WO2017046325A1

WO2017046325A1 - Container for consumer goods with smooth lid closing action

Info

Publication number: WO2017046325A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/071963
Authority: WO
Inventors: Timothee CAILLEAUX
Original assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
Priority date: 2015-09-18
Filing date: 2016-09-16
Publication date: 2017-03-23
Also published as: US20180257849A1; KR20180054579A; EP3350086A1; JP2018527258A; RU2018114067A3; PL3350086T3; ES2742521T3; MX2018003034A; EP3350086B1; CN108025830A; RU2018114067A

Abstract

A container for consumer articles comprises a box portion, a lid and an inner frame within the box portion. The inner frame comprises an inner frame front wall;first and second inner frame side walls each depending along an inner frame fold line from the inner frame front wall; a first and a second cut lines in the first and second inner frame side walls. Each cut line intersects a respective inner frame fold line at upper and lower intersection points. The cut lines define a pair of locking tabs, each of which extends outwardly from the inner frame towards a respective side wall of the container and past an edge formed by the inner frame front wall with a respective inner frame side wall, and interacting with the lid portion of the container when the lid portion is between the open position and the closed position. Each of the first and second cut lines comprises an undulated portion comprising at least two peaks and a trough, a distance between adjacent peaks of the undulated portion being at least about 0.8 mm.

Description

CONTAINER FOR CONSUMER GOODS WITH SMOOTH LID CLOSING ACTION

The present invention relates to a container for consumer goods and to a blank for forming such container, which find particular application for holding consumer goods, such as smoking articles (for example cigarettes).

Smoking articles are typically packaged in rigid hinge-lid containers formed from folded laminar blanks. By way of example, elongate smoking articles, such as cigarettes and cigars, are often sold in rigid hinged lid containers comprising a box portion and a lid connected to the box portion about a hinge line extending across a back wall of the container. The lid is pivotable about the hinge line between a closed position and an open position. Such containers are typically constructed from one-piece laminar cardboard blanks.

It is known to provide one such container with a reinforcement frame mounted within the box portion. One such inner frame comprises a frame front wall, a portion of which extends beyond an upper edge of a front wall of the box portion. This improves the strength of the top portion of the container. Further, when the lid is in the closed position, the provision of one such inner frame makes it easy for the lid front to align with the box front wall. Thus, the container presents to the user a substantially flat front surface.

During use, the lid and the box portion of one such container may sometimes not align correctly, such that a small gap may become visible at the front of the container between the lid and the box part. This is sometimes referred to as "smiling" effect. The degree to which smiling occurs usually increases with extended use of the package. In order to address the 'smiling effect', it has been proposed to provide tabs extending laterally from the inner frame front wall and adapted to engage the inner surface of the lid, such that it is easier to maintain the lid in the closed position by frictional engagement. It is generally desirable that the opening and closing of the container be as smooth as possible, while at the same time preventing or limiting the occurrence of lid "smiling". In general, this is done with a view to providing the consumer with a high quality product.

It is also known to package consumer goods such as smoking articles in containers comprising an outer shell or sleeve and an inner slide or tray in which the consumer goods are housed, and which is slidable within the outer shell. To remove consumer goods from such containers, a consumer slides the inner slide (or box) from an initial (closed) position within the outer shell (or lid) to an open position in which the inner slide projects outwardly from the outer shell, in order to partially expose an open end of the inner slide.

It has been proposed to provide such containers with retention means for preventing removal of the inner slide from the outer shell and for limiting the movement of the inner slide relative to the outer shell. In particular, slide-and-shell containers have been proposed that comprise tabs extending laterally from the slide portion and adapted to engage the inner surface of the side walls of the outer shell, such that it is easier to maintain the slide portion within the shell by frictional engagement.

