PACK FOR SMOKING ARTICLES

Abstract

A pack for smoking articles is disclosed. The pack includes a body having two minor side walls, a minor top wall and a minor bottom wall extending between two opposing major walls so as to define a space for holding smoking articles. The pack further includes an opening in at least one minor wall so as to provide access to the space, a lid that is pivotally attached to the minor wall formed with the opening so as to open and close said opening. The lid is attached to one of said minor walls along a hinge line that extends obliquely relative to a plane of at least one of the major walls.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a pack for smoking articles.

BACKGROUND

Smoking articles such as cigarettes are typically stored in packs and the overall function of the packs is to store and protect the cigarettes from mechanical and environmental damage. Various configurations of cigarette packs exist including hinged-lid and shell packs.

A hinged-lid pack comprises a body and a lid so as to define a space for holding a bundle of smoking articles. The lid is attached to a major rear wall of the body along a hinge line that is perpendicular to the longitudinal edges of the major wall so that the lid can rotate between an open and a closed position. A shell pack includes a slidable inner container having a lid that is hingedly attached to one of its side walls along a hinge line that is perpendicular to the longitudinal edges of the pack. The inner container is slidable relative to the outer shell between an open and a closed position such that in an open position the lid reveals an opening providing access to smoking articles held therein. In a closed position, the inner container is fully received in the outer shell and the lid covers the opening.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved and/or alternative configuration of pack for smoking articles.

SUMMARY

According to the present invention, there is provided a pack for smoking articles comprising a body having two minor side walls, a minor top wall and a minor bottom wall extending between two opposing major walls so as to define a space for holding smoking articles, an opening in at least one minor wall so as to provide access to the space, a lid that is pivotally attached to the minor wall formed with the opening so as to open and close said opening, wherein the lid is attached to one of said minor walls along a hinge line that extends obliquely relative to a plane of at least one of the major walls.

In one embodiment, the hinge line extends between opposing first and second edges of the minor wall provided with the opening, the first edge is defined by said minor wall and one of the two major walls, and the second edge is defined by said minor wall and the other major wall.

In an alternative embodiment, the hinge line extends between opposing third and fourth edges of the minor wall formed with an opening, the third edge is defined by said minor wall and one of two opposing minor walls, and the fourth edge is defined by said minor wall and the other of the two opposing minor walls.

In another embodiment, the hinge line extends between first and third edges of the minor wall formed with the opening, the first edge is defined by said minor wall and one of the major walls, and the third edge is defined by said minor wall and one of the other minor walls.

In yet another embodiment, the hinge line extends from one corner formed between one of the minor walls and one of the major walls to an opposite corner formed by another minor wall and the other major wall.

Preferably, the hinge line is configured so that when the lid is pivoted from a closed position in which the lid covers the opening the lid extends away from a first major wall towards a second major wall.

Conveniently, the pack is configured to comprise a locking mechanism configured to hold the lid in a closed position in which the lid covers the opening.

Advantageously, the lid may comprise a hinged lid wall and a second lid wall depending from an edge thereof, the second lid wall comprises a first locking element that engages with a second locking element formed on a major wall or a minor wall when the lid is in a closed position.

Preferably, the first and second locking elements comprise tabs on an inside surface of the second lid wall and an outside surface wall of one of the major or minor walls, respectively.

The pack may further comprise a frame located against an inner surface of one of the major or the minor walls, wherein the lid comprises a hinged lid wall and a second lid wall depending from an edge thereof, the second lid wall comprises a first locking element that engages with a second locking element formed on the frame when the lid is in a closed position.

Conveniently, the first and second locking elements comprise tabs on an inside surface of the second lid wall and an outside surface of the frame, respectively.

Preferably, at least one of the tabs is formed integrally with the second lid wall and the minor or major wall or the frame, respectively.

The minor wall to which the lid is attached may be a minor top wall of the body. The minor top wall may be smaller in size than any of the other walls or the minor top wall may be smaller in size than the two minor side walls and the two major walls

The pack may further comprise an outer housing formed with an open end, wherein the body is received in the outer housing and is configured to be telescopically slidable within the outer housing between a closed position in which the body is substantially received within the outer housing and the lid cover the opening, and an open position in which the body at least partially extends out of the open end of the outer housing and the lid reveals the opening.

Preferably, the lid comprises a hinged lid wall and a second lid wall depending from an edge thereof, the second lid wall comprises a first locking element that engages with a second locking element formed on the outer housing when the lid is in a closed position.

Conveniently, the first and second locking elements comprise tabs on an inside surface of the second lid wall and an outside surface of the outer housing, respectively.

Preferably, the pack comprises a frame located against an inner surface the housing, wherein the lid comprises a hinged lid wall and a second lid wall depending from an edge thereof, the second lid wall comprises a first locking element that engages with a second locking element formed on the frame when the lid is in a closed position.

The first and second locking elements may comprise tabs on an inside surface of the second lid wall and an outside surface of the frame, respectively.

In one embodiment, at least one of the tabs is formed integrally with the second lid wall and the housing or the frame, respectively.

Preferably, the pack comprises a biasing element configured to bias the body in a sliding direction thereof relative to the outer housing.

In one embodiment, the opening extends across two minor walls, and the hinged lid wall and the second lid wall cover the opening when the lid is in a closed position.

In another embodiment, the opening extends across two minor walls and a major wall, and the lid comprises a third wall so that the lid covers the opening when the lid is in a closed position.

