CN113165796A

CN113165796A - Container for consumer goods

Info

Publication number: CN113165796A
Application number: CN201980079395.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 蒂莫西·柯林斯
Original assignee: JT International SA
Current assignee: JT International SA
Priority date: 2018-11-27
Filing date: 2019-11-20
Publication date: 2021-07-23
Also published as: EA202191155A1; JP2022507976A; KR20210094539A; ZA202101980B; WO2020109114A1; US20220009703A1; EP3887283A1; EP3887283B1; TW202019676A; PH12021550881A1; CA3116275A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a container (5) for consumer goods (1), comprising: a housing (10) comprising a box portion (17) having a top opening closable by a flap portion (13), the box portion (17) comprising a front wall (12) and a rear wall (16) connected to each other by a bottom wall (15) opposite the top opening, and two side walls (14, 18); and a pack of elongated consumer goods (5) wrapped with an inner liner (20) and arranged within the outer shell (10); and an inner frame (30) arranged between the outer shell (10) and the inner liner (20), wherein the inner frame (30) comprises a front panel (32) and two side panels (34, 36), and further comprises a first vertical crease or perforated line (31) crossing at least a portion of the front panel (32) for defining at least one foldable portion (40) foldable towards the inside of the container (1) for selectively limiting a space inside the container (1); wherein the liner (20) is formed from an inner liner sheet (60) comprising an L-shaped perforated portion (24) for separating a removable portion (22) of the liner (20) from the remaining portion; and the removable portion (22) defines an access opening (8) through which the consumer goods (5) can be removed, and wherein the perforated portion (24) of the liner (20) extends along the front wall (12), the first side wall (14) and the rear wall (16) of the container (1). The invention further relates to a corresponding inner liner (20) and to a method of wrapping a plurality of elongated consumer goods (5) within an inner liner (20).

Description

Container for consumer goods

1. Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a container for consumer goods and a liner for such a container. The container is particularly suitable for storing tobacco products such as cigarettes.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Fragile articles such as cigarettes are often packaged in small containers and marketed in order to protect the goods during transport. Such containers may be made from renewable raw materials such as cardboard and often comprise multiple components. Generally, a softer, odorless and tasteless inner liner directly stores consumer goods, while a harder outer shell forms a container and protects the goods from environmental conditions as well as external impacts. In some cases, the housing includes a hinged flap for closing and opening the container. The container is additionally wrapped in a transparent plastic foil for further protection and used as a complete seal.

Furthermore, the container for consumer goods additionally comprises an inner frame arranged within the housing for reinforcing the container in the region of the access opening, in particular in the case where the container comprises a hinged flap. In this case, the inner frame forms an inner counterpart of the hinged flap and serves to hold the hinged flap in the closed position. For this purpose, the internal frame extends partially over the upper edge of the front panel of the housing. The inner frame is also typically made of cardboard and glued to the inside of the housing.

The liner is typically wrapped around the consumer goods in a U-shaped manner around the lower end of the consumer goods such that the liner forms an overlapping area at both side panels and such that the liner is closed by a fold at the top panel of the container. The liner further includes a perforated section that allows the removable portion of the liner to be separated. This removable portion may be removed by the consumer after first opening the container to access the goods (e.g., cigarettes). Typically the perforations are arranged so that the removable portion consists of the upper part of the front panel of the liner and the upper parts of the two side panels. In this case, the perforations are straight and span the total width of the liner.

Conventional containers for cigarettes have the disadvantage that it may be difficult to remove the first cigarette from the front through the cut-out of the front panel of the inner frame.

In some containers, the internal frame serves other purposes. In document US 2016/0000144 a1, a hinged flip-top wrapper for a cigarette is shown wherein an inner frame comprises a line of perforations in a front panel configured such that at least one of the left or right side panel of the inner frame and a portion of the front panel of the inner frame are folded inwardly, thereby forming an interior cavity between the inner frame and the outer shell of the hinged flip-top wrapper. This foldable portion of the internal frame allows for restricting the space within the package and holding small items such as cigarette lighters where some cigarettes have been removed from the package. However, the foldable internal frame of document US 2016/0000144 a1 has the following drawbacks: in order to fold into the foldable part, the glue between the inner frame and the outer shell must be broken or a different glue dot arrangement must be used, which, however, reduces the stability of the package, especially in the folded condition.

Further, the foldable portion of the inner frame in US 2016/0000144 a1 may contact the inner liner wrapped around the cigarette and may crease or pucker the inner liner. This may affect the folding of the foldable portion, leading to an unsatisfactory appearance of the container and affecting the closing of the flip.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a container for consumer goods and a corresponding liner, which overcome the disadvantages of the above-mentioned containers.

3. Summary of the invention

The above problem is solved by a container for consumer goods according to claim 1 and a corresponding liner according to claim 11.

