Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SLIDE -OPEN PACKET OF CIGARETTES WITH A RECLOSABLE
ADHESIVE PANEL
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a slide-open
packet of cigarettes with a reclosable adhesive panel.
BACKGROUND ART
A conventional rigid, hinged-lid packet of
cigarettes comprises a foil inner package completely
enclosing a group of cigarettes; and an outer package
enclosing the inner package and having a hinged lid.
To better preserve the organoleptic
characteristics of the cigarette tobacco, a sealed
inner package has recently been proposed, which is
formed by folding and heat-sealing a sheet of
impermeable packing material. To extract the
cigarettes, the sealed inner package has an extraction
opening which is normally covered with a reclosable,
i.e. 'open & close' adhesive panel coated with non-
dry, re-stick adhesive.
To extract a cigarette from the packet, the
hinged lid must first be opened to access the adhesive
panel underneath, which must then be pulled up to
uncover the extraction opening for access to the
cigarettes. The hinged lid, however, has been found to
obstruct (i.e. complicate) opening and closing of the
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adhesive panel, by restricting the 'manoeuvring' space
at the top of the packet.
Patent Applications W00001594A1, W00230790A2 and
W09849072A1 describe packets of cigarettes, each
having: a group of cigarettes; a soft inner package
enclosing the group of cigarettes and having an
extraction opening at a front wall and top wall of the
inner package; a reclosable adhesive panel, which
covers the extraction opening and is superimposed on
the front wall and top wall of the inner package; and
a rigid outer package, with respect to which the inner
package is slidable between a withdrawn position, in
which the inner package is inserted fully inside the
outer package, and an extracted position, in which the
inner package is extracted partly and projects from
the outer package.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to
provide a slide-open packet of cigarettes with a
reclosable adhesive panel, designed to eliminate the
above drawbacks, and which at the same time is cheap
and easy to produce.
According to the present invention, there is
provided a slide-open packet of cigarettes with a
reclosable adhesive panel, as claimed in the
accompanying Claims.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A number of non-limiting embodiments of the
present invention will be described by way of example
with reference to the attached drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a front view in perspective of a
slide-open packet of cigarettes in accordance with the
present invention in a closed configuration;
Figure 2 shows a rear view in perspective of the
Figure 1 packet of cigarettes in a closed
configuration;
Figure 3 shows a front view in perspective of the
Figure 1 packet of cigarettes in a partly open
configuration;
Figure 4 shows a front view in perspective of the
Figure 1 packet of cigarettes in a fully open
configuration;
Figures 5 and 6 show partly sectioned schematics
of the Figure 1 packet of cigarettes with the inner
package in two different positions;
Figure 7 shows a sheet of packing material from
which to form an inner package of the Figure 1 packet
of cigarettes;
Figure 8 shows the Figure 7 sheet of packing
material with a reclosable adhesive panel, and with a
flexible stop strip defining a stop device;
Figure 9 shows a view in perspective of a group
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of cigarettes contained inside an inner package of the
Figure 1 packet of cigarettes;
Figures 10 and 11 show views in perspective of an
inner stiffener contained inside an inner package of
the Figure 1 packet of cigarettes;
Figure 12 shows a blank from which to form the
inner stiffener in Figures 10 and 11;
Figure 13 shows a blank from which to form an
outer package of the Figure 1 packet of cigarettes;
Figures 14-17 show alternative embodiments of the
Figure 13 blank;
Figure 18 shows a front view in perspective of a
variation of the Figure 1 packet of cigarettes in a
partly open configuration;
Figures 19 and 20 show partly sectioned
schematics of the Figure 18 packet of cigarettes with
the inner package in two different positions;
Figure 21 shows a blank from which to form an
outer stiffener enclosing an inner package of the
Figure 18 packet of cigarettes;
Figure 22 shows an alternative embodiment of the
Figure 21 blank;
Figures 23 and 24 show further embodiments of the
Figure 21 blank;
Figure 25 shows a front view in perspective of a
further slide-open packet of cigarettes in accordance
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with the present invention in a closed configuration;
Figure 26 shows a front view in perspective of
the Figure 25 packet of cigarettes in a fully open
configuration;
5 Figure 27 shows a sheet of packing material from
which to form an inner package of the Figure 25 packet
of cigarettes, and with a reclosable adhesive panel,
and a flexible stop strip defining a stop device;
Figure 28 shows a blank from which to form an
outer package of the Figure 25 packet of cigarettes;
Figures 29 and 30 show schematic views in
perspective of a variation of the Figure 1 packet of
cigarettes with the inner package in two different
positions;
Figure 31 shows a plan view of a stop strip of
the Figure 29 and 30 packet of cigarettes;
Figures 32 and 33 show schematic views in
perspective of a variation of the Figure 18 packet of
cigarettes with the inner package in two different
positions;
Figures 34 and 35 show schematic side views of
the Figure 32 and 33 packet of cigarettes with the
inner package in two different positions;
Figure 36 shows a blank from which to form an
outer stiffener enclosing an inner package of the
Figure 32 and 33 packet of cigarettes.
