EP3283397B1

EP3283397B1 - Packet of smoke articles

Info

Publication number: EP3283397B1
Application number: EP16725911.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Roberto Polloni; Alver Tacchi; Stefano Negrini; Luca Federici
Original assignee: GD SpA
Current assignee: GD SpA
Priority date: 2015-04-16
Filing date: 2016-04-14
Publication date: 2019-02-27
Anticipated expiration: 2036-04-14
Also published as: JP2018513068A; ITBO20150185A1; PL3283397T3; JP6893882B2; EP3283397A1; WO2016166692A1

Description

STATE OF THE ART

The present invention relates to a packet of smoke articles configured for housing a group of smoke articles of reduced dimension, i.e. a group of smoke articles having a longitudinal dimension that is less than or the same as a larger transverse dimension of the packet.
In the following description for the sake of brevity reference will be made to a rigid hinged-lid packet of cigarettes without the present invention being thereby narrowed in scope.

BACKGROUND ART

Rigid hinged-lid packets of cigarettes of traditional type are currently the most widespread packets of cigarettes on the market because they are easy to make, are easy and practical to use and offer good mechanical protection to the cigarettes contained therein.
A rigid hinged-lid packet of cigarettes comprises an inner package of metal foil that completely wraps a group of cigarettes, and an outer container that houses the inner package internally and is provided with a hinged lid. The outer container is cup-shaped, houses the group of cigarettes and has an open top end, whereas the lid, which is also cup-shaped, is hinged to the outer container to rotate, with respect to the outer container, between an open and a closed position of the open end. An inner frame is further provided, which is folded as a "U" and is connected inside the outer container to protrude partially outside the open end and engage a corresponding inner surface of the lid when the lid is positioned in the closed position.
Nevertheless, the packets of traditional type are unsuitable for housing a group of cigarettes of reduced longitudinal dimension inasmuch as, when only a few cigarettes are present, they could fall into positions from which it is difficult to extract the cigarettes.
In order to overcome this drawback, packets of cigarettes have been developed that are known as "twin packets" or "double pocket packets". A twin packet consists of two inner semi-packets that are provided with respective metal foil inner packages, are coupled with a single inner frame a central portion of which is folded as a book and is interposed between the semi-packets, and are arranged alongside within the same outer container provided with a hinged lid.
It is known that tobacco is very sensitive to the effects of the external environment, inasmuch as in contact with the atmosphere its organoleptic characteristics tend to vary both by the effect of variations in humidity (tobacco may dry excessively or absorb too much moisture) and by the evaporation of the volatile substances with which the tobacco has been impregnated (especially in the case of cigarettes with particular aromas such as menthol).
To preserve the integrity of the tobacco of the cigarettes, the aforesaid twin packets are then cellophane-wrapped, i.e. they are wrapped in a heat-sealable overwrapping of airtight plastic material. Nevertheless, the heat-sealable overwrapping might not be sufficient to fully preserve the organoleptic characteristics of the tobacco contained in a packet of cigarettes, in particular when the packet of cigarettes is consumed some time after manufacture. Further, when the packet is first opened, the overwrapping is removed and thus exposing the tobacco of the cigarettes contained in the packet to the outer environment; if the cigarettes contained in the packet are not consumed rapidly after the first opening of the packet, the organoleptic characteristics of the tobacco contained in the residual cigarettes can be noticeably deteriorated.
In order to remedy the aforesaid drawback, packets have been developed known as "sealed twin packets" of the type disclosed in international patent applications WO2010/026020A1 and WO02/30790A2 .
Documents WO2010/026020A1 and WO02/30790A2 disclose rigid packets of cigarettes comprising an outer container provided with a hinged lid that houses two separated groups of cigarettes. Such packets are provided with an airtight inner package, which is heat-sealed and comprises a sheet of heat-sealable material that forms an airtight barrier. In the packets disclosed in international patent applications WO2010/026020A1 and WO02/30790A2 , the inner package has two cigarettes extraction openings, one for each separate group of cigarettes, which are closed by respective reclosable adhesive panels. The reclosable adhesive panels are each provided with a reusable adhesive strip that does not dry that enables the respective panel to be locked several times in a closed position of the corresponding cigarettes extraction opening. Further, in such packets, inside the inner package, a rigid inner frame is arranged. The rigid inner frame embraces the group of cigarettes, has a front wall, a pair of lateral walls and a central portion folded as a book, and has the function of protecting the cigarettes during folding and heat-sealing of the inner package sheet of heat-sealable material, and, by the folded central portion, separating the two groups of cigarettes.
The packets disclosed in WO2010/026020A1 and WO02/30790A2 enable one group of cigarettes to be consumed first and, subsequently, the remaining group of cigarettes to be consumed, thus preserving better over time the organoleptic characteristics of the tobacco contained in the group of cigarettes consumed subsequently.
A drawback of the packets disclosed in WO2010/026020A1 and WO02/30790A2 , is that in order to extract a cigarette from the packet, the user has to open the lid firstly and subsequently has to open one of the two reclosable adhesive panels, grasping a graspable tab with which such panels are provided. The operation of opening the reclosable adhesive panels can be quite laborious, especially in the case of a user who has reduced manual dexterity, because the graspable tabs of the panels have reduced dimensions, i.e. of a few millimetres.
It has thus been proposed to increase the dimensions of the graspable tabs.
Nevertheless, such graspable tabs of increased dimensions inevitably exit form a lower edge of the lid, making it more difficult to maintain the lid in the closed position, tend to catch against outer objects, causing the lid to open accidentally, and compromise the aesthetics of the packet of cigarettes with the lid closed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a packet of smoke articles that is free from the drawbacks described above, i.e. that is at the same time easy and inexpensive to manufacture.
According to the present invention a packet of smoke articles is provided as claimed in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an embodiment thereof by way of non-limiting example, in which:

