Patent Publication Number: US-10781034-B2

Title: Pack for smoking articles

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to packs for smoking articles, such as cigarettes, and to blanks that are locatable relative to each other to form such packs. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Smoking articles, such as cigarettes, may be provided in a pack comprising a container and a lid. The container defines a chamber for storing the smoking articles and an opening through which the smoking articles are removable from the chamber, and the lid is for selectively blocking the opening. 
     SUMMARY 
     A first aspect of the present invention provides a pack for smoking articles, the pack comprising: 
     a container having front, rear, first side and second side panels and curved edges connecting the front, rear, first side and second side panels, the container defining a chamber for storing smoking articles and an opening through which smoking articles are removable from the chamber; 
     an inner frame projecting through the opening from within the chamber, the inner frame having a front portion and first and second side portions extending from first and second sides of the front portion to respective free ends of the inner frame, wherein the free ends of the inner frame are spaced apart from the first and second side panels of the container and abut the rear panel of the container; and 
     a lid having front, rear, first side and second side panels and curved edges connecting the front, rear, first side and second side panels of the lid, the lid defining a cavity; 
     wherein the rear panel of the lid is hinged to the rear panel of the container so that the lid is movable relative to the container between a closed position, at which the lid blocks the opening with the inner frame projecting into the cavity of the lid, and an open position, at which the lid does not block the opening. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the first and second side portions of the inner frame abut the first side and second side panels, respectively, of the container. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, each of the first and second side portions of the inner frame has a first part and a second part; and the first parts are substantially parallel to and abut the first and second side panels, respectively, of the container, and the second parts are spaced apart from the first and second side panels, respectively, of the container and comprise the free ends of the inner frame. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the second parts are substantially parallel to the front portion of the inner frame. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the second parts are substantially parallel to the rear panel of the container. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the second parts abut the rear panel of the lid when the lid is at the closed position. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, each of the first and second side portions of the inner frame comprises a curved edge or at least one bevelled edge connecting the first and second parts. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, each of the first and second parts is planar. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the front, rear, first side and second side panels of the container and of the lid are planar. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, respective widths of the front, rear, first side and second side panels of the lid measured between the curved edges of the lid are equal to respective widths of the front, rear, first side and second side panels of the container measured between the curved edges of the container; and respective radii of the curved edges of the lid between the front and first side panels of the lid, the rear and first side panels of the lid, the front and second side panels of the lid, and the rear and second side panels of the lid are equal to respective radii of the curved edges of the container between the front and first side panels of the container, the rear and first side panels of the container, the front and second side panels of the container, and the rear and second side panels of the container. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the front portion of the inner frame is substantially parallel to and abuts the front panel of the container. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the front portion of the inner frame is affixed to the front panel of the container. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the free ends of the inner frame are spaced apart from each other. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the inner frame is made from a laminate material. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the container and/or lid is made from fibrous material in which a majority or all fibres of the fibrous material are substantially parallel to longitudinal directions of the curved edges of the container and/or lid, respectively. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the pack comprises a bundle of smoking articles in the chamber, and the inner frame extends at least partially around the bundle of smoking articles. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the bundle comprises the smoking articles and a wrapper extending at least partially around the smoking articles. 
     A second aspect of the present invention provides a plurality of blanks, wherein each of the blanks comprises a sheet of material having one or more predetermined fold lines therein, and wherein the blanks are foldable along the fold lines and locatable relative to each other to form a pack according to the first aspect of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a schematic perspective view of a pack; 
         FIG. 2  shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a container and an inner frame of the pack of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a container and an inner frame of another pack; 
         FIG. 4  shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a container and an inner frame of a further pack; 
         FIG. 5  shows a schematic perspective view of the pack of  FIG. 1  with a bundle of smoking articles in a chamber of the container; 
         FIG. 6  shows a blank from which a combination of the container and a lid of the pack shown in  FIG. 1  may be formed; and 
         FIG. 7  shows a blank from which the inner frame of the pack shown in  FIG. 1  may be formed. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a schematic perspective view of an example of a pack  1  according to an embodiment of the invention. The pack  1  is a pack for smoking articles, such as cigarettes, cigars or cigarillos. The pack  1  of this example comprises a container  100 , an inner frame  200 , and a lid  300 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a schematic cross-sectional view of the container  100  and the inner frame  200  of the pack  1  of  FIG. 1 . 
