WO2014097201A1

WO2014097201A1 - Package of smoke articles with sliding opening

Info

Publication number: WO2014097201A1
Application number: PCT/IB2013/061127
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marco Ghini; Stefano Negrini
Original assignee: G.D. S.P.A.
Priority date: 2012-12-20
Filing date: 2013-12-19
Publication date: 2014-06-26
Also published as: ITBO20120689A1; KR20150096666A; RU2015128795A; RU2638630C2; ZA201503582B

Abstract

A package (1; 101; 201) of smoke articles having an inner container (4; 104; 204), which houses a group (2; 102; 202) of smoke articles and an outer container (5; 105; 205) comprising two major walls (23; 123; 223) opposite one another, and three minor (21, 22, 24; 121, 122, 124; 221, 222, 224) walls connecting the major walls (23; 123; 223), the interior of the outer container (5; 105; 205) slidably housing the inner container (4; 104; 204) in such a manner as to enable the inner container (4; 104; 204) to slide, with respect to the outer container (5; 105; 205), between a closed position, wherein the inner container (4; 104; 204) is inserted inside the outer container (5; 105; 205), and an open position wherein the inner container (4; 104; 204) is partly outside the outer container (5; 105; 205). The outer container (5; 105; 205) (31; 131; 231) comprises at least one slot (31; 131; 231) obtained in at least one of the minor walls (21, 22, 24; 121, 122, 124; 221, 222, 224) and the inner container (4; 104; 204) comprises at least one tab (13; 113; 213) projecting outside the inner container (4; 104; 204) in such a manner as to interact with the at least one slot (31; 131; 231 ) to produce a sound during movement of the inner container (4; 104; 204) between the closed position and the open position. (Fig. 3)

Description

Package of smoke articles with sliding opening.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a package of smoke articles with sliding opening.

In the following description reference will be made for the sake of brevity to a packet for cigarettes with a sliding opening without the present invention thereby losing general validity.

BACKGROUND ART

Hard packets for cigarettes with a hinged lid are the packets for cigarettes that are currently most widespread in the market because they are simple to make, easy and practical to use and provide good mechanical protection to the cigarettes they contain. A packet for cigarettes with a hard hinged lid comprises a cup-shaped container which has an open top end, and a lid that is also cup-shaped, hinged to the container along a hinge for rotating with respect to the container between an open position and a closed position of the open end. In addition to the aforementioned hard packets for cigarettes with hinged lids, hard packets for cigarettes with sliding or slidable openings have been proposed comprising two containers, inserted one inside the other in a partly separable manner. A hard packet for cigarettes with a sliding opening comprises an outer container and an inner container. The outer container comprises a bottom wall, a top wall, two major side walls that are parallel to and opposite one another, a minor side wall and an opening, opposite the minor side wall, through which the inner container is slidably mounted. The latter comprises, in turn, two major side walls that are parallel to and opposite one another, two minor side walls that are parallel to one another and interposed between the major side walls, a bottom wall, and an opening opposite the bottom wall. The inner container is suitable for receiving a group of cigarettes wrapped in a sheet of metallised wrapping paper and is housed inside of the outer container so as to be able to slide with respect to the latter between a closed position, wherein the inner container is inserted inside the outer container, and an open position in which the inner container is partly outside the outer container. The sliding of the inner container with respect to the outer container can be determined by a translation between the two containers, or by a rotation between the two containers around a hinge that connects the two containers. In order to increase the usability of a hard packet for cigarettes with sliding opening packages have been proposed that are shaped in such a manner as to generate a sound when the inner container is moved to its open position.

A packet of this type is disclosed in EP1669306A1. In the packet taught by EP1669306A1, the minor side wall of the inner container facing the minor side wall of the outer container extends upwards so as to form a tab. This tab interacts with protrusions extending downwards from an inner face of the top wall of the outer container when the inner container is moved from the closed position to the open position. Producing a sound during movement of the inner container from the closed position to the open position provides the user with an indication of the opening of the package.

A drawback of the packets for cigarettes of the type disclosed in EP1669306A1 is that the sound produced by the interaction between the tab and the protrusions may be difficult for the user to hear. This may mean that in use the user does not reflapsse that the packet has opened with consequent undesired exiting of cigarettes and/or tobacco dust from the inner container.

A further drawback is that the protrusions are expensive to make as they involve an additional processing step.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the present invention is to provide a package of smoke articles with sliding openings which is free of the drawbacks disclosed above and which is in particular easy and cheap to make.

According to the present invention there is provided a package of smoke articles with sliding opening as claimed in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate some embodiments thereof by way of non-limiting embodiments, in which:

- Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a hard packet for cigarettes made in accordance with the present invention and in a closed configuration;

- Figure 2 is a front perspective view of the hard packet for cigarettes of Figure 1 in an open configuration;

- Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the hard packet for cigarettes of Figure 1 ;

- Figure 4 is a plan view of a blank used to make an inner container of the hard packet for cigarettes of Figures 1-3;

Figure 5 is a plan view of a blank used to make an outer container of the hard packet for cigarettes of Figures 1-3;

- Figure 5b is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of a blank used for making an outer container of the hard packet for cigarettes of Figures 1-3;

- Figure 6 is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a hard packet for cigarettes made in accordance with the present invention and in a closed configuration;

- Figure 7 is a front perspective view of the hard packet for cigarettes of Figure 6 in an open configuration;

- Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of the hard packet for cigarettes of Figure 6;

- Figure 9 is a further exploded perspective view of the hard packet for cigarettes of Figure 6;

Figure 10 is a plan view of a blank used to make an inner container of the hard packet for cigarettes of Figures 6-9;

- Figure 11 is a plan view of a blank used to make an outer container of the hard packet for cigarettes of Figures 6-9;

- Figure 12 is a front perspective view of a further alternative embodiment of a hard packet for cigarettes made in accordance with the present invention and in a closed configuration;

- Figure 13 is a front perspective view of the hard packet for cigarettes of Figure 12 in an open configuration;

- Figure 14 is an exploded perspective view of the hard packet for cigarettes of Figure 12;

- Figure 15 is a further exploded perspective view of the hard packet for cigarettes of Figure 12;

Figure 16 is a plan view of a blank used to make an inner container of the hard packet for cigarettes of Figures 12-15; and

- Figure 17 is a plan view of a blank used to make an outer container of the hard packet for cigarettes of Figures 12-15.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With reference to Figures 1-3, a first embodiment of the invention is shown.

In the first embodiment of the invention there is provided a hard packet 1 of cigarettes with sliding opening by translation or by linear movement.

The packet 1 comprises a wrapped group 2 of cigarettes, i.e. a group, which is not illustrated, of cigarettes wrapped in a sheet of metallised wrapping paper, or other material, and a hard outer case 3 made of paperboard, or similar materials, housing the group 2. The outer case 3 comprises, in turn, a hard inner container 4, inside which the wrapped group 2 is placed directly, and a hard outer container 5, which slidably houses the inner container 4 to enable the latter to slide with respect to the outer container 5 to move with a translation movement between a closed position (Figure 1), in which the inner container 4 is fully inserted inside the outer container 5, and an open position (Figure 2), in which the inner container 4 is partly outside the outer container 5 so as to make access to the wrapped group 2 possible for a user.

