EP1888414A1

EP1888414A1 - Packet for loose items, corresponding blank, and method of folding the blank

Info

Publication number: EP1888414A1
Application number: EP06765546A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Marco Ghini; Fulvio Boldrini
Original assignee: Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche ACMA SpA
Current assignee: Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche ACMA SpA
Priority date: 2005-06-08
Filing date: 2006-06-07
Publication date: 2008-02-20
Anticipated expiration: 2026-06-07
Also published as: ATE469836T1; PT1888414E; ES2345275T3; EP1888414B1; DE602006014680D1; PL1888414T3; WO2006131830A1; DK1888414T3; ITBO20050394A1

Abstract

A rigid packet for loose tablet-type sweets or chewing gum is composed of an outer casing (2) , and an inner casing (3) with a small opening (4) , accommodated slidably in the outer casing (2) . The packet (1) can shift between a closed configuration in which the opening (4) is concealed completely by the outer casing (2) , and an open configuration in which the opening (4) is at least partly exposed, allowing the contents to be dispensed. The outer and inner casings (2, 3) are interconnected by a mechanism (12) designed to stabilize the packet (1) in each of the two configurations, ensuring it will neither open accidentally when not in use nor close accidentally as the contents are being dispensed.

Description

PACKET FOR LOOSE ITEMS, CORRESPONDING BLANK, AND METHOD OF FOLDING THE BLANK

Technical Field

The present invention concerns a packet serving to contain loose items, also a blank from which to fashion such a packet, and a method of folding the blank. The invention finds application, advantageously, in the art field of packagings for sweets, candy, chewing gum and the like, and typically containers in which such products are packed loose.

In particular, the present invention relates to rigid packets of recloseable design, fashioned for example from cardboard.

Background Art

The prior art embraces packets of recloseable type consisting in a container of parallelepiped appearance that presents a base, and a set of side walls extending parallel to a longitudinal axis. The packet is also furnished uppermost with a lid, hinged to the container and retained in the closed position by means of a tongue attached permanently to the selfsame container and designed to engage a lip presented by an inside face of the lid. The products contained in such packets often cannot be dispensed satisfactorily, in particular small tablet-type items, given that with the lid in the open position, the size of the opening through which the contents are released is the same as the entire cross sectional area of the packet.

In addition, the lid remains free to pivot on its hinge when open, and can impede the passage of the contents when shaken out of the packet. Finally, the tongue is easily defaced, so that the closure of the lid cannot be guaranteed for as long as the contents may remain in the packet .

Also embraced by the prior art are packets of the type disclosed in reference FR 2850952, composed of two casings slidable one within another. The inner casing presents an opening of outline selected to suit the product, located in one side face, which is opened or closed by sliding the outer casing over the inner casing. The two casings are joined by a tear-off strip that must be removed in order to enable the sliding motion that opens the packet. Finally, the two casings are interconnected by way of a common appendage associated with a bottom edge of the outer casing and with a bottom end face of the inner casing, serving as a travel limiter that prevents the two casings sliding entirely free of one another .

Once the tear-off strip has been removed, the two parts of the conventional packet described briefly above remain free to slide as far as the travel limiting appendage will allow, and consequently it will often happen that when movement is induced in the packet, for example when in a garment pocket or a bag, the two parts extend one from another, far enough to expose the opening and allow the tablets or sweets to spill out accidentally.

Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide a packet unaffected by the drawbacks mentioned above. One object of the invention, in particular, is to provide a packet for loose items such as will allow the contents to be dispensed without difficulty and at the same guarantee the packet remains shut when placed in a pocket or a bag before and after use. A further object of the invention is to provide a diecut blank from which to fashion the packet, and a method of folding such a blank, without the need for complex and costly packaging machinery.

Disclosure of the Invention

The stated objects are duly realized in a packet serving to contain loose items, a blank from which to fashion such a packet, and a method of folding the blank, as recited and characterized in one or more of the appended claims.

The invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:

-figures Ia and Ib are schematic perspective views depicting a packet in accordance with the present invention, illustrated in respective closed and open positions;

-figure 2 shows a diecut blank in accordance with the invention, from which to fashion the packet of figures Ia and Ib;

-figures 3a and 3b show the blank of figure 2 in respective folding steps, implemented by a method according to the present invention;

-figures 4, 5 and 6 show the blank of figure 2 in respective alternative embodiments;

-figures 7a, 7b and 7c are schematic side views showing the packet of figures Ia and Ib, fashioned from the blank of figure 2, seen with certain parts cut away and illustrated in closed, partly open and fully open positions;

-figures 8a, 9b and 9c are schematic side views showing the packet of figures Ia and Ib, fashioned from the blank of figure 5 or 6, seen with certain parts cut away and illustrated in closed, partly open and fully open positions;

-figures 9a and 9b are schematic perspective views depicting a first alternative embodiment of the packet according to the present invention, seen with certain parts omitted and illustrated in respective closed and open positions;

-figure 10 shows a diecut blank in accordance with the invention, from which to fashion the packet of figures 9a and 9b;

-figures 11a and lib are schematic perspective views depicting a second alternative embodiment of the packet according to the invention, seen with certain parts cut away or omitted and illustrated in respective closed and open positions;

-figure 12 shows a diecut blank in accordance with the invention, from which to fashion the packet of figures 11a and lib;

-figures 13a and 13b are schematic perspective views depicting a third alternative embodiment of the packet according to the invention, illustrated in respective closed and open positions;

-figure 14 shows a diecut blank in accordance with the invention, from which to fashion the packet of figures 13a and 13b;

-figures 15a and 15b are schematic perspective views depicting a fourth alternative embodiment of the packet according to the invention, seen with certain parts omitted and illustrated in respective closed and open positions.

-figure 16 shows a diecut blank in accordance with the invention, from which to fashion the packet of figures 15a and 15b;

-figures 17a and 17b are schematic perspective views depicting a fifth alternative embodiment of the packet according to the invention, illustrated in respective closed and open positions;

-figure 18 shows a diecut blank in accordance with the invention, from which to fashion the packet of figures 17a and 17b;

-figures 19a and 19b are schematic perspective views depicting a sixth alternative embodiment of the packet according to the invention, illustrated in respective closed and open positions;

-figure 20 shows a diecut blank in accordance with the invention, from which to fashion the packet of figures 19a and 19b;

-figure 21 shows a further embodiment of the packet illustrated in figure 19a.

With reference to figure 1, numeral 1 indicates a packet, in its entirety, serving to contain loose items, preferably sweets, candy or the like.

The packet 1 is composed of at least one outer casing 2, and at least one inner casing 3, the inner casing 3 furnished with an opening 4 and accommodated slidably within the outer casing 2, capable of movement thus between a first closed configuration and a second open configuration. In the closed configuration, the inner casing 3 is retracted and the outer casing 2 located over the opening 4, concealing it completely, whereas in the open configuration, the inner casing 3 is extended a certain distance from the outer casing 2 with the opening 4 exposed at least in part, so that the contents of the packet 1 can be dispensed.

In the preferred embodiment of the packet shown in figures Ia and Ib, the outer casing 2 appears as a right parallelepiped with a rectangular base, presenting a bottom 5, and a side wall 6 made up of four faces 6a and 6b. The outer casing 2 presents an open end 7 opposite to the bottom 5 and serving to accommodate the inner casing 3, which appears likewise as a parallelepiped having a rectangular base, presenting a top 8, and a side wall 9 made up of four faces 9a and 9b; the inner casing 3 fits only part of the way into the outer casing 2, even in the closed configuration, without reaching to the bottom 5. The two casings 2 and 3 combine to delimit a single enclosure 10 serving to contain the product, and varying in volume as the mutually slidable casings 2 and 3 are displaced one relative to another. The enclosure 10 communicates with surrounding space by way of the opening 4, which is circular in this instance, cut into one smaller face 9a presented by the side wall 9 of the inner casing 3 and located near to the top 8. The inner casing 3 slides along a longitudinal axis X of the packet 1 between the retracted condition mentioned above

