Packet for Smoking Articles

Abstract

A packet for smoking articles includes an outer casing having a main body and a lid. The main body includes panels cooperatively defining a main compartment having an opening opposite to the bottom panel. A hinge is formed between the lid and a rear panel of the main body such that the lid is moveable between an open position and a closed position. A substantially cuboidal pouch is received within the main compartment such that the pouch protrudes from the main compartment through the opening and, is completely contained within the outer casing when the lid is in the closed position. A tear tape attached to the pouch extends around the pouch such that the tear tape is positioned above the hinge. The tear tape is configured to be pulled by a user to separate a top section of the pouch from a bottom section of the pouch.

1 . A packet for smoking articles, comprising:
 an outer casing comprising a main body and a lid,
 wherein the main body comprises: a front panel; a rear panel; a bottom panel; a first side panel; and a second side panel which cooperatively define a main compartment having an opening opposite to the bottom panel, and 
 wherein a hinge is formed between the lid and the rear panel of the main body such that the lid is moveable between an open position and a closed position; 
   a substantially cuboidal pouch comprising: a front major portion; a rear major portion; a top minor portion; a bottom minor portion; a first side portion; and a second side portion, wherein the pouch is received within the main compartment such that the pouch protrudes from the main compartment through the opening, wherein the pouch is completely contained within the outer casing when the lid is in the closed position, and wherein the pouch comprises a cellulose-based wrapper; and   a tear tape attached to the pouch and arranged to extend around the pouch in a transverse direction with respect to the length of the pouch such that the tear tape is positioned above the hinge,   wherein the tear tape is configured to be pulled by a user to separate a top section of the pouch from a bottom section of the pouch, and wherein the top section of the pouch includes at least part of the top minor portion, the front major portion, the rear major portion, the first side portion, and the second side portion of the pouch, and wherein the bottom section of the pouch includes at least part of the bottom minor portion, the front major portion, the rear major portion, the first side portion, and the second side portion of the pouch.   
     
     
         2 . The packet of  claim 1 , wherein the tear tape extends around the entire pouch. 
     
     
         3 . The packet of  claim 1 , wherein the tear tape is positioned closer to the hinge than the top minor portion of the pouch. 
     
     
         4 . The packet of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom edge of the tear tape is arranged substantially level with the hinge. 
     
     
         5 . The packet of  claim 1 , further comprising a stiffening element disposed within the pouch and arranged to lie substantially flush against the internal surface of the pouch. 
     
     
         6 . The packet of  claim 5 , wherein the stiffening element comprises a front portion arranged adjacent to the front major portion of the pouch, wherein the front portion has a cut-out in-its a top edge thereof, and wherein the cut-out extends down to at least level with the bottom edge of the tear tape. 
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 6 , wherein the cut-out extends a distance below the bottom edge of the tear tape. 
     
     
         8 . The packet of  claim 6 , wherein the stiffening element is a folded element further comprising a first side portion and a second side portion, wherein the first side portion and the second side portion of the stiffening element are arranged adjacent to the first side portion and the second side portion of the pouch respectively, and wherein the first and second side portions of the stiffening element each have a length equal to the length of the pouch. 
     
     
         9 . The packet of  claim 1 , further comprising an inner frame disposed between the pouch and the outer casing, wherein the inner frame comprises a front portion arranged adjacent to the front panel of the main body, and wherein the top edge of the front portion of the inner frame is positioned below the tear tape. 
     
     
         10 . The packet of  claim 9 , wherein the top edge of the front portion of the inner frame is arranged substantially level with the bottom edge of the tear tape. 
     
     
         11 . The packet of  claim 9 , wherein the front portion of the inner frame further comprises a cut-out in-its a top edge thereof, which wherein the cutout extends a distance below the bottom edge of the tear tape. 
     
     
         12 . The packet of  claim 9 , wherein the inner frame is a folded element further comprising a first side portion and a second side portion, wherein the first side portion and the second side portion of the inner frame are arranged adjacent to the first side panel and the second side panel of the main body respectively. 
     
     
         13 . The packet of  claim 1 , wherein a line of weakening is formed in the pouch, wherein the line of weakening is arranged parallel and adjacent to the bottom edge of the tear tape. 
     
     
         14 . The packet of  claim 1 , wherein the lid comprises: a front panel; a rear panel; a top panel; a first side panel; and a second side panel, wherein the rear panel of the lid is attached to the rear panel of the main body by the hinge, and wherein the ratio of the height of the front panel of the lid to the height of the rear panel of the lid is between 1.8 and 2.2. 
     
     
         15 . The packet of  claim 14 , wherein the ratio of the height of the rear panel of the lid to the height of the outer casing when the lid is in the closed position is between 0.15 and 0.19. 
     
     
         16 . The packet of  claim 9 , wherein the inner frame is a cellulose-based frame. 
     
     
         17 . The packet of  claim 5 , wherein the stiffening element comprises a cellulose-based material. 
     
     
         18 . The packet of  claim 2 , wherein the tear tape is positioned closer to the hinge than the top minor portion of the pouch.