Case for a Cigarette Packet

Abstract

A case (10) for a cigarette packet including a lid (14) and a hollow receptacle (12) that is closed at one end, a first portion of the lid (14) being shaped to receive and seat therein a lid portion of the cigarette packet and the receptacle (12) being shaped to receive and seat therein a body portion of the cigarette packet.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a case for a cigarette packet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cigarette packets bear trade marks and other indicia that help to distinguish the cigarettes of one manufacturer from those of another. Manufacturers of cigarettes typically manufacture a range of cigarettes that are each distinguished from one another by their respective colours and/or designs. While, such markings and colours assist in product selection, consumers may not wish to themselves advertise their preferred brand and style of cigarettes after the product has been purchased. In addition, consumers may not necessarily find that their preferred cigarette packet has aesthetic value.

Cigarette packets in Australia, for example, bear government health warnings that are designed to confront smokers with the dangers of smoking. While the government health warnings may be useful in informing smokers of these dangers, they are laid bare for all to see and may be offensive to some people.

An object of preferred embodiments of the present invention is to overcome or ameliorate one or more of the above mentioned difficulties, or at least provide a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a case for a cigarette packet including a lid and a hollow receptacle that is closed at one end, a first portion of the lid being shaped to receive and seat therein a lid portion of the cigarette packet and the receptacle being shaped to receive and seat therein a body portion of the cigarette packet.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a case for a cigarette packet including a lid and a hollow receptacle that is closed at one end, the receptacle being shaped to receive and seat therein a body portion of the cigarette packet and the lid being arrangable to extend over and cover an open end of the receptacle so as to secure a cigarette packet stored therein.

Preferably, the case includes a wallet that is coupleable to a side of the case.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided, a cover for a lid of a cigarette packet, including a first portion being shaped to receive, and seat therein, the lid of the cigarette packet and a second portion for coupling the cover to a body portion of the cigarette packet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are hereafter described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of an isometric view of a front aspect of a case for a cigarette packet in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of a rear aspect of the case shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic illustration of an isometric view of a front aspect of a lid of the case shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of a side aspect of the of the lid of the case shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic illustration of an isometric view of a rear aspect of the lid of the case shown in FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic illustration of an isometric view of a front aspect of a receptacle of the case shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic illustration of an isometric view of a front aspect of a cigarette packet;

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic illustration of an isometric view of a front aspect of the receptacle shown in FIGS. 6 with the cigarette packet shown in FIG. 7 seated therein;

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic illustration of a side aspect of the lid of the case shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 coupled to the cigarette packet shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic illustration of an isometric view of a rear aspect of the lid coupled to the cigarette packet shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic illustration of an isometric view of a front aspect of the lid and coupled to the cigarette packet shown in FIGS. 9 and 10;

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic illustration of a partially exploded isometric view of a front aspect of the case shown in FIG. 1 coupled to the cigarette packet shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic illustration of an isometric view of a front aspect of the case shown in FIG. 1 coupled to the cigarette packet shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic illustration of an isometric view of a front aspect of a case in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic illustration of an isometric view of a rear aspect of a case in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic illustration of an isometric view of a further rear aspect of the case shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a diagrammatic illustration of are isometric view of a front aspect of the wallet shown in FIG. 16 arranged in a first position;

FIG. 18 is a diagrammatic illustration of an isometric view of a front aspect of the wallet shown in FIG. 17 arranged in a second position;

FIG. 19 is a diagrammatic illustration of an isometric view of a front aspect of a case for a cigarette packet in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a diagrammatic illustration of an isometric view of a front aspect of the case shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a diagrammatic illustration of an isometric view of a front aspect of a case in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 22 is a diagrammatic illustration of an isometric view of a front aspect of the case shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 23 is a diagrammatic illustration of a perspective view of a lid of a case in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 24 is a diagrammatic illustration of a side view of the of the lid shown in FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a diagrammatic illustration of a rear view of the lid shown in FIG. 23;

FIG. 26 is a diagrammatic illustration of a side view of the lid shown in FIG. 23;

FIG. 27 is a diagrammatic illustration of a front view of the lid shown in FIG. 23; and

FIG. 28 is a diagrammatic illustration of a bottom view of the lid shown in FIG. 23.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The case 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a decorative and protective covering for a cigarette packet (not shown). The case 10 includes a hollow receptacle 12 that is closed at one end. The receptacle 12 is shaped to receive, and store therein, a cigarette packet. The case 10 also includes a lid 14 that is positionable over an open end of the receptacle 12 to secure the contents of the receptacle 12 therein.

