EP4519176A1

EP4519176A1 - Container

Info

Publication number: EP4519176A1
Application number: EP24702488.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Frederic Ulysse BUEHLER; Malgorzata Rozwadowska
Original assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Current assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Priority date: 2023-01-24
Filing date: 2024-01-24
Publication date: 2025-03-12
Anticipated expiration: 2044-01-24
Also published as: WO2024156723A1; EP4519176C0; CN120548288A; EP4624360A1; EP4519176B8; EP4519176B1; GB2633524A; GB202417876D0; ES3048432T3; KR20250136868A; JP2026503473A; GB2633524B

Abstract

A container comprising a body portion and a cover with a snap fastener for the body portion and the cover. The snap fastener comprises a ring element comprising a gap and a snap element interacting with the ring element. The container further comprises a haptic mechanism indicating a release condition of the snap fastener where the cover is detachable from the body portion. The haptic mechanism comprises a haptic element arranged at the gap and arranged above or below the snap element, when the snap fastener is in the snapped condition where the cover is undetachable from the body portion. The snap fastener comprises a ring element comprising a gap and a snap element interacting with the ring element. The container further comprises a haptic mechanism indicating when the snap fastener is in a release condition.

Description

Container

The present disclosure relates to a container, in particular a container comprising a secured closure.

In the field of consumer products for authorized personnel, it is known to provide a packaging of the products with safety features in order to prevent unauthorized opening of the packaging. For example, hazardous liquids are provided in bottles comprising a safety closure, which is difficult to open, even for adults. Such closures are not suitable for consumer products, where access shall be made easy for an authorized user.

Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a container with secured closure to prevent unauthorized opening of the container, where an opening of the container is nevertheless simple and intuitive for authorized users.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container comprising a body portion and a cover. The container comprises a snap fastener for the body portion and the cover. The snap fastener comprises a ring element comprising a gap and a snap element interacting with the ring element. The container further comprises a haptic mechanism indicating a release condition of the snap fastener where the cover is detachable from the body portion, and the container in an openable state accordingly. The haptic mechanism comprises a haptic element arranged at the gap, for example flush with the gap, adjacent the gap or close to the gap. When the snap fastener is in the snapped condition where the cover is undetachable from the body portion, the haptic element is arranged above or below the snap element when viewed in relation to a detach direction of the cover.

Closures comprising a snap fastener are simple and effective fasteners for containers. The audible and haptic feedback of a snap fastener also indicates safe closure of a container also for visually and possibly also acoustically impaired user. Providing a snap fastener comprising one or more snap elements but only one interrupted ring element allows the manufacture of containers with a simple, secure and space saving fastener for a cover on a body portion.

In addition, the presence of a gap in a ring element interacting with a snap element allows for release of the snap fastener only in a specific rotational position of cover and body portion. Accordingly, cover and body portion have to be specifically aligned in order for the container to be opened. Advantageously, this configuration may reduce the risk of the container inadvertently being opened. It may also help to preserve one or more properties of the consumer products in the container.

The provision of a haptic mechanism in the container is an intuitive and supportive means to indicate that an opening position of the container has been reached or is about to be reached and that the cover may and can be removed from the body portion of the container in said opening position. A haptic mechanism makes a container also suitable for visually impaired or blind consumer, or for use in low light conditions, such as, for example, at night or in bars or night clubs. Haptic mechanisms are typically correlated with audible feedback. However, haptic feedback may be tangible, even if acoustic feedback is hardly heard or not heard, for example too low for a user to be heard, for example in noisy conditions. Accordingly, also acoustically impaired users are intuitively guided to an opening position of the container with a haptic mechanism provided at the container.

Haptic mechanisms comprising a haptic element, in particular in the form of ribs, are simple to manufacture and effective.

A haptic element is arranged at the gap, thus indicating the location of the gap as soon as the haptic element has passed an according obstacle, or vice versa, causing a haptic signal, for example a vibration. For example, an obstacle, such as a separate element of the haptic mechanism passes the haptic element causing the haptic signal, and preferably also an acoustic signal.

A haptic mechanism typically causes a certain resistance when the cover and body portion are mutually rotated when an obstacle passes a haptic element. Human beings are very sensitive to haptic effects, in particular to changes in haptic experiences, such as a change in resistance when an obstacle passes the haptic element.

The haptic element may be arranged exactly at the gap or close to the gap, such that a haptic and possibly also an acoustic signal emitted by an element passing the haptic element indicates that the snap element is aligned with the gap or in proximity to the gap. The haptic element may, for example, be arranged flush with an end of a ring element, which end forms one end of the gap. The haptic element may be arranged to be displaced at an end of a ring element, which end forms one end of the gap. For example, a haptic element may be arranged within 0 to 5 millimeter to an end of the gap, however outside of the gap. Preferably, a haptic element is arranged distanced from an end of the ring element by 1 to 3 millimeter.

Preferably, a haptic element is arranged at one end of a gap.

As noted above, the haptic element is arranged above or below the snap element when viewed in relation to a detach direction of the cover. That is, the entirety of the haptic element may be arranged above the snap element when viewed in relation to a detach direction of the cover. Alternatively, the entirety of the haptic element may be arranged below the snap element when viewed in relation to a detach direction of the cover. Arranging a haptic element above or below the snap element in the snapped condition of the snap fastener, i.e. when the cover is mounted and attached to the body portion, allows to provide a haptic mechanism on a container independent of a fastening action of the snap fastener also provided on the container. In particular, by arranging a haptic element on one side of the snap element or an opposite side of the snap element, when viewed in relation to a detach direction of the cover, the snap element and also the ring element may be provided independent of a haptic mechanism and in particular independent of a haptic and acoustic mechanism. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the elements of the snap fastener and elements of the haptic mechanism do not mechanically interact with each other. As will be outlined in more detail below, in some preferred embodiments, the snap element may interact with further elements of the container and contribute to the haptic mechanism of the container.

Preferably, a haptic element is arranged above the snap element and above the ring element, thus above the snap fastener.

