CA2084622A1

CA2084622A1 - Rounded end cigarette box

Info

Publication number: CA2084622A1
Application number: CA002084622A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Donald H. Evers; Xuan M. Pham
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Philip Morris Products Inc
Priority date: 1991-12-05
Filing date: 1992-12-04
Publication date: 1993-06-06
Also published as: JP3067434B2; KR930011917A; EP0545723A1; EP0545723A8; JPH05294335A

Abstract

ROUNDED END CIGARETTE BOX

Abstract of the Disclosure A rounded end cigarette box having a hinged top is provided. The box has an inner sleeve member nested inside an outer sleeve member. The outer sleeve member has a cover member formed therein and inner and outer end flaps connected thereto. The inner and outer end flaps are used to close the top and bottom portion of the rounded end cigarette box. The cover member opens and closes by the use of a flexural hinge.
Preferably, the inner sleeve, outer sleeve and end flaps are all formed from a one-piece blank.

Description

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Backaround of the Invention - ¦ This invention relates to cigarette packs, and particularly to a rounded end (cross-section) hinged top box for cigarettes.
Cigarettes are typically sold in packs of ten to twenty-five cigarettes. Two types of packs are in general use. The first type is a soft pack which is a bundle of cigaretteg wrapped in foil, overwrapped with i 10 a paper which usually has brand and other inf~rmation ¦ printed on its outer side, and overwrapped again with a ! sealed polypropylene layer. The second type is a box -¦ which is a hard, paperboard box containing a~foil wrapped cigarette bundle and having a hinged lid at the top. Typically, a paperboard insert surrounds the ~bundle at least nezr the top of tbe box providing a frictional engagement surface to retain the lld in the closed position when desired. A cutout in this insert allows a smoker to remove cigarettes from the box.
This seGond type of pack is also overwrapped with a sealed polypropylene layer.
Each type of pack has its own advan~ages and disadvantage~. The soft pack has soft ~orners, and collapses as cigarettes are removed from it, taking up less space in a smoker's pocket or purse as the contents are smoked, while providing an approximate ., ,, : . . :, :~,. :,. , . . . :
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external indication of the number of cigarettes remaining in the pack. ~owever, once the polypropylene wrapper of a soft pack is opened, it cannot be resealed. As a result, cigarettes or any loose tobacco in the pack may eventually drop from the pack into the smoker's pocket or purse. The cigarettes can also be damaged if the pack is rouqhly handled. For these ; reasons, many smokers prefer a rigid hinged top box~
which can be reclosed to prevent loose tobacco from dropping out, and which offers better protection for the cigarettes within it.
! The typical hinged top cigarette box has I square, pointed corners. This may increase the wear on j accessories (e.g., handbags) or articles of clothing (e.g., shirt pockets) in which the box is carried.
Many consumers prefer the l'softer" feel o~ containers having curved or rounded edges.
, United States Patent 4,923,059 discloses one ! such hinged top cigarette box having curved ed~es.
However, in order to provide its curved shap~, curved end plugs were used to close of ~ the top and bottom of -I the cigarette box. End plugs may detract from the overall "softness" of the ciqarette box and may also add unnecessary weight and cost to the cigarette box.
Furthermore, the paperboard body and end plugs of the cigarette box had to be cut separa~ely and then assembled to form the box, thus increasing the cost and complexity o~ manufacturing the box.
Where a cigarette box having curved edges an~
end flaps has been provided, the end flaps have not ~
nested properly with respect to each other and within..
the top and bottom~edges o~ the box~ :

