CN111491873A - Package and blank for smoking articles - Google Patents

Abstract

A package for smoking articles, the package comprising an outer container (11) and an inner container (12), the inner container (12) being capable of containing a group of smoking articles and being slidably removable with respect to the outer container (11). The inner container (12) defines a housing (27) configured to hold an item and an opening (28), the housing (27) being accessible to a user through the opening (28), and the inner container (12) includes a lid (32) configured to reclose the opening (28).

Description

Package and blank for smoking articles

Technical Field

Embodiments described herein relate to a package for smoking articles, in particular for containing tobacco-based products, such as conventional smoking articles, for example cigarettes or cigarillos.

Embodiments described herein also relate to a blank for manufacturing a package.

Background

Packages for smoking articles that slide open are known in the art. Such a package comprises an inner container and an outer container. Such a package is opened by a relative sliding movement between the inner container and the outer container, in particular a tangential sliding movement of the two containers along respective planes lying parallel.

The inner container is intended to receive a group of smoking articles wrapped in an inner casing or wrapper, typically made of paper, metal, aluminium or tinfoil paper. The outer container closes the inner container when the package is in the closed position.

The inner container is slidable relative to the outer container in two configurations. In one configuration, the inner container is received retracted within the interior of the outer container, thereby defining a closed position; in another configuration, the inner container is partially withdrawn from the outer container, defining an open position of the package, such that the smoking articles are externally accessible, whereby a user may remove the articles therein.

In particular, embodiments of these packages known in the art may be opened with a sliding opening by a linear translational movement of the inner container relative to the outer container, while other embodiments may be opened with a sliding opening by a rotational movement of the inner container relative to the outer container, whereby the inner and outer containers are hinged relative to each other.

Examples of linearly sliding packages with an inner container and an outer container are described in patent documents US 5,080,227, US 4,534,463, FR 2,499,947 and WO 2013/068939.

Examples of rotary-slide packages with an inner container and an outer container are described in patent documents US3,881,599, US3,052,398, WO2006/021581 and WO2011/018704 (WO' 704).

In particular, WO' 704 describes various embodiments of a package for smoking articles, which embodiments comprise an outer container and an inner container, which is selectively extractable in a sliding manner with respect to the outer container. The package comprises an inner wrapper which surrounds a group of smoking articles, thereby defining an inner wrapper-smoking article assembly located in an inner container.

The package further includes a lid removably associated with the inner container. For this purpose, the lid is joined to the inner container in a closed contour by a pre-cut line of weakness, so that the user must permanently detach the lid from the inner container when the package is opened for the first time. In other words, the first opening of the package destroys the integrity and physical continuity of the lid and the inner container. The lid is not reusable and is typically discarded.

In some embodiments described in WO' 704, the lid is made to be glued to the tear-away portion of the inner wrapper. When the user separates the lid from the inner container to open the package, the tear-away portion of the inner layer tears and is removed with the lid.

Thus, when a user wishes to remove one or more articles, he/she slides the inner container relative to the outer container and lifts the lid associated with the inner container. At the first opening of the package, the tear-away portion is torn away from the remaining inner wrapper which wraps the smoking article when the lid is lifted. The user may then access the articles contained in the package because they are no longer completely wrapped by the inner wrapper.

In packages with sliding openings known in the prior art, once the package is opened for the first time and causes physical separation of the lid, the inner container will accordingly always have an opening area that exposes the articles directly to the outside. It should be noted that the opening area defines an accessible area through which a user may remove the articles contained in the package when the inner container is partially withdrawn from the outer container. When the inner container is housed inside the outer container, i.e. in the closed position of the package, this area, although always kept open, is not accessible to the user, since the outer container is superimposed on the inner container. However, even in the closed position of the package, there is still a certain gap between the two containers, so that the outer container does not hermetically close the opening area, so that the opening area remains in communication with the outside.

One drawback that often occurs with these packets is therefore that loose or powdered material (e.g. tobacco powder) can accidentally escape from the packet through the opening area even when the packet is in the closed position. Obviously, this drawback is very unpleasant for the user, since the escaping material settles between the inner and outer containers or pours out in the space around the package, making them dirty. For example, smoke may fall on the floor or support surface (e.g., a table, shelf, or desk), on an item of furniture (e.g., a sofa, chair, or armchair), and may even fall inside an object stored in a package (e.g., a bag, handbag, purse, backpack, clothing, or a pocket of a case).

Another drawback is attributable to the fact that the lid, once completely detached from the inner container to be opened, is discarded by the user as waste, since it may not be reused together with a portion of the inner wrapper, which may create pollution problems, especially if the waste is not disposed of correctly but is dispersed in the environment.

Also known in the prior art are packages for smoking articles having a conventional non-sliding opening provided with a closable lid. In the closed configuration of the package, the lid may be held in engagement with the front wall of the package by a suitable adhesive substance or by interference of flaps of the lid held by the front wall of the package. Examples of packages of this type are described in prior art documents WO-A2-2015/015391, DE-U1-29809572 and GB-A-264689.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a package which is perfect with respect to packages known in the prior art.

Another object of the invention is to make a package with a shell containing smoking articles that can be closed an infinite number of times under any condition in which the package is used.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a package that is easy to use and is both convenient and practical for both right-handed and left-handed users.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a package which can be made by conventional packaging machines known in the art without the use of special or modified machines.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a completed blank that allows to realise embodiments of the inner container included in the package according to the invention.

The applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

In accordance with the above purposes, the embodiments described herein relate to a package for smoking articles with a sliding opening, comprising an outer container and an inner container, which is able to contain a group of articles and is slidably removable with respect to the outer container.

According to embodiments described herein, a container comprises:

-a first major lateral wall and a second major lateral wall, opposite each other and internally delimiting a housing for a smoking article;

-an opening for removing the smoking article from the housing; wherein the aperture comprises an upper opening between the first major lateral wall and the second major lateral wall, and at least one lateral access window formed in the first major lateral wall in direct lateral relationship with the upper opening; and

-a lid for closing the aperture.

The embodiments described herein provide that the lid is hinged to the second major lateral wall along a hinge line that rotatably connects the lid to the second major lateral wall for rotation between a closed position and an open position, wherein the lid prevents or allows access to the aperture in the closed position and the open position, respectively.

According to some embodiments, the lid is configured to selectively close the aperture in a reclosable manner.

Embodiments described herein also provide that the cover comprises:

-a top wall having an extension for closing at least a part of the upper opening in the closed position of the lid;

-a lateral closing flap configured to close the lateral access window and positioned in a position in the housing and adjacent to the first larger side wall in the closed position of the lid.

In the embodiments described herein, the lateral closure flap has a greater extension with respect to the extension of the lateral access window to completely close the lateral access window and obtain a mechanical interference with the first major lateral wall, so as to be able to stably hold the lid in the closed position.

According to some embodiments, the lateral closure flap is adjacent to the top wall and joined to the top wall by a pre-yielding hinge enabling the lateral closure flap to repeatedly assume a folded or tilted position, for example at about 90 ° with respect to the top wall.

In this specification, the term "reclosable" means that a user can open and close the lid an unlimited number of times, still keeping the housing of the smoking article closed.

According to some embodiments of the package described herein, the top wall of the lid is hinged to one of the respective major lateral walls along a hinge line, and the lateral closure flap defines a free end of the lid. The closure lid is configured to cooperate with the first major lateral wall to close the lateral access window due to mechanical interference between the lateral closure flap and an upper edge defining the lateral access window.

In some embodiments, the hinge line defines predetermined separation lines between which the lid is separable from the inner container.

According to some embodiments, the inner container includes a removable portion made in one of the larger side walls and forming a portion separable from the one of the larger side walls.

In the embodiments described herein, the second major lateral wall comprises a respective upper edge formed by a weakened precut line, defining a breakable predetermined separation line capable of separating the removable portion from the second major lateral wall. In some embodiments, the removable portion is also joined to the lid along a portion of the hinge line.

In some embodiments, the upper edges of the first and second major lateral walls have a shaped profile, for example U-shaped, so as to be able to define respective lateral access windows on the two major lateral walls when the movable portion has been detached from the major lateral wall with which it is engaged.

Embodiments of a blank configured to manufacture an inner container for receipt in a package for smoking articles are also described. The blank described herein comprises a pair of respective larger side panels, a respective smaller central panel, and a plurality of respective side flaps; each major side panel is configured to define a respective major side wall of the inner container; a respective smaller central panel is interposed between the respective larger side panels, intended to form the bottom wall of the inner container; a plurality of respective side flaps are joined to the respective larger side panels, corresponding on both sides to the larger extension of the respective larger side panels, intended to form respective smaller side walls of the inner container.

The embodiments described herein provide that the blank comprises an assembly of end panels intended to define the lid of the inner container, wherein the assembly of end panels is engaged with only one of the larger side panels (and not the other).

According to embodiments described herein, the blank comprises a breakable flap configured to define a removable portion of the inner container and joined to the same larger side panel that is also joined to the end panel assembly.

In some embodiments, a breakable tab is joined to the larger side panel along a second predetermined separation line, the breakable tab being breakable and intended to define a respective upper edge joined to the larger side wall of the removable portion.

In some embodiments, the breakable flap is also joined to a smaller end panel included in the end panel assembly along a first predetermined separation line intended to define a hinge line between the lid and the inner container.

Advantageously, the package according to one or more embodiments described herein allows numerous reclosings of the case of the article, thanks to the reclosable lid. In this way, loose or powdery material (e.g. smoke) can be prevented from escaping from the package, contaminating the environment and/or surrounding objects.

Another advantage of the package described herein is that it is very versatile in that the lid can be separated from the inner container if desired.

Another advantage of the package described herein is that the package is both convenient and practical for both right-handed and left-handed users. In fact, once the lid and the removable portion have been separated from the inner container, the latter has lateral access windows on both of the major lateral walls of the inner container, said lateral access windows entering the casing of the article. This means that the lateral access window always faces the user, regardless of the direction in which the package is opened (i.e. extraction to the right or to the left) and/or regardless of the hand used by the user when opening the package.

Another advantage of the packages and blanks according to embodiments described herein is that they may be made from conventional packaging machines that do not require any structural modifications or adjustments. Thus, the packaging according to the invention is also advantageous for production.

These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood with regard to the following description, drawings and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate certain forms of embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

Where possible, the various aspects and features described in this specification may be applied separately. These individual aspects, such as aspects and features described in the appended dependent claims, may be the subject of divisional applications.

