GB2506124A

GB2506124A - Pack with inner and outer components for smoking articles, with dampened biasing member

Info

Publication number: GB2506124A
Application number: GB1216766.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steven Holford; Yannick Hourmand; Ulrik Naunton; Ian Dunckley; Aaron Mckenzie; Philip Dent; Mike Simpson
Original assignee: British American Tobacco Investments Ltd; British American Tobacco Co Ltd; British American Tobacco Japan Ltd
Current assignee: British American Tobacco Investments Ltd; British American Tobacco Japan Ltd
Priority date: 2012-09-20
Filing date: 2012-09-20
Publication date: 2014-03-26
Also published as: GB201216766D0

Abstract

A container comprising an outer housing 2 with an open end, an inner pack 3 with hinged lid 4, a biasing means 52 to allow for relative movement between the inner 3 and outer 4 components, and a dampening means 63 to lessen the force exerted by the biasing member 52. The biasing member can consist of springs, lever springs, z-shaped formations, bellows, and laminated boards being concertina shape or volute shaped. The dampening means can be a resilient material on part of a surface of the biasing member, an element between the inner and outer components or be a flexible bag. There may also be a sealing element between the inner and outer components.

Description

Pack for Smoking Articles

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a pack for smoking articles and, in particular, to a pack having an outer housing and an inner casing contained within, and extendable out of, the outer housing.

Background

Many variations of packs for smoking articles are known. One such pack is the so-io called hinged-lid' pack which generally comprises a body portion and a lid portion hingedily connected to a rear wall of the body portion and pivotable between an open position to allow access to the interior of the body portion through an access aperture in the top of the body portion, and a closed position in which the opening in the body portion is closed by the lid.

An alternative type of pack is the shell and slide' type of pack, in which an inner casing containing the smoking articles is received in an outer housing or sleeve, known as the shell'. In use, a user manipulates the pack so that the inner casing extends out of the outer housing to allow access to the smoking articles. The inner casing may slide like a drawer out of an opening in one side of the outer housing.

Summary

In accordance with embodiments of the invention there is provided a pack comprising an outer housing having an open end, and an inner pack disposed within the outer housing and moveable between an extended position and a retracted position, the pack comprising a biasing member configured to bias the inner pack to move in a direction relative to the outer housing, the pack being configured so that the movement of the inner pack relative to the outer housing undcr the force of the biasing member is damped.

The pack may comprise a damping member configured to damp the movement of the inner pack relative to the outer housing.

In one embodiment, the damping member comprises a resilient material disposed on at least part of a surface of the biasing member. In an alternate embodiment, the damping member comprises a resilient element disposed between the inner pack and the outer housing. In yet another embodiment, the damping member comprises a flexible container disposed between the inner pack and the outer housing which is configured to inflate and deflate as the inner pack moves between the extended and retracted positions.

Thc container may comprise a bag or bellows, and the bellows maybe made of an io elastically resilient material such that the bellows also comprises the biasing member.

Thc container may comprise an aperture configured to restrict flow of air into and/or out of the container upon inflation and/or deflation thereof.

The container may include a valve configured to restrict flow of air into or out of the container upon inflation or deflation thereof respectively, and to allow a less restricted flow of air in the opposite direction. The biasing member may be disposed within the container.

In one embodiment, the biasing member comprises a lever spring and the damping member comprises a resilient material disposed between an arm of the lever spring and a wall of the outer housing.

The pack may further comprise a Z-shaped portion of foldable material disposed between the inner pack and the outer housing, and the lever spring is secured to the z-shaped member.

In one embodiment, the pack is configured so that the inner pack makes a close fit within the outer housing so that a substantially sealed space is created between the outer housing and the inner pack member and such the movement of the inner pack relative to the outer housing is damped by resistance for air to pass into and/or out of the substantially sealed space.

The sealing element may be provided between the inner casing and the outer housing, and the outer housing may comprise a vent hole to allow restricted flow of air into and/or out of the snbstantially sealed space.

In one embodiment, the biasing member is configured to bias the inner pack in a direction out of the outer housing into the extended position. In an alternate embodiment, the biasing member is configured to bias the inner pack in a direction into the outer housing into the retracted position.

The biasing member may comprise a folded resilient material.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with io reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective-view of a pack of a first embodiment of the invention in a closed position; Figure 2 shows the pack of Figure 1 in an open position with part of the outer housing cut-away for illustrative purposes; Figure 3A shows a schematic cross-sectional side view of the pack of Figures i and 2 in a closed position along the line X-X in Figure i; Figure 3B shows a schematic cross-sectional side view of thc pack of Figures 1 and 2 in an open position along the line X-X in Figure 1; Figure 4A shows a schematic cross-sectional front view of the pack of Figures 1 and 2 in a closed position along the line Y-Y in Figure i; Figure 4B shows a schematic cross-sectional front view of the pack of Figures land 2 in an open position along the line Y-Y in Figure 1; Figure shows a perspective view of a pack of a modification of the first embodiment of the invention; Figure 6A shows a schematic cross-sectional front view of a pack of a second embodiment of the invention in a closed position; Figure 613 shows a schematic cross-sectional front view of the pack of Figure 6A in an opcn position; Figure 7A shows a schematic cross-sectional front view of a pack of a third embodiment of the invention in a closed position; Figure 7B shows a schematic cross-sectional front view of the pack of Figure 7A in an open position; Figure 7C shows a close-up cross-sectional view of a section of the biasing means of the pack of yA; Figure 7D shows a schematic cross-sectional front view of a modification of the pack of the third embodiment of the invention in a closed position; Figure 7E shows a schematic cross-sectional front view of the pack of Figure 7D in an open position; Figure 7F shows a close-up cross-sectional view of a scction of the biasing means of the pack of 7D; Figure 8A shows a schematic cross-sectional front view of a pack of a fourth embodiment of the invention in a closed position; Figure 8B shows a schematic cross-sectional front view of the pack of Figure 8A in an open position; Figure 9A shows a schematic cross-sectional front view of a pack of a fifth embodiment of the invention in a closed position; Figure 9B shows a schematic cross-sectional front view of the pack of Figure 9A in an open position; i Figure mA shows a schematic cross-sectional front view of a pack of a sixth embodiment of the invention in a closed position; Figure loB shows a schematic cross-sectional front view of the pack of Figure bA in an open position; Figure nA shows a schematic cross-sectional front view of a pack of a seventh embodiment of the invention in a closed position; Figure uB shows a schematic cross-sectional front view of the pack of Figure nA in an open position; Figure 12A shows a schematic cross-sectional front view of a pack of an eighth embodiment of the invention in a closed position; Figure 12B shows a schematic cross-sectional front view of the pack of Figure 12A in an open position; Figure 13A shows a schematic cross-sectional front view of a pack of a ninth embodiment of the invention in a dosed position; Figure 13B shows a schematic cross-sectional front view of the pack of Figure 13A in an open position; Figure 14A shows a schematic cross-sectional front view of a pack of a tenth embodiment of the invention in a closed position; Figure 14B shows a schematic cross-sectional front view of the pack of Figure 14A in an open position; Figure iA shows a schematic cross-sectional front view of a pack of an eleventh embodiment of the invention in a closed position; Figure 15B shows a schematic cross-sectional front view of the pack of Figure 15A in an open position; Figure i6A shows a perspective view of a pack of a twelfth embodiment of the invention in an open position; Figure i6B shows a schematic cross-sectional side view of the pack of Figure i6A in a closed position; Figure i6C shows a schematic cross-sectional side view of the pack of Figure i6A in an open position; and Figure i6D shows a close-up cross-sectional view of a section of a locking mechanism of the pack of Figure i6A.

