RIGID PACKAGE OF SMOKE ARTICLES

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a rigid package of smoke articles which is configured for housing a group of smoke articles which is of reduced dimension, i.e. a group of smoke articles that is smaller than the overall internal volume of the package.

[0002] The present invention can be advantageously applied to a rigid package of cigarettes, to which the following description will make explicit reference without thereby losing general validity.

[0003] Patent US5358104 discloses a hinged lid rigid package of cigarettes comprising a container having an open top end, and a lid hinged to the container along a hinge to be rotated, with respect to the container, between an open position and a closed position of the open end. The container has a parallelepiped shape and has a front wall, a rear wall, a bottom wall and two lateral walls. This package of cigarettes is configured for housing a group of cigarettes that is smaller than the overall internal volume of the container. In particular, the package of cigarettes disclosed in US5358104 comprises a filling element inserted inside the package of cigarettes for occupying the part of the internal volume left free by the group of cigarettes. The filling element is made by folding a cardboard and comprises an abutting wall, two lateral walls that are arranged at opposite ends of the abutting wall and are perpendicular to the abutting wall, and a top wall connected to a top end of the abutting wall and perpendicular to the abutting wall. The abutting wall, opposite and parallel to the front wall of the container and extending longitudinally as far as the hinge of the package of cigarettes, abuts on the group of cigarettes, whereas the lateral walls and the top wall of the filling element rest with the respective free edges on the rear wall of the container. The filling element further comprises two angular flaps arranged at opposite ends of the top wall. The angular flaps are folded in a position perpendicular to the abutting wall and to the top wall and rest against top portions of the inner surfaces of the lateral walls of the filling element. The function of the filling element is to prevent there being empty spaces inside the package of cigarettes and thus prevent the group of cigarettes being able to "fit loosely" inside the package of cigarettes. In fact, if the group of cigarettes were free to "fit loosely" inside the package of cigarettes, the movements of the group of cigarettes during handling of the package of cigarettes, both during the production phase and the distribution and sales phase, would subject the cigarettes to mechanical stress that could easily cause the tips to empty, i.e. the loss of tobacco fibres from the free ends of the cigarettes.

[0004] The filling element disclosed in US5358104 has certain drawbacks.

[0005] Firstly, this filling element is not very stable. In fact, with use, it can easily happen that the top wall of the containing element lifts up, this worsening the aesthetic appeal of the package of cigarettes and making a space inside the container accessible.

[0006] Further, such a filling element is not very reliable because it is easily removable from the container.

[0007] US 4850482 discloses a paperboard innerframe for insertion into a cigarette box. The innerframe allows a bundle of smaller than standard size cigarettes or a bundle of a small number of standard size cigarettes to be retained in a cigarette box that is larger than necessary to hold a bundle of such cigarettes exactly. The innerframe has a front panel, outer side panels, inner side panels, a back panel, a concealing flap and tapering tabs.

[0008] US 4771882 discloses a cigarette package which includes a plurality of undersized cigarettes which do not entirely fill the cigarette package. The cigarettes are arranged in an orderly group such as two rows of ten cigarettes each. As is conventional practice, the group of cigarettes is bundled in a foil wrap to keep the cigarettes fresh, and this foil bundle of grouped cigarettes is located in an outer package. A planar spacer is located between the foil bundle and one side wall of the package to take up the space difference between the depth of the foil bundle and depth of the package. An apparatus for installing the spacer includes a first conveyor path for moving foil bundles of grouped cigarettes in single file and a second conveyor path for moving foil bundles of grouped cigarettes in single file each stacked on a spacer. The spacers are placed on the second conveyor one at a time so that they move therealong in single file. A transfer device moves the foil bundles of cigarettes one at a time from the first conveyor path to the second conveyor path in overlaying relationship to a spacer moving on the second conveyor. Each foil bundle and spacer set is then installed in a package in a conventional manner.

[0009] The aim of the present invention is to provide a rigid package of smoke articles which is free of the drawbacks disclosed above and is at the same time easy and cheap to make. According to the present invention a rigid package of smoke articles is provided as claimed in the appended claims.