Thus, it would be desirable to provide a container for consumer goods with an improved opening and closing mechanism, by which the overall quality and reliability of the container can be increased. In particular, it would be desirable to provide an improved container for consumer goods wherein the lid can be easily maintained in the closed position by frictional engagement between surfaces of the container. In addition, it would be desirable to provide one such container and blank for the making thereof that are easy to manufacture and assemble without requiring any major modification of the conventional high speed packaging methods and apparatus.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container for consumer articles, the container comprising a box portion; a lid portion, wherein the lid portion is moveable about the hinge line between an open position and a closed position; and an inner frame received within the box portion. The inner frame comprises an inner frame front wall and first and second inner frame side walls each depending along an inner frame fold line from the inner frame front wall. Further, the inner frame comprises a first cut line and a second cut line in the first and second inner frame side walls, respectively, wherein each of the first and second cut lines intersects a respective inner frame fold line at upper and lower intersection points. The first and second cut lines define a first and a second locking tab. Each of the first and second locking tab extends outwardly from the inner frame towards a respective side wall of the container and past an edge formed by the inner frame front wall with a respective inner frame side wall, and interacts with the lid portion of the container when the lid portion is moved between the open position and the closed position. Each of the first and second cut lines comprises an undulated portion comprising at least two peaks and a trough, a distance between adjacent peaks of the undulated portion being at least about 0.8 mm.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a blank for an inner frame adapted to be received within a box portion of a container for consumer articles, the container further comprising a lid portion, wherein the lid portion is moveable about the hinge line between an open position and a closed position. The blank comprises a blank front panel for forming an inner frame front wall and first and second blank side panels for forming inner frame side walls, each of the first and second inner frame side panels depending along a respective fold line from the blank front panel. Further, the blank comprises a first cut line and a second cut line in the first and second inner frame side panels, respectively, wherein each of the first and second cut lines intersects a respective fold line at upper and lower intersection points. The first and second cut lines define a first and a second locking tab. Each of the first and second locking tabs extends outwardly from the inner frame and past an edge formed by inner frame front wall panel and a respective inner frame side panel when the first and second inner frame side panels are folded about the respective fold lines. The first and second locking tabs are adapted to interact with the lid portion of the container when the inner frame is received in the assembled container and the lid portion is moved between the open position and the closed position. Each of the first and second cut lines comprises an undulated portion comprising at least two peaks and a trough, a distance between adjacent peaks of the undulated portion being at least about 0.8 mm.

It will be appreciated that any features described with reference to one aspect of the present invention are equally applicable to any other aspect of the invention. Advantages described in relation to one aspect of the invention may also apply to another aspect of the invention.

In containers according to the invention, such as for example hinge lid containers, the inner frame comprises an inner frame front wall and first and second inner frame side walls each depending along an inner frame fold line from the inner frame front wall. Further, the inner frame comprises a first cut line and a second cut line in the first and second inner frame side walls, respectively. Each of the first and second cut lines intersects a respective inner frame fold line at upper and lower intersection points, such as to define a first and a second locking tabs. The locking tab extend outwardly from the inner frame towards the side walls of the container and interact with the lid portion of the container when the lid portion is moved between the open position and the closed position. In contrast to known hinge lid containers, each of the first and second cut lines of the inner frame comprises an undulated portion comprising at least two peaks and a trough, a distance between adjacent peaks of the undulated portion being at least about 0.8 mm. Thus the locking tabs have an undulated profile.

When the lid is moved between the open position and the closed position, the locking tabs frictionally engage the inner surface of the lid side walls and so they contribute to the force required for opening and closing the lid. By virtue of the undulated profile of the locking tabs, as the lid is moved from the open position towards the closed position, the resistance to closing progressively increases as the lid gets closer to the closed position. The Applicant has found that, compared with known containers, containers according to the present invention surprisingly provide for a smoother increase in the resistance to closing. Further, while increasing overall from a minimum value to a maximum value as the angle between the lid back wall and the box back wall varies from about 90 degrees to 0 about degrees, the resistance to closing increases in step-wise fashion with a succession of local maxima and minima. Without wishing to be bound to theory, this is understood to be a consequence of the peaks and troughs of the undulated cut lines, and the resistance to closing increases because of a general increase in the area of frictional engagement between the moving surfaces. Upon cooperation with the side walls of the lid portion, the peaks in the undulated portion may tend to deform slightly, and so the increase in the resistance to closing is generally not linear.

