EP3221224B1

EP3221224B1 - Tobacco industry product container

Info

Publication number: EP3221224B1
Application number: EP15805126.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Isaak MUSTAFA
Original assignee: British American Tobacco Investments Ltd
Current assignee: British American Tobacco Investments Ltd
Priority date: 2014-11-19
Filing date: 2015-11-13
Publication date: 2019-01-02
Anticipated expiration: 2035-11-13
Also published as: EP3221224A1; WO2016079030A1; GB201420575D0

Description

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a tobacco industry product container and to a set of blanks for forming a tobacco industry product container.

Background

It is known to provide tobacco industry products, such as smoking articles, e.g. cigarettes, in a container such as a box. Some known tobacco industry product containers comprise a base portion defining a cavity and an opening into the cavity from an exterior of the base portion, a tray for receiving cigarettes located in the cavity and movable relative to the cavity, and a lid for closing the cavity.
US369408 A discloses a cigarette box comprising an outer casing and an inner casing. The inner casing comprises a receptacle for matches and a separate compartment for cigarettes. The separate compartment is hinged at one end so that when the inner casing is drawn out of the outer casing, the separate compartment may be pushed up at the free end. US 2011/062037 A1 discloses a slide-open package of tobacco articles comprising an inner container and an outer container to swing between an open position and a closed position. Retaining tabs limit the movement of the inner container relative to the outer container to prevent the inner container from detaching completely from the outer container.

Summary

A first aspect of the present invention provides a tobacco industry product container, comprising: a base portion defining a cavity; a tray for receiving tobacco industry products, wherein the tray is linearly movable in the cavity in a first direction relative to the base portion from a first position, at which a part of the tray is at a first location in the cavity, to a second position, at which the part of the tray is at a second location in the cavity; and a limiter for preventing linear movement of the tray in the first direction relative to the base portion beyond the second position; wherein the tray is tiltable relative to the base portion when the tray is at the second position; wherein the base portion defines an opening into the cavity from an exterior of the base portion, and wherein the container comprises a lid for closing the opening.
Optionally, when the tray is at the second position, the tray projects further from the cavity through the opening than when the tray is at the first position.
Optionally, the limiter comprises a first stop and a second stop, and linear movement of the tray in the first direction relative to the base portion from the first position towards the second position causes the first stop to come into contact with the second stop when the tray is at the second position, thereby to stop the linear movement.
Optionally, the tobacco industry product container comprises a divider fixed to the base portion and dividing the cavity into first and second spaces, the tray is in the first space, and at least part of the limiter is comprised in the divider.
Optionally, the first stop is comprised in the divider and the second stop is comprised in the tray.
Optionally, the tray is tiltable relative to the base portion about an axis orthogonal to the first direction when the tray is at the second position.
Optionally, the tobacco industry product container comprises a tilt preventer for preventing tilting of the tray relative to the base portion when the tray is at the first position. Further optionally, the tobacco industry product container comprises a divider dividing the cavity into first and second spaces, the tray is in the first space, and the tilt preventer comprises the divider.
Optionally, the tobacco industry product container comprises a divider dividing the cavity into first and second spaces, and the tray is in the first space.
Optionally, the divider is fixed to the base portion.
Optionally, at least a portion of the divider is movable relative to the base portion, and tilting of the tray relative to the base portion when the tray is at the second position causes the portion of the divider to move relative to the base portion.
Optionally, the base portion defines an opening into the cavity from an exterior of the base portion, and the container comprises a lid for closing the opening.
Optionally, the base portion has a first end and an opposite second end, the lid is connected to the base portion via a hinge at the first end, and the tray is tiltable relative to the base portion to move a portion of the tray furthest from the second end in a direction away from the hinge.
Optionally, the lid is connected to the base portion via a hinge for rotation relative to the base portion about a first axis, the tray is tiltable relative to the base portion about a second axis, and the second axis is parallel to the first axis.
Optionally, the lid is connected to the base portion via a hinge for rotation relative to the base portion about a first axis, and the first axis is orthogonal to the first direction.
Optionally, the lid and the tray are movable independently of each other relative to the base portion.
Optionally, the tobacco industry product container comprises an assembly comprising the tray and one or more tobacco industry products received by the tray, the assembly is linearly movable in the first direction relative to the base portion so as to move the tray from the first position to the second position, and the assembly is tiltable relative to the base portion when the tray is at the second position.
A second aspect of the present invention provides a tobacco industry product container, comprising: a base portion defining a cavity and having a front portion, a rear portion and first and second side portions extending between the front and rear portions; a wall in the cavity, wherein the wall has first and second sides respectively directly affixed to the first and second side portions of the base portion, and wherein the wall and one of the front and rear portions define a space therebetween; a tray for receiving tobacco industry products, wherein the tray is linearly movable in the space in a first direction relative to the base portion from a first position, at which a part of the tray is at a first location in the space, to a second position, at which the part of the tray is at a second location in the space; and a limiter for preventing linear movement of the tray in the first direction relative to the base portion beyond the second position, wherein a first part of the limiter is comprised in the wall and a second part of the limiter is comprised in the tray.
Optionally, the limiter comprises a first stop of the wall and a second stop of the tray, and linear movement of the tray in the first direction relative to the base portion from the first position towards the second position causes the first stop to come into contact with the second stop when the tray is at the second position, thereby to stop the linear movement.
Optionally, the wall comprises a divider dividing the cavity into first and second spaces, and the tray is in the first space.
Optionally, the base portion defines an opening into the cavity from an exterior of the base portion, and, when the tray is at the second position, the tray projects further from the cavity through the opening than when the tray is at the first position.
Optionally, the tray is tiltable relative to the base portion when the tray is at the second position.
Optionally, the tray is tiltable relative to the base portion about an axis that is orthogonal to the first direction when the tray is at the second position.
Optionally, at least a portion of the wall is movable relative to the base portion, and tilting of the tray relative to the base portion when the tray is at the second position causes the portion of the wall to move relative to the base portion.
Optionally, the tobacco industry product container comprises a tilt preventer for preventing tilting of the tray relative to the base portion when the tray is at the first position. Further optionally, the tilt preventer comprises the wall.
Optionally, the base portion defines an opening into the cavity from an exterior of the base portion, and the container comprises a lid for closing the opening.
Optionally, the lid is connected to the base portion via a hinge for rotation relative to the base portion about a first axis, and the first axis is orthogonal to the first direction.
Optionally, the lid and the tray are movable independently of each other relative to the base portion.
Optionally, the tobacco industry product container comprises an assembly comprising the tray and one or more tobacco industry products received by the tray, and the assembly is linearly movable in the first direction relative to the base portion so as to move the tray from the first position to the second position.
A third aspect of the present invention provides a plurality of blanks, each of which blanks comprises a sheet of material comprising one or more predetermined fold lines, wherein the blanks are foldable along the fold lines and locatable relative to each other to form a tobacco industry product container according to the first or second aspect of the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1a shows a perspective view of a tobacco industry product container according to an embodiment of the present invention with a tray of the container at a first location relative to a base portion of the container,
Figure 1b shows a cross sectional view of the container shown in Figure 1a,
Figure 1c shows a cross sectional view of the container shown in Figure 1a with the tray at a second location relative to the base portion,
Figure 2 shows a front perspective view of a tobacco industry product container according to another embodiment of the present invention, with a lid of the container at a closed position relative to a base portion of the container,
Figure 3 shows a rear perspective view of the container shown in Figure 2,
Figure 4 shows a front perspective view of the container shown in Figure 2, with the lid at an open position relative to the base portion and with a tray of the container at a first location relative to the base portion,
Figure 5 shows a front perspective view of an inner frame of the container shown in Figure 2,
Figure 6 shows a front perspective view of a wall of the container shown in Figure 2,
Figure 7 shows a rear perspective view of the wall shown in Figure 6,
Figure 8 shows a front perspective view of the tray of the container shown in Figure 2,
Figure 9 shows a rear perspective view of the tray shown in Figure 8,
Figure 10 shows a cross sectional view of the container shown in Figure 2 with the lid at the closed position relative to the base portion and with the tray at the first location relative to the base portion,
Figure 11 shows a cross sectional view of the container shown in Figure 2 with the lid at the open position relative to the base portion and with the tray at a second location relative to the base portion,
Figure 12 shows a cross sectional view of the container shown in Figure 2 with the lid at the open position relative to the base portion and with the tray at a third location relative to the base portion tilted from the second location relative to the base portion,
Figure 13 shows a blank from which a combination of a shell and the lid of the container shown in Figure 2 may be formed, and
Figures 14 to 16 show respective blanks from which the inner frame, wall and tray of the container shown in Figure 2 may be formed.

