Abstract:
A cigarette pack comprises a pair of complementary packets each of which comprises a box that includes a straight or angled or non-orthogonal side panel and wherein each box contains a group of cigarettes. The packets are arranged adjacent one another along their straight or non-orthogonal sides and then overwrapped to produce the cigarette pack. Each packet includes ten cigarettes for a total pack count of twenty cigarettes. The individual packets promote ease of transport and overall freshness. The packet may have rounded or beveled corners, and each packet may have a hinge lid or comprise an outer shell and interior cigarette holding slide. The packets may hold reduced diameter cigarettes with the advantage that the overall length and width of a pack of twin packets are substantially the same as the length and width or a pack of conventional diameter cigarettes. The packs may then be packaged in conventional ten pack cartons and tax stamped with standard stamping equipment without modification of that equipment.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     The present application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/891,702, filed Jul. 14, 2004. The present application and parent application Ser. No. 10/891,702 relate to applications Ser. Nos. 60/487,681, filed Jul. 16, 2003, 60/493,848, filed Aug. 8, 2003, 60/529,069, filed Dec. 12, 2003, 60/529,210, filed Dec. 12, 2003, and Ser. No. 29/210,954, filed Aug. 9, 2004. All of these applications are incorporated herein in their entirety for all useful purposes, and the full benefit of all of these prior applications is claimed. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to a cigarette pack that comprises twin cigarette packets, and more particularly to a cigarette pack where each of the two packets includes ten cigarettes for a total pack count of twenty cigarettes.  
         [0003]     For the most part cigarettes are sold in packs with twenty cigarettes in each pack. In some instances it is desired to have smaller quantities of cigarettes for ease of transport and freshness.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     In accordance with the present invention a cigarette pack comprises a pair of cigarette packets releaseably connected to one another for sale in pairs. Preferably, the overall dimensions of length, width and depth of each individual cigarette packet is such that when paired, the resultant overall dimensions of the formed pack are compatible with the dimensional requirements of state tax stamp machines and the associated carton recasing equipment, as well as those of point-of-sale displays and display racks at retail. The pair of packets are wrapped together and each packet may include ten cigarettes for a total of twenty cigarettes which is the minimum quantity allowed for sale in certain countries. This overall packet construction allows the consumer to carry only ten cigarettes in one of the packets after the initial purchase of twenty cigarettes. The smaller packet of ten cigarettes easily fits in small purses, pockets and the like.  
         [0005]     One of the packets may be individually wrapped and then combined with a second packet both of which are then overwrapped with clear overwrap material. When the cigarette pack is then opened the separate overwrapped packet retains freshness until that packet is opened at a later time and the cigarettes are consumed.  
         [0006]     Each cigarette packet of ten cigarettes may comprise a box having a hinge lid for access to the cigarettes. The box has an inner frame and a bundle of ten foil wrapped cigarettes is placed within the inner frame. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]     Novel features and advantages of the present invention in addition to those mentioned above will be readily apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art from a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein similar reference characters refer to similar parts and in which:  
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a cigarette pack comprising twin cigarette packets each with a hinge lid and with overwrap around the packets, according to the present invention;  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the cigarette pack of  FIG. 1  with the overwrap removed, according to the present invention;  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the cigarette pack of  FIG. 1  with the cigarettes in one of the packets in phantom outline;  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of one of the twin cigarette packets of  FIG. 1  with the hinge lid in an open position, according to the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view similar to  FIG. 2 , but illustrating an alternate embodiment where each cigarette packet has an non-orthogonal panel, according to the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the cigarette pack shown in  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 7  is a top plan view of a blank for the cigarette packet shown in  