TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a rigid, slide- open packet of cigarettes and relative production method.

BACKGROUND ART

Rigid, hinged- lid packets of cigarettes are currently the most widely marketed, by being easy to produce and easy and practical to use, and by effectively protecting the cigarettes inside.

In addition to rigid, hinged-lid packets of cigarettes, rigid slide-open packets have been proposed comprising two partly separable containers, one inserted inside the other. In other words, a rigid, slide-open packet of cigarettes comprises an inner container, which houses a group of cigarettes and is housed inside an outer container to slide, with respect to the outer container, between a closed position, in which the inner container is inserted inside the outer container, and an open position, in which the inner container is extracted from the outer container. The inner container may move with respect to the outer container in a straight slide- out movement (straight slide-open packet) or by rotating about a hinge connecting the two containers (swing-open packet) .

A few embodiments of rigid, straight slide-open packets of cigarettes are described in FR2499947A3, US4534463A and US5080227A. Two embodiments of a rigid, swing-open packet of cigarettes are described in WO03053818A1 and WO2006021581A1.

A rigid, slide-open packet of cigarettes normally has at least one connecting member connecting part of the inner container mechanically to part of the outer container. The connecting member normally acts as a stop to limit withdrawal of the inner container and so prevent it from being detached altogether from the outer container. Alternatively, the connecting member serves to open a lid (hinged to the inner or outer container) Automatically', i.e. without the user having to actually touch the lid, by exploiting the relative movement between the inner container and the outer container .

In known rigid, slide-open packets of cigarettes, the connecting member always comprises at least one connecting tab forming an integral part of one of the containers (i.e. connected seamlessly to the container and formed directly in the blank from which the container is formed) . Using a connecting tab forming an integral part of one of the containers, however, poses various drawbacks . Firstly, when the packet of cigarettes is in the closed position, the connecting tab of the connecting member folds up into a relatively thick bundle. So, using a connecting tab forming an integral part of one of the containers, the walls of the two containers enclosing the connecting tab must be kept a given distance apart (i.e. by forming otherwise ^unused' volume) , thus resulting in inefficient use of the volume of the outer container.

Secondly, using a connecting tab forming an integral part of one of the containers greatly increases the amount of cardboard required to form the corresponding blank, by normally increasing the width and/or length of the blank. In this connection, it is important to bear in mind that, the blank invariably being punched from a rectangular sheet, the amount of cardboard required to produce the blank depends, not on the actual area of the blank, but on the area of the smallest rectangle circumscribing the blank.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a rigid, slide-open packet of cigarettes and relative production method, designed to eliminate the above drawbacks, and which are cheap and easy to implement.

According to the present invention, there are provided a rigid, slide-open packet of cigarettes and relative production method, as claimed in the accompanying Claims .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A number of non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a view in perspective of a rigid, swing-open packet of cigarettes not forming part of the present invention and in a fully-closed configuration;

Figure 2 shows a view in perspective of the Figure

1 packet of cigarettes in a fully-open configuration;

Figure 3 shows a schematic front view of the Figure 1 packet of cigarettes in a partly open configuration;

Figures 4, 5 and 6 show three front views, with parts removed for clarity, of a top portion of the Figure 1 packet of cigarettes, and illustrating the opening sequence of an inner container lid;

Figure 7 shows a plan view of a blank from which to form an inner container of the Figure 1 packet of cigarettes;

Figure 8 shows a plan view of a blank from which to form an outer container of the Figure 1 packet of cigarettes ;

Figures 9 and 10 show schematics of two steps in producing the Figure 1 packet of cigarettes, and by which to apply a connecting tab to the packet containers ;

Figure 11 shows a front view in perspective, and in a closed configuration, of a rigid, hinged-lid, straight slide-open packet of cigarettes produced in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 12 shows a front view in perspective of the Figure 11 packet of cigarettes in an open configuration;

Figure 13 shows a rear view in perspective of the Figure 11 packet of cigarettes in an open configuration;

Figures 14, 15 and 16 show three schematic lateral longitudinal sections, with parts removed for clarity, of a top portion of the Figure 11 packet of cigarettes, and illustrating the opening sequence of the packet;