[0010] The present invention will now be disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate some embodiments thereof by way of non-limiting embodiments, in which:

• figure 1 is a front schematic perspective view of a rigid package of cigarettes in a closed configuration made according to the present invention;
• figure 2 is a rear schematic perspective view of the package of cigarettes of figure 1 in a closed configuration;
• figure 3 is a front schematic perspective view of the package of cigarettes of figure 1 in an open configuration;
• figure 4 is a front schematic perspective view of the package of cigarettes of figure 1 in an open configuration and with the group of cigarettes removed;
• figure 5 is a schematic and longitudinal section view of the package of cigarettes of figure 1;
• figure 6 is an enlarged portion of figure 5;
• figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of a filling element of the package of cigarettes of figure 1;
• figure 8 is a schematic perspective view of a collar and of the filling element of figure 7;
• figure 9 is a plan view of a blank used for making the filling element of figure 7;
• figure 10 is a plan view of a blank used for making the collar of figure 8;
• figure 11 is a plan view of a blank used for making a container of the package of cigarettes of figure 1;
• figure 12 is a schematic perspective view of a different embodiment of the filling element of the package of cigarettes of figure 1;
• figure 13 is a plan view of a blank used for making the filling element of figure 12;
• figure 14 is a schematic perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the filling element of the package of cigarettes of figure 1; and
• figure 15 is a plan view of a blank used for making the filling element of figure 14.

[0011] In this description, similar elements that are common to the illustrated embodiments are indicated by the same reference.

[0012] In figures 1 to 6, with number 1 there is indicated overall a rigid package of cigarettes extending along a prevalent extension longitudinal axis A. The package 1 comprises a container 2 of parallelepiped shape and an inner wrapper 3, illustrated in figures 3, 5 and 6, that wraps a group of cigarettes, which is not illustrated, and is housed inside the container 2. The inner wrapper 3 is of parallelepiped shape and consists of a sheet of inner wrapper made of metal foil wrapped around the group of cigarettes. The inner wrapper 3 has a transverse dimension that is less than the transverse dimension of the container 2 so as to form a cavity inside the container 2.

[0013] The container 2 has an open top end 4 and is provided with a lid 5, which is cup-shaped and is hinged to the container 2 along a hinge 6 for rotating, with respect to the container 2, between an open position, illustrated in figures 3 and 4, and a closed position, illustrated in figures 1, 2, 5 and 6, of the open top end 4.

[0014] The lid 5, when it is in the closed position, gives the container 2 a rectangular parallelepiped shape having a top wall 7 and a bottom wall 8 that are parallel to and opposite one another, a front wall 9 and a rear wall 10 that are parallel to and opposite one another, and two lateral walls 11 that are parallel to and opposite one another. Between the lateral 11 and the front 9 and rear 10 walls four longitudinal edges are defined, whereas between the top 7 and bottom 8 and front 9, 10 rear and lateral 11 walls eight transverse edges are defined; in particular between the top 7 and bottom 8 walls and the front 9 and rear 10 walls four greater transverse edges are defined, whereas between the top 7 and bottom 8 walls and the lateral walls 11 four lesser transverse edges are defined. According to what is illustrated in figure 3, the package 1 further comprises a collar 12, which is connected (by gluing) folded as a "U" inside the container 2 to protrude partially outside the open top end 4 and engage a corresponding inner surface of the lid 5 when the lid 5 is arranged in in the aforesaid closed position. The collar 12 comprises a front wall 13, which is arranged in contact with the front wall 9 of the container 2, and two lateral walls 14, which are arranged on opposite sides of the front wall 13 and are arranged in contact with the lateral walls 11 of the container 2. Generally, the front wall 13 of the collar 12 is glued to an inner surface of the front wall 9 of the container 2 and the lateral walls 14 of the collar 12 are glued to inner surfaces of the corresponding lateral walls 11 of the container 2.

[0015] According to what is better illustrated in figures 3 to 6, the package 1 comprises a filling element 15 (which is distinct, as illustrated in figures 9 and 10, from the collar 12) which is arranged inside the container 2 and occupies the part of the internal volume of the container 2 left free by the inner wrapper 3 so as to hold the inner wrapper 3 securely in the container 2.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment illustrated in figures 5, 6 and 8, the filling element 15 ends lower, i.e. away from the open top end 4, than the lateral walls 14 of the collar 12, i.e. the top edge of the filling element 15 is arranged lower than the top edge of the lateral walls 14 of the collar 12. In other words, the distance between the top wall 1 7 of the filling element 15 and the bottom wall 8 of the container 2 is less than the distance between a top edge of the lateral walls 14 of the collar 12 and the bottom wall 8 of the container 2. In this manner, the filling element 15 ends lower than the inner wrapper 3, which has the same height as the lateral walls 14 of the collar 12 as illustrated in figure 3, accordingly facilitating extraction of the cigarettes from the inner wrapper 3. Also, according to a preferred embodiment illustrated in figures 5 and 6, the filling element 15 ends higher, i.e. away from the bottom wall 8 of the container 2, than the hinge 6, i.e. the top edge of the filling element 15 is arranged higher than the hinge 6. In other words, the distance between the top wall 17 of the filling element 15 and the bottom wall 8 of the container 2 is greater than the distance between the hinge 6 and the bottom wall 8 of the container 2. In this manner the filling element 15 ends higher than the rear wall 10 of the container 2, consequently increasing the longitudinal support provided to the inner wrapper 3. According to a preferred embodiment, the filling element 15 is oriented along the longitudinal axis A along which the package 1 mainly extends, i.e. it is arranged parallel to the front 9 and rear 10 walls of the container 2 and perpendicularly to the lateral walls 11 of the container 2. In this embodiment the inner wrapper 3 is arranged in front of the filling element 15. Preferably, but not obligatorily, the inner wrapper 3 is arranged in a front position, i.e. in direct contact with the front wall 9 of the container 2, and the filling element 15 is arranged in a rear position, i.e. in direct contact with the rear wall 10 of the container 2, so as to facilitate access to the cigarettes contained in the inner wrapper 3, which are more easily accessible if the inner wrapper 3 is arranged in a front position. According to what has been illustrated in figures 5 to 8, the filling element 15 comprises an abutting wall 16, parallel to and opposite the front wall 9 of the container 2, which abuts on the inner wrapper 3, a top wall 17, parallel to the top wall 7 of the container 2, which is connected to a top end of the abutting wall 16 and is substantially perpendicular to the abutting wall 16, a rear wall 18, parallel to the rear wall 10 of the container 2, which is connected to the top wall 17 and is parallel to and opposite the abutting wall 16, and two lateral walls 19 that are arranged at opposite ends of the abutting wall 16 and are perpendicular to the abutting wall 17.

