KR20150130279A - Tamper evident container - Google Patents

Abstract

Container 100 for consumer material includes a box 12 for receiving consumer items, a hinged lid 14, and an opening strip. The box 12 includes a front wall surface 16, a rear wall surface 204, a bottom panel 202 and two side walls 18, the hinged lid 14 having a front wall surface 20, A rear wall surface 206, a top wall surface 24, and two side walls 22. The open band (102) is defined between the first and second perforated lines (104, 106) extending in the transverse direction. The lowermost edge of the box front wall surface 16 follows the ground line from the front edge of the box bottom wall panel 202 and the lowermost edge of the box back wall surface 204 follows the ground line from the rear edge of the box bottom wall panel 202. The lowermost edge of the lid rear wall surface 206 follows the ground line from the top edge of the box rear wall surface 204. The first edge of the opening bell 102 follows the first perforation line 104 from the lowermost edge of the lid front wall 20 and the second edge of the opening bell 102 extends from the top edge of the box front wall 16 As shown in FIG.

Description

[0001] TAMPER EVIDENT CONTAINER [0002]

The present invention relates to a container for a consumer material, the container comprising a box, a lid for accommodating the consumer material, and an opening band connecting the lid to the box. The container of the present invention finds particular applications, such as, for example, containers for smoking articles such as cigarettes.

It is known to package consumer goods in hinge lid containers formed from grounded thin layer blanks. For example, elongated smoking articles such as cigarettes and cigars are typically sold as hinged lid packs having a box for receiving smoking articles and a lid connected to the box for a hinge line extending across the rear wall of the container . These packs typically consist of one-piece laminated cardboard blanks. In use, the lid is pivoted relative to the hinge line to open the pack, thus allowing access to the smoking article stored in the box.

Hinged lid containers are commonly used to pack cigarettes and other consumer goods and are usually packaged in an outer wrapper. The outer wrapper includes a tear tape. The opening tape is located around the container below the lower edge of the lid front wall surface so that when the opening tape is removed, the lid is free to rotate about the first hinge line. The opening tape provides tamper evidence in that it can not be resealed once it is removed. Modulation evidence is a desirable feature because it guarantees the original quality of the product to the consumer when it leaves the manufacturer.

WO-2009/040379-A1 discloses a pack for smoking articles, which comprises a removable portion for connecting the lid portion to the container portion. However, in order to provide such a pack, in WO-2009/040379-A1, a blank grounded "side by side " . As a result of the method of "side by side" grounding taught in WO-2009/040379-A1, the blanks described in that document result in a pack with sidewalls formed solely of a single panel, The structural integrity is reduced and an asymmetrical pack is produced as compared to a conventional hinge lid container comprising two side walls formed of two side walls.

On the other hand, a standard high-speed machine for the production of hinge-lid containers, for example as is available from Germany Focke GmbH or Italy GD Spa, is designed such that the lid panels and box front wall surfaces of the containers are placed on opposite ends of the thin- , Where it is difficult to implement tamper-evident elements on the machine's superimposed panels or the front wall surface without extensive reconstruction.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a container for consumer goods that does not suffer from the drawbacks associated with the container disclosed in WO-2009/040379-A1 and maintains the modulation evidence that ensures that the container has not been previously opened .

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a container for a consumer material, the container comprising a box for receiving a consumer item, a hinged lid, and an opening strip. The box includes a front wall surface, a rear wall surface, a bottom panel, and two side walls, the hinge lid including a front wall surface, a rear wall surface, a top wall surface, and two side walls. The lowermost edge of the box front wall surface follows a ground line from the front edge of the box bottom panel and the lowermost edge of the box rear wall surface follows a ground line from the rear edge of the box bottom panel. The lowermost edge of the lid rear wall surface follows the ground line from the top edge of the box rear wall surface. The first edge of the open band follows a first perforation line from the lowermost edge of the lid front wall surface and the second edge of the open band follows the second perforation line from the top edge of the box front wall surface.

Figure 1 shows a conventional hinge lid container;
Figure 2 shows a hinge lid container according to the first aspect of the present invention;
Figure 3 shows an exemplary blank for forming the container of Figure 2;
Figure 4 shows an alternative blank for forming the container of Figure 2;
Figure 5 shows a hinge lid container according to the second aspect of the present invention;
Figure 6 shows an exemplary blank for forming the container of Figure 5;

     The terms "front", "rear", "top", "bottom", "face", "left", "right" and other terms used to describe the relative positions of components of a container according to the present invention Quot; refers to a container in an upright position with an opening through which the consumer material is removed at the top end and the hinge is at the rear of the container.

