EP1829799A2

EP1829799A2 - Rigid package for tobacco articles, with a glued hinged lid

Info

Publication number: EP1829799A2
Application number: EP07103362A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Roberto Polloni; Francesco Bertuzzi; Nicola Pizzini; Stefano Negrini
Original assignee: GD SpA; ATI Packaging SRL
Current assignee: GD SpA
Priority date: 2006-03-03
Filing date: 2007-03-01
Publication date: 2007-09-05
Anticipated expiration: 2027-03-01
Also published as: EP1829799A3; KR20070090817A; KR101318805B1; RU2007108017A; ITBO20060153A1; EP1829799B1; RU2424966C2; ATE508966T1; JP4976166B2; JP2007238182A

Abstract

A rigid package (1) for tobacco articles, having a parallelepiped-shaped container (2) housing a group of tobacco articles and having a withdrawal opening (3); and a cup-shaped lid (4) hinged to the container (2) along a hinge (5) to rotate, with respect to the container (2), between an open position and a closed position respectively opening and closing the withdrawal opening (3); the container (2) and the lid (4) are formed by folding two respective independent, separate blanks (18, 19); and the lid (4) is glued to a connecting tab (20) integral with a bottom end wall (9) of the container (2).

Description

The present invention relates to a rigid, hinged-lid package for tobacco articles.
The present invention may be used to particular advantage in a rigid cigarette packet, to which the following description refers purely by way of example.
Rigid, hinged-lid cigarette packets are currently the most commonly marketed, by being easy to produce, easy and practical to use, and effectively protecting the cigarettes inside.
A rigid, hinged-lid cigarette packet comprises a cup-shaped container having an open top end; and a cup-shaped lid hinged to the container along a hinge to rotate, with respect to the container, between an open position and a closed position respectively opening and closing the open end. A rigid, hinged-lid cigarette packet of the type described above is normally made by folding a single, flat, substantially elongated rectangular blank about a respective group of cigarettes wrapped in a sheet of foil; in which case, the lid and container both form part of the same blank. A U-folded collar, separate from the flat blank, is normally connected to the inside of the container, and projects partly outwards of the open end to engage a corresponding inner surface of the lid when the lid is in the closed position.
Rigid, hinged-lid cigarette packets of the above type, however, have several drawbacks. They tend to fall out of shape, and fail to adequately protect the cigarettes inside when subjected to relatively severe stress (as when carried in the user's trouser pocket), and accidental opening of the lid, thus possibly resulting in fall-out of the contents of the packet, is fairly common.
To eliminate the above drawbacks, Patent US 3881599 proposes a rigid cigarette packet of the above type, comprising a parallelepiped-shaped container housing a group of cigarettes and having a withdrawal opening; and a cup-shaped lid hinged to the container along a hinge to rotate, with respect to the container, between an open position and a closed position respectively opening and closing the withdrawal opening. The container and lid are formed by folding two respective independent, separate blanks, and the lid is glued to a bottom end wall of the container.
The packet described in Patent US 3881599 , however, is expensive to produce, by requiring a special packing machine featuring various parts modified with respect to a standard packing machine.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a rigid package for tobacco articles, designed to eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks, and which, at the same time, is cheap and easy to produce.
According to the present invention, there is provided a rigid package for tobacco articles, as claimed in the accompanying Claims.
A number of non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a front view in perspective of a rigid cigarette packet in accordance with the present invention and in a closed configuration;
Figure 2 shows a front view in perspective of the Figure 1 rigid cigarette packet in an open configuration;
Figure 3 shows a front view of the Figure 1 rigid cigarette packet in a closed configuration, and in which the dash lines indicate various inner component parts of the packet;
Figure 4 shows a front view of the Figure 1 rigid cigarette packet in an open configuration, and in which the dash lines indicate various inner component parts of the packet;
Figure 5 shows a plan view of a first blank by which to produce the rigid cigarette packet in Figure 1;
Figure 6 shows a plan view of a different embodiment of the Figure 5 blank;
Figure 7 shows a plan view of a second blank by which to produce the rigid cigarette packet in Figure 1;
Figure 8 shows a plan view of a different embodiment of the Figure 7 blank;
Figure 9 shows a plan view of a further embodiment of the Figure 7 blank.

