Container having a release button

Abstract

According to the present disclosure there is provided a container (100; 400; 600) for consumer goods (104). The container (100; 400; 600) comprises a box (102; 402; 602) for housing the consumer goods (104). The box (102; 402; 602) comprises a box front wall, a box back wall, a box bottom wall and box side walls. A top face of the box (102; 402; 602) is at least partially open to provide an access opening for accessing the consumer goods (104). The box front wall comprises a box front inner panel (22) and a box front outer panel (16) overlying the box front inner panel (22). The container (100; 400; 600) also comprises a lid flap (106; 406; 606) hingedly connected to the box back wall. The lid flap (106; 406; 606) comprises a lid top wall, a lid front wall, and at least one locking panel (46; 446). The lid flap (106; 406; 606) is moveable between a closed position in which the lid top wall overlies the access opening and an open position in which the access opening is at least partially uncovered. The box front inner panel (22) comprises a top edge (20) and a bottom edge (24), wherein the at least one locking panel (46; 446) is arranged to engage the bottom edge (24) of the box front inner panel (22) when the lid flap (106; 406; 606) is in the closed position to prevent movement of the lid flap (106; 406; 606) from the closed position to the open position, The box front outer panel (16) comprises at least one slit (23) defining at least one release button (25). The at least one release button (25) overlies the at least one locking panel (46; 446) when the lid flap (106; 406; 606) is in the closed position so that depressing the at least one release button (25) disengages the at least one locking panel (46; 446) from the portion of the box front inner panel (22).

Description

[0001] CONTAINER HAVING A RELEASE BUTTON

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a container for consumer goods. The present disclosure also relates to a laminar blank that, when folded, forms the container. Containers according to the present invention find particular application as containers for aerosol-generating articles.

[0003] It is known to package consumer goods in containers formed from folded laminar blanks. By way of example, elongate smoking articles, such as cigarettes and cigars, are often sold in rigid box shaped containers, having a lid moveable relative to the box to permit access to the contents of the container. Examples of such containers include hinged lid containers having a box portion and a three-dimensional cup-shaped hinged lid connected to the box about a hinge line extending across the back wall of the container. In use, the lid is pivoted about the hinge line to open the container to provide access to the consumer goods held in the box. While it is generally desirable for the lids of such containers to be easily openable when an authorised user wishes to access the contents contained therein, it may also be desirable for the lid of the container to remain securely closed when access is not required or desired. For example, this may help to better preserve the contents of the container. This may also help to prevent an unauthorised individual from accessing the contents of the container.

[0004] It would therefore be desirable to provide a novel and improved container for consumer goods which is configured to reduce the risk of the container being inadvertently opened and which is configured to reduce the risk of unauthorised access of the container. Further, it would be desirable to provide such a container in a manner in which the manufacturing process is straightforward and cost-effective.

[0005] According to the present disclosure there is provided a container for consumer goods. The container may comprise a box for housing the consumer goods. The box may comprise a box front wall, a box back wall, a box bottom wall and box side walls. A top face of the box may be at least partially open to provide an access opening for accessing the consumer goods. The box front wall may comprise a box front inner panel and a box front outer panel overlying the box front inner panel. The container may comprise a lid flap hingedly connected to the box back wall. The lid flap may comprise a lid top wall, a lid front wall, and at least one locking panel. The lid flap may be moveable between a closed position in which the lid top wall overlies the access opening and an open position in which the access opening is at least partially uncovered. The at least one locking panel may be arranged to engage a portion of the box front inner panel when the lid flap is in the closed position to prevent movement of the lid flap from the closed position to the open position. The box front outer panel may comprise at least one slit defining at least one release button. The at least one release button may overlie the at least one locking panel when the lid flap is in the closed position so that depressing the at least one release button disengages the at least one locking panel from the portion of the box front inner panel. According to the present disclosure there is provided a container for consumer goods. The container comprises a box for housing the consumer goods. The box comprises a box front wall, a box back wall, a box bottom wall and box side walls. A top face of the box is at least partially open to provide an access opening for accessing the consumer goods. The box front wall comprises a box front inner panel and a box front outer panel overlying the box front inner panel. The container also comprises a lid flap hingedly connected to the box back wall. The lid flap comprises a lid top wall, a lid front wall, and at least one locking panel. The lid flap is moveable between a closed position in which the lid top wall overlies the access opening and an open position in which the access opening is at least partially uncovered. The at least one locking panel is arranged to engage a portion of the box front inner panel when the lid flap is in the closed position to prevent movement of the lid flap from the closed position to the open position. The box front outer panel comprises at least one slit defining at least one release button. The at least one release button overlies the at least one locking panel when the lid flap is in the closed position so that depressing the at least one release button disengages the at least one locking panel from the portion of the box front inner panel.

[0006] Containers according to the present disclosure comprise a moveable lid flap that covers the access opening when in the closed position, and a locking panel that engages a portion of the box front inner panel when the lid flap is in the closed position. Advantageously, the locking panel reduces or minimises the risk of accidental or unauthorised opening of the lid flap.

[0007] Furthermore, containers according to the present disclosure comprise a release button for disengaging the locking panel from the box front inner panel. The presence of the release button may require a user to use both hands to simultaneously depress the release button and move the lid flap into the open position. In other words, the presence of the release button makes it difficult for a user to open the container using only one hand. Advantageously, this further reduces or minimise the risk of accidental or unauthorised opening of the lid flap.

[0008] Advantageously, re-engagement of the at least one locking panel with the box front inner panel may provide an audible ‘click’ to indicate to a user that the container has been locked.

[0009] Advantageously, providing a box front inner panel with which the at least one locking panel engages minimises visibility of the locking mechanism from the outside of the container. For example, the container may be arranged so that the only element of the locking mechanism that is visible from the outside of the container is the release button. Advantageously, this may further reduce or minimise the risk of unauthorised opening of the lid flap, since it may not be immediately apparent how the container may be opened.

[0010] The terms “side”, “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “back” and other terms used herein to describe relative positions of the components of containers according to the present disclosure refer to the container in an upright position where the lid top wall faces upwards. When describing containers according to the present disclosure, these terms are used irrespective of the orientation of the container being described. The “bottom” of the container refers to the facet of the container opposite the “top” of the container.

[0011] The term “height” is used herein to refer to dimensions extending between the top and the bottom. The term “width” is used herein to refer to dimensions extending between two sides. The term “depth” is used herein to refer to dimensions extending between the front and the back. Height, width and depth are orthogonal to each other.

[0012] The term “panel” is used herein to refer to a portion of the container formed from a single, continuous portion of material. A panel may depend from one or more other panels.

[0013] The term “wall” refers more generally to a facet of the container, and a wall may be formed from a single panel, or a wall may be formed from two or more abutting or overlapping panels.

[0014] The term “depending” is used herein to describe a physical connection between two elements of a container. In more detail, 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 a blank. This includes both cases wherein a wall or a panel depends directly from an adjacent wall or panel as well as cases wherein an intermediate wall or panel effectively connects two walls or panels.

[0015] By way of example, a side wall or side panel may depend directly from an adjacent front wall or front panel. In such case, the wall or panel typically depends along a fold line from the adjacent wall. As an alternative, especially in containers having curved or bevelled edges, a side wall or side panel may depend indirectly from a front wall or front panel. In such case a curved or bevelled edge wall or panel connects the side wall or side panel and the front wall or front panel. In the case of a bevelled edge, both side wall or side panel and front wall or front panel may depend from the connecting bevelled edge wall or panel along respective fold lines. This also applies to optional components of containers according to the present disclosure, for example to a reinforcing member provided in the form of an inner frame.

[0016] The term “inner” is used herein to refer to a component or a surface of a component of the assembled container that is facing towards the interior of the container, for example towards the consumer goods, when the container is in the closed position. The term “outer” is used herein to refer a component or a surface of a component of the container that is facing towards the exterior of the container. For example, the box front wall has an inner panel that is facing the inside of the box and any consumer goods contained within the box, and an outer panel overlying the inner panel and facing towards the exterior of the box. It should be noted that an inside or an outside surface is not necessarily equivalent to a particular side of a blank used in assembly of the container. Depending on how the blank is folded around the consumer goods, areas that are on the same side of the blank can either face towards the inside or the towards the outside of the container. The term “fold line” is used herein to describe any line of a blank about which the blank is folded. The fold line may be defined by a line of weakness to assist with the folding action. For example, a line of weakness may be formed by scoring, perforating, or ablating a portion of a blank. Alternatively, a fold can be formed without the presence of a weakening line, depending for example on the pliability of the blank material and other material characteristics.

[0017] Preferably, the at least one locking panel is connected to the lid front wall by a fold line. Advantageously, providing at least one locking panel connected to the lid front wall by a fold line may facilitate forming the container from a single blank.

[0018] Preferably, the at least one locking panel overlies the lid front wall when the lid flap is in the closed position. Advantageously, this may facilitate engagement of the at least one locking panel with the box front inner panel.

[0019] Preferably, the lid front wall has a top edge and a bottom edge, wherein the lid front wall is connected at the top edge to the lid top wall, and wherein the lid front wall is connected at the bottom edge to the at least one locking panel. Advantageously, positing the at least one locking panel so that it is connected to the bottom edge of the lid front wall may facilitate engagement of the at least one locking panel with the box front inner panel only when the lid flap approaches the closed position. Advantageously, this may facilitate retention of the lid flap in the fully closed position.

[0020] Preferably, the bottom edge of the lid front wall has a first end and a second end, wherein the at least one locking panel is positioned at the first end or the second end of the bottom edge. Advantageously, this may facilitate continued engagement of the at least one locking panel with the box front inner panel even if the box front wall is bowed outwardly, for example through repeated use of the container or as a result of the box side walls being squeezed towards each other.

[0021] The at least one locking panel may be a single locking panel.