figure 1 is a front axonometric view and in a closed configuration of a packet of cigarettes made according to the present invention;
figure 2 is a rear axonometric view and in a closed configuration of the packet of cigarettes of figure 1;
figure 3 is a front axonometric view and in an open configuration of the packet of cigarettes of figure 1;
figure 4 is a front axonometric view and in another open configuration of the packet of cigarettes of figure 1;
figure 5 is a side view and in an open configuration of the packet of cigarettes of figure 1;
figure 6 is a front axonometric view of a first inner package included in the packet of cigarettes of figure 1;
figure 7 is a rear axonometric view of the first inner package of figure 6;
figure 8 is a front axonometric view of a second inner package included in the packet of cigarettes of figure 1;
figure 9 is a rear axonometric view of the second inner package of figure 8;
figure 10 is a front axonometric view of a stiffener housed in the first inner package of figure 6 and in the second inner package of figure 8;
figure 11 is a view of a blank used to make the stiffener of figure 10;
figure 12 is a front view of a first sealing flap included in the packet of cigarettes of figure 1;
figure 13 is a front view of a second sealing flap included in the packet of cigarettes of figure 1;
figures 13A, 13B and 13C are front views of components constituting the second sealing flap of figure 13;
figure 14 is a view of a blank used to make an outer container of the packet of cigarettes of figure 1;
figure 15 is a view of a wrapper sheet used to make the first inner package of figure 6;
figure 16 is a view of a wrapper sheet used to make the second inner package of figure 8.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In figures 1 to 4, number 1 indicates as a whole a rigid packet of cigarettes extending along a longitudinal axis A parallel to a longitudinal axis of prevalent extent of the cigarettes.
The packet of cigarettes 1 comprises an outer container 2, a lid 3, which is hinged behind to the outer container 2 along a hinge 4 to rotate between a closed position (illustrated in figures 1 and 2) and an open position (illustrated in figures 3 and 4), a first inner package 5, that encloses a first group 6 of cigarettes and is housed inside the outer container 2, and a second inner package 7, that encloses a second group 8 of cigarettes and is housed inside the outer container 2 alongside the first inner package 5.
The container 2 is of rigid type, i.e. is formed by a rigid wrapping material, is cup-shaped, has a parallelpipedon shape and has an open top end 9, a bottom wall 10 opposite the open top end 9, a front wall 11 and a rear wall 12 that are parallel to and opposite one another, and a first lateral wall 13 and a second lateral wall 14 that are parallel to one another and interposed between the walls 11 e 12.
In the container 2, between the respectively front and rear walls 11 and 12 and the lateral walls 13, 14 four longitudinal edges are defined that are arranged parallel to the cigarettes of the first group 6 and of the second group 8 of cigarettes. In the container 2, between the walls 11, 12, 13 and 14 and the bottom wall 10 four transverse edges are defined that are arranged perpendicularly to the cigarettes of the first group 6 and of the second group 8 of cigarettes.
The length of the diagonal of the bottom wall 10 of the container 2 is greater than or the same as the longitudinal dimension, i.e. measured parallel to the longitudinal axis A, of the cigarettes constituting the first group 6 and the second group 8 of cigarettes.
The lid 3 is cup-shaped, has a parallelpipedon shape, and has a top wall 12, parallel to and opposite the bottom wall 10 of the container 2 when the lid 3 is arranged in the closed position, a front wall 16, coplanar with the front wall 11 of the container 2 when the lid 3 is arranged in the closed position, a rear wall 17, hinged by means of the hinge 4 to the rear wall 12 of the container 2 and coplanar with the rear wall 12 of the container 2 when the lid 3 is arranged in the closed position, a first lateral wall 18, coplanar with the first lateral wall 13 of the container 2 when the lid 3 is arranged in the closed position, and a second lateral wall 19, coplanar with the second lateral wall 14 of the container 2 when the lid 3 is arranged in the closed position.
In the lid 3, between the respectively front and rear walls 16 and 17 and the lateral walls 18, 19, four longitudinal edges are defined that are arranged parallel to the cigarettes of the first group 6 and of the second group 8 of cigarettes. In the lid 3, between the walls 16, 17, 18 and 19 and the top wall 15 four transverse edges are defined that are arranged perpendicularly to the cigarettes of the first group 6 and of the second group 8 of cigarettes. In the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying figures all the edges are sharp; according to other embodiments that are not illustrated and are completely equivalent part of the longitudinal and/or transverse edges can be chamfered or rounded.
According to what is illustrated in figures 3 to 7, the first inner package 5, in particular of the sealed type, has a parallelpipedon shape and has a top wall 20 and a bottom wall 21 that are parallel to and opposite one another and face respectively, when the lid 3 is arranged in the closed position, an inner surface of the top wall 15 of the lid 3 and an inner surface of the bottom wall 10 of the container 2, a front wall 22 and a rear wall 23 that are parallel to and opposite one another and face respectively, when the lid 3 is arranged in the closed position, inner surfaces of the front walls 11, 16 respectively of the container 2 and of the lid 3 and an inner surface of the rear wall 12 of the container 2, and a first lateral wall 24 and a second lateral wall 25 that are parallel to one another and interposed between the walls 22 and 23 that respectively face, when the lid 3 is arranged in the closed position, an inner surface of the first lateral wall 13 of the container 2 and an inner surface of the first lateral wall 18 of the lid 3, and an outer surface of a first lateral wall 26 of the second inner package 7.
