AU2007343175A1 - Packet for containing a tobacco product - Google Patents

Description

WO 2008/084189 PCT/GB2007/004867 -PACKET FOR CONTAINING A TOBACCO PRODUCT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to packaging for tobacco. In particular, the invention relates to a packet and a blank for making the packet. 5 Traditionally, cut tobacco that is used by consumers in roll-your-own (RYO) products is packaged in tobacco pouches. The consumer removes a portion of tobacco from the pouch before constructing a smoking article, such as a cigarette, with use of a separate cigarette paper. More recently packaging has been developed wherein tobacco is contained in a packet having similar dimensions and characteristics to a conventional hinged-lid cigarette pack. An 10 advantage of such a packet is that the packet is suitable for containing tobacco and after rolling the cigarettes they can be stored in the packet. SUMMARY OF INVENTION Aspects of the present invention are set out in the claims. A first aspect of the present invention provides a packet for containing a tobacco 15 product, the packet comprising: a container portion having a top surface with an opening for providing access inside the container portion; a lid, hingedly attached to the container portion, wherein the lid is operable to cover the opening when the lid is in a closed position and to be substantially coplanar with the top wall when the lid is in an open position; and a web of panels attached to the lid, wherein when the lid is closed the web is folded to be substantially wholly 20 contained between the lid and the top wall and when the lid is open the web is unfolded and it is substantially coplanar with the lid and the top surface. The unfolded web provides an extended surface area onto which tobacco may be dispensed and upon which tobacco may rest whilst the consumer is rolling a smoking article. The extended surface area can also provide a surface upon which the consumer can roll a 25 smoking article. The web of panels suitably comprises a plurality of shaped panels that are joined to adjacent panels at lines of weakening. In one embodiment, the arrangement of the lines of WO 2008/084189 PCT/GB2007/004867 2 weakening and the panels is such that the panels fold in opposite directions on closing the packet. One of the plurality of panels may be substantially the same shape and size as the top or footprint of the packet such that the web is easily located and attached to the inside surface of the lid. In one embodiment, the web of panels is also attached to the top surface of the 5 container, thereby limiting travel of the lid. When open, the lid and web of panels are substantially coplanar with the top surface. Attachment of the web of panels to both the lid and to the top surface of the container restricts the extent of travel of the lid. The packet is intended to contain cut tobacco, which may be contained in a pouch. For example, the pouch may be a laminated plastic pouch having a resealable label that covers an 10 opening on the pouch. When the pouch is contained in the packet, the opening on the pouch is aligned with the opening on the packet so that tobacco can be removed from the pouch and packet. Although the invention is set out in the accompanying independent claims, other aspects of the invention include any combination of features from the described embodiments and/or 15 the accompanying dependent claims with the features of the independent claims, and not solely the combinations explicitly set out in the accompanying claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 20 Figure 1 is a perspective view of a closed packet; Figure 2 is a perspective view of packet of Figure 1 shown in an open position; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the packet of Figures 1 and 2, viewed from one side and shown partially open; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the packet of Figures 1, 2 and 3 shown partially closed; 25 Figure 5 is a plan view of a first blank for making the packet of Figures 1 to 4; Figure 6 is a plan view of a second blank for making the packet Figures 1 to 4; WO 2008/084189 PCT/GB2007/004867 3 Figure 7a is a perspective view of an open packet, according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 7b is a perspective view of an open packet, according to a third embodiment of the invention; 5 Figure 8 is a plan view of a first blank for making the packet Figure 7a; and Figure 9 is a plan view of a second blank for making the packet Figure 7a. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments are shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that drawings and detailed description thereto are 10 not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the scope of the claimed invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS Figure 1 illustrates a packet B in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 15 The packet B may be made of any suitable material, for example, paper, plastic or card. In Figure 1, packet B is illustrated in a closed position. The packet B comprises a container portion 1 and a lid 12. The container portion I comprises two side walls 2 and 4, a front wall 6, a rear wall 8 (not visible in Figure 1), a top wall 10 and a bottom wall 9 (not visible in Figure 1). 20 The packet B is intended to contain cut tobacco, which may be used to make "roll your own" (RYO) or make-your-own smoking articles such as cigarettes. The tobacco may be contained in a pouch (not shown) located within the container portion 1. The pouch may be a laminated plastic pouch and may have a resealable label that covers an opening on the pouch. The pouch can be positioned in the container so that the opening on the pouch corresponds with 25 an opening in the packet (as discussed in more detail below), thereby allowing tobacco to be removed from the pouch through the packet opening. In the assembled packet B, the side walls 2 and 4 are disposed opposite and parallel to each other, the front and rear walls 6 and 8 are disposed opposite and parallel to each other, and WO 2008/084189 PCT/GB2007/004867 4 the top and bottom walls 9 and 10 are disposed opposite and parallel to each other. The relative dimensions of corresponding panels are such that when the lid is in the closed position, the packet B takes the form of a regular rectangular box. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the length of the pack L is defined as the length 5 of the side panels 2 and 4 and the width of the packet is defined as the dimension W of the front and rear panels 6 and 8. The length L of the packet in the embodiment illustrated is shown to be greater than the width W. However, the packet is shown to have these relative dimensions for illustrative purposes only. The packet B has similar dimensions to a conventional cigarette packet, which may be 10 displayed in a vending cabinet or alternatively sold from a vending machine, and which may contain cigarettes that are 83mm long or cigarettes that are 100mm long (for example). Other known packet sizes and shapes are suitable for packet B. For example, packet B may have rounded or bevelled edges, rather than the sharp edges shown in Figure 1. 15 A lid 12 is integral with the container 1 and is hinged about an upper edge 13 that is defined by the coincident edges of the rear wall 8, the top wall 10 and the lid 12. The lid 12 is operable to rotate about the edge 13 between a closed position (Figure 1) and a fully open position (Figure 2). A tab 14 is hingedly attached to the centre of the edge of the lid 12 opposite the upper edge 13 of the rear wall 8. The tab 14 is operable to engage in a 20 slot 15 at the junction of the front wall 6 with the top wall 10 when the lid 12 is closed. Figure 2 illustrates the packet B in an open position in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The packet B further comprises a web portion Q comprising a plurality of panels 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 that are attached via suitable means to both the top wall 10 and to the lid 12. One of the panels 27 is dimensioned substantially the 25 same as the lid 12 and facilitates fixing the web portion Q to the packet B. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, another one of the panels 20 is dimensioned substantially the same as the top wall 10 of the packet B and has a hole 16 that provides access to the contents of the container.

