WO2015144584A1

WO2015144584A1 - Container having inner spacer element

Info

Publication number: WO2015144584A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/055932
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lucas Chatelain
Original assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
Priority date: 2014-03-24
Filing date: 2015-03-20
Publication date: 2015-10-01
Also published as: ES2674104T3; TR201807844T4; PL3122658T3; EP3122658B1; EP3122658A1

Abstract

A container (10) for consumer articles comprises a box portion (12) comprising a box bottom wall (24) and a box back wall (22); a lid portion (14) connected to the box portion along a lid hinge line (38); and an inner spacer element (16) mounted within the box portion. The inner spacer element (16) comprises a top spacer panel (40) affixed to the inner surface of the lid portion (14); a bottom spacer panel (44) positioned against the inner surface of the box bottom wall (24); and a back spacer panel (42) extending between the top spacer panel and the bottom spacer panel. When the lid is in the closed position, the back spacer panel (42) is spaced apart from the box back wall (22) to define a front compartment (48) for consumer articles within the box portion. The back spacer panel (42) comprises a spacer hinge line (46), which is positioned below the lid hinge line (38) when the lid portion (14) is in a closed position.

Description

CONTAINER HAVING INNER SPACER ELEMENT

The present invention relates to a novel hinge lid container for consumer articles comprising an inner spacer element. The container of the present invention finds particular application as a container for elongate consumer articles, such as smoking articles.

It is known to package elongate smoking articles and other consumer articles 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 for housing the smoking articles and a lid connected to the box about a hinge line extending across the back wall of the container. Such packs are typically constructed from laminar cardboard blanks. In use, the lid is pivoted about the hinge line to open the pack and so gain access to the smoking articles held in the box.

As consumer articles are progressively removed from a container, the empty space within the container increases and the remaining consumer articles may no longer be held in place as securely as in the unopened container. Therefore, the remaining consumer articles are more likely to move around and may be shaken during transport of the container, which may cause damage to the consumer articles. In the case of cigarettes, this may cause some loose tobacco material to fall out the tobacco rods.

In some cases, there is a need to provide containers that are larger in size than the volume occupied by the consumer articles within the container. This may result in there being empty space within the container so that the consumer articles are more likely to be displaced or shaken within the container during transport, as described above.

It would be desirable to provide a novel container for consumer articles that substantially retains the consumer articles in position within the container, where the consumer articles occupy only a portion of the internal space of the container. In particular, it would be desirable to provide a container that provides means to retain consumer articles in position within the container after a proportion of the consumer articles have been removed. It would be particularly desirable to provide such a container that can be readily produced without significant modification of existing container designs or packaging equipment.

According to the invention there is provided a container for consumer articles, the container comprising: a box portion comprising a box bottom wall and a box back wall: a lid portion connected to the box portion along a lid hinge line extending across a back wall of the container and pivotable about the lid hinge line between a closed position and an open position; and an inner spacer element mounted within the box portion. The inner spacer element comprises a top spacer panel, a bottom spacer panel and a back spacer panel extending between the top spacer panel and the bottom spacer panel. The top spacer panel is affixed to an inner surface of the lid portion. The bottom spacer panel is positioned against the inner surface of the box bottom wall. When the lid is in the closed position the back spacer panel is spaced apart from the box back wall to define a front compartment for consumer articles within the box portion, the front compartment having a volume smaller than the internal volume of the box portion.

In the following description of the invention the terms "side", "top", "bottom", "front", "back" and other terms used to describe relative positions of the components of containers according to the invention refer to the container in an upright position with the lid portion at the top and the box bottom wall at the bottom. When describing containers according to the present invention, these terms are used irrespective of the orientation of the container being described. The lid hinge line that allows opening the lid portion of the container by a pivotal movement is located at the "back" of the container. Conversely, the "front" of the container refers to the side of the container opposite of the "back" of the container.

