U.S. patent application number 15/737821 was filed with the patent office on 2019-01-03 for container with improved opening.
The applicant listed for this patent is PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS S.A.. Invention is credited to Richard Nic, David Rudolf, Philippe Slama.
Application Number | 20190002188 15/737821 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53491446 |
Filed Date | 2019-01-03 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190002188 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rudolf; David ; et
al. |
January 3, 2019 |
CONTAINER WITH IMPROVED OPENING
Abstract
A container (100) for consumer articles, the container (100)
comprising a box (20) comprising a box front wall (22), a box back
wall, a box bottom wall, and first and second box side walls (24a,
24b); and a lid (40) comprising a lid front wall (42), a lid back
wall, a lid top wall (46), and first and second lid side walls
(44a, 44b). A lower edge of the lid back wall depends along a hinge
line from a top edge of the box back wall, with the lid being
moveable about the hinge line between an open position and a closed
position, in which at least a portion of the lower edge of the
first lid side wall (44a) abuts at least a portion of the upper
edge of the first box side wall (24a), and in which at least a
portion of the lower edge of the lid front wall (22) abuts at least
a portion of the upper edge of the box front wall (42). The first
box side wall (24a) is connected to the box front wall (22) by a
first box edge portion (25), and the first lid side wall (44a) is
connected to the lid front wall (42) by a first lid edge portion
(45). The shape of the first lid edge portion (45) is different
from the shape of the first box edge portion (25), such that, when
the lid (40) is in the closed position, the lower edge (47) of the
first lid edge portion (45) is disposed beyond the upper edge (27)
of the first box edge portion (25) in a transverse direction of the
container (100).
Inventors: |
Rudolf; David; (Kutna Hora,
CZ) ; Slama; Philippe; (Pully, CH) ; Nic;
Richard; (Blonay, CH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS S.A. |
Neuchatel |
|
CH |
|
|
Family ID: |
53491446 |
Appl. No.: |
15/737821 |
Filed: |
June 30, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
June 30, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2016/065406 |
371 Date: |
December 19, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/6685 20130101;
B65D 85/1045 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/10 20060101
B65D085/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 30, 2015 |
EP |
15174667.4 |
Claims
1. A container for consumer articles, the container comprising: a
box comprising a box front wall, a box back wall, a box bottom
wall, and first and second box side walls; and a lid comprising a
lid front wall, a lid back wall, a lid top wall, and first and
second lid side walls; wherein, a lower edge of the lid back wall
depends along a hinge line from a top edge of the box back wall,
with the lid being moveable about the hinge line between an open
position and a closed position, in which at least a portion of the
lower edge of the first lid side wall abuts at least a portion of
the upper edge of the first box side wall, and in which at least a
portion of the lower edge of the lid front wall abuts at least a
portion of the upper edge of the box front wall; wherein the first
box side wall is connected to the box front wall by a first box
edge portion, and the first lid side wall is connected to the lid
front wall by a first lid edge portion; and wherein the shape of
the first lid edge portion is different from the shape of the first
box edge portion, such that, when the lid is in the closed
position, the lower edge of the first lid edge portion is disposed
beyond the upper edge of the first box edge portion in a transverse
direction of the container; and wherein the first box edge portion
comprises a substantially triangular shape, wherein one side of the
substantially triangular shape forms the upper edge of the first
box edge portion.
2. A container according to claim 1, wherein the first box edge
portion comprises a bevelled or curved shape.
3. A container according to claim 1, wherein the width and length
of the box bottom wall is substantially the same as the width and
length of the lid top wall.
4. A container according to claim 1, wherein the maximum length and
width of the container are substantially the same as the width and
length of the box bottom wall and the width and length of the lid
top wall.
5. A container according to claim 1, wherein the upper edge of the
first box edge portion has a length of at least two times the
length of the lower edge of the first lid edge portion.
6. A container according to claim 1, wherein the box and lid are at
least partially formed from a folded laminar blank, and wherein
shape of the first lid edge portion and the shape of the first box
edge portion are each defined by one or more respective lines of
weakness in the laminar blank.
7. A container according to claim 1, wherein the first lid edge
portion is defined by a single line of weakness extending in a
longitudinal direction of the container between the first lid side
wall and the lid front wall.
8. A container according to claim 6, wherein the first box edge
portion comprises an upper section defined by two lines of weakness
extending from the upper edge of the first box edge portion towards
the box bottom wall and tapering towards one another, and a lower
section defined by one or more lines of weakness extending from the
lower end of the upper section towards the box bottom wall.
9. A container according to claim 6, wherein the one or more lines
of weakness are defined by one or more ablated lines on the inner
surface of the laminar blank.
10. A container according to claim 9, wherein the laminar blank has
a thickness (T) and each ablated line has a minimum residual
thickness (RT) of from about 15 percent to about 50 percent of the
thickness (T) of the blank.
11. A container according to claim 9, wherein each ablated line has
an ablated width (X) of from about 0.1 millimetres to about 0.5
millimetres, as measured transversely to the longitudinal direction
of the respective edge portion.
