Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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DUAL COMPARTMENT SLIDE AND SHELL CONTAINER
The present invention relates to a slide and shell container comprising at
least two
compartments, which finds particular application as a container for smoking
articles and other
consumer goods.
It is known to package consumer goods in containers comprising an outer shell
and an
inner slide or tray in which the consumer goods are housed and which is
slidable within the
outer shell. To remove consumer goods from such containers, a consumer slides
the inner
slide from an initial position within the outer shell to an open position in
which the inner slide
projects outwardly from the outer shell, in order to partially expose an open
end or side of the
inner slide through which the consumer goods housed therein may then be
removed.
US-A-2,058,710 discloses a combined ash and cigarette container comprising an
outer
casing sleeve open at its ends and an inner drawer slidable within the casing
sleeve. The
drawer is divided into a cigarette compartment and a relatively small ash
compartment. To gain
access to the cigarette compartment, a consumer slides the drawer in one
direction until the
cigarette compartment projects outwardly through one end of the casing sleeve.
To gain
access to the ash compartment, a consumer slides the drawer in the opposite
direction until the
ash compartment projects outwardly through the other end of the outer casing
sleeve. It is not
possible for a consumer to gain access to the contents of both the cigarette
compartment and
the ash compartment of the container of US-A-2,058,710 simultaneously.
EP-A-0 059 915 discloses a container for cigarettes comprising an open-ended,
outer
casing and two abutting inner containers disposed end-to-end within the
casing. It is not
possible for a consumer to gain access to the contents of both of the inner
containers of the
container of EP-A-0 059 915 simultaneously without completely removing at
least one of the
inner containers from the outer casing thereof.
The exterior surfaces of one or more of the outer casing and inner drawer or
two inner
compartments of containers of the type disclosed in US-A-2,058,710 and EP-A-0
059 915 may
be printed or otherwise embellished to enable a consumer to distinguish
between the two inner
compartments or the opposed ends of the outer casing or inner drawer. While
this may reduce
the risk of a consumer mistakenly moving the inner drawer or two inner
containers in the wrong
direction, and so accessing the contents of the 'wrong' compartment or inner
container, it will
also disadvantageously reduce the external surface area of the outer casing or
inner drawer or
two inner containers or both that is available to carry other advertising,
promotional or product
information.
According to the present invention there is provided a dual compartment slide
and shell
container comprising: an outer shell; and an inner slide having a first
compartment with a first
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access opening and a second compartment with a second access opening, which is
slidable
within the outer shell between a closed position in which the first and second
access openings
are occluded by the outer shell such that the interiors of the first and
second compartments are
inaccessible and an open position in which the interiors of the first and
second compartments
are both accessible. In the open position, the second access opening of the
inner slide is
substantially aligned with a third access opening provided in the outer shell
such that the
second compartment of the inner slide is accessible through the second and
third access
openings.
In dual compartment slide and shell containers according to the invention, the
first and
second compartments of the inner slide are both accessible in the open
position. In contrast to
the slide and shell containers disclosed in US-A-2,058,710 and EP-A-0 059 915,
a consumer
cannot mistakenly access the contents of one of the two compartments of the
inner slide, rather
than the contents of the other of the two compartments of the inner slide, by
moving the inner
slide in the wrong direction. This is particularly advantageous where the
contents of the first
and second compartments of the inner slide of dual compartment slide and shell
containers
according to the invention are different. However, it is also advantageous
where one of the first
and second compartments of the inner slide is empty and the other is still at
least partially filled,
as it reduces the likelihood of a consumer mistakenly accessing the empty
compartment.
The term "access opening" refers to any opening through which the interior of
the first or
second compartment of the inner slide is accessible in the open position. The
first, second and
third access openings may be the same or different. In particular, the first
and second access
openings may be open faces of the first and second compartments of the inner
slide.
In a preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the first access opening of
the first
compartment of the inner slide projects outwardly from the outer shell through
an open end
thereof in the open position such that the interior of the first compartment
of the inner slide is
accessible through the first access opening.
To facilitate access to the interior of the first compartment through the
first access
opening, a portion of the first compartment that projects outwardly from the
outer shell in the
open position may be hingedly connected to the remainder of the inner slide
for pivotal
movement relative thereto.
Preferably, at least one cut-out or notch is provided along a free edge of the
open end of
the outer shell. More preferably, a pair of opposed cut-outs or notches are
provided along
opposed free edges of the open end of the outer shell. In use, a consumer may
advantageously hold the outer shell with one hand and grasp the inner slide
through the one or
more cut-outs provided along the free edges of the open end of the outer shell
with their other
hand in order to slide the inner slide from the closed position to the open
position.
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Alternatively or in addition to the provision of at least one cut-out along a
free edge of
the open end of the outer shell, an aperture or window may be provided in a
wall of the outer
shell opposed to the open end thereof in order to facilitate movement of the
inner slide from the
closed position to the open position by the consumer. The aperture provided in
the wall of the
outer shell opposed to the open end thereof may extend into an adjacent wall
of the outer shell
opposed to the third access opening.
In use, a consumer may push the inner slide through the aperture provided in
the wall of
the outer shell in order to slide the inner slide from the closed position to
the open position. The
provision of an aperture or window in a wall of the outer shell opposed to the
open end thereof
advantageously allows a consumer to open slide and shell containers according
to the invention
using one hand.
Preferably, the inner slide comprises a first compartment cover, which in the
closed
position covers the first access opening and which in the open position is
moveable to a position
in which at least the portion of the first access opening projecting outwardly
from the outer shell
is uncovered. More preferably, the inner slide comprises a first compartment
cover including a
hinged flap, which in the open position is pivotable to a position in which at
least the portion of
the first access opening projecting outwardly from the outer shell is
uncovered.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the first access opening of the
first
compartment of the inner slide is substantially aligned with a fourth access
opening provided in
the outer shell thereof in the open position such that the first compartment
of the inner slide is
accessible through the first and fourth access openings. In this alternative
embodiment, the
inner slide may also further comprise a first compartment cover, which in the
closed position
covers the first access opening and which in the open position is moveable to
a position in
which at least a portion of the first access opening is uncovered. More
preferably, the inner
slide comprises a first compartment cover including a hinged flap, which in
the open position is
pivotable to a position in which at least a portion of the first access
opening is uncovered.
Where the inner slide further comprises a first compartment cover including a
hinged
flap, preferably at least one cut-out or notch is provided along a free edge
of the hinged flap to
facilitate pivoting of the flap by a consumer in the open position. The
inclusion of a first
compartment cover advantageously provides additional surface areas on which
manufacturer or
brand logos, trade marks, slogans and other consumer information and indicia
may be
displayed. For example, the inner slide may comprise a first compartment cover
including a
hinged flap wherein at least one of the inner and outer surfaces of the flap
is printed, embossed,
debossed or otherwise embellished (for example, using labels or stickers) with
consumer
information.
Preferably, the inner slide comprises a second compartment cover, which in the
closed
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position covers the second access opening and which in the open position is
moveable to a
position in which at least a portion of the second access opening is
uncovered. More
preferably, the inner slide comprises a second compartment cover including a
hinged flap,
which in the open position is pivotable to a position in which at least a
portion of the second
access opening is uncovered. Preferably, at least one cut-out or notch is
provided along a free
edge of the hinged flap to facilitate pivoting of the flap by a consumer in
the open position. The
inclusion of a second compartment cover advantageously provides additional
surface areas on
which manufacturer or brand logos, trade marks, slogans and other consumer
information and
indicia may be displayed. For example, the inner slide may comprise a second
compartment
cover including a hinged flap wherein at least one of the inner and outer
surfaces of the flap is
printed, embossed, debossed or otherwise embellished (for example, using
labels or stickers)
with consumer information.
In a preferred embodiment, the inner slide comprises a first compartment cover
and a
second compartment cover. However, it will be appreciated that dual
compartment slide and
shell containers according to the invention may have an inner slide comprising
only one of a first
compartment cover and a second compartment cover.
The inner slide may be slidable within the outer shell between the closed
position and
the open position via at least one intermediate position in which the interior
of one of the first
and second compartments is inaccessible and the interior of the other of the
first and second
compartments is accessible. For example, the inner slide may be slidable
within the outer shell
between the closed position and the open position via an intermediate position
in which only
one of the first and second access openings is occluded by the outer shell
such that the interior
of one of the first and second compartments is inaccessible and the interior
of the other of the
first and second compartments is accessible.
Preferably, the inner slide is slidable within the outer shell between the
closed position
and the open position via an intermediate position in which the interior of
the second
compartment is inaccessible and the interior of the first compartment is
accessible. More
preferably, the inner slide is slidable within the outer shell between the
closed position and the
open position via an intermediate position in which the second access opening
is occluded by
the outer shell such that the interior of the second compartment is
inaccessible and in which at
least a portion of the first access opening projects outwardly from the outer
shell through an
open end thereof such that the interior of the first compartment of the inner
slide is accessible
through the first access opening.
Preferably, the container comprises retention means for preventing removal of
the inner
slide from the outer shell. For example, the container may comprise one or
more flaps, tabs or
other mechanical retention means for preventing removal of the inner slide
from the outer shell.
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Preferably, the retention means restricts or substantially prevents slidable
movement of the
inner slide beyond the open position. The retention means may comprise a first
retention
means on the outer shell and a second retention means on the inner slide that
in use cooperate
to prevent slidable movement of the inner slide beyond the open position. For
example, the
retention means may comprise at least one hinged flap on the outer shell and
at least one fixed
projection on the inner slide that in use cooperate to prevent slidable
movement of the inner
slide beyond the open position.
In a preferred embodiment, the retention means define at least one
intermediate position
between the closed position and the open position, in which the interior of
one of the first and
second compartments is inaccessible and the interior of the other of the first
and second
compartments is accessible.
Preferably, the first compartment and the second compartment of the inner
slide are
separated from one another by a partition that substantially prevents cross-
contamination
between the contents of the first and second compartments during normal use of
the container.
