ES2543218T3 - Container comprising smoking articles with a lifting element - Google Patents

Abstract

A container (1) comprising the smoking articles, further comprising a cup-shaped box (2) for smoking articles (17); comprising a bottom wall, side walls and an opening, further comprising a lifting element correlated with at least one smoking article (17) for raising the smoking article (17) of the lower wall of the container, characterized in that the element Lift (20) has a coupling portion (22), which can be coupled with the outer upper end portion of the smoking article (17), wherein the smoking article (17) comprises a ring-like support (24 ) on its circumferential outer side that adapts to engage by the lifting element (20).

Description

E10735206

07-21-2015

DESCRIPTION

Container comprising smoking articles with a lifting element

The present invention relates to a container comprising smoking articles and further comprising a lifting element correlated with at least one smoking article for lifting the smoking article.

Smoking articles are commonly provided in containers with a flip lid that are formed from a blank. To access the smoking articles in the container, the consumer typically removes a transparent outer wrap, opens the lid and removes a section of the inner lining that covers the upper ends of the smoking articles. Typically, the upper end of the smoking article is the mouth side end of the smoking article. This is particularly common when the smoking article comprises a filter. When such a smoking article is removed from the container, the consumer touches the end of the mouth side of the smoking article.

Some consumers prefer to avoid touching the end of the mouth side of the filter, particularly where the end of the mouth side of the smoking article comprises a sunken filter. An article for smoking with a sunken filter is described, for example, in European patent EP1299012.

US-A-4,949,841 discloses a flip-top lid package to easily extract the cigarettes contained therein. The cigarettes in the package are wrapped in an inner liner that joins, for example, sticks, to the parts of the bottom wall and the back wall of the package. When a grip tab is pulled on the front wall of the inner liner, a part of the bottom wall of the inner liner is lifted so that the first row of cigarettes rises.

However, the inner lining of this package requires a significant modification of the gross part of the inner liner compared to a prior art container for smoking articles and requires extensive modification to the packaging machine. In addition, the lifting part and the front wall that can be raised from the inner liner exerts pressure on the rod end of the smoking article during the lifting process that can damage the rod end.

US 2008/0185303 A1 describes a cigarette case with a pusher for raising cigarettes, wherein the pusher comprises side grooves and arcuate ribs that increase friction between the cigarette and the pusher, so that cigarettes can move up together with the pusher.

DE 908 236 C describes a cigarette pack with a friction plate that is adjacent to a row of cigarettes and allows the cigarettes to be raised or lowered through the openings.

US 3,923,239 A describes a pack of cigarettes that has a tab provided to adhere to adjacent cigarettes to allow cigarettes to be pulled up.

US 2,415,117 A describes a cigarette pack with a flexible strip that is fixed by means of a suitable adhesive to at least one of the cigarettes. When traction is exerted on the strip, the package is opened and by continuous traction on the strip the cigarettes are ejected out of the package.

US 2,258,170 A describes a cigarette lifting jack whose lever can be coated with a means that offers effective friction, which allows the lifting of cigarettes, particularly in combination with a lifting foot.

It is therefore the object of the invention to provide a container that facilitates the easy removal of smoking articles, while being capable of being manufactured with high quality and being cost effective.

The object of the invention is solved by providing a container comprising smoking articles and a cup-shaped box for smoking articles where the cup-shaped box comprises a bottom wall, side walls and an opening, the container comprising furthermore a lifting element correlated with at least one smoking article to lift the smoking article from the bottom wall of the container, wherein the lifting element comprises a coupling portion, and wherein the coupling portion can be coupled with the portion of the upper outer end of the smoking article, wherein the smoking article comprises a support similar to a ring on its circumferential outer side that is adapted to be coupled by the lifting element.

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As the coupling between the lifting element and the smoking article takes place at a location in the outer upper end portion of the smoking article the rod end portion of the smoking article does not engage and therefore cannot be damaged during the lifting movement. Additionally, the consumer does not have to touch the end of the mouth side of the smoking article since the lifting element can move the smoking article sufficiently out of the lower wall of the container, so that the upper end of the article for Smoking stands out above the other smoking items in the container. This allows the consumer to easily grasp the upper end that protrudes from the elevated smoking article along its side.

Furthermore, the construction of the lifting element according to the invention facilitates the production of the container in accordance with the invention since the lifting element can easily be included in a well-known production stage during the production process of the container. Therefore, the lifting element according to the present invention only requires a slight modification with respect to the production process of the known container, and can therefore be implemented as a low-cost modification in a known production line.

The coupling of the lifting element with the outer upper end portion of the smoking article also allows a small size and simple geometry of the lifting element. Such lifting element is cheap in its own manufacture.

The terms "front", "rear", "top", "bottom", "side", "top", "bottom" and other terms used to describe the relative positions of container components according to the invention they refer to the container in an upright position with the lid on the upper end. Where the container comprises a hinged lid, the lid can be folded at the rear of the container. The terms "left" and "right" are used to refer to the side walls of the container when the container is viewed from the front in its vertical position. When the container is opened in the vertical position, the smoking articles contained in the box can be removed from the upper end of the container.

The lower end portion of the smoking article is the end portion that is closest to the bottom of the container. Consequently, the upper end portion is the opposite end of the smoking article. Where the smoking article comprises a filter, the upper end portion of the smoking article is typically the filter end of the smoking article.

The term "longitudinal" refers to a direction from the bottom to the top or vice versa. The term "transverse" refers to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction through the front wall, the rear wall or one of the side walls. The referred lifting direction is generally in the longitudinal direction away from the bottom wall of the container.