Number 1 in Figure 1 indicates as a whole a rigid cigarette packet containing an orderly, parallelepiped-shaped group of cigarettes (not shown for the sake of clarity) wrapped in a sheet of foil wrapping material.
Packet 1 comprises a parallelepiped-shaped container 2 for housing the group of cigarettes, and having a cigarette withdrawal opening 3 at its top end. Packet 1 also comprises a cup-shaped lid 4 hinged to container 2 along a hinge 5 (shown in Figures 3 and 4) to rotate, with respect to container 2, between an open position and a closed position respectively opening and closing withdrawal opening 3.
Container 2 comprises two parallel opposite major lateral walls 6; two parallel opposite minor lateral walls 7 crosswise to major lateral walls 6; a top end wall 8; and a bottom end wall 9 parallel to and opposite top end wall 8. Four longitudinal edges 10 are defined between major lateral walls 6 and minor lateral walls 7; and eight transverse edges 11 are defined between lateral walls 6, 7 and end walls 8, 9. More specifically, transverse edges 11 are divided into four major transverse edges 11 defined between major lateral walls 6 and end walls 8, 9; and four minor transverse edges 11 defined between minor lateral walls 7 and end walls 8, 9. In the accompanying drawings, longitudinal edges 10 and transverse edges 11 are all square sharp edges.
Cup-shaped lid 4 is substantially parallelepiped-shaped, and comprises two parallel opposite major lateral walls 12; a minor lateral wall 13 crosswise to major lateral walls 12; a top end wall 14; and a bottom end wall 15 parallel to and opposite top end wall 14. Two longitudinal edges 16 are defined between major lateral walls 12 and minor lateral wall 13; and six transverse edges 17 are defined between lateral walls 12, 13 and end walls 14, 15. More specifically, transverse edges 17 are divided into four major transverse edges 17 defined between major lateral walls 12 and end walls 14, 15; and two minor transverse edges 17 defined between minor lateral wall 13 and end walls 14, 15. In the accompanying drawings, longitudinal edges 16 and transverse edges 17 are all square sharp edges.
Owing to the fact that top end wall 14 of lid 4 is larger than bottom end wall 15 of lid 4, each major lateral wall 12 of lid 4 preferably has a triangular-bevelled bottom portion.
Container 2 and lid 4 are formed by folding two respective independent, separate blanks 18 and 19 (Figures 5-8). Lid 4 is glued to bottom end wall 9 of container 2, so that hinge 5 is parallel to the minor transverse edges 11 of container 2 defined between minor lateral walls 7 and end walls 8, 9. Hinge 5 is preferably located on bottom end wall 9 of container 2, in an intermediate position between the two minor transverse edges 11 bounding bottom end wall 9. When lid 4 is in the closed position, top end wall 14 of lid 4 is positioned contacting top end wall 8 of container 2 and covers withdrawal opening 3, and bottom end wall 15 of lid 4 is positioned contacting bottom end wall 9 of container 2.
Bottom end wall 9 of container 2 has a connecting tab 20, which is separated from bottom end wall 9 by a fold line defining hinge 5, and is glued entirely to bottom end wall 15 of lid 4.
As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a stop member is provided to limit rotation of lid 4 with respect to container 2 and define a maximum fully-open position (shown in Figure 4). The stop member comprises two stop tabs 21, each projecting outwards of container 2 from a respective major lateral wall 6 of container 2; and two stop tabs 22, each of which projects inwards of lid 4 from a respective major lateral wall 12 of lid 4, and is positioned to engage a respective stop tab 21 as lid 4 is opened.
As shown in the accompanying drawings, each stop tab 21 is formed by removing a strip of material from a respective major lateral wall 6 of container 2. In an alternative embodiment, not shown, each stop tab 21 is formed by making an incision in a respective major lateral wall 6 of container 2.
