US2202280A - Cigarette package - Google Patents

Description

928, 1940., c. WILSON 2,202,280

CIGARETTE PACKAGE Origin-a1 Filed Apfil 25, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 28, 1940. c. WILSON CIGARETTE PACKAGE Original Filed April 25, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. IO.

FIG. 9.

FIG. 7.

- Patented May 28, 1940' 2,202,280

UNITED- STATES PATENT OFFICE-I CIGARETTE PACKAGE Carroll L. Wilson, Framingham, Mass, assignor to Electra Corporation, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application April 25, 1938, Serial No. 204,093

Renewed January 29, 1940 18 Claims. (Cl. 229-44) This invention relates to packages, and with' will be exemplified in the structures hereinregard to certain more specific features, to packafter described, and the scope of the application ages of cigarettes; of which will be'indicated in the following claims. This application is in part a continuation of In the accompanying drawings, in which are part of my application Serial No. 67,611, filed illustrated several of various possible embodi- 5 March '7, 1936, entitled Cigarette package. ments of the invention,

Among the several objects of the invention Fig. .1 is a perspective view of a cigarette packmay be noted the provision of a cigarette package embodying the present invention, in condiage including as an element thereof a captive tion for sale;

the removal of 'a cigarette, and closed thereafter; packageof Fig. 1, opened and ready for the with- -a cigarette package of the class described, indrawal of a cigarette therefrom;

eluding a captive closure means, which is formed Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the package of of cheap material whereby it can be discarded Fig. 1 in an inverted position, with a Cellophane 1 without substantial waste when the package is wrapper removed; emptied; the provision, in a package of ciga- Fig. 4 is a development of an element forming rettes of the class described, of a captive closure part of the package of Fig. 1; member, which, when opened, permits the with- Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic cross-section of the drawal of cigarettes in perfect condition, and package of l closure device which is adapted to be opened for Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the 10 which, when closed, retains the cigarette in per- Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic cross-section of an 20 feet condition within. the package; the provision alternative structure for the package of Fig. l, of a cigarette package of the class described and other packages;

which is substantially rigid, whereby the con- Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing antained cigarettes are not likely to be deformed other embodiment of the invention; -1 while the package is in use; the provision of a 8 is a d vel pm nt o m nt f rm n cigarette package of the type described which a partof'the package of Fig. '7;

does not involve substantial changes in manu- Fig. 9 is a V ew S a o illustrating facturing procedure over the packages in general a third embodiment of theinventi'on;

use at this time, and hence requires no substan- 10 is a e Similar 2, for e tial deviation from the present routine for the bod e o ge 30 packaging of cigarettes: the provision of a cig- Fig- 11 is a development of an element forming arette package of the class described, including D 0f the Dafikage g-,

a captive closure element, wherein the captive Fig. 12 is a perspective view of th m n closure element is so disposed and constructed of Fig. 11 in assembled position; and,

that it may readily be opened by the user, or- 13 s a w Similar t F ow 35 dinarily with a single hand; the provision of th ttom of t e F 9 em odiment pa ka a cigarette package of the class described where- Similar reference characters indicate correin means are provided for maintaining the packspondin'g parts throughout the several views of age in a moisture-proof, sealed condition, prior the drawings.

40 to its original opening, and substantially so The cigarette, on account of its peculiar size 40 after its original opening; the provision of a and shape and construction, presents an unusual cigarette package of the class described which, packaging problem. customarily, a group of when opened for the withdrawal of cigarettes, twenty cigarettes, each of which is approximately is provided with notches or removed portions %"long by V4" in a are compressed into which permit of easy grasping and removal of a bundle approximately 2%"v high by 2" long 45 the cigarettes, particularly the first few cigaby wide. This bundle is then wrapped by rettes from a full package; and the provision of first enclosing it in a piece of paper-backed metal a cigarette package of the class described which foil, with the paper side in contact with the cigis relatively simple and economical in construcarette. Outside of this wrapping is positioned a,

tion and operation. Other objects will be in paperlabel, which is usually foldedin and sealed 50 part obvious and in part pointed out hereinat the bottom of the package. Across the topafter. of the package is positioned the Internal Revenue Th invention accordingly comprises the elestamp. The entire package is then wrapped in ments and combinations of elements, features of a covering of Cellophane or similar so-called construction, and arrangements ofparts which moisture-proof, transparent covering material. 55

Under certain circumstances, the Cellophane wrapping is dispensed with, and the paper label wrapper is folded and sealed across the top as well as the bottom of the package.

