US3583625A

US3583625A - Cigarette dispensing package

Info

Publication number: US3583625A
Application number: US770743A
Authority: US
Inventors: Gabriel Gero
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1968-10-25
Filing date: 1968-10-25
Publication date: 1971-06-08
Anticipated expiration: 1988-06-08
Also published as: DE1953696B2; NL6916177A; DE1953696C3; DE1953696A1; GB1250793A

Abstract

A cigarette dispensing package and blank therefore is disclosed, which package includes an outer shell within which is pivotally secured an inner shell. The inner shell is movable between a first position completely within the shell, in which position the cigarettes are thereby inaccessible, and a second position partially out of the shell in which the cigarettes are thereby accessible. Novel overcenter snap-lock means are provided to bias the inner shell to either of its two positions. Additionally, an opening tab means is removably secured to both the inner shell and the outer shell to maintain the inner shell in its first, inaccessible position when the cigarette package is unopened.

Description

United States Patent Inventor Anthony J. Distelano Huntington Station; Domenick W. Disteiano, Ridgewood, all oi, N.Y. part interest to each CIGARETTE DISPENSING PACKAGE 18 Claims, 24 Drawing Figs.

0.8. CI 229/17, 206/41, 229/44, 229/51 Int. Cl. 865d 85/1 0, B65d 17/24 Field of Search 206/41 D, 41 C, 41 H, 41.2; 229/44, 44 C8, 17

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1935 Daller Primary Examiner-Leonard Summer Attorney-Burton L. Lilling ABSTRACT: A cigarette dispensing package and blank therefore is disclosed, which package includes an outer shell within which is pivotally secured an inner shell. The inner shell is movable between a first position completely within the shell, in which position the cigarettes are thereby inaccessible, and a second position partially out of the shell in which the cigarettes are thereby accessible. Novel overcenter snap-lock means are provided to bias the inner shell to either of its two positions. Additionally, an opening tab means is removably secured to both the inner shell and the outer shell to maintain the inner shell in its first, inaccessible position when the cigarette package is unopened.

INVI'IN'I'UH GABRIE L GERO ATTORNE PATENTEUJUN 8197! 3583625 sum 3 or 8 IN VI'IN'I'UII.

GAB EL GERO ATTORNEY PATENTED Jun 8 I97| saw u [1F 8 F/G.l2

INVI'IN'I'UH.

ATTORNEY PATENIED JUN 8 IQTI INVENTOR.

AT TORNEY PATENTED JUN 81971 3,. 583 f 625 sum 5 0r 8 INVIL'N'I'OR,

GABRIE GE ATTORNEY PATENTEUJUN 8|97l 35 3625 sum 7 or 8 'F/GJB INVEN'I'OR. GA IEL GERO ATTORNEY PATENTED JUN 8 |97l SHEET 8 [1F 8 x INVEN'I'OR.

GABRIEL GERO I a d4? ATTomu CIGARETTE DISPENSING PACKAGE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to packaging, and more particularly is concerned with a novel package or container for cigarettes and the like and to a novel blank useful in the construction of such a container.

As is well known to those skilled in the art, the removal of cigarettes from a package presents certain difficulties in that the cigarettes are not conveniently exposed nor is access provided for convenient manual removal. While there have been proposed packaging structures attempting to overcome these difficulties, such prior packages have not found general acceptance for many reasons, including the complexity of the structure and cost.

For example, attempts have been made to construct dispensing packages for cigarettes and the like which include an outer shell or container within which is pivotally mounted an inner container or shell movable between an inaccessible position completely within the outer shell and an accessible exposed position whereby cigarettes can be removed therefrom. In addition to the complexity of the structure and the cost thereof, there have been two major problems associated with this type of outer shell, inner shell construction which have prevented this type of cigarette dispensing package from becoming popularly accepted by manufacturers and consumers.

Specifically, to the present time, nobody has devised a simple method for maintaining the movable inner shell in the particular position, either in or out, as may be desired. Where tight frictional arrangements have been provided between the inner and outer shells, the cigarette dispensing package becomes difficult to use in the many situations where a consumer wishes quick and easy access to the cigarettes. On the other hand, a very free sliding arrangement between the inner and outer shells produced the very undesirable result of frequent, accidental openings.