Figure 17 shows a rear view in perspective of a variation of the Figure 11 packet of cigarettes in an open configuration;

Figures 18, 19 and 20 show three schematic lateral longitudinal sections, with parts removed for clarity, of a top portion of the Figure 17 packet of cigarettes, and illustrating the opening sequence of the packet;

Figure 21 shows a front view in perspective of a rigid, straight slide-open packet of cigarettes not forming part of the present invention and in a closed configuration;

Figure 22 shows a front view in perspective of the

Figure 21 packet of cigarettes in an open configuration; Figure 23 shows an exploded view in perspective of the Figure 21 packet of cigarettes;

Figures 24 and 25 show two schematic cross sections, with parts removed for clarity, of the Figure 21 packet of cigarettes, and illustrating the opening sequence of the packet.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Number 1 in Figures 1-3 indicates as a whole a rigid, swing-open packet of cigarettes not forming part of the present invention.

The Figure 1-3 packet 1 of cigarettes comprises two inner packages 2 (Figure 2); two rigid, parallelepiped- shaped inner containers 3, each housing a corresponding inner package 2; and a rigid, parallelepiped- shaped outer container 4 housing inner containers 3. Each inner package 2 comprises a group of cigarettes arranged in a number of side by side rows; and a sheet of foil wrapping material wrapped about and fully enclosing the group of cigarettes. Each inner container 3 is hinged to outer container 4 to rotate, with respect to outer container 4, between a closed position (Figure 1), in which inner container 3 is inserted fully inside outer container 4, and an open position (Figure 2), in which inner container 3 is extracted partly from outer container 4 to allow access to inner package 2.

Each inner container 3 is parallelepiped- and cup- shaped, and comprises an open top end 5 allowing access to inner package 2; a bottom wall 6 opposite open top end 5; a front wall 7; a rear wall 8 opposite and parallel to front wall 7; and two opposite, parallel lateral walls 9.

Outer container 4 is also parallelepiped-shaped, and comprises a top wall 10; a bottom wall 11 opposite and parallel to top wall 10; two opposite, parallel lateral walls 12; and two opposite open ends 13, through each of which an inner container 3 is extracted from outer container 4 into the open position, or inserted inside outer container 4 into the closed position.

Each inner container 3 is hinged to outer container 4 by a connecting hinge 14 located close to an edge of bottom wall 6 of inner container 3 and an edge of bottom wall 11 of outer container; which edges are both located at an open end 13 of outer container 4. More specifically, each connecting hinge 14 is located a given distance from an edge of bottom wall 6 of inner container 3 and an edge of bottom wall 11 of outer container at an open end 13 of outer container 4, i.e. is located a given distance from a bottom transverse edge of inner container 3 and a bottom transverse edge of outer container 4.

In a preferred embodiment, rear wall 8 of each inner container 3 is lower than front wall 7, so that, in the closed position, front wall 7 closes respective open end 13 of outer container 4 completely, and rear wall 8 does not impede rotation of inner container 3 about connecting hinge 14 and with respect to outer container 4, by interfering with top wall 10 of outer container 4. Also, the top portion of each lateral wall 9 of each inner container 3 is contoured to connect front wall 7 smoothly to rear wall 8 and compensate for the difference in height.

Packet 1 of cigarettes has stops for limiting withdrawal of each inner container 3 from outer container 4 and preventing container 3 from detaching altogether from outer container 4. For each inner container 3, the stops comprise two retaining tabs 15 projecting outwards of inner container 3 from lateral walls 9 of inner container 3 and located close to rear wall 8 of inner container 3 ; and two retaining pockets 16 projecting inwards of outer container 4 from lateral walls 12 of outer container 4 and located close to open end 13 of outer container 4. In actual use, when an inner container 3 rotates with respect to outer container 4 about connecting hinge 14 from the closed to the open position, each retaining tab 15 slides inside respective retaining pocket 16 to arrest withdrawal of inner container 3.

To move an inner container 3 into the open position, the user of packet 1 of cigarettes must move inner container 3 with respect to outer container 4, by gripping outer container 4 with one hand, and inner container 3 with the other. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, for easy grip of inner containers 3, each lateral wall 12 of outer container 4 has a recess close to each open end 13, to allow the user of packet 1 of cigarettes to grip and exert pull on lateral walls 9 of each inner container 3.

