CONTAINER HAVING SLIDING LID AND LOCKING MECHANISM

Abstract

A container (1) for consumer goods, the container comprises an outer housing comprising a box portion (60) and a lid portion (50). The lid portion (50) is linearly movable relative to the box portion between a closed position, in which the lid portion covers the access opening, and an open position, in which the access opening is exposed. The container (1) comprises a locking mechanism configured to transition between: a locked state, in which the lid portion (50) is prevented from moving linearly from the closed position to the open position; and an unlocked state, in which the lid portion (50) is able to move linearly from the closed position to the open position.

Claims

1. A container for consumer goods, the container comprising: an outer housing comprising a box portion and a lid portion, the box portion defining an internal volume for housing consumer goods and having an access opening for providing access to the consumer goods, wherein the lid portion is linearly movable relative to the box portion between a closed position, in which the lid portion covers the access opening, and an open position, in which the access opening is exposed, and wherein the container is configured such that the lid portion can pivot relative to the box portion about a hinge when the lid portion is in the open position, wherein the container further comprises a lid locking component attached to or integrally formed with the lid portion, and a box locking component provided on the inner surface of a wall of the box portion, wherein, the lid locking component and the box locking component form a locking mechanism for the container, and wherein, when the lid portion is in the closed position, the locking mechanism is configured to be transitionable between: a locked state, in which a portion of the lid locking component engages with a portion of the box locking component to prevent the lid portion from moving linearly from the closed position to the open position, and an unlocked state, in which the lid locking component is not engaged with the box locking component, and the lid portion is able to move linearly from the closed position to the open position.

2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the lid portion comprises a lid front wall, a lid back wall, a lid top wall and first and second opposing lid side walls.

3. The container according to claim 2, wherein the lid locking component is attached to the lid back wall.

4. The container according to claim 2, wherein the lid locking component comprises a first panel hingedly connected to the lid back wall and a second panel connected to the first panel, the second panel being configured to engage with the box locking component when the lid portion is in the closed position.

5. The container according to claim 4, wherein the second panel is connected to the first panel by a first fold line, and folded about the first fold line to position the second panel between the first panel of the lid locking component and the wall of the box portion having the box locking component.

6. The container according to claim 3, wherein the lid locking component further comprises a first side panel and a second side panel, the first side panel and the second side panel being opposed to each other, and wherein each side panel of the lid locking component is connected to the first panel of the lid locking component at a respective side edge of the first panel of the lid locking component.

7. The container according to claim 1, wherein the wall of the box portion having the box locking component is provided with a release element for facilitating disengagement of the lid locking component from the box locking component.

8. The container according to claim 7, wherein the release element comprises a release tab formed by at least one cut-line in the wall of the box portion.

9. The container according to claim 7, wherein, when the lid portion is in the closed position, the release element of the box portion overlies at least a portion of the lid locking component.

10. The container according to claim zany of claims 7, wherein the box portion comprises a box portion back wall and the release element is provided on the box portion back wall.

11. The container according to claim 1, wherein the container further comprises a holding mechanism for preventing the lid portion from moving linearly beyond the open position.

12. The container according to claim 11, wherein the holding mechanism comprises at least one holding edge of the lid locking component and at least one corresponding holding edge in the box portion, wherein the at least one holding edge of the lid locking component is configured to engage with the at least one holding edge in the box portion when the lid portion is in the open position to prevent the lid portion from moving linearly beyond the open position.

13. The container according to claim 12, wherein the box portion further comprises an inner frame, the inner frame providing the at least one holding edge in the box portion.

14. The container according to claim 1, wherein the box locking component comprises at least one panel affixed to the inner surface of a wall of the box portion, the at least one panel providing a barrier for engaging with the lid locking component.

15. A method of making a container for consumer goods, the method comprising: providing a first blank for forming a housing of the container, the first blank having a first portion for forming a box portion of the container and a second portion for forming a lid portion of the container, wherein a first surface of the first portion of the first blank is provided with a box locking component; providing a second blank for forming a lid locking component of the container; placing the second blank on the first blank, such that part of the lid locking component of the second blank abuts the box locking component of the first blank; securing the second blank to the second portion of the first blank; placing one or more consumer goods on one or both of the first blank and the second blank; folding the first blank about the consumer goods to form the box portion and the lid portion of the container; and cutting the first portion of the first blank from the second portion of the first blank.

Description

[0068] The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0069] FIG. 1 shows a plurality of laminar blanks for forming a container according to the present invention;

[0070] FIGS. 2A to 2C show a container according to the present invention in different configurations;

[0071] FIGS. 3A to 3C show a cross-sectional view of a locking mechanism for a container according to the present invention in different configurations; and

[0072] FIGS. 4A and 4B show shows a partial view of an inner frame and lid locking component for a container according to the present invention in different configurations.

[0073] FIG. 1 shows four laminar blanks for forming a container 1 according to the present invention, namely a first laminar blank 100, a second laminar blank 200, a third laminar blank 300 and a fourth laminar blank 400. The laminar blanks can be used to form a container 1 as shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C. The dashed lines indicate fold lines, and solid lines indicate cut lines in the laminar blanks.