[0017] In the embodiment illustrated in figures 5 to 8, an end portion of the rear wall 18 of the filling element 15 rests on and is glued to the rear wall 10 of the container 2. Preferably, the rear wall 18 of the filling element 15 is glued to the rear wall 10 of the container 2 so as to be integral with the wall 10. The portion of the wall 18 that is not glued to the wall 10 of the container 2 protrudes partially outside the open top end 4 of the container 2, above the hinge 6, and engages a corresponding inner surface of the lid 5 when the lid 5 is arranged in the aforesaid closed position.

[0018] It should be noted that the presence of the top wall 17 and rear wall 18 of the filling element 15 prevents access to that part of the internal volume of the container 2 not occupied by the inner wrapper 3. In other words, the top wall 17 and rear wall 18 of the filling element 15 close above and behind that part of the internal volume of the container 2 that is not occupied by the inner wrapper 3 without leaving the possibility of access to that part of internal volume.

[0019] In the embodiment illustrated in figures 5 to 8, the lateral walls 19 of the filling element 15 rest above on the lateral walls 14 of the collar 12 and below on the lateral walls 11 of the container 2.

[0020] The lateral walls 19 of the filling element 15 can be glued to the lateral walls 14 of the collar 12 so as to be integral with the lateral walls 14 and/or, i.e. additional or alternatively, can be glued to the lateral walls 11 of the container 2 so as to be integral with the lateral walls 11.

[0021] In the embodiment illustrated in figures 5 to 8, the lateral walls 19 of the filling element 15 have a longitudinal dimension that is greater than the longitudinal dimension of the abutting wall 16. In this manner, between the lateral walls 19 of the filling element 15, the abutting wall 16 of the filling element 15 and the bottom wall 8 of the container 2 a quadrangular front opening 20 (figure 5 and 8) is defined having dimensions that are analogous to those of the rear wall 18 of the filling element 15.

[0022] Also, in the embodiment illustrated in figures 5 to 8, the filling element 15 comprises two flaps 21, each connected to a respective lateral wall 19, which are substantially perpendicular to the lateral walls 19 and to the abutting wall 16.

[0023] The flaps 21 are rested on and glued to an inner surface of the top wall 17 of the filling element 15.

[0024] According to an alternative embodiment illustrated in figure 12, the filling element 15 also comprises a bottom wall 22 parallel to and opposite the top wall 17, which is connected to a bottom end of the abutting wall 16 and is substantially perpendicular to the abutting wall 16.

[0025] In this embodiment, the bottom wall 22 of the filling element 15 rests on the bottom wall 8 of the container 2. The bottom wall 22 of the filling element 15 can be glued to the bottom wall 8 of the container 2 so as to be integral with the wall 8.

[0026] Also, in the embodiment illustrated in figure 12, the filling element 15 comprises two flaps 21, each connected to a respective top end of a lateral wall 19, and two flaps 23, each connected to a respective bottom end of a lateral wall 19. The flaps 21, 23 are substantially perpendicular to the lateral walls 19 and to the abutting wall 16. Also, the flaps 21 rest on and are glued to an inner surface of the top wall 17 of the filling element 15, whereas the flaps 23 rest on and are glued to an inner surface of the bottom wall 22 of the filling element 15.

[0027] According to a further embodiment illustrated in figure 14, the filling element 15 also comprises another rear wall 24, parallel to the rear wall 10 of the container 2, which is connected to the bottom wall 22 and is parallel to and opposite the abutting wall 16.

