WO2019162818A1

WO2019162818A1 - Slide-open package for articles

Info

Publication number: WO2019162818A1
Application number: PCT/IB2019/051311
Authority: WO
Inventors: Silvia CANAFOGLIA; Luca Federici
Original assignee: G.D S.P.A.
Priority date: 2018-02-20
Filing date: 2019-02-19
Publication date: 2019-08-29
Also published as: JP2021513936A; JP7352559B2; EP3755636A1; ES2945719T3; EP3755636B1; IT201800002849A1

Abstract

A slide-open package (1) for articles, comprising: at least one article; an inner shell (2) comprising an extraction opening (20) for taking out the article; an outer shell (3) comprising an opening (30) through which the inner shell (2) can slide between an open position (A), allowing access to the article through the extraction opening (20), and a closed position (B), preventing access to the article; an article support wall (4) on which the article is fixed; a connecting element (5) that connects the outer shell (3) and the inner shell (2), that is connected to the support wall (4) and that is foldable in such a way that, when the inner shell (2) is moved from the closed position (B) to the open position (A), the connecting element (5) is moved from a gathered position (C) to an extended position (D) which causes the support wall (4) to rotate and the article to come out through the extraction opening (20).

Description

DESCRIPTION

SLIDE-OPEN PACKAGE FOR ARTICLES

Technical field

This invention relates to a slide-open package for articles such as smoking articles (for example, electronic cigarette cartridges or tobacco segments for articles of the heat-not-burn type) or pharmaceutical articles. Background art

Known in the prior art is a package for articles which comprises a tray containing the article and an outer shell having an opening through which the tray can slide. More specifically, the tray can slide between an open position, which allows access to the article, and a closed position, which prevents access.

In order to prevent the article from accidentally falling, the tray can be extracted only partly from the outer shell. For this reason, this package makes it difficult to take the article out of the tray.

Disclosure of the invention

The aim of this invention is to provide a slide-open package for articles which overcomes the above mentioned disadvantages.

More specifically, the aim of this invention is to provide a slide-open package which facilitates taking out the articles and which, at the same time, minimizes the risk of the articles falling out when the package is opened. The above aim is achieved by a slide-open package for articles according to the accompanying claims.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a non-limiting embodiment of it, in which:

- Figures 1 and 2 show perspective views of a first embodiment of the package of this invention, where the inner shell is at the closed and the open position, respectively;

- Figure 3 is a perspective view of the outer shell, the connecting element and the support wall of the package of Figure 1 ;

- Figure 4 is a perspective view of the inner shell of the package of Figure

1 ;

- Figure 5 is a plan view of the blank used to make the outer shell, the connecting element and the support wall of Figure 3;

- Figure 6 is a plan view of the blank used to make the inner shell of Figure 4;

- Figures 7 and 8 are cross section views of Figure 1 and Figure 2, respectively;

- Figures 9 and 10 are, respectively, a top view and a side view of a blister pack forming part of the package of Figures 1 and 2;

- Figure 11 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the package of this invention, where the inner shell is at the open position;

- Figure 12 is a perspective view of a blister pack of the package of Figure 1 1 ;

- Figure 13 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a blister pack of the package of Figure 12.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 generically denotes a slide-open package for articles (not illustrated) according to this invention.

The term "articles" refers to articles of the tobacco industry, such as cigarettes, cigars, electronic cigarettes, electronic cigarette cartridges or tobacco segments for articles of the heat-not-burn (FINB) type. Alternatively, the term "articles" may refer to articles of the food industry, specifically confectionery, such as sweets or chocolates, or the pharmaceutical or cosmetics industry, such as vials. As a further alternative, the term "articles" may refer to articles of the electronics industry.

Described below with reference to Figures 1 -10 is a first preferred embodiment of the package 1 of this invention.

The package 1 comprises: five articles (not illustrated); an inner shell 2 comprising an extraction opening 20 for taking the article out of the package 1 ; an outer shell 3 comprising an opening 30 through which the inner shell 2 can slide in a sliding direction X between an open position A, allowing access to the article through the extraction opening 20, and a closed position B, preventing access to the article

The package 1 also comprises an article support wall 4, on which the articles are fixed, and a connecting element 5 which connects the outer shell 3 and the inner shell 2 and which is connected to the support wall 4.