     The container  100  comprises a front panel  110 , a rear panel  150 , a first side panel  130 , a second side panel  170 , and an end panel (not shown). In this example, the front and rear panels  110 ,  150  are opposing major panels of the container  100 , whereas the first and second side panels  130 ,  170  are opposing minor panels of the container  100 . The container  100  also comprises curved edges  120 ,  140 ,  160 ,  180  that connect the front, rear, first side and second side panels  110 ,  150 ,  130 ,  170  of the container  100 . More specifically, in this example, each of the curved edges  120 ,  140 ,  160 ,  180  of the container  100  connects respective adjacent pairs of the front, rear, first side and second side panels  110 ,  150 ,  130 ,  170  of the container  100 . In this example, the container  100  comprises a first curved edge  120  connecting the front panel  110  to the first side panel  130 , a second curved edge  140  connecting the first side panel  130  to the rear panel  150 , a third curved edge  160  connecting the rear panel  150  to the second side panel  170 , and a fourth curved edge  180  connecting the second side panel  170  to the front panel  110 . 
     The container  100  defines or delineates a chamber  104  for storing smoking articles, such as cigarettes, cigars or cigarillos. The container  100  also defines an opening  106  through which smoking articles are removable from the chamber  104  in use. In this example, the opening  106  is at a first end  101  of the container  100 , and the end panel (not shown) is at a second end  102  of the container  100  opposite from the first end  101  of the container  100 . Thus, in this example, the first end  101  of the container  100  is an open end  101  of the container  100 , and the second end  102  of the container  100  is a closed end  102  of the container  100 . 
     In this example, the container  100  is elongate, and each of the front, rear, first side and second side panels  110 ,  150 ,  130 ,  170  of the container  100  is elongate in the longitudinal direction of the container  100 . Moreover, in this example, each of the first to fourth curved edges  120 ,  140 ,  160 ,  180  of the container  100  is elongate in the longitudinal direction of the container  100 . That is, each of the first to fourth curved edges  120 ,  140 ,  160 ,  180  has a longitudinal direction that is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the container  100 . In this example, the longitudinal direction of each of the first to fourth curved edges  120 ,  140 ,  160 ,  180  of the container  100  is substantially normal to the radius of curvature of the respective first to fourth curved edges  120 ,  140 ,  160 ,  180  of the container  100 . In this example, each of the first to fourth curved edges  120 ,  140 ,  160 ,  180  of the container  100  has a radius of curvature that is substantially constant along the full length of the respective curved edge. 
     The inner frame  200  projects through the opening  106  of the container  100  from within the chamber  104  of the container  100 . Therefore, in this example, a first portion  201  of the inner frame  200  is located in the chamber  104  and a second portion  202  of the inner frame  200  is located outside the chamber  104 . The inner frame  200  comprises a front portion  210 , a first side portion  230  that extends from a first side  211  of the front portion  210 , and a second side portion  250  that extends from a second side  212  of the front portion  210 . In this example, the front portion  210  is parallel to and abuts the front panel  110  of the container  100 . In some examples, the front portion  210  of the inner frame  200  may be affixed to the front panel  110  of the container  100 , such as by an adhesive. In this example, a top edge of the front portion is non-linear and defines a cut-out into the front portion  210  of the inner frame, for aiding the removal of smoking articles from the pack  10  in use. 
     In this example, the first side portion  230  of the inner frame  200  abuts the first side panel  130  of the container  100 , and the second side portion  270  of the inner frame  200  abuts the second side panel  170  of the container  100 . The first and second side portions  230 ,  270  of the inner frame  200  extend from the first and second sides  211 ,  212  of the front portion  210  to respective free ends  280 ,  290  of the inner frame  200 . The free ends  280 ,  290  of the inner frame  200  will be described further below. In some examples, the first and second side portions  230 ,  270  of the inner frame  200  may be respectively affixed to the first and second side panels  130 ,  170  of the container  100 , such as by an adhesive. 
