U.S. patent application number 14/381409 was filed with the patent office on 2015-08-20 for container with slidable lid and lifting feature.
The applicant listed for this patent is PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS S.A.. Invention is credited to Kevin Brugger, Sergey Krasiev.
Application Number | 20150232261 14/381409 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47754426 |
Filed Date | 2015-08-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150232261 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brugger; Kevin ; et
al. |
August 20, 2015 |
CONTAINER WITH SLIDABLE LID AND LIFTING FEATURE
Abstract
The present invention relates to a container (1) for rod-shaped
items, with a box (3) and a lid (2), wherein the box (3) comprises
an opening at the top. The container further comprises a sheet-like
connecting means (21, 22, 23) connected to the lid, wherein the
sheet-like connecting means (21, 22, 23) is arranged vertically
slidable relative to the box, such that the lid (2) and the
connecting means (21, 22, 23) are movable from a lower position to
an upper position. The connecting means (21, 22, 23) is adapted to
vertically lift at least one rod-shaped item by a predetermined
distance when the lid is moved from the lower position to the upper
position.
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: |
47754426 |
Appl. No.: |
14/381409 |
Filed: |
February 21, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
February 21, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP13/00511 |
371 Date: |
August 27, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/268 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 85/1009 20130101;
B65D 85/1045 20130101; B65D 5/16 20130101; B65D 51/24 20130101;
B65D 43/16 20130101; A24F 15/00 20130101; B65D 85/1036
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/10 20060101
B65D085/10; B65D 51/24 20060101 B65D051/24; B65D 43/16 20060101
B65D043/16; A24F 15/00 20060101 A24F015/00; B65D 5/16 20060101
B65D005/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 9, 2012 |
EP |
12001648.0 |
Claims
1. A container for rod-shaped items, comprising a box and a lid,
wherein the box comprises an opening at the top, a sheet-like
connecting element connected to the lid, the sheet-like connecting
element is arranged vertically slidable relative to the box, such
that the lid and the connecting element are movable from a lower
position to an upper position, wherein the connecting element is
adapted to vertically lift at least one rod-shaped item by a
predetermined distance when the lid is moved from the lower
position to the upper position and the connecting element comprises
a central panel, and the lid pivotably depends from the upper side
of the central panel and the central panel of the connecting
element is arranged adjacent to the inner side of the back wall of
the box.
2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the container is
adapted to prevent a pivotable movement of the lid in the lower
position.
3. The container according to claim 1, wherein in the lower
position and in the upper position the container is openable by
pivoting the lid with respect to the connecting element.
4. (canceled)
5. (canceled)
6. The container according to claim 1, wherein at least one
engagement flap depends via a folding line from the central panel
and is adapted to engage with at least one rod-shaped item in the
container.
7. The container according to claim 6, wherein the at least one
engagement flap depends from a lower portion of the central panel,
and wherein the engagement flap is adapted to engage with at least
one rod-shaped item.
8. The container according to claim 6, wherein the engagement flap
extends along the whole width of the central panel.
9. The container according to claim 1, wherein the central panel
further comprises a side flap, wherein the side flap is depending
from a transverse edge of the central panel, where the side flap
extends at least partially parallel to a side wall of the box.
10. The container according to claim 9, wherein the side flap is
connected to the at least one engagement flap.
11. The container according to claim 1, wherein an inner frame is
arranged in the box, and the connecting element and the inner frame
are adapted such that a dead stop for the connecting element is
provided on the inner frame.
12. The container according to claim 1, wherein the back wall of
the box comprises a substantially rectangular recess, wherein the
recess has a width corresponding substantially to the width of the
hinge line connecting the connecting element and the lid.
13. The container according to claim 12, wherein the box comprises
an inner frame which is fixed to the inside of the walls of the
box, wherein the inner frame provides the substantially rectangular
recess.
14. The container according to claim 1, wherein an engagement
element is arranged slidably within the connecting element, the
engagement element being adapted to engage at least one rod-shaped
item and to remain stationary in a first stage of the lifting
movement of the connecting element means by sliding with respect to
the connecting element, wherein the engagement element is further
adapted to engage and move with the connecting element during a
second stage of the lifting movement of the connecting element,
such that it lifts the at least one rod-shaped item.
15. The container according to claim 1, wherein a front panel
depends from the front of the side flaps and extends parallel and
adjacent to the inner side of the front wall of the box, and
wherein an engagement element is provided on the front panel.
16. The container according to claim 2, wherein at least one
engagement flap depends via a folding line from the central panel
and is adapted to engage with at least one rod-shaped item in the
container.
17. The container according to claim 3, wherein at least one
engagement flap depends via a folding line from the central panel
and is adapted to engage with at least one rod-shaped item in the
container.
