The present invention relates to a container for consumer goods. Containers according to the invention find particular application as containers for one or more components of an aerosol-generating device or an aerosol-generating system.

It is generally known that aerosol generating systems can comprise a number of components. Handheld electrically operated smoking systems often include a battery pack and a rechargeable aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating device can include a heating portion, control electronics, and a rechargeable battery and may be configured to accommodate an aerosol generating article. When combined with the aerosol generating article, the rechargeable aerosol generating device is configured to produce an inhalable aerosol.

It is also known to package consumer goods in rigid box shaped containers with a box for housing the consumer goods and a lid covering an upper portion of the box. The lid can be moved relative to the box to open the container and enable a consumer to gain access to consumer goods housed in the box.

In some known containers, the consumer goods may reside on or in a tray disposed within the box. The tray may be immediately visible to the consumer when the container is opened. In some cases, further components, such as accessories and utilities, may be disposed beneath the tray, and thus not immediately visible to the consumer.

It is generally desirable to retain the lid of a container in a closed position until access to the contents of the container is desired. For example, a container may comprise one or more of a magnet, an adhesive, and a fastener, such as a hook and loop fastener to help retain the lid in the closed position. However, such arrangements may add cost and complexity to the container design. Furthermore, such arrangements may reduce the functionality or usability of other aspects of the container.

It would therefore be desirable to provide a container of the type described above having an improved solution for retaining the lid in the closed position, without suffering from one or more of the abovementioned drawbacks.

The present disclosure relates to a container for consumer goods. The container may comprise a box portion and a lid portion. The box portion and the lid portion may together define a compartment for containing consumer goods. The container may further comprise a tray disposed within the compartment. The tray may be configured to support at least some consumer goods. The tray may comprise a first portion residing in the box portion and a second portion residing above the box portion. The lid portion may be movable relative to the box portion between a closed position in which the tray is covered and an open position in which the tray is uncovered. The second portion of the tray may extend into the lid portion when the lid is in the closed position. The tray may engage with an inner surface of the portion to help retain the lid portion in the closed position. The container may further comprise a retention mechanism between the first portion of the tray and the box portion. The retention mechanism may be configured to oppose movement of the tray relative to the box portion in response to the lid portion being moved from the closed position to the open position.

According to the invention there is provided a container for consumer goods, the container comprising: a box portion, and a lid portion, which together define a compartment for containing consumer goods; and a tray disposed within the compartment and configured to support at least some consumer goods, the tray comprising a first portion residing in the box portion and a second portion residing above the box portion; wherein the lid portion is movable relative to the box portion between a closed position in which the tray is covered and an open position in which the tray is uncovered; wherein the second portion of the tray extends into the lid portion when the lid portion is in the closed position, and engages with an inner surface of the lid portion to help retain the lid portion in the closed position; and wherein the container further comprises a retention mechanism between the first portion of the tray and the box portion, the retention mechanism being configured to oppose movement of the tray relative to the box portion in response to the lid portion being moved from the closed position to the open position.

As used herein, the terms “side”, “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “back” and other terms used to describe relative positions of the components of containers according to the invention refer to the container in an upright position with the access opening at the top. When describing containers according to the present invention, these terms are used irrespective of the orientation of the container being described. The “bottom” of the container refers to the side of the container opposite the “top” of the container.

The term “height” is used herein to refer to dimensions extending between the top and the bottom. The term “width” is used herein to refer to dimensions extending between two sides. The term “depth” is used herein to refer to dimensions extending between the front and the back. Height, width and depth are orthogonal to each other.

The term “wall” refers more generally to a facet of the container, and a wall may be formed from a single panel or flap, or a wall may be formed from two or more abutting or overlapping panels or flaps.

The term “depending” is used herein to describe a physical connection between two elements of a container in accordance with the invention. In more detail, the term “depending” is used to indicate that there is a material continuity between two elements, such as two walls or panels of a container or blank. This encompasses both cases wherein a wall or panel depends directly from an adjacent wall or panel as well as cases wherein an intermediate wall or panel effectively connects two walls or panels.