Preferably, the haptic element is arranged above and adjacent the ring element. An adjacent arrangement of haptic element and ring element allows for a compact arrangement of the safety and opening aids of the closure and opening mechanism of a container. A space saving arrangement of these elements is particularly suitable for low-height covers or in general for containers with low heights, for example cans.

If the haptic element is arranged below the snap element, the haptic element is preferably arranged below the snap element such as to not intervene with a rotating movement of the snap element. However, preferably, a haptic element arranged below a snap element is arranged close to the snap element in a space saving manner.

Preferably, a ring element comprising a gap is an interrupted circular rib.

Preferably, a snap element is an elongate protrusion. Preferably, an elongate protrusion is in the form of a rib or a slide. Snap elements in the form of ribs or slides are easy to manufacture. In general, the snap elements are formed as slides that may conveniently slide along a ring element.

A length of a snap element is smaller than a width of a gap such that the snap element, when aligned with the gap, may pass the gap and may release the cover from the body portion counter to a snap direction such that the content in the body portion may be accessed. Namely, the alignment of snap element and gap may lead to the cover being detachable from the body portion in a release direction, which release direction is opposite to the snap direction of the cover.

In preferred embodiments of the container, the ring element is arranged at the body portion and the snap element is arranged at the cover. In these embodiments, the ring element may, for example, be a radially outwardly protruding rib arranged at an upper region of a body portion side wall and the snap element may be a radially inwardly directing protrusion at a cover side wall. In the snapped condition of the snap fastener, the snap element formed by the protrusion may be moved circumferentially in rotational direction below and along the outwardly protruding rib forming the ring element.

In alternative embodiments of the container, the ring element is arranged at the cover and the snap element is arranged at the body portion, accordingly. In such embodiments, the snap element may, for example, be a radially outwardly directing protrusion at an upper region of a body portion side wall and the ring element may be a radially inwardly protruding rib at a cover side wall. In these embodiments, in the snapped condition of the snap fastener, the snap element formed by the protrusion of the body portion may be moved circumferentially in rotational direction above and along the outwardly protruding rib forming the ring element since the snap element is positioned above the ring element in the snapped condition of the snap fastener in these embodiments.

The cover may have a side wall. Preferably, the side wall of the cover carries the snap element. Put another way, preferably, the snap element is provided on the side wall of the cover. Preferably, the inner surface of the side wall of the cover carries the snap element. Put another way, preferably, the snap element is provided on the inner surface of the side wall of the cover.

A haptic element may comprise a haptic rib. The haptic element interacts with another element to generate a haptic and preferably also an acoustic or audible feedback. Preferably, a haptic rib interacts with another haptic rib or a ratchet rib. A ratchet rib preferably interacts with a group of haptic ribs.

The haptic rib may be an individual haptic rib or may be one of a group of haptic ribs. Thus, the haptic element may comprise a group of haptic ribs.

A group of haptic ribs may comprise, for example, three to 10 ten haptic ribs. Preferably, a group of haptic ribs comprises 5 to 8 haptic ribs.

In some embodiments of the present invention, a haptic mechanism comprises a ratchet rib interacting with a haptic rib. In these embodiments, ratchet rib and haptic rib are accordingly not arranged at same parts of the container but at different parts of the container. Preferably, when a haptic rib is arranged at the body portion, the ratchet rib is arranged at the cover or vice versa, such that ratchet rib and haptic rib may interact when rotating the cover and body portion relative to each other.

In embodiments of the container comprising interacting haptic rib and ratchet rib, the ratchet rib and the snap element are preferably both arranged at the cover of the container or, alternatively, are both arranged at the body portion. Therein, ratchet rib and snap element are aligned, such that upon opening of a container, a haptic and preferably also an acoustic effect is generated when the ratchet rib passes the haptic rib and also such that the snap element is positioned or being positioned in the release condition of the snap fastener when the haptic feedback from the interacting ratchet rib and haptic rib has been generated.

Arranging ratchet rib and snap element at the same part of the container, allows to arrange the ring element with the gap and the haptic element at the corresponding other part of the container.

Preferably, the ratchet rib is adapted to interact with a group of haptic ribs.

The elements of the haptic mechanism, in particular the haptic element, may be arranged above or below the snap element, in particular above or below the snap fastener, when seen in the snapped condition of the snap fastener where the cover is undetachable from the body portion. Thus, the haptic element may also be arranged above the ring element of the snap fastener. In preferred embodiments of the container, the haptic element is arranged on the one side of the ring element opposite the snap element, thus above the ring element, when the snap fastener is in the snapped condition where the cover is undetachable from the body portion.

A container may be provided with two or more haptic elements, in particular with two groups of haptic ribs. Preferably, each one of the two groups of haptic ribs is arranged at an opposite end of the gap. By this, a haptic mechanism is provided irrespective if the container shall be opened or be brought into an openable position by rotating the cover in clockwise or in counter-clockwise direction. Two ratchet ribs may be provided on the other part of the container to interact with the two groups of haptic ribs. In an alternative variant, two ratchet ribs are arranged at opposite ends of the gap. Two haptic ribs or two groups of haptic ribs may accordingly be provided on the other part of the container to interact with the two ratchet ribs.

The container may comprise a surmountable end stop configured to interact with the snap element so that the snap element can pass over the surmountable end stop for the snap fastener to be brought from a snapped condition where the cover is undetachable from the body portion to a release condition of the snap fastener where the cover is detachable from the body portion.

Preferably, a surmountable end stop is provided at one end of a gap and arranged below the ring element. In a snapped condition of the snap fastener, the snap element and the surmountable end stop are arranged substantially at a same circumferential height of the container. In these embodiments, snap element and surmountable end stop are both arranged below the ring element in the snapped condition of the snap fastener.

