PACK FOR SMOKING ARTICLES

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.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now toFIGS. 1 to 4B, a pack1according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown and comprises an outer housing2and an inner casing3(also referred to as a body) telescopically received within the outer housing2and having a hinged lid4. A spring element5is provided within the outer housing2and is configured to bias the inner casing3in an opening direction out of the outer housing2. (The gaps between the outer housing2and inner casing3are exaggerated inFIGS. 3-4Bfor clearer depiction of the internal features of the pack1and do not represent the actual dimensions of the pack).

The outer housing comprises a front wall6, side walls7,8a rear wall9and a bottom wall10. The outer housing2is formed with an opening at its top end as it does not comprise a top wall. Furthermore, upper portions of one of the side walls8and the front wall6have been cut out so that the opening also extends down on said front and side walls. The opening of the side wall8and the front wall6is defined by upper edges20a,20bformed on said side wall8and front wall6. The upper edges20a,20babut corresponding lower edges of the lid4so as to form a line of closure as described below. The upper edge20aof the side wall8is parallel to the opposing edge21formed by the side wall8and the bottom wall10. The upper edge20bof the front wall6continues from the upper edge20aof the side wall8along a direction parallel to the edge formed by the front wall6and the bottom wall10, then the upper edge20bcurves upwards to the top end of the pack1and finally continues towards the other side wall7along a direction parallel to the edge formed by the front wall6and the bottom wall10.

The inner casing3comprises a front wall11, side walls12,13, a rear wall14, a bottom wall15aand a top wall15b. The top wall15b, one of the side walls12and the front wall are formed with an opening16for access to and removal of smoking articles (not shown) contained within the inner casing3. The side walls12,13of the inner casing3are larger than the top wall of the over all pack or the bottom wall of the inner casing. The hinged lid4is formed integrally with the top wall15bof the inner casing3and is pivotally attached to the top wall15balong a folded hinge line17.

The hinge line17between a top wall22of the lid4and the top wall15bextends across the top end of the inner casing at an oblique angle relative to the front and rear wall11,14of the inner casing3, or more particularly, relative to the edge formed by the top wall15band the front wall11and the edge formed by the top wall15bthe rear wall14of the inner casing3.

The hinged lid4comprises a front wall18, side wall19and the top wall22. The front wall18and the side wall19correspond to the cut out upper portions of the outer housing2and so are each formed with a lower edge24a,24bthat correspond to the upper edges20a,20bof the outer housing so as to form the line of closure as is best illustrated inFIG. 2. Therefore, the line of closure of the side walls19,8is parallel with the edge formed by the side wall19and the top wall22of the lid4, and the line of closure of the front walls6,18comprises a straight section25aand a curved section25b. The straight section25acontinues from the line of closure of the side walls19,8and is parallel to the edge formed by the front wall18and the top wall22of the lid4. The curved section25bof the line of closure extends between the straight section25aand the top wall22of the lid4.

An inner flap23extends from the portion of the front wall lower edge24bforming the straight section25aof the line of closure. The inner flap23is folded onto and may be glued to the inside of the front wall18. The inner flap23is shorter than the greatest height of the lid front wall18and so stops short of the lid top wall22on the inside of the lid thereby forming a stepped lip on the inside of the lid front wall18. Although not shown, the inner flap23may include a cut-out/recessed portion forming the stepped hp on the inside of the lid front wall.

The pack1is further provided with a frame50comprising a front wall51and two side walls52,53that are glued to corresponding inner surfaces of the outer housing's2front wall6and two side walls7,8. The front wall51of the frame50includes a locking tab26formed integrally therewith and which is folded down to extend downwards and resiliently away from the front wall51of the frame as well as the front wall6of the outer housing2.

The spring element5comprises a section of card repeatedly folded into a pleated or ‘concertina’ configuration. A first end28of the spring element5abuts the inside face of the bottom wall10of the outer housing2and a second, opposite end of the spring element5abuts the outside face of the bottom wall15aof the inner casing3.

The pack includes an end-stop mechanism which prevents the inner casing3from sliding fully out of the outer housing2and limits the extent to which the inner casing3can slide out of the outer housing2to a predetermined maximum extended position. The end-stop mechanism comprises a first pair of stop tabs30, one tab on each inside face of the side walls7,8of the outer housing2and, a corresponding second pair of stop tabs31, one tab on each outside face of the side walls12,13of the inner casing3. The first pair of stop tabs30are located proximate the upper end of the outer housing2and the second pair of stop tabs31are located proximate the bottom end of the inner casing3. As can be appreciated fromFIGS. 4aand4b, the stop tab30on the side wall7with the cut out upper portion is shorter compared to the stop tab30of the opposing side wall8so that the end faces30aof the stop portions30are levelled in a horizontal plane.

