EP4669589A1

EP4669589A1 - HINGED LID PACKAGING

Info

Publication number: EP4669589A1
Application number: EP24708536.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Stephen Lewis; Michael CHURCHER; Paul Hodges
Original assignee: British American Tobacco Investments Ltd
Current assignee: British American Tobacco Investments Ltd
Priority date: 2023-02-22
Filing date: 2024-02-19
Publication date: 2025-12-31
Also published as: GB202302540D0; WO2024175890A1; CN121079255A; JP2026510254A

Abstract

A hinged-lid pack (2) for delivery systems is disclosed. The hinged-lid pack comprises a base (3) and a lid (4) rotatable relative to the base between open and closed positions about a hinge (5) defined by a discontinuous line (6) about which the material of the pack folds. The material of the pack creases when the lid is rotated about the hinge into an open position for the first time such that the discontinuous line becomes a continuous line to provide a visible indication that the lid has previously been in an open position when the lid is subsequently closed. Also disclosed is a hinged-lid pack for delivery systems where the hinge line comprises a region (15) delimited by a line of weakness (16). The line of weakness is configured to break when the lid is rotated about the hinge line into an open position for the first time such that the region separates from the pack and a window (17) is formed in the material of the pack to provide a visible indication that the lid has previously been in an open position when the lid is subsequently closed.

Description

A Hinged- Lid Pack

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a hinged-lid pack for delivery systems.

Background

Smoking articles, such as cigarettes, are sold in packages. Known packages often comprise an outer carton made from cardboard which has a base and a hinged lid. The base typically receives a tobacco industry product and the lid is rotatable relative to the base between open and closed positions.

Summary

According to the present disclosure, there is provided a hinged-lid pack for delivery systems, the hinged-lid pack comprising: a base; and a lid rotatable relative to the base between open and closed positions about a hinge defined by a discontinuous line about which the material of the pack folds, wherein the material of the pack creases when the lid is rotated about the hinge into an open position for the first time such that the discontinuous line becomes a continuous line to provide a visible indication that the lid has previously been in an open position when the lid is subsequently closed.

The discontinuous line may extend linearly.

The discontinuous line may comprise a plurality of spaced lines of weakness. The discontinuous line may be configured so that the spaces between the plurality of lines of weakness visibly crease when the lid is rotated into an open position for the first time to create the continuous line.

The plurality of lines of weakness maybe a plurality of cuts.

The plurality of cuts may extend through the material of the pack.

The discontinuous line may extend non-linearly. The pack may comprise a rear wall in which the hinge is formed and side walls depending from each edge of the rear wall, the discontinuous line may comprise a pair of lines of weakness, each of the pair of lines of weakness may have a first linear section in said rear wall that extends linearly toward each other from respective side walls of the pack and a second section about which the material of the pack folds when the lid is opened.

The pair of lines of weakness maybe spaced from one another, the material of the pack may be configured to visibly crease when the lid is rotated into an open position for the first time such that two visible creases form in the space between the pair of lines of weakness, each visible crease maybe parallel to and spaced from each other.

The second section may be linear and may extend in a direction perpendicular to the first linear section.

The second section may define an incomplete substantially quadrilateral shape in the material of the pack, the material of the pack may be configured to visibly crease and form a complete substantially quadrilateral shape when the lid is rotated about the hinge into an open position for the first time.

The second section may be non-linear.

The second section may define an incomplete substantially elliptical shape in the material of the pack, the material of the pack may be configured to visibly crease and form a complete substantially elliptical shape when the lid is rotated about the hinge into an open position for the first time.

The pair of lines of weakness maybe cuts.

The cuts may extend through the material of the pack. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a hinged-lid pack for delivery systems, the hinged-lid pack comprising: a base; and a lid rotatable relative to the base between open and closed positions about a hinge line, wherein the hinge line comprises a region delimited by a line of weakness, said line of weakness being configured to break when the lid is rotated about the hinge line into an open position for the first time such that said region separates from the pack and a window is formed in the material of the pack to provide a visible indication that the lid has previously been in an open position when the lid is subsequently closed.

