Package for Smoking Articles

Abstract

The present application relates to a package for smoking articles. The package has a container (2) for receiving smoking articles and a lid (3) hingedly attached to the container to enclose a space for smoking articles defined by the container when the lid is closed. In one aspect, a line of weakening (29) is defined along a juncture between the lid and the container prior to initial opening of the lid, and a tear element (90) is configured to act on the line of weakening to separate the lid from the container along the juncture to allow the lid to hinge relative to the pack. The present application also relates to a blank for a package for smoking articles and a blank for an inner frame of a package for smoking articles.

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to packaging, and more particularly, a package for smoking articles. The present disclosure also relates to a blank for a package for smoking articles and a blank for an inner frame of a package for smoking articles.

BACKGROUND

Protective packages or containers for smoking articles are well known, and are in widespread use in the tobacco industry to protect smoking articles from damage and/or contamination. Such a protective package generally comprises a rigid shell having a container in which a plurality of smoking articles are received with an opening at one end to provide access to smoking articles received therein, and a lid hingedly attached to an edge of the container to open and close the opening.

To prevent the ingress of contaminants and moisture through the gap formed between the lid and the container, and through gaps formed between two panels of the package it is known to provide a foil wrapper which is disposed around the smoking articles and is disposed inside the rigid shell, together with a flexible protective cover which envelopes the rigid shell and seals the contents of the package in an airtight manner.

One example of such a protective cover is a cellophane film or wrapper which is folded about the rigid shell of a package and sealed therearound. The wrapper prevents the ingress of unwanted contaminants or moisture, and hermetically seals the package of smoking articles to maintain the freshness of the smoking articles.

However, such a foil wrapper and protective cover arrangement necessitates a complex assembly process and requires the use of a number of packaging materials. Furthermore, upon first opening of the package the protective cover, such as a cellophane wrapper is generally discarded, and is therefore a potential environmental issue.

In view of the foregoing, the present invention seeks to provide a package for smoking articles that overcomes or substantially alleviates the problems referred to above.

SUMMARY

According to embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a package for smoking articles comprising a container for receiving smoking articles, a lid hingedly attached to the container to enclose a space for smoking articles defined by the container when the lid is closed, a line of weakening defined along a juncture between the lid and the container prior to an initial opening of the lid, and a tear element configured to act on the line of weakening to separate the lid from the container along the juncture to allow the lid to hinge relative to the pack.

Advantageously, the lid may comprise a lid panel element and the container may comprise a container panel element, the line of weakening being defined between the lid panel element and the container panel element.

Conveniently, the lid panel element and the container panel element may be integrally formed prior to the initial opening of the package.

The lid panel element and the container panel element may be formed from a single sheet of material prior to the initial opening of the package.

The line of weakening may be a line of reduced thickness formed in the single sheet of material.

Conveniently, the line of reduced thickness may be a partial cut or elongate channel formed in the single sheet of material.

Advantageously, the tear element may be disposed along an inner surface of the single sheet of material.

The single sheet of material may be coated, laminated or impregnated with a substance.

In one embodiment, the lid panel element may be a lid front panel and the container panel element is a container front panel, the lid further comprising a side panel element extending from the lid front panel and the container further comprising a container side panel element extending from the container front panel, wherein the line of weakening extends along a juncture between the lid and container side panel elements.

Conveniently, the tear element may be a flexible cord.

The package may further comprise an outer frame and an inner frame, the line of weakening possibly being formed in the outer frame.

Advantageously, the tear element may be disposed between the inner frame and the outer frame prior to the initial opening of the package.

Conveniently, the inner frame may comprise an upper part attached to the lid and a lower part attached to the container, the line of weakening possibly being a first line of weakening and a second line of weakening possibly being defined along a juncture between the lower part and the upper part of the inner frame prior to initial opening of the package.

The second line of weakening may be offset from the first line of weakening.

The lid may have a top panel and the container may have a bottom panel, the upper part of the inner frame being attached to the top panel and the lower part being attached to the bottom panel.

The inner frame may be formed from a single sheet of material.

The inner frame may be coated, laminated or impregnated with a substance.

In one embodiment, the package may further comprise a first panel element with a first edge and a second panel element with a second edge, and a flap may extend from the first edge and from the second edge, wherein the first and second edges are brought together when the package is assembled.

According to another aspect of embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a package for smoking articles comprising a shell in which smoking articles are receivable having a first panel element with a first edge and a second panel element with a second edge, and a flap extending from the first edge and from the second edge, wherein the first and second edges are brought together when the package is assembled.

The flap may be integrally formed with the first and second panel elements.

In one embodiment, a first fold line may be defined along the first edge between the first panel element and the flap and a second fold line may be defined along the second edge between the second panel element and the flap so that the flap is foldable relative to the first and second panel elements about the first and second fold lines.

Conveniently, the flap may comprise two flap portions which are foldable relative to each other along a flap fold line when the pack is assembled so that the flap sections locate against each other.

Advantageously, the flap fold line may extend at 45 degrees to the fold lines between the flap and each of the first and second panel elements.

In one embodiment, the first and second fold lines may intersect at a corner, and the flap extends from the corner.

The package may further comprise a third panel element wherein the first and second panel elements extend from perpendicular edges of the third panel element.

Advantageously, the package is formed from a rigid cardboard material.

The package may further comprise a container for receiving smoking articles, a lid hingedly attached to the container to enclose a space for smoking articles defined by the container when the lid is closed, a line of weakening defined along a juncture between the lid and the container prior to initial opening of the lid and a tear element configured to act on the line of weakening to separate the lid from the container along the juncture to allow the lid to hinge relative to the container.

Conveniently, the shell may comprise an inner frame and an outer frame, the first and second panel elements and the flap forming part of the outer frame.

Advantageously, the inner frame may comprise a first inner frame panel element having a first inner edge, a second inner frame panel element possibly having a second inner edge, and a flap which extends from the first inner edge and from the second inner edge, wherein the first and second inner edges are brought together when the package is assembled.

Conveniently, the shell may comprise an inner frame and an outer frame, the first and second panel elements and the flap forming part of the inner frame.

