Packages

Abstract

A package comprises first and second packs (P 1 , P 2 ) each capable of containing items. Each pack has a base, and a first face (F 1 , F 1 ′) bound by a first edge (E 1 , E 1′ ) and a second edge (E 2 , E 2 ′) which co-operate with the base to contain items in the packs. Means (JL) connect the first and second packs (P 1 , P 2 ), the means comprising at least first and second straps (S 1 , S 2 ). In a first position of the packs the first faces (F 1 , F 1 ′) of each pack face each other with the first edges (E 1 , E 1′ ) of the first and second packs adjacent each other and the second edges (E 1 , E 2 ′) of the first and second packs adjacent each other. The first and second straps (S 1 , S 2 ) extend across the first faces (F 1 , F 1 ′) of the packs, the first strap (S 1 ) is hinged relative to the first pack at the first edge (E 1 ) of the first pack and hinged relative to the second pack at the second edge (E 2 ′) of the second pack, and the second strap (S 2 ) is hinged relative to the second pack (P 2 ) at the first edge (E 1 ′) of the second pack and hinged relative to the first pack at the second edge of the first pack. When connected together by the straps (S 1 , S 2 ), the first and second packs (P 1 , P 2 ) are moveable, one relative to the other between at least the first position, a second position in which the second pack (P 2 ) is rotated relative to the first pack (P 1 ) about the first edge (E 1 ) and a third position in which the second pack (P 2 ) is rotated relative to the first pack (P 1 ) about the second edge (E 2′ ).

1 . A package comprising: first and second packs each capable of containing items, each pack having a first face bound by a first edge and a second edge, and means, connecting the first and second packs, which means comprising first and second straps which are attachable to the first and second packs; wherein, in a first position of the packs the first face of the first and second packs face each other with the first edges of the first and second pack adjacent to each other and the second edges of the first and second pack adjacent each other, the first and second straps extending across the first face and being hinged about the first and second edges, wherein the first strap is hinged about the first edge of the first pack and hinged about the second edge of the second pack and the second strap is hinged about the second edge of the first pack and hinged about the first edge of the second pack, whereby the first and second packs are movable, one relative to the other between at least the first position, a second position in which the second pack is rotated relative to the first pack about the first edge and a third position in which the second pack is rotated relative to the first pack about the second edge. 
   
   
       2 . A package according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second edges are parallel to each other. 
   
   
       3 . A package according to  claim 1 , wherein the first edge and second edge of each pack each adjoin respectively a first side face and a second side face that co-operate with the first face and the base to form a container that is capable of containing items. 
   
   
       4 . A package according to  claim 1 , wherein the base of each pack is triangular. 
   
   
       5 . A package according to  claim 4 , wherein the first strap is fixed to the first side face that adjoins the first edge of the first pack and is fixed at the second side face that adjoins the second edge of the second pack; and the second strap is fixed to the first side face that adjoins the first edge of the second pack and is fixed to the second side face that adjoins the second edge of the first pack. 
   
   
       6 . A package according to  claim 4 , wherein each of the first and second side faces adjoin each other thereby providing a coincident third edge, in the first position the first strap is fixed at the second side face of the first pack and extends around the third edge and across the first side face of the first pack, around the first edge of the first pack and across the first face of both packs around the second edge of the second pack and is fixed at the second side face of the second pack; and the second strap is fixed at the second side face of the second pack and extends around the third edge of the second pack, across the first side face of the second pack around the first edge of the second pack across the first faces of both the first and second packs and around the second edge of the first pack, and is fixed at the second side face of the first pack; whereby the first strap is hinged about the first edge of the second pack and the first and third edges of the first pack and the second strap is hinged about the second edge of the first pack and the first and third edges of the second pack; the first and second packs are movable relative to each other from the first position to a position wherein the second pack is rotated relative to the first pack about the second edge and to a position in which the first pack is rotated relative to the second pack about the first edge and the third edge. 
   
   
       7 . A package according to  claim 1 , wherein the base of each pack is a quadrilateral. 
   
