The present invention relates to a container for consumer goods, the container comprising a sliding portion coupled to a pivotable lid. 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 back 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.

Typically hinged lid containers require the use of two hands when opening the container, that is, one hand to hold the box portion and the other hand to pivot the lid into the open position. It would be desirable to provide a container for consumer goods that facilitates opening of the container using only one hand. It would be particularly desirable to provide such a container that can be produced using existing high speed manufacturing machines and processes with minimal modification.

According to the present invention there is provided a container for consumer goods, the container comprising an outer housing comprising a box portion for receiving consumer goods and a lid portion pivotable between a closed position and an open position in which consumer goods can be removed from the box portion. The container further comprises a collar portion slidable between a lowered position in which the collar portion abuts the box portion and a raised position in which the collar portion is spaced apart from the box portion. The lid portion depends along a first hinge line from a box portion back wall and along a second hinge line from the collar portion so that the sliding motion of the collar portion is coupled to the pivoting motion of the lid portion.

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 of the container and the first hinge line located at the back of the container. The "front" of the container refers to the side of the container opposite the "back" of the container.

The term "height" is used herein to refer to dimensions extending between the top and the bottom. The term "width" is used herein to refer to dimensions extending between two sides. The term "depth" is used herein to refer to dimensions extending between the front and the back. In embodiments in which the container has a substantially parallelepiped shape height, width and depth are orthogonal to each other. 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.

The term "weakening line" is used herein to refer to a line of weakening along which the material in which the weakening line is formed can be folded or broken. For example, a weakening line may comprise at least one of a fold line, a score line, a perforation line and a cut line.

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 weakening lines from an adjacent wall, panel or flap. A wall, panel or flap may depend along a single weakening line from an adjacent wall panel or flap, wherein the wall, panel or flap is typically folded along the single weakening line at an angle of approximately 90 degrees in a substantially parallelepiped container. Alternatively, a wall, panel or flap may depend along multiple weakening lines from an adjacent wall, panel or flap. For example, multiple parallel and coextensive weakening lines may be formed in a laminar blank so that, when the laminar blank is folded along the multiple weakening lines, a substantially rounded or bevelled edge is formed between the adjacent walls, panels or flaps. Alternatively, multiple overlapping but staggered weakening lines may be formed in a laminar blank so that, when the laminar blank is folded along the multiple weakening lines, 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 a 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 weakening lines, including fold lines, score lines, perforation lines and cut lines, and weakening strips, including ablated areas. In the following description of the invention pivoting motion of the lid portion is described as resulting from sliding motion of the collar portion to which it is coupled. However, it will be appreciated that it is also possible to manually pivot the lid portion to give rise to a resultant sliding motion of the collar portion by virtue of the coupling between the lid portion and the collar portion.

By coupling the pivoting motion of the lid portion to the sliding motion of the collar portion containers according to the present invention can advantageously facilitate one-handed opening of the container. For example, it may be possible to hold the box portion of the container in a hand and, using a digit on the same hand, slide the collar portion into the raised position to automatically pivot the lid portion into the open position.

Containers according to the present invention comprise a lid portion depending along a first hinge line from a box portion back wall. Therefore, containers according to the present invention may be advantageously formed and handled using existing high speed manufacturing processes and machines with minimal modification. For example, a container according to the present invention may be constructed so that the lid portion and the collar portion, when in their respective closed and lowered positions, have a similar shape to a lid portion of a conventional hinge lid container.

Containers according to the present invention may be constructed so that the box portion, the collar portion and the lid portion do not overlap each other. Therefore, containers according to the present invention may be constructed so that the box portion, the collar portion and the lid portion lie in substantially the same plane on each facet of the container when the lid portion and the collar portion are in their respective closed and lowered positions. This may minimise the risk of one or more parts of the container undesirably catching and becoming damaged during high speed manufacture and subsequent handling of the container.

Advantageously, containers according to the present invention can be readily manufactured from a laminar blank. In particular, the box portion, the collar portion and the lid portion can be manufactured easily from a single laminar blank, particularly in those embodiments in which the lid portion and the collar portion, when in their respective closed and lowered positions, have a similar shape to a lid portion of a conventional hinge lid container. Therefore, preferably, the box portion, the collar portion and the lid portion are manufactured from a single laminar blank.

