WO2016199017A1

WO2016199017A1 - Packet for smoking articles

Info

Publication number: WO2016199017A1
Application number: PCT/IB2016/053333
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fiorenzo Draghetti; Luca TAROZZI
Original assignee: Gima Tt S.P.A.
Priority date: 2015-06-08
Filing date: 2016-06-07
Publication date: 2016-12-15
Also published as: TR201908047T4; EP3303161A1; CN107922081B; EP3303161B1; CN107922081A

Abstract

A rigid packet for smoking articles (12) comprises an internal casing (16) containing a group of smoking articles (12) and provided with two smaller walls (24a, 24b) opposite and connected transversely by at least a larger wall (25a, 25b), at least partly surrounding the group of smoking articles (12), an external casing (14) comprising a containing body (18) that contains the internal casing (16) and a lid (22) hinged to the containing body (18) and configured to rotate between an open position, in which it allows access to the internal casing (16), and a closed position in which it impedes access to the internal casing (16). An articulated holding wall (64) hinged to one of said smaller walls of the internal casing and on another side to an internal surface (61) of an upper wall of the lid (22) is configured to hold the lid in its open position.

Description

"PACKET FOR SMOKING ARTICLES"

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments described here concern a packet, in particular the rigid type with a hinged lid, for smoking articles, such as for example, but not only, cigarettes, or cigars or cigarillos or similar or comparable smoking articles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to make packets for smoking articles, in particular cigarettes, of the rigid type and having a hinged closing cover or hinged lid. They are generally produced starting from a blank, that is, a sheet material, such as paperboard, cardboard, paper or suchlike, suitably shaped and worked in a sequence of successive operations of cutting, punching and folding.

Traditional cigarette packets are shaped like a rectangular parallelepiped, and normally comprise a rigid external casing defining an external containing body and a lid hinged to the external containing body by means of a hinge. An internal containing casing is provided for the cigarettes, also called collar, which can be fixed or sliding with respect to the external casing. The internal casing contains an organized group of cigarettes, typically wrapped in a wrapper.

It is very important, for any smoker, to be able to access the internal casing of the packet easily, and the cigarettes contained therein, for example in difficult situations, with hands partly occupied, with the packet and/or the lid not perfectly whole or other.

One disadvantage of known cigarette packets, for example in the above cases, is that it is difficult and impractical to access the cigarettes themselves. This disadvantage is due to the fact that many packets have lids that can be difficult to use, and in which it is difficult to maintain a stable open position so as to allow the smoker to access the cigarettes easily and practically, even in the inconvenient conditions described above. Indeed, to be able to access the smoking articles it is often necessary to hold the lid open with one hand, that is, keeping it in an open position by force, to access the smoking articles inside, and to use the other hand to remove the cigarettes, so that the smoker needs to use both hands.

Furthermore, specifically after being used for a certain time, and/or in non- optimum preservation, known cigarette packets may not give a stable and/or reliable closing of the lid with respect to the external containing body, which can disadvantageously cause the smoking articles contained in the packets to accidentally fall out.

WO 2007/043797, EP 2.786.941, US 3.899.125 and EP 2.754.622 all describe cigarette packets with hinged lids in which, between a bigger front internal wall of the lid and a bigger internal wall of the containing body there is a folding connection tongue that functions as an auxiliary in the operations to open/close the lid with respect to the containing body.

There is therefore a need to perfect a packet for smoking articles that can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

In particular, one purpose of the present invention is to obtain a packet for smoking articles, in particular cigarettes, which allows simple and practical access to the smoking articles for the whole period of use of the packet, that is, so that the packet remains simple and practical to access essentially for the whole of its life.

Another purpose of the present invention is to obtain a packet for smoking articles, in particular cigarettes, which allows to use the packet with at least two stable operating positions of the lid with respect to the external containing body. The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claim, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

Embodiments described here concern a rigid packet for smoking articles comprising:

- an internal casing containing a group of smoking articles, provided with two smaller walls opposite and connected transversely by at least a larger wall, at least partly surrounding the group of smoking articles,

- an external casing comprising a containing body that contains the internal casing and a lid hinged to the containing body and configured to rotate between an open position, in which it allows access to the internal casing, and a closed position in which it impedes access to the internal casing.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the internal casing is provided with an articulated holding wall hinged on one side to one of the smaller lateral walls of the internal casing, and on another side to an internal surface of an upper wall of the lid so as to be mobile solid with the lid in the passage from the open position to the closed position, and vice versa.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the articulated holding wall is configured to stably hold the lid, in its maximum open position, so that it is rotated toward the outside by at least 90° with respect to the closed position.

The various aspects and characteristics described in the present description can be applied individually where possible. These individual aspects, for example aspects and characteristics described in the attached dependent claims, can be the object of divisional applications.

