TW201817661A - Reinforced resealable container for consumer articles - Google Patents

Abstract

An "auto-reclosable' hinge lid container (10) for consumer goods comprising an inner package (22); and an inner frame (30) comprising: a front panel (32) arranged parallel to a front wall of the package (22); side panels (34, 36) depending from the front panel (32); and at least one back panel (38, 40) depending from a respective side panel (34, 36). The at least one inner frame back panel (38, 40) is arranged parallel to a package back wall and at least a projecting portion (42) of the front panel (32) of the inner frame (30) extends above a top edge of a front wall of the box of the container. When the lid (16) is in the closed position, an inner surface of a reinforcement panel depending from the lid front wall and folded into the lid lies against an outer surface of the projecting portion (42) of the inner frame front panel (32).

Description

 Enhanced resealable container for consumer products  

The present invention relates to a container for consumer products comprising a resealable closure member for sealing. The container according to the invention is particularly useful as a container for elongate consumer products such as smoking articles.

Smoking articles are typically packaged in a rigid hinged lid container that includes a box and a lid hinged to the box along a hinge line extending across the back wall of the container. A large number of smoking articles housed in a box are typically packaged in a liner or inner package of metallized paper, metal foil or other flexible sheet.

A container is known, for example, from the international patent application No. WO-A-2008/142540, in which a smoking article is packaged in an inner package having a removable opening that is recloseably covered by a cover label, the cover label being detachable Ground to the inner lining. Such a package may be housed in a hinged lid container that is permanently and non-removably adhered to the inner surface of the front wall of the lid such that opening and closing of the lid simultaneously opens and closes the cover label, thereby The extraction port is revealed. One such container is sometimes referred to as "automatically repeating closed containers." In such a container, a reinforcing member is often provided as a reinforcing member disposed inside the inner package. Therefore, the mechanical strength of the container is increased.

However, in order to improve usability and reliability, it is necessary to continuously improve the characteristics and functions of the container. In particular, it would be desirable to provide an reinforced resealable container for consumer products that is easy to open, particularly a container that can be easily opened by a user holding the container with one hand.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a novel and improved container for consumer products that includes a repeatable, occlusive adhesive label suitable for meeting such needs. Furthermore, it would be desirable to provide such a container for consumer products that can be easily manufactured without major modifications to existing equipment.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a container for a consumer product is provided that includes a housing that includes a box and a lid that is hinged to the box along a hinge line that extends across a rear wall of the housing. The lid includes a lid front wall and a lid reinforcement panel attached to the front panel of the lid along a fold line and folded into the lid. Additionally, the container includes a resealable consumer package in the case, the package including an access opening through which the consumer product can be removed; and a resealable closure member that encloses the access opening of the package and Extending beyond the perimeter of the entry and exit of the package. The cover member is moveable from a closed position in which the cover member covers at least the access opening, and an open position in which the cover member is at least partially separated from the outer surface of the package. The front portion of the repeatable closure cover member is permanently affixed to the lid reinforcement panel such that upon opening the lid, the repeatable closure cover member moves from the closed position toward the open position to at least partially reveal the access opening.

The container further includes an inner frame including: an inner frame front panel configured to be parallel to the front wall of the package; an inner frame side panel attached to the inner frame front panel; and at least one inner frame rear panel, It is attached to a corresponding inner frame side panel. The at least one inner frame back panel is configured to be parallel to the package back wall, and at least one protrusion of the inner frame front panel extends above a top edge of the front wall of the box. When the lid is in the closed position, the inner surface of the lid reinforcing panel abuts against the outer surface of the projection of the inner frame front panel.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a container for a consumer product is provided, comprising a housing comprising a box and a cover hinged to the box along a hinge line extending across a rear wall of the housing Wherein the lid includes a lid front wall and a lid reinforcing panel attached to the front wall of the lid along a fold line and folded into the lid. Additionally, the container includes a resealable consumer package in the case, the package including an access opening through which the consumer product can be removed; and a resealable closure member that encloses the access opening of the package and Extending beyond the perimeter of the entry and exit of the package. The cover member is moveable from a closed position in which the cover member covers at least the access opening, and an open position in which the cover member is at least partially separated from the outer surface of the package. The front portion of the repeatable closure member is permanently affixed to the lid such that upon opening the lid, the repeatable closure member moves from the closed position toward the open position to at least partially reveal the access. The container further includes an inner frame including: an inner frame front panel configured to be parallel to the front wall of the package; an inner frame side panel attached to the inner frame front panel; and at least one inner frame rear panel A corresponding inner frame side panel is attached; the at least one inner frame rear panel is configured to be parallel to the rear wall of the package. Furthermore, the inner frame includes a plurality of ports extending over the entire width of the inner frame front panel and at least a portion of the width of the inner frame side panels such that the recess is laterally constrained by the at least one inner frame rear panel .