18. The container according to claim 7, wherein the engagement flap
extends along the whole width of the central panel.
19. The container according to claim 2, wherein the central panel
further comprises a side flap, wherein the side flap is depending
from a transverse edge of the central panel, where the side flap
extends at least partially parallel to a side wall of the box.
20. The container according to claim 3, wherein the central panel
further comprises a side flap, wherein the side flap is depending
from a transverse edge of the central panel, where the side flap
extends at least partially parallel to a side wall of the box.
21. The container according to claim 2, wherein an inner frame is
arranged in the box, and the connecting element the inner frame are
adapted such that a dead stop for the connecting element is
provided on the inner frame.
22. The container according to claim 3, wherein an inner frame is
arranged in the box, and the connecting element and the inner frame
are adapted such that a dead stop for the connecting element is
provided on the inner frame.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a container for rod-shaped
items, such as for example smoking articles.
[0002] For example, International Patent Application
WO-A-2004/089785 shows a container for smoking articles, wherein
the lid is attached to a slidable connecting means such that the
lid and the box of the container are slidable relative to each
other.
[0003] Today, the packaging of rod-shaped items, such as smoking
articles, tends to be very compact. In particular, smoking articles
such as cigarettes are packed in a tightly nesting collation. The
compact packaging helps to adequately protect the items in the
container and reduces the amount of material needed. This allows
for a cost effective use of packaging material. However, first item
from a full container may be difficult.
[0004] It is known from the International Patent Application
WO-A-2011/012235 to provide containers comprising smoking articles
with lifting means, which have engaging portions to engage a part
of the smoking articles.
[0005] It would be desirable to provide a container for items that
is adapted to facilitate the access to rod-shaped items in a
container. Further, it would be desirable to provide a novel way of
presenting items to a consumer.
[0006] According to the invention a container for rod-shaped items
is provided, the container comprising a box and a lid. The box
comprises an opening at the top. The container further comprises a
sheet-like connecting means connected to the lid, wherein the
sheet-like connecting means is vertically slidable relative to the
box, such that the lid and the connecting means are movable from a
lower position to an upper position. According to the invention,
the connecting means is adapted to vertically lift at least one
rod-shaped item by a predetermined distance when the lid is moved
from the lower position to the upper position. Thus, the movement
of the connecting means enables a lifting movement of the lid of
the container, and also allows lifting a rod-shaped item at the
same time.
[0007] Preferably, the connecting means is adapted to vertically
lift the at least one rod-shaped item between about 0.5 cm and
about 3 cm. Preferably, the connecting means is adapted to
vertically lift the at least one rod-shaped item between about 5
percent and about 40 percent of the length of the rod-shaped item.
Vertically lifting at least one rod-shaped item by this distance
advantageously increases the engageable surface of the rod-shaped
item, such that the rod-shaped item can be for example grasped more
easily by a consumer.
[0008] Preferably, the sheet-like connecting means is formed from a
blank comprising panels which depend from each other via folding
lines. In particular, the connecting means is arranged completely
within the container. In one embodiment, the connecting means is
adapted to engage the rod-shaped items at the lower end side.
However, in other embodiments, the connecting means may be adapted
to engage the rod-shaped items at a side or an upper end of the
rod-shaped items. In particular, the connecting means may be
adapted to engage with a rod-shaped item at a step in the nappe of
the rod-shaped item, such as for example the end of a tipping paper
of a smoking article.
[0009] The connecting means is adapted to engage preferably one,
two, three, four, five, six, seven or more rod-shaped items, in
particular smoking articles. In particular, the connecting means
may be adapted to engage one row of rod-shaped items in the
container. The one or more rod-shaped items that are at least
partially lifted are easier to access for a consumer.
Advantageously, once lifted, a larger engageable surface of the the
rod-shaped item is accessible for the consumer. At the same time,
the frictional forces between the lifted rod-shaped item or
rod-shaped items and the remaining rod-shaped items are
reduced.
[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 lid 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. When the container in the upright
position is open, the consumer articles contained in the box 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 wall or the back wall, namely the horizontal direction
defining the width of the container in an upright orientation, or
to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and
across one of the left or right side walls, namely the horizontal
direction defining the depth of the container in an upright
orientation.
[0011] The term "hinge line" refers to a line about which the lid
may be pivoted in order to open the container. A hinge line may be,
for example, a fold line or a score line in the connecting means or
lid of the container. Alternatively, a hinge line may be a fold
line or a score line in a piece of material bridging the lower edge
of the back wall of the lid and the upper edge of the connecting
means. Such a piece of material may be, for example, a label that
is permanently or removably attached to the back wall of the lid
and the connecting means. Preferably, the hinge line is positioned
along the back wall of the container.