Preferably, the lid portion further depends from the collar portion along a third hinge line. Providing a third hinge line may advantageously facilitate the formation of a symmetrical linkage between the lid portion, the collar portion and the box portion. This may provide smooth sliding of the collar portion and smooth pivoting of the lid portion. Using first, second and third hinge lines to form a symmetrical linkage may prevent undesirable twisting of one or more components of the container during opening and closing. For example, the second and third hinge lines may have substantially the same length and may be spaced apart from each other and spaced equally from the first hinge line.

Preferably, the collar portion comprises first and second collar portion back panels, wherein the lid portion comprises a first lid portion back panel depending along the second hinge line from the first collar portion back panel, and wherein the lid portion comprises a second lid portion back panel depending along the third hinge line from the second collar portion back panel.

Forming the collar portion with first and second collar portion back panels can advantageously facilitate reliable and consistent sliding of the collar portion between the lowered and raised positions. For example, in some embodiments the collar portion comprises a front wall, first and second side walls depending from the front wall, wherein the first collar portion back panel depends from the first collar portion side wall and wherein the second collar portion back panel depends from the second collar portion side wall. In such embodiments, the combination of the collar portion front wall, first side wall, second side wall, first back panel and second back panel guides the collar portion along any consumer goods received within the box portion when the collar portion slides between the lowered and raised positions.

In any of the embodiments described above in which the container comprises a third hinge line, the box portion back wall may comprise a bottom edge, wherein the minimum height between the bottom edge of the box portion back wall and the second hinge line is substantially the same as the minimum height between the bottom edge of the box portion back wall and the third hinge line. Providing the second and third hinge lines at substantially the same height can facilitate a reliable and consistent pivoting of the lid portion with respect to the collar portion when the collar portion is moved between the lowered and raised positions.

In those embodiments in which the collar portion comprises first and second collar portion back panels, the first and second collar portion back panels may have substantially the same size and shape to provide the second and third hinge lines at substantially the same height with respect to the bottom edge of the box portion back wall. Forming the container with first and second collar portion back panels having substantially the same size and shape can provide a degree of symmetry to the container to facilitate manufacture of the container and to prevent undesirable twisting of one or more components of the container during opening and closing.

In embodiments in which the collar portion comprises first and second collar portion back panels and the lid portion comprises first and second lid portion back panels, preferably the box portion back wall extends between the first and second collar portion back panels and between the first and second lid portion back panels.

Forming the box portion back wall so that it extends between the first and second collar portion back panels and between the first and second lid portion back panels can advantageously provide a spacing in the height direction between the first hinge line and the second and third hinge lines. Spacing the first hinge line in the height direction from the second and third hinge lines advantageously facilitates transformation of any sliding motion of the collar portion into pivoting motion of the lid portion. That is, spacing the first hinge line in the height direction from the second and third hinge lines advantageously allows the lid portion to rotate with respect to both the box portion and the collar portion while the collar portion simultaneously slides with respect to the box portion.

In any of the embodiments described above, the lid portion preferably comprises a lid portion top wall, wherein the lid portion top wall depends along the first hinge line from a top edge of the box portion back wall. In those embodiments in which the box portion back wall extends between the first and second collar portion back panels and between the first and second lid portion back panels, providing the first hinge line at a junction between a lid portion top wall and a top edge of the box portion back wall can accommodate a desired spacing of the first hinge line from the second and third hinge lines while still retaining a container shape that is similar to a conventional hinged lid container when the lid portion and the collar portion are in their respective closed and lowered positions. Preferably, a back edge of the lid portion top wall depends along the first hinge line from the top edge of the box portion back wall.

In those embodiments in which the box portion back wall extends between first and second collar portion back panels and between the first and second lid portion back panels, the box portion back wall preferably defines a plane when the lid portion and the collar portion are in their respective closed and lowered positions, wherein the box portion back wall is arranged so that the portion of the box portion back wall that extends between first and second collar portion back panels and between the first and second lid portion back panels pivots out of the plane as the lid portion pivots between the open and closed positions. Preferably, the portion of the box portion back wall that extends between first and second collar portion back panels and between the first and second lid portion back panels lies substantially within the plane when the lid portion is in the open position, that is, when the lid portion is fully opened.

Advantageously, in such embodiments, the portion of the box portion back wall that pivots out of the plane forms a spring portion that can store energy during movement of the lid portion. Preferably, the distance between the first hinge line and the second and third hinge lines is configured so that an unstable range of motion of the lid portion exists between the closed position and the open position, wherein each of the closed position and the open position is a stable position. A metastable position may exist within the unstable range of motion, the metastable position representing a position of the lid from which the energy input required to move the lid portion into the closed position is substantially the same as the energy input required to move the lid portion into the open position.