In one embodiment, the inner frame may comprise an upper part attached to the lid, a lower part attached to the container, and a line of weakening may be defined along a juncture between the lower part and the upper part of the inner frame prior to initial opening of the package

The package may further comprise an inner frame and an outer frame and a tab extending from a lower side of the lid which is locatable in an aperture between the inner and outer frames when the lid is moved into a closed position.

According to another aspect of embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a package for smoking articles comprising a container for receiving smoking articles, a lid hingedly attached to the container to enclose a space for smoking articles defined by the container when the lid is closed, and two or more of the following:

• • a) a line of weakening defined along a juncture between the lid and the container prior to an initial opening of the lid, and a tear element configured to act on the line of weakening to separate the lid from the container along the juncture to allow the lid to hinge relative to the pack;
  • b) an outer frame and an inner frame, wherein the inner frame comprises an upper part attached to the lid and a lower part attached to the container, the line of weakening being a first line of weakening and a second line of weakening being defined along a juncture between the lower part and the upper part of the inner frame prior to the initial opening of the package;
  • c) a first panel element with a first edge and a second panel element with a second edge, and a flap extending from the first edge and from the second edge, wherein the first and second edges are brought together when the package is assembled;
  • d) a tab extending from a lower side of the lid which is locatable in an aperture in the container when the lid is moved into a closed position;
  • e) the container and/or lid being formed from or partially formed from a sheet of material which is coated, laminated or impregnated with a substance.

According to another aspect of embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a blank for a package for smoking articles.

According to another aspect of embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a blank for a package for smoking articles comprising a first panel element with a first edge and a second panel element with a second edge, and a flap extending from the first edge and from the second edge, wherein the first and second edges are brought together when the package is assembled.

According to another aspect of embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a blank for a package for smoking articles comprising a section configured to form a container for receiving smoking articles and a section configured to form a lid hingedly attached to the container to enclose a space for smoking articles defined by the container when the lid is closed, wherein a line of weakening is defined along a juncture between the section configured to form a container and the section configured to form a lid.

According to another aspect of embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a blank for an inner frame of a package for smoking articles comprising an upper part configured to be attached to a lid and a lower part configured to be attached to a container, wherein a line of weakening is defined along a juncture between the lower part and the upper parts.

Advantageously, the blank may be formed from a sheet of material which is coated, laminated or impregnated with a substance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a package for smoking articles shown in a closed position with a container and a lid in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the package for smoking articles shown in FIG. 1 in an open position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a package for smoking articles shown in FIG. 1 in a closed position with a hinge line and part of the inner frame shown in dashed lines;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a blank forming an outer frame of the package for smoking articles shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a blank forming an inner frame of the package for smoking articles shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a is a plan view of a blank forming an outer frame of a package for smoking articles according to another embodiment; and

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a blank forming an inner frame of the package for smoking articles shown in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, a hinged-lid package, or pack, for smoking articles 1 is shown comprising a container 2 and a lid 3 having a hinged attachment to one another.

As used herein, the term “smoking article” includes any tobacco industry product including smokeable products such as cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes and also heat-not-burn products but is not limited thereto.

The pack is formed from a parallelepiped shell 4. The shell 4 comprises an outer frame 5 defining the outer surface of the pack 1, and an inner frame 6 (refer to FIG. 2) received in the outer frame 5. A blank of the outer frame 5 is shown in FIG. 4 and a blank of the inner frame 6 is shown in FIG. 5. The dashed lines in FIGS. 4 and 5 denote fold lines and the solid lines denote cut lines. The double-dashed lines in FIGS. 4 and 5 denote a line of weakening, as will become apparent hereinafter.

The container 2 comprises a front panel 7, a rear panel 8 disposed parallel to, but spaced from, the front panel 7, a pair of opposing parallel side panels 9, 10 which extend between the front and rear panels 7, 8, perpendicular thereto, and connect therewith along side edges 12, 13, and a base panel 14 extending across the bottom ends of the front, rear and side panels 7, 8, 9, 10 respectively to enclose the container 2 at its bottom end. The front panel 7 and rear panel 8 of the container 2 are each a panel element of the outer frame 5, and the side panels 9, 10 are each formed from an outer and an inner side panel element 9a, 10a, 9b, 10b of the outer frame 5 which overlap and are adhered to each other, as will be explained hereinafter. Similarly, the base panel 14 is formed from outer and inner base panel elements 14a, 14b which overlap and are adhered to each other, as will be explained hereinafter.

The lid 3 comprises a front panel 16, a rear panel 17 disposed parallel to, but spaced from, the front panel 16, a pair of opposing parallel side panels 18, 19 which extend between the front and rear panels 16, 17, perpendicular thereto, and connect therewith along side edges 20, 21 and a top panel 22 extending across the top ends of the front, rear and side panels 16,17, 18, 19 respectively to enclose the lid 3 at its top end. The front panel 16, rear panel 17 and top panel 22 of the lid 3 are each a panel element of the outer frame 5, and the lid side panels 18, 19 are each formed from an outer and an inner side panel element 18a, 19a, 18b, 19b of the outer frame 5 which overlap and are adhered to each other, as will be explained hereinafter.

The container rear panel 8 and the lid rear panel 17 are joined together by a hinge line 24 which extends parallel to the bottom of the pack.

When the pack is in a closed position, the lid 3 encloses a smoking article receiving space 25 defined by the shell 4. In its closed position, the lid front panel 16 abuts the container front panel 7 along a line of abutment 26, which is generally parallel to the base of the pack 1. The lid side panels 18, 19 abut corresponding container side panels 9, 10 along lines of abutment 27 and 28 respectively. The lines of abutment 26, 27, 28 between corresponding front and side panels 7, 9, 10, 16, 18, 19 form sections of an overall line of juncture 29 between the lid 3 and the container 2. Hinge line 24 is higher (nearer the top panel 22 of the pack) than the line of abutment 26 between the container and lid front panels 7, 16, so that the lines of abutment 27, 28 between the lid and container side panels slope diagonally downwards towards the front of the pack.

The outer and inner frames 5, 6 are formed from a stiff, resilient material, for example cardboard or plastic, such that the hinged lid pack retains its shape irrespective of whether contents are received in the pack, and so that the contents disposed in the smoking article receiving space are protected.

