US3058581A - Self-thinning collapsible cigarette package - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 16, 1962 Filed Jan. 22, 1958 .1. v. KEATlNG 3,058,581

SELF-THINNING' COLLAPSIBLE CIGARETTE PACKAGE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Jerome V. Keutlng ATTORNEY Oct. 16, 1962 .1. v. KEATlNG 3,058,581

SELF-THINNING COLLAPSIBLE CIGARETTE PACKAGE Filed Jan. 22, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 I! I M n [I H in llll INVENTOR. Jerome V. Keohng ATTORNEY Oct. 16, 1962 J. v. KEATING SELF-THINNING COLLAPSIBLE CIGARETTE PACKAGE INVENTOR. Jerome V. Keotmg FIG. I9.

ATTORNEY This invention relates to a self-thinning collapsible cigarette package and more particularly to sectionalizing compartments therefor.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide in a self-thinning collapsible cigarette package compartments for sectionalizing the rows of the cigarettes within the package which at the same time will provide, due to its being formed of stiff material, rigidity to the package and protection to the cigarettes while permitting the collapsing of the package as the rows of cigarettes from the compartments are successively removed.

It is another object of the invention to provide a central compartment assembly that may be formed of two parts having collapsible lips joined together with thin adhesive hinge strips.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a central collapsible compartment for a collapsible cigarette package which may be formed of a single struck sheet of stiff material and by which collapsible side portions are provided between relatively stiff panel portions of the compartment thereby requiring upon assembling the compartment only a simple adhering operation of securing the end portions together.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a self-thinning collapsible cigarette package having a combined stiff central compartment, front and rear panel assembly in which the panels are formed from a single struck piece whereby the combined compartment and stiifening panels can be made to provide three comp-artments for the rows of cigarettes.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a three compartment assembly that maybe formed of two struck sheet sections joined with one another by collapsible tabs or flaps in spaced relationship to provide the central compartment.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a collapsible cigarette package that can be formed of a closed three compartment collapsible assembly closed at the top and bottom ends by closure caps.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a collapsible cigarette package having compartments with collapsible bottom portions as well as collapsible side portions.

Still further objects of the invention are to provide a self-thinning collapsible cigarette package, having the above objects in mind, which is simple in construction, has a minimum number of parts, inexpensive to manufacture, compact, light in weight, efficient and effective I11 use.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a cigarette package broken away from the top, front and sides to show the central compartment and stiffening panels therein,

FIG. 2 is a layout view of one half of two identical members used in forming the central compartment of the package shown in FIG. 1,

"FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the two identical halves of the compartment partially assembled with the flexible adhesive tape hinge being applied to the cllapsible side lips,

Patented Oct. 16, 1962 FIG. 4 is a layout view of a struck sheet of cardboard material used in forming another form of central compartment,

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the central compartment shown in full lines of the assembled compartment made from the struck sheet shown in FIG. 4 and with an illustration in dash lines showing how the struck sheet is folded and the ends of the sheet are joined to one another,

FIG. 6 is a layout view of a struck sheet used in forming still another form of a central compartment, one which has relieved and weakened collapsible side portions and with compartment covers adhered to the upper edges of the front and back panels,

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a cigarette package with portions broken away and with the compartment formed from the struck sheet shown in FIG. 6, and with the stiff front and rear panel and collapsible bottom as sembly shown in FIG. 8,

FIG. 8 is a layout view of the stiff front and rear panel and collapsible assembly used in the package shown in FIG. 7,

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a cigarette package with portions broken away and which has the combined compartment and panel assembly shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, and according to still another form of the invention, the package being closed by collapsible strips extending about the sides and bottom and overlapping at the top of the package,

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the com-bined compartment and stiffening panel assembly used in the pack age shown in FIG. 9,

FIG. 11 is a layout view of the struck sheet from which the combined compartment and stiffening panels are formed,

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a cigarette package having a combined compartment and stiffening panel assembly according to a further form of the invention and that is fully closed at both sides and covered by a bottom sheet and by a foldable top cap,

FIG. 13 is a layout view of a struck sheet of stiff material forming a half of the compartment and panel assembly shown in FIG. 12, the package being formed of two struck sheets,

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of one of the halves fully assembled and the other half being assembled with an illustration in dash lines showing how the other half is assembled to it,

