Hard package for smoking articles provided with hinged lid

Abstract

A package (1) for suction articles comprises: a group (15) of suction articles; an inner wrapper (3) wrapping the group of suction articles (15) and having a suction article extraction opening (25); a hard outer container (2) containing the inner wrapper (3) and having an open upper end (4); a lid (5) hinged to the outer container (2) for rotation relative to the outer container (2) itself between an open position and a closed position; a closure tab (26) connected to the inner wrapper (3), closing the suction article extraction opening (25) and having an end (26) connected to the wall of the lid (5). The closure tab (26) is folded onto itself thereby defining a first flap (33) and a second flap (34) of the closure tab (26), the first flap and the second flap being adjacent to each other and separated by a fold line (35).

Description

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications

[0002] This patent application claims the priority of Italian Patent Application No. 102022000023640, filed on November 16, 2022, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical field

[0003] The present invention relates to a rigid package for smoking articles provided with a hinged lid.

[0004] The present invention is advantageously applicable to packages for cigarettes, which will be explicitly referred to in the following description without losing its general characteristics.

[0005] In fact, herein, specific examples of "cigarettes" will be referred to indifferently, rather than the more general expression "smoking articles", but this does not affect its general applicability with respect to other types of articles (such as cigars, cigarillos or cigarettes, electronic cigarettes or e - cigars, accessory products such as filters, e - cigarette refills and other products of other components based on tobacco or based on tobacco substitutes or alternatives). Background art

[0006] Rigid packages for cigarettes with hinged lids are the most common on the market at present, because they are easy to manufacture, convenient and practical to use, and provide good protection for the cigarettes contained therein.

[0007] A rigid package for cigarettes with a hinged lid includes an inner wrapper and a rigid outer wrapper. The inner wrapper contains a group of cigarettes wrapped in a sheet of metal paper, and the rigid outer wrapper houses the inner wrapper. The inner wrapper is initially completely closed and has a cigarette removal opening, which can be closed by a disposable tear - off part (referred to as a "pull - tab"), which is removed when the package for cigarettes is first opened to allow the removal of the cigarettes surrounded by the inner wrapper. The outer wrapper consists of a cup - shaped container and a lid. The cup - shaped container has an open upper end, and the lid is also cup - shaped and hinged to the container to rotate relative to the container itself between an open position and a closed position at the open end.

[0008] Cigarette packs are also known, for example from document WO2019082104A1, which has a waterproof inner wrapper with a cigarette extraction opening that partially extends through the upper wall of the inner wrapper and partially through the front wall of the inner wrapper, and the cigarette extraction opening is closed by a reusable closing tab. In other words, the closing tab is provided with a repositionable glue that does not dry out and allows the closing tab to be arranged in the closed position of the cigarette extraction opening multiple times. To simplify the opening and closing of the pack for cigarettes, i.e., to allow the lid of the outer wrapper and the closing tab of the inner wrapper to be opened or closed together, an end flap protruding from the front wall of the closing tab is glued in a permanent manner with a strong glue to the inner surface of the front wall of the lid. Thus, when the lid is opened or closed, the closing tab is also opened or closed simultaneously.

[0009] In known packs for cigarettes, the end flap of the closing tab is connected to the inner surface of the front wall of the lid. The end flap has dimensions that are extremely small relative to the dimensions of the closing tab itself. The end flap can be extended (i.e., the end flap is coplanar with the rest of the closing tab) or can be folded 180° and abutted against a part of the tab, specifically against the front wall of the closing tab.

[0010] In the case where the flap is an unfolded flap, the peeling of the tab from the waterproof inner wrapper surrounding the cigarette group is activated by an "S"-shaped deformation occurring in the free section between the flap of the closing tab connected to the lid and the part of the closing tab adhered to the waterproof inner wrapper. In the case where the end flap is folded, the peeling of the closing tab from the waterproof inner wrapper surrounding the cigarette group advantageously occurs in a direct manner, i.e., without triggering a specific deformation as in the case of the unfolded flap described above.

[0011] However, during the production process of packs for cigarettes with folded end flaps, due to the structure of the closing tab, the management of the closing tab within the machine is difficult. The production process involves folding the end flap in sequence and holding it in that folded configuration until the permanent glue for fixing the end flap to the inner surface of the lid is applied.

[0012] However, considering the very small size of the end flap and the size of the devices required to fold and hold the end flap, the exposed surface of the end flap itself is not large enough to apply the glue required to fix the end flap. Summary of the Invention

[0013] The object of the present invention is to provide a rigid pack for smoking articles provided with a hinged lid that does not have the drawbacks described above and is at the same time simple and economical to manufacture.