It should be appreciated that any aspect or feature found in the course of a patent application is not admitted to be prior art and is subject to disclaimer.

Drawings

These and other features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a package in a closed configuration;

figures 2 to 6 are three-dimensional views showing the package of figure 1 shown in different conditions of use;

figures 7 and 8 are top views of shaped sheets (also called blanks) defining respectively a flat development of the outer and inner containers forming the package of figure 1;

figures 9 to 12 are three-dimensional views showing a second embodiment of a package for smoking articles, shown in different conditions of use;

figures 13 and 14 are top views of shaped sheets (also called blanks) defining respectively a flat development of the outer and inner containers forming the package according to figures 9 to 12.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. It will be understood that elements and features of one embodiment may be beneficially incorporated in other embodiments without further recitation.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to the various embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the figures. Each example is provided by way of illustration of the invention and should not be construed as a limitation of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used on or in conjunction with other embodiments to yield yet a further embodiment. It is to be understood that the invention is intended to embrace all such modifications and variations.

Before describing these embodiments, it must also be noted that the application of the present description is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The description may provide other embodiments, and may be obtained or implemented in various other ways. It must also be clarified that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

It must be clarified that in the present description and claims, the upper, lower, front, rear, external and internal, central and lateral, and their variants, are used only for better illustration of the invention with reference to the figures, and in no way for limiting the scope of the invention itself or of the protection defined by the claims.

Fig. 1 to 6 depict an embodiment of a package for smoking articles denoted by reference numeral 10.

In a possible embodiment, the package 10 is preferably a rigid package and may have a parallelepiped shape.

According to some embodiments, the package 10 is configured to contain small articles, such as conventional smoking articles, e.g., cigarettes or cigarillos. It is understood that the package 10 may be configured to contain a cartridge for a vaporizer or inhaler (e.g., of tobacco or other substance) or a component of an e-cigarette, according to other embodiments.

The package 10 comprises an outer container 11 and an inner container 12, the inner container 12 being slidably removable with respect to the outer container 11.

In the embodiment described using fig. 1 to 6, the inner container 12 is rotatable relative to the outer container 11 according to a rotational movement indicated by arrow R in the figures.

In this way, the closed configuration C of the package 10 and the extracted configuration E of the package 10 can be identified; in the closed configuration C of the package 10, the inner container 12 is retracted into the outer container 11 (fig. 1); in the extracted configuration E of the package 10, the inner container 12 is at least partially extracted from the outer container 11 (fig. 2 to 6).

It is noted that in this embodiment, inner container 12 is hinged relative to outer container 11. Hinge members allowing the reciprocal rotation of the inner container 12 and the outer container 11 are integrated into the blank to configure the respective containers 12 and 11, as will be described in detail below with particular reference to fig. 7 and 8.

In this embodiment, between the closed configuration C and the extracted configuration E, the inner container 12 may be rotated relative to the outer container 11 by an angle α between 30 ° and 60 °.

In a possible embodiment, the outer container 11 conforms to a parallelepiped and comprises a top wall 13, a bottom wall 14, two opposite larger lateral walls 15 and a smaller lateral wall 16, the smaller lateral wall 16 being interposed between the two larger lateral walls 15.

In a possible embodiment, the outer container 11 further comprises a lateral aperture 17, through which aperture 17 the inner container 12 can slide between the closed configuration C and the extracted configuration E. The side aperture 17 is made on the opposite side with respect to the minor lateral wall 16 and has substantially the same extension as the minor lateral wall 16.

In a possible embodiment, the outer container 11 also comprises a window 18 to allow the user to touch and hold the inner container 12, thereby transforming the inner container 12 from the closed configuration C to the extracted configuration E.

In a possible implementation, the window 18 is made in the smaller side wall 16. For example, the window 18 may have a substantially rectangular shape and have dimensions suitable for allowing passage of at least one finger of a user.

In these embodiments, the bottom wall 14 comprises a fixed portion 19 and a mobile portion 20 separated by a predetermined fold line. The fixed portion 19 is adjacent to the smaller side wall 16. When the inner container 12 is transformed from the closed configuration C to the extracted configuration E, the mobile portion 20 is configured to rotate with respect to the fixed portion 19.

Similarly, the inner container 12 also conforms to a parallelepiped.

In a possible embodiment, the inner container 12 comprises a respective bottom wall 24, two opposite and respective larger lateral walls 25 and two opposite and respective smaller lateral walls 26.

The embodiment described herein proposes that the two opposite and respective major lateral walls 25 comprise a first major lateral wall 25a and a second major lateral wall 25b, which are opposite each other and internally define a housing 27 for the smoking article (not shown).

In possible embodiments, the article may be generally wrapped in a wrapper, for example, may be made of paper, metalized paper, metal, aluminum, or tinfoil.

In a possible embodiment, the inner container 12 comprises an aperture 28 to remove the smoking articles from the housing 27, in particular to allow a user to remove and/or replace one or more articles.

According to some embodiments, the aperture 28 comprises an upper opening 29 between the first and second major lateral walls 25a, 25b and at least one lateral access window 30 on the first major lateral wall 25a in direct lateral relationship with the upper opening 29.

In one embodiment, the first major lateral wall 25a comprises an upper edge 31, the upper edge 31 being substantially U-shaped to define the lateral access window 30.

