UPSLIDING PACKAGE AND BLANK SET THEREOF

Abstract

 An upsliding package according to the present invention has an outer box (10), a hinge lid-type inner box (22) accommodated in the outer box (10) and configured to be able to project upward from the outer box (10), and a lid-opening device configured to open a hinge lid (36) of the inner box (22) in conjunction with the projection of the inner box (22) from the outer box (10), wherein the lid-opening device is arranged between the outer box (10) and the inner box (22), and includes a lid flap (46) extended from a top wall (40) of the hinge lid (36) and having an opening (48), and an insertion tab (56) extended from the outer box (10) and inserted into the opening (48) of the lid flap (46).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an upsliding package for accommodating products, such as cigarettes or filter cigarettes, and also relates to a blank set of the upsliding package.

Background Art

[0002] An upsliding package of this type and its blank set are disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 1 described below. The upsliding package disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes an outer box having an opening end at the top thereof, and an inner box accommodated in the outer box, the inner box including a main body and a hinge lid connected to the main body via a hinge line.

[0003] When the inner box, that is, the hinge lid of the inner box is projected upward from the opening end of the outer box, the hinge lid is rotated about the hinge line so as to be opened. Therefore, a user can take out a product accommodated in the inner box without directly accessing the hinge lid.

[0004] In order to enable the opening operation of the hinge lid described above, the upsliding package of this type is further provided with a lid-opening device for opening the hinge lid in conjunction with the projection of the inner box from the outer box.

[0005] Specifically, the lid-opening device includes a lid flap which is extended downward from the top wall of the hinge lid so as to be inserted between the outer box and the inner box, and which has a folding line extended across the lid flap in its width direction. On the other hand, the lid-opening device further includes an engagement mechanism which regulates further projection of the lid flap at the time when the hinge lid is projected from the outer box together with the lid flap to such an extent that the folding line of the lid flap is exposed from the outer box. Therefore, in the state where the further projection of the lid flap is regulated in this way, when the hinge lid is further projected, the hinge lid is rotated about the hinge line so as to be opened.

Citation List

Patent Document

[0006] Patent Document 1: WO 2010/081527 A1

Summary of Invention

Technical Problem

[0007] Generally, the above-described engagement mechanism includes a locking tab formed at the distal end of the lid flap and folded toward a root of the lid flap, and a stopper flap arranged in the outer box and folded downward. When the hinge lid is projected from the outer box, the root of the locking tab is engaged with the distal end of the stopper flap to thereby regulate further projection of the lid flap.

[0008] In the case where the inner box including the lid flap is formed of a sheet of an inner blank, the above-described locking tab is formed by folding the lid flap. However, the folding of the lid flap complicates the folding of the inner blank.

[0009] Furthermore, in the state where the further projection of the lid flap is regulated, three of the lid flap, the locking tab and the stopper flap overlap each other between the outer box and the inner box. Therefore,
a gap allowing the overlapping of the three of the lid flap, the locking tab and the stopper flap needs to be secured between the outer box and the inner box. Such gap causes the size of the outer box to be increased.

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide an upsliding package in which an inner blank forming the inner box of the upsliding package can be easily folded and in which an increase in the size of the outer box of the upsliding package can be avoided, and also is to provide a blank set of the upsliding package.

Solution to Problem

[0011] The above-described object can be achieved by an upsliding package according to the present invention, the upsliding package comprising:

an outer box having an opening end at a top thereof;

an inner box accommodated in the outer box so as to be able to slide upward from an opening end of the outer box, the inner box including a main body and a hinge lid connected to the main body via a hinge line, the hinge lid having a top wall for closing the opening end when the inner box is accommodated in the outer box, and a lid rear wall formed between the top wall and the hinge line; and

a lid-opening device for opening the hinge lid when the hinge lid of the inner box is projected from the outer box.

