Package for smoking articles

A package for storing smoking articles includes a body having a plurality of walls defining a volume, including a front wall and a rear wall, and an opening; a lid for closing the opening and having a plurality of walls and being hinged on the rear wall, allowing the lid to be moved between closed and open positions; a locking tab; and an engagement recess for engaging the locking tab when the lid is in the closed position. The locking tab is connected to one of either the front wall of the body or an inner side of a front wall of the lid, and the engagement recess is located on the other one. The locking tab and the engagement recess each have a respective engagement edge for mutual engagement. The engagement edge of at least one of the locking tab and the engagement recess follows a curved line.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a national phase entry under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2016/067194 filed Jul. 19, 2016, published in English, which claims priority from European Patent Application No. 15178524.3 filed Jul. 27, 2015, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a package for smoking articles. In particular, the invention relates to packages for cigarettes or other consumable products which have a hinged lid and which may be folded from a blank made of card or another substantially planar semi-flexible material capable of being folded to form a boxed shaped container. Such packages may be referred to as hinged-lid type packages.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Boxed shaped containers having a hinged lid for containing cigarettes are well known in the art and numerous different examples have been proposed in the past. These are often folded from cardboard blanks to form a cardboard pack having a hinged lid which may be opened to allow access to the contents and closed again to protect the contents during transport, when in the pocket of a user's garment for example.

Such cardboard packages (or packs) may suffer some deformation during use and due to this deformation and/or due to general disturbance of the pack in use, the lid may tend to at least partially open at times when the user wishes the lid to remain closed. This can result in damage to the contents of the pack and can result in the contents of the pack escaping from the pack in an undesirable manner. This phenomenon may be referred to as “smiling”, where the hinged lid of the pack sits slightly open with respect to the body of the pack. When carried in a garment, in particular where the pack is a cigarette pack, loose tobacco contained in the pack can find its way into the user's pocket through the aperture created by this “smiling” effect.

Packs including a lid locking mechanism have been proposed in the past/One such pack has a tongue mounted to a front wall of the pack which is rotatable about a hinge at the base of the tongue. The tongue is configured to engage with an engaging part on the inner front wall of the lid of the pack, which has a gap, the gap being formed between the inner wall of the lid and a tab folded on to the inner wall. As the lid of the pack is rocked toward an open position, the tongue enters the gap and resists the opening of the pack. This prior configuration has some drawbacks, in that the forces required to disengage the tongue from the gap can create stresses in the hinge at the base of the tongue, as well as between the inner front wall of the lid and the tab creating the gap. Further the prior locking mechanisms only engage once the lid is partially rocked toward the open position and so only hold the lid partially closed and do not completely resolve the “smiling” problem. Additionally, the prior locking mechanisms can result in sudden changes in force occurring during the opening of the lid, which can cause a shock to the hinge at the base of the tongue and result in increased wear and/or damage to the hinge at the base of the tongue, substantially reducing the lifespan of the locking mechanism. Furthermore, the locking mechanisms involved in such packages, can snag the smoking articles when the lid is being closed, causing tearing and deformation of the smoking articles.

Accordingly, there is a clear need for a container having an improved locking mechanism for maintaining the lid in a closed configuration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a package for storing smoking articles, the package comprising: a body comprising a plurality of walls defining a volume for storing the smoking articles, including a front wall and a rear wall substantially opposite the front wall, and an opening for accessing the volume and inserting or removing any smoking articles stored therein; a lid for closing the opening of the body, the lid comprising a plurality of walls and being hinged on the rear wall of the body, allowing the lid to be moved between a closed position and an open position; a locking tab; an engagement recess for engaging with the locking tab when the lid is in the closed position; wherein the locking tab is connected to one of either (a) the front wall of the body of the package or (b) an inner side of a front wall of the lid, and the engagement recess is located on the other one of either (a) the front wall of the body of the package, or (b) the inner side of the front wall of the lid; and wherein the locking tab and the engagement recess each have a respective engagement edge for mutual engagement between the locking tab and the engagement recess, wherein the engagement edge of at least one of the locking tab and the engagement recess follows a curved line.

In some embodiments of the invention, the engagement edge of both the locking tab and the engagement recess follow a curved line.

In some embodiments of the invention, the engagement edge of the engagement recess follows a first curved line and the engagement edge of the locking tab follows a second curved line which is parallel to and offset in a longitudinal direction of the package from the first curved line when the lid is in the closed position.

In some embodiments of the invention, the engagement edge of the locking tab may be inscribed in a first ellipse.

In some embodiments of the invention, each end of the engagement edge is located at a different respective end of a major axis of the first ellipse and the locking tab hinge extends along the major axis of the first ellipse.

In some embodiments of the invention, the engagement edge of the engagement recess may be inscribed in a second ellipse.