The surmountable end stop provides an obstacle for a further mutual rotation of cover and body portion thus hindering but not disabling to release the snap fastener. Release of the snap fastener may be achieved by surmounting the surmountable end stop. In particular, a surmountable end stop may be overcome by application of a release rotational force between cover and body portion. Advantageously, such configuration may ensure closure of a container and avoid accidental opening of a container. With the provision of a surmountable end stop, child safety of the container may further be improved. A user not provided with sufficient power to provide the releasable rotational force will not be able to overcome the surmountable end stop and therefore will not be able to bring the snap fastener into its release position.

In some embodiments of the container, a haptic mechanism comprises a ratchet rib interacting with at least a haptic rib, and the container is further provided with a surmountable end stop configured to interact with the snap element as described above. Thus, apart from the resistance imposed by the interaction between the ratchet rib and the at least one haptic rib generating a haptic and preferably also an acoustic feedback to a user, the surmountable end stop also provides a haptic and acoustic effect by imposing an additional resistance that has to be overcome by the snap element. Overcoming the surmountable end stop indicates that the release condition of the snap fastener and according opening position of the container have been reached.

A surmountable end stop may be formed, for example, by a rib, bead or wedge-shaped protrusion.

In some embodiments of the container, a haptic element is arranged at one side of the ring element, for example above the ring element, and the surmountable end stop is arranged at an opposite side of the ring element, for example below the ring element. With the help of a releasable rational force, the snap element overcomes the surmountable end stop and leads the snap fastener into its release condition, thereby preferably generating a haptic and audible feedback to a user. Thus, a surmountable end stop may be part of a haptic mechanism, that may also be audible.

In some embodiments of the invention, the container may comprise two surmountable end stops, each surmountable end stop is arranged at an opposite end of the gap. The two surmountable end stops may be formed identically or differently.

Surmountable end stops arranged at either end of a gap may hinder a clockwise and a counter-clockwise rotation of cover and body portion, when the snap element comes close to the gap. However, in either rotational direction, the surmountable end stop may be overcome by providing the required release rotational force. The snap element may then pass the surmountable end stop at whichever end of the gap and may be guided into the gap and thereby to the release condition of the snap fastener.

In general, a snap fastener is brought into a snapped condition by moving cover and container against each other in a linear snap direction. The snap element snapped with the ring element in the snapped condition does generally not allow release of the snap fastener in the opposite snap direction of the snap fastener. However, a mutual rotation of the cover and the body portion in both rotational directions, thus in a clockwise and a counter-clockwise direction, may generally be allowed when the snap fastener is in the snapped condition. Thus, opening of the container may in general be achieved by clockwise rotation of the cover on the body portion or by counter-clockwise rotation of the cover on the body portion until a release condition of the snap fastener is reached and by this an opening position of the container. The cover may then be removed from the body portion by a simple lifting movement in a release direction of the cover.

It may be preferred to allow rotation of the cover in one rotational direction only, or to allow to bring the container in an opening position by rotation of the cover in one rotational direction only.

Thus, mutual rotational direction of cover and body portion may be allowed in either clockwise direction or in counter-clockwise direction. Preferably, limitation of mutual rotational movement of cover and body portion is achieved by limiting or prohibiting rotation of a snap element. Preferably, the container comprises an end stop for the snap element allowing mutual rotation of the cover and the body portion in one direction only in a snapped condition of the snap fastener. Allowing mutual rotation in one direction only may include a certain rotation also in an opposite direction, but never to the extent that a release condition of the snap fastener is reached by rotation in said opposite direction.

Preferably, the container comprises an end stop for the snap element prohibiting a rotation of the cover on the body portion in a counter-clockwise direction. Since containers in general, in particular bottles, jars or cans are openable by unscrewing a cover or a cap from a bottle, jar or can in a counter-clockwise rotational direction, allowing a rotation of the cover in a clockwise direction only may further enhance a security level of the container against unauthorized personal.

Since any kind of end stops is preferably provided in the container to interact with a snap element of a snap fastener, a snap element and a surmountable end stop or an end stop are arranged at a same or substantially at a same circumferential height of the container in a snapped condition of the snap fastener, thus have a position on a same circumference of the container.

The container may comprise two or more gaps in the ring element and two or more snap elements.

While there may basically be any number of gaps in a ring element and corresponding snap elements, it is preferred to have more than one gap and more than one snap element. In particular with two, three or four gaps and snap elements, a rotational movement of the cover until a release position of the snap fastener is reached, may be limited to less than a full turn and preferably to less than half of a full turn. In addition, with more than one snap element, a symmetric container, in particular a symmetric snap fastener may be provided, where closing and opening forces may homogeneously be distributed over a circumference of the container.

Preferably, two or more gaps and snap elements are regularly arranged with equal distance along a circumference of the container.

A container may comprise more gaps than snap elements or a same number of gaps and snap elements.

Preferably, the container comprises a same number of gaps in the ring element and of snap elements.

In order to protect a content of the container from environmental influences, the container may be closable in a sealed manner. A sealed condition of the container is preferably achieved at the instance when the snap fastener snaps into the snapped condition.

Preferably, the products in the container are protected from environmental effects that might degrade the products stored in the container. However, a certain permeability of a container, in particular of a seal between cover and body portion may be beneficial to the shelf life of a product.

Preferably, a rim portion of the body portion and the cover are arranged in a sealed manner in a closed state of the container, in particular in a snapped condition of the snap fastener. An inner side wall of the cover may, for example, comprise a circumferentially running sealing shoulder in abutment with an outer rim portion of the body portion in a closed state of the container, in particular in the snapped condition of the snap fastener.

The cover may comprise push elements for pushing a rim portion of the body portion against the cover in the closed state of the container, in particular in the snapped condition of the snap fastener. In particular, push elements may push a rim portion of the body portion against a circumferentially running sealing shoulder. Push elements may guarantee a correct position of the cover on the body portion. They may secure the rim of the body portion in an abutment position when the container is closed. In addition, push elements and sealing shoulder may provide a certain clamping of the rim of the body portion in the cover. Thus, a complete loose position of the cover on the body portion may be prevented as a certain resistance acts on the cover, even when the snap fastener is in a release condition. An easy falling off of the cover may thus be prevented.

