EP2361204B1

EP2361204B1 - Packet for smoke articles

Info

Publication number: EP2361204B1
Application number: EP08875746.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Marco Vecchi
Original assignee: Gima TT SpA
Current assignee: Gima TT SpA
Priority date: 2008-11-20
Filing date: 2008-11-20
Publication date: 2013-06-12
Anticipated expiration: 2028-11-20
Also published as: EP2361204A1; PL2361204T3; WO2010058237A1

Description

The invention relates to a packet for smoke articles, particularly cigarettes.
International patent application WO2007/065514 discloses a packet for smoke articles consisting of an internal part arranged for receiving the smoke articles and of an internal part arranged for slidably housing the internal part.
The external part comprises an open upper face through which the internal part can exit and a front wall, perpendicular to the upper face, in which a circular opening is obtained.
The packet disclosed in WO2007/065514 further comprises a lid attached to the internal part.
In use, in order to access the smoke articles, it is necessary to retain the packet with one hand, inserting the thumb into the opening and acting on a front wall of the internal part facing the opening so as to push the internal part away from a base wall of the external part.
More precisely, in order to do so, a consumer has to press the front wall of the internal part with sufficient force to make the internal part slide in relation to the external part, which can easily damage the smoke articles received in the internal part, until, in the most serious cases, they are made unusable.
Further, the aforesaid packet is particularly difficult to open because of the low friction coefficient between the thumb of the consumer and the front wall of the internal part.
This is due to the fact that, for aesthetic reasons, the front wall of the internal part is made of gloss card, which has a low friction coefficient, both in the event of possible dirt and/or sweat on the thumb of the consumer.
Another drawback of the packet disclosed in WO2007/065514 is that from the aforesaid opening tobacco residues can exit, the residues flowing into a pocket or a bag of a consumer.
GB 205 750 upon which the preamble of claim 1 is based discloses a cigarette package having an internal and an outer enclosure with elastic means there between.
An object of the invention is to improve the packets for smoke articles, particularly for cigarettes, and the blanks and inner frames that can be used to obtain the packets.
A further object is to make a packet for smoke articles that enables the aforesaid drawbacks to be overcome.
In a first aspect of the invention a packet is provided for smoke articles as defined in claim 1.
The packet according to the invention enables, via the elastic means, the internal enclosure to exit from the outer enclosure, without the need to press the internal enclosure with force.
This enables damage to the smoke articles to be avoided in a packet opening step and enables the packet opening step to be simplified.
The invention can be better understood and implemented with reference to the attached drawings that illustrate an embodiment thereof by way of non-limiting example in which:

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of an outer enclosure included in a packet for smoke articles according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a bottom view of the enclosure in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of the enclosure in Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a front perspective view of the packet for smoke articles according to the invention in a closed configuration;
Figure 5 is a front perspective view of the packet in Figure 4, in a configuration in which an internal enclosure of the packet is partially extracted from the outer enclosure;
Figure 6 is a rear perspective view of the packet in the configuration in Figure 5;
Figures 7 to 9 are cross sections of the packet in Figure 4, devoid of a internal wrap, illustrating an opening step of the packet;
Figure 10 is an enlarged detail of Figure 7;
Figure 11 is an enlarged detail of Figure 9;
Figures 12 to 14 are perspective views of the internal enclosure in a partially folded configuration;
Figures 15 to 18 are views of the internal enclosure in a folded configuration;
Figure 19 is a plan view of a blank for obtaining the outer enclosure in Figure 1;
Figure 20 is a plan view of a inner frame for obtaining the internal enclosure;
Figure 21 is a section along plane XXI-XXI of Figure 20. With reference to Figures 1 to 3 there is shown an outer enclosure 102 of a packet 101 (Figures 4 to 6) of stiff type, for smoke articles, particularly cigarettes, according to the invention.

The outer enclosure 102 is of the box type, having, for example, a parallelepipedon shape.
The outer enclosure 102 comprises a base wall 103, from which a front wall 104 and a rear wall 105 extend opposite the front wall 104.
The front wall 104 comprises an end 141 folded towards the inside of the outer enclosure 102 (Figures 10 and 11).
In particular, the end 141 is fixed to an internal surface of the front wall 104 and acts as an arrest, as will be explained better below, for the internal enclosure 116.
