Rigid package for cigarette articles that can be opened at inclined angle

Abstract

A hard package (1) for cigarette articles, the hard package being tiltably openable and comprising: a group of cigarette articles (5); a wrapper (4), a hard inner receptacle (3) which accommodates the wrapper (4); a hard outer receiving part (2) which accommodates the inner receiving part (3); a hinge (6) in the region of which the inner receiving portion (3) is connected to the outer receiving portion (2) in order to allow the inner receiving portion (3) itself to be rotatable between a closed position, in which the inner receiving portion (3) is inserted inside the outer receiving portion (2), and an open position, in which the inner receiving portion (3) is partially removed from the outer receiving portion (2); and a stopper member (46) including a pair of side plates (48) and connecting the inner receiving portion (3) and the outer receiving portion (2) to each other to restrict the inner receiving portion (3) from moving out of the outer receiving portion (2).

Description

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications

[0002] This patent application claims the priority of Italian Patent Application No. 102022000023625, 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 cigarette products that can be opened in an inclined manner.

[0004] The present invention is advantageously applicable to cigarette packaging, and the following discussion will be clearly described with reference to this cigarette packaging, without prejudice to its general applicability characteristics.

[0005] In fact, in this text, "cigarette" will be used as a specific example without distinction instead of using the more general term "cigarette product", but this does not affect its general applicability characteristics with respect to other types of products (such as cigars, cigarillos or cigarettes, electronic cigarettes or e - cigarettes, auxiliary products such as filters, e - cigarette fillers, and other products based on tobacco or other tobacco component substitutes or tobacco substitutes). In addition, the package of the present invention may also contain other packages that contain cigarette products inside. Background art

[0006] Known rigid packages for cigarettes that can be opened in an inclined manner include two receiving parts, one of which is inserted into the other in a partially separable manner. Specifically, there is an internal receiving part for accommodating a group of packaged cigarettes, and this internal receiving part is accommodated inside an external receiving part so as to be able to move relative to the external receiving part itself between a closed position and an open position by a rotational movement around a main hinge part. In the closed position, the internal receiving part is inserted into the external receiving part, and in the open position, the internal receiving part is partially removed from the external receiving part. The internal receiving part may be provided with a hinged lid that is mechanically constrained to the external receiving part by means of appropriate hook elements so as to open and close the lid "automatically" (i.e., without the user touching the lid) under the action of the movement of the internal receiving part relative to the external receiving part.

[0007] The internal receiving part accommodates an internal package composed of a group of cigarettes wrapped in metallized paper sheet. The internal package is initially completely closed and has a cigarette extraction opening, which can be closed by a disposable tear part (referred to as a "pull tab"), and when the package for cigarettes is opened for the first time, this tear part is removed so as to be able to extract the cigarettes surrounded by the internal package.

[0008] 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 is closed by a reusable closing tab. In other words, the closing tab is provided with a repositionable adhesive that does not dry out and allows the closing tab to be arranged in the closed position of the cigarette extraction opening multiple times.

[0009] To simplify the opening and closing of the package for cigarettes, that is, to be able to open or close the outer receiving part and the closing tab of the inner package simultaneously with a single operation, a part of the closing tab (i.e., the connecting flap that is folded on a part of the tab itself in the area of the front wall of the closing tab) is permanently adhered to the inner surface of the rear wall of the outer receiving part using a strong adhesive. In this way, when the outer receiving part is opened or closed relative to the inner receiving part, the closing tab is also opened or closed simultaneously.

[0010] As is well known, a package for cigarettes that can be opened in a tilted manner is provided with a stop member that restricts the inner receiving part from being removed from the outer receiving part and thus determines the maximum open position of the inner receiving part relative to the outer receiving part. The stop member that restricts the inner receiving part from being removed from the outer receiving part includes a pair of stop tabs that project outward from the side wall of the inner receiving part and are arranged close to the rear wall of the inner receiving part; in addition, the stop member includes a pair of stop grooves that project into the outer receiving part from the side wall of the outer receiving part and are arranged close to the open end of the outer receiving part. In use, when the inner receiving part rotates relative to the outer receiving part around the main hinge part from the closed position towards the open position, each stop tab is inserted into the interior of the corresponding stop groove until the movement of the inner receiving part itself outwards stops.

[0011] However, the above-mentioned stop member is not completely effective because it is possible for the stop tab not to accurately enter the corresponding stop groove.

[0012] Alternatively, a known tilted package has an inner receiving part that is made into a cup-shaped body that defines a receiving space for a group of cigarettes and is hinged to the outer receiving part in the area of the lower front corner. In this case, the stop member is located between the rear wall of the inner receiving part and the rear wall of the outer receiving part.

[0013] However, such a stop member located between the rear wall of the inner receiving part and the rear wall of the outer receiving part requires a large amount of production material.

[0014] Document WO2015186089A1 describes a laterally tilted package. Documents US5174492A and FR2802897A1 describe a forwardly tilted package. Summary of the Invention

[0015] The object of the present invention is to provide a rigid package for cigarette products that can be opened in an inclined manner, which does not have the above-mentioned drawbacks and is at the same time easy to manufacture and economical.

[0016] According to the present invention, there is provided a rigid package for cigarette products that can be opened in an inclined manner as claimed in the appended claims.