WO 2008/084189 PCT/GB2007/004867 5 The plurality of panels 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 are each adjoined to a neighbouring panel such that on closing the packet B (see Figure 3) the web portion Q folds inwards so as to be substantially wholly contained between the lid 12 and the top wall 10. Conversely, on opening the packet B (see Figure 2) the web portion Q extends 5 outwards. The position of the lid 12 and the web portion Q in the open position are such that both are substantially coplanar with the top wall 10 of the packet. The web portion Q is operable to limit the travel of the lid portion 12. Thus in the open position the lid 12 is substantially coplanar with the top wall 10 and provides two wing-like portions that extend beyond the edges of the lid 12 and the container portion 1 in the open position, thereby 10 providing an enlarged surface area that is larger than the surface area of the lid 12 and the top wall 10. The extended surface may provide the consumer with a table upon which to roll a cigarette. In Figure 2, broken lines are used to illustrate the lines on the web portion Q about which it folds to be contained between the lid 12 and the top wall 10 in the closed position. 15 The dashed lines a' to s' each represent lines of weakening on the web portion Q to facilitate folding. The lines of weakening a' to s' may be provided by crease lines, by lines of perforations, by lines of scoring or other lines of weakening. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, the lines of weakening a' to s' are arranged such that the web folds generally converge on a point 34, which coincides substantially with the centre of the rear edge 13 about 20 which the lid 12 rotates. The hole 16 in panel 20 allows the consumer to grasp panel 20 and raise it so as to gain access to the contained tobacco via hole 11. The hole 16 also allows tobacco to be easily swept back into the pouch/container without having to raise the panel 20 of the web portion Q. In some embodiments, tobacco may be removed from the container portion 1 of the packet B 25 through both hole 16 and hole 11 (if hole 16 is suitably dimensioned). The web portion Q, when fanned out provides a surface upon which tobacco can rest whilst the consumer makes a roll-your-own or make-your-own smoking article. The nature of the folding of the web portion Q facilitates moving any unused tobacco to the centre area of the web portion Q as the lid 12 is closed, which allows the consumer to sweep any unused tobacco 30 back into the container, therefore minimising loss and waste of tobacco.

