Container comprising a box and a sleeve with a locking mechanism

Abstract

A container (1) for consumer goods, the container comprising an outer sleeve (20) and an inner box (10), the inner box being arranged in the outer sleeve (20) and being configured to slide relative to the outer sleeve (20) between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, a user cannot access the interior of the inner box (10); and in the second position, a user can access the interior of the inner box (10). The container (1) has a locking mechanism, wherein the locking mechanism is used to prevent the inner box (10) from sliding from the first position to the second position when the inner box (10) is in the first position in the outer sleeve (20).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a container for consumer goods.The container according to the present invention has particular application as a container for an aerosol-generating article or a component of an aerosol-generating article. Background Art

[0002] It is known to package consumer products in containers formed from folded laminated blanks. For example, elongated smoking articles such as cigarettes and cigars are often sold in rigid box-shaped containers, such as hinge-lid containers, which have a box portion and a three-dimensional, cup-shaped, hinged lid connected to the box about a hinge line extending across the rear wall of the container. In use, the lid is pivoted about the hinge line to open the package and thereby gain access to the consumer products held in the box.

[0003] It is also known to package consumer goods in containers comprising an outer shell or sleeve and an inner slide or box that holds the consumer goods and is slidable within the outer shell. To remove the consumer goods from the container, a user slides the inner slide from an initial position within the outer shell to an open position in which the inner slide protrudes outward from the outer shell, partially exposing an open end or side of the inner slide. Such containers may be referred to as slide-and-shell containers.

[0004] It may be desirable to ensure that the inner slide or inner box remains enclosed within the outer shell until the user is ready to access the consumer goods. For example, it may be desirable to ensure that the lid remains in a closed position while the container is being transported. This may help prevent the consumer goods from accidentally falling out of the container. This may help protect one or more characteristics of the consumer goods, such as their freshness.

[0005] It is desirable to provide a novel and improved container for consumer goods that is configured to reduce the risk of the container lid accidentally moving from a closed position to an open position. Furthermore, it is desirable to provide one or more laminated blanks and a method for forming such an improved container that is simple to manufacture and cost-effective. Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to the present disclosure, a container for consumer goods is provided. The container includes: an outer sleeve, the outer sleeve including an outer sleeve front wall, an outer sleeve rear wall, a first outer sleeve side wall, a second opposing outer sleeve side wall, and a first open end; and an inner box disposed within the outer sleeve. The inner box is configured to slide relative to the outer sleeve between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the interior of the inner box is inaccessible to a user, and in the second position, the interior of the inner box is accessible to a user. Sliding the inner box from the first position to the second position involves at least a portion of the inner box passing through the first open end of the outer sleeve. The inner box includes an inner box top wall, an inner box bottom wall, an inner box front wall, an inner box rear wall, a first inner box side wall, a second opposing inner box side wall, and an inner box engagement flap configured to overlie a portion of the outer surface of the inner box rear wall. When the inner box is in the first position within the outer sleeve, an edge of the inner box engagement flap is configured to engage with a corresponding engagement element on the inner surface of the outer sleeve rear wall to form a locking mechanism for preventing the inner box from sliding from the first position to the second position.

[0007] In some preferred embodiments, the inner box may be formed from two or more laminated blanks. The rear wall of the inner box may be formed from a laminated blank different from the laminated blank used to form the inner box's joint flap. From a manufacturing perspective, this may be advantageous because it may allow the majority of the inner box to be formed from conventional laminated blanks. Thus, it may be possible to form an inner box with a joint flap without substantially modifying existing components or processes.

[0008] Therefore, according to the present disclosure, a container for consumer goods is also provided. The container comprises: an outer sleeve, the outer sleeve comprising an outer sleeve front wall, an outer sleeve rear wall, a first outer sleeve side wall, a second opposing outer sleeve side wall, and a first open end; and an inner box disposed within the outer sleeve. The inner box is configured to slide relative to the outer sleeve between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the interior of the inner box is inaccessible to a user, and in the second position, the interior of the inner box is accessible to a user. Sliding the inner box from the first position to the second position involves at least a portion of the inner box passing through the first open end of the outer sleeve. The inner box comprises an inner box top wall, an inner box bottom wall, an inner box front wall, an inner box rear wall, a first inner box side wall, a second opposing inner box side wall, and an inner box engaging flap configured to overlie a portion of the outer surface of the inner box rear wall. When the inner box is in the first position within the outer sleeve, an edge of the inner box engaging flap is configured to engage with a corresponding engaging element on the inner surface of the outer sleeve rear wall to form a locking mechanism for preventing the inner box from sliding from the first position to the second position. The inner box is formed from two or more laminate blanks, wherein the rear wall of the inner box is formed from a different laminate blank to the laminate blank from which the inner box joining flaps are formed.

[0009] This inner box engagement flap and corresponding engagement element arrangement form at least part of a locking mechanism for the container. By providing the container with such a locking mechanism, the container can be maintained in a locked state, in which the interior of the inner box is inaccessible. This means that the container can be locked when not in use. Therefore, the locking mechanism can help reduce the risk of accidental opening of the container. This can help prevent consumer goods from accidentally falling from the container. This can also help protect one or more characteristics of the consumer goods, such as their freshness.

[0010] By providing a container according to the present invention, at least a portion of the locking mechanism can be concealed within the exterior of the container. This can mean that the locking mechanism is less prominently visible. This can help reduce the risk of the container becoming accidentally unlocked. More specifically, because the inner box engagement flap is configured to engage with an engagement element on the inner surface of the outer sleeve rear wall, the inner box engagement flap overlies the outer sleeve rear wall and is therefore at least partially concealed.