Further, the connecting element 5 is foldable in such a way that, when the inner shell 2 is moved from the closed position B to the open position A, the connecting element 5 is moved from a gathered position C to an extended position D which causes the support wall 4 to rotate and the articles to come out through the extraction opening 20.

Thus, moving the inner shell 2 from the closed position B to the open position A causes the connecting element 5 (which is connected to both the inner shell 2 and the outer shell 3) to move from a gathered position C to an extended position D: this movement of the connecting element 5 causes the support wall 4 to rotate and to come out at least partly through the extraction opening 20 of the inner shell 2. This advantageously makes it easier to take the articles out of the package 1.

Further, since the articles are fixed to the support wall 4 (which is subjected to rotation) the risk of the articles falling when the package 1 is opened is minimized.

With reference to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 -10, the package 1 comprises five articles and a blister pack 6 (Figures 9 and 10) containing the five article and fixed to the support wall 4. The blister pack 6 is substantially rectangular in shape (specifically, it is similar in shape to the support wall 4) and comprises a first end 60 and a second end 61 opposite and parallel to the first end 60.

The support wall 4 comprises a pair of slits 40 sized to receive the first end 60 and the second end 61 of the blister pack 6 in order to removably fix the blister pack 6 to the support wall 4 (Figure 2). Advantageously, the user of the package 1 can use the package 1 as many times as necessary, avoiding the risk of the articles falling out when the package is opened each time. Alternatively, the blister pack 6 might be glued to the support wall 4 or the blister pack 6 might have a different shape and size.

In addition, the package 1 might contain a different number of articles.

As a further alternative, the package 1 might not comprise any blister pack 6 and the articles (or the article) might be fixed directly to the support wall 4.

Preferably, the support wall 4 is disposed substantially parallel to the sliding direction X when the inner shell 2 is in the closed position B (Figure 7). Supposing the package 1 is used to contain electronic cigarette cartridges, when the inner shell 2 is in the closed position B, the cartridges are disposed substantially horizontally: the thickness of the package 1 must be at least equal to the thickness of the cartridges. In this regard, if the support wall 4 were substantially at right angles to the sliding direction X when the inner shell 2 is in the closed position B, the thickness of the package 1 would substantially correspond to the height of the articles (in the example, to the height of the cartridges, which is greater than their thickness).

Advantageously, the proposed package 1 allows optimizing the material used in relation to the size of the articles it may contain.

In other words, the connecting element 5 (which is described in detail below) allows the support wall 4 to be rotated by up to 180°.

With reference to Figure 4, the inner shell 2 comprises a bottom wall 21 opposite to the extraction opening 20. The inner shell 2 also comprises an edge 22 (closed-loop and box-shaped) which extends upwards from the bottom wall 21 and which delimits the extraction opening 20.

This embodiment of the inner shell 2 can be obtained by folding and gluing the blank illustrated in Figure 6, where the parts are labelled, where possible, with primed reference numerals which are the same as the reference numerals that denote the corresponding parts of the inner shell 2. As illustrated, the inner shell 2 in this embodiment is tray-like in shape.

In alternative embodiments not illustrated, the inner shell 2 might be different in shape and size. The inner shell 2 might also have an open-loop edge.

Preferably, the inner shell 2 is made of cardboard (single or multilayer). Alternatively, the inner shell 2 could be made of a plastic material.

With reference in particular to Figure 3, the outer shell 3 comprises: a lower wall 31 facing the bottom wall 21 of the inner shell 2; an upper wall 32 facing the extraction opening 20 of the inner shell 2, when the inner shell 2 is in the closed position B; a first flank 33 and a second flank 34 opposite and parallel to each other, each connecting the lower wall 31 and the upper wall 32 and extending parallel to the sliding direction X; a first flap 35 and a second flap 36 which extend from the first flank 33 and the second flank 34, respectively, inside the outer shell 3, and which face the upper wall 32 of the inner shell 2.

The outer shell 3 also comprises a third flank 37 which connects the first flank 33 and the second flank 34 to each other and which extends at right angles to the sliding direction X and faces the opening 30 though which the inner shell 2 can slide.

The outer shell 3 comprises a pair of indentations 39 made at one end (specifically the end near the opening 30) of the first flank 33 and the second flank 34, respectively. Advantageously, the indentations 39 make it easier to grip the inner shell 2 to slide it out of the outer shell 3.

