ES2742521T3 - Container for consumer goods with easy lid closing action - Google Patents

Abstract

A container for consumables, the container comprises: a box portion; a lid portion, wherein the lid portion can be moved relative to the box portion between an open position and a closed position; and an internal frame (100) received within the box portion, wherein the internal frame (100) comprises: a front wall of the internal frame (102); a first and second side wall (104, 106) of the inner shell, each dependent along a fold line (108, 110) of the inner shell of the front wall of the inner shell (102); a first cut line (112) and a second cut line (114) on the first and second side walls (104, 106) of the internal frame, where each of the first and second cut lines (112, 114) intersects a respective bend line (108, 110) of the inner frame at upper and lower intersection points (116, 118); wherein the first and second cut lines (112, 114) define a first and second locking tab (120, 122); each of the first and second locking tabs (120, 122) extend outwardly from the inner shell toward a respective side wall of the container and past an edge formed by the front wall (102) of the inner shell with a respective wall lateral (104, 106) of the inner frame and interacts with the lid portion of the container when the lid portion is moved between the open position and the closed position; characterized in that each of the first and second cut line (112, 124) comprises a corrugated portion (124, 126) comprising at least two peaks (128) and a depression (130), where a distance between the peaks ( 128) Adjacent to the corrugated portion (124, 126) is at least about 0.8mm.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Container for consumer goods with easy lid closing action

The present invention relates to a container for consumer goods and a starting piece for forming such a container, which has a particular application for carrying consumer goods, such as smoking articles (eg cigarettes).

Typically, smoking articles are packed in containers with rigid hinge caps formed from folded laminar starting pieces. By way of example, elongated smoking articles, such as cigarettes and cigars, are often sold in containers with rigid hinge caps comprising a box portion and a lid connected to the box portion around a hinge line that It extends along a rear wall of the container. The lid is swivel around the hinge line between a closed position and an open position. Such containers are typically constructed from monobloc cardboard lamellar blanks.

It is known to provide such a container with a reinforcement frame mounted in the box portion. Such an internal frame comprises a front wall of the frame, where a portion thereof extends over an upper edge of a front wall of the box portion. This improves the strength of the upper portion of the container. In addition, when the lid is in the closed position, providing such an internal frame facilitates that the front part of the lid aligns with the front wall of the box. Therefore, the container presents the user with a substantially flat front surface.

During use, the lid and the box portion of such a container may often not align correctly, so that a small gap can be made visible on the front of the container between the lid and the part of the box. Sometimes this is called the "smile" effect. The extent to which the smile occurs usually increases with prolonged use of the packaging. To address the "smile effect", it has been proposed to provide tabs that extend laterally from the front wall of the inner frame and adapted to engage the inner surface of the lid, so that it is easier to keep the lid in position closed by friction coupling. By way of example, WO 2011/054650 discloses a collapsible lid packaging comprising an internal framework that is provided with tongues extending laterally from the front wall of the internal framework, the tongues being defined by cutting lines on the side walls of the internal framework. Each cutting line intersects with a respective fold line of the inner frame along which the side wall of the respective inner frame depends on the front wall of the inner frame. When the container lid moves between the open and closed position, the side tabs interact with the inner surfaces of the lid. In general it is convenient that the opening and closing of the container be as easy as possible, while at the same time preventing or limiting the occurrence of the "smile" of the lid. In general, this is done with the purpose of providing the consumer with a high quality product.

It is also known to pack consumer goods, such as smoking articles, in containers comprising an outer cover or sleeve and an internal slide or tray where the consumer goods are housed, and which can slide in the outer cover. To remove the consumer goods from said containers, a consumer slides the internal slide (or box) from an initial (closed) position in the outer cover (or lid) to an open position in which the internal slide projects out of the outer cover to partially expose an open end of the internal slide.

It has been proposed to provide said containers with fastening means to prevent removal of the internal slide from the outer cover and to limit the movement of the internal slide with respect to the outer cover. In particular, cover and slide containers have been proposed comprising tabs that extend laterally from the portion of the slide and adapted to engage the inner surface of the outer walls of the outer cover, so that it is easier to maintain the sliding portion on the cover by friction coupling.

