U.S. patent application number 14/397748 was filed with the patent office on 2015-05-07 for slide and shell container with ledge.
The applicant listed for this patent is PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS S.A.. Invention is credited to Kevin Brugger, Sergey Krasiev.
Application Number | 20150122676 14/397748 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47747557 |
Filed Date | 2015-05-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150122676 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brugger; Kevin ; et
al. |
May 7, 2015 |
SLIDE AND SHELL CONTAINER WITH LEDGE
Abstract
The present invention relates to a container for rod-shaped
consumer items, wherein a top wall (8) of the container comprises
an opening (9), and the container further comprises a ledge (12),
which is arranged below the opening. The top wall (8) is adapted to
be movable in the vertical direction relative to the ledge (12), in
between a lower position and an upper position. The container
comprises an inner slide (3) and an outer shell (2), wherein the
slide is vertically movably arranged in the shell, wherein the
shell (3) comprises the ledge (12), and the slide (2) comprises the
top wall (8) with the opening, and wherein the ledge protrudes
through a cut-out (19) into the slide.
Inventors: |
Brugger; Kevin; (Kappel,
CH) ; Krasiev; Sergey; (Saint Sulpice, CH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS S.A. |
Neuchatel |
|
CH |
|
|
Family ID: |
47747557 |
Appl. No.: |
14/397748 |
Filed: |
February 21, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
February 21, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2013/000510 |
371 Date: |
October 29, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/253 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/728 20130101;
A24F 15/16 20130101; B65D 85/1009 20130101; B65D 83/02 20130101;
B65D 85/1036 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/253 |
International
Class: |
A24F 15/16 20060101
A24F015/16; B65D 85/10 20060101 B65D085/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 30, 2012 |
EP |
12003036.6 |
Claims
1. A container for rod-shaped consumer items, wherein a top wall of
the container comprises an opening, and the container further
comprises a ledge, which is arranged below the opening, wherein the
top wall is adapted to be movable in the vertical direction
relative to the ledge, in between a lower position and an upper
position, wherein the container comprises an inner slide and an
outer shell, wherein the slide is vertically movably arranged in
the shell, wherein the shell comprises the ledge, and the slide
comprises the top wall with the opening, and wherein the ledge
protrudes through a cut-out into the slide.
2. The container according to claim 1, wherein in the upper
position, the distance in between the upper end of the ledge and
the top wall is greater than the length of the rod-shaped consumer
items, such that at least one consumer item can be arranged on the
ledge, the container being arranged that when the top wall is
returned in the lower position, the at least one consumer item,
which is arranged on the ledge, protrudes through the opening in
the top wall.
3. The container according to claim 1, wherein the container
comprises an inner slide and an outer shell, wherein the slide is
vertically movably arranged in the shell, and wherein one of the
slide or the shell comprises the ledge, and the other one of the
slide and the shell comprises the top wall with the opening.
4. The container according to claim 1, wherein the slide has a
bottom wall, which comprises the cut-out for the ledge of the
shell.
5. The container according to claim 1, wherein the shell comprises
a cut-out for allowing the consumer to engage the slide.
6. The container according to claim 1, wherein an elastic element
is provided below the consumer items.
7. The container according to claim 1, wherein a stopping element
enables a dead stop in the upper position of the top wall, such
that the top wall is in its lifting end position in the upper
position.
8. The container according to claim 1, wherein the container
comprises a plurality of consumer items extending in the upright
direction of the container, wherein the width and depth of the
container is smaller than longitudinal length of the consumer
items.
9. The container according to claim 1, wherein the ledge is
arranged adjacent to two side walls of the container.
10. The container according to claim 1, wherein the size of the
ledge is adapted such that only one consumer item with its
longitudinal axis extending in the upright direction can be
arranged thereon.
11. The container according to claim 1, wherein a side wall of the
container is movable towards the ledge to facilitate the movement
of the consumer items onto the ledge, when the top wall is in the
upper position.
12. The container according to claim 11, wherein an elastic element
is provided, which is adapted to elastically force the movable side
wall in the direction of the ledge.
13. The container according to claim 1, wherein the opening in the
top wall is covered by a lid, which is actionable upon movement of
the top wall.
14. The container according to claim 1, wherein the container
comprises several consumer items which are wrapped in an inner
liner, wherein the inner liner is provided with perforation lines
to facilitate the opening of the inner liner.
15. The container according to claim 2, wherein the container
comprises an inner slide and an outer shell, wherein the slide is
vertically movably arranged in the shell, and wherein one of the
slide or the shell comprises the ledge, and the other one of the
slide and the shell comprises the top wall with the opening.
16. The container according to claim 2, wherein the slide has a
bottom wall, which comprises the cut-out for the ledge of the
shell.
17. The container according to claim 2, wherein the shell comprises
a cut-out for allowing the consumer to engage the slide.
18. The container according to claim 2, wherein an elastic element
is provided below the consumer items.
19. The container according to claim 2, wherein a stopping element
enables a dead stop in the upper position of the top wall, such
that the top wall is in its lifting end position in the upper
position.
