Hard packaging for smoking articles having a

Abstract

A hard package (1) for suction articles having an inclined opening, comprising: a wrapper (4) wrapping a group (5) of suction articles and having a suction article extraction opening (26) formed through at least one upper wall (23); a hard inner container (3) accommodating the wrapper (4); a hard outer container (2) accommodating the inner container (3); a hinge (6) in the region of which the inner container (3) is connected to the outer container (2) in order to allow the inner container (3) itself to rotate between a closed position in which the inner container (3) is inserted inside the outer container (2) and an open position in which the inner container (3) is partially withdrawn from the outer container (2).

Description

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications

[0002] This patent application claims the priority of Italian Patent Application No. 102022000023634, filed on November 16, 2022, and the entire disclosure of the Italian patent application is incorporated herein by reference. Technical field

[0003] The present invention relates to a rigid package for smoking articles having an inclined opening. The present invention is advantageously applied to packages for cigarettes, and the discussion hereinafter will be clearly illustrated with reference to the package for cigarettes as a reference example, without prejudice to its general applicability.

[0004] In this text, in fact, "cigarettes" will be indiscriminately used as a specific example instead of using the more general expression "smoking articles", however, this does not affect the general applicability of the present invention with respect to other types of articles (such as cigars, cigarillos or cigaritos, electronic cigarettes or e - cigarettes, auxiliary products such as filters, e - cigarette fillers, and other products based on tobacco or alternative tobacco - based ingredients or tobacco substitutes). In addition, the package object of the present invention may also contain other packages of smoking articles inside. Background art

[0005] Rigid packages for cigarettes with inclined openings are known, which include two containers, one of which is inserted into the other container in a partially separable manner. Specifically, the inner container is arranged to accommodate a group of wrapped cigarettes and is housed inside the outer container so as to be able to move relative to the outer container itself between a closed position in which the inner container is inserted into the outer container and an open position in which the inner container is partially withdrawn from the outer container by a rotational movement around a main hinge portion. The inner container may be provided with a hinged lid which is mechanically constrained to the outer container by means of suitable hooking elements to open and close the lid "automatically" (i.e., the user does not have to touch the lid) by the action of the movement of the inner container relative to the outer container.

[0006] The inner container houses an inner wrapper which contains a group of cigarettes wrapped in a metallized paper sheet. The inner wrapper is initially completely closed and has a cigarette extraction opening which can be closed by a disposable tear - off portion (referred to as a "pull - strip") which is removed when the package for cigarettes is opened for the first time to allow the extraction of the cigarettes encapsulated by the inner wrapper.

[0007] As an alternative, the package may have a cigarette extraction opening that extends partially through the upper wall of the inner package and partially through the front wall of the inner package, and the cigarette extraction opening is closed by a reusable closing tab. In other words, the closing tab is provided with 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.

[0008] To simplify the opening and closing of the packaging for cigarettes, i.e., to allow the outer container and the closing tab of the inner package to be opened or closed together with a single operation, a part of the closing tab (i.e., the connecting flap of the closing tab is folded against a part of the closing tab in the front wall area of the tab itself) is permanently glued to the inner surface of the rear wall of the outer container using strong glue. In this way, when the outer container is opened or closed relative to the inner container, the closing tab is also opened or closed simultaneously.

[0009] Generally, in known cigarette packages, the flap of the closing tab that is connected to the inner surface of the rear wall of the outer container is folded at 180°.

[0010] The production process involves the following steps: folding the end flaps in sequence and holding them in that folded configuration until the moment when permanent glue is applied to fix the end flaps to the inner surface of the outer container.

[0011] However, considering the very small size of the end flaps and the size of the device required to fold and hold the end flaps, the surface area exposed by the end flaps themselves is not large enough, resulting in the inability to apply the glue required to fix the end flaps. Summary of the Invention

[0012] The object of the present invention is to provide a rigid package for smoking articles with an inclined opening that does not have the above-mentioned drawbacks and is at the same time easy and economical to manufacture.

[0013] According to the present invention, there is provided a rigid package for smoking articles with an inclined opening as claimed in the appended claims.

[0014] The claims describe preferred embodiments of the present invention, which form an integral 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 rigid package for cigarettes with an inclined opening, the rigid package being arranged in a closed configuration;

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

[0018] - Figures 3 to 5 Is Figure 1 The front perspective view of the package for cigarettes, and these figures sequentially show the package itself in the open configuration;

[0019] - Figure 6 Is Figure 1 The rear perspective view of the wrapper of the package in the closed configuration, where a closing tab is applied;

[0020] - Figure 7 Is encapsulated in Figure 6 The perspective view of the possible group of smoking articles in the wrapper;

[0021] - Figure 8 Is connected to Figure 5 The group of smoking articles and is encapsulated in Figure 6 The perspective view of the reinforcing element in the inner wrapper;

[0022] - Figure 9 Is Figure 1 The plan view of the first side of the possible embodiment of the unfolded closing tab of the inner wrapper of the package, and where the gluing area present on the closing tab itself is highlighted;

[0023] - Figure 10 Is the plan view of the second side of the closing tab opposite to the first side of Figure 9 ;

[0024] - Figure 11 Is Figure 9 And Figure 10 The plan view of the folded closing tab;

[0025] - Figure 12 Is Figure 1 The plan view of the first side of the other embodiment of the stretchable closing tab of the inner wrapper of the package, and where the glue area present on the closing tab itself is highlighted;