The term "hinge line" refers to a line on which the lid can be rotated to open the container. A hinge line can be, for example, a fold line or grooved line on the back wall of the container. Alternatively, a hinge line can be a fold line or a grooved line in a piece of material that links the bottom edge of the back wall of the lid and the top edge of the back wall of the box. Such a piece of material can be, for example, a label that permanently or removably attaches to the back wall of the lid and the back wall of the box. Preferably, the hinge line is placed along the rear wall of the container at a level below the upper edge of the rear wall.

Preferably, the smoking article is raised from the bottom of the container by between about 5 percent and about 50 percent of the length of the smoking article, preferably between about 10 percent and about 30 percent of the length of the article for smoke.

Preferably, the lifting element is part of an existing packing component, such as the inner lining, the inner shell, an inner or outer element or a blank for any of the existing packing components mentioned above.

The at least one smoking article in the container comprises a support in the form of a complete ring or a section of a complete ring on its outer side that is adapted to be coupled by the lifting element. The support is a section along the smoking article, where the diameter of the smoking article changes in a direction from the rod end of the smoking article towards the end of the mouth side of the smoking article. The support may comprise an annular element in the form of a protuberance as well as an annular element in the form of a grip or slight reduction in the diameter of the smoking article. Alternatively or additionally, the support may be formed by an additional part fixed to the smoking article that provides a

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portion that can be coupled by the coupling portion of the lifting element. The support is preferably formed completely angularly, so that the lifting element can be coupled to the smoking article in any circumferential position. However, depending on the coupling of the smoking articles in the container the support can also extend only partially around the circumference of the smoking article. The support allows a coupling of the lifting element to provide a positive block or friction block, so that the lifting element can reliably transfer force in a lifting direction to the support of the smoking article to lift the smoking article.

In one embodiment of the invention, the support of the smoking article is formed by a lower end of a circumferentially wrapped nozzle paper of the smoking article. The nozzle paper is commonly used for all filter cigarettes or filter tobacco and is substantially wrapped around the filter portion of the smoking article. However, also smoking articles that do not comprise a filter may comprise a paper ring to change the visual and tactile appearance of one end of the smoking article. The coupling of the lifting element with the edge of a nozzle paper provides the benefit that a feature already commonly available in cigarettes with filters can be used to provide lifting functionality. In accordance with the invention, a filter cigarette does not require modification to engage the lifting element in accordance with the invention. Therefore, the manufacturing process of the smoking article does not have to be modified, and therefore the lifting functionality is not expensive to implement.

Preferably the dimension of the lifting element is such that it extends from the opening of the cup-shaped box to below the lower edge of the nozzle paper. This feature provides the benefit that only one lifting movement of the lifting element towards the top is necessary to securely couple the lifting element with the edge of the nozzle paper to lift the smoking article.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the lifting element is only in friction engagement with the outer upper end portion of the smoking article. Therefore, the coupling takes place by friction forces. Without the protuberances, the supports or the like are necessary to allow the lifting of the smoking article from the bottom of the cup-shaped box by the lifting element. The invention can also be applied to smoking articles that do not comprise a nozzle paper or the like, but preferably only to a general cylindrical or oval exterior without any of the edges for positive blocking. Additional bumps, edges or supports in the upper outer end portion of the smoking article can withstand frictional engagement. Additionally, the lifting element or the smoking article or both may have a surface area where the coefficient of friction increases compared to the rest of the surface of the smoking article or lifting element. This may be, for example, a rough or sticky surface. Preferably, such lifting element interacts only through friction with the outer upper end portion of the smoking article by simultaneously interacting with at least two locations in the outer upper end portion of the smoking article, more preferably with two locations. which are opposite each other in the circumference of the outer upper end portion of the smoking article.

Preferably, the lifting element comprises a protuberance as the coupling portion. The bulge can be adapted to form a portion that engages a smoking article support in a positive block. Alternatively, the protuberance can provide a normal force for frictional engagement between the lifting element and the smoking article. The normal force of the bulge with respect to the smoking article can be used to ensure a coupling in the positive block between the bulge and a support of the smoking article.

The normal force can be generated by the elastic properties of either the protuberance itself, or of the container that elastically forces the lifting element towards the smoking articles.

In one embodiment, the protuberance is formed by a fin of the lifting element that bends along a bend in the lifting element. Therefore, only a portion of a flat blank otherwise bends to form the lifting element thus forming a protuberance. The elasticity of the fold can be used to generate the normal force of the fin towards the smoking article.

The flap can extend in a direction towards the smoking article, particularly in an upward direction towards the smoking article. Preferably, the fin depends on the lifting element around a hinge line of the transverse fin. Preferably, the fin further comprises at least one transverse coupling edge that engages with the smoking article. Preferably, the fin has a rectangular or trapezoidal shape.

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In one embodiment, the hinge line of the transverse fin is located at the lower end of the fin so that the free portion of the fin points upwards. In this embodiment, the fin preferably bends in a direction towards the smoking articles. Advantageously, the elastic force of the fold of the flap hinge line will keep the fin pressed towards the smoking articles in the assembled package.

In an alternative embodiment, the hinge line of the transverse fin is located at the lower end of the fin so that the free portion of the fin points down. In the latter case, the fin preferably bends beforehand at an angle greater than 90 degrees so that the elastic force pushes the fin away from the lifting element and puts the fin in comfortable contact with the smoking articles. In addition, this feature allows the benefit that when a force in the downward direction is applied to the flap during the lifting of the smoking article, the flap is forced in the direction of the smoking article, thereby ensuring the coupling . This has the additional effect, that the lifting element can be pushed back to its initial position while the smoking article remains in the raised position.