[0012] The box and the lid of the container may be each formed by
folded blanks comprising several panels. The lid and the connecting
means may be formed from one blank, or the lid may be attached to
the connecting means. In particular, the lid may be connected to
the connecting means by an adhesive coated strip attached to both
the lid and the connecting means and forming the hinge line between
the connecting means and the lid. Alternatively, the connecting
means may comprise a lid fixation panel pivotably depending from a
central panel of the connecting means, wherein the lid is attached
to the lid fixation panel. The attachment may be effected by
adhesive.
[0013] In one embodiment, the container is adapted to prevent a
pivotable movement of the lid where the lid is in the lower
position.
[0014] Thus, in this embodiment, in order to open the container,
the consumer needs to first lift the lid before pivoting the lid
into an open position, such that at least one rod-shaped item is
already lifted when the consumer pivots the lid open. In
particular, in the lower position, the closed lid is engaged with
the box such that the lid cannot be pivoted, while in the second
position, the container is openable by pivoting the lid with
respect to the connecting portion. For this purpose, the lid may be
engaged in the lower position with an inner frame that is attached
to the box and reaches into the lid in the lower position.
[0015] When the rod-shaped items are automatically lifted together
with the lid, a surprising effect for the consumer can be obtained,
as the lid may cover the rod-shaped items during the lifting
process, and when the lid is opened in the lifted position, the
rod-shaped items, in particular smoking articles, have already been
lifted.
[0016] In another embodiment, the container is adapted such that in
the lower position and in the upper position of the lid the
container is openable by pivoting the lid with respect to the
connecting means. Thus, the consumer can choose whether he first
opens the lid by pivoting it or first slides the lid vertically
upwards. The consumer might just hinge open the lid of the
container, without using the sliding feature. The design gives the
consumer the choice whether he wants to lift the at least one
rod-shaped item with the connecting means, or whether he just wants
to grasp the at least one rod-shaped item when the lid is pivoted
open.
[0017] In one embodiment, the connecting means comprises a central
panel such that the lid pivotably depends from the upper side of
the central panel. The central panel preferably has at least one
section, wherein the width of the section substantially corresponds
to the width of the inside of the box. The lid may be fixed to a
lid fixation panel which depends via a folding line from the
central panel. In particular, the lid may be fixed by adhesive to
the lid fixation panel. Alternatively, the connecting means and the
lid may be formed from one blank and depend from each other via a
folding line forming a hinge line.
[0018] Preferably, the central panel of the connecting means is
arranged adjacent and parallel to the inner side of the back wall
of the box. Thus, the central panel can be arranged with little
space requirements. Further, the back wall may assist in guiding
the movement of the central panel.
[0019] In one embodiment, at least one engagement flap depends via
a folding line from the central panel and is adapted to engage with
at least one rod-shaped item in the container. Where the engagement
flap engages the nappe of the rod-shaped items, it may be arranged
at various positions regarding the vertical extension of the
central panel.
[0020] Preferably, the at least one engagement flap depends from a
lower side of the central panel, and the engagement flap is adapted
to engage the lower end side of at least one rod-shaped item. As
the engagement flap on the lower side of the central panel may be
provided adjacent to the box bottom wall, it can engage the
lowermost end of rod-shaped items next to the box bottom wall. This
provides a secure engagement and may facilitate the lifting of the
at least one rod-shaped item.
[0021] In one embodiment, the engagement flap extends along the
whole width of the central panel. In particular, the central panel
has at least a lower portion, wherein the lower portion of the
central panel substantially has the width of the box. Thus, a whole
row of rod-shaped items adjacent of the engagement flap can be
engaged and lifted by the engagement flap. Alternatively, the
engagement flap may extend only across part of the row of
rod-shaped items adjacent to the engagement flap, such that only
one or a few rod-shaped items in the row adjacent to the engagement
flap are lifted. Alternatively or in addition, the engagement flap
may extend further into the interior of the box, such that also
rod-shaped items may be lifted that are not directly adjacent to
the engagement flap. For example, in a container with three rows of
rod-shaped items, the engagement flap may be adapted to lift three
rod-shaped items from the back row, that is, the row of rod-shaped
items adjacent to the engagement flap, two rod-shaped items from
the middle row and one rod-shaped item from the first row. Of
course, many other arrangements can be realized.
[0022] In one embodiment, a side flap is depending from a
transverse edge of the central panel, the side flap extending at
least partially parallel to a side wall of the box. The transverse
edge of the central panel is usually the edge of the central panel
arranged closest to the respective side wall of the box. The side
flap preferably extends at least partially adjacent and parallel to
the left side wall or right side wall of the box. Furthermore, side
flaps may be arranged on both sides of the central panel, thus
extending at least partially parallel to both the left and right
side wall of the box. In particular, the side flap may be guided in
a slit formed in between a guiding panel and a wall of the box.
