US20150232261A1

US20150232261A1 - Container with slidable lid and lifting feature

Info

Publication number: US20150232261A1
Application number: US14/381,409
Authority: US
Inventors: Kevin Brügger; Sergey Krasiev
Original assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Current assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Priority date: 2012-03-09
Filing date: 2013-02-21
Publication date: 2015-08-20
Also published as: CN104053612A; EP2822874A1; MX2014010824A; WO2013131616A1; JP2015514641A; RU2014127691A; KR20140135946A; SG11201402919SA

Abstract

The present invention relates to a container (1) for rod-shaped items, with a box (3) and a lid (2), wherein the box (3) comprises an opening at the top. The container further comprises a sheet-like connecting means (21, 22, 23) connected to the lid, wherein the sheet-like connecting means (21, 22, 23) is arranged vertically slidable relative to the box, such that the lid (2) and the connecting means (21, 22, 23) are movable from a lower position to an upper position. The connecting means (21, 22, 23) is adapted to vertically lift at least one rod-shaped item by a predetermined distance when the lid is moved from the lower position to the upper position.

Description

The present invention relates to a container for rod-shaped items, such as for example smoking articles.
For example, International Patent Application WO-A-2004/089785 shows a container for smoking articles, wherein the lid is attached to a slidable connecting means such that the lid and the box of the container are slidable relative to each other.
Today, the packaging of rod-shaped items, such as smoking articles, tends to be very compact. In particular, smoking articles such as cigarettes are packed in a tightly nesting collation. The compact packaging helps to adequately protect the items in the container and reduces the amount of material needed. This allows for a cost effective use of packaging material. However, first item from a full container may be difficult.
It is known from the International Patent Application WO-A-2011/012235 to provide containers comprising smoking articles with lifting means, which have engaging portions to engage a part of the smoking articles.
It would be desirable to provide a container for items that is adapted to facilitate the access to rod-shaped items in a container. Further, it would be desirable to provide a novel way of presenting items to a consumer.
According to the invention a container for rod-shaped items is provided, the container comprising a box and a lid. The box comprises an opening at the top. The container further comprises a sheet-like connecting means connected to the lid, wherein the sheet-like connecting means is vertically slidable relative to the box, such that the lid and the connecting means are movable from a lower position to an upper position. According to the invention, the connecting means is adapted to vertically lift at least one rod-shaped item by a predetermined distance when the lid is moved from the lower position to the upper position. Thus, the movement of the connecting means enables a lifting movement of the lid of the container, and also allows lifting a rod-shaped item at the same time.
Preferably, the connecting means is adapted to vertically lift the at least one rod-shaped item between about 0.5 cm and about 3 cm. Preferably, the connecting means is adapted to vertically lift the at least one rod-shaped item between about 5 percent and about 40 percent of the length of the rod-shaped item. Vertically lifting at least one rod-shaped item by this distance advantageously increases the engageable surface of the rod-shaped item, such that the rod-shaped item can be for example grasped more easily by a consumer.
Preferably, the sheet-like connecting means is formed from a blank comprising panels which depend from each other via folding lines. In particular, the connecting means is arranged completely within the container. In one embodiment, the connecting means is adapted to engage the rod-shaped items at the lower end side. However, in other embodiments, the connecting means may be adapted to engage the rod-shaped items at a side or an upper end of the rod-shaped items. In particular, the connecting means may be adapted to engage with a rod-shaped item at a step in the nappe of the rod-shaped item, such as for example the end of a tipping paper of a smoking article.
The connecting means is adapted to engage preferably one, two, three, four, five, six, seven or more rod-shaped items, in particular smoking articles. In particular, the connecting means may be adapted to engage one row of rod-shaped items in the container. The one or more rod-shaped items that are at least partially lifted are easier to access for a consumer. Advantageously, once lifted, a larger engageable surface of the the rod-shaped item is accessible for the consumer. At the same time, the frictional forces between the lifted rod-shaped item or rod-shaped items and the remaining rod-shaped items are reduced.
The terms “front”, “back”, “upper”, “lower”, “side”, “top”, “bottom” and other terms used to describe relative positions of the components of containers according to the invention refer to the container in an upright position with the lid at the top end. The terms “left” and “right” are used with reference to left and right side walls of the container when the container is viewed from the front in its upright position. When the container in the upright position is open, the consumer articles contained in the box may be removed from the upper end of the container. The term “longitudinal” refers to a direction from bottom to top or vice versa, namely the vertical direction defining the height of the container in an upright orientation. The term “transverse” refers to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction across the front wall or the back wall, namely the horizontal direction defining the width of the container in an upright orientation, or to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and across one of the left or right side walls, namely the horizontal direction defining the depth of the container in an upright orientation.