[0014] According to the present invention, there is provided a rigid package for a smoking article having a hinged lid as claimed in the appended claims. The claims describe the preferred embodiments which form part of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings which show some non - limiting embodiments of the present invention, in which:

[0016] - Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a package for cigarettes in a closed configuration according to the present invention;

[0017] - Figure 2 is Figure 1 a rear perspective view of the package for cigarettes in a closed configuration;

[0018] - Figure 3 is Figure 1 a front perspective view of the package for cigarettes in an open configuration;

[0019] - Figure 4 is a front perspective view of an inner wrapper of a package for Figure 1 in a closed configuration having a closed tab;

[0020] - Figure 5 is a front perspective view of an inner wrapper of a package for Figure 1 in a closed configuration having a closed tab according to an alternative embodiment;

[0021] - Figure 6 is a perspective view of a possible cigarette pack enclosed within the inner wrapper of Figure 3 or Figure 4 ;

[0022] - Figure 7 is a strengthening element attached to the cigarette pack of Figure 5 and enclosed within the inner wrapper of Figure 3 or Figure 4 ;

[0023] - Figure 8 is a plan view of a first side of a possible embodiment of an unfolded closed tab of the inner wrapper of the package of Figure 1 and highlighting the glue area on the closed tab itself;

[0024] - Figure 9 is a plan view of a second side of the closed tab opposite the first side of Figure 8 ;

[0025] - Figure 10A is Figure 8 and Figure 9Plan view of the first side of the folded and closed pull tab;

[0026] - Figure 10B is Figure 8 and Figure 9 Plan view of the second side of the folded and closed pull tab opposite the first side;

[0027] - Figure 11 is provided with Figure 10A and Figure 10B Perspective view of a possible reel of the closed pull tab;

[0028] - Figure 12 Cross-sectional view of the unfolded closed pull tab according to the first preferred embodiment;

[0029] - Figure 13 Cross-sectional view of the unfolded closed pull tab according to the second preferred embodiment;

[0030] - Figures 14 to 17 is regarding the Figure 12 of the closed pull tab provided with Figure 1 Cross-sectional view of the opening sequence of the package;

[0031] - Figures 18 to 21 is regarding the Figure 13 of the closed pull tab provided with Figure 1 Cross-sectional view of the opening sequence of the package;

[0032] - Figure 22 Plan view of the blank of the outer container and the hinged lid of the package for making the drawings; and

[0033] - Figure 23 is for making Figure 4 or Figure 5 Plan view of the heat-sealable wrapping sheet of the inner wrapper. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0034] Figures 1 to 3 and Figures 14 to 21 In Figures 1 and 2, the numeral 1 represents the entire rigid package for cigarettes. The package 1 for cigarettes includes a rigid outer container 2 (i.e., made of cardboard or stiff card paper) and a sealed inner wrapper 3 (more clearly shown in Figures 3 and 4), and the inner wrapper is received in the outer container 2. Figure 4 and Figure 5 The outer container 2 is cup-shaped, having an open upper end 4 (visible in Figures 5, 6, and 7), and is provided with a lid 5. The lid 5 is cup-shaped and is hinged along hinge 6 (as shown in Figures 8, 9, and 10).

[0035] The outer container 2 is cup-shaped, having an open upper end 4 (visible in Figures Figure 3 , Figures 15 to 17 and Figures 19 to 21 ), and is provided with a lid 5. The lid 5 is cup-shaped and is hinged along hinge 6 (as shown in Figures Figure 2 , Figure 3 andFigures 14 to 21 shown) is hinged to the outer container 2 so as to rotate relative to the outer container 2 itself between an open position (as Figure 3 shown) and a closed position (as Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 14 and Figure 18 shown).

[0036] The outer container 2 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape according to the main vertically extending direction, the outer container is cup-shaped, and has an open upper end 4, a lower wall 7 opposite to the open upper end 4, a front wall 8 and a rear wall 9 parallel and opposite to each other (wherein a hinge 6 is arranged), and two side walls 10 parallel and opposite to each other. Four longitudinal corners are defined between the front wall 8, the rear wall 9 and the side walls 10 of the outer container 2, and four transverse corners are defined between the front wall 8, the rear wall 9, the side walls 10 and the lower wall 7 of the outer container 2.

