Rigid container for tobacco articles with rounded or beveled transverse and longitudinal edges

Abstract

A rigid, substantially parallelepiped-shaped container for tobacco articles, having two, respectively top and bottom, end walls ( 7, 8 ); a lateral surface ( 6 ) bounded by the end walls ( 7, 8 ) and defined by two, respectively front and rear, major lateral walls ( 10, 11 ), and by two minor lateral walls ( 9 ); four longitudinal edges ( 13 ), each defined between a major lateral wall ( 10; 11 ) and a minor lateral wall ( 9 ); and eight transverse edges ( 14 ), each defined between an end wall ( 7; 8 ) and a lateral wall ( 9; 10; 11 ); the two transverse edges ( 14 ) of the front wall ( 10 ) and the two longitudinal edges ( 13 ) of the rear wall ( 11 ) are nonsquare edges, while the other transverse and longitudinal edges ( 14, 13 ) are sharp square edges.

1 . A rigid, substantially parallelepiped-shaped container for tobacco articles, comprising two, respectively top and bottom, end walls ( 7 ,  8 ); a lateral surface ( 6 ) bounded by the end walls ( 7 ,  8 ) and defined by two, respectively front and rear, major lateral walls ( 10 ,  11 ), and by two minor lateral walls ( 9 ); four longitudinal edges ( 13 ), each defined between a major lateral wall ( 10 ;  11 ) and a minor lateral wall ( 9 ); and eight transverse edges ( 14 ), each defined between an end wall ( 7 ;  8 ) and a lateral wall ( 9 ;  10 ;  11 ); the container ( 1 ) being characterized in that at least one longitudinal edge ( 13 ) and at least one transverse edge ( 14 ) are nonsquare edges, while the other longitudinal and transverse edges ( 13 ;  14 ) are sharp square edges.  
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the two longitudinal edges ( 13 ) of a same major lateral wall ( 10 ;  11 ) and the two transverse edges ( 14 ) of a same major lateral wall ( 10 ;  11 ) are nonsquare edges, while the other transverse and longitudinal edges ( 14 ;  13 ) are sharp square edges.  
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the two longitudinal edges ( 13 ) of a same major lateral wall ( 10 ;  11 ) and the two transverse edges ( 14 ) of the other major lateral wall ( 11 ;  10 ) are nonsquare edges, while the other transverse and longitudinal edges ( 14 ;  13 ) are sharp square edges.  
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the two longitudinal edges ( 13 ) of the rear major lateral wall ( 11 ) and the two transverse edges ( 14 ) of the front major lateral wall ( 10 ) are nonsquare edges, while the other transverse and longitudinal edges ( 14 ;  13 ) are sharp square edges.  
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 1  wherein at least one said nonsquare longitudinal or transverse edge ( 13 ;  14 ) is a rounded edge.  
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 1  wherein at least one said nonsquare longitudinal or transverse edge ( 13 ;  14 ) is a beveled edge.  
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 1  wherein at least one lateral wall ( 9 ;  10 ;  11 ) has at least one outwardly convex half-profile, is connected to at least one adjacent lateral wall ( 9 ;  10 ;  11 ) along a respective sharp longitudinal edge ( 13 ), and forms, with said adjacent lateral wall ( 9 ;  10 ;  11 ), a respective substantially obtuse dihedral angle, so that the respective longitudinal edge ( 13 ) is non-square.  
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 7  wherein said lateral wall ( 9 ;  10 ;  11 ) having at least one outwardly convex half-profile comprises a respective flat central portion ( 24 ), and at least one lateral band ( 25 ) precreased by longitudinal crease lines ( 26 ); which lateral band ( 25 ) is curved with its concavity facing inwards to connect the central portion ( 24 ) to the corresponding lateral wall ( 9 ;  10 ;  11 ) and to form, with the lateral wall ( 9 ;  10 ;  11 ), a respective said substantially obtuse dihedral angle.  
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 8  wherein at least one lateral wall ( 9 ;  10 ;  11 ) has an outwardly convex profile and comprises a respective flat central portion ( 24 ), and two lateral bands ( 25 ) precreased by longitudinal crease lines ( 26 ); each lateral band ( 25 ) being curved with its concavity facing inwards to connect the central portion ( 24 ) to the corresponding lateral wall ( 9 ;  10 ;  11 ) and to form, with the lateral wall ( 9 ;  10 ;  11 ), a respective said substantially obtuse dihedral angle.  
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 1  wherein at least one lateral wall ( 9 ;  10 ;  11 ) has at least one outwardly convex half-profile, is connected to at least one adjacent end wall ( 7 ;  8 ) along a respective sharp transverse edge ( 14 ), and forms, with the adjacent end wall ( 7 ;  8 ), a respective substantially obtuse dihedral angle, so that the respective transverse edge ( 14 ) is nonsquare.  
   
