WO2023084023A1

WO2023084023A1 - A container having at least one line of weakness

Info

Publication number: WO2023084023A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/081620
Authority: WO
Inventors: Julie POLIER
Original assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
Priority date: 2021-11-11
Filing date: 2022-11-11
Publication date: 2023-05-19

Abstract

There is provided a container (100) for consumer goods. The container comprises a box for housing consumer goods. The box comprises a box front wall (101), a box back wall (102), and a box opening (250) for accessing the consumer goods. The container further comprises a lid (230) having a lid top wall (131, 231) and a lid flap (233). The lid (230) is connected to the box back wall (102) by a lid hinge line (132) and is disposed in a closed position in which the lid top wall (131, 231) covers the box opening (250). The container further comprises a closure flap (141) connected to the box front wall (101) along a closure flap fold line (142). A tamper-indicating line of weakness (143) delimits a first portion of the box front wall (101) from the closure flap (141) and a second portion (144) of the box front wall (101). The closure flap (141) overlies and is fixed to the lid top wall (131, 231), and the lid flap (233) is fixed to the second portion (144) of the box front wall. The closure flap (141) and the second portion (144) of the box front wall are configured to be separated from the first portion of the box front wall (101) along the tamper-indicating line of weakness (143) to allow the lid (230) to move from the closed position to an open position in which the box opening (250) is at least partially uncovered.

Description

A CONTAINER HAVING AT LEAST ONE LINE OF WEAKNESS

The present invention relates to a container for consumer goods. Containers according to the invention find particular application as containers for aerosol-generating articles or components of aerosol-generating articles.

Consumer goods, such as smoking articles, are commonly packaged in box shaped containers. For example, hinge lid containers having a box portion and a lid connected to the box portion about a hinge line extending across the back wall of the container. Initially, when a container is provided full of consumer goods, the consumer goods occupy a majority of the internal volume of the container. Therefore, the consumer goods contribute to the rigidity of the container. However, as a user removes consumer goods from the container, for example to consume them, the internal volume of the container that is occupied by the consumer goods decreases. This can lead to a reduction in the rigidity of the container. This can also lead to consumer goods being free to move about within the container. The result is that damage to one or both of the container and the consumer goods may occur. Moreover, the container takes up more space than is necessary as consumer goods are removed. These problems are particularly relevant to containers sized to house a large number of consumer goods.

It has been known to provide containers with an inner frame to obtain the required rigidity to retain the shape of the container and to protect the consumer goods within the container. Thus, the rigidity of the container may be maintained even as consumer goods are removed. However, an inner frame increases the use of materials which results in an increase in the cost and complexity of manufacturing. Additionally, an inner frame does not necessarily solve the problems relating to a container taking up more space than is necessary and the consumer goods being free to move about within the container.

It would be desirable to provide a container that can be sized to store a sufficient number of consumer goods but limit or avoid the aforementioned problems. It would further be desirable that a container has a mechanism for showing whether someone has previously tried to gain access to, or has gained access to, the consumer goods within the container. It is particularly desirable that the container is simple and cost effective to manufacture.

The present invention relates to a container for consumer goods. The container may comprise a box. The box may comprise an upper part and a lower part. The upper part and the lower part may be separated by a line of weakness that extends around the box. The upper part and the lower part may share at least a box first wall. The upper part may comprise an upper box portion for housing a first group of consumer goods. The upper part may comprise an upper box portion opening for accessing consumer goods housed in the upper box portion. The lower part may comprise a lower box portion for housing a second group of consumer goods. The lower part may comprise a lid precursor. The lid precursor may be a portion of the box first wall and may be at least partially delimited by the line of weakness on the box first wall. The upper box portion may be separable from the lower box portion along the line of weakness to expose a lower box portion opening for accessing consumer goods housed in the lower box portion. The separation of the upper box portion may convert the lid precursor into a lower box portion lid. The lower box portion lid may be configured to pivot between a closed position in which the lower box portion opening is covered by the lower box portion lid and an open position in which the lower box portion opening is at least partially uncovered.

According to the invention there is provided a container for consumer goods. The container comprises a box. The box comprises an upper part and a lower part separated by a line of weakness that extends around the box. The upper part and the lower part share at least a box first wall. The upper part comprises an upper box portion for housing a first group of consumer goods and an upper box portion opening for accessing consumer goods housed in the upper box portion. The lower part comprises a lower box portion for housing a second group of consumer goods. The lower part further comprises a lid precursor. The lid precursor being a portion of the box first wall and is at least partially delimited by the line of weakness on the box first wall. The upper box portion is separable from the lower box portion along the line of weakness to expose a lower box portion opening for accessing consumer goods housed in the lower box portion. The separation of the upper box portion converts the lid precursor into a lower box portion lid. The lower box portion lid being configured to pivot between a closed position in which the lower box portion opening is covered by the lower box portion lid and an open position in which the lower box portion opening is at least partially uncovered.

The second group of consumer goods may not be accessible until the first group of consumer goods has been removed from the container. Therefore, a user initially withdraws consumer goods from the first group of consumer goods that are housed in the upper box portion. When the upper box portion is empty its rigidity may decrease. However, because the upper box portion is separable from the lower box portion, the upper box portion may, once the upper box portion is empty, be separated from the lower box portion and discarded. Advantageously, this means an inner frame is not required because the internal volume of the container can be adjusted to ensure it is mostly occupied by consumer goods which can provide rigidity to the container. This leads to a reduction in the cost and complexity of manufacturing. Furthermore, the container takes up less space after separation of the upper box portion and the lower box portion.

The upper box portion may have a lid that provides access to the first group of consumer goods via the upper box portion opening. Such a lid may be discarded when the upper box portion is separated from the lower box portion. However, the container is provided with a lid precursor that is converted into a lower box portion lid by the separation of the upper box portion from the lower box portion. Advantageously, this ensures that the lower box portion has a lid after separation of the upper box portion and the lower box portion.

The provision of a line of weakness that extends around the box facilitates the separation of the upper box portion and the lower box portion. The line of weakness may prevent damage to the lower box portion during separation. For example, by ensuring that any tearing occurs along the line of weakness rather than in a wall of the lower box portion. Advantageously, this ensures the structural integrity of the lower box portion after separation. Furthermore, the line of weakness at least partially delimits the lid precursor. That is, the line of weakness at least partially defines an outline of the lid precursor and, therefore, at least partially defines the shape of the lower box portion lid.