The first inner package 5 is made by folding a wrapper sheet 27, illustrated in figure 15 made of metal or transparent foil, i.e. of heat-sealable soft inner package material devoid of rigidity, around the first group 6 of cigarettes (such as to be in direct contact with the cigarettes of the first group 6 of cigarettes) and is stabilised by heat-sealing.
The first inner package 5 further comprises a first cigarettes extraction opening 28, which is arranged at the top wall 20 and at the front wall 22 of the first inner package 5 and is bounded by a separating line 29, illustrated by a dotted line in figures 6 and 7. The separating line 29 can be separated from the start from the remaining part of the first inner package 5 or can be tearable, can be typically a perforated line, to be torn completely at the first opening of the packet 1 of cigarettes. Generally, it is preferable that the separating line 29 is tearable to simplify handling of the wrapper sheet 27 used to form the first inner package 5.
According to what is illustrated in figures 3, 4, 6 and 7, the length of the diagonal of the bottom wall 21 of the first inner package 5 is less than the longitudinal dimension of the cigarettes constituting the first group 6 of cigarettes, this preventing the cigarettes of the first group 6 of cigarettes falling and getting stuck on the bottom of the first inner package 5 and making extraction of even the last cigarettes easy.
According to what is illustrated in figures 3 to 7 and 12, the packet of cigarettes 1 comprises a first sealing flap 30 that is reusable for closing the first cigarettes extraction opening 28 of the first inner package 5.
The first sealing flap 30 is of the "open & close" type, covers, when the lid 3 is arranged in the closed position, the first extraction opening 28 of the first inner package 5, and is superimposed on the rear wall 23, on the top wall 20 and on the front wall 22 of the first inner package 5. The first sealing flap 30 is fixed to the first inner package 5 by a repositionable adhesive that does not dry (i.e. always remains sticky), i.e. of the adhesive that enables the parts to be separated and then to be joined again even after a long lapse of time; in this manner, the first sealing flap 30 adheres, when the lid 3 is arranged in the closed position, to the first inner package 5 to close (seal) the first extraction opening 28 and can be temporarily lifted from the first inner package 5 to free the first extraction opening 28 and thus enable a cigarette to be extracted through the first extraction opening 28.
In other words, the presence of the repositionable adhesive that does not dry, which is applied to a lower surface of the first sealing flap 30, causes temporary gluing (i.e. that is separated in use) between the portion of the first inner package 5 that surrounds the separating line 29, i.e. that surrounds the first extraction opening 28, and the first sealing flap 30, to enable the first sealing flap 30 to be partially separated several times (i.e. at every opening of the packet 1 of cigarettes) from the first inner package 5 and then be fixed again to the first inner package 5.
The first sealing flap 30 further comprises a permanent adhesive that causes the permanent gluing, i.e. that is never separated even in use, of the portion of the first inner package 5 enclosed inside the separating line 29, i.e. at the first extraction opening 28, to the first sealing flap 30; thus, when the first sealing flap 30 is raised from the first inner package 5 the portion of the first inner package 5 enclosed inside the separating line 29, i.e. at the first extraction opening 28, lifts up together with the first sealing flap 30, freeing the first extraction opening 28.
According to what is illustrated in figures 3 to 6 and 12, the first sealing flap 30 is provided with a first connecting tab 31, which is devoid of repositionable adhesive.
The first connecting tab 31 of the first sealing flap 30 is connected permanently and non separably, preferably by gluing, to an inner surface of the lid 3 so that opening and closing the lid 3 also simultaneously opens and closes the first sealing flap 30. In particular, an outer surface 32 (illustrated in figure 6) of the first connecting tab 31 of the first sealing flap 30 is glued by spots of permanent glue (i.e. that dries and is not repositionable) to an inner surface of the front wall 16 of the lid 2. More precisely, the outer surface 32 of the first connecting tab 31 of the first sealing flap 30 is glued by spots of permanent glue to a reinforcing flap 33 of the lid 2.
In this manner, the first connecting tab 31 of the first sealing flap 30 remains spread and separated from the remaining part of the first sealing flap 30 and, during opening of the lid 3, the first sealing flap 30 forms an "S" shape (illustrated schematically in figure 5). According to a different embodiment that is not illustrated, one portion of the first sealing flap 30 that is different from the first connecting tab 31 could be glued in a permanent and non-separable manner to the inner surface of the lid 3 in addition to or in replacement of the first connecting tab 31; in the latter case, the first sealing flap 30 could be devoid of the first connecting tab 31.
According to another embodiment that is not illustrated, an inner surface of the first connecting tab 31 of the first sealing flap 30 is glued by spots of permanent glue to the inner surface of the front wall 16 of the lid 3, in particular to the reinforcing flap 33 of the lid 2. In this case, the first connecting tab 31 of the first sealing flap 30 is folded 180° onto the remaining part of the first sealing flap 30 and, during opening of the lid 3, the first sealing flap 30 forms a "U" shape.
Owing to the fact of making the first connecting tab 31 of the first sealing flap 30 permanently integral with the lid 3 it is possible to obtain simultaneous lifting of the first sealing flap 30 together with the lid 3. Lifting the first sealing flap 30 from the first inner package 5 during opening of the lid 3 occurs gently and gradually without stress to the cigarettes contained in the first inner package 5; further, the descent of the first sealing flap 30 onto the first inner package 5 during closing of the lid 3 occurs gently and gradually, enabling the first sealing flap 30 to wrap in sequence and with precision the profile of the first inner package 5.