The terms "height", "width" and "depth" refer to the external dimensions of the container or a component of the container along three perpendicular axes. For example, the "height" of the container refers to the vertical distance between the top wall and the bottom wall, the "width" of the container refers to the distance between opposed side walls of the container and the "depth" of the container refers to the distance between the front wall and the back wall. The terms "internal height", "internal width" and "internal depth" refer to the corresponding dimensions inside the container or component. The difference between the external dimensions of the container and the internal dimensions of the container is determined by the thickness of the material, the number of layers and additional spacing elements, like for example the thickness of an adhesive.

The term "hinge line" refers to a line about which two elements may be pivoted relative to each other. A hinge line may be, for example, a fold line, a perforation line or a score line in a wall or panel of the container. Where the hinge line is a perforation line, the perforation line may be used to remove parts of the container, for example parts of the spacer element.

In containers according to the invention, an inner spacer element is incorporated within the container to divide the space within the box portion and define a front compartment having a smaller volume than the box portion. This advantageously enables consumer articles that occupy less space than the full volume of the container to be held in place more securely within the box portion. In practice, in containers according to the invention, when the lid is in the closed position, consumer articles housed in the front deoparment are positively spaced apart from the box back wall. Movement of the consumer articles within the container can therefore be minimised during storage to prevent damage to the consumer articles. Elongate consumer articles, such as smoking articles, may advantageously be held in an upright position and in substantial alignment with each other in order to facilitate access and removal of the consumer articles from the container. ln certain embodiments of the invention, as described below, the construction of the inner spacer element can be adapted such that it is capable of exerting a retaining force on the consumer articles within the box portion, to further improve the retention of the position of the consumer articles.

Containers according to the invention are particularly suitable for holding a group or bundle of consumer articles that is smaller than the internal volume of the container, for example, having a smaller depth. Containers according to the invention are also suitable for use in retaining consumer articles in place when one or more have been removed from an initial group or bundle, irrespective of whether the initial group occupies substantially all or only some of the internal volume of the container.

The inner spacer element can advantageously be incorporated into a wide variety of container designs and sizes, without the need for significant modification to the overall construction of the container. Furthermore, the position of the inner spacer element can readily be adjusted so that the container can be adapted to hold different numbers or sizes of consumer articles, without changing the overall dimensions of the container.

In containers of the present invention, the inner spacer element is mounted within the box portion and extends into the lid portion so that the top spacer panel may be affixed to an inner surface of the lid portion. All of the top spacer panel may be affixed to the lid portion, or just a portion of the top spacer panel may be affixed. The fixture of the inner spacer element to the inside of the lid portion holds the inner spacer element in place and increases the structural strength of the container, in particular, the lid portion of the container. The stability of the lid portion during its movement between the open and closed positions is also improved through the fixture of the inner spacer element to the inside of the lid portion.

Due to the fixture of the inner spacer element to the lid portion, the inner spacer element will typically be pulled backwards as the lid portion is moved to the open position. The back spacer panel will therefore typically be pulled away from the consumer articles within the front compartment. This advantageously increases the volume of the front compartment and the size of the opening at the top end. This advantageously facilitates the removal of the consumer articles through the opening.

The extension of the inner spacer element into the lid portion of the container additionally reduces the visual impact of the inner spacer element when the lid portion is open, since the inner spacer element is effectively integrated into the lid portion and will cover the space formed behind the back spacer panel. The top spacer panel and at least a portion of the back spacer panel will, however, typically be visible to the consumer in the open position. These spacer panels therefore provide additional inner surfaces within the container on which information or graphics can be presented to the consumer, which will be revealed upon opening of the container.

The top spacer panel may be affixed to one or more of the walls of the lid portion. Preferably, the top spacer panel is affixed to the inner surface of the lid top wall. The top spacer panel is preferably connected to the back spacer panel along a hinge line extending across the inner spacer element. Due to the fixture of the top spacer panel to the inner surface of the lid portion, the hinge line between the top spacer panel and the back spacer panel will typically extend across the wall of the lid portion to which the top spacer panel is affixed. The position of this hinge line will determine the position of at least the upper part of the back spacer panel in the closed lid portion. The position of the hinge line will also affect the degree of movement of the inner spacer panel as the lid portion is moved to an open position.

