WO2014203220A1

WO2014203220A1 - Rigid swing-open package of smoking articles

Info

Publication number: WO2014203220A1
Application number: PCT/IB2014/062490
Authority: WO
Inventors: Luca Petrucci; Stefano Negrini
Original assignee: G.D Societa' Per Azioni
Priority date: 2013-06-20
Filing date: 2014-06-20
Publication date: 2014-12-24
Also published as: ITBO20130311A1

Abstract

A rigid, swing-open package (1) of smoking articles, having: a group of smoking articles; at least one substantially parallelepiped-shaped inner container (3) having an open end and a hinged lid (23), and designed to house the group of smoking articles; a substantially parallelepiped-shaped outer container (4) having an open face (14) with an outer top edge (114) at the top wall (24) of the outer container; the outer container (4) being designed to house the inner container (3); and a connecting hinge (5) connecting the inner container (3) to the outer container (4); the lid (23) has at least an end wall (123) and a rear wall (223) connected to each other by a connecting portion, and is designed to rotate between a closed position and an open position closing and opening the open end respectively; the inner container (3) is designed to rotate about the connecting hinge (5) between an inner position, in which the inner container (3) is inserted substantially completely inside the outer container (4), thus closing the open face (14), and an outer position, in which the inner container (3) projects at least partly outwards of the open face (14) of the outer container (4); the inner container (3) has a major front wall (33) which closes the open face (14) completely when the inner container (3) is in the inner position; and the lid (23) is designed to allow the inner container (3) to rotate from the inner position to the outer position without interfering with the top wall (24) of the outer container.

Description

RIGID SWING-OPEN PACKAGE OF SMOKING ARTICLES

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a rigid package of smoking articles. More specifically, the present invention relates to an improved swing-open package of smoking articles.

In the following description, the smoking articles are defined, purely by way of example, by a group of cigarettes wrapped in a normally foil inner wrapping. BACKGROUND ART

Rigid packets of cigarettes are the most widely marketed, by effectively protecting the contents against external stress.

Packages such as this are formed from a flat, pre- creased, pre-cut blank that forms a container, and have a lid hinged along the rear edge of the open end of the container. A collar is inserted partly inside the container, and projects from the open end to engage the lid in the closed position.

To close the package better and protect and preserve the aroma and moisture of the contents, rigid slide-open or swing-open packages are known, which comprise at least two containers, one inserted inside the other so they can be separated without detaching from each other. At least one inner container contains a group of cigarettes and is retained inside an outer container. The inner container is movable with respect to the outer container between an inner position, in which the inner container is housed substantially completely inside, thus closing, the outer container, and an outer position, in which the inner container projects at least partly outwards of the outer container .

Known packages of this type are described, for example, in documents EP2173625, EP2017198 and WO03/053818.

Known solutions, however, have serious drawbacks as regards moving the inner container with respect to the outer container. More specifically, when the inner container is hinged to the outer container to swing open and shut, the typical parallelepiped shape of the containers makes it necessary to allow a considerable clearance, or gap, between the top walls of the containers when the package is closed. This clearance is achieved by simply making the longitudinal dimension of the inner container, i.e. the dimension lengthwise of the cigarettes it contains, smaller than that of the outer container. This has a negative effect, however, on both the look and performance quality of the package. That is, the gap produced by the different longitudinal dimensions of the two containers produces considerable internal slack between the containers, which gives the consumer the impression of a flaw similar to 'yawning' (improper closure) of hinged-lid packages. The slack between the containers also impairs the mechanical and coupling stability of the package, and in particular coupling of the inner container lid to the outer container .

A package of smoking articles, in particular cigarettes, designed to minimize the above drawbacks, and which in particular is easier to use, is therefore desirable.

Also desirable is a package of smoking articles of improved swing open/shut performance.

Also desirable is a package of smoking articles of attractive appearance.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a swing-open package of smoking articles designed to eliminate the above drawbacks, and which provides for improved performance combined with an attractive appearance .

