Packaging for smoking articles

Abstract

An integrated cigarette pack incorporating or integrating a plurality of ignition matches within the structure of a cigarette pack. According to one embodiment, the ignition matches are secured within a concavity provided between the front panel of the cigarette pack and an inner sleeve, providing to the smoker sufficient access to the base of the match for detachment from the cigarette pack, and ignited using a strike strip also integrated into the cigarette pack. According to another embodiment, the ignition matches are integrally formed with a structural wall of the cigarette pack. According to either embodiment, in the closed, packaged condition, the matches are fully secured within the cigarette pack beneath the pack cover.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to smoking articles such as tobacco products and packaging therefore, and more particularly to an improved package-based accessory providing enhanced convenience features for use with smoking articles. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] Smoking articles such as cigarettes and cigarillos (hereinafter “cigarettes”) are commonly sold in prepackaged, sealed boxes or packs sized and shaped to fully receive a plurality of cigarettes, secured for dispensing when the box and interior protective wrapping is opened. Such containers have a depth sufficient to receive a substantial portion of the cigarette within a lower body portion thereof, with an upper body portion operable, typically via a hinged support, to enable access to a cigarette contained therein. Commonly, such cigarette packs are configured to receive 20 cigarettes, although cigarette packs containing lesser or greater n...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved combined cigarette pack and ignition source for readily providing to the smoker an ignition source that is not only convenient to use but which provides the smoker with cigarette packaging including a readily apparent, easily used, and package-protected ignition source.

[0013] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such packaging with at most a nominal increase in packaging cost, thereby overcoming the need and expense of prior art detached ignition sources.

[0014] These and other object and advantages are obtained with an integrated cigarette pack that either incorporates (according to one preferred embodiment) or integrates (according to another preferred embodiment) a plurality of ignition matches within a concavity provided behind the front panel of the cigarette pack, providing to the smoker sufficient access to the base of the match for detachment from the cigarette pack. In the closed, packaged condition, the matches are fully secured within the cigarette pack beneath the pack cover. Prior to retail sale, the Mylar or cellophane over-wrap maintains the integrity of the matches by preventing ingress of moisture or other environmental elements. During use, the pack cover is hingedly opened away from the pack body, exposing both the cigarettes contained therein as well as the matches. The smoker detaches a match from the cigarette pack and lights it on a strike pad provided on the pack body or pack cover, whether internally or externally, and which may be positioned on a top, bottom, front, rear, or side panel.

Problems solved by technology

A major inconvenience known to virtually all smokers is the absence by misplacement or loss of an ignition source such as commonly known, widely available and inexpensive incendiary matches.

It is widely known that personal butane lighters are commonly sold as an additional accessory at a small but quantifiable cost, adding further expense to the smoking experience.

No matter what the ignition source, however, the ignition source remains loosely retained by the smoker with the risk of loss or misplacement until, for example, a sufficient number of cigarettes have been removed to allow for storage of the ignition source within the partially-emptied cigarette pack.

Thus, it is nearly as easy to misplace a caddy (particularly when empty) as to misplace a lighter.

Additionally, many pack / lighter caddies are bulky, making them less than desirable for carrying in a smoker's pocket or purse.

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