Preferably, the hinge line between the top spacer panel and the back spacer panel extends across the lid top wall and particularly preferably, the hinge line extends across the lid top wall at a distance from the back edge of the lid top wall. This enables at least the upper part of the back spacer panel to be offset from the back wall of the container in the closed lid position.

Preferably, the top spacer panel projects in a forwards direction from the back spacer panel when the lid portion is in the closed position. In alternative embodiments, the top spacer panel may project in a backwards direction.

The bottom spacer panel of the inner spacer element is positioned against the box bottom wall in the closed lid position. The bottom spacer panel is preferably connected to the back spacer panel along a hinge line extending across the inner spacer element. In the closed lid position when the bottom spacer panel is positioned against the box bottom wall, the hinge line between the bottom spacer panel and the back spacer panel will typically extend across the box bottom wall, at a distance from the back edge of the box bottom wall. The position of this hinge line will determine the offset between at least the lower part of the back spacer panel and the box back wall in the closed lid portion.

Preferably, the bottom spacer panel projects in a forwards direction from the back spacer panel and therefore forms all or a part of the bottom wall of the front compartment. The consumer articles within the front compartment will therefore be at least partially supported on the bottom spacer panel. In alternative embodiments, the bottom spacer panel may project in a backwards direction from the back spacer panel.

The bottom spacer panel may project in the same or a different direction to the top spacer panel. Particularly preferably, both the top spacer panel and the bottom spacer panel project in a forwards direction from the back spacer panel. ln certain embodiments of the present invention, the bottom spacer panel may be affixed to the inner surface of the box bottom wall. In such embodiments, there is no movement of the bottom spacer panel as the lid portion moves between the closed and open positions.

In alternative embodiments, the bottom spacer panel overlies the bottom box wall in the closed position but is not affixed to the bottom box wall so that the bottom spacer panel is free to move relative to the box bottom wall during opening and closing of the lid portion. Typically, as the lid portion is moved to the open position and the top spacer panel is pulled backwards together with the lid portion, the bottom spacer panel will be pulled in an upwards direction towards the opening of the box portion. Where the bottom spacer panel projects forwards from the back spacer panel to form all or a part of the bottom wall of the front compartment, the upwards movement of the bottom spacer panel provides a lifting effect, since the bottom spacer panel will push the consumer articles supported on it upwards as the lid portion is opened. This facilitates removal of the consumer articles from within the box portion. This may be particularly advantageous as the hinge line creates a defined point of the height that the bundle may be lifted.

In yet further embodiments, a portion of the bottom spacer panel may be affixed to the inner surface of the box bottom wall, with the remaining portion free to move. For example, the front portion of the bottom spacer panel may be affixed to the box bottom wall, with the back portion of the bottom spacer panel free to pivot upwards to a certain extent, thereby providing some lifting effect as the lid portion is opened, as described above.

Preferably, where the box portion contains a wrapped group or bundle of consumer articles, the bottom spacer panel is affixed to the bottom of the wrapped bundle. This secures the position of the inner spacer element at the bottom of the box portion, in particular where the bottom spacer panel is not affixed to the box bottom wall. In such cases, the fixture of the bottom spacer panel to the wrapped bundle may further improve any lifting effect provided by the bottom spacer panel as the lid portion is opened.

The back spacer panel of the inner spacer element extends between the top spacer panel and the bottom spacer panel and is connected to each of the top and bottom spacer panels along a respective hinge line, as described above. The inner spacer element is mounted with the back spacer panel offset from the box back wall so that the inner spacer element sits between the box back wall and the box front wall. When the consumer articles are in place within the box portion, the back spacer panel sits behind the consumer articles. The back spacer panel therefore acts to retain the consumer articles in position within the front compartment.

Depending upon the size of the group of consumer articles within the box portion, the back spacer panel may or may not contact the consumer articles in the open and closed positions of the lid portion. Preferably, at least a part of the back spacer panel is in contact with the consumer articles when the lid is in the closed position, to minimise the movement of the consumer articles within the container during storage.