By way of example, a side wall or panel may depend directly from an adjacent front wall or panel. In such case, the wall or panel typically depends along a fold line from the adjacent wall. As an alternative, especially in containers having curved or bevelled edges, a side wall or panel may depend indirectly from a front wall or panel. In such case a curved or bevelled edge wall or panel connects the side wall or panel and the front wall or panel. In the case of a bevelled edge, both side wall or panel and front wall or panel may depend from the connecting bevelled edge wall or panel along respective fold lines.

The term “hinge line” is used herein to refer to a line about which the lid may be pivoted in order to open the container. A hinge line may be, for example, a fold line or a score line. The hinge line about which the lid is connected to the box may coincide with an edge of the container, or the hinge line may extend across a wall of the container at a position that is spaced apart from the edges.

The term “inner surface” is used throughout the specification to refer to the surface of a component of the assembled container that is facing towards the interior of the container, for example towards the consumer goods, when the container is in the closed position. The term “outer surface” is used throughout the specification to refer to the surface of a component of the container that is facing towards the exterior of the container. For example, the front wall of the package has an inner surface that is facing the inside of the package and the consumer goods, and an outer surface facing away from the consumer goods.

The term “debossed” herein refers to a portion of a container wall which has been pressed, carved, moulded or stamped such that the thickness of the wall at the debossed portion is less than the thickness of the wall at a portion which has not been debossed. For example, the debossed portion of a wall can be formed by applying pressure of the wall with a tool. The material of the wall is compressed such that there is no embossed portion at the opposite side of the wall to the debossed portion.

The container may be a hinge-lid container in which a lid portion is hingedly attached to a box portion at a hinge line extending along a back wall of the box portion, and wherein the lid portion is movable between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the lid portion and box portion define a compartment which receives the consumer goods. A tray for supporting at least some of the consumer goods is received in the compartment.

The container of the present invention provides an improved container for housing consumer goods. In contrast with existing containers, in containers in accordance with the present invention, the tray has a first portion residing in the box portion and a second portion residing in the lid portion when the lid portion is in a closed position. The second portion of the tray is configured to engage with an inner surface of the lid portion to help retain the lid portion in the closed position. However, such engagement between the tray and the lid portion may risk the tray being lifted up with the lid when the lid is moved to the open position. The present inventor has therefore appreciated that in such circumstances it is advantageous to provide a retention mechanism between the first portion of the tray and the box portion. This retention mechanism advantageously opposes movement of the tray relative to the box portion in response to the lid portion being moved from the closed position to the open position. This advantageously avoids the engagement between the second portion of the tray and the lid portion leading to the first portion of the tray being removed from the box portion as the lid portion is being moved to the open position. This further avoids the tray becoming stuck in the lid portion due to the engagement between the tray and the lid portion. These effects and advantages may be particularly applicable to embodiments where the tray is removable from the container when the lid portion is in the open position, for example, if the retention mechanism has been decoupled. Removing the tray from the container when the lid portion is in the open position may advantageously allow a user to access space in the compartment beneath the tray.

For example, when a user wishes to open the container by moving the lid portion from the closed position to the open position, the engagement between the second portion of the tray and the lid portion can cause the tray to also be subjected to the opening force being applied by the user. However, the retention mechanism can act to oppose such a force and thus cause the tray to become disengaged from the lid portion, as the lid portion is being moved by the user. The retention mechanism can therefore help the tray to be retained in position with respect to the box portion, when the lid portion is being moved from the closed position to the open position.

The engagement between the lid portion and the second portion of the tray may occur between an inner surface of a front wall of the lid portion and a front wall of the tray. The retention mechanism may be formed between an inner surface of a front wall of the box portion and the front wall of the tray.

Preferably, engagement between the lid portion and the tray occurs at the front side of the container. Preferably, retention of the tray in the box portion occurs at a front side of the container. Preferably, there is substantially no engagement between the lid portion and the tray at the back side of the container.

