Package for holding cigarettes, and method for manufacturing a package for holding cigarettes

Abstract

A package, for holding cigarettes, including an open top side, a bottom panel and four side panels. The package includes an expandable pocket for extinguishing, storing and disposing cigarette butts. The expandable pocket is formed by a sheet of a heat resistant, non-combustible material. The expandable pocket is configured to be arranged in a folded configuration wherein the expandable pocket is substantially flat, and an unfolded configuration. The expandable pocket including a first side surface and a second opposing side surface. The first and second side surfaces are interconnected by interconnecting walls. The first side surface is substantially flat and at least partly attached to an inner side of one of the four side panels being a first side panel. A pocket opening is configured to provide access to an interior of the pocket. A tab is configured to reversibly close the pocket opening.

1 . A package for holding cigarettes, the package comprising:
 an open top side configured to provide access to an interior of the package, a bottom panel being opposite to the open top side, and four side panels extending between the open top side and the bottom panel;   an expandable pocket for extinguishing, storing and disposing cigarette butts, wherein the expandable pocket is formed by a sheet of a heat resistant, non-combustible material, wherein the expandable pocket is configured to be arranged in a folded configuration wherein the expandable pocket is substantially flat, and an unfolded configuration;   wherein the expandable pocket comprises   a first side surface and a second opposing side surface, the first and second side surfaces being interconnected by interconnecting walls, wherein the first side surface is substantially flat and at least partly attached to an inner side of one of the four side panels being a first side panel, and   a pocket opening configured to provide access to an interior of the expandable pocket;   wherein the package further comprises:   a tab configured to reversibly close the pocket opening.   
     
     
         2 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein the second side surface is spaced apart from the first side surface when the expandable pocket is in the unfolded configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein the interconnecting walls are pleated. 
     
     
         4 . The package according to  claim 1 , further comprising a securing arrangement configured to hold the expandable pocket in the first configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The package according to  claim 4 , wherein the securing arrangement is configured to attach to the first side panel. 
     
     
         6 . The package according to  claim 5 , wherein the securing arrangement comprises a preformed weakened structure allowing at least part of the securing arrangement to release from the first side panel and the expandable pocket to move from the folded configuration to the unfolded configuration. 
     
     
         7 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein the pocket opening is arranged between the first and second side surfaces. 
     
     
         8 . The package according to any one of  claim 1 , wherein the package further comprises a package opening arranged on the first side panel and/or on the bottom panel, and wherein the pocket opening is arranged on the first side surface in line with the package opening. 
     
     
         9 . The package according to  claim 8 , wherein the tab is arranged on an outer side of the first side panel and/or an outer side of the bottom panel, and wherein the tab is further configured to reversibly close the package opening. 
     
     
         10 . The package according to  claim 8 , wherein the pocket opening and the package opening are arranged closer to the bottom panel than the top side of the package. 
     
     
         11 . The package according to  claim 1 , further comprising a guiding element configured to be partly attached to the package opening and to be pushed inwards into the expandable pocket. 
     
     
         12 . A method for manufacturing the package according to  claim 1 , the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a sheet of package material;   performing a first blanking or piercing of the sheet to form at least the bottom panel and the four side panels;   providing the expandable pocket;   attaching the expandable pocket to one of the four side panels being a first side panel; and   folding the sheet such that an open top side configured to provide access to an interior of the package is created, and such that the expandable pocket is arranged on an inner surface of the first side panel, and such that the four side panels extend between the open top side and the bottom panel.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the step of attaching the expandable pocket to the first side panel comprises the sub-steps of:
 attaching the expandable pocket to a supporting member, and   attaching the supporting member at least to the first side panel of the sheet.