12. A container according to claim 1, wherein when the lid is in
the closed position, the lower edge of the first lid edge portion
is disposed beyond the upper edge of the first box edge portion by
a distance of at least about 1 mm in the transverse direction of
the container.
13. A container according to claim 1 containing smoking
articles.
14. A laminar blank for forming a container for consumer articles,
the laminar blank defining a portion of the container, which
comprises: a box comprising a box front wall, a box back wall, a
box bottom wall, and first and second box side walls; and a lid
comprising a lid front wall, a lid back wall, a lid top wall, and
first and second lid side walls; wherein, a lower edge of the lid
back wall depends along a hinge line from a top edge of the box
back wall, with the lid being moveable about the hinge line between
an open position and a closed position, in which at least a portion
of the lower edge of the first lid side wall abuts at least a
portion of the upper edge of the first box side wall, and at least
a portion of the lower edge of the lid front wall abuts at least a
portion of the upper edge of the box front wall; wherein the first
box side wall is connected to the box front wall by a first box
edge portion, and the first lid side wall is connected to the lid
front wall by a first lid edge portion; and wherein the shape of
the first lid edge portion is different from the shape of the first
box edge portion, such that, when the lid is in the closed
position, the lower edge of the first lid edge portion is disposed
beyond the upper edge of the first box edge portion in a transverse
direction of the container; and wherein the first box edge portion
comprises a substantially triangular shape, wherein one side of the
substantially triangular shape forms the upper edge of the first
box edge portion.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a container for consumer
goods and to a blank for forming such container, which find
particular application for holding elongate consumer goods, such as
smoking articles (for example cigarettes).
[0002] It is known to package elongate aerosol-generating articles
and other consumer goods in containers formed from folded laminar
blanks. Elongate aerosol-generating articles, such as cigarettes
and cigars, are commonly sold in hinge-lid packs having a box for
housing the aerosol-generating articles and a lid connected to the
box about a hinge line extending across the back wall of the
container. The front and side walls of the box typically abut the
corresponding front and side walls of the lid when the lid is
closed. The hinge-lid pack may also comprise an inner frame secured
to an inner surface of the box, the inner frame having front and
side walls against which the lid closes. Such packs are typically
constructed from laminar cardboard blanks. In use, the lid is
pivoted about the hinge line to open the pack and so gain access to
the aerosol-generating articles held in the box. Generally, the
hinge line across the back wall of the container is higher than the
line of abutment between the front wall of the box and the front
wall of the lid. As a consequence, the line of abutment between the
box and lid side walls typically slopes diagonally downwards from
the back of the container to the front.
[0003] In general, it is considered desirable to ensure that a
tight line of abutment is formed between corresponding walls on the
lid portion and the box portion. That is, it is normally desirable
to ensure that corresponding walls on the lid and box lie in
substantially the same plane, when the lid is in the closed
position, so that they appear as continuous walls of the container.
However, because of this, a consumer will typically need to rely on
using a frictional force between their fingers and the outer
surface of the lid and/or box, in order to open such containers.
Furthermore, in many cases this can require a consumer to use both
of their hands to open the container; one to hold the box, the
other to hold and move the lid. In addition, the opening of such
containers can be made even more difficult, if the container is
provided with means for ensuring that the lid remains firmly shut
in the closed position, when the container is not being used or
handled. Such means can include retention cuts on inner frames,
adhesive on the inner surface of the lid or outer surface of the
inner frame, and hook and latch mechanisms.
[0004] WO 2013/179418 A1 discloses a hinge-lid container that is
wrapped in an outer film, which has a tear tape that a consumer
pulls in order to remove the film and access the smoking articles.
A corner portion of the box is modified to have a
"grip-facilitating section" in the form of a notch, opening or
indentation.
[0005] It would therefore be desirable to provide a container that
can still remain firmly shut when not in use, but which can then be
easily opened by a consumer. It would also be desirable to provide
a container that could be opened by a consumer using only one hand.
It would also be desirable to provide a container that could be
opened without relying on frictional force between the surfaces of
the lid and the consumer's fingers. It would also be desirable to
provide a blank for manufacturing such containers, which does not
require any major modification of existing packing apparatus, or
use of complex additional components.
[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a container for consumer articles, the container
comprising: a box comprising a box front wall, a box back wall, a
box bottom wall, and first and second box side walls; and a lid
comprising a lid front wall, a lid back wall, a lid top wall, and
first and second lid side walls. A lower edge of the lid back wall
depends along a hinge line from a top edge of the box back wall,
with the lid being moveable about the hinge line between an open
position and a closed position, in which at least a portion of the
lower edge of the first lid side wall abuts at least a portion of
the upper edge of the first box side wall, and in which at least a
portion of the lower edge of the lid front wall abuts at least a
portion of the upper edge of the box front wall. The first box side
wall is connected to the box front wall by a first box edge
portion, and the first lid side wall is connected to the lid front
wall by a first lid edge portion; and the shape of the first lid
edge portion is different from the shape of the first box edge
portion, such that, when the lid is in the closed position, the
lower edge of the first lid edge portion is disposed beyond the
upper edge of the first box edge portion in a transverse direction
of the container.