It will be understood that any feature described in relation to one aspect of the invention is equally applicable to any other aspect of the invention.

As used herein, when the container is in an upright position and the inlet and outlet of the container are at the top of the container, the terms "front", "back", "above", "below", "top", "bottom" and " "Side" means the relative position of the portion of the container and its components in accordance with the present invention. When describing a container in accordance with the present invention, the use of these terms is independent of the orientation of the container being described. It will be understood that the components of the container described by the same term in such terms are substantially parallel to each other. In particular, a panel of the reinforcing member will be parallel to a corresponding package wall. As an example, the reinforcing member side panels are parallel to the package side walls. The rear wall of the hinged lid housing contains the wall of the hinge line.

When describing a container according to the present invention, the term "longitudinal" means the direction from the bottom to the top, and vice versa, and the term "lateral" means the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. For example, "the longitudinal axis of the container" is the axis extending from the bottom to the top and vice versa.

The term "width" is used to describe the dimensions of the elements of the blank panel or container wall as measured in the lateral direction. The term "panel" is used throughout the specification to mean a portion of a blank used to form a wall in an assembled container. One panel can attach more than one other panel along more than one fold line. The term "polyline" means a crease between two adjacent panels. When the container is formed, adjacent panels are folded along their common fold line, which fold line can define the edge of the container or a portion of the container. In the assembled container, a "wall" can be formed by one or several overlapping panels. In the case of several overlapping panels, these panels can be attached to each other, for example by means of an adhesive. Furthermore, one wall may be formed by more than two adjacent or overlapping panels.

The term "height" is used to describe the dimensions of one such component measured in a direction perpendicular to the width of the component. When describing an element of the blank, the element is typically referred to in the flat state of the blank.

The term "inner surface" is used throughout the specification to mean that the assembly of the assembled container faces the surface of the interior of the container (e.g., facing the consumer product) when the container is in the closed position. The term "outer surface" is used throughout the specification to mean the surface of the container that faces the exterior of the container. For example, the front wall of the container has an interior surface facing the interior of the container and the consumer product and an exterior surface facing away from the consumer product. It should be noted that the inner or outer surface does not necessarily equate to a certain side of the blank used in the assembly of the container. Depending on how the blank is folded around the consumer product, the area on the same side of the blank may face the interior of the container or face the exterior of the container.

The term "hinged line" means a line in which the cover can be pivoted about the line to open the hinged cover. The hinge line can be, for example, a fold line or score line in a panel forming the back wall of the container.

The term "attachment" is used herein to describe the physical connection between two elements of a container in accordance with the present invention. In more detail, the term "attachment" is used to mean that there is material continuity between two elements such as a wall or panel of a container or blank. This includes two cases, where one wall or panel directly attaches to an adjacent A wall or panel, and wherein one of the intermediate walls or panels effectively joins the two walls or panels. By way of example, the reinforcing member back panel is located in a plane substantially parallel to the plane defined by the rear wall of the package. It does not matter whether the reinforcing member rear panel is directly attached to the strong member side panel or whether the reinforcing member includes an intermediate panel connecting the reinforcing member rear panel and the reinforcing member side panel.

As an example, the side walls or side panels may directly attach adjacent front or front panels. In such cases, the wall or panel typically follows adjacent walls along the fold line. As an alternative, particularly in containers with curved or sloping edges, the side walls or side panels may indirectly adhere to the front wall or front panel. In such cases, the curved or sloped edge walls or panels join the side walls or side panels to the front or front panel. In the case of a slanted edge, the side wall or side panel and the front or front panel may be attached to the inclined edge wall or panel along individual fold lines. This also applies to the assembly of the container according to the invention, for example for the inner frame.

The term "lines of weakness" is used herein to describe a portion of the surface of a package (or a blank used to form a package), wherein the structure of the material used to form the package (or blank) Strength has been impaired by, for example, any suitable technique for bending, folding or tearing along the line of weakness. For example, the line of weakness can be formed as a score line, a crease line, an ablation line, or a perforation line. By removing the material, by displacing the material, by extruding the material, by locally reducing the force holding the material together, for example, by breaking the fibers in the fibrous material and by combining all of the above. Create a weakening line. The lines of weakness may be straight, curved, segmented or continuous, or a combination thereof. In many cases, the line of weakness is used to assist in the positioning of the fold line in the blank. The line of weakness can also be used to strengthen the material in a direction perpendicular to the line of weakness, for example by extrusion. In addition, the weakening line can be used for decorative purposes.

The term "notch line" is used to describe a line formed by partially cutting the material of the blank. The score line can be formed by removing material from the blank (in this case, the score line forms a groove or groove in the blank). Alternatively, the score line can be formed without removing any material from the blank, which typically involves piercing the material by a non-zero thickness tool, causing partial lateral displacement and compression of the material. The depth of the score line will be less than the thickness of the blank.