     The term "longitudinal direction " refers to the direction from the bottom to the top or vice versa. The term "transverse direction" refers to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

     The term "panel " refers to a portion of a container formed from a single continuous portion of the material forming the laminate blank. The term "wall" more generally refers to the side of the assembled container, e.g., the "front wall surface" defines the front side of the container. The wall may be formed from a single panel, or the wall may be formed from two or more overlapping or overlapping panels.

     The container according to the invention advantageously comprises a front wall surface and a rear wall surface along the ground lines from the lowermost panel. In other words, the blank used to form the container according to the present invention is grounded in the "top to bottom" direction. As such, the container according to the present invention facilitates increasing the structural integrity by forming the side walls using a plurality of overlapping panels.

     A container according to the present invention includes a first opening defined between a first and a second perforated line extending in a transverse direction, wherein a first edge of the opening strip extends from a lowermost edge of the front wall of the lid The second edge of the open band follows the second perforation line from the top edge of the box front wall surface. In order to open the container for the first time, the consumer breaks the first and second perforated lines to remove the open-band. When opening the container having the opening band connecting the front wall surface of the lid and the front wall surface of the box, the consumer can be sure that the contents of the container have not been tampered with.

     The first and second perforations are preferably substantially parallel and define a substantially linear open band. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that other shapes will fall within the scope of the present invention. For example, the first and second perforations may define wave shapes such as sinusoidal waves, sawtooth waves, or triangular waves. Alternatively, the opening bands may extend across the front wall surface in the angular direction, wherein the beginning of the opening bands and the end portions of the opening bands are offset in the longitudinal direction on the front wall surface of the container .

     The container may further include a lid side panel along a ground line from the first side of the lid front wall surface and a box side panel along a ground line from the first side of the box front wall surface. Wherein a bottom edge of the lid side panel is in contact with an uppermost edge of the box side panel and a portion of the lid side panel is continuous with the box side panel to define a brittle fixture to define a border between the lid side panel and the box side panel .

     In addition to maintaining the shape of the lid by maintaining the contact between the lid side panel and the box side panel, the brittle fixture also provides the consumer with a further indication that the container has not been previously opened. Particularly, the consumer can observe that the brittle fixing portion breaks when the container is first opened. In addition, the brittle fixture advantageously stabilizes the relationship between the panels of the container during manufacture, thereby preventing or reducing the likelihood of machine jam and thus the machine downtime.

     The brittle fixture may be formed during manufacture of the blank used to form the container. For example, cuts may be formed through a single side panel to form the lowermost edge of the lid side panel and the top edge of the box side panel. A cut-away portion is formed so that the cut-out portion does not extend completely across the single side panel, resulting in a brittle fixture connecting the lid side panel and the box side panel.

     Preferably, the container includes a lid side panel along a ground line from the left and right sides of the lid front wall surface, and a box side panel along a ground line from the left and right sides of the box front wall surface, It connects each pair of lid side panels and box side panels.

     In such embodiments, which include at least one lid side panel and at least one box side panel, the distal portion of the open band is preferably formed from an incision from at least one of the lid side panel and the box side panel have. In this case, the distal end portion of the opening band protrudes from the side face of the box, and is more easily caught by the consumer, thereby providing a portion where the opening of the opening band can be started when the container is first opened.

     In any of the foregoing embodiments, each of the perforations may comprise ruled lines, cuts extending through the panel, or a combination thereof. The term "ruled line " is used herein to mean a cut extending along a portion of the material from which the container is formed, but not extending through the entire thickness of the material. The cutout extending through the panel extends along a portion of the panel and through the entire thickness of the panel.

     Each perforated line preferably includes a series of ruled lines, a series of cuts extending through the panel, or all of a series of ruled lines and a series of cuts. For example, the perforations may include perforated lines formed from a plurality of cutouts spaced proximate through the panel.

     In any of the foregoing embodiments, the rear edge of the lid top wall may follow a ground line from the top edge of the lid rear wall surface, said container being along a ground line from the front edge of the lid top wall surface, And an under panel attached to the inner surface of the lid front wall surface.