[0007] In contrast to known blanks/containers, the present
invention relates to a container having a lid comprising a first
lid edge portion having a shape that is different from the shape of
a corresponding first box edge portion, such that, when the lid is
in the closed position, the lower edge of the first lid edge
portion is disposed beyond the upper edge of the first box edge
portion in a transverse direction of the container. This creates a
transverse space or gap between the lower edge of the lid and the
upper edge of the box, when the lid is in the closed position.
Consequently, a consumer can simply push directly upwards on the
lid by engaging a finger with the exposed lower lid edge, and
thereby cause the lid to pivot about the hinge line to the open
position. This action can be applied by using only one finger, such
as a thumb, and thereby allows a consumer to hold the container in
one hand and open the container with said single hand. Furthermore,
this action does not need to rely on frictional force between a
consumer's finger and the lid in order to transfer a pivoting force
to the lid, and consequently can be easier for a consumer to apply.
That is, because the consumer is applying an upwards force directly
to an edge of the lid, there is no need to rely on frictional force
between the lid's surface and the consumer's finger(s), and
therefore the container can be opened more easily by the
consumer.
[0008] The first box edge portion may have any suitable shape that
could ensure that the lower edge of the first lid edge portion is
disposed beyond the upper edge of the first box edge portion in a
transverse direction of the container. Preferably, the first box
edge portion extends from the upper edge of the box to the box
bottom wall. In such embodiments, the first box edge portion
completely separates the box front wall from the first box side
wall.
[0009] In some preferred embodiments, the first box edge portion
comprises a bevelled or curved shape. Preferably, the bevelled or
curved shape extends from the upper edge of the box to the box
bottom wall.
[0010] In some other preferred embodiments, the first box edge
portion comprises a substantially triangular shape, wherein one
side of the substantially triangular shape forms the upper edge of
the first box edge portion. The remaining two sides of the
substantially triangular shape may respectively extend from opposed
ends of the upper edge of the first box edge portion and converge
and terminate at an intersection point below the upper edge of the
first box edge portion. Each of the remaining two sides of the
substantially triangular shape may follow a straight trajectory or
a curved trajectory as they extend towards the intersection point.
The substantially triangular shape may extend from the upper edge
of the box to the box bottom wall. However, in some preferred
embodiments, the substantially triangular shape terminates above
the box bottom wall.
[0011] Providing a substantially triangular shape on the first box
edge portion can be particularly advantageous as it can allow the
container to exhibit the easy-lift function described above,
without necessarily requiring the lid top wall to have different
dimensions to the box bottom wall. This means that the overall
maximum transverse dimensions of the container do not necessarily
need to be adjusted in order to accommodate the easy-lift function
described above. Consequently, the container can be manufactured,
transported and handled without significantly altering existing
machinery, storage equipment, handling apparatus, processes, or any
combination thereof.
[0012] Accordingly, in some preferred embodiments, the width and
length of the box bottom wall is substantially the same as the
width and length of the lid top wall. This can allow the container
to exhibit the easy-lift function described above, whilst still
having the same cross-section when viewed from above as that when
viewed from below. The container may therefore exhibit the
easy-lift function described above, without altering other
dimensional aspects of the container that may generally be
considered aesthetically desirable for containers for consumer
goods, such as smoking articles. In some particularly preferred
embodiments, the maximum length and width of the container are
substantially the same as the width and length of the box bottom
wall and the width and length of the lid top wall.
[0013] In containers according to the first aspect of the present
invention, the shape of the first lid edge portion is different
from the shape of the first box edge portion, such that, when the
lid is in the closed position, the lower edge of the first lid edge
portion is disposed beyond the upper edge of the first box edge
portion in a transverse direction of the container. Consequently,
the upper edge of the first box edge portion has a length that is
greater than the length of the lower edge of the first lid edge
portion. Preferably, the upper edge of the first box edge portion
has a length of at least two times the length of the lower edge of
the first lid edge portion, even more preferably of at least four
times the length of the lower edge of the first lid edge portion.
This can result in a suitably sized space between the lower edge of
the first lid edge portion and the upper edge of the first box edge
portion in a transverse direction of the container.
[0014] The container may be formed from any suitable material or
combination of materials. In preferred embodiments, the box and lid
of the container are at least partially formed from a folded
laminar blank, more preferably a cellulose-fiber-based laminar
blank. In such embodiments, preferably, the shape of the first lid
edge portion and the shape of the first box edge portion are each
defined by one or more respective lines of weakness in the laminar
blank. This can allow the container and the shapes of the first lid
edge portion and first box edge portion to be manufactured using
existing equipment and process, such as the equipment and processes
typically used for manufacturing containers for smoking
articles.
[0015] Preferably, the first lid edge portion is defined by a
single line of weakness extending in a longitudinal direction of
the container between the first lid side wall and the lid front
wall. This can result in the first lid edge portion having a square
edge profile when viewed from the top the container. That is, the
first lid edge portion may form a single line that defines a
substantially 90 degrees turning point between the lid front wall
and the first lid side wall.