This is particularly desirable where the first and second compartments of the
inner slide either
contain different consumer goods or one of the first and second compartments
of the inner slide
contains consumer goods and the other of the first and second compartments of
the inner slide
is a waste compartment, as described in more detail below.
The first compartment and the second compartment of the inner slide may be
separated
from one another by an integral or non-integral partition.
The first and second access openings of the first and second compartments of
the inner
slide may be of the same or different dimensions. The second access opening of
second
compartment of the inner slide and the third access opening in the outer shell
may also be of
the same or different dimensions. Preferably, the second access opening is of
substantially the
same dimensions as or larger than the third access opening.
Where in the open position, the first access opening of the first compartment
of the inner
slide is aligned with a fourth access opening provided in the outer shell, the
first access opening
and the fourth access opening may be of the same or different dimensions.
Preferably the first
access opening is of substantially the same dimensions as or larger than the
fourth access
opening.
The first and second compartments of the inner slide may be of the same or
different
size. Preferably, the first and second compartments of the inner slide are of
different size.
More preferably, the first compartment of the inner slide is larger than the
second compartment
thereof. Where the first compartment of the inner slide is larger than the
second compartment
thereof (i.e. where dual compartment slide and shell containers according to
the invention
comprise an inner slide with a major first compartment and a minor second
compartment), the
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first access opening of the first compartment is preferably larger than the
second access
opening of the second compartment.
Dual compartment slide and shell containers according to the invention may be
used as
packages for a variety of consumer goods. In a particularly preferred
embodiment, at least one
of the first and second compartments of the inner slide is used to package
smoking articles.
Dual compartment slide and shell containers according to the invention may be
advantageously
used to package smoking articles including, but not limited to, conventional
lit-end cigarettes,
cigars or cigarillos, heated smoking articles comprising a combustible fuel
element or heat
source and an aerosol-generating substrate (for example cigarettes of the type
disclosed in
US-A-4,714,082) and smoking articles for use with electrical smoking systems
(for example
cigarettes of the type disclosed in US-A-5,692,525).
The first and second compartments of the inner slide may contain the same or
different
consumer goods. In one preferred embodiment, the first and second compartments
of the inner
slide contain different consumer goods. For example, one of the first and
second compartments
may contain a plurality of smoking articles and the other of the first and
second compartments
may contain a plurality of matches, a lighter or another ignition device.
In another preferred embodiment, one of the first and second compartments of
the inner
slide contains a plurality of consumer goods and the other of the first and
second compartments
of the inner slide is a 'waste compartment'. In this embodiment, the first and
second
compartments of the inner slide both being accessible in the open position may
advantageously
provide a visual reminder or prompt to a consumer to empty the waste
compartment.
Preferably, the first compartment of the inner slide contains a plurality of
consumer goods and
the second compartment of the inner slide is a waste compartment.
The waste compartment may be used to contain waste materials arising from the
use of
some or all of the consumer goods contained in the other compartment of the
inner slide. For
example, through an appropriate choice of the dimensions thereof, the waste
compartment may
be used to contain waste materials arising from the use of all of the consumer
goods contained
in the other compartment of the inner slide and may be discarded with the
remainder of the dual
compartment slide and shell container when all of the consumer goods contained
in the other
compartment have been used. Alternatively, the waste compartment may be used
to
temporarily contain waste materials arising from the use of only a limited
number of the
consumer goods contained in the other compartment of the inner slide until the
waste materials
can be transferred to a more permanent waste receptacle . Examples of waste
materials that
may be placed in the waste compartment include, but are not limited to,
discarded wrappers
and other packaging and the remains of used consumer goods.
Where one of the first and second compartments of the inner slide contains a
plurality of
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consumer goods and the other of the first and second compartments of the inner
slide is a
waste compartment, the inner slide preferably comprises a cover, which in the
closed position
covers the access opening of the compartment that contains the plurality of
consumer goods
and which in the open position is moveable to a position in which at least a
portion of the access
opening of the compartment that contains the plurality of consumer goods is
uncovered. For
example, where the first compartment of the inner slide contains a plurality
of consumer goods
and the second compartment of the inner slide is a waste compartment, the
inner slide
preferably comprises a first compartment cover, which in the closed position
covers the first
access opening and which in the open position is moveable to a position in
which at least a
portion of the first access opening is uncovered, as previously described
above.
The inclusion of a cover advantageously helps to ensure that any consumer
goods
remaining within the compartment are retained within the inner slide during
emptying of the
waste compartment thereof. For example, with the inner slide in the open
position, by
maintaining the cover in a position covering the access opening of the
compartment that
contains the plurality of consumer goods, a consumer may turn the dual slide
and shell
container upside down in order to empty the waste compartment of the inner
slide without loss
of any consumer goods remaining therein.
In a preferred embodiment, one of the first and second compartments of the
inner slide
contains a plurality of smoking articles and the other of the first and second
compartments of
the inner slide is a waste compartment for receiving one or more of ashes and
butts arising from
use of some or all of the smoking articles. For example, one of the first and
second
compartments may contain a plurality of heated smoking articles comprising a
combustible fuel
element or heat source and an aerosol-generating substrate or a plurality of
smoking articles for
use with electrical smoking systems and the other of the first and second
compartments may be
a waste compartment capable of containing one or more of the smoking articles
after use. In
contrast to conventional lit-end cigarettes, the length of heated smoking
articles comprising a
combustible fuel element or heat source and an aerosol-generating substrate
and the length of
smoking articles for use with electrical smoking systems does not decrease
significantly during
smoking.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, the inner slide comprises a major
first
compartment for containing a plurality of smoking articles or other consumer
goods and a minor
second compartment for temporarily containing waste material from the use of a
limited number
of the plurality of smoking articles or other consumer goods. For example, the
first compartment
of the inner slide may contain twenty heated smoking articles comprising a
combustible fuel
element or heat source and an aerosol-generating substrate and the second
compartment of
the inner slide may be a waste compartment capable of containing two 'used'
heated smoking
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articles.
Where one of the first and second compartments of the inner slide is a waste
compartment intended to receive one or more used smoking articles, the waste
compartment
may be at least partially formed from one or more single or multi-layer heat
resistant materials,
one or more single or multi-layer heat conductive materials, one or more
single or multi-layer
heat insulative materials or a combination thereof. Suitable materials
include, but are not
limited to: heat resistant boards, such as fireproof board, laminated board
and foil stamped
board; metals, such as aluminium and copper; alloys, such as steel; heat
resistant plastics,
such as polyamides and polycarbonates; graphite and combinations thereof. For
example, the
waste compartment may be at least partially formed formed from aluminium
laminated board
having an aluminium thickness of between about 5 pm and about 50 pm. In a
preferred
embodiment, the waste compartment is at least partially formed from an
aluminium board
having an aluminium thickness of between about 5 pm and about 50 pm.
Alternatively or in addition, the waste compartment may be at least partially
coated or
lined with one or more heat resistant materials, one or more heat conductive
materials, one or
more heat insulative materials or a combination thereof. For example, the
waste compartment
may be at least partially lined with aluminium foil or a heat resistant
varnish or ink other surface
treatment may be applied to at least a portion of the interior thereof.
One or more heat resistant materials, one or or more heat conductive
materials, one or
more heat insulative materials or a combination thereof may be applied to the
interior of the
waste compartment in any suitable manner. For example, one or more heat
resistant
varnishes, inks or other materials may be applied to at least a portion of the
interior of the waste
compartment using printing technologies such as gravure, offset, silk-screen
or flexographic
printing; one or more heat resistant coatings, adhesives or other materials
may be applied to at
least a portion of the interior of the waste compartment using spraying,
painting or brushing
technologies; one or more heat conductive foils or other materials may be
applied to at least a
portion of the interior of the waste compartment using heat transfer or hot
foil technology; one or
more heat resistant fibres, such as glass, stone or carbon fibres may be
applied to at least a
portion of the interior of the waste compartment using flocking technology;
one or more heat
resistant papers or foils, such as ceramic fiber or graphite foil, may be
applied to at least a
portion of the interior of the waste compartment using lamination technology;
or any
combination thereof.
At least partially forming, coating or lining the waste compartment from or
with one or
more heat resistant materials, one or more heat conductive materials, one or
more heat
insulative materials or a combination thereof advantageously helps to ensure
that, in use, the
external surface temperature of the dual compartment slide and shell container
does not
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increase beyond a predetermined acceptable level due to heat generated by used
smoking
articles placed within the waste compartment during extinguishment thereof.
This is particularly
beneficial where the waste compartment of the inner slide of the dual
compartment slide and
shell container according to the invention is intended to receive one or more
used heated
smoking articles comprising a combustible heat source or fuel element and an
aerosol-
generating substrate.
Where one of the first and second compartments of the inner slide is a waste
compartment intended to receive one or more of used heated smoking articles
comprising a
combustible fuel element or heat source and an aerosol-generating substrate,
the structure and
composition of the waste compartment is preferably such that, in use, the
external surface
temperature of the dual compartment slide and shell container does not exceed
about 60 C,
more preferably about 50 C, most preferably about 40 C.
The waste compartment may be at least partially formed, coated or lined with
one or
more materials that perform a single function selected from the group
consisting of heat
resistance, heat conduction and heat insulation. For instance, the waste
compartment may be
at least partially formed, coated or lined with a material comprising multiple
layers, each of
which performs a single function selected from the group consisting of heat
resistance, heat
conduction and heat insulation. For example, the waste compartment may be at
least partially
formed, coated or lined with a multi-layer material comprising a first layer
of heat resistant
material, a second layer of heat conductive material and a third layer of heat
insulative material.
Alternatively or in addition, the waste compartment may be at least partially
formed,
coated or lined with one or more materials that perform two functions selected
from the group
consisting of heat resistance, heat conduction and heat insulation. For
instance, the waste
compartment may be at least partially formed, coated or lined with one or more
materials that
are heat resistant and heat conductive, such as, for example, aluminium. For
example, the
waste compartment may be at least partially formed, coated or lined with a
multi-layer material
comprising a first layer of heat resistant and heat conductive material and a
second layer of
heat insulative material.