     Alternatively, the front edge of the lid top wall may follow a line of ground from the top edge of the lid front wall surface, said container extending along the ground line from the top edge of the lid rear wall surface and on the inner surface of the lid top wall And an attached under panel.

     In both embodiments including an under panel, the under panel increases the structural integrity of the lid and helps prevent deformation of the lid when the lid is repeatedly opened and sealed by the consumer. An embodiment in which the under panel is along the lid rear wall surface can not see the edge defined by the free edge of the lid top wall, that is, the edge of the blank rather than the edge of the blank when viewing the container from the front, Lt; / RTI >

     In any of the foregoing embodiments, each lid side wall is preferably formed from two overlapping lid side panels, one of the lid side panels following a ground line from the lid front wall surface, The other of the lid side panels follows a ground line from the lid rear wall surface. In addition, each box side wall is preferably formed from two overlapping box side panels, one of the box side panels following a ground line from the box front wall surface, Along the ground line from the box rear wall. Advantageously increasing the structural integrity of the container by forming respective side walls from two overlapping lid side panels and two overlapping box side panels.

     In those embodiments in which each sidewall is formed from two overlapping lid side panels and two overlapping box side panels, preferably each of the outer lid side panel and the adjacent outer box side panel includes an incision have. The cuts cooperate to form a perforation so that the bordering edges of each inner lid side panel and the inner box side panel are not at least partially covered. Through this perforation, it is possible to observe the bordering edges of each inner lid side panel and the inner box side panel. The bordering edges of the inner lid side panel and the inner box side panel may be connected by a brittle fixing portion as described above. In these embodiments, the perforations formed through the outer lid side panel and the outer box side panel allow the consumer to observe the brittle fixture to determine whether the container has been pre-opened. Alternatively, the inner lid side panel and the inner box side panel may be connected by a perforated line.

     Preferably, all of the outer lid side panels and all of the outer box side panels comprise incisions that cooperate to form perforations on each side of the container, wherein each of the inner lid side panels and the inner box Border edges of the side panels are not at least partially covered. In this case, the bordering edges of the inner lid side panel and the inner box side panel on both sides of the container are connected by a brittle fixture or perforated line.

     According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a container for a consumer material, the container comprising a box and a hinged lid for receiving the consumer material. The box includes a front wall surface, a rear wall surface, a bottom wall surface, and two side walls, the hinge lid including a front wall surface, a rear wall surface, a top wall surface, and two side walls. Each lid sidewall being formed from two overlapping lid side panels, one of the lid side panels following a ground line from the lid front wall surface, the other one of the lid side panels extending from the lid rear wall surface . Each box sidewall being formed from two overlapping box side panels, one of the box side panels following a ground line from the box front wall surface, and the other one of the box side panels . The outer lid side panel and adjacent outer box side panels each include an incision which cooperates to form a perforation so that the bordering edges of each inner lid side panel and the inner box side panel are at least partially covered . Thus, through these perforations, it is possible to observe the bending edges of each inner lid side panel and the inner box side panel.

     Preferably, the bordering edges of the inner lid side panel and the inner box side panel that can be observed through the perforations are connected by a brittle fixture or perforated line. In those embodiments that include a brittle fixture, the brittle fixture is integrally formed with the respective inner lid side panel and the inner box side panel. In other words, a part of the inner lid side panel is continuous with the inner box side panel, and the continuous part forms the brittle fixing part.

     Advantageously, said perforation allows a consumer to observe whether said brittle anchor or said perforation line has been broken, thus providing an indication to the consumer whether the container has been opened in advance.

     The brittle fixture may be formed during manufacture of the blank used to form the container. For example, a substantially lateral cut through the single side panel may be formed to form the lowermost edge of the lid side panel and the uppermost edge of the box side panel. A cutout is formed such that the cutout does not extend completely across the single side panel, creating a fragile portion connecting the lid side panel and the box side panel.

     The perforations may include ruled lines, cuts extending through the panel, or a combination thereof. The term "ruled line " is used herein to mean a cut extending along a portion of the material from which the container is formed, but not extending through the entire thickness of the material. The cutout extending through the panel extends along a portion of the panel and through the entire thickness of the panel.

     The perforated line preferably includes a series of ruled lines, a series of cuts extending through the panel, or a series of ruled lines and cuts. For example, the perforations may include perforated lines formed from a plurality of cutouts spaced proximate through the panel.