More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a rigid, swing-open package of smoking articles, in which the inner container is designed to reduce the difference between its longitudinal dimension and that of the outer container housing it .

According to the present invention, there is provided a rigid, swing-open package of smoking articles, in particular cigarettes, as claimed in the accompanying Claims.

The package comprises:

- a group of smoking articles;

- at least one substantially parallelepiped-shaped inner container having an open end and a hinged lid, and designed to house the group of smoking articles;

- a substantially parallelepiped-shaped outer container having an open face with an outer top edge at the top wall of the outer container; the outer container being designed to house the inner container; and

- a connecting hinge connecting the inner container to the outer container;

the lid comprises at least an end wall and a rear wall connected to each other by a connecting portion, and is designed to rotate between a closed position and an open position closing and opening the open end respectively; the inner container is designed to rotate about the connecting hinge between an inner position, in which the inner container is inserted substantially completely inside the outer container, thus closing the open face, and an outer position, in which the inner container projects at least partly outwards of the open face of the outer container;

the package is characterized in that the inner container comprises a major front wall which closes the open face completely when the inner container is in the inner position; and the lid is designed to allow the inner container to rotate from the inner position to the outer position without interfering with the top wall of the outer container.

The major front wall closing the open face of the outer container may therefore extend longitudinally up to the outer top edge of the outer container, to minimize the gap between the major front wall and the top wall of the outer container. And the lid may therefore extend from the major front wall and be shaped to prevent the end wall of the lid from intersecting the top wall of the outer container as the inner container rotates .

Preferably, the package comprises coupling means for connecting the end wall of the lid to the top wall of the outer container, so as to open the lid automatically as the inner container moves into the outer position; and the contour of the lid is at least partly inscribed inside a circle centred at the connecting hinge, and of a radius equal to the distance between the connecting hinge and the coupling means on the outer container.

This way, the lid may be of any shape within the area of the circle, without the end wall of the lid obstructing rotation of the inner container into the desired position locking the lid to the outer container.

Preferably, the connecting portion is a blend radius or bevel, to permit rotation of the inner container from the inner position to the outer position without interfering with the top wall of the outer container. Even more preferably, at least a portion of the blend radius or bevel is inscribed in or superimposed on a portion of the circle.

The blend radius or bevel shapes the lid so that its end wall, visible to the user when the inner container is in the outer position, remains perpendicular to the other walls of the inner container, and at the same time prevents a connecting edge between the end wall and rear wall of the lid from deforming the top wall of the outer container. The fact that the blend radius or bevel is superimposed on or inscribed within the circle maximizes the area in which to shape the lid.

Preferably, the end wall of the lid slopes downwards from the open face to the connecting portion, to allow the inner container to rotate from the inner to the outer position without interfering with the top wall of the outer container.

The downward slope of the end wall allows a major front wall of maximum size to be connected to a smaller rear wall, thus preserving the look of the package when the inner container is in the inner position, while at the same time allowing the inner container to rotate, unobstructed, into the outer position.

Preferably, the outer container comprises two longitudinal walls, and the inner container comprises two lateral walls at the longitudinal walls; and the package also comprises stop means located at at least one of the longitudinal walls and at least one of the corresponding lateral walls; the stop means being designed to limit rotation and withdrawal of the inner container from the open face as the inner container is rotated from the inner to the outer position.

Preferably, the outer container comprises a bottom wall having an outer edge at the open face; and the inner container comprises a bottom wall at the bottom wall of the outer container; and the connecting hinge between the inner container and the outer container is formed by superimposing the outer edge on the bottom wall of the inner container.

Preferably, the outer container comprises a major rear wall, and the inner container comprises a back wall; and the major rear wall has an opening for access to the back wall and which allows the user to move the inner container from the inner to the outer position.

Alternatively, the outer container comprises a major rear wall and a major front wall; and the major rear wall and/or major front wall have/has gripping means allowing the user to move the inner container from the inner to the outer position.

