HK1132239B - Flip-top packet for cigarettes - Google Patents

Description

Hinge-lid packet for cigarettes

Technical Field

The invention relates to a pack with a flap for articles, in particular for cigarette groups, comprising an inner part or inner pack and an outer part or outer pack which at least partially surrounds the inner part or inner pack and in which the inner pack can be moved, wherein the outer pack and the inner pack are connected to one another via an actuating mechanism for pivoting the flap by a relative movement of the outer pack and the inner pack.

Background

Such a package is known from DE 1285948. The packaging part consists of two sub-packages, namely a sleeve-shaped outer package and a slide block-type inner package. The flap is arranged on the inner package and is connected to the outer package by means of a handling plate. When the inner package is moved within the outer package, a pulling force is transmitted to the lid by the lever plate, thereby pivoting the lid to the open position. The actuating plate is arranged in the region of the rear wall of the cover and is connected to the upper end wall of the cover. Such known hinge-lid packs with a mechanism for automatically opening the hinge-lid are complicated in construction and cumbersome in operation. Also, the appearance of the package is not satisfactory.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a packaging with a flap which can be actuated by means of a packaging part, which ensures simple industrial production, can be actuated easily and conveniently by the user and has an advantageous appearance.

To this end, the invention provides a pack for a group of cigarettes having at least one flap, having an inner pack and an outer pack which at least partially surrounds the inner pack and in which the inner pack can be moved, wherein the inner pack and the outer pack are connected to one another by means of an actuating mechanism for pivoting the flap by a relative movement of the inner pack and the outer pack, characterized in that a) the flap is pivotably mounted on the outer pack, b) the actuating mechanism is designed as a push plate for pivoting the flap, which is arranged inside the pack as a connection between the inner pack and the flap in such a way that, when the inner pack is moved in the direction of an open position inside the outer pack, a pressing force is transmitted via the push plate to the inner side of the outer pack, pivoting the flap into the open position, c) the push plate for pivoting the flap bears the pressing force on the outer pack and consists of plate sections or edges These segments or edges are mutually delimited by a first rectilinear hinge which is transversely oriented with respect to the displacement movement of the inner package.

In order to achieve the object defined above, the pack according to the invention is characterized in that the actuating means, in particular the actuating plate, moves the flap into the open position by transmitting a pressing force.

Accordingly, in the package according to the invention, the inner package is connected to the outer package by means of a top press plate. The flap is moved into the open position by the pressure acting on the flap on the inside during operation, i.e. during the movement of the inner package.

It is also expedient if, in the case of the pack according to the invention, the flap is arranged on the outer packaging. The pressure plate is connected as an actuating mechanism of the flap to the inner package on the one hand and to the inner side of the flap on the other hand, in particular to the rear wall of the flap. The actuating means is therefore only arranged inside the package and is not visible from the outside. Furthermore, the placement of the lid on the outer package is advantageous for the appearance.

The actuating plate is designed in a special manner for transmitting the pressing force, i.e. it comprises two pressing edges which are connected to one another by a (linear) hinge and which are connected to the inner package on the one hand and to the flap on the other hand by a connecting body. The handling plate is generally part of the inner packaging blank.

According to a particular development, the pack has two flaps lying opposite one another, which are moved in particular jointly and (approximately) simultaneously through the inner pack into the open position, so that the group of cigarettes is exposed on two sides lying opposite one another.

Other features relate to the design of the blank, measures for ensuring the planned opening and closing movement of the flap and measures for facilitating the operation.

Drawings

Embodiments of the package and the blank according to the invention are explained in detail below with the aid of the figures. In the drawings:

figure 1 shows an unfolded blank of an outer package,

figure 2 shows the blank of the inner package in a corresponding view,

figure 3 shows in perspective the completed structure of the inner package with groups of cigarettes,

figure 4 shows a complete package with inner and outer package also in a perspective view,

figure 5 shows the package according to figure 4 in a perspective view in the open position of the flip,

figure 6 shows the closed package according to figure 4 on an enlarged scale in a longitudinal section through section plane VI-VI of figure 4,

figure 7 shows the package during the opening process in a view corresponding to figure 6,

