Package for tobacco-related articles

A package (1) for tobacco-related articles comprises an outer shell (2), a lid (4) which is adapted to close the top side of the outer shell (2) and can be swivelled about a hinge line, and an inner shell (6). The inner shell (6) accommodates a plurality of tobacco-related articles and can be shifted in the outer shell (2) from a retracted position to an advanced position, which enables access to the tobacco-related articles. A cutout (20) in the outer shell (2) exposes part of the inner shell (6) and enables transmitting a force onto the inner shell (6) for moving the inner shell (6). A connector (50) pushes the lid (4) into its opened state when the inner shell (6) is moved into its advanced position and pulls the lid (4) into its closed state when the inner shell (6) is moved into its retracted position.

RELATED APPLICATION

This is a National Phase Application pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2010/007007, filed Nov. 18, 2010, claiming priority from European Patent Application No. EP 09014501.2, filed Nov. 20, 2009, the entire disclosures of both of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a package for tobacco-related articles, e.g. for cigarettes or for cigarillos.

A conventional package for tobacco-related articles comprises a shell having a front wall, a rear wall, two lateral walls opposite to each other and a bottom wall connecting the front wall and the rear wall. The top side of the shell is closed by a lid, which can be opened by swivelling or rotating it about a hinge line provided at the rear wall or one of the lateral walls. For opening or closing such package, the user generally has to apply both of his or her hands.

FR 1 081 649 discloses a cigarette package comprising an outer shell and an inner shell. The inner shell accommodates the cigarettes and can be moved up and down in the outer shell by means of an actuating knob guided in a slot in the front wall of the outer shell. The top side of the outer shell is closed by two lids. When the inner shell is upwardly moved, the lids open automatically. This package can be handled by one hand. However, the means for actuating the lids are elaborate and tend to be expensive.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,929,542 describes a slide box for cigarettes in which an inner shell can be slid inside an outer shell. A lid is connected to a top edge of the inner shell by means of a flexible connector, which unlocks the lid after it has been moved out of the outer shell when the inner shell is slid in top direction. This package can be handled by one hand, but this might be inconvenient because the lid does not necessarily open automatically and it might be required to tilt the package for opening the lid.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,240,548 discloses a push pack comprising an outer shell without bottom and an inner shell. A lid opens automatically when the inner shell is moved in top direction. In order to move the inner shell, however, the user has to push it from the bottom side, which much impedes one-hand operation.

EP 1 590 251 B1 describes a rigid package for tobacco articles including an outer box and an inner box. The inner box is guided by a kind of elevator for up and down movement. This elevator consists of a flexible member surrounding the inner box in longitudinal direction and being fixed to a wall of the outer box, and it is actuated by sliding the flexible member upwards or downwards by shifting it, at the side opposite to the wall it is fixed at, through an aperture in the outer box. A lid is part of the flexible member. This package enables one-hand operation, but its design is somewhat complicated and tends to be expensive.

SUMMARY

It is the object of the invention to provide an attractive and moderate-priced package for tobacco-related articles which can be handled in a convenient way by means of one hand.

This problem is solved by a package for tobacco-related articles having the features described below.

The package according to the invention is designed to accommodate tobacco-related articles. The package comprises an outer shell having a front wall, a rear wall, two lateral walls opposite to each other and optionally a bottom wall, which connect the front wall and the rear wall, as well as a top side. A lid is adapted to close the top side of the outer shell when it is in a closed state. The lid is swivelably connected to the rear wall or one of the lateral walls of the outer shell at a hinge line, and it can be swivelled about this hinge line for transfer from the closed state to an opened state. Moreover, the package comprises an inner shell which is adapted to accommodate a plurality of tobacco-related articles. The inner shell is shiftably mounted in the outer shell and can be moved from a retracted position to an advanced position, which enables access to the smoking articles.

At least one wall of the outer shell, selected from the front wall, the rear wall or the two lateral walls, is provided with a cutout (aperture) through which part of the inner shell is exposed. By means of the cutout, a user can transmit a force onto the inner shell in order to move the inner shell, i.e. in order to shift the inner shell from its retracted to its advanced position or to move it back from its advanced to its retracted position.