It is understood that any aspect or characteristic that is discovered, during the patenting process, to be already known, shall not be claimed and shall be the object of a disclaimer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

- figs. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a packet in a closed position, in accordance with embodiments described here;

- figs. 3 and 4 are lateral views of a packet in an open position, in accordance with embodiments described here;

- fig. 5 is a perspective view of a packet in an open position, in accordance with embodiments described here;

- figs. 6, 7 and 8 are lateral views in section of a packet in accordance with embodiments described here;

- fig. 9 is a detail in perspective view of a packet in accordance with embodiments described here;

- figs. 10, 11 and 12 are lateral views in section of a packet in accordance with embodiments described here; - fig. 13 is a detail in perspective view of a packet in accordance with embodiments described here;

- figs. 14, 15, and 16 are lateral views in section of a packet in accordance with embodiments described here;

- fig. 17 is a detail in perspective view of a packet in accordance with embodiments described here;

- fig. 18 is a plan view of a blank to obtain the external container of a packet in accordance with embodiments described here;

- fig. 19 is a plan view of a blank to obtain the internal container of a packet in accordance with embodiments described here;

- fig. 20 is a lateral view of an enlarged detail of a packet in accordance with embodiments described here;

- fig. 21, 22 and 23 are lateral views in section of a packet in accordance with embodiments described here;

- fig. 24 is a perspective view of a packet in accordance with embodiments described here;

- fig. 25 is a plan view of a blank to obtain the internal container of a packet in accordance with embodiments described here;

- fig. 26 is a perspective view of a packet in accordance with embodiments described here;

- fig. 27 is a plan view of a blank to obtain the internal container of a packet in accordance with embodiments described here;

- fig. 28 is a plan view of a blank to obtain the external container of a packet in accordance with embodiments described here;

- figs. 29a, 29b, 29c are enlarged details of a packet in accordance with embodiments described here.

To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can conveniently be incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

We shall now refer in detail to the various embodiments of the present invention, of which one or more examples are shown in the attached drawing. Each example is supplied by way of illustration of the invention and shall not be understood as a limitation thereof. For example, the characteristics shown or described insomuch as they are part of one embodiment can be adopted on, or in association with, other embodiments to produce another embodiment. It is understood that the present invention shall include all such modifications and variants.

Embodiments described here concern a packet 10, 110 of a rigid type with a hinged lid for smoking articles 12.

The packet 10, 110 comprises an external casing 14, 114, substantially defining the entire bulk of the packet 10, 110, and an internal casing, or collar 16, 116, containing an organized group of smoking articles 12.

The internal casing 16, 116 is provided with two smaller walls 24a, 24b (figs. 1-20) or 124a, 124b (figs. 21-28), opposite and connected transversely by at least a larger wall 25a, 25b (figs. 1-20) or 125a, 125b (figs. 21-28), and can at least partly wrap the group of smoking articles 12. In this case, the internal casing 16, 116 can be provided not only with the two smaller walls 24a, 24b; 124a, 124b, but also with two larger walls 25a, 25b; 125a, 125b opposite each other, even if solutions are possible in which only one larger wall 25a, 25b; 125a, 125b can be provided.

In fig. 19 a blank is provided by way of example, which can be used to make the internal casing 16 usable in association with embodiments described with reference to figs. 1-20.

In figs. 25 and 27 blanks are provided by way of example, that can be used to make the internal casing 116 usable in association with the embodiments described with reference to figs. 21 -28.

In figs. 19, 25 and 27 parts of the blank that define corresponding parts of the casing 16, 116 are identified with the same numerical reference as the corresponding parts that are defined in the respective internal casing 16, 116. Here and in the present description by the term "smoking articles" we mean cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos or similar or comparable smoking articles.

Typically, the smoking articles 12 can be wrapped in a wrapper or sheet, for example of paper, metalized paper, metal, aluminum, foil.

In accordance with possible implementations, the external casing 14, 114 can have a rectangular parallelepiped shape.

The external casing 14, 114 comprises a containing body 18, 118 and a lid 22, 122 of the hinged type. In particular the lid 22, 122 is hinged to the containing body 18, 118, around a first hinging axis XI (figs. 1-20; the hinging axis XI, common to all the solutions of figs. 1-20 is indicated only in fig. 9) or X3 (figs. 21-28; the hinging axis X3, common to all the solutions of figs. 21-28, is indicated only in fig. 28). The hinged lid 22, 122 is therefore configured mobile to rotate between an open position in which access to the internal casing 16, 116 is allowed, and a closed position, in which access to the internal casing 16, 116 is impeded. Therefore, when the lid 22, 122 is open, the smoker can remove the smoking articles, while when the lid 22, 122 is closed, access is impeded.

The containing body 18, 118 is configured to contain the internal casing 16. In particular, the containing body 18, 118 can be provided with an upper open side 20, 120, that can be provided, for example, to receive the internal casing 16, 116. Moreover, through the upper open side 20, 120 the smoker can remove the smoking articles 12 from the internal casing 16, 116 when the lid 22, 122 is open.

In particular, the containing body 18, 118 can be provided with a housing seating 26, 126, accessible through the upper open side 20, 120, in order to contain the internal casing 16, 116. Therefore, through the upper open side 20, 120, it is possible to access the internal casing 16, 116 from above and therefore the smoking articles 12 contained therein.

According to embodiments described here, the internal casing 16, 116 is irremovably inserted in the containing body 18, 118, for example by gluing.

According to one embodiment, the upper open side 20, 120 has a first closing edge 36, 136. The first closing edge 36, 136 delimits peripherally the upper open side 20, 120. In particular, the first closing edge 36, 136 has a closed profile.

The containing body 18, 118 has two smaller walls 28a, 30a (figs. 1-20) or 128a, 130a (figs. 21-28), and larger walls 31a, 32a (figs. 1-20) or 131a, 132a (figs. 21-28), all projecting from a bottom wall 34, 134 as far as the upper open side 20, 120. The two larger walls 31a, 32a; 131a, 132a are facing and opposite, and distanced by means of the two smaller walls 28a, 30a; 128a, 130a, which connect them transversely to define the housing seating 26, 126. Altogether the two larger walls 31a, 32a; 131a, 132a and the two smaller walls 28a, 30a; 128a, 130a define the first closing edge 36, 136.