fig. 8 shows the package with the flip open, in a view corresponding to fig. 6, i.e. as a longitudinal section VIII-VIII of fig. 5,

figure 9 shows similarly to figure 1 an inner packaging blank of another package embodiment,

figure 10 shows an inner package blank corresponding to figure 9,

figure 11 shows in perspective the inner package with groups of cigarettes made from the blank according to figure 10,

figure 12 shows in perspective view a completed package made from a blank according to figures 9 and 10,

figure 13 shows the package according to figure 12 with the flip open,

figure 14 shows the package according to figure 12 on an enlarged scale in a longitudinal section through section XIV-XIV of figure 12,

figure 15 shows the package during the opening process in the view according to figure 14,

fig. 16 shows the package in the open position corresponding to fig. 13 in a sectional plane XVI-XVI of fig. 13.

Detailed Description

The embodiment shown in the figures relates to a packet of cigarettes 10 specifically shaped according to a group 11 of cigarettes. The package is also suitable for other bulk package contents.

The package is designed as a hinge-lid box or hinge-lid package. It comprises two blanks, one of which is processed to form an inner package 12 (fig. 2) and the other to form an outer package 13 (a blank according to fig. 1). The group of cigarettes 11 is located inside an inner wrapper 12. The blank (fig. 2) is designed such that the inner package 12 can be processed on a standard packaging machine for hinge-lid boxes.

In the embodiment according to fig. 1 to 8, group 11 of cigarettes is substantially enveloped by a blank of inner wrapper 12 (fig. 3). The blank is constructed such that the inner front wall 14, inner bottom wall 15 and inner rear wall 16 are formed within the longitudinally extending (inner) blank of the interengaged areas. An inner end wall 17 is connected to the inner rear wall 16.

Side tabs, i.e., outer tabs 18, are provided on both sides of the inner front wall 14. Correspondingly, the inner rear wall 16 has side tabs, i.e. inner tabs 19, arranged on both sides. At the level of the inner bottom wall 15, bottom corner tabs 20 are provided on the side tabs or inner tabs 19. The gusset 20 is preferably attached to the inner bottom wall 15 by adhesive bonding when the inner package 12 is completed.

The folded inner blank according to fig. 2 shows an inner package 12, in which the mutually opposite side walls are formed by overlapping and in particular by gluing the outer tab 18 and the inner tab 19 which are connected to one another. The inner package 12 is essentially box-shaped and has an open area of the end face. To this end, the end tab 21 is caused to stand in a position transverse to the inner rear wall 16. On both sides of the inner end wall 17, end tabs 21 are provided, which in the folded position (fig. 3) rest against the inner side of the outer tabs 18 and are connected thereto, preferably by gluing. The inner end wall 17 extends only over a partial region of the height or depth of the inner wrapper 12 in such a way that at least one front row 22 of cigarettes of the group 11 of cigarettes is exposed (fig. 3). Furthermore, the inner end wall 17 is provided with a recess 23, by means of which the end of the cigarette 10 inside the inner package 12 is easily accessible.

The inner front wall 14 and the outer tabs 18 are configured in a particular manner. The end surface region forms a gap 24. They have substantially rectangular rounded corner regions and open towards the outer edge of the blank. Two recesses 24 extend in the region of the inner front wall 14 and in the region of the blank of the outer web 18. They thus form end strips 25 as part of the outer tab 18, but with a smaller width or depth than the outer tab. The side walls of the inner package 12 formed by the webs 18, 19 are thus provided in the end regions with a recess which continues in the front face, i.e. in the region of the inner front wall 14. Thereby facilitating grasping of the cigarette 10. The inner web 19 is formed at the end by a wavy edge 26, by means of which a recess is formed. When the inner package 12 is finished, the correspondingly formed end tab 21 enters into this recess (fig. 3). So that the side walls are also only double-layered in this area.

Preferably, the inner blank is provided with a tongue-shaped projection centrally with respect to the inner front wall 14, which is delimited by a gap 24. It concerns here an actuating mechanism, i.e. a push plate 27 of particular importance.