A connector is provided between a portion of the inner shell and the lid. The connector engages the lid at a distance from the hinge line smaller than the dimension of the lid in a direction perpendicular to the hinge line and is adapted to push the lid into its opened state when the inner shell is moved into its advanced position and to pull the lid into its closed state when the inner shell is moved into its retracted position. Thus, the lid is automatically opened and closed, respectively, when the user moves the inner shell.

The cutout in the outer shell, in being adapted to enable transmitting a force onto the inner shell for moving the inner shell, can be adapted to enable exerting a force onto the inner shell for moving the inner shell. In this way, a user can apply his or her thumb in order to grasp through the cutout and shift the inner shell by slightly pressing onto the inner shell and moving the thumb in a direction towards the lid or away from the lid, respectively. The cutout can extend over more than one wall of the outer shell, e.g. in a corner area between the front wall and one of the lateral walls. Moreover, more than one cutout is conceivable as well. It is also possible that the bottom wall of the outer shell includes part of the cutout or an additional cutout. In alternative embodiments, an actuator for moving the inner shell is attached to the inner shell and protrudes through the cutout.

The package according to the invention can be handled in a very convenient way. In contrast to a conventional package, which the user has to hold by one hand while he or she opens the lid by the other hand, the package according to the invention can be handled or operated just by means of one hand. The user can hold it in one hand, e.g. the rear wall of the outer shell facing his or her palm, and he or she can use his or her thumb in order to grasp through the cutout and shift the inner shell by slightly pressing onto the inner shell and moving the thumb in a direction towards the lid or away from the lid, respectively (or alternatively shift the inner shell by means of the actuator mentioned above). Because of the connector, the lid opens and closes automatically. Moreover, the package according to the invention permits an attractive design, and it can be manufactured to a moderate price.

The one-hand use of the package according to the invention is advantageous in many situations, for example while driving, when operating a computer, when talking on the phone, etc., or, generally, when the user has ready one hand only and wants to take a tobacco-related article. The package can rest well in the user's hand, and the one-hand use of the package is fast and convenient.

The connector can be designed as a hinged connector, which includes at least one hinge, e.g. a hinge line at which a generally flat connector is swivelably connected to the lid or the inner shell. A hinged connector can also be formed, e.g., from metal (e.g. designed as a wire) or from plastic. However, it is conceivable as well that the connector does not comprise a hinge or hinges, e.g. a connector made from a flexible material and non-swivelably fixed to the lid and the inner shell so that the connector elastically bends when the lid opens or closes.

The inner shell, in its retracted position, can be housed inside the outer shell. However, the outer shell can also be designed as a less comprehensive structure so that the outer shell and the lid, when closed, do not fully enclose the inner shell in its retracted position. In an example of the latter design, part of the inner shell protrudes at the bottom end of the outer shell when the lid is closed.

In advantageous embodiments of the invention, the lid comprises a top wall having a front edge, a rear edge, two lateral edges and a bottom side. The top wall of the lid closes the top side of the outer shell when the lid is in its closed state, wherein the hinge line of the lid is located at the rear edge or at one of the lateral edges of the top wall. Since the hinge line of the lid is essentially at the same level as the top wall of the lid (when it is closed), the connector can be designed in a simple and reliable manner. Moreover, this geometrical and technical feature permits attractive design aspects.

In an advantageous design of the connector, the inner shell comprises a rear wall or a lateral wall having an upper edge, wherein the connector extends from this upper edge and includes a first hinge line at or in the area of this upper edge and a second hinge line at the bottom side of the top wall. Preferably, the distance between the first hinge line and the second hinge line of the connector is greater than the distance between the hinge line of the lid and the second hinge line of the connector, e.g. greater by an amount in the range of from 0.4 mm to 1.8 mm, or by an amount of about 0.7 mm. It will become evident from the embodiments described in more detail below that this condition permits a space-saving, reliable and smooth coupling between the inner shell and the lid.

Another advantageous geometrical condition for a reliable operation of the lid is that, in the closed state of the lid, the ratio of the distance between the first hinge line of the connector and the hinge line of the lid to the distance between the hinge line of the lid and the second hinge line of the connector is in the range from 0.5 to 1.0, preferably in the range from 0.70 to 0.85, e.g. about 0.78. Again, this condition will become evident from the embodiments described in detail further below.

