AU2008214828A1

AU2008214828A1 - Container for smoking articles

Info

Publication number: AU2008214828A1
Application number: AU2008214828A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Michael Arthur John Bevan
Original assignee: British American Tobacco Investments Ltd
Current assignee: British American Tobacco Investments Ltd
Priority date: 2007-02-14
Filing date: 2008-01-18
Publication date: 2008-08-21
Also published as: WO2008098816A1; BRPI0808085A2; CA2677930A1; CN101657115A; MX2009008712A; GB0702894D0; JP2010517586A; AR065356A1; EP2129246A1; KR20090120489A

Description

WO 2008/098816 PCT/EP2008/050558 -1 TITLE OF THE INVENTION CONTAINER FOR SMOKING ARTICLES 5 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a container for smoking articles, such as cigarettes or cigars. A majority of smoking articles are supplied to the consumer in packs made 10 from folded cardboard or stiff paper, intended to be disposed of after use. However, such packs are liable to crushing, so that the contents may be damaged. Also, the removal of the first one or two smoking articles from a newly opened pack may be awkward. Furthermore, often no receptacle for ash and butts is provided, leading to litter and the risk of fire when a smoker is smoking away from an ashtray. 15 A variety of packs with integral ashtray components have been proposed, generally based on the design of a conventional parallelepiped cigarette pack, such as that described in WO 01/47380. Other proposed cigarette containers are cylindrical and hold a ring of cigarettes. US 3,451,533 describes such a container, in which the space in the centre of 20 the ring is used to accommodate an ashtray. A cylindrical portion has a hollow central bore extending most of the way down the cylinder, for receiving ash, and a plurality of smaller bores arranged around the central bore in a ring, but opening from the opposite end of the cylinder. Before use, the smoker places a cigarette in each of the smaller bores, and puts the cylinder in a canister, which rotatably grips the side walls of the 25 cylinder. The canister has a dispensing hole in its base, such that rotation of the canister around the cylinder brings the hole into alignment with the smaller bores in the cylinder so that a cigarette can drop through. The top of the canister is open to give access to the ashtray, which has to be emptied after use.

WO 2008/098816 PCT/EP2008/050558 -2 US 1,800,035 describes a cigarette cabinet that similarly holds a ring of cigarettes, in an annular compartment. The user loads a plurality of cigarettes into the compartment, and operates a spring-loaded lever that successively urges the cigarettes around the ring to a dispensing location where a hinged door in the side of the 5 compartment opens to dispense a cigarette. A separate ashtray with a flanged rim sits in the central space of the annular compartment. GB 229,519 describes a similar but more compact cigarette container, in which a spring-loaded arm urges a ring of cigarettes around an annular container to a dispensing position in which a vertical sliding push protruding through the side wall of 10 the container can be operated by the user to lift a cigarette out of a dispensing hole in the top of the container. Again, an ashtray is located in the central space of the container. Other cylindrical cigarette containers include alternative dispensing mechanisms. GB 1,581,141 describes a cylindrical dispenser with a plurality of bores 15 arranged in a ring, into each of which the smoker places a cigarette. Each bore has an ejector spring in its base, that pushes the cigarette out of the bore. A rotatable lid with a dispensing hole closes the dispenser to retain the cigarettes in the bores. The lid can be rotated to bring the hole into alignment with one of the bores, allowing the spring to push the cigarette out of the bore. 20 WO 02/096228 describes a similar dispenser that uses magnets instead of springs. Each cigarette-receiving bore in a cylindrical case has a magnet in its base, and the case is rotatable with respect to a base portion having a magnet of opposite polarity. Rotation of the base aligns one of the bores with the base magnet, and magnetic repulsion pushes the cigarette up out of the bore. 25 US 1,444,308 describes a dispenser again comprising a ring of bores in a cylindrical body, the bores open at each end. The user loads a cigarette into each bore from the top of the body, and covers the top with a lid. The body has a rotatable base with a dispensing hole, which is rotated by hand to align the hole with a bore so that WO 2008/098816 PCT/EP2008/050558 -3 the cigarette therein can drop out. A central compartment inside the ring of bores is used for storing spare cigarettes to be loaded into the bores once empty. Each of these various cylindrical cigarette containers and dispensers is intended to be fully re-usable, and requires the smoker to refill the container by hand 5 each time it is emptied. This is a time-consuming and laborious process, involving handling of individual cigarettes. Further, many of the dispensing arrangements are elaborate and involve many components and/or delicate mechanical parts; thus the arrangements are liable to be costly and prone to failure. The present invention aims to provide an improved cigarette container. 10 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, a first aspect of the present invention is directed to a container for smoking articles comprising a disposable cylindrical cartridge comprising an outer 15 wall and an inner wall coaxial with and spaced from the outer wall to define an annular space for receiving a plurality of smoking articles, the inner wall further defining a central receptacle for receiving smoking article butts; and a cylindrical outer case configured to receive the cartridge, the case comprising a cylindrical side wall, a first end surface and a second end surface, one of the said end surfaces having 20 a central aperture that gives access to the central receptacle of the cartridge when the cartridge is received in the case, and one of the said end surfaces having a dispensing aperture offset from the centre of the said end surface through which a smoking article can be dispensed from the annular space of the cartridge. Thus, the invention provides a smoking article container that preserves the 25 advantages of re-usable cylindrical cases but overcomes the disadvantages associated with the need to laboriously re-fill such cases by hand. A fresh cartridge of smoking articles can be quickly and smoothly loaded into the outer case whenever the previous cartridge is emptied. Incorporation of a butt receptacle into the disposable cartridge WO 2008/098816 PCT/EP2008/050558 -4 allows the accumulated butts to be cleanly and safely disposed of in one action, with no requirement for the emptying and cleaning of the re-usable ashtrays featured in prior art cylindrical cases. Provision of a butt receptacle within a smoking article container reduces litter and also reduces the risk of fires started by smouldering butts 5 that are carelessly dropped. In some embodiments, one of the end surfaces may have the central aperture and the other of the end surfaces may have the dispensing aperture. In alternative embodiments, one of the end surfaces may have both the central aperture and the dispensing aperture. 10 One or both of the end surfaces of the case may be replaceably removable from the case to allow the cartridge to be inserted into the case. The invention is flexible in this regard, and an opening can be provided in the case at either end as convenient with regard to other features that may be included in either of the end surfaces. Advantageously, the end surface of the case having the dispensing aperture can 15 be rotated to bring the dispensing aperture into alignment with an end of a smoking article in the annular space of the cartridge received in the case. This facilitates removal of smoking articles from the cartridge as they are consumed, reducing the need to shake the case to bring a smoking article into the vicinity of the dispensing aperture. 20 In some embodiments, the end surface of the case opposite to the surface having the dispensing aperture may comprise a plunger extending through the surface and manually actuatable from the exterior of the case to push a smoking article in the annular space of the cartridge received in the case out through the dispensing aperture in the opposite surface of the case. This provides a simple mechanism for dispensing 25 smoking articles, and further reduces the need to shake the case to encourage a smoking article out of the dispensing aperture.