The lid precursor is a portion of the box first wall rather than a standalone component. This means that the lid precursor functions as part of the box first wall prior to separation of the upper box portion and the lower box portion. After separation, the lid precursor functions as a lower box portion lid. Advantageously, use of such a dual purpose component can lead to one or both of a reduction in the cost and complexity of manufacturing and a reduction in material use.

The terms “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “back”, and other terms used herein to describe relative positions of the components of the container according to the invention, refer to the container in an upright position with the upper box portion opening at the top. When describing containers according to the present invention, these terms are used irrespective of the orientation of the container being described. The “bottom” of the container refers to the end of the container opposite the “top” of the container.

The term “height” is used herein to refer to dimensions extending between the top and the bottom of the box. The term “width” is used herein to refer to dimensions extending between two sides of the box. The term “depth” is used herein to refer to dimensions extending between the front and the back of the box. Height, width and depth are orthogonal to each other.

The term “line of weakness” is used herein to describe a portion of a surface of the container (or the blank from which the container is formed) wherein the structural strength of the material, from which the container (or blank) is formed has been weakened by any suitable technique, for example with respect to bending, folding or tearing along the line of weakness. A line of weakness may be straight, curved, segmented or continuous or a combination thereof. Lines of weakness can be created by removal of material, by displacement of material, by compression of material, by locally reducing the forces that hold the material together, such as by breaking fibres in a fibrous material, as well as by combinations of all the above. For example, a line of weakness may be formed as a scoring line, a creasing line, an ablation line, or a perforation line.

The term “scoring line” is used to describe a line formed by partially cutting into the material of the blank. A scoring line may be formed by removing material from the blank, that is, by forming a groove or trough in the blank. As an alternative, a scoring line may be formed without removing any material from the blank. This would typically involve a partial sideways displacement and compression of material.

The term “creasing line” typically refers to a line formed by displacing a portion of the material substantially perpendicular to the plane of the blank, which results in the formation of a groove or trough in the blank. The displacement may involve compression and is typically achieved by means of a compression tool, such as a roller. Alternatively, or in addition, the material in the creasing line may be displaced so as to at least partially protrude from the opposite side of the blank. Generally, no material is removed when a creasing line is formed.

The term “ablation line” is used instead to describe a line formed by removing material from a surface of the blank to a predetermined depth by way of ablation, such as by means of a laser beam or a blade.

The term “perforated line” describes a line or sequence of discrete holes or slots formed in the blank. The holes may be formed by pushing an object through the blank, which may result in material being removed from the blank, for example by punching. Alternatively, the holes may be created without effectively removing material, the object being used to push material outwardly from a centre of the hole.

The term "hinge line" refers to a line about which two elements may be pivoted relative to each other. A hinge line may be, for example, a fold line, a creasing line or a scoring line in a wall or panel of the container, or between two walls of the container.

The lid precursor may comprise an upper section and a lower section. The upper section and the lower section may be separated by a flap hinge line. The upper section and the lower section may be separated by a flap hinge line precursor. The flap hinge line precursor may be configured to be converted into a flap hinge line when the upper box portion and the lower box portion separate. A lid hinge line precursor may be disposed on the box first wall. The lid hinge line precursor may be configured to be converted into a lid hinge line for the lower box portion lid when the upper box portion and the lower box portion separate. The lid hinge line may connect the lower box portion lid to the lower box portion. Advantageously, a flap hinge line precursor and a lid hinge line precursor may ensure that the lower box portion lid is ready for use immediately after separation of the upper box portion and lower box portion. This may improve the user experience.

The lower section of the lid precursor may be configured to form a top wall of the lower box portion lid. The top wall may be configured to cover the lower box portion opening when the lower box portion lid is in the closed position. The upper section of the lid precursor may be configured to form a flap of the lower box portion lid. The flap may be configured to be inserted into the lower box portion opening to retain the lower box portion lid in the closed position. Advantageously, because the lower box portion lid is formed from a top wall or a top wall and a flap, the lower box portion lid has a simple design which may reduce the cost and complexity of manufacturing.

The lower section of the lid precursor may have a shape that is substantially the same as the lower box portion opening. The lower section of the lid precursor may be square or rectangular in shape. The lower section of the lid precursor may have a height that is substantially the same as a depth of the lower box portion opening. The lower section of the lid precursor may have a width that is substantially the same as a width of the lower box portion opening. Advantageously, the lower section having the same shape or dimensions as the lower box portion opening may result in the lower box portion opening being covered when the lower box portion lid is in the closed position without using an excess of material.

The lower section of the lid precursor may have a height of between 10 millimetres and 40 millimetres, between 10 millimetres and 35 millimetres or between 15 millimetres and between 35 millimetres. Preferably, the lower section of the lid precursor may have a height of between 15 millimetres and 30 millimetres. For example, the lower section of the lid precursor may have a height of 15 millimetres, 16 millimetres, 17 millimetres, 18 millimetres, 19 millimetres, 20 millimetres, 21 millimetres, 22 millimetres, 23 millimetres, 24 millimetres, 25 millimetres, 26 millimetres, 27 millimetres, 28 millimetres, 29 millimetres or 30 millimetres.

The lower section of the lid precursor may have a width of between 30 millimetres and 80 millimetres, between 30 millimetres and 75 millimetres or between 30 millimetres and 70 millimetres, between 30 millimetres and 65 millimetres. Preferably, the lower section of the lid precursor may have a width of between 30 millimetres and 60 millimetres. For example, the lower section of the lid precursor may have a width of 30 millimetres, 35 millimetres, 40 millimetres, 45 millimetres, 50 millimetres, 55 millimetres or 60 millimetres.

