Abstract:
This invention relates to a modification for a round-corner flip top cigarette pack and the like. Such structures of this type, generally, relocate the inner frame in order to improve reclosability of the pack.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a modification for a round-corner container with a reclosable hinger-lid. Such structures of this type, generally, relocated the inner frame in order to improve reclosability. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     As shown in FIG. 1, round-corner flip top boxes  2  that are currently in the market will pop open slightly after their initial opening thus creating a “smiley face”  4  appearance on the front of the package. There have been many attempts to resolve this problem. Exemplary of such prior art are U.S. Pat. No. 4,753,384 (&#39;384) to H. Focke et al., entitled “Hinge-Lid Pack for Cigarettes or The Like,” U.S. Pat. No. 5,896,984 (&#39;984) to H. Focke et al., entitled “Hinge-Lid Packet for Cigarettes,” and European Patent Application 0 894 737 A1 to H. Tambo et al., entitled “Hinged-Lid Pack.” While these references employ small catch flaps on the inner frame that engage the lid to hold it shut, they are not aesthetically appealing because the tabs pop out, thereby disrupting the visual flow of the package. 
     It is also known to employ an inner frame that is tapered, in that it grows larger as you move toward the top of the pack. Exemplary of such prior art is U.S. Pat. No. 5,392,905 (&#39;905) to H. Focke et al., entitled “Hinge-Lid Pack, Especially for Cigarettes.” Again, as with the other references, its ever widening shoulder does not work because it is not aesthetically appealing. 
     It is apparent from the above that there exists a need in the art for a round-corner, flip-top pack which is light weight through simplicity of parts and uniqueness of structure, and which eliminates the “smiley face” appearance, but which at the same time is aesthetically appealing. It is a purpose of this invention to fulfill this and other needs in the art in a manner more apparent to the skilled artisan once given the following disclosure. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Generally speaking, this invention fulfills these needs by providing a container comprising a round-corner body and a round-corner lid. The lid is hingedly attached to the body along a curved perimeter. The body comprises upright longitudinal edges and has a closed end and an open end. An inner frame with two side panels is secured to the inside of the body. The top of the inner frame extends above the body and the inner frame is partially surrounded by the lid when the lid is in a closed position. 
     In another further preferred embodiment, the use of the inner frame and the curved hinged lid means improve the reclosability of the pack by substantially eliminating the “smiley face”. 
     The preferred pack, according to this invention, offers the following advantages: lightness in weight; ease of assembly; good stability; excellent durability; and excellent economy. In fact, in many of the preferred embodiments, the factor of durability is optimized to the extent that is considerably higher than heretofore achieved in prior, known packs. 
     The above and other features of the present invention, which will become more apparent as the description proceeds, are best understood by considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like characters represent like parts throughout the several views and in which: 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a prior art, hinged-lid pack, showing the “smiley face”; 
     FIG. 2 is a plan view of a blank for creating a round-corner, hinged-lid pack, according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a plan view of an inner frame for use in the round-corner, hinged-lid pack, according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration showing the front of the constructed round-corner, hinged-lid pack, according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of the back of the constructed round-corner, hinged-lid pack, according to the present invention; and 
     FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a side view of the constructed round-corner, hinged-lid pack, according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As discussed earlier, FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration showing a conventional round-corner, hinged-lid pack  2 . As can be seen in FIG. 1, the pack  2  has developed a “smiley face”  4  which occurs when lid  6  pops opens slightly after the initial opening of the pack  2 . The present invention was developed in order to eliminate the “smiley face”  4 . 
     With respect to FIG. 2, there is illustrated an advantageous environment for use of the concepts of the present invention. In particular, the hinged-lid pack blank includes, in part, a pack part  10  and a lid  50  hingedly attached thereto. 
     The pack part  10  and lid  50 , preferably, are constructed of a paperboard substrate, which is, typically, a 0.012 inch thick sheet. Definitively, the term paperboard describes the paper within the thickness range of 0.008 to 0.028 inches. The invention is relevant to the full scope of such a range as applied to packaging and beyond. 
     The paperboard substrate, typically, receives on the under face or side (the side shown in FIG. 2) a fluidizied mixture of finely particulated minerals and binders as a smooth coating. Minerals such as clay and calcium carbonate are most frequently used. Successive densification and polishing by calendering finishes the mineral coating surface to a high degree of smoothness and a superior graphic print surface which is subsequently applied to the face or side of pack  10  and lid  50 . 