Operation of the pack1of the first embodiment of the invention will now be described. The pack1is initially in the closed position as shown inFIG. 1wherein the lid4is closed and covers the access opening16in the inner casing3. As can be seen fromFIG. 3, in this position, the spring element5is compressed between the bottom wall10of the outer housing2and the bottom wall15aof the inner casing3. The lid4is held closed by the locking tab26engaging with and catching on the stepped lip formed by the inner flap23on the inside front wall18of the lid4. As the locking tab26is resiliently urged away from the front wall51of the frame50as well as the front wall6of the outer housing2, it locates itself against the stepped hp of the lid4, as the lid4is hinged closed against the locking tab26and deflects the locking tab26inwards towards the front wall51of the frame50. The locking mechanism thereby holds the pack1in the closed position against the biasing force of the spring element5.

When a user wishes to remove a smoking article from the pack1, the hinged lid4is pivoted open, thereby disengaging the locking tab26from the stepped lip of the lid4. As the lid pivots from a closed position to an open position, the lid pivots at an angle from the front wall6towards the rear wall9of the outer housing2. Furthermore, in an open position, the lid4is misaligned with the outer housing2and the inner casing3. In particular, the edges of the top wall22of the lid4are at an oblique angle relative to the edges of the outer housing2and the inner casing3.

As the locking tab26is disengaged from the stepped lip of the lid4, the inner casing3is free to move in the opening direction shown by arrow ‘A’ inFIG. 4Band telescopically slides out of the outer housing2under the biasing force of the spring element5as the spring element5is allowed to expand from its compressed state.

The inner casing3is free to continue to extend out of the outer housing2until the stop tabs31on the inner casing3abut the stop tabs30on the outer housing2, as shown inFIG. 4B. The inner casing3is thereby held in the predetermined fully extended open position relative to the outer housing2. The user may then remove a smoking article from within the inner casing through the access opening16.

To close the pack1, the reverse of the above process is performed. The inner casing3is pushed into the outer housing2in the closure direction shown by arrow ‘B’ inFIG. 4bagainst the biasing force of the spring element5, and the spring element5is thereby compressed between the bottom wall10of the outer housing2and the bottom wall15aof the inner casing3. Once the inner casing3is in the fully retracted position within the outer housing2, the lid4is pivoted from the rear wall9towards the front wall6at an angle so as to close the lid whereby the locking tab26engages the stepped hp in the lid4and the pack1is thereby retained in the closed position again.

In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1-4Band described above, the stop tabs30on the outer housing2are formed integrally with the side walls7,8of the outer housing2and are folded over into the inside of the outer housing2, the fold lines forming the upper edges of the side walls7,8respectively. However, it is intended within the scope of the invention that the stop tabs30/31on the outer housing2and/or inner casing3may 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 tab26on the front wall6of the outer housing2does 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 tab26′ may be spaced from the upper edge of the front wall51of the frame50and may, for example, be punched out from the front wall51of the frame50as is shown inFIG. 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 lid4which engages with the locking tab26on the frame50does not necessarily need to be the remote edge of the inner flap23defining the stepped hp. Instead, for example, the inner flap23may include a cut-out portion or recess (not shown) defining an abutment edge to engage with the locking tab26on the frame50, which may be spaced from the remote edges of the inner flap23.

The locking tab26and the corresponding stepped lip formed by the inner flap23on the lid4are provided on the front wall51of the frame50and inside front wall18of the lid4respectively, of the pack1of the embodiment described above. However, it is intended within the scope of the invention that a locking tab may be provided on the side wall52of the frame50, and the lid4may include a corresponding inner flap on the inside of the side wall19thereof which, as with the inner flap23on 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 frame50to hold the lid4shut and the pack1in the closed position. Such side locking tab and lid stepped hp may be provided instead of the locking tab26and stepped lip on the front wall of the flame50and the lid4, or may be in addition to the locking tab26and stepped hp on the front walls of the frame50and lid4. Furthermore, although the embodiments described above include an outwardly extending locking tab on the frame50and the glued-down stepped lip on the lid4, the features may be reversed and the lid4may include a resilient outwardly-extending locking tab and the frame50may include a stepped lip or a recess to receive the locking tab.

