WO2014206939A1

WO2014206939A1 - Hinge lid container with curved upper edge

Info

Publication number: WO2014206939A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/063167
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lucas Chatelain
Original assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
Priority date: 2013-06-25
Filing date: 2014-06-23
Publication date: 2014-12-31

Abstract

There is provided a container for consumer goods, for example elongate smoking articles. The container comprises a box portion (102) and a lid portion (104). The lid portion (104) is hinged to the box portion (102) along a hinge line (106) extending across a back wall (112) of the container. The lid portion (104) includes a lid top wall (120), a lid back wall (118) and a top back edge (107) between the lid top wall (120) and the lid back wall (118). The hinge line (106) between the lid portion (104) and the box portion (102) is curved. The top back edge (107) of the lid portion (104), between the lid top wall (120) and the lid back wall (118), is also curved. The hinge line (106) and the top back edge (107) of the lid portion (104) have substantially the same radius of curvature.

Description

HINGE LID CONTAINER WITH CURVED UPPER EDGE

The present invention relates to a novel hinge lid container for consumer goods, which finds particular application as a container for elongate smoking articles.

It is known to package elongate smoking articles and other consumer goods in containers formed from folded laminar blanks. Elongate smoking articles, such as cigarettes and cigars, are commonly sold in hinge lid packs having a box portion for housing the smoking articles and a lid portion connected to the box portion about a hinge line extending across the back wall of the container. Such packs are typically constructed from one-piece laminar cardboard blanks. In use, the lid portion is pivoted about the hinge line to open the pack and so gain access to the smoking articles held in the box portion.

In order for a consumer to access the smoking articles, or other consumer goods, held in the box portion, the consumer typically holds the box portion in one hand and uses the other hand to pivot the lid portion about the hinge line and to remove a smoking article from the box portion.

For example, US patent US-6276600-B1 describes a hinge lid pack for cigarettes, in which the lid is hingedly attached to the body along a curved hinge line. Such an arrangement aims to provide an elastic restoring force towards the closed position of the pack. However, the elastic restoring force towards the closed position of the pack can become inconvenient when removing the cigarettes in the open position of the container, because the elastic restoring force will continue to try to close the container even in the open position. This may require a consumer to hold the container by the box and the lid at the same time with one hand, in order to be able to remove a cigarette with the other hand.

It would be desirable to provide an improved hinge lid container for consumer goods, which allows a consumer easy access to the consumer goods within the container.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a container for consumer goods, wherein the container comprises a box portion and a lid portion hinged to the box portion along a hinge line extending across a back wall of the container. The lid portion comprises a lid top wall, a lid back wall and a top back edge between the lid top wall and the lid back wall. According to the invention, the hinge line between the lid portion and the box portion is curved and the top back edge of the lid portion is curved, wherein the hinge line and the top back edge of the lid portion have substantially the same radius of curvature.

In conventional hinge lid containers, the hinge line and the top back edge of the lid portion are generally both straight and parallel to the bottom back edge of the box portion (between the bottom wall of the box portion and the back wall of the box portion). However, the container according to the invention, comprising a curved hinge line and a curved top back edge of the lid portion, may form a convex shape (when viewed from the exterior of the container) at the upper end of the container, when the lid portion is in a closed position. The convex shape may be formed as the back wall accommodates the curved top back edge of the container. The convex shape of the back wall may create an elastic restoring force that keeps the hinged lid in a closed position.

However, due to the curvature of the hinge line, the box back wall of the container may adopt another position in which the box back wall is concave (when viewed from the exterior of the container). For example, a consumer may hold the box portion in one hand and use the index finger of that hand to apply pressure to the back wall of the container below the hinge line. This moves the box back wall into a concave form. As the lid accommodates the curvature of the hinge line, the lid will snap backwards when the box back wall moves from the convex position to the concave position. A consumer can then easily maintain the back wall in the concave position by slightly pressing on the side walls of the container or slightly pressing on the back wall of the container with the index finger. Upon releasing the side walls or the back wall, the back wall will revert to its initial convex form, thereby closing the hinged lid. That is to say, preferably, in an upper portion of the container, the back wall of the container is convex at the exterior of the container when the lid portion is in a closed position and concave at the exterior of the container when the lid portion is in an open position.

Accordingly, the lid portion may be easily switched between the closed position and the open position. In particular, the container may be opened by a consumer using only one hand.