Preferably, the back spacer panel projects backwards towards the box back wall when the lid portion is in the open position. This will typically result from the movement of the top spacer panel in a backwards direction as the lid portion is opened, which will in turn pull at least the upper part of the back spacer panel backwards. As described above, this increases the size of the opening of the front compartment to improve access to the consumer articles within the front compartment.

Prefearbly, the back spacer panel includes a spacer hinge line extending across it, which defines upper and lower portions of the back spacer panel which are pivotable relative to each other about the spacer hinge line. Preferably, the spacer hinge line is positioned so that in the closed lid position, it lies below the lid hinge line between the box portion and the lid portion. This enables the upper portion of the back spacer panel to pivot backwards from the lower portion upon opening of the lid portion so that the lid portion can move in an unrestricted way between the closed and open positions.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the spacer hinge line is positioned below the lid hinge line when the lid portion is in the closed position . The distance between the spacer hinge line and the lid hinge line may be varied in order to control the movement of the inner spacer element within the box portion during opening and closing of the lid portion. Preferably, the distance between the spacer hinge line and the lid hinge line when the lid portion is in the closed position corresponds to between about 0.1 percent and about 5 percent of the internal height of the container. In particular, this may allow the lower back spacer panel to be substantially vertical in the open position of the container, or, depending on preference, in the closed position of the container. Alternatively, the hinge in the back spacer panel may be located above the hinge line between the box and the lid of the container.

The construction and arrangement of the inner spacer element, as described above, enables it to change position upon movement of the lid portion between the closed and open positions, respectively. In the closed position of the lid portion, the inner spacer element adopts a first position in which the back spacer panel acts to retain the consumer articles in position within the front compartment. Preferably, in this first position the back spacer panel abuts the consumer articles within the front compartment and is capable of exerting a forward pressure against them. In the open position of the lid portion, the inner spacer element adopts a second, different position in which the back spacer panel is pulled backwards and contact between the inner spacer element and the consumer articles is released to facilitate removal of the consumer articles, as described above. In certain embodiments, the inner spacer element may move gradually between these two positions described above as the lid portion is moved between the open and closed positions. Alternatively, the inner spacer element may only be stable in the first and second positions and may effectively spring or snap from the first position into the second position when the lid portion has been moved by a certain amount from the closed position to the open position.

In a first embodiment of the invention, the height of the back spacer panel is substantially the same as the internal height of the container when the lid portion is in the closed position. The back spacer panel is therefore substantially upright and vertical in the closed position, with the back spacer panel positioned substantially parallel to the box back wall. Preferably, when the front compartment includes a wrapped bundle of consumer articles, the back spacer panel abuts the back surface of the wrapped bundle along substantially the full height of the back spacer panel when the lid portion is in a closed position.

The "height" of the back spacer panel refers to the height of the panel when flat in the vertical direction.

In a second embodiment of the invention, the back spacer panel has a height (as defined above) that is greater than the internal height of the container, such that in the closed lid position the back spacer panel curves or bows in order to fit within the container. Prior to the first opening of the container, the back spacer panel may curve towards the front or back of the container. However, after the first opening of the container, the back spacer panel will typically curve in a forwards direction in the closed lid position, as a result of the bending of the back spacer panel about the spacer hinge line.

This forward curvature of the back spacer panel in the closed lid position may advantageously cause the back spacer panel to exert a force on the consumer articles within the container, helping to retain them in position towards the front of the box portion. The shape of the curved back spacer panel will advantageously adapt depending on the number of consumer articles within the front compartment. The retaining force on the consumer articles can therefore be maintained even as consumer articles are removed from the container. Due to the curved shape of the inner spacer element in the closed lid position, only the portion of the back spacer panel extending furthest towards the front of the container will typically be able to abut the consumer articles. It will be appreciated that the abutment of the back spacer panel against the consumer articles may cause some distortion of the curved shape of the back spacer panel. Preferably, the curve is in the form of a single arc, however, also curves with one or multiple turning points like for example an S-shape or wave like curve is possible.

