WO2004063032A2

WO2004063032A2 - Rigid package for tobacco articles

Info

Publication number: WO2004063032A2
Application number: PCT/EP2003/051117
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrea Mandrioli; Fiorenzo Draghetti
Original assignee: G.D Societa' Per Azioni
Priority date: 2003-01-14
Filing date: 2003-12-30
Publication date: 2004-07-29
Also published as: EP1590251B1; JP4365325B2; ATE432882T1; AU2003299328A1; JP2006513101A; EP1590251A2; WO2004063032A3; AU2003299328A8; ITBO20030015A1; DE60327894D1

Abstract

A rigid package for tobacco articles has an outer first box (6) having a top end opening (12); a second box (15) inside the first box (6) and having an end opening (22) corresponding with the end opening (12) of the first box (6); and an intermediate member (24) interposed between the first and second box (6, 15) and fixed internally to one of the walls (8) of the first box (6) ; the intermediate member (24) surrounds the second box (15), and can assume at least two limit axial positions corresponding to two different positions of the second box (15), wherein a first portion (29a) of the intermediate member (24), defining a lid (30) for closing the aforementioned openings (12, 22), assumes respective positions opening and closing the openings (12, 22).

Description

RIGID PACKAGE FOR TOBACCO ARTICLES

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a rigid package for tobacco articles.

In the following description, the term "package" is intended to mean both a carton for containing a number of packets of cigarettes, and an individual packet for containing a group of cigarettes or tobacco articles in general.

BACKGROUND ART

Rigid packages (cartons and packets) of the above type are normally formed from a pre-weakened, pre-cut, flat blank, and comprise a container; a lid hinged to a^" rear end edge of the container to close an open end of the container; and a collar inserted partly inside, and fixed to a front wall and two lateral walls of, the container.

After opening and during use of so-called "hinged- lid" packages of the above type, the lid is difficult to maintain in the correct closed position, despite providing contrasting elements at the edges of the collar. Another drawback of this type of package lies in the cigarettes, particularly the first, being difficult to withdraw when the package is first opened.

This drawback is eliminated, for example, in so- called ^ΛΛslide-box" packages, in which the whole group of cigarettes is extracted partly from the package when withdrawing each cigarette. On the other hand, slide-box packages fail to provide for the same sealing and strength as the hinged-lid type described above. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a package for tobacco articles, designed to eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks, and which combines easy withdrawal of the cigarettes, or of the packets in the case of a carton, characteristic of slide-box packages, with the sealing and strength typical of hinged-lid packages .

According to the present invention, there is provided a rigid package for tobacco articles, as claimed in Claim 1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A number of non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 show views in perspective of a first preferred embodiment of a package, in particular a packet of cigarettes, in accordance with the present invention and in three different configurations : closed, partly open, and open;

Figure 5 shows a cutaway view in perspective of the Figure 3 packet;

Figure 6 shows an exploded view of the Figure 1 packet;

Figure βa shows a detail of Figure 6 in a different operating condition relative to the Figure 3 packet;

Figures 7, 8 and 9 show plan views of three blanks by which to form the first embodiment of the package -in Figure 1;

Figure 9a shows an alternative embodiment of a detail in Figure 9;

Figures 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 show views in perspective of five further embodiments of the Figure 1 packet;

Figures 15, 16, 17 and 18 show views in perspective of four embodiments of a package, in particular a carton for packets of cigarettes, in accordance with the present invention; Figures 19, 20 and 21 show views in perspective of a second embodiment of a package, in particular a packet of cigarettes, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 22 shows a view in perspective of an embodiment of a package in accordance with the present invention, and in particular a carton for packets of cigarettes in accordance with the Figure 19-21 embodiment;

Figures 23, 24 and 25 show views in perspective of a third embodiment of a package, in particular a packet of cigarettes, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 26 shows a view in perspective of an embodiment of a package in accordance with the present invention, and in particular a carton for packets of cigarettes in accordance with the Figure 23-25 embodiment;

Figures 27, 28 and 29 show plan views of three blanks by which to produce the second embodiment of the package in Figures 19, 20 and 21;

Figure 30 shows a variation of the third embodiment of the package in Figures 23, 24 and 25;

Figure 31 shows a plan view of a variation of the blanks in Figures 7 and 9; Figures 32 and 33 show plan views of two blanks relative to the packages in Figures 23, 24 and 25;

Figure 34 shows a variation of the blank in Figure 32;

Figures 35 and 36 show plan views of two blanks by which to produce the variation in Figure 30;

