure 5 blank;
Figure 7 shows a plan view of a second blank by which to produce the rigid cigarette
packet in Figure 1;
Figure 8 shows a plan view of a different embodiment of the Figure 7 blank;
Figure 9 shows a plan view of a further embodiment of the Figure 7 blank.
[0011] Number 1 in Figure 1 indicates as a whole a rigid cigarette packet containing an
orderly, parallelepiped-shaped group of cigarettes (not shown for the sake of clarity)
wrapped in a sheet of foil wrapping material.
[0012] Packet 1 comprises a parallelepiped-shaped container 2 for housing the group of cigarettes,
and having a cigarette withdrawal opening 3 at its top end. Packet 1 also comprises
a cup-shaped lid 4 hinged to container 2 along a hinge 5 (shown in Figures 3 and 4)
to rotate, with respect to container 2, between an open position and a closed position
respectively opening and closing withdrawal opening 3.
[0013] Container 2 comprises two parallel opposite major lateral walls 6; two parallel opposite
minor lateral walls 7 crosswise to major lateral walls 6; a top end wall 8; and a
bottom end wall 9 parallel to and opposite top end wall 8. Four longitudinal edges
10 are defined between major lateral walls 6 and minor lateral walls 7; and eight
transverse edges 11 are defined between lateral walls 6, 7 and end walls 8, 9. More
specifically, transverse edges 11 are divided into four major transverse edges 11
defined between major lateral walls 6 and end walls 8, 9; and four minor transverse
edges 11 defined between minor lateral walls 7 and end walls 8, 9. In the accompanying
drawings, longitudinal edges 10 and transverse edges 11 are all square sharp edges.
[0014] Cup-shaped lid 4 is substantially parallelepiped-shaped, and comprises two parallel
opposite major lateral walls 12; a minor lateral wall 13 crosswise to major lateral
walls 12; a top end wall 14; and a bottom end wall 15 parallel to and opposite top
end wall 14. Two longitudinal edges 16 are defined between major lateral walls 12
and minor lateral wall 13; and six transverse edges 17 are defined between lateral
walls 12, 13 and end walls 14, 15. More specifically, transverse edges 17 are divided
into four major transverse edges 17 defined between major lateral walls 12 and end
walls 14, 15; and two minor transverse edges 17 defined between minor lateral wall
13 and end walls 14, 15. In the accompanying drawings, longitudinal edges 16 and transverse
edges 17 are all square sharp edges.
[0015] Owing to the fact that top end wall 14 of lid 4 is larger than bottom end wall 15
of lid 4, each major lateral wall 12 of lid 4 preferably has a triangular-bevelled
bottom portion.
[0016] Container 2 and lid 4 are formed by folding two respective independent, separate
blanks 18 and 19 (Figures 5-8). Lid 4 is glued to bottom end wall 9 of container 2,
so that hinge 5 is parallel to the minor transverse edges 11 of container 2 defined
between minor lateral walls 7 and end walls 8, 9. Hinge 5 is preferably located on
bottom end wall 9 of container 2, in an intermediate position between the two minor
transverse edges 11 bounding bottom end wall 9. When lid 4 is in the closed position,
top end wall 14 of lid 4 is positioned contacting top end wall 8 of container 2 and
covers withdrawal opening 3, and bottom end wall 15 of lid 4 is positioned contacting
bottom end wall 9 of container 2.
[0017] Bottom end wall 9 of container 2 has a connecting tab 20, which is separated from
bottom end wall 9 by a fold line defining hinge 5, and is glued entirely to bottom
end wall 15 of lid 4.
[0018] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a stop member is provided to limit rotation of lid 4
with respect to container 2 and define a maximum fully-open position (shown in Figure
4). The stop member comprises two stop tabs 21, each projecting outwards of container
2 from a respective major lateral wall 6 of container 2; and two stop tabs 22, each
of which projects inwards of lid 4 from a respective major lateral wall 12 of lid
4, and is positioned to engage a respective stop tab 21 as lid 4 is opened.
[0019] As shown in the accompanying drawings, each stop tab 21 is formed by removing a strip
of material from a respective major lateral wall 6 of container 2. In an alternative
embodiment, not shown, each stop tab 21 is formed by making an incision in a respective
major lateral wall 6 of container 2.