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Summary of the Invention It is an object of the invention to provide a lightweight cigarette pack having rounded ends and a hinged top.
It is another object of the invention to provide a cigarette pack that may be formed from a single blank.
It is another object of the invention to provide a cigarette pack having a flat oval profile.
It is another object of the invention to provide a cigarette pack that does not have separate end plugs.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a cigarette box having inner and outer end flaps on both ends that lie flush against each other and within the upper and lower edges of the hox.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a cigarette pack of increased attractiveness to smokers.
In accordance with the inventionj a xounded end hinged top box is provided having an inner sleeve ; member nested inside an outer~sleeve;member and having a cover member that opens and closes to allow access to the cigarettes. Inner and outer end flaps are provided on both ends of the rounded end box~thus formed. Each inner end flap is slightly smaller than the respective ' outer end flap. Each inner end flap also seats :
approximately .012 inch lower insIde the body~of the cigarette box than the~respective ou~er end flap when the cigarette box is formed. The inner and outer end~
flaps help the rounded end cigarette box retain the proper cross-sectional shape and also prevent cigarettes or loose tobacco ~rom falling out of the rounded end ~ciyaxette box.

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Preferably the inner sleeve member, the outer sleeve member, the cover member and the end flaps are formed from the same blank. The inner sleeve member has a height substantially equal to the length of a cigarette, a width approximately equal to an integral multiple of the diameter of a cigarette and a depth sufficient to accommodate a plurality of rows of ;i cigarettes. A cutout through which cigarettes may be withdrawn is provided in the top and forward portion o~
the inner sleeve member. The outer sleeve member is cut substantially across its width near the top thereof and is scored from both ends of the cut to the ends of the outer sleeve member. This configuration provides a : cover member at the top of and hingedly connected to the outer sleeve member. The outer sleeve member is positioned so the cover member reveals the cutout portion of th~ inner sleeve member when the cover member is swung away from the inner sleeve member.
This allows easy access to the cigarettes storçd in the rounded end cigarette box.
The outer sleeve member also has a back panel .~ section that is recessed approximately .0}2 inch toward the center of the blank at its upper and lower edges.
This recess allows for the top and bottom outer end flaps-to be placed flushly against both the upper and lower edges of the rounded end box thus rormed, as well as against the respective inner end flaps. This arrangement helps register the flat oval shape so as to ` assure proper forming of the rounded end cigarette box of the present invention. The height of the outer sleeve member with the cover member formed therein is pre~erably greater than the length of a cigarette.
~ ~ ~ Inner and outer end flaps are used to cover both ends - of the rounded end cigarette box thus formed. The end '"'' :

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flaps help the rounded end cigarette box retain the proper cross-sectional shape.
Alternatively, the rounded end cigarette box may be formed ~rom separate blanks. For example, three blanks may be used, one for the inner sleeve membex, on~ for both the outer sleeve member and bottom inner and outer end flaps, and one ~or both the cover ~ember and top inner and outer end flaps. In this embodiment, ~j the cover member is preferably adhered to a flexible tab at th~ t~p and rear portion of the inner sleeve j member.
! The rounded end cigarette box may also be formed from two blanks. One for the inner sleeve memb~r and a combined blank for the outer sleeve 1 15 member, cover member and top and bottom end flaps.
j In all of these embodiments, the rounded end cigarette box may have any cross-sectional shape such as a polygon or a circle or an oval. An arcuate cross-i section avoids the hard square edges of typical hinged top cigarette boxes and presents a more pleasing appearance to the smoker. The cross-sectional shape of the rounded end cigarette box is limited only by the shape of the mandrel that is used for folding the Iaminat~ blank into the desired shape.
Brief Description of the Drawlngs The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction~with the accompanying drawings, in which like-re~erence characters refer to like parts `^~ throughout, and in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the rounded end cigarette box of the invention in the closed position;