Detailed Description

Referring now to Figures 1 to 4B, a pack 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown and comprises an outer housing 2 and an inner casing 3 telescopically received within the outer housing 2 and having a hinged lid 4. A biasing means is provided within the outer housing 2 and is configured to bias the inner easing 3 in an opening direction out of the outer housing 2. (The gaps between the outer housing 2 and inner casing 3 are exaggerated in Figures 3A -4B for clearer depiction of the internal features of the pack 1 and do not represent the actual dimensions of the pack i).

The outer housing comprises a front wall 6, side walls 7, 8 a rear wall 9 and a boftom wall 10 and is open at its top end. The inner casing comprises a front wall ii, side walls 12, 13, a rear wall 14 and a bottom wall 15 and has an opening i6 in its top end for access to and removal of smoldng articles (not shown) contained within the inner casing 3. The hinged lid 4 is formed integrally with the inner casing 3 at the rear wall 14 of the inner casing 3 at a folded hinge line 17.

The hinged lid comprises a front wall 18, side walls 19, 20 and a top wall 22. The 3° front wall iS includes an inner flap 23 which is folded onto and glued to the inside of the front wall 18, the fold line forming the lower edge 24 of the lid front wall 18. The inner flap 23 is shorter than the height of the lid front wall i8 and so stops short of the lid top wall 22 on the inside of the lid, forming a stepped lip 25 on the inside of the lid front wall 18. Although not shown, the inner flap 23 may include a cut-out/recessed portion forming the stepped lip on the inside of the lid front wall.

The front wall 6 of the outer housing 2 includes a locldng tab 26 formed integrally therewith and which is folded down to extend downwards and resiliently away from the front wall 6 of the outer housing 2, the fold line forming the upper edge 27 of the front wall 6 of the outer housing 2.

The biasing means comprises a spring element 32 and a damping means 33. The spring element comprises a portion of foldable material that is repeatedly folded into a pleated or concertina' configuration. The damping means 33 comprises a layer of resilient material that is provided on one side of the spring element 32. A first end 28 of io the biasing means 5 abuts the inside face of the bottom wall 10 of the outer housing 2 and a second, opposite, end 29 of the biasing means 5 abuts the outside face of the bottom wall 15 of the inner casing 3.

The pack includes an end-stop mechanism which prevents the inner casing 3 from i sliding fully out of the outer housing 2 and limits the extent to which the inner casing 3 can slide out of the outer housing 2 to a predetermined maximum extended position.

The end-stop mechanism comprises a first pair of stop tabs 30, one tab on each inside face of the side walls y, 8 of the outer housing 2 and, a corresponding second pair of stop tabs 31, one tab on each outside face of the side walls 12, 13 of the inner casing 3.

The first pair of stop tabs 30 are located proximate the upper end of the outer housing 2 and the second pair of stop tabs 31 are located proximate the bottom end of the inner easing 3.

Operation of the pack 1 of the first embodiment of the invention will now be described.

The pack 1 is initially in the dosed position as shown in Figures 1, 3A and 4A. As can be seen from Figures 3A and 4A, in this position, the biasing means 5 is compressed between the bottom wall 10 of the outer housing 2 and the bottom wall 15 of the inner casing 3. In this position, the lid 4 is closed and covers the access opening i6 in the inner easing 3. Furthermore, the lid 4 is held closed by the locking tab 26 engaging o with and catching on the stepped lip 25 on the inside front wall 18 of the lid 4. As the locking tab 26 is resiliently urged away from the front wall 6 of the outer housing 2, it locates itself against the stepped lip 25 of the lid 4 as the lid 4 is hinged closed against the locking tab 26 and deflects the locking tab 26 inwards towards the front wall 6 of the outer housing 2. The locking mechanism thereby holds the pack 1 in the closed position against the biasing force of the compressed spring element 32.

When a user wishes to remove a smoking article from tile pack 1, the hinged lid 4 is pivoted open, thereby disengaging the locking tab 26 from the stepped lip 25 of the lid 4. The inner casing 3 is then free to move in the opening direction shown by arrow A' in Figure 2 and telescopically slides out of the outer housing 2 under the biasing force of the spring element 32 as it expands from its compressed state. However, the movement of the inner casing 3 is resisted by the resilience of the damping material of the damping means 33 and so the motion of the inner casing 3 out of the outer housing is damped such that the inner casing 3 telescopically slides out of the outer housing 2 in a smooth and steady movement.

The inner casing 3 is free to continue to extend out of the outer housing 2 until the stop tabs 31 on the inner casing 3 abut the stop tabs 30 on the outer housing 2, as showil in Figure 4B. The inner casing 3 is thereby held in the predetermined fully extended open position relative to the outer housing 2. The user may then remove a smoking article from within the inner casing 3 through the access opening 16.

To close the pack 1, the reverse of the above process is performed. The inner casing 3 is pushed into the outer housing 2 in the closure direction shown by arrow B' in Figure 2 against the biasing force of the spring element 32, and the biasing means 5 is thereby compressed between the bottom wail 10 of the outer housing 2 and the bottom wall 15 of the inner casing 3. Once the inner casing 3 is in the fully retracted position within the outer housing 2, the lid 4 is pivoted closed until the locking tab 26 engages the stepped lip 25 in the lid 4 and the pack 1 is thereby retained in the closed position again.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 -4B and described above, the stop tabs 30 on the outer housing 2 are formed integrally with the side walls 7, 8 of the outer housing 2 and are folded over into the inside of the outer housing 2, the fold lines forming the upper edges of the side walls 7, 8 respectively. However, it is intended within the scope of the invention that the stop tabs 30/31 on the outer housing 2 and/or inner casing 3 may instead be separate elements bonded to the inside of the outer housing 2. In such an (un-illustrated) embodiment, the first pair of stop tabs 30 may be glued against the inside walls 7, 8 of the outer housing 2 and the stop tabs 31 on the outside of the inner casing 3 may resiliently extend away from the side walls 12, 13 of the inner casing 3, as shown in the embodiment of Figures 1 -48. This ensures that the stop tabs 31 on the inner casing 3 engage and do not ride over the stop tabs 30 on the outer housing 2.