FIG. 15 is a layout view of the package shown in FIG. 12,

FIG. 16 is a layout view of a struck sheet of a fully enclosed combined compartment and panel assembly constructed according to a still further form of the invention,

FIG. 17 is a partly folded and collective perspective view of the struck sheet of FIG. 16 and a folded filler piece with illustration made as to the manner the same is connected to the folded struck sheet,

FIG. 18 is a layout view of the filler piece,

FIG. 19 is a layout view of the struck sheet of a fully closed combined compartment and stiffening panel assembly having weakened interconnecting side portions, and according to a still further form of the invention,

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary perspective view of the assembly shown in FIG. 19 being folded and assembled upon itself,

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the completely folded struck sheet shown in FIG. 19,

FIG. 22 is a layout view of a struck sheet of stiff panels forming one section of the package constructed according to a still further form of the invention,

the bottom cap used on FIG. 23 is a layout view of a struck sheet of stiff panels forming a mating section of the package,

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the panel sections of FIGS. 22 and 23 partly assembled upon one another,

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the panel sections fully assembled upon one another,

FIG. 26 is a fragmentary perspective view of a combined compartment and stiffening panel assembly formed of sections of opposing panels joined at their sides with adhesive tape hinges and constructed according to a still further form of the invention,

FIG. 27 is a fragmentary perspective view of the package shown in FIG. 26 partly assembled, and illustrating the manner in which the tiller piece is connected between the sections,

FIGS. 28, 29 and 30 are respectively layout views of struck sheets used in the package shown in FIG. 26,

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a compartmentized cigarette package formed of two sections and constructed according to a still further form of the invention and of the sections having a collapsible bottom, and

FIG. 32 is a. layout view of the struck sheets with the collapsible bottom used in the form of the invention shown in FIG. 31.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, 30 represents generally a central collapsible compartment for a cigarette package in which six cigarettes 31 of the middle row are disposed and outside of which the rows of seven cigarettes are disposed. On the outer rows of cigarettes are disposed stiff front and rear backing panels 33 and 34. About the assembly of the compartment, cigarettes and the panels, is a collapsible wrapper assembly 35 that may include a reverse tinfoil wrapper with the paper layer outside that is folded over the bottom and the top in the usual manner to enclose the ends of the cigarette package. a

The compartment 38 is formed of two identical halves 36 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, which are connected together in opposing relationship to one another by their inwardly bent side lips 37 and 38 and a thin flexible adhesive tape hinge 39 adhered thereover. These halves are made of stiff sheet material, such as cardboard or the like and the side lips 37 and 38 respectively extend from scorings 40 and 41 so that they may freely flex inwardly to collapse upon one another when the cigarettes have been removed from the compartment. The adhesive tape 39 is thin and provides a hinge joint between the joined side lips 37 and 38 at theopposite sides of the compartment.

. While illustration is shown in FIG. 3 of the adhesive running over the exterior for outer faces of the side strip 1ips to provide the hinge joint. therebetween, it will be understood that the adhesive may be as well applied to the inner faces of the side lips. The central compartment constructed in this manner with the adhesive tape lends itself aptly to continuous machine production of the compartments.

In the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a central stiffening and collapsible compartment indicated generally at 45 is made from a struck sheet shown in FIG. 4 comprising stiff panels 46 and 47 having respectively top fold down covers 48 and 49 respectively foldable along score lines 50 and 51. The panels 46 and 47 are joined together by a collapsible side portion 52 foldable respectively upon the panels 46 and 47 along score lines 53 and 54 and upon itself along a central score line 55 to permit the panels 46 and 47 to be collapsed upon one another when the cigarettes have been removed from the compartment 45.

Connected to the back panel 47 is another collapsible end portion 56 foldable upon the panel 47 along a score line 57 and collapsible upon itself along a score line 58. An attaching lip 59 of minimum width bearing adhesive is foldable upon the collapsible side portion 56 along a score line 60. This attaching lip 59 overlies the free edge of the front panel 46 and is adhered thereto to thereby provide the completed collapsible sleeve compartment 45 shown in full lines in FIG. 5. This compartment 45 is disposed in the package in the same manner as the compartment 30 and as shown in FIG. 1.