As the lid portion is opened and the top spacer panel is pulled backwards, the back spacer panel will tend to straighten out as more space becomes available and the curvature will therefore decrease. In some cases, the inner spacer element will produce a spring effect on the lid portion, since the back spacer panel will tend to revert back to the straighter form provided in the open lid position. The lid portion will therefore be urged towards the open position.

The inner spacer element of containers according to the second embodiment of the invention may advantageously be formed of a material having a natural elasticity or flexibility, such as cardboard or plastic, in order to optimise the effect of the curvature of the back spacer panel in retaining the consumer articles within the container. An increased elasticity of the inner spacer element will additionally increase the spring effect on the lid portion, as described above.

In containers according to the second embodiment of the invention, the back spacer panel may comprise one or more additional lines of weakness below the spacer hinge line, to control the shape of the curvature of the back spacer panel in the closed lid position.

In containers according to the second embodiment of the invention, the height of the back spacer panel when measured in a flat state is preferably between about 0.5 percent and about 6 percent greater than the internal height of the container.

Containers according to the invention may incorporate an inner spacer element that extends across substantially the full internal width of the container, between the opposed side walls. Alternatively, containers according to the invention may incorporate an inner spacer element that has a smaller width than the internal width of the container and therefore extends across only a part of the container. This may be desirable, for example, in order to reduce the width of the front compartment relative to the internal width of the container.

In certain embodiments, the inner spacer element may comprise opposed side spacer panels extending from the side edges of the back spacer panel. These side spacer panels may lie against the inner surfaces of the box side walls, where the inner spacer element extends across the full width of the container. Alternatively, the side spacer panels may be offset from the box side walls to define a front compartment having a reduced width compared to the internal width of the container. This enables the container to more effectively retain the position of a group of consumer articles having a smaller width than the container.

As described above, the inner spacer element divides the space within the box portion to define a front compartment having a reduced volume compared to the overall internal volume of the box portion. In particular, the front compartment has at least a reduced depth compared to the overall internal depth of the box portion. Preferably, the depth of the front compartment is between about 50 percent and about 95 percent of the overall internal depth of the box portion. The depth of the front compartment may be adjusted through the placement of the inner spacer element and in particular, the positioning of the respective hinge lines between the back spacer panel and the top and bottom spacer panels. The container can therefore be readily adapted to provide a suitable size front compartment to accommodate a group of consumer articles that is smaller than the internal space within the box portion.

By dividing the space within the box portion, the inner spacer element further defines a back compartment between the back spacer panel and the box back wall. The back compartment may optionally be used to house additional consumer articles. Access to the consumer articles within the back compartment may be provided by a cut out or opening in the back spacer panel, or in the box back wall. Alternatively or in addition, the box back wall may be provided with a transparent window which enables the inside of the back compartment and any consumer articles contained within the back compartment to be viewed from the back of the container.

Containers according to the invention preferably further comprise an inner frame mounted within the box portion. The inner frame may extend above the top edges of the box portion at the opening of the box portion.

Preferably, containers according to the invention further comprise a group of consumer articles housed within the front compartment. Particularly preferably, the group of consumer articles is a wrapped bundle of smoking articles. Preferably, the wrapped bundle of smoking articles has a depth that is smaller than the internal depth of the container. For example, the wrapped bundle preferably has a depth that is between about 50 percent and about 95 percent of the internal depth of the container. The depth of the front compartment may be adapted as described below depending on the depth of the wrapped bundle to be housed within the box portion.

Containers of the present invention may be formed from blanks of any suitable materials including, but not limited to, cardboard, paperboard, plastic, metal, or combinations thereof. Where the container is formed of cardboard, preferably, the cardboard has a weight of between about 100 grams per square metre and about 350 grams per square metre.

Preferably, the box portion and lid portion are formed of a single laminar blank. The inner spacer element is preferably formed from a separate laminar blank. The inner spacer element may be incorporated into the container during or after assembly of the box portion and the lid portion.

Containers according to the invention may be in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, with right-angled longitudinal and right-angled transverse edges. Alternatively, the container may comprise one or more rounded longitudinal edges, rounded transverse edges, bevelled longitudinal edges or bevelled transverse edges, or combinations thereof. 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 blanks. 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 blanks.