[0026] - Figure 13 Is provided with Figure 11 The perspective view of the possible reel of the closing tab (with the glue area removed);

[0027] - Figure 14 The sectional view of the possible embodiment of Package 1;

[0028] - Figure 15 The sectional view of the possible alternative embodiment of Package 1;

[0029] -Figure 16 is a plan view of a blank for an outer container and a hinged inner container for a package for manufacturing Figure 1 ;

[0030] - Figure 17 is a plan view of a heat-sealable wrapping sheet for forming a wrapper for Figure 6 ; and

[0031] - Figures 18 to 22 is a plan view of a possible embodiment of a stop member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] In Figures 1 to 5 , Figure 14 and Figure 15 , the numeral 1 denotes the overall rigid package for cigarettes having an inclined opening. The package 1 for cigarettes comprises a rigid outer container 2 (i.e., made of cardboard or rigid cardstock), a rigid inner container 3 which preferably houses a sealed inner wrapper 4 (better shown in Figure 6 and hereinafter simply referred to as "wrapper").

[0033] The rigid inner container 3 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape oriented according to the main vertical unfolding direction and houses the wrapper 4 (i.e., the group of smoking articles 5). The rigid outer container 2 is of parallelepiped shape and houses the inner container 3. The inner container 3 is hinged to the outer container 2 along a main hinge 6 to pivot between a closed position (shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 ) in which the inner container 3 is inserted inside the outer container 2 and an open position (shown in Figures 3 to 5 ) in which the inner container 3 is partially withdrawn from the outer container 2 so as to be able to access the wrapper 4. The inner container 3 is of parallelepiped shape, cup-shaped and has an open upper end 7 (through which the wrapper 4 can be accessed), a front wall 8, two mutually parallel and opposite side walls 9 and an open rear end 10.

[0034] Thus, according to this embodiment, the inner container 3 has no rear wall. In addition, the inner container 3 has no bottom wall.

[0035] According to an embodiment not shown, the inner container 3 may be provided with a rear wall opposite and parallel to the front wall 8 and / or a bottom wall opposite to the open upper end 7.

[0036] Two longitudinal corners are defined between the front wall 8 and the two side walls 9 of the inner container 3.

[0037] The outer container 2 also has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape oriented according to a main vertically extending direction and has: an upper wall 11; a lower wall 12, parallel and opposite to the upper wall 11; an open front end 13 through which the inner container 3 moves (in other words, when the inner container 3 moves between the open position and the closed position, the inner container passes through the open front end 13); a rear wall 14, opposite to the open front end 13 and parallel and facing the open rear end 10 of the inner container 3 when the inner container 3 is in the closed position; and two side walls 15, parallel and opposite to each other and parallel and facing the corresponding side walls 9 of the inner container 3 when the inner container 3 is in the closed position.

[0038] Two longitudinal corners are defined between the rear wall 14 and the two side walls 15 of the outer container 2, and two transverse corners are defined between the side walls 15, the upper wall 11 and the lower wall 12 of the outer container 2.

[0039] When the inner container 3 is in the closed position, the longitudinal corners of the outer container 2 are parallel and aligned with the corresponding longitudinal corners of the inner container 3.

[0040] Preferably, the pack 1 has a through-opening 16 in the region of the rear wall 14 of the outer container 2, the shape and size of which allow a user's finger to pass through. Specifically, in order to open the pack 1 for cigarettes, the user grasps the outer container 2 with one hand and inserts a finger inside the through-opening 16, thereby creating a relative movement (specifically, tilting) between the inner container 3 and the outer container 2. As an alternative to the solution shown in Figure 2 Before the pack 1 is initially opened, the pack 1 may include a closing flap (not shown) fixed to the edge of the through-opening 16 (for example, by means of a joining point). In this embodiment, at the first opening, the user will open the pack 1 by pressing on the closing flap and will separate the closing flap from the edge of the through-opening 16 at least partially (preferably completely). Advantageously, the closing flap serves the function of demonstrating that the pack 1 has never been opened before.

[0041] Furthermore, the closing flap may be (directly or indirectly) fixed to the wrapper 4. Advantageously, after the pack 1 is initially opened, the closing flap remains integral with the wrapper 4, thus maintaining the graphical continuity with any images and / or text present on the pack 1.

[0042] The wrapper 4 (shown in Figure 6 contains a group of smoking articles 5 having a generally parallelepiped shape (shown by way of example in Figure 7 and a wrapper sheet 63 that wraps the group of smoking articles 5 to completely encapsulate the group of smoking articles therein.

[0043] According to a possible embodiment, the interior of the package 4 may have a reinforcing element 17 (e.g., as shown in Figure 8 ), which is made of cardboard or stiff paper material (exactly similar to the cardboard or stiff paper material constituting the outer container 2), is in a U-shaped configuration and is arranged inside the package 4 in contact with the group of smoking articles 5. The reinforcing element 17 includes: a front wall 18 in a rectangular shape, arranged to be in contact with the front wall of the group of smoking articles 5; and a pair of side walls 19, connected to opposite sides of the front wall 18 and arranged to be in contact with the side walls of the group of smoking articles 5. The front wall 18 has a window arranged at the top, which is bounded by an edge 20, is in a U-shaped configuration, and facilitates the extraction of cigarettes from the group of smoking articles 5 by exposing the upper region of the front wall of the group of smoking articles 5.