However, the stop tabs 30 on the outer housing 2 may alternatively not be glued to the side walls 7, 8 of the outer housing 2 and instead may resiliently extend away from the side walls 7, 8 of the outer housing 2, and the stop tabs 31 on the inner casing 3 may be glued to the side walls 12, 13 of the inner casing 3. The advantage of having one set of stop tabs resiliently extending away from their respective side wall and the other set of stop tabs glued down against their respective side wall, is that the inner casing 3 15 more likely to be stable at its predetermined fully extended position as both first stop tabs 30 will engage their respective second stop tabs 31 at the same position. More particularly, if neither stop tabs werc glued to their respective side wall, then it is io possible that the first and second stop tabs on one side of the pack would engage and prevent movement of the inner casing 3 relative to the outer housing 2 when their remote ends met and abutted one another, whilst the remote ends of the first and second stop tabs on the opposite side of the pack may ride over one another and then only engage to prevent movement of the inner casing 3 relative to the outer housing 2 when each remote end located in the V' of the fold of the other stop tab. This would result in the stop tabs on each side of the pack preventing further movement of the inner casing 3 relative to the outer housing Eat a different distance of extension of the inner casing 3 out of the outer housing 2. This would result in the inner easing 3 extending at an angle out of the outer housing 2 and introducing lateral play between the inner casing 3 and the outer housing 2.

Despite the above, an embodiment in which neither pair of stop tabs 30, 31 are glued down against their respective side walls is intended to fall within the scope of the invention because in such an (un-illustrated) embodiment, both pairs of stop tabs are resiliently biased away from their respective side walls and against the side wall of the other of the outer housing 2/inner casing 3, which provides the advantage that it is much less likely that the stop tabs on either side of the pack ride over one another as the inner easing 3 is extended out of the outer housing 2 and thereby fail to stop the inner casing 3 at the predetermined fully extended position.

It is also intended within the scope of the invention that both pairs of stop tabs 30/31 may be glued down against the outer housing side walls 7, 8 and inner casing side walls 12, 13 respectively. Such an embodiment would solely rely on the close fitting of the inner casing 3 within the outer housing 2 to ensure the stop tabs 30, 31 abut each other to prevent the inner casing 3 from being completely removed from the outer housing 2.

Although the above-described embodiment includes stop tabs of the end-stop mechanism on the side walls of the pack they could equally be formed on the front and/or rear walls of the pack instead of or as well as the side walls, within the scope of the invention.

It is intended within the scope of the invention that the locking tab 26 on the front wall 6 of the outer housing 2 does not necessarily nced to be formed as a folded tab extending from thc top edge 27 of the front wall. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the locking tab 26 may be spaced from the top edge 27 of the front wall 6 of rn the outer housing 2 and may, for example, be punched out from the front wall 6 of the outer housing 2. Such an embodiment is shown in Figure 5 which is a perspective view similar to that of Figure 2 hut with the alternative punched out locking tab 26' as described abovc, the remaining like features retaining the same reference numerals. It is further intended within the scope of the invention that the portion of the lid4 which i engages with the locking tab 26 on the outer housing 2 does not necessarily need to be the remote edge of the inner flap 23 defining the stepped lip 25. Instead, for example, the inner flap 23 may include a cut-out portion or recess (not shown) defining an abutment edge to engage with the locking tab 26 on the outer housing 2, which may be spaced from the remote edges of the inner flap 23.

The biasing means s is shown as a separate element from the inner easing 3 and outer housing 2. In one embodiment, at least one end 28, 29 of the biasing means is glued to the adjacent bottom wall 10, 15 of the outer housing 2/inner casing 3, respectively.

Alternatively, it is intended within the scope of the invention that the first end 28 of the biasing means may be glued to the bottom wall 10 of the outer housing 2 and the second end 29 of the biasing means maybe glued to the bottom wall is of the inner easing 3. Tn such an (un-illustrated) embodiment, the biasing means would prevent the inner casing 3 from being fully removed from the outer housing 2 and so the end-stop mechanism may be omitted, resulting in a simplified pack construction and reduced material use, and, therefore, reduced costs. Alternatively, the end-stop mechanism may still be included as well in order to define a definite end-stop to the inner casing 3 sliding out of the outer housing 2, and to prevent strain on the biasing means should the inner casing 3 be over-extended out of the outer housing 2.

Although the spring element 32 is shown and described above as a separate element to the inner easing 3 and the outer housing 2, it is intended within the scope of the -10 -invention that it maybe formed integrafly with the outer housing 2 or integrally with the inner casing 3 as part of a single blank of material that is folded to make a unitary spring element 32 and inner casing 3 or unitary spring element 32 and outer housing 2.

The resilient material that comprises the damping means 33 can then be applied to the spring element 32 to form the biasing means 5. Such an embodiment would provide the advantage that the separate manufacturing steps of spring element 32 construction and insertion into the outer housing 2 would he eliminated, making the process simpler, quicker, using less material and, thercforc, more economical. Yet further, it is intended within the scope of the invention that the inner casing 3, outer housing 2 and the spring io element 32 may all be formed from a single blank of material as a unitary integral component, appropriately folded and constructed to produce the pack shown in Figures 1-4B.

The spring element 32 of the pack 1 of the first embodiment of the invention comprises a foldable material such as: card, metal, for example, steel, chrome silicon, beryllium copper, phosphor bronze, aluminium, or a polymer, for example, PET, EVA, polyester or polycarbonate. The foldable material may be laminated with a plastic material, such as PET, EVA or polypropylene, on both sides thereofi The lamination provides the material of the spring element 32 with increased resilience and resistance to losing biasing strength over extended periods of storage in the compressed state. A lamination material thickness of around 100 microns has been found to be effective, but other lamination thiclmesses are intended within the scope of the invention. Flowever, the invention is not limited to such an embodiment and instead, the spring element 32 may be laminated on only one side thereof or not laminated at all. One side or no lamination spring elements 32 could still provide sufficient biasing force to push the inner casing 3 out of the outer housing 2, but would also involve less material and a less complex, and therefore more cost-effective, manufacturing process. The spring clement 32 may comprise a multi-directional grain board which it has been found provides effective resilience as a spring element 32, although other types of card boards are possible 3° within the scope of the invention.

The damping means 33 is intended to be manufactured from a resilient material such as an elastomer, for example, polymer foam, PE, PET, polypropylene, methyl acrylate or PU and maybe applied to the spring element 32 by lamination or as a spray coating.

The damping means 33 maybe applied to one or both sides of the spring element 32.

The damping means 33 may cover the entirety of one or both sides of the spring -11 -element 32, or may only partially cover one or both sides and may be provided, for example, as strips of damping material, The resilience of the spring element 32 and the damping means 33 can be chosen to effectivcly tune' the damping so that the speed and acceleration with which the inner casing 3 extends from the outer housing 2 when the pack 1 is opened can be pre-selected.