The objects referred to above are also achieved by a package of smoking articles, in particular cigarettes, comprising :

- a first and separate second group of smoking articles ;

- a first and second substantially parallelepiped- shaped inner package having a first and second open end and a first and second hinged lid respectively, and designed to house the first and second group of smoking articles respectively; - a substantially parallelepiped-shaped outer container having a first and second open face with a first and second outer top edge respectively at the top wall of the outer container; the outer container being designed to house the first and second inner container; and

- a first and second connecting hinge connecting the first and second inner container respectively to the outer container;

the first and second lid comprise at least a first and second end wall and a first and second rear wall respectively; the first end and rear walls and the second end and rear walls are connected by a first and second connecting portion respectively; and the first and second lid are designed to rotate between a closed position and an open position closing and opening the open ends respectively;

the first and second inner container are designed to rotate about the first and second connecting hinge respectively between an inner position, in which the first and second inner container are inserted substantially completely inside the outer container, thus closing the first and second open face respectively, and an outer position, in which the first and second inner container project at least partly outwards of the respective first and second open faces of the outer container;

the package is characterized in that the first and second inner container comprise a first and second minor front wall respectively, which completely close the first and second open face when the first and second inner container are in the inner position; and the first and second lid are designed to allow the first and second inner container to rotate from the inner position to the outer position without interfering with the top wall of the outer container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A number of non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a lateral section of a first embodiment of the package according to the present invention;

Figure 2A shows a lateral section of the Figure 1 package with the inner container in the inner position;

Figure 2B shows a lateral section of the Figure 1 package with the inner container in the outer position;

Figure 3 shows a top plan view of the blank from which to form the inner container of the Figure 1, 2A and 2B package;

Figure 4 shows a lateral section of the Figure 1 package showing a lid design interfering with the top wall of the outer container;

Figure 5A shows a lateral section of a second embodiment of the package according to the present invention with the inner container in the inner position;

Figure 5B shows a lateral section of a second embodiment of the package according to the present invention with the inner container in the outer position;

Figure 6 shows a top plan view of the blank from which to form a third embodiment of the inner container of a package in accordance with the present invention. PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Number 1 in Figures 1, 2A and 2B indicates a first embodiment of the package of smoking articles, in particular cigarettes, according to the present invention .

Package 1 of cigarettes is a rigid, substantially parallelepiped-shaped, swing-open type. More specifically, package 1 extends longitudinally along a longitudinal axis A (Figure 1), in the direction of the axes of symmetry of the cigarettes it contains. The longitudinal extension is the major dimension of package 1. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1, 2A and 2B, package 1 comprises a first group of smoking articles defined by a number of cigarettes and wrapped in a foil inner wrapping 2.

A substantially parallelepiped-shaped inner container 3 houses the group of cigarettes. Figure 3 shows a blank 3' from which to form inner container 3, and the component parts of which are indicated using the same reference numbers as for the corresponding parts of inner container 3. Inner container 3 has four longitudinal walls in two parallel pairs: a major front wall 33 and an opposite parallel back wall 63 connected to each other by two opposite parallel lateral walls 13 and 43. Inner container 3 is closed at one end by a bottom wall 53, and has an opposite open end from which to withdraw the cigarettes. The open end is closed by a lid 23 hinged to back wall 63 along a hinge line 9 crosswise to longitudinal axis A. More specifically, lid 23 is designed to rotate, with respect to transverse hinge line 9, between a closed position closing the open end, and an open position opening the open end for access to the group of cigarettes.

Lid 23 comprises an end wall 123 and a rear wall 223, which are parallel to and opposite bottom wall 53 and major front wall 33 respectively when the lid is in the closed position, and are connected to each other by a connecting portion 323. Lid 23 also comprises two opposite parallel lateral walls 423, 523 coplanar with respective lateral walls 13, 43 of inner container 3. In the closed position, the free edges of lateral walls 423, 523 and end wall 123 are positioned contacting the free edges of lateral walls 13, 43 and major front wall 33 of inner container 3 respectively.