Preferably, the outer shell 3 is made of cardboard (single or multilayer). Alternatively, the outer shell 3 could be made of a plastic material.

With reference to Figures 1 -10, the outer shell 3, the connecting element 5 and the support wall 4 are made as a single part. In other words, the outer shell 3, the connecting element 5 and the support wall 4 are made from the same blank. For example, the outer shell 3, the connecting element 5 and the support wall 4 made as a single part can be obtained by folding and gluing the blank illustrated in Figure 5, where the parts are labelled, where possible, with primed reference numerals which are the same as the reference numerals that denote the corresponding parts of the outer shell 3, the connecting element 5 and the support wall 4.

In an alternative embodiment, the outer shell 3, the connecting element 5 and the support wall 4 might each be made from a specific blank and connected (glued) to each other at a later stage.

The connecting element 5 and/or the support wall 4 are made of cardboard (single or multilayer). Alternatively, they could be made of a plastic material. The support wall 4 is connected to the inner shell 2 rotatably about a tilting axis which is fixed relative to the inner shell 2 so that the support wall 4 can rotate about the tilting axis, in particular according to a lifting or lowering movement performed when the inner shell 2 is inserted into, or extracted from, the outer shell 3.

With reference to Figures 2 and 3, the support wall 4 is substantially rectangular in shape (with rounded edges). The support wall 4 comprises a first side 41 and a second side 42 opposite and parallel to the first side 41 , where the first side 41 and the second side 42, at least in a fully closed configuration of the package and preferably also in a fully open configuration, lie in planes which are parallel to the sliding direction X (that is, in planes which are parallel to the sliding direction X during movement of the package 1 from the closed configuration B to the open configuration A and vice versa). The support wall 4 also comprises a third side 43 and a fourth side 44 which are opposite and parallel to each other, the third side 43 and the fourth side 44 connecting the first side 41 and the second side 42 and being substantially at right angles to the sliding direction X of the inner shell 2.

The support wall 4 and the blister pack 6 are preferably similar in shape; the blister pack 6 is, however, preferably smaller in size than the support wall 4. The connecting element 5 comprises a first strip 50 fixed to the first side 41 of the support wall 4 and a second strip 51 fixed to the second side 42 of the support wall 4 (Figure 3). Each strip 50, 51 has a first end which is connected to the outer shell 3 and a second end which is opposite to the first end and connected to the inner shell 2. The support wall 4 is connected to an intermediate portion of each strip 50, 51 included between the respective first and second ends of the strip 50, 51.

The first strip 50 and the second strip 51 are foldable in order to be moved between the gathered position C (Figures 1 and 7), in which the first strip 50 and the second strip 51 are arranged in a Z-shaped configuration, and the extended position D (Figures 2 and 8).

That way, the article support wall 4 has a support surface on which the article is fixed and which is rotatable between a first position, corresponding to the closed position B, where the support wall 4 is disposed substantially parallel to the sliding direction“X” with the support surface directed towards the extraction opening 20 in such a way that the article fixed to the support surface is directed towards a space inside the inner shell 2, and a second position, corresponding to the open position A, where the support wall 4 is directed towards the side opposite the extraction opening 20 in order to expose the article to a user. The rotation of the support wall 4 is obtained by moving the intermediate portion of each strip 50, 51 , where the support wall 4 is applied, between the extended configuration (open position A) and the Z-shaped, configuration (closed position B).

The first band 50 and the second band 51 each comprises: a first tab 50a, 51 a connected to the outer shell 3 at a first hinge line 52; a second tab 50b, 51 b connected to the first tab 50a, 51 a at a second hinge line 53; a third tab 50c, 51 c connected to the second tab 50b, 51 b at a third hinge line 54 and connected to the inner shell 2 at a fourth hinge line 55.

The first hinge line 52, the second hinge line 53, the third hinge line 54 and the fourth hinge line 55 are parallel to each other and at right angles to the sliding direction X of the inner shell 2. Advantageously, they facilitate movement of the first strip 50 and the second strip 51 from the gathered position C to the extended position D and vice versa.

Advantageously, the tilting axis is defined by the fourth hinge line 55 of each strip 50, 51. Looking in more detail, the fourth hinge lines 55 coincide with each other to form a common tilting axis for the support wall 4.