Withdrawal opening 3 preferably extends over part of top end wall 8 of container 2 and part of major lateral walls 6 of container 2, so the cigarettes can be withdrawn quickly and easily through withdrawal opening 3. As shown in Figures 2, 4 and 5, withdrawal opening 3 is closed by a tear-off portion 23 of container 2. In an alternative embodiment shown in Figure 6, there is no tear-off portion 23. Tear-off portion 23 may close the whole of withdrawal opening 3, as shown in Figures 2, 4 and 5, or only part of withdrawal opening 3; in which latter case, tear-off portion 23 leaves part of withdrawal opening 3 at major lateral walls 6 exposed, to enable the user to grip and remove tear-off portion 23 more easily from container 2 when unsealing packet 1.
In an alternative embodiment not shown, minor lateral wall 13 of lid 4 has at least one through hole sized to permit insertion of the user's finger, and which facilitates opening of lid 4 by enabling the user to one-handedly impart a relative opening movement between lid 4 and container 2.
With reference to Figure 5, container 2 is formed by folding flat, substantially elongated rectangular blank 18, the component parts of which are indicated, where possible, using the same reference numbers, with superscripts, as for the corresponding parts of container 2.
Blank 18 has two longitudinal fold lines 24, and a number of transverse fold lines 25 defining, between the two longitudinal fold lines 24, a panel 8' forming part of top end wall 8; a panel 6' forming one major lateral wall 6; a panel 9' forming bottom end wall 9; a further panel 6' forming the other major lateral wall 6; and a panel 8" forming the rest of top end wall 8.
Each panel 6' has two wings 7', which form part of respective minor lateral walls 7, are located on opposite sides of relative panel 6', and are separated from relative panel 6' by longitudinal fold lines 24. A first wing 7' of one panel 6' has two tabs 26 separated from panel 6' by transverse fold lines 25, and a second wing 7' of the same panel 6' has one tab 26 separated from panel 6' by a transverse fold line 25 and substantially aligned with panel 9'.
Connecting tab 20 is connected to panel 9', and is separated from panel 9' by a fold line defining hinge 5 and parallel to longitudinal fold lines 24.
Figure 6 shows an alternative embodiment of blank 18 for forming container 2.
In the alternative embodiment in Figure 6, blank 18 has two longitudinal fold lines 24, and a number of transverse fold lines 25 defining, between the two longitudinal fold lines 24, a panel 9' forming part of bottom end wall 9; a panel 6' forming one major lateral wall 6; a panel 8' forming top end wall 8; a further panel 6' forming the other major lateral wall 6; and a panel 9" forming the rest of bottom end wall 9.
Each panel 6' has two wings 7', which form part of respective minor lateral walls 7, are located on opposite sides of relative panel 6', and are separated from relative panel 6' by longitudinal fold lines 24. A first wing 7' of one panel 6' has two tabs 26 separated from panel 6' by transverse fold lines 25, and a second wing 7' of the same panel 6' has one tab 26 separated from panel 6' by a transverse fold line 25 and substantially aligned with panel 9".
Connecting tab 20 is connected to panel 9', and is separated from panel 9' by a fold line defining hinge 5 and parallel to longitudinal fold lines 24.
With reference to Figure 7, lid 4 is formed by folding flat, substantially elongated rectangular blank 19, the component parts of which are indicated, where possible, using the same reference numbers, with superscripts, as for the corresponding parts of lid 4.
Blank 19 has two transverse fold lines 27, and a number of longitudinal fold lines 28 defining, between transverse fold lines 27, a panel 12' forming one major lateral wall 12; a panel 13' forming minor lateral wall 13; and a panel 12' forming the other major lateral wall 12.
One panel 12' has two wings 14' and 15', which are located at opposite ends of panel 12', are separated from panel 12' by transverse fold lines 27, and form respective inner portions of end walls 14 and 15; panel 13' has two wings 14" and 15", which are located at opposite ends of panel 13', are separated from panel 13' by transverse fold lines 27, and form respective inner portions of end walls 14 and 15; and the other panel 12' has two wings 14"' and 15"', which are located at opposite ends of panel 12', are separated from panel 12' by transverse fold lines 27, and form respective outer portions of end walls 14 and 15.