In a possible implementation, the inner container 12 includes a lid 32 to close the aperture 28.

In one embodiment, the lid 32 is hinged to the second major lateral wall 25b along a hinge line 33, the hinge line 33 rotatably connecting the lid 32 to the second major lateral wall 25b for rotation between a closed position and an open position, wherein the lid 32 prevents or allows access to the aperture 28 in the closed position and the open position, respectively.

According to the embodiments described herein, the lid 32 is configured to selectively close the aperture 28 in a reclosable manner.

Because the lid 32 can be reclosed, a user can open and close the inner container 12 an unlimited number of times, for example, as many times as desired, until the supplies disposed in the housing 27 are depleted.

In some embodiments, the lid 32 includes a top wall 23, the top wall 23 having an extension, for example, to close at least a portion of the upper opening 29 in the closed position of the lid 32. It is noted that when the lid 32 is closed, the top wall 23 of the lid 32 defines an upper wall of the inner container 12.

According to some embodiments, lid 32 comprises a lateral closing flap 34 configured to close lateral access window 30 and positioned in a position adjacent to first major lateral wall 25a, in the closed position of lid 32 and in casing 27

In a possible embodiment, the lateral closing flap 34 has a greater extension than the lateral access window 30 (see fig. 2 and 3) to completely close the lateral access window 30 and obtain a mechanical interference with the first major lateral wall 25a, enabling the lid 32 to be stably held in the closed position.

In one embodiment, top wall 23 of lid 32 is connected to second major lateral wall 25b by a hinge line 33.

According to one embodiment, the lateral closure flap 34 is adjacent to the top wall 23 and defines a free end of the lid 32, such that the free end is adapted to be stably held in position by the first major lateral wall 25a, so as to completely close the lateral access window 30 when the lid 32 is closed.

In a possible embodiment, the lateral closing flap 34 is connected to the top wall 23 by a pre-yielding hinge 37, which allows the lateral closing flap 34 to assume a folded or tilted position, for example, as shown in fig. 2, at about 90 ° with respect to the top wall 23, in a repeatable manner.

In one embodiment, the lateral closure flap 34 is also bounded by a shaped edge 38, the edge 38 defining the free end of the lid 32. The shaped edge 38, which is visible in fig. 3-5 and 10-12, is also indicated in fig. 2 by a dashed line, with the lid 32 shown in the closed position.

Thus, when the lid 32 is closed (fig. 2), the lateral closure flaps 34 are substantially parallel, adjacent and overlapping the first major lateral wall 25 a. In this condition of use, the lateral closing flap 34 is arranged in the first major lateral wall 25a, whereby the first major lateral wall 25a can be stably held in a predetermined position. In other words, in this condition of use, the lateral closure flap 34 is inserted into the shell 27 so as to be interposed between the article contained in the package 10 (possibly wrapped in a wrapper) and the first major lateral wall 25 a.

In some embodiments, inner container 12 includes a removable portion 35.

The removable portion 35 is made in the second major lateral wall 25 b.

In a possible embodiment, the removable portion 35 forms a separate portion that can be separated from the second major lateral wall 25 b.

To this end, the second major lateral wall 25b comprises a respective upper edge 36, the upper edge 36 being formed by a weakened pre-cut line so as to define a predetermined breakable separation line capable of separating the removable portion 35 from the second major lateral wall 25 b.

In some embodiments, the upper edge 31 of the first major lateral wall 25a and the corresponding upper edge 36 of the second major lateral wall 25b have the same profile. Thus, in this embodiment, the respective upper edge 36 is also substantially U-shaped.

In some embodiments, the removable portion 35 is also connected to the lid 32 along a portion of the hinge line 33.

In other words, the lid 32 is connected to the second major lateral wall 25b by a hinge line 33 and also to a removable portion 35 made therein. It should be noted that the hinge line 33 is a pre-yield line, so that the top wall 23 can assume a folded or tilted position in a repeatable manner, for example at about 90 ° with respect to the second major lateral wall 25b and the removable portion 35.

The shape and dimensions of the removable portion 35 are the same as those of the lateral access window 30 made in the first major lateral wall 25 a. Accordingly, the removable portion 35 is configured to define a respective lateral access window 30 made on the second major lateral wall 25b, as a direct continuation of the upper opening 29.

When the user detaches the removable portion 35 from the second larger lateral wall 25b by acting on the corresponding upper edge 36, the corresponding lateral access window 30 is formed. As shown in fig. 5 and 6, the inner container 12 in this case comprises a lateral access window 30 made on the first larger lateral wall 25a, and another corresponding lateral access window 30 on the second larger lateral wall 25 b.

In some embodiments, the hinge line 33 defines a predetermined separation line by which the lid 32 is separable from the inner container 12. In particular, as shown in fig. 4, by means of the hinge line 33, the user can detach the respective top wall 23 (and the lateral closing flap 34 associated therewith) from the second major lateral wall 25b and the removable portion 35. Thus, the package described herein will be more versatile in that if he/she prefers to use a lidless package, the lid 32 may be selected for removal from the inner container 12.

It will be understood that everything described herein with reference to the embodiment shown in figures 1 to 6 also extends to the embodiment shown in figures 9 to 12, wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements also included in the first embodiment as previously described.