According to the present invention, the first connecting tab 31 is separated from the remaining part of the first sealing flap 30 by a weakening line 34 (illustrated in figures 6 and 12). The function of the weakening line 34 is to facilitate folding of the first sealing flap 30 at the first connecting tab 31 to enable the first sealing flap 30 to be folded at the first connecting tab 31 by applying a folding force of less intensity (and thus also reducing the spring-back force with which the first sealing flap 30 tends to return to the original unfolded position after being folded at the first connecting tab 31).
Owing to the presence of the weakening line 34, during movement of the lid 3 and of the first sealing flap 30 that is integral with the lid 3, the first sealing flap 30 is folded more easily (i.e. with less "force") at the first connecting tab 31 and thus the first sealing flap 30 is folded at the first connecting tab 31 by applying less traction force between the first connecting tab 31 and the inner surface of the lid 3 (i.e. by subjecting the spots of glue to less traction). Consequently, owing to the presence of the weakening line 34 it is possible to reduce the stress on the spots of glue that connect the first connecting tab 31 of the first sealing flap 30 to the inner surface of the lid 3 and it is thus possible to reduce significantly (if not also eliminate completely) the risk that in use the spots of glue fracture, causing an undesired ungluing of the first sealing flap 30 from the lid 3.
Preferably, the weakening line 34 is made by cutting or removing the material constituting the first sealing flap 30, i.e. by creating a "groove" that affects the material constituting the first sealing flap 30. According to the embodiment illustrated in figures 3 to 6, the weakening line 34 is continuous (i.e. extends along the entire extent of the first connecting tab 34) and consists of a partial, (i.e. not through) cut of the material constituting the first sealing flap 30. According to a different embodiment that is not illustrated, the weakening line 34 is intermittent (i.e. extends in separate portions) and consists of a complete (i.e. through) cut of the material constituting the first sealing flap 30. According to a further embodiment that is not illustrated, the weakening line 34 is intermittent (i.e. extends in separate portions) and consists of a partial (i.e. not through) cut of the material constituting the first sealing flap 30. When the material constituting the first sealing flap 30 is multilayered (i.e. consists of at least two layers that are superimposed and joined together) and the weakening line 34 consists of a partial cut, this partial cut could affect completely one layer (or also several layers) of the material, leaving the remaining layers (or the remaining layer) of the material whole.
For example, the weakening line 34 can be made by blades that cut mechanically the material constituting the first sealing flap 30, or can be made by a laser beam that removes part of the material constituting the first sealing flap 30.
According to what is illustrated in figures 3, 4, 8 and 9, the second inner package 7, in particular of the sealed type, has a parallelpipedon shape and has a top wall 35 and a bottom wall 36 that are parallel to and opposite one another and face respectively, when the lid 3 is arranged in the closed position, an inner surface of the top wall 15 of the lid 3 and an inner surface of the bottom wall 10 of the container 2, a front wall 37 and a rear wall 38 that are parallel to and opposite one another and face respectively, when the lid 3 is arranged in the closed position, inner surfaces of the front walls 11, 16 respectively of the container 2 and of the lid 3 and an inner surface of the rear wall 12 of the container 2, and the first lateral wall 26 and a second lateral wall 39 that are parallel to one another and interposed between the walls 37 and 38, when the lid 3 is arranged in the closed position, to an outer surface of the second lateral wall 25 of the first inner package 5 and an inner surface of the second lateral wall 14 of the outer container 2 and an inner surface of the second lateral wall 19 of the lid 3.
The second inner package 7 is made by folding a wrapper sheet, illustrated in figure 16, made of metal or transparent foil, i.e. of heat-sealable soft inner package material devoid of rigidity, around the second group 8 of cigarettes (such as to be in direct contact with the cigarettes of the second group 8 of cigarettes) and is stabilised by heat-sealing.
The second inner package 7 further comprises a second cigarettes extraction opening 41, which is arranged at the top wall 35 and at the front wall 37 of the second inner package 7 and is bounded by a separating line 42, illustrated by a dotted line in figures 8 and 9. The separating line 42 can be separated from the start from the remaining part of the second inner package 7 or can be tearable, can be typically a perforated line, to be torn completely at the first opening of the second inner package 7. Generally, it is preferable that the separating line 42 is tearable to simplify handling of the wrapper sheet used to form the second inner package 7.
According to what is illustrated in figures 3, 4, 8 and 9, the length of the diagonal of the bottom wall 36 of the second inner package 7 is less than the longitudinal dimension of the cigarettes constituting the second group 8 of cigarettes, this preventing the cigarettes of the second group 8 of cigarettes falling and getting stuck on the bottom of the second inner package 7 and making extraction of even the last cigarettes easy.
According to what is illustrated in figures 3, 4, 8, 9, 13, 13A-C, the packet of cigarettes 1 comprises a second sealing flap 43 that is reusable for closing the second cigarettes extraction opening 41 of the second inner package 7.