Preferably, the tray is removable from the container when the lid portion is in the open position. A user may be able to decouple the retention mechanism when the lid portion is in the open position. Once the retention mechanism is decoupled, the tray may be removed from the container. The retention mechanism may be the only means used to secure the tray to the box portion.

By providing a tray with no engagement or retention mechanism at the back side of the container, it can be easier for a user to be able to remove the tray from the box portion to access space in the container beneath the tray. For example, a user may be able to remove the tray from the box portion to access one or more consumer goods housed in the container space beneath the tray. Alternatively, a user may require access to the space in the container beneath the tray for storing consumer goods.

The lid portion and the tray may engage by friction. Such engagement may be preferable over other forms of engagement for retaining the lid in the closed position, such as one or more of a magnet, an adhesive, and a fastener. This is because such other forms of engagement may add one or both of cost and complexity to the container design. Furthermore, such other forms of engagement may reduce one or both of the functionality or usability of other aspects of the container. Thus, preferred embodiments of the present invention may provide a cost effective, simpler and more functional solution than existing containers.

Additionally, containers according to the present invention may also provide a user with an improved unboxing experience. Because the tray which supports consumer goods, is not fully received in the box portion in containers according to the invention, consumer goods supported by the tray may be more readily accessible to a consumer. Where the container houses multiple consumer goods, the more important or more valuable goods may be displayed on the tray and further consumer goods such as utilities and accessories, may be housed below the tray. Thus, in containers according to the invention, the arrangement of consumer goods in the container may be more appealing to a consumer.

The container according to the present invention comprises a box portion, a lid portion and a tray.

The container, box portion, lid portion and tray may be formed from any suitable materials including, but not limited to, cardboard, paperboard, plastic, metal, or any combinations thereof.

Containers according to the present invention may be in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, with right-angled longitudinal and right-angled transverse edges. Alternatively, the container may be in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped with one or more rounded longitudinal edges, rounded transverse edges, bevelled longitudinal edges, or bevelled transverse edges, or combinations thereof.

The exterior surfaces of containers according to the invention may be printed, embossed, debossed or otherwise embellished with manufacturer or brand logos, trade marks, slogans and other consumer information or other indicia. The container may be configured to house consumer goods such one or more aerosol generating devices, aerosol-generating articles, accessories and utilities. The consumer goods may be contained in separate compartments in the container.

The lid portion and the box portion may be formed from a single blank of laminar material. Alternatively, the lid portion and the box portion may be formed from separate blanks of laminar material.

The box portion may comprise a box portion front wall, a box portion back wall, first and second opposed box portion side walls and a box portion bottom wall. The box portion may have an opening at a top end of the box portion. The opening of the box portion may be defined by the top edges of the box portion front wall, the box portion back wall and the box portion first and second opposed side walls. The box portion defines an inner space which forms part of the compartment of the container. The tray may be disposed within the compartment such that the first portion of the tray resides below the opening of the box portion and the second portion of the tray resides above the opening of the box portion.

The lid portion may comprise a lid portion front wall, a lid portion back wall, first and second lid portion opposed side walls and a lid portion top wall. The lid portion may have an opening at a bottom end of the lid portion. The opening of the lid portion may be defined by the bottom edges of the lid portion front wall, the lid portion back wall and the first and second lid portion side walls. The lid portion may define an inner space which forms part of the compartment of the container. The lid portion may be connected to the box portion by a hinge line extending across a back wall of the box portion. The tray may be disposed within the compartment such that the first portion of the tray resides below the opening of the lid portion and the second portion of the tray resides above the opening of the lid portion, when the lid portion is in the closed position.

An inner surface of a lid portion top wall may comprise a recessed portion for receiving consumer goods. The inner surface of the lid portion top wall may comprise multiple recessed portions for receiving a number of consumer goods. The one or more recessed portions in the inner surface of the lid portion top wall may be configured to conform to the shape of the consumer goods. This may help to support the consumer goods and limit movement of the consumer goods within the container.