[0022] The at least one locking panel may comprise a first locking panel and a second locking panel. Advantageously, providing two locking panels provides the container with redundancy in the locking mechanism. For example, in the event that one of the locking panels fails to engage the box front inner panel, the remaining locking panel may still function to retain the lid flap in the closed position. Advantageously, providing two locking panels may increase the manipulation of the container that is required to open the lid flap. Advantageously, this may further reduce or minimise the risk of accidental or unauthorised opening of the container.

[0023] In embodiments in which the bottom edge of the lid front wall has a first end and a second end, preferably the first locking panel is positioned closer to the first end and the second locking panel is positioned closer to the second end. Most preferably, the first locking panel is positioned at the first end and the second locking panel is positioned at the second end. In embodiments in which the at least one locking panel comprises a first locking panel and a second locking panel, preferably the at least one slit in the box front outer panel comprises a first slit defining a first release button overlying the first locking panel when the lid flap is in the closed position and a second slit defining a second release button overlying the second locking panel when the lid flap is in the closed position.

[0024] Advantageously, providing the container with two release buttons that must be depressed to move the lid flap from the closed position to the open position may increase the manipulation of the container that is required to open the lid flap. Advantageously, this may further reduce or minimise the risk of accidental or unauthorised opening of the container.

[0025] Preferably, the first and second locking panels and the first and second release buttons are arranged so that both the first release button and the second release button must be depressed simultaneously to allow movement of the lid flap from the closed position to the open position.

[0026] The at least one locking panel may have a triangular shape, a rounded triangular shape, a trapezoidal shape, a rounded trapezoidal shape, a square shape, a rounded square shape, a rectangular shape, or a rounded rectangular shape.

[0027] Preferably, the box front inner panel comprises a top edge and a bottom edge, wherein the at least one locking panel is arranged to engage the bottom edge of the box front inner panel when the lid flap is in the closed position to prevent movement of the lid flap from the closed position to the open position.

[0028] Preferably, the box front inner panel is connected along the top edge of the box front inner panel to the box front outer panel.

[0029] Preferably, the bottom edge of the box front inner panel is spaced apart from the box bottom wall. Advantageously, spacing the bottom edge of the box front inner panel from the box bottom wall may facilitate engagement of the at least one locking panel with the bottom edge of the box front inner panel.

[0030] Preferably, the at least one locking panel is sized to fit within the space between the bottom edge of the box front inner panel and the box bottom wall when the lid flap is in the closed position. Advantageously, this may allow the at least one locking panel to sit flush with the box front inner panel, which may allow the lid front wall to sit against the box front wall when the lid flap is in the closed position. Advantageously, this may reduce or eliminate a gap between the lid front wall and the box front wall when the lid flap is in the closed position, which may reduce the risk of an unauthorised user attempting to force open the container by inserting a finger or tool between the box front wall and the lid front wall.

[0031] The box front inner panel may comprise at least one slit defining at least one retention flap, wherein the at least one locking panel is arranged to engage the at least one retention flap when the lid flap is in the open position. Advantageously, the at least one retention flap may retain a portion of the lid front wall comprising the at least one locking panel inside the box when the lid flap is in the open position. Advantageously, retaining the at least one locking panel inside the box may reduce the risk of damage to the at least one locking panel. Advantageously, retaining the at least one locking panel inside the box may facilitate re-engagement of the at least one locking panel with the box front inner panel when the lid flap is moved into the closed position.

[0032] Preferably, the at least one slit has an arcuate shape. Advantageously, an arcuate shape may facilitate engagement of the at least one locking panel with the at least one retention flap. In particular, an arcuate shape may facilitate a gradual engagement of the at least one locking panel with the at least one retention flap as the lid flap is moved towards the open position.

[0033] The at least one slit in the box front inner panel may be a single slit defining only one retention flap. This arrangement may be particularly advantageous when the at least one locking panel is a single locking panel. Alternatively, in embodiments in which the at least one locking panel comprise a plurality of locking panels, the single slit may define only one retention flap arranged to engage all of the locking panels when the lid flap is in the open position.

[0034] In embodiments in which the at least one locking panel comprises a first locking panel and a second locking panel, the at least one slit in the box front inner panel may comprise a first slit defining a first retention flap and a second slit defining a second retention flap, wherein the first retention flap is arranged to engage the first locking panel when the lid flap is in the open position, and wherein the second retention flap is arranged to engage the second locking panel when the lid flap is in the open position.

[0035] The container may comprise an aperture in the lid front wall, wherein the aperture underlies the box front wall when the lid flap is in the closed position, and wherein the aperture at least partially overlaps the access opening when the lid flap is in the open position. Advantageously, the aperture may facilitate access to the access opening when the lid flap is in the open position. The aperture may be particularly advantageous in embodiments in which the container comprises at least one retention flap arranged to engage the at least one locking panel when the lid flap is in the open position.

[0036] The aperture may have a square shape, a rounded square shape, a rectangular shape, a rounded rectangular shape, or an elliptical shape.

[0037] In embodiments in which the lid front wall has a bottom edge, the aperture may be continuous with the bottom edge so that the aperture is open at the bottom edge of the lid front wall.

[0038] The at least one slit defining at least one release button may have any suitable shape. The at least one slit may have a linear shape or a U-shape.

[0039] In embodiments in which the container comprises a first release button and a second release button, the at least one slit defining at least one release button may comprise a first slit defining the first release button and a second slit defining the second release button. The first slit may have any suitable shape. The first slit may have a linear shape or a U-shape. The second slit may have any suitable shape. The second slit may have a linear shape or a U-shape.

[0040] The container may comprise at least one slit defining at least one false button, wherein the at least one false button overlies none of the locking panels when the lid flap is in the closed position. Advantageously, the at least one false button may further reduce or minimise the risk of unauthorised access of the container by making the correct mechanism for opening the container less obvious. The at least one slit defining at least one false button may have any suitable shape. The at least one slit may have a linear shape or a U-shape. The at least one slit defining at least one release button may be arranged on any surface or facet of the container. The at least one slit defining at least one false button may be arranged on the box. The box front wall may comprise the at least one slit defining at least one false button. The box front outer panel may comprise the at least one slit defining at least one false button.

[0041] The at least one slit defining the at least one release button may be referred to as at least one release slit. The at least one slit defining the at least one false button may be referred to as at least one false slit. Preferably, the at least one false slit has a different shape to the at least one release slit. Advantageously, using different shapes for the at least one false slit and the at least one release slit may render the at least one false button more visually obvious than the at least one release button. Advantageously, this may further reduce or minimise the risk of unauthorised access of the container by making the release button for opening the container less obvious than the false button. For example, at least one false slit may have a U-shape and the at least one release slit may have a linear shape.

[0042] The lid front wall may comprise an upper panel connected to the lid top wall along a first fold line and at least one lower panel connected to the upper panel along a second fold line. Advantageously, forming the lid front wall from an upper panel and at least one lower panel connected to the upper panel along a second fold line may facilitate opening and closing of the container. For example, the lid front wall may bend along the second fold line during opening and closing of the container.

[0043] The at least one lower panel may be a single lower panel.

[0044] The at least one lower panel may comprise a first lower panel and a second lower panel. In embodiments in which the container comprises an aperture in the lid front wall, preferably the first lower panel is spaced apart from the second lower panel to at least partially define the aperture.

[0045] Preferably, the upper panel has a top edge and a bottom edge, wherein the first fold line extends along at least a portion of the top edge, and wherein the second fold line extends along at least a portion of the bottom edge.

[0046] Preferably, the at least one locking panel is connected along a third fold line to the at least one lower panel. Preferably, the at least one locking panel overlies the at least one lower panel when the lid flap is in the closed position. Preferably, the at least one lower panel has a top edge and a bottom edge, wherein the second fold line extends along at least a portion of the top edge, and wherein the third fold line extends along at least a portion of the bottom edge.

[0047] The upper panel may have a maximum height extending between a top edge and a bottom edge of the upper panel in a direction perpendicular to the bottom edge. The at least one lower panel may have a maximum height extending between a top edge and a bottom edge of the at least one lower panel in a direction perpendicular to the bottom edge. Preferably, the maximum height of the upper panel is equal to or less than 50 percent of the maximum height of the at least one lower panel.

[0048] The lid front wall may comprise an upper panel connected to the lid top wall along a first fold line, at least one middle panel connected to the upper panel along a second fold line, and at least one lower panel connected to the at least one middle panel along a third fold line. Advantageously, this arrangement may facilitate opening and closing of the container. For example, the lid front wall may bend along the second and third fold lines during opening and closing of the container.

[0049] The at least one middle panel may be a single middle panel.

[0050] The at least one middle panel may comprise a first middle panel and a second middle panel. In embodiments in which the container comprises an aperture in the lid front wall, preferably the first middle panel is spaced apart from the second middle panel to at least partially define the aperture.

[0051] The at least one lower panel may be a single lower panel.

[0052] The at least one lower panel may comprise a first lower panel and a second lower panel. In embodiments in which the container comprises an aperture in the lid front wall, preferably the first lower panel is spaced apart from the second lower panel to at least partially define the aperture.

[0053] Preferably, the upper panel has a top edge and a bottom edge, and the at least one lower panel has a top edge and a bottom edge. Preferably, the first fold line extends along at least a portion of the top edge of the upper panel and the second fold line extends along at least a portion of the bottom edge of the upper panel. Preferably, the third fold line extends along at least a portion of the top edge of the lower panel.

[0054] Preferably, the at least one locking panel is connected along a fourth fold line to the at least one lower panel. Preferably, the at least one locking panel overlies the at least one lower panel when the lid flap is in the closed position. Preferably, the at least one lower panel has a top edge and a bottom edge, wherein the third fold line extends along at least a portion of the top edge, and wherein the fourth fold line extends along at least a portion of the bottom edge.

