KR20100044894A - Packs and cartons for smoking articles - Google Patents

Abstract

A pack (10) for smoking articles comprises a parallelepiped receptacle for receiving a row or rows of smoking articles, the receptacle (12) having an opening (24) at a top end through which the smoking articles may be dispensed along a direction parallel to their longitudinal axes, and a rotable (38) flap positioned inside the bottom end of the receptacle which when rotated contacts ends of the smoking articles and urges the smoking articles through the opening. The pack may further include a second receptacle (14) hinged to the first (12) at their bottom ends, each receptacle having a rotatable flap that extends into the other receptacle and is fixed therein so that relative rotation of the receptacles rotates the two flaps to lift the smoking articles. Alternatively, the rotatable flaps can be integral with the other receptacles.

Description

Packs & Boxes for Smoking Goods {PACKS AND CARTONS FOR SMOKING ARTICLES}

The present invention relates to a pack for smoking articles such as cigarettes.

Generally, a smoking article has a substantially parallelepiped shape formed by a bottom wall, four side walls extending from the bottom wall, and an opening opposite the bottom wall to allow the smoking article to be taken out of the pack. Available in single-use packs. A lid is provided to cover the opening, which is generally hinged to either of the side walls.

Cigarettes are tightly packed together in a new pack and closely packed by the side walls of the pack. This makes it difficult to take out the first cigarette when the pack is first opened. In addition, subsequent cigarettes disposed inside the pack in the longitudinal direction parallel to the sidewalls can also be difficult to remove because the sidewalls extend mainly along the longitudinal direction of the cigarettes.

Cigarette packs have been proposed that have a mechanism that allows for more convenient removal of tobacco from the limited space of the pack. In US 1,842,891, a pack of cigarettes comprises two parallelepiped containers each designed to hold a layer of tobacco, and are hinged together like a book along the edge of two containers parallel to the longitudinal direction of the cigarettes inside the pack, This describes a cigarette pack in which the container abuts when the pack is closed. Each container has an opening on its inner side adjacent to the hinge for opening the cigarettes. A pair of flaps arranged inside the two containers at the hinge operate to guide the cigarette backward through either of the openings only when the containers rotate in different directions through the hinge, It works by assisting the flaps so that the cigarette can be taken out of the pack completely.

US 1,588,104 describes a pack of cigarettes comprising a parallelepiped container having two halves hinged together along the back of the container along a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the cigarette in the pack. The adjacent and facing side of the two halves is an opening from which cigarettes can be removed from the pack and the two openings are face-to-face when the pack is closed. In order for the pack to open, the back side is be folded on itself again along the hinge to expose the two openings. With respect to the back side, which acts to push cigarettes in both halves of the container in the transverse direction towards the opening when the pack is opened, the flexible sheet is disposed inside the container. This is intended to make it easier to remove the cigarette from the pack by ensuring that the cigarette is always near the opening when the pack is opened.

In all these examples, the cigarette is in the opening transverse to the length, and the opening is large enough to allow the cigarette to penetrate in that direction. This is because when the pack is opened, the cigarette is pushed forward and through the opening is easy to fall off and drop, since there is little difference between the cigarette within the pack's boundaries and the cigarette being pushed through the opening completely. Therefore, such a pack poses a problem in discharging tobacco from the pack to facilitate its removal from it in a somewhat unsatisfactory manner.

Accordingly, a first aspect of the present invention provides a pack for a smoking article comprising a container for receiving a plurality of smoking articles arranged in parallel with each other and a rotatable flap disposed inside a second end opposite the first end of the container. The container of claim 1, wherein the container has an opening at the first end through which the smoking articles exit along the longitudinal axis of the container, the rotatable flap being in contact with one or more ends of the smoking article. When rotating, one or more of the smoking articles are pushed through the opening.

This provides a pack comprising an assembly for discharging the smoking articles from the pack, which facilitates the removal of the first article from the tightly packed contents, for example, while the discharged smoking articles fall or drop from the pack. To reduce the risk. By discharging the smoking articles along the longitudinal direction, they bring the portion of the smoking articles from the pack held for removal into a position where they protrude from the pack held for removal, but keep most of the smoking articles held securely in the pack It is possible to arrange to The suitable size for the rotatable flap allows the smoking articles to be partially pushed out of the opening arranged at the opposite end of the container, but there is no risk of the smoking articles being completely or almost completely discharged through the opening and thereby falling off. It is enough. In addition, the rotatable flap can be provided as only one component, in part as a simple ejection mechanism, and can be configured in such a way as to add negligible weight or volume to the pack.

In some embodiments, the container is a first container and the pack further comprises a second container for receiving a plurality of smoking articles arranged parallel to each other, the second container wherein the smoking articles are longitudinal axis of the container. An opening at the first end, the opening being capable of being discharged along a direction in which it has collided with; The second container is rotatably coupled with the first container by a hinge at a second end; The rotatable flap of the first container extends into the second container and is integrated into the second container and an inner portion disposed inside the first container such that an end of at least one smoking article is in contact with the first container. A fixed outer portion; Rotating the first container and the second container away from each other with respect to the hinge results in rotation of the rotatable flap of the first container, thereby through the opening of the first container through the first container. Push out one or more of the smoking articles inside. Securing a portion of the rotatable flap inside the second vessel provides a remarkably simple arrangement for the action of the rotatable flap into the first vessel, whereby the smoking articles can be ejected without extra effort from the smoker. This also allows the flap to be completely hidden inside the pack, which protects it from damage, also gives the pack a good appearance and is of interest to the smoker because it does not directly show how the smoking articles are discharged. The second container may also be used for smoking articles, or alternatively for matches, lighters, ash or butts, or other smoking accessories.

When a second container is used for smoking articles, the second container also includes a rotatable flap disposed within a second end opposite the first end of the second container, the rotatable flap being capable of rotating. When in the second container abuts at least one end of the smoking article, and pushes the one or more smoking articles through the opening; The rotatable flap of the second container extends into the first container and is integrated or secured to the first container and an interior portion disposed inside the second container such that an end of at least one smoking article is in contact with the second container. An outer portion; Rotating the first vessel and the second vessel away from each other with respect to the hinge causes rotation of the rotatable flap of the second vessel, thereby causing the second vessel through the opening of the second vessel. Push out one or more of the smoking articles inside. This provides a pack with two containers, which can be conveniently discharged by a simple operation of rotating the containers such that the contents of both containers are separated from each other.

The inner portion and outer portion of the rotatable flap or flaps may be coplanar. This provides a simple flap configuration, which allows for simple and rapid production by cutting the required shape from a flat sheet of suitable material. When the containers do not rotate relative to each other, the rotatable flaps or flaps may be arranged parallel to the bottom wall of the first container and the second container. For example, the flaps may be arranged such that the inner portion rests on the bottom wall of the container, and the fixing required for the outer portion can be easily accomplished by adhering the flaps to the inner surface of the bottom wall.

The pack may include a lid configured to cover the opening of all of the containers. The lid may be hingedly attached to one of the containers. This type of lead can be used to keep the containers folded relative to one another when the containers are in a closed position without rotation, if the leads are partially extended over the outside of the container.

In another embodiment, the rotatable flap may extend through a side wall of the container, the inner portion disposed inside the container such that one or more ends of the smoking article come into contact with the outer portion of the container and disposed inside the container. It may include an outer portion operable to rotate the portion. This provides a discharge mechanism for a single container pack that can be actuated directly by the smoker, compared to a double-vessel arrangement that utilizes relative rotation of the container.

The outer portion is arranged at an angle to the inner portion such that the inner portion is flush with the bottom wall of the vessel when the flap is not rotated and the outer portion is flushed out of the vessel. Is at the same height as the sidewall of the. The flap constructed in this way does not protrude from the pack, thereby providing a nice appearance and reducing the risk of damage as the flap is raised. This rotatable flap can also be incorporated into a conventional cigarette pack design, which provides an ejection mechanism in a pack that is the same size as a conventional pack, and thus in conventional packaging, conveying, display and bending devices. Can be handled by

The pack comprising only a single container may further comprise a lid configured to cover the opening.

The rotatable flaps or each of the rotatable flaps may be configured to abut an end of all the smoking articles received in the container. Therefore, all smoking articles in the container are pushed out of the pack each time the rotatable flap is actuated without the extra effort and input required by the smoker. Alternatively, the rotatable flaps or each of the rotatable flaps may be configured to abut an end of the smoking article in a smaller number than the maximum number of smoking articles that can be accommodated in the container. This allows only one or a few smoking articles to be pushed out of the pack, noting the difficulty of removing the first smoking articles from a tightly packed container, while using minimal material for the rotatable flap. However, such a discharging mechanism can be favored by the smoker by simply shaking the smoking articles that remain in the position fastened by the rotatable flaps with respect to the entire pack.