Either of the types of packaging just described will hereinafter be referred to as the usual type of cigarette package.

Because of their peculiar shape and structure, cigarettes are generally withdrawn from their package through one end of the package, which is usually one end of the top of the package. Ordinarily, the user opens the package in the following manner: The user first tears open the top of the Cellophane covering, at least to the extent of exposing one end of the top of the package. Sometimes the entire Cellophane wrapper is discarded; at other times the Cellophane is retained in position intact, with the exception of the torn corner. After thus opening the Cellophane wrapper, the user then tears away the paper-backed foil, or the paper label, at one side of the revenue stamp at the top of the package, thus leaving a relatively small opening through which cigarettes can be withdrawn.

This manner of opening the usual type of cigarette package will hereinafter be referred to as the usual manner of .opening a cigarette package.

The usual manner of opening the usual package of cigarettes leaves an open hole at the top of the package. Through this hole there are discharged objectionable shreds of tobacco and the like into the pocket or pocketbook of. the user. Further, extraneous matter frequently enters the package through the hole and soils or damages the remaining cigarettes in the package. Furthermore, with the customary opening only on the top of the cigarette package, it is diflicultto remove the first few cigarettes from the package without tearing or otherwise damaging either those cigarettes or the cigarettes remaining in the package. Furthermore, the usual type of package is not sufficiently rigid to keep cigarettes therein from being crushed or bent, particularly when the package is partially empty.

Various devices have heretofore been proposed which attempt to provide a lid or cover for the usual type of cigarette package, which lid or cover can be closed after one or more cigarettes have been withdrawn, and which lid or cover, in addition, protects the non-rigid cigarette package from deformation. Most of these devices, however, have constituted extraneous appliances for use with the usual type of cigarette package.

' Thus, with each additional fresh package of cigarettes, the appliance has to be fitted, which is objectionable to the user. Furthermore, these appliances are relatively expensive, which limits the extent of their use. Furthermore, such appliances undesirably increase the bulk and weight of a package of cigarettes. Furthermore, such appliances are likely to damage thepackage of cigarettes when they are being applied to the package, unl'essthe user has acquired an unusual proficiency in such application.

The present invention proceedson an entirely different principle than that of the extraneous appliances. In the present invention, the closure means for the opening at the end of. the usual package of cigarettes is made integral with the P ckage, forming a captive part of the same when it is sold in trade; Further, the present invention provides, as a part more or less integral with said closure means, means which increase the rigidity of the cigarette package to the point that it no-longer can readily be bent or broken, thus preserving the cigarettes in their original shape. the several embodiments of the invention which are to be described-in greater detail hereinafter.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1, there is illustrated a package of cigarettes embodying the present invention. The package is of the size and shape of. the usual package of cigarettes; in fact, there is substantially no difference in appearance between the package illustrated in Fig. 1 and the usual package of cigarettes, except as pointed out hereinafter.