In such embodiments, as the lid portion is pivoted from the closed position towards the open position, energy may be stored within the spring portion of the box portion back wall. If the opening force is removed before the lid portion reaches the metastable position, the stored energy may provide a restoring force to return the lid portion to the closed position and, by virtue of the mechanical coupling, return the collar portion to the lowered position. Alternatively, if the opening force pivots the lid portion past the metastable position, the stored energy may be released to assist further pivoting of the lid portion towards the open position, or pivot the lid portion into the open position without the need for any further external opening force. Preferably, when the stored energy is released from the spring portion as the lid portion pivots past the metastable position towards the open position, the spring portion pivots back towards the plane so that the spring portion lies substantially within the plane when the lid portion is in the open position.

Similarly, as the lid portion is pivoted from the open position towards the closed position, energy may be stored within the spring portion of the box portion back wall. If the closing force is removed before the lid portion reaches the metastable position, the stored energy may provide a restoring force to return the lid portion to the open position and, by virtue of the mechanical coupling, return the collar portion to the raised position. Alternatively, if the closing force pivots the lid portion past the metastable position, the stored energy may be released to assist further pivoting of the lid portion towards the closed position, or pivot the lid portion into the closed position without the need for any further external closing force.

Therefore, in embodiments in which a portion of the box portion back wall that extends between first and second collar portion back panels and between the first and second lid portion back panels forms a spring portion of the box portion back wall, the container may 'snap' open when an opening force is applied to one of the collar portion and the lid portion, the container may 'snap' closed when a closing force is applied to one of the collar portion and the lid portion, or both. In both cases, the 'snap' effect occurs as the lid portion pivots through the metastable position.

To optimise the 'snap' effect in those embodiments in which an unstable range of motion of the lid portion exists between the open and closed positions, the minimum distance in the height direction between the first and second hinge lines is preferably between about 2 millimetres and about 10.5 millimetres, more preferably between about 6 millimetres and about 10.5 millimetres, more preferably between about 7.5 millimetres and about 10.5 millimetres, more preferably between about 8 millimetres and about 10 millimetres, more preferably between about 8.5 millimetres and about 9.5 millimetres. In embodiments in which the container comprises a third hinge line, the minimum distance in the height direction between the first and third hinge lines is preferably between about 2 millimetres and about 10.5 millimetres, more preferably between about 6 millimetres and about 10.5 millimetres, more preferably between about 7.5 millimetres and about 10.5 millimetres, more preferably between about 8 millimetres and about 10 millimetres, more preferably between about 8.5 millimetres and about 9.5 millimetres.

In any of the embodiments described above, the box portion back wall preferably comprises a top edge, a bottom edge and two side edges each extending between the top edge and the bottom edge, wherein a width of the box portion back wall between the back wall side edges and spaced apart from the top edge and the bottom edge is smaller than the width of the box portion back wall at the top edge and smaller than the width of the box portion back wall at the bottom edge.

Forming the box portion back wall so that it comprises an intermediate portion having a width that is narrower than the width of the box portion back wall at its top and bottom edges can advantageously increase the length of the first, second and third hinge lines, particularly in those embodiments in which the first hinge line is spaced apart in the height direction from the second and third hinge lines, such as those embodiments in which the container comprises first and second collar portion back panels and first and second lid portion back panels. For example, in such embodiments, the first hinge line can be formed at the top edge of the box portion back wall and the second and third hinge lines can be formed adjacent the narrowest portion of the box portion back wall, in the width direction, so that the first hinge line partially overlaps second and third hinge lines in the height direction.

Preferably, each of the first, second and third hinge lines comprises first and second ends and a length extending between the first and second ends, wherein the combined length of the first, second and third hinge lines is between about 102 percent and about 130 percent of the width of the box portion back wall at its bottom edge, preferably between about 105 percent and about 120 percent of the width of the box portion back wall at its bottom edge.

Increasing the length of the first, second and third hinge lines can advantageously increase the durability of each hinge line to provide repeated and reliable movement of the lid portion about the hinge lines without failure of the hinge lines. This may be facilitated by utilising a box portion back wall having a narrower portion spaced apart from its top and bottom edges, and positioning the second and third hinge lines adjacent the narrower portion, as described above.

For example, each of the box portion back wall side edges may comprise a substantially

V-shaped portion, wherein the narrowest part of the box portion back wall is formed between the two points of the V-shapes. Alternatively, each of the box portion back wall side edges may comprise a portion formed from a series of linear segment that approximate a concave shape. Alternatively, each of the box portion back wall side edges may comprise a substantially curved concave portion.

