EP4642710A1

EP4642710A1 - Container for consumer goods with corner opening

Info

Publication number: EP4642710A1
Application number: EP23824931.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Keenan Michael THOMPSON
Original assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Current assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Priority date: 2022-12-28
Filing date: 2023-12-13
Publication date: 2025-11-05
Also published as: WO2024141271A1; CN120390715A; KR20250130333A; JP2026500528A

Abstract

A container (1) for consumer goods, the container comprising an access opening (6) for permitting access to the interior of the container and a hinge line (8). A first wall (50) of the container comprises: a first panel (51) having a line of weakness (56); and a second panel (52) overlying the first panel (51). A first portion of the first panel (51) is separable from a second portion of the first panel (51) along the line of weakness (56) to form a lid (4) of the container (1). The lid (4) comprises at least the first portion of the first panel (51) and being configured to pivot about the hinge line (8) between a closed position in which the lid covers the access opening (6), and an open position in which the access opening (6) is exposed. The second panel (52) overlies the second portion of the first panel (51) and partially overlies the first portion of the first panel (51).

Description

CONTAINER FOR CONSUMER GOODS WITH CORNER OPENING

The present invention relates to a container for consumer goods. Containers according to the invention find particular application as containers for aerosol generating articles or components of aerosol generating articles.

It is known to package consumer goods in containers formed from one or more folded laminar blanks. By way of example, elongate smoking articles combusted to form smoke and smoking articles intended to be heated but not burned, are often sold in rigid box shaped containers, such as hinged lid containers having a box portion and a three-dimensional cup shaped hinge lid connected to the box about a hinge line extending across the back wall of the container. In use, the lid is pivoted about the hinge line to open the pack and so gain access to the consumer goods held in the box.

The bundle of smoking articles housed in the box portion is commonly wrapped in an inner liner of metallised paper, metal foil or other flexible sheet material. Said wrapped bundle may be referred to as an inner bundle or inner package.

Whilst it is generally desirable to securely enclose consumer goods within the container, and protect and preserve the consumer goods, it is also important that a user is ultimately able to easily access the consumer goods when they come to use the container. It is therefore desirable to ensure that features of the container can help with the ease of accessing the consumer goods contained therein. There is also a general desire for minimising the amount of material used to form the container, as this may have one or both of environmental and cost benefits. It is also generally desirable for a user to be able to repeatedly open and close the container in a reliable manner. Consequently, it would be desirable to provide a novel container having improvements which can help with one or more of improved protection and preservation, ease of access, and reduction of materials.

The present disclosure relates to a container for consumer goods, such as aerosolgenerating articles. The container may comprise an access opening. The access opening may be for permitting access to an interior of the container. The container may comprise a hinge line. The container may comprise a first wall. The first wall of the container may comprise a first panel. The first panel may have a line of weakness. The first wall of the container may comprise a second panel. The second panel may overlie the first panel. A first portion of the first panel may be separable from a second portion of the first panel along the line of weakness to form a lid of the container. The lid may comprise at least the first portion of the first panel. The lid may be configured to pivot about the hinge line between a closed position in which the lid covers the access opening, and an open position in which the access opening is exposed. The second panel may overlie the second portion of the first panel. The second panel may partially overlie the first portion of the first panel.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container for consumer goods, the container comprising: an access opening for permitting access to the interior of the container; and a hinge line; wherein a first wall of the container comprises: a first panel having a line of weakness; and a second panel overlying the first panel, wherein a first portion of the first panel is separable from a second portion of the first panel along the line of weakness to form a lid of the container, the lid comprising at least the first portion of the first panel and being configured to pivot about the hinge line between a closed position in which the lid covers the access opening, and an open position in which the access opening is exposed, and wherein the second panel overlies the second portion of the first panel and partially overlies the first portion of the first panel.

The arrangement of the first aspect of the present invention provides several advantages. For example, by arranging for the lid of the container to be formed by way of separating a line of weakness on a panel forming a wall of the container, the user of the container can be provided with a visual indication that the container has not been opened prior to the user receiving the container. That is, if the user sees that the line of weakness in the first panel has not been broken, then the user knows that the container has not yet been opened. However, with such an arrangement, subsequent reclosure of the container involves bringing the first portion of the first panel back towards the second portion of the second panel. In such an arrangement, it is generally desirable to bring the first portion of the first panel close to - and ideally in abutment with - the second portion of the first panel, so that a better closure can be achieved. However, during ordinary use and handling of the container, any alignment between the first portion of the first panel and the second portion of the first panel can become detrimentally affected. Furthermore, movement of the lid about the hinge line during ordinary use and handling of the container may lead to the lid having some degree of bias against moving back to the original position it occupied when the first and second portions of the first panel were joined by the line of weakness. This may act to prevent or resist a full reclosure of the lid, and may result in an undesirably large gap residing between the first and second portions of the first panel when the lid is moved to its closed position.

