Composite Hinged-Lid Packet of Cigarettes

Abstract

A packet ( 1 ) of cigarettes having a cup-shaped, parallelepiped-shaped outer first container ( 2 ); a first lid ( 4 ) is hinged to the outer first container ( 2 ) to rotate between an open position and a closed position; the outer first container ( 2 ) houses two to four inner second containers ( 18 ), each of which is cup-shaped, houses a group ( 19 ) of cigarettes, and is parallelepiped-shaped; a second lid ( 21 ) is hinged to each inner second container ( 18 ) to rotate between an open position and a closed position; and the inner second containers ( 18 ) are housed inside the outer first container ( 2 ) so that, when the first ( 4 ) is in the closed position, a top wall ( 30 ) of each second lid ( 21 ) directly contacts a top wall ( 13 ) of the first lid ( 4 ), and at least one lateral wall ( 29 ) of each second lid ( 21 ) directly contacts a lateral wall ( 12 ) of the first lid ( 4 ).

1 . A packet of cigarettes, comprising:
 an outer first 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 ); a first lid ( 4 ) is hinged to the outer first container ( 2 ) along a first hinge ( 5 ) to rotate between an open position and a closed position opening and closing the open top end ( 3 ) respectively, and has a rear wall ( 10 ), a front wall ( 11 ), two lateral walls ( 12 ), and a top wall ( 13 ); and   a number of inner second containers ( 18 ), each of which is housed inside the outer first container ( 2 ), is cup-shaped, houses a group ( 19 ) of cigarettes, is parallelepiped-shaped, and has a rear wall ( 23 ), a front wall ( 24 ), two lateral walls ( 25 ), a bottom wall ( 26 ), and an open top end ( 20 ); a second lid ( 21 ) is hinged to each inner second container ( 18 ) along a second hinge ( 22 ) to rotate between an open position and a closed position opening and closing the open top end ( 20 ) respectively, and has a rear wall ( 27 ), a front wall ( 28 ), two lateral walls ( 29 ), and a top wall ( 30 );   the packet ( 1 ) of cigarettes is characterized in that the inner second containers ( 18 ) are two to four in number, and are housed inside the outer first container ( 2 ) so that, when the first lid ( 4 ) is in the closed position, the top wall ( 30 ) of each second lid ( 21 ) directly contacts the top wall ( 13 ) of the first lid ( 4 ), and at least one lateral wall ( 29 ) of each second lid ( 21 ) directly contacts a lateral wall ( 12 ) of the first lid ( 4 ).   
   
   
       2 . A packet of cigarettes as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each second hinge ( 22 ) is parallel to the first hinge ( 5 ). 
   
   
       3 . A packet of cigarettes as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each second hinge ( 22 ) is crosswise to the first hinge ( 5 ). 
   
   
       4 . A packet of cigarettes as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the inner second containers ( 18 ) are housed inside the outer first container ( 2 ) so as to be arranged side by side at the respective lateral walls ( 25 ); the front wall ( 24 ) of each inner second container ( 18 ) is positioned directly contacting the front wall ( 7 ) of the outer first container ( 2 ), and the rear wall ( 23 ) of each inner second container ( 18 ) is positioned directly contacting the rear wall ( 6 ) of the outer first container ( 2 ). 
   
   
       5 . A packet of cigarettes as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the inner second containers ( 18 ) are housed inside the outer first container ( 2 ) so as to be arranged side by side at the respective front ( 24 ) and rear ( 23 ) walls; both the lateral walls ( 25 ) of each inner second container ( 18 ) are positioned directly contacting respective lateral walls ( 8 ) of the outer first container ( 2 ). 
   
   
       6 . A packet of cigarettes as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the groups ( 19 ) of cigarettes in the inner second containers ( 18 ) differ as to the number of cigarettes and/or type of cigarettes. 
   
   
       7 . A packet of cigarettes as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the group ( 19 ) of cigarettes housed inside each inner second container ( 18 ) is wrapped in a sheet of foil packing material or similar. 
   
   
       8 . A packet of cigarettes as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the group ( 19 ) of cigarettes housed inside each inner second container ( 18 ) directly contacts the inner second container ( 18 ), with no further packing material in between. 
   
   
       9 . A packet of cigarettes as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the outer first container ( 2 ) comprises a first collar ( 37 ) folded into a U and connected to the inside of the outer first container ( 2 ) so as to project partly outwards of the open top end ( 3 ) and engage a corresponding inner surface of the first lid ( 4 ) when the first lid ( 4 ) is in the closed position. 
   
   
       10 . A packet of cigarettes as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the first collar ( 37 ) comprises two projections ( 38 ), which project outwards to engage the first lid ( 4 ) with a given amount of interference when the first lid ( 4 ) is in the closed position. 
   
   
       11 . A packet of cigarettes as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the outer first container ( 2 ) is made from a flat blank ( 45 ), of which the first collar ( 37 ) forms an integral part. 
   
   
       12 . A packet of cigarettes as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the first collar ( 37 ) comprises a front wall ( 39 ) parallel to and slightly offset with respect to the front wall ( 7 ) of the outer first container ( 2 ); and two lateral walls ( 40 ), each parallel to and slightly offset with respect to a respective lateral wall ( 8 ) of the outer first container ( 2 ). 
   
   
       13 . A packet of cigarettes as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein, employing a “debossing” technique, the front wall ( 39 ) and lateral walls ( 40 ) of the first collar ( 37 ) are depressed with respect to the front wall ( 7 ) and lateral walls ( 8 ) of the outer first container ( 2 ). 
   
