EP4617183A1

EP4617183A1 - Packaging for a consumer good

Info

Publication number: EP4617183A1
Application number: EP24169532.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Yin Liang OUYANG
Original assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Current assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Priority date: 2024-03-11
Filing date: 2024-04-10
Publication date: 2025-09-17
Also published as: CN120621899A

Abstract

Packaging (10) for receiving a consumer good (100). The packaging comprises a first portion, a second portion, and a removable portion. The packaging (10) is moveable from a first configuration (C1), in which the first portion (12) and the second portion (14) are retained together by the removable portion (16) such that the first portion (12) and the second portion (14) of the packaging (10) define a closed receptacle (R) for receiving the consumer good (100). The packaging can then be moved from this first configuration (C1) to a second configuration (C2), in which the removable portion (16) is detached from at least one of the first portion and the second portion. From there, the first portion and the second portion can slide relative to each other, to a third configuration (C3), in which the first portion (12) is separated from the second portion (14) such that the receptacle (R) is exposed, such that the consumer good (100) can then be removed from the receptacle (R).

Description

Field

The present disclosure relates to packaging for a consumer good, such as a consumer good relating to aerosol provision systems (including components therefrom, such as a consumable comprising a reservoir containing aerosolisable material which is configured to be aerosolised by the aerosol provision system in use to generate an aerosol for inhalation by the user), or a consumable comprising a fresh product, such as chewing tobacco, snus, or oral products.

Background

There currently existing packaging for accommodating a consumer good in a way that allows the consumer good to be stored (e.g. in a shop) prior to their use/purchase by the end user.
A potential drawback of existing packaging in the above respect is that it can often be challenging to know whether the packaging has been opened or not, unless some form of additional layer is added to the packaging as a whole, such as for example a [transparent] outer plastic film layer which is then layered over the packaging.
Various approaches are described herein which seek to help address or mitigate some of the issues discussed above, by providing packaging which obviates the need for such an outer plastic film layer.

Summary

According to a first aspect of certain embodiments there is provided packaging for receiving a consumer good, the packaging comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a removable portion; wherein the packaging is moveable:

from a first configuration, in which the first portion and the second portion are retained together by the removable portion which is attached to both the first portion and the second portion, such that the first portion and the second portion of the packaging define a closed receptacle for receiving the consumer good;
to a second configuration, in which the removable portion is detached from at least one of the first portion and the second portion, such that the first portion and the second portion of the packaging still define the closed receptacle for receiving the consumer good;
wherein the first portion and the second portion of the packaging are configured to slide relative to each other, from the second configuration of the packaging, to a third configuration of the packaging in which the first portion is separated from the second portion such that the receptacle is exposed.

According to a second aspect of certain embodiments there is provided a method of packaging a consumer good within packaging, the packaging comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a removable portion; wherein the method comprises:

inserting the consumer good into a receptacle, for receiving the consumer good, from the packaging, wherein the receptacle is at least partially defined by the first portion of the packaging;
sliding the second portion of the packaging relative to, and towards, the first portion of the packaging, such that the receptacle is closed and is defined by the first and second portions of the packaging, and such that the consumer good is located within the receptacle; and
retaining the first portion and the second portion of the packaging together by having the removable portion attached to both the first portion and the second portion of the packaging.

According to a third aspect of certain embodiments there is provided a method of removing a consumer good which is located within the receptacle of the packaging according to the first aspect, the method comprising:

detaching the removable portion from at least one of the first portion and the second portion such to move the packaging from the first configuration to the second configuration;
sliding the first portion of the packaging relative to the second portion of the packaging to separate the first portion from the second portion, and such to expose the receptacle from the packaging in which the consumer good is located; and
removing the consumer good from the receptacle of the packaging.

It will be appreciated that features and aspects of the invention described above in relation to the various aspects of the invention are equally applicable to, and may be combined with, embodiments of the invention according to other aspects of the invention as appropriate, and not just in the specific combinations described herein.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1A represents packaging with a removable portion, and when in a first configuration, in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure;
Figure 1B represents the packaging from Figure 1A being moved from the first configuration towards a second configuration in which the removable portion is detached, in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure; and
Figure 2 represents the packaging from Figures 1A and 1B, when in a third configuration, and which shows a variety of consumers goods which might be employable with the packaging, in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure.