The consumer advantageously perceives the opening and closing of the lid as particularly smooth. At the same time, because the locking tabs engage the inner surface of the lid more and more securely as when this is moved into the closed position, safe and stable closure of the container is ensured, and the occurrence of "smiling" is greatly reduced, if not eliminated altogether.

It is easy to assemble a container provided with an inner frame in accordance with the present invention, since the side panels of the inner frame blank only need to be folded about the respective fold lines for the locking tabs to be available for cooperation with the lid, as soon as one such inner frame is received within the box portion of the container.

The terms "front", "back", "upper", "lower", "above", "below", "side", "left", "right", "lateral", "top", "bottom" and other terms used to describe relative positions of the components of containers according to the invention refer to the container in an upright position with an open end of the box portion at the top and the consumer goods accessible from the upper end at the front. The terms "side" and "lateral" are used with reference to side walls of the container when the container is viewed from the front in its upright position.

The terms "upwards" and "downwards" are used to describe a general direction along which an element or elements of a container according to the invention extend and also refer to the container in an upright position with the open end of the box portion at the top. Thus, an element, such as a line, extending downwards shall be understood to extend in a general direction from the top to the bottom of the container. Similarly, an element extending upwards shall be understood to extend in a general direction from the bottom to the top of the container.

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

The term "panel" is used throughout this specification to refer to a portion of the blank that is used to form a wall in the assembled container. A panel may depend along one or more fold lines from one or more other panels. The term "fold line" refers to a fold between two adjacent panels. When forming the container, adjacent panels are folded along their common fold line, which may come to define an edge of the container or of a portion thereof. In the assembled container a "wall" may be formed of one or of several overlying panels that are attached to each other, for example by means of an adhesive. Further, a wall may be formed from two or more abutting or overlapping panels.

The term "hinge line" is used throughout this specification to refer to a line common to both the lid portion and the box portion of the container, such that the lid portion is adapted to substantially pivot about said line between a closed position and an open position. The term "curved" is used in the present specification to describe any non-straight line, including circular arc, parabolic arc, hyperbolic arc, elliptical arc. Further, the term "curved" is construed as encompassing a broken line, that is a line made up of straight lines that join a number of given points taken in some specified order.

The term "undulated" is used in the present specification to describe a line that has a wavelike form. In one such line, it is possible to identify at least a peak and a trough. In mathematics, by the term "peak" reference is made to a region around a local maximum on a curve, whereas by the term "trough" reference is made to a region around a local minimum on a curve. By way of example, the highest point on a sine wave is referred to as the peak. The lowest point is called the trough. The peak of a sine wave and the trough of a sine wave are twice the sine wave's amplitude apart from each other.

In the present specification, such distance between a peak and a wave in the undulated portion is referred to as "amplitude of undulation". Thus, if in a container according to the present invention the undulated portion is provided as a sine wave, the "amplitude of undulation" corresponds to twice the amplitude of the sine wave.

In the context of the present specification, the terms peak and trough are used to describe the shape of the "undulated" cut line defining a locking tab. In particular, such terms may be used to describe how far a point on the undulated cut line is from a central portion of the inner frame front wall . Thus, a "peak" generally identifies a point of the cut line that is farther from the central portion of the inner frame front wall than the adjacent points of the cut line above and below said point. A "trough" generally identifies a point of the cut line that is closer to the central portion of the inner frame front wall than the adjacent points of the cut line above and below said point. By way of example, in an undulated cut line that has "two peaks and a trough", the distance of a point of the cut line from the central portion of the inner frame front wall reaches two local maxima and a local minimum.

Containers according to the present invention comprise a box portion and a lid portion. The lid portion may depend along a hinge line from a back wall of the box portion, in the case of a hinge lid container.

The lid is moveable between an open position and a closed position. For example, in the case of a hinge lid container, the lid may be movable about the hinge line between the open and the closed position, where the lid closes an upper access opening of the box portion.

Further, containers according to the present invention comprise an inner frame received within the box portion. The inner frame comprises an inner frame front wall and first and second inner frame side walls each depending along an inner frame fold line from the inner frame front wall. Further, the inner frame comprises a first cut line and a second cut line in the first and second inner frame side walls, respectively, wherein each of the first and second cut lines intersects a respective inner frame fold line at upper and lower intersection points. The first and second cut lines define a first and a second locking tab. Each of the first and second locking tab extends outwardly from the inner frame towards a respective side wall of the container and past an edge formed by the inner frame front wall with a respective inner frame side wall, and interacts with the lid portion of the container when the lid portion is moved into the closed position.