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 8  is a top plan view of a blank for the inner frame of the packet shown in  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 9  is a top plan view of an alternate blank for the cigarette packet shown in  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 10  is a top plan view of a blank for one of the cigarette packets shown in  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 11  is a top plan view of an inner frame for one of the cigarette packets shown in  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 12  is a top plan view of an alternate blank for the cigarette packet shown in  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a cigarette pack comprising twin cigarette packets each with rounded corners and a hinge lid with overwrap around the packets, according to the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 14  is a top plan view of the cigarette pack of  FIG. 13  before being overwrapped;  
         [0022]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of one of the twin cigarette packets of  FIG. 13  with the hinge lid in an open position, according to the present invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 16  is a top plan view of a blank for the cigarette packet shown in  FIG. 15 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 17  is a top plan view of a blank for the inner frame of the packet shown in  FIG. 15 ;  
         [0025]      FIG. 18  is a top plan view of an alternate blank for the cigarette packet shown in  FIG. 15 ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of still another embodiment of a cigarette pack comprising twin cigarette packets each with rounded corners and a hinge lid with overwrap around the packets, according to the present invention;  
         [0027]      FIG. 20  is a top plan view of the cigarette pack of  FIG. 19  before being overwrapped;  
         [0028]      FIG. 21  is a perspective view of one of the twin cigarette packets of  FIG. 19  with the hinge lid in an open position, according to the present invention;  
         [0029]      FIG. 22  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a cigarette pack comprising twin cigarette packets each with beveled corners and a hinge lid with overwrap around the packets, according to the present invention;  
         [0030]      FIG. 23  is a top plan view of the cigarette pack of  FIG. 22  before being overwrapped;  
         [0031]      FIG. 24  is a perspective view of one of the cigarette packets of  FIG. 22  with the hinge lid in an open position, according to the present invention;  
         [0032]      FIG. 25  is a perspective view of still another embodiment of a cigarette pack comprising twin cigarette packets each with beveled corners and a hinge lid with overwrap around the packets, according to the present invention;  
         [0033]      FIG. 26  is a top plan view of the cigarette pack of  FIG. 25  before being overwrapped;  
         [0034]      FIG. 27  is a perspective view of one of the twin cigarette packs of  FIG. 25  with the hinge lid in an open position, according to the present invention;  
         [0035]      FIG. 28  is a perspective view of still another cigarette pack comprising twin cigarette packets with overwrap around the packets, according to the present invention;  
         [0036]      FIG. 29  is a top plan view of the cigarette pack of  FIG. 28 ;  
         [0037]      FIG. 30  is a perspective view of one of the twin cigarette packets of  FIG. 28  in an open position, according to the present invention;  
         [0038]      FIG. 31  is a top plan view of a blank for the outer enclosure or shell of one of the twin packets of the cigarette pack of  FIG. 28 ;  
         [0039]      FIG. 32  is a top plan view of a blank for the inner frame or slide of one of the twin packets of the cigarette pack of  FIG. 28 ;  
         [0040]      FIG. 33  is a front elevational view of a cigarette mini-pack with hinged lid holding two rows of five cigarettes, each cigarette having a reduced diameter compared to conventional cigarettes, according to the present invention;  
         [0041]      FIG. 34  is a right side elevational view of the cigarette mini-pack of  FIG. 33 ;  
         [0042]      FIG. 35  is a rear elevational view of the cigarette mini-pack of  FIGS. 33 and 34 ;  
         [0043]      FIG. 36  is a top plan view of the cigarette mini-pack of  FIGS. 33-35 ;  
         [0044]      FIG. 37  is a front elevational view of an overwrapped pair of cigarette mini-packs of  FIGS. 33-36  abutting one another in front-to-back relationship, according to the present invention;  
         [0045]      FIG. 38  is a right side elevational view of the pair of mini-packs shown in  FIG. 37 ;  
         [0046]      FIG. 39  is a rear elevational view of the pair of mini-packs shown in  FIGS. 37 and 38 ;  
         [0047]      FIG. 40  is a top plan view of the pair of mini-packs shown in  FIGS. 37-39 ;  