The upper section of the lid precursor may have a height of at least 10 millimetres. For example, the upper section of the lid precursor may have a height of between 10 millimetres and 20 millimetres or between 10 millimetres and 15 millimetres. In embodiments where the upper section is configured to form a flap of the lower box portion lid, the height of the upper section of the lid precursor corresponds to the distance the flap may extend into the lower box portion opening. Therefore, if the height of the upper section of the lid precursor is too large, then the lower box portion lid may be difficult to operate. On the other hand, if the height of the upper section of the lid precursor is too small, then the contact area between the flap of the lower box portion lid and an inner surface of the lower box portion may be too small to retain the lower box portion lid in the closed position. The upper section of the lid precursor may have a width that is substantially the same as a width of the lower box portion opening. Therefore, in embodiments where the upper section is configured to form a flap of the lower box portion lid, the flap will have a width that is substantially the same as a width of the lower box portion opening. Advantageously, this may increase the contact area between the flap of the lower box portion lid and an inner surface of the lower box portion. This may therefore improve the ability of the flap to retain the lid in the closed position due to the friction between the flap of the lower box portion lid and an inner surface of the lower box portion.

The upper section of the lid precursor may have a width that is less than a width of the lower section of the lid precursor. The upper section of the lid precursor may have a width that is less than a width of the lower box portion. Advantageously, this may make it easier for a user to insert the flap of the lower box portion lid into the lower box portion opening.

The lower box portion opening may be square or rectangular in shape.

The lower box portion opening may have a depth of between 10 millimetres and 40 millimetres, between 10 millimetres and 35 millimetres or between 15 millimetres and between 35 millimetres. Preferably, the lower box portion opening may have a depth of between 15 millimetres and 30 millimetres. For example, the lower box portion opening may have a depth of 15 millimetres, 16 millimetres, 17 millimetres, 18 millimetres, 19 millimetres, 20 millimetres, 21 millimetres, 22 millimetres, 23 millimetres, 24 millimetres, 25 millimetres, 26 millimetres, 27 millimetres, 28 millimetres, 29 millimetres or 30 millimetres.

The lower box portion opening may have a width of between 30 millimetres and 80 millimetres, between 30 millimetres and 75 millimetres or between 30 millimetres and 70 millimetres, between 30 millimetres and 65 millimetres. Preferably, the lower box portion opening may have a width of between 30 millimetres and 60 millimetres. For example, the lower box portion opening may have a width of 30 millimetres, 35 millimetres, 40 millimetres, 45 millimetres, 50 millimetres, 55 millimetres or 60 millimetres

The box may further comprise a box second wall. The box second wall may be disposed opposite the box first wall. The upper part and the lower part may share the box second wall. The box first wall may be a box back wall. The box second wall may be a box front wall. The box may further comprise box side walls. The box side walls may include a first box side wall and a second box side wall. The box side walls may extend between the box first wall and the box second wall. The line of weakness may extend through the box first wall and one or more of the box second wall and the box side walls. The line of weakness may extend through all of the box first wall, the box second wall and the box side walls. The line of weakness may extend through the box first wall, the box second wall, the first box side wall and the second box side wall. The lower box portion may comprise a recess. The recess may extend part way down the lower box portion. That is, the recess may extend towards to bottom of the lower box portion. The recess may be provided in an upper edge of the lower box portion. The recess may be provided in the box second wall. The recess may be provided in an upper edge of the box second wall. The recess may be a cut out. Advantageously, a recess may facilitate moving the lower box portion lid between the closed position and the open position. For example, by facilitating user access to the flap or top wall of the lower box portion lid.

The recess may be formed when the upper box portion is separated from the lower box portion. For example, a path followed by the line of weakness may be configured to provide the recess when the upper box portion and the lower box portion are separated. Preferably, a path followed by the line of weakness on the box second wall may provide the recess in an upper edge of the lower box portion when the upper box portion and the lower box portion are separated. In other words, the line of weakness delimits the recess. Advantageously, the delimited recess may provide a convenient location for a user to initiate separation of the upper box portion and the lower box portion.

The recess may vary in shape. The recess may be substantially U-shaped. The recess may be substantially semi-circular. The width of the recess may decrease with increasing distance from the upper edge of the lower box portion. The width of the recess is therefore at a maximum adjacent the lower box portion opening. Advantageously, this can mean that the recess has little or no effect in reducing the rigidity of the box.

The recess may have a width that is less than a width of the box. That is, the recess does not extend across the full width of the container. Advantageously, this ensures that the rigidity of the box is retained. The recess may have a width less than a width of the upper section of the lid precursor. The recess may have a width between 10 millimetres and 30 millimetres, between 10 millimetres and 25 millimetres. Preferably, the recess may have a width between 15 millimetres and 25 millimetres. The width may be a maximum width.

The container may comprise an inner liner for housing the consumer goods. The inner liner may be made of fiber-based paper, metal foil or metallised paper. The inner liner may be formed as a laminate of a metallised polyethylene film, and a liner material. The inner liner may be a super-calendered glassine paper. The inner liner may have an access opening through which consumer goods can be removed from the inner liner.

The upper box portion may comprise a first inner liner for retaining the first group of consumer goods in the upper box portion. The first group of consumers goods may be wrapped in the first inner liner. The first inner liner may be fixed to an inner surface of the upper box portion. The lower box portion may comprise a second inner liner for retaining the second group of consumer goods in the lower box portion. The second group of consumer goods may be wrapped in the second inner liner. The second inner liner may be fixed to an inner surface of the lower box portion. The first inner liner may be fixed to an inner surface of the upper box portion by an adhesive. The second inner liner may be fixed to an inner surface of the lower box portion by an adhesive. The adhesive may be glue.

The box may have a closed bottom end. The lower box portion may have a closed bottom end. The closed bottom end of the lower box portion may be the closed bottom end of the box. The box may have a bottom wall. The bottom wall may form the closed bottom end. In embodiments having a closed bottom end, the consumer goods housed within the container may not be removed from the container through the closed bottom end. Advantageously, this prevents consumer goods falling out of the container when the container is in the upright position. For example, this may occur if a lid is positioned at a bottom end of the container and the lid accidentally or unintentionally opens when the container is in the upright position.

The container may comprise a first group of consumer goods housed in the upper box portion. The container may comprise a second group of consumer goods housed in the lower box portion. The first group of consumer goods may be a first group of aerosolgenerating articles. The second group of consumer goods may be a second group of aerosolgenerating articles.

The aerosol-generating articles may be filter cigarettes or other smoking articles in which an aerosol-generating substrate comprises a tobacco material that is combusted to form smoke. The aerosol-generating articles may be articles in which a tobacco material is heated to form an aerosol, rather than combusted. The aerosol-generating articles may be articles in which a nicotine-containing aerosol is generated from a tobacco material, tobacco extract, or other nicotine source, without combustion, and in some cases without heating, for example through a chemical reaction.

