The present invention relates to a rigid packet of smoking articles and to a method for manufacturing the same. In particular, the packet object of the present invention is a packet having a flavoured wrap in order to flavour the smoking articles contained therein.

A rigid packet of smoking articles is known from the document EP1373097, which comprises a group of cigarettes, a first rigid container that contains the cigarettes and comprises a cigarette extraction opening and a second rigid container which is of the hinged lid type and contains the first container. Said known packet, at the cigarette extraction opening, provides a resealable label that is fixed to the first container and is movable between an open position, in which access to the smoking articles is allowed through the extraction opening, and a closed position, in which it closes the extraction opening preventing the access to the smoking articles.

As requested more and more frequently by the market, in this type of packet there is the need to have the cigarettes in contact with a paper material (to best preserve them) and, at the same time, to flavour the same with a flavour, for example menthol.

However, it is difficult to flavour the first container as it is rigid. Furthermore, assuming that the first container, or rather the blank from which the first container is to be obtained, can be flavoured, it would be necessary to seal the blank until it is used.

The patent application WO9822367A1 and the patent application WO9928212A1 describe a packet of cigarettes comprising a rigid container provided with a hinged lid and a soft wrap which is housed inside the rigid container and is provided with a cigarette extraction opening engaged by a resealable label. The soft wrap is obtained by folding a sheet of soft wrapping material around a group of cigarettes, the sheet is completely devoid of pre-weakened folding lines; in order to give greater stiffness to the soft wrap, a rigid reinforcement element is arranged inside the soft wrap and around the group of cigarettes.

Therefore, it is an aim of the present invention to provide a rigid packet of smoking articles, and a respective manufacturing method, which overcome the aforementioned drawbacks.

The aforementioned aim has been achieved by means of a rigid packet of smoking articles and a method for manufacturing the same according to the appended claims.

The present invention will now be described with reference to the annexed drawings, which illustrate a non-limiting embodiment, wherein:

• Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views, front and rear, respectively, of the packet of the present invention in a closed configuration;
• Figure 3 is a front perspective view of the packet of Figure 1 in an open configuration;
• Figure 4 is a view of the first container of the packet of Figure 1;
• Figure 5 is a perspective view of the group of smoking articles and the wrap of the packet of Figure 1;
• Figure 6 is a perspective view of the group of smoking articles and the wrap in an alternative embodiment to that shown in Figure 5;
• Figure 7 is a plan view of the sheet of material for forming the wrap of Figure 5;
• Figure 8 is a section view of the sheet of Figure 7, along the section VIII-VIII;
• Figure 9 is a plan view of the blank for manufacturing the first container of Figure 4;
• Figure 10 is a section view of the blank of Figure 9, along the section X-X;
• Figures 11 and 12 are embodiments of the blank for manufacturing the first container which are alternatives to the blank of Figure 9.

With reference to the attached figures, a rigid packet of smoking articles according to the present invention has been denoted generally with the reference numeral 1.

The term "smoking articles" refers to articles relating to the tobacco field such as cigarettes, cigars, electronic cigarettes or tobacco pieces for heat-not-burn (HNB) type of articles. Generally, a smoking article is a tubular element having a longitudinal development axis.

With reference to the attached figures, a preferred embodiment of the packet 1 of the present invention is described in the following.

The packet 1 comprises: a group of smoking articles 2; a first rigid container 3 containing the group of smoking articles 2 and comprising an extraction opening 30 for extracting the smoking articles 2 from the first container 3; a resealable label 4 that is fixed to the first container 3 and is movable between an open position A, in which access to the smoking articles 2 is allowed through the extraction opening 30, and a closed position B, in which it closes the extraction opening 30 preventing the access to the smoking articles 2; a second rigid container 6 that comprises a containing portion 60, that contains the first container 3 and comprises an opening 61 from which the first container 3 protrudes, and a lid 62 that is hinged to the containing portion 60 and is movable for opening and closing the opening 61 of the containing portion 60.

