EP3464120A1

EP3464120A1 - Container, method

Info

Publication number: EP3464120A1
Application number: EP17727852.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Frédéric ANTOUN; Philippe Bourgoin; Lucas Chatelain; Timothee CAILLEAUX
Original assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Current assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Priority date: 2016-05-31
Filing date: 2017-05-29
Publication date: 2019-04-10
Anticipated expiration: 2037-05-29
Also published as: KR102105327B1; WO2017207458A1; CN109153494B; BR112018072402A2; BR112018072402B1; CN109153494A; JP6732956B2; EP3464120B1; KR20180132840A; RU2696646C1; JP2019517430A

Abstract

A container comprises a charge of consumer articles that is bundled in an inner liner, wherein the inner liner comprises an opening flap assembly that is comprised of a front tear- away section and a rear tear-in section of the inner liner that overlap in an envelope fold and are attached to each other on top of the inner liner bundle.

Description

CONTAINER, METHOD

The present invention relates to a container for consumer goods with a bundle. The container finds particular application as a container for elongate smoking articles such as cigarettes.

Smoking articles such as cigarettes and cigars are commonly packaged in rigid hinge-lid containers having a box and a lid connected to the box about a hinge line extending across the rear wall of the container. Such hinge-lid containers are typically constructed from one-piece laminar cardboard blanks. In use, the lid is pivoted about the hinge line to open the container and so gain access to a bundle of smoking articles disposed within the box.

The bundle of smoking articles disposed within the box is typically wrapped in an inner liner of metalized paper, metal foil, or other flexible sheet material. To access the bundle of smoking articles within the inner liner of an unopened container, a consumer typically has to first open the lid of the container and remove a pre-perforated upper portion or pull tab of the inner liner.

European patent EP2155568 discloses a hinge lid container with a sealed bundle wherein the sealed bundle is automatically opened when the lid of the container is opened. However, the sealed bundle is relatively costly and requires non-standard machinery to make at high speeds. It would be desirable, if there would be a simple possibility to make an automatically opening pack. An object of the invention is to provide a container for consumer goods that simplifies opening of the container.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a container for consumer goods is provided, wherein the container, comprises a housing with a box and a lid, wherein the lid is hingedly attached to the box along a lid hinge line and the lid comprises a front wall. Further, the container comprises a bundle of consumer goods disposed within the housing. The bundle comprises a top wall that is protruding from the box and wherein the bundle further comprises an inner liner that is folded around the consumer articles to form the bundle. The inner liner forms an envelope fold on the top wall of the bundle. According to the invention, the envelope fold comprises an inner liner top front flap, wherein the inner liner top front flap depends from the front panel of the inner liner and an inner liner top rear flap, wherein the inner liner top rear flap depends from the back panel of the inner liner. The inner liner top front flap and the inner liner top rear flap are arranged such that the inner liner top front flap and the inner liner top rear flap at least partially form an overlap.

Further, the inner liner comprises a front tear-away section that depends from the inner liner front panel along a front weakening line, wherein the front tear-away section forms part of the inner liner top front flap. Further, the inner liner comprises a rear tear-in section that depends from the inner liner back panel along a back weakening line, wherein the rear tear-in section forms part of the inner liner top rear flap in the area of the overlap. Additionally, the inner liner further comprises a rear flap adhesive area in the area of the overlap, wherein the rear flap adhesive area permanently attaches the front tear-away section with the rear tear-in section in the area of the overlap. Thus, an opening flap assembly is created such that the opening flap allows access to the consumer goods housed within the bundle.

According to the invention, by the simple provision of two weakening lines, on the front and one on the back and the application of an adhesive, an opening flap is created from a standard inner liner bundle that can be used by a consumer to open and close the bundle. At the same time, outside of the opening flap additional protective inner liner is retained around the front upper part of the bundle such that additional protection for the consumer goods is provided, for example for the filter ends of smoking articles outside the access opening created by the opening flap assembly. In addition, if compared to conventional hinge-lid packs for smoking articles, for example of the Flip-top® type, more visible inner liner is retained on the front wall of the inner liner bundle, which could be used, for example, for consumer communication. In some embodiments, the adhesive area extends in the overlap outside the area of the rear tear-in section and the front tear-away section. This way, the remaining parts of the envelope fold will stay attached to each other even after opening the opening flap assembly. In such embodiments, the adhering remaining parts of the envelope fold will create a well-defined access opening. Additionally, the connection between the remaining parts of the envelope fold will overall increase the structural strength of the bundle and thus increase he protection of the consumer goods housed within the bundle.