A second problem inherent in a cigarette dispensing package employing an inner shell, outer shell construction, involves the adequate provision of an opening system which will positively retain the inner shell in its inaccessible position when the cigarette package is in its unopened state and which will permit the easy removal of the inner shell by the consumer when he wishes to open the package of cigarettes.

Finally, both of the above-described problems are compounded by the fact that in the manufacture of such an inner shell, outer shell package, it is commercially expedient and, in fact, economically justifiable only if such an inner shell, outer shell construction can be manufactured from a single planar starting blank which can be operated on by existing packaging machinery. Thus, to the present time, there has not been devised a single planar blank, compatible with existing machinery, which, in addition to defining a package having an outer shell within which is pivotally secured an inner shell (when properly assembled), also includes means for maintaining the inner shell in either of its two operative positions, and further include means for establishing a simple removable opening arrangement which will seal the inner shell in its closed position when the cigarette package is unopened.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a dispensing package for cigarettes and the like, and includes an outer shell within which there is pivotally mounted an inner shell. The inner shell is movable between a first inaccessible position, completely within the outer shell, and a second position, partially out of the outer shell, whereby the contents thereof are accessible. It further includes a simple snap-lock arrangement for firmly maintaining the inner shell in either of its two operative positions. As will be discussed hereinafter, this snap-lock arrangement is preferably of overcenter toggle-type construction and does not interfere in any manner with the consumers ability to rapidly move the inner shell between its inaccessible and accessible positions, nor does it interfere with the contents of the package.

Furthermore, and as will be shown in greater detail, the present invention also includes a novel opening tab arrangement which in its initial state integrally joins the inner shell to the outer shell of the dispenser and thereby positively maintains the inner shell sealed in its inaccessible position when the cigarette package has not yet been opened.

Finally, the present invention provides a one-piece starting blank which is adaptable to existing machinery and which, in addition to defining the properly oriented inner shell, outer shell construction when assembled, also includes a snap-lock provision and the aforementioned opening tab as integral portions thereof.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a dispenser for cigarettes and the like which includes an outer shell within which is pivotally secured an inner shell movable between inaccessible and accessible positions, and which further includes snap-lock means for positively locating the inner shell in either of its two positions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a dispenser for cigarettes and the like which includes novel opening tab means removably secured to both the inner and outer shell thereof so as to sealingly maintain the inner shell in its inaccessible position when the package is unopened.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a dispenser for cigarettes and the like wherein the afore mentioned snap-lock means includes an overcenter, naturally biased, toggle arrangement.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel one-piece blank, adaptable to existing commercial machinery, which blank facilitates the construction of a dispenser for cigarettes and the like having an outer shell within which is pivotally secured an inner shell movable between inaccessible and accessible positions.

A further object of the present invention is to provide such a blank which includes the aforementioned snap-lock means as an integral portion thereof.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide such a blank which includes the aforementioned removable opening tab means as an integral portion thereof.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention and a further understanding thereof may be had by referring to the following specification and drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a dispenser constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention in its closed condition and further indicating the manner in which an opening tab thereof can be easily removed;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the dispenser of the present invention with the inner shell thereof in its accessible position;

FIG. 4-10 are plan and perspective views showing the sequence of operations for converting the blank of FIG. 1 to the dispensing package of FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 11 is a side view of the cigarette dispensing package of the present invention in its open or accessible condition;

FIG. 12 is a view taken along the line 12-12 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a view taken along the line 1313 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a side view of a cigarette dispensing package of the present invention in its closed or inaccessible position;

FIG. 15 is a view taken along the line 15-15 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a view taken along the line 16-16 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the blank of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 18-20 illustrate the steps of operation utilized to convert the blank of FIG. 17 to a finished cigarette dispensing package; 4

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a cigarette dispensing package resulting from the blank shown in FIG. 17;

FIG. 22 is a plan view of an alternating embodiment of the blank ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the dispenser formed from the blank of FIG. 22 in its closed condition and indicating the manner in which the opening tab thereof is removable; and

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the dispenser of FIG. 23 with the inner shell thereofin its accessible position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 a starting blank which, when properly set up, will result in the container 12 of FIGS. 2 and 3. Preferably, the container 12 is, as suggested in FIG. 3, a dispenser for cigarettes; it will be understood, however, that if desired, other articles could be stored and dispensed thereby.

