CONTAINER HAVING OUTER SLEEVE AND INNER SLIDE WITH LOCKING MECHANISM

Abstract

A container (1) for consumer goods, the container comprising: an outer sleeve (20) and an inner slide (50) disposed within the outer sleeve (20), the inner slide (50) at least partially enclosing an interior space for housing consumer goods. The inner slide (50) is slidable with respect to the outer sleeve (20) between: a first position, in which the interior space of the inner slide (50) cannot be accessed by a user; and a second position, in which the interior space of the inner slide (50) can be accessed by a user. When the inner slide (50) is in the first position in the outer sleeve (20), an edge of an inner slide engagement flap (59) is configured to engage with a corresponding engaging element (31) on an outer sleeve wall, to form a locking mechanism for preventing the inner slide (50) from sliding from the first position to the second position.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A container for consumer goods, the container comprising: an outer sleeve comprising an outer sleeve top wall, an outer sleeve bottom wall, an outer sleeve back wall, first and second opposed outer sleeve side walls, and a first end comprising an opening, the first end being delimited by respective front edges of the outer sleeve top wall, outer sleeve bottom wall, and first and second opposed outer sleeve side walls; and an inner slide disposed within the outer sleeve, the inner slide at least partially enclosing an interior space for housing consumer goods; wherein the inner slide is slidable with respect to the outer sleeve between: a first position, in which the interior space of the inner slide cannot be accessed by a user; and a second position, in which the interior space of the inner slide can be accessed by a user, wherein sliding of the inner slide from the first position to the second position involves at least part of the inner slide passing through the opening of the first end of the outer sleeve, wherein, the inner slide further comprises an inner slide engagement flap, wherein, when the inner slide is in the first position in the outer sleeve, an edge of the inner slide engagement flap is configured to engage with a corresponding engaging element on an outer sleeve wall, to form a locking mechanism for preventing the inner slide from sliding from the first position to the second position, wherein the inner slide comprises an inner slide front wall formed by a panel, the panel having a shape and size that is the same as the shape and size of the first end of the outer sleeve, and wherein, when the inner slide is in the first position in the outer sleeve, a portion of the inner surface of the panel of the inner slide front wall covers the front edge of each of the outer sleeve top wall, the outer sleeve bottom wall, and the first and second opposed outer sleeve side walls.

17. A container according to claim 16, wherein the inner slide front wall is substantially barrel-shaped.

18. A container according to claim 16, wherein the opening of the first end of the outer sleeve extends across the entirety of the first end of the outer sleeve.

19. A container according to claim 16, wherein the inner slide comprises a receptacle portion at least partially enclosing the interior space for housing consumer goods, the receptacle portion being at least partially defined by the inner slide bottom wall and the first and second inner slide side wall walls, and wherein each of the first and second inner slide side walls has a height in the receptacle portion of the inner slide, which is less than the internal height of the outer sleeve.

20. A container according to claim 19, wherein the inner slide comprises a first alignment portion formed by one or more of the inner slide back wall, and the first and second inner slide side walls, and wherein the first alignment portion has a height, which is substantially the same as the internal height of the outer sleeve.

21. A container according to claim 20, wherein the first alignment portion is disposed between the outer sleeve back wall and the receptacle portion.

22. A container according to claim 16, wherein the inner slide front wall is secured to the front edge of each of the first and second inner slide side walls, and wherein the front edge of each of the first and second inner slide side walls may have a height, which is at least 50 percent of the height of the inner slide front wall.

23. A container according to claim 16, wherein the container further comprises a holding mechanism for preventing the inner slide from sliding entirely out of the opening in the first end of the outer sleeve.

24. A container according to claim 23, wherein the outer sleeve comprises a holding panel connected to an outer sleeve wall by a fold line, and wherein the holding panel forms part of the holding mechanism.

25. A container according to claim 24, wherein the inner slide further comprises an inner slide holding flap, the inner slide holding flap forming part of the holding mechanism, and wherein during sliding of the inner slide from the first position to the second position, the inner slide holding flap is configured to engage with the holding panel of the outer sleeve to prevent the inner slide from sliding entirely out of the opening in the first end of the outer sleeve.