This guiding panel may in particular be provided by an inner frame
arranged within the box. In particular, the slit may be formed
between the edge of an inner side wall provided by the inner frame
and the back wall of the box.
[0023] In one embodiment, the side flap is connected to the at
least one engagement flap. Thus, the engagement flap may be further
stabilized, such that the engagement flap can exert a sufficient
lifting force to the rod-shaped items. Preferably, the engagement
flap extends substantially horizontal.
[0024] In particular, the side flap may be connected by means of
adhesive to the engagement flap. The connection in between the side
flap and the engagement flap may be via a connection tab. A
connection tab depending from the engagement flap may be connected
to the side flap, or a connection tab depending from the side flap
may be connected to the engagement flap. These connections may be
carried out by means of adhesive. The connection tab may depend via
a folding line from the engagement flap or from the side flap or
both. The connection in between the side flap and the engagement
flap provides additional stabilization. In particular, both side
flaps may be connected to one engagement portion. This type of
engagement portion preferably extends over the whole width of the
lower edge of the central panel.
[0025] In some embodiments, the central panel is provided with a
portion of increased friction. For example, the portion of
increased friction may be provided with low tack adhesive,
embossing or a felt like structure. This portion of increased
friction may increase the friction between the rod-shaped items to
be lifted and the connection means. This may advantageously split
the force needed to lift the one or more rod-shaped items between
the central panel and the engagement flap. Further, as the
increased friction between the central panel and the one or more
rod-shaped items in the portion of increased friction is
independent of the direction of movement of the connecting means,
the portion of increased friction may be utilized to move the
lifted rod-shaped items back into the box, should there be no need
to remove them. The increased friction between the portion of
increased friction and the rod-shaped item may slightly increase
the total needed force to remove the rod-shaped item or goods that
have been lifted. Nevertheless, this additional force needed is
easily overcome by the increased engageable surface that is exposed
when the rod-shaped item has been lifted at least partially through
the opening of the box.
[0026] In some embodiments, an inner frame is arranged in the box,
and the connecting means and the inner frame are adapted such that
a dead stop for the connecting means is provided by the inner
frame. Preferably, the maximum lifting height is up to about 30 mm.
The dead stop may be defined by a predetermined length of the slit
in the inner frame that guides the side flap. Alternatively, the
connecting means may have a protrusion, which engages with a
protrusion of the box. These protrusions may particularly be
provided by flaps of the panels, which are either folded such that
they engage with each other, or are glued to walls of the box or to
the connecting means to form a step. The dead stop may be provide
by an inner frame, which comprises a side wall and a back wall,
wherein the side flap of the connecting means is guided in between
the side wall of the inner frame and the back wall of the box until
it comes into engagement with the back wall of the inner frame.
[0027] In one embodiment, the back wall of the box comprises a
substantially rectangular recess, having the width of the hinge
line connecting the connecting means and the lid. This facilitates
the guiding of the connecting means.
[0028] Alternatively or in addition, an inner frame of the box may
provide the recess. In this embodiment, the inner frame is in
particular fixed to the inside of the walls of the box. The recess
may be formed in between two panels of the inner frame which are
provided at opposite sides of the back wall in a distance to each
other.
[0029] Preferably, the inner frame is provided inside the box and
protrudes over the upper edge of the outer box walls. Thus, the
inner frame is arranged more towards the inside of the box than the
remaining outer box walls. The lid can be arranged on the inner
frame such that the walls of the lid are aligned with the outer box
walls. Preferably, the lower edges of the lid abut with the upper
edges of the box outer walls at least along a section of the
container, for example along the respective left, right, back or
front wall panels. In one embodiment all vertical lid walls have
the same height. Alternatively or in addition, all vertical box
walls may have the same height. Thus it is possible, that the
container comprises a single line of abutment that runs at the same
height around the entire container.
[0030] Alternatively or in addition, one or more cut-outs may be
provided at the edges in either the lid walls or box walls, such
that the inner frame is visible through the cut-out even when the
lid is in the lower position. Thus, additional design elements,
such as a print on the inner frame, may become visible to the
consumer.
