EP3317207A1

EP3317207A1 - Container with improved opening

Info

Publication number: EP3317207A1
Application number: EP16733091.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: David RUDOLF; Philippe SLAMA; Richard NIC
Original assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Current assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Priority date: 2015-06-30
Filing date: 2016-06-30
Publication date: 2018-05-09
Also published as: MX2017016546A; US20190002188A1; CN107771154A; RU2017135270A; JP2018521911A; KR20180022664A; WO2017001615A1

Abstract

A container (100) for consumer articles, the container (100) comprising a box (20) comprising a box front wall (22), a box back wall, a box bottom wall, and first and second box side walls (24a, 24b); and a lid (40) comprising a lid front wall (42), a lid back wall, a lid top wall (46), and first and second lid side walls (44a, 44b). A lower edge of the lid back wall depends along a hinge line from a top edge of the box back wall, with the lid being moveable about the hinge line between an open position and a closed position, in which at least a portion of the lower edge of the first lid side wall (44a) abuts at least a portion of the upper edge of the first box side wall (24a), and in which at least a portion of the lower edge of the lid front wall (22) abuts at least a portion of the upper edge of the box front wall (42). The first box side wall (24a) is connected to the box front wall (22) by a first box edge portion (25), and the first lid side wall (44a) is connected to the lid front wall (42) by a first lid edge portion (45). The shape of the first lid edge portion (45) is different from the shape of the first box edge portion (25), such that, when the lid (40) is in the closed position, the lower edge (47) of the first lid edge portion (45) is disposed beyond the upper edge (27) of the first box edge portion (25) in a transverse direction of the container (100).

Description

CONTAINER WITH IMPROVED OPENING

The present invention relates to a container for consumer goods and to a blank for forming such container, which find particular application for holding elongate consumer goods, such as smoking articles (for example cigarettes).

It is known to package elongate aerosol-generating articles and other consumer goods in containers formed from folded laminar blanks. Elongate aerosol-generating articles, such as cigarettes and cigars, are commonly sold in hinge-lid packs having a box for housing the aerosol-generating articles and a lid connected to the box about a hinge line extending across the back wall of the container. The front and side walls of the box typically abut the corresponding front and side walls of the lid when the lid is closed. The hinge-lid pack may also comprise an inner frame secured to an inner surface of the box, the inner frame having front and side walls against which the lid closes. Such packs are typically constructed from laminar cardboard blanks. In use, the lid is pivoted about the hinge line to open the pack and so gain access to the aerosol-generating articles held in the box. Generally, the hinge line across the back wall of the container is higher than the line of abutment between the front wall of the box and the front wall of the lid. As a consequence, the line of abutment between the box and lid side walls typically slopes diagonally downwards from the back of the container to the front.

In general, it is considered desirable to ensure that a tight line of abutment is formed between corresponding walls on the lid portion and the box portion. That is, it is normally desirable to ensure that corresponding walls on the lid and box lie in substantially the same plane, when the lid is in the closed position, so that they appear as continuous walls of the container. However, because of this, a consumer will typically need to rely on using a frictional force between their fingers and the outer surface of the lid and/or box, in order to open such containers. Furthermore, in many cases this can require a consumer to use both of their hands to open the container; one to hold the box, the other to hold and move the lid. In addition, the opening of such containers can be made even more difficult, if the container is provided with means for ensuring that the lid remains firmly shut in the closed position, when the container is not being used or handled. Such means can include retention cuts on inner frames, adhesive on the inner surface of the lid or outer surface of the inner frame, and hook and latch mechanisms.

WO 2013/179418 A1 discloses a hinge-lid container that is wrapped in an outer film, which has a tear tape that a consumer pulls in order to remove the film and access the smoking articles. A corner portion of the box is modified to have a "grip-facilitating section" in the form of a notch, opening or indentation. It would therefore be desirable to provide a container that can still remain firmly shut when not in use, but which can then be easily opened by a consumer. It would also be desirable to provide a container that could be opened by a consumer using only one hand. It would also be desirable to provide a container that could be opened without relying on frictional force between the surfaces of the lid and the consumer's fingers. It would also be desirable to provide a blank for manufacturing such containers, which does not require any major modification of existing packing apparatus, or use of complex additional components.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container for consumer articles, the container comprising: a box comprising a box front wall, a box back wall, a box bottom wall, and first and second box side walls; and a lid comprising a lid front wall, a lid back wall, a lid top wall, and first and second lid side walls. A lower edge of the lid back wall depends along a hinge line from a top edge of the box back wall, with the lid being moveable about the hinge line between an open position and a closed position, in which at least a portion of the lower edge of the first lid side wall abuts at least a portion of the upper edge of the first box side wall, and in which at least a portion of the lower edge of the lid front wall abuts at least a portion of the upper edge of the box front wall. The first box side wall is connected to the box front wall by a first box edge portion, and the first lid side wall is connected to the lid front wall by a first lid edge portion; and the shape of the first lid edge portion is different from the shape of the first box edge portion, such that, when the lid is in the closed position, the lower edge of the first lid edge portion is disposed beyond the upper edge of the first box edge portion in a transverse direction of the container.