WO 2008/098816 PCT/EP2008/050558 -5 Further, the end surface of the case comprising the plunger may be rotatable such that the plunger can be brought into alignment with an end of a smoking article in the annular space of the cartridge received in the case. In some embodiments, one of the end surfaces comprises a recess in which 5 smoking articles may be extinguished. The recess may have an opening and a depth sized to receive the lit end of a smoking article such that a smoking article can be extinguished therein without force. The integrity of the smoking article butt is thereby retained so that it may more easily be inserted into the central receptacle. The recess may be in the end surface opposite to the end surface having the central opening. 10 The central receptacle of the cartridge may be closed at an end intended to be aligned with the central aperture in the case by a resilient closure having one or more slits therein through which butts can be inserted into the receptacle. Such an arrangement provides a closure that retains the contents of the butt receptacle but which does not need to be opened when it is desired to put a butt into the receptacle, 15 and which further in effect re-seals itself once a butt has been put into the receptacle. The resilient closure may be heat resistant or have a heat resistant coating. This reduces the risk of fire, and also allows a butt which is still alight to be put into the butt receptacle, or for a butt to be extinguished on the resilient closure before being put into the receptacle. 20 An end face of the central receptacle opposite to the end through which smoking article butts are received may be inverted to accommodate a recess for extinguishing smoking articles in an end surface of the outer case. This maximises the volume of the central receptacle while still allowing the cartridge to be used with an outer case having an extinguishing recess in the corresponding end surface. 25 The central receptacle may be comprised of non-flammable material. This also allows still-smouldering butts to be put into the butt receptacle without risk of fire. Once in the receptacle, the small volume of oxygen therein will allow the butt to extinguish itself rapidly.

