EP3887283B1

EP3887283B1 - Container for consumer goods

Info

Publication number: EP3887283B1
Application number: EP19805308.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Timothy Collins
Original assignee: JT International SA
Current assignee: JT International SA
Priority date: 2018-11-27
Filing date: 2019-11-20
Publication date: 2024-01-03
Anticipated expiration: 2039-11-20
Also published as: WO2020109114A1; PH12021550881A1; CN113165796A; KR20210094539A; TW202019676A; EP3887283A1; EA202191155A1; US20220009703A1; ZA202101980B; JP2022507976A; CA3116275A1

Description

1. Technical field

The present invention relates to a container for consumer goods, an inner liner for such a container and a method of wrapping consumer goods. The container is particularly suitable for storing tobacco articles, like cigarettes.

2. Prior art

Fragile goods, like for instance cigarettes, are usually packaged and brought into market in small containers in order to protect the goods during transport. Such containers can be made of renewable raw material like paperboard and often comprise a plurality of components. Usually, a softer, odorless and unflavored inner liner directly stores the consumer goods, while a harder outer housing forms the container and protects the goods against environmental conditions and impacts from the outside. In some cases, the outer housing comprises a hinged lid for closing and opening of the container. The container additionally is wrapped in a transparent plastic foil for further protection and as integrity seal.
Furthermore, containers for consumer goods additionally comprise an inner frame arranged within the outer housing for stiffening the container in the area of the access opening, particularly if the container comprises a hinged lid. In such case, the inner frame forms the inner counterpart to the hinged lid and serves to hold it in the closed position. To this end, the inner frame partially extends above the upper edge of the front panel of the outer housing. The inner frame is usually also made of paperboard and glued to the inside of the outer housing.
The inner liner is usually wrapped around the consumer goods in a U-shaped manner around the lower end of the consumer goods, such that the inner liner forms overlapping areas at both side panels and such that the inner liner is closed by folds at the top panel of the container. The inner liner further comprises a perforation that allows separation of a removable portion thereof. This removable portion can be removed by the consumer after first opening of the container for getting access to the goods, e.g. cigarettes. Usually the perforation is arranged such that the removable portion consists of the upper part of the front panel and upper parts of both side panels of the inner liner. In this case the perforation is straight and spans across the total width of the inner liner.
Usual containers for cigarettes, have the disadvantage that extraction of the first cigarette from the front through a cut-out of the front panel of the inner frame may be difficult.
In some containers the inner frame serves for additional purposes. In document US 2016/0000144 A1 a hinge lid pack for cigarettes is shown, wherein the inner frame comprises a perforation line in a front panel, that is configured to allow at least one of the left or right side panels of the inner frame and a portion of the front panel of the inner frame to fold inward, creating an inner cavity between the inner frame and the outer housing of the hinge lid pack. This foldable portion of the inner frame allows for limiting the space within the pack if some cigarettes are already taken out of the pack and for holding a small object like a cigarette lighter. The foldable inner frame of the document US 2016/0000144 A1 , however, has the disadvantage that for folding-in the foldable portion a glue bond between the inner frame and the outer housing has to be broken or a different glue dot arrangement has to be used which, however, decreases the stability of the pack, particularly in folded condition.
Further, the foldable portion of the inner frame of the US 2016/0000144 A1 may come into contact with the inner liner wrapped around the cigarettes and may crumple or wrinkle the inner liner. This may hinder folding of the foldable portion, lead to an unpleasant appearance of the container and hinder closing the lid. Document WO 2017/207458 A1 shows another example of a container for consumer goods.
It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a container for consumer goods and a corresponding inner liner, that overcomes the drawbacks of the above mentioned containers.

