U.S. patent application number 10/498593 was filed with the patent office on 2005-04-21 for rigid container for tobacco articles.
Invention is credited to Draghetti, Fiorenzo, Li Vigni, Angelo.
Application Number | 20050082178 10/498593 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 11439731 |
Filed Date | 2005-04-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050082178 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Draghetti, Fiorenzo ; et
al. |
April 21, 2005 |
Rigid container for tobacco articles
Abstract
In a rigid, substantially parallelepiped-shaped container for
tobacco articles, defined by two end walls, and by a lateral
surface in turn defined by two, respectively front and rear, major
lateral walls and two minor lateral walls, at least one lateral has
an outwardly convex profile, is connected to the adjacent lateral
walls along respective rounded longitudinal edges, and forms, with
the lateral walls, respective substantially obtuse dihedral
angles.
Inventors: |
Draghetti, Fiorenzo;
(Medicina, IT) ; Li Vigni, Angelo; (Bologna,
IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARSHALL, GERSTEIN & BORUN LLP
6300 SEARS TOWER
233 S. WACKER DRIVE
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Family ID: |
11439731 |
Appl. No.: |
10/498593 |
Filed: |
December 27, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
November 29, 2002 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IT02/00750 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/242 ;
206/271 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 85/10484 20200501;
B65D 85/1056 20200501 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/242 ;
206/271 |
International
Class: |
B65D 085/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 11, 2001 |
IT |
BO01A000748 |
Claims
1) A rigid, substantially parallelepiped-shaped container for
tobacco articles made by folding a flat blank (19) having a number
longitudinal crease lines (18) and a number of transverse crease
lines (21); the container (1) comprising two end walls (7, 8) and a
lateral surface (6) bounded by the end walls (7, 8) and defined by
two, respectively front and rear, major lateral walls (10, 11), and
by two minor lateral walls (9); at least one lateral wall (10, 11;
9) having an outwardly convex profile and comprising a central flat
portion (15) and two lateral curved bands (16), each of which
curves with its concavity facing inwards of the container (1) to
connect the flat central portion (15) to the corresponding adjacent
lateral wall (9; 10, 11) along the respective longitudinal edge
(13); each lateral band (16) being precreased by fist longitudinal
crease lines (17), which impart to the lateral band (16) a curve
having a first curve radius (R1); the container (1) being
characterized in that the longitudinal edges (13) adjacent to the
lateral wall (10, 11; 9) having an outwardly convex profile are
rounded edges and are defined by a number of second longitudinal
crease lines (18), which impart to each rounded longitudinal edge
(13) a curve having a second curve radius (R2) smaller than first
curve radius (R1).
2) A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein each major lateral
wall (10, 11) has an outwardly convex profile, is connected to the
minor lateral walls (9) along respective rounded longitudinal edges
(13), and forms, with the minor lateral walls (9), respective
substantially obtuse dihedral angles; the minor lateral walls (9)
being flat.
3) A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein each minor lateral
wall (9) has an outwardly convex profile, is connected to the major
lateral walls (10, 11) along respective rounded longitudinal edges
(13), and forms, with the major lateral walls (10, 11), respective
substantially obtuse dihedral angles; the major lateral walls (10,
11) being flat.
4) A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first curve
radius (R1) is greater than 4 mm.
5) A rigid, substantially parallelepiped-shaped container for
tobacco articles, made by folding a flat blank (19) having a number
longitudinal crease lines (18) and a number of transverse crease
lines (21); the container (1) comprising two end walls (7, 8), and
a lateral surface (6) bounded by the end walls (7, 8) and defined
by two, respectively front and rear, major lateral walls (10, 11),
and by two minor lateral walls (9); at least one lateral wall (10,
11; 9) having an outwardly convex profile and comprising a central
flat portion (15) and two lateral curved bands (16), each of which
curves with its concavity facing inwards of the container (1) to
connect the flat central portion (15) to the corresponding end wall
(7, 8) along the respective transverse edges (14); each lateral
band (16) being precreased by fist longitudinal crease lines (17),
which impart to the lateral band (16) a curve having a first curve
radius (R1); the container (1) being characterized in that the
transverse edges (14) adjacent to the lateral wall (10, 11; 9)
having an outwardly convex profile are rounded edges and are
defined by a number of second longitudinal crease lines (18), which
impart to each rounded transverse edges (14) a curve having a
second curve radius (R2) smaller than first curve radius (R1).
6) A container as claimed in claim 5, wherein each major lateral
wall (10, 11) has an outwardly convex profile, is connected to the
end walls (7, 8) along respective rounded transverse edges (14),
and forms, with the end walls (7, 8), respective substantially
obtuse dihedral angles.