The covers 48 and 49, will overlie the upper ends of the inner and outer rows of cigarettes. As the rows of cigarettes are used up from the front of the package to the rear, the covers 48 and 49 can be either torn off along their score lines 50 and 51 or they can be folded into the central sleeve compartment.

These covers encourage the successive systematic emptying row by row of the cigarettes from the package so that upon a single row of cigarettes having been removed the package wrapper and the stiffening panels 33 and 34 collapse upon the remaining cigarettes to thin or reduce the size of the package and the panels of the sleeve compartment will be similarly collapsed as the cigarettes of the row therein are removed therefrom. It will be apparent that the panels 34 and 35 and the panels 46 and 47 of the compartment will make for a crushproof collapsible cigarette package.

It will also be apparent that the central sleeve compartment 45, including the covers 48 and 49, is made entirely from one piece of rigid stiff material, such as cardboard or like stiff sheet material.

In the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, a sleeve compartment indicated generally at has panels 66 and 67 joined together by a narrow or weekened collapsible side portion 68. This side portion is joined to the panel 66 along a score line 69 and to the panel 67 along a score line 70. The side portion 68 is collapsible in a reverse manner upon itself along a central score line 71.

The opposite collapsible side portion as indicated at 72 is similarly weakened and is joined to the panel 67 along a score line 73 and is collapsible upon itself in a reverse manner along a score line 74. An elongated adhesive lip 75 is extended from and joined to the side portion 72 along a score line 76.

As seen in FIG. 7, the compartment 65 is formed of the struck sheet shown in FIG. 6. The panels 66 and 67 are folded over one another and the collapsible side portion 72 is joined to the front panel 66 by the adhesive lip 75. Cigarettes 77 are arranged in the compartment 65 and outside the panels 66 and 67.

To provide covers for the ends of the cigarettes lying within the compartment and over the rear row, foldable covers 81 and 82 of sheet material are respectively ad-.

hered to the outer face of the panel 66 at 81 and to the inner face of the panel 67 at 82', FIG. 6. These covers can be readily turned down or removed from the compartment when access is needed to the cigarette rows. These covers systematize the removal of the cigarettes from the package one row at a time to cause the package to be progressively collapsed as the rows are used up.

A collapsible bottom stiffening member 83 is formed to go over the bottom ends of the cigarettes and has stiff front and rear panels 84 and 85 that are joined to one another at their lower ends by their collapsible or accordion type bottom 86. This members 83 is formed from a single sheet as shown in FIG. 8. The collapsible bottom 86 has seven parallel scorings 87 to permit the collapsing of the panels 84 and 85 upon cigarette rows as the rows are successively emptied. A wrapper assembly 88 encloses the full assemblage. With this collapsible bottom 86 the package is prevented from opening up at the bottom and the crumbs of tobacco kept from being dropped therefrom. Thus a clean and durable package has been provided.

' The top corners of this stiffening member 83 are preferably rounded at 89 to prevent the ends of the fingers from being injured when removing the cigarettes from the package. The package is opened from the top in the usual manner. When a revenue stamp is extended over the top of the finally assembled package from the front to rear panel the stamp is broken away when the top of the package is to be opened.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 9, and 11, a combined central compartment and stiffening panel assembly 90 is formed of a single struck sheet. This assembly comprises front and back stiffening panels 91 and 92 which arerespectively joined to central compartment panels 93 and 94 by inwardly collapsible side portions 95 and 96 and the compartment panels 93 and 94 are joined to each other by a collapsible side portion 97. This combined assembly is folded in the manner as best shown in FIG. 10 preparatory to the assemblage of rows of cigarettes 98 thereinto. A central compartment space is provided at 99 between the panels 93 and 94 and is opened at one side, and outer compartment spaces 100 and 101 are respectively provided in front and back thereof and are opened at the opposite side assembly from which the central compartment is opened. The three rows of such cigarettes 98 in these spaces will be prevented from being crushed by the four stifi panels. The assemblage is retained in and the package finally formed by extending a collapsible or flexible wrapper strip 102 about the sides and bottoms of the assembly and is adhered to the faces of the outer panels 91 and 92. A foldable top 103 is adhered to the outer face of these outer panels along the top edge thereof as indicated at 104 and extends across the side ends. By opening the top 103, access is easily and readily had to the cigarettes thereunder.