Additionally, or alternatively, the length of the second and third hinge lines may be increased by forming the second and third hinge lines so that they are non-parallel to the first hinge line. For example, the first hinge line may extend substantially in the width direction and the length of each of the second and third hinge lines may have a component extending in the width direction and a component extending in the height direction.

In addition to increasing the length of the second and third hinge lines, forming the second and third hinge lines so that they are non-parallel to the first hinge line may advantageously accommodate a need to provide a first end of each of second and third hinge lines at a predetermined distance from the first hinge line in the vertical direction and to provide a second end of each of the second and third hinge lines at a different predetermined distance from the top of the container in the vertical direction. For example, in those embodiments in which the box portion back wall comprises a spring portion, as described above, it may be desirable to form the container with a spacing of the first hinge line from the first ends of the second and third hinge lines within a first predetermined range to optimise the 'snap' effect during at least one of opening and closing of the container. At the same time, it may be desirable to terminate the second ends of the second and third hinge lines at a junction between the back of the container and a side of the container to provide a predetermined height of the lid portion, in the height direction, between a lid portion top wall and the second end of each of the second and third hinge lines, wherein the predetermined height falls within a second predetermined range that does not overlap the first predetermined range.

In any of the embodiments described above, the container may further comprise at least one frangible portion securing a bottom edge of the lid portion to a top edge of the collar portion, the at least one frangible portion being breakable when the lid portion is pivoted into the open position for the first time.

Providing at least one frangible portion securing the lid portion to the collar portion may prevent accidental opening of the container between the time of manufacture of the container and the time at which the container is intentionally opened for the first time. Providing at least one frangible portion may also provide tamper evidence, so that it is possible to determine whether the container has been opened previously by determining whether the at least one frangible portion has been broken. In some embodiments, providing at least one frangible portion may also facilitate manufacture of the container by maintaining an alignment between the lid portion and the collar portion, particularly in embodiments in which the lid portion, the collar portion and the box portion are manufactured from a single laminar blank.

The at least one frangible portion may be formed separately from and attached to the lid portion and the collar portion. For example, the at least one frangible portion may comprise at least one adhesive label adhered to and extending between the lid portion and the collar portion.

Additionally, or alternatively, the at least one frangible portion may be formed integrally with the lid portion and the collar portion. For example, in embodiments in which the lid portion and the collar portion are formed from a single laminar blank, a plurality of cut lines in the single laminar blank may define a bottom edge of the lid portion and a top edge of the collar portion. In such embodiments, one or more regions of uncut material between adjacent cut lines may form one or more frangible portions connecting the bottom edge of the lid portion to the top edge of the collar portion. When opening the container for the first time, the regions of uncut material may be torn or otherwise broken to separate the lid portion from the collar portion. In any of the embodiments described above, the container may further comprise at least one frangible portion securing a bottom edge of the collar portion to a top edge of the box portion, the at least one frangible portion being breakable when the collar portion is slid into the raised position for the first time.

As described above with respect to frangible portions securing the lid portion to the collar portion, providing at least one frangible portion securing the collar portion to the box portion may prevent accidental opening of the container between the time of manufacture of the container and the time at which the container is intentionally opened for the first time. Providing at least one frangible portion may also provide tamper evidence, so that it is possible to determine whether the container has been opened previously by determining whether the at least one frangible portion has been broken. In some embodiments, providing at least one frangible portion may also facilitate manufacture of the container by maintaining an alignment between the collar portion and the box portion, particularly in embodiments in which the lid portion, the collar portion and the box portion are manufactured from a single laminar blank.

The at least one frangible portion may be formed separately from and attached to the collar portion and the box portion. For example, the at least one frangible portion may comprise at least one adhesive label adhered to and extending between the collar portion and the box portion.

Additionally, or alternatively, the at least one frangible portion may be formed integrally with the collar portion and the box portion. For example, in embodiments in which the collar portion and the box portion are formed from a single laminar blank, a plurality of cut lines in the single laminar blank may define a bottom edge of the collar portion and a top edge of the box portion. In such embodiments, one or more regions of uncut material between adjacent cut lines may form one or more frangible portions connecting the bottom edge of the collar portion to the top edge of the box portion. When opening the container for the first time, the regions of uncut material may be torn or otherwise broken to separate the collar portion from the box portion.

In any of the embodiments described above, the container may further comprise an inner frame received within the box portion.

The inner frame preferably comprises an inner frame front wall underlying a lid portion front wall when the lid portion is in the closed position. In such embodiments, the inner frame front wall advantageously provides a surface against which the lid portion closes, which may ensure reliable and consistent closing of the container.