Wings 14', 15', 14" and 15" are shaped so as not to overlap when folded onto wings 14"' and 15"' to define end walls 14 and 15 of lid 4.
Figure 8 shows an alternative embodiment of blank 19 for forming lid 4.
In the Figure 8 embodiment, blank 19 has two longitudinal fold lines 29, and a number of transverse fold lines 30 defining, between longitudinal fold lines 29, a panel 14' forming part of top end wall 14; a panel 12' forming one major lateral wall 12; a panel 15' forming bottom end wall 15; a further panel 12' forming the other major lateral wall 12; and a panel 14" forming the rest of top end wall 14.
Each panel 12' has a wing 13' forming part of minor lateral wall 13 and separated from panel 12' by a longitudinal fold line 29. Wing 13' of one panel 12' has two tabs 31 separated from wing 13' by transverse fold lines 30. A top wing 31 and panel 14' are shaped so as not to overlap when folded onto panel 14" to define top end wall 14.
Figure 9 shows a further embodiment of blank 19 for forming lid 4.
In the Figure 9 embodiment, blank 19 has two longitudinal fold lines 29, and a number of transverse fold lines 30 defining, between longitudinal fold lines 29, a panel 15' forming part of bottom end wall 15; a panel 12' forming one major lateral wall 12; a panel 14' forming top end wall 14; a further panel 12' forming the other major lateral wall 12; and a panel 15" forming the rest of bottom end wall 15.
Each panel 12' has a wing 13' forming part of minor lateral wall 13 and separated from panel 12' by a longitudinal fold line 29. Wing 13' of one panel 12' has two tabs 31 separated from wing 13' by transverse fold lines 30. A top wing 31 and panel 15' are shaped so as not to overlap when folded onto panel 15" to define bottom end wall 15.
In the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, longitudinal edges 10, 16 and transverse edges 11, 17 are all square sharp edges. In an alternative embodiment not shown, some longitudinal edges 10, 16 and/or some transverse edges 11, 17 are non-square rounded or bevelled edges. For example, all the longitudinal edges 10, 16 may be non-square rounded or bevelled edges, or (as in the cigarette packet described in Patent Application EP 764595 ) all the major transverse edges 11, 17 may be non-square rounded or bevelled edges. Alternatively, some longitudinal edges 10, 16 and some transverse edges 11, 17 may be non-square rounded or bevelled edges, so as to have both non-square rounded or bevelled longitudinal edges 10, 16 and non-square rounded or bevelled transverse edges 11, 17.
In an alternative embodiment not shown, packet 1 may be as described in Patent Application EP 1066206 ; in which case, each major lateral wall 6, 12 is outwardly convex, and has a respective flat central portion, and two curved, creased lateral bands connecting the flat central portion to minor lateral walls 7, 13 at respective sharp, non-square longitudinal edges 10, 16.
In an alternative embodiment not shown, packet 1 may be as described in Patent Application WO 03026984 ; in which case, each major lateral wall 6, 12 is outwardly convex, and has a respective flat central portion, and two curved, creased lateral bands connecting the flat central portion to end walls 8, 9, 14, 15 at respective sharp, non-square transverse edges 11, 17.
Packet 1 as described above has various advantages: it is cheap and easy to produce, provides for effectively protecting the cigarettes inside container 2, and can be opened quickly and easily. At the same time, accidental opening of lid 4 is substantially prevented, regardless of how the packet is used. It is important to note that packet 1 as described above is cheap and easy to produce, by being producible on a packing machine very similar to a standard packing machine.
In view of its numerous advantages, packet 1 as described above may be applied integrally to the manufacture of other types of rigid packages for tobacco articles, such as cigarette cartons or cigar packets.