Preferably, the lid portion is connected to the box portion by a hinge line. The hinge line may allow the lid portion to be moved between the closed position and the open position. In the closed position, the lid portion may cover the opening of the box portion. In the open position, the opening of the box portion may not be covered by the lid portion. Where a single laminar blank is used to form both the box portion and the lid portion, the hinge line may be formed in said single laminar blank.

The hinge line may be formed by one or more laminar blanks which connect the box portion to the lid portion. The one or more laminar blanks in which the hinge line is formed may be adhered to the box portion back wall and the lid portion back wall.

The one or more laminar blanks in which the hinge line is formed may comprise an outer laminar blank adhered to the outer surface of the box portion back wall and the outer surface of the lid portion back wall. The outer laminar blank may help to hide any gaps which may occur between the box portion back wall and the lid portion back wall.

The one or more laminar blanks in which the hinge line is formed may comprise an inner laminar blank adhered to the inner surface of the box portion back wall and the inner surface of the lid portion back wall. The inner laminar blank may help to hide any gaps which may occur between the box portion back wall and the lid portion back wall.

The hinge line may extend across only a portion of the box portion back wall. Alternatively, the hinge line may extend across the full length of the box portion back wall.

The tray is disposed in the compartment of the container and is configured to support at least some consumer goods. The tray comprises a first portion residing in the box portion and a second portion residing in the lid portion.

The second portion of the tray may have a height of between 4 and 10 millimetres, more preferably a height of between 5 and 9 millimetres, and even more preferably a height of between 6 and 9 millimetres.

The tray may be substantially in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. In such embodiments the height of the second portion of the tray may be constant. Alternatively, the tray may have a height which is not constant across the cross section of the tray in the direction of the depth of the tray. The second portion of the tray may have a maximum height adjacent the tray front wall.

The tray may have a cross section in the direction of the depth of the tray which is trapezoidal in shape.

The tray may comprise a recessed portion for receiving consumer goods.

There may be one or more trays disposed in the compartment of the container. Each tray may have a first portion residing in the box portion and a second portion residing in the lid portion. Each tray may be configured to support at least some consumer goods.

In containers according to the present invention, the second portion of the tray engages with the lid portion when the lid is in the closed position to help retain the lid portion in the closed position. Preferably, the second portion of the tray engages with an inner surface of the lid portion. The lid portion may be configured to engage with the first tray by friction. The friction between the lid portion and the tray may occur between a first tray front wall and a lid portion front wall. The friction between the second portion of the tray and the lid portion may be such that inadvertent opening of the lid portion during general use or transportation of the container is avoided. The friction between the second portion of the tray and the lid portion may not be so great that a user is required to exert excessive force to overcome the friction. For example, preferably the required opening force may not exceed 13 Newton. Thus, a user may be able to move the lid portion to an open position by overcoming the friction.

The friction between the tray and the lid portion may be caused by an interference fit between the tray and the lid portion. Preferably, the depth of the tray may be between 0.1 and 0.5 millimetres greater than the inner depth of the lid portion, more preferably the depth of the tray is between 0.2 and 0.4 millimetres greater than the inner depth of the lid portion, and even more preferably, the depth of the tray is between 0.25 and 0.35 millimetres greater than the inner depth of the lid portion.

The container according to the present invention comprises a retention mechanism between the first portion of the tray and the box portion. The retention mechanism is configured to oppose movement of the tray relative to the box portion in response to the lid portion being moved from the closed position to the open position. The retention mechanism may act as an anchor to retain the first portion of the tray in the box portion when the lid portion is moved to an open position.

The retention mechanism may comprise a protrusion on the tray front wall. The protrusion of the retention mechanism may extend from a bottom edge of the tray front wall. The protrusion may be a folded edge of the tray front wall. The protrusion may be an edge of a panel affixed to the bottom surface of the tray. The protrusion may be an embossed portion of the tray front wall.

