Container Including Box and Sleeve with Locking Mechanism

Abstract

A container (1) for consumer goods comprises an outer sleeve (20) and an inner box (10) disposed within the outer sleeve (20), the container being configured to be slidable relative to the outer sleeve (20) between a first position in which a user cannot access the interior of the inner box (10) and a second position in which the user can access the interior of the inner box (10). The container (1) has a locking mechanism for preventing the inner box (10) from sliding from the first position to the second position when the inner box (10) is within the outer sleeve (20) in the first position.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CONTAINER FOR CONSUMER GOODS FIELD OF THEINVENTION The present invention relates to a container for consumer goods. Containers according to the invention have particular application as containers for aerosol-generating articles or components of aerosol-generating articles. [Background technology]

[0002] It is well known to package consumer articles in containers formed from folded laminar blanks. As an example, elongated smoking articles such as cigarettes and cigars are typically sold in rigid box-shaped containers, such as three-dimensional cup-shaped hinge-lid containers having a box portion and a lid connected to the box about a hinge line extending across the rear wall of the container. In use, the lid pivots about the hinge line to open the pack and provide access to the consumer articles held within the box.

[0003] It is also known to package consumer goods in containers that include an outer shell or sleeve and an inner slide or box in which the consumer goods are housed and that is slidable within the outer shell. To remove the consumer goods from such containers, a user slides the inner slide from an initial position within the outer shell to an open position in which the inner slide projects outwardly from the outer shell to partially expose an open end or slide of the inner slide. Such containers may also be referred to as slide-and-shell containers.

[0004] It may be desirable to ensure that the inner slide or inner box remains enclosed within the outer shell until the user is ready to access the consumable product. For example, it may be desirable to ensure that the lid remains in a closed position when the container is being transported. This may help to prevent the consumable product from inadvertently falling out of the container. This may help to preserve one or more properties of the consumable product, such as its freshness.

[0005] It would be desirable to provide new and improved containers for consumer goods that are configured to reduce the risk of the lid of the container being inadvertently moved from a closed position to an open position, and further, to provide one or more layered blanks and methods for forming such improved containers that are easy and cost-effective to manufacture. Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, a container for consumer goods is provided. The container comprises an outer sleeve including an outer sleeve front wall, an outer sleeve rear wall, opposing first and second outer sleeve side walls, and a first open end, and an inner box disposed within the outer sleeve. The inner box is configured to be slidable relative to the outer sleeve between a first position in which a user cannot access the interior of the inner box and a second position in which a user can access the interior of the inner box. Sliding of the inner box from the first position to the second position involves at least a portion of the inner box passing through the first open end of the outer sleeve. The inner box includes an inner box top wall, an inner box bottom wall, an inner box front wall, an inner box rear wall, opposing first and second inner box side walls, and an inner box engagement flap configured to overlie a portion of an outer surface of the inner box side walls. When the inner box is within the outer sleeve in the first position, an edge of the inner box engagement flap is configured to engage a corresponding engagement element on an inner surface of the outer sleeve rear wall to form a locking mechanism to prevent the inner box from being slidable from the first position to the second position.

[0007] In some preferred embodiments, the inner box may be formed from two or more layered blanks. The rear wall of the inner box may be formed from a layered blank different from the layered blank that forms the inner box engagement flaps. This may be advantageous from a manufacturing standpoint, since the majority of the inner box may be formed from conventional layered blanks. Thus, it may be possible to form an inner box having engagement flaps without substantially modifying existing components or processes.

[0008] Thus, according to the present disclosure, a container for consumer goods is also provided. The container comprises an outer sleeve including an outer sleeve front wall, an outer sleeve rear wall, opposing first and second outer sleeve side walls, and a first open end, and an inner box disposed within the outer sleeve. The inner box is configured to be slidable relative to the outer sleeve between a first position where a user cannot access the interior of the inner box and a second position where a user can access the interior of the inner box. Sliding of the inner box from the first position to the second position involves at least a portion of the inner box passing through the first open end of the outer sleeve. The inner box includes an inner box top wall, an inner box bottom wall, an inner box front wall, an inner box rear wall, opposing first and second inner box side walls, and an inner box engagement flap configured to overlie a portion of an outer surface of the inner box side walls. When the inner box is within the outer sleeve in the first position, an edge of the inner box engagement flap is configured to engage a corresponding engagement element on an inner surface of the outer sleeve rear wall to form a locking mechanism to prevent the inner box from being slidable from the first position to the second position. The inner box may be formed from two or more laminar blanks, and the rear wall of the inner box may be formed from a laminar blank different from the laminar blank that forms the inner box engagement flap.