Figure 37 shows a variation of the Figure 35 blank.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With reference to Figures 1 to 6, number 1 indicates a first embodiment of a package for tobacco articles, in particular a packet 2 containing a substantially parallelepiped-shaped group 3 of cigarettes 4 (Figures 3 and 5) wrapped in a portion 5 of wrapping material, e.g. foil. With reference to Figures 1, 4 and 6, packet 2 comprises a first outer box 6 defining a substantially parallelepiped-shaped "bottom shell" and comprising a front wall 7, a rear wall or back 8, and two lateral walls or sides 9 connected to front and rear walls 7, 8 along sharp edges 10. With reference to a given longitudinal axis 11, first box 6 comprises a top end opening 12, is closed at the bottom by a bottom wall 13, and has, in front wall 1 , an elongated, round-ended opening 14 extending parallel to and along said given axis 11.

As shown in Figures 2, 3, 5 and 6, inside and coaxial with first box 6, packet 2 comprises a parallelepiped-shaped second box 15 comprising a front wall 16 facing wall 7 of first box 6; a rear wall or back 17; two lateral walls or sides 18; and a bottom wall 19. At the top end located at opening 12 of first box 6, second box 15 has a top wall 20 defined by two strips 21 adjacent to lateral walls 18 and defining, between them, a top opening 22; and, at the top end of front wall 16, a contoured opening 23 is formed adjacent to and blending with opening 22.

Packet 2 also comprises an intermediate member 24 interposed between first box 6 and second box 15, and substantially in the form of an open loop surrounding second box 15, crosswise to axis 11, and fixed by a first end 25 to a first inner-surface portion 26 of rear wall 8 of first box 6 close to the edge of opening 12, and by a second end 27 to an intermediate portion 28 of wall 8.

As shown in Figures 5 and 6, as of first end 25, intermediate member 24 comprises a first portion 29a defined by a cover panel 29 in turn defining, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4, a lid 30 for closing top end opening 12 of first box 6 and opening 22 of second box 15. Panel 29 defines the top end wall of packet 2.

Lid 30 is thus hinged about a hinge line 31 at said top edge of rear wall 8 of first box 6. Member 24 also comprises a second front panel 32 connected to lid 30 by a first connecting portion 33 comprising two first strips 34, and to said second end 27 by a second connecting portion 35 comprising a second strip 36 surrounding bottom wall 19 of second inner box 15, as shown in Figures 1 and 5.

The two first strips 34 are connected to opposite ends of the free edge 37 of lid 30, and define, between them and together with free edge 37 and a contoured top edge 32a of front panel 32, an opening 38. First strips 34 and second strip 36 have a number of crease lines 39 crosswise to axis 11 to make connecting portions 33 and 35 elastically flexible for the reasons explained later on.

Intermediate member 24 has two longitudinal lateral panels 40 connected to front panel 32, positioned facing lateral walls 9 of outer box 6, and each of which comprises, close to where it is connected to front panel 32 and close to its free longitudinal edge, two projecting longitudinal guide ribs 41 contacting the inner surface of relative lateral wall 9. Each lateral panel also has a rounded top end 42, which adheres to the inner surface of a relative first strip 34 in an open condition of packet 2, as described later on.

Finally, on front panel 32 and corresponding with longitudinal opening 14 in front wall 7 of outer box 6, high-friction means 43 are provided by which to grip and operate intermediate member 24, and which may be defined, for example, by a knurled portion or by a number of narrow strips of resilient material applied to said portion.

When using packet 2, intermediate member 24 can assume two limit positions, in which the packet is closed (Figure 1) and opened (Figure 3) respectively, and a number of intermediate positions, one of which is sliown in Figure 2. In the closed position, intermediate member 24 is configured as shown in Figure 6, in which the two first strips 34 substantially adhere to front wall 16 of second box 15, so as to keep lid 30 in position closing openings 12 and 22 of first and second box 6 and 15 respectively, and inner box 15 is fully inserted inside outer box 6.

To withdraw a cigarette 4, the user pushes means 43 towards top opening 12 of outer box 6, so that member 24 rolls with respect to rear wall 8 of first box 6, to which member 24 is fixed; and member 24 rolls about second inner box 15, so that second box 15 is pushed partly out by second strip 36 acting on bottom wall 19, and lid 30 is simultaneously opened by first strips 34 rotating it about hinge line 31, so that the packet is positioned as shown in Figures 3 and 5, and intermediate member 24 as shown in Figure 6a. In which open condition, the rounded ends 42 of lateral panels 40 contact the inner surfaces of first strips 34 to act as limit stops and stabilize the curved condition of strips 34. To switch from the above open condition to the closed condition of packet 2, the user pushes means 43 towards bottom wall 13 to roll member 24 with respect to rear wall 8 in the opposite direction to before, so that the two strips 34 gradually close lid 30, and box 15 is simultaneously inserted inside first box 6 by the pressure exerted by lid 30 and strips 34 on top wall 20 of inner box 15.