[0017] The claims describe the preferred embodiments of the present invention, which form an integral part of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show some non-limiting embodiments of the present invention, in which:

[0019] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a rigid package for cigarettes that can be opened in an inclined manner, the rigid package being arranged in a closed configuration;

[0020] Figure 2 is of Figure 1 a rear perspective view of a package for cigarettes in a closed configuration;

[0021] Figures 3 to 5 is Figure 1 a front perspective view of a package for cigarettes, successively placing itself in an open configuration;

[0022] Figure 6 is of Figure 1 a rear perspective view of a wrapper of a package in a closed configuration, in which a closing tab is applied;

[0023] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a possible group of cigarette products encapsulated in a Figure 6 wrapper;

[0024] Figure 8 is of a reinforcing element connected to a Figure 5 group of cigarette products and encapsulated in an Figure 6 inner wrapper;

[0025] Figure 9 is Figure 1 a plan view of a first side of a possible embodiment of an extended closing tab of an inner wrapper of a package, and in which the adhesive area present on the closing tab itself is highlighted;

[0026] Figure 10 is a plan view of a second side of the closing tab opposite to the Figure 9 first side;

[0027] Figure 11 is of the folded Figure 9 andFigure 10 Plan view of the closed tab

[0028] Figure 12 is Figure 1 Plan view of the first side of another embodiment of the extended closed tab of the inner wrapper of the package of

[0029] Figure 13 is provided with Figure 11 Stereogram of a possible reel of the closed tab (with the adhesive area removed);

[0030] Figure 14 Cross-sectional view of a possible embodiment of package 1;

[0031] Figure 15 Cross-sectional view of a possible alternative embodiment of package 1;

[0032] Figure 16 is for manufacturing Figure 1 Plan view of the blank for the outer receiving part and the articulated inner receiving part of the package of

[0033] Figure 17 is for manufacturing Figure 6 Plan view of the heat-sealable wrapper sheet for the wrapper of ; and

[0034] Figures 18 to 22 Plan view of a possible embodiment of the stop member. Detailed Description

[0035] In Figures 1 to 5 , Figure 14 and Figure 15 , the reference numeral 1 generally denotes a rigid package for cigarettes that can be opened in an inclined manner (with an inclined opening). The package 1 for cigarettes includes a rigid outer receiving part 2 (i.e., made of cardboard or rigid cardstock) and a rigid inner receiving part 3 that houses an inner wrapper 4, which is preferably sealed (better shown in Figure 6 and hereinafter simply referred to as the "wrapper").

[0036] The rigid inner receiving part 3 has a generally cuboid shape oriented according to the main vertical unfolding direction and houses the wrapper 4 (i.e., the group of cigarette products 5). The rigid outer receiving part 2 has a parallelepiped shape and houses the inner receiving part 3. The inner receiving part 3 is hinged to the outer receiving part 2 along the main hinge 6 to be in a closed position relative to the outer receiving part 2 (as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 and an open position (as shown in Figures 3 to 5It rotates between the positions shown in [Figure X], in the closed position, the internal receiving part 3 is inserted inside the external receiving part 2, and in the open position, the internal receiving part 3 is partially removed from the external receiving part 2 so as to be able to access the package 4. The internal receiving part 3 has the shape of a parallelepiped, is cup-shaped, and has an open upper end 7 (through which the package 4 is accessed), a front wall 8, two parallel and opposite side walls 9, and an open rear end 10.

[0037] Therefore, according to this embodiment, the internal receiving part 3 has no rear wall. In addition, the internal receiving part 3 has no bottom wall.

[0038] According to an embodiment not shown, the internal receiving part 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.

[0039] Two longitudinal corners are defined between the front wall 8 and the side wall 10 of the external receiving part 2.

[0040] The external receiving part 2 also has a generally cuboid shape oriented according to the main vertical unfolding 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 internal receiving part 3 moves (in other words, when the internal receiving part 3 moves between the open position and the closed position, the open front end 13 is passed through by the internal receiving part 3), a rear wall 14 opposite to the open front end 13 and parallel and facing the open rear end 10 of the internal receiving part 3 when the internal receiving part 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 internal receiving part 3 when the internal receiving part 3 is in the closed position.

[0041] Two longitudinal corners are defined between the rear wall 14 and the side wall 15 of the external receiving part 2, and two transverse corners are defined between the side wall 15 of the external receiving part 2 and the upper wall 11 and the lower wall 12.

[0042] When the internal receiving part 3 is in the closed position, the longitudinal corners of the external receiving part 2 are parallel and aligned with the corresponding longitudinal corners of the internal receiving part 3.

[0043] Preferably, the package 1 has a through-opening 16 in the region of the rear wall 14 of the external receiving part 2, and the shape and size of the through-opening are such that the user's fingers can pass through. In particular, in order to open the package 1 for cigarettes, the user grabs the external receiving part 2 with one hand and inserts the fingers into the through-opening 16 to cause relative movement (in particular, tilting) between the internal receiving part 3 and the external receiving part 2.

[0044] As Figure 2An alternative to the solution shown is that, before the first opening of the package 1, the package 1 may include (for example, by means of a junction point) a closing flap (not shown) fixed to the edge of the through-opening 16. In this embodiment, when the user opens the package 1 for the first time, the package 1 is opened by pressing the closing flap, and the closing flap is at least partially (preferably completely) separated from the edge of the through-opening 16. Advantageously, the closing flap serves to prove that the package 1 has never been opened before.