[0009] Such inner box engagement flaps and corresponding engagement element arrangements form at least a part of a locking mechanism for the container. By providing the container with such a locking mechanism, the container can be left in a locked state where the interior of the inner box cannot be accessed. This means that the container can be locked when not in use. The locking mechanism can therefore help to reduce the risk of inadvertent opening of the container. This can help to prevent the consumable good from inadvertently falling out of the container. This can help to preserve one or more properties of the consumable good, such as its freshness.

[0010] By providing a container according to the present invention, at least a part of the locking mechanism can be hidden from the exterior of the container. This can mean that the locking mechanism is not easily visible. This can help to reduce the risk of the container being inadvertently unlocked. More specifically, the inner box engagement flap is configured to engage with an engagement element on the inner surface of the outer sleeve rear wall, so that the inner box engagement flap is below the outer sleeve rear wall and therefore at least partially hidden.

[0011] A locking element that has minimal or no visual impact on the appearance of the container can provide many advantages. For example, having minimal or no visual impact on the appearance of the container can help prevent particles from penetrating into the container by minimizing or avoiding cracks or gaps on the exterior surface of the container. Additionally, having minimal or no visual impact on the appearance of the container can help ensure that the exterior surface of the container is substantially smooth. This can be advantageous for either or both of the shipping and manufacturing of the container. This can also be advantageous when printing on the exterior surface of the container.

[0012] The choice to use such a locking mechanism for a container having an inner box that is slidable relative to an outer sleeve may be particularly advantageous in reducing the risk of inadvertent opening of the container, since the action required to release the locking mechanism may be different from the sliding action required to move the inner box relative to the outer sleeve. For example, a pushing action may be required to release the locking mechanism, while a sliding action may be required to move the inner box relative to the outer sleeve. The need for such different and separate actions may further reduce the likelihood of the container being inadvertently opened.

[0013] By providing the container with a locking mechanism having an engagement flap on the rear of the container, the risk of inadvertent opening of the container can be reduced as the locking mechanism may not be readily apparent when viewing the container during normal handling, particularly when viewing the container from the front.

[0014] The locking mechanism of the present invention may be particularly advantageous in embodiments where the width of the container is greater than the height of the container. For example, the width of the container is preferably greater than 75 mm, more preferably greater than 80 mm, and most preferably greater than 85 mm or 90 mm. The width of the container is preferably less than 200 mm, and more preferably less than 150 mm. This is because in such embodiments, a user is unlikely to hold both sides of the container at once. Thus, a user is unlikely to apply pressure to both sides of the container simultaneously during normal handling of the container.

[0015] The edge of the inner box engagement flap that is configured to engage with a corresponding engagement element on the outer sleeve rear wall is preferably a free edge of the inner box side flap such that the free edge of the flap does not directly connect the flap to the article to which it depends.

[0016] The free edge of the inner box side flap is preferably a leading edge of the inner box engagement flap, i.e. the free edge of the inner box engagement flap configured to engage with a corresponding engagement element on the outer sleeve rear wall is preferably located opposite the edge of the inner box engagement flap that connects it to the remainder of the inner box.

[0017] The inner box is configured to be slidable relative to the outer sleeve. Thus, the outer sleeve may have an interior configured to receive the inner box. The outer sleeve may include a second end positioned opposite the first open end of the outer sleeve. The second end of the outer sleeve may include an outer sleeve bottom wall. Thus, the outer sleeve may include a first open end and a second end that includes the outer sleeve bottom wall, with the outer sleeve front wall, the outer sleeve rear wall, and the opposing first and second outer sleeve side walls extending between the outer sleeve first open end and the outer sleeve bottom wall.

[0018] The inner box is movable within the outer sleeve between a first position where the user cannot access the interior of the inner box and a second position where the user can access the interior of the inner box. The first position may therefore be considered a closed position. The second position may be considered an open position. When the inner box is in the second position, the interior of the inner box may be directly accessible to the user. That is, the user may not need to do anything further to the container to be able to access the consumer goods held inside the inner box. Alternatively, when the inner box is in the second position, the user may need to move a lid of the inner box to access the consumer goods held inside the inner box. For example, the inner box may include a box portion and a lid portion attached to the box portion, the lid portion configured to cover an access opening of the box portion of the inner box. The lid portion may be movable relative to the box portion between a closed position where the lid portion covers the access opening of the box portion and an open position where any consumer goods held inside the box portion are accessible through the access opening of the box portion. The lid portion may be hingedly connected to the box portion and configured to pivot between an open position and a closed position.