[0055] Preferably, the lid front wall is connected to the lid top wall along an arcuate fold line. Advantageously, an arcuate fold line may bias a portion of the lid front wall against the box front wall. Advantageously, biasing a portion of the lid front wall against the box front wall may reduce the risk of an unauthorised person accessing the container by attempting to force the container open using a finger or tool inserted between the box front wall and the lid front wall. Advantageously, biasing a portion of the lid front wall against the box front wall may help to retain engagement between the at least one locking panel and the box front inner panel when the lid flap is in the closed position even after repeated opening and closing of the container.

[0056] Preferably, the arcuate fold line has a convex shape so that a central portion of the lid front wall is biased against the box front wall.

[0057] Preferably, the arcuate fold line has a radius of curvature of at least about 250 millimetres, at least about 275 millimetres, at least about 300 millimetres, at least about 325 millimetres, or at least about 350 millimetres.

[0058] Preferably, the arcuate fold line has a radius of curvature of equal to or less than about 500 millimetres, equal to or less than about 475 millimetres, equal to or less than about 450 millimetres, equal to or less than about 425 millimetres, equal to or less than about 400 millimetres, or equal to or less than about 375 millimetres.

[0059] Preferably, the arcuate fold line has a radius of curvature of between about 250 millimetres and about 500 millimetres, between about 275 millimetres and about 475 millimetres, between about 300 millimetres and about 450 millimetres, between about 325 millimetres and about 425 millimetres, between about 325 millimetres and about 400 millimetres, between about 325 millimetres and about 375 millimetres, or between about 350 millimetres and about 375 millimetres.

[0060] Preferably, the container comprises an inner frame positioned inside the box. Advantageously, the inner frame may increase the stiffness of the container. Advantageously, the inner frame may facilitate engagement of the at least one locking panel with the box front inner panel when the lid flap is in the closed position.

[0061] Preferably, the inner frame is arranged inside the box so that the inner frame at least partially extends around one or consumer goods that may be received within the box. Preferably, the inner frame comprises an inner frame front wall and inner frame side walls. Preferably, the inner frame side walls underlie the respective box side walls.

[0062] Preferably, the inner frame front wall has a top edge and a bottom edge, wherein the inner frame comprises a pull-tab extending from the top edge of the inner frame front wall. Advantageously, the pull-tab may facilitate a user grasping the inner frame to slide the inner frame relative to the box.

[0063] Preferably, the inner frame is slidable arranged within the box. Advantageously, an inner frame that is slidable relative to the box may facilitate removal of one or more consumer goods from the box. For example, sliding the inner frame upwards when the lid flap is in the open position may lift the one or more consumer goods towards the access opening. Preferably, the lid front wall is positioned between the inner frame and the box front wall when the lid flap is in the closed position. Advantageously, this may facilitate engagement of the at least one locking panel with the box front inner panel when the lid flap is in the closed position. In embodiments in which the inner frame comprise an inner frame front wall, preferably the lid front wall is positioned between the box front wall and the inner frame front wall when the lid flap is in the closed position.

[0064] The inner frame pull-tab may comprise a pull-tab front panel connected along a fold line to the inner frame front wall and a pull-tab top panel connected along a fold line to the pull-tab front panel. Preferably, the pull-tab front panel underlies the lid front wall and the pull-tab top panel underlies the lid top wall when the lid flap is in the closed position. Advantageously, the pull-tab front panel and the pull-tab top panel may be folded back to overlie the box front wall when the lid flap is in the open position to provide increased access to the consumer goods within the box.

[0065] Preferably, the inner frame comprises an inner frame cut-out extending into the inner frame front wall from the bottom edge of the inner frame front wall. Preferably, a size and a shape of the inner frame cut-out is the same as a size and a shape of the inner frame pull-tab. Advantageously, the pull-tab cut-out may facilitate consecutive cutting of a plurality of laminar blanks for forming a plurality of inner frames from a continuous strip of material with minimal or zero waste.

[0066] Preferably, the inner frame is arranged to slide within the box when the lid flap is in the open position. Preferably, the container comprises a holding mechanism arranged to prevent the inner frame from sliding entirely out of the box.

[0067] Preferably, the holding mechanism comprises at least one tab on the inner frame and at least one slot on the box, wherein the at least one tab is arranged to slide within the at least one slot. Preferably, the at least one tab comprises two tabs and the at least one slot comprises two slots.

[0068] Preferably, the at least one slot is defined by at least one of the box side walls. Preferably, each box side wall defines a slot.

[0069] Preferably, each box side wall comprises an inner side panel connected along a fold line to the box back wall and an outer side panel overlying the inner side panel and connected along a fold line to the box front inner panel, wherein each inner side panel defines a slot.

[0070] Preferably, each tab is formed by a protrusion at an edge of the inner frame front wall. Preferably, the lid flap comprises a pull-tab connected to the lid front wall. Advantageously, the pull-tab may facilitate a user grasping the lid flap to move the lid flap from the closed position to the open position. Preferably, the lid flap comprises a cut-out in the lid top wall, wherein the cut-out defines the pull-tab connected to the lid front wall. Advantageously, this may facilitate forming the box and the lid flap from a single laminar blank.

[0071] Preferably, the container comprises a sticker attached to the box and the lid flap. Advantageously, the sticker may be a tamper-evident sticker that must be removed or damaged to enable opening of the container. The sticker may be a tax sticker.

[0072] The sticker may extend between an outer surface of the lid top wall and an outer surface of the box back wall. The sticker may extend between an outer surface of the lid top wall and an outer surface of a box side wall.

[0073] Preferably, a portion of the sticker attached to the lid top wall at least partially overlies the pull-tab of the lid flap.

[0074] Preferably, the box and the lid flap are formed from a single laminar blank. In embodiments in which the container comprises an inner frame, preferably the inner frame is formed from a single laminar blank. Preferably, the box and the lid flap are formed from a single first laminar blank and the inner frame is formed from a single second laminar blank.

[0075] The container may comprise a plurality of aerosol-generating articles housed within the box. The aerosol-generating articles may be elongate aerosol-generating articles. Exemplary aerosol-generating articles may include cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos or other aerosol generators that rely on heating rather than burning tobacco, for example through an electrical heat source or carbon heat source. It will be appreciated that through appropriate choices of the dimensions thereof, containers according to the invention may be designed for different numbers of conventional size, king size, super-king size, slim or super-slim aerosol generating articles.

[0076] The container may comprise a plurality of nicotine-containing consumer goods. The nicotine-containing consumer goods may be aerosol-generating articles. The nicotine-containing consumer goods may be oral nicotine-containing consumer goods, such as nicotine-containing products intended to be sucked or chewed. The oral nicotine-containing products may comprise tobacco. The oral nicotine-containing products may comprise snus or snuff. The oral nicotine-containing consumer goods may be free from tobacco.

[0077] Alternatively, other consumer goods may be housed inside the container.

[0078] For example, through an appropriate choice of the dimensions, containers according to the invention may be designed to hold a total of between ten and thirty aerosol-generating articles. The aerosol-generating articles may be arranged in different collations, depending on the total number of aerosol-generating articles.

[0079] Containers according to the invention may be in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, with right-angled longitudinal and right-angled transverse edges. Alternatively, the container may be in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped with one or more rounded longitudinal edges, rounded transverse edges, bevelled longitudinal edges, or bevelled transverse edges, or combinations thereof.

[0080] Typically, the outer dimensions of the container are between about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm larger than the dimensions of the bundle or bundles of aerosol-generating articles housed inside the container.

[0081] Preferably, containers according to the present disclosure have a height of between about 35 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably a height of between about 40 mm and about 125 mm, more preferably a height of between about 40 mm and about 100 mm, more preferably a height of between about 40 mm and about 80 mm, more preferably a height of between about 40 mm and about 60 mm, wherein the height is measured from the box bottom wall to the lid top wall. Preferably, containers according to the present disclosure have a width of between about 12 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably a width of between about 50 mm and about 120 mm, more preferably a width of between about 60 mm to about 90 mm wherein the width is measured from one side wall to the other side wall of the box.

[0082] Preferably, containers according to the present disclosure have a depth of between about 6 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably a depth of between about 12 mm and about 25 mm wherein the depth is measured from the box front wall to the box back wall.

[0083] Preferably, the ratio of the height of the container to the depth of the container is in between about 0.3 to 1 and about 10 to 1, more preferably between about 2 to 1 and about 8 to 1 , most preferably between about 3 to 1 and 5 to 1.

[0084] Preferably, the ratio of the width of the container to the depth of the container is in between about 0.3 to 1 and about 10 to 1, more preferably between about 2 to 1 and about 8 to 1, most preferably between about 2 to 1 and 3 to 1.

[0085] The container may be formed from any suitable materials including, but not limited to, a cellulose based material, plastic, metal, or any combinations thereof. Preferably, the container is formed from a cellulose based material. Preferably, the container is formed of a sheet of material. The sheet may be a sheet of cellulose based material. More specifically, the sheet may be a paper sheet or a paperboard sheet, that is, a sheet made of paper of paperboard.

[0086] Preferably, the sheet has a basis weight of between 200 grams per square metre and 400 grams per square metre, more preferably a basis weight of between 220 grams per square metre and 300 grams per square metre. However, it can be appreciated that sheets with a higher or lower basis weight can be used to form containers according to the present disclosure.

[0087] Preferably, the sheet has a thickness of between 170 micrometres and 400 micrometres. However, it can be appreciated that sheets with a higher or lower thickness can be used to form containers according to the present disclosure.

[0088] According to the present disclosure there is also provided a wrapped container for consumer goods, the wrapped container comprising a container according to the present disclosure and an outer wrapper extending around the container. Advantageously, the outer wrapper may help to preserve the consumer goods within the container before first use by a user.

[0089] Preferably, the container is sealed within the outer wrapper. The outer wrapper may be wrapped and folded around the container and sealed to itself to seal the container within the outer wrapper. The outer wrapper may be sealed to itself using at least one of a heat seal and an adhesive.

[0090] Preferably, the outer wrapper comprises at least one line of weakness to facilitate removal of the outer wrapper from the container. The at least one line of weakness may comprise at least one of a scored line, a perforation line, and a tear tape.