20. The container according to claim 2, wherein the container
comprises a plurality of consumer items extending in the upright
direction of the container, wherein the width and depth of the
container is smaller than longitudinal length of the consumer
items.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a container for rod-shaped
consumer items, in particular smoking articles, such as
cigarettes.
[0002] In the prior art, lifting means for consumer items in
containers are known, in particular lifting means for smoking
articles, such as cigarettes and cigars.
[0003] Generally, the packing of elongated, rod shaped consumer
items such as smoking articles, in particular cigarettes, tends to
be very compact. This helps to adequately protect the pack contents
and to reduce the amount of material needed. This can reduce cost
and waste. Nevertheless, the removal of the first consumer item, in
particular a smoking article, from a full pack requires a higher
force than of subsequent consumer items, due to frictional forces
that can have a negative impact on the quality of the consumer item
when removed. Furthermore, some consumers prefer not to touch the
filter end of a smoking article.
[0004] The prior art discloses a container for smoking articles.
According to the construction of that container, the dimension of
the container in the longitudinal direction of the smoking
articles, is longer than the length of the smoking articles, such
that the smoking articles can move up and down in the container. A
step is provided at the bottom wall of the container, beneath an
opening, such that by shaking the container, a smoking article can
be arranged on the step and protrudes through the opening such that
it may be grasped by a consumer.
[0005] FR 1 203 196 A discloses a cardboard container for the
semi-automatic distribution of packaged articles, comprising a box
and a slide which is arranged inside the box and is movable in the
vertical direction. A flap, which is connected to the slide, may
engage the articles when the slide is lifted by pulling on a
gripping means. Thus, the articles may be lifted out of the
box.
[0006] GB 1 375 393 A discloses a dispenser for articles, such as
cigarettes, wherein an ejection device in the form of a slider with
an integral arm for engaging the cigarettes in the package is
provided.
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
improved way of removing one or several rod-shaped consumer items
from a container.
[0008] According to the present invention a container for
rod-shaped consumer items is provided, wherein a top wall of the
container comprises an opening, and the container further comprises
a ledge, which is arranged below the opening, wherein the top wall
is adapted to be movable in the vertical direction relative to the
ledge, in between a lower position and an upper position. The
container has an inner slide and an outer shell, wherein the slide
is vertically movably arranged in the shell, wherein the shell
comprises the ledge and the slide comprises the top wall with the
opening, and wherein the ledge protrudes through a cut-out into the
slide. The cut-out may be formed by a cutting line in a blank or
may be any other type of opening. In particular, the shell
comprises a bottom and side walls.
[0009] Due to the movability of the top wall in the vertical
direction, the height of the container or the position of the
consumer items in the container relative to the ledge can be
varied, such that at least one of the consumer items can be
arranged on the ledge, for example by shaking or tilting the
container when the top wall is in the upper position. When the top
wall is returned into the lower position, the at least one consumer
item remains on the ledge and protrudes through the opening which
is arranged above the ledge. Thus, the at least one consumer item
can be grasped by a consumer. The other consumer items remain
covered and protected by the top wall and are secured inside the
container.
[0010] The terms "front", "back", "upper", "lower", "side", "top",
"bottom" and other terms used to describe relative positions of the
components of containers according to the invention refer to the
container in an upright position with the opening at the top end.
The terms "left" and "right" are used with reference to left and
right side walls of the container when the container is viewed from
the front in its upright position. The consumer items contained in
the container may be removed from the upper end of the container.
The term "longitudinal" refers to a direction from bottom to top or
vice versa, namely the vertical direction defining the height of
the container in an upright orientation. The term "transverse"
refers to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction
across the front side wall or the back side wall.
[0011] The rod-shaped consumer items are in particular extending
substantially in the vertical longitudinal direction of the
container. The size of the opening is preferably at least the size
of the projection of the ledge in the direction from the opening to
the ledge. In particular, the size of the opening substantially
corresponds to the cross-section of the consumer items or is
slightly larger. Preferably, the consumer items are cylindrically
shaped with a circular cross-section. In particular, the consumer
items are smoking articles in the form of cigarettes.
[0012] Preferably, in the upper position, the distance in the
longitudinal direction in between the upper end of the ledge and
the top wall is greater than the length of the rod-shaped consumer
items such that at least one consumer item can be arranged on the
ledge, the container being arranged that when the top wall is
returned in the lower position, the at least one consumer item,
which is arranged on the ledge, protrudes through the opening in
the top wall. Thus, the top wall in the upper position enables a
movability of the consumer item onto the ledge.
[0013] In one embodiment, the container comprises an inner slide
and an outer shell, wherein the slide is vertically movably
arranged in the shell, and wherein one of the slide or shell
comprises the ledge, and the other one of the slide and the shell,
comprises the top wall with the opening. The ledge may be integral
or an additional part with respect to the slide or shell.
[0014] In particular, the shell encloses the slide at least
partially.
