Abstract: Cigarettes are stored in one or more reservoirs at a customer location. A computer receives customer orders and transmits them to a dispenser. Upon receipt of a customer order, a pre-selected number of cigarettes is automatically removed from the reservoir(s) by the dispenser and then automatically packed in a container by a packer comprising a collation mandrel which is movable relative to the dispenser. A preferred type of substantially air-tight, self-sealing container has a lid portion, a body portion and a collar, which is mounted within the body portion. The body portion is provided with one or more upwardly extending protrusions on the upper surface of the base thereof. An air and moisture impermeable membrane is sealed about the upper periphery of the collar.

Abstract: A reclosable container for consumer items includes a box, a lid hingedly connected to the box, an inner liner wrapped around the consumer items, the inner liner including a section defining an opening for allowing access to the consumer items, means to open and reclose the opening, and an inner frame attached to the box. The inner frame includes a free inner frame portion protruding from the box towards the opening in the inner liner. The free inner frame portion includes a cut out and the inner frame is attached to the inner liner proximate to the cut out.

Abstract: A container having a surface including at least one high friction surface region having a coefficient of friction of between about 0.63 and about 2. Optionally, the at least one high friction surface region includes a coating layer, which may include fibers. The surface of the container may further include at least one low friction surface region having a coefficient of friction of less than 0.5, or preferably less than 0.3.

Abstract: An elongate laminar blank for forming a hinge-lid container has a box-defining portion and a lid-defining portion connected along a transverse hinge line. The lid-defining portion of the blank comprises: a lid rear wall panel extending from the transverse hinge line; a lid top wall panel connected to the lid rear wall panel along a first transverse fold line; a lid front wall panel connected to the lid top wall panel along a second transverse fold line and having an opposed outer transverse edge; a pair of opposed trapezoidal lid inner side wall panels connected to the lid rear wall panel on either side thereof along a first pair of longitudinal fold lines; and a pair of opposed trapezoidal lid outer side wall panels connected to the lid front wall panel on either side thereof along a second pair of longitudinal fold lines, each trapezoidal lid outer side wall panel having an angled outer edge.

Abstract: A container blank is provided for a box with a hinged lid wherein the lid is reliably closed by way of an enlarged collar section. The closure of the box can be aided by surfaces formed on the container blank such that when folded into a box, the surfaces of the closure can provide resistance to the lid opening. Additionally, a lid portion of the container blank can optionally be provided with an embossed section.

Abstract: A wrapped bundle comprises an inner liner wrapped about a predetermined collation of smoking articles, the inner liner comprising an inner liner outer edge, the inner liner further comprising at least two sections defining an opening in the wrapped bundle, at least one section of the at least two sections being provided with means for releasably attaching the at least two sections to reclose the opening, wherein at least one section comprises a part of the inner liner outer edge.

Abstract: An elongate laminar blank for forming a hinge-lid container has a box-defining portion and a lid-defining portion connected along a transverse hinge line. The lid-defining portion of the blank comprises: a lid rear wall panel extending from the transverse hinge line; a lid top wall panel connected to the lid rear wall panel along a first transverse fold line; a lid front wall panel connected to the lid top wall panel along a second transverse fold line and having an opposed outer transverse edge; a pair of opposed trapezoidal lid inner side wall panels connected to the lid rear wall panel on either side thereof along a first pair of longitudinal fold lines; and a pair of opposed trapezoidal lid outer side wall panels connected to the lid front wall panel on either side thereof along a second pair of longitudinal fold lines, each trapezoidal lid outer side wall panel having an angled outer edge.

Abstract: A container blank is provided for a box with a hinged lid wherein the lid is reliably closed by way of an enlarged collar section. The closure of the box can be aided by surfaces formed on the container blank such that when folded into a box, the surfaces of the closure can provide resistance to the lid opening. Additionally, a lid portion of the container blank can optionally be provided with an embossed section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a box with a hinged lid wherein the lid is reliably closed by way of an enlarged collar section (20) as compared to conventional boxes with a hinged lid. The closure is even rendered more reliable by recesses on the insides of the lid that optionally are further provided with embossed sections.

Abstract: The invention relates to a box with a hinged lid wherein the lid is reliably closed by way of an enlarged collar section (20) as compared to conventional boxes with a hinged lid. The closure is even rendered more reliable by recusant on the insides of the lid that optionally are further provided with embossed section.