The rear wall 105 comprises a further end 142 folded towards the inside of the outer enclosure 102 (Figures 10 and 11).
In particular, the further end 142 is fixed to a further internal surface of the rear wall 105.
Between the front wall 104 and the rear wall 105 a first side wall 106 and a second side wall 110 are interposed, each of which has a reduced extension compared with the front wall 104 and the rear wall 105.
The outer enclosure 102 further comprises an opening 107 opposite the base wall 103.
In particular, the opening 107 has a substantially rectangular shape, and is bounded by a first upper edge 111 of the front wall 104, by a second upper edge 112 of the rear wall 105, substantially parallel to the first upper edge 111, by a third upper edge 113 of the first side wall 106, which is substantially perpendicular to the first upper edge 111, and by a fourth upper edge 114 of the second side wall 110, which is substantially parallel to the third upper edge 113.
Also, the outer enclosure 102 comprises a first through opening 108 and a second through opening 109 obtained respectively on the first side wall 106 and on the second side wall 110.
The first through opening 108 and the second through opening 110 are mutually opposite.
Also, the first through opening 108 and the second through opening 109 substantially have the shape of isosceles triangles with rounded vertices, these triangles having smaller bases 115 nearer the opening 107 and which are substantially parallel respectively to the third upper edge 113 and to the fourth upper edge 114.
The packet 101 further comprises an internal enclosure 116 or inner frame, shown in detail in Figures 12 to 17, arranged for being slidably received in the outer enclosure 102.
The internal enclosure 116 comprises a containing body 117, for containing the smoke articles, and a closing body including a lid 118 that can be open or closed to enable a consumer to access the smoke articles. In particular, the lid 118 is movable between an open position (Figure 9) and a closed position (Figures 7 and 8) rotating around a hinge 119, shown for example in Figure 6.
In particular, the internal enclosure 116 houses an internal wrap 120, shown in Figure 5 and Figures 15 to 18, comprising a group of smoke articles wrapped in tinfoil or metal foil. The internal wrap 120 is of known type and does not have substantial differences compared with the internal wraps used in normal packets of cigarettes.
The aforesaid containing body 117 of the internal enclosure 116 comprises a main wall 121.
The main wall 121 include an abutting portion 124, having, for example, a "U"-shaped profile, projecting downwards.
In other words, the abutting portion 124 extends from the main wall 121 on the opposite side of the lid 118.
The function of the abutting portion 124 will be explained better below.
A first lesser wall 122 and a second lesser wall 123 are connected to the main wall 130 to contain the internal wrap 120 laterally.
The internal enclosure 116 further comprises first elastic protruding elements 127, and second elastic protruding elements 128, respectively obtained in the, and projecting outside the first lesser wall 122 and second lesser wall 123. The first elastic protruding elements 127 and the second protruding elements 128 have an arrow-tip shape, protrude towards the outside of the internal enclosure 116, and are arranged for engaging in a releasable manner respectively with a first edge zone 129 (Figure 4) of the lesser base 115 of the first through opening 108 and with a second edge zone 130 (Figure 6) of the lesser base 115 of the second through opening 109.
The first elastic protruding elements 127, the second protruding means 128, the first through opening 108 and the second through opening 109 act as coupling means for the packet 101, i.e. enable the internal enclosure 116 to be coupled in a releasable manner with the outer enclosure 102. In particular, the first elastic protruding elements 127 and the second protruding elements 128 are movable between an everted configuration A (Figure 7) in which they are positioned substantially at respectively the first through opening 108 and the second through opening 109 and project towards the outside of respectively the first lesser wall 122 and the second lesser wall 123, so as to abut on respective active edges 131, 132, of respectively the first edge zone 129 and the second edge zone 130 and cooperate with the latter to maintain the internal enclosure 116 anchored on the outer enclosure 102 in a closed configuration of the packet 101, and a pressed configuration P (Figures 8 and 9) in which they are substantially coplanar respectively with the first lesser wall 122 and the second lesser wall 123 and are respectively disengaged from the first edge zone 129 and from the second edge zone 130 to enable the internal enclosure 116 to slide inside the outer enclosure 102.
It should be noted how a sliding step of the internal enclosure 116 in the outer enclosure 102, the first elastic protruding elements 127 and the second protruding elements 128 are maintained in the pressed configuration P respectively by a first internal surface of the first side wall 106 and by a second internal surface of the second side wall 110 that act as pressing means.