7) A container as claimed in claim 5, wherein each minor lateral
wall (9) has an outwardly convex profile, is connected to the end
walls (7, 8) along respective rounded transverse edges (14), and
forms, with the end walls (7, 8), respective substantially obtuse
dihedral angles.
8) A container as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first curve
radius (R1) is greater than 4 mm.
9) A rigid, substantially parallelepiped-shaped container for
tobacco articles, made by folding a flat blank (19) having a number
longitudinal crease lines (18) and a number of transverse crease
lines (21); the container (1) comprising two end walls (7, 8), and
a lateral surface (6) bounded by the end walls (7, 8) and defined
by two, respectively front and rear, major lateral walls (10, 11),
and by two minor lateral walls (9); at least one end wall (7; 8)
having an outwardly convex profile and comprising a central flat
portion (15) and two lateral curved bands (16), each of which
curves with its concavity facing inwards of the container (1) to
connect the flat central portion (15) to the corresponding lateral
walls (10, 11; 9) along the respective transverse edges (14); each
lateral band (16) being precreased by fist longitudinal crease
lines (17), which impart to the lateral band (16) a curve having a
first curve radius (R1); the container (1) being characterized in
that the transverse edges (14) adjacent to the end wall (7; 8)
having an outwardly convex profile are rounded edges and are
defined by a number of second longitudinal crease lines (18), which
impart to each rounded transverse edges (14) a curve having a
second curve radius (R2) smaller than first curve radius (R1).
10) A container as claimed in claim 9, wherein each end wall (7, 8)
has an outwardly convex profile, is connected to the major lateral
walls (10, 11) along respective rounded transverse edges (14), and
forms, with the major lateral walls (10, 11), respective
substantially obtuse dihedral angles.
11) A container as claimed in claim 9, wherein each end wall (7, 8)
has an outwardly convex profile, is connected to the minor lateral
walls (9) along respective rounded transverse edges (14), and
forms, with the minor lateral walls (9), respective substantially
obtuse dihedral angles.
12) A container as claimed in claim 9, wherein the second curve
radius (R1) is greater than 4 mm.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a rigid container for
tobacco articles.
[0002] The present invention is particularly advantageous for use
in the manufacture of packets of cigarettes, and more specifically
to rigid, hinged-lid packets, to which reference is made in the
following description purely by way of example.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Conventional rigid hinged-lid packets are normally in the
form of a rectangular-section parallelepiped, and comprise two,
respectively top and bottom, end walls; and a lateral surface
bounded by the end walls and defined by two, respectively front and
rear, major lateral walls, and by two minor lateral walls. Each
minor lateral wall is connected to both the major lateral walls at
two sharp square longitudinal edges, and each end wall is connected
to the lateral walls at four sharp square transverse edges.
[0004] WO-0115999-A1 discloses a rigid, substantially
parallelepiped-shaped packet for cigarettes having a lateral
surface defined by two flat, parallel, facing minor lateral walls,
and by two facing major lateral walls, each of which has an
outwardly convex profile, is connected to both the minor lateral
walls along sharp edges, and forms, with the two minor lateral
walls, respective obtuse dihedral angles.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 1,892,195-A1 disclose a rigid metallic
container for cigarettes, which is made by two halves hinged
together in order to have a good access to the interior of the
container; the container has a lateral surface defined by two flat,
parallel, facing major lateral walls, and by two facing minor
lateral walls, each of which has an outwardly convex profile.
[0006] Rigid packets of the above type have several drawbacks by
being unanatomical in shape, and by causing rapid wear of any
clothing fabrics with which they come into contact.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a rigid
container for tobacco articles, designed to eliminate the
aforementioned drawbacks, and which at the same time is cheap and
easy to produce.
[0008] According to the present invention, there is provided a
rigid container for tobacco articles as recited by claim 1.
[0009] According to the present invention, there is provided a
rigid container for tobacco articles as recited by claim 5.
[0010] According to the present invention, there is provided a
rigid container for tobacco articles as recited by claim 9.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] A number of non-limiting embodiments of the present
invention will be described by way of example with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 shows a front view in perspective, and in the closed
configuration, of a packet of cigarettes constituting a first
embodiment of the container according to the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 shows a view in perspective of the FIG. 1 packet in
the open configuration;
[0014] FIG. 3 shows a rear view in perspective of the FIG. 1 packet
in the closed configuration;
[0015] FIGS. 4 to 7 show front, side, rear and top plan views
respectively of the FIG. 1 packet in the closed configuration;
[0016] FIG. 8 shows a plan view of a blank used to produce the FIG.