The retention mechanism may comprise a corresponding engagement edge on the box portion. The engagement edge of the retention mechanism may be on an inner surface of the box portion front wall. The inner surface of the box portion front wall may be defined by a first box portion front wall panel and a second box portion front wall panel. The first box portion front wall panel may extend across only a portion of the inner surface of the box portion front wall. The engagement edge may be an edge of the first box portion front wall panel. The engagement edge may be a bottom edge of the first box portion front wall panel.

The engagement edge of the retention mechanism may form part of a slot in the container. The engagement edge may form a top edge of the slot in the container.

The container may further comprise a second tray. In such embodiments, the tray comprising a first portion residing in the box portion and a second portion residing above the box portion may be referred to as a first tray. The second tray may be received in the compartment below the first tray. Where the engagement edge of the retention mechanism forms part of a slot in the container, a top wall of the second tray may define the bottom edge of the slot in the container.

The slot in the container may further be defined by a debossed portion of an inner surface of the box portion front wall. The debossed portion of the inner surface of the box portion front wall may be formed by applying pressure to the inner surface of the box portion front wall with a tool.

Features described in relation to one example or embodiment may also be applicable to other examples and embodiments.

Below, there is provided a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

EX 1. A container for consumer goods, the container comprising: a box portion and a lid portion, which together define a compartment for containing consumer goods; and a tray disposed within the compartment and configured to support at least some consumer goods, the tray comprising a first portion residing in the box portion and a second portion residing above the box portion; wherein the lid portion is movable relative to the box portion between a closed position in which the tray is covered and an open position in which the tray is uncovered; wherein the second portion of the tray extends into the lid portion when the lid portion is in the closed position, and engages with an inner surface of the lid portion to help retain the lid portion in the closed position; and wherein the container further comprises a retention mechanism between the first portion of the tray and the box portion, the retention mechanism being configured to oppose movement of the tray relative to the box portion in response to the lid portion being moved from the closed position to the open position.

EX 2. The container according to EX1 , wherein the first portion of the tray is removable from the box portion when the lid portion is in the open position.

EX 3. The container according to EX2, wherein the lid portion is connected to the box portion by a hinge line extending across a back wall of the box portion.

EX 4. The container according to any preceding EX, wherein the lid portion engages with the tray by friction.

EX 5. The container according to EX4, wherein the friction occurs between a tray front wall and a lid portion front wall.

EX 6. The container according to any preceding EX, wherein the retention mechanism comprises a protrusion on the tray front wall and a corresponding engagement edge on the box portion. EX 7. The container according to EX6, wherein the protrusion extends from a bottom edge of the tray front wall.

EX 8. The container according to EX6 or 7, wherein the box portion comprises a box portion front wall, and wherein the corresponding engagement edge is on an inner surface of the box portion front wall.

EX 9. The container according to EX8, wherein the inner surface of the box portion front wall is defined by a first box portion front wall panel and a second box portion front wall panel.

EX 10. The container according to EX9, wherein the first box portion front wall panel extends across only a portion of the inner surface of the box portion front wall.

EX 11 . The container according to EX9, wherein the engagement edge is an edge of the first box portion front wall panel.

EX 12. The container according to any of EX 6 to 11 , wherein the engagement edge of the retention mechanism forms part of a slot in the container.

EX 13. The container according to any preceding EX, wherein the container further comprises further consumer goods received in a space in compartment beneath the tray.

EX 14. The container according to EX12, wherein the slot is defined by a debossed portion of an inner surface of the box portion front wall.

EX 15. The container according to EX14, wherein the debossed portion of the inner surface of the box portion front wall is formed by applying pressure to the inner surface of the box portion front wall with a tool.

EX 16. The container according to any preceding EX, wherein the second portion of the tray has a height of between 4 and 10 millimetres.

EX 17. The container according to any preceding EX, wherein the second portion of the tray has a height of between 5 and 9 millimetres.

EX 18. The container according to any preceding EX, wherein the second portion of the tray has a height of between 6 and 8 millimetres.

EX 19. The container according to any preceding EX, wherein the tray comprises a recessed portion for receiving consumer goods.