[0016] The laminar blank preferably comprises two or more lines of
weakness that defines the first box edge portion. In some preferred
embodiments, the laminar blank comprises two or more such lines
that extend in parallel from the upper edge of the first box edge
portion to the box bottom wall. In such embodiments, the first box
edge portion comprises a substantially bevelled or curved shape.
The number of such parallel lines and relative spacing between such
parallel lines will influence whether the first box edge portion
comprises a substantially bevelled or curved shape. In some other
preferred embodiments, the first box edge portion comprises an
upper section defined by two lines of weakness extending from the
upper edge of the first box edge portion towards the box bottom
wall and tapering towards one another, and a lower section defined
by one or more lines of weakness extending from the lower end of
the upper section towards the box bottom wall, preferably
terminating at or about the box bottom wall. In such embodiments,
the upper section of the first box edge portion preferably defines
a substantially triangular shape. The lower section of the first
box edge portion may define a bevelled shape, a curved shape, or a
single substantially 90 degrees turning point between the box front
wall and the first box side wall. In particularly, preferred
embodiments the lower section of the first box edge portion
comprises a single line of weakness that defines a single
substantially 90 degrees turning point between the box front wall
and the first box side wall. Preferably this single line of
weakness extends from the box bottom wall to the lower end of the
upper section of the first box edge portion. This arrangement is
particularly preferably as it requires a minimal amount of lines of
weakness in order to form the required shape for the first box edge
portion, whilst also allowing for the maximum width and length of
the container to be defined by the width and length of the box
bottom wall and the width and length of the lid top wall.
[0017] The one or more lines of weakness that define the shape of
the first box edge portion and the shape of the first lid edge
portion may be formed as creasing lines in the laminar blank. That
is, the one or more lines of weakness may be formed by applying
mechanical deformation at select locations on the laminar
blank.
[0018] However, preferably, the one or more lines of weakness are
defined by one or more ablated lines on the inner surface of the
laminar blank. This can allow containers according to the present
invention to be formed on existing high speed manufacturing
machines with minimal modification. In particular, as a result of
removing material from the blank to form the one or more ablated
lines, the specially selected shapes of the first lid edge portion
and the first box edge portion are formed automatically by virtue
of the normal folding forces that are applied to the blank during
manufacture of the container. That is, folding the blank about its
normal fold lines to create the walls of the container
automatically deforms the blank along the ablated lines that define
the shapes of the first lid edge portion and the first box edge
portion, so that no further processes are required to form these
specially selected shapes. Advantageously, if the overall size
(maximum width and depth) of a container according to the present
invention is not significantly altered, the laminar blank can be
adapted easily to form containers having the required shapes of the
first lid edge portion and the first box edge portion, without the
need for major modifications of the packing machine used to
assemble and pack the container.
[0019] Furthermore, forming the ablated lines by removing material
from the surface of the blank that forms an inner surface of the
container advantageously maintains a smooth outer surface of the
container, which may provide a desirable appearance of the
container upon visual and tactile inspection.
[0020] In any of the embodiments described above where the one or
more lines of weakness are defined by one or more ablated lines,
each ablated line preferably has a minimum residual thickness (RT)
of at least about 5 percent, more preferably at least about 10
percent, more preferably at least about 15 percent, more preferably
at least about 20 percent, more preferably at least about 25
percent and even more preferably at least about 30 percent of the
thickness (T) of the blank. In addition, or as an alternative, each
ablated line preferably has a residual thickness of less than about
50 percent, more preferably less than about 45 percent and even
more preferably less than about 40 percent of the thickness (T) of
the blank.
[0021] The present inventors have found that, if the ablated line
extends too far into the thickness of the laminar blank (that is,
too deep) then the resultant outer surface of the container can be
undesirably affected. For example, the outer surface can appear
cracked or broken. Furthermore, the present inventors have found
that, if an ablated line does not extend far enough into the
thickness of the laminar blank (that is, too shallow) then the
resultant outer surface of the container can also be undesirably
affected. In particular, the present inventors have found that the
turning points of the container along the ablated lines may be
poorly defined on the container outer surface, and/or may follow an
unintended trajectory along the outer surface of the container. For
example, if an ablated line extends in a straight line along the
inner surface of the container, the present inventors have found
that the corresponding turning point that is produced on the outer
surface of the container may be non-linear, or uneven. The present
inventors have therefore identified that a cleaner looking, more
well-defined container can be produced when each of the ablated
lines has a residual thickness as specified above.
[0022] In any of the embodiments described above where the one or
more lines of weakness are defined by one or more ablated lines,
the ablated width (X) of each ablated line is preferably at least
about 0.1 millimetres. More preferably, the ablated width of each
ablated line is at least about 0.2 millimetres. Most preferably,
the ablated width of each ablated line is at least about 0.3
millimetres. In addition, or as an alternative, the ablated width
of each ablated line is less than about 0.5 millimetres. More
preferably, the ablated width of each ablated line is less than
about 0.45 millimetres. In some preferred embodiments, the ablated
width of each ablated line is from about 0.1 millimetres to about
0.5 millimetres. Even more preferably, the ablated width of each
ablated line is from about 0.2 millimetres to about 0.45
millimetres, more preferably from about 0.3 millimetres to 0.4
about millimetres.