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 preferably house a plurality of longitudinal consumer articles having a longitudinal axis extending perpendicularly to the bottom wall, such that one end of the consumer articles is supported on the bottom wall and the opposed end protrudes through the access opening.

Containers according to the invention find particular application as packs for elongate smoking articles such as, for example, cigarettes, cigars or cigarillos. Preferably, the box portion of containers according to the invention houses a bundle of elongate smoking articles. Preferably, the bundle of smoking articles is wrapped in an inner liner, which must be at least partially removed before the smoking articles can be accessed.

It will be appreciated that through appropriate choices of the dimensions thereof, the front compartment according to the invention may be designed for different numbers of conventional size, king size, super-king size, slim or super-slim cigarettes. Alternatively, other consumer articles may be housed inside the container.

Through an appropriate choice of the dimensions thereof, the front compartment according to the invention may be designed to hold different total numbers of smoking articles, or different arrangements of smoking articles. For example, through an appropriate choice of the dimensions thereof, containers according to the invention may be designed to hold a total of between ten and thirty smoking articles.

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.

The length, width and depth of containers according to the invention may be such that 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.

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.

The interior surfaces or exterior surfaces of containers or both interior and 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.

The consumer articles within the containers according to the invention may be individually wrapped, or wrapped altogether in a single wrapper or may be wrapped in multiple groups of consumer articles, for example, two, three or four groups of consumer articles, wrapped in a respective wrappers. Typically, the wrapper is removed before the consumer articles can be accessed.

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. In addition, the over wrapper may be printed with images, consumer information or other data.

Where the container comprises smoking articles, the container may further comprise waste- compartments (for example for ash or butts) or other consumer articles, for example matches, lighters, extinguishing means, breath-fresheners or electronics. The other consumer articles 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, in the back compartment within the container or combinations thereof.

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

Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a container according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 2 and 3 show side cross-sectional views of the container of Figure 1 with the lid portion in the open and closed positions, respectively;

Figure 4 shows a side cross-sectional view of a container according to the second embodiment of the present invention prior to opening; and

Figures 5 and 6 show side cross-sectional views of the container of Figure 4 with the lid portion in the open position and with the lid portion in the closed position (after the first opening), respectively.

The container 10 shown in Figures 1 to 3 is rectangular parallelepipedal in shape, when assembled, and comprises a box portion 12, a lid portion 14 connected to the box portion 12 and an inner spacer element 16 mounted within the box portion 12. The box portion 12 contains a wrapped bundle of cigarettes 18 which has a smaller depth than the internal depth of the box portion 12.

The box portion 12 comprises a box front wall 20, a box back wall 22, a box bottom wall 24, and opposed box side walls 26. The top side of the box portion is open to provide an access opening through which the cigarettes 18 can be removed when the lid portion 14 is in an open position. An inner sleeve 28 (not shown in Figures 2 and 3) is mounted inside the box portion 12 and extends above the top edges of the box portion 12.

The lid portion 14 comprises a lid front wall 30, a lid back wall 32, a lid top wall 34 and opposed lid side walls 36. The lid portion 14 is connected to the box portion 12 along a hinge line 38 extending across the back wall of the container and is pivotable about the hinge line 38 between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, shown in Figure 2, the lid portion 14 covers the access opening and the walls of the lid portion 14 form extensions of the corresponding walls of the box portion 12. In the open position, shown in Figure 3, the lid portion 14 projects backwardly from the box portion 12 and the access opening at the top end of the box portion 12 is fully uncovered.

The inner spacer element 16 comprises a top spacer panel 40, a back panel spacer panel 42 connected to the top spacer panel 40 along a first hinge line and a bottom spacer panel 44 connected to the back spacer panel 42 along a second hinge line. The top spacer panel 40 and the bottom spacer panel 44 extend from the back spacer panel 42 in a forwards direction. The back spacer panel 42 includes a spacer hinge line 46 extending across the panel and dividing the panel 42 into two portions which are pivotable relative to each other about the spacer hinge line 46. The height of the back spacer panel 42, when flat, substantially corresponds to the internal height of the container 10.