In another embodiment, the opening of the body extend across the top minor wall and at least part of one of the minor side walls, the lid is attached to the minor side wall formed with the opening, the pack further comprising an inner casing, the inner casing is received in the body and is configured to be telescopically slidable within the body between a closed position in which the inner casing is substantially received within the body and the lid at least partially covers the opening, and an open position in which the inner casing at least partially extends out of the opening of the top minor wall of the body and the lid extends away from the opening.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a pack for smoking articles comprising an outer housing having two minor side walls, a minor bottom wall extending between two opposing major walls and an open top end, and an inner casing configured to receive a bundle of smoking articles and being telescopically slidable within the outer housing between an open position in which the inner casing at least partially extends out of the open end of the outer housing to provide access to smoking articles received by the inner casing, and a closed position in which the inner casing is retracted further into the outer housing than in the open position, the pack further comprising a hinged lid pivotable between a closed position in which it at least partially covers the open top end, and an open position in which it extends away from said open top end, the hinged lid being connected to one of the minor side walls of the outer housing along a hinge line formed at an angle perpendicular to the major walls.

The pack may comprise a biasing element configured to bias the inner casing in a sliding direction thereof relative to the outer housing

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the pack according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the pack in FIG. 1 in an open position;

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional side view of the pack shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4A shows a cross-sectional front view of the pack shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the pack is in a closed position;

FIG. 4B shows a cross-sectional front view of the pack shown in FIGS. 3 to 4A, the pack is in an open position;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the pack according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of yet another alternative embodiment of the pack according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the pack according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the pack in FIG. 6, wherein the pack is in an open position; and

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 4B, a pack 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown and comprises an outer housing 2 and an inner casing 3 (also referred to as a body) telescopically received within the outer housing 2 and having a hinged lid 4. A spring element 5 is provided within the outer housing 2 and is configured to bias the inner casing 3 in an opening direction out of the outer housing 2. (The gaps between the outer housing 2 and inner casing 3 are exaggerated in FIGS. 3-4B for clearer depiction of the internal features of the pack 1 and do not represent the actual dimensions of the pack).

The outer housing comprises a front wall 6, side walls 7, 8 a rear wall 9 and a bottom wall 10. The outer housing 2 is formed with an opening at its top end as it does not comprise a top wall. Furthermore, upper portions of one of the side walls 8 and the front wall 6 have been cut out so that the opening also extends down on said front and side walls. The opening of the side wall 8 and the front wall 6 is defined by upper edges 20a, 20b formed on said side wall 8 and front wall 6. The upper edges 20a, 20b abut corresponding lower edges of the lid 4 so as to form a line of closure as described below. The upper edge 20a of the side wall 8 is parallel to the opposing edge 21 formed by the side wall 8 and the bottom wall 10. The upper edge 20b of the front wall 6 continues from the upper edge 20a of the side wall 8 along a direction parallel to the edge formed by the front wall 6 and the bottom wall 10, then the upper edge 20b curves upwards to the top end of the pack 1 and finally continues towards the other side wall 7 along a direction parallel to the edge formed by the front wall 6 and the bottom wall 10.

The inner casing 3 comprises a front wall 11, side walls 12, 13, a rear wall 14, a bottom wall 15a and a top wall 15b. The top wall 15b, one of the side walls 12 and the front wall are formed with an opening 16 for access to and removal of smoking articles (not shown) contained within the inner casing 3. The side walls 12, 13 of the inner casing 3 are larger than the top wall of the over all pack or the bottom wall of the inner casing. The hinged lid 4 is formed integrally with the top wall 15b of the inner casing 3 and is pivotally attached to the top wall 15b along a folded hinge line 17.

The hinge line 17 between a top wall 22 of the lid 4 and the top wall 15b extends across the top end of the inner casing at an oblique angle relative to the front and rear wall 11, 14 of the inner casing 3, or more particularly, relative to the edge formed by the top wall 15b and the front wall 11 and the edge formed by the top wall 15b the rear wall 14 of the inner casing 3.

The hinged lid 4 comprises a front wall 18, side wall 19 and the top wall 22. The front wall 18 and the side wall 19 correspond to the cut out upper portions of the outer housing 2 and so are each formed with a lower edge 24a, 24b that correspond to the upper edges 20a, 20b of the outer housing so as to form the line of closure as is best illustrated in FIG. 2. Therefore, the line of closure of the side walls 19, 8 is parallel with the edge formed by the side wall 19 and the top wall 22 of the lid 4, and the line of closure of the front walls 6, 18 comprises a straight section 25a and a curved section 25b. The straight section 25a continues from the line of closure of the side walls 19, 8 and is parallel to the edge formed by the front wall 18 and the top wall 22 of the lid 4. The curved section 25b of the line of closure extends between the straight section 25a and the top wall 22 of the lid 4.

An inner flap 23 extends from the portion of the front wall lower edge 24b forming the straight section 25a of the line of closure. The inner flap 23 is folded onto and may be glued to the inside of the front wall 18. The inner flap 23 is shorter than the greatest height of the lid front wall 18 and so stops short of the lid top wall 22 on the inside of the lid thereby forming a stepped lip on the inside of the lid front wall 18. Although not shown, the inner flap 23 may include a cut-out/recessed portion forming the stepped hp on the inside of the lid front wall.