Preferably, the inner frame further comprises first and second inner frame side walls depending from the inner frame front wall. Providing an inner frame comprising a front wall and first and second side walls can advantageously facilitate correct positioning of the inner frame within the box portion during manufacture of the container. The inner frame may further comprise at least one back panel depending from one of the first and second side walls. In any of the embodiments described above, the inner frame may underlie at least a portion of the box portion and at least a portion of the collar portion when the collar portion is in the raised position so that the inner frame extends across the gap formed between the collar portion and the box portion. In such embodiments, the inner frame can facilitate smooth sliding of the collar portion by functioning as a guide.

In those embodiments in which the inner frame underlies at least a portion of the box portion and at least a portion of the collar portion, the container may further comprise at least one indicia provided on an outer surface of the inner frame, wherein the at least one indicia is concealed by at least one of the box portion and the collar portion when the collar portion is in the lowered position, and wherein the at least one indicia is visible when the collar portion is in the raised position.

As used herein, the terms 'inner', 'outer', 'underlie' and 'overlie' are used to refer to relative positions of components of the container, or parts of components of the container. For example, an inner surface of a component faces toward an interior of the container and an outer surface of a component faces toward the exterior of the container. Similarly, in an example in which a first component underlies a second component, the first component is positioned closer to the interior of the container than the second component. In such an example, the second component overlies the first component.

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 at least one indicia on the outer surface of the inner frame so that the at least one indicia is revealed only when the collar portion is in the raised position prevents observation of the at least one indicia until the container is opened, which may be advantageous. For example, a series of containers may be manufactured so that each container is provided with an indicia on the outer surface of the inner frame, each indicia being a random indicia or an indicia selected from a series of different indicia. In such embodiments, providing the indicia on the outer surface of the inner frame is advantageous as a consumer cannot determine which indicia is present on each container until the consumer has purchased and opened the container.

Alternatively or additionally, providing at least one indicia on the outer surface of the inner frame can advantageously provide a means for checking that consumer goods received within the container have originated from a genuine source and are not a counterfeit product. The container may be configured so that the collar portion slides relative to the inner frame when the collar portion slides between the lowered and raised positions. In such embodiments, the at least one indicia is provided on the inner frame so that it is concealed by the collar portion when the collar portion is in the lowered position. Alternatively, the container may be configured so that that inner frame is slidable between lowered and raised positions as the collar portion slides between the lowered and raised positions. In such embodiments, the at least one indicia is provided on the inner frame so that it is concealed by the box portion when the collar portion and the inner frame are in their respective lowered positions.

In any of the embodiments described above in which the container comprises an inner frame having an inner frame front wall, the surface area of the inner frame front wall is preferably large enough to extend across the gap formed between the collar portion and the box portion when the collar portion slides into the raised position. Preferably, the outer housing comprises an outer housing front wall, wherein the area of the inner frame front wall is between about 50 percent and about 60 percent of the area of the outer housing front wall. Preferably, each of the lid portion, the collar portion and the box portion comprises a front wall, wherein the lid portion front wall, the collar portion front wall and the box portion front wall togetherform the outer housing front wall.

In those embodiments in which the inner frame comprises first and second inner frame side walls, as described above, each inner frame side wall preferably depends along a front edge from the inner frame front wall and comprises a back edge opposite the front edge, a top edge, and a bottom edge. Preferably, each inner frame side wall comprises a curved portion forming a transition from the top edge to the back edge, wherein the curved portion forms a cam surface along which the lid portion slides during at least part of its motion between the open and closed positions. Forming such a cam surface on each of the inner frame side walls can facilitate reliable and consistent opening and closing of the lid portion.

In any of the embodiments described above, the container may further comprise a bundle of consumer goods received within the box portion, wherein the collar portion is secured to the bundle of consumer goods so that the consumer goods are movable between a lowered position and a raised position as the collar portion slides between the lowered position and the raised position. The collar portion may comprise a front wall, first and second side walls depending from the front wall, and first and second back panels depending from the first and second side walls respectively. In such embodiments, only one of the collar portion walls or panels may be secured to the bundle of consumer goods. Alternatively, a plurality of the collar portion walls and panels may be secured to the bundle of consumer goods. Preferably, all of the collar portion walls and panels are secured to the bundle of consumer goods, which may advantageously facilitate reliable movement of the bundle of consumer goods between the lowered and raised positions as the container is opened and closed. The collar portion may be secured directly to the bundle of consumer goods. For example, at least part of the collar portion may be adhered to the bundle of consumer goods using a suitable adhesive.