Package 1 also comprises a substantially parallelepiped-shaped outer container 4. In the Figure 1-3 embodiment, outer container 4 is defined by a major rear wall 64 connected integrally, along its perimeter, to two opposite parallel longitudinal walls 44, and to two opposite parallel, respectively top and bottom, transverse walls 24 and 54.

Outer container 4 has an open face 14, instead of a wall, opposite major rear wall 64. Top wall 24 has an outer top edge 114 at open face 14. And likewise, bottom wall 54 has an outer bottom edge 154 at open face 14. The recess defined by open face 14 defines a compartment for housing inner container 3.

The depth of outer container 4 is defined by the width of top wall 24, bottom wall 54, and longitudinal walls 44, and substantially equals the width of the corresponding walls of inner container 3. Outer container 4 is thus designed to house substantially the whole of inner container 3 when this is in an inner position. More specifically, major rear wall 64, longitudinal walls 44, bottom wall 54 and top wall 24 of outer container 4 are positioned substantially contacting back wall 63, lateral walls 13, 43, bottom wall 53, and end wall 123 of lid 23 of inner container 3 respectively, when inner container 3 is in the inner position .

To allow the user to move inner container 3 from the inner position to an outer position, major rear wall 64 of outer container 4 has an opening (not shown) for access to back wall 63 of inner container 3. The access opening is preferably formed by removing a circular portion of major rear wall 64 in the area below lid 23. The opening may be formed in a different wall of outer container 4, e.g. in bottom wall 54, if open face 14 is formed at top wall 24. And the opening may be of different shapes.

In alternative embodiments not shown, the outer container may comprise a major rear wall and major front wall, as illustrated in EP2017198. In which case, gripping means on one or both of the walls may be substituted for the access opening, to allow the user to move the inner container from the inner to the outer position. The gripping means therefore allow the two containers to be gripped and parted to open the lid automatically .

Package 1 also comprises coupling means for connecting top wall 24 of outer container 4 to lid 23, to automatically open lid 23. More specifically, the coupling means provide for automatically opening lid 23 as inner container 3 moves into the outer position.

The coupling means comprise first coupling means on end wall 123 or rear wall 223 or connecting portion 323 of lid 23; and second connecting means on top wall 24 of the outer container. The first and second coupling means provide for connecting wall 123 or 223 or connecting portion 323 to wall 24, to automatically open lid 23.

In the embodiment shown, the coupling means comprise a tab 27 on lid 23; and a slot (not shown) on top wall 24 of outer container 4. Tab 27 therefore defines the first coupling means, and the slot defines the second coupling means.

In the Figure 3 embodiment, tab 27 has one portion for engaging the relative slot. The tab, however, may have a number of separate engaging portions, as shown in the Figure 6 embodiment described below. In this case, the tab has two separate portions projecting from opposite sides of the tab, to distribute engagement- induced stress over a number of separate points.

Alternatively, tab 27 may be located on top wall 24, and the slot on lid 23, to define the second and first coupling means respectively.

Tab 27 is defined by a cut 27' made in end wall 123 so tab 27 extends from connecting portion 323 connecting end wall 123 to rear wall 223, to which tab 27 is hinged. Whereas the slot is defined on the inner surface of top wall 24, contacting end wall 123 of the lid, by forming a corresponding flap on said inner surface, and forming an opening in the flap of at least the same width as tab 27 it is designed to receive. The opening forms a pocket of appropriate size between top wall 24 and the flap on the inside of it.

Different coupling means for functionally connecting outer container 4 and lid 23 may be provided, depending on the design and the component parts of the package .