[0074] The first laminar blank 100 is configured to form a lid portion 50 of the container 1 and a box portion 60 of the container. The first laminar blank 100 comprises a lid portion front wall panel 151, first and second lid portion outer side wall panels 152, 153, a lid portion top wall panel 154, a lid portion back wall panel 155, a lid portion front under panel 156, first and second lid portion inner side wall panels 157, 158 and first and second lid portion dust flaps 159a, 159b. These panels together form the lid portion 50 of the container 1.

[0075] The first laminar blank 100 further comprises a box portion front wall panel 161, first and second box portion outer side wall panels 162, 163, a box portion bottom wall panel 164, a box portion back wall panel 165, first and second box portion inner side wall panels 167, 168 and first and second box portion dust flaps 169a, 169b. These panels together form the box portion 60 of the container 1.

[0076] The first laminar blank 100 further comprises a portion 170 on its box portion back wall panel 165 for defining a release tab 70 in the container 1. This 170 portion is partially delimited by a U-shaped cut line 171 in the box portion back wall panel 165. The release tab 70 is configured to facilitate unlocking of the locking mechanism, as will be described in more detail below with references to FIGS. 3A to 3C.

[0077] The second laminar blank 200 is configured to form a lid locking component 20, which forms part of the lid portion 50 of the assembled container 1. The second laminar blank 200 comprises a first panel 201 and a second panel 202 depending from a lower edge of the first panel 201. When the container 1 is assembled the second panel 202 is folded by about 180 degrees relative to the first panel 201 about a fold line extending across the lower edge of the first panel 201.

[0078] The second laminar blank 200 further comprises a third panel 203 depending from an upper edge of the first panel 201 by a lid locking component fold line 206. When the container 1 is assembled the third panel 203 is affixed to the inner surface of the lid portion back wall panel 155. This attaches the lid locking component 20 to the lid portion 50. The lid portion 50 includes the lid front wall 51, first lid side wall 52, second lid side wall, lid top wall and lid back wall. The lid portion 50 therefore has a three-dimensional cup shape and covers the access opening of the box portion 60 of the container 1, when the lid portion is in the closed position.

[0079] When the container 1 is assembled the lid locking component fold line 206 between the first and third panels 201, 203 of the lid locking component 20 forms a hinge line 26 for the lid portion 50. As will be described in more detail below, when the lid portion 50 is in an open position, the lid portion 50 is able to pivot about this hinge line 26. This can help to improve access to any consumer goods housed in the box portion 60.

[0080] The second laminar blank 200 further comprises first and second side wall panels 204, 205 each depending from a respective side edge of the first panel 201 of the second laminar blank 200.

[0081] The third laminar blank 300 is configured to form a box locking component 30 for the assembled container 1. The third laminar blank comprises a first panel 301 which is affixed to the inner surface of the box portion back wall panel 165 in the assembled container 1. The third laminar blank also comprises a second panel 302, which is folded by about 180 degrees relative to the first panel 301 about a fold line extending across the lower edge of the first panel 301, in the assembled container 1.

[0082] When the container is assembled, a free edge on the second panel 202 of the second laminar blank 200 is configured to engage with a barrier created by the edge of the folded third laminar blank 300 to form a locking mechanism for the container 1. This will be described in more detail below.

[0083] The fourth laminar blank 400 is configured to form an inner frame 40 for the assembled container 1. The fourth laminar blank 400 comprises an inner frame front wall panel 401, a first inner frame side wall panel 402, a second inner frame side wall panel 403, a first inner frame back wall panel 404 and a second inner frame back wall panel 405. When the container is assembled, certain free edges on the inner frame side wall panels 402, 403 and inner frame back wall panels 404, 405 are configured to respectively abut and engage with certain corresponding free edges on the lid locking element first panel 201 and lid locking element side panels 204, 205. Such engagement forms a holding mechanism, which acts to prevent the lid portion 50 from sliding beyond an open position relative to the box portion 60. This will be described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B.

[0084] With reference now to FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, the lid portion 50 of the container 1 is configured to be linearly movable relative to the box portion 60. In particular, the lid portion 50 can move between a closed position (as shown in FIG. 2A) and an open position (as shown in FIG. 2C). In the closed position, the lid portion 50 covers an access opening in the top of the box portion 60, and thus prevents access to consumer goods housed in the box portion 60. For the sake of clarity, consumer goods are not shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C. In the open position, the access opening of the box portion 60 is exposed and a consumer is able to access any consumer goods housed in the box portion 60. Furthermore, in the open position in FIG. 2C, part of the lid portion 50 is able to pivot about hinge line 26 relative to the box portion 60. This enhances the access to the interior of the box portion 60 by moving the lid portion 50 further away from the access opening of the box portion 60.