The container according to the invention may be manufactured from a folded laminar blank using standard manufacturing equipment which has been only slightly modified to take into account the different shapes of the hinge line between the box portion and the lid portion, and the top back edge of the lid portion.

The term "panel" used in this specification refers to a portion of the container formed from a single, continuous portion of the material forming the laminar blank. The term "wall" refers more generally to a facet of the container, for example the "front wall" defines a front facet of the container. A wall may be formed from a single panel, or a wall may be formed from two or more abutting or overlapping panels, which may be attached to each other, for example by glue.

Preferably, the container comprises a front wall, a back wall, and opposed side walls extending therebetween. Preferably, the box portion includes a box front wall, a box back wall, opposed box side walls extending therebetween, and a box bottom wall. Preferably, the lid portion includes, in addition to the lid top wall and the lid back wall, a lid front wall and opposed lid side walls extending between the lid front wall and the lid back wall.

Therefore, preferably, in the closed position, the box front wall and the lid front wall together define the front wall of the container, the box back wall and the lid back wall together define the back wall of the container, and the box side walls and the lid side walls together define the side walls of the container. The container is preferably a rectangular parallelepiped comprising two wider walls spaced apart by two narrower walls.

The terms "front", "back", "upper", "lower", "side", "top", "bottom", and other terms used to describe relative positions of the components of containers according to the invention refer to the container in an upright position with the hinge line at the back. When the container in the upright position is open, the smoking articles, or other consumer goods, contained in the box portion may be removed from the upper end of the box portion. The terms "right" and "left" refer to the right and left sides of the container when the container is in an upright position and viewed from the front.

The term "longitudinal" refers to a direction from bottom to top of the container or vice versa. The term "transverse" refers to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

The term "hinge line" used in this specification refers to a line about which the lid portion may be pivoted in order to open the container. A hinge line may be, for example, a fold line or a score line in the panel forming the back wall of the container. Alternatively, a hinge line may be a fold line or a score line in a piece of material connecting the back wall of the lid portion to the back wall of the box portion. Such a piece of material may be, for example, a label that is permanently or removably attached to the back wall of the lid portion and the back wall of the box portion. Preferably, the hinge line is positioned along the back wall of the container, at a level below the upper edge of the container. The hinge line may extend across all or part of the back wall of the container.

The term "curved" used in this specification refers to any line which is not straight. The hinge line and the top back edge of the lid portion may be any suitable curve. Preferably, however, each curve has a single maximum or minimum along its length. That is to say, preferably each curve has a wavelength equal to or greater than the total curve length. The curve may or may not have constant curvature along its length. Preferably each curve is symmetrical between the side walls of the container.

The hinge line and the top back edge of the lid portion may be any suitable curve, including but not limited to a parabolic curve, a hyperbolic curve, an elliptical curve, and a logarithmic curve. Preferably, the hinge line between the lid portion and the box portion and the top back edge of the lid portion each comprise a circular arc. A circular arc is a segment of the circumference of a circle. If the hinge line and the top back edge of the lid portion are not circular arcs, the radius of curvature may be the radius of a circular arc which best approximates the curved line.

Containers according to the invention may have a height between about 60 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably a height between about 70 mm and about 125 mm, wherein the height is measured from the bottom wall to the top wall of the container. Containers according to the invention may have a width between about 12 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably a width between about 60 mm and about 125 mm, wherein the width is measured from one side wall to the other side wall of the container. Containers according to the invention may have a depth between about 6 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably a depth between about 12 mm and about 30 mm, wherein the depth is measured from the front wall to the back wall of the container.

Preferably, the radius of curvature of the hinge line and the top back edge of the lid portion has a length that is between about 0.6 and about 2 times the width of the container. More preferably, the radius of curvature of the hinge line has a length that is between about 0.8 and about 1 .5 times the width of the container. Most preferably, the radius of curvature of the hinge line and the top back edge of the lid portion has a length that is between about 0.9 and about 1 .1 times the width of the container. Mathematically, the radius of curvature may be any non-zero number. A straight line corresponds to a radius of curvature equal to infinity, and curvature equal to zero. In practice, however, the radius of curvature of the hinge line cannot be too large, otherwise the lid portion will not angle backwards sufficiently, when the lid back wall accommodates the curved hinge line in the concave form of the box back wall, and this may obstruct the access to the consumer goods within the container. Furthermore, the radius of curvature of the top back edge of the lid portion cannot be too large, otherwise the back wall of the container may not be sufficiently concave to create an elastic restoring force to close the container.