The embodiment shown in figures 9 to 12 also relates to a package for smoking articles, which is designated in its entirety by the reference numeral 10'. According to some embodiments, the package 10' is also configured to contain small articles, such as conventional smoking articles, e.g., cigarettes or cigarillos.

The package 10' is similar in construction to the package 10 described above, but differs in the manner of opening from the package 10 described above.

Also in package 10', inner container 12 is received within outer container 11 and is slidable relative to outer container 11. However, in package 10', inner container 12 slides linearly with respect to outer container 11 according to a translational movement indicated by arrow F in the drawings.

In this way, the package 10' is movable between the closed configuration C and the extracted configuration E of the package 10; in the closed configuration C, the inner container 12 is retracted inside the outer container 11 (not shown, but entirely similar to the view in fig. 1); in the extracted configuration E of the package 10, the inner container 12 is at least partially extracted from the outer container 11 (fig. 9 to 12).

Possible ways of using the embodiments of the package 10 and the package 10' described in the field of the present invention will now be described.

When not in use, the package 10 and the package 10' are generally in a closed configuration C (fig. 1).

When the user has to remove the article or articles contained in the casing 27, he/she presses the inner container 12 with the fingers through the window 18, thereby transferring the inner container 12 into the extracted configuration E (fig. 2 and 9). In this configuration, the user cannot remove the package 10 and the contents of the package 10' despite the partial withdrawal of the inner container 12 from the outer container 11 because the lid 32 in the closed position prevents access to the opening 28.

To enter the housing 27, the user must lift the cover 32 (fig. 3 and 10). To open the lid 32, it is sufficient for the user to apply a slight upward force with the fingers, so that the lateral closure flap 34 is moved out of the first major lateral wall 25 a.

It should be noted that the embodiments of the package 10 and package 10 'described herein allow for an unlimited number of openings and closings of the article's housing. For example, as shown in fig. 2 and 9, each time a user desires to remove one or more of the articles contained in the package 10 and 10 ', the package 10 and 10' are in the configuration shown in fig. 3 and 10, and then the package is converted back to the closed configuration C (fig. 1) after the lid 32 is closed.

The lid 32 is reclosable, advantageously causing the housing 27 to be permanently closed, preventing in a simple and effective way the escape of any loose substances present in the housing (for example fumes).

The user may also detach the lid 32 from the inner container 12 if necessary.

Fig. 4 and 11 show the use condition of the package 10 and of the package 10', in which the respective top wall 23 (and the lateral closure flap 34 associated therewith) is separated from the second major lateral wall 25b and the removable portion 35. To reach this condition of use, the user operates on the hinge line 33, which is a breakable separation line, to permanently separate the respective top wall 23 and lateral closure flap 34 from the inner container 12.

In contrast, fig. 5 and 12 illustrate another use condition of the package 10 and package 10', wherein the lid 32 and the removable portion 35 are both separated from the inner container 12. To achieve this condition of use, the user should perform an operation on the respective upper edges 36 as the predetermined separation lines to permanently separate the removable portion 35 from the inner container 12. In this way, as shown in fig. 6 and 12, the lid 32 is separated from the inner container 12, so that the inner container 12 has a lateral access window 30 on each major lateral wall 25a and 25 b.

In this use condition, the package 10 and the package 10' have the advantage of being convenient and practical to use, both for right-handed users and for left-handed users.

In fact, once the lid 32 and the removable portion 35 are detached from the inner container 12, the inner container 12 can be extracted from the outer container 11, being on the right side of the outer container 11 after extraction (fig. 2 to 5 and 9 to 12), as well as on the left side of the outer container 11 (fig. 6).

Thus, in this use condition, the package 10 and the package 10 'always have a lateral access window 30 facing the user, regardless of the orientation of the package 10 and the package 10'. In this way, the package 10 and the package 10 'can be indiscriminately held by a user's preferred hand and opened in any direction without causing the removable portion 35 to face the user and interfere with access to the housing 27.

Referring to fig. 7 and 13, a blank will now be described, which may be used to manufacture the outer container 11 of the packages 10 and 10' according to embodiments described herein.

Referring specifically to fig. 7, there is seen a blank, generally designated by the reference numeral 100, configured to form the outer container 11 of the package 10 described above.

With particular reference to fig. 13, on the other hand, a blank, generally designated by the reference numeral 100 ', can be seen that is configured to form the outer container 11 of the package 10' shown in fig. 9-12.

Since the blanks 100 and 100' have similar structures, the following description will be made by referring to the same elements of two different blanks having the same reference numerals.

The blank 100 and the blank 100' include a pair of major side panels 115, each major side panel 115 being configured to define a major side wall 15.

The larger side panel 115 has a substantially rectangular shape.

Between the larger side panels 115, a central panel 114 is provided, intended to form the bottom wall 14. The smaller central panel 114 is spaced from each larger side panel 115 by a respective first predetermined fold line 140.

The smaller central plate 114 comprises a first portion 119 and a second portion 120 configured to define the fixed portion 19 and the mobile portion 20, respectively.

The second part 120 must be movable relative to the first part 119 to ensure that the moving part 20 can tilt relative to the fixed part 19.

The second portion 120 is then separated from the first portion 119 by a second predetermined fold line 141.