[0045] In addition, the closing flap may be fixed (directly or indirectly) to the wrapper 4. Advantageously, after the first opening of the package 1, the closing flap remains integral with the wrapper 4, thus maintaining graphic continuity with any images and / or text present on the package 1.

[0046] The wrapper 4 (as Figure 6 shown) consists of a group 5 of cigarette products having a generally parallelepiped shape (shown by way of example in Figure 7 ) and a wrapper sheet 63 wrapped around the group 5 of cigarette products so as to completely enclose it inside.

[0047] According to a possible embodiment, a reinforcing element 17 may be provided inside the wrapper 4 (shown, for example, in Figure 8 ), which is made of cardboard or rigid cardstock (exactly similar to the cardboard or rigid cardstock constituting the outer receiving part 2), is in the shape of a "U" and is arranged inside the wrapper 4 in contact with the group 5 of cigarette products. The reinforcing element 17 includes a rectangular front wall 18 and a pair of side walls 19, the rectangular front wall being arranged in contact with the front wall of the group 5 of cigarette products, and the pair of side walls being connected to opposite sides of the front wall 18 and arranged in contact with the side walls of the group 5 of cigarette products. A window is arranged at the top of the front wall 18, which is defined by an edge 20, is in the shape of a "U", and facilitates the extraction of cigarettes from the group 5 of cigarette products as it exposes the upper region of the front wall of the group 5 of cigarette products.

[0048] According to a possible alternative embodiment, the inner wrapper 4 does not have the reinforcing element 17. According to other embodiments, the shape of the reinforcing element 17 may be different from the Figure 8 shape shown; for example, the reinforcing element 17 may include a bottom wall and / or a rear wall.

[0049] For example, Figure 6 the wrapper 4 shown has a rear wall 21, a front wall 22, an upper wall 23, side walls 24 and a lower wall 25. The wrapper 4 may have a fin-type weld (not shown). The wrapper 4 has a cigarette extraction opening 26 at the top and the front (as Figures 3 to 5 shown), which is closed by a reusable closing tab 27 (as Figures 3 to 5 and Figures 9 to 15Sealed as shown). In other words, the package 4 has a cigarette extraction opening 26 in the area of at least a part of the rear wall 21 and the upper wall 23, and the cigarette extraction opening is sealed by a reusable sealing tab 27.

[0050] According to a possible embodiment, the sealing tab 27 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.

[0051] As shown in the drawings (especially Figure 9 , Figure 12 , Figure 14 and Figure 15 ), the sealing tab 27 is fixed to the package 4 by means of a non-drying repositionable adhesive 28 (as shown in Figure 9 , Figure 14 and Figure 15 ), and the repositionable adhesive is applied to the surface between the sealing tab 27 and the Figure 13 shown reel, and is arranged around the entire extraction opening 26 so that the sealing tab 27 can be partially separated from the package 4 multiple times (i.e., each time the cigarette package 1 is opened), and then fixed to the package 4 again (each time the cigarette package 1 is closed).

[0052] Preferably, referring to Figure 9 and Figure 12 , the sealing tab 27 is fixed to the package 4 by means of a permanent adhesive 29 in the area of the extraction opening 26 and in the area of a part of the area of the rear wall 21 (alternatively, the adhesive for fixing the sealing tab 27 to the rear wall 21 can be a repositionable adhesive).

[0053] Advantageously, as shown in Figure 9 , Figure 11 , Figure 12 and Figure 17 , the sealing tab 27 has a "U"-shaped dividing line 39 in the area of the flap 33, and the "U"-shaped dividing line is arranged in the area of the extraction opening 26 of the package 4 (i.e., around the extraction opening). The dividing line 39 is made by means of a score, notch, incision, or perforation that provides a bonding point (or connection point).

[0054] The dividing line 39 is not shown in all the drawings (even if it exists in at least one layer of the flap 33 of the sealing tab 27).

[0055] Specifically, the closing tab 27 is fixed to the wrapper 4, closing the cigarette extraction opening 26, and has a connecting portion 30 which is connected to (specifically adhesively bonded to) the wall of the outer receiving portion 2 (specifically, to the rear wall 14 or the upper wall 11). Preferably, the connecting portion 30 of the closing tab 27 is fixed to the wall of the outer receiving portion 2 by means of an adhesive 31, which is specifically a permanent adhesive or a strong adhesive, and is applied to the surface of the closing tab 27 facing the outer receiving portion 2. Thus, the closing tab 27 can preferably be permanently connected to the rear wall 14 of the outer receiving portion 2 by the adhesive 31A (as Figure 14 shown) or permanently connected to the upper wall 11 of the outer receiving portion 2 by the adhesive 31B (as Figure 15 shown), so as to peel off the closing tab 27 during the opening of the inner receiving portion 3, and similarly, reposition the closing tab 27 during the closing of the inner receiving portion 3.

[0056] According to the invention, the closing tab 27 is formed by folding a flat sheet 32 onto itself, thereby defining two flaps 33 and 34 of the closing tab 27 ( Figure 9 and Figure 10 ). In other words, the closing tab 27 is folded onto itself along a folding line 35 that defines the two flaps 33 and 34 of the closing tab 27 (i.e., folded 180°). Thus, the two flaps 33 and 34 are adjacent to each other and 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.

[0057] Advantageously, as can be seen from the drawings, the closing tab 27 consists only of the flaps 33 and 34.

[0058] As Figure 14 and Figure 15 shown, when the inner receiving portion 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 receiving portion 2.