[0037] The lid 5 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, the lid is cup-shaped, and has an open lower end (when the lid 6 is in the closed position, facing the open upper end of the outer container 2), an upper wall 11 (when the lid 5 is in the closed position, parallel and opposite to the lower wall 7 of the outer container 2), a front wall 12 (when the lid 5 is in the closed position, parallel and aligned with the front wall 8 of the outer container 2), a rear wall 13 (when the lid 5 is in the closed position and hinged to the rear wall 9 of the outer container 2 along the hinge 6, parallel and aligned with the rear wall 9 of the outer container 2), and two side walls 14 parallel and opposite to each other (when the lid 5 is in the closed position 4, parallel and aligned with the side walls 10 of the outer container 2, specifically coplanar and adjacent to the side walls of the outer container). Four longitudinal corners are defined between the front wall 12, the rear wall 13 and the side walls 14 of the lid 5, and four transverse corners are defined between the front wall 12, the rear wall 13, the side walls 14 and the upper wall 11 of the lid 5. When the lid 5 is in the closed position, the longitudinal corners of the lid 5 are parallel and aligned with the corresponding longitudinal corners of the outer container 2, and when the lid 5 is in the closed position, the transverse corners defined by the upper wall 10 of the lid 5 are parallel to the transverse corners defined by the lower wall 6 of the outer container 2.

[0038] As shown in the drawings, the cigarette pack 1 does not have a rigid collar.

[0039] According to an alternative embodiment (not shown), the cigarette pack 1 may have a rigid collar which, when the lid 5 itself is arranged in the closed position, is connected (by gluing) inside the outer container 2 and folded into a "U" so as to partially project outside the open upper end 4 of the outer container 2 and engage the corresponding inner surface of the lid 5.

[0040] As shown in the drawings, the cigarette pack 1 includes an inner wrapper 3 (as Figure 4 and Figure 5as shown), the inner wrapper is received in the outer container 2 to project partially outside the open upper end 4 and surrounds a parallelepiped-shaped cigarette pack 15 (such as Figure 6 as shown).

[0041] According to a possible embodiment, the inner wrapper 3 may have a reinforcing element 16 inside (such as Figure 7 as shown), which is made of cardboard or stiff paper (exactly similar to the cardboard or stiff paper forming the outer container 2), is "U"-shaped, and is arranged inside the inner wrapper 3 in contact with the cigarette pack 15. The reinforcing element 16 includes a rectangular front wall 17 and a pair of side walls 18. The front wall is arranged to contact the front wall of the cigarette pack 15, and the pair of side walls are connected to opposite sides of the front wall 17 and are arranged to contact the side walls of the cigarette pack 15. The front wall 17 has a window arranged at the top, which is bounded by an edge 19 and is "U"-shaped, and the window exposes the upper region of the front wall of the cigarette pack 15, facilitating the removal of cigarettes from the cigarette pack 15.

[0042] According to a possible alternative embodiment, the reinforcing element 16 may be shaped differently from Figure 7 as shown; for example, the reinforcing element 16 may include a bottom wall and / or a rear wall.

[0043] According to a possible alternative embodiment, the inner wrapper 3 does not have the reinforcing element 16.

[0044] The inner wrapper 3 (as Figure 4 and Figure 5 shown) has a front wall 20, a rear wall 21, side walls 22, an upper wall 23, and a lower wall 24. The inner wrapper 3 is folded around the cigarette pack 15. The inner wrapper 3 may have fin joints (such as Figure 4 and Figure 5 shown). The inner wrapper 3 has a cigarette removal opening 25 at the top and in the front (as Figure 3 shown), which is closed by a reusable closing tab 26 (such as Figures 3 to 5 , Figures 8 to 21 and Figure 23 shown). In other words, the inner wrapper 3 has a cigarette removal opening 25 in the region of at least a part of the front wall 20 and the upper wall 23, which is closed by a reusable closing tab 26.

[0045] According to a possible embodiment, the closing tab 26 is made of a plastic material, a paper material, or a multi-layer material that includes, for example, an inner layer of paper material and an outer layer of plastic material.

[0046] As shown in detail in the drawings, the closing tab 26 is held by a repositionable glue 27 that does not dry out (such as Figure 8 , Figures 12 to 21shown) is connected (fixed) to the inner wrapper 3, the glue being applied to the surface between the closing tab 26 and the reel (as Figure 11 shown), and being arranged completely around the extraction opening 25 to allow the closing tab 26 to be partially separated from the inner wrapper 3 a plurality of times (i.e., each time the package 1 for cigarettes is opened), and then fixed again to the inner wrapper 3 (each time the package 1 for cigarettes is closed).