Preferably, the hinge line is convex towards the box portion of the container. That is to say, preferably the centre of curvature (of an arc equalling or approximating the curve) is in the direction of the lid portion (the top of the container), such that the hinge line curves towards the box portion (the bottom of the container). This provides for improved flipping between the closed position and the open position. Alternatively or in addition, the top back edge of the lid portion is preferably convex towards the box portion of the container.

Preferably, the box portion has a box bottom wall, a box back wall and a bottom back edge between the box bottom wall and the box back wall, wherein the bottom back edge is straight. Other edges of the box portion and lid portion may additionally be straight. Preferably, the bottom side edges of the box portion, between the box bottom wall and the box side walls, are straight. Preferably, the top side edges of the lid portion, between the lid top wall and the lid side walls, are straight. Preferably, the front side edges of the box portion, between the box front wall and the box side walls, and the front side edges of the lid portion, between the lid front wall and the lid side walls, are straight. Preferably, the back side edges of the box portion, between the box back wall and the box side walls, and the back side edges of the lid portion, between the lid back wall and the lid side walls, are straight. Alternatively or in addition, one or more edges of the box portion or lid portion may be curved. Preferably, the bottom front edge of the box portion, between the box bottom wall and the box front wall, is curved. The bottom front edge of the box portion may be any suitable curve. The curved bottom front edge of the box portion may curve outwards away from the box back wall or inwards towards the box back wall. The curvature of the bottom front edge may curve in the same direction as the hinge line between the box portion and the lid portion, or in the opposite direction.

Alternatively or in addition, the top front edge of the lid portion, between the lid top wall and the lid front wall, is preferably curved. The top front edge of the lid portion may be any suitable curve. The curved top front edge of the lid portion may curve outwards away from the lid back wall or inwards towards the lid back wall. The curvature of the top front edge may curve in the same direction as the hinge line between the box portion and the lid portion, or in the opposite direction.

In certain preferred embodiments, both the bottom front edge of the box portion and the top front edge of the lid portion are curved. In such embodiments, the curved edges may curve in the same direction as each other, for example, both curved edge may curve forwards away from the respective back walls such that the front wall of the container is convex when viewed from the exterior of the container. Alternatively, both curved edges may curve backwards towards the respective back walls such that the front wall of the container is concave when viewed from the exterior of the container. The bottom front edge of the box portion and the top front edge of the lid portion may have the same radius of curvature as each other, or a different radius of curvature.

Preferably, the container further comprises an inner frame mounted within the box portion, wherein the inner frame extends above the upper edges of at least the front wall of the box portion of the container.

The inner frame is therefore visible to the consumer when the lid portion is opened. Frictional engagement between the lid portion and the inner frame in the closed position may assist the lid portion to remain closed.

Preferably, the front wall of the inner frame is provided with a cut out portion at the upper edge thereof. This enables more convenient access to the consumer goods within the container.

Alternatively, or in addition to an inner frame, the consumer goods, for example smoking articles, within the container may be wrapped with an inner wrapper, which is visible above the upper edge of the front wall of the box portion and the front wall of the inner frame (if present) when the container is open.

Containers according to the invention may be substantially rectangular parallelepipedal in shape, with right-angled longitudinal and right-angled transverse edges. Alternatively, the box portion or the lid portion or both the box portion and the lid portion of containers according to the invention may comprise one or more rounded longitudinal edges, rounded transverse edges, bevelled longitudinal edges or bevelled transverse edges, or combinations thereof. For example, the container according to the invention may comprise, without limitation:

- One or two longitudinal rounded or bevelled edges on the front wall, and/or one or two longitudinal rounded or bevelled edges on the back wall.

- One or two transverse rounded or bevelled edges on the front wall, and/or one or two transverse rounded or bevelled edges on the back wall.

- One longitudinal rounded edge and one longitudinal bevelled edge on the front wall, and/or one transverse rounded edge and one transverse bevelled edge on the back wall.

- One or two transverse rounded or bevelled edges on the front wall and one or two longitudinal rounded or bevelled edges on the front wall.

- Two longitudinal rounded or bevelled edges on a first side wall or two transverse rounded or bevelled edges on the second side wall.

Where the container comprises one or more rounded edges and is made from one or more laminar blanks, preferably the blanks comprise three, four, five, six or seven scoring lines or creasing lines to form each rounded edge in the assembled container. The scoring lines or creasing lines may be either on the inside of the container or on the outside of the container. Preferably, the scoring lines or creasing lines are spaced from each other by between about 0.3 mm and 4 mm.