The pack can be made from one or more collapsible blanks. Therefore, pack manufacturing techniques can also be used to make the pack according to the present invention.

The containers or each of the containers may have a parallelepiped shape formed of a bottom wall and four sidewalls extending substantially perpendicularly from the bottom wall. The packs according to the invention can be provided with a size and appearance similar to conventional smoking article packs, thereby allowing the packs to be handled with existing devices as well.

The rotatable flap principle for discharging the contents of the pack may extend from the pack containing the smoking article to the box containing the smoking article pack. Therefore, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a smoker comprises a container for receiving a pack of a plurality of smoking articles arranged in one or more rows and a rotatable flap disposed inside a second end opposite the first end of the container. A box for an article pack is provided, wherein the container has an opening at the first end through which the packs can be discharged along a direction substantially perpendicular to the row (s), the rotatable flap being at least one of the packs When rotating in contact with the end of the at least one pack is pushed through the opening.

The container in the box is a first container, the box further comprises a second container for receiving a pack of a plurality of smoking articles arranged in one or more rows, the second container wherein the packs contain the row (s) An opening at the first end that can be discharged along a direction substantially perpendicular to the first end; The second container is rotatably coupled with the first container by a hinge at a second end; The rotatable flap of the first container extends into the second container and is integrated or secured to the second container and an inner portion disposed inside the first container such that end portions of one or more of the packs abut within the first container. An outer portion that is made; The second container includes a rotatable flap disposed within a second end opposite the first end of the second container, the rotatable flap being at the end of at least one of the packs in the second container when rotated. Abutting one or more packs through the opening, wherein the rotatable flap of the second container extends into the first container, the interior of the second container being in contact with an end of the one or more packs within the second container. An inner portion disposed and an outer portion integrated or fixed to the first container; Rotating the first vessel and the second vessel away from each other with respect to the hinge results in rotation of the rotatable flaps, thereby causing one or more of the ones in the first vessel through the opening of the first vessel. Push out the pack and push out one or more of the packs in the second container through the opening of the second container.

Alternatively, the rotatable flap may extend through the sidewall of the container, the inner portion disposed inside the vessel to contact the ends of the one or more packs and the outer portion disposed outside the vessel to rotate the inner portion. It may include an outer portion operable to make.

Another aspect of the invention relates to blanks for assembling packs according to embodiments of the invention. In a first embodiment, a smoking article pack blank assembly comprises a first container blank and a second container blank, wherein the first container blank comprises a bottom panel and a plurality of smoking articles arranged along a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the bottom panel. An aperture in the bottom panel having four side panels assembleable around the bottom panel to form a first container for articles, and one or more edges coincident with the edge of the bottom panel; The second container blank comprises: four side panels assembleable around the bottom panel to form a bottom panel and a second container for a plurality of smoking articles arranged along a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the bottom panel, and Hang on the floor panel along a boundary line running between two points located at the edge of the floor panel opposite the edge on which the side panel rests Said side panel of said second container blank comprising said side wall panel and a flap cut out from said bottom panel, said side panel of said second container blank opposite said side panel having said flap having an opening adjacent an edge. The flap and the opening are arranged when the assembled blanks are arranged so that they are face to face to the side panel of the container blank.

The flap may extend from the edge of the associated bottom panel at a distance such that the gap is no greater than the distance extending from the edge of the associated bottom panel.

Alternatively, the flap may have a folding line parallel to the edge of the associated bottom panel and may extend a predetermined distance from the edge of the associated bottom panel such that the flap is folded along the folding line. The flap is sized from the edge of the associated bottom panel at a distance not greater than the distance the gap extends from the edge of the associated bottom panel. This allows the flap to be made twice as thick as the pack material, which provides additional strength and rigidity for lifting up smoking articles.

The flap may have an end portion spaced from an edge of the associated bottom panel and having a width that is greater than the remaining width of the flap, thereby folding the flap along the fold line of the second container blank. The end portion is disposed with respect to the floor panel. For example, the flap can be substantially T-shaped. The wide part helps to fix the flap that is folded in that position and maintain flap integrity when in use.

The blank assembly is assembled by a hinge line corresponding to an edge of the bottom panel of the first container blank with the gap edge and an edge of the bottom panel of the second container blank with two points of the flap boundary. Further comprising an outer blank assembleable around the assembled first container blank and the assembled second container blank when disposed face-to-face to connect a first container blank and the assembled second container blank. can do. The outer blank may include the assembled first container blank and the assembled second container blank in order to maintain the assembled first container blank and the assembled second container blanks face-to-face. And a releasable lead portion to form a hinged lid that allows both the assembled first container blank and the assembled second container blank to be closed when positioned face-to-face.

According to another embodiment, the smoking article blank assembly comprises a first container blank and a second container blank, each of the first container blank and the second container blank arranged on a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the bottom panel and the bottom panel. Four side panels assembleable around the bottom panel for forming a container for a plurality of smoking articles, wherein the bottom panel is divided in half by a fold line parallel to the bottom portion and the bottom portion; A flap portion parallel to the bottom portion, the bottom portion partially extending across the bottom panel, the flap portion extending farther than the bottom portion across the bottom panel, the flap portion being a different container Vertical of the fold line not greater than twice the size perpendicular to the fold line of the bottom portion of the blank Has a size and includes a slot between an adjacent side panel and a folded portion that is dependent on the bottom panel, the slot having a length equal to the distance that the flap portion extends further than the bottom portion, Each of the flap portion and the bottom portion, when each flap portion is assembled, the first vessel and the second vessel when the slots are disposed with side-to-face adjacent side panels And to form a flap that can be inserted into another container to rest against the base of the field.

Each of the flap portions may extend entirely across the associated bottom panel, and each of the bottom portions may extend about half across the associated bottom panel. This provides a flap large enough to lift all smoking articles in each container in a simple blank structure that allows the bottom panels to be the same for all container blanks.

The blank assembly is assembleable around the assembled first container blank and the assembled second container blank when disposed face-to-face to connect the assembled first container blank and the assembled second container blank. It may further comprise an outer blank, whereby an edge of the first container blank with slots and an edge of the second container blank have an assembled first vessel blank and the assembled second relative to a corresponding hinge line. The container blank is rotatable. The outer blank may include the assembled first container blank and the assembled second container blank in order to maintain the assembled first container blank and the assembled second container blanks face-to-face. And a releasable lead portion to form a hinged lid that allows both the assembled first container blank and the assembled second container blank to be closed when positioned face-to-face.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to better understand the present invention and to show the same way in which the effects may be accompanied, the accompanying drawings are referred to by way of example below.
1 is a perspective view in an open position for a pack for smoking article according to one embodiment of the present invention.
2A and 2B are respective cross-sectional views in the open and closed positions for the lower end of the pack of FIG. 1.
2C and 2D are respective cross-sectional views in the open and closed positions for the bottom of the pack according to another embodiment.
2E and 2F are respective cross-sectional views in the open and closed positions for the lower end of the pack according to another embodiment.
FIG. 2G is a plan view of the base of the pack in FIGS. 2E and 2F.
3 is a plan view of a first rotatable flap and a second rotatable flap in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a perspective view in a closed position for the pack of FIG. 1.
5 is a perspective view in an open position for a pack according to another embodiment.
6 is a perspective view in an open position for a pack according to another embodiment.
7A and 7B are cross sectional views, respectively, of the lower end of a pack according to another embodiment when the rotatable flap is in an unrotated position and in a decaying position.
8 is a perspective view of the pack of FIGS. 7A and 7B with a rotatable flap that does not rotate.
9 is a perspective view in an open position for a pack according to another embodiment.
10A is a perspective view when the box for a smoking article pack according to one embodiment of the present invention is in an open position.
10B is a perspective view of a box according to another embodiment.
11 is a plan view of a blank for making a first container of a pack for smoking article according to one embodiment of the present invention.
12 is a perspective view from below of the lower end of a container made from the blank of FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 is a plan view of a blank for making a second container of a pack comprising a first container made from the blank of FIG. 11;
14 is a perspective view of the lower end of the container made from the blank of FIG. 13.
FIG. 15 is a plan view of an outer blank assembled around a first container and a second container made from the blanks of FIGS. 11 and 13 to make a finished pack.
16 is a plan view of a blank for making a first container of a pack for smoking articles according to another embodiment.
FIG. 17 is a plan view of a blank for making a second container of a pack comprising a first container made from the blank of FIG. 16.
FIG. 18 shows a perspective view of a container made from the blank of FIG. 16.
FIG. 19 shows a plan view of an outer blank for assembling around a first vessel and a second vessel made from the blanks of FIGS. 16 and 17 to make a finished pack.

