EP3115311B1

EP3115311B1 - Package for a smokeless tobacco product and use of a package

Info

Publication number: EP3115311B1
Application number: EP15176339.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Kenny STEVENS; Slavomir Novak
Original assignee: Reemtsma Cigarettenfabriken GmbH
Current assignee: Reemtsma Cigarettenfabriken GmbH
Priority date: 2015-07-10
Filing date: 2015-07-10
Publication date: 2019-03-06
Anticipated expiration: 2035-07-10
Also published as: EP3115311A1; WO2017009129A1

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a package for a smokeless tobacco product and to the use of this package.

BACKGROUND

A variety of different tobacco products is offered on the market and there is a class of goods which does not require combustion of the tobacco. These class of goods shall be referred to as smokeless tobacco products. Some smokeless tobacco products are intended for oral administration. Examples are chewing tobacco, moist snuff and in particular so called "snus". Snus is a moist tobacco product, which is provided in loose form or in individually wrapped pouches. Smokeless tobacco products are often particularly sensitive to environmental impacts, such as changes in temperature or humidity. In order to provide a product which retains freshness and which is protected against negative environmental impact on the product performance, smokeless tobacco products are delivered in substantially air tight packages.
A typical package, for example for snus, is a substantially cylindrical can or container, which is made from metal or plastic material. An attractively designed and durable package further protecting the sensitive tobacco product is desirable. In addition to this, the package should be easy to handle and allow convenient opening and access to its interior space.
In WO 2008/057541 A1 and WO 2010/060723 A1 exemplary embodiments of packages of the prior art are disclosed.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a package for a smokeless tobacco as defined in the claims. The package of the invention comprises a can, a sealing member and a lid comprising a waste compartment and being configured to close the can, the can comprising a bottom wall and a side wall forming a storage space, the side wall having a top surface, characterized in that the sealing member being configured to be attached to an inner portion and the top surface of the side wall of the can, wherein the sealing member is preformed to have a substantially cup-like shape such that the sealing member has a bottom surface and a peripheral wall extending substantially perpendicular from the bottom surface, and wherein the sealing member comprises a bottom layer and an additional inner rim which are resealably attached to each other by a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA).
It is an object of the invention to provide a package for a smokeless tobacco product, which provides sufficient protection against environmental impacts and thereby providing hygienic advantages.
In one aspect of the invention, a package for a smokeless tobacco product is provided. The package comprises a can, a sealing member and a lid comprising a waste compartment. The can has a storage space which is formed by a side wall having a top surface and a bottom plate/wall of the can. The sealing member is attached to the top surface which can also be referred to as an upper peripheral edge of the can.
In an aspect, the sealing member is preformed to provide space for the waste compartment. In other words, the sealing member can be preformed such that it accommodates the waste compartment or the space needed for the waste compartment. The sealing member is preformed to have a substantial cup-like shape comprising a bottom wall/plate and a peripheral wall extending from the bottom wall/plate. The bottom wall of the sealing member is advantageously substantially parallel to the bottom wall of the can and/or substantially parallel to the bottom wall of the lid. The bottom wall of the sealing member can reside inside the storage space of the can and can have a distance from the upper peripheral edge of the can. The distance is dimensioned such that the sealing member provides enough space for accommodating a bottom wall of the lid that extends into the storage space of the can due to an additional compartment (for example waste compartment) in the lid.
The side wall of the can may have a cylindrical shape and may extend perpendicular from a bottom plate of the can resulting in a cup shaped can which forms the storage space. The top surface is formed at the free end of the side wall whereas the other end of the side wall merges into the bottom plate. The bottom plate and the side wall may be a one piece construction. The top surface is perpendicular to an inner surface of the side wall wherein the inner surface and the top surface intersect in an inner edge of the can. Due to the cylindrical shape, the can has an axis of rotation which is substantially perpendicular to a plane formed by the top surface or by the inner edge. The inner edge also defines an access opening to the storage space in which the smokeless tobacco products can be stored. In general, the storage space can be accessed when the lid is lifted.