[0020] Withdrawal opening 3 preferably extends over part of top end wall 8 of container
2 and part of major lateral walls 6 of container 2, so the cigarettes can be withdrawn
quickly and easily through withdrawal opening 3. As shown in Figures 2, 4 and 5, withdrawal
opening 3 is closed by a tear-off portion 23 of container 2. In an alternative embodiment
shown in Figure 6, there is no tear-off portion 23. Tear-off portion 23 may close
the whole of withdrawal opening 3, as shown in Figures 2, 4 and 5, or only part of
withdrawal opening 3; in which latter case, tear-off portion 23 leaves part of withdrawal
opening 3 at major lateral walls 6 exposed, to enable the user to grip and remove
tear-off portion 23 more easily from container 2 when unsealing packet 1.
[0021] In an alternative embodiment not shown, minor lateral wall 13 of lid 4 has at least
one through hole sized to permit insertion of the user's finger, and which facilitates
opening of lid 4 by enabling the user to one-handedly impart a relative opening movement
between lid 4 and container 2.
[0022] With reference to Figure 5, container 2 is formed by folding flat, substantially
elongated rectangular blank 18, the component parts of which are indicated, where
possible, using the same reference numbers, with superscripts, as for the corresponding
parts of container 2.
[0023] Blank 18 has two longitudinal fold lines 24, and a number of transverse fold lines
25 defining, between the two longitudinal fold lines 24, a panel 8' forming part of
top end wall 8; a panel 6' forming one major lateral wall 6; a panel 9' forming bottom
end wall 9; a further panel 6' forming the other major lateral wall 6; and a panel
8" forming the rest of top end wall 8.
[0024] Each panel 6' has two wings 7', which form part of respective minor lateral walls
7, are located on opposite sides of relative panel 6', and are separated from relative
panel 6' by longitudinal fold lines 24. A first wing 7' of one panel 6' has two tabs
26 separated from panel 6' by transverse fold lines 25, and a second wing 7' of the
same panel 6' has one tab 26 separated from panel 6' by a transverse fold line 25
and substantially aligned with panel 9'.
[0025] Connecting tab 20 is connected to panel 9', and is separated from panel 9' by a fold
line defining hinge 5 and parallel to longitudinal fold lines 24.
[0026] Figure 6 shows an alternative embodiment of blank 18 for forming container 2.
[0027] In the alternative embodiment in Figure 6, blank 18 has two longitudinal fold lines
24, and a number of transverse fold lines 25 defining, between the two longitudinal
fold lines 24, a panel 9' forming part of bottom end wall 9; a panel 6' forming one
major lateral wall 6; a panel 8' forming top end wall 8; a further panel 6' forming
the other major lateral wall 6; and a panel 9" forming the rest of bottom end wall
9.
[0028] Each panel 6' has two wings 7', which form part of respective minor lateral walls
7, are located on opposite sides of relative panel 6', and are separated from relative
panel 6' by longitudinal fold lines 24. A first wing 7' of one panel 6' has two tabs
26 separated from panel 6' by transverse fold lines 25, and a second wing 7' of the
same panel 6' has one tab 26 separated from panel 6' by a transverse fold line 25
and substantially aligned with panel 9".
[0029] Connecting tab 20 is connected to panel 9', and is separated from panel 9' by a fold
line defining hinge 5 and parallel to longitudinal fold lines 24.
[0030] With reference to Figure 7, lid 4 is formed by folding flat, substantially elongated
rectangular blank 19, the component parts of which are indicated, where possible,
using the same reference numbers, with superscripts, as for the corresponding parts
of lid 4.
[0031] Blank 19 has two transverse fold lines 27, and a number of longitudinal fold lines
28 defining, between transverse fold lines 27, a panel 12' forming one major lateral
wall 12; a panel 13' forming minor lateral wall 13; and a panel 12' forming the other
major lateral wall 12.
[0032] One panel 12' has two wings 14' and 15', which are located at opposite ends of panel
12', are separated from panel 12' by transverse fold lines 27, and form respective
inner portions of end walls 14 and 15; panel 13' has two wings 14" and 15", which
are located at opposite ends of panel 13', are separated from panel 13' by transverse
fold lines 27, and form respective inner portions of end walls 14 and 15; and the
other panel 12' has two wings 14"' and 15"', which are located at opposite ends of
panel 12', are separated from panel 12' by transverse fold lines 27, and form respective
outer portions of end walls 14 and 15.