[0028] In this embodiment, the rear wall 24 of the filling element 15 rests on the rear wall 10 of the container 2 and is coplanar with the rear wall 18. The rear wall 24 of the filling element 15 can be glued to the rear wall 10 of the container 2 so as to be integral with the wall 10. The rear wall 24 has a longitudinal dimension that is the same as the longitudinal dimension of the rear wall 18.

[0029] In the embodiment illustrated in figure 14, the filling element 15 comprises a quadrangular shaped rear opening 25 defined between the rear walls 18, 24 of the filling element 15.

[0030] Also, in this embodiment, the filling element 15 comprises two flaps 21, each connected to a respective top end of a lateral wall 19, and two flaps 23, each connected to a respective bottom end of a lateral wall 19. The flaps 21, 23 are substantially perpendicular to the lateral walls 19 and to the abutting wall 16. Also, the flaps 21 rest on and are glued to an inner surface of the top wall 17 of the filling element 15, whereas the flaps 23 rest on and are glued to an inner surface of the bottom wall 22 of the filling element 15.

[0031] It should be noted how in all the embodiments disclosed above, an end edge of the rear wall 18 extends parallel to the hinge 6 and is positioned in an intermediate position between the hinge 6 and the wall 8 of the container 2.

[0032] According to what is illustrated in figure 11, the container 2 is obtained from a flat blank 26 that has a substantially elongated rectangular shape and is of known type. The blank 26, as it is of known type, is only illustrated but is not disclosed in detail.

[0033] According to what is illustrated in figure 10, the collar 12 is obtained from a flat blank 27 that is conformed to be cuttable without waste (scraps) from a continuous web of inner wrapper material.

[0034] Also the blank 27, as it is of known type, is only illustrated but is not disclosed in detail. According to what is illustrated in figure 9, the filling element 15 illustrated in figure 7, is obtained from a flat blank 28 that is conformed to be cuttable without waste (scraps) from a continuous web of inner wrapper material.

[0035] In the description that follows, the parts of the blank 28 will be indicated, if possible, with accented reference numbers that are the same as the reference numbers that distinguish the corresponding parts of the filling element 15 illustrated in figure 7.

[0036] The blank 28 has a substantially rectangular shape and has two longitudinal weakening lines 29, which are parallel to one another, and two transverse weakening lines 30, which are parallel to one another, which define a first panel 18' constituting the rear wall 18 of the containing element 15, a second panel 17' constituting the top wall 17 of the containing element 15, and a third panel 16' constituting the abutting wall 16 of the containing element 15.

[0037] The third panel 16' has a pair of flaps 19' that constitute the lateral walls 19 of the containing element 15, arranged on opposite sides of the third panel 16' and separated from the third panel 16' by the longitudinal weakening lines 29.

[0038] The flaps 19' have respective tabs 21' connected to the respective flaps 19' by a transverse weakening line 30 and constituting the flaps 21 of the containing element 15. The tabs 21' constitute part of the top wall 17 of the containing element 15.

[0039] According to what is illustrated in figure 13, the filling element 15 illustrated in figure 12, is obtained from a flat blank 31 which is conformed to be cuttable from a continuous web of inner wrapper material.

[0040] In the description that follows, the parts of the blank 31 will be indicated, if possible, with accented reference numbers that are the same as the reference numbers that distinguish the corresponding parts of the filling element 15 illustrated in figure 12.

[0041] The blank 31 has a substantially rectangular shape and has two longitudinal weakening lines 29, which are parallel to one another, and two transverse weakening lines 30, which are parallel to one another, which define a first panel 18' constituting the rear wall 18 of the containing element 15, a second panel 17' constituting the top wall 1 7 of the containing element 15, a third panel 16' constituting the abutting wall 16 of the containing element 15, and a fourth panel 22' constituting the bottom wall 22 of the element 15.

[0042] The third panel 16' has a pair of flaps 19' that constitute the lateral walls 19 of the containing element 15, arranged on opposite sides of the third panel 16' and separated from the third panel 16' by the longitudinal weakening lines 29.

[0043] The flaps 19' have respective tabs 21', 23' connected to the respective flaps 19' by a respective transverse weakening line 30 and constituting the flaps 21, 23 of the containing element 15. The tabs 21' constitute part of the top wall 17 of the containing element 15, whereas the tabs 23' form part of the bottom wall 22 of the containing element 15. According to what is illustrated in figure 15, the filling element 15 illustrated in figure 14, is obtained from a flat blank 32 which is conformed to be cuttable from a continuous web of inner wrapper material.

[0044] In the description that follows, the parts of the blank 32 will be indicated, if possible, with accented reference numbers that are the same as the reference numbers that distinguish the corresponding parts of the filling element 15 illustrated in figure 14.