Claims

A rigid package for tobacco articles, comprising:
a parallelepiped-shaped container (2), which is formed by folding a first blank (18), houses a group of tobacco articles, and comprises two major lateral walls (6), two minor lateral walls (7), a top end wall (8) with a withdrawal opening (3), and a bottom end wall (9); and

a cup-shaped lid (4), which is formed by folding a second blank (19) independent of and separate from the first blank (18), and is hinged to the container (2) along a hinge (5) to rotate, with respect to the container (2), between an open position and a closed position respectively opening and closing the withdrawal opening (3); the lid (4) having two major lateral walls (12), a minor lateral wall (13), a top end wall (14) covering the withdrawal opening (3) when the lid (4) is in the closed position, and a bottom end wall (15) parallel to and opposite the top end wall (14) of the lid and positioned contacting the bottom end wall (9) of the container (2) when the lid (4) is in the closed position;

the package (1) being characterized in that the container (2) comprises a connecting tab (20), which is separated from the container (2) by a fold line defining the hinge (5), and is glued entirely to the lid (4).
A package as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the connecting tab (20) is connected to the bottom end wall (9) of the container (2) by the fold line defining the hinge (5), and the connecting tab (20) is glued entirely to the bottom end wall (15) of the lid (4).
A package as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the bottom end wall (9) of the container (2) is bounded by two minor transverse edges (11) defined between the bottom end wall (9) and the minor lateral walls (7) of the container; and the hinge (5) is located on the bottom end wall (9) of the container (2), in an intermediate position between the two minor transverse edges (11) bounding the bottom end wall (9) of the container.
A package as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, and comprising stop means for limiting rotation of the lid (4) with respect to the container (2) to define a maximum fully-open position.
A package as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the stop means comprise at least one first stop tab (21) projecting outwards of the container (2) from a major lateral wall (6) of the container (2); and a second stop tab (22) projecting inwards of the lid (4) from a major lateral wall (12) of the lid (4) and positioned to engage the first stop tab (21) as the lid (4) is opened.
A package as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the stop means comprise two first stop tabs (21), each located on a respective major lateral wall (6) of the container (2); and two second stop tabs (22), each located on a respective major lateral wall (12) of the lid (4).
A package as claimed in Claim 5 or 6, wherein each first stop tab (21) is formed by making an incision in a respective major lateral wall (6) of the container (2).
A package as claimed in Claim 5 or 6, wherein each first stop tab (21) is formed by removing a strip of material from a respective major lateral wall (6) of the container (2).
A package as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the withdrawal opening (3) extends over part of the top end wall (8) of the container (2) and part of the major lateral walls (6) of the container (2).
A package as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the withdrawal opening (3) is at least partly closed by a tear-off portion (23) of the container (2).
A package as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the tear-off portion (23) closes the withdrawal opening (3) completely.
A package as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the tear-off portion (23) only closes part of the withdrawal opening (3).
A package as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 12, wherein the minor lateral wall (13) of the lid (4) comprises at least one through hole sized to permit insertion of a user's finger.
A package as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 13, wherein the top end wall (14) of the lid (4) is larger than the bottom end wall (15) of the lid (4).
A package as claimed in Claim 14, wherein each major lateral wall (12) of the lid (4) has a bevelled bottom portion.
A package as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 15, wherein the flat first blank (18) has two longitudinal fold lines (24), and a number of transverse fold lines (25) defining, between the longitudinal fold lines (24), a first panel (8') forming part of the top end wall (8); a second panel (6') forming one major lateral wall (6); a third panel (9') forming the bottom end wall (9); a fourth panel (6') forming the other major lateral wall (6); and a fifth panel (8") forming the rest of the top end wall (8); the second panel (6') and the fourth panel (6') each having two wings (7'), which form part of the respective minor lateral walls (7), are located on opposite sides of the relative second or fourth panel (6', 6'), and are separated from the relative second or fourth panel (6', 6') by the longitudinal fold lines (24).