The term "crease line" is used to describe a line formed by displacing a portion of a material perpendicular to the plane of the blank, which forms a groove or groove in the blank. Displacement may involve extrusion and typically involves the use of a squeeze tool like a roller. Alternatively or additionally, the material in the crease line can be displaced to at least partially protrude from the opposite side of the blank. Typically, no material is removed when the crease line is formed.

The term "ablation line" is used to describe a line formed by ablation (e.g., by a laser beam or a blade) to remove material from the surface of the blank to a predetermined depth.

The term "perforation line" is used to describe a row or a series of discrete holes or slits in a blank. The holes can be formed by pushing an article into and through the blank. This may result in the removal of material from the blank, for example by stamping. Alternatively, the holes can be formed by simply pushing the material outwardly from the center of the hole without removing the material. As a further alternative, the holes can be formed by an electric beam.

The term "polyline" is used to describe any line that a blank can be folded about as a center. The fold line can be defined by a line of weakness to aid in the folding action. Alternatively, the creases may be formed without the presence of weakened wires, depending on, for example, the flexibility of the blank material and other material properties.

An "auto-repeatable" container for consumer products in accordance with one aspect of the present invention includes a housing and a resealable consumer package contained within a housing of the housing. A repeatable closure cover member encloses the access opening of the package and is permanently affixed to the reinforcement panel of the closure such that upon opening and closing the closure, the repeatable closure cover member is moved to reveal and close the access opening.

The container further includes an inner frame including: an inner frame front panel configured to be parallel to the front wall of the package; an inner frame side panel, for example along the existing container, which is automatically repeatable Corresponding longitudinal first fold lines are attached to the inner frame front panel; and at least one inner frame rear panel is attached to a respective inner frame side panel, for example along a corresponding longitudinal second fold line. Thus, the inner frame is effectively adapted to package at least partially surrounding the parallelepiped on all four sides.

The at least one inner frame back panel is configured to be parallel to the package back wall, and at least one protrusion of the inner frame front panel extends over the top edge of the box front wall. Therefore, when the cover is in the closed position, the inner surface of the cover reinforcing plate abuts against the outer surface of the projection of the inner frame front plate.

In other words, the lid reinforcement panel is located on substantially the same plane as the front wall of the box, and the front wall of the lid is located on a more front plane. Therefore, the lower edge of the cover is slightly above the plane of the front wall of the box.

An "auto-repeatable" container for consumer products in accordance with another aspect of the present invention includes a housing and a resealable consumer package contained within a housing of the housing. A resealable closure member encloses the access opening of the package and is permanently affixed to the reinforcement panel of the closure such that upon opening and closing the closure, the resealable adhesive label is moved to reveal and close the access opening.

The container further includes an inner frame including: an inner frame front panel configured to be parallel to the front wall of the package; an inner frame side panel, for example along the existing container, which is automatically repeatable Corresponding longitudinal first fold lines are attached to the inner frame front panel; and at least one inner frame rear panel is attached to a respective inner frame side panel, for example along a corresponding longitudinal second fold line. Thus, the inner frame is adapted to surround the package of the parallelepiped at least partially on all four sides. Furthermore, the inner frame includes a plurality of ports extending over the entire width of the inner frame front panel and at least a portion of the width of the inner frame side panels such that the recess is laterally constrained by the at least one inner frame rear panel .

In order to open the container while holding the existing container with one hand, the user typically applies a compressive load directed perpendicular to the cover when applying the longitudinally directed opening force to pivot the cover about the hinge line. In contrast, in the container according to the invention, when the lid is in the closed position, the user is particularly susceptible to relying solely on the application of the longitudinally directed opening force. This is because when the lid is in the closed position, the lid reinforcement panel rests substantially in alignment with the front wall of the box against the outer surface of the inner frame projection, and the front panel of the lid provides the user with a suitable grip for receiving The surface of the open load applied by the same hand holding the container. In other words, the consumer can open the lid very easily by simply pushing up the lower leading edge of the lid.

Thus, the container according to the invention is easier to use. The efficiency of "automatically" opening and repeating the sealing mechanism is improved because the user can more effectively direct the opening load in the longitudinal direction and does not need to compress the front wall of the lid to apply the necessary opening load to the lid, and The cover is less likely to be damaged or deformed.

Further, in the container according to the present invention, the inner frame projection is effectively located between the front wall of the cover and the resealable surface of the repeatable closure member when the cover is in the closed position, the cover member being The fixing portion of the covering member is fixed to the cover. Therefore, it is possible to advantageously prevent the covering member from accidentally adhering to the surface of the cover at a position other than the fixing portion of the covering member. Furthermore, the container according to the invention is easy to manufacture and does not require any extensive modification of existing packaging machines.