Detailed Description

Aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments are discussed / described herein. Some aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments may be implemented conventionally and these are not discussed / described in detail in the interests of brevity. It will thus be appreciated that aspects and features of apparatus and methods discussed herein which are not described in detail may be implemented in accordance with any conventional techniques for implementing such aspects and features.
The present disclosure relates to packaging 10 for receiving a consumer good 100. It is envisaged that the present packaging may have application to any required consumer good 100. Particular examples of consumer goods 100 might take the form of an aerosol provision system 100A, and/or a consumable (cartridge) for such an aerosol provision system 100A, wherein the consumable comprises a reservoir containing aerosolisable material. The consumer good equally could comprise a fresh product 101, such as chewing tobacco, snus, or oral products. By the term oral products, this may be understood as comprising oral products which are made or derived from tobacco, which incorporate tobacco, or which are tobacco-free, and are intended for human consumption. Such oral products may also be understood as including oral products which comprise nicotine, in some embodiments.
The packaging 10 comprises a first portion 12, a second portion 14, and a removable portion 16. At a general level, the packaging is moveable from a first configuration C1 (shown in the Figure 1A), in which the first portion 12 and the second portion 14 are retained together by the removable portion 16 which is attached to both the first portion 12 and the second portion 14, such that the first portion 12 and the second portion 14 of the packaging 10 define a closed receptacle R for receiving the consumer good 100.
In this way, the packaging 10 is then moveable/transformable to a second configuration C2 (as shown in Figure 1B), in which the removable portion 16 is detached from at least one (or both) of the first portion 12 and the second portion 14, such that the first portion 12 and the second portion 14 of the packaging still define the closed receptacle for receiving the consumer good 100. From this second configuration C2, the first portion 12 and the second portion 14 of the packaging 100 are then configured to slide relative to each other, from the second configuration C2 of the packaging 10, to a third configuration C3 of the packaging 10 (as shown in Figure 2) in which the first portion 12 is separated from the second portion 14 such that the receptacle R is exposed. From here, this then allows the consumer good 100 to be removed from the receptacle R of the packaging 10, for subsequent use by the end user, as required.
At a general level therefore, the provision of such packaging 10 allows the consumer good 100 to be accommodated within the packaging 10 initially in a way that allows the consumer to easily discern whether the packaging has been opened or not, by looking at whether the removable portion 16 is unopened/detached or not. The packaging 10 also assists in preserving the security of the consumer good, by ensuring it is retained within the receptacle R just until use.
Turning to the shape of each of the first 12 and second portions 14, it may be appreciated that these may be shaped to accommodate the shape of whatever consumer good 100 is typically intended to be used with the packaging 10. In some general embodiments therefore, the first portion 12 may comprise a base portion 20, and the second portion may additionally/alternatively comprises a lid portion 22. Particularly for consumer goods 100 which are elongate, such as the consumer goods 100 shown in Figure 2, the packaging 100 in some embodiments may be tubular, and/or such that it defines a cylindrical shape, whilst the packaging 10 is in the first configuration C1. Such shapes are as shown in the embodiment of packaging shown in the Figures, where the packaging 10 is shown as also having a circular cross-section, and where the cylindrical shape comprises a first, closed, end 12A which is defined by the first portion 12; and a second, closed, end 14A which is defined by the second portion 14.
To help improve the security of the consumer good 100 within the receptacle R whilst the packaging 10 is in the first configuration C1, in some embodiments one of the first portion 12 and the second portion 14 may be configured to be at least partially located between the removable portion 16 and the receptacle R, whilst the packaging 10 is in the first configuration C1. This can be seen with reference to the embodiment shown in Figure 1B, where a portion 24 of the first portion 12 is located between the removable portion 16 and the receptacle R, whilst the packaging 10 is in the first configuration C1. In this way, even if the removable portion 16 is then partially, but not entirely, detached from at least one (or both) of the first portion 12 and the second portion 14 (as shown in Figure 1B), the portion 24 still prevents ingress into the receptacle R in this state.
Whilst in the first configuration C1, an outer surface 26 of the first portion 12, and an outer surface 28 of the second portion 14, may in some embodiments be configured to be flush with each other. In such embodiments, the removable portion 16 may equally comprise an outer surface 30 which is configured to be flush with the outer surface 26 of the first portion 12 and the outer surface 28 of the second portion 24 whilst the packaging is in the first configuration C1. By virtue of such flush arrangements, this better prevents the removable portion 16 from being inadvertently snagged/opened accidentally, as can be seen with reference to the embodiment from Figure 1A. Such flush surfaces also then tie in with the user being able to more easily tell if the packaging 10 has been tampered with in any way, in so far as if the surfaces are not then flush, this may be indicative of such tampering. Phrasing this differently, it may be such that the removable portion 16 is located in a recessed position between the first portion 12 and the second portion 14, as shown in Figure 1A for example, in the first configuration C1 of the packaging 10.