The lid 14 includes first and sections 16,18, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5. The first section 16 is rectangular in shape and has a height, h_f, and a length, l_f, that each approximate the height and the length of a cigarette packet respectively. The width, w_f, of the first section 16 is, for example, 2 mm.

The second section 18 is formed in the shape of a box having one open side. The length, l_s, of the second section 18 is equal to the length, l_f, of the first section 16. The width, w_s, of the second section 18 approximates the width of the cigarette packet. The height, h_s, of the second section 18 approximates the height of a lid portion of the cigarette packet. The second section 18 is shaped to receive the lid portion of the cigarette packet through the above-mentioned open side.

The first section 16 is arranged with respect to the second section 18 such that a length, l_s, of the second section 18 is parallel to and abutting a length, l_f, of the first section 16. Further, the abutting lengths of the first and second sections 16,18 are coupled together by a hinge 20. The mentioned abutting length of the second section 18 is a length of the second section 18 that, in part, defines the open side of the box-shaped second section 18.

The open end 22 of the receptacle 12 shown in FIG. 6 is shaped to receive an end portion 24 of the cigarette packet 26 shown in FIG. 7. The length, l_r, and width, w_r, of the receptacle 12 are slightly greater than the length, l_c, and the width, w_c, of the cigarette packet, such that the packet 26 can pass through the open end 22 of the receptacle 12. The packet 26 is seated within the receptacle 12 when the end portion 24 of the packet 26 abuts the closed end of the receptacle 12. The height, h_r, of the receptacle 12 is approximates the height, h_c, of a body portion 28 of the cigarette packet 26. When the packet is seated in the 10 receptacle 12 in the described manner a lid portion 30 of the cigarette packet 26 protrudes from the receptacle 12 in the manner shown in FIG. 8.

The open side of the box-shaped second section 18 of the lid 14 is shaped to receive the lid portion 30 of the cigarette packet 26 in the manner shown in FIGS. 9 to 11. The length, l_s, and the width, w_s, of the second section 18 of the lid 14 are such that the lid 30 of the cigarette packet 26 (having length, l_c, and width, w_c) can pass through the open side of the box-shaped second section 18 of the lid 14. The lid 30 of the packet 26 is seated within the second section 18 when an end portion of the lid 30 of the cigarette packet 26 abuts the closed end of the second section 18. The height, h_s, of the second section 18 of the lid 14 approximates the height of the lid 30 of the cigarette packet 26. When the lid 30 of the cigarette packet 26 is seated in the second section 30 of the lid 14 in the described manner, a body portion 28 of the cigarette packet 26 protrudes from the second section 18 of the lid 14 in the manner shown in FIGS. 9 to 11.

The case 10 is fitted to the cigarette packet 26 by first seating the lid 30 of the cigarette packet 26 within the second section 18 of the lid 14 and then seating the body portion of the cigarette packet, together with the first section 16 of the lid 14 within the receptacle 12, as shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13. Alternatively, the cigarette packet 26 may first be seated in the receptacle 12 and then fitted to the lid 14 in the described manner.

In one example of the invention, the lid 14 is made of a silicon rubber material and resiliently engages the lid 30 of the cigarette packet 26 when fitted in the above-described manner. Alternatively, the lid 30 of the cigarette packet 26 may be coupled to the second section 18 of the lid 14 in any suitable manner.

The hinge 20 is preferably a fold line, or a crease, in the silicon rubber material of the lid 14. The hinge 20 thereby allows the second section 18 of the lid 14 to rotate about the first section 16 of the lid 14. Alternatively, the hinge may be formed of any suitable material that is coupled to both the first and second sections 16,18 of the lid 14.

The case 10 shown in FIG. 14 includes a pocket 32 of suitable size to support a cigarette lighter. The pocket is located on the periphery of the case 10 and is made of a fabric material. Alternatively, the pocket may be made of any suitable material.

The case 10 shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 includes a wallet 34. The wallet 34 is coupleable to a rear side of the case 10. The wallet 34 is secured to the case 10 by way of a zipper (not shown). The zipper extends around the periphery of one side of the wallet 34. The rear side of the case 10 includes corresponding portions of the zipper and the wallet is thereby securable to the case 10. The wallet may alternatively be secured to the case 10 by corresponding male and female velcro strips secured to respective opposed sides of the wallet 34 and the case 10. The wallet 34 may otherwise be secured to the case 10 by any suitable means. The wallet 34 shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 includes pockets 36 for storing cards, money and other associated items.