[0011] A locking element that has minimal or no visual impact on the container's appearance can offer numerous advantages. For example, having minimal or no visual impact on the container's appearance can help prevent particles from entering the container by minimizing or avoiding cracks or gaps on the container's outer surface. Furthermore, having minimal or no visual impact on the container's appearance can help ensure that the container's outer surface remains substantially smooth. This can be advantageous during either or both shipping and manufacturing of the container. It can also be advantageous when printing the container's outer surface.

[0012] Choosing to use this type of locking mechanism in a container having an inner box that is slidable relative to an outer sleeve may be particularly advantageous in reducing the risk of accidental opening of the container. This is because the action required to release the locking mechanism may be different from the sliding action required to move the inner box relative to the outer sleeve. For example, a pressing action may be required to release the locking mechanism, while a sliding action may be required to move the inner box relative to the outer sleeve. The need for such different and distinct actions may make the container even less likely to be accidentally opened.

[0013] Providing the container with a locking mechanism having an engagement flap located at the rear of the container may further contribute to the risk of accidental opening of the container, as the locking mechanism may not be immediately apparent when the container is viewed during normal handling, and in particular when the container is viewed from the front.

[0014] The locking mechanism of the present invention may be particularly advantageous in embodiments where the width of the container is greater than its height. For example, the container is preferably wider than 75 mm, more preferably greater than 80 mm, and most preferably greater than 85 mm or 90 mm. The container is preferably less than 200 mm wide, more preferably less than 150 mm. This is because in such embodiments, a user is unlikely to grasp both sides of the container at any given time. Consequently, during normal loading and unloading of the container, the user is less likely to apply pressure to both sides of the container simultaneously.

[0015] The edge of the inner box engaging flap configured to engage with the corresponding engaging element on the outer sleeve rear wall is preferably the free edge of the inner box side flap.The free edge of the flap is the edge of the article from which the flap is not directly connected to the flap.

[0016] The free edge of the inner box side flap is preferably the front edge of the inner box engagement flap. In other words, the free edge of the inner box engagement flap configured to engage with the corresponding engagement element on the outer sleeve rear wall is preferably positioned opposite the edge of the inner box engagement flap that connects the inner box engagement flap to the rest of the inner box.

[0017] The inner box is configured to slide relative to the outer sleeve. Thus, the outer sleeve can have an interior configured to receive the inner box. The outer sleeve can include a second end positioned opposite the first open end of the outer sleeve. The second end of the outer sleeve can include an outer sleeve bottom wall. Thus, the outer sleeve can have a first open end and a second end including the outer sleeve bottom wall, wherein the outer sleeve front wall, the outer sleeve rear wall, and the first outer sleeve side wall and the second opposing outer sleeve side wall extend between the first open end of the outer sleeve and the bottom wall of the outer sleeve.

[0018] The inner box can slide between a first position and a second position within the outer sleeve. In the first position, the user cannot approach the interior of the inner box; in the second position, the user can approach the interior of the inner box. Therefore, the first position can be regarded as a closed position. The second position can be regarded as an open position. When the inner box is in the second position, the user can directly approach the interior of the inner box. In other words, the user may not need to take any further action on the container to approach any consumer goods kept in the interior of the inner box. Alternatively, when the inner box is in the second position, the user may need to move the lid of the inner box so as to approach any consumer goods kept in the interior of the inner box. For example, the inner box may include a box portion and a lid portion attached to the box portion, the lid portion being configured to cover the entry opening of the box portion of the inner box. The lid portion can move relative to the box portion between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the lid portion covers the entry opening of the box portion, and in the open position, any consumer goods kept in the interior of the box portion can be approached via the entry opening of the box portion. The lid portion can be hingedly connected to the box portion and configured to pivot between an open position and a closed position.

[0019] The container can be configured such that when the inner box is in the first position, the lid portion of the inner box cannot move between the open position and the closed position. For example, when the inner box is in the first position, one or more walls of the outer sleeve can prevent the lid portion of the inner box from moving between the open position and the closed position. In other words, when the inner box is in the first position, the walls of the outer sleeve can act to retain the lid portion of the inner box in the closed position.

[0020] The inner box can be moved from the first position to the second position such that at least a portion of the inner box passes through the first open end. Specifically, at least a portion of the inner box is configured to slide through the access opening of the outer sleeve and thereby move outside the outer sleeve as the inner box moves from the first position to the second position. This can help improve access to any consumer products held in the inner box when the inner box is in the second position.

[0021] The outer sleeve and the inner box may be configured so that when the inner box is in the first position, most or all of the inner box is surrounded by the outer sleeve. This may help minimize the amount of surface area of ​​the inner box that is accessible to a user when the inner box is in the first position.

[0022] Preferably, the outer sleeve and the inner box are configured so that when the inner box is in the first position, at least one of the inner box front wall and the inner box rear wall completely covers the outer sleeve front wall and the outer sleeve rear wall corresponding thereto. In such embodiments, when the inner box is in the first position, at least one of the inner box front wall and the inner box rear wall will not be visible to the user. This can help limit the amount of surface area of ​​the inner box that the user may be able to grasp in order to slide the inner box from the first position to the second position. This can help reduce the risk of accidentally opening the container. This can also help increase the amount of uninterrupted surface area that can be used for communicating with the user at one or both of the front or rear portions of the container when the inner box is in the first position.

[0023] Preferably, when the inner box is in the first position, a portion of the inner box is located outside the outer sleeve. More preferably, when the inner box is in the first position, approximately 5% to approximately 20% of the outer surface area of ​​the inner box is located outside the outer sleeve. This advantageously ensures that, while a large portion of the inner box is inaccessible to the user when the inner box is in the first position, a portion of the inner box is still graspable by the user. This provides an optimal balance between securing the inner box and facilitating the user's ability to slide the inner box off the outer sleeve when they desire to access any consumer products within the inner box.