WO 2008/098816 PCT/EP2008/050558 -6 The central receptacle may contain an odour reducing agent to reduce or eliminate odour from butts contained in the receptacle. This addresses problems associated with unpleasant odours from extinguished butts, which otherwise may make it less desirable to accumulate butts in a disposable receptacle. 5 The cartridge may be provided with at least one sealing layer that closes the annular space to retain the freshness of smoking articles received in the annular space. At least one sealing layer may be removable and intended to be removed from the cartridge before insertion of the cartridge into the case. Alternatively or additionally, at least one sealing layer may comprise a material through which 10 smoking articles can break if pushed against the sealing layer. Hence there is no requirement for the sealing layer or layers to be removed from the cartridge before use, so that loading of a new cartridge into the outer case can be achieved more easily and quickly. The cartridge may be provided with a first sealing layer that closes the annular 15 space at a first end, and a second sealing layer that closes the annular space at a second end. The container may further comprise a plurality of smoking articles arranged in the annular space of the cartridge. A second aspect of the invention is directed to a container for smoking articles 20 comprising: a cylindrical outer case configured to receive a disposable cylindrical cartridge comprising an outer wall and an inner wall coaxial with and spaced from the outer wall to define an annular space containing a plurality of smoking articles, the inner wall further defining a central receptacle for receiving smoking article butts, the case comprising: a cylindrical side wall, a first end surface and a second end surface, 25 one of the said end surfaces having a central aperture that gives access to the central receptacle of a cartridge received in the case, and one of the said end surfaces having a dispensing aperture offset from the centre of the said end surface through which a WO 2008/098816 PCT/EP2008/050558 -7 smoking article can be dispensed from the annular space of a cartridge received in the case. A third aspect of the invention is directed to a container for smoking articles comprising: a disposable cylindrical cartridge, the cartridge comprising: an outer wall; 5 an inner wall coaxial with and spaced from the outer wall to define an annular space for receiving a plurality of smoking articles, the inner wall further defining a central receptacle for receiving smoking article butts; and a plurality of smoking articles arranged in the annular space; the cartridge configured to be received in a cylindrical outer case comprising a cylindrical side wall, a first end surface and a second end 10 surface, one of the said end surfaces having a central aperture that gives access to the central receptacle of the cartridge when received in the case, and one of the said end surfaces having a dispensing aperture offset from the centre of the said end surface through which a smoking article can be dispensed from the annular space of the cartridge when received in the case. 15 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect reference is now made by way of example to the accompanying 20 drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional side view of a disposable cartridge for smoking articles according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a top plan view of the cartridge of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a bottom plan view of the cartridge of Figure 1; 25 Figure 4 shows a plan view of the top or bottom of the cartridge of Figure 1, before removal of a sealing member; Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of an outer case for receiving the cartridge of Figure 1; WO 2008/098816 PCT/EP2008/050558 -8 Figure 6 shows a top plan view of the case of Figure 5; Figure 7 shows a bottom plan view of the case of Figure 5; Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional side view of the cartridge of Figure 1 fitted into the case of Figure 5; 5 Figures 9A and 9B show cross-sectional side views of part of a case and cartridge according to a further embodiment; Figure 10 shows a perspective outer view of a case according to a yet further embodiment; and Figures 11, 12 and 13 show cross-sectional side views of the lower part of a case 10 and cartridge according to embodiments that include an extinguishing port. DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention provides a container for smoking articles that comprises 15 an inner disposable cylindrical cartridge containing a plurality of smoking articles in an annular arrangement around a central ash and/or butt receptacle (ashtray) that, for use, is loaded into an outer case, also cylindrical, which allows smoking articles to be dispensed from the cartridge and gives access to the butt receptacle. Once all the smoking articles have been consumed, the cartridge, including all waste material in the 20 butt receptacle, can be disposed of, and a fresh cartridge fitted into the case. Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional side view of a cartridge according to an embodiment of the invention. The cartridge 10, which is cylindrical, comprises an outer wall 12, and an inner wall 14 arranged concentrically within the outer wall 12. The annular space 16 defined between the inner wall 14 and the outer wall 12 is filled 25 with a ring of smoking articles 18, such as cigarettes or cigars, arranged with their longitudinal axes parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge 10. Hence, the inner wall 14 is spaced from the outer wall 12 by a distance slightly greater than the diameter of a smoking article 18. In this example, the smoking articles 18 are filter- WO 2008/098816 PCT/EP2008/050558 -9 tipped cigarettes, and are arranged with the filter ends downwards so that they are delivered filter first to the smoker when dispensed through the lower end of the cartridge 10. The inner wall 14 also defines a cylindrical space 20, on the inner side of the 5 inner wall 14. This is a butt receptacle, for receiving and containing the butts of consumed smoking articles from the cartridge 10. Thus, the butt receptacle 20 is closed at its lower end by a bottom face 22, and at its upper end by a flexible resilient closure 24, such as a membrane. The flexible closure 24 has one or more slits 26 in it, arranged as a cross or a star, for example, to provide an opening to the butt receptacle. 10 Butts can be pushed into the butt receptacle 20 via the slits 26, which then, owing to the resilient nature of the closure 24, close up after use to shut the butt receptacle 20. Hence, butts are neatly and safely retained inside the receptacle 20 until the cartridge is used up and disposed of. The resilient closure 24 may be made of a heat resistant material such as 15 aluminium foil or a heat resistant fabric or polymer (for example clay-based heat resistant gas barrier polymer, liquid crystal polymer, leather, flame/bum resistant cotton), moulded plastic, rubber, or other suitable synthetic composite material, or may be provided with a coating of heat resistant material. This allows butts which are still alight to be pushed through the slits 26 into the receptacle 20 (where the butt will 20 quickly extinguish itself owing to the small volume of oxygen in the receptacle 20) without risk of igniting the resilient closure 24. Further, the closure 24 may be used as a surface on which to extinguish a lit smoking article. To achieve this, the closure 24 should be flexible enough to allow a butt to be pushed through the slits 26 without excessive force being required, but also rigid enough to accommodate the light 25 pressure suitable for extinguishing a lit smoking article without too much deformation. Also, the butt receptacle 20 can include an odour-reducing agent, such as any adsorbent material known to the skilled person including carbon, clays, zeolites, silicates, activated carbon, kaolin and chalk (which may be impregnated with a flavour WO 2008/098816 PCT/EP2008/050558 -10 or scent) Such agents will reduce or eliminate the odour given off by extinguished butts in the receptacle 20, which would otherwise be released through the slits 26 when the next butt is pushed into the receptacle 20. The agent may be provided as particulate or solid matter (tablet, granular or powder form) placed inside the 5 receptacle 20, or may be impregnated into or coated or otherwise adhered to the inner surface of the inner wall 14 and/or the bottom face 22. To enhance safety, the interior surface of the butt receptacle 20 may be made non-flammable, for example by constructing the butt receptacle from non-flammable material or by coating the interior surface with a fire-retardant substance. This reduces 10 the risk of fire in the event that an alight or smouldering butt is introduced into the butt receptacle 20. In this example, the annular space 16 that accommodates the smoking articles 18 is open at both its upper and lower ends in the sense that no integral upper and lower faces are provided to the cartridge 10. Instead, both the upper and lower ends of 15 the cartridge 10 are closed with sealing members 28, 30. These are airtight sealing members to retain the freshness of the smoking articles 18 until they are to be consumed. Hence, the sealing members 28, 30, which may be foil, plastic or plastic coated paper or foil, for example, are adhered or otherwise bonded to at least the end surfaces of the outer wall 12, and may also be stuck to the end surfaces of the inner 20 wall 14, if desired. For ease of manufacture, the sealing members 28, 30 may be substantially disc-shaped so that the ends of the butt receptacle 20 are covered. This also protects the resilient closure 24 of the butt receptacle 24 until the cartridge is to be used. Otherwise, the sealing members 28, 30 may be ring-shaped such that they cover only the ends of the annular space 16. 