Therefore, it would be convenient to provide a container for consumer goods with an improved opening and closing mechanism, whereby the quality and overall reliability of the container can be increased. In particular, it would be convenient to provide an improved container for consumer goods where the lid can easily be held in the closed position by frictional engagement between the surfaces of the container. In addition, it would be convenient to provide such a container and a blank for manufacturing that are easy to manufacture and assemble without the need for considerable modification of the methods and apparatus for conventional high-speed packaging.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a container for consumer items is provided, wherein the container comprises a box portion; a lid portion, wherein the lid portion can be moved around the hinge line between an open position and a closed position; and an internal frame received in the box portion. The internal frame comprises a front wall of internal frame and a first and second side wall of internal frame, each dependent along a fold line of the internal frame of the front wall of the internal frame. In addition, the internal frame comprises a first cut line and a second cut line on the first and second side wall of the internal frame, respectively, where each of the first and second cut lines intersects a respective fold line of the frame internal at the upper and lower intersection points. The first and second cutting lines define a first and a second locking tab. Each of the first and second locking tongue extends outwardly of the inner frame towards a respective side wall of the container and beyond an edge formed by the front wall of the inner frame with a respective side wall of the inner frame and interacts with the lid portion of the container when the lid portion moves between the open position and the closed position. Each of the first and second cutting line comprises a wavy portion comprising at least two peaks and a depression, wherein a distance between adjacent peaks of the wavy portion is at least about 0.8 mm.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a blank is provided for an internal frame adapted to be received in a box portion of a container for consumer items, wherein the container further comprises a lid portion, wherein the portion The lid can be moved around the hinge line between an open position and a closed position. The blank comprises a front panel of the blank to form a front wall of the inner frame and a first and second side panel of blank to form side walls of the inner frame, where each of the first and second side panels of the inner frame it depends along a respective fold line of the front blank panel. In addition, the blank comprises a first cut line and a second cut line on the first and second side panel of the inner frame, respectively, where each of the first and second cut lines intersects a respective fold line in the upper and lower intersection points. The first and second cutting lines define a first and a second locking tab. Each of the first and second locking tongue extends outwardly from the inner frame and beyond an edge formed by the front wall panel of the inner frame and a respective side panel of the inner frame when the first and second side panels of the frame internal fold around the respective fold lines. The first and second locking tongue is adapted to interact with the lid portion of the container when the inner shell is received in the assembled container and the lid portion moves between the open position and the closed position. Each of the first and second cutting line comprises a wavy portion comprising at least two peaks and a depression, wherein a distance between adjacent peaks of the wavy portion is at least about 0.8 mm.

It will be understood that any feature described with reference to one aspect of the present invention is equally applicable to any other aspect of the invention. The advantages described in relation to one aspect of the invention can also be applied to another aspect of the invention.

In the containers according to the invention, such as for example the hinge lid containers, the inner frame comprises an inner frame front wall and the first and second side walls of the inner frame, each dependent along a line folding internal frame of the front wall of the internal frame. In addition, the internal frame comprises a first cut line and a second cut line on the first and second side wall of the internal frame, respectively. Each of the first and second cutting lines intersects a respective fold line of the inner frame at upper and lower intersection points, so as to define a first and a second locking tab. The locking tab extends outwardly from the inner frame towards the side walls of the container and interacts with the lid portion of the container when the lid portion moves between the open position and the closed position. Contrary to known hinge lid containers, each of the first and second cutting lines of the inner frame comprises a wavy portion comprising at least two peaks and a depression, wherein a distance between adjacent peaks of the wavy portion is at least about 0.8 mm. Therefore, the locking tabs have a wavy profile.