EX 20. The container according to any preceding EX, wherein an inner surface of a lid portion top wall comprises a corresponding recessed portion for receiving consumer goods.

EX 21. The container according to EX3, wherein the depth of the tray is between 0.1 and 0.5 millimetres greater than the inner depth of the lid portion to form an interference fit between the lid portion and the tray.

EX 22. The container according to EX21 , wherein the depth of the tray is between 0.2 and 0.4 millimetres greater than the inner depth of the lid portion. EX 23. The container according to EX22, wherein the depth of the tray is between 0.25 and 0.35 millimetres greater than the inner depth of the lid portion.

EX 24. The container according to any preceding EX, wherein the box portion further comprises a box portion back wall, a box portion bottom wall and first and second opposed box portion side walls.

EX 25. The container according to any preceding EX, wherein the lid portion further comprises a lid portion back wall, and first and second opposed lid portion side walls.

EX 26. The container according to any preceding EX, wherein the tray further comprises a tray front wall, a tray back wall and first and second opposed inner tray side walls.

EX 27. The container according to any of EX1 to 26, wherein the lid portion and the box portion are formed from separate laminar blanks.

EX 28. The container according to any of EX1 to 26, wherein he lid portion and the box portion may be formed from a single laminar blank.

EX 28. The container according to EX28, wherein the hinge line may be formed in the single laminar blank.

EX 30. The container according to any of EX3 to 27, wherein the hinge line is formed by one or more laminar blanks which connect the box portion to the lid portion.

EX 31 . The container according to EX30, wherein the one or more laminar blanks in which the hinge line is formed are adhered to the back wall of the box portion and the back wall of the lid portion.

EX 32. The container according to EX31 , wherein the one or more laminar blanks in which the hinge line is formed comprise an outer laminar blank adhered to an outer surface of the back wall of the box portion and an outer surface of the back wall of the lid portion.

EX 33. The container according to EX32, wherein the one or more laminar blanks in which the hinge line is formed comprise an inner laminar blank adhered to an inner surface of the back wall of the box portion and an inner surface of the back wall of the lid portion.

EX 34. The container according to any of EX 3 to 33, wherein the hinge line extends across only a portion of the back wall of the box portion.

EX 35. The container according to any of EX 3 to 33, wherein the hinge line extends across the full length of the back wall of the box portion.

EX 36. The container according to any preceding EX, wherein the second portion of the tray has a height which is constant in the direction of the depth of the tray.

EX 37. The container according to EX36, wherein the tray is in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped.

EX 38. The container according to any of EX1 to 35, wherein the second portion of the tray has a height which is not constant in the direction of the depth of the tray. EX 39. The container according to EX38, wherein the second portion of the tray has a maximum height adjacent the tray front wall.

EX 40. The container according to any preceding EX, wherein one or more further trays are disposed in the compartment of the container.

EX 41 . The container according to EX40, wherein the one or more further trays have a first portion residing in the box portion and a second portion residing in the lid portion.

EX 42. The container according to EX41 , wherein the one or more further trays are configured to support at least some consumer goods.

EX 43. The container according to any of EX6 to 42, wherein the protrusion is a folded edge of the front wall of the tray.

EX44. The container according to any of EX6 to 42, wherein the protrusion is an edge of a panel affixed to a bottom surface of the tray.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a box portion and a lid portion forming a container according to an embodiment of the present invention, with the lid portion in the closed position closed position;

Figure 2 shows a container according to an embodiment of the present invention with the lid portion in a partially open position;

Figure 3 shows a container according to an embodiment of the present invention with the lid portion in an open position;

Figure 4 shows a container according to an embodiment of the present invention with the lid portion in an open position and the tray partially removed from the box portion;

Figure 5 shows a container according to an embodiment of the present invention with the lid portion in an open position and the tray fully removed from the box portion;

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the container according to an embodiment of the present invention with the lid portion in an open position and the tray partially removed from the box portion;

Figure 7 shows a retention mechanism according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 8 shows a retention mechanism according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 1 to 5 show a container 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The solid walls of the container are shown as transparent in these figures so that detail within the container 10 can be seen. The container 10 comprises a box portion 20, a lid portion 40 connected to the box portion 20 by a hinge line 50, and a tray 60 received in the container 10 configured to support at least some consumer goods 14. Further consumer goods 17 are received in a space 18 beneath the tray 60.