Any suitable technique or combination of techniques can be utilized to attach the front tear-away section with the rear tear-in section, for example, adhering the front tear-away section with the rear tear-in section with a permanent adhesive, a peelable adhesive or a micro suction structure. The adhesive may be applied to the front tear-away section before it is contacted with the rear tear-in section. Alternatively or in addition, the adhesive may be applied to the rear tear-in section before it is contacted with the front tear-in section.

Depending on the shape of the weakening lines, the opening flap assembly can take any suitable shape or combination of shapes and have any suitable dimensions. The line of weakness can be continuous or discontinuous (for example, perforated). Further, the line of weakness can be formed using any suitable technique or combination of techniques, for example, laser cutting or mechanical cutting (for example, die cutting or kiss cutting). The line of weakness can include any suitable depth in a direction transverse to the inner and outer surfaces of the wrapper. Preferably, the line of weakness has a depth that is at least about 90 percent of a total thickness of the wrapper. More preferably, the line of weakness has a depth that is about 100 percent of the total thickness of the wrapper. Any suitable percentage of material can remain along the line of weakness after the line has been formed. Preferably, between about 5 percent and about 25 percent of material of the inner liner remains along the line of weakness after the line has been formed.

The bundle may be more securely sealed along the line of weakness before the first opening of the container. This may increase the storage life of the consumer goods contained within the container.

The inner liner can include any suitable material or combination of materials and can include any suitable number of layers. Preferably, the inner liner is formed of metal foil or metalized paper. The inner liner may be formed as a laminate of a metalized polyethylene film and a liner material. The inner liner can have a thickness that is between about 10 microns and about 50 microns and preferably about 20 microns to about 80 microns. In addition, the inner liner may be provided with a print-receptive top coating.

Preferably, the opening flap assembly is attached to an inner surface of the lid by a front adhesive area such that upon opening the lid the opening flap assembly is separated from the inner liner along the lines of weakness and hinged to the remainder of the inner liner along an opening flap assembly hinge line. This advantageously allows the consumer to open the container and the inner liner with a single movement. In addition, the attachment of the opening flap assembly to the lid will prevent the opening flap assembly to fall back into its original position when the pack is open where it could potentially partially obstruct the access opening. Preferably, the opening flap assembly is attached to the lid in such a way as to create an s-shape in the opening flap assembly when seen from the side. The s-shape is attractive and additionally facilitates a smooth and continuous opening of the lid, for example in embodiments of the pack according to the invention where the pack is opened for the first time and the weakening lines still need to be broken. Under these circumstances, the s- shape is superior to, for example, a c-shaped form of an opening flap assembly that would require simultaneous breaking the weakening line along its entire length during when initiating the initial opening movement.

Any suitable technique or combination of techniques can be utilized to attach the front tear-away section with the inner surface of the lid, for example, adhering the front tear-away section with the inner surface of the lid with a permanent adhesive, a peelable adhesive or a micro suction structure. The adhesive may be applied to the front tear-away section before it is contacted with the inner surface of the lid. Alternatively or in addition, the adhesive may be applied to the inner surface of the lid before it is contacted with the front tear-in section. The container may take any suitable form for housing consumer goods. For example, as already mentioned, the container may be a hinge-lid container having one or more hinged lids connected to a box housing the consumer goods. In one or more embodiments, the container may be a slide and shell container having an inner slide for housing the consumer goods mounted within an outer shell. Where the container is a slide and shell container, the outer shell or the inner slide may include one or more hinge lids. The container, inner frame, bundle, and outer inner liner may be formed from any suitable materials including, but not limited to, cardboard, paperboard, plastic, metal, or combinations thereof. The cardboard may have a weight of between about 100 grams per square meter and about 350 grams per square meter.

Preferably, the rear tear-in section underlies the front tear-away section in the overlap area. Further, preferably, the rear tear-in section extends from the bundle back wall into the inner liner top rear flap. With such a design, the access opening of the bundle is enlarged. This may allow easier access to the consumer goods contained inside the bundle.

Preferably, the rear weakening line comprises c-shaped end sections on the bundle back wall that terminate the weakening line on either side. The c-shaped end sections of the weakening line will prevent a tear along the weakening line to further propagate towards the bottom of the back wall of the bundle. Thus, a well-defined position of the hinge of the opening flap assembly is achieved.