The outer package 13 consists of an outer blank according to fig. 1. Here too an outer rear wall 28, an outer bottom wall 29, an outer front wall 30, a lid front wall 31 and lid end walls 32 are defined in the longitudinally extending blanks in the region of mutual engagement. The above-mentioned folded tabs 31 and 32 of the blank form the flap 36 of the outer package 13.

To form the narrow, longitudinally extending side walls of the outer package 13, an inner web 33 is arranged on the outer rear wall 28 and an outer web 34 is arranged on the outer front wall 30. In the extension of the inner webs 33, there are corner webs 35 which, when the outer package 13 is completed, rest against the bottom wall 29 and are connected to the bottom wall, preferably by gluing. The side walls are formed by overlapping side webs 33 and 34, which are likewise preferably connected to one another.

In order to form a pivotable lid or flap 36 on the outer package 13, a lid side tab 37 is arranged on the lid front wall 31. On the lid end wall 32, there are lid corner tabs 38 on both sides. They bear on the inner side against the lid side webs 37 when the lid end wall 32 is aligned and are preferably connected to them by adhesive bonding. The flap 36 is thus formed in such a way that there is a cover wall on the front side, the end side and on the narrow package side. The side walls of the flap 36 are formed for the most part in a single layer by corresponding cover side webs 37.

The flap 36 or the lid front wall 31 is delimited by the remaining (box) part of the outer package 13 and by the outer front wall 30 via a transverse hinge, i.e. via a straight hinge 39. This hinge is designed for easy pivoting of the flap 36, namely on the one hand a permanently held connection and on the other hand pivoting with a slight counterforce. For this purpose, the blank or the outer package 13 according to fig. 1 has a punched-out cut in the region of the linear hinge 39. The die cut is a centrally arranged opening 40 which extends on both sides of the linear hinge 39 and is formed in an oval manner here. The opening 40 reduces the resistance in the region of the hinge 39 on the one hand. On the other hand, when the flap 36 is opened, arching in the region of the outer front wall 30 and the cover front wall 31 is prevented. The inner package 12 is provided with an informative or decorative printed image 41 on the inner front wall 14 in the region of the opening 40 (when the package is closed).

Certain regions or fold tabs of the outer package 13 are provided with a rounding. The end edge 42 of the inner web 33 is formed by a sharp rounding, which is visible as an exposed edge when the flap is opened (fig. 5). Furthermore, the outer web 34 is provided with a rounded edge 43 on the side facing the flap 36.

The complete (cigarette) pack consists of an outer package 13 and an inner package 12 arranged inside the outer package. Suitably this is done: the inner package 12 is first made together with the package contents and then the blank of the outer package 13 is folded around the inner package 12. The inner package 12 is longitudinally movable inside the outer package 13. For this purpose, the outer bottom wall 29 can be omitted completely or have a recess for (manual) access to the inner package 12 or the inner bottom wall 15. In this case, the outer packaging 13 has a recess 44 which extends in the region of the bottom wall 29 and then in the region of the outer front wall 30. For this purpose, a piece of material 45 (fig. 1) is defined in the bottom wall 29 and the front wall 30 by a weakening line, i.e. by a perforation line. The web or piece of material 45 is removed by hand. Thereby creating a void 44. The gap enables the transmission of the pushing force to the inner package 12, i.e. in particular to the inner bottom wall 15.

The flip cover 36 is automatically opened by moving the inner package 12 in the direction of the flip cover, and by an inside pushing mechanism. Here it is a push plate 27. This push plate is arranged and constructed in such a way that the flap 36 is pivoted into the open position (fig. 5) as a result of the relative movement.

The transmission of the pushing force to the flap 36 is ensured mainly by the particular arrangement and design of the pushing plate 27. The push plate has three parallel transverse linear hinges 46, 47, 48. The above-mentioned hinges 46, 47, 48 are defined by material weakening, i.e. by material punching and/or blanking. Which define sections of the push plate 27. An end block 49 is attached to the inside surface of flap 36 and is suitably adhesively attached to the front wall 31 of the cover. During the production, glue can be applied to the corresponding regions of the lid front wall 31 and/or to the end pieces 49, whereby the connection is effected at the production site of the pack (fig. 6).