The aforesaid first and second protruding elements 127, 128 each comprise respectively a fin 133 and a further fin 134, that are separated and mutually facing in the pressed configuration P, the fin 133 and the further fin 134 each, for example, having the shape of a rectangular triangle.
On the other hand, in the everted configuration A, the fin 133 and the further fin 134 are folded outside the internal enclosure 116 at the side of greater length thereof.
The internal enclosure 116 further comprises through slots 135 obtained in the first lesser wall 122 and in the second lesser wall 123 and positioned above the first elastic protruding elements 127 and the second protruding elements 128.
In particular, the through slots 135 have the shape of a triangle with the vertices rounded, respective contour parts of these through slots 135 being defined respectively by the active edges 131, 132 of the first elastic protruding elements 127 and of the second protruding elements 128.
The function of the through slots 135 is to promote the movement of the first elastic protruding elements 127 and of the second protruding means 128 between the everted configuration A and the pressed configuration P.
In fact, if instead of these through slots 135 there were only a cut made in the first lesser wall 122 and in the second lesser wall 123 to define the aforesaid active edges 131, 132, the first elastic protruding elements 127 and/or the second protruding elements 128 might remained anchored, through friction, on a lower cutting portion facing the second protruding elements 128.
From the first lesser wall 122 and from the second lesser wall 123 there extend respectively a first secondary wall 125 and a second secondary wall 126.
The first secondary wall 125 and the second secondary wall 126 are folded in front of the internal wrap 120 to contain the latter frontally.
The first secondary wall 125 and the second secondary wall 126 respectively comprise a first elastic end portion 138, and a second end portion 140, projecting towards the outside of the internal enclosure 116.
In particular, the first end portion 138 and the second end portion 140 comprise respectively a first upper abutting edge 144 and a second upper abutting edge 145 arranged for abutting, in an extracted configuration E of the internal enclosure 116 (Figures 8 and 9), an abutting edge 143 of the end 141 of the front wall 104 for preventing the internal enclosure 116 exiting the outer enclosure 102 completely whilst the packet 101 is being used.
More precisely, the abutting edge 143 acts as an arrest for the internal enclosure 116.
In this manner, the first end portion 138, the second end portion 140, and the end 141 act as arresting means for the internal enclosure 116.
The containing body 117 of the internal enclosure 116 further comprises a bottom wall 146.
The bottom wall 146 is connected to the main wall 121 and is substantially perpendicular to the aforesaid abutting portion 124.
In particular, the bottom wall 146 is folded below, to contain below, the internal wrap 120.
Also, with the packet 101 assembled, the bottom wall 146 faces the base wall 103 of the outer enclosure 102.
The containing body 117 of the internal enclosure 116 further comprises two lower flaps 147 extending respectively from the first lesser wall 122 and from the second lesser wall 123. The lower flaps 147 are folded above the, and glued to the, bottom wall 146, to reinforce the latter.
The aforesaid main wall 121 of the containing body 117 is connected to the lid 118 by the hinge 119.
The lid 118 comprises a upper face 148, that, in the closed position, is opposite the base wall 103 and a lower face 151 opposite the upper face 148.
A front face 149 and a rear face 152 that are opposite one another are connected to the upper face 148, the lower face 151 being fixed to the rear face 152.
Between the front face 149 and the rear face 152 two side faces 150 are interposed, having, for example, a trapezium shape.
The upper face 148, the lower face 151, the front face 149, the rear face 152 and the two side faces 150, define a gap 205 inside the lid 118.
In this manner, the lid 118 has a substantially box structure.
When the packet 101 is in the closed position shown in Figures 4 and 7, the upper face 148 is contiguous, and substantially coplanar, with the first upper edge 111, with the second upper edge 112, with the third upper edge 113 and with the fourth upper edge 114.
Similarly, the side faces 150 are contiguous, and substantially coplanar, respectively with the first lesser wall 122 and with the second lesser wall 123.
Further, in the closed position the front face 149 of the lid 118 faces the folded end 141 of the front wall 104.
Also, in the closed position, an edge 153 of the front face 149 abuts on upper edge portions 154 of the first secondary wall 125 and of the second secondary wall 126.
The packet 101 further comprises a flat spring 155 or leaf spring to push the internal enclosure 116 away from the base wall 103 of the outer enclosure 102.