[0059] A possible embodiment of the closing tab 27 is shown in Figures 9 to 11is shown in detail. The two flaps 33 and 34 are connected (in particular, glued) to each other at least in the region of the respective edges 36 (in particular, the edge 36A of the flap 33 and the edge 36B of the flap 34) that are opposite to the folding line 35 (in particular, opposite to the corner 37 defined by the folding line 35). In other words, the closed flap 27 folded along the folding line 35 connects the edges 36A and 36B together (i.e., these edges overlap and are glued together by the adhesive 38 schematically shown in the drawing) to define a sleeve with the sides (i.e., the longitudinal edges connecting the folding line 35 to each of the edges 36A and 36B) open (i.e., not connected or not fully connected).

[0060] In particular, in Figure 9 is shown the first side of the closed flap 27 that is arranged on the outside after folding by 180° (i.e., the folded parts are opposite and do not face each other). On this side of the extended flap 27, there are arranged a releasable adhesive 28 and a permanent adhesive 29 that connect the closed flap 27 to the wrapper 4 (both in the region of the flap 33). In addition, on this side, there is arranged a permanent adhesive 31 that connects the closed flap 27 to the external receiving part 2 (the adhesive 31 is located in the region of the flap 34).

[0061] Conversely, in Figure 10 is shown the second side of the extended closed flap 27 that is opposite to the side shown in Figure 9 and that, after folding the sheet 32 by 180°, is arranged on the inside (i.e., the folded parts face each other) to connect the two flaps 33 and 34.

[0062] In Figure 10 the two regions where the adhesive 38 is present have been shown. According to a possible alternative embodiment, the sheet 32 may have only one of the two adhesive regions 38.

[0063] According to Figure 9 and Figure 10 the possible (particularly preferred) embodiment of the extended sheet 32 shown, the closed flap 27 has a folding line 35 in the region of the center line of the closed flap 27 itself. In other words, the folding line 35 is arranged centrally (i.e., equidistantly) between the edges 36A and 36B. The folding line 35 extends transversely (in particular, perpendicularly) to the longitudinal extension of the extended closed flap 27 (i.e., its sheet 32). By folding the sheet 32 by 180° along the folding line 35, the closed flap 27 applied to the wrapper 4 is formed ( Figure 11 ). In particular, in Figure 11In [the figure], all components are shown in a transparent manner so as to understand their positions in the folded closing tab 27. Thus, as described above, the closing tab 27 includes two flaps 33 and 34 (specifically, consisting of only two flaps), which are connected to each other without a gap by a folding line 35, and the edges 36A and 36B of these two flaps are connected to each other.

[0064] In addition, in Figures 9 to 11 the illustrated embodiment, when the folding line 35 is arranged on the center line of the closing tab 27 itself, the two flaps 33 and 34 have the same size, that is, dimensions, (specifically, the heights H1, H2 measured parallel to the side wall 10 and the widths L1, L2 measured transversely (specifically, perpendicularly) to the side wall 10). In other words, (when measured in the same way), 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. In addition, since the two flaps 33 and 34 are formed by folding the same sheet 32, they have the same thickness (that is, the dimension measured perpendicularly to the dimensions L1, L2 and H1, H2). Therefore, the closing tab 27 (and thus the flaps 33 and 34 that make it up) has a constant thickness.

[0065] A possible alternative embodiment of the extended sheet 32 is shown in detail in Figure 12 In this case as well, the two flaps 33 and 34 are connected to each other (specifically, glued to each other) at least in the regions of the corresponding edges 36A and 36B opposite to the folding line 35 (specifically, opposite to the corner 37 defined by the folding line 35). Figure 12 The illustrated embodiment is different from the embodiment in Figures 9 to 11 in that the dimension extension length of the edge 36B of the flap 34 (which is connected to the edge 36A) is different. Specifically, as can be seen from Figure 12 in this embodiment, the two flaps 33 and 34 are connected to each other only through two side regions (denoted by the reference numeral 70) of the edge 36B.

[0066] In this embodiment, the closing tab 27 has a folding line 35 that is offset with respect to the center line of the closing tab 27 itself. Specifically, the folding line 35 is arranged at a distance greater from the edge 36A than from the edge 36B. Also in this case, by folding the sheet 32 180° along the folding line 35, the closing tab 27 applied to the package 4 is formed (not shown for this embodiment). Thus, as described above, also in this case, the closing tab 27 includes two flaps 33 and 34 (specifically, consisting of only two flaps), which are connected to each other without a gap by a folding line 35, and the edges 36A and 36B of these two flaps are connected to each other.

[0067] In addition, in Figure 12 the embodiment shown, since the folding line 35 is arranged in a manner offset with respect to the center line of the closing tab 27 itself, the two flaps 33 and 34 have two different dimensions H1 and H2 from each other. Specifically, as Figure 12 shown, the dimension H2 of the flap 34 is smaller than the dimension H1 of the flap 33. In particular, the dimension H2 is approximately one-third smaller than the dimension H1 of the flap 33. Therefore, the dimension of the connecting portion 30 of the flap 34 is smaller than Figures 9 to 11 the dimension of the connecting portion in the embodiment shown.

[0068] According to this embodiment, the two flaps 33 and 34 have two different dimensions H1 and H2, and the closing tab 27 has a discontinuous thickness. In particular, 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 equal to half).