A package as claimed in Claim 16, wherein a first wing (7') of the fourth panel (6') has two tabs (26) separated from the fourth panel (6') by the transverse fold lines (25); and a second wing (7') of the fourth panel (6') has only one tab (26), which is separated from the fourth panel (6') by a transverse fold line (25) and is substantially aligned with the third panel (9').
A package as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 17, wherein the flat first blank (18) has two longitudinal fold lines (24), and a number of transverse fold lines (25) defining, between the longitudinal fold lines (24), a first panel (9') forming part of the bottom end wall (9); a second panel (6') forming one major lateral wall (6); a third panel (8') forming the top end wall (8); a fourth panel (6') forming the other major lateral wall (6); and a fifth panel (9") forming the rest of the bottom end wall (9); the second panel (6') and the fourth panel (6') each having two wings (7'), which form part of the respective minor lateral walls (7), are located on opposite sides of the relative second or fourth panel (6', 6'), and are separated from the relative second or fourth panel (6', 6') by the longitudinal fold lines (24).
A package as claimed in Claim 18, wherein a first wing (7') of the fourth panel (6') has two tabs (26) separated from the fourth panel (6') by the transverse fold lines (25); and a second wing (7') of the fourth panel (6') has only one tab (26), which is separated from the fourth panel (6') by a transverse fold line (25) and is substantially aligned with the fifth panel (9").
A package as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 19, wherein the flat second blank (19) has two transverse fold lines (27), and a number of longitudinal fold lines (28) defining, between the transverse fold lines (27), a first panel (12') forming one major lateral wall (12); a second panel (13') forming the minor lateral wall (13); and a third panel (12') forming the other major lateral wall (12).
A package as claimed in Claim 20, wherein the first panel (12') has two first wings (14', 15'), which are located at opposite ends of the first panel (12'), are separated from the first panel (12') by the transverse fold lines (27), and form respective inner portions of the end walls (14, 15); the second panel (13') having two second wings (14", 15"), which are located at opposite ends of the second panel (13'), are separated from the second panel (13') by the transverse fold lines (27), and form respective inner portions of the end walls (14, 15); and the third panel (12') having two third wings (14"', 15"'), which are located at opposite ends of the third panel (12'), are separated from the third panel (12') by the transverse fold lines (27), and form respective outer portions of the end walls (14, 15) .
A package as claimed in Claim 21, wherein the first and second wings (14', 15', 14", 15") are shaped so as not to overlap when folded onto the third wings (14"', 15"') to define the end walls (14, 15) of the lid (4).
A package as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 19, wherein the flat second blank (19) has two longitudinal fold lines (29), and a number of transverse fold lines (30) defining, between the longitudinal fold lines (29), a first panel (14') forming part of the top end wall (14); a second panel (12') forming one major lateral wall (12); a third panel (15') forming the bottom end wall (15); a fourth panel (12') forming the other major lateral wall (12); and a fifth panel (14") forming the rest of the top end wall (14).
A package as claimed in Claim 23, wherein the second and fourth panel (12') each have a wing (13'), which forms part of the minor lateral wall (13) and is separated from the second or fourth panel (12') by a longitudinal fold line (29).
A package as claimed in Claim 24, wherein the wing (13') of the second panel (12') has two tabs (31) separated from the wing (13') by the transverse fold lines (30).
A package as claimed in Claim 25, wherein a top tab (31) and the first panel (14') are shaped so as not to overlap when folded onto the fifth panel (14") to define the top end wall (14).
A package as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 19, wherein the flat second blank (19) has two longitudinal fold lines (29), and a number of transverse fold lines (30) defining, between the longitudinal fold lines (29), a first panel (15') forming part of the bottom end wall (15); a second panel (12') forming one major lateral wall (12); a third panel (14') forming the top end wall (14); a fourth panel (12') forming the other major lateral wall (12); and a fifth panel (15") forming the rest of the bottom end wall (15).
A package as claimed in Claim 27, wherein the second and fourth panel (12') each have a wing (13'), which forms part of the minor lateral wall (13) and is separated from the second or fourth panel (12') by a longitudinal fold line (29).
A package as claimed in Claim 28, wherein the wing (13') of the second panel (12') has two tabs (31) separated from the wing (13') by the transverse fold lines (30).
A package as claimed in Claim 29, wherein a top tab (31) and the first panel (15') are shaped so as not to overlap when folded onto the fifth panel (15") to define the bottom end wall (15).