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

[0020] Movement of the inner box from the first position to the second position may cause at least a portion of the inner box to pass through the first open end. In particular, at least a portion of the inner box is configured to slide through the open end of the outer sleeve and thus move outwardly from the outer sleeve as the inner box moves from the first position to the second position. This may help to improve ease of access to consumer goods held within the inner box when the inner box is in the second position.

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

[0022] The outer sleeve and the inner box are preferably configured such that at least one of the inner box front wall and the inner box rear wall is completely under its corresponding outer sleeve front wall and outer sleeve rear wall when the inner box is in the first position. In such an embodiment, at least one of the inner box front wall and the inner box rear wall is not visible to the user when the inner box is in the first position. This can help to limit the amount of surface area of ​​the inner box that the user can grasp to slide the inner box from the first position to the second position. This can help to reduce the risk of the container being inadvertently opened. This can also help to increase the amount of uninterrupted surface area available for communication with the user at either or both the front or rear of the container when the inner box is in the first position.

[0023] Preferably, a portion of the inner box is outside the outer sleeve when the inner box is in the first position. More preferably, about 5 percent to about 20 percent of the outer surface area of ​​the inner box is outside the outer sleeve when the inner box is in the first position. This may advantageously ensure that a majority of the inner box cannot be touched by the user when the inner box is in the first position, but a portion of the inner box can still be grasped by the user. This may provide an optimal balance between securing the inner box and assisting the user in sliding the inner box away from the outer sleeve when the user desires to access any consumer goods within the inner box.

[0024] The open end of the outer sleeve may be angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the outer sleeve. More specifically, the length of the outer sleeve front wall may be less than the length of the outer sleeve rear wall. Thus, each outer sleeve side wall may have a different length at the point where it connects to the outer sleeve rear wall compared to the point where it connects to the outer sleeve front wall. This may define an inclined edge for each side wall at the open end of the outer sleeve, the inclined edge of each outer sleeve side wall being inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the outer sleeve. Such an arrangement may advantageously help ensure that when the inner box is in the first position, a portion of the inner box can be grasped by a user without requiring the inner box to have a non-conventional shape. In particular, in such an embodiment, the inner box may have a rectangular parallelepiped shape. This may be preferred from a manufacturing standpoint. This may also be desirable from a storage standpoint.

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

[0026] As used herein, the term "height" means the dimension extending between the top and bottom. As used herein, the term "width" means the dimension extending between the two sides. As used herein, the term "depth" means the dimension extending between the front and back. Height, width, and depth are mutually perpendicular.

[0027] As used herein, the term "panel" means a portion of a container formed from a single continuous piece of material. A panel may be dependent from one or more other panels.

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

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

[0030] As an example, a side wall or side panel may depend directly from an adjacent front wall or front panel. In such cases, the wall or panel typically depends from the adjacent wall along a fold line. Alternatively, the side wall or side panel may depend indirectly from the front wall or front panel, especially in containers with rounded or chamfered edges. In such cases, the wall or panel with the rounded or chamfered edge connects the side wall or side panel with the front wall or front panel. In case of a chamfered edge, both the side wall or side panel and the front wall or front panel may depend from a wall or panel with a chamfered edge that connects along the respective fold line. This also applies to optional components of the container according to the invention, for example reinforcing members provided in the form of an inner frame.

[0031] As used herein, the term "hinge line" means a line about which a lid may pivot to open a container. A hinge line may be, for example, a crease or score line. The hinge line about which the lid connects to the box may coincide with an edge of the container, or the hinge line may extend across the wall of the container at a location spaced from the edge.

[0032] The term "inner surface" is used throughout this specification to refer to a surface of an assembled container component that faces toward the interior of the container (e.g., toward the consumer good) when the container is in a closed position. The term "outer surface" is used throughout this specification to refer to a surface of a container component that faces toward the exterior of the container. For example, a front wall of a package has an inner surface that faces toward the inside of the package and the consumer good and an outer surface that faces away from the consumer good. It is noteworthy that the inner or outer surface does not necessarily correspond to a certain side of the blank used to assemble the container. Depending on how the blank is folded around the consumer good, the area on the same side of the blank may face either the inside or the outside of the container.