The pack 1 is further provided with a frame 50 comprising a front wall 51 and two side walls 52, 53 that are glued to corresponding inner surfaces of the outer housing's 2 front wall 6 and two side walls 7, 8. The front wall 51 of the frame 50 includes a locking tab 26 formed integrally therewith and which is folded down to extend downwards and resiliently away from the front wall 51 of the frame as well as the front wall 6 of the outer housing 2.

The spring element 5 comprises a section of card repeatedly folded into a pleated or ‘concertina’ configuration. A first end 28 of the spring element 5 abuts the inside face of the bottom wall 10 of the outer housing 2 and a second, opposite end of the spring element 5 abuts the outside face of the bottom wall 15a of the inner casing 3.

The pack includes an end-stop mechanism which prevents the inner casing 3 from sliding fully out of the outer housing 2 and limits the extent to which the inner casing 3 can slide out of the outer housing 2 to a predetermined maximum extended position. The end-stop mechanism comprises a first pair of stop tabs 30, one tab on each inside face of the side walls 7, 8 of the outer housing 2 and, a corresponding second pair of stop tabs 31, one tab on each outside face of the side walls 12, 13 of the inner casing 3. The first pair of stop tabs 30 are located proximate the upper end of the outer housing 2 and the second pair of stop tabs 31 are located proximate the bottom end of the inner casing 3. As can be appreciated from FIGS. 4a and 4b, the stop tab 30 on the side wall 7 with the cut out upper portion is shorter compared to the stop tab 30 of the opposing side wall 8 so that the end faces 30a of the stop portions 30 are levelled in a horizontal plane.

Operation of the pack 1 of the first embodiment of the invention will now be described. The pack 1 is initially in the closed position as shown in FIG. 1 wherein the lid 4 is closed and covers the access opening 16 in the inner casing 3. As can be seen from FIG. 3, in this position, the spring element 5 is compressed between the bottom wall 10 of the outer housing 2 and the bottom wall 15a of the inner casing 3. The lid 4 is held closed by the locking tab 26 engaging with and catching on the stepped lip formed by the inner flap 23 on the inside front wall 18 of the lid 4. As the locking tab 26 is resiliently urged away from the front wall 51 of the frame 50 as well as the front wall 6 of the outer housing 2, it locates itself against the stepped hp of the lid 4, as the lid 4 is hinged closed against the locking tab 26 and deflects the locking tab 26 inwards towards the front wall 51 of the frame 50. The locking mechanism thereby holds the pack 1 in the closed position against the biasing force of the spring element 5.

When a user wishes to remove a smoking article from the pack 1, the hinged lid 4 is pivoted open, thereby disengaging the locking tab 26 from the stepped lip of the lid 4. As the lid pivots from a closed position to an open position, the lid pivots at an angle from the front wall 6 towards the rear wall 9 of the outer housing 2. Furthermore, in an open position, the lid 4 is misaligned with the outer housing 2 and the inner casing 3. In particular, the edges of the top wall 22 of the lid 4 are at an oblique angle relative to the edges of the outer housing 2 and the inner casing 3.

As the locking tab 26 is disengaged from the stepped lip of the lid 4, the inner casing 3 is free to move in the opening direction shown by arrow ‘A’ in FIG. 4B and telescopically slides out of the outer housing 2 under the biasing force of the spring element 5 as the spring element 5 is allowed to expand from its compressed state.

The inner casing 3 is free to continue to extend out of the outer housing 2 until the stop tabs 31 on the inner casing 3 abut the stop tabs 30 on the outer housing 2, as shown in FIG. 4B. The inner casing 3 is thereby held in the predetermined fully extended open position relative to the outer housing 2. The user may then remove a smoking article from within the inner casing through the access opening 16.

To close the pack 1, the reverse of the above process is performed. The inner casing 3 is pushed into the outer housing 2 in the closure direction shown by arrow ‘B’ in FIG. 4b against the biasing force of the spring element 5, and the spring element 5 is thereby compressed between the bottom wall 10 of the outer housing 2 and the bottom wall 15a of the inner casing 3. Once the inner casing 3 is in the fully retracted position within the outer housing 2, the lid 4 is pivoted from the rear wall 9 towards the front wall 6 at an angle so as to close the lid whereby the locking tab 26 engages the stepped hp in the lid 4 and the pack 1 is thereby retained in the closed position again.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4B and described above, the stop tabs 30 on the outer housing 2 are formed integrally with the side walls 7,8 of the outer housing 2 and are folded over into the inside of the outer housing 2, the fold lines forming the upper edges of the side walls 7,8 respectively. However, it is intended within the scope of the invention that the stop tabs 30/31 on the outer housing 2 and/or inner casing 3 may instead be separate elements bonded to the inside of the outer casing.

Although the above-described embodiment includes stop tabs of the end-stop mechanism on the side walls of the pack they could equally be formed on the front and/or rear walls of the pack in stead of or as well as the side walls, within the scope of the invention.

It is intended within the scope of the invention that locking tab 26 on the front wall 6 of the outer housing 2 does not necessarily need to be formed as a folded tab extending from an upper edge of the frame. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the locking tab 26′ may be spaced from the upper edge of the front wall 51 of the frame 50 and may, for example, be punched out from the front wall 51 of the frame 50 as is shown in FIG. 5. In this alternative embodiment, the remaining like features retaining the same reference numerals.

It is further intended within the scope of the invention that the portion of the lid 4 which engages with the locking tab 26 on the frame 50 does not necessarily need to be the remote edge of the inner flap 23 defining the stepped hp. Instead, for example, the inner flap 23 may include a cut-out portion or recess (not shown) defining an abutment edge to engage with the locking tab 26 on the frame 50, which may be spaced from the remote edges of the inner flap 23.