1 packet;
[0017] FIG. 9 shows a front view in perspective, and in the closed
configuration, of a packet of cigarettes constituting a second
embodiment of the container according to the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 10 shows a top plan view of the FIG. 9 packet in the
closed configuration;
[0019] FIG. 11 shows a front view in perspective, and in the closed
configuration, of a packet of cigarettes constituting a third
embodiment of the container according to the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 12 shows a front view in perspective, and in the closed
configuration, of a packet of cigarettes constituting a fourth
embodiment of the container according to the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 13 shows a top plan view of the FIG. 12 packet in the
closed configuration;
[0022] FIG. 14 shows a front view in perspective, and in the closed
configuration, of a packet of cigarettes constituting a fifth
embodiment of the container according to the present invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0023] Number 1 in FIGS. 1 to 14 indicates as a whole different
packets of cigarettes defining respective embodiments of the rigid
container for tobacco articles according to the present
invention.
[0024] Each packet 1 contains an orderly group of cigarettes
wrapped in a sheet of foil wrapping material (not shown for the
sake of simplicity).
[0025] Each packet 1 comprises a cup-shaped bottom container 2
having an open top end 3; and a cup-shaped top lid 4 hinged to
container 2 along a hinge 5 to rotate, with respect to container 2,
between an open and a closed position respectively opening and
closing end 3.
[0026] In the closed position, lid 4 imparts to packet 1 a
substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape defined by a lateral
surface 6, and by two facing, respectively top and bottom, end
walls 7 and 8, which are flat, identical and parallel and bound
lateral surface 6.
[0027] Lateral surface 6 comprises two parallel, facing, flat minor
lateral walls 9; and two flat, facing major lateral walls 10 and 11
crosswise to minor lateral walls 9. More specifically, one major
lateral wall 10 defines a front wall of packet 1, and the other
major lateral wall 11 defines a rear wall of packet 1.
[0028] Packet 1 also comprises a collar 12, which is folded into a
U and glued inside cup-shaped container 2 so as to project partly
outwards of end 3 and engage a corresponding inner surface of lid 4
when lid 4 is in said closed position.
[0029] Four longitudinal edges 13 are defined between minor lateral
walls 9 and major lateral walls 10, 11; and eight transverse edges
14, perpendicular to longitudinal edges 13, are defined between end
walls 7, 8 and lateral walls 9, 10, 11. More specifically, the
eight transverse edges 14 are divided into four minor transverse
edges 14, i.e. bounding minor lateral walls 9, and four major
transverse edges 14, i.e. bounding major lateral walls 10, 11.
[0030] In the FIG. 1-7 packet, each major lateral wall 10, 11 has
an outwardly convex profile, is connected to each minor lateral
wall 9 along a respective longitudinal edge 13, and forms, with
each minor lateral wall 9, a respective substantially obtuse
dihedral angle. More specifically, each longitudinal edge 13 is a
rounded edge for seamlessly connecting the corresponding major
lateral wall 10, 11 to the corresponding minor lateral wall 9 with
no sharp edges.
[0031] Each major lateral wall 10, 11 comprises a flat central
portion 15; and two precreased lateral bands 16, each curving with
its concavity facing inwards to connect central portion 15 to the
corresponding minor lateral wall 9, and to form with minor lateral
wall 9 a respective substantially obtuse dihedral angle. Each
lateral band 16 is precreased by a number of longitudinal crease
lines 17 imparting to lateral band 16 a relatively wide curve, i.e.
with a relatively large curve radius R1.
[0032] Each rounded longitudinal edge 13 is defined by a number of
longitudinal crease lines 18 imparting to rounded longitudinal edge
13 a relatively tight curve, i.e. with a relatively small curve
radius R2. The ratio between curve radius R1 and curve radius R2 is
therefore greater than 1.
[0033] Generally, both lateral bands 16 and rounded longitudinal
edges 13 may vary in curvature, i.e. may have varying respective
curve radii R1 and R2. In a preferred embodiment, curve radius R1
of the lateral bands is at any rate over 4 mm. In one particular
embodiment, the curve radius R1 of lateral bands 16 varies and
tends to decrease slightly towards longitudinal edges 13, while
radius R2 is substantially constant. In another particular
embodiment of a packet of cigarettes with a section ranging between
50.times.20 mm and 60.times.25 mm, radius R1 ranges between 25 mm
and 50 mm, and radius R2 between 1 mm and 3 mm, with a radius R1 to
R2 ratio of no less than 8.
[0034] Longitudinal crease lines 17 of lateral bands 16 are spaced
relatively far apart to impart relatively large curve radius R1 to
lateral bands 16, while longitudinal crease lines 18 of rounded
longitudinal edges 13 are relatively close together to impart
relatively small curve radius R2 to rounded longitudinal edges
13.