In contrast to known blanks/containers, the present invention relates to a container having a lid comprising a first lid edge portion having a shape that is different from the shape of a corresponding first box edge portion, such that, when the lid is in the closed position, the lower edge of the first lid edge portion is disposed beyond the upper edge of the first box edge portion in a transverse direction of the container. This creates a transverse space or gap between the lower edge of the lid and the upper edge of the box, when the lid is in the closed position. Consequently, a consumer can simply push directly upwards on the lid by engaging a finger with the exposed lower lid edge, and thereby cause the lid to pivot about the hinge line to the open position. This action can be applied by using only one finger, such as a thumb, and thereby allows a consumer to hold the container in one hand and open the container with said single hand. Furthermore, this action does not need to rely on frictional force between a consumer's finger and the lid in order to transfer a pivoting force to the lid, and consequently can be easier for a consumer to apply. That is, because the consumer is applying an upwards force directly to an edge of the lid, there is no need to rely on frictional force between the lid's surface and the consumer's finger(s), and therefore the container can be opened more easily by the consumer. The first box edge portion may have any suitable shape that could ensure that the lower edge of the first lid edge portion is disposed beyond the upper edge of the first box edge portion in a transverse direction of the container. Preferably, the first box edge portion extends from the upper edge of the box to the box bottom wall. In such embodiments, the first box edge portion completely separates the box front wall from the first box side wall.

In some preferred embodiments, the first box edge portion comprises a bevelled or curved shape. Preferably, the bevelled or curved shape extends from the upper edge of the box to the box bottom wall.

In some other preferred embodiments, the first box edge portion comprises a substantially triangular shape, wherein one side of the substantially triangular shape forms the upper edge of the first box edge portion. The remaining two sides of the substantially triangular shape may respectively extend from opposed ends of the upper edge of the first box edge portion and converge and terminate at an intersection point below the upper edge of the first box edge portion. Each of the remaining two sides of the substantially triangular shape may follow a straight trajectory or a curved trajectory as they extend towards the intersection point. The substantially triangular shape may extend from the upper edge of the box to the box bottom wall. However, in some preferred embodiments, the substantially triangular shape terminates above the box bottom wall.

Providing a substantially triangular shape on the first box edge portion can be particularly advantageous as it can allow the container to exhibit the easy-lift function described above, without necessarily requiring the lid top wall to have different dimensions to the box bottom wall. This means that the overall maximum transverse dimensions of the container do not necessarily need to be adjusted in order to accommodate the easy-lift function described above. Consequently, the container can be manufactured, transported and handled without significantly altering existing machinery, storage equipment, handling apparatus, processes, or any combination thereof.

Accordingly, in some preferred embodiments, the width and length of the box bottom wall is substantially the same as the width and length of the lid top wall. This can allow the container to exhibit the easy-lift function described above, whilst still having the same cross- section when viewed from above as that when viewed from below. The container may therefore exhibit the easy-lift function described above, without altering other dimensional aspects of the container that may generally be considered aesthetically desirable for containers for consumer goods, such as smoking articles. In some particularly preferred embodiments, the maximum length and width of the container are substantially the same as the width and length of the box bottom wall and the width and length of the lid top wall.

In containers according to the first aspect of the present invention, the shape of the first lid edge portion is different from the shape of the first box edge portion, such that, when the lid is in the closed position, the lower edge of the first lid edge portion is disposed beyond the upper edge of the first box edge portion in a transverse direction of the container. Consequently, the upper edge of the first box edge portion has a length that is greater than the length of the lower edge of the first lid edge portion. Preferably, the upper edge of the first box edge portion has a length of at least two times the length of the lower edge of the first lid edge portion, even more preferably of at least four times the length of the lower edge of the first lid edge portion. This can result in a suitably sized space between the lower edge of the first lid edge portion and the upper edge of the first box edge portion in a transverse direction of the container.

The container may be formed from any suitable material or combination of materials. In preferred embodiments, the box and lid of the container are at least partially formed from a folded laminar blank, more preferably a cellulose-fiber-based laminar blank. In such embodiments, preferably, the shape of the first lid edge portion and the shape of the first box edge portion are each defined by one or more respective lines of weakness in the laminar blank. This can allow the container and the shapes of the first lid edge portion and first box edge portion to be manufactured using existing equipment and process, such as the equipment and processes typically used for manufacturing containers for smoking articles.

