WO2015165999A1

WO2015165999A1 - Packaging with magnetic opening mechanism

Info

Publication number: WO2015165999A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/059403
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tim Collins; Anna BLOSSFELD; Patrick PERONACE
Original assignee: Jt International Sa
Priority date: 2014-04-30
Filing date: 2015-04-29
Publication date: 2015-11-05
Also published as: TW201605695A

Abstract

There is described packaging comprising: a housing for containing products, said housing comprising an opening arranged to allow access to such products; a lid movable with respect to the housing between a closed position in which said lid prevents access to said opening and an open position in which the opening is accessible; magnetic biasing means arranged to bias the lid towards the open position by magnetic force; and releasable locking means for keeping the lid in the closed position. Blanks for forming the housing and lid of such packaging and a method for forming such packaging are also described.

Description

PACKAGING WITH MAGNETIC OPENING MECHANISM

The present disclosure generally relates to the field of packaging, for example for tobacco products. More particularly, the disclosure relates to the field of cigarette packaging, blanks used in the construction of such packaging and methods of constructing such packaging.

It is an on-going requirement to improve the ergonomic and practical design of packaging. One area in which such a requirement is prevalent is the provision of packaging for tobacco products such as cigarette packaging.

Cigarette packaging must meet a range of challenging requirements. In particular, not only should the packaging be cheap and capable of mass production, but it should also be sufficiently robust to keep the cigarettes safe, maintain their freshness and retain its integrity over multiple sequences of opening and closing the packaging.

A common design for cigarette packaging today consists in a hinged lid packet. This is typically a cardboard packet with a hinged lid integrally formed at an upper end. The cigarettes are disposed longitudinally such that a user can remove the cigarettes by their ends when the lid is open.

It has also been proposed to provide cigarette packaging with slide or swing opening mechanisms. In such designs, an inner packet part which holds the cigarettes is disposed within an outer packet part. In a closed position, an opening of the inner packet part is covered by the outer packet part, while the inner packet part is movable relative to the outer packet part to an open position in order to allow access to the cigarettes stored within. In a slide arrangement, the inner packet part moves relative to the outer packet part with a linear motion, while in a swing arrangement the inner packet part moves relative to the outer packet part with motion comprising at least some rotation. For all types of packaging it has already been proposed closure means providing a locking force the user has to overcome to open the pack. However, such closure means can make opening and closing packets difficult, especially if only one hand is used.

There is described herein packaging having a housing part for containing products with an opening through which such products can be retrieved by a user and a lid part for closing said opening such that the products remain contained in the packaging when the lid is closed. The housing and lid parts could for example respectively be the main body and hinged lid parts of a hinged lid packet or the inner and outer packet parts of a slide or swing packet. The packaging further comprises magnetic biasing means, such as magnetic coatings on some packaging surfaces or permanent magnets affixed to the packaging or embedded therein, arranged to urge the lid towards an open position and keep it there so that contents of the housing can be removed. Releasable (reversible) locking means are also provided to keep the lid closed (against the action of the magnetic biasing means) when required.

Such packaging can for example be used for tobacco products/smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars or cigarillos, in particular cardboard cigarette packets. However their use is not limited to this field. For example, their use could be envisaged for other packets such as sweets packets or toothpick dispensers. The packaging could be constructed from cardboard, plastic, metal, wood or other suitable materials.

Where the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "top", "bottom", "side" etc. are used in the following description and claims, they are used merely to designate particular locations corresponding to those shown in the figures as presented and are not intended to tie interpretation of the claims to any particular orientation.

According to a first aspect, there is provided packaging comprising: a housing for containing products, said housing comprising an opening arranged to allow access to such products; a lid movable with respect to the housing between a closed position in which said lid prevents access to said opening and an open position in which the opening is accessible; magnetic biasing means arranged to bias the lid towards the open position by magnetic force; and releasable locking means for keeping the lid in the closed position.

Said magnetic biasing means could be provided by a first magnetised component comprised in the housing and a second magnetised component comprised in the lid. Said first and second magnetised components could be arranged to face one another with like poles such that there is a repellent force between the housing and the lid when the lid is in the closed position.

The first and second magnetised components could be at least partly located in regions of the housing and lid respectively which overlap. Said releasable locking means could comprise a locking tab comprised in one of the lid or housing and a corresponding aperture or recess comprised in the other of the lid or housing. Said locking tab and aperture or recess could be arranged to engage one another in the closed position. The lid could substantially contain the housing.

At least a part of the lid could be pivotable with respect to the housing, for example about a hinge. Such pivoting motion could effect movement between the open and closed positions.

Said hinge could be between parts of the lid.

The housing could be an open-topped box comprising a front wall, a bottom wall, a back wall and two side walls. The lid could be a hinged lid box comprising a front wall, a bottom wall, a top wall, a back wall and two side walls. The hinge could be comprised in said back wall of the lid. Said side and front walls of the lid could be separated into upper and lower parts with respect to the hinge. Said upper parts of the side walls could connect to said top wall of the lid and a part of the back wall of the lid above the hinge. Said upper part of the front wall could connect to the top wall of the lid and the upper parts of the side walls. Said lower parts of the side walls could connect to said bottom wall of the lid and a part of the back wall of the lid below the hinge. Said lower part of the front wall could connect to the bottom wall of the lid and the lower parts of the side walls. The walls of the lid could be arranged such that: the upper parts of the front and side walls and the top wall of the lid are pivotable about the hinge with a part of the back wall of the lid above the hinge, and the lower parts of the front and side walls and the bottom wall of the lid are pivotable about the hinge with a part of the back wall of the lid below the hinge. The housing could be slidably received in the lid and, for example, oriented such that the bottom walls of the housing and lid are adjacent when the lid is in the closed position. The first magnetised component could be comprised in the bottom wall of the housing, for example on an external wall thereof. The second magnetised component could be comprised in the bottom wall of the lid, for example on an internal wall thereof.