The container may be formed from a single laminar blank. The single laminar blank may be formed from any suitable material or combination of materials including, but not limited to, cardboard, paperboard, plastic, metal, or combinations thereof. The different components of the container may be formed from the same material, or from different materials. The single laminar blank may be a laminar cardboard blank having a weight of between about 100 grams per square metre and about 350 grams per square metre. In preferred embodiments, the single laminar blank has a thickness of from about 100 micrometres to about 500 micrometres, preferably from about 200 micrometres to about 350 micrometres.

The container may be longitudinally elongate. That is, the height of the container may be at least twice the width of the container.

The container according to the invention may be provided in a number of different sizes, which accommodate different numbers of consumer goods, whilst still providing the advantages of the invention. Accordingly, the container may comprise further groups of consumer goods. For example, the lower box portion may comprise a third group of consumer goods. The second group of consumer goods may be disposed in a top portion of the lower box portion. The third group of consumer goods may be disposed in a bottom portion of the lower box portion. The top portion of the lower box portion may be separated from the bottom portion of the lower box portion by a second line of weakness. The lower part of the box may comprise a second lid precursor. The second lid precursor may be a portion of the box first wall. The second lid precursor may be at least partially delimited by the second line of weakness on the box first wall. The top portion may be separable from the bottom portion along the second line of weakness to expose a bottom portion opening for accessing the third group of consumer goods housed in the bottom portion. The separation of the top portion may convert the second lid precursor into a bottom portion lid. The bottom portion lid may be configured to pivot between a closed position in which the bottom portion opening is covered by the bottom portion lid and an open position in which the bottom portion opening is at least partially uncovered.

The upper part of the box may comprise a lid. The lid may be connected to the box first wall by a lid hinge line extending across the box first wall. The lid may be configured to pivot about the lid hinge line between a closed position in which the lid covers the upper box portion opening and an open position in which the upper box portion opening is at least partially uncovered.

In some embodiments, the box first wall may be a box back wall. The box may comprise a box front wall. The container may further comprise a lid. The lid may comprise a lid top wall and a lid flap. The lid may be connected to the box back wall by a lid hinge line. The lid hinge line may extend along an upper edge of the box back wall. The lid may be disposed in a closed position in which the lid top wall covers the upper box portion opening. The container may further comprise a closure flap. The closure flap may be connected to the box front wall along a closure flap fold line. A tamper-indicating line of weakness may delimit a first portion of the box front wall from the closure flap and a second portion of the box front wall. The closure flap may overlie and be fixed to the lid top wall. The lid flap may be fixed to the second portion of the box front wall. The closure flap and the second portion of the box front wall may be configured to be separated from the first portion of the box front wall along the tamper-indicating line of weakness to allow the lid to move from the closed position to an open position in which the upper box portion opening is at least partially uncovered.

The present invention further relates to a container for consumer goods. The container may comprise a box for housing consumer goods. The box may comprise a box front wall. The box may comprise a box back wall. The box may comprise a box opening for accessing the consumer goods. The container may further comprise a lid. The lid may comprise a lid top wall. The lid may comprise a lid flap. The lid may be connected to the box back wall by a lid hinge line. The lid hinge line may extend along an upper edge of the box back wall. The lid may be disposed in a closed position in which the lid top wall covers the box opening. The container may further comprise a closure flap. The closure flap may be connected to the box front wall along a closure flap fold line. A tamper-indicating line of weakness may delimit a first portion of the box front wall from the closure flap and a second portion of the box front wall. The closure flap may overlie and be fixed to the lid top wall. The lid flap may be fixed to the second portion of the box front wall. The closure flap and the second portion of the box front wall may be configured to be separated from the first portion of the box front wall along the tamper-indicating line of weakness to allow the lid to move from the closed position to an open position in which the box opening is at least partially uncovered. The lid flap may be configured to be inserted into box opening when the lid is in the closed position.

According to the invention there is provided a container for consumer goods. The container comprises a box for housing consumer goods. The box comprises a box front wall, a box back wall, and a box opening for accessing the consumer goods. The container further comprises a lid. The lid comprises a lid top wall and a lid flap. The lid is connected to the box back wall by a lid hinge line. The lid is disposed in a closed position in which the lid top wall covers the box opening. The container further comprises a closure flap. The closure flap is connected to the box front wall along a closure flap fold line. A tamper-indicating line of weakness delimits a first portion of the box front wall from the closure flap and a second portion of the box front wall. The closure flap overlies and is fixed to the lid top wall, and the lid flap is fixed to the second portion of the box front wall. The closure flap and the second portion of the box front wall are configured to be separated from the first portion of the box front wall along the tamper-indicating line of weakness to allow the lid to move from the closed position to an open position in which the box opening is at least partially uncovered.

The provision of a closure flap that overlies and is fixed to the lid top wall, and a lid flap that is fixed to the second portion of the box front wall, ensures that the lid cannot be opened without irreversibly rupturing the tamper-indicating line of weakness. Advantageously, the tamper-indicating line of weakness therefore provides an indication that the container may or may not have been previously opened. Moreover, the second portion of the box front wall is separated from the first portion of the box front wall when the tamperindicating line of weakness is ruptured. This provides further indication that the container may have been previously opened. Furthermore, the lid top wall is fixed to the closure flap and the lid flap is fixed to the second portion of the box front wall. That is, the lid is held closed in two separate locations. Advantageously, this may make it more difficult for a user to by-pass opening the container by rupturing the tamper-indicating line of weakness. Advantageously, the delimited second portion of the box front wall may provide a convenient location for a user to initiate rupturing the tamper-indicating line.

The term “tamper-indicating line of weakness” used herein refers to a line of weakness that provides an indication as to whether the container may or may not have been previously opened. For example, when the tamper-indicating line is intact, the tamperindicating line of weakness is indicating that the container has not been previously opened. When the tamper-indicating line is partially or completely ruptured, the tamper-indicating line is indicating an attempt may have been made to gain access to the container or that the container has been previously opened.

The lid hinge line may extend along an upper edge of the box back wall. The lid hinge line may extend from a first longitudinal edge of the box back wall to a second longitudinal edge of the box back wall.

The term “longitudinal edge” is used herein to refer to an edge of the container extending between the top and bottom of the container. For example, the location where the box back wall is connected to one of the box side walls.