When the hinge line of the lid is located at the rear edge or at one of the lateral edges of the top wall, a bevelled edge wall can extend from at least the edge of the top wall opposite to the hinge line of the lid. The bevelled edge wall is shaped in a sloped or curved manner such that it does not interfere with the outer shell walls during the closing process of the lid and such that it fits into the outer shell when the lid is in its closed state. Thus, it facilitates the closing process by guiding the lid into the top side space of the outer shell, stabilises the package when it is closed, and provides a better protection for the contents of the package. The bevelled edge wall can also extend from other edges of the top wall different from the edge comprising the hinge line of the lid. A lid designed in this way can look essentially flat when it is closed, which imparts to the package an interesting and attractive appearance.

In advantageous versions, the bevelled edge wall is folded from a blank of the outer shell comprising a blank of the lid. The bevelled edge wall can have different kinds of cross-sectional shapes. A triangular shape is preferred because it can be easily folded from a blank and it is stable. Other shapes are conceivable as well, e.g. a quadrangular or a polygonal shape or a shape including at least one curved face.

In other embodiments of the package according to the invention, an edge wall extends from at least the edge of the top wall opposite to the hinge line of the lid. This edge wall extends generally perpendicularly with respect to the top wall of the lid and is visible when the lid is in its closed state. Thus, it is not a bevelled edge wall as described before and provides a more conventional appearance to the package.

It is also conceivable that the lid comprises an edge wall, wherein the hinge line of the lid is not located at a top wall of the lid, but is arranged at that edge wall.

The inner shell of the package can comprise a front wall providing a free access area, which facilitates the access to the contents of the inner shell when the inner shell is in its advanced position. This free access area can be designed, e.g., as a cutoff from the front wall or by means of a portion of the front wall having a lowered upper edge or by means of a front wall having generally a low upper edge. Preferably, when the inner shell is in its retracted position, the free access area of the inner shell does not overlap with the cutout of the outer shell, i.e. the free access area is not visible when the package is closed. This improves the appearance of the package.

Generally, the inner shell can comprise a front wall and a rear wall as well as two lateral walls opposite to each other and a bottom wall, which connect the front wall and the rear wall. It is also conceivable, however, that the inner shell has a lighter structure in which not all of the above-mentioned walls are designed as wall panels. In a lighter structure, an inner wrapper or a bundle wrapper can be applied for providing additional support to the contents of the package.

In advantageous embodiments of the invention, the front wall of the inner shell comprises a reinforced structure in order to improve its counteraction capabilities when the user touches this front wall, through the cutout, in order to move the inner shell. Such structure can be made from double-layer or triple-layer cardboard, e.g., using cardboard panels folded from a blank of the inner shell. It is also conceivable to apply a separate reinforcement panel which is attached to the rest of the inner shell.

Alternatively or additionally to this reinforcement structure, a reinforcement insert can be inserted into the inner shell. The reinforcement insert can be formed, e.g., as a plastic container, preferably made by injection-moulding. Such design still uses an inner shell, e.g. made from a cardboard blank, which is coupled to the lid via the connector.

It is also possible to dispense with such cardboard inner shell and to design the inner shell as a plastic container which provides the desired rigidity. In this case, at least part of the connector can be formed as part of the plastic container, but it is also conceivable to attach a connector completely formed from a blank of the lid (e.g., as part of a blank of the outer shell) to the plastic container when assembling the package.

Preferably, the cutout of the outer shell is provided in the front wall of the outer shell. This is a location which allows for a convenient use of the package. However, it is possible as well to place the cutout at a different wall or in an area which extends over two walls or to provide more than one cutout.

The cutout of the outer shell can be located in a side area of the front wall of the outer shell, i.e. not in the centre area. This is particularly advantageous when the inner shell comprises a front wall providing a free access area (see above), because in this case the cutout of the outer shell can be placed at a location where it does not overlap with the free access area of the inner shell when the inner shell is in its retracted position. Moreover, in this design, the front wall of the outer shell exhibits a large continuous area which can be used for, e.g., warning hints.

The cutout of the outer shell can be formed from a blank of the outer shell in which at least part of the blank material of the cutout area is folded back to the inner face of the outer shell. In this way, the edges of the cutout are not sharp or somewhat irregular, but they are determined by the corresponding folding lines, which tend to be smooth and provide a greater thickness of the wall area surrounding the cutout. It can be advantageous when the blank material is not folded back at the top edge of the cutout, because that edge is not seen in detail when the user holds the package in a usual way, whereas a back-folded flap at the top edge of the cutout could interfere with an unimpeded assemblage of the package.