In one embodiment, the container comprises an internal lining that surrounds the smoking articles, wherein the internal lining comprises an adaptable separation sheet that is removed, so that the smoking articles can be accessed. In this embodiment, the lifting element is attached to the inner side of the separation sheet, so that it can be coupled with the smoking articles. Preferably, the lifting element is in contact with the smoking articles below the outer upper end portion of at least some of the smoking articles and is coupled and lifted thereon, when the separation sheet is removed. The upper front section of the inner liner is typically perforated to define the separation sheet that can be removed to gain access to smoking articles within the inner liner. This mode provides the benefit that the lifting element can be provided in the inner liner before the inner lining is cut. Particularly the lifting element is a hitch tape that is already folded to provide a coupling portion before the coating is cut.

In another embodiment, the container comprises an internal lining that surrounds the smoking articles. The lifting element contacts the smoking articles after removing the inner lining. The upper front section of the inner liner is typically perforated to define the separation sheet that can be removed to gain access to smoking articles within the inner liner. Preferably, the separation sheet is defined so that the outer upper end portion of the smoking article can come into contact with the lifting element, when the separation sheet is removed. Alternatively, the lifting element may be disposed within the internal lining, for example between a row of smoking articles and the interior of the internal lining, between two rows of smoking articles.

In one embodiment the lifting element is attached to the separation sheet. In this way, the removal of the separation sheet automatically elevates the lifting element, so that at least one smoking article is raised and provided for easy access for a consumer. The lifting element can be completely removed from the container together with the separation sheet, when the smoking article is in the raised position.

The separation sheet can be separated from the lifting element, when a predefined maximum tensile force in the separation sheet is exceeded. Therefore, the separation sheet can be removed separately from the container after lifting the lifting element together with the smoking article by pulling the separation sheet. This allows the lifting element to remain in the package and can eventually be reused for a subsequent lifting operation of a smoking article, while the separation sheet is removed separately to provide access to the smoking articles .

In one embodiment the lifting element comprises a second flap that is adapted to engage the cup-shaped box, when the lifting element is raised to a predefined lifting height, in order to provide a stop for the lifting element. This allows the lifting element to stop after having carried out the lifting operation of the smoking article to a defined position. Preferably, the lifting element remains in the defined position without restricting consumer access to smoking articles. For example, the lower edge of the inner frame can function as the stop that engages with the second fin of the lifting element.

In a further embodiment the lifting element may comprise several fins that are provided at different heights of the lifting element. Therefore, several smoking articles can be raised to different heights, so that the individual smoking article is easily accessible by the consumer and the coupling of the elevated smoking articles is aesthetically appealing.

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Preferably, the lifting element extends at least partially parallel to a cup-shaped box box wall and is guided by at least one wall of the adjacent box. This allows the lifting element to be in the desired position during the lifting process and therefore adequately engages the smoking article outside the upper end portion of the smoking article so that it can be raised so Reliable outside the cup-shaped box. The lifting element may be in physical contact with the cup-shaped box. For example, the lifting element is substantially the same width as the inside of the cup-shaped box. Therefore, the lifting element can be closely correlated with the side walls of the box, and therefore can be guided in them reliably.

Preferably, the container further comprises an internal frame that is mounted inside the box, wherein the internal frame extends above the upper edges of at least the front wall of the container box. The internal frame is therefore visible to the consumer when the lid is opened. The front wall of the internal frame can be printed with coded marks that may be the same as, or different from the coded marks printed on the front wall of the box. Alternatively or additionally, the front wall of the internal frame can be cut in a distinctive way, for example, to reflect the marks of consumer goods. If required, the internal frame may further comprise a line of weakness to facilitate flattening of the container.

Preferably, the front wall of the inner frame is provided with a cutting portion at the upper edge thereof. This allows more comfortable access to smoking articles inside the container, without significantly reducing the surface area of the front wall of the internal frame.

In accordance with the invention, the containers may be in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped with longitudinal and transverse edges at right angles. Alternatively, the container may comprise one or more rounded longitudinal edges, one or more rounded transverse edges, one or more bevelled longitudinal edges, one or more beveled transverse edges or combinations thereof. For example, in accordance with the invention, the container may include, but is not limited to, the following:

-

one or two rounded edges or longitudinal bevels on the front wall, and / or

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one or two rounded edges or longitudinal bevels on the back wall,

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one or two rounded edges or transverse bevels on the front wall, and / or

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one or two rounded edges or transverse bevels on the back wall,

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a longitudinal rounded edge and a longitudinal beveled edge on the front wall, and / or

-

one rounded transverse edge and a transverse beveled edge on the rear wall,

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one or two rounded edges or transverse bevels on the front wall, and one or two rounded edges or

longitudinal bevels on the front wall,

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two rounded edges or longitudinal bevels on a first side wall, or two rounded edges or

transverse bevels on the second side wall.

Where the container comprises one or more rounded edges and is made from a sheet piece, preferably the blank comprises three, four, five, six or seven grooved lines or fold lines to form the rounded edge of the assembled container. Grooved lines or folding lines can be inside the container or outside. Preferably, the grooved lines or folding lines have a separation between them of approximately 0.3 mm and 4 mm.