The lid flap may be connected to the lid top wall by a lid flap fold line. The lid flap fold line may be positioned opposite the lid hinge line. The lid flap fold line may be substantially parallel to the lid hinge line.

The lid flap may have a width less than a width of the lid top wall. The lid flap may have a width that is less than a width of the box opening. In some embodiments, the lid flap may have a width that is less than a width of the upper box portion opening. Advantageously, this may make it easier for a user to insert the lid flap into the opening.

The closure flap fold line may extend along an upper edge of box front wall. The closure flap fold line may extend from a first longitudinal edge of the box front wall to a second longitudinal edge of the box front wall. Advantageously, a user may therefore, prior to initial opening of the container, be prevented from accessing the interval volume of the container via a gap between the lid flap and the box front wall.

The closure flap and the lid top wall may have substantially the same width. The closure flap may have a width greater than the width of the lid top wall. The closure flap may have a length substantially the same as a depth of the container. The closure flap and the lid top wall may have the same shape. Advantageously, this may ensure that the closure flap completely covers the lid top wall.

The closure flap may have a square or rectangular shape.

The second portion of the box front wall may have a width less than a width of the box front wall. The second portion of the box front wall may have a height less than a height of the box front wall. The second portion of the box front wall may be a minor portion of the box front wall, in comparison with the first portion of the box front wall. In other words, the first portion of the box front wall may be a major portion of box front wall and the second portion of the box front wall may be a minor portion of the box front wall. Advantageously, this may ensure that the first portion of the box front wall has dimensions sufficient to retain and protect the consumer goods within the container after the second portion of the box front wall is separated from the first portion of the box front wall.

The separation of the second portion of the box front wall from the first portion of the box front wall may form a recess. The second portion of the box front wall may have a width less than a width of the lid flap. The second portion of the box front wall may have a height less than a height of the lid flap. A recess may therefore be formed having dimensions less than the lid flap. Advantageously, this may ensure that the lid flap is retained within the box opening whilst the recess provides convenient access to open the lid.

The closure flap may be fixed to the lid top wall with an adhesive. The lid flap may be fixed to the second portion of the box front wall with an adhesive. The adhesive may be glue.

A first portion of the tamper-indicating line of weakness may extend along the closure flap fold line from a first end of the closure flap fold line towards a second end of the closure flap fold line. A second portion of the tamper-indicating line of weakness may extend along the closure flap fold line from the second end of the closure fold line towards the first end of the closure flap fold line. The first portion of the tamper-indicating line of weakness may be spaced from the second portion of the tamper-indicating line of weakness. A third portion of the tamper-indicating line of weakness may connect the first portion of the tamper-indicating line of weakness to the second portion of the tamper-indicating line of weakness. The third portion of the tamper-indicating line of weakness may delimit the second portion of the box front wall from the first portion of the box front wall. The third portion of the tamper-indicating line of weakness may be defined in the box front wall.

The box may comprise an inner liner for housing the consumer goods.

The container may comprise consumer goods. The consumer goods may be aerosolgenerating articles.

The container may be formed from a single laminar blank.

Below, there is provided a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

Ex1 . A container for consumer goods, the container comprising: a box comprising an upper part and a lower part separated by a line of weakness that extends around the box, the upper part and the lower part sharing at least a box first wall; the upper part comprising: an upper box portion for housing a first group of consumer goods; and an upper box portion opening for accessing consumer goods housed in the upper box portion; the lower part comprising: a lower box portion for housing a second group of consumer goods; and a lid precursor, the lid precursor being a portion of the box first wall and at least partially delimited by the line of weakness on the box first wall; and wherein the upper box portion is separable from the lower box portion along the line of weakness to expose a lower box portion opening for accessing consumer goods housed in the lower box portion and wherein the separation of the upper box portion converts the lid precursor into a lower box portion lid, said lower box portion lid being configured to pivot between a closed position in which the lower box portion opening is covered by the lower box portion lid and an open position in which the lower box portion opening is at least partially uncovered.

Ex2. A container according to Ex1 , wherein the lid precursor comprises an upper section and a lower section.

Ex3. A container according to Ex2, wherein the upper section and the lower section are separated by a flap hinge line.

Ex4. A container according to Ex2 or Ex3, wherein the lower section is configured to form a top wall of the lower box portion lid.

Ex5. A container according to Ex4, wherein the top wall is configured to cover the lower box portion opening when the lower box portion lid is in the closed position.

Ex6. A container according to any one of Ex2 to Ex5, wherein the upper section is configured to form a flap of the lower box portion lid.

Ex7. A container according to Ex6, wherein the flap is configured to be inserted into the lower box portion opening to retain the lower box portion lid in the closed position.

Ex8. A container according to any one of Ex2 to Ex7, wherein the lower section of the lid precursor has a shape that is substantially the same as the lower box portion opening.

Ex9. A container according to any one of Ex2 to Ex8, wherein the lower section of the lid precursor has a height that is substantially the same as a depth of the lower box portion opening.

Ex10. A container according to any one of Ex2 to Ex9, wherein the lower section of the lid precursor has a width that is substantially the same as a width of the lower box portion opening.

Ex11 . A container according to any one of Ex2 to Ex10, wherein the upper section of the lid precursor has a height of at least 10 millimetres.

Ex12. A container according to any one of Ex2 to Ex11 , wherein the upper section of the lid precursor has a width that is substantially the same as a width of the lower box portion opening.

Ex13. A container according to any one of Ex2 to Ex12, wherein the upper section of the lid precursor has a width that is less than a width of the lower section of the lid precursor. Ex14. A container according to any preceding example, wherein the lower box portion opening is square or rectangular in shape.

Ex15. A container according to any preceding example, wherein the lower box portion opening has a depth of between 15 millimetres and 30 millimetres.

Ex16. A container according to any preceding example, wherein the lower box portion opening has a width of between 30 millimetres and 60 millimetres.

Ex17. A container according to any preceding example, wherein the box further comprises a box second wall.

Ex18. A container according to Ex17, wherein the box second wall is disposed opposite the box first wall.

Ex19. A container according to Ex17 or Ex18, wherein a path followed by the line of weakness on the box second wall provides a recess in an upper edge of the lower box portion when the upper box portion and the lower box portion are separated.

