The present invention relates to a rigid packet with a hinged lid.

In particular, the present invention finds application to notable advantage in the manufacture of cigarette packets, the field to which reference is made explicitly in the following specification, albeit with no limitation implied.

In general, rigid packets of hinge-lid type are parallelepiped in appearance, comprising a container such as will hold a group of cigarettes enveloped in a respective inner wrapper, surmounted by a lid. The lid is hinged to an open top end of the container, pivotable thus between a position in which the container is open, and a position in which the container is closed.

The container is furnished with an internal stiffening frame that functions as a connecting element between the selfsame container and the lid.

The prior art also embraces cigarette packets of prismatic geometry appearing substantially triangular in section, with sharp or rounded corner edges, of which the hinge that allows the pivoting movement of the lid is located on the side of the packet opposite to a front corner edge. Both the container and the lid of such triangular packets present a front and a back, and respective end faces constituting the bottom and the top of the packet. Such a packet, in accordance with the preamble of appended claim 1, is disclosed in WO 01/44077.

Such packets of triangular section are furnished likewise with an internal stiffening frame, associated with and projecting partially from the container, which serves to retain the lid more readily in the closed position when the packet is not in use.

One drawback encountered with packets of this type, that is to say prismatic and of triangular section, is that after being opened a relatively limited number of times in order to take out the cigarettes, the lid tends not to reassume its correct closed position in contact with the edges of the container, notwithstanding the presence of the stiffening frame.

The resulting partly-open condition of the packet impacts negatively on the preservation of the cigarettes thereafter, for example in terms of aroma and correct moisture content of the tobacco.

Moreover, the failure of the lid to close securely on the container results in a distinct structural fragility of the packet overall. When the lid remains open, in effect, the front corner edge will deform easily if pressure is placed on the top extremity of the corner edge, where this same edge meets the frame.

The object of the present invention is to provide a packet that will be unaffected by the drawbacks described above.

The stated object is realized according to the present invention in a rigid packet with a hinged lid, of which the characteristics are as recited in one or more of the appended claims.

The invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:

• figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 illustrate four possible of a packet in accordance with the present invention, viewed schematically in perspective and shown in an open configuration;
• figures 1a and 2a are front elevation views of the packets in figures 1 and 2, respectively, shown in a closed configuration;
• figures 3 a and 4a are front elevation views of the packets in figures 3 and 4, respectively, shown in a closed configuration and with certain parts cut away better to reveal others;
• figure 5 shows the packet of figure 3, viewed in a side elevation and with certain parts cut away better to reveal others;
• figures 6, 6a, 7, 8, 8a and 9 are plan views of diecut blanks from which to manufacture the packets of figures 1 to 4.

With reference to figures 1 to 4, numeral 1 denotes a rigid packet with a hinged lid, in its entirety, containing a group 2 of cigarettes 3 enveloped in a respective inner wrapper 4 (figure 5) fashioned generally from metal foil paper.

The packet 1 appears as a prism of substantially triangular section, aligned on a longitudinal axis A, of which the substantially rectangular side faces are denoted 5, 6 and 7, and the end faces, denoted 8 and 9, coincide respectively with the top and bottom of the packet 1.

The packet 1 comprises a container 10 with an open top end, denoted 11, also a lid 12, attached pivotably to the container 10 along a relative hinge 19 extending transversely to the longitudinal axis A and rotatable thus between a closed position, and an open position in which the top end 11 is exposed.

A first face 5 of the prism coincides with a rear wall 13 of the container 10 and a rear wall 15 of the lid 12, combining to provide the back of the packet 1, which is denoted 17. The two rear walls 13 and 15 are divided one from the other by the hinge 19.

Similarly, the remaining side faces 6 and 7 of the prism coincide with a front wall 14 of the container 10 and with a front wall 16 of the lid 12, respectively, which combine to provide the front of the packet 1, denoted 18.

The aforementioned open top end 11 of the container 10 is delimited by a top edge 20 disposed obliquely to the axis A of the prism and presenting an outline substantially of Vee shape, which engages in contact with a corresponding edge 21 of the lid 12 when the selfsame lid 12 is in the closed position.

The packet 1 further comprises a stiffening frame 22 projecting in part beyond the edge 20 of the open top end 11 afforded by the container 10, of which two faces 23 occupy substantially the same planes as the front faces 6 and 7 of the packet 1 and function as the breast piece 24 of the frame 22.

The frame 22 is secured to the inside surface of the front wall 14 of the container 10, so as to function as a connecting element between the container 10 and the lid 12 when in the closed position.

The three side faces 5, 6 and 7 are joined one to another along respective corner edges 25 which in the example of the drawings appear rounded, but which might equally well be sharp or bevelled, as will be explained more fully in due course.

Numeral 26 denotes the rounded front corner edge on the side opposite from the back 17 and the hinge 19, along which the side faces 6 and 7 making up the front 18 of the packet 1 are joined.