Preferably, the separation of the folding lines or grooved lines is a function of the thickness of the sheet. Preferably, the separation between the folding lines or grooved lines is between approximately 0.5 and 4 times larger than the thickness of the sheet.

Where the container comprises one or more beveled edges, preferably the one or more beveled edges have a width between about 1 mm and about 10 mm, preferably between about 2 and about 6 mm. Alternatively, the container may comprise a double bevel formed by three folding lines or parallel grooved lines having a separation such that two different bevels are formed at the edge of the container.

Alternatively to a container with a rectangular cross section, the container can have for example a polygonal cross section such as triangular, quadrangular or hexagonal, or a cross section that is oval, semi-oval, circular or semicircular.

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Where the container comprises a beveled edge and is made from a sheet piece, the bevel can be formed by two folding lines or parallel grooved lines in the sheet piece. The fold lines or grooved lines can be arranged symmetrically to the edge between a first wall and a second wall. Alternatively, the fold lines or grooved lines can be arranged asymmetrically at the edge between the first wall and the second wall, so that the bevel extends more towards the first wall of the container than on the second wall of the container.

The container can be formed from any of the suitable materials, including, but not limited to, cardboard, cardboard, plastic, metal, or combinations thereof. Preferably, the cardboard has a weight of between approximately 100 grams per square meter and approximately 350 grams per square meter.

Containers according to the invention can be used advantageously to pack smoking articles that include, but are not limited to, known cigarettes, cigars or end-to-end tobacco, heated smoking articles comprising a fuel element or heat source and a generating substrate aerosol (eg cigarettes of the type described in US-A-4,714,082) and smoking articles for use with electrical systems for smoking (for example cigarettes of the type described in US-A-5,692,525).

Through an appropriate choice of the dimensions thereof, the containers, in accordance with the invention can be designed to contain different total quantities of smoking articles or different arrangements of smoking articles. For example, by means of an appropriate choice of the dimensions thereof, in accordance with the invention, the containers can be designed to contain a total of between ten and thirty smoking articles.

The containers according to the invention may contain one, two, three, four or five separate sets of smoking articles. The separate assemblies may be arranged substantially parallel to the front wall and the rear wall or substantially perpendicular to the front wall and the rear wall.

Within a set, the smoking articles can be arranged in different collections, depending on the total number of smoking articles, the dimensions of the smoking articles or the cross-sectional shape of the container. For example, smoking articles may be arranged in a set in a single row of five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten. Alternatively, smoking articles may be arranged in two or more rows. The two or more rows may contain the same number of smoking articles. For example, smoking articles may be arranged in: two rows of five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten; three rows of five, six, seven, eight, snow or ten; or four rows of four, five, six or seven. Alternatively, the two or more rows may include at least two rows that contain different amounts of smoking articles. For example, smoking articles can be arranged in: a row of five and a row of six (5-6); a row of six and a row of seven (6-7); a row of seven and a row of eight (7-8); an average row of five and two outer rows of six (6-5-6); an average row of five and two outer rows of seven (7-5-7); a middle row of six and two outer rows of five (5-6-5); a middle row of six and two outer rows of seven (7-6-7); a middle row of seven and two outer rows of six (6-7-6); an average row of nine and two outer rows of eight (8-9-8); or a middle row of six with an outer row of five and an outer row of seven (5-6-7).

Containers in accordance with the present invention may contain smoking articles of the same type or brand, or of different types or brands. In addition, they can contain both non-filter smoking articles and smoking articles with various filter tips, as well as smoking articles of different length (for example, between about 40 mm and about 180 mm), of different diameter (for example, between about 4 mm and about 9 mm). In addition, smoking articles may differ in taste resistance, aspiration resistance and total particulate material supply. Where the container comprises more than one set, each set within the same container may contain the same or different types of smoking articles as mentioned above.

Preferably, the dimensions of the container are adapted to the length of the smoking articles and to the collection of the smoking articles. Typically, the external dimensions of the container are between about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm larger than the dimensions of the set of smoking articles stored within the container.

Preferably, the containers according to the invention have a height between about 60 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably a height between about 70 mm and about 125 mm, wherein the height is measured from the upper wall to the lower wall of the container

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Preferably, the containers according to the invention have a width between about 12 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably a width between about 70 mm and about 125 mm, wherein the width is measured from a first side wall to a second side wall of the container.

Preferably, the containers according to the invention have a depth of between about 6 mm and about 100 mm, more preferably, a depth of between about 12 mm and about 25 mm, where the depth is measured from the front wall to the wall rear of the container (comprising the hinge between the box and the lid).

Preferably, the ratio of the height of the container to the depth of the container is 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 approximately 3 to 1 and 5 to 1.

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

Preferably, the ratio of the height of the back wall of the lid to the height of the back wall of the box is between about 0 to 1 (the hinge located at the top edge of the container) to about 1 to 1, more preferably between about 1 to 5 and between about 1 to 10, most preferably between about 1 to 6 to about 1 to 8.

Preferably, the ratio of the height of the front wall of the cover with respect to the height of the front wall of the box is between about 1 to 0 (the cover covering the entire front wall) to about 1 to 10, more preferably between about 1 to 1 and about 1 to 5, most preferably between about 1 to 2 and about 1 to 3.

The outer surfaces, the inner surfaces or both the outer and the inner surfaces of the containers according to the invention can be printed, embossed, embossed or otherwise adorned with the manufacturer's or brand's logos, trademarks , slogans and other information and consumer coded brands. Alternatively or additionally, the outer surfaces, the inner surfaces or both the outer and inner surfaces of the containers, in accordance with the invention, can be coated, at least partially, with lacquer, metallization, holograms, luminescent material, or any other materials that alter the sensation, smell or appearance of the container.

