WO2008040958A1

WO2008040958A1 - Pack for tobacco

Info

Publication number: WO2008040958A1
Application number: PCT/GB2007/003732
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bruce Hannant
Original assignee: British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited
Priority date: 2006-10-03
Filing date: 2007-10-02
Publication date: 2008-04-10
Also published as: EP2094573B1; AR063117A1; GB0619531D0; ES2355084T3; AU2007304045A1; DE602007011107D1; EP2094573A1; CA2664340A1; NZ575797A; AU2007304045B2; ATE490923T1

Abstract

A pack for tobacco comprises a parallelepiped tobacco receptacle with height and width greater than its depth, with a hinge line running along a width edge of the receptacle and an aperture in one face of the receptacle that has an edge defined by the hinge line, and a tray portion comprising at least a main face having a width substantially equal to the width of the receptacle and a height, the tray portion connected to the receptacle at the hinge line, and the tray portion being rotatable about the hinge line between a closed position in which the tray portion covers the aperture and the main face overlays a front face of the receptacle, and an open position in which tobacco can be dispensed through the aperture.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

PACK FOR TOBACCO

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a pack for tobacco, particularly for loose tobacco.

Tobacco can be supplied to the consumer as loose tobacco, either for making hand-rolled cigarettes, or as pipe tobacco. Traditionally, loose tobacco of this type is packaged in pouches, comprising a bag portion for containing the tobacco and a flap portion extending from the top of the bag which can be folded over the opening of the bag and sometimes wrapped around the bag before being stuck down to close the pouch. The pouch is typically made from paper or thin cardboard laminated or otherwise covered with a layer of transparent plastics material through which printed labelling on the paper or card can be seen, or from plastics material alone upon which printing can be executed.

Traditional pouches of this type are soft and lacking in rigidity, and can therefore be awkward to pack into boxes in quantity for shipping. For the same reasons, they are difficult for vending machines to handle, and for a retailer to stack onto a shelf. Also, they can be awkward to manipulate while rolling a cigarette.

The present invention seeks to address some of these issues.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly_* a first aspect of the present invention is directed to a pack for tobacco, comprising: a parallelepiped receptacle for receiving tobacco, the receptacle having height, width and depth, the height and the width being greater than the depth, the receptacle having: a hinge line running along a width edge of the receptacle; and an aperture in one face of the receptacle, the aperture having an edge defined by the hinge line; and a tray portion comprising at least a main face having a width substantially equal to the width of the receptacle and a height, at least two-thirds the height of the receptacle, the tray portion being connected to the receptacle by the hinge line, and the tray portion being rotatable about the hinge line between a closed position in which the tray portion covers the aperture and the main face overlays a front face of the receptacle which has the height and width of the receptacle, and an open position in which tobacco can be dispensed through the aperture. The tray portion may have a height that is at least half the height of the receptacle.

This provides a tobacco pack which is robust and rigid or partially rigid and of a shape which can conveniently be handled by packing and vending machines, and which moreover incorporates a tray which can be used for rolling cigarettes and for receiving tobacco that is removed from the pack in such a way that it can be readily returned to the pack with little or no spillage. Tobacco wastage is thereby reduced.

The tray portion may further comprise two tray portion side faces each having a height substantially equal to the height of the main face and a depth not greater than the depth of the receptacle, and joined to the main face such that when the tray portion is in the closed position, the side faces overlay side faces of the receptacle which have the height and depth of the receptacle. These side faces help to confine tobacco to the tray portion, further reducing spillage, and can also be used to provide an interference fit to hold the tray portion in its closed position against the receptacle, the side faces of the tray portion gripping the side faces of the receptacle. The aperture may be in the front face of the receptacle, or alternatively, the aperture may be in a bottom face of the receptacle, the bottom face having the width and depth of the receptacle, and the tray portion further comprising a tray portion bottom face having a width and depth substantially equal to the width and depth of the receptacle and which is connected to the hinge line and joined to the main face such that when the tray portion is in the closed position the tray portion bottom face overlays the bottom face of the receptacle.

The height of the receptacle may be greater than the width of the receptacle. This allows the pack to replicate the appearance of a conventional cigarette pack. Also, rectangular packs sized to match the size of conventional cigarette packs can be handled by existing packing and vending machines, thus reducing production and marketing costs.

The pack may further comprise a partition wall disposed inside the receptacle, the partition wall dividing the interior of the receptacle into a first compartment for receiving the tobacco and from which the tobacco can be dispensed through the aperture, and a second compartment for receiving hand-rolled cigarettes. Cigarettes may be rolled in advance when the smoker is free to do so, and conveniently stored together with the tobacco for use at a later time.