The case 50 shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 includes a hollow receptacle 52 that is closed at one end. The receptacle 52 is shaped to receive, and store therein, a cigarette packet 26. The case 50 also includes a lid 54 that is positionable over the open end of the receptacle 52 to thereby secure the contents of the receptacle 52 therein. The case functions in an analogous manner to the above-described case 10. The case 50 also includes a capping 56 that can be fitted over the lid 54. An outer peripheral portion 58 of the lid 54 includes a plurality of raised rubber portions 60 that are positioned to resiliently engage the capping 56 when fitted over the lid 54 in the described manner. The raised rubber portions 60 bear against the capping 56 when so fitted and thereby secure the capping 56 to the lid 54.

The capping 56 is preferably stainless steel. However, any suitable material may be used. The capping 56 increases the aesthetic value of the case 50 as well as further protecting the cigarette packet stored therein.

The case 62 shown in FIG. 21 functions as a decorative and protective covering for a cigarette packet (not shown). The case 62 includes a hollow receptacle 64 that is closed at one end. The receptacle 64 is shaped to receive, and store therein, a cigarette packet. The case 62 also includes a lid 66 that is positionable over an open end of the receptacle 64 to secure the contents of the receptacle 64 therein. The lid 66 is formed of a fabric material and is secured to the receptacle 64 by a hinge 68.

The open end of the receptacle 64 is shaped to receive an end portion 24 of the cigarette packet 26 shown in FIG. 7. The length and width of the receptacle 64 is slightly greater than the length and the width of the packet of cigarettes, so that the cigarette packet 26 can pass through the open end of the receptacle 64. The packet 26 is seated within the receptacle 64 when the end portion 24 of the cigarette packet 26 abuts the closed end of the receptacle 64. The height of the receptacle 64 is equivalent to the height of a body portion 28 of the cigarette packet 26. When the packet is seated in the receptacle 64 in the described manner, an open end of the packet 26 is coplanar with the open end of the receptacle 64.

The lid 66 extends from the hinge 68, over the open end of the receptacle 64, to a position overlying the front side of the case 62 in the manner shown in FIG. 22. The lid 66 is coupleable to the front side of the case by way of corresponding male and female velcro strips secured to respective opposed portions of the front side of the case 62 and to the lid 68. Alternatively, the lid may be secured to the case by any suitable means.

The case 62 is fitted to the cigarette packet 26 by first seating the body portion 28 of the cigarette packet 26 within the receptacle 64 in the above described manner. The cigarette packet 26 is secured in that position by coupling the lid 66 to the receptacle 64 in the described manner.

The case 62 is suitable for use with soft cased cigarette packets that do not have a lid 30. The case 62 also includes a pocket 70 of suitable size to support a cigarette lighter. The pocket is located on the periphery of the case 62 and is made of a fabric material. Alternatively, the pocket 70 may be made of any suitable material.

The case 10,50,62 is formed of a fabric material. The fabric material may be, for example, a woven fabric material, leather, fake animal fur, etc.

The case 10 alternatively includes the lid 80 shown in FIGS. 23 to 29. The lid 80 includes first and sections 82,84. The first section 82 is generally rectangular in shape and has a height, h_a, and a length, l_a, that each approximate the height and the length of a cigarette packet. The width, w_a, of the first section 82 is, for example, 2 mm.

The second section 84 is formed in the shape of a box having one open side. The length, l_b, of the second section 84 is equal to the length, la, of the first section 82. The width, w_h, of the second section 18 approximates the width of the cigarette packet. First and second opposed sides walls 86,88 of the second section 82 are of different heights, such that the height, h_ai, of the first side wall 86 is greater than that of the height, h_aii, of the second side wall 88. The shape of the second section 84 is similar to that of the lid of a cigarette packet and is shaped to receive the lid of the cigarette packet through the above-mentioned open side.

The first section 82 is arranged with respect to the second section 84 such that a length, l_b, of the second section 84 is parallel to and abutting a length, l_a, of the first section 82. Further, the abutting lengths of the first and second sections 82,84 are coupled together by a hinge 90. The mentioned abutting length, l_b, of the second section 82 is a length of the second section 84 that, at least in part, defines the open side of the box-shaped second section 84.