[0044] According to a possible alternative embodiment, the inner package 4 does not have the reinforcing element 17. According to a further embodiment, the shape of the reinforcing element 17 may be different compared to the shape shown in Figure 8 ; for example, the reinforcing element 17 may include a bottom wall and / or a rear wall.

[0045] For example, the package 4 shown in Figure 6 has a rear wall 21, a front wall 22, an upper wall 23, two side walls 24 and has a lower wall 25. The package 4 may have a fin weld (not shown).

[0046] The package 4 has a cigarette extraction opening 26 (shown in Figures 3 to 5 and Figures 9 to 15 ) closed by a reusable closing tab 27 (shown in Figures 3 to 5 ) at the top and at the front. In other words, in the region of at least a part of the rear wall 21 and the upper wall 23, the package 4 has a cigarette extraction opening 26 closed by a reusable closing tab 27.

[0047] According to a possible embodiment, the closing tab 27 is made of plastic material, or of paper material, or of a multi-layer material comprising for example an inner layer of paper material and an outer layer of plastic material.

[0048] As shown in detail in the drawings (specifically, Figure 9 , Figure 12 , Figure 14 and Figure 15 ), the closing tab 27 is fixed to the package 4 by means of a repositionable glue 28 (shown in Figure 9 , Figure 14 and Figure 15 ) that does not dry out, which is applied to the space between the closing tab 27 and the reel (shown in Figure 13between the surfaces shown in) and is arranged to completely surround the extraction opening 26 to allow the closure tab 27 to be partially separated from the package 4 multiple times (i.e., each time the package 1 for cigarettes is opened), and then fixed to the package 4 again (each time the package 1 for cigarettes is closed).

[0049] Preferably, with reference to Figure 9 and Figure 12 , in the region of at least a part of the extraction opening 26 and preferably the rear wall 21, the closure tab 27 is fixed to the package 4 by means of a permanent adhesive 29 (alternatively, the adhesive for fixing the closure tab 27 to the rear wall 21 can be a repositionable adhesive).

[0050] Advantageously, as shown in Figure 9 , Figure 11 , Figure 12 and Figure 17 , in the region of the flap 33, the closure tab 27 has a separation line 39 in a U - shape, which is arranged in the region of the extraction opening 26 of the package 4 (i.e., around the extraction opening). The separation line 39 is made by means of incisions, notches, cutouts or perforations that provide joining (or connecting) points. The separation line 39 is not shown in all the figures (even if the separation line exists in at least one layer of the flap 33 of the closure tab 27).

[0051] Specifically, the closure tab 27 is fixed to the package 4, closes the cigarette extraction opening 26, and has a connecting portion 30 that is connected (specifically, bonded) to the wall portion of the outer container 2 (specifically, the rear wall 14 or the upper wall 11). Preferably, the connecting portion 30 of the closure tab 27 is fixed to the wall portion of the outer container 2 by means of an adhesive 31 (specifically, a permanent adhesive or a strong adhesive), and the adhesive is applied to the surface of the closure tab 27 facing the outer container 2. Thus, the closure tab 27 can be preferably permanently connected to the rear wall 14 of the outer container 2 by the adhesive 31A (as shown in Figure 14 ), or can be permanently connected to the upper wall 11 of the outer container 2 by the adhesive 31B (as shown in Figure 15 ), to peel off the closure tab 27 during opening of the inner container 3, and similarly, reposition the closure tab 27 during closing of the inner container 3.

[0052] According to the present invention, the closure tab 27 is formed by folding a flat sheet 32 in half, thereby defining two flaps 33 and 34 of the closure tab 27( Figure 9 and Figure 10) and obtained. In other words, the closing tab 27 is folded in half (i.e., folded 180°) along the folding line 35 that defines the two flaps 33 and 34 of the closing tab 27. Thus, the two flaps 33 and 34 are adjacent to each other and are separated by the folding line 35. As will be described in detail below, the two flaps 33 and 34 are connected to each other at least in the region of the respective edges 36 opposite the folding line 35.

[0053] Advantageously, as can be seen from the drawings, the closing tab 27 consists only of the flaps 33 and 34.

[0054] As shown in Figure 14 and Figure 15 When the inner container 3 is in the closed position, the flaps 33 and 34 of the closing tab 27 are arranged substantially parallel to each other, wherein the flap 33 is connected to the wrapper 4 and the flap 34 is arranged between the flap 33 and the outer container 2.

[0055] Figures 9 to 11 Possible embodiments of the closing tab 27 are shown in detail in. The two flaps 33 and 34 are connected to each other (specifically, adhesively bonded) at least in the region of the respective edges 36 (specifically, the edge 36B of the flap 34 and the edge 36A of the flap 33) opposite the folding line 35 (specifically, the corner 37 defined by the folding line 35). In other words, the closing tab 27 folded along the folding line 35 has connected edges 36A and 36B (i.e., overlapping and adhesively bonded by the glue 38 schematically shown in the figure) to define a sleeve having open (i.e., unconnected or not fully connected) sides (i.e., the longitudinal edges connecting the folding line 35 to each of the edges 36A and 36B).

[0056] Specifically, in Figure 9 The first side of the closing tab 27 is shown, which is arranged on the outside after a 180° fold (i.e., the two folded parts are opposite and do not face each other). On this side of the unfolded tab 27, there are arranged a releasable glue 28 and a permanent glue 29 that connect the closing tab 27 to the wrapper 4 (both in the region of the flap 33). In addition, on this side, there is arranged a permanent glue 31 that connects the closing tab 27 to the outer container 2 (the glue 31 is in the region of the flap 34).