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2 ~ 8 4 ~ 2 2 FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the rounded end cigarette box of the invention in the open position;
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view,of the preferred embodiment of the rounded end cigarette box of the invention in the open position;
FIG. 4 is a plan view of the one piece blank for the rounded end cigaretta box of the invention;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the encircled area "A" in Figure 4;
- FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the ! ancircled area "B" in Figure 4;
I FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view J taken generally along the line 7-7 of Figure 1;
¦ 15 FIG. 8 is a plan view of a blank for the inner sleeve member for the rounded end cigarette box of the invention;
. FIG. 9 is a plan view of a blank for both the i cover member and top inner and outer end flaps of the ~ 20 rounded end cigarette box o~ the present invention; and ; FIG. 10 is a plan view of a blank for the outer sleeve member and bottom inner and outer end flaps of the rounded end cigarette box of the invention.
Detailed Description of the Invention A preferred embodiment of the rounded end cigarette box of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1-3. In the preferred embodiment, the rounded end cigarette box 10 has a flat oval cross-section.
This configuration avoids the hard square edges of typical hinged top cigarette boxes. Rounded end : -cigarette box 10 includes an outer sleeve membex 11, an inner sleeve memher 12 and a cover member 13. Inner sleeve member 12 is nested inside outer sleeve member ', ~ - ~ ' . ' ' ' i .' .. . ,, ' , : ' , '.' . ' , ' ' ` ~ ' ". . ': . ' . ' ' , ~ ' , .
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Preferably, inner sleeve member 12 has a height substantially equal to the length of a clgarette~ The combined height of outer sleeve member 11 and cover member 13 is preferably greater than the length of a cigarette. Cover member 13 is hingedly connected to ~- outer sleeve member 11 to allow access to the cigarettes stored in, and to close rounded end cigarette box 10.
End ~laps 14 and 15 are folded inward and may be adhered to each other by glue or other suitable adhesive to form the bottom of rounded end cigarette box 10. Likewise, end flap~ 16 and 17 are folded i 15 inward and may be adhered to each other in a similar manner to form the top of rounded end cigarette box 10.
When glued in place, end ~laps 14, 15, 16 and 17 prevent loose tobacco or cigarettes from falling out of rounded end cigarette box 10 and also hold the' shape of ~ 20 the box. Perforations may be placed in end flaps 14 i and 15 to eliminate the hydraulic effect caused by loading a plurality of cigarettes into rounded end cigarette box 10, i.e., the holes minimize the back pressure that may result if the cigarettes are loaded into rounded end cigarette box 10 too quickly. The psrforations also act as a means by which the rounded end cigarette box may be oriented properly for insertion o~ the cigarettes.
. I n an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, end flaps 14 and lS are combined with member 21, which fits in the bottom of outer sleeve member 11, thereby defining a space between inner end flap ~4 and member 21. This space may be filled with material that trans~ers moisture, ~lavor or odor to the cigarettes stored in rounded end cigarette box 10. Member 21 may .
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:: , be perforated. The perforations allow fluid transfer bet~een the space formed between end flap 14 and member '', 21 and the cigarettes stored in rounded end cigarette box 10. A permeable membrane 23 may be placed over the perforations in member 21 to control the fluid transfer between the cigarettes and the material placed in the space formed between end flap 14 and member 21. The invention described in United States Patent 5,037,459 describes a device for controlling the relative humidity in a substantially sealed container such as a pack of cigarettes that is suitable for use as described above.
A preferred embodiment of the blank used to form rounded end cigarette box 10 is shown in FIG. 4.
Inner end flaps 14 and 16 are smaller than the respective outer end ~laps 15 and 17. In addition, score lines 115 and 117 for defining where each inner ~lap is folded is recessed approximately .012 inch toward the center o~ the blank with respect to the upper and lower edges of the blank. When the blank is folded to form rounded end cigarette box 10, the i recessas allow the inner end flaps to lie flush against ` the outer end flaps and within the upper and lower ; edges of the rounded end cigarette box thus ~ormed.
Preferably, outer sleeve member 11, inner sleeve member 12, cover member 13, and end flaps 14, 15, 16 and 17 are all formed from the same blank 100, '', as shown in Figure 4. Preferably, the blank is a paperboard blank. Blan~ 100 is formed over a mandrel and may have as many plies as desired. Blanks from which the rounded end cigarette box of this ,invention `"! may be made are typically standard paperboard used ~or conventional cigarette boxes ~solid bleach sul~ate having a clay coating). ' '' ~