Preferably, the above problem is solved by a container for consumer goods, comprising: a housing including a box portion having a top opening closable by a flap portion, the box portion including front and rear walls connected to each other by a bottom wall opposite the top opening, and two side walls; a pack of elongate consumer goods wrapped with an inner liner, wherein the inner liner is disposed within the outer shell; and an inner frame disposed between the outer shell and the inner liner, wherein the inner frame comprises a front panel and two side panels, and further comprises a first vertical crease or perforated line traversing at least a portion of the front panel for defining at least one foldable portion that is foldable inwardly of the container for selectively restricting a space within the container; wherein the liner is formed from an inner liner sheet comprising an L-shaped perforated section for separating a removable portion of the liner from a remainder; and the removable portion defines an access opening through which consumer goods can be removed, and wherein the perforated portion of the liner extends along the front wall, the first side wall, and the rear wall of the container.

The inner liner protects the quality of the consumer product (e.g. cigarette) and is preferably a thin foil or a metallised or non-metallised paper. When the container is opened, the consumer removes the removable portion of the liner to access the merchandise. The L-shaped perforated portion of the inner liner has the advantage of revealing the rear corner of the folded liner when the consumer pulls on the removable portion. Thus, the access opening includes at least one of the rear corners of the liner. Because the inner frame of the container is generally not bent over the rear corner and the product, in particular an elongated consumer product such as a cigarette, is looser at the corner, removal of the first product is facilitated, because the product is easier to grip from the rear corner of the container than from the front by the cut-out in the front panel of the inner frame.

Further, if the inner frame has a foldable portion, the L-shaped perforations provide a removable portion that includes a rear corner of the liner. By doing so, the wrinkling of the remaining liner is limited to the portion below the perforation lines, which is not typically visible to the consumer. Preferably, the collapsible portion of the inner frame does not contact the non-removable portion of the liner when the collapsible portion of the inner frame is advanced. By doing so, the liner is completely prevented from wrinkling. This ensures that the flap of the container can be closed without any problems and ensures a satisfactory appearance of the entire container.

The perforated portion of the liner extends along the front wall, the first side wall, and the rear wall of the container. Thus, the removable portion comprises a portion of the front panel of the folded liner and a portion of the side panels of the liner. By providing the inner liner with a removable portion that does not cover the front, side and rear corners of a pack of cigarettes, it is easier to extract the first cigarette, since the cigarettes can be removed from the rear corner where the inner frame does not interfere with the consumer's fingers and the cigarettes are looser than in the front, central portion where the inner frame openings are normally provided.

The container further includes an inner frame disposed between the outer shell and the inner liner, wherein the inner frame includes a front panel and two side panels, and further includes a first vertical crease or perforated line traversing at least a portion of the front panel for defining at least one foldable portion that is foldable toward the container interior for selectively restricting a space within the container. This foldable portion of the inner frame allows to limit the space inside the container in case some products, such as cigarettes, have been taken out of the pack, thus reducing the risk of damaging the remaining cigarettes. Further, the foldable portion provides a cavity within the container that can be used to hold small items. The cavity is particularly useful for holding small items such as cigarette lighters that can be used with consumer products. In another non-limiting example, the consumer product is a tobacco product or a tobacco substitute product, and the cavity is for holding a device for heating the tobacco product or tobacco substitute product to generate an aerosol therefrom by heating. Thus, the container is particularly useful in packaging so-called "heat not burn" tobacco and tobacco substitute products.

Preferably, the inner frame further comprises at least one horizontal cut across a portion of the front panel and a portion of one of the side panels for further defining the at least one foldable portion. By virtue of the provision of a horizontal cut across a portion of the front panel and a portion of one of the side panels, a foldable portion of the inner frame is created which can be folded towards the inside of the container without breaking any glued bonds and which at the same time maintains the mechanical stability of the container in this region. The horizontal cut-out allows only the foldable portion above the horizontal cut-out to be folded towards the interior of the container, but the portion of the inner frame below the horizontal cut-out is still in the original position and reinforces the outer shell. This further allows the remaining portion below the horizontal cut to be glued to the housing and maintain this glued connection after folding. Thus, even if a foldable portion is provided that can selectively restrict the space within the container when a plurality of consumer goods (e.g., cigarettes) have been removed from the container or can provide an interior cavity between the inner frame and the housing for holding small items such as cigarette lighters, the overall stability of the container can be maintained.

Preferably, the first vertical crease or perforated line is arranged at the first end of the at least one horizontal cut. The first vertical fold or perforated line defines a first fold line between the foldable portion and the remainder of the front panel of the inner frame. The foldable portion can thus be folded inwards in a simple and geometrically defined manner, which gives the container a pleasing appearance in the folded condition. Preferably, the first vertical crease or perforated line is arranged above the horizontal cut. Preferably, the first vertical crease or perforated line extends from the first end of the horizontal cut towards the upper edge of the front panel of the inner frame.