The second sealing flap 43 is of the "open & close" type, i.e. enables the second extraction opening 41 of the second inner package 7 to be opened and closed, and is superimposed on the rear wall 38, on the top wall 35 and on the front wall 37 of the second inner package 7. The second sealing flap 43 is fixed to the second inner package 7 by a repositionable adhesive that does not dry (i.e. always remains sticky), i.e. of the adhesive that enables the parts to be separated and then to be joined again even after a long lapse of time; in this manner, the second sealing flap 43 adheres to the second inner package 7 to close (seal) the second extraction opening 41 and can be temporarily lifted from the second inner package 7 to free the second extraction opening 41 and thus enable a cigarette to be extracted through the second extraction opening 41.
In other words, the presence of the repositionable adhesive that does not dry, which is applied to a lower surface of the second sealing flap 43, causes temporary gluing (i.e. that is separated in use) between the portion of the second inner package 7 that surrounds the separating line 42, i.e. that surrounds the second extraction opening 41, and the second sealing flap 43, to enable the second sealing flap 43 to be partially separated several times (i.e. at every opening of the second inner package 7) from the second inner package 7 and then be fixed again to the second inner package 7.
The second sealing flap 43 further comprises a permanent adhesive that causes the permanent gluing, i.e. that is never separated even in use, of the portion of the second inner package 7 enclosed inside the separating line 42, i.e. at the second extraction opening 41, to the second sealing flap 43; thus, when the second sealing flap 43 is raised from the second inner package 7 the portion of the second inner package 7 enclosed inside the separating line 42, i.e. at the second extraction opening 41, lifts up together with the second sealing flap 43, freeing the second extraction opening 41.
The second sealing flap 43 further comprises a removable tab 44.
The removable tab 44 is arranged at least partially below the front wall 16 of the lid 3 when the lid 3 is arranged in the closed position.
Preferably, the tab 44 has a graspable flap 45 that facilitates the removal thereof from the second sealing flap 43.
According to what is illustrated in figures 8, 13 and 13B, the second sealing flap 43 is provided with a second connecting tab 46, which is devoid of repositionable adhesive.
In particular, the second connecting tab 46 comprises an inner surface 47 (illustrated in figure 4) facing the front wall 37 of the second inner package 7 and devoid of repositionable adhesive, and an outer surface 48 (illustrated in figures 13 and 13B), opposite the inner surface 47, and facing an inner surface of the front wall 16 of the lid 3 when the lid 3 is arranged in the closed position. More precisely, the outer surface 48 of the second connecting tab 46 of the second sealing flap 43 faces the reinforcing flap 33 of the lid 3 when the lid 3 is arranged in the closed position.
The outer surface 48 of the second connecting tab 46 comprises an end portion 49 that is glued in a permanent and non-separable manner, preferably by gluing, to a corresponding end portion 50 of the second sealing flap 43.
On the remaining part of the outer surface 48 of the second connecting tab 46 a layer of adhesive material is provided, which is then arranged between the second sealing flap 43 and the lid 3 when the lid 3 is arranged in the closed position.
On the layer of adhesive material the removable tab 44 disclosed above is positioned. The layer of adhesive material is then interposed between the remaining part of the outer surface 48 of the second connecting tab 46 and an inner surface of the removable tab 44. The latter is defined as removable as it is separable from the layer of adhesive material. According to the present invention, the end portion 49 of the outer surface 48 of the second connecting tab 46 is separated from the remaining part of the outer surface 48 (on which the layer of adhesive material is provided) by a weakening line 64 (illustrated in figures 13 and 13B). The function of the weakening line 64 is to facilitate folding of the second connecting tab 46 at the end portion 50 of the second sealing flap 43 to enable the second connecting tab 46 to be fold at the end portion 50 of the second sealing flap 43 by applying a folding force of less intensity (and thus also reducing the spring-back force with which the second connecting tab 46 tends to return to the original unfolded position after being folded at the end portion 50 of the second sealing flap 43).
Owing to the presence of the weakening line 64, during movement of the lid 3 and of the second sealing flap 43 (when, as disclosed below, the second sealing flap 43 is glued to the lid 3), the second connecting tab 46 is folded more easily (i.e. with less "force") at the end portion 50 of the second sealing flap 43 and thus the second connecting tab 46 is folded at the end portion 50 of the second sealing flap 43 by applying less traction forces between the second connecting tab 46 and the inner surface of the lid 3 (i.e. by subjecting the spots of glue to less traction). Consequently, owing to the presence of the weakening line 64 it is possible to reduce the stress to the layer of adhesive material that connects (as disclosed below) the second connecting tab 46 of the second sealing flap 43 to the inner surface of the lid 3 and it is thus possible to reduce significantly (if not also eliminate completely) the risk that in use undesired ungluing of the second sealing flap 43 from the lid 3 occurs.
Preferably, the weakening line 64 is made by cutting or removing the material constituting the second connecting tab 46, i.e. by creating a "groove" that affects the material constituting the second connecting tab 46. The weakening line 64 is continuous (i.e. extends along the entire extent of the second connecting tab 46) and consists of a partial (i.e. not through) cut of the material constituting the second connecting tab 46. According to a different embodiment that is not illustrated, the weakening line 64 is intermittent (i.e. extends in separate portions) and consists of a complete (i.e. through) cut of the material constituting the second connecting tab 46. According to a further embodiment that is not illustrated, la weakening line 64 is intermittent (i.e. extends in separate portions) and consists of a partial (i.e. not through) cut of the material constituting the second connecting tab 46.