3. Summary of the invention

The above-mentioned problem is solved by a container for consumer goods according to claim 1, a corresponding inner liner according to claim 11 and a method according to claim 15.
Preferably the above mentioned problems are solved by a container for consumer goods comprising an outer housing comprising a box portion having a top opening closable by a lid portion, the box portion comprising a front wall and a back wall connected to each other by a bottom wall opposite the top opening and two side walls and a bundle of elongated consumer goods wrapped with an inner liner, wherein the inner liner is arranged within the outer housing, and an inner frame arranged between outer housing and inner liner, wherein the inner frame comprises a front panel and two side panels and further comprises a first vertical crease or perforated line across at least part of the front panel for defining at least one foldable portion which can be folded to the inside of the container for selectively limiting the space within the container, wherein the inner liner is formed out of an inner liner sheet which comprises an L-shaped perforation for separating a removable portion from the remainder of the inner liner and the removable portion defining an access opening through which consumer goods can be taken out, and wherein the perforation of the inner liner extends along the front wall, a first side wall and the back wall of the container.
The inner liner, which is preferably a thin foil or sheet of paper, metallized or not, protects the quality of the consumer goods, for example the cigarettes. When the container is opened, the consumer removes the removable portion of the inner liner to obtain access to the goods. The L-shaped perforation of the inner liner sheet has the advantage that when the consumer pulls the removable portion a rear corner of the folded inner liner is revealed. Thus, the access opening comprises at least one of the rear corners of the inner liner. Since the inner frame of the container is usually not bent over the rear corner and the products, particularly elongated consumer goods like cigarettes, are looser at the corners, extraction of the first product is facilitated, as it easier to pinch one from the rear corner of the container than from the front through the cut-out in the front panel of the inner frame.
Further, if the inner frame has a foldable portion, the L-shaped perforation provides a removable portion that comprises a rear corner of the inner liner. By doing so, wrinkling of the remaining inner liner is limited to the portion below the perforation line, which typically is not visible to the consumer. Preferably, the foldable portion of the inner frame does not contact the non-removable portion of the inner liner when the foldable portion of the inner frame is pushed in. By doing so wrinkling of the inner liner is completely prevented. This guarantees that the lid of the container can be closed without any problems and ensures a pleasant appearance of the overall container.
The perforation of the inner liner extends along a front wall, a first side wall and a back wall of the container. Thus, the removable portion comprises a part of the front panel of the folded inner liner and a part of the side panel of the inner liner. By providing an inner liner with a removable portion that uncovers the front, a side and a rear corner of the bundle of cigarettes further eases extraction of the first cigarettes as it can be picked from the rear corner where the inner frame is not in the way of consumer's fingers and the cigarettes are looser than in the front, central portion, where the inner frame cut-out is normally provided.
The container further comprises an inner frame arranged between outer housing and inner liner, wherein the inner frame comprises a front panel and two side panels and further comprises a first vertical crease or perforated line across at least part of the front panel for defining at least one foldable portion which can be folded to the inside of the container for selectively limiting the space within the container. This foldable portion of the inner frame allows for limiting the space within the container if some products, like cigarettes are already taken out of the pack, what reduces the risk of damaging the remaining cigarettes. Further, the foldable portion provides a cavity within the container that can be used for holding a small object. This cavity is particularly useful to hold a small object that can be used together with the consumer goods, like a cigarette lighter. In another, non-limiting example, the consumer goods are tobacco articles, or tobacco-substitute articles, and the cavity is used to hold a device for heating the tobacco articles, or tobacco-substitute articles, to generate an aerosol from them through heating. Thus, the container is particularly useful as packaging for so called "heat-not-burn" tobacco and tobacco substitute products.
Preferably, the inner frame further comprises at least one horizontal cut across part of the front panel and part of one of the side panels, for further defining the at least one foldable portion. Due to the provision of a horizontal cut across part of the front panel and part of one of the side panels a foldable portion of the inner frame is generated, that can be folded to the inside of the container without braking any glue bond and which does simultaneously maintain the mechanical stability of the container in this area. The horizontal cut allows that only the foldable portion above the horizontal cut is folded to the inside of the container, but a portion of the inner frame below the horizontal cut remains in original position and stiffens the outer housing. This allows further, that the remaining portion below the horizontal cut can be glued to the outer housing and maintains this glue connection after folding. Thus, the overall stability of the container is maintained even if a foldable portion is provided that can selectively limit the space within the container, when a number of consumer goods, like cigarettes, have been already removed from the container or that can provide an inner cavity between the inner frame and the outer housing for holding a small object, like a cigarette lighter.
Preferably, the first vertical crease or perforated line is arranged at a first end of the at least one horizontal cut. The first vertical crease or perforated line defines a first folding line between the foldable portion and the remaining portion of the front panel of the inner frame. Thus, the foldable portion can be folded to the inside in an easy and geometrically defined manner, what provides a pleasant appearance of the container in the folded condition. Preferably, the first vertical crease or perforated line is arranged above the horizontal cut. Preferably, the first vertical crease or perforated line extends from the first end of the horizontal cut towards an upper edge of the front panel of the inner frame.
Preferably, the inner frame at the side panel comprises a second vertical crease or perforated line at a second end of the at least one horizontal cut. The second vertical crease or perforated line defines a second folding line between the foldable portion and the remaining portion of the side panel of the inner frame. This further improves the possibility to fold the foldable portion to the inside of the container. Preferably, the second vertical crease or perforated line is arranged above the horizontal cut. Preferably, the second vertical crease or perforated line extends from the second end of the horizontal cut towards an upper edge of a side panel of the inner frame.