Preferably, the front tear-away section extends from the bundle front wall into the inner liner top front flap. With such a design, the access opening of the bundle can be enlarged and may allow easier access to the consumer goods contained inside the bundle. In particular, with the combination of the feature of the rear tear-in section extending into the back wall, an opening can be created that allows access to the consumer goods from three sides. This may be particularly advantageous when trying to remove rod shaped articles from the bundle, like, for example, smoking articles.

Preferably, the transverse width of the front tear-away section is larger than the transverse width of the rear tear-in section. This is particularly advantageous where the inner liner front top flap overlies the inner liner rear top flap, as it can prevent that the rear tear-in section hooks into the edge of the opening in the inner liner in the area of the overlap.

Additionally, this is particularly advantageous because it creates a bigger opening front of the bundle. Accordingly, access to the goods within the bundle is improved.

A further advantage is that the alignment between the pieces in the envelope fold on the top of the bundle is simplified. This is particularly important for the application of an adhesive. For example, when applying the adhesive onto the outer side of the inner section of the envelope fold at the smaller rear tear-in section the adhesive is less likely to squeeze out from the sides because the outer section of the envelope fold carries the larger front tear- away section.

Preferably, the inner liner further comprises an envelope fold on a bottom wall of the bundle. Alternatively or in addition, the inner liner further comprises an envelope fold on one or more of the side walls of the bundle. Preferably, at least a portion of an outer surface of the bundle is permanently affixed to a corresponding portion of an inner surface of the rear wall of the box. Preferably, at least a portion of the outer surface of the bundle is permanently affixed to a corresponding portion of an inner surface of the front wall of the box. This overall can improve the structural strength of the bundle.

The container can also include an inner frame disposed within the box. The inner frame can be disposed between the bundle and the front wall of the box or within the bundle. When disposed within the bundle, the inner frame is positioned such that a front wall of the bundle is between the inner frame and the front wall of the box. The inner frame includes a front wall and a pair of opposed sidewalls. Preferably, the inner frame is U-shaped. The term "U-shaped" is used herein to refer to a shape that includes three parts, wherein the first part and the third part are parallel to each other and extend in the same direction perpendicular to the second part.

Preferably, the front wall of the inner frame is disposed such that the front wall of the bundle is between the front wall of the inner frame and the front wall of the box. Advantageously, an inner frame with a large surface area provided adjacent the front wall of the bundle increases the structural strength of the container.

Preferably, the inner frame includes a cut-out at the top of the front wall. The cut-out preferably substantially corresponds to the access opening, and is provided such that the consumer goods within the bundle may be more easily accessed. Where the inner frame includes a cut-out, the height of the inner frame is defined as the distance from the bottom of the inner frame to the cut-out.

The inner frame may include an inner stiffener inside bundle. Preferably, the inner stiffener preferably, inner stiffener comprises at least one layer of material, such as a similar cardboard to that utilized for manufacturing the inner frame, where present.

Containers according to the invention may be in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, with right-angled longitudinal and right-angled transverse edges. Alternatively, the container may include one or more rounded longitudinal edges, rounded transverse edges, bevelled longitudinal edges, or bevelled transverse edges, or combinations thereof. For example, the container according to the invention may include, without limitation, one or more of the following features: • one or two longitudinal rounded or bevelled edges on at least one of the front wall and the rear wall;

• one or two transverse rounded or bevelled edges on at least one of the front wall and the rear wall;

· one longitudinal rounded edge and one longitudinal bevelled edge on the front wall, or one transverse rounded edge and one transverse bevelled edge on the rear wall;

• one longitudinal rounded edge and one longitudinal bevelled edge on the front wall, and one transverse rounded edge and one transverse bevelled edge on the rear wall;

• one or two transverse rounded or bevelled edges on the front wall and one or two longitudinal rounded or bevelled edges on the front wall; and

• two longitudinal rounded or bevelled edges on a first side wall or two transverse rounded or bevelled edges on the second side wall.

Where the container includes one or more rounded edges, preferably the blanks forming the container include three, four, five, six, or seven scoring lines or creasing lines to form each rounded edge in the assembled container. The scoring lines or creasing lines may be either on the inside of the container or on the outside of the container. Preferably, the scoring lines or creasing lines are spaced from each other by between about 0.3 mm and 4 mm.