The inner container 4 is of parallelepiped shape and has a containing body 6, which houses the wrapped group 2 of cigarettes, and a removable body 7, removably connected to the containing body 6 by intended separating lines 8 (Figure 4).

In particular, the containing body 6 has a bottom wall 9, two major side walls 10, that are parallel to and opposite one another, and two minor side walls 11, 12 that are parallel to and opposite one another and interposed between the major side walls 10.

More precisely, the minor side walls comprise a bottom minor side wall 11 , positioned, in use, inside the packet 1, and a top minor side wall 12, defining an outer wall of the packet 1. In particular, the bottom minor side wall 11 has one tab 13, projecting upwards from the inner container 4, the function of which will be disclosed below.

The tab 13 has a substantially trapezoidal shape, with the major base connected to the bottom minor side wall 11.

Further, each of the major side walls 10 has cut out, near the bottom minor side wall 11, a respective arresting tab 14, that projects outside the inner container 4 from the connecting edge between the major side wall 10 and the bottom minor side wall 11.

On the other side, the removable body 7 has a top wall 15 and two side walls 16, the top wall 15 being interposed between the side walls 16.

In particular, the top wall 15 of the removable body 7 has a length, measured parallel to a minor side of the major side walls 10, that is less than that of the bottom wall 9 of the containing body 6, this contributing to define a top opening 17 in the inner container 4, next to the tab 13, by means of which the wrapped group 2 of cigarettes is visible (which is not shown in Figure 3 for reasons of clarity).

According to a different embodiment that is not illustrated, the top wall 15 of the removable body 7 has a length, measured parallel to a minor side of the major side walls 10, that is substantially the same as that of the bottom wall 9 of the containing body 6.

Each of the side walls 16 of the removable body 7 is connected to a major side wall 10 of the containing body 6 by a respective intended separating line 8.

In use, after removing the removable body 7 from the containing body 6 an extracting opening is defined, which is not shown, which also extends to part of the major side walls 10 of the containing body 6, and is suitable for being arranged, when the inner container 4 is in the open position, outside the outer container 5 to enable the cigarettes to be extracted from the inner container 4 by the user opening the casing of the wrapped group 2.

Also, between each major side wall 10 and each minor side wall 11, 12 four longitudinal edges 19 are defined, and between each side wall 10-12 and the walls 9, 15 seven transversal edges 20 are defined.

According to what is illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, the outer container 5 is also of parallelepiped shape and has a bottom wall 21 , a top wall 22, two major side walls 23 that are parallel to and opposite one another, a minor side wall 24 and an opening 25, opposite the minor side wall 24, through which the inner container 4 is slidably mounted.

Between each major side wall 23 and the minor side wall 24 two longitudinal edges 26 are defined, and between each side wall 23, 24 and the walls 21, 22 six transversal edges 27 are defined, which are divided into major transversal edges 27 arranged between the major side walls 23 and the walls 21, 22, and minor transversal edges 27 arranged between the minor side wall 24 and the walls 21, 22.

The four longitudinal edges 19 of the inner container 4, the two longitudinal edges 26 of the outer container 5, the transversal edges 20 of the inner container 4 and the transversal edges 27 of the outer container 5 are of rectilinear type.

According to a different embodiment that is not illustrated, the four longitudinal edges 19 of the inner container 4 and two longitudinal edges 26 of the outer container 5 are of non rectilinear rounded type, whereas all the transversal edges 20, 27 are rectilinear.

Further, according to a further embodiment that is not illustrated, some transversal edges 20 of the inner container 4 and/or some transversal edges 27 of the outer container 5 are edges of non-rectilinear rounded type.

When the inner container 4 is arranged in the closed position, each side wall 10-12 of the inner container 4 faces and is aligned with a corresponding side wall 23, 24 of the outer container 5.

In particular, the inner container 4 has dimensions that are such as to house with reduced clearance the wrapped group 2 of cigarettes, and the outer container 5 has dimensions that are such as to house with reduced clearance the inner container 4. In this manner it is possible to minimise the quantity of wrapping material necessary to construct the containers 4, 5, also minimising the movements of the wrapped group 2 of cigarettes inside the inner container 4 and the movements of the latter inside the outer container 5.

Obviously, the clearance between the wrapped group 2 of cigarettes and the inner container 4 cannot be completely eliminated to enable the user to extract the cigarettes from the inner container 4 without excessive difficulty, and also the clearance between the inner container 4 and the outer container 5 cannot be completely eliminated to enable the user to extract the inner container 4 from the outer container 5 without excessive difficulty.

The minor side wall 24 of the outer container 5 has a hole 28, which has a shape and dimensions that are such as to enable a finger of the user to pass through; the aim of the hole 28 is to facilitate the extraction of the inner container 4 from the outer container 5, enabling the user to exert a thrust on the bottom minor side wall 11 of the inner container 4 facing the hole 28 when the inner container 4 is in the closed position so as to slide the inner container 4 to its open position.

According to a different embodiment that is not illustrated, each major side wall 23 of the outer container 5 has a respective recess near the opening 25; the main purpose of such recesses, for example of rounded and/or symmetrical shape, is to facilitate the extraction of the inner container 4 from the outer container 5 starting from the closed position, enabling the user to grasp and pull the major side walls 10 of the inner container 4.

The outer container 5 further has an inner wall 30 connected to a top end of the minor side wall 24 along a transversal edge 27 and folded inwards the outer container 5 below the top wall 22 of the outer container 5, so as to form an inner part of the top wall 22.

In this manner, the inner wall 30 is positioned between the top wall 22 of the outer container 5 and the inner container 4.

The inner wall 30 has at least one through incision or slot, 31, of substantially rectangular shape, comprising a transversal rim 31b arranged for interacting with the tab 13 of the inner container 4.

In particular, the slot 31 forms a depression at the top wall 22 of the outer container 5, this depression having a depth that is equal to the thickness of the inner wall 30.

When the inner container 4 is in the closed position, the tab 13 of the inner container 4 is positioned in the depression formed by the slot 31 and does not interact with the rim 3 lb of the slot 31. By moving the inner container 4 from the closed position to the open position, the tab 13 of the inner container 4 exits the depression formed by the slot 31 and interacts with the rim 31b of the slot 31 to produce a sound.

Similarly, when the inner container 4 is moved from the open position to the closed position, a further sound is produced by the interaction between the tab 13 and the rim 31b of the slot 31.

This second sound can be the same as or different from the sound produced during opening of the packet 1.

According to a different embodiment that is not illustrated, the bottom minor wall 11 of the inner container 4 has a tab projecting downwards from the inner container 4. In this embodiment the outer container 5 has an inner wall, comprising at least one through incision or slot, including a transversal rim arranged for interacting with the aforesaid tab, the inner wall being connected to a bottom end of the minor side wall 24 along a transversal edge 27 and being folded towards the inside of the outer container 5 above the bottom wall 21 of the outer container 5, so as to form an inner part of the bottom wall 21.