The third tab 50c is fixed to the first side 41 of the support wall 4 and the third tab 51 c is fixed to the second side 42 of the support wall 4.

With reference to Figure 3, the first tab 50a, 51 a of the first strip 50 and the second strip 51 are connected to the upper wall 32 of the outer shell 3 (more in detail, as already mentioned, the first strip 50 and the second strip 51 are, in the embodiment illustrated, made as a single part with the outer shell 3). In other words, the first tab 50a, 51 a of the first strip 50 and the second strip 51 form an extension of the upper wall 32 of the inner shell 2; in effect, the first tab 50a, 51 a of the first strip 50 and the second strip 51 also face the lower wall 31 of the inner shell 2.

Preferably, the first tab 50a of the first strip 50 is connected to the first tab 51 a of the second strip 51 (Figure 1 ). In such a case, the first hinge line 52 of the first strip 50 and of the second strip 51 are contiguous.

The third tab 50c, 51 c of the first strip 50 and of the second strip 51 is connected to a fourth tab 50d, 51 d at the fourth hinge line 55 and the fourth tab 50d, 51 d is glued to the inner shell 2 (in other words, the third tab 50c, 51 c is connected to the inner shell 2 by gluing the fourth tab 50d, 51 d to the inner shell 2, preferably to the box-shaped edge 22 of the inner shell 2). When the inner shell 2 is in the closed position B, the first flap 35 and the second flap 36 of the outer shell 3 are interposed between the first tab 50a, 51 a and the second tab 50b, 51 b of the first strip 50 and the second strip 51 , respectively. Advantageously, when the inner shell 2 is in the closed position B, the connecting element 5 is securely in the gathered position and the package 1 thus closed.

Further, when the inner shell 2 is in the closed position B, the second tab 50b, 51 b of the first strip 50 and of the second strip 51 faces the respective third tab 50c, 51 c.

The first flap 35 and the second flap 36 each comprise: a first portion 35a, 36a glued to the upper wall 32 of the outer shell 3; a second portion 35b, 36b without glue, that is contiguous to the first portion 35a, 36a and faces the first tab 50a, 51 a of the first strip 50 and the second strip 51 , respectively.

Further, the second portion 35b, 36b of the first flap 35 and the second flap 36 comprises a hinge line 38, transverse to (specifically at right angles to) the sliding direction X of the inner shell 2, in the proximity of the free end of the second portion 35b, 36b.

Advantageously, this configuration of the first flap 35 and of the second flap 36 facilitates movement of the first strip 50 and of the second strip 51 of the connecting element 5 from the extended position D to the gathered position C.

The first tab 50b, 51 b of the first strip 50 and of the second strip 51 comprises: a first part 501 , 511 connected to the first tab 50a, 51a at the second hinge line 53; a second part 502, 512 connected to the first part 501 , 511 at a fifth hinge line 56 and connected to the third tab 50c, 51 c at the third hinge line 54.

The further, fifth hinge line 56 further facilitates movement of the first strip 50 and of the second strip 51 from the extended position D to the gathered position D and vice versa.

The fifth hinge line 56 is preferably parallel to the second hinge line 53 and to the third hinge line 54. Further, the fifth hinge line 56 is also at right angles to the sliding direction X of the inner shell 2.

It is specified that the term "hinge line" is used to mean a line of weakness which facilitates rotation relative to each other of the tabs it connects. Preferably, the first hinge line 52, the second hinge line 53, the third hinge line 54, the fourth hinge line 55 and the fifth hinge line 56 are made by weakening the material (specifically, by creasing the material). Alternatively, they might be made by partially cutting the material or they might be pre- folding lines.

The package 1 also comprises stopping means 7 to stop the sliding of the inner shell 2 relative to the outer shell 3. Advantageously, the inner shell 2 is prevented from sliding out of the outer shell 3 completely.

With reference in particular to Figures 5-7, the stopping means 7 comprise: a pair of tongues 71 (made as a single part) which extend from the lower wall 31 of the outer shell 3, which are inside the outer shell 3 and which face the lower wall 31 ; a pair of appendages 72 which extend from the bottom wall 21 of the inner shell 2 and which face the bottom wall 21. Preferably, the tongues 71 are not glued to the lower wall 31 of the outer shell (advantageously, this avoids unattractive swelling of the edge of the outer shell 3); alternatively, the tongues 71 may be partly glued to the lower wall 31 of the outer shell 3. Whatever the case, each of two appendages 72 is designed to engage a respective tongue 71 (that is, to be positioned between the tongue 71 and the lower wall 31 of the outer shell 3) when the inner shell 2 is in the open position A.