Thus, each of the first and second locking tabs may extend effectively from the inner frame front wall, when the inner frame fold line substantially coincides with the edge formed by the inner frame front wall with a respective inner frame side walls. As an alternative, each of the first and second locking tabs may extend effectively from a respective inner frame side wall, when the inner frame fold line extend substantially in its entirety along an inner frame side wall.

Each of the first and second cut lines comprises an undulated portion comprising at least two peaks and a trough, a distance between adjacent peaks of the undulated portion being at least about 0.8 mm.

Preferably, the distance between adjacent peaks of the undulated portion is at least about 1 mm. More preferably, the distance between adjacent peaks of the undulated portion is at least about 1.5 mm.

In addition, or as an alternative, the distance between adjacent peaks of the undulated portion is preferably less than about 40 mm. More preferably, the distance between adjacent peaks of the undulated portion is less than about 7 mm. Even more preferably, the distance between adjacent peaks of the undulated portion is less than about 3 mm.

In preferred embodiments, the distance between adjacent peaks of the undulated portion is from about 0.8 mm to about 40 mm, more preferably from about 1 mm to about 7 mm, even more preferably from 0.8 mm to 3 mm.

An amplitude of undulation in the undulated portion is preferably at least about 0.2 mm, more preferably at least about 0.3 mm. In addition, or as an alternative, the amplitude of undulation in the undulated portion is preferably less than about 1.2 mm, more preferably less than about 0.8 mm.

In preferred embodiments, the amplitude of undulation in the undulated portion is from about 0.2 mm to about 1.2 mm, more preferably from about 0.3 mm to about 0.8 mm.

A radius of curvature of each peak and trough in the undulated portion will depend, in general, on the distance between adjacent peaks as well as on the amplitude of undulation. In general, in containers according to the present invention the radius of curvature of each peak and trough in the undulated portion is preferably at least about 1.5 mm. Preferably, each locking tab tapers towards an upper end of the respective cut line, and the tangent to each of the first and second cut lines at the upper intersection points forms, with the respective inner frame fold line, an angle of at least about 5 degrees. In addition, the tangent to each of the first and second cut lines at the upper intersection points preferably forms, with the respective inner frame side wall fold line, an angle of at less than about 30 degrees.

In preferred embodiments, each cut line comprises a top slanted portion extending outwardly and downwardly from the upper intersection point. The top slanted portion has preferably a length of at least about 0.5 mm.

Preferably, each cut line comprises a bottom ramp portion extending outwardly and upwardly from the lower intersection point. The bottom ramp portion is preferably defined by a straight line, an arc or a combination of a straight line and an arc.

In addition, the undulated portion is preferably comprised between the top slanted portion and the bottom ramp portion.

Preferably, the distance between the upper and lower intersection points as measured along a respective inner frame side wall fold line is at least about 10 mm. In addition, or as an alternative, the distance between the upper and lower intersection points as measured along a respective inner frame side wall fold line is less than about 20 mm.

In any of the embodiments described above, the container is preferably filled with elongate smoking articles, such as, for example, cigarettes, cigars or cigarillos. It will be appreciated that through appropriate choices of the dimensions, containers according to the invention may be designed for different numbers of conventional size, king size, super-king size, slim or super-slim cigarettes. However, containers in accordance with the present invention can also be used with a variety of consumer goods other than smoking articles.