     The lid  300  comprises a front panel  310 , a rear panel  350 , a first side panel  330 , a second side panel  370 , and an end panel  390 . In this example, the front and rear panels  310 ,  350  of the lid  300  are opposing major panels of the lid  300 , whereas the first and second side panels  330 ,  370  of the lid  300  are opposing minor panels of the lid  300 . The lid  300  also comprises curved edges  320 ,  340 ,  360 ,  380  that connect the front, rear, first side and second side panels  310 ,  350 ,  330 ,  370  of the lid  300 . More specifically, in this example, each of the curved edges  320 ,  340 ,  360 ,  380  of the lid  300  connects respective adjacent pairs of the front, rear, first side and second side panels  310 ,  350 ,  330 ,  370  of the lid  300 . So, in this example, the lid  300  comprises a first curved edge  320  connecting the front panel  310  to the first side panel  330 , a second curved edge  340  connecting the first side panel  330  to the rear panel  350 , a third curved edge  360  connecting the rear panel  350  to the second side panel  370 , and a fourth curved edge  380  connecting the second side panel  370  to the front panel  310 . 
     The lid  300  defines or delineates a cavity  304  and defines an aperture  306  into the cavity  304 . In this example, the aperture  306  is at a first end  301  of the lid  300 , and the end panel  390  of the lid  300  is at a second end  302  of the lid  300  opposite from the first end  301  of the lid  300 . Thus, in this example, the first end  301  of the lid  300  is an open end of the lid  300 , and the second end  302  of the lid  300  is a closed end of the lid  300 . 
     In this example, the rear panel  350  of the lid  300  is hinged to the rear panel  150  of the container  100 , so that the lid  300  is movable relative to the container  100  between a closed position and an open position. That is, the rear panel  350  of the lid  300  is connected to the rear panel  150  of the container  100  by a hinge. In this example, the container  100  and the lid  300  are unitary. In this example, the hinge is a living hinge. In some examples, the hinge may be other than a living hinge. In  FIG. 1 , the lid  300  is shown in the open position. 
     When the lid  300  is at the closed position relative to the container  100 , the lid blocks the opening  106  of the container  100 . Moreover, when the lid  300  is at the closed position relative to the container  100 , the inner frame  200  projects into the cavity  304  of the lid  300 . That is, in this example, at least part of the second portion  202  of the inner frame  200  projects into the cavity  304  of the lid  300  via the aperture  306 , when the lid  300  is at the closed position. This may help to give the pack  1  rigidity when the lid  300  is at the closed position. When the lid  300  is at the open position relative to the container  100 , the lid  300  does not block the opening  106  of the container  100 . In this example, when the lid  300  is at the open position, the chamber  104  of the container  100  is accessible from an exterior of the pack  1  via the opening  106 , so that, in use, a user is able to remove a smoking article from the chamber  104  via the opening  106 . In contrast, when the lid is at the closed position in this example, the lid  300  hinders or prevents access to the chamber  104  of the container  100  from the exterior of the pack  1  via the opening  106 . Therefore, in use, smoking articles may be prevented from inadvertently falling out of the chamber  104 , such as when the pack  1  is being transported. 
     In this example, the free ends  280 ,  290  of the inner frame  200  are spaced apart from the first and second side panels  130 ,  170  of the container  100 . This helps to avoid the first and second side panels  330 ,  370  of the lid  300  contacting the free ends  280 ,  290  of the inner frame  200  as the lid  300  is moved relative to the container  100  from the open position to the closed position. That is, in this example, the lid  300  is movable relative to the container  100  from the open position to the closed position without the first and second side panels  330 ,  370  of the lid  300  contacting the free ends  280 ,  290  of the inner frame  200 . This helps to avoid movement of the lid  300  from the open position to the closed position being hindered or prevented by the free ends  280 ,  290  of the inner frame  200 . 
     In this example, the front, rear, first side and second side panels  110 ,  150 ,  130 ,  170 ,  310 ,  350 ,  330 ,  370  of the container  100  and of the lid  300  are planar. Thus, the pack  1  has a substantially cuboid appearance, aside from the curved edges  120 ,  140 ,  160 ,  180 ,  320 ,  340 ,  360 ,  380  of the container  100  and of the lid  300 . 