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

Figure 1 shows a standard hinged-lid pack;

Figure 2A shows a blank of a hinged-lid pack according to an embodiment of the invention; Figures 2B and 2C show detailed views of a hinge of a hinged-lid pack according to an embodiment of the invention prior to first opening of the pack and once the pack has been opened, respectively;

Figure 3A shows a blank of a hinged-lid pack according to another embodiment of the invention; Figures 3B and 3C show detailed views of a hinge of a hinged-lid pack according to another embodiment of the invention prior to first opening of the pack and once the pack has been opened, respectively;

Figure 4A shows a blank of a hinged-lid pack according to another embodiment of the invention; Figures 4B and 4C show detailed views of a hinge of a hinged-lid pack according to another embodiment of the invention prior to first opening of the pack and once the pack has been opened, respectively;

Figure 5A shows a blank of a hinged-lid pack according to another embodiment of the invention; Figures 5B and 5C show detailed views of a hinge of a hinged-lid pack according to another embodiment of the invention prior to first opening of the pack and once the pack has been opened, respectively;

Figure 6A shows a blank of a hinged-lid pack according to another embodiment of the invention; Figures 6B and 6C show detailed views of a hinge of a hinged-lid pack according to another embodiment of the invention prior to first opening of the pack and once the pack has been opened, respectively;

Figure 7A shows a blank of a hinged-lid pack according to another embodiment of the invention; Figures 7B and 7C show detailed views of a hinge of a hinged-lid pack according to another embodiment of the invention prior to first opening of the pack and once the pack has been opened, respectively;

Figure 8A shows a blank of a hinged-lid pack according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figures 8B and 8C show detailed views of a hinge of a hinged-lid pack according to another embodiment of the invention prior to first opening of the pack and once the pack has been opened, respectively;

Figure 9A shows a blank of a hinged-lid pack according to another embodiment of the invention; and

Figures 9B and 9C show detailed views of a hinge of a hinged-lid pack according to another embodiment of the invention prior to first opening of the pack and once the pack has been opened, respectively. Detailed Description

As used herein, the term “delivery system” is intended to encompass systems that deliver at least one substance to a user, and includes: combustible aerosol provision systems, such as cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, and tobacco for pipes or for roll-your-own or for make-your-own cigarettes (whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco substitutes or other smokable material); non-combustible aerosol provision systems that release compounds from an aerosolgenerating material without combusting the aerosol-generating material, such as electronic cigarettes, tobacco heating products, and hybrid systems to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials; and aerosol-free delivery systems that deliver the at least one substance to a user orally, nasally, transdermally or in another way without forming an aerosol, including but not limited to, lozenges, gums, patches, articles comprising inhalable powders, and oral products such as oral tobacco which includes snus or moist snuff, wherein the at least one substance may or may not comprise nicotine.

According to the present disclosure, a “combustible” aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is combusted or burned during use in order to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user. In some embodiments, the delivery system is a combustible aerosol provision system, such as a system selected from the group consisting of a cigarette, a cigarillo and a cigar. According to the present disclosure, a “non-combustible” aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is not combusted or burned in order to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user. In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a powered non-combustible aerosol provision system.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it is noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating material is not a requirement.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an aerosolgenerating material heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a hybrid system to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or a plurality of which may be heated. Each of the aerosol-generating materials may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid or gel and may or may not contain nicotine.

In some embodiments, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product. Typically, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a non- combustible aerosol provision device and a consumable for use with the non- combustible aerosol provision device.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a non- combustible aerosol provision device thereof, may comprise a power source and a controller. The power source may, for example, be an electric power source or an exothermic power source. In some embodiments, the exothermic power source comprises a carbon substrate which may be energised so as to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosol-generating material or to a heat transfer material in proximity to the exothermic power source.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise an area for receiving the consumable, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter and/or an aerosol-modifying agent. In some embodiments, the consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise aerosol-generating material, an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a filter, a mouthpiece, and/or an aerosol-modifying agent.

In some embodiments, the delivery system is an aerosol-free delivery system that delivers at least one substance to a user orally, nasally, transdermally or in another way without forming an aerosol, including but not limited to, lozenges, gums, patches, articles comprising inhalable powders, and oral products such as oral tobacco which includes snus or moist snuff, wherein the at least one substance may or may not comprise nicotine.

In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered may be an aerosol-generating material or a material that is not intended to be aerosolised. As appropriate, either material may comprise one or more active constituents, one or more flavours, one or more aerosol-former materials, and/or one or more other functional materials.

In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered comprises an active substance. The active substance as used herein may be a physiologically active material, which is a material intended to achieve or enhance a physiological response. The active substance may for example be selected from nutraceuticals, nootropics or psychoactives. The active substance may be naturally occurring or synthetically obtained. The active substance may comprise for example nicotine, caffeine, taurine, theine, vitamins such as B6 or B12 or C, melatonin, cannabinoids, or constituents, derivatives, or combinations thereof. The active substance may comprise one or more constituents, derivatives or extracts of tobacco, cannabis or another botanical.