Containers according to the present invention can conveniently be manufactured by folding laminar blanks made from any suitable materials including, but not limited to, cardboard, paperboard, plastic, metal, or combinations thereof. Preferably, the container is formed from a folded laminar cardboard blank. Preferably, the cardboard has a weight of between about 100 grams per square metre and about 350 grams per square metre. In more detail, containers according to the invention will typically be assembled in the conventional way using standard manufacturing equipment, by folding one or more laminar blanks around the consumer articles and sealing overlying panels of the laminar blanks together in order to retain the container in the assembled shape. This may be achieved using conventional glues or adhesives.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Where the box portion of the container comprises a bevelled edge and is made from one or more laminar blanks, the bevel may be formed by two parallel creasing lines or scoring lines in the laminar blank. The creasing lines or scoring lines may be arranged symmetrically to the edge between a first wall and a second wall. Alternatively, the creasing lines or scoring lines may be arranged asymmetrically to the edge between the first wall and the second wall, such that the bevel reaches further into the first wall of the container than into the second wall of the container.

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

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

Containers according to the present invention may hold smoking articles of the same type or brand, or of different types or brands. In addition, both filterless smoking articles and smoking articles with various filter tips may be contained, as well as smoking articles of differing length (for example, between about 40 mm and about 180 mm), diameter (for example, between about 4 mm and about 9 mm). In addition, the smoking articles may differ in strength of taste, resistance to draw and total particulate matter delivery. Preferably, the dimensions of the container are adapted to the length of the smoking articles, and the collation of the smoking articles. Typically, the outer dimensions of the container are between about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm larger than the dimensions of the group or groups of smoking articles housed inside the container.

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

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

Preferably, containers according to the invention have a depth of between about 6 mm and about 100 mm, more preferably a depth of between about 12 mm and about 25 mm wherein the depth is measured from the front wall to the back wall of the container (comprising the hinge between box and lid). Preferably, the ratio of the height of the container to the depth of the container is in between about 0.3 to 1 and about 10 to 1 , more preferably between about 2 to 1 and about 8 to 1 , most preferably between about 3 to 1 and 5 to 1.

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

Containers according to the invention may be shrink-wrapped or otherwise over wrapped with a transparent polymeric film of, for example, high or low density polyethylene, polypropylene, oriented polypropylene, polyvinylidene chloride, cellulose film, or combinations thereof in a conventional manner. Where containers according to the invention are over wrapped, the over wrapper may include one or more a tear tapes. In addition, the over wrapper may be printed with images, consumer information or other data. The additional outer wrapper may advantageously protect the surface of the container for example against abrasion during handling.

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

A container according to the invention may be formed from two laminar blanks, one for forming the box portion and the lid portion, and one for forming the inner frame to be received within the box portion. For example, one laminar blank may be for forming a hinge lid container and one for the inner frame to be received within the hinge lid box portion. The inner frame blank comprises a blank front panel for forming an inner frame front wall and first and second blank side panels for forming inner frame side walls, each of the first and second inner frame side panels depending along a respective fold line from the blank front panel. Further, the inner frame blank comprises a first cut line and a second cut line in the first and second inner frame side panels, respectively, wherein each of the first and second cut lines intersects a respective fold line at upper and lower intersection points. The first and second cut lines define a first and a second locking tab. Each of the first and second locking tabs extend outwardly from the inner frame and past an edge formed by inner frame front wall panel and a respective inner frame side panel the when the first and second inner frame side panels are folded about the respective fold lines. The first and second locking tabs are adapted to interact with the lid portion of the container when the inner frame is received in the assembled container and the lid portion is moved between the open position and the closed position. Each of the first and second cut lines comprises an undulated portion comprising at least two peaks and a trough. A distance between adjacent peaks of the undulated portion is at least about 0.8 mm. Preferably, the distance between adjacent peaks of the undulated portion is less than about 40 mm. Whilst aspects of the present invention have been described with particular reference to hinge lid containers, the skilled reader will appreciate that the same inventive concepts may find application in other types of containers for consumer articles comprising a box portion and a lid, such as slide-and-shell containers. In a such slide-and-shell container, the shell (lid portion) is moveable relative to the slide (box portion) between an open position and a closed position, wherein the slide comprises first and second side walls. One such container is typically not provided with a reinforcement inner frame. Thus, one such container may comprise a first cut line and a second cut line in the first and second slide side walls, respectively, wherein each of the first and second cut lines intersects a respective side fold line at upper and lower intersection points. The first and second cut lines thus define a first and a second locking tab, wherein each of the first and second locking tab extend outwardly from the slide side walls towards a respective side wall of the shell and interact with the shell when the shell is moved between the open position and the closed position. Each of the first and second cut lines comprises an undulated portion comprising at least two peaks and a trough, a distance between adjacent peaks of the undulated portion being at least about 0.8 mm.