Consumed smokeless tobacco products, e.g. consumed snus pouches, can be accommodated in the waste compartment. This protects the environment as the consumed smokeless tobacco products can be easily disposed. The package comprises the storage space for new smokeless tobacco products as well as the waste compartment for the consumed ones, simultaneously. This relieves the user from the need to find a waste deposit for the consumed tobacco products.
Further, the sealing member is attached to an inner portion of the side wall. Hence, the sealing member is attached to the can by two different portions. The two different portions may, however, be contiguous.
As the sealing member is attached to the can by the top surface and the inner portion of the side wall, a good attachment is ensured resulting in a good protection of the unused or fresh smokeless tobacco products against environmental impacts. The attachment area is increased since two different surfaces are used for attaching the sealing member to the can. Furthermore, a very good attachment is provided since the sealing member is attached to the can in two different planes being perpendicular to each other. Hence, relative forces can be absorbed in each and every direction due to this attachment.
The attachment of the sealing member can be established by an adhesive or welding. The adhesive can be a permanent or non-permanent adhesive. Permanent adhesives are adhesives that cannot be repeatedly released and resealed without significant loss of adhesion strength. Non-permanent adhesives can be released and resealed without significant loss of adhesion strength for a number of at least five release-and-reseal cycles. The skilled person is well aware of suitable permanent and non-permanent adhesives that can be used. Exemplary embodiments of non-permanent adhesives to be used herein include pressure sensitive adhesives (PSA).
Additionally, a form fit against the side wall of the can may be established by the sealing member. This ensures that the sealing member cannot be detached accidentally even if the sealing member would not be attached to the can.
In general, the sealing member can be made of aluminum, paper or a metal and/or the can may be made of a metal or a resilient plastic material. The sealing member is made or at least partially made of a material having multiple layers. The sealing member can be made of a foil. The sealing member can be manufactured using a metal and/or a synthetic material and/or a cardboard material. This advantageously applies to all embodiments of the invention.
The lid can be made of a stiffer material than the sealing member such that an additional protection is provided ensuring that the sealing member is not damaged by handling or during transportation. Preferably, the lid is made of the same material as the can in order to provide a harmonized design as the lid and the can define the design of the package noticed by the customer.
The sealing member may be partially corrugated at least in the attachment area to the inner portion of the side wall such that small cavities are provided between an outer surface of the sealing member and the inner portion of the can. These small cavities can be filled by a fastening material, e.g. an adhesive. This can strengthen the attachment of the sealing member to the can.
According to another aspect, the sealing member closes the storage space. Hence, the smokeless tobacco products are stored safely in the storage space. Generally, the sealing member may serve to cover and complete the storage space mostly provided by the can. Due to the chosen material of the sealing member, the storage space can be sealed, in particular air-tight, such that the stored smokeless tobacco products are protected against environmental impacts such as humidity.
Further, the sealing member may be arranged at the can in a reclosable and/or resealable manner. This ensures that the storage space can be sealed again after a smokeless tobacco product has been taken out of the storage space. The remaining smokeless tobacco products still can be protected against environmental impacts even though the package has already been opened.
According to another aspect, the sealing member may have a weakening line. Hence, the sealing member can be ripped easily and in a predefined manner due to the weakening line.
Further, the sealing member is preformed (for example deep-drawn) such that the sealing member has a bottom surface and a peripheral wall extending substantially perpendicular from the bottom surface. The shape of the sealing member ensures that the sealing member can be attached to the top surface and the inner portion of the side wall, simultaneously.
Accordingly, the sealing member is preformed (for example deep-drawn) in order to have a cup shape. The sealing member may have a uniform thickness, in particular the peripheral wall and the bottom layer have an equal thickness. Hence, the sealing member is not deformed after its manufacturing, in particular bended, but it is formed in the desired shape directly.
In another aspect, the sealing member can have at least one pull tab. There may also be a plurality of pull tabs which equally spaced around a circumference of the peripheral wall of the sealing member. This provides that sealing member can be removed or opened from different sides. A customer can easily detach the sealing member by pulling the pull tab in order to get access to the storage space and the smokeless tobacco products stored therein. The pull tab may be made of the same material as the sealing member. Alternatively, the pull tab is made of material being more rigid in order to guarantee that the pull tab will not be destroyed when it is pulled by a customer.