[0023] Where the box and the lid are at least partially formed from
a folded laminar blank, the thickness (T) of the laminar blank is
preferably between about 200 micrometres and about 350 micrometres,
more preferably between about 250 micrometres and about 300
micrometres. The thickness (T) of the laminar blank can be measured
in accordance with ISO 534:2011. Testing and conditioning at 23
degrees Celsius, 50% relative humidity according to ISO 187 two
weeks after ablation.
[0024] Where the box and the lid are at least partially formed from
a folded laminar blank, the laminar blank preferably has a basis
weight of from about 150 grams per square metre to about 350 grams
per square metre, more preferably from 200 to 300 grams per square
metre. The basis weight is calculated using ISO 536 and may vary
from plus ten percent to minus ten percent, preferably from plus
five percent to minus five percent.
[0025] Where the box and the lid are at least partially formed from
a folded laminar blank, the laminar blank preferably has a
stiffness in the bending direction of at least about 50
milliNewtons, preferably at least about 75 milliNewtons, most
preferably at least about 90 milliNewtons, In addition, or in the
alternative, the laminar blank has a bending stiffness of less than
about 500 milliNewtons, preferably less than about 200
milliNewtons, more preferably less than about 160 milliNewtons. The
laminar blank preferably has a bending stiffness from about 50
milliNewtons to about 200 milliNewtons. More preferably, the
laminar blank has a stiffness in the machine direction of from
about 75 milliNewtons to about 160 milliNewtons. Stiffness in the
"bending direction" means that the bending stiffness is measured in
the direction that the finished board is intended to be folded
about the ablation zone.
[0026] Where the box and the lid are at least partially formed from
a folded laminar blank, the laminar blank preferably has a residual
stiffness in the bending direction of at least 10, preferably at
least 12, more preferably at least 15 and even more preferably at
least 20 milliNewtons. More preferably, the laminar blank has a
residual stiffness in the bending direction of from about 60 or
less, preferably, 50 or less, even more preferably 40 or less
milliNewtons.
[0027] Where the box and the lid are at least partially formed from
a folded laminar blank, the laminar blank preferably has a surface
roughness of from about 0.5 micrometres to about 1.5 micrometres.
More preferably, the laminar blank has a surface roughness of from
about 0.75 micrometres to about 1.25 micrometres. The surface
roughness may be measured in accordance with ISO 8791-4.
[0028] Where the box and the lid are at least partially formed from
a folded laminar blank, the laminar blank preferably has a surface
strength of from about 0.25 metres per second to about 1 metre per
second. More preferably, the laminar blank has a surface strength
of from about 0.5 metres per second to about 0.8 metres per second.
The surface roughness may be measured in accordance with ISO
3783.
[0029] Preferably, when the lid is in the closed position, the
lower edge of the first lid edge portion is disposed beyond the
upper edge of the first box edge portion by a distance of at least
about 1 mm in the transverse direction of the container, more
preferably by a distance of at least about 2 mm in the transverse
direction of the container, and even more preferably by a distance
of at least about 3 mm in the transverse direction of the
container. Preferably, when the lid is in the closed position, the
lower edge of the first lid edge portion is disposed beyond the
upper edge of the first box edge portion by a distance of no more
than about 10 mm in the transverse direction of the container. This
can provide a suitably sized space between the lower edge of the
first lid edge portion and the upper edge of the first box edge
portion in a transverse direction of the container, for a
consumer's finger to be disposed.
[0030] Containers according to the present invention find
application as containers for consumer goods, in particular
elongate consumer goods such as smoking articles. Accordingly, in
some preferred embodiments, there is provided a container, having
any combination of the preferred features described above, and
containing smoking articles. However, containers according to the
present invention can also be used for several other types of
consumer goods, such as confectionary.
[0031] As noted above, containers according to the first aspect of
the present invention can be advantageously formed (at least in
part) by a folded laminar blank. Accordingly, according to a second
aspect of the present invention, there is provided a laminar blank
for forming a container for consumer articles, the laminar blank
defining a portion of the container, which comprises: a box
comprising a box front wall, a box back wall, a box bottom wall,
and first and second box side walls; and a lid comprising a lid
front wall, a lid back wall, a lid top wall, and first and second
lid side walls. A lower edge of the lid back wall depends along a
hinge line from a top edge of the box back wall, with the lid being
moveable about the hinge line between an open position and a closed
position, in which at least a portion of the lower edge of the
first lid side wall abuts at least a portion of the upper edge of
the first box side wall, and at least a portion of the lower edge
of the lid front wall abuts at least a portion of the upper edge of
the box front wall. The first box side wall is connected to the box
front wall by a first box edge portion, and the first lid side wall
is connected to the lid front wall by a first lid edge portion. The
shape of the first lid edge portion is different from the shape of
the first box edge portion, such that, when the lid is in the
closed position, the lower edge of the first lid edge portion is
disposed beyond the upper edge of the first box edge portion in a
transverse direction of the container.