According to a further embodiment that is not illustrated, the bottom minor wall 11 of the inner container 4 has a couple of tabs projecting respectively upwards and downwards from the inner container 4. In this further embodiment the outer container 5 has a couple of inner walls, each comprising at least one through incision or slot, including a transversal rim arranged for interacting with a respective tab, the inner walls being connected respectively to a top end and to a bottom end of the minor side wall 24 along respective transversal edges 27 and being folded to the inside of the outer container 5 respectively below the top wall 22 and above the bottom wall 21 of the outer container 5, so as to form respectively an inner part of the top wall 22 and an inner part of the bottom wall 21.

According to another embodiment that is not illustrated, the inner wall, comprising at least one through incision or slot, including a transversal rim arranged for interacting with the aforesaid tab, is connected to a top end of a major side wall 23 along a transversal edge 27 and is folded towards the inside of the outer container 5 below the top wall 22 of the outer container 5, so as to form an inner part of the top wall 22.

According to another further embodiment that is not illustrated, the inner wall, comprising at least one through incision or slot, including a transversal rim arranged for interacting with the aforesaid tab, is connected to a bottom end of a major side wall 23 along a transversal edge 27 and is folded towards the inside of the outer container 5 above the bottom wall 21 of the outer container 5, so as to form an inner part of the bottom wall 21.

According to another embodiment that is not illustrated, a couple of inner walls is provided, each wall comprising at least one through incision or slot, including a transversal rim arranged for interacting with a respective tab, the inner walls being connected respectively to a top end and to a bottom end of a major side wall 23 along a transversal edge 27 and being folded to the inside of the outer container 5 respectively below the top wall 22 e above the bottom wall 21 of the outer container 5, so as to form respectively an inner part of the top wall 22 and an inner part of the bottom wall 21.

According to another embodiment, of which the blank of the outer container 5 is shown in Figure 5b, two through incisions, or slots, are provided, each including a transversal rim arranged for interacting with the aforesaid tab. In this embodiment, a first slot 31 is formed in a first inner wall connected to a top end of the bottom minor wall 11 , and a second slot 31 ' is formed in a second inner wall connected to a top end of a major side wall 23 along a transversal edge 27. The first inner wall and the second inner wall are folded inwards the outer container 5 below the top wall 22 of the outer container 5, so as to form an inner part of the top wall 22.

More precisely, the first slot 31 and the second slot 31 ' are positioned in such a manner as to substantially overlap (with the respective rims adjacent and aligned with one another) so as to form a depression at the top wall 22 of the outer container 5, this depression having a depth that is equal to the sum of the thicknesses of the first inner wall and of the second inner wall. In particular, this depression has a major depth, in particular double, compared to that of the slot 31 disclosed with reference to Figure 3. In this manner, in use, by the interaction between the tab and the rims 31b of the slots 31, 31' a more audible sound is produced. Also, from each major side wall 23 of the outer container 5 a couple of arresting tabs 32 projects.

In particular, the arresting tabs 32 project towards the inside of the outer container 5 and are each arranged near the opening 25 of the outer container 5.

The two arresting tabs 14 of the inner container 4 and the two arresting tabs 32 of the outer container 5 form an arresting member that limits the sliding of the inner container 4 with respect to the outer container 5 so as to prevent the inner container 4 being separated from the outer container 5.

In particular, each tab 14 is arranged in a position that is such as to lead the tab 14 to couple with the corresponding tab 32 during extracting sliding of the inner container 4 from the outer container 5, thus preventing inner container 4 separating from the outer container 5. According to what is illustrated in Figure 4, the inner container 4 is obtained from a corresponding flat blank 33, of substantially elongated rectangular shape, and the parts of which are indicated, where possible, with accented reference numbers that are the same as the reference numbers that distinguish the corresponding parts of the inner container 4.

The blank 33 has longitudinal weakness lines 35, a plurality of transversal weakness lines 36 and transversal intended separation lines 8.

The transversal weakness lines 36 and the and transversal intended separation lines 8 define, between the longitudinal weakness lines 35, a panel 15' constituting an inner part of the top wall 15, apanel 16' constituting a side wall 16, apanel 10' constituting a major side wall 10, a panel 9' constituting the bottom wall 9, a panel 10" constituting the other major side wall 10, a panel 16' ' constituting the other side wall 16 and a panel 15" constituting an outer part of the top wall 15.

In particular, panels 16' and 16" are connected respectively to panel 10' and 10" by respective intended separating lines 8.

Panel 10' has a couple of flaps 11 ', 12', that are arranged on opposite sides of the panel 10', are separated from the panel 10' by the longitudinal weakness lines 35 and constitute respectively an inner part of the minor side wall 11 and an inner part of the minor side wall 12.

Panel 10" has a couple of flaps 11 ", 12", that are arranged on opposite sides of the panel 10", are separated from the panel 10" by the longitudinal weakness lines 35 and constitute respectively an outer part of the minor side wall 11 and an outer part of the minor side wall 12.

To the flap 11" a flap 13' constituting the tab 13 is connected.

Also, to the flaps 11 ' and 12' two further tabs 9" are connected that constitute an inner part of the bottom wall 9.

Within each panel 10', 10" a respective tab 14 is obtained.

Each longitudinal weakness line 35 is intended to make a longitudinal edge 19 of rectilinear type of the inner container 4.

According to what is illustrated in Figure 5, the outer container 5 is obtained from a corresponding flat blank 37, of substantially rectangular shape, and the parts of which are indicated, where possible, with accented reference numbers that are the same as the reference numbers that distinguish the corresponding parts of the outer container 5. The blank 37 has two transversal weakness lines 38 and a plurality of longitudinal weakness lines 39, that define, between the two transversal weakness lines 38, a panel 23' constituting a major side wall 23, a panel 24' constituting the minor side wall 24 and a panel 23" constituting the other major side wall 23.

In particular, the panel 24' is separated from panels 23', 23" by two longitudinal weakness lines 39.

Panel 23' has a couple of flaps 21 ', 22' that are arranged on opposite sides of the panel 23', are separated from the panel 23' by the transversal weakness lines 38 and constitute an outer part respectively of the bottom wall 21 and of the top wall 22.

Panel 24' has a couple of flaps 21", 30' that are arranged on opposite sides of the panel 24', are separated from the panel 24' by the transversal weakness lines 38 and constitute respectively an inner part of the bottom wall 21 and the inner wall 30.

In particular, in the flap 30' at least one slot 31 is obtained.

Panel 23" has a couple of flaps 2Γ", 22", that are arranged on opposite sides of the panel 23", are separated from the panel 23" by the transversal weakness lines 38 and constitute respectively an inner part of the bottom wall 21 and an inner part of the top wall 22.

According to what is illustrated, the flap 21 " and the flap 21 "' are shaped in such a manner as not be superimposed on one another once they are folded against the flap 21 ' to define the bottom wall 21 of the outer container 5.

Each longitudinal weakness line 39 is intended to make a couple of longitudinal edges 26 of rectilinear type of the outer container 5.

Lastly, panels 23', 23" each have a respective flap, separated from the respective panel 23', 23" by a transversal weakness line 39, constituting one tab 32.

With reference to Figure 5b an alternative embodiment of the blank 37 is shown.

This embodiment differs from the one disclosed with reference to Figure 5 by the fact that in the flap 22" the second slot 31b is obtained.