Additionally, or alternatively, the collar portion may be secured to the bundle of consumer goods via one or more intervening components of the container. For example, in those embodiments in which the container comprises an inner frame, the collar portion may be secured to the inner frame so that the inner frame is movable between a lowered position and a raised position as the collar portion slides between the lowered position and the raised position, wherein the inner frame is secured to the bundle of consumer goods so that the consumer goods are movable between a lowered position and a raised position as the collar portion and the inner frame slide between the respective lowered positions and raised positions.

In those embodiments in which the inner frame comprises an inner frame front wall and first and second inner frame side walls, the collar portion is preferably secured to the inner frame front wall and the first and second inner frame side walls, and preferably the inner front wall and the first and second inner frame side walls are secured to the bundle of consumer goods.

In those embodiments in which the inner frame comprises at least one inner frame back panel, preferably the at least one inner frame back panel is secured to a back wall of the bundle of consumer goods. Additionally, or alternatively, the collar portion is preferably secured directly to the back wall of the bundle of consumer goods.

In any of the embodiments described above, it may be preferable to form the container so that it substantially resembles a conventional container, such as a conventional hinge lid container, when the lid portion and the collar portion are in their respective closed and lowered positions. Therefore, to accommodate the addition of a collar portion when compared to a conventional hinge lid container, the box portion of containers according to the present invention may comprise a front wall that is substantially smaller than a box portion front wall of a conventional hinge lid container. In some embodiments, each of the box portion, the collar portion and the lid portion comprises a front wall, wherein the box portion front wall, the collar portion front wall and the lid portion front wall together form an outer housing front wall, and wherein the area of the box portion front wall is between about 20 percent and about 70 percent of the area of the outer housing front wall, more preferably between about 30 percent and about 70 percent of the area of the outer housing front wall, more preferably between about 40 percent and about 70 percent of the area of the outer housing front wall, most preferably between about 55 percent and about 65 percent of the area of the outer housing front wall. Preferably, the area of the collar portion front wall is between about 15 percent and about 40 percent of the area of the outer housing front wall, more preferably between about 15 percent and about 35 percent of the area of the outer housing front wall, more preferably between about 15 percent and about 30 percent of the area of the outer housing front wall, most preferably between about 17 percent and about

23 percent of the area of the outer housing front wall.

In any of the embodiments described above in which the container comprises a bundle of consumer goods received within the box portion, the bundle of consumer goods preferably comprises an inner wrapper wrapped around a plurality of consumer goods. In such embodiments, the inner wrapper may be formed from metal foil or metallised paper. The inner wrapper material may be formed as a laminate of a metallised polyethylene film, and a liner material. The inner wrapper material may be a super-calendered glassine paper. In addition, the inner wrapper material may be provided with a print-receptive top coating. The inner wrapper 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.

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

In any of the embodiments described above in which the container comprises a bundle of consumer goods received within the box portion, the consumer goods may comprise aerosol- generating articles. The consumer goods may comprise 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 height, 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.

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.

Container according to the present invention may be formed from one or more folded laminar blanks. As described above, preferably the box portion, the collar portion and the lid portion are formed from a single folded laminar blank. In those embodiments in which the container comprises an inner frame, the inner frame may be formed from the same laminar blank as the box portion, the collar portion and the lid portion. Alternatively, the inner frame may be formed from a separate laminar blank. Laminar blanks may be formed from any suitable material or combination of materials, including, but not limited to, cardboard, paperboard, plastic, metal, or combinations thereof. Preferably, each 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, each laminar 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 front perspective view of a container according to the present invention with the lid portion in the closed position and the collar portion in the lowered position;

Figure 2 shows the container of Figure 1 with the lid portion in a partially open position and the collar portion in a partially raised position;

Figure 3 shows a rear perspective view of the container of Figure 1 with the lid portion in the closed position and the collar portion in the lowered position;

Figures 4 to 7 show the container of Figure 3 with the lid portion pivoting progressively into the open position and the collar portion sliding progressively into the raised position; Figure 8 shows a single laminar blank for forming the box portion, the collar portion and the lid portion of the container of Figures 1 to 7; and

Figure 9 shows a single laminar blank for forming the inner frame of the container of Figures 1 to 7.

Figures 1 to 7 show a container 10 for consumer goods in accordance with the present invention. The container 10 comprises an outer housing 12, the outer housing 12 comprising a box portion 14, a collar portion 16 and a lid portion 18.