Particularly, the weakening line and the pull tab can be arranged in close distance to each other such that pulling the pull tab results in ripping the sealing member along its weakening line.
The pull tab may be arranged at the bottom surface in the transition area between the bottom surface and the peripheral wall of the sealing member. Accordingly, the bottom surface of the sealing member may be lifted when the pull tab is pulled whereas at least the peripheral wall remains attached to the can. The pull tab can be arranged at the bottom layer formed separately with respect to the peripheral wall such that the sealing member is formed by two parts.
The peripheral wall has a small inner rim which defines a plane being parallel to the bottom surface and which inner rim is ring-shaped. The inner rim supports the bottom surface being established by the separate bottom layer.
According to one embodiment, the sealing member may have a rim being attached to the top surface. Further, the sealing member being cup-shaped defines an unoccupied space provided between a plane defined by the rim and the bottom surface of the sealing member. This unoccupied space can be used for enclosing a part of the lid encompassing the waste compartment at least partly. Hence, a compact design of the package is provided.
The rim may be a surrounding rim such that the rim is ring-shaped. Generally, the rim defines a surface which is substantially parallel to the bottom surface provided at the bottom layer.
Particularly, tabs may be provided at the rim which tabs protrude the edge, in particular the top surface of the side wall. These tabs can be used to open the sealing member when no pull tab is provided on the bottom surface. Accordingly, the sealing member can be lifted at its outer periphery whereas the pull tab enables an opening in the transition area between the bottom and the peripheral wall of the sealing member.
According to another embodiment, the peripheral wall of the sealing member has a truncated cone shape. This ensures an increasing gap between the inner portion of the can and the sealing member which can be used for attaching the sealing member to the can. Depending on the used fastening material a smaller gap or a bigger gap is necessary. The truncated cone shape ensures that the required gap is provided and that this required gap can be used for attaching the sealing member to the can, in particular the inner portion of the side wall.
Further, the truncated cone shape ensures a form-fit when the sealing member is formed by at least two parts wherein the bottom layer is provided separately.
Particularly, the lid may have a cap and a top cover wherein the top cover is arranged on the cap such that the waste compartment is established. The entire waste compartment is provided within the lid since the cap provides the cup-shaped base of the waste compartment which is closed by the top cover. Accordingly, the waste compartment has rigid walls since the cap and the top cover are made of rigid materials. The top cover can be substantially flat.
The top cover can have any shape, for instance it can be circular, polygonal, triangular, rectangular, oval etc.. In particular, the top cover can be substantially disc-shaped. The design of the top cover is adapted to the design of the whole package, in particular the cap and the can.
The waste compartment is advantageously configured as a depression in the cap of the lid such that the top cover only closes the waste compartment from the upper side.
Preferably, the waste compartment may be accessed via the lid. Accordingly, the waste compartment can be accessed by a top surface of the lid when the lid closes the can and the sealing member such that the waste compartment is easily accessible.
Further, the top cover can be attached to the cap in a detachable manner or it can be actuated relative to the cap for accessing the waste compartment. This ensures an easy access to the waste compartment as the top cover has just to be lifted or actuated. Afterwards, the top cover can be fixed to the base by pressing the top cover onto the cap, for example.
Alternatively, the top cover can be rotated with respect to the cap wherein the top cover is partially omitted to provide an access opening to the waste compartment. Accordingly, the cap is also at least partially omitted such that the access opening to the waste compartment is realized when both recesses are aligned relative to each other.
The axis of rotation is substantially perpendicular to a plane of the recesses. Furthermore, the axis of rotation is located in the center of the top cover and the cap. The axis of rotation can only be the virtual axis of rotation of the lid around which the top cover can be rotated. However, the axis can also be a real axis, like a stud or the like that extends perpendicular to the plane of the lid.
The lid can further comprise a latching mechanism between the cap and the top cover. This latching mechanism can serve to hold the top cover in a specific position.
The latching mechanism can comprise at least one surface protuberance (small knuckle or bump) on the cap or on the inner surface of the disc-shaped top cover. Any protuberance can advantageously interact with a respective recess in the respective opposite part by engaging with a recess.