Preferably, the first lid edge portion is defined by a single line of weakness extending in a longitudinal direction of the container between the first lid side wall and the lid front wall. This can result in the first lid edge portion having a square edge profile when viewed from the top the container. That is, the first lid edge portion may form a single line that defines a substantially 90 degrees turning point between the lid front wall and the first lid side wall.

The laminar blank preferably comprises two or more lines of weakness that defines the first box edge portion. In some preferred embodiments, the laminar blank comprises two or more such lines that extend in parallel from the upper edge of the first box edge portion to the box bottom wall. In such embodiments, the first box edge portion comprises a substantially bevelled or curved shape. The number of such parallel lines and relative spacing between such parallel lines will influence whether the first box edge portion comprises a substantially bevelled or curved shape. In some other preferred embodiments, the first box edge portion comprises an upper section defined by two lines of weakness extending from the upper edge of the first box edge portion towards the box bottom wall and tapering towards one another, and a lower section defined by one or more lines of weakness extending from the lower end of the upper section towards the box bottom wall, preferably terminating at or about the box bottom wall. In such embodiments, the upper section of the first box edge portion preferably defines a substantially triangular shape. The lower section of the first box edge portion may define a bevelled shape, a curved shape, or a single substantially 90 degrees turning point between the box front wall and the first box side wall. In particularly, preferred embodiments the lower section of the first box edge portion comprises a single line of weakness that defines a single substantially 90 degrees turning point between the box front wall and the first box side wall. Preferably this single line of weakness extends from the box bottom wall to the lower end of the upper section of the first box edge portion. This arrangement is particularly preferably as it requires a minimal amount of lines of weakness in order to form the required shape for the first box edge portion, whilst also allowing for the maximum width and length of the container to be defined by the width and length of the box bottom wall and the width and length of the lid top wall.

The one or more lines of weakness that define the shape of the first box edge portion and the shape of the first lid edge portion may be formed as creasing lines in the laminar blank. That is, the one or more lines of weakness may be formed by applying mechanical deformation at select locations on the laminar blank.

However, preferably, the one or more lines of weakness are defined by one or more ablated lines on the inner surface of the laminar blank. This can allow containers according to the present invention to be formed on existing high speed manufacturing machines with minimal modification. In particular, as a result of removing material from the blank to form the one or more ablated lines, the specially selected shapes of the first lid edge portion and the first box edge portion are formed automatically by virtue of the normal folding forces that are applied to the blank during manufacture of the container. That is, folding the blank about its normal fold lines to create the walls of the container automatically deforms the blank along the ablated lines that define the shapes of the first lid edge portion and the first box edge portion, so that no further processes are required to form these specially selected shapes. Advantageously, if the overall size (maximum width and depth) of a container according to the present invention is not significantly altered, the laminar blank can be adapted easily to form containers having the required shapes of the first lid edge portion and the first box edge portion, without the need for major modifications of the packing machine used to assemble and pack the container.

Furthermore, forming the ablated lines by removing material from the surface of the blank that forms an inner surface of the container advantageously maintains a smooth outer surface of the container, which may provide a desirable appearance of the container upon visual and tactile inspection.

In any of the embodiments described above where the one or more lines of weakness are defined by one or more ablated lines, each ablated line preferably has a minimum residual thickness (RT) of at least about 5 percent, more preferably at least about 10 percent, more preferably at least about 15 percent, more preferably at least about 20 percent, more preferably at least about 25 percent and even more preferably at least about 30 percent of the thickness (T) of the blank. In addition, or as an alternative, each ablated line preferably has a residual thickness of less than about 50 percent, more preferably less than about 45 percent and even more preferably less than about 40 percent of the thickness (T) of the blank.

The present inventors have found that, if the ablated line extends too far into the thickness of the laminar blank (that is, too deep) then the resultant outer surface of the container can be undesirably affected. For example, the outer surface can appear cracked or broken. Furthermore, the present inventors have found that, if an ablated line does not extend far enough into the thickness of the laminar blank (that is, too shallow) then the resultant outer surface of the container can also be undesirably affected. In particular, the present inventors have found that the turning points of the container along the ablated lines may be poorly defined on the container outer surface, and/or may follow an unintended trajectory along the outer surface of the container. For example, if an ablated line extends in a straight line along the inner surface of the container, the present inventors have found that the corresponding turning point that is produced on the outer surface of the container may be non-linear, or uneven. The present inventors have therefore identified that a cleaner looking, more well- defined container can be produced when each of the ablated lines has a residual thickness as specified above.

In any of the embodiments described above where the one or more lines of weakness are defined by one or more ablated lines, the ablated width (X) of each ablated line is preferably at least about 0.1 millimetres. More preferably, the ablated width of each ablated line is at least about 0.2 millimetres. Most preferably, the ablated width of each ablated line is at least about 0.3 millimetres. In addition, or as an alternative, the ablated width of each ablated line is less than about 0.5 millimetres. More preferably, the ablated width of each ablated line is less than about 0.45 millimetres. In some preferred embodiments, the ablated width of each ablated line is from about 0.1 millimetres to about 0.5 millimetres. Even more preferably, the ablated width of each ablated line is from about 0.2 millimetres to about 0.45 millimetres, more preferably from about 0.3 millimetres to 0.4 about millimetres.