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Inner sleeve member 12 of blank 100 is defined by edge 103 and line 112. As shown in FIG. 4, inner sleeve member 12 has a height that is less than the combined height of cover member 13 and~outer sleeve member 11~ Preferably inner sleeve me~ber 12 is ribbed to weaken the blank which facilitates folding thereof.
Outer sleeve member 11 is defined by edge 104 and line 112. Outer sleeve member 11 may be ribbed or otherwise decorated or labeled with brand or other information on ~he side that will be exposed to the smoker. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, back panel section 18 is recessed approximately .012 inch at its top and bottom edges, with respect to the upper and lower edges of the blank, to facilitate the folding of inner end flaps 14 and 16 over back panel section 18 to form rounded end cigarette box 10. Cut lines 105 and 106 and score lines 107 and 108 define cover member 13. Score line 107 is preferably also perforated to further I weaken that line. Score lines 115 and 116 define the ¦ 20 inner edges of top inner and outer end flaps 16 and 17, which are connected to cover member 13. Score lines 117 and 118 define the inner edges of bottom inner and outer end flaps 14 and 15, which are connected to outer sleeve member 11.
Preferably, inner end flaps 14 and 16 are smaller than outer end flaps lS and 17. Score lines 115 and 117, for defining where inner end ~laps 14 and 16 are folded, are recessed approximately .012 inch towaxd the center of the blank with respect to the upper and lower edges of the blank as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. When blank 100 i5 folded to form rounded end cigarette box 10, score lines 107 and 108 overlap to for~ the hinge about which cover member 13 rotates.
Cut line 105 allows a hinging action for cover member 13. Preferably cut line 105 extends ~elow score line .

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107 a short distance to facilitate the hinging action of cover member 13. This distance is preferably about one millimeter. Cut line 106 forms the opening through which access to the cigarettes is made available.
' 5 Rounded end cigarette box 10 is formed by ` folding blank 100 appropriately. Edge 103 is wrapped in either a clockwise direction or a counter clockwise ~! direction until it abuts with line 112. Edge 104 is then wrapped over edge 103 until it abuts with line 113. Prefarably edge 104 is wrapped over edge 103 in a direction counter to that in which edge 103 is wrapped. The direction of rotation of edge 103 depends I on which side of outer sleeve member 11 of blank 100 is to be viewed by the smoker. That portion of blank 100 bounded by line lll and edge 103 is adhered to that portion of blank 100 bounded by line 113 and line 112.
The adherence may be achievad by any conventional means of joining layers o~ standard paperboard. For example, a hot melt or li~uid adhesive may be used or the paperboard may be coated and joined to an adjacent .~ paperboard by heat or ultra sonic vibrations. Edge 104 is preferably wrapped over edge 103 until it abuts with line 113 so that score lines 107 and 108 overlap. The portion of blank 100 bounded by edge 104 and line 114 - 25 is adhered to~the portion of blank 100 bounded by ` line 112 and line 113. Also the portion of ~lank 100 bounded by lines 202 and ~03 is preferably adhered to r:
the portion o~ outer member 11 bounded by lines 200 and 201. Top and bottom inner end flaps I6 and 14 are ;
folded inward aIong score lines 115 and 117, ~; - respectively. Top and bottom outer end flaps 17 and 15 are~folded inward along score lines 116 and 118, -respectively, and also folded over the respective inner -~
- end flaps 16 and 14. Adherence o~ inner end flaps 14 and 16 to outer end flaps 15 and 17, respectively, may ~ . , . . , : ~