Said releasable locking means could comprise a locking tab comprised in one of the upper parts of the front or side walls and a corresponding aperture or recess comprised in one of the lower parts of the front or side walls, said locking tab and aperture or recess being arranged to engage one another in the closed position. Alternatively or additionally, said releasable locking means could comprise an aperture or recess comprised in one of the upper parts of the front or side walls and a corresponding locking tab comprised in one of the lower parts of the front or side walls, said locking tab and aperture or recess being arranged to engage one another in the closed position.

In the closed position the upper part of the front wall of the lid could at least partially overlie either the lower part of the front wall of the lid or the front wall of the housing. The upper part of the front wall of the lid could comprise, for example on an internal wall thereof, a third magnetised component. Said third magnetised component could be located at least in part in a region which overlies the lower part of the front wall of the lid or the front wall of the housing respectively in the closed position. The lower part of the front wall of the lid or the front wall of the housing could respectively comprise, for example on an external wall thereof, a fourth magnetised component. Said fourth magnetised component could be located at least in part in a region overlaid by the upper part of the front wall of the lid in the closed position. Said third and fourth magnetised components could be arranged to face one another with like poles such that there is a repellent force between the housing and the lid when the lid is in the closed position.

Said hinge could be between the lid and the housing.

The housing could be an open-topped box comprising a front wall, a bottom wall, a back wall and two side walls. The lid could be attached along a hinge line to the back wall of the housing. The lid could comprise a top wall, a back wall, a front wall and two side walls. The lid could be arranged such that its front and side walls at least partially overlap the front and side walls of the housing in the closed position. The first magnetised component could be comprised in the front wall of the housing, for example on an external wall thereof. The second magnetised component could be comprised in the front wall of the lid, for example on an internal wall thereof. The housing could further comprise an inner frame forming extensions of one or more of the front, back and side walls. The lid could be arranged such that its front and side walls at least partially overlap front and side walls of the inner frame in the closed position. The first magnetised component could be comprised in a front wall of the inner frame.

Said releasable locking means could comprise the locking tab comprised in one of the front or side walls of the housing and the corresponding aperture or recess comprised in one of the front or side walls of the lid. The locking tab could be comprised in one of a front or side wall of the inner frame. Alternatively or additionally, said releasable locking means could comprise the aperture or recess comprised in one of the front or side walls of the housing and the corresponding locking tab comprised in one of the front or side walls of the lid. The aperture or recess could be comprised in one of a front or side wall of the inner frame.

The housing could be an open-topped box comprising a front wall, a bottom wall, a back wall and two side walls. The lid could be attached along a hinge line to the back wall of the housing. The lid could comprise a top wall, a back wall, a front wall and two side walls. The lid could be arranged such that its front and side walls at least partially overlap the front and side walls of an inner frame extending from the housing in the closed position. The first magnetised component could be comprised in a front wall of the inner frame. The second magnetised component could be comprised in the front wall of the lid.

Said releasable locking means could comprise the locking tab comprised in one of a front or side wall of the inner frame and the corresponding aperture or recess comprised in one of the front or side walls of the lid. Alternatively or additionally, said releasable locking means could comprise the aperture or recess comprised in one of a front or side wall of the inner frame and the corresponding locking tab comprised in one of the front or side walls of the lid.

The housing could be movable within the lid in a sliding or swinging motion between the closed position and the open position.

The housing could be an open-topped box comprising a front wall, a bottom wall, a back wall and two side walls. The lid could be an open-sided box comprising a front wall, a back wall, a side wall, a top wall and a bottom wall. The first magnetised component could be comprised in a side wall of the housing, for example on an external wall thereof. The second magnetised component could be comprised in the side wall of the lid, for example on an internal wall thereof.

Said releasable locking means could comprise the locking tab comprised in the front or back wall of the housing, for example on an external wall thereof. The corresponding aperture or recess could be comprised in the front or back wall of the lid respectively, for example on an internal wall thereof. Alternatively or additionally, said releasable locking means could comprise the aperture or recess comprised in the front or back wall of the housing, for example on an external wall thereof. The corresponding locking tab could be comprised in the front or back wall of the lid respectively, for example on an internal wall thereof. Alternatively or additionally, said releasable locking means could comprise the locking tab extending from one of the housing side walls and the corresponding aperture or recess comprised in the top wall of the lid. A part of the top wall of the lid comprising said aperture or recess could optionally be flexible. It could be arranged such that it can be bent up to permit engagement and disengagement of the locking tab with the aperture or recess. Said magnetic biasing means could comprise one or more of: permanent magnets, ferromagnetic coatings, ferromagnetic metals, composite ferromagnetic materials or rare-earth magnets.

According to a second aspect there is provided a blank or set of blanks for forming packaging according to the first aspect.

A blank according to the second aspect for forming the housing of packaging according to the first aspect could comprise: two main panels for forming the front and back walls of the housing; two side panels for forming the side walls of the housing; and a bottom panel for forming the bottom wall of the housing. One of the side panels could comprise the first magnetic component.