The locking tab 26 and the corresponding stepped lip 25 on the lid 4 are provided on the front face of the outer housing 2 and inside front wall iS of the lid 4 respectively, in the pack 1 of the first embodiment of the invention described above. However, it is io intended within the scope of the invention that one or more locking tabs may be provided on the side walls 7, 8 of the outer housing 2, and the lid 4 may include corresponding inner flaps on the inside of the side walls 19, 20 thereof which, as with the inner flap 23 on the front wall described above, would provide a stepped lip, or include a cut-out or recess to engage and catch the side locking tabs on the outer housing 2 to hold the lid shut and the pack 1 in the closed position. Such side locking tabs and lid stepped lips maybe formed on one or both sides of the pack 1, and maybe provided instead of the locking tab 26 and stepped lip 25 on the front walls of the outer housing 2 and lid 4, or may be in addition to the locking tab 26 and stepped lip 25 on the front walls of the outer housing 2 and lid 4. Furthermore, although the embodiments described above include an outwardly extending locking tab 26 on the outer housing 2 and the glued-down stepped lip on the lid, the features may be reversed and the lid may include a resilient outwardly-extending locking tab and the outer housing 2 may include a stepped lip or a recess to receive the locking tab 26. In another embodiment (not shown), the locking mechanism may comprise a push-push latch, sometimes referred to as a "pen latch", that is attached between the bottom wall of the outer housing 2 and the bottom wall i of the inner easing 3. In use, with the pack 1 initially in the closed position, the user pushes the inner easing 3 into the outer housing 2, against the force of the biasing means j, to disengage the push-push latch so that the inner casing 3 may then extend out of the outer housing 2 under the force of 3° the biasing means 5 to provide access to the smoking articles within the pack 1. The user may then apply a force to the inner casing 3 to return it into the outer housing 2 until the push-push latch re-engages so that the pack 1 is again retained in the closed position.

A pack 41 of a second embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 6A and 6B and is similar to the pack of the first embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 -5, -12 -with like features retaining the same reference numerals. A difference between the pack 41 of the second embodiment of the invention and that of the first embodiment of the invention is that thc concertina shaped biasing means 5 is replaced by a volute shaped biasing means 45. The volute shaped biasing mcans 45 comprises a spring clement 42 formed from an elastically deformable material such as card, metal or a polymer, such as those material described previously. The spring element 42 is curved into a volute configuration, wherein the diameter of the coils increase towards one end thereof. The spring element 42 has a damping means 43 applied to a surface thereof. The damping means 43 comprises a resilient material such as an elastomer, for example, polymer foam, PE, PET, polypropylene, methyl acrylate or PU.

Operation of the pack 41 of the second embodiment of the invention is similar to operation of the pack I of the first embodiment of the invention as described above, whereby the damping means 43 acts upon the spring element 42 to damp the i movement of the inner casing 3 out of the outer housing 2. A difference in operation is that when the inner casing 3 is retracted into the outer housing 2, coils of the volutc biasing means 45 are compressed to a compact and flat configuration. Therefore, when the pack 41 is in the closed position, the biasing nieans 45 takes up less space within the outer housing 2 than a cylindrically shaped coil spring in which the coils are stacked upon each other. This is due to the coils being receivable within larger diameter coils, so that the spring can compress down to a height of an individual coil diameter/width.

The volute configuration of the biasing means 45 also has improved lateral stability within the pack 41 compared to a conventional spring, and so can provide a more consistently directed biasing force, thereby preventing tile inner casing 3 from extending at an angle out of the outer housing 2.

A pack 51 of a third embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 7A -7C and is similar to the pack 1 of the first embodiment of the invention shown in Figures i -5, and like features retain the same reference numerals, A difference between the pack i 3o of the third embodiment of the invention and that of the first embodiment of the invention is that the biasing means 5 is replaced by an alternative biasing means ss comprising a cylindrical coil spring element 52 encased within a layer of resilient material that forms a damping means 53. The spring element 52 is manufactured from an elastically deformable material such as card, metal or a polymer, such as those described previously. The damping means comprises a resilient material that is applied to the outer surface of the spring element 52, as shown in Figure 7C. The resilient material may be manufactured from an elastomer, such as those described previously. The damping means 53 resists the motion of the spring element 52 to damp the movement of the inner easing 3 within the outer housing 2, as described previously.

Although in the above-described embodiment the damping means 53 is provided on the outer surface of the spring element 52, in another embodiment (not shown) the biasing means 55 is configured so that the spring element 52 encases the damping means 53.

Althongh in the above-described embodiment the spring element 52 comprises a coil io spring, in an alternative embodiment, such as that shown in Figures 7D -7F, the spring element 52 maybe configured so that the diameter of the coils of the spring element 52 decrease towards one end thereof so that the spring element 52 is conical in shape. A conically shaped spring element 52 may be compressed into a more compact configuration, and may provide improved lateral stability within the pack 51, than a cylindrically shaped coil spring, as described previously. In yet another embodiment (not shown), the spring element 52 may be of a different configuration, for example, a lever spring or torsion spring.

A pack 6' of a fourth embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 8A and 8B and is similar to the pack 51 of the third embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 7A -7C, and like features retain the same reference numerals. A difference between the pack of the fourth embodiment of the invention and that of the third embodiment of the invention is that the biasing means is not encased within a damping means s, and instead, a discrete damping means 63 is provided adjacent the spring element 52.

The damping means 63 comprises a portion of resilient material and both the spring element 52 and damping means 63 are positioned between the bottom wall 15 of the inner easing 3 and the bottom wall 10 of the outer housing 2. The damping means is bonded to the inner casing 3 and outer housing 2. The resilient material of the damping means 63 may comprise an elastomer, such as those described previously, and maybe, for example, a cuboidal or cylindrical shape.

In use, when the pack is to be opened, the lid 4 is pivoted open and the inner easing 3 is biased out of the outer housing 2 by the spring element 52. Flowever, as the inner casing 3 moves out of the outer housing 2, the damping means 63 is forced to stretch, and thereby damps the sliding movement of the inner casing 3. -14-

Although in the above-described embodiment the spring element 52 is a cylindrical coil shape, in alternative embodiments (not shown) the spring element may be a concertina spring element or volute spring as described previously.

In the above-described embodiment the damping means 63 is positioned adjacent to the spring element 52. However, is intended to be within the scope of the invention that, in cases wherein the spring element 52 is coil or volute shaped, the resilient material of the damping means 63 maybe positioned centrally within the coils of the spring element 52. This embodiment (not shown) provides the benefit of a more uniformly directed biasing force and damping effect, that are directed towards the centre of the outer housing 2 and inner casing 3 bottom walls 10, 15 of the pack Gi.