The box portion 14 comprises a box portion bottom wall, a box portion front wall 20 depending from the box portion bottom wall, first and second box portion side walls 22 depending from the box portion bottom wall, and a box portion back wall 24 depending from the box portion bottom wall.

The collar portion 16 comprises a collar portion front wall 26, first and second collar portion side walls 28 depending from the collar portion front wall 26, a first collar portion back panel 30 depending from the first collar portion side wall 28 and a second collar portion back panel 32 depending from the second collar portion side wall. The collar portion 16 is slidable relative to the box portion 14 between a lowered position shown in Figure 1 and a raised position shown in Figure 7. An embossed portion 34 provided on the collar portion front wall 26 may provide an area against which a consumer may press a thumb or finger when sliding the collar portion 16 between the lowered and raised positions.

The lid portion 18 comprises a lid portion top wall 36, a lid portion front wall 38 depending from the lid portion top wall 36, first and second lid portion side walls 40 depending from the lid portion top wall 36, a first lid portion back panel 42 depending from the lid portion top wall 36 and a second lid portion back panel 44 depending from the lid portion top wall 36. The lid portion top wall 36 depends along a first hinge line 46 from a top edge of the box portion back wall 24, the first lid portion back panel 42 depends along a second hinge line 48 from the first collar portion back panel 30, and the second lid portion back panel 44 depends along a third hinge line 50 from the second collar portion back panel 32.

The box portion back wall 24 extends between, but is not connected to, the first and second collar portion back panels 30, 32 and the first and second lid portion back panels 42, 44. Therefore, the collar portion 16 is free to slide relative to the box portion back wall 24 and the lid portion 18 is free to pivot with respect to the box portion back wall 24 along the first hinge line 46. Furthermore, as a result of the second and third hinge lines 48, 50 connecting the lid portion 18 to the collar portion 16, the pivoting motion of the lid portion 18 about the first hinge line 46 is coupled to the sliding motion of the collar portion 16 with respect to the box portion back wall 24. Therefore, as the collar portion 16 slides upward from the lowered position to the raised position, as shown in the sequence of drawings in Figures 3 to 7, the lid portion 18 is automatically pivoted from the closed position to the open position. To translate the sliding motion of the collar portion 16 into a pivoting motion of the lid portion 18, the first hinge line 46 is spaced in the height direction from the second and third hinge lines 48, 50. To accommodate this spacing as the lid portion rotates about the first, second and third hinge lines, the upper portion of the box portion back wall 24 is flexible and forms a spring portion 52. As shown in Figure 3, the box portion back wall 24 lies in a plane when the lid portion 18 and the collar portion 16 are in their respective closed and lowered positions. As shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6, the spring portion 52 pivots out of the plane when the lid portion 18 pivots between the opened and closed positions. Pivoting of the spring portion 52 out of the plane stores energy in the spring portion that may subsequently be released to assist in the movement of the lid portion 18 between the open and closed positions. For example, the first hinge line 46 may be spaced apart in the height direction from the second and third hinge lines 48, 50 so that an unstable position is created between the open and closed positions, as shown in Figure 5.

As the lid portion 18 is pivoted from the closed position towards the unstable position, energy is stored within the spring portion 52. If the opening force is removed before the lid portion 18 reaches the unstable position, the stored energy provides a restoring force to return the lid portion 18 to the closed position. Alternatively, if the opening force pivots the lid portion 18 past the unstable position, the stored energy is released to assist further pivoting of the lid portion 18 towards the open position, or pivot the lid portion 18 into the open position without the need for any further external opening force.

Similarly, as the lid portion 18 is pivoted from the open position towards the unstable position, energy is stored within the spring portion 52. If the closing force is removed before the lid portion 18 reaches the unstable position, the stored energy provides a restoring force to return the lid portion 18 to the open position. Alternatively, if the closing force pivots the lid portion 18 past the unstable position, the stored energy is released to assist further pivoting of the lid portion 18 towards the closed position, or pivot the lid portion 18 into the closed position without the need for any further external closing force.

The container further comprises a bundle of consumer goods 60 comprising an inner wrapper 62 wrapped around a plurality of consumer goods. The bundle of consumer goods 60 is received within the box portion 14.