Preferably, the inner frame between the front panel and the side panel comprises a third vertical crease or perforated line above the at least one horizontal cut. This further improves the possibility to fold the foldable portion to the inside of the container. The third vertical crease or perforated line is preferably arranged parallel to and in-between the first and second vertical crease or perforated line.
By the first, second and third vertical crease or perforated line and the horizontal cut the foldable portion is well-defined and can fold along the first, second and third vertical crease or perforated line to the inside of the container in a predetermined manner. This ensures that the foldable portion folds always the same way and stays in the folded position over the time-of use of the container for protecting the consumer goods from damages. Additionally, this ensures a pleasant appearance to the consumer.
Preferably, the inner frame comprises at the horizontal cut one or more breakable connections between the foldable portion and the non-foldable portions of the inner frame. Such breakable connections separate the horizontal cut into two sections and facilitates the manufacturing of the container since it limits movement of the foldable portion with respect to the non-foldable remaining portion of the inner frame during manufacturing. Further, the breakable connection improves the stability of the container before the foldable portion is folded to the inside.
Preferably, the inner frame comprises a first glue portion at the front panel below the horizontal cut and /or the inner frame comprises a second glue portion at the side panel below the horizontal cut. Such glue portions improve the stability of the container particularly in the area of the foldable portion.
Preferably, the horizontal cut is arranged at or below the upper edge of the front panel of the outer housing in open position. Thus, the horizontal cut is invisible when the foldable portion is still un-folded. Thus, the appearance of the inner frame can be the same as if no foldable portion is provided.
Preferably, the removable portion of the inner liner and the at least one foldable portion are arranged such that the at least one foldable portion does not contact the inner liner outside the removable portion. Thus, it can be ensured that the inner liner is not wrinkled when the foldable portion of the inner frame is folded inside. This maintains a pleasant appearance of the container and ensures that the closing of the lid of the container is not affected.
Preferably, the inner frame further comprises a second horizontal cut extending across part of the front panel and part of the other one of the side panels, for defining a second foldable portion which can be folded to the inside of the container for selectively limiting the space within the container. The second horizontal cut defines an additional second foldable portion, that can be preferably arranged at the other end of the container. This second foldable portion allows the consumer to further limit the space within the container if further goods have been removed. This protects the remaining goods from damage in the container when it is moved. Further, the second foldable portion can be used by the consumer as an alternative to the first foldable portion. Thus, the second foldable portion provides for a flexible use of the container. Due to the second horizontal cut extending across part of the front panel and part of the other one of the side panels again stability of the container is maintained.
Preferably, the inner frame at the front panel comprise a fourth vertical crease or perforated line at a first end of the second horizontal cut. The fourth vertical crease or perforated line defines a folding line between the second foldable portion and the remaining portion of the font panel of the inner frame. This improves the possibility to fold the foldable portion to the inside of the container and serves for a pleasant appearance of the folded portion in folded condition.
Preferably, the inner frame at the side panel comprise a fifth vertical crease or perforated line at a second end of the second horizontal cut. The fifth vertical crease or perforated line defines a folding line between the foldable portion and the remaining portion of the side panel of the inner frame. This further improves the possibility to fold the foldable portion to the inside of the container and further serves for a pleasant appearance of the folded portion in folded condition.
Preferably, the inner frame between the front panel and the side panel comprise a sixth vertical crease or perforated line above the second horizontal cut. This further improves the possibility to fold the foldable portion to the inside of the container and further serves for a pleasant appearance of the folded portion in folded condition.
Preferably, the inner frame comprises a third glue portion at the front panel below the second horizontal cut. Preferably, the inner frame comprises a fourth glue portion at the side panel below the second horizontal cut. By the third and fourth glue portions the inner frame is glued to the inside of the outer housing. This improves stability of the container in the area of the second foldable portion.
The above mentioned problems are also solved by an inner liner for a container for consumer goods, wherein the inner liner is formed out of an inner liner sheet which comprises an L-shaped perforation for separating a removable portion from the remainder of the inner liner. Such inner liner has the same advantages as the container discusses above. Particularly, the L-shaped perforation of the inner liner sheet has the advantage that when the consumer pulls the removable portion a rear corner of the folded inner liner is revealed. Thus, the access opening comprises at least one of the rear corners of the inner liner what facilitates extraction of the first product, particularly a first cigarette, out of the container. Further, if the inner frame has a foldable portion, the L-shaped perforation provides a removable portion that comprises a rear corner of the inner liner. This limits wrinkling of the remaining inner liner to the portion below the perforation line, which typically is not visible to the consumer, or this excludes wrinkling of the inner liner completely, if the foldable portion of the inner frame does not contact the non-removable portion of the inner liner when the foldable portion of the inner frame is pushed in. This further guarantees that the lid of the container can be closed without any problems and ensures a pleasant appearance of the overall container.
Preferably, the perforation comprises a horizontal portion that starts at a vertical edge of the inner liner sheet and extends parallel to a horizontal axis of the inner liner sheet.
Preferably, the perforation further comprises a vertical portion that starts at a horizontal edge of the inner liner sheet and extends parallel to a longitudinal axis of the inner liner sheet.
Preferably, the inner liner sheet is wrapped in a loop around a wrapping axis that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the inner liner sheet, wherein the loop of the inner liner sheet is closed at the top and the bottom of the inner liner. Thus, wrapping of the inner liner around the set of consumer goods is facilitated. This wrapping arrangement does further facilitate removal of the removable portion of the inner liner since, by the L-shaped perforation the front, one side, part of the rear and the corresponding top wall portions can be removed in one step and in one-piece.
The above mentioned problem is further solved by a method of wrapping a plurality of elongated consumer goods with an inner liner as described above, the method comprising the following steps:

a. Forming a substantially cuboid shaped bundle of parallelly arranged elongated consumer products said bundle having two opposite major faces, two opposite side faces along a length of the major faces and two opposite end faces at the ends of the elongated consumer products along a width of the major faces;
b. Wrapping an inner liner sheet of the inner liner in a loop around the bundle of consumer goods, wherein the wrapping axis is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the inner liner sheet such that the L-shaped perforation extends at least over at least part of the two major faces and a side face of the bundle of elongated consumer products; and
c. Closing the loop of the inner liner sheet at the ends of the loop for forming an inner liner.

By such method of wrapping the wrapping process is facilitated when a removable portion of the inner liner is provided. Further due to this wrapping process the removable portion can be removed easily and comprises at least the upper part of the front panel, parts of the side panels, a part of the rear panel and a part of the top panel of the inner liner. Preferably the removable portion is in one piece such that it can be removed by one pull of the consumer.

4. Short description of the drawings

In the following, preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed by reference to the accompanying figures, in which shows:

Fig. 1:: a three-dimensional view of an embodiment of an open container, when the foldable portion of the inner frame is still in un-folded condition;
Fig. 2:: a three-dimensional view of the embodiment of Fig. 1, when the foldable portion of the inner frame is in folded condition;
Fig. 3:: a two-dimensional view of a blank of the outer housing of the container of Fig. 1;
Fig. 4:: a two-dimensional view of a blank of the inner frame of the container of Fig. 1;
Fig. 5:: a two-dimensional view of a blank of an inner liner of the container of Fig. 1 and indications of positions of consumer goods with respect to the inner liner;
Fig. 6A - C:: three-dimensional views of a wrapping process of consumer goods into an inner liner of Fig. 5;
Fig. 6D:: a three-dimensional view of consumer goods wrapped into an inner liner of Fig. 5, indicating the removable portion of the inner liner;
Fig. 7:: a two-dimensional view of a further embodiment of an inner frame with two foldable portions;
Fig. 8:: a two-dimensional view of a second embodiment of a blank of an inner liner and indications of positions of consumer goods with respect to the inner liner; and
Fig. 9:: a two-dimensional view of a third embodiment of a blank of an inner liner and indications of positions of consumer goods with respect to the inner liner.