In some embodiments, the lid 22, 122 is configured with a shape mating to that of the upper open side 20, 120 of the containing body 18, 118.

In some embodiments, the lid 22, 122 is provided with two smaller walls 28b, 30b (figs. 1-20) or 128b, 130b (figs. 21-28) and two larger walls 31b, 32b (figs. 1-20) or 131b, 132b (figs. 21-28), all projecting from an upper wall 35, 135 as far as a lower open side 45, 145 of the lid 22, 122.

In the closed position of the lid 22, 122, the bottom wall 34, 134 of the containing body 18, 118 is parallel to the upper wall 35, 135 of the lid 22, 122, while in the open position this is not parallel to the upper wall 35, 135.

According to the present invention, the lid 22, 122 comprises an internal surface 61, 161. The internal surface 61, 161, in particular, is part of the upper wall 35, 135 of the lid 22, 122. According to variant embodiments, the internal surface 61, 161 of the upper wall 35, 135 of the lid 22, 122, in a closed position of the latter, can at least partly contact the smoking articles 12 contained in the internal casing 16, 116.

The two larger walls 31b, 32b; 131b, 132b of the lid 22, 122 are facing and opposite each other, and distanced by means of the two smaller walls 28b, 30b; 128b, 130b, that connect them transversely. Altogether the two larger walls 31b, 32b; 131b, 132b and the two smaller walls 28b, 30b; 128b, 130b define a second closing edge 50, 150 of the lower open side 45, 145 of the lid 22, 122. The lower open side 45, 145 of the lid 22, 122 has a shape mating to that of the upper open side 20, 120 of the containing body 18, 118. In particular, the second closing edge 50, 150 that delimits peripherally the lower side 45, 145 is configured with a shape mating to that of the first closing edge 36, 136.

In accordance with embodiments described here, the rigid packet 10, 110 in question can be made starting from a sheet of material, such as paperboard, rigid paperboard, cardboard, paper or similar relatively rigid materials, suitably shaped and worked.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the smaller walls 28a, 28b, 30a, 30b, 128a, 128b, 130a, 130b can have a double or multiple thickness, that is, they can be formed by two or more surfaces of folded and overlapping material. In accordance with other embodiments of the present invention, the upper wall 35, 135 of the lid 22, 122 and the bottom wall 34, 134 of the containing body 18, 118 can also have a double thickness.

Figs. 1, 2, 6, 10, 14 and 23 are used to describe embodiments, combinable with all the embodiments described here, of the rigid packet 10, 110 with the lid 22, 122 in a closed position.

In this position, the second closing edge 50, 150 of the lid 22, 122 is resting, and adhering on the first closing edge 36, 136 of the containing body 18, 118.

Figs. 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 24, 26 are used to describe embodiments, combinable with all the embodiments described here, of the rigid packet 10, 110 with the lid 22, 122 in an open position, In this position, the second closing edge 50, 150 of the lid 22, 122 is distanced from the first closing edge 36, 136 of the containing body 18, 118.

According to the present invention, in an initial condition of the packet 10, 110, the containing body 18, 118 and the lid 22, 122 can be obtained from one single piece of the blank and can therefore be at least partly coupled. In particular, one or more pre-cutting lines can be provided to allow the user to open the lid 22, 122 of the packet 10, 110 for the first time and therefore to define the closing edge 36, 136 of the upper open side 20, 120, of the containing body 18, 118 and the closing edge 50, 150 of the lower open edge 45, 145 of the lid 22, 122, lifting the lid 22, 122 and exploiting the pre-cutting lines.

In accordance with an example embodiment, not restrictive of the present invention, the lid 22, 122 can be hinged to the containing body 18, 118 by means of a hinge, or articulation, 54, 154 around which the lid 22, 122 and the containing body 18, 118 can reciprocally rotate.

In particular, the lid 22, 122 can be hinged to the containing body 18, 118 in correspondence to an upper base 58, 158 thereof that can define, therefore, in cooperation with a smaller wall 28a, 30a (figs. 1-20), or larger wall 131a, 132a (figs. 21-28), of the containing body 18, 118, the hinge 54, 154.

The upper base 58, 158, and consequently the hinge 54, 154, define the first hinging axis XI, X3, around which the lid 22, 122 and the containing body 18, 118 can reciprocally rotate.

Figs. 1-20 are used to describe possible embodiments of the packet 10 in which the lid 22 is hinged on a smaller wall 28a, 30a of the containing body 18, for example on the smaller wall 30a.

In particular, by hinging the lid 22 to a smaller wall 28a, 30a, the rotation of the lid 22 around the hinging axis XI, to pass from a closed position to an open position, is lateral with respect to the normal use of the packet 10, that is, with respect to the condition in which the user has one of the two larger walls 31a or 32a located at the front.

In the embodiments described using figs. 1-20, in a closed position of the lid 22, the smaller wall 28a and the smaller wall 30a of the containing body 18 respectively lie on the same plane as the smaller wall 28b and the smaller wall 30b of the lid 22. In particular, the smaller walls 28a and 28b, and the smaller walls 30a and 30b are all parallel to each other.

In an open position of the lid 22, the smaller wall 28a and the smaller wall 28b lie on different planes, like the smaller wall 30a and the smaller wall 30b. Moreover, in the open position of the lid 22, the bottom wall 34 is no longer parallel with the upper wall 35.