25 To give access to the smoking articles 18 and the butt receptacle 20 when the cartridge is about to be used (fitted into an outer case), the sealing members 28, 30 should be easily removable from the ends of the cartridge. Thus the adhering or bonding method used should be such as to give a reliable airtight seal, but also such as WO 2008/098816 PCT/EP2008/050558 -11 to allow the sealing members 28, 30 to be easily peeled away from the ends of the inner and outer walls. Figure 2 shows a top view of the cartridge 10 with the upper sealing member 30 removed to prepare the cartridge 10 for use. The manner in which the inner wall 14 5 and the outer wall 12 define the annular space 16 can be seen, where the ring of smoking articles 18 fill the annular space 16. The resilient closure 24 of the butt receptacle is also visible, with, in this example, the slits 26 arranged as a cross. To maintain the positions of the outer and inner walls 12, 14 once the upper and lower sealing members have been removed, the cartridge includes one or more 10 connecting struts 32 extending between the inner and outer walls 12, 14. As many struts as are found desirable to maintain the shape and structural strength of the cartridge may be used. The struts 32 may be located only at one or both ends of the cartridge 10, so that the annular space remains clear, or the struts 32 may be positioned at one or more points intermediate along the height of the cartridge 10. In the latter 15 case, the struts 32 may extend along the full height of the cartridge 10. Further, a plurality of struts may be provided that divide the annular space into small cells, each accommodating a single smoking article. Although more structurally complex and hence more complex to manufacture, dividing the annular space 16 in this way retains the smoking articles 18 in an upright, parallel position even after some have been 20 removed from the cartridge 10; this aids dispensing of the smoking articles 18 from the cartridge 10. Figure 3 shows a bottom view of the cartridge 10 with the lower sealing member 28 removed to prepare the cartridge for use. The bottom view is similar to the top view shown in Figure 2, but from this angle, the bottom face 22 of the butt 25 receptacle can be seen within the annular space 16. Figure 4 shows an end view of the cartridge 10 before the sealing member 28, 32 is removed (both ends having substantially the same appearance under this condition). In this example, the sealing member is disk-shaped, such that the end of WO 2008/098816 PCT/EP2008/050558 -12 the butt receptacle is covered, and is sealed to the end of both the inner wall and the outer wall, as indicated by the dotted lines. A pull tab 34 extending from the edge of the sealing member 28, 30 may be provided to assist the user in grasping the sealing member 28, 30 to peel it away from the cartridge 10. Also, the sealing members may 5 be marked or labelled in some way to indicate which end of the cartridge is which, to aid the user in loading the cartridge 10 into the outer case. This information may alternatively or additionally be apparent from any marking provided on the outside of the outer wall, however. Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional side view of an outer case for use with a 10 cartridge such as that shown in Figures 1-4. The case 40 comprises a cylindrical side wall 42 of a diameter and height sufficient to receive within it a cartridge 10 as shown in Figures 1-4. Preferably the cartridge 10 is a relatively snug fit, such as an interference fit, within the side wall 42, to limit relative movement between the two parts, but not so tight as to make insertion of the cartridge 10 into the side wall 42 15 difficult for the smoker. The outside surface of the outer wall 12 of the cartridge 10 and the inside surface of the side wall 42 of the case 40 may incorporate one or more interengaging recesses and protrusions (not shown) that prevent rotation of the cartridge 10 within the case. This will facilitate operation of dispensing parts of the case 40. 20 The case 40 further includes a top surface 46 and a bottom surface 44 that close the open ends of the cylindrical side wall 42. The top surface 46 includes a central aperture 48 which gives access to the resilient closure 24 of the butt receptacle 20 of a cartridge 10 inserted into the case 40. The central aperture 48 may be circular, and of a diameter not greater than the diameter of the butt receptacle 20 so that the 25 smoking articles 18 in the annular space 16 of the cartridge are not exposed. The bottom surface 44 includes a dispensing aperture 50 located at one side of the bottom surface 44 such that its position corresponds with the position of smoking articles 18 in the annular space 16 of a cartridge 10 fitted into the case 40. The WO 2008/098816 PCT/EP2008/050558 -13 aperture 50 has a size sufficient to let a single smoking article pass through, so that the smoking articles can be removed one at a time from the cartridge 10. Conveniently, the aperture 50 is circular. The bottom surface 44 is rotatable with respect to the side wall 42, so that it can be twisted around so as to bring the dispensing aperture 50 into 5 alignment with a smoking article 18 in the cartridge 10, so that the smoking article can exit through the aperture 50. Shaking of the case 40 may facilitate dispensing of the smoking article through the aperture 50. The bottom surface 44 may or may not be removable from the side wall 42. To provide the required rotation, the bottom surface 44 may include a rim portion 52 that 10 extends over the end of the outside surface of the side wall 42, and has an inwardly extending flange 54. This flange engages with an outwardly extending flange 56 on the outside of the side wall 42, to retain the bottom surface on the side wall 42 while permitting rotation (alternatively the flange 54 may fit into a groove in the outside of the side wall 42). If the flanges 54, 56, the side wall 42 and/or the rim portion 52 are 15 sufficiently elastically deformable (resilient), the bottom surface 44 can be removed from the side wall 42, and replaced, via a "snap-fit" action. Otherwise, the bottom surface 44 can remain coupled to the side wall 42. If the bottom surface 44 fits sufficiently tightly on the side wall 42, the flanges may not be required and an interference fit can be relied upon instead. Further, the rim portion 52 may extend 20 against the inside surface of the side wall 42 rather than the outside surface, although an outside rim portion provides a more convenient shape for gripping by the user to rotate the bottom surface. Alternatively, other ways of rotatably joining the two parts together may be used, with or without the bottom surface being removable. In a design of cartridge and case in which the two are held substantially fixed 25 relative to one another with regard to rotational movement when the cartridge is inserted into the case (for example by the use of inter-engaging protrusions and recesses as mentioned above), the attachment between the side wall and the bottom surface may include features for allowing step-wise rotational movement to bias the WO 2008/098816 PCT/EP2008/050558 -14 dispensing aperture into true alignment with each of the smoking articles in the cartridge. For example, interengaging teeth providing a ratchet-type arrangement may be employed. Since it is necessary for a cartridge to be inserted into the outer case 40, the top 5 surface 46 must be removable from the side wall 42 if the bottom surface 44 is not. Alternatively, the bottom surface 44 and top surface 46 may both be removable. In the example shown in Figure 5, the top surface 46 does not need to be rotatable with respect to the side wall 42 during use, owing to the central position of the aperture 48 and the underlying butt receptacle 20 in an inserted cartridge 10. Hence, for a 10 removable top surface 46, a screw fitting can be provided. Otherwise, any of the fittings described above for the bottom surface 44 can be used, or other alternative removable or otherwise openable arrangements, such as a hinge fitting with a catch or latch. In the event that the bottom surface 44 is removable/openable, a top surface according to the example of Figure 5 need not be removable, and since it also does not 15 need to rotate, it may be directly fastened to the side wall 42, or be integrally formed therewith. Figure 6 shows a top view of the top surface 46, with the central aperture 48, suitably sized to give access to the butt receptacle while properly covering the top end of the annular space of an inserted cartridge. 20 A cartridge to be used in conjunction with a case 40 having a top end 46 according to the example of Figure 6 may have a closure for the top end of the annular space that is not intended to be removed before the cartridge is inserted into the case 40. Hence, the cartridge can be formed with an integral end portion to cover the annular space, instead of the upper sealing member 30 described with regard to Figure 25 1. Alternatively, if an upper sealing member 30 is considered to be convenient, perhaps because an identical or similar sealing member is to be used as the lower sealing member 28, the upper sealing member 30 may be configured not to have to be removed from the cartridge before use. For example, an annular upper sealing member WO 2008/098816 PCT/EP2008/050558 -15 may be used that does not cover the resilient closure 24 of the butt receptacle 20, or a circular upper sealing member may be used that has a removable central portion covering the resilient closure that is to be removed by the user before the cartridge is fitted into the case. The central portion may be delineated by perforations, and be 5 provided with a pull tab for ease of removal, for example. Figure 7 shows a bottom view of the bottom surface 44, with the offset dispensing aperture 50. An arrow indicates the rotation movement required to align the dispensing aperture 50 with a smoking article in the cartridge. Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional side view of the cartridge of Figure 1 inserted 10 into the outer case of Figure 5. Before insertion of the cartridge 10, the upper and lower sealing members 30, 28 are removed from the cartridge 10. One or other of the top or bottom surfaces of the case 40 is opened, the cartridge 10 is pushed into the case and the opened surface is replaced or closed. As illustrated, when the dispensing aperture in the bottom surface is aligned with a smoking article 18 in the cartridge 10, 15 the smoking article 18 can be extracted. Shaking of the case 40 may encourage the smoking article 18 to fall through the aperture 50. Once the smoking article 18 has been smoked, its butt can be stored in the butt receptacle 20, by pushing it through the slits 26 in the resilient closure 24, via the central aperture 48 in the top surface 40. A butt 58 is shown already in the butt receptacle 20. 