Aside from such surfaces being flush, tampering may also be evident to the extent that the outer surface 30 of the removable portion 16 is configured to be adjacent to each of the outer surface 26 of the first portion 12 and the outer surface 28 of the second portion 14 whilst the packaging 10 is in the first configuration C1. Such tampering may also be more easily evident where the removable portion 16 is configured to be located adjacent to an end 14B of the second portion 14 whilst the packaging 10 is in the first configuration C1. So in such embodiments, if the relevant surfaces are not then adjacent to each other, this may facilitate a deduction of tampering. This deduction may also be achieved to the extent that the removable portion 16 is located between the first portion 12 and the second portion 14 whilst the packaging is in the first configuration C1, to the extent this then turns out not to be the case later on.
Turning to the removable portion 16, it may be appreciated that the removable portion 16 may take several forms, as required, so long as it achieves its underlying purposes of a) retaining the first portion 12 and the second portion 14 together whilst the packaging is in the first configuration C1; and b) is detachable/removable (at least to some extent) to allow the packaging to then move/shift to its second configuration C2.
Conceptually therefore, potential embodiments might include the removable portion 16 comprising a hook-and-loop mechanism; an adhesive strip; adhesive; a sticker; stitching; and/or a seal (such as a wax seal, in a more limited embodiment) which is attached to both the first portion 12 and second portion 14. Particularly in some more limited embodiments where the packaging 10 is configured to be irreversibly moveable from the first configuration C1 to the second configuration C2, such to then better prevent any tampering from being covered up after it has occurred, the removable portion 16 in some embodiments may take the form of a tear strip 16A (or perhaps the seal as noted above). In this way, once the removable portion 16 is then detached from at least one (or both) of the first portion 12 and the second portion 14, it is not possible to then reattach the removable portion 16. This can be seen with reference to the embodiments shown in the Figures, where once the removable portion 16 - in the form of a tear strip 16A - is detached from either (or both) of the first portion 12 and the second portion 14, it is not then possible for the user to reattach the removable portion 16 back to both the first portion 12 and the second portion 14. By this, it is to be understood that such reattachment is not then possible via the use of the user's hands alone, i.e. not without the use of some other tool/implement, such as glue, or a stapler.
To the extent that the removable portion 16 comprises a tear strip 16A, the tear strip may be initially held in place by being adhered into position, for instance using adhesive. This then locates the tear strip 16A in position, whilst the packaging 10 is in the first configuration C1. For facilitating the detachment of the tear strip 12A from this first configuration, in some embodiments the packaging 10 may then comprise one or more fault zones 34;36, such as a first fault zone 34 which is between the first portion 12 and the removable portion 16, and/or a second fault zone 36 between the second portion 14 and the removable portion 16. In the context of the embodiments shown in the Figures, and potentially other embodiments, each fault zone 34;36 may comprise an array/line of holes in the packaging 10 (adjacent to the removable portion 16), to facilitate the detachment of the removable portion 16. Though rather than an array/line of holes, other forms of weakness could appreciably be employed, such as through the fault zone defining a crease line, or a line of reduced thickness, in the packaging 10, for facilitating the detachment of the removable portion 16.
Whether the removable portion 16 comprises a tear strip 16A or not, the removable portion in some embodiments may extend around the receptacle R whilst the packaging 10 is in the first configuration C1.This may facilitate security of the receptacle R about multiple angular positions around the receptacle R whilst the packaging 10 is in the first configuration C1.
In terms of how the packaging 10 may be configured to move from the second configuration C2 to the third configuration C3, a convenient movement (as shown in the embodiments relating to the Figures at least) may be such that first portion 12 and the second portion 14 of the packaging 10 are configured to telescopically slide relative to each other, from the second configuration C2 of the packaging 10, to the third configuration C3 of the packaging 10. This can be seen in Figure 2, for example, where such telescopic movement is indicated by the arrow M (which also coincides with the longitudinal axis L of the packaging). Phrasing this differently, such telescopic movement may be achieved through the second portion 14 being configured to at least partially cover the first portion 12 whilst the packaging is in the first or second configuration C1;C2, as can be seen with reference to the Figures for example.