[0091] Preferably, the outer wrapper comprises one or more instructions for disengaging the at least one locking panel from the box front inner panel to allow movement of the lid flap from the closed position to the open position. Advantageously, the outer wrapper is typically discarded after opening and removing the outer wrapper from the container. Therefore, providing the one or more instructions on the outer wrapper may prevent subsequent access to the one or more instructions by an unauthorised user. The outer wrapper may comprise a substrate material and the one or more instructions printed on the substrate material.

[0092] The outer wrapper may comprise a polymeric material. The outer wrapper may comprise a cellulosic material. The outer wrapper may comprise a transparent thin polymeric film. The outer wrapper may comprise a translucent thin polymeric film. The outer wrapper may comprise a bio-polymeric material. The outer wrapper may comprise a laminate material. The outer wrapper may be formed from a sheet material having a thickness of between about 7 micrometres and about 35 micrometres, preferably between about 10 micrometres and about 25 micrometres.

[0093] The present disclosure also relates to a laminar blank that, when folded, forms a container according to the present disclosure. Preferably, the laminar blank is a single laminar blank that, when folded, forms the box and the lid flap. In embodiments in which the container comprises an inner frame, preferably the laminar blank comprises a single first laminar blank that, when folded, forms the box and the lid flap, and a single second laminar blank that, when folded, forms the inner frame.

[0094] Preferably, the single laminar blank forming the box and the lid flap has a basis weight of between about 200 grams per square metre and about 400 grams per square metre, more preferably between about 220 grams per square metre and about 300 grams per square metre.

[0095] Preferably, the single laminar blank forming the inner frame has a basis weight of between about 180 grams per square metre and about 270 grams per square metre, more preferably between about 200 grams per square metre and about 250 grams per square metre.

[0096] 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. Preferably, each laminar blank is formed from paper-based cardboard. The invention is defined in the claims. However, below there is provided a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

[0097] Example 1 : A container for consumer goods, the container comprising:

[0098] a box for housing the consumer goods, the box comprising a box front wall, a box back wall, a box bottom wall and box side walls, wherein a top face of the box is at least partially open to provide an access opening for accessing the consumer goods, and wherein the box front wall comprises a box front inner panel and a box front outer panel overlying the box front inner panel; and

[0099] a lid flap hingedly connected to the box back wall and comprising a lid top wall, a lid front wall, and at least one locking panel, wherein the lid flap is moveable between a closed position in which the lid top wall overlies the access opening and an open position in which the access opening is at least partially uncovered, wherein the at least one locking panel is arranged to engage a portion of the box front inner panel when the lid flap is in the closed position to prevent movement of the lid flap from the closed position to the open position, wherein the box front outer panel comprises at least one slit defining at least one release button, and wherein the at least one release button overlies the at least one locking panel when the lid flap is in the closed position so that depressing the at least one release button disengages the at least one locking panel from the portion of the box front inner panel.

[0100] Example 2: A container according to Example 1 , wherein the at least one locking panel is connected to the lid front wall by a fold line.

[0101] Example 3: A container according to Example 1 or 2, wherein the at least one locking panel overlies the lid front wall when the lid flap is in the closed position.

[0102] Example 4: A container according to Example 1 , 2 or 3, wherein the lid front wall has a top edge and a bottom edge, wherein the lid front wall is connected at the top edge to the lid top wall, and wherein the lid front wall is connected at the bottom edge to the at least one locking panel.

[0103] Example 5: A container according to Example 4, wherein the bottom edge of the lid front wall has a first end and a second end, and wherein the at least one locking panel is positioned at the first end or the second end.

[0104] Example 6: A container according to Example 4, wherein the bottom edge of the lid front wall has a first end and a second end, wherein the at least one locking panel comprises a first locking panel positioned closer to the first end and a second locking panel positioned closer to the second end.

[0105] Example 7: A container according to Example 6, wherein the first locking panel is positioned at the first end and wherein the second locking panel is positioned at the second end. Example 8: A container according to any preceding Example, wherein the at least one locking panel has a triangular shape, a trapezoidal shape, a square shape, a rounded square shape, a rectangular shape, or a rounded rectangular shape.

[0106] Example 9: A container according to any preceding Example, wherein the at least one locking panel comprises a first locking panel and a second locking panel, and wherein the at least one slit in the box front outer panel comprises a first slit defining a first release button overlying the first locking panel when the lid flap is in the closed position and a second slit defining a second release button overlying the second locking panel when the lid flap is in the closed position.

[0107] Example 10: A container according to any preceding Example, wherein the box front inner panel comprises a top edge and a bottom edge, and wherein the at least one locking panel is arranged to engage the bottom edge of the box front inner panel when the lid flap is in the closed position to prevent movement of the lid flap from the closed position to the open position.

[0108] Example 11: A container according to Example 10, wherein the box front inner panel is connected along the top edge of the box front inner panel to the box front outer panel.

[0109] Example 12: A container according to Example 10 or 11, wherein the bottom edge of the box front inner panel is spaced apart from the box bottom wall.

[0110] Example 13: A container according to Example 12, wherein the at least one locking panel is sized to fit within the space between the bottom edge of the box front inner panel and the box bottom wall when the lid flap is in the closed position.

[0111] Example 14: A container according to any preceding Example, wherein the box front inner panel comprises at least one slit defining at least one retention flap, and wherein the at least one locking panel is arranged to engage the at least one retention flap when the lid flap is in the open position.

[0112] Example 15: A container according to Example 14, wherein the at least one slit has an arcuate shape.

[0113] Example 16: A container according to Example 14 or 15, wherein the at least one slit in the box front inner panel is a single slit defining only one retention flap.

[0114] Example 17: A container according to any preceding Example, further comprising an aperture in the lid front wall, wherein the aperture underlies the box front wall when the lid flap is in the closed position, and wherein the aperture at least partially overlaps the access opening when the lid flap is in the open position.

[0115] Example 18: A container according to Example 17, wherein the aperture has a square shape, a rounded square shape, a rectangular shape, a rounded rectangular shape, or an elliptical shape.

[0116] Example 19: A container according to any preceding Example, wherein the at least one slit defining at least one release button has a linear shape or a U-shape. Example 20: A container according to any preceding Example, wherein the box front outer panel comprises at least one slit defining at least one false button, wherein the at least one false button overlies none of the locking panels when the lid flap is in the closed position.

[0117] Example 21 : A container according to Example 20, wherein the at least one slit defining at least one false button has a linear shape or a U-shape.

[0118] Example 22: A container according to any preceding Example, wherein the lid front wall comprises an upper panel connected to the lid top wall along a first fold line and at least one lower panel connected to the upper panel along a second fold line.

[0119] Example 23: A container according to Example 22, wherein the upper panel has a top edge and a bottom edge, wherein the first fold line extends along at least a portion of the top edge and wherein the second fold line extends along at least a portion of the bottom edge.

[0120] Example 24: A container according to Example 22 or 23, wherein the upper panel has a maximum height extending between a top edge and a bottom edge of the upper panel in a direction perpendicular to the bottom edge, wherein the at least one lower panel has a maximum height extending between a top edge and a bottom edge of the at least one lower panel in a direction perpendicular to the bottom edge, and wherein the maximum height of the upper panel is equal to or less than 50 percent of the maximum height of the at least one lower panel.

[0121] Example 25: A container according to any of Examples 1 to 21 , wherein the lid front wall comprises an upper panel connected to the lid top wall along a first fold line, at least one middle panel connected to the upper panel along a second fold line, and at least one lower panel connected to the at least one middle panel along a third fold line.

[0122] Example 26: A container according to Example 25, wherein the upper panel has a top edge and a bottom edge, wherein the at least one lower panel has a top edge and a bottom edge, wherein the first fold line extends along at least a portion of the top edge of the upper panel, wherein the second fold line extends along at least a portion of the bottom edge of the upper panel, and wherein the third fold line extends along at least a portion of the top edge of the lower panel.

[0123] Example 27: A container according to any preceding Example, wherein the lid front wall is connected to the lid top wall along an arcuate fold line.

[0124] Example 28: A container according to Example 27, wherein the arcuate fold line has a radius of curvature of between 250 millimetres and 500 millimetres.

[0125] Example 29: A container according to any preceding Example, further comprising an inner frame positioned inside the box.

[0126] Example 30: A container according to Example 29, wherein the inner frame comprises an inner frame front wall and inner frame side walls.

[0127] Example 31 : A container according to Example 30, wherein the lid front wall is positioned between the box front wall and the inner frame front wall when the lid flap is in the closed position. Example 32: A container according to Examples 30 or 31 , wherein the inner frame front wall has a top edge and a bottom edge, and wherein the inner frame further comprises a pull-tab extending from the top edge of the inner frame front wall.

[0128] Example 33: A container according to Example 32, wherein the lid front wall is positioned between the box front wall and the inner frame front wall when the lid flap is in the closed position.

[0129] Example 34: A container according to Example 32 or 33, wherein the inner frame front wall has a top edge and a bottom edge, and wherein the inner frame further comprises an inner frame pull-tab extending from the top edge of the inner frame front wall.

[0130] Example 35: A container according to Example 34, wherein the inner frame pull-tab comprises a pull-tab front panel connected along a fold line to the inner frame front wall and a pull-tab top panel connected along a fold line to the pull-tab front panel, preferably wherein the pull-tab front panel underlies the lid front wall and the pull-tab top panel underlies the lid top wall when the lid flap is in the closed position.

[0131] Example 36: A container according to Example 34 or 35, wherein the inner frame comprises an inner frame cut-out extending into the inner frame front wall from the bottom edge of the inner frame front wall, preferably wherein a size and a shape of the inner frame cut-out is the same as a size and a shape of the inner frame pull-tab.

[0132] Example 37: A container according to any of Examples 29 to 36, wherein the inner frame is arranged to slide within the box when the lid flap is in the open position, the container further comprising a holding mechanism arranged to prevent the inner frame from sliding entirely out of the box.