Detailed Description

Figures 1a, 1b and 1c show shows a tobacco industry product container 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The container 4 comprises a base portion 700 defining a cavity 760 and having a front portion 710, a rear portion 720 and first and second side portions 730, 740 extending between the front and rear portions 710, 720. The container 4 also comprises a wall 310 in the cavity 760, wherein the wall 310 has first and second sides 301, 302 respectively directly affixed to the first and second side portions 730, 740 of the base portion 700. The wall 310 and the rear portion 720 define a space 761 therebetween. The container 4 also comprises a tray 500 located in the space 761 and for receiving tobacco industry products, the tray 500 being linearly movable in the space 761 in a first direction relative to the base portion 700 from a first position, at which a part of the tray 500 is at a first location in the space 761, to a second position, at which the part of the tray 500 is at a second location in the space 761, and a limiter for limiting the extent to which the tray 500 is linearly movable from the first position towards the second position in the first direction relative to the base portion 700. More specifically, the limiter is for preventing linear movement of the tray 500 in the first direction relative to the base portion 700 beyond the second position. A first part 315a of the limiter is comprised in the wall 310 and a second part 517c of the limiter is comprised in the tray 500. Accordingly, in Figure 1b the tray 500 is shown at a first position in the space 761, whereas in Figure 1c the tray 500 is shown having been linearly moved relative to the base portion 700 from the first position to a second position in the space 761.
Figures 2 to 12 show a tobacco industry product container 5 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Briefly, and generally speaking, the container 5 comprises a shell 100, an inner frame 200, a wall 300, a lid 400, and a tray 500. Each of these elements will be described in turn.
As best shown in Figures 2 and 3, the shell 100 comprises a front panel 110, a rear panel 120 spaced from and parallel to the front panel 110, first and second side portions 130, 140 extending between the front and rear panels 110, 120, and a bottom panel 150. The front panel 110 is planar, or substantially planar, lies in a first plane, and has a rectangular shape with parallel top and bottom edges 111, 112 and parallel left and right edges 113, 114 orthogonal to the top and bottom edges 111, 112. The rear panel 120 also is planar, or substantially planar, lies in a second plane parallel to the first plane, and has a bottom edge 122, parallel left and right edges 123, 124 orthogonal to the bottom edge 122, and a top edge 121. As a whole, the top edge 121 is non-linear and defines an extension to the otherwise rectangular rear panel 122. However, a central portion forming a majority of the top edge 121 is linear and parallel to the bottom edge 121. The bottom, left and right edges 112, 113, 114 of the front panel 110 are respectively parallel to the bottom, left and right edges 122, 123, 124 of the rear panel 120, and the top edge 111 of the front panel 110 is parallel to the central portion of the top edge 121 of the rear panel 120.
The first side portion 130 comprises a first side panel 135 extending from the left edge 123 of the rear panel 120 and orthogonal to the rear panel 120, and a first curved edge 136 extending from the left edge 113 of the front panel 110 and connecting the first side panel 135 with the front panel 110. The first side portion 130 has top and bottom edges 131, 132. Similarly, the second side portion 140 comprises a second side panel 145 extending from the right edge 124 of the rear panel 120 and orthogonal to the rear panel 120, and a second curved edge 146 extending from the right edge 114 of the front panel 110 and connecting the second side panel 145 with the front panel 110. The second side portion 140 has top and bottom edges 141, 142.
A width of the front panel 110 measured between, and orthogonal to, the left and right edges 113, 114 thereof is less than a width of the rear panel 120 measured between, and orthogonal to, the left and right edges 123, 124 thereof. The bottom edges 112, 122, 132, 142 of the front and rear panels 110, 120 and of the first and second side portions 130, 140 all lie in, or substantially in, a third plane orthogonal to the first and second planes. A height of the front panel 110 measured between, and orthogonal to, the top and bottom edges 111, 112 thereof is less than a height of the rear panel 120 measured between, and orthogonal to, the top and bottom edges 121, 122 thereof. Accordingly, the third plane is closer to the top edge 111 of the front panel 110 than to the top edge 121 of the rear panel 120. Moreover, the top edges 131, 141 of the first and second side portions 130, 140 are inclined to the third plane, so as to join the top edges 111, 121 of the front and rear panels 110.
Edges 151, 152, 153, 154 of the bottom panel 150 of the shell 100 respectively are adjacent, or abut, the bottom edges 112, 122, 132, 142 of the front and rear panels 110, 120 and of the first and second side portions 130, 140 of the shell 100. The bottom panel 150 is planar, or substantially planar, and is orthogonal to each of the front and rear panels 110, 120 of the shell 100 and each of the first and second side portions 130, 140 of the shell 100. The top edges 111, 121, 131, 141 of the front and rear panels 110, 120 and of the first and second side portions 130, 140 of the shell 100 are at a first end 101 of the shell 100, and the bottom panel 150 is at an opposite second end 102 of the shell 100.
As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the inner frame 200 comprises a main panel 210 and first and second side portions 230, 240. The main panel 210 is planar, or substantially planar, has a bottom edge 212, parallel left and right edges 213, 214 orthogonal to the bottom edge 212, and a top edge 211. The top edge 211 is non-linear and defines a cut-out into the otherwise rectangular main panel 210.
The first side portion 230 of the inner frame 200 comprises a first side panel 235 orthogonal to the main panel 210, and a first curved edge 236 extending from the left edge 213 of the main panel 210 and connecting the first side panel 235 with the main panel 210. The first side portion 230 has top and bottom edges 231, 232 parallel to the top edge 211 of the main panel 210, and a rear edge 234 orthogonal to the top and bottom edges 231, 232. Similarly, the second side portion 240 of the inner frame 200 comprises a second side panel 245 orthogonal to the main panel 210, and a second curved edge 246 extending from the right edge 214 of the main panel 210 and connecting the second side panel 245 with the main panel 210. The second side portion 240 has top and bottom edges 241, 242 parallel to the top edge 211 of the main panel 210, and a rear edge 244 orthogonal to the top and bottom edges 241, 242. The top edges 211, 231, 241 of the main panel 210 and of the first and second side portions 230, 240 are at a first end 201 of the inner frame 200, whereas the bottom edges 212, 232, 242 of the main panel 210 and of the first and second side portions 230, 240 are at an opposite second end 202 of the inner frame 200.
The main panel 210 of the inner frame 200 is fixed, by adhesive or otherwise, to an inner (i.e. facing in the direction of the rear panel 120) surface of the front panel 110 of the shell 100, and the first and second side portions 230, 240 are fixed, by adhesive or otherwise, to respective inner (i.e. facing in the direction of the opposite side portion 130, 140) surfaces of the first and second side portions 130, 140 of the shell 100. The inner frame 200 is located relative to the shell 100 so that the top edges 211, 231, 241 of the main panel 210 and of the first and second side portions 230, 240 of the inner frame 200 are further from the second end 102 of the shell 100 than are the top edges 111, 131, 141 of the front panel 110 and the first and second side portions 130, 140 of the shell 100, so that the first end 201 of the inner frame 200 is visible to a user when the lid 400 is at the open position, as discussed in more detail below.
The shell 100 and the inner frame 200 are comprised in a base portion 700 of the container 5. The base portion 700 comprises a front portion 710 (comprising the front panel 110 of the shell 100 and the main panel 210 of the inner frame 200), a rear portion 720 (comprising the rear panel 120 of the shell 100) spaced from and parallel to the front portion 710, a first side portion 730 (comprising the first side portion 130 of the shell 100 and the first side portion 230 of the inner frame 200), a second side portion 740 (comprising the second side portion 140 of the shell 100 and the second side portion 240 of the inner frame 200), and a bottom portion 750 (comprising the bottom panel 150 of the shell 100).