The package as illustrated in Fig. 1 is in condition for sale. It includes an outer Cellophane or like transparent moisture-proof covering wrapper indicated by numeral I, an inner usually relatively light paper wrapper 2, which carries the printed descriptions, etc., and which will hereinafter be referred to as the label wrapper, and the customary internal revenue stamp 3. The label wrapper 2 carries a diagonal line of perforations 50, for purposes to be explained hereinafter, nearone of the top corners of the package. per I at the top of the package, in such regions Visible through the Cellophane wrap- These basic principles run throughout as are not covered by the stamp 3, is a combined closure and reinforcing wrapping or container element indicated by numeral 4 (Fig. 2). This combined closure and reinforcing element forms one of the principal features of the present invention and will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

In the package illustrated in Fig. l, the paperbacked metal foil heretofore used in the usual type of, cigarette package has been dispensed with, because its function of making the package relatively rigid is taken over by the element 4, while the Cellophane wrapper I andlabel wrapper 2 provide suitable moisture-proof characteristics for the package. It has been found that the paper-backed foil layer may readily be dispensed with in packages embodying certainforms of the present invention. However, for additional rigidity, and additional moisture-proofness, it may sometimesbe'advisable to use the customary layer of paper-backedfoil, as will be pointed out in greater detail hereinafter.

Fig. 2 indicates the package'of Fig. 1 in opened condition, ready for the withdrawal of a cigarette. In the course of opening the package, the Cellophane wrapper I has been removed, and the label wrapper 2 is now outermost. The corner of the label wrapper has been torn off along perforation line 50. Numeral 6 indicates a closure device, which comprises part of the element 4. The closure 6, which is captive within the package, may be opened to permit the with-.

drawal of cigarettes and closed to retain the cigarettes within the package, and shut th package. t

The element 4, together with the stamp 3, and the Cellophane wrapper I, form the closure means for the top of thesaleable package. The bottom of the package is usually closed by foldedover portions of the label wrapper 2, indicated by numeral 1 in Fig. 3. These portions 1 are pasted or glued together, to form a. permanent bottom closure for the package, which aids in retaining the desired moisture within the opened cigarette package. 7

Fig. 4 is a development of the element 4 as used in the present invention. The element 4 is preferably made of a. light-weight stifi stock, although numerous materials may be used within throughout the drawings to indicate fold lines,

particularly in the development views. Such fold lines, prior to their firstbending, usually comprise score lines impressed into the stiff stock. The regions include front and back rectangular portions indicated by numerals 8, narrower side rectangular portions indicated by numerals 9, and a tab 10 which is adapted to be pasted or otherwise secured to the free edge of the opposite front or back portion 8,- in order to make a rectangular box-like object.

The side portion 9 intermediate the portions 8 has a fold line 5| a short distance below its top. Cuts 52 relieve the top portion 53 of the side 9 from the portions 8, permitting it to hinge on the fold line 5|. To the upper edge of the portion 53 there is hinged, by a fold line 54, a cover. 55, the forward edge 56 of which is desirably curved. Wings l6 are hinged by means of fold lines l5 to the sides of the top portion 55. The wings l6 are of sector-shape, somewhat bulged from true circularity. Pasting tabs 51 are hinged by fold lines 58 to the opposite edges of the wings IS. The tabs 51 are relieved, in effect, from the upper edges of the sections 8, providing notches 59 in such sections 8. From the portion 53, along the fold lines 54, a tab 60 is relieved or cut. To the upper edge of the other side portion 9 there is optionally hinged a relatively short rectangular top portion 6|, although this portion 6| may be omitted if desired, particularly if a metal foilbacked label wrapper is used.

In assembling this embodiment, the wings l5 are bent downwardly along the folds l5, and the pasting tabs 51 are bent backwardly along the folds 58. The top is then bent downwardly on the fold lines 54, bringing the tabs 51 into juxtaposition with the edges of the upper side section 53, where they are pasted (see Fig. 2). The tab is at this time retained with the top 55, although it is later relieved therefrom. The box is then formed by suitable folding of the sections 8 and! and pasting of the tab ill to the free edge of section 8. The top portion BI is then bent downwardly to cover the remainder of the top ofthe box not covered by the portion 55. In final assembly, the curved edge 55 of the portion 55 is desirably positioned above, or outside of the juxtaposed edge of the top portion 6|.

This constitutes the assembled stiif stock portion of the package.