[0033] The term "crease" is used to describe any line in the blank along which the blank is folded. A crease may be defined by a line of weakness to assist in the folding action. Alternatively, a fold may be formed without the presence of a line of weakness, depending, for example, on the pliability characteristics of the blank material and other materials.

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

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

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

[0037] The outer sleeve rear wall may be provided with a release element for allowing an edge of the inner box engagement flap to disengage from a corresponding engagement element on the inner surface of the outer sleeve rear wall. In other words, the release element may be configured to allow the locking mechanism to transition from a locked state to an unlocked state in response to pressure applied to the container by a user. In particular, the release element is configured such that a user can interact with the locking mechanism to cause such transition. When the inner box is in the first position, the release element of the outer sleeve is preferably over at least a portion of its corresponding inner box engagement flap.

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

[0039] In some embodiments, the release element includes a release tab formed by at least one cut line in the outer sleeve rear wall. For example, the outer sleeve rear wall may include a cut that defines at least a portion of the circumference of the release tab in the wall. The cut may be a U-shaped cut. The cut may be an arcuate cut. The release tab may be deflectable relative to the remainder of the outer sleeve rear wall, allowing the release tab to move independently of the outer sleeve rear wall in response to pressure from a user. The release tab may be positioned adjacent a portion of the inner box engagement flap when the inner box is in the first position. Thus, in use, a user may press the release tab to translate a force onto the inner box engagement flap to disengage the inner box engagement flap from an engagement element on the inner surface of the outer sleeve sidewall.

[0040] By providing a release element in the form of a release tab, the means for unlocking the locking mechanism can be incorporated into the container with minimal visual impact on the container. Thus, the means for unlocking the container may not be overtly visually evident. This may therefore help to reduce the risk of the container being inadvertently opened.

[0041] The inner surface of the outer sleeve rear wall includes an engagement element for engaging an edge of the inner box engagement flap when the inner box is in a first position within the outer sleeve. The engagement element provides a barrier for engaging the inner box engagement flap. In particular, the barrier may provide an engagement edge configured to abut an edge of the inner box engagement flap. The engagement element may be integrally formed with the outer sleeve rear wall. For example, the outer sleeve rear wall may be manufactured with a raised portion having an increased thickness to provide the engagement element. Alternatively, the engagement element may include an element affixed to the inner surface of the outer sleeve rear wall. The element may include a strip of material extending across the inner surface of the outer sleeve rear wall.

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

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

[0044] The retention mechanism may advantageously provide an indication to the user that the inner box has reached the second position. More specifically, when the retention mechanism engages and prevents the inner box from sliding beyond the second position, the user may be provided with a tactile indication that the inner box has reached the second position. This may give the user an indication that the inner box is in a position to access the consumer goods.

[0045] In some embodiments, the retention mechanism includes an extensible member connecting the wall of the inner box to the wall of the outer sleeve. The extensible member is configured to change between a retracted state when the inner box is in a first position and an extended state when the inner box is in a second position. The extensible member may be provided in the form of a strip of folded panels, with a first end panel of the strip secured to a portion of the outer sleeve and a second end panel of the opposing strip secured to a portion of the inner box. For example, the first end panel of the strip may be secured to an inner surface of the outer sleeve wall, such as the outer sleeve bottom wall. The second end panel may be secured to an outer surface of the inner box wall, such as the inner box bottom wall or the inner box top wall. Thus, the extensible member may be in a bellows state when changing between the retracted and extended configurations.

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

[0047] The flap on the outer sleeve may depend from an edge of one of the outer sleeve walls. The flap on the outer sleeve may depend from an edge of the outer sleeve front wall. The flap on the outer sleeve may depend from an edge of the outer sleeve disposed at the open end of the outer sleeve. The flap on the outer sleeve may depend from a fold on the outer sleeve, the fold forming an edge of one of the outer sleeve walls. The flap on the outer sleeve may extend into the interior of the outer sleeve. For example, the flap may extend into the interior of the outer sleeve. The flap may be biased away from the wall to which it depends. The flap may have a contoured leading edge, for example a rounded leading edge. This may facilitate engagement of the flap with a corresponding edge on the inner box.