The frame50enables the pack to have a relatively flush outer finish as the lid4is configured to be secured to the frame50such that the lower edges of the lid24a,24babut the upper edges20a,20bof the housing2thereby 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 wall6or side wall8as described above with reference to the frame. For example, the locking tab may be formed on the straight part of the upper edge20bof the front wall6of the housing2. Alternatively, the locking tab may be formed on the upper edge20aof the side wall8of the outer housing, in which case the stepped hp formed by the inner flap is provided on the side wall19of the lid4. Furthermore, in yet an other alternative embodiment of the invention, the locking tab may be spaced from the upper edge20a,20bof the front wall6or side wall8of the outer housing2and may, for example, be punched out from the front wall6or side wall8.

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 toFIGS. 1 to 5, however the pack is rotated such that the top wall15bof the inner casing3is considered to be a side wall and the opening at the top end of the outer housing2is 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 casing3may 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 toFIGS. 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 toFIGS. 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 edges20a,20bof the side wall8and front wall6of the outer housing described with reference toFIGS. 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 toFIGS. 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 inFIGS. 1 to 5.

The lid is similarly configured to the lid described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 5. The lid4comprises 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 pack100will now be described with reference toFIG. 6. The pack100is similarly configured to the embodiment described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 5, however it differs in that the hinged lid is attached to the outer housing. The pack100may comprise any optional features discussed in relation to the aforementioned embodiments, therefore a detailed description is omitted herein and elements of the pack100which are generally the same as for the pack shown inFIGS. 1 to 5retain the same reference numerals.

In this embodiment, the pack100comprises a lid4that is hingedly attached to the outer housing2. The lid4closes parts of the opening formed on the outer housing2. The opening of the outer housing2includes an open top end and cut out upper portions of one of the side walls8and the front wall6. The lid2is hingedly attached to the side wall8, having the cut out upper portion, along a hinge line17which extends at an oblique angle relative to the front and rear walls6,9of the outer housing2.

The lid4comprises a front wall18, side wall19and a top wall22. The front wall18and the side wall19of the lid correspond to the upper portions cut out from the side wall8and the front wall6of the outer housing2. However, the top wall22of the lid only extends across a portion of the open top end of the outer housing2.

An inner casing3is telescopically received in the outer housing2and is configured so as to slide out of the open top end of the outer housing2when the lid is in an open position. The inner casing2comprises an opening providing access to the smoking articles. This opening is covered by the hinged lid and/or the outer housing2when the lid is in a closed position. A spring element5or alternative biasing element is disposed at a bottom wall10of the outer housing.

When the hinged lid4is in a closed position the spring element5is compressed between the bottom wall10of the outer housing2and the bottom wall15of the inner casing3. The closed hinged lid4retains the inner casing3within the outer housing against the force of the spring element by the top wall22of the lid extending across a portion of the open top end of the outer housing22and the top wall15bof the inner casing.

To open the pack, the lid is moved to its open position by rotating it about its hinge line17. When the lid is opened, the biasing force of the spring element5pushes the inner casing3out of the open top end of the outer housing2.

Although the hinged lid4is configured to sufficiently remain in its closed position, the top wall of the hinged lid4may be formed with a tab that engages with a tab formed on the top wall of the inner casing3, similar to the locking mechanism described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 5, so as to ensure that the hinged lid4does not accidentally open.

It is envisaged that the hinge line17does not necessarily have to be at an oblique angle relative to the front and rear walls6,9of the outer housing2, the hinge line17may alternatively be perpendicular to the front and rear walls6,9.

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 toFIGS. 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 toFIGS. 7 and 8wherein a pack60is shown comprising a body61formed with an opening63, a lid62for closing and opening said opening63and a frame64received in the body61.

The body62comprises a front wall65, side walls67,68a real wall69, a top wall66and a bottom wall (not shown). The side walls67,68of the body61are larger than the top wall of the overall pack and the bottom wall of the body. The opening63is formed at a top end of the pack60, including the top wall66, one of the side walls67and the front wall65such that the opening63is formed on a corner of the pack60. The side wall67and the front wall65are each formed with an upper edge72,74which define parts of the opening63and abut a lower edge of the lid62so as to form a line of closure as described below. The upper edge72of the side wall67is parallel to the opposing edge73formed by the side wall67and the bottom wall. The upper edge74of the front wall65continues from the upper edge72of the side wall67across a portion of the front wall along a direction parallel to the edge of the front wall65and the bottom wall and then curves upwards towards the top wall66of the body61.