In embodiments described so far with reference to figs. 1-20, in all the positions of the lid 22, the larger wall 31a and the larger wall 32a of the containing body 18 respectively lie on the same plane as the larger wall 31b and the larger wall 32b of the lid 22. In other words, by rotating the lid 22, the walls 31a and respectively 32a rotate on the same plane as the corresponding walls 3 lb and respectively 32b.

According to one embodiment, combinable with all the embodiments described here with reference to figs. 1-20, in an open position the lid 22 rests against the smaller wall 30a in correspondence to at least its own peripheral edge 60.

According to some embodiments, combinable with all the embodiments described here, the internal casing 16, 116 is provided with at least one articulated holding wall 64, 164.

In the embodiments described using figs. 1-20, the articulated holding wall 64 can be hinged on one side to one of the smaller walls 24a or 24b, of the internal casing 16, for example in an upper zone of the smaller wall 24b. On another side, the articulated holding wall 64 can be connected rotatably to the internal surface 61 of the lid 22. In possible implementations, with reference to figs. 1-20, the articulated holding wall 64, in particular, can be connected to a median zone of the internal surface 61 of the upper wall 35 of the lid 22.

In possible implementations, with reference to figs. 1-20, the connection of the articulated holding wall 64 to the internal surface 61 can be made using adhesive, for example dots or strips of glue. In other possible implementations, the connection of the articulated holding wall 64 to the smaller wall 24b of the internal casing 16 can be obtained by making the articulated holding wall 64 in a single piece with the internal casing 16, and possibly folding one of its components and connecting it, using adhesive for example, to the smaller wall 24b of the internal casing 16.

In all the embodiments described here with reference to figs. 1-28, the articulated holding wall 64, 164 can therefore be mobile solidly with the lid 22 122 in the passage from the open position to the closed position, and vice versa. In possible implementations, described with reference to all the figs. 1-28, the articulated holding wall 64, 164 can be configured as an articulated holding member with a multiple folding line, for example double or triple. For example, the articulated holding wall 64, 164 can be a tongue or strip with several predefined folding lines.

In particular, in embodiments described here, the articulated holding wall 64, 164 can comprise a constraining flap 72, 172 connected to the casing 16, 116, by means of a first folding line 80, 180, for example in the case where the first constraining flap 72, 172 is made in a single piece with the internal casing 16, 116. In another embodiment, combinable with or alternative to the previous one, the first constraining flap 72, 172 can be constrained by means of adhesive, that is, glued using dots or strips of glue.

In possible implementations, with reference to figs. 1-20, the first constraining flap 72 can be connected to the smaller wall 24b of the internal casing 16 using the first folding line 80, or glued to the smaller wall 24b. In particular, the first constraining flap 72 can be connected, or glued, to an upper edge 55 of the smaller wall 24b. The upper edge 55 is disposed above and distanced from the hinge 54, between the lid 22 and the containing body 18. Moreover, in embodiments described here with reference to all the figs. 1-28, the articulated holding wall 64, 164 can comprise a rotation flap 74, 174 connected to the first constraining flap 72, 172 by means of a second folding line 82, 182. Moreover, the articulated holding wall 64, 164 can include a second constraining flap 76, 176 connected to the internal surface 61, 161 of the lid 22, 122, and a third folding line 84, 184.

In particular, the second constraining flap 76, 176 can be connected to the internal surface 61, 161 of the upper wall 35, 135 of the lid 22, 122, for example by means of adhesive, that is, glued using dots or strips of glue.

The second constraining flap 76, 176 can be attached to the internal surface 61, 161 without detaching from it, as described for example with reference to the attachment of the first constraining flap 72, 172 to the internal casing 16, 116.

In embodiments described with reference to figs. 1-20, the second constraining flap 76 is connected to the rotation flap 74 by means of the third folding line 84.

In possible implementations, the first folding line 80, 180, the second folding line 82, 182 and the third folding line 84, 184 can be made as incised or punched lines in segments, or pre-creased lines, or pre-creased lines in segments.

In the embodiments described using figs. 1-20, the first constraining flap 72 and the second constraining flap 76 are folded, around the second folding line 82 and third folding line 84, on opposite sides with respect to the rotation flap 74. According to one aspect of the present invention, with reference to all the embodiments described using figs. 1-28, the articulated holding wall 64, 164 can be configured to stably hold the lid 22, 122, in its maximum open position, so that it is rotated toward the outside by at least 90° with respect to the closed position of the lid 22, 122. The stable maximum open position of the lid 22, 122 rotated toward the outside by at least 90° can advantageously be obtained by the user even with only one hand, and moreover, once reached, stays open by itself and is very advantageous because it gives the user complete access to the smoking articles 12 contained in the internal casing 16.

In the embodiments described using figs. 1-20, the articulated holding wall 64 is configured to stably hold the lid 22 in its maximum open position, essentially rotated by 90° with respect to the closed position of the lid 22.

In the embodiments described using figs. 21-28, the articulated holding wall 164 is configured to stably hold the lid 122 in its maximum open position, rotated by 90° or more, in particular by 90° to 135°, with respect to the closed position of the lid 122.

In the embodiments described using figs. 1-20, the rotation flap 74 and the first constraining flap 72 can be folded, around the first folding line 80 and second folding line 82, in order to allow the rotation of the lid 22 around a fulcrum essentially defined in the upper part of the containing body 18, that is, in proximity to the hinge 54 that defines the rotatable connection between the lid 22 and the containing body 18.

