Rigid Hinged-Lid Package for Tobacco Articles

Abstract

A rigid package ( 1 ) for tobacco articles, having at least one container ( 2 ), which is cup-shaped, is parallelepiped-shaped, and has a rear wall ( 6 ), a front wall ( 7 ), two lateral walls ( 8 ), a bottom wall ( 9 ), and an open top end ( 3 ); and a lid ( 4 ), which is cup-shaped, is hinged to the container ( 2 ) along a hinge ( 5 ) on the rear wall ( 6 ) of the container ( 2 ) to rotate between an open position and a closed position respectively opening and closing the open top end ( 3 ), and has a rear wall ( 10 ), a front wall ( 11 ), two lateral walls ( 12 ), and a top wall ( 13 ); when the lid ( 4 ) is in the closed position, the front wall ( 11 ) of the lid ( 4 ) is positioned over the front wall ( 7 ) of the container ( 2 ) to almost completely cover the front wall ( 7 ) of the container ( 2 ), and the lateral walls ( 12 ) of the lid ( 4 ) are positioned over the lateral walls ( 8 ) of the container ( 2 ) to partly cover the lateral walls ( 8 ) of the container ( 2 ).

1 . A rigid package for tobacco articles, comprising:
 at least one container ( 2 ), which is cup-shaped to house a group of tobacco articles, is parallelepiped-shaped, and comprises a rear wall ( 6 ), a front wall ( 7 ), two lateral walls ( 8 ), a bottom wall ( 9 ), and an open top end ( 3 ); and   a lid ( 4 ), which is cup-shaped, is hinged to the container ( 2 ) along a hinge ( 5 ) on the rear wall ( 6 ) of the container ( 2 ) to rotate between an open position and a closed position respectively opening and closing the open top end ( 3 ), and comprises a rear wall ( 10 ), a front wall ( 11 ), two lateral walls ( 12 ), and a top wall ( 13 );   wherein when the lid ( 4 ) is in the closed position, the front wall ( 11 ) of the lid ( 4 ) is positioned over the front wall ( 7 ) of the container ( 2 ) to completely or almost completely cover the front wall ( 7 ) of the container ( 2 ), and the lateral walls ( 12 ) of the lid ( 4 ) are positioned over the lateral walls ( 8 ) of the container ( 2 ) to partly cover the lateral walls ( 8 ) of the container ( 2 );   and wherein the lid ( 4 ) has no bottom wall, so that, when the lid ( 4 ) is in the closed position, the bottom wall ( 9 ) of the container ( 2 ) is completely exposed;   the package ( 1 ) being characterized in that the front wall ( 11 ) of the lid ( 4 ) is defined by a first panel ( 11 ′) and a second panel ( 11 ″), which are superimposed, are joined to each other, and respectively define an outer surface and an inner surface of the front wall ( 11 ) of the lid ( 4 ).   
   
   
       2 . A package as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein, when the lid ( 4 ) is in the closed position, the front wall ( 11 ) of the lid ( 4 ) is positioned over the front wall ( 7 ) of the container ( 2 ) to completely cover the front wall ( 7 ) of the container ( 2 ). 
   
   
       3 . A package as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein, when the lid ( 4 ) is in the closed position, the front wall ( 11 ) of the lid ( 4 ) is positioned over the front wall ( 7 ) of the container ( 2 ) to almost completely cover the front wall ( 7 ) of the container ( 2 ). 
   
   
       4 . A package as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first panel ( 11 ′) and the second panel ( 11 ″) of the front wall ( 11 ) of the lid ( 4 ) are glued to each other. 
   
   
       5 . A package as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each lateral wall ( 12 ) of the lid ( 4 ) is defined by two tabs ( 12 ′,  12 ″), which are superimposed, are glued to each other, are substantially the same size, and respectively define an outer surface and an inner surface of the lateral wall ( 12 ) of the lid ( 4 ). 
   