In yet further embodiments, the waste compartment may be at least partially
formed,
coated or lined with one or more materials that are heat resistant, heat
conductive and heat
insulative, such as, for example, graphite foil.
At least partially forming, coating or lining the waste compartment from or
with one or
more heat resistant materials, advantageously helps to protect the container
from heat damage.
At least partially forming, coating or lining the waste compartment from or
with one or
more heat conductive materials, advantageoulsy helps to reduce or prevent
localised build up of
heat within the waste compartment, which may result in high localised external
surface
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temperatures of the container. Furthermore, by dissipating heat generated by
the combustible
heat sources or fuel elements thereof, the one or more heat conductive
materials
advantageously assist in extinguishing used heated smoking articles placed
within the waste
compartment.
At least partially forming, coating or lining the waste compartment from or
with one or
more heat insulative materials advantageously reduces or prevents heat
transfer from used
heated smoking articles placed within the waste compartment to the external
surface of the
container.
Where one of the first and second compartments of the inner slide is a waste
compartment, the inner slide may advantageously comprise a waste compartment
cover, which
in the closed position covers the access opening of the waste compartment and
which in the
open position is moveable to a position in which at least a portion of the
access opening of the
waste compartment is uncovered. For example, where the second compartment of
the inner
slide is a waste compartment, the inner slide preferably comprises a second
compartment
cover, which in the closed position covers the second access opening and which
in the open
position is moveable to a position in which at least a portion of the second
access opening is
uncovered, as previously described above.
The waste compartment and the waste compartment cover may be formed from the
same or different materials. Preferably, the waste compartment and the waste
compartment
cover are formed from the same or similar material or materials.
The inclusion of a waste compartment cover is particularly preferred where one
of the
first and second compartments of the inner slide is a waste compartment
intended to receive
one or more used smoking articles. In such embodiments, the waste compartment
cover
reduces the amount of oxygen that can enter the waste compartment in the
closed position, and
so advantageously helps to extinguish used smoking articles placed therein
more quickly. This
is particularly beneficial where the waste compartment of the inner slide is
intended to receive
used heated smoking articles comprising a combustible heat source or fuel
element and an
aerosol-generating substrate.
Where one of the first and second compartments of the inner slide is a waste
compartment intended to receive one or more used smoking articles, the waste
compartment
cover may be advantageously at least partially formed from one or more single
or multi-layer
heat resistant materials, one or more single or multi-layer heat conductive
materials, one or
more single or multi-layer heat insulative materials or a combination thereof.
Alternatively or in addition, the waste compartment cover may be at least
partially coated
or lined with one or more heat resistant materials, one or more heat
conductive materials, one
or more heat insulative materials or a combination thereof.
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Suitable heat resistant, heat conductive and heat insulative materials from or
with which
the waste compartment cover may be at least partially formed, coated or lined
include those
previously described above for the waste compartment.
As previously described above, partially forming, coating or lining the waste
compartment cover from or with one or more heat resistant materials, one or
more heat
conductive materials, one or more heat insulative materials or a combination
thereof may
advantageously help to protect the container from heat damage, help to reduce
or prevent
localised build up of heat within the waste compartment, help to dissipate
heat generated by the
used smoking articles placed in the waste compartment, help to reduce or
prevent heat transfer
from used smoking articles placed within the waste compartment to the external
surface of the
container, or a combination thereof. This is particularly beneficial where the
waste compartment
is intended to receive used heated smoking articles comprising a combustible
heat source or
fuel element and an aerosol-generating substrate.
A thermal indicator comprising at least one reversible thermochromic material
may be
provided on the outer surface of the waste compartment cover. Alternatively or
in addition, a
thermal indicator comprising at least one reversible thermochromic material
may be provided on
the outer surface of a portion of the outer shell that overlies the waste
compartment in the
closed position. Throughout the specification, the term 'reversible
thermochromic material' is
used to denote any material that undergoes a reversible visible colour change
in response to
temperatures above a pre-determined switching temperature.
In use, by means of the reversible visible colour change of the at least one
thermochromic material, the thermal indicator on one or both of the waste
compartment cover
and the outer shell advantageously provides a visual indication to a consumer
of changes in
temperature within the waste compartment. The provision of a thermal indicator
on one or both
of the waste compartment cover and the outer shell is particularly preferred
where the waste
compartment is intended to receive used heated smoking articles comprising a
combustible
heat source or fuel element and an aerosol-generating substrate.
To enable a consumer to view a thermal indicator provided on the waste
compartment
cover when the inner slide is in the closed position, one or more apertures or
windows may be
provided in a portion of the outer shell that overlies the waste compartment
cover in the closed
position. For example, where the second compartment of the inner slide is a
waste
compartment, one or more apertures or windows may be advantageously provided
in a portion
of the outer shell that overlies the second compartment cover and second
access opening in the
closed position.
The thermal indicator may comprise at least one thermochromic material that
undergoes
a reversible visible colour change from a coloured state to a substantially
colourless state when
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heated above a predetermined switching temperature. In this case, the at least
one reversible
thermochromic material reverts back to the coloured state from the
substantially colourless state
when the temperature falls below the predetermined switching temperature.
Alternatively or in addition, the thermal indicator may comprise at least one
thermochromic material that undergoes a reversible visible colour change from
a first coloured
state to a second coloured state when heated above a predetermined switching
temperature. In
this case, the at least one reversible thermochromic material reverts back to
the first coloured
state from the second colourless state when the temperature falls below the
predetermined
switching temperature.
In addition to at least one thermochromic material, the thermal indicator may
further
comprise at least one non-thermochromic coloured material. The thermal
indicator may be
formed by applying the at least one thermochromic material and the at least
one non-
thermochromic coloured material separately or in combination to one or both of
the waste
compartment cover and the outer shell.
For example, the thermal indicator may comprise one or more dots, lines,
symbols,
logos, words or other indicia formed by applying a thermochromic material
comprising a mixture
of one or more thermochromic pigments or dyes and one or more non-
thermochromic pigments
or dyes to one or both of the waste compartment cover and the outer shell.
Alternatively or in addition, the thermal indicator may comprise one or more
dots, lines,
symbols, logos, words or other indicia formed by applying a base layer of non-
thermochromic
coloured material to the outer surface of one or both of the waste compartment
cover and the
outer shell and then applying an outer layer of thermochromic material onto
the base layer of
non-thermochromic coloured material.
For example, the thermal indicator may comprise one or more indicia formed
from a non-
thermochromic coloured material that are covered by a layer of thermochromic
material that
undergoes a reversible visible colour change from a coloured state to a
substantially colourless
state when heated above a predetermined switching temperature. At temperatures
below the
switching temperature only the layer of thermochromic material is visible.
However, at
temperatures above the switching temperature, the one or more indicia of non-
thermochromic
material covered by the layer of thermochromic material are revealed.
Thermochromic materials suitable for use in the thermal indicator are
commercially
available in a variety of formulations including, but not limited to, powders,
inks, paints and other
coating compositions. Micro-encapsulated leuco dyes that undergo a reversible
visible colour
change when heated above a predetermined switching temperature suitable for
use in the
thermal indicator are commercially available under the brand name Live c.oiors
from Gem'innov
CA 02738443 2014-09-23
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in Gemenos, France and under the brand names ChromaZone and Thermostar0 from
Thermographic Measurements Ltd in Honiton, England.
In a preferred embodiment, the at least one thermochromic material comprises
one or
more thermochromic dyes, one or more thermochromic pigments or a combination
thereof
dispersed in a liquid carrier or vehicle. More preferably, the thermal
indicator comprises at least
one thermochromic ink.
The thermal indicator may be formed by applying the at least one thermochromic
material to the waste compartment cover in any suitable manner. For example,
the at least one
thermochromic material may be adhered, brushed, coated, stamped or otherwise
applied or
affixed to one or both of the waste compartment cover and the outer shell.
Preferably, the at
least one thermochromic material is printed on one or both of the waste
compartment cover and
the outer shell.
Through an appropriate choice of the at least one reversible thermochromic
material, the
thermal indicator may provide one or more desired visual indications to a
consumer at one or
more desired temperatures. For instance, to provide a visual indication to a
consumer of when
used smoking articles within the waste compartment have been extinguished and
may be
disposed of, the thermal indicator may advantageously comprise one or more
thermochromic
materials that undergoes a reversible visible colour change from a
substantially colourless state
to a coloured stated when the temperature of one or both of the waste
compartment cover and
the outer shell falls below a predetermined temperature. The thermal indicator
may, for
example, include one or more dots, lines, symbols, logos, words or other
indicia formed from
such thermochromic materials that are only visible when used smoking articles
within the waste
compartment are sufficiently cool to be disposed of.
For example, a thermal indicator may be formed by printing a base layer of red
non-
thermochromic ink on the outer surface of one or both of the waste compartment
cover and the
outer shell and then applying an outer layer of thermochromic material that
undergoes a
reversible visible colour change from blue to substantially colourless when
heated above about
a pre-determined temperature (for example, above about 60 C) onto the base
layer of non-
thermochromic coloured material. In use, when the waste compartment is empty
and at
ambient temperature, only the blue outer layer of thermochromic material is
visible. When a
used heated smoking article comprising a combustible heat source or fuel
element and an
aerosol-generating substrate is placed in the waste compartment, the
temperature within the
waste compartment may increase above the pre-determined temperature (for
example, above
about 60 C) due to heat generated by the combustible heat source or fuel
element prior to
extinguishment of the heated smoking article. This will cause the
thermochromic material to
undergo a reversible visible colour change from blue to substantially
colourless, and so reveal
CA 02738443 2014-09-23
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the base layer of red non-thermochromic material. Once the combustible heat
source or fuel
element has been extinguished, the temperature within the waste compartment
will gradually
decrease to below the pre-determined temperature (for example, to below about
60 C) causing
the thermochromic material to change back from substantially colourless to
blue. The
"reappearance" of the blue outer layer of thermochromic material
advantageously indicates to a
consumer that the used heated smoking article in the waste compartment has
been
successfully extinguished and can be disposed of. Alternatively or in
addition, the
"reappearance" of the blue outer layer of thermochromic material
advantageously indicates to a
consumer that a further used heated smoking article may be placed in the waste
compartment
in order to be extinguished.