A container in accordance with one aspect of the invention includes a housing and a resealable consumer package contained within a housing of the housing. The housing includes a box and a cover hinged to the box along a hinge line extending across the rear wall of the housing. Additionally, the lid includes a lid front wall and a lid reinforcement panel attached to the front panel of the lid along a fold line and folded into the lid.

The resealable package includes an access opening through which the consumer product can be removed; and a resealable closure member that encloses the access opening of the package. The cover member extends beyond the perimeter of the access opening of the package and is movable from a closed position in which the cover member covers at least the access opening, and an open position in which the cover member is at least Part of it is peeled off the outer surface of the package. Moreover, the front portion of the repeatable closure cover member is permanently affixed to the reinforcement panel such that upon opening the lid, the repeatable closure cover member moves from the closed position toward the open position to at least partially reveal the access opening .

In the container according to the invention, the covering member preferably forms an S-shaped crease when the lid is opened. The term "S-shaped" is used herein to mean a curved shape having an inflection point. In other words, the cover member is secured to the cover in such a manner that the cover member is substantially concave toward the cover when the cover is in the closed position, and the cover member when the cover is in the open position Becomes concave. This is generally desirable because it allows the cover member to gradually move away from the package during opening of the lid, via which the force is applied over the cover member.

Alternatively, the cover member can be secured to the cover in such a manner that the cover member is substantially concave toward the cover when the cover is in the closed position, and when the cover is moved to the open position, The cover member remains substantially concave.

The container further includes an inner frame including: an inner frame front panel configured to be parallel to the front wall of the package; an inner frame side panel attached to the inner frame front panel; and at least one inner frame rear panel, It is attached to a corresponding inner frame side panel. The at least one inner frame back panel is configured to be parallel to the rear wall of the package. The projection of the inner frame front panel extends over the top edge of the front wall of the box. When the lid is in the closed position, the inner surface of the lid reinforcing panel abuts against the outer surface of the projection of the inner frame front panel.

Preferably, the repeatable closure cover member includes a body portion extending away from the front portion of the cover member, the width of the cover member body portion being greater than the width of the front portion of the cover member. This is advantageous because it is easier to prevent undesired fit between the repeatable closure cover member and the inner frame, such undesired fit may cause the repeatable closure cover member to become fixed to the cover reinforcement plate The surface of the container or inner frame outside of the container thus impairs the opening and closing mechanism of the container. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the front portion of the covering member tapers from the greater width of the body portion end to the smaller portion of the front end with respect to the longitudinal direction.

Preferably, the inner frame includes a cutout defining a top edge of the side end of the inner frame front panel such that the side ends at least partially form the inner frame front panel projection. In fact, the inner frame front panel projections are defined by the upper portions of the side ends. This is advantageous because, particularly in the case where the slit is substantially symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis of the container, the inner frame provides a particularly balanced support for the lid when the lid is in the closed position.

Even more preferably, the slit of the inner frame extends over the entire width of the inner frame front panel and at least a portion of the width of the inner frame side panels such that the recess is at least partially constrained laterally behind the inner frames board.

In a preferred embodiment, the height of the top edge of the inner frame side panels is continuously increased from the height of the top edge of a respective side end to the top of a respective inner frame rear panel over the entire width of each inner frame side panel. The height of the edge.

Even more preferably, the highest point of the top edge of the inner frame is at a location along the rear panel of the inner frame.

Preferably, the slit of the inner frame defines a top edge of the inner frame front panel, and a leading edge of the covering member and a top edge of the inner frame front panel in a direction orthogonal to a top edge of the inner frame front panel The distance between the lengths along the top edge of the inner frame front panel does not vary by more than 10 mm.

In other words, the leading edge of the covering member is adapted to have a shape that substantially follows the shape of the top edge of the inner frame at least along the front face of the container within a tolerance of 10 millimeters. Within the scope of the context, the term "orthogonal" means that the measured distance between the top edge of the inner frame front panel and the leading edge of the cover member is perpendicular to the inner frame front panel on the plane of the inner frame front panel. Top edge. Where the top edge of the inner frame front panel is curved, the top edge and the leading edge of the covering member are measured at a point along the curved portion of the top edge at a point perpendicular to the curve at the point the distance between.

More preferably, the distance between the leading edge of the covering member and the top edge of the inner frame front panel is less than about 8 mm in a direction orthogonal to the top edge of the inner frame front panel. Even more preferably, the distance between the leading edge of the covering member and the top edge of the inner frame front panel is less than about 5 mm in a direction orthogonal to the top edge of the inner frame front panel.