   
       8 . A package according to  claim 7 , wherein the first strap is fixed to the first side face that adjoins the first edge of the first pack and is fixed at the second side face that adjoins the second edge of the second pack; and the second strap is fixed to the first side face that adjoins the first edge of the second pack and is fixed to the second side face that adjoins the second edge of the first pack. 
   
   
       9 . A package according to  claim 7 , wherein each of the first and second side faces provide edges parallel to the first and second edges, thereby providing a third edge and a fourth edge, the third and fourth edges bounding a second face that faces the first face of each pack, the first and second face and the first and second side faces co-operate with the base to contain items; in the first position the first strap extends across the first face of both packs and the second side face that adjoins the second edge of the second pack and is fixed at the second face of the second pack and is fixed at the first side face that adjoins the first edge of the first pack; and the second strap extends across the first faces of both the first and second packs and the second side face that adjoins the second edge of the first pack and is fixed at the second face of the first pack and the first side face that adjoins the first edge of the second pack; whereby the first strap is hinged about the first edge of first pack and the second and fourth edges of the second pack and the second strap is hinged about the first edge of the second pack and the second and fourth edges of the first pack; the first and second packs are movable relative to each other from the first position to a position in which the second pack is rotated relative to the first pack about the third edge and a position in which the first pack is rotated relative to the second pack about the fourth edge. 
   
   
       10 . A package according to  claim 7 , wherein each of the first and second side faces provides an edge parallel to the first and second edges, thereby providing a third edge and a fourth edge, the third and fourth edges bounding a second face that faces the first face of each pack, the first and second faces and the first and second side faces co-operate with the base to contain items, wherein in the first position the first strap is fixed at the second face of the first pack, extends around the third edge of the first pack, extends across the first face of both packs, around the second edge of the second pack, across the second side face of the second pack around the fourth edge of the second pack and is fixed at the second face of the second pack; and the second strap is fixed at the second face of the second pack, extends around the third edge of the second pack, across the second side edge of the second pack, across the first faces of both the first and second packs, around the second edge of the first pack, across the second side face of the first pack, around the fourth edge of the first pack and is fixed at the second face of the first pack; whereby the first strap is hinged about the first and third edges of the first pack and the second and fourth edges of the second pack and the second strap is hinged about the first edge and third edges of the second pack and the second and fourth edges of the first pack, whereby the packs are movable to a position in which the first and second pack are rotated relative to each other about the first and third edges or a position in which the first and second packs are rotated relative to each other about the second and fourth edges. 
   
   
       11 . A package according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second straps are, in the first position integral parts of a single member which joins the first and second packs together, the single member being separable to provide the first and second straps. 
   
   
       12 . A package according to  claim 11 , wherein the first and second straps are separable along a line of weakening in the single member in an area that corresponds with the first faces of the first and second packs. 
   
   
       13 . A package according to  claim 11 , wherein portions of the first and second straps outside the area of the first faces are separate from each other. 
   
   
       14 . A package according to  claim 11 , wherein the single member is paper, plastic or cardboard. 
   
   
       15 . A package according to any one of  claim 11 , wherein the single member is fixed to the first and second packs. 
   
   
       16 . A package according to  claim 11 , wherein the straps are fixed at each end thereof to backings, at respective ones of the second faces of the first and second pack, the first and second packs being held between the backings and the straps. 
   
   
       17 . A package according to  claim 16 , wherein the straps and backings are paper, plastic or cardboard. 
   
   
       18 . A package according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second packs have a lid which closes each of the first and second packs independently of the other pack. 
   
   
       19 . A package according to  claim 18 , wherein each of the first and second packs is wrapped in protective wrapping and the straps are connected to the protective wrapping. 
   
   
       20 . A package according to  claim 18 , wherein the straps are arranged about each of the first and second packs to form a combined package; and the combined package is wrapped in protective wrapping. 
   
   
       21 . A package according to the  claim 19 , wherein the protective wrapping is plastic. 
   
   
       22 . A package according to any one of  claim 16 , wherein the straps and backings are cardboard. 
   
   
       23 . A package according to  claim 18 , wherein each lid has a flap, which flap forms part of the first face of the first and second pack when the lid is in a closed position, when the packs are arranged in the second position the first strap overlaps the flap on one pack and when the packs are arranged in the third position the first strap is positioned over the flap of the other pack. 
   