The dispenser 12 of the present invention is of the type which includes an outer shell 14 within which is pivotally secured a cigarette retaining inner shell 16. The inner shell 16 is movable between a first position completely within the outer shell 14 (FIG. 2) through a second position partially out of the outer shell 14 (FIG. 3) in which position the cigarettes 18 are thereby accessible.

Before proceeding to a detailed description of the manner in which the blank 10 of FIG. I is operated on to produce the dispenser 12, it might initially be pointed out that FIG. 2 also illustrates a novel opening arrangement broadly designated 20 (to be described in greater detail hereinafter), which sealingly maintains the inner shell 16 in its closed position of FIG. 2, but which arrangement is easily removable when the consumer wishes to open the package.

With specific reference to FIG. I, the various portions of the blank 10 will now be described, it being initially noted that broken lines indicate folds or creases whereas solid lines define the actual outline of the various panels. The blank 10 includes an elongated outer shell rear wall panel 22 along the opposite

longitudinal edges

24 and 26 of which are secured elongated, outer

shell sidewall panels

28 and 30. The lower edge 32 of panel 22 is provided with an outer shell rear wall bottom tab 33, while the

lower edges

34 and 36 of the sidewall panels 28, are provided with outer shell

sidewall bottom panels

38 and 40, respectively.

To the upper edge 42 of the rear wall panel 22 is hingedly secured a hinge panel 44 the purpose of which will be described in greater detail. The upper edges 46 and 48 of the outer

shell sidewall panels

28 and 30, respectively, each have hingedly connected thereto the outer

shell top panels

50 and 52, respectively.

A second edge 54 of the hinge panel 44 has hingedly connected thereto an inner shell rear wall panel 56, while a third edge 58 of the hinge panel 44 has hingedly secured thereto a triangular stop panel 60, the purpose of which will be further described.

Along one longitudinal edge 62 of the inner shell rear wall panel 56 is a partial inner shell sidewall panel 64. Along the opposite longitudinal edge 66 of the inner shell rear wall panel 56 is a full inner shell sidewall panel 68.

The opposite longitudinal edge 70 of the full inner shell sidewall panel 68 has hingedly connected thereto an inner shell front wall panel 72 whose opposite longitudinal edge 74 has hingedly secured thereto a second partial inner shell sidewall panel 76. One edge 78 of the inner shell front wall panel 72 has an inner shell bottom tab 80 hingedly secured thereto, while the opposite edge 82 of the inner shell front wall panel 72 has hingedly connected thereto, by means of two small hinge surfaces 84, an elongated opening tab 86 which is an optional feature forms part of the opening arrangement 20 of FIG. 2.

The opposite edge 88 of the opening tab 86 has hingedly secured thereto a grasping tab 90 while the two

longitudinal edges

92 and 94 thereof are hingedly provided with a pair of earlike

outstanding tabs

96 and 98, respectively. The tab 98 is perforatedly joined to the outer shell sidewall panel 28 along the perforated line I00. Additionally, and for purposes to be further described, the outer shell sidewall panel 30 is provided with a perforated notched portion 102.

Referring to FIGS. 4-40, the steps necessary to convert the blank I0 of FIG. I to the finished dispenser 12 of FIG. 2 and 3 will now be described in detail. In FIG. 4, the inner shell subblank (including the first partial sidewall panel 64, the rear wall panel 56, the full sidewall 68, the front wall panel 72, and the second sidewall panel 76) has been swung about a pivotal axis including the edge 42 of the outer shell rear wall panel 22 and the two small hinge areas 84, such that the inner shell subblank overlays the outer shell subblank which includes the outer shell rear wall panel 22 and the outer

shell side panels

28 and 30. At this time, and as suggested by the dotted showing in FIG. 4, the upper surfaces (as viewed in FIG. 4) of the following portions of the blank are provided with a suitable adhesive substance: the sidewall top panel 52; the sidewall bottom panel 38', the perforated notch section 1102; end portions 104 of the bottom panel 40; and a longitudinal end portion 106 of the inner shell partial side panel 64. Figure 5 is a view looking at the rear of the blank as situated in FIG. 4.