It has been found, that few push elements are sufficient to achieve a reasonable sealing effect. Preferably, the cover comprises a regular circumferential arrangement of push elements.

For example, 2 to 8 push elements are arranged circumferentially along an inner top side of the cover, more preferably, 3 to 6 push elements, such as 4 push elements. Numbers of push elements in the above ranges have shown to provide an optimal balanced sealing effect.

A push element may have a circumferential extension, for example, between 5 millimeter and 50 millimeter, preferably between 5 millimeter and 30 millimeter, more preferably between 10 millimeter and 20 millimeter. A push element may, for example, have a substantially same circumferential extension as a snap element.

It has been found that by clamping a rim portion of the body portion between several push elements and a circumferentially running sealing shoulder of the cover, namely a clamping at discrete points along the circumference of the cover only, a tightness of the seal of the container may be designed according to characteristics of the products to be stored in the container.

For example, a complete circumferential sealing rib in the cover generally leads to a desired complete air-tight seal of the container.

The provision of a plurality of individual push elements, preferably arranged regularly along the circumference of the cover, may provide a complete or almost complete air-tight seal. A few individual push elements may provide an optimal balanced sealing effect. Thus, the goods in the container may be protected from environmental influences, for example excess humidity or dryness, by avoiding excessive air transport into or out of the container. On the other hand, a few push elements still allow a certain gaseous permeation in and out of the container to enhance, for example, flavour retention in the products and prevent goods degradation. This may particularly apply to for high moisture-containing products, such as oral consumption goods. In the container, the body portion forms a first compartment for accommodating fresh consumer products.

In some embodiments of the invention, the container may comprise a preferably separate second compartment. The second compartment may advantageously be used for one or more of: storing used goods; storing a different type of consumer goods from those stored in the first compartment; and storing one or more accessories for use with the consumer goods stored in the first compartment, such as, for example a tool for picking the consumer goods from the container. Depending on the products to be stored in the container, these products may have to be correctly disposed of after use, for example, used nicotine containing products. For intermediate or final disposal, used products may thus be reinserted into the container, in particular into the second, preferably separate compartment. The second compartment may, for example, be a waste compartment.

Preferably, the second compartment is arranged in the cover of the container.

The cover may comprise a lid. The second compartment may be accessible by opening the lid.

The lid may be permanently attached to the cover. The lid may be removable from the cover.

Preferably, a lid forms part of a top wall of the cover.

The container may comprise an indicator indicating a release position of the snap fastener. An indicator may be embodied, for example, as optical indicator or as haptic indicator.

According indicator elements may be arranged at the cover and at the body portion.

Preferably, indicator elements are arranged such that an indicator element of the cover and an indicator element of the body portion are in alignment in a release condition of the snap fastener. Thus, by the indicator, a user is easily guided how to open a container.

Preferably, the indicator is an optical indicator.

Preferably, the indicator is a haptic indicator.

The indicator may be a combined optical and haptic indicator.

An indicator may comprise a grip element facilitating grip of the container. For example, an indicator may be embodied as structures on the cover or on the body portion or on both, the cover and the body portion.

Preferably, a same number of indicator elements are arranged on the cover as a number of gaps provided in the ring element. By this, each and every release position of the snap fastener and each and every opening position of the container is indicated by the indicator elements and visible or otherwise noticeable by a user of the container.

The container according to the invention may basically comprise or being made of any material suitable for the desired products to be stored in the container. The container may, for example, comprise or be made of plastics materials, cellulose materials or metal. Preferably, the container comprises polypropylene (PP), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyethylene terephthalate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), moulded pulp, cardboard or metal.

Preferably, the container is made of polypropylene (PP), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyethylene terephthalate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), moulded pulp, cardboard or metal.

Preferably, a height of a container is smaller than a diameter of the container.

A diameter of the container may, for example, be between 3 times to 10 times larger than a height of the container. Preferably, a diameter is between 5 times to 8 times larger than a height of the container.

Preferably, the container is a can.

While the container is basically suitable to contain any solid product, the container preferably contains products of the food industry, the tobacco industry, the pharma industry or the cosmetics industry.

Preferably, the container contains nicotine containing oral products, for example oral pouches. The nicotine containing oral products may comprise tobacco. The nicotine containing products may be tobacco-free and not comprise tobacco. The nicotine containing products may comprise a carrier material carrying nicotine.

A container according to the invention may be realized in various variants. For example, a container may comprise a snap fastener and a haptic mechanism comprising a haptic rib or a group of haptic ribs interacting with a ratchet rib. In such containers, surmountable end stops or end stops may be omitted.

A container may comprise a snap fastener and a haptic mechanism comprising a haptic rib or a group of haptic ribs interacting with a ratchet rib, as well as a surmountable end stop arranged at one end of the gap in the ring element of the snap fastener.

A container may comprise a snap fastener and a haptic mechanism comprising a haptic rib or a group of haptic ribs interacting with a ratchet rib, as well as two surmountable end stops provided at opposite ends of the gap in the ring element of the snap fastener.

A container may comprise a snap fastener and a haptic mechanism comprising a haptic rib or a group of haptic ribs interacting with a ratchet rib, as well as an end stop. Such a container is openable by rotating the cover in one rotational direction only.

A container may comprise a snap fastener and a haptic mechanism comprising a haptic rib or a group of haptic ribs interacting with a ratchet rib, as well as an end stop and a surmountable end stop provided at opposite ends of the gap in the ring element of the snap fastener.

A container may comprise a snap fastener and a haptic mechanism comprising two haptic ribs or two groups of haptic ribs arranged at opposite ends of the gap in the ring element interacting with two ratchet ribs. Such a container may additionally be provided with one or two surmountable end stops, with one end stop only or with a surmountable end stop and an end stop provided at opposite ends of the gap in the ring element. Such a container is preferably provided with one or two ratchet ribs interacting with the one or two groups of haptic ribs.

