The present invention relates to a container for consumer goods and a laminar blank for forming a container for consumer goods. The invention finds particular application as a container for elongate smoking articles, such as cigarettes.

Consumer goods such as smoking articles are commonly packaged in rigid box shaped containers, such as hinged lid containers having a box portion and a lid connected to the box portion about a hinge line extending across the rear wall of the container, a so called Flip-Top™ box. In some cases, the container further includes an inner frame wrapped around at least a portion of the consumer goods. This may provide further rigidity to the container and protect the consumer goods. Where the inner frame extends above an upper edge of the box portion, the inner frame also provides a surface against which the lid can close.

For manufacturers of the containers, or for manufacturers of the goods contained within the containers, the container in which the consumer goods are packaged provides a means for communicating with the consumer. For example, manufacturers typically use a combination of graphics and text applied to one or more surfaces of the container to communicate information to the consumer.

In some instances a manufacturer may wish to increase the surface area of the container available for communicating with a consumer. One method for addressing this problem is to increase the overall size of the container for consumer goods to provide an increased surface area on which the manufacturer can communicate with the consumer. However, in many case it may be undesirable or not possible to increase the overall size of the container. For example, increasing the size of the container may incur additional material costs in cases where more material is required to form the container, and expensive manufacturing equipment may need to be significantly modified or replaced to accommodate the larger containers.

Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a novel container for consumer goods having improved or increased surface area for communicating with a consumer, while minimising changes to the container dimensions when compared with equivalent conventional containers, and also minimising modifications to existing manufacturing machines.

According to the present invention there is provided a container for consumer goods, the container comprising a box portion and a lid portion both formed from a single laminar blank. The lid portion comprises a lid portion back wall depending from a box portion back wall, a lid portion top wall depending from the lid portion back wall, and a lid portion front wall depending from the lid portion top wall. The lid portion further comprises two first lid portion side flaps depending from the lid portion back wall, two second lid portion side flaps depending from the lid portion top wall, and two third lid portion side flaps depending from the lid portion front wall. The lid portion comprises first and second lid portion side walls, wherein each lid portion side wall comprises one of each of the first, second and third lid portion side flaps.

In the following description of the invention 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 lid portion at the top. When describing containers according to the present invention, these terms are used irrespective of the orientation of the container being described. In those embodiments in which the lid portion back wall depends from the box portion back wall along a hinge line, the hinge line is located at the back of the container and allows opening of the lid portion by a pivotal movement about the hinge line. The "front" of the container refers to the side of the container opposite the "back" of the container.

The term "panel" is used herein to refer to a portion of the container formed from a single, continuous portion of material. A panel may depend from one or more other panels. The term "flap" refers to a panel that depends from only one other panel.

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.

Conventional containers, such as hinge-lid containers typically used for storing smoking articles, comprise "dust flaps" depending from lid portion side walls and underlying a lid portion top panel to form part of a lid portion top wall. The dust flaps can minimise ingress or egress of material into or out of the container between the lid portion top wall and the lid portion side walls. However, as a result of the dust flaps underlying a lid portion top panel, the inner surface of the lid portion top wall of conventional containers is non-uniform. Specifically, the inner surface of the lid portion top wall of conventional containers at least comprises a join where the ends of the dust flaps abut each other. Typically, the combined width of the dust flaps is less than the width of the lid portion top panel such that the ends of the dust flaps do not abut and a gap is formed therebetween. In such cases the surface height of the lid portion top wall inner surface is nonuniform. Such non-uniformity makes it difficult to apply, for example, an indicia to the inner surface of the lid portion top wall. For example, printing onto the inner surface after the lid portion top wall has been formed is difficult due to the non-uniformity of the surface and the difficulty in accessing the inner surface of the lid portion top wall after the lid portion has been formed. It is also not practical to instead pre-apply portions of the indicia to the lid portion top panel and the lid portion dust flaps, as it may be difficult to achieve accurate registration of the various portions of the indicia when the dust flaps are folded over the lid portion top panel to form the lid portion top wall.

However, containers according to the present invention include a lid portion comprising first, second and third lid portion side flaps forming each of the lid portion side walls. The second lid portion side flaps depend from the lid portion top wall and function as dust flaps to minimise ingress or egress of material into or out of the container between the lid portion top wall and the lid portion side walls. Advantageously, since the second lid portion side flaps form part of the lid portion side walls rather than the lid portion top wall, containers according to the present invention can be more easily formed with a uniform inner surface of the lid portion top wall. The inner surface of the lid portion top wall of containers according to the present invention can therefore be more suitable for use in communicating with a consumer than the inner surface of the lid portion top wall of conventional containers comprising dust flaps forming part of the inner surface of the lid portion top wall.