In the Figure 1-3 embodiment, packet 1 of cigarettes comprises two inner containers 3, each housed inside outer container 4 and hinged to outer container 4 along connecting hinge 14 to rotate between the closed and open positions. In a different embodiment not shown, packet 1 of cigarettes comprises one inner container 3 housed inside outer container 4 and hinged to outer container 4 along connecting hinge 14 to rotate between the closed and open positions; in which case, outer container 4 is half the size of the Figure 1-3 outer container 4 , and one of the two open ends 13 of outer container 4 is closed by a further lateral wall.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, each inner container 3 comprises a lid 29 hinged to inner container 3 along a lid hinge 30 to rotate with respect to inner container 3 between an open position and a closed position opening and closing open top end 5 respectively. Each lid 29 comprises a rectangular top wall 31, which is opposite and parallel to bottom wall 6 of inner container 3 when lid 29 is in the closed position; a rectangular rear wall 32, which forms an extension of rear wall 8 of inner container 3 when lid 29 is in the closed position; and two triangular lateral walls 33, which form extensions of lateral walls 9 of inner container 3 when lid 29 is in the closed position. Hinge 30 of each lid 29 connects a top edge of rear wall 8 of inner container 3 to a bottom edge of rear wall 32 of lid 29.

For each inner container 3, packet 1 of cigarettes comprises a connecting member connecting part of inner container 3 mechanically to part of outer container 4, and for opening lid 29 ^automatically' , i.e. without the user having to actually touch lid 29, by exploiting the relative movement between inner container 3 and outer container 4. As shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6, each connecting member comprises a connecting tab 34 connecting lid 29 of relative inner container 3 to outer container 4, so that movement of inner container 3 with respect to outer container 4 also moves lid 29, without the user having to actually touch lid 29. In other words, by virtue of connecting tabs 34, each lid 29 opens ^automatically' by moving corresponding inner container 3. Each connecting tab 34 has an outer end 35 connected permanently to top wall 10 of outer container 4; and an inner end 36 opposite outer end 35 and connected permanently to top wall 31 of lid 29 of relative inner container 3. Each connecting tab 34 folds up (as shown in Figure 4) when relative inner container 3 is in the closed position inserted inside outer container 4, and unfolds (as shown in Figure 6) when relative inner container 3 is in the open position partly extracted from outer container 4. More specifically, when inner container 3 is in the closed position (Figure 4) inserted inside outer container 4, connecting tab 34 folds up into a Ζ' and is housed completely between top wall 31 of lid 29 and top wall 10 of outer container 4.

Each connecting tab 34 is initially separate from top wall 10 of outer container 4, and is simply glued to top wall 10 of outer container 4 (or, as described in more detail below, to a corresponding reinforcing flap 27 of top wall 10) .

In a preferred embodiment, each connecting tab 34 is made of extremely flexible, deformable plastic material that can be folded repeatedly, even 180°, without significant strain (i.e. fatigue failure). In other words, each connecting tab 34 is defined by a strip of plastic material glued on one side to top wall 10 of outer container 4 (at outer end 35) , and on the other side to top wall 31 of relative lid 29 (at inner end 36) . Each connecting tab 34 may obviously also be made of paper material, or multilayer material comprising, for example, both plastic and paper material .

In the Figure 4, 5 and 6 embodiment, the two connecting tabs 34 may be joined at outer ends 35 (as shown in Figures 9 and 10), i.e. the two connecting tabs 34 are connected at outer ends 35 into one (i.e. one strip of material) .

It is important to note that connecting tabs 34 serve solely to open lids 29 ^automatically' , and withdrawal of inner containers 3 from outer container 4 is limited (i.e. arrested) solely by the stops (i.e. by retaining tabs 15 cooperating with retaining pockets 16) . So, each connecting tab 34 is designed to only unfold completely when the relative inner container 3 exceeds the ^x limit' posed by the stops. By virtue of the retaining action of the stops, each connecting tab 34 therefore never unfolds completely, never impairs withdrawal of relative inner container 3, and is never in any danger of tearing.