[0045] The blank 32 has a substantially rectangular shape and has two longitudinal weakening lines 29, which are parallel to one another, and two transverse weakening lines 30, which are parallel to one another, which define a first panel 18' constituting the rear wall 18 of the containing element 15, a second panel 17' constituting the top wall 17 of the containing element 15, a third panel 16' constituting the abutting wall 16 of the containing element 15, a fourth panel 22' constituting the bottom wall 22 of the element 15, and a fifth panel 24' constituting the rear wall 24 of the filling element 15.

[0046] The third panel 16' has a pair of flaps 19' that constitute the lateral walls 19 of the containing element 15, arranged on opposite sides of the third panel 16' and separated from the third panel 16' by the longitudinal weakening lines 29.

[0047] The flaps 19' have respective tabs 21', 23' connected to the respective flaps 19' by a respective transverse weakening line 30 and constituting the flaps 21, 23 of the containing element 15. The tabs 21' constitute part of the top wall 17 of the containing element 15, whereas the tabs 23' form part of the bottom wall 22 of the containing element 15.

[0048] The package 1 of cigarettes disclosed above has numerous advantages.

[0049] Firstly, the filling element 15 is particularly stable. In fact, the rear wall 18 resting on and preferably glued to the rear wall 10 of the container 2 prevents the top wall 17 of the containing element 15 lifting up, this ensuring, also with intensive use, a pleasing appearance of the package of cigarettes and preventing access to that part of the internal volume of the container 2 that is not occupied by the inner wrapper 3.

[0050] Further, the filling element 15 is more reliable than known filling elements. In fact, the filling element 15 can be glued inside the container 2, this preventing the containing element 15 from easily detaching itself from the container 2.

[0051] Also, the package 1 of cigarettes disclosed above is simple to make even in an existing packaging machine, which has to be subjected to only a few modifications that are not too invasive. In fact, the filling element 15 can be obtained from a continuous web of inner wrapper material with similar processing to what is performed to make the collar; thus handling the filling element 15 is simple (using entirely only known technologies and components) and occupies little space.

[0052] In closing, in the package 1 of cigarettes disclosed above the filling element 15 uses a small quantity of material with a low impact on the financial and environmental costs of production and of disposal, after use, of the package 1 of cigarettes.

Claims

1. A package (1) of smoke articles comprising:

a container (2), which has a parallelepiped shape and has a front wall (9), a rear wall (10), a bottom wall (8) and two lateral walls (11);

a parallelepiped-shaped inner wrapper (3) that wraps a group of smoke articles, which is housed inside the container (2) and has a transverse dimension that is less than the transverse dimension of the container (2) so as to form a cavity inside the container (2);

a collar (12), which is arranged inside the container (2) for projecting partially outside an open top end (4) of the container (2) and comprises a front wall (13), which is arranged in contact with the front wall (9) of the container (2), and two lateral walls (14), which are arranged on opposite sides of the front wall (13) and are arranged in contact with the lateral walls (11) of the container (2); and

a filling element (15) arranged within the cavity to securely retain the inner wrapper (3) in the container (2), wherein the filling element (15) comprises an abutting wall (16) for supporting the inner wrapper (3), a top wall (17) connected to a top end of the abutting wall (16) and substantially perpendicular to the abutting wall (16), and two lateral walls (19) that are arranged at opposite ends of the abutting wall (16) and are substantially perpendicular to the abutting wall (16);

wherein the collar (12) and the filling element (15) are elements that are distinct from one another;

the package (1) of smoke articles is characterised in that the filling element (15) comprises a rear wall (18) connected to the top wall (17) and parallel to and opposite the abutting wall (16), wherein an end portion of the rear wall (18) of the filling element (15) rests on and is glued to the rear wall (10) of the container (2).

2. A package (1) of smoke articles according to claim 1, wherein the rear wall (18) of the filling element (15) is glued to an inner surface of the container (2).

3. A package (1) of smoke articles according to any preceding claim, wherein the lateral walls (19) of the filling element (15) are glued to respective inner surfaces of the container (2).

4. A package (1) of smoke articles according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the two lateral walls (19) of the filling element (15) have a longitudinal dimension that is greater than the longitudinal dimension of the abutting wall (16).

5. A package (1) of smoke articles according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the filling element (15) comprises a bottom wall (22) parallel to and opposite the top wall (17), wherein the bottom wall (22) is connected to a bottom end of the abutting wall (16) and is substantially perpendicular to the abutting wall (16).

6. A package (1) of smoke articles according to claim 5, wherein the bottom wall (22) of the filling element (15) is glued to an inner surface of the container (2).

7. A package (1) of smoke articles according to claim 5, or 6, wherein the bottom wall (22) of the filling element (15) rests on and is glued to the bottom wall (8) of the container (2).