For example, the weakening line 64 can be made by blades that cut mechanically the material constituting the second connecting tab 46, or can be made by a laser beam that removes part of the material constituting the second connecting tab 46.
In use, once the removable tab 44 has been removed, the layer of underlying adhesive material is uncovered.
It should be observed that in the closed condition of the packet 1 of cigarettes, the tab 44 and the graspable flap 45 thereof are hidden by the lid 3, and in particular by the front wall 16 thereof.
Consequently, in order to remove the removable tab 44 from the second connecting tab 46, and thus from the second sealing flap 43, the consumer is forced to raise the lid 3. Preferably, the removable tab 44 is removed along a direction that is transverse to the axis A of prevalent longitudinal extent of the packet 1 of cigarettes.
In use, removing the removable tab 44 from the second connecting tab 46, by the graspable flap 45, is at the discretion of the consumer.
Advantageously, if the removable tab 44 is removed, leaving the layer of underlying adhesive material uncovered, the second sealing flap 43, by means of the second connecting tab 46, connects automatically to the lid 3, such that the second inner package 7 is opened or closed by simultaneous opening and closing of the lid 3.
The permanent gluing of the lid 3 to the second sealing flap 43, i.e. to the second connecting tab 46, by means of the layer of adhesive material, can be facilitated by the consumer by pressing on the front wall 16 of the lid 3.
In this manner, an inner surface of the front wall 16 of the lid 3, i.e. of the reinforcing flap 33, is fixed to the layer of adhesive material.
The operation of connecting of the lid 3 to the second sealing flap 43, i.e. to the second connecting tab 46, thus occurs with the second sealing flap 43 arranged in the closed position of the second inner package 7.
It should be observed that once the lid 3 is connected to the second sealing flap 43, i.e. to the second connecting tab 46, the consumer opens and closes the second inner package 7 by simply acting on the lid 3.
It should be noted that to ensure good fixing between the lid 3 and the second sealing flap 43, i.e. the second connecting tab 46, the layer of adhesive material has to have a defined width, considering the prevalent longitudinal extent of the packet 1, that permits the grip between the layer of adhesive material and the inner surface of the front wall 16 of the lid 3, i.e. of the reinforcing flap 33.
If the consumer decided not to remove the removable tab 44 from the second sealing flap 43, i.e. from the second connecting tab 46, the second inner package 7 would be opened and closed manually by removing and repositioning the second sealing flap 43 (by grasping the second connecting tab 46).
Advantageously, the packet 1 of cigarettes disclosed above is customisable in the sense that it is the consumer who decides the manner of opening and closing the second inner package 7, according to preference.
Further, removing the removable tab 44 by the graspable flap 45 and fixing the second sealing flap 43 to the lid 3 by means of the layer of adhesive material enable the second inner package 7 to be opened and closed with a single movement.
According to a different embodiment that is not illustrated, the second sealing flap 43 comprises at least two layers of inner package material, the first of which is external, i.e. faces, when the lid 3 is arranged in the closed position, the inner surface of the front wall 16 of the lid 3, and the second is internal, i.e. faces the second inner package 7.
In this manner the first layer defines an outer surface of the second sealing flap 43 and the second layer defines an inner surface of the second sealing flap 43. In this embodiment, the layer of adhesive material is interposed between the first and the second layer. Also, in this embodiment, the removable tab 44 is separated from the second sealing flap 43 along at least once cutting line that defines one of the edges thereof. More precisely, the cutting line affects the first layer of the second sealing flap 43. Consequently, in this embodiment, the removable tab 44 is defined by a portion of the first layer arranged at least partially above the layer of adhesive material. In fact, once the removable tab 44 has been removed, the layer of underlying adhesive material is uncovered. De facto, the removable tab 44 is obtained by the second sealing flap 43 by the cutting line. Further, in this embodiment, the second connecting tab 46 is a portion of the second layer of the second sealing flap 43 underneath the removable tab 44. In this embodiment, the weakening line 64 consists of the cutting line.
According to other embodiments that are not illustrated, the removable tab 44 extends at least partially outside the outer container 2, in particular, the removable tab 44 extends outside the lid 3. Advantageously, in such embodiments, at least the graspable flap 45 of the removable tab 44 extends outside the lid 3 in such a manner as to enable the removable tab 44 to be removed, preventing the lid 3 from being opened.
According to another embodiment that is not illustrated, the lid 3 is provided with shaped incision through which the graspable flap 45 of the removable tab 44 protrudes. More precisely, the shaped incision is obtained on the front wall 16 of the lid 3 so as to be visible to the consumer.
According to a further embodiment that is not illustrated, the layer of adhesive material with the removable tab 44 superimposed thereupon are arranged on the inner surface of the front wall 16 of the lid 3.
According to what is illustrated in figure 10, the packet of cigarettes 1 further comprises two stiffeners 51, which are commonly known as "inner stiffeners", which are of rigid type, consist of cardboard or rigid card, are "U"-shaped and arranged in respectively the first inner package 5 in direct contact with the first group 6 of cigarettes and inside the second inner package 7 in direct contact with the second group 8 of cigarettes.
Each stiffener 51 has:

a front wall 52 facing respectively the front wall 22 of the first inner package 5 and the front wall 37 of the second inner package 7;
a first lateral wall 53 facing respectively the first lateral wall 24 of the first inner package 5 and the first lateral wall 26 of the second inner package 7;
a second lateral wall 54 facing respectively the second lateral wall 25 of the first inner package 5 and the second lateral wall 54 of the second inner package 7;
a first rear wall 55 connected to the first lateral wall 53 and opposite the front wall 52;
a second rear wall 56 connected to the second lateral wall 54, opposite the front wall 52 and coplanar with the first rear 55 wall; and
a "U"-shaped recess 63, obtained in the front wall 52 to facilitate extraction of the cigarettes.

In use, the function of the stiffeners 51 is to protect the cigarettes during folding and heat-sealing of the sheets 27, 40 of heat-sealable package material and to act as an abutment for the closing flaps 30, 43.
The container 2 and the lid 3 are obtained by folding around the first inner package 5 and the second inner package 7 (inside which the respective stiffeners 51 were previously folded around the corresponding groups 6, 8 of cigarettes) a blank 57, illustrated in figure 14, comprising a plurality of panels that will be marked with accented reference numbers that are the same as the reference numbers that mark the corresponding parts of the container 2 and of the lid 3.
According to what is illustrated in figure 14, the blank 57 has two longitudinal folding lines 58 (that define the longitudinal edges of the container 2 and of the lid 3) and a plurality of transverse folding lines 59 that define, between the two longitudinal folding lines 58, a panel 11' that constitutes the front wall 11 of the container 2, a panel 10' that constitutes the bottom wall 10 of the container 2 and is directly connected to the panel 11' along a transverse folding line 59, a panel 12' that constitutes the rear wall 12 of the container 2 and is directly connected to the panel 10' along a transverse folding line 59, a panel 17' that constitutes the rear wall 17 of the lid 3 and is directly connected to the panel 12' along a transverse folding line 59, a panel 15' that constitutes the top wall 15 of the lid 3 and is directly connected to the panel 17' along a transverse folding line 59, a panel 16' that constitutes the front wall 16 of the lid 3 and is directly connected to the panel 15' along a transverse folding line 59.
The blank 57 further comprises a panel 33' that constitutes the reinforcing flap 33, which is connected to the panel 16' along a transverse folding line 59, is folded 180° onto the panel 16', and is glued inside the panel 16'.
The blank 57 further comprises a pair of flaps 13', 14' which are arranged on opposite sides of the panel 11', are connected to the panel 11' along the two longitudinal folding lines 58, and constitute part of the lateral walls 13, 14 of the container 2.
Also, the blank 56 comprises a pair of flaps 13", 14" which are arranged on opposite sides of the panel 12', are connected to the panel 12' along the two longitudinal folding lines 58, constitute part of the lateral walls 13, 14 of the container 2, and are glued to and superimposed on the corresponding flaps 13', 14'. Each flap 13", 14" comprises a tab 60 that is folded 90° with respect to the respective flap 13", 14" and is superimposed on and glued to the panel 10'.
The blank 57 further comprises a pair of flaps 18', 19' which are arranged on opposite sides of the panel 16', are connected to the panel 16' along the two longitudinal folding lines 58, and constitute part of the lateral walls 18, 19 of the lid 3.
The blank 57 further comprises a pair of flaps 18", 19" which are arranged on opposite sides of the panel 17', are connected to the panel 17' along the two longitudinal folding lines 58, constitute part of the lateral walls 18,19 of the lid 3, and are glued to and superimposed on the corresponding flaps 18', 19'. Each flap 18", 19" comprises a tab 61 that is folded 90° with respect to the respective flap 18", 19" and is superimposed on and glued to the panel 15'.
Each of the stiffeners 51 is obtained by folding around the respective group 6, 8 of cigarettes a blank 62, illustrated in figure 11, comprising a plurality of panels that will be marked with accented reference numbers that are the same as the reference numbers that mark the corresponding walls of the stiffeners 51.
According to what is illustrated in figure 11, the blank 62 comprises a panel 52' that constitutes the front wall 52 of the stiffeners 51, a pair of panels 53', 54' that constitute the lateral walls 53, 54 of the stiffeners 51 and are connected on opposite sides of the panel 52' by respective longitudinal folding lines, and a pair of flaps 55', 56' that constitute the lateral walls 55, 56 of the stiffeners 51 and are connected by a respective longitudinal folding line respectively to the panel 53' and 54'.
According to an embodiment that is not illustrated, the packet 1 of cigarettes is modified to house cigarettes of any dimensions.
The packet 1 of cigarettes disclosed above has numerous advantages, inasmuch as it is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and enables the lid 5 and the flaps 30, 43 to be opened and closed with a single movement that is fast and easy even for a user with reduced manual dexterity.
Further, the packet 1 of cigarettes disclosed above is customisable in the sense that it is the consumer who decides the manner of opening and closing the second inner package 7, according to preference.
Lastly, in the packet 1 of cigarettes disclosed above, the risk of undesired ungluing of the closing flaps 30, 43 from the lid 3 is substantially eliminated owing to the presence of the weakening lines 34, 64.