If desired, a fire extinguishing substance may be advantageously provided in
the waste
compartment to assist in extinguishing used smoking articles placed therein.
For example, a
fire extinguishing substance may be provided on at least a portion of the
inner surface of the
waste compartment. Alternatively or in addition, the waste compartment may be
partially filled
with a fire-extinguishing substance. The inclusion of a fire extinguishing
substance in the waste
compartment to assist in extinguishing used smoking articles placed therein
after smoking is
particularly advantageous where the plurality of smoking articles contained in
the other
compartment of the inner slide of the dual compartment slide and shell
container according to
the invention are heated smoking articles comprising a combustible heat source
or fuel element.
The waste compartment may include any suitable fire extinguishing substance.
For
example, the fire extinguishing substance may comprise one or more water-
containing or water-
based pastes or gels, one or more clay pastes, or a combination thereof.
Instead of or in addition to a fire extinguishing substance, the waste
compartment may
contain an extinguishing device such as, for example, a snuffer. Alternatively
or in addition, a
snuffer or other extinguishing device may, for example, be attached to the
outer shell or inner
slide of the container or contained in a separate further compartment of the
inner slide.
Through an appropriate choice of the dimensions thereof, the inner slide of
dual
compartment slide and shell containers according to the invention may contain
different total
numbers of smoking articles. For example, the inner slide may contain a total
of between ten
and twenty smoking articles. Alternatively or in addition, the inner slide of
dual compartment
slide and shell containers according to the invention may contain smoking
articles of different
dimensions (for example, smoking articles of different length or different
circumference). For
example, the inner slide may contain smoking articles with lengths of between
about 60 mm and
about 120 mm and diameters of between about 4 mm and about 9 mm.
Where both the first compartment and the second compartment of the inner slide
contain
smoking articles, through an appropriate choice of the dimensions thereof, the
first and second
CA 02738443 2014-09-23
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compartments may contain the same or different numbers of smoking articles.
For example,
each of the first and second compartments of the inner slide may contain
between 5 and 10
smoking articles. Alternatively or in addition, the first and second
compartments of the inner
slide may contain smoking articles of the same or different types (for
example, smoking articles
with different dimensions, filters, tobacco blends, flavours, total
particulate matter delivery and
nicotine delivery).
Smoking articles contained in the inner slide of dual compartment slide and
shell
containers according to the invention may be wrapped in an inner liner of, for
example, metal
foil or metallised paper in a conventional manner.
The combustible heat sources or fuel elements of heated smoking articles can
be
sensitive to humidity intake. Where the inner slide of dual compartment slide
and shell
containers according to the invention contains such heated smoking articles,
the heated
smoking articles are preferably wrapped in an inner liner formed from a
flexible humidity barrier
material. Suitable flexible barrier materials include, but are not limited to:
polymeric materials,
such as oriented polypropylene (OPP); metallized polymeric materials, such as
metallized OPP;
and laminated polymeric films, such as polypropylene/aluminium/polypropylene
laminated film.
To provide humidity protection and easy access to the heated smoking articles,
the inner liner
formed from the flexible humidity barrier material preferably comprises a
resealable label.
The outer shell and inner slide of containers according to the invention may
be formed
from any suitable materials including, but not limited to, cardboard,
paperboard, plastic, metal or
combinations thereof. The outer shell and inner slide may be formed from the
same or different
materials. Preferably, the outer shell and inner slide are formed from folded
laminar blanks, for
example from folded laminar cardboard blanks.
The outer shell may be formed from a single folded laminar blank or from two
or more
separate folded laminar blanks. Preferably, the outer shell is formed from a
single folded
laminar blank.
The inner slide may be formed from a single folded laminar blank or from two
or more
separate folded laminar blanks. Where one of the first and second compartments
of the inner
slide contains a plurality of smoking articles and the other of the first and
second compartments
of the inner slide is a waste compartment intended to receive one or more used
smoking
articles, the first and second compartment of the inner slide are
advantageously formed from
separate folded laminar blanks. Formation of the first and second compartments
from separate
laminar blanks allows the compartment containing the plurality of smoking
articles and the
waste compartment to be formed from different material or materials. For
example, the
compartment containing the plurality of smoking articles may be formed from a
single folded
laminar cardboard blank and the waste compartment may be at least partial
formed, coated or
CA 02738443 2014-09-23
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lined from or with one or more heat conductive and heat resistant materials as
previously
described above. This is particulaly preferred where one of the first and
second compartments
of the inner slide contains a plurality of heated smoking articles comprising
a combustible heat
source or fuel element and an aerosol-generating substrate and the other of
the first and
second compartments of the inner slide is a waste compartment intended to
receive and
extinguish one or more used heated articles.
Containers according to the invention may be overwrapped in a known manner
with any
suitable known material or combination of materials including, but not limited
to, cellophane,
polymeric films of, for example, polyethylene or polypropylene, metallised
polymeric films and
laminated polymeric films. Containers according to the invention may be
overwrapped with
overwrappers including one or more tear tapes. The one or more tear tapes may
extend in a
transverse or longitudinal direction around the perimeter of the container.
The exterior and interior surfaces of the outer shell and inner slide may be
printed,
embossed, debossed or otherwise embellished (for example, using labels or
stickers) with
manufacturer or brand logos, trade marks, slogans and other consumer
information and indicia.
The interior and exterior surfaces of the first and second compartments of the
inner slide
may be printed or otherwise embellished in the same or a different manner. For
example,
where the first and second compartments contain different consumer goods, the
interior
surfaces of the first and second compartments may advantageoulsy be printed in
a different
manner to emphasise that different consumer goods are contained therein. In
addition, where
one of the first and second compartments of the inner slide contains a
plurality of consumer
goods and the other of the first and second compartments of the inner slide is
a waste
compartment, the waste compartment may advantgeously be printed or otherwise
embellished
in a different manner to the remainder of the container in order to highlight
it's function and so
discourage littering. For example, the interior surfaces of the waste
compartment may be a
different colour to the remainder of the container.
In contrast to the slide and shell containers disclosed in US-A-2,058,710 and
EP-A-0 059 915, the first and second compartments of the inner slide of dual
compartment slide
and shell containers according to the invention are both accessible in the
open position. This
reduces or eliminates the need to print or otherwise embellish the exterior
surfaces of the outer
shell and inner slide in order to reduce the likelihood of the consumer
mistakenly accessing the
'wrong' compartment, and so advantageously maximises the external surface area
of the inner
slide and outer shell available to carry advertising, promotional or product
information.
The outer shell and inner slide of may be substantially rectangular
parallepipedal in
shape, with right-angled longitudinal and right-angled transverse edges.
Alternatively, the outer
shell and inner slide may comprise one or more rounded longitudinal edges,
rounded transverse
CA 02738443 2014-09-23
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edges, bevelled longitudinal edges, bevelled transverse edges or combinations
thereof. For
example, by scoring in a known manner laminar blanks from which the outer
shell and the inner
slide of the container are erected, a "rounded-corner" multi-compartment slide
and shell
container according to the invention may be produced.
Preferably, the internal dimensions of the outer shell are substantially the
same as the
external dimensions of the inner slide, so that inner surfaces of the outer
shell overlie and abut
the outer surfaces of the inner slide in the closed position. In use,
frictional forces generated
between the outer surfaces of the inner slide and the abutting inner surfaces
of the outer shell
resist slidable movement of the inner slide between the closed position and
the open position.
This advantageously prevents opening and closing of the container without the
application of a
positive force by the consumer.
Dual compartment slide and shell containers according to the invention may
further
comprise an aroma release system. The aroma release system may release an
aroma upon
opening of the dual compartment slide and shell container or upon closing of
the dual
compartment slide and shell container or upon both opening and closing of the
dual
compartment slide and shell container. Throughout the specification, the term
"aroma" is used
to mean any substance capable of producing an olfactory sensation and
includes, but is not
limited, to scents, fragrances, perfumes, deodorants and flavourants.
Preferably, the aroma
produces both a gustatory and an olfactory sensation.
Suitable aroma release systems for inclusion in dual compartment slide and
shell
containers according to the invention are known in the art and described in,
for example,
WO-A2-2007/029120 and WO-A2-2007/026260.
Where the internal dimensions of the outer shell are substantially the same as
the
external dimensions of the inner slide, dual compartment slide and shell
containers according to
the invention may advantageously comprise an aroma release system that
releases an aroma
upon both opening and closing of the pack as a result of frictional contact
between the outer
surfaces of the inner slide and the abutting inner surfaces of the outer
shell. For example, the
aroma release system may be formed by printing or otherwise applying one or
more
microencapsulated flavourants to at least one outer surface of the inner
slide, at least one inner
surfaces of the outer shell or a combination thereof.
Alternatively or in addition, dual compartment slide and shell containers
according to the
invention may comprise other known aroma release systems including, but not
limited to: "tear
tape" aroma release systems, such as those described in WO-A2-2007/026260 and
US¨A-4,717,017, in which an aroma is released upon removal of a tear tape
included in the
overwrapper of the container; "peel and sniff' aroma release systems, in which
an aroma is
released by a consumer physically separating two strips of film, paper or
other material between
CA 02738443 2014-09-23
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which one or more microencapsulated flavourants have been deposited; and
"scratch and sniff'
aroma release systems, in which an aroma is released by a consumer scratching
or rubbing
paper, film or other material to which one or more micro-encapsulated
flavourants have been
applied.
The aroma release system may release any suitable aroma. Examples of suitable
aromas
include, but are not limited to, menthol, tobacco, spearmint and peppermint.
The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with
reference to the
accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an empty multi-compartment slide and
shell
container according to a first embodiment of the invention with the inner
slide in a closed
position;
Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the container of Figure 1 in an open
position;
Figure 3 shows a plan view of a laminar cardboard blank for forming the outer
shell of
the containers of Figures 1 and 2 and 7;
Figure 4 shows a plan view of a first laminar cardboard blank for forming a
first part of
the inner slide of the container of Figures 1 and 2;
Figure 5 shows a plan view of a second laminar cardboard blank for forming a
second
part of the inner slide of the container of Figures 1 and 2;
Figure 6 shows perspective views of the first and second parts of the inner
slide of the
container of Figures 1 and 2 formed by the blanks shown in Figures 4 and 5,
respectively.