Inner container 3 is hinged to outer container 4 along a connecting hinge 5. More specifically, in the Figure 1-3 embodiment, connecting hinge 5 is formed by superimposing the outer edge 154 of outer container 4 on the outer edge 153 of bottom wall 53 of inner container 3. In different embodiments not shown, outer edge 154 of outer container 4 may be superimposed on bottom wall 53 of inner container 3 at a distance from outer edge 153. In which case, connecting hinge 5 would be formed on, e.g. at a mid-point on, bottom wall 53 of inner container 3.

Inner container 3 is designed to rotate about connecting hinge 5 between an inner position (Figure 2A) , in which it is housed substantially completely inside outer container 4, thus closing open face 14, and an outer position (Figure 2B) , in which it projects partly outwards of open face 14 of outer container 4. Lid 23 is appropriately shaped to allow inner container 3 to rotate from the inner to the outer position without interfering with top wall 24 of outer container 4. More specifically, in the Figure 1-3 embodiment, the lid is so shaped by connecting portion 323, which comprises a blend radius between end wall 123 and rear wall 223 of lid 23, to prevent connecting portion 323 from interfering with top wall 24 of outer container 4 as inner container 3 rotates. This situation is shown in Figure 4, which shows how the projection of an edge R would otherwise deform top wall 24 and the walls of lid 23.

As shown in the Figure 1-2B sections, to prevent outer container 4 from obstructing rotation of inner container 3, the area of a cross section plane of inner container 3 in which inner container 3 can rotate is defined by a circle with its centre at hinge 5 connecting inner container 3 and outer container 4. This circle is a geometric construction which defines a plane area in which the lateral walls 13, 43 of inner container 3 and the lateral walls 423, 523 of lid 23, or sections of the plane coplanar with them, can rotate about connecting hinge 5 without interfering with outer container 4.

The size of inner container 3 is critical at lid 23, especially when the lid is moved together with inner container 3 and remains in the closed position pending engagement of the coupling means described.

The maximum permissible size of inner container 3, as it rotates about connecting hinge 5, is therefore defined by said circle. More specifically, to maximize the longitudinal extension, and volume, of inner container 3 and minimize the difference between its own and the longitudinal extension of outer container 4 housing it, at least one point on the contour of lid 23 must lie on said circle. In other words, the contour of lid 23 must be at least partly inscribed in a circle centred at connecting hinge 5 and of a radius equal to the distance between hinge 5 and the coupling means, in particular the part of the coupling means formed on top wall 24 of outer container 4. The reason being that engagement of tab 27 inside the slot also hinges lid 23 about a second hinge defined by engagement of the coupling means, so as to produce a relative movement between lid 23 and inner container 3 to automatically open lid 23.

The circle intersects at least one point on each of end wall 123 and rear wall 223, if these were connected by a sharp edge R as shown in Figure 4. And the arc between the two points of intersection defines the maximum perimeter in which connecting portion 323 can be formed. In the Figure 1-3 embodiment, the blend radius defining connecting portion 323 equals the radius of the circle, thus maximizing the permissible size of inner container 3, by the blend radius being superimposed on or parallel to the circle. As a result, the longitudinal extension of inner container 3 is only slightly smaller than that of outer container 4.

Moreover, stop means are provided between longitudinal walls 44 of outer container 4 and lateral walls 13, 43 of inner container 3 to limit rotation and withdrawal of inner container 3 from open face 14 of outer container 3 as inner container 3 rotates from the inner position (Figure 2A) to the outer position (Figure 2B) . In other words, the stop means determine how far inner container 3 rotates about connecting hinge 5.

For each lateral wall 13, 43, the stop means comprise a tab 113, 143 defined by a cut and projecting towards major front wall 33. Each tab 113, 143 is designed to engage a contoured edge of a corresponding flap (not shown) on the inner surface of the corresponding longitudinal wall 44.

Different stop means for limiting rotation of inner container 3 with respect to outer container 4 may be provided, depending on the design and the component parts of the package.

