With Closure Patents (Class 206/265)
  • Publication number: 20120012479
    Abstract: A pack for tobacco industry products such as menthol cigarettes, comprises a housing (1) defining an enclosure containing tobacco industry products (4) and a pad (34) disposed in or on the pack, impregnated with the substance for altering characteristics of the tobacco industry products, such as a menthol flavourant, and a removable strip (32), attached to the pad so that when removed, the substance is released into the pack from the carrier to be adsorbed by the cigarettes. Thus, menthol can be released from the pad into the pack after opening by the consumer, by removal of the strip to boost the level of menthol flavourant in the cigarettes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventor: Paul Hodges
  • Publication number: 20110303566
    Abstract: A container (1) for snus is disclosed. It comprises two portions (2, 3) that together define a resealable compartment for holding snus, wherein the two portions are attachable to each other by non-permanent reusable adhesive to close said compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventors: Paul Gibson, Aaron McKenzie
  • Publication number: 20110303567
    Abstract: A package for tobacco products comprises a container (3, 4) and an enclosure (2) of barrier material (15) for enclosing a charge of tobacco products. The enclosure of barrier material is located in the container and defines an access aperture. A moveable cover (7) extends over the access aperture and has a graspable tab (10). The container (3, 4) defines a window (14) overlying the tab (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventor: Andrew Jonathan Bray
  • Publication number: 20110290682
    Abstract: A container comprising a housing defining a main storage space and a lid attachable to the housing to close said main storage space is disclosed. The lid includes a central recess and a cover attachable to the lid to close the central recess so to define a secondary storage space. Furthermore, the cover is magnetically detachable from the lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Paul Gibson, Aaron McKenzie
  • Publication number: 20110226640
    Abstract: A package of cigarettes having a group of cigarettes; and a sealed wrapping which encloses the group of cigarettes, has a cigarette withdrawal opening closed by a reclosable sealing panel, and is made from a sheet of multilayer packing material having at least an outer layer, and an inner layer superimposed with the outer layer and having a U-shaped first incision defining the withdrawal opening; the outer layer is larger than the sealing panel, and has a U-shaped second incision located outwards of the first incision, surrounding the first incision on three sides, and defining the edges of the sealing panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventors: Ivanoe Bertuzzi, Roberto Polloni, Andrea Biondi
  • Publication number: 20110192737
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Teresa Ancona, Michael Vincent Lewis, Katrina Lewis, Oliver Pulz, Bodo-Werner Lutzig
  • Publication number: 20110180432
    Abstract: Packaging for tobacco industry products such as cigarettes comprises a closed container (1) having a main body (2) and a flip top (3), coated with a continuous layer of transparent plastics material (6) to provide an air-tight seal. The container (1) can be pressurised with e.g. nitrogen gas through a one-way valve (8). The package can be biodegradable, with the container (1), its interior wrapping (5) and outer coating (6) all being made of biodegradable material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Kevin Blick, Dennis Lee Potter
  • Publication number: 20110107878
    Abstract: A tobacco tin can include a container portion further comprising a main body and a hook member, and a lid further comprising a major portion and an engagement member. The lid is sized to fit over the container portion so that the lid is removably attachable to the container portion. The hook member extends outwardly so that the outermost point of the hook member extends towards the lid and the engagement member extends outwardly so that the outermost point of the engagement member extends towards the container portion when the lid is removably attached to the container portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventor: William David Gust
  • Patent number: 7901719
    Abstract: A package assembly encloses a plurality of individual elongate consumable products. The package assembly includes a plurality of products aligned in a side-by-side array. A package housing encloses the array of products. The package housing has front and back walls for supporting the products therebetween in a closable cover for closing a product dispensing opening. The front wall includes a wall flap extending inwardly towards the back wall in frictional engagement with the array of products for removable retention of the products therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Cadbury Adams USA LLC
    Inventor: Allen Sydney Aldridge
  • Publication number: 20100243488