Where the internal housing of a container, in accordance with the present invention, contains one or more sets of smoking articles, the smoking articles are preferably wrapped in an inner lining of, for example, metal foil or foil.

Where the container comprises smoking articles, the container may further comprise waste compartments (for example for ash or cigarette butts) or other consumer goods, for example matches, lighters, extinguishing media, breath fresheners or electronic devices. Other consumer goods may be attached to the outside of the container, contained within the container together with the smoking articles, in a separate compartment of the container or combinations thereof.

Once filled, the containers according to the invention can be wrapped with a shrinking film or otherwise wrapped with a transparent polymeric film of, for example, high or low density polyethylene, polypropylene, oriented polypropylene, polyvinylidene chloride, cellulose film, or combinations thereof in a conventional manner. Where the containers according to the invention are wrapped, the wrap may include a tear tape. The tear tape is preferably placed around the container under the lower edge of the front wall of the lid, so that once the tear tape has been removed, the lid is free to rotate on the first hinge line. Alternatively or additionally, there may be a second tear tape positioned around the container above the gate, so that once the tear tape has been removed, the gate is free to rotate around the second hinge line. Alternatively, the tear tape can be provided longitudinally around the container.

The containers in accordance with the present application comprise the so-called soft packages, wherein the cup-shaped box is made of a material that has a lower bending strength or thickness compared to containers made of cardboard or the like. However, the lifting element is set to

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Reliable contact with the smoking articles during the lifting operation where the soft pack is comfortably filled with the smoking articles.

The lifting element can be formed of any material that is capable of providing sufficient strength to allow coupling with smoking articles. Particularly, when the lifting element comprises a fin, the material in the region of the fin has to provide sufficient strength to comfortably fit the article for smoking during the lifting operation. The lifting element can be formed of paper, cardboard as well as polymer material.

The accompanying drawings are incorporated to be part of the description for the purpose of explaining the principles of the invention. The drawings should not be construed as limiting the invention for only the illustrated and described examples of how the invention can be made and used. Additional features and advantages will be apparent from the following description of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a container in accordance with a first embodiment with the lid closed.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the container in accordance with the first embodiment with an article for

high smoking

Fig. 3 is an enlargement of the lifting element that engages the edge of the nozzle paper as in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the container in accordance with a second embodiment with an article for

high smoking

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a container in accordance with a third embodiment with an article for

high smoking

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a container in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 7 shows a sectional view of a container in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a lifting element in accordance with the first or second

embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of a lifting element according to the invention.

Fig. 10 is a plan view of a lifting element according to the invention.

Fig. 11 is a plan view of a lifting element according to the invention.

Fig. 12 is a plan view of a lifting element in accordance with the third embodiment of the

invention.

Fig. 13 is a plan view of a lifting element in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the

invention.

Fig. 14 is a plan view of a lifting element according to the invention.

Fig. 15 is a plan view of a lifting element arranged in an internal lining of

compliance with the fifth embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 16 is a plan view of a lifting element according to the invention that interacts with

the upper outer end of a smoking article.

In Fig. 1, a sectional view of a container 1 in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention is shown. The container 1 comprises a cup-shaped box 2 and a lid 3 that are connected along a hinge line 4. The lid 3 can be rotated along the hinge line 4 in an open state (Fig. 2 ). The cup-shaped box 2 comprises a front wall of the box 5, a right side wall of the box, a left side wall of the box, a bottom wall of the box 8, and a rear wall of the box 9 which is adjacent to the hinge line 4. The cover 3 comprises a front wall of the cover 10, a right side wall of the cover, a left side wall of the cover, an upper wall of the cover 13, and a rear wall of the cover. lid 14 which is adjacent to hinge line 4. Preferably, the box 2 and the lid 3 are formed of a blank which is folded and glued so as to form the described geometry.

The container 1 comprises an internal frame 15 that is fixed inside the front wall of the box 5, right side wall of the box, and left side wall of the box, so as to protrude parallel to the walls of the box mentioned above . The internal frame 15 is coupled with the lid 3 when it is closed, so that the lid 3 remains reliably closed and the contents of the container 1 are protected. The internal frame 15 comprises a cut 16 allowing access to the contents of the box 2.

The box 2 comprises a wrapped set of smoking articles 17 that are located in an inner liner 18. Usually the inner liner 18 is made of metallized paper. The inner lining 18 sticks on its own, around the smoking articles 17. The upper front section of the inner lining 18 forms a separation sheet 19 that can be removed to gain access to the smoking articles 17 within the lining

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internal 18. Therefore, the internal lining 18 is perforated so that the separation sheet 19 can be removed when pulled.

Between the inner frame 15, the front wall of the box 5 and the inner liner 18 respectively, a lifting element 20 is arranged in the form of an insert. The lifting element 20 can be accessed from the front side in section 16 of the internal frame 15.

Fig. 2 shows a condition of the container according to the first embodiment of the invention, wherein the separation sheet 19 has been removed and the lifting element 20 has been raised, so that the smoking articles 17 are raised.

Box 2 usually fits comfortably around the set of smoking articles 17. Therefore, it is difficult to take out a smoking article 17 by gripping it directly. Particularly a filter or similar element at the upper end of the smoking article 17 has to be adapted for a convenient removal operation. This is particularly the case for smoking articles emboquillados with sunken filter. However, in accordance with the present invention, the smoking articles 17 are not removed directly from the box 2 but are first lifted by the lifting element 20.