Claims

A packet (1) of smoke articles comprising:
an outer container (2), which has an open top end (9);

a lid (3), which is hinged to the outer container (2) to rotate, with respect to the outer container (2), between an open position and a closed position of the open top end (9);

a first soft inner package (5), which is housed inside the outer container (2), encloses a first group (6) of smoke articles, and has a first smoke articles extraction opening (28) closed by a first sealing flap (30); and

a second soft inner package (7), which is housed inside the outer container (2) alongside the first inner package (5), encloses a second group (8) of smoke articles, and has a second smoke articles extraction opening (41) closed by a second sealing flap (43);
the packet (1) is characterised in that at least one portion (31) of the first sealing flap (30) is connected permanently and non-detachably to the lid (3) so that first opening and closing the lid (3) simultaneously opens and closes the first sealing flap (30), and in that the packet (1) comprises a layer of adhesive material arranged between the second sealing flap (43) and the lid (3), and a removable tab (44) arranged at least partially above the layer of adhesive material, the lid (3) being connectable to the second sealing flap (43) by means of the layer of adhesive material once the removable tab (44) has been removed from the layer of adhesive material.
Packet (1) of smoke articles according to claim 1, wherein the first sealing flap (30) is provided with a first connecting tab (31), which is glued permanently and non-detachably to an inner surface of the lid (3).
Packet (1) of smoke articles according to claim 2, wherein an outer surface (32) of the first connecting tab (31) of the first sealing flap (30) is glued by spots of permanent glue to the inner surface of the lid (3); or wherein the first connecting tab (31) of the first sealing flap (30) is folded 180° onto the rest of the first sealing flap (30) and an inner surface of the first connecting tab (31) of the first sealing flap (30) is glued by spots of permanent glue to the inner surface of the lid (3).
Packet (1) of smoke articles according to claim 2, or 3, wherein the first connecting tab (31) is separated from the rest of the first sealing flap (30) by a weakening line (34) which is formed by cutting or removing the material of the first sealing flap (30).
Packet (1) of smoke articles according to claim 4, wherein the weakening line (34) is continuous and formed by scoring the material of the first sealing flap (30); or wherein the weakening line (34) is discontinuous and formed by cutting through the material of the first sealing flap (30); or wherein the weakening line (34) is discontinuous and formed by scoring the material of the first sealing flap (30).
Packet (1) of smoke articles according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the removable tab (44) is arranged at least partially below a front wall (16) of the lid (3) when the lid (3) is in the closed position.
Packet (1) of smoke articles according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second sealing flap (43) is provided with a second connecting tab (46), above which the layer of adhesive material is arranged, the second connecting tab (46) being glueable permanently, once the removable tab (44) has been removed from the layer of adhesive material, to an inner surface of a front wall (16) of the lid (3).
Packet (1) of smoke articles according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein:
the second connecting tab (46) is glued permanently and non-detachably to a rest of the second sealing flap (43); and

the layer of adhesive material is arranged above an outer surface (48) of the second connecting tab (46) which faces an inner surface of a front wall (16) of the lid (3).
Packet (1) of smoke articles according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein:
the second sealing flap (43) comprises at least two layers of wrapping material, a first outer layer and a second inner layer, the layer of adhesive material being interposed between the layers;

the removable tab (44) is a portion of the first layer of the second sealing flap (43);

the second connecting tab (46) is a portion of the second layer of the second sealing flap (43) facing the removable tab (44); and

the second sealing flap (43) comprises a cutting line at least for the first layer which defines at least one of the edges of the removable tab (44).
Packet (1) of smoke articles according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein:
the first sealing flap (30) and the second sealing flap (43) are fixed respectively to the first inner package (5) and to the second inner package (7) by non-dry, re-stick glue, which is arranged about the first smoke articles extraction opening (28) and the second smoke articles extraction opening (41) to allow the first sealing flap (30) to be repeatedly detached partly from and re-fixed to the first inner package (5), and the second sealing flap (43) to be repeatedly detached partly from and re-fixed to the second inner package (7); and the first connecting tab (31) and the second connecting tab (46) are devoid of re-stick glue.