The partition wall may be disposed parallel to the front face of the receptacle. The pack may further comprise a lid portion connected to the receptacle by a second hinge line, the lid portion including a top face of the receptacle, the top face having the width and depth of the receptacle, and the lid portion rotatable about the second hinge line between a closed position in which the top face is disposed opposite a bottom face of the receptacle, and an open position in which the interior of the second compartment can be accessed. The two compartments are thereby accessible from opposite ends of the pack, so that cigarettes in the second compartment remain safely stored when the tray portion is moved to the open position, and do no fall out when tobacco is removed from the receptacle. A-

The open position of the lid portion may not give access to the interior of the first compartment. This allows the second receptacle to be accessed while the first receptacle remains closed, thus keeping the tobacco fresh during use of the second receptacle. The lid portion may comprise a lid portion front face connected to the top face of the receptacle, the Hd portion front face overlaying the front face of the receptacle when the lid portion is in the closed position. The lid portion front face may have a height such that the height of the lid portion front face and the height of the main face of the tray portion together are substantially equal to the height of the receptacle. Alternatively, the lid portion front face may have a height such that it overlaps an upper part of the main face of the tray portion when the lid portion and the tray portion are both in their closed positions. The second hinge line may be located in a rear face of the receptacle opposite the front face, and arranged parallel to a width edge of the rear face. These features can be used to produce a pack that has the outer appearance of a conventional pack of cigarettes.

In some embodiments, the pack may further comprise a second receptacle having a depth, and a height and a width substantially equal to the height and the width of the said receptacle, the second receptacle disposed behind the first receptacle such that a rear face of the said receptacle, having the height and width of the said receptacle is common with a front face of the second receptacle, having the height and width of the said receptacle, the second receptacle for receiving hand-rolled cigarettes.

In such embodiments, the aperture may be in a bottom face of the said receptacle, the bottom face having the width and depth of the said receptacle, and the tray portion further comprising a tray portion bottom face having a width and depth substantially equal to the width and depth of the said receptacle and which is connected to the hinge line and joined to the main face such that when the tray portion is in the closed position the tray portion bottom face overlays the bottom face of the receptacle. Further, the tray portion may further comprise two tray portion side faces each having a height substantially equal to the height of the main face and a depth not greater than the depth of the said receptacle plus the depth of the second receptacle, and joined to the main face such that when the tray portion is in the closed position, the side faces overlay side faces of the said receptacle which have the height and depth of the said receptacle.

Additionally, the pack may further comprise a lid portion connected to one of the said receptacle and the second receptacle by a second hinge line, the lid portion including a top face of the second receptacle having the width and depth of the second receptacle, and the lid portion rotatable about the second hinge line between a closed position in which the top face is disposed opposite a bottom face of the second receptacle, and an open position in which the interior of the second receptacle can be accessed. The open position of the Hd portion may not give access to the interior of the said receptacle. The pack may comprise one or more lugs extending from the front face of the receptacle in the width direction, and one or more corresponding slits in the tray portion positioned such that the lugs can extend through the one or more slits when the tray portion is in the closed position, thereby retaining the tray portion in the closed position. A second aspect of the present invention is directed to a pack for tobacco comprising: a parallelepiped receptacle having a first end and a second end; a partition wall located inside the receptacle that divides the interior of the receptacle into a first compartment open at the first end of the receptacle and closed at the second end of the receptacle and a second compartment open at the second end of the receptacle and closed at the first end of the receptacle; a first hinged lid at the first end of the receptacle that is rotatable between an open position in which the interior of the first compartment can be accessed and a closed position in which the interior of the first compartment cannot be accessed; and a second hinged lid at the second end of the receptacle that is rotatable between an open position in which the interior of the second compartment can be accessed and a closed position in which the interior of the second compartment cannot be accessed. The first compartment may be for receiving tobacco and the second compartment may be for receiving hand-rolled cigarettes. The receptacle may have height, width and depth, the height and the width being greater than the depth, the receptacle having a front face, a rear face and two side faces each extending between the first end and the second end, the front face and the rear face having height and width, and the partition wall being disposed parallel to the front face and the rear face. One or both of the hinged lids may be provided with a closure arrangement to releasably hold it in its closed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect reference is now made by way of example to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figures IA and IB show perspective views of a pack according to a first embodiment, with a tray portion respectively in open and closed positions;

Figure 2 shows a partial perspective view of a pack according to a further embodiment, the tray portion in an open position; Figure 3 shows a partial perspective view of a pack according to a yet further embodiment, the tray portion in an open position;

Figure 4 shows a partial perspective view of a pack according to a still further embodiment, the tray portion in an open position;

Figure 5 shows a partial perspective view of a pack according to a still further embodiment, the tray portion in an open position;

Figures 6A and 6B respectively show a partial perspective view and a partial side view of a pack according to a yet further embodiment, the tray portion respectively in an open position and a partially open position;

Figures 7A and 7B show perspective views of a pack according to another embodiment, with a tray portion respectively in open and closed positions; and

Figures 8A and 8B show perspective views of a pack according to a further embodiment, with a reduced-size tray portion respectively in open and closed positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, terms such as top, bottom, upper, lower, front and rear are used in conjunction with all the Figures regardless of the orientation of the packs therein, and should be understood as referring to the appropriately oriented parts when a pack is in the orientation shown in Figure IA. These terms are not intended to be limiting with respect to a pack in use, which could be held in many different orientations.

Figure IA shows a first perspective view of a pack according to a first embodiment of the invention.