In the assembled container shown in Figures 2 and 3, the inner spacer element 16 is mounted within the box portion 12 with the top spacer panel 40 affixed to the inner surface of the lid top wall 34 and the bottom spacer panel 44 overlying the box bottom wall 24 and affixed to the bottom surface of the bundle of smoking articles 18. The back edges of each of the top spacer panel 40 and the bottom spacer panel 44, along which the respective panels are connected to the back spacer panel 42, are spaced apart from the box back wall 22 so that the back spacer panel 42 is offset from the box back wall 22, as described in more detail below. The inner spacer element 16 therefore divides the internal space within the box portion 12 into a front compartment 48 and a back compartment 50. The wrapped bundle of smoking articles 18 is supported on the bottom spacer panel 44, in the front compartment 48.

In the closed position shown in Figure 2, the back spacer panel 42 is substantially vertical and substantially parallel to the box back wall 22. The back spacer panel 42 is offset from the box back wall 22 by a distance corresponding to approximately one third of the internal depth of the container 10. The depth of the front compartment 48 is therefore approximately twice the depth of the back compartment 50. In this closed position, the spacer hinge line 46 lies below the position of the hinge line 38 between the lid portion 14 and the box portion 12.

In the closed position shown in Figure 2, the back spacer panel 42 abuts the back of the wrapped bundle of smoking articles 18 so that the bundle is retained in position within the container 10, despite having a depth that is significantly smaller than the internal depth of the container.

As the lid portion 14 is pivoted backwards towards the open position shown in Figure 3, the top spacer panel 40 is also pulled backwards. This, in turn, pulls the top of the back spacer panel 42 backwards, away from the wrapped bundle of smoking articles 18, thereby increasing the size of the opening of the front compartment 48. As the back spacer panel 42 is pulled backwards, it bends about the spacer hinge line 46 so that the upper portion of the back spacer panel 42 extends backwards from the lower portion. In the open position shown in Figure 3, the spacer hinge line 46 substantially overlies the hinge line 38.

The movement of the inner spacer element 16 as the lid portion 14 is opened causes the bottom spacer panel 44 to be pulled upwards towards the opening. The wrapped bundle of smoking articles 18 is therefore lifted away from the box bottom wall 24, as shown in Figure 3.

The box portion 12 and lid portion 14 of the container 10 are formed from a single laminar blank and may be assembled using conventional apparatus and methods. The inner spacer element 16 is formed from a separate laminar blank and may be incorporated into the container 10 after or during the assembly of the box portion 12 and lid portion 14.

The container 1 10 shown in Figures 4 to 6 comprises a box portion 1 12 and a lid portion 1 14 having the same construction as those described above in relation to the container 10. The container 1 10 further comprises an inner lifting element 1 16 having a similar construction to that described above for container 10, with a corresponding arrangement of a top spacer panel 140, a back spacer panel 142 and a bottom spacer panel 144. The inner spacer element 1 16 is additionally mounted in the container 1 10 in the same way as described above for the inner spacer element 16 of container 10, with the top spacer panel 140 affixed to the inner surface of the lid top wall 134.

The inner spacer element 1 16 differs, however, from that described above in that the back spacer panel 142 has a height, when flat, that is greater than the internal height of the container 1 10.

The increased height of the back spacer panel 142 relative to the internal height of the container means that in the closed position of the lid portion, the back spacer panel 142 is forced to adopt a curved configuration. Prior to the first opening of the lid portion, the back spacer panel 142 is positioned as shown in Figure 4 and curves backwards towards the box back wall 122. In this initial position, the back spacer panel 142 has minimal or substantially no contact with the bundle of smoking articles 18.

As the lid portion 1 14 moves towards the open position shown in Figure 5, the inner spacer element 1 16 is pulled backwards, as described above, and has more space in which to straighten out. In the open position, the upper part of the back spacer panel 142 will be drawn away from the bundle of smoking articles 18 whilst the lower part of the back spacer panel will remain in contact with the bundle, as shown.