The first container 3 is made of a rigid multilayer material that comprises a first layer 3a which is internal and which is made of a paper material and a second layer 3b which is made of aluminium. The multilayer material that forms the first container 3 is rigid, i.e. it resists the action of external forces which tend to deform the same; consequently, once folded by 90°, the rigid multilayer material, which forms the first container 3, irreversibly strains along the folding line.

Moreover, the packet 1 comprises a wrap 5 that is flavoured, is arranged inside the first container 3 and partially wraps the group of smoking articles 2 so as not to be visible from the extraction opening 30 of the first container 3, (also) when the label 4 is in the open position A.

Advantageously, the proposed packet 1 ensures that a paper material is in contact (preferably entirely) with the group of smoking articles 2 and, at the same time, allows to flavour the group of smoking articles 2 by means of the wrap 5.

With reference to Figure 5, the group of smoking articles 2 has a parallelepiped shape and comprises a front wall 20 and a rear wall 21 parallel and opposed to one another, a first flank 22 and a second flank 23 parallel and opposed to one another, a bottom wall 24 (at which the tobacco-containing end of the cigarettes is preferably arranged) and an upper wall 25 parallel and opposed to one another (at which the filtering material end of the cigarettes is preferably arranged).

With reference to Figure 4, the first rigid container 3 also has a parallelepiped shape. Said first container 3 comprises a front wall 31 (which faces the front wall 20 of the group of smoking articles 2), a rear wall 32 opposite and parallel to the front wall 31 (and which faces the rear wall 21 of the group of smoking articles 2), a first side wall 33 (which faces the first flank 22 of the group of smoking articles 2), a second side wall 34 (which faces the second flank 23 of the group of smoking articles 2), a bottom wall 35 (which faces the bottom wall 24 of the group of smoking articles 2) and an upper wall 36 (which faces the upper wall 25 of the group of smoking articles 2).

In particular, the extraction opening 30 is formed at the upper wall 36 and at the front wall 31 of the first container 3. With reference to Figure 4, the extraction opening 30 is defined by a through opening (the edge of which is denoted with reference numeral 30a) in the first container 3. In other words, the first container 3 has a removed part delimited by the edge 30a which defines the extraction opening 30. The resealable label 4 is fixed to the first container 3 at the extraction opening 30, to completely cover the extraction opening 30, by means of a re-stick glue (which adheres around the edge 30a) that allows to attach and detach the label 4, several times, to and from the first container 3.

According to an alternative and not illustrated embodiment, the extraction opening 30 may be defined by a movable flap defined in the first container 3 by means of a cut line having, for example, a U-shape. In this case, the label 4 is glued to the flap of the first container 3 in a non-removable manner (so that at each opening of the label 4 the flap remains fixed to the label 4) and is fixed around the cut line by means of a re-stick glue so that the label 4 can be attached and detached, several times, to and from the first container 3 while remaining always fixed to the movable flap.

With reference to Figure 9, the blank 3' is shown, starting from which the first container 3, illustrated in Figure 4, is obtained. The blank 3' of Figure 9 comprises two longitudinal pre-weakened folding lines (i.e. parallel to the development of blank 3') and a plurality of transversely pre-weakened folding lines (i.e. orthogonal to the development of the blank 3') which define, between the two longitudinal pre-weakened folding lines, a panel 31" which forms the upper part of the wall front 31 of the first container 3, a panel 35' which forms the upper wall 35 of the first container 3, a panel 32' which forms the rear wall 32 of the first container 3, a panel 36' which forms the bottom wall 39 of the first container 3, and a panel 31" which forms the lower part of the front wall 31 of the first container 3.

According to a preferred but non-binding embodiment, the panel 31" is partially superimposed on the panel 31 to form the front wall 31 of the first container 3. According to other embodiments not shown, the lower edge of the panel 31" is flush with the upper edge of the panel 31 or, alternatively, the lower edge of the panel 31" is spaced apart from the upper edge of the panel 31.