In some embodiments of the invention, the engagement edge of the engagement recess extends along at least half of the second ellipse between vertices on a major axis of the second ellipse and wherein the major axis of the second ellipse is parallel to the locking tab hinge when the lid is in the closed position.

In some embodiments of the invention, the engagement edge of the engagement recess extends to, and is fully delimited by, the second ellipse.

In some embodiments of the invention, the locking tab and engagement recess are arranged such that, when the lid is in the closed position, the major axis of the first ellipse is coaxial and smaller than the major axis of the second ellipse.

In some embodiments of the invention, the locking tab is located on the front wall of the body and connected to the front wall of the body by a fold line and wherein the engagement recess is located on an inner side of the front wall of the lid.

In some embodiments of the invention, the engagement recess is located on the front wall of the body and is formed by a cut-out therein and wherein the locking tab is formed on an inner side of the front wall of the lid.

In some embodiments of the invention, the locking tab and engagement recess are arranged such that the locking tab fits into the engagement recess in the closed position of the lid and engages with the engagement recess in a hooking fashion upon opening of the lid towards the open position.

In some embodiments of the invention, the package comprises an inner frame and wherein the front wall of the body of the package comprises a front wall of the inner frame.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a blank or set of blanks for forming the package according to the first aspect, the blank or set of blanks comprising: a plurality of panels for forming the walls of the body and the lid of the package, including a front wall panel for forming the front wall of the body and a rear wall panel for forming the rear wall of the body substantially opposite the front wall of the body; a crease line for forming a hinged connection between the lid and a panel for forming the rear wall of the body of the package, the hinged connection allowing the lid to be moved between a closed position and an open position; wherein the locking tab is formed on one of either (a) the front wall panel of the body of the package or (b) a panel for forming the inner side of the front wall of the lid, and the engagement recess is formed on the other one of either (a) the front wall of the body of the package, or (b) the inner side of the front wall of the lid; and wherein the locking tab and the engagement recess are located to allow mutual engagement between the respective engagement edges of the locking tab and the engagement recess and are formed such that the engagement edge of at least one of the locking tab and the engagement recess follows a curved line.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of forming the package according to the first aspect by folding the blank or blanks according to the second aspect.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1A and 1Bshow packages (or packs or boxes or containers)100for smoking articles in accordance with the present invention. Although the package100illustrated byFIGS. 1A and 1Bdiffer slightly from each other, each of the packages100comprises a body110, a lid120, a lid-hinge130, a locking tab140and an engagement recess150.

The body110comprises a plurality of walls112,114,116and118, a bottom end wall (not shown) and an open top end115. One of the walls forms a front wall112of the body110, whilst another of the walls forms a rear wall118of the body110. The front wall112of the body110is substantially opposite the rear wall118of the body110, but need not necessarily be precisely opposite and parallel to the rear wall118of the body110. The remaining walls form side walls114and116connecting the front wall112to the rear wall118. Any number of side walls may be disposed in series between the front wall112and the rear wall118of the body110to form a package100of a desired shape. For example, as an alternative to the form illustrated inFIGS. 1A and 1B, where a single pair of opposing side walls114and116is provided to give the pack a regular box-shaped form, a plurality of side walls may be provided to give the pack a substantially oval-shaped form when viewed from the bottom (i.e. looking up at the bottom end wall of the body110) or when viewed from the top (i.e. looking down into the open top end115of the body110). Other numbers of side walls114and116may be provided to form other outer shapes of the body110as appropriate.

The lid120is provided to close (or cover) the open top end115of the body110. The lid120comprises a plurality of side walls122,124,126and128, as well as a top wall125. One of the side walls forms a front wall122of the lid120. Optionally, one of the side walls may form a rear wall128of the lid120, however this is not essential. Where the lid120comprises a rear wall128, the front wall122of the lid120is substantially opposite the rear wall128of the lid120, but need not necessarily be precisely opposite and parallel to the rear wall118of the body110.

The lid hinge130hingeably connects the lid120to the body110of the package100. The lid hinge130may, optionally, be formed between the rear wall128of the lid120and the rear wall118of the body110. However, the rear wall128of the lid120is not essential and the lid hinge130may instead, optionally, be formed directly between the rear wall118of the body110and the top wall125of the lid120. In either case, the hinge130is disposed on the side of the lid120that is substantially opposite the front wall122of the lid120. The lid hinge130allows the lid120to rotate about the lid hinge130allowing the lid120to move between a closed position in which the lid120closes the top end115of the body110and an open position in which the lid120does not close the top end115of the body110.