If several gaps in the ring element are provided, each gap may be provided with one or two haptic elements and with one or two surmountable end stops or with one end stop or one end stop and one surmountable end stop.

Further combinations of the elements of the container as described above may be made, in particular combination of elements of the snap fastener, elements of the haptic mechanism and both kind of end stops. In particular, also containers comprising more than one snap element and with a ring element comprising more than one gap may be forseen with a haptic mechanism combined or not combined with any kind of end stops. For example, snap elements and ring sections formed by more than one gap may be arranged partially at the body portion and partially at the cover.

The invention is defined in the claims. However, below there is provided a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

Example Ex1 : A container comprising a body portion and a cover, wherein the container comprises a snap fastener for the body portion and the cover, wherein the snap fastener comprises a ring element comprising a gap and a snap element interacting with the ring element, and wherein the container further comprises a haptic mechanism indicating a release condition of the snap fastener where the cover is detachable from the body portion, wherein the haptic mechanism comprises a haptic rib arranged at the gap, and wherein the haptic element is arranged above or below the snap element when viewed in relation to a detach direction of the cover, when the snap fastener is in the snapped condition where the cover is undetachable from the body portion.

Example Ex2: The container according to example Ex1 , wherein the ring element is an interrupted circular rib.

Example Ex3: The container according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the snap element is an elongate protrusion.

Example Ex4: The container according to example Ex3, wherein the elongate protrusion is in the form of a rib or slide.

Example Ex5: The container according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the ring element is arranged at the body portion and the snap element is arranged at the cover.

Example Ex6: The container according to example Ex5, wherein the ring element is a radially outwardly protruding rib arranged at an upper region of a body portion side wall and the snap element is a radially inwardly directing protrusion at a cover side wall. Example Ex7: The container according to any one of examples Ex1 to Ex4, wherein the ring element is arranged at the cover and the snap element is arranged at the body portion.

Example Ex8: The container according to example Ex7, wherein the snap element is a radially outwardly directing protrusion at an upper region of a body portion side wall and the ring element is a radially inwardly protruding rib at a cover side wall.

Example Ex9: The container according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the haptic element comprises a haptic rib.

Example Ex10: The container according to example Ex9, wherein the haptic element comprises a group of haptic ribs.

Example Ex11 : The container according to example Ex10, wherein the group of haptic ribs comprises three to ten haptic ribs.

Example Ex12: The container according to any one of examples E10 to Ex11 , wherein the group of haptic ribs comprises five to eight haptic ribs.

Example Ex13: The container according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the haptic mechanism comprises a ratchet rib interacting with a haptic rib.

Example Ex14: The container according to example Ex13, wherein the ratchet rib and the haptic rib are arranged at different parts of the container.

Example Ex15: The container according to example Ex9 to Ex14, wherein the ratchet rib and the snap element are both arranged at the body portion or are both arranged at the cover of the container.

Example Ex16: The container according to any one of examples Ex10 to Ex15, wherein the ratchet rib is adapted to interact with the group of haptic ribs.

Example Ex17: The container according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the haptic element is arranged on the one side of the ring element opposite the snap element when the snap fastener is in the snapped condition where the cover is undetachable from the body portion

Example Ex18: The container according to any one of the preceding examples, further comprising a surmountable end stop configured to interact with the snap element so that the snap element can pass over the surmountable end stop for the snap fastener to be brought from the snapped condition where the cover is undetachable from the body portion to the release condition.

Example Ex19: The container according to example Ex18, wherein the surmountable end stop may be overcome by application of a release rotational force between cover and body portion.

Example Ex20: The container according to any one of examples Ex18 to Ex19, wherein the container comprises two surmountable end stops, each surmountable end stop arranged at an opposite end of the gap. Example Ex21 : The container according to any one of examples Ex18 to Ex20, wherein the haptic element is arranged at one side of the ring element and the surmountable end stop is arranged at an opposite side of the ring element.

Example Ex22: The container according to any one of the preceding examples, comprising two haptic elements, each haptic element arranged at an opposite end of the gap.

Example Ex23: The container according to any one of the preceding examples, comprising an end stop for the snap element allowing mutual rotation of the cover and the body portion in one direction only in the snapped condition of the snap fastener.

Example Ex24: The container according to any one of the preceding examples, comprising two or more gaps in the ring element and two or more snap elements.

Example Ex25: The container according to example Ex24, comprising a same number of gaps in the ring element and of snap elements.

Example Ex26: The container according to any one of examples Ex24 to Ex25, where the two or more gaps and two or more snap element are regularly arranged along a circumference of the container.

Example Ex27: The container according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein a rim portion of the body portion and the cover are arranged in a sealed manner in a closed state of the container, in particular in the snapped condition of the snap fastener.

Example Ex28: The container according to example Ex27, wherein an inner side wall of the cover comprises a circumferentially running sealing shoulder in abutment with an outer rim portion of the body portion in a closed state of the container, in particular in the snapped condition of the snap fastener.

Example Ex29: The container according to any one of examples Ex27 to Ex28, wherein the cover comprises push elements for pushing the rim portion of the body portion against the cover in the closed state of the container, in particular in the snapped condition of the snap fastener.

Example Ex30: The container according to any one of the preceding examples, comprising a second compartment.

Example Ex31 : The container according to example Ex30, wherein the second compartment is arranged in the cover.

Example Ex32: The container according to any one of examples Ex30 to Ex31 , wherein the cover comprises a lid, and wherein the second compartment is accessible by opening the lid.

Example Ex33: The container according to example Ex32, wherein the lid is permanently attached to the cover.

Example Ex34: The container according to example Ex32, wherein the lid is removable from the cover. Example Ex35: The container according to any one of examples Ex32 to Ex34, wherein the lid forms part of a top wall of the cover.

Example Ex36: The container according to any one of the preceding examples, comprising an indicator indicating a release position of the snap fastener.

Example Ex37: The container according to example Ex36, wherein indicator elements are arranged at the cover and at the body portion.

