WO2011147572A1

WO2011147572A1 - Smoking article removal system and container

Info

Publication number: WO2011147572A1
Application number: PCT/EP2011/002610
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bodo Werner Lutzig; John Arthur Vickerstaff; Daniel Seyfferth De Oliveira
Original assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
Priority date: 2010-05-27
Filing date: 2011-05-26
Publication date: 2011-12-01

Abstract

The present invention relates to a smoking article removal system, comprising a smoking article 7 having a substantially cylindrical form, and a removal means 9, 16, 20 adapted to allow to lift the smoking article 7 out of a container 1. The smoking article 7 has a substantially cylindrical, longitudinally protruding wall 15 at an end portion. The removal means 9, 16, 20 comprises an engagement portion 10, 17, 21 which is adapted to engage at least the inner side of the protruding wall 15 of the smoking article 7. Further, the present invention relates to a container 1.

Description

SMOKING ARTICLE REMOVAL SYSTEM AND CONTAINER

The present invention relates to a smoking article removal system, comprising a smoking article, in particular a longitudinally elongated smoking article, having a substantially cylindrical form that is preferably at least partially hollow at one end, and a removal means adapted to allow lifting the smoking article out of a container. The present invention further relates to a container comprising smoking articles wherein a removal means is provided in the container. The longitudinally elongated smoking articles may be, for example, recessed filter cigarettes.

Smoking articles are commonly provided in hinged-lid containers which are formed from a blank. In order to access the smoking articles in the container, the consumer typically removes a transparent outer wrapper, opens the lid and removes a section of the inner liner that covers the upper ends of the smoking articles. Typically, the upper end of the smoking article is the mouth end of the smoking article. This is particularly common where the smoking article comprises a filter. When removing such a smoking article from the container, the consumer touches the mouth end of the smoking article.

Some consumers prefer to avoid touching the mouth end of the filter, particularly, where the mouth end of the smoking article comprises a recessed filter. A smoking article with a recessed filter is disclosed for example in the European Patent EP 1 299 012 B1.

The US patent US-A-4,949,841 discloses a hinged-lid pack for easily extracting cigarettes contained therein. The cigarettes in this pack are wrapped in an inner liner that is attached, for example glued, to parts of the bottom wall and the rear wall of the pack. When a gripping tab at the front wall of the inner liner is pulled, a part of the bottom wall of the inner liner is raised such that the first row of cigarettes is lifted.

The object of the present invention is to provide an smoking article removal system and a container which facilitate the removal of smoking articles that are at least partially hollow at one end, and which can be efficiently manufactured.

Thus, the present invention provides a smoking article removal system, wherein the smoking article has a substantially cylindrical, longitudinally protruding wall at at least one end portion. The removal means comprises an engagement portion which is adapted to engage the protruding wall of the smoking article. These features allow in particular facilitating the removal of smoking articles with a recessed filter from a container. The engagement of the longitudinally protruding wall at the at least one end portion of the smoking article enables, that a top end of the smoking article, which is typically easily accessible in an open container, can be engaged by the removal means. Thus, a smoking article with a recessed filter can be lifted and thus removed from an open container without being directly grasped by the consumer. This allows a more hygienic and convenient way to access the smoking articles.

Thus, even an smoking article whose circumferentially outer side cannot be accessed, as it is for example in contact with neighboring smoking articles or the container, can easily be removed from the container. Furthermore, the inner side of the protruding wall is generally not in contact with the consumer or as visible as the outer side, such that means can be provided on the circumferentially inner side of the protruding wall to facilitate the removal process.

Throughout the specification the term "inner side of the protruding wall" is used to refer to the side of the protruding wall that faces towards the axis of the smoking article.

Preferably, the protruding wall may have the same outer diameter as the end portion of the smoking article.

Preferably, the engagement portion is adapted to engage in at least two contact points. Preferably, the at least two contact points are located in substantially evenly distributed positions along the inner side of the protruding wall of the smoking article. For example, where two contact points are provided, they have a distance of about 180 degrees on the circumferential inner side of the protruding wall, or, where three contact points are provided, they have a distance of about 120 degrees. This allows that the respective forces at the contact points are counter-forces with respect to each other, which are directed in different directions. Thus, a high normal force that leads to a high friction force can be applied to remove the smoking article.