The locking tab140comprises an engagement edge142for engaging with the engagement recess150when the lid120of the package is in the closed position. The locking tab140is hingeably attached (or connected) to the package100via a locking tab hinge145. A base of the locking tab140is adjacent the tab hinge145and a tip of the locking tab is distal to the tab hinge145. The locking tab140may be located on the front side of the body110of the package100, for example in the front wall112of the body110of the package100and preferably in the front wall of an inner frame112aextending from the front wall112of the body in the open top end thereof (as illustrated inFIG. 1A) or, alternatively, to an inner side of the front wall122of the lid120of the package100(as illustrated inFIG. 1B). The locking tab hinge145allows the locking tab140to rotate relative to the package100about the locking tab hinge145.

The engagement recess150comprises an engagement edge152for engaging with the locking tab140when the lid120of the package100is in the closed position. Where the locking tab140is attached to the front wall112or inner frame112aof the body110of the package100, the engagement recess150is located on the inner side of the front wall122of the lid120of the package100(as illustrated inFIG. 1A). Alternatively, where the locking tab140is attached to the inner side of the front wall122of the lid120of the package100, the engagement recess150is located on the front wall112or inner frame112aof the body of the package100(as illustrated inFIG. 1B).

It will be appreciated that references to the inner side, or back, of a wall are generally intended to refer to the side of the wall that is inside the package100and is not normally visible when the lid120of the package100is in the closed position. In the figures, dashed lines have been used to show those features which would not normally be visible from a particular viewpoint, such as the features on the other side of a wall of the package.

At least one, preferably both, of the respective engagement edges142and152of the locking tab140and the engagement recess150follows a curved line. In other words, at least one of the respective engagement edges142and152of the locking tab140and the engagement recess150does not follow a straight line nor comprise any linear segment. Preferably, both the engagement edge142of the locking tab140and the engagement recess150follow curved lines which may be similar or different from each other. The engagement edge152of the engagement recess150may follow a first curved line, whilst the engagement edge142of the locking tab140may follow a second curved line which is parallel to and offset from the first curved line when the lid is in the closed position. The curved line followed by the engagement edge of either the locking tab140or the engagement recess150or both, may at least partially follow the outline of a regular shape, such as any form of ellipse. In other words, the curved line followed by the engagement edge142of the locking tab140and/or the engagement edge of the engagement recess150may be inscribed in a respective ellipse (i.e. the engagement edge of the locking tab may be inscribed in a first ellipse and/or the engagement edge of the engagement recess may be inscribed in a second ellipse). The respective ellipses in which the engagement edges142and152of the locking tab140and/or the engagement recess150may be inscribed may be the same ellipse or may be different ellipses. Similarly, the center point of the respective ellipses in which the engagement edges142and152of the locking tab140and/or the engagement recess150may be inscribed may overlap one another (i.e. the major axes of both ellipses may be parallel or coaxial) when the lid120is in the closed position, or, alternatively, may be offset in a longitudinal direction. The dimensions of the major axes of the respective ellipses in which the engagement edges142and152of the locking tab140and/or the engagement recess150may be inscribed, may differ in length. For example, the length of the major axis of a first ellipse in which the engagement edge142of the locking tab140may be inscribed may be smaller than the major axis of the second ellipse. Where the engagement edge142of the locking tab140may be inscribed in a first ellipse, the ends of the engagement edge142may be located at the two different ends of the major axis (i.e. the longest diameter) of the first ellipse and the locking tab hinge may extend along the major axis of the first ellipse, resulting in a semi-elliptical locking tab140. Where the engagement edge152of the engagement recess150may be inscribed in a second ellipse, the major axis of the second ellipse may be parallel to the locking tab hinge145and the engagement edge152may extend along at least half of the second ellipse and, optionally, may extend to the full extent of the second ellipse (i.e. so that the engagement recess150is fully delimited by the second ellipse).

As previously described, the package100may preferably comprise an inner frame110awhich is situated towards the top of the body110of the package100about the open top end115(as shown inFIGS. 1A and 1B). The inner frame110amay comprise a plurality of walls, including a front wall112a. A front wall of the package100, may therefore be formed from a combination of the front wall112of the body110of the package100and the front wall112aof the inner frame110aof the package. The inner frame110aneed not completely encircle the open top end115of the package100. The inner frame110amay be angled slightly inwards, towards the interior of the pack, which can help to grip the products within the package100. Where the package100comprises such an inner frame110a, either the locking tab140or the engagement recess150may be located on (i.e. attached to or formed on) the front wall112aof the inner frame110ainstead of the front wall112of the body110of the package100. However, an inner frame110ais not essential for packages100of the present invention.

Whilst the positioning of the of the locking tab140and the engagement recess150on the package100may be swapped around, as illustrated by the two differentFIGS. 1A and 1B, it will be appreciated that the packages are otherwise the same.