It should be pointed out that the dimension of lid 30, measured parallel to hinge 31, is greater than the distance between the edges of opening 12, measured crosswise to hinge 31, so as to define, on the end edges of lid 30, projections 30a, against which the top edges of lateral walls 9 of first outer box 6 rest to position lid 30 correctly, in the closed configuration, substantially parallel to bottom wall 13. During the above opening and closing movements, guide ribs 41 - which, as will be seen, may be formed by a folding or drawing operation - assist slide of intermediate member 24 along the inner surfaces of lateral walls 9 of box 6, and at the same time act as spacers between walls 9 and walls 18 of inner box 15.

As shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9, first outer box 6, second inner box 15, and intermediate member 24 are formed from a first, second and third flat blank made of cardboard or similar packing material and indicated 44,

45 and 46 respectively.

In the following description of said blanks, the same reference numbers, with superscripts, as for the corresponding parts of packet 2 will be used where possible.

First blank 44 is substantially rectangular, and comprises two longitudinal pre-fold lines 47 and two transverse pre-fold lines 48, 49, which define a front panel 7', a bottom panel 13', and a rear panel 8'. Front panel 7' and rear panel 8' each have two lateral wings 9', which, when superimposed, define lateral walls 9 of first outer box 6, while panel 7' and panel 8' define front wall 7 and rear wall 8 respectively. More specifically, wings 9' of rear panel 8' have two longitudinal tabs 50 projecting towards wings 9' of front panel 7', and which eventually form connecting elements connecting lateral walls 9 and bottom wall 13 of box 6. Panel 7' has an opening 14' extending longitudinally along axis 11' and defining said elongated, round-ended opening 14. On the end, panel 7' also has a reinforcing tab 7a, which is eventually folded down onto the inner face of front panel 7', so that, once packet 2 is assembled, the top edge of front wall 7 is held correctly contacting the front edge 37 of lid 30, without bulging outwards . Second flat blank 45 is also substantially rectangular, and comprises two longitudinal pre-fold lines 51 and four transverse pre-fold lines 52, 53, 54, 55, which define a front panel 16' , a rear panel 17' , and two end panels 19' connected along transverse pre-fold lines 52 and 55 to front panel 16' and rear panel 17' respectively.

Front panel 16' and rear panel 17' are connected by two strips 21' extending along longitudinal pre-fold lines 51, and have respective longitudinal lateral wings 18' .

When superimposed, the two panels 19' define the bottom wall 19 of box 15; lateral wings 18', when superimposed, define lateral walls 18 of box 15; and strips 21' define top wall 20 of the finished box 15. The two strips 21' and panels 16' and 17' together define an opening 56 defined by a closed cut line 57 and including said top opening 22 and said contoured opening 23 of second inner box 15.

Third flat blank 46 comprises two longitudinal pre- fold lines 58 and five transverse pre-fold and/or crease lines 59, 60, 61, 62, 63. More specifically, only lines 59 and 60 are pre-fold lines, while lines 61, 62 and 63 define portions with a number of crease lines. Working downwards in Figure 9, lines 59 and 60 define a first end tab 25', which eventually adheres to said first inner- surface portion 26 of rear wall 8 of first box 6; and a first portion 29' a defined by a panel 29' defining lid 30.

Blank 46 also comprises a first connecting portion 33' connecting panel 29' and a front panel 32'; and a second connecting portion 35' connecting front panel 32' and a second end tab 27', which eventually adheres to said second portion 28 of rear wall 8 of first box 6.

Transverse pre-fold line 59, interposed between first end tab 25' and panel 29' defining lid 30, defines hinge line 31.

First connecting portion 33' and front panel 32' are affected by a closed cut line 64 defining opening 38 of intermediate member 24, which, when packet 2 is assembled, corresponds with opening 56 of second inner box 15 and partly with opening 14 in front wall 7 of first outer box 6. Cut line 64 also defines, on first connecting portion 33', two first connecting strips 34' connecting cover panel 29' and front panel 32' .

Second portion 35' is also defined by a second connecting strip 36' connecting front panel 32' and second end tab 27' . As shown in Figure 9, first and second connecting strips 34' and 36' have a number of transverse crease lines 39.