Figure 7 shows a perspective view of an empty multi-compartment slide and
shell
container according to a second embodiment of the invention in an open
position;
Figure 8 shows a plan view of a first laminar cardboard blank for forming a
first part of
the inner slide of the container of Figure 7;
Figure 9 shows a plan view of a second laminar cardboard blank for forming a
second
part of the inner slide of the container of Figure 7; and
Figure 10 shows perspective views of the first and second parts of the inner
slide of the
container of Figure 7 formed by the blanks shown in Figures 8 and 9,
respectively.
The slide and shell container 2 according to the first embodiment of the
invention shown
in Figures 1 and 2 is rectangular parallelepipedal in shape and comprises an
outer shell 4 and
an inner slide 6 within the outer shell 4.
The outer shell 4 has a front wall 8 and an opposed rear wall 10, a left side
wall 12 and
an opposed right side wall 14 and a bottom wall 16. The walls 8, 10, 12, 14,
16 of the outer
shell 4 define a cup-shaped receptacle with an open upper rectangular end face
18 defined by
the upper transverse free edges of the front wall 8, rear wall 10, left side
wall 12 and right side
wall 12, within which the inner slide 6 is inserted. A pair of opposed cut-
outs 22 are provided at
CA 02738443 2014-09-23
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the upper end of the outer shell 4 along the free edges of the left 12 and
right 14 side walls
thereof.
The terms "front", "rear", "top", "bottom, "upper" and "lower" are used to
describe the
relative positions of components of the container 2 according to the first
embodiment of the
invention when the container is held in an upright position with the open end
face 18 of the outer
shell 4 thereof at the top of the container 2. In the following description of
the container 2
according to the first embodiment of the invention, these terms are used
irrespective of the
actual orientation of the container 2 or outer shell 4 or inner slide 6
thereof shown in Figures 1
to 6.
The inner slide 6 of the container 2 shown in Figures 1 and 2 has a rear wall
24, a left
side wall 26 and an opposed right side wall 28, a top wall 30 and an opposed
bottom wall 32.
The walls 24, 26, 28, 30, 32 of the inner slide 6 define a tray that is
slidable longitudinally within
the outer shell 4 between the closed position, shown in Figure 1, and the open
position, shown
in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 2, a pair of opposed cut-outs 34 are provided
along the
longitudinal free edges of the left 12 and right 14 side walls of the inner
slide 6 proximate the top
wall 30 thereof.
An integral transverse partition 36 extends between the left 26 and right 28
side walls of
the inner slide 6 proximate the bottom wall 32 thereof. The partition 36
divides the interior of the
inner slide 6 into a major first compartment 38, which extends in a
longitudinal direction from the
partition 36 to the top wall 30 of the inner slide 6, and a minor second
compartment 40, which
extends in a longitudinal direction from the partition 36 to the bottom wall
32 of the inner slide 6.
The open front faces of the first 38 and second 40 compartments of the inner
slide 6 act as first
and second access openings, respectively, through which the interiors of the
first 38 and
second 40 compartments may be accessed in the open position.
A separate first compartment cover 42 parallel to the rear wall 24 of the
inner slide 6
extends from the partition 36 to the top wall 30 of the inner slide 6. The
first compartment cover
42 has a first cover section 44, which is affixed to the partition 36, and a
second cover section
46, which is connected to the first cover section along a transverse hinge
line. As shown in
Figure 2, a central cut-out 48 is provided along the transverse free edge of
the second cover
section 46 of the first compartment cover 42 adjacent the top wall 30 of the
inner slide 6.
In the closed position shown in Figure 1, the inner slide 6 is contained
within the outer
shell 4 with the front wall 8, rear wall 10, left side wall 12, right side
wall 14 and bottom wall 16
of the outer shell 4 adjacent to and overlying the first compartment cover 42,
rear wall 24, left
side wall 26, right side wall 28 and bottom wall 32, respectively, of the
inner slide 6. As shown
in Figure 1, the first 44 and second 46 cover sections of the first
compartment cover 42, which
extend across the front face of the first compartment 38 of the inner slide 6,
and the open front
CA 02738443 2014-09-23
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face of the second compartment 40 of the inner slide 6 are covered by the
front wall 8 of the
outer shell 4 in the closed position. Consequently, the interiors of the first
38 and second 40
compartments of the inner slide 6 are both inaccessible in the closed position
shown in Figure
1.
In the open position shown in Figure 2, the bottom wall 32 of the inner slide
6 is spaced
apart from the bottom wall 16 of the outer shell 4 and the portion of the
first compartment 38 of
the inner slide 6 covered by the second cover section 46 of the first
compartment cover 42
projects outwardly from the outer shell 4 through the open upper end 18
thereof. As shown in
Figure 2, the relative position of the inner slide 6 and outer shell 4 in the
open position is such
that the open front face of the second compartment 40 of the inner slide 6 is
substantially
aligned with a third elongate access opening 20 provided in the front wall 8
of the outer shell 4.
As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the third access opening 20 extends across the
front wall 8 of the
outer shell towards the left 12 and right 14 side walls thereof.
With the container 2 in the open position shown in Figure 2, the consumer may
access
the interior of the first compartment 38 of the inner slide 6 by pivoting the
second cover section
46 of the first compartment cover 42 about the hinge line separating it from
the first cover
section 44 thereof and may also access the interior of the second compartment
40 of the inner
slide 6 through the third access opening 20 provided in the front wall 8 of
the outer shell 4.
Consequently, the interiors of the first 38 and second 40 compartments of the
inner slide
6 are both accessible in the open position shown in Figure 2.
In use, with the inner slide 6 in the closed position shown in Figure 1, the
consumer
holds the outer shell 4 of the container 2 in one hand and with the thumb and
forefinger of their
other hand grasps the left 26 and right 28 side walls of the inner slide 6
through the opposed
cut-outs 22 provided in the left 12 and right 14 side walls of the outer shell
4. To open the
container 2, the consumer pulls the inner slide 6 outwardly away from the
outer shell 6 through
the open upper end 18 thereof, in the direction shown by the block arrow in
Figure 1, in order to
slide the inner slide 6 relative to the outer shell 4 from the closed position
shown in Figure 1 to
the open position shown in Figure 2 and so align the open front face of the
second compartment
40 of the inner slide 6 with the third access opening 20 in the front wall 8
of the outer shell 4.
If desired, alternatively or in addition to the pair of opposed cut-outs 22
provided along
the transverse free edges of the left 12 and right 14 side walls thereof, an
aperture (not shown)
may be provided in the bottom wall 16 of the outer shell 4 through which, in
use, a consumer
may push on the bottom wall 32 of the inner slide 6 in order to open the
container 2.
The transverse external cross-section of the inner slide 6 of the container 2
according to
the first embodiment of the invention is substantially equal to the transverse
internal cross-
section of the outer shell 4 thereof so that during opening and closing of the
container 2,
CA 02738443 2014-09-23
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frictional forces generated between the outer surface of the inner slide 6 and
the inner surface
of the outer shell 4 prevent slidable movement of the inner slide 6 relative
to the outer shell 4
until a positive force is applied by the consumer.
As described further below, the container 2 further comprises retention means
for
preventing slidable movement of the inner slide 6 relative to the outer shell
4 beyond the open
position shown in Figure 2. Once the container 2 is in the open position shown
in Figure 2, the
consumer grasps the second cover section 46 of the first compartment cover 42
extending
across the front face of the first compartment 38 of the inner slide 6 and
pivots it rearwardly to
access smoking articles or other consumer goods (not shown) contained in the
first
compartment 38. The cut-out provided along the transverse free edge of the
second cover
section 46 of the first compartment cover 42 facilitates the pivotal movement
of the second
cover section 46 of the first compartment cover 42 by the consumer. In use,
the opposed cut-
outs 34 provided along the longitudinal free edges of the left 26 and right 28
side walls of the
inner slide 6 then facilitate the removal of consumer goods (not shown)
contained in the first
compartment 38 of the inner slide 6 from the container 2.
A one-piece laminar cardboard blank from which the outer shell 4 of the
container 2 of
Figures 1 and 2 may be formed is shown in Figure 3. One-piece laminar
cardboard blanks from
which the first compartment 38, second compartment 40 and partition 36 and the
first
compartment cover 42 of the inner slide 6 of the container 2 of Figures 1 and
2 may be formed
are shown in Figures 4 and 5, respectively.
Corresponding reference numerals are used in Figures 3, 4 and 5 for elements
of the
blanks that are similar or related to elements of the outer shell 4 and inner
slide 6 of the
container 2 of Figures 1 and 2 previously described. The blanks includes
various panels, flaps
and tabs (labelled in bold in Figure 3, 4 and 5) that, when folded about
appropriate score lines
(shown by broken lines in Figures 3, 4 and 5) and affixed with adhesive (shown
by areas of
cross hatching in Figures 3 and 4) in a conventional manner, form the outer
shell 4 and inner
slide 6 of the container 2 shown in Figures 1 and 2. Throughout the
specification, the term
score line is used to indicate a line formed by, for example, creasing,
scoring, perforating,
embossing or otherwise compressing, cutting or weakening the blank.
The blank shown in Figure 3 for forming the outer shell 4 of the container 2
shown in
Figures 1 and 2 has a front wall panel 8, a rear wall panel 10, a left side
wall panel 12, an inner
right side wall panel 14a, an outer right side wall panel 14b, an inner bottom
wall panel 16a and
an outer bottom wall panel 16b, which when the blank is folded form the
corresponding walls of
the outer shell 4. As shown in Figure 3, the blank further comprises a pair of
lower closure tabs
50 and a pair of upper retention flaps 52, which are connected to the lower
and upper edges,
respectively, of the left side wall panel 12 and the outer right side wall
panel 14b along score
CA 02738443 2014-09-23
- 22 -
lines, and a pair of upper reinforcement flaps 54, which are connected to the
upper edges of the
front 8 and rear 10 wall panels along score lines.
