EP2755896B1

EP2755896B1 - Twin package carton

Info

Publication number: EP2755896B1
Application number: EP12761942.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Christian DREWS
Original assignee: Reemtsma Cigarettenfabriken GmbH; HF and PhF Reemtsma GmbH and Co
Current assignee: Reemtsma Cigarettenfabriken GmbH; HF and PhF Reemtsma GmbH and Co
Priority date: 2011-09-15
Filing date: 2012-09-14
Publication date: 2015-11-18
Anticipated expiration: 2032-09-14
Also published as: PL2755896T3; WO2013037936A1; TWI492892B; ES2562352T3; EP2755896A1; DE202011105701U1; TW201323292A

Description

The present invention relates to a package carton according to the preamble of claim 1, and to a blank for said package carton.

BACKGROUND

Boxes or also cartons of cigarettes are larger packaging units for cigarette packs. Typically, ten packs of cigarettes are combined to form one such package, which is wrapped by a paper or cardboard blank.
EP 0122524 A2 discloses a package carton consisting of part packs, each of these part packs, just like the complete carton of cigarettes, forming an easy-to-handle and marketable unit. In particular, the part packs can be divided off from the overall package. The overall package has a parallelepipedal shape with a number of preferably ten packs of cigarettes, wrapped by a blank. The special feature now resides in that a division of the packaging is possible to obtain part packs that are each easy to handle separately, so that a smaller unit, more specifically a "half-carton", may be distributed, displayed or sold. The outer sleeve of the package is made up of one single, one-piece blank. This blank is formed such that in the region of an edge, in particular of a longitudinal side wall, a separating line is formed in the parting plane within the blank, so that the two half-cartons can be divided from each other by separating. By applying a weakening in the material, for example a perforation, on one of the edges of the longitudinal side walls, the separation of the packaging may be effected in a simple manner by folding the part packs apart and by breaking the blank in the region of the separating line. In the process, the longitudinal side faces that face each other provide mutual support. Each part pack contains one respective row of packs made up of five packs of cigarettes. The part packs are each wrapped all around by cover walls, longitudinal side walls and transverse walls. The shared, one-piece blank is placed around the two rows of packs such that the cover walls, connected with each other, of the two half-cartons rest one on top of the other in the complete package, more specifically in the region of a parting plane for the package.
EP 0537951 A1 likewise discloses a package carton that consists of part packs. The object is to provide a package carton that allows to be provided with conventional tobacco tax stamps. The connection between the part packs is effected by at least one sticker which extends at least over two walls, each wall pertaining to a respective one of the part packs.
A further package carton that consists of a plurality of part packs is disclosed in WO 2003089314 A1 . This document, too, is about providing smaller packaging units which can nevertheless be processed using normal tax stamp application devices. This is allowed in that the package carton has two flaps of different size, one of which merely encloses one part pack whereas the other can cover both part packs on their longitudinal sides.
GB 453296 discloses an arrangement of packages in which each part pack includes hook-shaped tongues which can each engage into corresponding openings in an adjacent pack. This allows an arrangement of a multitude of packages to be produced. The hook-shaped tongues are arranged along a longitudinal edge of each pack.
US 5,251,748 discloses a further package carton which includes a plurality of part packs. Here, the two part packs are fitted to each other by means of corresponding tongues and slots on the cover walls so as to be able to be separated from each other again for later sale or for other purposes.
WO 2004/016522 A1 discloses a sleeve for two packs of cigarettes, which consists of two parts that may be coupled to each other by means of a tongue and a slot. However, here the two part packs can still be shifted relative to each other even after connecting them by means of the tongue. In addition, the two part packs are spaced apart from one another. It is therefore not possible here, either, to utilize both part packs as an overall advertising space or information surface.
A disadvantage of the known package cartons which are composed of a plurality of part packs is that it is not possible to make use of the entire available surface of the part packages as a continuous advertising space or information surface. In particular, with the known package cartons no images or illustrations can be accommodated that extend over a plurality of part packs. In addition, the connecting technique is either designed such that the connection has to be destroyed during separation of the part packs, or it does not offer a sufficiently strong, articulated and low-play coupling of the part packs to one another.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is to provide a package carton that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art.