8. A package (1) of smoke articles according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the filling element (15) comprises another rear wall (24) connected to the bottom wall (22) and parallel to and opposite the abutting wall (16).

9. A package (1) of smoke articles according to claim 8, wherein the rear wall (24) of the filling element (15) is glued to an inner surface of the container (2).

10. A package (1) of smoke articles according to claim 8, or 9, wherein the rear wall (24) of the filling element (15) rests on and is glued to the rear wall (10) of the container (2).

11. A package (1) of smoke articles according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the filling element (15) is oriented along a longitudinal axis (A) along which the package (1) mainly extends and is arranged parallel to the front wall (9) and rear wall (10) of the container (2) and perpendicularly to the lateral walls (11) of the container (2).

12. A package (1) of smoke articles according to any one of claims 1 to 11, and comprising:

a lid (5) for closing the open top end (4) of the container (2); and

a hinge (6) for connecting the lid (5) to the container (2).

13. A package (1) of smoke articles according to any preceding claim, wherein the two lateral walls (19) of the filling element (15) rest on and are glued to the lateral walls (14) of the collar (12) and/or to the lateral walls (11) of the container (2).

14. A package (1) of smoke articles according to any preceding claim, wherein the distance between the top wall (17) of the filling element (15) and the bottom wall (8) of the container (2) is less than the distance between a top edge of the lateral walls (14) of the collar (12) and the bottom wall (8) of the container (2).

15. A package (1) of smoke articles according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the distance between the top wall (17) of the filling element (15) and the bottom wall (8) of the container (2) is greater than the distance between the hinge (6) and the bottom wall (8) of the container (2).

16. A package (1) of smoke articles according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein an end edge of the rear wall (18) of the filling element (15) extends parallel to the hinge (6) and is arranged in an intermediate position between the hinge (6) and the bottom wall (8) of the container (2).

Ansprüche

1. Rauchwaren-Packung (1), mit:

einem Behälter (2), der eine parallelepipedische Form aufweist, und der eine Vorderwand (9), eine Rückwand (10), eine Bodenwand (8) und zwei Seitenwände (11) aufweist;

einer Parallelepiped-förmigen inneren Hülle (3), die eine Gruppe von Rauchwaren umhüllt, die innerhalb des Behälters (2) untergebracht ist und eine Querabmessung aufweist, die geringer ist als die Querabmessung des Behälters (2), um so einen Hohlraum innerhalb des Behälters (2) zu bilden;

einem Kragen (12), der innerhalb des Behälters (2) zum teilweisen Vorspringen aus einem offenen oberen Ende (4) des Behälters (2) angeordnet ist und eine Vorderwand (13), die in Berührung mit der Vorderwand (9) des Behälters (2) angeordnet ist, und zwei Seitenwände (14) aufweist, die an gegenüberliegenden Seiten der Vorderwand (13) angeordnet und in Berührung mit den Seitenwänden (11) des Behälters (2) angeordnet sind; und

einem Füllelement (15), das innerhalb des Hohlraums angeordnet ist, um die innere Hülle (3) in dem Behälter (2) sicher zu halten, wobei das Füllelement (15) eine Anlagewand (16) zum Stützen der inneren Hülle (3), eine Oberwand (17), die mit einem oberen Ende der Anlagewand (16) verbunden und im Wesentlichen senkrecht zu der Anlagewand (16) verläuft, und zwei Seitenwände (19) aufweist, die an gegenüberliegenden Enden der Anlagewand (16) angeordnet sind und im Wesentlichen senkrecht zur Anlagewand (16) verlaufen;

wobei der Kragen (12) und das Füllelement (15) Elemente sind, die voneinander verschieden sind;

wobei die Rauchwaren-Packung (1) dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass das Füllelement (15) eine Rückwand (18) aufweist, die mit der Oberwand (17) verbunden und parallel zur Anlagewand (16) und dieser gegenüberliegend ist, wobei ein Endabschnitt der Rückwand (18) des Füllelements (15) an der Rückwand (10) des Behälters (2) ruht und an diese angeklebt ist.

2. Rauchwaren-Packung (1) nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Rückwand (18) des Füllelements (15) an eine innere Oberfläche des Behälters (2) angeklebt ist.

3. Rauchwaren-Packung (1) nach irgendeinem vorhergehenden Anspruch, wobei die Seitenwände (19) des Füllelements (15) an jeweilige innere Oberflächen des Behälters (2) angeklebt sind.

4. Rauchwaren-Packung (1) nach irgendei- nem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, wobei die zwei Seitenwände (19) des Füllelements (15) eine Längsabmessung aufweisen, die größer ist als die Längsabmessung der Anlagewand (16).

