ES2563322T3 - Package with sliding compartments for tobacco-related items - Google Patents

Abstract

A package (10) for tobacco-related articles comprising at least a first compartment (11) and a second compartment (12), wherein the at least first compartment (11) and the second compartment (12) are coupled relative to each other and the compartments are slidable with respect to each other between a first position and a second position, and wherein in the first position of the compartments (11, 12), at least one first access opening (38) of the first compartment (11) is accessible, and in the second position of the compartments (11, 12), at least the first access opening (38) of the first compartment is inaccessible, where the first compartment (11) and the second compartment (12 ) each comprise a front wall (16, 17) and a rear wall (32, 33), which are opposite each other with respect to an interior (37, 39) of the compartments (11, 12), and wherein the first compartment (11) and second compartment (12) are coupled to each other í on its rear walls (32, 33), where the package further comprises a support structure (18) having a diverting member (45) that is surrounded by a conveyor belt (91), where the conveyor belt ( 91) is coupled to the first compartment (11) and to the second compartment (11), wherein the first access opening (38) to provide access to the interior (37) of the first compartment (11) is arranged in the rear wall (32 ) of the first compartment (11) characterized in that in the first position of the compartments (11, 12), a second access opening (31a) of the second compartment (11) is accessible and in the second position of the compartments (11, 12), the second access opening (31a) of the second compartment (12) is inaccessible, and the second access opening (31a) for providing access to the interior (39) of the second compartment is arranged in the rear wall (33) of the second compartment (12), where the first compartment The compartment (11) and the second compartment (12) comprise a hinged lid (13, 14) to close the access opening, which is arranged on a side face of the first compartment (11) and the second compartment (12) respectively, in where the hinged covers (13, 14) are configured to be pivotable around the hinged line (15, 51a) to open and close each of the access openings (38, 31a), and where the hinged lines (15, 51a) are arranged on the front wall (16, 17) of the compartments (11, 12).

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Package with sliding compartments for tobacco related items Field of the invention

The invention relates to a package for tobacco related articles comprising at least a first compartment and a second compartment, wherein the at least first compartment and the second compartment are coupled to each other and are slidable with respect to each other. .

Background

Tobacco-related items, preferably smoking items such as cigarettes or cigarettes, are often contained in disposable packages that have a substantially cuboid or parallelepipedic shape. The most widespread type of a cigarette pack is the flip cover package. However, a variety of different packages for tobacco-related items are known, ranging from soft packages to classic cigarette or cigar boxes. Packages for tobacco-related items that depart from the classic flip-top design are becoming more and more popular, for example, packages that have a plurality of containers, boxes or compartments.

In CN 2012/76282, there is a pack of cigarettes that has two compartments that are attached in a semi-detached manner and can be moved relative to each other. A part of the back of a first compartment is provided with a sleeve and the part of the back of a second compartment is provided with a sheet, which is connected to the sleeve and can be moved relative to this member. However, the package is rather fragile and the two compartments are likely to separate during use.

Another pack of multi-compartment cigarettes that have compartments that can be moved is disclosed in CN 2013/38814. The compartments are coupled using two L-shaped pieces, which protrude from the first compartment and penetrate through slots in the second compartment. The package comprises a connecting member that causes a flip cover of one of the compartments to open automatically, when the two compartments move relative to each other. However, the package has a complex structure.

Another multi-compartment package is known from CA 2 639 984 A1 (basis for the preamble of claim 1). The compartments are coupled by a mechanism that uses a conveyor belt. However, access to the interior of the compartments is neither easy nor quite safe.

Summary

An object of the invention is to provide an improved multi-compartment package for tobacco-related items that is not only simple but also provides improved package opening and closing properties with respect to known packages.

The object is achieved by the content of claim 1.

In one aspect of the invention, a package for tobacco-related articles is provided comprising at least a first compartment and a second compartment, which may be suitable for housing the articles related to tobacco. The at least first compartment and the second compartment may be coupled to each other. The compartments can be slidable with respect to each other between a first position and a second position. In the first position of the compartments, at least a first access opening of the first compartment may be accessible. In the second position of the compartments, at least the first access opening of the first compartment may be inaccessible. In particular, in the first position, the first access opening of the first compartment and a second access opening of the second compartment may be accessible. In addition, in the second compartment position, the first access opening of the first compartment and the second access opening of the second compartment may be inaccessible.

When the compartments are in the second position, the access openings are advantageously inaccessible and a user may not accidentally open a compartment. This reduces the likelihood of involuntary loss of tobacco related items. In addition, the package is easy to handle and provides an attractive technical function. Advantageously, different articles related to tobacco or different tobacco products can be stored in the two compartments. For example, different types of tobacco-related items or tobacco-related items, flavored differently, can be provided in the two compartments. The package provides a visual appeal and a tactile experience for its user. In addition, in the open state of the package, which may be the first position of the compartments, the surface of the package provides an increased space, which is available for customer information.