Figure 1 shows a container 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention with the lid portion 40 in the closed position.

The box portion 20 comprises a box portion bottom wall 21 , a box portion front wall 22, a box portion back wall 23, a first box portion side wall 24, a second box portion side wall 25 (not shown), and top end 30 comprising an opening 31 . As best seen in Figure 6, the opening 31 of the box portion 20 is delimited by a top end of the box portion front wall 32, a top end of the box portion back wall 33, a top end of the first box portion side wall 34 and a top end of the second box portion side wall 35.

The lid portion 40 is connected to the box portion 20 by a hinge line 50 that extends across the box portion back wall 23. The lid portion 40 comprises a lid portion top wall 41 , a lid portion front wall 42, a lid portion back wall 43, a first lid portion side wall 44 and a second lid portion side wall 45 (not shown). The lid portion 40 is movable relative to the box portion 20 between a closed position in which the lid portion covers the opening of the box portion, and an open position in which the opening 31 of the box portion 20 is uncovered. The lid portion 40 is disposed in the closed position in Figure 1. The lid portion 40 can be pivoted about the hinge line 50 on the box portion back wall 23 between the closed position and the open position. The lid portion 40 is considered to be in a fully open position when the when the lid portion top wall 41 is perpendicular with the opening 31 at the top end 30 of the box portion 20. The lid portion 40 can be pivoted 180 degrees to an open position in which the lid portion back wall 43 and the box portion back wall 23 are substantially parallel. Figures 1 to 3 show the lid portion 40 at various stage of opening between the lid portion being in a closed position in Figure 1 and a fully open position in Figure 3.

In Figures 1 to 5, the hinge line 50 is formed by two laminar blanks which connect the box portion 20 to the lid portion 40. The two laminar blanks in which the hinge line 50 is formed are adhered to the box portion back wall 23 and the lid portion back wall 43.

An outer laminar blank 52 in which the hinge line 50 is formed is adhered to the outer surface of the box portion back wall 23 and the outer surface of the lid portion back wall 43.

An inner laminar blank 54 in which the hinge line 50 is formed is adhered to the inner surface of the box portion back wall 23 and the inner surface of the lid portion back wall 43.

The box portion bottom wall 21 defines the bottom wall of the container 10. The lid portion top wall 41 defines the top wall of the container 10. The box portion front wall 22 and the lid portion front wall 42 together define a front wall of the container 10. The box portion back wall 23 and the lid portion back wall 43 together define a back wall of the container 10. The first box portion side wall 24 and second box portion side wall 25, and the first lid portion side wall 44and second lid portion side wall 45 together define the first and second side walls of the container 10.

The front wall, back wall, first and second side walls, top wall and bottom wall of the container 10 define a compartment within the box portion 20 and the lid portion 40 for containing consumer goods 14. When the lid portion 40 is in the open position, a consumer may be able to access the consumer goods 14 contained within the compartment.

The container 10 further comprises a tray 60 configured to support at least some of the consumer goods 14 disposed within the compartment of the container 10. The tray 60 comprises a recessed portion 61 configured to receive at least some consumer goods 14. The tray 60 comprises a tray front wall 65, a tray back wall 66, a first tray side wall 67 and a second tray second side wall 68 (not shown). The compartment of the container 10 for consumer goods is configured to receive the tray 60. The tray 60 is disposed within the compartment such that a first portion of the tray 62 resides below the opening 31 of the box portion 20 and a second portion of the tray 64 resides above the opening 31 of the box portion 20. When the lid portion 40 of the container 10 is in the closed position, the second portion 64 of the tray is received in the lid portion 40.