5. Rauchwaren-Packung (1) nach irgendeinem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, wobei das Füllelement (15) eine Bodenwand (22) aufweist, die parallel zu der Oberwand (17) und dieser gegenüberliegend ist, wobei die Bodenwand (22) mit einem Bodenende der Anlagewand (16) verbunden und im Wesentlichen senkrecht zu der Anlagewand (16) ist.

6. Rauchwaren-Packung (1) nach Anspruch 5, wobei die Bodenwand (22) des Füllelements (15) an eine innere Oberfläche des Behälters (2) angeklebt ist.

7. Rauchwaren-Packung (1) nach Anspruch 5 oder 6, wobei die Bodenwand (22) des Füllelements (15) an der Bodenwand (8) des Behälters (2) ruht und an diese angeklebt ist.

8. Rauchwaren-Packung (1) nach irgendeinem der Ansprüche 5 bis 7, wobei das Füllelement (15) eine weitere Rückwand (24) aufweist, die mit der Bodenwand (22) verbunden und parallel zur Anlagewand (16) und dieser gegenüberliegend ist.

9. Rauchwaren-Packung (1) nach Anspruch 8, wobei die Rückwand (24) des Füllelements (15) an eine innere Oberfläche des Behälters (2) angeklebt ist.

10. Rauchwaren-Packung (1) nach Anspruch 8 oder 9, wobei die Rückwand (24) des Füllelements (15) an der Rückwand (10) des Behälters (2) ruht und an diese angeklebt ist.

11. Rauchwaren-Packung (1) nach irgendeinem der Ansprüche 1 bis 10, wobei das Füllelement (15) entlang einer Längsachse (A), entlang der die Packung (1) sich hauptsächlich erstreckt, orientiert und parallel zu der Vorderwand (9) und Rückwand (10) des Behälters (2) und senkrecht zu den Seitenwänden (11) des Behälters (2) angeordnet ist.

12. Rauchwaren-Packung (1) nach irgendeinem der Ansprüche 1 bis 11, und mit:

einem Deckel (5) zum Verschließen des offenen oberen Endes (4) des Behälters (2); und

einem Gelenk (6) zum Verbinden des Deckels (5) mit dem Behälter (2).

13. Rauchwaren-Packung (1) nach irgend- einem vorhergehenden Anspruch, wobei die zwei Seitenwände (19) des Füllelements (15) an den Seitenwänden (14) des Kragens (12) ruhen und mit diesen und/oder mit den Seitenwänden (11) des Behälters (2) verklebt sind.

14. Rauchwaren-Packung (1) nach irgendeinem vorhergehenden Anspruch, wobei der Abstand zwischen der Oberwand (17) des Füllelements (15) und der Bodenwand (8) des Behälters (2) geringer ist als der Abstand zwischen einem oberen Rand der Seitenwände (14) des Kragens (12) und der Bodenwand (8) des Behälters (2).

15. Rauchwaren-Packung (1) nach irgendeinem der Ansprüche 12 bis 14, wobei der Abstand zwischen der Oberwand (17) des Füllelements (15) und der Bodenwand (8) des Behälters (2) größer ist als der Abstand zwischen dem Gelenk (6) und der Bodenwand (8) des Behälters (2).

16. Rauchwaren-Packung (1) nach irgendeinem der Ansprüche 12 bis 15, wobei ein Endrand der Rückwand (18) des Füllelements (15) sich parallel zu dem Gelenk (6) erstreckt und in einer Zwischenposition zwischen dem Gelenk (6) und der Bodenwand (8) des Behälters (2) angeordnet ist.

Revendications

1. Conditionnement (1) d'articles à fumer comprenant:

un conteneur (2), qui a une forme parallélépipédique et a une paroi avant (9), une paroi arrière (10), une paroi inférieure (8) et deux parois latérales (11);

un emballage intérieur de forme de parallélépipédique (3) qui enveloppe un groupe d'articles à fumer, qui est reçu à l'intérieur du conteneur (2) et a une dimension transversale qui est inférieure à la dimension transversale du conteneur (2) de manière à former une cavité à l'intérieur du conteneur (2);

une collerette (12), qui est agencée à l'intérieur du conteneur (2) pour faire partiellement saillie à l'extérieur d'une extrémité supérieure ouverte (4) du conteneur (2) et comprend une paroi avant (13), qui est agencée en contact avec la paroi avant (9) du conteneur (2), et deux parois latérales (14), qui sont agencées sur des côtés opposés de la paroi avant (13) et sont agencées en contact avec les parois latérales (11) du conteneur (2); et