[0015] The shell may comprise a top wall and side walls while
having an open bottom, and the slide may comprise a bottom wall, at
least one side wall and the ledge. Thus, the height of the
container can be varied which allows an arrangement of the at least
one consumer item on the ledge when the top wall, that is the
shell, is lifted with respect to the slide.
[0016] Preferably, the slide has a bottom wall with the cut-out for
the ledge of the shell. In particular, the cut-out may further
extend in at least one side wall, preferably in two adjacent side
walls of the slide. The slide preferably comprises at least one
side wall connecting the bottom wall and the top wall.
[0017] In particular, the ledge may be formed by a folded edge of
the shell. A cut may be provided which extends perpendicular over a
vertically extending edge of the shell, such that a section of the
shell below the cut can be folded towards the inside of the shell,
to provide the ledge. Alternatively, the ledge may be formed by an
additional element or flap that is attached to the vertically
extending edge of the shell.
[0018] In one embodiment, two parallel cuts are provided in the
shell which extend over the vertical extending edge of the shell,
such that the portion of the shell in between the cutting lines can
be folded towards the inside of the shell and forms the ledge.
Thus, the lower end of the edge of the shell providing the ledge
will remain in its position. This may advantageously improve the
stability of the container when standing in an upright
position.
[0019] In a further embodiment, an elastic element is provided
below the consumer items. Preferably, the elastic element is
adapted to bias the consumer items towards the movable top wall. In
such an embodiment, moving the top wall towards the lower position
compresses the elastic element. In addition, the consumer items may
also be moved towards the lower position, with the exception of the
one or more consumer items that are located on the ledge, which
remain in their initial position and protrude from the opening in
the top wall when the top wall is moved into the lower position.
When the top wall is released, the elastic element that is provided
below the consumer items may push the top wall back into the upper
position. The elastic element may be for example a spring or a
block of foamed material. Preferably, a movable bottom wall is
provided between the elastic element and the consumer items.
[0020] In one embodiment, an elastic means is provided in between
the bottom wall of the shell and the bottom wall of the slide.
Preferably, the elastic means provides a force to lift the top
wall, in particular by forcing the bottom wall of the slide away
from the bottom wall of the shell. The elastic means may in
particular be spring or a block of foamed material. A releasable
locking means may hold the slide in the lower position. In
particular, the consumer activates the releasable locking
mechanism, for example by a relative movement of the slide to the
shell, or by a pressure applied to a wall of the container, and
then the elastic means provides the lifting force for lifting the
slide.
[0021] In another embodiment, the elastic means may provide a force
to lower the top wall to the lower position, such that the
container is automatically returned in its initial position.
[0022] In one embodiment, the shell comprises a cut-out for
allowing the consumer to engage the slide. Thus, the cut-out allows
that a consumer can grasp the side of the front or back side wall
of the slide while same is arranged in the shell. In particular,
cut-outs at opposite walls of the shell may be provided to allow
that the slide can be grasped from two opposite sides. Thus, by
means of the cut-out the movement of the slide can be effected more
easily by the consumer, in particular when no other force, such as
by an elastic means, is provided to the slide.
[0023] In one embodiment, a stopping means enables a dead stop in
the upper position of the top wall, such that the top wall is in
its lifting end position in the upper position. In particular, the
dead stop enables that the top wall is inhibited from being further
lifted than the upper position under normal conditions.
Furthermore, the dead stop can also enable that the top wall is
locked in the upper position and remains locked until a certain
force for lowering the top wall applied to the slide or shell is
exceeded.
[0024] The dead stop prevents that the container is inadvertently
disassembled. In particular, flaps provided on the shell and the
slide side walls extending in different directions and adapted to
engage with each other in the upper position may constitute the
stopping means.
[0025] In one embodiment, the container comprises a plurality of
consumer items extending in the upright, longitudinal direction of
the container, wherein the width and the depth of the container is
smaller than the longitudinal length of the consumer items. The
longitudinal length of the consumer items is the main extension
direction of the rod-shaped consumer items. In particular, the
consumer items are arranged with the longitudinal length
substantially extending in the vertical direction. This form of the
container prevents that the consumer items fall over or are
provided in an unoriented manner in the container, even when the
container is relatively empty. Further, this form of the container
facilitates subsequent arrangement of the consumer items on the
ledge, as the consumer items are provided substantially in the
desired longitudinal orientation next to the ledge.
[0026] In one embodiment, the ledge is arranged adjacent to two
side walls of the container. In particular, the ledge is arranged
at the folding line defining an edge of the container. Thus, the
position of the consumer item on the ledge is defined by the
adjacent side walls. The ledge is either connected to the two side
walls, or connected to a bottom wall of the container.
[0027] The distance from the bottom of the container to the ledge,
when the top wall is in lower position is preferably substantially
the same or less than the relative distance of the top wall in the
lower position and the top wall in the upper position. Thus, the
protruding length of a consumer item through the opening of the top
wall in the lower position is substantially the same or less than
the height of the ledge. Furthermore, different ledges with
different heights can be provided, such that several consumer items
are provided with different lifting heights through one or several
openings in the top wall.