In FIG. 6, three folds have been performed on the blank of FIGS. 4 and 5. Thus, edge 74 which joins the inner shell partial sidewall panel 76 to the inner shell front wall panel 72 has been folded to establish a 90 angle between these two members. Similarly, that portion of the longitudinal edge 92 of the opening tab 86 which joins the earlike tab 96 thereto has been folded such that the earlike tab 96 overlies the inner shell par tial sidewall panel 76. Finally, the longitudinal edge 24 which joins the outer shell sidewall panel 28 to the outer shell rear wall panel 22 has been transversely folded which further brings about the folding of the edge 66 which joins the inner shell full sidewall panel 68 to the inner shell rear wall panel 56, and additionally the folding ofthe edge 58 whichjoins the stop member 60 to the hinge panel 44.

In FIG. 7, the partial inner shell sidewall panel 64 has been folded along the longitudinal edge 62 thereof such that the adhesive undersurface portion 106 is brought into intimate contact with the second partial sidewall 76 to completely establish the inner shell which was broadly designated 16 in FIGS. 2 and 3.

In FIG. 8, the outer shell sidewall panel 30 has been completely swung about its longitudinally hinged edge 26 until the adhesive undersurface of the perforated notch area 102 is brought into intimate contact with the outer surface of the outstanding car 96 extending from the opening tab 86.

In FIG. 9, the top and bottom of the dispenser are formed. Specifically, the tab hingedly secured to the inner shell front wall panel 72, and the tab 33 hingedly secured to the outer shell rear wall panel 22, are folded inwardly Next the bottom flap 40 is folded along the longitudinal edge 36 such that the adhesively coated end portions 104 thereof come into sealing engagement with the undersurfaces of the

flaps

80 and 33. Finally, the fully coated bottom flap 38 is brought up into intimate sealing contact with the undersurface of the bottom flap 40 such that the bottom is complete. At this point, the cigarettes or other articles can be conveniently inserted through the open top of the package.

Finally, the top flap 50 of FIG. 8 is folded along the edge 46 followed by the folding of the top flap 52 such that its adhesive undersurface thereof sealingly engages the upper surface of the flap 50. The package is now complete.

FIG. 10 shows the cigarette dispenser 12 with the opening tab 86 thereof removed and is primarily intended to indicate the manner in which the stop panel 60 defines the limits of travel of the inner shell 16 between its closed and open positions. Thus, in the open position of FIG. 10, one edge 108 will abut the undersurface of the top 50, 52 and prevent the inner shell 16 from being pulled out any further. Similarly, when the inner shell 16 has reached its closed position, a second surface 110 of the stop member 60 will abut the full inner shell sidewall panel 68 (See FIG. 7) to accurately locate the inner shell 16 in its closed position with the front wall panel 72 thereof perfectly closing the elongated aperture 112 which the three-sided outer shell construction necessarily defines.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the manner in which the opening tab 86 functions to seal the dispenser and yet is easily removable therefrom, will now be described.

Initially, it is to be appreciated that by virtue of the

outstanding tabs

96, 98 and the small hinged surfaces 84, the opening tab 86 is, before the package is opened, integrally joined with the inner shell 16 and the outer shell 14. This arrangement prevents the inner shell 16 from accidentally moving to its accessible position of FIG. 3 before the package is open. To open the package, the user simply grasps the tab 90 and rotates the opening tab 86 about the pivotal axis defined by the small hinge surfaces 84. Initial rotation will rip the

tabs

96 and 98 from the adhesive undersurface 102 of the outer shell sidewall surface 30 and from the perforated outline 100 on the outer shell sidewall panel 28. At this point, the opening tab 86 is now free of the outer shell 14. A slight continual tug on the opening tab 86 will then break the hinges 84 so that the opening tab can be discarded. Preferably, the width of the hinges 84 are chosen such that the consumer must first actually pull the inner shell to its accessible position of FIG. 3 before the hinges break. In this manner, one smooth easy action which begins with grasping the tab 90 (See FIG. 9) accomplishes the dual result of completely removing the opening tab from its joining relationship with respect to the inner and outer shells, and also pulls the inner shell out to an accessible cigarette obtaining position.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 14, there is illustrated the manner in which the snap-lock arrangement of the instant invention including the snap-lock panel 44 thereof functions to biasingly maintain the inner shell 16 in either of its in or out positions. In FIG. 11, it is seen how the hinge panel 44 interconnects the upper end of the inner shell rear wall 56 with the upper end of the outer shell rear wall 22. It is to be observed, also, that the length of the hinge panel 44 plus the length of an imaginary diagonal 112 of the inner shell 16, is greater than the length of an imaginary diagonal 114 of the outer shell 14.