    Abstract: A smokeless tobacco container (1) comprising in its closed state, a first and second portion, said portions being rotatably engageable with each other to define a space, said first portion (2) having release means, said second portion (3) having complementary engaging means such that only when in a selected position the release means can be aligned with the complementary engaging means thereby allowing separation of the two portions to open the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventor: Paul Gibson
  • Patent number: 7798319
    Abstract: Some embodiments of a tobacco product package device can be used to enhance freshness and other characteristics of tobacco products or other products contained therein. Certain features can improve product freshness both during shelf life and during consumer use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company
    Inventors: David Karl Bried, James Arthur Strickland, Mark T. Nielsen, Frank Scott Atchley, Lamar Eugene Walters, II, Gregory A. Pace
  • Publication number: 20100206320
    Abstract: Packaging for moist smokeless tobacco can be provided in the form of a refill unit comprising a base portion (10) configured to fit in the bottom of an existing moist smokeless tobacco product container and a lid portion (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Richard Hodgson, Steve Dickason
  • Publication number: 20100206754
    Abstract: A cigar carrying case including a housing unit having a base in which the cigars are housed and a top which fits over the base to cover the cigars. In one embodiment, the top and the base are hingedly coupled such as by a living hinge and secured by a fastener, such as a zipper, wherein the zipper may also serve as the living hinge. In another embodiment, the top and/or base also have end caps made of buffalo horn. In an alternative embodiment, the base contains an adjustable divider to prevent the cigars from damaging each other. In a further embodiment, the top has a humidification device in order to prevent the cigars from drying out. In yet another embodiment, a storage compartment is incorporated into either the top or the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: Ash & Burn , LLC
    Inventor: Abhik Roy
  • Publication number: 20100155273
    Abstract: A slide and shell container includes an outer shell having a first wall with an aperture provided therein; an inner slide slidable within the outer shell between a closed position in which the interior of the inner slide is inaccessible and an open position in which the interior of the inner slide is accessible; and a hinged flap connected to the inner slide that protrudes through the aperture in the first wall of the outer shell. The hinged flap is pivotable between a first position in which the flap rests against the first wall of the outer shell and a second position in which the flap is hinged outwardly from the first wall of the outer shell upon slidable movement of the inner slide between the closed position and the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventor: Lucas Chatelain
  • Patent number: 7717260
    Abstract: In a hinge-lid box comprising a box part (13), lid and collar (15), the collar (15) is configured such that the collar side tabs (29, 30) lie at a distance from the box side walls (26). The collar side tabs (29, 30) are supported by supporting tabs (35, 36; 40, 41) on the box side walls (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co. KG)
    Inventor: Henry Buse
  • Patent number: 7717259
    Abstract: A container for holding a smoker's article. The container has a lid and a body. The body includes a first chamber for holding smoker's articles, and a second chamber for holding a cigarette or a pipe. The lid is rotatably supported atop the container and is rotatable between the position covering both, or at least partially covering one or the other of the two chambers. A magnet in the body cooperates with a magnet in the lid for retaining the lid in the closed position over both chambers. A third small hole or chamber in the body is shaped to receive a magnetized element such as a poker. A magnet at the top of the body removably magnetically retains the poker in its chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Volo Trading
    Inventor: Christopher Hatton
  • Publication number: 20100018883
    Abstract: A container for a smokeless tobacco product is provided. A container for smokeless tobacco comprises a lid and a corresponding bottom piece having an outside wall and at least one dividing wall extending between opposite sides of the outside wall and dividing the bottom piece into a plurality of compartments. A seal is removably positioned over each compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventor: Pankaj Patel
  • Publication number: 20100012534
    Abstract: An improved lid for a tobacco container is provided. The lid includes a top and a circumferential sidewall transverse thereto. The sidewall is unitarily formed with the top and depends downwardly therefrom. The sidewall includes a strengthening feature. In an embodiment, the strengthening feature allows the lid to be interlocked to a tobacco container. In a further embodiment, the strengthening feature permits a thin walled sheet metal to be utilized to manufacture of the lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: J.L. CLARK, INC.