WO 2008/084189 PCT/GB2007/004867 6 Panel 20 is attached to the inner lid panel 35 and rests on top of the top wall 10. Panel 27 is attached to the inside surface of the lid 12. The remaining panels are arranged symmetrically between panels 27 and panel 35 and extend therefrom in the form of two wing like structures. The panels 21 to 26 and 28 to 33 each have a triangular or a quadrilateral form 5 with each panel 21 to 26 and 28 to 33 being joined to at least one neighbouring panel by a fold line a' - s'. Panel 33 is substantially triangular-shaped and is attached to panel 20 along one edge by fold line n'. Panel 33 also attaches to another substantially triangular shaped panel 32 at an edge m' that links to fold line n'. Panel 32 adjoins panel 31 at one edge 1', which links to edge 10 m'. Panel 31 is substantially quadrilateral and adjoins panel 35 about one edge p', and adjoins to a quadrilateral-shaped panel 30 about edge k'. Panel 30 also adjoins panels 27 and 29 about edges s' and j' respectively. Panel 29 is substantially triangular shaped and adjoins panel 28 about edge i'. Panel 28 is triangular shaped and adjoins panel 27 about edge h' to complete one of the wing-like portions of th'e web portion Q. 15 Panels 21 to 26 are provided in a symmetrical arrangement to panels 28 to 33. Panel 21 is substantially triangular-shaped and is attached to panel 20 along one edge by fold line a' and panel 21 attaches to another substantially triangular shaped panel 22 at a linked edge b'. Panel 22 adjoins panel 23 at one edge c', which is linked to edge b'. Panel 23 is substantially quadrilateral and adjoins panel 35 about one edge q', and adjoins another quadrilateral-shaped 20 panel 24 about edge d'. Panel 24 also adjoins panels 25 and 27 about edges e' and r' respectively. Panel 25 is substantially triangular-shaped and adjoins panel 26 about edge f. Panel 26 is substantially triangular-shaped and adjoins panel 27 about edge g' to complete the other wing-like portion of the web portion Q. The free (outer) edges of panels 22 to 26 and panels 28 to 32 are substantially curved 25 such that the overall shape of the web portion Q is substantially circular. The web portion Q is illustrated as expanding about a centre point 34. The web portion Q includes 27 that attaches the web portion Q to the inside of the lid 12 and panel 20 that attaches the web portion Q to the inner lid panel 35; panels 20 and 35 may lie against the top wall 10 and are operable to allow access to the opening 11 in the top wall 12 of the container 30 portion. The hole 16 provided in the inner lid panel 35 and the panel 20 of the web portion is WO 2008/084189 PCT/GB2007/004867 7 aligned with, but is smaller in size than, the opening 11 provided in the top wall 12. The hole 16 allows the consumer to grasp panel 20 and raise it so as to gain access to the tobacco via the opening 11 and also allows any excess tobacco to be swept from the web portion Q back into the pouch/container. The opening 11 is generally larger than the hole 16 and is preferably large 5 enough to allow a pouch containing tobacco to be inserted into the container portion. Therefore, the packet B may be reusable. The pouch (not illustrated) may be fixed inside the container, for example by adhesive provided on the bottom surface of the pouch and/or on the inside face of the bottom wall of the container portion. 10 Figures 3 and 4 each illustrate the web portion Q partially folded and are illustrative of how the panels 20 to 33 fold relative to and interleave with each other such that when the lid 12 is in the closed position the web portion Q is substantially wholly contained between the top wahl 10 and the lid 12. The reference numerals a' to s' applied to the fold lines of the web portion Q as illustrated in Figure 2 also apply to the fold lines of the web portion Q in Figures 3 15 and 4, but they have been omitted so as not to obscure how the web portion Q folds to be contained between the top wall 10 and the lid 12. Referring to Figure 3, the panel 20 is shown raised from the top wall 10. The top wall 10 includes an aperture 11 that allows access to the contents of the container. The aperture 11 may initially be covered or closed by a removable panel, e.g. which occupies hole 11. On first 20 use, a consumer can tear off (or open) the panel to gain access to the contents. Such a panel helps to strengthen the pack (before use), and also provides a tamper evidence feature, whereby removal or partial breaking of panel would indicate that the pack and possibly its contents might have been tampered with. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the packet from the front and shows that in the 25 partially closed condition both sides of the web portion Q are folded by way of a concertina fold, wherein the panels are alternatively folded relative to each other in opposite directions and on one side of the packet B. In particular, the panel edges i', k' and m' provide inner folds towards the centre of the packet B and panel edges h', j', l', and n' provide external folds that are formed close to the edges of the packet B. The concertina fold on the opposite side of the 30 packet B is formed by panel edges b', d' and f' towards the centre line of the packet B and WO 2008/084189 PCT/GB2007/004867 8 panel edges a', c', e' and g' as external folds. When the web portion Q is folded, panels 21 and 22 are interleaved between panels 32 and 31, panels 23 and 24 are interleaved between panels 30 and 29, panels 33 and 32 are interleaved between panels 20 and 21, panels 30 and 31 are interleaved between panels 23 and 22, panels 28 and 29 are interleaved between panels 25 and 5 24 and panels 26 and 25 are interleaved between panels 28 and 27. Figures 5 and 6 illustrate examples of two blanks that are folded and combined to form the packet B as illustrated in Figures 1 to 4. Referring to Figure 5, the blank 100 is foldable to form the container portion 1 and the lid 12 of the packet B, and the second blank Q, as illustrated in Figure 6, provides the web 10 portion Q that is attachable to the first blank 100. In Figures 5 and 6, broken lines are indicative of lines about which the blanks are foldable and solid lines are indicative of edges of the blank or of sections of the blanks that are cut. The blank 100 comprises a plurality of adjoined panels that are arranged such that they 15 are foldable relative to each other to form the container portion 1, the lid 12 and the inner lid 35 of the packet B (Figures 1 to 4). Main panels 12, 8, 9, 6, 10 and 35 are connected in series and have extension flaps extending from their free edges to facilitate construction of the packet by overlapping with corresponding panels or to provide suitable reinforcement in the erected packet where desired. 20 Referring to Figure 5 together with Figures 1 to 4, the blank 100 comprises one panel 12 that provides the lid 12 in the formed packet B, another panel 8 that provides the rear wall 8 of the packet B, a panel 9 that forms the bottom wall 9 of the packet B, another panel 6 that provides a front wall 6 of the packet B, a panel 10 that forms the top wall 10 of packet B and another panel 35 that forms an inner lid 35 of the packet B. Two additional panels 2 and 4 25 extend from the free edges of panel 10 and provide side walls of the formed packet B. The following is illustrative of a possible folding sequence to form the packet B: (a) fold reinforcing flap 114 including tab 14 about fold line Fl and secure flap 114 to the surface of the panel 12 that forms the inside of lid 12 on the formed packet B; WO 2008/084189 PCT/GB2007/004867 9 (b) fold reinforcing flaps 112 and 212 about fold lines F2 and F3 respectively and attach them to the surface of panel 12 that forms the inside of lid 12 on the formed packet B; (c) fold the panel 35 about fold line F4 such that the panel 35 lies against the underside of panel 10; 5 (d) fold the flaps 119 and 219 through 90 degrees about fold lines F5 and F6 such that they both upstand from the panel 9; (e) fold the panel 9 and panel 10 about fold lines F7 and F8 respectively such that the panel 6 is perpendicular to both panels 9 and 10; (f) fold the panels 2 and 4 through 90 degrees and downwards so that they engage with flaps 10 119 and 219 respectively and attach panel 2 to flap 119 and panel 4 to flap 219 to form the side walls of the packet B; (f) fold the panel 8 together with panel 12 about fold line F9 such that the panel 8 is opposite and parallel to panel 6; (g) secure panel 27 of the web portion Q (see figure 6) to the inside surface of panel 12 and 15 secure panel 20 of the web portion Q to the panel 35; and (h) fold panel 12 including web portion Q about fold line F 10 and the fold lines a' to s' of web portion Q such that the web portion Q is folded to be contained substantially wholly between the panel 12 and the panel 10 of the packet B. Figure 6 is representative of a blank providing the web portion Q that is secured to the 20 container portion I and lid 12 made from the blank 100 as shown in Figure 5. The arrangement and form of the panels 20 to 33 forming the web portion is discussed below with reference to Figure 6 and above with reference to Figure 2. Referring to Figure 6, the web portion Q is illustrated flat and can be seen to have a substantially circular shape comprising a plurality