Preferably, the inner frame comprises a second vertical crease or perforated line at the second end of the at least one horizontal cut at the side panel. The second vertical fold or perforated line defines a second fold line between the foldable portion and the remainder of the side panels of the inner frame. This further increases the likelihood of folding the foldable portion towards the interior of the container. Preferably, the second vertical crease or perforated line is arranged above the horizontal cut. Preferably, the second vertical crease or perforated line extends from the second end of the horizontal cut towards the upper edge of the side panel of the inner frame.

Preferably, the internal frame comprises a third vertical crease or perforated line between the front panel and the side panels, above the at least one horizontal cut. This further increases the likelihood of folding the foldable portion towards the interior of the container. The third vertical fold or perforated line is preferably arranged parallel to and between the first and second vertical fold or perforated lines.

By means of the first vertical crease or perforated line, the second vertical crease or perforated line and the third vertical crease or perforated line and the horizontal cuts, the foldable portion is well-defined and can be folded inside the container in a predetermined manner along the first vertical crease or perforated line, the second vertical crease or perforated line and the third vertical crease or perforated line. This ensures that the foldable portion always folds in the same way and remains in the folded position for the time of use of the container for protecting the consumer goods against damage. In addition, this ensures a pleasing appearance to the consumer.

Preferably, the inner frame comprises one or more breakable connections between the foldable and non-foldable portions of the inner frame at the horizontal cut. Such breakable connections divide the horizontal cut into two sections and facilitate the manufacture of the container, since they limit the movement of the foldable part of the inner frame relative to the rest that is not foldable during manufacture. Further, the breakable connection improves the stability of the container before the foldable portion is folded inwards.

Preferably, the inner frame comprises a first glued portion at the front panel, below the horizontal cut, and/or the inner frame comprises a second glued portion at the side panel, below the horizontal cut. Such a glued part improves the stability of the container, especially in the region of the foldable part.

Preferably, the horizontal cut-out is arranged at or below an upper edge of the front panel of the housing in the open position. Thus, the horizontal cut is not visible when the foldable portion is not yet folded. Therefore, the external appearance of the inner frame can be the same as in the case where the foldable portion is not provided.

Preferably, the removable portion and the at least one foldable portion of the liner are arranged such that the at least one foldable portion is not in contact with the liner outside the removable portion. Thus, it is possible to ensure that the inner liner is not wrinkled when the foldable portion of the inner frame is folded inside. This maintains a satisfactory appearance of the container and ensures that the flip lid closing the container is not affected.

Preferably, the inner frame further comprises a second horizontal cut extending through a portion of the front panel and a portion of the other of the side panels for defining a second foldable portion that is foldable inwardly of the container for selectively restricting space within the container. The second horizontal cut defines an additional second foldable portion, which may preferably be arranged at the other end of the container. This second foldable portion allows the consumer to further limit the space within the container upon further removal of the merchandise. This protects the remaining merchandise in the container from damage as it is moved. Further, the second foldable portion may be used by the consumer as an alternative to the first foldable portion. Thus, the second foldable part makes it possible to use the container flexibly. Since the second horizontal cut extends over a portion of the front panel and a portion of the other of the side panels, the stability of the container is again maintained.

Preferably, the inner frame comprises a fourth vertical crease or perforated line at the first end of the second horizontal cut at the front panel. The fourth vertical fold or perforated line defines a fold line between the second foldable portion and the remainder of the front panel of the inner frame. This increases the likelihood of folding the foldable portion towards the interior of the container and gives the foldable portion a pleasing appearance in the folded condition.

Preferably, the inner frame comprises a fifth vertical crease or perforated line at the second end of the second horizontal cut at the front panel. The fifth vertical fold or perforated line defines a fold line between the foldable portion and the remainder of the side panels of the inner frame. This further increases the likelihood of folding the foldable portion towards the interior of the container and further gives the foldable portion a pleasing appearance in the folded condition.

Preferably, the internal frame comprises a sixth vertical crease or perforated line between the front panel and the side panels, above the second horizontal cut. This further increases the likelihood of folding the foldable portion towards the interior of the container and further gives the foldable portion a pleasing appearance in the folded condition.

Preferably, the internal frame comprises a third glued portion at the front panel, below the second horizontal cut. Preferably, the inner frame comprises a fourth glued portion at the side panel below the second horizontal cut. The inner frame is glued to the inside of the housing by the third and fourth glue portions. This improves the stability of the container in the region of the second foldable part.