     Preferably, all of the outer lid side panels and all of the outer box side panels cooperate to form a perforation on both sides of the container, and the borders of each inner lid side panel and the inner box side panel Can be observed through each perforation. In these embodiments, the brittle fixing or tear line preferably connects each pair of inner lid side panels and inner box side panels.

     In any of the embodiments according to the second aspect of the present invention, the container may further comprise at least one vulnerable element connecting the lowermost edge of the lid front wall surface to the uppermost edge of the box front wall surface .

     In some embodiments, the at least one vulnerable element includes first and second perforated lines spaced apart in the transverse direction so that an open band is defined between the first and second perforated lines. The first edge of the opening band is connected to the uppermost edge of the box front wall surface along the first perforation line and the second edge of the opening band is connected to the lowermost edge of the front wall face of the lid along the second perforation line have. Therefore, in order to open the container for the first time, the consumer breaks the first and second perforation lines and removes the opening band. Therefore, when opening the container with the opening band connecting the lid front wall surface and the box front wall surface, the consumer can be sure that the contents of the container have not been tampered with.

     The first and second perforations are preferably substantially parallel to define a substantially linear open band. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that other shapes are within the scope of the present invention. For example, the first and second perforations may define wave shapes such as sinusoidal waves, sawtooth waves, or triangular waves.

     The distal end portion of the open band is preferably formed as an incision from at least one of the lid and the outer panels of the box. In this case, the distal end portion of the opening band protrudes from the side surface of the box, and provides a portion where the container can be easily grasped by the consumer when the container is first opened and the removal of the opening band can be started.

     Alternatively, the vulnerable element may comprise a single perforation line. In these alternative embodiments, the lowermost edge of the lid front wall surface is connected to the uppermost edge of the box front wall surface along the single perforation line. In addition to the advantages described above with respect to the opening bands, the embodiments in which the fragile element includes a single perforation also have the advantage that the consumer does not need to process the opening bands when the container is first opened.

     In such embodiments, the single perforations extend between the inner lid on at least one side of the container and the box side panels such that the lowermost edge of the inner lid side panel extends along the single perforation line to the inner box side panel To be connected to the uppermost edge. Preferably, the single perforations extend between the inner lid on both sides of the container and the box side panels such that the lowermost edge of the inner lid side panel on each side of the container extends along the single perforation line to the uppermost Lt; / RTI >

     When the perforations extend between the lid and the box side panels, the consumer further secures the lid in the closed position before opening the lid for the first time. The extended perforations also provide evidence of tampering when viewed through the perforations on the side of the container, and thus, when only the side of the container is visible, for example when multiple containers are packed together in an anteroposterior arrangement, The modulation can be confirmed.

     In any of the foregoing embodiments wherein the vulnerable element comprises a single perforation, the container preferably further comprises a cutout on the box front wall surface, the lid front wall surface or the box front wall surface and the lid front wall surface , The cutout extending from a single perforation line to provide an opening in the box front wall surface, the lid front wall surface, or the box front wall surface and all of the lid front wall surface. This opening allows the consumer to insert a nail or fingertip into the opening and below the portion of the lid front wall adjacent the opening to facilitate the initial opening of the container. Accordingly, the user can more easily catch the front wall surface of the lid, pull the lid upward, break the single perforation line, and open the container.

     Alternatively, or in addition, the aforementioned incision may form a so-called "front under " flap when it hangs on the lower edge of the lid front wall surface and is grounded inside the lid. The front under flap also cooperates with each containment flap on the inner frame, in the presence of the inner frame, so that when the container is sealed after the first opening, the front under flap The front under flap and the retention flap on the inner frame may further generate a clicking sound to provide the consumer with an audible indication of the container seal.

     In any of the foregoing embodiments, the vulnerable element may comprise ruled lines, cuts extending through the panel, or a combination thereof. The term "ruled line " is used herein to mean a cut extending along a portion of the material from which the container is formed, but not extending through the entire thickness of the material. The cutout extending through the panel extends along a portion of the panel and through the entire thickness of the panel.

     Each vulnerable element preferably comprises a series of ruled lines, a series of cuts extending through the panel, or a series of ruled lines and a series of cuts. For example, the perforations may include perforated lines formed from a plurality of cutouts spaced proximate through the panel.

     In any of the embodiments according to the second aspect of the present invention, the rear edge of the lid top wall may follow the ground line from the top edge of the back wall of the lid, and the container may extend from the front edge of the lid top wall And an under panel attached to an inner surface of the lid front wall surface along a ground line of the lid.

