EP2681130B1

EP2681130B1 - Package for smoking articles

Info

Publication number: EP2681130B1
Application number: EP11706766.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mies VAN LANDSVELD; Sara Temple
Original assignee: Imperial Tobacco Ltd Great Britain
Current assignee: Imperial Tobacco Ltd
Priority date: 2011-03-04
Filing date: 2011-03-04
Publication date: 2015-01-07
Anticipated expiration: 2031-03-04
Also published as: PL2681130T3; RU2549073C1; RU2013144576A; UA106948C2; ES2533564T3; EP2681130A1; WO2012119607A1

Description

The invention relates to a package for smoking articles, and more specifically to a package comprising two receptacles for smoking articles.

BACKGROUND

Smoking articles are often contained in disposable packages which have a substantially parallelepiped shape formed by a bottom wall, four side walls extending from the bottom wall, and an opening opposite to the bottom wall through which the smoking articles can be removed from the pack. A lid is provided to cover the opening at the top. The lid is usually hinged to one of the side walls.
In order to allow better access to the cigarettes contained in the package, there are various double package types with two packages being connected to each other by hinges along the longitudinal sides or the bottom.
One example for such a double pack is disclosed in WO 2009/021856 A1 . This pack contains two receptacles for smoking articles both having substantially parallelepiped shape. The second receptacle is hinged to the first receptacle at their bottom ends. Each receptacle has a rotatable flap that extends into the other receptacle and is fixed therein so that relative rotation of the receptacles rotates the two flaps to lift the smoking articles.
Another example of a double pack is disclosed in WO 2010/077662 A2 . This cigarette pack consists of a first portion and a second portion hingedly coupled to the first portion and a top portion hingedly coupled to a sliding portion slidably disposed within the second portion. The sliding portion serves to increase the distance between the lid and the package to which it is connected. Otherwise, it might be difficult to remove cigarettes at least from the first pack.
WO 94/26625 discloses a package with an open top outer container and an inner container. The inner container receives a supporting force in the direction of its opening when the outer container is opened. The outer container consists of two halves resiliently linked to each other by a common bottom wall.
However, all these packages require manual interaction in order to move the packages with respect to each other and in order to have, for example automatic access to at least one of the packages in the open state. Furthermore, it would be desirable to have an additional easily accessible space within the package for accommodating smartcards or other articles.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the invention to provide a cigarette package with improved access to at least one of two receptacles. It is a further object of the invention to provide a package for smoking articles that has an additional compartment for receiving other articles in the open state.
According to an aspect of the invention, a package for smoking articles is provided which comprises a first receptacle for smoking articles and a second receptacle for smoking articles. The package has a lid for closing the first and the second receptacle from a top side of the package. The lid is hingedly connected to the second receptacle. The first receptacle and the second receptacle are hingedly coupled at a bottom side. The first and the second receptacle are coupled at their longitudinal sides by a foldable flap configured to (resiliently) swivel the second receptacle away from the first receptacle when the lid is open.
In an embodiment, the first receptacle may have parallelepiped shape. It may have a bottom wall and a front wall, a rear wall, a right wall and a left wall extending from the bottom wall. The right wall and the left wall may be narrower than the front wall and the rear wall. The second receptacle may also have substantially parallelepiped shape. It may comprise a bottom wall and a rear wall, a front wall, a right wall, and a left wall extending from the bottom wall. The left wall and the right wall may be narrower than the front wall and the rear wall.
The first and the second receptacle preferably have right angled vertical edges and right angled horizontal edges or in other words right angled longitudinal edges and right angled transversal edges. The hinges, in particular the hinge for the lid and the hinge connecting the first and the second receptacle at the bottom side are then horizontal hinges or hinges in transversal direction of the package.
The foldable flaps may be configured to provide a (resilient) force for rotating the first receptacle with respect to the second receptacle around the bottom hinge. The lid can then be connected to the first receptacle by a hinge. The lid can be swiveled or pivoted from an open state to a closed state and vice versa. The lid is advantageously configured to encompass the tops of the first receptacle and the second receptacle in the closed state. This advantageously interacts with the fact that the flaps provide a resilient force. The first receptacle and the second receptacle are then held together by the lid. Once the lid is swiveled from the closed state to the open state, the second receptacle is swiveled (rotated, pivoted) by the (for example resilient) forces of the foldable flap or two foldable flaps such that its top is moved away from the top of the first receptacle. Thus, this package is automatically opened when the lid is swiveled around its hinge.