[0032] It shall be appreciated that any features described with
reference to one aspect of the present invention are equally
applicable to any other aspect of the invention.
[0033] Where the box and the lid are at least partially formed from
a folded laminar blank, the blank is preferably formed from a
cellulose-fiber based material, preferably plant-derived and more
preferably wood-derived. The blank may contain at least 50 percent
by weight, preferably at least 60 percent by weight, and even more
preferably at least 70 percent by weight of cellulose fibers based
on the total fiber content of the blank. Preferably, the laminar
blank is formed from wood-fibers cardboard or paperboard.
Alternatively, the cellulose-fiber based material may also contain
other fibers, such as polymer fibers. The blank may be coated or
uncoated and preferably is coated on both sides. The container may
optionally comprise an outer wrapper, which is preferably a
transparent polymeric film of, for example, high or low density
polyethylene, polypropylene, oriented polypropylene, polyvinylidene
chloride, cellulose film, or combinations thereof and the outer
wrapper is applied in a conventional manner. The outer wrapper may
include a tear tape. In addition, the outer wrapper may be printed
with images, consumer information or other data.
[0034] Further, the consumer articles may be provided within the
container in the form of a bundle wrapped in an inner package
formed of metal foil or metallised paper. The inner package
material may be formed as a laminate of a metallised polyethylene
film, and a liner material. The liner material may be a
super-calendered glassine paper. In addition, the inner package
material may be provided with a print-receptive top coating. The
inner package has an access opening through which consumer goods
can be removed when a lid of the container is in a respective open
position.
[0035] The container is preferably a rectangular parallelepiped
comprising two wider walls spaced apart by two narrower walls.
Hinge lid containers according to the invention may be in the shape
of a rectangular parallelepiped, with longitudinal and transverse
edge portions. In such embodiments, at least one of the
longitudinal or transverse edge portions is bevelled. That is, the
hinge lid container may comprise one or more bevelled longitudinal
edge portions or bevelled transverse edge portions, or combinations
thereof.
[0036] Where the container comprises one or more bevelled edge
portions, preferably each bevelled edge portion has a width of
between about 2 mm and about 8 mm, preferably between about 4 and
about 6 mm.
[0037] Containers according to the invention find particular
application as packs for elongate smoking articles such as, for
example, cigarettes, cigars or cigarillos. It will be appreciated
that through appropriate choices of the dimensions thereof,
containers according to the invention may be designed for different
numbers of conventional size, king size, super-king size, slim or
super-slim cigarettes. Alternatively, other consumer goods may be
housed inside the container.
[0038] Through an appropriate choice of the dimensions, 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, containers according to the invention may be designed
to hold a total of between ten and thirty smoking articles.
[0039] The smoking articles may be arranged in different
collations, depending on the total number of smoking articles.
[0040] 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 filter-less 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). 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 or bundles of smoking articles housed
inside the container.
[0041] The length, width and depth of containers according to the
invention may be such that the resultant overall dimensions of the
container are similar to the dimensions of a typical disposable
pack of twenty cigarettes.
[0042] 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 bottom wall to the top wall of the
container.
[0043] Preferably, containers according to the invention have a
width of between about 12 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably a
width of between about 70 mm and about 125 mm, wherein the width is
measured from one side wall to the other side wall of the
container.
[0044] Preferably, containers according to the invention have a
depth of between about 6 mm and about 150 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.
[0045] 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
[0046] Preferably, the ratio of the width 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 2 to 1 and 3 to 1.
[0047] Preferably, the ratio of the height of the lid back wall to
the height of the box back wall of the outer sleeve is between
about 0 to 1 (lid 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.
[0048] Preferably, the ratio of the height of the lid front wall of
the outer sleeve to the height of the box front wall of the outer
sleeve 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.
[0049] 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.
[0050] Containers according to the invention may be filled and
assembled using conventional apparatus and methods, modified to
include the step of forming one or more ablated lines in the blank.
Where portions of the container are defined by one or more ablated
lines, the ablated lines may be produced using an ablation tool,
such as a laser or a blade. A laser is particularly preferred as
the ablation tool as it can allow for a wide variety of ablation
profiles and configurations, with minimal adjustment of the laser
tool being needed. For example, the laser may be repeatedly passed
over a given portion of the blank to iteratively remove different
amounts of material, allowing for a very finely controlled ablation
profile. It is also beneficial if fine ablated lines are required,
with narrow widths. It is possible to accurately control the
relative movement of the laser and the blank so as to form any type
of pattern with varying removal intensity ("depth") over the
ablation area.
[0051] The term "wall" generally refers to a major substantially
planar facet of the container. Where the wall is formed by a folded
laminar blank, a wall may be formed from a single panel or flap of
the laminar blank, or a wall may be formed from two or more
abutting or overlapping panels or flaps. Containers according to
the present invention are preferably parallelepipedal in shape,
with the box front wall, box back wall, box bottom wall, first and
second box side walls, lid front wall, lid back wall, lid top wall,
and first and second lid side walls forming the major walls of the
parallelepipedal container.