(figure Ia) , in which the top 8 lies flush with an edge 11 presented by the side wall 6 of the outer casing 2 and the opening 4 is breasted with one of the smaller faces 6a of the selfsame side wall 6, and the extended condition (figure Ib) , in which the opening 4 is located beyond the edge 11 and exposed. The packet 1 further comprises stabilizing means, denoted 12 in their entirety, interposed between the outer casing 2 and the inner casing 3 and serving to stabilize the two parts in each of the aforementioned configurations, so that the packet 1 will neither open accidentally when not in use, nor close accidentally while the contents are being dispensed. In the embodiments illustrated, such stabilizing means 12 function by exploiting the pliable nature of the material from which they are fabricated, generally paper (cardboard) or plastic. In this instance, such means could therefore be described as flexible stabilizing means.

More exactly, the stabilizing means 12 comprise at least one connecting appendage 13 hinged to the side wall 6 of the outer casing 2 and to the side wall 9 of the inner casing 3, which is breasted in sliding contact with the aforementioned side wall 6 of the outer casing 2.

During the movement of the inner casing 3 and the outer casing 2 one relative to the other, as discernible from figures Ia, Ib, 7a, 7b and 7c, the stabilizing means 12 shift between a first position corresponding to the closed configuration, in which the appendage 13 is disposed parallel to the side walls 6 and 9 of the casings 2 and 3, and a second position corresponding to the open configuration, in which the appendage 13 is rotated through 180° relative to the first position. The movement of the appendage 13 has the effect of inducing an elastic deformation (figures 7a, 7b and 7c) in the face 9b presented by the side wall 9 of the inner casing 3 to which it is attached. Thus, the packet 1 assumes a position of unstable balance when the face 9b in question is at maximum deflection (figure 7b) . To facilitate the bending action and render the movement smoother, the face 9b with which the appendage 13 is associated extends beyond the adjoining faces 9a so that the side edges remain unconstrained.

In the preferred embodiment of figures Ia and Ib, each of the larger faces 9b of the inner casing 3 extends beyond the adjoining smaller faces 9a and is joined to a relative appendage 13, consisting in a single leaf, along a first hinge line denoted 14. The appendage 13 lies approximately mid-way along the longitudinal dimension of the outer casing 2 and is pivotable, relative to the larger face 6a of the selfsame outer casing 2, about a second hinge line denoted 15.

In the first position (figures Ia and 7a) , the appendage 13 is sandwiched between the side face 9b of the inner casing 3 and the side face 6b of the outer casing 2, whereas in the second position, the appendage 13 is flipped 180° about the second hinge line 15 and aligned in the same plane as the face 9b of the inner casing 3 (figures Ib and 7c) . In the course of the movement between the closed configuration and the open configuration, the ends of the two opposite larger faces 9b adjacent to the respective first hinge lines 14 are flexed toward one another (figure 7b) by the forcing action of the appendages 13, reacting thus in the manner of leaf springs .

In practice, the stabilizing means 12 serve to ensure that the packet 1 has two stable positions, whilst in passing from one position to the other, a configuration of unstable balance is assumed with the inner casing 3 biased non-detentably toward either the closed or the open configuration.

Alternatively, as illustrated in figures 8a, 8b and 8c, the appendage 13 can consist in a plurality of leaves 16 hinged one to another along at least one auxiliary hinge line 17. In the course of the movement between the first and second positions, each of the leaves 16 will flip through 180° as described previously, whereas in this instance the packet 1 is able to assume a plurality of stable intermediate positions.

It will be observed that the operating principle and the alternative solution of figures 8a, 8b and 8c, albeit described in detail with reference only to the packet of figures Ia and Ib, are common to all of the different embodiments illustrated.

