An adapter is configured to hold a flip-top vial. The vial includes a body and a lid. The body of the vial has a base and a sidewall extending therefrom. The body defines an interior including a product space configured for housing at least one product and having an opening leading to the interior. The lid is configured to be attached to the sidewall by a hinge. The adapter includes a receiving portion having an opening configured to receive the body, and a base portion extending from the receiving portion. The base portion has a shelf portion proximate the opening. The shelf portion is configured to engage the lid of the vial when the lid is in a predetermined opened position in order to maintain the lid in the predetermined opened position with respect to the body.

A method of producing a pack of smoking articles includes providing a pre-assembled pack of smoking articles comprising an inner pack having a flexible sheet in which a group of smoking articles is wrapped or enclosed and a re-closable flap movable between a closed position preventing access to the smoking articles and an open position for accessing the smoking articles, and an outer pack comprising a container which holds and substantially encompasses the inner pack, the outer pack having a lid in a closed position preventing access to the inner pack; creating a space or gap between the lid of the outer pack and the inner pack; and attaching the re-closable flap of the inner pack to the lid of the outer pack via and/or through the space or gap. An apparatus for producing a pack of smoking articles per the above method is also provided.

A tax stamping machine includes an input system that transfers incoming cartons of cigarettes into a conveyor. The input station positions the upper surfaces of the cartons at a predefined height, and the conveyor retains the cartons at the predefined height as the cartons pass through the stamp applicating device. The stamp applicating device includes an opening station, a stamping station, and a closing station. The conveyor includes resilient pulleys that hold the cartons at a predefined height as the cartons move through the opening station, the stamping station, and the closing station such that the upper surfaces of the individual packs of cigarettes are always at the same predefined height regardless of the size of the cartons entering the machine.

A tax stamping machine includes an input system that transfers incoming cartons of cigarettes into a conveyor. The input station positions the upper surfaces of the cartons at a predefined height, and the conveyor retains the cartons at the predefined height as the cartons pass through the stamp applicating device. The stamp applicating device includes an opening station, a stamping station, and a closing station. The conveyor includes resilient pulleys that hold the cartons at a predefined height as the cartons move through the opening station, the stamping station, and the closing station such that the upper surfaces of the individual packs of cigarettes are always at the same predefined height regardless of the size of the cartons entering the machine.

A package assembly (20) comprises products enclosed in a tubular packet (24) formed from a flexible wrapper (26). A line of weakness (40) encloses an opening region (42) in a side wall (28) of the packet. The opening region (42) is at least partially removed to create a dispensing opening by tearing the wrapper along the line of weakness (40). In one embodiment, the packet is opened by pressing one of the products through the opening region. In another embodiment, a sticker (150, FIG. 3) is adhered to the opening portion to provide a tab (152, FIG. 3) which can be pulled to open the packet. In a further embodiment, the packet is enclosed in a stiff outer cover (260, FIG. 5). The cover has a reclosable flap (262) bonded to the opening region so that on first opening of the flap, the packet is torn along the line of weakness.

A package assembly (20) comprises products enclosed in a tubular packet (24) formed from a flexible wrapper (26). A line of weakness (40) encloses an opening region (42) in a side wall (28) of the packet. The opening region (42) is at least partially removed to create a dispensing opening by tearing the wrapper along the line of weakness (40). In one embodiment, the packet is opened by pressing one of the products through the opening region. In another embodiment, a sticker (150, FIG. 3) is adhered to the opening portion to provide a tab (152, FIG. 3) which can be pulled to open the packet. In a further embodiment, the packet is enclosed in a stiff outer cover (260, FIG. 5). The cover has a reclosable flap (262) bonded to the opening region so that on first opening of the flap, the packet is torn along the line of weakness.

A package assembly (20) comprises products enclosed in a tubular packet (24) formed from a flexible wrapper (26). A line of weakness (40) encloses an opening region (42) in a side wall (28) of the packet. The opening region (42) is at least partially removed to create a dispensing opening by tearing the wrapper along the line of weakness (40). In one embodiment, the packet is opened by pressing one of the products through the opening region. In another embodiment, a sticker (150, FIG. 3) is adhered to the opening portion to provide a tab (152, FIG. 3) which can be pulled to open the packet. In a further embodiment, the packet is enclosed in a stiff outer cover (260, FIG. 5). The cover has a reclosable flap (262) bonded to the opening region so that on first opening of the flap, the packet is torn along the line of weakness.

A package assembly (20) comprises products enclosed in a tubular packet (24) formed from a flexible wrapper (26). A line of weakness (40) encloses an opening region (42) in a side wall (28) of the packet. The opening region (42) is at least partially removed to create a dispensing opening by tearing the wrapper along the line of weakness (40). In one embodiment, the packet is opened by pressing one of the products through the opening region. In another embodiment, a sticker (150, FIG. 3) is adhered to the opening portion to provide a tab (152, FIG. 3) which can be pulled to open the packet. In a further embodiment, the packet is enclosed in a stiff outer cover (260, FIG. 5). The cover has a reclosable flap (262) bonded to the opening region so that on first opening of the flap, the packet is torn along the line of weakness.