Example Ex38: The container according to example Ex37, wherein an indicator element of the cover and an indicator element of the body portion are in alignment in a release condition of the snap fastener.

Example Ex39: The container according to any one of examples Ex36 to Ex38, wherein the indicator is an optical indicator.

Example Ex40: The container according to any one of examples Ex36 to Ex39, wherein the indicator is a haptic indicator.

Example Ex41 : The container according to any one of examples Ex36 to Ex40, wherein the indicator comprises a grip element facilitating grip of the container.

Example Ex42: The container according to any one of the examples Ex36 to Ex41 , wherein a same number of indicator elements are arranged on the cover as a number of gaps provided in the ring element.

Example Ex43: The container according to any one of the preceding examples, comprising or being made of plastics materials, cellulose materials or metal.

Example Ex44: The container according to example Ex43, comprising polypropylene (PP), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyethylene terephthalate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), moulded pulp, cardboard or metal.

Example Ex45: The container according to any one of examples Ex43 to Ex44, being made of polypropylene (PP), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyethylene terephthalate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), moulded pulp, cardboard or metal.

Example Ex46: The container according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein a height of the container is smaller than a diameter of the container.

Example Ex47: The container according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein a diameter is between 3 times to 10 times larger than a height of the container.

Example Ex48: The container according to example Ex47, wherein the diameter is between 5 times to 8 times larger than the height of the container.

Example Ex49: The container according to any one of the preceding examples being a can.

Example Ex50: The container according to any one of the preceding examples containing nicotine containing oral products.

Example Ex51 : The container according to example Ex50, wherein the nicotine containing oral products are oral pouches. Example Ex52: The container according to any one of examples Ex50 to Ex51 , wherein the nicotine containing oral products comprise tobacco.

Example Ex53: The container according to any one of examples Ex50 to Ex51 , wherein the nicotine containing oral products do not comprise tobacco.

Examples will now be further described with reference to the figures in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a container;

Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a container, for example of Fig. 1 ;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the inside of a cover of a container;

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a body portion of a container;

Figure 5 shows a detail of a partial cross section of a closure of a container;

Figure 6 shows a detail of the inside of the cover of Fig. 3;

Figure 7 shows a transparent view of a closed container;

Figure 8 shows a detail of the body portion of Fig. 4 and Fig. 7; and

Figure 9 shows examples of end stops.

Fig. 1 shows a container 1 in the form of a can comprising a body portion 10 and a cover 11 mounted on the body portion 10.

The container 1 represents a can and has a circular cross section and rounded edges. The diameter of the container 1 is about three times the height of the container 1. The container 1 is preferably made of a plastic material, paper or cardboard or a combination of paper, cardboard and plastic material.

The cover 11 comprises a lid 110. The lid 110 may be opened at an opening section 111 to provide access to a waste compartment (not seen in Fig. 1) provided in the cover 11 .

The cover 11 as well as the body portion 10 are provided with indicator elements 112, in Fig.1 in the form of painted arrows. When the indicator element 112 of cover 11 and body portion 10 are in alignment with each other, the container 1 is in an openable state, where the cover 11 may be lifted from the body portion 10 by a linear movement in a release direction of the cover 11. The container 1 comprises a child resistance feature in the form of snap fastener and assessment aids that will be described in more detail below.

Fig. 2 shows a cross-section through a container 1 , for example of the container of Fig. 1 . The compartment 13 formed by the body portion 10 is provided to contain a product, for example an oral nicotine containing product such as oral pouches.

The cover 11 is attached to the body portion 10 by a snap fastener arranged between the cover 11 and the body portion 10. The snap fastener is formed by an interrupted circumferentially running rib 30 arranged at the outer surface of an upper portion of the body portion 10 and radially extending from said upper portion. The circumferentially running rib 30 interacts with at least one snap element 20 formed as a protrusion extending radially inwardly from the inner surface of the side wall 114 of the cover 11 . The rib 30 has a smooth slanted top side for the snap element 20 to glide along the rib 30 when the cover 11 is pushed downwards onto the body portion 10 in a snap direction. The lower side of the rib 30 forms an undercut, a substantially planar side of the rib 30 essentially parallel to a top wall 115 of the cover 11 , such that the snap element 20 is in a locked position under the rib 30 in the snapped condition of the snap fastener.

The inside of the body portion 10 forms a first compartment for holding the user products, for example oral pouches. The cover 11 comprises a second, waste compartment 12, for example, for used products such as used oral pouches, to be stored in the waste compartment 12. The waste compartment 12 is closed by the lid 110 and accessible by opening the lid 110. The lid 110 is preferably removable from the cover 11 to access the waste compartment 12. However, the lid 110 may also be permanently connected to the cover 11 , for example by a hinge. The bottom 113 of the waste compartment 112 is arranged parallel to the bottom of the body portion 10.

In the perspective views of Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the inside of a cover 11 comprising two snap elements 20 (encircled in Fig. 3) to be able to form a snap fastener with the interrupted circumferentially running rib 30 at the body portion (Fig. 4) is shown.

In Fig. 3 it may be seen that two snap elements 20 are arranged opposite each other, at 0/360 degree and at 180 degree at the inside of the circumference of the side wall 114 of the cover 11. The snap elements 20 are in the form of elongate protrusions extending from and along the inside of the side wall 114 of the cover 11 .

The cover 11 comprises four push elements 50 arranged regularly at 90 degree circumferentially displaced and at the inside of the top wall 115 of the cover 11. The circumferential extension of the push elements 50 is slightly larger, for example 2 millimeter, than the circumferential extension of the snap elements 20. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3 the circumferential extension of snap element 20 and push element 50 is about 8 millimeter to 15 millimeter. The push elements 50 facilitate an alignment of cover 11 and body portion 10 by guiding the upper rim 100 of the body portion 10 upon assembling of cover 11 and body portion 10. In addition, the push elements 50 push the upper rim 100 of the body portion 10 against the circumferentially running shoulder 51 of the cover side wall 114. This ensures a contact area along the circumference between cover 11 and body portion 10, particularly at the regions where the upper rim 100 of body portion 10 is clamped between the push elements 50 and the shoulder 51 , to seal the container 1 and to minimize a moisture uptake and moisture loss of products in the body portion 10. These features may also be seen in the detailed view of Fig. 5. In Fig. 5 the snapped condition of snap element 20 with circumferential rib 30, push element 50 with shoulder 51 is shown in an enlarged view.