20 To facilitate removal of a smoking article from the cartridge via the dispensing aperture in the case, the top surface of the case may be provided with a plunger or similar push mechanism that extends through the top surface and can be brought to bear against the end of a smoking article in the cartridge, thereby pushing the smoking article out through the dispensing aperture if the dispensing aperture is aligned with 25 the smoking article. The plunger may be a spring-loaded button, for example. Figure 9A shows a cross-sectional side view of part of the upper part of a case 40 having a cartridge 10 therein, in which a plunger 60 is incorporated into the upper surface 46. The plunger 60 extends through a hole in the upper surface 46, and is WO 2008/098816 PCT/EP2008/050558 -16 biased in a retracted position, shown in Figure 9A, by a spring 62 concealed within the exterior portion of the plunger 60. The interior portion 64 of the plunger 60 terminates in a flat surface suitable for contacting the end of a smoking article without damaging it. The flat surface may be provided with a rubberised or cushioned surface, for 5 example, and may have an area larger than the end of a smoking article so that it does not press into the tobacco. To allow use of the plunger 60, the top surface 46 of the case 40 should be rotatable with respect to the cartridge, so that the plunger 60 can be brought into alignment with each of the smoking articles. Once the plunger 60 and the dispensing 10 aperture 50 are aligned with the same smoking article 18, the plunger 60 can be depressed, thereby bringing the interior portion 64 into contact with the end of the smoking article 18 and then pushing the smoking article 18 towards and then through the dispensing aperture 50. Once the plunger 60 is released, the spring 62 returns the plunger 60 to its retracted position, thus freeing the top surface 46 for further rotation. 15 Figure 9B shows the plunger 60 of Figure 9A in its depressed position, indicating the downward movement of both plunger 60 and smoking article 18. Other designs of plunger or push mechanism may be used. To aid alignment of the plunger with the smoking articles, the top surface may be configured for step-wise rotation, as described above with regard to the bottom 20 surface. Also, a connection may be provided between the top surface and the bottom surface via a connecting element that allows the two surfaces to be rotated together, thereby bringing the plunger and the dispensing hole into line with the same smoking article via a single adjustment. The connecting element should be disconnectable to allow opening of one or other of the top or bottom surfaces for insertion of a cartridge 25 into the case. If a cartridge is intended for use with a case including a plunger, the cartridge 10 should include an upper sealing member 30 that can be removed from the cartridge WO 2008/098816 PCT/EP2008/050558 -17 before insertion into the case 40, so that the smoking articles are exposed to the interior portion of the plunger 60. Further regarding the sealing members, an alternative to a removable lower sealing member 30 is to provide a lower sealing member through which smoking 5 articles can easily be pushed by the action of the plunger. The sealing member may be made from a relatively weak, easily tearable material, for example, or the sealing member may have perforations or other lines of weakness that break apart when a smoking article is pushed against the sealing member. A sealing member of this type may also be used to cover the top of the annular 10 space, where in this case the downward motion of the depressed plunger forces the interior portion of the plunger through the sealing member and into pushing contact with the smoking article underneath. Further, if the upper sealing member includes a central portion covering the resilient closure, a breakable material can be used here also. The first butt to be placed into the butt receptacle is pushed through the central 15 portion, tearing it open, before being pushed through the slits in the resilient closure. In such an embodiment, the central portion of the upper sealing member is preferably fire retardant or non-flammable, so that a non-extinguished butt can safely be pushed through it. Breakable sealing members can hence be used to provide a more convenient 20 cartridge, where the smoker does not need to remove the sealing members before fitting the cartridge into the case. Thus, the case can be reloaded with a new charge of smoking articles and an empty butt receptacle easily and rapidly, with no need to separately dispose of the sealing members. Also, sealing members that remain in situ can retain the freshness of the smoking articles for longer, particularly if the annular 25 space is divided into individual cells. The case, which is intended to be reusable for multiple cartridges, can be provided with various attachment or carrying mechanisms, if desired. For example, a clip may be provided on the outside of the side wall by which the case can be clipped WO 2008/098816 PCT/EP2008/050558 -18 to a belt or a pocket. Alternatively or additionally, a chain can be attached to the case, for joining the case to a bag or a belt loop, for example. A key ring or spring clip of the type used to attach dog leads may be provided on the other end of the chain so that the case may be attached as required. Further, a chain or cord by which the case may 5 be hung around the neck can be provided. Figure 10 shows a perspective view of a case 40 provided with both a belt clip 66 and a chain 68 with a key ring 70, and a neck cord 72. Usefully, the outer case may additionally be provided with a dedicated facility for extinguishing smoking articles before the butts are inserted into the butt receptacle. 10 To provide this, the case may comprise an extinguishing port in the form of a recess or indented portion in which a smoking article can be extinguished. The recess can be located anywhere on the outer case, but the central region of the bottom surface may be found convenient for this purpose, as it is otherwise unutilised. Figure 11 shows a cross-sectional side view of part of a container, showing the 15 cartridge 10 in an outer case 40 that incorporates a simple extinguishing recess. The recess 74 is centrally positioned in the bottom face 44 of the case 40, and comprises a shallow indentation in which a lit smoking article can be stubbed out by pressing the end of the smoking article against the surface of the recess 74. The butt receptacle 20 in this example has its bottom face 22 higher than the 20 bottom surface 44 of the outer case 10, to make space for the recess 22. Also shown in this example is an odour-reducing agent 76 placed in the base of the receptacle 20. The agent 76 is held in position by a layer of gauze 78, and may be a tablet or be in particulate form. Figure 12 shows a cross-sectional side view of a container having an 25 extinguishing recess according to a different embodiment. In this example, the recess 74 is deeper than the shallow indentation of Figure 11. The depth is sufficient to receive a significant portion of the end of a smoking article. Further, the recess is relatively narrow, and has an opening which provides a close fit around the WO 2008/098816 PCT/EP2008/050558 -19 circumference of a smoking article. In this way, the smoking article 80, once inserted into the recess 74, is extinguished by being deprived of oxygen. Hence, smoking articles may be extinguished without the need to exert force upon them and crush them. The shape and structural strength of the butts is thereby maintained, so that they 5 can be more easily inserted into the butt receptacle 20. In this example, the recess 74 has a frusto-conical profile, with an interior cross-section that widens with depth. However, a straight-sided recess may also be used. As in the example of Figure 11, the bottom face 22 of the receptacle 20 is raised up to accommodate the recess 74. The larger depth of the recess 74 requires the bottom face 22 to be raised substantially, 10 thus reducing the overall volume of the receptacle. Figure 13 shows a cross-sectional side view of a container according to a further embodiment, with an extinguishing recess. In this example, the recess 74 is configured as in the example of Figure 12, but, in addition, the bottom face 22 of the receptacle 20 is inverted so as to accommodate the recess 74 with a smaller reduction 15 in the overall volume of the receptacle 20. Further regarding the outer case, since it is intended for re-use it is preferably made from relatively sturdy materials, such as moulded plastic, metal or very thick cardboard. The outside surface may be enhanced in appearance, for example by embossing, covering with leather or leatherette, or printing with a pattern or a smoking 20 article brand. The cartridge, being disposable, may be made of low cost materials such as thin plastic, cardboard or heavy paper. Since the cartridge will be thrown away, recyclable or biodegradable materials are advantageous. The cartridge and case are suitable for containing any type of smoking article, 25 such as cigarettes (including filter-tipped, unfiltered and superslims), cigarillos and cigars. In all the examples presented thus far, the cartridge and the case have been arranged so that the smoking articles are dispensed through a dispensing aperture in WO 2008/098816 PCT/EP2008/050558 -20 the bottom surface of the case and the butt receptacle is accessed via a central aperture in the top surface of the case. However, this arrangement may be reversed so that the dispensing aperture is in the top surface and the central aperture is in the bottom surface. Alternatively, both may be in the same end surface of the case, either top or 5 bottom, with corresponding adjustments made to the orientation of features of the cartridge, and any plunger mechanism or extinguishing port. Thus, in general terms, the cartridge and case can be thought of as having a first end surface and a second end surface, rather than a top and a bottom, with the dispensing and butt receptacle access provided either via opposite ends or via the same end.