According to what is illustrated, the flap 30' and the flap 22" are shaped so as to be superimposed once they are folded against the flap 22' to define the top wall 22 of the outer container 5.

More precisely, the flap 22" is interposed between the flap 22' and the flap 30', so that the slots 31, 31b are superimposed (with the respective rims adjacent and aligned with one another) so as to form a depression at the top wall 22 of the outer container 5.

With reference to Figures 6-9, a second embodiment of the invention is shown. In the second embodiment of the invention a hard packet 101 of cigarettes is provided with sliding opening by a rotation movement.

The packet 101 comprises a wrapped group 102 of cigarettes, i.e. a group, which is not illustrated, of cigarettes wrapped in a sheet of metallised wrapping paper, or other material, and a hard outer casing 103 made of paperboard, or similar materials, housing the group 102. The outer casing 103 comprises, in turn, an inner container 104 of hard type, inside which the wrapped group 103 is directly housed, and an outer container 105 of hard type, which slidably houses the inner container 104 to enable the latter to slide with respect to the outer container 105 to move with a rotation movement around a hinge 150, disclosed below, between a closed position (Figure 6), in which the inner container 104 is completely inserted inside the outer container 105, and an open position (Figure 7), in which the inner container 104 is partly outside the outer container 105 so as to enable a user to access the wrapped group 102.

The inner container 104 is of parallelepiped shape and has a containing body 106, in which the wrapped group 102 of cigarettes is housed, and a removable body 107, removably connected to the containing body 106 by intended separating lines 108 (Figure 10).

In particular, the containing body 106 has a bottom wall 109, two major side walls 110, that are parallel to and opposite one another, and two minor side walls 111, 112 that are parallel to and opposite one another and interposed between the major side walls 110.

In particular, the bottom wall 109 is partly connected, in a removable manner, to a major side wall 110 by intended separating lines 151 (Figure 10).

The minor side walls comprise a minor bottom side wall 111, positioned, in use, inside the packet 101, and a top minor side wall 112, defining an outer wall of the packet 101.

In particular, the bottom minor side wall 111 has one tab 113, projecting upwards from the inner container 104, the function of which will be disclosed below.

The tab 113 has a substantially trapezoidal shape, with the major base connected to the bottom minor side wall 111.

Further, each of the major side walls 110 has cut out, near the bottom minor side wall 111, a respective arresting and guiding tab 1 14, that projects slightly outside the inner container 104.

In particular, each arresting and guiding tab 114 has an at least partly curved profile.

On the other side, the removable body 107 has a top wall 115 and two side walls 116, the top wall 115 being interposed between the side walls 116. In particular, the top wall 115 of the removable body 107 has a length, measured parallel to a minor side of the major side walls 110, less than that of the bottom wall 109 of the containing body 106, this contributing to define a top opening 117 in the inner container 104, next to the tab 113, by means of which the wrapped group 102 of cigarettes is visible.

According to a different embodiment that is not illustrated, the top wall 115 of the removable body 107 has a length, measured parallel to a minor side of the major side walls 110, that is substantially the same as that of the bottom wall 109 of the containing body 106.

Each of the side walls 116 of the removable body 107 is connected to a major side wall 110 of the containing body 106 by a respective intended separating line 108.

In use, after removing the removable body 107 from the containing body 106 an extracting opening is defined, which is not shown, which also extends to part of the major side walls 110 of the containing body 106, and is suitable for arranging itself, when the inner container 104 is in the open position, outside the outer container 105 to enable the cigarettes to be extracted from the inner container 104 by the user opening the casing of the wrapped group 102.

Also, between each major side wall 110 and each minor side wall 111, 112 there are defined four longitudinal edges 119, and between each side wall 110-112 and the walls 109, 115 there are defined seven transversal edges 120.

According to what is illustrated in Figures 6, 8 and 9, the outer container 105 is also of parallelepiped shape and has a bottom wall 121, a top wall 122, two major side walls 123 that are parallel to and opposite one another, a minor side wall 124, a first opening 125, opposite the minor side wall 124, and a second opening 125b, adjacent to the bottom wall 121 and opposite the top wall 122.

Through the first opening 125 and the second opening 125b the inner container 104 is slidably mounted.

Also, the aforesaid hinge 150 is obtained in the bottom wall 109 of the inner container 104 and rotatably connects the bottom wall 121 of the outer container 105 to the wall 109 of the inner container 104.

As a result, the difference between the packet 1 of cigarettes illustrated in Figures 1 -3 and the packet 101 of cigarettes illustrated in Figures 6-9 is the fact that in the packet 101 the inner container 104 is hinged on, i.e. connected to the outer container 105 at the hinge 150, whereas in the packet 1 the inner container 4 is only inserted inside the outer container 5 without there, however, being any type of reciprocal connection between the two containers 4, 5.

Owing to this difference, in the packet 101 the sliding between the two containers occurs by means of rotation around the hinge 150, whereas in the packet 1 the sliding between the two containers 4, 5 occurs by means of a linear movement.

Also, between each major side wall 123 and the minor side wall 124 there are defined two longitudinal edges 126, and between each side wall 123, 124 and the walls 121, 122 there are defined six transversal edges 127.

The four longitudinal edges 119 of the inner container 104, the two longitudinal edges 126 of the outer container 105, the transversal edges 120 of the inner container 104 and the transversal edges 127 of the outer container 105 are of rectilinear type.

According to a different embodiment that is not illustrated, the four longitudinal edges 119 of the inner container 104 and the two longitudinal edges 126 of the outer container 105 are of non rectilinear rounded type, whereas all the transversal edges 120, 127 are rectilinear. Further, according to a further embodiment that is not illustrated, some transversal edges 120 of the inner container 104 and/or some transversal edges 127 of the outer container 105 are non rectilinear edges of rounded type.

When the inner container 104 is arranged in the closed position, each side wall 110-112 of the inner container 104 faces and is aligned with a corresponding side wall 123, 124 of the outer container 105.

The minor side wall 124 of the outer container 105 has a hole 128, which has a shape and dimensions that are such as to enable a finger of a user to pass through; the object of the hole 128 is to facilitate the extraction of the inner container 104 from the outer container 105, enabling the user to exert a thrust on the bottom minor side wall 111 of the inner container 104 facing the hole 128 when the inner container 104 is in the closed position so as to slide the inner container 104 to its open position.

According to a different embodiment that is not illustrated, each major side wall 123 of the outer container 105 has a respective recess near the opening 125; the main purpose of such recesses is to facilitate the extraction of the inner container 104 from the outer container 105 starting from the closed position, enabling the user to grasp and pull the major side walls 110 of the inner container 104.

The outer container 105 further has an inner wall 130 connected to a top end of a major side wall 123 along a transversal edge 127 and folded inwards the outer container 105 below the top wall 122 of the outer container 105, so as to form an inner part of the top wall 122. In this manner the inner wall 130 is positioned between the top wall 122 of the outer container 105 and the inner container 104.

The inner wall 130 has at least one through incision or slot, 131, of substantially rectangular shape, comprising a couple of transversal rims 131b arranged for interacting with the tab 113 of the inner container 104.