In one embodiment, the removal means is provided as a flat blank that the consumer may fold such that it provides an engagement portion with a substantially open triangle or arrow head shaped (">") cross-section at an end of the removal means. The engagement portion with the open triangle or arrow head shaped (">") cross-section may contact the inner side of the protruding wall of the smoking article at three positions, that is, at its tip and with the two ends of the sides. In this embodiment, the restoring force of the fold in the engagement portion advantageously increases the normal forces on the inner side of the protruding wall. This advantageously further facilitates the lifting of the smoking article. Where the combined lengths of the size of the sides of the engagement portion with the open triangle or arrow head shaped (">") cross-section is only slightly larger than the inner diameter of the protruding wall, the engagement portion with the open triangle or arrow head shaped (">") cross-section may touch the inner side of the protruding wall with the ends of the sides and not with its tip. Also in this embodiment the restoring force in the fold of the engagement portion increases the normal force on the inner side of the protruding wall. In one embodiment, the removal means comprises a handle portion and the engagement portion is a protrusion, wherein the protrusion has a width which is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the protruding wall. The width of the protrusion can also refer to a diameter if the protrusion has at least a partially cylindrical shape. Thus, by means of elastic deformation of either the protruding wall or the engagement portion or both, a normal force between the engagement portion and the protruding wall can be created.

Preferably, the handle portion of the removal means is designed such that the user can ergonomically grasp and hold the removal means. Preferably, consumer communication like for example instructions regarding the usage of the removal means is provided on the handle portion.

In one embodiment, the engagement portion is adapted to engage in contact points at both sides of the protruding wall of the smoking article. Thus, the engagement portion engages the inner side and the outer side of the protruding wall. The engagement portion can apply a force from both sides on the protruding wall and enable that same is reliably held by the engagement portion.

Preferably, the removal means has a handle portion and the engagement portion comprises a slit adapted to engage the inner side and outer side of the protruding wall. Elastic deformation of either the slit or the protruding wall or both enables that normal forces are applied in between the engagement portion and the inner and outer side of the protruding wall. Thus, the protruding wall can be reliably clamped in the slit of the protruding wall. The slit is in particular an incision.

Preferably, the protruding wall or the engagement portion or the protruding wall and the engagement portion comprise mechanical means to increase the coefficient of friction between the protruding wall and the engagement portion. These mechanical means may be a rough surface, small protrusions or the like. If the coefficient of friction of the inner side of the protruding wall is increased, the normal force in between the engagement portion and the protruding wall of the smoking article can be lower, while still sufficient force in the removal direction is possible. Alternatively or in addition, a mechanical means is provided in the protruding wall, such as for example a small hook to enable the removal by engagement of the engagement portion in only one contact point on the inner side of the protruding wall.

Alternatively, or additionally the protruding wall or the engagement portion or the protruding wall and the engagement portion are provided with adhesive to enable to transfer force for the removal process of the smoking article. In particular, the provision of adhesive can enable that only one contact point in between the engagement portion and the protruding wall is necessary. Further, a removal means is provided, which comprises a handle portion, and an engagement portion, wherein the engagement portion is adapted to engage the inner side of a circumferential wall of a smoking article. The removal means is particularly suitable for the removal of recessed filter smoking articles out of a container by facilitating the lifting process of same.

Preferably, the engagement portion is adapted to engage the inner side of the circumferential wall by means of friction or adhesion. Thus, even if the outer circumferential wall of the smoking article is not accessible, the smoking article can be engaged and lifted. The engagement can as well be supported by friction and adhesion.

Preferably, the removal means is substantially flat. A flat removal means has the benefit that it can be easily integrated into a container comprising smoking articles by inserting it in between the container wall and the smoking articles or in between the smoking articles. Furthermore, the removal means can be a part of the blank of the container. It can be either separated from the blank during the production process by a cut line or can be delimited with respect to the container blank by a line of weakness, such that it can be easily severed by the consumer from the blank.

The object of the invention is attained as well by a container comprising smoking articles, wherein a removal means is provided by the container, and an engagement portion of the removal means is adapted to engage in a longitudinally protruding wall of the smoking article, to facilitate the removal of the smoking article from the container. Thus, a container can be provided, which facilitates the removal of the smoking articles comprised therein by a removal means which is provided on the inner side or outside of the container.