[0069] In summary, according to the present invention, the dimension 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% (in particular, approximately two-thirds) of the dimension H1 of the flap 33 (i.e., the length measured in the same manner).

[0070] Figure 14 and Figure 15 show cross-sectional views of two different embodiments. In Figure 14 and Figure 15 , each of the flaps 33 and 34 has an upper plate 41 (with respect to the package 4) and a rear plate 42. Therefore, the flap 33 has an upper plate 41A and a rear plate 42A (with respect to the package 4); while the flap 34 has an upper plate 41B and a rear plate 42B (with respect to the package 4). When the internal receiving portion 3 is in the closed position, each of the upper plates 41A, 41B is parallel to the upper wall 23 of the package 4, and each of the rear plates 41A, 41B is parallel to the rear wall 21 of the package 4. The folding line 35 defines a corner 37 between the two front plates 41A, 41B of the flaps 33 and 34.

[0071] As shown, the sheet 32 has a dividing line 40 in the region of the upper plate 41B of the flap 34 (as Figure 14 schematically shown) or in the region of the rear plate 42B of the flap 34 (as Figure 15 schematically shown). The dividing line 40 is spaced apart from the folding line 35 and has at least one portion parallel to the folding line. Advantageously, the dividing line 40 has at least one straight section (as Figures 9 to 12 shown). Additionally or alternatively, the dividing line 40 has at least one formed section (i.e., not straight; as in Figures 9 to 12(shown by way of example in). In particular, in the subsequent figures, the dividing line 40 has a "U" - shaped pattern.

[0072] In Figure 14 the illustrated embodiment, the dividing line 40 delimits the connecting portion 30 and the remainder of the upper plate 41B of the flap 34. In other words, in this embodiment, in the region of the upper plate 41B of the closing tab 27, the connecting portion 30 is defined between the folding line 35 and the dividing line 40. The closing tab 27 is connected to the external receiving portion 2 in the region of the connecting portion 30.

[0073] In Figure 15 the illustrated embodiment, the dividing line 40 alternatively delimits the connecting portion 30 and the remainder of the rear plate 42B of the flap 34. In other words, the connecting portion 30 is defined between the dividing line 40 and the corner 45. The corner 45 is defined between the upper plate 41 and the rear plate 42 of the respective flap 33 or 34. The closing tab 27 is connected to the external receiving portion 2 in the region of the connecting portion 30.

[0074] Advantageously, the dividing line 40 is formed by means of a score, notch, cut or perforation that provides a binding point (or connection point). In particular, the dividing line 40 keeps the connecting portion 30 connected to the upper plate 41B or the rear plate 42B (depending on until the internal receiving portion 3 is first opened by means of the binding portion). The binding portion is configured to break only when the package 1 is first opened. Thus, when the package 1 is first opened, the connecting portion 30 separates from the remainder of the respective upper plate 41 or rear plate 42 and a gap is created.

[0075] In particular, in Figure 14 the embodiment, the two flaps 33 and 34 are connected to each other by an adhesive 38 (in particular a strong adhesive or a permanent adhesive). In this embodiment, the adhesive 38 extends in the region of the edges 36A and 36B and only between the rear plates 42 of the flaps 33, 34.

[0076] Advantageously, the two flaps 33 and 34 of the closing tab 27 are not connected to each other in the region of a part of the upper plate 41 and a part of the rear plate 42 (in particular across the corner 45).

[0077] The package 1 is provided with a stop member 46 (whose possible blank is schematically shown in Figures 18 to 22 connected to the internal receiving portion 3 and the external receiving portion 2). The stop member 46 restricts the internal receiving portion 3 from moving out of the external receiving portion 2 and thus determines the maximum open position of the internal receiving portion 3 relative to the external receiving portion 2 (i.e., defines the so - called end - of - travel). As can be seen from Figure 16 and Figures 18 to 22As can be seen, the outer receiving part 2 and the outer receiving part 2 are formed by folding a blank 52 (which will be described in detail below), and the stop member 46 is formed by folding a blank 47 that is different from and independent of the blank 52.

[0078] As Figures 18 to 22 shown, the stop member 46 includes a pair of side plates 48, a front plate 49, a coupling plate 50, and an intermediate plate 51.

[0079] According to the present invention, the stop member 46 is connected to the inner receiving part 3 only in the region of the side wall 9. In addition, the stop member 46 can be connected to the wrapper 4 in the regions of both the side wall 24 and the front wall 22. In other words, the side plates 48 of the stop member 46 are connected to the wrapper 4 at least in the region of the side wall 24 of the wrapper 4, or at least a part of the side plates 48 and at least a part of the front plate 49 are connected to the wrapper 4 in the regions of the side wall 24 and the front wall 22.

[0080] The side plates 48 are arranged side by side with the front plate 49, separated from each other by a corresponding longitudinal folding line 53, and configured to be folded by 90° and connected to the side wall 9 of the inner receiving part 3. The front plate 49, the coupling plate 50, and the intermediate plate 51 are alternatively separated from each other by corresponding transverse folding lines 54.

[0081] The front plate 49 is arranged between the side plates 48 and faces the front wall 22 of the wrapper 4 (this front plate can be connected to, in particular, adhesively bonded to the front wall 22 of the wrapper 4 or it can only face the front wall of the wrapper).

