The present invention relates to a package, with a sliding opening, for articles, such as smoking articles, sweets, chocolates or pharmaceutical articles.

A package for articles is known, which comprises a tray containing the article and an outer shell having an opening through which the tray can slide. In particular, the tray can slide between an opening position, in which the access to the article is allowed, and a closing position in which the access to the article is prevented.

In order to prevent the accidental fall of the article, the tray can only be partially extracted from the outer shell. However, for said reason, this package makes it difficult to extract the article from the tray.

Patent Application US2009108054A1 represents the closest prior art and discloses a packing box including two sleeves and a receptacle sleeved with the sleeves. Each sleeve includes a bottom wall, a top wall, and two sidewalls perpendicular to the top and bottom walls; the receptacle includes a rack and two blocking plates depending from the sidewalls.

Patent Application CN104828353a discloses a cosmetic actively-pushing type package box comprising a left cover, a right cover, a hollow transmission case, a liftable tray arranged in the transmission case in an up-down moving manner, and a cosmetic bottle.

The object of the present invention is to provide a package for articles having a sliding opening which overcomes the aforesaid drawbacks.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a package with a sliding opening which makes the extraction of the articles easy.

The above object has been achieved by means of a package for articles according to the appended claims.

The present invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings, which illustrate an example and some non-limiting embodiments, as the scope of the invention is defined by the claims, wherein:

• Figures 1-3 are perspective views of a first embodiment of the package, object of the present invention, in different opening steps;
• Figures 1A-3A are enlarged views in cross section of the package of Figures 1, 2 and 3, respectively;
• Figures 4-6 are plan views of the blanks for making the package of Figure 1;
• Figures 7-9 are perspective views of an example of a package, being not object of the present invention, in different opening steps;
• Figures 10-12 are perspective views of a second embodiment of the package, object of the present invention, in different opening steps;
• Figures 13-15 are perspective views of a third embodiment of the package, object of the present invention, in different opening steps; - Figures 13A-15A are enlarged views in cross section of the package of Figures 13, 14 and 15, respectively.

With reference to the attached figures, a package for articles, with a sliding opening, has been denoted generically with reference number 1.

By the term "articles" we mean articles relating to the tobacco field such as a cigarette, a cigar, an electronic cigarette or a capsule for an electronic cigarette. Alternatively, the term "articles" can refer to articles relating to the food sector, in particular confectionery, such as sweets, chocolates or pralines. As a further alternative, the term "articles" can refer to articles relating to the pharmaceutical field as inhalation devices with respective cartridges or capsule blister packs.

With reference to the attached Figures 1-3 and 1A-3A, a first preferred embodiment of the package 1 of the present invention is described in the following.

The package 1 comprises: an article 2; an extraction opening 3 for the article 2 to extract the article 2 from the package 1; an inner shell 4; an outer shell 5 that comprises an opening 50 through which the inner shell 4 can slide, along a sliding direction X in a sliding plane, between an opening position A, in which the access to the article 2 is allowed through the extraction opening 3, and a closing position B, in which the access to the article 2 is prevented. In other words, the inner shell 4 is movable with respect to the outer shell 5 by means of a translation in the sliding plane through the opening 50.

The extraction opening 3 is obtained in a plane parallel to the sliding plane.

With particular reference to Figure 3, the package 1 also comprises a connection element 6 that connects the outer shell 5 and the inner shell 4 and that comprises a support portion 60 for the article 2 on which the article 2 is arranged.

The connection element 6 is foldable to assume a first configuration, when the inner shell 4 is in the closing position B, in which the support portion 60 is at a first distance d1 from the extraction opening 3 (Figure 1A), and a second configuration, when the inner shell 4 is in the opening position A, in which the support portion 60 is at a second distance d2 from the extraction opening 3 which is lesser than the first distance d1 (Figure 3A).

Therefore, when the inner shell 4 is in the closing position B, the article 2 is contained inside the package 1 (i.e. inside the inner shell 4 and the outer shell 5) and the extraction opening 3 is instead closed. Whereas, when the inner shell 4 is in the opening position A, the article 2 is easily accessible as it protrudes from the package 1 through the extraction opening 3.

Advantageously, the proposed package 1 is of the sliding type and makes the removal of article 2 from the package 1 simple and easy.

With particular reference to Figures 1A-3A, the inner shell 4 comprises: an upper wall 41; a lower wall 42 opposite and parallel to the upper wall 41; a first side 43, a second side 44 and a third side 45 each connecting the upper wall 41 and the lower wall 42. The first side 43 and the second side 44 are opposite and parallel and the third side 45 connects the first side 43 and the second side 44. The third side 45 is orthogonal to the first side 43 and to the second side 44.

The inner shell 4 has a substantially parallelepiped shape with an opening at one side. In particular, the opening is opposite to the third side 45.