[0048] In some embodiments, a flap on the outer sleeve depends from a fold that forms an edge of the outer sleeve front wall, the edge is located proximate the outer sleeve opening, and the flap extends into the interior of the outer sleeve and away from the outer sleeve front wall.

[0049] A flap having one or more of the above-mentioned features may provide many advantages. For example, the flap may be easy to manufacture, especially if the flap depends from one of the existing walls of the outer sleeve. By arranging the flap to depend from a fold on the outer sleeve, the flap may be generally biased toward engagement with an edge on the inner box. This is particularly applicable if the flap extends into the interior of the outer sleeve and projects away from the wall to which it depends.

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

[0051] The inner box may include a box portion and a lid portion connected to the box portion by a hinge line. In such an embodiment, the edge on the inner box configured to engage with the flap on the outer sleeve may be formed by an edge of the lid portion of the inner box. In such an embodiment, the lid portion may engage with the flap and be held in a fixed position relative to the outer sleeve when the inner box is in the second position. Advantageously, however, in such a position, the box portion of the inner box may be able to pivot about the hinge line to allow access to the interior of the inner box and any consumer goods contained therein. Thus, in such an embodiment, a user may slide the inner box to the second position and then pivot the box portion relative to the lid portion and the outer sleeve to gain access to the interior of the inner box.

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

[0053] The lid portion of the inner box can include a lid portion front wall, a lid portion rear wall, a lid portion top wall, and first and second opposing lid portion side walls, which together can provide the lid portion with a three-dimensional cup-shaped lid.

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

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

[0056] The flap of the outer sleeve may extend below the lid portion front wall when the inner box is in the second position. In such an embodiment, the lid portion top wall may include a slot through which the leading edge of the flap of the outer sleeve extends when the inner box is in the second position. This may advantageously provide an engagement point between the flap of the outer sleeve and the lid portion of the inner box. In particular, this may help to ensure that the flap of the outer sleeve can engage with the lid portion of the inner box in a reliable and consistent manner. In addition, the engagement may also help to reduce or avoid any relative movement between the lid portion of the inner box and the outer sleeve when the inner box is in the second position. The slot may be provided proximate to an edge of the lid portion connecting the lid portion top wall and the lid portion front wall. Such a location may be advantageous as it may help to ensure that the flap of the outer sleeve is flush with the inner surface of the lid portion front wall when the inner box is in the second position. This may help to minimise the risk of the flaps of the outer sleeve interfering with other parts of the inner box, or with any consumer goods containers therein.

[0057] As mentioned above, the inner box may include a box portion, including a box portion bottom wall, a box portion front wall, a box portion rear wall, and first and second opposing box portion side walls, and a lid portion hinged to the box portion by a hinge line, including a lid portion top wall, a lid portion front wall, a lid portion rear wall, and first and second opposing lid portion side walls. In such an embodiment, the container may be configured such that one or both of the hinge line of the inner box and the lower edge of the lid portion front wall are below a corresponding one of the outer sleeve front wall and the outer sleeve rear wall and are contained within the outer sleeve when the inner box is in the first position. Such an arrangement may advantageously mean that the lid portion of the inner box is prevented from pivoting relative to the box portion of the inner box when the inner box is in the first position. This may mean that a user is prevented from accessing consumer goods held in the inner box when the inner box is in the first position. In such an embodiment, the container may be further configured such that one or both of the hinge line of the inner box and the lower edge of the lid portion front wall are positioned outside of the outer sleeve when the inner box is in the second position. Such an arrangement may advantageously mean that the lid portion of the inner box can pivot relative to the box portion of the inner box when the inner box is in the second position. This may allow a user to access any consumer goods held within the inner box when the inner box is in the second position.

[0058] The inner box engagement flap may be configured to cover a portion of an outer surface of the lid portion rear wall. Alternatively or additionally, the inner box engagement flap may be configured to cover a portion of an outer surface of the box portion rear wall.

[0059] The inner box engagement flap may be pivotable about a pivot line on the inner box rear wall. The pivot line may connect the inner box engagement flap directly to a portion of the inner box rear wall. Alternatively, the pivot line may connect the inner box engagement flap to a component, which itself may be secured to the outer surface of the inner box rear wall, for example, via an adhesive. The component may be a panel. The panel may extend over only a portion of the outer surface of the inner box rear wall. The panel may extend across the entire inner box rear wall.