         [0048]      FIG. 40A  is an alternate, top plan view of a pair of overwrapped mini-packs, according to the present invention;  
         [0049]      FIG. 41  is a front elevational view of an overwrapped pair of cigarette mini-packs of  FIGS. 33-36  abutting one another in side-to-side relationship, according to the present invention;  
         [0050]      FIG. 42  is a right side elevational view of the pair of mini-packs shown in  FIG. 41 ;  
         [0051]      FIG. 43  is a rear elevational view of the pair of mini-packs shown in  FIGS. 41 and 42 ;  
         [0052]      FIG. 44  is a top plan view of the pair of mini-packs shown in  FIGS. 41-43 ;  
         [0053]      FIG. 44A  is an alternate top plan view of a pair of overwrapped mini-packs, according to the present invention;  
         [0054]      FIG. 45  is a sectional view of the prior art showing 20 full diameter cigarettes in a conventional flip-top box;  
         [0055]      FIG. 46  is a sectional view of a pair of mini packs with 10 reduced diameter cigarettes in each pack having an overall length and width substantially equal to the length and width of the box of  FIG. 45  even with the additional package layers across the length of the twin mini-packs;  
         [0056]      FIG. 47  is a perspective view of a pair of mini-packs each individually overwrapped with additional overwrap around the individually wrapped pair; and  
         [0057]      FIG. 48  is a top plan view of a standard carton of 10 overwrapped pairs of mini-packs with the carton open and tax stamps being applied with the same machinery used to apply stamps to 20 count cigarette packs of full diameter cigarettes. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0058]     Referring in more particularity to the drawings,  FIGS. 1-4  illustrate a cigarette pack  10  comprising twin cigarette packets  12 ,  14  both of which are overwrapped with clear cellophane  15  or similar wrap material, as well known. One of the packets is shown in  FIG. 4 . Fundamentally, each of the packets  12 ,  14  comprises a box  16  with a hinge lid  18  that articulates about hinge line  20  in opening and closing the packet. An inner frame  22  is positioned in the container portion of each box. Preferably 10 cigarettes are wrapped in foil  23  or other suitable material and placed within the inner frame of each of the packets  12 ,  14 . A tear strip  24  is used to remove to outer wrap  15 , as is well known.  
         [0059]     One of the packets may be wrapped with clear cellophane prior to being combined with the second packet. Both packets are then overwrapped with additional material. Once the cigarette pack  10  is opened the initially overwrapped packet remains sealed until consumption of the cigarettes in that packet are desired at a later time.  
         [0060]     Unlike the packets  12 ,  14  which include straight side panels,  FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate an alternate embodiment where a cigarette pack  10 A comprises twin packets  12 A,  14 A each having an orthogonal side panel  26 A and a non-orthogonal side panel  28 A. The non-orthogonal side panels  28 A abut one another in the pack  10 A, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . Each packet  12 A,  14 A comprises a box  16 A with a hinge lid  18 A that articulates about hinge line  20 A in opening and closing the packet, as shown in phantom outline in  FIG. 5 . Each packet  12 A,  14 A has a trapezoidal configuration in cross section.  
         [0061]      FIG. 7  shows a blank  40  for producing one of the packets  12 ,  14  while  FIG. 8  illustrates a blank  42  for producing the inner frame  22 . Cut lines are shown as solid lines and fold lines are shown in phantom. The blanks are assembled and glued together as is well known in the art. Similarly,  FIG. 9  shows an alternate blank  40 ′ for producing one of the packets  12 ,  14 . Here again cut lines are shown as solid lines while fold lines are shown in phantom. Blank  40 ′ is different in that it has longitudinal fold lines for folding the blank in packet form. Once assembled, a blank  42  may be folded into the shape of the inner frame  22  and inserted into formed box portion  16 .  
         [0062]      FIG. 9  shows a blank  40 A for producing one of the packets  12 A,  14 A while  FIG. 10  illustrates a blank  42 A for producing the inner frame  22 A. Here again, cut lines are shown as solid lines and fold lines are shown in phantom. Assembly is performed as is well known in the art.  
         [0063]      FIG. 12  illustrates an alternative blank  40 A′ for producing one of the packets  12 A,  14 A. Cut lines are shown as solid lines while fold lines are shown in phantom. Blank  40 A′ is similar to blank  40 ′ in that it includes longitudinal fold lines about which the blank is folded and glued into the shape of one of the packets  12 A,  14 A. Blank  40 A′ has panels  26 A for forming the orthogonal side panel as well as panels  28 A for forming the non-orthogonal panel of the packet  12 A,  14 A. A blank  42 A may be used to form the inner frame  22 A.  