Preferably, the removal means is initially an integral part of the blank for forming the container and is adapted to be separated from the container for the removal of the smoking article. Thus, a portion of the container blank forms the removal means, which is preferably substantially flat, as it is part of the blank. Preferably, the removal means is separated by the container by a line of weakness. The consumer can tear apart the line of weakness by pulling on the removal means. Preferably, the line of weakness is a crease line, scoring line or a cut line, where several material bridges remain. The integration of the removal means in the container blank facilitates the production of the container and removal means, as they are integrally produced. Alternatively, the removal means may be added to the container in the form of an insert, an onsert or an outsert. An insert is a separate element that is provided within the container itself, an onsert is a separate element that is provided between the outer wrapper of the container and the container and an outsert is an element that is provided on the outside of the outer wrapper. The terms "front", "back", "upper", "lower", "side", "top", "bottom" and other terms used to describe relative positions of the components of containers refer to the container in an upright position wherein the smoking articles are removed from the top of the container. Where the container comprises a hinged lid, the hinge is on the back of the container. The terms "left" and "right" are used with reference to side walls of the container when the container is viewed from the front in its upright position. The term "longitudinal" refers to a direction from bottom to top or vice versa. The term "transverse" refers to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction across the front wall, the back wall or one of the side walls.

The term "hinge line" refers to a line about which the lid may be pivoted in order to open the container. A hinge line may be, for example, a fold line or a score line in the back wall of the container. Alternatively, a hinge line may be a fold line or a score line in a piece of material bridging the lower edge of the back wall of the lid and the upper edge of the back wall of the box. Such a piece of material may be, for example, a label that is permanently or removably attached to the back wall of the lid and the back wall of the box. Preferably, the hinge line is positioned along the back wall of the container at a level below the upper edge thereof.

Preferably, the container comprises an inner frame mounted within the box, wherein the inner frame extends above the upper edges of at least the front wall of the box of the container. The inner frame is therefore visible to the consumer when the lid is opened. The front wall of the inner frame may be printed with indicia which may be the same as, or different to the indicia printed on the front wall of the box. Alternatively, or in addition, the front wall of the inner frame may be cut into a distinctive shape, for example, to reflect the branding of the smoking articles. If required, the inner frame may also comprise a line of weakness to facilitate flattening of the container.

Preferably, the front wall of the inner frame is provided with a cut out portion at the upper edge thereof. This enables more convenient access to the smoking articles within the container, without significantly reducing the surface area of the front wall of the inner frame.

Alternatively, or in addition to an inner frame, the smoking articles within the container may be wrapped with an inner liner, which is visible above the upper edge of the front wall of the box and the front wall of the inner frame (if present) when the container is open.

The container may be in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, with right-angled longitudinal and right-angled transverse edges. Alternatively, the container may comprise one or more rounded longitudinal edges, rounded transverse edges, bevelled longitudinal edges or bevelled transverse edges, or combinations thereof. For example, the container may comprise, without limitation:

- One or two longitudinal rounded or bevelled edges on the front wall, and/or

- One or two longitudinal rounded or bevelled edges on the back wall.

- One or two transverse rounded or bevelled edges on the front wall, and/or

- One or two transverse rounded or bevelled edges on the back wall.

- One longitudinal rounded edge and one longitudinal bevelled edge on the front wall, and/or

- One transverse rounded edge and one transverse bevelled edge on the back wall.

- One or two transverse rounded or bevelled edges on the front wall and one or two longitudinal rounded or bevelled edges on the front wall.

- Two longitudinal rounded or bevelled edges on a first side wall or two transverse rounded or bevelled edges on the second side wall.

Where the container comprises one or more rounded edges and is made from a laminar blank, preferably the blank comprises three, four, five, six or seven scoring lines or creasing lines to form the rounded edge in the assembled container. The scoring lines or creasing lines may be either on the inside of the container or on the outside of the container. Preferably, the scoring lines or creasing lines are spaced apart from each other by between about 0.3 mm and 4 mm.

Preferably, the spacing of the creasing lines or scoring lines is in function of the thickness of the laminar blank. Preferably, the spacing between the creasing lines or scoring lines is between about 0.5 and about 4 times larger than the thickness of the laminar blank.

Where the container comprises one or more bevelled edges, preferably the bevelled one or more edges have a width of between about 1 mm and about 10 mm, preferably between about 2 and about 6 mm. Alternatively, the container may comprise a double bevel formed by three parallel creasing lines or scoring lines that are spaced apart such that two distinct bevels form on the edge of the container.

Alternatively to a container with a rectangular transverse cross section, the container may have a for example a polygonal cross section such as triangular, quadrangular or hexagonal, or a cross section which is oval, semi-oval, circular or semicircular.