Preferably, the spacing of the creasing lines or scoring lines is a function of the thickness of the laminar blank. Preferably, the spacing between the creasing lines or scoring lines is between about 0.5 and about 4 times larger than the thickness of the laminar blank.

Where the container comprises one or more bevelled edge, preferably the bevelled edge has a width of between about 1 mm and about 10 mm, preferably between about 2 and about 6 mm. Alternatively, the container may comprise a double bevel formed by three parallel creasing or scoring lines that are spaced such that two distinct bevels are formed on the edge of the container.

Where the container comprises a bevelled edge and is made from one or more laminar blanks, the bevel may be formed by two parallel creasing lines or scoring lines in the laminar blank. The creasing lines or scoring lines may be arranged symmetrically to the edge between a first wall and a second wall. Alternatively, the creasing lines or scoring lines may be arranged asymmetrically to the edge between the first wall and the second wall, such that the bevel reaches further into the first wall of the container than into the second wall of the container. Alternatively, the container may have a non-rectangular transversal cross section, for example polygonal such as triangular or hexagonal, semi-oval or semi-circular.

Containers according to the invention find particular application as packs for elongate smoking articles such as, for example, cigarettes, cigars or cigarillos. The container may comprise smoking articles. It will be appreciated that through appropriate choices of the dimensions thereof, containers according to the invention may be designed for different numbers of conventional size, king size, super-king size, slim or super-slim cigarettes.

Through an appropriate choice of the dimensions thereof, containers according to the invention may be designed to hold different total numbers of smoking articles, or different arrangements of smoking articles. For example, through an appropriate choice of the dimensions thereof, containers according to the invention may be designed to hold a total of ten, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, twenty-one, twenty five or thirty smoking articles.

The smoking articles may be arranged in different collations, depending on the total number of smoking articles. For example, the smoking articles may be arranged in a single row of six, seven, eight, nine or ten. Alternatively, the smoking articles may be arranged in two or more rows. The two or more rows may contain the same number of smoking articles. For example, the smoking articles may be arranged in: two rows of five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten; three rows of five or seven; or four rows of four, five or six. Alternatively, the two or more rows may include at least two rows containing different number of smoking articles to each other. For example, the smoking articles may be arranged in: a row of five and a row of six (5-6); a row of six and a row of seven (6-7); a row of seven and a row of eight (7-8); a middle row of five and two outer rows of six (6-5-6); a middle row of five and two outer rows of seven (7-5-7); a middle row of six and two outer rows of five (5-6-5); a middle row of six and two outer rows of seven (7-6-7); a middle row of seven and two outer rows of six (6-7-6); a middle row of nine and two outer rows of eight (8-9-8); or a middle row of six with one outer row of five and one outer row of seven (5-6-7).

Containers according to the present invention may hold smoking articles of the same type or brand, or of different types or brands. In addition, both filterless smoking articles and smoking articles with various filter tips may be contained, as well as smoking articles of differing length (for example, between about 40 mm and about 180 mm), diameter (for example, between about 4 mm and about 9 mm). In addition, the smoking articles may differ in strength of taste, resistance to draw and total particulate matter delivery. Preferably, the dimensions of the container are adapted to the length of the smoking articles, and the collation of the smoking articles. Typically, the outer dimensions of the container are between about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm larger than the dimensions of the bundle or bundles of smoking articles housed inside the container. The length, width and depth of containers according to the invention may be such that, in the closed lid position, the resultant overall dimensions of the container are similar to the dimensions of a typical disposable hinge-lid pack of twenty cigarettes.

Preferably, containers according to the invention have a height of between about 60 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably a height of between about 70 mm and about 125 mm, wherein the height is measured from the bottom wall to the top wall of the container.

Preferably, containers according to the invention have a width of between about 12 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably a width of between about 70 mm and about 125 mm, wherein the width is measured from one side wall to the other side wall of the container.

Preferably, containers according to the invention have a depth of between about 6 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably a depth of between about 12 mm and about 25 mm wherein the depth is measured from the front wall to the back wall of the container (comprising the hinge between box and lid).

Preferably, the ratio of the height of the container to the depth of the container is in between about 0.3 to 1 and about 10 to 1 , more preferably between about 2 to 1 and about 8 to 1 , most preferably between about 3 to 1 and 5 to 1 .