un élément de remplissage (15) agencé à l'intérieur de la cavité pour maintenir fermement l'emballage intérieur (3) dans le conteneur (2), dans lequel l'élément de remplissage (15) comprend une paroi de butée (16) pour supporter l'emballage intérieur (3), une paroi supérieure (17) reliée à une extrémité supérieure de la paroi de butée (16) et sensiblement perpendiculaire à la paroi de butée (16), et deux parois latérales (19) qui sont agencées sur des extrémités opposées de la paroi de butée (16) et sont sensiblement perpendiculaires à la paroi de butée (16);

dans lequel la collerette (12) et l'élément de remplissage (15) sont des éléments qui sont distincts l'un de l'autre;

le conditionnement (1) d'articles à fumer est caractérisé en ce que l'élément de remplissage (15) comprend une paroi arrière (18) reliée à la paroi supérieure (17) et parallèle et opposée à la paroi de butée (16), dans lequel une partie d'extrémité de la paroi arrière (18) de l'élément de remplissage (15) repose sur la paroi arrière (10) du conteneur (2) et est collée à celle-ci.

2. Conditionnement (1) d'articles à fumer selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la paroi arrière (18) de l'élément de remplissage (15) est collée à une surface intérieure du conteneur (2).

3. Conditionnement (1) d'articles à fumer selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel les parois latérales (19) de l'élément de remplissage (15) sont collées à des surfaces intérieures respectives du conteneur (2).

4. Conditionnement (1) d'articles à fumer selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, dans lequel les deux parois latérales (19) de l'élément de remplissage (15) ont une dimension longitudinale qui est supérieure à la dimension longitudinale de la paroi de butée (16) .

5. Conditionnement (1) d'articles à fumer selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, dans lequel l'élément de remplissage (15) comprend une paroi inférieure (22) parallèle et opposée à la paroi supérieure (17), dans lequel la paroi inférieure (22) est reliée à une extrémité inférieure de la paroi de butée (16) et est sensiblement perpendiculaire à la paroi de butée (16).

6. Conditionnement (1) d'articles à fumer selon la revendication 5, dans lequel la paroi inférieure (22) de l'élément de remplissage (15) est collée à une surface intérieure du conteneur (2).

7. Conditionnement (1) d'articles à fumer selon la revendication 5 ou 6, dans lequel la paroi inférieure (22) de l'élément de remplissage (15) repose sur la paroi inférieure (8) du conteneur (2) et est collée à celle-ci.

8. Conditionnement (1) d'articles à fumer selon l'une quelconque des revendications 5 à 7, dans lequel l'élément de remplissage (15) comprend une autre paroi arrière (24) reliée à la paroi inférieure (22) et parallèle et opposée à la paroi de butée (16).

9. Conditionnement (1) d'articles à fumer selon la revendication 8, dans lequel la paroi arrière (24) de l'élément de remplissage (15) est collée à une surface intérieure du conteneur (2).

10. Conditionnement (1) d'articles à fumer selon la revendication 8 ou 9, dans lequel la paroi arrière (24) de l'élément de remplissage (15) repose sur la paroi arrière (10) du conteneur (2) et est collée à celle-ci.

11. Conditionnement (1) d'articles à fumer selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 10, dans lequel l'élément de remplissage (15) est orienté le long d'un axe longitudinal (A) le long duquel le conditionnement (1) s'étend principalement et est agencé parallèlement à la paroi avant (9) et à la paroi arrière (10) du conteneur (2) et perpendiculairement aux parois latérales (11) du conteneur (2).

12. Conditionnement (1) d'articles à fumer selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 11, et comprenant:

un couvercle (5) pour fermer l'extrémité ouverte supérieure (4) du conteneur (2); et

une charnière (6) pour relier le couvercle (5) au conteneur (2).

13. Conditionnement (1) d'articles à fumer selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel les deux parois latérales (19) de l'élément de remplissage (15) reposent et sont collées sur les parois latérales (14) de la collerette (12) et/ou sur les parois latérales (11) du conteneur (2).

14. Conditionnement (1) d'articles à fumer selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la distance entre la paroi supérieure (17) de l'élément de remplissage (15) et la paroi inférieure (8) du conteneur (2) est inférieure à la distance entre un bord supérieur des parois latérales (14) de la collerette (12) et la paroi inférieure (8) du conteneur (2).

15. Conditionnement (1) d'articles à fumer selon l'une quelconque des revendications 12 à 14, dans lequel la distance entre la paroi supérieure (17) de l'élément de remplissage (15) et la paroi inférieure (8) du conteneur (2) est supérieure à la distance entre la charnière (6) et la paroi inférieure (8) du conteneur (2) .

16. Conditionnement (1) d'articles à fumer selon l'une quelconque des revendications 12 à 15, dans lequel un bord d'extrémité de la paroi arrière (18) de l'élément de remplissage (15) s'étend parallèlement à la charnière (6) et est agencé dans une position intermédiaire entre la charnière (6) et la paroi inférieure (8) du conteneur (2).

Drawing