The present invention relates to a package for smoking articles. In particular the invention relates to a so-called side-slide pack having an inner container, containing a bundle of cigarettes, inserted within an outer container and arranged to slide between an open and a closed position.

In the closed position the inner container is substantially within the outer container such that access to the bundle of cigarettes is prevented. In the open position the inner container is partially out of the outer container such that access to the bundle of cigarettes is allowed. The inner container can accommodate two bundles of cigarettes, each wrapped in an inner liner.

The bundle of cigarettes is wrapped in an inner liner to ensure that the bundle is rigid enough to withstand the manufacturing process. Additionally, the inner liner assists in controlling moisture of the cigarettes and allows oxygen exchange, which ensures freshness of the product.

A number of designs are known for allowing the inner container to slide within the outer container. In one example, CN202686921 U describes an outer container including two tabs foldable at the sides of one of the major panels that are shaped as a guide for a tongue projecting from the inner container. A similar arrangement is described in CN202244723U where an inner wall of the outer container includes a guide with limit stop edges that delimit movement of the inner container.

A problem can arise in known designs because effective operation of the sliding mechanism may be affected by pressures exerted on the outer container, as may be experienced in normal use of the package. In addition, the relative movement of the guides and tabs may create a slight bulging in an outer wall of the outer container which is undesirable for some users.

An object of the present invention is to address and mitigate some of these problems. According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a package for smoking articles, the package comprising: an outer container having an outer wall; an inner container that is movable relative to the outer container, wherein the inner container is provided inwardly of the outer wall and comprises at least one compartment for holding a plurality of smoking articles; a slide rail provided on one of the outer container and the inner container and a tab provided on the other of the outer container and the inner container, wherein the tab is configured to slide with respect to the rail, and the slide rail and tab provide, in respective relative positions, a closed position for the inner container, and first and second open positions; wherein the slide rail and the tab are provided inwardly of the outer wall of the outer container.

Thus, relative movement of the rail and tab occurs inwardly of the outer wall of the outer container of the package. This can provide some protection for the sliding relative movement of these components so that they can be affected less easily by external factors. In addition, by providing sliding movement of the tab relative to the rail internally within the outer wall, these moving parts may be less easily visible to a user.

In one arrangement the slide rail may comprise a slot in the inner container. In this arrangement the tab may be provided in the outer container such that it can be received in the slot. It has been found that this is a convenient arrangement for positioning the sliding interaction inwardly in the package, relative to the outer container. The first open position may be achieved when the tab is positioned at a first side of the slot and the second open position may be achieved when the tab is positioned at a second side of the slot. The edges of the slot may therefore provide limits to the movement of the tab. Alternatively, the slot may be provided in the outer container and the tab in the inner container.

In another arrangement the slide rail may be provided by a folded flap on one of the outer container and the inner container. In this way, the slide rail can be created without any glue, and simply by folding a flap of a blank. This can improve the ease of manufacture.

The inner and outer container are typically formed from a plurality of panels. In some embodiments, one panel of the inner container comprises the tab and one panel of the outer container comprises the slide rail. In other embodiments, one panel of the inner container comprises the slide rail and one panel of the outer container comprises the tab. The panel of the outer container containing the tab or the slide rail is preferably double-layered. By providing this double-layered panel, the tab and/or the slide rail is not visible from the outside, which is more aesthetically appealing and also protects the tab and/or the slide rail from being damaged.

The tab may be arranged to loop over the slide rail from the perspective of the outer container or the inner container on which the tab is provided. Also, the slide rail and tab may be biased together. This can allow a firm engagement to be achieved between the slide rail and tab where they slide against one another. The biasing may be achieved by providing the slide rail as a folded flap which has a natural bias due to the flexing resistance of the material.

The slide rail may comprise a major surface which is angled relative to the outer wall of the outer container. An acute angle may be formed between the slide rail and the outer wall of the outer container. The slide rail may be provided on the outer container of the package with the tab provided on the inner container of the package. In use, the tab may be positioned between the slide rail and the outer wall of the outer container. In the alternative arrangement where the slide rail is provided on the inner container of the package and the tab is provided on the outer container of the package, the slide rail may be provided between the tab and the outer wall of the outer container of the package.

Preferably the first open position is reached by sliding the inner container in a first direction from the closed position, relative to the outer container, and the second open position is reached by sliding the inner container in a second direction from the closed position, relative to the outer container, wherein the first and second directions are opposite to one another.

Preferably the slide rail comprises first and second limit stops for limiting movement of the tab relative to the rail between the first and second open positions. Also, the length of the slide rail may be less than the width of the outer container or the inner container, on which the slide rail is provided. The limit stops may be provided between the respective ends of the slide rail and the edges of the outer container or the inner container, as appropriate. According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a blank for forming a container for a smoking article package. The blank comprises an outer surface, two major longitudinal panels, a base panel, and at least one of (i) a plurality of minor longitudinal side panels and (ii) a top panel, where the panels can be assembled to form a container for holding smoking articles. At least one major longitudinal panel comprises a tab projecting from the outer surface of the major longitudinal panel.