     Alternatively, the front edge of the lid top wall may follow the ground line from the top edge of the lid front wall surface, and the container may be attached to the inner surface of the lid top wall, along the ground line from the top edge of the lid rear wall surface And an underside panel.

     In all of the embodiments including an under panel, the under panel increases the structural integrity of the lid and helps prevent lid deformation when the lid is repeatedly opened and sealed by the consumer. An embodiment in which the under panel is along the lid rear wall surface can not see the free edge of the lid top wall (i.e., the edge defined by the edge of the blank rather than the ground of the blank) when viewing the container from the front, Lt; / RTI >

     A container formed by the present invention according to any one of the above aspects is preferably formed from a single thin layer blank to simplify the manufacture and assembly of the container. Additional elements such as an inner liner or an inner frame may be included in the container. In some embodiments, these additional elements may be formed from the same blank used to form the container. Alternatively, these additional elements may be separately formed during assembly and integrated into the container.

     The container according to any of the aspects of the present invention described above may be filled with a plurality of smoking articles such as a filter cigarette. However, the container according to the present invention may be used with various consumer goods other than smoking articles.

Each container is preferably a rectangular parallelepiped including two wide walls spaced by two narrow walls. The two broad walls are generally the front wall and rear wall, and the two narrow walls are generally sidewalls.

The container may be formed of any suitable material, including, but not limited to, a cardboard, a paperboard, a plastic, a metal, or a combination thereof. Preferably, each container is formed of a single ground laminate cardboard blank, as described above, wherein the cardboard preferably has a basis weight of from about 100 gsm to about 350 gsm.

In some embodiments, each assembled and filled container is packaged in an outer wrapper. Preferably, the outer wrapper is a transparent polymer film of, for example, high density or low density polyethylene, polypropylene, oriented polypropylene, polyvinylidene chloride, cellulose film, or a combination thereof, . The outer wrapper may include a tear tape. In addition, image, consumer information, or other data may be printed on the outer wrapper. Advantageously, the wrapper follows an outline of a recess formed at least partially at the first end of the container.

As described above, the container according to any aspect of the present invention may have the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, and may include right-angled longitudinal edges and right-angled lateral edges. Alternatively, the container may include one or more round longitudinal edges, round transverse edges, bevelled longitudinal edges, or slanted transverse edges, or combinations thereof. For example, the container may include, without limitation:

One or two rounded or beveled edges on said front wall surface and / or one or two longitudinally rounded or bevelled edges on said back wall surface.

One or two transverse rounded or beveled edges on the front wall surface and / or one or two transversely rounded or beveled edges on the back wall surface.

One longitudinally rounded edge and one longitudinally sloping edge on said front wall surface and / or one transverse rounded edge and one transversely sloping edge on said rear wall surface.

One or two transverse rounded or inclined edges on the front wall surface and one or two longitudinally rounded or inclined edges on the front wall surface.

Two longitudinally rounded or inclined edges on the first sidewall or two transversely rounded or inclined edges on the second sidewall.

If the container comprises more than one tapered edge, preferably the tapered edge has a width between about 1 mm and about 10 mm, preferably between about 2 mm and about 6 mm. Alternatively, the container may comprise a double bevel formed by three parallel dashed lines or ruled lines spaced so that two distinct bevels are formed on the edge of the container.

As described above, the container according to any aspect of the present invention can find a specific application as a pack for a three-dimensional smoking article, for example, a cigarette, a cigar or a cigarillo. It will be appreciated that the container according to the present invention may be designed for a normal size, a king size, a super king size, a slim or a super slim cigarette in a different number by appropriately selecting the dimensions thereof. Alternatively, other consumer goods may be housed within the package and container.

By properly selecting the dimensions of the containers according to the invention, the total number of different smoking articles, or arrangements, may be designed to hold other smoking articles. For example, the containers according to the present invention may be designed to store a total of between 5 and 30 smoking articles, by appropriately selecting their dimensions.