    Inventor: Gregg Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20100000888
    Abstract: A tobacco container is provided. The tobacco container includes a lid, a container body and an insert in the form of a liner. The liner releasably connects the lid to the container body. Each of the lid and container body receive and connect to the liner. The liner can include a compression lip that is deformed when the liner is connected to the container body. The liner connects the container body and lid to one another without the two components contacting each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: J.L. CLARK, INC.
    Inventors: Edward P. Cronin, Joseph P. Valley, III, Gregg Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20090266725
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a pack for cigarettes (1) which presents an articulable top cover (8) bearing a differentiated closing system (13, 14, 15) which allows the perfect closing of the packing, even when it is made of substantially soft and low grammage material, such as the soft cup type pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventors: Ricardo Villarinho, Marcos Henrique Koshaka, Tatiana Negreli Menegatti, Daniela Rainho Figoli, Leandro Gomes Vilela, Francisco Soares Pellegrino, Felipe Aguiar Borges
  • Publication number: 20090230003
    Abstract: A pocket-sized container for consumer items comprises a cylindrical base, a cylindrical lid and a window. The cylindrical base includes a bottom sidewall and a bottom wall. The bottom sidewall includes a recessed surface at an upper portion thereof. The cylindrical lid includes a top sidewall and a top wall. An inner surface of the top sidewall slidingly engages the recessed surface of the bottom sidewall so as to close the container with the outer surface of the bottom sidewall flush with the outer surface of the top sidewall. The lid includes an opening in the top wall and a window fits inside the lid such that a domed portion of the window extends into the opening. The pocket-sized container can hold both tobacco products or non-tobacco products, including orally consumed pouches such as snus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventor: RUTGER THIELLIER
  • Publication number: 20090057173
    Abstract: Provided is a pocket-sized, hand-held container including a receptacle at least partially housed in an outer housing and a tray, contained within the outer housing and positioned around the receptacle. Preferably, the tray is sealed with a membrane. The receptacle is used to contain spent product. Preferably, the outer housing includes an upper housing and a lower housing. A lid in the upper housing slides open to reveal an openable window in the membrane. In an embodiment, at least one thumb ridge is located on the lid to facilitate opening and closing of the lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T. Mitten, Xuan M. Pham, Yvonne DeVerry, Sven Bergmann, Stephen J. Bellamah, Stephen Getsy
  • Patent number: 7484619
    Abstract: A wrapper with a hinged lid for tobacco products presents a front face (7), a rear race (8), two flank faces (9), a top end face (10) and a bottom end face (11), and comprises a container (13), a lid (15) hinged to the container along a crease lid (16), and a reinforcing frame (25). The wrapper (1) is fashioned from a flat diecut blank (37) comprising a central panel (41), two lateral panels (42) flanking the central panel (41) and an end panel (43), all aligned along a first axis (38), also an appendage (45) aligned with the central panel (41) along a second axis (39) perpendicular to the first axis (38), connected to one end of the central panel (41) and destined lo provide the lid (15). The frame (25) is incorporated directly into the blank (37), created by a process of deformation that involves selectively embossing portions (17a, 19a) of the front (17) and the flanks (19) of the container (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: GD S.p.A.