   
       14 . A packet of cigarettes as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the first lid ( 4 ) comprises two seats ( 41 ), each of which is located at a respective lateral wall ( 12 ) of the first lid, and has an opening ( 42 ) facing the outer first container ( 2 ) and parallel to the lateral walls ( 12 ) of the first lid; a top portion ( 43 ) of each lateral wall ( 40 ) of the first collar ( 37 ) is designed to fit inside a respective seat ( 41 ), through the opening ( 42 ) in the seat ( 41 ), when the first lid ( 4 ) is in the closed position. 
   
   
       15 . A packet of cigarettes as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the opening ( 42 ) in each seat ( 41 ) and a top edge ( 44 ) of each lateral wall ( 40 ) of the first collar ( 37 ) are designed so that the top edge ( 44 ) fits gradually inside the opening ( 42 ) as the first lid ( 4 ) is rotated into the closed position. 
   
   
       16 . A packet of cigarettes as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each inner second container ( 18 ) comprises a second collar ( 35 ) folded into a U and connected to the inside of the inner second container ( 18 ) so as to project partly outwards of the open top end ( 20 ) and engage a corresponding inner surface of the second lid ( 21 ) when the second lid ( 21 ) is in the closed position. 
   
   
       17 . A packet of cigarettes as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the outer first 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 ), front wall ( 7 ), and rear wall ( 6 ); the first 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 ), font wall ( 11 ), and rear wall ( 10 ); each inner second container ( 18 ) has four longitudinal edges ( 31 ) defined between the lateral walls ( 25 ) and the front wall ( 24 ) and rear wall ( 23 ), and four transverse edges ( 32 ) defined between the bottom wall ( 26 ) and the lateral walls ( 25 ), front wall ( 24 ), and rear wall ( 23 ); and each second lid ( 21 ) has four longitudinal edges ( 33 ) defined between the lateral walls ( 29 ) and the front wall ( 28 ) and rear wall ( 27 ), and four transverse edges ( 34 ) defined between the top wall ( 30 ) and the lateral walls ( 29 ), front wall ( 28 ), and rear wall ( 27 ). 
   
   
       18 . A packet of cigarettes as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the longitudinal edges ( 16 ) and transverse edges ( 17 ) of the first lid ( 4 ) are the same shape and substantially the same size as the longitudinal edges ( 14 ) and transverse edges ( 15 ) of the outer first container ( 2 ); and the longitudinal edges ( 33 ) and transverse edges ( 34 ) of each second lid ( 21 ) are the same shape and substantially the same size as the longitudinal edges ( 31 ) and transverse edges ( 32 ) of the respective inner second container ( 18 ). 
   
   
       19 . A packet of cigarettes as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein at least some of the longitudinal edges ( 14 ,  16 ,  31 ,  33 ) are rounded or bevelled. 
   
   
       20 . A packet of cigarettes as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein at least some of the transverse edges ( 15 ,  17 ,  32 ,  34 ) are rounded or bevelled. 
   
   
       21 . A packet of cigarettes as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the outer first container ( 2 ) is made from a flat blank ( 45 ) comprising two longitudinal fold lines ( 46 ), and a number of transverse fold lines ( 47 ) defining between the longitudinal fold lines ( 46 ):
 a first panel ( 7 ′) forming the front wall ( 7 ) of the outer first container ( 2 );   a second panel ( 9 ′) forming the bottom wall ( 9 ) of the outer first container ( 2 );   a third panel ( 6 ′) forming the rear wall ( 6 ) of the outer first container ( 2 );   a fourth panel ( 10 ′) forming the rear wall ( 10 ) of the first lid ( 4 );   a fifth panel ( 13 ′) forming the top wall ( 13 ) of the first lid ( 4 );   a sixth panel ( 11 ′) forming the front wall ( 11 ) of the first lid ( 4 ); and   an inner first tongue ( 48 ) for reinforcing the front wall (  11 ) of the first lid ( 4 ).   
   
   
       22 . A packet of cigarettes as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the first panel ( 7 ′) has two first tabs ( 8 ′), which form respective outer portions of the lateral walls ( 8 ) of the outer first container ( 2 ), are located on opposite sides of the first panel ( 7 ′), and are separated from the first panel ( 7 ′) by the longitudinal fold lines ( 46 ); the third panel ( 6 ′) has two second tabs ( 8 ″), which form respective inner portions of the lateral walls ( 8 ) of the outer first container ( 2 ), are located on opposite sides of the third panel ( 6 ′), and are separated from the third panel ( 6 ′) by the longitudinal fold lines ( 46 ); the fourth panel ( 10 ′) has two third tabs ( 12 ″), which form respective inner portions of the lateral walls ( 12 ) of the first 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 ( 46 ); and the sixth panel ( 11 ′) has two fourth tabs ( 12 ′), which form respective outer portions of the lateral walls ( 12 ) of the first lid ( 4 ), are located on opposite sides of the sixth panel ( 11 ′), and are separated from the sixth panel (  11 ′) by the longitudinal fold lines ( 46 ). 
   
   
       23 . A packet of cigarettes as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein each second tab ( 8 ″) is connected along a transverse fold line ( 47 ) to an inner second tongue ( 49 ) for reinforcing the bottom wall ( 9 ) of the outer first container ( 2 ); and each third tab ( 12 ″) is connected along a transverse fold line ( 47 ) to an inner third tongue ( 50 ) for reinforcing the top wall ( 13 ) of the first lid ( 4 ).