Following as closely as possible to the usual routine of packaging cigarettes, as practiced in 'most localities, the labeLwrapper'Z is next applied around the stiff stock box, leaving the bottom edges: of the label wrapper open. The package is then passed under a suitable delivery device, which inserts the bundle of cigarettes into the package through the open bottom. It

. willbe noted that there is no bottom to the stiflf stock element, and it therefore offers no obstruction to this manner of packaging cigarettes.

After the cigarettes are in the package, the boteither the entire Cellophane wrapper l or a simitom edges I of the label wrapper 2 are folded into position and glued, thereby closing the package. The label wrapper'Z, it will be understood, is positioned outside the wings l6 of the stiff box element.

Next, the internal revenue stamp is pasted across the top of the package. In this embodiment, the internal revenue stamp 3 is preferably pasted on the end of the package, retaining the top portion 6| in position and leaving the entire top portion 55 free. The unbroken perforation line 50 of paper-backed foillwrapper, if one be used, or the Cellophane wrapper, or both,'are relied upon for holding the closure 6, comprising the top portion 55, in closed position.

The finished package, as has been indicated, is

illustrated in Fig. 1. To open this package, the

corner portion of the label wrapper 2 above the perforation line 50 is torn off, together with lar comer portion of the Cellophane wrapper l. A fingernail is then inserted to relieve the tab 60. Thereafter, the closure portion 6 is opened along the fold line 5|, to the position indicated in Fig. 2, when cigarettes may be removed. In this embodiment, it will be seen, the closure portion is opened in such a manner'that the fingers of the user may grasp the side as well as the end of a cigarette for withdrawal. The wings I5 slide between the front 8 or back 8, respectively, and the remaining label wrapper .2. The shape of the wings I6 is such that a substantially complete opening of the closure 6 may be accomplished without removing said wings 16 from between the front or back 8 and the wrapper 2. This embodiment may. readily be operated by a single hand of the user.

The stiff stock 4 in the package provides the package with greater rigidity than is encountered paper-backed foil wrapping, and it has been found that such stiff stock may be prepared in the manner described at a cost usually somewhat less than the cost of the paper-backed foil wrapping. V

The closure, it will be noted, is captive within the cigarette package, and is not likely to come loose therefrom. Nor need it be applied specifically to every package of cigarettes when the user purchases cigarettes, for one of such closures is provided in every package of cigarettes as a part of the package.

If it is desired to use paper-backed foil in addition to the stiff stock element, the label wrapper, and the Cellophanewrapper, it may be done, preferably by wrapping a paper-backed foil wrapper, indicated by numeral 20 in Fig. 6, on the stiff stock 4 before the application of the label wrapper 2. This is usually, and most preferably done by folding the ends of the paper-backed foil over the top of. the package before the appli cation of the Internal Revenue stamp 3, as is in the usual type of package provided with a 40 .matically the plies that would thus be present in 5 the finished package.

The package heretofore described is eminently satisfactory in use, and constitutes one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention.

However certain additional embodiments, to be described, ofier points of superiority in certain respects.

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate another embodiment of the invention, which employs the same general principles, but varies in some particulars, 7;

'form or shape of the wings l6, which are now somewhat elongated crosswise of the blank, and

have upwardly extending nose portions or pro trusions 65 at their ends. The top edges of the wings I6, referring to Fig. 8, are recessed or notched, as indicated at numeral 66, for reasons to be made apparent hereinafter.

Another distinction of this embodiment over the previous embodiment is that the notches 59 in section 8 are made considerably deeper, relative to the Fig. 4 embodiment. Still another difference is that the tab 60 is omitted, in order to show that this tab is an optional feature for all embodiments ofthe invention. Still another difference is that the rectangular top portion 6| is provided with lateral pasting tabs 61 on each side thereof.

In other respects, the stiff stock element of Fig. 8 is substantiallythe same as that of Fig. 4.

The stiff stock element of Fig. 8 is assembled in the same manner as the analogous element of Fig. 4. However, the top portion 6i may now be securely fastened to the front and back portions 8 by pasting the tabs 61 tothe top edges of said front and back portions 8.