More precisely, the flat spring 155 is arranged for partially drawing out, through the opening 107, the internal enclosure 116 from the outer enclosure 102, to enable the consumer to access the smoke articles, as will be explained better below. The flat spring 155 is made of biodegradable plastics, for example maize-based biodegradable plastics.
The flat spring 155 is folded so as to be substantially "C"-shaped in an operating configuration.
In particular, the flat spring 155 is movable between a compact configuration R (Figure 7) when the packet 101 is closed, and an extended configuration S (Figures 8 and 9) when the packet 101 is open.
The flat spring 155 extends and acts substantially along the entire length of the bottom wall 146 of the internal enclosure 116.
More precisely, The flat spring 155 is interposed and acts between the base wall 103 and the bottom wall 146.
In particular, the flat spring 146 is positioned in a further gap 158 bounded above by the bottom wall 146, below by the base wall 103, frontally by the front wall 104, rearly by the rear wall 105 and laterally by the first side wall 106 and by the second side wall 110.
The flat spring 155 comprises a first end 156, extending along the width of the packet 101, engaging a first corner 159 defined between the base wall 103 and the rear wall 105. The flat spring 155 further comprises a second end 157, extending along the width of the packet 101, engaging a second corner 160 defined between the bottom wall 146 and the abutting portion 124.
The operation of the packet 101 is disclosed below with particular reference to Figures 7 to 9.
The consumer can retain the packet 101 with a hand and act, or press with the thumb and forefinger of the same hand both on the first elastic protruding elements 127 and on the second protruding elements 128 to move the elastic protruding elements 127 and the second protruding elements 128 from the everted configuration A to the pressed configuration P in which, as said, they are respectively disengaged from the first through opening 108 and from the second through opening 1090.
This enables the flat spring 155 to move from the compact configuration R to the extended configuration S and slide the internal enclosure 116 in the outer enclosure 102 (Figure 8). More precisely, the flat spring 155 pushes the internal enclosure 116 away from the base wall 103 until the lid 118 is made accessible to the consumer.
Subsequently, the consumer can rotate the lid 118 to the open position (Figure 9) and access the smoke articles.
After removing one or more smoke articles, the consumer can position, with the thumb of the hand with which he holds the packet 101, the lid 118 in the closed position. Subsequently, the consumer can push the internal enclosure 116 inside the outer enclosure 102, by acting on the lid 118 in contrast to the flat spring 155, until the first elastic protruding elements 127 and the second protruding elements 128 are positioned in the everted configuration A, in which, as already mentioned, they cooperate respectively with the first through opening 108 and with the second through opening 109 to keep the packet 101 closed.
It should be noted how the packet 101 enables, via the spring 155, the internal enclosure 116 to exit the outer enclosure 102, without the need to press the internal enclosure 116 with force.
This enables damage to the smoke articles to be avoided in a packet 101 opening step and enables a packet 101 opening step to be simplified.
Further, it should be noted how the presence of the first elastic protruding elements 127 and of the second protruding elements 128 enables accidental opening of the packet 101 to be avoided.
In fact, as said above, in order to open the packet 101 it is necessary to act both on the first elastic protruding elements 127 and on the second protruding elements 128.
In other words, if owing to an accidental shock the first elastic protruding elements 127 or the second protruding elements 128 were pressed this would not be sufficient to open the packet 101, inasmuch as the non-pressed first elastic protruding elements 127 or second protruding elements 128 would remain in the everted configuration A preventing the opening of the packet 101.
It should be further noted how the box structure of the lid 118 makes the lid 118 stiffer and more resistant.
Also, it should be noted how the aforesaid box structure makes it more difficult and even prevents tobacco from exiting the packet 101, falling into a pocket or a bag of the consumer.
In fact, with the packet 101 closed, the front face 149 faces the folded end 141 of the front wall 104 (Figure 10) thus promoting sealing of the packet 101.
It should also be noted how the flat spring 155, by extending and acting substantially along the entire width of the bottom wall 146, enables a uniform thrust to be obtained acting on the bottom wall 146 of the internal enclosure 116, which enables any jamming of the internal enclosure 116 in the outer enclosure 102 to be avoided.
Also, it should be noted how the flat spring 155 is particularly cheap.
It should further be noted how the flat spring 155, being made of biodegradable plastics, is easily disposable in nature.