Where the box and the lid are at least partially formed from a folded laminar blank, the thickness (T) of the laminar blank is preferably between about 200 micrometres and about 350 micrometres, more preferably between about 250 micrometres and about 300 micrometres. The thickness (T) of the laminar blank can be measured in accordance with ISO 534:201 1. Testing and conditioning at 23 degrees Celsius, 50% relative humidity according to ISO 187 two weeks after ablation.

Where the box and the lid are at least partially formed from a folded laminar blank, the laminar blank preferably has a basis weight of from about 150 grams per square metre to about 350 grams per square metre, more preferably from 200 to 300 grams per square metre. The basis weight is calculated using ISO 536 and may vary from plus ten percent to minus ten percent, preferably from plus five percent to minus five percent. Where the box and the lid are at least partially formed from a folded laminar blank, the laminar blank preferably has a stiffness in the bending direction of at least about 50 milliNewtons, preferably at least about 75 milliNewtons, most preferably at least about 90 milliNewtons, In addition, or in the alternative, the laminar blank has a bending stiffness of less than about 500 milliNewtons, preferably less than about 200 milliNewtons, more preferably less than about 160 milliNewtons. The laminar blank preferably has a bending stiffness from about 50 milliNewtons to about 200 milliNewtons. More preferably, the laminar blank has a stiffness in the machine direction of from about 75 milliNewtons to about 160 milliNewtons. Stiffness in the "bending direction" means that the bending stiffness is measured in the direction that the finished board is intended to be folded about the ablation zone.

Where the box and the lid are at least partially formed from a folded laminar blank, the laminar blank preferably has a residual stiffness in the bending direction of at least 10, preferably at least 12, more preferably at least 15 and even more preferably at least 20 milliNewtons. More preferably, the laminar blank has a residual stiffness in the bending direction of from about 60 or less, preferably, 50 or less, even more preferably 40 or less milliNewtons.

Where the box and the lid are at least partially formed from a folded laminar blank, the laminar blank preferably has a surface roughness of from about 0.5 micrometres to about 1 .5 micrometres. More preferably, the laminar blank has a surface roughness of from about 0.75 micrometres to about 1.25 micrometres. The surface roughness may be measured in accordance with ISO 8791 -4.

Where the box and the lid are at least partially formed from a folded laminar blank, the laminar blank preferably has a surface strength of from about 0.25 metres per second to about 1 metre per second. More preferably, the laminar blank has a surface strength of from about 0.5 metres per second to about 0.8 metres per second. The surface roughness may be measured in accordance with ISO 3783.

Preferably, when the lid is in the closed position, the lower edge of the first lid edge portion is disposed beyond the upper edge of the first box edge portion by a distance of at least about 1 mm in the transverse direction of the container, more preferably by a distance of at least about 2 mm in the transverse direction of the container, and even more preferably by a distance of at least about 3 mm in the transverse direction of the container. Preferably, when the lid is in the closed position, the lower edge of the first lid edge portion is disposed beyond the upper edge of the first box edge portion by a distance of no more than about 10 mm in the transverse direction of the container. This can provide a suitably sized space between the lower edge of the first lid edge portion and the upper edge of the first box edge portion in a transverse direction of the container, for a consumer's finger to be disposed. Containers according to the present invention find application as containers for consumer goods, in particular elongate consumer goods such as smoking articles. Accordingly, in some preferred embodiments, there is provided a container, having any combination of the preferred features described above, and containing smoking articles. However, containers according to the present invention can also be used for several other types of consumer goods, such as confectionary.

As noted above, containers according to the first aspect of the present invention can be advantageously formed (at least in part) by a folded laminar blank. Accordingly, according to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a laminar blank for forming a container for consumer articles, the laminar blank defining a portion of the container, which comprises: a box comprising a box front wall, a box back wall, a box bottom wall, and first and second box side walls; and a lid comprising a lid front wall, a lid back wall, a lid top wall, and first and second lid side walls. A lower edge of the lid back wall depends along a hinge line from a top edge of the box back wall, with the lid being moveable about the hinge line between an open position and a closed position, in which at least a portion of the lower edge of the first lid side wall abuts at least a portion of the upper edge of the first box side wall, and at least a portion of the lower edge of the lid front wall abuts at least a portion of the upper edge of the box front wall. The first box side wall is connected to the box front wall by a first box edge portion, and the first lid side wall is connected to the lid front wall by a first lid edge portion. The shape of the first lid edge portion is different from the shape of the first box edge portion, such that, when the lid is in the closed position, the lower edge of the first lid edge portion is disposed beyond the upper edge of the first box edge portion in a transverse direction of the container.