The package according to aspects of the invention is advantageously configured such that the (for example resilient) force is a function of the opening angle of the package. The opening angle is the angle of rotation around the bottom hinge of the first and the second receptacle with respect to each other. The force may become zero before the maximum possible opening angle is reached. This provides that the package is only partially opened by the force, allowing access to the smoking articles without opening the package too far.
Furthermore, the second receptacle and the first and second foldable flaps may then be configured to delimit a compartment between the two receptacles. The compartment is advantageously located between the two foldable flaps and a rear wall of the first receptacle and a front wall of the second receptacle. The compartment is accessible in the open state of the package.
The compartment between the first and the second receptacle may advantageously be dimensioned to contain articles which have the size of a credit card or smart card. This provides a helpful possibility to carry any smart card or bonus card in the package. The longitudinal and transversal dimensions of the package or more specifically, the dimensions of the first and second receptacle may therefore be adapted to the dimensions of these cards. The foldable flaps may be configured to be folded together in the closed state, thereby holding any card placed in the compartment. Advantageously, the foldable flaps are configured as closed side walls. If the compartment formed and delimited by the foldable flaps has closed side walls, any articles contained in the compartment are kept safe.
According to an aspect of the invention, the package can be configured such that the (e.g. resilient) force is greater than zero (positive force pushing the receptacles away from each other) in the closed state of the package when the opening angle is (close to) zero, and becomes negative when the opening angle is maximum. The package, or more specifically the inner compartment, then automatically opens when the lid is opened. However, the rotation of the first receptacle with respect to the second receptacle stops at a first opening angle. In this state the compartment is not totally opened and the flaps are not entirely unfolded. Any articles carried in the compartment may then still be held in the compartment. However, the compartment may manually be further opened. The pull-back force of the foldable flaps has then to be overcome, which provides security for articles contained in the compartment.
The first and the second flap may be configured to have two wings, respectively. The wings can be connected by a folding line (or hinge line). The wings of the first flap and the wings of the second flap may then be connected by respective first and second folding lines. The folding line(s) may be provided by a line of perforation. The wings may have triangular shape. The foldable flaps may also have a triangular shape. The folding line may be arranged such that, in the closed state of the package, it has an angle of inclination with respect to the right and left side walls of package/receptacles. The opening angle of the package is then a function of (or depends on) the angle of inclination of the folding line. In other words, in the closed or partially closed state, the folding line of the first foldable flap extends from a right bottom corner of the bottom hinge line upwards and inwards (towards the left (opposite) side of the package). The folding line of the second foldable flap extends from a left bottom corner of the bottom hinge line upwards and inwards (towards the right (opposite) side of the package).
The distance of the upper ends of the first folding line and the second folding line may then advantageously be a function of the opening angle. The upper ends of the folding lines may approach each other, when the first and second receptacles are swiveled towards each other from an open state to a closed state. While reducing the opening angle, the distance between the upper ends of the folding lines may advantageously decrease (while the opening angle decreases). However, the upper ends of the first folding line and the second folding line are further configured to preserve a distance with respect to each other in the closed state of the package.
The lower ends of the first and second folding line may be arranged close to the ends of the bottom hinge where the two receptacles are coupled to each other. The distance between the lower ends (opposite to the upper ends) of the first and second folding line may therefore maintain their distance (i.e. the distance can be equal to the widths of the first and the second receptacle) while opening and closing the package. The previous aspects of the invention are advantageous for opening and completely closing the package and providing a useful compartment between the packages.
The first and/or the second flap may be configured to additionally constitute or cover a right side wall and/or left side wall of the first receptacle and/or the second receptacle. The right side wall and left side walls of the receptacles may be double or single walls. The flaps may then have (longitudinal) extensions in the dimensions (length) of the right and/or left side walls of the receptacles. This can serve to couple the flaps to the receptacles and may be used to simplify production of the package.