Where the container comprises a bevelled edge and is made from a laminar blank, the bevel may be formed by two parallel creasing lines or scoring lines in the laminar blank. The creasing lines or scoring lines may be arranged symmetrically to the edge between a first wall and a second wall. Alternatively, the creasing lines or scoring lines may be arranged asymmetrically to the edge between the first wall and the second wall, such that the bevel extends further into the first wall of the container than into the second wall of the container.

The container may be formed from any suitable materials including, but not limited to, cardboard, paperboard, plastic, metal, or combinations thereof. Preferably, the cardboard has a weight of between about 100 grams per square meter and about 350 grams per square meter.

The container may be used as a package for a variety of smoking articles, including, but not limited to, known lit-end cigarettes, in particular cigarettes with recessed filter, cigars or cigarillos, heated smoking articles comprising a combustible fuel element or heat source and an aerosol-generating substrate (for example cigarettes of the type disclosed in US-A- 4,714,082) and smoking articles for use with electrical smoking systems (for example cigarettes of the type disclosed in US-A-5,692,525).

Through an appropriate choice of the dimensions thereof, the container may be designed to hold different total numbers of smoking articles, or different arrangements of smoking articles. For example, through an appropriate choice of the dimensions thereof, the container may be designed to hold a total of between ten and thirty smoking articles.

The container may hold one, two, three four or five separate bundles of smoking articles. The separate bundles may be arranged substantially parallel to the front wall and to the back wall or substantially perpendicular to the front wall and to the back wall.

Within a bundle, the smoking articles may be arranged in different collations, depending on the total number of smoking articles, the dimensions of the smoking articles or the cross sectional shape of the container. For example, the smoking articles may be arranged in a bundle in a single row of five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten. Alternatively, the smoking articles may be arranged in two or more rows. The two or more rows may contain the same number of smoking articles. For example, the smoking articles may be arranged in: two rows of five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten; three rows of five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten; or four rows of four, five, six or seven. Alternatively, the two or more rows may include at least two rows containing different numbers of smoking articles to each other. For example, the smoking articles may be arranged in: a row of five and a row of six (5-6); a row of six and a row of seven (6-7); a row of seven and a row of eight (7-8); a middle row of five and two outer rows of six (6-5-6); a middle row of five and two outer rows of seven (7-5-7); a middle row of six and two outer rows of five (5-6-5); a middle row of six and two outer rows of seven (7-6-7); a middle row of seven and two outer rows of six (6-7-6); a middle row of nine and two outer rows of eight (8-9-8); or a middle row of six with one outer row of five and one outer row of seven (5-6-7).

The container may hold smoking articles of the same type or brand, or of different types or brands. In addition, both filterless smoking articles and smoking articles with various filter tips may be contained, as well as smoking articles of differing length (for example, between about 40 mm and about 180 mm), diameter (for example, between about 4 mm and about 9 mm). In addition, the smoking articles may differ in strength of taste, resistance to draw and total particulate matter delivery. Wherein the container comprises more than one bundle, each bundle within the same container may hold the same or different types of smoking articles as listed above.

Preferably, the dimensions of the container are adapted to the length of the smoking articles, and the collation of the smoking articles. Typically, the outer dimensions of the container are between about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm larger than the dimensions of the bundle of smoking articles housed inside the container.

Preferably, the container has a height of between about 60 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably a height of between about 70 mm and about 125 mm, wherein the height is measured from the top wall to the bottom wall of the container.

Preferably, the container has a width of between about 12 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably a width of between about 70 mm and about 125 mm, wherein the width is measured from the first side wall to the second side wall of the container.

Preferably, the container has a depth of between about 6 mm and about 100 mm, more preferably a depth of between about 12 mm and about 25 mm wherein the depth is measured from the front wall to the back wall of the container (comprising the hinge between box and lid).

Preferably, the ratio of the height of the container to the depth of the container is in between about 0.3 to 1 and about 10 to 1 , more preferably between about 2 to 1 and about 8 to 1 , most preferably between about 3 to 1 and 5 to 1

Preferably, the ratio of the width of the container to the depth of the container is in between about 1 to 1 and about 10 to 1 , more preferably between about 2 to 1 and about 8 to 1 , most preferably between about 2 to 1 and 3 to 1.