     In this example, respective widths of the front, rear, first side and second side panels  310 ,  350 ,  330 ,  370  of the lid  300  measured between the curved edges  320 ,  340 ,  360 ,  380  of the lid  300  are equal to respective widths of the front, rear, first side and second side panels  110 ,  150 ,  130 ,  170  of the container  100  measured between the curved edges  120 ,  140 ,  160 ,  180  of the container  100 . Moreover, in this example, respective radii of the curved edges  320 ,  340 ,  360 ,  380  of the lid  300  between the front and first side panels  310 ,  330  of the lid  300 , the rear and first side panels  350 ,  330  of the lid  300 , the front and second side panels  310 ,  370  of the lid  300 , and the rear and second side panels  350 ,  370  of the lid  300  are equal to respective radii of the curved edges of the container  100  between the front and first side panels  110 ,  130  of the container  100 , the rear and first side panels  150 ,  130  of the container  100 , the front and second side panels  110 ,  170  of the container  100 , and the rear and second side panels  150 ,  170  of the container  100 . Therefore, in this example, when the lid  300  is at the closed position, the front, rear, first side and second side panels  110 ,  150 ,  130 ,  170  of the container  100  and the first to fourth curved edges  120 ,  140 ,  160 ,  180  of the container  100  respectively align with the front, rear, first side and second side panels  310 ,  350 ,  330 ,  370  of the lid  300  and the first to fourth curved edges  320 ,  340 ,  360 ,  380  of the lid  300 . This helps to give the pack  1  rigidity and a neat appearance when the lid  300  is at the closed position. 
     In this example, the first side portion  230  of the inner frame  200  has a first part  231  and a second part  232 . Moreover, in this example, the second side portion  270  of the inner frame  200  has a first part  271  and a second part  272 . The respective second parts  232 ,  272  of the first and second side portions  230 ,  270  comprise the free ends  280 ,  290  of the inner frame  200 . The first parts  231 ,  271  of the first and second side portions  230 ,  270  are substantially parallel to and abut the first and second side panels  130 ,  170 , respectively, of the container  100 , and the second parts  232 ,  272  of the first and second side portions  230 ,  270  are spaced apart from the first and second side panels  130 ,  170 , respectively. 
     In some examples, such as the pack  1  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the first and second side portions  230 ,  270  of the inner frame  200  comprise respective curved edges that extend from the first and second sides  211 ,  212  of the front portion  210 , respectively. In other examples, each of these curved edges may be replaced by a bevelled edge or a plurality of bevelled edges. In some examples, the first and second side portions  230 ,  270  of the inner frame  200  may meet the front portion  210  of the inner frame  200  at respective right angles. 
     In the example shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , each of the first and second side portions  230 ,  270  of the inner frame  200  comprises a respective bevelled edge  240 ,  260  connecting the first and second parts  231 ,  271 ,  232 ,  272 . In other examples, which are respective variations to the example shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , each of the first and second side portions  230 ,  270  of the inner frame  200  may comprise a respective plurality of bevelled edges  240 ,  241 ,  260 ,  261  connecting the first and second parts  231 ,  271 ,  232 ,  272 , as shown by way of example in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 3  shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a container  100  and an inner frame  200  of a pack  2  that is the same as the pack  1  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , except for the provision of the respective pluralities of bevelled edges  240 ,  241 ,  260 ,  261  connecting the first and second parts  231 ,  271 ,  232 ,  272  of the inner frame  200 , in place of the respective bevelled edges  240 ,  260  connecting the first and second parts  231 ,  271 ,  232 ,  272  of the inner frame  200  of  FIG. 2 . 
     In other examples, which are further respective variations to the example shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , instead of bevelled edge(s), each of the first and second side portions  230 ,  270  of the inner frame  200  may comprise a respective curved edge  245 ,  265  connecting the first and second parts  231 ,  271 ,  232 ,  272 , as shown by way of example in  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 4  shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a container  100  and an inner frame  200  of a pack  3  that is the same as the pack  1  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , except for the provision of the respective curved edges  245 ,  265  connecting the first and second parts  231 ,  271 ,  232 ,  272  of the inner frame  200 , in place of the respective bevelled edges  240 ,  260  connecting the first and second parts  231 ,  271 ,  232 ,  272  of the inner frame  200  of  FIG. 2 . In some such examples, each of these curved edges  245 ,  265  of the inner frame  200  may have a radius that is slightly less than a respective radius of the second and third curved edges  140 ,  160  of the container  100 , so that the curved edges  245 ,  265  of the inner frame  200  may nest with the second and third curved edges  140 ,  160  of the container  100 . 
     In some examples, the first and second parts  231 ,  232  of the first side portion  230  of the inner frame  200  may instead meet at a right angle or an acute angle. Similarly, in some examples, the first and second parts  271 ,  272  of the second side portion  270  of the inner frame  200  may instead meet at a right angle or an acute angle. 