The term “hinge line” refers to a line about which the lid may be pivoted in order to open the container. A hinge line may be, for example, a fold line or a score line in the connecting means or lid of the container. Alternatively, a hinge line may be a fold line or a score line in a piece of material bridging the lower edge of the back wall of the lid and the upper edge of the connecting means. Such a piece of material may be, for example, a label that is permanently or removably attached to the back wall of the lid and the connecting means. Preferably, the hinge line is positioned along the back wall of the container.
The box and the lid of the container may be each formed by folded blanks comprising several panels. The lid and the connecting means may be formed from one blank, or the lid may be attached to the connecting means. In particular, the lid may be connected to the connecting means by an adhesive coated strip attached to both the lid and the connecting means and forming the hinge line between the connecting means and the lid. Alternatively, the connecting means may comprise a lid fixation panel pivotably depending from a central panel of the connecting means, wherein the lid is attached to the lid fixation panel. The attachment may be effected by adhesive.
In one embodiment, the container is adapted to prevent a pivotable movement of the lid where the lid is in the lower position.
Thus, in this embodiment, in order to open the container, the consumer needs to first lift the lid before pivoting the lid into an open position, such that at least one rod-shaped item is already lifted when the consumer pivots the lid open. In particular, in the lower position, the closed lid is engaged with the box such that the lid cannot be pivoted, while in the second position, the container is openable by pivoting the lid with respect to the connecting portion. For this purpose, the lid may be engaged in the lower position with an inner frame that is attached to the box and reaches into the lid in the lower position.
When the rod-shaped items are automatically lifted together with the lid, a surprising effect for the consumer can be obtained, as the lid may cover the rod-shaped items during the lifting process, and when the lid is opened in the lifted position, the rod-shaped items, in particular smoking articles, have already been lifted.
In another embodiment, the container is adapted such that in the lower position and in the upper position of the lid the container is openable by pivoting the lid with respect to the connecting means. Thus, the consumer can choose whether he first opens the lid by pivoting it or first slides the lid vertically upwards. The consumer might just hinge open the lid of the container, without using the sliding feature. The design gives the consumer the choice whether he wants to lift the at least one rod-shaped item with the connecting means, or whether he just wants to grasp the at least one rod-shaped item when the lid is pivoted open.
In one embodiment, the connecting means comprises a central panel such that the lid pivotably depends from the upper side of the central panel. The central panel preferably has at least one section, wherein the width of the section substantially corresponds to the width of the inside of the box. The lid may be fixed to a lid fixation panel which depends via a folding line from the central panel. In particular, the lid may be fixed by adhesive to the lid fixation panel. Alternatively, the connecting means and the lid may be formed from one blank and depend from each other via a folding line forming a hinge line.
Preferably, the central panel of the connecting means is arranged adjacent and parallel to the inner side of the back wall of the box. Thus, the central panel can be arranged with little space requirements. Further, the back wall may assist in guiding the movement of the central panel.
In one embodiment, at least one engagement flap depends via a folding line from the central panel and is adapted to engage with at least one rod-shaped item in the container. Where the engagement flap engages the nappe of the rod-shaped items, it may be arranged at various positions regarding the vertical extension of the central panel.
Preferably, the at least one engagement flap depends from a lower side of the central panel, and the engagement flap is adapted to engage the lower end side of at least one rod-shaped item. As the engagement flap on the lower side of the central panel may be provided adjacent to the box bottom wall, it can engage the lowermost end of rod-shaped items next to the box bottom wall. This provides a secure engagement and may facilitate the lifting of the at least one rod-shaped item.
In one embodiment, the engagement flap extends along the whole width of the central panel. In particular, the central panel has at least a lower portion, wherein the lower portion of the central panel substantially has the width of the box. Thus, a whole row of rod-shaped items adjacent of the engagement flap can be engaged and lifted by the engagement flap. Alternatively, the engagement flap may extend only across part of the row of rod-shaped items adjacent to the engagement flap, such that only one or a few rod-shaped items in the row adjacent to the engagement flap are lifted. Alternatively or in addition, the engagement flap may extend further into the interior of the box, such that also rod-shaped items may be lifted that are not directly adjacent to the engagement flap. For example, in a container with three rows of rod-shaped items, the engagement flap may be adapted to lift three rod-shaped items from the back row, that is, the row of rod-shaped items adjacent to the engagement flap, two rod-shaped items from the middle row and one rod-shaped item from the first row. Of course, many other arrangements can be realized.