    Inventors: Silvano Boriani, Alberto Franchini, Fiorenzo Draghetti
  • Publication number: 20090014343
    Abstract: A three-piece pocket-size hybrid container for holding a consumer product such as smokeless tobacco product in an interior volume of an inner ring mechanically secured to an interior of an outer base housing including a cover to fit over and snugly around the inner ring. When closed, a cover sidewall may engage a sidewall of the outer base housing to form a flush exterior sidewall of the closed container or the cover sidewall may be spaced apart from the outer base housing to form a gap in the exterior sidewall of the closed container. The outer base housing and cover can be metal and the inner ring can be plastic to provide a strong and robust package that maintains product freshness and is easily opened and closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Clark, William T. Griffin, Robert T. Mitten
  • Publication number: 20080314778
    Abstract: A container for holding a smoker's article. The container has a lid and a body. The body includes a first chamber for holding smoker's articles, and a second chamber for holding a cigarette or a pipe. The lid is rotatably supported atop the container and is rotatable between the position covering both, or at least partially covering one or the other of the two chambers. A magnet in the body cooperates with a magnet in the lid for retaining the lid in the closed position over both chambers. A third small hole or chamber in the body is shaped to receive a magnetized element such as a poker. A magnet at the top of the body removably magnetically retains the poker in its chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventor: Christopher Hatton
  • Patent number: 7467711
    Abstract: A tongue-lid cigarette pack comprises a box part (2) of a parallelepiped shape, and a tongue lid (4) for opening and closing an open end (6) of the box part (2). On lateral edges (40) of the box part (2), chamfered edges (42) extending from a bottom wall (38) of the box part (2) over a specified length are formed. The chamfered edges (42) have a width ranging between 0.8 mm and 2 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Tambo
  • Publication number: 20080308432
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.,
    Inventors: Bodo-Werner Lutzig, Eduardo Schmitt
  • Patent number: 7455177
    Abstract: A packet of cigarettes having a rigid container in turn having a hinged lid; and a group of cigarettes housed inside the container and enclosed in an inner foil wrapping having a front tear-off portion; a front wall of the container has a transparent window superimposed over the front tear-off portion of the inner foil wrapping (FIG. 1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: G.D Societa' Per Aziono
    Inventors: Stefano Serafini, Fiorenzo Draghetti
  • Patent number: 7428967
    Abstract: A rigid package for tobacco articles, having a cup-shaped container having an open end; and a cup-shaped lid hinged to the container along a hinge to rotate, with respect to the container, between an open position and a closed position respectively opening and closing the open end; a mechanical sound member being provided to generate an audible sound as the lid is opened, and which is located astride the hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: G.D Societa′ Per Azioni
    Inventors: Luca Petrucci, Stefano Negrini
  • Publication number: 20080202956
    Abstract: A metal lid for a tobacco can is provided. The metal lid includes a circular lid top having a central recess and a shoulder. The shoulder extends radially outwardly from and vertically above the central recess. The side wall is unitarily formed with the shoulder, depends downwardly from the shoulder, and is disposed below the central recess of the lid top. The side wall includes a bead and a hem. The bead extends circumferentially around the side wall. The hem is formed from a distal portion of the side wall folded over onto an intermediate portion of the side wall. The hem functions as a guide, forms a safety edge, and permits the lid to be more easily grasped by a consumer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: J.L. CLARK, INC.