[0031] In one embodiment, an engagement means is arranged slidably
in the vertical direction in the connecting means, wherein the
engagement means is adapted to engage at least one rod-shaped item
and to remain stationary in a first stage of the lifting movement
of the connecting means by sliding with respect to the connecting
means, wherein the engagement means is further adapted such that it
engages and moves with the connecting means during a second stage
of the lifting movement of the connecting means, for lifting the at
least one rod-shaped item. Thus, the engagement means only starts
lifting the at least one rod-shaped item after coming into contact
with a dead stop at the end of its sliding movement with respect to
the connecting means. In particular, the engagement means remains
substantially stationary during the first stage of the lifting
movement of the connecting means. If the engagement means remains
stationary for half the lifting movement in the upwards direction
of the connecting means, the respective rod-shaped item would only
be lifted half the way with respect to the movement of the
connecting means. Thus, different lifting heights for several
rod-shaped items can be obtained with respect to a defined lifting
height of the connecting means, in particular by providing several
engagement means with different maximal vertical sliding
differences.
[0032] In a further embodiment, an additional sliding means can be
provided which is adapted to be engaged by the connecting means
after a certain movement distance of the connecting means, wherein
the further sliding means provides engagement means which lift at
least some of the rod-shaped items. In particular, the side flap of
the connecting means may engage the additional sliding means.
[0033] In one embodiment, an engagement means, in particular an
engagement flap, depends from the side flap. This provides that the
rod-shaped items at the side of the container can be lifted as
well. This engagement means may relate to a separate engagement
flap, which is not connected to the central panel. Further, the
engagement flap may connect the two side flaps, such as to lift a
whole row, for example the middle or front row, of the rod-shaped
items in the container box.
[0034] In one embodiment, a front panel depends from the front of
the side flaps and extends parallel and adjacent to the inner side
of the front wall of the box, wherein an engagement means is
provided on the front panel. Thus, the front row of rod-shaped
items or at least some rod-shaped items of the front row may be
engaged by the engagement means and lifted. The engagement means
may also be slidable in the front panel in a similar manner as
defined in the embodiment regarding slidably arranged engagement
means. Thus, different lifting heights can be obtained. The
engagement means may in particular be an engagement flap, which
depends via a folding line from the lower side of the front
panel.
[0035] In particular, the rod-shaped items may be wrapped in an
inner liner, which facilitates the packing of the rod-shaped items
in the container, where the rod-shaped items are provided as a
bundle of rod-shaped items. The rod-shaped items are preferably
smoking articles such as, for example, cigarettes. In particular,
the inner liner may be made of aluminium foil, metalized paper or
other sheet-like foldable materials. In one embodiment, the
connecting means may at least partially be provided in the inner
liner, namely in between the inner liner and the rod-shaped items.
However, in most embodiments, the connecting means is arranged in
between the box and the inner liner. To enable the lifting feature,
in particular the relative vertical movement of individual
rod-shaped items with respect to each other, the inner liner may be
provided with cutting lines or weakening lines, such as scoring
lines or partially cut lines. In particular, the cutting lines or
weakening lines are provided around the edges of the engagement
means or engagement flaps. Thus, the lifting of at least one
rod-shaped item which is comprised in an inner liner together with
other rod-shaped items which are not lifted is possible.
[0036] Preferably, the inner frame is mounted within the box,
wherein the inner frame extends above the upper edges of at least
the front wall of the box of the container. The inner frame is
therefore visible to the consumer when the lid is opened. The front
wall of the inner frame may be printed with indicia which may be
the same as, or different to the indicia printed on the front wall
of the box. Alternatively, or in addition, the front wall of the
inner frame may be cut into a distinctive shape, for example, to
reflect the branding of the rod-shaped items. If required, the
inner frame may comprise a line of weakness to facilitate
flattening of the container.
[0037] Preferably, the front wall of the inner frame is provided
with a cut out portion at the upper edge of the inner frame. This
enables more convenient access to the rod-shaped items within the
container, without significantly reducing the surface area of the
front wall of the inner frame.
[0038] Alternatively, or in addition to an inner frame, the
rod-shaped items within the container may be wrapped with an inner
liner, which is visible above the upper edge of the front wall of
the box and the front wall of the inner frame (if present) when the
container is open.
[0039] 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. With regard to the bevelled edges, the
bevelled edges may be formed from two parallel folding lines or
from two non-parallel folding lines. For example the two
non-parallel folding lines may be a convex and a concave folding
line, such that a lens shaped bevel is created. Alternatively, the
two non-parallel folding lines may be sine-wave shaped such that an
S-shaped bevel is created by the two non-parallel folding lines.
Alternatively, the two non-parallel folding lines may form a
triangular or rhombic bevel. For the avoidance of doubt, the
bevelled edges may comprise a combination of bevelled sections and
unbevelled sections along the edge.