Furthermore, containers according to the present invention, in which the second lid portion side panels form dust flaps on the lid portion side walls rather than the lid portion top wall, can be manufactured on existing high speed manufacturing machines with only minor modifications.

The terms "depend" and "depending" are used herein to refer to a connection between a wall, panel or flap and an adjacent wall, panel or flap. Walls, panels and flaps may depend along one or more lines of weakening from an adjacent wall, panel or flap. For example, a line of weakening may be a fold line in the laminar blank. The line of weakening may be formed when the laminar blank is folded to create the fold line. Alternatively, the line of weakening may be formed in the laminar blank before the laminar blank is folded along the line of weakening. In such embodiments, the line of weakening may be a scoring line or a perforation line, for example. A wall, panel or flap may depend along a single line of weakening from an adjacent wall panel or flap, wherein the laminar blank is typically folded along the single line of weakening at an angle of approximately 90 degrees. Alternatively, a wall, panel or flap may depend along multiple lines of weakening from an adjacent wall, panel or flap. For example, multiple parallel and coextensive lines of weakening may be formed in a laminar blank so that, when the laminar blank is folded along the multiple lines of weakening, a substantially rounded or bevelled edge is formed between the adjacent walls, panels or flaps. Alternatively, multiple overlapping but staggered lines of weakening may be formed in a laminar blank so that, when the laminar blank is folded along the multiple lines of weakening, a twisted edge is formed between the adjacent walls, panels or flaps.

Alternatively, walls, panels and flaps may depend from adjacent walls, panels and flaps along a weakening strip. For example, material may be removed from a surface of the laminar blank using an ablation tool, such as a laser or a blade. The portion of the blank from which the material is removed forms a weakening strip along which it may be easier to deform the blank when the blank is converted into the container. For example, in those containers that may otherwise comprise multiple weakening lines to form a substantially rounded edge between adjacent walls, panels or flaps, the multiple weakening lines may be replaced with a weakening strip having a width corresponding to the total width between the first and last multiple weakening lines. By eliminating discrete weakening lines a weakening strip can form a true rounded edge, whereas a substantially rounded edge formed by multiple weakening lines may retain discernible weakening lines.

The term "weakening zone" is used herein to encompass lines of weakening, including fold lines, scoring lines and perforation lines, and weakening strips, including ablated areas on the blank.

The term "inner surface" is used herein to refer to a surface of a wall, panel or flap that faces towards the interior of the container, for example towards the consumer goods, when the lid portion is closed. Thus, an inner surface is not directly visible to the consumer when the lid portion is closed. Likewise, the term "outer surface" is used herein to refer to a surface of a wall, panel or flap that faces towards the exterior of the container.

As described above, containers according to the present invention advantageously comprise second lid portion side flaps that form dust flaps on the lid portion side walls rather than the lid portion top wall, which can result in an inner surface of the lid portion top wall that is more suitable for use in communicating with a consumer. Therefore, in preferred embodiments, the lid portion top wall comprises an inner surface extending between the lid portion side walls, the lid portion back wall and the lid portion front wall, and wherein substantially the whole lid portion top wall inner surface forms part of an inner surface of the container. Utilising substantially the whole inner surface of a lid portion top wall to form part of the inner surface of the container can optimise the suitability of the lid portion top wall inner surface for communicating with a consumer. Specifically, substantially the whole inner surface of the lid portion top wall is a continuous and uniform surface.

The lid portion top wall may comprise a lid portion top panel depending from the lid portion back wall. In such embodiments, the lid portion top panel may define the inner surface of the lid portion top wall. Each of the lid portion front wall and the second lid portion side flaps depend from the lid portion top panel. In some particularly preferred embodiments, the lid portion top wall consists only of a single lid portion top panel depending from the lid portion back wall, and wherein each of the lid portion front wall and the second lid portion side flaps depend from the single lid portion top panel. Forming the lid portion top wall from a single panel can simplify the construction of the container and maximise the continuous and uniform inner surface of the lid portion top wall.

As described above, containers according to the present invention can advantageously provide a uniform lid portion top wall inner surface that can be used to communicate with a consumer. Therefore, in any of the embodiments described above, the container may comprise at least one indicia provided on the inner surface of the lid portion top wall. In embodiments in which substantially the whole inner surface of a lid portion top panel forms part of an inner surface of the container, the at least one indicia is provided on the inner surface of the lid portion top panel. The term "indicia" is used herein to refer to one or more discrete visual elements, or repeating visual elements or patterns that may provide an aesthetically pleasing or informative representation. The indicia may be in the form of text, images, letters, words, logos, patterns or a combination thereof. By way of example, the indicia may be a brand or manufacturer logo that allows the consumer to identify the type or origin of the consumer goods contained within the container. Additionally, or alternatively, the indicia may comprise an identification code, which may be associated with information regarding production, and can be used to authenticate the consumer goods.