The locking tab 26 and the corresponding stepped lip formed by the inner flap 23 on the lid 4 are provided on the front wall 51 of the frame 50 and inside front wall 18 of the lid 4 respectively, of the pack 1 of the embodiment described above. However, it is intended within the scope of the invention that a locking tab may be provided on the side wall 52 of the frame 50, and the lid 4 may include a corresponding inner flap on the inside of the side wall 19 thereof which, as with the inner flap 23 on the front wall described above, would provide a stepped lip, or include a cut-out or recess to engage and catch the side locking tab on the frame 50 to hold the lid 4 shut and the pack 1 in the closed position. Such side locking tab and lid stepped hp may be provided instead of the locking tab 26 and stepped lip on the front wall of the flame 50 and the lid 4, or may be in addition to the locking tab 26 and stepped hp on the front walls of the frame 50 and lid 4. Furthermore, although the embodiments described above include an outwardly extending locking tab on the frame 50 and the glued-down stepped lip on the lid 4, the features may be reversed and the lid 4 may include a resilient outwardly-extending locking tab and the frame 50 may include a stepped lip or a recess to receive the locking tab.

The frame 50 enables the pack to have a relatively flush outer finish as the lid 4 is configured to be secured to the frame 50 such that the lower edges of the lid 24a, 24b abut the upper edges 20a, 20b of the housing 2 thereby forming the closure line. In an alternative embodiment, the pack is formed without a frame. In this embodiment, the remaining like features retain the same reference numerals. The housing is formed with a locking tab on its front wall 6 or side wall 8 as described above with reference to the frame. For example, the locking tab may be formed on the straight part of the upper edge 20b of the front wall 6 of the housing 2. Alternatively, the locking tab may be formed on the upper edge 20a of the side wall 8 of the outer housing, in which case the stepped hp formed by the inner flap is provided on the side wall 19 of the lid 4. Furthermore, in yet an other alternative embodiment of the invention, the locking tab may be spaced from the upper edge 20a, 20b of the front wall 6 or side wall 8 of the outer housing 2 and may, for example, be punched out from the front wall 6 or side wall 8.

Although the above embodiments have been described to have a lid hingedly attached to a top wall, it shall be understood that it is intended within the scope of the invention that the hinged lid can be provided on a side wall of the inner casing. In this embodiment the pack is configured similarly to the pack as described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, however the pack is rotated such that the top wall 15b of the inner casing 3 is considered to be a side wall and the opening at the top end of the outer housing 2 is considered to be a side opening. Therefore, in this embodiment, the inner casing is configured to slide out of the side opening of the outer housing, and the spring element or alternative biasing element is disposed between the outer housing and the inner casing opposite to the side opening of the outer housing.

Furthermore, the scope of the present invention is also intended to include a pack wherein the opening does not extend across three walls. For example, the opening formed on the inner casing 3 may only extend across a portion of the top wall of the inner casing. In this embodiment, the lid comprises a top wall that is hingedly attached to the top wall of the inner casing along an oblique angle relative to the front and rear walls of the inner casing. The lid further comprises a front wall and/or a side wall either being provided with a stepped lip on its inner surface which is configured to engage with a corresponding tab formed on a respective front or side wall of the frame or the outer housing.

It is also intended that the scope of the invention includes an inner casing having an opening formed on a side wall only. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment described above which has an opening of the lid that only extends across a portion of the top wall of the inner casing. However, in this embodiment the pack is rotated such that the top wall of the inner casing is considered to be a side wall and the opening at the top end of the outer housing is considered to be a side opening. Therefore, in this embodiment an opening is formed on one of the side walls only of the inner casing. Furthermore, the inner casing is configured to slide out of the side opening of the outer housing and the spring element or alternative biasing element is disposed between the outer housing and the inner casing opposite to the side opening of the outer housing.

In an alternative embodiment, the opening extends across a portion of the top wall and a portion of either the side wall or the front wall of the inner casing. The lid comprises a top wall and a side wall and/or a front wall so that the lid at least covers the opening. Also in this embodiment, the lid top wall is hingedly attached to the top wall of the inner casing along a hinge line that is oblique relative to the front and rear wall of the inner casing. It should also be appreciated that the pack of this embodiment could be rotated such that the top wall of the inner casing is considered to be a side wall and the opening at the top end of the outer housing is considered to be a side opening. Therefore, in this embodiment an opening is formed on the side wall and the top wall and/or the front wall of the inner casing. Furthermore, the inner casing is configured to slide out of the side opening of the outer housing and the spring element or alternative biasing element is disposed between the outer housing and the inner casing opposite to the side opening of the outer housing.

The above embodiments have been described as comprising an oblique hinge line extending between the front and rear wall of the inner casing, or more specifically, the oblique hinge line is described as extending between first and second edges of the top wall, wherein the first and second edges are each defined by the top wall and either the front or the rear wall.