According to the invention, a package carton is provided which comprises at least a first part pack and a second part pack in accordance with claim 1. The first and second part packs are adapted to be coupled along two corresponding longitudinal or transverse edges by means of at least one tab that is cut out from a wall of the first part package. In other words, the first part pack includes the tab, whereas the second part pack has a slot for receiving the tab. The tab is detached out of one of the walls of the first part pack by way of a partly circumscriptive separating line and extends away from a first edge of the first part pack. The partly circumscriptive separating line may advantageously be a perforated line or a cut or may be punched. The edge is the connecting line between two neighboring walls of the part pack. Furthermore, the tab can be deflected out of the wall of the first part pack. In the process, the tab is swiveled about the first edge. The slot is likewise located on a first edge of the second part pack. The first edge of the first part pack and the first edge of the second part pack rest against each other to form the package carton. The tab that has been deflected out can then be inserted into the slot for providing a hinged connection of the two part packs. The tab includes lateral shoulders (advantageously two opposite shoulders) which make sure that the tab of the first part pack inserted in the slot is restrained within the slot of the second part pack by the shoulders becoming hooked underneath a wall of the second part pack. In this way, the first part pack and the second part pack are held against each other along their first edges. In addition, the first part pack and the second part pack are adapted to be swiveled relative to each other about the first edges.
The connecting technique according to this first aspect of the invention thus allows a hinged connection, largely free of play, of the first part pack with the second part pack along two opposite first edges. Here, the tab is advantageously detached out of one of the walls of the first part pack and introduced into the slot of the second part pack. Owing to the lateral shoulders of the tab, the two part packs are connected relatively firmly with each other.
The hinged connection by means of the slot and the tab then allows the part packs to be swiveled in relation to each other advantageously so far that the inner cover walls adjoin each other in the form of one single large surface, with either the transverse walls or the longitudinal walls of the two part packs resting against each other. This large surface may be made use of for advertising and/or for providing information. In particular, planar illustrations such as, for example, panoramic pictures or photographs of elongated buildings such as towers may be accommodated there, which are impossible to accommodate in the same size on one of the part packs.
According to the invention, the tab has an intermediate portion and a head portion. The intermediate portion here is designed to hingedly couple the head portion to the first part pack. The head portion, on its side facing the intermediate portion, may exceed the width of the intermediate portion by the lateral shoulders here. This causes the lateral shoulders of the tab to become hooked under the wall of the second part pack, in which the slot is provided. This results in a relatively stable connection of the two part packs.
According to a further aspect of the invention, the head portion may taper with respect to its width as its distance from the intermediate portion (and from the edge of the first part pack to which it is still attached) increases. In particular, the head portion may have rounded corners at its front end (i.e. on its side facing away from the intermediate portion). This facilitates insertion of the head portion into the slot.
The first edge of the first part pack and the first edge of the second part pack may each be a transverse edge of the respective part pack. A transverse edge is an edge between a cover wall and a transverse wall of the part pack.
In other embodiments of the invention, the first edge of the first part pack and the first edge of the second part pack may each be a longitudinal edge of the respective part pack. Longitudinal edges are the edges between a cover wall and a longitudinal side wall of a part pack.
Advantageously, at least one of the first and second part packs may have a region provided therein through which the inside of the part pack becomes visible. In an advantageous embodiment, a large part of a cover wall may be provided with an aperture, for example, making the packagings in the interior visible therethrough. This aperture may be covered with a transparent film, for example. The cover wall may advantageously be one of the cover walls which rests on an opposite cover wall of the respective other part pack when the two part packs are connected in accordance with the invention to form the package carton, rather than being folded apart. In order to ensure as firm a connection as possible of the two part packs by means of the tab and the slot, the relationships and dimensions of the slot relative to the head and intermediate portions as well as to the lateral shoulders in the head portion play an important role. The dimension by which the lateral shoulders each extend in terms of width beyond the width of the intermediate portion may advantageously be greater than one one hundred and fiftieth (1/150) of the width of the intermediate portion and smaller than one eighth of the width of the intermediate portion. The width of the lateral shoulders may in particular amount to between half a millimeter and five millimeters. As a result, a strong hinged connection of the tab to the first part pack is ensured. It has been found that the lateral shoulders can be relatively short as compared to the overall width of the intermediate portion while nonetheless having a sufficient restraining effect after insertion into the slot.