The larger length dimension of the side 50 attached to the end block 49 transfers the pushing force to the cover 36. In order to reliably lift the lid 36 from the closed position, the linear hinge 47 is configured more weakened than the linear hinge 46 for limiting the shorter edge strip 51. The different design of the linear hinges 46 and 47, i.e. the weakened hinge line 47, ensures that the larger side 50 is reliably aligned with the flap 36 when the opening movement is initiated and transmits the opening force. The different resistance forces in the area of the straight hinges 46 and 47 are reacted by the number of incisions and the length of the remaining connecting material. The linear hinge 46 has more or longer remaining connections.

It is also expedient for the opening process to be carried out in such a way that the pusher 27 is positioned in a defined relative position with respect to the linear hinge 39 of the flap 36. It is particularly desirable or necessary that there be a distance between the linear hinge 39 and the first or adjacent linear hinge 46 of the pusher plate 27 in the direction of the flap 36, as shown in figure 6.

When the package is closed (fig. 8), a pressing force is exerted on the end face of the package, i.e. on the end wall 17 of the inner package 12. This inner package is pushed back to the original position according to fig. 6, in which the bottom walls 15 and 29 abut against each other. During this return movement, a pulling force is exerted on the flap 36. The push plate 27 gradually returns to the extended position. This serves as a closing movement of the flip 36. The lid end wall 32 is provided in the middle region with a recess 52 which is able to transmit the pressing force to the end wall 17 of the inner package 12 also at the end of the closing movement of the flap 36.

A modification and variation of the clamshell package is shown in fig. 9-16. This variant is likewise provided with an inner package 12 and an outer package 13. The outer package has a flap 36 similar to the flap of the embodiment described. The other flap, inner cover 53, is positioned adjacent to or opposite flap 36 on outer package 13, specifically on the back of the package. The flaps 36, 53 are adapted to one another in terms of size and shape in such a way that the rear inner lid 53 is surrounded in a partial region by the (larger) flap 36 when the package is closed (fig. 12).

This design of the construction with the two flaps 36, 53 is subject to a corresponding design of the blank. The outer blank according to fig. 9 has, in the middle region (with respect to the longitudinal extent), folding tabs for the (lower) box part of the package and, on both end regions, folding tabs, one for the flap 36 and one for the flap 53. The outer front wall 30, the connecting outer bottom wall 29 and the folding tabs 31, 32 of the flap 36 are constructed in the same way as in the embodiment of fig. 1. The rear side of the outer package 13 consists of an outer rear wall 54, on which folding tabs or inner lids 53 are connected by transverse fold lines, i.e. by straight hinges 55. In the region of this linear hinge 55, for the reasons described above, an opening 56 is provided which corresponds to the opening 40. The lid rear wall 57 connected to the rear wall 54 has lid-side webs 58 on both sides, which are of approximately trapezoidal design, i.e. have a constriction in the direction of the lid end wall 59. In the extension of the lid side webs 58, lid corner webs 60 are provided, which, when the pack is completed, rest on the lid end wall 59 on the inside and are connected to this end wall, preferably by adhesive bonding. The rear inner cover 53 is formed as a tray-shaped partial package for the cigarette groups 11 (fig. 13). The flap 36, which is located on the outside when the package is closed, is of similar design to the embodiment according to fig. 1, i.e. has flap corner tabs 38, which are arranged on both sides on the lid end wall 32.

According to fig. 9, a special design of the construction of the (outer) side flaps 34 for the outer package 13 is shown. The end edge 61 of the side web 34 facing the flap 36 is continuously rounded, in particular circular or partially circular. The lid-side webs 37 connected in the longitudinal direction of the blank are adapted arcuately to the contour of the end edge 61 (separated by corresponding blanking lines). The edges of the folding webs 34 and 37 facing each other are advantageous for the pivoting movement of the flap 36 (fig. 12/13).