1 shows a perspective view of a pack for a smoking article according to a first embodiment of the present invention, showing the pack in an open position. The pack 10 includes a first container 12 and a second container 14. Each container 12, 14 has a parallelepiped shape. The first container 12 includes a bottom wall 16 and four side walls extending from the bottom wall 16. The sidewalls include two major sidewalls 18 facing each other and two minor sidewalls 20 extending between and facing each other. The sidewalls 18, 20 are sized such that the container 12 may contain a row of smoking articles 22, such as a cigarette or cigar, and the bottom and sidewalls 18, 20 with respect to the bottom wall 16. Are arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis parallel to each other. The face of the container 12 opposite the bottom face 16 is open, which is an opening through which the smoking articles 22 contained in the container 12 are discharged while moving substantially upward along the longitudinal axis in the manner described above. To have (24).

The second container 14 also has an opening 24 opposite the bottom wall, and includes a first container including four sidewalls extending from the bottom wall and the bottom wall to hold a row of smoking articles 22. It has the same structure as (12).

The first vessel 12 and the second vessel 14 are hinge lines 26 that pass along the edges of the main sidewall 18 and the bottom wall 16 of each vessel 12, 14. Are hinged to each other along. The containers 12, 14 have a closed position in which the two main sidewalls 18 with the hinge line 26 along the edge are placed so that they face to face each other. It can be rotated with respect to each other in this hinge line 26 between the open positions in which the fields 18 are separated.

Pack 10 also includes a top wall 30, two minor sidewalls 32 and two major sidewalls 34. The second hinge line 36 is an upper side of the main sidewall 18 of the first vessel that does not include the first hinge line 26 connecting the bottom edge of one main sidewall 34a to the vessels 12, 14. To the edge. The opposing major sidewall 34b of the lid 28 has a higher height (in the longitudinal dimension of the smoking articles in the container) than the main sidewall 34a with the second hinge line 36. Have The lid 28 is rotatable about the hinge line 36 between the closed position and the open position (shown in FIG. 1). When in the closed position, the two vessels 12, 14 rotate to the closed position, the top wall 30 faces parallel to the bottom wall 16 of the vessels 12, 14, and the secondary side walls of the lid. 32 and major sidewalls 34 extend mutually with major sidewalls 18 and minor sidewalls 20 of containers 12, 14. The greater height of the main sidewall 34b in the lid 28 means that this wall extends and overlaps over the corresponding main wall 18 of the second container 14, which is in the closed position. This is to keep the containers 12, 14 separate from the first hinge line 26 so that they cannot be rotated.

4 shows the pack 10 in which the lid 28 holds the containers 12, 14 in an adjacent face-to-face position in this closed position. The pack 10 has the appearance and size of a conventional cigarette pack and is therefore suitable for existing sales and packaging equipment.

When the lid 28 is in the open position, the openings 24 of the first container 12 and the second container 14 are exposed to allow the smoking articles 22 to pass through. Also, the lid 28 no longer holds the first vessel 12 and the second vessel 14 relative to each other in a closed position, so that the first vessel 12 and the second vessel 14 are shown in FIG. As shown in 1, it may be rotated separately in an open position.

Each container 12, 14 further includes a rotatable flap 38 arranged at a lower end substantially parallel to the bottom wall 16. The rotatable flap 38 raises the smoking articles 22 upwardly away from the bottom wall 16, whereby the smoking articles 22 substantially extend such that they partially protrude through the opening 24 of the container. Move in the direction along the longitudinal axis of. The rotatable flap 38 is a planar structure that fits inside the container and extends substantially over the bottom wall 16, such that the lower end of the smoking articles 22 is placed on the rotatable flap 38. In addition, the rotatable flap 38 is configured to be rotatable about an edge that lies substantially along the edge of the vessel between the bottom wall 16 and the main side wall 18. The rotation line is therefore parallel to the plane of the line of smoking articles 22 and orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the smoking articles. In this example, this edge is the edge that lies along the first hinge line 26 connecting the first vessel 12 and the second vessel 14.

Rotation of the flap 38 about this edge / line causes the flap 38 to rotate away from the bottom wall 16, thereby operating against the lower end of all smoking articles 22 housed in the container and It is pushed upward toward the opening 24. The relative size of the rotatable flap 38 and the containers 12, 14 means that the smoking articles are moved only at a distance relatively smaller than the total length, so that only the smoking articles protrude out partially through the opening 24. . In this position, each smoking article can be easily grabbed and pulled completely out of the container but is not lifted away by the rotatable flap 38 such that there is a risk of falling off the container 12, 14. This allows smoking articles to be easily discharged from the pack.

In this embodiment, the rotation of the rotatable flap 38 is affected by the rotation of the containers 12, 14 with respect to the first hinge line 26. To achieve this, each rotatable flap 38 is rotated to lift the smoking articles 22 to a portion disposed inside the container, and from the interior portion 40 to the outside of the container. An outer portion 42 extending and substantially coplanar with the inner portion 40. Each container has a slot 44 in its main side wall 18 immediately adjacent the first hinge line 26; This allows the outer portion 42 of the rotatable flap 38 to extend out of the container. In addition, the outer portion 42 of the flap 38 of each rotatable hinge 38 also extends through the slot in another vessel, whereby the outer portion 42 is disposed inside the other vessel. In this example, each outer portion 42 is secured to the interior of another container by being glued or otherwise attached to the bottom wall 16 of the container. Therefore, each rotatable flap 38 is disposed within an associated container, and includes an inner portion 40 that is movable within the container to lift smoking articles in the container, and an inside portion of the other container that is disposed within the other container. It has a fixed outer portion 42 that is not movable. In each case, the outer portion 42 of either rotatable flap 38 is fixed to the bottom wall 16 of the associated container and the inner portion 40 of the other rotatable flap 38 is rotatable. It is placed on the outer portion 42 of the flap 38 so that the smoking articles 22 can be placed on the inner portion 40 to be lifted. This may be accomplished by an interlocking arrangement of the two rotatable flaps 38, as described further below.

Fixing the outer portion 42 of the rotatable flap 38 to the interior of the bottom wall 16 is such that when the containers 12, 14 are separated from each other and rotated to an open position, The inner portion 40 moves away from the bottom wall 16 so that it is operative to push through the opening 24, which means that the two portions of each flap 38 are arranged on the same plane and mutually Is in a fixed relationship with respect to

2A shows a cross section of the lower end of a pack 10 having a first container 12 and a second container 14 in a closed position. In this position, both the inner portion 40 and the outer portion 42 of the rotatable flaps lie flat on the bottom of the container and parallel to the bottom wall 16. In each container 12, 14, the ends of the smoking articles 22 are placed in the inner part 40 with respect to one container, and the outer part 42 of the flap of the other container is the inner part 40. ) And the bottom wall 16 (be sandwiched). The rotatable flap 38 extends through the slot 44 and is locked to each other in a collapsed X-shape.

FIG. 2B shows a cross section of the lower end of the pack 10 with the first container 12 and the second container 14 in the open position. The movement of the container allows the rotatable flap 38 to move in an an open X-configuration, in which the inner portion 40 is rotated away from the bottom wall 16. , The smoking articles 22 are pushed upwards.

3 shows an exemplary design for the rotatable flap 38. Each flap 38 is planar and has an inner portion 40 sized to fit inside the bottom wall of the first vessel and an outer portion 42 sized to fit inside the bottom wall of the second vessel. Divided. Therefore, the inner part and the outer part are continuous with each other. However, each flap 38 also has a slot 46, which passes along the centerline between the inner portion 40 and the outer portion 42 and is substantially half the length of the flap 38. These slots 46 fit in against each other along the full length of the flap, whereby the rotatable flap 38 is positioned with two inner portions 40 over the two outer portions 42 as needed. They can be placed on top of each other. Alternatively, other arrangements of interlocking and interlocking of two rotatable flaps that achieve the same result may also be used if desired. In addition, the outer portion of the rotatable flap need not be the same size as the inner portion. The size of the inner part is determined by how many of the smoking articles can be lifted (shown further below), but the size of the outer part not only makes it rigid enough to stick to the inside of the container, When rotated separately, they need a size that allows the relationship between the two parts to be sufficiently tight so that they remain in the same plane.

The embodiment of FIG. 1 has an inner portion of the rotatable flap in all containers having a size extending across the full width of the container, so that every smoking article in the container is rotated every time the containers rotate to the open position. Is lifted. This will allow all smoking articles to be ejected by the rotatable flap even when there are little or one smoking articles in the container. In addition, all smoking articles in the container are lifted together, which will facilitate providing the pack to a group of smokers.