It can be appreciated therefore, that the imaginary diagonal 112, (actually the rigid inner shell 16), and the hinge panel 44 define an overcenter toggle mechanism (overcenter with respect to the imaginary diagonal 114) which will urge the inner shell 16 to either of its two positions depending upon which side of the diagonal line 114 the toggle happens to lie. Thus, if the consumer should begin to urge the inner shell 16 toward its closed position, once the toggle defined by the panel 44 and the imaginary line 112 passes over the diagonal 114, a natural biasing force is inherently developed to snap the inner shell 16 to its fully closed position. The same type of force is generated once the inner shell is pulled out sufficiently from its closed position that the toggle 44112 passes over the diagonal 114.

Referring now to FIGS. 17-2l, there is illustrated an alternative embodiment of the blank and cigarette dispenser manufactured therefrom. The blank 116 of FIG. 17 differs from the blank of FIG. 1 in one primary respect which is perhaps best illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20. In FIGS. 6 and 7, it is seen that the outer

shell sidewall panel

28 and 30 are "wrapped longitudinally around" the inner shell 16. This is to be contrasted with the construction illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20 wherein the outer

shell sidewall panels

28a and 30a are wrapped laterally around" the inner shell 16a by means of

folding edges

118 and 120, which edges are provided along the outer shell bottom panel 122. This is to be contrasted with the outer shell folding process of FIGS. 6 and 7 which took place along the

longitudinal edges

24 and 26 of the outer shell rear wall panel 22.

A second primary difference between the blank 116 and the blank 10 is that the blank 116 is provided with an additional opening tab section 8612 which, as illustrated in FIG. 19, is provided with adhesive such that it is adhesively joined with the outer surface of the first opening tab 860 (see FIG. 20). This doubled wall construction for the opening tab results in a rigid structure. With these two exceptions, the embodiment of FIGS. 17-21 is essentially the same as the dispenser described with respect to FIGS. l-16, and accordingly letter subscripts have been utilized to identify corresponding elements. Similarly, in FIG. 18, the dotted showing represents those surfaces of the blank 116 which are provided with adhesive surfaces, and FIGS. 19, 20 and 31 provide a simple stepby-step showing illustrating the manner in which the blank 116 is transformed into completed dispenser 12a of FIG. 21.

Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated by FIGS. 22 through 24. The blank is substantially the same as blank 10 illustrated in FIG. 1. The only difference existing between the two blanks resides in the formation of the opening tab 86c. The opening tab 860 may be termed a short opening tab. As best seen in FIG. 23, the tab 860 is centrally disposed with respect to the completed cigarette dispenser 12c and is secured to the outer shell 14c only by means of the tabs 96c and 98c. It is specifically to be noted that, in the present embodiment, there is no connection of the opening tab 86c with the front wall panel 72c.

As can be appreciated from the various long and short opening tabs of FIGS. 1 and 22 that the length of the tab can be of any size, forexample, even the full length of panel 28 or 2811; and if desired, the opening tab or panel section can also be made without the

outstanding tabs

96, 98. In such cases, however, the user would simply pull out the inner shell from the outer shell without having to tear away any removable tab or panel section. The opening tab or panel section in such cases would reinforce

panel

72, 72a by virtue of it being in a back-to-back position about the edge line 82 with respect to

panel

72, 72a, and same may be glued or otherwise adhered to

panel

72, 72a when assembled.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A package for cigarettes and the like, said package comprising: an outer shell having a multiedge bottom surface and a plurality of sidewalls upstanding therefrom, the number of sidewalls being at least one less than the number of edges of said bottom surface such that said outer shell includes an elongated opening therein; one of said sidewalls constituting a rear wall oppositely disposed with respect to said elongated opening, an inner shell pivotally connected to said outer shell and movable between a first position within said outer shell in which the interior of said inner shell is inaccessible and a second position partially out of the confines of said outer shell in which the interior of said inner shell is accessible; and snaplock meansjoining a rear wall of said inner shell with said rear wall of said outer shell for firmly seating said inner shell in said first and second positions, and for precluding said inner shell from being withdrawn completely out of the confines of said outer shell, said snap-lock means further maintaining said inner shell rigid and for precluding said inner shell from moving from either of its two positions accidentally.