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

[0061] Thus, in accordance with the present disclosure, a kit of parts is provided that includes an outer sleeve and an inner box configured to be received within the outer sleeve to form the container of the present disclosure. The kit of parts may include one or more instructions on how to insert the inner box into the outer sleeve to form a fully assembled container. Providing the container in the form of a kit of parts may be advantageous from a manufacturing standpoint, since this means that the step of inserting the inner box into the outer sleeve can be performed by a user.

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

[0063] As mentioned above, the container according to the present invention is preferably formed from one or more folded laminar blanks. The one or more laminar blanks may be formed from any suitable material or combination of materials, including, but not limited to, cardboard, paperboard, plastic, metal, or combinations thereof. Different components of the container may be formed from the same material or from different materials. Each of the one or more laminar blanks may be a laminar cardboard blank having a weight of about 100 grams per square meter to about 350 grams per square meter. In a preferred embodiment, the blank has a thickness of about 100 micrometers to about 500 micrometers, preferably about 200 micrometers to about 350 micrometers.

[0064] The container is preferably a rectangular parallelepiped, including two wide walls (front and rear) spaced apart by two narrower side walls. Containers according to the invention may be in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped with perpendicular longitudinal edges and perpendicular transverse edges. The container may include one or more longitudinal rounded edges, transverse rounded edges, longitudinal chamfered edges, or transverse chamfered edges, or combinations thereof.

[0065] The container may contain a plurality of consumer goods. The consumer goods may be aerosol-generating articles. The aerosol-generating articles may be filter cigarettes or other smoking articles in which the aerosol-generating substrate includes tobacco material that is combusted to form smoke. The aerosol-generating articles may be articles in which the tobacco material is heated to form an aerosol rather than combusted. The aerosol-generating articles may be articles in which a nicotine-containing aerosol is generated from tobacco material, tobacco extract, or other nicotine source without the use of combustion, and in some cases without the use of heat, e.g., by a chemical reaction.

[0066] The aerosol-generating articles may be provided within the container in the form of a bundle wrapped in an inner package formed of metal foil or metallized paper. The inner package material may be formed as a laminate of metallized polyethylene film and a liner material. The liner material may be a superfinished glassine paper. Additionally, the inner package material may be provided with a print-receptive top coat. The inner package has an access opening through which the aerosol-generating articles can be removed when the lids of the container are in their respective open positions.

[0067] By appropriate selection of dimensions, a container according to the invention may be designed to hold a different total number of aerosol-generating articles or different arrangements of aerosol-generating articles. For example, by appropriate selection of dimensions, a container according to the invention may be designed to hold a total of 10-30 aerosol-generating articles, such as smoking articles. The aerosol-generating articles may be arranged in different arrangements depending on the total number. [Brief description of the drawings]

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

[0069] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a multi-layer blank for forming a container according to the present invention.

[0070] [Figure 2A] FIG. 2A shows an outer sleeve and an inner box for forming a container according to the present invention.

[0071] [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B shows a container according to the present invention.

[0072] [Diagram 3] 3A-3C show cross-sectional views of the locking mechanism in different configurations of a container according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0073] Figure 1 shows three laminar blanks for forming a container 1 according to the present invention: a first laminar blank 100, a second laminar blank 200 and a third laminar blank 300. The laminar blanks can be used to form the container 1 shown in Figure 2B.

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

[0075] The dashed lines in the laminar blank indicate folds and the solid lines indicate cut lines. The first laminar blank 100 comprises a lid portion front wall panel 151, a first lid portion outer wall panel 152, a second lid portion outer wall panel 153, a lid portion top wall panel 154, a lid portion rear wall panel 155, a lid portion front bottom panel 156, a first lid portion inner wall panel 157, a second lid portion inner wall panel 158, a first lid portion reinforcement flap 159a, and a second lid portion reinforcement flap 159b. Together, these panels form the lid portion of the lid portion 50 of the container 1. The lid portion top wall panel 154 includes a slot 180 for receiving the flap 21 of the outer sleeve 20, as described in more detail below.

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

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

[0078] The second layered blank further includes an outer sleeve flap panel 221 depending from the outer sleeve front wall panel 215. When the outer sleeve 20 is assembled, the outer sleeve flap panel 221 forms a flap 21 on the outer sleeve 20. The flap 21 depends from a fold that forms an edge of the outer sleeve front wall 15, with an edge disposed at the outer sleeve opening 25, and the flap 21 extends into the interior of the outer sleeve 20 and away from the outer sleeve rear wall 15. This can best be seen in FIG. 2A.