In advantageous embodiments of the invention, the inner shell comprises, opposite to the cutout of the outer shell, a grip-enhancing surface. Such grip-enhancing surface can be presented, e.g., by means of a relief structure incorporated in the wall material of the inner shell or provided by a sticker glued to the inner shell in the area in question. Another option is a cutout structure, e.g. in a double-layer wall structure of the inner shell in which the outer layer comprises a series of cutouts whereas the inner layer folded to the outer layer is smooth. Other embodiments include a high-friction coating or rubber-like coating, either applied to a wall or wall area of the inner shell or to a sticker glued to the inner shell in the area in question. The grip-enhancing surface facilitates the operation of the package because it increases the frictional forces to, e.g., the user's thumb.

In advantageous embodiments of a package comprising an actuator for moving the inner shell, which is attached to the inner shell and protrudes through the cutout, as mentioned above, the inner shell is lockable in its retracted position, the locking being releasable by means of the actuator, wherein optionally the inner shell is biased by a spring device towards its advanced position. In this case, the cutout can comprise a slot extending in parallel to the moving direction of the inner shell as well as a widened area at the lower end of the slot, wherein part of the actuator is lockable in the widened area of the cutout and releasable by pressing the actuator. Such kind of actuator is easily accessible to the user. When the spring device is provided, the package can be opened in a simple way, e.g., just by pressing the actuator.

The outer shell can be box-shaped. It can also comprise rounded edges, wherein preferably the longitudinal edges between the front wall and both lateral walls are rounded. Another option for the shape of the outer shell is a form with a hexagonal or octagonal cross-sectional shape, wherein the lateral walls or the front wall comprise side panels folded from the rest of the respective lateral wall or from the rest of the front wall (or rear wall) along fold lines running in parallel to a longitudinal axis of the package. Such shapes provide an attractive appearance of the package, whereas additional manufacturing expenses are moderate. The shape of the inner shell can be adjusted accordingly.

In advantageous embodiments of the invention, the outer shell and/or the inner shell of the package are folded from a respective blank. The respective blank can be made from cardboard (which term includes laminated cardboard or coated cardboard) in the weight range from 180 g/m2to 290 g/m2. This involves well-established techniques. Cardboard blanks can be designed in a large number of varieties. Other materials for the components of the package are conceivable as well, however, for example cardboard having a weight outside of the range indicated above or laminated materials or plastic materials.

More generally, the package can comprise, e.g., cardboard, laminated card-board, coated cardboard, plastics materials, metals, aluminium, and/or flat materials (in general) in the thickness range from 50 μm to 2000 μm. Cardboard can be specified by its weight (mass) per unit area, which may be in the range from 180 g/m2to 290 g/m2. Cardboard can also be specified by its thickness, which may range from 250 μm to 500 μl as measured in accordance with International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard number 534 (i.e., ISO 534).

Another way to specify cardboard is by means of its stiffness, which may be in the range from 5 mN to 25 mN when measured according to ISO 2493:1992(E). In short, ISO 2493 describes the determination of resistance to bending of paper and board. The results are expressed as a force acting perpendicular to a cantilever-mounted test piece of 38 mm width close to its free end at a bending length of 50 mm, when the piece bends by 15°.

There are many design options for the connector. For example, it can be folded by part of a blank of the outer shell and by part of a blank of the inner shell, wherein both parts are glued together upon assemblage of the package. Or it can be folded by part of a blank of the outer shell and glued directly to the inner shell. Or it can be folded by part of a blank of the inner shell and glued to the lid, which preferably is made from part of a blank of the outer shell. Regarding the shape of the connector, it can be relatively narrow measured in a direction along the hinge line of the lid. But it can also have the greatest or the almost greatest possible width measured in this direction. Generally, a larger width increases the rigidity of the structure. A trapezoidal shape of the connector, e.g., provides for a large extension where it is required for improving strength but also provides sloped edges which may facilitate the assemblage of the package.

In other embodiments, the connector is provided as a metal part connected to the inner shell and to the lid, or it is provided as a wire connected to the inner shell and to the lid, or it is provided as a plastic part connected to the inner shell and to the lid. For example, a connector designed as a flat flexible metal part or a flat flexible plastic part can be useful when the connector does not comprise a hinge or hinges, e.g. when the connecter is non-swivelably fixed to the lid and the inner shell of the package so that the connector elastically bends when the lid opens or closes.