    Inventors: Melvin Lee Welk, L. Robert McVey, Gary Howard Caldwell
  • Patent number: 7409955
    Abstract: A combined cigarette cutter and container includes a cigarette cutter illustratively engaged to an upper inside surface of a lid of a container which holds preferably a single cigarette (or cigar). The user may partially smoke it, cut off the used portion using the cutter, insert the unused portion in the container, and close the lid. This provides a convenient carrying mechanism to permit later consumption of the cigarette or cigar. In other embodiments, the case has curved major surfaces with a fixedly-fastened cutter adjacent to one of the end walls. The cutter can be omitted to provide a case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Origin-8, LLC
    Inventors: Beau Austin Mauldin, Richard Garret Mauldiin
  • Publication number: 20080164159
    Abstract: A cigarette box has a V-shaped notch (6) cut in an edge of a top wall thereof, a push-pull wall (8) forming one side wall thereof, and a fin-shaped knob (10) provided on the outer surface of the push-pull wall (8). When the push-pull wall (8) is pulled out of the cigarette box, an upper end thereof is shaped like the letter V forming a rhombic opening (12) in cooperation with the notch (6). On the other hand, when the push-pull wall (8) is pushed into the cigarette box, the upper end thereof coincides with the notch (6), forming an oppositely directed V shape and closing the opening (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
    Inventors: Hirobumi Ishii, Tetsuya Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7377384
    Abstract: A cigarette pack has a pair of complementary packets each having a box that includes a straight or angled or non-orthogonal side panel and wherein each box contains a group of cigarettes. The packets are arranged adjacent one another along their straight or non-orthogonal sides and then overwrapped to produce the cigarette pack. Each packet includes ten cigarettes for a total pack count of twenty cigarettes. The individual packets promote ease of transport and overall freshness. The packet may have rounded or beveled corners, and each packet may have a hinge lid or comprise an outer shell and interior cigarette holding slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T. Mitten, Scott A. Fath
  • Patent number: 7290652
    Abstract: The invention relates to a container, especially for cigarettes, having a base and a lid. The base includes a bottom area and a first wall, and the lid includes a cover area and a second wall. The base and the lid are hinged to each other on a first side of the first wall and a first side of the second wall. When the container is in a closed state, a gap is formed between the other sides of the first wall and the other sides of the second wall. A protective cover is disposed around the base and the lid when the container is in the closed state. The protective cover, in the area of the gap, is provided with a perforated section and is at least partially linked with the base and/or the lid, especially glued to it or linked with it in a similar manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Inventor: Josef Rath
  • Patent number: 7121403
    Abstract: A blank for forming a carton, the carton formed therefrom, and a closure for the carton are provided for enclosing a plurality of unbound elongate smoking articles. The blank includes a base sub-blank at the distal end which is folded to form an open top box and a lid sub-blank at the proximal end which is folded to form a top for the box. A movable lid sub-panel is formed in the lid sub-blank which is hingedly removable therefrom to open the top of the box and which is reclosable by use of a foldable member provided therein. After opening of the movable lid sub-panel, the foldable member is folded over to form an extending tab which is received in a weakening line provided in an underlying front panel of the carton when it is desired to hold the movable lid sub-panel in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Inventors: Walter Bohdan, Christopher M. Morgan, Christine Hannah Jones, Maureen Jane Jeffrey, James Jerome Petit
  • Patent number: 7014039
    Abstract: Smoking articles, such as filter cigarettes, are packaged in a metal box which is curved to a shape that conforms to the curvature of the human body so that the box can be comfortably carried in a shirt or pant pocket. The metal box comprises a lid and a four sided tray. The lid and the tray have rolled lips which interengage to mechanically and slidably retain the lid to the tray. The lid covers the open front of the tray and is slidable along an arcuate path corresponding to the radius of curvature of the lid to selectively open or close the front of the tray. The lid of the box includes an abutment that prevents the lid of the box from being completely removed unless additional force is applied to push the abutment past the rear wall of the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Jane Cottrell Henson, Veronica Nicole Walton
  • Patent number: 6779658
    Abstract: A rigid pack (100) with a hinged lid (12) serves both as a carton proportioned to accommodate a plurality of packets (1) of cigarettes (3), and as a single packet (1); in either instance the pack comprises a container (10) surmounted by a lid (12) hinged to one open end (11) of the container and rotatable between positions in which the container (10) is open and closed, respectively. The pack (100) appears prismatic in shape and substantially triangular in section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: G.D. S.p.A.