Preferably, the ratio of the width of the container to the depth of the container is in between about 0.3 to 1 and about 10 to 1 , more preferably between about 2 to 1 and about 8 to 1 , most preferably between about 2 to 1 and 3 to 1 .

Preferably, the ratio of the height of the lid back wall to the height of the box back wall of the outer sleeve is between about 0 to 1 (lid located at the top edge of the container) to about 1 to 1 , more preferably, between about 1 to 5 and about 1 to 10, most preferably, between about 1 to 6 to about 1 to 8.

Preferably, the ratio of the height of the lid front wall of the outer sleeve to the height of the box front wall of the outer sleeve is between about 1 to 0 (lid covering the entire front wall) to about 1 to 10, more preferably, between about 1 to 1 and about 1 to 5, most preferably, between about 1 to 2 and about 1 to 3.

Where the container comprises a container for smoking articles, the container may further comprise waste-compartments (for example for ash or butts) or other consumer goods, for example matches, lighters, extinguishing means, breath-fresheners or electronics. The other consumer goods may be attached to the outside of the container, contained within the container along with the smoking articles, in a separate compartment of the container or combinations thereof.

The container may be formed from any suitable materials including, but not limited to, cardboard, paperboard, plastic, metal, or combinations thereof. Preferably, the container is formed from a single folded laminar blank, more preferably from a folded laminar cardboard blank. Preferably, the cardboard has a weight of between about 100 grams per square metre and about 350 grams per square metre.

The exterior surfaces of containers according to the invention may be printed, embossed, debossed or otherwise embellished with manufacturer or brand logos, trade marks, slogans and other consumer information and indicia.

Where the box portion of a container according to the present invention contains a bundle of cigarettes or other elongate smoking articles, the smoking articles are preferably wrapped in an inner liner of, for example, metal foil or metallised paper.

Once filled, containers according to the invention may be shrink wrapped or otherwise over wrapped with a transparent polymeric film of, for example, high or low density polyethylene, polypropylene, oriented polypropylene, polyvinylidene chloride, cellulose film, or combinations thereof in a conventional manner. Where containers according to the invention are over wrapped, the over wrapper may include one or more tear tapes. The tear tape is preferably positioned around the container below the lower edge of the front wall of the lid portion, such that once the tear tape has been removed, the lid portion is free to be rotated about the hinge line. Alternatively, the tear tape may be provided lengthways around the container. In addition, the over wrapper may be printed with images, consumer information or other data.

The containers of the first aspect present invention are adapted to be assembled from the single laminar blank using conventional assembly methods and apparatus. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is a provided a laminar blank for forming the container of the first aspect of the invention.

According to the second aspect of the invention, there is also provided a laminar blank for forming a container for consumer goods, the blank comprising: a box blank portion for forming a box portion of the container; a lid blank portion for forming a lid portion of the container; wherein the lid blank portion depends from the box blank portion along a hinge line, the hinge line extending across a back wall panel of the blank, wherein the lid blank portion comprises a lid top wall portion and a lid back wall portion, and the lid top wall portion depends from the lid back wall portion along a lid fold line for forming a top back edge of the lid portion; wherein the hinge line between the lid blank portion and the box blank portion is curved; wherein the lid fold line for forming the top back edge of the lid portion is curved; and wherein the hinge line and the lid fold line for forming the top back edge of the lid portion have substantially the same radius of curvature.

The hinge line and the lid fold line for forming the top back edge of the lid portion may be any suitable curve. Preferably, however, the hinge line and the lid fold line each comprise a circular arc. If the hinge line and the lid fold line are not circular arcs, the radius of curvature may be the radius of a circular arc which best approximates the curved line. Preferably, the radius of curvature of the hinge line and the lid fold line for forming the top back edge of the lid portion has a length that is between about 0.6 and about 2 times the width of the container formed from the blank. More preferably, the radius of curvature of the hinge line and the lid fold line for forming the top back edge of the lid portion has a length that is between about 0.8 and about 1 .5 times the width of the container formed from the blank. Most preferably, the radius of curvature of the hinge line and the lid fold line for forming the top back edge of the lid portion has a length that is between about 0.9 and about 1 .1 times the width of the container formed from the blank. Mathematically, the radius of curvature may be any non-zero number. A straight line corresponds to a radius of curvature equal to infinity. In practice, however, the radius of curvature of the hinge line cannot be too large, otherwise the lid portion will not angle backwards sufficiently, when the lid back wall accommodates the curved hinge line in the concave form of the box back wall, and this may obstruct the access to the consumer goods within the container. Furthermore, in practice, the radius of curvature of the lid fold line cannot be too large, otherwise the back wall of the container may not be sufficiently concave to create an elastic restoring force to close the container.