[0047] Preferably, according to Figure 8 the embodiment shown, the closing tab 26 is fixed to the inner wrapper 3 by means of a permanent glue 29 in a region of at least one rear wall 21 of the inner wrapper 3 and a part in the region of the extraction opening 25. Alternatively, the closing tab 26 can be fixed to the inner wrapper 3 by means of a permanent glue in a region of a part in the region of the extraction opening 25 and a repositionable glue in a region of at least one rear wall 21 of the inner wrapper 3. Specifically, the closing tab 26 is fixed to the inner wrapper 3, closes the cigarette extraction opening 25, and has an end 30 ([[]] Figure 10A and Figure 10B ) connected (specifically glued) to the wall (specifically, the front wall 11) of the lid 5. Preferably, the end 30 of the closing tab 26 is fixed to the wall of the lid 5 by means of a glue 31, which is specifically a permanent glue or a strong glue, applied to the surface of the closing tab 26 facing the lid 5. Preferably, the closing tab 26 is connected to the front wall 11 of the lid 5 in a permanent manner by means of the glue 31 to lift the closing tab 26 during opening of the lid 5 and, similarly, to lower the closing tab 26 during closing of the lid 5.

[0048] According to the invention, the closing tab 26 is formed by folding a flat sheet 32 onto itself, thereby defining two flaps 33 and 34 of the closing tab 26. In other words, the closing tab 26 is folded onto itself (i.e., 180°) along a folding line 35 that defines the two flaps 33 and 34 of the closing tab 26. Thus, the two flaps 33 and 34 are adjacent to each other and separated by the folding line 35.

[0049] Advantageously, as can be seen from the drawings, the closing tab 26 consists only of the flaps 33 and 34.

[0050] Possible embodiments of the closing tab 26 are in Figures 8 to 11is shown in detail. Two flaps 33 and 34 are connected (specifically, glued) to each other at least in the regions of the respective edges 36A and 36B that are opposite to the folding line 35 (specifically, the corner 37 defined by the folding line 35). In other words, the closed tab 26 folded along the folding line 35 has edges 36A and 36B that are connected (i.e., overlapped and glued by the glue 38 schematically shown in the figure) to define a sleeve with the sides (i.e., the longitudinal sides connecting the folding line 35 to each of the edges 36A and 36B) open (i.e., not connected or not fully connected).

[0051] Specifically, in Figure 8 is shown the first side of the closed tab 26 that is arranged on the outside after a 180° fold (i.e., the folded parts are opposite and do not face each other). On this side of the unfolded tab 26 are arranged the repositionable glue 27 and the glue 29 that connect the closed tab 26 to the inner wrapper 3. In Figure 8 (which is non-limiting), the flap 34 has glue 31 (preferably, it is a permanent glue) in the region of the connecting part 45 (i.e., the part of the flap 34 that is located between the separation line 42 and the folding line 35); however, the remaining part of the flap 34 (i.e., the part located between the edge 36b and the separation line 42) preferably has no glue (specifically, it has no glue of any type). The flap 33 has glue 29 (specifically, it is permanent) applied in the region of the part between the edge 36A and the region near the extraction opening and glue 27 (preferably, it is a repositionable glue) applied in the region of the part located between the line 55 (imaginary) and the extraction opening of the tab 26; whereas, conversely, the part located between the line 55 (imaginary) and the folding line 35 has no glue (specifically, it has no glue of any type).

[0052] Specifically, in Figure 9 is, conversely, shown the second side of the unfolded closed tab 26 that is opposite to the side shown in Figure 8 and that is arranged on the inside after a 180° fold of the sheet 32 (i.e., the folded parts face each other) to connect the two flaps 33 and 34 to each other. In Figure 9 (which is non-limiting), the flap 34 has glue 38 (preferably, it is a permanent glue) in the region of the part between the separation line 42 and the edge 36B; while the part of the flap 34 between the separation line 42 and the folding line 35 preferably has no glue (specifically, it has no glue of any type). Preferably, the flap 33 has no glue at all (specifically, it has no glue of any type). Thus, in Figure 9 the sheet 32 has glue only in the regions of the parts of the flap 34 described above; while the flap 33 preferably has no glue 38 (specifically, it has no glue of any type).

[0053] According to possible alternative embodiments, a part of the flap 33 may also be provided with glue 38.

[0054] According to possible and alternative embodiments, the coverage area of the glue 38 may be different from that shown in Figure 9 ; importantly, the glue 38 is distributed to define the sleeve described above.

[0055] Figure 10A and Figure 10B shows Figure 8 and Figure 9 the pull tab 26 folded 180° about the fold line 35. Specifically, Figure 10A shows the side of the pull tab 26 facing the lid 5 when the pull tab is applied to the inner wrapper 3. Specifically, the two fold lines along which the pull tab 26 folds are schematically shown by the numeral 56 when the inner wrapper 3 is further folded around the cigarette pack 15. Conversely, Figure 10B shows the side of the pull tab 26 opposite to the side shown in Figure 10A which is configured to be applied (specifically directly applied) to the inner wrapper 3.