Providing one or more indicia on the inner surface of the lid portion top wall also prevents the consumer observing the indicia until the container is opened, which may be advantageous. For example, a series of containers may be manufactured so that only some of the containers are provided with an indicia on the inner surface of the lid portion top wall, the indicia indicative of a container that can be exchanged by a consumer for a prize. In such embodiments, providing the indicia on the inner surface of the lid portion top wall is advantageous as a consumer cannot determine whether a container comprises a "winning" indicia until the consumer has purchased and opened the container. Alternatively or additionally, providing one or more indicia on the inner surface of the lid portion top wall can advantageously provide a further means for checking that the consumer goods have originated from a genuine source and are not a counterfeit product.

In any of the embodiments described above, the lid portion front wall may comprise a lid portion front panel depending from the lid portion top wall and a lid portion front wall under panel depending from the lid portion front panel, wherein the lid portion front wall under panel underlies the lid portion front panel. Providing a lid portion front wall under panel underlying the lid portion front panel can increase the strength of the lid portion front wall and minimise bending of the lid portion front wall, which may otherwise prevent the lid portion front wall lying in the same plane as a box portion front wall when the lid portion is on the closed position. Providing a lid portion front wall under panel underlying the lid portion front panel can ensure that the lower edge of the lid front wall is a non-cut edge. This can improve the appearance of the lid portion front wall.

In those embodiments in which the lid portion top wall comprises a lid portion top panel depending from the lid portion back wall, the lid portion top wall preferably comprises a lid portion top wall under panel depending from the lid portion front wall under panel, wherein the lid portion top wall under panel underlies the lid portion top panel. In such embodiments, the lid portion top wall under panel can define the inner surface of the lid portion top wall. This advantageously means the inner surface of the lid portion top wall is formed from the same side of the blank that defines the outer surface of the container. Consequently, only a single side of the blank needs to be treated in order for the outer surface of the container and the inner surface of the lid portion top wall to exhibit such treatment. For example, if the outer surface of the container and the inner surface of the lid portion top wall are to be printed, embossed, debossed or otherwise embellished with manufacturer or brand logos, trade marks, slogans and other consumer information and indicia, then this only needs to be applied to one side of the blank in order for such surfaces to possess these features. This can allow the container to be manufactured on existing high speed manufacturing machines with only minor modifications.

Furthermore, because each lid portion side wall comprises one of each of the first, second and third lid portion side flaps in accordance with the invention, the lid portion can be formed by first folding the blank so that the lid portion front wall under panel underlies the lid portion front panel and the lid portion top wall under panel underlies the lid portion top panel, and then folding the first, second and third lid portion side flaps to form the lid portion side walls. This advantageously allows the lid portion to be formed in an efficient and effective way, whilst minimising the likelihood of the lid portion top wall under panel interfering with the first, second and third lid portion side flaps.

In preferred embodiments, adhesive is provided between the lid portion front wall under panel and the lid portion front panel for securing them together. Adhesive may be provided between the lid portion top wall under panel and the lid portion top panel. However, in some preferred embodiments, no adhesive is provided between the lid portion top wall under panel and the lid portion top panel. This can allow these two panels to slide relative to one another during the manufacture of the container, and can help the lid portion top wall under panel to remain flush with the lid portion top panel after the container has been formed.

The first, second and third lid portion side flaps may be arranged in any overlapping order on the lid portion side walls. However, preferably the first, second and third lid portion side flaps are arranged such that each first lid portion side flap defines the inner surface of its respective lid portion side wall. Preferably the first, second and third lid portion side flaps are arranged such that each third lid portion side flap defines the outer surface of its respective lid portion side wall. Preferably the first, second and third lid portion side flaps are arranged such that each second lid portion side flap is positioned between its respective first lid portion side flap and third lid portion side flap. The container may be provided with adhesive for securing the lid portions side flaps together on their respective lid portion side wall.

In any of the embodiments described above, at least one of the second lid portion side flaps may extend below a bottom edge of at least one of the respective first and third lid portion side flaps so that the second lid portion side flap interacts with the box portion when the lid portion is in a closed position. For example, an outer surface of the second lid portion side flap may slide against an inner surface of the box portion as the lid portion is moved between opened and closed positions. This may advantageously guide the lid portion into the correct position when the lid portion is moved into the closed position. In embodiments where the container comprises an inner frame comprising an inner frame front wall and first and second inner frame side walls, each second lid portion side flap may be configured to slide between a respective box portion side wall and inner frame side wall as the lid portion is moved between opened and closed positions. This may advantageously guide the lid portion into the correct position when the lid portion is moved into the closed position.