In some embodiments, the active substance comprises nicotine. In some embodiments, the active substance comprises caffeine, melatonin or vitamin B12.

As noted herein, the active substance may comprise one or more constituents, derivatives or extracts of cannabis, such as one or more cannabinoids or terpenes. As noted herein, the active substance may comprise or be derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof. As used herein, the term "botanical" includes any material derived from plants including, but not limited to, extracts, leaves, bark, fibres, stems, roots, seeds, flowers, fruits, pollen, husk, shells or the like. Alternatively, the material may comprise an active compound naturally existing in a botanical, obtained synthetically. The material may be in the form of liquid, gas, solid, powder, dust, crushed particles, granules, pellets, shreds, strips, sheets, or the like. Example botanicals are tobacco, eucalyptus, star anise, hemp, cocoa, cannabis, fennel, lemongrass, peppermint, spearmint, rooibos, chamomile, flax, ginger, ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, licorice (liquorice), matcha, mate, orange skin, papaya, rose, sage, tea such as green tea or black tea, thyme, clove, cinnamon, coffee, aniseed (anise), basil, bay leaves, cardamom, coriander, cumin, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lavender, lemon peel, mint, juniper, elderflower, vanilla, wintergreen, beefsteak plant, curcuma, turmeric, sandalwood, cilantro, bergamot, orange blossom, myrtle, cassis, valerian, pimento, mace, damien, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, carvi, verbena, tarragon, geranium, mulberry, ginseng, theanine, theacrine, maca, ashwagandha, damiana, guarana, chlorophyll, baobab or any combination thereof. The mint maybe chosen from the following mint varieties: Mentha Arventis, Mentha c.v., Mentha niliaca, Mentha piperita, Mentha piperita citrata c.v., Mentha piperita c.v, Mentha spicata crispa, Mentha cardifolia, Mentha longifolia, Mentha suaveolens variegata, Mentha pulegium, Mentha spicata c.v. and Mentha suaveolens

In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or is derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is tobacco. In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is selected from eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa and hemp. In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is selected from rooibos and fennel.

In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered comprises a flavour.

As used herein, the terms "flavour" and "flavourant" refer to materials which, where local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste, aroma or other somatosensorial sensation in a product for adult consumers. They may include naturally occurring flavour materials, botanicals, extracts of botanicals, synthetically obtained materials, or combinations thereof (e.g., tobacco, cannabis, licorice

(liquorice), hydrangea, eugenol, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, maple, matcha, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed (anise), cinnamon, turmeric, Indian spices, Asian spices, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, red berry, cranberry, peach, apple, orange, mango, clementine, lemon, lime, tropical fruit, papaya, rhubarb, grape, durian, dragon fruit, cucumber, blueberry, mulberry, citrus fruits,

Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, gin, tequila, rum, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, aloe vera, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, khat, naswar, betel, shisha, pine, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, orange blossom, cherry blossom, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang- ylang, sage, fennel, wasabi, piment, ginger, coriander, coffee, hemp, a mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha, eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, lemongrass, rooibos, flax, ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, mate, orange skin, rose, tea such as green tea or black tea, thyme, juniper, elderflower, basil, bay leaves, cumin, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lemon peel, mint, beefsteak plant, curcuma, cilantro, myrtle, cassis, valerian, pimento, mace, damien, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, carvi, verbena, tarragon, limonene, thymol, camphene), flavour enhancers, bitterness receptor site blockers, sensorial receptor site activators or stimulators, sugars and/or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath freshening agents. They maybe imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example, liquid such as an oil, solid such as a powder, or gas.

In some embodiments, the flavour comprises menthol, spearmint and/or peppermint. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components of cucumber, blueberry, citrus fruits and/or redberry. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises eugenol. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components extracted from tobacco. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components extracted from cannabis.

In some embodiments, the flavour may comprise a sensate, which is intended to achieve a somatosensorial sensation which are usually chemically induced and perceived by the stimulation of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve), in addition to or in place of aroma or taste nerves, and these may include agents providing heating, cooling, tingling, numbing effect. A suitable heat effect agent may be, but is not limited to, vanillyl ethyl ether and a suitable cooling agent may be, but not limited to eucalyptol, WS-3.