As shown in Figure 7 , each inner container 3 is formed by folding a flat, substantially elongated rectangular inner blank 17 , the parts of which are indicated, where possible, using the same reference numbers, with superscripts, as for the corresponding parts of inner container 3.

Inner blank 17 has two longitudinal fold lines 18, and a number of transverse fold lines 19 defining, between longitudinal fold lines 18, a panel 8' forming rear wall 8; a panel 6' forming bottom wall 6; and a panel 1' forming front wall 7.

Panel 7' has a reinforcing flap 20 connected to panel 1' along a transverse fold line 19, and which is folded 180° onto panel 7' to .strengthen the top of front wall 7.

Panel 8' has two lateral wings 9' , which form respective inner portions of lateral walls 9, are located on opposite sides of panel 8', and are separated from panel 8' by longitudinal fold lines 18. Panel 7' has two lateral wings 9", which form respective outer portions of lateral walls 9, are located on opposite sides of panel 7', and are separated from panel 7' by longitudinal fold lines 18. Each lateral wing 9' of panel 8' has a tab 21, which is separated from lateral wing 9' by a transverse fold line 19, is folded 90° with respect to lateral wing 9', and is ultimately fixed to an inner surface of panel 6' . A window 22, containing a respective retaining tab 15, is formed in each lateral wing 9' . And each lateral wing 9" has a recess 23 located so that it is ultimately superimposed over respective retaining tab 15.

Inner blank 17 also has a panel 32' forming rear wall 32 of lid 29 and connected to panel 8' along lid hinge 30; a panel 31' forming top wall 31 of lid 29; and two lateral wings 33' forming lateral walls 33 of lid 29. Each lateral wing 33' has a tab 37, which is folded 90° with respect to lateral wing 33' and fixed to an inner surface of panel 31'.

As shown in Figure 8, outer container 4 is formed by folding a flat, substantially elongated rectangular outer blank 24, the parts of which are indicated, where possible, using the same reference numbers, with superscripts, as for the corresponding parts of outer container 4.

Outer blank 24 has two longitudinal fold lines 25, and a number of transverse fold lines 26 defining, between longitudinal fold lines 25, a panel 11' forming an inner portion of bottom wall 11; a panel 12' forming one lateral wall 12; a panel 10' forming top wall 10; a panel 12" forming the other lateral wall 12; and a panel 11" forming an outer portion of bottom wall 11.

Panel 10' has two reinforcing flaps 27, which are located on opposite sides of panel 10', are separated from panel 10' by longitudinal fold lines 25, and are folded 180° and glued onto panel 10' to strengthen top wall 10.

Panels 12 and 12" each have two retaining pockets 16, which are located on opposite sides of panel 12', 12", are separated from panel 12', 12" by longitudinal fold lines 25, and are folded 180° and glued onto panel 12', 12".

Panel 11' has two connecting tabs 28, which are located on opposite sides of panel 11', are separated from panel 11' by longitudinal fold lines 25, and are folded 180° onto panel 11'. Each connecting tab 28 is glued to bottom wall 6 of a respective inner container 3 to hinge inner container 3 to outer container 4.

Number 1 in Figures 11, 12 and 13 indicates as a whole a rigid, straight slide-open packet of cigarettes forming part of the present invention.

The Figure 11 packet 1 of cigarettes comprises an inner package 2 (comprising a group of cigarettes and shown schematically in Figure 12) ; a rigid inner container 3 actually housing inner package 2; and a rigid outer container 4 , which houses inner container 3 to allow inner container 3 to slide, with respect to outer container 4 and in a translatory movement, between a closed configuration (Figure 11) , in which inner container 3 is inserted fully inside outer container 4, and an open configuration (Figures 12 and 13) , in which inner container 3 is extracted partly from outer container 4 to allow access to inner package 2.

Inner container 3 is parallelepiped-shaped with a rectangular cross section, and is cup-shaped with an open top end 5. Inner container 3 comprises a cup-shaped lid 29 hinged to inner container 3 along a lid hinge 30 to rotate, with respect to inner container 3, between an open position (Figures 12 and 13) and a closed position (Figure 11) opening and closing open top end 5 respectively.