Ex20. A container according to Ex19, wherein the recess is substantially U-shaped or semicircular.

Ex21 . A container according to Ex19 or Ex20, wherein the recess has a width between 15 millimetres and 25 millimetres.

Ex22. A container according to any one of Ex19 to Ex21 , when dependent on any one of Ex2 to Ex13, wherein the recess has a width less than a width of the upper section of the lid precursor.

Ex23. A container according to any preceding example, wherein the upper box portion comprises a first inner liner for retaining the first group of consumer goods in the upper box portion.

Ex24. A container according to Ex23, wherein the first inner liner is fixed to an inner surface of the upper box portion.

Ex25. A container according to any preceding example, wherein the lower box portion comprises a second inner liner for retaining the second group of consumer goods in the lower box portion.

Ex26. A container according to Ex25, wherein the second inner liner is fixed to an inner surface of the lower box portion.

Ex27. A container according to any preceding example, wherein the lower box portion has a closed bottom end.

Ex28. A container according to Ex27, wherein the closed bottom end of the lower box portion is a bottom end of the box.

Ex29. A container according to any preceding example, wherein the line of weakness is a perforation line. Ex30. A container according to any preceding example comprising a first group of consumer goods housed in the upper box portion.

Ex31 . A container according to Ex30, wherein the first group of consumer goods is a first group of aerosol-generating articles.

Ex32. A container according to any preceding example comprising a second group of consumer goods housed in the lower box portion.

Ex33. A container according to Ex32, wherein the second group of consumer goods is a second group of aerosol-generating articles.

Ex34. A container according to any preceding example wherein the container is longitudinally elongate.

Ex35. A container according to any preceding example formed from a single laminar blank. Ex36. A container according to any preceding example, wherein the box first wall is a box back wall and the box comprises a box front wall, the container further comprising: a lid comprising a lid top wall and a lid flap, the lid being connected to the box back wall by a lid hinge line and the lid being disposed in a closed position in which the lid top wall covers the upper box portion opening; and a closure flap connected to the box front wall along a closure flap fold line, wherein a tamper-indicating line of weakness delimits a first portion of the box front wall from the closure flap and a second portion of the box front wall, wherein the closure flap overlies and is fixed to the lid top wall, and the lid flap is fixed to the second portion of the box front wall; and wherein the closure flap and the second portion of the box front wall are configured to be separated from the first portion of the box front wall along the tamper-indicating line of weakness to allow the lid to move from the closed position to an open position in which the upper box portion opening is at least partially uncovered.

Ex37. A container for consumer goods, the container comprising: a box for housing consumer goods, the box comprising a box front wall, a box back wall, and a box opening for accessing the consumer goods; a lid comprising a lid top wall and a lid flap, the lid being connected to the box back wall by a lid hinge line and the lid being disposed in a closed position in which the lid top wall covers the box opening; and a closure flap connected to the box front wall along a closure flap fold line, wherein a tamper-indicating line of weakness delimits a first portion of the box front wall from the closure flap and a second portion of the box front wall, wherein the closure flap overlies and is fixed to the lid top wall, and the lid flap is fixed to the second portion of the box front wall; and wherein the closure flap and the second portion of the box front wall are configured to be separated from the first portion of the box front wall along the tamper-indicating line of weakness to allow the lid to move from the closed position to an open position in which the box opening is at least partially uncovered.

Ex38. A container according to Ex36 or Ex37, wherein the lid hinge line extends along an upper edge of the box back wall.

Ex39. A container according to any one of Ex36 to Ex38, wherein the lid hinge line extends from a first longitudinal edge of the box back wall to a second longitudinal edge of the box back wall.

Ex40. A container according to any one of Ex36 to Ex39, wherein the lid flap is connected to the lid top wall by a lid flap fold line.

Ex41. A container according to Ex40, wherein the lid flap fold line is positioned opposite the lid hinge line.

Ex42. A container according to Ex40 or Ex41, wherein the lid flap fold line is substantially parallel to the lid hinge line.

Ex43. A container according to any one of Ex36 to Ex42, wherein the lid flap has a width less than a width of the lid top wall.

Ex44. A container according to any one of Ex36 to Ex43, wherein the closure flap fold line extends along an upper edge of box front wall.

Ex45. A container according to any one of Ex36 to Ex44, wherein the closure flap fold line extends from a first longitudinal edge of the box front wall to a second longitudinal edge of the box front wall.

Ex46. A container according to any one of Ex36 to Ex45, wherein the closure flap and the lid top wall have substantially the same width.

Ex47. A container according to any one of Ex36 to Ex46, wherein the closure flap has a width greater than the width of the lid top wall

Ex48. A container according to any one of Ex36 to Ex47, wherein the closure flap has a length substantially the same as a depth of the container.

Ex49. A container according to any one of Ex36 to Ex48, wherein the closure flap and the lid top wall have the same shape.

Ex50. A container according to any one of Ex36 to Ex49, wherein the closure flap has a square or rectangular shape.

Ex51. A container according to any one of Ex36 to Ex50, wherein the second portion of the box front wall has a width less than a width of the box front wall.

Ex52. A container according to any one of Ex36 to Ex51 , wherein the second portion of the box front wall has a height less than a height of the box front wall. Ex53. A container according to any one of Ex36 to Ex52, wherein the second portion of the box front wall has a width less than a width of the lid flap.

Ex54. A container according to any one of Ex36 to Ex53, wherein the second portion of the box front wall has a height less than a height of the lid flap.

Ex55. A container according to any one of Ex36 to Ex54, wherein the second portion of the box front wall is a minor portion of the box front wall, in comparison with the first portion of the box front wall.

Ex56. A container according to any one of Ex36 to Ex55, wherein the closure flap is fixed to the lid top wall with an adhesive.

Ex57. A container according to any one of Ex36 to Ex56, wherein the lid flap is fixed to the second portion of the box front wall with an adhesive.

Ex58. A container according to Ex56 or Ex57, wherein the adhesive is glue.

Ex59. A container according to claim any one of Ex36 to Ex58, wherein a first portion of the tamper-indicating line of weakness extends along the closure flap fold line from a first end of the closure flap fold line towards a second end of the closure flap fold line.

Ex60. A container according to Ex59, wherein a second portion of the tamper-indicating line of weakness extends along the closure flap fold line from the second end of the closure fold line towards the first end of the closure flap fold line.