The packet 1 of figures Ia and Ib is fashioned preferably from a flat diecut blank 18 of the type illustrated in figures 2, 4, 5 or 6, referable to a longitudinal axis denoted Y.

The blank 18 in question presents a main group 19 of panels 20 arranged side by side along a first transverse axis Z, separated one from another by respective longitudinal crease lines 21 and serving to form the side wall 6 of the outer casing 2 of the packet 1.

Referring in particular to figure 2, the main group 19 of panels comprises a first panel 20a, a second panel 20b, a third panel 20c and a fourth panel 2Od, all rectangular, and a joint flap 22 of trapezoidal outline, ordered in sequence one beside the next along the transverse axis Z. The first and third panels 20a and 20c coincide with the smaller side faces 6a of the outer casing 2, whilst the second and fourth panels 20b and 2Od coincide with the larger side faces 6b of the outer casing 2. When forming the packet 1, the flap 22 is united with and secured to the first panel 20a. Each of the four rectangular panels 20a, 20b, 20c and 2Od also presents a closure flap 23, attached to the panel 20 along a relative transverse crease line 24 normal to the aforementioned longitudinal crease lines 21. The closure flaps 23 combine to form the bottom 5 of the packet 1.

Also forming part of the blank 18, located at the end remote from the closure flaps 23 and aligned on the longitudinal axis Y, is an auxiliary group 25 of panels 26 ordered one beside the next along a second transverse axis denoted W; the panels 26 are separated one from another by relative longitudinal crease lines 27 and make up the side wall 9 of the inner casing 3 of the packet 1.

Still with reference to figure 2, the auxiliary group 25 of panels comprises a joint flap 28 of trapezoidal outline, also a first panel 26a, a second panel 26b, a third panel 26c and a fourth panel 26d, all rectangular, ordered in sequence one beside the next along the transverse axis W. The first and third panels 26a and 26c coincide with the larger faces 9a of the inner casing 3, whilst the second panel 26b and the fourth panel 26d coincide with the smaller faces 9b of the inner casing 3, the second panel 26b presenting the circular opening 4. When forming the packet 1, the flap 28 is united with and secured to the fourth panel 26d. Each of the four rectangular panels 26a, 26b, 26c and 26d also presents a closure flap 29, attached to the panel 26 along a transverse crease line 30 normal to the longitudinal crease lines 27. The closure flaps 29 combine to form the top 8 of the packet 1.

The main group 19 of panels is attached to the auxiliary group 25 by way of connecting panels 31, each presenting a first end 32 joined to one of the panels 26 of the auxiliary group 25, and a second end 33 joined to one of the panels 20 of the main group 19 along a transverse crease line denoted 34.

In the example of figure 2, a first connecting panel 31a is located between the second panel 20b of the main group 19 and the first panel 26a of the auxiliary group 25, whilst a second connecting panel 31b is located between the fourth panel 2Od of the main group 19 and the third panel 26c of the auxiliary group 25. The first end 32 of each connecting panel 31a and 31b presents the aforementioned first and second hinge lines 14 and 15, which extend parallel to the transverse crease lines 34 and delimit the relative appendage 13, consisting in a single leaf. In addition, the first and third panels 26a and 26c of the auxiliary group 25 are associated with the respective connecting panels 31 by way of a portion 35 that extends beyond the adjoining second and fourth panels 26b and 26d. Finally, the blank 18 presents an opening 36, for example of circular outline, located between each connecting panel 31 and the associated panel 20 of the main group 19 and providing the packet 1 with a thumb cut 37 in the edge 11 of the outer casing 2, such as will facilitate the operation of gripping and pulling out the inner casing 3.

Unlike the blank 18 of figure 2, the blanks 18 illustrated in figures 4, 5 and 6 are furnished with appendages 13 appearing each as a plurality of leaves 16 separated by auxiliary hinge lines 17. These blanks 18 also present an auxiliary flap 38 joined to the third panel 20c of the main group 19 along a corresponding transverse crease line 34 at the end of the panel 20c opposite to the closure flap 23, and aligned on the longitudinal axis Y.

