PACKAGE FOR SMOKING ARTICLES WITH AN IMPROVED LID CLOSURE

Abstract

 The present invention is directed to a package for smoking articles comprising a box for containing the smoking articles, the box comprising a front wall, a back wall, two side walls, and a bottom wall, wherein the front wall comprises a middle segment and at least one side segment, wherein the at least one side segment is arranged between the middle segment and one of the side walls, and wherein a wide surface of the at least one side segment is not fully parallel to a wide surface of the middle segment; and a lid for closing the box, the lid comprises a front wall, a back wall, two side walls, and a top wall, wherein the front wall has a straight edge that faces away from the top wall of the lid, and wherein the front wall comprises a middle segment and at least one side segment, wherein the at least one side segment is arranged between the middle segment and one of the side walls, and wherein a wide surface of the at least one side segment is not fully parallel to a wide surface of the middle segment, and wherein the lid is hingedly connected to the box via the back walls, characterized in that, the straight edge extends over the whole middle segment and at least partially into the at least one side segment and is substantially parallel to the top wall of the lid.

Description

[0001] The present invention is directed to a package for smoking articles comprising a box for containing the smoking articles and a lid, wherein the box and the lid are formed in a manner such that an improved closure of the package is guaranteed.

[0002] Smoking articles like e.g. cigarettes or cigarillos are often sold in form of a package. Packages for smoking articles as well as methods of manufacturing the same are well known in the art. Typical packages known from the prior art have rectangular or polygonal cross-sections, wherein packages with a polygonal cross-section obtain their form due to additional panels between the front and side walls forming e.g. bevelled or round edges. Exemplary embodiments of packages for smoking articles having such bevelled or rounded edges are disclosed in WO 2010/069466 A1 and EP 1615830 B1.

[0003] A typical example of a classical package for smoking articles comprises a box defined at least in part by opposing front and back walls, two opposing side walls and a bottom wall and furthermore comprise a lid which allows for closing of the box of the package by turning the lid over the box. Such packages are loaded with smoking articles, such as cigarettes, sealed and wrapped for sale.

[0004] During the use of the package, the consumer continually opens and closes the lid of the package to get access to the smoking articles which are contained in the box of the package. This constant use of the lid may result in a non-fitting top cover of the package. As a consequence, air can ingress into the package and the smoking articles become of reduced quality since the tobacco within the cigarettes loses its aroma and moisture. Thus, there is a need for a package for smoking articles with an improved lid closure.

[0005] Further, it is common practice in the art to use visible surfaces of the package for smoking articles for communication with the consumer. In order to facilitate such communication, one or more printed elements are arranged on an outside surface of the package. However, the space available for arranging printed elements on a surface of the package for smoking articles is limited. Thus, there is a need for means which allow providing additional space available for communication with the consumer.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a package for smoking articles with an improved closure of the lid and/or to provide a package with additional space available for communication with the consumer.

[0007] The present invention provides a package for smoking articles comprising a box for containing the smoking articles, the box comprising a front wall, a back wall, two side walls, and a bottom wall, wherein the front wall comprises a middle segment and at least one side segment, wherein the at least one side segment is arranged between the middle segment and one of the side walls, and wherein a wide surface of the at least one side segment is not fully parallel to a wide surface of the middle segment; and a lid for closing the box, the lid comprises a front wall, a back wall, two side walls, and a top wall, wherein the front wall has a straight edge that faces away from the top wall of the lid, and wherein the front wall comprises a middle segment and at least one side segment, wherein the at least one side segment is arranged between the middle segment and one of the side walls, and wherein a wide surface of the at least one side segment is not fully parallel to a wide surface of the middle segment, and wherein the lid is hingedly connected to the box via the back walls, characterized in that, the straight edge extends over the whole middle segment and at least partially into the at least one side segment and is substantially parallel to the top wall of the lid.

[0008] The overall form of the package for smoking articles of the present invention ensures good fitting between the box and its corresponding lid so that the smoking articles, e.g. cigarettes, stored within the box are kept fresh (by the preservation of aroma and moisture) over a prolonged period after the time of the first use

[0009] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include singular and plural referents unless the content clearly indicates otherwise.

[0010] The present invention relates to a package for smoking articles. The term "package for smoking articles" refers to a unit package for storing e.g. cigarettes, also known as a packet of cigarettes or cigarette pack. Furthermore, the term "package for smoking articles" also refers to a package for receiving one or more unit packages, i.e. an outer packaging for one or more unit packages.

[0011] The package of the present invention comprises a box for containing smoking articles. The box comprises a front wall, a back wall, two side walls and a bottom wall. The front wall of the box is built from a middle segment and at least one side segment, wherein this side segment is arranged between the middle segment and one of the side walls of the box of the package. Furthermore, a wide surface of the at least one side segment of the box is not fully parallel to a wide surface of the middle segment.

[0012] The term "wide" in the expression "wide surface" means a major proportion of the surface of the at least one side segment or the middle segment. Preferably ≥ 50% of the surface of the at least one side segment of the front wall of the box is not fully parallel to a wide surface of the middle segment of the front wall of the box, more preferably 50% to 100%, even more preferably 75% to 100%, most preferably 90% to 100%.

[0013] Preferably, the front wall of the box is built from a middle segment and one or two side segments, wherein these side segments are arranged between the middle segment and the side walls of the box of the package. A wide surface of the side segments of the box is not fully parallel to a wide surface of the middle segment of the lid. Preferably ≥ 50% of the surface of the side segments of the front wall of the box is not fully parallel to a wide surface of the middle segment of the front wall of the box, more preferably 50% to 100%, even more preferably 75% to 100%, most preferably 90% to 100%.