In one embodiment, a side flap is depending from a transverse edge of the central panel, the side flap extending at least partially parallel to a side wall of the box. The transverse edge of the central panel is usually the edge of the central panel arranged closest to the respective side wall of the box. The side flap preferably extends at least partially adjacent and parallel to the left side wall or right side wall of the box. Furthermore, side flaps may be arranged on both sides of the central panel, thus extending at least partially parallel to both the left and right side wall of the box. In particular, the side flap may be guided in a slit formed in between a guiding panel and a wall of the box. This guiding panel may in particular be provided by an inner frame arranged within the box. In particular, the slit may be formed between the edge of an inner side wall provided by the inner frame and the back wall of the box.
In one embodiment, the side flap is connected to the at least one engagement flap. Thus, the engagement flap may be further stabilized, such that the engagement flap can exert a sufficient lifting force to the rod-shaped items. Preferably, the engagement flap extends substantially horizontal.
In particular, the side flap may be connected by means of adhesive to the engagement flap. The connection in between the side flap and the engagement flap may be via a connection tab. A connection tab depending from the engagement flap may be connected to the side flap, or a connection tab depending from the side flap may be connected to the engagement flap. These connections may be carried out by means of adhesive. The connection tab may depend via a folding line from the engagement flap or from the side flap or both. The connection in between the side flap and the engagement flap provides additional stabilization. In particular, both side flaps may be connected to one engagement portion. This type of engagement portion preferably extends over the whole width of the lower edge of the central panel.
In some embodiments, the central panel is provided with a portion of increased friction. For example, the portion of increased friction may be provided with low tack adhesive, embossing or a felt like structure. This portion of increased friction may increase the friction between the rod-shaped items to be lifted and the connection means. This may advantageously split the force needed to lift the one or more rod-shaped items between the central panel and the engagement flap. Further, as the increased friction between the central panel and the one or more rod-shaped items in the portion of increased friction is independent of the direction of movement of the connecting means, the portion of increased friction may be utilized to move the lifted rod-shaped items back into the box, should there be no need to remove them. The increased friction between the portion of increased friction and the rod-shaped item may slightly increase the total needed force to remove the rod-shaped item or goods that have been lifted. Nevertheless, this additional force needed is easily overcome by the increased engageable surface that is exposed when the rod-shaped item has been lifted at least partially through the opening of the box.
In some embodiments, an inner frame is arranged in the box, and the connecting means and the inner frame are adapted such that a dead stop for the connecting means is provided by the inner frame. Preferably, the maximum lifting height is up to about 30 mm. The dead stop may be defined by a predetermined length of the slit in the inner frame that guides the side flap. Alternatively, the connecting means may have a protrusion, which engages with a protrusion of the box. These protrusions may particularly be provided by flaps of the panels, which are either folded such that they engage with each other, or are glued to walls of the box or to the connecting means to form a step. The dead stop may be provide by an inner frame, which comprises a side wall and a back wall, wherein the side flap of the connecting means is guided in between the side wall of the inner frame and the back wall of the box until it comes into engagement with the back wall of the inner frame.
In one embodiment, the back wall of the box comprises a substantially rectangular recess, having the width of the hinge line connecting the connecting means and the lid. This facilitates the guiding of the connecting means.
Alternatively or in addition, an inner frame of the box may provide the recess. In this embodiment, the inner frame is in particular fixed to the inside of the walls of the box. The recess may be formed in between two panels of the inner frame which are provided at opposite sides of the back wall in a distance to each other.
Preferably, the inner frame is provided inside the box and protrudes over the upper edge of the outer box walls. Thus, the inner frame is arranged more towards the inside of the box than the remaining outer box walls. The lid can be arranged on the inner frame such that the walls of the lid are aligned with the outer box walls. Preferably, the lower edges of the lid abut with the upper edges of the box outer walls at least along a section of the container, for example along the respective left, right, back or front wall panels. In one embodiment all vertical lid walls have the same height. Alternatively or in addition, all vertical box walls may have the same height. Thus it is possible, that the container comprises a single line of abutment that runs at the same height around the entire container.
Alternatively or in addition, one or more cut-outs may be provided at the edges in either the lid walls or box walls, such that the inner frame is visible through the cut-out even when the lid is in the lower position. Thus, additional design elements, such as a print on the inner frame, may become visible to the consumer.