[0040] For example, the container according to the invention may
comprise, without limitation: [0041] One or two longitudinal
rounded or bevelled edges on the front wall, and/or [0042] One or
two longitudinal rounded or bevelled edges on the back wall. [0043]
One or two transverse rounded or bevelled edges on the front wall,
and/or [0044] One or two transverse rounded or bevelled edges on
the back wall. [0045] One longitudinal rounded edge and one
longitudinal bevelled edge on the front wall, and/or [0046] One
transverse rounded edge and one transverse bevelled edge on the
back wall. [0047] One or two transverse rounded or bevelled edges
on the front wall and one or two longitudinal rounded or bevelled
edges on the front wall. [0048] Two longitudinal rounded or
bevelled edges on a first side wall or two transverse rounded or
bevelled edges on the second side wall.
[0049] 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.
[0050] 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.
[0051] 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.
[0052] 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.
[0053] 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.
[0054] 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.
[0055] Containers according to the invention may be used as
packages for a variety of rod-shaped 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).
[0056] 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.
[0057] Containers according to the invention may hold one, two,
three four or five separate bundles of rod-shaped items. The
separate bundles may be arranged substantially parallel to the
front wall and to the back wall or substantially perpendicular to
the front wall and to the back wall.
[0058] 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).
[0059] 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.
[0060] 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.
[0061] 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.
[0062] 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.
[0063] Preferably, containers according to the invention have a
depth of between about 6 mm and about 100 mm, more preferably a
depth of between about 12 mm and about 25 mm wherein the depth is
measured from the front wall to the back wall of the container
(comprising the hinge between box and lid).
[0064] 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.
[0065] 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.
[0066] Preferably, the ratio of the height of the lid back wall to
the height of the box back wall is between about 0 to 1 (hinge
located at the top edge of the container) to about 1 to 1, more
preferably, between about 1 to 5 and about 1 to 10, most
preferably, between about 1 to 6 to about 1 to 8.
[0067] Preferably, the ratio of the height of the lid front wall to
the height of the box front wall is between about 1 to 0 (lid
covering the entire front wall) to about 1 to 10, more preferably,
between about 1 to 1 and about 1 to 5, most preferably, between
about 1 to 2 and about 1 to 3.
[0068] The exterior surfaces of containers according to the
invention may be printed, embossed, debossed or otherwise
embellished with manufacturer or brand logos, trademarks, 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.
[0069] 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.
[0070] Where the container comprises smoking articles, the
container may further comprise waste-compartments (for example for
ash or butts) or other rod-shaped items, for example matches,
lighters, extinguishing means, breath-fresheners or electronics.
The other rod-shaped 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.
[0071] 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 around the container below the lower edge of the front
wall of the lid, such that once the tear tape has been removed, the
lid is free to be lifted or in some embodiments to be pivoted about
the hinge line. Alternatively, the tear tape may be provided
lengthways around the container.
[0072] The invention will now be further explained by means of
exemplary embodiments, which are shown in the following
Figures:
[0073] FIG. 1 shows a closed container according to an embodiment
of the invention;
[0074] FIG. 2 shows a container with a lifted lid according to the
embodiment of the invention;
[0075] FIG. 3 shows a container with a lifted and pivoted open lid
and one lifted smoking article;
[0076] FIG. 4 shows a cross section through a container according
to the embodiment of the invention;
[0077] FIG. 5 shows a blank for a connecting means for a container
according to an embodiment of the invention; and
[0078] FIG. 6 shows a blank for an inner frame for a container
according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0079] In FIG. 1, a container 1 according to an embodiment of the
invention is shown in a perspective view. The container 1 comprises
a lid 2, which is arranged on top of a box 3. The outer appearance
of the container 1 may be the same or similar to a standard
cigarette package. However, the lid 2 can be vertically slid in the
sliding direction 100 from a first lowermost position as shown in
FIG. 1 to a second lifted position as shown in FIG. 2. The box 3
comprises an inner frame 4, which is arranged on the inside of the
outer walls of the box 3, and protrudes in the vertical direction
from the remaining box outer walls. In particular, the inner frame
4 is formed from a separate blank than the remaining box 3.
Preferably, the inner frame 4 is fixed by means of adhesive towards
the inside of the outer walls of the box.
[0080] The container box 3 comprises a front wall 5, a left side
wall, a right side wall 6, a back wall 7, and a bottom wall 8. The
lid 2 comprises a lid front wall 9, a lid right side wall 10, a lid
left side wall, a lid top wall 11 and a lid back wall 12. The inner
frame 4 comprises a front wall 13, a right side wall 14, a right
back wall 15, a left side wall 16 and a left back wall 17 (see as
well FIG. 6). The right back wall 15 and the left back wall 17 are
arranged in a distance with respect to each other, such that a
recess is provided in between the right back wall 15 and left back
wall 17, which extends from the upper side of the inner frame 4
until the upper side of the outer back wall 7 of the box 3. The
right and left back walls 15, 17 are provided at the upper portion
of the right and left side walls 14,16 of the inner frame 4, and
are shorter in the vertical direction than the side walls 14, 16 of
the inner frame 4. The inner frame 4 may further comprise a bottom
wall which foldingly depends from the inner frame front wall 13 and
is arranged adjacent and parallel to the bottom wall 8 of the box
3.