[0012] The lid-opening device includes:

a lid flap configured to extend downward from a rear edge of the top wall along the lid rear wall so as to be inserted between the outer box and the inner box, and having an opening;

an insertion tab provided in the outer box, the insertion tab having a distal end portion inserted into the opening from above, and configured to engage a lower edge of the opening with a root of the insertion tab so as to regulate further projection of the lid flap when the hinge lid is projected from the outer box together with the lid flap; and

a first folding line formed in the lid flap and in parallel with the hinge line, the first folding line being configured to be located above the opening end and extended across the lid flap in its width direction so as to allow the lid flap to be folded in a state where the further projection of the lid flap is regulated.

[0013] In the upsliding package of the present invention, when the inner box is further projected from the outer box after the further projection of the lid flap is regulated, the hinge lid is rotated about the hinge line in conjunction with the projection of the inner box, the hinge lid is opened. At this time, the lid flap is folded along the first folding line so as to allow the rotation of the hinge lid.

[0014] When the hinge lid is in the closed state, the first folding line is located below the hinge line. Therefore, when the hinge lid is in a state projected from the outer box until further projection of the lid flap is regulated, the rotation of the hinge lid about the hinge line is not hindered by the lid flap so that smooth opening operation of the hinge lid is secured.

[0015] The lid flap further includes a second folding line which is located between the first folding line and the lower edge of the lid flap. In this case, a folding tendency can be given to the lid flap along the second folding line. The folding tendency facilitates insertion of the insertion tab into the opening.

[0016] The outer box further includes an aperture for exposing a part of the inner box, and the aperture is arranged, for example, at the front wall of the outer box. In this case, a user can project the inner box from the outer box while pressing his or her thumb against the inner box through the aperture.

[0017] Furthermore, the present invention provides a blank set for forming the upsliding package described above, and the blank set includes an outer blank and an inner blank. The outer blank forms the outer box and the insertion tab of the lid-opening device, and the inner blank forms the inner box and the lid flap of the lid-opening device.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0018] In the upsliding package and the blank set of the upsliding package according to the present invention, projection of the lid flap can be regulated only by a simple structure in which the opening is formed in the lid flap of the inner box and, on the other hand, the insertion tab inserted into the opening is provided at the outer box. Therefore, the inner blank for forming the inner box can be easily folded. Furthermore, in order to insert the insertion tab into the opening, a large gap is not needed between the outer box and the inner box, and hence an increase in the size of the outer box can be avoided.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0019] 

[Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an upsliding package according to an embodiment of the present invention, in a state where a hinge lid of the upsliding package is opened.

[Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the hinge lid of Figure 1 as viewed from the rear side.

[Figure 3] Figure 3 is a view for explaining insertion of insertion tabs into openings of a lid flap.

[Figure 4] Figure 4 is a view showing a positional relationship between the openings of the lid flap and the insertion tabs in a state in which an inner box is completely accommodated in an outer box.

[Figure 5] Figure 5 is a view showing a positional relationship between the openings of the lid flap and the insertion tabs in a state in which the hinge lid of the inner box is projected from the outer box together with the lid flap so that further projection of the lid flap is regulated.

[Figure 6] Figure 6 is a view showing an outer blank for the outer box and the insertion tabs.

[Figure 7] Figure 7 is a view showing an inner blank for the inner box and the lid flap.

Description of Embodiments

[0020] As shown in Figure 1, an upsliding package according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided with an outer box 10. The outer box 10 is formed into a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and includes an outer front wall 12, an outer rear wall 14, a pair of outer side walls 16, and an outer opening end 18 at the top of the outer box 10. An aperture 20 is formed in the outer front wall 12, so as to be arranged at the center of the outer front wall 12.

[0021] An inner box 22 is accommodated in the outer box 10 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction. Figure 1 shows a state in which a part of the inner box 22 is projected upward from the outer opening end 18 of the outer box 10. The inner box 22 is also formed into a rectangular parallelepiped shape and includes a main body 24. The main body 24 has an inner front wall 26, an inner rear wall 28, a pair of inner side walls 30, and an inner bottom wall.

[0022] A part of the inner front wall 26 is exposed through the aperture 20. Furthermore, a notch 32 is provided at the upper edge of the inner front wall 26 and has a shallow U-shape. The height of the upper edge of the inner rear wall 28 from the inner bottom wall is lower than the height of the upper edge of the inner front wall 26. Therefore, the upper edge of each of the pair of inner sidewalls 30 is inclined downward toward the upper edge of the inner rear wall 28.