The above problems are also solved by a liner for a container for consumer goods, wherein the liner is formed by a liner sheet comprising an L-shaped perforated portion for separating a removable portion of the liner from the rest. Such a liner has the same advantages as the container discussed above. Preferably, the L-shaped perforated portion of the inner liner has the advantage of revealing the rear corner of the folded liner when the consumer pulls on the removable portion. The access opening thus comprises at least one of the rear corner portions of the inner liner, which facilitates the removal of a first product, in particular a first cigarette, from the container. Further, if the inner frame has a foldable portion, the L-shaped perforations provide a removable portion that includes a rear corner of the liner. This limits the wrinkling of the remaining liner to the portion below the perforated line that is not normally visible to the consumer, or in the event that the foldable portion of the inner frame does not come into contact with the non-removable portion of the liner as the foldable portion of the inner frame advances, this completely precludes wrinkling of the liner. This further ensures that the flap of the container can be closed without any problems and ensures a satisfactory appearance of the entire container.

Preferably, the perforation comprises a horizontal portion starting from a vertical edge of the lining sheet and extending parallel to a horizontal axis of the lining sheet.

Preferably, the perforated portion further comprises a vertical portion starting from the horizontal edge of the inner liner and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the inner liner.

Preferably, the inner liner sheet is wrapped in a loop around a wrapping axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the inner liner sheet, wherein the inner liner sheet loop is closed at the top and bottom of the inner liner. Thus, the liner is facilitated to be wrapped around a group of consumer goods. This wrapping arrangement does further facilitate removal of the removable portion of the liner because, by the L-shaped perforations, the front, side, a portion of the rear and the corresponding top wall portion can be removed in one piece in one step.

The above problem is further solved by a method of wrapping a plurality of elongated consumer goods with a liner as described above, comprising the steps of:

a. forming a bundle of substantially rectangular parallelepiped shaped elongated consumer products arranged in parallel, said bundle having two opposing major faces, two opposing side faces along the length of the major faces, and two opposing end faces along the width of the major faces at the ends of the elongated consumer products;

b. the inner liner sheet of the inner liner is wrapped one turn around the pack of consumer products, wherein the wrapping axis is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the inner liner sheet such that the L-shaped perforation extends at least over at least a portion of both major faces and sides of the pack of elongate consumer products; and

c. the inner liner sheet loop is closed at the ends of the loop for forming the inner liner.

By this wrapping method, the wrapping process is facilitated when a removable portion of the inner liner is provided. Further due to this wrapping process, the removable portion may simply be removed and comprise at least an upper portion of the front panel, a portion of the side panels, a portion of the rear panel, and a portion of the top panel of the inner liner. Preferably, the removable portion is one-piece, such that it can be removed by a consumer pulling once.

4. Description of the drawings

In the following, preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1: a three-dimensional view of an embodiment of the open container when the foldable portion of the inner frame is still in an unfolded condition;

FIG. 2: a three-dimensional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 when the foldable portion of the inner frame is in a folded condition;

FIG. 3: a two-dimensional view of a blank of the outer shell of the container of fig. 1;

FIG. 4: a two-dimensional view of a blank of the inner frame of the container of fig. 1;

FIG. 5: the two-dimensional view of the blank of the inner liner of the container of fig. 1, and indicating the position of the consumer goods relative to the inner liner;

FIGS. 6A-6C: a three-dimensional view of a wrapping process for wrapping a consumer product into the liner of fig. 5;

FIG. 6D: a three-dimensional view of the consumer product wrapped into the liner of fig. 5, indicating a removable portion of the liner;

FIG. 7: a two-dimensional view of another embodiment of an internal frame having two foldable portions;

FIG. 8: a two-dimensional view of a second embodiment of the blank of the inner liner and indicating the position of the consumer product relative to the inner liner; and

FIG. 9: a two-dimensional view of a third embodiment of the blank of the inner liner and indicating the position of the consumer product relative to the inner liner.

5. Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a container 1 for consumer goods 5, such as cigarettes 5. The other consumer product 5 may for example be a tobacco product or a tobacco substitute product, which may be heated for providing vapour instead of smoke, e.g. a so-called "heat not burn" consumer product. The consumer goods 5 are arranged to form a bag substantially in the shape of a cuboid. The packet consumer product 5 has two opposite main faces 5 ', two opposite side faces 5 "along the length of the main faces 5', and two opposite end faces 5" 'along the width of the main faces 5' at the ends of the elongated consumer product (5). The dimensions of the container 1 include a height of about 70mm to 120mm, a width of about 40mm to 72mm and a thickness of about 16mm to 25.5 mm. The container 1 has a generally cubic shape. The container 1 comprises: an outer shell 10 having a box portion 17 and a hinged flap portion 13 for opening and closing the container 1, an inner frame 30 having a foldable portion 40, and an inner liner 20 wrapped around the consumer goods 5. Typically, the container 1 is additionally wrapped in a plastic foil (not shown) which acts as a complete seal and serves for further protection.