In some embodiments, the box portion or the inner frame (if present) may comprise a formation, such as a slot or a tab, which interacts with an edge of at least one of the second lid portion side flaps to simulate or provide a locking effect when the lid portion is moved into the fully closed position. For example, the formation may interact with at least one second lid portion side flap to create an audible sound, such as a click, when the lid reaches the fully closed position. Additionally, or alternatively, the formation may interact with at least one of the second lid portion side flaps to retain the lid portion in the closed position. For example, the box portion or the inner frame (if present) may comprise at least one slot into which at least one of the second lid portion side flaps is received when the lid portion is moved into the fully closed position, the at least one slot forming an interference fit with the at least one second lid portion side flap to retain the lid portion in the fully closed position.

In any of the embodiments described above, the box portion may further comprise a box portion bottom wall, wherein the box portion back wall depends from the box portion bottom wall. The box portion may further comprise a box portion front wall depending from the box portion bottom wall, and first and second box portion side walls. Preferably, each box portion side wall comprises a first box portion side panel depending from the box portion back wall and a second box portion side panel depending from the box portion front wall.

In any of the embodiments described above, the container may comprise further elements in addition to the lid portion and the box portion. For example, the container may further comprise an inner frame comprising an inner frame front wall and first and second inner frame side walls. The inner frame may be formed from the same laminar blank as the box portion and the lid portion, but is preferably formed from a separate laminar blank. In those embodiments in which the inner frame is formed from a separate laminar blank, the inner frame may be secured to at least one of the box portion and a bundle of consumer goods contained within the box portion. For example, at least a portion of an outer surface of the inner frame front wall may be secured to an inner surface of a box portion front wall. In those embodiments in which the container comprises an inner frame, the inner frame preferably extends above a top edge of the box portion so that a portion of the inner frame forms a surface against which the lid portion can close.

In any of the embodiments described above, the container may further comprise one or more consumer goods positioned within the box portion. For example, the container may comprise a plurality of aerosol-generating articles positioned within the box portion. The consumer goods may be provided within the container in the form of a bundle wrapped in an inner package formed of metal foil or metallised paper. The inner package material may be formed as a laminate of a metallised polyethylene film, and a liner material. The liner material may be a super-calendered glassine paper. In addition, the inner package material may be provided with a print-receptive top coating. The inner package preferably has an access opening through which the consumer goods can be removed when the lid portion is in the open position.

In any of the embodiments described above, the container may comprise an outer wrapper, which is preferably a transparent polymeric film of, for example, high or low density polyethylene, polypropylene, oriented polypropylene, polyvinylidene chloride, cellulose film, or combinations thereof and the outer wrapper is applied in a conventional manner. The outer wrapper may include a tear tape. Additionally, or alternatively, the outer wrapper may be printed with images, consumer information or other data.

The container is preferably a rectangular parallelepiped comprising two wider walls spaced apart by two narrower walls. Containers according to the invention may be in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, with right-angled longitudinal and right-angled transverse edges. Alternatively, the container may comprise one or more rounded longitudinal edges, rounded transverse edges, bevelled longitudinal edges or bevelled transverse edges, or combinations thereof. For example, the container according to the invention may comprise, without limitation:

- One or two longitudinal rounded or bevelled edges on the front wall, and/or one or two longitudinal rounded or bevelled edges on the back wall.

- One or two transverse rounded or bevelled edges on the front wall, and/or one or two transverse rounded or bevelled edges on the back wall.

- One longitudinal rounded edge and one longitudinal bevelled edge on the front wall, and/or one transverse rounded edge and one transverse bevelled edge on the back wall.

- One or two transverse rounded or bevelled edges on the front wall and one or two longitudinal rounded or bevelled edges on the front wall.

- Two longitudinal rounded or bevelled edges on a first side wall or two transverse rounded or bevelled edges on the second side wall.

Where the container comprises one or more bevelled edge, preferably the bevelled edge has a width of between about 1 mm and about 10 mm, preferably between about 2 and about 6 mm. Alternatively, the container may comprise a multi-bevelled edge formed by parallel creasing or scoring lines that are spaced such that two or more distinct bevels are formed on at least one edge of the container.

Alternatively, the container may have a non-rectangular transversal cross section, for example polygonal such as triangular or hexagonal, semi-oval or semi-circular.

Containers according to the invention find particular application as packs for elongate smoking articles such as, for example, cigarettes, cigars or cigarillos. It will be appreciated that through appropriate choices of the dimensions thereof, containers according to the invention may be designed for different numbers of conventional size, king size, super-king size, slim or super- slim cigarettes. Alternatively, other consumer goods may be housed inside the container. Through an appropriate choice of the dimensions, containers according to the invention may be designed to hold different total numbers of smoking articles, or different arrangements of smoking articles. For example, through an appropriate choice of the dimensions, containers according to the invention may be designed to hold a total of between ten and thirty smoking articles.