Ex61 . A container according to Ex60, wherein the first portion of the tamper-indicating line of weakness is spaced from the second portion of the tamper-indicating line of weakness.

Ex62. A container according to Ex60 or Ex61 , wherein a third portion of the tamperindicating line of weakness connects the first portion of the tamper-indicating line of weakness to the second portion of the tamper-indicating line of weakness.

Ex63. A container according to Ex62, wherein the third portion of the tamper-indicating line of weakness delimits the second portion of the box front wall from the first portion of the box front wall.

Ex64. A container according to Ex62 or Ex63, wherein the third portion of the tamperindicating line of weakness is defined in the box front wall.

Ex65. A container according to any one of Ex36 to Ex64, wherein the tamper-indicating line of the weakness is a perforation line.

Ex66. A container according to any one of Ex36 to Ex65, wherein the box comprises an inner liner for housing the consumer goods.

Ex67. A container according to any one of Ex36 to Ex66 comprising consumer goods.

Ex68. A container according to any one of Ex36 to Ex67, wherein the consumer goods are aerosol-generating articles.

Ex69. A container according to any one of Ex36 to Ex68 formed from a single laminar blank. The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1A depicts a perspective view of the front of a container according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 1 B depicts a perspective view of the back of the container according to the first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 depicts a perspective view of the front of the container according to the first embodiment of the invention in which the lid is in the open position;

Figure 3 depicts a perspective view of the front of the container according to the first embodiment of the invention during separation of upper box portion and lower box portion;

Figure 4 depicts a perspective view of the front of the lower box portion according to the first embodiment of the invention after separation from the upper box portion;

Figure 5 depicts a plan view of a laminar blank for forming the container according to the first embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 6 depicts a plan view of a laminar blank for forming a container according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1A shows a front view of a container 100. Figure 1 B shows a rear view of the container 100 of Figure 1A. The container comprises a box. The box has a box front wall 101 , a box back wall 102, a box first side wall 103 and a second box side wall 104. The box has an upper part 105 and a lower part 106. The upper part 105 and the lower part 106 share each of the box front wall 101 , the box back wall 102, the box first side wall 103 and the box second side wall 204. The upper part 105 and the lower part 106 are separated by a line of weakness 110 that extends around the box through each of the box front wall 101 , the box back wall 102, the box first side wall 103 and the box second side wall 104.

The upper part 105 has an upper box portion for housing a first group of aerosolgenerating articles. The upper box portion has an internal volume having a height of 45 millimetres, a width of 50 millimetres and a depth of 30 millimetres. The upper box portion is dimensioned to house ten aerosol-generating articles. The upper part 105 has an upper box portion opening (not shown in Figure 1A or 1 B) for accessing consumer goods housed in the upper box portion.

The lower part 106 has a lower box portion for housing a second group of aerosolgenerating articles. The lower box portion also has an internal volume having a height of 45 millimetres, a width of 50 millimetres and a depth of 30 millimetres. The lower box portion is also dimensioned to house ten aerosol-generating articles.

The lower part 106 further has a lid precursor. The lid precursor is a portion of the box back wall 102. The lid precursor has an upper section 121 and a lower section 122 which are separated by a creasing line 123. The lid precursor includes a lower portion lid hinge line precursor 124 which is a creasing line. The lid precursor is at least partially delimited by the line of weakness 110 on the box back wall 102. The container has a first longitudinal edge connecting the box back wall 102 to the box first side wall 103. The container has a second longitudinal edge connecting the box second side wall 104 to the box back wall 102. The line of weakness 110 delimits the lid precursor by extending along the first longitudinal edge; then extending across the box back wall 102 from the first longitudinal edge to the second longitudinal edge and then extending along the second longitudinal edge. Therefore, the lid precursor is bound by the line of weakness 110 and the lower portion lid hinge line precursor 124.

The path of the line of weakness 110 on the box front wall 101 is not linear from the first longitudinal edge to the second longitudinal edge, as shown in Figure 1A. Instead, the path of the line of weakness 110 on the box front wall 101 is such that it will provide a recess in an upper edge of the lower box portion when the upper box portion and the lower box portion are separated.

The container has a lid having a lid top wall 131 and a lid flap (not shown in Figures 1A and 1 B). The lid is connected to the box back wall 102 by a lid hinge line 132. The container further has a closure flap 141 connected to the box front wall 101 along a closure flap fold line 142. A tamper-indicating line of weakness 143 extends from the first longitudinal edge to the second longitudinal edge. The tamper-indicating line of weakness 143 delimits the closure flap 141 and a portion 144 of the box front wall 101 from the rest of the box front wall 101. As shown in Figures 1A and 1 B, the closure flap 141 overlies and is fixed to the lid top wall 131. The lid flap is fixed to an inner surface of the portion 144 of the box front wall 101.

Figure 2 shows a front view of the container 200 of Figures 1A and 1 B in which the lid 230 is in the open position. The closure flap 141 and the portion 144 of the box front wall 101 have been separated, along the tamper-indicating line of weakness 143, from the remainder of the box front wall 101 to allow the lid 230 to move from the closed position to an open position. In the closed position, the lid flap 233 is inserted into upper box portion opening 250 and the lid top wall 231 covers the upper box portion opening 250. The separation of the closure flap 141 and the portion 144 of the box front wall 101 from the remainder of the box front wall 101 forms a recess 245 an upper edge of the box front wall. The lid flap 233 is accessible via the recess 245 when the lid 230 is in the closed position. The upper box portion includes a first inner liner 251 surrounding the first group of aerosolgenerating articles 260.

Figure 3 shows a front view of the container 300 of Figures 1A and 1 B during separation of the upper box portion from the lower box portion. The upper box portion is separated from the lower box portion along the line of weakness 110 to expose a lower box portion opening 352 for accessing the second group of aerosol-generating articles housed in the lower box portion. The bottom of the first inner liner 351 of the upper box portion is visible. The lower box portion includes a second inner liner 353 surrounding the second group of aerosol-generating articles. The separation of the upper box portion converts the lid precursor into a lower box portion lid. The separation of the upper box portion also forms a recess 354 in an upper edge of the lower box portion due to the path followed by the line of weakness 110.