Front panel 32' comprises two longitudinal lateral panels 40', each of which is connected to front panel 32* by a respective said pre-fold line 58, which, together with a further pre-fold line 65 and a further pre-fold line 66 close to the free longitudinal edge 67 of panel 40', defines said two ribs 41. As shown in Figure 9a, ribs 41 may be formed by two draw lines 68.

As shown in Figures 10 and 11, as opposed to sharp longitudinal edges 10, packet 2 in Figures 1 and 2 comprises bevelled edges 69 and rounded edges 70 respectively. As shown in Figure 12, packet 2 comprises a front wall 7, a rear wall 8 parallel to front wall 7, and two parallel lateral walls 9, each of which is connected to each adjacent wall along a sharp edge 10; and front wall 7 and rear wall 8 each comprise a flat central portion 71, and two pre-weakened lateral bands 72, each of which is curved with its concavity facing . inwards to connect the relative flat central portion 71 to the adjacent wall (lateral wall 9) along a sharp edge 10.

In the Figure 13 embodiment, each lateral wall 9 of packet 2 comprises a flat central portion 73; and two pre-weakened lateral bands 74, each of which is curved with its concavity facing inwards to connect the relative flat central portion 73 of relative lateral wall 9 to the adjacent wall - front wall 7 or rear wall 8 - along a sharp edge 10.

In the Figure 14 embodiment, each lateral wall comprises a flat portion 75 interposed between two longitudinal lateral bands 76 curved with their concavities facing inwards and connected to the adjacent walls along respective sharp edges 10.

Figures 15, 16, 17 and 18 show four packages 1 defined by respective cartons 77 for containing a given number of packets 2 of cigarettes of the type according to the present invention or of any other type. More specifically, the Figure 15 carton has the same characteristics as packet 2 in Figure 1; the Figure 16 carton the same characteristics as packet 2 in Figure 10; the Figure 17 carton the same characteristics as packet 2 in Figure 11; and the Figure 18 carton the same characteristics as packet 2 in Figure 13. The cartons 77 derived from the packets in Figures 12 and 14 are deducible from the above and therefore not shown. With reference to Figures 19, 20 and 21, packet 2 comprises a central portion 78 defined by a tubular first box 6 having a front wall 7 and a rear wall 8 parallel to each other, and two parallel lateral walls 9. Packet 2 also comprises two end portions 79, which are substantially semicylindrical with respective axes 80 crosswise to said given longitudinal axis 11.

As shown in Figure 21, first portion 29a of intermediate member 24 comprises a flexible wall 81 defining lid 30, which, in this case, defines a rolling lid for closing open ends 12 and 22 (Figure 21) of first and second box 6 and 15 respectively.

More specifically, unlike the Figure 1 packet, in which lid 30 opens and closes by rotating about hinge 31, flexible wall 81, which is connected to front panel 32 of intermediate member 24 by strips 34, comprises a number of crease lines 82 parallel to axes 80.

When moving intermediate member 24 between the two positions opening and closing packet 2, lines 82 enable wall 81 to roll shutter-fashion about respective axis 80; and flexible wall 81, in this case, constitutes the outer top wall of packet 2.

As can be seen, the respective longitudinal ends 42, facing lid 30, of lateral walls 9 of first outer box 6 are rounded to define respective bases 83 of semicylindrical top end portion 79.

Since, as stated, first outer box 6 is tubular, and therefore has no bottom wall 13, the bottom wall of packet 2 is defined by second strip 36 of intermediate member 24. And, like top ends 42, the bottom ends are also rounded to define respective bases 83 of semicylindrical bottom end portion 79.

As shown in Figure 21, the ends of each lateral wall 18 of second inner box 15 have respective semicircular tabs 84, the edges 85 of which define guide and slide means for flexible wall 81 defining lid 30, and for second strip 36 defining a semicylindrical bottom wall.

Each lateral panel 40 of intermediate member 24 is also rounded at both ends to adhere to the relative strip 34 and to second strip 36 in the two limit positions opening and closing packet 2.

Figure 22 shows the Figure 19-21 package 1 used as a carton 77 for containing a given number of packets 2 of cigarettes of the type according to the present invention or of any other type.

The Figure 23-25 packets 2 and the Figure 26 carton 77 differ from the Figure 19-21 packets and the Figure 22 carton 77 by first outer box 6 being flat-bottomed as opposed to tubular, and having a bottom wall 13 similar to that of the Figure 1 packet and Figure 15 carton. Similarly, the Figure 30 packet 2 differs from the Figure 19 packet 2 by bottom wall 13, which forms part of first outer box 6, simply being semicircular and surrounding the semicylindrical bottom portion defined by second strip 36 of intermediate member 24.