The second section 84 of the lid 80 includes a flexible flange 92 that extends from an end of the first side wall 86 that partially defines the open end of the second section 84. The flange 92 extends in a generally from the mentioned end of the first side wall 86 into the second section of the lid 80 in a direction that is generally parallel to the first side wall. The flange 92 is resiliently movable about the end of the first side wall 86 to allow the lid 30 of the cigarette packet 26 to pass through the open side of the second section 84 so as to be seated within the lid 80. The flange 90 can then be arranged to fold back over an inner surface of the lid 30 of the cigarette packet 26. When so positioned, the flange 92 resiliently bears against the lid 30 of the cigarette packet 26 and thereby assists in securing the second section 84 of the lid 80 to the lid 30 of the cigarette packet 26.

The lid 80 is preferably made of a silicon rubber material and resiliently engages the lid 30 of the cigarette packet 26 when fitted in the above-described manner. Alternatively, the lid 30 of the cigarette packet 26 may be coupled to the second section 84 of the lid 80 in any suitable manner.

The hinge 90 is preferably a fold line, or a crease, in the silicon rubber material of the lid 80. The hinge 90 thereby allows the second section 84 of the lid 80 to rotate about the first section 82 of the lid 80. Alternatively, the hinge 90 may be formed of any suitable material that is coupled to both the first and second sections 82,84 of the lid 80.

The lid 14,80 is preferably made of a polymeric material. The polymeric material may be elastomeric or rigid. For example, the lid 14,80 may be made of any one of polyurethane; polypropylene, polyethylene. Alternatively, the lid 14,80 may be made of polyethylene terephthalate (PETE).

While we have shown and described specific embodiments of the present invention, further modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art. We desire it to be understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular forms shown and we intend in the append claims to cover all modifications that do not depart from the spirit and scope of this invention.

Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” and “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

Claims

1. A case for a cigarette packet including a lid and a hollow receptacle that is closed at one end, a first portion of the lid being shaped to receive and seat therein a lid portion of the cigarette packet and the receptacle being shaped to receive and seat therein a body portion of the cigarette packet.

2. The case claimed in claim 1, wherein a second portion of the lid is shaped for insertion into the receptacle to thereby couple the lid to the receptacle.

3. The case claimed in claim 2, wherein said first portion of the lid is coupled to the second portion of the lid by a hinge.

4. The case claimed in claim 1, wherein the first portion of the lid resiliently engages the lid of the cigarette packet when the lid of the cigarette packet is seated therein.

5. The case claimed in claim 4, wherein the lid is made of a silicone rubber material.

6. The case claimed in claim 1, including a cap shaped to receive and secure therein the first portion of the lid.

7. The case claimed in claim 6, wherein the cap is made of stainless steel.

8. The case claimed in claim 1, wherein the lid of the case includes a flange that is adapted to secure the lid portion of the cigarette packet in a position seated within the lid of the case.

9. A case for a cigarette packet including a lid and a hollow receptacle that is closed at one end, the receptacle being shaped to receive and seat therein a body portion of the cigarette packet and the lid being arrangable to extend over and cover an open end of the receptacle so as to secure a cigarette packet stored therein.

10. The case claimed in claim 9, including a wallet that is coupleable to a side of the case.

11. The case claimed in claim 9, wherein the wallet is coupleable to the case by way of a zipper having a first part secured to the wallet and a second part secured to said side of the case.

12. The case claimed in claim 9, wherein the wallet includes a plurality of pockets, the pockets being shaped to receive money or cards.

13. The case claimed in claim 9, including a pocket coupled to a side of the case, the pocket being suitable for storing a cigarette lighter.

14. The case claimed in claim 9, wherein the lid is made of polymeric material.

15. The case claimed in claim 14, wherein the lid is made of polyurethane.

16. A cover for a lid of a cigarette packet, including a first portion being shaped to receive, and seat therein, the lid of the cigarette packet and a second portion for coupling the cover to a body portion of the cigarette packet.

17. The cover claimed in claim 16, wherein the second section is shaped for insertion into a receptacle containing the body portion of the cigarette packet and is adapted to couple the lid to the receptacle when so arranged.

18. The cover claimed in claim 16, wherein the first section and the second section are coupled together by a hinge so that the lid of the cigarette can be open and closed by rotating the lid about the hinge.

19. The cover claimed in claim 16, including a flange that is adapted to secure the lid of the cigarette packet in a position seated within the cover.

20-21. (canceled)