The lifting element 20 is coupled to at least one smoking article 17 and elevates the smoking articles 17 together with the movement of the lifting element 20 as shown in Fig. 2. Therefore the lifting element 20 comprises a hook that engages with the upper end portion of the smoking articles 17. When the lifting element 20 is raised to a certain height it can be removed. Some smoking articles 17 rise and can be easily removed conveniently and without touching the end of the filter portion.

Three rows of smoking articles 17 are provided between the front wall of the box 5 and the rear wall of the box 9. The lid 3 is in a closed state, so that the front wall of the lid 10 is adjacent to the wall front of the box 5. The inner frame 15 is fixed to the rear side of the front wall of the box 5, particularly when attached to it.

The smoking articles 17 are wrapped in the inner liner 18 comprising a perforation 21 to allow the separation sheet 19 to be removed from the inner liner 18. Between the inner frame 15, the front wall of the box 5, and the first row of smoking articles 17, respectively, the lifting element 20 is provided comprising a flap 22 extending in an upward direction towards the smoking articles 17.

The smoking articles 17 comprise a nozzle paper 23 on an upper upper end portion of the smoking article 17. The nozzle paper 23 forms a small edge 24 or flange on a front portion of the smoking article 17 which is in particular a paper for cigarette 25.

The perforation 21 defining the height of the separation sheet 19 is preferably defined in a position such that it is at least below the sum of the length of the nozzle paper 101, a safety margin 102 and the length of the fin of the lifting element 103 measured from the top of the smoking article 17. Preferably the length of the fin of the lifting element 103 is 4 mm and the safety margin 102 is 4 mm. The length of the nozzle paper 101 is, for example, 32 mm.

When the separating sheet 19 is removed, the fin 22 of the lifting element 20 is in contact with the smoking article 17 below the edge 24 of the nozzle paper 23. The close contact of the fin 22 is enabled, when the fin 22 it is folded along a fold 26, and the elasticity inherent in the material of the lifting element creates a force on the fin 22 in the direction of the smoking article 17. Now some pressure is applied on the upper part 27 of the element lifting 20 and the lifting element 20 moves by frictional forces to the top.

After the lifting movement of a certain height distance, the lifting element 20 is coupled with its fin 22 to the edge 24 of the nozzle paper 23.

Fig. 3 represents an enlarged representation of the coupling between the fin 22 of the lifting element 20 and the edge 24 of the nozzle paper 23. In this embodiment, the coupling is possible due to the thickness of the nozzle paper 23 forming the edge 24 which is sufficient for the coupling between the fin of the lifting element 22 and the smoking articles 17. This coupling is supported by the elastic force of the bend 26, and the pressure applied by the consumer to the upper part 27 of the lifting element 20. When the force is applied to the upper part 27 of the lifting element 20, it can come into contact with the upper part of the smoking article 17.

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Subsequently, as shown in Fig. 2, the lifting element 20 is further raised, raising a smoking article 17 so that it projects it out of the opening of the box 2. The smoking article 17 can now be easily removed. If the lifting element 20 moves further to the top, the lifting element 20 can be removed from the container 1.

A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in Fig. 4, which differs mainly from the first mode in which the fixing means 28 which fix the lifting element 20 which is an insert are provided, to the separation sheet 19. In addition, to still allow the coupling between the fin 22 and the edge 24 of the nozzle paper 23, the perforation 21 of the separation sheet 19 is now arranged to be just above the fin 22.

Therefore, when the consumer lifts the separation sheet 19, the perforation 21 is broken and the lifting element 20 is raised together with the separation sheet 19. The lifting element 20 is coupled with its flap 22 to the edge 24 of the paper nozzle 23 and elevates at least one smoking article 17 in a position as shown in Fig. 4, so that it can be easily accessed.

The separation sheet 19 can be lifted by the consumer until the lifting element 20 is removed from the box 2, so that the lifting element 20 and the separation sheet 19 can be arranged together.

A third embodiment of a container 1 according to the present invention is shown in Fig. 5. The lifting element 20, which is an insert, additionally comprises at least a second fin 29 which bends along a second fold 30 disposed in a lower position with respect to the fold 26. The second fin 29 extends towards the front wall from the box 5.

When the lifting element 20 is fully raised as in Fig. 5, the second flap 29 engages with the container 1 and provides a stop to prevent the lifting element 20 from being completely removed from the container 1. This allows the lifting element 20 can be reused, that is to say that after removal of the first smoking article 17 the lifting element 20 can be lowered again together with the remaining elevated smoking articles 17. In an additional removal operation another article for Smoking 17 can be raised with the lifting element 20. Preferably the second fin 29 is coupled to the lower edge of the inner frame 15 in the raised position, and the lifting element 20 is flush with the upper end of the inner frame 15.

In accordance with the invention, the characteristics of the second embodiment of Fig. 4 can be combined with the third embodiment of Fig. 5. Therefore, the lifting element 20 comprising at least the fin 22, and the second fin 29 it is fixed by the fixing means 28 to the separation sheet 19. For this combination it is preferred that the fixing means 28 be chosen in such a way that the separation sheet 19 is separated from the lifting element 20 when a force of predefined maximum traction on the separation sheet 19. This is the case, when the second fin 29 is coupled to the lower edge of the internal frame 15.

Therefore, with only one operation, that is by pulling the separation sheet 19, the container 1 is placed in a configuration as shown in Fig. 5, where the separation sheet 19 has already been separated from the lifting element twenty.