In an advantageous aspect of the invention, the flaps are configured such that the first and second folding lines (or hinge lines) which connect the respective two wings of each flap are shorter than the length of the right and/or left side walls of the receptacles. In an embodiment, the whole upper edge of the flaps can be arranged with a distance from the upper edges of the first and second receptacle. In other words, the flaps are shorter than the receptacles and do not extend over the full length of the package. Furthermore, the flap may be configured such that the length of the flap along the folding line (where the two wings are connected) is shorter than the hinge lines at which the wings are coupled with the sides walls of the receptacles. The previous two aspects of the invention may advantageously be combined. This prevents that the upper ends of the folding lines do interfere when the package is closed.
The first and the second receptacle may also be referred to as compartments, boxes, units or containers. The package is generally also referred to as a hinge-lid pack. Materials that may be used for the package can be cardboard, paperboard, plastic and/or metal. The package may be formed by a folded laminar blank. The blank may be a laminar cardboard blank. The smoking articles inside the package may be arranged as a bundle, and most specifically as a wrapped bundle of elongate smoking articles/cigarettes. Additionally, there may be outer wrapping (or outer or over wrapper) of the package. The outer wrapping may be shrink wrapping or any other overwrapping with a transparent or non-transparent polymeric film, for example polyethylene or polypropylene. The outer wrapper may include a tear tape. There might be a collar or inner frame mounted inside the first receptacle and/or the second receptacle. The direction from the bottom to the top of a receptacle is also referred to as longitudinal direction. The direction from the left to right side or the right to the left side of the package is also referred to as transversal direction.
Each of the packages may have a cut-out/window or opening in the collar/frame to allow the consumer to more easily remove cigarettes from the cigarette pack.
The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a package as previously described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Further aspects and characteristics of the invention will ensue from the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a package according to an embodiment of the invention,
FIG. 2 shows a side view of the package according to aspects of the invention in a closed state,
FIG. 3 shows a side view of the package according to aspects of the invention in a completely opened state,
FIG. 4 shows a top view of the package according to aspects of the invention in a partially opened state,
FIG. 5 shows a side view of the package according to aspects of the invention in a partially opened state,
FIG. 6 shows a top view of the package according to aspects of the invention in a partially opened state,
FIG. 7 shows a cross sectional view from a front side of the package according to aspects of the invention,
FIG. 8 shows diagrams illustrating the relationship between the opening angle and the force provided by the flaps,
FIG. 9 shows two perspective views of a package according to an embodiment of the invention having a first type of wrapping/sealing of the cigarettes,
FIG. 10 shows two perspective views of a package according to an embodiment of the invention having a second type of wrapping/sealing of the cigarettes,
FIG. 11 shows two perspective views of a package according to an embodiment of the invention having a third type of wrapping/sealing of the cigarettes,
FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a package according to an embodiment of the invention having a fourth type of wrapping/sealing of the cigarettes, and
FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of a package according to an embodiment of the invention having a fifth type of wrapping/sealing of the cigarettes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a package 1 according to aspects of the invention. The package 1 is configured to contain smoking articles, in particular elongate smoking articles like cigarettes. The package 1 comprises two receptacles 100 and 200. The first receptacle 100 has a substantially parallelepiped shape. It has a bottom wall 105, a front wall 101, a right wall 102 and a left wall 103. There is a top side 106 that comprises a cut-out 108 in which the smoking articles or the wrapping of the smoking articles (typically a metallised or metal foil or the like) are visible. The package 1 further comprises a second receptacle 200. The second receptacle 200 is configured to contain smoking articles, in particular elongate smoking articles like cigarettes. The first receptacle 100 and the second receptacle 200 may contain the same smoking articles or smoking articles of similar type.
The second receptacle 200 comprises a bottom wall 205, a right wall 202, a left wall 203, a rear wall 204 and a front wall 201. The topside 206 may not be covered. There may be a cut-out 208 through which the wrapped or unwrapped smoking articles are accessible.