of adjoined panels 20-33. Two of the panels, 25 20 and 27, each comprise an elongated rectangular section that corresponds substantially with the shape and size of the panel 12 and panel 35 providing the lid 12 and the inner lid 35 respectively of the packet B. Panels 20 and 27 of the web portion Q facilitate attachment of the WO 2008/084189 PCT/GB2007/004867 10 web portion Q to the packet B. The width of panels 20 and 27 corresponds to the width of the lid panels 12 and 35 such that on closing the lid 12 the web portion Q folds about the fold lines a' to s' to be substantially wholly contained between the lid 12 and the top wall 10 of the packet B. Accordingly, although the web portion Q may be circular or some other shape, the 5 fold lines a', n', g, and h' defining the edges of panels 20 and 27 should be at a position that corresponds substantially to the width of the lid 12 and inner lid 35. A first embodiment has been described and illustrated above and with reference to Figures 1 to 6. One example of the form of the web portion Q is described and illustrated. However, the web portion could be a different shape from that illustrated and the number and 10 arrangement of panels and fold lines forming the web portion Q could be varied, while leaving the arrangement of panels and fold lines such that the web portion is substantially wholly contained between the lid panel 12 and the top wall 10 when the packet B is closed. Various alternative embodiments are illustrated in Figures 7, 8 and 9. In Figures 1 to 9, like reference numerals have been applied where appropriate. 15 Figures 7a and 7b illustrate a packet BI which is open and has a web portion Q1 attached thereto. The web portion QI has fewer panels than the web portion Q as applied to the packet B illustrated in Figures 1 to 6, but the web portion Q1 has generally the same function as that of web portion Q in that it fans out to extend the surface area of the lid 12 when the packet BI is open and folds up to be substantially wholly contained between the lid 12 and the top 20 wall 10 when the packet B 1 is closed. In both Figures 7a and 7b, the packet BI comprises a hinged door 40 attached to the container. When closed, the door 40 covers a substantially rectangular shaped aperture 48 in the top wall 10 of the container that allows access to the contents inside the container portion. Referring to Figure 7a, the hinged door 40 is hinged about an edge 44 provided by one 25 of the side panels 4 and the top wall 10. The door 40 is substantially rectangular and has a recessed part 46 on the edge opposite the hinge to facilitate opening by the consumer. In Figure 7b the hinged door 40 is hinged along an edge 50 of the aperture 48 and in effect occupies the aperture (edge 50 is parallel and adjacent to the edge 52 provided by the top wall 10 and the end wall 6 - i.e. the end wall furthest from the web portion QI). Alternatively, WO 2008/084189 PCT/GB2007/004867 11 the door 40 may be hinged about edge 52 instead. In the embodiment of Figure 7b, the door 40 extends substantially the length of top wall 10 (i.e. from end wall 6 back to the web Ql) and is shaped at the end opposite the edge 50 to correspond (mate) with the web of panels Q1. The door 40 may include a cut-out portion 46a to facilitate opening by the consumer. 5 The door 40 in Figure 7b has a greater area (i.e. coverage of the top wall 10 of the container portion 1) than the other embodiments depicted. This allows a larger aperture 48 to be provided in top wall 10, thus providing increased access to the tobacco for the consumer when the door 40 is open (or removed). In some embodiments, the hinged door 40 may be removed (detached) completely when 10 opening the packet. For example, one possibility would be to remove the hinged door by tearing along the hinge line 44, 50. Referring to Figure 8 together with Figure 7, the blank 200 comprises one panel 12 that provides the lid 12 in the formed packet B 1, another panel 8 that provides the rear wall 8 of the packet B1, a panel 9 that forms the bottom wall 9 of the packet B1, another panel 6 that 15 provides a front wall 6 of the packet Bland a panel 10 that forms the top wall 10 of packet B 1. Two additional panels 2 and 4 extend from the free edges of panel 10 and provide the side walls of the formed packet B . The panel 10 comprises a portion 40 that is defined by a fold line F16 and lines of perforations P1, P2, P3, wherein the line of perforations P2 includes an indent 46. 