Preferably, the spacing of the creasing lines or scoring lines is a function of the thickness of the laminar blank. Preferably, the spacing between the creasing lines or scoring lines is between about 0.5 and about 4 times larger than the thickness of the laminar blank.

Where the container includes one or more bevelled edges, preferably the bevelled edge has a width of between about 1 mm and about 10 mm, preferably between about 2 mm and about 6 mm. In one or more embodiments, the container may include a double bevel formed by three parallel creasing or scoring lines that are spaced such that two distinct bevels are formed on the edge of the container. Where the container includes a bevelled edge, the bevel may be formed by two parallel creasing lines or scoring lines in the laminar blank from which the container is formed. The creasing lines or scoring lines may be arranged symmetrically to the edge between a first wall and a second wall. Alternatively, the creasing lines or scoring lines may be arranged asymmetrically to the edge between the first wall and the second wall, such that the bevel reaches further into the first wall of the container than into the second wall of the container. Alternatively, the container may have a non-rectangular transverse cross section, for example, polygonal such as triangular or hexagonal, or oval, semi-oval, circular or semicircular.

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.

Through an appropriate choice of the dimensions thereof, 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 thereof, containers according to the invention may be designed to hold a total of between ten and thirty smoking articles.

As well as housing a bundle of smoking articles, the container may further include other consumer goods, for example, matches, lighters, extinguishing means, breath- fresheners, or electronics. The other consumer goods may be attached to the outside of the container, contained within the container along with the smoking articles, in a separate compartment of the container, or combinations thereof.

The lid of the housing is hingedly attached to the box and is adapted to be manipulated between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the consumer can access the consumer goods disposed within the housing. The lid is hingedly attached to the box along a hinge line that extends across a rear wall of the container. The term "hinge line" refers to a line about which the lid may be pivoted to open the container. A hinge line may be, for example, a fold line or a score line in the panel forming the rear wall of the housing.

The terms "front," "rear," "upper," "lower," "side," "top," "bottom," and other terms used to describe relative positions of the components of containers refer to the container in an upright position with the lid at the top end and the consumer goods accessible from the upper end at the front. The terms "left" and "right" can be used with reference to side walls of the container when the container is viewed from the front in its upright position.

The term "inner surface" is used throughout the specification to refer to the surface of a component of the assembled container that is facing towards the interior of the container, for example towards the consumer goods, when the container is in the closed position.

The term "outer surface" is used throughout the specification to refer to the surface of a component of the container that is facing towards the exterior of the container. For example, in one or more embodiments, the container includes an inner frame that includes an outer surface that is facing the outer housing of the container and an inner surface that is facing the bundle of the container.

All scientific and technical terms used herein have meanings commonly used in the art unless otherwise specified. The definitions provided herein are to facilitate understanding of certain terms used frequently herein.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the invention is directed to a bundle of consumer goods, wherein the bundle comprises a top wall and wherein the bundle further comprises an inner liner that is folded around the consumer articles to form the bundle, such that the inner liner forms an envelope fold on the top wall of the bundle. Accordingly, the envelope fold comprises an inner liner top front flap, wherein the inner liner top front flap depends from the front panel of the inner liner, and an inner liner top rear flap, wherein the inner liner top rear flap depends from the back panel of the inner liner, such that the inner liner top front flap and the inner liner top rear flap at least partially form an overlap. The inner liner comprises a front tear-away section that depends from the inner liner front panel along a front weakening line, wherein the front tear-away section forms part of the inner liner top front flap. Further, the inner liner comprises a rear tear-in section that depends from the inner liner back panel along a back weakening line, wherein the rear tear-in section forms part of the inner liner top rear flap in the area of the overlap. The inner liner further comprises a rear flap adhesive area in the area of the overlap, wherein the rear flap adhesive area permanently attaches the front tear-away section with the rear tear-in section in the area of the overlap, creating an opening flap assembly, wherein the opening flap allows access to the consumer goods housed within the bundle. Advantages and possible features of further embodiments of such a bundle have already been described above.