It shall be appreciated that any features described with reference to one aspect of the present invention are equally applicable to any other aspect of the invention.

Where the box and the lid are at least partially formed from a folded laminar blank, the blank is preferably formed from a cellulose-fiber based material, preferably plant-derived and more preferably wood-derived. The blank may contain at least 50 percent by weight, preferably at least 60 percent by weight, and even more preferably at least 70 percent by weight of cellulose fibers based on the total fiber content of the blank. Preferably, the laminar blank is formed from wood-fibers cardboard or paperboard. Alternatively, the cellulose-fiber based material may also contain otherfibers, such as polymerfibers. The blank may be coated or uncoated and preferably is coated on both sides. The container may optionally comprise an outer wrapper, which is preferably a transparent polymeric film of, for example, high or low density polyethylene, polypropylene, oriented polypropylene, polyvinylidene chloride, cellulose film, or combinations thereof and the outer wrapper is applied in a conventional manner. The outer wrapper may include a tear tape. In addition, the outer wrapper may be printed with images, consumer information or other data.

Further, the consumer articles may be provided within the container in the form of a bundle wrapped in an inner package formed of metal foil or metallised paper. The inner package material may be formed as a laminate of a metallised polyethylene film, and a liner material. The liner material may be a super-calendered glassine paper. In addition, the inner package material may be provided with a print-receptive top coating. The inner package has an access opening through which consumer goods can be removed when a lid of the container is in a respective open position.

The container is preferably a rectangular parallelepiped comprising two wider walls spaced apart by two narrower walls. Hinge lid containers according to the invention may be in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, with longitudinal and transverse edge portions. In such embodiments, at least one of the longitudinal or transverse edge portions is bevelled. That is, the hinge lid container may comprise one or more bevelled longitudinal edge portions or bevelled transverse edge portions, or combinations thereof.

Where the container comprises one or more bevelled edge portions, preferably each bevelled edge portion has a width of between about 2 mm and about 8 mm, preferably between about 4 and about 6 mm.

Containers according to the invention find particular application as packs for elongate smoking articles such as, for example, cigarettes, cigars or cigarillos. It will be appreciated that through appropriate choices of the dimensions thereof, containers according to the invention may be designed for different numbers of conventional size, king size, super-king size, slim or super-slim cigarettes. Alternatively, other consumer goods may be housed inside the container.

Through an appropriate choice of the dimensions, containers according to the invention may be designed to hold different total numbers of smoking articles, or different arrangements of smoking articles. For example, through an appropriate choice of the dimensions, containers according to the invention may be designed to hold a total of between ten and thirty smoking articles.

The smoking articles may be arranged in different collations, depending on the total number of smoking articles.

Containers according to the present invention may hold smoking articles of the same type or brand, or of different types or brands. In addition, both filter-less smoking articles and smoking articles with various filter tips may be contained, as well as smoking articles of differing length (for example, between about 40 mm and about 180 mm), diameter (for example, between about 4 mm and about 9 mm). Preferably, the dimensions of the container are adapted to the length of the smoking articles, and the collation of the smoking articles. Typically, the outer dimensions of the container are between about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm larger than the dimensions of the bundle or bundles of smoking articles housed inside the container.

The length, width and depth of containers according to the invention may be such that the resultant overall dimensions of the container are similar to the dimensions of a typical disposable pack of twenty cigarettes.

Preferably, containers according to the invention have a height of between about 60 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably a height of between about 70 mm and about 125 mm, wherein the height is measured from the bottom wall to the top wall of the container.

Preferably, containers according to the invention have a width of between about 12 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably a width of between about 70 mm and about 125 mm, wherein the width is measured from one side wall to the other side wall of the container.

Preferably, containers according to the invention have a depth of between about 6 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably a depth of between about 12 mm and about 25 mm wherein the depth is measured from the front wall to the back wall of the container.

Preferably, the ratio of the height of the container to the depth of the container is in between about 0.3 to 1 and about 10 to 1 , more preferably between about 2 to 1 and about 8 to 1 , most preferably between about 3 to 1 and 5 to 1

Preferably, the ratio of the width of the container to the depth of the container is in between about 0.3 to 1 and about 10 to 1 , more preferably between about 2 to 1 and about 8 to 1 , most preferably between about 2 to 1 and 3 to 1 .

Preferably, the ratio of the height of the lid back wall to the height of the box back wall of the outer sleeve is between about 0 to 1 (lid located at the top edge of the container) to about 1 to 1 , more preferably, between about 1 to 5 and about 1 to 10, most preferably, between about 1 to 6 to about 1 to 8.