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PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
Number 1 in Figures 1-4 indicates as a whole a
slide-open packet of cigarettes. Packet 1 of
cigarettes comprises a rigid outer package 2 (i.e.
made of rigid packing material); and a soft inner
package 3 (shown partly in Figures 5 and 6) housed
inside outer package 2 and enclosing a parallelepiped-
shaped group 4 of cigarettes (shown in Figure 9).
As shown in Figures 5 and 6, inner package 3 is
parallelepiped-shaped, and comprises a top wall 5 and
an opposite, parallel bottom wall 6; a front wall 7
and an opposite, parallel rear wall 8; and two
opposite, parallel lateral walls 9.
Inner package 3 is formed by folding a sheet 10
(Figures 7 and 8) of foil (i.e. soft, non-rigid)
packing material about group 4 of cigarettes.
Inner package 3 comprises a cigarette extraction
opening 11 (Figure 4) located at top wall 5 and front
wall 7 and bounded by a dividing line 12. Dividing
line 12 may either be separate from the rest of inner
package from the outset, or may be a tear line
(typically a perforated line) which is torn completely
the first time packet 1 of cigarettes is opened.
Generally speaking, dividing line 12 is preferably a
tear line to simplify handling of sheet 10 of packing
material when forming inner package 3.
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As shown in Figures 10 and 11, inner package 3
comprises a U-shaped, rigid inner stiffener 13 made of
cardboard and located inside inner package 3, directly
contacting group 4 of cigarettes. Inner stiffener 13
comprises a rectangular front wall 14; two lateral
walls 15 on opposite sides of front wall 14; and a
bottom wall 16. Front wall 14 of inner stiffener 13
has a U-shaped top window 17 located at extraction
opening 11 of inner package 3. In a different
embodiment not shown, bottom wall 16 of inner
stiffener 13 positively reproduces the shape of window
17. Inner stiffener 13 serves to increase the rigidity
and maintain the shape of inner package 3, so as to
prevent inner package 3 from collapsing after some of
the cigarettes are extracted, thus making it difficult
to extract the remaining cigarettes and, in
particular, to open and close an adhesive panel
(described in detail below).
As shown in Figures 1-4, outer package 2 is
parallelepiped-shaped, and comprises an open top end
and an opposite, parallel bottom wall 18; a front wall
19 and an opposite, parallel rear wall 20; and two
opposite, parallel lateral walls 21. In other words,
outer package 2 (with no lid) surrounds inner package
3 on five sides, leaving top wall 5 of inner package 3
exposed at all times. Outer package 2 is formed by
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folding a blank 22 (Figure 13) about inner package 3.
Blank 22 is made of cardboard, i.e. rigid packing
material, which must be creased beforehand along the
fold lines. As shown in Figure 13, blank 22 comprises
a number of parts, which are indicated, when possible,
using the same reference numbers, with superscripts,
as for the corresponding parts of outer package 2.
As shown in Figures 1-4, packet 1 of cigarettes
comprises a reclosable, i.e. 'open & close', adhesive
panel 23, which covers extraction opening 11 of inner
package 3 and is therefore superimposed on rear wall
8, top wall 5, and front wall 7 of inner package 3.
Adhesive panel 23 is coated with non-dry, re-stick
(i.e. permanently tacky) adhesive, i.e. adhesive
which, even over a long period of time, allows parts
to be separated and stuck back together again. So
adhesive panel 23 normally adheres to inner package 3
to close (seal) extraction opening 11, and can be
detached temporarily from inner package 3 to expose,
and so extract a cigarette through, extraction opening
11.