There is further a lid 300. The lid comprises a front wall 301, a right wall 302, a left wall 303, a rear wall 304 and a top wall 306. The lid 300 is coupled to the second receptacle 200 and more specifically to the rear wall 204 of the second receptacle 200 by a hinge line 307. This hinge or hinge line allows the lid 300 to be swiveled in order to open and close the package 1 with the lid. The lid 300 is configured to encompass the top portions of the first receptacle 100 and a second receptacle 200.
The first receptacle 100 and the second receptacle 200 are coupled to each other by a bottom hinge line 107. In other words, the bottom wall 105 of the first receptacle 100 and the bottom wall 205 of the second receptacle 200 are coupled to each other by the hinge 107. Practically, the bottom 105 of the first receptacle and the bottom 205 of the second receptacle may be formed by a single blank or panel, thereby providing at a same time the bottom 105 and the bottom 205 of the two receptacles and the hinge 107.
There is a first flap 402 and a second flap 403. The first flap 402 is coupled with one longitudinal side to the right side 102 of the first receptacle 100 and with the opposite longitudinal side to the right wall 202 of the second receptacle 200.
The second flap 403 is coupled with a first longitudinal side to the left wall 103 of the first receptacle and with an opposite longitudinal side to the left wall 203 of the second receptacle 200.
The package 1 is shown in a partially opened state. The lid is swiveled back and the first package is partially rotated around the bottom hinge 107 by an angle α. The first flap 402 and the second flap 403 form side walls for the compartment 500 which is opened through the rotation of the first receptacle 100.
The first flap 402 has a folding line (or hinge line) extending from the right (first) bottom side of the package upwardly and inwardly (towards the opposite side) into the compartment 500. The second flap 403 has a folding line (or hinge line) extending from the left (second) bottom side of the hinge 107 upwardly and inwardly (towards the opposite side) into the compartment 500.
Once the lid 300 is opened, the first receptacle 100 is pushed into the partially opened state shown in FIG. 1. This is due to the (resilient) force provided by the first flap 402 and the second flap 403. This provides a very easy access to the smoking articles in the first receptacle 100 and to the compartment 500. On the other hand, once the first receptacle 100 has been driven by the (resilient) forces of the first flap 402 and the second flap 403 to a certain opening angle, the rotation stops and the first receptacle is held back by the partially unfolded flaps 402, 403.
FIG. 2 shows a side view of the package 1 according to aspects of the invention in a closed state. The lid 300 is pushed over the top portions of the first receptacle 100 and the second receptacle 200. The lid 300 encompasses the top portions of the first receptacle 100 and the second receptacle 200 and provides that the first receptacle 100 is held coplanar to the second receptacle 200. The total length of the package is L100. The front wall 301 of the lid 300 may be longer in this longitudinal direction than the rear wall 304 of the lid 300. The first flap 402 and the second flap 403 are now totally folded and not visible anymore. The opening angle a of the package is zero. The opening angle γ of the lid is also zero (not shown in FIG. 2).
FIG. 3 shows the package 1 according to aspects of the invention in a completely opened state. The package 1 is shown from the left side similar to FIG. 2.
The first receptacle 100 is rotated, pivoted or swiveled around bottom hinge 107 by an angle α. In order to assume this totally opened state, the first receptacle 100 has to be manually pulled in order to overcome the pullback forces of the flaps 402 and 403. From this left side, only the flap 403 is visible. However, the package would look similar from the right side.
The flap 403 comprises two wings. A first wing 411 and a second wing 421. The first wing 411 and the second wing 421 are coupled to each other by a folding line (hinge line) 408. This folding line 408 extends from the bottom hinge 107 towards the topsides of the package and inside the compartment 500. The first wing 411 of the flap 403 is also coupled by a longitudinal hinge line 406 to the first receptacle 100. The second wing 421 of the flap 403 is coupled by a hinge line 405 at its longitudinal side to the second receptacle 200. The length L403 of this hinge line 405 is equal to or shorter than the total length L200 of the second receptacle 200. The length of the hinge line 406 of the first wing 411 is equal to or shorter than the length L100 of the first receptacle 100. Furthermore, the length of the folding line 408 can advantageously be shorter than the length of the longitudinal hinge lines 406, 405 at which the wings are coupled to the receptacles (the same configuration can be chosen for the first flap 402).