When the lid is moved between the open position and the closed position, the locking tabs are frictionally coupled to the inner surface of the side walls of the lid and thereby contribute to the force necessary to open and close the lid. By virtue of the wavy profile of the locking tabs, as the lid moves from the open position to the closed position, the closing resistance increases progressively as the lid approaches the closed position. The applicant has discovered that, in comparison to the known containers, the containers according to the present invention surprisingly provide an easier increase in closing resistance. In addition, although it generally increases from a minimum value to a maximum value as the angle between the back wall of the lid and the back wall of the box varies from about 90 degrees to about 0 degrees, the closing resistance It increases gradually with a succession of local highs and lows. Without intending to limit the theory, it is understood that it is a consequence of the peaks and depressions of the wavy cut lines and the resistance to closure increases due to a general increase in the area of frictional engagement between the moving surfaces. After cooperation with the side walls of the lid portion, the peaks in the corrugated portion may tend to slightly deform and, therefore, the increase in resistance to closure is, in general, non-linear.

The consumer advantageously perceives the opening and closing of the lid as particularly easy. At the same time, since the locking tabs engage the inner surface of the lid more and more safely than when it moves to the closed position, a safe and stable closure of the container is ensured and the occurrence of the "smile" is considerably reduced, in case it is not completely eliminated.

It is easy to assemble a container that is provided with an internal frame in accordance with the present invention, since the side panels of the blank part of the internal frame need to bend only around the respective bending lines so that the locking tabs are available to cooperate with the lid, as soon as possible to receive said internal shell in the box portion of the container.

The terms "front", "back", "top", "bottom", "above", "below", "side", "left", "right", "top", "bottom" and Other expressions used to describe the relative positions of the components of the containers according to the invention refer to the container in an upright position with an open end of the box portion at the top and consumer goods accessible from the top end on the front. The term "lateral" is used to refer to the side walls of the container when the container is viewed from the front in a vertical position.

The terms "up" and "down" are used to describe a general direction along which an element or elements of a container according to the invention extends and also refer to the container in a vertical position with the open end of the box portion at the top. Therefore, it will be understood that an element, such as a line, which extends downward extends in a general direction from the top to the bottom of the container. Similarly, it will be understood that an upwardly extending element extends in a general direction from the bottom to the top of the container.

The term "longitudinal" refers to a direction from the bottom to the top of the container or vice versa. The term "transverse" refers to a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

The term "panel" is used herein to refer to a portion of the starting piece that is used to form a wall in the assembled container. A panel may depend along one or more bending lines of one or more panels. The term "fold line" refers to a fold between two adjacent panels. When forming the container, the adjacent panels are folded along their common fold line, which can define an edge of the container or a portion thereof. In the assembled container, a "wall" of one or more overlapping panels can be formed that are joined together, for example by means of an adhesive. In addition, a wall of two or more adjacent or overlapping panels can be formed.

The term "hinge line" is used herein to refer to a common line to both the lid portion and the container portion of the container, so that the lid portion is adapted to rotate substantially around said line between a closed position and an open position.

The term "curved" is used herein to describe any non-straight line, which includes circular arc, parabolic arc, hyperbolic arc, elliptical arc. In addition, the term "curved" is interpreted as encompassing a dashed line, that is, a line consisting of straight lines that join a number of specific points taken in a specified order.

The term "wavy" is used herein to describe a line that has a waveform. In this line, it is possible to identify at least one peak and one depression. In mathematics, the term "peak" refers to a region around a local maximum in a curve, while the term "depression" refers to a region around a local minimum in a curve. By way of example, reference is made to the highest point in a sine wave as the peak. The lowest point is called depression. The peak of a sine wave and the depression of a sine wave are twice the amplitude of the sine wave separated from each other.

In the present specification, said distance between a peak and a wave in the undulating portion is referred to as "ripple amplitude". Therefore, if in a container according to the present invention the wavy portion is provided as a sine wave, the "ripple amplitude" corresponds to twice the sine wave amplitude.

In the context of the present specification, the terms peak and depression are used to describe the shape of the "wavy" cut line that defines a locking tab. In particular, said terms can be used to describe how far a point of the wavy cut line is from a central portion of the front wall of the inner frame. Thus, a "peak" generally identifies a point on the cut line that is farther from the central portion of the front wall of the inner frame than adjacent points on the cut line above and below that point. A "depression" generally identifies a point on the cut line that is closer to the central portion of the front wall of the inner frame than the adjacent points on the cut line above and below that point. As an example, in a wavy cutting line that has “two peaks and one depression ”, the distance of a point of the line of cut of the central portion of the front wall of the internal frame reaches two local maximums and a local minimum.