To form the outer shell 4, the upper reinforcement flaps 54 are folded through
180 degrees and affixed to the inner surface of the front wall panel 8 and
rear wall panel 10.
The front 8, rear 10, left side 12, inner right side 14a and outer right side
14b wall panels are
then folded to form an open ended hollow sleeve and the outer right side wall
panel 14b affixed
to the inner right side wall panel 14a. The inner bottom wall panel 16a, outer
bottom wall panel
16b and lower closure flaps 50 are then folded through 90 degrees and affixed
to one another in
a known manner to close the lower end of the hollow sleeve and so form the
bottom of the outer
shell 4. Finally, the upper retention flaps 52 are folded through 180 degrees
so that they rest
against the inner surface of the left side wall panel 12 and the outer right
side wall panel 14b in
the formed outer shell 4.
The fold lines formed between the upper reinforcement flaps 54 and upper
retention
flaps 52 and the front 8 and rear 10 wall panels and the left 12 and outer
right 14b side wall
panels of the blank advantageously provide neat, dull free edges to the front
wall 8, rear wall 10,
left side wall 12 and right side wall 14, respectively, of the formed outer
shell 4 of the container
2.
The blank shown in Figure 4 for forming the first compartment 38, second
compartment
40 and partition 36 of the inner slide 6 of the container 2 shown in Figures 1
and 2 has a rear
wall panel 24, inner 26a and outer 26b left side wall panels, inner 28a and
outer 28b right side
wall panels, inner 30a and outer 30b top wall panels, and inner 32a and outer
32b bottom wall
panels, which when the blank is folded form the corresponding walls of the
inner slide 6.
As shown in Figure 4, the blank also includes a pair of lower closure tabs 56,
which are
connected to the opposed side edges of the outer bottom wall panel 32b along
score lines, a
pair of upper closure tabs 58, which are connected to the upper edges of the
outer left 26b and
outer right 28b side wall panels along score lines, and a pair of rear wall
reinforcement flaps 60,
which are connected to the longitudinal edges of the inner left 26a and inner
right 28a side wall
panels distant from the outer left 26b and outer right 28b side wall panels
along score lines.
The blank further comprises a partition bottom wall panel 62, a partition
front wall panel
64 and a pair of opposed partition side flaps 66 connected to the sides of the
partition bottom
wall panel 62 along score lines, which when the blank is folded form the
partition 36 in the inner
slide 6 that divides the interior thereof into a major first compartment 38
and a minor second
compartment 40. As shown in Figure 4, the partition bottom wall panel 62 is
connected to the
inner bottom wall panel 32a of the blank via a connection panel 68, which
during erection of the
blank is folded so that it overlies the rear wall 24 of the inner slide 6 in
the second compartment
thereof and which spaces the partition 36 from the bottom wall 32 of the inner
slide 6.
CA 02738443 2014-09-23
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The various panels, tabs and flaps of the blank shown in Figure 4 are folded
and affixed
to one another to form the first compartment 38, second compartment 40 and
partition 36 of the
inner slide 6 of the container 2 according to the first embodiment of the
invention shown in
Figures 1 and 2. During erection of the blank the opposed partition side wall
flaps 66 are affixed
to the inner surface of the inner left 26a and inner right 28a side wall
panels. This ensures that
the first 38 and second 40 compartments of the inner slide 6 of the container
2 are isolated from
one another and thereby advantageously reduces or prevents cross-contamination
between the
contents of the first 38 and second 40 compartments of the inner slide 6
during use of the
container 2. This is particularly desirable in embodiments of the invention
where the first
compartment 38 of the inner slide 6 of the container contains a plurality of
consumer goods,
such as for example smoking articles, and the second compartment 40 of the
inner slide 6 is a
waste compartment for containing the remains of one or more of the consumer
goods after use,
such as for example the butts of one or more used smoking articles.
Inclusion of the opposed partition side wall flaps 66 together with the inner
bottom wall
panel 32a, partition bottom wall panel 62 and connection panel 68 also
advantageously enables
both the inner surfaces of the second compartment 40 of the inner slide 6 and
the outer
surfaces of the inner slide 6 to be printed by printing only one side of the
blank shown in Figure
4 i.e. without the need for recto-verso printing of the blank.
The fold lines formed between the inner 26a and outer 26b left side wall
panels and the
inner 28a and outer 28b right side wall panels, between the inner 30a and
outer 30b top wall
panels and between the inner 32a and outer 32b bottom wall panels of the blank
advantageously provide neat, dull free edges to the left side wall 26, right
side wall 28, top wall
and bottom wall 32, respectively, of the formed inner slide 6 of the container
2.
The rear wall reinforcement flaps 60, which during erection of the blank are
folded so
25 that they overlie the rear wall 24 of the inner slide 6 in the first
compartment 38, advantageously
provide additional surface area that may be printed with, for example,
information concerning
the composition or use of consumer goods contained in the first compartment of
the inner slide
6 of the container 2. Inclusion of the rear wall reinforcement flaps 60
together with the inner left
side wall panel 26a, inner right side wall panel 28a and inner top wall panel
30a advantageously
30 enables the inner surfaces of the rear wall 24, left side wall 26, right
side wall 28 and top wall 30
of the first compartment 38 of the inner slide 6 and the outer surfaces of the
inner slide 6 to be
printed by printing only one side of the blank shown in Figure 4 i.e. without
the need for recto-
verso printing of the blank. In the absence of, for example, the rear wall
reinforcement flaps 60
it would be necessary to print both sides of the blank shown in Figure 4 in
order to provide
printing on the inner surface of the rear wall 24 of the inner slide 6 and on
the outer surfaces of
one or more of the rear 24, left side 26, right side 28, top 30 and bottom 32
walls of the inner
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slide 6.
In the container 2 shown in Figures 1 and 2, the rear wall reinforcement flaps
60 are of
the same dimensions and are each approximately half the width of the rear wall
24 of the inner
slide 6, so that in the formed inner slide 6 the longitudinal free edges of
the rear wall
reinforcement flaps 60 abut one another. However, it will be appreciated that
containers
according to the invention may have inner slides with one or more rear wall
reinforcement flaps
of different size. For example, the inner slide may comprise a single rear
wall reinforcement
flap of substantially the same width as the rear wall thereof, which is
connected to either an
inner left side wall panel, an inner right side wall panel or an inner top
wall panel of the inner
slide along a score line. It will also be appreciated that containers
according to the invention
may comprise inner slides in which the rear wall reinforcement flaps 60 are
omitted.
Furthermore, to reduce the quantity of material required to form the inner
slide 6 of the container
2 shown in Figures 1 and 2 and to facilitate folding of the blank shown in
Figure 4, it will be
appreciated that one or more of the outer left side wall panel 26b, the outer
right side wall panel
28b and the outer top wall panel 30b may also be omitted.
The blank shown in Figure 5 for forming the first compartment cover 42 of the
inner slide
6 has a first cover section panel 44 and a second cover section 46, which are
connected along
a hinge line (shown by a heavy dashed line in Figure 5), and a pair of opposed
retention tabs
70, which are connected to the side edges of the first cover section panel 44
along score lines.
To form the inner slide 6 of the container 2 of Figures 1 and 2, the opposed
retention
tabs 70 of the blank for forming the first compartment cover 42 shown in
Figure 5 are folded
through 90 degrees. As shown in Figure 6, the first cover section panel 44 and
the opposed
retention tabs 70 of the blank for forming the first compartment cover 42 of
the inner slide 6 are
then affixed to the outer surfaces of the partition front wall panel 64 and
left 26 and right 28 side
wall panels, respectively, of the folded blank for forming the first
compartment 38, second
compartment 40 and partition 36 of the inner slide 6. To reduce the quantity
of material
required to form the inner slide 6 of the container 2, the second cover
section 46 of the first
compartment cover 42 of the inner slide 6 may be omitted.
The formed inner slide 6 shown in Figure 6 is then inserted into the formed
outer shell 4
through the open upper end 18 thereof to form the container 2 according to the
first embodiment
of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 2.
It will be appreciated that the precise order in which the various panels,
flaps and tabs of
the one-piece laminar cardboard blanks shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5 are folded
and secured to
one another to form the outer shell 4 and inner slide 6 of the container 2 of
Figures 1 and 2 may
be varied depending upon, for example, the apparatus used to produce the
container 2. It will
also be appreciated that the one-piece laminar cardboard blanks shown in
Figures 3, 4 and 5
CA 02738443 2014-09-23
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may be folded manually to form the outer shell 4 and inner slide 6 of the
container 2 of Figures
1 and 2 if desired.
The upper retention flaps 52 of the outer shell 4 are not affixed to the inner
surface of the
left side wall panel 12 and the outer right side wall panel 14b of the outer
shell 4. This ensures
that the opposed upper retention flaps 52 of the outer shell 4 interact with
the opposed retention
tabs 70 of the inner slide 6 once the inner slide 6 is inserted into the outer
shell 4, as described
further below. In use, as the inner slide 6 reaches the open position shown in
Figure 2, the
inwardly folded upper retention flaps 52 of the outer shell 4 engage the
retention tabs 70 of the
inner slide 6, thereby advantageously preventing further slidable movement of
the inner slide 6
relative to the outer shell 4 beyond the open position. The interaction
between the upper
retention flaps 52 of the outer shell 4 and the retention tabs 70 of the inner
slide 6 prevents
removal of the inner slide 6 of the container 2 from the outer shell 4
thereof.
The slide and shell container 72 according to the second embodiment of the
invention
shown in Figure 7 is of similar construction to the slide and shell container
according to the first
embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 2. Corresponding reference
numerals are
used in Figures 7, 8 and 9 for elements of the slide and shell container 72
according to the
second embodiment of the invention and blanks for forming the inner slide
thereof that are
similar or related to elements of the slide and shell container 2 according to
the first
embodiment of the invention and blanks for forming the inner slide thereof
shown in Figures 1,
2, 4 and 5 and previously described.