The smoking articles may be arranged in different collation depending on the total number of smoking articles. For example, the smoking articles may be arranged in a single row of five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten. Alternatively, the smoking articles may be arranged in two or more rows. The two or more rows may contain the same number of smoking articles. For example, the smoking article may comprise two rows of five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten; Three rows by five or seven; Four, five, or six rows. Alternatively, the two or more rows may comprise at least two rows containing different numbers of smoking articles. For example, the smoking articles may be five in a row and six in a row (5-6); 6 in a row and 7 in a row (6-7); 7 in a row and 8 in a row (7-8); Five in the middle row and six in the two outer rows (6-5-6); Five in the middle row and seven in the two outer rows (7-5-7); Six in the middle row and five in the two outer rows (5-6-5); Six in the middle row and seven in the two outer rows (7-6-7); Seven in the middle row and six in the two outer rows (6-7-6); 9 in the middle row and 8 (8-9-8) in the two outer rows; Or six in the middle row, five in one outer row, and seven (5-6-7) in one outer row.

The containers according to the invention may also store smoking articles of the same type or brand, or different types or brands. In addition, it is also possible to include all of the smoking articles with filterless smoking articles and various filter tips, as well as different lengths (e.g. between about 40 mm and about 180 mm), diameters (for example about 4 mm And about 9 mm) of smoking articles may also be included. In particular, the container may comprise smoking articles having a filter with a groove. In addition, the smoking articles may differ in taste intensity, inhalation resistance and total particulate matter delivery. Preferably, the dimensions of the container are adjusted according to the length of the smoking article and the combination of the smoking articles. Typically, the outer dimensions of the container are as large as about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm greater than the dimensions of the packages or packages of smoking articles contained within the container.

Preferably, the container according to the present invention has a height of between about 40 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably between about 50 mm and about 125 mm, wherein the height is the height of the front edge of the front wall or the top edges of the rear wall And the lowermost edges.

Preferably, the container according to the present invention has a width between about 12 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably between about 40 mm and about 125 mm, wherein the width is measured from one side wall of the container to the other side wall.

Preferably, the containers according to the present invention have a depth between about 6 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably between about 12 mm and about 25 mm, wherein the depth is measured from the front wall surface to the rear wall surface of the container.

Preferably, the ratio of the height of the container to the depth of the container is about 0.3 to 1 and about 10 to 1, more preferably about 2 to 1 and about 8 to 1, and most preferably about 3 to 1 And between 5 and 1.

Preferably, the ratio of the width of the vessel to the depth of the vessel is between about 0.3 and 1 and about 10 to 1, more preferably between about 2 and 1 and about 8 to 1, and most preferably between about 2 and 1 And between 3 and 1.

When the container accommodates smoking articles, the container may be provided with compartments (e.g. for waste such as ashes or butts) or other consumer goods such as matches, lighters, fire extinguishing means, breath-fresheners, As shown in FIG. The other consumable material may be attached to the outside of the container, may be contained in a separate compartment of the container together with the package of the smoking articles, or may be a combination thereof.

On the outer surfaces of the containers according to the invention, the manufacturer or brand logo, trademark, slogan and other consumer information and indicia may be printed, embossed, engraved or otherwise decorated.

     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described in more detail by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG.

Figure 1 shows a conventional hinge lid container 10 including a box 12 and a hinged lid 14 along the rear wall of the box 12 along the hinge line. The box portion includes a box front wall surface 16, two box side walls 18, a box rear wall surface, and a bottom panel. The front wall surface 16 and the rear wall surface of the box 12 follow the bottom panel along the ground lines.

The lid 14 includes a lid front wall 20, two lid side walls 22, a lid rear wall, and a top wall 24. The bottom edge of the lid front wall 20 abuts the top edge of the box front wall surface 16 and the bottom edge of the lid side wall 22 abuts the top edge of the box side wall 18. [ The bordering edges define a border line 26 between the lid 14 and the box 12. The border line is not sealed, and the lid 14 is connected to the box 12 only by the hinge line. Thus, it is necessary to provide an outer wrapper on the outside of the container to allow the consumer to be certain that the container has not been previously opened.

Figure 2 shows a hinge lid box 100 according to the first aspect of the present invention. Like reference numerals have been used to designate portions common to the hinge lid container 10 shown in Fig.

The hinge lid box 100 shown in Figure 2 includes an open band 102 that connects the front wall face 20 of the lid 14 to the front wall face 16 of the box 12. The lid front wall 20, the opening band 102 and the box front wall surface 16 are integrally formed so that the first perforation line 104 is located at the lowermost edge of the lid front wall surface 20 and the uppermost edge of the open- And the second perforations 106 define the top edge of the box front wall surface 16 and the bottom edge of the open band 102. [ Suitable means for forming the perforations 104, 106 include, for example, ruled lines and perforations, or a combination of ruled lines and perforations.

