Container with hinged lid

Abstract

The present invention relates to a container for consumer goods. The container comprises a lid pivotable, about a hinge line extending across a back wall of the container, between a closed position and an open position. The container also comprises a box ( 102 ), having an opening, comprising at least one slit ( 108 ), the or each slit located at respective edges of a front wall of the box, extending from the opening. The lid ( 104 ) is mounted on the box ( 102 ) such that it coincides with the opening of the box whereby, in a closed position of the lid, the lid engages with the at least one slit ( 108 ) of the box to retain the lid in a closed position. The invention also extends to providing a single laminar blank for forming the aforementioned container.

1 . A container for consumer goods comprising:
 a lid pivotable, about a hinge line extending across a back wall of the container, between a closed position and an open position; and   a box, having an opening, comprising at least one slit, the or each slit located at respective edges of a front wall of the box, extending from the opening;   wherein, the lid is mounted on the box such that it coincides with the opening of the box wherein, in a closed position of the lid, the lid engages with the or each slit of the box to retain the lid in a closed position.   
     
     
         2 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein said box comprises two slits, each slit located at respective edges of a front wall of the box, extending from the opening. 
     
     
         3 . A container according to  claim 2 , wherein said two slits define a resilient flap extending from said front wall of the box, wherein, in a second closed position of the lid, the resilient flap acts on the lid to retain the lid in the second closed position. 
     
     
         4 . A container according to  claim 3 , wherein the resilient flap comprises at least one strengthening element adapted to rigidify at least one free edge of the resilient flap. 
     
     
         5 . A container according to  claim 4 , wherein the at least one strengthening element is integral to the resilient flap. 
     
     
         6 . A container according to  claim 3 , wherein the free edge of the resilient flap has chamfered corners or rounded corners. 
     
     
         7 . A container according to  claim 3 , wherein the lid is adapted to interact with the resilient flap on opening, on closing or on opening and on closing such that an audible sound is generated. 
     
     
         8 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the lid comprises at least one strengthening element adapted to strengthen at least one free edge of the lid. 
     
     
         9 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the lid forms at least a portion of an inner housing, and the box forms at least a portion of an outer housing, and wherein the inner housing is adapted to house the consumer goods. 
     
     
         10 . A container according to  claim 9 , wherein the outer housing has side walls, adjacent said front and back walls, adapted to extend beyond the side walls of the inner housing wherein, in a closed position of the lid, the outer housing side walls at least partially overlap the side walls of the lid. 
     
     
         11 . A container according to  claim 10 , wherein the outer housing and the inner housing are integrally formed from a single laminar blank. 
     
     
         12 . A container according to  claim 11 , at least one wall of the lid being integral to the inner housing and the outer housing. 
     
     
         13 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the container comprises a plurality of smoking articles. 
     
     
         14 . A laminar blank for forming a container according to  claim 10 , wherein the blank comprises:
 a first portion for forming the inner housing, wherein the first portion includes one or more cuts and a hinge line extending across a back wall panel of the first portion to define the lid of the inner housing; and   a second portion for forming the outer housing, wherein the second portion includes one or more cut outs for forming the opening in the outer housing;   wherein the second portion further includes at least one cut for forming the at least one slit of the outer housing.   
     
     
         15 . A laminar blank according to  claim 14 , the second portion further including one or more cuts and a hinge line extending across a back wall panel of the second portion to define at least one wall panel of the lid. 
     
     
         16 . A container according to  claim 4 , wherein the free edge of the resilient flap has chamfered corners or rounded corners. 
     
     
         17 . A container according to  claim 4 , wherein the lid is adapted to interact with the resilient flap on opening, on closing or on opening and on closing such that an audible sound is generated. 
     
     
         18 . A container according to  claim 5 , wherein the free edge of the resilient flap has chamfered corners or rounded corners. 
     
     
         19 . A container according to  claim 5 , wherein the lid is adapted to interact with the resilient flap on opening, on closing or on opening and on closing such that an audible sound is generated. 
     
     
         20 . A container according to  claim 6 , wherein the lid is adapted to interact with the resilient flap on opening, on closing or on opening and on closing such that an audible sound is generated.