However, by arranging for the first wall to also be formed of a second panel which overlies the second portion of the first panel and partially overlies the first portion of the first panel, such drawbacks can be avoided or otherwise mitigated. For example, when the lid is moved back to the closed position, a part of the first portion of the first panel may slide under the second panel. The second panel may therefore help to guide the first portion of the first panel, and consequently the lid, back to the closed position. This guiding function may also help to ensure first and second portions of the first panel to remain better aligned during reclosure of the container. Furthermore, the second panel may also help to retain the first portion of the first panel, and consequently the lid, into the closed position. This may be achieved, for example, by way of frictional engagement of the second panel with a part of the first portion of the first panel. Additionally, by arranging for the second panel to only partially cover the first portion of the first panel, the first portion of the first panel may still be easily grasped by a user of the container, for example, when they wish to move the lid between the lid between the closed and open positions. Where a wall is formed of a panel overlying another panel, the overlying panel is positioned between the underlying panel and the corresponding outer surface of the portion of the wall formed by said panels.

The first wall may consist of only the first panel and the second panel. The first panel may consist of only the first portion and the second portion.

The container may comprise one or more of a top wall, a bottom wall, a front wall, a back wall, and two side walls. The first wall may be a side wall of the container.

The first wall may have an outer surface. The outer surface of the first wall may be defined by the second panel and the first portion of the first panel. The outer surface of the first wall may consist of the outer surface of the second panel and the outer surface of the first portion of the first panel.

The first wall may have a width. The first wall may have a height. The first wall may have a depth. The line of weakness on the first wall may extend across the entire width of the first wall. The line of weakness on the first wall may extend across only part of the width of the first wall.

The first wall may further comprise a cut line partially delimiting the first portion of the first panel from the second portion of the first panel. In such embodiments, the first portion of the first panel may be delimited from the second portion of the first panel by a combination of the line of weakness and the cut line. The cut line may be aligned with the line of weakness. That is, an end point of the cut line may be positioned adjacent to an end point of the line of weakness. The cut line may therefore ease the initiation of separation of the first panel along the line of weakness.

The line of weakness may comprise one or more of a perforation line, a score line and an ablation line.

The second panel may have an upper edge. The upper edge may define an upper boundary of the part of the second panel which partially overlies the first portion of the first panel. The upper edge of the second panel may comprise a curved portion. The upper edge of the second panel may comprise a convex portion. The curved or convex portion of the upper edge of the second panel may be located towards the centre of the upper edge. The upper edge of the second panel may be curved. The upper edge of the second panel may be convex. The curved portion of the upper edge of the second panel may advantageously allow the lid be held in place by the second panel whilst still allowing the first portion of the first panel to be easily grasped by a user of the container, for example, when they wish to move the lid between the lid between the closed and open positions. The central location of the curved or convex portion of the upper edge of the second panel may enable a user to more easily grip the edges of the lid and provide easier opening of the container and meanwhile also ensure a smooth closing by reducing the likelihood that the upper edge of the second panel may interfere with the lid.

The second panel of the first wall may overlie at least about 30 percent of the surface area of the second portion of the first panel. The second panel of the first wall may overlie at least about 50 percent of the surface area of the second portion of the first panel. The second panel of the first wall may overlie at least about 70 percent of the surface area of the second portion of the first panel. The second panel of the first wall may overlie at least about 80 percent of the surface area of the second portion of the first panel. The second panel of the first wall may overlie at least about 90 percent of the surface area of the second portion of the first panel. The second panel may overlie the entirety of the second portion of the first panel. Embodiments in which the second panel of the first wall overlies a large proportion of the surface of the second portion of the first panel are advantageous in that they result in a blank which is easier to manipulate and thereby simplify and increase the speed of manufacture of the container.

The second panel may be affixed to the second portion of the first panel, for example, by way of an adhesive. Accordingly, the container may further comprise an adhesive affixing the second panel to the second portion of the first panel.

The second panel may not be affixed to the first portion of the first panel. For example, the inner surface of the part of the second panel overlying the first portion of the first panel may be free of adhesive.

The second panel of the first wall may overlie at least about 2 percent of the surface area of the first portion of the first panel. The second panel of the first wall may overlie at least about 5 percent of the surface area of the first portion of the first panel. The second panel of the first wall may overlie at least about 10 percent of the surface area of the first portion of the first panel. The second panel of the first wall may overlie at least about 15 percent of the surface area of the first portion of the first panel.

The second panel of the first wall may overlie no more than about 50 percent of the surface area of the first portion of the first panel. The second panel of the first wall may overlie no more than about 40 percent of the surface area of the first portion of the first panel. The second panel of the first wall may overlie no more than about 30 percent of the surface area of the first portion of the first panel. The second panel of the first wall may overlie no more than about 20 percent of the surface area of the first portion of the first panel. Embodiments in which the second panel of the first wall overlie no more than 50, 40, 30 or 20 percent of the surface of the first portion of the first panel are advantageous in that a user’s ability to grip the lid of the container in order to move the lid to the open position, is not hindered.

The hinge line may be provided on a back wall of the container. The hinge line may extend across the back wall of the container. The lid may be a cup-shaped lid. The lid may comprise a lid top wall. The lid top wall may form a top wall of the container. The lid may comprise a lid front wall. The lid front wall may form a portion of a front wall of the container. The lid may comprise a lid back wall. The lid back wall may form a portion of a back wall of the container.