2. The package of claim 1 and further including stop means secured to said snap-lock means for establishing the exact location of said second position as said inner shell pivots between its first and second positions.

3. The package of claim 1 wherein said snap-lock means comprises an overcenter hinge arrangement in the form of a toggle which biases said inner shell toward its first or second position depending on the position of said inner shell with respect to said outer shell.

4. The package of claim 1 wherein said inner shell includes a front wall which closes said elongated opening when said inner shell is in its first position, said front wall of said inner shell being hingedly secured to the one edge of said bottom surface of said outer shell which does not include a sidewall upstanding therefrom.

5. The package of claim 4 wherein said rear wall substantially abuts ,the rear wall of said outer shell when said inner shell is in its first position; and

wherein said snap-lock means comprises a joining member hingedly connected at opposite ends to the upper ends of the rear walls of said inner and outer shell respectively, said joining member passing overcenter with respect to a first imaginary diagonal joining the upper end of the rear wall of said outer shell with said one edge of said bottom surface whenever said inner shell is moved between its first and second position.

6. The package of claim 5 wherein the length of said joining member plus the length ofa second imaginary diagonal joining the upper end of the rear wall of said inner shell with the lower end of the front wall thereof, is greater than the length of said first imaginary diagonal whereby a naturally biased overcenter toggle arrangement is formed which urges said inner shell toward its first or second position when said joining member passes over said first imaginary diagonal.

7. The package of claim 1 and further including opening tab means removably secured to said outer shell for maintaining said inner shell in its first position when said package is in its unopened state.

8. The package of claim 1 and further including opening tab means removably secured to both said inner and outer shells for maintaining said inner shell in its first position when said package is in its unopened state.

9. The package of claim 8 wherein said opening tab is a generally elongated planar member having one end thereof removably secured to the upper end of the front wall of said inner shell; said tab further including outstanding flap portions which are removably secured to the oppositely disposed sidewalls of said outer shell.

10. A package for cigarettes and the like, said package comprising: an outer shell having a multiedged bottom surface and a plurality of sidewalls upstanding therefrom, the number of sidewalls being at least one less than the number of edges of said bottom surface such that said outer shell includes an elongated opening therein; and inner shell pivotally connected at a lower corner edge to said outer shell and movable between a first position within said outer shell in which the interior of said inner shell is inaccessible and a second position partially out of the confines of said outer shell in which the interior of said inner shell is accessible; and opening tab means removably attached by means of severable perforations in at least two places along the edge portions formed by said elongated opening in said outer shell for maintaining said inner shell in its first position when said package is in its unopened state, said opening tab means when removed providing finger notches on oppositely disposed sidewalls of said outer shell for providing manual access to said inner shell.

11. The package of claim 10 wherein said opening tab means are removably secured to both said inner and outer shells.

12. The package of claim 10 wherein said outer shell includes a rear wall oppositely disposed from said elongated opening;

said inner shell includes a front wall which closes said elongated opening when said inner shell is in its first position, said front wall of said inner shell being hingedly secured to the one edge of said bottom surface of said outer shell which does not include a sidewall upstanding therefrom; and

wherein said opening tab is a generally elongated planar member having one end thereof removably secured to the upper end of the front wall of said inner shell, said tab further including outstanding flap portions which are removably secured to the oppositely disposed sidewalls of said outer shell.

13. The package ofclaim 5 wherein said outer shell includes a top surface located in a plane parallel to said bottom surface; and

wherein the upper end of the rear wall of said inner shell is situated beneath the upper end of the rear wall of said outer shell; and further including a stop member hingedly secured to said 5 joining member but lying in the same plane as a sidewall of said inner shell, said stop member engaging said top surface to define said second position.