Preferably, the hinge line and the lid fold line are convex towards the box blank portion.

Preferably, the box blank portion comprises a box bottom wall portion and a box back wall portion, and the box bottom wall portion depends from the box back wall portion along a box fold line for forming a bottom back edge of the box portion, wherein the box fold line is straight.

Preferably, the box blank portion comprises a box bottom wall portion and a box front wall portion, the lid blank portion comprises a lid front wall portion and at least one of the box fold line between the box bottom wall portion and the box front wall portion and the lid fold line between the lid top wall portion and the lid front wall portion is curved.

The laminar blank may be formed from any suitable materials including, but not limited to, cardboard, paperboard, plastic, metal, or combinations thereof. The exterior surfaces of the laminar blank according to the invention may be printed, embossed, debossed or otherwise embellished with manufacturer or brand logos, trade marks, slogans and other consumer information and indicia.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of opening a hinged lid container, the method comprising the steps of: providing a container according to the first aspect of the invention; and applying a force directed to the interior of the container onto the back wall of the container sufficient to switch the back wall of the container from a convex shape into a concave shape to open the container. Features described in relation to one aspect of the invention may also be applicable to another aspect of the invention. Advantages described in relation to one aspect of the invention may also apply to another aspect of the invention.

The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figures 1 and 2 are front and back perspective views respectively of a closed hinge lid container according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a view of a laminar blank for forming the container of Figures 1 and 2; and Figures 4 to 6 show the container of Figures 1 and 2 being opened by a consumer. The hinge lid container 100 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is a rectangular parallelepiped and comprises a lower box portion 102 and an upper lid portion 104 that is hinged to the lower box portion 102 along a hinge line 106 extending along the back wall of the container.

The box portion 102 has a front wall 108, a left side wall 1 10, a right side wall, a back wall 1 12, and a bottom wall. The side walls of the box portion extend above the front wall 108 of the box portion so that the upper free edges of the side walls are offset from the upper free edge of the front wall.

The lid portion 104 has a front wall 1 14, a left side wall 1 16, a right side wall, a back wall 1 18 and a top wall 120. The back wall 1 18 and the top wall 120 are joined at top back edge 107. The front wall 1 14 of the lid portion extends beyond the side walls of the box portion so that the lower edge of the front wall is offset from the lower edges of the side walls. The offset corresponds to the offset between the upper free edges of the front wall 108 and side walls of the box portion 102.

When the container 100 is closed, the free edges of the walls of the lid portion 104 abut the free edges of the corresponding walls of the box portion 102 along a line of abutment. In the closed position, the walls of the lid portion 104 therefore form extensions of the corresponding walls of the box portion 102 to define the walls of the container 100.

Figure 3 is a view of a cardboard laminar blank 300 for forming the container of Figures 1 and 2. The box portion 102 and the lid portion 104 are formed together from the single laminar blank 300. In Figure 3, solid lines indicate cut lines and dashed lines indicate fold lines. The blank 300 comprises a box blank portion 302 for forming box portion 102 of the container 100, and a lid blank portion 304 for forming lid portion 104 of the container 100. The box blank portion 302 depends from the lid blank portion 304 along hinge line 106.

The box blank portion 302 comprises a front wall panel 308, a back wall panel 312 and a bottom wall panel 309. Two side wall panels 310 extend from front wall panel 308, two side wall panels 31 1 extend from back wall panel 312, and two box dust flaps 313 extend from side wall panels 31 1 . When the box portion 102 is assembled from box blank portion 302, front wall panel 308 forms front wall 108, back wall panel 312 forms back wall 1 12, side wall panels 310, 31 1 overlap to form left and right side walls, and box dust flaps 313 overlap bottom wall panel 309 to form bottom wall. Side wall panels 310, 31 1 are substantially the same size and shape as each other. When the container is formed, the panels 310, 31 1 directly overlie each other with their free edges substantially aligned, such that the inner side wall panel is barely visible. Box dust flaps 313 are smaller than bottom wall panel 309 . When the container is formed, box dust flaps 313 lie inside bottom wall panel 309. They provide additional structural support for the bottom wall of the container but are not visible from the outside of the container.