   
       6 . A package as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the lateral walls ( 12 ) of the lid ( 4 ) are shorter than the front wall ( 11 ) of the lid ( 4 ), so as to leave a bottom portion of the front wall ( 11 ) of the lid ( 4 ) laterally free. 
   
   
       7 . A package as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the container ( 2 ) has four longitudinal edges ( 14 ) defined between the lateral walls ( 8 ) and the front wall ( 7 ) and rear wall ( 6 ); and four transverse edges ( 15 ) defined between the bottom wall ( 9 ) and the lateral walls ( 8 ), the front wall ( 7 ), and the rear wall ( 6 ); and the lid ( 4 ) has four longitudinal edges ( 16 ) defined between the lateral walls ( 12 ) and the front wall ( 11 ) and rear wall ( 10 ); and four transverse edges ( 17 ) defined between the top wall ( 13 ) and the lateral walls ( 12 ), the front wall ( 11 ), and the rear wall ( 10 ). 
   
   
       8 . A package as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the hinge ( 5 ) of the lid ( 4 ) slopes with respect to the transverse edges ( 15 ) of the container ( 2 ) and the transverse edges ( 17 ) of the lid ( 4 ). 
   
   
       9 . A package as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the longitudinal edges ( 16 ) of the lid ( 4 ) are the same shape and substantially the same size as the longitudinal edges ( 14 ) of the container ( 2 ). 
   
   
       10 . A package as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein at least some of the longitudinal edges ( 14 ) of the container ( 2 ) and the corresponding longitudinal edges ( 16 ) of the lid ( 4 ) are rounded or bevelled. 
   
   
       11 . A package as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein at least some of the transverse edges ( 15 ) of the container ( 2 ) or of the transverse edges ( 17 ) of the lid ( 4 ) are rounded or bevelled. 
   
   
       12 . A package as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the container ( 2 ) comprises two projections ( 18 ) which project outwards to engage the lid ( 4 ) with a given amount of interference when the lid ( 4 ) is in the closed position. 
   
   
       13 . A package as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a collar ( 19 ) is fitted, folded into a U, to the inside of the container ( 2 ), and projects partly outwards of the open top end ( 3 ) to engage a corresponding inner surface of the lid ( 4 ) when the lid ( 4 ) is in the closed position. 
   
   
       14 . A package as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the collar ( 19 ) comprises two projections ( 20 ), which project outwards to engage the lid ( 4 ) with a given amount of interference when the lid ( 4 ) is in the closed position. 
   
   
       15 . A package as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the container ( 2 ) and the lid ( 4 ) are formed from a flat blank ( 21 ) having two longitudinal fold lines ( 22 ), and a number of transverse fold lines ( 23 ) defining between the longitudinal fold lines ( 22 ):
 a first panel ( 11 ′) forming an inner portion of the front wall ( 11 ) of the lid ( 4 );   a second panel ( 11 ″) forming an outer portion of the front wall ( 11 ) of the lid ( 4 );   a third panel ( 13 ′) forming the top wall ( 13 ) of the lid ( 4 );   a fourth panel ( 10 ′) forming the rear wall ( 10 ) of the lid ( 4 );   a fifth panel ( 6 ′) forming the rear wall ( 6 ) of the container ( 2 );   a sixth panel ( 9 ′) forming the bottom wall ( 9 ) of the container ( 2 ); and   a seventh panel ( 7 ′) forming the front wall ( 7 ) of the container ( 2 );   the second panel ( 11 ″) has two first tabs ( 12 ′) which form the lateral walls ( 12 ) of the lid ( 4 ), are located on opposite sides of the second panel ( 11 ″), and are separated from the second panel ( 11 ″) by the longitudinal fold lines ( 22 );   the fifth panel ( 6 ′) has two second tabs ( 8 ′), which form part of the lateral walls ( 8 ) of the container ( 2 ), are located on opposite sides of the fifth panel ( 6 ′), and are separated from the fifth panel ( 6 ′) by the longitudinal fold lines ( 22 );   the seventh panel ( 7 ′) has two third tabs ( 8 ″), which form part of the lateral walls ( 8 ) of the container ( 2 ), are located on opposite sides of the seventh panel ( 7 ′), and are separated from the seventh panel ( 7 ′) by the longitudinal fold lines ( 22 ).   
   