In an embodiment of the invention that is not shown, instead of the first through opening 108 and of the second through opening 109 there is provided a single through opening obtained in the first side wall 106, or in the second side wall 110, or in the front wall 104, or in the rear wall 105. Naturally, in this embodiment there is provided a single element that protrudes structurally and is functionally similar to the first elastic protruding elements 127 and to the second protruding elements 128.
In a further embodiment of the invention that is not shown, the first through opening 108 and the second through opening 109 are made on contiguous sides of the packet 101.
For example, they can be made on the first side wall 106 and on the front wall 104, or on the front wall 104 and on the second side wall 110, or on the second side wall 110 and on the rear wall 105, or on the rear wall 105 and on the first side wall 106.
Naturally, in this embodiment, also the first elastic protruding elements 127 and the second protruding elements 128 are made on contiguous sides of the internal enclosure 116.
In another embodiment of the invention that is not shown, the first through opening 108 and the second through opening 109 (or possibly the only through opening provided) may have any shape, for example elongated, circular, rectangular, polygonal, etc..
In another further embodiment of the invention that is not shown, the first through opening 108 and the second through opening 109 are positioned at different heights.
In another embodiment of the invention that is not shown, the abutting portion 124 has a profile of any shape, for example triangular, curved, polygonal, etc..
In a further embodiment of the invention that is not shown, the first elastic protruding elements 127 and/or the second protruding elements 128 may have any shape, for example rectangular.
In another embodiment of the invention that is not shown, the first elastic protruding elements 127 and the second protruding elements 128 comprise a single wing having any shape, for example triangular, or rectangular, or curved, etc..
In a further embodiment of the invention that is not shown, the through slots 135 can have any shape, for example, rectangular or semicircular.
In another embodiment of the invention that is not shown, the flat spring 155 is made of metal.
In another further embodiment of the invention that is not shown, instead of the flat spring 155 it is possible to use any type of elastic means, for example a helical spring. Also, it should be noted how in attached Figures only a packet with a parallelepipedon shape is shown, having rectangular longitudinal corners. The packet according to the invention may nevertheless also comprise one or more smoothed longitudinal or transverse corners or one or more rounded longitudinal or transverse corners. In particular, the packet according to the invention may have the shape of an octagonal packet or of a so-called round-corner packet.
The aforesaid outer enclosure 102 is formed by folding a blank 161 of the type shown in Figure 19, made, for example, of card.
The blank 161 extends along a first longitudinal axis Z1, which can be an axis of symmetry.
The blank 161 comprises a first central panel 162 intended for forming, in the outer enclosure 102, the front wall 104. The blank 161 comprises a second central panel 163 intended for forming, in the outer enclosure 102, the rear wall 105. The blank 161 further comprises a transverse panel 164 intended for forming the base wall 103 of the outer enclosure 102.
In particular, the transverse panel 164 is interposed between, and connected to the first central panel 162 and second central panel 163.
In this manner, the second central panel 163, the transverse panel 163 and the first central panel 162 are arranged in sequence along the first longitudinal axis Z1.
The first central panel 162 is further connected, on an opposite side of the transverse panel 164, to a first end fold 165 arranged for being folded by 180° and for being glued to the first central panel 162 to stiffen a peripheral zone of the front wall 104 and form the end 141 of the front wall 104.
The second central panel 163 is further connected, on an opposite side of the transverse panel 164, to a second end fold 166 arranged for being folded by 180° and for being glued to the second central panel 163 to stiffen a further peripheral zone of the rear wall 105 and form the further end 142 of the rear wall 105.
The second end fold 166, the second central panel 163, the transverse panel 164, the first central panel 162 and the first end fold 165 are arranged in sequence along the first longitudinal axis Z1.
The blank 161 further comprises first transverse creases 167, arranged transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the first longitudinal axis Z1, to connect together the second end fold 166, the second central panel 163, the transverse panel 164, the first central panel 162 and the first end fold 165.
The blank 161 further comprises a pair of first outer panels 168, arranged on the two sides of the first central panel 162 in a region defined between the first end fold 165 and the transverse panel 164.
In particular, the first outer panels 168 are intended to form the first side wall 106 and the second side wall 110 of the outer enclosure 102.
On the sides of the second central panel 163 two second outer panels 169 are arranged.