Inner container 3 has a bottom wall opposite open top end 5; a front wall 7 and rear wall 8 opposite and parallel to each other; and two parallel lateral walls 9 interposed between walls 7 and 8.

Lid 29 is cup-shaped and comprises a top wall 31 (which is opposite and parallel to the bottom wall of inner container 3 when lid 29 is closed) ; a rear wall 32 connected by lid hinge 30 to rear wall 8 of inner container 3); and two parallel lateral walls 33.

Outer container 4 is cup- shaped, is parallelepiped- shaped with a rectangular cross section, and comprises a bottom wall 11 opposite an open top end 13; a front wall 42 and rear wall 43 opposite and parallel to each other; and two parallel lateral walls 12 interposed between walls 42 and 43.

As shown in Figures 11 and 12, front wall 42 of outer container 4 has a through window 44 allowing access to front wall 7 of inner container 3 to push inner container 3 between the closed configuration and the open configuration.

Packet 1 of cigarettes has a connecting member connecting part of inner container 3 mechanically to part of outer container 4, and which serves to open lid 29 'automatically' , i.e. without the user having to actually touch lid 29, by exploiting the relative movement between inner container 3 and outer container 4. As such, the user need simply exert sufficient thrust to slide inner container 3 with respect to outer container 4, without having to touch lid 29, which is rotated 'automatically' . In this embodiment of packet 1 of cigarettes, the connecting member also serves to limit, i.e. arrest, withdrawal of inner container 3 from outer container 4.

As shown in Figures 13-16, the connecting member comprises a connecting tab 34 connecting lid 29 of inner container 3 to outer container 4 , so that the movement of inner container 3 with respect to outer container also moves lid 29, without the user having to actually touch lid 29. In other words, connecting tab 34 provides for 'automatically' opening lid 29 by moving inner container 3, and at the same time for arresting withdrawal of inner container 3 from outer container 4.

As shown in Figures 13-16, connecting tab 34 connects rear wall 32 of lid 29 to rear wall 43 of outer container 4. More specifically, connecting tab 34 has an outer end 35 connected permanently to rear wall 43 of outer container 4; and an inner end 36 opposite outer end 35 and connected permanently to rear wall 32 of lid 29 of inner container 3. Connecting tab 34 folds up (as shown in Figure 14) when inner container 3 is in the closed position inserted inside outer container 4, and unfolds (as shown in Figure 16) when inner container 3 is in the open position partly extracted from outer container 4. More specifically, when inner container 3 is in the closed position (Figure 14) inserted inside outer container 4, connecting tab 34 folds up into a In the Figure 13-16 embodiment, outer end 35 of connecting tab 34 is glued to the outer surface of rear wall 43 of outer container 4. In the Figure 17-20 embodiment (which, from the operating standpoint, is perfectly equivalent to the Figure 13-16 embodiment) , outer end 35 of connecting tab 34 is glued to the inner surface of rear wall 43 of outer container 4.

Like connecting tabs 34 of packet 1 of cigarettes in Figures 1-6, connecting tab 34 of packet 1 of cigarettes in Figures 11-20 is initially separate from containers 3 and 4 (i.e. from the corresponding blanks), and is simply glued to containers 3 and 4 (i.e. to the corresponding blanks) . Likewise, connecting tab 34 is preferably made of extremely flexible, deformable plastic material that can be folded repeatedly, even 180°, without significant strain (i.e. fatigue failure). In other words, connecting tab 34 is defined by a strip of plastic material glued on one side to rear wall 43 of outer container 4 (at outer end 35) , and on the other side to rear wall 32 of lid 29 (at inner end 36) . Connecting tab 34 may obviously also be made of paper material, or multilayer material comprising, for example, both plastic and paper material.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, lid 29 is hinged to rear wall 8 of inner container 3. In a different embodiment not shown, lid 29 is hinged to rear wall 43 of outer container 4, so connecting tab 34 is inverted.

Number 1 in Figures 21-23 indicates as a whole a rigid, straight slide-open packet of cigarettes not forming part of the present invention.

