Cigarette pack comprising twin cigarette packets

A cigarette pack has a pair of complementary packets each having a box that includes a straight or angled or non-orthogonal side panel and wherein each box contains a group of cigarettes. The packets are arranged adjacent one another along their straight or non-orthogonal sides and then overwrapped to produce the cigarette pack. Each packet includes ten cigarettes for a total pack count of twenty cigarettes. The individual packets promote ease of transport and overall freshness. The packet may have rounded or beveled corners, and each packet may have a hinge lid or comprise an outer shell and interior cigarette holding slide.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cigarette pack that comprises twin cigarette packets, and more particularly to a cigarette pack where each of the two packets includes ten cigarettes for a total pack count of twenty cigarettes.

For the most part cigarettes are sold in packs with twenty cigarettes in each pack. In some instances it is desired to have smaller quantities of cigarettes for ease of transport and freshness.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention a cigarette pack comprises a pair of cigarette packets releaseably connected to one another for sale in pairs. Preferably, the overall dimensions of length, width and depth of each individual cigarette packet is such that when paired, the resultant overall dimensions of the formed pack are compatible with the dimensional requirements of state tax stamp machines and the associated carton recasing equipment, as well as those of point-of-sale displays and display racks at retail. The pair of packets are wrapped together and each packet may include ten cigarettes for a total of twenty cigarettes which is the minimum quantity allowed for sale in certain countries. This overall packet construction allows the consumer to carry only ten cigarettes in one of the packets after the initial purchase of twenty cigarettes. The smaller packet of ten cigarettes easily fits in small purses, pockets and the like.

One of the packets may be individually wrapped and then combined with a second packet both of which are then overwrapped with clear overwrap material. When the cigarette pack is then opened the separate overwrapped packet retains freshness until that packet is opened at a later time and the cigarettes are consumed.

Each cigarette packet of ten cigarettes may comprise a box having a hinge lid for access to the cigarettes. The box has an inner frame and a bundle of ten foil wrapped cigarettes is placed within the inner frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring in more particularity to the drawings,FIGS. 1-4illustrate a cigarette pack10comprising twin cigarette packets12,14both of which are overwrapped with clear cellophane15or similar wrap material, as well known. One of the packets is shown inFIG. 4. Fundamentally, each of the packets12,14comprises a box16with a hinge lid18that articulates about hinge line20in opening and closing the packet. An inner frame22is positioned in the container portion of each box. Preferably 10 cigarettes are wrapped in foil23or other suitable material and placed within the inner frame of each of the packets12,14. A tear strip24is used to remove to outer wrap15, as is well known.

One of the packets may be wrapped with clear cellophane prior to being combined with the second packet. Both packets are then overwrapped with additional material. Once the cigarette pack10is opened the initially overwrapped packet remains sealed until consumption of the cigarettes in that packet are desired at a later time.

Unlike the packets12,14which include straight side panels,FIGS. 5 and 6illustrate an alternate embodiment where a cigarette pack10A comprises twin packets12A,14A each having an orthogonal side panel26A and a non-orthogonal side panel28A. The non-orthogonal side panels28A abut one another in the pack10A, as shown inFIGS. 5 and 6. Each packet12A,14A comprises a box16A with a hinge lid18A that articulates about hinge line20A in opening and closing the packet, as shown in phantom outline inFIG. 5. The hinge lid18A has a top panel, opposite side panels, and front and rear panels. Each packet12A,14A has a trapezoidal configuration in cross section.

FIG. 7shows a blank40for producing one of the packets12,14whileFIG. 8illustrates a blank42for producing the inner frame22. Cut lines are shown as solid lines and fold lines are shown in phantom. The blanks are assembled and glued together as is well known in the art. Similarly,FIG. 9shows an alternate blank40′ for producing one of the packets12,14. Here again cut lines are shown as solid lines while fold lines are shown in phantom. Blank40′ is different in that it has longitudinal fold lines for folding the blank in packet form. Once assembled, a blank42may be folded into the shape of the inner frame22and inserted into formed box portion16.

FIG. 9shows a blank40A for producing one of the packets12A,14A whileFIG. 10illustrates a blank42A for producing the inner frame22A. Here again, cut lines are shown as solid lines and fold lines are shown in phantom. Assembly is performed as is well known in the art.

FIG. 12illustrates an alternative blank40A′ for producing one of the packets12A,14A. Cut lines are shown as solid lines while fold lines are shown in phantom. Blank40A′ is similar to blank40′ in that it includes longitudinal fold lines about which the blank is folded and glued into the shape of one of the packets12A,14A. Blank40A′ has panels26A for forming the orthogonal side panel as well as panels28A for forming the non-orthogonal panel of the packet12A,14A. A blank42A may be used to form the inner frame22A.

As noted above, the pack10comprises first and second packets12,14releaseably wrapped or otherwise attached together so as to establish a complete twenty count (or more) pack of cigarettes, each packet preferably comprising a box16with a hinge lid18. In pack10A the orthogonal side panel26A is perpendicular to the front and back panels of the box16A while the opposite side panel28A is angled. Preferably, the orthogonal side panel26A is where the glue flap is secured or otherwise attached to form the packet.

Preferably, the packets are held together with a clear wrap such as a cellophane15or the like, or could be, in the alterative, held together with a wrap akin to a soft pack label that bears printed indicia, or in the alternative or in conjunction with the aforementioned, the packets are glued together with a releasable adhesive.

As noted above, one or both of the packets may be separately wrapped in cellophane or like material to preserve freshness of the contents of one or both packets. Another alternative is that neither packet is separately wrapped before the final wrap to cover the pair.