[0014] The package for smoking articles of the present invention also comprises a lid for closing the box. The lid comprises a front wall, a back wall, two side walls and a top wall. The front wall of the lid is built from a middle segment and one or two side segments, wherein these side segments are arranged between the middle segment and the side walls of the lid of the package. Additionally, a wide surface of the at least one side segment of the lid is not fully parallel to a wide surface of the middle segment of the lid. Preferably ≥ 50% of the surface of the at least one side segment of the front wall of the lid is not fully parallel to a wide surface of the middle segment of the front wall of the lid, more preferably 50% to 100%, even more preferably 75% to 100%, most preferably 90% to 100%.

[0015] Preferably, the front wall of the lid is built from a middle segment and one or two side segments, wherein these side segments are arranged between the middle segment and the side walls of the lid of the package. A wide surface of the side segments of the lid is not fully parallel to a wide surface of the middle segment of the lid. Preferably ≥ 50% of the surface of the side segments of the front wall of the lid is not fully parallel to a wide surface of the middle segment of the front wall of the lid, more preferably 50% to 100%, even more preferably 75% to 100%, most preferably 90% to 100%.

[0016] The shape of the lid is adapted to the shape of the box in order to ensure a good fitting thereby providing a save closure of the package. Hence, the form and dimensions of the lid correspond to the ones of the box of the package. The lid and the box of the package are hingedly connected to each other via their respective back walls. The hinged connection between the box and the lid preferably is a hinged line.

[0017] The front wall of the lid has a straight edge opposite to the top wall of the lid and is substantially parallel to the top wall of the lid. Accordingly, in an upright position of the package for smoking articles, said straight edge is a horizontal edge. This straight edge extends over the whole middle segment and at least partially into the at least one side segment of the front wall of the lid. In case the front wall of the lid is built from a middle segment and two side segments, the straight edge preferably extends over the whole middle segments and at least partially into the two side segments of the front wall of the lid,

[0018] Preferably, the straight edge of the front wall of the lid extends into at least ≥10% of the width of the at least one side segment of the front wall of the lid, preferably to 10% to 100%, more preferably 25% to 100%, even more preferably 50% to 100%.

[0019] As already mentioned above, the shape of the lid and the shape of the box are compatible. The front wall of the box has a straight edge opposite to the bottom wall of the box and is substantially parallel to the bottom wall of the box. The straight edge of the front wall of the box can be described as a "stop edge" for the horizontal straight edge of the front wall of the lid. Said stop edge extends over the whole middle segment and at least partially into the at least one side segment of the front wall of the box. Consequently, the stop edge and the straight edge of the front wall of the lid fit together when the package of the invention is in a closed state. In other words, when the package is closed, the stop edge of the front wall of the box and the horizontal straight edge of the front wall of the lid are in contact with each other substantially along their whole length. Preferably, the stop edge of the front wall of the box extends into at least ≥10% of the width of the at least one side segment of the front wall of the lid, preferably to 10% to 100%, more preferably 25% to 100%, even more preferably 50% to 100%.

[0020] In addition to the horizontal straight edge of its front wall, the lid or, more precise, the side walls of the lid each have a side edge that faces away from the top wall of the lid and extends over the whole respective side wall of the lid. The side edges of the side walls of the lid are substantially not parallel to the top wall of the lid. The side edges of the side walls of the lid are arranged in a more acute angle compared to identical packages in which the horizontal straight edge of the front wall of the lid is substantially parallel to the top wall of the lid and does not extend at least partially into the at least one side segment of the lid .. The magnitude of said acute angle depends on the relative dimensions of the package for smoking articles of the invention, such as the height, width and depth of the lid and the box. is an acute angle compared to identical packages in which the straight edge (60) does not extend over the whole middle segment (51) and at least partially into the at least one side segment (52).The extension of the side edges of the side walls of the lid can be restricted to the dimensions of the side walls of the lid which means that the side edges do not extend into the at least one side segment of the lid. Alternatively, the side edges of the side walls of the lid can extend at least partially into the at least one side segment of the lid. In the latter case, the side edges preferably extend ≥10% into the width of the at least one side segment of the lid, more preferably ≥25%, even more preferably ≥50%.

[0021] The package of the invention can have diverse cross-sectional shapes which are in a plane parallel to the bottom wall of the box and the top wall of the lid, respectively.

[0022] The package for smoking articles of the present invention can substantially have a cross-sectional shape in which at least one side segment of the front wall of the box and the corresponding at least one side segment of the front wall of the lid is a bevelled edge or a round edge, i.e. the package may have a substantially pentagonal shape.

[0023] The package for smoking articles of the present invention can substantially have a cross-sectional shape in which at least one side segment of the front wall of the box and the corresponding at least one side segment of the front wall of the lid is a bevelled edge or a round edge. Furthermore, either the other side segment of the front wall of the box (and the corresponding side segment of the front wall of the lid) or at least one side segment of the back wall of the box (and the corresponding side segment of the back wall of the lid) is a bevelled edge or a round edge, so that the package has a substantially hexagonal shape, which can also be termed semi-octagonal. Thus, the two bevelled edges or round edges of the package can either be located next to each other or can be arranged diagonally.

[0024] The package for smoking articles of the present invention can substantially have a cross-sectional shape in which at least one side segment of the front wall of the box and the corresponding at least one side segment of the front wall of the lid is a bevelled edge or a round edge. Furthermore, either the other side segment of the front wall of the box (and the corresponding side segment of the front wall of the lid) and one side segment of the back wall of the box (and the corresponding side segment of the back wall of the lid) is a bevelled edge or a round edge, or both side segments of the back wall of the box (and the corresponding side segment of the back wall of the lid) are bevelled edges or round edges, so that the package has a substantially heptagonal shape.