In particular, the slot 131 forms a depression at the top wall 122 of the outer container 105, this depression having a depth that is equal to the thickness of the inner wall 130.

When the inner container 104 is in the closed position, the tab 113 of the inner container 104 is positioned outside the depression formed by the slot 131 and does not interact with the rims 131b of the slot 131.

By moving the inner container 104 from the closed position to the open position, the tab 113 of the inner container 104 enters and exits the depression formed by the slot 131 and interacts with the rims 13 lb of the slot 131 to produce a sound.

Similarly, when the inner container 104 is moved from the open position to the closed position, a further sound is produced by the interaction between the tab 113 and the rims 131b of the slot 131.

This second sound can be the same as or different from the sound produced during the opening of the packet 101.

According to a different embodiment that is not illustrated, the minor bottom wall 111 of the inner container 104 has one tab projecting downwards from the inner container 104. In this embodiment the outer container 105 has an inner wall, comprising at least one through incision or slot, including a couple of transversal rims 131b arranged for interacting with the aforesaid tab, the inner wall being connected to a bottom end of a major side wall 123 along a transversal edge 127 and being folded towards the inside of the outer container 105 above the bottom wall 121 of the outer container 105, so as to form an inner part of the bottom wall 121.

According to a further embodiment that is not illustrated, the minor bottom wall 111 of the inner container 104 has a couple of tabs projecting respectively upwards and downwards from the inner container 104. In this further embodiment the outer container 105 has a couple of inner walls, each comprising at least one through incision or slot, including a couple of transversal rims 131b arranged for interacting with a respective tab, the inner walls being connected respectively to a top end and to a bottom end of a major side wall 123 along respective transversal edges 127 and being folded to the inside of the outer container 105 respectively below the top wall 122 and above the bottom wall 121 of the outer container 105, so as to form respectively an inner part of the top wall 122 and an inner part of the bottom wall 121.

According to another embodiment that is not illustrated, the inner wall, comprising at least one through incision or slot, including a couple of transversal rims 131b arranged for interacting with the aforesaid tab, is connected to a top end of the minor side wall 124 along a transversal edge 127 and is folded towards the inside of the outer container 105 below the top wall 122 of the outer container 105, so as to form an inner part of the top wall 122. According to another further embodiment that is not illustrated, the inner wall, comprising at least one through incision or slot, including a couple of transversal rims 131b arranged for interacting with the aforesaid tab, is connected to a bottom end of the minor side wall 124 along a transversal edge 127 and is folded towards the inside of the outer container 105 above the bottom wall 121 of the outer container 105, so as to form an inner part of the bottom wall 121.

According to another embodiment that is not illustrated, a couple of inner walls is provided, each comprising at least one through incision or slot, including a couple of transversal rims 131b arranged for interacting with a respective tab, the inner walls being connected respectively to a top end and to a bottom end of the minor side wall 124 along a transversal edge 127 and being folded to the inside of the outer container 105 respectively below the top wall 122 and above the bottom wall 121 of the outer container 105, so as to form respectively an inner part of the top wall 122 and an inner part of the bottom wall 121.

According to a still other embodiment that is not illustrated, the through incision or slot, is obtained in the minor side wall 124 of the outer container 105 above and/or below the hole 128. More precisely, in this embodiment the through incision or slot, is obtained in one or both the end portions of the minor side wall 124 that are near respective transversal edges 127. In this embodiment, the minor bottom wall 111 of the inner container 104 has one or more respective tabs projecting outside the inner container 104 towards the minor side wall 124 of the outer container 105, these one or more tabs extending in a plane transversal to a plane containing the minor side wall 124.

Also, from each major side wall 123 of the outer container 105 a couple of arresting and guiding tabs 132 also projects.

In particular, the arresting and guiding tabs 132 project towards the inside of the outer container 105 and are each arranged near the opening 125 of the outer container 105. The two arresting and guiding tabs 114 of the inner container 104 and the two arresting and guiding tabs 132 of the outer container 105 form an arresting and guiding member that limits the sliding, in particular the rotation, of the inner container 104 with respect to the outer container 105 so as to prevent the inner container 104 separating from the outer container 105, and in the meanwhile guides, in particular by through curved incisions 152 obtained in the arresting and guiding tabs 132, the rotation of the inner container 104 with respect to the outer container 105.

In particular, each tab 114 is arranged in a position that is such as to couple, by a machine operation, with the corresponding tab 132 such that during the extraction sliding of the inner container 104 from the outer container 105, separation of the inner container 104 from the outer container 105 is prevented and the rotation of the inner container 104 with respect to the outer container 105 is promoted.

According to what is illustrated in Figure 10, the inner container 104 is obtained from a corresponding flat blank 133, of substantially elongated rectangular shape, and the parts of which are indicated, where possible, with accented reference numbers that are the same as the reference numbers that distinguish the corresponding parts of the inner container 104. The blank 133 has longitudinal weakness lines 135, a couple of transversal intended separating lines 151, a plurality of transversal weakness lines 136 and transversal intended separating lines 108.

The transversal weakness lines 136, the transversal intended separating lines 151 and the transversal intended separating lines 108 define, between the longitudinal weakness lines 135, a panel 115' constituting an inner part of the top wall 115, a panel 116' constituting a side wall 116, a panel 110' constituting a major side wall 110, a panel 109' constituting the bottom wall 109, a panel 110" constituting the other major side wall 110, a panel 116" constituting the other side wall 116 and a panel 115" constituting an outer part of the top wall 115.

In particular, panels 116' and 116" are connected respectively to panel 110' and 110" by respective intended separating lines 108.

Panel 110' has a couple of flaps 111', 112', that are arranged on opposite sides of the panel 110', are separated from the panel 110' by the longitudinal weakness lines 135 and constitute respectively an inner part of the minor side wall 111 and an inner part of the minor side wall 112.

Panel 110" has a couple of flaps 11 1 ", 112", that are arranged on opposite sides of the panel 110", are separated from the panel 110" by the longitudinal weakness lines 135 and constitute respectively an outer part of the minor side wall 111 and an outer part of the minor side wall 112.

With the flap 111 ' a flap 113' constituting the tab 113 is connected.

Also, with the flaps 111' and 112' two further flaps 109" are connected that constitute an inner part of the bottom wall 109.

Inside each panel 110', 110" a respective tab 114 is obtained.

Each longitudinal weakness line 135 is intended to make a couple of longitudinal edges 119 of rectilinear type of the inner container 104.

Lastly, on the panel 109', the longitudinal weakness line 135 constitutes the hinge 150.

According to what is illustrated in Figure 11, the outer container 105 is obtained from a corresponding flat blank 137, of substantially rectangular shape, and the parts of which are indicated, where possible, with accented reference numbers that are the same as the reference numbers that distinguish the corresponding parts of the outer container 105. The blank 137 has two transversal weakness lines 138 and a plurality of longitudinal weakness lines 139, which define, between the two transversal weakness lines 138, a panel 123' constituting a major side wall 123, a panel 124' constituting the minor side wall 124 and a panel 123" constituting the other major side wall 123.

In particular, the panel 124' is separated from panels 123', 123" by two longitudinal weakness lines 139.