FIGS. 2A and 2Billustrate perspective views of the top end of the packages100of the present invention. In these views of the package100, a portion202of the front wall122of the lid120of the package100has been cut-away to more clearly show the mutual engagement between the locking tab140and the engagement recess150. It will be appreciated that this cut-away portion202is included merely for the purpose of illustration and that such a cut-away portion202is preferably not present in the assembled package100. In the perspective views illustrated byFIGS. 2A and 2B, the lid120of the package100is positioned in a partially open position in which the locking mechanism formed by the locking tab140and the engagement recess150is at a limit of its operation. This limit of operation of the locking mechanism is reached during the opening of the lid120when the engagement between the locking tab140and the engagement recess150is at its final stages, just prior to disengagement of the locking mechanism.

As shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B, the front wall122of the lid120of the package100may comprise more than one layer. Preferably, the front wall122of the lid120is formed from two separate layers of material, such that the front wall122comprises an outer layer and an inner layer222.FIGS. 2A and 2Bshow such an inner layer222located behind an outer layer of the front wall122of the lid120and revealed by the cut-away portion210of the front wall122of the lid120. The outline of the top of the inner frame110aof the package100has been illustrated using dashed lines inFIGS. 2A and 2Bto show that it is behind this inner layer222of the front wall122(and therefore would not normally be visible even in the presence of the cutaway portion210). Where the front wall122of the lid120of the package100comprises more than one layer, the layers need not be layered flush with one another and there may be air gaps or pockets left between the layers, at least in certain portions or areas of the front wall122. For example, where the engagement recess is located on the inner side of the front wall122of the lid120, a gap may be created between the inner layer222and the outer layer of the front wall122of the lid120. This gap may be large enough to accommodate at least part of the locking tab140during the mutual engagement between the locking tab and the engagement recess150. Allowing the locking tab140access to this gap may provide a more positive locking effect of the locking mechanism. However, the front wall122of the lid120of the package100need not comprise more than one layer and may instead consist of a single layer of material.

The process of engaging the locking mechanism occurs when the lid120is moved from an open position to a closed position. During the closing of the lid, the locking tab140starts disengaged from the engagement recess150. As the lid120is closed, the locking tab140is displaced, offering little resistance to the closing of the package100. For example, if the locking tab140is mounted on a front wall122of the package100(as shown inFIGS. 1A and 2A), the inner side of the front wall122of the lid120pushes the locking tab140downwards towards the front wall of the package100on which it is mounted. Alternatively, if the locking tab140is mounted on an inner side of the front wall122of the lid120, the front wall112of the body110of the package100(and/or the front wall112aof the inner frame110a) pushes the locking tab140upwards towards the front wall122of the lid120on which it is mounted. As a result, the locking tab140does not engage with the engagement recess150until the lid is substantially in the closed position, at which point the locking tab140is substantially aligned with the engagement recess150. With the lid in this position, the locking tab140may, at least partially, enter the engagement recess150thereby mutually engaging with it. At this point, the locking mechanism of the package100is engaged. To assist with the engagement of the locking mechanism, the locking tab140may be biased away from the part of the package100to which it is attached. For example, where the locking tab140is located on a front wall112of the body110of the package100(as illustrated inFIGS. 1A and 2A), the locking tab140may be biased away from body of the package. Alternatively, where the locking tab140is located on an inner side of the front wall122of the lid120of the package100(as illustrated inFIGS. 1B and 2B), the locking tab140may be biased inwards from the inner side of the front wall122of the lid120towards the body110of the package. This biasing of the locking tab140aids the engagement between the locking tab140and the engagement recess150by biasing the locking tab140into the engagement recess150when the lid120is in the closed position. The greater the bias, the more immediately and effectively the locking tab will engage with the engagement portion. The engagement of the locking tab140with the engagement recess150results in an audible and/or tactile clicking, providing the user with feedback that the locking mechanism has been engaged and that the lid120is now secured. This locking mechanism therefore helps to prevent accidental opening of the package and also helps to prevent the “smiling” effect mentioned above.