[0024] The open end of the outer sleeve can be angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the outer sleeve. More specifically, the length of the outer sleeve front wall can be less than the length of the outer sleeve rear wall. Therefore, compared with the point where the outer sleeve sidewall is connected to the outer sleeve front wall, each outer sleeve sidewall can have different lengths at the point where the outer sleeve sidewall is connected to the outer sleeve rear wall. This can limit the inclined edge of each sidewall at the open end of the outer sleeve, and the inclined edge of each outer sleeve sidewall is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the outer sleeve. Such an arrangement can advantageously help ensure that when the interior box is in the first position, some of the interior box can be gripped by the user, and the interior box does not need to have an unconventional shape. Specifically, in such embodiments, the interior box can have a rectangular parallelepiped shape. From a manufacturing perspective, this may be preferred. From a storage perspective, this may also be preferred.

[0025] In the following description of the present invention, the terms "side," "top," "bottom," "front," "back," and other terms used to describe the relative positions of components of a container according to the present invention refer to the container in an upright position with the access opening at the top. When describing a container according to the present invention, these terms are used regardless of the orientation of the container being described. The "bottom" of a container refers to the side of the container opposite the "top" of the container.

[0026] The term "height" is used herein to refer to the dimension extending between the top and bottom. The term "width" is used herein to refer to the dimension extending between the sides. The term "depth" is used herein to refer to the dimension extending between the front and back. Height, width, and depth are orthogonal to each other.

[0027] The term "panel" is used herein to refer to a portion of a container formed from a single continuous portion of material. A panel may depend from one or more other panels.

[0028] The term "wall" refers more generally to a facet of a container, and a wall may be formed from a single panel or flap, or a wall may be formed from two or more abutting or overlapping panels or flaps.

[0029] The term "overhang" is used herein to describe the physical connection between two elements of a container according to the present invention. More specifically, the term "overhang" is used to indicate that there is material continuity between two elements, such as two walls or panels of a container or blank. This includes both situations where a wall or panel depends directly from an adjacent wall or panel, and situations where an intermediate wall or panel effectively connects the two walls or panels.

[0030] For example, a side wall or panel can be directly overhung from an adjacent front wall or panel. In this case, the wall or panel is typically overhung from the adjacent wall along a fold line. Alternatively, in particular in containers with curved or beveled edges, the side wall or panel can be overhung from the front wall or panel indirectly. In this case, the curved or beveled edge wall or panel connects the side wall or panel to the front wall or panel. In the case of beveled edges, both the side wall or panel and the front wall or panel can be overhung from the connected beveled edge wall or panel along their respective fold lines. This also applies to optional components of the container according to the invention, for example to reinforcement members provided in the form of an internal frame.

[0031] The term "hinge line" is used herein to refer to the line about which a lid can be pivoted to open a container. The hinge line can be, for example, a fold line or a score line. The hinge line about which the lid is connected to the box can coincide with the edge of the container, or the hinge line can extend across the wall of the container at a position spaced apart from the edge.

[0032] Throughout this specification, the term "inner surface" is used to refer to the surface of the components of a container that faces the interior of the container (e.g., facing the consumer goods) when the assembled container is in a closed position. Throughout this specification, the term "outer surface" is used to refer to the surface of the components of a container that faces the exterior of the container. For example, the front wall of a package has an inner surface facing the interior of the package and the consumer goods, and an outer surface facing away from the consumer goods. It should be noted that the inside surface or the outside surface is not necessarily equivalent to a certain side of the blank used in the process of assembling the container. Depending on how the blank is folded around the consumer goods, the area on the same side of the blank may face the inside of the container or the outside of the container.

[0033] The term "fold line" is used to describe any line of a blank about which the blank folds. A fold line may be defined by a line of weakness to assist in the folding action. Alternatively, a fold may be formed without a line of weakness, depending, for example, on the flexibility and other material properties of the blank.

[0034] When the locking mechanism of the container is engaged, the inner box is prevented from sliding relative to the outer sleeve from the first position to the second position. Disengagement of the locking mechanism allows the inner box to slide relative to the outer sleeve from the first position to the second position. Thus, the container can be configured such that disengagement of the inner box engagement flap from its corresponding engagement element allows the inner box to slide relative to the outer sleeve from the first position to the second position.

[0035] In some embodiments, the inner box is formed from a first laminate blank comprising a rear wall panel for forming the inner box rear wall and a second laminate blank comprising a first panel for forming a joining flap and a second panel for securing the first panel to the inner box rear wall. The first panel may be connected to the second panel by a fold line.

[0036] The second panel may itself be secured to the outer surface of the inner box rear wall by adhesive.

[0037] The outer sleeve rear wall may be provided with a release element for enabling the edge of the inner box engagement flap to disengage from a corresponding engagement element on the inner surface of the outer sleeve rear wall. In other words, the release element may be configured to enable the locking mechanism to transition from a locked state to an unlocked state in response to pressure applied by a user to the container. Specifically, the release element is configured to enable a user to interact with the locking mechanism to activate this transition. Preferably, when the inner box is in the first position, the release element of the outer sleeve overlies at least a portion of its corresponding inner box engagement flap.

[0038] In some embodiments, the release element may include a notch in the outer sleeve rear wall. When the inner box is in the first position, the notch may be positioned adjacent to a portion of the corresponding inner box engagement flap. In such embodiments, the notch may allow a user to directly access the inner box engagement flap and disengage the inner box engagement flap from the engagement element on the inner surface of the outer sleeve rear wall. Specifically, the user can insert their finger through the notch and push the inner box engagement flap away from the engagement element on the inner surface of the outer sleeve rear wall to unlock the locking mechanism.