The distal portion 108 of the opening band 102 is formed as an incision from one of the box side walls 18 so that the distal portion 108 protrudes from the side of the container 100 to allow the consumer to open the opening band 102 It facilitates catching.

The brittle fixture 110 is formed on each side of the container 100 and each brittle fixture 110 provides a breakable connection between the lid side wall 22 and the adjacent box side wall 18 do. Each brittle fixture 110 is integrally formed with respective lid and box sidewalls 22,18 and provides a further indication to the consumer that the container 100 is not pre-opened. In addition, the brittle fixture 110 helps maintain alignment between the lid and box sidewalls 22,18 during container manufacturing, particularly in high-speed packaging machines, before the container is opened. When the container 100 is opened for the first time, the brittle fixing portion 110 is broken and the lid and the box side walls 22 and 18 are separated from each other.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary single thin layer blank 200 for forming the container 100 shown in FIG. The broken line indicates the ground line, and the solid line indicates the cut portion. The dashed lines indicate the perforated lines 104 and 106 used to form the open band 102. Fig.

The blank 200 includes a lowermost panel 202 that forms the lowermost wall surface of the container 100. The box front wall surface 16 and the box rear wall surface 204 are grounded about the lowermost panel 202.

The side walls 18 of the box are formed by two outer box side panels 218 along the box front wall surface 16 and two inner box side panels 219 along the box back wall surface 204. Each outer box side panel 218 overlaps with each inner box side panel 219 and is attached to each inner box side panel when the blank 200 is grounded to form the container 100.

Likewise, the lid side walls 22 are formed by two outer lid side panels 222 along the lid front wall surface 20 and two inner side panels 223 along the lid rear wall surface 206. Each outer lid side panel 222 overlaps a respective inner lid side panel 223 and is attached to each inner lid side panel when the blank 200 is grounded to form the container 100.

The ruled line defines a hinge line 208 between the lid rear wall surface 206 and the box rear wall surface 204. The under panel 210 follows the front edge of the lid top wall 24 and is attached to the inner surface of the lid front wall 20 as the blank 200 is grounded to form the container 100.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative single thin layer blank 300 for forming the container 100 shown in FIG. The blank 300 shown in FIG. 4 is identical to the blank 200 shown in FIG. 3, except for the location of the under panel and lid top wall 24. Instead of an under panel along the lid top wall 24, the alternative blank 300 includes an under panel 310 along the lid back wall surface 206. In this case, the lid top wall 24 depends on the ground line from the lid front wall 20. When the blank 300 is grounded to form the container 100, the under panel 310 is attached to the inner surface of the lid top panel 24.

Figure 5 shows a hinge lid box 700 according to the second aspect of the present invention. Like reference numerals have been used to designate portions common to the hinge lid container 10 shown in Fig.

The hinge lid box 700 includes a perforated line 702 that connects the lowermost edge of the lid front wall surface 20 to the uppermost edge of the box front wall surface 16. The cutout portion of the box front wall surface 16 extends from the perforated line 702 to provide a perforation 704 in the box front wall surface 16. The perforations 704 allow the consumer to insert the fingertips beneath the lowermost edge of the lid front wall surface 20 when the hinged lid box 700 is first unfolded so that the consumer can open the lid 14 and open the perforated line 702, To assist in breaking.

Each box side wall 18 includes an inner box side panel and an outer box side panel. Likewise, each lid side wall 22 includes an inner lid side panel and an outer lid side panel. Cutting portion 706 separates each outer lid side panel from each of the outer box side panels and a perforated line 708 is provided between each inner lid side panel and each inner box side panel. In order to allow the consumer to see the perforations 708, the cuts of each outer lid side panel define a perforation 710 in which the perforated line 708 can be observed in cooperation with the cutout of the respective outer box side panel .

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary single thin-sheet blank 800 for forming the container 700 shown in FIG. The broken line represents the ground line, and the solid line represents the cut portion. The dotted lines indicate the perforated lines 702 and 708.

The blank 800 includes a bottom panel 802 that forms the lowermost wall of the container 700. The box front wall surface 16 and the box rear wall surface 804 are grounded about the lowermost panel 802.

The side walls 18 of the box are formed by two outer box side panels 818 along the box front wall surface 16 and two inner box side panels 819 along the box back wall surface 804. Each outer box side panel 818 overlaps a respective inner box side panel 819 and is attached to the respective inner box side panel when the blank 800 is grounded to form the container 700.