[0035] Each end wall 7, 8 is substantially rectangular, and has
rounded corners with curve radii R1 and R2 to adapt to the
outwardly convex profile of major lateral walls 10, 11.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 2, collar 12 is connected to an inner
surface of front wall 10 and to an inner surface of each minor
lateral wall 9, which it matches in shape, including the rounding
of longitudinal edges 13 adjacent to front wall 10.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 8, packet 1 in FIGS. 1 to 7 is formed from
a corresponding flat, substantially elongated rectangular blank 19,
the parts of which are indicated, where possible, using the same
reference numbers, with superscripts, as for the corresponding
parts of packet 1.
[0038] Each blank 19 (which has a central longitudinal axis 20)
comprises longitudinal crease lines 18; and a number of transverse
crease lines 21 defining, between longitudinal crease lines 18, a
panel 10' forming a top portion of front wall 10 (and in particular
the portion forming part of lid 4), a panel 7' forming top end wall
7, a panel 11' forming rear wall 11, a panel 8' forming bottom end
wall 8, and a panel 10" forming a bottom portion of front wall 10
(and in particular the portion forming part of container 2).
[0039] Each panel 10', 10", 11' has two lateral wings 9' and 9"
located on opposite sides of relative panel 10', 10", 11' and
separated from relative panel 10', 10", 11' by longitudinal crease
lines 18. Panel 10' has a reinforcing flap 22; and each wing 9', 9"
of panel 11' has substantially rectangular longitudinal appendixes
23 located at opposite ends of wing 9', 9" and aligned
longitudinally with each other.
[0040] When forming each packet 1, the two lateral wings 9' and the
two lateral wings 9" are superimposed and glued together to define
respective minor lateral walls 9 of packet 1; and each longitudinal
appendix 23 is folded squarely with respect to relative lateral
wing 9' or 9", and is superimposed on and glued to an inner surface
of a relative panel 7' or 8' to define an inner portion of a
relative end wall 7 or 8 of packet 1 respectively.
[0041] In a preferred embodiment, transverse crease lines 21 (also
referred to as main crease lines) are weaker than longitudinal
crease lines 17 and 18 (also referred to as secondary crease lines)
on account of transverse crease lines 21 defining sharp transverse
edges 14, whereas longitudinal crease lines 17 and 18 serve to
curve lateral bands 16 and rounded longitudinal edges 13
respectively with no sharp edges.
[0042] Various tests have shown that packet 1 of cigarettes as
described above produces little wear of clothing fabrics coming
into contact with packet 1, and at the same time is highly
anatomically shaped for easy handling. The highly anatomical shape,
not found in any known packets, is made possible by curve radii R1
and R2, and more specifically by curve radius R1 being larger than
curve radius R2.
[0043] In a variation not shown of packet 1, one major lateral wall
10, 11 is a flat wall, and only the other major lateral wall 11, 10
has an outwardly convex profile, is connected to each minor lateral
wall 9 along a respective rounded longitudinal edge 13, and forms,
with each minor lateral wall 9, a respective substantially obtuse
dihedral angle; and only two longitudinal edges 13 are rounded, the
other two longitudinal edges 13 being sharp edges.
[0044] In packet 1 in FIGS. 9 and 10, major lateral walls 10, 11
are flat walls, while each minor lateral wall 9 has an outwardly
convex profile, is connected to each major lateral wall 10, 11
along a respective rounded longitudinal edge 13, and forms, with
each major lateral wall 10, 11, a respective substantially obtuse
dihedral angle. Each minor lateral wall 9 comprises a flat central
portion 15; and two precreased lateral bands 16 (with a number of
longitudinal crease lines 17), each of which curves with its
concavity facing inwards to connect central portion 15 to the
corresponding major lateral wall 10, 11, and to form, with major
lateral wall 10, 11, a respective substantially obtuse dihedral
angle.
[0045] In the FIG. 11 packet 1, each major lateral wall 10, 11 has
an outwardly convex profile, is connected to each minor lateral
wall 9 along a respective rounded longitudinal edge 13, and forms,
with each minor lateral wall 9, a respective substantially obtuse
dihedral angle. Unlike packet 1 of cigarettes in FIGS. 1 to 7, each
wall 10, 11 has no flat central portion or two curved lateral
bands, and curves entirely with its concavity facing inwards.