26. A container according to claim 16, wherein the engaging element of the outer sleeve is provided on the inner surface of the outer sleeve bottom wall.

27. A container according to claim 16, wherein the outer sleeve bottom wall is formed from a first panel and a second panel overlying the first panel, and wherein the engaging element of the outer sleeve is defined by the second panel of the outer sleeve bottom wall.

28. A container according to claim 16, wherein the wall of the outer sleeve having the engaging element is further provided with a release element for enabling the edge of the inner slide engagement flap to disengage from the engaging element.

29. A container according to claim 28, wherein the release element comprises a release tab formed by at least one cut-line on the wall of the outer sleeve having the engaging element.

30. A container according to claim 28, wherein the release element overlies at least a portion of the inner slide engagement flap, when the inner slide is in the first position in the outer sleeve.

Description

[0083] The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0084] FIG. 1 shows an outer sleeve and an inner slide for forming a container according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0085] FIG. 2 shows a container according to the first embodiment of the present invention, with the inner slide in a second position;

[0086] FIG. 3 shows a container according to the first embodiment of the present invention, with the inner slide in a first position;

[0087] FIG. 4 shows a front perspective view of the outer sleeve of the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0088] FIG. 5 shows a bottom perspective view of the outer sleeve of the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0089] FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 show cross-sectional views of a locking mechanism in different configurations for a container according to the first embodiment of present invention;

[0090] FIG. 9 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the container according to the first embodiment of the present invention, with the inner slide in the first position; and

[0091] FIG. 10 shows a plurality of laminar blanks for forming the container according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0092] FIG. 1 shows an outer sleeve 20 and an inner slide 50 for forming a container 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0093] The outer sleeve 20 comprises an outer sleeve top wall 11, an outer sleeve bottom wall 12, an outer sleeve back wall 13, a first outer sleeve side wall (not shown in Figures) , a second outer sleeve side wall 15, and a first end comprising an opening 16. The opening 16 extends across the entirety of the first end of the outer sleeve 20. As best seen from FIG. 4, the opening 16 is delimited by the front edge 111 of the outer sleeve top wall 11, the front edge 121 of the outer sleeve bottom wall 12, the front edge 141 of the first outer sleeve side wall 14, and the front edge 151 of the second outer sleeve side wall 15. Since the opening 16 extends across the entirety of the first end of the outer sleeve 20, the first end of the outer sleeve 20 is also delimited by these front edges 111, 121, 141, 151.

[0094] The walls 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 of the outer sleeve 20 define an enclosure within the outer sleeve 20 for receiving the inner slide 50. The inner slide 50 comprises an inner slide bottom wall 52, a first inner slide side wall 54, a second inner slide side wall 55, an inner slide back wall 53, and an inner slide front wall 56.

[0095] The inner slide 50 comprises a receptacle portion 63, which partially encloses an interior space of the inner slide 50 for housing consumer goods. The receptacle portion 63 is defined by the inner slide bottom wall 52, the first and second inner slide side wall walls 54, 55 and a receptacle portion top wall 64. The receptacle portion 63 is disposed between the inner slide front wall 56 and the inner slide back wall 53. The receptacle portion 63 has a height, which is less than the internal height of the outer sleeve 20. The receptacle portion top wall 64 comprises an opening 65, which can enable access to the interior space of the receptacle portion 63.

[0096] The inner slide 50 further comprises a first alignment portion 61 comprising a tower structure. The first alignment portion 61 is defined by: the inner slide back wall 53; a rear portion of the inner slide bottom wall 52; rear portions of the first and second inner slide side walls 54, 55; an inner slide top wall 51; and a first alignment portion front wall 58. The first alignment portion 61 has a height, which is substantially the same as the internal height of the outer sleeve 20. This means that when the inner slide 50 is in the outer sleeve 20, parts of the first alignment portion 61 are always disposed close to the inner surface of the outer sleeve top wall 11 and the inner surface of the outer sleeve bottom wall 12.

[0097] The inner slide 50 also comprises a second alignment portion 62 having a height, which is substantially the same as the internal height of the outer sleeve 20. The second alignment portion 62 is defined by front portions of the first and second inner slide side walls 54, 55. In these portions, the inner slide side walls 54, 55 extend upwards from the height of the receptacle portion 63 to a position corresponding to the internal height of the outer sleeve 20.