The length of the intermediate portion is advantageously dimensioned with regard to the thickness of the wall of the second part pack in which the slot is located. Basically, the length of the intermediate portion essentially needs to overcome the thickness of the wall and the distance between the two first edges of the first part pack and the second part pack, plus some tolerances. Here, the length of the intermediate portion is advantageously equal to or greater than half the thickness of the wall of the second part pack and equal to or smaller than five times the thickness of the wall of the second part pack. In particular, the length of the intermediate portion may be between 0.5 mm and 5 mm.
In a further advantageous configuration of the invention, the intermediate portion of the tab may be adapted to be swiveled about a hinge in an articulated manner, the hinge being configured at the same time as a hinge of a flap for opening and closing the first part pack. For example, a flap may be provided on a transverse wall or a longitudinal side wall, which is lifted up to remove a pack of cigarettes from the part pack. This flap may be articulated along a transverse edge or a longitudinal edge of the part pack. In particular, the entire transverse wall or longitudinal side wall may be designed as a flap which is then turned up around the corresponding transverse or longitudinal edge. According to the invention, the tab may now be disposed such that it can be swiveled about the same hinge (that is, utilizes the same hinge) as the corresponding flap for opening and closing the part pack. It should also be made sure here that the shares in the respective hinge for the tab and for the corresponding flap are correctly dimensioned in proportion to each other. The width of the intermediate portion and thus the length of the hinge of the tab should not be greater than the width of the first part pack, minus the width of the lateral shoulders of the tab. Advantageously, the package carton according to the invention further includes a second attachment means between the part packs. This second attachment means is advantageously located in the region of an edge or side that is opposite in relation to the cover wall on which the tab is arranged. For example, if the tab is arranged on a transverse edge, that is, an edge between the inner cover wall and a transverse wall of the first part pack, then the second attachment means is advantageously located in the region of the opposite transverse edge, that is, the edge between the same inner cover wall and the opposite transverse wall of the first part pack. This applies analogously to an arrangement of the tab or a plurality of tabs along a longitudinal edge (that is, between the inner cover wall and a longitudinal side wall), with the second attachment means being arranged here in the region of a longitudinal edge between the inner cover wall and the opposite longitudinal side wall.
This second attachment means may be advantageously provided by means of a glued, hook-and-loop, magnetic, push-fit, or snap-fastener connection. A connection by means of a tab and a slot in accordance with the foregoing description also comes into consideration.
The longitudinal and/or transverse edges of one or both of the part packs may advantageously be rounded edges. In a further design variant, the edges may be flattened edges (flattened corners) or beveled edges. In particular, the package carton may have an octagonal cross-section in the folded-up condition. This means that when a section is taken through the part pack perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis (i.e. in the direction of the longitudinal side wall), an octagonal section would be produced. For this purpose, one of the part packs may advantageously have a half-octagonal shape which together with the other part pack forms an octagonal shape.
In particular, the connection between the two part packs may not be provided by just one tab and one slot according to the above description; rather, a plurality of similarly designed tabs and slots may also be made use of for attachment.
This second (or third or fourth, as required) tab may also be adapted to be detached out of a wall of one of the two part packs by means of a partly circumscriptive separating line and extend away from an edge of the part pack, and be adapted to be deflected out of the wall about the first edge; here, too, the tab may still be hinged to the wall along the edge. The further slot may then also be located on an edge of the other part pack, as has been described above in respect of the first tab-and-slot connection. The edges of the first part pack and of the second part pack come to rest against each other for connecting or closing the package carton, such that the tab in the deflected-out condition can be inserted into the slot for a hinged connection of the two part packs. The second tab may again include lateral shoulders which restrain the tab inserted in the slot such that the first part pack and the second part pack are held against each other along the edges, so that they can no longer be swiveled relative to each other about the first edges.