A pack 71 of a fifth embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 9A and 9B and is similar to the pack 6i of the fourth embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 8A and SB, and like features retain the same reference numerals. A difference between the pack 71 of the fifth embodiment of the invention and that of the fourth embodiment of the invention is that the damping means 73 comprises two portions of resilient material attached to the bottom wall 15 of the inner casing 3 and the bottom wall 10 of the outer housing 2, one each side of the spring elcment 52. As with the fourth embodiment of the invention, the damping means 73 arc under tension when the pack 71 is in the open position. Therefore, when the pack 71 moves into the open position under the force of the spring element 52, the damping means 73 is stretched and so opposes the motion of the spring element 52 resulting in damping of the movement of the inner casing 3 within the outer housing 2.

Although in the above described embodiments a single spring element 52 is provided, in alternative embodiments (not shown) a plurality of spring elements may be provided.

A pack 8i of a sixth embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures mA and loB and is similar to the pack 71 of the fifth embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 9A and 9B, and like features retain the same reference numerals. A difference between the pack Si of the sixth embodiment of the invention and that of the fifth embodiment of the invention is that the resilient damping means 73 are omitted, and instead, the pack comprises a friction interface 84 to act as a damping means. The friction interface 84 comprises a first friction portion 85 positioned on the inner easing 3 and a second -15 -friction portion 86 positioned on the outer housing 2. The first and second friction portions 85, 86 are arranged so that they rub against each other when the pack 8i is moved between the open and closed positions.

Operation of the pack 81 of the sixth embodiment of the invention is similar to operation of the pack of the fifth embodiment of the invention as described above. A difference in operation is that the damping of the inner casing 3 movement is provided by the friction between the first and second friction portions 8, 86 of the friction interface 84 rubbing together. The material of the first and second friction portions can he selected in accordance with the degree of damping required. For example, material with a particular co-efficient of friction can be chosen to achieve a pre-determined damping force/effect. The choice of material may be determined in combination with a known strength of the spring element 52.

In alternative embodiments (not shown), the friction interface may comprise a friction portion on only the inner casing 3, which is configured to rub directly against the outer housing 2 of the pack, or a friction portion only on the outer housing 2, which is configured to rub directly against the inner casing 3. In another embodiment (not shown), the first and second friction portions maybe omifted, and instead the friction interface may be provided by configuring the relative sizes of the inner casing 3 and outer housing 2 so that there is frictional fit therebetween so that there is frictional resistance to movement between the inner casing 3 and the outer housing 2. The coefficient of friction of the first and second friction portions 8, 86 and/or pack 8i material may be controlled to achieve the desired damping effect by, for example, texturising the material(s) surfaces, for example, by score lines, dimples, protrusions and/or embossing.

A pack 91 of a seventh embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures nA and riB and is similar to the pack 1 of the first embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 5, and like features retain the same reference numerals. A difference between the pack 91 of the seventh embodiment and that of the first embodiment is that the biasing means 5 is omitted and replaced by an alternative configuration of biasing means comprising a portion of resilient material such as an elastomer, for example, PR or PU, that provides both the elasticity required to bias the inner casing 3 relative to the outer housing 2 and the steady expansion movement to achieve a damped motion of the inner casing 3 within the outer housing 2. The combined biasing and damping effect is -i6 -achieved by varying the density of the material of the biasing means 95. The biasing effect is created by making portions of the resilient material high density and the damping effect is achieved by making portions of the resilient material low density.

The density of the resilient material may be varied by manufacturing the biasing means 95 using injection moulding. The reduced number of components required in this embodiment may provide a more environmentally friendly pack, with increased manufacturing throughput, reduced costs, and simpler construction.

A pack 101 of a eighth embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 12A and 12B io and is similar to the pack 1 of the first embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 -, and like features retain the same reference numerals. A difference between the pack 101 of the eighth embodiment of the invention and that of the first embodiment of the invention is that the biasing means 5 is omitted and replaced with an alternative biasing means 105 which comprises a spring element 102, and a damping means comprising an air bag io6. The air bag io6 is positioned inside the inner casing 3, between the bottom wall 10 of the outer housing 2 and the bottom wall 15 on the inner easing 3. The spring element 102 is a coil spring, although may take other forms within the scope of the invention, such as the various alternatives described previously. The spring element 102 is disposed within the air bag io6 and is configured to bias the inner casing 3 out of the outer housing 2. The air bag io6 comprises a flexible impermeable material, for example, plastic, metal foil or paper, and includcs a vent hole 107. The vent hole ioyis of a sufficiently small diameter to only allow a restricted flow rate of air into or out of the bag.

Operation of the pack 101 of the eighth embodiment of the invention will now be described. The pack 101 is initially in the closed position as shown in Figure 12A. In this position, the spring element 102 is compressed between the bottom wall 10 of the outer housing 2 and the bottom wall 15 of the inner casing 3, and the lid 4 is held closed against the force of the spring element 102, as described previously. In this position, o the air bag io6 is in its most deflated state.

When a user wishes to remove a smoking article from the pack 101, the hinged lid 4 is pivoted open, thereby disengaging the locking tab 26 from the stepped lip 25 of the lid 4. The inner casing 3 is then free to telescopically slide out of the outer housing 2 under the biasing force of the spring element 102 as it expands from its compressed state.

Since the air bag io6 encases the spring element 102, as the spring expands, the air bag -17-is forced to expand and inflate and so air flows into the air bag io6 through the vent hole 107. However, the flow ratc of the air into the air bag io6 is restricted by the restrictive size of the vent hole 107 and so the air bag io6 cannot inflate instantaneously. Therefore, the rate of displacement of the inner casing 3 within the outer housing 2 and the expansion of thc spring element 102 are restricted by the rate of inflation of the air hag io6, resulting in a damping effect that causes the inner casing 3 to telescopically slide out of the outer housing 2 in a smooth and steady motion.

The inner casing 3 is free to continue to extend out of the outer housing 2 until the stop io tabs 31 on the inner casing 3 abut the stop tabs 30 on the outer housing 2, as shown in Figure 12W The inner casing 3 is thereby held in the predetermined fully extended open position relative to the outer housing 2.

To close the pack lot, the reverse of the above process is performed. As the inner casing 3 is pushed into the outer housing 2 against the biasing force of the spring element 102, the spring element 102 is compressed between the bottom wall io of the outer housing 2 and the bottom wall 15 of the inner casing 3 which forces the air bag 1o6 to deflate as air is forced out of the air hole 107, Instead of stop tabs, the maximum extension of the inner casing 3 out of the outer housing 2 may be restricted by selecting an appropriate volume of air bag io6 which prevents the spring element 102 extending beyond a predetermined limit at which the air bag io6 is fully inflated. The airbag 1o6 would be bonded to the inner casing 3 and outer housing 2 in such an embodiment. The airbag io6 may also be bonded to one or both of the inner casing 3/outer housing 2 in other embodiments of the invention.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention (not shown) the spring element maybe positioned outside of the air bag. In such an embodiment the spring element would be positioned adjacent to the air bag, inside of the outer housing, so that one end of the spring element abuts the bottom surface of the outer housing, and the other end abuts the bottom surface of the outer inner casing. The airbag would be bonded to the inner casing 3 and outer housing 2 so as to be drawn open to inflate as the spring element 102 biases the inner casing 3 out of the outer housing 2 when the pack is opened.