Preferably, the ratio of the height of the lid back wall to the height of the box back wall is between about 0 to 1 (hinge located at the top edge of the container) to about 1 to 1 , more preferably, between about 1 to 5 and about 1 to 10, most preferably, between about 1 to 6 to about 1 to 8.

Preferably, the ratio of the height of the lid front wall to the height of the box front wall is between about 1 to 0 (lid covering the entire front wall) to about 1 to 10, more preferably, between about 1 to 1 and about 1 to 5, most preferably, between about 1 to 2 and about 1 to 3.

The exterior surfaces of the container may be printed, embossed, debossed or otherwise embellished with manufacturer or brand logos, trade marks, slogans and other consumer information and indicia. Alternatively, or in addition, the exterior surfaces of the container may be at least partially covered with lacquer, metallisation, holograms, luminescent material, or any other materials that alter the feel, odour or appearance of the container.

Where the inner housing of the container contains one or more bundles of smoking articles, the smoking articles are preferably wrapped in an inner liner of, for example, metal foil or metallized paper.

Where the container comprises smoking articles, the container may further comprise waste-compartments (for example for ash or butts) or other consumer goods, for example matches, lighters, extinguishing means, breath-fresheners or electronics. The other consumer goods may be attached to the outside of the container, contained within the container along with the smoking articles, in a separate compartment of the container or combinations thereof.

Once filled, the container may be shrink wrapped or otherwise over wrapped with a transparent polymeric film of, for example, high or low density polyethylene, polypropylene, oriented polypropylene, polyvinylidene chloride, cellulose film, or combinations thereof in a conventional manner. Where the container is over wrapped, the over wrapper may include a tear tape. The tear tape is preferably positioned around the container below the lower edge of the front wall of the lid, such that once the tear tape has been removed, the lid is free to be rotated about the first hinge line. Alternatively, the tear tape may be provided longitudinally around the container.

The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a container with a removal means provided therein according to the invention, Figure 2 shows a smoking article comprised in the embodiment of the container according to the invention,

Figure 3 shows a plan view of a first embodiment of a removal means according to the invention,

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the engagement of the first embodiment of the removal means according to the invention with a smoking article,

Figure 5 shows a plan view of a second embodiment of a removable means according to the invention,

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the engagement of the second embodiment of the removal means according to the invention with a smoking article,

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a removal means according to the invention.

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a container 1 according to the invention in a perspective view. The container 1 comprises a cup-like box 2 and a lid 3, which are connected by a transversally extending hinge line at the back of the container 1. An inner frame 4 is connected to the inner side of the front wall 5, right side wall 6 and left side wall of the box 2. The inner frame 4 extends in a longitudinal direction over the opening of the box 2.

Inner side the box 2, a bundle of smoking articles 7 is arranged. The smoking articles 7 are wrapped in an inner liner 8, which initially fully encloses the smoking articles 7. After opening the lid 3 of the container 1 , a portion of inner liner 8 can be removed, such that the smoking articles 7 are visible and accessible as depicted in Figure 1.

Further, a removal means 9 is provided in the container 1 , preferably extending parallel to the front wall 5 of the box 2 and being visible and accessible to the consumer on the front side of the container 1. The removal means 9 is generally flat and is provided in between the front wall 5 and the inner liner 8. Alternatively, the removable means 9 may be provided in between the inner liner 8 and the smoking articles 7. Alternatively, the removable means 9 may be provided in between the front wall 5 and the inner frame 4.

The lower part of the removal means 9, which would usually not be visible as it is behind the front wall 5, is indicated by a dashed line. Generally, the removal means 9 comprises an engagement portion 10, which is adapted to engage the smoking article 7, and a handle portion 1 1 , which can be accessed by the consumer in the open container 1. The handle portion 1 1 is designed such that it can be economically grasped by the consumer during the removal of the smoking article 7. In Figure 2, the smoking article 7 is depicted in an elevated perspective frontal view. The longitudinal extension of the smoking article 7 is arranged vertically, similar to when the smoking article 7 is provided in the container 1 which is in an upright orientation. The smoking article 7 comprises at its upper end a filter portion 12 and at its lower end a tobacco filled portion 13. A filter 14 is arranged in the filter portion 12. At the upper end of the smoking article 7 a substantially cylindrical, longitudinally protruding wall 15 is provided. In particular, the protruding wall 15 can be enabled by a portion of the outer material of the smoking article 7 which protrudes over the filter 14. The protruding wall 15 has substantially the same outer diameter as the adjacent part of the filter portion 12. The smoking article 7 of Figure 2 is a recessed filter cigarette.