Turning to the materials used for the packaging, particularly where the packaging is configured to be single-use, it may be such that the packaging 10 (or any combination of the first portion 12, the second portion 14, and/or the removable portion 16) in some embodiments may be made out of cardboard or paper. This may also facilitate the recyclability of the packaging 10. Appreciably however, other materials may be used for the packaging, such as plastic or metal.
From the foregoing disclosure therefore it may be seen that also provided herein is a method of removing a consumer good 100 which is located within the receptacle R of the packaging 10 described above, wherein the method comprises detaching the removable portion 16 from at least one of the first portion 12 and the second portion 14 such to move the packaging 10 from the first configuration C1 to the second configuration C2. From here, the method may then comprise sliding the first portion 12 of the packaging 10 relative to the second portion 14 of the packaging 10 (e.g. sliding/moving the second portion 14 away from the first portion 12) to separate the first portion 12 from the second portion 14, and such to expose the receptacle R from the packaging 10 in which the consumer good 100 is located. In this way, and once the receptacle R is exposed, the method may then comprise removing the consumer good 100 from the receptacle R of the packaging 10, to allow the consumer good to then be used by the end user, as required.
In accordance with such methods, it may be the case that the consumer good 100 does not move relative to the first portion 12, as the first portion 12 of the packaging 10 slides relative to the second portion 14 from the second configuration C2 to the third configuration C3. This can be seen with respect to Figure 2, where the first potion (and its receptacle R) may be stationary whilst the second (lid) portion 14 is lifted/slid off from the first portion 12. In this way as well, it may be seen as well that once the receptacle R is exposed, it may be such that removing the consumer good from the receptacle R of the packaging 10 may comprise moving the consumer good 100 in a same direction M1 as the direction M of the second portion 14 of the packaging 10 moved as the packaging 10 was moved from the second configuration C2 to the third configuration C3.
For helping to facilitate removal of the consumer good 100 from the receptacle R once the receptacle R is exposed, it may be such that the consumer good 100 comprises a longitudinal axis L_c which is aligned with the longitudinal axis L of the packaging 10, whilst the consumer good is located within the receptacle R of the packaging in the first (or second) configuration C1. Related to this, it may also be such that the consumer good 100 has a length L1 that is greater than the length L2 of the second portion 14. In this way, at least a portion of the consumer good 100 will still be retained within the receptacle R, even when the receptacle R is exposed and when the second portion 14 has been removed from the first portion 12, to better prevent the consumer good 100 from simply falling out of the packaging 10 as soon as the second portion 14 has been removed from the first portion 12.
Related to this as well, and for better gripping/retaining the consumer good 100 within the receptacle R whilst the packaging is in the first and/or second configurations C1;C2, the receptacle R in accordance with some embodiments may comprise a gripping portion 50 which is configured for gripping the consumer good 100 within the receptacle. Such a gripping portion 50, for example, could comprise a gripping insert, or one or more gripping splines 52, within the receptacle R, which is shaped to match a portion of the shape of the consumable good 100, and/or could comprise a releasable portion within the receptacle which is configured to releasably grip the consumer good 100 within the receptacle R.
In terms of how the consumable may be initially accommodated within the packaging, for instance at the point for manufacture/pre-sale, i.e. in a position where the first portion 12 is initially separate from the second portion 14 such that the two portions are not attached to each other via the removable portion 16, for instance as per the position as shown in Figure 2, it is envisaged that this might be achieved through the consumer good 100 being initially inserted into the receptacle R. In this way, the second portion 14 of the packaging may then move/slide relative to, and towards, the first portion 12 of the packaging 10, such that the receptacle R is then closed and defined by the first and second portions 12; 14 of the packaging 10, and such that the consumer good is located within the receptacle R.
From here, the first portion 12 and the second portion 14 may be then retained together by having the removable portion 16 attached to both the first portion 12 and the second portion 14 of the packaging. In the case of this removable portion 16 being a tear strip 16A, at least a portion of the tear strip 16A could be adhered to the first portion 12 and/or the second portion 14, for example using an adhesive, to yield packaging in the first configuration C1 as shown in Figure 1A. In this way, this packaging may then [irreversibly] proceed/move back to its second configuration C2, as described above, by the user then detaching the removable portion 16 from at least one of the first portion 12 and the second portion 14 as shown in the progression between Figures 1A-2, and as described previously.
Appreciating the foregoing, there has accordingly been described packaging for receiving a consumer good, the packaging comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a removable portion; wherein the packaging is moveable:

There has also been described a method of packaging a consumer good within packaging, the packaging comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a removable portion; wherein the method comprises:

There has also been described a method of removing a consumer good which is located within the receptacle of any of the packaging described above, the method comprising:

There has also been described packaging (10) for receiving a consumer good (100). The packaging comprises a first portion, a second portion, and a removable portion. The packaging (10) is moveable from a first configuration (C1), in which the first portion (12) and the second portion (14) are retained together by the removable portion (16) such that the first portion (12) and the second portion (14) of the packaging (10) define a closed receptacle (R) for receiving the consumer good (100). The packaging can then be moved from this first configuration (C1) to a second configuration (C2), in which the removable portion (16) is detached from at least one of the first portion and the second portion. From there, the first portion and the second portion can slide relative to each other, to a third configuration (C3), in which the first portion (12) is separated from the second portion (14) such that the receptacle (R) is exposed, such that the consumer good (100) can then be removed from the receptacle (R).
In order to address various issues and advance the art, this disclosure shows by way of illustration various embodiments in which the claimed invention(s) may be practiced. The advantages and features of the disclosure are of a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. They are presented only to assist in understanding and to teach the claimed invention(s). It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects of the disclosure are not to be considered limitations on the disclosure as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claims. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. other than those specifically described herein, and it will thus be appreciated that features of the dependent claims may be combined with features of the independent claims in combinations other than those explicitly set out in the claims. For instance, any of the dependent claims relating to independent claim 1 (or other independent claims) may correspondingly be employed as corresponding features in any of the related independent claims listed in the claims, as required. Appreciably as well, the disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.
Also therefore provided herein, are the embodiments are also as set out in the following numbered clauses:

1. Packaging for receiving a consumer good, the packaging comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a removable portion; wherein the packaging is moveable:
- from a first configuration, in which the first portion and the second portion are retained together by the removable portion which is attached to both the first portion and the second portion, such that the first portion and the second portion of the packaging define a closed receptacle for receiving the consumer good;
- to a second configuration, in which the removable portion is detached from at least one of the first portion and the second portion, such that the first portion and the second portion of the packaging still define the closed receptacle for receiving the consumer good;
- wherein the first portion and the second portion of the packaging are configured to slide relative to each other, from the second configuration of the packaging, to a third configuration of the packaging in which the first portion is separated from the second portion such that the receptacle is exposed.
2. The packaging according to clause 1, wherein the removable portion is a tear strip.
3. The packaging according to any preceding clause, wherein the first portion comprises a base portion.
4. The packaging according to any preceding clause, wherein the second portion comprises a lid portion.
5. The packaging according to any preceding clause, wherein one of the first portion and the second portion is at least partially located between the removable portion and the receptacle, whilst the packaging is in the first configuration.
6. The packaging according to any preceding clause, wherein an outer surface of the first portion, and an outer surface of the second portion, are each configured to be flush with each other whilst the packaging is in the first configuration.
7. The packaging according to clause 6, wherein the removable portion comprises an outer surface which is configured to be flush with the outer surface of the first portion and the outer surface of the second portion whilst the packaging is in the first configuration.
8. The packaging according to clause 7, wherein the outer surface of the removable portion is configured to be adjacent to each of the outer surface of the first portion and the outer surface of the second portion whilst the packaging is in the first configuration.
9. The packaging according to any preceding clause, wherein the first portion and the second portion of the packaging are configured to telescopically slide relative to each other, from the second configuration of the packaging, to the third configuration of the packaging.
10. The packaging according to any preceding clause, wherein the removable portion extends around the receptacle whilst the packaging is in the first configuration.
11. The packaging according to any preceding clause, wherein the removable portion is located between the first portion and the second portion whilst the packaging is in the first configuration.
12. The packaging according to any preceding clause, wherein the second portion is configured to at least partially cover the first portion whilst the packaging is in the first configuration.
13. The packaging according to any preceding clause, wherein the packaging is tubular whilst the packaging is in the first configuration.
14. The packaging according to any preceding clause, wherein the packaging defines a cylindrical shape whilst the packaging is in the first configuration.
15. The packaging according to clause 14, wherein the cylindrical shape comprises:
- a first, closed, end which is defined by the first portion; and
- a second, closed, end which is defined by the second portion.
16. The packaging according to any preceding clause, wherein at least one, or both, of the first and second portions are made out of cardboard.
17. The packaging according to any preceding clause, wherein the removable portion is made out of cardboard.
18. The packaging according to any preceding clause, wherein the packaging is irreversibly moveable from the first configuration to the second configuration.
19. The packaging according to any preceding clause, wherein the removable portion is located adjacent to an end of the second portion whilst the packaging is in the first configuration.
20. The packaging according to any preceding clause, wherein the packaging further comprises an indicia for indicating how to move the detachable portion to move the packaging from the first configuration to the second configuration.
21. The packaging according to clause 20, wherein the indicia is located on an external surface of the removable portion.
22. The packaging according to any preceding clause, wherein the packaging further comprises at least one fault zone for facilitating the detachment of the removable portion.
23. The packaging according to clause 22, wherein the at least one fault zone comprises a first fault zone between the first portion and the removable portion.
24. The packaging according to clause 22 or 23, wherein the at least one fault zone comprises a second fault zone between the second portion and the removable portion.
25. The packaging according to any of clauses 22-24, wherein each fault zone comprises an array of holes.
26. A method of packaging a consumer good within packaging, the packaging comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a removable portion; wherein the method comprises:
- inserting the consumer good into a receptacle, for receiving the consumer good, from the packaging, wherein the receptacle is at least partially defined by the first portion of the packaging;
- sliding the second portion of the packaging relative to, and towards, the first portion of the packaging, such that the receptacle is closed and is defined by the first and second portions of the packaging, and such that the consumer good is located within the receptacle; and
- retaining the first portion and the second portion of the packaging together by having the removable portion attached to both the first portion and the second portion of the packaging.
27. A method of removing a consumer good which is located within the receptacle of the packaging according to any of clauses 1-25, the method comprising:
- detaching the removable portion from at least one of the first portion and the second portion such to move the packaging from the first configuration to the second configuration;
- sliding the first portion of the packaging relative to the second portion of the packaging to separate the first portion from the second portion, and such to expose the receptacle from the packaging in which the consumer good is located; and
- removing the consumer good from the receptacle of the packaging.
28. A method according to clause 27, wherein the consumer good does not move relative to the first portion, as the first portion of the packaging slides relative to the second portion from the second configuration to the third configuration.
29. The method according to clause 27 or 28, wherein removing the consumer good from the receptacle of the packaging comprises:
moving the consumer good in a same direction as the second portion of the packaging moves as the packaging was moved from the second configuration to the third configuration.
30. A method according to any of clauses 26-29, wherein the second portion comprises a lid portion.
31. The method according to any of clauses 26-30, wherein the consumer good comprises a longitudinal axis which is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the packaging, whilst the consumer good is located within the receptacle of the packaging in the first configuration.
32. The method according to any of clauses 26-31, wherein the consumer good has a length that is greater than the length of the second portion.
33. The method according to any of clauses 26-32, wherein the consumer good comprises at least one of:
1. i) an aerosol generation system; and/or
2. ii) a consumable for an aerosol generation system, wherein the consumable comprises a reservoir containing aerosolisable material.
34. The method according to any of clauses 26-32, wherein the consumer good comprises a fresh product, such as chewing tobacco, snus, or oral products.
35. The method according to any of clauses 26-34, wherein the consumer good is encased whilst located in the receptacle for preventing any contents of the consumer good from leaking into the compartment.
36. The method according to clause 35, wherein the consumer good is encased in a blister packet; a closable container; or a sealed container, such as optionally a sealed bag.