The base portion 700 defines a cavity 760 therein and an opening 770 into the cavity 760 from an exterior of the base portion 700. The cavity 760 is defined by and between the front, rear, bottom and first and second side portions 710, 720, 730, 740, 750 of the base portion 700, and thus is defined by a combination of the shell 100 and the inner frame 200. The opening 770 is defined by a rim 771, which comprises the top edge 121 of the rear panel 120 of the shell 100, rear portions of the top edges 131, 141 of the first and second side portions 130, 140 of the shell 100, the top edges 211, 231, 241 of the main panel 210 and first and second side portions 230, 240 of the inner frame 200, and respective upper portions of the rear edges 234, 244 of the first and second side portions 230, 240 of the inner frame 200. The opening 770 is at a first end 701 of the base portion 700, and the bottom portion 750 of the base portion 700 is at an opposite second end 702 of the base portion 700.
As shown in Figures 6, 7 and 10 to 12, the wall 300 is in the cavity 760 defined by the base portion 700 and comprises a main panel 310 and first and second side tabs 330, 340. The main panel 310 is planar, or substantially planar, lies in a fourth plane, and has a rectangular shape with parallel top and bottom edges 311, 312 and parallel left and right edges 313, 314 orthogonal to the top and bottom edges 311, 312. The first side tab 330 extends from the left edge 313 of the main panel 310 and orthogonal to the main panel 310, and the second side tab 340 extends from the right edge 314 of the main panel 310 and orthogonal to the main panel 310 and parallel to the first side tab 330. The first and second side tabs 330, 340 comprise first and second sides 301, 302, respectively, of the wall 300, which are respectively directly affixed to the first and second side portions 230, 240 of the inner frame 200, i.e. to the first and second side portions 730, 740 of the base portion 700.
The first and second side tabs 330, 340 extend along only portions of the respective left and right edges 313, 314 and are located closer to the bottom edge 312 of the main panel 310 than to the top edge 311. Accordingly, a lower portion 318 of the main panel 310, comprising the bottom edge 312 of the main panel 310 and the portions of the left and right edges 313, 314 along which the first and second side tabs 330, 340 extend, is immovable, or substantially immovable, relative to the base portion 700, whereas an upper portion 319 of the main panel 310, comprising the top edge 311 of the main panel 310 and portions of the left and right edges 313, 314 along which the first and second side tabs 330, 340 do not extend, is movable relative to the base portion 700. The lower portion 318 of the main panel 310 extends in a direction away from the bottom portion 750 of the base portion 700, and is located between the bottom portion 750 of the base portion 700 and the upper portion 319 of the main panel 310. The lower and upper portions 318, 319 meet at a line 320 orthogonal to the left and right edges 313, 314 of the main panel 310. All of the wall 300 is in the cavity 760 defined by the base portion 700, so that none of the wall 300 projects through the opening 770 from the cavity 760 defined by the base portion 700.
The wall 300 comprises a divider, in the form of the main panel 310 of the wall 300, which divides the cavity 760 of the base portion 700 into first and second spaces 761, 762. The first space 761 is defined by and between the main panel 310 of the wall 300 and the rear and first and second side portions 720, 730, 740 of the base portion 700, whereas the second space 762 is defined by and between the main panel 310 of the wall 300 and the front and first and second side portions 710, 730, 740 of the base portion 700. The first space 761 has a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape in a plane parallel to the third plane, which rectangular cross-sectional shape has a width measured between, and orthogonal to, the first and second side portions 730, 740 of the base portion 700 and a depth measured between, and orthogonal to, the main panel 310 of the wall 300 and the rear portion 720 of the base portion 700. The second space 762 has a substantially D-shaped cross-sectional shape in a plane parallel to the third plane, which D-shaped cross-sectional shape has a maximum width measured between, and orthogonal to, the first and second side portions 730, 740 of the base portion 700 and a maximum depth measured between, and orthogonal to, the main panel 310 of the wall 300 and the front portion 710 of the base portion 700.
A hole 315 is provided through the upper portion 319 of the main panel 310 of the wall 300, and a flap 317 extends from an edge of the hole 315. The flap 317 is connected to the rest of the main panel 310 by a living hinge 316. A proximal end 317a of the flap 317 is thus at the living hinge 316. A distal end 317b of the flap 317 is located in the second space 762 of the cavity 760 defined by the base portion 700. An edge 315a of the hole 315 opposite from the living hinge 316 is further from the bottom edge 312 of the main panel 310 than is the living hinge 316, faces generally towards the second end 702 of the base portion 700, and is a stop 315a comprised in the divider 310. The purpose of this stop 315a, which will be termed the "first stop" in the rest of this description, will become apparent from consideration of the rest of this description.
The lid 400 is for closing the opening 770 at the first end 701 of the base portion 700. The lid 400 is connected to the base portion 700, via a hinge 703 at the first end 701 of the base portion 700, for rotation relative to the base portion 700 about a first axis A1-A1. More specifically, the lid 400 is unitary or integral with the shell 100, and is connected directly to the central portion of the top edge 121 of the rear panel 120 of the shell 100, with the hinge 703 formed at the central portion of the top edge 121 of the rear panel 120. The 703 hinge is thus a living hinge. The lid 400 is movable relative to the base portion 700 about the first axis A1-A1 between a closed position as shown in Figures 2, 3 and 10, at which the lid 400 closes or blocks the opening 770, and an open position as shown in Figures 4, 11 and 12, at which the opening 770 is not blocked or closed by the lid 400.
As best shown in Figures 2 to 4, the lid 400 comprises a front panel 410, a rear panel 420 spaced from and parallel to the front panel 410, first and second side portions 430, 440 extending between the front and rear panels 410, 420 of the lid 400, and a top panel 450. The front panel 410 of the lid 400 is planar, or substantially planar, and has a rectangular shape with parallel top and bottom edges 411, 412 and parallel left and right edges 413, 414 orthogonal to the top and bottom edges 411, 412. The rear panel 420 of the lid 400 also is planar, or substantially planar, and has a rectangular shape with parallel top and bottom edges 421, 422 and parallel left and right edges 423, 424 orthogonal to the top and bottom edges 421, 422. The top, bottom, left and right edges 411, 412, 413, 414 of the front panel 410 of the lid 400 are respectively parallel to the top, bottom, left and right edges 421, 422, 423, 424 of the rear panel 420 of the lid 400.
The first side portion 430 of the lid 400 comprises a first side panel 435 extending from the left edge 423 of the rear panel 420 of the lid 400 and orthogonal to the rear panel 420 of the lid 400, and a first curved edge 436 extending from the left edge 413 of the front panel 410 of the lid 400 and connecting the first side panel 435 with the front panel 410 of the lid 400. The first side portion 430 of the lid 400 has top and bottom edges 431, 432. Similarly, the second side portion 440 of the lid 400 comprises a second side panel 445 extending from the right edge 424 of the rear panel 420 of the lid 400 and orthogonal to the rear panel 420 of the lid 400, and a second curved edge 446 extending from the right edge 414 of the front panel 410 of the lid 400 and connecting the second side panel 445 with the front panel 410 of the lid 400. The second side portion 440 of the lid 400 has top and bottom edges 441, 442.
Edges 451, 452, 453, 454 of the top panel 450 of the lid 400 respectively are adjacent, or abut, the top edges 411, 421, 431, 441 of the front and rear panels 410, 420 and of the first and second side portions 430, 440 of the lid 400. The top panel 450 is planar, or substantially planar, and is orthogonal to each of the front and rear panels 410, 420 of the lid 400 and each of the first and second side portions 430, 440 of the lid 400. The bottom edges 412, 422, 432, 442 of the front and rear panels 410, 420 and of the first and second side portions 430, 440 of the lid 400 are at a first end 401 of the lid 400, and the top panel 450 is at an opposite second end 402 of the lid 400.
The lid 400 defines a cavity 460 therein and an opening 470 into the cavity 460 from an exterior of the lid 400. The opening 470 is defined by a rim 471, which comprises the bottom edges 412, 422, 432, 442 of the front and rear panels 410, 420 and of the first and second side portions 430, 440 of the lid 400. The cavity 460 defined by the lid 400 is located between the front panel 410, the rear panel 420, the first and second side portions 430, 440 and the top panel 450 of the lid 400. The top panel 450 is planar, or substantially planar, and is orthogonal to each of the front and rear panels 410, 420 of the lid 400 and each of the first and second side portions 430, 440 of the lid 400. The cavity 460 defined by the lid 400 has a smaller volume that the cavity 760 defined by the base portion 700.