[0039] In certain embodiments, the release element comprises a release tab, which is formed by at least one cutting line in the outer sleeve rear wall. For example, the outer sleeve rear wall may comprise a cutting portion, which limits at least a portion of the periphery of the release tab in the wall. The cutting portion may be a U-shaped cutting portion. The cutting portion may be an arcuate cutting portion. The release tab may be deflected relative to the remainder of its outer sleeve rear wall. This may allow the release tab to move independently of its outer sleeve rear wall in response to the pressure from the user. When the interior box was in the first position, the release tab may be located adjacent to a portion of the interior box engagement tab. Therefore, in use, the user may press the release tab so that force is translated to the interior box engagement tab so that the interior box engagement tab disengages from the engagement element on the inner surface of the outer sleeve rear wall.

[0040] By providing a release element in the form of a release tab, the means for unlocking the locking mechanism can be incorporated into the container with minimal visual impact on the container. Consequently, the means for unlocking the container may not be readily visible. This may help reduce the risk of accidental opening of the container.

[0041] The inner surface of the outer sleeve rear wall comprises an engaging element, which is used to engage with the edge of the inner box engagement flap when the inner box is in the first position in the outer sleeve. The engaging element provides a barrier for engaging with the inner box engagement flap. Specifically, the barrier can provide an engaging edge, which is configured to abut the edge of the inner box engagement flap. The engaging element can be formed integrally with the outer sleeve rear wall. For example, the outer sleeve rear wall can be manufactured to have a raised portion, which has an increased thickness to provide its engaging element. Alternatively, the engaging element can comprise an element attached to the inner surface of the outer sleeve rear wall. The element can comprise a material strip extending across the inner surface of the outer sleeve rear wall.

[0042] The engaging element may be formed by a panel fixed to a portion of the inner surface of the outer sleeve rear wall. The engaging element may include a panel attached to the inner surface of the outer sleeve rear wall. The panel may be connected to the outer sleeve rear wall by a fold line and folded approximately 180 degrees relative to the outer sleeve rear wall about the fold line.

[0043] The container may further include a retaining mechanism for preventing the inner box from sliding beyond the second position. The retaining mechanism may prevent the inner box from separating from the outer sleeve. The retaining mechanism may prevent the inner box from being completely removed from the outer sleeve.

[0044] The retaining mechanism can advantageously provide an indication to the user that the inner cartridge has reached the second position. More specifically, when the retaining mechanism engages to prevent the inner cartridge from sliding beyond the second position, a tactile indication can be provided to the user that the inner cartridge has reached the second position. This can provide the user with an indication that the inner cartridge is in a position where they can access the consumer goods.

[0045] In some embodiments, the retaining mechanism includes an extendable member that connects the wall of the inner box to the wall of the outer sleeve. The extendable member is configured to change between a retracted state when the inner box is in a first position and an extended state when the inner box is in a second position. The extendable member can be provided in the form of a folding panel strip, wherein a first end panel of the strip is fixed to a part of the outer sleeve, and a second opposite end panel of the strip is fixed to a part of the inner box. For example, the first end panel of the strip can be fixed to the inner surface of the outer sleeve wall, such as the outer sleeve bottom wall. The second end panel can be fixed to the outer surface of the inner box wall, such as the inner box bottom wall or the inner box top wall. Therefore, when the extendable member changes between its retracted configuration and the extended configuration, the extendable member can be similar to a concertina.

[0046] The retaining mechanism may include a flap on the outer sleeve, which is configured to engage a corresponding edge on the inner box to prevent the inner box from sliding beyond the second position. Specifically, the flap may be configured to engage the edge of the inner box when the inner box is in the second position to prevent the inner box from sliding beyond the second position.

[0047] The flap on the outer sleeve can be suspended from the edge of one of the outer sleeve walls. The flap on the outer sleeve can be suspended from the edge of the outer sleeve front wall. The flap on the outer sleeve can be suspended from the edge of the outer sleeve arranged at the open end of the outer sleeve. The flap on the outer sleeve can be suspended from a fold line on the outer sleeve, which forms an edge in the outer sleeve wall. The flap on the outer sleeve can extend into the inside of the outer sleeve. For example, the flap can extend into the inside of the outer sleeve. The flap can be biased away from the wall from which the flap hangs. The flap can have a profile front edge, for example a curved front edge. This can facilitate the engagement of the flap with the corresponding edge on the inner box.

[0048] In some embodiments, the flap on the outer sleeve depends from a fold line forming an edge of the outer sleeve front wall, the edge being disposed proximate the outer sleeve opening, and the flap extends into the interior of the outer sleeve and away from the outer sleeve front wall.

[0049] A flap having one or more of the above-described features can provide numerous advantages. For example, the flap can be easily manufactured, particularly if it depends from one of the existing walls of the outer sleeve. By arranging the flap to depend from a fold line on the outer sleeve, the flap can be generally biased toward engagement with an edge on the inner box. This is particularly true when the flap extends into the interior of the outer sleeve and protrudes away from the wall from which it depends.

[0050] The retaining edge of the inner box can be formed by a cut line in one of the walls of the inner box. The retaining edge of the inner box can be formed by a cut line in the rear wall of the inner box. The cut line can have an arcuate shape. For example, in some embodiments, the edge is formed by a cut line in the rear wall or the front wall of the inner box. For example, in some embodiments, the edge is formed by an arcuate cut line in the rear wall of the inner box.

[0051] Inner box can comprise box portion, and the lid portion that is connected to box portion by hinge line.In such embodiment, the edge that is configured to engage with the flap on the outer sleeve on the inner box can be formed by the edge of the lid portion of inner box.In such embodiment, the lid portion can engage with the flap when the inner box is in the second position, and remain in a fixed position relative to the outer sleeve. However, advantageously, in such position, the box portion of inner box may be able to pivot around hinge line, to allow approaching the inside of the inner box and any consumer goods contained therein. Therefore, in such embodiment, the user may be able to slide the inner box to the second position, and then make the box portion pivot with respect to lid portion and outer sleeve to approach the inside of the inner box.