The smoking articles may be arranged in different collations, depending on the total number of smoking articles.

Containers according to the present invention may hold smoking articles of the same type or brand, or of different types or brands. In addition, both filter-less smoking articles and smoking articles with various filter tips may be contained, as well as smoking articles of differing length (for example, between about 40 mm and about 180 mm), diameter (for example, between about 4 mm and about 9 mm). Preferably, the dimensions of the container are adapted to the length of the smoking articles, and the collation of the smoking articles. Typically, the outer dimensions of the container are between about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm larger than the dimensions of the bundle or bundles of smoking articles housed inside the container.

The length, width and depth of containers according to the invention may be such that the resultant overall dimensions of the container are similar to the dimensions of a typical disposable pack of twenty cigarettes.

Preferably, containers according to the invention have a height of between about 60 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably a height of between about 70 mm and about 125 mm, wherein the height is measured from the bottom wall to the top wall of the container.

Preferably, containers according to the invention have a width of between about 12 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably a width of between about 70 mm and about 125 mm, wherein the width is measured from one side wall to the other side wall of the container.

Preferably, containers according to the invention have a depth of between about 6 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably a depth of between about 12 mm and about 25 mm wherein the depth is measured from the front wall to the back wall of the container.

Preferably, the ratio of the height of the container to the depth of the container is in between about 0.3 to 1 and about 10 to 1 , more preferably between about 2 to 1 and about 8 to 1 , most preferably between about 3 to 1 and 5 to 1

Preferably, the ratio of the width of the container to the depth of the container is in between about 0.3 to 1 and about 10 to 1 , more preferably between about 2 to 1 and about 8 to 1 , most preferably between about 2 to 1 and 3 to 1.

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 and indicia. The present invention also extends to laminar blanks for forming the container, in accordance with any of the embodiments described above. The laminar blank comprises a box portion back panel, a lid portion back panel depending along a weakening zone from the box portion back panel, a lid portion top panel depending along a weakening zone from the lid portion back panel, and a lid portion front panel depending along a weakening zone from the lid portion top panel. Two first lid portion side flaps each depend along a weakening zone from the lid portion back panel, two second lid portion side flaps each depend along a weakening zone from the lid portion top panel, and two third lid portion side flaps each depending along a weakening zone from the lid portion front panel.

The laminar blank preferably comprises at least one indicia provided on a surface of the lid portion top panel, most preferably the surface of the lid portion top panel that forms part of the inner surface of the container when the laminar blank is folded. The at least one indicia may comprise any of the indicia described above with respect to the container.

The laminar blank preferably comprises a lid portion front wall under panel depending along a weakening zone from the lid portion front panel, Preferably, the laminar blank also comprises a lid portion top wall under panel depending along a weakening zone from the lid portion front wall under panel. Preferably, the laminar blank comprises at least one indicia provided on a surface of the lid portion top wall under panel, most preferably the surface of the lid portion top wall under panel that forms part of the inner surface of the container when the laminar blank is folded.

In any of the embodiments described above, each second lid portion side flap comprises a distal edge distal from the weakening zone between the respective second lid portion side flap and the lid portion top panel, and each of the second lid portion side flaps may comprise a distal edge that extends substantially parallel to the respective weakening zone between the second lid portion side flap and the lid portion top panel. Forming each of the second lid portion side flaps with a distal edge extending parallel to the respective weakening zone between the second lid portion side flap and the lid portion top panel can reduce the amount of waste material generated when cutting the blank from a sheet or roll of material, as the distal edges of the second lid portion side flaps can be parallel to and in line with the edges of adjacent panels or flaps of the laminar blank, such as the first and third lid portion side flaps.

In any of the embodiments described above, each of the first lid portion side flaps comprises a first edge adjacent the respective second lid portion side flap and a second edge distal from the first edge, wherein each second edge may extend at a non-perpendicular angle with respect to the weakening zone between the respective first lid portion side flap and the lid portion back panel.

Additionally, or alternatively, each of the third lid portion side flaps comprises a third edge adjacent the respective second lid portion side flap and a fourth edge distal from the third edge, wherein each fourth edge may extend at a non-perpendicular angle with respect to the weakening zone between the respective third lid portion side flap and the lid portion front panel.

Preferably, all of the first and third lid portion side flaps comprise second and fourth edges extending at non-perpendicular angles with respect to the respective weakening zones, as described above. Most preferably, the second edge of each first lid portion side flaps is substantially parallel with the fourth edge of the respective third lid portion side flap.