         [0064]     As noted above, the pack  10  comprises first and second packets  12 ,  14  releaseably wrapped or otherwise attached together so as to establish a complete twenty count (or more) pack of cigarettes, each packet preferably comprising a box  16  with a hinge lid  18 . In pack  10 A the orthogonal side panel  26 A is perpendicular to the front and back panels of the box  16 A while the opposite side panel  28 A is angled. Preferably, the orthogonal side panel  26 A is where the glue flap is secured or otherwise attached to form the packet.  
         [0065]     Preferably, the packets are held together with a clear wrap such as a cellophane  15  or the like, or could be, in the alterative, held together with a wrap akin to a soft pack label that bears printed indicia, or in the alternative or in conjunction with the aforementioned, the packets are glued together with a releasable adhesive.  
         [0066]     As noted above, one or both of the packets may be separately wrapped in cellophane or like material to preserve freshness of the contents of one or both packets. Another alternative is that neither packet is separately wrapped before the final wrap to cover the pair.  
         [0067]     The complete twenty count pack accommodates a 7-6-7 collation of cigarettes, wherein a first one of the aforementioned packets may encloses a 4-3-3 collation or bundle of cigarettes (preferably wrapped in a cigarette bundle wrap constructed of paper and/or foil) and the other packet encloses a 3-3-4 bundled collation of cigarettes. The packets are in a mutually complementary orientation when joined along their angled or non-orthogonal panels  28 A such that the complete pack  10 A is of the usual rectangular box form.  
         [0068]     As a paired unit, packs  10  and  10 A correspond to a standard rectangular size and shape which allows for this product to be tax stamped in the US which is very critical for any new product to be feasible. It also will fit in vending machines, which for Japan, is very important as well. The two unit concept also allows for the possibility to offer two versions of a cigarette product, one in each of the two packets, such as full flavor and lights or menthol and a regular.  
         [0069]      FIGS. 13-15  illustrate another cigarette pack  50  comprising identical cigarette packets  52  both of which are overwrapped with clear cellophane  54  or similar material. Fundamentally, each of the packets  52  comprises a box  56  with a hinge lid  58  that articulates about hinge line  60  in opening and closing the packet. An inner frame  62  is positioned inside each box  56 . Preferably ten cigarettes are wrapped in foil  63  or other suitable material and placed within the inner frame of each packet  52 . A tear strip  64  is used to remove the outer wrap  54 , as is well known.  
         [0070]     One of the packets  52  may be wrapped with clear cellophane prior to being combined with the second packet. Both packets are then wrapped with additional material  54 . Once the cigarette pack  50  is opened the initially wrapped packet remains sealed until consumption of the cigarettes in that packet are desired at a later time.  
         [0071]     Both the box  56  and hinge lid  58  include front and back panels  66  and interconnecting side panels  68 . Each packet has rounded corners  70  wherein these panels adjoin one another as best shown in  FIG. 14 .  
         [0072]      FIG. 16  shows a blank  72  similar in many respects to blank  40  of  FIG. 7  for producing one of the packets  52  of cigarette pack  50 . The significant difference is that blank  72  includes portions for producing the rounded corners  70 .  FIG. 17  shows a blank  74  for producing the inner frame  62 . Blank  74  also includes portions for the rounded corners.  
         [0073]      FIG. 18  shows an alternate blank  72 ′ similar in many respects to blank  40 ′ of  FIG. 9  for producing one of the packets  52  of cigarette pack  50 . The main difference is that blank  72 ′ includes portions for producing the rounded corners  70 . A blank similar to blank  74  of  FIG. 17  may be used in combination with blank  72 ′ to form the packets  52 .  
         [0074]      FIGS. 19-21  show another cigarette pack  80  similar in many respects to the pack  10 A shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6  and similar parts have been identified with the same reference characters. The major difference is that each packet  12 A′ and  14 A′ includes rounded corners  82 . The blanks used to fabricate each packet are not specifically illustrated it being understood that the blanks shown in  FIGS. 10-12  may be used if slightly modified to include rounded portions similar to those shown in  FIGS. 16-18  for producing the rounded corners  82 .  