Fig. 6 shows a fourth embodiment of the invention, wherein the lifting element 20 which is an insert, is arranged between two rows of smoking articles 17 and within the set of smoking articles 17 contained in the inner lining 18. When the lid 3 of the container 1 is opened, the separation sheet 19 can be removed and a handle portion 31 of the lifting element 20 can be accessed by the consumer. The consumer then lifts the handle portion 31 and therefore allows the flap 22 of the lifting element 20 to be coupled with the smoking article 17, particularly at the edge 24 of the nozzle paper 23. The smoking articles 17 then rise until the lifting element 20 is removed from inside the box 2. Therefore, the smoking articles 17 of the second row of the box 2 can be accessed by the consumer.

With respect to the embodiment of Fig. 6, it is also possible for the handle portion 31 to be fixed by a fixing means, such as glue, to the separation sheet 19 of the inner liner 18. When pulling the separation sheet 19 and removing it, the lifting element 20 is raised and coupled to the smoking article 17 by the aforementioned function. Therefore, with a single operation, the separation sheet 19 can be removed and the smoking articles 17 of the second row can be raised so that they are conveniently accessible by the consumer.

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Fig. 7 shows a fifth embodiment of the present application wherein the lifting element 20 is a hitch tape 33 attached to the inner side of the inner liner 18, particularly in the area of the separation sheet 19. The hitch tape 33 is attached to the material that forms the inner liner 18, which includes the separation sheet 19. The inner liner 18 is cut in the desired way to wrap the smoking articles and provide the separation sheet 19. The hitch tape 33 comprises a fin 22 which is preferably already bent before the inner lining material 18 is cut. When the lid 3 of the container 1 is opened, the separation sheet 19 can be removed. During removal of the separation sheet 19, the lifting element 20 in the form of a hitch tape 33 will be attached to the edge 24 of the nozzle paper 23 of the smoking article 17. The hitch tape raises the smoking article 17 until the Separation sheet 19 together with the hitch tape 33 is completely removed. Therefore, at least one smoking article can be easily accessed

17.

In Figs. 8 to 14 several embodiments of the lifting elements in the form of inserts according to the invention are shown.

Fig. 8 represents how the lifting element 20 can be applied in the first and second embodiments of Figs. 1 to 4. The lifting element 20 comprises a fin 22 that extends at least partially along a lower edge of the lifting element 20. The lifting element 20 is a two-dimensional blank and comprises a fold 26 which can partially perforated to facilitate bending along it. Before the lifting element 20 is inserted into the container 1, the fin 22 is folded in an upward direction along the fold 26. Therefore, the lifting element 20 according to Fig. 8 can be adapted to raise the three central smoking articles 17 of a first row of smoking articles 17, while the two lateral smoking articles on the left 17 and the two lateral smoking articles on the right 17 do not rise.

To asymmetrically elevate the smoking articles 17, a blank according to Fig. 9 is used to form the lifting element 20. The lifting element 20 comprises a flap 22 on the lower side, with a fold 26, and a cut 32. The fin 22 is capable of bending in the upper direction to be able to couple, for example, three smoking articles 17 on a left side of the first row of smoking articles 17 in the container 1.

Fig. 10 depicts a blank for a lifting element 20 with a fin of the lifting element 22 along the entire width of the lifting element 20. Therefore, the lifting element 20 is adapted to couple all items for smoking 17 that are in a front row of container 1.

Fig. 11 represents a blank for a lifting element 20 that provides the fins 22 at different heights. Therefore, if this lifting element 20 is used to engage and lift the smoking articles 17, the central smoking articles 17 will rise higher than the smoking articles 17 that are adjacent to the central smoking articles 17 in the first row of smoking articles 17 in a container 1. The fins 22 all bend in one direction so that they extend in a direction towards the smoking articles 17.

Fig. 12 depicts a blank for a lifting element 20 which is applied in the third embodiment of Fig. 5. The lifting element 20 comprises a fin 22 that bends along a bend 26 in the direction towards the smoking articles 17 to be able to engage them. In addition, the lifting element 20 comprises the second fins 29 that are provided in a lower position and are folded along a second fold 30 towards the container 1 to be able to engage it after the lifting element 20 has been raised to a certain height.

Fig. 13 represents a blank for a lifting element 20 that can be used in the fourth embodiment in accordance with Fig. 6. The lifting element 20 comprises a fin 22 defined by a bend 26 and the cuts 32. The fin 22 can be folded towards the smoking articles 17 to engage them in an outer upper end portion. In addition, the lifting element 20 comprises a handle portion 31 that is provided at an upper end of the lifting element 20 and can be fixed either to the separation sheet 19 or used to allow easily grasping the lifting element 20 to raise the same.

Fig. 14 represents a blank for a lifting element 20 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The blank comprises a fold 26 and a cut 32 within the blank which extends from the fold 26. Therefore, when the blank is folded along the fold 26 the fin 22 will be curved out of the upper portion of the blank and therefore projects in the direction of the smoking articles 17 to couple the smoking articles 17. The blank is folded along the fold 26 so that the lower portion of the blank comes into contact with the upper portion of the blank to form the lifting element 20. Alternatively, the fold 26 does not extend across the entire width of the lifting element 20 but only

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through the flap 22. In one embodiment, the fold 26 is located below the flap 22 when inserted into the container 1. The flap 22 is then pre-folded slightly towards the smoking articles so that the mating edge of the fin 22 leaves the plane of the main body of the lifting element. In an alternative embodiment, the fold 26 is located above the fin 22 when inserted into the container 1. In this mode, the fin is previously bent by more than 90 degrees to make the engagement edge of the fin 22 point up when in the container.