In Figure 3 a plan view of a first embodiment of the removal means 9 as already depicted in combination with the container 1 in Figure 1 is shown. The removal means 9 is generally flat and comprises an engagement portion 10 and a handle portion 1 1. The engagement portion 10 is generally rectangular and has a width in the transversal direction which is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the protruding wall 15 of the smoking article 7. The handle portion 1 1 may have generally the same width or a slightly smaller width than the inner width of the box 2 of the container 1 . The engagement portion 10 is provided at one transversal side and at the lower end of the handle portion 1 1. This provides the benefit, that the handle portion 1 1 can be grasped in a transversally distant portion to the engagement portion 10, such that the engagement portion 10 can easily be inserted in the upper end of the smoking article 7.

In Figure 4, the engagement in between the removal means 9 and the smoking article 7 is shown. For the sake of clarity, only one smoking article 7 is shown, however the same type of engagement is generally applied to smoking articles 7 which are comprised within the cup-shaped box 2 of the container 1 as shown in Figure 1. The handle portion 1 1 of the removal means 9 is arranged in a way such that it does not interfere with opened lid 3 of the container 1 .

When inserting the removal means 9 into the upper part of the smoking article 7 in between the protruding wall 15, an engagement of engagement portion 10 takes place in two diametrically arranged contact points of the protruding wall 15. The protruding wall 15 of the smoking article 7 comprises a diameter, which is slightly smaller than the width of the engagement portion 22. Thus, due to elastic deformation of the protruding wall 15 and the engagement portion 10 a normal force in the transversal direction is created in both contact points. Due to this normal force a tangential friction force can be applied in longitudinal direction in between the protruding wall 15 and the engagement portion 10. This allows, that the smoking article 7 can be removed from the container 1 by means of first inserting the engagement portion 10 into the smoking article 7, which is comprised in the box 2 of the container 1 , and then lifting the removal means 9 together with the smoking article 7, such that same gets lifted out of the box 2.

In particular, the engagement portion 10 of the removal means may be not rectangular, but slightly trapezoidal or rounded, in such a way that the width of the engagement portion 10 slightly increases towards the top. This facilitates the insertion of the engagement portion 10 into the protruding wall 15 while providing a reliable engagement in between the engagement portion 10 and the protruding wall 15. Furthermore, the engagement portion 10 can be provided with means to increase the friction at its transversal sides such as glue or mechanical means. The mechanical means can be in particular a rough surface or small hooks.

In Figure 5 a second embodiment of a removal means 16 is depicted in a plan view. The removal means 16 has substantially the same width as the removal means 9 and can be provided in the same manner in the container 1 as depicted in Figure 1. The removal means 16 comprises an engagement portion 17 and a handle portion 18. The engagement portion 17 is arranged at the lower outer side of the handle portion 18. The engagement portion 17 is provided with a slit 19, which is in particular an incision in the engagement portion 17. The slit 19 extends generally in a longitudinal direction.

For engagement in between the engagement portion 17 and the protruding wall 15 of the smoking article 7, the removal means 16 is lowered on the smoking article 7 as shown in Figure 6, such that the protruding wall 15 is arranged within the slit 19. Frictional forces in between the slit 19 and protruding wall 15 are provided due to normal forces created by elastic deformation of either the protruding wall 15 or the portions of the engagement portion 17 adjacent to the slit 19. Thus, the smoking article 7 can be lifted out of the box 2 of the container by pulling the handle portion 18 up. The slit 19 can be provided with means to increase the friction, such as glue or mechanical means. The mechanical means for increasing the friction may be for example a rough surface or a small hook provided within the slit. In a preferred embodiment, the slit has a chamfered end to facilitate sliding the slit over the protruding wall.

The features of the first and second embodiment of the removal means 9, 16 can be combined for a third embodiment of a removal means which is not depicted. This type of removal means comprises a slit to engage the protruding wall as shown in Figure 6 and a remaining part of the engagement portion at one side of the slit, which has a width which is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the protruding wall 15, such that it engages the protruding wall 15 not only in the slit, but also at the diametrically opposite position of the contact point of the slit. The part of the engagement portion engaging the diametrically opposite side of the protruding wall may be slightly inclined in a longitudinal direction, such that the engagement portion has at its lower end a lower width than at its upper end to facilitate the insertion of the removal means into the upper part of the smoking article.