[0133] Example 38: A container according to Example 37, wherein the holding mechanism comprises at least one tab on the inner frame and at least one slot on the box, wherein the at least one tab is arranged to slide within the at least one slot, preferably wherein the at least one tab comprises two tabs and preferably wherein the at least one slot comprises two slots.

[0134] Example 39: A container according to Example 38, wherein the at least one slot is defined by at least one of the box side walls, preferably wherein each box side wall defines a slot.

[0135] Example 40: A container according to Example 39, wherein each box side wall comprises an inner side panel connected along a fold line to the box back wall and an outer side panel overlying the inner side panel and connected along a fold line to the box front inner panel, wherein each inner side panel defines a slot.

[0136] Example 41 : A container according to any of Examples 38 to 40 in combination with any of claims 30 to 37, wherein each tab is formed by a protrusion at an edge of the inner frame front wall.

[0137] Example 42: A container according to any preceding Example, further comprising a sticker attached to the box and the lid flap, wherein the sticker extends between an outer surface of the lid top wall and an outer surface of the box back wall, or wherein the sticker extends between an outer surface of the lid top wall and an outer surface of a box side wall.

[0138] Example 43: A container according to Example 42, wherein the lid flap comprises a cutout in the lid top wall, wherein the cut-out defines a pull-tab connected to the lid front wall, and wherein a portion of the sticker attached to the lid top wall at least partially overlies the pull-tab.

[0139] Example 44: A container according to any preceding Example, wherein the lid flap comprises a pull-tab connected to the lid front wall.

[0140] Example 45: A container according to Example 44, wherein the lid flap comprises a cutout in the lid top wall, and wherein the cut-out defines the pull-tab connected to the lid front wall.

[0141] Example 46: A container according to any preceding Example, wherein the box and the lid flap are formed from a single laminar blank.

[0142] Example 47: A container according to any preceding Example, further comprising a plurality of nicotine-containing consumer goods housed within the box.

[0143] Example 48: A wrapped container for consumer goods, the wrapped container comprising a container according to any preceding Example and an outer wrapper extending around the container.

[0144] Example 49: A wrapped container according to Example 48, wherein the container is sealed within the outer wrapper.

[0145] Example 50: A wrapped container according to Example 48 or 49, wherein the outer wrapper comprises at least one line of weakness to facilitate removal of the outer wrapper from the container.

[0146] Example 51 : A wrapped container according to Example 48, 49 or 50, wherein the outer wrapper comprises one or more instructions for disengaging the at least one locking panel from the box front inner panel to allow movement of the lid flap from the closed position to the open position.

[0147] Example 52: A laminar blank that, when folded, forms a container according to any of Examples 1 to 47.

[0148] Examples will now be further described with reference to the figures in which:

[0149] Figure 1 shows a first laminar blank for forming a container according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0150] Figure 2 shows a second laminar blank for forming an inner frame for the container according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0151] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the assembled container according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure with the lid flap in the closed position;

[0152] Figure 4 shows the container of Figure 3 with the lid flap in a partially open position; Figure 5 shows the container of Figure 3 with the lid flap in the open position; Figure 6 shows a first laminar blank for forming a container according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0153] Figure 7 shows a first laminar blank for forming a container according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0154] Figure 8 shows a second laminar blank for forming an inner frame for the container according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0155] Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the assembled container according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure with the lid flap in the closed position;

[0156] Figure 10 shows the container of Figure 9 with the lid flap in a partially open position; Figure 11 shows the container of Figure 9 with the lid flap in the open position;

[0157] Figure 12 shows a first laminar blank for forming a container according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0158] Figure 13 shows a second laminar blank for forming an inner frame for the container according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0159] Figure 14 shows a perspective view of the assembled container according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure with the lid flap in the closed position;

[0160] Figure 15 shows the container of Figure 14 with the lid flap in a partially open position; Figure 16 shows the container of Figure 14 with the lid flap in the open position;

[0161] Figure 17 shows a first laminar blank for forming a container according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0162] Figure 18 shows a first laminar blank for forming a container according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0163] Figure 19 shows a first laminar blank for forming a container according to a seventh embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0164] Figure 20 shows a first laminar blank for forming a container according to an eighth embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0165] Figure 21 shows a second laminar blank for forming a further alternative inner frame for containers according to the present disclosure;

[0166] Figure 22 shows a second laminar blank for forming a further alternative inner frame for containers according to the present disclosure;

[0167] Figure 23 shows a second laminar blank for forming a further alternative inner frame for containers according to the present disclosure;

[0168] Figure 24 shows a first laminar blank for forming a container according to a ninth embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0169] Figure 25 shows a perspective view of the assembled container according to the ninth embodiment of the present disclosure and comprising a first arrangement of a sticker; and Figure 26 shows a perspective view of the assembled container according to the ninth embodiment of the present disclosure and comprising a second arrangement of a sticker.

[0170] Figures 1 to 20 illustrate several embodiments of laminar blanks and containers according to the present disclosure. In the Figures illustrating laminar blanks, solid lines are used to denote the edges of the laminar blank and cut lines formed in the laminar blank. Dashed lines are used to denote weakened lines along which the laminar blank is folded to form the container. For convenience, the dashed lines will be referred to as “fold lines” even when referring to the unfolded laminar blank.

[0171] Figure 1 shows a first laminar blank 10 for forming a container 100 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 shows a second laminar blank 50 for forming an inner frame 150 for the container 100. The container 100 formed by folding and combining the first and second laminar blanks 10, 50 is shown in Figures 3 to 5.

[0172] The first laminar blank 10 comprises a box bottom panel 12 and a box back panel 14 connected to the box bottom panel 12 along a fold line. In the container 100, the box bottom panel 12 and the box back panel 14 form a box bottom wall and a box back wall respectively.

[0173] A box front outer panel 16 has a bottom edge 18 and a top edge 20, wherein the box front outer panel 16 is connected by a fold line along the bottom edge 18 to the box bottom panel 12. A box front inner panel 22 is connected along a fold line to the top edge 20 of the box front outer panel 16. A bottom edge 24 of the box front inner panel 22 is formed by an edge of the laminar blank 10. In the container 100, the box front outer panel 16 overlies the box front inner panel 22, and the box front outer panel 16 and the box front inner panel 22 together form a box front wall.

[0174] A pair of slits 23 in the box front outer panel 16 define a pair of release buttons 25 between each slit 23 and the bottom edge 18 of the box front outer panel 16. The function of the release buttons 25 is described below with reference to Figures 3 to 5.

[0175] A pair of first box side panels 26 are connected along fold lines to side edges of the box back panel 14 and a pair of second box side panels 28 are connected along fold lines to side edges of the box front outer panel 16. In the container 100, the first box side panels 26 overlap the second box side panels 28 to form box side walls. The box bottom wall, box back wall, box front wall and box side walls together form a box 102 for containing consumer goods. A top face of the box 102 is open to provide an access opening for accessing the consumer goods. In the embodiment shown in Figures 3 to 5, the box 102 contains two bundles 104 of aerosol-generating articles, but the skilled person will appreciate that other types of consumer goods may be contained in the box 102.

[0176] A lid top panel 30 is connected along a fold line to a top edge of the box back panel 14, the lid top panel 30 forming a lid top wall. An upper panel 32 has a top edge 34 and a bottom edge 36, and is connected by a fold line along the top edge 34 to the lid top panel 30. A cut line 38 in the lid top panel 30 defines a pull-tab 40 connected to the top edge 34 of the upper panel 32 along a fold line.

[0177] A pair of lower panels 42 are connected along fold lines to the bottom edge 36 of the upper panel 32. The upper panel 32 and the lower panels 42 together form a lid front wall. The lower panels 42 are spaced apart from each other to define an aperture 44 in the lid front wall. As described in further detail below with reference to Figures 3 to 5, the aperture 44 facilitates access to the consumer goods contained within the box 102.

[0178] A pair of locking panels 46 are connected along fold lines to a bottom edge 48 of the lower panels 42. Each locking panel 46 has a trapezoidal shape. In the container 100, the locking panels 46 are folded to overlie the respective lower panels 42. The lid top wall, the lid front wall and the locking panels 46 together form a lid flap 106. As described in further detail below, the lid flap 106 is moveable between a closed position in which the lid top wall overlies the access opening of the box 102 and an open position in which the access opening is at least partially uncovered to allow access to the consumer goods contained within the box 102.

[0179] Figure 2 shows a second laminar blank 50 for forming the inner frame 150 of the container 100. The second laminar blank 50 comprises a frame front panel 52, a pair of frame side panels 54 connected along fold lines to the frame front panel 52, and a pair of frame pull-tabs 56 connected along fold lines to the frame front panel 52. The second laminar blank 50 is folded around the consumer goods to form the inner frame 150, and the inner frame 150 and the consumer goods are positioned within the box 102.

[0180] With reference to Figures 3 to 5 the steps for opening the container 100 will now be described.

[0181] Figure 3 shows the container 100 with the lid flap 106 in the closed position. As illustrated by the dotted hidden lines, the two locking panels 46 abut the bottom edge 24 of the box front inner panel 22 when the lid flap 106 is in the closed position. The abutment between the two locking panels 46 and the box front inner panel 22 prevents movement of the lid flap 106 from the closed position. To open the container 100, a user must simultaneously depress the two release buttons 25, which pushes the two locking panels 46 inwardly to disengage them from the bottom edge 24 of the box front inner panel 22. With the release buttons 25 depressed and the locking panels 46 disengaged, the user may pull upwardly on the pull-tab 40 to begin moving the lid flap 106 from the closed position towards the open position.