The latching mechanism can be configured to provide higher resistance when the top cover is rotated in order to open the package for getting access to the waste compartment. In this aspect of the invention, the protuberance(s) and respective recesses can be larger or have a specific shape such that more force is needed to turn the top surface in a position in which the waste compartment is accessible.
In another aspect, the waste compartment extends from a bottom side of the top cover to an area lower than the top surface of the can. Accordingly, the waste compartment has enough space for accommodating the used smokeless tobacco products. As the depth of the waste compartment is adjusted to the shape of the sealing member, a compact design of the whole package is provided.
In other words, the package according to aspects of the invention can comprise three portions: the can, the sealing member and the lid wherein the lid comprises the cap and the top cover. The unused or fresh smokeless tobacco products, as for example snus, can be disposed in the storage space of the can. The sealing member is attached to the can, in particular to the top surface of the side wall as well as to the inner portion of the side wall. The sealing member covers and seals the storage space provided mostly by the can. The sealing member is arranged and formed such that it is reclosably and/or resealably attached to the can. Hence, the sealing member can be released in order to have access to the storage space such that the smokeless tobacco products can be grabbed by a customer. Afterwards, the sealing member can be placed in its origin position such that the storage space is reclosed or even resealed. The sealing member serves to cover and complete the inner storage space provided by the can.
The lid is arranged on top of the can and the sealing member in order to protect the sealing member. The lid can be turned or rotated in order to get access to the sealing member.
Alternatively, the lid can be pulled upwardly by a customer in order to open the package or the lid is pressed onto the can to close the package. This mechanism can be described as a press-fit one.
Particularly, the lid can be deformed by pressure such that a snap-in mechanism is established in order to close the can by the lid.
Usually, the lid interacts with the can, in particular by a thread when the lid is turned or rotated.
The consumed smokeless tobacco products can be accommodated in the waste compartment provided in the lid wherein the customer can have access to the waste compartment by the top cover. For this, the top cover can be rotated relative to the cap such that two recesses are aligned which are provided in the top cover and in the cap.
Alternatively, the top cover can be lifted with respect to the cap which mostly encompasses the top cover. A lateral recess in an outer lateral wall of the cap can be provided which is used in order to get in direct contact with the top cover. By this lateral recess, the customer has access to an actuation portion of the top cover such that he can pull or lift the top cover with respect to the cap which is fixed to the can via a thread, for instance.
Further, the top cover may have a hinged cover part that can be swiveled in order to get access to the waste compartment.
Generally, the can and/or the cap may comprise at least one inner wall that projects into the storage space for smokeless tobacco products and the waste compartment for consumed smokeless tobacco products, respectively. The one or more inner walls are advantageously used to separate inner compartments, for example for different types or flavors of the smokeless tobacco product or for separating compartments with different purposes.
Moreover, the package as described above is used for packing a smokeless tobacco product, in particular for packing a moist tobacco product and further in particular for packing snus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Further aspects and characteristics of the invention ensue from the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein

FIG. 1 is a top view of a package not according to the invention wherein the components are shown separately,
FIG. 2 is a simplified sectional view of the inventive package shown in FIG. 1,
FIG. 3 is a simplified sectional view of an embodiment of a package according to the invention,
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the sealing member used in FIG. 3,
FIG. 5 is a simplified sectional view of another package not according to the invention, and
FIG. 6 is a simplified sectional view of a further package not according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a package 10 for smokeless tobacco products separated. The smokeless tobacco products can be chewing tobacco, moist snuff, dissolvable films etc. In particular, the package 10 is for accommodating a moist tobacco product, for example snus pouches. In Figure 2 the same embodiment of the assembled package 10 is shown in a simplified sectional view.
The diameter of the assembled package 10 is 30 mm to 120 mm, preferably 40 mm to 90 mm, more preferably 50 mm to 80 mm. The height of the package 10 is about 12 mm to 50 mm, preferably 15 mm to 35 mm. These dimensions are advantageously applicable to all embodiments of the invention.