When a plurality of consumer goods 5 have been removed, the foldable portion 40 of the inner frame 30 may be folded inside the container 1 by the consumer for selectively reducing the space inside the container 1. This reduction in space helps to protect the consumer goods 5 because their movement within the container is restricted. Further, when the foldable portion 40 is folded inside, it provides an internal cavity 6 between the internal frame 30 and the casing 10, which can be used to hold small items such as cigarette lighters, tobacco product heating devices or tobacco substitute product heating devices inside the container 1. Because the exemplary cigarette lighter is separated from the cigarette 5 by the foldable portion 40 of the inner frame, the risk of damage to the cigarette 5 from movement of the cigarette lighter is reduced.

The foldable portion 40 is defined at its lower end by at least one horizontal cut 38. Thus, when folded, the foldable portion 40 has an appearance that is pleasing to the consumer. Further, the remaining unfolded portion of the inner frame below the foldable portion 40 enables the container 1 to have increased stability at the area of the foldable portion even when the foldable portion 40 is folded inside.

It is preferred that the horizontal cut-out 38 is positioned below the upper edge of the front wall 12 of the outer shell 1 so that the horizontal cut-out 38 is not visible to the consumer in an unfolded condition. However, the horizontal cut-out 38 is positioned immediately adjacent to the upper edge of the front wall 12 of the outer shell 1, so that the inner frame 30 has as much surface below the horizontal cut-out 38 as possible still glued to the outer shell 1 for improving the stability of this corner portion of the container 1.

The outer shell 10 is preferably made of a more robust paper, paperboard or cardboard in order to give the container 1 a stable structure and to mechanically protect the consumer goods 5 inside. As shown in fig. 1, the flip portion 13 is hingedly attached to the box portion 17 at the rear side of the container 1 and can be manually changed from the closed position to the open position. Thereby, the hinge of the flip portion 13 is made of a folded portion of paper or cardboard of the housing 10 and can be easily manufactured. In the closed position, the consumer goods 5 are sufficiently protected inside the container 1, wherein in the open position access to the consumer goods 5 is given and, for example, cigarettes can be taken out of the container 1.

Fig. 3 shows a two-dimensional blank of the outer shell 10 after cutting and creasing, before folding and gluing. The line 19 in the contour lines represents a crease line facilitating folding of the blank into the three-dimensional shell 10. The blank of the housing comprises a front wall 12 region, a bottom wall 15 region, a rear wall 16 region and

side wall

14, 18 regions defining a box portion 17 of the housing 10. Top wall 11 and front panel 13 'together with regions 13 ", 13"', and 13 "", form a flip portion 13 of the housing.

Fig. 4 shows a first embodiment of a two-dimensional blank of the inner frame 30 after cutting, creasing and punching and before folding and gluing. The line 19 in the contour lines represents a crease line that helps to fold the blank into the three-dimensional internal frame 30. An aperture tab 45 extends from the inner frame 30 for holding the flip area 13 in the closed position. Fig. 1 and 2 show only one centrally arranged tab 45. At least one horizontal cut-out 38 defines a foldable portion 40 of the inner frame 30. In the embodiment of fig. 4, the inner frame 30 includes only one foldable portion 40. However, in other embodiments, as shown in fig. 7, the inner frame 30 may include two

foldable portions

40, 50.

An internal frame 30 is disposed within the housing 10, typically for reinforcing the container 1 in the region of the flip portion 13 and holding the flip portion 13 in the closed position. The internal frame comprises a front panel 32 and two

side panels

34, 36, and is preferably made of a stronger paper or cardboard and glued to the inside of the casing 10.

The internal frame 30 further comprises, at the front panel 32, a first vertical crease or perforated line 31 at a first end of the horizontal cut 38. In a preferred embodiment, a first vertical crease or perforated line 31 is provided as the perforated line 31 starting from the left end of the horizontal cut 38 and extending vertically to the upper edge of the inner frame 30 at the left end 44 of the foldable portion 40.

The inner frame 30 further comprises a second vertical crease or perforated line 33 at a second end of the horizontal cut 38 at the side panel 34. In a preferred embodiment, a second vertical crease or perforated line 33 is provided, starting at the lower end of the inner frame 30, extending vertically to the right end of the horizontal cut 38 and further extending vertically to the crease line 33 of the upper edge of the inner frame 30 at the right end 47 of the foldable portion 40.

The internal frame 30 further includes a third vertical crease or perforated line 35 at a second end of the horizontal cut 38 between the front panel 32 and the side panels 34. In a preferred embodiment, a third vertical crease or perforated line 35 is provided as a perforated line 35 extending vertically from the horizontal cut 38 to the upper edge of the foldable portion 40. A third vertical crease or perforated line 35 is arranged between the first 31 and the second 33 vertical crease or perforated line. Preferably, the third vertical crease or perforated line is additionally arranged in parallel to the first 31 and second 33 vertical crease or perforated lines. The crease or

perforated lines

31, 33 and 35 help to fold the foldable portion 40 and ensure that the shape of the foldable portion 40 is defined after folding.