[0085] FIG. 2B depicts a configuration for the container where the lid portion 50 resides between the open and closed position. In this position, the lid portion has moved linearly away from the box portion 60, when compared to the open position of FIG. 2A. However, in such a position, the access opening is not exposed, due to the presence of the inner frame 40. Furthermore, the presence of the inner frame 40 prevents pivoting of the lid portion 50 relative to the box portion, about hinge line 26. This is because at least the top edge of the inner frame front wall 41 will engage with the inner surface of the lid front wall 51, if a user tried to pivot this part of the lid portion 50 about hinge line 26. This engagement would block any such pivoting.

[0086] FIGS. 3A to 3C show a cross-sectional view of a locking mechanism for a container according to the present invention. The Figures depict the locking mechanism in various configurations.

[0087] The locking mechanism comprises the lid locking component 20. The first and second panel 21, 22 of the lid locking component are shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C. The locking mechanism also comprises the box locking component 30. The box locking component 30 is formed of first and second panels 31, 32. The first and second panels 31, 32 are secured to each other in a back-to-back arrangement. The box locking component 30 is secured to the inner surface of the box portion back wall 65 (only a portion of which is shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C).

[0088] The box portion back wall 65 comprises a cut line 71. The cut line 71 partially delimits the perimeter of a release tab 70 in the box portion back wall 65. The release tab 70 is deflectable relative to the rest of the box portion back wall 65.

[0089] In FIG. 3A the locking mechanism is in a locked state. In this state, the lid portion 50 is in the closed position (for example, as shown in FIG. 2A), and prevented from linear movement relative to the box portion 60, by virtue of the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is locked by virtue of engagement of a free edge of the second panel 22 of the lid locking component 20 with a barrier created by the box locking component 30. To unlock the locking mechanism, a user presses on the release tab 70 to cause the release tab 70 to deflect inwards relative to the box portion 60. The release tab 70 then comes into contact with the second panel 22 of the lid locking component 20 and pushes the second panel 22 away from the box locking component 30. This causes the free edge of the second panel 22 of the lid locking component to disengage from the barrier created by the box locking component, as shown in FIG. 3B. FIG. 3B therefore shows the locking mechanism in an unlocked state, with the lid portion 50 still being in the closed position. However, because the locking mechanism is now unlocked, the lid portion 50 can now move linearly relative to the box portion 60 and towards the open position. Consequently, after pressing on the release tab 70 and unlocking the locking mechanism, a user can slide the lid portion 50 away from the box portion 60 to gain access to the consumer goods. This results in the first and second panels 21, 22 of the lid locking component 20 being moved upwards relative to the box locking component 30, as shown in FIG. 3C. FIG. 3B therefore shows the locking mechanism in an unlocked state, with the lid portion 50 being in the open position.

[0090] When the user has finished accessing the consumer goods, the user can slide the lid portion 50 back towards the box portion 60 to close the container 1. This reverts the lid locking component 20 to a position corresponding to that shown in FIG. 3B. However, as the user is now no longer pressing on the release tab 70, the second panel 22 of the lid locking component 20 can move back to the position shown in FIG. 3A to engage with the box locking component 30. This results in the locking mechanism reverting to the locked state of FIG. 3A. The second panel 22 can automatically revert to the position shown in FIG. 3A in such circumstances, because of the biasing force created by the fold line between the first and second panels 21, 22 of the lid locking component 20.

[0091] FIGS. 4A and 4B show shows a partial view of an inner frame 40 and lid locking component 20 for a container according to the present invention. The partial view shows the first inner frame back wall 45, the first inner frame side wall 42, which together form a first corner portion for the inner frame 40. The partial view also shows the lid locking component first side panel 25 and the lid locking component first panel 21, which together form a first corner portion of the lid locking component 20. The partial view does not shown the inner frame front wall, second inner frame side wall and second inner frame back wall. The inner frame 40 and lid locking component 20 are shown in different configurations to illustrate how said components create a holding mechanism for the container 1.

[0092] FIG. 4A corresponds to the positions shown in FIGS. 2A and 3A, where the lid portion 50 is in the closed position, and the locking mechanism is in the locked state. In this position, the lid locking component 20 is linearly positioned relative to the inner frame 40, such that a space exists between an upper edge 20a of the first corner portion of the lid locking component 20, and a corresponding lower edge 40a of the first corner portion of the inner frame 40.

[0093] When the locking mechanism is unlocked and the lid portion 50 is slid towards the open position, the upper edge 20a of the lid locking component 20 moves upwards towards the lower edge 40a of the inner frame 40 until they abut one another in the position shown in FIG. 4B. At this point, such abutment prevents further linear movement of the lid locking component 20 relative to the inner frame 40 and box portion 60. This position of FIG. 4B corresponds to the open position for the lid portion 50, and hence the positions shown in FIGS. 2C and 3C. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4B, the engaging part of the upper edge 20a of the lid locking component 20 is provided by an upper edge of the first panel 21 of the lid locking component 20, and the engaging part of the lower edge 40a of the inner frame 40 is provided by a lower edge of the first inner frame side wall 42.