5. Description of preferred embodiments

In the following preferred embodiments of the invention are described with respect to the figures.
Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a container 1 for consumer goods 5, for example cigarettes 5. Other consumer goods 5 may for example be tobacco products or tobacco substitute products, which can be heated for providing vapor but no smoke, e.g. so called "heat-not-burn" consumer goods. The consumer goods 5 are arranged to form a substantially cuboid shaped bundle. Said bundle of consumer goods 5 having two opposite major faces 5', two opposite side faces 5" along a length of the major faces 5' and two opposite end faces 5‴ at the ends of the elongated consumer products (5) along a width of the major faces 5'. The size of the container 1 comprises a height of about 70 to 120 mm and a width of about 40 to 72 mm and a thickness of about 16 to 25.5 mm. The container 1 has a generally cuboid shape. The container 1 comprises an outer housing 10 with a box portion 17 and a hinged lid portion 13 for opening and closing the container 1, an inner frame 30 with a foldable portion 40 and an inner liner 20 wrapped around the consumer goods 5. Usually the container 1 is additionally wrapped in a plastic foil (not shown) as integrity seal and for further protection.
The foldable portion 40 of the inner frame 30 can be folded by the consumer to the inside of the container 1 for selectively reducing the space within the container 1 when already a number of consumer goods 5 have been removed. This reduction of space helps protecting the consumer goods 5 as they are constraint in their movement within the container. Further, the foldable portion 40, when folded to the inside, provides an inner cavity 6 between the inner frame 30 and the outer housing 10, which can be used for holding a small object, like a cigarette lighter, a tobacco product heating device or a tobacco substitute product heating device, within the container 1. Since the exemplary cigarette lighter is separated from the cigarettes 5 by the foldable portion 40 of the inner frame, the risk of damaging the cigarettes 5 by movements of the cigarette lighter is reduced.
The foldable portion 40 is defined at its lower end by at least one horizontal cut 38. Therefore, the foldable portion 40 when folded has a pleasant appearance to the consumer. Further, a remaining, un-folded portion of the inner frame below the foldable portion 40 provides an increased stability of the container 1 at the area of the foldable portion 40, even when it is folded to the inside.
It is preferred that the horizontal cut 38 is positioned below the upper edge of the front wall 12 of the outer housing 1, so that the consumer cannot see the horizontal cut 38 in un-folded condition. However, the horizontal cut 38 is positioned closely adjacent to the upper edge of the front wall 12 of the outer housing 1 such that there is as much as possible surface of the inner frame 30 below the horizontal cut 38 that remains glued to the outer housing 1, for improving stability of this corner of the container 1.
The outer housing 10 is preferably made of a stronger paper sheet, paperboard or cardboard, in order to provide a stable structure to the container 1 and to mechanically protect the consumer goods 5 inside. The lid portion 13 is hingedly attached to the box portion 17 at the back side of the container 1 and can be brought manually from a closed position into an open position, as shown in Fig. 1 . Thereby, the hinge of the lid portion 13 is made of a fold of the paper or paperboard of the outer housing 10 and can be easily manufactured. In the closed position the consumer goods 5 are fully protected inside the container 1, wherein in the open position access to the consumer goods 5 is given and for example a cigarette can be taken out from the container 1.
Fig. 3 shows the two-dimensional blank of the outer housing 10 after cutting and creasing prior to folding and gluing. The lines 19 within the contour line represent crease lines that facilitate folding of the blank into a three-dimensional outer housing 10. The blank of the outer housing comprises areas for the front wall 12, the bottom wall 15, the back wall 16 and side walls 14, 18 that define the box portion 17 of the outer housing 10. The top wall 11 and the front panel 13' form together with the areas 13", 13‴ and 13‴′ the lid portion 13 of the outer housing.
Fig. 4 shows a first embodiment of a two-dimensional blank of the inner frame 30 after cutting, creasing and perforating and prior to folding and gluing. The lines 19 within the contour line represent crease lines that facilitate folding of the blank into a three-dimensional inner frame 30. The cut-out tabs 45 extend from the inner frame 30 for holding the lid area 13 in closed position. Fig. 1 and 2 show only one centrally arranged tab 45. The at least one horizontal cut 38 defines the foldable portion 40 of the inner frame 30. In the embodiment of Fig. 4 the inner frame 30 only comprises one foldable portion 40. However, in other embodiments, as shown in Fig. 7, the inner frame 30 can comprise two foldable portions 40, 50.
The inner frame 30 is arranged within the outer housing 10 generally for stiffening the container 1 in the area of the lid portion 13 and for holding the lid portion 13 in closed position. The inner frame comprises a front panel 32 and two side panels 34, 36 and is preferably made of stronger paper sheet or paperboard and glued to the inside of the outer housing 10.
The inner frame 30 further comprises at the front panel 32 a first vertical crease or perforated line 31 at a first end of the horizontal cut 38. In the preferred embodiment the first vertical crease or perforated line 31 is provided as a perforated line 31 that begins at the left end of the horizontal cut 38 and extends vertically to the upper edge of the inner frame 30 at the left end 44 of the foldable portion 40.
The inner frame 30 further comprises at the side panel 34 a second vertical crease or perforated line 33 at a second end of the horizontal cut 38. In the preferred embodiment the second vertical crease or perforated line 33 is provided as a crease line 33 that begins at the lower end of the inner frame 30, extends vertically to the right end of the horizontal cut 38 and further extends vertically to the upper edge of the inner frame 30 at the right end 47 of the foldable portion 40.
The inner frame 30 further comprises between the front panel 32 and the side panel 34 a third vertical crease or perforated line 35 at a second end of the horizontal cut 38. In the preferred embodiment the third vertical crease or perforated line 35 is provided as a perforated line 35 that extends vertically from the horizontal cut 38 to the upper edge of the foldable portion 40. The third vertical crease or perforated line 35 is arranged in-between the first and second vertical crease or perforated lines 31, 33. Preferably it is additionally arranged in parallel to the first and second vertical crease or perforated lines 31, 33. The crease or perforated lines 31, 33 and 35 facilitate folding the foldable portion 40 and ensure a defined shape of the foldable portion 40 after folding.
When folded to the inside of the container 1 preferably a side portion 46 of the foldable portion 40 is adjacent and parallel to the back wall 16 of the container 1 and the front portion 48 of the foldable portion 40 is arranged in parallel and distanced to the side wall 14 of the container 1.
The inner frame 30 is glued to the inside of the outer housing 10 at glue areas 41, 42, 43. The glue area 43 is located below the side portion 46 of the foldable portion 40 and thus below the horizontal cut 38. The glue area 42 extends below the front portion 48 to the foldable portion 40 and thus below the horizontal cut 38. Thereby, the glue areas 43 and 42 of the inner frame 30 provide rigidity of the upper edge of the outer housing 10 even when the foldable portion 40 is folded to the inside. Preferably, the inner frame 30 in the area of the glue area 42 comprises a downward extension 37 that maximizes the glue area 42 and ensures that the inner frame 30 can be stamped without loss from an endless sheet material band.