Additionally or alternatively, the distance between the leading edge of the cover member and the top edge of the inner frame front panel is at least about 2 millimeters in a direction orthogonal to the top edge of the inner frame front panel. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the distance between the leading edge of the covering member and the top edge of the inner frame front panel is about 2 mm to about 5 mm in a direction orthogonal to the top edge of the inner frame front panel. .

Preferably, the slit defines an inner frame central front panel portion and a top edge of the inner frame side front panel portion extending laterally from the central front panel portion, the top edge of the central front panel portion of the inner frame being higher than the top edge The top edge of the inner frame side front panel portion. Thus, the central front panel portion of the inner frame defines a tab that is easier to handle by loading and unloading the inner frame during packaging. This applies not only to the inner frame in the folded state, but also to all stages of the corresponding blank and packaging process.

Even more preferably, the top edge of the central front panel portion of the inner frame is lower than the top edge of the side end of the inner frame front panel.

In some embodiments, the top edge of the central front panel portion of the inner frame is lower than the top edge of the front wall of the box. This will generally aid in the gluing operation of securing the repeatable closure cover member to the surface of the lid during manufacture. Furthermore, because the inner frame front panel covers the smaller surface of the front wall of the resealable package, this can be used to increase the size of the entrance and exit so that the consumer product can be more easily removed or the available consumer communication space can be increased (consumer) Communication space).

Moreover, for embodiments in which an insert between the resealable envelope and the inner frame is included in front of the container, the visible surface of the insert can be advantageously increased. This can help the consumer remove the insert. Again, this can aid in the handling and placement of the insert during production of the package.

In an alternative embodiment, the top edge of the central front panel portion of the inner frame is equal in height or less than the top edge of the front wall of the box.

A container according to another aspect of the invention includes a housing and a resealable consumer package contained within a housing of the housing. The housing includes a box and a cover hinged to the box along a hinge line extending across a rear wall of the housing. Additionally, the lid includes a lid front wall and a lid reinforcement panel attached to the front panel of the lid along a fold line and folded into the lid.

The resealable package includes an access opening through which the consumer product can be removed; and a resealable closure member that encloses the access opening of the package. The cover member extends beyond the perimeter of the access opening of the package and is movable from a closed position in which the cover member covers at least the access opening, and an open position in which the cover member is at least Part of it is peeled off the outer surface of the package. Additionally, the front portion of the repeatable closure cover member is permanently affixed to the cover such that upon opening the cover, the repeatable closure cover member moves from the closed position toward the open position to at least partially reveal the access opening.

The container further includes an inner frame including: an inner frame front panel configured to be parallel to the front wall of the package; an inner frame side panel attached to the inner frame front panel, for example, along a respective longitudinal first fold line And at least one inner frame rear panel attached to a respective inner frame side panel, for example along a corresponding longitudinal second fold line; the at least one inner frame rear panel being configured to be parallel to the package rear wall. At least one protrusion of the inner frame front panel extends above a top edge of the front wall of the box. When the lid is in the closed position, the inner surface of the lid reinforcing panel abuts against the outer surface of the projection of the inner frame front panel.

In a preferred embodiment, the height of the top edge of the inner frame side panels is substantially increased from the height of the top edge of a respective side end to the top edge of a respective inner frame rear panel over the entire width of each inner frame side panel. the height of.

More preferably, the highest point of the top edge of the inner frame is at a location along the rear panel of the inner frame. Even more preferably, the end point of the top edge of the back panel is no higher than the highest point of the top edge of the inner frame.

In a container in accordance with the present invention, the resealable package can be formed by folding a blank of the web into a wrap around a set of consumer products and sealing (e.g., heat sealing) the overlapped portion of the folded blank. The resealable container is preferably a rectangular parallelepiped comprising two wider walls separated by two narrower walls. Preferably, the web of resealable package comprises metal foil or metallized paper. The web can be formed as a laminate of a metallized polyethylene film and a lining. In a preferred embodiment, the web comprises a laminate of an aluminum layer sandwiched between two layers of oriented polypropylene. The aluminum layer provides the desired barrier properties of the resealable package and, therefore, helps maintain the desired moisture content within the resealable package. In this regard, it has been discovered that such a three-layer laminate web exhibits better barrier properties than conventional metallized films. The web may also be a super-calendered glassine paper. Additionally, the web may have a print-receptive top coating.

In some embodiments, the sealing cover member can be configured as a resealable adhesive label that extends beyond the perimeter of the access opening of the package. In more detail, the resealable adhesive label is permanently affixed to the resealable package by a permanent adhesive provided on the rear hinge region of the inner surface of the resealable adhesive label. Additionally, the resealable adhesive label is at least partially detachably secured thereto by a resealable adhesive provided on a second region of the inner surface of the repeatable adhesive label extending at least around the leading edge of the inlet and outlet Package. The entrance and exit in the package can be defined by all the mouths. Alternatively, a weakening line such as a crease line, a score line, a stripping line, a perforation line, and a pre-cut line may be formed in the package to define a package portion of the seal covering member such that the sealing cover member The package portion can be partially separated from the remainder of the package to effectively form the access. In this case, the resealable adhesive label is provided by a permanent adhesive provided on a first region of the inner surface of the resealable adhesive label extending over at least a portion of the encapsulating portion of the sealing cover member Permanently secured to the encapsulation portion of the seal cover member.

