TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to inner frames for boxes and more particularly to inner frames for boxes (packets) that receive cigarettes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hinged lid cartons for products such as cigarettes include a box with an inner frame that at least partly surrounds the cigarettes to be located in the carton. The inner frame has a major panel that generally abuts the front wall of the box, and two side panels that abut the side walls of the box. The box and inner frame are made of board.

The above-mentioned inner frame is secured to the outer box by means of an adhesive between the two side flanges and the internal surfaces of the box.

A disadvantage of the above-mentioned construction is that the glue may not penetrate the board sufficiently to adequately fit the inner frame to the box.

In respect of forming the above-mentioned inner frame, the inner frame is manufactured from web (typically paper board) engaged by a rotatably driven die. A disadvantage of this known method is that frequently the web can move relative to the die with the result that the repeat length of the inner frame being formed is too short. Accordingly the inner frames being manufactured can be dimensionally incorrect.

Disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,753,383 is a hinge-lid pack including a box and inner frame.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least one of the above-mentioned disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is disclosed herein an inner frame of a packet having a box that receives the inner frame, the box having walls providing internal surfaces, said inner frame being formed from web material and including:

at least two panels to abut said internal surfaces; and wherein

at least one of said panels is deformed so as to have glue receiving cavities to face one of said surfaces.

Preferably said cavities are perforations.

In an alternative preferred form said cavities are provided by slots.

Preferably said panels include a major panel and a side panel, with the side panel having said cavities.

Preferably said inner frame has two side panels that are joined by said major panel, with each side panel having said cavities.

There is further disclosed herein a packet including:

a box of generally rectangular configuration having a front wall, a rear wall and two side walls, the side walls extending between the front and rear walls, with the front and rear walls being generally parallel and the side walls being generally parallel but generally normal to the front and rear walls;

an inner frame located in the box, the inner frame including a major panel to abut the front or rear wall and to side panels joined by the major panel, the side panels being generally parallel and abutting the side walls; and wherein

at least one of the panels has cavities facing the respective side wall with adhesive in the cavities securing the inner frame to the box.

Preferably at least one of the side panels has said cavities.

Preferably said cavities are located in rows.

Preferably both side panels are provided with cavities with an adhesive located therein securing the inner frame to the box.

Preferably said cavities are provided by perforations.

In a further preferred form said cavities are provided by slots.

Preferably said side panels each have a longitudinally extending edge, with said slots running parallel to the edges.

Preferably the rows extend parallel to said edges.

Preferably the side walls are joined to the front and rear walls by curved portions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic isometric view of a cigarette packet;

FIG. 2 is a schematic isometric view of an inner frame of the packet of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of a blank to form the inner frame of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted a packet 10 to receive cigarettes. The packet 10 include an outer box 11 that receives an inner frame 18. The box 11 is of a generally rectangular (cuboidal) configuration having a front wall 13 joined to a rear wall 4 by side walls 15. The side walls 15 are generally parallel and the front wall 13 parallel to the rear wall 14. The side walls 15 are generally perpendicular to the walls 13 and 14, The side walls 15 may be joined to the walls 13 and 14 by curved portions 27.

The box 11 has a bottom wall 16 and a lid 17 pivotally attached to the rear wall 14 and movable between and open and closed position.

Located internally of the box 11 is the inner frame 18. The inner frame 18 is formed from web material (typically paper board) that is moved through a machine having a notary cutting die, the web being moved in the direction of the arrow 19. The die has cutting blades that engage the web to cut the web to form the blank 20 of FIG. 3. The die has projections or blades to form lines of perforations 21 as well as rows 22 of slots 23. Additionally the die has cutting edges to form tabs 24. The perforations 21 provide for curved portions 28.

The inner frame 18 has a major panel 25 that abuts the front wall 13, and two side panels 26, the side panels 26 abutting the side walls 15 and being generally perpendicular to the front (major) panel 25. Accordingly the side panels 26 are provided with the slots 22.

When the inner frame 18 is to be inserted in the box 11 adhesive is sprayed on the side panels 26 so as to be located in the slots 23. Adhesive may also be applied to the panel 25. Accordingly when the inner frame 18 is inserted in the box 11 at least a portion of the adhesive will remain correctly positioned with respect to the side panels 26 and side walls 15 to which the side panels 26 are secured by the adhesive. In respect of the above-mentioned slots 23, the slots 23 may be replaced with perforations or other indentations that provide cavities to receive the adhesive.

A further advantage of the above-mentioned preferred embodiment is that portions of the die that form the slots 23 will not accumulate dust and will maintain positive contact between the die and the web to ensure correct dimensioning of the inner frame 18.

The slots 23 run parallel to the direction 19 as do the rows 23. More particularly the slots 22 and rows 23 are parallel to the side edges 27 of the side panels 26.

The above-mentioned lines of perforations 22 provide for bending of the blank 20 so that the side panels 26 are oriented generally normal to the panel 25.

The above-mentioned tabs 24 engage the lid 17 to aid in retaining the lid 17 in a closed position.