In an alternative embodiment, the hinge line extends from the first edge defined by the top wall and the front wall to a corner of the top wall defined by the rear wall and a side wall. This configuration provides great strength to the lid. It is also intended to fall within the scope of the present invention, an oblique hinge line which extends between third and fourth edges, wherein the third and fourth edges are each defined by the top wall and either of the side walls. In this embodiment, the hinge line is oblique relative to the first, second, third and fourth edges as well as to the plane of the front and rear walls of the inner casing. Alternatively, the hinge line may extend diagonally across the top wall of the pack such that the hinge line extends from one corner formed by one of the side walls and the rear wall to an opposite corner formed by the opposite side wall and the front wall. Also in this embodiment the hinge line is oblique relative to first, second, third and fourth edges as well as to the plane of the front and the rear wall of the inner casing. In yet another alternative embodiment, the hinge line may obliquely extend between the first or second edge and the third or fourth edge, for example, the hinge line may extend between the first and the third edge, or alternatively the second or the third edge. Although the hinge line has been described to be differently configured on the top wall of the inner casing, it shall be understood that the differently configured oblique hinge lines can be applied to any of the embodiments described above including the side wall of the inner casing.

In an alternative un-illustrated embodiment, the pack is similarly configured to the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, however it has a differently configured outer housing. The pack may comprise any optional features discussed in relation to the any of the aforementioned embodiments, therefore a detailed description is omitted herein.

In this embodiment, the outer housing is similarly configured to the outer housing described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, however the front wall and side walls comprise an inner and an outer layer forming a double layer. Upper portions of one of the side walls and the front wall of the outer layer have been cut out thereby exposing a part of the inner layer when the lid is opened. The outer layer is formed with upper edges similar to the upper edges 20a, 20b of the side wall 8 and front wall 6 of the outer housing described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. The upper edges of the outer layer according to the present embodiment abut corresponding lower edges of the lid so as to form a line of closure.

The part of the inner layer of the front wall that is exposed when the lid is opened is formed with a locking tab. The locking tab is similar to the locking tab formed on the frame as described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, such that it may be integrally formed with the inner layer and folded down to extend downwards and resiliently away from the front wall of the frame as well as the front wall of the outer housing. It shall be understood that the locking tab can alternatively be formed on the part of the side wall that is exposed when the lid is opened, or the locking tab may be formed in any of the alternative configurations described in relation to the frame of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5.

The lid is similarly configured to the lid described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. The lid 4 comprises a front wall, a side wall and a top wall. The front wall and the side wall correspond to the cut out upper portions of the outer layer of the outer housing. The front and side wall are each formed with a lower edge that correspond to the upper edges of the outer layer of the outer housing so as to form the line of closure. The lid extends from the top end of the inner casing along a hinge line that is at an oblique angle relative to the front and rear wall of the inner casing, or more particularly, relative to the edge formed by the top wall and the front wall and the edge formed by the top wall the rear wall of the inner casing.

When the lid is closed, its side wall and front wall lie flush with the front wall and side wall of the outer layer of the outer housing that is formed with a cut out portion.

Another alternative embodiment of a pack 100 will now be described with reference to FIG. 6. The pack 100 is similarly configured to the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, however it differs in that the hinged lid is attached to the outer housing. The pack 100 may comprise any optional features discussed in relation to the aforementioned embodiments, therefore a detailed description is omitted herein and elements of the pack 100 which are generally the same as for the pack shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 retain the same reference numerals.

In this embodiment, the pack 100 comprises a lid 4 that is hingedly attached to the outer housing 2. The lid 4 closes parts of the opening formed on the outer housing 2. The opening of the outer housing 2 includes an open top end and cut out upper portions of one of the side walls 8 and the front wall 6. The lid 2 is hingedly attached to the side wall 8, having the cut out upper portion, along a hinge line 17 which extends at an oblique angle relative to the front and rear walls 6, 9 of the outer housing 2.

The lid 4 comprises a front wall 18, side wall 19 and a top wall 22. The front wall 18 and the side wall 19 of the lid correspond to the upper portions cut out from the side wall 8 and the front wall 6 of the outer housing 2. However, the top wall 22 of the lid only extends across a portion of the open top end of the outer housing 2.

An inner casing 3 is telescopically received in the outer housing 2 and is configured so as to slide out of the open top end of the outer housing 2 when the lid is in an open position. The inner casing 2 comprises an opening providing access to the smoking articles. This opening is covered by the hinged lid and/or the outer housing 2 when the lid is in a closed position. A spring element 5 or alternative biasing element is disposed at a bottom wall 10 of the outer housing.

When the hinged lid 4 is in a closed position the spring element 5 is compressed between the bottom wall 10 of the outer housing 2 and the bottom wall 15 of the inner casing 3. The closed hinged lid 4 retains the inner casing 3 within the outer housing against the force of the spring element by the top wall 22 of the lid extending across a portion of the open top end of the outer housing 22 and the top wall 15b of the inner casing.

To open the pack, the lid is moved to its open position by rotating it about its hinge line 17. When the lid is opened, the biasing force of the spring element 5 pushes the inner casing 3 out of the open top end of the outer housing 2.

Although the hinged lid 4 is configured to sufficiently remain in its closed position, the top wall of the hinged lid 4 may be formed with a tab that engages with a tab formed on the top wall of the inner casing 3, similar to the locking mechanism described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, so as to ensure that the hinged lid 4 does not accidentally open.

It is envisaged that the hinge line 17 does not necessarily have to be at an oblique angle relative to the front and rear walls 6, 9 of the outer housing 2, the hinge line 17 may alternatively be perpendicular to the front and rear walls 6, 9.

It is also envisaged that the scope of the invention is not limited to a spring element comprising a pleated or ‘concertina’ configuration as described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. The spring element can alternatively be replaced by a biasing member comprising a block of compressible resilient foam material, or a resilient strip, preferably of a plastic such as PET.