A width of the front panel 410 of the lid 400 measured between, and orthogonal to, the left and right edges 413, 414 thereof is less than a width of the rear panel 420 of the lid 400 measured between, and orthogonal to, the left and right edges 423, 424 thereof. The width of the front panel 410 of the lid 400 is equal to, or approximately equal to, the width of the front panel 110 of the shell 100, and the width of the rear panel 420 of the lid 400 is equal to, or approximately equal to, the width of the rear panel 120 of the shell 100. The top edges 411, 421, 431, 441 of the front and rear panels 410, 420 and of the first and second side portions 430, 440 of the lid 400 all lie in, or substantially in, a fifth plane. A height of the front panel 410 of the lid 400 measured between, and orthogonal to, the top and bottom edges 411, 412 thereof is greater than a height of the rear panel 420 of the lid 400 measured between, and orthogonal to, the top and bottom edges 421, 422 thereof. Accordingly, the fifth plane is closer to the bottom edge 422 of the rear panel 420 of the lid 400 than to the bottom edge 412 of the front panel 410 of the lid 400. Moreover, the bottom edges 432, 442 of the first and second side portions 430, 440 of the lid 400 are inclined to the fifth plane, so as to join the bottom edges 412, 422 of the front and rear panels 410, 420 of the lid 400 and form therewith the rim 471. The angle of inclination of the top edges 131, 141 of the first and second side portions 130, 140 of the shell 100 relative to the third plane is equal to the angle of inclination of the bottom edges 432, 442 of the first and second side portions 430, 440 of the lid 400 relative to the fifth plane.
When the lid 400 is at the closed position, the front panel 410 of the lid 400 lies in, or substantially in, the first plane, the rear panel 420 of the lid 400 lies in, or substantially in, the second plane, the third and fifth planes are parallel, or substantially parallel, and the top edges 111, 131, 141 of the front panel 110 and of the first and second side portions 130, 140 of the shell 100 abut, or lie parallel or adjacent to, the bottom edges 412, 432, 442 of the front panel 410 and of the first and second side portions 430, 440 of the lid 400, respectively. Moreover, when the lid 400 is at the closed position, the first end 201 of the inner frame 200 is located in the cavity 460 defined by the lid 400. The sum of the respective heights of the front panels 110, 410 of the shell 100 and the lid 400 is equal to, or approximately equal to, the sum of the respective heights of the rear panels 120, 420 of the shell 100 and the lid 400. Accordingly, when the lid 400 is at the closed position, the base portion 700 and the lid 400, and more specifically the shell 100 and the lid 400, together give the container 5 a substantially cuboid shape, albeit with two curved edges formed by the first and second curved edges 136, 146 of the shell 100 and the first and second curved edges 436, 446 of the lid 400.
As best shown in Figures 8 and 9, the tray 500 comprises a front panel 510, a rear panel 520 spaced from and parallel to the front panel 510, first and second side panels 530, 540 extending between the front and rear panels 510, 520, and a bottom panel 550. The front panel 510 is planar, or substantially planar, has a bottom edge 512, parallel left and right edges 513, 514 orthogonal to the bottom edge 512, and a top edge 511. The top edge 511 is non-linear and defines a cut-out into the otherwise rectangular front panel 510. The rear panel 520 also is planar, or substantially planar, and has a rectangular shape with parallel top and bottom edges 521, 522 and parallel left and right edges 523, 524 orthogonal to the top and bottom edges 521, 522. The bottom, left and right edges 512, 513, 514 of the front panel 510 of the tray 500 are respectively parallel to the bottom, left and right edges 522, 523, 524 of the rear panel 520 of the tray 500.
The first side panel 530 of the tray 500 extends from the left edge 523 of the rear panel 520 to the left edge 513 of the front panel 510 and orthogonal to each of the front and rear panels 510, 520 of the tray 500, and has top and bottom edges 531, 532. Similarly, the second side panel 540 extends from the right edge 524 of the rear panel 520 to the right edge 514 of the front panel 510 and orthogonal to each of the front and rear panels 510, 520 of the tray 500, and has top and bottom edges 541, 542.
The tray 500 defines a cavity 560 therein and an opening 570 into the cavity 560 from an exterior of the tray 500. The opening 570 is defined by a rim 571, which comprises the top edges 511, 521, 531, 541 of the front and rear panels 510, 520 and of the first and second side panels 530, 540 of the tray 500. The opening 570 is at a first end 501 of the tray 500, and the bottom panel 550 is at an opposite second end 502 of the tray 500. The cavity 560 defined by the tray 500 is defined by and between the front panel 510, the rear panel 520, the first and second side panels 530, 540 and the bottom panel 550 of the tray 500. The bottom panel 550 of the tray 500 is planar, or substantially planar, and is orthogonal to each of the front and rear panels 510, 520 of the tray 500 and each of the first and second side panels 530, 540 of the tray 500. The cavity 560 is for receiving one or more tobacco industry products, such as smoking articles, e.g. cigarettes. The tray 500 and the one or more tobacco industry products received by the tray 500 are together called an "assembly" herein.
As shown in Figures 2 and 10 to 12, the tray 500 is in the cavity 760 defined by the base portion 700, and more specifically in the first space 761 of that cavity 760, with the front panel 510 of the tray 500 adjacent and parallel to the wall 300 and the rear panel 520 of the tray 500 adjacent and parallel to the rear portion 720 of the base portion 700. The front panel 510 of the tray 500 is thus located between the wall 300 and the cavity 560 defined by the tray 500, whereas the rear panel 520 of the tray 500 is thus located between the cavity 560 defined by the tray 500 and the rear portion 720 of the base portion 700. A width of the tray 500 measured between, and orthogonal to, outer surfaces of the first and second side panels 530, 540 thereof is no more than, and may be less than, the width of the first space 761 of the cavity 760 defined by the base portion 700, and a depth of the tray 500 measured between, and orthogonal to, outer surfaces of the front and rear panels 510, 520 thereof is no more than, and may be less than, the depth of the first space 761 of the cavity 760 defined by the base portion 700. The tray 500 is a reasonably snug fit in the first space 761 of the cavity 760. For example, the width and depth of the tray 500 may be no more than 5% less than the width and depth of the first space 761 of the cavity 760 defined by the base portion 700.
A maximum length of the tray 500, measured between the first and second ends 501, 502 thereof, and which may be orthogonal to the top and bottom edges 521, 522 of the rear panel 520 of the tray 500, is no more than, and may be less than, a distance between the bottom portion 750 of the base portion 700 and the top panel 450 of the lid 400 when the lid 400 is at the closed position, so that the tray 500 in the first space 761 of the cavity 760 defined by the base portion 700 does not hinder movement of the lid 400 to the closed position. However, optionally the second end 502 of the tray 500 contacts the bottom portion 750 of the base portion 700, and the first end 501 of the tray 500 contacts the top panel 450 of the lid 400 when the lid 400 is at the closed position, so that the tray 500 helps to maintain the shape of the base portion 700 when the container 5 is being moved. Similarly, optionally the inner frame 200 is located relative to the shell 100 so that the top edges 211, 231, 241 of the main panel 210 and first and second side portions 230, 240 of the inner frame 200 contact the top panel 450 of the lid 400 when the lid 400 is at the closed position, so that the inner frame 200 also helps to maintain the shape of the base portion 700 when the container 5 is being moved. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 onwards, the first end 501 of the tray 500 and the top edges 211, 231, 241 of the main panel 210 and first and second side portions 230, 240 of the inner frame 200 lie in a common plane.