When the pack is opened, the lid 3 pivots around hinge line 24. This causes the lid front panel 16 to separate from the front panel 7 of the container 2, and likewise for the lid side panels 18, 19 to separate from the container side panels 9, 10, thereby giving access to the contents in the smoking article receiving space 25.

When the pack 1 is assembled from the blanks forming the outer and inner frames 5, 6 (shown in FIGS. 4 and 5), the lid front panel 16 is attached to the container front panel 7 along the line of abutment 26, and the lid side panels 18, 19 are attached to the container side panels 9, 10 along the corresponding lines of abutment 27, 28. Prior to initial opening of the pack, the line of juncture 29 is formed by a line of weakness in the blank of the outer frame 5. In the present embodiment, the outer frame 5 is formed from a single blank of material, for example cardboard. The blank of material is formed from a single sheet which may be coated, laminated or impregnated with a substance to prevent the ingress of a contaminant through the material of the blank itself. The line of weakness is a line of reduced thickness formed by scoring or a partial cut into a single sheet of the blank material. Such a scoring or partial cut forms an elongate depression or channel in the sheet of material. It will be appreciated that the line of reduced thickness extends partially through the material, but does not extend fully through the material. Therefore, the line of juncture provides protection against the ingress of contaminants to the contents of the pack, as will become apparent hereinafter.

FIG. 2 shows the pack of FIG. 1 with the lid 3 pivoted about the hinge line 24 into an open position. This allows access to the contents in the smoking article receiving space 25 and exposes the inner frame 6 of the pack. The inner frame 6 comprises a lower part 30 and an upper part 32. The lower part 30 of the inner frame 6 has a lower part front panel 33, two opposing lower part side panels 34, 35 which extend from opposing sides of the lower part front panel 33, and a lower panel 36 extending from the lower end of the lower part front panel 33 (refer to FIG. 5). The upper part 32 of the inner frame 6 has an upper part front panel 38, two opposing upper part side panels 39, 40 which extend from opposing sides of the upper part front panel 38, and an upper part upper panel 42 extending from the upper end of the upper part front panel 38. The lower part front panel 33, two opposing lower part side panels 34, 35 and lower panel 36 are each a panel element of the inner frame 6. Similarly, the upper part front panel 38, two opposing upper part side panels 39, 40 and upper part upper panel 42 are each a panel element of the inner frame 6.

When the pack is assembled, the inner frame 6 is attached to the outer frame 5 of the pack by using adhesive to glue the lower part front panel 33 of the inner frame 5 to the interior surface of the container front panel 7, and the upper part front panel 38 to the interior surface of the lid front panel 16. In addition, the lower part side panels 34, 35 of the inner frame 5 are glued to the interior surface of the corresponding container side panels 9, 10 respectively, and the upper part side panels 39, 40 of the inner frame 5 are glued to the interior surface of the corresponding lid side panels 18, 19 respectively. Furthermore, the lower part lower panel 36 of the inner frame 6 is attached to the inner surface of the base panel 14 by using an adhesive, and the upper part upper panel 42 of the inner frame 6 is attached to the inner surface of the top panel 22 by using an adhesive.

The front 33 and side panels 34, 35 of the lower part 30 of the inner frame 6 extend above the corresponding container front 7 and side panels 9, 10 of the outer frame 5 to which they are adhered, and so extend from the outer frame 5 Similarly, the front 38 and side panels 39, 40 of the upper part 32 of the inner frame 6 is retracted from the line of juncture 29 of the lid 3. The inner frame 6 serves as backing cover for any such gap along lines of abutments 26, 27, 28 when the pack is in its closed position following initial opening of the pack. This then prevents the cigarettes or other smoking articles inside the pack from being exposed to view, which would degrade the product appearance. The inner frame 6 also acts as a barrier for ingress and/or egress to and/or from the pack, adds strength to the pack, and helps to keep the lid 3 in a closed position.

When the pack is in its closed position, the lid 3 encloses the smoking article receiving space 25 defined by the shell 4 and the sections of the front 33 and side panels 34, 35 of the lower part 30 of the inner frame 6 protruding above the corresponding front 7 and side panels 9, 10 of the outer frame 5 are received in the lid 3 and locate against the front 16 and side panels 18, 19 of the lid 3 respectively. The upper part front panel 38 abuts the lower part front panel 33 along a line of abutment 43. The upper part side panels 39, 40 abut corresponding lower part side panels 34, 35 along lines of abutment 44 and 45 respectively. The lines of abutment 43, 44, 45 form sections of an overall line of juncture 46 between the lower and upper parts 30, 32 of the inner frame 6. It will be appreciated that the line of juncture 46 of the inner frame 6 is offset from the line of juncture 29 of the outer frame when the pack is in its closed position.

When the pack 1 is assembled from the blanks forming the outer and inner frames 5, 6, the inner frame lower part 30 is attached to the inner frame upper part 32 along the inner frame line of juncture 46 prior to the initial opening of the pack. That is, the lower part front panel 33 is attached to the upper part front panel 38 along the line of abutment 43, and the lower part side panels 34, 35 are attached to the upper part side panels 39, 40 along the corresponding lines of abutment 44, 45. The inner frame line of juncture 46 is formed by a line of weakness in the blank of the inner frame 6. In the present embodiment, the inner frame 5 is formed from a single sheet of material, for example a cardboard, which may be coated, laminated or impregnated with a substance to prevent the ingress of a contaminant through the material of the blank itself. The line of weakness is a line of reduced thickness formed by scoring or a partial cut into the blank material. Alternatively, the line of reduced thickness is formed by a line of perforations formed through the inner frame 5.

FIG. 2 depicts the pack with the lid 3 in its open position. It can be seen that the lid includes a curved extension or tab 48 that extends beyond the side panel 18 of the lid 3. The opposing side panel 19 of the lid 3 is also provided with such a curved extension or tab 49.