[0057] Conversely, in Figure 10 The second side of the unfolded closing tab 27, which is opposite to the side shown in Figure 9 is shown, and this second side is arranged on the inside after a 180° fold of the sheet 32 (i.e., the two folded parts face each other) to connect the two flaps 33 and 34.

[0058] In Figure 10In it, two areas where the glue 38 is present have been indicated. According to a possible alternative embodiment, the sheet 32 may have only one of the two glue areas 38.

[0059] According to a possible (specifically, preferred) embodiment of the unfolded sheet 32 shown in Figure 9 and Figure 10 in the center line area of the closing tab 27 itself, the closing tab 27 has a folding line 35. In other words, the folding line 35 is arranged centrally (i.e., equidistantly spaced) between the edges 36A and 36B. The folding line 35 extends transversely (specifically, perpendicularly) to the longitudinal extension of the stretchable closing tab 27 (i.e., its sheet 32). By folding the sheet 32 180° along the folding line 35, it is possible to obtain the application to the closing tab 27 of the package 4 ( Figure 11 ). Specifically, in Figure 11 all elements are shown in a transparent manner to facilitate understanding of their positioning in the folded closing tab 27. Thus, as previously described, the closing tab 27 includes two flaps 33 and 34 (specifically, consisting only of these two flaps), which are connected to each other without a gap by means of the folding line 35, and the edges 36A and 36B of these two flaps are connected to each other.

[0060] In addition, in the embodiment shown in Figures 9 to 11 the folding line 35 is arranged in the center line of the closing tab 27 itself, and the two flaps 33 and 34 have the same size, that is, dimensions (specifically, the height H1, H2 measured parallel to the two side walls 9 and the width L1, L2 measured transversely (specifically, perpendicularly) to the two side walls 9). In other words, the dimensions H1 and L1 of the flap 33 of the closing tab 27 are the same (or approximately the same) as the dimensions H2 and L2 of the flap 34 (measured in the same way). In addition, since the two flaps 33 and 34 are made by folding the same sheet 32, these two flaps have the same thickness (i.e., the dimension measured perpendicular to the dimensions L1, L2 and H1, H2). Therefore, the closing tab 27 (and thus the flaps 33 and 34 constituting this closing tab) has a constant thickness.

[0061] In Figure 12 a possible alternative embodiment of the stretchable sheet 32 is shown in detail. Also in this case, the two flaps 33 and 34 are connected to each other (specifically, bonded) at least in the regions of the respective edges 36A and 36B opposite to the folding line 35 (specifically, the corner 37 defined by the folding line 35). Due to the extension of the dimension of the flap 34 connecting to the edge 36B of the edge 36A, the embodiment shown in Figure 12 is different from the embodiment in Figures 9 to 11 . Specifically, as can be seen from Figure 12It can be seen that in this embodiment, the two flaps 33 and 34 are connected to each other only through two side regions (indicated by reference numeral 70) of the edge 36B.

[0062] In this embodiment, the closing tab 27 has a folding line 35 offset with respect to the center line of the closing tab 27 itself. Specifically, the folding line 35 is arranged to be farther from the edge 36A than from the edge 36B. Also in this case, by folding the sheet 32 by 180° along the folding line 35, the closing tab 27 applied to the package 4 (not shown for this embodiment) can be formed. Thus, as described above, also in this case, the closing tab 27 includes two flaps 33 and 34 (specifically, consisting only of these two flaps), which are connected to each other without a gap by means of the folding line 35, and the edges 36A and 36B of these two flaps are connected to each other.

[0063] In addition, in Figure 12 the embodiment shown, since the folding line 35 is arranged to be offset with respect to the center line of the closing tab 27 itself, the two flaps 33 and 34 have two different sizes H1 and H2 from each other. Specifically, as shown in Figure 12 the size H2 of the flap 34 is smaller than the size H1 of the flap 33. Specifically, the size H2 is approximately one-third smaller than the size H1 of the flap 33. Therefore, the size of the connecting portion 30 of the flap 34 is smaller than the size of the embodiment shown in Figures 9 to 11 .

[0064] According to this embodiment, the two flaps 33 and 34 have two different sizes H1 and H2, and the closing tab 27 has a discontinuous thickness. Specifically, in the region of the portion of the flap 33 that does not overlap with the flap 34, the closing tab 27 has a smaller thickness (i.e., approximately half of the thickness).

[0065] In summary, according to the present invention, the size H2 of the flap 34 (i.e., the length measured parallel to the longitudinal extension of the group 5) is equal to at least 65% (specifically, about two-thirds) of the size H1 of the flap 33 (i.e., the length measured in the same manner).

[0066] Figure 14 and Figure 15 show cross-sectional views of two different embodiments. In Figure 14 and Figure 15Of the two, each of the flaps 33 and 34 has an upper panel 41 (refer to package 4) and a rear panel 42 respectively. Thus, flap 33 has an upper panel 41A and a rear panel 42A (refer to package 4); however, flap 34 (refer to package 4) has an upper panel 41B and a rear panel 42B. When the inner container 3 is in the closed position, each of the upper panels 41A, 41B is parallel to the upper wall 23 of the package 4, and each of the rear panels 41A, 41B is parallel to the rear wall 21 of the package 4. The fold line 35 defines a corner 37 between the two front panels 41A, 41B of the flaps 33 and 34.