Moreover, the package can comprise a noise-producing mechanisms adapted to be operated when the lid is swivelled from the closed state to the opened state and/or from the opened state to the closed state. For example, the noise-producing mechanism may comprise a tab arranged at the lid interacting with a counterpart arranged at the outer shell and/or a tab arranged at the outer shell interacting with a counterpart arranged at the lid. When the tab scratches along its counterpart during the actuation of the lid, a noise is produced, which may have an appealing effect.

The package according to the invention is not restricted to a design comprising one inner shell containing one charge or bundle of tobacco-related products only. The invention is also directed to packages including one inner shell containing more than one bundle, and it is further directed to packages including more than one inner shell. For example, the package can comprise at least two inner shells which are arranged side by side. In this case, preferably, the lid is swivelably connected to the rear wall of the outer shell. The lid can be formed from at least two separate parts, which are arranged side by side and are swivelably connected to the rear wall of the outer shell, wherein each of the separate parts of the lid is associated to one of the inner shells. The front wall of the outer shell can be provided with at least one cutout adapted to expose part of each of the inner shells and to enable transmitting or exerting a force onto each of the inner shells for moving the respective inner shell and actuating the respective part of the lid via a connector or a hinged connector. This at least one cutout can be a single cutout in an area having access to all of the inner shells, or it can include at least two cutouts, one for each inner shell.

The package according to the invention can be filled with all kinds of tobacco-related articles, for example with cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, tobacco-containing rods, smokeless tobacco, simulated smoking devices (e.g., electronic cigarettes), inhalors without combustion of tobacco, or aroma reservoirs.

When filled with tobacco-related articles, the package can be enclosed by, e.g., a cellophane or transparent plastic (e.g., polypropylene) wrapper, which is removed or partially removed by the user before opening the package for the first time. Such kind of wrappers aid in maintaining the aroma and freshness of the tobacco-related articles and serve as a temper-evident closure.

In a different embodiment of a package for tobacco-related articles, the outer shell does not have a cutout in its front wall, rear wall or lateral walls. In this embodiment, the outer shell rather comprises a cutout in its bottom wall (including a missing-bottom). Otherwise, this embodiment can be constructed as outlined above. For advancing the inner shell, the user has to press upon its bottom (through the bottom aperture of the outer shell), while for retracting the inner shell, the user has to manually close the lid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1illustrates a first embodiment of a package1for tobacco-related articles.

The package1comprises an outer shell2, a lid4adapted to close the outer shell2, and an inner shell6, which is movable within the outer shell2from a retracted position, seeFIG. 1(a), to an advanced position, seeFIG. 1(b).

The inner shell6accommodates a bundle8of tobacco-related articles, e.g. a bundle of cigarettes. The bundle8is provided in a conventional manner, e.g. by wrapping a plurality of cigarettes with, e.g., an aluminium foil or aluminium-laminated paper. In the state of the package1shown inFIG. 1(b), the bundle8can be easily opened in order to take out a cigarette.

The outer shell2comprises front wall10, a rear wall12, two lateral walls14and a bottom wall16. In the embodiment, the top side18provides a free cross-sectional area.

The front wall10includes a cutout20, i.e. an aperture fully penetrating the front wall10. In the embodiment, the cutout is located approximately in the centre area of the front wall10.

The lid4is connected to the upper edge of the rear wall12via a hinge line22so that it can be swivelled from a closed state, seeFIG. 1(c), to a fully opened state, seeFIG. 1(b),FIG. 1(d), andFIG. 1(e). In the embodiment, the lid4comprises a top wall24having a front edge26and a rear edge28, seeFIG. 1(d), as well as two lateral edges30, seeFIG. 1(a). Its bottom side is designated by reference numeral32, seeFIG. 1(e). The hinge line22runs along the rear edge28of lid4and is designed from a fold line of the blank the outer shell is formed from.