More exactly, the blank of figure 4 presents an appendage 13 comprising two leaves 16 separated by one auxiliary hinge line 17, the blank of figure 5 presents an appendage 13 comprising five leaves 16 with four auxiliary hinge lines 17, and the blank of figure 6 is similar to that of figure 5, but with longer panels.

The packet 1 of figures Ia and Ib is fashioned from one of the flat blanks 18 described above, employing a preferred though not exclusive method including a first step in which the connecting panels 31 are folded along the relative transverse crease line 34, then flattened against and secured

(by gluing, for example) to the panels of the main group 19, although leaving the appendages 13 free.

In the example of figure 3a, the first connecting panel 31a is flattened against the second panel 20b of the main group 19 and the second connecting panel

31b is flattened against the fourth panel 2Od of the main group 19. Thereafter, or as part of the same step, the auxiliary group 25 of panels is bent along the first or second hinge lines 14 or 15 and flattened against the connecting panels 31, though not secured to these same panels, so that the blank will appear partially folded and flat on completion of the two steps. In the example of figure 3a, the first panel 26a of the auxiliary group 25 partially overlaps the first connecting panel 31a and the second panel 20b of the main group 19, whilst the third panel 26c of the auxiliary group 25 partially overlaps the second connecting panel 31b and the fourth panel 2Od of the main group 19.

The next step of the method consists in bending the panels 20 of the main group 19 and the panels 26 of the auxiliary group 25 along the respective longitudinal crease lines 21 and 27 (figure 3b) , keeping the auxiliary group 25 of panels on the inside of the packet 1.

Thereafter, the opposite ends 39 and 40 of the main group 19 of panels, aligned on the transverse axis Z, and the opposite ends 41 and 42 of the auxiliary group 25 of panels, aligned similarly on the transverse axis W, are joined one to another, and the ends 43 and 44 of the packet 1, aligned on the longitudinal axis X, are each closed.

The opposite ends 39 and 40 of the main group 19 are joined by placing the first panel 20a over the relative connecting flap 22, whilst the opposite ends 41 and 42 of the auxiliary group 25 are joined by placing the fourth panel 26d over the relative connecting flap 28 (figure 3b) . Lastly, the ends 43 and 44 of the packet 1 aligned on the longitudinal axis X are closed in conventional manner by folding and overlapping the two sets of flaps 23 and 29. In addition to these steps, when utilizing a blank 18 as in figures 4, 5 and 6, the auxiliary flap 38 is bent along the relative transverse crease line 34 and flattened against the third panel 20c of the main group 19, thereby strengthening the edge 11 of the outer casing associated with the opening 4 of the inner casing 3.

As illustrated in figures 2, 4, 5 and 6, all of the hinge lines 14, 15 and 17 are orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X of the packet 1, so that the translational movement of the two casings 2 and 3 one relative to the other occurs along this same axis X.

A first alternative embodiment of the packet 1, illustrated in figures 9a, 9b and 10, presents sets of skew hinge lines 14, 15 and 17 converging on a common centre, thus allowing the inner casing 3 to pivot relative to the outer casing 2 when shifted between the closed configuration (figure 9a) and the open configuration (figure 9b) . On the blank 18 of figure 10, furthermore, the openings 36 for the thumb cuts 37 are fashioned in the two connecting panels 31 and in the second and fourth panels 20b and 2Od of the main group 19, whilst the first panel 20a and the joint flap 22 of this same group are shorter than the second and fourth panels 20b and 2Od. With this type of structure, the outer casing 2 of the packet 1 can be fashioned with one smaller face 6a, provided by the first panel 20a, made shorter than the face 6a on the side offered to the opening 4, provided by the third panel 20c, so that the inner casing 3 is rendered capable of angular movement when pulled open (figure 9b) .