The foldable portion 40 can comprise at the horizontal cut 38 one or more breakable connections 39 between the foldable portion 40 and the non-foldable portions of the inner frame 30. The breakable connection 39 breaks easily when the consumer folds the foldable portion 40 to the inside. It is preferably provided, by separating the horizontal cut 38 into two portions, leaving breakable connection 39 simply uncut. The breakable connection 39 preferably has a length below 2 mm, preferably below 1 mm to be easily breakable but to provide enough stability for the inner frame 30 during manufacturing. As shown in Fig 4, the breakable connection 39 is arranged where third vertical crease or perforated line 35 intersects with horizontal cut 38.
Fig. 7 shows a further embodiment of inner frame 30 which comprises two foldable portions 40, 50. The second foldable portion 50 basically corresponds to the first foldable portion 40 and comprises a horizontal cut 58 and first 51, second 53 and third 53 vertical crease or perforated lines. The horizontal cut 58 is separated by a breakable portion 59 into two sections. For improving the stability of container 1 in the area of the second foldable portion 50 a glue area 41' is arranged below the second horizontal cut 58. In addition, a glue area 42' extends below the below the second horizontal cut 58 as well as below the first horizontal cut 38.
Fig. 5 shows a two-dimensional view of a blank of an inner liner 20 having an L-shaped perforation 24 that defines a removable portion 22. The removable portion 22 can be pulled by a consumer to provide an access opening 8 (see Figs. 1 and 2) through which the consumer goods 5 can be taken out. The L-shaped perforation 24 comprises a horizontal portion 26 that starts at the left side edge 63 of the inner liner 20 and extends horizontally into an area that will extend along the front wall 12, side wall 14 and back wall 16 of the finally produced container 1. The horizontal portion 26 merges by a curved shape into a vertical portion 28 that extends along the back wall 16 of the finally produced container 1. The vertical portion 28 ends at the upper edge 61 of the generally rectangular inner liner 1. Fig. 5 shows the position and size of the L-shaped perforation in respect to the position of the consumer goods 5 wrapped within the inner liner 20.
The Figures 6A - C show a preferred wrapping process of the inner liner 20 around the consumer goods 5. In a first step as shown in Fig. 6A a substantially cuboid shaped bundle of parallelly arranged elongated consumer products 5 is formed. Then, the inner liner 20 is wrapped in a loop around a wrapping axis W that is parallel to a longitudinal axis V of the inner liner 20. The consumer goods 5 are also arranged in parallel to the wrapping axis W. The wrapping step is done, such that the L-shaped perforation 24 extends at least over at least part of the two major faces 5' and a side face 5" of the bundle of elongated consumer products 5.
After the inner liner 20 is fully wrapped around the consumer goods 5 it forms a closed loop 69, having an overlap 23 on one side wall 27 as shown in Fig. 6B.
In a further packing step, as shown in Fig. 6C the inner liner loop 69 is finally closed by folds 25 at the top end 21 and at the bottom end 29 thereof. This package of inner liner 20 and consumer goods is then wrapped within an assembly of inner frame 30 and outer housing 10.
Fig. 6D shows the opening of the inner liner 20 when the consumer pulls the removable portion 22 away from the remainder of the inner liner 20. Outer housing 10 and an inner frame 20 are not shown in Fig. 6D for better visibility of the inner liner 20.
Fig. 8 shows a second embodiment of an inner liner 20 and the corresponding two-dimensional inner liner sheet 60 thereof. In contrast to the inner liner 20 of Fig. 5 this inner liner 20 comprises two L-shaped perforations 24 and 64 that provide two removable portions 22 and 65. Such inner liner 20 can be preferably used for a container 1 comprising two foldable portions 40, 50 as shown by the inner frame 30 of Fig. 7. The two L-shaped perforations 24, 64 reveal two opposed upper edges of the inner liner in the final container 1, after being removed by the consumer. Thus, also in an embodiment with two foldable portions 40, 50 the inner liner 20 is not wrinkled when either one or both of the foldable portions 40, 50 are pushed inside. The first and second removable portions 22, 65 are preferably connected to each other, such that pulling one removable portion 22, 65 by the consumer will remove both removable portions 22, 65 at once.
The second L-shaped perforation 64 comprises a horizontal portion 66 that starts at the right side edge 62 of the inner liner 20 and extends horizontally into an area that will extend along the side wall 18 and back wall 16 of the finally produced container 1. The horizontal portion 66 merges by a curved shape into a vertical portion 68 that extends along the back wall 16 of the finally produced container 1. The vertical portion 28 ends at the upper edge 61 of the generally rectangular inner liner 1. Fig. 8 further shows the position and size of the L-shaped perforations 24, 64 in respect to the position of the consumer goods 5 wrapped within the inner liner 20. The vertical portions 28 and 68 are distanced to each other by distance d2, such that a portion of the width d2 of the inner liner 20 remains at the back wall 16 of the container 1 if both removable portions 22 and 68 are removed.
Fig. 9 shows a third embodiment of an inner liner 20 and the corresponding two-dimensional inner liner sheet 60 thereof. In contrast to the inner liner 20 of Fig. 5 this inner liner 20 comprises an L-shaped perforation 24 having an additional vertical portion 70 at the other end thereof. In contrast to the embodiments of Fig. 5 and 6 the bundle of consumer goods 5 is arranged generally centered within the inner liner sheet 60 such that by the perforation 24 a removable portion 22 of the inner liner 20 is provided that simultaneously reveals an upper portion of the front panel and two opposed upper edges of the inner liner 20 in the final container 1. Thus, the inner liner 20 of Fig. 9 can be used together with an inner frame 30 that comprises two foldable portions 40, 50, like the inner frame 30 of Fig. 7. Thus, also in an embodiment with two foldable portions 40, 50 the inner liner 20 is not wrinkled when either one or both of the foldable portions 40, 50 are pushed inside.
The L-shaped perforation 24 comprises a first vertical portion 28 that starts at the upper edge 61 of the generally rectangular inner liner sheet 60 and extends vertically downwards along the back wall 16 of the finally produced container 1. This first vertical portion 28 merges by a curved shape into a horizontal portion 26 that extends horizontally along the back wall 16, the side wall 14, the front wall 12, the side wall 18 and again the back wall 16 of the finally produced container 1. Then, the horizontal portion 26 merges by a curved shape into the additional vertical portion 70 that extends vertically along the back wall 16 of the finally produced container 1. The additional vertical portion 70 ends at the upper edge 61 of the inner liner 1.
Fig. 9 further shows the position and size of the L-shaped perforations 24 in respect to the position of the consumer goods 5 wrapped within the inner liner 20. The additional vertical portion 70 is distanced to the left side vertical edge 63 by distance d3. The vertical portion 28 is distanced to the right side vertical edge 62 by distance d4. Preferably, distance d3 and distance d4 are identical. Distances d3 and d4 are chosen such that the left sides vertical edge 63 and the right side vertical edge 62 overlap at the back wall 16 of the finally produced container 1 and a portion of the inner liner 20 remains at the back wall 16 of the container 1 if the removable portions 22 is removed.