[0067] As shown, in the region of the upper panel 41B of the flap 34 (as schematically shown in Figure 14 ), or in the region of the rear panel 42B of the flap 34 (as schematically shown in Figure 15 ), the sheet 32 has a separation line 40. The separation line 40 is spaced apart from the fold line 35 and has at least one parallel portion with respect to the fold line. Advantageously, the separation line 40 has at least one straight section (as shown in Figures 9 to 12 ). Additionally or alternatively, the separation line 40 has at least one shaped section (i.e., non-straight; as shown by way of example in Figures 9 to 12 ). Specifically, in the subsequent figures, the separation line 40 has a U-shaped pattern.

[0068] In the Figure 15 illustrated embodiment, the separation line 40 defines the connection portion 30 and the remainder of the upper panel 41B of the flap 34. In other words, in this embodiment, in the region of the upper panel 41B of the closure tab 27, the connection portion 30 is defined between the fold line 35 and the separation line 40. In the region of the connection portion 30, the closure tab 27 is connected to the outer container 2.

[0069] In the Figure 14 illustrated embodiment, conversely, the separation line 40 defines the connection portion 30 and the remainder of the rear panel 42B of the flap 34. In other words, the connection portion 30 is defined between the separation line 40 and the corner 45. The corner 45 is defined between the upper panel 41 and the rear panel 42 of the respective flap 33 or 34. In the region of the connection portion 30, the closure tab 27 is connected to the outer container 2.

[0070] Advantageously, the separation line 40 is made by means of a cut, notch, incision or perforation that provides a joining (or connecting) point. Specifically, the separation line 40 keeps the connecting part 30 connected to the upper panel 41B or the rear panel 42B by means of the joining part until the inner container 3 is first opened (depending on whether the inner container 3 is first opened). The joining part is configured to break only when the package 1 is first opened. Thus, when the package 1 is first opened, the connecting part 30 separates with a gap from the rest of the corresponding upper panel 41 or rear panel 42.

[0071] Specifically, in Figure 14 this embodiment, the two flaps 33 and 34 are connected to each other by glue 38 (specifically, strong glue or permanent glue). In this embodiment, the glue 38 extends in the regions of the edges 36A and 36B and only between the rear panels 42 of the flaps 33, 34.

[0072] Advantageously, in the region of a part of the upper panel 41 and a part of the rear panel 42 (specifically, the region across the corner 45), the two flaps 33 and 34 that enclose the pull tab 27 are not connected to each other.

[0073] The package 1 is provided with a stop member 46 that is connected to the inner container 3 and the outer container 2 (the possible blank thereof is schematically shown in Figures 18 to 22 ). The stop member 46 restricts the withdrawal of the inner container 3 from the outer container 2 and thus determines the maximum opening position of the inner container 3 relative to the outer container 2 (i.e., defines the so-called end of travel). As can be seen from Figure 16 and Figures 18 to 22 , the outer container 2 and the inner container 3 are made by folding a blank 52 (which will be described in detail below), and the stop member 46 is made by folding a blank 47 that is different from and separated from the blank 52.

[0074] As shown in Figures 18 to 22 , the stop member 46 includes a pair of side panels 48 and includes a front panel 49, a joining panel 50 and an intermediate panel 51.

[0075] According to the present invention, the stop member 46 is connected to the inner container 3 only in the region of the two side walls 9. In addition, the stop member 46 can be connected to the wrapper 4 in the regions of both the two side walls 24 and the front wall 22. In other words, the side panels 48 of the stop member 46 are connected to the wrapper 4 at least in the regions of the two side walls 24 of the wrapper 4, or at least a part of the two side panels 48 and at least a part of the front panel 49 of the stop member 46 are connected to the wrapper 4 in the regions of the two side walls 24 and the front wall 22.

[0076] Two side panels 48 are arranged side by side with the front panel 49, are distinguished from the front panel by corresponding longitudinal folding lines 53, and are configured to fold 90° and connect to two side walls 9 of the inner container 3. Conversely, the front panel 49, the joining panel 50, and the intermediate panel 51 are distinguished from each other by corresponding transverse folding lines 54.

[0077] The front panel 49 is arranged between the two side panels 48 and faces the front wall 22 of the package 4 (this front panel can be connected (specifically, adhesively) to the front wall 22 of the package 4, or this front panel can only face the front wall of the package).

[0078] The joining panel 50 is connected to the rear wall 14 of the outer container 2. Thus, the front panel 49 is parallel to the front wall 22 of the package 4, and the joining panel 50 is parallel to the rear wall 14 of the outer container 2. The intermediate panel 51 connecting the front panel 49 and the joining panel 50 is arranged between them. The front panel 49, the joining panel 50, and the intermediate panel 51 are distinguished from each other by corresponding folding lines 54.

[0079] When the inner container 3 is in the closed position, the front panel 49, the joining panel 50, and the intermediate panel 51 are all parallel to each other and also coplanar with each other (i.e., arranged in the same plane). When the inner container 3 is in the open position, the front panel 49, the joining panel 51, and the intermediate panel 51 are inclined relative to each other.

[0080] As can be seen from the Figures 18 to 22 shown of the blank 47, the two side panels 48 only extend laterally from the front panel 49 and are distinguished from the front panel by the folding line 53. In other words, the two side panels 48 are only connected to the rest of the stop member 46 through the longitudinal folding line 53 to the front panel 49.