Figures 27, 28 and 29 show, respectively, a first, second and third blank 44, 45 and 46, by which to produce the packets in Figures 19, 20 and 21.

More specifically, blank 44 in Figure 27 predominantly extends along an axis 86 crosswise to given longitudinal axis 11', and comprises four longitudinal pre-fold lines 87 defining two end panels 9' and a central panel 9', which are identical and define lateral walls 9 of outer box 6 of the Figure 19 packet 2.

A front panel 7' is interposed between central panel 9' and one of end panels 9' , defines front wall 7 of packet 2 in Figure 19, and has a longitudinal opening 14'; and a rear panel 8' is interposed between central panel 9' and the other end panel 9' , and defines rear wall 8 of packet 2 in Figure 19. Front panel 7' and rear panel 8' have respective substantially arc-shaped, inwardly concave, transverse edges 88; and end panels 9' and central panel 9' have semicircular opposite ends 83' defining bases 83 of respective top and bottom semicylindrical portions 79 of the Figure 19 packet.

More specifically, transverse edges 88 are connected to ends 83' of panels 9' by curved, outwardly concave portions 89. The Figure 28 blank differs from the Figure 8 blank solely by the opposite ends 84' of lateral wings 18' being semicircular with curved free edges 85' .

The third flat blank 46 has two longitudinal pre- fold lines 58, and comprises a substantially rectangular panel 90. Transverse crease lines 82' are formed on panel 90, and define a first end tab 25' having no lines 82' and eventually adhering to first portion 26 of rear panel 8' of first blank 44, and two given portions 91 and 92.

Portions 91 and 92 define flexible wall 81 and a first connecting portion 33' connected to a front panel 32', and a second connecting portion 35' between front panel 32' and a second end tab 27', which also has no lines 82' and eventually adheres to second portion 28 of rear panel 8' of first blank 44. Second connecting portion 35' defines bottom wall 13 of packet 2 in Figures 19 to 21. First connecting portion 33' is affected by a closed cut line 64 defining opening 38 of intermediate member 24, which, when packet 2 is assembled, corresponds with opening 56 of second inner box 15 and partly with opening 14 in front panel 7 of first outer box 6.

Cut line 64 also defines in first connecting portion 33' two first connecting strips 34' between flexible wall 81 and front panel 32' .

In connection with the above, as can be seen, the part of portion 91 interposed between tab 25' and strips 34' defines flexible wall 81 and is indicated 81'; and second connecting portion 35' is defined by a second connecting strip 36' between front panel 32' and second end tab 27' .

Front panel 32' has two longitudinal lateral panels 40' connected to it and each having two opposite semicircular ends 42' .

As shown in Figures 31, 32, 34, 35 and 37, first blank 44 and third blank 46 are joined to form a single blank.

More specifically, in Figures 31, 32 and 35, first blank 44 and third blank 46 extend along said longitudinal axis 11' . In particular, the Figure 31 blank is a combination of blanks 44 and 46 in Figures 7 and 9; the Figure 32 blank is a combination of blanks 44 and 46 for producing the packets in Figures 23, 24 and 25; and the Figure 35 blank is a combination of blanks 44 and 46 for producing the Figure 30 packet.

Finally, as shown in Figures 34 and 37, first blank 44 and third blank 46 are arranged in the form of an L. In particular, the Figure 34 blank is a combination of blanks 44 and 46 for producing the Figure 23 packet; and the Figure 37 blank is a combination of blanks 44 and 46 for producing the Figure 19 packet. The component parts of the blanks in Figures 31 to 37 are indicated using the same reference numbers as for the blanks in Figures 7, 8, 9 and 27, 28, 29. Moreover, first blank 44 has a reinforcing tab 7a which is eventually folded down onto the inner face of front panel 7.

Claims

1) A rigid package for tobacco articles, characterized by comprising an outer first box (6) having at least one end opening (12) ; a substantially parallelepiped-shaped second box (15) inside and coaxial with the first box (6) and having an end opening (22) corresponding with the end opening (12) of the outer first box (6) ; and an intermediate member (24) interposed between the first and second box (6, 15), fixed internally to one of the longitudinal walls (8) of the first box (6) , and surrounding the second box (15) crosswise to a given axis (11) of the second box (15) ; said intermediate member (24) assuming at least two limit axial positions corresponding respectively to two different positions of said second box (15) with respect to said axis (11) .