In this embodiment, the package 10 comprises a can 12, a sealing member 14 and a lid 16. Each of these components has a substantially cylindrical shape resulting in a substantially cylindrical shape of the package 10 itself. However, other shapes are also suitable, for example a cylinder having a substantially oval cross section, a parallelepiped, a cuboid or a cube. The sealing member 14 has three pull tabs T1, T2, T3 which are equally spaced around a circumference of the sealing member 14. However, in other embodiments only one or two or more than three pull tabs maybe provided. These pull tabs may also be equally spaced around the circumference of the sealing member thereby facilitating access to the package 10. This will be explained in more detail below.
The can 12 and/or the lid 16 including all parts and members thereof can be manufactured using a metal and/or a rigid synthetic material and/or a cardboard material. In particular, the can 12 and/or the lid 16 can be manufactured using injection molded PP (polypropylene), ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer) or any other suitable synthetic or plastic material. This advantageously applies to all embodiments of the invention.
The lid 16 is the topmost member of the package 10 wherein the sealing member 14 is disposed between the lid 16 and the can 12 as can be seen in Figure 2 and which is described later.
The can 12 comprises a storage space 18 which can be used for accommodating the smokeless tobacco products such as snus. The can 12 has a bottom plate 20 and a side wall 22 extending substantially perpendicular from the bottom plate 20 in an upward direction. The bottom plate 20 and the side wall 22 can be a one-piece construction such that the side wall 22 merges into the bottom plate 20 by a first end whereas the other end is a free end as will be described later. In the shown embodiment, the side wall 22 is cylindrical and the bottom plate 20 is circular.
The diameter of the can 12 is about 30 mm to 120 mm, preferably 40 mm to 90 mm, more preferably 50 mm to 80 mm. The height of the can 12 is about 10 mm to 50 mm, preferably 15 to 30 mm. These dimensions are advantageously applicable to all embodiments of this invention.
Generally, the side wall 22 which can also be described as a lateral wall may be provided with an appealing design or with an embossing to simplify handling of the package 10 for the smokeless tobacco product.
The sealing member 14 is cup-shaped and has a bottom surface 24 on a bottom layer 25, a peripheral wall 26 and a surrounding rim 28 which is ring-shaped. The peripheral wall 26 interconnects the bottom layer 25 and the rim 28. The rim 28 defines a plane that is substantially parallel to the bottom surface 24 whereas the peripheral wall 26 is substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface 24. Hence, the bottom surface 24 is retracted relative to the rim 28 by the height of the peripheral wall 26.
In other words, the sealing member 14 is a preformed element which may be deep-drawn such that the sealing member 14 has a unitary thickness. In particular the bottom layer 25, the peripheral wall 26 as well as the rim 28 have the same thickness. The shape of the sealing member 14 is established during its manufacturing. Accordingly, the sealing member 14 is not deformed by the lid 16 or any other part of the package 10.
The sealing member 14 is attached to the can 12 via at least a part of its peripheral wall 26 and the rim 28. The peripheral wall 26 may be attached to an inner portion 30 of the side wall 22 via a surface 27 of the peripheral wall 26 of the sealing member 14. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing member 14 may be attached to the can 12 via its total peripheral wall 26 in order to increase the surface used for attachment.
Further, the rim 28 is attached to a top surface 32 of the side wall 22 which is the free end of the side wall 22 that does not end into the bottom plate 20 or that does not merge with the bottom plate 20. This top surface 32 or the free end of the side wall 22 can also be described as an upper peripheral edge of the can 12.
The top surface 32 and the inner portion 30 of the side wall 22 intersect each other in an inner edge 34 being substantially rectangular. Hence, the sealing member 14 is attached to the can 12 via two surfaces which are perpendicular to each other.
The inner edge 34 defines an access opening 36 to the storage space 18 such that a customer has access to the smokeless tobacco products accommodated in the storage space 18 as will be described later.
The sealing member 14 may be partially corrugated at least in the attachment area to the inner portion 30 of the side wall 22. The corrugations result in small cavities which are provided between an outer surface of the sealing member 14 and the inner portion 30, in particular the attachment area. These small cavities can be filled by a fastening material, e.g. an adhesive. This can increase the attachment forces between the sealing member 14 and the can 12.