[0052] The term "edge portion" is used herein to refer to the
portion of the blank defining an edge between two adjacent walls of
the container.
[0053] A "cellulose-fiber-based laminar blank" is used herein to
refer to a laminar blank comprising at least 50 percent by weight
of cellulose fibers, based on the total fiber content of the
laminar blank. The cellulose-fiber-based laminar blank of the
invention may include other types of fibers, such as polymer
fibers.
[0054] The term "inner surface" is used throughout the
specification to refer to the side of a portion of the blank that,
once the container is assembled, faces towards the interior of the
container, for example towards the consumer goods, when the
container is closed. Thus, the inner surface is not directly
visible for the consumer when the container is closed. The term
"outer surface" is used throughout the specification to refer to
the side of a portion of the blank that, once the container is
assembled, faces towards the exterior of the container.
[0055] The term "ablated line" is used herein to refer to a line
along the inner surface of the edge portion from which material has
been ablated (for example, removed by means of a laser beam or a
blade). Accordingly, the residual thickness of an ablated line is
less than the thickness (T) of the laminar blank. The ablated line
is preferably provided as a groove within the blank. This may be
formed with a linear ablation tool, such as a laser or a blade.
[0056] The "thickness" (T) of the blank is the thickness of the
blank after it has been manufactured, but before any ablation lines
or creasing lines have been formed in the blank. That is, the
thickness (T) of the blank is the thickness in any region of the
blank not containing an ablated line or a crease line.
[0057] The term "residual thickness" is used herein to refer to the
minimum distance measured between two opposite surfaces of the
laminar blank or of a wall of the container formed from the blank.
In practice, the distance at a given location is measured along a
direction locally perpendicular to the opposite surfaces. The
residual thickness of the ablated line may vary across a width of
the ablated line, (e.g. V-shaped, U-shaped grooves).
[0058] The term "minimum residual thickness" is used herein to
refer to the smallest value of "residual thickness" measured in an
ablated line at a given location.
[0059] The residual thickness of each ablated line can be
determined by using an Optical Profilometer for 2D Non-Contact
Surface Metrology, such as the MicroSpy.RTM. Profile (commercially
available from Fries Research & Technology GmbH, Bergisch
Gladbach, Germany), or a 3D laser scanning confocal microscope,
such as the VK-X series of microscopes (commercially available from
Keyence Corporation of America, New Jersey, United States of
America). Preferably, several points of minimum residual thickness
are measured over the length of an ablated line, whereas the points
of measurement are evenly spread over the length of one ablated
line and the arithmetic mean is calculated.
[0060] Even more preferably, to obtain the "minimum residual
thickness" according to the present invention, five measurements,
evenly spread over the length of an ablated line, are performed and
then the arithmetic medium is calculated.
[0061] For example, if the length of the ablated line is 80
millimetres, the residual thickness is measured at both ends of the
ablated line and at three further points distanced 20 millimetres,
forty millimetres and sixty millimetres respectively from one end
of the ablated line, preferably from the lower end of the ablated
line.
[0062] The term "residual stiffness" is used to describe the
stiffness of the residing laminar blank as measured over the
minimum residual thickness of one given ablation line and is
calculated using the stiffness in bending direction of the laminar
blank multiplied by the percentage of residual thickness. For
example, if the stiffness in the bending direction of the
non-ablated laminar blank is 100 milliNewton and the minimum
residual thickness is 30 percent, then the residual stiffness in
bending direction is 100 milliNewton multiplied by thirty percent
equal 30 milliNewton. The stiffness of the laminar blank can be
measured in accordance with ISO 2493, 15 degrees, for example by
taking a sample of the blank material from a portion of the blank
that is not scored or ablated (the sample may be printed or
otherwise coated if it is in finished form).
[0063] Testing and conditioning at 23 degrees Celsius, 50% relative
humidity according to ISO 187 two weeks after ablation.
[0064] As used herein, the terms "front", "back", "upper", "lower",
"top", "bottom" and "side", refer to the relative positions of
portions of containers according to the invention and components
thereof when the container is in an upright position with the
access opening at the top of the container. In particular, where
the container is a hinged lid container, this refers to the
container being in an upright position with the lid in the closed
position and the hinge line at the back of the container. When
describing containers according to the present invention, these
terms are used irrespective of the orientation of the container
being described.
[0065] The invention will be further described, by way of example,
with reference to the drawings in which:
[0066] FIG. 1 is a side view of a container for consumer goods,
according to a first embodiment of the present invention, shown in
an open configuration;
[0067] FIG. 2 is a side view of a container for consumer goods,
according to a first embodiment of the present invention, shown in
a closed configuration;
[0068] FIG. 3 is an overhead view of an unfolded laminar blank for
forming a similar container to that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0069] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a container 100 according
to a first embodiment of the present invention. The container 100
contains a wrapped bundle of consumer goods 60, such as a bundle of
cigarettes. The container is formed from a folded laminar blank and
has a lid portion 40 and a box portion 20. The lid portion has a
first lid side wall 44a, a second lid side wall 44b, and a lid top
wall 46. The lid portion also has a lid front wall 42 and a lid
back wall (not shown in FIG. 1). The box portion 20 has a box front
wall 22, and a first box side wall 24a. The box portion 20 also has
a box bottom wall, a box back wall and a second box side wall (not
shown in FIG. 1). The lid 40 depends along a hinge line (not shown
in FIG. 1) from a top edge of the box back wall, and is movable
about the hinge line between an open position (as shown in FIG. 1)
and a closed position. An inner frame 50 is attached to the inside
of the box 20 and includes a first inner frame side wall (54a), a
second inner frame side wall (not shown in FIG. 1), and an inner
frame front wall 52.