The non-dry, re-stick adhesive between adhesive
panel 23 and inner package 3 glues the portion of
inner package 3 inside dividing line 12 (i.e. at
extraction opening 11) permanently (i.e. non-
detachably, even in use) to adhesive panel 23. So,
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when adhesive panel 23 is lifted off inner package 3,
the portion of inner package 3 inside dividing line 12
(i.e. at extraction opening 11), is raised together
with adhesive panel 23 to expose extraction opening
11. Moreover, the non-dry, re-stick adhesive between
adhesive panel 23 and inner package 3 glues the
portion of inner package 3 surrounding dividing line
12 (i.e. surrounding extraction opening 11)
temporarily (i.e. detachably in use) to adhesive panel
23, so adhesive panel 23 is normally maintained
contacting inner package 3 to close (seal) extraction
opening 11.
Adhesive panel 23 has a grip tab 24, which has no
adhesive, is located beneath extraction opening 11,
and serves to grip and lift adhesive panel 23 more
easily. In other words, to lift adhesive panel 23, the
user simply grips grip tab 24, which, unlike the rest
of adhesive panel 23, is in no way fixed to inner
package 3.
As shown in Figures 3 and 4, inner package 3 is
slidable, with respect to outer package 2, between a
withdrawn position (Figures 1 and 2), in which inner
package 3 is inserted completely inside outer package
2, and an extracted position (Figures 3 and 4), in
which inner package 3 is partly extracted and projects
from outer package 2. This, i.e. allowing inner
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package 3 to slide with respect to outer package 2, is
achieved by avoiding any type of rigid mechanical
connection (in particular, spots of glue) between
inner package 3 and outer package 2.
5 To allow inner package 3 to slide smoothly with
respect to outer package 2, adhesive-free grip tab 24
is folded 1800 onto adhesive panel 23 when inner
package 3 is in the withdrawn position (Figures 1 and
2), i.e. when inner package 3 is inserted inside outer
10 package 2. More specifically, when inner package 3 is
in the withdrawn position (Figures 1 and 2), grip tab
24 is folded 180 onto adhesive panel 23 (i.e. is
superimposed on and contacting adhesive panel 23),
whereas, when inner package 3 is in the extracted
position (Figures 3 and 4), grip tab 24 may spring
back slightly away from adhesive panel 23 (i.e. may be
folded slightly less than 1800 with respect to
adhesive panel 23). This springback of grip tab 24
slightly away from adhesive panel 23 when inner
package 3 is in the extracted position (Figures 3 and
4) is beneficial, by making grip tab 24 easier to
grip.
In one embodiment shown in Figure 13, front wall
19 of outer package 2 has a flap 19" hinged to a top
edge of front wall 19, and which is folded 180
inwards, i.e. onto the inner surface of front wall 19.
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One possible function of flap 19" on front wall 19 is
to 'flip', i.e. fold, grip tab 24 of adhesive panel 23
(roughly) 180 as inner package 3 is extracted from
outer package 2 and moved from the withdrawn position
(Figures 1 and 2) to the extracted position (Figures 3
and 4). In other words, when inner package 3 is in the
withdrawn position (Figures 1 and 2), grip tab 24 is
folded 1800 onto (i.e. is superimposed on) adhesive
panel 23; and, as inner package 3 is extracted, grip
tab 24 is engaged by flap 19" on front wall 19 of
outer package 2 and, as a result, is folded (roughly)
180 onto inner package 3 (i.e. away from adhesive
panel 23). Obviously, on being released (i.e.
detaching) from flap 19" on front wall 19 of outer
package 2, grip tab 24 tends to spring back 'sharply'
(i.e. rapidly) to its position folded towards adhesive
panel 23, and, as it does so, produces a 'clicking'
noise. In other words, each time packet 1 of
cigarettes is opened, i.e. whenever inner package 3 is
extracted from outer package 2, this is accompanied by
a 'click' clearly audible by the user, and which is
popular with consumers by 'confirming' proper closure
of packet 1 of cigarettes.
In other words, when engaged by flap 19" on front
wall 19 of outer package 2 as inner package 3 is
extracted, grip tab 24 is first folded (deformed) the
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opposite way until it is released (i.e. detaches) from
flap 19" on front wall 19 of outer package 2 and
springs back 'sharply' (i.e. rapidly) with a 'click'.