The first folding line 140 includes a continuous portion 140a, and the continuous portion 140a extends up to the second folding line 141 corresponding to the first portion 119.

Each first fold line 140 also includes a portion 140b, the portion 140b being engraved or perforated at various points. The portion 140b extends in correspondence with the second portion 120 and forms an extension of the continuous portion 140a on the opposite side with respect to the second predetermined separation line 141. In this way, the second portion 120 is not connected to the larger side panel 115 but is rotatable about the axis of rotation defined by the second predetermined fold line 141.

Unlike the blank 100, the central panel 114 in the blank 100 does not accommodate two different portions separated from each other by a predetermined fold line. Indeed, since the inner container 12 slides in a linear, non-rotational motion relative to the outer container 11 in the package 10 ', the smaller central panel 114 of the blank 100' need not have moving parts for another part that remains fixed.

The blanks 100 and 100' also include a pair of shaped fins 117, each of the pair of shaped fins 117 extending along a long side of a respective larger side panel 115.

Along a third predetermined fold line 142, each shaped fin 117 is intended to be folded and glued to the larger side panel 115 to which it is connected.

The shaped fins 117 are configured to engage with corresponding retaining fins 217 fabricated on the blanks 200 and 200'. The cooperation between the shaped fins 117 and the retaining fins 217 allows to limit the travel of the inner container 12 with respect to the outer container 11. In other words, during the sliding of inner container 12 with respect to outer container 11, when holding fins 217 are in contact with shaped fins 117, inner container 12 has reached the end of its travel and its further sliding is prevented.

In addition, the shaped fins 117 are also intended to reinforce the area of the outer container 11 in which the aperture 17 is defined. This is advantageous because said area is a very stressed area, since each time the inner container 12 is transformed from the extracted configuration E to the closed configuration C and vice versa, the inner container 12 will slide on the inner surface of the larger side wall 15.

The blanks 100 and 100' also include a plurality of side flaps 116 intended to form the minor side walls 16.

The side flap 116 is joined to the larger side panel 115 on the opposite side with respect to the shaped fin 117.

In particular, the side flap 116 is connected to the larger side panel 115 along a fourth intended fold line 143, the fourth intended fold line 143 extending substantially parallel to the third intended fold line 142.

The side flaps 116 include a pair of larger side flaps 116a and a pair of smaller side flaps 116 b. A larger side flap 116a and a smaller side flap 116b are each connected to each larger side panel 115.

Between the larger side flap 116a and the smaller side flap 116b, a space 118 is defined, the space 118 being configured to form the window 18.

It is noted that in some embodiments, the fourth predetermined fold line 143 may have a curved portion 144 corresponding to the space 118. In this embodiment, window 18 will have rounded vertical edges, thereby giving window 18 a more ergonomic shape, facilitating insertion of the user's fingers when he/she wishes to extract inner container 12 from outer container 11.

During use, when forming the outer container 11, the two larger side flaps 116a are intended to be joined together, for example by gluing with a suitable adhesive substance.

Similarly, the two smaller side flaps 116b are also intended to engage each other during the formation of the outer container 11, for example by gluing with an adhesive substance.

The blanks 100 and 100' also comprise a pair of end panels 113, said pair of end panels 113 being intended to be joined to each other, for example by gluing, to form the top wall 13.

Each end panel 113 is connected to one of the larger side panels 115 along a fifth predetermined fold line 145. The end plates are joined to the larger side plates 115 on opposite sides with respect to the smaller central plate 114.

The blanks 100 and 100' also comprise a connecting fin 121, the connecting fin 121 being connected to one of the smaller side flaps 116b along a sixth predetermined fold line 146 and intended to be adhered by gluing to one of the end panels 113 when forming the outer container 11.

Referring now to fig. 8 and 14, a blank will be described that may be used to manufacture the package 10 and the inner container 12 of the package 10', according to embodiments described herein.

Referring specifically to fig. 8, there is seen a blank, generally designated by the reference numeral 200, configured to form the inner container 12 of the package 10 described above with reference to fig. 1-6.

Referring, on the other hand, and in particular to fig. 14, there is seen a blank, generally designated by the reference numeral 200 ', configured to form the inner container 12 of the package 10' illustrated in fig. 9-12.

Since the blanks 200 and 200 'have similar structures, the same elements of the two different blanks 200 and 200' will be denoted by the same reference numerals in the following description.

The blanks 200 and 200' include a pair of respective major side panels 225a and 225b, each of the major side panels 225a and 225b being configured to define a respective major side wall 25, i.e., a first major side wall 25a and a second major side wall 25 b.

Between the respective larger side panel 225a and the larger side panel 225b, a respective smaller central panel 224 is interposed, intended to form the bottom wall 24. The respective smaller central panel 224 is separated from each of the respective larger side panels 225a and 225b by respective first predetermined fold lines 240.

The blanks 200 and 200' comprise respective connecting fins 221, the connecting fins 221 being connected to the respective smaller central panel 224 along respective second predetermined fold lines 241, corresponding to one of its ends.

The blanks 200 and 200' also include a plurality of respective side flaps 226 intended to form the respective smaller side walls 26.

The respective side flaps 226 engage with the respective larger side panel 225a and larger side panel 225b, corresponding to the two sides of the larger side panel 225a and larger side panel 225b having the greater extension.