Providing the first and third lid portion side flaps with second and fourth edges extending at non-perpendicular angles with respect to the respective weakening zones may result in lid portion side wall bottom edges that are not parallel with the top and bottom walls of the container.

In those embodiments in which at least one of the first and third lid portion side flaps comprises an edge extending at a non-perpendicular angle with respect to the respective weakening zone and at least one of the second lid portion side flaps comprises a distal edge extending parallel to the respective weakening zone between the second lid portion side flap and the lid portion top panel, preferably the shortest distance between the first edge and the second edge of the first lid portion side flap, or the shortest distance between the third edge and the fourth edge of the third lid portion side flap, is less than the distance between the distal edge of the second lid portion side flap and the respective weakening zone between the second lid portion side flap and the lid portion top panel. Such a laminar blank, when folded, forms a container in which at least a portion of the second lid portion side flap extends below a bottom edge of at least one of the respective first and third lid portion side flaps. As described above with respect to the container, such an arrangement may enable at least one of the second lid portion side flaps to interact with the box portion when the lid portion is moved into the closed position. For example, the box portion may comprise a formation, such as a slot or a tab, to provide at least one of an audible click and an interference fit with at least one of the second lid portion side flaps, as described above.

Alternatively, in those embodiments in which at least one of the first and third lid portion side flaps comprises an edge extending at a non-perpendicular angle with respect to the respective weakening zone, the laminar blank may further comprise first and second cut-out portions defining angled distal edges of the second lid portion side flaps distal from the weakening zone between the respective second lid portion side flap and the lid portion top panel, wherein each angled distal edge extends at a non-perpendicular angle with respect to the weakening zone between the respective second lid portion side flap and the lid portion top panel. Preferably, the angle between each angled distal edge and the respective weakening zone between the second lid portion side flap and the lid portion top panel is such that each angled distal edge is aligned with the second edge and the fourth edge of the respective first and third lid portion side flaps when the laminar blank is folded to form the container. In any of the embodiments described above, the laminar blank may comprise a single cut line extending between each second lid portion side flap and each of the respective first and third lid portion side flaps, so that each second lid portion side flap abuts the adjacent first and third lid portion side flaps.

Alternatively, the laminar blank may further comprise a cut-out extending between each of the second lid portion side flaps and at least one of the respective first lid portion side flap and third lid portion side flap, preferably both of the respective first and third lid portion side flaps. Preferably, the cut-outs are formed so that the edge of each first lid portion side flap adjacent the respective second lid portion side flap is parallel to and in line with the weakening zone between the lid portion top panel and the lid portion back panel. Additionally, or alternatively, the cut-outs are preferably formed so that the edge of each third lid portion side flap adjacent the respective second lid portion side flap is parallel to and in line with the weakening zone between the lid portion top panel and the lid portion front panel. Providing such cut-outs can create second lid portion side flaps each having a width smaller than the width of the respective first and third lid portion side flaps, which can facilitate folding the laminar blank to form the container.

Preferably, the cut-outs are shaped so that they narrow towards the weakening zone between the respective second lid portion side flap and the lid portion top panel so that the weakening zone between the respective second lid portion side flap and the lid portion top panel intersects the weakening zone between the lid portion top panel and the lid portion back panel, and intersects the weakening zone between the lid portion top panel and the lid portion front panel. This arrangement facilitates the function of the second lid portion side flaps as dust flaps to minimise the ingress and egress of material into and out of the container between each lid portion side wall and the lid portion top wall.

Additionally, or alternatively, each cut-out preferably has a maximum width of at least about 4 millimetres between the second lid portion side flap and the respective first or third lid portion side flap. Providing cut-outs with a maximum width of at least about 4 millimetres facilities the use of a punch or similar machine tool to remove the waste material from the laminar blank when forming each cut-out.

In any of the embodiments described above, the laminar blank may further comprise a box portion bottom panel, wherein the box portion back panel depends along a weakening zone from the box portion bottom panel. The laminar blank may further comprise a box portion front panel depending along a weakening zone from the box portion bottom panel, two first box portion side panels each depending along a weakening zone from the box portion back panel, and two second box portion side panels each depending along a weakening zone from the box portion front panel. When the laminar blank is folded, each first box portion side panel overlaps the respective second box portion side panel to form at least part of a box portion side wall. The laminar blank may further comprise a dust flap depending from each first box portion side panel or each second box portion side panel, wherein the dust flaps overlap the box portion bottom panel when the laminar blank is folded to form the container. Alternatively, the laminar blank may further comprise first and second dust flaps each depending from the box portion bottom panel, wherein the first and second dust flaps overlap at least one of the respective first and second box portion side panels when the laminar blank is folded to form the container.