2) A package as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that said intermediate member (24) comprises a first portion (29a) defining a lid (30) for closing said openings (12, 22) of said first and said second box (6, 15) .

3) A package as claimed in Claim 2, characterized in that said first portion (29a) of said intermediate member (24) is defined by a cover panel (29) defining a lid (30) for closing said end openings (12, 22) .

4) A package as claimed in Claim 2, characterized in that said first portion (29a) of said intermediate member (24) is defined by a flexible wall (81) defining a lid (30) for closing said end openings (12, 22) .

5) A package as claimed in Claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said first position corresponds to partial extraction of said second box (15) from said first box (6) and simultaneous opening of the lid (30) , and said second position corresponds to full insertion of said second box (15) inside the first box (6) and simultaneous closure of the lid (30) . 6) A package as claimed in Claim 3 or 5, characterized in that said lid (30) has a hinge (31) crosswise to said axis (11) and substantially coincident with an edge of the end opening (12) of the first box

(6). 7) A package as claimed in Claim 6, characterized in that the dimension, measured parallel to said hinge (31) , of the cover panel (29) defining the lid (30) is greater than the distance between the edges of said end opening (12) of the first box (6) measured crosswise to the hinge (31) .

8) A package as claimed in Claim 4 or 5, characterized in that said lid (30) defines a roller shutter for closing said end openings (12, 22) of said first and said second box (6, 15) . 9) A package as claimed in Claim 6 or 8, characterized in that said intermediate member (24) is fixed at least to a first fastening portion (26) of said longitudinal wall (8) at an edge of said end opening (12) of the outer first box (6) .

10) A package as claimed in Claim 9, characterized in that said intermediate member (24) comprises a first end (25) fixed to said first fastening portion (26) ; and a second end (27) fixed to an intermediate fastening portion (28) of said longitudinal wall (8) .

11) A package as claimed in Claim 9 or 10, characterized in that said intermediate member (24) comprises a front panel (32) ; a first connecting portion (33) between the front panel (32) and said lid (30) ; and a second connecting portion (35) between said front panel (32) and a second end (27) fixed to an intermediate fastening portion (28) of said longitudinal wall (8) .

12) A package as claimed in Claim 11, characterized in that said first connecting portion (33) comprises two first strips (34) connected to opposite ends of an edge (37) of said lid (30) and defining, between them and together with said edge (37) of the lid (30) and with an edge of said front panel (32) , an opening (38) ; said second connecting portion (35) comprising at least one second strip (36) surrounding the bottom (19) of the inner second box (15) .

13) A package as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the outer said first box (6) comprises, at the front panel (32) of the intermediate member (24) and in a front wall (7), an opening (14) extending along the given said axis (11) .

14) A package as claimed in Claim 13, characterized in that, at said opening (14) in the front wall (7) of the first box (6) , said front panel (32) of the intermediate member (24) has high-friction means (43) by which to grip and operate said intermediate member (24) . 15) A package as claimed in Claim 12, characterized in that said first strips (34) connecting the lid (30) and the front panel (32) , and said second strip (36) surrounding the bottom (19) of the inner second box (15) have a number of crease lines (39) crosswise to the given said axis (11) .

16) A package as claimed in Claim 8, characterized in that said flexible wall (81) defining said roller shutter for closing said end openings (12, 22) of said first and second box (6, 15) has a number of crease lines (82) crosswise to the given said axis (11) .

17) A package as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 16, characterized in that said intermediate member (24) comprises two longitudinal lateral panels (40) connected to the front panel (32) and located at the lateral walls (9) of the outer first box (6) .

18) A package as claimed in Claim 17, characterized in that each lateral panel (40) of the intermediate member (24) has at least one rounded end (42) facing said end openings (12, 22) , and which, in said first position in which the inner second box (15) is partly extracted, adheres to the inner surface of a respective first strip (34) connecting the front panel (32) and the lid (30) .

19) A package as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized by being substantially parallelepiped- shaped, and having a top wall defined by said lid (30) .

20) A package as claimed in any one of Claims 1, 2,

4, 5 and 12, characterized by comprising a central portion (78) defined by a front wall (7) and a rear wall

(8) parallel to each other, and by two parallel lateral walls (9); and at least one substantially semicylindrical end portion (79) with an axis (80) crosswise to the given said axis (11) . 21) A package as claimed in any one of Claims 1, 2,

(8) parallel to each other, and by two parallel lateral walls (9); and two substantially semicylindrical end portion (79) with axes (80) crosswise to the given said axis (11) .