Claims

1. A container for smoking articles comprising: a disposable cylindrical cartridge comprising an outer wall and an inner wall 5 coaxial with and spaced from the outer wall to define an annular space for receiving a plurality of smoking articles, the inner wall further defining a central receptacle for receiving smoking article butts; and a cylindrical outer case configured to receive the cartridge, the case comprising a cylindrical side wall, a first end surface and a second end surface, one of the said end 10 surfaces having a central aperture that gives access to the central receptacle of the cartridge when the cartridge is received in the case, and one of the said end surfaces having a dispensing aperture offset from the centre of the said end surface through which a smoking article can be dispensed from the annular space of the cartridge. 15

2. A container for smoking articles according to claim 1, in which one of the end surfaces has the central aperture and the other of the end surfaces has the dispensing aperture.

3. A container for smoking articles according to claim 1, in which one of the end 20 surfaces has both the central aperture and the dispensing aperture.

4. A container according to claim 1, in which one or both of the end surfaces of the case is replaceably removable from the case to allow the cartridge to be inserted into the case. 25

5. A container according to any one of claims I to 4, in which the end surface of the case having the dispensing aperture can be rotated to bring the dispensing aperture WO 2008/098816 PCT/EP2008/050558 -22 into alignment with an end of a smoking article in the annular space of the cartridge received in the case.

6. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the end surface of 5 the case opposite to the surface having the dispensing aperture comprises a plunger extending through the surface and manually actuatable from the exterior of the case to push a smoking article in the annular space of the cartridge received in the case out though the dispensing aperture in the opposite surface of the case. 10

7. A container according to claim 6, in which the end surface comprising the plunger is rotatable such that the plunger can be brought into alignment with an end of a smoking article in the annular space of the cartridge received in the case.

8. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which one of the end 15 surfaces comprises a recess in which smoking articles may be extinguished.

9. A container according to claim 8, in which the recess has an opening and a depth sized to receive the lit end of a smoking article such that a smoking article can be extinguished therein without force. 20

10. A container according to claim 8 or claim 9, in which the recess is in the end surface opposite to the end surface having the central opening.

11. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 10, in which the central 25 receptacle of the cartridge is closed at an end intended to be aligned with the central aperture in the case by a resilient closure having one or more slits therein through which butts can be inserted into the receptacle. WO 2008/098816 PCT/EP2008/050558 -23

12. A container according to claim 11 in which the resilient closure is heat resistant or has a heat resistant coating.

13. A container according to any one of claims I to 12, in which an end face of the 5 central receptacle opposite to the end through which smoking article butts are received is inverted to accommodate a recess for extinguishing smoking articles in an end surface of the outer case.

14. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 13, in which the central 10 receptacle is comprised of non-flammable material.

15. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 14, in which the central receptacle contains an odour reducing agent to reduce or eliminate odour from butts contained in the receptacle. 15

16. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 15, in which the cartridge is provided with at least one sealing layer that closes the annular space to retain the freshness of smoking articles received in the annular space. 20

17. A container according to claim 16, in which at least one sealing layer is removable and intended to be removed from the cartridge before insertion of the cartridge into the case.

18. A container according to claim 16 or claim 17, in which at least one sealing 25 layer comprises a material through which smoking articles can break if pushed against the sealing layer. WO 2008/098816 PCT/EP2008/050558 -24

19. A container according to any one of claims 16 to 18, in which the cartridge is provided with a first sealing layer that closes the annular space at a first end, and a second sealing layer that closes the annular space at a second end. 5

20. A container according to any preceding claim, further comprising a plurality of smoking articles arranged in the annular space of the cartridge.