To facilitate access to the first cigarette in each row within the package, V- shape notches 105, 106, 107 are respectively provided in the panels, 91, 93 and 94. The portion of the foldable top 103 that is adhered at 104 will cover the notch 105 of the front panel 91. When it is desired to enter the package, the thumb can depress and lift away the sides of the top 103. With the cigarettes removed the sides of the top are folded down to again close the package.

While cigarettes and panels have been shown connected together by the flexible strip 102 adhered to the outer panels, it will be understood that the cigarettes and panels can be held together by a tinfoil wrapper with the tinfoil layer either inside or outside with the paper layer on the outside the wrapper will be best suited for receiving the printed matter.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 12, 13, 14 and 15, there is shown a cigarette package which is formed of two similar struck sections adapted to be joined with one another to provide the triple cigarette compartments with stiff front and rear panels. Each of the struck sections have main panels 115 and 116 that are joined by a collapsible side portion 117 having a central score line 118, and joined to the panel 115 by a score line 119 and to the panel 116 by a score line 120.

Running along the score line 119 is an elongated slot 121 for the purpose of receiving a tab 122 of an adjoining struck sheet section as illustrated with dash lines in FIG. 14. The tab 122 is provided on a multiple collapsible or accordion side portion 123 adapted to span two compartments and has three intermediate fold or score lines 124, 125 and 126. This portion 123 is joined to the panel 116 by a score line 127. The tab 122 is joined to the collapsible portion 123 by a fold line 128.

In assembling the package one of the struck sheet sections is folded so that the panel 115 lies forwardly of the panel 116 and with the collapsible portion 117 lying at one side and the multiple foldable collapsible portion 123 lying at the opposite side compartment. A rear row compartment space 129 is thereby provided. To this folded sheet the adjoining struck sheet section is added by the insertion of the tab 122 into the slot 121 of the adjoining struck sheet and folded inwardly. The panel 116 of the second struck sheet section becomes the front panel of the package and the panel 115 will be disposed between the central compartment 130 and a front compartment 131. The side edgeof the panel 115 of the second struck sheet will be disposed within the multiple collapsible side portion 123 of the second struck sheet section. The tab 122 on the collapsible side portion 123 of the second sheet section will be inserted into the slot 121 of the first struck sheet section. In this manner a substantially complete cigarette package is formed except for bottom and top closures. The tabs 122 can be adhered to the side faces of the inner panels.

To close the bottom of the package, a cap 132 formed of thin collapsible paper having a bottom portion 133 of rectangular configuration, front and rear flaps 134 and 135 folded respectively along lines 136 and 137 and respectively adhered to the front and rear panels of the package and end flaps 138 and 139 respectively foldably connected to the bottom portion 133 along fold lines 140 and 141 and respectively adhered to the respective joined collapsible side portions of the struck sleeve sections.

The top of the package has a foldable cap 142 adhered to the top of the panels of the assembled struck sheets and is adapted to be folded over the top of the cigarettes in the same manner as the present day package of cigarettes has its top portion folded thereover with the revenue stamp thereover. When the package is opened the stamp is torn and the portions of the top cap are easily folded outwardly to provide access to the cigarettes. When a cigarette has been removed the top is again folded down over the cigarettes to close the package. This cap is likewise formed of collapsible paper that is not easily torn along the fold lines. Tinfoil liner paper may be used for this purpose.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 16, 17 and 18, there is shown a compartmentation formed of one large struck sheet and one small filler piece 151. The large piece has a rear panel 152, central compartment panels 153 and 154 and a front panel 155. The rear panel 152 and central compartment panel 153 is connected by a collapsible connecting portion 156 that is connected to the rear panel 152 by a score line 157, to the central compartment panel 153 by a score line 158 and is folded inwardly upon itself along a score line 159.

The central compartment panels 153 and 154 are connected together by a collapsible connecting portion 160 that is foldable upon the central panel 153 along a score line 151, upon the panel 154 along a score line 162 and is folded inwardly upon itself along a score line 163.

The central compartment panel 154 is connected to the front panel 155 by a collapsible side portion 164 that folds upon the central compartment panel 154 along a score line 165 upon front panel 155 along a score line 166 and upon itself on score line 167. The central com partment panels 153 and 154 respectively have covers 168 and 169 that are adapted to be folded over central and rear rows of cigarettes along respective score lines 170 and 17 1.