The containers according to the present invention comprise a box portion and a lid portion. The lid portion may depend along a hinge line of a rear wall of the box portion, in the case of a hinge lid container.

The lid can be moved between an open position and a closed position. For example, in the case of a hinge lid container, the lid can move around the hinge line between the open and the closed position, where the lid closes an upper access opening of the box portion.

In addition, the containers according to the present invention comprise an internal shell that is received within the box portion. The inner frame comprises an inner frame front wall and a first and second inner frame side wall, each dependent along a fold line of the inner frame of the inner frame front wall. In addition, the internal frame comprises a first cut line and a second cut line on the first and second side wall of the internal frame, respectively, where each of the first and second cut lines intersects a respective fold line of the frame internal at the upper and lower intersection points. The first and second cutting lines define a first and a second locking tab. Each of the first and second locking tongue extends outwardly of the inner frame towards a respective side wall of the container and beyond an edge formed by the front wall of the inner frame with a respective side wall of the inner frame and interacts with the lid portion of the container when the lid portion moves to the closed position.

Therefore, each of the first and second locking tongue can effectively extend from the front wall of the inner frame, when the fold line of the inner frame substantially coincides with the edge formed by the front wall of the inner frame with a wall respective side of the internal frame. Alternatively, each of the first and second locking tongue can be effectively extended from a respective side wall of the inner frame, when the bending line of the inner frame extends substantially entirely along a side wall of the internal frame

Each of the first and second cutting line comprises a wavy portion comprising at least two peaks and a depression, wherein a distance between adjacent peaks of the wavy portion is at least about 0.8 mm.

Preferably, the distance between adjacent peaks of the wavy portion is at least about 1 mm. More preferably, the distance between adjacent peaks of the wavy portion is at least about 1.5 mm.

Additionally or alternatively, the distance between adjacent peaks of the undulating portion is preferably less than about 40 mm. More preferably, the distance between adjacent peaks of the wavy portion is less than about 7 mm. Even more preferably, the distance between adjacent peaks of the wavy portion is less than about 3 mm.

In preferred embodiments, the distance between adjacent peaks of the corrugated portion is from about 0.8 mm to about 40 mm, more preferably from about 1 mm to about 7 mm, even more preferably from 0.8 mm to 3 mm

An undulation amplitude in the wavy portion is preferably at least about 0.2 mm, more preferably at least about 0.3 mm. Additionally or alternatively, the undulation amplitude in the corrugated portion is preferably less than about 1.2 mm, more preferably less than about 0.8 mm.

In preferred embodiments, the amplitude of undulation in the corrugated portion is from about 0.2 mm to about 1.2 mm, more preferably from about 0.3 mm to about 0.8 mm.

A radius of the curvature of each peak and depression in the undulating portion will depend, in general, on the distance between adjacent peaks, as well as the extent of undulation. In general, in the containers according to the present invention, the radius of curvature of each peak and depression in the wavy portion is preferably at least about 1.5 mm.

Preferably, each locking tongue tapers towards an upper end of the respective cutting line, and the tangent of each of the first and second cutting lines at the upper intersection points forms, with the respective bending line of the internal frame. , an angle of at least about 5 degrees. In addition, the tangent of each of the first and second cutting lines at the upper intersection points preferably forms, with the respective bending line of the side wall of the inner frame, an angle less than about 30 degrees.

In the preferred embodiments, each cutting line comprises an upper inclined portion that extends outwardly and downwardly from the point of superior intersection. The upper inclined portion preferably has a length of at least about 0.5 mm.

Preferably, each cutting line comprises a lower magnifying portion that extends outwardly and upwardly from the lower intersection point. The lower magnification portion is preferably defined by a straight line, an arc or a combination of a straight line and an arc.

In addition, the wavy portion is preferably comprised between the upper inclined portion and the lower magnification portion.

Preferably, the distance between the upper and lower intersection points, as measured along a respective fold line of the inner wall side wall, is at least about 10 mm. Additionally or alternatively, the distance between the upper and lower intersection points, as measured along a respective fold line of the inner wall side wall, is less than about 20 mm.