Preferably, the bundle comprises a front adhesive area proximate to the front weakening line on the front wall of the bundle. This can be used to attach the opening flap assembly to a lid wall of a surrounding container, as has been described above.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a method of forming a bundle for consumer goods is provided, the method comprising the steps of providing a charge of consumer goods; providing an inner liner, the inner liner comprising a front tear-away section and a rear tear-in section; providing adhesive in a rear adhesive area; and wrapping the inner liner around the charge of consumer goods to form a bundle, such that an envelope fold is created on the top of the bundle; such that the a front tear-away section and the rear tear-in section overlap in the rear adhesive area. The according method further comprises the step of adhering the front tear-away section and the rear tear-in section with the rear adhesive area to from an opening flap assembly. Preferably, the method further comprises the steps of providing a container blank of a container comprising a box section and a lid section; providing adhesive on a front adhesive area on the front tear-away section of the inner liner; assembling the container around the bundle; and attaching the front adhesive area to the lid section of the container to the inside of the lid, such that opening the lid of the container, will automatically open an access opening in the bundle covered by the opening flap assembly.

Referring now to the drawings, in which some aspects of the present invention are illustrated

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a container in an open position, where the container includes a housing and a bundle disposed within the housing.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the bundle of FIG. 1 .

Referring to FIGS. 1 -2, schematic perspective views of an embodiment of a container 10 for consumer goods and a bundle 40 disposed within a housing of the container are depicted. The housing includes a box 14 and a lid 20 hingedly attached to the box 14 via a hinge line (not shown). The hinge line extends across a rear wall of the box 14 of the container 10, and acts to allow the lid 20 to be moved from a closed position to an open position as shown in FIG. 1 . The hinge line is disposed between a lid back wall 24 and a box rear wall (not shown). The box 14 further comprises box side walls 16, a box front wall 12 and a box bottom wall (not shown). The lid 20 further comprises lid side walls 26, a lid top wall (not shown) and a lid front wall 22. Depending from the lid front 22 along a fold line is a lid front under panel 28 that is folded 180 degrees into the lid and rests parallel to the lid front wall 22. The lid front under panel 28 further comprises a lid front wall contact area 29. The lid front wall contact area 29 may cover the entire area of the lid front under panel 28 or parts of the lid front under panel 28.

Inside the box 14 an inner frame 30 is arranged such that some part of the inner frame front wall may protrude from the box front wall 12, however, in some embodiments, the inner frame front wall is entirely covered by the box front wall 12. The inner frame comprises inner frame side walls 36 that may protrude from the box side walls 16, however, in some embodiments, one or both the inner frame side walls 36 are entirely covered by the respective box side walls 36.

The bundle 40 at least partially defines an interior volume for housing consumer goods and comprises a bundle top wall, bundle side walls 46, a bundle front wall 41 and a bundle back wall (not shown). In one or more embodiments, the container 10 can include consumer goods disposed within the bundle 40, like, for example, smoking articles. The bundle 40 comprises an inner liner that is wrapped around the consumer goods. The inner liner is made of a barrier material or materials to protect the consumer goods before the container is opened for the first time. The barrier material may be a paper, metallized paper, metal foil or a plastic and metal laminate. The inner liner material may be sealed, but also may be only folded around the consumer goods.

Referring to FIG 2, a schematic perspective view of the bundle 40 of the container 10 of FIG. 1 is depicted. The inner liner forms an envelope fold on the bundle top wall. The envelope fold comprises an inner liner top front flap 42 and an inner liner top rear flap 44 that form an overlap 70 on the bundle top wall.

The inner liner further comprises a front weakening line 52 that extends in a u-shaped form from the upper edge of the inner liner top front flap 42 into the inner liner front wall to form an inner liner front tear-away section 50. The inner liner further comprises a pair of substantially parallel back weakening lines 62 that extend from the upper edge of the inner liner top rear flap 44 into the inner liner back wall to form an inner liner rear tear-in section 60 between the pair of substantially parallel back weakening lines 62. The back weakening lines 62 terminate on the inner liner back wall in a c-shape (not shown), such that the lower end of the back weakening lines 62 point towards the top of the bundle. This prevents a propagation of a tear into the bundle back wall when the back weakening lines 62 break. The position of the c-shaped lower ends of the back weakening lines 62 also define a hinge area for the inner liner rear tear-in section 60.

Any of the weakening lines 52, 62 may be a perforated line or a score line, for example mechanically cut or laser ablated that is provided to break along the weakening lines 52, 62 if a sufficiently large force is applied. Preferably the force required to break the weakening lines 52, 62 is at least 2 times smaller than the force to break the inner liner material in order to accurately position the access opening that is created when the weakening lines 52 or 62 break.