[0028] In one embodiment, the size of the ledge is adapted such
that only one consumer item with its longitudinal axis extending in
the upright direction can be arranged thereon. Thus, each operation
of the lifting feature of the container provides one separate
consumer item to the consumer, which may easily be grasped.
However, in other embodiments also several consumer items with
parallel extending longitudinal axes can be arranged on the ledge.
In particular two, three, four, five or more consumer items can be
arranged at the same time on one ledge.
[0029] In one embodiment, an additional side wall that is located
between the container outer side wall and the consumer items is
provided, wherein the additional side wall is adapted to be movable
towards the ledge. This may facilitate the movement of the consumer
items onto the ledge, when the top wall is in the upper position.
In some embodiments, the consumer can move the movable side wall.
Therefore, in particular an opening in the outer shell is provided,
to allow access of the consumer to the side wall of the slide.
Preferably, the movable side wall is the side wall opposite the
ledge in the transverse direction. The movability of the side wall
is in particular in the direction which is substantially
perpendicular to the lifting direction of the top wall in between
the lower and upper position.
[0030] Alternatively to providing a movable side wall, the consumer
items may just be moved by gravity onto the ledge, in particular by
inclining the container.
[0031] In one embodiment, an elastic means is provided between the
additional side wall and the container outer side wall, wherein the
elastic element is adapted to elastically force the movable side
wall in the direction of the ledge. The elastic means may in
particular be a spring or a block of foamed material. Preferably,
the movable side wall is part of the slide, and the elastic means
is arranged in between parallel side walls of the slide and the
shell.
[0032] In one embodiment, the opening in the top wall is covered by
a lid, which is actionable upon movement of the top wall. In
particular, "actionable" means that the lid is adapted to open by a
force applied by a protruding consumer item, which is lifted
through the opening, or to open by the relative movement of the top
wall with respect to the remaining parts of the container. In
particular, the lid is a hingeable lid, which hingedly depends from
one edge of the opening.
[0033] In one embodiment, the container comprises several consumer
items which are wrapped in an inner liner, wherein the inner liner
is provided with perforation lines to facilitate the opening of the
inner liner. The inner liner facilitates the packing of the
consumer items in the container. A bundle of consumer items in the
inner liner may be provided and then at least one blank of the
container may be wrapped around the bundle of consumer items. In
particular, at least the blank of the slide is wrapped around the
consumer items, and then the shell is provided around the slide,
either by wrapping or by inserting the slide in the shell. Further,
the inner liner may provide that the consumer items remain fresh,
in particular when the inner liner is hermetically sealed around
the consumer items. The perforation lines in the inner liner can be
torn open by relative movement in the container in one embodiment.
Additionally or alternatively, a pull tab may be provided on the
inner liner in the region of the opening of the container to enable
the opening of the inner liner. In particular, a section of inner
liner connected to the pull tab may be delimited by weakening
lines, such that the pulling of the pull tab tears the inner liner
open.
[0034] The consumer items within the container may be wrapped with
an inner liner, which is visible above the upper edge of a side
wall of the container when the container is open.
[0035] Containers according to the invention may be in the shape of
a rectangular parallelepiped, with right-angled longitudinal and
right-angled transverse edges. Alternatively, the container may
comprise one or more rounded longitudinal edges, rounded transverse
edges, bevelled longitudinal edges or bevelled transverse edges, or
combinations thereof. For example, the container according to the
invention may comprise, without limitation: [0036] One or two
longitudinal rounded or bevelled edges on the front side wall,
and/or [0037] One or two longitudinal rounded or bevelled edges on
the back side wall. [0038] One or two transverse rounded or
bevelled edges on the front side wall, and/or [0039] One or two
transverse rounded or bevelled edges on the back side wall. [0040]
One longitudinal rounded edge and one longitudinal bevelled edge on
the front side wall, and/or [0041] One transverse rounded edge and
one transverse bevelled edge on the back side wall. [0042] One or
two transverse rounded or bevelled edges on the front side wall and
one or two longitudinal rounded or bevelled edges on the front side
wall. [0043] Two longitudinal rounded or bevelled edges on a first
side wall or two transverse rounded or bevelled edges on the second
side wall.
[0044] Where the container comprises one or more rounded edges and
is made from a laminar blank, preferably the blank comprises three,
four, five, six or seven scoring lines or creasing lines to form
the rounded edge in the assembled container. The scoring lines or
creasing lines may be either on the inside of the container or on
the outside of the container. Preferably, the scoring lines or
creasing lines are spaced apart from each other by between about
0.3 mm and 4 mm.
[0045] Preferably, the spacing of the creasing lines or scoring
lines is in function of the thickness of the laminar blank.
Preferably, the spacing between the creasing lines or scoring lines
is between about 0.5 and about 4 times larger than the thickness of
the laminar blank.