[0079] As will be described in more detail below with reference to Figures 2A and 2B, flaps 21 on the outer sleeve 20 define a retention mechanism to prevent the inner box 10 from sliding beyond a set position.

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

[0081] The second layered blank 200 further includes a portion 270 on the outer sleeve rear wall panel 211 for defining a release tab 70 in the outer sleeve rear wall 11. The portion 270 is partially bounded by a U-shaped cut line 271 in the outer sleeve rear wall panel 211. The release tab 70 is configured to facilitate unlocking of a locking mechanism of the container, as described in more detail below with reference to Figures 3A-3C.

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

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

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

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

[0086] The inner box 10 and the outer sleeve 20 are shown in FIG. 2A in an exploded state, i.e., the inner box 10 is external to and separate from the outer sleeve 20. To assemble the inner box 10 and the outer sleeve 20 into the container 1 of FIG. 2B, the inner box 10 is inserted through the access opening 25 of the outer sleeve 20 and into the interior of the outer sleeve 20. Such insertion biases the outer sleeve flap 21 toward the outer sleeve front wall 15 so that the outer sleeve flap 21 is flush with the outer sleeve front wall 15. Such insertion also biases the inner box engagement flap 39 toward the inner box rear wall 65 so that the inner box engagement flap 39 is flush with a second or fixed panel 380, which is affixed to the outer surface of the inner box rear wall 65.

[0087] When the inner box 10 is fully inserted into the outer sleeve 20, it is in the position shown in FIG. 2B, i.e., the first position. In this position, the leading edge of the inner box engagement flap 39 engages with the leading edge of the outer sleeve engagement element panel 231, which itself is secured to the inner surface of the outer sleeve rear wall 11. Such engagement acts to prevent the inner box 10 from sliding away from the outer sleeve 20 and thus back through the access opening 25. The inner box 10 is thus held in place within the outer sleeve 20 by such engagement. There is thus a locking mechanism formed by the inner box 10 and the outer sleeve 20, which acts to lock the inner box 10 into the outer sleeve 20 when in the position shown in FIG. 2B. This may be the configuration in which the container 1 is sold to a user.

[0088] To unlock the container 1 and gain access to the consumer goods, the user must first press the release tab 70 on the outer sleeve rear wall 11. This is explained in more detail below with reference to Figures 3A, 3B, and 3C.

[0089] 3A-3C show partial cross-sectional views of a locking mechanism for a container according to the present invention, the figures showing the locking mechanism in various configurations.

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

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

[0092] In Figure 3A, the locking mechanism is in a locked state. To unlock the locking mechanism, the user presses the release tab 70, deflecting it inwardly relative to the outer sleeve 20. The release tab 70 then contacts the inner box engagement flap 39 of the inner box 10, pushing the inner box engagement flap 39 away from the engagement element 31 of the outer sleeve 20. This disengages the leading edge of the inner box engagement flap 39 from the barrier formed by the engagement element 31, as shown in Figure 3B.

[0093] FIG. 3B thus shows the locking mechanism in an unlocked state, with the inner box 10 still in a first position relative to the outer sleeve 20. However, because the locking mechanism is unlocked, the inner box 10 can move linearly relative to the outer sleeve 20 toward a second position where any consumer goods held within the inner box 10 may be accessed by the user. As a result, after depressing the release tab 70 to unlock the locking mechanism, the user can slide the inner box 10 within the outer sleeve 20 to gain access to the consumer goods. Such sliding movement is illustrated by the change in position of the components of the inner box 10 relative to the components of the outer sleeve 20 between FIG. 3B and 3C. In particular, the box portion side wall 65, the second panel 380, and the inner box engagement flap 39 have all moved upward in FIG. 3C relative to their positions in FIG. 3B. FIG. 3C thus shows the locking mechanism in an unlocked state, with the inner box 10 in a second position.

[0094] When the user has finished accessing the consumer goods, the user may slide the inner box 10 back into the interior of the outer sleeve 20. This returns the inner box engagement flap 39 to a position corresponding to the position shown in FIG. 3B. However, because the user no longer presses the release tab 70, the inner box engagement flap 39 may return to the position shown in FIG. 3A and engage with the engagement element 31. This returns the locking mechanism to the locked state of FIG. 3A. In such a situation, the inner box side flap 39 may automatically return to the position shown in FIG. 3A due to the biasing force generated by the fold 370 between the inner box engagement flap 39 and the second panel 380.