Each tab 48, 49 is integrally formed with the respective lid side panel 18, 19 and extends from a bottom end thereof, co-planer with the side panel 18, 19. In the present embodiment, each lid side panel 18, 19 is formed from the lid outer and inner side panel elements 18a, 19a, 18b, 19b with each lid outer side panel element 18a, 19a extending from side edges 20 of the lid front panel 16, which overlaps and is adhered to the corresponding lid inner side panel element 18b, 19b, extending from side edges 21 of the lid rear panel 17. When the pack is assembled, the corresponding outer and inner side panel elements 18a, 19a, 18b, 19b are attached to each other by using adhesive to form the lid side panels 18, 19. Each tab 48, 49 is an extension of the respective lid inner side panel element 18b, 19b. Each container side panel 9, 10 is formed from the container side panel elements 9a, 10a, 9b, 10b, with each container outer side panel element 9a, 10a, extending from side edges 12 of the container front panel 7, which overlaps and is adhered to a container inner side panel element 9b, 10b, extending from side edges 13 of the container rear panel 8. When the pack is assembled, the corresponding container outer and inner side panel elements 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b are attached to each other by using adhesive to form the container side panels 9, 10. The top end of each container outer side panel element 9a, 9b extends above the top end of each corresponding container inner side panel element 10a, 10b. Therefore, when the inner frame 6 is adhered to the outer frame 5, a recess is formed in the container 2 between the outer and inner frames 5, 6.

When the lid 3 is closed, the tabs 48, 49 slide between the corresponding container side panels 9, 10 and the lower part side panel 34, 35 of the inner frame 6. The tabs 48, 49 are sized and shaped so that the corner 50 of each tab 48, 49 sits slightly below the corner 52 of the container 2 where the top of the container front panel 7 meets the top of each container side panel 9, 10). This overlap between the container front panel 7 and the tab 48 provides resistance to opening the lid 3. Resistance is also provided by the sides of each tab 48, 49 locating against the outer and inner frame 5, 6. Accordingly, tabs 48, 49 serves as an anti-yawn mechanism to keep the lid 3 fully closed against the container 2.

When the consumer applies suitable force, the pack deforms slightly for the tabs 48, 49 to disengage from the container front panel 7, thereby permitting the lid 3 to be opened. The amount of deformation is small enough that the pack returns resiliently to its initial configuration after the lid is opened. A similar, temporary, deformation occurs when the lid is closed again, thereby allowing tabs 48, 49 to return to their closed position (thereby re-setting the anti-yawn mechanism).

In FIG. 4, the container base panel 14 is formed from the outer and inner base panel elements 14a, 14b. The outer base panel element 14a, extending from the bottom end of the container front panel 7 overlaps and is adhered to the inner base panel element 14b, extending from the bottom end of the container rear panel 8. When the pack is assembled, the corresponding outer and inner base panel elements 14a, 14b are attached to each other by using adhesive to form the base panel 14.

Referring to the outer frame blank 5 shown in FIG. 4, a top corner 53 of the lid rear panel 17 is provided with an ingress-restricting flap 54. The top corner 53 is defined by the intersection of the fold lines between the lid rear panel 17, the lid inner side panel element 18b and the lid top panel 22. The flap 54 extends from the top corner 53, and extends along and from a top edge 55 of the lid inner side panel element 18b and a side edge 56 of the lid top panel 22. The flap 54 is integrally formed with the lid inner side panel element 18b and the lid top panel 22, and a fold line is formed along each edge between the flap 54 and the lid inner side panel element 54, and between the flap 54 and the lid top panel 22.

The flap 54 has a flap fold line 57 which extends outwardly from the top corner 53 and divides the flap 54 into a first flap portion 58 extending between the top edge 55 of the lid inner side panel element 18b and the flap fold line 57, and a second flap portion 59 extending between the side edge 56 of the lid top panel 22 and the flap fold line 57. In the present embodiment, the flap fold line 57 extends at an angle of 45 degrees from the top edge 55 of the lid inner side panel element 18b and the side edge 56 of the lid top panel 22. A cut-out 60 is formed in the opposing corner of the flap 54 to the top corner 53.

When the pack is assembled, and the panels of the outer frame 5 are folded relative to each other about their fold lines, the lid inner side panel element 18b and the lid top panel 22 are folded relative to each other about their fold lines with the lid rear panel 17. The top edge 55 of the lid inner side panel element 18b and the side edge 56 of the lid top panel 22 are brought together and abut each other to form an outer top side edge 62 (refer to FIG. 1) of the pack. As the top edge 55 and the side edge 56 are brought together, the first and second flap portions 58, 59 are folded relative to each other about these edges and the flap fold line 57 so that opposing faces of the flap portions 58, 59 abut each other. The flap 54 is attached to the lid top panel 22 by using an adhesive to glue the first and second flap portions 58, 59 to each other, and by using an adhesive to glue the second flap portion 59 to inner surface of the lid top panel. Therefore, the top edge 55 of the lid inner side panel element 18b and the side edge 56 of the lid top panel 22 are retained in abutment with each other to form the outer top side edge 62 of the pack.

An advantage of the above arrangement is that a cut does not extend to the top corner 53, and so when the outer frame 5 is assembled there is no gap at the top corner 53 or extending along outer top side edge 62 away from the top corner 53. Therefore the ingress of a contaminant is restricted.

The opposing top corner 63 of the lid rear panel 17 is also provided with such an ingress-restricting flap 64. Similarly, a bottom corner 65 of the container rear panel 8 is provided with such an ingress-restricting flap 66 and the opposing bottom corner 67 of the container rear panel 8 is also provided with such an ingress-restricting flap 68. Therefore, when the pack is assembled, the ingress-restricting flaps 54, 64 at the top corners 53, 63 respectively of the lid rear panel 17 are folded about themselves and fixedly attached to the lid top panel 22 by an adhesive, and the ingress-restricting flaps 66, 68 at the bottom corners 65, 67 of the container rear panel 8 respectively are folded about themselves and fixedly attached to the container inner panel element 14b by an adhesive. Therefore, it will be appreciated that ingress of a contaminant is restricted at each of these corners 53, 63, 65, 67 and extending along the side edges of the pack away from said corners.