A differently configured embodiment will now be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 wherein a pack 60 is shown comprising a body 61 formed with an opening 63, a lid 62 for closing and opening said opening 63 and a frame 64 received in the body 61.

The body 62 comprises a front wall 65, side walls 67, 68 a real wall 69, a top wall 66 and a bottom wall (not shown). The side walls 67, 68 of the body 61 are larger than the top wall of the overall pack and the bottom wall of the body. The opening 63 is formed at a top end of the pack 60, including the top wall 66, one of the side walls 67 and the front wall 65 such that the opening 63 is formed on a corner of the pack 60. The side wall 67 and the front wall 65 are each formed with an upper edge 72, 74 which define parts of the opening 63 and abut a lower edge of the lid 62 so as to form a line of closure as described below. The upper edge 72 of the side wall 67 is parallel to the opposing edge 73 formed by the side wall 67 and the bottom wall. The upper edge 74 of the front wall 65 continues from the upper edge 72 of the side wall 67 across a portion of the front wall along a direction parallel to the edge of the front wall 65 and the bottom wall and then curves upwards towards the top wall 66 of the body 61.

The hinged lid 62 comprises a front wall 75, side wall 76 and a top wall 77. The front wall 75 and the side wall 76 are each formed with a lower edge 78, 79 that correspond to and abut the respective upper edges 72, 74 of the side wall 67 and front wall 65 of the body 61 so as to form the line of closure of the pack 60. Therefore, the closure line on the side wall 67, 76 of the pack 60 is parallel with the edge formed by the side wall 76 and the top wall 77 of the lid 62 and the line of closure on the front of the pack 60 comprises a straight section 79a and a curved section 79b. The straight section 79a continues from the line of closure of the side walls 67, 76 and is parallel to the edge formed by the front wall 75 and the top wall 77 of the lid 62. The curved section 79b of the line of closure extends between the straight section 79a and the top wall 77 of the lid 62.

The hinged lid 62 is formed integrally with top wall 66 of the body 61 and is pivotally attached to the top wall 66 along a folded hinge line 80. The hinge line 80 extends across the top wall of the pack 60 at an oblique angle relative to the front and tear walls, or more particularly, the edge formed by the body top wall 66 and the body front wall 65 and the edge formed by body top wall 66 and the body rear wall 69.

An inner flap (not shown) extends from the portion of the front wall lower edge 79 of the lid 62 forming the straight section 79a of the line of closure. The inner flap is folded onto and may be glued to the inside of the front wall 75 of the lid 62. The inner flap is shorter than the greatest height of the lid front wall 75 and so stops short of the lid top wall 77 on the inside of the lid thereby forming a stepped lip on the inside of the lid front wall 75. Although not shown, the inner flap may include a cut-out/recessed portion forming the stepped lip on the inside of the lid front wall.

The pack 60 is further provided with a frame 64 which provides a locking tab 85 and additional stability to the pack. The frame comprises a front wall 82 and two side walls 83, 84 that are glued to corresponding inner surfaces of the front wall 65 and side walls 67, 68 of the body. The locking tab 85 is formed integrally with the front wall 82 of the frame 64 and is folded down to extend downwards and resiliently away from the front wall 82 of the frame 64 as well as front wall 65 of the body 61.

Operation of the pack 60 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 will now be described. The pack 1 is initially in the closed position as shown in FIG. 7, wherein the lid is closed and covers the access opening 63. The lid 62 remains in a closed position as long as the pack is held upright. To ensure that the lid is in a closed position regardless of the orientation of the pack, the lid 62 is secured in the closed position by the locking tab 85 engaging with and catching on the stepped hp formed by the inner flap on the inside front wall 75 of the lid 62. As the locking tab 85 is resiliently urged away from the front wall 82 of the frame 64 as well as the front wall 65 of the body 61, it locates itself against the stepped lip of the lid 62 as the lid 62 is hinged closed against the locking tab 85 and deflects the locking tab 85 inwards towards the front wall 751 of the flame 64. The locking mechanism thereby holds the pack 60 in the closed position and so prevents any accidental opening of the pack 60.

When a user wishes to remove a smoking article from the pack 60, the hinged lid 62 is pivoted open about the oblique hinge line 80 so as to reveal the opening 63. As the user pulls on the lid 62, the locking tab 85 is disengaged from the stepped lip of the lid 62 and the lid can be rotated about its hinge line 80 from the front wall towards the rear wall at an angle relative to said front wall and rear wall. In an open position, the lid 62 is misaligned with the body of the pack. In particular, the edges of the top wall 77 of the lid 62 are at and oblique angle relative to the edges of the body 61.

In an alternative un-illustrated embodiment the locking mechanism is formed on a side wall of the pack. For example, the inner flap may be formed on the side wall 76 of the lid 62 and the corresponding locking tab 85 may be provided on the side wall of the frame 83. Furthermore, the locking tab does not necessarily have to extend from an upper edge of the front wall 82 or the side wall 83 of the frame 64 as described above. Alternatively, the locking tab can be spaced from the upper edge of the front wall 82 or the side wall 83 of the frame 64 and may, for example, be punched out from the front wall 82 or the side wall 83 of the frame 64.

Furthermore, it shall be appreciated that the locking mechanism may be provided in reverse such that the stepped lip formed by an inner flap is provided on the body and the lid is formed with a tab.