[0182] Figure 4 shows the container 100 with the lid flap 106 in an intermediate position between the closed position shown in Figure 3 and the open position shown in Figure 5. As the lid flap 106 is moved from the closed position, the lid top panel 30 pivots along the fold line between the lid top panel 30 and the box back panel 14, and the upper panel 32 pivots along the fold line between the upper panel 32 and lid top panel 30 and along the fold lines between the upper panel 32 and each of the lower panels 42. Advantageously, the pivoting of the lid top panel 30 and the upper panel 32 allow the lower panels 42 to slide in a linear motion between the box front wall and the inner frame 150. When the bottom edges 48 of the lower panels 42 reaches the top of the box front wall, the entire lid front wall is released from the box 102 and the lid flap 106 can be moved into the open position shown in Figure 5. With the lid flap 106 in the open position, the user can access the consumer goods contained within the box 102. By pulling on one or both of the frame pull-tabs 56 the user may slide the inner frame 150 upwardly to lift the consumer goods partially out of the box 102, which may aid removal of the consumer goods from the box 102.

[0183] To close the container 100, the user reverses the steps described with reference to Figures 3 to 5 until the locking panels 46 re-engage the bottom edge 24 of the box front inner panel 22. Advantageously, to provide the user with an indication that the container 100 has been fully closed, the re-engagement of the locking panels 46 with the bottom edge 24 of the box front inner panel 22 may provide an audible ‘click’.

[0184] Figure 6 shows a first laminar blank 200 for forming a container according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. The first laminar blank 200 of Figure 6 is similar to the first laminar blank 10 of Figure 1 and like reference numerals are used to designate like parts. The only difference between the first laminar blank 200 and the first laminar blank 10 is the arrangement of the pull-tab. Specifically, the first laminar blank 200 comprises a central panel 238 positioned between the two lower panels 42 and connected along a fold line to the bottom edge 32 of the upper panel 32. The first laminar blank 200 also comprises a pull-tab 240 connected along a fold line to a top edge 241 of the central panel 238. When the first laminar blank 200 is folded to form a container, the central panel 238 is folded along the bottom edge 36 of the upper panel 32 so that the central panel 238 overlies the upper panel 32. In this configuration, the pull-tab 240 protrudes from the box for grasping by a user. The pull-tab 240 may be folded along the top edge 241 of the central panel 238 so that the pull-tab 240 overlies the lid top panel 30 when the pull-tab 240 is not being used. The folding of the rest of the first laminar blank 200 is otherwise identical to the folding of the first laminar blank 10 such that the container formed by folding the first laminar blank 200 is almost identical to the container 100 described with reference to Figures 3 to 5. The container formed by folding the first laminar blank 200 may also include an inner frame, such as the inner frame 150 formed by folding the second laminar blank 50 of Figure 2.

[0185] Figure 7 shows a first laminar blank 300 for forming a container 400 according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 8 shows a second laminar blank 350 for forming an inner frame 450 for the container 400. The container 400 formed by folding and combining the first and second laminar blanks 300, 350 is shown in Figures 9 to 11. The first and second laminar blanks 300, 350 and the container 400 are similar to the first and second laminar blanks 10, 50 and the container 100 of Figures 1 to 5, and like reference numerals are used to designate like parts. The first laminar blank 300 comprises a box bottom panel 12 and a box back panel 14 connected to the box bottom panel 12 along a fold line. In the container 400, the box bottom panel 12 and the box back panel 14 form a box bottom wall and a box back wall respectively.

[0186] A box front outer panel 16 has a bottom edge 18 and a top edge 20, wherein the box front outer panel 16 is connected by a fold line along the bottom edge 18 to the box bottom panel 12. A box front inner panel 22 is connected along a fold line to the top edge 20 of the box front outer panel 16. A bottom edge 24 of the box front inner panel 22 is formed by an edge of the laminar blank 10. In the container 100, the box front outer panel 16 overlies the box front inner panel 22, and the box front outer panel 16 and the box front inner panel 22 together form a box front wall.

[0187] A first slit 23 in the box front outer panel 16 defines a release button 25 between the slit 23 and the bottom edge 18 of the box front outer panel 16. A second slit 323 in the box front outer panel 16 defines a false button 325. The functions of the release button 25 and the false button 325 are described below with reference to Figures 9 to 11.

[0188] A pair of first box side panels 26 are connected along fold lines to side edges of the box back panel 14 and a pair of second box side panels 28 are connected along fold lines to side edges of the box front outer panel 16. In the container 400, the first box side panels 26 overlap the second box side panels 28 to form box side walls. The box bottom wall, box back wall, box front wall and box side walls together form a box 402 for containing consumer goods. A top face of the box 402 is open to provide an access opening for accessing the consumer goods. In the embodiment shown in Figures 9 to 11, the box 402 contains two bundles 104 of aerosolgenerating articles, but the skilled person will appreciate that other types of consumer goods may be contained in the box 402.

[0189] A lid top panel 30 is connected along a fold line to a top edge of the box back panel 14, the lid top panel 30 forming a lid top wall. An upper panel 32 has a top edge 34 and a bottom edge 36, and is connected by an arcuate fold line along the top edge 34 to the lid top panel 30. The function of the arcuate shape of the fold line along the top edge 34 will be described below with reference to Figures 9 to 11. A cut line 38 in the lid top panel 30 defines a pull-tab 40 connected to the top edge 34 of the upper panel 32 along a fold line.

[0190] A single lower panel 342 is connected along a fold line to the bottom edge 36 of the upper panel 32. The upper panel 32 and the lower panel 342 together form a lid front wall.

[0191] A single locking panel 346 is connected along a fold line to a bottom edge 48 of the lower panel 342. The locking panel 346 has a trapezoidal shape. In the container 400, the locking panel 346 is folded to overlie the lower panel 342. The lid top wall, the lid front wall and the locking panel 346 together form a lid flap 406. As described in further detail below, the lid flap 406 is moveable between a closed position in which the lid top wall overlies the access opening of the box 402 and an open position in which the access opening is at least partially uncovered to allow access to the consumer goods contained within the box 402. Figure 8 shows a second laminar blank 350 for forming the inner frame 450 of the container 400. The second laminar blank 350 comprises a frame front panel 52, a pair of frame side panels 54 connected along fold lines to the frame front panel 52, and a frame pull-tab 56 connected along a fold line to the frame front panel 52. The second laminar blank 350 is folded around the consumer goods to form the inner frame 450, and the inner frame 450 and the consumer goods are positioned within the box 402. The skilled person will appreciate that the second laminar blank 50 and the inner frame 150 of the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5 may be used instead of the second laminar blank 350 and the inner frame 450.

[0192] With reference to Figures 9 to 11 the steps for opening the container 400 will now be described.

[0193] Figure 9 shows the container 400 with the lid flap 406 in the closed position. As illustrated by the dotted hidden lines, the locking panel 346 abuts the bottom edge 24 of the box front inner panel 22 when the lid flap 406 is in the closed position. The abutment between the locking panel 346 and the box front inner panel 22 prevents movement of the lid flap 406 from the closed position. To open the container 400, a user must depress the release button 25, which pushes the locking panel 346 inwardly to disengage the locking panel 346 from the bottom edge 24 of the box front inner panel 22. With the release button 25 depressed and the locking panel 346 disengaged, the user may pull upwardly on the pull-tab 40 to begin moving the lid flap 406 from the closed position towards the open position.

[0194] The false release button 325 does not overlie the locking panel 346 and therefore reduces the risk of an unauthorised user opening the container 400 by making it more difficult to determine how the container 400 may be opened. Specifically, the false button 325 may mislead an unauthorised user into attempting to open the container 400 by using the false button 325 instead of the release button 25. Furthermore, the longer and U-shaped slit 323 defining the false button 325 may advantageously draw an unauthorised user’s attention away from the release button 25 defined by the smaller, linear slit 23.

[0195] Advantageously, when the lid flap 406 is in the closed position shown in Figure 9, the arcuate shape of the fold line extending along the top edge 34 of the upper panel 32 biases the lid front wall against the inside of the box front wall. Advantageously, this facilitates engagement of the locking panel 346 with the bottom edge 24 of the box front inner panel 22 and reduces the risk of an unauthorised user attempting to force open the container 400 by inserting a finger or tool between the box front wall and the lid front wall. The skilled person will appreciate that the arcuate fold line may be applied to other embodiments described herein, including the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5.

[0196] Figure 10 shows the container 400 with the lid flap 406 in an intermediate position between the closed position shown in Figure 9 and the open position shown in Figure 11. As the lid flap 406 is moved from the closed position, the lid top panel 30 pivots along the fold line between the lid top panel 30 and the box back panel 14, and the upper panel 32 pivots along the fold line between the upper panel 32 and lid top panel 30 and along the fold line between the upper panel 32 and the lower panel 342. Advantageously, the pivoting of the lid top panel 30 and the upper panel 32 allows the lower panel 342 to slide in a linear motion between the box front wall and the inner frame 450. When the bottom edge 48 of the lower panel 342 reaches the top of the box front wall, the entire lid front wall is released from the box 402 and the lid flap 406 can be moved into the open position shown in Figure 11. With the lid flap 406 in the open position, the user can access the consumer goods contained within the box 402. By pulling on the frame pull-tab 56 the user may slide the inner frame 450 upwardly to lift the consumer goods partially out of the box 402, which may aid removal of the consumer goods from the box 402.

[0197] To close the container 400, the user reverses the steps described with reference to Figures 9 to 11 until the locking panel 346 re-engages the bottom edge 24 of the box front inner panel 22. Advantageously, to provide the user with an indication that the container 400 has been fully closed, the re-engagement of the locking panel 346 with the bottom edge 24 of the box front inner panel 22 may provide an audible ‘click’.

[0198] Figure 12 shows a first laminar blank 500 for forming a container 600 according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 13 shows a second laminar blank 550 for forming an inner frame 650 for the container 600. The container 600 formed by folding and combining the first and second laminar blanks 500, 550 is shown in Figures 14 to 16. The first and second laminar blanks 500, 550 and the container 600 are similar to the first and second laminar blanks 10, 50 and the container 100 of Figures 1 to 5, and like reference numerals are used to designate like parts.