However, the configuration shown in FIG. 1 can be made to discharge less than all smoking articles in the container. When newly opening a pack of smoking articles, it may be difficult to take out the first smoking article if the smoking articles are packed tightly. Once the first is removed, the package is loosened and the second and subsequent smoking articles are easier to remove. To replace this particular problem, the rotatable flaps may be sized to lift only one smoking article or only a few smoking articles.

5 is a perspective view of a pack 50 (showing its open position) according to this embodiment. The pack 50 has the same structure as the pack 10 of FIG. 1, comprising two containers 12, 14 rotatable about the hinge line 26 on the bottom wall 16 of the pack 50 and The lid 28 is hinged, and each of the containers 12, 14 has rotatable flaps 38. However, the rotatable flap 38 differs in that it only extends across a portion of the width of the containers 12, 14 (the width having a size parallel to the first hinge line 26 connecting the two containers). . In this case, therefore, only one or two smoking articles 22 have their ends placed in the inner portion 40, whereby only the smoking articles 22 open the pack when the pack is opened. Pushed through. Once the smoking articles have been consumed, the smoker can shake or lightly knock the pack to laterally move the remaining smoking articles to be fastened to the interior portion 40, thereby continuing the benefit of the means of discharging the rotatable flaps. do.

Rotatable flaps 38 are disposed on one side of the pack to lift the smoking article or smoking articles 22 at the end of the row. However, it can be located anywhere along the width of the pack 50. In addition, the two flaps 38 may have different arrangements, for example, one on each side of the pack 50. This obviates the need to provide the interlocking of the two flaps to form an X-structure as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. In addition, the inner portion of the flaps may be sized to be suitable for lifting multiple smoking articles, and the outer portion need not be the same width.

A further alternative embodiment provides a single rotatable flap in a pack comprising two hinged containers. As in FIGS. 1 and 5, pack 60 includes two containers hinged to each other along hinge line 26 at bottom wall 16 of pack 60. However, only the first container 12 has a rotatable flap 38 for lifting the smoking articles 22 therein, the rotatable flap 38 being movable inside the first container 12. And an outer portion 42 secured to the interior of the bottom wall 16 of the portion 40 and the second container 14. In contrast, the rotatable flap 38 may be arranged to instead lift the smoking articles in the second container.

This arrangement provides a pack in which smoking articles can be discharged by the rotatable flap in only one of the containers, while the pack can be supplied with smoking articles in all containers. If smoking articles are provided only in the first container, for example, the second container may be used to provide a lighter or match, or an empty space may be provided for storing a smoker's own lighter or match therein, or ash and And / or as a butt container.

The rotatable flap 38 shown in FIG. 6 extends across the full width of the pack 60 to lift all the smoking articles 22 in the first container 12. However, the inner portion 40 may have a smaller size to lift fewer cigarettes, as described in connection with FIG. 5.

Therefore, the many described rotatable flaps each include a piece of separate planar material that is secured inside one of the containers by an outer portion and extends into the other container by the inner portion. An alternative design is for a rotatable flap that includes only an inner portion, which is formed in one piece with the portion of one container adjacent to the hinge line. The outer part is therefore integrated with the container, unlike a container with a rotatable flap inside. This obviates the need to fix the separated flap into the container. The inner portion therefore comprises a flap that extends into the interior of the second container and protrudes from the first container so that the second container lies below the end of the smoking articles. The flap is arranged to maintain a fixed relationship with the first container, whereby the flap rotates with respect to the second container when the pack is opened with respect to the hinge line, to push the smoking articles upwards. For example, the flap may protrude from the inner major sidewall of the first pack or may protrude from the bottom face of the first pack.

2C and 2D show cross-sectional views of the bottom of the pack with flaps protruding from the inner major sidewall of the container. In FIG. 2, when the pack is in the closed position, the inner major sidewalls 18 of the first vessel 12 and the second vessel 14 are face-to-face. The inner major sidewall 18 of the first vessel 12 has a slot 44 in its base along the lower edge of the main sidewall 18. The inner major sidewall 18 of the second vessel 14 has a flap 40 protruding from the lower edge at substantially right angles. The flap 40 penetrates the slot 44 into the interior of the first vessel 12 and thereby lies substantially beyond the bottom face of the first vessel 12. The end of the smoking articles 22 is therefore placed on the flap 40 in the first container.

When the pack is opened by rotating the first container 12 and the second container 14 away from each other, the flap 40 rotates with the second container 14, thereby causing the flap 40 to Moving relative to the first container 12, therein the smoking articles 22 are pushed upwards. If the flap 40 is confined to one side of the pack, a second flap may be provided on the other side of the pack, protruding into the second container 14 from the inner major face of the first container 12, thereby The opening allows the smoking articles to be discharged from the second container.

2E and 2F show the lower cross section of the pack with flaps protruding from the bottom side of the container. In FIG. 2E, a pack with inner major sidewalls of two containers 12, 14 facing each other when in the closed position is shown. The bottom face 16 of the second container 14 extends past the inner major wall 18 of the second container, to form a flap 40 protruding from the bottom face 16 in the same plane. The flap 40 protrudes far enough to extend into the first container 12 through a slot or gap at the lower edge of the inner major face of the first container, thereby smoking articles in the first container 12. The ends of the fields 22 are placed on the flap 40. In this particular example, the flap 40 substantially forms the bottom face of the first container 12. This arrangement can also be applied to the embodiment of FIGS. 2C and 2D. Alternatively, this embodiment may include a bottom face for the first container 12, which is placed on top by the flap 40.

2F shows a pack with a first container and a second container that rotate away from each in an open position. As in the previous examples, rotation of the second container 14 relative to the first container 12 may cause the flap 40 to pivot upwards or to push smoking articles out of the first container from the pack. Make sure

In this example, the flap may be formed from the cut-out portion of the bottom side of the first vessel if the bottom side of the first vessel and the second vessel are integrally formed with either one. . FIG. 2G shows the first flap 40a continuous with the bottom face 16 of the second container 14 but cut-out from the bottom face 16 of the first container 12 in the closed position; The base of the pack has a second flap 40b that is continuous with the bottom face 16 of the first container 12 but cut out from the bottom face 16 of the second container 14. When the pack is opened by rotating the containers relative to the hinge line 26 at the bottom face 16, the first flap 40a pushes off the smoking articles in the first container 12, and the second flap ( 40b) pushes the smoking articles out of the second container 14. If desired, only one flap may be provided.

Preferably, an additional piece of pack material may be placed on the bottom face of the pack to cover the opening as a result of forming the flaps in this manner. Alternatively, the two containers may be formed so that the bottom side is separated. And one or all of the bottom faces may have a protruding flap that is inserted into the slot or aligned in the gap at the lower edge of the other container bottom face. An additional piece of pack material is then fastened around or otherwise attached over the bottom face to couple the containers together and form a hinge line.

In addition, the rotatable flaps described above in connection with packs comprising two containers hinged to each other can also be used to couple to a pack comprising a single container. As before, the rotatable flap is disposed at the base of the smoking article container, extends all or across the width of the container, and is rotatable about a line parallel to the plane of the smoking articles in the container and orthogonal to the longitudinal axis; The rotation of the flap thus raises the smoking articles and thus pushes the smoking articles upwards through an opening opposite the base of the pack. However, for a single container pack, it is not possible to use the rotation of two hinged packs to operate the rotatable flap.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the rotatable flap is a flap that extends through the slot at the base of the side wall of the container as before, including an outer portion and an inner portion. In this case, the outer part is nevertheless formed to be angled with the inner part. In the case of a parallelepiped container, the angle is preferably substantially right angle. This provides that when the inner part lies flat against the outside of the container bottom wall, the outer part lies flat against the outer part of the side wall of the container, and the smoking articles are completely in the container such that its end is placed in the inner part. I put it. In order to rotate the inner part and discharge the smoking articles, the smokers grab the outer part and pivot about the partition line between the inner part and the outer part, the point where the rotatable flap extends through the side wall of the container and away from the side wall. Let's do it. This causes the inner portion to rotate at the same time, thereby pushing the smoking articles to move the smoking articles through the opening.

7A shows a cross section of the bottom of a pack 70 according to this embodiment. Pack 70 includes a single container 72 having a bottom wall 74 and four upstanding sidewalls, which are two rows of smoking articles 22 (two rows of planes are pages of pages). Have a depth sufficient to accommodate the plane perpendicular to). One major side wall 76 has a slot 78 through which the rotatable flap 80 extends along the bottom edge. An inner portion 82 of the rotatable flap 80 is disposed inside the container 72 with the end of the smoking articles 22 placed thereon. The outer portion 84 of the rotatable flap 80 is perpendicular to the inner portion 82 and lies outside of the container. FIG. 7A shows a rotatable flap at a first position in which the inner portion 82 lies on the bottom wall 74 and the outer portion 84 lies on the outside of the main sidewall 76 directly near the slot 78. To show. Smoking articles 22 are contained within a container 72.