Preferably, the ratio of the height of the lid front wall of the outer sleeve to the height of the box front wall of the outer sleeve is between about 1 to 0 (lid covering the entire front wall) to about 1 to 10, more preferably, between about 1 to 1 and about 1 to 5, most preferably, between about 1 to 2 and about 1 to 3.

The exterior surfaces of containers according to the invention may be printed, embossed, debossed or otherwise embellished with manufacturer or brand logos, trade marks, slogans and other consumer information and indicia.

Containers according to the invention may be filled and assembled using conventional apparatus and methods, modified to include the step of forming one or more ablated lines in the blank. Where portions of the container are defined by one or more ablated lines, the ablated lines may be produced using an ablation tool, such as a laser or a blade. A laser is particularly preferred as the ablation tool as it can allow for a wide variety of ablation profiles and configurations, with minimal adjustment of the laser tool being needed. For example, the laser may be repeatedly passed over a given portion of the blank to iteratively remove different amounts of material, allowing for a very finely controlled ablation profile. It is also beneficial if fine ablated lines are required, with narrow widths. It is possible to accurately control the relative movement of the laser and the blank so as to form any type of pattern with varying removal intensity ("depth") over the ablation area.

The term "wall" generally refers to a major substantially planar facet of the container. Where the wall is formed by a folded laminar blank, a wall may be formed from a single panel or flap of the laminar blank, or a wall may be formed from two or more abutting or overlapping panels or flaps. Containers according to the present invention are preferably parallelepipedal in shape, with the box front wall, box back wall, box bottom wall, first and second box side walls, lid front wall, lid back wall, lid top wall, and first and second lid side walls forming the major walls of the parallelepipedal container.

The term "edge portion" is used herein to refer to the portion of the blank defining an edge between two adjacent walls of the container.

A "cellulose-fiber-based laminar blank" is used herein to refer to a laminar blank comprising at least 50 percent by weight of cellulose fibers, based on the total fiber content of the laminar blank. The cellulose-fiber-based laminar blank of the invention may include other types of fibers, such as polymer fibers.

The term "inner surface" is used throughout the specification to refer to the side of a portion of the blank that, once the container is assembled, faces towards the interior of the container, for example towards the consumer goods, when the container is closed. Thus, the inner surface is not directly visible for the consumer when the container is closed. The term "outer surface" is used throughout the specification to refer to the side of a portion of the blank that, once the container is assembled, faces towards the exterior of the container.

The term "ablated line" is used herein to refer to a line along the inner surface of the edge portion from which material has been ablated (for example, removed by means of a laser beam or a blade). Accordingly, the residual thickness of an ablated line is less than the thickness (T) of the laminar blank. The ablated line is preferably provided as a groove within the blank. This may be formed with a linear ablation tool, such as a laser or a blade.

The "thickness" (T) of the blank is the thickness of the blank after it has been manufactured, but before any ablation lines or creasing lines have been formed in the blank. That is, the thickness (T) of the blank is the thickness in any region of the blank not containing an ablated line or a crease line.

The term "residual thickness" is used herein to refer to the minimum distance measured between two opposite surfaces of the laminar blank or of a wall of the container formed from the blank. In practice, the distance at a given location is measured along a direction locally perpendicular to the opposite surfaces. The residual thickness of the ablated line may vary across a width of the ablated line, (e.g. V-shaped, U-shaped grooves).

The term "minimum residual thickness" is used herein to refer to the smallest value of "residual thickness" measured in an ablated line at a given location.

The residual thickness of each ablated line can be determined by using an Optical Profilometer for 2D Non-Contact Surface Metrology, such as the MicroSpy (RTM) Profile (commercially available from Fries Research & Technology GmbH, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany), or a 3D laser scanning confocal microscope, such as the VK-X series of microscopes (commercially available from Keyence Corporation of America, New Jersey, United States of America). Preferably, several points of minimum residual thickness are measured over the length of an ablated line, whereas the points of measurement are evenly spread over the length of one ablated line and the arithmetic mean is calculated.

Even more preferably, to obtain the "minimum residual thickness" according to the present invention, five measurements, evenly spread over the length of an ablated line, are performed and then the arithmetic medium is calculated.

For example, if the length of the ablated line is 80 millimetres, the residual thickness is measured at both ends of the ablated line and at three further points distanced 20 millimetres, forty millimetres and sixty millimetres respectively from one end of the ablated line, preferably from the lower end of the ablated line.

The term "residual stiffness" is used to describe the stiffness of the residing laminar blank as measured over the minimum residual thickness of one given ablation line and is calculated using the stiffness in bending direction of the laminar blank multiplied by the percentage of residual thickness. For example, if the stiffness in the bending direction of the non-ablated laminar blank is 100 milliNewton and the minimum residual thickness is 30 percent, then the residual stiffness in bending direction is 100 milliNewton multiplied by thirty percent equal 30 milliNewton. The stiffness of the laminar blank can be measured in accordance with ISO 2493, 15 degrees, for example by taking a sample of the blank material from a portion of the blank that is not scored or ablated (the sample may be printed or otherwise coated if it is in finished form).