For completeness as well, and concerning any consumer good 10 as herein described, it will also be appreciated that where the consumer good 100 has the potential for leakage, such as a consumer good which comprises aerosolisable material, or any other fluid which may potentially leak out from the consumer good whilst it is stored in the relevant compartment, in some of these embodiments, the consumer good 100 may be encased whilst located in the receptacle R for preventing any contents of the consumer good 100 from leaking into the receptacle R. This can be seen, for example, in the embodiment relating to Figure 2, where a consumer good 100 in the form of an aerosol provision system 100A is accommodated in a sealed container 102. Appreciably, any form of sealed container(s) 102 could be used here, such as a blister packet, or a sealed bag 104 which encompasses the consumer good 100. In each case, to assist ease of entry into the sealed container 102, the sealed container 102 may comprise a removable/openable portion 106 (for example a peelable/flat film), for acting as a point of entry for the user to access the consumer good 100 located inside the container 102. To the extent the consumer good 100 comprises a fresh product 101, such as chewing tobacco, snus, or oral products, and this consumer good is accommodated in a container 102 (an example of such a container are those described in WO 2022/049545 , whose contents are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety), such a container in some embodiments could comprise the removable/openable portion 106 for acting as a point of entry for the user to access the consumer good 100 located inside the container 102.
Finally as well, it may be appreciated that in some embodiments, the packaging 10, or any part of the packaging 10 (such as the first portion 12; the second portion 14, or the removable portion 16), may comprise an indicia 46 for indicating how to operate or move the removable portion 16 for moving the packaging from the first configuration C1 to the second configuration C2. Such an indicia 46, for example, may be an image/arrow (as shown in the embodiment relating to Figure 1A for example, where it is located on the outer surface 30 of the removable portion 16).

Claims

Packaging for receiving a consumer good, the packaging comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a removable portion; wherein the packaging is moveable:
from a first configuration, in which the first portion and the second portion are retained together by the removable portion which is attached to both the first portion and the second portion, such that the first portion and the second portion of the packaging define a closed receptacle for receiving the consumer good;

to a second configuration, in which the removable portion is detached from at least one of the first portion and the second portion, such that the first portion and the second portion of the packaging still define the closed receptacle for receiving the consumer good;

wherein the first portion and the second portion of the packaging are configured to slide relative to each other, from the second configuration of the packaging, to a third configuration of the packaging in which the first portion is separated from the second portion such that the receptacle is exposed.
The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the removable portion is a tear strip.
The packaging according to any preceding claim, wherein the first portion comprises a base portion, and the second portion comprises a lid portion.
The packaging according to any preceding claim, wherein an outer surface of the first portion, and an outer surface of the second portion, are each configured to be flush with each other whilst the packaging is in the first configuration, and wherein the removable portion comprises an outer surface which is configured to be flush with the outer surface of the first portion and the outer surface of the second portion whilst the packaging is in the first configuration.
The packaging according to any preceding claim, wherein the first portion and the second portion of the packaging are configured to telescopically slide relative to each other, from the second configuration of the packaging, to the third configuration of the packaging.
The packaging according to any preceding claim, wherein the removable portion extends around the receptacle whilst the packaging is in the first configuration.
The packaging according to any preceding claim, wherein the packaging is tubular whilst the packaging is in the first configuration.
The packaging according to any preceding claim, wherein the packaging is irreversibly moveable from the first configuration to the second configuration.
The packaging according to any preceding claim, wherein the packaging further comprises at least one fault zone for facilitating the detachment of the removable portion.
The packaging according to claim 9, wherein each fault zone comprises an array of holes.
A method of packaging a consumer good within packaging, the packaging comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a removable portion; wherein the method comprises:
inserting the consumer good into a receptacle, for receiving the consumer good, from the packaging, wherein the receptacle is at least partially defined by the first portion of the packaging;

sliding the second portion of the packaging relative to, and towards, the first portion of the packaging, such that the receptacle is closed and is defined by the first and second portions of the packaging, and such that the consumer good is located within the receptacle; and

retaining the first portion and the second portion of the packaging together by having the removable portion attached to both the first portion and the second portion of the packaging.
A method of removing a consumer good which is located within the receptacle of the packaging according to any of claims 1-10, the method comprising:
detaching the removable portion from at least one of the first portion and the second portion such to move the packaging from the first configuration to the second configuration;

sliding the first portion of the packaging relative to the second portion of the packaging to separate the first portion from the second portion, and such to expose the receptacle from the packaging in which the consumer good is located; and

removing the consumer good from the receptacle of the packaging.
A method according to claim 12, wherein the consumer good does not move relative to the first portion, as the first portion of the packaging slides relative to the second portion from the second configuration to the third configuration.
The method according to any of claims 12-13, wherein the consumer good comprises a longitudinal axis which is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the packaging, whilst the consumer good is located within the receptacle of the packaging in the first configuration.
The method according to any of claims 11-14, wherein the consumer good comprises at least one of:
i) an aerosol generation system; and/or

ii) a consumable for an aerosol generation system, wherein the consumable comprises a reservoir containing aerosolisable material.