Fig. 15 represents an internal coating 18 for application in the fifth embodiment of the invention. The inner liner comprises the perforation 21 to then allow the separation sheet 19 to be easily removed. In addition, the lifting element 20 in the form of the hitching tape 33 is applied to the inner lining 18 during the manufacturing process thereof so that it extends through the region of the separation sheet 19. Particularly, the lifting element 20 in the form of the hitch tape 33 bends and joins the inner side of the inner liner 18. Therefore, when the inner liner 18 is wrapped around a set of smoking articles 17 and is provided within a Container 1 provides a configuration as shown in Fig. 7. When the hitch tape 33 is applied in the manufacturing process of the inner liner 18, only minor modifications have to be implemented in a known manufacturing process. Therefore the production cost of the container can remain low.

The lifting element 20 is preferably formed out of a material comprising sufficient strength to allow the fin 22 to be in suitable engagement with the smoking articles 17. Therefore, for example, paper, cardboard and polymer material can be used.

In addition, the characteristics of the described lifting elements 20 can be combined, for example, a handle portion 31 can be provided in the above-mentioned lifting elements 20.

The second fin 29 can be provided in any position along the width of the lifting element 20. Furthermore, it is possible that the lifting element 20 has a greater height, so that the upper part 27 is easily accessible by the consumer. The height of the lifting element 20 is limited only by the upper edge of the box 2 of the container 1.

The fins are preferably 3 to 4 mm high. The folding of the fins is preferably transverse.

Fig. 16 represents a further embodiment of a lifting element 20 according to the invention that can simultaneously interact with the upper outer end of a smoking article 17 in two locations. The lifting element 20 has two protuberances 22 that help increase friction between the upper outer end of a smoking article 17 and the lifting element 20. For example, the lifting element 20 is a piece of the lid of a container folding lid, for example a protection flap. In use, the lifting element 20 as shown in Fig. 16 can be easily separated from the blank, for example by tearing along a weakening line such as a perforation line. Then the cut in the lifting element 20 is placed on the upper outer end of a smoking article 17 on both sides so that the cut acts as a clamp. The two protuberances 22 create sufficient friction between the lifting element 20 and the smoking article 17 to lift the smoking article 17 up when the lifting element is pulled up. Alternatively to being a part of the blank of the container, an insert can be provided as a lifting element 20 that provides a cut with which a smoking article 17 can be raised by coupling the smoking article 17 on both sides of the end upper outside of the smoking article 17.

Claims (14)

Claims

one.

A container (1) comprising the smoking articles, further comprising a cup-shaped box (2) for the smoking articles (17); comprising a bottom wall, side walls and an opening, further comprising a lifting element correlated with at least one smoking article (17) for raising the smoking article (17) of the lower wall of the container, characterized in that the element Lift (20) has a coupling portion (22), which can be coupled with the outer upper end portion of the smoking article (17), wherein the smoking article (17) comprises a ring-like support (24 ) on its circumferential outer side that adapts to engage by the lifting element (20).

2.

A container according to claim 1, wherein the support of the smoking article (17) is formed by an edge (24) of a circumferentially wrapped nozzle paper (23) of the smoking article (17) which is in particular a cigarette with filter

3.

A container according to claim 2, wherein the lifting element (20) extends from the opening of the cup-shaped box (2) to below the edge (24) of the nozzle paper (23).

Four.

A container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lifting element

(20) is in friction coupling with the smoking article (17).

5.

A container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lifting element

(20) comprises a protuberance (22) as the coupling portion.

6.

A container according to claim 5, wherein the protuberance is formed by a fin (22) of the lifting element (20) that bends along a fold (26) in the lifting element (20).

7.

A container according to claim 6, wherein the fin (22) extends in a direction towards the smoking article (17), particularly in an upward direction towards the smoking article (17).

8.

A container according to one of the preceding claims, comprising an internal lining (18) surrounding the smoking articles (17), wherein the internal lining (18) comprises a separating sheet (19) that is adapted to be take out, wherein the lifting element (20) joins the inner side of the separation sheet (19), so that the lifting element (20) can contact the smoking articles (17).

9.

A container according to one of claims 1 to 7 comprising an inner liner

(18) surrounding the smoking articles (17), wherein the inner lining (18) comprises a separating sheet (19) that is adapted to be removed, so that the smoking articles (17) can be accessed and The lifting element (20) can contact the smoking articles (17).

10.

A container according to claim 9, wherein the lifting element (20) is attached to the outer side of the separation sheet (19).

eleven.

A container according to claims 9 or 10, wherein the separation sheet (19) is separated from the lifting element (20), when a predefined maximum tensile force in the separation sheet (19) is exceeded.

12.

A container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lifting element

(20) comprises a second fin (29) that is adapted to fit the cup-shaped box (2), when the lifting element (20) is raised to a predefined lifting height, in order to provide a stop to the element lifting (20).

13.

A container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lifting element

(20) comprises several fins (22) that are provided at different heights of the lifting element (20). 14 14. A container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lifting element (20) extends at least partially parallel to a wall of the box (5) of the cup-shaped box (2) and the lifting element (20) is guided by at least one wall of the box adjacent to the one wall of the box (5), and particularly the lifting element (20) has substantially the same width as the inside of the cup-shaped box (2). fifteen