The rear panel 152 has a collapsible Side portion 172 on its outer end that is joined thereto along a score line 173 and is collapsible upon itself along a score line 174. An adhering flap 175 is connected to the collapsible side portion 172 along a score line 176.

The front panel 155 has a collapsible side portion 177 that is connected thereto along a score line 178 and to an adhesive tab 180 along a score line 179. The side portion 177 is inwardly collapsible upon itself along a score line 181.

The small filler piece 151 has a central portion 182 that is inwardly collapsible upon itself along a score line 183 and adhesive flaps 184 and 185 respectively connected to the central portion 182 by score lines 186 and 187. When the large piece 150 is folded as shown in FIG. 17 the small piece 151 is adhered between the central panels 153 and 154 as illustrated with dash lines at 151. The flaps 184 and 185 are respectively adhered to the panels 153 and 154 on their inner faces thereof at one side of the assembly and the flaps 175 and 180 are respectively adhered to the outer faces of the respective central compartment panels 153 and 154 at the opposite side of the assembly. With this assembly the cigarettes are fully protected and the bottom and top closures 132 and 142 shown in FIG. 12 are added. The cigarette covers 168 and 169 may be folded over rows of cigarettes.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 19, 20, and 21, the entire compartment and stiffening panel assembly is made from one single struck sheet and the connecting side portions are weakened to render the panels more easily collapsible. A struck piece 200 comprises a front panel 201, central compartment panels 202 and 203 and a rear panel 204. The rear panel 201 and the central compartment panel 202 are connected together by a collapsible portion 205 that is connected along a short score line 206 with the rear panel 201 along a score line 207 to the central compartment panel 202, and is inwardly collapsible upon itself along a score line 209. The score line 207 has a slot 208 therein.

The central compartment panels 202 and 203 are joined to one another by a collapsible portion 210 that is connected to the panel 202 along a score line 211, panel 203 along a score line 212 and is collapsible upon itself along a score line 214. The score line 212 has a slot 213 therein. The panel 203 is connected to the panel 204 by a collapsible portion 215 that is connected along a score line 216 with the panel 203, along a score line 217 with the rear panel 204 and is collapsible upon itself along a score line 218. A wide tab 219 is struck from the collapsible portion 215 and the rear panel 204 that includes the score lines 217 and 218, and extends from the score line 216.

The rear panel 204 has a collapsible side portion 220 with a small tab 221 thereon. The portion 220 is collapsible along a score line 222 to the edge of the panel 204 and upon itself along a score line 223. The tab 221 is hingeable upon a short score line 224. When the strip 200 is assembled the tab 221 is inserted in the small slot 213 of the collapsible portion 210. The wide tab 219 is adapted to enter slot 208.

The front panel 201 has an adhesive flap 225 that is connected by a collapsible side portion 226 to the panel 201, along a score line 228. The flap 225 is hingeable upon a score line 227 and the side portion 226 is collapsible upon itself along a score line 229.

Cigarette row covers 230 and 231 are respectively hingedly connected to the central compartment panels 202 and 203 along respective score lines 232, 233 thereof.

The struck sheet shown in FIG. 19 is folded as illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21 so that the stiif panels overlie one another. The rear panel 204 is spaced from the panel 203 at one side by the collapsible portion 215 and at the other side by the collapsible portion 220. The tab 219 spaces panel 202 from the panel 203 at one side and the collapsible portion spaces the panel 202 from the panel 203 at the opposite side. The tab 219 is extended through the slot 208 and its end is adhered to the inner face of panel 202. The collapsible portion 205 spaces the front panel 201 from the panel 202 at one side and the collapsible portion 226 spaces these panels from one an other at the other side. The adhesive flap 225 is turned inwardly and adhered to the outer face of the panel 202. The package can be completed in the manner shown in FIG. 9.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 22, 23, 24 and 25, the stiff compartment panels are provided from two complementary sections 245 and 246 assembled together upon one another with the panels joined by narrow, weakened collapsible side portions, these two sections being shown folded upon themselves in FIG. 25. The panel section 245 includes the panels 247 and 248 joined together by a collapsible side portion 249 foldable upon itself along a score line 250 and foldable upon the respective panels 247 and 248 along respective score lines 251 and 252.