The locking tab140and the engagement recess150are orientated in such a manner that allow the lid120to easily displace the locking tab140when the lid120is moved from an open position to a closed position, but which causes the locking tab140to latch onto the engagement recess150when the lid120is moved from the closed position into an open position. Where the locking tab140is located on a front wall of the body110of the package100, the locking tab140is oriented with the tip of the locking tab140directed away from the open top end115of the body110of the package (i.e. with the base of the locking tab140closest to the open top end115). Conversely, where the locking tab140is located on an inner side of the front wall122of the lid120, the locking tab140is orientated with the tip of the locking tab140directed towards the top wall125of the lid120of the package100(i.e. with the base of the locking tab140closest to the point where the lid120meets the body110of the package). Due to the latching (or hooking) caused by the mutual engagement between the locking tab140and the engagement recess150, it is necessary for the locking tab140to be rotated at the same time that the lid120is opened. This requires the lid120to be opened with a rocking motion which causes the locking tab140to be rotated in the necessary manner. Furthermore, this latching causes the lid120to be biased towards the closed position, up until the point where the locking mechanism disengages, when the lid is partially opened. In order to move the lid120in the rocking motion to the point where the locking mechanism is disengaged, the user must provide sufficient force, through the lid120to overcome this bias. The force provided by the user to move the lid is transferred to the locking tab140via points of contact (otherwise referred to as contact points) that exist between the respective engagement edges142and152of the locking tab140and the engagement recess150. The contact points between the locking tab and the engagement recess150are located away from the locking tab hinge145, resulting in a moment being exerted about the locking tab hinge145. Due to the curved shape of at least one of the engagement edges142and152of the locking tab140and the engagement recess150respectively, the location of the contact points between the engagement edges142and152moves during the rotation of the locking tab140whilst the lid120is being opened. In particular, at the start of opening the lid120(i.e. when the lid120is substantially in the closed position), the contact points between the locking tab140and the engagement recess150are toward the base of the locking tab140. During the movement of the lid120towards an open position, the contact points between the locking tab140and the engagement recess150move along the engagement edges142and152to a point that is towards the tip of the locking tab140. That is to say, at the start of the opening of the lid120of the package100, the contact points are closer to the base of the locking tab140, whilst at the point just prior to the locking mechanism being disengaged, the contact points are closer to the tip of the locking tab140. Due to the curved shape of at least one of the engagement edges142and152, the rate at which the contact points move away from the locking tab hinge145during the opening of the lid120changes at differing rates throughout the movement, the change in the rate varying smoothly according to the gradient of the curve at each point. Since the distance of the contact points from the locking tab hinge145defines the moment that is provided by the lid opening force on the locking tab140, the force required to rotate the locking tab140decreases over the course of the movement as the location of the contact points slides further away from the locking tab hinge145. This means that the force that a user must apply to open the lid120of the package100is greatest during the initial stages of the movement and tails off at a decreasing rate as the lid is opened until the point that the locking mechanism is disengaged. The smoothly varying change in force provides the user with tactile feedback as to the current progress of the lid120opening operation, resulting in a better user experience. Additionally, because a larger force is required to overcome the initial stages of the locking mechanism, the likelihood of the lid120being accidentally opened is reduced. Furthermore, because the force required to rotate the engagement tab140changes smoothly throughout the lid120opening or closing operation, there are no sudden changes (or step changes) in force which can cause a shock to the locking tab hinge145which may result in increased wear and/or damage to the locking tab hinge145. Preferably, the curved shape of at least one of the engagement edges142and152of the locking tab140and the engagement recess150respectively follows an elliptical shape having the major axis extending parallel to the lid hinge (i.e. in the case of the locking tab140along the locking tab hinge145) as this achieves a smooth progressive opening of the lock due to the continuous curvature of this long edge of the ellipse whilst ensuring a secure locking effect when the lid is closed.

FIGS. 3A and 3Billustrate blanks300which may be used to form the packages100of the present invention, as illustrated inFIGS. 1A and 1Brespectively (i.e. the blanks300illustrated byFIG. 3Amay be used to form the package100shown in figured1A and2A, whilst the blanks300illustrated byFIG. 3Bmay be used to form the package100shown inFIGS. 1B and 2B). The blanks300comprise a first portion310for forming the body110of the package100and a second portion320for forming the lid120of the package100.

The first portion310of the blanks300comprises a plurality of panels including, a body front wall panel312for forming the front wall112of the body110, a first body side wall panel314for forming one of the intermediate side walls114of the body110, a second body side wall panel316for forming another one of the intermediate side walls114of the body110, a body bottom wall panel317for forming the bottom end wall of the body110, and a body rear wall panel318for forming the rear wall118of the body110. The body front wall panel312is connected to the first body side wall panel314by a fold line on one side of the panel and to the second body side wall panel316by a fold line on the opposite side of the body front wall panel312. The body front wall panel312is further connected to the body bottom wall panel317by a fold line on another side of the panel. The body bottom wall panel317is connected to the body rear wall panel318by a fold line on a side of the body bottom pane317which is opposite from the fold line connecting the body bottom wall panel317to the body front wall panel312. The first portion310of the blanks300further comprises a plurality of tabs including a first body side wall tab364, a first body side bottom wall tab362, a second body side wall tab366and a second body side bottom wall tab368. The first and second body side wall tabs364and366are connected to the body rear wall panel318by respective fold lines on opposite sides of the body rear wall panel318. The first body side bottom wall tab362is connected via a fold line to the first body side wall tab364. The second body side bottom wall tab368is connected via a fold line to the second body side wall tab366.