The pack 10 has a main receptacle 12 and a tray portion 14 hingedly attached to the receptacle 12. The receptacle 12 has a parallelepiped shape, defined by a front face 16, a rear face (not visible) opposite the front face 16, a first side face 18 and a second side face (not visible) opposite the first side face 18, the side faces extending between the front face 12 and the rear face, and finally a bottom face 20 and a top face (not visible) opposite the bottom face 20, the top and bottom faces extending between the front and rear faces and between the side faces. In this example, the receptacle 10 has a height H, a width W and a depth D. Hence the front face 16 and the rear face have the height and width of the receptacle, the side faces have the height and depth of the receptacle, and the top face and the bottom face 20 have the width and depth of the receptacle. The depth is less than the height and the width, and in this example the height is greater than the width, to give a rectangular pack. In other examples the height and width could be equal, to give a square pack, or a rectangular pack having a width greater than its height could be provided. A rectangular pack may be preferred since it can be made to substantially replicate the dimensions of a conventional cigarette pack and can therefore be accommodated in existing vending machines and packing cartons, and handled by existing packing and wrapping machines. Additionally, a rectangular pack with the dimensions of a conventional pack in which the height is greater than the width may be particularly desirable since it can then replicate not only the size of a conventional pack but also the outer appearance, which may be preferred by smokers. The example pack in Figures IA and IB has such an outer appearance. The receptacle 12 forms a volume in which tobacco can be housed. To allow tobacco to be extracted from the receptacle 12, the bottom face 20 of the receptacle 12 has an aperture 22 therein, through which tobacco 24 can be removed. The aperture has edges, one of which is in common with a width dimension edge of the bottom face 20, in this case the edge of the bottom face 20 that is shared with the rear face. In this example, the aperture extends across the full width of the bottom face, and over about two-thirds of its depth from the common edge.

The common edge has created thereon a hinge line 26, running across the width of the bottom face 20. The tray portion 14 is attached to the receptacle 12 by the hinge line 26, along the whole length of the hinge line 26. The tray portion 14 has the same width as the receptacle 12.

In this example, the tray portion 14 (which is only partially shown in Figure IA) has a main face 28 which has approximately the same width as the receptacle 12. In the height direction, the main face 28 has a dimension that is sufficient to give a tray which provides a convenient and easily accessible area for holding tobacco that has been extracted from the receptacle, and further the tray may be large enough to provide a convenient rigid or semi-rigid surface on which to roll cigarettes. Usefully, the height of the main face may be at least half of the height of the receptacle. Other heights may be chosen if desired, such as one-third, two-thirds, three-quarters, seven- eighths of the receptacle height, up to a height which matches the height of the receptacle.

Further in this example, the tray portion 14 comprises a tray portion bottom face 30. This has a height and a width substantially the same as the bottom face 20 of the receptacle 12. Further, the tray portion bottom face 30 is connected, along a width edge, to the hinge line 26 on the edge of the receptacle bottom face 20. The opposite width edge of the tray portion bottom face 30 is joined to the main face 28 at right angles. In addition, the tray portion comprises two side walls or faces 32, each having a depth substantially equal to the depth of the receptacle 12 and a height substantially equal to the height of the main face 28. These are joined to the main face 28 at right angles and also to the tray portion bottom face 30 at right angles. Together these various faces form a tray having a major flat surface provided by the main face surrounded on three sides by perpendicular walls.

By means of the hinge line 26, the tray portion 14 is rotatable with respect to the receptacle 12, so as to be movable between a closed position and an open position. In the open position, as shown in Figure IA, the tray portion is folded outwards away from the receptacle, and the aperture 22 is exposed. Tobacco 24 can be shaken or pulled out of the interior volume of the receptacle 12, into the tray portion 14, where the flat surface of the main face 28 offers a useful surface upon which to roll a cigarette.

Once a cigarette has been rolled in the tray portion 14 and access to the tobacco 24 is no longer required, the tray portion can be rotated about the hinge line 26 into its closed position, by folding it towards the receptacle 12. In the closed position, the tray portion bottom face 30 overlays the receptacle bottom face 20 so as to cover the aperture and retain the tobacco within the receptacle 12, the main face 28 overlays the front face 16 of the receptacle 12, and the side walls 32 of the tray portion 14 overlay the side faces of the receptacle 12. Thus, the receptacle 12 is partially encased by the tray portion 14. This arrangement allows the tray portion to be conveniently folded away when not in use into a position in which it occupies no more space than the receptacle while at the same time closing the pack to keep the tobacco safe and fresh. By making the corresponding faces of the receptacle 12 and tray portion 14 substantially the same dimensions, the tray portion 14 envelops the receptacle 12 with an interference fit so that the pack remains closed until a user deliberately grasps and rotates the tray portion 14 towards the open position. Furthermore, a configuration in which the tray portion 14 has side walls helps to confine the tobacco to the main face 28 to reduce spillage and waste. Also, the side walls help to close the aperture when the tray portion is in the closed position. In addition, the combination of an aperture formed with an edge in common with an edge of the receptacle and a tray portion extending from that same edge (by way of the hinge line) provides particular convenience for utilising the tobacco. The position of the aperture at an edge of the receptacle means that there is no lip or barrier to inhibit the egress of tobacco from the receptacle. Tobacco resting against the adjacent face of the receptacle, on the far side of the hinge line, can simply slide out of the receptacle under impetus, or be easily pulled out. Similarly, any excess tobacco left in the tray portion after rolling can be readily returned to the receptacle, either by tapping and tilting the pack to slide the tobacco back, or merely by closing the tray portion, whereby the tobacco is directed back through the aperture merely by the tilting and rotating movement of the tray portion. Thus, tobacco is conserved, with little or no wastage or mess.