Figure 1 illustrates a standard hinged-lid pack. The pack 2 comprises a base 3 and a lid 4 hingedly connected to the base 3 along a hinge 5 in order to allow the pack to be opened and closed. It will be appreciated that the base 3 forms a delivery system receiving space in which delivery systems such as smoking articles or other tobacco industry products are received and stored. The delivery systems are accessible when the lid 4 is in an open position, and the delivery systems are retained in the delivery system receiving space when the lid 4 is in a closed position.

Figure 2A illustrates a blank 1 of a pack of the hinged-lid type according to an embodiment of the invention. As seen, the hinge 5 is defined by a discontinuous line 6 about which the material 7 of the pack 2 folds. The pack 2 is formed from a material 7 which creases in response to being folded, for example cardboard. Therefore, when the lid 4 is rotated about the hinge 5 into an open position for the first time, the material 7 of the pack 2 creases and the discontinuous line 6 becomes a continuous line 8 (shown in Figure 2C) to provide a visible indication that the lid 4 has previously been in an open position when the lid 4 is subsequently closed. Figures 2B and 2C are detailed views of the hinge 5 prior to first opening of the pack 2, and once the pack 2 has been opened, respectively. The discontinuous line 6 extends linearly across a rear wall 9 of the base 3 of the pack 2. The discontinuous line 6 comprises a plurality of spaced lines of weakness 10 in the material 7 of the pack 2. As seen in Figure 2C, when the lid 4 is rotated about the hinge 5 into an open position for the first time, the discontinuous line 6 is configured so that the spaces 11 between the plurality of lines of weakness 10 visibly crease, thus creating the continuous line 8.

In some embodiments, the plurality of lines of weakness 10 are a plurality of cuts in the material 7 of the pack 2. The cuts 10 extend through the full thickness of the material 7.

Alternatively, it is also envisaged that the cuts 10 extend only partially through the thickness of the material 7. Lines of weakness that extend partially or fully through the thickness of the material may be formed using a laser. Providing the hinge of the pack as a tamper evidence feature is advantageous as the hinge design can be easily formed during manufacture of a blank of the pack without the need for any modifications to the overall structure of the blank. Additionally, standard machinery and tooling methods can be used to form the hinge as a discontinuous line.

Figures 3A to 3C illustrate another embodiment where the hinge 5 comprises a linearly extending discontinuous line 6 comprising a pair of lines of weakness 10 that are spaced from each other. As explained above, a visible crease is formed in the space 11 when the lid 4 is rotated about the hinge 5 into an open position for the first time to form the continuous line 8.

As an alternative, the discontinuous line 6 extends non-linearly. Embodiments where the discontinuous line 6 extends non-linearly are depicted in Figures 4A to 8C. As seen in Figures 4A to 8C, the pack 2 comprises side walls 12 depending from each edge of the rear wall 9. The discontinuous line 6 comprises a pair of lines of weakness 10 each having a first linear section 13 in the rear wall 9 that extends linearly toward each other from respective side walls 12 of the pack 1, and a second section 14 about which the material 7 of the pack 2 folds when the lid 4 is opened. The pair of lines of weakness 10 are spaced from one another. When the lid 4 is rotated into an open position for the first time, the material 7 of the pack 2 is configured to visibly crease such that two visible creases form in the space 11 between the pair of lines of weakness to. Each of the visible creases are parallel to and spaced from one another.

As the lid 4 is folded about the hinge 5 into an open position for the first time, tension will be generated along the discontinuous line 6 defining the hinge 5. Due to the generated tension, the lines of weakness 10 will break and the material 7 of the pack 2 will begin crease as it bends. The material 7 will crease along the line of least resistance which will be along the space 11 between the broken lines of weakness 10 formed in the material 7 of the pack 2.

As seen in Figures 4A to 7C, the second section 14 of the pair of lines of weakness 10 is non-linear. In particular, the second section 14 defines an incomplete substantially elliptical shape in the material 7 of the pack 2. When the lid 4 is rotated about the hinge 5 into an open position for the first time, the material 7 of the pack 2 is configured to visibly crease to form a complete substantially elliptical shape.

Alternatively, as seen in Figures 8A to 8C, the second section 14 of the pair of lines of weakness 10 is linear. In particular, the second section 14 defines an incomplete substantially quadrilateral shape in the material 7 of the pack 2. When the lid 4 is rotated about the hinge 5 into an open position for the first time, the material 7 of the pack 2 is configured to crease to form a complete substantially quadrilateral shape.