Referring to the inner frame blank 6 shown in FIG. 5, an upper corner 70 of the upper part front panel 38 is provided with an ingress-restricting flap 72. The upper corner 70 is defined by the intersection of the fold lines between the upper part front panel 38, the upper part upper panel 42 and one of the upper part side panels 39. The flap 72 extends from the upper corner 70, and along and from an upper edge 73 of the upper part side panel 39 and a side edge 74 of the upper part upper panel 42. The flap 72 is integrally formed with the upper part side panel 39 and upper part upper panel 42, and a fold line is formed between the flap 72 and each panel 39, 42.

The flap 72 has a flap fold line 75 which extends outwardly from the upper corner 70 and divides the flap 72 into a first flap portion 76 extending between the upper edge 73 of the upper part side panel 39 and the flap fold line 75, and a second flap portion 77 extending between a side edge 74 of the upper part upper panel 42 and the flap fold line 75. In the present embodiment, the flap fold line 75 extends at an angle of 45 degrees from the upper edge 73 of the upper part side panel 39 and the side edge 74 of the upper part upper panel 42. A cut-out 78 is formed in the opposing corner of the flap 72 to the upper corner 70. When the pack is assembled, and the panels of the inner frame 6 are folded relative to each other about their fold lines, the upper part side panel 39 and the upper part upper panel 42 are folded relative to each other about their fold lines with the upper part front panel 38. The upper edge 73 of the upper part side panel 39 and the side edge 74 of the upper part upper panel 42 are brought together and abut each other to form an inner top side edge (not shown). As the upper edge 73 and the side edge 74 are brought together, the first and second flap portions 76, 77 are folded relative to each other about these edges and the flap fold line 75 so that opposing faces of the flap portions 76, 77 abut each other. The flap 72 is attached to the upper part upper panel 42 by using an adhesive to glue the first and second flap portions 76, 77 to each other, and by using an adhesive to glue the second flap portion 77 to the inner surface of the upper part upper panel 42. Therefore, the upper edge 73 and the side edge 74 are retained in abutment with each other.

An advantage of the above arrangement is that a cut does not extend to the upper corner 70, and so when the inner frame 6 is assembled there is no gap at the upper corner 70 or extending along inner top side edge away from the upper corner 70. Therefore the ingress of a contaminant is restricted. During the assembly of the pack, the inner frame 6 is received in and adhered to the outer frame 5 and so it will be appreciated that the top corner 53 of the outer frame 5 is disposed at an opposing end of the top side edge 62 to the upper corner 70 of the inner frame 6 (refer to FIG. 3). Therefore, it will be appreciated that the ingress of contaminants at each of these two corners and along the top side edge is prevented because there are no gaps formed at each of said corners and along the edges.

The opposing top corner 80 of the upper part front panel 38 is also provided with such an ingress-restricting flap 81. Similarly, a lower corner 82 of the lower part front panel 30 is provided with such an ingress-restricting flap 83 and the opposing lower corner 84 of the lower part front panel 30 is also provided with such an ingress-restricting flap 85. Therefore, when the pack is assembled, the ingress-restricting flaps 72, 81 at the upper corners 70, 80 respectively of the upper part front panel 38 are folded about themselves and fixedly attached to the upper part upper panel 32 by an adhesive, and the ingress-restricting flaps 83, 85 at the lower corners 82, 84 of the lower part front panel 33 respectively are folded about themselves and fixedly attached to the lower part lower panel 36 by an adhesive. Therefore, it will be appreciated that ingress of a contaminant, such as moisture or another substance, is prevented at each corner of the pack and along the side edges of the pack between said corners.

When the pack is assembled, but prior to the initial opening of the lid 3, the lid 3 is attached to the container 2 along the line of juncture 29, with the lid front panel 16 attached to the container front panel 7 and the lid outer side panel elements 18a, 18b attached to the container outer side panel elements 9a, 10a. The lid front panel 16 is integrally formed with the container front panel 7 to form a pack front wall 86, and they are seperably defined by the line of weakness extending across the front wall 86 to form part of the line of juncture 29. Similarly, each lid outer side panel element 18a, 19a is integrally formed with the corresponding container outer side panel element 9a, 10a to form pack outer side walls 87, 88, and they are seperably defined by the line of weakness extending across each pack outer side wall 87,88 to form part of the line of juncture 29.

A tear element 90 is disposed between the outer frame 5 and the inner frame 6. The tear element 90 is a flexible elongate member, such as a thread, cord or tear strip. When the pack is assembled, but prior to opening of the pack, the tear element 90 lies along the path of the line of juncture 29 and is disposed to lie against the inner surface of the sheet of material in which the line of weakness forming the line of juncture 29 is formed. In particular, in the present embodiment the tear element 90 lies against the inner surface of the pack front wall 86, along the line of abutment between the container front panel 7 and the lid front panel 16. The tear element 90 also lies against the inner surface of each pack outer side wall 87,88, along the line of abutment 27, 28 between each container outer side panel element 9a, 10a and lid outer side panel element 18a, 19a. Therefore, the tear element is disposed between the outer and inner frames 5,6.

In the present embodiment the outer frame 5 has the tabs 48, 49 extending from the respective lid inner side panel element 18b, 19b, and so it will be appreciated that the tear element 90 lies between the outer wall forming each lid outer side panel element 18a, 19a and container outer side panel elements 9a, 10a and the respective tab 48, 49.

A free end of the tear element 90 extends from the pack at one end of the line of juncture. Similarly, the other free end of the tear element 90 extends from the pack at the opposing end of the line of juncture 29. In an alternative embodiment, one of the free ends is fixedly mounted and disposed between the outer and inner frames 5, 6. Although in the above described embodiment the line of juncture extends along the front wall of the pack and the two side walls, it will be appreciated that in an alternative embodiment the line of juncture 29 may extend along one or more of the walls of the pack only.

When the pack is initially assembled around smoking articles, for example a charge of cigarettes, so that the smoking articles are received in the pack, the ingress of a contaminant is restricted by the ingress-restricting flaps preventing the formation of gaps at the corners of the container and lid. Furthermore, the ingress of contaminants is restricted by the lid being integrally formed with the container along the line of juncture between the lid and the container and extending around the pack. In addition, the ingress of contaminants is restricted by the upper part of the inner frame being attached to the lower part of the inner frame along the line of juncture between the upper and lower parts of the inner frame.