   
       11 . The container of  claim 10  wherein said lateral wall ( 9 ;  10 ;  11 ) having at least one outwardly convex half-profile comprises a respective flat central portion, and at least one lateral band precreased by transverse crease lines; which lateral band is curved with its concavity facing inwards to connect the central portion to the corresponding end wall ( 7 ;  8 ) and to form, with the end wall ( 7 ;  8 ), a respective said substantially obtuse dihedral angle.  
   
   
       12 . The container of  claim 11  wherein at least one lateral wall ( 9 ;  10 ;  11 ) has an outwardly convex profile and comprises a respective flat central portion, and two lateral bands precreased by transverse crease lines; each lateral band being curved with its concavity facing inwards to connect the central portion to the corresponding end wall ( 7 ;  8 ) and to form, with the end wall ( 7 ;  8 ), a respective said substantially obtuse dihedral angle.  
   
   
       13 . The container of  claim 1  wherein at least one end wall ( 7 ;  8 ) has at least one outwardly convex half-profile, is connected to at least one adjacent lateral wall ( 9 ;  10 ;  11 ) along a respective sharp transverse edge ( 14 ), and forms, with the adjacent lateral wall ( 9 ;  10 ;  11 ), a respective substantially obtuse dihedral angle, so that the respective transverse edge ( 14 ) is nonsquare.  
   
   
       14 . The container of  claim 13  wherein said end wall ( 7 ;  8 ) having at least one outwardly convex half-profile comprises a respective flat central portion, and at least one lateral band precreased by transverse crease lines; which lateral band is curved with its concavity facing inwards to connect the central portion to the corresponding lateral wall ( 9 ;  10 ;  11 ) and to form, with the lateral wall ( 9 ;  10 ;  11 ), a respective said substantially obtuse dihedral angle.  
   
   
       15 . The container of  claim 1  comprising a cup-shaped bottom container ( 2 ) having an open top end ( 3 ); and a cup-shaped top lid ( 4 ) hinged to the bottom container ( 2 ) along a hinge ( 5 ) to rotate, with respect to the bottom container ( 2 ), between an open position and a closed position respectively opening and closing the open top end ( 3 ).  
   
   
       16 . The container of  claim 15  wherein said eight transverse edges ( 14 ) are divided into four major transverse edges ( 14   a ) and four minor transverse edges ( 14   b ); said hinge ( 5 ) being located along said rear major lateral wall ( 11 ) and being parallel to the major transverse edges ( 14   a ).  
   
   
       17 . The container of  claim 15  wherein said eight transverse edges ( 14 ) are divided into four major transverse edges ( 14   a ) and four minor transverse edges ( 14   b ); said hinge ( 5 ) being located along a said minor lateral wall ( 9 ) and being parallel to the minor transverse edges ( 14   b ).  
   
   
       18 . The container of  claim 15  wherein said eight transverse edges ( 14 ) are divided into four major transverse edges ( 14   a ) and four minor transverse edges ( 14   b ); said hinge ( 5 ) being located along said top end wall ( 7 ) and being parallel to the minor transverse edges ( 14   b ).  
   
   
       19 . The container of  claim 15  wherein said bottom container ( 2 ) and said lid ( 4 ) have respective edges ( 22 ,  21 ) facing each other, and which are spaced apart when said lid ( 4 ) is in said closed position.  
   
   
       20 . The container of  claim 15  wherein said bottom container ( 2 ) and said lid ( 4 ) have respective edges ( 22 ,  21 ) facing each other, and which are curved.  
   
   
       21 . A rigid, substantially parallelepiped-shaped container for tobacco articles, comprising two, respectively top and bottom, end walls ( 7 ;  8 ); a lateral surface ( 6 ) bounded by the end walls ( 7 ;  8 ) and defined by two, respectively front and rear, major lateral walls ( 10 ;  11 ), and by two minor lateral walls ( 9 ); four longitudinal edges ( 13 ), each defined between a major lateral wall ( 10 ;  11 ) and a minor lateral wall ( 9 ); and eight transverse edges ( 14 ), each defined between an end wall ( 7 ;  8 ) and a lateral wall ( 9 ;  10 ;  11 ); the container ( 1 ) being characterized in that at least one transverse edge ( 14 ) and at least one longitudinal edge ( 13 ) are rounded or beveled edges, while the other transverse and longitudinal edges ( 14 ;  13 ) are sharp square edges.  
   