Figure 4 shows the lower box portion 400 of Figures 1 A and 1 B after separation from the upper box portion, in which the lid precursor has been converted into a lower box portion lid 460. The lower section 122 of the lid precursor forms a top wall 461 of the lower box portion lid 460 and the upper section 121 of the lid precursor forms a flap 462 of the lower box portion lid 460. The lower box portion lid 460 can pivot about hinge line 463 between a closed position in which the lower box portion opening 452 is covered by the lower box portion lid 460 and an open position in which the lower box portion opening 452 is at least partially uncovered.

Figure 5 shows a laminar blank 500 for forming the container of Figures 1 A and 1 B. The laminar blank has a line of weakness 510 extending from a first side edge of the laminar blank to a second side edge of the laminar blank. The laminar blank also has a tamperindicating line of weakness 543.

To form the container, a first group of aerosol-generating articles, that is wrapped in a first inner liner, is positioned on the laminar blank between the first longitudinal edge fold line 507, the second longitudinal edge fold line 508, the lower portion lid hinge line precursor 524 and the lid hinge line 532. A second group of aerosol-generating articles, that is wrapped in a second inner liner, is positioned on the laminar blank between the first longitudinal edge fold line 507, the second longitudinal edge fold line 508, the bottom fold line 509 and the lower portion lid hinge line precursor 524. The lid top wall 531 is folded towards the first group of aerosol-generating articles. The lid flap 533 is folded over the first group of aerosolgenerating articles. The first bottom panel 573 is folded towards the second group of aerosolgenerating articles. The first side panel 571 is folded towards the first group of aerosolgenerating articles. The second side panel 572 is folded towards the second group of aerosol-generating articles. The third side panel 576 and the fourth side panel 575 are folded about the second longitudinal edge fold line 508 and glued to the first side panel 571 and second side panel 572, respectively. The first side panel 571 , the second side panel 572, the third side panel 576, the fourth side panel 575 form the box first side wall 103. The second bottom panel 574 is glued to the first bottom panel 573. The portion 544 of the box front wall is glued to the lid flap 533 and the closure flap 541 is glued to the lid top wall 531. Figure 6 shows a laminar blank 600 for forming a container having a tamper-indicating line of weakness 643 but without a line of weakness allowing separation of an upper box portion and a lower box portion.

For the purpose of the present description and of the appended claims, except where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, quantities, percentages, and so forth, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about". Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein. In this context, therefore, a number A is understood as A ± 5% of A.

Claims

22 CLAIMS

1 . A container for consumer goods, the container comprising: a box for housing consumer goods, the box comprising a box front wall, a box back wall, and a box opening for accessing the consumer goods; a lid comprising a lid top wall and a lid flap, the lid being connected to the box back wall by a lid hinge line and the lid being disposed in a closed position in which the lid top wall covers the box opening; and a closure flap connected to the box front wall along a closure flap fold line, wherein a tamper-indicating line of weakness delimits a first portion of the box front wall from the closure flap and a second portion of the box front wall, wherein the closure flap overlies and is fixed to the lid top wall, and the lid flap is fixed to the second portion of the box front wall; and wherein the closure flap and the second portion of the box front wall are configured to be separated from the first portion of the box front wall along the tamper-indicating line of weakness to allow the lid to move from the closed position to an open position in which the box opening is at least partially uncovered.

2. A container according to claim 1 , wherein a first portion of the tamper-indicating line of weakness extends along the closure flap fold line from a first end of the closure flap fold line towards a second end of the closure flap fold line.

3. A container according to claim 2, wherein a second portion of the tamper-indicating line of weakness extends along the closure flap fold line from the second end of the closure flap fold line towards the first end of the closure flap fold line, and wherein the first portion of the tamper-indicating line of weakness is spaced from the second portion of the tamperindicating line of weakness.

4. A container according to claim 3, wherein a third portion of the tamper-indicating line of weakness connects the first portion of the tamper-indicating line of weakness to the second portion of the tamper-indicating line of weakness.

5. A container according to claim 4, wherein the third portion of the tamper-indicating line of weakness delimits the second portion of the box front wall from the first portion of the box front wall.

6. A container according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the third portion of the tamperindicating line of weakness is defined in the box front wall.

7. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the lid hinge line extends from a first longitudinal edge of the box back wall to a second longitudinal edge of the box back wall.

8. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the closure flap fold line extends from a first longitudinal edge of the box front wall to a second longitudinal edge of the box front wall.

9. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the closure flap has a width greater than the width of the lid top wall.

10. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the closure flap has a length substantially the same as a depth of the container.

11. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the second portion of the box front wall has a width less than a width of the box front wall.

12. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the second portion of the box front wall has a width less than a width of the lid flap.

13. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the second portion of the box front wall is a minor portion of the box front wall, in comparison with the first portion of the box front wall.

14. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the box comprises an upper part and a lower part separated by a line of weakness that extends around the box, the upper part and the lower part sharing at least the box back wall; the upper part comprising: an upper box portion for housing a first group of consumer goods; and an upper box portion opening for accessing consumer goods housed in the upper box portion, the box opening being the upper box portion opening; the lower part comprising: a lower box portion for housing a second group of consumer goods; and a lid precursor, the lid precursor being a portion of the box back wall and at least partially delimited by the line of weakness on the box back wall; and wherein the upper box portion is separable from the lower box portion along the line of weakness to expose a lower box portion opening for accessing consumer goods housed in the lower box portion and wherein the separation of the upper box portion converts the lid precursor into a lower box portion lid, said lower box portion lid being configured to pivot between a closed position in which the lower box portion opening is covered by the lower box portion lid and an open position in which the lower box portion opening is at least partially uncovered.

15. A container according to claim 14, wherein a path followed by the line of weakness on the box front wall provides a recess in an upper edge of the lower box portion when the upper box portion and the lower box portion are separated.

16. A container according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the lid precursor comprises an upper section and a lower section, and wherein the upper section and the lower section are separated by a flap hinge line.

17. A container according to claim 16, wherein the lower section is configured to form a top wall of the lower box portion lid and, wherein the upper section is configured to form a flap of the lower box portion lid.

18. A container according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the upper box portion comprises a first inner liner for retaining the first group of consumer goods in the upper box portion and wherein the lower box portion comprises a second inner liner for retaining the second group of consumer goods in the lower box portion.

19. A container according to any preceding claim formed from a single laminar blank.