[0046] In packet 1 in FIGS. 12 and 13, major lateral walls 10, 11
are flat walls, while each minor lateral wall 9 has an outwardly
convex profile, is connected to each major lateral wall 10, 11
along a respective rounded longitudinal edge 13, and forms, with
each major lateral wall 10, 11, a respective substantially obtuse
dihedral angle. Unlike packet 1 of cigarettes in FIGS. 9 and 10,
each wall 10, 11 has no flat central portion or two curved lateral
bands, and curves entirely with its concavity facing inwards.
[0047] In the FIG. 14 packet 1, each major lateral wall 10, 11 has
an outwardly convex profile, is connected to each end wall 7, 8
along a respective rounded major transverse edge 14, and forms,
with each end wall 7, 8, a respective substantially obtuse dihedral
angle. More specifically, each major lateral wall 10, 11 of the
FIG. 14 packet 1 comprises a flat central portion 15, and two
lateral bands 16 precreased by transverse crease lines 17; and each
lateral band 16 is curved with its concavity facing inwards to
connect the central portion to the corresponding end wall 7, 8, and
to form, with end wall 7, 8, a respective substantially obtuse
dihedral angle. Each minor lateral wall 9 is substantially
rectangular, and has beveled corners to adapt to the outwardly
convex profile of major lateral walls 10, 11. In this embodiment,
the four longitudinal edges 13 and four minor transverse edges 14
are sharp edges, while the four major transverse edges 14 are
rounded by respective transverse crease lines 18.
[0048] In a variation not shown of the FIG. 14 packet 1, each minor
lateral wall 9 has an outwardly convex profile, is connected to
each end wall 7, 8 along a respective rounded minor transverse edge
14, and forms, with each end wall 7, 8, a respective substantially
obtuse dihedral angle. More specifically, each minor lateral wall 9
comprises a flat central portion, and two lateral bands precreased
by transverse crease lines; and each lateral band curves with its
concavity facing inwards to connect the central portion to the
corresponding end wall 7, 8, and to form, with end wall 7, 8, a
respective substantially obtuse dihedral angle. Each major lateral
wall 10, 11 is substantially rectangular, and has beveled corners
to adapt to the outwardly convex profile of minor lateral walls 9.
In this embodiment, the four longitudinal edges 13 and four major
transverse edges 14 are sharp edges, while the four minor
transverse edges 14 are rounded by respective transverse crease
lines.
[0049] In a further variation not shown of the FIG. 14 packet, each
end wall 7, 8 of packet 1 has an outwardly convex profile, is
connected to each minor lateral wall 9 along a respective rounded
minor transverse edge 14, and forms, with each minor lateral wall
9, a respective substantially obtuse dihedral angle. More
specifically, each end wall 7, 8 comprises a flat central portion,
and two lateral bands precreased by transverse crease lines; and
each lateral band curves with its concavity facing inwards to
connect the central portion to the corresponding minor lateral wall
9, and to form, with minor lateral wall 9, a respective
substantially obtuse dihedral angle. Each major lateral wall 10, 11
is substantially rectangular, and has beveled corners to adapt to
the outwardly convex profile of end walls 7, 8. In this variation,
the four longitudinal edges 13 and four major transverse edges 14
are sharp edges, while the four minor transverse edges 14 are
rounded by respective transverse crease lines.
[0050] In a further variation not shown of the FIG. 14 packet, each
end wall 7, 8 of packet 1 has an outwardly convex profile, is
connected to each major lateral wall 10, 11 along a respective
rounded major transverse edge 14, and forms, with each major
lateral wall 10, 11, a respective substantially obtuse dihedral
angle. More specifically, each end wall 7, 8 comprises a flat
central portion, and two lateral bands precreased by transverse
crease lines; and each lateral band curves with its concavity
facing inwards to connect the central portion to the corresponding
major lateral wall 10, 11, and to form, with major lateral wall 10,
11, a respective substantially obtuse dihedral angle. Each minor
lateral wall 9 is substantially rectangular, and has beveled
corners to adapt to the outwardly convex profile of end walls 7, 8.
In this embodiment, the four longitudinal edges 13 and four minor
transverse edges 14 are sharp edges, while the four major
transverse edges 14 are rounded by respective transverse crease
lines.
[0051] Clearly, changes may be made to packets 1 as described
herein, such as forming partly convex walls, or forming only one as
opposed to two opposite facing convex walls.
[0052] It should be pointed out that the form of packets 1 may also
be applied integrally to the manufacture of other types of rigid
containers for tobacco articles, such as cartons of packets of
cigarettes. More specifically, the scope of the present invention
also extends to a carton of packets of cigarettes, which is
substantially identical to one of packets 1 described above, except
that, as opposed to a group of cigarettes, it contains a group of
packets of cigarettes normally of the same shape as the carton.
* * * * *