[0025] The package for smoking articles of the present invention can substantially have a cross-sectional shape in which both side segments of the front wall of the box (and both side segments of the front wall of the lid) and both side segments of the back wall of the box (and both side segments of the back wall of the lid) are bevelled edges or round edges, so that the package has a substantially octagonal shape. In case the side segments are round edges, the cross-sectional shape of this package can also be termed to be a rectangular cross-sectional shape having round corners.

[0026] In the packages of the invention having a substantially hexagonal, heptagonal or octagonal cross-sectional shape, each side segment of the front of the package and each side segment of the back of the package can independently be a bevelled edge or a round edge. Therefore it is possible that all individual side segments of the package are bevelled edges or round edges. It is also possible that the package comprises a combination of different edge-forms, i.e. the package has one or more beveled edges and one or more round edges.

[0027] The segmentation of the respective front and/or back walls of the box and of the lid needed for the preparation of the packages with the different cross-sectional shapes can be manufactured by methods known in the art for the manufacture of classical packages for smoking articles. For the segmentation, the at least one side segment of the front wall of the box, being a bevelled or a round edge, is e.g. formed by at least one folding line. In the event that both side segments of the front wall of the box are bevelled edges or round edges, these edges are e.g. formed by at least two folding lines. The at least one folding line or the at least two folding lines extending parallel to the longitudinal extension of the package, wherein the longitudinal extension is in a direction substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall of the box. The at least one side segment of the front wall of the lid, being a bevelled or a round edge, is e.g. formed by at least one folding line. In the event that both side segments of the front wall of the lid are bevelled edges or round edges, these edges are e.g. formed by at least two folding lines. The at least one folding line or the at least two folding lines extending parallel to the longitudinal extension of the package, wherein the longitudinal extension is in a direction substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall of the box. The same applies for the segmentation of the back walls of the package, i.e. the back wall of the box and the back wall of the lid respectively.

[0028] Preferably, the at least one side segment of the front wall of the box and the at least one side segment of the front wall of the lid can be bevelled edges which is formed in the respective front wall by one respective folding line.

[0029] In case the at least one side segment of the front or back wall of the box and the at least one side segment of the front or back wall of the lid is a beveled edge, the angle between the respective front walls and the respective at least one side segment is an obtuse angle of ≥ 90°, preferably 90° to 170°, more preferably 100° to 150°, even more preferably 120° to 140°. Said angle is measured in a plane parallel to the bottom wall of the box and the top wall of the lid respectively.

[0030] The at least one side segment of the front or back wall of the box and the at least one side segment of the front or back wall of the lid can also be a round edge which is formed in the respective front or back wall by additional folding lines. These additional folding lines extend parallel to the longitudinal extension of the package which is in a direction substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall of the box and the top wall of the lid respectively. As used herein, the term "additional folding lines" means that, besides the minimum of one folding line needed for the partitioning of the respective front or back walls of the package into a middle segment and at least one side segment in each case, or the minimum of two folding lines needed for the partitioning of the respective front or back wall of the package into a middle segment and two side segments, one or more further folding lines are present. When using these additional folding lines in the front or back wall of the box and in the front or back wall of the lid respectively, the particular side segments having the shape of curved edges are generated. The more additional folding lines are used for the generation of the side segments out of the respective front or back wall, the rounder the edge will become. Preferably, at least one additional folding line is used for forming the at least one side segment as round edge in the front or back wall of the box and in the front or back wall of the lid respectively, more preferably 2 to 15 additional folding lines are used, even more preferably 5 to 10 additional folding lines are used.

[0031] Optionally, the back wall of the box preferably comprises a middle segment and at least one side segment, wherein the at least one side segment is arranged between the middle segment and one of the side walls. The back wall of the lid also comprises a middle segment and at least one side segment, wherein the at least one side segment is arranged between the middle segment and one of the side walls, and wherein a wide surface of the at least one side segments is not fully parallel to a wide surface of the middle segments.

[0032] Also optionally, the back wall of the box preferably comprises a middle segment and two side segments, wherein the two side segments are arranged between the middle segment and the side walls. The back wall of the lid also comprises a middle segment and two side segments, wherein the side segments are arranged between the middle segment and the side walls, and wherein a wide surface of the side segments is not fully parallel to a wide surface of the middle segments.

[0033] The package for smoking articles of the present invention can be formed from a single blank, e.g. a single piece of flexible sheet material, by folding the single blank in a way that the package of the present invention comprising a box and a lid, each containing a front wall, a back wall, two side walls and either a bottom wall or a top wall, is generated. It is also possible that the package is formed from more than one single blank. These more than one single blanks are folded in a way that the package of the present invention, comprising a box and a lid each containing a front wall, a back wall, two side walls and either a bottom wall or a top wall, is generated. In order to form a solid package for smoking articles, the one or more than one folded single blank(s) can be fixed at appropriate spots e.g. by adhesively bonding.

[0034] One, more than one or all walls of the package of the invention are preferably formed of a flexible sheet material. Such flexible sheet material can comprise or consist of:

• a paper, paper-like material, carton or cardboard;
• a polymer, preferably a plastic polymer;
• a metal, a metal alloy, a metal foil and/or a metallized laminate;
• or a combination thereof.