The second portion of the tray 64 engages frictionally with the lid portion 40 to help retain the lid portion 40 in a closed position. The engagement between the second portion of the tray 64 and the lid portion 40 occurs between the tray front wall 65 and an inner surface of the lid portion front wall 42.

The container 10 comprises a retention mechanism (not shown in Figures 1 to 6) between the first portion of the tray 62 and the box portion 20 to oppose movement of the tray 60 relative to the box portion 20 in response to the lid portion 40 being moved from the closed position to the open position. The retention mechanism is located adjacent a front wall of the box portion. The retention mechanism will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 7 and 8.

The retention mechanism can be decoupled such that the tray 60 is removable from the container 10 through the box portion opening 31 when the lid portion 40 is the open position.

A second tray 16 supporting further consumer goods 17 is received in the compartment in a space 18 beneath the tray.

Figure 4 shows a container 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention with the lid portion 40 in an open position and the tray 60 is partially removed from the box portion 20. The container 10 is shown with the back of the tray 60 lifted up. In this position the retention mechanism 80 can be decoupled and the tray 60 removed from the box portion 20. Figure 5 shows a container 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention with the lid portion 40 in an open position and the tray 60 fully removed from the box portion 20. With the tray 60 removed from the box portion 20, further consumer goods 14 housed in the container 10 in the space 18 beneath the tray 60 are accessible.

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the container 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention with the lid portion 40 in an open position and the tray 60 partially removed from the box portion 20. Figure 6 shows the lid portion 40 in a fully open position with the tray 60 in substantially the same position as in Figure 4. Consumer goods are not shown in this figure, however, recessed portions 61 in the tray 60 for supporting at least some consumer goods 14 are shown. A corresponding recess 46 is shown in the lid portion 40 to receive the consumer goods 14 supported by the tray 60.

Figure 7 shows a retention mechanism 780 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The retention mechanism comprises a protrusion 781 on the tray front wall 765 and a corresponding engagement edge 782 on the box portion front wall 722. The protrusion 781 extends from a bottom edge of the tray front wall 765. The corresponding engagement edge 782 is on an inner surface of the of the box portion front wall 722. The inner surface of the box portion front wall 722 is defined by a first box portion front wall panel 783 and a second box portion front wall panel 784. The first box portion front wall panel 783 extends across only a portion of the inner surface of the box portion front wall 722. The corresponding engagement edge 782 on the inner surface of the box portion front wall 722 is an edge of the first box portion front wall panel 783. The engagement edge 782 of the retention mechanism 780 forms part of a slot 785 in the container. The engagement edge 782 forms the top edge 786 of the slot 785. A second tray 716 supporting further consumer goods 717 is received in the compartment below the tray 760. A top surface of the second tray 716 forms the bottom edge 787 of the slot 785.

The retention mechanism 780 is shown in an engaged configuration in which the protrusion 781 on the tray front wall 765 is received in the slot 785 to oppose movement of the tray 760 relative to the box portion 720 in response to the lid portion being moved from the closed position to the open position.

Figure 8 shows a retention mechanism 880 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. A panel 888 is affixed to the bottom of the tray 860 such that a portion of the panel protrudes away from the tray 860 to form the protrusion 881 of the tray 860. The protrusion 881 extends from a bottom edge of the tray front wall 865. The corresponding engagement edge 882 is on an inner surface of the of the box portion front wall 822. The engagement edge 882 of the retention mechanism 880 forms part of a slot 885 on the inner surface of the box portion front wall 822. The slot 885 on the inner surface of the box portion front wall 822 is defined by a debossed portion of the box portion front wall 822. The engagement edge 882 forms the top surface of this slot 885. A second tray 816 supporting further consumer goods 817 is received in the compartment below the tray 860.

The retention mechanism 880 is shown in an engaged configuration in which the protrusion 881 on the tray front wall 865 is received in the slot 885 to oppose movement of the tray 860 relative to the box portion 820 in response to the lid portion being moved from the closed position to the open position.