[0070] As shown in FIG. 1, the first box side wall 24a is connected
to the box front wall by a first box edge portion 25. The first lid
side wall 44a is connected to the lid front wall 42 by a first lid
edge portion 45.
[0071] The first box edge portion 25 has a triangular shape, with
one side of the triangular shape forming the upper edge 27 of the
first box edge portion 25. As will be seen more clearly in FIG. 2,
the first lid edge portion 45 is defined by a single line of
weakness extending in the longitudinal direction of the container
between the first lid side wall 44a and the lid front wall 42. This
effectively, results in the lower edge 47 of the of the first lid
edge portion 45 forming a single point in the container, that
defines a right-angle turning point between the first lid side wall
44a and the lid front wall 42.
[0072] FIG. 2 shows the container of FIG. 1 with the lid 40 now
moved to the closed position. In this position, at least a portion
of the lower edge of the first lid side wall 44a abuts at least a
portion of the upper edge of the first box side wall 24a, and at
least a portion of the lower edge of the lid front wall 42 abuts at
least a portion of the upper edge of the box front wall 22.
[0073] As is clear from FIG. 2, the shape of the first lid edge
portion 45 and the shape of the first box edge portion 25 are such
that, in the closed position of FIG. 2, the lower edge 47 of the
first lid edge portion 45 is disposed beyond the upper edge 27 of
the first box edge portion 45 in a transverse direction of the
container. Consequently, an overhang is created between the lid 40
and the box 20 about the first lid edge portion 45 and the first
box edge portion 25. A consumer can therefore place their finger on
the triangular surface of the first box edge portion 25 and under
the overhanging portion of the lid 40 that is defined by the first
lid edge portion 45 and simply push directly upwards on the lid 40,
to thereby pivot it about the hinge line into an open position,
such as that shown in FIG. 1. The box bottom wall and the lid top
wall 46 have substantially the same width and length as one
another, and this corresponds to the maximum width and length of
the container 100. Consequently, the introduction of a gap or
overhang at the first lid edge portion 45 and the first box edge
portion 25 does not affect the maximum width or length of the
container 100.
[0074] FIG. 3 shows a laminar blank 101 for forming a container
similar to that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Solid line represent cut
lines, and dashed lines of weakness that have been formed by
ablated lines on the inner surface of the blank 101, along which
the laminar blank 101 is folded or deformed to form the container
100.
[0075] The laminar blank 101 comprises a box bottom panel 152, a
box front panel 154 depending along an ablated line 156 from the
box bottom panel 152, and a box rear panel 158 depending along an
ablated line 160 from the box bottom panel 152. Inner box side
panels 162 depend along ablated lines 164 from the box rear panel
158 and outer box side panels 166a, 166b depend along ablated lines
168b from the box front panel 154 respectively. Two box dust flaps
170 depend along ablated lines 172 from the first box side panels
162. When the laminar blank 101 is folded to form the container 10,
the box bottom panel 152 in combination with the box dust flaps 170
forms the container bottom wall.
[0076] The laminar blank 101 further comprises a lid rear panel 174
depending along an ablated line 176 from the box rear panel 158, a
lid top panel 142 depending along an ablated line 178 from the lid
rear panel 174, and a lid front panel 180 depending along an
ablated line 182 from the lid top panel 142. A lid front under
panel 184 depends along an ablated line 186 from the lid front
panel 180. The laminar blank 100 also comprises first lid side
flaps 188 depending along ablated lines 190 from the lid rear panel
174, first and second dust flaps 138, 140 depending along ablated
lines 194 from the respective first lid side flaps 188, and second
lid side flaps 196 depending along ablated lines 198 from the lid
front panel 180. When the laminar blank 100 is folded to form the
container 10, the lid top panel 142 in combination with the first
and second dust flaps 138, 140 forms the container top wall. Each
first box side panel 162 in combination with the respective second
box side panel 166, first lid side flap 188 and second lid side
flap 196 forms the respective container side wall. The box rear
panel 158 and the lid rear panel 174 together form the box rear
wall. The box front panel 154 in combination with the lid front
panel 180 and the lid front under panel 184 forms the container
front wall.
[0077] As shown in FIG. 3, the ablation area 168a separating the
box front panel 154 from the first inner box side wall 166
comprises an upper section defined by two ablated lines that extend
from the upper edge of the first box edge portion 125, and a lower
section defined by a single ablated line that extends from the
lower end of the upper section towards the box bottom panel
152.
* * * * *