Moreover, the lid4comprises a front edge wall34extending from front edge26and two lateral edge walls36extending from the two lateral edges30of the top wall24of lid4. As can be seen inFIGS. 1(a), (b), (d) and (e), the edge walls and36have a “bevelled” shape. That means, they extend from the front edge26and the lateral edges30, respectively, in a somewhat inwardly inclined manner such that the edge walls34and36can enter the interior space of the outer shell2when the lid4is closed. Consequently, the edge walls34and36are not visible when the lid4is closed, seeFIG. 1(c). In other words, when the lid4is closed, only its top wall24can be seen, which imparts to the package1a striking design.

When the lid4is closed, the edge walls34and36are located inside the outer shell2and stabilise the package1. In the embodiment, the edge walls34and36have a triangular cross-sectional shape, seeFIG. 1(e), which provides for a generally large strength of the edge walls34and36. Moreover, the bevelled or inclined shape of the edge walls34,36facilitates the closing process of the lid4. In variants of the embodiment according toFIG. 1, the cross-sectional shape of the edge walls is not triangular, but different, e.g. more or less rounded.

The inner shell6comprises a front wall40and a rear wall42, seeFIG. 1(e), two lateral walls44, seeFIG. 1(d), as well as a bottom wall46, seeFIG. 1(e). The upper edge of the front wall40and part of the upper edges of the lateral walls44are arranged below the upper edge of the rear wall42, seeFIG. 1(b) andFIG. 1(d), which provides a free access area48for facilitating the removal of the tobacco-related articles of bundle8.

In the area of the cutout20of the outer shell2, the front wall40of the inner shell6is coated with a grip-enhancing, high-frictional material, e.g. a rubber-like material.

The inner shell6is coupled to the lid4by means of a hinged connector50. As shown inFIG. 1(b), the connector50extends over most of the width of package1.FIG. 1(e) illustrates the details of the connector50and explains how it works.

In the embodiment, the connector50extends from the upper edge of the rear wall42of the inner shell6at a first hinge line52. The connector50is attached to the bottom side32of the top wall24of lid4at a second hinge line54. The connector50can swivel about the hinge lines52and54.

Moreover, in the embodiment, the distance between the first hinge line52and the second hinge line54is greater than the distance between the second hinge line54and the hinge line22of lid4, e.g. by an amount of about 0.7 mm.

When the lid4is in its closed state, seeFIG. 1(c), a user can place the package1in the palm of one of his or her hands, touch the front wall40of the inner shell6through the cutout20in the outer shell2with his or her thumb and move the thumb upwards. In this way, the user shifts the inner shell6from its retracted position upwards until it achieves its fully advanced position. During the movement of the inner shell6, the connector50opens the lid4by swivelling it about the hinge line22. Since during all times of this movement, the hinge lines22,52and54form a triangle in the plane ofFIG. 1(e), the swivel movement of the lid4is well-defined.

Initially, when lid4is closed, the ratio of the distance between the first hinge line52of the connector50and the hinge line22of the lid4to the distance between the hinge line22of the lid4and the second hinge line54of the connector50is about 0.78, in the embodiment. This implies that, on the one hand, the lid4experiences a sufficient torque during the initial moments of the opening movement, whereas, on the other hand, the upper edge of the inner shell6, i.e. the first hinge line52, is not located too much below the hinge line22, i.e. the connector mechanism does not waste much space in top of the inner shell6when the inner shell6assumes its retracted position.

When the user moves his or her thumb downwards, the inner shell6is shifted back to its retracted position, and the connector50pulls the lid4down to its closed state.

Other numerical values of the numbers presented above can be chosen as well. A person skilled in the art can optimise the geometry of the connector50depending on the actual dimensions of the outer shell2and the inner shell6.

FIG. 2illustrates a blank60of the outer shell2, seeFIG. 2(a), as well as a blank70of the inner shell6, seeFIG. 2(b). In the embodiment, both blanks are made from cardboard of a usual thickness, e.g. in the weight range from 180 g/m2to 290 g/m2. Other blank materials are conceivable as well, e.g. laminated cardboard or plastic materials.

InFIG. 2(a), the front wall10, the rear wall12, the lateral walls14, and the bottom wall16of the outer shell2are indicated by their reference numerals. Moreover, any gluing tabs are designated by reference numeral62and any cut-through lines by reference numeral63. The lines not indicated by reference numerals are usual fold lines. The hatched areas are completely cut away.

In area of the cutout20, three tabs64are provided which are folded back during the assemblage of the package and are glued to the inner side of the front wall10in order to form smooth and well-appearing edges of the cutout20.