The respective side flaps 226 include a pair of first side flaps 226a and a pair of second side flaps 226 b. Each of the first stage flap 226a and the second side flap 226b is connected to each of the respective larger side panels 225 on opposite sides opposite to each other.

Each first side flap 226a is connected to a respective larger side panel 225a and larger side panel 225b along a respective third predetermined fold line 242.

Similarly, each second side flap 226b is connected to the respective larger side panel 225a and the larger side panel 225b along a respective fourth predetermined fold line 243, the fourth predetermined fold line 243 being parallel to the respective third predetermined fold line 242.

In use, when forming the inner container 12, the first side flap 226a is joined together, for example, by bonding with a suitable adhesive. It is to be noted that when the inner container 12 is formed, the respective connecting fins 221 are also placed overlapping the pair of first side flaps 226a after being rotated about the second predetermined folding line 241 by about 90 °, and are joined with the pair of first side flaps 226a by, for example, gluing.

Similarly, the second side flap 226b is also intended to be joined together during formation of the inner container 12, for example by gluing with a suitable adhesive.

The blanks 200 and 200 'also include a pair of retention fins 217, each pair of retention fins 217 being configured to engage with a respective shaped fin 117 of the blanks 100 and 100'.

Each retention fin 217 is bounded by a cut-out line 244, the cut-out line 244 defining the outline of each retention fin 217 and being made on the respective larger side panel 225a and larger side panel 225 b. The retaining fins 217 start from respective fourth predetermined folding lines 243, the position of the retaining fins 217 being suitably predefined according to the relative travel provided between the containers 11 and 12 and/or the profiles of the fins 117 and 217.

It should be noted that in order to ensure that the containers 11 and 12 slide correctly, the profile of the cut line 244 of each retaining fin 217 should match the profile of the corresponding shaped fin 117.

The blanks 200 and 200' also include an end panel assembly 232, the end panel assembly 232 being intended to define the lid 32.

The end plate assembly 232 is (in particular detachably) connected to only one (and not the other) of the larger side plates 225. In the illustrated embodiment, the end plate assembly 232 is joined to the second larger side plate 225 b.

This is advantageous because the lid 32 defined by the endplate assembly 232 may be closed an infinite number of times so that a user may always remain closed on the housing 27 of the smoking article. In contrast, if the lid 32 is formed by an end panel 232 associated with each of the respective larger side panels 225, as is known in the art, it is clear that, in order to allow access to the package of articles, the lid should be permanently separated from the container when the package is first opened, since the casing of the article cannot be closed again after the first opening of the package.

In some embodiments, the end plate assembly 232 may include a first side plate 234 and a smaller end plate 223.

The first side plate 234 is configured to define the lateral closure flap 34 of the lid 32 and the smaller end plate 223 is configured to define the top wall 23.

The first side panel 234 is joined to the smaller end panel 223 along a fifth predetermined fold line 237, the fifth predetermined fold line 237 being configured to define a hinge 37. The first side panel 234 is further bounded by an edge line 238, the edge line 238 being configured to define the shaped edge 38, the shaped edge 38 defining the free end of the lid 32.

The smaller end panel 223 is joined to one of the first larger side panels 225 along a first predetermined separation line 233, the smaller end panel 223 being breakable and intended to define a hinge line 33.

Due to the first predetermined separation line 233, the smaller end panel 223 and the first side panel 234 permanently connected to the smaller end panel 223 can be separated positively from the blank 200 and the blank 200'.

The blanks 200 and 200' further include a breakable flap 235, the breakable flap 235 being configured to define the removable portion 35.

The breakable tabs 235 are joined to the same larger side panel 225b, as are the end plate assemblies 232. A breakable tab 235 is joined to the panel along a second predetermined separation line 236, the breakable tab 235 being breakable and intended to define a respective upper edge 36 of the larger side wall (in this case the second larger side wall 25b) close to the removable portion 35.

Due to the second predetermined line of separation 236, the breakable flap 235 can be either used alone or permanently separated from the respective larger side panel 225 with which it is engaged, together with the smaller end panel 223 and the first side panel 234.

A breakable tab 235 is also joined into the smaller end panel 223 along the first intended line of separation 233.

It is to be noted that the respective larger side panel 225, in this case the first larger side panel 225a, not associated with the end plate assembly 232, is delimited on the opposite side with respect to the respective smaller central panel 224 by the line of the shaped edge 231, configured to define the upper edge 31 of the first larger side wall 25a and the lateral access window 30 of the aperture 28.

In some embodiments, the line of the shaped edge 231 has substantially the same profile as the second intended separation line 236.

It is noted that in the description of the blanks 100, 100 ', 200' shown above, each "intended folding line" and/or each "intended separation line" may be engraved or perforated in a segmented, or pre-folded, or segmented pre-folded, manner, according to conventional techniques in the art, unless otherwise indicated. Thus, each predetermined fold line in the field of the present description is a pre-yielding line, allowing two adjacent elements (panels, flaps, … …) to assume a folded or tilted position in a repeatable manner, for example forming about 90 ° with respect to each other.

Finally, it should be noted that the blanks 100, 100 ', 200 ' and the packages 10 and 10 ' can be manufactured, shaped and filled using conventional packaging machines which do not require any structural modifications or adaptations.