[0081] According to the embodiment shown in Figure 18 , the joining panel 50 and the intermediate panel 51 are directly formed by a part of the front panel 49, specifically, formed by a C-shaped separation (specifically, cutting) line 55. Thus, in this case, the joining panel 50 and the intermediate panel 51 are formed in the central part of the front panel 49. In this embodiment, the front panel 49 is much larger than the joining panel 50 and the intermediate panel 51.

[0082] According to the embodiment shown in Figure 19 , the front panel 49, the joining panel 50, and the intermediate panel 51 are arranged one after another in succession. The joining panel 50 and the intermediate panel 51 extend and protrude from the lower edge 56 of the front panel 49. Specifically, the transverse folding line 54 distinguishing the intermediate panel 51 from the front panel 49 is arranged in the region of the lower edge 56 of the front panel 49. In this embodiment, the front panel 49 is much larger than the joining panel 50 and the intermediate panel 51.

[0083] According to Figure 20 4, the front panel 49, the joint panel 50 and the middle panel 51 are arranged one after another. The joint panel 50 and the middle panel 51 extend from the upper edge 57 of the front panel 49. In particular, the transverse fold line 54 that distinguishes the middle panel 51 from the front panel 49 is arranged in the region of the upper edge 57 of the front panel 49. The height H3 of the side panel 48 of the stop member 46 (also parallel to the longitudinal extension of the package 1, i.e., measured parallel to the longitudinal extension of the stop member 46) is the same as the height of the front panel 49. The height H3 of the front panel 49 is less than the height H4 of the entire stop member 46. The total height of the stop member 46 is determined by the sum of the height of the front panel 49, the height of the joint panel 50 and the height of the middle panel 51.

[0084] According to Figure 21 4, the front panel 49, the joint panel 50 and the middle panel 51 are arranged one after another. The joint panel 50 and the middle panel 51 extend from the upper edge 57 of the front panel 49. In particular, the transverse folding line 54 that distinguishes the middle panel 51 from the front panel 49 is arranged in the region of the upper edge 57 of the front panel 49. The height H3 of the side panel 48 of the stop member 46 is the same as the total height of the stop member 46 (i.e. measured parallel to the longitudinal extension of the package 1, i.e. parallel to the longitudinal extension of the stop member 46). The joint panel 50 and the middle panel 51 are separated from the side panel 48 by corresponding longitudinal separation lines 58 (in particular, cutting lines).

[0085] According to Figure 22 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 , the front panel 49, the joint panel 50 and the middle panel 51 are arranged one after another. The joint panel 50 and the middle panel 51 extend from the upper edge 57 of the front panel 49. Specifically, the transverse fold line 54 that distinguishes the middle panel 51 from the front panel 49 is arranged in the region of the upper edge 57 of the front panel 49. The height H3 of the side panel 48 of the stop member 46 is the same as the height of the front panel 49 (i.e., measured parallel to the longitudinal extension of the package 1, i.e., parallel to the longitudinal extension of the stop member 46). The height H3 of the front panel 49 is less than the height H4 of the entire stop member 46. Each side panel 48 is provided with a wing 59, which is configured to be folded 90° relative to the side panel 48 and is configured to be arranged below the wrapper 4, thereby forming a lower panel of the stop member 46. The wing 59 is then arranged to contact the lower wall 25 of the wrapper 4.

[0086] As in Figure 18 and Figure 19 As shown in FIG. 4 , the front panel 49 may have an opening 60 that facilitates access to the group 5 of smoking articles.

[0087] According to Figure 16As shown in, the outer container 2 and the inner container 3 are made by folding a blank 52, which is made of cardboard or stiff cardstock and has a generally elongated rectangular shape. The blank 52 includes two longitudinal folding lines 61 (pre-weakened) and a plurality of transverse folding lines 62 (pre-weakened), which define between the two longitudinal folding lines 61: a panel 11', which constitutes the upper wall 11 of the outer container 2 (in Figure 16 which, the panel 11' is shown with a reinforcing panel already folded thereon); a panel 14', which constitutes the rear wall 14 of the outer container 2 and is provided with a through-opening 16; a panel 12', which constitutes the lower wall 12 of the outer container 2; a panel 8', which constitutes the front wall 8 of the inner container 3; a panel 8", which is folded against the front wall 8 and defines a reinforcing strip of the front wall 8. The reinforcing strip 8" is connected to the front wall 8 of the inner container 3 along the transverse folding line 62, and the reinforcing strip (in the package 1 for cigarettes) is folded 180° relative to the front wall 8 (i.e., relative to the panel 8'), and the reinforcing strip is placed and bonded against the inner surface of the front wall 8 of the inner container 3 (i.e., against the panel 8').

[0088] The blank 52 includes a pair of wings 11", which are arranged on opposite sides of the panel 11', are connected to the panel 11' along the two longitudinal folding lines 61, and constitute a part of the two side walls 15 of the outer container 2.

[0089] The blank 52 includes a pair of wings 15', which are arranged on opposite sides of the panel 14', are connected to the panel 14' along the two longitudinal folding lines 61, constitute a part of the two side walls 15 of the outer container 2, and overlap and are bonded to the corresponding two wings 11' to form the two side walls 15 of the outer container 2. Figure 18 Each panel 15' is shown with a reinforcing panel already folded thereon itself.

[0090] The blank 52 includes a pair of wings 15", which are arranged on opposite sides of the panel 12', are connected to the panel 12' along the two longitudinal folding lines 61, constitute a part of the two side walls 15 of the outer container 2, and overlap and are bonded to the corresponding two wings 15' to form the two side walls 15 of the outer container 2.