         [0075]      FIGS. 22-24  illustrate another cigarette pack  90  comprising identical cigarette packets  92 . Cigarette pack  80  is similar in many respects to pack  50  of  FIGS. 13-15  and similar reference characters are used to identify similar parts. One significant difference is that each packet  92  includes beveled or angled corners  94  where the front, back and side panels of the box and hinge lid adjoin one another. As a result, the cross sectional configuration of each packet  92  is generally octagonal, as evident from  FIG. 15 .  
         [0076]      FIGS. 25-27  illustrate still another cigarette pack  100  comprising cigarette packets  12 A″ and  14 A″. Cigarette pack  100  is similar to pack  80  of  FIGS. 19-21  except that each packet  12 A″ and  14 A″ includes beveled or angled corners  102 . Blanks not shown, but similar to the blanks shown in  FIGS. 10-12  may be used if modified to include beveled or angled portions similar to those shown in  FIGS. 16-18  for producing beveled corners  102 .  
         [0077]      FIGS. 28-30  illustrate another cigarette pack  150  comprising twin cigarette packets  152  both of which are identical in structure with non-orthogonal panels. Clear cellophane or similar wrap material  154  functions to overwrap the cigarette packets  152 . Fundamentally, each of the packets  152  includes an outer enclosure  156  with opposite open ends and an inner frame  158 , as best shown in  FIG. 30 . Each packet  152  basically comprises a shell and slide arrangement where the open ended enclosure  156  comprises the shell and the inner frame  158  functions as a slide within the shell. Preferably, ten cigarettes are wrapped in foil or other suitable material and enclosed within each of the packets  152 . A tear strip  160  may be used to remove the outer wrap  154  as is well known.  
         [0078]     One of the packets  152  may be wrapped with clear cellophane prior to being combined with the second packet. Both packets are then overwrapped with additional material  154 . Once the cigarette pack  150  is opened the initially overwrapped packet remains sealed until consumption of the cigarettes in that packet are desired at a later time.  
         [0079]     The enclosure  156  includes identical front and back panels  162  and opposing identical side panels  164 . When viewed in cross section each packet  152  has a generally square to rectangular non-orthogonal configuration, as shown in  FIG. 29 . The inner frame  158  includes a back panel  166  with adjacent side panels  168 ,  170 , and a closure flap  172  extends along the back panel  66  as shown in  FIG. 30 .  
         [0080]      FIG. 31  shows a blank  174  for the enclosure  156 . The blank is simply assembled by folding along the fold lines of adjacent panels and the end side panels  164  are secured together with adhesive.  
         [0081]      FIG. 32  is a blank  176  for the inner frame  158 . The blank is folded along the fold lines and then inserted into the enclosure to form one of the packets  152 .  
         [0082]     The shell and slide cigarette pack  150  shown in  FIG. 28  and the individual cigarette packets  152  may also be formed with various shapes and sizes similar to the alternative embodiments of the hinge lid packets. For example, each individual shell and slide packet may include an orthoganal side panel and an opposite non-orthoganol side panel similar to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6  with the non-orthoganal panels abutting one another to form a cigarette pack. Additionally, the vertical corners may be rounded or beveled in the same manner as shown in  FIGS. 19-21  and  FIGS. 25-27 , for example.  
         [0083]     Also, the shell and slide packets  152  specifically shown in  FIGS. 28-30  may have rounded or beveled vertical corners similar to the corners shown in  FIGS. 13-15  and  FIGS. 22-24 .  
         [0084]      FIGS. 33-36  illustrate another hinge lid packet  200  basically comprising a box  202  with a hinge lid  204  that articulates about a hinge line  206  in opening and closing the packet. An inner frame (not shown) is positioned in the container portion of each box, and ten reduced diameter cigarettes are wrapped in foil or other suitable material and placed within the inner frame. The cigarettes are positioned in the packet in two side-to-side rows of five cigarettes each. As is clearly evident from  FIG. 36 , the packet  200  is wrapped with clear wrap material  208  which is sealed at the opposite ends of the packet.  