[0098] The inner slide 50 further comprises an inner slide engagement flap 59 depending from the back edge of the inner slide bottom wall 52. When the inner slide 50 is disposed in the outer sleeve 20, the inner slide engagement flap 59 is configured to fold underneath the inner slide 50 and overlie the outer surface of the inner slide bottom wall 52. The inner slide 50 also comprises first and second holding flaps 81, 82, each depending from a back edge of a corresponding one of the first and second inner slide side walls 54, 55. When the inner slide 50 is disposed in the outer sleeve 20, each of the first and second holding flaps 81, 82 is configured to overlie the outer surface of its corresponding inner slide side wall 54, 55. The outer sleeve 20 also comprises first and second holding panels 21, 22, each depending from a front edge 141, 151 of a corresponding one of the first and second outer sleeve side walls 14, 15. As best seen from FIG. 4, each of the first and second holding panels 21, 22 is folded about a corresponding front edge 141, 151 of the outer sleeve 20 and projects toward the interior of the outer sleeve 20. As will be described in more detail below, these flaps and panels of the inner slide 50 and outer sleeve 20 cooperate to form a locking mechanism and a holding mechanism for the container 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0099] FIGS. 2 and 3 show the container 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention, with the inner slide 50 in a second position and a first position respectively. In FIG. 2, the inner slide 50 is in the second position, with the receptacle portion 63 disposed external to the outer sleeve 20. In this position, any consumer goods held within the receptacle portion 63 are accessible to a user through the opening 65 in the receptacle portion. When a user no longer wishes to access the consumer goods, the user can slide the inner slide 50 with respect to the outer sleeve 20 such that the receptacle portion 63 moves into the outer sleeve 20. The inner slide 50 can continue to move until it reaches the first positon shown in FIG. 3.

[0100] In the first position of FIG. 3, the interior space of the receptacle portion 63 cannot be accessed by a user. Furthermore, in the first position of FIG. 3, a peripheral portion the inner surface of the inner slide front wall 56 covers and abuts the front edge 111, 121,141, 151 of each of the outer sleeve top wall 11, the outer sleeve bottom wall 12, and the first and second opposed outer sleeve side walls 14, 15. Furthermore, the inner slide front wall 56 has a shape and size that is substantially the same as the shape and size of the first end of the outer sleeve 20. This can be seen in FIG. 3 and FIG. 9. Consequently, when the inner slide 50 is in the first position, there is a visual effect of the inner slide front wall 56 appearing as though it is an outer sleeve wall.

[0101] FIGS. 6 to 8 show a partial cross-sectional view of a locking mechanism for a container according to the present invention. The Figures depict the locking mechanism in various configurations.

[0102] The locking mechanism comprises an inner slide engagement flap 59 and an outer sleeve engaging element 31. The outer sleeve engaging element 31 is formed by an outer sleeve engaging panel 231 secured to the inner surface of the outer sleeve bottom wall 12. The outer sleeve bottom wall 12 includes an internal cut line 71, which defines a release tab 70 in the outer sleeve bottom wall 12. The release tab 70 is positioned to overlie the inner slide engagement flap 59, when the inner slide is in the first position, as shown in FIG. 6. The inner slide engagement flap 59 depends from the back edge of the inner slide bottom wall 52. When the inner slide 50 is in the outer sleeve 10, the inner slide engagement flap 59 overlies a portion of the outer surface of the inner slide bottom wall 52. When the inner slide 50 is in the outer sleeve 10, the inner slide engagement flap 59 is positioned between the inner slide bottom wall 52 and the outer sleeve bottom wall 12.

[0103] The outer sleeve engaging element 31 has an engaging edge 33, which engages with the leading edge of the inner slide engagement flap 59, when the container is in the first position, as shown in FIG. 6, to prevent the inner box 50 from sliding towards and out of the opening 16 in the first end of the outer sleeve 20.