20 The following is illustrative of a possible folding sequence to form the packet B 1: (a) fold reinforcing flap 114 including tab 14 about fold line F1 and secure flap 114 to the surface of the panel 12 that forms the inside of lid 12 on the formed packet B 1; (b) fold reinforcing flaps 112 and 212 about fold lines F2 and F3 respectively and attach them to the surface of panel 12 that forms the inside of lid 12 on the formed packet B 1; 25 (c) fold reinforcing flaps 118 and 218 about fold lines F4 and F5 respectively such that they upstand from reinforcing flaps 119 and 219; (d) fold the reinforcing flaps 116 and 216 about fold lines F6 and F7 respectively such that they upstand from reinforcing panels 119 and 219; WO 2008/084189 PCT/GB2007/004867 12 (e) fold the flaps 119 and 219 through 90 degrees about fold lines F8 and F9 respectively such that they both upstand from the panel 9; (f) fold the panel 9 and panel 10 about fold lines F10 and F 11 respectively such that the panel 6 is perpendicular to both panels 9 and 10 and panels 116 and 216 are attachable to the inside of 5 panel 6; (f) fold the panels 2 and 4 through 90 degrees and downwards about fold lines F12 and F13 so that they engage with flaps 119 and 219 respectively and attach panel 2 to flap 119 and panel 4 to flap 219 to form side walls of the packet B 1; (f) fold panel 8 together with panel 12 about fold line F14 such that the panel 8 is opposite and 10 parallel to panel 6 and panel 8 is attachable to flaps 118 and 218; (g) secure panel 27 of the web portion Ql (see figure 9) to the inside surface of panel 12 and secure panel 20' of the web portion Q to the panel 10; and (h) fold panel 12 including web portion Ql about fold line F15 and the fold lines d", e", f', g", h", i", j", k", p", q", r" and s" of web portion Ql such that the web portion QI is folded to be 15 contained substantially wholly between the lid 12 and the top wall 10 of the packet B 1. Referring to Figure 9, the web portion QI is illustrated flat and can be seen to have a substantially semi-circular shape and comprises ten adjoined panels 20' and 23 to 31, wherein one panel 27 attaches the web portion Q1 to the lid 12 and another panel 20' attaches the web portion 10 to part of the top wall 10. 20 One of the attachment panels 27 comprises an elongated rectangular section that corresponds substantially to the shape and size of the panel 12 that provides the lid 12 of the packet Bl. The other attachment panel 20' is triangular and attaches to part of the top wall 10 of the erected packet Bl. Panels 20' and 27 of the web portion Q1 facilitate attachment of the web portion Q1 to the packet B 1. 25 Panel 27 ends with a triangular section, which has its apex 34 coinciding with the centre of the edge that is defined by the lid 12 and the rear wall 8. The apex of the triangular panel 20' also coincides with the centre of the edge that is defined by the lid 12 and the rear panel 8. Therefore, on closing the lid 12 the web portion Q1 folds about fold lines d" to I" and p" to s" WO 2008/084189 PCT/GB2007/004867 13 to be substantially wholly contained between the lid 12 and the top wall 10 when the packet BI is closed. When the packet BI is closed, the web portion Q1 comprises a plurality of folds, wherein the panels are folded in opposite directions. When the packet BI is fully open, the lid 12 and the web portion Q1 are substantially 5 coplanar with the top wall 10 (see Figure 7). The consumer lifts the lid 12 to expose the top wall 10 comprising a door 40 with an indent 46. The indent 46 makes opening the door 40 easier. The door 40 covers an opening 48 in the top wall 10 that allows access to the tobacco contained in the container portion. The extended web portion Qi can be used as a tray onto which tobacco is dispensed and/or a 10 surface for preparing roll-your-own or make-your own cigarettes. Any tobacco remaining on the web portion Q1 can easily be redirected into the opening by partially closing the lid to allow tobacco to fall towards the centre 34 of the web portion QI and towards the opening 48. Any loose tobacco can be swept back into the container portion through the opening 48. The packet B 1 is secured by locating tab 14 into the slot 15. 15 The embodiments described and illustrated refer to packets in which the edges are formed by the panels at right angles, thereby producing substantially sharp edges. However, a packet could also be formed such that the resultant edges are rounded or bevelled or elliptical or any other shape known in the art. Although a variety of embodiments have been described herein, these are provided by 20 way of example only, and many variations and modifications on such embodiments will be apparent to the skilled person and fall within the scope of the present invention, which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims (22)