Extending from the panel 247 at an elevation above the collapsible portion 249 is a collapsible connecting portion 253 that is foldable over the panel 247 along score line 254 and upon itself along a score line 255. Anadhesive tab 256 is foldable upon a score line 257 upon the portion being adhered to the panel 248. A similar collapsible portion 258 is provided on the panel 248 at the same level as the collapsible connecting portion 249. This portion 258 is foldable upon the panel along a score line 259 and upon itself along a score line 260. An adhesive tab 261 is foldable along a score line 262 for connecting the panel sections together at one side of the assembly.

The panel section 246, FIG. 23, is similarly constructed but with the collapsible connecting portions elevated in an opposite manner and is folded in the reverse manner therefrom to adapt it for connection with the section 245. This section 246 comprises two panels 263 and 264 which are connected together by an elevated collapsible connecting portion 265 foldably connected to the panel 263 along a score line 266 and to panel 264 along a score line 267. The connecting portion 265 is collapsible upon itself along a center score line 268. Extending from the opposite edge of the panel 263 is an elevated collapsible connecting portion 269 foldable upon the panel 246 along a score line 270 and upon itself along a score line 271. A connecting tab 272 is foldable along a score line 273' thereupon.

On the edge of the panel 264 at a low elevation is a collapsible connecting portion 274 which is foldable upon the panel 264 along a score line 275 and upon itself along the line 276. An adhesive tab 277 is foldable along a score line 278 of the connecting portion 274. The two sections 245' and 246 will be assembled as shown on FIGS. 24 and 25. Each section is assembled upon itself and their respective tabs 256 and 277. Then, by the tabs 261 and 272 the sections are secured together.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30, there is shown a package in which the compartments are formed with two assemblages of opposing panels 280, 281. Each assemblage has the outer panel 280 longer than the inner panel 281. The long panel 280 has toldable side lips 282 and 283 respectively foldable along score lines 284 and 285. The short panel 281 has fold able side lips 286 and 287 that are adapted respectively to be matched with the respective foldable side lips 282 and 283. of the panel 280. With the panel 281 being shorter than the panel 280, it permits the filter tips of the cigarettes to extend above the upper edge panel 281 so that they can be viewed and made more readily accessible. The foldable side lips 282 and 286 are joined with one another by a thin adhesive tape 290 to provide a hinge connection therebetween and so that they can be collapsed inwardly upon one another. The side lips 283 and 287 are similarly joined to one another. The two assemblages of members 280 and 281 are arranged to oppose one another and they are in turn joined centrally by still shorter and inwardly collapsible side connecting members 291 which are collapsible upon themselves along a central fold line 292. Each of the side connecting members have adhesive flaps 293 and 294' foldable along respective score lines 295 and 296 and by which the members 291 are. connected to the panels 281. The cigarettes are arranged in three rows between the two panels 281 and between the panels 280 and 281. The assemblage with the cigarettes can be closed with a collapsible strip as shown in FIG. 9. As the rows of cigarettes are removed from the compartments, eachv compartment may be collapsed and the package thinned.

In FIGS. 31 and 32, there is shown a similarly assembled package made from slightly different sections 300 and 301. The sect-ions 300 and 301' include one panel 302 to which there is connected through an inwardly collapsible side portion 303 another panel 304 that has a foldable top cover 305 adapted to extend over a row of cigarettes. At the opposite side of the panel 302 is a double collapsible, accordion-like portion having two collapsible sections 306 and 307 and an adhesive flap 308 for securing the collapsible portion 306 to the other panel section 301 with one part of the double collapsible portion serving to space the sections apart for providing the central compartment.