Again, in some embodiments the plurality of lines of weakness 10 are a plurality of cuts in the material 7 of the pack 2. The cuts 10 extend through the full thickness of the material 7. Alternatively, it is also envisaged that the cuts 10 extend only partially through the thickness of the material 7. Lines of weakness that extend partially or fully through the thickness of the material may be formed using a laser.

Figure 9A illustrates a blank 1 of a pack of the hinged-lid type according to another embodiment of the invention. As seen, the hinge line 5 comprises a region 15 delimited by a line of weakness 16 in the material 7 of the pack 2. When the lid 4 is rotated about the hinge line 5 into an open position for the first time, tension is generated along the hinge line 5. Due to the material 7 of the pack 2 being weakened along the line of weakness 16, the tension forces generated will be applied around the periphery of the region 15. As the generated tension force is greater than the force required to break the line of weakness 16, the line of weakness 16 breaks and the region 15 separates from the pack such that a window 17 is formed in the material 7 of the pack 2. This provides a visible indication to a consumer that the pack 2 has been previously opened. The material from which the pack 2 is formed, together with the lines of weakness 16 in the material of the pack, can be selected to ensure that the material 7 will break along the lines of weakness 16 when the pack 2 is opened.

The various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects described herein are not to be considered limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, appropriate combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc, other than those specifically described herein. In addition, this disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.

Claims

1. A hinged-lid pack for delivery systems, the hinged-lid pack comprising: a base; and a lid rotatable relative to the base between open and closed positions about a hinge defined by a discontinuous line about which the material of the pack folds, wherein the material of the pack creases when the lid is rotated about the hinge into an open position for the first time such that the discontinuous line becomes a continuous line to provide a visible indication that the lid has previously been in an open position when the lid is subsequently closed.

2. A hinged-lid pack according to claim 1, wherein the discontinuous line extends linearly.

3. A hinged-lid pack according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the discontinuous line comprises a plurality of spaced lines of weakness.

4. A hinged-lid pack according to claim 3, wherein the discontinuous line is configured so that the spaces between the plurality of lines of weakness visibly crease when the lid is rotated into an open position for the first time to create the continuous line.

5. A hinged-lid pack according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of lines of weakness are a plurality of cuts.

6. A hinged-lid pack according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of cuts extend through the material of the pack.

7. A hinged-lid pack according to claim 1, wherein the discontinuous line extends non-linearly.

8. A hinged-lid pack according to claim 7, wherein the pack comprises a rear wall in which the hinge is formed and side walls depending from each edge of the rear wall, wherein the discontinuous line comprises a pair of lines of weakness, each of the pair of lines of weakness having a first linear section in said rear wall that extends linearly toward each other from respective side walls of the pack and a second section about which the material of the pack folds when the lid is opened.

9. A hinged-lid pack according to claim 8, wherein the pair of lines of weakness are spaced from one another, the material of the pack being configured to visibly crease when the lid is rotated into an open position for the first time such that two visible creases form in the space between the pair of lines of weakness, each visible crease being parallel to and spaced from each other.

10. A hinged-lid pack according to claim 8, wherein the second section is linear and extends in a direction perpendicular to the first linear section.

11. A hinged-lid pack according to claim 10, wherein the second section defines an incomplete substantially quadrilateral shape in the material of the pack, the material of the pack being configured to visibly crease and form a complete substantially quadrilateral shape when the lid is rotated about the hinge into an open position for the first time.

12. A hinged-lid pack according to claims 8 or 9, wherein the second section is non- linear.

13. A hinged-lid pack according to claim 12, wherein the second section defines an incomplete substantially elliptical shape in the material of the pack, the material of the pack being configured to visibly crease and form a complete substantially elliptical shape when the lid is rotated about the hinge into an open position for the first time.

14. A hinged-lid pack according to any of claims 8 to 13, wherein the pair of lines of weakness are cuts.

15. A hinged-lid pack according to claim 14, wherein the cuts extend through the material of the pack.

16. A hinged-lid pack for delivery systems, the hinged-lid pack comprising: a base; and a lid rotatable relative to the base between open and closed positions about a hinge line, wherein the hinge line comprises a region delimited by a line of weakness, said line of weakness being configured to break when the lid is rotated about the hinge line into an open position for the first time such that said region separates from the pack and a window is formed in the material of the pack to provide a visible indication that the lid has previously been in an open position when the lid is subsequently closed.