Figure IB shows the pack 10 of Figure IA in an upright position, with the tray portion 14 in the closed position. From this Figure, a further feature of the pack 10 is apparent. The interior of the receptacle 14 is provided with a partition wall 34. This is arranged parallel to the front face 12 and the rear face, and extends substantially across the full width and height of the interior of the receptacle 12 so as to divide the interior into a first volume or compartment and a second volume or compartment. The first compartment is at the rear of the receptacle 12 and contains the tobacco 24, accessible through the aperture 22 in the bottom face of the receptacle 12 when the tray portion 14 is in the open position. The first compartment is closed at the top face of the receptacle 12.

The second compartment 35 is at the front of the receptacle 12 and is closed at the bottom face 20 of the receptacle 12, so that it cannot be accessed via the open position of the tray portion 14. Figure IA shows the bottom wall 38 of the second compartment. Instead, the second compartment 35 is open at the top face of the receptacle 12. To provide access to this second compartment 35, the pack is provided with a lid portion 40, which in this example is in the style of a flip-top hinged Hd of a conventional crush-proof cigarette pack. The Hd portion 40 comprises a lid portion rear face (not visible) formed from an upper portion of the rear face of the receptacle 12 and connected thereto by a second hinge line (not visible), a lid portion top face (not visible) that forms the top face of the receptacle 12, two Hd portion side faces 42, and a Hd portion front face 44. The various faces are joined together at right angles so that when in the closed position, as shown in Figure IA, the front face, top face and side faces of the lid portion overlay the front face, top face and side faces of the receptacle. The faces of the Hd portion are dimensioned so as to have substantially the width and depth dimensions of the receptacle, so that the lid portion 40 remains in the closed position by an interference fit. The Hd portion 40 can be rotated about the second hinge line into an open position in which access to the second compartment 35 is given, as shown in Figure IB. The second compartment 35 is intended for the storage of cigarettes 36 rolled in advance by the smoker, perhaps at a convenient time for so doing in advance of a time when the smoker knows he will want cigarettes but when rolling them may be inconvenient or unsuitable. The second compartment may also be used for the storage of cigarette papers, filters, matches, a lighter, etc. When the pack 10 is offered for sale, the second compartment may contain one or more of cigarette papers, matches, a lighter, and filters, so as to provide a convenient all-in-one kit for making hand-rolled cigarettes, including the tobacco-holding and rolling surface offered by the tray portion 14.

In the example of Figures IA and IB, the front face 44 of the lid portion 40 and the main face 28 of the tray portion 28 have dimensions in the height direction such that they have a combined height substantially the same as the height of the receptacle 12. In this way, when both portions are in the closed position, the front outer surface of the pack is substantially continuous with a single break therein where the front face 44 and the main face 28 meet, and by appropriate sizing of the two faces, the pack 10 can have the outer appearance of a conventional cigarette pack. However, other shapes and sizes of Hd portion can be used if preferred, and the lid portion need not be configured in the style of a conventional cigarette pack lid.

For example, the front face 44 of the lid portion 40 may have a dimension in the height direction such that it overlaps an upper part of the main face 28 of the tray portion 14 when the tray portion 14 is closed. In this way, the lid portion 40 when closed will hold the tray portion 14 in its closed position. The overlap may be any size, according to preference. A larger overlap will more reliably keep the tray portion 14 in the closed position, but a smaller overlap reduces the amount by which the lid portion 40 has to be opened to release the tray portion 14 and allow it to be moved to its open position. The invention is not limited to the embodiment of Figures IA and IB. A range of alternative configurations may be used to provide a tobacco pack having a fold out tray portion for receiving tobacco, rolling cigarettes and returning unused tobacco to the pack.