A hole 515 is provided through the front panel 510 of the tray 500, and a flap 517 extends from an edge of the hole 515. The flap 517 is connected to the rest of the tray 500 by a living hinge 516, which is coincident with the bottom edge 512 of the front panel 510. A proximal end 517a of the flap 517 is thus at the living hinge 516. The flap 517 is turned outwards from the tray 500, so that a distal end 517b of the flap 517 is located further from the cavity 560 defined by the tray 500 than is the rest of the front panel 510. Accordingly, the cavity 560 defined by the tray 500 is free of the flap 517, so that the flap 517 does not interfere with any contents of the cavity 560. An inner surface 517c of the flap 517 faces generally towards the first end 701 of the base portion 700 and is a stop 517c of the tray 500. The purpose of this stop 517c, which will be termed the "second stop" in the rest of this description, will become apparent from consideration of the rest of this description.
The tray 500 is linearly movable in the first space 761, and thus in the cavity 760 defined by the base portion 700, relative to the base portion 700 between first and second positions, so as to move a part of the tray 500 between first and second locations, respectively, in the first space 761, and thus in the cavity 760 defined by the base portion 700. More specifically, the tray 500 is linearly movable in the first space 761 in a first direction relative to the base portion 700 from the first position to the second position. When the tray 500 is at the first position as shown in Figures 4 and 10, the tray 500 is nested to a maximum extent in the first space 761, and thus in the cavity 760 defined by the base portion 700, with the bottom panel 550 of the tray 500 in contact with the bottom portion 750 of the base portion 700 and with no part of the tray 500 projecting through the opening 770. When the tray 500 is at the second position as shown in Figure 11, part of the tray 500 still is in the first space 761, but the tray 500 projects from the first space 761, and thus further from the cavity 760 defined by the base portion 700, through the opening 770, so that the bottom panel 550 of the tray 500 is spaced from the bottom portion 750 of the base portion 700. Thus, when the tray 500 is at the second position, the tray 500 projects further from the first space 761, and thus further from the cavity 760 defined by the base portion 700, through the opening 770 than when the tray 500 is at the first position. Even though not all of the tray 500 is in the first space 761, and thus in the cavity 760, when the tray 500 is at the second position, still a part of the tray 500 is in the first space 761, and thus in the cavity 760, when the tray 500 is at the second position. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 onwards, it is necessary for the lid 400 to be at the open position before the tray 500 is movable to the second position. This linear movability of the tray 500 allows a user to move the opening 570 of the tray 500 away from the base portion 700 so that they may better access the contents of the cavity 560 defined by the tray 500. When one or more tobacco industry products are received by the tray 500, the complete resultant assembly of the tray 500 and the tobacco industry product(s) is linearly movable as discussed above.
In order to prevent a user from fully removing the tray 500 from the first space 761, and thus from the cavity 760 defined by the base portion 700, the container 5 comprises a limiter for limiting the extent to which the tray 500 is linearly movable from the first position towards the second position in the first direction relative to the base portion 700. More specifically, the limiter is for preventing linear movement of the tray 500 in the first direction relative to the base portion 700 beyond the second position. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 onwards, the limiter comprises the first stop 315a of the divider 310 and the second stop 517c of the tray 500. As discussed above, the first stop 315a faces generally towards the second end 702 of the base portion 700, and the second stop 517c faces generally towards the first end 701 of the base portion 700. In the assembled container 5, the distal end 517b of the flap 517 of the tray 500 is biased against the surface of the divider 310 facing the first space 761 and, when the tray 500 is at the first position relative to the base portion 700, is located between the first stop 315a and the bottom edge 312 of the divider 310. Movement of the tray 500 relative to the base portion 700 from the first position towards the second position causes the distal end 517b of the flap 517 of the tray 500 to pass through the hole 315 in the upper portion 319 of the main panel 310 of the wall 300. Continued movement of the tray 500 towards the second position causes the first stop 315a to come into contact with the second stop 517c when the tray is at the second position, as shown in Figure 11, thereby to stop the movement. Subsequent linear movement of the tray 500 relative to the base portion 700 from the second position towards the first position causes the flap 517 of the tray 500 to be withdrawn from the hole 315 in the upper portion 319 of the main panel 310 of the wall 300. Continued linear movement of the tray 500 away from the second position and towards the first position causes the bottom panel 550 of the tray 500 to come into contact with the bottom portion 750 of the base portion 700 when the tray 500 is at the first position, as shown in Figure 10, thereby to stop the movement.
The tray 500 also is tiltable in the cavity 760 defined by the base portion 700, and more specifically in the first space 761, relative to the base portion 700. As discussed above, the upper portion 319 of the main panel 310 of the wall 300 is movable relative to the base portion 700. As also discussed above, the lid 400 is connected to the top edge 121 of the rear panel 120 of the shell 100 via the hinge 703. When the tray 500 is at the second position relative to the base portion 700, part of the tray 500 projects through the opening 770 so as to be outside the first space 761 and part of the tray 500 is in the first space 761, as shown in Figure 11. When the tray 500 is at this second position, the tray 500 is tiltable relative to the base portion 700 about a second axis A2-A2, which is orthogonal to the first direction and parallel to the first axis A1-A1, to move a portion of the tray 500 furthest from the second end 702 of the base portion 700 in a direction away from the hinge 703 to a third position relative to the base portion 700, as shown in Figure 12. The second axis A2-A2 is coincident with the line 320 at which the upper and lower portions 318, 319 of the main panel 310 of the wall 310 meet. This tilting of the tray 500 relative to the base portion 700 causes the upper portion 319 of the divider 310 to move relative to the base portion 700, effectively increasing the volume of the first space 761 and decreasing the volume of the second space 762. The portion of the tray 500 comprises the first end 501 of the tray 500 at which the opening 570 of the tray 500 is located. Accordingly, this tiltability of the tray 500 allows a user to move the opening 570 of the tray 500 away from the hinge 703, and thus away from the lid 400, when the lid 400 is at the open position, so that they may still better access the contents of the cavity 560 defined by the tray 500. When one or more tobacco industry products are received by the tray 500, the complete resultant assembly of the tray 500 and the tobacco industry product(s) is in the first space 761 and tiltable as discussed above.
In order to help avoid the tray 500 rattling in the base portion 700 when the lid 400 is at the closed position and the container 5 is being moved, the container 5 comprises a tilt preventer for preventing tilting of the tray 500 relative to the base portion 700 when the tray 500 is at the first position. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 onwards, the tilt preventer comprises the lower portion 318 of the divider 310. When the tray 500 is at the first position, a portion of the front panel 510 of the tray 500 is adjacent and parallel to the lower portion 318 of the wall 300, as shown in Figure 10. Since, as discussed above, the tray 500 is a reasonably snug fit in the first space 761 of the cavity 760, and since the lower portion 318 of the wall 300 is immovable, or substantially immovable, relative to the base portion 700, the lower portion 318 of the wall 300 and the rear portion 720 of the base portion 700 prevent the tray 500 from being tilted as discussed above relative to the base portion 700 when at the first position. On the other hand, when the tray is at the second position, none of the front panel 510 of the tray 500 is adjacent and parallel to the lower portion 318 of the wall 300, as shown in Figure 11, so that the lower portion 318 of the wall 300 does not prevent the above-described tilting of the tray 500. When one or more tobacco industry products are received by the tray 500, the tilt preventer is for preventing tilting of the complete resultant assembly of the tray 500 and the tobacco industry product(s).