List of reference signs:

1: container
5: consumer goods, cigarettes
5': major faces of bundle of consumer goods
5": side faces of bundle of consumer goods
5‴: end faces of bundle of consumer goods
6: cavity
8: access opening
10: outer housing
11: top wall
12: front wall
13: lid portion
13'-13‴′: areas of lid portion
14: side wall
16: back wall
17: box portion
18: side wall
19: crease lines
20: inner liner
21: top end of inner liner loop
22: removable portion of inner liner
23: overlap
24: L-shaped perforation
25: folds
26: horizontal portion of L-shaped perforation
27: side wall of inner liner
28: vertical portion of L-shaped perforation
29: bottom end of inner liner loop
30: inner frame
31: first vertical crease or perforated line
32: front panel of inner frame
33: second vertical crease or perforated line
34: right side panel of inner frame
35: third vertical crease or perforated line
36: left side panel of inner frame
37: downward extension
38: horizontal cut
39: breakable connection
40: first foldable portion
41, 41': third glue area
42; 42': first glue area
43: second glue area
44: left end of foldable portion
45: tabs
46: side portion
47: right end of foldable portion
48: front portion of foldable portion
50: second foldable portion
51: first vertical crease or perforated line
53: second vertical crease or perforated line
55: third vertical crease or perforated line
58: horizontal cut
59: breakable connection
60: inner liner sheet
61: upper edge
62: right side vertical edge
63: left side vertical edge
64: second L-shaped perforation
65: second removable portion
66: horizontal portion of second perforation
68: vertical portion of second perforation
69: inner liner loop
70: additional vertical portion
V: longitudinal axis
W: wrapping axis of inner liner