21. A container for smoking articles comprising: a cylindrical outer case configured to receive a disposable cylindrical cartridge 10 comprising an outer wall and an inner wall coaxial with and spaced from the outer wall to define an annular space containing a plurality of smoking articles, the inner wall further defining a central receptacle for receiving smoking article butts, the case comprising: a cylindrical side wall, a first end surface and a second end surface, one of the 15 said end surfaces having a central aperture that gives access to the central receptacle of a cartridge received in the case, and one of the said end surfaces having a dispensing aperture offset from the centre of the said end surface through which a smoking article can be dispensed from the annular space of a cartridge received in the case. 20

22. A container for smoking articles according to claim 21, in which one of the end surfaces has the central aperture and the other of the end surfaces has the dispensing aperture.

23. A container for smoking articles according claim 21, in which one of the end 25 surfaces has both the central aperture and the dispensing aperture. WO 2008/098816 PCT/EP2008/050558 -25

24. A container according to any one of claims 21 to 23, in which one or both of the end surfaces of the case is replaceably removable from the case to allow a cartridge to be inserted into the case. 5

25. A container according to any one of claims 21 to 24, in which the end surface of the case having the dispensing aperture can be rotated to bring the dispensing aperture into alignment with an end of a smoking article in the annular space of the cartridge received in the case. 10

26. A container according to any one of claims 21 to 25, in which the end surface of the case opposite to the surface having the dispensing aperture comprises a plunger manually actuatable from the exterior of the case to push a smoking article in the annular space of the cartridge received in the case out through the dispensing aperture in the opposite end surface of the case. 15

27. A container according to claim 26, in which the end surface comprising the plunger is rotatable such that the plunger can be brought into alignment with an end of a smoking article in the annular space of the cartridge received in the case. 20

28. A container according to any one of claims 21 to 27, in which one of the end surfaces comprises a recess in which smoking articles may be extinguished.

29. A container according to claim 28, in which the recess has an opening and a depth sized to receive the lit end of a smoking article such that the smoking article can 25 be extinguished without force.

30. A container according to claim 28 or claim 29, in which the recess is in the end surface opposite to the end surface having the central opening. WO 2008/098816 PCT/EP2008/050558 -26

31. A container for smoking articles comprising: a disposable cylindrical cartridge, the cartridge comprising: an outer wall; 5 an inner wall coaxial with and spaced from the outer wall to define an annular space for receiving a plurality of smoking articles, the inner wall further defining a central receptacle for receiving smoking article butts; and a plurality of smoking articles arranged in the annular space; the cartridge configured to be received in a cylindrical outer case comprising a 10 cylindrical side wall, a first end surface and a second end surface, one of the said end surfaces having a central aperture that gives access to the central receptacle of the cartridge when received in the case, and one of the said end surfaces having a dispensing aperture offset from the centre of the said end surface through which a smoking article can be dispensed from the annular space of the cartridge when 15 received in the case.

32. A container according to claim 31, in which the central receptacle of the cartridge is closed at an end intended to be aligned with the central aperture of an outer case by a resilient closure having one or more slits therein through which butts 20 can be inserted into the receptacle.

33. A container according to claim 32, in which the resilient closure is heat resistant or has a heat resistant coating. 25

34. A container according to any one of claims 31 to 33, in which an end face of the central receptacle opposite to the end through which smoking article butts are received is inverted to accommodate a recess for extinguishing smoking articles in an end surface of an outer case. WO 2008/098816 PCT/EP2008/050558 -27

35. A container according to any one of claims 31 to 34, in which the central receptacle is comprised of non-flammable material. 5

36. A container according to any one of claims 31 to 35, in which the central receptacle contains an odour reducing agent to reduce or eliminate odour from butts contained in the receptacle.

37. A container according to any one of claims 31 to 36, in which the cartridge is 10 provided with at least one sealing layer that closes the annular space to retain the freshness of smoking articles received in the annular space.

38. A container according to claim 37, in which at least one sealing layer is removable and intended to be removed from the cartridge before insertion of the 15 cartridge into a case.

39. A container according to claim 37 or claim 38, in which at least one sealing layer comprises a material through which smoking articles can break if pushed against the sealing layer. 20

40. A container according to any one of claims 37 to 39, in which the cartridge is provided with a first sealing layer that closes the annular space at a first end, and a second sealing layer that closes the annular space at a second end. 25