22) A package as claimed in Claim 21, characterized in that said central portion (78) is defined by a tubular outer said first box (6) , and said end portions (79) are defined respectively by said flexible wall (81) defining said lid (30), and by said second strip (36) surrounding the bottom (19) of the inner second box (15) .

23) A package as claimed in Claim 21, characterized in that said lateral walls (9) of the outer first box (6) have respective rounded ends defining, in pairs, respective bases (83) of the semicylindrical said end portions (79) .

24) A package as claimed in Claim 21, characterized in that respective ends of the lateral walls (18) of the inner second box (15) have semicircular tabs (84) , the edges (85) of which define guide and slide means for said flexible wall (81) and said second strip (36) . 25) A package as claimed in any one of Claims 21 to 24, characterized in that each lateral panel (40) of the intermediate member (24) has both ends rounded to adhere, in said first position in which the inner second box (15) is partly extracted, to the inner surface of a respective first strip (34) connecting the front panel (32) and the lid (30), and to adhere, in the second position in which said second box (15) is fully inserted inside the first box (6), to the second strip (36) surrounding the bottom (19) of the inner second box (15) . 26) A package as claimed in Claim 18 or 25, characterized in that each of said lateral panels comprises, close to the point of attachment to said front panel and close to its own free longitudinal edge, two longitudinal guide ribs projecting towards the lateral walls of the outer first box.

27) A package as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that said second box has a contoured opening extending along a given portion of the front wall and adjacent to the open end of the second box. 28) A package as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 27, characterized by being defined by a packet of cigarettes .

29) A package as claimed in Claim 28, characterized in that said cigarettes are arranged into a substantially parallelepiped-shaped group wrapped in a portion of wrapping material and housed inside said second box.

30) A package as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 27, characterized by being defined by a carton of packets of cigarettes.

31) A package as claimed in any one of Claims 28 to 30, characterized in that at least the outer said first box has at least one rounded edge. 32) A package as claimed in any one of Claims 28 to 30, characterized in that at least the outer said first box has at least one bevelled edge.

33) A package as claimed in any one of Claims 28 to 30, wherein said first box comprises a front wall and a rear wall opposite each other, and two opposite lateral walls or sides; each of said walls being connected to each of the adjacent walls along a sharp edge; characterized in that each wall in a pair of opposite walls of at least the outer said first box comprises a flat central portion and two pre-weakened lateral bands; each lateral band being curved with its concavity facing inwards to connect the relative flat central portion to the adjacent wall along the sharp edge.

34) A package as claimed in any one of Claims 28 to 30, wherein said first and said second box each comprise a front wall and a rear wall opposite each other, and two opposite lateral walls or sides; each of said walls being connected to each of the adjacent walls along a sharp edge; characterized in that said walls each comprise a flat portion, and at least one longitudinal lateral band curved with its concavity facing inwards; said lateral bands of the two adjacent walls being connected to each other along a sharp edge.

35) A package as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 34, characterized in that the outer said first box, the inner said second box, and said intermediate member are formed respectively from a first, second, and third flat blank made of cardboard or similar and having longitudinal and transverse pre-fold lines .

36) A package as claimed in Claim 35, when dependent on any one of Claims 1, 2, 3, 5, Claims 9 to 15, Claims 17 to 19, and Claims 25 to 34, characterized in that said first flat blank is substantially rectangular, and comprises two longitudinal pre-fold lines and two transverse pre-fold lines defining a front panel having a longitudinal opening, a bottom panel, and a rear panel; the front panel and the rear panel each having two lateral wings defining the lateral walls of the outer first box; and the wings of the rear panel having two longitudinal tabs projecting towards the wings of the front panel.

37) A package as claimed in Claim 35, when dependent on any one of Claims 1, 2, 3, 5, Claims 9 to 15, Claims

17 to 19, and Claims 26 to 34, characterized in that said second flat blank is substantially rectangular, and comprises two longitudinal pre-fold lines and four transverse pre-fold lines defining a front panel, a rear panel, and two end panels defining the bottom of the inner second box; the front panel and the rear panel having respective lateral wings defining the lateral walls of the inner second box; said front panel and said rear panel being connected to each other by two strips parallel to the longitudinal pre-fold lines and defining a top wall of the inner said second box; and a closed cut line being located between the two strips, and defining said top opening and said contoured opening of the inner second box.