Reference numeral65indicates an area for a warning hint. The size of this area is prescribed by national regulations. In blank60, the area65is located below the cutout20.

Similar to the tabs64, a reinforcement panel66is folded back during assemblage of the outer shell2in order to strengthen the outer shell2and form a well-appearing upper edge of the front wall10.

FIG. 2(a) also illustrates how the lid4including its top wall24and the edge walls34and36is formed from the blank60. The edge walls34and36are folded about their respective fold lines and are fixed to the lower side of top wall24by means of respective gluing tabs62. A first part68of the hinged connector50is incorporated in the gluing tab62of the front edge wall34.

The individual steps for assembling the outer shell2from blank60are evident to a person skilled in the art.

In a similar way, the blank70of the inner shell6shown inFIG. 2(b) comprises the front wall40, the rear wall42, both lateral walls44and the bottom wall46of the inner shell6and additionally some gluing tabs72. Cut-through lines are indicated by reference numeral73. Part74is a reinforcement part which, after having been folded and glued to the rear wall42, stabilises the rear wall42and provides for a well-appearing upper edge of the rear wall42.

A reinforcement panel76is folded back (and preferably glued) to the inner side of the front wall40in order to stabilise the front wall40of the inner shell6. When the user puts his or her thumb through the cutout20, he or she exerts some force onto the front wall40of the inner shell6. As long as the bundle8in the inner shell6is still complete or almost complete, the front wall40of the inner shell6does not much yield under this pressure. During use of the package1, however, the residual bundle8gets smaller and does not stabilise the inner shell6anymore. For this reason, the rigid front wall40is advantageous. In addition to reinforcement panel76, another reinforcement panel can be used. This additional reinforcement panel can be part of the blank of the inner shell6. A separate reinforcement panel, e.g. made from a stronger material, which is attached during the assembly process of the inner shell6, is conceivable as well. As an alternative, the inner shell could be made completely from a sufficiently strong plastic material, e.g. as an injection-moulded part.

FIG. 2(b) also shows a second part78of the connector50which is cut out from the reinforcement part74along three cut-through lines73.

Again, it is evident to a person skilled in the art how the inner shell6is assembled from blank70.

After assemblage of the outer shell2and the inner shell6from the blanks60and70, respectively, is complete, the inner shell6is inserted in the outer shell2via top side18, and the first part68and the second part78of the connector50are glued together, e.g. in a position of the lid4as inFIG. 1(a).

Different designs of the connector are conceivable as well, e.g. a connector fully integrated in the blank of the outer shell or a connector fully integrated in the blank of the inner shell. Moreover, the shape of the connector can be different from that shown inFIG. 2, e.g. an even wider connector which would stabilise the package even more than the connector50of package1.

FIG. 3illustrates another embodiment of a package for tobacco-related articles, which is designated by reference numeral80.

The package80is similar to the package1described so far. For this reason, for most parts of package80, the same reference numerals are used as for package1. These parts, which include the opening mechanism of the lid4, are not explained again.

The main difference between the packages80and1is the outer shape. In package80, the outer shell2has an octagonal cross-sectional shape, see in particular the bottom view according toFIG. 3(c). This octagonal shape is achieved by means of side panels82which are folded by fold lines83from the front wall10and the rear wall12, respectively. By definition, the side panels82are considered as parts of the front wall10and the rear wall12, respectively, but they could be considered as parts of the lateral walls14as well.

FIG. 4(a) shows a blank84for the outer shell of package80. In this case, a warning-hint area85is located above the cutout of the front wall. Generally, the cutout in the front wall of the outer shell should not overlap with the free access area of the inner shell when the inner shell is in its retracted position.

A blank86of the inner shell of package80is shown inFIG. 4(b). The shape of the inner shell is adapted to that of the outer shell, i.e. the inner shell has an octagonal cross-sectional shape as well. InFIG. 4(b), the corresponding side panels and fold lines are indicated by reference numerals88and89, respectively.

Otherwise, the explanation given for the assemblage of package1by means of the blanks60and70holds for the assemblage of the package80by means of the blanks84and86in an analogous manner.