[0104] In FIG. 6 the locking mechanism is in a locked state. To unlock the locking mechanism, a user presses on the release tab 70 to cause it to deflect inwards relative to the outer sleeve 20. The release tab 70 then comes into contact with the inner slide engagement flap 59 of the inner slide 50 and pushes the inner slide engagement flap 59 away from the engaging element 31 of the outer sleeve 20. This causes the leading edge of the inner slide engagement flap 59 to disengage from the barrier created by the outer sleeve engaging element 31, as shown in FIG. 7.

[0105] FIG. 7 therefore shows the locking mechanism in an unlocked state, with the inner slide 50 still being in the first position relative to the outer sleeve 20. However, because the locking mechanism is now unlocked, the inner slide 50 can now move linearly relative to the outer sleeve 20 and towards a second position in which any consumer goods held in the inner slide 50 can be accessed by a user. Consequently, after pressing on the release tab 70 and unlocking the locking mechanism, a user can slide the inner slide 50 with respect to the outer sleeve 20 to gain access to the consumer goods. Such sliding movement is depicted by the change in position of the inner slide 50 components relative to the outer sleeve 20 components between FIGS. 7 and 8. In particular, the inner slide bottom wall 52 and inner slide engagement flap 59 have been moved laterally in FIG. 8, relative to their position in FIG. 7. FIG. 8 therefore shows the locking mechanism in an unlocked state, with the inner slide 50 being in the second position.

[0106] When the user has finished accessing the consumer goods, the user can slide the inner slide 50 back into the interior of the outer sleeve 20. This reverts the inner slide engagement flap 59 to a position corresponding to that shown in FIG. 7. However, as the user is now no longer pressing on the release tab 70, the engagement flap 59 of inner slide 50 can move back to the position shown in FIG. 6 to engage with the outer sleeve engaging element 31. This results in the locking mechanism reverting to the locked state of FIG. 6. The inner slide engagement flap 59 can automatically revert to the position shown in FIG. 6 in such circumstances, because of the biasing force created by the fold line between the inner slide engagement flap 59 and the panel 152 forming the inner slide bottom wall 52.

[0107] As noted above, the outer sleeve 20 comprises first and second holding panels 21, 22, which help to form a holding mechanism for preventing the inner slide 50 from sliding beyond a second position. In particular, each of the first and second holding panels 21, 22 is configured to engage with a corresponding one of the first and second holding flaps 81, 82 of the inner slide 50, when the inner slide 50 is in the second position to prevent the inner slide 50 from sliding beyond the second position.

[0108] In particular, as the inner slide 50 moves into the second position, the first holding panel 21 of the outer sleeve 20 moves into the space between the first holding flap 81 of the inner slide 50 and the outer surface of the first inner slide side wall 54. Similarly, the first holding flap 81 of the inner slide 50 moves into the space between the first holding panel 21 of the outer sleeve 20 and the inner surface of the first outer sleeve side wall 14. This interlocking arrangement prevents the inner slide 50 from sliding any further beyond the second position. A similar arrangement occurs on the other side of the container 1, in respect of the second holding panel 22 of the outer sleeve 20 and the second holding flap 82 of the inner slide 50.

[0109] FIG. 10 shows two laminar blanks for forming a container 1 according to the present invention, namely a first laminar blank 100 and a second laminar blank 200. The laminar blanks can be used to form a container 1 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The dashed lines indicate fold lines, and solid lines indicate cut lines in the laminar blanks 100, 200.

[0110] The first laminar blank 100 is configured to form the outer sleeve 20. The first laminar blank 100 comprises an outer sleeve top wall panel 211, an outer sleeve bottom wall panel 212, a first outer sleeve back wall panel 213 a second outer sleeve back wall panel 217, a first outer sleeve side wall panel 214, and a second outer sleeve side wall panel 215. These panels together form the walls of the outer sleeve 20.

[0111] The first laminar blank 100 further comprises: an outer sleeve top wall reinforcing panel 227 configured to lie against the inner surface of the outer sleeve top wall panel 211; a first outer sleeve side wall reinforcing panel 223 configured to lie against the inner surface of the first outer sleeve side wall panel 214; and a second outer sleeve side wall reinforcing panel 224 configured to lie against the inner surface of the second outer sleeve side wall panel 215. Reinforcing panels 227, 223, 224 may help to provide extra structural rigidity at the first end of the outer sleeve 20. Reinforcing panels 227, 223, 224 may help to improve the appearance of the front edges 111, 121, 141, 151 at the first end of the outer sleeve 20.