The lid may comprise first and second lid side walls. The first portion of the first panel of the first wall may form the first lid side wall or the second lid side walls. That is, the first wall of the container may be a side wall of the container. In such embodiments, the other side wall of the container may also comprise the features of the first wall of the first aspect of the present invention. That is, each side wall of the container may comprise respective first and second panel arrangements as recited above respect of the first aspect of the invention. Each side wall may also contain any combination of the optional features listed above in respect of the first aspect of the invention.

The hinge line may be provided on a top wall of the container. The hinge line may extend across a top wall of the container. The lid may comprise at least a portion of a top wall of the container.

As will be evident from subsequent discussion of further aspects of the present invention, the lid may be a corner opening lid. That is, only one corner of the container may be moved when the lid is moved between its closed position and its open position. A container with a corner opening lid may be advantageous in that it provides a smaller opening than a conventional rear or side opening container, thus frame reinforcement may not be necessary, for example in the form of an inner frame. Such a corner opening lid may be characterised by a hinge line provided on the top wall of the container and which extends at an angle relative to the first wall of the container. The hinge line may extend between a corner of the top wall and first wall of the container, and an intermediate point along an edge of the container opposite said corner. The guiding function of the second panel may be particularly advantageous in embodiments in which the lid is a corner opening lid. In particular, the second panel may help to ensure correct and secure closing of the lid. The second panel may press against the lid when it is in the closed position to keep the lid in place.

The second panel may not overlie a section of the first portion of the first panel adjacent a tip of the lid.

The present disclosure also relates to a container for consumer goods, such as aerosol-generating articles. The container may comprise a front wall. The container may comprise a back wall. The container may comprise a top wall. The container may comprise a bottom wall. The container may comprise first and second side walls. Each side wall may extend between the front wall and the back wall.

The container may comprise an access opening. The access opening may be for permitting access to an interior of the container. The container may comprise a hinge line. The hinge line may extend across the top wall. The hinge line may divide the top wall into a top wall first portion and a top wall second portion. A first portion of the front wall and a first portion of the first side wall may each be separable from the remainder of their respective walls to form a lid of the container. The lid may further comprise the top wall first portion. The lid may be configured to pivot about the hinge line between a closed position in which the lid covers the access opening, and an open position in which the access opening is exposed. The top wall may comprise a first panel. The first panel may comprise the hinge line. The top wall may comprise a second panel overlying the first panel. The second panel may have a transverse edge coinciding with the hinge line.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container for consumer goods, the container comprising: a front wall, a back wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, and first and second side walls, each side wall extending between the front wall and the back wall; an access opening for permitting access to the interior of the container; and a hinge line extending across the top wall at an angle relative to the plane of the front wall and dividing the top wall into a top wall first portion and a top wall second portion; wherein a first portion of the front wall and a first portion of the first side wall are each separable from the remainder of their respective walls to form a lid of the container, the lid further comprising the top wall first portion and being configured to pivot about the hinge line between a closed position in which the lid covers the access opening, and an open position in which the access opening is exposed, and wherein the top wall comprises a first panel comprising the hinge line, and a second panel overlying the first panel, the second panel having a transverse edge coinciding with the hinge line.

The arrangement of the second aspect of the present invention, provides several advantages. In particular, by arranging for the top wall to comprise the first and second panels and by arranging for a transverse edge of the second panel to coincide with the hinge line of the first panel, aspects of opening the container may be improved. For example, by overlying a portion of the first panel, the second panel is able to inhibit movement of said portion of the first panel when a user chooses to move the lid from the closed position. This can help to better direct the opening force to the hinge line, and thus help to ensure the container opens in a consistent and reliable manner. Furthermore, by arranging for the transverse edge of the second panel to coincide with the hinge line of the first panel, the opening force can be even better directed to the hinge line. Additionally, the presence of the transverse edge and hinge line may provide a clear visual indication to a user as to how the container should be opened. This may help to improve the likelihood of the user opening the container as intended. Furthermore, by providing at least two panels to form the top wall of the container, the strength of the top wall of the container may be enhanced.

It will be appreciated that features described in respect of the second aspect of the invention may be combined with features described in respect of the first aspect of the invention.

The top wall second portion may consist solely of the second panel and a portion of the first panel. The top wall second portion may comprise the second panel, a portion of the first panel and one or more further panels.

The top wall first portion may consist solely of the first panel. The top wall first portion may comprise a first portion of the first panel and one or more further panels. The top wall first portion may be substantially triangular in shape. The perimeter of the top wall first portion outer surface may be substantially triangular in shape.

The second panel of the top wall may be affixed to the first panel of the top wall, for example, by way of an adhesive. Accordingly, the container may further comprise an adhesive affixing the second panel of the top wall to the first panel of the top wall.

The second panel of the top wall may be connected to a panel forming one of the front wall, back wall, first side wall and second side walls of the container by a fold line. The wall of the container that the second panel of the top wall is connected to by the fold line may be a major wall of the container.

At least 50 percent of the outer surface area of the top wall second portion may be defined by the second panel. At least 80 percent of the outer surface area of the top wall second portion may be defined by the second panel. Substantially the entirety of the outer surface area of the top wall second portion may be defined by the second panel.