[0035] The flexible sheet material can be present as a single layer or in form of a material comprising more than one layer, e.g. in form of a laminate.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the package for smoking articles has a hexagonal shape and comprises a box for containing the smoking articles and a lid for closing the box. The box comprises a front wall, a back wall, two side walls, and a bottom wall, wherein the front wall contains a middle segment and two side segments. The side segments are arranged between the middle segment and the side walls, and a wide surface of the side segments is not fully parallel to a wide surface of the middle segment. The lid of the package comprises a front wall, a back wall, two side walls, and a top wall, wherein the front wall has a straight edge that faces away from the top wall of the lid. The front wall contains a middle segment and two side segments, wherein the side segments are arranged between the middle segment and the side walls and wherein a wide surface of the side segments is not fully parallel to a wide surface of the middle segment. The lid and the box are hingedly connected via their back walls. The straight edge of the front wall of the lid extends over the whole middle segment and at least partially into at least one of the two side segments of the lid and is substantially parallel to the top wall of the lid.

[0037] The straight edge of the front wall of the lid extends into 10% to 100% of the width of the at least one of the two side segments of the lid, more preferably 25% to 100%, even more preferably 50% to 100%.

[0038] The side walls of the lid each have a side edge facing away from the top wall of the lid and extend over the whole respective side wall of the lid. The extension of the side edges is restricted to the dimensions of the side walls of the lid so that these side edges do not extend into the side segments of the lid. The side edges of the side walls of the lid are substantially not parallel to the top wall of the lid and are arranged in a more acute angle compared to identical packages in which the straight horizontal edge of the front wall of the lid does not extend at least partially into the at least one side segment of the lid and is substantially parallel to the top wall of the lid.

[0039] The side segments of the front wall of the box and the side segments of the front wall of the lid are bevelled edges which are formed in the respective front wall by two folding lines, wherein the two folding lines extend parallel to the longitudinal extension of the package. The angle between the respective front walls and the respective side walls is an obtuse angle of ≥ 90°, preferably 90° to 170°, more preferably 100° to 150°, even more preferably 120° to 140°. Said angle is measured in a plane parallel to the bottom wall of the box and the top wall of the lid respectively.

[0040] The back wall of the box is essentially parallel to the middle segment of the front wall of the box. Since the shape of the lid is adapted to the shape of the box, the back wall of the lid is essentially parallel to the middle segment of the front wall of the lid.

[0041] Preferably, the package for smoking articles is formed from a single blank, e.g. a single piece of flexible sheet material.

[0042] In a particular preferred embodiment, the package for smoking articles has an octagonal shape and comprises a box for containing the smoking articles and a lid for closing the box. The box comprises a front wall, a back wall, two side walls, and a bottom wall, wherein the front wall contains a middle segment and two side segments. The side segments are arranged between the middle segment and the side walls, and a wide surface of the side segments is not fully parallel to a wide surface of the middle segment. The lid of the package comprises a front wall, a back wall, two side walls, and a top wall, wherein the front wall has a straight edge that faces away from the top wall of the lid. The front wall contains a middle segment and two side segments, wherein the side segments are arranged between the middle segment and the side walls and wherein a wide surface of the side segments is not fully parallel to a wide surface of the middle segment. The lid and the box are hingedly connected via their back walls. The straight edge of the front wall of the lid extends over the whole middle segment and at least partially into at least one of the two side segments of the lid and is substantially parallel to the top wall of the lid.

[0043] The straight edge of the front wall of the lid extends into 10% to 100% of the width of the at least one of the two side segments of the lid, more preferably 25% to 100%, even more preferably 50% to 100%.

[0044] The side walls of the lid each have a side edge facing away from the top wall of the lid and extending over the whole respective side wall of the lid. The extension of the side edges is restricted to the dimensions of the side walls of the lid so that these side edges do not extend into the side segments of the lid. The straight edges of the side walls of the lid are substantially not parallel to the top wall of the lid and are arranged in a more acute angle compared to identical packages in which the straight horizontal edge of the front wall of the lid does not extend at least partially into the at least one side segment of the lid and is substantially parallel to the top wall of the lid.

[0045] The side segments of the front wall of the box and the side segments of the front wall of the lid are bevelled edges which are formed in the respective front wall by two folding lines, wherein the two folding lines extend parallel to the longitudinal extension of the package. The angle between the respective front walls and the respective side segments is an obtuse angle of ≥ 90°, preferably 90° to 170°, more preferably 100° to 150°, even more preferably 120° to 140°. Said angle is measured in a plane parallel to the bottom wall of the box and the top wall of the lid, respectively.

[0046] In addition to that, also the back walls of the box and the lid respectively, each are segmented and the individual segments are arranged in a manner to form the octagonal cross-sectional shape of the package. In particular, the back wall of the box comprises a middle segment and two side segments, wherein the side segments are arranged between the middle segment of the box and its side walls, and wherein a wide surface of the side segments is not fully parallel to a wide surface of the middle segment of the box. The back wall of the lid also comprises a middle segment and two side segments, wherein the side segments are arranged between the middle segment of the lid and its side walls, and wherein a wide surface of the side segments is not fully parallel to a wide surface of the middle segment of the lid. Both, the side segments of the back wall of the box and the side segments of the back wall of the lid are bevelled edges which are formed in the respective back wall by two folding lines, wherein the two folding lines extend parallel to the longitudinal extension of the package. The angle between the respective back walls and the respective side segments is an obtuse angle of ≥ 90°, preferably 90° to 170°, more preferably 100° to 150°, even more preferably 120° to 140°. Said angle is measured in a plane parallel to the bottom wall of the box and the top wall of the lid, respectively.

[0047] Preferably, the package for smoking articles is formed from a single blank, e.g. a single piece of flexible sheet material.