   
       22 . A rigid, substantially parallelepiped-shaped container for tobacco articles, comprising two, respectively top and bottom, end walls ( 7 ;  8 ); a lateral surface ( 6 ) bounded by the end walls ( 7 ;  8 ) and defined by two, respectively front and rear, major lateral walls ( 10 ;  11 ), and by two minor lateral walls ( 9 ); four longitudinal edges ( 13 ), each defined between a major lateral wall ( 10 ;  11 ) and a minor lateral wall ( 9 ); and eight transverse edges ( 14 ), each defined between an end wall ( 7 ;  8 ) and a lateral wall ( 9 ;  10 ;  11 ); the container ( 1 ) being characterized in that the two longitudinal edges ( 13 ) of the rear major lateral wall ( 11 ) and the two transverse edges ( 14 ) of the front major lateral wall ( 10 ) are rounded or beveled edges, while the other transverse and longitudinal edges ( 14 ,  13 ) are sharp square edges.  
   
   
       23 . A rigid, substantially parallelepiped-shaped container for tobacco articles, comprising two, respectively top and bottom, end walls ( 7 ;  8 ); a lateral surface ( 6 ) bounded by the end walls ( 7 ;  8 ) and defined by two, respectively front and rear, major lateral walls ( 10 ;  11 ), and by two minor lateral walls ( 9 ); four longitudinal edges ( 13 ), each defined between a major lateral wall ( 10 ;  11 ) and a minor lateral wall ( 9 ); and eight transverse edges ( 14 ), each defined between an end wall ( 7 ;  8 ) and a lateral wall ( 9 ;  10 ;  11 ); at least one lateral wall ( 9 ;  10 ;  11 ) having an outwardly convex profile, being connected to each of the two adjacent lateral walls ( 9 ;  10 ;  11 ) along a respective sharp longitudinal edge ( 13 ), and forming, with the two adjacent lateral walls ( 9 ;  10 ;  11 ), respective substantially obtuse dihedral angles; the container ( 1 ) being characterized in that at least one transverse edge ( 14 ) is a rounded or beveled edge, while the other transverse edges ( 14 ) are sharp square edges.  
   
   
       24 . A rigid, substantially parallelepiped-shaped carton of packets of cigarettes, comprising two, respectively top and bottom, end walls ( 7 ;  8 ); a lateral surface ( 6 ) bounded by the end walls ( 7 ;  8 ) and defined by two, respectively front and rear, major lateral walls ( 10 ;  11 ), and by two minor lateral walls ( 9 ); and eight transverse edges ( 14 ), each defined between an end wall ( 7 ;  8 ) and a lateral wall ( 9 ;  10 ;  11 ); the carton being characterized in that at least one longitudinal edge ( 13 ) and at least one transverse edge ( 14 ) are nonsquare edges, while the other longitudinal and transverse edges ( 13 ;  14 ) are sharp square edges.  
   
   
       25 . The carton of  claim 24  wherein the two longitudinal edges ( 13 ) of a same major lateral wall ( 10 ;  11 ) and the two transverse edges ( 14 ) of a same major lateral wall ( 10 ;  11 ) are nonsquare edges, while the other transverse and longitudinal edges ( 14 ;  13 ) are sharp square edges.  
   
   
       26 . The carton of  claim 24  wherein the two longitudinal edges ( 13 ) of a same major lateral wall ( 10 ;  11 ) and the two transverse edges ( 14 ) of the other major lateral wall ( 11 ;  10 ) are nonsquare edges, while the other transverse and longitudinal edges ( 14 ;  13 ) are sharp square edges.  
   
   
       27 . The carton of  claim 24  wherein the two longitudinal edges ( 13 ) of the rear major lateral wall ( 11 ) and the two transverse edges ( 14 ) of the front major lateral wall ( 10 ) are nonsquare edges, while the other transverse and longitudinal edges ( 14 ;  13 ) are sharp square edges.  
   
   
       28 . The carton of  claim 24  wherein at least one said nonsquare longitudinal or transverse edge ( 13 ;  14 ) is a rounded edge.  
   
   
       29 . The carbon of  claim 24  wherein at least one said nonsquare longitudinal or transverse edge ( 13 ;  14 ) is a beveled edge.  
   
   
       30 . The carton of  claim 24  wherein at least one lateral wall ( 9 ;  10 ;  11 ) has at least one outwardly convex half-profile, is connected to at least one adjacent lateral wall ( 9 ;  10 ;  11 ) along a respective sharp longitudinal edge ( 13 ), and forms, with said adjacent lateral wall ( 9 ;  10 ;  11 ), a respective substantially obtuse dihedral angle, so that the respective longitudinal edge ( 13 ) is nonsquare.  
   
   
       31 . The carbon of  claim 30  wherein said lateral wall ( 9 ;  10 ;  11 ) having at least one outwardly convex half-profile comprises a respective flat central portion ( 24 ), and at least one lateral band ( 25 ) precreased by longitudinal crease lines ( 26 ); which lateral band ( 25 ) is curved with its concavity facing inwards to connect the central portion ( 24 ) to the corresponding lateral wall ( 9 ;  10 ;  11 ) and to form, with the lateral wall ( 9 ;  10 ;  11 ), a respective said substantially obtuse dihedral angle.  
   