Panel 123' has a couple of flaps 121 ', 122' that are arranged on opposite sides of the panel 123', are separated from the panel 123' by the transversal weakness lines 138 and constitute an outer side respectively of the bottom wall 121 and of the top wall 122.

Panel 124' has a couple of flaps 121", 122" that are arranged on opposite sides of the panel 124', are separated from the panel 124' by the transversal weakness lines 138 and constitute respectively an inner part of the bottom wall 121 and an inner part of the top wall 122. Panel 123" has a couple of flaps 12 ", 130', that are arranged on opposite sides of the panel 123", are separated from the panel 123" by the transversal weakness lines 138 and constitute respectively an inner part of the bottom wall 121 and the inner wall 130.

In particular, in the flap 130' the at least one slot 131 is obtained.

According to what is illustrated, the flaps 121", 12 " and the flaps 122", 130', are shaped so as not to be superimposed on one another once they are folded against the flaps 121 ', 122' to define the walls 121, 122 of the outer container 105. The longitudinal weakness lines 139 that separate the panel 124' from the panels 123', 123" are intended to each make a longitudinal edge 126 of rectilinear type of the outer container 105.

Lastly, panels 123', 123" each have a respective flap, separated from the respective panel 123', 123" by a transversal weakness line 139, constituting a tab 132.

With reference to Figures 12-15, a version of the second embodiment of the invention is shown.

In this version, there is provided a hard packet of cigarettes 201 with sliding opening by a rotation movement.

The packet 201 comprises a wrapped group 202 of cigarettes, i.e. a group, which is not illustrated, of cigarettes wrapped in a sheet of metallised wrapping paper, or other material, and a hard outer case 203 made of paperboard, or similar materials, housing the group 202. The outer case 203 comprises, in turn, an inner container 204 of hard type, inside which the wrapped group 202 is directly placed, and an outer container 205 of hard type, which slidably houses the inner container 204 to enable the latter to slide with respect to the outer container 205 to move with a rotating movement around a hinge 250, disclosed below, between a closed position (Figure 12), wherein the inner container 204 is completely inserted in the outer container 205, and an open position (Figure 13), wherein the inner container 204 is partly outside the outer container 205 so as to enable a user to access the wrapped group 202.

The inner container 204 is of parallelepiped shape and has a containing body 206, in which the wrapped group 202 of cigarettes is housed, and a removable body 207, removably connected to the containing body 206 by intended separating lines 208 (Figure 16).

In particular, the containing body 206 has a bottom wall 209, two major side walls 210, that are parallel to and opposite one another, and two minor side walls 211, 212 that are parallel to and opposite one another and interposed between the major side walls 210.

In particular, the bottom wall 209 is partly connected, removably, to a major side wall 210 by intended separating lines 151 (Figure 16).

The minor side walls comprise a bottom minor side wall 211, positioned, in use, inside the packet 201 , and a top minor side wall 212, defining an outer wall of the packet 201.

In particular, the bottom minor side wall 211 has one tab 213, projecting upwards from the inner container 204, the function of which will be disclosed below.

The tab 213 has a substantially trapezoidal shape, with the major base connected to the bottom minor side wall 211.

Further, each of the major side walls 210 has cut out, near the bottom minor side wall 211, a respective arresting tab 214, that projects slightly outside the inner container 204.

On the other side, the removable body 207 has a top wall 215 and two side walls 216, the top wall 215 being interposed between the side walls 216.

In particular, the top wall 215 of the removable body 207 has a length, measured parallel to a minor side of the major side walls 210, less than that of the bottom wall 209 of the containing body 206, this contributing to define a top opening 217 in the inner container 204, next to the tab 213, by means of which the wrapped group 202 of cigarettes is visible.

According to a different embodiment that is not illustrated, the top wall 215 of the removable body 207 has a length, measured parallel to a minor side of the major side walls 210, that is substantially the same as that of the bottom wall 209 of the containing body 206.

Each of the side walls 216 of the removable body 207 is connected to a major side wall 210 of the containing body 206 by a respective intended separating line 208.

In use, after removing the removable body 207 from the containing body 206 an extracting opening is defined, which is not shown, which also extends to part of the major side walls

210 of the containing body 206, and is suitable for arranging itself, when the inner container

204 is in its open position, outside the outer container 205 to enable the cigarettes to be extracted from the inner container 204 by the user opening the casing of the wrapped group

202.

Also, between each major side wall 210 and each minor side wall 211, 212 there are defined four longitudinal edges 219, and between each side wall 210-212 and the walls 209, 215 there are defined seven transversal edges 120.

According to what is illustrated in Figures 12, 14 and 15, the outer container 215 is also of parallelepiped shape and has a bottom wall 221, a top wall 222, two major side walls 223 that are parallel to and opposite one another, a minor side wall 224, a first opening 225, opposite the minor side wall 224, and a second opening 225b, adjacent to the bottom wall 221 and opposite the top wall 222.

Through the first opening 225 and the second opening 225b the inner container 204 is mounted slidably.

Also, the aforesaid hinge 250 is obtained in the bottom wall 209 of the inner container 204 and rotatably connects the bottom wall 221 of the outer container 205 to the wall 209 of the inner container 204. As a result, the difference between the packet 1 of cigarettes illustrated in Figures 1-3 and the packet 201 of cigarettes illustrated in Figures 12-15 is the fact that in the packet 201 the inner container 204 is hinged on, i.e. connected to the outer container 205 at the hinge 250, whereas in the packet 1 the inner container 4 is only inserted inside the outer container 5 without there, however, being any type of reciprocal connection between the two containers 4, 5.

Owing to this difference, in the packet 201 the sliding between the two containers occurs by means of rotation around the hinge 250, whereas in the packet 1 the sliding between the two containers 4, 5occurs by means of a linear movement.

Also, between each major side wall 223 and the minor side wall 224 there are defined two longitudinal edges 226, and between each side wall 223, 224 and the walls 221, 222 there are defined six transversal edges 227.

The four longitudinal edges 219 of the inner container 204, the two longitudinal edges 226 of the outer container 205, the transversal edges 220 of the inner container 204 and the transversal edges 227 of the outer container 205 are of rectilinear type.

According to a different embodiment that is not illustrated, the four longitudinal edges 219 of the inner container 204 and the two longitudinal edges 226 of the outer container 205 are of non rectilinear rounded type, whereas all the transversal edges 220, 227 are rectilinear. Further, according to a further embodiment that is not illustrated, some transversal edges 220 of the inner container 204 and/or some transversal edges 227 of the outer container 205 are non rectilinear edges of rounded type.

When the inner container 204 is arranged in the closed position, each side wall 210-212 of the inner container 204 faces and is aligned with a corresponding side wall 223, 224 of the outer container 205.

The minor side wall 224 of the outer container 205 has a hole 228, which has a shape and dimensions that are such as to enable a finger of a user to pass through; the object of the hole 228 is to facilitate the extraction of the inner container 204 from the outer container 205, enabling the user to exert a thrust on the bottom minor side wall 211 of the inner container 204 facing the hole 228 when the inner container 204 is in the closed position so as to slide the inner container 204 to the open position.