Although each of the above described features restricts the ingress of contaminants into the pack, it will be appreciated that the combination of these features further restricts the ingress of contaminants into the pack. For example, the combination of the ingress-restricting flaps with the lid being attached to the container along the line of juncture prevents the creation of any gaps in the pack through which the ingress of contaminants can pass, and the line of weakening forming the line of juncture of the inner frame being offset from the line of weakening forming the line of juncture between the lid and container aids the prevention of contaminant ingress through juncture of the container and lid.

To open a package as described above, a user holds the container and grasps one of the free ends of the tear element. The user then pulls the free end of tear element 90 away from the pack and across the line of juncture 29 so that the tear element is drawn along the line of weakness forming the line of juncture 29 and separates the lid

As the tear element 90 is drawn across the pack by the user it follows the path of the line of juncture 29 due to the line of juncture being formed as a line of reduced thickness. This arrangement enables a user to easily open the pack, whilst maintaining a seal against the ingress of a contaminant prior to opening of the pack. Once the tear element 90 has been drawn along the length of the line of juncture 29, lid front panel 16 and lid side panels 18, 19 are separated from the container front panel 7 and container side panels 9, 10 respectively. The lid is therefore hingedly attached to the container about the hinge line 24 between the container rear panel 8 and the lid rear panel 17. However, at this stage the lid 3 is prevented from rotating about the hinge line 24 by the upper part 32 of the upper part 32 of the inner frame 6, which is adhered to the lid 3, being attached to the lower part 30 of the inner frame 6, which is adhered to the container 2. When a user exerts a suitable force to the lid, the upper part 32 of the inner frame 6 separates from the lower part 30 along the line of weakness forming line of juncture 46 between the lower and upper parts 30, 32. Once this attachment of the lower and upper parts has been overcome, the lid 3 is free to rotate relative to the container 2 into its open position and the smoking articles received in the pack are then accessible.

When the lid 3 is closed, the tabs 48, 49 are disposed between the corresponding container side panels 9, 10 and the lower part side panel 34, 35 of the inner frame 6. The overlap between the container front panel 7 and each tab 48, 49 provides an additional resistance to opening the lid 3, which is maintained through repeated openings of the lid 3. Resistance is also provided by the sides of each tab 48, 49 locating against the outer and inner frame 5, 6. Accordingly, tabs 48, 49 serves as an anti-yawn mechanism to keep the lid 3 fully closed against the container 2 after the pack has been initially opened. This arrangement of tabs 48, 49 extending from the lower end of the lid ensures that an anti-yawn mechanism is provided to the pack without forming an incision in the pack to create a tab which would leave a gap through which contaminants may pass, as would occur if a tab extending transversely from a panel of the inner shell was provided.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, blanks forming outer 100 and inner 101 frames of another embodiment of a package for smoking articles is shown. The features and arrangement of the package for smoking articles according to this embodiment is generally the same as the features and arrangement of the package for smoking articles described in detail above, and so a detailed description will be omitted herein. Furthermore, components and features corresponding to components and features described in the above embodiment will retain the same reference numerals. However, in the present embodiment the inner frame 101 has is configured to extend fully around the smoking articles received in the package when the lid 3 is in its closed position.

The dashed lines in FIGS. 6 and 7 denote fold lines and the solid lines denote cut lines. The double-dashed lines in FIGS. 6 and 7 denote a line of weakening, as will become apparent hereinafter.

Referring to FIG. 6, the outer frame 100 is generally the same as the outer frame 5 described above, however in the present arrangement the there is no cut-out formed in the opposing corner of each ingress-restricting flap 54, 64, 66, 68 to the corner 53, 63, 65, 67. An advantage of this arrangement is that the ingress of contaminants to the smoking articles received in the pack is reduced. It will be appreciated that the outer frame described herewith may be used with the inner frame 101 described below, or alternatively with the inner frame 6 described above, and so is interchangeable with the outer frame 5 described above.

Referring to FIG. 7, the inner frame 101 is generally the same as the inner frame 6 described above, however in the present arrangement the inner frame 101 further comprises a lower part rear panel 102 and an upper part rear panel 103.

The inner frame 102 comprises the lower part 30 and the upper part 32. The lower part 30 of the inner frame 102 has the lower part front panel 33, two opposing outer lower part side panel elements 34a, 35a which extend from opposing sides of the lower part front panel 33, and a lower panel 36 extending from the lower end of the lower part front panel 33. The lower part rear panel 102 extends from the opposing side of the lower panel 36 to the lower part front panel 33, with two opposing inner lower part side panel elements 34b, 35b extending from opposing sides of the lower part rear panel 102.

The upper part 32 of the inner frame 102 has the upper part front panel 38, two opposing outer upper part side panel elements 39a, 40a which extend from opposing sides of the upper part front panel 38, and an outer upper part upper panel element 42a extending from the upper end of the upper part front panel 38. The upper part rear panel 103 extends from the lower part rear panel 102 and is joined to the lower part rear panel 102 by an inner hinge line 104 which lies against and extends parallel to the hinge line 24 of the outer frame when the pack is assembled so that the lid 3 hinges about the hinge line.

The inner upper part upper panel element 42b extends from the upper part rear panel 103, and two opposing inner upper part side panel elements 39b, 40b extend from opposing sides of the upper part rear panel 103. The lower part rear panel 102 and upper part rear panel 103 are each a panel element of the inner frame 102.

When the pack is assembled, each outer lower part side panel element 34a, 35a overlaps each corresponding inner lower part side panel element 34b, 35b and are attached by using adhesive to form the lower part side panels 34, 35. Similarly, the outer upper part side panel elements 39a, 40a overlap each corresponding inner upper part side panel element 39b, 40b and are attached by using adhesive to form the upper part side panels 39, 40. The outer upper part upper panel element 42a also overlaps the inner upper part upper panel element 42b and is attached by using adhesive to form the upper part upper panel 42. Each panel of the inner frame 101 is attached to the corresponding panel of the outer frame 100 by using an adhesive to glue each panel to the inner surface of the corresponding panel of the outer frame 100. Therefore, the lower part 30 of the inner frame 101 is fixedly mounted to the container 2 and the upper part 32 of the inner frame 101 is fixedly mounted to the lid 3. An advantage of the inner frame completely enveloping the smoking articles received in the pack when the lid is in its closed position is that the ingress of contaminants is reduced by a double skin being provided.