In embodiments described with reference to figs. 1-20, the first closing edge 36 of the upper open side 20 can have a first rectilinear segment, a curvilinear segment and a second rectilinear segment. In particular, the first rectilinear segment of the closing edge 36 extends horizontally starting from the smaller wall 28a as far as the curvilinear segment. The curvilinear segment connects, in particular joins, the first rectilinear segment to the second rectilinear segment, the second rectilinear segment extends according to a different angle with the respect to the first rectilinear segment and connects the curvilinear segment to the smaller wall 30a.

Consequently, the second closing edge 50 also has mating segments in order to adhere on the first closing edge 36 in a closed position of the lid 22.

In embodiments described with reference to all the figs. 1-28, the first folding line 80, 180 defines a second hinging axis X2, X4 for the rotation of the articulated holding wall 64, 164 during the opening and closing of the lid 22, 122 with respect to the containing body 18, 118.

The presence of the articulated holding wall 64, 164 and the consequent presence of two hinging axes, respectively XI and X2, (figs. 1-20), X3 and X4 (figs. 21-28) advantageously allow the possibility to use the packet 10, 110 in at least two stable operating positions of the lid 22, 122, that is, at least in a closed position, and in an open position without needing to manually force the lid 22, 122 to stably hold one or other position. In particular, access to the internal casing 16, 116 containing the smoking articles 12 is therefore practical and easy for the user.

With the embodiments described here, moreover, it is advantageously possible to use the packet 10, 110 in a stable partly open operating position of the lid 22, 122 with respect to the containing body 18, 118.

In particular, in accordance with one embodiment, the articulated holding wall 64, 164 is provided with a double or multiple articulation, in order to stably hold the lid 22, 122 even in a further open position, intermediate between the closed position and the maximum open position, that is, in a partly open operating position, so that the lid 22, 122 is rotated toward the outside by an angle comprised between 30° and 60°, in particular between 40° and 50°, with respect to the closed position.

According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, it is possible, therefore, to use the packet 10, 110 in another stable operating position intermediate between the maximum open position and the closed position of the lid 22, 122, for example in a position in which the lid 22, 122 is rotated by an angle between 30° and 60°, in particular between about 40° and about 50°, for example 45°, with respect to the closed position (see figs. 3, 7, 11, 15, 22 for example).

The third stable operating position can advantageously allow to further reduce the possibility of accidental complete opening of the packet 10, 110, for example in the case where the latter may be inside a bag or a big pocket, thus preventing the smoking articles 12 from coming out unwantedly.

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the articulated holding wall 64, 164 can have different configurations able, in each case, to guarantee the use of the packet 10, 110 at least in the open and closed operating positions of the lid 22, 122.

According to possible implementations, in order to connect the lid 22, 122 releasably to the containing body 18, 118, the packet 10, 110 can provide holding devices 90, 190.

The holding devices 90, 190 can be protruding fins provided for example in an upper part of a wall of the internal casing 16, 116. In particular, the holding devices 90, 190 can be provided in pairs on a smaller wall 25a, 25b of the internal casing 16 (figs. 1-20), or on a larger wall 125a, 125b of the internal casing 116 (figs. 21-28).

Other embodiments can provide holding elements, mechanical interference elements, same-shape coupling elements, attachment elements, snap-in connection elements or suchlike.

In accordance with embodiments described using figs. 1-20, the first constraining flap 72 can be larger than the rotation flap 74 and the second constraining flap 76. The second constraining flap 76 can be larger than the rotation flap 74.

It is understood that these proportions are not restrictive in the field of protection of the present invention, since flaps may be provided of different sizes and proportions on condition that they allow the same use of the packet 10 as described in the attached drawings.

In accordance with embodiments described using figs. 1-28, the second constraining flap 76, 176 has a first contact surface 92, 192 and a second contact surface 94, 194 opposite each other.

Depending on the configuration and disposition of the articulated holding wall 64, 164, one of the contact surfaces 92, 192 or 94, 194 is connected to the internal surface 61, 161 of the lid 22, 122, in particular to the internal surface 61, 161 of the upper wall 35, 135 of the lid 22, 122.

According to one embodiment of the articulated holding wall 64, 164, as described for example using figs. 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 21, 22, 23, the second constraining flap 76, 176 is connected to the internal surface 61, 161 of the upper wall 35, 135 of the lid 22, 122, for example in a lower or median zone thereof, by means of the first contact surface 92, 192.

In variants described using figs. 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, and 13, in a closed position of the lid 22, the first constraining flap 72 and the second constraining flap 76 are disposed substantially horizontally and are parallel to each other. The rotation flap 74 is disposed obliquely with respect to the two constraining flaps 72 and 76. In this position, the rotation flap 74 goes into abutment with its median part on a connection extension 96 of the packet 10 glued to its internal surface 61 of the upper wall 35 of the containing body 18.

According to a first variant described using figs. 7, 8 and 9, the second folding line 82 faces toward the inside of the lid 22 while the third folding line 84 faces toward the outside of the lid 22. In particular, in this first variant, the angle of the concavity defined by the connection of the first constraining flap 72 and the rotation flap 74, faces toward the inside of the lid 22, while the angle of the concavity defined by the connection of the rotation flap 74 and the second constraining flap 76 faces toward the outside of the lid 22.

In this first variant, in the partly open position of the lid 22, for example in the position in which the lid 22 is rotated between about 40° and about 50° with respect to the closed position, the rotation flap 74 defines angles of concavity of about 90° with the two constraining flaps 72 and 76.