At least 50 percent of the outer surface area of the top wall first portion may be defined by the first panel. At least 80 percent of the outer surface area of the top wall first portion may be defined by the first panel. Substantially the entirety of the outer surface area of the top wall first portion may be defined by the first panel. At least 50 percent of the outer surface area of the top wall may be defined by the top wall second portion. At least 60 percent of the outer surface area of the top wall may be defined by the top wall second portion. Preferably, no more than 90 percent of the outer surface area of the top wall is defined by the top wall second portion. Preferably, no more than 80 percent of the outer surface area of the top wall is defined by the top wall second portion.

The hinge line may extend across the top wall from the front wall to the back wall. The hinge line may extend at an angle relative to the plane of the first side wall. The hinge line may extend at an angle of at least 30 degrees relative to the plane of the first side wall. The hinge line may extend at an angle of at least 40 degrees relative to the plane of the first side wall. The hinge line may extend at an angle of at least 45 degrees relative to the plane of the first side wall. The hinge line may extend from a first corner of the top wall to an edge of the first side wall of the container..

The container may comprise an access opening. The access opening may be for permitting access to an interior of the container. The container may comprise a hinge line. The hinge line may extend across the top wall. The hinge line may divide the top wall into a top wall first portion and a top wall second portion. A first portion of the front wall and a first portion of the first side wall may each be separable from the remainder of their respective walls to form a lid of the container. The lid may further comprise the top wall first portion. The lid may be configured to pivot about the hinge line between a closed position in which the lid covers the access opening, and an open position in which the access opening is exposed. The top wall first portion may comprise at least two overlapping panels. The first portion of the first side wall may comprise at least two overlapping panels.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container for consumer goods, the container comprising: a front wall, a back wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, and first and second side walls, each side wall extending between the front wall and the back wall; an access opening for permitting access to the interior of the container; and a hinge line extending across the top wall and dividing the top wall into a top wall first portion and a top wall second portion; wherein a first portion of the front wall and a first portion of the first side wall are each separable from the remainder of their respective walls to form a lid of the container, the lid further comprising the top wall first portion and being configured to pivot about the hinge line between a closed position in which the lid covers the access opening, and an open position in which the access opening is exposed, and wherein the top wall first portion and the first portion of the first side wall each comprise at least two overlapping panels.

The arrangement of the third aspect of the present invention, provides several advantages. In particular, arranging for the top wall first portion and the first portion of the first side wall to each comprise at least two overlapping panels can advantageously help to strengthen the lid of the container. This is particularly beneficial when the lid is formed from the three walls or portions of walls of the third aspect. Furthermore, with such an arrangement it is possible to form other walls of the container from only a single panel, and thus help to suppress one or both of the costs of producing the container and the environmental impact in producing the container. With the lid being formed in the manner recited in the third aspect, additional strengthening of other walls of the container may be less critical. As such, the strengthening of the container can be focussed on the area of the container, which is most likely to benefit from such strengthening.

The top wall first portion may comprise at least three overlapping panels. The top wall first portion may consist of three overlapping panels. Three panels for this wall portion may provide desirable strength without excessive use of material.

The first portion of the first side wall may consist of two overlapping panels. Two panels for this wall portion may provide desirable strength without excessive use of material.

The first portion of the front wall may consist of a single panel. A single panel for this wall portion may provide desirable strength without excessive use of material.

A panel of the top wall first portion may be connected to a panel of the first portion of the first side wall by a fold line. A panel of the top wall first portion is may be directly connected to a panel of the first portion of the first side wall by a fold line. This may help to further strengthen the lid without excessive use of material.

It will be appreciated that features described in respect of the third aspect of the invention may be combined with features described in respect of one or both of the first and second aspects of the invention.

The walls of the container of the present invention may be formed from a single laminar blank. That is, the container may be configured such that all walls of the container are formed from a single laminar blank. The laminar blank may comprise a plurality of fold lines connecting a plurality of panels, with the panels being folded about the fold lines to form the walls of the container.

The laminar blank forming the walls of the container may have a total surface area of no more than 1.5 times the total surface area of the outer surface of the walls of the container. The surface area of the laminar blank refers to the surface area of one side of the laminar blank, when the blank is in a flat, unfolded state.

The front wall, backwall, top wall, bottom wall, and first and second side walls of the container may be collectively referred to as a housing enclosing a space for consumer goods. The housing may provide a sealed enclosure. The housing may be provided with a protective barrier. The protective barrier may be a coating or a layer of the laminar blank forming the housing. The protective barrier may be a moisture barrier or a heat sealable layer or both. The housing may be predominantly formed from a cellulose based material and the protective barrier may be a polymeric layer that has both sealing and moisture barrier properties. . The technical disclosure in WO2022012961 on the possible composition of a polymer layer is enclosed. The heat sealable layer may be a heat sealable polymeric layer. The protective barrier may be provided on an inner surface of the housing. The protective barrier may cover the line of weakness in the container. The protective barrier may provide additional protection to the consumer goods housed in the container as it may provide a better barrier between the outside of the container and the inside of the container.

For purposes of the present invention, a moisture barrier layer is a layer that has a water vapour or moisture transmission rate (VWTR) of equal to or less than 60 grams/(square meter) per 24 hours at 38 degrees Celsius and 90 percent relative humidity when determined by ISO 2528: 1995 or ASTM F3299. Preferably, a moisture barrier layer of a container of the present invention has a WVTR of less than 20 grams/(square meter) or even preferably 10 grams/(square meter) per 24 hours at 38 degrees Celsius and 90 percent relative humidity.