FIG. 5illustrates a third embodiment of the package for tobacco-related articles, which is designated by reference numeral90. In this embodiment, an outer shell92with a cutout93at its front wall can be closed at its top side by means of a swivelable lid94. An inner shell96is shiftably mounted in the outer shell92and can be moved from a retracted position to an advanced position. The lid94is coupled to the inner shell96by means of a connector.

As before, a user can move the inner shell96and automatically open the lid94by gripping with, e.g., the thumb through the cutout93and sliding the inner shell96upwards. So far, the package1and the package90are very similar.

In contrast to package1, however, package90is wider such that its inner shell96can accommodate two bundles98and99of tobacco-related articles, e.g. cigarettes. In practice, one bundle is consumed first, while the other one stays closed at the beginning to keep its freshness. Afterwards, the other bundle is consumed.

A fourth embodiment of the package for tobacco-related articles is shown inFIG. 6. This package is designated by reference numeral100.

The package100comprises an outer shell102with two cutouts103in its front wall. The lid, which is swivelably connected to the upper edge of the rear wall of the outer shell102, consists of two parts, a first part104and a second part105. Both parts104and105of the lid are independent from each other.

The outer shell102houses two inner shells, a first inner shell106and a second inner shell107. The first inner shell106accommodates one bundle108of tobacco-related articles, the second inner shell107one bundle109.

The first part104of the lid is coupled to the first inner shell106by means of a connector designed as connector50of the embodiment according toFIG. 1. Similarly, the second part105of the lid is coupled to the second inner shell107by means of a corresponding connector. Consequently, both inner shells106and107including the parts of the lid coupled thereto, i.e. the first part104and the second part105, respectively, can be moved independently from each other. In other words, the package100can be considered as two packages1arranged side by side with a common outer shell102.

FIG. 7illustrates a fifth embodiment of a package for tobacco-related articles, which is designated by reference numeral110.

The design of the package110is very similar to that of the package1according toFIG. 1. However, the package110does not include as large a cutout as the cutout20of package1.

The package110comprises an outer shell112, a lid114, which is automatically operated via a connector115, and an inner shell116, which can be moved from a retracted position to an advanced position. When the lid114is closed, the inner shell116is in its retracted position.FIG. 7(a) shows an intermediate state, when the lid114is partially opened. InFIG. 7(b), the inner shell116has been moved to its advanced position, and the lid114has been fully opened. The inner shell116holds a bundle118of cigarettes, which is still closed in the views according toFIG. 7(a) andFIG. 7(b).

The outer shell112has a front wall120, which comprises a cutout122shaped as a slot124extending in parallel to the moving direction of the inner shell116plus an essentially circular widened area126at the lower end of the slot124.

FIG. 7(c) shows a schematic longitudinal section through parts of the outer shell112and the inner shell116. The inner shell116comprises a front wall128, at which an actuator130is attached. In the embodiment, the actuator130has a cylindrical symmetry, includes a base132having a large diameter and a protrusion134having a small diameter, and is made from plastic material. The base132just fits into the widened area126, whereas the protrusion134emerging from the base132can slide along the slot124.

When the inner shell116is in its retracted position and the lid114is closed, the base132of the actuator130rests in the widened area126because the actuator130is biased by the essentially elastic action of the inner shell116towards the left side, in the view ofFIG. 7(c). In this state, the base132locks the actuator130, the inner shell116connected to the actuator130, and the lid114connected to the inner shell116. Now, when the user presses onto the protrusion134, i.e. exerts a force directed to the right side in the view ofFIG. 7(c), the base132is released from the widened area126, and the protrusion134enters the slot124. Thereafter, the user can easily move the protrusion134in the upward direction, thus advancing the inner shell116and opening the lid114.FIG. 7(a) shows an intermediate position andFIG. 7(b) the fully advanced position of the inner shell116.

In order to close the package110, the user moves the protrusion134in the downward direction, until the base132locks in the widened area126of the cutout122.

In a modification of the package110, the cutout122additionally comprises a widened area at the upper end of the slot124so that the actuator130also locks the inner shell116in its advanced position.

In another modification of the package110, the inner shell116is biased to its advanced position by means of a spring provided between a bottom of the outer shell112and a bottom of the inner shell116. To open this package, the user presses the protrusion134in order to release the base132from the widened area126, and immediately afterwards the spring moves the inner shell116to its advanced position. To close the package, the user shifts the actuator130in the downward direction, against the spring force, until the base132locks in the widened area126.