In one embodiment, an engagement means is arranged slidably in the vertical direction in the connecting means, wherein the engagement means is adapted to engage at least one rod-shaped item and to remain stationary in a first stage of the lifting movement of the connecting means by sliding with respect to the connecting means, wherein the engagement means is further adapted such that it engages and moves with the connecting means during a second stage of the lifting movement of the connecting means, for lifting the at least one rod-shaped item. Thus, the engagement means only starts lifting the at least one rod-shaped item after coming into contact with a dead stop at the end of its sliding movement with respect to the connecting means. In particular, the engagement means remains substantially stationary during the first stage of the lifting movement of the connecting means. If the engagement means remains stationary for half the lifting movement in the upwards direction of the connecting means, the respective rod-shaped item would only be lifted half the way with respect to the movement of the connecting means. Thus, different lifting heights for several rod-shaped items can be obtained with respect to a defined lifting height of the connecting means, in particular by providing several engagement means with different maximal vertical sliding differences.
In a further embodiment, an additional sliding means can be provided which is adapted to be engaged by the connecting means after a certain movement distance of the connecting means, wherein the further sliding means provides engagement means which lift at least some of the rod-shaped items. In particular, the side flap of the connecting means may engage the additional sliding means.
In one embodiment, an engagement means, in particular an engagement flap, depends from the side flap. This provides that the rod-shaped items at the side of the container can be lifted as well. This engagement means may relate to a separate engagement flap, which is not connected to the central panel. Further, the engagement flap may connect the two side flaps, such as to lift a whole row, for example the middle or front row, of the rod-shaped items in the container box.
In one embodiment, a front panel depends from the front of the side flaps and extends parallel and adjacent to the inner side of the front wall of the box, wherein an engagement means is provided on the front panel. Thus, the front row of rod-shaped items or at least some rod-shaped items of the front row may be engaged by the engagement means and lifted. The engagement means may also be slidable in the front panel in a similar manner as defined in the embodiment regarding slidably arranged engagement means. Thus, different lifting heights can be obtained. The engagement means may in particular be an engagement flap, which depends via a folding line from the lower side of the front panel.
In particular, the rod-shaped items may be wrapped in an inner liner, which facilitates the packing of the rod-shaped items in the container, where the rod-shaped items are provided as a bundle of rod-shaped items. The rod-shaped items are preferably smoking articles such as, for example, cigarettes. In particular, the inner liner may be made of aluminium foil, metalized paper or other sheet-like foldable materials. In one embodiment, the connecting means may at least partially be provided in the inner liner, namely in between the inner liner and the rod-shaped items. However, in most embodiments, the connecting means is arranged in between the box and the inner liner. To enable the lifting feature, in particular the relative vertical movement of individual rod-shaped items with respect to each other, the inner liner may be provided with cutting lines or weakening lines, such as scoring lines or partially cut lines. In particular, the cutting lines or weakening lines are provided around the edges of the engagement means or engagement flaps. Thus, the lifting of at least one rod-shaped item which is comprised in an inner liner together with other rod-shaped items which are not lifted is possible.
Preferably, the inner frame is mounted within the box, wherein the inner frame extends above the upper edges of at least the front wall of the box of the container. The inner frame is therefore visible to the consumer when the lid is opened. The front wall of the inner frame may be printed with indicia which may be the same as, or different to the indicia printed on the front wall of the box. Alternatively, or in addition, the front wall of the inner frame may be cut into a distinctive shape, for example, to reflect the branding of the rod-shaped items. If required, the inner frame may comprise a line of weakness to facilitate flattening of the container.
Preferably, the front wall of the inner frame is provided with a cut out portion at the upper edge of the inner frame. This enables more convenient access to the rod-shaped items within the container, without significantly reducing the surface area of the front wall of the inner frame.
Alternatively, or in addition to an inner frame, the rod-shaped items within the container may be wrapped with an inner liner, which is visible above the upper edge of the front wall of the box and the front wall of the inner frame (if present) when the container is open.
Containers according to the invention may be in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, with right-angled longitudinal and right-angled transverse edges. Alternatively, the container may comprise one or more rounded longitudinal edges, rounded transverse edges, bevelled longitudinal edges or bevelled transverse edges, or combinations thereof. With regard to the bevelled edges, the bevelled edges may be formed from two parallel folding lines or from two non-parallel folding lines. For example the two non-parallel folding lines may be a convex and a concave folding line, such that a lens shaped bevel is created. Alternatively, the two non-parallel folding lines may be sine-wave shaped such that an S-shaped bevel is created by the two non-parallel folding lines. Alternatively, the two non-parallel folding lines may form a triangular or rhombic bevel. For the avoidance of doubt, the bevelled edges may comprise a combination of bevelled sections and unbevelled sections along the edge.
For example, the container according to the invention may comprise, without limitation:

- One or two longitudinal rounded or bevelled edges on the front wall, and/or
- One or two longitudinal rounded or bevelled edges on the back wall.
- One or two transverse rounded or bevelled edges on the front wall, and/or
- One or two transverse rounded or bevelled edges on the back wall.
- One longitudinal rounded edge and one longitudinal bevelled edge on the front wall, and/or
- One transverse rounded edge and one transverse bevelled edge on the back wall.
- One or two transverse rounded or bevelled edges on the front wall and one or two longitudinal rounded or bevelled edges on the front wall.
- Two longitudinal rounded or bevelled edges on a first side wall or two transverse rounded or bevelled edges on the second side wall.

Where the container comprises one or more rounded edges and is made from a laminar blank, preferably the blank comprises three, four, five, six or seven scoring lines or creasing lines to form the rounded edge in the assembled container. The scoring lines or creasing lines may be either on the inside of the container or on the outside of the container. Preferably, the scoring lines or creasing lines are spaced apart from each other by between about 0.3 mm and 4 mm.
Preferably, the spacing of the creasing lines or scoring lines is in function of the thickness of the laminar blank. Preferably, the spacing between the creasing lines or scoring lines is between about 0.5 and about 4 times larger than the thickness of the laminar blank.
Where the container comprises one or more bevelled edges, preferably the bevelled one or more edges have a width of between about 1 mm and about 10 mm, preferably between about 2 and about 6 mm. Alternatively, the container may comprise a double bevel formed by three parallel creasing lines or scoring lines that are spaced apart such that two distinct bevels form on the edge of the container.
Alternatively to a container with a rectangular transverse cross section, the container may have a for example a polygonal cross section such as triangular, quadrangular or hexagonal, or a cross section which is oval, semi-oval, circular or semi-circular.
Where the container comprises a bevelled edge and is made from a laminar blank, the bevel may be formed by two parallel creasing lines or scoring lines in the laminar blank. The creasing lines or scoring lines may be arranged symmetrically to the edge between a first wall and a second wall. Alternatively, the creasing lines or scoring lines may be arranged asymmetrically to the edge between the first wall and the second wall, such that the bevel extends further into the first wall of the container than into the second wall of the container.
The container may be formed from any suitable materials including, but not limited to, cardboard, paperboard, plastic, metal, or combinations thereof. Preferably, the cardboard has a weight of between about 100 grams per square metre and about 350 grams per square metre.
Containers according to the invention may be used as packages for a variety of rod-shaped items. In particularly preferred embodiments, containers according to the invention are used to package smoking articles. Containers according to the invention may be advantageously used to package smoking articles including, but not limited to, known lit-end cigarettes, cigars or cigarillos, heated smoking articles comprising a combustible fuel element or heat source and an aerosol-generating substrate (for example cigarettes of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,714,082) and smoking articles for use with electrical smoking systems (for example cigarettes of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,525).
Through an appropriate choice of the dimensions thereof, containers according to the invention may be designed to hold different total numbers of smoking articles, or different arrangements of smoking articles. For example, through an appropriate choice of the dimensions thereof, containers according to the invention may be designed to hold a total of between ten and thirty smoking articles.
Containers according to the invention may hold one, two, three four or five separate bundles of rod-shaped items. The separate bundles may be arranged substantially parallel to the front wall and to the back wall or substantially perpendicular to the front wall and to the back wall.
Within a bundle, the smoking articles may be arranged in different collations, depending on the total number of smoking articles, the dimensions of the smoking articles or the cross sectional shape of the container. For example, the smoking articles may be arranged in a bundle in a single row of five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten. Alternatively, the smoking articles may be arranged in two or more rows. The two or more rows may contain the same number of smoking articles. For example, the smoking articles may be arranged in: two rows of five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten; three rows of five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten; or four rows of four, five, six or seven. Alternatively, the two or more rows may include at least two rows containing different numbers of smoking articles to each other. For example, the smoking articles may be arranged in: a row of five and a row of six (5-6); a row of six and a row of seven (6-7); a row of seven and a row of eight (7-8); a middle row of five and two outer rows of six (6-5-6); a middle row of five and two outer rows of seven (7-5-7); a middle row of six and two outer rows of five (5-6-5); a middle row of six and two outer rows of seven (7-6-7); a middle row of seven and two outer rows of six (6-7-6); a middle row of nine and two outer rows of eight (8-9-8); or a middle row of six with one outer row of five and one outer row of seven (5-6-7).
Containers according to the present invention may hold smoking articles of the same type or brand, or of different types or brands. In addition, both filterless smoking articles and smoking articles with various filter tips may be contained, as well as smoking articles of differing length (for example, between about 40 mm and about 180 mm), diameter (for example, between about 4 mm and about 9 mm). In addition, the smoking articles may differ in strength of taste, resistance to draw and total particulate matter delivery. Wherein the container comprises more than one bundle, each bundle within the same container may hold the same or different types of smoking articles as listed above.
Preferably, the dimensions of the container are adapted to the length of the smoking articles, and the collation of the smoking articles. Typically, the outer dimensions of the container are between about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm larger than the dimensions of the bundle of smoking articles housed inside the container.
Preferably, containers according to the invention have a height of between about 60 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably a height of between about 70 mm and about 125 mm, wherein the height is measured from the top wall to the bottom wall of the container.
Preferably, containers according to the invention have a width of between about 12 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably a width of between about 70 mm and about 125 mm, wherein the width is measured from the first side wall to the second side wall of the container.
Preferably, containers according to the invention have a depth of between about 6 mm and about 100 mm, more preferably a depth of between about 12 mm and about 25 mm wherein the depth is measured from the front wall to the back wall of the container (comprising the hinge between box and lid).
Preferably, the ratio of the height of the container to the depth of the container is in between about 0.3 to 1 and about 10 to 1, more preferably between about 2 to 1 and about 8 to 1, most preferably between about 3 to 1 and 5 to 1.
Preferably, the ratio of the width of the container to the depth of the container is in between about 1 to 1 and about 10 to 1, more preferably between about 2 to 1 and about 8 to 1, most preferably between about 2 to 1 and 3 to 1.
Preferably, the ratio of the height of the lid back wall to the height of the box back wall is between about 0 to 1 (hinge located at the top edge of the container) to about 1 to 1, more preferably, between about 1 to 5 and about 1 to 10, most preferably, between about 1 to 6 to about 1 to 8.
Preferably, the ratio of the height of the lid front wall to the height of the box front wall is between about 1 to 0 (lid covering the entire front wall) to about 1 to 10, more preferably, between about 1 to 1 and about 1 to 5, most preferably, between about 1 to 2 and about 1 to 3.
The exterior surfaces of containers according to the invention may be printed, embossed, debossed or otherwise embellished with manufacturer or brand logos, trademarks, slogans and other consumer information and indicia. Alternatively, or in addition, the exterior surfaces of containers according to the invention may be at least partially covered with lacquer, metallisation, holograms, luminescent material, or any other materials that alter the feel, odour or appearance of the container.
Where the inner housing of a container according to the present invention contains one or more bundles of smoking articles, the smoking articles are preferably wrapped in an inner liner of, for example, metal foil or metallised paper.
Where the container comprises smoking articles, the container may further comprise waste-compartments (for example for ash or butts) or other rod-shaped items, for example matches, lighters, extinguishing means, breath-fresheners or electronics. The other rod-shaped items may be attached to the outside of the container, contained within the container along with the smoking articles, in a separate compartment of the container or combinations thereof.
Once filled, containers according to the invention may be shrink wrapped or otherwise over wrapped with a transparent polymeric film of, for example, high or low density polyethylene, polypropylene, oriented polypropylene, polyvinylidene chloride, cellulose film, or combinations thereof in a conventional manner. Where containers according to the invention are over wrapped, the over wrapper may include a tear tape. The tear tape is preferably positioned around the container below the lower edge of the front wall of the lid, such that once the tear tape has been removed, the lid is free to be lifted or in some embodiments to be pivoted about the hinge line. Alternatively, the tear tape may be provided lengthways around the container.