[0052] The box portion of the inner box may comprise a box portion front wall, a box portion top wall and a first box portion side wall and a second opposing box portion side wall.The box portion may have an interior configured to accommodate one or more consumer products.

[0053] The cover portion of the inner box may comprise a cover portion front wall, a cover portion rear wall, a cover portion top wall and a first cover portion side wall and a second opposite cover portion side wall. These walls may together provide the cover portion with a three-dimensional cup-shaped cover.

[0054] When the cover portion is in the closed position, the cover portion front wall, the cover portion rear wall and the cover portion side walls can each abut the corresponding wall of the box portion of the inner box. When the cover portion is in the closed position, the cover portion front wall, the cover portion rear wall and the cover portion side walls can each be flush with the corresponding wall of the box portion of the inner box.

[0055] The retaining edge of the lid portion of the inner box configured to engage with the flap on the outer sleeve may be a lower edge of the front wall of the lid portion.

[0056] When the interior box is in the second position, the tab of the outer sleeve can extend below the cover front wall. In such embodiments, the cover top wall may comprise a groove, and when the interior box is in the second position, the leading edge of the tab of the outer sleeve extends through the groove. This can advantageously provide a junction between the tab of the outer sleeve and the cover of the interior box. Specifically, this can help to ensure that the tab of the outer sleeve can engage with the cover of the interior box in a reliable and consistent manner. In addition, when the interior box is in the second position, this engagement can also help to reduce or avoid any relative movement between the cover of the interior box and the outer sleeve. Groove can be provided near the edge of the connection cover top wall and the cover front wall of the cover. This position may be advantageous because it can help to ensure that the tab of the outer sleeve is flush with the inner surface of the cover front wall when the interior box is in the second position. This can help to minimize the risk of the tab of the outer sleeve interfering with other parts of the interior box or any consumer goods that are wherein accommodated.

[0057] As described above, the inner box may include: a box portion, the box portion including a box portion bottom wall, a box portion front wall, a box portion rear wall and a first box portion side wall and a second relative box portion side wall; and a lid portion, the lid portion being hingedly attached to the box portion by a hinge line, the lid portion including a lid portion top wall, a lid portion front wall, a lid portion rear wall and a first lid portion side wall and a second relative lid portion side wall. In such embodiments, the container may be configured so that when the inner box is in the first position, one or both of the lower edges of the hinge line and the lid portion front wall of the inner box are covered with a corresponding one of the outer sleeve front wall and the outer sleeve rear wall, enclosed in the outer sleeve. This arrangement may advantageously mean that when the inner box is in the first position, the lid portion of the inner box is prevented from pivoting relative to the box portion of the inner box. This may mean that when the inner box is in the first position, any consumer goods kept in the inner box are prevented from being approached by the user. In such embodiments, the container may be further configured so that when the inner box is in the second position, one or both of the lower edges of the hinge line and the lid portion front wall of the inner box are positioned outside the outer sleeve. This arrangement may advantageously mean that when the inner box is in the second position, the lid portion of the inner box can pivot relative to the box portion of the inner box. This may allow a user to access any consumer goods held within the inner box when the inner box is in the second position.

[0058] The inner box joining flap may be configured to overlie a portion of the outer surface of the partial rear wall.Alternatively or additionally, the inner box joining flap may be configured to overlie a portion of the outer surface of the partial rear wall of the box.

[0059] The inner box joining flap can pivot about a pivot line on the rear wall of the inner box. The pivot line can directly connect the inner box joining flap to a portion of the rear wall of the inner box. Alternatively, the pivot line can connect the inner box joining flap to a component that is itself fixed to the outer surface of the inner box rear wall, for example, by an adhesive. The component can be a panel. The panel can extend over only a portion of the outer surface of the inner box rear wall. The panel can extend over the entire inner box rear wall.

[0060] In one or more containers of the present disclosure described above, the inner cartridge is disposed within the outer sleeve. Thus, it can be said that such containers are supplied to the user in a fully assembled state, with the inner cartridge disposed within the outer sleeve. However, the present disclosure also contemplates an arrangement in which the inner cartridge is initially supplied separately from the outer sleeve and the user inserts the inner cartridge into the interior of the outer sleeve to form the fully assembled container.

[0061] Thus, according to the present disclosure, a kit of parts is provided that includes an outer sleeve and an inner cartridge configured to be received within the outer sleeve to form a container of the present disclosure. The kit of parts may include one or more instructions for inserting the inner cartridge into the outer sleeve to form a fully assembled container. Providing the container in kit-of-parts form may be advantageous from a manufacturing perspective because it means that the step of inserting the inner cartridge into the outer sleeve can be performed by the user.

[0062] The present disclosure also relates to one or more laminated blanks for forming each of the outer sleeve and inner box of the container described above. Thus, according to the present disclosure, a first laminated blank for forming the outer sleeve and a second laminated blank for forming the inner box are provided. Thus, the outer sleeve can be formed from a single laminated blank, and the inner box can be formed from a separate single laminated blank.

[0063] As mentioned above, the container according to the present invention is preferably formed by one or more folded laminated blanks. One or more laminated blanks can be formed by any suitable material or combination of materials, and the material includes but is not limited to cardboard, paperboard, plastic, metal or its combination. The different parts of the container can be formed by the same material or different materials. Each of the one or more laminated blanks can be a laminated paperboard blank weighing between about 100 grams per square meter and about 350 grams per square meter. In a preferred embodiment, the blank has a thickness from about 100 microns to about 500 microns, preferably from about 200 microns to about 350 microns.

[0064] Preferably, the container is a rectangular parallelepiped comprising two wider walls (front and rear) separated by two narrower side walls. The container according to the present invention may be in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped having right-angled longitudinal edges and right-angled transverse edges. The container may include one or more rounded longitudinal edges, rounded transverse edges, inclined longitudinal edges or inclined transverse edges, or a combination thereof.