It is important to note that, to engage grip tab
24 as inner package 3 is extracted, flap 19" must be
of limited length (i.e. must be shorter than as shown
in Figure 13), so that the free edge of flap 19" is
higher than the free edge of grip tab 24 when inner
package 3 is in the withdrawn position (Figures 1 and
2), i.e. if the free edge of flap 19" is lower than
the free edge of grip tab 24 when inner package 3 is
in the withdrawn position (Figures 1 and 2), flap 19"
will never be able to engage grip tab 24 as inner
package 3 is extracted. Therefore, by appropriately
sizing flap 19", it is possible to choose whether or
not to engage grip tab 24 by flap 19" as inner package
3 is extracted.
Outer package 2 has two through windows 25, each
of which is formed astride a longitudinal edge between
front wall 19 and a respective lateral wall 21 of
outer package 2 to expose front wall 7 and a
respective lateral wall 9 of inner package 3
underneath. Through windows 25 allow access to inner
package 3 underneath, to push inner package 3 between
the withdrawn position (Figures 1 and 2) and the
extracted position (Figures 3 and 4). In other words,
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through windows 25 allow the user to exert thrust on
inner package 3 to push it between the withdrawn
position (Figures 1 and 2) and the extracted position
(Figures 3 and 4). Obviously, one through window 25
(as opposed to two separate through windows 25) may be
provided, or through windows 25 may be located
elsewhere (e.g. in bottom wall 18 of outer package 2).
However, the Figure 1-4 location of through windows 25
(i.e. astride respective longitudinal edges of front
wall 19 of outer package 2) is more advantageous, in
that, in these areas, inner package 3 underneath is
made mechanically stronger by the longitudinal edges
of inner stiffener 13, and therefore easier to exert
thrust on. In other words, the pressure applied on the
longitudinal edges of front wall 7 of inner package 3
is counteracted by the longitudinal edges of inner
stiffener 13, and so produces no significant
deformation of inner package 3, which is therefore
easier to slide with respect to outer package 2.
In one possible embodiment, the outer surface of
inner package 3 has embossing, which may be of
different types, i.e. the outer surface of inner
package 3 has a first type of embossing to increase
longitudinal friction (i.e. in the longitudinal
sliding direction) at through windows 25, and a second
type of embossing to reduce longitudinal friction
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(i.e. in the longitudinal sliding direction) outside
through windows 25. For example, the first type of
embossing may comprise mostly crosswise embossed lines
(i.e. perpendicular to the longitudinal sliding
direction) to produce greater longitudinal friction
(i.e. in the longitudinal sliding direction) with
respect to the non-embossed surface. Whereas the
second type of embossing may comprise mostly
longitudinal embossed lines (i.e. parallel to the
longitudinal sliding direction) to produce less
longitudinal friction (i.e. in the longitudinal
sliding direction) with respect to the non-embossed
surface. The first type of embossing at through
windows 25 makes it easier to exert thrust on inner
package 3 and, there being no mechanical interaction
between inner package 3 and outer package 2 at through
windows 25, does not impede slide of inner package 3
with respect to outer package 2. Whereas the second
type of embossing outside through windows 25 enhances
slide of inner package 3 with respect to outer package
2.
A preferred embodiment shown in Figures 5 and 6
comprises a stop device for arresting slide of inner
package 3 with respect to outer package 2 and defining
a fully extracted position (Figure 5) of inner package
3 from outer package 2. In the Figure 5 and 6
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embodiment, the stop device is defined by a flexible
stop strip 26 integral at one end with front wall 7 of
inner package 3, and at the opposite end with front
wall 19 of outer package 2. More specifically, one end
5 of stop strip 26 is integral with the outer surface of
front wall 7 of inner package 3, and the other end of
stop strip 26 is integral with the inner surface of
front wall 19 of outer package 2.
In one embodiment shown in the attached drawings,
10 stop strip 26 is located between front wall 7 of inner
package 3 and front wall 19 of outer package 2. In a
different but perfectly equivalent embodiment, stop
strip 26 is located between rear wall 8 of inner
package 3 and rear wall 20 of outer package 2.