With further reference to Figures 1A-3A, the outer shell 5 comprises: an upper wall 51; a lower wall 52 opposite and parallel to the upper wall 51; a first side 53, a second side 54 and a third side 55 each connecting the upper wall 51 and the lower wall 52. The first side 53 and the second side 54 are opposite and parallel and the third side 55 connects the first side 53 and the second side 54. The third side 55 is orthogonal to the first side 53 and to the second side 54.

The outer shell 5 has a substantially parallelepiped shape with the opening 50 through which the inner shell 4 can slide. In particular, the opening 50 is opposite to the third side 55.

The third side 45 of the inner shell 4 is opposite and parallel to the third side 55 of the outer shell 5.

The inner shell 4 is made in one piece. Similarly, the outer shell 5 is made in one piece.

The extraction opening 3 is obtained in the outer shell 5. The extraction opening 3 is obtained at the upper wall 51 of the outer shell 5 (Figure 2).

Therefore, when the inner shell 4 is in the closing position B, the inner shell 4 closes the extraction opening 3 obtained in the outer shell 5 (in detail, it is the upper wall 41 of the inner shell 4 that closes the extraction opening 3).

In particular, when the inner shell 4 is in the closing position B and therefore the connection element 6 is in the first configuration, the support portion 60 is arranged near the lower wall 42, 52, of the inner shell 4 and of the outer shell 5 (Figure 1A). The support portion 60 is substantially parallel to the lower wall 42, 52, of the inner shell 4 and of the outer shell 5.

Instead, when the inner shell 4 is in the opening position A and therefore the connection element 6 is in the second configuration, the support portion 60 is arranged near the extraction opening 3 (though always substantially parallel to the lower wall 42, 52, of the inner shell 4 and of the outer shell 5). The distance d2 is substantially zero or at most equal to a few mm (Figure 3A).

The inner shell 4 can be made of cardboard. The outer shell 5 can also be made of cardboard. Similarly, the connection element 6 can also be made of cardboard.

With reference to Figure 4 the blank 4' is illustrated, from which the folding of the inner shell 4 is obtained. Said blank 4' comprises: an upper panel 41' designed to define the upper wall 41 of the inner shell 4; a lower panel 42' designed to define the lower wall 42 of the inner shell 4; a first side panel 43' designed to define the first side 43 of the inner shell 4, which first side panel 43' is articulated, at opposite sides, to the upper panel 41' and to the lower panel 42'; a pair of second side panels 44', articulated one to the upper panel 41' and one to the lower panel 42', whose overlap defines the second lateral side 44; a pair of third side panels 45', articulated one to the upper panel 41' and one to the lower panel 42', whose overlap defines the third lateral side 45.

With reference to Figure 6, the blank 5' is illustrated from which the folding of the outer shell 5 is obtained. Said blank 5' comprises: an upper panel 51' designed to define the upper wall 51 of the outer shell 5 and, at which, the extraction opening 3 is obtained (it is obtained by making an H-shaped cut and by folding the two edges, which are obtained by 180°, in this way no waste is obtained); a lower panel 52' designed to define the lower wall 52 of the outer shell 5; a first side panel 53' designed to define the first side 53 of the outer shell 5, which first side panel 53' is articulated, at opposite sides, to the upper panel 51' and to the lower panel 52'; a pair of second side panels 54', articulated one to the upper panel 51' and one to the lower panel 52', whose overlap defines the second lateral side 54; a pair of third side panels 55', articulated one to the upper panel 51' and one to the lower panel 52', whose overlap defines the third lateral side 55.

With reference to Figure 1, the outer shell 5 comprises a recess at the upper wall 51 and at the lower wall 52 so as to facilitate the gripping of the inner shell 4 in order to make it slide (see also Figure 6). Alternatively, the inner shell 4, when in the closing position B, could protrude from the outer shell 5.

With particular reference to figure 3A, the connection element 6 is sized so that, when it is in the second configuration, the article 2 protrudes beyond the extraction 3 opening 50. Advantageously, the access to the article 2 is particularly easy.

The support portion 60 of the connection element 6 is identified in a plane wall parallel to the sliding plane (Figures 1A-3A).

With reference to Figures 1A-3A, the connection element 6 comprises: a first edge 61 and a second edge 62 which develop respectively from a first side 60a of the support portion 60 and from a second side 60b of the support portion 60 which is opposite and parallel to the first side 60a; a third edge 63 which develop from the first edge 61 and that is fixed to the inner shell 4 (in particular, to the third side 45 of the inner shell 4); a fourth edge 64 which develops from the second edge 62 and that is fixed to the outer shell 5 (in particular, to the third side 55 of the outer shell 5).

In detail, the third edge 63 is parallel to the third side 45 of the inner shell 4 and the fourth edge 64 is parallel to the third side 55 of the outer shell 5.