A second alternative embodiment of the packet 1, illustrated in figures 11a, lib and 12, presents the opening 4 in one of the larger faces 9b of the inner casing 3, and the openings 36 are located on respective top edges 46 of the first panel 20a, the third panel 20c and the connecting flap 22 of the main group 19, so as to provide thumb cuts 37 on the smaller faces 6a of the outer casing 2.

In a third alternative embodiment of the present invention illustrated in figures 13a, 13b and 14, the packet 1 is furnished with two inner casings 3 occupying the two opposite ends 7 of a single outer casing 2, which therefore has no bottom 5. The blank 18 in this instance presents two auxiliary groups 25 of panels attached to opposite ends 47 and 48 of the main group 19 of panels, aligned on the longitudinal axis Y and serving to form the respective inner casings 3.

In a further embodiment of the invention, not shown in the drawings, the packet 1 could include two outer casings 2 associated with opposite ends of a single inner casing 3. A fourth alternative embodiment of the packet 1, illustrated in figures 15a, 15b and 16, differs from the packet 1 of figures Ia and Ib in that the openings 36 and the resulting thumb cuts 37 are dissimilar in shape, and the top 8 of the inner casing 3 is angled convergently with the bottom 5, inclined downwardly from the smaller face 9a with the opening 4, toward the smaller face 9a opposite. This particular shape will be obtained employing a blank 18 (figure 16) of which the closure flaps 29 associated with the first and third panels 26a and 26c of the auxiliary group 25 are attached along crease lines 30 angled relative to the transverse axes Z and W of the blank and converging toward a common point on the second panel 26b. A fifth alternative embodiment of the packet 1, illustrated in figures 17a, 17b and 18, presents a bottom 5 and a top 8 of square outline with corner bevels, and accordingly, the blank 18 will present additional panels 49 interposed between the panels of the main group 19 and those of the auxiliary group 25, serving to generate respective bevelled corner edges of the packet 1.

Finally, in a sixth alternative embodiment of the invention, illustrated in figures 19a, 19b and 20, the packet 1 appears as a prism with a hexagonal base. The blank 18 in this instance presents a main group 19 of six panels 20a, 20b, 20c, 2Od, 20e and 2Of, and an auxiliary group 25 of six panels 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d, 26e and 26f, linked one to another by three connecting panels 31a, 31b and 31c. As in the various embodiments already described, the top edge 11 of the outer casing 2 presents a pair of thumb cuts 37 such as will facilitate the step of gripping and pulling out the inner casing 3. In the example of figure 21, the two thumb cuts 37 are located on opposite sides of the packet 1, relative to its longitudinal axis .

Generally considered, therefore, the packet 1 according to the invention can present any given number of side faces 6a, 6b, 9a and 9b and at least one appendage 13 associated with at least one such face. Hence, the blank 18 will present at least one connecting panel 31.

In a preferred embodiment, where the packet 1 appears as a parallelepiped with a plurality of faces, the appendages 13 will be associated with alternate faces and the blank 18 will present a number of connecting panels 31 equivalent to half the number of the faces. The connecting panels 31 are attached both to alternate panels 20 of the main group 19 and to alternate panels 26 of the auxiliary- group 25.

Whilst all the blanks illustrated are diecut in a single piece, it would be possible nonetheless to fabricate the packet 1 from a blank identical to those illustrated but separated into two or three sections along the transverse crease lines 34 at the second end 33 of the panels 31. A first such section would coincide with the main group 19 of panels, and a second section with the auxiliary group 25 of panels and the connecting panels 31, these possibly being separated further to create a third section.

The method in this instance will differ from that described above, since the connecting panels 31 can be offered directly to the panels 20 of the main group 19 and, subsequently or simultaneously, the panels 26 of the auxiliary group 25 are bent along the first hinge line 14 or the second hinge line 15 and flattened against the connecting panels 31. The open and closed positions of the packet are guaranteed substantially stable, with the result that the packet is made easy and convenient to use, compared to packets of conventional design. More specifically, in the open configuration, there is no portion of the packet that will obstruct the passage of the contents when dispensed from the opening, and in the closed configuration, there is little chance of the packet being jolted open as a result of accidental impact .