In any of the embodiments described above, the laminar blank may be formed from any suitable material or combination of materials, including, but not limited to, cardboard, paperboard, plastic, metal, or combinations thereof. Preferably, the laminar blank is a laminar cardboard blank having a weight of between about 100 grams per square metre and about 350 grams per square metre. In preferred embodiments, the blank has a thickness of from about 100 micrometres to about 500 micrometres, preferably from about 200 micrometres to about 350 micrometres.

The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a prior art container for consumer goods;

Figure 2 shows the prior art container of Figure 1 with the inner frame and the consumer goods removed;

Figure 3 shows a laminar blank for forming the lid portion and the box portion of the prior art container of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 shows a container for consumer goods, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 shows a laminar blank for forming the container of Figure 4;

Figure 6 shows an alternative laminar blank for forming the container of Figure 4;

Figure 7 shows a further alternative laminar blank for forming the container of Figure 4; and Figure 8 shows yet a further alternative laminar blank for forming the container of Figure 4.

Figure 1 shows a prior art container 10 of consumer goods comprising a box portion 12 and a lid portion 14 depending from the box portion 12 along a hinge line extending across a back wall of the container 30. An inner frame 16 is connected to the inner surface of the box portion 12 and provides a surface against which the lid portion 14 closes. A wrapped bundle of consumer goods 18 is received within the box portion 12.

As shown more clearly in Figure 2, which shows the prior art container 10 of Figure 1 with the inner frame 16 and the bundle of consumer goods 18 removed, the box portion 12 comprises a box portion front wall 20, two box portion side walls 22, 24, and a box portion back wall 26, all depending from a box portion bottom wall.

The lid portion 14 comprises a lid portion back wall 28 depending from the box portion back wall 26, a lid portion top wall 30 depending from the lid portion back wall 28, and a lid portion front wall 32 depending from the lid portion top wall 30. First and second lid portion side walls 34, 36 depend from the lid portion back, top and front walls.

As shown in Figure 2, the lid portion top wall 30 of the prior art container 10 comprises first and second dust flaps 38, 40 underlying a lid portion top panel 42. As a result of the dust flaps 38, 40 underlying the lid portion top panel 42, the inner surface of the lid portion 14 is non-uniform and therefore may not be suitable for use in communicating with a consumer, for example by applying an indicia to the inner surface of the lid portion 14.

Figure 3 shows a laminar blank 50 for forming the box portion 12 and the lid portion 14 of the prior art container 10 shown in Figures 1 and 2. Solid lines represent cut lines and dashed lines represent lines of weakening, such as scoring lines, along which the laminar blank 50 is folded to form the container 10.

The laminar blank 50 comprises a box portion bottom panel 52, a box portion front panel 54 depending along a fold line 56 from the box portion bottom panel, and a box portion back panel 58 depending along a fold line 60 from the box portion bottom panel 52. First box portion side panels 62 depend along fold lines 64 from the box portion back panel 58 and second box portion side panels 66 depend along fold lines 68 from the box portion front panel 54. Two box portion dust flaps 70 depend along fold lines 72 from the first box portion side panels 62.

The laminar blank 50 further comprises a lid portion back panel 74 depending along a fold line 76 from the box portion back panel 58, the lid portion top panel 42 depending along a fold line 78 from the lid portion back panel, and a lid portion front panel 80 depending along a fold line 82 from the lid portion top panel 42. A lid portion front wall under panel 84 depends along a fold line 86 from the lid portion front panel 80.

The laminar blank 50 also comprises first lid portion side flaps 88 depending along fold lines 90 from the lid portion back panel 74, first and second dust flaps 38, 40 depending along folds lines 94 from the respective first lid portion side flaps 88, and third lid portion side flaps 96 depending along fold lines 98 from the lid portion front panel 80. When the laminar blank 50 is folded to form the box portion 12 and the lid portion 14 shown in Figure 2, each pair of first and third lid portion side flaps 88, 96 overlap each other to form the first and second lid portion side walls 34, 36. The first and second dust flaps 38, 40 are folded about the fold lines 94 so that they underlie the lid portion top panel 42, as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 shows a container 100 for consumer goods, according to the present invention. The container 100 according to the present invention is substantially the same as the prior art container 10, except for the lid portion dust flaps, and therefore like reference numerals will be used to refer to like parts.

As shown in Figure 4, the container 100 according to the present invention comprises a box portion 12 and a lid portion 14. The container 100 is substantially the same as the prior art container 10 shown in Figure 2, except the container 100 according to the present invention comprises a lid portion top wall 130 that is formed only from the lid portion top panel 42. That is, the lid portion top wall 130 of the container 100 according to the present invention does not comprise any dust flaps. Accordingly, the inner surface of the lid portion top wall 130 is uniform over its entire area and may therefore be suitable for use in communicating with a consumer. For example, an indicia 102, such as a printed graphic, may be applied to the inner surface of the lid portion top wall 130.