The frame enables the pack to be formed with a flush outer finish as the lid is secured to the frame and the upper edges of the body abut the lower edges of the lid when the pack is closed. However, it should also be appreciated that the frame is an optional feature as the locking tab can alternatively be formed on the front wall 65 or the side wall 67 of the body 61. In the embodiment where the locking tab is formed on the side wall 67 of the body, the inner flap is provided on the inner surface of the side wall 76 of the lid 62. Furthermore, the locking tab does not necessarily have to extend from an upper edge of the front wall 65 or the side wall 67 of the body 61. Alternatively, the locking tab can be spaced from the upper edge of the front wall 65 or the side wall 67 of the body 61 and may, for example, be punched out from the front wall 82 or the side wall 83 of the frame 64.

Although the lid has been described to be provided at a top end of the pack, it shall be understood that the lid can be formed on a side wall 67 as seen in FIG. 9. In this embodiment, the like remaining features retain the same reference numerals. The hinge line 80 is formed at an oblique angle relative to front and rear walls of the body 61, and the side wall 76 of the lid 62 is hingedly attached to said side wall 67 of the body 61 via the oblique hinge line 80 as shown in FIG. 9.

Although the above embodiments relating to the hinge-lid pack have been described as comprising a lid which when opened provides access to an opening which extends across at least a portion of the top wall, side wall and the front wall of the body, it is envisaged that the opening may only extend across a portion of the top wall. In this embodiment, the lid comprises a top wall and either a side wall or a front wall, or both a side wall and a front wall. The lid top wall is hingedly attached to the top wall of the body along a hinge line that is oblique relative to the front and real walls of the body. The front wall or the side wall is provided with a stepped lip formed by a folded inner flap that engages with a tab formed on a corresponding front or side wall of the frame or the body.

In an alternative embodiment, the opening is formed on a side wall only of the body of the pack, and the lid comprises a respective side wall that is hingedly attached along an oblique hinge line to the side wall formed with the opening. The lid further comprises a second wall such as a top wall or a front wall that is provided with a stepped lip formed by a folded flap configured to engage with a tab that is provided on a corresponding wall of the frame or the housing. Alternatively, the lid is formed with a third wall.

It is also intended that the scope of the invention includes a body of a pack wherein an opening is formed on a top wall and on either a front or a side wall of the body. In this embodiment, the lid comprises a top wall and either a side wall or a front wall, or top wall and both a side wall and a front wall, so as to cover the opening. The lid top wall is hingedly attached to the top wall of the body along a hinge line that is oblique relative to the front and rear walls of the body. The front wall or the side wall is provided with a stepped hp formed by a folded inner flap that engages with a tab formed on a corresponding front or side wall of the frame or the body. Alternatively, the opening is formed on a side wall and a second wall of the body such as a top wall or a front wall. In this embodiment, the lid comprises a respective side that is hingedly attached to the side of the pack along a hinge line that is obliquely formed relative to the front and rear walls of the body. The lid further comprises at least a second wall such as a top wall or a front wall so as to cover the opening. The second wall is formed with a stepped hp formed by a folded flap configured to engage with a tab that is provided on a corresponding wall of the frame or the housing. Alternatively, the lid is formed with a third wall.

The above embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9 as well as the embodiments relating thereto, have been described so as to comprise an oblique hinge line extending between the front and rear wall of the body, or more specifically, the oblique hinge line extends between fast and second edges of the top wall, wherein the first and second edges are each defined by the top wall and either the front or the rear wall. In an alternative embodiment the hinge line extends from the first edge defined by the top wall and the front wall to a corner of the top wall defined by the rear wall and a side wall. This configuration provides great strength to the lid. It is also intended to fall within the scope of the present invention, an oblique hinge line which extends between third and fourth edges, wherein the third and fourth edges are each defined by the top wall and either of the side walls. In this embodiment, the hinge line is oblique to the plane of the front and rear walls of the inner casing. Alternatively, the hinge line may extend diagonally across the top wall of the pack such that the hinge line extends from one corner formed by one of the side walls and the rear wall to an opposite corner formed by the other side wall and the front wall. Also in this embodiment the hinge line is oblique relative to the plane of the front and the rear wall of the body. In yet another embodiment, the hinge line may obliquely extend between the first or second edge and the third or the fourth edge, for example, the hinge line may extend between the first and the third edge, or alternatively the second or the third edge.

Although the hinge line has been described in relation to a top wall of the body, it shall be understood that the differently configured oblique hinge lines can be included in of the embodiments described above.

Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those persons skilled in the art that the foregoing description should be regarded as a description of preferred embodiments only and that other embodiments that fall within the scope of the appended claims are considered to form part of this disclosure.

In order to address various issues and advance the art, the entirety of this disclosure shows by way of illustration various embodiments in which the claimed invention(s) may be practiced and provide for superior packs for smoking articles. The advantages and features of the disclosure are of a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. They are presented only to assist in understanding and teach the claimed principles. It should be understood that they are not representative of all claimed inventions. As such, certain aspects of the disclosure have not been discussed herein. That alternate embodiments may not have been presented for a specific portion of the invention or that further undescribed alternate embodiments may be available for a portion is not to be considered a disclaimer of those alternate embodiments. It will be appreciated that many of those undescribed embodiments incorporate the same principles of the invention and others are equivalent. Thus, it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and/or spirit of the disclosure. As such, all examples, implementations, and/or embodiments are deemed to be non-limiting throughout this disclosure. Also, no inference should be drawn regarding those embodiments discussed herein relative to those not discussed herein other than it is as such for purposes of reducing space and repetition. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. Some of the disclosed features, elements, implementation, etc., may be mutually contradictory, in that they cannot be simultaneously present in a single embodiment. Similarly, some features are applicable to one aspect of the disclosure, and inapplicable to others. In addition, the disclosure includes other inventions not presently claimed. Applicant reserves all rights in those presently unclaimed inventions including the right to claim such inventions, file additional applications, continuations, continuations in part, divisions, and/or the like thereof. As such, it should be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, function, features, structural, and/or other aspects of the disclosure are not to be considered limitations on the disclosure as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims.