A blank according to the second aspect for forming the lid of packaging according to the first aspect could comprise: two main panels for forming the front and back walls of the lid; a connecting panel between said two main panels and articulated thereon along fold lines to form the side wall of the lid; and a flap articulated along a fold line at each longitudinal end of one of the two main panels to form the top wall and the bottom wall of the lid. Said connecting panel could comprise the second magnetic component.

According to a third aspect there is provided a method for constructing packaging according to the first aspect by folding a blank or set of blanks according to the second aspect. A method according to the third aspect for forming packaging according to the first aspect could comprise folding blanks according to the second aspect for forming the housing and lid of the packaging of the first aspect. Said method could further comprise inserting the housing formed by the folded housing blank into the lid formed by the folded lid blank. Examples of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 A shows an example hinged lid packet in an open position;

Figure 1 B shows a blank for use in the production of the hinged lid packet of Figure 1 A;

Figure 1 C shows a blank for an inner frame for use in the production of the hinged lid packet of Figure 1 A;

Figure 2A shows an example hinged lid packet with an inner compartment in a closed position;

Figure 2B shows the hinged lid packet with an inner compartment of Figure 2A in an open position;

Figure 2C shows a blank for use in the production of the outer case of the hinged lid packet with an inner compartment of Figures 2A and 2B;

Figure 2D shows a blank for use in the production of the inner compartment of the hinged lid packet of Figures 2A and 2B;

Figure 3A shows an example slide packet in a closed position;

Figure 3B shows the slide packet of Figure 3A with the inner packet part taken completely out of the outer packet part;

Figure 3C shows a blank for use in the production of the outer part of the slide packet of Figures 3A and 3B;

Figure 3D shows a blank for use in the production of the inner part of the slide packet of Figures 3A and 3B;

Figure 4A shows an example swing packet in a closed position;

Figure 4B shows the swing packet of Figure 4A in an open position;

Figure 4C shows a blank for use in the production of the outer part of the swing packet of Figures 4A and 4B; and

Figure 4D shows a blank for use in the production of the inner part of the swing packet of Figures 4A and 4B.

Referring to Figure 1 , there is shown packaging 100 in the form of a hinged lid packet. The packet 100 comprises a housing 1 10 and a lid 120. The housing 1 10 has an opening 1 1 1 through which contents of the packaging, for example cigarettes, can be accessed when the lid 120 is in the open position as shown. The lid 120 can be closed, preventing access to the contents of the housing 1 10, by pivoting it forwards about a hinge 130.

The hinge 130 is suitably formed by a fold line in a cardboard blank as shown in Figure 1 B, the housing 1 10 and lid 120 being integrally formed. Alternatively, the housing 1 10 and lid 120 could be separate elements connected by a hinge joint 130 of any suitable construction. For example one of the housing 1 10 and lid 120 could carry a cylinder which receives a pin carried by the other of the housing 1 10 and lid 120, the cylinder and the pin being coaxial and extending along hinge line 130.

The lid can be held in the closed position by tucking a locking tab 122 of the lid 120 into a recess 1 12 of the housing 1 10, and the recess 1 12 preferably being formed in an inner frame 140 extending from the housing's opening. In Figure 1 A these releasable locking means are located in a region where the lid 120 and inner frame 140 of the housing 1 10 overlap when closed, around halfway across the width of the front wall 1 13 of the housing 1 10 and the front wall 123 of the lid 120. Locking means could alternatively or additionally be provided in other suitable locations, for example on one or both of the side walls 144 of the inner frame 140 of the housing and the side walls 124 of the lid. An alternative lock could comprise a block affixed close to the top of housing 1 10 (for example in the location the locking recess 1 12 is shown in on the front wall 1 13 of the housing 1 10 of Figure 1 A), pivotable between a position in which it overlays only the housing 1 10 and a position in which it overlays both the housing 1 10 and the lid 120. Other suitable locking means include a button on one of the lid 120 and the housing 1 10 which can be captured by and released from a loop or eye on the other of the lid 120 and the housing 1 10, or string, ribbon or an elastic band used to tie the lid 120 and housing 1 10 together. Any releasable locking means could be used, at any location on the packet 100, so long as they are capable of keeping the lid 120 closed against the action of magnetic biasing means which are provided to cause the lid 120 to pop open when unlocked, and stay open until the lid 120 is forced closed and locked in place by a user. Magnetic biasing means could be provided by magnetised components 1 15 and 125 on the exterior of the front wall 143 of the inner frame 140 of the housing 1 10 and the interior of the front wall 123 of the lid 120 respectively. The magnetised components could be, for example, magnetic coatings or fixed magnets affixed to the packet.

The magnetic components 1 15, 125 could be formed from flexible magnetic materials. They could be extruded or printed onto the walls of the housing and lid of the packet respectively. Such magnetic materials may be magnetisable so as to be magnetically repulsed to one another, including but not limited to, ferromagnetic materials which may include magnetic or magnetisable elements such as ferrite members which can be placed, incorporated, deposited, suspended, embedded or otherwise carried by a binding material or carrier such as a polymer composition. Examples of appropriate magnetic materials are disclosed in particular in EP 1 360 071 A1 , WO 2004/036606 and United States Patent Numbers 7,128,798 and 7,338,573. A process for magnetizing such materials is further disclosed in United States Patent Number 7,501 ,921 .