In any of the embodiments described above, the container is preferably filled with elongated smoking articles, such as, for example, cigars, cigars or cigarettes. It will be appreciated that by means of the appropriate choices of the dimensions, the containers according to the invention can be designed for different quantities of conventional, extra-long, super-long, thin or super-thin cigarettes. However, containers according to the present invention can also be used with a variety of consumer goods in addition to smoking articles.

The containers according to the present invention can be conveniently manufactured by folding laminar starting pieces made of any suitable material including but not limited to cardboard, cardboard, plastic, metal or combinations thereof. Preferably, the container is formed from a folded sheet blank of cardboard. Preferably, the cardboard has a weight of between approximately 100 grams per square meter and approximately 350 grams per square meter. In more detail, the containers according to the invention will typically be assembled in the conventional manner using standard manufacturing equipment, folding one or more laminar starting pieces around the consumer items and sealing the overlapping panels of the parts of Split laminar with each other to retain the container in the assembled form. This can be achieved through the use of conventional adhesives or adhesives.

The containers according to the invention may comprise box portions in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped with longitudinal and transverse edges at right angles. Alternatively, the box portion may comprise one or more rounded longitudinal edges, rounded transverse edges, beveled longitudinal edges or beveled transverse edges, or combinations thereof. For example, in accordance with the invention, the container may include the following:

- one or two rounded or beveled longitudinal edges on the front wall, and / or one or two rounded or beveled longitudinal edges on the rear wall.

- one or two rounded or beveled transverse edges on the front wall, and / or one or two rounded or beveled transverse edges on the rear wall.

- a rounded longitudinal edge and a bevelled longitudinal edge in the front wall, and / or a rounded transverse edge and a beveled transverse edge in the rear wall.

- one or two rounded or beveled transverse edges on the front wall, and one or two rounded or beveled longitudinal edges on the front wall.

- two rounded or beveled longitudinal edges on a first side wall, or two rounded or beveled transverse edges on the second side wall.

When the container comprises one or more rounded edges and is made of one or more laminar starting pieces, preferably, the blank pieces contain three, four, five, six or seven marked lines or folding lines to form each rounded edge of the assembled container . The tearing lines or folding lines can be inside the container or outside. Preferably, the tear lines or the fold lines have a separation between them of approximately 0.3 mm and 4 mm.

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

Where the box portion of the container comprises one or more beveled edges, preferably the beveled edge has a width between about 1 mm and about 10 mm, preferably between approximately 2 mm and approximately 6 mm. Alternatively, the container may comprise a double bevel formed by three parallel grooved or folded lines that are separated so that two distinct bevels are formed at the edge of the container.

When the box portion of the container comprises a beveled edge and is made of one or more laminar starting pieces, the bevel can be formed by two parallel lines marked or folded in the sheet starting piece. The folding lines or tearing lines can be arranged symmetrically to the edge between a first wall and a second wall. Alternatively, the folding lines or the tearing lines can be arranged asymmetrically to the edge between the first wall and the second wall, so that the bevel extends more towards the first wall of the container than towards the second wall of the container.

By means of an appropriate choice of the dimensions of the containers, in accordance with the invention, the containers 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 of these, in accordance with the invention, the containers can be designed to contain a total of between ten and twenty smoking articles.

The smoking articles in the container can be arranged in different groups, depending on the total amount of smoking articles. For example, smoking articles may be arranged in a single row of six, seven, eight, nine or ten articles. Alternatively, smoking articles may be arranged in two or more rows. The two or more rows may contain the same amount 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 or seven; or four rows of four, five or six. Alternatively, the two or more rows may include at least two rows containing a different amount of smoking articles with each other. 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); an average row of six and two outer rows of five (5-6-5); an average row of six and two outer rows of seven (7-6-7); an average 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 an average row of six with an outer row of five and an outer row of seven (5-6-7).

The containers according to the present invention may contain smoking articles of the same type or brand, or of different type or brand. 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 approximately 4 mm and approximately 9 mm). In addition, smoking articles may differ in flavor intensity, extraction resistance and total particle material supply. 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 and about 5 mm larger than the dimensions of the group or groups of smoking articles stored within the container.