When the blank 161 is folded to form the outer enclosure 102, the second outer panels 169 are fixed to respective internal walls of the first outer panels 168, so as to reinforce the first side wall 106 and the second side wall 110.
The first outer panels 168 and the second outer panels 169 are connected respectively to the first central panel 162 and to the second central panel 163 along first longitudinal creases 170, that are substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis Z1.
The first outer panels 168 and the second outer panels 169 each comprise respectively a first opening 171 and a second opening 172, having substantially a triangular shape with rounded vertices.
Each first opening 171 is arranged for cooperating with a corresponding second opening 172 for forming, in the packet 101, respectively the first through opening 108 and the second through opening 109.
Also, the second outer panels 169 each comprise a respective recess 173, having substantially the shape of a rounded "V" extending transversely, in particular perpendicularly, with respect to the first longitudinal axis Z1, the vertex of the "V" facing the first longitudinal axis Z1.
Such recesses 173, which are substantially symmetrical to the first longitudinal axis Z1, are arranged for enabling, in an assembling step of the packet 101, a pushing element to insert the flat spring 155 between the base wall 103 and the bottom wall 146.
To the ends of the second outer panels 169 first wings 174 are further connected that are arranged for being folded inside the second outer panels 169 and being glued to the transverse panel 164 so as to stiffen the base wall 103. Figure 20 shows an inner frame 175 that can be used to form the internal enclosure 116.
In particular, the inner frame 175 extends along a second longitudinal axis Z2, which can be an axis of symmetry.
The inner frame 175 can be made of card, possibly coupled with a sheet of metal, such as aluminium.
The inner frame 175 comprises an intended folded line 176, intended for giving rise, in the packet 101, to the hinge 119. The intended folded line 176 may comprise a crease or be formed by a plurality of cuts separated by joining dots.
On the inner frame 175 two internal weakening lines 178 and two external weakening lines 179 are further obtained by suitable incisors.
The external weakening lines 179 and the internal weakening lines 178 extend substantially parallelly to the second longitudinal axis Z2.
The external weakening lines 179 are arranged outside the internal weakening lines 178. A first transverse weakening line 180, arranged transversely to the internal and external weakening lines 178 and 179, is further obtained in a lower region of the inner frame 175.
In particular, the first transverse weakening line 180 comprises a shaped cut 185 arranged for defining a contour of the abutting portion 124.
Also, a second transverse weakening line 181, a third transverse weakening line 182, a fourth transverse weakening line 183 and a fifth transverse weakening line 184, arranged transversely to the internal and external weakening lines 178 and 179, are obtained in an upper region of the inner frame 175.
In particular, the second transverse weakening line 181, the third transverse weakening line 182, the fourth transverse weakening line 183 and the fifth transverse weakening line 184 are arranged in sequence along the second longitudinal axis Z2.
Between the intended folded line 176, the internal weakening lines 178 and the first transverse weakening line 180 there is defined a main panel 177 of the inner frame 175, the main panel 177 being intended for forming, in the internal enclosure 116, the main wall 121.
On the sides of the main panel 177 there are arranged two side panels 186, each of which is interposed between an internal weakening line 178 and an external weakening line 179. The side panels 186 are intended to form the first lesser wall 122 and the second lesser wall 123 of the internal enclosure 116.
The inner frame 175 further comprises two pairs of oblique creases 187 made in the side panels 186.
The oblique creases 187 are transverse to the second longitudinal axis Z2, each pair cooperating for forming a "V"-shaped profile
In particular, these profiles are specular with respect to the second longitudinal axis Z2.
Also, the inner frame 175 comprises, in each of the side panels 186, a first element 188 and a second element 189 that are separated from one another and have been previously suitably folded outwards the inner frame 175 around respective oblique creases 187, the first element 188 and the second element 189 being intended to form the fin 133 and the further fin 134.
Further, the inner frame 175 comprises a pair of further shaped cuts 190, having, for example, a triangular shape with rounded vertices, each obtained, for example by cutting or punching, in a side panel 186 above the first elements 188 and the second elements 189, the shaped cuts 190 being intended to form the through slots 135.
Also, outside the side panels 186 there are provided two peripheral panels 191, each of which is joined to a corresponding side panel 186 along an external weakening line 179. The peripheral panels 191 are folded in front of the internal wrap 120 to form respectively the first secondary wall 125 and the second secondary wall 126.