These components can be extruding to any substrate material such as cardboard blanks. They can be in the form of stripes or patches of magnetic material. Such stripes or patches could be of about 0.1 to 1 mm thickness, for example of about 0.3 to 0.5 mm thickness. They could have a magnetic strength of about 100 to 400 Gauss. The total surface area of the magnetic components covered by such magnetic material components could be of between 4 and 10 cm², for example between 4 and 8 cm².

These components could alternatively or additionally be located on the side walls 144 of the inner frame 140 and the side walls 124 of the lid 120. In any case, the magnetic biasing means should be arranged to bias the packet 100 towards the open position. Suitably, they are provided in regions of the lid 120 and housing 1 10 that overlap one another in the closed position. With magnetised components in the locations shown, the bias is provided by magnetic repulsion between them; i.e. when the lid 120 is closed like poles of opposing magnetised components should face one another.

Figure 1 B illustrates a cardboard blank to form the packet 100 (without the inner frame 140) by folding. The faces shown are principally the outer faces.

The blank comprises a front wall 1 13 and a back wall 1 17 which oppose one another when the packet 100 is formed. The front wall and the back wall are connected by a middle bottom wall part 1 16c.

When the packet is formed, front side wall parts 1 14a which extend as transverse flaps from front wall 1 13 are glued or otherwise attached to back side wall parts 1 14b which extend as transverse flaps from back wall 1 17. When the packet is formed, left and right bottom wall parts 1 16b and 1 16a respectively, which extend as longitudinal flaps from left and right back side wall parts 1 14b, are glued or otherwise attached to middle bottom wall part 1 16c.

Hinge 130 is formed by a fold line separating back wall 1 17 of the housing from a back wall 127 of the lid. Left and right back side wall parts 124b of the lid extend as longitudinal flaps from lid back wall 127. Left and right lid top wall parts 128a and 128c respectively in turn extend as flaps from left and right lid back wall parts 124b, such that they lie longitudinally adjacent middle top wall part 128b of the lid when the blank is unfolded. Middle lid top wall part 128b extends as a transvers flap from lid back wall 127. An outer lid front wall part 123a extends as a transverse flap from middle lid top wall part 128b. Left and right front side wall parts 124a extend as longitudinal flaps from outer lid front wall part 123a. An inner lid front wall part 123b, which carries magnetised component 125 and locking tab 122, extends from outer lid front wall part 123a as a transverse flap. Magnetised component 125 can be, for example, extruded onto or affixed to or embedded into the inner lid front wall part 123b.

When the lid 120 is formed, locking tab 122 is pushed outwards (towards the viewer as shown in Figure 1 B), and inner lid front wall part 123b is glued or otherwise attached to outer lid front wall part 123a such that locking tab 122 is not covered. Left and right top wall parts 128a and 128c are glued or otherwise attached to middle top wall part 128b. Left and right front side wall parts 124a are respectively glued or otherwise attached to left and right back side wall parts 124b.

Figure 1 C illustrates a cardboard blank to form the inner frame 140 of the packet 100 by folding. Inner frame side walls 144 extend as longitudinal flaps from inner frame front wall 143. Locking aperture or recess 1 12 is formed in the inner frame front wall 143, for example by punching or cutting. Magnetised components 1 15 can be, for example, extruded onto or affixed to or embedded into the inner frame front wall 143.

When the packet 100 is formed, inner frame front wall 143 is glued or otherwise attached to the interior side of housing front wall 1 13. Inner frame side walls 144 are glued or otherwise attached to the interior sides of housing side walls 1 14.

Referring to Figure 2 there is shown packaging 200 in the form of a hinged lid packet. The packet 200 comprises an outer packet part in the form of a hinged lid case 220 which serves as a lid for an inner packet part or housing 210 contained therein. Said housing 210 is in the form of an open-topped box which is an internal compartment or cartridge of the packet 200 with an opening 21 1 through which contents of the packet, for example cigarettes, can be accessed when the case 220 is open as shown in Figure 2B. The case 220 can be closed as shown in Figure 2A, preventing access to the contents of the housing 210, by pivoting an upper portion 250 of the case 220 forwards with respect to a lower portion 260 of the case 220 about a hinge 230.

The housing 210 extends from the lower portion 260 of the case 220 in such a way that it provides support and engagement for the upper portion 250 of the case to close it. The housing 210 thus fulfils a similar function to the inner frame 140 of the hinged lid pack of Figure 1 .

The hinge 230 is suitably formed by a fold line in a cardboard blank as shown in Figure 2C, the upper portion 250 and lower portion 260 of the case 220 being integrally formed. Alternatively, the upper portion 250 and lower portion 260 of the case 220 could be separate elements connected by a hinge joint 230 of any suitable construction. For example one of the upper portion 250 and lower portion 260 of the case 220 could carry a cylinder which receives a pin carried by the other of the upper portion 250 and lower portion 260 of the case 220, the cylinder and the pin being coaxial and extending along hinge line 230.

The case can be held in the closed position by tucking a locking tab 252 of the upper portion 250 of the case 220 into a locking recess or aperture 212 of the housing 210. In Figure 2A these releasable locking means are located in a region where the upper portion 250 of the case 220 and the housing 210 overlap when closed, around halfway across the width of the front wall 213 of the housing 210. Locking means could alternatively or additionally be provided in other suitable locations. An alternative lock could comprise a block affixed close to the top of lower portion 260 of the case 220, pivotable between a position in which it overlays only the lower portion 260 of the case 220 and a position in which it overlays both the lower portion 260 and the upper portion 250 of the case 220. Other suitable locking means include a button on one of the lower portion 260 and the upper portion 250 of the case 220 which can be captured by and released from a loop or eye on the other of the lower portion 260 and the upper portion 250 of the case 220, or string, ribbon or an elastic band used to tie the lower portion 260 and the upper portion 250 of the case 220 together. Any releasable locking means could be used, at any location on the packet 200, so long as they are capable of keeping the case 220 closed against the action of magnetic biasing means which are provided to cause the case 220 to pop open when unlocked, and stay open until the case 220 is forced closed and locked in place by a user.