Figure 2 shows a perspective partial view of a pack 50 according to a second embodiment, with the tray portion in the open position. In this case, the receptacle 12 is divided by a partition wall 34 (indicated by the dotted line) into a rear first compartment containing tobacco 24 and a front second compartment for storing pre- rolled cigarettes, as in the embodiment of Figures IA and IB. The tobacco 24 is again accessible through an aperture 22 in the bottom face 20 of the receptacle, with a tray portion 14 connected along a hinge line 26 to the edge of the bottom face 20 that is in common with the edge of the aperture 22. In this example, however, the tray portion 14 comprises only a main face 28 and a tray portion bottom face 30 disposed between the main face 28 and the hinge line 26. The tray portion 14 has no side walls. When in the closed position, the main face 28 overlays the front face 16 of the receptacle, and the tray portion bottom face 30 overlays the receptacle bottom face 20 and covers the aperture 22. This configuration offers Ά tray portion 14 with the same functionality as the embodiment of Figures IA and IB₅ but which uses less material. The absence of side walls on the tray portion 14 does not permit an interference fit to be used to keep the tray portion in the closed position, but alternative closure arrangements may be used, such as a tab on the end of the main portion that tucks under the lid portion of the pack or into a slot formed in the front face of receptacle, or a re-sealable adhesive tab. Packs according to the invention need not include the partition wall, so that the whole volume of the receptacle 12 can be filled with tobacco. In such cases, there is no need for a lid portion, since the purpose of the lid portion is to give access to the second compartment defined by the partition wall. In packs lacking a partition wall and associated second compartment, the aperture in the bottom face of the receptacle may have the form as shown in Figure IA, in which the aperture occupies only a part of the bottom face. Alternatively, the aperture may occupy the whole of the bottom face.

Figure 3 shows a perspective partial view of a pack 60 without a partition wall in which the aperture 22 occupies the whole area of the bottom face 20. This larger aperture gives improved access to the tobacco 24 compared to the aperture of Figure IA. In this example, the tray portion 14, attached by the hinge line 26 to the edge of the aperture 22 and the edge of the lower face 20, has the same configuration as the tray portion 14 of Figures IA and IB, having a main face 28 bounded by two side walls 32 and a tray portion bottom wall 30. The aperture may occupy positions other than on the bottom face of the receptacle. For example, the aperture may be located at a lower part of the front face of the receptacle. Figure 4 shows a perspective partial view of an embodiment having an aperture in the front face. The pack 70 has an aperture 22 situated on the front face 16 of the receptacle 12 such that a lower edge of the aperture 22 is aligned with the lower edge of the front face 16, this edge therefore being the location of the hinge line 26. A very simple tray portion 14 can thus be provided, comprising only a main face 28. Connection of the tray portion 14 to the front edge of the bottom face of the receptacle (being the same at the lower edge of the front face) removes the need for a tray portion bottom face. The tray portion 14 is rotatable about the hinge line 26 between closed and open positions as before, wherein in the closed position the main face 28 overlays the front face 16 of the receptacle, and covers the aperture 22. In this example, no partition wall or lid portion is included, but may be if desired. If so, the rear compartment will be for storing rolled cigarettes, and the front compartment, accessible through the aperture 22 in the front face 16, will contain tobacco.

Pack configurations in which the aperture is in the front face of the receptacle may be preferred in circumstances in which a large aperture is desirable. An aperture in the bottom face is limited to a maximum size of the full area of the bottom face, but an aperture in the front face can be larger if it extends up the front face by an amount greater than the receptacle depth.

Figure 5 shows a perspective partial view of a further embodiment having an aperture in the front face. The pack 80 includes the features of the pack 70 of Figure 4, so that the aperture 22 is adjacent to the lower edge of the front face 16, this edge also being the location of the hinge line 26. In addition, the tray portion 14 includes side walls 32, similar to the side walls 32 shown in Figure IA. As -before, ihese side walls 32 help to confine dispensed tobacco to the tray portion 14 to reduce spillage, and overlay the side faces of the receptacle 12 when the tray portion 14 is in the closed position. If the side walls 32 and the main face 28 can be made sufficiently rigid in combination, an interference fit can be used to keep the tray portion in the closed position, with the side walls 32 of the tray portion 14 gripping the receptacle side faces 18. Alternatively, closure can be achieved using methods such as those described with respect to the embodiment of Figure 2. This example includes a partition wall 34 to provide a rear second compartment for storage of rolled cigarettes. The pack should preferably therefore also include a lid portion at the top end by which the second compartment can be accessed.

As an alternative to a partition wall to provide two compartments within the receptacle, a second compartment for cigarette storage can be provided by creating a second receptacle adjacent to the second receptacle. This is useful if it is desired that the second compartment or receptacle be at the rear of the pack but that the aperture is to be in the bottom face of the first receptacle. If such an arrangement is used with the tray portion configuration of Figure IA, it is awkward to return tobacco to the receptacle from the tray portion because the tobacco, after leaving the tray portion bottom face 30, has to traverse the bottom wall 38 of the second compartment 35 to reach the aperture 22. Instead, it is proposed that a configuration be used with a second receptacle disposed behind the first receptacle, where the first receptacle does not have a partition wall, and the aperture is in the bottom face of the first receptacle.