The invention will now be further explained by means of exemplary embodiments, which are shown in the following Figures:

FIG. 1 shows a closed container according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a container with a lifted lid according to the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 shows a container with a lifted and pivoted open lid and one lifted smoking article;

FIG. 4 shows a cross section through a container according to the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 shows a blank for a connecting means for a container according to an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 6 shows a blank for an inner frame for a container according to an embodiment of the invention.

In FIG. 1, a container 1 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown in a perspective view. The container 1 comprises a lid 2, which is arranged on top of a box 3. The outer appearance of the container 1 may be the same or similar to a standard cigarette package. However, the lid 2 can be vertically slid in the sliding direction 100 from a first lowermost position as shown in FIG. 1 to a second lifted position as shown in FIG. 2. The box 3 comprises an inner frame 4, which is arranged on the inside of the outer walls of the box 3, and protrudes in the vertical direction from the remaining box outer walls. In particular, the inner frame 4 is formed from a separate blank than the remaining box 3. Preferably, the inner frame 4 is fixed by means of adhesive towards the inside of the outer walls of the box.
The container box 3 comprises a front wall 5, a left side wall, a right side wall 6, a back wall 7, and a bottom wall 8. The lid 2 comprises a lid front wall 9, a lid right side wall 10, a lid left side wall, a lid top wall 11 and a lid back wall 12. The inner frame 4 comprises a front wall 13, a right side wall 14, a right back wall 15, a left side wall 16 and a left back wall 17 (see as well FIG. 6). The right back wall 15 and the left back wall 17 are arranged in a distance with respect to each other, such that a recess is provided in between the right back wall 15 and left back wall 17, which extends from the upper side of the inner frame 4 until the upper side of the outer back wall 7 of the box 3. The right and left back walls 15, 17 are provided at the upper portion of the right and left side walls 14,16 of the inner frame 4, and are shorter in the vertical direction than the side walls 14, 16 of the inner frame 4. The inner frame 4 may further comprise a bottom wall which foldingly depends from the inner frame front wall 13 and is arranged adjacent and parallel to the bottom wall 8 of the box 3.
The inner frame front wall 13 is arranged adjacent to and inside the box front wall 5 and fixed by means of adhesive to same. Similarly, the inner frame right side wall 14 is arranged on the inside and adjacent to the box right side wall 6 and inner frame left side wall 16 is arranged adjacent to the box inside the left side wall. The right back wall 15 and the left back wall 17 are both arranged adjacent to and inside the box back wall 7. Thus, a small step having the height of the thickness of the box blank is provided at the upper edges of the outer box walls 5, 6, 7. As the lid 2 has substantially the same width and depth as the box 3, a container 1 with flush outer walls can be provided.
As can be seen in the two different positions of the lid as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the lid 2 is slidable with respect to the inner frame 4 of the box 3. When the lid 2 is in the second lifted position as shown in FIG. 2, it is pivotable with respect to box 3. In particular, a hinge line 18 is provided near the lower end of the lid back wall 12.
The lid 2 cannot be pivoted around the hinge line 8 when the lid is in the first lowermost position as inner frame 4 is arranged in the lid 2. The inner frame 4 extends less into the lid 2, when the lid 2 is in the second lifted position, such that a pivoting of the lid 2 is possible. Thus, when the lid 2 is hinged to the back, the container 1 is in an opened state as shown in FIG. 3. Thus, the rod-shaped items 19, in the form of smoking articles, are accessible at the top of the container.
According to the invention, the lifting motion of the lid 2 effects a lifting motion of at least one of the rod-shaped items 19, which will thus be lifted with respect to the other rod-shaped items as shown for one rod-shaped item 19 is in the form of smoking article in FIG. 3.
The lifting feature will now be further explained with respect to FIG. 4 showing a central cross section through the container 1 from the right side. The container encloses longitudinally extending rod-shaped items 19 in the form of smoking articles, namely cigarettes, which are arranged in between the box front wall 5 and the box back wall 7. Further, a connecting means 20 is arranged at least partially in the box 3. The connecting means 20 is slidable with respect to the box 3 in the vertical direction. The connecting means 20 comprises at its upper end a lid fixation panel 21 on which the lid 2 is fixed, preferably by means of adhesive. Below the lid fixation panel 21, the hinge line 18 is provided, which is preferably a folding line.
In the present embodiment, the connecting means 20 is formed from a separate blank as shown in FIG. 5 and then fixed to the lid 2. However, in other embodiments the connecting means 20 and the lid 2 may be formed from one blank.
Generally, the box 3 and the lid 2 are formed from blanks comprising several panels by means of folding the respective panels along folding lines and fixing same with adhesive.
The lid fixation panel 21 depends via the hinge line 18 from a central panel 22 of the connecting means 20, which generally extends adjacent and parallel to the back wall 7 of the box 3. At the lower end of the central panel 22, an engagement flap 23 is provided. The engagement flap 23 substantially extends in the horizontal direction and is arranged below the lower end of the at least one rod-shaped item 19, which is to be lifted by the lifting feature. In particular, the engagement flap 23 depends via a folding line 24 from the central panel 22. Thus, when the lid 2 is lifted in the lifting direction 100, the connecting means 20 moves together with the lid 2, and lifts the at least one rod-shaped item 19 in the form of a smoking article as shown in FIG. 4. Thus, the smoking article will be lifted to the lifted position as shown in FIG. 3.