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According to an embodiment of the invention, the first compartment and the second compartment each comprise an anterior wall and a posterior wall. The anterior wall and the posterior wall may be opposite each other with respect to the interior of the compartment. The first compartment and the second compartment may be coupled to each other on their rear walls. The first access opening, which provides access to the interior of the first compartment, is arranged in the rear wall of the first compartment. Similarly, a second access opening to provide access to the interior of the second compartment may be arranged in the rear wall of the second compartment. In particular, at least one of the access openings may be a cut in the rear wall of the first compartment and / or the second compartment, respectively. In the second position of the compartments, which is a closed position of the package, the rear walls of the compartments are almost completely covered with each other. When the two compartments are moved to the first position and the package is opened, a part or a section of the rear walls of the compartments is uncovered and will be accessible to a user. The access opening (or openings) may be arranged in this exposed part of the rear wall (or walls). The articles related to tobacco inside the compartments are accessible to a user.

Advantageously, the package can be handled very easily. A sliding movement of the two compartments with each other is sufficient to open or close the package. At the same time, the design or structure of the package is simple and economical. A rear wall of the first compartment closes the second access opening of the second compartment and vice versa, when the compartments are in the second position. The simple design of the package can be advantageous with respect to its production cost.

Each compartment, that is, the first compartment and the second compartment, may further comprise: an upper wall, a lower wall and a pair of side walls. The anterior wall and the posterior wall, the upper wall and the lower wall and the pair of side walls may be arranged to be opposite each other with respect to the interior of the compartment. Depending on the particular design of the first compartment or the second compartment, any one of the side walls may be a part of a hinged lid. In addition, a top wall of the package can be a part of a flip top. In other words, a flip cover can be arranged either on a top side or on a side side of the compartment. Both compartments of the package can have a flip top.

According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, the package comprises a support structure. The support structure comprises a deflection member that is surrounded by a conveyor belt. The conveyor belt is coupled to the first compartment and the second compartment. The first compartment and the second compartment are slidable with respect to the support structure. A first movement of the first compartment is transferred to a second movement of the second compartment, with the help of the conveyor belt. The first displacement has a first direction and the second displacement has a second direction. The first address may be substantially opposite to the second address. The displacement of the first compartment is transferred to the second displacement of the second compartment with the help of a rotation of the conveyor belt around the deflection member.

A movement or displacement of the first compartment is advantageously coupled to a movement or displacement of the second compartment. The package offers an automatic and coupled movement of the two compartments. The user pushes a first compartment and the second compartment will follow automatically, however, in the opposite direction. Similarly, a displacement of the second compartment produces an opposite displacement of the first compartment.

A direction of movement of the conveyor belt can be substantially perpendicular to an extension in length of the deflection member. In particular, the direction of movement of the conveyor belt can be substantially perpendicular to an extension in length of the package. The first compartment and the second compartment of the package slide laterally, when the package is handled in an upright position. There is a surprising and unexpected automatic movement of the compartments.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the support structure further comprises an upper panel and a lower panel. The upper panel and the lower panel may protrude in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to an extension in length of the deflection member. In addition, the upper panel can at least partially cover the upper walls of the compartments, that is, the upper wall of the first compartment and the upper wall of the second compartment. Similarly, the bottom panel of the support structure can at least partially cover the bottom walls of the compartments. The compartments of the package are protected by the support structure. In addition, the support structure guides the sliding movement of the first and second compartments.

Advantageously, the support structure may further comprise a front panel and a rear panel. The anterior, posterior, superior and inferior panel can form a framework. The frame may at least partially surround the first compartment and the second compartment. This frame protects the anterior wall (or walls) of the compartments and increases the mechanical stability of the package. A durable package that has an attractive visual appearance and offers a surprising mechanical function can be provided. In addition, the support structure

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Protect compartments.

The deflection member may protrude between the upper panel and the lower panel of the frame, that is, of the support structure. The deflection member may protrude into an interior space that is surrounded by the frame. In addition, the deflection member may protrude between the upper panel and the lower panel of the support structure in a center of the interior space.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first compartment and the second compartment each comprise an upper wall, a lower wall, an anterior wall and a rear wall. The anterior wall and the posterior wall may be opposite each other with respect to an interior of the compartment. Similarly, the upper wall and the lower wall may be opposite each other with respect to the interior of the compartment. At least one of the two compartments may comprise an access opening to provide access to the interior of the compartment. The access opening may be arranged on a surface of the side face of the compartment. This lateral surface is adjacent to the upper wall, the lower wall, the anterior wall and the posterior wall. The conveyor belt can be coupled to one of the respective rear walls of the first compartment and the second compartment.

Advantageously, the support structure may come into contact, at least partially, with the anterior wall, the upper wall and the lower wall of any one of the first compartment and the second compartment. In addition, the deflection member may be adjacent to the rear wall of the first compartment and adjacent to the rear wall of the second compartment. The deflection member may protrude between the rear wall of the first compartment and the rear wall of the second compartment. However, according to this embodiment, the deflection member does not come into contact directly with the rear walls, at least in a section of the deflection member, which is surrounded by the conveyor belt. In other words, a first section of the conveyor belt may be disposed between the rear wall of the first compartment and a first side of the deflection member. A second section of the conveyor belt may be disposed between the rear wall of the second compartment and a second side of the deflection member, which is opposite the first side. Advantageously, the support structure, in particular, the frame and the deflection member, conducts (or drives) the first compartment and the second compartment during the sliding movement.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the front panel of the support structure comes into contact, at least partially, with the front wall of the first compartment. The rear panel of the support structure may come into contact, at least partially, with the anterior wall of the second compartment. The upper panel of the support structure may come into contact with the upper walls, and the lower panel of the support structure may come into contact with the lower walls of the first compartment and the second compartment, respectively. The guide system of the compartments during the sliding action can be improved.