     In some examples, such as the packs  1 ,  2 ,  3  shown in  FIGS. 1 to 4 , the respective second parts  232 ,  272  of the first and second side portions  230 ,  270  are substantially parallel to the front portion  210  of the inner frame  200 . In some such examples, the front portion  210  of the inner frame  200  and the respective second parts  232 ,  272  of the first and second side portions  230 ,  270  may be located on opposite sides of a bundle of smoking articles when the bundle is located in the chamber  104  of the container  100 . 
     In some examples, such as the packs  1 ,  2 ,  3  shown in  FIGS. 1 to 4 , the second parts  232 ,  272  of the first and second side portions  230 ,  270  are substantially parallel to, and abut, the rear panel  150  of the container  100 . In some examples, this arrangement helps to increase rigidity of the container  100 . In some examples, such as the packs  1 ,  2 ,  3  shown in  FIGS. 1 to 4 , the second parts  232 ,  272  of the first and second side portions  230 ,  270  abut the rear panel  350  of the lid  300  when the lid is at the closed position. In some examples, this arrangement helps to increase rigidity of the pack  1 ,  2 ,  3  when the lid  300  is at the closed position. 
     In other examples, some of which are respective variations to the examples shown in  FIGS. 1 to 4 , the first and second side portions  230 ,  270  of the inner frame  200  do not abut, or are spaced from, the first side and second side panels  130 ,  170 , respectively, of the container  100 . 
     In the examples discussed above, each of the first and second parts  231 ,  271 ,  232 ,  272  of the first and second side portions  230 ,  270  of the inner frame  200  is planar. In other examples, this may not be the case. For example, in some examples, the first parts  231 ,  271  may be non-planar, such as curved. In some examples, the second parts  232 ,  272  may be non-planar, such as curved. 
     In some examples, the first parts  231 ,  271  of the first and second side portions  230 ,  270  of the inner frame  200  may be respectively affixed to the first and second side panels  130 ,  170  of the container  100 , such as by an adhesive. 
     In the examples discussed above, the free ends  280 ,  290  of the inner frame  200  are spaced apart from each other. Accordingly, less material need be used to form the inner frame  200 . However, in some examples, the free ends  280 ,  290  of the inner frame  200  may contact each other. This may help provide added protection for contents of the pack  1 ,  2 ,  3  in use. 
     In the packs  1 ,  2 ,  3  shown in  FIGS. 1 to 4 , the free ends  280 ,  290  of the inner frame  200  abut the rear panel  150  of the container  100 . This helps to ensure that movement of the lid  300  from the open position to the closed position is not hindered or prevented by the free ends  280 ,  290  of the inner frame  200  through contact of the free ends  280 ,  290  with, for example, the first and second side panels  330 ,  370  of the lid  300 . In some examples, the free ends  280 ,  290  of the inner frame  200  may be affixed to the rear panel  150  of the container  100 , such as by an adhesive. 
     In some examples, such as respective variations to each of the packs  1 ,  2 ,  3  shown in  FIGS. 1 to 4 , the pack  1 ,  2 ,  3  may comprise a bundle of smoking articles in the chamber  104  of the container  100 . In some examples, the inner frame  200  may extend partially, at least partially, or fully around the bundle of smoking articles. In some examples, the bundle comprises the smoking articles and a wrapper extending partially, at least partially, or fully around the smoking articles. The wrapper may be made of a barrier material, such as a material comprising a metallic foil. The wrapper may be hermetically sealed to preserve the smoking articles. The wrapper may be removable to access the smoking articles, or the wrapper may be re-closable once opened to access the smoking articles.  FIG. 5  shows the pack  10  of  FIG. 1  with a bundle of smoking articles in the chamber  104 . The bundle comprises the smoking articles and a wrapper  400  extending at least partially around the smoking articles. Since the free ends  280 ,  290  of the inner frame  200  are spaced apart, the inner frame  200  of the pack  10  extends partially around the bundle of smoking articles. 