[0046] Where the container comprises one or more bevelled edges,
preferably the bevelled one or more edges have a width of between
about 1 mm and about 10 mm, preferably between about 2 and about 6
mm. Alternatively, the container may comprise a double bevel formed
by three parallel creasing lines or scoring lines that are spaced
apart such that two distinct bevels form on the edge of the
container.
[0047] Alternatively to a container with a rectangular transverse
cross section, the container may have a for example a polygonal
cross section such as triangular, quadrangular or hexagonal, or a
cross section which is oval, semi-oval, circular or
semi-circular.
[0048] Where the container comprises a bevelled edge and is made
from a laminar blank, the bevel may be formed by two parallel
creasing lines or scoring lines in the laminar blank. The creasing
lines or scoring lines may be arranged symmetrically to the edge
between a first wall and a second wall. Alternatively, the creasing
lines or scoring lines may be arranged asymmetrically to the edge
between the first wall and the second wall, such that the bevel
extends further into the first wall of the container than into the
second wall of the container.
[0049] The container may be formed from any suitable materials
including, but not limited to, cardboard, paperboard, plastic,
metal, or combinations thereof. Preferably, the cardboard has a
weight of between about 100 grams per square metre and about 350
grams per square metre.
[0050] Containers according to the invention may be used as
packages for a variety of consumer items. In particularly preferred
embodiments, containers according to the invention are used to
package smoking articles. Containers according to the invention may
be advantageously used to package smoking articles including, but
not limited to, known lit-end cigarettes, cigars or cigarillos,
heated smoking articles comprising a combustible fuel element or
heat source and an aerosol-generating substrate (for example
cigarettes of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,714,082) and
smoking articles for use with electrical smoking systems (for
example cigarettes of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
5,692,525).
[0051] Through an appropriate choice of the dimensions thereof,
containers according to the invention may be designed to hold
different total numbers of smoking articles, or different
arrangements of smoking articles. For example, through an
appropriate choice of the dimensions thereof, containers according
to the invention may be designed to hold a total of between ten and
thirty smoking articles.
[0052] Containers according to the invention may hold one, two,
three four or five separate bundles of consumer items. The separate
bundles may be arranged substantially parallel to the front side
wall and to the back side wall or substantially perpendicular to
the front side wall and to the back side wall.
[0053] Within a bundle, the smoking articles may be arranged in
different collations, depending on the total number of smoking
articles, the dimensions of the smoking articles or the cross
sectional shape of the container. For example, the smoking articles
may be arranged in a bundle in a single row of five, six, seven,
eight, nine or ten. Alternatively, the smoking articles may be
arranged in two or more rows. The two or more rows may contain the
same number of smoking articles. For example, the smoking articles
may be arranged in: two rows of five, six, seven, eight, nine or
ten; three rows of five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten; or four
rows of four, five, six or seven. Alternatively, the two or more
rows may include at least two rows containing different numbers of
smoking articles to each other. For example, the smoking articles
may be arranged in: a row of five and a row of six (5-6); a row of
six and a row of seven (6-7); a row of seven and a row of eight
(7-8); a middle row of five and two outer rows of six (6-5-6); a
middle row of five and two outer rows of seven (7-5-7); a middle
row of six and two outer rows of five (5-6-5); a middle row of six
and two outer rows of seven (7-6-7); a middle row of seven and two
outer rows of six (6-7-6); a middle row of nine and two outer rows
of eight (8-9-8); or a middle row of six with one outer row of five
and one outer row of seven (5-6-7).
[0054] Containers according to the present invention may hold
smoking articles of the same type or brand, or of different types
or brands. In addition, both filterless smoking articles and
smoking articles with various filter tips may be contained, as well
as smoking articles of differing length (for example, between about
40 mm and about 180 mm), diameter (for example, between about 4 mm
and about 9 mm). In addition, the smoking articles may differ in
strength of taste, resistance to draw and total particulate matter
delivery. Wherein the container comprises more than one bundle,
each bundle within the same container may hold the same or
different types of smoking articles as listed above.
[0055] Preferably, the dimensions of the container are adapted to
the length of the smoking articles, and the collation of the
smoking articles. Typically, the outer dimensions of the container
are between about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm larger than the dimensions
of the bundle of smoking articles housed inside the container.
[0056] Preferably, containers according to the invention have a
height of between about 60 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably a
height of between about 70 mm and about 125 mm, wherein the height
is measured from the top wall to the bottom wall of the
container.
[0057] Preferably, containers according to the invention have a
width of between about 12 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably a
width of between about 70 mm and about 125 mm, wherein the width is
measured from the first side wall to the second side wall of the
container.
[0058] Preferably, containers according to the invention have a
depth of between about 6 mm and about 100 mm, more preferably a
depth of between about 12 mm and about 25 mm wherein the depth is
measured from the front side wall to the back side wall of the
container.
[0059] Preferably, the ratio of the height of the container to the
depth of the container is in between about 0.3 to 1 and about 10 to
1, more preferably between about 2 to 1 and about 8 to 1, most
preferably between about 3 to 1 and 5 to 1
[0060] Preferably, the ratio of the width of the container to the
depth of the container is in between about 1 to 1 and about 10 to
1, more preferably between about 2 to 1 and about 8 to 1, most
preferably between about 2 to 1 and 3 to 1.