Moreover, with further reference to Figure 9, the blank 3'comprises: a pair of fins 33", 34" which are connected to opposite sides of the panel 31" along the two longitudinal pre-weakened folding lines and form part of the first side wall 33 and of the second side wall 34, respectively, of the first container 3; a pair of fins 33"', 34"' that are connected to opposite sides of the panel 32 'along the two longitudinal pre-weakened folding lines and form part of the first side wall 33 and of the second side wall 34, respectively, of the first container 3; a pair of fins 33', 34' which are connected to opposite sides of the panel 31' along the two longitudinal pre-weakened folding lines and form part of the first side wall 33 and of the second side wall 34, respectively, of the first container 3.

Moreover, the blank 3' comprises a pair of fins 37 which are connected to the panel 35' along the two longitudinal pre-weakened folding lines and are folded by 90° relative to the panel 35' to oppose the fins 33"', 34"'. The blank 3' comprises, furthermore, a pair of fins 38 which are connected to the fins 33"', 34"' along a transverse pre-weakened folding line and are folded by 90° with respect to the corresponding fins 33"', 34"' to rest against the panel 36'.

With reference to Figures 11 and 12, alternative embodiments of the blank 3' of Figure 9 to obtain the first container 3 of the packet 1 object of the present invention are illustrated.

In particular, the blank 3'of Figure 11 differs from that of Figure 9 only with reference to the pair of fins 38: in the blank 3' of Figure 11 the pair of fins 38 is connected to the panel 36' along the two longitudinal pre-weakened folding lines and are folded by 90° relative to the panel 36' to oppose the fins 33"', 34"'.

With reference to the blank 3' of Figure 12, it instead, differs from that of Figure 11 in that the first container 3 obtained has a front wall 31 formed by a single panel 31' and a rear wall 32 formed by two panels 32', 32".

As previously stated, the multilayer material that forms the first container 3 (i.e. that forms the blank 3') is rigid and once folded by 90° it irreversibly is bent along the folding line. Consequently, the blank 3' must be previously provided with a plurality of longitudinal and transverse pre-weakened folding lines so as to be able to be folded precisely around the group of smoking articles 2. The longitudinal and transverse pre-weakened folding lines are obtained by a plastic (i.e. permanent and irreversible) deformation of the material that is previously bent along the pre-weakened folding lines.

Preferably, the first container 3 does not provide glue between the respective walls that form the same.

As stated, the first container 3 is made of a multilayer material comprising a first layer 3a which is internal and which is made of a paper material and a second layer 3b which is made of aluminium (in other words, the first layer 3a and the second layer 3b form a foil coating). Advantageously, the group of smoking articles 2 is arranged in contact with the first layer 3a of paper material and contained within the second aluminium layer 3b; therefore, optimal conservation of the group of smoking articles 2 is ensured.

Moreover, the first container 3 can comprise a third layer 3c which is external and which can be, for example, made of cardboard or paperboard (it can then be painted or plasticized externally). With particular reference to Figure 10, the layers of the blank 3' of Figure 9 are illustrated.

The second container 6 can be made starting from a blank (not illustrated because of a known type) made of cardboard or paperboard. Moreover, even this blank can be made of a multilayer material.

With reference to Figure 3, the resealable label 4 is fixed to the lid 62 of the second container 6 at a corresponding end edge. In this way, when the lid 62 is opened by the smoker, the label 4 is automatically moved from the closed position B to the open position A. According to a not illustrated embodiment, the label 4 could not be fixed to the lid 62; in this case, after opening the lid 62 the smoker should manually move the label 4 from the closed position B to the open position A.

With reference to Figure 5, the wrap 5 comprises (is formed by) a sleeve portion 50 which wraps the group of smoking articles 2 at the front wall 20, at the rear wall 21, at the first flank 22 and at the second flank 23.

Advantageously, this conformation of the wrap 5 allows a minimum use of packaging material.

The sleeve portion 50 of the wrap 5 comprises a first end 50a and a second end 50b which are superimposed to one another. In other words, the sleeve portion 50 of the wrap 5 forms a closed loop around the group of smoking articles 2. Preferably the first end 50a and the second end 50b are not glued together (advantageously, no glue, which could contaminate the group of smoking articles 2, is provided). Alternatively, the first end 50a and the second end 50b could be glued together.