As can be seen in Figure 2, the storage space 18 is closed and sealed by the sealing member 14. Accordingly, the sealing member 14 serves to cover and complete the storage space 18 provided mostly by the can 12, in particular the bottom plate 20 and the side wall 22 of the can 12.
In general, the sealing member 14 seals the storage space 18 against the outside in order to protect the smokeless tobacco products accommodated in the storage space 18 against environmental impacts such as humidity. This ensures that the unused smokeless tobacco products remain fresh.
The lid 16 comprises two members, a cap 38 and a top cover 40 which may be detachable attached to the cap 38. A waste compartment 42 is formed between the cap 38 and the top cover 40 which can accommodate consumed smokeless tobacco products. The waste compartment 42 has rigid walls since the cap 38 and the top cover 40 are made of rigid materials, in particular of the same material. The top cover 40 is arranged on the cap 38 such that a tight waste compartment 42 is provided.
In general, the integrated waste compartment 42 relieves the user from the need to find a waste deposit for the consumed tobacco products.
The lid 16 can be fixed to the can 12 by the cap 38 which has a lateral wall 43 interacting with the side wall 22 of the can 12. Accordingly, the lateral wall 43 of the cap 38 and the side wall 22 of the can 12 can be coupled to each other.
The cap 38 and the can 12 may be configured to be joined with each other by a thread, for instance. The lower end of the lateral wall 43 of the cap 38 can engage with the upper end of the side wall 22 of the can 12. The lower end of the lateral wall 43 of the cap 38 may be located outside the upper end of the side wall 22 of the can 12.
The diameter of the upper end of the side wall 22 of the can 12 may be a little bit smaller than the diameter of the lower end of the lateral wall 43 of the cap 38 such that the lateral wall 43 of the cap 38 circumferentially encompasses the side wall 22 of the can 12.
In another embodiment the diameter of the upper end of the side wall 22 of the can 12 may be a little bit greater than the diameter of the lower end of the lateral wall 43 of the cap 38 such that the side wall 22 of the can 12 circumferentially encompasses the lateral wall 43 of the cap 38. The lower end of the lateral wall 43 of the cap 38 is then located inside the upper end of the side wall 22 of the can 12.
The top cover 40 is substantially cylindrically shaped and can comprise a top surface which is substantially disc-shaped. The diameter of the top cover 40 is about 30 mm to 120 mm, preferably 40 mm to 90 mm, more preferably 50 mm to 80 mm.
The top cover 40 may have a diameter smaller than the one of lateral wall 43 of the cap 38 such that the top cover is encompassed by an upper part of the lateral wall 43. The lateral wall 43 may have a lateral recess on its upper part which can be used to touch the top cover 40 directly which is mostly encompassed by the upper part of the lateral wall 43. This lateral recess is shown in FIG. 1. Then, the top cover 40 can be lifted from the cap 38 in order to get access to the waste compartment 42 and, afterwards, pressed on the cap 38 in order to close the waste compartment 42 tightly.
Alternatively, a rotating access to the waste compartment 42 can be provided when the top cover 40 and the cap 38 each comprise at least one recess which recesses can be aligned when the top cover 40 is rotated relative to the cap 38.
According to another alternative, at least a cover part of the top cover 40 can be hinged such that a swivel movement of the cover part relative to the rest of the top cover 40 enables access to the waste compartment 42.
Further, a thread may be provided on the inner side of the upper part of the lateral wall 43 which engages with a thread on the outer side of the top cover 40 such that the waste compartment 42 can be accessed by relative movement of the top cover 40 with respect to the cap 38.
Alternatively, the top cover 40 may have a greater diameter than the upper part of the lateral wall 43 which is circumferentially retracted such that the peripheral surface of the whole package 10 is homogenous.
The cap 38 has a depth which extends to an area lower than the edge 34, in particular the plane defined by the edge 34. This ensures that the waste compartment 42 has enough space to accommodate the consumed smokeless tobacco products.