In other embodiments, the seal covering member can include a resealable adhesive label comprising at least a bottom layer of label material and a top layer of label material. The bottom layer includes a cutout portion at least partially aligned with the entrance and exit of the package, and is secured to the first permanent adhesive provided on the first region of the inner surface of the bottom layer extending around the periphery of the inlet and outlet The package. The top layer is permanently affixed to the bottom layer by a portion of the permanent adhesive provided on the rear hinge region of the inner surface of the top layer. Further, the top layer is at least partially detachably fixed to the bottom layer by a second adhesive provided on the peeling region of the inner surface extending away from the top of the hinge region, so that the top layer can be removed from a closed position and An open position movement in which the top layer covers at least the access opening, and in the open position, the top layer is separated from the bottom layer to reveal the cutout portion.

In an alternative embodiment, the package may be formed from a multi-layer laminate and the seal cover member may be formed in the outermost layer of the laminate. More specifically, one such laminate includes at least one outer layer and one inner layer. In order to separate the cover member from the remainder of the package when the lid is opened for the first time, a line of weakness is formed in all layers of the laminate structure. The line of weakness in the outer layer defines an outer panel covering the cover flap, and the line of weakness in the inner layer defines an inner panel covering the flap, the outer panel covering the flap directly covering and securing to the cover flap Inner plate. The lines of weakness in the outer layer and the inner layer are configured such that the outer panel covering the flap extends beyond the perimeter of the inner panel covering the flap. Thus, the inlet and outlet defined in the inner layer has a smaller surface area than the inlet and outlet defined in the outer layer when the cover flap is moved to the open position when the cover flap is moved to the open position. Further, when the cover flap is moved to the open position, the peripheral portion of the outer panel covering the flap extends around the entrance and exit defined in the inner layer. This is advantageous because it helps provide a better closure of the package so that it is easier to prevent dust or other materials from entering the package and to prevent any contents from being lost from the package. Moreover, such an embodiment has the advantage that no additional adhesive elements are required to cover the package, which simplifies the manufacturing process.

The outer casing is preferably a rectangular parallelepiped comprising two wider walls separated by two narrower walls, and the outer casing may be formed from a sheet blank of any suitable material or combination of materials, including but not Limited to cardboard, cardboard, plastic, metal or a combination thereof. Preferably, the blank is a sheet cardboard blank having a weight of between about 100 grams per square meter and about 350 grams per square meter.

The container may optionally comprise an overwrap paper, preferably a transparent polymeric film such as high or low density polyethylene, polypropylene, extended polypropylene, polyvinylidene chloride, cellulose film or combinations thereof, and The outer wrapper is used in a conventional manner. The outer wrapper may include a tear tape. In addition, the outer wrapper may be printed with images, consumer information or other materials.

The container according to the invention is particularly suitable for use as a container for elongate smoking articles, such as cigarettes, cigars or cigarillos or other aerosol generators which are heated, for example by an electric or carbon heat source, rather than burning tobacco. It will be appreciated that the container according to the present invention can be designed for use with different numbers of conventional, extra large, super oversized, elongated or ultra-slim cigarettes via appropriate selection of dimensions. Alternatively, other consumer products can be included in the container.

The container according to the present invention can be designed to accommodate a different total number of smoking articles or smoking articles of different configurations, via appropriate selection of dimensions. For example, a container according to the present invention can be designed to accommodate a total of ten to thirty smoking articles via appropriate selection of dimensions. The smoking articles can be configured in different ordering rules depending on the total number of smoking articles.