[0091] The blank 52 includes a pair of wings 9', which are arranged on opposite sides of the panel 8', are connected to the panel 8' along the two longitudinal folding lines 61, and constitute the two side walls 9 of the inner container 3.

[0092] According to in Figure 17As shown in FIG. 1 , the wrapper 4 is obtained by folding a heat-sealable wrapping sheet 63, which is rectangular in shape, folded around the smoking article group 5, and stabilized by heat sealing after folding (i.e., the overlapping parts of the wrapping sheet 63 are stably connected to each other by heat sealing). The wrapping sheet 63 has a U-shaped cutout and defines the withdrawal opening 26 of the wrapper 4. In addition, a closure tab 27 that completely covers the cutout (i.e., the withdrawal opening 26) is bonded to the wrapping sheet 63. A repositionable glue 28 is interposed between the closure tab 27 and the wrapping sheet 63, which is pressure-sensitive (i.e., it does not dry out) and allows the closure tab 27 to be separated from the wrapping sheet 63 and then joined to the wrapping sheet 63 again even after a long period of time and multiple uses.

[0093] According to an alternative embodiment, the sheet of paper material (e.g. similar to Figure 16 The material of the blank 52 (card paper material) is folded to form the package 4.

[0094] According to other embodiments, the wrapper 4 may be formed by folding a foil sheet. In the case where the wrapper 4 is formed by folding a foil sheet, or in the case where the wrapper 4 does not comprise a reinforcing element 17, the package 1 may comprise a reinforcing element arranged to be fixed to the rear wall 21 of the wrapper 4. This reinforcing element has the function of providing a contrast to the user when the inner container 3 is moved from the closed position to the open position by pressing in the region of the through opening 16 obtained on the rear wall 14 of the outer container 2.

[0095] In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the longitudinal corners and the transverse corners are right angles; in the alternative, the longitudinal corners and / or the transverse corners may be rounded or chamfered.

[0096] The embodiments described herein may be combined with each other without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0097] The above described package 1 for cigarettes has several advantages.

[0098] Firstly, the above-described package 1 for cigarettes allows a simpler and easier management of the closure tab 27 during the entire process of manufacturing the package 1. In fact, the above-described package 1 allows the connection portion 30, which has been folded 180°, to be an integral part of the closure tab 27 without causing the previously described disadvantages. Therefore, only a single element (i.e. the closure tab 27) need be coordinated that does not have a protruding flap / folded flap to be managed, thus simplifying the structure of the machine.

[0099] Furthermore, the connecting portion 30 serves as an end flap required to apply the peeling force of the closing pull-tab 27 to the opening of the inner container 3 .

[0100] Furthermore, the dimensional extension of the connecting portion 30 is limited only by the separation line 40 .

[0101] The presence of a separation line 40 with some (i.e. at least two) joining points allows the integrity of the closure tab 27 to be maintained throughout the manufacturing process, which is then (intentionally) destroyed when the inner container 3 is first opened, thereby defining the end flap and its function in a geometrically well-defined manner.

[0102] The position of the glue 31A or 31B ensures that when the inner container 3 is opened to separate the two flaps 33 and 34, one of the two flaps slides over the other to reveal the withdrawal opening 26 when the package 1 is opened or to cover the withdrawal opening when the package 1 is closed.

[0103] The configuration of the folded closure tab 27 provides the advantage of having a constant thickness over at least 65% (i.e., about two thirds) of the closure tab 27, thereby ensuring uniform wrapping of the tab roll and thus allowing its tensioning to be improved. By further increasing the percentage of constant thickness of the closure tab 27 (up to 100%), the tensioning of the roll is further increased. Furthermore, the length of the folded closure tab 27 is the same as the width of its roll.

[0104] The stop member 46 allows the wrapper 4 to remain stably in place in the inner container 3 .

[0105] Furthermore, by manufacturing the stop member 46 with a blank 47 separate from the blank 52 , the latter blank 52 can be kept smaller and therefore easier to handle in the machine.

[0106] By making the stop member 46 independent of the outer container 2 and independent of the inner container 3, it allows to adjust the application height of the stop member on the wrapper 4, so that the torque applied by the user by his / her fingers pressing the inner container 3 of the package 1 is more balanced.