The size of the vent hole 107 determines the maximum flow rate at which air can pass into or out of the bag and so can be selected to tune' the amount of damping. -i8-

Therefore, the speed and acceleration that the inner casing 3 extends from the outer housing 2 when the pack 101 is opened can be pre-determined accordingly.

Although in the above-described embodiment the air bag io6 comprises a single vent hole 107, in alternative embodiments (not shown) the air bag may comprise a plurality of vent holes. In yet another embodiment (not shown), the air bag maybe constructed from a permeable/semi-permeable material such as cotton, tissue or gauze, such that air can pass through the bag material as the airbag inflates/deflates. In such embodiments, the vent hole may be omitted.

Tn further alternative embodiments, a second vent hole may be provided which comprises a valve that only permits the flow of air in one direction therethrough. For example, air may be permitted to freely flow out of the airbag io6 substantially unrestricted through the second vent hole as the airbag deflates, but be prevented from i flowing into the bag through the second vent hole when the airbag inflates. In such an (un-illustrated) embodiment, a moveable flap of impermeable material may be positioned on the outside of the air bag, over the second vent hole so that when the airbag inflates, the flap of material will be drawn against the surface of the air bag around the second vent hole causing the second vent hole to be blocked. In this circumstance, air will only be able to flow into the air bag via the restrictive first vent hole and so the air bag will inflate slowly providing the damping effect. However, when the pack is moved to the closed position and the air hag is deflated, air will flow out of the air bag through the first and second vent holes, pushing the flap away from the second vent hole, to allow air to flow freely out of the airbag allowing the air hag to quicidy deflate. Therefore, the damping effect would be much reduced or removed entirely during closure movement of the pack and would only be provided during the pack opening movement.

In a yet further alternative embodiment intended within the scope of the invention, one 3° single vent hole may be provided in the airbag of a size so as to allow substantially unrestricted flow out of the airbag. However, a moveable flap may be provided over the vent hole with a small vent aperture therein to allow restricted flow of air therethrough.

In use, inflation of the airbag would cause the flap to he drawn over the vent hole and air can only pass into the bag through the restrictive vent aperture in the flap, limiting 3 the rate of inflation of the airbag and providing the damping effect. However, when the airhag is caused to deflate, the air pressure within the bag would move the flap away -19 -from the vent hole allowing substantially unrestricted flow of air out of the airbag and thereby quick deflation of the airbag.

A pack iii of a ninth embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 13A and 13B and is similar to the pack 101 of the eighth embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 12A and 12B, and like features retain the same reference numerals. A difference between the pack in of the ninth embodiment of the invention and that of the eighth embodiment of the invention is that the air bag io6 and spring element 102 are replaced with a different biasing means 115. The biasing means 115 comprises a bellows n6 formed of a resilient elastic material that has pleated sides 112, and is positioned between the bottom wall 10 of the outer housing 2 and the bottom wall 15 of the inner casing 3. The bellows n6 are configured so that the resilient pleated sides 112 resist compression of the bellows n6 and when under compression, exert a biasing force to expand the bellows n6. A vent hole 117 is provided in a surface of the material of the otherwise sealed bellows 1i6. As in the eighth embodiment described previously, the vent hole 117 is of a sufficiently small diameter to only allow a restricted flow rate of air into or out of the bellows 116.

Operation of the pack ii' of the ninth embodiment of the invention will now be described. The pack 111 is initially in the closed position as shown in Figure 13i1⁄2.. In this position, the pleated sides 112 of the bellows n6 are compressed between the bottom wall 10 of the outer housing 2 and the bottom wall 15 of the inner casing 3. In this position, the lid 4 is held closed against the biasing force of the pleated sides 112 of the bellows 116 by the previously described locking mechanism. In this position, the bellows n6 are deflated.

When a user wishes to remove a smoking article from the pack in, the hinged lid 4 is pivoted open, thereby disengaging the locldng tab 26 from the stepped lip 25 of the lid 4. The inner casing 3 is then free to telescopically slide out of the outer housing 2 under so the biasing force of the pleated sides 112 of the bellows n6 as they expand from their compressed state. As the bellows n6 expands, the volume of the bellows n6 will increase, and air will flow through the vent hole 117 to inflate the bellows n6, However, the flow rate of the air is restricted by the size of the vent hole 117 and so the bellows n6 cannot inflate instantaneously. Therefore, the rate of movement of the inner easing 3 out of the outer housing 2 is restricted by the rate of inflation of the bellows n6, resulting in a damping effect and the inner casing 3 telescopically sliding out of the -20 -outer housing 2 in a smooth and steady motion. To close the pack iii, the reverse of the above process is performed and the bellows ii6 are deflated.

The variations in size, configuration and construction of vent hole(s), and permeability of material of the airbag, described previously in connection with the eighth embodiment of the invention, are intended to be applicable equally to the configuration of the bellows 116 of the ninth embodiment of the invention.

Although the sides of the bellows ii6 are described as comprising a resilient foldable material, in an alternative embodiment (not shown) the sides of the bellows may comprise a frame, manufactured from a resilient elastically deformable material such as, card, metal or a polymer, such as any of such materials described previously.

A pack 121 of a tenth embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 14A and 14B and i is similar to the pack 81 of the sixth embodiment of the invention shown in Figures ioA and ioB, and like features retain the same reference numerals. A difference between the pack 121 of the tenth embodiment and that of the sixth embodiment is that the friction interface 84 is omitted and instead an alternative damping means is provided which comprises a sealing element 123 positioned on the outer housing 2, proximate the open end thereof and in contact with the inner casing 3. The sealing element 123 maybe manufactured from an impermeable material, for example, rubber, plastic or card, and forms a substantially airtight seal between the front, side, and, rear walls 6, 7, 8, 9 of the outer housing 2 and the front, side, and, rear walls 11, 12, 13, 14 of the inner casing 3 so that an enclosed volume is created between the inner casing 3 and the outer housing 2. The enclosed volume is fluidly communicated with the atmosphere by a vent hole (not shown) in the outer housing 2 of a sufficiently small diameter to only allow a restricted flow rate of air into or out of the enclosed volume.

Operation of the pack 121 of the tenth embodiment will now be described. The pack 121 is initially in the closed position as shown in Figure 14A. In this position, the spring element 102 is comprcsscd between the bottom wall 10 of the outer housing 2 and the bottom wall i of the inner casing 3, and the lid 4 is held closed against the force of the spring element 102 by thc previously described locking mechanism.