FIG. 7B shows the pack 70 of FIG. 7A with the rotatable flap 80 in the second position of ejection. The outer portion 84 rotates away from the main sidewall 76, thereby rotating the inner portion 82 to lift the smoking articles 22.

8 shows an external perspective view of the pack 70. The outer portion 84 of the rotatable flap is provided with a cut-out 86 at the upper edge to facilitate the user's grip. However, other shapes of the outer part are not excluded.

The inner portion 82 of this embodiment is shown to extend across the full depth of the container 72, thereby lifting all rows of smoking articles by the rotatable flap 80. However, a shallow inner portion 82 may be provided instead which only engages in tobacco in the row 88 closest to the outer portion 84. Smoking articles in the remaining rows 90 may be moved forward to the interior portion 82 by shaking or tilting the pack 70.

In addition, the inner portion need not extend across the full width of the container to lift all of the smoking articles in a row. Instead, the inner portion may be sized to contact only one or a small number of smoking articles, similar to the rotating flaps described with respect to FIG. 5. The outer portion may not similarly extend over the entire width of the container and may match the width of the inner portion.

Alternatively, the inner portion and outer portion may be different in width across the vessel. For example, the inner portion can be configured to lift entire rows of smoking articles, and the outer portion can have a width smaller than the width of FIG. 8 to provide a pack with a different appearance, instead the outer portion May be a relatively small tab. In another embodiment, the inner portion can be small to lift only one or two smoking articles, and the outer portion can be larger to provide a larger element for easy grip to operate the rotatable flap.

As a further alternative, the rotatable flap may be disposed on the side of the container such that the rotatable flap extends through a slot in one of the secondary side walls instead of the main side wall. The configuration and action of this flap is the same as the flap on the main sidewall, the inner portion of which can extend a short or long distance below a row or multiple rows of smoking articles, which is small or a large number of smoking when the flap is rotated. To lift the goods. The outer portion 84a in this type of rotatable flap is indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 8.

9 shows a perspective view of a pack according to another additional embodiment of this embodiment. The pack 100 includes a first container and a second container 14 rotatably hinged to the first container 12 such that the main sidewalls 18 of the containers in the closed position are face-to-face. It is laid with cotton. The hinged lid 28, which is connected to the other main sidewall of the first container 12, can cover the top of the two containers 12, 14 when the containers are in the closed position. However, in this example, the containers are hinged vertically along the edge between the major side wall 18 and the minor side wall 20. Therefore, opening the pack by rotating the containers away from each other with respect to the hinge line 102 is similar to opening a book or purse. Unlike the previous embodiment, however, this rotation does not activate any rotatable flaps for pushing cigarettes. A rotatable flap of the type described in connection with FIGS. 7A, 7B and 8 is provided for the second container 14. The rotatable flap extends through a slot (not shown) at the bottom edge of the inner major side wall 18 of the second container 14, and the outer portion 84 of the rotatable flap is in a position where the flap does not rotate. When placed against the inner main sidewall 18. Therefore, when the pack 100 is closed, the outer portion 84 of the flap is hidden between the inner main sidewalls 18. Preferably, additional rotatable flaps (not shown) may similarly be provided to the first container 12. The flap or flaps may also be disposed on other (major or incidental) sidewalls.

Any of the embodiments described herein can be modified to accommodate smoking articles having a different number of rows by changing the depth of the containers. For example, in FIG. 1 and FIG. 9 one or all containers of the pack can be made deeper to hold two rows of smoking articles, whereby the pack contains three or four rows of smoking articles in total. The single container pack of FIGS. 7A, 7B and 8 may be sized to hold one, two, three or more rows of smoking articles. For example, seven, six and seven smoking articles can be configured to hold twenty smoking articles in a conventional manner arranged in three rows. For a single container pack, one container contains all three rows of smoking articles; in a double container pack, one container contains seven rows and six rows and the other container contains seven rows. It contains. In terms of the number of rows in the container, the inner flaps may be arranged to have all rows or fewer rows than all rows.

A pack with one or more rotatable flaps in accordance with the invention may comprise more containers than two hinged containers. The containers can be hinged in a combination of a hinge line at the bottom of the container (as in FIG. 1) and a hinge line at the side of the container (as in FIG. 9). Hinge lines at the bottom may or may not actuate a rotatable flap as in FIGS. 1 and 6.

In this description, alternative designs of leads may also be used. Also, the pack may be configured to correspond to the outer size of a conventional standard smoking article pack, and may be configured to correspond to other outer sizes at the producer's request. It may also be incorporated in other conventional smoking article packaging shapes, such as square edges, rounded edges, elliptical edges or slanted edges.

With regard to the material, the packs according to the invention can be made of folding blanks of stiff paper or cardboard, in a manner similar to conventional cigarette packs. Rotatable flaps or flaps are sufficiently rigid, flexible, rigid or semi-hard enough to provide the necessary lifting of smoking articles without noticeable bending, buckling, or tearing. rigid) material. Suitable materials include cardboard, hard paper, and plastic materials. Conventionally, for flaps that are not formed by integrating the bottom or sidewalls of the container, the inner and outer portions of the rotatable flap may be made from a single piece of material in a single unit. Alternatively, the two parts can be cut out separately and connected together towards the rear at a suitable angle.

In this specification, terms such as top, bottom, top, bottom, height, width, depth, etc. are used for clarity and convenience, and refer to corresponding parts of the pack when in the upright orientation of FIGS. 4 and 8. Will be understood. These terms are not intended to be limiting in any way, as packs may often be in different orientations in use.

The invention may also be applied to boxes for holding packs of cigarettes, cigars or other smoking articles. Conventionally, individual packs of smoking articles (eg, containing 20 smoking articles) are sometimes packed into a larger box that sometimes holds, for example, ten packs each. The present invention can be used to eject packs from a box by using one or more rotatable flaps.

For example, as shown in FIG. 10A, a box may be provided, where box 101 is configured similar to the pack of FIG. 1. The box 101, shown open as a perspective view, comprises two containers 112, 114, each container sized to accommodate five packs 122 (only one pack is shown for clarity). The main sidewalls are arranged in a line so as to face each other, and the bottom surface of the pack faces the bottom surface of the container. The containers 112, 114 are hinged to each other by a hinge line 126 along the lower edge of the inner sidewall 118, where the lower edge is connected to the rows of pack 122 in the respective containers 112, 114. Parallel Each of the containers 112, 114 has a rotatable flap 140 arranged at the base when interlocking the X-configurations of FIGS. 2A, 2B and 3. Thus, the containers 112, 114 are rotated away from each other along the hinge line 126, and the rotatable flap 140 is pivoted away from the bottom surface of the individual containers 112, 114, and the packs ( 122) is lifted upwards, which allows the packs to protrude a small distance from the container and to be more easily taken out. The box 101 is provided with hinged leads 128 connected to the outer sidewall of the first container opposite the sidewall 118 having the hinge line 126.

Alternatively, the box may be sized and shaped to accommodate five packs in each container, where the packs are arranged in line with the facing side walls facing the bottom of the packs facing the bottom of the container. . The containers are then hinged together along a hinge line parallel to the rows of packs at the lower edge of the inner sidewall of the container. This provides a box of the same size and shape as a conventional ten-pack smoking article pack box.

The box with one or more rotating flaps in accordance with the present invention may be constructed corresponding to the examples and embodiments described for the pack. The only change necessary is an increase in size and a possible increase in the strength of the material used to make the box, preferably made of a stronger, harder or more flexible material than the material that can be used for the flap in the pack. This allows the flaps of the box to push out a larger weight pack or packs containing one or more smoking articles.

For example, the box may have a rotatable flap having a single container and an outer portion arranged to be operable by hand, similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 7A, 7B and 8.

10B shows a perspective view of a box with such a flap. The box 170 is sized to accommodate 10 packs of smoking articles in two rows of five, where the packs in each row are arranged on the facing side walls, and the two rows pack in either row. The major sidewalls of are arranged to face the major sidewalls of the pack in the other row. This corresponds to the ten pack box design described above. One of the main aspects of the box has a slot for receiving the rotatable flap and an outer portion 184 lying flat against the box 170 in an unrotated position. The outer portion 184 has a cut-out notch at the upper edge to facilitate the user's operation.

The invention also relates to blanks for forming a pack for a smoking article having rotatable flaps for ejecting the smoking articles from the pack.

The first embodiment of the blank relates to a pack in which a rotatable flap penetrating a gap in the bottom surface of one container is formed from an extension to the side of the other container, wherein the containers are formed separately. . Such a pack may be formed from an assembly comprising three blanks.