The completed'package of this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 7 in opened position, ready for use, is inmost respects similar to the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2. However, in one important particular, it differs therefrom. When the closure portion 5 is opened, it will be seen that the noses 55 at the ends of the wings I 6 are brought to bear against the underside of the top portions 6|, thus limiting the opening movement of the closure space Further, by reason of the provision of notches 66, the tops of the cigarettes in the package are exposed-to'a much greater extent, facilitating the grasping thereof by a user. This feature is particularly important when afresh package of cigarettes is opened, because, as is well known, the tight packing of the cigarettes in a full package makes it dimcult, frequently, to remove the first few cigarettes from the package.

Fig. 7 further differs'from Fig. 2 in that the revenue stamp 3 is shown in its customary position in the center of the top of the package.

The revenue stamp 3 is so shown in this embodiment in order to indicate that its location at the end, as is Fig. 2, isan entirely optional feature. The line of perforations 50 (see Fig. 1) may be extended through the revenue stamp I,

.if desired, in order to facilitate tearing a portion of it away in opening the package.

Figures 9 through 13 illustrate another embodiment of the invention which offers several points of superiority. over the previous embodiment. Again, the difierences of this embodiment may best be' explained by references to the development of the stiff stock element 4, as shown in Fig. 11. Referring to Fig. 11, it will be seen that the element 4 comprises the customary front and back portion 8, separated by a side por- :tion 9A. In this embodiment, additional side portions 93 and 9C are preferably provided at both sides of the respective front and back portions 8, for reinforcing purposes to be described, although one or both of these portions 93 and 90 may be omitted for purposes of economy, but

by cuts 59. The cuts 69 have remote portions 10,

which are preferably shaped as circular arcs about centers represented respectively by the points of intersection of fold lines 5| and 68. Near these said points' of intersection, the cuts 69 are preferably briefly interrupted, as indicated at numeral H, in order to form easily tearable connections which normally hold the wings It to the front and back portions 8. The pur-' pose of these tearable portions II will be made gapparent hereinafter.

The remote edges of the wings l6, indicated by numeral 12, are shaped with relatively deep notches facing outwardly, and the ends 13 ofthe wings l6 as thus formed are blunt. To the 'top (Fig. 11) edges of wings l6, and the panel 53 therebetween, are-hinged by fold lines 14 and 15, respectively, three independent top-flaps l6 and 'l'l, respectively, the flaps I6 being on the wings l6, while the flap 11 is on the panel 53. Cuts 18 relieve the top flaps I6 and 11 from each other.

Numerals'lS indicate a pair of top cover panels of substantially identical shape, but oppositely facing, that are secured to front and back panels 8 by fold lines 80. These top panels 19 extend 'toward each other beyond the cuts 69, almost to the points of juncture with the top flaps 16.

The blank as shown in Fig. 11 is assembled into a box-like stiff stock element ready for filling, as shown in Fig. 12. Here it will be seen that the side panel 9B has been pasted, over its entire area, to the side panel 90, while the two top panels I! have similarlybeen pasted together. Likewise, both of the top flaps 16 have been pasted together, and to the under side of top flap 11. The box-like structure as thus provided is closed on.all sides, except for the bottom, which is open. The closure 6 is not freed from the remainder of the elements, for hinging on line 5|, untillater, the tearable portion H being left intact for the time being.

Through use of the large pasting areas, represented byside panels 913 and 90, top panels 19, and top flafps l6 and' TI, assembly of this stiif stockelement is much easier, because'the larger areas can be pasted with greater facility in 'an' automatically acting mandrel machine of the type that is customary in this art. Further, be-

cause of the reinforcing'eifect achieved by the larger pasted areas, the structure is more rugged, and hence a lighter stiff stock may be used-satis' factorily. Furthermore, the stiff stock element. wastesless' materialin the cutting thereof than in the case of the prior embodiments, because, while its area is somewhat greater, there is more effective utilization of material for the top and wing portions.

