Patent ID: 7124883

Claim:
A package for cigarettes comprising a container having an internal space for containing the cigarettes, the container comprising: a container body comprising a first side body panel, a second side body panel opposite the first side body panel and a separation member disposed between the first and the second side body panels for dividing the internal space of the container body into first and second compartments, the first compartment having a first opening defined by a first edge of the container body, the second compartment having a second opening defined by a second edge of the container body; a plurality of cigarettes in the first and second compartments; first and second sealing layers removably affixed to the first and second edges of the container body for sealing the cigarettes in the first and second compartments, wherein the internal space of the container is at a pressure less than atmospheric; and a first lid hingedly attached to the first side body panel and a second lid hingedly attached to the second side body panel such that the first and second lids are attached to the container at substantially diametrically opposed attachment points, and wherein the first and second lids cover the first and second openings of the first and second compartments.