[0061] The exterior surfaces of containers according to the
invention may be printed, embossed, debossed or otherwise
embellished with manufacturer or brand logos, trade marks, slogans
and other consumer information and indicia. Alternatively, or in
addition, the exterior surfaces of containers according to the
invention may be at least partially covered with lacquer,
metallisation, holograms, luminescent material, or any other
materials that alter the feel, odour or appearance of the
container.
[0062] Where the inner housing of a container according to the
present invention contains one or more bundles of smoking articles,
the smoking articles are preferably wrapped in an inner liner of,
for example, metal foil or metallised paper.
[0063] Where the container comprises smoking articles, the
container may further comprise waste-compartments (for example for
ash or butts) or other consumer items, for example matches,
lighters, extinguishing means, breath-fresheners or electronics.
The other consumer items may be attached to the outside of the
container, contained within the container along with the smoking
articles, in a separate compartment of the container or
combinations thereof.
[0064] Once filled, containers according to the invention may be
shrink wrapped or otherwise over wrapped with a transparent
polymeric film of, for example, high or low density polyethylene,
polypropylene, oriented polypropylene, polyvinylidene chloride,
cellulose film, or combinations thereof in a conventional manner.
Where containers according to the invention are over wrapped, the
over wrapper may include a tear tape. The tear tape is preferably
positioned sideways around the container, such that once the tear
tape has been removed, the opening is accessible. Alternatively,
the tear tape may be provided lengthways around the container.
[0065] The invention will now be further explained by means of
exemplary embodiments, which are shown in the following
Figures.
[0066] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the first embodiment of a
container according to the invention.
[0067] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the first embodiment of
the container according to the invention with a lifted smoking
article.
[0068] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the
container with the top wall in the upper position.
[0069] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the
container with the top wall in the lower position.
[0070] FIG. 5 shows a blank for a slide of a container according to
the first embodiment.
[0071] FIG. 6 shows a blank for a shell for a container according
to the first embodiment.
[0072] FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of a container
comprising elastic means for lifting and for the movable side
wall.
[0073] In FIG. 1, a container 1 according to a first embodiment of
the invention is shown. The container comprises a shell 2 and a
slide 3 arranged slidable in the vertical longitudinal direction
100 in the shell 2. The shell 2 comprises four side walls, namely a
front side wall 4, a left side wall 5, a right side wall 6 (see
FIG. 3), a back side wall and a bottom wall 7. In particular, the
shell 2 is open at its upper end, and the container 1 is closed at
its upper end by the top wall 8 of the slide 3, which however
comprises an opening 9. The top wall 8 forms the top wall of the
container. The opening 9 is arranged adjacent to two upper edges of
the top wall 8. The shell 2 is further provided with a cut-out 10
in its upper front side wall 4, wherein a further corresponding
cut-out may be provided in the back side wall of the shell 2 in
some embodiments. Due to the cut-out 10, at least one of the side
walls of the slide 3 can be grasped, namely the front side wall 11,
and in some embodiments the back side wall. A ledge 12 is provided
in the lower region of a longitudinally extending edge between the
side walls 4, 5 of the shell 2. In particular, the ledge 12 is
formed by two parallel cuts 13, 14, which extend generally
perpendicular over the edge of shell 2. Thus, a portion of side
walls 4, 5 of the shell 2 can be folded to the inside, such that it
protrudes into the slide 3 and forms a ledge 12 on which at least
one consumer item 15, in particular in the form of a smoking
article, more particular in the form of a cigarette, can be
arranged.
[0074] In FIG. 1, the container 1 is shown in the state before the
lifting process. The slide 3 and its top wall 8 forming the top
wall of the container 1 are in the lower position. In FIG. 2, the
slide 3 is again in the lower position, but a consumer item 15 is
already lifted.
[0075] The lifting process and further details of the container 1
will now be explained with respect to FIGS. 3 and 4, which show
schematic cross sections of the container 1.
[0076] Starting from the stage as shown in FIG. 1, the consumer
grasps the slide 3 while holding the outer shell 2 and lifts the
slide 3, such that its top wall 8 is arranged in a upper position
as shown in FIG. 3. The slide 3 comprises in addition to the top
wall 8, the front side wall 11 and a back side wall, further a left
side wall 16, a right side wall 17 and a bottom wall 18. When the
slide 3 is in the upper position as shown in FIG. 3, the bottom
wall 18 is arranged at least substantially at the height of the
upper edge of the ledge 12 in the longitudinal direction 100 from
the bottom wall 7 of the shell 2. Thus, in this lifted
configuration, the consumer items 15 may move in a transverse
direction 200, such that at least one consumer item 15 is arranged
on the ledge 12. The movement of the consumer item 15 may be
effected by gravitational forces, namely by slightly lowering the
container side on which the ledge 12 is provided, or by
acceleration force, namely by shaking or tapping the container
1.