[0199] The first laminar blank 500 comprises a box bottom panel 12 and a box back panel 14 connected to the box bottom panel 12 along a fold line. In the container 600, the box bottom panel 12 and the box back panel 14 form a box bottom wall and a box back wall respectively.

[0200] A box front outer panel 16 has a bottom edge 18 and a top edge 20, wherein the box front outer panel 16 is connected by a fold line along the bottom edge 18 to the box bottom panel 12. A box front inner panel 22 is connected along a fold line to the top edge 20 of the box front outer panel 16. A bottom edge 24 of the box front inner panel 22 is formed by an edge of the laminar blank 10. In the container 600, the box front outer panel 16 overlies the box front inner panel 22, and the box front outer panel 16 and the box front inner panel 22 together form a box front wall.

[0201] A pair of slits 23 in the box front outer panel 16 define a pair of release buttons 25 between each slit 23 and the bottom edge 18 of the box front outer panel 16. An arcuate slit 527 in the box front inner panel 22 defines a retention flap 529. The functions of the release buttons 25 and the retention flap 529 are described below with reference to Figures 14 to 16.

[0202] A pair of first box side panels 26 are connected along fold lines to side edges of the box back panel 14 and a pair of second box side panels 28 are connected along fold lines to side edges of the box front outer panel 16. In the container 600, the first box side panels 26 overlap the second box side panels 28 to form box side walls. The box bottom wall, box back wall, box front wall and box side walls together form a box 602 for containing consumer goods. A top face of the box 602 is open to provide an access opening for accessing the consumer goods. In the embodiment shown in Figures 14 to 16, the box 602 contains two bundles 104 of aerosolgenerating articles, but the skilled person will appreciate that other types of consumer goods may be contained in the box 602.

[0203] A lid top panel 30 is connected along a fold line to a top edge of the box back panel 14, the lid top panel 30 forming a lid top wall. An upper panel 32 has a top edge 34 and a bottom edge 36, and is connected by a fold line along the top edge 34 to the lid top panel 30. A cut line 38 in the lid top panel 30 defines a pull-tab 40 connected to the top edge 34 of the upper panel 32 along a fold line.

[0204] A pair of middle panels 541 are connected along fold lines to the bottom edge 36 of the upper panel 32. A single lower panel 542 has a top edge 547 and a bottom edge 548, wherein the middle panels 541 are connected along fold lines to the top edge 547 of the lower panel 542. The upper panel 32, the middle panels 541 and the lower panel 542 together form a lid front wall. A cut-out in the first laminar blank 500 defines an aperture 544 in the lid front wall. As described in further detail below with reference to Figures 14 to 16, the aperture 544 facilitates access to the consumer goods contained within the box 602.

[0205] A pair of locking panels 46 are connected along fold lines to the bottom edge 548 of the lower panel 542. Each locking panel 46 has a trapezoidal shape. In the container 600, the locking panels 46 are folded to overlie the lower panel 542. The lid top wall, the lid front wall and the locking panels 46 together form a lid flap 606. As described in further detail below, the lid flap 606 is moveable between a closed position in which the lid top wall overlies the access opening of the box 602 and an open position in which the access opening is at least partially uncovered to allow access to the consumer goods contained within the box 602.

[0206] Figure 13 shows the second laminar blank 550 for forming the inner frame 650 of the container 600. The second laminar blank 550 comprises a frame front panel 52 and a pair of frame side panels 54 connected along fold lines to the frame front panel 52. The second laminar blank 550 is folded around the consumer goods to form the inner frame 650, and the inner frame 650 and the consumer goods are positioned within the box 602.

[0207] With reference to Figures 14 to 16 the steps for opening the container 600 will now be described.

[0208] Figure 14 shows the container 600 with the lid flap 606 in the closed position. As illustrated by the dotted hidden lines, the two locking panels 46 abut the bottom edge 24 of the box front inner panel 22 when the lid flap 606 is in the closed position. The abutment between the two locking panels 46 and the box front inner panel 22 prevents movement of the lid flap 606 from the closed position. To open the container 600, a user must simultaneously depress the two release buttons 25, which pushes the two locking panels 46 inwardly to disengage them from the bottom edge 24 of the box front inner panel 22. With the release buttons 25 depressed and the locking panels 46 disengaged, the user may pull upwardly on the pull-tab 40 to begin moving the lid flap 606 from the closed position towards the open position.

[0209] Figure 15 shows the container 600 with the lid flap 606 in an intermediate position between the closed position shown in Figure 14 and the open position shown in Figure 16. As the lid flap 606 is moved from the closed position, the lid top panel 30 pivots along the fold line between the lid top panel 30 and the box back panel 14, and the upper panel 32 pivots along the fold line between the upper panel 32 and lid top panel 30 and along the fold lines between the upper panel 32 and each of the middle panels 541. Advantageously, the pivoting of the lid top panel 30 and the upper panel 32 allow the middle panels 541 and the lower panel 542 to slide in a linear motion between the box front wall and the inner frame 650. As the middle panels 541 and the lower panel 542 slide upwardly, the locking panels 46 begin to engage the retention flap 529. The locking panels 46 are fully engaged with the retention flap 529 when the top edge 547 of the lower panel 542 reaches the top of the box front wall, as shown in Figure 15. In this position, the retention flap 529 prevents further upward motion of lid flap 606.

[0210] To move the lid flap 606 from the intermediate position shown in Figure 15 to the open position shown in Figure 16, the lid flap 606 is folded along the fold lines between the middle panels 541 and the lower panel 542 to maximise the overlap between the aperture 544 in the lid flap 606 and the access opening at the top of the box 602. With the lid flap 606 in the open position, the user can access the consumer goods contained within the box 602.

[0211] To close the container 600, the user reverses the steps described with reference to Figures 14 to 16 until the locking panels 46 re-engage the bottom edge 24 of the box front inner panel 22. Advantageously, to provide the user with an indication that the container 600 has been fully closed, the re-engagement of the locking panels 46 with the bottom edge 24 of the box front inner panel 22 may provide an audible ‘click’.

[0212] Figure 17 shows a first laminar blank 700 for forming a container according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. The first laminar blank 700 of Figure 17 is similar to the first laminar blank 500 of Figure 12 and like reference numerals are used to designate like parts. The only difference between the first laminar blank 700 and the first laminar blank 500 is the elimination of the middle panels 541 and the addition of two lid side panels 739, each of which is connected along a fold line to a side edge 743 of the lower panel 742. Each lid side panel 739 forms a side wall of the lid flap of a container formed form the first laminar blank 700. The side walls formed by the lid side panels 739 add further structural rigidity to the container. As a result of the presence of the side walls formed by the lid side panels 739, the lid flap of the container cannot be folded as shown in Figure 16 with reference to the container 600. Therefore, the middle panels 541 are eliminated from the first laminar blank 700 and the configuration shown in Figure 15 represents the open position for the lid flap of a container formed from a the first laminar blank 700.

[0213] The folding of the rest of the first laminar blank 700 is otherwise identical to the folding of the first laminar blank 500 such that the container formed by folding the first laminar blank 700 is almost identical to the container 600 described with reference to Figures 14 and 15. The container formed by folding the first laminar blank 700 may also include an inner frame, such as the inner frame 650 formed by folding the second laminar blank 550 of Figure 13.

[0214] Figure 18 shows a first laminar blank 800 for forming a container according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure. The first laminar blank 800 of Figure 18 is similar to the first laminar blank 500 of Figure 12 and like reference numerals are used to designate like parts. The only difference between the first laminar blank 800 and the first laminar blank 500 is the shape of the slits 823 defining the release buttons 825. Specifically, each slit 823 has a U-shape, which may make it easier to depress the release buttons 825. The folding of the rest of the first laminar blank 800 is otherwise identical to the folding of the first laminar blank 500 such that the container formed by folding the first laminar blank 800 is almost identical to the container 600 described with reference to Figures 14 to 16. The container formed by folding the first laminar blank 800 may also include an inner frame, such as the inner frame 650 formed by folding the second laminar blank 550 of Figure 13. The skilled person will appreciate that the alternative shape of the slits 823 may be applied to any of the other embodiments described herein.

[0215] Figure 19 shows a first laminar blank 900 for forming a container according to a seventh embodiment of the present disclosure. The first laminar blank 900 of Figure 19 is similar to the first laminar blank 500 of Figure 12 and like reference numerals are used to designate like parts. The only difference between the first laminar blank 900 and the first laminar blank 500 is the arrangement of the pull-tab. Specifically, the cut-out defining the aperture 544 also defines a central panel 938 connected along a fold line 939 to the upper panel 32 and a pull-tab 940 connected along a fold line 941 to the central panel 938. When the first laminar blank 900 is folded to form a container, the central panel 938 is folded about the fold line so that the central panel 938 overlies the upper panel 32. In this configuration, the pull-tab 940 protrudes from the box for grasping by a user. The folding of the rest of the first laminar blank 900 is otherwise identical to the folding of the first laminar blank 500 such that the container formed by folding the first laminar blank 900 is almost identical to the container 600 described with reference to Figures 14 to 16. The container formed by folding the first laminar blank 900 may also include an inner frame, such as the inner frame 650 formed by folding the second laminar blank 550 of Figure 13.

[0216] Figure 20 shows a first laminar blank 1000 for forming a container according to an eighth embodiment of the present disclosure. The first laminar blank 1000 of Figure 20 is similar to the first laminar blank 900 of Figure 19 and like reference numerals are used to designate like parts. The only difference between the first laminar blank 1000 and the first laminar blank 900 is the size and shape of the cut-out defining the aperture 1044. Specifically, the cut-out defines a smaller aperture 1044, a smaller central panel 1038 and a smaller pull-tab 1040. The folding of the first laminar blank 1000 is otherwise identical to the folding of the first laminar blank 900.