Moreover, again in this first variant, in the maximum open position of the lid 22, for example in the position in which the lid 22 is rotated for example by about 90° with respect to the closed position, the first constraining flap 72 is rotated for example by about 110° with respect to the closed position.

In accordance with a second variant, described using figs. 11, 12 and 13, the second folding line 82 and the third folding line 84 both face toward the outside of the lid 22. In particular, in this second variant, the angle of the concavity defined by the connection of the first constraining flap 72 and the rotation flap 74, faces toward the outside of the lid 22, like the angle of the concavity defined by the connection of the rotation flap 74 and the second constraining flap 76.

In this second variant, in the partly open position of the lid 22, for example in the position in which the lid 22 is rotated between about 40° and about 50° with respect to the closed position, the rotation flap 74 remains in abutment with its median part on the connection extension 96.

Moreover, again in this second variant, in the maximum open position of the lid 22, for example in the position in which the lid 22 is rotated by about 90° with respect to the closed position, the first constraining flap 72 is rotated by about 170° with respect to the closed position and the rotation flap 74 is slightly detached, and no longer in contact, with the internal surface 61 of the lid 22, in particular with the connection extension 96.

In accordance with a third embodiment of the articulated holding wall 64, as described for example using figs. 14, 15, 16 and 17, the second constraining flap 78 is folded back on itself, and as in the embodiment described using figs. 7, 8, 9, 11, 12 and 13, it is connected to the internal surface 61 of the upper wall 35 of the lid 22, for example in a lower and median zone thereof, by means of the second contact surface 92. According to a possible variant of the third embodiment, the second constraining flap 76 can be for example glued to the internal surface 61, with an end surface 98 in abutment against the connection extension 96. According to this variant, the second folding line 82 and the third folding line 84 both face toward the inside of the lid 22.

In particular, in this third embodiment described using figs. 14, 15, 16 and 17, the angle of the concavity defined by the connection of the first constraining flap 74 and the rotation flap 76, faces toward the inside of the lid 22, like the angle of the concavity defined by the connection of the rotation flap 76 and the second constraining flap 78.

Still referring to the third embodiment described using figs. 14, 15, 16 and 17, in a closed position of the lid 22, the first constraining flap 72 and the second constraining flap 76 are disposed substantially horizontally and are parallel to each other. The rotation flap 74 is disposed obliquely with respect to the two constraining flaps 72 and 76 and does not contact any element of the packet 10. Moreover, in this third embodiment, in the partly open position of the lid 22, for example in the position in which the lid 22 is rotated between about 40° and about 50° with respect to the closed position, the first constraining flap 72 and the rotation flap 74 are substantially in the same position as the same flaps 72 and 74 of the first variant described above (see figs. 7, 8 and 9 for example) of the articulated holding wall 64, in a partly open position of the lid 22, in particular with the lid 22 rotated between about 40° and about 50° with respect to the closed position.

Moreover, in the third embodiment, in the maximum open position of the lid 22, for example in the position in which the lid 22 is rotated by about 90° with respect to the closed position, the first constraining flap 72 and the rotation flap 74 are substantially in the same position as the same flaps 72 and 74 of the first variant of the articulated holding wall 64 described above (see figs. 7, 8 and 9 for example) still in the maximum open position of the lid 22 rotated at about 90° with respect to the closed position.

In all the embodiments described with reference to figs. 6 to 17, the third folding line 84 can always be disposed at the same height in the corresponding positions of the lid 22. This can be particularly advantageous in that, with different configurations of the articulated holding wall 64, it allows to obtain the same stability in all the stable operating positions provided, given the same position of the third folding line 84, that is, of the rotation fulcrum of the articulated holding wall 64. It must be noted that, in order to keep the height of the third folding line 84 unvaried, in the third embodiment of the articulated holding wall 64 described above using figs. 14, 15, 16 and 17, the connection extension 96 can have a shorter length than in the other two embodiments.

Figs. 21 to 28 are used to describe other possible embodiments of the rigid packet 110 for smoking articles 12, not part of the present invention, provided with an external casing 114, comprising the containing body 118 and the lid 122 hinged thereto, and an internal casing 116, to which the articulated holding wall 164 is connected, also connected to the lid 122 as described above, with the difference that, with respect to the embodiments described using figs. 1-20, the lid 122 is hinged on a larger wall 131a, 132a of the containing body 118, for example on the larger wall 131a.

In particular, by hinging the lid 122 to a larger wall 131a, 132a, the rotation of the lid 122 around the hinging axis X3 to pass from a closed position to an open position, is rearward, where by rear side we mean the side opposite the side normally accessible to the smoker to remove the smoking articles 12 once the lid 122 is open, that is, with respect to the condition in which the user has one of the two larger walls 131a or 132a, on which the lid 122 is not hinged, located at the front. In the example case in which the lid 122 is hinged to the larger wall 131a, the wall located in front of the user will be the opposite larger wall 132a as can be seen in figs. 21-24.

Fig. 23 is used to describe embodiments of the rigid packet 110 with the lid 122 in the closed position.

Figs. 21, 22, 24, 26 are used to describe embodiments, combinable with all the embodiments described here, of the rigid packet 110 with the lid 122 in the open position.