Figure 6A shows a perspective partial view of such a pack 90. As in Figures IA, 2 and 3, the tray portion 14 is hinged to the first receptacle 12 at a hinge line 26 that runs along the rear edge of the aperture 22/bottom face 20 of the receptacle 12, so that the tray portion 14 comprises a tray portion bottom face 30 to cover the aperture 22. Extending rearwardly from the rear face of the first receptacle 12 is a second receptacle 46, having the same height and width as the first receptacle 12, the rear wall of the first receptacle 12 and the front wall of the second receptacle 46 being a common, shared wall (although this does not preclude the second receptacle 46 being manufactured separately and then joined to the first receptacle 12 so that the shared wall has two layers, being the original rear wall of the first receptacle 12 and the original front wall of the second receptacle 46). The second receptacle 46 therefore extends behind the hinge line 26, and when the tray portion 14 is in the open position depicted in Figure 6A, the tray portion bottom wall 30 overlays the bottom wall 48 of the second receptacle 46.

In this example, the tray portion 14 has side walls 32 similar to the side walls 32 of Figure IA, and connected at right angles to the main face 14 and the tray portion bottom face 30. The side walls 32 have a depth substantially equal to the depth of the first receptacle 12 plus the depth of the second receptacle 46. This has several advantages over a depth that is only the same as that of the first receptacle 12. Firstly, an improved interference fit is provided when the tray portion is in the closed position, since the side walls have a larger surface area to provide the required friction. Also, when closed, the side walls of the pack 90 have a smooth, continuous appearance. Additionally, as can be seen in Figure 6A, when the tray portion 14 is in the open position, the side walls 32 of the tray portion 14 extend along the side edges of the aperture 22. This partially encloses the aperture 22, reducing spillage while the pack 90 is open. However, tray portion side walls of a lesser depth may be used if preferred.

Figure 6B shows a partial side view of the pack 90 of Figure 6B. The tray portion 14 is in a position intermediate between the open and closed positions. This illustration shows how the hinge line 26 is located at the interface between the first receptacle 12 and the second receptacle 46. A pack according to the embodiment of Figures 6A and 6B preferably includes a lid portion to reversibly close the second receptacle at an upper end of the pack. The lid may be limited to the volume of the second receptacle, or it may encompass the depth of the first receptacle as well, having a top face that extends over the top of both receptacles. In this way, a pack having the outward appearance of a conventional cigarette pack may be provided, similar to the embodiment of Figures IA and IB.

Figures 7A and 7B show perspective views of a pack 100 according to a further embodiment, featuring an example closure arrangement for holding the tray portion 14 in its closed position. Figure 7A shows a pair of lugs 102; these are small protrusions that extend from the sides of the front face 16 of the receptacle 12 outwardly in the width direction. The tray portion 14 is provided with a corresponding pair of slits 104, located along the side edges of the main face 28 of the tray portion 14, where the main face 28 joins the side walls 32. The slits 104 and the lugs 102 are positioned at the same height above the bottom face 20 of the pack 100, and the slits are shaped and sized such that the lugs 102 can be received in the slits 104. The lugs are resilient. As the tray portion 14 is moved to its closed position, the lugs flex inwards and slide over the inner surface of the side walls 32 of the tray portion 14. When the tray portion 14 reaches its closed position, the lugs 102 engage with the slots 104 and flex outwardly so as to extend through the slots 104, thus holding the tray portion 14 closed. Figure 7B shows the pack 100 with the tray portion 14 in this position, with the lugs 102 passed through the slots 104. To open the tray portion 14, the smoker grasps the tray portion 14 and moves it away from the receptacle 12; the resilient nature of the lugs causes them to deform and disengage from the slots 104. Although this example shows a pair of lugs and a pair of slots, one lug and one slot on each side of the pack, more lugs and slots may be used if desired. Conversely, it may be found that a single lug and slot are sufficient to keep the Hd portion closed.

The lug and slot closure arrangement can be applied to any pack in which the tray portion has side walls. The invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. The described features may be combined in combinations not shown or described, and various of the features may be modified.

For example, the aperture need not extend across the full width of the pack, although this arrangement offers a larger aperture for ease of dispensing of tobacco. A less wide aperture that terminates before the side edges of the face upon which it is positioned may be useful in conjunction with a tray portion that lacks side walls, since the tray portion will then offer better coverage of the aperture when in the closed position. The possibility of having a tray portion with side walls that extend less than the full depth of the pack/receptacle has been mentioned in conjunction with the embodiment of Figures 6A and 6B. However, this applies to packs in accordance with the invention in general. In any embodiment with tray portion side walls, the side walls need not extend the full depth of receptacle/pack.

Any pack according to the invention may be provided with square, rounded or bevelled corners or edges.

The partition wall may be arranged other than parallel to the front and rear faces of the receptacle. For example, it may be arranged parallel to the side walls of the receptacle. Further, the compartments/receptacles may be of equal or unequal size. More than two receptacles/compartments may be provided, for example to provide separate storage spaces for pre-rolled cigarettes and for cigarette papers, matches, etc. The partition walls dividing the receptacle into more than two compartments need not be parallel to one another. Alternatively, two or more receptacles may be combined with partition walls dividing one or more of the receptacles into compartments.