In this state, the lid 300 is swiveled around the hinge 307 by an angle γ. The angle γ is the angle between the edge line 209 of the second receptacle 200, where the lid abuts, and the edge line of the lid. The angle γ can assume about 180°, if the lid is entirely opened and pivoted. There are further angles α and β. The angle α is the opening angle between the first receptacle 100 and the second receptacle 200. In the (idle) opened position the angle α is between 20° and 50° (the lid can be further opened but only by applying a force). The angle β is the angle between hinge line 408 (middle hinge of wing 403) and the upper edge of the wing. The angle β can be 90° or more. Although the figures may give this impression, the angle β does not change if the package is opened and/or closed.
The top connecting point between the first wing 411 and the second wing 421 of the flap 403 is referred to as upper end P403 of the second folding line 408 (similar for the other flap 402). It is apparent from FIG. 3, that the upper end P403 of the folding line 408 is below a straight line connecting points P100 (upper end of hinge line 406) and P200 (upper end of hinge line 405). The distance between the top edges P100 and P200 and the upper end P403 of the folding line is DE. The distance DE is indicated as the length of a line perpendicular to the straight line connecting points P100 and P200. The movement of point P403 is important for various aspects of the invention and will be further discussed with respect to the other figures. The folding lines 404 (not shown) and 408 may be provided by a line of perforation.
FIG. 4 shows a top view of a package 1 according to aspects of the invention. The lid 300 is in an open state and only the front wall 301 of the lid 300 is visible. Top side 106 of the first receptacle 100 is visible. The thickness D100 of the first receptacle is also indicated. Top side 206 of the second receptacle 200 is visible. The thickness D200 of the second receptacle is also indicated. The width of the first receptacle 100 is W100 and the width of the second receptacle 200 is W200. The widths W100 and W200 are equal.
The compartment 500 is delimited by the rear wall 104 of the first receptacle 100, the front wall 201 of the second receptacle 200 and the first flap 402 and the second flap 403.
The first flap 402 has two wings, a first wing 410 and a second wing 420. The first wing 410 is coupled to the second wing 420 by a (first) folding line (or hinge line) 404. The folding line 404 extends from the bottom hinge 107 towards the tops 106, 206 of the first and the second receptacle 100, 200 and inwardly into the compartment 500.
The second flap 403 has a first wing 411 and a second wing 421. The first wing 411 is coupled to the second wing 421 by a (second) folding line (or hinge line) 408 which protrudes from the bottom hinge 107 towards the tops 106, 206 of the first and the second receptacle 100, 200 and towards the inside of the compartment 500. The upper end of the hinge line 408 is referred to as point P403. The upper end of the hinge line 404 of the first flap 402 is referred to as point P402. The opening angle of the package is α (not shown). The lower end of the folding line 408 and the folding line 404 join the ends of the bottom hinge line 107.
There is further a rectangular cut out 700, which is a flap that is advantageously cut from the rear part of the pack and is then glued to the front part of the pack. The flap hinges on the bottom edge. It is there to connect the two pack halves (first and second receptacle) at the bottom, so that the bottom of the pack is not open. This is useful in situations where credit cards or the like are stored in this area in order to prevent them from falling through and out of the package.
FIG. 5 shows a side view of the package according to aspects of the invention in a partially opened state. The angle γ between the edge line 209 of the second receptacle and the lower edge line of the lid is about 180° dependent on the degree of opening the lid. The angle β between the folding line 408 and the upper edge of either wing 411 or the upper edge of wing 421 is 90° or more. However, due to the folding action of the second flap 403 along folding lines 405, 406 and 408, point P403 moves inside the compartment 500 and downwards. The opening angle α is now between 20° and 50°. This state may also be referred to as the idle open state, where the force applied by the flaps becomes zero. The idle open state is reached when the opening angle is greater then zero (closed state) and smaller than the maximum opening angle, in which the flaps are entirely unfolded.