In addition, both the first compartment and the second compartment may comprise a hinged lid for closing the access opening. The lid can swing around an articulated line to open and close the access opening. The articulated line is arranged in the anterior wall of the compartment. A direction of movement of the conveyor belt can be substantially perpendicular to a direction of the articulation line (or lines).

Advantageously, the first and second compartments can be applied to accommodate different types or styles of articles related to tobacco, for example differently flavored cigarettes. The first compartment or the second compartment can be pushed out of the frame by applying a force on a side wall of the compartment. This causes the pushed compartment to partially slide out of the frame. At the same time, the second compartment can move in the opposite direction. Advantageously, both compartments are inaccessible to the user, when the compartments are in the second position. In the first position, the compartments are accessible. The user only has to push a single compartment to open or close the package.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, a displacement of the compartments with respect to each other may be limited at least in one direction of movement. The displacement of the compartments may be limited to a movement between the first position and the second position. In particular, the displacement of the compartments may be limited by the connection member, which may be a part of the second compartment.

Brief description of the drawings

Other aspects and features of the invention are deduced from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the attached drawings, in which

FIG. 1 is a simplified perspective view of a package according to an embodiment of the invention, in

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where the package compartments are in a first position and the package is open,

FIG. 2 is a simplified front side view of the package,

FIG. 3 is a simplified top side view of the package,

FIG. 4 is a simplified top side view of the package, where the package compartments are in a first state and the package is closed,

FIG. 5 is a simplified cross-sectional view along the line V-V in FIG. 2, while the package is in an open state,

FIG. 6 is a simplified cross-sectional view of the closed package,

FIG. 7 is a simplified perspective view of the closed package,

FIG. 8 is another simplified perspective view showing the open package, where a lid of one of the compartments is open,

FIG. 9 is a simplified view showing a blank for the manufacture of a support structure for a package according to an embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 10 is a simplified view showing a blank for the manufacture of a first compartment or a second compartment for a package according to an embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 11 is a simplified view showing a blank for the manufacture of a conveyor belt for a package according to an embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 12 is a simplified view showing a blank for the manufacture of an inner frame for a package according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 to 18 illustrate different stages during the manufacture of the package according to an embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 19 is a simplified perspective view of a package according to another embodiment of the invention, where the package is open,

FIG. 20 is a simplified perspective top view of the package, where a first compartment is omitted,

FIG. 21 is a simplified perspective view showing a package according to a structure not covered by the present invention, where the package is open,

FIG. 22 is a simplified top view of the closed package,

FIG. 23 is a simplified view of a rear wall of a first compartment of the package and FIG. 24 is a simplified view of the rear wall of a second compartment of the package.

Detailed description of realization examples

FIG. 1 is a simplified perspective view showing a package 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. The package 10 comprises a first compartment 11 and a second compartment 12. The compartments 11, 12 may be configured similarly to a classic flip lid package, however, a first lid 13, which closes an access opening of the first compartment 11 may be arranged on a side face of the first compartment 11. Similarly, a second cover 14, which closes an access opening of the second compartment 12, may be arranged on a side face of this second compartment 12. The covers 13, 14 can swing around the articulation lines. In FIG. 1, only a second articulation line 15 is visible, which allows the second cover 14 of the second compartment 12 to be tilted. The second articulated line 15 can be arranged in a front wall 16 of the second compartment 12. Similarly, a first articulated line (not shown) may be arranged on an anterior wall (not visible) of the first compartment 11. The first cover 13 can swing around this first articulation line.

In FIG. 1, compartments 11, 12 of package 10 are in a first state and package 10 is open. A simplified perspective view showing a second state of the compartments 11, 12, is shown in FIG. 7. In this second state, the package 10 is closed in the first state, the access openings of the

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compartments 11, 12 are accessible because the covers 13, 14 swing around their articulated lines 15, 51a to open or close the access openings.

The package 10 according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 further comprises a support structure 18. The support structure 18 may be configured to be a frame that, at least partially, surrounds the first compartment 11 and the second compartment 12. The support structure 18 may comprise an upper panel 19 and a lower panel 23, which may be arranged to be substantially parallel to each other and which may be opposite each other with respect to an interior space that is surrounded by the frame. The support structure 18 may comprise a front panel 12a and a rear panel (not visible in FIG. 1). The front panel 12a and the rear panel may also be arranged to be substantially parallel to each other and opposite each other with respect to the interior space of the frame.

The first compartment 11 and the second compartment 12 are slidable with respect to each other between the first position, shown in FIG. 1, and the second position, which is represented in FIG. 7.

