The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 02, 1996
Filed:
Dec. 06, 1993
James B Draucker, Chesterfield, VA (US);
Charles D Hansen, Jr, Richmond, VA (US);
Reginald W Newsome, Richmond, VA (US);
Xuan M Pham, Richmond, VA (US);
Philip Morris Incorporated, New York, NY (US);
Abstract
Step-shaped innerframes and blanks for forming such innerframes are provided to permit shorter than conventional cigarettes to be packaged in a conventionally sized hinged lid box. A front panel is foldably connected to a substantially perpendicular step bottom panel which in turn is foldably connected to a substantially perpendicular back panel, such that the front and back panels extend in opposite directions and lie in substantially parallel planes to form an integral step configuration. When the inner frame is located within a hinged lid box, a receptacle is formed for a short cigarette bundle. A lower receptacle is defined below the step bottom panel to store discarded cigarettes which are inserted into the lower receptacle via a hole located in one of the box walls and any associated underlying innerframe panel. Preferably, the innerframe is provided with oppositely located side walls which are provided with biasing members which exert an inwardly directed force toward the cigarette bundle located within the upper receptacle to prevent cigarettes from falling as other cigarettes are removed. Suitable blanks are provided to form the step-shaped innerframes.