Package 1 is initially positioned with inner container 3 in the inner position, contacting outer container 4, and therefore with lid 23 in the closed position. Inner container 3 can be moved by the user from the inner to the outer position using the circular opening in major wall 64 of outer container 4, which allows access to exert pressure on and push away the back wall of inner container 3. In other words, inner container 3 can be moved into the outer position by exerting pressure on it to rotate it with respect to outer container 4 about connecting hinge 5. As inner container 3 rotates, lid 23, connected to inner container 3 along transverse hinge 9 on back wall 63, is carried along with it. The blend radius of connecting portion 323 allows the lid to be carried along without end wall 123 interfering with top wall 24 and potentially resulting in deformation and/or tearing.

As the coupling means on containers 3 and 4 near one another, tab 27 on end wall 123 fits inside the slot on top wall 24. Engagement of the coupling means produces a further hinge 27" for lid 23 which is restrained and free to rotate about two axes. Hinge 9 allows the lid to rotate with respect to inner container 3 which it closes. And hinge 27" allows the lid to rotate with respect to outer container 4 as the inner container is rotated into the outer position.

Engagement of the coupling means also provides for automatically opening lid 23 for access to the group of cigarettes .

Number 6 in Figures 5A and 5B indicates a second embodiment of the package. This is similar to package 1 described above, so only the differences are described below .

In this embodiment, too, the maximum permissible size of the inner container 8 as it rotates about the connecting hinge 7 is defined by a circle. More specifically, to maximize the longitudinal extension of inner container 8 and minimize the difference between its own and the longitudinal extension of outer container 9 housing it, at least one point on the contour of lid 28 must lie on said circle.

The contour of lid 28 must be at least partly inscribed in a circle centred at connecting hinge 7 and of a radius equal to the distance between hinge 7 and the coupling means (not shown) on top wall 25 of outer container 9.

The circle intersects at least one point on each of end wall 128 and rear wall 228. And the arc between the two points of intersection defines the maximum perimeter in which connecting portion 328 can be formed. In the Figure 5A and 5B embodiment, the connecting portion is defined by a bevel joining the two points intersected by the circle. Since the start and end points of the segment defining the bevel lie on the circle, the bevel is therefore inscribed completely within the circle. Alternatively, at least one of the two points may lie within the area of the circle. In this embodiment, too, the longitudinal extension of inner container 8 is only slightly smaller than that of outer container 9.

Opening package 6 for access to the group of cigarettes is the same as for package 1, to which the reader is referred.

A third embodiment of the inner container is shown by blank 11' in Figure 6. In this embodiment, end wall 121 slopes downwards from the open face of the outer container to connecting portion 321, which is defined simply by an edge joining end wall 121 to rear wall 221. The slope of end wall 121 allows inner container 3 to rotate from the inner to the outer position without interfering with the top wall of the outer container.

As for the other embodiments described, the maximum permissible size of the inner container as it rotates about the connecting hinge is defined by a circle.

To maximize the size of the inner container, while still allowing it to rotate freely, edge 321 defining the minimum height of end wall 121 must lie along the circle. Inscribing edge 321 within the circle ensures the inner container rotates without deforming or creating friction between the two containers.

In this embodiment, too, the longitudinal extension of the inner container is only slightly smaller than that of the outer container.

Another embodiment, not shown, relates to a package with two inner containers enclosed in one outer container, as described, for example, is EP2017198.

A first and separate second group of smoking articles are housed inside a first and second substantially parallelepiped-shaped inner container. The respective open ends and respective lids hinged to the first and second inner container allow access to the groups of cigarettes.

The substantially parallelepiped-shaped outer container houses the inner containers, and has two opposite open faces through which the inner containers project partly. The top wall of each of the two open faces has an outer top edge.

A first and second connecting hinge connect the first and second inner container respectively to the body of the outer container, to allow the inner containers to rotate with respect to the outer container. More specifically, the inner containers rotate about the connecting hinges from an inner position, in which they are housed substantially completely inside the outer container, thus closing the open faces, to an outer position, in which they project at least partly from the open faces of the outer container.