[0217] Figure 21 shows a second laminar blank 1150 for forming an alternative inner frame for any of the containers according to the present disclosure. The second laminar blank 1150 comprises a frame front panel 52, a pair of frame side panels 54 connected along fold lines to the frame front panel 52, and a frame pull-tab 1156 connected along a fold line to the frame front panel 52. The second laminar blank 1150 is folded around consumer goods to form an inner frame. Advantageously, positioning the frame pull-tab 1156 at a centre of a top edge of the frame front panel 52 may facilitate easy access to consumer goods on both sides of the frame pull tab 1156.

[0218] Figures 22 and 23 show second laminar blanks 2150, 3150 for forming alternative inner frames for use with a container 4000 according to a ninth embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 24 shows a first laminar blank 2000 for forming the container 4000 according to the ninth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0219] The first laminar blank 2000 of Figure 24 is similar to the first laminar blank 300 of Figure 7 and like reference numerals are used to designate like parts. The main difference between the first laminar blank 300 and the first laminar blank 2000 is the addition of elongate recessed portions 2017 to the first box side panels 26. When the first laminar blank 2000 is folded to form the container 4000, each elongate recessed portion 2017 forms a slot in the respective box side wall.

[0220] The second laminar blank 2150 comprises a frame front panel 52, a pair of frame side panels 54 connected along fold lines to the frame front panel 52, and a frame pull-tab 2156 connected along a fold line to the frame front panel 52. The second laminar blank 2150 is folded around consumer goods to form an inner frame. The inner frame comprises an inner frame front wall comprising the frame front panel 52 and a pair of inner frame side walls formed by the pair of frame side panels 54.

[0221] The second laminar blank 2150 also comprises a pair of tabs 2161 extending from opposite side edges of the frame front panel 52. The tabs 2161 of the inner frame and the slots of the box side walls formed by the elongate recessed portions 2017 together form a holding mechanism. In particular, in the assembled container 4000, the tabs 2161 are arranged to slide within the slots so that, when the lid flap is in the open position, the inner frame may slide upwardly partially out of the box, but prevented from sliding entirely out of the box.

[0222] The frame pull-tab 2156 comprises a pull-tab front panel 2157 connected along a fold line to the frame front panel 52 and a pull-tab top panel 2159 connected along a fold line to the pulltab front panel 2157. When the lid flap of the container 4000 is in the closed position, the pull-tab front panel 2157 underlies the lid front wall and the pull-tab top panel 2159 underlies the lid top wall. When the lid flap is in the open position and the inner frame is slid upwardly to the uppermost extent of the holding mechanism, the pull-tab front panel 2157 and the pull-tab top panel 2159 may be folded back to overlie the box front wall to provide increased access to the consumer goods within the box.

[0223] The second laminar blank 3150 for forming a further alternative inner frame is similar to the second laminar blank 2150 and like reference numerals are used to designate like parts. The second laminar blank 3150 comprises a pull-tab cut-out 3163 extending into the frame front panel 52 from an opposite edge of the frame front panel 52 to the frame pull-tab 2156, the pull-tab cutout 3163 having the same size and shape as the frame pull-tab 2156. Advantageously, the pulltab cut-out 3163 facilitates consecutive cutting of a plurality of second laminar blanks 3150 from a continuous strip of material with minimal or zero waste.

[0224] Figure 25 shows the assembled container 4000 comprising a sticker 4002, such as a tax sticker or a tamper-proof sticker, applied to an outer surface of the box and the lid flap. In the example of Figure 25, the sticker 4002 is adhered to an outer surface of the lid top panel 30 and the box back panel 14. The portion of the sticker 4002 adhered to the lid top panel 30 overlies the pull-tab 40. To open the container 4000, a user must remove or damage the sticker 4002 to access the pull-tab 40. Advantageously, the arrangement of the sticker 4002 only on the top wall of the lid flap and the back wall of the box prevents obstruction of any graphics or information present on the box front wall by the sticker 4002.

[0225] Figure 26 shows the assembled container 4000 with an alternative configuration of the sticker 4002. In the example of Figure 26, the sticker 4002 is adhered to an outer surface of the lid top panel 30 and one of the second box side panels 28. The portion of the sticker 4002 adhered to the lid top panel 30 overlies the pull-tab 40. To open the container 4000, a user must remove or damage the sticker 4002 to access the pull-tab 40 and to enable movement of the lid flap from the close position to the open position. Advantageously, the arrangement of the sticker 4002 only on the top wall of the lid flap and a box side wall prevents obstruction of any graphics or information present on the box front wall by the sticker 4002.

Claims

Claims1. A container for consumer goods, the container comprising:a box for housing the consumer goods, the box comprising a box front wall, a box back wall, a box bottom wall and box side walls, wherein a top face of the box is at least partially open to provide an access opening for accessing the consumer goods, and wherein the box front wall comprises a box front inner panel and a box front outer panel overlying the box front inner panel; anda lid flap hingedly connected to the box back wall and comprising a lid top wall, a lid front wall, and at least one locking panel, wherein the lid flap is moveable between a closed position in which the lid top wall overlies the access opening and an open position in which the access opening is at least partially uncovered, wherein the box front inner panel comprises a top edge and a bottom edge, wherein the at least one locking panel is arranged to engage the bottom edge of the box front inner panel when the lid flap is in the closed position to prevent movement of the lid flap from the closed position to the open position, wherein the box front outer panel comprises at least one slit defining at least one release button, and wherein the at least one release button overlies the at least one locking panel when the lid flap is in the closed position so that depressing the at least one release button disengages the at least one locking panel from the portion of the box front inner panel.

2. A container according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one locking panel is connected to the lid front wall by a fold line.

3. A container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one locking panel overlies the lid front wall when the lid flap is in the closed position.

4. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one locking panel comprises a first locking panel and a second locking panel, and wherein the at least one slit in the box front outer panel comprises a first slit defining a first release button overlying the first locking panel when the lid flap is in the closed position and a second slit defining a second release button overlying the second locking panel when the lid flap is in the closed position.

5. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the box front inner panel is connected along the top edge of the box front inner panel to the box front outer panel.

6. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the box front inner panel comprises at least one slit defining at least one retention flap, wherein the at least one locking panel isarranged to engage the at least one retention flap when the lid flap is in the open position, optionally wherein the at least one slit has an arcuate shape.

7. A container according to any preceding claim, further comprising an aperture in the lid front wall, wherein the aperture underlies the box front wall when the lid flap is in the closed position, and wherein the aperture at least partially overlaps the access opening when the lid flap is in the open position.

8. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the box front outer panel comprises at least one slit defining at least one false button, wherein the at least one false button overlies none of the locking panels when the lid flap is in the closed position.

9. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the lid front wall comprises an upper panel connected to the lid top wall along a first fold line and at least one lower panel connected to the upper panel along a second fold line.

10. A container according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the lid front wall comprises an upper panel connected to the lid top wall along a first fold line, at least one middle panel connected to the upper panel along a second fold line, and at least one lower panel connected to the at least one middle panel along a third fold line.

11. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the lid front wall is connected to the lid top wall along an arcuate fold line.

12. A container according to any preceding claim, further comprising an inner frame positioned inside the box.

13. A container according to claim 12, wherein the inner frame comprises an inner frame front wall and inner frame side walls.

14. A container according to claim 13, wherein the lid front wall is positioned between the box front wall and the inner frame front wall when the lid flap is in the closed position.

15. A container according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the inner frame front wall has a top edge and a bottom edge, and wherein the inner frame further comprises an inner frame pull-tab extending from the top edge of the inner frame front wall.

16. A container according to claim 15, wherein the inner frame pull-tab comprises a pull-tab front panel connected along a fold line to the inner frame front wall and a pull-tab top panel connected along a fold line to the pull-tab front panel, preferably wherein the pull-tab front panel underlies the lid front wall and the pull-tab top panel underlies the lid top wall when the lid flap is in the closed position.

17. A container according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the inner frame comprises an inner frame cut-out extending into the inner frame front wall from the bottom edge of the inner frame front wall, preferably wherein a size and a shape of the inner frame cut-out is the same as a size and a shape of the inner frame pull-tab.

18. A container according to any of claims 12 to 17, wherein the inner frame is arranged to slide within the box when the lid flap is in the open position, the container further comprising a holding mechanism arranged to prevent the inner frame from sliding entirely out of the box.

19. A container according to claim 18, wherein the holding mechanism comprises at least one tab on the inner frame and at least one slot on the box, wherein the at least one tab is arranged to slide within the at least one slot, preferably wherein the at least one tab comprises two tabs and preferably wherein the at least one slot comprises two slots.

20. A container according to claim 19, wherein the at least one slot is defined by at least one of the box side walls, preferably wherein each box side wall defines a slot.

21. A container according to claim 20, wherein each box side wall comprises an inner side panel connected along a fold line to the box backwall and an outer side panel overlying the inner side panel and connected along a fold line to the box front inner panel, wherein each inner side panel defines a slot.

22. A container according to any of claims 19 to 21 in combination with any of claims 13 to 18, wherein each tab is formed by a protrusion at an edge of the inner frame front wall.

23. A container according to any preceding claim, further comprising a sticker attached to the box and the lid flap, wherein the sticker extends between an outer surface of the lid top wall and an outer surface of the box back wall, or wherein the sticker extends between an outer surface of the lid top wall and an outer surface of a box side wall.

24. A container according to claim 23, wherein the lid flap comprises a cut-out in the lid top wall, wherein the cut-out defines a pull-tab connected to the lid front wall, and wherein a portion of the sticker attached to the lid top wall at least partially overlies the pull-tab.

25. A container according to any preceding claim, further comprising a plurality of nicotine-containing consumer goods housed within the box.

26. A wrapped container for consumer goods, the wrapped container comprising a container according to any preceding claim and an outer wrapper extending around the container, optionally wherein the outer wrapper comprises one or more instructions for disengaging the at least one locking panel from the box front inner panel to allow movement of the lid flap from the closed position to the open position.

27. A laminar blank that, when folded, forms a container according to any of claims 1 to 25.

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