The tab may be formed by cutting. The at least one major longitudinal panel comprising the tab may be double-layered. In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a blank for forming a container for a smoking article package, comprising two major longitudinal panels, a base panel, and at least one of (i) a plurality of minor longitudinal side panels and (ii) a top panel, where the panels can be assembled to form a container for holding smoking article, where at least one major longitudinal panel comprises a slide rail.

The blank may further comprise reinforcement panels to form at least one double- layered major longitudinal panel, wherein one of the reinforcement panels comprises a folded flap that forms the slide rail. According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a pair of blanks for forming a smoking article package, comprising: an outer container blank that can be assembled into an outer container having an outer wall; an inner container blank that can be assembled into an inner container that is movable relative to the outer container and is provided inwardly of the outer wall and comprises at least one compartment for holding a plurality of smoking articles; wherein one of the inner container blank and the outer container blank comprises a slide rail, and the other of the inner container blank and the outer container blank comprises a tab, wherein, when assembled the tab is configured to slide with respect to the rail, and the slide rail and tab provide, in respective relative positions, a closed position for the inner container, and first and second open positions, and wherein the slide rail and the tab are provided inwardly of the outer wall of the outer container.

Embodiments of the invention are now described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an inner container of a package for a smoking article in an embodiment of the present invention; Figures 2A and 2B are perspective views of a package for a smoking article in an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of an inner container of a package for a smoking article in another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a detailed view of the inner container of a package as depicted in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a front perspective view of an outer container of a package for a smoking article in an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6 is a rear perspective view of the outer container of a package shown in Figure 5; Figure 7 is a front perspective view of a package in an embodiment of the present invention, where the inner container is in an offset position relative to the outer container;

Figure 8 is another front perspective view of a package in an embodiment of the present invention, where the inner container is entirely contained within the outer container;

Figure 9 is a plan view of blanks for forming an inner container and an outer container in an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 10 is another plan view of blanks for forming an inner container and an outer container in an embodiment of the present invention.

A first embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to Figures 1 , 2A, 2B and 10. In this arrangement a package for smoking articles 2 comprises an inner container 4 and an outer container 6, which are formed from respective blanks. The outer container 6 is a rectangular prism with two open sides. The inner container 4 is a rectangular prism that is sized and shaped so that it can be received entirely within the outer container 6. Smoking articles 8 are accommodated within the inner container 4.

The inner container 4 comprises a slot 10 with a length that is slightly less than the width of a front face of the inner container 4. Two hinged lids 12, 14 are provided at the upper end of the inner container 4, and these can be opened independently to access respective bundles of cigarettes, each wrapped in a liner.

A tab 16 is provided on an inner surface of the outer container 6 such that it projects inwardly towards the inner container 4. In use the tab 16 is received in the slot 10. The inner container 4 can therefore slide relative to the outer container 6, with the limits of movement determined by the positions at which the tab 16 abuts the edges of the slot 10. In use, a user can slide the inner container 4 relative to the outer container 6 so that one of the hinged lids 12, 14 becomes visible. The user can then open the relevant hinged lid 12, 14 to access the cigarettes. In its closed position the inner container 4 is entirely contained within the outer container 6. The inner container 4 can be moved in two possible directions, which are opposite to one another, while the tab 16 is received in the slot 10. The inner container 4 can be moved in a first direction to access the cigarettes beneath a first hinged lid 12, and in a second direction to access the cigarettes beneath a second hinged lid 14. The cigarettes beneath the first and second hinged lids 12, 14 may have different properties, such as flavour.

The sliding interaction between the tab 16 and the slot 10 is provided inwardly of an outer surface 17 of the outer container 6. It has been found advantageous to position sliding surfaces inwardly of the outer surface 17 as this means they are less affected by external factors. This can improve the reliability of the operation, and it can reduce the visibility of the movement of one surface against another when viewed externally of the outer surface 17.

The tab 16 in this arrangement is a simple projection extending from the outer container 6 towards the inner container 4. In another arrangement the tab 16 may be hooked such that it loops over an edge of the slot 10.

As can be appreciated from Figure 10, the tab 16 is formed in a circumferential contour of the blank of the outer container 6. In other words, the tab 16 is formed along part of an outer edge of the blank. This may be advantageous because the tab 16 can be formed in a single step when the blank is separated from a sheet of material. When a laser is used for cutting the blank from the sheet of material, this may be achieved in a single continuous operation, around the circumferential contour or outline.

A second embodiment of the invention is described with reference to Figures 3 to 9. In this arrangement the package comprises an inner container 104 and an outer container 106. As in the first embodiment, the outer container 106 is a rectangular prism with two open sides. The inner container 104 is a rectangular prism that is sized and shaped so that it can be received entirely within the outer container 106. Smoking articles (not shown) are accommodated within the inner container 104.

A wrapper 105 for the cigarettes is provided at an upper end of the inner container 104. A blank 204 for the inner container 104 can be formed into the rectangular prism that envelopes the wrapper 105. A cut-out 103 is provided at the upper end of the inner container 104 in order to improve ease of access to the cigarettes contained in the wrapper 105.