The blank (fig. 10) for the inner package 12 of this embodiment is constructed in a particular manner. In order to actuate each lid, i.e. to actuate the flap 36 and at approximately the same time to actuate the inner lid 53, means are provided on the inner blank for transmitting a pressing force to the flap 36, 53 during the opening movement. A push plate is associated with each flap, namely the previously described push plate 27 for the front flap 36 and an opposite, correspondingly designed push plate 62 for the inner lid 53. The two push plates 27, 62 are constructed in the manner described in connection with figure 2. The movement processes when opening and closing the flaps 36, 53 are also identical (fig. 14 to 16).

A variant design is suitable for the recesses 63, 64 provided on both sides of the push plate and configured identically here. Which define the boundaries of the rectangular push plates 27, 62. The recesses 63, 64 are located only in the region of the inner front wall 14 and of an inner rear wall 65 configured in accordance with the inner front wall. The outer tab 66 and the inner tab 67 adjoining the front wall 14 on the one hand and the rear wall 65 on the other hand extend over the entire width over the entire package length. In the region of the front wall 14 and the rear wall 65, the recesses 63 and 64 are each arranged with a spacing of the fold edges from the borders of the webs 66, 67, in such a way that the respective material web 68 is defined in the region of the front wall 14 and the rear wall 65. Such a material web 68 narrowing toward the free edge of the blank improves the fixing of the cigarettes 10 or cigarette groups 11 in the pack when the flaps 36, 53 are opened (fig. 13). The cigarettes in the edges or corners are held in the perforated region by the side walls of the inner wrapper 12, i.e. by the overlapping webs 66, 67, and in the adjacent front and rear regions by the material webs 68.

The blank for the inner package 12 is provided with printed figures 41 in the region of the front wall 14 and the rear wall 65, similarly to the above-described embodiment, and with two printed figures which are positioned in a relative position with respect to the openings 40 or 56, respectively, such that in both end positions, i.e. in the closed position and in the open position, one printed figure 41 is visible from the outside in the region of the openings 40, 56.

The embodiments are identical or similarly designed for other constructional features. The blanks for the inner 12 and outer 13 packages are preferably made of the same material, in particular cardboard, which is common for flip-top boxes. Both embodiments can be processed on standard packaging machines for flip-top boxes, but also in consecutive processing steps.

A further feature of the package or flip-top box is that the package contents are substantially completely enclosed, i.e. protected, by the inner package 12. The contents of the package are covered when the lid is slightly opened. Furthermore, due to the structure and arrangement of the push plates 27 and 62, it is ensured that: by bending the top plate sections which engage one another, the flaps 36, 53 are opened first with considerable force and then with a rapid movement.

List of reference numerals

10 cigarette 3037 cover side tab

11 cigarette group 38 cover corner connecting piece

12 inner package 39 linear hinge

13 outer packaging 40 opening

14 inner front wall 41 printed picture

15 inner bottom wall 3542 end edge

16 inner rear wall 43 round edge

17 inner end wall 44 void

18 outer tab 45 material block

19 inner tab 46 linear hinge

20 bottom gusset 4047 linear hinge

21 end piece 48 linear hinge

22 cigarette row 49 end block

23 recess 50 sides

24 edge margins of the void 51

25 end strap 4552 recess

26 edge 53 inner cover

27 push plate 54 outer rear wall

28 outer rear wall 55 straight hinge

29 outer bottom wall 56 opening

30 outer front wall 5057 cover rear wall

31 cover front wall 58 cover side tab

32-lid end wall 59 lid end wall

33 side joint piece (inner) 60 cover corner joint piece

34 side contact piece (outer) 61 end edge

35 angle joint sheet 5562 push plate

36 flap 63 void

64 inner tab of void 67

65 inner back wall 568 material tab

66 external connecting piece

Claims (16)

1. Pack for cigarette groups (11) with at least one flap (36, 53), having an inner package (12) and an outer package (13) which at least partially surrounds the inner package and in which the inner package (12) can be moved, wherein the inner package (12) and the outer package (13) are connected to one another by means of an actuating mechanism for pivoting the flap (36, 53) by relative movement of the inner package (12) and the outer package (13), characterized in that,

a) the flap (36, 53) is pivotably mounted on the outer packaging (13),

b) the actuating mechanism is designed as a push plate (27, 62) for pivoting the flap (36, 53), which is arranged inside the package as a connection between the inner package (12) and the flap (36, 53) in such a way that, when the inner package (12) is moved inside the outer package (13) in the direction of the open position, a contact pressure is transmitted via the push plate (27, 62) to the inner side of the flap (36, 53) in order to pivot the flap (36, 53) into the open position,

c) the push plate (27, 62) for pivoting the flap (36, 53) is capable of bearing the force of pressure on the outer packaging (13) and consists of plate sections or edges (49, 50, 51) which are delimited from one another by a first linear hinge (46, 47, 48), said first linear hinge (46, 47, 48) being oriented transversely to the displacement movement of the inner packaging (12).

