PRODUCT PACKAGE

• US 20170113865A1
• Filed: 10/26/2015
• Published: 04/27/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: R J Reynolds Tobacco Company (R. J. Reynolds Tobacco)
• Original Assignee: R J Reynolds Tobacco Company (R. J. Reynolds Tobacco)
• Inventors: Hatcher, M. Shane, Swede, Travis M.
• Granted Patent: US 11,661,268 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/422 as an extra panel or panels folded against or inside the container B65D5/4237 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/1036 Containers formed by erecting a rigid or semi-rigid blank
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/1045 having a cap-like lid hinged to an edge
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/1048 characterized by the shape of the container
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/1056 characterized by the lid
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/1063 so as to form two cigarette-compartments interconnected by a hinge-portion
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/1081 Inserts or accessories added or joined to the container, e.g. coins, pens, cards, spacers B65D85/1009 takes precedence

Abstract

A product package includes an inner case for storing the product and an outer case for enclosing the inner case. The product package includes a display area for product messaging. The display area includes exterior surfaces of the outer case. The outer case includes an open position in which the display area also includes exterior portions of the inner case. The product package may also include additional features intended to increase the display area of the product package, including a fold-out panel providing an additional exterior surface, an angled outer surface that is visible from a front perspective of the product package, and pivotable sections increasing the surface area of the product package.

Claims

1. A package configured to contain a product, the package comprising:

an inner case defining a storage volume configured to receive the product, the inner case comprising;

an inner case front exterior surface, and

an inner case rear exterior surface; and

an outer case configured to enclose the inner case, the outer case comprising;

a first outer case section,

a second outer case section pivotally coupled to the first outer case section by a hinge portion provided at a bottom portion of the outer case, the first and second outer case sections pivotable about an axis provided by the hinge portion between an outer case closed position, in which the inner case is substantially enclosed by the first and second outer case sections, and an outer case open position, in which at least a portion of the product is accessible, and

a plurality of exterior surfaces formed by the first and second outer case sections that are at least partially visible when the outer case is in the outer case closed position, including an outer case front exterior surface, an outer case rear exterior surface, two or more outer case side exterior surfaces, an outer case top exterior surface, and an outer case bottom exterior surface;

wherein the inner case front exterior surface and the inner case rear exterior surface are at least partially visible when the outer case is in the outer case open position.

2. The package of claim 1, wherein the inner case is coupled to the outer case at or proximate the hinge portion.

3. The package of claim 1, wherein the first outer case section and the second outer case section are substantially symmetrical.

4. The package of claim 1, wherein the first outer case section and the second outer case section are each pivotable about the hinge portion independent of each other.

5. The package of claim 4, wherein at least a portion of the product is accessible when only one of the first outer case section and the second outer case section is pivoted away from the other about the hinge portion.

6. The package of claim 1, wherein the first and second outer case sections each include tabs configured to engage corresponding features of the inner case when pivoted to the outer case open position.

7. The package of claim 1, wherein the dimensions of the inner case are proportional to the dimensions of the outer case, including wherein a height and width of the inner case front exterior surface are proportional to a height and width of the outer case front exterior surface.

8. A package configured to contain a product, the package comprising:

an outer case, comprising;

a case side wall having an opening,

a case front wall,

a case rear wall,

an open side opposite the case side wall,

a case top wall extending from the open side to the case side wall, and

an open bottom opposite the case top wall; and

one or more inserts coupled to the outer case and configured to store the product, the one or more inserts pivotable relative to the outer case between a closed position, in which the one or more inserts are positioned substantially within the outer case, and an open position, in which the one or more inserts at least partially project from at least one of the open side face and the open bottom face, each of the one or more inserts comprising;

an insert front wall,

an insert rear wall,

an insert bottom wall, and

insert side walls, at least a portion of the insert side walls visible through the opening of the case side wall when the insert is in the closed position.

9. The package of claim 8, wherein the insert front wall includes a cutout top portion by which the product is accessible, each of the one or more inserts further comprising an insert lid fitted over the open top portion and covering the product in a lid closed position.

10. The package of claim 8, wherein the one or more inserts are pivotable to the open position responsive to contact by a user through the opening of the case side wall.

11. The package of claim 8, wherein the one or more inserts comprise at least two inserts, the at least two inserts each pivotable independently of each other between the closed position and the open position.

12. The package of claim 8, wherein exterior surfaces of the case front wall and the case rear wall are visible when the one or more inserts are in either of the closed position and the open position.

13. The package of claim 12, wherein exterior surfaces of the insert front wall and the insert rear wall are visible when the one or more inserts are in the open position.

14. The package of claim 8, wherein the case side wall provides a stop for the one or more inserts when the one or more inserts are pivoted to the closed position.

15. A package configured to contain a product, the package comprising:

a first box section, comprising;

a first lower body portion defining a first base, the first base configured to receive a first portion of the product, the first base including a first base bottom wall, a first base front wall coupled to a front edge of the first base bottom wall, and a first base rear wall coupled to a rear edge of the first base bottom wall, and

a first connecting panel pivotally coupled to the first base rear wall by a first hinge portion; and

a second box section coupled to the first box section, the second box section comprising;

a second lower body portion defining a second base, the second base configured to receive a second portion of the product and including a second base bottom wall, a second base front wall coupled to a front edge of the second base bottom wall, and a second base rear wall coupled to a rear edge of the second base bottom wall, and

a second connecting panel pivotally coupled to the second base rear wall by a second hinge portion, the second connecting panel pivotally coupling the second box section to the first box section by connecting with the first connecting panel so as to form a two-way hinge at the first hinge portion and the second hinge portion.

16. The package of claim 15, wherein the first box section is pivotable about the first hinge portion relative to the first connecting panel so as to move the first box section between a box closed position in which the first connecting panel and the first base rear wall are not visible, and a first box open position in which an outer surface of the first connecting panel and an outer surface of the first base rear wall are visible.

17. The package of claim 16, wherein the second box section is pivotable about the second hinge portion relative to the second connecting panel so as to move the second box section between the box closed position in which the second connecting panel and the second base rear wall are not visible, and a second box open position in which an outer surface of the second connecting panel and an outer surface of the second base rear wall are visible.

18. The package of claim 17, wherein, when the first box section is in the first box open position, the first base front wall and the second base front wall combine so as to provide a first continuous display surface, and the first connecting panel and the first base rear wall combine to provide a second continuous display surface.

19. The package of claim 18, wherein, when the second box section is in the second box open position, the second connecting panel and the second base rear wall combining to provide a third continuous display surface.

20. The package of claim 17, wherein the first connecting panel is connected to the second connecting panel by attaching an inner surface of the first connecting panel to an inner surface of the second connecting panel.