[0107] Reference numerals list

[0108] 1Pack

[0109] 2 Outer container

[0110] 3. Inner container

[0111] 4 Packages

[0112] 5. Smoking products group

[0113] 6 Articulation

[0114] 7 Upper

[0115] 8 Anterior wall

[0116] 9 Sidewall

[0117] 10 Rear end

[0118] 11 Upper wall

[0119] 12 Lower wall

[0120] 13 Front end

[0121] 14 Rear wall

[0122] 15 Side wall

[0123] 16 Through-opening

[0124] 17 Reinforcing element

[0125] 18 Front wall

[0126] 19 Side wall

[0127] 20 Edge

[0128] 21 Rear wall

[0129] 22 Front wall

[0130] 23 Upper wall

[0131] 24 Side wall

[0132] 25 Lower wall

[0133] 26 Extraction opening

[0134] 27 Sealing tab

[0135] 28 Adhesive

[0136] 29 Adhesive

[0137] 30 Connection part

[0138] 31 Adhesive

[0139] 32 Sheet

[0140] 33 Flap

[0141] 34 Flap

[0142] 35 Fold line

[0143] 36 Edge

[0144] 37 Corner

[0145] 38 Adhesive

[0146] 39 Separation line

[0147] 40 Separation line

[0148] 41 Upper panel

[0149] 42 Rear panel

[0150] 45 Corner

[0151] 46 Stop member

[0152] 47 Blank

[0153] 48 Side panel

[0154] 49 Front panel

[0155] 50 Joining panel

[0156] 51 Intermediate panel

[0157] 52 Blank

[0158] 53 Fold line

[0159] 54 Fold line

[0160] 55 Separation line

[0161] 56 Edge

[0162] 57 Edge

[0163] 58 Separation line

[0164] 59 Flap

[0165] 60 Opening

[0166] 61 Fold line

[0167] 62 Fold line

[0168] 63 Paper sheet

[0169] 70 Area

Claims

1. A rigid package (1) for a smoking article having an inclined opening, comprising: A group of smoking articles (5); A wrapper (4) that wraps the group of smoking articles (5) and has a front wall (22), an upper wall (23), a rear wall (21), and a smoking article extraction opening (26) formed at least through the upper wall (23); A rigid inner container (3) that houses the wrapper (4) and has an open upper end (7), an open rear end (10), a front wall (8), and a pair of side walls (9); A rigid outer container (2) that houses the inner container (3) and has an upper wall (11), a lower wall (12) opposite to the upper wall (11), a rear wall (14), a pair of side walls (15), and an open front end (13), the open front end being disposed between the upper wall (11) and the lower wall (12), and the inner container (3) being capable of moving through the open front end; A hinge portion (6) where the inner container (3) is connected to the outer container (2) in the region of the hinge portion to allow the inner container (3) to rotate between a closed position where the inner container (3) is inserted inside the outer container (2) and an open position where the inner container (3) is partially withdrawn from the outer container (2) through the open front end (13); and A closing tab (27) connected to the wrapper (4) to close the smoking article extraction opening (26) and having a connecting portion (30) connected to a wall portion of the outer container (2), specifically, the connecting portion is connected to the rear wall (14) or the upper wall (11) of the outer container; Characterized in that the closing tab (27) of the package (1) is folded in half, thereby defining a first flap (33) and a second flap (34) of the closing tab (27), the first flap and the second flap being adjacent to each other and distinguished by a folding line (35); and An edge (36; 36A) of the first flap (33) opposite to the folding line (35) is connected to an edge (36; 36B) of the second flap (34) opposite to the folding line (35).

2. The package (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a stop member (46) that is connected to the inner container (3) and connected to the outer container (2) and restricts the inner container (3) from being withdrawn from the outer container (2), thereby determining a maximum open position of the inner container (3) relative to the outer container (2).

3. The package (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The dimension (H2) of the second flap (34) measured parallel to the longitudinal extension of the group of smoking articles (5) is at least 65% of the dimension (H1) of the first flap (33) measured parallel to the longitudinal extension of the group of smoking articles (5).

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

5. The package (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The closing tab (27) consists only of the two flaps (33, 34).

6. The package (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The first flap (33) of the closing tab (27) and the second flap (34) of the closing tab (27) have the same thickness.

7. The package (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The closing tab (27) has a constant thickness.

8. The package (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: When the inner container (3) is in the closed position, the first flap (33) of the closing tab (27) and the second flap (34) of the closing tab (27) are substantially parallel to each other; and The first flap (33) is connected to the wrapper (4), and the second flap (34) is arranged between the first flap (33) and the outer container (2).

9. The package (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The first flap (33) of the closing tab (27) has an upper panel (41; 41A) and a rear panel (42; 42A); The second flap (34) of the closing tab (27) has an upper panel (41; 41B) and a rear panel (42; 42B); When the inner container (3) is in the closed position, each upper panel (41A, 41B) is parallel to the upper wall (23) of the wrapper (4), and each rear panel (42A, 42B) is parallel to the rear wall (14) of the outer container (2); and The fold line (35) defines a corner (37) between the two upper panels (41; 41A, 41B) of the first flap (33) and the second flap (34) of the closing tab (27).

10. The package (1) according to claim 9, wherein: The upper panel (41B) of the second flap (34) has the connecting portion (30), and the closing tab (27) is connected to the outer container (2) in the region of the connecting portion; The connecting portion (30) is defined between the fold line (35) and the separation line (40), and when the inner container (3) is initially opened, the connecting portion (30) is separated from the rest of the upper panel (41B) of the second flap (34) with a gap along the separation line; and And Specifically, the separation line (40) is arranged in the region of the upper panel (41B), spaced apart from the fold line (35), and has at least a part parallel to the fold line (35).

11. The package (1) according to claim 9, wherein: The rear panel (42B) of the second flap (34) has the connecting portion (30), and the closing tab (27) is connected to the outer container (2) in the region of the connecting portion; The connecting portion (30) is defined between a corner (45) and the separation line (40), wherein the corner is defined between the upper panel (42A) and the rear panel (42B) of the second flap (34), and when the inner container (3) is initially opened, the connecting portion (30) is separated from the rest of the rear panel (42B) of the second flap (34) with a gap along the separation line; and Specifically, the separation line (40) is arranged in the area of the rear panel (42B), spaced apart from the folding line (35), and has at least one part parallel to the folding line (35).

12. The package (1) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein, The two flaps (33, 34) of the closing tab (27) are not connected to each other in the area of a part of the upper panel (41; 41A, 41B) and in the area of a part of the rear panel (42; 42A, 42B). Specifically, the two flaps of the closing tab are not connected to each other in the area across the corner (45).

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