The concept of a pack with two separately accessible receptacles/ compartments can also be applied to packs that do not include a large tray portion. If the main face of the tray portion is scaled down in height, the tray portion becomes more like a lid that closes over the aperture. While a smaller main face may be less useful as regards providing a surface for rolling cigarettes, the reduced tray portion/lid can still provide a useful surface for receiving tobacco that has been extracted from the receptacle. This is especially true of embodiments in which the tray portion/lid includes side faces (and possibly also a bottom face), the tray portion thereby acting as an open container that confines and retains tobacco to reduce spills and which also gives easy access to the extracted tobacco for the smoker seeking to assemble a desired quantity of tobacco for making a cigarette. Also, a tray portion having reduced size will still act to neatly return unused tobacco to the inside of the receptacle when it is moved to the closed position. A small tray portion/lid of this type can have any of the configurations discussed above for larger trays, e.g. designed to cover an aperture in the bottom face of the receptacle or in the front face, and with or without side faces. Alternatively, it may be configured more like a conventional cigarette pack Hd, like the lid portion 40 shown in Figures IA and IB, where the hinge line is located on a face of the pack receptacle rather than along an edge.

Thus, a pack may have a hinged lid at each end, where one lid gives access to a first compartment of the receptacle that contains tobacco, this compartment being accessible from this end of the pack only, and the other lid gives access to a second compartment of the receptacle for holding pre-rolled cigarettes, papers, matches, etc, which is only accessible from that end of the pack. Each compartment can thereby be accessed individually while the contents of the other compartment are retained safely.

Each lid may have any desired configuration, including reduced size versions of any of the example tray portions described above, conventional flip-up cigarette pack lids, or other arrangements.

Figure 8A shows a perspective view of a pack according to this embodiment. The pack 110 comprises a receptacle 12 divided into a front and a rear compartment by a partition wall parallel to the front and rear faces of the pack 110, as in the embodiment of Figures IA and IB. The rear compartment contains tobacco 24, as before, which is extractable through an aperture 22 in the bottom face of the receptacle 12, again as before. A bottom lid 112 is provided, connected to the receptacle 12 along a hinge line 26 running along the rear edge of the bottom face. The bottom lid 112 comprises a bottom face 30 joined to the hinge line 26, a front face 114 connected to the bottom face 30 at right angles, and two side walls 32 joined at right angles to the front face 114 and the bottom face 30. In Figure 8A, the bottom Hd 114 is shown in an open position, wherein the aperture 22 is uncovered and tobacco 24 can be taken from the receptacle. The bottom lid 112 is rotatable about the hinge line 26 to a closed position in which the bottom face 30 overlies the bottom face of the receptacle 12 so as to cover the aperture 22, the front face 1 14 overlies the front face 16 of the receptacle 12, and the side walls 32 overlay the side walls 18 of the receptacle. The bottom lid 114 is thus similar to the tray portion 14 of the embodiment of Figures IA and IB, but having a much reduced height so that it functions substantially as a lid to close the rear compartment of the receptacle 12, without offering much or any tray functionality.

The pack 110 further includes a top lid 116 that is connected to the receptacle 12 along a hinge line running across the width of the receptacle part way down the rear wall, and comprises a top wall, side walls and a front wall similar to a conventional cigarette pack lid. The top lid 116, shown in its closed position in Figure 8B, gives access to the front compartment of the receptacle when rotated about the hinge line to its open position. The front compartment is open at the top end of the pack but closed at the bottom end of the pack so that it can only be accessed via the top Hd 116. Similarly, the rear compartment is open at the bottom end of the pack, by way of the aperture 22, but closed at the top end of the pack so that it can only be accessed by the bottom lid 112.

Figure 8B shows a further perspective view of the pack 110, with the bottom lid 1 12 in the closed position so that the rear compartment cannot be accessed, and the top lid 116 in the open position so that access to the front compartment is available. If desired, the lids can be provided with any closure arrangements to hold them in the closed position. These can include any of the closure mechanisms discussed with respect to the earlier embodiments, such as interference fits, interengaging lugs and slots, insertable tabs, or peelable adhesive tabs. The two lids may have different closure arrangements, or only one lid may have a closure arrangement.

Claims

1. A pack for tobacco, comprising: a parallelepiped receptacle for receiving tobacco, the receptacle having height, width and depth, the height and the width being greater than the depth, the receptacle having: a hinge line running along a width edge of the receptacle; and an aperture in one face of the receptacle, the aperture having an edge defined by the hinge line; and a tray portion comprising at least a main face having a width substantially equal to the width of the receptacle and a height, the tray portion being connected to the receptacle by the hinge line, and the tray portion being rotatable about the hinge line between a closed position in which the tray portion covers the aperture and the main face overlays a front face of the receptacle which has the height and width of the receptacle, and an open position in which tobacco can be dispensed through the aperture.

2. A pack according to claim 1, in which the tray portion has a height that is at least half the height of the receptacle.

3. A pack according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the tray portion further comprises two tray portion side faces each having a height substantially equal to the height of the main face and a depth not greater than the depth of the receptacle, and joined to the main face such that when the tray portion is in the closed position, the side faces overlay side faces of the receptacle which have the height and depth of the receptacle.

4. A pack according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the aperture is in the front face of the receptacle.