Connected to the lower edge of the panel 302 is a triple collapsible, accordion-like bottom portion 309 having collapsible parts 310, 311 and 312 and an adhesive connecting flap 313 adapted to adhere with the inner face of the panel 302 of the panel section 301. The section 301 is formed similar to the section 300 except that it is not provided with the bottom portion 309. This section 301 has a double collapsible, accordion-like portion 307 at one side adapted with its tab 308 for engagement with panel 304 of the section 300 at the opposite side of the assembly to which tab 308 of the section 300 is secured to panel 302 of the second section 301. The section 301 also has a cover 305 that can be folded over the central row of cigarettes. The bottom portion 309 can easily collapse with the panels yet tend to keep the crumbs of tobacco from falling out of the package. The upper and lower ends of the package can be closed with bottom and top members 132 and 142 as shown in FIG. 12.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a collapsible compartmental cigarette package, an outer flexible wrapper and an interior stiffening assembly within the outer wrapper, said interior assembly comprising solitary, like-spaced stiff parallel front, rear and inner panels, and inwardly foldable collapsible side Wall means for joining the inner panels together to restrict the outward displacement to the diameter of a cigarette, said outer flexible wrapper restricting the outward displacement of the front and rear panels to the diameter of a cigarette whereby the panels may be fully collapsed one upon the other as the rows of cigarettes are removed.

2. In a collapsible compartmental cigarette package, solitary stiff front and rear panels, stiff inner panels and collapsible side means for connecting said inner panels together to provide a central compartment therebetween, further collapsible side means for respectively connecting the respective front and rear panels to the respective inner panels to provide outer compartments, and collapsible wrapper means finally enclosing all of the panels whereby to provide three compartments so that the cigarettes will be prevented from being bent, crushed or broken while permitting the free collapse of the package from front to rear as the rows of cigarettes are removed.

3. In a collapsible compartmental cigarette package as defined in claim 2, and at least one of said inner panels having a cover portion hinged to its upper edge to overlie the cigarettes of the central compartment.

4. In a collapsible compartmental cigarette package as defined in claim 2, and said front panel and one inner panel and said rear panel and the other inner panel providing respectively two separate collapsible sections by which the package is formed.

5. In a collapsible compartmental cigarette package as defined in claim 4, and the collapsible means for connecting the panels together having in each section two integrally formed collapsible side portions holding together 10 the immediate panels of the section and one tab-like integral collapsible side portion on one panel at one side of the panel, the one integral collapsible side portion of the sections joining the sections together to provide the central compartment.

6. In a collapsible compartmental cigarette package as defined in claim 5, and the one tab-like integral collapsible portion serving to connect the sections together extending from one of the two integrally formed collapsible side portions of the section.

7. In a collapsible compartmental cigarette package as defined in claim 6, and said front and rear panels being integrally joined together to their lower edges by an accordion-like collapsible bottom portion.

8. In a collapsible compartmental cigarette package, solitary stiif spaced parallel front and rear panels and a central compartment formed of similar solitary stiff inner panels and collapsible side portions for connecting the compartment inner panels together to permit the collapse thereof upon the cigarettes being removed from the compartment and collapsible outer wrapper means enclosing all of said panels, said collapsible side portions of the inner panel and the collapsible outer Wrapper means serving to restrict the outward displacement of the panels one from another to the diameter of a cigarette, whereby said panels may be collapsed as rows of cigarettes are removed from the package.

9. In a collapsible compartmental cigarette package as defined in claim 8, and said inner panels respectively having cover portions hinged to their upper edges, said portions respectively overlying two different rows of cigarettes and adapted to be swung from one row as the row compartment is emptied to another or full row of cigarettes.

10. In a collapsible compartmental cigarette package as defined in claim 8, and said front and rear panels being integrally joined together at their lower edges by an accordion-like collapsible bottom portion.

11. In a collapsible compartmental cigarette package, two solitary stiff spaced parallel front and rear panels, two similarly arranged stiff inner panels providing a central compartment for one row of cigarettes, said front and rear panels being respectively spaced from the respective inner panels and providing outer compartments for two other rows of cigarettes, said inner panels being joined to one another by an integral collapsible side portion at one side of the central compartment, said front and rear panels being respectively joined to the respective inner panels at the opposite side of the panels by respective integral collapsible side portions, collapsible outer wrapper means enclosing all of said panels, said collapsible side portions and said wrapper means serving to restrict the outward displacement of the panels to the diameter of a cigarette whereby said panels may be collapsed as a row of cigarettes is removed from the package.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,122,513 Lewis Dec. 29, 1914 1,806,905 Kam-pfman May 26, 1931 2,046,985 Wilkins July 7, 1936 2,180,841 Vogt Nov. 21, 1939 2,617,576 Bergstein Nov. 11, 1952

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