[0077] In the lower position of the slide 3, the consumer items 15
would not be able to move onto the ledge 12, as their lower ends
are in a lower position than the ledge 12, while the top wall 8 of
the slide 3 prevents movement of the consumer items 15 to the
top.
[0078] The inner slide 3 comprises a cut-out 19, which allows the
ledge 12 to protrude into the slide 3 at least in the lower
position of the slide 3. Thus, the cut-out 19 allows the relative
vertical movement of the slide 3 with respect to the shell 2.
[0079] Starting from the state of the container 1 as shown in FIG.
3 wherein the at least one consumer item 15 is arranged on the
ledge 12, the slide 3 can be lowered again into the lower position
as shown in FIG. 4. Thus, while all consumer items, which are
arranged under the top wall 8 of the slide and not on the ledge 12,
will move together with the slide 3 into the lower position, the at
least one consumer item 15 which is arranged on the ledge 12 will
remain in the upper position on the ledge 12 and will protrude
through the opening 9 provided in the top wall 8 of the slide 3.
Thus, the consumer items 15 are in an arrangement as shown in FIG.
4 or FIG. 2, and the at least one consumer item 15 which protrudes
through the opening 9 can be easily grasped by the consumer.
[0080] In FIG. 5, a blank 20 for the slide 3 is shown in a plan
view. The blank 20 comprises a front panel 21, which forms the
front side wall 11 of the slide 3, a left side wall panel 22, which
forms the left side wall 16 of the slide 3, a back wall panel 23
which forms the back side wall of the slide 3, and a right side
wall panel 24, which forms the right side wall 17 of the slide. The
panels 21, 22, 23, 24 depend from each other, via folding
lines.
[0081] A vertically extending fixation tab 25 depends from the
right side wall panel 24 and is adapted to be fixed, in particular
by means of adhesive, to the inside of the front side wall panel
21. The blank 20 further comprises an inner top wall panel 26
depending from the top of the front side wall panel 21, and an
outer top wall panel 27, depending from the top of the back side
wall panel 23. The outer top wall panel 27 is adapted to be folded
on top of the inner top wall panel 26, such that they form together
the top wall 8 of the slide 3. A cut-out 28 is provided in the
outer top wall panel 27 defining the opening 9 of the slide 3. The
inner top wall panel 26 comprises such a shape that it is not
provided in the region of cut-out 28, when the blank 20 is folded
to form the slide 3. The inner top wall panel 26 and the outer top
wall panel 27 are connected to each other by means of adhesive in
the assembled slide 3.
[0082] An inner bottom wall panel 29 depends via a folding line
from the lower side of the front side wall panel 21, and an outer
bottom wall panel 30 depends via a folding line from the lower side
of the back side wall panel 23. The outer bottom wall panel wall 30
comprises a cut-out 31 which forms the lower part of the cut-out 19
of the slide 3. The upper part of the cut-out 19 of the slide 3 is
formed by the cut-out 32 which is provided at the folding line in
between the front side wall panel 21 and the left side wall panel
22. The inner bottom wall panel 29 is adapted such that it does not
extend in the region of the cut-out 31, when the slide 3 is in the
assembled state. The inner bottom wall panel 29 and the outer
bottom wall panel 30 form together the bottom wall 18 of the slide
3, and are particularly fixed by means of adhesive to each other.
Furthermore, a cut-out 33 is provided in the back side wall panel
23, to define a stopper flap 34. The stopper flap 34 foldingly
depends from the outer bottom wall panel 30. The stopper flap 34 is
adapted to engage with a protrusion or flap provided on the inside
of the shell 2, to enable a dead stop for the movement of the slide
3 in the shell 2.
[0083] In FIG. 5, a blank 35 for the shell 2 is shown in a plan
view. The blank 35 for the shell 2 comprises a front side wall
panel 36, which forms the front side wall 4 of the shell 2, a left
side wall panel 37, which forms the left side wall 5 of the shell
2, a back side wall panel 38, which forms the back side wall of the
shell 2, and a right side wall panel 39, which forms the right side
wall 6 of the shell 2. The panels 36, 37, 38, 39 depend from each
other via folding lines which are arranged in the longitudinal
direction.
[0084] Furthermore, an inner flap 40 depends from the upper side of
the back side wall panel 38, wherein the inner flap 40 will be
folded towards the inside of the back side wall panel 38 in the
assembled state of the shell 2. Preferably, the inner flap 40 is
fixed by means of adhesive to the inside of the back side wall
panel 38. The inner flap 40 provides an engagement portion for the
stopper flap 34, when the slide 3 is in the upper position with
respect to the shell 2. In particular, the upper edge of the
stopper flap 34 engages the lower edge of the inner flap 40 in this
position.
[0085] Inner and outer bottom panels 41, 42 depend from the lower
side of the front side wall panel 36 and back side wall panel 38,
respectively, and form the bottom wall 7 of the assembled shell 2.