The combination of the shell 100 and the lid 400 may be formed from the blank 10 shown in Figure 13. The blank 10 comprises a sheet of material, such as card, paper or cardboard, which has a plurality of fold lines 11. The blank 10 may have been cut from a larger sheet of the material. As would be readily understood by the skilled person on consideration of Figures 2 to 4 and 10 to 13, the blank 10 is foldable along the fold lines 11 to form the combination of the shell 100 and the lid 400. As would also be readily understood by the skilled person, the blank 10 includes a plurality of tabs 12 there are fixable, by adhesive or otherwise, to other portions of the blank 10 to hold the material in the desired final configuration.
The inner frame 200 may be made from the blank 20 shown in Figure 14. The blank 20 comprises a sheet of material, such as card, paper or cardboard, which has a plurality of fold lines 21. The blank 20 may have been cut from a larger sheet of the material. As would be readily understood by the skilled person on consideration of at least Figures 4 and 5, the blank 20 is foldable along the fold lines 21 to form the inner frame 200.
The wall 300 may be made from the blank 30 shown in Figure 15. The blank 30 comprises a sheet of material, such as card, paper or cardboard, which has a plurality of fold lines 31. The blank 30 may have been cut from a larger sheet of the material. As would be readily understood by the skilled person on consideration of at least Figures 6 and 7, the blank 30 is foldable along the fold lines 31 to form the wall 300.
The tray 500 may be made from the blank 50 shown in Figure 16. The blank 50 comprises a sheet of material, such as card, paper or cardboard, which has a plurality of fold lines 51. The blank 50 may have been cut from a larger sheet of the material. As would be readily understood by the skilled person on consideration of at least Figures 8 and 9, the blank 50 is foldable along the fold lines 51 to form the tray 500. As would also be readily understood by the skilled person, the blank 50 includes a plurality of tabs 52 there are fixable, by adhesive or otherwise, to other portions of the blank 50 to hold the material in the desired final configuration.
The blanks 10, 20, 30, 50 locatable relative to each other to form the tobacco industry product container 5 shown in Figures 2 to 12. Optionally, the blanks 10, 20, 30, 50 are formed into the combination, the inner frame 200, the wall 300 and the tray 500, respectively, then the inner frame 200 is inserted into the shell 100 and adhered thereto as discussed above to form the base portion 700, then the wall 300 is inserted into the cavity 760 defined by the base portion 700 and adhered thereto as also discussed above, and then the tray 500 is inserted into the second space 762 of the cavity 760 defined by the base portion 700. Other orders of assembly steps may be apparent to the skilled person on consideration of the present disclosure.
In some variations to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 onwards, the shell 100 may have a different shape to that described above. For example, the first and/or second curved edges 136, 146 of the first and/or second side portions 130, 140 may be replaced with a bevelled edge extending from the front panel 110 and connecting the first and/or second, respectively, side panel 135, 145 with the front panel 110. In some variations, the first side portion 130 may comprise only a first side panel extending from the left edge 123 of the rear panel 120 and orthogonal to the rear panel 120 to the left edge 113 of the front panel 110. In some variations, the second side portion 140 may comprise only a second side panel extending from the right edge 124 of the rear panel 120 and orthogonal to the rear panel 120 to the right edge 114 of the front panel 110. In some variations, the first and/or second side portions 130, 140 of the shell 100 may comprise a curved or bevelled edge extending from the rear panel 120 and connecting the first and/or second, respectively, side panel 135, 145 with the rear panel 120. In some variations, the front and rear panels 110, 120 of the shell 100 may be of equal height and the top edges 131, 141 of the first and second side portions 130, 140 of the shell 100 may be parallel to the third plane, so as to join the top edges 111, 121 of the front and rear panels 110, 120.
In some variations to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 onwards, the inner frame 200 may have a different shape to that described above. For example, in some variations the bottom edge 212 of the main panel 210 of the inner frame 200 is not linear but instead takes the same form as the top edge 211 of the main panel 210 of the inner frame 200. In some variations, the top edge 211 of the main panel 210 of the inner frame 200 is linear and parallel to the bottom edge 212 of the main panel 210. Accordingly, in some variations, such alternative forms of the main panel 210 permit plural inner frame blanks, for forming into respective inner frames 200 for respective containers 5, to better tessellate on a sheet, so that the inner frame blanks can be cut from the sheet with less wastage of sheet material.
In some variations to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 onwards, the inner frame 200 is omitted. In some such variations, the cavity 760 defined by the base portion 700 is defined by and between the front, rear and bottom panels 110, 120, 150 and the first and second side portions 130, 140 of the shell 100, and the rim 771 defining the opening 770 comprises the top edges 111, 121, 131, 141 of the front and rear panels 110, 120 and the first and second side portions 130, 140 of the shell 100.
In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 onwards, the second space 762 of the cavity 760 of the base portion 700 is empty. In variations to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 onwards, one or more coupons, cigarette cards, smoking articles, tobacco industry products or other items may be located in the second space 762 and withdrawable from the second space 762 when the lid 400 is at the open position.
In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 onwards, the wall 300 comprises a divider that divides the cavity 760 of the base portion 700 into the first and second spaces 761, 762. In variations to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 onwards, the wall 300, and optionally specifically the main panel 310 of the wall 300, may lie against and along one of the front and rear portions 710, 720 of the base portion 700, so that the wall 300 does not comprise a divider that divides the cavity 760 of the base portion 700 into first and second spaces. In such variations, a space is defined by and between the wall 300 and the other of the front and rear portions 710, 720 of the base portion 700, and it may be in this space that the tray 500 is located. In other variations, the tray 500 may be located in the second space 762 of the cavity 760.
In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 onwards, the first and second sides 301, 302 of the wall 300 are respectively directly affixed to the first and second side portions 230, 240 of the inner frame 200. In variations to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 onwards, the first and second sides 301, 302 of the wall 300 may be respectively directly affixed to the first and second side portions 130, 140 of the shell 100, which are comprised in the first and second side portions 730, 740 of the base portion 700. In other variations, the first and second sides 301, 302 of the wall 300 may be respectively directly affixed to the first and second side portions 730, 740 of the base portion 700 in some other way. In still further variations, the wall 300 may not be fixed to the base portion 700, or may be omitted.
In variations to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 onwards, the lid 400 may be non-unitary or non-integral with the shell 100. In some such variations, the lid 400 may be connected to the base portion 700 via a hinge or by a mechanism or element other than a hinge, and in other such variations the lid 400 may be detachable from the base portion 700 so as to be fully detached from the shell 100 when at the open position. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 onwards, the lid 400 and the tray 500 are movable independently of each other relative to the base portion 700. Accordingly, movement of the lid 400 between the open and closed positions does not cause movement of the tray 500 relative to the base portion 700, and the linear and tilting movements of the tray 500 relative to the base portion 700 do not cause movement of the lid 400 relative to the base portion 700. In some variations to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 onwards, the lid 400 may be omitted.