Claims

1. A pack for smoking articles comprising:

a body having two minor side walls, a minor top wall and a minor bottom wall extending between two opposing major walls so as to define a space for holding smoking articles, at least one of the minor walls defining an access opening configured to provide access to the space,

a lid pivotally attached to the at least one minor wall defining an access opening, the lid configured to open and close said access opening, wherein the lid is attached to one of said minor walls along a hinge line that extends obliquely relative to a plane of at least one of the major walls, wherein the at least one minor wall to which the lid is attached is a minor top wall or a side wall of the body.

2. The pack for smoking articles according to claim 1, wherein the hinge line extends between opposing first and second edges of the at least one minor wall defining the access opening, the first edge defined by said at least one minor wall and one of the two major walls, and the second edge defined by said at least one minor wall and the other major wall.

3. The pack for smoking articles according to claim 1, wherein the hinge line extends between opposing third and fourth edges of the at least one minor wall defining the access opening, the third edge defined by said at least one minor wall and one of two opposing minor walls, and the fourth edge defined by said at least one minor wall and the other of the two opposing minor walls.

4. The pack for smoking articles according to claim 1, wherein the hinge line extends between first and third edges of the at least one minor wall defining the access opening, the first edge defined by said at least one minor wall and one of the major walls, and the third edge defined by said at least one minor wall and one of the other minor walls.

5. The pack for smoking articles according to claim 1, wherein the hinge line extends from one corner formed between one of the minor walls and one of the major walls to an opposite corner formed by another minor wall and the other major wall.

6. The pack according to claim 1, wherein the pack comprises a lock mechanism configured to hold the lid in a closed position in which the lid covers the access opening.

7. The pack according to claim 1, further comprising a frame located against an inner surface of one of the major or the minor walls, wherein the lid comprises a hinged lid wall and a second lid wall extending from an edge thereof, the second lid wall comprising a first lock mechanism configured to engage with a second lock mechanism formed on the frame when the lid is in a closed position.

8. The pack according to claim 6, further comprising an outer housing including an open end, wherein the body is received in the outer housing and is configured to be telescopically slidable within the outer housing between a closed position in which the body is substantially received within the outer housing and the lid covers the access opening, and an open position in which the body at least partially extends out of the open end of the outer housing and the lid reveals the access opening.

9. The pack according to claim 8, wherein the lid comprises a hinged lid wall and a second lid wall extending from an edge thereof, the second lid wall comprising a first lock mechanism that engages with a second lock mechanism formed on the outer housing when the lid is in a closed position.

10. The pack according to claim 8, further comprising a frame located against an inner surface of the outer housing, wherein the lid comprises a hinged lid wall and a second lid wall extending from an edge thereof, the second lid wall comprising a first lock mechanism that engages with a second lock mechanism formed on the frame when the lid is in a closed position.

11. The pack according to claim 8, further comprising a bias element configured to bias the body in a sliding direction relative to the outer housing.

12. The pack according to claim 7, wherein the access opening extends across two minor walls, and the hinged lid wall and the second lid wall cover the access opening when the lid is in a closed position.

13. The pack according to claim 7, wherein the access opening extends across two minor walls and a major wall, and the lid comprises a third wall such that the lid covers the access opening when the lid is in a closed position.

14. The pack according to claim 1, wherein the lid is attached to a minor top wall of the body and wherein the minor top wall to which the lid is attached is smaller in size than the two minor side walls and the two major walls.

15. The pack according to claim 1, wherein the access opening extends across the minor top wall and at least part of one of the minor side walls, the lid attached to the minor wall defining the access opening, the pack further comprising an inner casing, the inner casing received in the body and configured to be telescopically slidable within the body between a closed position in which the inner casing is substantially received within the body and the lid at least partially covers the access opening, and an open position in which the inner casing at least partially extends out of the access opening and the lid extends away from the access opening.

16. A pack for smoking articles, comprising:

an outer housing having two minor side walls, a minor bottom wall extending between two opposing major walls, and an open top end;

an inner casing configured to receive a bundle of smoking articles, the inner casing being telescopically slidable, within the outer housing, between an open position in which the inner casing at least partially extends out of the open top end of the outer housing thereby providing access to smoking articles received by the inner casing, and a closed position in which the inner casing is retracted further into the outer housing than in the open position; and

a hinged lid pivotable between a closed position in which the hinged lid at least partially covers the open top end, and an open position in which the hinged lid extends away from said open top end, the hinged lid connected to one of the minor side walls of the outer housing along a hinge line substantially perpendicular to the major walls.

17. The pack according to claim 16, further comprising a bias element configured to bias the inner casing in a sliding direction relative to the outer housing.

18. The pack according to claim 17, wherein the bias element is a spring.

19. The pack according to claim 17, wherein the bias element is a resilient strip.

20. The pack according to claim 17, wherein the bias element is a block of resilient foam material.