Moreover, the connection element 6 comprises: a first folding line 65 between the support portion 60 and the first edge 61; a second folding line 66 between the first edge 61 and the third edge 63; a third folding line 67 between the support portion 60 and the second edge 62; a fourth folding line 68 between the second edge 62 and the fourth edge 64. The first folding line 65, the second folding line 66, the third folding line 67 and the fourth folding line 68 are parallel to each other. Furthermore, the first folding line 65, the second folding line 66, the third folding line 67 and the fourth folding line 68 are orthogonal to the sliding direction X.

Advantageously, said folding lines 65, 66, 67, 68 favour the passage of the connection element 6 from the first configuration to the second configuration and vice versa.

With reference to Figure 5, the blank 6' is illustrated, starting from which the connection element 6 is obtained. The connection element 6 comprises, furthermore, four cuts 69, each obtained at one of the folding lines 65, 66, 67, 68 (the cuts 69 were illustrated with unbroken lines in Figure 5). These cuts 69 further favour the passage of the connection element 6 from the first configuration to the second configuration and vice versa.

The blank 6' from which the connection element 6 is obtained has a quadrilateral shape (preferably rectangular). The support portion 60 also has a quadrilateral shape (preferably rectangular).

The package 1 comprises, furthermore, holding means (not illustrated) for the article 2 for holding the article 2 at the support portion 60 of the connection element 6. Advantageously, in the passage of the connection element 6 from the first configuration to the second configuration, and vice versa, the article 2 is held in position on the support portion 60 of the connection element 6.

The holding means may be, for example, glue dots or adhesive or hooking elements for the article 2 which are fixed to the connection element 6 by means of glue or housings directly obtained in the support portion 60.

Moreover, the package 1 can comprise end-of-stroke means for limiting the sliding of the inner shell 4 with respect to the outer shell 5. With reference to Figures 5 and 6, said end-of-stroke means comprise a pair of fins 70 carried by the inner shell 4 and an abutment wall 71 carried by the outer shell 5: when the inner shell 4 is in the opening position A, the pair of fins 70 abut against the abutment wall 71 of the outer shell 5 so as to prevent the inner shell 4 from further protruding from the shell inner 5.

In detail, the pair of fins 70 is articulated to the rear panel 42' of the blank 4' from which the inner shell 4 is obtained. Said pair of fins 70 will be folded by 180 ° on the rear panel 42'. The abutment wall 71 is articulated to the rear panel 52' of the blank 5' from which the outer shell 5 is obtained. The abutment wall 71 will be folded by 180° on the rear panel 52'.

The aforesaid embodiment has been described with reference to the sliding of the inner shell 4 with respect to the outer shell 5. It is implicit that the movement between the inner shell 4 and the outer shell 5 is mutual therefore it could likewise be intended the sliding of the outer shell 5 with respect to the inner shell 4 without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

With reference to Figures 7-9, an example of a package not forming part of the present invention is described in the following.

Said package not forming part of the present invention (Figures 7-9) is similar to the one described above, except for the fact that the extraction opening 3 is obtained in the inner shell 4. In detail, the extraction opening 3 is obtained at the wall upper 41 of the inner shell 4 (Figure 9).

Therefore, when the inner shell 4 is in the closing position B, the outer shell 5 closes the extraction opening 3 obtained in the inner shell 4 (in detail, it is the upper wall 51 of the outer shell 5 that closes the extraction opening 3).

With reference to Figures 10-12, a second embodiment of a package according to the present invention is described in the following. Said second embodiment (Figures 10-12) is similar to the first described except for the fact that the outer shell 5 and the inner shell 4 each comprising a respective recess 46, 56 at the upper wall 41, 51 and that the extraction opening 3 is defined by the recesses 46, 56 of the inner shell 4 and of the outer shell 5, when the inner shell 4 is in the opening position A.

The recess 56 of the outer shell 5 has a trapezoidal shape. Also the recess 46 of the inner shell 4 has a trapezoidal shape. It is understood that said recesses 46, 56 could also have other shapes, for example rectangular.

With particular reference to Figure 12, the recesses 46, 56 have the same shape and mirrored positions.

With reference to Figures 13-15 and 13A-15A, a third embodiment of a package object of the present invention is described in the following.

With respect to the previously described embodiments, said fourth embodiment comprises two extraction openings 3 from which respective articles 2 can be extracted.

With particular reference to Figures 13A-15A, said package 1 comprises a further article 2 arranged on the support portion 60 of the connection element 6 and a further extraction opening 3 for the extraction of the further article 2 from the package 1.

With reference to Figure 14, an extraction opening 3 is obtained at the inner shell 4 and the further extraction opening 3 is obtained at the outer shell 5. Advantageously, the sizing of the package 1 is minimal although despite presenting a pair of extraction openings 3. Furthermore, the connection element 6 is the same for both articles 1.

In detail, the extraction opening 3 is obtained at the upper wall 41 of the inner shell 4 and the further extraction opening 3 is obtained at the upper wall 51 of the outer shell 5.