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

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 side wall to the another 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 , with the highest preference, between about 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 0.3 and 1 and about 10 and 1, more preferably, between about 2 and 1 and about 8 and 1, most preferably , between approximately 2 and 1, and 3 and 1.

The containers according to the invention can be wrapped with a shrink film or otherwise wrapped with a transparent polymer film of, for example, high or low density polyethylene, polypropylene, oriented polypropylene, polyvinylidene chloride, a cellulose film, or combinations of these in a conventional way. When the containers according to the invention are wrapped on the outside, the outer wrap may include one or more tear-off tapes. In addition, the outer wrap can be printed with images, consumer information or other data. The additional outer shell can beneficially protect the surface of the container, for example, from abrasion during handling.

The external ones of the containers according to the invention can be printed, embossed, stamped or incorporated in some other way brand or manufacturer's logos, brands, slogan and other coded marks and consumer information.

A container according to the invention can be formed of two laminar starting pieces, one to form the box portion and the lid portion, and one to form the inner shell that is received within the box portion. For example, a laminar starting piece may exist to form a hinge lid container and one so that the internal frame is received within the box portion of the hinge lid. The internal frame blank comprises a front panel of the blank to form a front wall of the internal frame and a first and second side panel of blank to form side walls of the internal frame, where each of the first and second side panels The internal frame depends along a respective fold line of the front blank panel. In addition, the blank of the internal frame comprises a first cut line and a second cut line on the first and second side panel of the internal frame, respectively, where each of the first and second cut lines intersects a respective line of fold at the upper and lower intersection points. The first and second cutting lines define a first and a second locking tab. Each of the first and second locking tongue extends outwardly from the inner frame and beyond an edge formed by the front wall panel of the inner frame and a respective side panel of the inner frame when the first and second side panels of the frame internal fold around the respective fold lines. The first and second locking tongue is adapted to interact with the lid portion of the container when the inner shell is received in the assembled container and the lid portion moves between the open position and the closed position. Each of the first and second cutting line comprises a wavy portion comprising at least two peaks and a depression. A distance between adjacent peaks of the wavy portion is at least about 0.8 mm. Preferably, the distance between adjacent peaks of the undulating portion is less than about 40 mm.

While aspects of the present invention have been described with particular reference to hinge lid containers, the expert will appreciate that the same inventive concepts can be applied in other types of consumer item containers comprising a box portion and a lid, as cover and sliding containers. In said cover and slide containers, the cover (cover portion) can be moved relative to the slide (box portion) between an open position and a closed position, wherein the slide comprises a first and second side wall. Such a container is not typically provided with an internal reinforcing frame. Therefore, such a container can comprise a first cutting line and a second cutting line in the first and second sliding side wall, respectively, where each of the first and second cutting lines intersects a respective line of lateral fold at the upper and lower intersection points. The first and second cutting line thus defines a first and second locking tongue, wherein each of the first and second locking tongue extends outwardly from the side walls of the slide towards a respective side wall of the cover and interacts with the cover when it moves between the open position and the closed position. Each of the first and second cutting line comprises a wavy portion comprising at least two peaks and a depression, wherein a distance between adjacent peaks of the wavy portion is at least about 0.8 mm.

Alternatively, a container of covers and slides can be provided with an internal frame as described above, wherein the first and second locking tongue extend outwardly from the front wall of the internal frame or the side walls of the internal frame and towards the side walls of the cover and interact with the cover when it moves between the open position and the closed position. The invention will be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic top view of a blank to form the inner shell of a container according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a detailed view, on an enlarged scale, of a locking tab of the inner frame of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the qualitative tendency of the resistance to close the lid of a container according to the invention as a function of the angle between the rear wall of the lid and the rear wall of the box. The blank 100 shown in Figure 1 is for forming an internal shell of a container in accordance with the present invention. A container of this type (not shown) is in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped and comprises a lower case portion, an upper lid portion that joins by hinge to the lower case portion along a hinge line that extends along a rear wall of the container. The box portion comprises a front wall, a back wall and two side walls that extend between the front wall and the back wall, and a bottom wall. The lid portion has a front wall, a left side wall, a right side wall, a back wall and an upper wall. The rear wall and the top wall of the lid are joined at the upper rear edge. When the container is closed, the free edges of the walls of the lid portion adjoin the free edges of the corresponding walls of the box portion along an adjoining line. In the closed position, the walls of the lid portion therefore form extensions of the corresponding walls of the box portion to define the walls of the container.