When the pack is in its closed position, the lid 3 encloses the smoking article receiving space 25 defined by the shell 4 and the sections of the front 33 and side panels 34, 35 of the lower part 30 of the inner frame 6 protruding above the corresponding front 7 and side panels 9, 10 of the outer frame 5 are received in the lid 3 and locate against the front 16 and side panels 18, 19 of the lid 3 respectively. The upper part front panel 38 abuts the lower part front panel 33 along a line of abutment 43. The outer upper part side panel elements 39a, 40a abut the corresponding outer lower part side panels 34a, 35a along lines of abutment 105 and 106 respectively. The lines of abutment 43, 105, 106 form sections of an overall line of juncture 46 between the lower and upper parts 30, 32 of the inner frame 6. Similarly, the inner upper part side panel elements 39b, 40b abut the corresponding inner lower part side panels 34b, 35b along lines of abutment 107 and 108 respectively.

When the pack 1 is assembled, the inner frame lower part 30 is attached to the inner frame upper part 32 along the inner frame line of juncture 46 prior to the initial opening of the pack. That is, the lower part front panel 33 is attached to the upper part front panel 38 along the line of abutment 43, and the lower part side panel elements 34a, 35a are attached to the upper part side panel elements 39a, 40a along the corresponding lines of abutment 105,106. The inner frame line of juncture 46 is formed by a line of weakness in the blank of the inner frame 6. In the present embodiment, the inner frame 5 is formed from a single sheet of material, for example a cardboard, which may be coated, laminated or impregnated with a substance to prevent the ingress of a contaminant through the material of the blank itself. The line of weakness is a line of reduced thickness formed by scoring or a partial cut into the blank material. Alternatively, the line of reduced thickness is formed by a line of perforations formed through the inner frame 5.

However, the inner upper part side panel elements 39b, 40b are not attached to the corresponding inner lower part side panels 34b, 35b along the lines of abutment 107 and 108 respectively. Therefore, force required to initial open the lid is reduced as the user is required to separate a single line of weakness only.

The inner frame 101 of the present embodiment has an ingress-restricting flap 110 provided at the upper corner 111 of the upper part rear panel 103 extending between the inner upper part side panel element 39b and the inner upper part upper panel element 42b. Similarly, an ingress-restricting flap 112 is provided at the other upper corner 113 of the upper part rear panel 103 extending between the other inner upper part side panel element 40b and the inner upper part upper panel element 42b.

An ingress-restricting flap 114 is provided at the lower corner 115 of the lower part rear panel 102 extending between the inner lower part side panel element 34b and the lower part lower panel 36. Similarly, an ingress-restricting flap 116 is provided at the other lower corner 117 of the lower part rear panel 102 extending between the other inner lower part side panel element 35b and the lower part lower panel 36. Provision of the ingress-restricting flaps extending from the inner panel elements which are overlapped by the outer panel elements aids the assembly of the inner frame and the pack. Although the above embodiments recite and illustrate packages in which smoking articles are received, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited thereto and that packages may be used to receive other articles, products and items therein.

Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations may be made to the above exemplary embodiment that lie within the scope of the invention, as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A package for smoking articles comprising a container for receiving smoking articles, a lid hingedly attached to the container to enclose a space for smoking articles defined by the container when the lid is closed, a line of weakening defined along a juncture between the lid and the container prior to an initial opening of the lid, and a tear element disposed along an inner surface of the line of weakening which is configured to act on the line of weakening to separate the lid from the container along the juncture to allow the lid to hinge relative to the pack.

2. The package according to claim 1, wherein the lid comprises a lid panel element and the container comprises a container panel element, the line of weakening being defined between the lid panel element and the container panel element.

3. The package according to claim 2, wherein the lid panel element and the container panel element are integrally formed prior to the initial opening of the package.

4. The package according to claim 3, wherein the lid panel element and the container panel element are formed from a single sheet of material prior to the initial opening of the package.

5. The package according to claim 4, wherein the line of weakening is a line of reduced thickness formed in the single sheet of material.

6. The package according to claim 5, wherein the line of reduced thickness is a partial cut or elongate channel formed in the single sheet of material.

7. The package according to claim 6, wherein the tear element is disposed along an inner surface of the single sheet of material.

8. The package according to claim 4, wherein the single sheet of material is coated, laminated or impregnated with a substance.

9. The package according to claim 2, wherein the lid panel element is a lid front panel and the container panel element is a container front panel, the lid further comprising a side panel element extending from the lid front panel and the container further comprising a container side panel element extending from the container front panel, wherein the line of weakening extends along a juncture between the lid and container side panel elements.

10. The package according to claim 1, wherein the tear element is a flexible cord.

11. The package according to claim 1, further comprising an outer frame and an inner frame, the line of weakening being formed in the outer frame.

12. The package according to claim 11, wherein the tear element is disposed between the inner frame and the outer frame prior to the initial opening of the package.

13. The package according to claim 12, wherein the inner frame comprises an upper part attached to the lid and a lower part attached to the container, the line of weakening being a first line of weakening and a second line of weakening being defined along a juncture between the lower part and the upper part of the inner frame prior to the initial opening of the package.

14. The package according to claim 13, wherein the second line of weakening is offset from the first line of weakening.

15. The package according to claim 13, wherein the lid has a top panel and the container has a bottom panel, the upper part of the inner frame being attached to the top panel and the lower part being attached to the bottom panel.

16. The package according to any of claims 11, wherein the inner frame is formed from a single sheet of material.

17. The package according to claim 16, wherein the inner frame is coated, laminated or impregnated with a substance.

18. The package according to claim 1, further comprising a first panel element with a first edge and a second panel element with a second edge, and a flap extending from the first edge and from the second edge, wherein the first and second edges are brought together when the package is assembled.