An inner frame 64 is positioned between the bundle of consumer goods 60 and the outer housing 12, the inner frame 64 comprising an inner frame front wall 66 and first and second inner frame side walls 68. An inner surface of the collar portion 16 is adhered to an outer surface of the inner frame 64 so that the inner frame 64 slides between a lowered position and a raised position as the collar portion 16 slides between its lowered position and raised position. Similarly, an inner surface of the inner frame 64 is adhered to an outer surface of the inner wrapper 62 so that the bundle of consumer goods 60 slides between a lowered position and a raised position as the inner frame 64 slides between its lowered position and raised position. An indicia 70 is provided on the inner frame front wall 66 so that the indicia 70 is concealed by the box portion front wall 20 when the inner frame 64 and the collar portion 16 are in their lowered positions, and so that the indicia 70 is visible when the inner frame 64 and the collar portion 16 are in their raised positions.

Each inner frame side wall 68 comprises a top edge 72 and a back edge 74, wherein a transition between the top edge 72 and the back edge 74 is curved to form a cam surface 76 against which an inner surface of the lid portion 18 may slide during opening of the container 10.

Figure 8 shows a laminar blank 80 for forming the outer housing 12 of the container 10 shown in Figure 1 to 7. Solid lines represent cut lines and dashed lines represent weakening zones along which the laminar blank 80 may be folded or otherwise deformed to form the outer housing 12. A box portion front panel 82 depends along a weakening zone from a box portion bottom panel 84 and forms the box portion front wall 20. Similarly, a box portion back panel 86 depends along a weakening zone from the box portion bottom panel 84 and forms the box portion back wall 24.

A pair of first box portion side panels 88 depend along weakening zones from the box portion front panel 82 and a pair of second box portion side panels 90 depend along weakening zones from the box portion back panel 86. When the laminar blank 80 is folded or otherwise deformed along the weakening zones, each first box portion side panel 88 overlaps the respective second box portion side panel 90 to form a box portion side wall 22.

First and second box portion dust flap 92 depends along weakening zones from the second box portion side panels 90. When the laminar blank 80 is folded or otherwise deformed along the weakening zones, the first and second box portion dust flaps 92 overlap the box portion bottom panel 84 to form the box portion bottom wall.

A first collar portion side panel 94 depends along a weakening zone from the first collar portion back panel 30 and a second collar portion side panel 96 depends along a weakening zone from the second collar portion back panel 32. The first collar portion back panel 30 depends along the second hinge line from the first lid portion back panel 42 and the second collar portion back panel 32 depends along the third hinge line from the second lid portion back panel 44.

A first lid portion side panel 98 depends along a weakening zone from the first lid portion back panel 42 and a second lid portion side panel 100 depends along a weakening zone from the second lid portion back panel 44. A lid portion dust flap 102 depends along a weakening zone from each of the first and second lid portion side panels 98, 100.

A lid portion top panel 104 depends along a weakening zone from the box portion back panel 86, the first lid portion back panel 42 and the second lid portion back panel 44, wherein part of the weakening zone forms the first hinge line. When the laminar blank 80 is folded or otherwise deformed along the weakening zones, the lid portion dust flaps 102 overlap the lid portion top panel 104 to form the lid portion top wall 36. A lid portion front panel 106 depends along a weakening zone from the lid portion top panel 104 and forms the lid portion front wall 38. A pair of third lid portion side panels 108 depend along weakening zones from the lid portion front panel 106. When the laminar blank 80 is folded or otherwise deformed along the weakening zones, each of the first and second lid portion side panels 98, 100 overlaps the respective third lid portion side panel 108 to form a lid portion side wall 40.

A pair of third collar portion side panels 1 10 depend via frangible portions 1 12 from the third lid portion side panels 108. The frangible portion 1 12 prevent the third collar portion side panels 1 10 detaching from the remainder of the laminar blank 80 during manufacture of the container 10 but can be broken to allow separation of the lid portion 18 from the collar portion 16 when the container 10 is first opened after manufacture.

When the laminar blank 80 is folded or otherwise deformed along the weakening zones, each of the first and second collar portion side panels 94, 96 overlaps the respective third collar portion side panel 1 10 to form a collar portion side wall 28. A collar portion front panel 1 14 depends along weakening zones from the third collar portion side panels 1 10 and forms the collar portion front wall 26.

Figure 9 shows a laminar blank 120 for forming the inner frame 64 of the container 10 shown in Figure 1 to 7. Solid lines represent cut lines and dashed lines represent weakening zones along which the laminar blank 120 may be folded or otherwise deformed to form the inner frame 64. The laminar blank 120 comprises an inner frame front panel 122 that forms the inner frame front wall 66 and a pair of inner frame side panels 124 each depending along a weakening zone from the inner frame front panel 122 and forming an inner frame side wall 68.