The packet 1 further comprises means 27, located on the front corner edge 26, by which the lid 12 is locked in the closed position. In particular, and in accordance with a first embodiment illustrated in figures 1, 1a, 2 and 2a, such locking means 27 comprise an engagement member 28 operating between the container 10 and the lid 12.

Referring to the solution of figures 1 and 1a, in particular, the engagement member 28 consists of a shaped portion 29 or tongue presented by the front corner edge 26, integral with the container 10 and extending toward the lid 12.

More exactly, the aforementioned portion 29 projects from the top edge 20 of the container 10, in alignment with the front corner edge 26, and presents a substantially dovetail outline with respective rounded corners 29a.

The shaped portion 29, or tongue, is insertable into a recess or notch 30 afforded by the edge 21 of the lid 12, and presents an outline shaped to match that of the recess 30, so that the one can engage positively with the other.

When the lid 12 is in the closed position, the aforementioned corners 29a are retained by corresponding undercut parts 30a of the recess 30. Accordingly, the shaped portion 29 remains locked in the recess 30, thereby ensuring that the lid 12 remains stably in position on the container 10.

Alternatively, as illustrated in figures 2 and 2a, the shaped portion 29 can be incorporated into the lid 12 and extend toward the container 10.

In this instance, the recess 30 will be afforded by the edge 20 of the container 10, and fashioned in such a way as to accommodate the shaped portion 29 when inserted.

A further possible embodiment illustrated in figures 3, 3a, 4, 4a and 5 comprises locking means 27 with an engagement member 28 that operates between the frame 22, and an insert 31 associated with the lid 12.

In particular, as illustrated in figures 3, 3a and 5, the engagement member 28 is provided by a shaped portion 29 integral with the frame 22 and extending toward the lid 12.

The portion 29 is again insertable into a respective recess 30, in this instance afforded by the insert 31 on the inside of the lid 12.

More exactly, it will be seen that the insert 31 is positioned on the inside surface presented by the front wall 16 of the lid 12, and the recess 30 is positioned along the front corner edge 26, at a point between the edge 21 of the lid 12 and the end face 8 coinciding with the top of the packet 1.

It will be seen also that the shaped portion 29 is positioned at a vertex of a substantially Vee shaped edge 22a of the frame 22, located internally of the lid 12 when occupying the closed position.

Alternatively, as illustrated in figures 4 and 4a, the shaped portion 29 could be afforded by the aforementioned insert 31 and insertable into an recess 30 incorporated into the edge 22a of the frame 22.

Likewise in this instance, the engagement member 28 remains inside the lid 12 when the lid occupies the closed position.

Moreover, in accordance with a further embodiment not shown in the accompanying drawings, the locking means 27 might consist for example in a tab projecting outside the dimensional compass of the packet and insertable through slot afforded by the packet. By way of example, a tab associated with the edge 22a of the frame 22 and projecting transversely from the packet could be inserted through a slot afforded by the lid 12.

Alternatively, the locking means could include two projections associated with the insert 31 of the lid and interacting with through slots arranged mutually parallel and afforded by the frame 22, on opposite sides of the front corner edge 26.

With reference to figures 6, 6a, 7, 8, 8 a and 9, the packet 1 is fashioned from a flat diecut blank 32 of essentially rectangular outline presenting three mutually parallel precreased fold areas 33 delimiting two panels 34 that make up the front 18 of the packet 1, a panel 35 coinciding with the back 17 of the packet 1, and a further connecting panel 36 that will be breasted ultimately in contact with the inside surface of the back panel 35.

The blank 32 also presents a transverse Vee cut 37 intersecting the three precreased fold areas 33 and, more exactly, composed of two angled legs 38 converging on the central precreased area 38 that coincides with the front corner edge 26. The Vee cut 37 divides the front wall 14 of the container 10, on the one hand, from the front wall 16 of the lid 12 on the other.

The two ends of the Vee cut 37 are joined to two respective crease lines 39 extending transversely across the two corresponding panels 35 and 36 and functioning as the hinge 19 of the lid 12.

The panel 35 coinciding with the back 17 of the packet 1 is associated with a top wing 40 and a bottom wing 41, each joined to the selfsame panel 35 along a respective crease line 42. The two wings 40 and 41 coincide respectively with the top end face 8 or top and with the bottom end face 9 or bottom of the packet 1.

Each panel 34 coinciding with the front 18 of the packet 1 presents two flaps 43, extending from opposite ends of the selfsame panel 34. The flaps 34 of each panel 34 will be secured to the inside surfaces of the corresponding wings 40 and 41, thereby making up the aforementioned top and bottom of the erected packet 1.

The blank 32 illustrated in figure 6 is used to fashion a packet as in figures 1 and 1a.

It will be seen that the aforementioned transverse Vee cut 37 presents a substantially looped portion 44 at the convergence of the two angled legs 38, incorporating the shaped portion 29 and the relative recess 30. To advantage, the looped portion 44 extends transversely across the central precreased fold area 33, with the result that the shaped portion 29 and the relative recess 30 will coincide with the front corner edge 26 of the packet 1.