[0056] As Figures 14 to 21 shown, when the lid 5 is in the closed position, the flaps 33 and 34 closing the pull tab 26 are arranged substantially parallel to each other, where the flap 33 is connected to the inner wrapper 3 and the flap 34 is arranged between the flap 33 and the lid 5. Advantageously, as shown in Figure 8 and Figure 9 showing the unfolded sheet 32, the closing pull tab 26 has a fold line 35 in the region of the center line of the closing pull tab 26 itself. In other words, the fold line 35 is arranged centrally between the edges 36A and 36B (i.e., equidistant). The fold line 35 extends transversely (specifically perpendicular) to the longitudinal extension direction of the unfolded closing pull tab 26 (i.e., its sheet 32). By folding the sheet 32 180° along the fold line 35, the closing pull tab 26 applied to the inner wrapper 3 is obtained. Thus, as described above, the closing pull tab 26 includes two flaps 33 and 34 (specifically consisting only of them), which are connected to each other without a gap by means of the fold line 35, and their edges 36A and 36B are connected to each other.

[0057] Furthermore, the fold line 35 is arranged on the center line of the closing pull tab 26 itself, and the two flaps 33 and 34 have the same size, i.e., dimensions, (specifically, the heights H1, H2 measured parallel to the side wall 10 and the widths L1, L2 measured transversely (specifically perpendicular) to the side wall 10). In other words, the dimension H1 and the dimension LI of the flap 33 are the same (or substantially the same) as the (similarly measured) dimension H2 and the dimension L2 of the flap 34 of the closing pull tab 26.

[0058] Furthermore, since the two flaps 33 and 34 are made by folding the same sheet 32, they have the same thickness (i.e., the dimension measured perpendicular to the dimensions L1, L2 and H1, H2). Thus, the closing tab 26 (and thus the flaps 33 and 34 forming it) has a constant thickness.

[0059] As Figures 14 to 21 shown in the cross-sectional views, each of the flaps 33 and 34 has a front panel 39A, 39B, an upper panel 40A, 40B and a rear panel 41A, 41B (for simplicity, these panels are only marked when the lid 5 is closed Figure 14 and Figure 18 ). Thus, the flap 33 has a front panel 39A, an upper panel 40A and a rear panel 41A; and the flap 34 has a front panel 39B, an upper panel 40B and a rear panel 41B. As can be seen from Figure 14 and Figure 18 , when the lid 5 is in the closed position, each front panel 39A, 39B is arranged parallel to the front wall 20 of the inner wrapper 3, each upper panel 40A, 40B is parallel to the upper wall 23 of the inner wrapper 3, and each rear panel 41A, 41B is parallel to the rear wall 21 of the inner wrapper 3. The folding line 35 defines the corner 37 between the two front panels 39A, 39B of the flaps 33 and 34.

[0060] According to the illustration, the sheet 32 may also have a separation line 42 or 43 in the region of the front panel 39B of the flap 34 (as schematically shown in Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figures 8 to 13 and Figures 14 to 21 ).

[0061] Specifically, in Figure 5 , Figures 8 to 12 , Figures 14 to 17 , the separation line 42 consists of a partial notch line of the flap 34. In contrast, in Figure 4 , Figure 13 , Figures 18 to 21 , the separation line 43 consists of a folding line of the flap 34 or an "ideal" line defined by a glued edge, as will become clearer below.

[0062] The separation line 42 or 43 is spaced apart from and parallel to the folding line 35. Advantageously, the separation line 42 or 43 has at least one straight section or is completely straight (as in Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figures 8 to 1As shown in FIG. 0). According to possible alternative embodiments (not shown), in addition to or alternatively to the straight section, the separation line 42 or 43 has at least one shaped (i.e., non-straight) section. Specifically, the separation line has a "U" shaped pattern.

[0063] As shown in the drawings, the separation line 42 or 43 divides the connecting portion 45 of the front panel 39B of the flap 34 from the rest of the front panel 39B. In other words, the connecting portion 45 is obtained from the front panel 39B of the flap 34 that encloses the pull tab 26. Thus, the front panel 39B is connected to the lid 5 in the region of the connecting portion 45. In other words, the flap 34 has a connecting portion 45 that is near the end 30 and is defined between the folding line 35 and the separation line 42. The separation line 42 and the separation line 43 are alternatives to each other, as will be described in detail below.

[0064] Preferably, the separation line 42 is made by means of a score, notch, cut or perforation. Specifically, the separation line 42 includes one or more bonding portions (e.g., in the form of bonding points) for holding the connecting portion 45 connected to the front panel 39B of the flap 34 by means of the bonding portion until the lid 5 is first opened. The bonding portion is configured to break only when the lid 5 is first opened.