?,~8~622 be by any conventional means as described ahove. With rounded end cigar~tte box 10 thus formed, cover member 13 is hinged along the overlap of score lines 107 and 108. When cover member 13 is rotated away from inner sleeve member 12, cutout 20 is exposed allowing access to the cigarettes stored in rounded end cigarette box 10.
Rounded end cigarette box 10 may also be - formed from separate blanks. For example, three blanks may be used. Blank 300 which is ~olded into inner sleeve member 12 may be formed by cutting blank 100 along line 112. Thus~ blank 300 has the shape shown in ` FIG. 8. Inner sleeve member 12 may be formed by i folding edge 103' clockwise or counterclockwise until it abuts with line 112'. The portion of blank 300 bounded by edge 103' and line 111' may be adhered to the portion of blank 300 bounded by line llZ'.
Blank 302 for outer sleeve member 11 and bottom inner and outer end flaps 14 and 15 may be formed by cutting blank 100 along lines 112, 10S, 106, 107, and 108 to have the shape shown in FIG. 9. Outer sleeve member 11 may be formed by folding edge 150 clockwise or counterclockwise so that it abuts with line 114'. The direction that edge 150 is folded depends on which side of blank 302 is to be viewed by the smoker. The portion of blank 302 bounded by edge 150 and line 151 is adhered to that portion of laminate blank 302 bounded by edge 104' and line 114'.
Blank 301 for cover member 13 and top inner and outer end flaps 16 and 17 may be formed by cutting another blank 100 along lines 105, 106, 107, and 108 to have the.shape shown in FIG. lG. Cover member 13 may ~ :
be formed by folding:edge 152 clockwise or counterclockwise so that it abuts with line 121. The .
~35 direction that cover member 13 is folded depends on -.

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which side of blank 301 is to be viewed by the smoker.
The tab portion 40 of blank 301 bounded by edge 152 and line 120 may be adhered to the tab portion 41 of blank 301 bounded by edge 140 and line 121.
Overlapping tab portions 40 and 41 may ~e adhered to inner sleeve member 12 formed from blank 300. The area of inner sleevP member 12 bounded by lines 202' and 203' is preferably adhered to the area of outer sleeve member 11 bounded by lines Z00' and 201'. As discussed previously, inner end flaps 14 and 16 are folded inward along score lines 115 and 117, respectively. Outer end flaps 15 and 17 are then folded along score lines 116 and 118, over inner end flaps 14 and 16, respectively, and adhered as described previously to form rounded end 1 15 cigarette box 10~
I Rounded end cigarette box 10 box may also be - formed from two blanks. Blank 100 may be cut along line 112 to form one blank for cover member 13, outer ~ sleeve member 11, top end flaps 16 and 17 and bottom ! 20 end flaps 14 and 15. Another laminata blank 100 can then be cut along line 112 or 113 to ~orm inner sleeve member 12. These two blanks can then be joined and ~olded as described above to ~orm rounded end cigarette box 10.
The rounded end cigarette box described herein provides a hinged top box that may be formed from a single blank and has inner and outer end ~laps on both ends. In addition, recesses in (1) the score lines that define where each inner end flap is folded ~30 and (2) a bacX panel section of the blank allow the inner end flaps to lie ~lush against the outer end ~ I
- flaps and within the upper and lower edges of the box.
Finally, use of a single blank ~or ~orming the rounded end cigarette box reduces the cost and complexity o~
manufacturing the ciqarette box.

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It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention described herein can be practiced by other than the embodiments described above, which are presented for the purposes,of illustration and not of limitation, and the present ' invention is limited only by the claims which follow.

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Claims

1. A rounded end hinged top box comprising:
an inner sleeve formed from a blank having a first panel and a second panel;
an outer sleeve formed from said blank surrounding said inner sleeve;
a cover member formed from said blank and connected to said outer sleeve by a flexural hinge;
first and second end flap members connected to the top edge of said blank;
first and second end flap members connected to the bottom edge of said blank;
said first panel forming said inner sleeve defined by a first edge of said blank and a short cut line parallel to said first edge at an intermediate position along the width of said blank;
said second panel forming said outer sleeve, said cover member and said end flap members defined by a second edge of said blank, parallel to said first edge and said short cut line, said second panel having (a) a first short score line positioned at the end of said short cut line perpendicular thereto and extending in a direction toward said second edge of said blank and having a second short score line in line with said first short score line and extending from said second edge toward said first short score line and a cut line connecting said first short score line and said second short score line; (b) first and second score lines along said top edge for defining where said first and second end flap members positioned along said top edge fold; and (c) first and second score lines along said bottom edge for defining where said first and second end flap members positioned along said bottom edge fold.