The line of weakness may be a first line of weakness and the first side wall of the container may comprise a second line of weakness. A first portion of the first side wall may be separable from a second portion of the first side wall along the second line of weakness. Separation of the first portion of the first panel of the front wall from the second portion of the first panel and the first portion of the side wall from the second portion of the side wall along the line of weakness may form the lid of the container.

The cut line may be a first cut line and the first side wall of the container may comprise a second cut line partially delimiting the first portion of the first side wall and the second portion of the first side wall. In such embodiments, the first portion of the first side wall may be delimited from the second portion of the first side wall by a combination of the second line of weakness and the second cut line. The second cut line may be aligned with the second line of weakness. That is, an end point of the second cut line may be positioned adjacent to an end point of the second line of weakness. The second cut line may therefore ease the initiation of separation of the first side wall along the second line of weakness. The second cut line may be arched or curved profile. The second cut line may extend at a first angle relative to the plane of the front wall proximate the tip of the lid and at a second angle relative to the plane of the lid proximate the second line of weakness. The first angle may be steeper than the second angle.

As an alternative to the first and second cut lines, the first and second lines of weakness may fully delimit the first portion of the first wall of the container from the second portion of the first wall of the container and the first portion of the first side wall from the second portion of the first side wall respectively. The first line of weakness and the second line of weakness may be joined at an edge of the container. A third line of weakness may join an intermediate point along the first line of weakness with an intermediate point along the second line of weakness. The third line of weakness may separate the lid into a lid tip portion and a lid main portion. The third line of weakness may advantageously be broken by a user and the lid tip portion folded inwardly to provide easier access to the lid main portion. Such an arrangement may be particularly advantageous in that, prior to breaking the lines of weakness, the container is better sealed against the ingress of moisture or other contaminants than if the container were provided with cut lines.

A surface of the lid may be textured or varnished to form a gripping portion of the lid. The gripping portion may be enable a user to more easily grip the lid in order to open the container.

The container may comprise an indicator identifying the lid. The indicator may help a user to more easily identify the lid of the container. This may be particularly advantageous in embodiments of the invention in which the lid is not a conventional front or side opening hinge lid.

The tip of the lid may varnished. The varnished lid may be help to reinforce the tip of the lid to keep it stiff over time and mitigate against the chances of damage to the tip occurring through use of the container.

The container may comprise consumer goods. The consumer goods may be aerosolgenerating articles.

The terms “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “back”, and other terms used herein to describe relative positions of the components of the container according to the invention, refer to the container in an upright position with the lid at the top. When describing containers according to the present invention, these terms are used irrespective of the orientation of the container being described. The “bottom” of the container refers to the end of the container opposite the “top” of the container.

The term “height” is used herein to refer to dimensions extending between the top and the bottom of the container. The term “width” is used herein to refer to dimensions extending between two sides of the container. The term “depth” is used herein to refer to dimensions extending between the front and the back of the container. Height, width and depth are orthogonal to each other.

The term “line of weakness” is used herein to describe a portion of a surface of the container (or the blank from which the container is formed) wherein the structural strength of the material, from which the container (or blank) is formed has been weakened by any suitable technique, for example with respect to bending, folding or tearing along the line of weakness. A line of weakness may be straight, curved, segmented or continuous or a combination thereof. Lines of weakness can be created by removal of material, by displacement of material, by compression of material, by locally reducing the forces that hold the material together, such as by breaking fibres in a fibrous material, as well as by combinations of all the above. For example, a line of weakness may be formed as a scoring line, a creasing line, an ablation line, or a perforation line.

The term “scoring line” is used to describe a line formed by partially cutting into the material of the blank. A scoring line may be formed by removing material from the blank, that is, by forming a groove or trough in the blank. As an alternative, a scoring line may be formed without removing any material from the blank. This would typically involve a partial sideways displacement and compression of material.

The term “creasing line” typically refers to a line formed by displacing a portion of the material substantially perpendicular to the plane of the blank, which results in the formation of a groove or trough in the blank. The displacement may involve compression and is typically achieved by means of a compression tool, such as a roller. Alternatively, or in addition, the material in the creasing line may be displaced so as to at least partially protrude from the opposite side of the blank. Generally, no material is removed when a creasing line is formed.

The term “ablation line” is used instead to describe a line formed by removing material from a surface of the blank to a predetermined depth by way of ablation, such as by means of a laser beam or a blade.

The term “perforated line” describes a line or sequence of discrete holes or slots formed in the blank. The holes may be formed by pushing an object through the blank, which may result in material being removed from the blank, for example by punching. Alternatively, the holes may be created without effectively removing material, the object being used to push material outwardly from a centre of the hole.

The term "hinge line" refers to a line about which two elements may be pivoted relative to each other. A hinge line may be, for example, a fold line, a creasing line or a scoring line in a wall or panel of the container, or between two walls of the container. The term “tip”, when referring to a corner opening lid, refers to the point of the lid which is in line in a height direction with the corner of a corner opening lid. The tip may coincide with an edge of the container.

The term “convex” refers to a portion of an edge which is curved or rounded outwards. A convex portion of a panel or wall may have a greater width, height or length in a central portion of the panel or wall.