With further reference to Figure 5, the first end 50a and the second end 50b of the sleeve portion 50 of the wrap 5 are superimposed at the first flank 22 of the group of smoking articles 2. According to embodiments not illustrated, the first end 50a and the second end 50b of the sleeve portion 50 of the wrap 5 could be superimposed at any other wall of the group of smoking articles 2.

Moreover, according to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 6, the sleeve portion 50 of the wrap 5 may not provide for the first end 50a and the second end 50b to be superimposed. In this case, the first end 50a and the second end 50b may be flush or spaced apart (for example by a few mm) from one another (Figure 6) .

Preferably, the wrap 5 comprises at least one paper layer 51 which is in contact with the group of smoking articles 2. Advantageously, the group of smoking articles 2 is completely wrapped in a paper material (in part of the wrap 5 and in part of the first container 3) and this ensures an optimal maintenance of the group of smoking articles 2.

In particular, according to the preferred embodiment, the wrap 5 comprises a paper layer 51 (which is flavoured) and an aluminium layer 52 (in other words, the wrap 5 is made of foil). Advantageously, the conservation of the group of smoking articles 2 is further optimized.

Preferably, the paper layer 51 is menthol flavoured. Alternatively, this paper layer 51 could be flavoured with any other flavour.

With reference to Figure 7 the sheet 5' of wrapping material, starting from which the wrap 5 of Figure 5, is obtained is illustrated. In order to obtain the wrap 5, the sheet 5' is wound around the group 2 of smoking articles.

According to an embodiment not illustrated, the wrap 5 could comprise a sleeve portion and a bottom wall from which the sleeve portion 50 rises and which faces the bottom wall 24 of the group of smoking articles 2. According to said embodiment, the wrap 5 would be cup-shaped.

A method for manufacturing a rigid packet 1 of smoking articles 2, according to any of the embodiments described above, is described in the following.

Said method comprises the steps of:

• providing a group of smoking articles 2;
• partially wrapping the group of smoking articles 2 with a flavoured sheet 5' of wrapping material to form a wrap 5;
• folding a first blank 3' so as to form a first rigid container 3 designed to contain the group of smoking articles 2 and the wrap 5, the which first blank 3' comprises an extraction opening and is in a multilayer material that comprises a first layer 3a which is made of a paper material and a second layer 3b which is made of aluminium;

• fixing a resealable label 4 to the first blank 3'or to the first container 3 (preferably at the extraction opening 30), which is movable between an open position A, in which access to the smoking articles 2 is allowed through the extraction opening 30, and a closed position B, in which it closes the extraction opening 30 preventing the access to the smoking articles 2 (preferably, this step is performed by fixing the label 4 to the first blank 3' i.e. before folding the first blank 3' in order to form the first container 3; alternatively, the label 4 could be fixed to the first container 3, i.e. after the folding of the first blank 3');
• arrange the group of smoking articles 2 and the wrap 5 inside the first container 3 so that the wrap 5 is not visible from the extraction opening 30 of the first container 3, (also) when the label 4 is in the open position A (in particular, the step of folding the first blank 3' is performed by folding the first blank 3' around the group of smoking articles 2 and the wrap 5);
• folding a second blank so as to form a second rigid container 6 which comprises a containing portion 60, designed to contain the first container 3 and comprising an opening 61 from which the first container 3 can protrude, and a lid 62 which is hinged to the containing portion 60 and which is movable to open and close the opening 61 of the containing portion 60;
• arranging the first container 3 inside the containing portion 60 of the second container 6 (in particular, the step of folding the second blank is carried out by folding said second blank around the first container 3).

The sheet 5' of wrapping material can be obtained starting from a reel, i.e. by cutting a strip of wrapping material. In particular, before partially wrapping the group of smoking articles 2 with the flavoured sheet 5' of wrapping material, the method can comprise the steps of: providing a sheet 5' of wrapping material (for example, feeding a strip of wrapping material from a reel and cutting said strip to form the sheet 5' of wrapping material); flavour the sheet 5' of wrapping material (in particular, the paper layer 51).