Obviously, modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to packages 10 and 10 ' and to blanks 100, 100 ', 200 ', as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of packaging and/or blank, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

In the appended claims, the reference signs placed between parentheses are intended for the sole purpose of facilitating reading: they are not to be considered as limiting with respect to the scope of protection claimed in the particular claims.

Claims (10)

1. A package for smoking articles having a sliding opening, the package comprising:

-an outer container (11),

-an inner container (12), said inner container (12) being able to contain a group of articles and being slidably removable with respect to said outer container (11);

the inner container (12) comprises:

-a first major lateral wall (25a) and a second major lateral wall (25b), said first and second major lateral walls (25a, 25b) being opposite each other and internally delimiting a housing (27) of the smoking article;

-an aperture (28), said aperture (28) being used for removing said smoking article from said housing (27);

wherein the aperture (28) comprises an upper opening (29) between the first and second major lateral walls (25a, 25b) and at least one lateral access window (30) formed in the first major lateral wall (25a) in direct lateral relationship with the upper opening (29);

-a lid (32), said lid (32) being adapted to close said aperture (28);

said package being characterized in that said lid (32) is hinged to said second major lateral wall (25b) along a hinge line (33), said hinge line (33) rotatably connecting said lid (32) to said second major lateral wall (25b) so as to rotate between a closed position and an open position, wherein said lid (32) prevents or allows access to said aperture (28) in the closed position and in the open position, respectively,

the cover (32) is configured to selectively close the aperture (28) in a reclosable manner, and includes:

a top wall (23), said top wall (23) having an extension so as to close at least a portion of said upper opening (29) in a closed position of said lid (32);

a lateral closure flap (34) configured to close the lateral access window (30) and positioned in a position in the housing (27) and adjacent to the first major lateral wall (25a) in the closed position of the cover (32);

wherein the lateral closing flap (34) has a greater extension with respect to the extension of the lateral access window (30) to completely close the lateral access window (30) and obtain a mechanical interference with the first major lateral wall (25a) able to stably maintain the lid (32) in the closed position.

2. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the first major lateral wall (25a) comprises an upper edge (31), said upper edge (31) being substantially U-shaped to define the lateral access window (30).

3. The package according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lateral closure flap (34) is adjacent to the top wall (23) and is joined to the top wall (23) by a pre-yielding hinge (37), the hinge (37) enabling the lateral closure flap (34) to repeatedly assume a folded or tilted position, for example at about 90 ° with respect to the top wall (23).

4. The package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hinge line (33) defines a predetermined separation line by which the lid (32) can be separated from the inner container (12).

5. The packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner container (12) comprises a removable portion (35), the removable portion (35) being made in the second major lateral wall (25b) and forming a separate portion, separate from the second major lateral wall (25 b).

6. The packaging according to claim 5, characterised in that the second major lateral wall (25b) comprises a respective upper edge (36), the upper edge (36) being formed by a weakened precut line, defining a breakable predetermined separation line capable of separating the removable portion (35) from the second major lateral wall (25 b); and wherein the removable portion (35) is joined to the lid (32) along a portion of the hinge line (33).

7. The packaging according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the removable portion (35) has the same shape and dimensions as the lateral access window (30) made in one of the larger lateral walls (25a), whereby the removable portion (35) is configured to define a respective lateral access window (30) made in the second larger lateral wall (25b) in direct lateral relationship with the upper opening (29).

8. A blank configured to manufacture an inner container (12) housed in a package (10) for smoking articles according to any one of the preceding claims, the blank comprising a pair of respective larger side panels (225a, 225b), a respective smaller central panel (224) and a plurality of respective side flaps (226); each major side panel (225a, 225b) is configured to define a respective major side wall (25a, 25b) of the inner container (12); a respective smaller central panel (224) interposed between said respective larger side panels (225), intended to form a bottom wall (24) of said inner container (12); a plurality of respective side flaps (226) joined to said respective larger side panels (225a, 225b), corresponding on both sides to the larger extension of said respective larger side panels (225a, 225b), intended to form respective smaller side walls (26) of said inner container (12),

characterized in that it comprises an end panel assembly (232) intended to define a lid (32) of the inner container (12), said end panel assembly (232) being engaged only with one of the larger side panels (225a, 225b) and not with the other.

9. The blank according to claim 8, wherein the end panel assembly (232) comprises a first side panel (234) and a smaller end panel (223), the first side panel (234) being configured to define a lateral closure flap (34) of the lid (32) and the smaller end panel (223) being configured to define a top wall (23) of the lid (32); wherein the first side panel (234) is joined to the smaller end panel (223) along a fifth predetermined folding line (237) and is configured to define a hinge (37), the smaller end panel (223) being joined to one of the first larger side panels (225) along a first predetermined separation line (233), the smaller end panel (223) being breakable and intended to define a hinge line (33).

10. The blank according to claim 9, characterized in that it further comprises a breakable tab (235), said breakable tab (235) being configured to define a removable portion (35) of said inner container (12) and to join, along a second predetermined separation line (236), the same larger side panel (225b) also joined to said end panel assembly (232), said breakable tab (235) being breakable and intended to define a respective upper edge (36) of said larger side wall (25b) of which said removable portion (35) is made; the breakable flap (235) is also joined to the smaller end panel (223) along the first predetermined separation line (233).

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