The first compartment 11 and the second compartment 12 may be offset with respect to each other and with respect to the support structure 18. The displacement takes place in one direction, which may be parallel to the direction D. The compartments 11, 12 may be coupled to each other using a conveyor belt that can be wrapped around a deflection member of the support structure 18. In the simplified perspective view of FIG. 1, neither the conveyor belt nor the deflection member is visible. Next we will refer to these parts of package 10 in more detail.

A first displacement of the first compartment 11, which has a first direction D1, is transformed by the conveyor belt into a second displacement of the second compartment 12, which is directed in a second direction D2. By pushing, for example, the first compartment 11 in the first direction D1, the second compartment 12 automatically moves to the second direction D2. The first address D1 and the second address D2 may be substantially opposite each other. To close the package 10 according to the embodiment of FIG. 1, a user can push the first compartment 11 towards the direction D1 *, which is substantially opposite to the first direction D1. The second compartment 12 automatically shifts to the D2 * address. Similar to the transformation of a displacement in the first direction D1 in a displacement towards the second direction D2, a displacement of the first compartment 11 towards the direction D1 * is transformed into a displacement of the second compartment 12 towards a direction D2 *. The package 10 can be opened and closed by a movement of any one of the first compartment 11 or the second compartment 12. The other compartment 11, 12 will automatically follow this movement, however, in the opposite direction.

FIG. 2 is a simplified front side view of the package 10 according to the embodiment of FIG. 1. The view direction is towards the previous panel 12a of the support structure 18. For reasons of clarity only, the previous panel 12a is omitted. The upper panel 19 of the support structure 18 may be arranged to be adjacent to an upper wall 21 of the first compartment 11 and an upper wall 22 of the second compartment 12 (see also FIG. 1). Similarly, the lower panel 23 of the support structure 18 may be arranged to be adjacent to a lower wall 24 of the first compartment 11 and a lower wall 25 of the second compartment 12.

The deflection member may protrude between an upper panel 19 and a lower panel 23 of the support structure 18. The deflection member may be arranged to be substantially perpendicular to the upper panel 19 and the lower panel 23. In addition, a direction D of the displacement of the first compartment 11 and the second compartment 12 may be substantially perpendicular to an extension in length of the deflection member.

In FIG. 3, there is a simplified top side view of the package 10 according to the embodiment of FIG. 1. The front panel 12a, the upper panel 19 and a rear panel 31 of the support structure 18 are visible. An anterior wall 16 of the first compartment 11 may be adjacent to the rear panel 31 of the support structure 18. Similarly, an anterior wall 16 of the second compartment 12 may be arranged to be adjacent to the anterior panel 12a of the support structure 18 In addition, a rear panel 32 of the first compartment 11 may face a rear panel 33 of the second compartment 12. The deflection member of the support structure 18 may protrude between these rear walls 32, 33. The deflection member is not visible in FIG. 3, however, its position is indicated by a dashed line 34.

Compartments 11, 12 are in the first position. The covers 13, 14 of the first and second compartment 11,

12 may be open. The first compartment 11 can be accessed by tilting the first cover

13 around the first line 51a of articulation. The first cover 13 comprises a rear lateral flange 56a, an upper lateral flange 54a, an anterior lateral flange 53a and a pair of lateral flanges 58a, 51b. In FIG. 3, only a second side flange 51b is visible. The design of the first compartment 11 will be explained in more detail by referring to an original, which is for the manufacture of this compartment (see FIG. 10).

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An anterior wall 16 of the first compartment 11 includes the rear flange 56a of the first cover 13. The articulated line 51a may be arranged in this anterior wall 16. The second cover 14 of the second compartment 12 may be configured similarly to the first cover 13 of the first compartment 11. A second articulation line 15, which is for tilting the second cover 14, may be arranged on the anterior side 17 of the second compartment 12.

A second position of the compartments 11, 12, which is the closed state of the package 10, is shown in the simplified upper side view of FIG. 4. The access openings of the compartments 11, 12 are not accessible because the covers 13, 14 may not swing around the articulation lines 51a and 15, respectively. For example, the first cover 13 of the first compartment 11 cannot be opened because the front side flange 53a of the first cover 13 is adjacent to the rear wall 33 of the second compartment 12. The first cover 13 cannot swing around the first line 51st of articulation. In the second state of the compartments 11, 12, the first compartment 11 cannot be opened accidentally. This prevents the user from unwanted loss of tobacco related items, which can be stored in compartments 11, 12. Similar explanations apply mutatis mutandis to the second cover 14 of the second compartment 12.

In the second position of the compartments 11, 12, the flange 54a of the upper side of the first cover 13 and a side wall 35 of the second compartment 12 can substantially protrude in a common plane. Similarly, a side wall 59 of the first compartment 11 and a flange 36 of the upper side of the second cover 14 of the second compartment 12 can substantially protrude in a common plane.