The cup-shaped sealing member 14 defines an initially unoccupied space provided between a plane defined by the rim 28 and the bottom surface 24 of the cup-shaped sealing member 14. This initially unoccupied space is occupied by at least a part of the waste compartment 42 formed within the lid 16 as can be seen in Figure 2. In the shown embodiment, the cap 38 is formed such that its bottom part extends till the bottom surface 24 of the sealing member 14 and may contact the bottom surface 24.
Hence, the cup shape of the sealing member 14 enables a compact design of the whole package 10 as the retracted bottom surface 24 of the sealing member 14 is adapted to the waste compartment 42, from the first. In other words, the sealing member 14 is preformed such that the cap 38 comprising the waste compartment 42 has enough space. Accordingly, the sealing member 14 is not deformed by the lid 16, in particular the cap 38 providing the waste compartment 42 mostly.
Further, the sealing member 14 may have several tabs 44 which are provided at the outer circumference of the sealing member 14, in particular the rim 28. When the lid 16 is not placed onto the can 12, the tabs 44 protrude the top surface 32 such that the tabs 44 can be grabbed by a customer for opening the sealing member 14 in order to have access to the storage space 18. When the lid 16 is placed onto the can 12 as shown in FIG.2, the tabs 44 are deformed such that they are aligned with the outer surface of the can 12.
The tabs 44 may have a length ensuring that the tabs 44 are visible when the lid 16 is placed onto the can 12. Accordingly, the customer can check easily if the sealing member 14 comprising such a tab 44 is provided and attached to the can 12 even though the customer does not have to lift the lid 16.
When a customer wants to take one of the smokeless tobacco products stored in the storage space 18, he can lift the lid 16 from the can 12. Then, the customer has access to the sealing member 14 which can be easily opened by pulling one of the tabs 44 in order to lift the sealing member 14 from the top surface 32 of the side wall 22. Afterwards, the customer can grab one of the smokeless tobacco products via the access opening 36. After he has grabbed one of the smokeless tobacco products, the customer can reclose and/or reseal the storage space 18 easily by pressing the sealing member 14, in particular the rim 28, onto the side wall 22, in particular the top surface 32. Then the storage space 18 is reclosed and/or resealed.
In addition, the customer can improve the resealing by pressing the peripheral wall 26 of the sealing member 14 against the inner portion 30 of the side wall 22.
An adhesive may be provided between the attachment area(s) in order to improve the attachment, in particular between the top surface 32 and the rim 28 and/or between the peripheral wall 26 and the inner portion 30 of the side wall 22. Dedicated portions of the sealing member 14 and/or dedicated portions of the can 12 may be coated with the adhesive. The adhesive may be a permanent or non-permanent adhesive, for example PSA.
Afterwards, the lid 16 can be placed onto the can 12. After consumption of the grabbed smokeless tobacco product, the consumer can easily access the waste compartment 42 by lifting, rotating or generally actuating the top cover 40 of the lid 16. Then, the consumed smokeless tobacco product can be disposed into the waste compartment 42. Hence, the consumer has not to open the entire lid 16 in order to have access to the waste compartment 42.
FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the package 10 of the present invention. The sealing member 14 according to this embodiment comprises two parts, a separate bottom layer 46 comprising the bottom surface 24 and a frame part 48 comprising the peripheral wall 26, the rim 28 and an additional inner rim 50. The inner rim 50 is ring-shaped and supports the bottom layer 46. Accordingly, the inner rim 50 is substantially perpendicular to the peripheral wall 26.
Further, the sealing member 14 according to this embodiment may have a pull tab 52 which can be used by a customer to open the sealing member 14 in order to have access to the storage space 18. The pull tab 52 is arranged in the transition area between the bottom layer 46 and the frame part 48, in particular the peripheral wall 26. The bottom layer 46 and the frame part 48 are such formed that a form-fit is established between these parts.
When a customer pulls the pull tab 52, the bottom layer 46 is lifted relative to the frame part 48, in particular the inner rim 50. After the customer has taken one of the smokeless tobacco products out of the storage space 18, he can reclose and/or reseal the storage space 18 by pressing the bottom layer 46 onto the inner rim 50.