11 shows a top view of a first container blank 144 that is assembleable to form a first container. The first container blank 144 includes a bottom panel 147 having two long edges and two short edges for forming the bottom surface of the container. The main side panels 145 and 146 hang on the long edge by fold lines 148 and 149. One main side panel 145 has longitudinal margins (154, 155) on which the secondary side panels (150, 151) rest, and the margins (154, 155) are folded lines. Similarly, the other major side panel 146 has longitudinal margins 156 and 157 on which the secondary side panels 152 and 153 rest respectively, and the margins 156 and 157 are folded lines. Each secondary side panel has a width substantially equal to the short edge of the bottom panel 147.

The bottom panel 147 has a gap 190 that is cut therein. In this example, the gap 190 is centered with respect to the long side of the bottom panel 147 and the overall width of the bottom panel 147 from one long side 148 to the other long side 149. Extend across. In general, the gap 190 will have one or more edges corresponding to the long edges 148, 149 of the bottom panel 147.

To assemble the blank, each of the folding lines 148, 149, 154, 155, 156 and 157 are folded to form a right angle between the panels concerned. The secondary side panels 150, 151 of one major side panel 145 overlap over the secondary side panels 152, 153 of the other major side panel 146, and the secondary side panels are glued together.

12 shows a perspective view from below of the bottom of the assembled first container blank 144. The blank forms an open box-like container with four sides and a bottom face, and has a gap 190 in the bottom face. In this example, the container has a depth sufficient to accommodate two rows of smoking articles in a nested arrangement (corresponding to the short side of the bottom panel).

FIG. 13 shows a top view of a second container blank 162 assembleable to form a second container. The second container blank 162 includes a bottom panel 165 for forming the bottom surface of the container having two long edges and two short edges. The main side panels 163 and 164 depend on the long edges. One main side panel 163 has longitudinal margins 191 and 171 on which the secondary side panels 166 and 167 respectively rest, with the margins 191 and 171 being folded lines. Similarly, the other major side panel 164 has longitudinal axes 172, 173 along which the secondary side panels 168, 169 are respectively attached, and the margins 172, 173 are also folded lines. Each secondary side panel has a width substantially the same as the short edge of the bottom panel 165.

The bottom panel 165 and one main side panel 164 have a flap 192 cut out from them. The flap 192 extends somewhat above the adjacent main side panel 164 across the bottom panel 165, so the flap 192 extends two end points 193, 194 disposed in the fold line 175. A bottom panel (164) with a perimeter formed between the main side panel 164 and the bottom panel 165 running between the bottom side and the long side edge on which the main side panel 164 on which the flap 192 is cut. The long edge of 165 is opposite. Thus, flap 192 is free from main side panel 164, but bottom panel 165 is connected to blank 162 along the opposing long edge 175 of bottom panel 165. The fold line running along the long edge 174 adjacent the main side panel where the flap is cut does not extend across the flap 192. Flap 192 is centered along long edge 174. In this example, flap 192 is T-shaped with a cross-bar of T away from the edge of long edge 174. Therefore, the farther or free end of flap 192 is wider than the rest of the flap. The upright (extending from the long edge 175) of T is no greater than twice the short edge of the bottom panel 147 of the first container blank (in this example, it is also the size of the gap in the bottom panel, The flap 192 has a fold line 195 substantially parallel to the long edge 175 and raised about halfway up. The cross-bar of T has a height no greater than the short edge of the bottom panel 165 of the second container blank 162.

The second container blank is assembled in the same way as the first container blank by forming a perpendicular fold along the fold line between the panels, overlapping the secondary side panels of the two main panels, and adhering the secondary side panels. In addition, flap 192 is assembled. A perpendicular fold is formed between the flap 192 and the adjacent major side panel 164, which causes the flap to be coplanar with the bottom panel 165 but protrude outward from the second container. In addition, the flap 192 abuts along the fold line 195, the cross-bar of T penetrates through the gap of the bottom panel 165 at the rear, and the main sidewall 164 has the flap 192 in the outward direction. This is left by folding, which causes the cross-bars to lie flat against the inner surface of the bottom panel 165. Flap 192 may be secured in this position, preferably with an adhesive.

14 shows a perspective view of the bottom of the assembled second container blank 162. The blank forms an open box-like container with four sides and a bottom surface. The flap 192 projects from the second container on the same plane as the bottom surface onto the side of the second container opposite the main side panel on which the flap 192 is cut. In this example, the second container has a depth sufficient to receive a row of smoking articles (corresponding to the short side of the bottom panel). Therefore, in combination with the first container, all three rows of smoking articles may possibly be provided in a conventional 7-6-7 arrangement. However, preferably either or all of the containers may be sized to hold different numbers of smoking articles and rows.

To form a hinged pack, the first container and the second container are arranged in a face-to-face configuration. The main side panel of the second container with flaps 192 adjacent is the main side panel of the first container with the bottom edge of the bottom panel adjacent the gap 190 in the bottom panel (in this embodiment, the gap is bottomed). Face-to-face on one of the two main side panels extending across the entire width of the panel. As a result, the flap 192 is arranged in the gap 190 so that the flap 192 overlaps the gap 190. (Note that the flaps and gaps may be offset from the center of the bottom panel, and / or the flap-gap pairs are provided in opposing vessels or second opposed flap-panel pairs.) The outer blanks are assembled around the first vessel and the second vessel such that they are coupled to each other by hinge lines running along the inner long edge of the panel.

15 is a plan view of the outer blank 201. The outer blank 201 includes a bottom panel 226 having two short edges 242 and 243 and two long edges 228 and 229. The short edges 242, 243 have a length substantially equal to the sum of the two short edges of the bottom panel 147, 165 of the first container blank 144 and the second container blank 162. The long edges 228, 229 have a length substantially equal to the length of the long edges of the bottom panels 147, 165 of the first container blank 144 and the second container blank 162. Long edges 228 and 229 are folded lines, respectively. The front panel 225 rests on either long edge 229, and the back panel 224 rests on the other long edge 228. In addition, the bottom panel 226 has a hinge line 240, which runs across it, is parallel to the long edges 228, 229, and copies of the second container blank 162. Spaced apart from any one long edge 228 on which the rear panel 224 rests, at a distance equal to the width of the side panel, the other one at a distance substantially the same as the width of the secondary side panel of the first container blank 144. Is spaced apart from edge 229.

The front panel 225 has longitudinal axes 230 and 231 forming a folding line, each of which depends on the side panels 232 and 233. Each side panel 232, 233 has a width substantially equal to the sum of the widths of the incident side panels of the first container blank and the second container blank. Each side panel 232, 233 also has a separation line parallel to the margins 230, 231 in the longitudinal direction and spaced apart from it by the width of the sidewall of the first container blank 144.

The back panel 224 has longitudinal axis margins 236 and 237 that form a folding line, each of which depends on the side panels 238 and 239. Each side panel 238, 239 has a width substantially the same as the width of the secondary side panel of the second container blank 262. The back panel also has an upper margin 227 on which the lead portion 102 rests. The lid portion includes a plurality of panels that can be assembled to form a conventional hinged lid of the type commonly employed as a lid hinged to a smoking article pack. Upper margin 227 forms a hinge line connecting the hinged leads to the pack.

To form the pack, the outer blank 201 is assembled around the first container and the second container. In one technique, the two containers are placed in a face-to-face position, and are disposed on the back panel 224, whereby the second container contacts the back panel 224. Thereby, the gap generated by assembling the flap is covered by the rear panel 224. The side panels 238, 239 of the rear panel 224 are folded up against the secondary side panel of the second container and secured in place with adhesive. The bottom panel 226 of the outer blank 201 is then folded up against the bottom panels 147, 165 of the first and second containers, and the adhesive is disposed away from the flap 192 and the gap 190. Is fixed in place. The front panel 225 is folded down over the main side panel of the exposed first container, and the side panels 232, 233 are side panels 238 of the first container and the side panel 224 of the rear panel 224. 239), each secured with an adhesive. The lid portion 202 is folded and assembled in a general manner and can be closed down to cover adjacent open ends of the first and second containers.

Finally, sidewalls 232 and 233 are cut along separation lines 234 and 241. Once this is done, the first container and the second container are only joined by the bottom panel 226 of the outer blank and can be pivoted away from each other with respect to the hinge line 240. This causes the flap 192 to rotate up through the gap 190 so as to discharge the smoking articles from the pack in the manner already described above.

A second embodiment of the blank relates to a pack, in which the rotatable flaps are provided on the base of two hinged containers, wherein the rotatable flaps are formed of X locking together as described above with respect to FIGS. 2A and 2B. do. However, unlike FIGS. 2A and 2B, the flaps are formed integrally in the container, so that each flap and each container are formed from one blank, which is attached to it rotating inside another container.