In the area of the overlap 70 a rear flap adhesive area is provided, comprising permanent adhesive adhering, at least, the inner liner rear tear-in section 60 and the inner liner front tear-away section 50, such that the inner liner rear tear-in section 60 and the inner liner front tear-away section 50 together form an opening flap assembly 80. The rear adhesive area 64 may also extend further across the overlap 70, thus bonding the inner liner top front flap 42 to the inner liner top rear flap 44, creating an access opening along the weakening lines 52, 62 when the opening flap assembly 80 is opened to reveal the content of the bundle.

In the lower area of the outer side opening flap assembly 80 is a front adhesive area 54. The front adhesive area 54 attaches the opening flap assembly 80 to the lid front wall contact area 29. In use, when the container 10 is opened for the first time, by pivoting the lid 20 backwards, the opening flap assembly 80 tears open an access opening along the weakening lines 52 or 62. When the container is closed subsequently the opening flap assembly 80 recovers the access opening in the inner bundle 40.

Claims

1 . A container for consumer goods, comprising:

a housing comprising a box and a lid hingedly attached to the box along a lid hinge line, wherein the lid comprises a front wall;

a bundle of consumer goods disposed within the housing, wherein the bundle comprises a top wall that is protruding from the box and wherein the bundle further comprises an inner liner that is folded around the consumer goods to form the bundle, such that the inner liner forms an envelope fold on a top wall of the bundle,

wherein the envelope fold comprises:

an inner liner top front flap, wherein the inner liner top front flap depends from a front panel of the inner liner,

an inner liner top rear flap, wherein the inner liner top rear flap depends from a back panel of the inner liner,

such that the inner liner top front flap and the inner liner top rear flap at least partially form an overlap,

and wherein the inner liner comprises a front tear-away section that depends from the inner liner front panel along a front weakening line, wherein the front tear-away section forms part of the inner liner top front flap, and

wherein the inner liner comprises a rear tear-in section that depends from the inner liner back panel along a back weakening line, wherein the rear tear-in section forms part of the inner liner top rear flap in the area of the overlap, and

wherein the inner liner further comprises a rear flap adhesive area in the area of the overlap, wherein the rear flap adhesive area permanently attaches the front tear-away section with the rear tear-in section in the area of the overlap, creating an opening flap assembly, wherein an opening flap allows access to the consumer goods housed within the bundle, and

wherein the opening flap assembly is attached to an inner surface of the lid by a front adhesive area such that upon opening the lid the opening flap assembly is separated from the inner liner along the lines of weakness and hinged to the remainder of the inner liner along an opening flap assembly hinge line.

2. The container of claim 1 , wherein the rear tear-in section underlies the front tear- away section in the overlap area.

3. The container of one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the rear tear-in section extends from a bundle back wall into the inner liner top rear flap.

4. The container according to claim 3, wherein the rear weakening line comprises c- shaped end sections on the bundle back wall that terminate the weakening line on either side.

5. The container of one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the front tear-away section extends from a bundle front wall into the inner liner top front flap.

6. The container of one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a transverse width of the front tear- away section is larger than a transverse width of the rear tear-in section.

7. The container of any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising an inner frame disposed within the box, wherein the inner frame comprises a front wall and a pair of opposed side walls.

8. The container of claim 7, wherein the inner frame is disposed between a front wall of the box and the bundle.

9. The container of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein an inner stiffener is disposed within the bundle.

10. The container of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising the consumer goods, wherein the consumer goods are housed in the bundle, wherein the consumer goods are smoking articles.

1 1 . Method of forming a container for consumer goods, comprising the steps of

- providing a charge of consumer goods;

- providing an inner liner, the inner liner comprising a front tear-away section and a rear tear-in section;

- providing adhesive in a rear adhesive area;

- wrapping the inner liner around the charge of consumer goods to form a bundle, such that an envelope fold is created on the top of the bundle; such that the front tear-away section and the rear tear-in section overlap in the rear adhesive area; - adhering the front tear-away section and the rear tear-in section with the rear adhesive area to form an opening flap assembly;

- providing a container blank of a container comprising a box section and a lid section;

- providing adhesive on a front adhesive area on the front tear-away section of the inner liner;

- assembling the container around the bundle; and

- attaching the front adhesive area to the lid section of the container to the inside of the lid, such that opening the lid of the container, will automatically open an access opening in the bundle covered by the opening flap assembly.