Such magnetic biasing means could be provided by magnetised components 215 and 265 on the exterior of bottom wall 216 of the housing 210 and the interior of the bottom wall 266 of the lid 220 respectively. The magnetised components could be, for example, magnetic coatings or fixed magnets affixed to the packet. The magnetised components can be made of flexible magnetic material extruded or printed to the walls of the housing and lid of the packet respectively such as previously described in relation to figures 1 A to 1 C. They could alternatively or additionally be located on the interior face of the front wall of the upper portion 250 of the case and on the exterior face of the front wall of the housing 210 in the region in which they overlap (i.e. on either side of or surrounding the locking tab 252 and recess 212) to cause a similar biasing of the hinged lid as in the hinged lid packet of Figure 1 . In any case, the magnetic biasing means should be arranged to bias the packet 200 towards the open position. With magnetised components in the locations shown, the bias is provided by magnetic repulsion between them; i.e. like poles of opposing magnetised components should face one another.

Figure 2C illustrates a cardboard blank to form the outer case 220 of the packet 200 by folding. The faces shown are principally the inner faces.

The blank comprises a front wall 263 and a back wall 267 of the lower portion 260 which oppose one another when the case 220 is formed. The front wall 263 and the back wall 267 are connected by a middle bottom wall part 266b.

When the packet is formed, front side wall parts 264a, which extend as transverse flaps from front wall 263, are glued or otherwise attached to back side wall parts 264b, which extend as transverse flaps from back wall 267, to form lower portion side walls 264. When the packet is formed, left and right bottom wall parts 266a and 266c respectively, which extend as longitudinal flaps from left and right back side wall parts 264b, are glued or otherwise attached to middle bottom wall part 266b.

Hinge 230 is formed by a fold line separating lower portion back wall 267 from a back wall 257 of the upper portion. Left and right back side wall parts 254b of the upper portion extend as longitudinal flaps from upper portion back wall 257. Left and right upper portion top wall parts 258a and 258c respectively in turn extend as flaps from left and right upper portion back side wall parts 254b, such that they lie longitudinally adjacent middle top wall part 258b when the blank is unfolded. Middle top wall part 258b extends as a transvers flap from upper portion back wall 257. An outer upper portion front wall part 253a extends as a transverse flap from middle lid top wall part 258b. Left and right front side wall parts 254a extend as longitudinal flaps from outer upper portion front wall part 253a. An inner upper portion front wall part 253b, which carries locking tab 252, extends from outer upper portion front wall part 253a as a transverse flap.

When the case 220 is formed, locking tab 252 is pushed inwards (away from the viewer as shown in Figure 2C), and inner upper portion front wall part 253b is glued or otherwise attached to outer upper portion front wall part 253a to form upper portion front wall 253, such that locking tab 252 is not covered. Left and right top wall parts 258a and 258c are glued or otherwise attached to middle top wall part 258b to form case top wall 258. Left and right front side wall parts 254a are respectively glued or otherwise attached to left and right back side wall parts 254b to form upper portion side walls 254.

Figure 2D illustrates a cardboard blank to form the inner compartment 210 of the packet 200 by folding. Front side wall parts 214a are formed as transverse flaps extending from front wall 213. Locking recess/aperture 212 is formed in front wall 213, for example by punching or cutting. Bottom wall 216 is principally formed by middle bottom wall part 216b which extends as a longitudinal flap from front wall 213. Magnetised component 215 can be, for example, extruded onto or affixed to or embedded into the bottom wall 216. Back wall 217 is formed as a transverse flap extending from bottom wall 216. Back side wall parts 214b are formed as transverse flaps extending from back wall 217. Left and right bottom wall parts 216a and 216c are formed as longitudinal flaps extending from back side wall parts 214b.

When the housing 210 is formed, left and right bottom wall parts 216a and 216c are glued or otherwise attached to middle bottom wall part 216b. Front side wall parts 214a are glued or otherwise attached to back side wall parts 214b to form housing side walls 214. Referring to Figure 3, there is shown packaging 300 in the form of a slide packet. The packaging comprises an inner packet part 310 in the form of an open- topped box and an outer packet part 320 in the form of an open-sided box. The inner packet part 310 is movable relative to the outer packet part 320 and in particular is slidable between a first, closed position as illustrated in Figure 3A and a second, open position. The inner packet part 310 acts as a housing for any products contained in the packet and has an opening 31 1 through which such products can be accessed when the packet 300 is open. The outer packet part 320 acts as a lid to retain such products within the packet when closed by preventing access to opening 31 1 .