    Inventors: Roberto Polloni, Chiara Colo', Igino Conti, Fiorenzo Draghetti
  • Patent number: 6736261
    Abstract: Smoking articles, such as filter cigarettes, are packaged in a metal box which is curved to a shape that conforms to the curvature of the human body so that the box can be comfortably carried in a shirt or pant pocket. The metal box comprises a lid and a five-sided tray each of which has rolled lips which interengage to mechanically and slidably retain the lid to the tray. The lid covers the open front of the tray and is slidable along an arcuate path corresponding to the radius of curvature of the lid to selectively open or close the front of the tray. The metal box is sealed with a shrinkable band, further packaged in a paperboard box and overwrapped with a polymeric film having a tear tape. The package is unique and attractive and provides several product differentiation features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Inventors: Timothy Frederick Thomas, Leslie Elizabeth Jarrell, Roland Charriez, Thomas Charles VanDyk
  • Patent number: 6712075
    Abstract: What I believe is a totally new way to help the people addicted to smoking cigarettes to quit the habit by spacing the time between smokes and preventing the unconscious reach for one by means of a case or container for the cigarettes with a timing mechanism that will not open the container until a pre-determined time is reached. That timing mechanism can be reset from a few minutes to several hours therefore gradually reducing the absorption of nicotine until the craving for it is negligible and quitting the habit is easy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Inventor: Modesto J. Garcia
  • Publication number: 20040026271
    Abstract: A pack of rigid type with a hinged lid for tobacco products comprises a cupped container (3; 26) presenting a front face (8) and two flank faces (10) of which the free edges (8a, 10a) combine to establish an open end (4) of the container, also a reinforcing frame (15) secured to the container (3; 26), presenting a breast piece (16), two side pieces (17) and a top edge (18) of U profile directed toward the lid (5; 27). The lid (5; 27) likewise is cupped, presenting a front face (11) and two flank faces (13) with respective free edges (11a, 13a), and closes the open end (4) of the container (3; 26). A coupon (19) is included in the pack, between the frame (15) and the tobacco products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Igino Conti, Fiorenzo Draghetti, Patrizia Persi
  • Patent number: 6681927
    Abstract: A (cigarette) pack, in particular a hinge-lid box (10), with an outer wrapper (24) made of thin, transparent film includes a printing carrier (30) which is arranged, between the hinge-lid box (10) and outer wrapper (24), with (zigzag) folding. The printing carrier (30) is positioned in the region of an end wall (22) such that automatic unfolding takes place when the outer wrapper (24) is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co.)
    Inventors: Heinz Focke, Dieter Neuber
  • Patent number: 6604530
    Abstract: A portable receptacle for extinguishing and storing cigarette ends is described, which comprises two distinct, functionally independent, unequally sized chambers, one smaller chamber being equipped with a fire extinguishing substance for extinguishing a cigarette after use and the other larger chamber providing the space of collection of ashes during smoking and of the cigarette ends which have been previously safely extinguished through their immersion into the chamber containing the fire extinguishing substance. Additionally, the fire extinguishing substance containing chamber may constitute a means for extinguishing cigarettes in table ashtrays of an otherwise conventional form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventors: Georgia Rogari, Panayiotis Rogaris
  • Patent number: 6505735
    Abstract: A label (7) for resealing an enclosure of a cigarette pack is provided with a pull tab (10) defined by a cut (16) through one layer (14) of a two-layer structure (14, 15), the tab surface (19) being non-adhesive but at least part of the corresponding surface of the major portion of the label being permanently tacky (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited
    Inventor: Michael Patrick Parker
  • Patent number: 6463936
    Abstract: A cigarette handling system comprises a housing in a generally tubular configuration. The housing is formed with a sidewall and an integrally formed circular bottom wall and an open upper end. The housing is fabricated of a rigid moldable plastic material selected from the class of rigid moldable plastics. The housing has an exterior surface with a reduced diameter at the bottom wall and enlarged adjacent to the top. The housing has an interior surface, the interior surface being hollow for forming a chamber adapted to receive a lit cigarette and with the sidewall tapering radially outwardly from adjacent to the bottom toward the upper end with the upper end being end being flared slightly. This is to facilitate the guidance and entry of the lit end of a cigarette into the chamber. A supplemental layer of heat resistant material on the interior surface of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Inventor: Douglas A. Hicks
  • Patent number: 6401918
    Abstract: Pack units comprising a (cigarette) pack, in particular hinge-lid box (10), and an outer wrapper (24) made of thin, transparent film are assigned a printing carrier (30) which is arranged between the hinge-lid box (10) and outer wrapper (24), to be precise with (zigzag) folding. The printing carrier (30) is positioned in the region of an end wall (22) such that automatic unfolding takes place when the outer wrapper (24) is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co.)