   
       16 . A package as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the fourth panel ( 10 ′) has fourth tabs ( 24 ), which reinforce the inside of the lateral walls ( 12 ) of the lid ( 4 ), are located on opposite sides of the fourth panel ( 10 ′), and are separated from the fourth panel ( 10 ′) by the longitudinal fold lines ( 22 ); and each fourth tab ( 24 ) has a first tongue ( 25 ) for reinforcing the inside of the top wall ( 13 ) of the lid ( 4 ). 
   
   
       17 . A package as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein each second tab ( 8 ′) has a second tongue ( 26 ) for reinforcing the inside of the bottom wall ( 9 ) of the container ( 2 ). 
   
   
       18 . A package as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein each first tab ( 12 ′) is connected to a fifth tab ( 12 ″); each first tab ( 12 ′) and the corresponding fifth tab ( 12 ″) are superimposed and glued to each other, and respectively define an outer surface and an inner surface of a lateral wall ( 12 ) of the lid ( 4 ). 
   
   
       19 . A package as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein each fifth tab ( 12 ″) is substantially the same shape as and slightly smaller than the corresponding first tab ( 12 ′). 
   
   
       20 . A package as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein each first tab ( 12 ′) is connected to the corresponding fifth tab ( 12 ″) along a fold line ( 27 ) parallel to the longitudinal fold lines ( 22 ). 
   
   
       21 . A package as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein each first tab ( 12 ′) is connected to the corresponding fifth tab ( 12 ″) along a fold line ( 27 ) sloping with respect to the longitudinal fold lines ( 22 ). 
   
   
       22 . A package as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the first panel ( 11 ′) has two fifth tabs ( 12 ″), which form part of the lateral walls ( 12 ) of the lid ( 4 ), are located on opposite sides of the first panel ( 11 ′), and are separated from the first panel ( 11 ′) by the longitudinal fold lines ( 22 ); and a first tab ( 12 ′) and a corresponding fifth tab ( 12 ″) are superimposed and glued to each other to respectively define an outer surface and an inner surface of a lateral wall ( 12 ) of the lid ( 4 ). 
   
   
       23 . A package as claimed in  claim 1 , and comprising a number of containers ( 2 ), each of which is cup-shaped to house a group of tobacco articles, and has a respective open top end ( 3 ); the lid ( 4 ) is hinged to one of the containers ( 2 ) to rotate between the open position and the closed position respectively opening and closing the open top ends ( 3 ) of all the containers ( 2 ). 
   
   
       24 . A package as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the containers ( 2 ) are connected to one another so as to be movable between a fold-up configuration, in which the containers ( 2 ) are arranged contacting one another and side by side along the front wall ( 7 ) and the rear wall ( 6 ), and an unfolded configuration, in which the containers ( 2 ) are arranged side by side along the lateral walls ( 8 ); and the lid ( 4 ) can only be moved from the open position to the closed position respectively opening and closing the open top ends ( 3 ) of all the containers ( 2 ) when the containers ( 2 ) are in the fold-up configuration. 
   
   
       25 . A package as claimed in  claim 24 , and comprising two containers ( 2 ) hinged to each other along respective longitudinal edges ( 14 ). 
   
   
       26 . A package as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the containers ( 2 ) are hinged to each other by a double hinge ( 28 ). 
   
   
       27 . A package as claimed in  claim 24 , and comprising three containers ( 2 ) hinged to one another in pairs along respective longitudinal edges ( 14 ). 
   
   
       28 . A package as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the containers ( 2 ) are hinged to one another by two double hinges ( 28 ). 
   