2. The rounded end hinged top box of claim 1, wherein said blank is a paperboard blank.

3. The rounded end hinged top box of claim 1, wherein said first end flap members are smaller than said second end flap members.

4. The rounded end hinged top box of claim 1, wherein said first end flap members fold inwardly of said second end flap members.

5. The rounded end hinged top box of claim 4, wherein the score line for defining where each first end flap member is folded is recessed approximately .012 inch toward the center of said blank with respect to the top and bottom edges of said blank.

6. The rounded end hinged top box of claim 1, wherein a back panel section of said blank is recessed approximately .012 inch toward the center of the blank with respect to the top and bottom edges of said blank.

7. The rounded end hinged top box of claim 1, further comprising a plate positioned above said first end flap member connected to the bottom edge of said blank and defining a space therebetween.

8. The rounded end hinged top box of claim 7, wherein said plate is perforated.

9. The rounded end hinged top box of claim 8, wherein said plate is covered with a permeable membrane.

10. The rounded end hinged top box of claim 1, wherein said first and second end flap members connected to the bottom edge of said blank are perforated.

11. A rounded end hinged top box comprising:
an inner sleeve formed from a first blank;
an outer sleeve formed from a second blank surrounding said inner sleeve;
a cover member formed from said second blank and connected to said outer sleeve by a flexural hinge;
first and second end flap members connected to the top edge of said second blank;
first and second end flap members connected to the bottom edge of said second blank;
said second blank defined by a first edge and a second edge, a first score line positioned adjacent to said first edge and extending in a direction toward said second edge, a second short score line in line with said first short score line and extending from the second edge toward said first short score line and a cut line connecting said first short score line and said second short score line.

12. The rounded end hinged top box of claim 11, wherein either or both of said first blank and said second blank are paperboard.

13. The rounded end hinged top box of claim 11, wherein said first end flap members are smaller than said second end flap members.

14. The rounded end hinged top box of claim 11, wherein said first end flap members fold inwardly of said second end flap members.

15. The rounded end hinged top box of claim 14, wherein the score line for defining where each first end flap member is folded is recessed approximately .012 inch toward the center of said blank with respect to the top and bottom edges of said blank.

16. The rounded end hinged top box of claim 11, wherein a back panel section of said box is recessed approximately .012 inch toward the center of the blank with respect to the top and bottom edges of said blank.

17. The rounded end hinged top box of claim 14, further comprising a plate positioned above said first end flap member connected to the bottom edge of said blank and defining a space therebetween.

18. The rounded end hinged top box of claim 17, wherein said plate is perforated.

19. The rounded end hinged top box of claim 18, wherein said plate is covered with a permeable membrane.

20. The rounded end hinged top box of claim 11, wherein said first and second end flap members connected to the bottom edge of said blank are perforated.

21. A rounded end hinged top box comprising:

an inner sleeve formed from a first blank;
said first blank defined by a first edge and a second edge and a short score line extending from said second edge to define a flexural hinge;
an outer sleeve formed from a second blank surrounding said inner sleeve;
a cover member formed from a third blank and connected to said inner sleeve by said flexural hinge;
first and second end flap members connected to the top edge of said third blank; and first and second end flap members connected to the bottom edge of said second blank.

22. The rounded end hinged top box of claim 21, wherein at least one of said first blank, said second blank and said third blank are paperboard.

23. The rounded end hinged top box of claim 21, wherein said first end flap members are smaller than said second end flap members.

24. The rounded end hinged top box of claim 21, wherein said first end flap members fold inwardly of said second end flap members.