    Inventors: Heinz Focke, Dieter Neuber
  • Patent number: 6343691
    Abstract: Hinge-lid packs are normally comprised of a lower pack part (10) and a lid (11) which is pivotably connected thereto. The hinge-lid pack is designed such as to have a hexagonal cross-section with beveled front edges (30, 31) of the pack part (10) and the lid (11), thereby forming chamfers (34, 35).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Inventors: Heinz Focke, Henry Buse
  • Publication number: 20020000389
    Abstract: A convenient, safe and economical packaging system has an open receptacle that collapses to a reduced closed receptacle for storing debris. An outer sleeve and a container are connected through an accordion section. The accordion section folds by pushing the container into the outer sleeve collapsing the open ashtray receptacle to the closed receptacle. A removable lining may optionally cover the walls of the closed receptacle. With the container pulled out the open ashtray receptacle is easily assessable through an access hole in the sleeve. A folded cutout attached to a panel of the sleeve and a bottom of the container covers the access hole in the closed position. The packaging system is particularly useful for packaging cigarettes and can be used several time before emptying the closed receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventor: Guadalupe C. Garcia
  • Patent number: 6321757
    Abstract: A cigarette pack and ash holder/extinguisher for neatly keeping cigarettes and their ashes in a container. The cigarette pack and ash holder/extinguisher includes a container having a plurality of compartments with a first one of which being adapted to receive and store a pack of cigarettes and with a second one of which being adapted to receive and store cigarette ashes and spent cigarettes; and also includes a tubular member being securely disposed in the second one of the compartments and being adapted to extinguish a cigarette; and further includes a first and second lid members hingedly attached to the container; and also includes a pair of latch members securely attached to the lid members and a pair of boss members securely attached to the container for fastening the lid members to the container; and further includes a clip member securely attached to the container for clipping onto an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Inventor: Paul Jerry McCutcheon
  • Patent number: 6244436
    Abstract: A rigid package with hinged lid which holds a group of cigarette packs stacked flat against one another, parallel with the bottom of the package, along a stacking axis which is at a right angle to the longitudinal axes of the packs comprises a container and a lid, which are hinged together, and an inner frame which is partially inside the container; the package is made from a flat blank which is substantially rectangular and, in the direction of its longer longitudinal axis has a main portion designed to define the container and the lid, and a longitudinal end appendix designed to be folded over the main portion to define the inner frame; the appendix is substantially U-shaped and is hinged, with its arms, to two side panels of the blank which define the sides of the package and surrounds a longitudinal free end of the main portion; the free end consists of a panel designed to define the bottom of the package, and two side tabs and a longitudinal end tab defining respective flaps for closing the bottom; the g
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: G.D. S.p.A.
    Inventors: Silvano Boriani, Alessandro Minarelli
  • Patent number: 6220430
    Abstract: A rigid wrapper for tobacco products comprises a cupped container and a similarly cupped lid hinged together along respective rear edges, also a reinforcing frame located partly inside the container and fixed to a front face and to two flank faces of the container. The wrapper is fashioned from a substantially rectangular diecut blank with a predominating longitudinal axis, which incorporates a main portion providing the container and the lid and a longitudinal appendage providing the frame; the appendage is essentially U-shaped, hinged by two arms to two lateral panels of the blank providing respective flanks of the wrapper, and circumscribes a free longitudinally-extended extremity of the main portion shaped and creased to include a panel providing a bottom of the wrapper, also two side flaps and a longitudinal end flap functioning as bottom end folds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: G.D S.p.A.
    Inventors: Silvano Boriani, Alessandro Minarelli