[0082] The coupling plate 50 is connected to the rear wall 14 of the outer receiving part 2. Thus, the front plate 49 is parallel to the front wall 22 of the wrapper 4, and the coupling plate 50 is parallel to the rear wall 14 of the outer receiving part 2. The intermediate plate 51 that connects them together is arranged between the front plate 49 and the coupling plate 50. The front plate 49, the coupling plate 50, and the intermediate plate 51 are separated from each other by corresponding folding lines 54.

[0083] When the inner receiving part 3 is in the closed position, the front plate 49, the coupling plate 50, and the intermediate plate 51 are all parallel to each other and also coplanar with each other (i.e., arranged in the same plane). When the inner receiving part 3 is in the open position, the front plate 49, the coupling plate 51, and the intermediate plate 51 are inclined relative to each other.

[0084] As can be seen from the Figures 18 to 22 figure showing the blank 47, the side plates 48 only extend laterally from the front plate 49 and are separated from it by the folding line 53. In other words, the side plates 48 are only connected to the front plate 49 by the longitudinal folding line 53, thus connecting to the rest of the stop member 46.

[0085] According to Figure 18In the illustrated embodiment, the bonding plate 50 and the intermediate plate 51 are directly formed from a part of the front plate 49, in particular by a "C"-shaped dividing line (in particular a cutting line) 55. Thus, in this case, the bonding plate 50 and the intermediate plate 51 are formed in the central part of the front plate 49. In this embodiment, the front plate 49 is much larger than the bonding plate 50 and the intermediate plate 51.

[0086] According to Figure 19 In the illustrated embodiment, the front plate 49, the bonding plate 50 and the intermediate plate 51 are arranged continuously one after another. The bonding plate 50 and the intermediate plate 51 extend and project from the lower edge 56 of the front plate 49. In particular, the transverse folding line 54 separating the intermediate plate 51 from the front plate 49 is arranged in the region of the lower edge 56 of the front plate 49. In this embodiment, the front plate 49 is much larger than the bonding plate 50 and the intermediate plate 51.

[0087] According to Figure 20 In the illustrated embodiment, the front plate 49, the bonding plate 50 and the intermediate plate 51 are arranged continuously one after another. The bonding plate 50 and the intermediate plate 51 extend from the upper edge 57 of the front plate 49. In particular, the transverse folding line 54 separating the intermediate plate 51 from the front plate 49 is arranged in the region of the upper edge 57 of the front plate 49. The height H3 of the side plate 48 of the stop member 46 is the same as the height of the front plate 49 (also 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 plate 49 is less than the total height H4 of the entire stop member 46. The total height of the stop member 46 is given by the sum of the heights of the front plate 49, the bonding plate 50 and the intermediate plate 51.

[0088] According to Figure 21 In the illustrated embodiment, the front plate 49, the bonding plate 50 and the intermediate plate 51 are arranged continuously one after another. The bonding plate 50 and the intermediate plate 51 extend from the upper edge 57 of the front plate 49. In particular, the transverse folding line 54 separating the intermediate plate 51 from the front plate 49 is arranged in the region of the upper edge 57 of the front plate 49. The height H3 of the side plate 48 of the stop member 46 is the same as the total height of the stop member 46 (also measured parallel to the longitudinal extension of the package 1, i.e., parallel to the longitudinal extension of the stop member 46). The bonding plate 50 and the intermediate plate 51 are separated from the side plate 48 by corresponding longitudinal dividing lines (in particular cutting lines) 58.

[0089] According to Figure 22In the illustrated embodiment, the front panel 49, the binding panel 50, and the intermediate panel 51 are arranged continuously one after another. The binding panel 50 and the intermediate panel 51 extend from the upper edge 57 of the front panel 49. In particular, the transverse folding line 54 that separates the intermediate 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 plate 48 of the stop member 46 is the same as the height of the front panel 49 (also measured parallel to the longitudinal extension of the package 1, that is, 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 plate 48 is provided with a flap 59, which is configured to fold 90° relative to the side plate 48 and is arranged below the package 4 to form the lower plate of the stop member 46. The flap 59 is then arranged to contact the lower wall 25 of the package 4.

[0090] As Figure 18 and Figure 19 shown, the front panel 49 may have an opening 60 that facilitates access to the group of cigarette articles 5.

[0091] According to Figure 18 what is shown, the outer receiving portion 2 and the inner receiving portion 3 are made by folding a blank 52 made of cardboard or rigid cardstock and having 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), and the plurality of transverse folding lines define between the two longitudinal folding lines 61 a plate 11' that constitutes the upper wall 11 of the outer receiving portion 2 (in Figure 18 it is shown on the plate 11' that a reinforcing plate has been folded), a plate 14' that constitutes the rear wall 14 of the outer receiving portion 2 and is provided with a through-opening 16, a plate 12' that constitutes the lower wall 12 of the outer receiving portion 2, a plate 8' that constitutes the front wall 8 of the inner receiving portion 3, and a plate 8'' that is folded on 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 receiving portion 3 along the transverse folding line 62, the reinforcing strip is folded 180° relative to the front wall 8 (i.e., relative to the plate 8') (in the package 1 for cigarettes), and it abuts against and is adhered to the inner surface of the front wall 8 (i.e., the plate 8') of the inner receiving portion 3.

[0092] The blank 52 includes a pair of flaps 11'', which are arranged on opposite sides of the plate 11', are connected to the plate 11' along the two longitudinal folding lines 61, and constitute a part of the side wall 15 of the outer receiving portion 2.