[0065] The container may include a plurality of consumer products. The consumer product may be an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating article may be a filter cigarette or other smoking article in which the aerosol-generating substrate comprises a tobacco material that is burned to form a smoke. The aerosol-generating article may be an article in which the tobacco material is heated rather than burned to form an aerosol. The aerosol-generating article may be an article in which a tobacco material, a tobacco extract or other nicotine source generates a nicotine-containing aerosol (e.g., by a chemical reaction) without the need for combustion and, in some cases, without the need for heating.

[0066] The aerosol-generating article can be provided within the container in the form of a bundle wrapped in an inner packaging formed of metal foil or metallized paper. The inner packaging material can be formed as a sheet of metallized polyethylene film and a liner material. The liner material can be supercalendered cellophane. Additionally, the inner packaging material can be provided with a top coating that can accommodate printing. The inner packaging has an access opening through which the aerosol-generating article can be removed when the lid of the container is in a corresponding open position.

[0067] By appropriate selection of dimensions, containers according to the present invention can be designed to accommodate different total numbers of aerosol-generating articles, or different arrangements of aerosol-generating articles. For example, by appropriate selection of dimensions, containers according to the present invention can be designed to accommodate between ten and thirty aerosol-generating articles in total. Depending on the total number, the aerosol-generating articles can be arranged in different arrangements. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0068] The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0069] Figure 1 A plurality of laminated blanks for forming containers according to the present invention are shown;

[0070] Figure 2A An outer sleeve and an inner box for forming a container according to the present invention are shown;

[0071] Figure 2B shows a container according to the present invention; and

[0072] Figures 3A to 3C Shown are cross-sectional views of locking mechanisms in different configurations for containers according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0073] Figure 1 Three laminated blanks are shown for forming the container 1 according to the present invention, namely a first laminated blank 100, a second laminated blank 200 and a third laminated blank 300. Figure 2B As shown, the laminated blank may be used to form a container 1 .

[0074] The first laminated blank 100 and the third laminated blank 300 are configured to form an inner box 10 of the container 1. The inner box 10 includes a lid portion 50 and a box portion 60.

[0075] 1. In the laminated blank, dotted lines represent fold lines, while solid lines represent cutting lines. The first laminated blank 100 comprises a lid front wall panel 151, a first lid outer sidewall panel 152 and a second lid outer sidewall panel 153, a lid top wall panel 154, a lid rear wall panel 155, a lid front lower panel 156, a first lid inner sidewall panel 157 and a second lid inner sidewall panel 158, and a first lid reinforcement flap panel 159a and a second lid reinforcement flap panel 159b. These panels together form the lid component of the lid 50 of the container 1. As will be described in more detail below, the lid top wall panel 154 comprises a groove 180 for receiving the flap 21 of the outer sleeve 20.

[0076] The first laminated blank 100 further comprises a box portion front wall panel 161, a first box portion outer side wall panel 162 and a second box portion outer side wall panel 163, a box portion bottom wall panel 164, a box portion rear wall panel 165, a first box portion inner side wall panel 167 and a second box portion inner side wall panel 168 and a first box portion dust collection flap 169a and a second box portion dust collection flap 169b. These panels together form the box portion 60 of the container 1.

[0077] The second laminated blank 200 includes an outer sleeve rear wall panel 211, first and second outer sleeve outer wall panels 212 and 213, an outer sleeve bottom wall panel 214, an outer sleeve front wall panel 215, first and second outer sleeve inner wall panels 217 and 218, and first and second outer sleeve dust collection flap panels 219a and 219b. Together, these panels form the outer sleeve 20 of the container 1.

[0078] The second laminated blank also includes an outer sleeve flap panel 221 depending from the outer sleeve front wall panel 215. When the outer sleeve 20 is assembled, the outer sleeve flap 221 forms a flap 21 on the outer sleeve 20. The flap 21 depends from the fold line forming the edge of the outer sleeve front wall 15, the edge being disposed at the outer sleeve opening 25, and the flap 21 extends into the interior of the outer sleeve 20 and away from the outer sleeve rear wall 15. This can be seen from the Figure 2A Best visible.

[0079] As referenced below Figure 2A and 2B Described in more detail, the flaps 21 on the outer sleeve 20 define a retaining mechanism for preventing the inner box 10 from sliding beyond a set position.

[0080] The second laminated blank 200 further includes an outer sleeve engaging element panel 231. This panel 231 depends from the outer sleeve back wall panel 211. When the outer sleeve 20 is assembled by folding the second laminated blank 200, the outer sleeve engaging element panel 231 is folded relative to the outer sleeve back wall panel 211 about a fold line 232 in the second laminated blank 200. The outer sleeve engaging element panel 231 is then attached to the inner surface of the outer sleeve back wall 11 to form an engaging element 31 on the inner surface of the outer sleeve back wall 11. The engaging element 31 defines an engaging edge 33 for engaging with a corresponding inner box engaging flap 39.

[0081] The second laminate blank 200 further includes a portion 270 on the outer sleeve rear wall panel 211 for defining a release tab 70 in the outer sleeve rear wall 11. This portion 270 is partially defined by a U-shaped cut line 271 in the outer sleeve rear wall panel 211. Figures 3A to 3CAs described in greater detail, the release tab 70 is configured to facilitate unlocking a locking mechanism within the container.