An adhesive is provided between the bottom layer 46 and the inner rim 50 in order to improve the resealing mechanism. Dedicated portions of the bottom layer 46 and/or dedicated portions of the inner rim 50 may be coated by the adhesive. The adhesive is a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA).
FIG. 4 shows the sealing member 14 in detail which is used in the embodiment of the package 10 shown in FIG. 3. It reveals that the pull tab 52 is attached to the bottom surface 24 of the sealing member 14.
FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the package 10 without lid 1. The sealing member 14 has a substantially truncated cone shape, in particular the peripheral wall 22. Hence, the peripheral wall 26 is inclined with respect to the inner portion 30 of the side wall 22 resulting in an increasing gap between the peripheral wall 26 and the inner portion 30 which increases from the edge 34 towards the bottom plate 20.
In an alternative embodiment, the sealing member 14 can be formed by two pieces such that the sealing member 14 comprises a frame part and a bottom part wherein the truncated cone shape of the peripheral wall 22 ensures a form-fit between the peripheral wall 22 and the bottom part is established.
FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the package 10 without lid 16. According to this embodiment, a weakening line 54 is provided within the sealing member 14. The sealing member 14, further, comprises a pull tab 52 which interacts with the weakening line 54 such that the sealing member 14 is ripped in the area of the weakening line 54 when the pull tab 52 is pulled.
Preferably, the weakening line 54 is also provided in the transition area between the peripheral wall 26 and the bottom layer 25 comprising the bottom surface 24. In this embodiment, the peripheral wall 26 and the bottom layer 25 are made integral.
The weakening line 54 may be preferably surrounding the whole bottom layer 25 except a small portion which can be used as hinge when the bottom layer 25 is lifted and then returned in order to reclose and/or reseal the storage space 18 after a smokeless tobacco product has been grabbed by a customer.
The position of the weakening line 54 ensures that the sealing member 14 can be resealed after it has been opened once.
Generally, a package 10 for a smokeless tobacco product is provided which ensures to store smokeless tobacco products in a protective manner such that no environmental impacts can harm the freshness of the smokeless tobacco products.

Claims

A package (10) for a smokeless tobacco product comprising a can (12), a sealing member (14) and a lid (16) comprising a waste compartment (42) and being configured to close the can (12), the can (12) comprising a bottom wall and a side wall (22) forming a storage space (18), the side wall having a top surface (32), characterized in that the sealing member (14) being configured to be attached to an inner portion (30) (22) and the top surface (32) of the side wall (22) of the can, wherein the sealing member (14) is preformed to have a substantially cup-like shape such that the sealing member (14) has a bottom surface (24) and a peripheral wall (26) extending substantially perpendicular from the bottom surface (24), and wherein the sealing member (14) comprises a bottom layer (46) and an additional inner rim (50) which are resealably attached to each other by a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA).
The package (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealing member (14) closes the storage space (18), in particular seals the storage space (18).
The package (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sealing member (14) is arranged at the can (12) in a resealable manner.
The package (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing member (14) is made of a material comprising multiple layers.
The package (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing member (14) has a weakening line.
The package (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing member (14) comprises at least one pull tab (T1, T2, T3, 52).
The package (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the at least one pull tab (52) is arranged at the bottom surface (24) in the transition area between the bottom surface (24) and the peripheral wall (26).
The package (10) according to anyone of the preceding claims, characterized in that the peripheral wall (26) has a truncated cone shape.
The package (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing member (14) has a rim (28) being attached to the top surface (32).
The package (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the at least one tab (T1, T2, T3, 44) is provided at the rim (28) and extends from the top surface (32).
The package (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lid (16) has a top cover (40) and a cap (38) wherein the top cover (40) is arranged on the cap (38) such that the waste compartment (42) is established.
The package (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the waste compartment (42) can be accessed via the lid (16).
The package (10) according to claim 11, characterized in that the top cover (40) is detachably attached to the base (38) or can be actuated relative to the base (38) for accessing the waste compartment (42).
The package (10) according to claim 11 or 13, characterized in that the waste compartment (42) extends from a bottom side of the top cover (40) to an area lower than the top surface (32) of the can (12).