To open the pack 121, the hinged lid 4 is pivoted open, disengaging the locking tab 26 from the stepped lip 25 of the lid and the inner casing 3 is then free to telescopically slide out of the outer housing 2 under the biasing force of the spring element 102. As the inner casing 3 extends out of the outer housing 2, the enclosed volume between the inner casing 3 and the outer housing 2 increases, and so air will be forced to flow through the vent hole to equalise the pressure within the cnclosed volume with ambient atmospheric pressure. However, the flow rate of the air is restricted by the limited size of the vent hole and so the inner casing 3 cannot extend out of the outer housing 2 instantaneously. Therefore, the rate of displacement of the inner easing 3 within the outer housing 2 is restricted by the rate of air flow through the vent hole, resulting in a damping effect that causes the inner easing 3 to telescopically slide out of the outer rn housing 2 in a smooth and steady motion. To close the pack 121, the reverse of the above process is performed, and as the enclosed volume decreases, air is forced to flow out of the vent hole to atmosphere.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the sealing element may be positioned on i the inner casing, towards the bottom end thereof, rather than the upper cnd of die outer housing 2. In such an alternative embodiment, the pack maybe provided with a first vent hole, positioned in the outer housing below where the sealing element contacts the outer housing when the pack is in the closed position. The pack may further comprise a second vent hole positioned in the outer housing at a point above where the sealing element contacts the outer housing when the pack is the closed position and below where the sealing element contacts the outer housing when the pack is in the open position. Therefore, when the pack is in the closed position the volume of space between the inner casing and outer housing bottom walls is in fluid communication with the first vent hole and is blocked from the second vent hole by the sealing clement. When the pack moves into the open position, the sealing element moves past the second vent hole so that both vent holes are now fluidly communicated with the volume of space between the bottom walls of the inner casing and the outer hosing. Therefore, when the pack initially starts to move from the closed position to the open position, the flow of air into the pack is restricted as only the first vent hole is fluidly communicated with atmosphere and therefore, the inner casing can only slowly extend from the outer housing and the damping effect of the pack is increased.

However, when the inner casing extends past a certain point, the sealing element will pass the second vent hole and the rate of air flow into the pack will increase, resulting in a reduced damping effect as the movement of the inner casing is less restricted.

Therefore, it is possible to achieve a variable damping effect. -22-

Although in the above-described embodiment the pack 121 comprises a single vent hole, in an alternative embodiment (not shown) the pack may comprise a plurality of vent holes. Furthermore, although the sealing element 123 is described as being provided on the outer housing 2 and urged against the inner casing 3, in an alternative embodiment (not shown) the sealing element may be provided on the inner casing and is urged against the outer housing.

In the above-described embodiment, the airtight seal between the outer housing 2 and the inner casing 3 is provided by the sealing element 123. However, it is intended io within the scope of the invention that the sealing element may be omitted, and instead the substantially airtight seal may he achieved by making the inner casing fit snugly into the outer housing so that there is little or no gap therebetween for air to escape through, In yet another embodiment (not shown), the vent hole may also be omitted, and instead the dimensions of the inner casing 3 and outer housing 2 manufactured to specific tolerances so that the inner easing 3 is configured to make a snug but not entirely airtight seal within the outer housing 2. In such an embodiment, the flow of air into and out of the enclosed volume between the inner casing 3 and outer housing 2 bottom walls 15, 10 may occur as seepage through the small remaining gaps between the outer surfaces of the walls 11, 12, 13, 14 of the inner easing 3 and the inside surfaces of the walls 6, 7, 8, 9 of the outer housing 2.

A pack 131 of a eleventh embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 15A and iB and is similar to the pack 1 of the first embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 -5, and like features retain the same reference numerals. A difference between the packs of the eleventh and first embodiments is that the biasing means is replaced by an alternative biasing means 135 which comprises a lever 136, a lever spring 132, and a damping member 133. The lever spring 132 comprises an elastically deformable material such as card, metal or a polymer, such as, for example, those materials described previously. The lever 136 comprises a z-shaped section of foldable material having lower, intermediate and upper lever sections 137, 138, 139. The lower lever section 137 abuts the outer housing 2 bottom wall 10 and the upper lever section 139 abuts the inner casing 3 bottom wall 15. The intermediate lever section 138 hingedly connected to the lower lever section 137 and the upper lever section 139. The lever spring 132 is disposed between the lower and intermediate lever sections 137, 138 and s is configured to bias the upper lever section 139 away from the lower lever section 137 by exerting a force on the intermediate lever section 138 to pivot in a direction towards a first side wall 7 of the outer housing 2. As a result, the bottom wall i of the inner casing 3 15 biased away from the bottom wall 10 of the outer housing 2, The damping member 133 comprises a resilient material, such as an elastomer, which maybe any of the elastomeric materials described previously, and is positioned between the intermediate lever section 138 and the first side wall 7 of the outer housing 2.

Operation of the pack 131 of the eleventh embodiment of the invention will now be described. Thc pack 131 is initially in the closed position as shown in Figure iSA. In this position, the lever spring 132 is compressed between the lower lever section 137 and the intermediate lever section 138, and the lid 4 is locked in the closed position as described previously. The intermediate lever section 138 is pivoted away from the first side wall 7 of the outer housing 2 when the pack 131 is in the closed position and, therefore, the damping member 133 is substantially decompressed.

i When a user wishes to remove a smoldng ardcle from the pack 131, the hinged lid is pivoted open, thereby disengaging the locking tab 26 from the stepped lip 25 of the lid 4. The inner casing 3 is then free to telescopically slide out of the outer housing 2 under the biasing force of the lever spring 132 which exerts a force on the intermediate lever section 138 that causes the lever 136 to extend. As the intermediate lever section 138 pivots towards the first side wall 7 of the pack 131 the resilient damping member 133 is compressed therebctween. Therefore, the movement of the lever 136 is resisted by the resistance of the resilient material and the inner casing 3 telescopically slides out of the outer housing 2 in a smooth and steady motion.

Although in the above-described embodiment, the biasing force is provided by a lever spring, in alternative embodiments (not shown) the lever spring may be replaced by a torsion spring, conical spring, volute spring or concertina shaped spring.

Although in the above-described embodiment the damping member 133 comprises a resilient material, such as an elastomer, in an alternate embodiment (not shown) the damping membcr 133 comprises a spring attached between the intermediate lever section 138 and the first side wall 7 of the outer housing 2. Therefore, when the pack 131 is opened, the intermediate lever section 138 pivots towards the first side wall 7 of the pack 131 and the spring of the damping member 133 is compressed therebetween so 3 that the movement of the lever 136 is resisted by the resilience of said spring and the inner casing 3 telescopically slides out of the outer housing 2 in a smooth and steady motion.

Although in the above-described embodiments the damping member 133 is positioned between the intermediate lever section 138 and the first side wall 7 of the outer housing 2, in an alternate embodiment (not shown) the damping member 133 maybe attached between the lower and intermediate lever sections 137, 138. Therefore, when the pack is opened, the intermediate lever section 138 pivots away from the first lever section 137 and the damping member 133, comprising a spring or portion of resilient material, is ic stretched therebetween so that the movement of the lever 136 is resisted by the resilience of the damping member 133 and the inner casing 3 telescopically slides out of the outer housing 2 in a smooth and steady motion.