The invention also provides a blank from which the package carton according to the invention as described above can be manufactured. According to one aspect of the invention, a respective separate blank may be provided for each of the two part packs. More particularly, according to the present invention, the slot for receiving the tab may have a slightly curved shape at its ends. This affords a better hold for the tab in the slot and thereby a firmer connection of the two part packs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the invention will now be described below on the basis of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the figures, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a package carton according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 shows the package carton according to FIG. 1 in a flipped-open position;
FIG. 3 shows an enlarged detail of the connection according to the invention of the two part packs according to FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 shows a further enlargement and detailed illustration of the connection according to the invention in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of the invention;
FIG. 5 shows the package carton according to the preceding figures in a fully flipped-open position;
FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 show further illustrations of a package carton according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 8 shows an enlarged detail of the hinged connection according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6 and FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the invention in a folded condition;
FIG. 10 shows the package carton according to FIG. 9 in a flipped-open condition;
FIG. 11 shows the package carton according to FIG. 10 in a fully flipped-open condition;
FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 show a further exemplary embodiment of a package carton according to the invention;
FIG. 14 shows a blank for the first part pack; and
FIG. 15 shows a blank for the second part pack.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION BASED ON THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective illustration of a package carton GBK in a perspective view in a folded-up condition. The package carton GBK comprises a first part pack TP1 and a second part pack TP2. The first part pack TP1 has a first cover wall DW11 and a second (inner) cover wall DW12 (not visible here). Further provided are longitudinal walls LW11 and LW12 (not visible here) and transverse walls QW11 and QW12 (not illustrated here). Generally, the part pack TP1 is an independent part pack which completely encloses a plurality of cigarette packs. The second part pack TP2 is built to be almost identical to the first part pack TP1. Accordingly, the second part pack TP2 has a first cover wall DW21 (not visible here) and a second (inner) cover wall DW22 (also not visible here). The second part pack TP2 further comprises a first longitudinal wall LW21 and a second longitudinal wall LW22 (not visible here) and also a first transverse wall QW21 and a second transverse wall QW22 (not visible here). According to the invention, the two part packs TP1 and TP2 are hinged together by means of a hinge GL. This hinged connection is obtained by inserting a tab (not visible here) into a slot (also not visible here).
At the side opposite from the hinge of the two part packs TP1 and TP2, i.e. between the transverse walls QW12 and QW22, advantageously a second connecting mechanism is provided, which holds the two part packs TP1 and TP2 together in the closed condition. This may be a glued, hook-and-loop, push-fit, magnetic, and/or a snap-fastener connection. The magnetic connection may be produced by magnets being accommodated in the part packs TP1 and TP2 along the edges that lie on top of each other. In a further design variant, the two part packs may also be connected by a further attachment means on this side opposite from the hinge GL. In a further variant, a further hinge GL having a tab and a slot may be provided there according to the aspects of the invention.
FIG. 2 shows a further perspective illustration of the package carton GBK according to FIG. 1 in a perspective and flipped-open position. Owing to the hinged connection by means of the hinge GL between the first part pack TP1 and the second part pack TP2, the first part pack TP1 is adapted to be swiveled in relation to the second part pack TP2 about the hinged connection GL. This exposes the respective inner cover walls DW12 of the first part pack TP1 and DW22 of the second part pack TP2. In the closed condition, the second (inner) cover wall DW12 of the first part pack TP1 and the second (inner) cover wall DW22 of the second part pack TP2 lie on top of each other. In this perspective illustration, the second transverse walls QW12 and QW22 of the first part pack TP1 and the second part pack TP2, respectively, also become visible. Furthermore, the cutout AS is now visible which is produced in that the tab (not visible here) was partly detached from the second cover wall DW12 of the first part pack TP1 and is now located in the slot SZ of the second part pack to provide a hinged connection between the first part pack TP1 and the second part pack TP2.
FIG. 3 shows a further enlarged illustration of the hinged connection GL of the first part pack TP1 with the second part pack TP2 according to FIG. 2. This illustration again shows the cutout AS with greater clarity, which is formed in that the tab is detached from the cover wall DW12 of the first part pack TP1 along the partly circumscriptive cutting line LS. The dashed line in this illustration also shows the tab, which is now located within the second part pack TP2 and is concealed by the second cover wall DW22 of the second part pack TP2. To this end, the tab was inserted into the slot SZ in the second cover wall DW22 of the second part pack TP2. Owing to laterally projecting shoulders (not provided with separate reference numbers here), the tab gets caught underneath the second cover wall DW22 of the second part pack TP2. As a result, the tab can no longer readily slide out of the slot SZ, which allows a reliable and hinged connection of the two part packs TP1 and TP2.