It is understood that the appendages of the stopping means 7 may differ in number and shape from those illustrated. Similarly, the tongue 71 may also differ in shape and size from the one illustrated

With reference in particular to Figure 8, the package 1 is sized in such a way that when the inner shell 2 is in the open configuration A, the first tab 50a, 51 a makes an angle of approximately 26° with the upper wall 32 of the outer shell 2, the first part 501 , 511 of the second tab 50b, 51 b makes an angle of approximately 19° with the first tab 50a, 51a, the second part 502, 512 of the second tab 50b, 51 b makes an angle of approximately 4° with the first part 501 , 511 of the second tab 50b, 51 b and the third tab 50c, 51 c makes an angle of approximately 53° with the plane of the extraction opening 20 of the inner shell 2 (the same angle of inclination as that of the support wall 4; in this case, the support wall performs a rotation of 127°). These angles may be varied for example by varying the extent the inner shell 2 can move relative to the outer shell 3. More specifically, the support wall 4 can ideally be substantially horizontal when the inner shell 2 is in the open configuration A. In such a case, the support wall 4 would perform a rotation of approximately 180°.

Figures 11 and 12 illustrate an embodiment of the package 1 of this invention alternative to the one illustrated in Figures 1 -10. The package 1 in this embodiment differs from the one described previously in the shape and size of the inner shell 2, of the outer shell 3 and of the blister pack 6. More specifically, in light of the reduced size of this further embodiment of the package 1 , it is particularly suitable for containing a single article. All the special features described with reference to the package 1 of Figures 1 -10 are also applicable to the package 1 of Figures 11 and 12.

Figure 13 illustrates a blister pack 6 alternative to the one of Figure 12. This blister pack 6 can also be used with the package 1 of Figure 11 provided always that the slits 40 for fixing the removable blister pack 6 to the support wall 4 are adapted accordingly.

Claims

1. A slide-open package (1 ) for articles, comprising:

at least one article;

an inner shell (2) comprising an extraction opening (20) for taking the article out of the package (1 );

an outer shell (3) comprising an opening (30) through which the inner shell (2) can slide in a sliding direction (X) between an open position (A), allowing access to the article through the extraction opening (20), and a closed position (B), preventing access to the article;

characterized in that it comprises:

an article support wall (4) on which the article is fixed;

a connecting element (5) that connects the outer shell (3) and the inner shell (2), that is connected to the support wall (4) and that is foldable in such a way that, when the inner shell (2) is moved from the closed position (B) to the open position (A), the connecting element (5) is moved from a gathered position (C) to an extended position (D) which causes the support wall (4) to rotate and the article to come out through the extraction opening (20).

2. The package (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the support wall (4) is disposed substantially parallel to the sliding direction (X) when the inner shell (2) is in the closed position (B).

3. The package according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the article support wall

(4) has a support surface on which the article is fixed and wherein the support wall is rotatable between a first position, corresponding to the closed position (B), where the support wall (4) is disposed substantially parallel to the sliding direction (X) with the support surface directed towards the extraction opening (20) in such a way that the article fixed to the support surface is directed towards a space inside the inner shell (2), and a second position, corresponding to the open position (A), where the support wall (4) is directed towards the side opposite the extraction opening (20) in order to expose the article to a user.

4. The package according to claim 3, wherein the support wall (4) at the second position is rotated by approximately 180° relative to the first position.

5. The package according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the support wall (4) is connected to the inner shell (2) rotatably about a tilting axis which is fixed relative to the inner shell (2) so that the support wall (4) can rotate about the tilting axis, in particular according to a movement for inserting or extracting the inner shell (2) relative to the outer shell (3).