Testing and conditioning at 23 degrees Celsius, 50% relative humidity according to ISO 187 two weeks after ablation.

As used herein, the terms "front", "back", "upper", "lower", "top", "bottom" and "side", refer to the relative positions of portions of containers according to the invention and components thereof when the container is in an upright position with the access opening at the top of the container. In particular, where the container is a hinged lid container, this refers to the container being in an upright position with the lid in the closed position and the hinge line at the back of the container. When describing containers according to the present invention, these terms are used irrespective of the orientation of the container being described.

The invention will be further described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a container for consumer goods, according to a first embodiment of the present invention, shown in an open configuration;

Figure 2 is a side view of a container for consumer goods, according to a first embodiment of the present invention, shown in a closed configuration;

Figure 3 is an overhead view of an unfolded laminar blank for forming a similar container to that shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Figures 1 shows a perspective view of a container 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The container 100 contains a wrapped bundle of consumer goods 60, such as a bundle of cigarettes. The container is formed from a folded laminar blank and has a lid portion 40 and a box portion 20. The lid portion has a first lid side wall 44a, a second lid side wall 44b, and a lid top wall 46. The lid portion also has a lid front wall 42 and a lid back wall (not shown in Figure 1 ). The box portion 20 has a box front wall 22, and a first box side wall 24a. The box portion 20 also has a box bottom wall, a box back wall and a second box side wall (not shown in Figure 1 ). The lid 40 depends along a hinge line (not shown in Figure 1 ) from a top edge of the box back wall, and is movable about the hinge line between an open position (as shown in Figure 1 ) and a closed position. An inner frame 50 is attached to the inside of the box 20 and includes a first inner frame side wall (54a), a second inner frame side wall (not shown in Figure 1 ), and an inner frame front wall 52.

As shown in Figure 1 , the first box side wall 24a is connected to the box front wall by a first box edge portion 25. The first lid side wall 44a is connected to the lid front wall 42 by a first lid edge portion 45.

The first box edge portion 25 has a triangular shape, with one side of the triangular shape forming the upper edge 27 of the first box edge portion 25. As will be seen more clearly in Figure 2, the first lid edge portion 45 is defined by a single line of weakness extending in the longitudinal direction of the container between the first lid side wall 44a and the lid front wall 42. This effectively, results in the lower edge 47 of the of the first lid edge portion 45 forming a single point in the container, that defines a right-angle turning point between the first lid side wall 44a and the lid front wall 42.

Figure 2 shows the container of Figure 1 with the lid 40 now moved to the closed position. In this position, at least a portion of the lower edge of the first lid side wall 44a abuts at least a portion of the upper edge of the first box side wall 24a, and at least a portion of the lower edge of the lid front wall 42 abuts at least a portion of the upper edge of the box front wall 22. As is clear from Figure 2, the shape of the first lid edge portion 45 and the shape of the first box edge portion 25 are such that, in the closed position of Figure 2, the lower edge 47 of the first lid edge portion 45 is disposed beyond the upper edge 27 of the first box edge portion 45 in a transverse direction of the container. Consequently, an overhang is created between the lid 40 and the box 20 about the first lid edge portion 45 and the first box edge portion 25. A consumer can therefore place their finger on the triangular surface of the first box edge portion 25 and under the overhanging portion of the lid 40 that is defined by the first lid edge portion 45 and simply push directly upwards on the lid 40, to thereby pivot it about the hinge line into an open position, such as that shown in Figure 1. The box bottom wall and the lid top wall 46 have substantially the same width and length as one another, and this corresponds to the maximum width and length of the container 100. Consequently, the introduction of a gap or overhang at the first lid edge portion 45 and the first box edge portion 25 does not affect the maximum width or length of the container 100.

Figure 3 shows a laminar blank 101 for forming a container similar to that shown in Figures 1 and 2. Solid line represent cut lines, and dashed lines of weakness that have been formed by ablated lines on the inner surface of the blank 101 , along which the laminar blank 101 is folded or deformed to form the container 100.

The laminar blank 101 comprises a box bottom panel 152, a box front panel 154 depending along an ablated line 156 from the box bottom panel 152, and a box rear panel 158 depending along an ablated line 160 from the box bottom panel 152. Inner box side panels 162 depend along ablated lines 164 from the box rear panel 158 and outer box side panels 166a, 166b depend along ablated lines 168b from the box front panel 154 respectively. Two box dust flaps 170 depend along ablated lines 172 from the first box side panels 162. When the laminar blank 101 is folded to form the container 10, the box bottom panel 152 in combination with the box dust flaps 170 forms the container bottom wall.