FIG. 4 shows an even greater enlargement of the two important elements for bringing about the hinged connection between the first part pack TP1 and the second part pack TP2. A detail of the first part pack TP1 can be seen, with the aid of which the configuration of the tab LA is illustrated more clearly. The tab LA is provided in that it can be detached out of the second cover wall DW12 of the first part pack TP1 along the cutting line SL. A connection between the tab LA and the part pack TP1 continues to exist, however, along the first edge K11. The tab LA can then be swiveled about this connecting line (that is, about the edge K11) to reach the position illustrated in FIG. 4. Correspondingly, the second part pack TP2 has a slot SZ which is provided in the second cover wall DW22 of the second part pack TP2. The slot is located near and along the first edge K12 of the second part pack TP2.
The tab LA includes an intermediate portion ZW and a head portion KA. The intermediate portion ZW is of a rectangular shape and has a width B3 and a length L3. It connects the head portion KA with the first part pack TP1 or the first edge K11 of the first part pack TP1. The head portion KA includes two lateral shoulders ABS1 and ABS2, by which it protrudes over the width B3 of the intermediate portion ZW. In this respect, the head portion KA is designed such that it exceeds the width B3 of the intermediate portion ZW by the two shoulders ABS1 and ABS2 at the junction between the intermediate portion ZW and the head portion KA. For an increased visibility of the details, an enlarged illustration of the area encircled with a dashed line is shown on the right side of FIG. 4. The length L3 of the intermediate portion ZW, the width BABS2 of the second shoulder ABS2 and the width B6 are indicated there again. The relations are the same with respect to ABS1 on the opposite side. This means that in this embodiment, BABS1 and BABS2 are of the same size. B6 and B7 are likewise the same size. The length of the intermediate portion ZW amounts to L3 and, in this illustration, is configured to be distinctly larger than should be the case in the exemplary embodiments of the invention. The head portion KA has a length L2. Toward the end of the head portion the width of the head portion KA tapers as far as to the width B1 in the form of rounded corners. This facilitates inserting the head portion and thus inserting the tab into the slot SZ. The projecting shoulders ABS1 and ABS2 are compressed for a short time in the process and then engage behind the second cover wall DW22 of the second part pack TP2. The width of the slot amounts to B5 and should correspond at least to the width B3 of the intermediate portion ZW of the tab. The width of the slot should at any rate not exceed the width B3 of the intermediate portion ZW of the tab, plus the width of the two lateral shoulders BABS1 and BABS2. This keeps the clearance of the two packs relative to each other low in the horizontal direction. Furthermore, the length L3 of the intermediate portion ZW should correspond to at least half the thickness D of the second cover wall DW22 of the second part pack TP2 and at most to five times the thickness of the second cover wall DW22 of the second part pack TP2. This keeps the clearance between the two part packs TP1 and TP2 low in the vertical direction.
In a preferred embodiment, the edge K11 to which the tab LA is hinged is also a hinge for a flap (not visible) which serves to open and close the transverse wall QW11 of the first part pack TP1. The length of the edge K11 is BTP1 and, thus, also B4+B6+B7, with the width of the intermediate portion and thus the length of the hinge of the tab not being greater than the width of the first part pack minus the width of the lateral shoulders of the tab. Preferably, B6 is equal to B7, i.e. the hinge of the tab LA is seated centrally with respect to the edge 11. The overall length of the tab LA amounts to L2+L3 and should, advantageously, not be greater than the thickness DTP2 of the second part pack.
Generally, the following relationships and dimensionings apply to advantage: the width of the slot B5 should advantageously be equal to or larger than the width B3 of the intermediate portion ZW (B5 ≥ B3). Further, the length of the intermediate portion L3 should be equal to or larger than half the thickness D of the cover wall DW22 and equal to or smaller than five times the thickness D (5*D≥L3≥0.5*D). In addition, the width of each of the two lateral shoulders BABS1 and BABS2 should not be larger than one eighth of the width B3 of the intermediate portion ZW and not be smaller than one one hundred and fiftieth of the width B3 of the intermediate portion ZW (B3/8≥(ABS1 or ABS2)≥B3/150). It is also advantageously applicable that B6 and B7 are larger than ABS1 and ABS2, respectively. Altogether, the width of the intermediate portion, plus the widths BABS1 and BABS2 of the two lateral shoulders ABS1 and ABS2, should not be larger than the width BTP1 of the part pack TP1.
FIG. 5 shows the package carton according to FIG. 4 in the fully flipped-open position, now making the two inner second cover walls DW12 and DW22 visible. The tab LA is located inside or underneath the second cover wall DW22 of the second part pack TP2.