The hinge line 18 of the lid 2 is arranged in the region of the recess provided in between the back walls of the inner frame 4, such that the connecting means 20 and the lid 2 can be connected. Thus, the connection in between the connecting means 20 and the lid 2 extends through this recess in between the back walls 15, 17 of the inner frame 4. In particular, the width of the hinge line 18 and the respective part of the lid fixation panel 21 which extends through the recess may be substantially the same as the width of the recess, such that the recess provides a guide for the connecting means 20.
In FIG. 5, a blank for forming the connecting means 20 is shown in a plan view. The connecting means 20 comprises the central panel 22, wherein the lid fixation panel 21 depends via a folding line 18 from the central panel at the top thereof. The lid fixation panel 21 may comprise tapered edges, to facilitate the insertion process into the lid.
Furthermore, the engagement flap 23 depends via a folding line 24 at the bottom of the central panel 22. In contrast to the embodiment as shown in FIG. 3, the engagement flap 23 extends across the whole width of the central panel 22. Thus, not only one rod-shaped item, but a whole row of rod-shaped items in the form of smoking articles will be lifted by such the connecting means 20, namely the row of rod-shaped items adjacent to the back wall 7 of the box 3.
To further guide the sliding movement of the connecting means 20 in the vertical direction 100 and to provide a dead stop, a right side flap 25 and a left side flap 26 are provided. The side flaps are arranged at the lower side end of the central panel 22 and depend from the central panel 22 via a folding line 27, 28. The folding lines 27, 28 substantially extend in the longitudinal direction. The folding lines 27, 28 are arranged further outside in the width direction than the side edges of the central panel 22.
From the lower end of both side flaps 25, 26, a connecting tab 29, 30 depends via a folding line 31, 32. The connecting tab 29, 30, is adjacent to the engagement flap 23, but separated therefrom by means of a cutting line 33, 34.
Both side flaps 25, 26 and the engagement flap 23, will be folded towards the front around their respective folding lines 24, 27, 28, such that the engagement flap 23 and both side flaps 25, 26 are arranged substantially perpendicular to the central panel 22. The connecting tabs 29, 30 are folded such that they extend parallel to and adjacent to the engagement flap 23 and are connected to same by means of adhesive. Thus, the engagement flap 23 and the side flaps 25, 26 are fixed in this arrangement. The engagement flap 23 can apply the sufficient lifting force to the respective rod-shaped items 19.
In other embodiments, it is also possible to provide engagement flaps or engagement means which are in a distance to the central panel 22, such that the middle row or the front row of rod-shaped items, namely smoking articles, in a container can be lifted. In particular, these engagement means can be engagement flaps, which depend foldingly from the side flaps 25, 26.
The side flaps 25, 26 are arranged in between the box side walls 6 and the side walls 14, 16 of the inner frame 4. In the second lifted position of the connecting means 20, the side flaps 25, 26 come into contact with the back wall 7 of the flaps 15, 17 of the inner frame 4, such that a dead stop is provided.
In FIG. 6, a blank for forming the inner frame 4 is shown in a plan view. The blank comprises the front wall 13, the right side wall 14, the right back wall 15, the left side wall 16, and the left back wall 17, depending from each other via longitudinal folding lines. The inner frame 4 may further comprise a bottom panel, adapted to be arranged adjacent to the bottom wall 8 of the box 3, and connected to same to enable a stronger fixation of the inner frame 4 in the box 3, such that the inner frame 4 is not torn out of the box 3, when the connecting means 20 engages the dead stop. In particular, the back walls 15, 17 of the inner frame 4 are shorter than the side walls 14, 16 thereof. The side walls 14, 16 of the inner frame 4 may in particular extend until the bottom wall 8 of the box 3. Preferably the front wall 9 of the inner frame 4 extends towards the bottom wall 8 of the box 3 as well, as it is the connecting means 20 of the side walls 14 of the inner frame 4, and thus provides stability to the side walls 14, 16. Preferably, no glue is provided in between the side walls 14 of the inner frame 4 and the side walls 6 of the box 3, such that the side flaps 25, 26 can move in between the side walls 14, 16 of the inner frame 4 and the side walls 6 of the box 3. Alternatively or additionally to the provision of the inner frame back walls 15, 17 as a dead stop, the side walls 14, 16 of the inner frame 4 can be fixed to box side walls 6 only in an upper end portion thereof, such that this fixation provides a dead stop for the side flaps 25, 26.
While the aforementioned embodiments relate to containers folded from blanks, in particular cardboard blanks, the invention may also be applied to containers of a different material, for example plastic or metal containers. These containers may be formed from sheet material, or may also, at least for plastic containers, be formed by means of injection moulding.
Not shown in the Figures, the rod-shaped items may be comprised in an inner liner, in particular made from aluminium foil, metalized paper, or the like, which is provided with weakening lines or cutting lines, to enable a relative movement of the rod-shaped items with respect to each other.
After some of the smoking articles have been extracted from the container, the container can be held in a way that the remaining smoking articles are arranged on the lifting means by means of gravity, such that the lifting feature may be used for all smoking articles in the container.