The hinged lid62comprises a front wall75, side wall76and a top wall77. The front wall75and the side wall76are each formed with a lower edge78,79that correspond to and abut the respective upper edges72,74of the side wall67and front wall65of the body61so as to form the line of closure of the pack60. Therefore, the closure line on the side wall67,76of the pack60is parallel with the edge formed by the side wall76and the top wall77of the lid62and the line of closure on the front of the pack60comprises a straight section79aand a curved section79b. The straight section79acontinues from the line of closure of the side walls67,76and is parallel to the edge formed by the front wall75and the top wall77of the lid62. The curved section79bof the line of closure extends between the straight section79aand the top wall77of the lid62.

The hinged lid62is formed integrally with top wall66of the body61and is pivotally attached to the top wall66along a folded hinge line80. The hinge line80extends across the top wall of the pack60at an oblique angle relative to the front and tear walls, or more particularly, the edge formed by the body top wall66and the body front wall65and the edge formed by body top wall66and the body rear wall69.

An inner flap (not shown) extends from the portion of the front wall lower edge79of the lid62forming the straight section79aof the line of closure. The inner flap is folded onto and may be glued to the inside of the front wall75of the lid62. The inner flap is shorter than the greatest height of the lid front wall75and so stops short of the lid top wall77on the inside of the lid thereby forming a stepped lip on the inside of the lid front wall75. 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 pack60is further provided with a frame64which provides a locking tab85and additional stability to the pack. The frame comprises a front wall82and two side walls83,84that are glued to corresponding inner surfaces of the front wall65and side walls67,68of the body. The locking tab85is formed integrally with the front wall82of the frame64and is folded down to extend downwards and resiliently away from the front wall82of the frame64as well as front wall65of the body61.

Operation of the pack60shown inFIGS. 7 and 8will now be described. The pack1is initially in the closed position as shown inFIG. 7, wherein the lid is closed and covers the access opening63. The lid62remains 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 lid62is secured in the closed position by the locking tab85engaging with and catching on the stepped hp formed by the inner flap on the inside front wall75of the lid62. As the locking tab85is resiliently urged away from the front wall82of the frame64as well as the front wall65of the body61, it locates itself against the stepped lip of the lid62as the lid62is hinged closed against the locking tab85and deflects the locking tab85inwards towards the front wall751of the flame64. The locking mechanism thereby holds the pack60in the closed position and so prevents any accidental opening of the pack60.

When a user wishes to remove a smoking article from the pack60, the hinged lid62is pivoted open about the oblique hinge line80so as to reveal the opening63. As the user pulls on the lid62, the locking tab85is disengaged from the stepped lip of the lid62and the lid can be rotated about its hinge line80from the front wall towards the rear wall at an angle relative to said front wall and rear wall. In an open position, the lid62is misaligned with the body of the pack. In particular, the edges of the top wall77of the lid62are at and oblique angle relative to the edges of the body61.

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 wall76of the lid62and the corresponding locking tab85may be provided on the side wall of the frame83. Furthermore, the locking tab does not necessarily have to extend from an upper edge of the front wall82or the side wall83of the frame64as described above. Alternatively, the locking tab can be spaced from the upper edge of the front wall82or the side wall83of the frame64and may, for example, be punched out from the front wall82or the side wall83of the frame64.

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 wall65or the side wall67of the body61. In the embodiment where the locking tab is formed on the side wall67of the body, the inner flap is provided on the inner surface of the side wall76of the lid62. Furthermore, the locking tab does not necessarily have to extend from an upper edge of the front wall65or the side wall67of the body61. Alternatively, the locking tab can be spaced from the upper edge of the front wall65or the side wall67of the body61and may, for example, be punched out from the front wall82or the side wall83of the frame64.

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 wall67as seen inFIG. 9. In this embodiment, the like remaining features retain the same reference numerals. The hinge line80is formed at an oblique angle relative to front and rear walls of the body61, and the side wall76of the lid62is hingedly attached to said side wall67of the body61via the oblique hinge line80as shown inFIG. 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 toFIGS. 7 to 9as 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.