[0112] The first laminar blank 100 further comprises: a first outer sleeve joining panel 218 configured to join the outer sleeve top wall panel 211 to the second outer sleeve back wall panel 217; a second outer sleeve joining panel 219 configured to join the outer sleeve bottom wall panel 212 to the second outer sleeve back wall panel 217; and a third outer sleeve joining panel 228 configured to join the outer sleeve bottom wall panel 212 to the second outer sleeve side wall panel 215. The joining may be achieved by way of an adhesive in contact with each of the joining panels 218, 219, 228.

[0113] The first laminar blank 100 further comprises first and second holding panels 21, 22 (221, 222), each depending from a corresponding one of the first and second outer sleeve side wall panels 214, 215. A u-shaped cut line 271 is provided in the outer sleeve bottom wall panel 212 to define a release tab 270. The first laminar blank 100 further comprises an outer sleeve engaging panel 231 depending from the outer sleeve bottom wall panel 212. When the container is assembled, the outer sleeve engaging panel 231 is secured to the inner surface of the outer sleeve bottom wall 12 (212). To form an outer sleeve engaging element 31.

[0114] The second laminar blank 200 comprises: a pair of panels 256, 290 for forming the inner slide front wall 56; a pair of panels 253, 257 for forming the inner slide back wall 53; a pair of panels 254, 291 for forming the first inner slide side wall 54; and a pair of panels 255, 292 for forming the second inner slide side wall 55. In each pair, there is an outer panel 256, 253, 254, 255, which overlaps with a corresponding inner panel 290, 257, 291, 292 to form the wall of the assembled inner slide 50.

[0115] The outer panel 256 of the inner slide front wall 56 is substantially barrel-shaped. Furthermore, this outer panel 256 has a greater footprint than its corresponding inner panel 290. Consequently, when the second laminar blank 200 is folded to form the inner slide 50, the shape and size of the inner slide front wall 56 is defined by the shape and size of its outer panel 256.

[0116] Furthermore, in the assembled inner slide 50, the outer panel 256 of the inner slide front wall 56 extends beyond the inner panel 290 of the inner slide front wall 56, such that the perimeter of the inner slide front wall 56 is defined by the outer panel 256. In addition, as shown in FIG. 9, when the inner slide 50 is in the first position, a peripheral part of the inner surface of the inner slide front wall 56 covers and abuts the front edge 141, 151 of each of the first and second opposed outer sleeve side walls 14, 15. In particular, this inner surface of the inner slide front wall 56 is provided by outer panel 256. The inner panel 290 of the inner slide front wall 56 is positioned within the outer sleeve and between the first and second opposed outer sleeve side walls 14, 15. Consequently, when the inner slide 50 is in the first position, there is a visual effect of the inner slide front wall 56 appearing as though it is an outer sleeve wall.

[0117] The second laminar blank 200 also comprises an inner slide bottom wall panel 252 and the inner slide engagement flap 259 depending from the back edge of the inner slide bottom wall panel 252. Further panels in the second laminar blank 200 include a receptacle portion top wall panel 264, an inner slide top wall panel 251, and a first alignment portion front wall panel 258.

[0118] The second laminar blank 20 further comprises: a first inner slide joining panel 293 configured to join the first alignment portion front wall panel 258 to the inner panel 292 of the first inner slide side wall 54; a second inner slide joining panel 294 configured to join the first alignment portion front wall panel 258 to the inner panel 291 of the second inner slide side wall 55; and a third inner slide joining panel 295 configured to join the receptacle portion top wall panel 264 to the inner panel 292 of the first inner slide side wall 54. The joining may be achieved by way of an adhesive in contact with each of the joining panels 293, 294, 295.

[0119] Each inner panel 291, 292 of the inner slide side walls 54, 55 is provided with a u-shaped internal cut line 283, 284 for forming a holding flap 81, 82 (281, 282) from each panel 291, 292. When the inner slide 50 is assembled, each holding flap 81, 82 (281,281) extends away from its corresponding inner slide side wall 54, 55, as shown in FIG. 1.