The second portion320of the blanks300comprises a plurality of panels, including a lid front wall panel322for forming the front wall122of the lid120, a first lid side wall panel324for forming one of the side walls124of the lid120, a second lid side wall panel326for forming another of the side walls126of the lid120and a lid top wall panel325for forming the top wall125of the lid120. The lid front wall panel322is connected to first lid side wall panel324by a fold line on one side of the panel and to the second lid side wall panel326by a fold line on the opposite side of the panel. The lid front wall panel322is further connected to the lid top wall panel325by a fold line on another side of the lid front wall panel322. Optionally, the second portion320may comprise a lid rear wall panel328which is connected to the lid top wall panel325by a fold line on a side of the lid top wall panel325which is opposite from the fold line connecting the lid top wall panel325to the lid front wall panel322. The second portion320of the blanks300may further comprise a lid front wall inner panel323(or flap) for forming an inner layer of the front wall122of the lid120of the package100. The lid front wall inner panel323may be connected to the lid front wall panel322(which may then be referred to as the lid front wall outer panel) by a fold line on an opposite side of the lid front wall panel322from the fold line connecting the lid front wall panel322to the lid top wall panel325. Where a lid front wall inner panel323is present, the lid front wall panel322of the blanks300forms an outer layer of the front wall122of the lid120of the package100. The second portion320of the blanks300further comprises a plurality of tabs including a first lid side wall tab374, a first lid side top wall tab372, a second lid side wall tab376and a second lid side top wall tab378. The first and second lid side wall tabs374and376are connected to the lid rear wall panel328by respective fold lines on opposite sides of the lid rear wall panel328. The first lid side top wall tab372is connected via a fold line to the first lid wall tab374. The second lid side top wall tab378is connected via a fold line to the second lid side wall tab376. As previously mentioned, the blanks300need not comprise a lid rear wall panel328. In such a configuration, the first and second lid side top wall tabs372and378may be connected via fold lines to the first and second lid side wall panels324and326respectively, whilst the first and second lid side wall tabs374and376may be omitted.

The first portion310of the blanks300is connected to the second portion320of the blanks300by a crease line330. When the crease line330is folded, the crease line330forms the lid-hinge130of the package100. The crease line330is formed between the body rear wall panel318and the lid rear wall panel328. However, where the blanks do not comprise the lid rear wall panel328, the crease line330may instead be formed between the body rear wall panel318and the lid top panel325.

The blanks300may further comprise a blank310afor forming the inner frame110aof the package100, as shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B. The blank310afor forming the inner frame110acomprises at least an inner frame front wall panel312afor forming the front wall112aof the inner frame110a. The blank310for forming the inner frame110amay optionally further comprise additional panels, such as a first inner frame side wall panel314aand a second inner frame side wall panel316a. However, as discussed above, the package100need not comprise an inner frame110aand therefore the blanks300for forming the package100need not comprise a blank310afor forming the inner frame110a.

The blanks300further comprise the engagement recess150and the locking tab140.

The locking tab140may be formed either in the front wall of the body110of the package100, in particular in the front wall panel312aof the blank310afor forming the inner frame110a(as shown inFIG. 3A) or on the inner side of a panel for forming the front wall112of the lid120of the package100, in particular on the inner side of the lid front wall inner panel323(as shown inFIG. 3B).

The engagement recess150may, preferably, be formed from an appropriately shaped cut-out in one of the panels of the blanks300, as shown in bothFIGS. 3A and 3B. The engagement recess150may be located on a panel for forming a front wall of the body110of the package100, in particular in the front wall312aof the inner frame blank310a, or on the inner side of a panel for forming the front wall112of the lid120of the package100, in particular on the inner side of the lid front wall inner panel323, depending on the location on the locking tab140. To form the package100from the blanks300, each of the panels and tabs is folded about the respective fold lines which connect them with other panels and/or tabs of the blanks300.

The body110of the package100is formed from the first portion310of the blanks300as follows. The first body side bottom wall tab362is attached to the inner side of the body bottom wall panel317at the point where they overlie when the respective fold lines connecting the first body side bottom wall tab362to the first body side wall tab364and the first body side wall tab364to the body rear wall panel318have been folded. Similarly, the second body side bottom wall tab368is also attached to the inner side of the body bottom wall panel317at the points where they overlie when the respective fold lines connecting the second body side bottom wall tab368to the second body side wall tab366and the second body side wall tab366to the body rear wall panel318have been folded. The first side wall panel314and the second side wall panel316may then be rotated about the respective fold lines connecting them to the body front wall panel312and attached to the first body side wall tab364and the second body side wall tab366respectively once the body front wall panel312has been folded about the fold line connecting it to the body bottom wall panel317. With the tabs and panels of the first portion310of the blanks inter-attached in this manner, the structure of the body110of the package100is formed.