FIG. 16 shows a plan view of a first container blank assembleable into a first container for a smoking article. FIG. The first container blank 300 includes a bottom panel 301 having two opposing long edges and two opposing short edges. Each long edge 312, 313 forms a fold line. The main side panels 302, 303 depend on the respective long edges 312, 313. The first major side panel 302 has longitudinal side margins 304 and 305 on which the secondary side panels 306 and 307 rest, respectively. In addition, the side margins 304 and 305 in the longitudinal direction form the folding lines. Similarly, the second major side panel 303 also has side lateral margins 308, 309 along the secondary side panels 309, 310 and forming a fold line. The secondary side panels 306 and 307 of the first major side panel 302 have substantially the same width as the secondary side panels 309 and 310 of the second major side panel 303.

The bottom panel includes two parts, a bottom portion 314 and a flap portion 315. When the blank 300 is assembled, the bottom portion 314 forms the bottom surface of the first container, and the flap portion 315 forms a rotatable flap for discharging the smoking articles from an adjacent second container. The section between the bottom portion 314 and the flap portion 315 is parallel to the long side of the bottom panel 301. The bottom portion 314 extends only half across the bottom panel 301 from one short edge to the midpoint of the adjacent long edge 313, the size perpendicular to the long edge 312 being the width of the incident side panel. Is substantially the same as This size defines the depth of the assembled first container. The flap portion 315 extends all the way across the adjacent long edge 313 and is divided in half by a fold line 317 parallel to the long edge 313. The flap portion 315 also has a size in a direction perpendicular to the long edge 313 that is no greater than twice the corresponding size of the bottom portion 334 of the second container blank 320 described below. Finally, flap portion 315 is divided from adjacent major side panels 303 by slots 316 running along long edge 313. The slot 316 extends from the short edge of the bottom panel 301 opposite the short edge, with the bottom portion 314 extending from the short edge (arranged at the midpoint of the opposing long edge 312). Extends to the midpoint of 313.

17 shows a top view of the second container blank 320. This is substantially the same as the first container blank 300, ie the second container blank 320 is arranged in a manner identical to the corresponding panel of the first container blank 300, 2. Four major side panels 322, 323 and four minor side panels 326, 327, 331, 332. The bottom panel 321 similarly includes a bottom portion 334 and a flap portion 335, which flap portion 335 is divided from the adjacent main side panel 322 by the slot 336, which divides it in half. And a fold line 337. The bottom portion 334 has a size perpendicular to the adjacent long edge 332 that forms the depth of the assembled second container and is substantially equal to the width of the incident side panel. The flap portion 335 has a size perpendicular to the adjacent, long edge 332 that is no greater than twice the corresponding size of the bottom portion 314 of the first container blank 300.

Bottom portions 314 and 334 and slots 316 and 336 are placed on the same side of the container blanks. That is, all blanks are not mirror images but have substantially the same configuration. However, in each case the main side panels 303, 322 adjacent to the slots 316, 336 are side panels that will be face-to-face to other containers in the assembled pack. Therefore, this will allow for containers to be considered unequal, such as when one container holds two rows of smoking articles and the other container holds one row of smoking articles. In the example of Figures 16 and 17, all the containers are sized to hold only one row, and therefore have the same depth, but the main side panel and the secondary side panel are formed so that the pack opened from the rear to the front tilts down. Thus, the blanks 300, 320 are not identical.

The blanks 300, 320 are each assembled in the same way. The blanks are abutted along the fold lines 317, 337 across the flap portions 315, 335 to form a flap that is twice as thick as the material. Half of the two flaps may be secured to each other by an adhesive. Then, the two folding lines 312, 313, 332, 333 along the long side of the bottom panel 315, 335 are folded in opposite directions, thereby folding the line adjacent the flap portions 315, 335. Are folded into a mountain fold, and the fold lines adjacent to the bottom portions 314 and 334 are folded into a valley fold. This provides the bottom surface to the container with two main side panels standing up from the bottom surface, providing that the flaps projecting outward from the container are coplanar with the bottom surface. And the secondary side panels are all folded at right angles inwards, overlapped and secured to each other by adhesive. Once assembled, the bottoms of the first and second containers look the same.

18 shows a perspective view of a first container made from the first container blank 300. The assembled second container has the same appearance. The container has four sides upright from the base formed by the bottom portion 314 of the bottom panel 301. However, since the bottom portion 314 extends only half across the bottom panel 301, half of the base is a gap 318. The flap formed from the folded flap portion 315 protrudes from the container in the same plane as the bottom surface. However, because of the slots 316 and the gaps 318, the flaps are only attached to the base and adjacent major sidewalls 302 over half the length and form a free end over the other half.

In order to form a hinged pack with rotating flaps, the first container and the second container are disposed face-to-face with major side walls protruding from the flaps, the free end of each flap being at the base of the container. Is inserted into the gap. Therefore, the free end of the flap lies on the inner surface of the part of the base of the container which is formed from the bottom part of the bottom panel of the original blank and the other end of the flap covers the gap part of the base. Therefore, the base of each one container has the flaps of the other container extending over the entire width. Rotation of the containers relative to each other pivots the flap, which causes the smoking articles in the container to be pushed upwards from the container.

The two vessels need to be secured to each other in a hinged manner at the bottom forming the pack.

19 shows an outer blank suitable for this. However, other blanks can be used to achieve the same result. The outer blank 400 includes a bottom panel 401 having two opposing long edges and two opposing short edges. The bottom panel in the direction of the short edges has the same size as the sum of the depths of the first vessel and the second vessel. Hinge line 416 runs across the bottom panel 401 and separates the bottom panel into two portions corresponding to the relative depths of the two containers. Long edges 404 and 405 form the fold lines. The front panel 403 has longitudinal edges 406 and 407 in the longitudinal direction, which depend on one long edge 405 and on which side panels 408 and 409 rest. Side panels 408 and 409 have a width substantially the same as the depth of the second container. The rear panel 402 depends on the opposing long edge 404 and longitudinal longitudinal margins 410, 411 on which side panels 412, 413 having a width substantially the same as the depth of the first container are fitted. It is provided. The back panel 402 also has an upper margin 415 forming a hinge line on which the lead portion 414 rests. The lid portion 414 includes a number of panels connected by a fold line that can be assembled to form a hinged lid of a conventional smoking article pack.

In order to form the finished pack, two containers which are face-to-faced and mutually locked by each flap are placed over the rear panel 402 of the outer blank 400. Side of the rear panel 402 The panels 412, 413 are folded up over the secondary side panels of the first container and secured in place with adhesive. The bottom panel 401 of the outer blank is folded up over the bottom surfaces of the two containers and secured with adhesive in a manner that does not interfere with the rotation of the flaps. The front panel 403 is then folded down over the second container and the side panels 408 and 409 are folded over the side panels of the second container and secured with adhesive. The lid portion 414 is assembled with a hinged lid that covers the open top of the two vessels and holds the two vessels in a face-to-face position.

When the lid is open, the containers can be rotated away from each other with respect to the hinge line 416 in the bottom panel 401 to actuate the rotatable flaps. Alternatively, hinge line 416 may be omitted and bottom panel 401 may not adhere to the bottom surface of the container. And, the bottom panel 401 is not bent in operation, and a hinged effect occurs alone between the containers.

In this embodiment the flaps can be retrofitted so that the flaps extend over less than the full width of the container. In addition, the point where the flaps are fastened can be moved from the middle point of the bottom surface, and if there is more than one row of smoking articles in the container, the flaps can be sized to lift more than one row of rows.

The two blank assemblies described are merely to illustrate the invention and can be improved for different sizes and amounts of smoking articles, and can be improved for different sizes and positions of rotatable flaps, beveled or rounded. It can be improved for other shapes, such as edge packs, and for packs with lids different from the hinged leads of conventional smoking article packs. Furthermore, packs and boxes according to the invention can be made from suitable blanks or blank assemblies that provide a rotatable flap, but are not limited to those made from the same or similar blanks described herein.