15 In the Figure 5 and 6 embodiment, stop strip 26
is an external part (i.e. is initially completely
separate from both outer package 2 and inner package
3) and is glued to outer package 2 by permanent
adhesive 27, and to inner package 3 by permanent
adhesive 28. Obviously, stop strip 26 may be made of
different material from both outer package 2 and inner
package 3. For example, stop strip 26 may be made of
highly flexible, but also mechanically highly strong
plastic material. In a different embodiment not shown,
stop strip 26 is defined by a strip of inner package
3, which is separated from the rest of inner package 3
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by a U-shaped dividing line and only glued to outer
package 2 by permanent adhesive 27. In this
embodiment, front wall 14 of rigid inner stiffener 13
is preferably glued to front wall 7 of inner package
3, directly beneath stop strip 26 of the stop device.
When inner package 3 is in the withdrawn position
(Figure 6), stop strip 26 is fully extended; when
inner package 3 is in the extracted position (Figure
5), stop strip 26 fan-folds up on itself to prevent
inner package 3 from being extracted any further from
outer package 2.
Figures 14-17 show variations of the Figure 13
blank 22 for forming outer package 2.
In the Figure 18, 19 and 20 embodiment, packet 1
of cigarettes also comprises a rigid cardboard outer
stiffener 29, which surrounds and is glued integrally
to inner package 3 (i.e. outer stiffener 29 and inner
package 3 are glued to each other, preferably at a
number of separate points, to form one inseparable
piece). As shown more clearly in Figure 21, outer
stiffener 29 is U-shaped, and comprises a rectangular
front wall 30, and two lateral walls 31 on opposite
sides of front wall 30. Front wall 30 of outer
stiffener 29 has a U-shaped top window 32 located at
extraction opening 11 of inner package 3, to prevent
front wall 30 of stiffener 29 from interfering with
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adhesive panel 23.
Outer stiffener 29 serves to increase the
rigidity and maintain the shape of inner package 3, so
as to prevent inner package 3 from collapsing after
some of the cigarettes are extracted, thus making it
difficult to extract the remaining cigarettes and, in
particular, to open and close adhesive panel 23. Outer
stiffener 29 also serves to ensure inner package 3,
covered with outer stiffener 29, slides smoothly with
respect to outer container 2 at all times.
In the Figure 18, 19 and 20 embodiment, as
opposed to stop strip 26 (which is eliminated), the
stop device is defined by a deformable appendix 33 of
outer stiffener 29, which is glued at one end to outer
package 2 (more specifically, to the inner surface of
front wall 19 of outer package 2). Deformable appendix
33 of outer stiffener 29 comprises: an inner portion
34 hinged to front wall 30 of outer stiffener 29; an
outer portion 35 glued to the inner surface of outer
package 2; and an intermediate portion 36 hinged at
one end to inner portion 34, and at the opposite end
to outer portion 35. More specifically, outer portion
35 of deformable appendix 33 is glued to the inner
surface of front wall 19 of outer package 2 by
permanent adhesive 37. When inner package 3 is in the
withdrawn position (Figure 20), deformable appendix 33
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fan-folds up on itself; when inner package 3 is in the
extracted position (Figures 18 and 19), deformable
appendix 33 is fully extended to prevent inner package
3 from being extracted any further from outer package
2.
Figure 21 shows a spread-out view of outer
stiffener 29 comprising front wall 30; the two lateral
walls 31; and deformable appendix 33 forming a
downward extension of front wall 30.
In a different embodiment shown in Figure 22,
outer stiffener 29 is tubular and also comprises a
rear wall 38, and a connecting tab 39 which is glued
to the inside of the opposite lateral wall 31 to fix
the tubular shape of stiffener 29. In a variation not
shown, outer stiffener 29 is tubular and comprises
rear wall 38, but no connecting tab 39. In another
variation not shown, deformable appendix 33 forms a
downward extension of rear wall 38, as opposed to
front wall 30 as shown in Figure 22. Obviously, in
this case, the outer portion 35 of deformable appendix
33 is glued to the inner surface of rear wall 20 of
outer package 2.
In other embodiments shown in Figures 23 and 24,
outer stiffener 29 has no deformable appendix 33: and
the stop device is defined by flexible stop strip 26,
which at one end is integral with front wall 7 of
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inner package 3 (obviously, with the interposition of
front wall 30 of stiffener 29, i.e. stop strip 26 is
integral with stiffener 29 which in turn is integral
with inner package 3), and at the opposite end is
integral with front wall 19 of outer package 2. More
specifically, one end of stop strip 26 is integral
with the outer surface of front wall 7 of inner
package 3 (obviously, with the interposition of front
wall 30 of stiffener 29, i.e. stop strip 26 is
integral with stiffener 29 which in turn is integral
with inner package 3), and the other end of stop strip
26 is integral with the inner surface of front wall 19
of outer package 2.