[0048] In another preferred embodiment, the package for smoking articles has a hexagonal shape and comprises a box for containing the smoking articles and a lid for closing the box. The box comprises a front wall, a back wall, two side walls, and a bottom wall, wherein the front wall contains a middle segment and two side segments. The side segments are arranged between the middle segment and the side walls, and a wide surface of the side segments is not fully parallel to a wide surface of the middle segment. The lid of the package comprises a front wall, a back wall, two side walls, and a top wall, wherein the front wall has a straight edge that faces away from the top wall of the lid. The front wall contains a middle segment and two side segments, wherein the side segments are arranged between the middle segment and the side walls and wherein a wide surface of the side segments is not fully parallel to a wide surface of the middle segment. The lid and the box are hingedly connected via their back walls. The straight edge of the front wall of the lid extends over the whole middle segment and at least partially into at least one of the two side segments of the lid and is substantially parallel to the top wall of the lid.

[0049] The straight edge of the front wall of the lid extends into 10% to 100% of the width of the at least one of the two side segments of the lid, more preferably 25% to 100%, even more preferably 50% to 100%.

[0050] The side walls of the lid each have a side edge facing away from the top wall of the lid and extend over the whole respective side wall of the lid. The extension of the side edges is not restricted to the dimensions of the side walls of the lid so that these side edges do extend at least partially into at least one of the two side segments of the lid. The straight edges of the side walls of the lid preferably extend ≥10% into the width of the at least one of the two side segments of the lid, more preferably ≥25%, even more preferably ≥50%.

[0051] The side edges of the side walls of the lid are substantially not parallel to the top wall of the lid and are arranged in a more acute angle compared to identical packages in which the straight horizontal edge of the front wall of the lid does not extend at least partially into the at least one side segment of the lid and is substantially parallel to the top wall of the lid.

[0052] The side segments of the front wall of the box and the side segments of the front wall of the lid are round edges which are formed in the respective front wall by additional folding lines, wherein the additional folding lines extending parallel to the longitudinal extension of the package.

[0053] The back wall of the box is essentially parallel to the middle segment of the front wall of the box. Since the shape of the lid is adapted to the shape of the box, the back wall of the lid is essentially parallel to the middle segment of the front wall of the lid.

[0054] Preferably, the package for smoking articles is formed from a single blank, e.g. a single piece of flexible sheet material.

[0055] In a particular preferred embodiment, the package for smoking articles has an octagonal shape and comprises a box for containing the smoking articles and a lid for closing the box. The box comprises a front wall, a back wall, two side walls, and a bottom wall, wherein the front wall contains a middle segment and two side segments. The side segments are arranged between the middle segment and the side walls, and a wide surface of the side segments is not fully parallel to a wide surface of the middle segment. The lid of the package comprises a front wall, a back wall, two side walls, and a top wall, wherein the front wall has a straight edge that faces away from the top wall of the lid. The front wall contains a middle segment and two side segments, wherein the side segments are arranged between the middle segment and the side walls and wherein a wide surface of the side segments is not fully parallel to a wide surface of the middle segment. The lid and the box are hingedly connected via their back walls. The straight edge of the front wall of the lid extends over the whole middle segment and at least partially into at least one of the two side segments of the lid and is substantially parallel to the top wall of the lid.

[0056] The straight edge of the front wall of the lid extends into 10% to 100% of the width of the at least one of the two side segments of the lid, more preferably 25% to 100%, even more preferably 50% to 100%.

[0057] The side walls of the lid each have a side edge facing away from the top wall of the lid and extending over the whole respective side wall of the lid. The extension of the side edges is not restricted to the dimensions of the side walls of the lid so that these straight edges do extend at least partially into at least one of the two side segments of the lid. The side edges of the side walls of the lid preferably extend ≥10% into the width of the at least one of the two side segments of the lid, more preferably ≥25%, even more preferably ≥50%.

[0058] The straight edges of the side walls of the lid are substantially not parallel to the top wall of the lid and are arranged in a more acute angle compared to identical packages in which the straight horizontal edge of the front wall of the lid does not extend at least partially into the at least one side segment of the lid and is substantially parallel to the top wall of the lid.

[0059] The side segments of the front wall of the box and the side segments of the front wall of the lid are round edges which are formed in the respective front wall by additional folding lines, wherein the additional folding lines extending parallel to the longitudinal extension of the package.

[0060] In addition to that, also the back walls of the box and the lid respectively, each are segmented and the individual segments are arranged in a manner to form the octagonal cross-sectional shape of the package. In particular, the back wall of the box comprises a middle segment and two side segments, wherein the side segments are arranged between the middle segment of the box and its side walls, and wherein a wide surface of the side segments is not fully parallel to a wide surface of the middle segment of the box. The back wall of the lid also comprises a middle segment and two side segments, wherein the side segments are arranged between the middle segment of the lid and its side walls, and wherein a wide surface of the side segments is not fully parallel to a wide surface of the middle segment of the lid. Both, the side segments of the back wall of the box and the side segments of the back wall of the lid are round edges.

[0061] Preferably, the package for smoking articles is formed from a single blank, e.g. a single piece of flexible sheet material.

[0062] In addition to the improved lid closure, the package of the present invention exhibits further advantages. The package for smoking articles of the present invention may comprise one or more printed elements arranged on an outside surface of the front wall and/or on an outside surface of the back wall of the package. Using one or more outside surfaces of the front wall and/or the back wall has the advantage that additional space can be used for the one or more printed elements allowing the communication with the consumer. Preferably, the package of the present invention comprises one or more printed elements on the middle segment of the front wall of the box. More preferably, the one or more printed elements are arranged on the middle segment of the front wall of the box and on the at least one side segment of the front wall of the box. It is even more preferred that the one or more printed elements are arranged on the middle segment of the front wall of the box and, in case the front wall of the box has two side segments, on both of these side segments.