[0082] The third laminate blank 300 is configured to form the inner box joining flap 39 of the assembled inner box 10. The third laminate blank includes a first panel 390 for forming the inner box joining flap 39, and a second panel 380 or fixing panel 380 for attaching the inner box joining flap 39 to the box portion rear wall 65 of the inner box 10, for example, by adhesive. The first panel 390 is connected to the second panel 380 by a fold line 370 in the third laminate blank 300. Figure 2A As shown in , in the assembled inner box 10 , the first panel 390 is folded about this fold line 370 so that it extends away from the box portion rear wall 65 of the inner box 10 to form the inner box engagement flap 390 .

[0083] Figure 2A Shown by Figure 1 The outer sleeve 20 and the inner box 10 are formed of a laminated blank of the outer sleeve 20. The outer sleeve includes an outer sleeve rear wall 11, an outer sleeve front wall 15, an outer sleeve bottom wall, a first outer sleeve side wall, a second outer sleeve side wall 13 and an access opening 25 at the end of the outer sleeve 20 opposite the outer sleeve bottom wall. The outer sleeve rear wall 11 is provided with a release tab 70. An outer sleeve flap 21 depends from the edge of the outer sleeve front wall 15 provided at the first open end 25 of the outer sleeve 20. The outer sleeve flap 21 extends into the interior of the outer sleeve 20 and extends away from the outer sleeve front wall 15.

[0084] The inner box includes a lid portion 50 and a box portion 60 connected together by a hinge line 90. The lid portion 50 includes a lid portion top wall, a lid portion front wall, a lid portion rear wall 55, a first lid portion side wall, and an opposing second lid portion side wall 53. The box portion 60 includes a box portion bottom wall 64, a box portion front wall, a box portion rear wall 65, a first box portion side wall, and an opposing second box portion side wall 63.

[0085] The inner box further includes an inner box engagement flap 39 that is configured to overlie a portion of the box portion rear wall 65 .

[0086] Inner box 10 and outer sleeve 20 Figure 2A In other words, the inner box 10 is outside the outer sleeve 20 and is separated from the outer sleeve. Figure 2BThe inner box 10 is inserted through the access opening 25 of the outer sleeve 20 and into the interior of the outer sleeve 20. Such insertion causes the outer sleeve flap 21 to deflect toward the outer sleeve front wall 15, so that the outer sleeve flap 21 is located flush with the outer sleeve front wall 15. Such insertion also causes the inner box engagement flap 39 to deflect toward the inner box rear wall 65, so that the inner box engagement flap 39 is located flush with the second panel 380 or fixed panel 380 attached to the outer surface of the inner box rear wall 65.

[0087] Once the inner box 10 has been fully inserted into the outer sleeve 20, it is located Figure 2B , i.e. the first position. In this position, the front edge of the inner box engagement flap 39 engages the front edge of the outer sleeve engagement element panel 231, which is itself fixed to the inner surface of the outer sleeve rear wall 11. Such engagement acts to prevent the inner box 10 from sliding away from the outer sleeve 20 and thus exiting from the entry opening 25. Therefore, by such engagement, the inner box 10 is maintained in place within the outer sleeve 20. There is therefore a locking mechanism formed by the inner box 10 and the outer sleeve 20, when in Figure 2B In the position shown, the locking mechanism is used to lock the inner box 10 in the outer sleeve 20. This may be the configuration in which the container 1 is sold to the user.

[0088] In order to unlock the container 1 and thus gain access to the consumer goods, the user must first press the release tab 70 on the outer sleeve rear wall 11. This will be referred to below. Figure 3A 、 3B and 3C are described in more detail.

[0089] Figures 3A to 3C A partial cross-sectional view of a locking mechanism for a container according to the present invention is shown.The figures depict the locking mechanism in various configurations.

[0090] The locking mechanism includes an inner box engagement flap 39 and an outer sleeve engagement element 31. The engagement element 31 is formed by an outer sleeve engagement element panel 231 that is fixed to the inner surface of the outer sleeve rear wall 11. The outer sleeve rear wall 11 includes an internal cut line 71 that defines a release tab 70 in the outer sleeve rear wall 11. Figure 3A As shown, when the inner box 10 is in the first position, the release tab 70 is positioned to overlie the inner box engagement flap 39. The inner box engagement flap 39 depends from a second panel 380 of the inner box 10, which is secured to the outer surface of the box portion rear wall 65 of the inner box 10.

[0091] like Figure 3A As shown, the engagement element 31 has an engagement edge 33 that engages a leading edge of the inner box engagement flap 39 to prevent the inner box 10 from sliding toward and out of the access opening of the outer sleeve 20 when the container is in the first position.

[0092] exist Figure 3A In the embodiment, the locking mechanism is in the locked state. To unlock the locking mechanism, the user presses the release tab 70 so that it deflects inwardly relative to the outer sleeve 20. The release tab 70 then contacts the inner box engagement flap 39 of the inner box 10 and pushes the inner box engagement flap 39 away from the engagement element 31 of the outer sleeve 20. Figure 3B This causes the leading edge of the inner box joining flap 39 to disengage from the barrier created by the joining element 31 as shown.

[0093] therefore, Figure 3B The locking mechanism is shown in an unlocked state, with the inner box 10 still in the first position relative to the outer sleeve 20. However, because the locking mechanism is now unlocked, the inner box 10 can now move linearly relative to the outer sleeve 20 and toward the second position, in which the user can access any consumer goods held in the inner box 10. Thus, after pressing the release tab 70 and unlocking the locking mechanism, the user can slide the inner box 10 over the outer sleeve 20 to access the consumer goods. Figure 3B and 3C The sliding movement is described by the position change of the inner box 10 component relative to the outer sleeve 20 component. Figure 3B The box portion side wall 65, the second panel 380 and the inner box joint flap 39 are all in the middle position. Figure 3C Therefore, Figure 3C The locking mechanism is shown in an unlocked state, with the inner box 10 in the second position.