2. A package according to claim 1, characterized in that the segments or edges (49, 50, 51) are mutually delimited by first rectilinear hinges (46, 47, 48) which first rectilinear hinges (46, 47, 48) have different deformation resistances for transmitting thrust forces.

3. A package according to claim 2, wherein the different resistance to deformation of the first linear hinge (46, 47, 48) is caused by different perforations.

4. A package as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the push plate (27, 62) is part of a blank of the inner package (12) in the region of an inner front wall of the inner package (12) facing the flap (36, 53), wherein the push plate (27, 62) has three parallel first linear hinges (46, 47, 48) arranged at different distances from one another, wherein the first linear hinge (46) facing the inner front wall (14) is designed with a relatively large pivoting resistance.

5. A package as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that an outer end region of the push plate (27, 62) is connected to the inner side of the flap (36, 53) by means of adhesive bonding.

6. A pack as in claim 1, wherein the inner wrapper (12) has, in the region facing the flap (36, 53), interspaces (24, 63, 64) which delimit the pusher (27, 62) on the one hand and form an opening for the removal of the cigarettes (10) on the other hand.

7. A pack as in claim 6, wherein the interspace (24) extends as far as the area of the side walls of the inner pack (12) or as far as the area of the outer tab (18) and the inner tab (19) which cover each other, so as to expose the cigarettes at the edges or corners.

8. A pack as in claim 1, wherein the flap (36, 53) is connected to the overwrap (13) by a second, transverse, rectilinear hinge (39, 55), wherein the second rectilinear hinge (39, 55) has, in the central region, a continuous interruption in the form of an opening (40, 56) in the region of the adjacent outer wall (30, 54; 31, 57).

9. A pack as in claim 1, wherein the outer wrapper (13) has a recess (44) in the bottom side region for access to the inner wrapper (12), which extends through the corners in the region of the outer bottom wall (29) and the outer front wall (30) and has a detachable piece of material (45).

10. A package as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the inner package (12) substantially encloses the package contents, except for the interspace (24; 63, 64) in the front region and in an exposed region of the inner end wall (17) which extends over a partial width or depth of the end side.

11. The package according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer package (13) comprises the flap (36, 53) completely enclosing the inner package (12) in the closed position.

12. The package according to claim 1, characterized in that there are two covers, namely a flap (36) and an inner cover (53), arranged on opposite sides on the outer package (13), wherein the flap (36) is arranged on the outer front wall (30) and the inner cover (53) is arranged on the outer rear wall.

13. A pack as in claim 12, wherein the flap (36) and the inner lid (53) are movable to the open position substantially simultaneously by the movement of the inner package (12) in the outer package (13) by means of a push plate (27, 62) associated with each lid (36, 53).

14. A package as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the inner package (12) or its blank has two mutually opposite push plates (27, 62) as part of the inner front wall (14) or the inner rear wall (65), wherein the push plates (27, 62) are only bounded in the region of the inner front wall (14) or the inner rear wall (65) by a gap (63, 64).

15. A package as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that the interspaces (63, 64) are arranged at a distance from an adjacent outer tab (66) or inner tab (67), respectively, of the inner package (12) such that the inner front wall (14) and the inner rear wall (65) form material tabs (68) surrounding the package contents in the front and rear regions.

16. The packaging according to claim 12, wherein, in the design with the outer flap (36) and with the inner cover (53), the cover corner webs (60) arranged on the cover end wall (59) of the inner cover (53) are connected to the cover side webs (58) and bear against the inner side of the cover end wall (59) and are connected thereto.