[0033] Wings 14', 15', 14" and 15" are shaped so as not to overlap when folded onto wings
14"' and 15"' to define end walls 14 and 15 of lid 4.
[0034] Figure 8 shows an alternative embodiment of blank 19 for forming lid 4.
[0035] In the Figure 8 embodiment, blank 19 has two longitudinal fold lines 29, and a number
of transverse fold lines 30 defining, between longitudinal fold lines 29, a panel
14' forming part of top end wall 14; a panel 12' forming one major lateral wall 12;
a panel 15' forming bottom end wall 15; a further panel 12' forming the other major
lateral wall 12; and a panel 14" forming the rest of top end wall 14.
[0036] Each panel 12' has a wing 13' forming part of minor lateral wall 13 and separated
from panel 12' by a longitudinal fold line 29. Wing 13' of one panel 12' has two tabs
31 separated from wing 13' by transverse fold lines 30. A top wing 31 and panel 14'
are shaped so as not to overlap when folded onto panel 14" to define top end wall
14.
[0037] Figure 9 shows a further embodiment of blank 19 for forming lid 4.
[0038] In the Figure 9 embodiment, blank 19 has two longitudinal fold lines 29, and a number
of transverse fold lines 30 defining, between longitudinal fold lines 29, a panel
15' forming part of bottom end wall 15; a panel 12' forming one major lateral wall
12; a panel 14' forming top end wall 14; a further panel 12' forming the other major
lateral wall 12; and a panel 15" forming the rest of bottom end wall 15.
[0039] Each panel 12' has a wing 13' forming part of minor lateral wall 13 and separated
from panel 12' by a longitudinal fold line 29. Wing 13' of one panel 12' has two tabs
31 separated from wing 13' by transverse fold lines 30. A top wing 31 and panel 15'
are shaped so as not to overlap when folded onto panel 15" to define bottom end wall
15.
[0040] In the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, longitudinal edges 10, 16 and
transverse edges 11, 17 are all square sharp edges. In an alternative embodiment not
shown, some longitudinal edges 10, 16 and/or some transverse edges 11, 17 are non-square
rounded or bevelled edges. For example, all the longitudinal edges 10, 16 may be non-square
rounded or bevelled edges, or (as in the cigarette packet described in Patent Application
EP 764595) all the major transverse edges 11, 17 may be non-square rounded or bevelled edges.
Alternatively, some longitudinal edges 10, 16 and some transverse edges 11, 17 may
be non-square rounded or bevelled edges, so as to have both non-square rounded or
bevelled longitudinal edges 10, 16 and non-square rounded or bevelled transverse edges
11, 17.
[0041] In an alternative embodiment not shown, packet 1 may be as described in Patent Application
EP 1066206; in which case, each major lateral wall 6, 12 is outwardly convex, and has a respective
flat central portion, and two curved, creased lateral bands connecting the flat central
portion to minor lateral walls 7, 13 at respective sharp, non-square longitudinal
edges 10, 16.
[0042] In an alternative embodiment not shown, packet 1 may be as described in Patent Application
WO 03026984; in which case, each major lateral wall 6, 12 is outwardly convex, and has a respective
flat central portion, and two curved, creased lateral bands connecting the flat central
portion to end walls 8, 9, 14, 15 at respective sharp, non-square transverse edges
11, 17.
[0043] Packet 1 as described above has various advantages: it is cheap and easy to produce,
provides for effectively protecting the cigarettes inside container 2, and can be
opened quickly and easily. At the same time, accidental opening of lid 4 is substantially
prevented, regardless of how the packet is used. It is important to note that packet
1 as described above is cheap and easy to produce, by being producible on a packing
machine very similar to a standard packing machine.
[0044] In view of its numerous advantages, packet 1 as described above may be applied integrally
to the manufacture of other types of rigid packages for tobacco articles, such as
cigarette cartons or cigar packets.