In this manner, the inner frame 175, after being folded, surrounds the internal wrap 120 on four sides.
The inner frame 175 further comprises longitudinal creases 192 extending substantially parallelly to the second longitudinal axis Z2.
The longitudinal creases 192 are obtained in the peripheral panels 191 and are arranged outside the external weakening lines 179.
Also, the inner frame 175 comprises, in each of the peripheral panels 191, an element 193 that have been previously suitably folded outwards the inner frame 175 around the respective longitudinal crease 192 to form the first end portion 138 and the second end portion 140. Between the first transverse weakening line 180 and a lower transverse profile 194 of the inner frame 175 there is defined a first end panel 195, suitable for being folded below the internal wrap 120 for obtaining the bottom wall 146.
To ends of the side panels 186 there are further connected, by the first transverse weakening line 180, second wings 174 arranged for forming the lower flaps 147.
In particular, the second wings 174 are arranged for being folded inside the side panels 186 and being glued inside the end panel 195 so as to stiffen the bottom wall 146.
The inner frame 175 further comprises a first transverse panel 197 connected to the main panel 177 by the intended folded line 176, the first transverse panel 197 being intended for forming the rear face 152 of the lid 118.
In particular, the first transverse panel 197 is bounded below by the folding line 176, above by the third transverse weakening line 182, and laterally by the internal weakening lines 178.
The inner frame 175 further comprises third wings 198, substantially having the form of a trapezium, that are arranged at the sides of the first transverse panel 197 and connected to the first transverse panel 197 by the internal weakening lines 178.
The third wings 198 are arranged for strengthening, when the inner frame 175 is folded to form the internal enclosure 116, the-side faces 150 of the lid 118.
Each third wing 198 is separated from the corresponding side panel 186 by a tilted cut 199.
Also, the inner frame 175 comprises a second transverse panel 200 intended for forming, when the inner frame 175 is folded to form the internal enclosure 116, the upper face 148 of the lid 118.
In particular, the second transverse panel 200 is bounded below by the second transverse weakening line 181 and above by the third transverse weakening line 182.
Further, the inner frame 175 comprises a third transverse panel 201 intended for forming, when the inner frame 175 is folded to form the internal enclosure 116, the front face 149 of the lid 118.
In particular, the third transverse panel 201 is bounded below by the third transverse weakening line 182 and above by the fourth transverse weakening line 183.
The inner frame 175 further comprises fourth wings 202, substantially having the form of a trapezium, that are arranged at the sides of the third transverse panel 201 and connected to the third transverse panel 201 by the internal weakening lines 178.
The fourth wings 202 are intended for forming, when the inner frame 175 is folded to form the internal enclosure 116, the side faces 150 of the lid 118.
In particular, the fourth wings 202 are arranged for being fixed, in particular glued, to respective external surfaces of the third wings 198.
Further, the inner frame 175 comprises a fourth transverse panel 203 intended for forming, when the inner frame 175 is folded to form the internal enclosure 116, the lower face 151 of the lid 118.
In particular, the fourth transverse panel 203 is bounded below by the fourth transverse weakening line 183 and above by the fifth transverse weakening line 184.
The fourth transverse panel 203 is further connected, by the fifth transverse weakening line 184, to an end fold 204 arranged for being glued, when the inner frame 175 is folded to form the internal enclosure 116, to an internal surface of the first transverse panel 197.
During packaging, the inner frame 175 is folded around the internal wrap 120 and is made adherent thereto by glue points positioned in a similar manner to what occurs in traditional inner frames.
The inner frame 175 can be folded around the internal wrap 120 using a folding unit that is similar to that used for the traditional inner frames. The outer enclosure 102 is then constructed by folding the blank 161 around the internal enclosure 116.
More precisely, the transverse panel 164, to which the first wings 174 were previously fixed, the second central panel 163, to which the second end fold 166 was previously fixed, and the second outer panels 169 are initially folded around the internal enclosure 116.
Subsequently, the flat spring 155 is inserted between the transverse panel 164 and the end panel 195 by the aforesaid pushing element suitably inserted into the partially assembled packet 101 through the recesses 173.
Subsequently, after the pushing element has been removed, the first central panel 162, to which the first end fold 165 has been previously fixed, and the first outer panels 168 which are fixed, for example by glue points, each on a corresponding second outer panel 169, are folded around the internal enclosure 116.