The inner and outer bottom panels 41 and 42 are adapted to be
connected by means of adhesive. A fixation tab 43 depends via a
folding line from the right side wall panel 39, and is adapted to
be attached to the inside of the front side wall panel 36.
Furthermore, dust flaps 44, 45 are provided at the lower side of
the left and right side wall panel 37, 39. The dust flaps 44, 45
are adapted to be arranged on top of the inner bottom panel 41 and
prevent dust and particles from entering or exiting the shell 2.
The cut-out 10 is provided at the top of the front side wall panel
36, while a further cut-out 46 is provided in the back side wall
panel 38 and inner flap 40 extending over the folding line in
between these panels. In particular, the cut-out 46 is
symmetrically provided with respect to the folding line in between
the back side wall panel 38 and inner flap 40.
[0086] Extending across the folding line in between the front side
wall panel 36 and the left side wall panel 37, two parallel cuts
13, 14 are provided, which are arranged perpendicular with respect
to the folding line. The ends of the respective cuts 13, 14 are
connected by folding lines 47, 48, such that the cuts 13, 14 and
the folding lines 47, 48 form a substantially rectangular portion
of the blank 35. In the assembled shell 2, the portion delimited by
the cuts 13, 14 and folding lines 47, 48 will be folded towards the
inside of the shell 2, to form the ledge 12.
[0087] In FIG. 6, a further embodiment of a container 1 according
to the invention is shown. The container generally corresponds to
the container of the former embodiment, wherein the differences to
the previous embodiment will be explained in the following. In
particular, an elastic means 49, preferably in the form of a
spring, is arranged in between the bottom wall 7 of the shell 2 and
the bottom wall 18 of the slide 3. The elastic means 49 forces the
slide 3 upwardly in the longitudinal direction 100. In particular,
a locking means may be provided, such as engaging panels of the
slide 3 and shell 2, which maintains the slide in the lower
position, however, when the locking means, in particular the
panels, disengage, the slide will automatically move to the upper
position as shown in FIG. 6.
[0088] A further modification in the embodiment according to FIG. 6
is that the right side wall 17 of the slide 3 is movable in the
transverse width direction 200. This serves the purpose that
consumer items, which have been omitted for the sake of clarity in
FIG. 6, can be moved in the transverse direction 200 when the slide
3 is in the upper position, such that at least one consumer item
will be arranged on the ledge 12. An elastic means 50, preferably
in the form of a spring, is provided in between the right side wall
6 of the shell 2 and the right side wall 17 of the slide 3. Thus,
the consumer items 14 are automatically moved in the transverse
width direction 200. However, in other embodiments alternatively or
additionally an opening may be provided in the right side wall 6 of
the shell 2, such that the consumer can engage the movable right
side wall 17 of the slide 3 and apply pressure on it to move the
consumer items onto the ledge 12.
[0089] It is emphasized that the features regarding the elastic
means 49, the elastic means 50, and regarding the opening in the
right side wall 6 can be provided as well separate from each other,
as each of these features provides a separate beneficial
effect.
[0090] The opening 9 of the slide 3 may be covered by a hingeable
lid 51, which depends via a folding line either from the top wall 8
of the slide 3 or from any of the adjacent side walls to the
opening 9, wherein the lid 51 may be adapted such that it
automatically opens by being pushed by the consumer item which is
protruding through the opening 9 when the slide 3 is returned to
the lower position with a consumer item 15 arranged on the ledge
12.
[0091] Not shown in the embodiments and the Figures, the consumer
items, in particular in the form of smoking articles, may be
comprised in an inner liner, which comprises cuts or perforation
lines in particular in the region of the opening 9 and the ledge 12
to allow that individual consumer items 14 can move by means of the
ledge 12 through the opening 9. Further, this inner liner may
comprise a pull tab, which protrudes through the opening 9 and can
be removed by the consumer before operating the lifting feature of
the container 1 for the first time. Several consumer items can be
lifted at the same time by means of the ledge 12, however, it is
preferred that the number of consumer items which are lifted is 10%
or less from the total number of consumer items initially provided
in the container. Thus, only a small fraction of the consumer items
will be lifted by the lifting operation, thus providing small
dispensing amounts of consumer items.
[0092] The preferred material for forming the blanks 20, 35 is
cardboard, however, other sheet-like materials such as polymers or
metal may be used as well. Furthermore, it is also possible to not
use foldable blanks, but to provide an integrally formed shell or
slide, in particular formed by means of polymer injection
molding.
[0093] In one embodiment, the maximum lifting height of the slide
with respect to the shell is about 13 mm. The height of the
container in the longitudinal direction 100 is preferably between
about 85 mm and about 105 mm, while the width in the transverse
direction is about 85 mm as well. The depth of the container is
preferably about 18 mm. The upper edge of the ledge is preferably
arranged in a distance of about 24 mm with respect to the bottom
wall of the shell. The cut-out in the slide regarding the ledge
corresponds in its height to the upper end of the ledge 12. The
cut-outs 10, 14 provided at the upper edge of the front and back
side walls of the shell have preferably a height of about 12
mm.
* * * * *