Each of the inner containers comprises a minor front wall which completely closes the corresponding open face when the inner container is in the inner position .

The inner containers are moved into the outer position with the respective lids in the closed position. So, in this case, too, the lids must be designed to allow the inner containers to rotate from the inner to the outer position without interfering with the top wall of the outer container.

The lids may be designed according to one or more of the variations in the embodiments described above. More specifically, the lid of each inner container comprises a connecting portion, which may be rounded or bevelled, between the end wall and the rear wall. In addition, or alternatively, the end wall may slope downwards from the open face to the connecting portion. In which case, the slope of the end wall allows the inner container to rotate from the inner to the outer position without interfering with the top wall of the outer container.

To prevent the lids from interfering with the outer container as they rotate, each lid, and in particular each connecting portion, must be at least partly inscribed in a respective circle centred at the connecting hinge between the respective inner container and the outer container, and of a radius equal to the distance between said connecting hinge and the respective lid coupling means on the outer container.

The advantages of a package in accordance with the present invention therefore lie in improving access to the group of cigarettes, and improving the design and connection of the containers forming the package. The design of the connecting portion and/or end wall improves interaction between the inner and outer containers, and makes the package easier to open by eliminating interference between the inner container, in particular the lid portion, and the top wall of the outer container. Moreover, with the lid design according to the present invention, the major front wall of the inner container may be substantially the same size as the open face of the outer container, thus minimizing the gap between the major front wall of the inner container and the top wall of the outer container.

Another advantage of the present invention lies in the material it saves by reducing the size of the lid to inscribe it within the circle. This applies equally to a rounded or bevelled connecting portion, and a sloping end wall, as described in the preferred embodiments.

Moreover, though the above description and attached drawings relate to packages comprising an outer container and one or more hinged-lid inner containers, in which both the outer container and the inner container have square edges, the teachings of the present invention obviously also apply to inner and outer containers of all types, which, in embodiments not shown, may comprise one or more rounded or bevelled longitudinal and/or transverse edges. For example, the longitudinal edges may be non-square, rounded or bevelled edges, or (as in the package of cigarettes described in Patent Application EP0764595A1) the major transverse edges may be non-square, rounded or bevelled edges. Alternatively, some longitudinal and some transverse edges may be non-square, rounded edges, so as to have both non-square, rounded or bevelled longitudinal and transverse edges.

Claims

1) A rigid, swing-open package (1) of smoking articles, comprising:

- a group of smoking articles;

- at least one substantially parallelepiped-shaped inner container (3) having an open end and a hinged lid (23), and designed to house said group of smoking articles ;

- a substantially parallelepiped-shaped outer container (4) having an open face (14) with an outer top edge (114) at the top wall (24) of the outer container; said outer container (4) being designed to house said inner container (3) ; and

- a connecting hinge (5) connecting said inner container (3) to said outer container (4);

said lid (23) comprises at least an end wall (123) and a rear wall (223) connected to each other by a connecting portion (323), and is designed to rotate between a closed position and an open position closing and opening said open end respectively;

said inner container (3) is designed to rotate about said connecting hinge (5) between an inner position, in which said inner container (3) is inserted substantially completely inside said outer container (4), thus closing said open face (14), and an outer position, in which said inner container (3) projects at least partly outwards of said open face (14) of said outer container (4);

said package (1) comprises coupling means for connecting said lid (23) to said top wall (24), so as to move said lid (23) automatically into said open position as said inner container (3) moves into said outer position;

said inner container (3) comprises a major front wall (33) which closes said open face (14) completely when said inner container (3) is in said inner position; said package (1) is characterized in that the contour of said lid (23) is at least partly inscribed inside a circle centred at said connecting hinge (5) and of a radius equal to the distance between said connecting hinge (5) and said coupling means on the outer container (4), so as to allow said inner container (3) to rotate from said inner position to said outer position without interfering with said top wall (24) .