The inner container 104 includes a tab 1 16 on a front surface 1 18. The tab 1 16 is formed by a u-shaped cut in the front surface 1 18 so that the tab 1 16 is hinged to the front surface 1 18 at its upper end. The tab 1 16 is shown in Figure 3 flexed outwardly so that it is projected partially away from the front surface 1 18 at its lower end. The tab 1 16 preferably resists flexing away from the position shown in Figure 3 due to the inherent flexing resistance of the material from which the front surface 1 18 is made. In preferred embodiments this material is paper or card. A blank 206 for the outer container 106 can be formed into a rectangular prism having two open sides. The outer container 106 comprises a front face 120 and a rear face 122 (although it will be understood that this terminology could easily be reversed). The front face 120 comprises an inner surface 1 15, which faces the inner container 104, in use, and an outer surface 1 17, which is the external surface of the package.

The front face 120 comprises first and second side panels 124, 126 that are folded inwardly when the outer container 106 is formed. The first side panel 124 comprises a u-shaped cut-out 128 and the second side panel 126 comprises a projection 130. The projection 130 is sized such that it fits within the u-shaped cut-out 128 when the panels 124, 126 are folded inwardly. The projection 130 comprises a fold line in order to form a flap 1 10 that can project inwardly from the inner surface 1 15 and towards the inner container 104, in use. As a result, the front face 120 is double- layered.

The width of the flap 1 10 on the projection 130 is slightly less than the full width of the front face 120. A first end of the flap 1 10 is spaced slightly away from the fold line between the second side panel 126 and the front face 120. When the first and second side panels 124, 126 are folded inwards, the second end of the flap 1 10 abuts the u-shaped cut-out 128 in the first side panel 124. The u-shaped cut-out 128 in this arrangement is spaced slightly away from the fold line between the first side panel 124 and the front face 120. Thus, the first and second ends of the flap 1 10 are spaced slightly away from the fold lines between the first and second side panels 124, 126. In practice, these provide limit stops for the tab 1 16 at either ends of the flap 1 10.

The depth of the flap 1 10 is approximately equal to the length of the tab 1 16. Thus, the tab 1 16 can engage with the flap 1 10, which acts as a slide rail.

The outer container 106 is generally printed on its outer (external) surface in a conventional manner using an ink, varnish, lacquer, or a combination thereof, to create a design and include legally required information, such as health warnings, or manufacturing details. Typically the inner surface of the outer container 106 is unprinted.

The flap 1 10 generally has a printed side and an unprinted side. The flap 1 10 is folded such that the printed side is angled relative to the front face 120, generally facing the front face 120. In use, the inner container 104 is received within the outer container 106 and the tab 1 16 is arranged such that it loops over the flap 1 10 and rests against its unprinted side. Thus, the tab 1 16 is provided between the flap 1 10 and the inner surface 1 15 of the front face 120 of the outer container 106. The inner container 104 can then slide freely relative to the outer container 106. The sliding interaction is positioned inwardly of the front face 120 of the outer container 106. It has been found advantageous to position sliding surfaces inwardly of the outer surface 1 17 of the front face 120 as this means they are less affected by external factors. The flexing resistances of the tab 1 16 and flap 1 10 mean that the two are biased together.

In an alternative arrangement the flap 1 10 could be provided on the inner container 104 and the tab 1 16 could be provided on the outer container 106. In this arrangement the flap 1 10 could be positioned, in use, between the tab 1 16 and the inner surface 1 15 of the front face 120 of the outer container 106.

The flap 1 10 can function as a slide rail. The flap 1 10 and tab 1 16 provide, in respective relative positions, a closed position for the inner container 104, and first and second open positions. In the closed position the inner container 104 is received entirely within the outer container 106, as shown in Figure 8. In the first open position the tab 1 16 is positioned at one end of the flap 1 10, at one of the limit stops. In the second open position the tab 1 16 is positioned at the opposite end of the flap 1 10, at the other of the limit stops. In practice, first and second open positions may be provided when the tab 1 16 is at other positions relative to the flap 1 10, as long as the cigarettes in the inner container 104 can be easily accessed. Figure 7 shows an example arrangement where the inner container 104 is partly exposed from the outer container 106 so that cigarettes can be accessed.

In use, the inner container 104 can be slid in mutually opposite directions, away from the closed position. In the first open position cigarettes can be accessed from a first side of the inner container 104, and in the second open position cigarettes can be accessed from a second side of the inner container 104.

A plurality of outer container blanks 206 may be provided in a single sheet of material. The blanks 206 can be separated by being individually punched out of the sheet of material. The blanks 206 are arranged on the sheet of material such that the projection 130 on the second side panel 126 of a first blank is nested within the u-shaped cut-out 128 of the first side panel 124 of a second blank. A corresponding nesting is provided for the projection and cut-out in the side panels of the rear surface of the blanks. Nesting the blanks in this way can advantageously reduce material waste during manufacture.