[0093] The blank 52 includes a pair of flaps 15', which are arranged on opposite sides of the plate 14', are connected to the plate 14' along the two longitudinal folding lines 61, constitute a part of the side wall 15 of the outer receiving portion 2, and overlap and are adhered to the corresponding flaps 10' to constitute the side wall 15 of the outer receiving portion 2. Figure 18It shows that the reinforcing plates have been folded on each plate 15'.

[0094] The blank 52 includes a pair of flaps 15", which are arranged on opposite sides of the plate 12', connected to the plate 12' along two longitudinal folding lines 61, form part of the side wall 15 of the outer receiving portion 2, and overlap and are adhered to the corresponding flaps 15' to form the side wall 15 of the outer receiving portion 2.

[0095] The blank 52 includes a pair of flaps 9', which are arranged on opposite sides of the plate 8', connected to the plate 8' along two longitudinal folding lines 61, and form the side wall 9 of the inner receiving portion 3.

[0096] According to Figure 17 what is shown, the wrapper 4 is formed by folding a heat-sealable wrapper sheet 63 in a rectangular shape, folding it around the cigarette product group 5, and after folding, stabilizing it by heat-sealing (i.e., the overlapping portions of the wrapper sheet 63 are stably connected to each other by heat-sealing). The wrapper sheet 63 has a "U"-shaped cut and defines the extraction opening 26 of the wrapper 4. In addition, a closing tab 27 that completely covers the cut (i.e., the extraction opening 26) is adhered to the wrapper sheet 63. A repositionable adhesive 28 is interposed between the closing tab 27 and the wrapper sheet 63. The repositionable adhesive is pressure-sensitive (i.e., it does not dry out), and allows the closing tab 27 to be separated from the wrapper sheet 63 even after long-term and multiple uses, and thus also allows the closing tab 27 to be re-bonded to the wrapper sheet 63.

[0097] According to an alternative embodiment, the wrapper 4 can be formed by folding a sheet of paper material (such as cardstock, similar to Figure 16 the blank 52).

[0098] According to another embodiment, the wrapper 4 can be formed by folding a sheet of foil.

[0099] In the case where the wrapper 4 is formed by folding a sheet of foil, or in the case where the wrapper 4 does not include the reinforcing element 17, the package 1 can include a reinforcing element arranged to be fixed to the rear wall 21 of the wrapper 4. When the user moves the inner receiving portion 3 from the closed position to the open position by pressing on the area of the through-opening 16 formed in the rear wall 14 of the outer receiving portion 2, the reinforcing element has the function of providing a contrast to the user.

[0100] 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.

[0101] Without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention, the embodiments described herein can be combined with each other.

[0102] The packaging 1 for cigarettes described above has several advantages.

[0103] First of all, the packaging 1 for cigarettes described above enables simpler and easier management of the closing tab 27 during the entire process of manufacturing the packaging 1. In fact, the packaging 1 described above causes the connecting portion 30 to already be folded 180° as an integral part of the closing tab 27, thus avoiding the drawbacks described above. Therefore, it is only necessary to coordinate a single element (i.e., the closing tab 27) without protruding / folding flaps to manage, thus simplifying the structure of the machine.

[0104] In addition, the connecting portion 30 serves as the end flap necessary for applying the peeling force of the closing tab 27 to the opening of the internal receiving portion 3.

[0105] In addition, the extension of the size of the connecting portion 30 is only defined by the dividing line 40.

[0106] The presence of the dividing line 40 having several (i.e., at least two) bonding points allows the integrity of the closing tab 27 to be maintained throughout the manufacturing process and then (intentionally) destroyed when the internal receiving portion 3 is opened for the first time, thus geometrically defining the end flap and its function.

[0107] The position of the adhesive 31A or 31B ensures that when the internal receiving portion 3 is opened to separate the two flaps 33 and 34, one of the two flaps slides over the other flap so as to expose the extraction opening 26 when the packaging 1 is opened or to cover the extraction opening 26 when the packaging 1 is closed.

[0108] The structure of the foldable closing tab 27 has the following advantages: at least 65% (i.e., approximately two-thirds) of the closing tab 27 has a constant thickness, ensuring uniform winding of the tab reel, thus improving its tension. By further increasing the percentage of the constant thickness of the closing tab 27 (up to 100%), the tension of the reel will further increase. In addition, the length of the foldable closing tab 27 is the same as the width of its reel.

[0109] The stop member 46 allows the package 4 to be stably held in place in the internal receiving portion 3.

[0110] In addition, by making the stop member 46 have a blank 47 separated from the blank 52, the blank 52 can be made smaller and thus easier to handle in the machine.

[0111] The separate manufacture of the stop member 46 from the external receiving portion 2 and the internal receiving portion 3 enables adjustment of its application height on the package 4, thus better balancing the torque applied by the user by pressing the internal receiving portion 3 of the packaging 1 with his / her finger.