   
       29 . A package as claimed in  claim 23 , and comprising a supporting member ( 29 ) having the common lid ( 4 ), and to which the containers ( 2 ) are glued. 
   
   
       30 . A package as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein the supporting member ( 29 ) comprises a connecting strip ( 30 ) supporting the lid ( 4 ) and which is glued to the front wall ( 7 ) or rear wall ( 6 ) of the containers ( 2 ) and to the lateral walls ( 8 ) of the containers ( 2 ). 
   
   
       31 . A package as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the supporting member ( 29 ) is formed from a flat first blank ( 31 ), and each container ( 2 ) is formed from a flat second blank ( 38 ) independent of the first blank ( 31 ); the first blank ( 31 ) has two longitudinal fold lines ( 32 ), and a number of transverse fold lines ( 33 ) defining between the longitudinal fold lines ( 32 ):
 a first panel ( 11 ′) forming an inner portion of the front wall ( 11 ) of the lid ( 4 );   a second panel ( 11 ″) forming an outer portion of the front wall ( 11 ) of the lid ( 4 );   a third panel ( 13 ′) forming the top wall ( 13 ) of the lid ( 4 );   a fourth panel ( 10 ′) forming the rear wall ( 10 ) of the lid ( 4 ); and   a fifth panel ( 34 ), of the connecting strip ( 30 ), which is glued to the rear wall ( 6 ) of a container ( 2 ).   
   
   
       32 . A package as claimed in  claim 31 , and comprising two containers ( 2 ); the fifth panel ( 34 ) is connected to a sixth panel ( 35 ), which has a double hinge ( 28 ) in the middle and is glued to a lateral wall ( 8 ) of both the containers ( 2 ); and the sixth panel ( 35 ) of the connecting strip ( 30 ) is connected to a seventh panel ( 36 ), which is glued to the front wall ( 7 ) of a container ( 2 ). 
   
   
       33 . A package as claimed in  claim 31 , and comprising three containers ( 2 ); the fifth panel ( 34 ) is connected to a sixth panel ( 35 ), which has a double hinge ( 28 ) in the middle and is glued to a lateral wall ( 8 ) of two containers ( 2 ); the sixth panel ( 35 ) of the connecting strip ( 30 ) is connected to a seventh panel ( 36 ), which is glued to the front wall ( 7 ) of a container ( 2 ); the seventh panel ( 36 ) of the connecting strip ( 30 ) is connected to an eighth panel ( 37 ), which has a double hinge ( 28 ) in the middle and is glued to a lateral wall ( 8 ) of two containers ( 2 ); and the eighth panel ( 37 ) of the connecting strip ( 30 ) is connected to a ninth panel, which is glued to the rear wall ( 6 ) of a container ( 2 ). 
   
   
       34 . A package as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the second panel ( 11 ″) has two first tabs ( 12 ′), which form the lateral walls ( 12 ) of the lid ( 4 ), are located on opposite sides of the second panel ( 11 ″), and are separated from the second panel ( 11 ″) by the longitudinal fold lines ( 22 ). 
   
   
       35 . A package as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein each first tab ( 12 ′) is connected to a second tab ( 12 ″); each first tab ( 12 ′) and the corresponding second tab ( 12 ″) are superimposed and glued to each other, and respectively define an outer surface and an inner surface of a lateral wall ( 12 ) of the lid ( 4 ). 
   
   
       36 . A package as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein each second tab ( 12 ″) is substantially the same shape as and slightly smaller than the corresponding first tab ( 12 ′). 
   
   
       37 . A package as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein each first tab ( 12 ′) is connected to the corresponding second tab ( 12 ″) along a fold line ( 27 ) parallel to the longitudinal fold lines ( 22 ). 
   
   
       38 . A package as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein each first tab ( 12 ′) is connected to the corresponding second tab ( 12 ″) along a fold line ( 27 ) sloping with respect to the longitudinal fold lines ( 22 ).