5. A pack according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the aperture is in a bottom face of the receptacle, the bottom face having the width and depth of the receptacle, and the tray portion further comprising a tray portion bottom face having a width and depth substantially equal to the width and depth of the receptacle and which is connected to the hinge line and joined to the main face such that when the tray portion is in the closed position the tray portion bottom face overlays the bottom face of the receptacle.

6. A pack according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the height of the receptacle is greater than the width of the receptacle.

7. A pack according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and further comprising a partition wall disposed inside the receptacle, the partition wall dividing the interior of the receptacle into a first compartment for receiving the tobacco and from which the tobacco can be dispensed through the aperture, and a second compartment for receiving hand-rolled cigarettes.

8. A pack according to claim 7, in which the partition wall is disposed parallel to the front face of the receptacle.

9. A pack according to claim 7 or claim 8, further comprising a lid portion connected to the receptacle by a second hinge line, the lid portion including a top face of the receptacle, the top face having the width and depth of the receptacle, and the lid portion rotatable about the second hinge line between a closed position in which the top face is disposed opposite a bottom face of the receptacle, and an open position in which the interior of the second compartment can be accessed.

10. A pack according to claim 9, in which the open position of the lid portion does not give access to the interior of the first compartment.

11. A pack according to claim 9 or claim 10, in which the lid portion comprises a lid portion front face connected to the top face of the receptacle, the Hd portion front face overlaying the front face of the receptacle when the lid portion is in the closed position.

12. A pack according to claim 11, in which the lid portion front face has a height such that the height of the Hd portion front face and the height of the main face of the tray portion together are substantially equal to the height of the receptacle.

13. A pack according to claim 11, in which the lid portion front face has a height such that it overlaps an upper part of the main face of the tray portion when the Hd portion and the tray portion are both in their closed positions.

14. A pack according to any one of claims 9 to 13, in which the second hinge line is located in a rear face of the receptacle opposite the front face, and arranged parallel to a width edge of the rear face.

15. A pack according to claim 1, and further comprising a second receptacle having a depth, and a height and a width substantially equal to the height and the width of the said receptacle, the second receptacle disposed behind the first receptacle such that a rear face of the said receptacle, having the height and width of the said receptacle, is common with a front face of the second receptacle, having the height and width of the said receptacle, the second receptacle for receiving hand-rolled cigarettes.

16. A pack according to claim 15, in which the aperture is in a bottom face of the said receptacle, the bottom face having the width and depth of the said receptacle, and the tray portion further comprising a tray portion bottom face having a width and depth substantially equal to the width and depth of the said receptacle and which is connected to the hinge line and joined to the main face such that when the tray portion is in the closed position the tray portion bottom face overlays the bottom face of the receptacle.

17. A pack according to claim 16, in which the tray portion further comprises two tray portion side faces each having a height substantially equal to the height of the main face and a depth not greater than the depth of the said receptacle plus the depth of the second receptacle, and joined to the main face such that when the tray portion is in the closed position, the side faces overlay side faces of the said receptacle which have the height and depth of the said receptacle.

18. A pack according to any one of claims 15 to 17, and further comprising a lid portion connected to one of the said receptacle and the second receptacle by a second hinge line, the Hd portion including a top face of the second receptacle having the width and depth of the second receptacle, and the lid portion rotatable about the second hinge line between a closed position in which the top face is disposed opposite a bottom face of the second receptacle, and an open position in which the interior of the second receptacle can be accessed.

19. A pack according to claim 18, in which the open position of the Hd portion does not give access to the interior of the said receptacle.

20. A pack according to claim 3 or claim 17 or any claim dependent on claim 3 or claim 17, comprising one or more lugs extending from the front face of the receptacle in the width direction, and one or more corresponding slits in the tray portion positioned such that the one or more lugs can extend through the one or more slits when the tray portion is in the closed position, thereby retaining the tray portion in the closed position.

21. A pack for tobacco comprising: a parallelepiped receptacle having a first end and a second end; a partition wall located inside the receptacle that divides the interior of the receptacle into a first compartment open at the first end of the receptacle and closed at the second end of the receptacle and a second compartment open at the second end of the receptacle and closed at the first end of the receptacle; a first hinged lid at the first end of the receptacle that is rotatable between an open position in which the interior of the first compartment can be accessed and a closed position in which the interior of the first compartment cannot be accessed; and a second hinged lid at the second end of the receptacle that is rotatable between an open position in which the interior of the second compartment can be accessed and a closed position in which the interior of the second compartment cannot be accessed.

22. A pack for tobacco according to claim 21, in which the first compartment is for receiving tobacco and the second compartment is for receiving hand-rolled cigarettes.

23. A pack for tobacco according to claim 21 or claim 22, in which the receptacle has height, width and depth, the height and the width being greater than the depth, the receptacle having a front face, a rear face and two side faces each extending between the first end and the second end, the front face and the rear face having height and width, and the partition wall being disposed parallel to the front face and the rear face.

24. A pack for tobacco according to any one of claims 21 to 23, in which one or both of the hinged lids is provided with a closure arrangement to releasably hold it in its closed position.

25. A pack for tobacco substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.