[0112] List of reference numerals of the drawings

[0113] 1 Packaging

[0114] 2 External receiving part

[0115] 3 Internal receiving part

[0116] 4 Package

[0117] 5 Cigarette product group

[0118] 6 Hinge part

[0119] 7 Upper end

[0120] 8 Front wall

[0121] 9 Side wall

[0122] 10 Rear end

[0123] 11 Upper wall

[0124] 12 Lower wall

[0125] 13 Front end

[0126] 14 Rear wall

[0127] 15 Side wall

[0128] 16 Through-opening

[0129] 17 Reinforcing element

[0130] 18 Front wall

[0131] 19 Side wall

[0132] 20 Edge

[0133] 21 Rear wall

[0134] 22 Front wall

[0135] 23 Upper wall

[0136] 24 Side wall

[0137] 25 Lower wall

[0138] 26 Drawing opening

[0139] 27 Closing tab

[0140] 28 Adhesive

[0141] 29 Adhesive

[0142] 30 Connection part

[0143] 31 Adhesive

[0144] 32 sheets

[0145] 33 folding piece

[0146] 34 folding piece

[0147] 35 folding line

[0148] 36 edge

[0149] 37 corner

[0150] 38 adhesive

[0151] 39 dividing line

[0152] 40 dividing line

[0153] 41 upper plate

[0154] 42 rear plate

[0155] 45 corner

[0156] 46 stop member

[0157] 47 blank

[0158] 48 side plate

[0159] 49 front plate

[0160] 50 binding plate

[0161] 51 middle plate

[0162] 52 blank

[0163] 53 folding line

[0164] 54 folding line

[0165] 55 dividing line

[0166] 56 edge

[0167] 57 edge

[0168] 58 dividing line

[0169] 59 flap

[0170] 60 opening

[0171] 61 folding line

[0172] 62 folding line

[0173] 63 paper sheet

[0174] 70 area

Claims

1. A rigid package (1) for a cigarette product, the rigid package being tiltable to open and comprising: A group of cigarette products (5); A wrapper (4) wrapping the group of cigarette products (5) and having: a front wall (22), an upper wall (23), a rear wall (21), and a cigarette product extraction opening (26) formed at least through the upper wall (23); A rigid inner receiving part (3) accommodating the wrapper (4) and having an open upper end (7), a front wall (8), and a pair of side walls (9); A rigid outer receiving part (2) accommodating the inner receiving part (3) and having 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 arranged between the upper wall (11) and the lower wall (12), and the inner receiving part (3) moving through the open front end; A hinge part (6), the inner receiving part (3) being connected to the outer receiving part (2) in the region of the hinge part to allow the inner receiving part (3) to rotate between a closed position and an open position, in the closed position, the inner receiving part (3) is inserted into the interior of the outer receiving part (2), and in the open position, the inner receiving part (3) partially moves out of the outer receiving part (2) through the open front end (13); And A stop member (46) including a pair of side plates (48) and connecting the inner receiving part (3) and the outer receiving part (2) to each other to limit the movement of the inner receiving part (3) out of the outer receiving part (2) and determine the maximum open position of the inner receiving part (3) relative to the outer receiving part (2); Characterized in that the side plates (48) of the stop member (46) of the package (1) are connected to the side walls (9) of the inner receiving part (3).

2. The package according to claim 1, wherein The inner receiving part (3) and the outer receiving part (2) are folded from a first blank (52), and the stop member (46) is folded from a second blank (47), the second blank being different from and separated from the first blank (52).

3. The package according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The stop member (46) further includes: A front plate (49) connecting the side plates (48) and facing the front wall (22) of the wrapper (4), in particular, the front plate is connected to the front wall of the wrapper; A connecting plate (50) connected to the rear wall (14) of the outer receiving part (2); An intermediate plate (51) arranged between the front plate (49) and the connecting plate (50) to connect the front plate and the connecting plate to each other; and The front plate (49), the connecting plate (50), and the intermediate plate (51) are separated from each other by a first folding line, in particular, by a transverse folding line (54).

4. The package according to claim 3, wherein: When the inner receiving part (3) is in the closed position, the front plate (49), the connecting plate (50), and the intermediate plate (51) are all parallel and coplanar with each other; and When the internal receiving part (3) is in the open position, the front plate (49), the coupling plate (50) and the intermediate plate (51) are inclined relative to each other.

5. The package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The side plate (48) extends only laterally from the front plate (49) and is separated from the front plate by a second fold line, in particular by a longitudinal fold line (53).

6. The package according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein The coupling plate (50) and the intermediate plate (51) are directly formed by a part of the front plate (49), in particular by means of a "C"-shaped separation line (55).

7. The package according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein The coupling plate (50) and the intermediate plate (51) extend and project from the lower edge (56) of the front plate (49).

8. The package according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein, The coupling plate (50) and the intermediate plate (51) extend from the upper edge (57) of the front plate (49).

9. The package according to any one of the preceding claims 3 to 8, wherein, The height (H3) of the side plate (48) of the stop member (46) is the same as the height (H) of the front plate (49).

10. The package according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, Each side plate (48) has a tab (59), which is folded by 90° to form the corresponding lower plate (59) of the stop member (46).

11. The package according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein, The height (H3) of the side plate (48) of the stop member (46) is the same as the total height of the stop member (46); and The coupling plate (50) and the intermediate plate (51) are separated from the corresponding side plates (48) by a separation line (58).

12. The package according to any one of claims 3 to 11, wherein The front plate (49) has an opening (60).

13. The package according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a closing tab (27) which is connected to the wrapper (4), closes the extraction opening (26) of the cigarette article, and has a connecting portion (30) which is connected to the wall of the external receiving part (2), in particular to the rear wall (14) or the upper wall (11); wherein, The closing tab (27) is folded onto itself to define 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 separated from each other by a first fold line (35); and the edge (36; 36A) of the first flap (33) opposite the first fold line (35) is connected to the edge (36; 36B) of the second flap (34) opposite the first fold line (35).

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