Still referring to the example of figure 6, the looped portion 44 is positioned with the convex outline directed toward the part of the blank 32 providing the front wall 16 of the lid 12. Thus, the shaped portion 29 is associated with the part of the blank that provides the container 10, whilst the recess 30 is associated with the part of the blank 32 providing the lid 12.

The blank 32 illustrated in figure 7 is used to fashion a packet as in figures 2 and 2a.

In this instance, the looped portion 44 is positioned with the convex outline directed toward the part of the blank 32 providing the front wall 14 of the container 10. Accordingly, the shaped portion 29 is associated with the part of the blank that provides the lid 12, whilst the recess 30 is associated with the part of the blank providing the container 10.

In the examples of figures 1, 1a, 2 and 2a, the stiffening frame 22 is obtained from a flat leaf 45 of wrapping material as illustrated in figure 6a.

The leaf 45 is of substantially rectangular outline and comprises three mutually parallel precreased fold areas 46 delimiting two panels 47 that make up the breast piece 24 of the frame 22. The precreased areas 46 are positioned and proportioned to coincide with the three precreased areas 33 of the packet blank 32.

In the finished packet 1, the two panels 47 will be secured to the inside surfaces of the panels 34 making up the front wall 14 of the container 10.

In addition, the two lateral precreased areas 46 provide two end walls 48 of the frame 22, which will be secured to the inside surface presented by the rear wall 13 of the container 10, coinciding with the back 17 of the packet 1.

The leaf 45 of material also presents a top edge 49 of Vee outline disposed parallel to the top edge 20 of the container 10, and a bottom edge 50 affording two appendages 51, each associated with a respective panel 47 making up the breast piece 24 of the frame 22.

The two appendages 51 will be associated each with a respective flap 43 and incorporated thus structurally into the bottom of the packet 1.

In this instance the leaf 45 of material extends the full length of the container 10, establishing a frame 22 that projects partially from the selfsame container 10 and is anchored to the bottom of the packet 1.

The blank 32 illustrated in figure 8 is used to fashion a packet as in figures 3, 3a, 4, 4a and 5.

In this embodiment, the locking means 27 are incorporated into the breast piece 24, and accordingly, the transverse Vee cut 37 is formed without the aforementioned looped portion 44.

The leaf 45 illustrated in figure 9 is used to fashion a packet as in figures 3, 3a and 5.

In particular, the leaf 45 presents a transverse Vee cut 52 occupying only the central precreased area 46 of the three, which coincides with the front corner edge 26. The cut 52 delimits the panels 47 of the frame 22 on the one hand, terminating uppermost at the top edge 49, and the aforementioned insert 31 of the lid 12 on the other.

More exactly, the cut 52 establishes a break line along which the insert 31 associated internally with the lid 12 is caused to detach from the frame 22 when the packet 1 is opened for the first time.

The Vee cut 52 also presents a looped portion 53, similar to the looped portion 44 of the blank 32, which incorporates the shaped portion 29 and the recess 30.

In the example of figure 9, the looped portion 53 delimits a shaped portion 29 associated with the top edge 49 of the frame 22 and a recess 30 afforded by the insert 31.

Figure 8a illustrates the leaf 45 of material used to fashion the packet 1 of figures 4 and 4a, in which the looped portion 53 delimits a shaped portion 29 associated with the insert 31 of the lid and a recess 30 afforded by the top edge 49 of the frame 22.

The packet 1 described and illustrated has important advantages.

Firstly, the locking means 27 ensure a firm closure of the lid 12 on the container 10. Consequently, the lid will remain securely in the closed position, even when the packet 1 is subjected to sudden movements, so that the cigarettes are prevented from escaping.

It will be seen also that the leaf 45, formed into the frame 22, gives increased strength to the container 10. As mentioned above, in effect, the frame 22 extends along the axis X of the container 10 for its full length.

Furthermore, the steps of securing the frame 22 to the packet 1 are made advantageously simpler. With the addition of the appendages 51, in effect, which are offered to the flaps 43, the frame 22 can be positioned more accurately relative to the packet 1.

Finally, it will be appreciated that the longitudinal corner edges, as mentioned previously, can be bevelled or sharp, or alternatively (adopting the geometry of the cigarette packet disclosed in patent application EP-A1-0764595 ), the transverse corner edges can be non-rectilinear, and rounded or bevelled; similarly, certain of the longitudinal corner edges and certain of the transverse corner edges might be non-rectilinear, resulting in a packet that presents both longitudinal corner edges and transverse corner edges appearing non-rectilinear and rounded or bevelled. In particular, with the appropriate medications and adjustments needed for a triangular design, the packet 1 might present the features of packets as disclosed in WO-A1-2005/007537 and WO-A1-03/080473. In other embodiments neither described nor illustrated herein, the packet 1 might present the features of a cigarette packet as disclosed in patent application EP-A1-1066206; in this instance, the side walls would be convexly profiled, presenting a flat central portion flanked by two precreased and contoured lateral bands.