     In some examples, such as each of the packs  1 ,  2 ,  3  shown in  FIGS. 1 to 4 , the inner frame  200  may be made from a laminate material, such as laminated paper, laminated card, paperboard, cardboard, or the like. In some such examples, the free ends  280 ,  290  of the inner frame  200  may be prone to delaminating if rubbed or knocked, and particularly if knocked end-on. Such delamination may hinder subsequent relative movement of the lid  300  and container  100 , may weaken the inner frame  200  or the pack  1 ,  2 ,  3 , and may lessen the visual appeal of the pack  1 ,  2 ,  3 . By spacing the free ends  280 ,  290  of the inner frame  200  apart from the first and second side panels  130 ,  170  of the container  100 , the first and second side panels  330 ,  370  of the lid  300  are less likely to contact, rub or knock the free ends  280 ,  290  of the inner frame  200  during movement of the lid  300  relative to the container  100  from the open position to the closed position. Thus, this helps to reduce the risk of the inner frame  200  delaminating during use of the pack  1 ,  2 ,  3 . 
     In some examples, the container  100  and/or the lid  300  may be made from a fibrous material in which a majority or all of the fibres of the fibrous material are oriented substantially parallel to longitudinal directions of the curved edges of the container  100  and/or lid  300 , respectively. For example, in each of the packs  1 ,  2 ,  3  shown in  FIGS. 1 to 5 , the container  100  and the lid  300  are made from such fibrous material. The fibrous material may be, for example, paper, card, paperboard, cardboard, or the like. This fibre orientation may help to enable a smooth curvature to be provided to the curved edges of the container  100  and/or lid  300 , respectively, during manufacture. However, such fibre orientation may also result in the container  100  and/or lid  300  having less structural rigidity than a container  100  and/or lid  300 , respectively, made from an alternative material or having edges other than curved edges. Accordingly, the container  100  and/or lid  300  may be more prone to flexing, particularly when the pack  1 ,  2 ,  3  is being manipulated to move the lid  300  relative to the container  100  to the closed position. Thus, in such examples, the provision of the feature that the free ends  280 ,  290  of the inner frame  200  are spaced apart from the first and second side panels  130 ,  170  of the container  100  further helps to avoid the first and second side panels  330 ,  370  of the lid  300  contacting the free ends  280 ,  290  of the inner frame  200  as the lid  300  is moved from the open position to the closed position, which could risk delamination of the inner frame  200 . 
     The combination of the container  100  and the lid  300  of the pack  1  of  FIGS. 1 and 2  may be formed from the blank  10  shown in  FIG. 6 . The blank  10  comprises a sheet of material, such as paper, card, paperboard, cardboard, or the like, which has a plurality of fold lines  11  therein. The blank  10  may have been cut from a larger sheet of the material. The blank  10  is foldable along the fold lines  11  to form the combination of the container  100  and the lid  300 . The curved edges  120 ,  140 ,  160 ,  180  of the container  100 , and the curved edges  320 ,  340 ,  360 ,  380  of the lid  300 , may be formed by bending or folding the blank  10  at a plurality of closely-spaced fold lines or lines of weakness. In this example, the blank  10  includes a plurality of tabs  12  there are fixable, by adhesive or otherwise, to other portions of the blank  10  to hold the material in the desired final configuration. The inner frame  200  of the pack  1  of  FIGS. 1 and 2  may be formed from the blank  20  shown in  FIG. 7 . The blank  20  comprises a sheet of material, such as paper, card, paperboard, cardboard, or the like, which has a plurality of fold lines  21  therein. The blank  20  may have been cut from a larger sheet of the material. The blank  20  is foldable along the fold lines  21  to form the inner frame  200 . The blanks  10 ,  20  may be foldable along the fold lines  11 ,  21  and locatable relative to each other to form the pack  1  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     The respective containers  100  of the packs  2 ,  3  of  FIGS. 3 and 4  may be formed from the blank  10  shown in  FIG. 6 . The respective inner frames  200  of the packs  2 ,  3  of  FIGS. 3 and 4  may be formed from suitably modified respective versions the blank  20  shown in  FIG. 7 . Those blanks  10 ,  20  may then be foldable along the fold lines  11 ,  21  and locatable relative to each other to form one of the packs  2 ,  3  shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
     In order to address various issues and advance the art, the entirety of this disclosure shows by way of illustration and example various embodiments in which the claimed invention may be practised and which provide for superior packs for smoking articles and blanks for forming such packs. The advantages and features of the disclosure are of a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. They are presented only to assist in understanding and teach the claimed and otherwise disclosed features. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures and/or other aspects of the disclosure are not to be considered limitations on the disclosure as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and/or spirit of the disclosure. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist in essence of, various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. The disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.