1. A packet for containing a tobacco product, the packet comprising: a container portion having a top surface with an opening providing access inside the container portion; 5 a lid, hingedly attached to the container portion, wherein the lid is operable to cover the opening when the lid is in a closed position and to be substantially coplanar with the top surface when the lid is in an open position; and a web of panels attached to the lid, wherein when the lid is closed the web is folded to be substantially wholly contained between the lid and the top surface and when the lid is 10 open the web is unfolded to be substantially coplanar with the lid and the top surface.

2. A packet according to claim 1, wherein the web of panels comprises at least one panel having substantially the same shape and size as the top surface of the packet. 15

3. A packet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the web of panels includes a first panel attached to a surface of the lid that defines the inside of the lid and a second panel that is attached to the top surface.

4. A packet according to any preceding claim, wherein the web of panels comprises a 20 plurality of substantially triangular panels and a plurality of substantially quadrilateral panels, each of which is joined to an adjacent panel by a line of weakening.

5. A packet according to claim 4, wherein the panels fold in opposite directions about the lines of weakening on closing the packet. 25

6. A packet according to any preceding claim, wherein the web of panels is attached to an inner lid that is hingedly attached to the container.

7. A packet according to claim 6, wherein the inner lid has an opening. 30

8. A packet according to claim 7, wherein the opening on the top surface and the opening on the inner lid align when the inner lid and the top surface abut each other. WO 2008/084189 PCT/GB2007/004867 15

9. A packet according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the opening on the inner lid is smaller than the opening on the top surface. 5

10. A packet according to any of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a cover hingedly attached to the container portion.

11. A packet according to claim 10, wherein the cover comprises a recessed portion opposite the hinge. 10

12. A packet according to claim 10, wherein the cover includes a hole.

13. A packet according to any of claims 10 to 12, wherein the cover is hingedly attached to the container portion at the opposite end of the packet to the web of panels. 15

14. A packet according to any of claims 10 to 12, wherein the cover is hingedly attached to the container portion along an edge of the opening in the top surface of the packet.

15. A packet according to any preceding claim, wherein the web of panels is substantially 20 circular.

16. A packet according to any one of claims I to 5, wherein the web of panels is substantially semi-circular. 25

17. A packet according to any preceding claim, wherein the lid and the container portion comprise complementary engaging means.

18. A packet according to claim 17, wherein the engaging means comprises a tab that projects from a leading edge of the lid and a slot on the container portion into which the tab is 30 insertable. WO 2008/084189 PCT/GB2007/004867 16

19. A packet according to any preceding claim, wherein the packet contains tobacco contained in a pouch.

20. A blank for use in forming a packet according to any preceding claim. 5

21. A packet as substantially hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying Figures.

22. A blank as substantially hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying 10 Figures.