Claims

1) A packet serving to contain loose items, comprising at least one outer casing (2) , at least one inner casing (3) accommodated slidably within the outer casing (2) and capable of motion between a closed configuration, in which an opening (4) presented by the inner casing (3) is concealed completely by the at least one outer casing (2) , and an open configuration in which the opening (4) is exposed at least in part, characterized in that it further comprises means (12) , interposed between the outer casing (2) and the inner casing (3) , by which to stabilize the inner casing (3) in each of the two configurations .

2) A packet as in claim 1, wherein the stabilizing means (12) comprise at least one connecting appendage (13) hinged along a first line (14) to a side wall (6) of the outer casing (2) , and along a second line (15) to a side wall (9) of the inner casing (3) breasted in sliding contact with the side wall (6) of the outer casing (2) .

3) A packet as in claim 2, wherein the at least one connecting appendage (13) is capable of movement between a first position, corresponding to the closed configuration, in which the selfsame appendage (13) lies between the side walls (6, 9) of the two casings (2, 3), and a second position, corresponding to the open configuration, in which the appendage (13) is rotated 180° from the closed position in a manner such as will cause at least the side wall (9) of the inner casing (3) to flex during this same movement.

4) A packet as in claim 2 or 3 , wherein the at least one appendage (13) is embodied as a single leaf delimited by the first hinge line (14) and the second hinge line (15) .

5) A packet as in claim 2 or 3 , wherein the at least one appendage (13) is embodied as a plurality of leaves (16) hinged one to another along at least one auxiliary hinge line (17) .

6) A packet as in claim 4 or 5, wherein the hinge lines (14, 15, 17) are parallel one with another.

7) A packet as in claim 4 or 5 , wherein the hinge lines (14, 15, 17) are disposed orthogonal to the longitudinal axis (X) of the packet (1) .

8) A packet as in claim 4 or 5, wherein the hinge lines (14, 15, 17) converge on a common centre, in such a way that the inner casing (3) is rendered capable of angular movement relative to the outer casing (2) when shifting between the closed configuration and the open configuration. 9) A packet as in claim 2 or 3 , wherein the side walls (6; 9) of the outer casing (2) and of the inner casing (3) each comprise a plurality of faces

(6a, 6b; 9a, 9b) , and the packet (1) presents connecting appendages (13) associated with alternate faces.

10) A packet as in claim 2 or 3, wherein the side walls (6; 9) of the outer casing (2) and of the inner casing (3) each comprise a plurality of faces (6a, 6b; 9a, 9b) , and the packet (1) presents connecting appendages (13) associated with mutually opposed faces.

11) A packet as in preceding claims, wherein the outer casing (2) presents at least one thumb cut (37) afforded by one edge (11) , serving to facilitate the actions of gripping the inner casing (3) and opening the packet (1) .

12) A packet as in preceding claims, comprising two inner casings (3) associated with opposite ends (7) of a single outer casing (2) .

13) A blank from which to fashion a packet as in claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that it comprises a main group (19) of panels (20) ordered one beside the next along a first transverse axis (Z) , separated by respective longitudinal crease lines

(21) and constituting the side wall (6,- 9) of the outer casing (2) or the inner casing (3) of the packet (1) ; an auxiliary group (25) of panels ordered one beside the next along a second transverse axis (W) , separated also by respective longitudinal crease lines (27) and constituting the side wall (9; 6) of the inner casing (3) or the outer casing (2) of the packet (1) , and aligned with the main group (19) on a longitudinal axis (Y) of the blank (18) extending normal to the transverse axes (Z, W) ;

- at least one connecting panel (31) , presenting a first end (32) joined to one of the panels (26) of the auxiliary group (25) and incorporating the first and second hinge lines (14, 15) delimiting the connecting appendage (13) , and a second end (33) joined to one of the panels (20) of the main group (19) along a transverse crease line (34) .