14. A blank for forming a package for cigarettes and the like, said blank comprising:

an outer shell rear wall panel having a pair of parallel longitudinal side edges and a pair of parallel end edges;

a pair of outer shell sidewall panels hingedly connected to respective ones of said pair of longitudinal edges of said outer shell rear wall panel;

a snap-lock panel having two pairs of oppositely disposed parallel edges, one edge thereof hingedly secured to one of said end edges of said outer shell rear wall panel;

an inner shell rear wall panel hingedly secured to the edge of said snap-lock panel which is opposite said one edge thereof;

a partial inner shell sidewall panel hingedly secured to one longitudinal edge of said inner shell rear wall panel;

a complete inner shell sidewall panel hingedly secured to the opposite longitudinal edge of said inner shell rear wall panel;

an inner shell front wail panel hingedly secured along one longitudinal edge thereof to the opposite longitudinal edge of said complete inner shell sidewall panel;

a second partial inner shell sidewall panel hingedly secured to the opposite longitudinal edge of said inner shell front wall panel; and

a triangular panel hingedly secured to one edge of said other pair of oppositely disposed parallel edges of said snaplock panel to serve as a stop member for said inner shell in the open position.

15. The blank of claim l4 wherein said inner shell front wall panel includes first and second parallel end edges; and

further including an elongated opening tab having a pair of longitudinal side edges and a pair of oppositely disposed end edges, one of said longitudinal edges of said tab being removably joined to one of said pair of outer shell sidewall panels along a portion of its length, and one of said end edges of said tab being removably joined to one of said end edges of said inner shell front wall panel.

16. The blank of claim wherein said tab is provided with a second oppositely disposed finger-grasping flap hingedly joined to the opposite longitudinal edge thereof, which second 50 flap is adheringly but removably secured to the other of said pair of outer shell sidewall panels when said blank is folded to form said package.

117. A blank for forming a package for cigarettes and the like, said blank comprising:

an outer shell bottom surface having first and second longitudinal edges;

first and second outer shell sidewall panels each having a pair of oppositely disposed longitudinal edges and a pair of oppositely disposed parallel end edges, one end edge of each of said walls hingedly joined to one of said longitudinal edges of said bottom surface respectively;

an outer shell rear wall panel having a longitudinal edge thereof hingedly joined to one of said longitudinal edges of one of said outer shell sidewall panels, said outer rear wall panel having a pair of end edges;

a snap-lock panel having one edge hingedly joined to one of said pair of end edges of said outer shell rear wall panel, and snap-lock panel having a second edge parallel to said one edge thereof;

an inner shell rear wall panel having one end edge thereof hingedly secured to said second edge of said snap-lock panel and having first and second longitudinal edges;

a partial inner shell sidewall panel hingedly secured to said first longitudinal edge of said inner shell rear wall panel;

to the second longitudinal edge of said inner shell front wall panel.

18. The blank of claim 17 and further including an elongated opening tab having one end edge thereof removably secured to one of said end edges of said inner shell front wall panel, and having one longitudinal edge removably secured to the other of said longitudinal edges of said one of said outer shell sidewall panels.

Claims

1. A package for cigarettes and the like, said package comprising: an outer shell having a multiedge bottom surface and a plurality of sidewalls upstanding therefrom, the number of sidewalls being at least one less than the number of edges of said bottom surface such that said outer shell includes an elongated opening therein; one of said sidewalls constituting a rear wall oppositely disposed with respect to said elongated opening, an inner shell pivotally connected to said outer shell and movable between a first position within said outer shell in which the interior of said inner shell is inaccessible and a second position partially out of the confines of said outer shell in which the interior of said inner shell is accessible; and snap-lock means joining a rear wall of said inner shell with said rear wall of said outer shell for firmly seating said inner shell in said first and second positions, and for precluding said inner shell from being withdrawn completely out of the confines of said outer shell, said snap-lock means further maintaining said inner shell rigid and for precluding said inner shell from moving from either of its two positions accidentally.

5. The package of claim 4 wherein said rear wall substantially abuts the rear wall of said outer shell when said inner shell is in its first position; and wherein said snap-lock means comprises a joining member hingedly connected at opposite ends to the upper ends of the rear walls of said inner and outer shell respectively, said joining member passing overcenter with respect to a first imaginary diagonal joining the upper end of the rear wall of said outer shell with said one edge of said bottom surface whenever said inner shell is moved between its first and second position.

6. The package of claim 5 wherein the length of said joining member plus the length of a second imaginary diagonal joining the upper end of the rear wall of said inner shell with the lower end of the front wall thereof, is greater than the length of said first imaginary diagonal whereby a naturally biased overcenter toggle arrangement is formed which urges said inner shell toward its first or second position when said joining member passes over said first imaginary diagonal.