The term “heat sealable layer” is used herein to refer to a layer capable of fusion bonding by conventional indirect heating means which generates sufficient heat on at least one film contact surface for conduction to a contiguous film contact surface and formation of a bond interface between the surfaces without loss of the film integrity. The bond interface between contiguous layers preferably has sufficient physical strength to withstand the packaging process and subsequent handling. Heat sealable layers may be designed to meet different conditions of expected use and various heat sealable layer formulations are known in the art and may be employed with the present invention.

Features described in relation to one example or embodiment may also be applicable to other examples and embodiments.

Below, there is provided a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more feature of another example, or embodiment described herein.

EX. 1 A container for consumer goods, the container comprising: an access opening for permitting access to the interior of the container; and a hinge line; wherein a first wall of the container comprises: a first panel having a line of weakness; and a second panel overlying the first panel, wherein a first portion of the first panel is separable from a second portion of the first panel along the line of weakness to form a lid of the container, the lid comprising at least the first portion of the first panel and being configured to pivot about the hinge line between a closed position in which the lid covers the access opening, and an open position in which the access opening is exposed, and wherein the second panel overlies the second portion of the first panel and partially overlies the first portion of the first panel.

EX. 2 A container for consumer goods according to EX. 1 , wherein the first wall consists of only the first panel and the second panel. EX. 3 A container for consumer goods according to EX. 1 or EX. 2, wherein the first panel consists of only the first portion and the second portion.

EX. 4 A container for consumer goods according to any preceding EX, wherein the outer surface of the first wall is defined by the second panel and the first portion of the first panel.

EX. 5 A container for consumer goods according to any preceding EX, wherein the line of weakness on the first wall extends across only part of the width of the first wall.

EX. 6 A container for consumer goods according to any preceding EX, wherein the first wall further comprises a cut line partially delimiting the first portion of the first panel from the second portion of the first panel.

EX.7 A container for consumer goods according to EX. 6, wherein the first portion of the first panel is delimited from the second portion of the first panel by a combination of the line of weakness and the cut line.

EX. 8 A container for consumer goods according to any preceding EX, wherein the upper edge of the second panel comprises a curved portion.

EX. 9 A container for consumer goods according to EX. 8, wherein the curved portion of the upper edge of the second panel is a convex portion.

EX. 10 A container for consumer goods according to EX. 9, wherein the convex portion of the upper edge of the second panel is located towards the centre of the upper edge.

EX. 11 A container for consumer goods according to any preceding EX, wherein the second panel of the first wall overlies at least about 30 percent of the surface area of the second portion of the first panel.

EX. 12 A container for consumer goods according to EX. 11 , wherein the second panel of the first wall overlies the entirety of the surface area of the second portion of the first panel.

EX. 13 A container for consumer goods according to any preceding EX, further comprising an adhesive affixing the second panel to the second portion of the first panel. EX. 14 A container for consumer goods according to any preceding EX, wherein the second panel of the first wall overlies between about 10 percent and about 40 percent of the surface area of the first portion of the first panel, and preferably between about 5 percent and about 30 percent of the surface area of the first portion of the first panel.

EX. 15 A container for consumer goods according to any preceding EX, wherein the hinge line extends across the back wall of the container.

EX. 16 A container for consumer goods according to any preceding EX, wherein the hinge line extends across a top wall of the container at an angle of at least 30 degrees relative to the plane of the first wall, preferably at an angle of at least 40 degrees from the plane of the first wall, most preferably at an angle of at least 45 degrees from the plane of the first wall.

EX. 17 A container for consumer goods according to EX. 16, wherein the hinge line divides the top wall of the container into a top wall first portion and a top wall second portion; and wherein the lid further comprising the top wall first portion.

EX. 18 A container for consumer goods according to EX. 17, wherein the top wall of the container comprises a first panel comprising the hinge line; and a second panel overlying the first panel, the second panel having a transverse edge coinciding with the hinge line.

EX. 19 A container for consumer goods according to EX. 18, wherein the top wall first portion and the first portion of the first side wall each comprise at least two overlapping panels.

EX. 20 A container for consumer goods according to any one of EX. 17 to EX. 19, wherein the top wall first portion may comprise at least three overlapping panels.

EX. 21 A container for consumer goods according to any one of EX. 16 to EX. 20, wherein the lid comprises a tip at its lower end, and wherein the second panel does not overlie a section of the first portion of the first panel adjacent the tip of the lid.

EX. 22 A container for consumer goods according to any preceding EX, wherein the container comprises a protective barrier.

EX. 23 A container for consumer goods according to EX. 22, wherein the protective barrier is provided on an inner surface of the container. EX. 24 A container for consumer goods according to EX. 22 or EX. 23, wherein the protective barrier is a heat sealable layer.

EX. 25 A container for consumer goods according to any preceding EX, wherein a surface of the lid is textured or varnished to form a gripping portion.

EX. 26 A container for consumer goods according to any preceding EX, wherein the container further comprises an indicator identifying the lid.

EX. 27 A container for consumer goods according to any preceding EX, wherein the tip of the lid is varnished.

EX. 28 A container for consumer goods according to any preceding EX, wherein the container further comprises a deformable portion disposed adjacent to the tip of the lid, the deformable portion being configured to deflect inwards to create an overhang between the tip of the lid and the deformable portion.