FIG. 5 is a simplified cross-sectional view along the line V-V in FIG. 2. However, unlike FIG. 2, the covers 13, 14 of the compartments 11, 12 swing around the articulated lines 51a and 15 and a first interior space 37 of the first compartment 11 can be accessed through a first access opening 38 and a second interior space 39 of the second compartment 12 can be accessed through a second access opening 31a. A rear panel 32 of the first compartment 11 and a rear panel 33 of the second compartment 12 are coupled to a conveyor belt 91 on a first connection surface 54b and a second connection surface 32a, respectively. The conveyor belt 91 and the rear walls 32, 33 may be connected using glue or a suitable adhesive.

A shift of the first compartment 11 of the closed position, shown in FIG. 4, 6 and 7, in the open position, shown in FIG. 1 to 3, 5 and 8, along the direction D1 causes the conveyor belt 91 to rotate clockwise around the deflection member 45. This rotation of the conveyor belt 91 causes the second compartment 12 to be displaced in the second address D2. To close the package 10, for example, the first compartment 11 is pushed or moved towards the direction D1 *. The conveyor belt 91 is rotated counterclockwise around the deflection member 45. Accordingly, the second compartment 12 automatically moves towards the direction D2 *. The closed state of the package 10 is shown in another view in simplified cross section of FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 and 8 are more simplified perspective views that show package 10 according to the embodiment. In FIG. 7, compartments 11, 12 are in the second state and package 10 is closed. An interior space of any one of the compartments 11, 12 is inaccessible, because the covers 13, 14 of the compartments 11, 12 may not be open. The support structure 18 surrounds, at least partially, the first compartment 11 and the second compartment 12. In FIG. 8, the package 10 is open and the compartments 11, 12 are accessible. The covers 13, 14 may be open. In FIG. 8, the first cover 13 of the first compartment 11 swings around the first articulated line 51a and the articles related to tobacco 81, for example, cigarettes, are accessible to a user. An inner frame 84 of the first compartment 11 is visible in FIG. 8. An inner surface of the first cover 13 rests on this inner frame 84, when the first compartment 11 is closed.

In FIG. 9, there is a simplified view showing a blank 40 for the manufacture of a support structure 18 of a package 10, according to an embodiment of the invention. The same reference numbers are used for the parts of the blank 40 and the support structure 18 in FIG. 1 to 8

The blank 40 comprises a lower panel 23, an upper panel 19, a front panel 12a and a rear panel 31. In addition, the blank 40 comprises a deflection member 45, which is coupled to a first connection tape 46 and a second connection tape 47. The first connection tape 46 comprises a connection area 48, which can be free of varnish and / or ink and which can be for coupling the first connection tape 46 to an inner surface of the lower panel 23. The second connecting tape 47 may be coupled to an inner surface of the upper panel 19. The parts can be attached to each one used using a suitable glue or adhesive.

The deflection member 45 may comprise two lateral wings 49, which can be folded along fold lines 41a. The deflection member 45 may be surrounded by the conveyor belt 91. The lateral fins 49 may provide a reinforcement of the edges of the deflection member 45 and will also allow smooth rotation of the conveyor belt 91 around the deflection member 45.

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For the fabrication of the support structure 18, the blank 40 is folded along the additional folding lines 42a. When the blank 40 is folded and the deflection member 45 is coupled to the lower panel 23 and the upper panel 19 through the first connection tape 46 and the second connection tape 47, respectively, the deflection member 45 protrudes vertically in an interior space, which is surrounded by the support structure 18. The steps during the manufacture of the support structure 18 will be explained in more detail by referring to FIG. 13-18. According to the embodiment, the support structure 18 provides a framework for housing the first compartment 11 and the second compartment 12. The deflection member 45 substantially protrudes between the lower panel 23 and the upper panel 19 substantially in a center of This frame.

For example, a total length of the blank 40 may be 332.9 mm and the blank 40 may be 60 mm wide. The lower panel 23 can have a length of 60 mm and a width of 21.5 mm. The previous panel 12a can have a length of 89.6 mm and a width of 60 mm. The upper panel 19 can be 60 mm long and 22 mm wide. The rear panel 31 of the support structure 18 may have a length of 89.3 mm and a width of 60 mm. The first connection tape 46 may have a width of 11 mm and a length of 60 mm. The deflection member 45 may have a length of 89 mm and a width of 33 mm. The side wings 49 may have a width of 11 mm, their length may be shorter than a length of the deflection member 45. However, according to another embodiment of the invention, the length of the side flaps 49 may be arranged to be substantially equal to a length of the deflection member 45. The second connecting tape 47 may have a width of 10.5 mm and a length of 60 mm.

In FIG. 10 there is a blank 50 for the manufacture of a first compartment 11 or a second compartment 12 for a package 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. The package 10 comprises two compartments 11, 12 and two blanks 50 are suitable for the manufacture of the first compartment 11 and the second compartment 12, respectively.