FIG. 6 shows a similar top view to FIG. 4 of the package 1. However, the package is now less opened which means that the first receptacle 100 is further rotated towards the second receptacle 200 than in FIG. 4. This means that the ending points P402 and P403 of the folding lines 404 and 408 approach each other and that the compartment 500 is more and more divided in two sub-compartments 501 and 502. The distance DY between the ends of the folding lines P403 and P402 is decreasing with a decreasing opening angle α of the package 1. The distance DY at the ends P402, P403 of the folding lines is a function of the opening angle α. If the package is in the closed state, points P402 and P403 still have a distance DY with respect to each other. However, the distance between the lower ends of the folding lines 404 and 408 preferably remains unchanged (e.g. it may correspond to the width W100 / W200 of the receptacles) while the package is opened and closed (i.e. swiveled around hinge line 107).
FIG. 7 shows a cross sectional view of package 1 according to aspects of the invention. This is the view from the front side of the package 1. However, the first receptacle 100 is omitted in order to show the first flap 402 and the second flap 403 in a completely folded state, when the package 1 is closed. Package 1 is closed, when the opening angle α is zero. In this state, i.e. in the closed state of the package when the opening angle α is zero, the distance between the top of the second receptacle (and also a first receptacle) has become D0. The distance between the end points P402 and P403 of the folding lines has decreased when the package is closed. The first wing 410 of the first flap 402 is then coplanar with and lies on top of the second wing 420 of the first flap 402. The first wing 411 of the second flap 403 is then coplanar with and lies on top of the second wing 421 of the second flap 403.
There are four angles η1, η2, η3, and η4. These angles describe the shape of the flaps 403, 402 in the folded state. In this embodiment, the four angles η1, η2, η3, and η4 are all greater than zero. The angles η1, η2, η3, and η4 define the opening angle α, and in particular the maximum opening angle α in the completely opened state. The opening angle α is a function of angles η1, η2, η3, and η4, i.e. of the shape of the foldable flaps 402, 403 and in particular of the inclination η1, η2 of the folding lines 404, 408 of the foldable flaps. η1, and η2 can be equal and they are advantageously between 10° and 30°. η3, and η4 can be equal and they are advantageously between 10° and 30°.
The specific configuration of package 1 according to aspects of the invention is further illustrated in the diagrams of FIG. 8. The (resilient) force FS, which is generated by the foldable flaps 402 and 403 is indicated in the diagram of FIG. 8. Accordingly, the force FS assumes a certain value F0 if the opening angle α is zero. This means that the force FS is always present and configured to push against the first receptacle in order to increase the angle α, i.e. in order to open the package by rotating the first receptacle 100 around hinge 107 with respect to the second receptacle 200.
However, once the first receptacle 100 is rotated by an angle α1, the force FS becomes zero. The idle opening state of the package is then assumed. The first receptacle is then held in a specific position and not further pushed or rotated away from the second receptacle 200. In order increase the opening angle α (beyond α1), it is necessary to apply an additional force (e.g. manually) which is indicated in the diagram in FIG. 8 by a negative value of the force FS. This means, that the first receptacle 100 is held back and an additional (manual) force has to be applied in order to further rotate the first receptacle 100 with respect to the second receptacle 200 until the maximum opening angle α2 is reached. In this state, the flaps 402 and 403 are basically coplanar, substantially perpendicular to the front wall 201 and the rear wall 104 of receptacles 200 and 100 and almost entirely unfolded. This is the state shown in FIG. 3. The force that is necessary in order to completely open the package by an opening angle α2 is referred to as FE. The force FS is a function of the opening angle α. Between a closed state (α=0) and totally open state (α= α2, α2 may be greater than 50°), there is an intermediate or idle state (α= α1, with, for example 20° < α1 < 50°) in which the force becomes zero.
FIG. 9 shows two perspective views (A) and (B) of a package according to an embodiment of the invention. The first perspective view (A) shows the package 1 in a partially open state. The lid 300 is pivoted into an open position and the first receptacle 100 and the second receptacle 200 are rotated away from each other. Each of the packages has a sealing 110, 210, respectively. The sealing is configured as a cover or cap which can be pulled away. This can be done by a small handle 110H or 210H. Each bundle can then be sealed separately. Each receptacle 100, 200 is opened by removing the covers 110, 210 along a line of perforation 110L or 210L. The second perspective (B) shows the package 1 in a state in which the first cap 110 is moved away. The length of each of the caps W110 corresponds to the width W100 of the first receptacle 100. The length W210 of the second cap 210 corresponds to the width W200 of the second receptacle 200. This means that each receptacle can be opened over the full width so that all cigarettes are easily accessible.