According to a different embodiment that is not illustrated, each major side wall 223 of the outer container 205 has a respective recess near the opening 225; the main purpose of such recesses is to facilitate the extraction of the inner container 204 from the outer container 205 starting from the closed position, enabling the user to grasp and pull the major side walls 210 of the inner container 204.

The outer container 205 further has an inner wall 230 connected to a top end of a major side wall 223 along a transversal edge 227 and folded inwards the outer container 205 below the top wall 222 of the outer container 205, so as to form an inner part of the top wall 222.

In this manner, the inner wall 230 is positioned between the top wall 222 of the outer container 205 and the inner container 204.

The inner wall 230 has at least one through incision or slot, 231, of substantially rectangular shape, comprising a couple of transversal rims 23 lb arranged for interacting with the tab 213 of the inner container 204.

In particular, the slot 231 forms a depression at the top wall 222 of the outer container 205, this depression having a depth that is equal to the thickness of the inner wall 230.

When the inner container 204 is in the closed position, the tab 213 of the inner container 204 is positioned outside the depression formed by the slot 231 and does not interact with the rims 231b of the slot 231.

By moving the inner container 204 from the closed position to the open position, the tab 213 of the inner container 204 enters and exits the depression formed by the slot 231 and interacts with the rims 23 lb of the slot 231 to produce a sound.

Similarly, when the inner container 204 is moved from the open position to the closed position, a further sound is produced by the interaction between the tab 213 and the rims 231b of the slot 231.

This second sound can be the same as or different from the sound produced during the opening of the packet 201.

According to a different embodiment that is not illustrated, the bottom minor wall 211 of the inner container 204 has a tab projecting downwards from the inner container 204. In this embodiment the outer container 205 has an inner wall, comprising at least one through incision or slot, including a couple of transversal rims 231b arranged for interacting with the aforesaid tab, the inner wall being connected to a bottom end of a major side wall 223 along a transversal edge 227 and being folded towards the inside of the outer container 205 above the bottom wall 221 of the outer container 205, so as to form an inner part of the bottom wall 221.

According to a further embodiment that is not illustrated, the bottom minor wall 211 of the inner container 204 has a couple of tabs projecting respectively upwards and downwards from the inner container 204. In this further embodiment the outer container 205 has a couple of inner walls, each comprising at least one through incision or slot, including a couple of transversal rims 23 lb arranged for interacting with a respective tab, the inner walls being connected respectively to a top end and to a bottom end of a major side wall 223 along respective transversal edges 227 and being folded to the inside of the outer container 205 respectively below the top wall 222 and above the bottom wall 221 of the outer container 205, so as to form respectively an inner part of the top wall 222 and an inner part of the bottom wall 221.

According to another embodiment that is not illustrated, the inner wall, comprising at least one through incision or slot, including a couple of transversal rims 231b arranged for interacting with the aforesaid tab, is connected to a top end of the minor side wall 224 along a transversal edge 227 and is folded towards the inside of the outer container 205 below the top wall 222 of the outer container 205, so as to form an inner part of the top wall 222. According to another further embodiment that is not illustrated, the inner wall, comprising at least one through incision or slot, including a couple of transversal rims 231b arranged for interacting with the aforesaid tab, is connected to a bottom end of the minor side wall 224 along a transversal edge 227 and is folded towards the inside of the outer container 205 above the bottom wall 221 of the outer container 205, so as to form an inner part of the bottom wall 221.

According to another embodiment that is not illustrated, a couple of inner walls is provided, each comprising at least one through incision or slot, including a couple of transversal rims 231b arranged for interacting with a respective tab, the inner walls being connected respectively to a top end and to a bottom end of the minor side wall 224 along a transversal edge 227 and being folded to the inside of the outer container 205 respectively below the top wall 222 and above the bottom wall 221 of the outer container 205, so as to form respectively an inner part of the top wall 222 and an inner part of the bottom wall 221.

According to a still other embodiment that is not illustrated, the through incision or slot, is obtained in the minor side wall 224 of the outer container 205 above and/or below the hole 228. More precisely, in this embodiment the through incision or slot, is obtained in one or both the end portions of the minor side wall 224 that are near respective transversal edges 227. In this embodiment, the bottom minor wall 211 of the inner container 204 has one or more respective tabs projecting outside the inner container 204 towards the minor side wall plane containing the minor side wall 224.

Also, from each major side wall 223 of the outer container 205 also a couple of arresting tabs 232 projects.

In particular, the arresting tabs 232 project towards the inside of the outer container 205 and are each arranged near the opening 225 of the outer container 205.

The two arresting tabs 214 of the inner container 204 and the two arresting tabs 232 of the outer container 105 form an arresting member that limits the sliding, in particular the rotation, of the inner container 204 with respect to the outer container 205 so as to prevent the inner container 204 from being separated from the outer container 205.

In particular, each tab 214 is arranged in a position that is such as to couple with the corresponding tab 232 such that during the extraction sliding of the inner container 204 from the outer container 205, separation of the inner container 204 from the outer container 205 is prevented and the rotation of the inner container 204 with respect to the outer container 205 is promoted.

According to what is illustrated in Figure 16 the inner container 204 is obtained from a corresponding flat blank 233, of substantially elongated rectangular shape, and the parts of which are indicated, where possible, with accented reference numbers that are the same as the reference numbers that distinguish the corresponding parts of the inner container 204. The blank 233 has longitudinal weakness lines 235, a couple of transversal intended separating lines 251, a plurality of transversal weakness lines 236 and transversal intended separating lines 208.

The transversal weakness lines 236, the transversal intended separating lines 251 and the transversal intended separating lines 208 define, between the longitudinal weakness lines 235, a panel 215' constituting an inner part of the top wall 215, a panel 216' constituting a side wall 216, a panel 210' constituting a major side wall 210, a panel 209' constituting the bottom wall 209, a panel 210" constituting the other major side wall 210, a panel 216" constituting the other side wall 216 and a panel 215" constituting an outer part of the top wall 215.

In particular, panels 216' and 216" are connected respectively to panel 210' and 210" by respective intended separating lines 208.

Panel 210' has a couple of flaps 211 ', 212', that are arranged on opposite sides of the panel 210', are separated from the panel 210' by the longitudinal weakness lines 235 and constitute respectively an inner part of the minor side wall 211 and an inner part of the minor side wall 212.

Panel 210" has a couple of flaps 211", 212", that are arranged on opposite sides of the panel 210", are separated from the panel 210" by the longitudinal weakness lines 235 and constitute respectively an outer part of the minor side wall 211 and an outer part of the minor side wall 212.

To the flap 211 ' a flap 213' constituting the tab 213 is connected.

Also, to the flaps 211 ' and 212' two further flaps 209" are connected that constitute an inner part of the bottom wall 209.

Within each panel 210', 210" a respective tab 214 is obtained.

Each longitudinal weakness line 235 is intended to make a couple of longitudinal edges 219 of rectilinear type of the inner container 204.