When folded inwardly of the container 1, preferably the side portions 46 of the foldable portion 40 are adjacent and parallel to the rear wall 16 of the container 1 and the front portion 48 of the foldable portion 40 is arranged parallel and at a distance from the side walls 14 of the container 1.

The inner frame 30 is glued to the inside of the casing 10 at gluing

zones

41, 42, 43. The glue area 43 is located below the side portion 46 of the foldable portion 40 and thus below the horizontal cut 38. The glue area 42 extends below the front portion 48 to the foldable portion 40 and thus below the horizontal cut 38. Therefore, even when the foldable part 40 is folded inward, the gluing

areas

43 and 42 of the inner frame 30 can give stiffness to the upper edge of the outer case 10. Preferably, the inner frame 30 comprises a downward extension 37 in the area of the gluing zone 42, which maximizes the gluing zone 42 and ensures that the inner frame 30 can be punched from the endless sheet material strip without losses.

The foldable portion 40 may include one or more breakable connections 39 between the foldable portion 40 and the non-foldable portion of the inner frame 30 at the horizontal cut 38. The breakable connection 39 is easily broken when the consumer folds the foldable portion 40 inward. Preferably by simply leaving breakable connection 39 uncut by dividing horizontal cut 38 into two portions. Preferably, breakable connection 39 has a length of less than 2mm, preferably less than 1mm, in order to be easily breakable, but to provide sufficient stability to internal frame 30 during manufacturing. As shown in fig. 4, the breakable connection 39 is arranged at the intersection of the third vertical fold or perforated line 35 and the horizontal cut 38.

Fig. 7 shows another embodiment of the inner frame 30, which comprises two

foldable portions

40, 50. The second foldable portion 50 substantially corresponds to the first foldable portion 40 and comprises a horizontal cut 58 and a first 51, a second 53 and a third 53 vertical fold or perforated line. The horizontal slit 58 is divided into two sections by a breakable portion 59. In order to increase the stability of the container 1 in the area of the second foldable part 50, a gluing area 41' is arranged below the second horizontal cut 58. Furthermore, the glue area 42' extends below the second horizontal cut 58 and below the first horizontal cut 38.

Fig. 5 shows a two-dimensional view of a blank of an inner liner 20 having an L-shaped perforation 24 defining a removable portion 22. The consumer may pull on removable portion 22 to provide access opening 8 (see fig. 1 and 2) through which consumer product 5 may be removed. The L-shaped perforation 24 comprises a horizontal portion 26 starting from the left side edge 63 of the liner 20 and extending horizontally into the area that will extend along the front wall 12, side walls 14 and rear wall 16 of the resulting container 1. The horizontal portion 26 merges by means of a curved shape into a vertical portion 28 which extends along the rear wall 16 of the finally produced container 1. The vertical portion 28 terminates at an upper edge 61 of the liner 1, which is generally rectangular. Fig. 5 shows the location and dimensions of the L-shaped perforation in relation to the location of the consumer product 5 wrapped in the liner 20.

Fig. 6A-6C illustrate a preferred wrapping process for wrapping the liner 20 around the consumer product 5. In a first step, as shown in fig. 6A, a bundle of elongated consumer products 5 arranged in parallel is formed, substantially in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. The liner 20 is then wrapped one turn about a wrapping axis W parallel to the longitudinal axis V of the liner 20. The consumer goods 5 are also arranged parallel to the package axis W. The wrapping step is completed so that the L-shaped perforation 24 extends at least over the two main faces 5' and at least a portion of the side faces 5 "of the packet of elongated consumer products 5.

As shown in fig. 6B, after the liner 20 is completely wrapped around the consumer product 5, the liner forms a closed loop 69, having an overlap 23 on one side wall 27.

In another packaging step, shown in fig. 6C, the inner liner 69 is finally closed by the folds 25 at its top and bottom ends 21, 29. Such a liner 20 and package of consumer goods is then wrapped within the assembly of inner frame 30 and outer shell 10.

Fig. 6D shows the liner 20 being opened when the consumer pulls the removable portion 22 of the liner 20 away from the rest. In order to make the inner liner 20 better visible, the outer shell 10 and the inner frame 20 are not shown in fig. 6D.