The inner frame 100 comprises a front wall 102 of the inner frame and a first and second side wall 104, 106 of the inner frame, each dependent along a respective fold line 108, 110 of the inner frame of the front wall 102 of the internal frame

A first cut line 112 and a second cut line 114 are formed in the first and second side walls 104, 106 of the inner frame, respectively. Each of the first and second cut lines 112, 114 intersects a respective fold line 108, 110 of the inner frame at upper and lower intersection points 116, 118. The distance between the upper and lower intersection points 116, 118, as measured along a respective fold line of the inner wall side wall, it is about 15 mm.

The first and second cutting lines 112, 114 define a first and a second locking tongue 120, 122. Each of the locking tongues 120, 122 extends outwardly from the front wall 102 of the inner frame so that, when the blank 100 bends to form the inner shell and is inserted into the box portion of an assembled hinge lid container, each of the tongues 120, 122 extends beyond an edge of the inner shell formed by the wall front 102 of the inner frame with a respective side wall 104, 106 of the inner frame. When the lid of the assembled vessel moves between the open position and the closed position, the locking tabs 120, 122 interact with the lid portion of the assembled vessel. As illustrated in Figure 2, each of the first and second cut lines 112, 114 comprises a wavy portion 124, 126 comprising peaks 128 and depressions 130. The distance D between adjacent peaks 128 in the wavy portion 124 , 126 is about 2 mm. Each locking tab 120, 122 tapers towards an upper end of the respective cut line 112, 114, and the tangent of each of the first and second cut lines ^{at the upper intersection points 116,} 118 ^{forms, with the respective fold line 108, 110 of the} inner ^frame , an angle a of about 20 degrees.

Each cutting line 112, 114 comprises an upper inclined portion 132, 134 extending outwardly and downwardly from the upper intersection point 116. The upper inclined portion has a length L of about 0.7 mm. In addition, each cutting line 112, 114 comprises a lower magnification portion 136, 138 extending outwardly and upwardly from the lower intersection point 118. In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the lower magnification portion 136 , 138 is defined by an arc. The undulating portion 124, 126 is comprised between the upper inclined portion 132, 134 and the lower magnifying portion 136, 138.

Figure 3 illustrates how the closing resistance of the lid of a container according to the invention, which comprises an internal frame 100 as described above, varies depending on the angle between the rear wall of the lid and the rear wall of box. As the lid moves between the open position and the closed position, the locking tabs 120, 122 are frictionally coupled to the inner surface of the side walls of the lid and, therefore, contribute to the force necessary to open and close the lid. In particular, as the lid moves from the open position to the closed position, the closing resistance increases progressively as the lid approaches the closed position. As shown in Figure 3, although it generally increases from a minimum value to a maximum value as the angle between the back wall of the lid and the back wall of the box varies from about 90 degrees to about 0 degrees, the resistance to closing oscillates with a succession of local highs and lows. Without intending to limit the theory, it is understood that it is a consequence of peaks 128 and depressions 130 of wavy cut lines 112, 114.

Claims (15)