[0095] As mentioned above, the outer sleeve 20 includes a flap 21 that helps form a retention mechanism to prevent the inner box 10 from sliding beyond a set position. In particular, the flap 21 is configured to engage with the lid portion 50 of the inner box 10 when the inner box 10 is in the second position to prevent the inner box 10 from sliding beyond the second position. In the arrangement of Figures 2A and 2B, this is accomplished by the flap 21 sliding into the lid portion 50 as the inner box 10 moves from the first position to the second position. In particular, as the inner box 10 moves from the first position to the second position, the flap 21 captures the lower edge of the lid portion front wall 51 and slides inside the lid portion 50. The flap 21 may remain generally flush with the inner surface of the lid portion front wall 51. When the inner box 10 reaches the second position, a rounded portion of the leading edge of the flap 21 protrudes through a slot 180 in the lid portion top wall 54. However, the flap 21 and slot 180 are shaped and sized such that a portion of the leading edge of the flap 21 cannot protrude through the slot 180 to engage the lid portion top wall 54. This engagement prevents the inner box 10 from sliding further beyond the second position.

Claims

1. A container for a consumer product, said container comprising: an outer sleeve including an outer sleeve front wall, an outer sleeve rear wall, first and second opposing outer sleeve side walls, an outer sleeve top wall, and a first open end; an inner box disposed within the outer sleeve; a first position in which a user cannot access the interior of the inner box; an inner box configured to be slidable relative to the outer sleeve between a first position to a second position allowing a user to access an interior of the inner box; sliding the inner box from the first position to the second position involves at least a portion of the inner box passing through an outer sleeve opening; the inner box includes an inner box top wall, an inner box bottom wall, an inner box front wall, an inner box rear wall, opposing first and second inner box side walls, and an inner box engagement flap configured to overly a portion of an outer surface of the inner box rear wall; when the inner box is in the first position within the outer sleeve, an edge of the inner box engagement flap engages with a corresponding engagement element on an inner surface of the outer sleeve rear wall to form a locking mechanism to prevent the inner box from being slidable from the first position to the second position; the container further comprising a retention mechanism for preventing the inner box from sliding beyond the second position; the retention mechanism includes a flap on the outer sleeve configured to engage a corresponding retention edge on the inner box to prevent the inner box from sliding beyond the second position; A container, wherein the inner box includes a box portion and a lid portion connected to the box portion by a hinge line, and the retention edge on the inner box is formed by an edge of the lid portion of the inner box.

2. 2. The container of claim 1, wherein the inner box is formed from a first laminar blank including a rear wall panel for forming the inner box rear wall, and a second laminar blank including a first panel for forming the engagement flap and a second panel for securing the first panel to the inner box rear wall.

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

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

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

6. 6. The container of claim 4 or 5, wherein the release element is on at least a portion of the inner box engagement flap when the inner box is in the first position within the outer sleeve.

7. 7. The container of claim 1, wherein the lid portion includes a lid portion upper wall including a slot for engaging the flap on the outer sleeve when the inner box is in the second position.

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

9. The inner box comprises: a box portion including a box portion bottom wall, a box portion front wall, a box portion rear wall, and first and second opposing box portion side walls; and a lid portion hingedly attached to the box portion by a hinge line, the lid portion including a lid portion top wall, a lid portion front wall, a lid portion rear wall, and first and second opposing lid portion side walls; The container of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the engagement flap is configured to cover a portion of an outer surface of the box portion rear wall.

10. 10. The container of claim 9, wherein the container is configured such that one or both of the hinge line and a lower edge of the lid portion front wall are below a corresponding one of the outer sleeve front wall and the outer sleeve rear wall when the inner box is in the first position.

11. 11. The container of claim 10, wherein the container is configured such that one or both of the hinge line and the lower edge of the lid portion front wall are positioned outside the outer sleeve when the inner box is in the second position.

12. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the corresponding engagement element on the inner surface of the outer sleeve rear wall is formed by an edge of a panel affixed to the inner surface of the outer sleeve rear wall.

13. 13. The container of any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the inner box and the outer sleeve are configured such that when the inner box is in the first position, at least one of the inner box front wall and the inner box rear wall is completely below its corresponding outer sleeve front wall and outer sleeve rear wall.

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