Fig. 8 shows a second embodiment of liner 20 and its corresponding two-dimensional liner sheet 60. In contrast to the liner 20 of fig. 5, this liner 20 includes two L-shaped

perforations

24 and 64 that provide two removable portions 22 and 65. Such a liner 20 may preferably be used with a container 1 comprising two

foldable portions

40, 50 as shown in the inner frame 30 of fig. 7. After the consumer removes the two L-shaped

perforations

24, 64, they reveal two opposite upper edges of the liner in the final container 1. Thus, in embodiments having two

foldable portions

40, 50, liner 20 will not wrinkle, again when either or both

foldable portions

40, 50 are pushed inside. The first removable portion 22 and the second removable portion 65 are preferably connected to each other such that a consumer pulling on one removable portion 22, 65 will remove both removable portions 22, 65.

The second L-shaped perforated portion 64 includes a horizontal portion 66 that begins at the right side edge 62 of the liner 20 and extends horizontally into the area that will extend along the side walls 18 and the rear wall 16 of the resulting container 1. The horizontal portion 66 merges by means of a curved shape into a vertical portion 68 which extends along the rear wall 16 of the finally produced container 1. The vertical portion 28 terminates at an upper edge 61 of the liner 1, which is generally rectangular. Fig. 8 further illustrates the location and dimensions of the L-shaped

perforations

24, 64 in relation to the location of the consumer goods 5 wrapped within the liner 20.

Vertical portions

28 and 68 are a distance d2 from each other such that a portion of width d2 of liner 20 remains at rear wall 16 of container 1 with both

removable portions

22 and 68 removed.

Fig. 9 shows a third embodiment of liner 20 and its corresponding two-dimensional liner sheet 60. In contrast to the liner 20 of fig. 5, this liner 20 includes an L-shaped perforated portion 24 with an additional vertical portion 70 at its other end. In contrast to the embodiment of fig. 5 and 6, the pack of consumer articles 5 is generally centrally arranged within the inner liner 60, such that through the perforation 24 there is provided a removable portion 22 of the inner liner 20 which reveals both an upper portion of the front panel and two opposite upper edges of the inner liner 20 in the final container 1. Thus, the liner 20 of fig. 9 may be used with an inner frame 30 (such as the inner frame 30 of fig. 7) that includes two

foldable portions

40, 50. Thus, in embodiments having two

foldable portions

40, 50, liner 20 will not wrinkle, again when either or both

foldable portions

40, 50 are pushed inside.

The L-shaped perforation 24 includes a first vertical portion 28 that begins at an upper edge 61 of the generally rectangular inner liner 60 and extends vertically downward along the rear wall 16 of the resulting container 1. This first vertical portion 28 merges by means of a curved shape into the horizontal portion 26, which extends horizontally along the rear wall 16, the side walls 14, the front wall 12, the side walls 18 and then again along the rear wall 16 of the finally produced container 1. The horizontal portion 26 then merges, by means of a curved shape, into an additional vertical portion 70 which extends vertically along the rear wall 16 of the final container 1. The additional vertical portion 70 terminates at the upper edge 61 of the liner 1.

Fig. 9 further illustrates the location and dimensions of the L-shaped perforated portion 24 in relation to the location of the consumer product 5 wrapped within the liner 20. The additional vertical portion 70 is a distance d3 from the left vertical edge 63. Vertical portion 28 is a distance d4 from right vertical edge 62. Preferably, the distance d3 and the distance d4 are identical. The distances d3 and d4 are chosen such that the left vertical edge 63 and the right vertical edge 62 overlap at the rear wall 16 of the finally produced container 1 and such that a portion of the liner 20 remains at the rear wall 16 of the container 1 with the removable portion 22 removed.

List of reference numerals

1 Container

5 Consumer goods, cigarette

Major face of a 5' packet of consumer goods

5' side of a pack of consumer goods

5 "' end faces of wrapped consumer goods

6 cavity

8 access opening

10 outer casing

11 ceiling wall

12 front wall

13 flap part

13' -13 "" area of the flip part

14 side wall

16 rear wall

17 box body part

18 side wall

19 crease line

20 inner liner

21 top end of inner liner

22 removable portion of liner

23 overlap portion

24L-shaped punching part

25 fold part

Horizontal part of 26L-shaped punching part

27 side wall of inner liner

Vertical portion of 28L-shaped punch

29 bottom end of inner liner

30 inner frame

31 first vertical crease or perforated line

32 front panel of inner frame

33 second vertical crease or perforated line

34 right side panel of inner frame

35 third vertical crease or perforated line

36 left side panel of inner frame

37 extend downward

38 horizontal incision

39 breakable connection

40 first foldable part

41. 41' third gluing zone

42. 42' first glue area

43 second glue area

44 left end portion of foldable portion

45 protruding piece

46 side part

47 right end of foldable part

48 front part of foldable part

50 second foldable part

51 first vertical crease or perforated line

53 second vertical crease or perforation line

55 third vertical crease or perforated line

58 horizontal incision

59 breakable connection

60 inner lining sheet

61 upper edge

62 right vertical edge

63 left vertical edge

64 second L-shaped punching part

65 second removable part

66 horizontal portion of the second punch section

68 vertical portion of the second punch portion

69 inner lining ring

70 additional vertical part

V longitudinal axis

W wrap axis of the liner.