2) A package (1) of smoking articles as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that said connecting portion (323) is a blend radius or bevel, to permit rotation of said inner container (3) from said inner position to said outer position without interfering with said top wall (24) .

3) A package (1) of smoking articles as claimed in Claim 2, characterized in that at least a portion of said blend radius or bevel is inscribed in or superimposed on a portion of said circle.

4) A package (1) of smoking articles as claimed in one or more of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said end wall (121) slopes downwards from said open face (14) to said connecting portion; the slope of said end wall (121) allowing said inner container (3) to rotate from said inner position to said outer position without interfering with said top wall (24) .

5) A package (1) of smoking articles as claimed in one or more of Claims 1 to 4, wherein said outer container (4) comprises two longitudinal walls (44), and said inner container (3) comprises two lateral walls (13, 43) at said longitudinal walls (44); said package (1) being characterized by comprising stop means (113, 143) located at at least one of said longitudinal walls (44) and at least one of the corresponding lateral walls (13, 43); said stop means (113, 143) being designed to limit rotation and withdrawal of said inner container (3) from said open face (14) as said inner container (3) is rotated from said inner position to said outer position .

6) A package (1) of smoking articles as claimed in one or more of Claims 1 to 5, wherein said outer container (4) comprises a bottom wall (54) having an outer edge (154) at said open face (14) ; and said inner container (3) comprises a bottom wall (53) at said bottom wall (54) of the outer container; said package (1) being characterized in that said connecting hinge (5) between said inner container (3) and said outer container (4) is formed by superimposing said outer edge (154) on said bottom wall (53) of the inner container.

7) A package (1) of smoking articles as claimed in one or more of Claims 1 to 6, wherein said outer container (4) comprises a major rear wall (64), and said inner container (3) comprises a back wall (63) ; said package (1) being characterized in that said major rear wall (64) has an opening for access to said back wall (63) and which allows the user to move said inner container (3) from said inner position to said outer position .

8) A package (1) of smoking articles as claimed in one or more of Claims 1 to 7, wherein said outer container comprises a major rear wall and a major front wall; said package being characterized in that said major rear wall and/or said major front wall have/has gripping means allowing the user to move said inner container from said inner position to said outer position .

9) A package of smoking articles as claimed in one or more of Claims 1 to 8, and comprising:

- a first and separate second group of smoking articles ;

- a first and second substantially parallelepiped- shaped inner package having a first and second open end and a first and second hinged lid respectively, and designed to house said first and second group of smoking articles respectively;

- a substantially parallelepiped-shaped outer container having a first and second open face with a first and second outer top edge respectively at the top wall of the outer container; said outer container being designed to house said first and second inner container; and

- a first and second connecting hinge connecting said first and second inner container respectively to said outer container;

said first and second lid comprise at least a first and second end wall and a first and second rear wall respectively; said first end and rear walls and said second end and rear walls are connected by a first and second connecting portion respectively; and said first and second lid are designed to rotate between a closed position and an open position closing and opening said open ends respectively;

said first and second inner container are designed to rotate about said first and second connecting hinge respectively between an inner position, in which said first and second inner container are inserted substantially completely inside said outer container, thus closing said first and second open face respectively, and an outer position, in which said first and second inner container project at least partly outwards of the respective said first and second open faces of said outer container;

said package comprises coupling means for connecting said first and second lid to said top wall, so as to move said first and second lid automatically into said open position as said first and second inner container move into said outer position;

said first and second inner container comprise a first and second minor front wall respectively, which completely close said first and second open face when said first and second inner container are in said inner position;

said package being characterized in that the contours of said first and second lid are at least partly inscribed inside respective circles centred at said first and second connecting hinge respectively, and of a radius equal to the distance between said first and second connecting hinge and said coupling means on the outer container, so as to allow said first and second inner container to rotate from said inner position to said outer position without interfering with said top wall .