1. A container for consumables, the container comprises: a box portion; a lid portion, wherein the lid portion can be moved relative to the box portion between an open position and a closed position; Y an internal frame (100) that is received within the box portion, wherein the internal frame (100) comprises: a front wall of the inner frame (102); a first and second side wall (104, 106) of the inner frame, each dependent along a fold line (108, 110) of the inner frame of the front wall of the inner frame (102); a first cut line (112) and a second cut line (114) in the first and second side wall (104, 106) of the inner frame, where each of the first and second cut lines (112, 114) intersects a respective fold line (108, 110) of the inner frame at upper and lower intersection points (116, 118); wherein the first and second cutting lines (112, 114) define a first and second locking tongue (120, 122); each of the first and second locking tongue (120, 122) extends outwardly of the inner frame towards a respective side wall of the container and beyond an edge formed by the front wall (102) of the inner frame with a respective wall side (104, 106) of the inner shell and interacts with the lid portion of the container when the lid portion moves between the open position and the closed position; characterized in that each of the first and second cutting line (112, 124) comprises a wavy portion (124, 126) comprising at least two peaks (128) and a depression (130), wherein a distance between the peaks ( 128) Adjacent to the wavy portion (124, 126) is at least about 0.8 mm. 2. A container according to claim 1, wherein the distance between adjacent peaks (128) of the corrugated portion (124, 126) is less than about 40 mm. 3. A container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each locking tab (120, 122) tapers towards an upper end of the respective cutting line (112, 114), and the tangent of each of the first and second cut line (112, 114) at the upper intersection points (116) form, with the respective fold line (108, 110) of the inner frame, an angle of at least about 5 degrees. 4. A container according to claim 3, wherein the tangent of each of the first and second cutting line (112, 114) at the upper intersection points (116) forms, with the bending line (108, 110) respective side wall of the inner frame, an angle less than about 30 degrees. 5. A container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each cutting line (112, 114) comprises an upper inclined portion (132, 134) extending outwardly and downwardly from the upper intersection point ( 116). 6. A container according to claim 5, wherein the upper inclined portion (132, 134) has a length of at least about 0.5 mm. 7. A container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each cutting line (112, 114) comprises a lower magnification portion (136, 138) extending outwardly and upwardly from the lower intersection point . A container according to claim 7, wherein the lower magnification portion (136, 138) is defined by a straight line, an arc or a combination of a straight line and an arc. 9. A container according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the undulating portion (124, 126) is comprised between the upper inclined portion (132, 134) and the lower magnifying portion (136, 138). A container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the distance between the upper and lower intersection points (116, 118), as measured along a respective fold line (108, 110) of the side wall of the inner shell, it is at least about 10 mm. A container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the distance between the upper and lower intersection points (116, 118), as measured along a respective fold line (108, 110) of the lateral wall of the internal framework, it is less than about 20 mm. 12. A blank for an internal frame (100) adapted to be received in a box portion of a container for consumer items, wherein the container further comprises a lid portion, where the lid portion can be moved around to the hinge line between an open position and a closed position; where the blank comprises: a front panel of the blank to form a front wall (102) of the inner frame and a first and second side panel of blank to form side walls (104, 106) of the inner frame, where each of the first and second panel side of the internal frame depends along a respective fold line (108, 110) of the front panel (102) of blank; a first cut line (112) and a second cut line (114) in the first and second side panel of the internal frame, respectively, where each of the first and second cut lines intersects a respective fold line (108 , 110) at upper and lower intersection points (116, 118); wherein the first and second cutting lines (112, 114) define a first and second locking tongue (120, 122); each of the first and second locking tongue (120, 122) extends outwardly from the inner frame and beyond an edge formed by the front wall panel (102) of the inner frame and a respective side panel (104, 106 ) of the inner frame, when the first and second side panels of the inner frame are folded around the respective fold lines (108, 110); wherein the first and second locking tongue (120, 122) are adapted to interact with the lid portion of the container when the inner shell (100) is received in the assembled container and the lid portion moves between the open position and the closed position; characterized in that the first and second cutting line (112, 114) comprises a wavy portion (124, 126) comprising at least two peaks (128) and a depression (130), wherein a distance between adjacent peaks (128) of the wavy portion (124, 126) is at least about 0.8 mm. 13. A blank according to claim 12, wherein the distance between adjacent peaks (128) of the undulating portion (124, 126) is less than about 40 mm. 14. A blank according to claim 12 or 13, wherein each locking tab (120, 122) tapers towards an upper end of the respective cutting line (112, 114), and the tangent of each of the first and second cut line (112, 114) at the upper intersection points (116) form, with the respective bending line (108, 110) of the inner frame, an angle of at least about 5 degrees. 15. A blank according to claim 14, wherein the tangent of each of the first and second cutting line (112, 114) at the upper intersection points (116) forms, with the bending line (108 , 110) respective side wall of the inner frame, an angle less than about 30 degrees.