Claims

1. A container (1) for consumer goods (5), comprising:

a. a housing (10) comprising a box portion (17) having a top opening closable by a flap portion (13), the box portion (17) comprising a front wall (12) and a rear wall (16) connected to each other by a bottom wall (15) opposite the top opening, and two side walls (14, 18); and

b. a pack of elongate consumer goods (5) wrapped with an inner liner (20) and arranged within the outer shell (10), and

c. an inner frame (30) arranged between the outer shell (10) and the inner liner (20), wherein the inner frame (30) comprises a front panel (32) and two side panels (34, 36), and further comprises a first vertical crease or perforated line (31) traversing at least a portion of the front panel (32) for defining at least one foldable portion (40) foldable towards the inside of the container (1) for selectively limiting a space within the container (1);

wherein the content of the first and second substances,

d. the liner (20) is formed from an inner liner sheet (60) comprising an L-shaped perforated portion (24) for separating a removable portion (22) of the liner (20) from the remaining portion; and is

e. The removable portion (22) defines an access opening (8) through which the consumer goods (5) can be removed, and wherein the perforated portion (24) of the liner (20) extends along the front wall (12), the first side wall (14) and the rear wall (16) of the container (1).

2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the inner frame (30) further comprises at least one horizontal cut (38) traversing a portion of the front panel (32) and a portion of one of the side panels (34) for further defining the at least one foldable portion (40).

3. Container according to claim 2, wherein the first vertical crease or perforation line (31) is arranged at a first end of the at least one horizontal cut (38).

4. Container according to one of claims 2 to 3, wherein the inner frame (30) comprises a second vertical crease or perforated line (33) at the second end of the at least one horizontal cut (38) at the side panel (34).

5. Container according to claim 4, wherein the second vertical crease or perforated line (33) extends at least from the second end of the horizontal cut (38) towards the upper edge of the side panel (34) of the inner frame (30).

6. Container according to one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the inner frame (30) comprises a third vertical crease or perforated line (35) between the front panel (32) and the side panel (34) above the at least one horizontal cut (38).

7. Container according to one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the inner frame (30) comprises at the horizontal cut (38) one or more breakable connections (39) between a foldable portion (40) and a non-foldable portion of the inner frame (30).

8. Container according to one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the inner frame (30) comprises a first glued portion (42) below the horizontal cut (38) at the front panel (32) and/or the inner frame (30) comprises a second glued portion (44) below the horizontal cut (38) at the side panel (34).

9. Container according to one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the horizontal cut-out (38) is arranged at or below an upper edge of the front panel of the housing (10) in the open position.

10. The container according to one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the removable portion (22) of the liner (20) and the at least one foldable portion (40) are arranged such that the at least one foldable portion (40) is not in contact with the liner (20) outside the removable portion (22).

11. A liner (20) for a container (1) for consumer goods (5), wherein the liner (20) is formed from a liner sheet (60) comprising an L-shaped perforated portion (24) for separating a removable portion (22) of the liner (20) from the remainder.

12. A liner according to claim 11, wherein the perforated portion (24) comprises a horizontal portion (26) starting at a vertical edge (62, 63) of the liner sheet (60) and extending parallel to a horizontal axis (H) of the liner sheet (60).

13. The liner according to one of claims 11 or 12, wherein the perforated portion (24) further comprises a vertical portion (28) starting from a horizontal edge (61) of the inner liner (60) and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis (V) of the inner liner (21).

14. Liner according to one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the inner liner sheet (21) is wrapped in a loop (69) around a wrapping axis (W) parallel to the longitudinal axis (V) of the inner liner sheet (21), wherein the loop (69) of the inner liner sheet (60) is closed at the top (23) and bottom (25) of the liner (20).

15. A method of wrapping a plurality of elongated consumer products (5) within an inner liner (20) according to one of claims 11 to 14, the method comprising the steps of:

a. forming a pack of elongated consumer products (5) arranged in parallel, substantially in the shape of a cuboid, said pack having two opposite main faces (5 '), two opposite side faces (5 ") along the length of the main faces (5'), and two opposite end faces (5" ') along the width of the main faces (5') at the ends of the elongated consumer products (5);

b. wrapping (69) the inner lining sheet (21) of the inner lining (20) around the pack of consumer products (5), wherein the wrapping axis (W) is parallel to the longitudinal axis (V) of the inner lining sheet (21) such that the L-shaped perforated portion (24) extends at least over two main faces and at least a portion of a side face of the pack of elongated consumer products (5); and

c. the loop (69) of lining sheet (21) is closed at the ends (21, 29) of the loop (69) for forming the lining (20).