The laminar blank 101 further comprises a lid rear panel 174 depending along an ablated line 176 from the box rear panel 158, a lid top panel 142 depending along an ablated line 178 from the lid rear panel 174, and a lid front panel 180 depending along an ablated line 182 from the lid top panel 142. A lid front under panel 184 depends along an ablated line 186 from the lid front panel 180. The laminar blank 100 also comprises first lid side flaps 188 depending along ablated lines 190 from the lid rear panel 174, first and second dust flaps 138, 140 depending along ablated lines 194 from the respective first lid side flaps 188, and second lid side flaps 196 depending along ablated lines 198 from the lid front panel 180. When the laminar blank 100 is folded to form the container 10, the lid top panel 142 in combination with the first and second dust flaps 138, 140 forms the container top wall. Each first box side panel 162 in combination with the respective second box side panel 166, first lid side flap 188 and second lid side flap 196 forms the respective container side wall. The box rear panel 158 and the lid rear panel 174 together form the box rear wall. The box front panel 154 in combination with the lid front panel 180 and the lid front under panel 184 forms the container front wall.

As shown in Figure 3, the ablation area 168a separating the box front panel 154 from the first inner box side wall 166 comprises an upper section defined by two ablated lines that extend from the upper edge of the first box edge portion 125, and a lower section defined by a single ablated line that extends from the lower end of the upper section towards the box bottom panel 152.

Claims

1 . A container for consumer articles, the container comprising:

a box comprising a box front wall, a box back wall, a box bottom wall, and first and second box side walls; and

a lid comprising a lid front wall, a lid back wall, a lid top wall, and first and second lid side walls;

wherein, a lower edge of the lid back wall depends along a hinge line from a top edge of the box back wall, with the lid being moveable about the hinge line between an open position and a closed position, in which at least a portion of the lower edge of the first lid side wall abuts at least a portion of the upper edge of the first box side wall, and in which at least a portion of the lower edge of the lid front wall abuts at least a portion of the upper edge of the box front wall;

wherein the first box side wall is connected to the box front wall by a first box edge portion, and the first lid side wall is connected to the lid front wall by a first lid edge portion; and

wherein the shape of the first lid edge portion is different from the shape of the first box edge portion, such that, when the lid is in the closed position, the lower edge of the first lid edge portion is disposed beyond the upper edge of the first box edge portion in a transverse direction of the container; and

wherein the first box edge portion comprises a substantially triangular shape, wherein one side of the substantially triangular shape forms the upper edge of the first box edge portion.

2. A container according to claim 1 , wherein the first box edge portion comprises a bevelled or curved shape.

3. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the width and length of the box bottom wall is substantially the same as the width and length of the lid top wall.

4. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the maximum length and width of the container are substantially the same as the width and length of the box bottom wall and the width and length of the lid top wall.

5. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper edge of the first box edge portion has a length of at least two times the length of the lower edge of the first lid edge portion.

6. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the box and lid are at least partially formed from a folded laminar blank, and wherein shape of the first lid edge portion and the shape of the first box edge portion are each defined by one or more respective lines of weakness in the laminar blank.

7. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first lid edge portion is defined by a single line of weakness extending in a longitudinal direction of the container between the first lid side wall and the lid front wall.

8. A container according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the first box edge portion comprises an upper section defined by two lines of weakness extending from the upper edge of the first box edge portion towards the box bottom wall and tapering towards one another, and a lower section defined by one or more lines of weakness extending from the lower end of the upper section towards the box bottom wall.

9. A container according to any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the one or more lines of weakness are defined by one or more ablated lines on the inner surface of the laminar blank.

10. A container according to claim 9, wherein the laminar blank has a thickness (T) and each ablated line has a minimum residual thickness (RT) of from about 15 percent to about 50 percent of the thickness (T) of the blank.

1 1 . A container according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein each ablated line has an ablated width (X) of from about 0.1 millimetres to about 0.5 millimetres, as measured transversely to the longitudinal direction of the respective edge portion.

12. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein when the lid is in the closed position, the lower edge of the first lid edge portion is disposed beyond the upper edge of the first box edge portion by a distance of at least about 1 mm in the transverse direction of the container.

13. A container according to any one of the preceding claims containing smoking articles.

14. A laminar blank for forming a container for consumer articles, the laminar blank defining a portion of the container, which comprises:

wherein, a lower edge of the lid back wall depends along a hinge line from a top edge of the box back wall, with the lid being moveable about the hinge line between an open position and a closed position, in which at least a portion of the lower edge of the first lid side wall abuts at least a portion of the upper edge of the first box side wall, and at least a portion of the lower edge of the lid front wall abuts at least a portion of the upper edge of the box front wall; wherein the first box side wall is connected to the box front wall by a first box edge portion, and the first lid side wall is connected to the lid front wall by a first lid edge portion; and