14) A blank from which to fashion a packet as in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that it comprises: - a main group (19) of panels (20) ordered one beside the next along a first transverse axis (Z) , separated by respective longitudinal crease lines

(21) and constituting the side wall (6; 9) of the outer casing (2) or the inner casing (3) of the packet (1) ;

- an auxiliary group (25) of panels divided from the main group (19) , ordered one beside the next along a second transverse axis (W) , separated also by respective longitudinal crease lines (27) and constituting the side wall (9; 6) of the inner casing (3) or the outer casing (2) of the packet

(D;

- at least one connecting panel (31) attachable to the main group (19) of panels (20) , presenting a first end (32) joined to one of the panels (26) of the auxiliary group (25) and incorporating the first and second hinge lines (14, 15) delimiting the appendage (13) .

15) A blank as in claim 13 or 14, also presenting at least one auxiliary hinge line (17) located between the first and second hinge lines (14, 15) and delimiting a plurality of bands (16) making up the appendage (13) .

16) A blank as in claim 13, 14 or 15, wherein the hinge lines (14, 15, 17) are mutually parallel.

17) A blank as in claim 13, 14 or 15, wherein the hinge lines (14, 15, 17) extend parallel to the first transverse axis (Z) .

18) A blank as in claim 13, 14 or 15, wherein the hinge lines (14, 15, 17) converge on a common centre .

19) A blank as in claim 13 or 14, comprising a plurality of connecting panels (31) joined to alternate panels (26) of the auxiliary group (25) .

20) A blank as in claim 13, presenting at least one opening (36) located between the at least one connecting panel (31) and one of the panels (20) of the main group (19) , serving to create a thumb cut (37) on the packet (1) such as will facilitate the action of gripping the inner casing (3) .

21) A blank as in claim 13, comprise two auxiliary- groups (25) of panels (26) attached to opposite ends (39, 40) of the main group (19) of panels, aligned on the longitudinal axis (Y) and serving to form respective inner or outer casings (3; 2) of the packet (1) .

22) A blank as in claim 14, comprising two auxiliary groups (25) of panels (26) attachable to opposite ends (39, 40) of the main group (19) of panels, aligned on the longitudinal axis (Y) and serving to form respective inner or outer casings (3; 2). of the packet (1).

23) A method of folding a blank as in claim 13, characterized in that it comprises the steps of bending the at least one connecting panel (31) along the respective transverse crease line (34) and flattening it against the panels of the main group (19) , securing the at least one connecting panel (31) to the main group (19) , bending the panels of the auxiliary group (25) along the first or second hinge line (14; 15) and flattening them against the at least one connecting panel (31) , bending the panels of the main group (19) and of the auxiliary group (25) along the respective longitudinal crease lines (21, 27), then joining together the opposite ends (39, 40) of the main group (19) aligned on the first transverse axis (Z) , joining together the opposite ends (41, 42) of the auxiliary group (25) aligned on the second transverse axis (W) , and closing the ends (43, 44) of the packet (1) aligned on a longitudinal axis (X) of the packet (1) .

24) A method of folding a blank as in claim 14, characterized in that it comprises the steps of bending the panels of the auxiliary group (25) along the first or second hinge line (14; 15) and flattening them against the at least one connecting panel (31) , offering and securing the at least one connecting panel (31) to the panels of the main group (19) , bending the panels of the main group (19) and the auxiliary group (25) along the respective longitudinal crease lines (21, 27) , then joining together the opposite ends (39, 40) of the main group (19) aligned on the first transverse axis (Z) , joining together the opposite ends (41, 42) of the auxiliary group (25) aligned on the second transverse axis (W), and closing the ends (43, 44) of the packet (1) aligned on a longitudinal axis (X) of the packet (1) .