In the course of packaging,-the tearable portions H are quite important. They hold the wings in the planes of the front and back, and holdthe closure shut. during the packaging process. This is important since, in automatic packaging operations, these stiff stock elements are pushed on mandrels in the packaging machine at a rate up to about thirty-six every minute, and therefore loose and flapping wings are diflicult to handle. It is to be noted, however, that the tearable portions H are placed quite close to the hinge line 5| of the closure. When so placed, they can easily be torn subsequently by the user-when the closure is first opened, since the mechanical advantage, represented by the ratio of the length of fold line 68 to the length of the cut 69 above the tearable region H, is relatively large.

Although the present embodiment may be packaged as in the case of the first two embodiments, using foil-back paper and with the revenue stamp closing the top of the package, it is preferable, withthe present embodiment, to omit the paper-backed foil and arrange the package as illustrated in Figures 9, and 13.

Actually, the paper-backed foil performs no useful function in the-opened package other than to add a small amount of stiffness. of cellophane, or other moisture-proof outer covers for cigarette packages, the tinfoil layer in the unopened package helped to some degree to maintain the moisture content of the enclosed cigarettes. Now the cellophane wrapper performs this function of preserving moisture content, the remaining stifiness function of the paper-backed foil can be taken over entirely by the semi-rigid stiff stock elements of the present invention. The omission of the paper-backed foil from the package, in general, saves enough in the cost of the package to pay for the stiff stock v elements of the present. invention.

With the present embodiment, the paper labelwrapper 2 is made with an additional portion similar .to the present bottom portionthereof,

which additional portion may be out, folded and sealed, to close the top as well as the bottom of the package. close thetop of the package, paste is applied only .to the portions indicated by numeral 8| in Fig. 9,

the portion 82 of the top flap on the other side of the line of perforation 50 being left unpasted;

This facilitates tearing away of the corner of the a package in order to get at the closure 6 for openingthe package. The seam line of the label wrapper indicated in Figures 9, 10, and 13 by numeral 83, preferably lies away from the .perforation line 50, so that the perforations will not have to go through two layers of paper. A short slit 84 at the beginning of the perforation line 50 in the top flap of the label wrapper 2 facilitates starting the tearing.

In this embodiment, the revenue stamp 3 is preferably afiixed across the bottom of the package, as shown in Figures 9, 10 and 13, or it may be aifixed to theback side of the package. It should be pro-cancelled in any event, as it is not torn in the ordinary manner of opening the package.

With the package as thus described, a person not desiring to use the closure element may merely tear away the wrapper on one side at the bottom of the package, thus disclosing the cigarettes as in the usual package.

The Cellophane wrapper for this embodiment may be placed so that .the opening flaps areover the bottom, as shown in Figures 9 and 13, so that those who for some reason wish to keep the Cellophane on the package while using it may leave it on and open the bottom, as indicated in the paragraph immediately preceding.

In view '0f the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

Prior to the use" When the top flap is pasted to As many changes couldbe made in carrying out the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in' the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted -as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. i

I claim: l

1. In a package of cigarettes, a combined boxlike reinforcing and closure element made from stiif stock, said element comprising a front, a back and an intermediate side portion hinged together, said side portion having an upper section relieved from the front and back portions and hingedly disposed with respect to the -remainder of said side portion, the upper section of the aforesaid side portion having a top portion secured to the upper edge thereof, and at least one wing portion secured to the lateral edges of said upper section and the lateral edges of said top portion to hold the said upper section and top portion in rigid angular relation to form said closure. 1

2. In a package of cigarettes, a combined box like reinforcing and closure element made from stiff stock, said element comprising a front, a

gether, said side portion having an upper section relieved from the front and back portions and hingedly disposed with respect to the remainder of said side portion, the upper section ofthe aforesaid side portion having a top portion secured to the upper edge thereof, and wing portions secured to the lateral edges of said upper section and the lateral edges of said top portion to hold the said upper section and top portion in rigid angular relation to form said closure, said wing portions being hingedly attached to the side of said upper section by fold lines.