[0094] When the user has finished accessing the consumer goods, the user can slide the inner box 10 back into the interior of the outer sleeve 20. This restores the inner box engagement flap 39 to the position corresponding to the outer sleeve 20. Figure 3B However, since the user is no longer pressing the release tab 70, the inner box engagement flap 39 can be moved back to Figure 3A to engage with the engagement element 31. This restores the locking mechanism to Figure 3A In such cases, the inner box engaging flap 39 can automatically return to the locked state due to the biasing force generated by the fold line 370 between the inner box engaging flap 39 and the second panel 380. Figure 3A The location shown in .

[0095] As described above, the outer sleeve 20 includes a flap 21 that helps form a retaining mechanism for preventing the inner box 10 from sliding beyond a set position. Specifically, the flap 21 is configured to engage with the cover portion 50 of the inner box 10 when the inner box 10 is in the second position to prevent the inner box 10 from sliding beyond the second position. Figure 2A and 2BIn the arrangement of , this is achieved by the flap 21 sliding into the lid portion 50 as the inner box 10 moves from the first position to the second position. Specifically, when the inner box 10 moves from the first position to the second position, the flap 21 is caught on the lower edge of the lid portion front wall 51 and slides inside the lid portion 50. The flap 21 can remain generally flush with the inner surface of the lid portion front wall 51. When the inner box 10 reaches the second position, the curved portion of the front edge of the flap 21 protrudes through the slot 180 in the lid portion top wall 54. However, the shape and size of the flap 21 and the slot 180 are set so that some of the front edge of the flap 21 cannot protrude through the slot 180, but instead engages with the lid portion top wall 54. This engagement prevents the inner box 10 from sliding further beyond the second position.

Claims

1. A container for consumer goods, the container comprising: An outer sleeve, the outer sleeve comprising an outer sleeve front wall, an outer sleeve rear wall, a first outer sleeve side wall and a second opposite outer sleeve side wall, an outer sleeve top wall and a first open end; as well as an inner box disposed within the outer sleeve and configured to slide relative to the outer sleeve between a first position and a second position; In the first position, the interior of the inner box is inaccessible to a user; as well as In the second position, the user has access to the interior of the inner box. wherein sliding the inner box from the first position to the second position involves passing at least a portion of the inner box through an outer sleeve opening; wherein the inner box comprises an inner box top wall, an inner box bottom wall, an inner box front wall, an inner box rear wall, a first inner box side wall and a second opposite inner box side wall, and an inner box engagement flap, wherein the inner box engagement flap is configured to overlie a portion of the outer surface of the corresponding inner box rear wall; wherein when the inner box is in the first position in the outer sleeve, the edge of the inner box engagement flap is configured to engage with a corresponding engagement element on the inner surface of the rear wall of the outer sleeve to form a locking mechanism for preventing the inner box from sliding from the first position to the second position; wherein the container further comprises a retaining mechanism for preventing the inner box from sliding beyond the second position; wherein the retaining mechanism comprises a flap on the outer sleeve, the flap being configured to engage with a corresponding retaining edge on the inner box to prevent the inner box from sliding beyond the second position; and Wherein the inner box comprises a box portion and a cover portion connected to the box portion by a hinge line, and wherein the retaining edge on the inner box is formed by an edge of the cover portion of the inner box.

2. A container according to claim 1, wherein the inner box is formed by: a first laminated blank, the first laminated blank including a rear wall panel for forming the rear wall of the inner box; and a third laminated blank, the third laminated blank including a first panel for forming the inner box joining flap and a second panel for fixing the first panel to the rear wall of the inner box.

3. A container according to claim 2, wherein the second panel is itself secured to the outer surface of the inner box rear wall by adhesive.

4. The container according to claim 1, wherein the outer sleeve rear wall is provided with a release element for enabling the edge of the inner box engagement flap to be disengaged from the corresponding engagement element of the outer sleeve rear wall.

5. The container of claim 4, wherein the release element comprises a release tab formed by at least one cut line on the rear wall of the outer sleeve.

6. The container of claim 4, wherein the release element overlies at least a portion of the inner box engagement flap when the inner box is in the first position in the outer sleeve.

7. The container of claim 5, wherein the release element overlies at least a portion of the inner box engagement flap when the inner box is in the first position in the outer sleeve.

8. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the cover portion comprises a cover portion top wall, the cover portion top wall comprising a groove for engaging with a flap on the outer sleeve when the inner box is in the second position.

9. The container of any one of claims 1-7, wherein the inner box engagement flap is configured to pivot about a pivot line on a rear wall of the inner box.

10. The container of claim 4, wherein the inner box is formed by: a first laminated blank comprising a rear wall panel for forming the inner box rear wall; and A third laminate blank includes a first panel for forming the inner box engagement flap and a second panel for securing the first panel to the inner box rear wall.

11. The container according to claim 1, wherein: The box portion includes a box portion bottom wall, a box portion front wall, a box portion rear wall, and a first box portion side wall and a second opposing box portion side wall; as well as The cover portion is hingedly attached to the box portion by a hinge line, the cover portion comprising a cover portion top wall, a cover portion front wall, a cover portion rear wall, and a first cover portion side wall and a second opposing cover portion side wall, And wherein the inner box engagement flap is configured to overlie a portion of the outer surface of the rear wall of the box portion.

12. A container according to claim 11, wherein the container is configured so that: when the inner box is in the first position, one or both of the hinge line and the lower edge of the front wall of the cover portion overlie the corresponding one of the outer sleeve front wall and the outer sleeve rear wall.

13. The container of claim 4, wherein the corresponding engagement elements on the inner surface of the outer sleeve rear wall are formed by the edges of a panel attached to the inner surface of the outer sleeve rear wall.

14. The container according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the inner box and the outer sleeve are configured such that when the inner box is in the first position, at least one of the inner box front wall and the inner box rear wall completely covers its corresponding outer sleeve front wall and outer sleeve rear wall.

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