The lid120of the package100is formed from the second portion320of the blanks300as follows. The first lid side top wall tab372is attached to the inner side of the lid top wall panel325at the point where they overlie when the respective fold lines connecting the first lid side top wall tab372to the first lid side tab374and the first lid side tab374to the lid rear wall panel328have been folded. Similarly, the second lid side top wall tab378, is also attached to the inner side of the lid top wall panel325at the point where they overlie when the respective fold lines connecting the second lid side top wall tab378to the second lid side tab376and the second lid side tab376to the lid rear wall panel328have been folded. The first lid side wall panel324and the second lid side wall panel326may then be folded about their respective fold lines connecting them to the lid front wall panel322and attached to the first lid side tab374and the second lid side tab376respectively once the lid front wall panel322has been folded about the folded line connecting it to the lid top wall panel325. With the tabs and panels of the second portion320of the blanks300inter-attached in this manner, the structure of the lid120of the package100is formed. Where the blanks300comprise a lid front wall inner panel323, this may be folded about the fold line that connects it to the lid front wall panel322and attached to the back of the lid front wall panel322. The attachment of the lid front wall inner panel323to the back of the lid front wall panels322may be done in such a way as to leave a gap between the two panels.

The lid-hinge130of the package100is formed by creasing the crease line330thereby enabling the second portion320of the blanks300to rotate about the crease line330relative to the first portion310of the blanks300.

The blanks300portion310afor forming an inner frame110aof the package100is formed by the panels thereof along fold lines connecting them to each other. The inner frame110ais preferably formed around a bundle of smoking articles which are overwrapped in an inner liner (usually formed of paper or aluminium foil) which maintains the bundle of smoking articles in a parallelepiped unit prior to their insertion into the package. The body110of the package100is preferably then formed around the unit formed by the combination of the inner frame110aand the overwrapped bundle of smoking articles. Once inserted in the body110of the package100, at least part of the inner frame110ais overlapped by the body110of the package100and the inner frame110ais attached to the front and side walls112,114and116of the body110of the package100at the places where the body110overlaps the inner frame110a.

Whilst the blanks300shown inFIGS. 3A and 3Bto form the package100have been shown with a particular size, shape and configuration of panels and tabs, it will be appreciated that minor changes may be made to these sizes, shapes and/or configuration as is well known in the field of geometric nets. For example, where a tab is used to connect one panel to another panel, generally that tab may be connected via a fold line to either of the two panels on the edge of that panel which is to be connected to the other panel. Similarly, a panel that is connected via a fold line to another panel on the blanks may be changed so that the panel is moved to another location on the blanks and a tab is used to connect the two panels together when the blanks are folded.

FIGS. 4A and 4Bshow a front view of the previously described package100. The package100is shown inFIGS. 4A and 4Btogether with a central longitudinal axis410which runs through the centre of the package100. A second longitudinal axis420is also shown which runs through the centre of the locking tab140. The second longitudinal axis420also runs through a centre of the portion of the engagement recess150which is involved in the mutual engagement with the locking tab140when the lid120is in the closed position. Preferably, the locking tab140and the engagement recess150are located such that the second longitudinal axis420is laterally offset from the central longitudinal axis410. When a user intentionally opens the lid120of the package100, they typically exert a force from the centre of the edge of the front wall122of the lid120of the package100, approximately at the point where the central longitudinal axis410meets the edge of the front wall122. When a force is applied to the centre of the bottom edge of the front wall122of the lid120of the package100, the front wall122of the lid120may deform slightly providing an additional lever action to aid the user in overcoming the bias of the locking mechanism and open the package100.

FIGS. 4A and 4Bfurther show a representation of a plurality of smoking articles410that may be contained in the package100. The arrangement of the plurality of smoking articles410is shown above the package100merely for the purposes of demonstrating the alignment between various features of the package100and the smoking articles410that the package100may contain. The arrangement of the smoking articles410shown is the arrangement of the smoking articles410as they would appear inside the package100when viewed from the top of the package100(i.e. from the open top end115of the body110). It will be appreciated that in normal use, the smoking articles410would be contained inside the package100as illustrated byFIGS. 5A and 5B, which show a perspective view of the package100according to the present invention with the lid120of the package100in an open position and the smoking articles410arranged inside the package100.