The lid blank portion 104 comprises a front wall panel 314, a back wall panel 318 and a top wall panel 320. Two side wall panels 316 extend from front wall panel 314, two side wall panels 317 extend from back wall panel 318, and lid dust flaps 319 extend from side wall panels 317. When the lid portion 104 is assembled from lid blank portion 304, front wall panel 314 forms front wall 1 14, back wall panel 318 forms back wall 1 18, side wall panels 316, 317 overlap to form right and left side walls, and lid dust flaps 319 overlap top wall panel 320 to form top wall 120. Side wall panels 316, 317 are substantially the same size and shape as each other. When the container is formed, the panels 316, 317 directly overlie each other with their free edges substantially aligned, such that the inner side wall panel is barely visible. Lid dust flaps 319 are smaller than top wall panel 320 . When the container is formed, lid dust flaps 319 lie inside top wall panel 320. They provide additional structural support for the top wall of the container but are not visible from the outside of the container. In Figure 3, lid dust flaps 319 are trapezoid in shape, such that they protrude slightly from the outline of the laminar blank. However, the lid dust flaps could have any suitable shape which allows them to lie inside the top wall panel to form the top wall of the container.

When the container is formed, the panels may be affixed to one another, for example using glue. The box blank portion 302 depends from the lid blank portion 304 along hinge line 106, which extends along the back wall of the container. The back wall panel 318 depends from the top wall panel 320 along top back edge 107. The container preferably also comprises an inner frame mounted within the box portion 102.

In Figures 1 , 2 and 3, the hinge line 106 between the box portion 102 (formed from box blank portion 302) and the lid portion 104 (formed from lid blank portion 304) is in the form of a circular arc. The arc is convex when viewed from the box blank portion of the blank 300 (box portion of the container 100) and concave when viewed from the lid blank portion of the blank 300 (lid portion of the container 100). That is to say, the centre of curvature of the arc is in the direction of the lid blank portion of the blank 300 (the lid portion of the container 100). In this embodiment, the radius of curvature of the arc is of the same order as the width of the container, such that the hinge line 106 forms a relatively gentle curve. In Figures 1 , 2 and 3, the top back edge 107 between the top wall 120 of the lid portion (formed from top wall panel 320 and overlapping lid dust flaps 319) and the back wall 1 18 of the lid portion (formed from back wall panel 318) is also in the form of a circular arc. In Figures 1 , 2 and 3, the top back edge 107 is the same shape as hinge line 106. The arc is therefore also convex when viewed from the box blank portion and concave when viewed from the lid blank portion. That is to say, the centre of curvature of the arc is in the direction of the lid blank portion of the blank 300 (the lid portion of the container 100). In this embodiment, the radius of curvature of the top back edge 107 is the same as that of the hinge line 106, so is of the same order as the width of the container, such that the top back edge 107 forms a relatively gentle curve.

Because the hinge line 106 and the top back edge 107 are both in the form of a circular arc, when container 100 is assembled from laminar blank 300 and the lid is closed, the back wall of the container 100 tends to form a convex shape at the exterior of the container 100. This can be seen in Figures 1 and 2. The convex shape forms since the length of the hinge line 106 and top back edge 107 is greater than that of a straight line extending between the side walls of the container. Thus, there is more material along hinge line 106 and top back edge 107 than there would be if hinge line 106 and top back edge 107 were straight. The additional material is accommodated in the convex shape formed by the container back wall. On the other hand, when the lid is open, the back wall of the container 100 tends to form a concave shape at the exterior of the container 100. The additional material along hinge line 106 and top back edge 107 is then accommodated by virtue of the concave shape. The lid adopts either the closed position, in which the back wall forms a convex shape, or the open position in which the back wall forms a concave shape.

Figures 4 to 6 show the container 100 of Figures 1 and 2 being opened by a consumer using only one hand.

Figure 4 shows a consumer grasping the closed container 100 in one hand. In Figure 4, the container 100 is closed and the back wall of the container (not shown in Figure 4) forms a convex shape at the exterior of the container 100. The container 100 tends to remain in the closed position shown in Figure 4 until pressure is applied by a consumer.

Figure 5 shows the container 100 half opened by the consumer. The consumer has applied pressure to the convex back wall 1 12, below hinge line 106, using the consumer's index finger. The pressure applied by the consumer has caused the lid to open and the back wall 1 12 to flip to form a concave shape at the exterior of the container 100.