1. A rigid package for tobacco articles, comprising:
a parallelepiped-shaped container (2), which is formed by folding a first blank (18),
houses a group of tobacco articles, and comprises two major lateral walls (6), two
minor lateral walls (7), a top end wall (8) with a withdrawal opening (3), and a bottom
end wall (9); and
a cup-shaped lid (4), which is formed by folding a second blank (19) independent of
and separate from the first blank (18), and is hinged to the container (2) along a
hinge (5) to rotate, with respect to the container (2), between an open position and
a closed position respectively opening and closing the withdrawal opening (3); the
lid (4) having two major lateral walls (12), a minor lateral wall (13), a top end
wall (14) covering the withdrawal opening (3) when the lid (4) is in the closed position,
and a bottom end wall (15) parallel to and opposite the top end wall (14) of the lid
and positioned contacting the bottom end wall (9) of the container (2) when the lid
(4) is in the closed position;
the package (1) being characterized in that the container (2) comprises a connecting tab (20), which is separated from the container
(2) by a fold line defining the hinge (5), and is glued entirely to the lid (4).
2. A package as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the connecting tab (20) is connected to the
bottom end wall (9) of the container (2) by the fold line defining the hinge (5),
and the connecting tab (20) is glued entirely to the bottom end wall (15) of the lid
(4).
3. A package as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the bottom end wall (9) of the container
(2) is bounded by two minor transverse edges (11) defined between the bottom end wall
(9) and the minor lateral walls (7) of the container; and the hinge (5) is located
on the bottom end wall (9) of the container (2), in an intermediate position between
the two minor transverse edges (11) bounding the bottom end wall (9) of the container.
4. A package as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, and comprising stop means for limiting
rotation of the lid (4) with respect to the container (2) to define a maximum fully-open
position.
5. A package as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the stop means comprise at least one first
stop tab (21) projecting outwards of the container (2) from a major lateral wall (6)
of the container (2); and a second stop tab (22) projecting inwards of the lid (4)
from a major lateral wall (12) of the lid (4) and positioned to engage the first stop
tab (21) as the lid (4) is opened.
6. A package as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the stop means comprise two first stop tabs
(21), each located on a respective major lateral wall (6) of the container (2); and
two second stop tabs (22), each located on a respective major lateral wall (12) of
the lid (4).
7. A package as claimed in Claim 5 or 6, wherein each first stop tab (21) is formed by
making an incision in a respective major lateral wall (6) of the container (2).
8. A package as claimed in Claim 5 or 6, wherein each first stop tab (21) is formed by
removing a strip of material from a respective major lateral wall (6) of the container
(2).
9. A package as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the withdrawal opening (3)
extends over part of the top end wall (8) of the container (2) and part of the major
lateral walls (6) of the container (2).
10. A package as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the withdrawal opening (3)
is at least partly closed by a tear-off portion (23) of the container (2).
11. A package as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the tear-off portion (23) closes the withdrawal
opening (3) completely.
12. A package as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the tear-off portion (23) only closes part
of the withdrawal opening (3).
13. A package as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 12, wherein the minor lateral wall
(13) of the lid (4) comprises at least one through hole sized to permit insertion
of a user's finger.
14. A package as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 13, wherein the top end wall (14) of
the lid (4) is larger than the bottom end wall (15) of the lid (4).
15. A package as claimed in Claim 14, wherein each major lateral wall (12) of the lid
(4) has a bevelled bottom portion.
16. A package as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 15, wherein the flat first blank (18)
has two longitudinal fold lines (24), and a number of transverse fold lines (25) defining,
between the longitudinal fold lines (24), a first panel (8') forming part of the top
end wall (8); a second panel (6') forming one major lateral wall (6); a third panel
(9') forming the bottom end wall (9); a fourth panel (6') forming the other major
lateral wall (6); and a fifth panel (8") forming the rest of the top end wall (8);
the second panel (6') and the fourth panel (6') each having two wings (7'), which
form part of the respective minor lateral walls (7), are located on opposite sides
of the relative second or fourth panel (6', 6'), and are separated from the relative
second or fourth panel (6', 6') by the longitudinal fold lines (24).
17. A package as claimed in Claim 16, wherein a first wing (7') of the fourth panel (6')
has two tabs (26) separated from the fourth panel (6') by the transverse fold lines
(25); and a second wing (7') of the fourth panel (6') has only one tab (26), which
is separated from the fourth panel (6') by a transverse fold line (25) and is substantially
aligned with the third panel (9').