10‧‧‧ Container

12‧‧‧ Shell

14‧‧‧ box

16‧‧‧ cover

18‧‧‧ Cover front wall

20‧‧‧ Strengthening board

22‧‧‧Resealable package

24‧‧‧ Entrance

26‧‧‧Repeatable cover member

30‧‧‧Internal framework

32‧‧‧Inner frame front panel

34‧‧‧Internal frame side panels

36‧‧‧Internal frame side panels

38‧‧‧Inner frame rear panel

40‧‧‧Inner frame rear panel

42‧‧‧Protruding

44‧‧‧ top edge

46‧‧‧ side end

48‧‧‧ side end

50‧‧‧Inner frame central front panel

52‧‧‧Inside frame side front panel

54‧‧‧Inside frame side front panel

262‧‧‧ front

264‧‧‧ Main body

The invention will now be further described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a container in accordance with the invention; FIG. 2 is a resealable closure member of a container in accordance with the present invention. Figure 3 is a schematic top view of a blank for forming an inner frame of a container in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 4 is a schematic top view of the blank of Figure 3 showing the inner frame blank relative to use To form the location of a portion of the blank of the outer casing of the container in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 1 shows a container 10 in accordance with the present invention. The container 10 includes a housing 12 that is rectangular and includes a case 14 and a cover 16. The cover 16 is hinged about a hinge line that extends across the rear wall of the outer casing 12 and is pivotable between an open position (shown in Figure 1) and a closed position. The lid 16 includes a lid front wall 18 and a reinforcing panel 20 that is attached to the lid front wall 18 and folded into the lid. In more detail, in the embodiment of Figure 1, the stiffener 20 is substantially folded against the inner surface of the front wall 18 of the lid and secured to the front wall of the lid by an adhesive. Again, the container 10 includes a resealable package 22 of smoking articles contained within the box 14. The package 22 includes an access opening 24 that extends across the top and front walls of the inner package. When the lid 16 is in the open position, the smoking article contained in the inner package 22 can be removed via the access opening.

The package 22 further includes a repeatable closure member 26 that encloses the inlet and outlet 24 of the package and extends beyond the perimeter of the inlet and outlet 24 . More specifically, the cover member 26 is moveable from a closed position in which the cover member covers at least the inlet 24 and an open position in which the cover member 26 is at least partially offset from the outer surface of the package.

The front portion 262 of the repeatable closure cover member 26 is permanently affixed to the reinforcement panel 20. Thus, when the lid 16 is opened, the resealable closure member 26 is moved from the closed position toward the open position to at least partially reveal the inlet 24. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the repeatable closure cover member 26 can be configured as an adhesive label that extends beyond the perimeter of the access opening 24 of the package 22.

As illustrated in more detail in FIG. 2, the repeatable closure cover member 26 includes a body portion 264 that extends away from the front portion 262 of the cover member. The width of the cover member body portion 264 is greater than the width of the cover member front portion 262. More specifically, the cover member front portion 262 is tapered.

The container 10 further includes an inner frame 30. This can be formed by folding the blank shown in FIG. The inner frame 30 includes an inner frame front panel 32 that is configured to be parallel to the front wall of the package 22, inner frame side panels 34, 36 that are attached to the inner frame front panel 32, and a pair of inner frame rear panels 38, 40, each The rear panel is attached to the corresponding inner frame side panels 34,36. The inner frame rear panels 38, 40 are configured to be parallel to the rear wall of the package. As best seen in Figures 1 and 4, the projections 42 of the inner frame front panel 32 extend above the top edge of the front wall of the box. When the cover 16 is in the closed position, the inner surface of the cover reinforcement panel 20 abuts against the outer surface of the projection 42 of the inner frame front panel 32.

The inner frame 30 includes a slit that defines a top edge 44 of the side ends 46, 48 of the inner frame front panel 32 such that the side ends 46, 48 at least partially define the front panel projection 42. More specifically, in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the slit of the inner frame 30 extends over the entire width of the inner frame front panel 32 and at least a portion of the width of the inner frame side panels 34, 36 such that the recess is laterally At least partially limited to the inner frame back panels 38,40. The height of the top edge of the inner frame side panels 34, 36 is continuously increased from the height of the top edge of a respective side end portion 46, 48 to a respective inner frame rear panel 38 over the entire width of each inner frame side panel 34, 36, The height of the top edge of 40. More specifically, the highest point of the top edge of the inner frame 30 is at a location along the inner frame rear panels 38,40.

Further, the distance between the leading edge of the closed cover member 26 and the top edge of the inner frame front panel 32 may be repeated along the top edge of the inner frame front panel 32 in a direction orthogonal to the top edge of the inner frame front panel 32. The length varies by less than about 5 mm.

Further, the slit of the inner frame front panel 32 defines the inner frame central front panel portion 50 and the top edges of the inner frame side front panel portions 52, 54 extending laterally from the inner frame central front panel portion 50. As shown in FIG. 3, the top edge of the inner frame center front panel portion 50 is higher than the top edge of the inner frame side front panel portions 52, 54.

FIG. 4 shows the position of the inner frame 30 relative to the blank used to form the outer casing 12. In particular, Figure 4 illustrates how the top edge of the side ends 46, 48 of the inner frame front panel 32 is higher than the top edge of the front wall of the box, for example to define the inner frame front panel projection 42. Additionally, the top edge of the central front panel portion of the inner frame is lower than the top edge of the side end of the front wall of the inner frame and is lower than or about equal to the top edge of the front wall of the box.