[0063] Alternatively or in addition, the package of the present invention comprises one or more printed elements on the middle segment of the back wall of the box. More preferably, the one or more printed elements are arranged on the middle segment of the back wall of the box and on the at least one side segment of the back wall of the box. It is even more preferred that the one or more printed elements are arranged on the middle segment of the back wall of the box and, in case the back wall of the box has two side segments, on both of these side segments.

[0064] The present invention is also directed to a blank for manufacturing the package for smoking articles of the invention.

[0065] Furthermore, the present invention is directed to a method for the manufacture of the package for smoking articles of the invention, the method comprising the steps a) providing a blank of the invention; (b) folding the blank of step a); and (c) optionally fixing the folded blank at appropriate spots, preferably by adhesively bonding.

[0066] The present invention is also directed to the use of the package for smoking articles as outer packaging for one or more unit packages, e.g. cigarette pack(s).

[0067] The nature of the invention is further exemplified by way of the following figures and examples.

Figures

[0068] 

Fig. 1

shows a comparison between (A) a blank for the manufacture of a prior art package for smoking articles and (B) a blank for the manufacture of a first embodiment of the package for smoking articles of the invention.

Fig. 2

shows a comparison between (A) a prior art package for smoking articles and (B) the first embodiment of the package for smoking articles of the invention (closed configuration) in an oblique top view of the front sides of the packages.

Fig. 3

shows a comparison between (A) a prior art package for smoking articles and (B) the first embodiment of the package for smoking articles of the invention (closed configuration) in an oblique top view of the back sides of the packages.

Fig. 4

shows a comparison between (A) a prior art package for smoking articles and (B) the first embodiment of the package for smoking articles of the invention (open configuration) in an oblique top view of the front sides of the packages.

Fig. 5

shows in (A) an enlarged section of a prior art package for smoking articles and in (B) an enlarged section of the first embodiment of the package for smoking articles of the invention, wherein the respective enlarged sections considerably display the difference regarding the structure of particular edges of said packages.

Fig. 6

shows a blank for the manufacture of a second embodiment of the package for smoking articles of the invention.

Fig. 7

shows the second embodiment of the package for smoking articles of the invention (closed configuration) in an oblique top view of the front side of the package.

Fig. 8

shows a blank for the manufacture of a third embodiment of the package for smoking articles of the invention.

Fig. 9

shows the third embodiment of the package for smoking articles of the invention (open configuration) in an oblique top view of the front side of the package.

Fig. 10

shows an enlarged section of the third embodiment of the package for smoking articles of the invention, wherein the enlarged section displays the structure of a particular edge of the package.

Fig. 11

shows a fourth embodiment of the package for smoking articles of the invention (closed configuration) in an oblique top view of the front side of the package.

Examples

[0069] In Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5, a first embodiment of the package for smoking articles of the present invention is shown which is formed from a single blank shown in Fig. 1, wherein in (A) a package of the prior art is presented and (B) refers to a package of the present invention.

[0070] The octagonal package 1 of Fig. 2B, 3B, 4B and 5B comprises a box 10 for containing the smoking articles and a lid 20 for closing the box 10. The box 10 comprises a front wall 11, a back wall 12, two side walls 13, and a bottom wall 14, wherein the front wall 11 contains a middle segment 41 and two side segments 42. The side segments 42 are arranged between the middle segment 42 and the side walls 13. A wide surface of the side segments 42 is not fully parallel to a wide surface of the middle segment 41. The lid 20 of the package 1 comprises a front wall 21, a back wall 22, two side walls 23, and a top wall 24, wherein the front wall 21 has a straight edge that faces away from the top wall 24 of the lid 20. The front wall 21 contains a middle segment 51 and two side segments 52, wherein the side segments 52 are arranged between the middle segment 51 and the side walls 23. A wide surface of the side segments 52 is not fully parallel to a wide surface of the middle segment 51. The lid 20 and the box 10 are hingedly connected by a hinged line via their back walls. The back wall 22 of the lid 20 has a straight edge 90 that faces away from the top wall 24 of the lid 20. The straight edge 90 of the back wall 22 of the lid 20 extends into the width of both side segments 72 of the lid 20. The straight edge 60 of the front wall 21 of the lid 20 extends over the whole middle segment 51 and at least partially into at least one of the two side segments 52 of the lid 20 and is substantially parallel to the top wall 24 of the lid 20. The straight edge of the front wall 21 of the lid 20 extends into 100% of the width of both side segments 52 of the lid 20.

[0071] The side walls 23 of the lid 20 each have a side edge 70 facing away from the top wall 24 of the lid 20 and extend over the whole respective side wall 23 of the lid 20. The extension of the side edges 70 of the side walls 23 of the lid 20 do not extend into the side segments 52 of the lid 20. The side edges 70 of the side walls 23 of the lid 20 are arranged in a more acute angle (x) compared to identical packages in which the straight horizontal edge of the front wall of the lid does not extend at least partially into the at least one side segment of the lid.

[0072] The side segments 42 of the front wall 41 of the box 10 and the side segments 52 of the front wall 51 of the lid 20 are bevelled edges which are formed in the respective front wall 41, 51 by two folding lines 43, wherein the two folding lines 43 extend parallel to the longitudinal extension of the package 1. The angle between the respective front walls 41, 51 and the respective side segments 42, 52 is an angle of 135°. Said angle is measured in a plane parallel to the bottom wall 14 of the box 10 and the top wall 24 of the lid 20 respectively.