   
       32 . The carton of  claim 31  wherein at least one lateral wall ( 9 ;  10 ;  11 ) has an outwardly convex profile and comprises a respective flat central portion ( 24 ), and two lateral bands ( 25 ) precreased by longitudinal crease lines ( 26 ); each lateral band ( 25 ) being curved with its concavity facing inwards to connect the central portion ( 24 ) to the corresponding lateral wall ( 9 ;  10 ;  11 ) and to form, with the lateral wall ( 9 ;  10 ;  11 ), a respective said substantially obtuse dihedral angle.  
   
   
       33 . The carton of  claim 24  wherein at least one lateral wall ( 9 ;  10 ;  11 ) has at least one outwardly convex half-profile, is connected to at least one adjacent end wall ( 7 ;  8 ) along a respective sharp transverse edge ( 14 ), and forms, with the adjacent end wall ( 7 ;  8 ), a respective substantially obtuse dihedral angle, so that the respective transverse edge ( 14 ) is nonsquare.  
   
   
       34 . The carton of  claim 33  wherein said lateral wall ( 9 ;  10 ;  11 ) having at least one outwardly convex half-profile comprises a respective flat central portion, and at least one lateral band precreased by transverse crease lines; which lateral band is curved with its concavity facing inwards to connect the central portion to the corresponding end wall ( 7 ;  8 ) and to form, with the end wall ( 7 ;  8 ), a respective said substantially obtuse dihedral angle.  
   
   
       35 . The carton of  claim 34  wherein at least one lateral wall ( 9 ;  10 ;  11 ) has an outwardly convex profile and comprises a respective flat central portion, and two lateral bands precreased by transverse crease lines; each lateral band being curved with its concavity facing inwards to connect the central portion to the corresponding end wall ( 7 ;  8 ) and to form, with the end wall ( 7 ;  8 ), a respective said substantially obtuse dihedral angle.  
   
   
       36 . The carton of  claim 24  wherein at least one end wall ( 7 ;  8 ) has at least one outwardly convex half-profile, is connected to at least one adjacent lateral wall ( 9 ;  10 ;  11 ) along a respective sharp transverse edge ( 14 ), and forms, with the adjacent lateral wall ( 9 ;  10 ;  11 ), a respective substantially obtuse dihedral angle, so that the respective transverse edge ( 14 ) is nonsquare.  
   
   
       37 . The carton of  claim 36  wherein said end wall ( 7 ;  8 ) having at least one outwardly convex half-profile comprises a respective flat central portion, and at least one lateral band precreased by transverse crease lines; which lateral band is curved with its concavity facing inwards to connect the central portion to the corresponding lateral wall ( 9 ;  10 ;  11 ) and to form, with the lateral wall ( 9 ;  10 ;  11 ), a respective said substantially obtuse dihedral angle.  
   
   
       38 . The carton of  claim 24  comprising a cup-shaped bottom container ( 2 ) having an open top end ( 3 ); and a cup-shaped top lid ( 4 ) hinged to the bottom container ( 2 ) along a hinge ( 5 ) to rotate, with respect to the bottom container ( 2 ), between an open position and a closed position respectively opening and closing the open top end ( 3 ).  
   
   
       39 . The carton of  claim 38  wherein said eight transverse edges ( 14 ) are divided into four major transverse edges ( 14   a ) and four minor transverse edges ( 14   b ); said hinge ( 5 ) being located along said rear major lateral wall ( 11 ) and being parallel to the major transverse edges ( 14   a ).  
   
   
       40 . The carton of  claim 38  wherein said eight transverse edges ( 14 ) are divided into four major transverse edges ( 14   a ) and four minor transverse edges ( 14   b ); said hinge ( 5 ) being located along a said minor lateral wall ( 9 ) and being parallel to the minor transverse edges ( 14   b ).  
   
   
       41 . The carton of  claim 38  wherein said eight transverse edges ( 14 ) are divided into four major transverse edges ( 14   a ) and four minor transverse edges ( 14   b ); said hinge ( 5 ) being located along said top end wall ( 7 ) and being parallel to the minor transverse edges ( 14   b ).  
   
   
       42 . The carton of  claim 38  wherein said bottom container ( 2 ) and said lid ( 4 ) have respective edges ( 22 ,  21 ) facing each other, and which are spaced apart when said lid ( 4 ) is in said closed position.  
   
   
       43 . The carton of  claim 38  wherein said bottom container ( 2 ) and said lid ( 4 ) have respective edges ( 22 ,  21 ) facing each other, and which are curved.