Patent ID: 12201145

5. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following preferred embodiments of the invention are described with respect to the figures.

FIGS.1and2show an embodiment of a smoking articles storage box1. The storage box1of this embodiment comprises an outer container10, a first storage layer element20, arranged within the outer container10at the lowest level, an intermediate layer element40, arranged within the outer container10at a higher level, preferably directly above the first storage layer element20, and a second storage layer element30, arranged within the outer container10at the highest level, preferably directly above the intermediate layer element40. Thus, the storage box1preferably provides at different heights within the storage box1three different levels for storing smoking articles5(seeFIG.6) or accessories.

In another embodiment (not shown) second storage layer element30, can be arranged directly above the first storage layer element40. In such embodiment the intermediate layer element40can be left out or can be arranged at the highest level within the outer container10, preferably directly above the second storage layer element30. In this embodiment the storage box1provides two different levels for storing smoking articles5or accessories.

The outer container10comprises a base portion12and a lid portion14. The lid portion can be a slip lid14or a hinged lid (as shown inFIG.10, where lid portion14ais hinged to base portion12a). The base portion12and the lid portion14preferably have a rectangular cubic shape and are preferably made of a stiff cardboard material. The outer container may have a length of 10-15 cm, a height Hl of 3-6 cm high and a width of 5-8 cm. With such a size the smoking articles storage box1can hold an electronic cigarette together with all accessories and user manuals.

The height Hl of the lid portion14is preferably equal or slightly larger than the height Hb of the base portion12. Thus, the base portion12completely fits into the lid portion14.

FIGS.3and4shows an embodiment of the first storage layer element20in different views. The first storage layer element20comprises a recess or a cavity22for holding an item, preferably a smoking article5or accessory. The first storage layer element20preferably consists of a layer of material that has a curved shape. The layer of material of the first storage layer element20preferably has a thickness of about 0.1 to 3.0 mm, depending on the material used. The first storage layer element20can be made by deep-drawing of a layer of plastic material, could be injection molded or could be 3D-printed. Alternatively, and the first storage layer element20could be made out of a curved paper fiber material (e.g. molded or bent paper material).

The first storage layer element20comprises a first contact edge24at one side and a second contact edge26at the opposite side of the first storage layer element20. These preferably, linearly shaped and horizontally arranged contact edges24,26form support elements for the at least one higher level elements30and40. The contact edges24,26are further located close to or abutting the inner surface of opposing side walls16,17of the base portion12, for preventing an undesired movement of the first storage layer element20. The first storage layer element20preferably has a rectangular footprint as shown inFIG.4Awhich fits into the base portion12. Thus, the inside bottom of the base portion12is not visible to the user.

The first storage layer element20further comprises an upper surface21that has a concave shape. The upper surface21preferably surrounds the recess22and forms a visible surface. The concave shape of the upper surface21on the one hand facilitates removal of the items held by the recess22and on the other hand positions the contact edges24,26as highest level elements of the first storage layer element20. Thus, as shown in the side view ofFIG.4B, the first storage layer element20provides a space25above the concave upper surface21and between the first and second contact edges24,26, as indicated by means of the auxiliary line2between the contact edges24,26. The height Hs of the space25depends upon the curvature of the concave upper surface21and measures about 4-10 mm. Preferably, the height Hs of the space25measures about 30%-50% of the total height Hf of the first storage layer element20. This has the advantage that enough space25is provided for the user to get a grip to the smoking article5or accessory and at the same time torsional stability of the first storage layer element20is achieved as the side thereof have a sufficient height.

The first storage layer element20has a bottom contact surface23in contact with the inner bottom of the base portion12. Hence, first storage layer element20can be removably positioned inside the storage box1. The first storage layer element20may be fixedly attached (by e.g. an adhesive or a mechanical connection element) to the inner bottom of the base portion12such that it cannot be removed from the base portion12. In other embodiments the first storage layer element20is not glued to the base portion12and

FIGS.5A-Dshow an embodiment of the second storage layer element30in different views. The second storage layer element30forms a higher-level element as it is arranged at a higher level than the first storage layer element20within the storage box1. The second storage layer element30preferably comprises a recess32for holding an item, preferably a smoking article5or accessory. Like the first storage layer element20, the second storage layer element30preferably consists of a layer of material that is three-dimensionally shaped. The layer of material of the second storage layer element30preferably has a thickness of about 0.1 to 3.0 mm, depending on the material used. The second storage layer element30can be made by deep-drawing of a layer of plastic material, could be injection molded or could be 3D-printed. Alternatively, the second storage layer element30could be made out of paper fiber material (e.g. molded or bent paper material).

The first storage layer element30comprises a first contact edge34at one side and a second contact edge36at the opposite side of the second storage layer element30. These preferably, linearly shaped and horizontally arranged contact edges34,36support the second storage layer element30. Thereby, the contact edges34,36of the second storage layer element30can directly rest upon the contact edges24,26of the first storage layer element20(not shown) or can rest upon the intermediate layer element40, as in the embodiment ofFIG.1. The contact edges34,36are further located close to or abutting the inner surface of opposing side walls16,17of the base portion12for proving an undesired movement of the second storage layer element30.

The second storage layer element30preferably has a rectangular footprint as shown inFIG.6Awhich fits into the base portion12. Thus, the elements below the second storage layer element30are essentially covered and not visible to the user.