[0073] In addition to that, also the back walls 12 of the box 10 and the lid 20 respectively, each are segmented. The back wall 12 of the box 10 comprises a middle segment 61 and two side segments 62, wherein the side segments 62 are arranged between the middle segment 61 of the box 10 and its side walls 13. A wide surface of the side segments 62 is not fully parallel to a wide surface of the middle segment 61 of the box 10. The back wall 22 of the lid 20 also comprises a middle segment 71 and two side segments 72, wherein the side segments 72 are arranged between the middle segment 71 of the lid 20 and its side walls 23. A wide surface of the side segments 72 is not fully parallel to a wide surface of the middle segment 71 of the lid 20. Both, the side segments 62 of the back wall 12 of the box 10 and the side segments 72 of the back wall 22 of the lid 20 are bevelled edges which are formed in the respective back wall by two folding lines 63, 73, wherein the two folding lines 63, 73 extend parallel to the longitudinal extension of the package 1. The angle (y) between the respective back walls 12, 22 and the respective side segments is an angle of 135°. Said angle (y) is measured in a plane parallel to the bottom wall 14 of the box 10 and the top wall 24 of the lid 20 respectively.

[0074] In addition to the above-mentioned reference signs shown in the figures illustrating the first embodiment of the invention, the blank of Fig. 1B shows the stop edge 80 of the front wall 11 of the box 10 being compatible to the straight edge 60 of the front wall 21 of the lid 20. Furthermore, Fig. 1B depicts the angles (x) and (y).

[0075] Fig. 7 shows a second embodiment of the package for smoking articles of the present invention which can be formed from a single blank shown in Fig. 6. This second embodiment is similar to the first (octagonal) embodiment of the package 1 with the difference that the back wall 12 of the box 10 is not segmented thereby forming a package 1 having a back with rectangular edges. Thus, the package 1 of Figs 6 and 7 exhibits a hexagonal or semi-octagonal cross-sectional shape.

[0076] In Fig. 9 and 10, a third embodiment of the package for smoking articles of the present invention is shown which is formed from a single blank shown in Fig. 8.

[0077] The octagonal package 1 of Fig. 9 and 10 comprises a box 10 for containing the smoking articles and a lid 20 for closing the box 10. The box comprises a front wall 11, a back wall 12, two side walls 13, and a bottom wall 14, wherein the front wall 11 contains a middle segment 41 and two side segments 42. The side segments 42 are arranged between the middle segment 41 and the side walls 13. A wide surface of the side segments 42 is not fully parallel to a wide surface of the middle segment 41. The lid 20 of the package 1 comprises a front wall 21, a back wall 22, two side walls 23, and a top wall 24, wherein the front wall 21 has a straight edge that faces away from the top wall 24 of the lid 20. The front wall 21 contains a middle segment 51 and two side segments 52, wherein the side segments 52 are arranged between the middle segment 51 and the side walls 23. A wide surface of the side segments 52 is not fully parallel to a wide surface of the middle segment 51. The lid 20 and the box 10 are hingedly connected by a hinged line via their back walls. The back wall 22 of the lid 20 has a straight edge 90 that faces away from the top wall 24 of the lid 20. The straight edge 90 of the back wall 22 of the lid 20 extends into at least 50% of the width of both side segments 72 of the lid 20. The straight edge 60 of the front wall 21 of the lid 20 extends over the whole middle segment 51 and at least partially into at least one of the two side segments 52 of the lid 20 and is substantially parallel to the top wall 24 of the lid 20. The straight edge 60 of the front wall 21 of the lid 20 extends into at least 50% of the width of the at least one of the two side segments 52 of the lid 20.

[0078] The side walls 23 of the lid 20 each have a side edge 70 facing away from the top wall 24 of the lid 20 and extend over the whole respective side wall 23 of the lid 20. The extension of the side edges 70 of the side walls 23 of the lid 20 into 50% or less of the width of both side segments 52 of the lid 20.

[0079] The side segments 42 of the front wall 11 of the box 10 and the side segments 52 of the front wall 21 of the lid 20 are round edges which are formed in the respective front wall 11, 21 by additional folding lines, wherein the additional folding lines extending parallel to the longitudinal extension of the package.

[0080] In addition to that, also the back walls 12 of the box 10 and the lid 20 respectively, each are segmented. The back wall 12 of the box 10 comprises a middle segment 61 and two side segments 62, wherein the side segments 62 are arranged between the middle segment 61 of the box 10 and its side walls 13. A wide surface of the side segments 62 is not fully parallel to a wide surface of the middle segment 61 of the box 10. The back wall 22 of the lid 20 also comprises a middle segment 71 and two side segments 72, wherein the side segments 72 are arranged between the middle segment 71 of the lid 20 and its side walls 23. A wide surface of the side segments 72 is not fully parallel to a wide surface of the middle segment 71 of the lid 20. Both, the side segments 62 of the back wall 12 of the box 10 and the side segments 72 of the back wall 22 of the lid 20 are round edges which are formed in the respective back wall 12, 22 by additional folding lines 64, 74, wherein the additional folding lines 64, 74 extend parallel to the longitudinal extension of the package 1.

[0081] Additionally, the blank of Fig. 8 shows the stop edge 80 of the front wall 11 of the box 10 being compatible to the straight edge 60 of the front wall 21 of the lid 20.

[0082] Fig. 11 shows a fourth embodiment of the package for smoking articles of the present invention. This fourth embodiment is similar to the third (octagonal) embodiment of the package 1 with the difference that the back wall 12 of the box 10 is not segmented thereby forming a package 1 having a back with rectangular edges.