In this manner, with the packet 101 assembled, the recesses 173 are not visible, as they are covered by the first outer panels 168.
From what has been disclosed above it is clear that the packet 101 can be made using packaging machines that do not substantially differ from existing machines.
Versions and/or additions to what has been disclosed above and/or to what is shown in the attached drawings are also possible.

Claims

Packet for smoke articles comprising an internal enclosure (116) for containing said smoke articles, an outer enclosure (102) for slidably receiving said internal enclosure (116), said outer enclosure (102) comprising an opening (107) through which said internal enclosure (116) can exit, and elastic means (155), interposed between a base wall (103) of said outer enclosure (102) opposite said opening (107) and a bottom wall (146) of said internal enclosure (116) facing said base wall (103), for pushing said internal enclosure (116) away from said base wall (103), characterised in that there is provided coupling means (108, 109, 127, 128) obtained in wall means (104, 105, 106, 110, 121, 122, 123) of said packet (101) for coupling said internal enclosure (116) with said outer enclosure (102) in a releasable manner.
Packet according to claim 1, wherein said elastic means (155) extends and acts along a prevalent portion of said bottom wall (146).
Packet according to claim 1, or 2, wherein said elastic means (155) extends and acts along substantially the entire width of said bottom wall (146).
Packet according to any preceding claim, wherein said elastic means comprises spring means (155).
Packet according to any preceding claim, wherein said elastic means comprises a flat spring (155).
Packet according to claim 5, wherein said flat spring (155) is made of biodegradable plastics or metal.
Packet according to any preceding claim, wherein said coupling means (108, 109, 127, 128) is obtained in a wall (104, 105, 106, 110, 121, 122, 123) of said wall means.
Packet according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said coupling means (108, 109, 127, 128) is obtained in a pair of opposite walls (104, 105; 106, 110; 122, 123) of said wall means (104, 105, 106, 110, 121, 122, 123).
Packet according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said coupling means (108, 109, 127, 128) is obtained in a pair of consecutive walls (104, 106; 104, 110; 105, 106; 105, 110; 121, 122; 121, 123) of said wall means.
Packet according to any preceding claim, wherein said coupling means (108, 109, 127, 128) comprises through opening means (108, 109) obtained in said outer enclosure (102).
Packet according to claim 10, wherein said coupling means (108, 109, 127, 128) comprises elastic projecting means (127, 128) obtained in, and projecting outwards, said internal enclosure (116), and arranged for engaging in a releasable manner with said through opening means (108, 109).
Packet according to claim 11, wherein said elastic projecting means (127, 128) is movable between an everted configuration (A) in which said elastic projecting means (127, 128) engages with said through opening means (108, 109) for maintaining, in a closed configuration of said packet (101), said internal enclosure (116) anchored on said outer enclosure (102), and a pressed configuration (P) in which said elastic projecting means (127, 128) is disengaged from said through opening means (108, 109) to enable said internal enclosure (116) to slide inside said outer enclosure (102).
Packet according to any preceding claim, wherein said internal enclosure (116) comprises a containing body (117) arranged for housing said smoke articles and a closing body (118) hinged on said containing body (117).
Packet according to claim 13, wherein said closing body comprises a lid (118) having a box structure.
Packet according to claim 14, wherein said lid (118) comprises a front face (149) arranged, in a closed configuration of said packet (101), to face, and cooperate with, a portion of wall (141) of said outer enclosure (102) to prevent small parts of said smoke articles, in particular tobacco residues, from exiting said packet (101).
Packet according to any preceding claim, and comprising stopping means (138, 140, 141) for preventing said internal enclosure (116) from exiting completely from said outer enclosure (102).
Packet according to claim 16, wherein said stopping means (138, 140, 143) comprises at least an end portion (138, 140) projecting outwards of a secondary wall (125, 126) of said internal enclosure (116).
Packet according to claim 17, as claim 16 is appended to claim 15, wherein said stopping means (138, 140, 141) comprises an abutting edge (143) of said portion of wall (141) arranged for abutting on said at least an end portion (138, 140).
Packet according to any preceding claim, wherein said internal enclosure (116) comprises an abutting portion (124) projecting towards said base wall (103) and arranged for acting as an abutment for said elastic means (155).