The complete twenty count pack accommodates a 7-6-7 collation of cigarettes, wherein a first one of the aforementioned packets may encloses a 4-3-3 collation or bundle of cigarettes (preferably wrapped in a cigarette bundle wrap constructed of paper and/or foil) and the other packet encloses a 3-3-4 bundled collation of cigarettes. The packets are in a mutually complementary orientation when joined along their angled or non-orthogonal panels28A such that the complete pack10A is of the usual rectangular box form.

As a paired unit, packs10and10A correspond to a standard rectangular size and shape which allows for this product to be tax stamped in the US which is very critical for any new product to be feasible. It also will fit in vending machines, which for Japan, is very important as well. The two unit concept also allows for the possibility to offer two versions of a cigarette product, one in each of the two packets, such as full flavor and lights or menthol and a regular.

FIGS. 13-15illustrate another cigarette pack50comprising identical cigarette packets52both of which are overwrapped with clear cellophane54or similar material. Fundamentally, each of the packets52comprises a box56with a hinge lid58that articulates about hinge line60in opening and closing the packet. An inner frame62is positioned inside each box56. Preferably ten cigarettes are wrapped in foil63or other suitable material and placed within the inner frame of each packet52. A tear strip64is used to remove the outer wrap54, as is well known.

One of the packets52may be wrapped with clear cellophane prior to being combined with the second packet. Both packets are then wrapped with additional material54. Once the cigarette pack50is opened the initially wrapped packet remains sealed until consumption of the cigarettes in that packet are desired at a later time.

Both the box56and hinge lid58include front and back panels66and interconnecting side panels68. Each packet has rounded corners70wherein these panels adjoin one another as best shown inFIG. 14.

FIG. 16shows a blank72similar in many respects to blank40ofFIG. 7for producing one of the packets52of cigarette pack50. The significant difference is that blank72includes portions for producing the rounded corners70.FIG. 17shows a blank74for producing the inner frame62. Blank74also includes portions for the rounded corners.

FIG. 18shows an alternate blank72′ similar in many respects to blank40′ ofFIG. 9for producing one of the packets52of cigarette pack50. The main difference is that blank72′ includes portions for producing the rounded corners70. A blank similar to blank74ofFIG. 17may be used in combination with blank72′ to form the packets52.

FIGS. 19-21show another cigarette pack80similar in many respects to the pack10A shown inFIGS. 5 and 6and similar parts have been identified with the same reference characters. The major difference is that each packet12A′ and14A′ includes rounded corners82. The blanks used to fabricate each packet are not specifically illustrated it being understood that the blanks shown inFIGS. 10-12may be used if slightly modified to include rounded portions similar to those shown inFIGS. 16-18for producing the rounded corners82.

FIGS. 22-24illustrate another cigarette pack90comprising identical cigarette packets92. Cigarette pack80is similar in many respects to pack50ofFIGS. 13-15and similar reference characters are used to identify similar parts. One significant difference is that each packet92includes beveled or angled corners94where the front, back and side panels of the box and hinge lid adjoin one another. As a result, the cross sectional configuration of each packet92is generally octagonal, as evident fromFIG. 15.

FIGS. 25-27illustrate still another cigarette pack100comprising cigarette packets12A″ and14A″. Cigarette pack100is similar to pack80ofFIGS. 19-21except that each packet12A″ and14A″ includes beveled or angled corners102. Blanks not shown, but similar to the blanks shown inFIGS. 10-12may be used if modified to include beveled or angled portions similar to those shown inFIGS. 16-18for producing beveled corners102.

FIGS. 28-30illustrate another cigarette pack150comprising twin cigarette packets152both of which are identical in structure with orthogonal panels. Clear cellophane or similar wrap material154functions to overwrap the cigarette packets152. Fundamentally, each of the packets152includes an outer enclosure156with opposite open ends and an inner frame158, as best shown inFIG. 30. Each packet152basically comprises a shell and slide arrangement where the open ended enclosure156comprises the shell and the inner frame158functions as a slide within the shell. Preferably, ten cigarettes are wrapped in foil or other suitable material and enclosed within each of the packets152. A tear strip160may be used to remove the outer wrap154as is well known.

One of the packets152may be wrapped with clear cellophane prior to being combined with the second packet. Both packets are then overwrapped with additional material154. Once the cigarette pack150is opened the initially overwrapped packet remains sealed until consumption of the cigarettes in that packet are desired at a later time.

The enclosure156includes identical front and back panels162and opposing identical side panels164. When viewed in cross section each packet152has a generally square to rectangular orthogonal configuration, as shown inFIG. 29. The inner frame158includes a back panel166with adjacent side panels168,170, and a closure flap172extends along the back panel66as shown inFIG. 30.

FIG. 31shows a blank174for the enclosure156. The blank is simply assembled by folding along the fold lines of adjacent panels and the end side panels164are secured together with adhesive.

FIG. 32is a blank176for the inner frame158. The blank is folded along the fold lines and then inserted into the enclosure to form one of the packets152.

The shell and slide cigarette pack150shown inFIG. 28and the individual cigarette packets152may also be formed with various shapes and sizes similar to the alternative embodiments of the hinge lid packets. For example, each individual shell and slide packet may include an orthoganal side panel and an opposite non-orthoganol side panel similar to the embodiment shown inFIGS. 5 and 6with the non-orthoganal panels abutting one another to form a cigarette pack. Additionally, the vertical corners may be rounded or beveled in the same manner as shown inFIGS. 19-21andFIGS. 25-27, for example.

Also, the shell and slide packets152specifically shown inFIGS. 28-30may have rounded or beveled vertical corners similar to the corners shown inFIGS. 13-15andFIGS. 22-24.