The Figure 21 packet 1 of cigarettes comprises an inner package 2 (comprising a group of cigarettes) ; an inner container 3 housing inner package 2; and an outer container 4, which houses inner container 3 to allow inner container 3 to slide straight, with respect to outer container 4, between a closed position (Figure 21) , in which inner container 3 is inserted fully inside outer container 4, and an open position (Figure 22), in which inner container 3 is extracted partly from outer container 4 to allow direct user access to inner package 2.

As shown in Figure 23, inner container 3 is parallelepiped-shaped, and comprises a bottom wall 6; a top wall 45; a front wall 7 and rear wall 8 opposite and parallel to each other; and two opposite, parallel lateral walls 9 interposed between front wall 7 and rear wall 8. Close to front wall 7, top wall 45 has an open top end 5, which also extends · over part of lateral walls 9, and which, when inner container 3 is in the open position, is positioned outside outer container 4 to allow the user to withdraw the cigarettes (not shown) from inner container 3, after first opening inner package 2.

As shown in Figure 23, outer container 4 is also parallelepiped-shaped, and comprises a top wall 10; a bottom wall 11; two opposite, parallel lateral walls 12; a rear wall 46; and an open end 13 opposite rear wall 46 and through which inner container 3 slides. Rear wall 46 of outer container 4 has a central hole shaped and sized to allow the user to exert pressure, through rear wall 46, on rear wall 8 of inner container 3, to slide inner container 3 into the open position.

Packet 1 of cigarettes comprises a connecting member connecting part of inner container 3 mechanically to part of outer container 4, and for limiting withdrawal of inner container 3 from outer container 4. In other words, in this embodiment, too, of packet 1 of cigarettes, the connecting member limits withdrawal of inner container 3 to prevent it from detaching completely from outer container 4.

As shown in Figures 24 and 25, the connecting member comprises two connecting tabs 34 located on opposite sides of inner container 3, and each of which connects a lateral wall 9 of inner container 3 to a lateral wall 12 of outer container 4. More specifically, each connecting tab 34 has an outer end 35 connected permanently to corresponding lateral wall 12 of outer container 4; and an inner end 36 opposite outer end 35 and connected permanently to corresponding lateral wall 9 of inner container 3. Each connecting tab 34 folds up (as shown in Figure 24) when inner container 3 is in the closed position inserted inside outer container 4, and unfolds (as shown in Figure 25) when inner container 3 is in the open position partly extracted from outer container 4. More specifically, when inner container 3 is in the closed position (Figure 24) inserted inside outer container 4, each connecting tab 34 folds up into a ϋ' .

Like connecting tabs 34 of packet 1 of cigarettes in Figures 1-6, connecting tabs 34 of packet 1 of cigarettes in Figures 21-24 are initially separate from containers 3 and 4 (i.e. from the corresponding blanks), and are simply glued to containers 3 and 4 (i.e. to the corresponding blanks) . Likewise, each connecting tab 34 is preferably made of extremely flexible, deformable plastic material that can be folded repeatedly, even 180°, without significant strain (i.e. fatigue failure). In other words, each connecting tab 34 is defined by a strip of plastic material glued on one side to the corresponding lateral wall 12 of outer container 4 (at outer end 35) , and on the other side to the corresponding lateral wall 9 of inner container 3 (at Inner end 36) . Each connecting tab 34 may obviously also be made of paper material, or multilayer material comprising, for example, both plastic and paper material .

Packet 1 of cigarettes described has numerous advantages .

Firstly, the fact that each connecting tab 34 is initially separate from blanks 17 and 24 reduces the width of blanks 17 and 24, thus reducing packing material cost by greatly reducing the amount of waste material produced when punching blanks 17 and 24.

Secondly, being initially separate from blanks 17 and 24, each connecting tab 34 can be made of a different material (better suited to its function) from that of containers 3 and 4 (i.e. of blanks 17 and 24). In this connection, it is important to bear in mind that connecting tab 34 is normally much thinner than the material of containers 3 and 4 (i.e. of blanks 17 and 24) .

Thirdly, packet 1 of cigarettes described provides for effectively exploiting the volume of outer container 4, by using a very thin connecting tab 34 (i.e. much thinner than the material of containers 3 and 4) made of plastic material specially designed to connect containers 3 and 4.