         [0085]     Two packets  200 ,  204  may be packaged together in front-to-pack abutting relationship, as shown in  FIGS. 37-40 . Each of the packets may be individually wrapped and additional overwrap  210  may then be used to secure the packets together as a single retail unit. In this regard, the outer overwrap  210  may simply surround boxes  202 ,  202 A as shown in  FIG. 40  or both packets  200 ,  200 A, may be totally surrounded with overwrap  212 , as shown in  FIG. 40A .  
         [0086]     One or both packets may be individually wrapped and then the two combined packets may be overwrapped as shown in  FIG. 40A . Alternatively, neither of the two packets need be individually wrapped, and the two unwrapped packets may then be overwrapped with material  212 , as shown in  FIG. 40A .  
         [0087]      FIGS. 41-41  illustrate a pair of packets  200 ,  200 A packaged together in side-to-side abutting relationship. Each of the packets may be individually wrapped and additional overwrap  210  may then be used to secure the packets together as a single retail unit. In this regard, the outer wrap  210  may simply surround both boxes  202 ,  202 A, as shown in  FIG. 44 .  
         [0088]     One or both packets may be individually wrapped and the two combined packets may be totally overwrapped with material  212 , as shown in  FIG. 44A . Alternatively, neither packet need be individually wrapped, and the two unwrapped packets may be overwrapped with material  212 , is shown in  FIG. 44A .  
         [0089]      FIG. 45  is a sectional view of a conventional pack  300  of conventional cigarettes  302  each having a standard 24.8 mm circumference. The collation of cigarettes comprises three rows from front to back with seven cigarettes in the first and third rows and six cigarettes in the second row for an overall total of twenty cigarettes. Pack  300  has a length L and a width W as illustrated.  
         [0090]      FIG. 46  is a sectional view of the cigarette pack illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  comprising twin cigarette packets  12 ,  14  each of which has a generally square cross section.  
         [0091]     As described above, each of the packets  12 ,  14  comprises a box and a hinge lid that articulates about a hinge line in opening and closing the packet. Each packet holds ten reduced diameter cigarettes  302 A having a circumference of about 23.0 mm for a total pack count of 20 cigarettes. The collation of cigarettes  302 A from the left side of each packet to the right side thereof is four rows with three cigarettes in the first and third rows and two cigarettes in the second and fourth rows. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the second and fourth rows may each comprise three cigarettes with two cigarettes in the first and third rows. Even though the overall construction of the pack  10  has additional layers of pack material due to the twin packets  12 ,  14 , the overall length L of the pack and the width W of the pack are the same as the conventional pack shown in  FIG. 45 . While the additional layers of the pack  10  add length, the reduced diameter cigarettes  302 A compensate for that length increase whereby the overall length L of the pack is the same as the conventional pack  300  of 24.8 mm circumference cigarettes  302 . This provides an added benefit with respect to tax stamping of the packs  10 , as explained more fully below and in conjunction with  FIG. 48 .  
         [0092]      FIG. 47  illustrates a pair of packets  12 ,  14  each individually overwrapped with material  15 ′ and then collectively overwrapped with material  15 . Hence, after the pack  10  is initially opened, each of the packets  12 ,  14  remains individually overwrapped with material  15 ′ to preserve freshness of the cigarettes. As explained above, it is also contemplated that only one of the packets be individually overwrapped prior to both packets being wrapped to produce the pack  10 . Under those circumstances, when the outer wrap  15  is removed the unwrapped packet is initially consumed and the individually overwrapped second packet retains freshness until that packet is consumed.  
         [0093]      FIG. 48  illustrates a standard ten pack carton  400  with ten packs  10  within the carton, each pack comprising two packets  12 ,  14 . Carton  400  includes an inner flap  402  and an outer flap  404  both of which are shown in an open position. A tax stamp plate  406  with ten appropriately positioned tax stamps  408  is brought into contact with the packs inside the carton  400 . A stamp is thereby applied to each of the packs  10  within the carton. Since the overall length L and width W of each pack  10  are the same as the length L and width W of a conventional pack  300 , modification of the tax stamping apparatus  406  is not necessary and the same plate  406  utilized to stamp conventional packs  300  in carton  400  is utilized to stamp packs  10  within the carton  400 .  
         [0094]     It should be understood that the above detailed description while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention are given by way of illustration only since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description.