In the embodiments described using figs. 21-28, in a closed position of the lid 122, the larger wall 131a and the larger wall 132a of the containing body 118 respectively lie on the same plane as the larger wall 131b and the larger wall 132b of the lid 122. In particular, the larger walls 131a, 131b and the larger walls 132a, 132b are all parallel to each other (see fig. 23 in particular). Moreover, in the open position of the lid 122, the larger wall 131a and the larger wall 131b lie on different planes, like the larger wall 132a and the larger wall 132b.

In embodiments described heretofore with reference to figs. 21-28, in all the positions of the lid 122, the smaller wall 128a and the smaller wall 130a of the containing body 118 respectively lie on the same plane as the smaller wall 128b and the smaller wall 130b of the lid 122. In other words, by rotating the lid 122, the walls 128a and respectively 128b rotate in the same plane as the corresponding walls 128b and respectively 130b.

According to one embodiment, combinable with all the embodiments described here with reference to figs. 21-28, in the open position the lid 122 rests against the larger wall 131a in correspondence at least with its own peripheral edge 160 and is rotated by at least about 90° with respect to the closed position.

In the embodiments described using figs. 21-28, the articulated holding wall 164 can be hinged on one side to a larger wall 125a or 125b of the internal casing 116, for example in an upper zone of the larger wall 125b. On another side, the articulated holding wall 164 can be connected rotatably to the internal surface 161 of the lid 122. In possible implementations, with reference to figs. 21-28, the articulated holding wall 164, in particular, can be connected to a median zone of the internal surface 161 of the upper wall 135 of the lid 122.

In possible implementations, with reference to figs. 21-28, the connection of the articulated holding wall 164 to the internal surface 161 can be made by means of adhesive, for example dots or strips of glue. In other possible implementations, the connection of the articulated holding wall 164 to the larger wall 125b of the internal casing 116 can be obtained making the articulated holding wall 164 in a single piece with the internal casing 116, and possibly refolding one of its components and connecting it, for example with adhesive, to the larger wall 125b of the internal casing 116.

In possible implementations, with reference to figs. 21-28, the first constraining flap 172 can be connected to the larger wall 125b of the internal casing 116 by means of the first folding line 180, for example in the case where the first constraining flap 172 is made in a single piece with the internal casing 116. In another implementation, combinable with or alternative to the previous one, the first constraining flap 172 can be constrained using adhesive, that is, glued using dots or strips of glue, to the larger wall 125b. In this case, in a closed position of the lid 122, the first constraining flap 172 adheres to the larger wall 125b with all of its surface. Moreover, this first constraining flap 172 is made in a piece and connected to the larger wall 125b by means of the first folding line 180. In particular, the first constraining flap 172 can be connected, or glued, to an upper edge 155 of the larger wall 125b. The upper edge 155 is disposed above and distanced from the hinge 154, between the lid 122 and the containing body 118.

In the embodiments described using figs. 21-28, the articulated holding wall 164 can include, as well as the rotation flap 174 connected to the constraining flap 172 by means of the second folding line 182, to the second constraining flap 176 and to the third folding line 184, also a second rotation flap 178 connected to the first rotation flap 174 by means of the third folding line 184. In these embodiments, the second constraining flap 176 is connected to the second rotation flap 178 by means of a fourth folding line 186 and is connected to the internal surface 161 of the lid 122.

In possible implementations, also the fourth folding line 186 can be made as incised or punched lines in segments, or pre-creased lines, or pre-creased lines in segments.

In the embodiments described using figs. 21-28, the first constraining flap 172 and the second constraining flap 176 are folded around the second folding line 182 and fourth folding line 186, on opposite sides with respect to the rotation flaps 174 and 178.

In the embodiments described using figs. 21-28, the two rotation flaps 174 and 178 and the first constraining flap 172 are foldable around the first folding line 180, second folding line 182 and third folding line 184, in order to allow the rotation of the lid 122 around a fulcrum defined essentially in the upper part of the containing body 118, that is, in proximity to the hinge 154 that defines the rotatable connection between the lid 122 and the containing body 118.

In embodiments described with reference to all the figs. 1-28, the first folding line 180 defines the second hinging axis X4 for the rotation of the articulated holding wall 164 during the opening/closing of the lid 122 with respect to the containing body 118.

In accordance with one embodiment of the articulated holding wall 164, the second folding line 182 can face toward the inside of the lid 122 and the fourth folding line 186 can face toward the outside of the lid 122.

In particular, in this embodiment of the articulated holding wall 164, the angle of the concavity defined by the connection of the first constraining flap 172 and the first rotation flap 174 faces toward the outside of the lid 122, while the angle of the concavity defined by the second rotation flap 178 and the second constraining flap 176 faces toward the outside of the lid 122.

In accordance with another embodiment of the articulated holding wall 164, described using figs. 21, 22, 23, 24 and 26, the second folding line 182 can face toward the inside of the lid 122, like the fourth folding line 186.

In particular, in this other embodiment of the articulated holding wall 164, the angle of the concavity defined by the connection of the first constraining flap 172 and the first rotation flap 174 faces toward the inside of the lid 122, like the angle of the concavity defined by the connection of the second rotation flap 178 and the second constraining flap 180.

In both embodiments of the articulated holding wall 164, in the closed position of the lid 122, the first constraining flap 172 remains adherent in contact with the smoking articles 12, and remains therefore parallel to the larger wall 125b of the internal casing 116, while in the open position of the lid 122, the first constraining flap 172 does not contact or adhere with the smoking articles 12 and is rotated with respect to the internal casing 116, around the second hinging axis X4.