Alternatively, a slide-and-shell container may be provided with an inner frame as described above, wherein first and second locking tab extending outwardly from the inner frame front wall or the inner frame side walls and towards side walls of the shell interact with the shell when the shell is moved between the open position and the closed position.

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

Figure 1 is a schematic top view of a blank for forming the inner frame of a container according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a detail view, on a an enlarged scale, of a locking tab of the inner frame of Figure 1 ; and

Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the qualitative trend of the resistance to close of the lid of a container according to the invention as a function of the angle between the lid back wall and the box back wall.

The blank 100 shown in Figure 1 is for forming an inner frame of a container in accordance with the present invention. One such container (not shown) is shaped as a rectangular parallelepiped and comprises a lower box portion an upper lid portion that is hinged to the lower box portion along a hinge line extending along a back wall of the container. The box portion comprises a front wall, a back wall, two side walls extending between the front wall and the back wall, and a bottom wall. The lid portion has a front wall, a left side wall, a right side wall, a back wall and a top wall. The back wall and the top wall of the lid are joined at top back edge. When the container is closed, the free edges of the walls of the lid portion abut the free edges of the corresponding walls of the box portion along a line of abutment. In the closed position, the walls of the lid portion therefore form extensions of the corresponding walls of the box portion to define the walls of the container.

The inner frame 100 comprises an inner frame front wall 102 and a first and a second inner frame side walls 104, 106, each of which depends along a respective inner frame fold line 108, 1 10 from the inner frame front wall 102.

A first cut line 1 12 and a second cut line 1 14 are formed in the first and second inner frame side walls 104, 106, respectively. Each of the first and second cut lines 1 12, 1 14 intersects a respective inner frame fold line 108, 1 10 at upper and lower intersection points 1 16, 1 18. The distance between the upper and lower intersection points 1 16, 1 18 as measured along a respective inner frame side wall fold line is about 15 mm.

The first and second cut lines 1 12, 1 14 define a first and a second locking tab 120, 122. Each of the locking tabs 120, 122 extends outwardly from the inner frame front wall 102 such that, when the blank 100 is folded to form the inner frame and is inserted in the box portion of an assembled hinge lid container, each of the tabs 120, 122 extends past an edge of the inner frame formed by the inner frame front wall 102 with a respective inner frame side wall 104, 106. When the lid of the assembled container is moved between the open position and the closed position, the locking tabs 120, 122 interact with the lid portion of the assembled container.

As illustrated in Figure 2, each of the first and second cut lines 1 12, 1 14 comprises an undulated portion 124, 126 comprising peaks 128 and troughs 130. The distance D between adjacent peaks 128 in the undulated portion 124, 126 is about 2 mm. Each locking tab 120, 122 tapers towards an upper end of the respective cut line 1 12, 1 14, and the tangent to each of the first and second cut lines at the upper intersection points 1 16, 1 18 forms, with the respective inner frame fold line 108, 1 10 an angle a of about 20 degrees.

Each cut line 1 12,1 14 comprises a top slanted portion 132, 134 extending outwardly and downwardly from the upper intersection point 1 16. The top slanted portion has a length L of about 0.7 mm. Further, each cut line 1 12, 1 14 comprises a bottom ramp portion 136, 138 extending outwardly and upwardly from the lower intersection point 1 18. In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the bottom ramp portion 136, 138 is defined by an arc. The undulated portion 124, 126 is comprised between the top slanted portion 132, 134 and the bottom ramp portion 136, 138.

Figure 3 illustrates how the resistance to close of the lid of a container according to the invention comprising an inner frame 100 as described above varies as a function of the angle between the lid back wall and the box back wall. As the lid is moved between the open position and the closed position, the locking tabs 120, 122 frictionally engage the inner surface of the lid side walls and thus contribute to the force required for opening and closing the lid. In particular, as the lid is moved from the open position towards the closed position, the resistance to closing progressively increases as the lid approaches the closed position. As shown in Figure 3, while increasing overall from a minimum value to a maximum value as the angle between the lid back wall and the box back wall varies from about 90 degrees to 0 about degrees, the resistance to closing oscillates with a succession of local maxima and minima. Without wishing to be bound to theory, this is understood to be a consequence of the peaks 128 and troughs 130 of the undulated cut lines 1 12, 1 14.