[0065] According to Figures 14 to 17 the preferred embodiment shown, the closure tab 26 is made as Figure 12 shown and has a separation line 42 defined by a partial notch of the flap 34.

[0066] When the lid 5 is first opened, the connecting portion 45 separates from the rest of the front panel 39B of the second flap 34 with a gap along the separation line 42.

[0067] Specifically, in this embodiment, the two flaps 33 and 34 are connected to each other by glue 38, which is specifically a strong glue or a permanent glue. In this embodiment, the glue 38 extends in the regions of the edges 36A and 36B and between at least a part of the front panels 39A, 39B, the upper panels 40A, 40B and the rear panels 41A, 41B of the two flaps 33 and 34. Thus, as shown in detail in Figures 14 to 17 showing the opening sequence of the lid 5, during the rotation of the flap 5 between the open position and the closed position, the two flaps 33 and 34 form a unitary body with each other and move together.

[0068] Preferably, the two flaps 33 and 34 of the closure tab 26 are not connected to each other in the region of the connecting portion 45 to ensure that the connecting portion 45 is deformed and acts as an end flap during the opening of the lid 5.

[0069] According to Figures 18 to 21 the alternative preferred embodiment shown, the closure tab 26 is asFigure 13 manufactured as shown, and having a separating line 43. The connecting portion 45 is separated from the rest of the front panel 39B of the flap 34 along the separating line 43 and there is no gap between the connecting portion and the rest of the front panel of the flap. Specifically, the two flaps 33 and 34 are connected to each other by glue 38 (as described, the glue is specifically a strong glue or a permanent glue). In this embodiment, the glue 38 extends in the area of only the rear panels 41A, 41B or in the area of a part of the upper panels 40A, 40B and the two rear panels 41A, 41B. Thus, as shown in the Figures 18 to 21 detailed view showing the opening sequence of the lid 5, during the rotation of the lid 5 between the open position and the closed position, the two flaps 33 and 34 are spaced apart from each other. Specifically, the two flaps 33 and 34 are deformed and move differently relative to each other. Therefore, the flaps 33 and 34 exhibit different shapes and trajectories with respect to each other. As shown in the figure, the flap 34 is deformed and arranged in the lid 5, while the flap 33 arches after being deformed in an "S" shape.

[0070] According to Figure 22 shown, the outer container 2 and the lid 5 are made by folding a flat blank 46 made of cardboard or stiff paper and having a substantially elongated rectangular shape. The blank 46 is a conventional blank and includes two longitudinal folding lines 47 (pre-weakened) and a plurality of transverse folding lines 48 (pre-weakened), the plurality of transverse folding lines defining between the two longitudinal folding lines 47 a panel 8' constituting the front wall 8 of the outer container 2, a panel 7' constituting the lower wall 7 of the outer container 2, a panel 9' constituting the rear wall 9 of the outer container 2, a panel 13' constituting the rear wall 13 of the lid 5, a panel 11' constituting the upper wall 11 of the lid 5, a panel 12' constituting the front wall 12 of the lid 5, and a reinforcing strip 12". The reinforcing strip 12" is connected to the front wall 12 of the lid 5 along the transverse folding line 49, the reinforcing strip is folded 180° (in the package 1 for cigarettes) with respect to the front wall 12 of the lid 5 (i.e., with respect to the panel 12"), and the reinforcing strip abuts against and is glued to the inner surface of the front wall 12 of the lid 5 (i.e., on the panel 12'). The blank 46 includes a pair of wings 10' arranged on opposite sides of the panel 8', connected to the panel 8' along the two longitudinal folding lines 47, and constituting a part of the side wall 10 of the outer container 2. The blank 46 includes a pair of wings 10" arranged on opposite sides of the panel 9', connected to the panel 9' along the two longitudinal folding lines 47, constituting a part of the side wall 10 of the outer container 2, and overlapping and glued to the corresponding wings 10' to constitute the side wall 9 of the outer container 2.

[0071] The blank 46 includes a pair of wings 14', which are arranged on opposite sides of the panel 12', are connected to the panel 12' along two longitudinal folding lines 47, and form part of the side wall 14 of the cover 5. The blank 46 includes a pair of wings 14", which are arranged on opposite sides of the panel 13", are connected to the panel 13" along two longitudinal folding lines 47, form part of the side wall 14 of the cover 5, and overlap and are glued to the corresponding wings 14' to form the side wall 14 of the cover 5.

[0072] The blank 46 includes two flaps 50, which are connected to the wings 10" along a transverse folding line 48, are folded 90° and are located on the inner surface of the panel 7'.

[0073] The blank 46 includes two flaps 51, which are connected to the wings 14" along a transverse folding line 43, are folded 90° and are located on the inner surface of the panel 11'.