By way of example only, the blank 50 in FIG. 10 applies to the manufacture of the first compartment 11. However, the second compartment 12 can be manufactured and configured in a similar manner and the description that follows applies mutatis mutandis. Again, the same reference numbers are used for parts of the blank 50 in FIG. 10 and for the first compartment 11 in FIG. 1 to 8

The blank 50 comprises an anterior wall 16, a posterior wall 32, an upper wall 21 and a lower wall 24. The upper wall 21 and the lower wall 24 are coupled to the rear wall 32. The previous wall 16 is coupled to a first connection flange 55 which has a connection surface 56 that can be free of ink and varnish and which is for coupling the first flange 55 connecting to an inner surface of the upper wall 21. Similarly, a second connection flange 57 having a connection surface 58 that may be free of ink and varnish may be connected to the anterior wall 16. The connection surface 58 is for connecting the second connection flange 57 to an inner surface of the bottom wall 54. The first compartment 11 can be manufactured by folding the blank 50 along the folding lines shown in dashed lines. For example, a length of the rear panel 32 and the anterior wall 16 of the first compartment 11 is 87 mm. The rear panel 32 may be 60 mm wide and the anterior wall may be 80 mm wide. A width of the side wall 59 may be 9.5 mm.

In addition, the blank 50 comprises a side wall 59 that is disposed opposite a first access opening 38 (see FIG. 5). The first access opening 38 of the first compartment 11 can be opened and closed using the flip cover 13, which is tiltable along the articulation line 51a. The flip cover 13 comprises an inner flap 52a that can be folded along a fold line (shown in dashed line) between the inner flap 52a and an anterior lateral flange 53a. In addition, the first cover 13 comprises an upper side flange 54a, which can be a side wall of the first compartment 11, and which can be arranged opposite the side wall 59 with respect to an interior of the first compartment 11. The anterior wall 53a of the cover 13 may be a part of the rear wall 32 of the first compartment 11 and may protrude in a recess 55a of the rear wall 32, when the cover 13 is closed. A rear flange 56a of the cover 13 may be coupled to the articulated line 51a and may be a part of the anterior wall 16 of the first compartment 11. The anterior wall 16 and the rear flange 56a form an anterior lateral surface of the first compartment 11. The first cover 13 can be manufactured by coupling a first side flange 57a with a connection surface 58a to an opposite side flange 57a. Similarly, a second side flange 51b may be coupled to a connection surface 52b of a second side flange 51b. The inner flap 52a can be folded inward in order to contract an inner surface of the anterior wall 53a.

The blank 50 for the manufacture of the first compartment 11 or the second compartment 12 comprises a central connection surface 54b that can be arranged on the rear wall 32. This central connection surface 54b is for the coupling of the conveyor belt 91 to the first compartment 11 and the second compartment 12, respectively.

FIG. 11 is a blank 60 for a conveyor belt 91. A first lateral edge 61 and a second lateral edge 62 of the conveyor belt 91 can be superimposed on the central connecting surface 54b of the first

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compartment 11 or the second compartment 12, when the conveyor belt is fixed to any of the two compartments 11, 12. When the edges 61, 62 of the conveyor belt 91 are, for example, connected to the first compartment 11, the second compartment 12 it can be connected to a center of the conveyor belt 91. An equal one is applied vice versa, when the edges 61, 62 of the conveyor belt 91 are connected to the second compartment 12. For example, the conveyor belt 91 can be 86 mm in length and can have a width of 66 mm. This dimension is slightly smaller than a length of the deflection member 45, which may be 89 mm, to allow smooth rotation of the conveyor belt 91 around the deflection member 45.

In FIG. 12, there is a blank 70 for an inner frame 84 or collar, which can be inserted into the access openings 38, 31a of the compartments 11, 12. The inner frames 84 are, in principle, known from of the folding lid packages. An anterior wall 53a of, for example, the first cover 13 (FIG. 5) rests on the inner frame 84, when the first compartment 11 is closed. The inner frame 84 (see FIG. 8) comprises spring flanges 71 that provide a friction connection with an inner surface of the cover 13 in order to keep the first cover 13 in its closed position. A lower part 72 of the inner frame 84 may be fixed to an inner surface of the rear wall 32 of, for example, the first compartment 11. An upper part 73 rests on the first cover 13.

In the simplified perspective views of FIG. 13 to 18 the assembly of the package 10 according to the embodiment of FIG. 1-8 will be explained by referring to selected process steps.

In FIG. 13, there is a blank 40 for the fabrication of the support structure 18. As a first stage, the fins 49 are folded along fold lines 41a on the deflection member 45. The rotation of the side fins 49 along the fold lines 41a it is indicated by arrows.

At a later stage, the blank 60 for the manufacture of the conveyor belt 91 is arranged on the deflection member 45 and is wound around the deflection member 45. This is indicated by arrows in FIG. fifteen.

Subsequently, the first compartment 11 and the second compartment 12 are arranged on the conveyor belt 91. The first and second compartments 11, 12 may be coupled to the conveyor belt 91 on a respective of its central connection surfaces 45b (see FIG. 10).

When the compartments 11, 12 are arranged on the conveyor belt 91, the blank 40 for manufacturing the support structure 18 is wrapped around the first and second compartment 11, 12 folding the blank 40 along the 42a folding lines. This is illustrated in FIG. 17 and 18, which show the subsequent stages during the folding of the blank 40.