Claims

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

a box portion;

a lid portion, wherein the lid portion is moveable relative to the box portion between an open position and a closed position; and

an inner frame received within the box portion,

wherein the inner frame comprises:

an inner frame front wall;

first and second inner frame side walls each depending along an inner frame fold line from the inner frame front wall;

a first cut line and a second cut line in the first and second inner frame side walls, respectively, wherein each of the first and second cut lines intersects a respective inner frame fold line at upper and lower intersection points; the first and second cut lines defining a first and a second locking tab; each of the first and second locking tab extending outwardly from the inner frame towards a respective side wall of the container and past an edge formed by the inner frame front wall with a respective inner frame side wall, and interacting with the lid portion of the container when the lid portion is moved between the open position and the closed position;

and wherein each of the first and second cut lines comprises an undulated portion comprising at least two peaks and a trough, a distance between adjacent peaks of the undulated portion being at least about 0.8 mm.

2. A container according to claim 1 , wherein distance between adjacent peaks of the undulated portion is less than about 40 mm.

3. A container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each locking tab tapers towards an upper end of the respective cut line, and the tangent to each of the first and second cut lines at the upper intersection points forms, with the respective inner frame fold line, an angle of at least about 5 degrees.

4. A container according to claim 3, wherein the tangent to each of the first and second cut lines at the upper intersection points forms, with the respective inner frame side wall fold line, an angle of at less than about 30 degrees.

5. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each cut line comprises a top slanted portion extending outwardly and downwardly from the upper intersection point.

6. A container according to claim 5, wherein the top slanted portion has a length of at least about 0.5 mm.

7. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each cut line comprises a bottom ramp portion extending outwardly and upwardly from the lower intersection point.

8. A container according to claim 7, wherein the bottom ramp portion is defined by a straight line, an arc or a combination of a straight line and an arc.

9. A container according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the undulated portion is comprised between the top slanted portion and the bottom ramp portion.

10. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the distance between the upper and lower intersection points as measured along a respective inner frame side wall fold line is at least about 10 mm.

1 1 . A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the distance between the upper and lower intersection points as measured along a respective inner frame side wall fold line is less than about 20 mm.

12. A blank for an inner frame adapted to be received within a box portion of a container for consumer articles, the container further comprising a lid portion, wherein the lid portion is moveable about the hinge line between an open position and a closed position; the blank comprising:

a blank front panel for forming an inner frame front wall and first and second blank side panels for forming inner frame side walls, each of the first and second inner frame side panels depending along a respective fold line from the blank front panel;

a first cut line and a second cut line in the first and second inner frame side panels, respectively, wherein each of the first and second cut lines intersects a respective fold line at upper and lower intersection points; the first and second cut lines defining a first and a second locking tab; each of the first and second locking tabs extending outwardly from the inner frame and past an edge formed by inner frame front wall panel and a respective inner frame side panel the when the first and second inner frame side panels are folded about the respective fold lines; the first and second locking tabs being adapted to interact with the lid portion of the container when the inner frame is received in the assembled container and the lid portion is moved between the open position and the closed position;

wherein each of the first and second cut lines comprises an undulated portion comprising at least two peaks and a trough, a distance between adjacent peaks of the undulated portion being at least about 0.8 mm.

13. A blank according to claim 12, wherein the distance between adjacent peaks of the undulated portion is less than about 40 mm.

14. A blank according to claim 12 or 13, wherein each locking tab tapers towards an upper end of the respective cut line, and the tangent to each of the first and second cut lines at the upper intersection points forms, with the respective inner frame fold line, an angle of at least about 5 degrees.

15. A blank according to claim 14, wherein the tangent to each of the first and second cut lines at the upper intersection points forms, with the respective inner frame side wall fold line, an angle of at less than about 30 degrees.