[0074] As shown in Figure 23 the inner wrapper 3 is obtained by folding a heat-sealable wrapper sheet 52, which is rectangular, is folded around the cigarette group 15, and once folded, is fixed by heat-sealing (i.e., the overlapping portions of the wrapper sheet 52 are firmly connected to each other by heat-sealing). The wrapper sheet 52 has a "U"-shaped cut and defines an access opening 25 of the inner wrapper 3. In addition, a closing tab 26 that completely covers the cut (i.e., the access opening 25) is glued to the wrapper sheet 52. A repositionable glue 27 is provided between the closing tab 26 and the wrapper sheet 52, and the repositionable glue is pressure-sensitive (i.e., does not dry), and even after a long time and after multiple uses, the repositionable glue allows the closing tab 26 to be separated from the wrapper sheet 52 and then re-bonded to the wrapper sheet 52.

[0075] In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the longitudinal corners and the transverse corners are right angles; in an alternative, the longitudinal corners and / or the transverse corners can be rounded or beveled.

[0076] Without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention, the embodiments described herein can be combined with each other.

[0077] The packaging 1 for cigarettes described above has several advantages.

[0078] Mainly, the packaging 1 for cigarettes described above allows for easier and more convenient management of the closing tab 26 throughout the process of manufacturing the packaging 1. In fact, the packaging 1 described above allows for the connecting flap folded 180° to be an integral part of the closing tab 26 without presenting the drawbacks described previously. Therefore, it is necessary to coordinate a single element (i.e., the closing tab 26) that is completely flat, has a constant thickness, and does not have protruding / folding flaps to be managed, thus simplifying the structure of the machine.

[0079] Furthermore, the connecting portion 45 acts as the end flap required to apply the peeling force of the closing tab 26 to the opening of the lid 5.

[0080] In addition, the extension of the size of the connecting flap is only defined by the separating line 42 or 43.

[0081] The presence of the separating line 42 with some (i.e., at least two) bonding points allows for the integrity of the closing tab 26 to be maintained throughout the manufacturing process and then, when the lid 5 is first opened, this separating line is (intentionally) broken, thus defining the end flap and its function in a geometrically clear manner.

[0082] In the case where the separating line 43 is present, the extension of the flaps 33 and 34 of the closing tab 26 is defined by the gluing position with respect to the folding line 35, thus ensuring detachment from the two flaps 33 and 34 when the lid 5 is opened. In this way, the flap 34 does not interfere with the opening of the lid 5 or the peeling of the closing tab 26.

[0083] The structure of the folded closing tab 26 has the following advantages: the closing tab 26 has a constant thickness throughout its length, thus ensuring uniform wrapping of the tab reel and therefore allowing for an increase in its tension. In addition, the length of the folded closing tab 26 is the same as the width of its reel.