FIG. 19 is a simplified perspective view, showing a package 10 according to another embodiment of the invention. Package 10 is configured similarly to package 10, which is known from FIG. 1 to 8. The first lid 13 of the first compartment 11 is shown in an open state and an interior space, which is for housing articles 81 related to tobacco, for example, cigarettes, is accessible. When the first cover 13 is closed, an inner surface of the anterior wall 53a of the cover 13 rests on the inner frame 84. Unlike the embodiments in FIG. 1 to 8, the support structure 18 of the package 10, according to the embodiment in FIG. 19, does not include any front panel or rear panel. The support structure 18 comprises only an upper panel 19 and a lower panel 23. The upper panel 19 may be adjacent to an upper wall 21 of the first compartment 11 and an upper wall 22 of the second compartment 12. Similarly, the lower panel 23 of the support structure 18 may be adjacent to a lower wall 24 of the first compartment 11 and adjacent to a bottom wall 25 of the second compartment 12.

FIG. 20 is a simplified perspective front view of package 10 according to the embodiment of FIG. 19. For reasons of clarity only, the first compartment is omitted 12. The deflection member 45 is disposed between the upper panel 19 and the lower panel 23 of the support structure 18. The deflection member 45 is surrounded by the conveyor belt 91. A direction D is a direction of rotation of the conveyor belt 91 and a direction of travel of the first compartment 11 and the second compartment 12, respectively. The address D may be substantially perpendicular to an address of the articulation line 51a.

In FIG. 21, there is another simplified perspective view showing a package 10 for articles 81 related to tobacco, according to an embodiment of the invention that is not covered by the present invention. The package 10 comprises a first compartment 11 and a second compartment 12. The first compartment 11 comprises an access opening 38 which may be a cut in the rear wall 117 of the first compartment 11. The first compartment 11 does not comprise a hinged cover, the First access opening 38 is closed by a rear wall 116 of the second compartment 12, when the package 10 is in a closed position, that is, when the compartments 11, 12 are in the second position.

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

40

Four. Five

fifty

This situation is illustrated in the simplified top view of FIG. 22. The compartments 11, 12 are in a second position and the rear wall 117 of the first compartment 11 and the rear wall 116 of the second compartment 12 almost completely overlap or cover each other. A first side wall 112 of the first compartment 11 and a first side wall 114 of the second compartment 12 protrude almost in the same plane, when the compartments 11, 12 are in this second position. Similarly, a second side wall 113 of the first compartment 11 and a second side wall 115 of the second compartment 12 may be arranged in a common plane. The side wall 116 of the second compartment 12 closes the first access opening 38 of the first compartment 11, when the compartments 11, 12 are in this second position. In a first position of the compartments 11, 12, the first access opening 38 of the first compartment 11 is accessible. In the second position, shown in FIG. 22, the first access opening 38 of the first compartment 11 is inaccessible, because it is closed by the side wall 116 of the second compartment 12.

By way of example only, the edges between an anterior wall 16 and the side walls 112, 113 of the first compartment 11 and the edges between the anterior wall 16 and the lateral walls 114, 115 of the second compartment 12 are beveled.

FIG. 23 is a simplified view of the rear wall 117 of the first compartment 11. The rear wall 117 comprises a slit 121, which is for the insertion of a connecting member for coupling the first compartment 11 and the second compartment 12. The slot 121 has a width W2.

In FIG. 24, there is a simplified view of the side wall 116 of the second compartment 12. Similar to the first compartment 11, the second compartment comprises a second access opening 31a, which may be a cut in the rear wall 116 of the second compartment 12. The side wall 116 of the second compartment 12 comprises a connection member 131. In particular, the connection member 131 may be cut from the rear wall 116. The cutout in the rear wall 116 may be slightly larger than the connecting member 131 and the tobacco-related articles 81 within the second compartment 12 are visible through the remaining opening. An inner sheet, which usually surrounds articles 81 related to tobacco is omitted for reasons of clarity only.

The connecting member 131 may have a shape similar to an arrow. This will facilitate the insertion of the connecting member 131 into the groove 121. A distant part 132 at the free end of the connecting member 131 may be wider than a connecting part 133, which is coupled to the rear wall 116 of the line 134 of connection. The distant part 132 of the connecting member 131 has a width W3, which may be greater than the width W2 of the slit 121. This prevents the connecting member 131 from being pulled out of the slit 121. In addition, this part 132 is further distant wide limits the displacement of compartments 11, 12 with respect to each other. The width W3 may be greater than a width W1 of the connection part 133. To allow smooth movement between the first and second compartments 11, 12, the width W1 of the connecting part 133 is slightly smaller than the width W2 of the slit 121.

One or both of compartments 11, 12 of the structure shown in FIG. 21 to 24 can be provided with a flip cover that covers a side access opening. In other words, the first and second compartments 11, 12 according to the embodiment of FIG. 21 to 24 may be configured similarly to compartments 11, 12, which are known from the embodiment of FIG. 1 to 7. In particular, an articulated line for tilting the covers may be arranged in an anterior wall 16 and 17 of the first compartment 11 and the second compartment 12, respectively. Equal or similar advantages and technical aspects apply to a package according to this particular embodiment of the invention, which has already been mentioned with respect to the embodiments of FIG. 1 to 7

The first compartment 11, the second compartment 12, the support structure 18 and the conveyor belt 91 can be made of cardboard material. The material of the conveyor belt 91 may, however, be a flexible material. This advantageously applies to all embodiments of the invention.