In the Figure 1-24 embodiments, outer package 2
has no top wall, so top wall 5 of inner package 3 is
left exposed at all times, and inner package 3 slides
longitudinally with respect to outer package 2 between
the withdrawn position (Figures 1 and 2) and the
extracted position (Figures 3 and 4).
In the Figure 25-28 embodiment, outer package 2
has a top wall 40 but is minus one lateral wall 21, so
one lateral wall 9 of inner package 3 is left exposed
at all times, and inner package 3 slides crosswise
with respect to outer package 2 between the withdrawn
position (Figure 25) and the extracted position
(Figure 26).
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In the Figure 25-28 embodiment, and as shown
clearly in Figure 27, extraction opening 11 is located
off-centre, towards the area visible (exposed) in the
extracted position (Figure 26).
5 In the Figure 25-28 embodiment, the stop device
is defined by flexible stop strip 26. Alternatively,
the Figure 25-28 embodiment may also comprise an outer
stiffener 29, in which case, the stop device may be
defined by deformable appendix 33 of outer stiffener
10 29.
The Figure 29 and 30 embodiment is identical to
the embodiment in Figures 5 and 6, from which it
substantially only differs by the stop device (defined
by flexible stop strip 26) comprising a portion 41
15 integral with (glued to) inner package 3 (by permanent
adhesive 28); and a portion 42 which is integral with
(glued to) outer package 2 (by permanent adhesive 27)
and connected to portion 41 along a tear line 43 which
is torn the first time inner package 3 is extracted
20 from outer package 2 (i.e. the first time packet 1 of
cigarettes is opened). Figure 31 shows an enlargement
of the stop device defined by flexible stop strip 26,
and illustrates portion 41 integral with inner package
3, portion 42 integral with outer package 2, and the
tear line 43 connecting portions 41 and 42. More
specifically, flexible stop device 26 differs from the
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one in Figures 5 and 6 by the addition of portion 42
as a whole. Tear line 43, which is torn the first time
inner package 3 is extracted from outer package 2
(i.e. the first time packet 1 of cigarettes is
opened), serves as a guarantee to the consumer that
packet 1 of cigarettes has never been opened, i.e.
tampered with.
The Figure 32-35 embodiment is similar to the one
in Figures 19 and 20, from which it differs by outer
portion 35 of deformable appendix 33 being glued by
permanent adhesive 27 to bottom wall 18 of outer
package 2 (as opposed to front wall 19 of outer
package 2, as in Figures 19 and 20), and by the stop
device (defined by deformable appendix 33) comprising
a portion 41 integral with inner package 3, and two
portions 42 integral with (glued to) outer package 2
(by permanent adhesive 27) and connected to portion 41
along respective tear lines 43 which are torn the
first time inner package 3 is extracted from outer
package 2 (i.e. the first time packet 1 of cigarettes
is opened). As shown more clearly in Figure 36,
portion 41 integral with inner package 3 is defined by
inner portion 34 of deformable appendix 33, and by
front wall 30 of outer stiffener 29, while the two
portions 42 integral with outer package 2 are defined
by two appendixes 44 connected to inner portion 34 of
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deformable appendix 33, and to front wall 30 of
stiffener 29 by respective tear lines 43.
Packet 1 of cigarettes described has numerous
advantages.
First and foremost, in packet 1 of cigarettes
described, opening and closing adhesive panel 23 are
made easier by not being obstructed by any other parts
of packet 1 of cigarettes.
In packet 1 of cigarettes described, inner
package 3 slides smoothly and effortlessly with
respect to outer package 2.
Without outer stiffener 29, packet 1 of
cigarettes described is also extremely cheap to
produce, by requiring much less packing material than
a similar rigid, hinged-lid packet of cigarettes.
Finally, packet 1 of cigarettes described is also
(relatively) easy to produce on a substantially
standard cigarette packing machine, i.e. can be
produced on a standard cigarette packing machine with
only a few minor alterations.