The hinged connection by means of the slot SZ and the tab LA therefore allows the part packs to be swiveled relative to each other so far that the inner cover walls DW12 and DW22 adjoin each other in the form of one single large surface, with the transverse walls QW11 and QW21 of the two part packs TP1 and TP2 resting against each other here. This large surface may be made use of for advertising and/or for providing information. In particular, oblong pictures may be accommodated there which are impossible to fit on one of the part packs in the same size, such as, for example, panoramic views or views of elongated buildings.
FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 show further exemplary embodiments of the invention. In this exemplary embodiment, a transparent region TB is provided in the second cover wall DW22 of the second part pack TP2. This rectangular region or aperture may be covered by inserting a transparent film, for example. This makes the inside of the packaging visible. The connecting technique by means of the tab is designed in the same way as described above with reference to the other embodiments.
FIG. 8 again shows an enlarged area of the package carton GBK according to the exemplary embodiment from FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. The illustration essentially corresponds to the illustration in FIG. 3. Because of the transparent region TB, the tab LA is now visible underneath the cover wall DW22.
FIG. 9, FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 now show an embodiment in which the hinged connection by means of the tab and the slot according to the invention is implemented along two opposite longitudinal edges of the first and second part packs. FIG. 9 is a perspective illustration of the folded package carton GBK. It is shown here that two tabs LA1 and LA2 and corresponding opposite slots are provided in order to make the connection sufficiently strong.
FIG. 10 shows the package carton GBK according to FIG. 9 in a flipped-open condition, making the two hinged connections GL1 and GL2 visible again, which are each implemented in the same way as described above with reference to the other exemplary embodiments of the hinge GL. The tab can be detached from the second cover wall DW12 of the first part pack and be inserted into the slot along the longitudinal edge between the second cover wall DW22 of the second pack TP2 and the first longitudinal wall LW21 of the second part pack TP2.
FIG. 11 again shows the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 9 and 10 in a fully flipped-open condition. The hinged connections GL1, GL2 by means of slots SZ and tabs LA thus allow the part packs to be swiveled relative to each other so far that the inner cover walls DW12 and DW22 adjoin each other in the form of one single large surface, with the longitudinal side walls LW11 and LW21 of the two part packs TP1 and TP2 resting against each other here. This large surface may be made use of for advertising and/or for providing information. In particular, oblong illustrations may be accommodated there which are impossible to fit on one of the part packs in the same size.
FIG. 12 again shows the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 9 to 11 with a transparent region in an inner cover wall.
FIG. 13 again shows the part pack in the fully flipped-open condition.
FIG. 14 shows a blank for the first part pack TP1. The portions provided for the cover walls DW11 and DW12 and for the longitudinal walls LW11 and LW12 are again marked on this blank. Further marked is the partly circumscriptive cutting line SL which separates the tab LA from the cover wall DW12. Further identified are the transverse walls QW12 and QW11. The tab LA can therefore be folded out of the cover wall DW12 about the edge K11 in the manner of a hinge, as described supra. Dimensions have been entered in millimeters here by way of example. In this respect, the thickness DTP1 of the first part pack amounts to 30 mm, the width BTP1 of the first part pack amounts to 90 mm, and the length LTP1 of the first part pack amounts to 300 mm. These dimensions are suitable for accommodating five packs of cigarettes. The cover wall DW11 has a width BTP1* since here the thickness of a wall must be deducted due to the foldable tab. It can also be seen that the two transverse walls QW12 and QW11 are provided with tabs for opening and closing the two sides of the part pack TP1 by means of hinged flaps.
FIG. 15 shows the blank for the second part pack TP2 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. In particular, the dimensions are made to be in line with the blank for the first part pack as illustrated in FIG. 14. Again, the two cover walls DW21 and DW22, the longitudinal walls LW21 and LW22 and the transverse walls QW21 and QW22 have been marked here. Further marked is the first transverse edge K12 of the second part pack, at which the slot SZ according to the present invention is accommodated. More specifically, small circles here indicate that the slot SZ has curvatures ES1 and ES2 at its ends. This affords an improved hold of the tab LA upon its insertion into the slot SZ. The dimensions of the second part pack, DTP2, BTP2, LTP2, and BTP2*, are identical with those of the first part pack TP1.