Claims (8)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 40 Four. Five fifty 55 60 65 1. A package (10) for tobacco-related items comprising at least a first compartment (11) and a second compartment (12), wherein the at least first compartment (11) and the second compartment (12) they are coupled to each other and the compartments are slidable with respect to each other between a first position and a second position, and where in the first position of the compartments (11, 12), at least a first access opening (38) of the first compartment (11) is accessible, and in the second position of the compartments (11, 12), at least the first access opening (38) of the first compartment is inaccessible, wherein the first compartment (11) and the second compartment (12) each comprises an anterior wall (16, 17) and a posterior wall (32, 33), which are opposite each other with respect to an interior (37, 39) of the compartments (11, 12), and wherein the first compartment (11) and the second compartment (12) are coupled between and if in its rear walls (32, 33), where the package further comprises a support structure (18) having a deflection member (45) that is surrounded by a conveyor belt (91), where the conveyor belt (91) is coupled to the first compartment (11) and the second compartment (11), wherein the first access opening (38) to provide access to the interior (37) of the first compartment (11) is arranged in the rear wall ( 32) of the first compartment (11) characterized in that in the first position of the compartments (11, 12), a second access opening (31a) of the second compartment (11) is accessible and in the second position of the compartments (11 , 12), the second access opening (31a) of the second compartment (12) is inaccessible, and the second access opening (31a) to provide access to the interior (39) of the second compartment is arranged in the rear wall (33) of the second compartment (12), where the first compartment (11) and the second compartment (12) comprise an articulated lid (13, 14) for closing the access opening, which is arranged on a side face of the first compartment (11) and the second compartment (12) respectively, in where the articulated covers (13, 14) are configured to be tilting around the articulated line (15, 51a) to open and close each of the access openings (38, 31a), and where the articulated lines (15, 51a) are arranged in the anterior wall (16, 17) of the compartments (11, 12). 2. The package according to claim 1, wherein the first compartment (11) and the second compartment (12) are slidable with respect to the support structure (18), and a first displacement of the first compartment (11), having the First displacement a first direction, is transferred to a second displacement of the second compartment (12) towards a second direction, which is substantially opposite to the first direction, where the opposite displacement of the compartments (11, 12) is due to a rotation of the conveyor belt (91) around the deflection member (45). 3. The package according to claim 2, wherein a direction of movement of the conveyor belt (91) is substantially perpendicular to a length extension of the deflection member (45) and, in particular, the direction of movement of the conveyor belt (91) is substantially perpendicular to an extension in length of the package (10). The package according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the support structure (18) further comprises an upper panel (19) and a lower panel (23), wherein the upper panel (19) and the panel lower (23) protrude substantially perpendicular to the deflection member (45), the upper panel (19) covers, at least partially, an upper wall of the first compartment (11) and an upper wall of the second compartment (11) and the lower panel (23) covers, at least partially, a lower wall of the first compartment (11) and a lower wall of the second compartment (12). 5. The package according to claim 4, wherein the support structure (18) further comprises an anterior panel (12a) and a rear panel (31), wherein the anterior, posterior, upper and lower panels (12a, 31, 19, 23) form a framework that surrounds, at least partially, the first compartment (11) and the second compartment (12). 6. The package according to claim 5, wherein the deflection member (45) protrudes between the upper panel (19) and the lower panel (23) of the support structure (18) and within an interior space, which is surrounded by the frame. 7. The package according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the first compartment (11) and the second compartment (12) each comprise: an upper wall (21, 22), a lower wall (24, 25) , an anterior wall (16, 17) and the posterior wall (32, 33), wherein the anterior wall (16, 17) and the posterior wall (32, 33) are opposite each other with respect to an interior (37, 39) of the compartment and the upper wall (21, 22) and the lower wall (24, 25) are opposite each other with respect to the interior (37, 39) of the compartment (11, 12), and where the access opening (38, 31a) to provide access to the interior (37, 39) of the compartment (11, 12) is arranged on a side surface of the compartment (11, 12), which is adjacent to the upper, lower, anterior and posterior walls ( 21, 22, 24, 25, 16, 17, 32, 33), and wherein the conveyor belt (91) is coupled to one of the respective rear walls (32, 33) of the first compartment (11) and the sec one compartment (12). 8. The package according to claim 7, wherein the front panel (12a) of the support structure (18) comes into contact, at least partially, with the front wall (16) of the first compartment (11), the rear panel (31) comes into contact, at least partially, with the anterior wall (17) of the second compartment (12), the upper panel (19) comes into contact with the upper walls (21, 22) and the lower panel (23) comes into contact with the bottom walls (24, 25) of the first compartment (11) and the second compartment (12). 5. The package according to claim 8, wherein the deflection member (45) protrudes between the walls posterior (32, 33) of the compartments (11, 12).