[0023] The upper edges of the inner front wall 26, the inner rear wall 28 and the pair of inner sidewalls 30 define an inner opening end 34 at the top of the main body 24, and the inner opening end 34 is opened and closed by a hinge lid 36.

[0024] That is, the inner box 22 further includes the hinge lid 36 connected to the rear edge of the inner opening end 34 via a hinge line 38. The hinge lid 36 is rotated about the hinge line 38 so as to open and close the inner opening end 34.

[0025] Specifically, the hinge lid 36 includes a top wall 40, a lid rear wall 42 and a pair of lid side walls 44. When the hinge lid 36 is in a closed position, the pair of lid side walls 44 meet together the corresponding side edges of the inner opening end 34 and, on the other hand, the top wall 40 covers the inner opening end 34 from above. Therefore, the lower edge of the pair of lid side walls 44 is also inclined downward toward the rear edge of the inner opening end 34, that is, the hinge line 38.

[0026] Furthermore, each of the pair of lid side walls 44 has a front edge 44f. When the hinge lid 36 is in the closed position, the front edges 44f secure a predetermined gap between the top wall 40 and the upper edge of the inner front wall 26.

[0027] As is apparent from Figure 1, a product, for example, an inner pack A is accommodated in the inner box 22. The inner pack A includes a bundle of filter cigarettes FC and a wrapping material (not shown) for wrapping the bundle.

[0028] When the inner box 22 is in the accommodated position where the inner box 22 is completely accommodated in the outer box 10, the hinge lid 36 is in the closed position, and the top wall 40 of the hinge lid 36 is positioned at the outer opening end 18 so that the top wall 40 serves as an outer lid for closing the outer opening end 18.

[0029] When the user grasps the upsliding package with a single hand and presses, through the aperture 20 of the outer box 10, the thumb of the hand against the inner box 22 at the accommodated position so as to slide the inner box 22 upward, the hinge lid 36 is rotated about the hinge line 38 while being projected upward from the outer opening end 18, and is thereby opened as shown in Figure 1. Therefore, the user can take out a filter cigarette FC from the inside of the main body 24.

[0030] In order to enable the above-described opening operation of the hinge lid 36 in conjunction with the sliding of the inner box 22, the upsliding package includes a lid-opening device which will be described below.

[0031] The lid-opening device includes a lid flap 46. As is apparent from Figure 2, the lid flap 46 is extended downward from the rear edge of the top wall 40 along the lid rear wall 42 so as to be inserted between the outer rear wall 14 and the inner rear wall 28. A pair of openings 48 are formed in the lid flap 46. The openings 48 are each formed into a long rectangular shape in the extending direction of the lid flap 46, and are separated from each other in the width direction of the lid flap 46.

[0032] Furthermore, a first folding line 50 is formed in the lid flap 46 so as to be in parallel with the hinge line 38 so that the first folding line 50 is extended across the lid flap 46 in its width direction and divided by the pair of openings 48. Therefore, the lid flap 46 is allowed to be folded along the first folding line 50.

[0033] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, a second folding line 52 is formed in the lid flap 46 as required. The second folding line 52 is also extended across the lid flap 46 in its width direction and positioned between the first folding line 50 and the lower edge of the lid flap 46. For example, the second folding line 52 is positioned near the lower edge of the pair of openings 48 described above so that the second folding line 50 is divided by the openings 48.

[0034] As is apparent from Figure 3, the lid flap 46 is once valley folded along each of the first and second folding lines 50 and 52, and the lower portion between the lower edge of the lid flap 46 and the first folding line 50 is in a state of being lifted from the inner rear wall 28.

[0035] On the other hand, the outer box 10 is provided with an inner flap 54. It should be noted that only the outer rear wall 14 of the outer box 10 is shown in Figure 3. The inner flap 54 is extended downward from the upper edge of the outer rear wall 14 along the inner surface of the outer rear wall 14, and has a lower edge in parallel with the upper edge of the outer rear wall 14.

[0036] A pair of insertion tabs 56 are further extended downward from the lower edge of the inner flap 54 and separated from each other in the width direction of the outer rear wall 14. Each of the pair of insertion tabs 56 has a pointed lower end.