In Figure 7, a fourth embodiment of a removal means 20 according to the invention is depicted, which comprises an engagement portion 21 and a handle portion 22 which is arranged at an upper transversally distant position of the engagement portion 21. The engagement portion 21 has a substantially cylindrical form with a diameter which is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the protruding wall 15 of the smoking article 7. In particular the engagement portion 21 is slightly conical in the longitudinal direction, such that it comprises a lower diameter at a lower region than at an upper region thereof. This facilitates the insertion of engagement portion 21 into the upper part of the smoking article 7.

The engagement portion 21 is inserted within the circumferentially extending protruding walls 15 and engages with same by means of friction.

Thus, after insertion of the engagement portion into a smoking article 7 arranged in the box 2 of the container 1 , the smoking article 7 can be lifted by means of frictional engagement in between the engagement portion 21 and the protruding wall 15. Furthermore, the circumferentially outer side of the engagement portion 21 may be provided with means for increasing the friction, such as glue or mechanical means, including a rough surface. Alternatively, it may be provided with one or several small hooks.

It is emphasized that the removal means 9, 16 according to the first, second, and third embodiment may be a part of the blank of the container during manufacture. Alternatively, the removal means 9, 10 may be part of the inner frame during manufacture. The removal means may be separated from the container blank or inner frame by means of a cut line or line of weakness which can be severed when the user lifts the removal means out of the container 1.

The removal means may be arranged adjacent to the front wall of the box of the container as depicted in Figure 1 , or parallel to any outer wall of the container, in particular to walls of the container lid. The removal means may be provided in between the upper ends of the smoking articles and the upper wall of the lid. The removal means may also be provided on the outside of the container, in particular in between a film wrapper and the container.

The removal means may be visible immediately after opening the lid of the container and may be provided with information to attract the attention of the consumer. Further it may be provided with an explanation regarding the use of the removal means.

Claims

1. Smoking article removal system, comprising

a smoking article (7) having a substantially cylindrical form; and

a removal means (9, 16, 20) adapted to allow to lift the smoking article (7) out of a container (1), characterized in that

the smoking article (7) has a substantially cylindrical, longitudinally protruding wall (15) at at least one end portion, and

the removal means (9, 16, 20) comprises an engagement portion (10, 17, 21 ) which is adapted to engage the protruding wall (15) of the smoking article (7).

2. Smoking article removal system according to claim 1 , wherein the engagement portion (10, 17, 21) is adapted to engage in the inner side of the protruding wall (15).

3. Smoking article removal system according to claim 2, wherein the engagement portion (10) is adapted to engage in at least two contact points which are located in substantially diametrical positions on the inner side of the protruding wall (15) of the smoking article (7).

4. Smoking article removal system according to one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the removal means (9, 20) comprises a handle portion (11 , 22) and the engagement portion (10, 21) is a protrusion, wherein the protrusion has a width which is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the protruding wall (15).

5. Smoking article removal system according to claim 1 , wherein the engagement portion (17) is adapted to engage in at least two contact points on the circumference of the protruding wall (15) of the smoking article (7).

6. Smoking article removal system according to claim 5, wherein the removal means (16) has a handle portion (18) and the engagement portion (17) comprises a slit (19) adapted to engage the inner side and outer side of the protruding wall (15).

7. Smoking article removal system according to any of the previous claims, wherein the protruding wall (15) or the engagement portion (10, 17, 21) or the protruding wall (15) and the engagement portion (10, 17, 21) comprises mechanical means to increase the coefficient of friction in between the protruding wall (15) and the engagement portion (10, 17, 21).

8. Smoking article removal system according to any of the previous claims, wherein the protruding wall (15) or the engagement portion (10, 17, 21) or the protruding wall (15) and the engagement portion (10, 17, 21) is provided with adhesive to enable to transfer force for the removal process of the smoking article (7).

9. Container comprising smoking articles (7), wherein a removal means (9, 16, 20) is provided by the container (1),

characterized in that

an engagement portion (10, 17, 21) of the removal means (9, 16, 20) is adapted to engage with at least the inner side of a longitudinally protruding wall (15) of the smoking article (7), to facilitate the removal of the smoking article (7) from the container (1).

10. Container according to claim 9, wherein the removal means (9, 16) is initially an integral part of the blank for forming the container (1) and is adapted to be separated from the container (1) for the removal of the smoking article (7).

AG