The packet 300 can be held in the closed position illustrated in Figure 3A by tucking a locking tab or blade 312 extending from the fully exposed side wall 314a of the inner packet part 310 into a corresponding aperture 322 close to the open end of the top wall 328 of the outer packet part 320. Suitably, the top wall 328 of the outer packet part 320 (or at least a portion of it at the open end) is flexible so that it can be bent upwards to release the locking tab 312 to open the packet 300 and to permit access of the locking tab 312 to the aperture 322 to lock the packet 300. The top wall 328 of the outer packet part 320 could extend out a little way past the fully exposed side wall 314a of the inner packet part 310 when the packet 300 is fully closed, allowing the user to gain purchase on the end of the top wall 328 easily so that it can be bent up to allow locking and unlocking. As with the hinged lid packets, alternative or additional releasable locking means can be envisaged including tab and aperture locks in other locations (for example close to the open edges of one or both of the front 323 or back 327 walls of the outer packet part 320), locking elements such as those disclosed in PCT patent application publication number WO 2013/164372, a button on one of the inner 310 and outer 320 packet parts with a corresponding loop or eye on or in the other of the inner 310 and outer 320 packet parts, or string, ribbon or an elastic band used to tie the inner 310 and outer 320 packet parts together. Any releasable locking means could be used, at any location on the packet 300, so long as they are capable of keeping the packet 300 closed against the action of magnetic biasing means which are provided to cause the packet 300 to pop open when unlocked, and stay open until the inner packet part 310 is forced back into the outer packet part 320 and locked in place by a user. Such magnetic biasing means could be provided by magnetised components 315 on the exterior of the hidden side wall 314b of the inner packet part and magnetised components 325 on the interior of the side wall 324 of the outer packet part. The magnetised components could be, for example, magnetic coatings or fixed magnets affixed to the packet 300. In any case, the magnetic biasing means should be arranged to bias the packet 300 towards the open position. Suitably, they are provided in regions of the inner 310 and outer 320 packet parts that overlap one another in the closed position. The magnetised components could be made of flexible magnetic material extruded or printed to the walls of the housing and lid of the packet respectively such as previously described in relation to figures 1 A to 1 C.

With magnetised components in the locations shown, the bias is provided by magnetic repulsion between them; i.e. when the packet 300 is closed like poles of opposing magnetised components should face one another.

An aperture or push hole 321 is optionally provided in the outer packet part to allow a user to assist the magnetised components in sliding the inner packet part out by pushing on its hidden side wall 314b through the aperture 321 with a thumb or finger.

Figure 3C illustrates a cardboard blank to form the outer packet part by folding. The faces shown are principally the interior faces.

The outer packet part 320 comprises a front wall 323 and a back wall 327 which oppose one another when the outer packet part is formed. The front wall and the back wall are connected by a side wall 324.

A top wall 328 of the outer packet part is formed of a back top wall part 328a, a front top wall part 328b and a side top wall part 328c. When the outer packet part is formed, the back 328a and side 328c top wall parts are glued or otherwise attached to an underside of the front top wall part 328b. Similarly, a bottom wall of the outer packet part is formed of a back bottom wall part 326a, a front bottom wall part 326b and a side bottom wall part 326c. When the outer packet part is formed, the back 326a and side 326c bottom wall parts are glued or otherwise attached to a top side of the front bottom wall part 326b.

The aperture 322 can be formed in the top wall 328 by, for example, punching through or cutting out apertures 322b and 322a respectively from the front 328b and back 328a top wall parts. The push hole 321 can be formed, for example, by punching through or cutting out from the side wall 324.

The magnetised components 325 can be, for example, extruded onto or affixed to or embedded into the side wall 324.

Figure 3D illustrates a cardboard blank to form the inner packet part or housing 310 of the packet 300 by folding.

A back fully exposed side wall part 314ak and a back hidden wall part 314bk are formed as longitudinal flaps extending from a back wall 317. Left 316b and right 316a bottom wall parts extend as longitudinal flaps from back hidden wall part 314bk and back fully exposed side wall part 314ak respectively. A back blade part 312k extends from the free end of back fully exposed side wall part 314ak. A middle bottom wall part 316c extends as a longitudinal flap from back wall 317. A front wall 313 extends as a transverse flap from middle bottom wall part 316c. A front fully exposed side wall part 314af and a front hidden wall part 314bf are formed as transverse flaps extending from front wall 313. A front blade part 312f extends from the free end of front fully exposed side wall part 314af. Magnetised components 315 can be, for example, extruded onto or affixed to or embedded into the front hidden wall part 314bf.

When the inner packet part 310 is formed, left 316b and right 316a bottom wall parts are glued or otherwise attached to middle bottom wall part 316c. Front fully exposed side wall part 314af and front hidden wall part 314bf are glued or otherwise attached to back fully exposed side wall part 314ak and back hidden wall part 314bk respectively.

Referring to Figure 4, there is shown packaging 400 in the form of a swing packet. Like the slide packet, the swing packet comprises an inner packet part 410 in the form of an open-topped box and an outer packet part 420 in the form of an open-sided box. The inner packet part 410 is movable relative to the outer packet part 420 and in particular is rotatable between a closed position as illustrated in Figure 4A and an open position as shown in Figure 4B. The inner packet part 410 acts as a housing for any products contained in the packet and has an opening 41 1 through which such products can be accessed when the packet 400 is open. The outer packet part 420 acts as a lid to retain such products within the packet when closed by preventing access to opening 41 1 . The packet 400 can be held in the closed position illustrated in Figure 4A by tucking a locking tab or blade 412 extending from the fully exposed side wall 414a of the inner packet part 410 into a corresponding aperture 422 close to the open end of the top wall 428 of the outer packet part 420. Suitably, the top wall 428 of the outer packet part 420 (or at least a portion of it at the open end) is flexible so that it can be bent upwards to release the locking tab 412 to open the packet 400 and to permit access of the locking tab 412 to the aperture 422 to lock the packet 400. The top wall 428 of the outer packet part 420 could extend out a little way past the fully exposed side wall 414a of the inner packet part 410 when the packet 400 is fully closed, allowing the user to gain purchase on the end of the top wall 428 easily so that it can be bent up to allow locking and unlocking.