[0037] When the inner box 22 is accommodated in the outer box 10, the distal end portions of the pair of insertion tabs 56 are respectively inserted, as shown by the dot and dash lines in Figure 3, into the corresponding openings 48 from above, and are in a state of intersecting the lid flap 46.

[0038] Here, since the lower portion of the lid flap 46 described above is lifted, the pair of insertion tabs 56 are inserted into the corresponding openings 48 only by overlapping the outer rear wall 14 and the inner rear wall 28 with each other via the lid flap 46.

[0039] In detail, as is apparent from Figure 4, when the inner box 22 is in a state of being completely accommodated in the outer box 10, the distal end portions of the pair of insertion tabs 56 are positioned in the upper portions of the corresponding openings 48. At this time, the first folding line 50 of the lid flap 46 is positioned below the hinge line 38. A distance A1 of at least the thickness of the hinge line 38 or more, for example, 0.5 mm or more, is secured between the first folding line 50 and the hinge line 38.

[0040] That is, when the distance between the top wall 40 and the hinge line 38 is set as L1, and the distance between the upper edge of the lid flap 46 and the first folding line 50 is set as L2, the distances L1 and L2 satisfy the following relationship.

[0041] Furthermore, when the distance between the lower edge of the inner flap 54 and the lower edge of the opening 48 is set as L3, the distances L2 and L3 satisfy the following relationship.

[0042] On the other hand, Figure 5 shows a state in which the inner box 22 is projected upward from the outer opening end 18 of the outer box 10 so that the hinge lid 36 is exposed to the outside of the outer box 10 together with a part of the lid flap 46 (see Figure 2). At this time, the root of each of the insertion tabs 56 is abutted against the lower edge of the corresponding opening 48, respectively. Such abutment regulates further projection of the lid flap 46 from the outer box 10.

[0043] Furthermore, at this time, as is apparent from Figure 5, the first folding line 50 is positioned above the upper edge of the inner flap 54, that is, the upper edge of the outer rear wall 14, and a distance Δ2 (= L3 - L2) is secured between the first folding line 50 and the upper edge of the outer rear wall 14.

[0044] When the inner box 22 is further projected from the outer box 10 from the state shown in Figure 5, the further projection of the lid flap 46 is regulated. Hence the hinge lid 36 is rotated about the hinge line 38 toward the rear side in accordance with the further projection of the hinge lid 36, that is, the lift of the hinge lid 36 so that the hinge lid 36 is opened as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2. On the other hand, the lid flap 46 is folded rearward along the first folding line 50.

[0045] As described above, in the state shown in Figure 5, that is, when the further projection of the lid flap 46 is regulated, the first folding line 50 is located above the upper edge of the outer rear wall 14 by the distance Δ2 and, on the other hand, the hinge line 38 is located above the first folding line 50 by the distance Δ1.

[0046] Therefore, the rotation of the hinge lid 36 about the hinge line 38 is not hindered by the lid flap 46, and also the folding of the lid flap 46 along the first folding line 50 is not hindered by the outer rear wall 14. As a result, the hinge lid 36 is smoothly opened in conjunction with the further projection of the inner box 22.

[0047] On the other hand, in the case where the outer box 10 and the inner box 22 are respectively formed by an outer blank and an inner blank described below, the pair of insertion tabs 56 are only inserted into the corresponding openings 48, respectively. Therefore, the lid flap 46 needs only to have at least a folding tendency along the first folding line 50, and hence the folding of the inner blank including the lid flap 46 is not complicated.

[0048] Furthermore, even when the insertion tabs 56 are respectively inserted into the openings 48, a gap allowing overlapping of the insertion tab 56 and the lid flap 46 needs only to be secured between the inner box 10 and the outer box 20, and hence the overlapping of the insertion tab 56 and the lid flap 46 does not cause the size of the outer box 10 to be increased.

[0049] Figure 6 shows an example of an outer blank 58 for forming the outer box 10 and the inner flap 54.