Instead of incorporating lid portion dust flaps into the lid portion top wall 130, the container 100 according to the present invention incorporates lid portion dust flaps into the first and second lid portion side walls 134, 136, as shown more clearly in Figure 5, which shows a laminar blank 150 for forming the container 100 according to the present invention.

The laminar blank 150 for forming the container 100 according to the present invention is substantially the same as the laminar blank 50 for forming the prior art container 10, and therefore like reference numerals are used to designate like parts. The difference between the laminar blank 150 and the prior art laminar blank 50 is the position of the lid portion dust flaps. Specifically, the laminar blank 150 comprises second lid portion side flaps 138 depending along fold lines 194 from the lid portion top panel 42, the second lid portion side flaps 138 forming lid portion dust flaps that depend from the lid portion top wall 130 and form part of the lid portion side walls 134, 136. This is in contrast to the prior art container 10, in which the lid portion dust flaps 38, 40 depend from the lid portion side walls 34, 36 and form part of the lid portion top wall 30.

When folding the laminar 150 to form the container 100 according to the present invention, the respective first, second and third lid portion side flaps 88, 138, 96 overlap each other to form the first and second lid portion side walls 134. Since the second lid portion side flaps 138 have a square shape, rather than the trapezoidal shape of the first and third lid portion side flaps 88, 96, the second lid portion side flaps 138 may extend below the bottom edges of the first and third lid portion side flaps 88, 96 when the laminar blank 150 is folded. Therefore, the laminar blank 150 is preferably folded so that each second lid portion side flap 138 underlies both of the respective first and third lid portion side flaps 88, 96, which ensures that the second lid portion side flaps 138 do not abut edges of the first and second box portion side panels 62, 66 as the lid portion 12 is moved into the closed position.

Figure 6 shows an alternative laminar blank 250 for forming the container 100 according to the present invention. The laminar blank 250 is substantially the same as the laminar blank 150 shown in Figure 5, but with the addition of two cut-outs 252 in the blank 250 which create second lid portion side flaps 238 having the same trapezoidal shape as the first and third lid portion side flaps 88, 96. Therefore, the first, second and third lid portion side flaps 88, 238, 96 can overlie or underlie each other in any order.

Figure 7 shows an alternative laminar blank 350 for forming the container 100 according to the present invention. The laminar blank 350 is substantially the same as the laminar blank 250 shown in Figure 6, but with the two cut-outs 352 extended between each second lid portion side flap 338 and the respective first and third lid portion side flaps 88, 96. Removing material between each second lid portion side flap 338 and the respective first and third lid portion side flaps 88, 96 can advantageously facilitate folding of the first, second and third lid portion side flaps 88, 338, 96 to form the lid portion side walls. Due to the reduced size of the second lid portion side flaps 338 compared to the first and third lid portion side flaps 88, 96, each second lid portion side flap 338 preferably underlies one or both of the respective first and third lid portion side flaps 88, 96.

Figure 8 shows an alternative laminar blank 450 for forming the container 100 according to the present invention. The laminar blank 450 is substantially the same as the laminar blank 350 shown in Figure 7, but additionally includes a lid portion top wall under panel 85 depending along a fold line 87 from the lid portion front wall under panel 84.

To form the lid portion from the blank shown in Figure 8, the under panels 84 and 85 are first folded about fold line 86, so that under panels 84 and 85 underlie their respective lid portion panels 80 and 42. Adhesive may be provided between panels 80 and 84 to secure them together, after the blank has been folded about fold line 86. The blank is then folded about fold lines 87 and 82, so that the lid portion front wall (formed by panels 80 and 84) is orthogonal to the lid portion top wall (formed by panels 85 and 42).

Adhesive may be provided between panels 42 and 85; however, it is preferable for no adhesive to be provided between these panels so that they can move relative to one another when the blank is folded about fold lines 87 and 82. The blank can then be folded along fold line 78 so that the lid portion top wall (formed by panels 85 and 42) is orthogonal to the lid portion back wall (formed by panel 74).

The first, second and third lid portion side flaps 88, 338 and 96 can then be folded to form the lid portion side walls. In the embodiment shown in Figure 8 it is preferable for the lid portion side walls to be formed, such that each first lid portion side flap 88 defines the inner surface of its respective lid portion side wall, each third lid portion side flap 96 defines the outer surface of its respective lid portion side wall, and each second lid portion side flap 338 is positioned between its respective first lid portion side flap 88 and third lid portion side flap 96. Adhesive may be used to secure the lid portions side flaps together on their respective lid portion side wall.