Claims

A container (1) for consumer goods (5) comprising:
a. an outer housing (10) comprising a box portion (17) having a top opening closable by a lid portion (13), the box portion (17) comprising a front wall (12) and a back wall (16) connected to each other by a bottom wall (15) opposite the top opening and two side walls (14, 18); and

b. a bundle of elongated consumer goods (5) wrapped with an inner liner (20) and being arranged within the outer housing (10), and

c. an inner frame (30) arranged between outer housing (10) and inner liner (20), wherein the inner frame (30) comprises a front panel (32) and two side panels (34, 36) and further comprises a first vertical crease or perforated line (31) across at least part of the front panel (32) for defining at least one foldable portion (40) which can be folded to the inside of the container (1) for selectively limiting the space within the container (1); characterized in that

d. the inner liner (20) is formed out of an inner liner sheet (60) which comprises an L-shaped perforation (24) for separating a removable portion (22) from the remainder of the inner liner (20); and

e. the removable portion (22) defining an access opening (8) through which consumer goods (5) can be taken out, and wherein the perforation (24) of the inner liner (20) extends along the front wall (12), a first side wall (14) and the back wall (16) of the container (1).
The container according to claim 1, wherein the inner frame (30) further comprises at least one horizontal cut (38) across part of the front panel (32) and part of one of the side panels (34), for further defining the at least one foldable portion (40).
The container according to claim 2, wherein the first vertical crease or perforated line (31) is arranged at a first end of the at least one horizontal cut (38).
The container according to one of the claims 2 to 3, wherein the inner frame (30) at the side panel (34) comprises a second vertical crease or perforated line (33) at a second end of the at least one horizontal cut (38).
The container according to claim 4, wherein the second vertical crease or perforated line (33) extends at least from the second end of the horizontal cut (38) towards an upper edge of a side panel (34) of the inner frame (30).
The container according to one of the claims 2 to 5, wherein the inner frame (30) between the front panel (32) and the side panel (34) comprises a third vertical crease or perforated line (35) above the at least one horizontal cut (38).
The container according to one of the claims 2 to 6, wherein the inner frame (30) comprises at the horizontal cut (38) one or more breakable connections (39) between the foldable portion (40) and the non-foldable portions of the inner frame (30).
The container according to one of the claims 2 to 7, wherein the inner frame (30) comprises a first glue portion (42) at the front panel (32) below the horizontal cut (38) and /or the inner frame (30) comprises a second glue portion (44) at the side panel (34) below the horizontal cut (38).
The container according to one of the claims 2 to 8, wherein the horizontal cut (38) is arranged at or below the upper edge of the front panel of the outer housing (10) in open position.
The container according to one of the claims 2 to 9, wherein the removable portion (22) of the inner liner (20) and the at least one foldable portion (40) are arranged such that the at least one foldable portion (40) does not contact the inner liner (20) outside the removable portion (22).
Inner liner (20) for a container (1) for consumer goods (5), wherein the inner liner is adapted to be wrapped around a cuboid bundle of elongated consumer goods and is formed out of an inner liner sheet (60) which comprises an L-shaped perforation (24) for separating a removable portion (22) from the remainder of the inner liner (20), wherein the L-shaped perforation (24) extends at least over at least part of the two opposite major faces and a side face of said cuboid bundle of elongated consumer products (5) when said inner liner is wrapped around said bundle.
The inner liner according to claim 11, wherein the perforation (24) comprises a horizontal portion (26) that starts at a vertical edge (62, 63) of the inner liner sheet (60) and extends parallel to a horizontal axis (H) of the inner liner sheet (60).
The inner liner according to one of the claims 11 or 12, wherein the perforation (24) further comprises a vertical portion (28) that starts at a horizontal edge (61) of the inner liner sheet (60) and extends parallel to a longitudinal axis (V) of the inner liner sheet (21).
The inner liner according to one of the claims 11 to 13, wherein the inner liner sheet (21) is wrapped in a loop (69) around a wrapping axis (W) that is parallel to a longitudinal axis (V) of the inner liner sheet (21), wherein the loop (69) of the inner liner sheet (60) is closed at the top (23) and the bottom (25) of the inner liner (20).
Method of wrapping a plurality of elongated consumer goods (5) within an inner liner (20) according to one of the claims 11 to 14, the method comprising the following steps:
a. Forming a substantially cuboid shaped bundle of parallelly arranged elongated consumer products (5), said bundle having two opposite major faces (5'), two opposite side faces (5") along a length of the major faces (5') and two opposite end faces (5‴) at the ends of the elongated consumer products (5) along a width of the major faces (5');

b. Wrapping an inner liner sheet (21) of the inner liner (20) in a loop (69) around the bundle of consumer goods (5), wherein the wrapping axis (W) is parallel to a longitudinal axis (V) of the inner liner sheet (21) such that the L-shaped perforation (24) extends at least over at least part of the two major faces and a side face of the bundle of elongated consumer products (5); and

c. Closing the loop (69) of the inner liner sheet (21) at the ends (21, 29) of the loop (69) for forming an inner liner (20).