[0050] The outer blank 58 has a bottom panel 60 at the center thereof, and the bottom panel 60 forms the outer bottom wall of the outer box 10. As shown in Figure 6, a rear panel 66 and a front panel 68 are respectively connected to the upper and lower edges of the bottom panel 60 via folding lines 62 and 64. The rear panel 66 forms the outer rear wall 14, and the front panel 68 forms the outer front wall 12. The aperture 20 is formed in the front panel 68 at the center thereof.

[0051] Outer side flaps 82 and 84 are connected to both sides of the rear panel 66 via folding lines 78 and 80, respectively. On the other hand, inner side flaps 90 and 92 are connected to both sides of the front panel 68 via folding lines 86 and 88, respectively. One of the pair of outer side walls 16 is formed by overlapping the outer side flap 82 and the inner side flap 90 with each other.

[0052] Furthermore, the other of the pair of outer side walls 16 is formed by overlapping the outer side flap 84 and the inner side flap 92 with each other.

[0053] Furthermore, inner bottom flaps 74 and 76 are respectively connected to the lower edges of the outer side flaps 82 and 84 via folding lines 70 and 72, and the inner bottom flaps 74 and 76 serve as reinforcing members of the outer bottom wall by being overlapped with the inner surface of the bottom panel 60.

[0054] As shown in Figure 6, the inner flap 54 having the pair of insertion tabs 56 is connected to the upper edge of the rear panel 66 via a folding line 93, and the distance between the upper edge of the rear panel 66 and the root of the inner flap 54 is represented as L4 in Figure 6.

[0055] Figure 7 shows an inner blank 94 for forming the inner box 22 and the lid flap 46.

[0056] The inner blank 94 has a bottom panel 96 which forms the inner bottom wall of the inner box 22. As shown in Figure 7, a large rear panel 102 and a front panel 104 are connected to the upper and lower edges of the bottom panel 96 via folding lines 98 and 100, respectively. The large rear panel 102 forms the inner rear wall 28, and the front panel 104 forms the inner front wall 26. As shown in Figure 7, the notch 32 is formed at the lower edge of the front panel 104.

[0057] Outer side flaps 118 and 120 are connected to both sides of the large rear panel 102 via folding lines 114 and 116, respectively. On the other hand, inner side flaps 126 and 128 are connected to both sides of the front panel 104 via folding lines 122 and 124, respectively. The outer side flap 118 and the inner side flap 126 form one of the pair of the inner side walls 30 by being overlapped with each other.

[0058] Furthermore, the outer side flap 120 and the inner side flap 128 form the other of the pair of inner side walls 30 by being overlapped with each other.

[0059] Furthermore, inner bottom flaps 110 and 112 are connected to the lower edges of the outer side flaps 118 and 120 via folding lines 106 and 108. The inner bottom flaps 110 and 112 serve as reinforcing members of the inner bottom wall by being overlapped with the inner surface of the bottom panel 96.

[0060] As shown in Figure 7, a lid panel section 130 is connected to the upper edge of the large rear panel 102 via the hinge line 38. The lid panel section 130 includes a small rear panel 132, an inner top panel 134, and an outer top panel 136 in order from the side of the hinge line 38. The small rear panel 132 forms the lid rear wall 42, and the small rear panel 132 and the inner top panel 134 are connected to each other via a folding line 138.

[0061] The inner top panel 134 and the outer top panel 136 are connected to each other via a folding line 140, and form the top wall 40 by being overlapped with each other.

[0062] Side flaps 146 and 148 are respectively connected to both sides of the small rear panel 132 via folding lines 142 and 144, and form the pair of lid side walls 44.

[0063] Middle top flaps 154 and 156 are connected to the upper edges of the side flaps 146 and 148 via folding lines 150 and 152, respectively. The middle top flaps 154 and 156 become reinforcing members of the top wall 40 by being sandwiched between the inner top panel 134 and the outer top panel 136 described above.

[0064] The lid flap 46 is connected to the upper edge of the outer top panel 136 via a folding line 158 as shown in Figure 7.

[0065] Here, when the distance between the folding line 158 and the first folding line 50 is set as L5, and the distance between the upper edge of the opening 48 and the folding line 158 is set as L6 in Figure 7, the above-described distance L3 (see Figure 4) can be represented by the following expression.