41. A container for smoking articles substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. WO 2008/098816 PCT/EP2008/050558 28 AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 10 July 2008 (10.07.2008) CLAIMS 1. A container for smoking articles comprising: a disposable cylindrical cartridge comprising an outer wall and an inner wall 5 coaxial with and spaced from the outer wall to define an annular space for receiving a plurality of smoking articles, the inner wall further defining a central receptacle for receiving smoking article butts; and a cylindrical outer case configured to receive the cartridge such that the cartridge may be removed from the case for disposal when the cartridge is empty of 10 smoking articles, thereby allowing the empty cartridge to be replaced with another, filled cartridge; said case comprising a cylindrical side wall, a first end surface and a second end surface, one of the said end surfaces having a central aperture that gives access to the central receptacle of the cartridge when the cartridge is received in the case, and 15 one of the said end surfaces having a dispensing aperture offset from the centre of the said end surface through which a smoking article can be dispensed from the annular space of the cartridge. 2. A container for smoking articles according to claim 1, in which one of the end 20 surfaces has the central aperture and the other of the end surfaces has the dispensing aperture. 3. A container for smoking articles according to claim 1, in which one of the end surfaces has both the central aperture and the dispensing aperture. 25 4. A container according to claim 1, in which one or both of the end surfaces of the case is replaceably removable from the case to allow the cartridge to be inserted into the case. A AEIEE rtK I r1111 rIl I- A r%'rl^ I r- A^% WO 2008/098816 PCT/EP2008/050558 29 5. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the end surface of the case having the dispensing aperture can be rotated to bring the dispensing aperture into alignment with an end of a smoking article in the annular space of the cartridge 5 received in the case. 6. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the end surface of the case opposite to the surface having the dispensing aperture comprises a plunger extending through the surface and manually actuatable from the exterior of the case to 10 push a smoking article in the annular space of the cartridge received in the case out though the dispensing aperture in the opposite surface of the case. 7. A container according to claim 6, in which the end surface comprising the plunger is rotatable such that the plunger can be brought into alignment with an end of 15 a smoking article in the annular space of the cartridge received in the case. 8. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which one of the end surfaces comprises a recess in which smoking articles may be extinguished. 20 9. A container according to claim 8, in which the recess has an opening and a depth sized to receive the lit end of a smoking article such that a smoking article can be extinguished therein without force. 10. A container according to claim 8 or claim 9, in which the recess is in the end 25 surface opposite to the end surface having the central opening. 11. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 10, in which the central receptacle of the cartridge is closed at an end intended to be aligned with the central WO 2008/098816 PCT/EP2008/050558 30 aperture in the case by a resilient closure having one or more slits therein through which butts can be inserted into the receptacle. 12. A container according to claim 11 in which the resilient closure is heat 5 resistant or has a heat resistant coating. 13. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 12, in which an end face of the central receptacle opposite to the end through which smoking article butts are received is inverted to accommodate a recess for extinguishing smoking articles in an end 10 surface of the outer case. 14. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 13, in which the central receptacle is comprised of non-flammable material. 15 15. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 14, in which the central receptacle contains an odour reducing agent to reduce or eliminate odour from butts contained in the receptacle. 16. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 15, in which the cartridge is 20 provided with at least one sealing layer that closes the annular space to retain the freshness of smoking articles received in the annular space. 17. A container according to claim 16, in which at least one sealing layer is removable and intended to be removed from the cartridge before insertion of the 25 cartridge into the case. A RJIC IMIaC I OLIC CT I AODTlt I o101m WO 2008/098816 PCT/EP2008/050558 31 18. A container according to claim 16 or claim 17, in which at least one sealing layer comprises a material through which smoking articles can break if pushed against the sealing layer. 5 19. A container according to any one of claims 16 to 18, in which the cartridge is provided with a first sealing layer that closes the annular space at a first end, and a second sealing layer that closes the annular space at a second end. 20. A container according to any preceding claim, further comprising a plurality of 10 smoking articles arranged in the annular space of the cartridge. 21. A container for smoking articles comprising: a cylindrical outer case configured to receive a disposable cylindrical cartridge such that the cartridge may be removed from the case for disposal when the cartridge 15 is empty of smoking articles, thereby allowing the empty cartridge to be replaced with another, filled cartridge, said cartridge comprising an outer wall and an inner wall coaxial with and spaced from the outer wall to define an annular space containing a plurality of smoking articles, the inner wall further defining a central receptacle for receiving smoking article butts, the case comprising: 20 a cylindrical side wall, a first end surface and a second end surface, one of the said end surfaces having a central aperture that gives access to the central receptacle of a cartridge received in the case, and one of the said end surfaces having a dispensing aperture offset from the centre of the said end surface through which a smoking article can be dispensed from the annular space of a cartridge received in the case. 25 22. A container for smoking articles according to claim 21, in which one of the end surfaces has the central aperture and the other of the end surfaces has the dispensing aperture. WO 2008/098816 PCT/EP2008/050558 32 23. A container for smoking articles according claim 21, in which one of the end surfaces has both the central aperture and the dispensing aperture. 5 24. A container according to any one of claims 21 to 23, in which one or both of the end surfaces of the case is replaceably removable from the case to allow a cartridge to be inserted into the case. 25. A container according to any one of claims 21 to 24, in which the end surface 10 of the case having the dispensing aperture can be rotated to bring the dispensing aperture into alignment with an end of a smoking article in the annular space of the cartridge received in the case. 26. A container according to any one of claims 21 to 25, in which the end surface 15 of the case opposite to the surface having the dispensing aperture comprises a plunger manually actuatable from the exterior of the case to push a smoking article in the annular space of the cartridge received in the case out through the dispensing aperture in the opposite end surface of the case. 20 27. A container according to claim 26, in which the end surface comprising the plunger is rotatable such that the plunger can be brought into alignment with an end of a smoking article in the annular space of the cartridge received in the case. 28. A container according to any one of claims 21 to 27, in which one of the end 25 surfaces comprises a recess in which smoking articles may be extinguished. WO 2008/098816 PCT/EP2008/050558 33 29. A container according to claim 28, in which the recess has an opening and a depth sized to receive the lit end of a smoking article such that the smoking article can be extinguished without force. 5 30. A container according to claim 28 or claim 29, in which the recess is in the end surface opposite to the end surface having the central opening. 31. A container for smoking articles comprising: a disposable cylindrical cartridge, the cartridge comprising: 10 an outer wall; an inner wall coaxial with and spaced from the outer wall to define an annular space for receiving a plurality of smoking articles, the inner wall further defining a central receptacle for receiving smoking article butts; and a plurality of smoking articles arranged in the annular space; 15 the cartridge configured to be received in a cylindrical outer case such that the cartridge may be removed from the case for disposal when the cartridge is empty, thereby allowing the empty cartridge to be replaced with another, filled cartridge; the case comprising a cylindrical side wall, a first end surface and a second end surface, one of the said end surfaces having a central aperture that gives access to 20 the central receptacle of the cartridge when received in the case, and one of the said end surfaces having a dispensing aperture offset from the centre of the said end surface through which a smoking article can be dispensed from the annular space of the cartridge when received in the case. 25 32. A container according to claim 31, in which the central receptacle of the cartridge is closed at an end intended to be aligned with the central aperture of an outer case by a resilient closure having one or more slits therein through which butts can be inserted into the receptacle. WO 2008/098816 PCT/EP2008/050558 34 33. A container according to claim 32, in which the resilient closure is heat resistant or has a heat resistant coating. 5 34. A container according to any one of claims 31 to 33, in which an end face of the central receptacle opposite to the end through which smoking article butts are received is inverted to accommodate a recess for extinguishing smoking articles in an end surface of an outer case. 10 35. A container according to any one of claims 31 to 34, in which the central receptacle is comprised of non-flammable material. 36. A container according to any one of claims 31 to 35, in which the central receptacle contains an odour reducing agent to reduce or eliminate odour from butts 15 contained in the receptacle. 37. A container according to any one of claims 31 to 36, in which the cartridge is provided with at least one sealing layer that closes the annular space to retain the freshness of smoking articles received in the annular space. 20 38. A container according to claim 37, in which at least one sealing layer is removable and intended to be removed from the cartridge before insertion of the cartridge into a case. 25 39. A container according to claim 37 or claim 38, in which at least one sealing layer comprises a material through which smoking articles can break if pushed against the sealing layer. WO 2008/098816 PCT/EP2008/050558 35 40. A container according to any one of claims 37 to 39, in which the cartridge is provided with a first sealing layer that closes the annular space at a first end, and a second sealing layer that closes the annular space at a second end. 5 41. A container for smoking articles substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.