The cover 11 in the embodiment shown in Fig. 3 comprises a ratchet rib 40. The ratchet rib 40 is a short rib extending vertically along and protruding radially from the inside of the side wall 114 of the cover 11. The ratchet rib 40 is circumferentially aligned with one end of the snap element 20 but arranged above the snap element 20 and also above and adjacent the circumferentially running rib 30, when the snap fastener is in the snapped condition. The ratchet rib 40 is provided for interacting with a group of haptic ribs 41 arranged at the body portion 10 as may be seen in Fig. 4. The alignment of the ratchet rib 40 with the snap element 20 guarantees that the snap element 20 is or comes to the release condition of the snap fastener when the ratchet rib 40 has passed the corresponding haptic element on the body portion 10 and provided an according haptic feedback, as will be shown further below.

Alignment of snap element 20 and ratchet rib 40 is shown in the detailed view of a part of the cover 11 in Fig 6.

In the body portion 10 as shown in Fig. 4, the circumferentially running rib 30 is interrupted by four gaps 31. The gaps 31 are spaced apart and arranged regularly at 90 degrees displaced in the circumferentially running rib 30. The four gaps 31 represent four release conditions of the snap fastener, where the cover 11 may be removed, i.e. lifted, from the body portion 10, as soon as the snap elements 20 of the cover 11 are circumferentially brought into alignment with the gaps 31 . The provision of four gaps 31 reduces a maximum rotation of the cover 11 required to open the container 1 down to 90 degrees.

In order for the body portion of Fig. 4 to form a container 1 with the cover 11 of Fig. 3, the body portion 10 might be provided with two gaps 31 only, spaced by 180 degrees. In such embodiments, a maximum rotation for opening the container 1 would be 180 degrees. In other embodiments, accordingly, the cover 11 shown in Fig. 3 could be provided with four snap elements 20 circumferentially spaced by 90 degrees along the inner side wall of the cover.

As may be seen in Fig. 4, a haptic element in the form of a group of haptic ribs 41 is arranged close to the gap 31 and above but adjacent the circumferentially running rib 30. For example, the group of haptic ribs 41 is circumferentially distanced from the gap 31 by a few millimeters, for example 1 to 5 millimeter. However, the group of haptic ribs 41 may also be exactly aligned with the one end of the gap 31.

Below the circumferentially running rib 30 and on the opposite side of the group of haptic ribs 41 , an end stop 45,46 is provided on each side of the gap 31 . The end stops 45,46 are arranged flush with the circumferentially running rib 30 below the gap 31 on the lower side of the circumferentially running rib 30.

The end stop 46 arranged at the end of the gap 31 , which is opposite to the side of the gap provided with the group of haptic ribs 41 , is preferably embodied as end stop for the snap element 20. The snap element 20 in the snapped condition of the snap fastener is arranged below the rib 30 and may glide circumferentially below the circumferentially running rib 30 when cover 11 and body portion 10 are rotated against each other. When the snap element 20 abuts the end stop 46, the cover may not further rotate. By the end stop 46 of Fig. 4, a rotation of the cover 11 is limited to a clockwise direction. The end stop 45, arranged on the same side of the gap 31 as the group of haptic ribs 41 , is formed as surmountable end stop. Thus, by application of a sufficient force, the snap element 20 may surmount the surmountable end stop 45 and may be brought into the release condition of the snap fastener where the cover 11 may be removed from the body portion 10. The cover 11 may be lifted from the body portion 20 along a linear release direction.

End stops 45,46 and group of haptic ribs 41 are indicated in Fig. 4 at one gap 31 only. However, it becomes clear from the description, that a group of haptic ribs and end stops 46 and surmountable end stops 45 may be arranged at one, two, several or all gaps 31 provided in a circumferentially running rib 30.

The cover 11 of Fig. 3 and 5 is provided with grips 155 at its external side. The grips 155 are four groups of grooves arranged equidistantly along the rounded edge of the cover 11 . Two of the grips 155 are arranged at the same position external to the cover 11 as the snap elements 20 are arranged internal to the cover 11. By this, the two oppositely arranged grip elements 155 are also indicators, optically and haptically indicating a release position of the snap fastener of the container 1.

In the transparent view of a container of Fig. 7, the snap fastener of the container 1 is still in the snapped condition. However, by turning the cover 11 in a clockwise direction, the ratchet rib 40 of the cover 11 has passed the group of haptic ribs 41 of the body portion 10 and the snap element 20 of the cover 11 is abutting the surmountable end stop 45 at the body portion 10. The grip element 155 as well as the haptic and acoustic feedback from the ratchet formed by ratchet rib 40 and group of haptic ribs 41 indicates a user that the container 1 is close to its release position. By further turning the cover 11 in the clockwise direction and bringing up a release force in order for the snap element 20 to surmount the surmountable end stop 45, the snap fastener may be brought into its release position and the container may be opened by lifting the cover 11 from the body portion 10.

When seen in circumferential direction the haptic and acoustic effect generated by the ratchet formed by the group of haptic ribs 41 and interacting ratchet rib 40 and by the surmountable end stop 45 interacting with the snap element 20, are arranged in series or rather the according elements are arranged to generate a serial haptic and acoustic effect. The effect of the surmountable end stop 45 starts, when the ratchet rib 40 has passed the haptic rib closest to the gap 31 and the haptic and acoustic ratchet effect has ended.