12. The package of claim 10 wherein said outer shell includes a rear wall oppositely disposed from said elongated opening; said inner shell includes a front wall which closes said elongated opening when said inner shell is in its first position, said front wall of said inner shell being hingedly secured to the one edge of said bottom surface of said outer shell which does not include a sidewall upstanding therefrom; and wherein said opening tab is a generally elongated planar member having one end thereof removably secured to the upper end of the front wall of said inner shell, said tab further including outstanding flap portions which are removably secured to the oppositely disposed sidewalls of said outer shell.

13. The package of claim 5 wherein said outer shell includes a top surface located in a plane parallel to said bottom surface; and wherein the upper end of the rear wall of said inner shell is situated beneath the upper end of the rear wall of said outer shell; and further including a stop member hingedly secured to said joining member but lying in the same plane as a sidewall of said inner shell, said stop member engaging said top surface to define said second position.

14. A blank for forming a package for cigarettes and the like, said blank comprising: an outer shell rear wall panel having a pair of parallel longitudinal side edges and a pair of parallel end edges; a pair of outer shell sidewall panels hingedly connected to respective ones of said pair of longitudinal edges of said outer shell rear wall panel; a snap-lock panel having two pairs of oppositely disposed parallel edges, one edge thereof hingedly secured to one of said end edges of said outer shell rear wall panel; an inner shell rear wall panel hingedly secured to the edge of said snap-lock panel which is opposite said one edge thereof; a partial inner shell sidewall panel hingedly secured to one longitudinal edge of said inner shell rear wall panel; a complete inner shell sidewall panel hingedly secured to the opposite longitudinal edge of said inner shell rear wall panel; an inner shell front wall panel hingedly secured along one longitudinal edge thereof to the opposite longitudinal edge of said complete inner shell sidewall panel; a second partiaL inner shell sidewall panel hingedly secured to the opposite longitudinal edge of said inner shell front wall panel; and a triangular panel hingedly secured to one edge of said other pair of oppositely disposed parallel edges of said snap-lock panel to serve as a stop member for said inner shell in the open position.

15. The blank of claim 14 wherein said inner shell front wall panel includes first and second parallel end edges; and further including an elongated opening tab having a pair of longitudinal side edges and a pair of oppositely disposed end edges, one of said longitudinal edges of said tab being removably joined to one of said pair of outer shell sidewall panels along a portion of its length, and one of said end edges of said tab being removably joined to one of said end edges of said inner shell front wall panel.

16. The blank of claim 15 wherein said tab is provided with a second oppositely disposed finger-grasping flap hingedly joined to the opposite longitudinal edge thereof, which second flap is adheringly but removably secured to the other of said pair of outer shell sidewall panels when said blank is folded to form said package.

17. A blank for forming a package for cigarettes and the like, said blank comprising: an outer shell bottom surface having first and second longitudinal edges; first and second outer shell sidewall panels each having a pair of oppositely disposed longitudinal edges and a pair of oppositely disposed parallel end edges, one end edge of each of said walls hingedly joined to one of said longitudinal edges of said bottom surface respectively; an outer shell rear wall panel having a longitudinal edge thereof hingedly joined to one of said longitudinal edges of one of said outer shell sidewall panels, said outer rear wall panel having a pair of end edges; a snap-lock panel having one edge hingedly joined to one of said pair of end edges of said outer shell rear wall panel, and snap-lock panel having a second edge parallel to said one edge thereof; an inner shell rear wall panel having one end edge thereof hingedly secured to said second edge of said snap-lock panel and having first and second longitudinal edges; a partial inner shell sidewall panel hingedly secured to said first longitudinal edge of said inner shell rear wall panel; a complete inner shell sidewall having a first and second longitudinal edge, said first longitudinal edge thereof hingedly joined to said second longitudinal edge of said inner shell rear wall panel; an inner shell front wall panel having a pair of end edges and first and second longitudinal edges, said first longitudinal edge thereof hingedly secured to said second longitudinal edge of said complete inner shell sidewall panel; and a second partial inner shell sidewall panel hingedly secured to the second longitudinal edge of said inner shell front wall panel.