25. The rounded end hinged top box of claim 24, wherein the score line for defining where each first end flap member is folded is recessed approximately .012 inch toward the center of said blank with respect to the top and bottom edges of said blank.

26. The rounded end hinged top box of claim 21, wherein a back panel section of said blank is recessed approximately .012 inch toward the center of the blank with respect to the top and bottom edges of said blank.

27. The rounded end hinged top box of claim 24, further comprising a plate positioned above said first end flap member connected to the bottom edge of said blank and defining a space therebetween.

28. The rounded end hinged top box of claim 27, wherein said plate is perforated.

29. The rounded end hinged top box of claim 28, wherein said plate is covered with a permeable membrane.

30. The rounded end hinged top box of claim 21, wherein said first and second end flap members connected to the bottom edge of said blank are perforated.

31. A blank for forming a rounded end hinged top box comprising:
an inner sleeve having a first panel and a second panel;
an outer sleeve surrounding said inner sleeve;
a cover member connected to said outer sleeve by a flexural hinge;
first and second end flap members connected to the top edge of said blank;
first and second end flap members connected to the bottom edge of said blank;
said first panel forming said inner sleeve defined by a first edge of said blank and a short cut line parallel to said first edge at an intermediate position along the width of said blank;
said second panel forming said out sleeve, said cover member and said end flap members defined by a second edge of said blank, parallel to said first edge and said short cut line, said second panel having (a) a first short score line positioned at the end of said short cut line perpendicular thereto and extending in a direction toward said second edge of said blank and having a second short score line in line with said first short score line and extending from said second edge toward said first short score line and a cut line connecting said first short score line and said second short score line; (b) first and second score lines along said top edge for defining where said first and second end flap members positioned along said top edge fold; and (c) first and second score lines along said bottom edge for defining where said first and second end flap members positioned along said bottom edge fold.

32. The blank of claim 31, wherein said blank is a paperboard blank.

33. The blank of claim 31, wherein said first end flap members are smaller than said second end flap members.

34. The blank of claim 31, wherein said first end flap members fold inwardly of said second end flap members.

35. The blank of claim 34, wherein the score line for defining where each first end flap member is folded is recessed approximately .012 inch toward the center of said blank with respect to the top and bottom edges of said blank.

36. The blank of claim 31, wherein a back panel section of said blank is recessed approximately .012 inch toward the center of the blank with respect to the top and bottom edges of said blank.

37. First and second blanks for forming a rounded end hinged top box comprising:
an inner sleeve formed from said first blank;
an outer sleeve formed from said second blank surrounding said inner sleeve;
a cover member formed from said second blank and connected to said outer sleeve by a flexural hinge;
first and second end flap members connected to the top edge of said second blank;
first and second end flap members connected to the bottom edge of said second blank;
said second blank defined by a first edge and a second edge, a first score line positioned adjacent to said first edge and extending in a direction toward said second edge, a second short score line in line with said first short score line and extending from the second edge toward said first short score line and a cut line connecting said first short score line and said second short score line.

38. First and second blanks of claim 37, wherein either or both of said first blank and said second blank are paperboard.

39. First, second and third blanks for forming a rounded end hinged top box comprising:
an inner sleeve formed from said first blank;
said first blank defined by a first edge and a second edge and a short score line extending from said second edge to define a flexural hinge;
an outer sleeve formed from said second blank surrounding said inner sleeve;
a cover member formed from said third blank and connected to said inner sleeve by said flexural hinge;
first and second end flap members connected to the top edge of said third blank; and first and second end flap members connected to the bottom edge of said second blank.

40. First, second and third blanks of claim 39, wherein at least one of said first blank, said second blank and said third blank are paperboard.

41. A rounded end hinged top box comprising:
an inner sleeve surrounded by an outer sleeve;
a cover connected along its bottom edge to the inner or outer sleeve along a flexural hinge;
inner and outer top end panels attached to the top edge of the cover; and inner and outer bottom end panels attached to the bottom edge of the outer sleeve.