In Fig 8, the gap 31 region of the body portion 10 of the container 1 is shown in more detail. In particular, the position and form of the group of haptic ribs 41 and of the end stop 46 and surmountable end stop 45 may be seen. The group of haptic ribs 41 and the end stops 45,46 are arranged respectively above and below the circumferentially running rib 30 and directly adjacent to the circumferentially running rib 30. The haptic ribs 41 , the circumferentially running rib 30 and the end stops 45,46 may be integrally formed with the body portion 10. In Fig. 9 several embodiments of surmountable end stops 45 or combined end stops with surmountable end stops are shown.

An end stop 45 is provided with an abutment wall 461 that directs perpendicular from an object surface 101 , for example a body portion outer wall or a cover side wall 114. Thus, an abutment wall 461 for the snap element 20 extends by a stop angle 460 of about 90 degrees from an according surface. In the embodiment of Fig. 8 the end stops 45,46 extend from the outer surface of the body portion 10 side wall. A snap element 20 may be rotated until it abuts the abutment surface 461. No further rotation in said direction is possible and thus it is not possible to bring a cover 11 in a release position of the snap fastener by rotating the cover 11 in said rotational direction.

If the abutment surface 451 includes a surmountable angle 450 of more than 90 degree, preferably about 100 to 150 degree, a snap element 20 may glide on the surmountable abutment surface and surmount the surmountable end stop 45. Surmounting a surmountable end stop 45 by the snap element 20 may generate an acoustic and haptic effect.

The surmountable end stop 45 provides a further security mechanism against unauthorized opening of the container 1. An authorized user knows either by an indicator provided on the container or by a haptic mechanism, for example a ratchet possibly combined by a surmountable end stop 45, when and how to open the container 1.

The arrows 455,466,456 on the right-hand side of Fig. 9 indicate a counter-clockwise opening direction 455 only if a cover provided with the uppermost end stop 45 as shown in Fig. 9, a clockwise direction 466 only if provided with the end stop shown in the middle of Fig. 9, and in both rotation directions 456 if provided with a surmountable end stop 45 as shown in the lowermost drawing of Fig. 9, having two surmountable abutment walls 451 with according surmountable angles 450 of about 105 degrees.

It becomes clear from the invention as described, for example, as shown in the embodiment in Fig. 8, that the respective end stops are provided at one or both ends of the gap 31 in order to allow a snap element 20 to pass or to insurmountably abut the respective end stop before the snap element 20 reaches the gap 31 .

The terms ‘above’ or ‘below’ in the shown container are understood in a release or detach direction of cover and body portion or with respect to a common position of the container, thus cover forming the top of the container and body portion forming the bottom of the container.

The container has been illustrated with the example of snap element and ratchet rib arranged at an inner side wall of the cover and ring element with gap and group of haptic ribs arranged at an outer side wall of the body portion of the container. However, a ring element may also be arranged at the inner side wall of the cover and the corresponding snap element(s) at an outer side wall of the body portion. Also the elements of the haptic mechanism may basically be selected as desired, for example, a group of haptic ribs may be arranged at an inner side wall of the cover and a interacting ratchet rib at the outer side wall of the body portion, for example flush with a gap in a ring element or provided above or below but in a release direction of a cover aligned with a snap element. The position of the elements of the snap fastener and of the haptic mechanism may be adapted accordingly.

Exemplary data for the cover 11 are:

Diameter 35-85 mm, for example 70; Height: 4-35 mm, for example 9 mm.

Exemplary data for the lid 110 are:

Diameter 30-70 mm, for example 62; Height: 3.5-9 mm.

Exemplary data for the body portion 10 are:

Diameter 30-80 mm, for example 70; Height: 10-35 mm, for example 22 mm.

Exemplary materials for the container 1 are: polypropylene (PP), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), moulded pulp.

For the purpose of the present description and of the appended claims, except where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, quantities, percentages, and so forth, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about". Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein. In this context, therefore, a number A is understood as A ± 10% of A. Within this context, a number A may be considered to include numerical values that are within general standard error for the measurement of the property that the number A modifies. The number A, in some instances as used in the appended claims, may deviate by the percentages enumerated above provided that the amount by which A deviates does not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed invention. Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein.

Claims

1. A container comprising a body portion for storing consumer goods and a cover for covering the body portion, wherein the container comprises a snap fastener for the body portion and the cover, wherein the snap fastener comprises a ring element comprising a gap and a snap element interacting with the ring element, and wherein the container further comprises a haptic mechanism indicating a release condition of the snap fastener where the cover is detachable from the body portion, wherein the haptic mechanism comprises a haptic element arranged at the gap, and wherein the haptic element is arranged above or below the snap element when viewed in relation to a detach direction of the cover, when the snap fastener is in a snapped condition where the cover is undetachable from the body portion.

2. The container according to claim 1 , wherein the ring element is an interrupted circular rib.

3. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the snap element is an elongate protrusion.

4. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ring element is arranged at the body portion and the snap element is arranged at the cover.

5. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the haptic element comprises a haptic rib.

6. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the haptic mechanism comprises a ratchet rib interacting with the haptic element.

7. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the haptic element is arranged on the one side of the ring element opposite the snap element when the snap fastener is in the snapped condition.

8. The container according to any of preceding claims, further comprising a surmountable end stop configured to interact with the snap element so that the snap element can pass over the surmountable end stop for the snap fastener to be brought from the snapped condition to the release condition.

9. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising two haptic elements, each haptic element arranged at an opposite end of the gap.

10. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an end stop for the snap element allowing mutual rotation of the cover and the body portion in one direction only in the snapped condition of the snap fastener.

11. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an inner side wall of the cover comprises a circumferentially running sealing shoulder in abutment with an outer rim portion of the body portion in a closed state of the container, in particular in the snapped condition of the snap fastener.

12. The container according to claim 11 , wherein the cover comprises push elements for pushing the rim portion of the body portion against the cover in the closed state of the container, in particular in the snapped condition of the snap fastener.

13. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a second compartment.

14. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an indicator indicating a release position of the snap fastener.

15. The container according to claim 14, wherein the indicator is an optical indicator.