The side walls 22 of the lid are formed of two inner lid panels 823 along the lid front wall surface 20 and two inner lid panels 823 along the lid rear wall surface 806. [ Each outer lid side panel 822 overlaps a respective inner lid side panel 823 and is attached to each inner lid side panel when the blank 800 is grounded to form the container 700.

Perforation line 708 connects each inner lid side panel 823 to a respective inner box side panel 819. The cuts of each pair of outer lid and box side panels 822, 818 cooperate to form perforations 710.

The ruled line defines a hinge line 808 between the lid rear wall surface 806 and the box rear wall surface 804. The under panel 810 follows the front edge of the lid top wall 24 and is attached to the inner surface of the lid front wall surface 20 when the blank 800 is grounded to form the container 700. Alternatively, the under panel may follow the top edge of the lid back wall surface 806, as described above with respect to FIG.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the side wall apertures 710 can be used in combination with an alternative hinge lid box design. For example, sidewall drilling may be performed in a conventional hinge lid box (i.e., where the lowermost edge of the lid front wall surface is not connected to the uppermost edge of the box front wall surface) or with the opening bands It can also be used in a hinged lid box. In both cases, the side wall perforations may allow a consumer to observe one or more perforations or a weak fixation point extending between the inner lid and the box side panels.

10,700: container
12: Box
14: Lid
16: Wall
18: side wall
20: Front wall
22: side wall
24: Top wall
26:
100: Hinged lid box
102: Opening band
104, 106:
108:
110: brittle fixing portion
200, 300, 800: Blank
202,802: bottom panel
204, 804: box rear wall surface
206,806: Lid rear wall
208,808: Hinge line
210, 310, and 810:
218, 219, 818, 819:
222: Lid side panel
223: Inner side panel
700: Hinged lid box
702,708:
704,710: Perforation
706:
822: outer lid side panel
823: Inner lid panel
804: box rear wall

Claims (11)

A container for a consumer material,
A box containing the consumer material and including a front wall, a rear wall, a bottom panel, and two side walls;
A hinged lid including a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall and two side walls;
And an open band defined between the first and second perforated lines extending in the transverse direction;
Wherein the lowermost edge of the box front wall surface follows a ground line from the front edge of the box bottom panel and the lowermost edge of the box rear wall surface follows a ground line from the rear edge of the box bottom panel;
Wherein the lowermost edge of the lid rear wall surface follows a ground line from an uppermost edge of the box rear wall surface; And
Wherein a first edge of the open band follows a first perforation line from a lowermost edge of the lid front wall surface and a second edge of the open band extends along a second perforation line from a top edge of the box front wall surface, . The lid of claim 1, further comprising a lid side panel along a ground line from a first side of the lid front wall surface and a box side panel along a ground line from a first side of the box front wall surface, Wherein a bottom edge of the lid is in contact with an uppermost edge of the box side panel and a portion of the lid side panel is continuous with the box side panel to define a brittle fixture to maintain the borders between the lid side panel and the box side panel. Container. The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein a distal end portion of the opening band is formed from a cutout portion from at least one of the lid side panel and the box side panel so that a distal end portion of the opening band protrudes from a side surface of the box Vessel. The container for consumer goods according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fragile element comprises at least one of a ruled line or a cut extending through the panel. The container for consumer goods according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the container is formed from a single thin layer blank. 6. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the container further comprises an inner frame. 7. The container for consumer goods according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the container is filled with a plurality of smoking articles. 8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each lid side wall is formed from two overlapping lid side panels, one of the lid side panels follows a ground line from the lid front wall surface, The other of the lid side panels following a ground line from the lid rear wall surface, wherein each box side wall is formed from two overlapping box side panels, one of the box side panels And the other one of the box side panels follows a ground line from the box rear wall surface. 9. The method of claim 8 wherein each of the outer lid side panel and the adjacent outer box side panel includes a cutout that cooperates to form a perforation, Wherein the edges are not at least partially covered. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the left and right outer lid side panels and the left and right outer box side panels cooperate to form a perforation on each side of the container, Wherein the edges of the borders comprise incisions that are not at least partially covered. 11. A method as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, wherein at least one inner lid side panel is connected to the respective inner box side panels by brittle securing or perforations, Containers for consumer goods, visible through perforations.

Images