18. A package as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 17, wherein the flat first blank (18)
has two longitudinal fold lines (24), and a number of transverse fold lines (25) defining,
between the longitudinal fold lines (24), a first panel (9') forming part of the bottom
end wall (9); a second panel (6') forming one major lateral wall (6); a third panel
(8') forming the top end wall (8); a fourth panel (6') forming the other major lateral
wall (6); and a fifth panel (9") forming the rest of the bottom end wall (9); the
second panel (6') and the fourth panel (6') each having two wings (7'), which form
part of the respective minor lateral walls (7), are located on opposite sides of the
relative second or fourth panel (6', 6'), and are separated from the relative second
or fourth panel (6', 6') by the longitudinal fold lines (24).
19. A package as claimed in Claim 18, wherein a first wing (7') of the fourth panel (6')
has two tabs (26) separated from the fourth panel (6') by the transverse fold lines
(25); and a second wing (7') of the fourth panel (6') has only one tab (26), which
is separated from the fourth panel (6') by a transverse fold line (25) and is substantially
aligned with the fifth panel (9").
20. A package as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 19, wherein the flat second blank (19)
has two transverse fold lines (27), and a number of longitudinal fold lines (28) defining,
between the transverse fold lines (27), a first panel (12') forming one major lateral
wall (12); a second panel (13') forming the minor lateral wall (13); and a third panel
(12') forming the other major lateral wall (12).
21. A package as claimed in Claim 20, wherein the first panel (12') has two first wings
(14', 15'), which are located at opposite ends of the first panel (12'), are separated
from the first panel (12') by the transverse fold lines (27), and form respective
inner portions of the end walls (14, 15); the second panel (13') having two second
wings (14", 15"), which are located at opposite ends of the second panel (13'), are
separated from the second panel (13') by the transverse fold lines (27), and form
respective inner portions of the end walls (14, 15); and the third panel (12') having
two third wings (14"', 15"'), which are located at opposite ends of the third panel
(12'), are separated from the third panel (12') by the transverse fold lines (27),
and form respective outer portions of the end walls (14, 15) .
22. A package as claimed in Claim 21, wherein the first and second wings (14', 15', 14",
15") are shaped so as not to overlap when folded onto the third wings (14"', 15"')
to define the end walls (14, 15) of the lid (4).
23. A package as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 19, wherein the flat second blank (19)
has two longitudinal fold lines (29), and a number of transverse fold lines (30) defining,
between the longitudinal fold lines (29), a first panel (14') forming part of the
top end wall (14); a second panel (12') forming one major lateral wall (12); a third
panel (15') forming the bottom end wall (15); a fourth panel (12') forming the other
major lateral wall (12); and a fifth panel (14") forming the rest of the top end wall
(14).
24. A package as claimed in Claim 23, wherein the second and fourth panel (12') each have
a wing (13'), which forms part of the minor lateral wall (13) and is separated from
the second or fourth panel (12') by a longitudinal fold line (29).
25. A package as claimed in Claim 24, wherein the wing (13') of the second panel (12')
has two tabs (31) separated from the wing (13') by the transverse fold lines (30).
26. A package as claimed in Claim 25, wherein a top tab (31) and the first panel (14')
are shaped so as not to overlap when folded onto the fifth panel (14") to define the
top end wall (14).
27. A package as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 19, wherein the flat second blank (19)
has two longitudinal fold lines (29), and a number of transverse fold lines (30) defining,
between the longitudinal fold lines (29), a first panel (15') forming part of the
bottom end wall (15); a second panel (12') forming one major lateral wall (12); a
third panel (14') forming the top end wall (14); a fourth panel (12') forming the
other major lateral wall (12); and a fifth panel (15") forming the rest of the bottom
end wall (15).
28. A package as claimed in Claim 27, wherein the second and fourth panel (12') each have
a wing (13'), which forms part of the minor lateral wall (13) and is separated from
the second or fourth panel (12') by a longitudinal fold line (29).
29. A package as claimed in Claim 28, wherein the wing (13') of the second panel (12')
has two tabs (31) separated from the wing (13') by the transverse fold lines (30).
30. A package as claimed in Claim 29, wherein a top tab (31) and the first panel (15')
are shaped so as not to overlap when folded onto the fifth panel (15") to define the
bottom end wall (15).