   
       24 . A package according to  claim 1 , further comprising a single lid which closes both packs when the packs are arranged in the first position, the lid being hingedly attached to one of the first or second packs. 
   
   
       25 . A package according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second packs contain smoking articles. 
   
   
       26 . A blank comprising a single sheet of material, having at least a first region providing a first strap and a second region providing a second strap, the regions being adjoined by a line operable to separate the first region from the second region, the line having a first, second and third section thereon, the second section being a weakened section such that the first and second regions are separable, and the first and third sections being cut portions extending from respective ends of the second section to the edge of the sheet. 
   
   
       27 . A blank according to  claim 26 , wherein the blank is plastic, paper or cardboard. 
   
   
       28 . A blank according to  claim 26 , wherein the blank is rectangular having major and minor edges, the separable weakened section and the cut portions being parallel with the major edge. 
   
   
       29 . A blank according to  claim 26 , wherein the blank is rectangular having major and minor edges, the separable weakened section and the cut portions being parallel with the minor edge. 
   
   
       30 . A blank for forming the package of  claim 1 , the blank comprising a single sheet of material having a first elongate section in which there is an elongate hole defined in part by a first strap and having major edges which are spaced apart and a second section forming a second strap and being aligned with the hole and extending from a minor edge of the first section, the second section having a maximum width substantially equal or less than the minimum width of the hole and a length greater than the length of the hole such that a free minor edge of the second section is threadable through the hole and capable of attaching to the free minor edge of the first section. 
   
   
       31 . A blank according to  claim 30 , wherein the shape of the elongate hole, the first section and the second section are quadrilateral. 
   
   
       32 . A blank according to  claim 30 , wherein the blank is plastic, paper or cardboard. 
   
   
       33 . A blank according to  claim 30 , further comprising two sections, each having a hole therein, the two sections extending from portions of one of the major edges of the first section, the portions being arranged each side of the elongate hole. 
   
   
       34 . A combination of one or more first blanks which provide a first pack, one or more second blanks which provide a second pack, one of the first or second blanks comprising a section that forms a hinged lid which is operable to close both packs and a blank that provides at least two straps for joining the first and second packs in a Jacob's ladder arrangement. 
   
   
       35 . A combination of one or more first blanks which provide a first pack, one or more second blanks which provide a second pack, both of the first and second blanks comprising a section that forms a hinged lid operable to close its respective pack and a blank that provides at least two straps for joining the first and second packs in a Jacob's ladder arrangement. 
   
   
       36 . A combination as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein one of the first and one of the second blanks are integrally joined via a tear line. 
   
   
       37 . A package comprising two packs, each pack containing smoking articles, the packs being joined together by a Jacob's ladder arrangement. 
   
   
       38 . A package according to  claim 37 , wherein the packs joined together by a Jacob's ladder arrangement are wrapped in an outer plastic wrapper. 
   
   
       39 . A package according to  claim 37 , wherein each pack is individually wrapped in a plastic wrapper and the wrapped packs being joined together by a Jacob's ladder arrangement. 
   
   
       40 . A package according to  claims 37 , wherein each pack comprises a hinged lid, which independently closes each pack. 
   
   
       41 . A package according to  claims 37 , wherein the two packs share a single hinged lid. 
   
   
       42 . A package according to  claim 41 , wherein the hinged lid is attached to one of the two packs. 
   
   
       43 . A method of making a package comprising: providing a first pack and a second pack; placing at least first and second straps between the first and second packs; and fixing the straps to the packs such that the packs are joined in a Jacob's ladder arrangement. 
   
   
       44 . A method according to  claim 43 , wherein the first and second straps are placed on the first pack and then the second pack is placed on the first and second straps, such that the straps are sandwiched between the first and second packs. 
   
   
       45 . A method according to  claim 43 , wherein the fixing step comprises fixing at least one of the first and second straps to the first pack before the second pack is placed thereon. 
   
   
       46 . A method according to  claim 43 , wherein the straps are integral parts of a unitary blank. 
   
   
       47 . A method according to  claim 43  to, further comprising providing a hinged lid that closes both packs. 
   
   
       48 - 50 . (canceled)