When the lid portion 114 is subsequently closed, the back spacer panel 142 will again adopt a curved configuration, but will now curve forwards towards the bundle of smoking articles 18, as shown in Figure 6. The back spacer panel 142 will therefore abut the back of the bundle of smoking articles 18 and apply a forwards pressure, to retain the bundle in position. The curvature of the back spacer panel 142 will adapt depending on the depth of the bundle 18. The curvature will therefore change as smoking articles are progressively removed from the bundle, maintaining the forward pressure on the bundle. Figure 6 shows the container 1 10 after some smoking articles have been removed from the bundle 18 and the depth of the bundle has been reduced.

The inner spacer element 1 16 is formed of a blank of a resilient material, such as cardboard. As a result of the resilience of the material, the inner spacer element 116 will tend towards the straightened out position shown in Figure 5, with the lid portion 1 14 open. This produces a spring effect, with the inner spacer element 1 16 urging the lid portion 1 14 towards the open position once the lid portion 1 14 has been released from the closed position shown in Figure 4.

The container 1 10 may be formed from laminar blanks as described above with reference to container 10.

Claims

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

a box portion comprising a box bottom wall and a box back wall;

a lid portion connected to the box portion along a lid hinge line extending across a back wall of the container and pivotable about the lid hinge line between a closed position and an open position; and

an inner spacer element mounted within the box portion, wherein the inner spacer element comprises

a top spacer panel affixed to the inner surface of the lid portion;

a bottom spacer panel positioned against the inner surface of the box bottom wall; and

a back spacer panel extending between the top spacer panel and the bottom spacer panel,

wherein, when the lid is in the closed position, the back spacer panel is spaced apart from the box back wall to define a front compartment for consumer articles within the box portion, the front compartment having a volume smaller than the internal volume of the box portion.

2. A container according to claim 1 wherein the lid portion comprises a lid top wall and wherein the top spacer panel is affixed to the lid top wall.

3. A container according to claim 1 wherein the bottom spacer panel of the inner spacer element is affixed to the inner surface of the box bottom wall.

4. A container according to any preceding claim wherein the back spacer panel of the inner spacer element projects backwards towards the box back wall when the lid portion is in the open position.

5. A container according to any preceding claim wherein the back spacer panel comprises a spacer hinge line extending across the back spacer panel, wherein the spacer hinge line is positioned below the lid hinge line when the lid portion is in the closed position and wherein preferably the distance between the lid hinge line and the spacer hinge line corresponds to between 0.5 percent and 5 percent of the internal height of the container.

6. A container according to any preceding claim wherein the top spacer panel and the bottom spacer panel each project forwards from the back spacer panel.

7. A container according to any preceding claim wherein the height of the back spacer panel substantially corresponds to the internal height of the container such that in the closed position of the lid portion the back spacer panel is substantially parallel to the box back wall.

8. A container according to any of claims 1 to 6 wherein the height of the back spacer panel is greater than the internal height of the container such that the back spacer panel curves in a forwards direction into the front compartment when the lid portion is in the closed position.

9. A container according to claim 8 wherein the height of the back spacer panel between 0.5 percent and 6 percent greater than the internal height of the container.

10. A container according to any preceding claim wherein the inner spacer element extends across substantially the full internal width of the box portion.

1 1 . A container according to any of claims 1 to 9 wherein the inner spacer element further comprises opposed side spacer panels extending from the back spacer panel wherein the side spacer panels are positioned to define a front compartment having a width that is smaller than the internal width of the box portion.

12. A container according to any preceding claim wherein the back spacer panel comprises a cut out to provide access to a back compartment defined within the box portion between the box back wall and the back spacer panel.

13. A container according to any preceding claim further comprising an inner frame mounted in the box portion.

14. A container according to any preceding claim further comprising a group of consumer articles housed within the front compartment of the box portion, wherein in the closed position of the lid portion, the back spacer panel abuts the consumer articles.

15. A container according to claim 14 wherein a wrapped bundle of smoking articles is housed within the front compartment of the box portion.