As with the other packets described herein, alternative or additional releasable locking means can be envisaged including tab and aperture locks in other locations (for example close to the open edges of one or both of the front 423 or back 427 walls of the outer packet part 420), a button on one of the inner 410 and outer 420 packet parts with a corresponding loop or eye on or in the other of the inner 410 and outer 420 packet parts, or string, ribbon or an elastic band used to tie the inner 410 and outer 420 packet parts together. Any releasable locking means could be used, at any location on the packet 400, so long as they are capable of keeping the packet 400 closed against the action of magnetic biasing means which are provided to cause the packet 400 to pop open when unlocked, and stay open until the inner packet part 410 is forced back into the outer packet part 420 and locked in place by a user.

Such magnetic biasing means could be provided by magnetised component 415 on the exterior of the hidden side wall 414b of the inner packet part and magnetised component 425 on the interior of the side wall 424 of the outer packet part. The magnetised components could be, for example, magnetic coatings or fixed magnets affixed to the packet 400. In any case, the magnetic biasing means should be arranged to bias the packet 400 towards the open position. Suitably, they are provided in regions of the inner 410 and outer 420 packet parts that overlap one another in the closed position. The magnetised components could be made of flexible magnetic material extruded or printed to the walls of the housing and lid of the packet respectively such as previously described in relation to figures 1 A to 1 C

With magnetised components in the locations shown, the bias is provided by magnetic repulsion between them; i.e. when the packet 400 is closed like poles of opposing magnetised components should face one another.

An aperture or push hole 421 is optionally provided in the outer packet part to allow a user to assist the magnetised components in swinging the inner packet part out by pushing on its hidden side wall 414b through the aperture 421 with a thumb or finger.

Figure 4C illustrates a cardboard blank to form the outer packet part 420 by folding. The faces shown are principally the interior faces.

The outer packet part comprises a front wall 423 and a back wall 427 which oppose one another when the outer packet part is formed. The front wall and the back wall are connected by a side wall 424. A top wall 428 of the outer packet part is formed of a back top wall part 428a, a front top wall part 428b and a side top wall part 428c. When the outer packet part is formed, the back top 428a and side top 428c wall parts are glued or otherwise attached to an underside of the front top wall part 428b. Similarly, a bottom wall of the outer packet part is formed of a back bottom wall part 426a, a front bottom wall part 426b and a side bottom wall part 426c. When the outer packet part is formed, the back bottom 426a and side bottom 426c wall parts are glued to a top side of the front bottom wall part 426b. The bottom wall may not cover the entire bottom surface of the outer packet part 420 when formed. The outer packet part further comprises a connecting flap 426d, which is foldably connected to the front bottom wall part 426b. Unlike the bottom wall part, the connecting flap is separated from the front wall 423. As a result, when the outer packet part 420 is formed, the connecting flap 426d is able to move rotationally relative to the rest of the outer packet part 420. The inner packet part 410 is mounted to the connecting flap 426d when the packaging is formed.

The aperture 422 can be formed in the top wall 428 by, for example, punching through or cutting out apertures 422b and 422a respectively from the front 428b and back 428a top wall parts. The push hole421 can be formed, for example, by punching through or cutting out from the side wall 424.

The magnetised component 425 can be, for example, extruded onto or affixed to or embedded into the side wall 424.

Figure 4D illustrates a cardboard blank to form the inner packet part or housing 410 of the packet 400 by folding. A back fully exposed side wall part 414ak and a back hidden wall part 414bk are formed as longitudinal flaps extending from a back wall 417. Left 416b and right 416a bottom wall parts extend as longitudinal flaps from back hidden wall part 414bk and back fully exposed side wall part 414ak respectively. A back blade part 412k extends from the free end of back fully exposed side wall part 414ak. A middle bottom wall part 416c extends as a longitudinal flap from back wall 417. A front wall 413 extends as a transverse flap from middle bottom wall part 416c. A front fully exposed side wall part 414af and a front hidden wall part 414bf are formed as transverse flaps extending from front wall 413. A front blade part 412f extends from the free end of front fully exposed side wall part 414af. Magnetised component 415 can be, for example, extruded onto or affixed to or embedded into the front hidden wall part 414bf.

When the inner packet part 410 is formed, left 416b and right 416a bottom wall parts are glued or otherwise attached to middle bottom wall part 416c. Front fully exposed side wall part 414af and front hidden wall part 414bf are glued or otherwise attached to back fully exposed side wall part 414ak and back hidden wall part 414bk respectively. The packets depicted in the figures are generally cuboid. Edges could be sharp or rounded/bevelled. Other suitable shapes could be envisaged, for example a more rounded, generally cylindrical design could also be employed for cigarettes, and other shapes could be appropriate depending on the contents of the packet. Smaller items such as sweets or chewing gum pieces could for example be suitably housed in a variety of regular and irregular shaped packets, such as novelty packets in the shape of other objects of characters.