[0084] List of Reference Numerals

[0085] 1 Packaging for cigarettes

[0086] 2 Outer container

[0087] 3 Inner wrapper

[0088] 4 Upper end

[0089] 5 Lid

[0090] 6 Hinge

[0091] 7 Lower wall

[0092] 8 Front wall

[0093] 9 Rear wall

[0094] 10 Side wall

[0095] 11 Upper wall

[0096] 12 Front wall

[0097] 13 Rear wall

[0098] 14 Side wall

[0099] 15 Cigarette group

[0100] 16 Reinforcing element

[0101] 17 Front wall

[0102] 18 Side wall

[0103] 19 Edge

[0104] 20 Front wall

[0105] 21 Rear wall

[0106] 22 Side wall

[0107] 23 Upper wall

[0108] 24 Lower wall

[0109] 25 Removal opening

[0110] 26 Closing tab

[0111] 27 Glue 28

[0113] 29 Glue

[0114] 30 End

[0115] 31 Glue

[0116] 32 Sheet

[0117] 33 Flap

[0118] 34 Flap

[0119] 35 Fold line

[0120] 36 Edge

[0121] 37 Corner

[0122] 38 Glue

[0123] 39 Front panel

[0124] 40 Upper panel

[0125] 41 Rear panel

[0126] 42 Separation line

[0127] 43 Folding line

[0128] 45 Connecting part

[0129] 46 Green body

[0130] 47 Folding line

[0131] 48 Folding line

[0132] 49 Folding line

[0133] 50 Pull tab

[0134] 51 Pull tab

[0135] 52 Sheet

[0136] 55 Line

[0137] 56 Folding line

[0138] 1’ Panel

[0139] 2’ Panel

[0140] 3’ Panel

[0141] 4’ Panel

[0142] 5’ Panel

[0143] 6’ Panel

[0144] 7’ Panel

[0145] 8’ Panel

[0146] 9’ Panel

[0147] 10’ Wing

[0148] 10” Wing

[0149] 11’ Panel

[0150] 12’ Panel

[0151] 12” Panel

[0152] 13’ Panel

[0153] 14’ Wing

[0154] 14” Wing

Claims

1. A package (1) for a smoking article, comprising: A group of smoking articles (15); An inner wrapper (3) that wraps the group of smoking articles (15) and has a front wall (20), an upper wall (23), and a smoking article removal opening (25) formed by the front wall (20) and the upper wall (23); A rigid outer container (2), which is cup-shaped, houses the inner wrapper (3) and has an open upper end (4); A lid (5), which is cup-shaped and hinged to the outer container (2) to rotate relative to the outer container (2) between an open position and a closed position; And A closing tab (26) connected to the inner wrapper (3), closing the smoking article removal opening (25) and having an end (26) connected to the wall of the lid (5); Characterized in that: The closing tab (26) of the package (1) is folded onto itself, thereby defining a first flap (33) and a second flap (34) of the closing tab (26), The first flap and the second flap are adjacent to each other and separated by a fold line (35); and An edge (36A) of the first flap (33) opposite to the fold line (35) is connected to an edge (36B) of the second flap (34) opposite to the fold line (35).

2. The package according to claim 1, wherein: The second flap (34) includes a separation line (42; 43), and a connecting portion (45) is defined between the fold line (35) and the separation line (42; 43); in the region of the connecting portion (45), the closing tab (26) is connected to the lid (5); The two flaps (33, 34) of the closing tab (26) are not connected to each other in the region of the connecting portion (45).

3. The package according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The two flaps (33, 34) have the same dimensions (H1, H2, L1, L2).

4. The package according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, wherein The closing tab (26) consists only of the two flaps (33, 34).

5. The package according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The first flap (33) of the closing tab (26) and the second flap (34) of the closing tab (26) have the same thickness.

6. The package according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein The closing tab (26) has a constant thickness.

7. The package according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: When the lid (5) is in the closed position, the first flap (33) of the closing tab (26) and the second flap (34) of the closing tab (26) are substantially parallel to each other; and The first flap (33) is connected to the inner wrapper (3), and the second flap (34) is arranged between the first flap (33) and the lid (5).

8. The package according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The first flap (33) and the second flap (34) of the closing tab (26) respectively have a front panel (39A, 39B), an upper panel (40A, 40B), and a rear panel (41A, 41B); When the lid (5) is in the closed position, each of the front panels (39A, 39B) is parallel to the front wall (20) of the lid (5), each of the upper panels (40A, 40B) is parallel to the upper wall (23) of the lid (5), and each of the rear panels (41A, 41B) is parallel to the rear wall (21) of the lid (5).

9. The package according to claims 2 and 8, wherein: The front panel (39B) of the second flap (34) has the connecting portion (45) near the end (30); The connecting portion (45) is defined between the folding line (35) and the separating line (42), and when the lid (5) is initially opened, the connecting portion (45) is separated from the rest of the front panel (39B) of the second flap (34) along the separating line with a gap therebetween; and The separating line (42) is spaced apart from the folding line (35) and at least a part of the separating line is parallel to the folding line.

10. The package according to claim 9, wherein: The closing tab (26) is provided with the separating line (42); and The two flaps (33, 34) of the closing tab (26) are specifically connected to each other in a permanent manner in the regions of a part of the two front panels (39A, 39B), the two rear panels (41A, 41B), and the two upper panels (40A, 40B).

11. The package according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein During the rotation of the lid (5) between the open position and the closed position, the first flap (33) and the second flap (34) are integral with each other and move together.

12. The package according to claims 2 and 8, wherein: The front panel (39B) of the second flap (34) has the connecting portion (45) near the end (30); The connecting portion (45) is defined between the folding line (35) and the separating line (43), and the separating line connects the connecting portion (45) to the rest of the front panel (39B) of the second flap (34) without a gap; and The separating line (43) is spaced apart from the folding line (35) and at least a part of the separating line is parallel to the folding line.

13. The package according to claim 12, wherein: The two flaps (33, 34) of the closing tab (26) are specifically connected to each other in a permanent manner only in the regions of the two rear panels (41A, 41B); or The two flaps (33, 34) of the closing tab (26) are specifically connected to each other in a permanent manner in the regions of a part of the upper panels (40A, 40B) and the two rear panels (41A, 41B).

14. The package according to claim 12 or 13, wherein, During the rotation of the lid (5) between the open position and the closed position, the first flap (33) and the second flap (34) are deformed and move differently relative to each other.

Images