[0066] After a folding tendency is given to the lid flap 46 along the first and second folding lines 50 and 52, the inner blank 94 is folded around the inner pack A along the folding lines thereof so as to form the inner box 22 provided with the lid flap 46.

[0067] Then, after the inner flap 54 is folded along the folding line 93, the outer blank 58 is folded around inner box 22 along the folding lines thereof so as to form the outer box 10 provided with the inner flap 54. At this time, the formation of the upsliding package is completed.

[0068] The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various variations are possible.

[0069] For example, the lid-opening device may include only at least one opening 48 and one insertion tab 56. Furthermore, the hinge lid 36 may be connected to the upper edge of one of the inner side walls 30 via the hinge line. In this case, the hinge lid 36 is rotated in the width direction of the inner box 22 so as to open and close the inner opening end 34.

[0070] Furthermore, the inner box 22 is not limited to accommodate the inner pack A of the filter cigarettes FC and can accommodate various products.

Reference Signs List

[0071] 

10

Outer box

18

Outer opening end

22

Inner box

20

Aperture

24

Inner box main body

36

Hinge lid

38

Hinge line

40

Top wall

42

Lid rear wall

46

Lid flap (lid-opening device)

48

Opening (lid-opening device)

50

First folding line (lid-opening device)

52

Second folding line (lid-opening device)

54

Inner flap

56

Insertion tab (lid-opening device)

58

Outer blank

66

Rear panel (outer panel)

93

(First) folding line

94

Inner blank

102

Large rear panel (inner panel)

130

Lid panel section

138

(Second) folding line

158

(Third) folding line

Claims

1. An upsliding package comprising:

an outer box having an opening end at a top thereof;

an inner box accommodated in said outer box so as to be able to slide upward from the opening end of said outer box, said inner box including a main body and a hinge lid connected to the main body via a hinge line, the hinge lid including a top wall for closing the opening end when said inner box is accommodated in said outer box, and a lid rear wall formed between the top wall and the hinge line; and

a lid-opening device for opening the hinge lid when the hinge lid of said inner box is projected from said outer box,

wherein said lid-opening device includes:

a lid flap configured to extend downward from a rear edge of the top wall along the lid rear wall so as to be inserted between said outer box and said inner box, and having an opening;

an insertion tab provided in said outer box, the insertion tab having a distal end portion inserted into the opening from above, and configured to engage a lower edge of the opening with a root thereof so as to regulate further projection of the lid flap when the hinge lid is projected from said outer box together with the lid flap; and

a first folding line formed in the lid flap in parallel with the hinge line, the first folding line being configured to be located above the opening end and extended across the lid flap in the width direction of the lid flap so as to allow the lid flap to be folded in a state where the further projection of the lid flap is regulated.

2. The upsliding package according to claim 1, wherein the first folding line is located below the hinge line when the hinge lid is in a closed state.

3. The upsliding package according to claim 2, wherein said lid-opening device further includes a second folding line formed in the lid flap, the second folding line being located between the first folding line and the lower edge of the lid flap.

4. The upsliding package according to claim 2, wherein said outer box further includes an aperture for exposing a part of said inner box.

5. The upsliding package according to claim 4, wherein the aperture is arranged at a front wall of said outer box.

6. A blank set of an upsliding package, comprising:

an outer blank for forming said outer box and the inner flap of claim 1, said outer blank including

an outer panel for forming a wall of said outer box,

the inner flap being connected to an outer edge of the outer panel via a first folding line; and

an inner blank for forming said inner box and the lid panel of claim 1, said inner blank including

an inner panel for forming a wall of said inner box corresponding to the outer wall of said outer box, and

a lid panel section connected to the inner panel via the hinge line to form the hinge lid, the lid panel section having a second folding line for partitioning between the top wall and the lid rear wall,

wherein the lid flap is connected to an outer edge of a portion of the lid panel section via a third folding line, the portion being defined for forming the top wall.

7. The blank set of the upsliding package according to claim 6, wherein a distance between the third folding line and the first folding line of the lid flap is longer than a distance between the hinge line and the first folding line.

Drawing