Lastly, on the panel 209', the longitudinal weakness line 235 constitutes the hinge 250. According to what is illustrated in Figure 17, the outer container 205 is obtained from a corresponding flat blank 237, of substantially rectangular shape, and the parts of which are indicated, where possible, with accented reference numbers that are the same as the reference numbers that distinguish the corresponding parts of the outer container 205. The blank 237 has two transversal weakness lines 238 and a plurality of longitudinal weakness lines 239, which define, between the two transversal weakness lines 238, a panel 223' constituting a major side wall 223, a panel 224' constituting the minor side wall 224 and a panel 223 ' ' constituting the other major side wall 223.

In particular, the panel 224' is separated from panels 223', 223" by two longitudinal weakness lines 239.

Panel 223' has a couple of flaps 221 ', 222' that are arranged on opposite sides of the panel 223', are separated from the panel 223' by the transversal weakness lines 238 and constitute an outer part respectively of the bottom wall 221 and of the top wall 222.

Panel 224' has a couple of flaps 221", 222" that are arranged on opposite sides of the panel 224', are separated from the panel 224' by the transversal weakness lines 238 and constitute respectively an inner part of the bottom wall 221 and an inner part of the top wall 222. Panel 223" has a couple of flaps 221 "', 230', that are arranged on opposite sides of the panel 223", are separated from the panel 223" by the transversal weakness lines 238 and constitute respectively an inner part of the bottom wall 221 and the inner wall 230.

In particular, in the flap 230' is obtained at least one slot 231.

According to what is illustrated, the flaps 221", 221 "' and the flaps 222", 230', are shaped so as not to be superimposed on one another once they are folded against the flaps 221 ', 222' to define the walls 221 , 222 of the outer container 205.

The longitudinal weakness lines 239 that separate panel 224' from panels 223', 223" are each intended to make a longitudinal edge 226 of rectilinear type of the outer container 205. Lastly, panels 223', 223" each have a respective flap, separated from the respective panel 223', 223" by a transversal weakness line 239, constituting one tab 232.

The packets of cigarettes 1, 101, 201 disclosed above have numerous advantages, inasmuch as they are simple and cheap to make and above all because they enable a sound to be produced during movement of the inner container 4, 104, 204 from the closed position to the open position, having the best acoustic properties and thus being easily audible by a user. This is because the sound is substantially produced at the minor walls 21, 22, 121, 122, 124, 221, 222, 224 of the outer container 5, 105, 205, i.e. at zones of the packets 1, 101, 201 that are not engaged by the hands of the user during opening/closing of the packets 1 , 101 , 201. In other words, the sound produced during opening/closing of the packets 1, 101, 201 is not deadened by the pressure exerted by the hands on the packets 1, 101, 201, this significantly improving the quality of the sound that is perceptible by the user.

Following the numerous advantages offered by the packets 1, 101m 201 of cigarettes disclosed above, the shapes of such packets 1, 101, 201 can be entirely used also to make other hard containers for smoke articles, such as, for example, a packet for cigars.

Claims

1. Package (1; 101; 201) of smoke articles comprising:

an inner container (4; 104; 204), which houses a group (2; 102; 202) of smoke articles; and an outer container (5; 105; 205) comprising two major walls (23; 123; 223) opposite one another, and three minor walls (21, 22, 24; 121, 122, 124; 221, 222, 224) connecting the major walls (23; 123; 223), the interior of the outer container (5; 105; 205) slidably housing the inner container (4; 104; 204) in such a manner as to enable the inner container (4; 104; 204) to slide, with respect to the outer container (5; 105; 205), between a closed position, wherein the inner container (4; 104; 204) is inserted inside the outer container (5; 105; 205), and an open position wherein the inner container (4; 104; 204) is partly outside the outer container (5; 105; 205);

the package (1; 101; 201) is characterised in that the outer container (5; 105; 205) comprises at least one slot (31; 131 ; 231 ) obtained in at least one of the minor walls (21 , 22, 24; 121, 122, 124; 221, 222, 224) and by the fact that the inner container (4; 104; 204) comprises at least one tab (13; 113; 213) projecting outside the inner container (4; 104; 204) in such a manner as to interact with the at least one slot (31; 131; 231) to produce a sound during movement of the inner container (4; 104; 204) between the closed position and the open position.

2. Package (1; 101; 201) according to claim 1, wherein the minor (21, 22, 24; 121, 122, 124; 221 , 222, 224) walls comprise a top wall (22; 122; 222), a bottom wall (21 ; 121 ; 221 ) and a side wall (24; 124; 224) of the outer container (5; 105; 205) and wherein the major walls comprise side walls (23; 123; 223) of the outer container (5; 105; 205).

3. Package (1; 101; 201) according to claim 1, or 2, wherein the at least one slot (31; 131; 231 ) is obtained in an inner part of the top wall (22; 122; 222) and/or of the bottom wall (21 ; 121; 221).

4. Package (1 ; 101 ; 201) according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one slot (31 ; 131 ; 231 ) is positioned near a minor transversal edge (27; 127; 227) of the outer container (5; 105; 205).

5. Package (1; 101; 201) according to any preceding claim, wherein the outer container (5; 105 ; 205) comprises at least two slots (31; 131 ; 231 ), at least one obtained in a wall (21, 121,

221; 22, 122, 222; 24, 124, 224) of the minor (21, 22, 24; 121, 122, 124; 221, 222, 224) walls and at least another one obtained in another wall (21 , 121 , 221 ; 22, 122, 222; 24, 124, 224) of the minor (21, 22, 24; 121, 122, 124; 221, 222, 224) walls, and wherein the inner container (4; 104; 204) comprises two tabs (13; 113; 213) projecting outside the inner container (4; 104; 204) in such a manner that each interacts with the respective slot (31; 131; 231) to produce a sound during movement of the inner container (4; 104; 204) between the closed position and the open position.

6. Package (1; 101; 201) according to any preceding claim, wherein the outer container (5; 105; 205) comprises at least three slots (31; 131; 231), at least one obtained in a wall (21, 121, 221; 22, 122, 222; 24, 124, 224) of the minor (21, 22, 24; 121, 122, 124; 221, 222, 224) walls, at least another one obtained in another wall (21 , 121 , 221 ; 22, 122, 222; 24, 124, 224) of the minor (21, 22, 24; 121, 122, 124; 221, 222, 224) walls, and at least a still other obtained in a remaining wall (21, 121, 221; 22, 122, 222; 24, 124, 224) of the minor (21, 22, 24; 121, 122, 124; 221, 222, 224) walls, and wherein the inner container (4; 104; 204) comprises three tabs (13; 113; 213) projecting outside the inner container (4; 104; 204) in such a manner that each interacts with the respective slot (31; 131 ; 231) to produce a sound during movement of the inner container (4; 104; 204) between the closed position and the open position.

7. Package (1; 101; 201) according to any preceding claim, wherein the slots (31; 131; 231) and the tabs (13; 113; 213) have substantially the same respective shape.

8. Package (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the inner container (4) is slidable by linear movement with respect to the outer container between the closed position and the open position.

9. A package (101; 201) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the inner container (104; 201) is slidable by rotation around a hinge (150; 250) with respect to the outer container (105; 205) between the closed position and the open position.

10. Package (1; 101; 201) according to any preceding claim, wherein the inner container (4; 104; 204) and the outer container (5; 105; 205) are formed by folding respective blanks (33, 133, 233; 37, 137, 237).