.3. In a package of cigarettes, a combined boxlike reinforcing and closure element made from stiffstock, said element comprising a front, a back and an intermediate side portion hinged together, said side pOrtion having an -upper .section relieved from the front and back portions and hingedly disposed with respect to the remainder of said side portion, the upper section of the aforesaid side portion having a top portion secured to the upper edge thereof, and wing portions secured to the lateral edges of said upper section and the lateral edges of said top portion to hold the said upper section and top portion in rigid angular relation to form said closure, and. a pull tab-secured to said top portion and relieved from the said upper section.

4. In a package of cigarettes, a combined boxlike reinforcing and closure element made from stiff-stock, said element comprising a front, a

section and the lateral edges of said top portion to hold the said upper section and top portion in rigid angular relation to form said closure, the said wing portions being relieved by cuts from the said front and back portions.

5. In a package of cigarettes, a combinedboxlike reinforcing and closure element made from stifi stock, said element comprising a front, a

back and an intermediate side portion hinged together, said side portion having an uppersection relieved from the front and back portions.

- cuts, however, being interrupted to form tearable .upper section and the lateral portions originally holding said wings in assembly with said front and back portions.

6. In a package-of cigarettes, a combined boxlike reinforcing and closure element made from stiff stock, said element comprising afront, a back and an intermediate side portion hinged together, said side portion having an upper section relieved from the front and back portions and hingedly disposed with respect to the remainder of saidside portion,'the upper section of the aforesaid side portion having a top portion secured to the upper edge thereof, and wing portions secured to the lateral edges of said edges of said top portion to hold the said upper section and top portionin rigid angular relation to form said closure, said wing portions being hingedly attached to the sides of said top portions by fold lines.

7. In a package of cigarettes, acombined boxlikereinforcing and closure element made from stiff stock, said element comprising a front, a back and an intermediate side portion hinged toether, said side portion having an upper section relieved from the front and back portions and hingedly disposed with respect to the remainder of said side portion, the upper section of the aforesaid side portion having a top portion secured to the upper edge thereof, and wingportions secured to the lateral edges of said upper section and the lateral edges of said top portion to hold the said upper section and top portion in rigid angular relation to form said closure, the said wing portions having extensions adapted,

upon opening of the closure, to abut the top of the package of the cigarettes to limit the movement of said closure.

8. In a package of cigarettes, a combined boxlike reinforcing and closure element made from stiff stock, said element comprising a front, 2.

opening back and at least two side portions hinged together, one of said side portions being intermediate said front and back portions and having an upper section relieved from the front and back portions and hingedly disposed with respect to the remainder of said intermediate side portion, the upper section of the aforesaid intermediate side portion having a top portion secured to the upper edge thereof, and wing portions securedto' the lateral edges of said upper section and the lateral edges of said top portion to .hold the said upper section and top portion in rigid angular relation to form said closure, one portion of the roup of three portions, the remaining side portion and the front and back portions, having a,

secured along its top edgeby a fold top portion line. 9. In a package of cigarettes, a combined boxlike reinforcing and closure element made from stiff stock, said element comprising a front, a

- back and at least two side portions hinged together, one of said side portions being intermediate said front and back portions and having an upper section relieved from the front and back portions and hingedly disposed with respect to the remainder of said intermediate side portion, theupper section of. the aforesaid intermediate side portion having a top portion secured to the ,upper edge thereof, and wing portions secured to the lateral edges of said upper section and the lateral edges of said top portion to hold the said upper section and top portion in rigid angular relation to form said closure, one portion of the group of three portions, the remaining side portion and the front and back portions, having a top portion-secured along its top edge by a fold line, said last-named top portion cooperating with the first-named top portion completely to cover the top of the package.

10. In a package of cigarettes, a combined boxlike reinforcing and closure element made from stiff stock, said element comprising a front, a back and an intermediate side portion hinged together, said side portion having an upper section relieved from the front and back portions and hingedly disposed with respect to the remainder of said side portion, the upper section of the aforesaid side portion having a top portion secured to theupper edge thereof, and wing portions secured to the lateral edges of said upper section and the lateral edges of said topportion to hold the said upper section and top portion in rigid angular relation to form said closure, the said wing portions being prbvided with notches therein, which notches, when the closure of the package is open, provide room for grasping cigarettes within the package for the purpose of withdrawing such cigarettes from the package.