In the above-described exemplary embodiments, the packs of the invention are i configured such that the inner easing 3 is biased into an open position in which it is in an extended position projecting from the outer housing 2, However, alternative embodiments (not shown) are intended within the scope of the invention in which the biasing means may be configured to bias the inner casing 3 into a closed position retracted into the outer housing 2. In such eases, the damping means or damping members may be at least configured to damp the movement of the inner casing in a direction into the outer housing, such as, for example, by compression of a resilient damping member or resisted deflation of an airbag/bellows/enclosed volume as appropriate. In such embodiments of the invention, a user may manually withdraw the inner casing out of the outer housing against a force ofabiasing means. The outer housing may include one or more apertures in one or more side walls thereof to allow a user to manipulate the inner casing out of the outer housing. Upon release, the inner casing may then slide into the retracted closed position with a damped motion. One such embodiment is illustrated in Figures i6A -i6D and is similar to the pack of the variation of the third embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 7D -7F, and like features retain the same reference numerals. As with the pack 41 of the variation of the third embodiment of the invention, the pack 141 of the twelfth embodiment has a biasing means 145 comprising a conical coil spring element encased within a layer of resilient material, such as those described previously, that forms a damping means.

Also, the spring element is manufactured from an elastically deformable material such as card, metal or a polymer, such as those described previously. However, the spring element of the of the pack 141 of the twelfth embodiment is configured to provide a -25 -contraction force rather than an expansion force, so that the inner casing 3 is biased in a direction into the outer housing 2 instead of out of the outer housing 2.

The pack 141 further includes a latch mechanism configured to hold the pack 141 hi the extended open position against the force of the biasing means 145. The latch mechanism comprises a protruding tooth 147 on opposite inside walls of the outer housing 2 and a slot 148111 corresponding oppositc walls of the inner casing 3. Each protruding tooth 147 includcs an upwardly sloping ramp and a flat upper face to form a ratchet tooth shape, The pack 141 also includes an actuator 149 to release the latch io mechanism and allow the inner casing 3 to be retracted back into the outer housing 2 under the force of the biasing means 145. The actuator 149 comprises an indented push button on each sidc wall of the outer housing 2 on which the protruding teeth 147 are formed.

Tn use, the user could open the lid 4 and pull the inner casing 3 out of the outer housing 2 against the forcc of the biasing means 145, or alternatively, the outer housing 2 may include a cut-out (not shown) to act as a finger/thumb hole to manipulate the inner casing 3 into an open position out of the outer housing 2.

Once in the open position, the protruding teeth 147 would locate in the slots 148 with the upper fiat face abutting the upper edge of each slot 148, and thereby lock the inner casing 3 in the extended open position. The lid 4 can be pivoted open to access contents of the inner casing 3.

To close the pack 141, the user would press the actuators buttons 149 inwards, as shown by arrows G in Figures i6A and i6C, which would deflect the side walls of the inner casing 3 to disengage the slots 148 from the protruding teeth 147 and allow the inner casing 3 to retract into the outer housing 2 under the force of the biasing means 145.

The damping mcans would resist the motion of thc spring element to damp the movement of the inner casing 3 within the outer housing 2 so that inner casing 3 telescopically slides into the outer housing 2 in a smooth and steady manner. The lid 4 can then he pivoted closed and into the closed position.

Although in the above-described embodiment the spring element comprises a conical spring element, in alternate embodiments (not shown) the spring element may comprise any of the previously described spring configurations, for example, a torsion spring, lever spring, coil spring or concertina shaped spring.

Although in the above-described embodiment the damping means comprises a layer of resilient material encasing the spring element, in alternate embodiments (not shown) the damping means may comprise any of the previously described damping mechanisms, for example, compression of a resilient damping member or resisted deflation of an airhag/hellows/enclosed volume as appropriate.

In order to address various issues and advance the art, the entirety of this disclosure shows by way of illustration various embodiments in which the claimed invention(s) may be practiced and provide for superior packs for smoking articles. The advantages ia and features of the disclosure are of a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. They are presented only to assist in understanding and teach the claimed features. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects of the disclosure are not to be considered limitations on the disclosure as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and/or spirit of the disclosure. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. In addition, the disclosure includes other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.

Claims

Claims 1. A pack comprising an outer housing hang an open end, and an inner pack disposed within the outer housing and moveable between an extended position and a retracted position, the pack comprising a biasing member configured to bias the inner pack to move in a direction relative to the outer housing, the pack being configured so that the movement of the inner pack relative to the outer housing under the force of the biasing member is damped.
2. A pack according to claim 1 comprising a damping member configured to damp the movement of the inner pack relative to the outer housing.
3. A pack according to claim 2 wherein the damping member comprises a resilient material disposed on at least part of a surface of the biasing member.
4. A pack according to claim 2 wherein the damping member comprises a resilient element disposed between the inner pack and the outer housing.
A pack according to claim 2 wherein the damping member comprises a flexible container disposed between the inner pack and the outer housing which is configured to inflate and deflate as the inner pack moves between the extended and retracted positions.
6. A pack according to claim 5 wherein the container comprises a bag or bellows.
A pack according to claim 6 wherein the container comprises a bellows made of an elastically resilient material such that the bellows also comprises the biasing member.
8. A pack according to any of claims 5 to 7 wherein the container comprises an aperture configured to restrict flow of air into and/or out of the container upon inflation and/or deflation thereof.
9. A pack according to any of claims to 8 wherein the container includes a valve configured to restrict flow of air into or out of the container upon inflation or deflation thereof respectively, and to allow a less restricted flow of air in the opposite direction.
10. A pack according to any of claims 5 to 10 wherein the biasing member is disposed within the container.
11. A pack according to claim 2 wherein the biasing member comprises a lever io spring and the damping member comprises a resilient material disposed between an arm of the lever spring and a wall of the outer housing.
12. A pack according to claim ii further comprising a Z-shaped portion of foldable material disposed between the inner pack and the outer housing, and the lever spring is secured to the z-shaped member.
13. A pack according to claim 1 configured such that the inner pack makes a close fit within the outer housing so that a substantially sealed space is created between the outer housing and the inner pack member and such the movement of the inner pack relative to the outer housing is damped by resistance for air to pass into and/or out of the substantially sealed space.
14. A pack according to claim 13 wherein a sealing element is provided between the inner casing and the outer housing.
15. A pack according to claim 13 or claim 14 wherein the outer housing comprises a vent hole to allow resU'icted flow of air into and/or out of the substantially sealed space.
16, A pack according to any preceding claim wherein the biasing mcmbcr is configurcd to bias the inner pack in a direction out of thc outcr housing into the extended position.
17. A pack according to any of claims 1 -15 wherein the biasing member is configured to bias the inner pack in a direction into the outer housing into the retracted position.

-29 -
18. A pack according to any preceding claim wherein the biasing member comprises a folded resilient material.
19. A pack substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.