The slide and shell container 72 according to the second embodiment of the
invention
shown in Figure 7 is rectangular parallelepipedal in shape and comprises an
outer shell 4 and
an inner slide 6 within the outer shell 4.
The outer shell 4 of the container 72 according to the second embodiment of
the
invention is identical to the outer shell 4 of the container 2 according to
the first embodiment of
the invention shown in Figures 1 and 2. As previously described above, the
outer shell 4 has a
front wall 8 and an opposed rear wall 10, a left side wall 12 and an opposed
right side wall 14
and a bottom wall 16. The walls 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 of the outer shell 4 define
a cup-shaped
receptacle with an open upper rectangular end face 18 defined by the upper
transverse free
edges of the front wall 8, rear wall 10, left side wall 12 and right side wall
12, within which the
inner slide 6 is inserted. A pair of opposed cut-outs 22 are provided at the
upper end of the
outer shell 4 along the free edges of the left 12 and right 14 side walls
thereof.
The terms "front", "rear", "top", "bottom, "upper" and "lower" are used to
describe the
relative positions of components of the container 72 according to the second
embodiment of the
invention when the container is held in an upright position with the open end
face 18 of the outer
shell 4 thereof at the top of the container 72. In the following description
of the container 72
CA 02738443 2014-09-23
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according to the second embodiment of the invention, these terms are used
irrespective of the
actual orientation of the container 72 or outer shell 4 or inner slide 6
thereof shown in Figures 7
to10.
The inner slide 6 of the container 72 shown in Figure 7 has a rear wall 24, a
left side wall
26 and an opposed right side wall 28, a top wall 30 and an opposed bottom wall
32. The walls
24, 26, 28, 30, 32 of the inner slide 6 define a tray that is slidable
longitudinally within the outer
shell 4 between a closed position and the open position, shown in Figure 7. As
shown in Figure
7, a pair of opposed cut-outs 34 are provided along the longitudinal free
edges of the left 26 and
right 28 side walls of the inner slide 6 proximate the top wall 30 thereof.
The inner slide 6 of the container 72 according to the second embodiment of
the
invention comprises a major first compartment 38 and a minor second
compartment 40. The
major first compartment 38 extends in a longitudinal direction from the top
wall 30 of the inner
slide 6 to a first compartment bottom wall 62a, which extends transversely
between the left 26
and right 28 side walls of the inner slide 6 proximate the bottom wall 32
thereof. The second
compartment 40 extends in a longitudinal direction from a second compartment
top wall 62b,
which extends transversely between the left 26 and right 28 side walls of the
inner slide 6
parallel and adjacent to the first compartment bottom wall 62a, to the bottom
wall 32 of the inner
slide 6. The open front faces of the first 38 and second 40 compartments of
the inner slide 6 act
as first and second access openings, respectively, through which the interiors
of the first 38 and
second 40 compartments may be accessed in the open position.
A first compartment cover 42 parallel to the rear wall 24 of the inner slide 6
extends from
the first compartment bottom wall 62a to the top wall 30 of the inner slide 6.
The first
compartment cover 42 has a first cover section 44, which is connected to the
first compartment
bottom wall 62a along a transverse hinge line, and a second cover section 46,
which is
connected to the first cover section 44 along a transverse hinge line. As
shown in Figure 7, a
central cut-out 48 is provided along the transverse free edge of the second
cover section 46 of
the first compartment cover 42 adjacent the top wall 30 of the inner slide 6.
A second compartment cover 74 parallel to the rear wall 24 of the inner slide
6 is
connected to the bottom wall 32 of the inner slide 6 along a transverse hinge
line and extends
from the bottom wall 32 of the inner slide 6 to the second compartment top
wall 62b. As shown
in Figure 10, a central projection or tab is provided along the transverse
free edge of the second
compartment cover 74 adjacent the second compartment top wall 62b.
In the closed position shown in Figure 1, the inner slide 6 of the container
72 according
to the second embodiment of the invention is contained within the outer shell
4 thereof with the
front wall 8, rear wall 10, left side wall 12, right side wall 14 and bottom
wall 16 of the outer shell
4 adjacent to and overlying the first compartment cover 42 and second
compartment cover 74,
CA 02738443 2014-09-23
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rear wall 24, left side wall 26, right side wall 28 and bottom wall 32,
respectively, of the inner
slide 6. The first 44 and second 46 cover sections of the first compartment
cover 42, which
extend across the front face of the first compartment 38 of the inner slide 6,
and the second
compartment cover 74, which extends across the front face of the second
compartment 40 of
the inner slide 6, are covered by the front wall 8 of the outer shell 4 in the
closed position.
Consequently, the interiors of the first 38 and second 40 compartments of the
inner slide 6 are
both inaccessible in the closed position; in the closed position the container
72 according to the
second embodiment of the invention is substantially identical in appearance to
the container 2
according to the first embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1.
In the open position shown in Figure 7, the bottom wall 32 of the inner slide
6 of the
container 72 according to the second embodiment of the invention is spaced
apart from the
bottom wall 16 of the outer shell 4 thereof and the portion of the first
compartment 38 of the
inner slide 6 covered by the second cover section 46 of the first compartment
cover 42 projects
outwardly from the outer shell 4 through the open upper end 18 thereof. As
shown in Figure 7,
the relative position of the inner slide 6 and outer shell 4 in the open
position is such that the
second compartment cover 74 extending across the front face of the second
compartment 40 of
the inner slide 6 is substantially aligned with a third elongate access
opening 20 provided in the
front wall 8 of the outer shell 4. As shown in Figure 7, the third access
opening 20 extends
across the front wall 8 of the outer shell towards the left 12 and right 14
side walls thereof.
With the container 72 in the open position shown in Figure 7, the consumer may
access
the interior of the first compartment 38 of the inner slide 6 by pivoting the
second cover section
46 of the first compartment cover 42 about the transverse hinge line
separating it from the first
cover section 44 thereof. In the open position, the consumer may also access
the interior of the
second compartment 40 of the inner slide 6 through the third access opening 20
provided in the
front wall 8 of the outer shell 4 by pivoting the second compartment cover 74
about the
transverse hinge line along which the second compartment cover 74 is connected
to the bottom
wall 32 of the inner slide 6.
Consequently, the interiors of the first 38 and second 40 compartments of the
inner slide
6 of the container 72 according to the second embodiment of the invention are
both accessible
in the open position shown in Figure 7.
In use, with the inner slide 6 in the closed position, the consumer holds the
outer shell 4
of the container 72 in one hand and with the thumb and forefinger of their
other hand grasps the
left 26 and right 28 side walls of the inner slide 6 through the opposed cut-
outs 22 provided in
the left 12 and right 14 side walls of the outer shell 4. To open the
container 72, the consumer
pulls the inner slide 6 outwardly away from the outer shell 4 through the open
upper end 18
thereof in order to slide the inner slide 6 relative to the outer shell 4 from
the closed position to
CA 02738443 2014-09-23
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the open position shown in Figure 7, and so align the second compartment cover
74 extending
across the front face of the second compartment 40 of the inner slide 6 with
the third access
opening 20 in the front wall 8 of the outer shell 4.
If desired, alternatively or in addition to the pair of opposed cut-outs 22
provided along
the transverse free edges of the left 12 and right 14 side walls thereof, an
aperture (not shown)
may be provided in the bottom wall 16 of the outer shell 4 through which, in
use, a consumer
may push on the bottom wall 32 of the inner slide 6 in order to open the
container 72.
As in the first embodiment of the invention, the transverse external cross-
section of the
inner slide 6 of the container 72 according to the second embodiment of the
invention is
substantially equal to the transverse internal cross-section of the outer
shell 4 thereof so that
during opening and closing of the container 72, frictional forces generated
between the outer
surface of the inner slide 6 and the inner surface of the outer shell 4
prevent slidable movement
of the inner slide 6 relative to the outer shell 4 until a positive force is
applied by the consumer.
As described further below, the container 72 further comprises retention means
for
preventing slidable movement of the inner slide 6 relative to the outer shell
4 beyond the open
position shown in Figure 7. Once the container 72 is in the open position
shown in Figure 7, the
consumer grasps the second cover section 46 of the first compartment cover 42
extending
across the front face of the first compartment 38 of the inner slide 6 and
pivots it rearwardly to
access smoking articles or other consumer goods (not shown) contained in the
first
compartment 38. The cut-out 48 provided along the transverse free edge of the
second cover
section 46 of the first compartment cover 42 facilitates the pivotal movement
of the second
cover section 46 of the first compartment cover 42 by the consumer. In use,
the opposed cut-
outs 34 provided along the longitudinal free edges of the left 26 and right 28
side walls of the
inner slide 6 then facilitate the removal of consumer goods (not shown)
contained in the first
compartment 38 of the inner slide 6 from the container 2. However, it will be
appreciated that
depending upon, for example, the orientation of consumer goods contained in
the first
compartment 38, the opposed cut-outs 34 may be omitted.
The outer shell 4 of the container 72 of Figure 7 may be formed from the one-
piece
blank shown in Figure 3 in the manner previously described above. One-piece
laminar
cardboard blanks from which the: first compartment 38 and first compartment
cover 42; and
second compartment 40 and second compartment cover 74 of the inner slide 6 of
the container
72 of Figure 7 may be formed are shown in Figures 8 and 9, respectively.
Corresponding reference numerals are used in Figures 8 and 9 for elements of
the
blanks that are similar or related to elements of the inner slide 6 of the
container 72 of Figure 7
previously described. The blanks includes various panels, flaps and tabs
(labelled in bold in
Figure 8 and 9) that, when folded about appropriate score lines (shown by
broken lines in
CA 02738443 2014-09-23
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Figures 8 and 9) and affixed with adhesive (shown by areas of cross hatching
in Figures 8 and
9) in a conventional manner, form the outer shell 4 and inner slide 6 of the
container 72 shown
in Figure 7.