Claims (16)

 A container for consumer goods, comprising: a casing comprising a box and a lid hinged to the box along a hinge line extending across a rear wall of the casing; wherein the lid includes a front wall of the lid And a reinforcing plate attached to the front wall of the cover along a fold line and folded into the cover; a resealable consumer package in which the package includes an entrance and exit through which the consumer product can pass And a resealable closure member that encloses the access opening of the package and extends beyond the perimeter of the access opening of the package, the cover member being movable from a closed position and an open position, wherein the closed position The cover member covers at least the access opening, and in the open position, the cover member is at least partially separated from the outer surface of the package; wherein the front portion of the repeatable closure cover member is permanently fixed to the reinforcing plate such that The lido closure cover member moves from the closed position toward the open position when the lid is opened to at least partially reveal the out The container further includes an inner frame, the inner frame comprising: an inner frame front panel configured to be parallel to the front wall of the package; an inner frame side panel attached to the inner frame front panel; and at least one inner a frame rear panel attached to a corresponding inner frame side panel; the at least one inner frame rear panel being configured to be parallel to the rear wall of the package; at least one projection of the inner frame front panel extending above a top edge of the front wall of the box And wherein, when the cover is in the closed position, the inner surface of the cover reinforcement panel abuts against the outer surface of the projection of the inner frame front panel.    The container of claim 1, wherein the repeatable closure cover member comprises a body portion extending away from the front portion of the cover member, the width of the cover member body portion being greater than the width of the front portion of the cover member.    The container of claim 2, wherein the front portion of the covering member is tapered.    A container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the inner frame includes a cutout defining a top edge of a side end of the inner frame front panel such that the side ends at least partially define the inner edge The front panel of the frame protrudes.    The container of claim 4, wherein the slit of the inner frame extends over the entire width of the inner frame front panel and at least a portion of the width of the inner frame side panels such that the recess is at least partially constrained in the lateral direction In the inner frame of the inner frame.    The container of claim 5, wherein the height of the top edge of the inner frame side panels is continuously increased from the height of the top edge of a respective side end to a corresponding inner frame rear panel over the entire width of each side panel The height of the top edge.    A container according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the highest point of the top edge of the inner frame is at a position along the rear panel of an inner frame.    The container of any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the slit defines a top edge of the inner frame front panel and the front of the covering member in a direction orthogonal to a top edge of the inner frame front panel The distance between the rim and the top edge of the inner frame front panel varies by no more than 10 millimeters along the length of the top edge of the inner frame front panel.    The container of claim 8, wherein a distance between a leading edge of the covering member and a top edge of the inner frame front panel in a direction orthogonal to a top edge of the inner frame front panel is about 2 mm to About 5 mm.    The container according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the slit defines an inner frame central front plate portion and a top edge of the inner frame side front plate portion extending laterally from the inner frame central front plate portion, The top edge of the central front panel portion of the inner frame is higher than the top edge of the inner frame side front panel portion.    The container of claim 10, wherein a top edge of the central front panel portion of the inner frame is lower than a top edge of the side end of the inner frame front panel.    A container according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the top edge of the central front panel portion of the inner frame is lower or about equal to the top edge of the front wall of the box.    A container for consumer goods, comprising: a casing comprising a box and a lid hinged to the box along a hinge line extending across a rear wall of the casing; wherein the lid includes a front wall of the lid And a reinforcing plate attached to the front wall of the cover along a fold line and folded into the cover; a resealable consumer package in which the package includes an entrance and exit through which the consumer product can pass And a resealable closure member that encloses the access opening of the package and extends beyond the perimeter of the access opening of the package, the cover member being movable from a closed position and an open position, wherein the closed position The cover member covers at least the access opening, and in the open position, the cover member is at least partially separated from the outer surface of the package; wherein the front portion of the repeatable closure cover member is permanently affixed to the cover such that Opening the lid, the repeatable closure member moves from the closed position toward the open position to at least partially reveal the access Wherein the container further comprises an inner frame comprising: an inner frame front panel configured to be parallel to the front wall of the package; a side panel attached to the inner frame front panel; and at least one inner frame rear panel Attaching a corresponding inner frame side panel; the at least one inner frame rear panel being configured to be parallel to the rear wall of the package; and wherein the inner frame includes a cutout, the entire width of the inner frame front panel, and the like At least a portion of the width of the inner frame side panel extends such that the recess is laterally constrained by the at least one inner frame rear panel.    The container of claim 13 wherein the height of the top edge of the inner frame side panels is substantially increased from the height of the top edge of a respective side end to the width of the corresponding inner frame over the entire width of each inner frame side panel The height of the top edge of the board.    The container of claim 14 wherein the highest point of the top edge of the inner frame is at a location along a rear panel of the inner frame.    The container of claim 15 wherein the end edge of the top edge of the inner frame rear panel is no higher than the highest point of the top edge of the inner frame.