Lastly, packet 1 of cigarettes described is cheap and easy to produce, by involving only a few minor alterations with respect to a similar standard packet of cigarettes .

A method of producing packet 1 of cigarettes described above and shown in Figures 1-6 will now be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10.

The method comprises forming the two inner packages

2; depositing each inner package 2 on a respective inner blank 17; folding each inner blank 17 about the inner package 2 to form the corresponding inner container 3 ; depositing the two inner containers 3 on outer blank 24; and folding outer blank 24 about inner containers 3 to form outer container 4. As shown in Figure 9, the two connecting tabs 34 are joined at outer ends 35; so, before inner containers 3 are deposited on outer blank 24, outer ends 35 of connecting tabs 34 are glued simultaneously by glue 40 to panel 10' (forming top wall 10 of outer container 4) of outer blank 24, with the interposition of reinforcing flaps 27. Next, as shown in Figure 10, the inner end 36 of each connecting tab 34 is glued by glue 41 to top wall 31 of lid 29 of respective inner container 3, as inner container 3 is deposited on outer blank 24.

In an alternative, equivalent embodiment, inner end 36 of each connecting tab 34 is glued by glue 41 to top wall 31 of lid 29 of respective inner container 3 before inner containers 3 are deposited on outer blank 24. And, as inner containers 3 are deposited on outer blank 24, outer ends 35 of connecting tabs 34 are glued simultaneously by glue 40 to panel 10' (forming top wall 10 of outer container 4) of outer blank 24, with the interposition of reinforcing flaps 27.

As shown in Figure 10, outer ends 35 of connecting tabs 34 are glued simultaneously by glue 40 to panel 10' of outer blank 24 (with the interposition of reinforcing flaps 27) while connecting tabs 34 are fully unfolded. Next, as shown in Figure 10, each inner container 3 is deposited on the partly pre- folded outer blank 24 in a position at least partly outwards of (alongside) outer blank 24 (i.e. as opposed to resting completely on outer blank 24, inner container 3 is positioned alongside, possibly slightly overlapping, outer blank 24) so as to glue top wall 31 of lid 29 to inner end 36 of connecting tab 34 while connecting tab 34 is unfolded. Lastly, each inner container 3 is moved (translated) with respect to outer blank 24 to rest completely on outer blank 24 (i.e. into a position corresponding to the closed position in which inner container 3 is inserted inside outer container 4), and so as to fold up connecting tab 34 (from the Figure 10 position, the two inner containers 3 are pushed one against the other, inwards of outer blank 24) .

Once the two inner containers 3 are pushed inwards of outer blank 24 (i.e. into the position corresponding to the closed position) , outer blank 24 is folded completely about the two inner containers 3 to complete packet 1 of cigarettes.

As shown in Figure 9, before the two inner containers 3 are deposited on outer blank 24, panel 10' (together with panels 12' and 11') is folded 90° with respect to panel 12" about a corresponding transverse fold line 26. The outer ends 35 of the two connecting tabs 34 are preferably glued to panel 10' of outer blank 24 (with the interposition of reinforcing flaps 27) before panel 10' (together with panels 12' and 11' ) is folded 90° with respect to panel 12".

Glue 40 and/or glue 41 may be applied ^A fresh', shortly before use (i.e. just before end 35 or 36 of a connecting tab 34 is applied to reinforcing flap 27 of panel 10' or to top wall 31 of lid 29) . Alternatively, glue 40 and/or glue 41 may be applied beforehand (even a long time beforehand) , so that they are completely dry prior to use, and may be reactivated by heating when used (i.e. after end 35 or 36 of a connecting tab 34 is applied to reinforcing flap 27 of panel 10' or to top wall 31 of lid 29) .

It is important to bear in mind that, though described with reference to packet 1 of cigarettes in Figures 1-6, the above production method may also be used in exactly the same way to produce the packets 1 of cigarettes in Figures 11-16 and Figures 21-25.

The production method described has numerous advantages .

Firstly, it provides for producing the packets 1 of cigarettes described quickly and accurately.

Secondly, the method described is cheap and easy to implement, even on existing packing machines, by requiring only a few minor alterations.