The second storage layer element30further comprises an upper surface31that has a curved or a convex shape. The upper surface31preferably surrounds the recess32and forms a visible surface. The concave shape of the upper surface31on the one hand facilitates removal of the items held by the recess32and on the other hand positions the contact edges34,36as lowest level elements of the second storage layer element30. Thus, as shown in the sectional view ofFIG.1, the second storage layer element30securely rests upon the underlying element40or20by the contact edges34,36.

As shown inFIG.1, the underside of recess32may be arranged at the same level as the contact edges34,36. Thus, the second storage layer element30may additionally rest upon an intermediate layer element40, which preferably has a flat upper surface41(seeFIG.7) at least by the contact edges34,36, but also by an underside37of the recess32. In another embodiment (not shown), the underside of recess32may be arranged at a higher level as the contact edges34,36, such that the second storage layer element30only rests upon the contact edges34,36.

Further, the second storage layer element30further comprises a lower surface33that has a concave shape. The concave shape of the lower surface provides a space35(seeFIG.1) underneath than can be generally used for items located on the first storage layer element20. This has the advantage that a larger space is created in between the first storage layer20and the second storage layer30, which is particularly advantageous in the absence of the intermediate layer40.

The second storage layer element30is removably connected to the outer container10. Thus, the second storage layer element30can be fully removed out of the storage box1for providing access to the elements below the second storage layer element30. For facilitating removing the second storage layer element30it may comprise a grip hole38. The grip hole38is preferably arranged in the bottom wall of the recess32such that is not visible when a smoking article or an accessory is arranged within the recess32. Hence, the grip hole38preferably has minor dimension smaller than the smoking article5(e.g. electronic cigarette5) or the accessory placed in the recess32. Preferably the grip hole has a diameter of about 15 mm, suitable for receiving a finger of a user. The grip hole38can also be dimensioned and located to allow access to underlying gripping tabs46of the intermediate storage layer element40(seeFIG.7).

FIG.6shows an electronic cigarette5as an embodiment of a smoking article5. The electronic cigarette5may be stored by the second storage layer element30. In the embodiment ofFIG.5A-Dthe recess or cavity32is adapted to the outer shape of the smoking article5. Thus, the smoking article5is held with only little play by the second storage layer element30.

FIG.7shows a blank of an intermediate layer element40. The intermediate layer element40can be a further higher-level element and is preferably arranged between the first storage layer element20and the second storage layer element30. However the intermediate layer element40can also be arranged above the second storage layer element30.

The intermediate layer element40has a shape corresponding to the inner shape of the base portion12of the storage box1. Generally this corresponds to a rectangular flat and hollow cube, which provides an openable space inside. Such space can be used to store further flat items, like accessories, user manuals, data carriers, etc. As shown inFIG.7the intermediate layer element40may be formed by folding of a flat cardboard blank along folding lines, shown in dashed lines. The intermediate layer element40comprises a top wall41, side walls45and bottom walls42,43and44. The bottom walls42,43and44of the intermediate layer element40are preferably only folded from the blank but not glued together. Therefore, the intermediate layer element40can be fully opened by the bottom walls42,43and44for providing access to the item inside. The bottom wall48comprises a cutout48and bottom wall43comprises a tab47, which can be inserted into the cutout48for holding the intermediate layer element40together in the folded and closed cubic state.

Preferably, the intermediate layer element40further comprises at least one gripping tab46. In the embodiment ofFIG.7the intermediate layer element40comprises two gripping tabs46. The gripping tabs46are preferably folded to the top such that they protrude from the upper surface of the top wall41and can be grasped by a user.

Preferably, the gripping tabs46are cut out from the top wall41to be arranged below the grip hole38of the second storage layer element30. Thus, the gripping tabs46can protrude through the grip hole38and can be grasped by the user for easily removing both, the intermediate layer element40together with the second storage layer element30resting thereon.

Thus, the smoking articles storage1box provides a good support and protection for the smoking articles and accessories held therein during shipping and further provides a high-quality unboxing experience for the user and an ergonomically optimized and convenient access to the smoking articles and accessories. Further, due to the two or multi-layer design the overall space consumption of the smoking articles storage box1is minimized. Optionally, the intermediate layer element40can be a booklet, such as a user manual. The user manual can be provided with a gripping tab46or a grip hole similar to grip hole38.

FIG.8shows a further embodiment of the smoking articles storage box1having a base portion12, similar to the base portion12of the previous embodiments, and a first storage layer element20. The first storage layer element20is similar to the first storage layer element20of the previous embodiments but comprises two recesses or cavities22for holding smoking articles5or accessories.

FIG.9shows a further embodiment of the smoking articles storage box1having a base portion12, similar to the base portion12of the previous embodiments, and a second storage layer30. The second storage layer element30is similar to the second storage layer element30of the previous embodiments but comprises a recess or cavity32for holding a differently shaped smoking article5.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

1smoking articles storage box5smoking article/electronic cigarette2auxiliary line10outer container12base portion14lid portion16side wall17side wall20first storage layer element21upper surface22recess/cavity23bottom contact surface24first contact edge25space26second contact edge30second storage layer element31upper surface32recess/cavity33lower surface34first contact edge35space36second contact edge37underside of recess38grip hole40intermediate layer element41top wall45side walls42,43,44bottom walls46gripping tabs47tab48cutout