6. The package (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein:

the inner shell (2) comprises a bottom wall (21 ) opposite to the extraction opening (20);

the outer shell (3) comprises: a lower wall 31 facing the bottom wall 21 of the inner shell 2; an upper wall (32) facing the extraction opening (20) of the inner shell (2), when the inner shell (2) is in the closed position (B); a first flank (33) and a second flank (34) opposite and parallel to each other, each connecting the lower wall (31 ) and the upper wall (32) and extending parallel to the sliding direction (X); a first flap (35) and a second flap (36) which extend from the first flank (33) and the second flank (34), respectively, inside the outer shell (3), and which face the upper wall (32) of the inner shell (2).

7. The package (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein:

the support wall (4) comprises a first side (41 ) and a second side (42) opposite and parallel to the first side (41 ), where the first side (41 ) and the second side (42) lie in planes parallel to the sliding direction (X);

the connecting element (5) comprises a first strip (50) fixed to the first side (41 ) of the support wall (4) and a second strip (51 ) fixed to the second side (42) of the support wall (4); the first strip (50) and the second strip (51 ) are foldable in order to be moved between the gathered position (C), in which the first strip (50) and the second strip (51 ) are arranged in a Z-shaped configuration, and the extended position (D).

8. The package according to claim 7, wherein the first and second strips

(50, 51 ) each have a first end which is connected to the outer shell (3) and a second end which is opposite to the first end and connected to the inner shell (2) and wherein the support wall (4) is connected to an intermediate portion of each strip (50, 51 ) included between the respective first and second end.

9. The package (1 ) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the first strip (50) and the second strip (51 ) each comprise:

a first tab (50a, 51 a) connected to the outer shell (3) at a first hinge line (52); a second tab (50b, 51 b) connected to the first tab (50a, 51 a) at a second hinge line (53);

a third tab (50c, 51 c) connected to the second tab (50b, 51 b) at a third hinge line (54) and connected to the inner shell (2) at a fourth hinge line (55); the third tab (50c) of the first strip (50) being fixed to the first side (41 ) of the support wall (4) and the third tab (51 c) of the second strip (51 ) being fixed to the second side (42) of the support wall (4).

10. The package according to claim 9 when dependent on claim 5, wherein the tilting axis is defined by the fourth hinge line (55) of each of the strips (50, 51 ).

11. The package according to claim 9 or 10, wherein each of the strips (50, 51 ) also has a fourth tab (50d, 51 d) connected to the respective third tab (50c, 51 c) by the respective fourth hinge line (55) and fixed to the inner shell (2), preferably by gluing, in such a way that each third tab (50c, 51 c) is hinged to the inner shell (2) about the respective fourth hinge line (55).

12. The package (1 ) according to claim 6 and claim 9, wherein the first flap (35) and the second flap (36) of the outer shell (3) are placed between the first tab (50a, 51 a) and the second tab (50b, 51 b), respectively of the first band (50) and the second band (51 ), when the inner shell (2) is in the closing position (B).

13. The package (1 ) according to claim 6 and claim 9 or 12, wherein the first flap (35) and the second flap (36) each comprise: a first portion 35a, 36a glued to the upper wall 32 of the outer shell 3; a second portion (35b, 36b) without glue, that is contiguous to the first portion (35a, 36a) and faces the first tab (50a, 51 a) of the first strip (50) and the second strip (51 ), respectively.

14. The package (1 ) according to claim 13, wherein the second portion (35b, 36b) of the first flap (35) and the second flap (36) comprises a hinge line (38), transverse to the sliding direction (X) of the inner shell (2), in the proximity of the free end of said second portion (35b, 36b).

15. The package (1 ) according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein the second tab (50b, 51 b) comprises: a first part (501 , 511 ) connected to the first tab (50a, 51a) at the second hinge line (53); a second part (502, 512) connected to the first part (501 , 511 ) at a fifth hinge line (56) and connected to the third tab (50c, 51 c) at the third hinge line (54).

16. The package (1 ) according to any one of claims 9 to 15, wherein the first tab (50a, 51 a) of the first strip (50) is connected to the first tab (50a,

51 a) of the second strip (51 ).

17. The package (1 ) according to any one of claims 9 to 16, wherein the first hinge line (52), the second hinge line (53), the third hinge line (54) and the fourth hinge line (55) are parallel to each other and at right angles to the sliding direction (X) of the inner shell (2).

18. The package (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer shell (3), the connecting element (5) and the support wall (4) are made as a single part.

19. The package (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a blister pack (6) containing the article and fixed to the support wall (4).