11. In a package of cigarettes, a combined boxlike reinforcing and closure element made from stiil' stock, said element in its developed position comprising a front, a back, andan intermediate side portion hinged together, said side portion having an upper section relieved from the front and back portions and hingedly disposed with respect'to the remainder of said side portion, the"upper section of the aforesaid side portion having a top portion secured to the upper edge thereof, and wing portions secured to the lateral edges of said upper section and, in the assembled stiff stock, said element in its developed position comprising a front, a back, and an intermediate side-portion liinged together, said side portion having an upper section relievedfrom the front and back portions and hingedly disposed with re-. spect to the remainder of said side portion, the

upper section' of the aforesaid side portion having a top portion secured to the upper edge thereof, and wing portions secured to the lateraredges of said upper section and, in the assembled closure, to the lateral edges of said top portion to hold the saidupper section and top portion .in rigid angular relation to form said closure, said wings, in the assembled package,'being parallel respectively to said front and back portions and being concealed within the package.

13. In a package of cigarettes, a combined boxlike reinforcing and closure element made from stiff stock, said element in its developed position comprising, a front, a back, and an intermediate side portion hinged together, said side portion having an upper section relieved from the front and back portions andhingedly disposed with respect to the remainder of said side portion,

the upper section of the aforesaid side portion having a top portion secured to the upper edge thereof, and wing portions secured to the lateral edges of said upper section and, in the assembled closure, to the lateral edges of said top portion to hold the said upper section and top portion in rigid angular relation to form said closure, said wings, in the assembled package, being parallel respectively to said front and back portions and being concealed within the package, at least a portion of said wings remaining concealed even when the package is normally opened.

14. In a package of cigarettes, a combined boxlike reinforcing and closure element made from stifi stock, said element in its developed position comprising a front, a back, and an intermediate side portion hinged together, said side portion 7 having an upper section relieved from the front and back portions and hingedly disposed with respect to the remainder of said side portion, the upper section of the aforesaid side portion having a top portion secured to the upper edge thereof, and wing portions secured to the lateral edges of said upper section and, in the assembled closure, to the lateral edges of said top portion to hold the said upper section and top portion in rigid angular relation to form said closure, said topportion, in the completed package, covering'only a part of the top of the package at one extremity of said top.

15. In a package of cigarettes, a-combined boxlike reinforcing and closure element made from stifl stock, said element in its developed,

to the lateral edges of said upper section and, in the assembled closure, to the lateral edges of said top portion to hold the said upper section and top portion in rigid angular relation to form said closure, said top portion, in the completed said layers constituting stiff cardboard adapted to reinforce the rigidity of the package, said stiflf layer including a top for the package, closure means integral with said stifi layer and captive within the package adapted to open and close an opening in the package to permit the withdrawal of cigarettes therefrom, said closure means comprising a portion of said top, and at least one wing foldably attached to said portion of said top, at least one other'of said layers being positioned, in the completed package, outside'said stiif layer including said closure means, whereby at least a portion of said outer layer must be destroyed before access to said closure means may be gained.

17. A package of cigarettes as set forth in claim 16, in which the, closure means opens a portion of the top of the package and an adjacent portion of the side of the package.

18. In a package of cigarettes, a combined reinforcing and closure element made from stiff stock, said element in its developed position comprising front, back, and two side portions hinged together along fold lines, one of said side portions having an upper section relieved from the front and back portions and foldably disposed with respect to the remainder of said side portion, the upper section of the aforesaid side portion having a top portion hingedly attached thereto by a fold line, and at least one wing portion hingedly attached to the sides of said top portion by fold lines, and the other side portion having a top portion hinged along its top edge by a fold line.

CARROLL L. WILSON.

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