Figure 6 shows the container 100 in the fully open position. The back wall 1 12 forms a concave shape at the exterior of the container 100. The consumer may stabilize the container in the open position by squeezing the side walls of the container or by continuing to press on the back wall 1 12 with the index finger, or both. Figures 4 to 6 show that the container may be opened by a consumer using only one hand, since the lid tends to flip automatically from the closed position (shown in Figure 4) into the open position (shown in Figures 5 and 6). When the lid is closed, the lid tends to remain in the closed position. This avoids the lid popping open slightly after the container has been opened for the first time.

Claims

1 . A container for consumer goods, the container comprising:

a box portion; and

a lid portion hinged to the box portion along a hinge line extending across a back wall of the container, the lid portion comprising a lid top wall, a lid back wall and a top back edge between the lid top wall and the lid back wall;

wherein the hinge line between the lid portion and the box portion is curved;

wherein the top back edge of the lid portion is curved; and

wherein the hinge line and the top back edge of the lid portion have substantially the same radius of curvature.

2. A container according to claim 1 , wherein the hinge line between the lid portion and the box portion, and the top back edge of the lid portion each comprise a circular arc.

3. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the radius of curvature of each of the hinge line and the top back edge of the lid portion has a length that is between about 0.6 and about 2 times the width of the container, preferably between about 0.8 and about 1 .5 times the width of the container, more preferably between about 0.9 and about 1 .1 times the width of the container.

4. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein each of the hinge line and the top back edge of the lid portion is convex when viewed from the box portion direction.

5. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the box portion has a box bottom wall, a box back wall and a bottom back edge between the box bottom wall and the box back wall, wherein the bottom back edge is straight.

6. A container according to any preceding claim wherein, in an upper portion of the container, the back wall of the container is convex at the exterior of the container when the lid portion is in a closed position and concave at the exterior of the container when the lid portion is in an open position.

7. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the box portion has a box front wall, a box bottom wall and a bottom front edge between the box front wall and the box bottom wall, wherein the lid portion has a lid front wall and a top front edge between the lid top wall and the lid front wall and wherein at least one of the bottom front edge of the box portion and the top front edge of the lid portion is curved.

8. A container according to any preceding claim, comprising smoking articles.

9. A laminar blank for forming a container for consumer goods, the blank comprising: a box blank portion for forming a box portion of the container;

a lid blank portion for forming a lid portion of the container;

wherein the lid blank portion depends from the box blank portion along a hinge line, the hinge line extending across a back wall panel of the blank,

wherein the lid blank portion comprises a lid top wall portion and a lid back wall portion, and the lid top wall portion depends from the lid back wall portion along a lid fold line for forming a top back edge of the lid portion;

wherein the hinge line between the lid blank portion and the box blank portion is curved;

wherein the lid fold line between the lid top wall portion and the lid back wall portion is curved; and

wherein the hinge line and the lid fold line have substantially the same radius of curvature.

10. A laminar blank according to claim 9, wherein the hinge line between the lid blank portion and the box blank portion, and the lid fold line between the lid top wall portion and the lid back wall portion, each comprise a circular arc.

1 1 . A laminar blank according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the radius of curvature of each of the hinge line and the lid fold line has a length that is between about 0.6 and about 2 times the width of the container, preferably between about 0.8 and about 1 .5 times the width of the container, more preferably between about 0.9 and about 1 .1 times the width of the container.

12. A laminar blank according to any of claims 9 to 1 1 , wherein each of the hinge line and the lid fold line is convex when viewed from the box blank portion direction.

13. A laminar blank according to any of claims 9 to 12, wherein the box blank portion comprises a box bottom wall portion and a box back wall portion, and the box bottom wall portion depends from the box back wall portion along a box fold line for forming a bottom back edge of the box portion, wherein the box fold line is straight.

14. A laminar blank according to any of claims 9 to 13, wherein the box blank portion comprises a box bottom wall portion and a box front wall portion, wherein the lid blank portion comprises a lid front wall portion and wherein at least one of the box fold line between the box bottom wall portion and the box front wall portion and the lid fold line between the lid top wall portion and the lid front wall portion is curved.

15. A method of opening a hinged lid container, the method comprising the steps of: providing a container according to claim 7; and

applying a force directed to the interior of the container onto the back wall of the container sufficient to switch the back wall of the container from a convex shape into a concave shape to open the container.