Claims

1. Package (1) for smoking articles comprising:

- a box (10) for containing the smoking articles, the box (10) comprising a front wall (11), a back wall (12), two side walls (13), and a bottom wall (14), wherein the front wall (11) comprises a middle segment (41) and at least one side segment (42), wherein the at least one side segment (42) is arranged between the middle segment (41) and one of the side walls (13), and wherein a wide surface of the at least one side segment (42) is not fully parallel to a wide surface of the middle segment (41); and

- a lid (20) for closing the box (10), the lid (20) comprises a front wall (21), a back wall (22), two side walls (23), and a top wall (24), wherein the front wall (21) has a straight edge (60) that faces away from the top wall (24) of the lid (20), and wherein the front wall (21) comprises a middle segment (51) and at least one side segment (52), wherein the at least one side segment (52) is arranged between the middle segment (51) and one of the side walls (23), and wherein a wide surface of the at least one side segment (52) is not fully parallel to a wide surface of the middle segment (51), and wherein the lid (20) is hingedly connected to the box (10) via the back walls (12, 22),

characterized in that, the straight edge (60) extends over the whole middle segment (51) and at least partially into the at least one side segment (52) and is substantially parallel to the top wall (24) of the lid (20).

2. Package (1) according to claim 1, wherein the straight edge (60) extends into at least ≥10% of the width of the at least one side segment (52), preferably to 10% to 100%, more preferably 25% to 100%, even more preferably 50% to 100%.

3. Package (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the side walls (23) of the lid (20) each have a side edge (70) that extends over the whole side wall (23).

4. Package (1) according to claim 3, wherein the side edge (70) is a more acute angle compared to identical packages in which the straight edge (60) does not extend over the whole middle segment (51) and at least partially into the at least one side segment (52) and is substantially parallel to the top wall (24) of the lid (20).

5. Package (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the side edge (70) extends at least partially into the at least one side segment (52).

6. Package (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one side segment (42, 52) in the respective front wall (11, 21) is a bevelled edge or a round edge.

7. Package (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one side segment (42, 52) is formed in the respective front wall (11, 21) by at least one folding line (43, 53), the at least one folding line (43, 53) extending parallel to the longitudinal extension of the package (1) wherein the longitudinal extension is in a direction substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall (14) of the box (10) and the top wall (24) of the lid (20) respectively.

8. Package (1) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the at least one side segment (42, 52) is a beveled edge which is formed in the respective front wall (11, 21) by one folding line (43, 53).

9. Package (1) according to one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the at least one side segment (42, 52) in the respective front wall (11, 21) is a bevelled edge and the angle between the front wall (11, 21) and the at least one side segment (42, 52) is ≥ 90°, preferably 90° to 170°, more preferably 100° to 150°, even more preferably 120° to 140°, and wherein the angle is measured in a plane parallel to the bottom wall (14) of the box (10) and the top wall (24) of the lid (20) respectively.

10. Package (1) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the at least one side segment (42, 52) is a round edge which is formed in the respective front wall (11, 21) by additional folding lines (44, 54), the additional folding lines (44, 54) extending parallel to the longitudinal extension of the package (1).

11. Package (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the package (1) comprises:

- a box (10) for containing the smoking articles, the box (10) comprising a front wall (11), a back wall (12), two side walls (13), and a bottom wall (14), wherein the front wall (11) comprises a middle segment (41) and two side segments (42), wherein the side segments (42) are arranged between the middle segment (41) and the side walls (13), and wherein a wide surface of the side segments (42) is not fully parallel to a wide surface of the middle segment (41); and

- a lid (20) for closing the box (10), the lid (20) comprises a front wall (21), a back wall (22), two side walls (23), and a top wall (24), wherein the front wall (21) has a straight edge (60) that faces away from the top wall (24) of the lid (20), and wherein the front wall (21) comprises a middle segment (51) and two side segments (52), wherein the side segments (52) are arranged between the middle segment (51) and the side walls (23), and wherein a wide surface of the side segments (52) is not fully parallel to a wide surface of the middle segment (51), and wherein the lid (20) is hingedly connected to the box (10) via the back walls (12, 22),

characterized in that, the straight edge (60) extends over the whole middle segment (51) and at least partially into the two side segments (52) and is substantially parallel to the top wall (24) of the lid (20).

12. Package (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein

- the back wall (12) of the box (10) comprises a middle segment (61) and at least one side segment (62), wherein the at least one side segment (62) is arranged between the middle segment (61) and one of the side walls (13); and wherein

- the back wall (22) of the lid (20) comprises a middle segment (71) and at least one side segment (72), wherein the at least one side segment (72) is arranged between the middle segment (71) and one of the side walls (23), and wherein a wide surface of the at least one side segments (62, 72) is not fully parallel to a wide surface of the middle segments (61, 71),
characterized in that the back wall (22) of the lid (20) has a straight edge (90) that faces away from the top wall (24) of the lid (20), wherein the straight edge (90) extends at least partially into the at least one side segment (72) and is substantially parallel to the top wall (24) of the lid (20).

13. Package (1) according to claim 12, wherein

- the back wall (12) of the box (10) comprises a middle segment (61) and two side segments (62), wherein the side segments (62) are arranged between the middle segment (61) and the side walls (13), and wherein the

- back wall (22) of the lid (20) comprises a middle segment (71) and two side segments (72), wherein the side segments (72) are arranged between the middle segment (71) and the side walls (23), and wherein a wide surface of the side segments (62, 72) is not fully parallel to a wide surface of the middle segments (61, 71),
characterized in that the straight edge (90) extends at least partially into the two side segments (72).

14. Blank for manufacturing the package (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

15. Method for the manufacture of the package (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, comprising the steps:

(a) providing a blank according to claim 14;

(b) folding the blank of step a); and

(c) optionally fixing the folded blank at appropriate spots, preferably by adhesively bonding.

Drawing