Fig. 29a is used to describe possible embodiments of the articulated holding wall 164, in which the second constraining flap 176 is folded back on itself, while fig. 29b is used to describe other possible embodiments of the articulated holding wall 164 in which the second constraining flap 176 is not folded back on itself and pre-folds of the remaining flaps 172, 174 and 178 are provided. Finally, fig. 29c is used to describe other possible embodiments of the articulated holding wall 164 in which the second constraining flap 176 is not folded back on itself and is without pre-folds applied on the remaining flaps 172, 174 and 178.

According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, described using fig. 25, the internal casing 116 can be made symmetrical. In particular, fig. 25 concerns a blank usable to make the symmetrical internal casing 116. In particular, the articulated holding wall 164 can be obtained starting from two articulated holding walls 164a and 164b of equal size, which are suitably folded and glued on the internal surface 161 of the upper wall 135 of the lid 122, in order to create a single articulated holding wall 164.

According to another possible embodiment of the present invention, described using fig. 27, the internal casing 116 can be made asymmetrical. In particular, fig. 27 concerns a blank usable to make the asymmetrical internal casing 116. In particular, the articulated holding wall 164 can be obtained starting from a single piece suitably folded and glued on the internal surface 161 of the upper wall 135 ofthe lid l22.

In accordance with embodiments of the packet 110 described here with reference to figs. 21-28, the larger wall 131a and the larger wall 132b can be respectively bigger than the larger wall 132a and the larger wall 131b.

In particular, in these possible example and non-restrictive embodiments, the closing edge 136 has an oblique segment that joins the larger wall 132a to the larger wall 131a and the closing edge 150 has an oblique segment that joins the larger wall 132b to the larger wall 131b. However, different types of lids 122 can be provided with different sizes and shapes provided that the packet 110 can be used in accordance with all the embodiments described here.

In accordance with other embodiments, the lid 122 can be provided with a connection extension 199 (see fig. 28 for example), which can be folded around the lower open side 145 in order to be glued on the internal surface 161 of the lid 122, stiffening it. The presence of the connection extension 199 advantageously allows to supply further stability to the packet 110 and in particular to the lid 122 in the operating positions provided.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, in the closed position of the lid 122, the connection extension 199 goes into abutment against the larger wall 125a of the internal casing 116.

Merely by way of non-restrictive example, the lid 122 can therefore partly or completely cover the closing edge 136 of the containing body 118 in order to impede access to the housing seating 126 even if different types of opening and closing of the lid 122 can be provided in accordance with the embodiments described here. It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the packet 10, 110 as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of packet 10, 110 having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

Claims

1. Rigid packet for smoking articles (12), comprising:

- an internal casing (16, 116) containing a group of smoking articles (12) and provided with two smaller walls (24a, 24b, 124a, 124b) opposite and connected transversely by at least a larger wall (25a, 25b, 125a, 125b), at least partly surrounding said group of smoking articles (12),

- an external casing (14, 114) comprising a containing body (18, 118) that contains said internal casing (16, 116) and a lid (22, 122) hinged to the containing body (18, 118) and configured to rotate between an open position, in which it allows access to the internal casing (16, 116), and a closed position in which it impedes access to the internal casing (16, 116), characterized in that said internal casing (16, 116) is provided with at least an articulated holding wall (64, 164) hinged on one side to one of said smaller lateral walls (24a, 24b, 124a, 124b), of the internal casing (16, 116), and on another side to an internal surface (61, 161) of an upper wall (35, 135) of the lid (22, 122) so as to be mobile solid with the lid (22, 122) in the passage from said open position to said closed position, and vice versa, said articulated holding wall (64, 164) being configured to stably hold the lid (22, 122), in its maximum open position, so that it is rotated toward the outside by at least 90° with respect to the closed position.

2. Rigid packet as in claim 1, characterized in that said containing body (18, 118) comprises smaller walls (28a, 128a, 30a, 130a) and larger walls (31a, 131a, 32a, 132a) and said lid (22, 122) comprises smaller walls (28b, 128b, 30b, 130b) and larger walls (31b, 131b, 32b, 132b).

3. Rigid packet as in claim 2, characterized in that said lid (22, 122) is hinged to said containing body (18, 118) in correspondence to an upper base (58, 158) that defines, in cooperation with one of said smaller walls (28a, 128a, 30a, 130a), a hinge (54, 154) around which said lid (22, 122) and said containing body (18, 118) can reciprocally rotate, and defining a first hinging axis (XI, X3).

4. Packet as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said articulated holding wall (64, 164) is provided with a double or multiple articulation, in order to stably hold the lid (22, 122) also in another open position, intermediate between the closed position and the maximum open position, so that it is rotated toward the outside by an angle comprised between 30° and 60°, in particular between 40° and 50°, with respect to the closed position.

5. Packet as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said articulated holding wall (64) comprises a first constraining flap (72) connected to a smaller wall (24a) or (24b), of said internal casing (16) by means of a first folding line (80) and a second constraining flap (76) connected to the internal surface (61) of the upper wall (35) of the lid (22).

6. Packet as in claim 5, characterized in that said articulated holding wall (64) comprises a rotation flap (74) connected to said first constraining flap (72) by means of a second folding line (82) and connected to said second constraining flap (76) by means of a third folding line (84).

7. Packet as in claim 5 or 6, characterized in that said first folding line (80) of said articulated holding wall (64) defines a second hinging axis (X2).

8. Packet as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said internal casing (16, 116) is symmetrical.

9. Packet as in any claim from 1 to 7, characterized in that said internal casing (16, 116) is asymmetrical.