In some variations to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 onwards, the lid 400 may have a different shape to that described above. For example, the top panel 450 may be non-planar, such as arched or domed or including one or more apexes. In some variations, the first and/or second curved edges 436, 446 of the first and/or second side portions 430, 440 of the lid 400 may be replaced with a bevelled edge extending from the front panel 410 and connecting the first and/or second, respectively, side panel 435, 445 with the front panel 410. In some variations, the first side portion 430 of the lid 400 may comprise only a first side panel extending from the left edge 423 of the rear panel 420 and orthogonal to the rear panel 420 to the left edge 413 of the front panel 410. In some variations, the second side portion 440 of the lid 400 may comprise only a second side panel extending from the right edge 424 of the rear panel 420 and orthogonal to the rear panel 420 to the right edge 414 of the front panel 410. Thus, in some variations, when the lid 400 is at the closed position, the base portion 700 and the lid 400, and more specifically the shell 100 and the lid 400, together give the container 5 a cuboid shape. In some variations, the first and/or second side portions 430, 440 of the lid 400 may comprise a curved or bevelled edge extending from the rear panel 420 and connecting the first and/or second, respectively, side panel 435, 445 with the rear panel 420. In some variations, the front and rear panels 410, 420 of the lid 400 may be of equal height and the bottom edges 432, 442 of the first and second side portions 430, 440 of the lid 400 may be parallel to the fifth plane, so as to join the bottom edges 412, 422 of the front and rear panels 410, 420.
In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 onwards, the cavity 560 of the tray 500 is for receiving and relatively supporting twenty "slim" cigarettes. In variations to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 onwards, the cavity 560 of the tray 500 may be for receiving and relatively supporting a different number of "slim" cigarettes, or a number, e.g. ten or twenty, standard sized cigarettes, or one or more other tobacco industry product(s), such as cigarette papers, cut or packaged tobacco, or snus.
In variations to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 onwards, the tray 500 may have a different shape to that described above. For example, the top edge 511 of the front panel 510 may be linear and the front panel 510 may be rectangular. Alternatively, the top edge 511 of the front panel 510 may be curved, and may provide one of a concave and a convex edge facing the first end 501 of the tray 500. In some variations, the front panel 510 and/or the rear panel 520 of the tray 500 may be omitted. In some variations, the first side panel 530 and/or the second side panel 540 of the tray 500 may be omitted.
In some variations to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 onwards, when the tray 500 is at the second position relative to the base portion 700, the tray 500 may project no further from the first space 761, and thus no further from the cavity 760 defined by the base portion 700, through the opening 770 than when the tray 500 is at the first position. Thus, in some embodiments, the tray 500 may not project from the first space 761 or cavity 760 through the opening 770 when at either of the first and second positions.
In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 onwards, the first direction in which the tray 500 is movable relative to the base portion 700 is normal to the third plane, in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the base portion 700, and orthogonal to the first axis A1-A1. In variations to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 onwards, the first direction may be orthogonal or oblique to the third plane and/or the longitudinal axis. In variations to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 onwards, the first direction may be parallel or oblique to the first axis A1-A1.
In some variations to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 onwards, the first stop of the divider 310 may have a different form to that discussed above. For example, in some variations the first stop may comprise a surface of a projection projecting from the main panel 310 of the wall 300, so that the first stop comprises a surface of a projection of the divider 310. The projection may comprise a flap. In some variations to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 onwards, the divider 310 may be free of parts of the limiter. In some variations, at least part of the limiter, such as a stop, may be comprised in the base portion 700, such as in the rear portion 720 or in one of the first and second side portions 730, 740 or in the base portion 750. In some variations to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 onwards, the second stop of the tray 500 may have a different form to that discussed above. For example, in some variations the second stop may comprise an edge of a hole in the tray 500 or an external edge of the tray 500, such as one of the top edges 511, 521, 531, 541 of the front and rear panels 510, 520 and first and second side panels 530, 540 of the tray 500.
In some variations to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 onwards, the limiter may comprise a first limiter part that is part of the tray 500 and a second limiter part, which may be part of the divider 310 or part of the base portion 700, and the first and second limiter parts may interact with each other to stop the movement of the tray 500 without having to come into contact with each other. For example, the first and second limiter parts may be in permanent contact with each other. For example, the first and second limiter parts may comprise opposite ends of a flexible or extendible member permanently connected between the tray 500 and the divider 310 or the base portion 700, e.g. the bottom portion 750 of the base portion 700.
In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 onwards, when the tray 500 is at the second position relative to the base portion 700, the tray 500 is tiltable relative to the base portion 700 about the second axis A2-A2 to move the portion of the tray 500, comprising the first end 501 of the tray 500, furthest from the second end 702 of the base portion 700 in a direction away from the hinge 703. In some variations to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 onwards, when the tray 500 is at the second position relative to the base portion 700, the tray 500 is tiltable in the cavity 760 relative to the base portion 700 about the second axis A2-A2 to move the portion of the tray 500 in a direction towards the hinge 703. In some variations, the second axis A2-A2 about which the tray 500 is tiltable relative to the base portion 700 is not coincident with the line 320 at which the upper and lower portions 318, 319 of the main panel 310 of the wall 310 meet. In some respective variations, the second axis A2-A2 may be parallel, orthogonal or oblique to the line 320. In some variations, the second axis A2-A2 about which the tray 500 is tiltable relative to the base portion 700 is not orthogonal to the first direction and parallel to the first axis A1-A1. For example, in some variations the second axis A2-A2 may be orthogonal to both the first direction and the first axis A1-A1, or orthogonal to the first axis A1-A1 and parallel to the first direction, or oblique to both the first direction and the first axis A1-A1. In some variations, the tray 500 is not tiltable in the cavity 760 relative to the base portion 700.
In some variations to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 onwards, the tray 500 may be tiltable in the cavity 760 relative to the base portion 700 when the tray 500 is at the first position relative to the base portion 700. For example, the lower portion 318 of the divider 310 may be movable relative to the base portion 700 to permit the tilting of the tray 500, or may be sufficiently spaced from the tray 500 so as to permit the tilting of the tray 500 without moving relative to the base portion 700. In some variations to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 onwards, the container 5 may comprise a tilt preventer for preventing tilting of the tray 500 relative to the base portion 700 when the tray 500 is at the second position. For example, the upper portion 319 of the divider 310 may be immovable, or substantially immovable, relative to the base portion 700, and the divider 310 and the rear portion 720 of the base portion 700 may prevent the tray 500 from being tilted as discussed above relative to the base portion 700 when at the second position.
As used herein, the term "smoking article" includes smokeable products such as cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes and also heat-not-burn products. The smoking article may be provided with a filter for the gaseous flow drawn by the smoker.
As used herein, the term "tobacco industry product" refers to any item made in, or sold by the tobacco industry, typically including a) cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, tobacco for pipes or for roll-your-own cigarettes, (whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes); b) non-smoking products incorporating tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes such as snuff, snus, hard tobacco, and heat-not-burn products; and c) other nicotine-delivery systems such as inhalers, lozenges and gum. This list is not intended to be exclusive, but merely illustrates a range of products which are made and sold in the tobacco industry.
The various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects described herein are not to be considered limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention.