Ex. 29 A container for consumer goods according to EX. 28, wherein the deformable portion comprises a triangular portion of the first side wall of the container and a triangular portion of the front wall of the container.

Ex. 29 A container for consumer goods according to EX. 28 or EX. 29, wherein the tip of the lid is separable from the deformable portion along a line of weakness.

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

Figure 1 shows a side isometric view of a container according to an embodiment of the present invention with the lid in a closed position.

Figure 2 shows a side isometric view of a container according to an embodiment of the present invention with the lid in a slightly open position.

Figure 3 shows a side isometric view of a container according to an embodiment of the present invention with the lid in a fully open position.

Figure 4 shows a front isometric view of a container according to an embodiment of the present invention with the lid in a closed position. Figure 5 shows a side isometric view of a container according to an embodiment of the present invention with the second panel extending away from the front wall of the container.

Figure 6 shows a side isometric view of a container according to an embodiment of the present invention with the second panel flush with the front wall of the container.

Figure 7 shows a plan view of a blank for forming a container according to an embodiment of the invention, in a completely unfolded configuration.

Figure 8 shows a plan view of a portion of a blank for forming a container according to an embodiment of the present invention with the multiple panels forming the first side wall first portion and the top wall first portion being folded.

Figure 9 shows a plan view of a portion of a blank for forming a container according to an embodiment of the present invention with multiple panels forming the first side wall first portion and the top wall first portion being folded.

Figure 10 shows a plan view of a portion of a blank for forming a container according to an embodiment of the present invention with multiple panels forming the first side wall first portion and the top wall first portion being folded.

Figure 11 shows a sectional view along line A-A of a container according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Reference will now be made in detail to certain embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all features are shown. Indeed, embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Whenever possible, like reference numbers will be used to refer to like components or parts.

Figures 1 to 3 show side isometric views of a container 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The container 1 is shown in its fully assembled state. The container has a front wall 10, a back wall 20, a top wall 30, a bottom wall 40, a first side wall 50 and a second side wall 60. Only the top wall 30, the back wall 20 and the first side wall 50 can be seen in the views of Figures 1 to 3. The container has a box 2 for receiving consumer goods and a lid 4 which is movable between a closed position as shown in Figure 1 and an open position as shown in Figure 3. Figure 2 shows an intermediate position of the lid 4 which is partially open. The lid 4 is of the corner opening type, in other words, only one corner of the container 1 is moved when the lid 4 is moved between its closed position and its open position. When the lid 4 is in the open position, the consumer goods housed in the box 2 can be accessed through an access opening 6 of the container 1 . The top wall 30 is formed of a first top wall panel 31 and a second top wall panel 32. The first top wall panel 31 is divided into a top wall first portion 34 and a top wall second portion 38. Only the top wall first portion 34 can be seen in the views of Figures 1 to 3 as the second top wall panel 32 overlies the top wall second portion 38. The lid 4 is pivotable between its closed position and its open position about a hinge line 8 extending diagonally across the first top wall panel 31 of the container. The hinge line also delimits the top wall first portion 34 and the top wall second portion 38. In use, when the lid 5 is moved from the closed position to the open position, a transverse edge 33 of the second panel 32 acts as a guide for the lid 5 which helps the lid 5 to pivot about the hinge line 8.

The first side wall 50 of the container is formed of a first side wall first panel 51 and a first side wall second panel 52. The first side wall first panel is divided into a first side wall first portion 53 and a first side wall second portion 58. Only the first side wall first portion 53 can be seen in the views of Figures 1 to 3 as the first side wall second panel overlies the first side wall second portion 58. In this example, the first side wall second panel 52 has an upper edge 57 which is convex. As can be seen in Figures 2 and 3, the top wall first portion 34 and the first side wall first portion 53 form two of the sides of the lid.

Figure 4 shows a front isometric view of a container 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention with the lid 4 in a closed position. For brevity, features of the container 1 described above in respect of Figures 1 to 3 will not be repeated. Figure 4 illustrates the front wall 10 of the container which has a front wall first portion 12 and a front wall second portion 14. As can be seen in this Figure, the container 1 has a pre-cut lid edge 5 which extends partly across the front wall 10 of the container 1. As shown in Figure 4, the pre-cut lid edge 5 follows a curved path on the front wall 10 of the container 1 . The pre-cut lid edge 5 is joined with the edge of the hinge line 8 by a front wall line of weakness 16 which must be broken by a user to open the lid 4 for the first time.

Figures 5 and 6 show side isometric views of a container 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 6, the first side wall second panel 52 is shown as being partially transparent to show the underlying portions of the first side wall. This partial transparency of the first side wall second panel 52 is for illustrative purposes only and does not reflect the features of this example embodiment of the container 1 . As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the pre-cut lid edge extends partly across the first side wall first panel 51. The precut edge 5 is joined with the edge of the hinge line 8 by a first side wall line of weakness 56. These figures also show that the first side wall second panel 52 is movable between a first position in which is overlies the first side wall first panel 52, as shown in Figure 6, and a second position in which it extends away from the container 1 , as shown in Figure 5. When the first side wall second panel 52 is in the first position and the lid 4 is in the closed position, the convex shape of the upper edge 57 of the second panel 52 is such that it overlaps with the pre-cut lid edge 5 and the first side wall line of weakness 56 to substantially hide them from view.