Claims

1. A container for rod-shaped items, comprising

a box and a lid, wherein the box comprises an opening at the top,

a sheet-like connecting element connected to the lid, the sheet-like connecting element is arranged vertically slidable relative to the box, such that the lid and the connecting element are movable from a lower position to an upper position,

wherein the connecting element is adapted to vertically lift at least one rod-shaped item by a predetermined distance when the lid is moved from the lower position to the upper position and the connecting element comprises a central panel, and the lid pivotably depends from the upper side of the central panel and the central panel of the connecting element is arranged adjacent to the inner side of the back wall of the box.

2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the container is adapted to prevent a pivotable movement of the lid in the lower position.

3. The container according to claim 1, wherein in the lower position and in the upper position the container is openable by pivoting the lid with respect to the connecting element.

4. (canceled)

5. (canceled)

6. The container according to claim 1, wherein at least one engagement flap depends via a folding line from the central panel and is adapted to engage with at least one rod-shaped item in the container.

7. The container according to claim 6, wherein the at least one engagement flap depends from a lower portion of the central panel, and wherein the engagement flap is adapted to engage with at least one rod-shaped item.

8. The container according to claim 6, wherein the engagement flap extends along the whole width of the central panel.

9. The container according to claim 1, wherein the central panel further comprises a side flap, wherein the side flap is depending from a transverse edge of the central panel, where the side flap extends at least partially parallel to a side wall of the box.

10. The container according to claim 9, wherein the side flap is connected to the at least one engagement flap.

11. The container according to claim 1, wherein an inner frame is arranged in the box, and the connecting element and the inner frame are adapted such that a dead stop for the connecting element is provided on the inner frame.

12. The container according to claim 1, wherein the back wall of the box comprises a substantially rectangular recess, wherein the recess has a width corresponding substantially to the width of the hinge line connecting the connecting element and the lid.

13. The container according to claim 12, wherein the box comprises an inner frame which is fixed to the inside of the walls of the box, wherein the inner frame provides the substantially rectangular recess.

14. The container according to claim 1, wherein an engagement element is arranged slidably within the connecting element, the engagement element being adapted to engage at least one rod-shaped item and to remain stationary in a first stage of the lifting movement of the connecting element means by sliding with respect to the connecting element, wherein the engagement element is further adapted to engage and move with the connecting element during a second stage of the lifting movement of the connecting element, such that it lifts the at least one rod-shaped item.

15. The container according to claim 1, wherein a front panel depends from the front of the side flaps and extends parallel and adjacent to the inner side of the front wall of the box, and wherein an engagement element is provided on the front panel.

16. The container according to claim 2, wherein at least one engagement flap depends via a folding line from the central panel and is adapted to engage with at least one rod-shaped item in the container.

17. The container according to claim 3, wherein at least one engagement flap depends via a folding line from the central panel and is adapted to engage with at least one rod-shaped item in the container.

18. The container according to claim 7, wherein the engagement flap extends along the whole width of the central panel.

19. The container according to claim 2, wherein the central panel further comprises a side flap, wherein the side flap is depending from a transverse edge of the central panel, where the side flap extends at least partially parallel to a side wall of the box.

20. The container according to claim 3, wherein the central panel further comprises a side flap, wherein the side flap is depending from a transverse edge of the central panel, where the side flap extends at least partially parallel to a side wall of the box.

21. The container according to claim 2, wherein an inner frame is arranged in the box, and the connecting element the inner frame are adapted such that a dead stop for the connecting element is provided on the inner frame.

22. The container according to claim 3, wherein an inner frame is arranged in the box, and the connecting element and the inner frame are adapted such that a dead stop for the connecting element is provided on the inner frame.