     Pack part  10 , typically, comprises a front panel  14 , a pack rear panel  18 , and a bottom  16 . Pack side panels  13  (FIG. 6) are formed from partially overlapping panels  12  and  20 . 
     Lid  50  comprises of a front lid panel  62 , a rear lid panel  58 , an end panel  60  and a panel extension  64 . The side panel  65  (FIG. 6) was formed from overlapping lid side panels  66  and  68 . Extension  64  and  72  are folded under front lid panel  62  and attached at panel  62  to add strength to lid  50 . 
     Each rounded longitudinal edge  15 ,  17  includes a plurality of parallel grooves  22 . Lid  50  also includes similar such grooves  56 . 
     As shown in FIG. 3, inner frame  100  is illustrated. It is to be understood that inner frame  100  may be constructed from the same materials as pack  10  and lid  50 . Inner frame  100  includes, in part, front panel  102  and collar side panels  104 . Inner frame  102  is also provided with rounded, longitudinal collar edges  106 ,  108  which corresponds with longitudinal edges  15 ,  17  of pack  10 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment inner frame  100  is inserted into pack  10  in such a way that edge  112  will enter frame  100  and be substantially even with the end of the longitudinal articles  200 , typically, cigarettes, which are placed within pack  150  (FIG. 4) while pack  150  is being constructed. Collar front panel  102  is conventionally adhesively connected to the inner side of pack front  14 . The upper end of inner frame  100  extends past the perimeter of pack part  10  is then surrounded by lid  50  when hinged-lid pack  150  is in closed position, as shown in FIG.  4 . 
     As shown in FIG. 4, in the closed position, pack part  10  and lid  50  abut one another. These edges are inclined side edges  30  of pack part  10  which are located in the region of pack side panels  13  (FIG. 6) and counter edges  70  located in the region of lid side panels  65  (FIG.  6 ). The edges are inclined to slope towards the front side of the pack  150 . In the region of the pack rear side (FIG. 5) the edges lead to a curved hinge  52  which connects rear panel  18  and lid rear panel  58 . 
     At the front side of the pack  150  (FIG.  4 ), the lateral butt edges (side edges  26  and counter edges  70 ) are extended in the form of a front lid edge  63  located in the region of lid front panel  62 . 
     In order to discuss the operation of pack  150 , it must be pointed out that pack  150  has the majority of the normal features of a standard round corner-flip top box. See for example the previously discussed &#39;905 reference. However, exemplary differences are as follows. 
     First, the placement of the top edge  112  of inner frame  100  (FIG. 4) needs to be at or near the top of package  150 . However, it is to be understood that this dimensional placement could change depending upon the thickness of the package  150 , the length of the front flap  62  on lid  50  and the distance the curved hinge  52  is from the top of package  150 . Whichever dimensional placement is used, it must be kept in mind that a friction fit must exist between lid  50  and top edge  112  of inner frame  100  which is loose enough to allow for lid  50  to slip past inner frame  100  and yet be tight enough to hold lid  50  closed without a noticeable “smiley face”. 
     Second, the profile of inner frame  100  (FIG. 3) must exhibit a shoulder area A that would be positioned on an area that is on the furthest most point of inner frame  100  towards the front of package  150 . With this configuration, the highest point of inner frame  100  is on the front of package  150  and comes into contact with front lid closure panel  62 . 
     Third, as shown in FIG. 3, the angle/radius geometry  114  begins after shoulder A. Both shoulder A and angle/radius geometry  114  begin after inner frame  100  is transitioned through the round corner to the front surface  14  of package  150 . This provides a surface contact area that is critical to the function of the present invention. 
     Finally, FIGS. 2 and 5 show an exemplary curved hinge  52 . A curved-shaped hinge increases the resistance of hinge  52  and improves the tightness of the closure of the lid  50  with the pack  14  and inner frame  100  compared to a conventional hinge. With this increased resistance, lid  50  wants to spring back to the closed position, thereby substantially eliminating the problem of “smiley faces.” 
     Once given the above disclosure, many other features, modifications or improvements will become apparent to the skilled artisan. Such features, modifications or improvements are, therefore, considered to be a part of this invention, the scope of which is to be determined by the following claims.