FIG. 10 shows two perspective views of a package according to an embodiment of the invention. The package 1 according to the invention is now provided with a sealing 110 for the first receptacle 100 that can be opened along a line of perforation 110L. The length or width of the cap 110 is now smaller than the total width W100 of the first receptacle. This provides that the outer cigarettes in the first receptacle 100 are held within the package by two shoulders even if the cap 110 is removed. This is shown in the perspective view (B). In order to decrease complexity and production costs, the cigarettes in the second receptacle 200 are wrapped by paper, metallised paper or metal foil 211.
FIG. 11 shows two perspective views of a package according to an embodiment of the invention. In this configuration, two caps or covers 110 and 210 are provided for each of the two receptacles 100 and 200. Each of the caps 110 and 210 has a line of perforation. In contrast to the sealing or wrapping shown in FIG. 9, both caps 110, 210 are now shorter (W110, W210) than the total width of the respective receptacle. The outer cigarettes in both receptacles now have an improved hold within the receptacles.
FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a package according to an embodiment of the invention. There is a sealing 110 having a width according to the full width of the first receptacle 100. The bundle of cigarettes in the second receptacle 200 is wrapped with a metallised foil or metal foil 211. This is a rather cheap solution for the second pack, while the first pack provides a sealing that can be pulled off more easily.
FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of a package according to an embodiment of the invention. In this configuration, the package 1 according to the invention has two extra lids 110 and 210 which simplify resealing of the packages after they have been opened.
Although the invention has been described hereinabove with reference to specific embodiments, it is not limited to these embodiments and no doubt further alternatives will occur to the skilled person that lie within the scope of the invention as claimed.

Claims

A package for smoking articles comprising a first receptacle (100) for smoking articles and second receptacle (200) for smoking articles and a lid (300) for closing the first and the second receptacle from the top side hingedly connected to the second receptacle, the first and the second receptacle being hingedly coupled at a bottom side, characterised in that the first and the second receptacle (100, 200) are coupled at their longitudinal sides by a first and second foldable flap (402, 403) configured to provide a force for rotating the first receptacle (100) with respect to the second receptacle (200) around the bottom hinge to swivel the second receptacle away from the first receptacle when the lid (300) is open.
The package according to claim 1, wherein the second receptacle and the first and second foldable flaps (402, 403) are configured to delimit a compartment (500) between the two foldable flaps and a rear wall of the first receptacle and a front wall of the second receptacle in the open state of the package.
The package according to the previous claim, wherein the compartment (500) between the first and the second receptacle is dimensioned to contain an article that substantially has the thickness and/or width and/or length of a credit card or smart card.
The package according to any previous claim, being further configured such that the force is positive and greater than zero in the closed state of the package (1) when the opening angle is zero.
The package according to any previous claim, being further configured such that the force becomes negative when the opening angle is maximum.
The package according to any previous claim, wherein the first and/or the second flap is furthermore configured to form a right side wall and/or left side wall of the first receptacle and/or the second receptacle.
The package according to any previous claim, wherein the first flap and the second flap (402, 403) are configured to have two wings, respectively.
The package according to claim 7, wherein the wings of the first flap and the wings of the second flap are connected by respective first and second folding lines.
The package according to claim 8, wherein the distance (DY) of the upper ends (P402, P403) of the first folding line and the second folding line is a function of the opening angle (α).
The package according to claim 9, wherein the first folding line and the second folding line are arranged to have an angle of inclination with respect to the right and left side walls of the first and second receptacles in the closed state of the package.
The package according to claim 10, wherein the upper ends (P402, P403) of the folding lines approach each other, when the first and second receptacle are swiveled towards each other from an open state to a closed state, such that the distance (DY) between the ends (P403, P402) of the folding lines decreases when the opening angle decreases.
The package according to anyone of claims 9 to 11, wherein the upper ends (P402, P403) of the first folding line and the second folding line have a distance (DY) with respect to each other in the closed state of the package.