A typical arrangement of smoking articles430consists of a number of smoking articles430arranged in one or more rows. A front row of smoking articles430may lie along the front wall112of the body110of the package100. Due to the cylindrical nature of most smoking articles410, alternate rows in the arrangement of smoking articles410may be offset to improve tessellation of the smoking articles410and therefore improve packing density. A common (but not exclusive) arrangement of smoking articles is the 7-6-7 arrangement as shown inFIGS. 4A and 4Bin which the front and rear row consist of 7 smoking articles whilst a middle row consists of 6 smoking articles. It will, however, be appreciated that different arrangements (and numbers) of smoking articles410may be used.

It is desirable to make the package100fit as closely to the contents as possible so as to minimise wasted space in the package and make the package more portable. As a result, the dimensions of the package100may be such that when the lid120of the package is moved from the open position to the closed position, the inner side of the front wall122of the lid120of the package100lightly brushes the smoking articles430that are stored in the package. This light brushing from the inner side of the front wall122of the lid120may slightly compress the smoking articles430contained in the package100, but will not cause any substantial damage to the smoking articles430. However, the location of either the locking tab140or the engagement recess150on the inner side of the front wall122of the lid120of the package100may result in smoking articles430being snagged as the lid is closed, possibly resulting in tearing or more significant deformation of the smoking articles430. Preferably, whichever of the locking tab140or the engagement recess150that is formed on the inner side of the front wall122of the lid120is formed by the removal (i.e. cut-out) of material from the inner side of the front wall122, so that the feature does not protrude from the inner side of the front wall122to the same extent. However, snagging of smoking articles430may still occur due to the close fitting nature of the smoking articles430in the package100. In order to minimise the problem of snagging, preferably the shape of the cut-out portion which forms whichever of the locking tab140or the engagement recess150that is located on the inner side of the front wall122of the lid120tapers to a point to form an apex440. This apex440is located towards the top of the front wall122of the lid120with the cut-out portion being formed underneath the apex440. This apex440may fall on the same second longitudinal axis420that runs through a centre of the locking tab140and through a centre of the portion of the engagement recess150which is involved in the mutual engagement with the locking tab140when the lid is in the closed position, as shown inFIG. 4A. However, this need not be the case and this apex440may be located on a third longitudinal axis450, as illustrated inFIG. 4B. AlthoughFIG. 4Ahas been shown with the apex440on the same axis420that runs through the centre of the locking tab and through a centre of the portion of the engagement recess150which is involved in the mutual engagement with the locking tab140when the lid is in the closed position, the apex440in the package100shown inFIG. 4Acould be on a different third longitudinal axis450, as illustrated inFIG. 4B. Similarly, the package100shown inFIG. 4Bcould have an a cut-out portion with an apex440that is on the same axis420that runs through the centre of the locking tab and through a centre of the portion of the engagement recess150which is involved in the mutual engagement with the locking tab140when the lid is in the closed position. The apex440of the cut-out portion is preferably located such that the longitudinal axis420or450that passes through the apex440is aligned with the center point of a smoking article430in the front row of the arrangement of smoking articles. This location of the apex440means that the edges of the cut-out portion lie outside of the circumference of substantially circular top of the smoking article430as the lid120is closed. This means that any contact between the smoking article430and the cut-out portion during the closing of the lid120will not involve the edges of the cut-out portion, thereby preventing the smoking article430from snagging on the cut-out portion.

As discussed above, the longitudinal axis420which runs through the centre of the locking tab140and the centre of the portion of the engagement recess150which is involved in the mutual engagement with the locking tab140when the lid120is in the closed position need not lie on the same longitudinal axis as the longitudinal axis450which runs through the apex440of the cut-out portion and may instead be laterally offset from such an axis450. This lateral displacement of the locking tab140and the main part of the engagement recess150(i.e. the part of the engagement recess150that is involved in the mutual engagement with the locking tab140when the lid120is in the closed position, enables other structural considerations to be taken into account. As an example, in the package100shown inFIGS. 4B and 5B(which also corresponds to the package100shown inFIGS. 1B and 2B), the inner frame110ahas an irregular shape formed along the top edge. In the package100shown inFIGS. 4B and 5B, the engagement recess150is formed on the inner frame110a. If the engagement recess150were to be located on the same axis450that passes through the apex440of the cut-out portion, there would be very little material separating the engagement recess150from the top of the inner frame110a(due to the irregular shape of the inner frame110a), resulting in a weak engagement recess150that would likely be damaged (e.g. by tearing) relatively quickly. However, according to the present invention, the engagement recess150may be offset from the axis450which runs through the apex440of the cut-out portion on the inner side of the lid120of the package100, thereby allowing the engagement recess150to be located in a position further away from the irregular top edge of the inner frame110a, thereby resulting in a stronger and more resilient engagement recess150. However, because the axis450which runs through the apex440of the cut-out portion still aligns with the center of a smoking article430in the front row of the arrangement of smoking articles430in the package100, snagging of the smoking article430may still be prevented.