[0081] The inner frame front wall 13 is arranged adjacent to and
inside the box front wall 5 and fixed by means of adhesive to same.
Similarly, the inner frame right side wall 14 is arranged on the
inside and adjacent to the box right side wall 6 and inner frame
left side wall 16 is arranged adjacent to the box inside the left
side wall. The right back wall 15 and the left back wall 17 are
both arranged adjacent to and inside the box back wall 7. Thus, a
small step having the height of the thickness of the box blank is
provided at the upper edges of the outer box walls 5, 6, 7. As the
lid 2 has substantially the same width and depth as the box 3, a
container 1 with flush outer walls can be provided.
[0082] As can be seen in the two different positions of the lid as
shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the lid 2 is slidable with respect to
the inner frame 4 of the box 3. When the lid 2 is in the second
lifted position as shown in FIG. 2, it is pivotable with respect to
box 3. In particular, a hinge line 18 is provided near the lower
end of the lid back wall 12.
[0083] The lid 2 cannot be pivoted around the hinge line 8 when the
lid is in the first lowermost position as inner frame 4 is arranged
in the lid 2. The inner frame 4 extends less into the lid 2, when
the lid 2 is in the second lifted position, such that a pivoting of
the lid 2 is possible. Thus, when the lid 2 is hinged to the back,
the container 1 is in an opened state as shown in FIG. 3. Thus, the
rod-shaped items 19, in the form of smoking articles, are
accessible at the top of the container.
[0084] According to the invention, the lifting motion of the lid 2
effects a lifting motion of at least one of the rod-shaped items
19, which will thus be lifted with respect to the other rod-shaped
items as shown for one rod-shaped item 19 is in the form of smoking
article in FIG. 3.
[0085] The lifting feature will now be further explained with
respect to FIG. 4 showing a central cross section through the
container 1 from the right side. The container encloses
longitudinally extending rod-shaped items 19 in the form of smoking
articles, namely cigarettes, which are arranged in between the box
front wall 5 and the box back wall 7. Further, a connecting means
20 is arranged at least partially in the box 3. The connecting
means 20 is slidable with respect to the box 3 in the vertical
direction. The connecting means 20 comprises at its upper end a lid
fixation panel 21 on which the lid 2 is fixed, preferably by means
of adhesive. Below the lid fixation panel 21, the hinge line 18 is
provided, which is preferably a folding line.
[0086] In the present embodiment, the connecting means 20 is formed
from a separate blank as shown in FIG. 5 and then fixed to the lid
2. However, in other embodiments the connecting means 20 and the
lid 2 may be formed from one blank.
[0087] Generally, the box 3 and the lid 2 are formed from blanks
comprising several panels by means of folding the respective panels
along folding lines and fixing same with adhesive.
[0088] The lid fixation panel 21 depends via the hinge line 18 from
a central panel 22 of the connecting means 20, which generally
extends adjacent and parallel to the back wall 7 of the box 3. At
the lower end of the central panel 22, an engagement flap 23 is
provided. The engagement flap 23 substantially extends in the
horizontal direction and is arranged below the lower end of the at
least one rod-shaped item 19, which is to be lifted by the lifting
feature. In particular, the engagement flap 23 depends via a
folding line 24 from the central panel 22. Thus, when the lid 2 is
lifted in the lifting direction 100, the connecting means 20 moves
together with the lid 2, and lifts the at least one rod-shaped item
19 in the form of a smoking article as shown in FIG. 4. Thus, the
smoking article will be lifted to the lifted position as shown in
FIG. 3.
[0089] The hinge line 18 of the lid 2 is arranged in the region of
the recess provided in between the back walls of the inner frame 4,
such that the connecting means 20 and the lid 2 can be connected.
Thus, the connection in between the connecting means 20 and the lid
2 extends through this recess in between the back walls 15, 17 of
the inner frame 4. In particular, the width of the hinge line 18
and the respective part of the lid fixation panel 21 which extends
through the recess may be substantially the same as the width of
the recess, such that the recess provides a guide for the
connecting means 20.
[0090] In FIG. 5, a blank for forming the connecting means 20 is
shown in a plan view. The connecting means 20 comprises the central
panel 22, wherein the lid fixation panel 21 depends via a folding
line 18 from the central panel at the top thereof. The lid fixation
panel 21 may comprise tapered edges, to facilitate the insertion
process into the lid.