Claims (28)

A container containing a plurality of smoking articles arranged parallel to each other and a rotatable flap disposed within a second end opposite the first end of the container,
The container has an opening at the first end through which the smoking articles can be discharged along a longitudinal axis thereof,
The rotatable flap pushes one or more smoking articles through the opening when rotated in contact with one or more ends of the smoking article;
Pack for smoking goods. The method of claim 1,
The container is a first container, the pack further comprises a second container for receiving a plurality of smoking articles arranged parallel to each other, the second container can be discharged along the direction in which the smoking articles bounced against the longitudinal axis. An opening at the first end;
The second container is rotatably coupled with the first container by a hinge at a second end;
The rotatable flap of the first container extends into the second container and is integrated into the second container and an inner portion disposed inside the first container such that an end of at least one smoking article is in contact with the first container. A fixed outer portion;
Rotating the first vessel and the second vessel away from each other about the hinge causes rotation of the rotatable flap of the first vessel, thereby causing the first vessel through the opening of the first vessel. Pushing out one or more of the smoking articles inside,
Pack for smoking goods. The method of claim 2,
The second container includes a rotatable flap disposed within a second end opposite the first end of the second container, the rotatable flap being at the end of one or more of the smoking articles in the second container when rotated. And push one or more smoking articles through the opening;
The rotatable flap of the second container extends into the first container and is integrated or secured to the first container and an interior portion disposed inside the second container such that an end of at least one smoking article is in contact with the second container. An outer portion;
Rotating the first vessel and the second vessel away from each other around the hinge causes rotation of the rotatable flap of the second vessel, thereby causing the second vessel through the opening of the second vessel. Pushing out one or more of the smoking articles inside,
Pack for smoking goods. The method according to claim 2 or 3,
The inner and outer portions of the rotatable flap or flaps are coplanar,
Pack for smoking goods. The method of claim 4, wherein
When the containers do not rotate relative to each other, the rotatable flaps or flaps are parallel to the bottom wall of the first container and the second container,
Pack for smoking goods. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 5,
A lid configured to cover the opening of all of the containers,
Pack for smoking goods. The method of claim 6,
The lid is hingedly attached to one of the containers,
Pack for smoking goods. The method of claim 1,
The rotatable flap extends through the sidewall of the container and includes an inner portion disposed inside the vessel such that one or more ends of the smoking article come into contact with the outer portion disposed outside the vessel and operable to rotate the inner portion. Including the part,
Pack for smoking goods. The method of claim 8,
The outer portion is angled to the inner portion such that the inner portion is flush with the bottom wall of the vessel when the flap is not rotating and the outer portion is flush with the sidewall of the vessel. Arranged with
Pack for smoking goods. The method according to claim 1, 8 or 9,
A lid configured to cover said opening,
Pack for smoking goods. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
The rotatable flaps or each of the rotatable flaps is configured to abut an end of all the smoking articles received in the container,
Pack for smoking goods. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
The rotatable flaps or each of the rotatable flaps are configured to abut an end of the smoking article in a number less than the maximum number of smoking articles that can be accommodated in the container;
Pack for smoking goods. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
The pack is made of one or more collapsible blanks,
Pack for smoking goods. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13,
Said containers or each said container having a parallelepiped shape formed of a bottom wall and four sidewalls extending substantially perpendicularly from said bottom wall,
Pack for smoking goods. A container for receiving a plurality of packs of smoking articles arranged in one or more rows and a rotatable flap disposed within a second end opposite the first end of the container,
The container has an opening at the first end through which the pack can be discharged along a direction substantially perpendicular to the heat (s),
The rotatable flap, when rotating in contact with one or more ends of the pack, pushes the one or more packs through the opening,
Box for smoking goods pack. The method of claim 15,
The container is a first container, the box further comprises a second container for receiving packs of a plurality of smoking articles arranged in one or more rows, the second container having a direction in which the packs are perpendicular to the row (s) An opening capable of being discharged along the first end;
The second container is rotatably coupled with the first container by a hinge at a second end;
The rotatable flap of the first container extends into the second container and is integrated or secured to the second container and an inner portion disposed inside the first container such that end portions of one or more of the packs abut within the first container. An outer portion that is made;
The second container includes a rotatable flap disposed within a second end opposite the first end of the second container, the rotatable flap being at the end of at least one of the packs in the second container when rotated. Abutting one or more packs through the opening, wherein the rotatable flap of the second container extends into the first container, the interior of the second container being in contact with an end of the one or more packs within the second container. An inner portion disposed and an outer portion integrated or fixed to the first container;
Rotating the first vessel and the second vessel away from each other about the hinge results in rotation of the rotatable flaps, thereby causing one or more of the ones in the first vessel through the opening of the first vessel. Pushing a pack and pushing one or more of said packs in said second container through said opening of said second container,
Box for smoking goods pack. The method of claim 15,
The rotatable flap extends through the sidewalls of the container and includes an inner portion disposed inside the vessel to contact an end of at least one pack and an outer portion disposed outside the vessel and operable to rotate the inner portion. Including,
Box for smoking goods pack. A first container blank and a second container blank,
The first container blank comprises: four side panels assembleable around the bottom panel to form a bottom panel, a first container for a plurality of smoking articles arranged along a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the bottom panel, and the An aperture in said floor panel having at least one edge coincident with the edge of the floor panel,
The second container blank comprises four side panels assembleable around the bottom panel to form a bottom panel and a second container for a plurality of smoking articles arranged along a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the bottom panel, and the Flaps cut out from the floor panel and the side wall panel that rests on the floor panel along a boundary line running between two points located at the edge of the floor panel opposite the side panel on which the side panel rests Including,
The assembly such that the side panel of the second container blank opposite the side panel with the flap is face to face to the side panel of the first container blank with an opening adjacent the edge. Positioned so that the flap and the opening are aligned when the blanks are disposed,
Smoking article pack blank assembly. The method of claim 18,
Wherein the flap extends from an edge of the associated bottom panel at a distance no greater than the distance that the gap extends from an edge of the associated bottom panel,
Smoking article pack blank assembly. The method of claim 18,
The flap has a folding line parallel to the edge of the associated bottom panel and extends a predetermined distance from the edge of the associated bottom panel so that the gap is associated with the gap when the flap is folded along the folding line. The flap extends from an edge of the associated floor panel at a distance no greater than a distance extending from an edge of the floor panel,
Smoking article pack blank assembly. The method of claim 20,
The flap has an end portion spaced from an edge of the associated bottom panel and having a width that is greater than the remaining width of the flap, thereby folding the flap along the fold line so that the bottom of the second container blank Disposing the end portion with respect to the panel,
Smoking article pack blank assembly. The method of claim 21,
The flap is almost T-shaped,
Smoking article pack blank assembly. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 22,
The assembled first container blank by a hinge line corresponding to the edge of the bottom panel of the first container blank with the gap edge and the edge of the bottom panel of the second container blank with the two points of the flap boundary line; Further comprising an outer blank assembleable around the assembled first container blank and the assembled second container blank when placed face-to-face to connect the assembled second container blank,
Smoking article pack blank assembly. The method of claim 23, wherein
The outer blank may include the assembled first container blank and the assembled second container blank in order to maintain the assembled first container blank and the assembled second container blanks face-to-face. A lid portion assembleable to form a hinged lid that allows both the assembled first container blank and the assembled second container blank to be closed when positioned face-to-face;
Smoking article pack blank assembly. A smoking article blank assembly comprising a first container blank and a second container blank, the smoking article blank assembly comprising: a first container blank;
Each of the first container blank and the second container blank,
A bottom panel and four side panels assembleable around the bottom panel for forming a container for a plurality of smoking articles arranged on a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the bottom panel, the bottom panel comprising a bottom portion and the bottom portion A flap portion parallel to the bottom portion divided in half by a fold line in parallel with the bottom portion, the bottom portion partially extending across the bottom panel, the flap portion across the bottom panel; Extending farther than the portion, the flap portion having a vertical size of the fold line not greater than twice the size perpendicular to the fold line of the bottom portion of the other container blank,
A slot between an adjacent side panel and a folded portion that rests on said bottom panel, said slot having a length equal to the distance that said flap portion extends further than said bottom portion,
The flap portion and the bottom portion of each of the container blanks, when each flap portion is assembled, arrange the first container and the second container together with side panels with slot-to-face adjacent slots. Configured to form a flap that can be inserted into another container to rest against the base of the containers when
Smoking article blank assembly. The method of claim 25,
Each of the flap portions extends entirely across the associated bottom panel, each of the bottom portions extends about half across the associated bottom panel,
Smoking article blank assembly. The method of claim 25 or 26,
An outer blank assembleable around the assembled first container blank and the assembled second container blank when disposed face-to-face to connect the assembled first container blank and the assembled second container blank. Further comprising an edge of the first container blank with slots and an edge of the second container blank rotatable with respect to the corresponding hinge line for the assembled first container blank and the assembled second container blank. ,
Smoking article blank assembly. The method of claim 27,
The outer blank may include the assembled first container blank and the assembled second container blank in order to maintain the assembled first container blank and the assembled second container blanks face-to-face. A lid portion assembleable to form a hinged lid that allows both the assembled first container blank and the assembled second container blank to be closed when positioned face-to-face;
Smoking article blank assembly.

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