Philip Morris Inc.

Susan J Douglas

Robert E Talley

James A DeBlasio

Xuan M Pham

Donald H Evers

Christopher N Chance

Johnny L Miller

A dual cigarette carton formed from two substantially identical single cigarette cartons. A label bearing indicia encoded for the automatic pricing of the dual carton is placed across adjacent coplanar walls of the two single cartons. The indicia are positioned such that they are rendered unreadable by automatic equipment when the two single cartons are separated for individual sale. Each single carton further includes indicia encoded for the automatic pricing of a single carton, the indicia being positioned such that they are not readily visible when the single cartons are connected to form a dual carton.

Dual cigarette carton with separable or divisible label containing

A carton having a tuck-in flap extending from each wall which travels substantially parallel to the path of travel through a tax-stamping machine. At least one tuck-in flap is provided with a tapered tuck-in portion which is positioned and dimensioned so that the hold-down guide positioned to hold down the shorter of a pair of lap flaps of a conventional cigarette carton will hold down the tuck-in flap having the taper as if it were a short lap flap. Moreover, the longer portion of the tapered tuck-in flap is properly held down as well, without being snagged by the hold-down guide. An additional extension panel may be provided along the free edge of the tuck-in portion of either or both tuck-in flaps. The tuck-in portion may be folded under the top closure portion of the tuck-in flap, and the additional extension panel tucked between the cigarette packs in the carton and the wall from which the folded tuck-in flap extends. The folded tuck-in flap thus resembles a short lap flap which may be sufficiently held down by the hold-down guide for a short lap flap.

Cigarette carton with modified tuck-in flap

Growing community of inventors

Midlothian, VA, United States of America

Susan J Douglas