Claims

A tobacco industry product container (4,5), comprising:
a base portion (700) defining a cavity (760); and

a tray (500) for receiving tobacco industry products, wherein the tray (500) is linearly movable in the cavity (760) in a first direction relative to the base portion (700) from a first position, at which a part of the tray (500) is at a first location in the cavity (760), to a second position, at which the part of the tray (500) is at a second location in the cavity (760);

wherein the tray (500) is tiltable relative to the base portion (700) when the tray (500) is at the second position;

wherein a limiter (315a) is provided for preventing linear movement of the tray (500) in the first direction relative to the base portion (700) beyond the second position;

wherein the base portion (700) defines an opening (770) into the cavity (760) from an exterior of the base portion (700), and wherein the container (4,5) comprises a lid (400) for closing the opening (770).
The tobacco industry product container (4,5) according to claim 1, wherein, when the tray (500) is at the second position, the tray (500) projects further from the cavity (760) through the opening (770) than when the tray (500) is at the first position.
The tobacco industry product container according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the limiter comprises a first stop (315a) and a second stop (517c), and wherein linear movement of the tray (500) in the first direction relative to the base portion (700) from the first position towards the second position causes the first stop (315a) to come into contact with the second stop (517c) when the tray (500) is at the second position, thereby to stop the linear movement.
The tobacco industry product container (4,5) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a divider (310) fixed to the base portion (700) and dividing the cavity (760) into first and second spaces (761, 762), wherein the tray (500) is in the first space (761), and wherein at least part of the limiter is comprised in the divider (310),
optionally, when dependent on claim 3, wherein the first stop (315a) is comprised in the divider (310) and the second stop (517c) is comprised in the tray (500).
The tobacco industry product container (4,5) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tray (500) is tiltable relative to the base portion (700) about an axis (A2-A2) orthogonal to the first direction when the tray (500) is at the second position.
The tobacco industry product container (4,5) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a tilt preventer for preventing tilting of the tray (500) relative to the base portion (700) when the tray (500) is at the first position,
optionally wherein the tobacco industry product container (4,5) comprises a divider (310) dividing the cavity (760) into first and second spaces (761, 762), wherein the tray (500) is in the first space (761), and wherein the tilt preventer comprises the divider (310).
The tobacco industry product container (4,5) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a divider (310) dividing the cavity (760) into first and second spaces (761, 762), wherein the tray (500) is in the first space (761),
optionally wherein the divider (310) is fixed to the base portion (700) and/or at least a portion of the divider (310) is movable relative to the base portion (700) and tilting of the tray (500) relative to the base portion (700) when the tray (500) is at the second position causes the portion of the divider (310) to move relative to the base portion (700).
The tobacco industry product container (4,5) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid (400) and the tray (500) are movable independently of each other relative to the base portion (700),
and/or the base portion (700) has a first end (701) and an opposite second end (702), the lid (400) is connected to the base portion (700) via a hinge (703) at the first end (701), and the tray (500) is tiltable relative to the base portion (700) to move a portion of the tray (500) furthest from the second end (702) in a direction away from the hinge (703).
A tobacco industry product container (4,5), comprising:
a base portion (700) defining a cavity (760) and having a front portion (710), a rear portion (720) and first and second side portions (730, 740) extending between the front and rear portions (710, 720);

a wall (300) in the cavity (760), wherein the wall (300) has first and second sides (301, 302) respectively directly affixed to the first and second side portions (730, 740) of the base portion (700), and wherein the wall (300) and one of the front and rear portions (710, 720) define a space (761) therebetween;

a tray (500) for receiving tobacco industry products, wherein the tray (500) is linearly movable in the space (761) in a first direction relative to the base portion (700) from a first position, at which a part of the tray (500) is at a first location in the space (761), to a second position, at which the part of the tray (500) is at a second location in the space (761); and

a limiter for preventing linear movement of the tray (500) in the first direction relative to the base portion (700) beyond the second position, wherein a first part (315a) of the limiter is comprised in the wall (300) and a second part (517c) of the limiter is comprised in the tray (500).
The tobacco industry product container (4,5) according to claim 9, wherein the limiter comprises a first stop (315a) of the wall (300) and a second stop (517c) of the tray (500), and wherein linear movement of the tray (500) in the first direction relative to the base portion (700) from the first position towards the second position causes the first stop (315a) to come into contact with the second stop (517c) when the tray (500) is at the second position, thereby to stop the linear movement,
and/or wherein the wall (300) comprises a divider (310) dividing the cavity (760) into first and second spaces (761, 762) and the tray (500) is in the first space (761).
The tobacco industry product container (4,5) according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the base portion (700) defines an opening (770) into the cavity (760) from an exterior of the base portion (700), and wherein, when the tray (500) is at the second position, the tray (500) projects further from the cavity (760) through the opening (770) than when the tray (500) is at the first position.
The tobacco industry product container (4,5) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the tray (500) is tiltable relative to the base portion (700) when the tray (500) is at the second position,
optionally wherein the tray (500) is tiltable relative to the base portion (700) about an axis (A2-A2) that is orthogonal to the first direction when the tray (500) is at the second position and/or at least a portion (319) of the wall (300) is movable relative to the base portion (700), and wherein tilting of the tray (500) relative to the base portion (700) when the tray (500) is at the second position causes the portion (319) of the wall (300) to move relative to the base portion (700).
The tobacco industry product container (4,5) according to any one of claims 9 to 12, comprising a tilt preventer for preventing tilting of the tray (500) relative to the base portion (700) when the tray (500) is at the first position,
optionally wherein the tilt preventer comprises the wall (300).
The tobacco industry product container (4,5) according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the base portion (700) defines an opening (770) into the cavity (760) from an exterior of the base portion (700), and wherein the container (4,5) comprises a lid (400) for closing the opening (770),
optionally wherein the lid (400) is connected to the base portion (700) via a hinge (703) for rotation relative to the base portion (700) about a first axis (A1-A1) and the first axis (A1-A1) is orthogonal to the first direction and/or the lid (400) and the tray (500) are movable independently of each other relative to the base portion (700).
A plurality of blanks, each of which comprises a sheet of material comprising one or more predetermined fold lines, wherein the blanks are foldable along the fold lines and locatable relative to each other to form the tobacco industry product container (4,5) according to any one of the preceding claims.