[0091] Furthermore, the engagement flap 23 depends via a folding
line 24 at the bottom of the central panel 22. In contrast to the
embodiment as shown in FIG. 3, the engagement flap 23 extends
across the whole width of the central panel 22. Thus, not only one
rod-shaped item, but a whole row of rod-shaped items in the form of
smoking articles will be lifted by such the connecting means 20,
namely the row of rod-shaped items adjacent to the back wall 7 of
the box 3.
[0092] To further guide the sliding movement of the connecting
means 20 in the vertical direction 100 and to provide a dead stop,
a right side flap 25 and a left side flap 26 are provided. The side
flaps are arranged at the lower side end of the central panel 22
and depend from the central panel 22 via a folding line 27, 28. The
folding lines 27, 28 substantially extend in the longitudinal
direction. The folding lines 27, 28 are arranged further outside in
the width direction than the side edges of the central panel
22.
[0093] From the lower end of both side flaps 25, 26, a connecting
tab 29, 30 depends via a folding line 31, 32. The connecting tab
29, 30, is adjacent to the engagement flap 23, but separated
therefrom by means of a cutting line 33, 34.
[0094] Both side flaps 25, 26 and the engagement flap 23, will be
folded towards the front around their respective folding lines 24,
27, 28, such that the engagement flap 23 and both side flaps 25, 26
are arranged substantially perpendicular to the central panel 22.
The connecting tabs 29, 30 are folded such that they extend
parallel to and adjacent to the engagement flap 23 and are
connected to same by means of adhesive. Thus, the engagement flap
23 and the side flaps 25, 26 are fixed in this arrangement. The
engagement flap 23 can apply the sufficient lifting force to the
respective rod-shaped items 19.
[0095] In other embodiments, it is also possible to provide
engagement flaps or engagement means which are in a distance to the
central panel 22, such that the middle row or the front row of
rod-shaped items, namely smoking articles, in a container can be
lifted. In particular, these engagement means can be engagement
flaps, which depend foldingly from the side flaps 25, 26.
[0096] The side flaps 25, 26 are arranged in between the box side
walls 6 and the side walls 14, 16 of the inner frame 4. In the
second lifted position of the connecting means 20, the side flaps
25, 26 come into contact with the back wall 7 of the flaps 15, 17
of the inner frame 4, such that a dead stop is provided.
[0097] In FIG. 6, a blank for forming the inner frame 4 is shown in
a plan view. The blank comprises the front wall 13, the right side
wall 14, the right back wall 15, the left side wall 16, and the
left back wall 17, depending from each other via longitudinal
folding lines. The inner frame 4 may further comprise a bottom
panel, adapted to be arranged adjacent to the bottom wall 8 of the
box 3, and connected to same to enable a stronger fixation of the
inner frame 4 in the box 3, such that the inner frame 4 is not torn
out of the box 3, when the connecting means 20 engages the dead
stop. In particular, the back walls 15, 17 of the inner frame 4 are
shorter than the side walls 14, 16 thereof. The side walls 14, 16
of the inner frame 4 may in particular extend until the bottom wall
8 of the box 3. Preferably the front wall 9 of the inner frame 4
extends towards the bottom wall 8 of the box 3 as well, as it is
the connecting means 20 of the side walls 14 of the inner frame 4,
and thus provides stability to the side walls 14, 16. Preferably,
no glue is provided in between the side walls 14 of the inner frame
4 and the side walls 6 of the box 3, such that the side flaps 25,
26 can move in between the side walls 14, 16 of the inner frame 4
and the side walls 6 of the box 3. Alternatively or additionally to
the provision of the inner frame back walls 15, 17 as a dead stop,
the side walls 14, 16 of the inner frame 4 can be fixed to box side
walls 6 only in an upper end portion thereof, such that this
fixation provides a dead stop for the side flaps 25, 26.
[0098] While the aforementioned embodiments relate to containers
folded from blanks, in particular cardboard blanks, the invention
may also be applied to containers of a different material, for
example plastic or metal containers. These containers may be formed
from sheet material, or may also, at least for plastic containers,
be formed by means of injection moulding.
[0099] Not shown in the Figures, the rod-shaped items may be
comprised in an inner liner, in particular made from aluminium
foil, metalized paper, or the like, which is provided with
weakening lines or cutting lines, to enable a relative movement of
the rod-shaped items with respect to each other.
[0100] After some of the smoking articles have been extracted from
the container, the container can be held in a way that the
remaining smoking articles are arranged on the lifting means by
means of gravity, such that the lifting feature may be used for all
smoking articles in the container.
* * * * *