Figure 7 shows a plan view of a blank 100 for forming a container 1 according to an embodiment of the invention, in a completely unfolded configuration. Figure 7 shows the inner surface of the blank 100, in other words, the portions of the blank depicted in Figure 7 substantially form the inside of a container 1 when the blank 100 is folded into its fully assembled configuration. This view shows the single panels forming the front wall 10, the back wall 20, and the second side wall 60. The multiple panels which overlap to form the top wall 30, the bottom wall 40 and the first side wall 50 are also shown. In this view, the bold lines indicate lines which are cut to form the final container of this embodiment. Figure 7 shows the two overlapping panels forming the top wall first portion 34 and the three overlapping panels forming the first side wall first portion 53. In particular, this view shows a top wall first portion outer panel 35, a top wall first portion middle panel 36 and a top wall first portion inner panel 37 which are folded to abut one another when the container 1 is formed from the blank 100.

Figures 8, 9 and 10 show plan views of a portion 200 of blank 100 for forming a container 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention with the multiple panels forming the first side wall first portion 53 and the top wall first portion being folded 34. In order to arrive at the configuration of Figure 8, panels 55 and 37 have been folded such that they abut with panels 54 and 36 respectively. Figures 9 and 10 show panels 36 and 37 being folded towards panel 55 such that they are substantially perpendicular to panel 55 as shown in Figure 10. Figure 10 also shows the top wall first panel 31 being folded towards the font wall 10.

Figure 11 shows a sectional view along line A-A of a container 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. This view illustrates the overlapping of the different layers that form the top wall 30 of the container 1 and the first side wall 50 of the container 1 . More specifically, the top wall second panel 32 is shown overlapping the top wall first panel 31 . The top wall first portion 34 is formed by the overlapping of the top wall first portion outer panel 35, the top wall first portion middle panel 36 and the top wall first portion inner panel 37. Figure 11 also shows the first side wall second panel 52 overlapping the first side wall first panel. The first side wall first portion is formed by the overlapping of the first side wall first portion outer panel 54 and the first side wall first portion inner panel 55.

Claims

1 . A container for consumer goods, the container comprising: an access opening for permitting access to the interior of the container; and a hinge line; wherein a first wall of the container comprises: a first panel having a line of weakness; and a second panel overlying the first panel, wherein a first portion of the first panel is separable from a second portion of the first panel along the line of weakness to form a lid of the container, the lid comprising at least the first portion of the first panel and being configured to pivot about the hinge line between a closed position in which the lid covers the access opening, and an open position in which the access opening is exposed, and wherein the second panel overlies the second portion of the first panel and partially overlies the first portion of the first panel.

2. A container for consumer goods according to claim 1 , wherein the first wall consists of only the first panel and the second panel.

3. A container for consumer goods according to any preceding claim, wherein the outer surface of the first wall is defined by the second panel and the first portion of the first panel.

4. A container for consumer goods according to any preceding claim, wherein the line of weakness on the first wall extends across only part of the width of the first wall.

5. A container for consumer goods according to any preceding claim, wherein the first wall further comprises a cut line partially delimiting the first portion of the first panel from the second portion of the first panel.

6. A container for consumer goods according to claim 5, wherein the first portion of the first panel is delimited from the second portion of the first panel by a combination of the line of weakness and the cut line.

7. A container for consumer goods according to any preceding claim, wherein the upper edge of the second panel comprises a curved portion.

8. A container for consumer goods according to claim 7, wherein the curved portion of the upper edge of the second panel is a convex portion.

9. A container for consumer goods according to claim 8, wherein the convex portion of the upper edge of the second panel is located towards the centre of the upper edge.

10. A container for consumer goods according to any preceding claim, wherein the second panel of the first wall overlies between about 10 percent and about 40 percent of the surface area of the first portion of the first panel, and preferably between about 5 percent and about 30 percent of the surface area of the first portion of the first panel.

11. A container for consumer goods according to any preceding claim, wherein the hinge line extends across a top wall of the container at an angle of at least30 degrees relative to the plane of the first wall, preferably at an angle of at least 40 degrees from the plane of the first wall, most preferably at an angle of at least 45 degrees from the plane of the first wall.

12 A container for consumer goods according to claim 11 , wherein the hinge line divides the top wall of the container into a top wall first portion and a top wall second portion; wherein the lid further comprising the top wall first portion; and wherein the top wall of the container comprises a first panel comprising the hinge line; and a second panel overlying the first panel, the second panel having a transverse edge coinciding with the hinge line.

13. A container for consumer goods according to any preceding claim, wherein the container comprises a protective barrier on an inner surface of the container.

14. A container for consumer goods according to claim 13, wherein the protective barrier is a moisture barrier layer with a water vapour of moisture transmission rate (VWTR) of equal to or less than 60 grams/ (square meter) per 24 hours at 38 degrees Celsius and 90 percent relative humidity when determined by ISO 2528:1995 or ASTM F3299.

15. A container for consumer goods according to any preceding claim, wherein a surface of the lid is textured or varnished to form a gripping portion.

16. A container for consumer goods according to any preceding claim, wherein the line of weakness comprises one or more of a perforation line, a score line and an ablation line.