38) A package as claimed in Claim 35, when dependent on any one of Claims 1, 2, 3, 5, Claims 9 to 15, Claims 17 to 19, and Claims 26 to 34, characterized in that said third flat blank comprises two longitudinal pre-fold lines, and transverse pre-fold and/or crease lines defining a first end tab which eventually adheres to said first fastening portion of the rear panel of said first blank, a first panel defining the lid, a first connecting portion between said first panel and a second front panel, and a second connecting portion between the second front panel and a second end tab which eventually adheres to said second fastening portion of the rear panel of said first blank; the transverse pre-fold line interposed between the first end tab and the first panel, defining the lid, defining a hinge line; and at least said first connecting portion being affected by a closed cut line defining an access opening to the inner second box. 39) A package as claimed in Claim 38, characterized in that said closed cut line defines, for said first connecting portion, two first strips connecting the first panel and the second front panel; said second connecting portion being defined by a second strip connecting the second front panel and the second end tab; said first strips and said second strip having a number of transverse crease lines parallel to said transverse pre- fold lines. 40) A package as claimed in Claim 39, characterized in that said second front panel comprises two longitudinal lateral panels, each connected to the second front panel by a double pre-fold line, and having a further pre-fold line close to its free longitudinal edge; the ends of said lateral panels facing the cover panel being semicircular.

41) A package as claimed in Claim 38, characterized in that said closed cut line also affects a portion of said second front panel, and defines, for said intermediate member, an opening which, when the package is assembled, corresponds partly with said opening in the front panel of the outer first box.

42) A package as claimed in Claim 35, when dependent on any one of Claims 1, 2, 4, 5, 8 and Claims 9 to 34, characterized in that said first blank extends predominantly along an axis crosswise to said given longitudinal axis, and comprises four longitudinal pre- fold lines defining two end panels and a central panel; a front panel, having a longitudinal opening, being interposed between the central panel and one of the end panels, and a rear panel being interposed between the central panel and the other end panel; said front panel and said rear panel having respective substantially arc- shaped, inwardly concave, transverse edges; said end panels and said central panel having semicircular opposite ends; and said transverse edges being connected to said ends of said end panels and said central panel by curved, outwardly concave portions.

43) A package as claimed in Claim 35, when dependent on any one of Claims 1, 2, 4, 5, 8 and Claims 9 to 34, characterized in that said second blank is substantially rectangular, and comprises two longitudinal pre-fold lines and four transverse pre-fold lines defining a front panel, a rear panel, and two end panels defining the bottom of the inner second box; the front panel and the rear panel having respective lateral wings defining the lateral walls of the inner second box; said front panel and said rear panel being connected to each other by two strips parallel to the longitudinal pre-fold lines and defining a top wall of the inner said second box; a closed cut line being located between the two strips, and defining said top opening and said contoured opening of the inner second box; and said lateral wings having semicircular opposite ends.

44) A package as claimed in Claim 35, when dependent on any one of Claims 1, 2, 4, 5, 8 and Claims 9 to 34, characterized in that said third flat blank comprises two longitudinal pre-fold lines and a number of transverse crease lines defining a first end tab which eventually adheres to said first fastening portion of the rear panel of said first blank, a panel comprising two given portions respectively defining said flexible wall defining the lid and a first connecting portion for connection to a front panel, and a second connecting portion between said front panel and a second end tab which eventually adheres to said second fastening portion of the rear panel of said first blank; said second connecting portion defining the bottom of the packet; and at least said first connecting portion being affected by a closed cut line defining an access opening to the inner second box.

45) A package as claimed in Claim 44, characterized in that said closed cut line defines, for said first connecting portion, two first strips connecting said flexible wall and the front panel; said second connecting portion being defined by a second strip connecting the front panel and the second end tab; and said first strips and said second strip having a number of transverse crease lines.

46) A package as claimed in Claim 45, characterized in that said front panel comprises two longitudinal lateral panels, each connected to the second front panel by a double pre-fold line, and having a further pre-fold line close to its free longitudinal edge; said lateral panels having semicircular opposite ends.

47) A package as claimed in Claim 45, characterized in that said closed cut line also affects a portion of said second front panel, and defines, for said intermediate member, an opening which, when the package is assembled, corresponds partly with said opening in the front panel of the outer first box.

48) A package as claimed in any one of Claims 35, 36, 38, 42, 44, characterized in that said first blank and said third blank are joined to form a single blank.

49) A package as claimed in Claim 48, characterized in that said first blank and said third blank are arranged along said longitudinal axis.

50) A package as claimed in Claim 48, characterized in that said first blank and said third blank are arranged in the form of an L.

51) A package as claimed in any one of Claims 36, 42, 48, 49, 50, characterized in that said first blank comprises, at the free end of the front panel, a reinforcing tab which is eventually folded down onto the inner face of the front panel.