Claims

A package carton (GBK) for receiving a package of cigarette packs, the package carton comprising first and second part packs (TP1, TP2), and the first part pack (TP1) including a tab (LA) and the second part pack (TP2) including a slot (SZ) for receiving the tab, wherein
the tab is adapted to be detached out of a wall (DW12) of the first part pack by means of a partly circumscriptive separating (SL) line and extends away from a first edge (K11) of the first part pack (TP1) and is adapted to be deflected out of the wall about the first edge, the tab (LA) still being hinged to the wall (DW12) along the first edge (K11),
the slot (SZ) is likewise located on a first edge (K12) of the second part pack (TP2),
the first edge (K11) of the first part pack (TP1) and the first edge (K12) of the second part pack (TP2) come to rest against each other to form the package carton (GBK) such that the tab (LA) in the deflected-out condition can be inserted into the slot (SZ) for a hinged connection of the two part packs (TP1, TP2),
the tab (LA) includes lateral shoulders (ABS1, ABS2) which restrain the tab (LA) inserted in the slot (SZ) such that the first part pack (TP1) and the second part pack (TP2) are held against each other along their first edges (K11, K12) and can be swiveled relative to each other about the first edges (K11, K12),
characterized in that the tab (LA) includes an intermediate portion (ZW) and a head portion (KA), the intermediate portion (ZW) being designed to hingedly couple the head portion (KA) to the first part pack (TP1), and wherein
the length (L3) of the intermediate portion (ZW) is equal to or greater than half the thickness of the wall (DW22) of the second part pack (TP2) and equal to or smaller than five times the thickness of the wall (DW22) of the second part pack (TP2).
The package carton according to claim 1
wherein the head portion (KA) on its side facing the intermediate portion (ZW) exceeds the width of the intermediate portion (ZW) by the lateral shoulders (ABS1, ABS2).
The package carton according to claim 2, wherein the head portion (KA) tapers with respect to its width as its distance from the intermediate portion (ZW) increases.
The package carton according to claim 3, wherein the head portion (KA) has rounded corners on its side facing away from the intermediate portion (ZW).
The package carton according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first edge (K11) of the first part pack (TP1) and the first edge (K12) of the second part pack (TP2) are each transverse edges of the respective part pack.
The package carton according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first edge (K11) of the first part pack (TP1) and the first edge (K12) of the second part pack (TP2) are each longitudinal edges of the respective part pack.
The package carton according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the first and second part packs (TP1, TP2) has a region (TB) provided therein through which the inside of the part pack becomes visible.
The package carton according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the dimension by which the lateral shoulders (ABS1, ABS2) each extend in terms of width beyond the width of the intermediate portion (ZW) is greater than one one hundred and fiftieth of the width of the intermediate portion (ZW) and smaller than one eighth of the width of the intermediate portion (ZW).
The package carton according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the intermediate portion (ZW) of the tab (LA) is adapted to be swiveled about a hinge (GL) in an articulated manner, the hinge being used at the same time for a flap for opening and closing the first part pack.
The package carton according to claim 9, wherein the width of the intermediate portion (ZW) and thus the length of the hinge of the tab (LA) does not exceed the width of the first part pack (TP1) minus the width of the lateral shoulders of the tab.
The package carton according to any of the preceding claims, wherein it further includes a second attachment means between the part packs (TP1, TP2) which is located in the region of edges or walls of the two part packs that are opposite in relation to the cover wall on which the tab is arranged.
The package carton according to claim 11, wherein the second attachment means is provided by means of a hook-and-loop, glued, magnetic, push-fit and/or snap-fastener connection.
The package carton according to claim 11, wherein the second connecting point is provided by means of a tab and a slot, the tab being adapted to be detached out of a wall of one of the two part packs by means of a partly circumscriptive separating line and extending away from an edge of the part pack and being adapted to be deflected about the edge and out of the wall, the tab still being hinged to the wall along the edge, the slot being likewise located on an edge of the other part pack, and the edges of the first and second part packs coming to rest against each other to connect the package carton such that the tab in the deflected-out condition can be inserted into the slot for a hinged connection of the two part packs, and the tab including lateral shoulders which restrain the tab inserted in the slot such that the first part pack and the second part pack are held against each other along the edges, so that they can no longer be swiveled relative to each other about the first edges.
A blank comprising folding lines and cutting lines adapted for manufacturing a package carton (GBK) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a separate blank is provided for each part pack (TP1, TP2).
The blank according to claim 14, wherein at least one slot is curved at its two ends.