Magnetic biasing means can be incorporated into the packets at various stages of manufacture of the packets, for example before cutting the blanks, between cutting and folding the blanks or after folding the blanks. If the magnetic biasing means are not provided magnetised initially, they can similarly be magnetised at various stages of manufacture of the packets. Interaction of the magnetic biasing means with metallic parts of the production line should be considered when determining the appropriate procedure.

The packaging could be of cardboard as suggested above. The outer packet parts of the examples of Figures 2 to 4 could however be made to be more durable than the respective inner packet parts to tolerate the greater handling time the outer packet parts are likely to experience. For example the outer packet parts could be made of thicker cardboard, or of plastic, metal or wood. The outer packet parts could be made as reusable cases to be refilled with disposable inner packet part cartridges. Branding and/or decoration and/or identifying features such as monograms could be applied to the outer packet parts.

The above description relates to exemplary uses of the invention, but it will be appreciated that other implementations and variations are possible. In addition, the skilled person can modify or alter the particular geometry and arrangement of the particular features of the packaging. Other variations and modifications will also be apparent to the skilled person. Such variations and modifications can involve equivalent and other features which are already known and which can be used instead of, or in addition to, features described herein. Features that are described in the context of separate embodiments can be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, features which are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. Packaging comprising:

a housing for containing products, said housing comprising an opening arranged to allow access to such products;

a lid movable with respect to the housing between a closed position in which said lid prevents access to said opening and an open position in which the opening is accessible;

magnetic biasing means arranged to bias the lid towards the open position by magnetic force; and

releasable locking means for keeping the lid in the closed position.

2. Packaging according to claim 1 , wherein said magnetic biasing means are provided by a first magnetised component comprised in the housing and a second magnetised component comprised in the lid, said first and second magnetised components being arranged to face one another with like poles such that there is a repellent force between the housing and the lid when the lid is in the closed position.

3. Packaging according to claim 2, wherein the first and second magnetised components are at least partly located in regions of the housing and lid respectively which overlap in the closed position.

4. Packaging according to any preceding claim, wherein said releasable locking means comprise a locking tab comprised in one of the lid or housing and a corresponding aperture or recess comprised in the other of the lid or housing, said locking tab and aperture or recess being arranged to engage one another in the closed position.

5. Packaging according to any preceding claim, wherein the lid substantially contains the housing in the closed position.

6. Packaging according to any preceding claim, wherein at least a part of the lid is pivotable with respect to the housing about a hinge to effect movement between the open and closed positions.

7. Packaging according to claim 6 as dependent on claim 5, wherein:

the housing is an open-topped box comprising a front wall, a bottom wall, a back wall and two side walls;

the lid is a hinged lid box comprising a front wall, a bottom wall, a top wall, a back wall and two side walls, the hinge being comprised in said back wall of the lid and said side and front walls of the lid being separated into upper and lower parts with respect to the hinge such that:

the upper parts of the front and side walls and the top wall of the lid are pivotable about the hinge with a part of the back wall of the lid above the hinge, and

the lower parts of the front and side walls and the bottom wall of the lid are pivotable about the hinge with a part of the back wall of the lid below the hinge;

the housing is slidably received in the lid and is oriented such that the bottom walls of the housing and lid are adjacent when the lid is in the closed position;

the first magnetised component is comprised in the bottom wall of the housing; and

the second magnetised component is comprised in the bottom wall of the lid.

8. Packaging according to claim 6, wherein:

the lid is attached along a hinge line to the back wall of the housing and comprises a top wall, a back wall, a front wall and two side walls;

the lid is arranged such that its front and side walls at least partially overlap the front and side walls of an inner frame extending from the housing in the closed position; the first magnetised component is comprised in a front wall of the inner frame ; and

the second magnetised component is comprised in the front wall of the lid.

9. Packaging according to claim 8 as dependent indirectly on claim 4, wherein said releasable locking means comprise:

the locking tab comprised in one of a front or side wall of the inner frame and the corresponding aperture or recess comprised in one of the front or side walls of the lid; and/or

the aperture or recess comprised in one of a front or side wall of the inner frame and the corresponding locking tab comprised in one of the front or side walls of the lid.

10. Packaging according to claim 5, wherein the housing is movable within the lid in a sliding or swinging motion between the closed position and the open position.

1 1 . Packaging according to claim 10, wherein:

the lid is an open-sided box comprising a front wall, a back wall, a side wall, a top wall and a bottom wall; and

the first and second magnetised components are respectively comprised in a side wall of the housing and the side wall of the lid.

12. Packaging according to any preceding packaging claim, wherein said magnetic biasing means comprise one or more of: permanent magnets, ferromagnetic coatings, ferromagnetic metals, composite ferromagnetic materials or rare-earth magnets.

13. A blank for forming the housing of the packaging according to any of claims 10 to 12, comprising:

two main panels for forming the front and back walls of the housing; two side panels for forming the side walls of the housing; and

a bottom panel for forming the bottom wall of the housing;

wherein one of the side panels comprises the first magnetic component.

14. A blank for forming the lid of the packaging according to any of claims 10 to 12, comprising:

two main panels for forming the front and back walls of the lid;

a connecting panel between said two main panels and articulated thereon along fold lines to form the side wall of the lid; and

a flap articulated along a fold line at each longitudinal end of one of the two main panels to form the top wall and the bottom wall of the lid;

wherein said connecting panel comprises the second magnetic component.

15. A method for forming packaging according to any of claims 10 to 12, comprising folding the blanks of claims 13 and 14 and inserting the housing formed by the folded blank of claim 13 into the lid formed by the folded blank of claim 14.