19. A package for smoking articles comprising a shell in which smoking articles are receivable having a first panel element with a first edge and a second panel element with a second edge, and a flap extending from the first edge and from the second edge, wherein the first and second edges are brought together when the package is assembled.

20. The package according to claim 19, wherein the flap is integrally formed with the first and second panel elements.

21. The package according to claim 20, wherein a first fold line is defined along the first edge between the first panel element and the flap and a second fold line is defined along the second edge between the second panel element and the flap so that the flap is foldable relative to the first and second panel elements about the first and second fold lines.

22. The package according to claim 21, wherein the flap comprises two flap portions which are foldable relative to each other along a flap fold line when the pack is assembled so that the flap sections locate against each other.

23. The package according to claim 22, wherein the flap fold line extends at 45 degrees to the fold lines between the flap and each of the first and second panel elements.

24. The package according to claim 21, wherein the first and second fold lines intersect at a corner, and the flap extends from the corner.

25. The package according to claim 19, further comprising a third panel element wherein the first and second panel elements extend from perpendicular edges of the third panel element.

26. The package according to claim 19, wherein the package is formed from a rigid cardboard material.

27. The package according to claim 19, further comprising a container for receiving smoking articles, a lid hingedly attached to the container to enclose a space for smoking articles defined by the container when the lid is closed, a line of weakening defined along a juncture between the lid and the container prior to initial opening of the lid and a tear element configured to act on the line of weakening to separate the lid from the container along the juncture to allow the lid to hinge relative to the container.

28. The package according to claim 19, wherein the shell comprises an outer frame and an inner frame, the first and second panel elements and the flap forming part of the outer frame.

29. The package according to claim 28, wherein the inner frame comprises a first inner frame panel element having a first inner edge, a second inner frame panel element having a second inner edge, and a flap which extends from the first inner edge and from the second inner edge, wherein the first and second inner edges are brought together when the package is assembled.

30. The package according to claim 19, wherein the shell comprises an outer frame and an inner frame, the first and second panel elements and the flap forming part of the inner frame.

31. The package according to claim 28, wherein the inner frame comprises an upper part attached to the lid, a lower part attached to the container, and a line of weakening being defined along a juncture between the lower part and the upper part of the inner frame prior to initial opening of the package.

32. The package for smoking articles according to claim 19, further comprising an outer frame and an inner frame and a tab extending from a lower side of the lid which is locatable in an aperture between the inner and outer frames when the lid is moved into a closed position.

33. A package for smoking articles comprising a container for receiving smoking articles, a lid hingedly attached to the container to enclose a space for smoking articles defined by the container when the lid is closed, and two or more of the following:

a line of weakening defined along a juncture between the lid and the container prior to an initial opening of the lid, and a tear element configured to act on the line of weakening to separate the lid from the container along the juncture to allow the lid to hinge relative to the pack;

an outer frame and an inner frame, wherein the inner frame comprises an upper part attached to the lid and a lower part attached to the container, the line of weakening being a first line of weakening and a second line of weakening being defined along a juncture between the lower part and the upper part of the inner frame prior to the initial opening of the package;

a first panel element with a first edge and a second panel element with a second edge, and a flap extending from the first edge and from the second edge, wherein the first and second edges are brought together when the package is assembled;

a tab extending from a lower side of the lid which is locatable in an aperture in the container when the lid is moved into a closed position;

the container and/or lid being formed from or partially formed from a sheet of material which is coated, laminated or impregnated with a substance.

34. (canceled)

35. A blank for a package for smoking articles comprising a first panel element with a first edge and a second panel element with a second edge, and a flap extending from the first edge and from the second edge, wherein the first and second edges are brought together when the package is assembled.

36. A blank for a package for smoking articles comprising a section configured to form a container for receiving smoking articles and a section configured to form a lid hingedly attached to the container to enclose a space for smoking articles defined by the container when the lid is closed, wherein a line of weakening is defined along a juncture between the section configured to form a container and the section configured to form a lid, the line of weakening being configured to separate the section configured to form a container and the section configured to form the lid along the juncture when a tear element disposed along an inner surface of the line of weakening acts on the line of weakening.

37. A blank for an inner frame of a package for smoking articles comprising an upper part configured to be attached to a lid and a lower part configured to be attached to a container, and a line of weakening is defined along a juncture between the lower part and the upper parts.

38. The blank for a package for smoking articles according to claim 36, wherein the blank is formed from a sheet of material which is coated, laminated or impregnated with a substance.

39. A package for smoking articles comprising a container for receiving smoking articles, a lid hingedly attached to the container to enclose a space for smoking articles defined by the container when the lid is closed, a first line of weakening defined along a juncture between the lid and the container prior to an initial opening of the lid, and a tear element configured to act on the first line of weakening to separate the lid from the container along the juncture to allow the lid to hinge relative to the pack, wherein the package has an outer frame and an inner frame, the first line of weakening being formed in the outer frame, and the inner frame comprising an upper part attached to the lid, a lower part attached to the container, and a second line of weakening defined along a juncture between the lower part and the upper part of the inner frame prior to the initial opening of the package.

40. The package according to claim 39, wherein the tear element is disposed between the inner frame and the outer frame prior to the initial opening of the package.

41. The package according to claim 39, wherein the second line of weakening is offset from the first line of weakening.

42. The package according to 39, wherein the lid has a top panel and the container has a bottom panel, the upper part of the inner frame being attached to the top panel and the lower part being attached to the bottom panel.

43. The package according to 39, wherein the inner frame is formed from a single sheet of material.

44. The package according to claim 43, wherein the inner frame is coated, laminated or impregnated with a substance.

45. A package for smoking articles comprising a container for receiving smoking articles, a lid hingedly attached to the container to enclose a space for smoking articles defined by the container when the lid is closed, a line of weakening defined along a juncture between the lid and the container prior to an initial opening of the lid, and a tear element configured to act on the line of weakening to separate the lid from the container along the juncture to allow the lid to hinge relative to the pack, wherein the lid comprises a lid panel element and the container comprises a container panel element, the lid panel element and the container panel element being integrally formed from a single sheet of material prior to the initial opening of the package, the line of weakening being defined between the lid panel element and the container panel element, and wherein the single sheet of material is coated, laminated or impregnated with a substance.