The blank shown in Figure 8 for forming the first compartment 38 and first
compartment
cover 42 of the inner slide 6 of the container 72 shown in Figure 7 has a rear
wall panel 24,
inner 26a and outer 26b left side wall panels, inner 28a and outer 28b right
side wall panels,
inner 30a and outer 30b top wall panels, which when the blank is folded form
the corresponding
walls of the inner slide 6. As shown in Figure 8, the blank also includes a
pair of upper closure
tabs 58, which are connected to the upper edges of the outer left 26b and
outer right 28b side
wall panels along score lines.
As shown in Figure 8, the blank further comprises a first compartment bottom
wall panel
62a, which is connected to the rear wall panel 24 of of the blank via a
connection panel 68a.
During erection of the blank, the connection panel 68a is folded so that it
overlies the rear wall
24 of the inner slide 6 and spaces the first compartment bottom wall panel 62a
from the bottom
edges of the rear wall 24 and the outer left 26 and right 28 side walls of the
inner slide 6.
The blank also further comprises a first cover section panel 44, which is
connected to
the first compartment bottom wall panel 62a along a transverse score line, a
second cover
section 46, which is connected to the first cover section panel 44 along a
hinge line (shown by a
heavy dashed line in Figure 8), and a pair of opposed retention tabs 70, which
are connected to
the side edges of the first cover section panel 44 along score lines.
The various panels, tabs and flaps of the blank shown in Figure 8 are folded
and affixed
to one another to form the first compartment 38 and first compartment cover 42
of the inner
slide 6 of the container 72 according to the second embodiment of the
invention shown in
Figure 7. As shown in Figure 10, during erection of the blank, the opposed
retention tabs 70 of
the blank are affixed to the outer surfaces of the left 26 and right 28 side
walls of the inner slide
6.
The fold lines formed between the inner 26a and outer 26b left side wall
panels and the
inner 28a and outer 28b right side wall panels and between the inner 30a and
outer 30b top wall
panels of the blank advantageously provide neat, dull free edges to the left
side wall 26, right
side wall 28 and top wall 30, respectively, of the formed inner slide 6 of the
container 72.
However, to reduce the quantity of material required to form the inner slide 6
of the container 72
shown in Figure 7 and to facilitate folding of the blank shown in Figure 8, it
will be appreciated
that one or more of the outer left side wall panel 26b, the outer right side
wall panel 28b and the
outer top wall panel 30b may be omitted.
It will also be appreciated that, if desired, the blank for forming the first
compartment 38
and first compartment cover 42 of the inner slide 6 of the container 72
according to the second
CA 02738443 2014-09-23
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embodiment of the invention may further comprise one or more rear wall
reinforcement flaps
connected to the inner left side wall panel 26a, inner right side wall panel
28b or inner top wall
panel 30a of the inner slide 6 along score lines, as previously described
above. In such
embodiments, the rear wall reinforcement flaps, which during erection of the
blank are folded so
that they overlie the rear wall 24 of the inner slide 6 in the first
compartment 38, advantageously
provide additional surface area that may be printed with, for example,
information concerning
the composition or use of consumer goods contained in the first compartment 38
of the inner
slide 6 of the container 72.
The blank shown in Figure 9 for forming the second compartment 40 and second
compartment cover 74 of the inner slide 6 of the container 72 shown in Figure
7 comprises inner
62b' and outer 62h" second compartment top wall panels, which when the blank
is folded form
the top wall 62b of the second compartment 40.
As shown in Figure 9, the blank further comprises a second compartment bottom
wall
panel 32, which is connected to the inner second compartment top wall panel
62b' via a
connection panel 68b, and a second compartment cover panel 74, which is
connected to the
second compartment borrom wall panel 32 along a transverse score line.
When the blank is folded and affixed to the folded blank for forming the first
compartment 38 and first compartment cover 42 of the inner slide 6, the second
compartment
bottom wall panel 32 forms the bottom wall 32 of the inner slide 6 and the
connection panel 68b,
which overlies the connection panel 68a of the blank for forming the first
compartment 38 and
first compartment cover 42 of the inner slide 6, forms the rear wall of the
second compartment
40.
The blank also further comprises: inner left 76a and right 78a second
compartment side
wall panels, which are connected to the opposed side edges of the connection
panel 68b along
score lines; outer left 76b and right 78b second compartment side wall panels,
which are
connected to the opposed side edges of the outer second compartment top wall
panel 62h"
along score lines; and a pair of lower closure tabs 80, which are connected to
the opposed side
edges of the outer left 76b and right 78b second compartment side wall panels.
The various panels, tabs and flaps of the blank shown in Figure 9 are folded
and affixed
to one another to form the second compartment 40 and second compartment cover
74 of the
inner slide 6 of the container 72 according to the second embodiment of the
invention shown in
Figure 7. During erection of the blank, the outer second compartment top wall
panel 62h" is
affixed to the outer surface of the inner second compartment top wall panel
62b' and the outer
left 76b and right 78b second compartment side wall panels are affixed to the
outer surfaces of
the inner left 76a and right 78a second compartment side wall panels,
respectively. As shown
in Figure 10, the lower closure tabs 80 of the blank are also affixed to the
outer surface of the
CA 02738443 2014-09-23
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second compartment bottom wall panel 32.
As shown in Figure 10, to form the inner slide 6 of the container 72 of Figure
7, the outer
surface of the outer second compartment top wall panel 62h" of the folded
blank for forming the
second compartment 40 and second compartment cover 74 is then affixed to the
outer surface
of the first compartment bottom wall panel 62a of the folded blank for forming
the first
compartment 38 and first compartment cover 42 of the inner slide 6.
The formed inner slide 6 shown in Figure 10 is then inserted into the formed
outer shell 4
through the open upper end 18 thereof to form the container 72 according to
the second
embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 7.
Formation of the first compartment 38 and first compartment cover 42 of the
inner slide 6
from a first one-piece laminar blank and the second compartment 40 and second
compartment
cover 74 thereof from a second one-piece laminar blank, allows the first 38
and second 42
compartments of the container 72 according to the second embodiment of the
invention to be
formed from different material or materials. As previously described above,
this is particulaly
advantageous where one of the first and second compartments of the inner slide
contains a
plurality of heated smoking articles comprising a combustible heat source or
fuel element and
an aerosol-generating substrate and the other of the first and second
compartments of the inner
slide is a waste compartment intended to receive and extinguish one or more
used heated
articles. In such embodiments, the compartment containing the plurality of
smoking articles and
the compartment cover thereof may be formed from, for example, a one-piece
laminar
cardboard blank and the waste compartment may be at least partial formed,
coated or lined
from or with one or more heat resistant materials, one or more heat resistant
and heat
conductive metarial or a combination thereof. For example, the waste
compartment and waste
compartment cover may be formed from a one-piece aluminium laminated board
blank.
It will be appreciated that the precise order in which the various panels,
flaps and tabs of
the one-piece laminar cardboard blanks shown in Figures 8 and 9 are folded and
secured to
one another to form the inner slide 6 of the container 72 of Figure 7 may be
varied depending
upon, for example, the apparatus used to produce the container 72. It will
also be appreciated
that the one-piece laminar cardboard blanks shown in Figures 8 and 9 may be
folded manually
to form the outer shell 4 and inner slide 6 of the container 72 of Figure 7 if
desired.
As in the first embodiment of the invention previously described, the upper
retention
flaps 52 of the outer shell 4 of the container 72 according to the second
embodiment of the
invention are not affixed to the inner surface of the left side wall panel 12
and the outer right
side wall panel 14b of the outer shell 4. This ensures that the opposed upper
retention flaps 52
of the outer shell 4 interact with the opposed retention tabs 70 of the inner
slide 6 once the inner
slide 6 is inserted into the outer shell 4. In use, as the inner slide 6 of
the container 72
CA 02738443 2014-09-23
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according to the second embodiment of the invention reaches the open position
shown in
Figure 7, the inwardly folded upper retention flaps 52 of the outer shell 4
engage the retention
tabs 70 of the inner slide 6, thereby advantageously preventing further
slidable movement of the
inner slide 6 relative to the outer shell 4 beyond the open position. The
interaction between the
upper retention flaps 52 of the outer shell 4 and the retention tabs 70 of the
inner slide 6
prevents removal of the inner slide 6 of the container 72 from the outer shell
4 thereof.
The invention has been exemplified above with reference to containers
comprising an
inner slide formed from two separate one-piece laminar blanks. However,
containers according
to the invention may comprise an inner slide formed from a single one-piece
laminar blank. For
example, containers according to the invention may comprise an inner slide
having first and
second compartments, an integral partition and an integral first compartment
cover formed from
a single one-piece laminar blank. A suitable single one-piece laminar blank
for forming an inner
slide having first and second compartments, an integral partition and an
integral first
compartment cover may be formed by combining the panels and flaps of the blank
shown in
Figure 5 with the blank shown in Figure 4. Containers according to the
invention may also
comprise inner slides in which the hinged second cover section of the first
compartment cover is
omitted and both the first and second compartments of the inner slide have at
least partially
open front faces.
It will be appreciated that where the second cover section of the first
compartment cover
of the inner slide is omitted or the inner slide of the container is formed
from a single one-piece
laminar blank, one or more fixed tabs or other projections may still be
provided on the inner
slide that, in use, interact with one or more hinged flaps provided on the
outer shell to prevent
further slidable movement of the inner slide relative to the outer shell
beyond the open position.
For example, containers according to the invention may comprise an inner slide
formed from
single one-piece laminar blank similar to that shown in Figure 4 wherein, in
use, the inwardly
folded upper retention flaps 52 of the outer shell 4 engage the lower closure
tabs 56 of the inner
slide 6 to prevent further slidable movement of the inner slide 6 relative to
the outer shell 4
beyond the open position.
The invention has been exemplified above with reference to containers
comprising an
inner slide which is slidable within the outer shell between a closed
position, in which the
interiors of the first and second compartments are both inaccessible, and a
"fully" open position,
in which the interiors of the first and second compartments are both
accessible. However,
containers according to the invention may comprise an inner slide which is
slidable within the
outer shell between a closed position and a "fully" open position via one or
more intermediate
"partially open" positions in which the interior of one of the first and
second compartment is
inaccessible and the interior of the other of the first and second
compartments is accessible.
