EP4637429A1

EP4637429A1 - A package of snus pouches

Info

Publication number: EP4637429A1
Application number: EP23840780.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Lorena D'ALFONSO; Roberto Polloni
Original assignee: GD SpA
Current assignee: GD SpA
Priority date: 2022-12-20
Filing date: 2023-12-15
Publication date: 2025-10-29
Also published as: WO2024134416A1; IT202200026031A1

Abstract

A package of snus pouches, comprising a container (2) defining a containing space (V) for containing a plurality of snus pouches (100), said container (2) having a bottom wall (3a) and extending around an axis perpendicular to said bottom wall (3a), and a plurality of snus pouches (100), housed in ordered fashion inside the containing space (V). Each snus pouch (100) has a predominant dimension and said pouches (100) are placed in the containing space (V) with their predominant dimension oriented parallel to the axis of the container (2).

Description

DESCRIPTION

A PACKAGE OF SNUS POUCHES

Technical field

The present invention relates to a package of snus pouches. art

It is known that snus (tobacco for oral use) is generally sold loose in predosed packages, or pre-portioned in pouches contained in a box, to preserve the properties and humidity of the tobacco over time.

In the case of pre-dosed pouches, it is known to make containers provided with radial septums, in which the pouches are resting on the side and radially aligned.

Despite being very common, such solutions can be improved as regards the containment capacity, which represents a critical variable for increasing which it is necessary a change in the plan dimensions of the container.

Object of the invention

In this context, the technical task underlying the present invention is to provide a package of snus pouches, which overcomes the aforesaid drawback of the prior art.

Specifically, it is the object of the present invention to provide a package of snus pouches having a greater containment capacity, with the same plan section as the container.

The specified technical task and object are substantially achieved by a package of snus pouches according to the accompanying claim 1 and/or to one or more of the dependent claims.

Brief of the

Further features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the indicative and thus non-limiting description of a preferred, but non-exclusive, embodiment of a package of snus pouches, as shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

- figures 1 -20 show different embodiments of a container according to the invention;

- figures 21 -23 show a snus pouch suitable for forming the content of the container according to the invention;

- figure 24 shows a package according to the invention, in a possible embodiment, with the cover removed for displaying the pouches contained in the container;

- figure 25 shows a diagrammatic view of a container according to the invention associated with a snus pouch contained therein;

- figure 26 shows an exploded view of a container according to the invention, following a possible embodiment;

- figure 27 shows a detail of an embodiment of the cover used in the container according to the invention.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

According to the accompanying figures, a package of snus pouches 100 according to the invention is globally denoted with 1 .

The package 1 comprises a container 2 and a plurality of such pouches 100 contained therein.

In particular, the container 2 is of the resealable type with a cover and comprises a lower containment body 3, internally defining a containing space “V”, and a cover 4 applied to the containment body 3 for opening and closing the housing space. The cover 3 preferably forms a component separated from the containment body 2 and it is stably applicable to the latter by means of pressure and/or snap coupling. The containment body 3 comprises a base or bottom wall 3a, which is preferably flat, and at least one outer side wall 3b extending away from the base wall 3a, specifically perpendicular thereto. The container can be entirely or partly made of a metal or plastic material. The containment body 2 preferably has an axisymmetric or almost axisymmetric shape. The expression “almost axisymmetric” is understood to mean a shape given by a shape replicated around an axis of symmetry, e.g. a shape having polygonal portions.

In the most general aspects, the containment body 2 is internally provided with a central region 5 and, around the central region 5, a containing space “V” for the snus pouches 100.

In the illustrated embodiment, the central region 5 defines a volume thereof separate from the containing space “V” so that the latter takes an annular shape around the central region 5. In this case, the central region 5 can define an area for collecting used tobacco (“spittoon”) to limit contamination of the environment. However, according to non-illustrated variants, the central region might not define a space thereof.

Advantageously, the containment body 2 is configured to define, in the containing space “V”, at least one compartment 7 having a predominant direction of extension oriented transversely, preferably perpendicularly, to a radial direction passing through the central region 5, in other words, in a tangential manner. Such at least one compartment 7 is suitable for containing at least one snus pouch 100 lying transversely, preferably perpendicularly, to the radial direction.

A “compartment”, in the context of the present invention, shall be understood as a space or a portion of space, which is configured and/or divided to contain one or more pouches 100.

More preferably, the containment body 2 has at least one partition wall 6 arranged in the containing space “V” and delimiting a plurality of compartments “C” adjacent to one another along the radial direction.

At least one compartment “C”, preferably each compartment “C”, is configured so as to define a succession of housings 7 aligned along the closed direction, to contain respective snus pouches 100. Such housings 7 have, in a section perpendicular to the side wall 3b, a predominant direction of extension oriented transversely, preferably perpendicularly, with respect to the radial direction and configured to contain respective snus pouches 100. Thus, such housings 7 are partly or completely closed at the side by the side walls 6, which are closed at the bottom by the base wall 3a and open at the top, for receiving the pouches 100 contained therein and making them accessible.

Whereas, the term “housing”, in the context of the present invention, is understood to mean a portion of space, which is open or closed at the side, specifically configured to completely or partly embrace a single pouch 100, or nonetheless define a lateral containment or separation effect of the single pouches 100.

The partition wall 6 preferably extends up to the base wall 3a and perpendicularly to the latter.

The number, shape and structure of the side walls 6 are the object of the different embodiments which will be described hereinafter.

Preferably, the division of the compartments “C” into housings 7 is defined by the specific shape of the walls 6, 8, 3b which, through changes in direction and/or mutual distance, create single housings 7 identifiable for the single pouches 100, as will be described hereinafter.

Advantageously, the housings 7 have, in a section perpendicular to the side wall 3b, a predominant direction of extension oriented transversely, preferably perpendicularly, to a radial direction passing through the central region 5 and specifically, passing through the center (center of gravity) of the central region 5. Specifically, in the solution with the central region 5 defining the collection area, the central region is externally delimited by an innermost partition wall 8 and the containing space “V” is therefore interposed between such innermost partition wall 8 and the side wall 3b, and in such configuration, the aforesaid radial direction is determined with respect to a center point defined by the center of gravity of the innermost partition wall 8.

In other words, the predominant direction of extension of the housings 7 has a tangential orientation, which is thus not radial with respect to the central region 5.

Again, in the most general aspects, the side wall 3b extends along a respective closed line and is preferably circular, polygonal (specifically a regular polygon) or elliptical, in which, in particular, each side of the closed line delimits a respective housing 7. Likewise, one or more of the partition walls 6 extend along a respective closed line and are preferably circular, polygonal (specifically a regular polygon) or elliptical in which, in particular, each side of the closed line delimits a respective housing 7 and also the innermost partition wall 8, if present, extends along a respective closed line and is preferably circular, polygonal (specifically, a regular polygon) or elliptical, in which, specifically, each side of the closed line delimits a respective housing. The different shapes can be mutually combined in different ways according to specific embodiments, only some of which are shown in the accompanying figures.

Furthermore, the housings 7 are distributed according to one or more closed lines (depending on the number of partition walls 6, 8 present), preferably, a plurality of concentric closed lines, having a predominant direction of tangential extension with respect to the respective closed line. In other words, the housings 7 arranged along the same closed line are aligned in succession, one after another, along the closed line, aligned with the predominant direction of extension thereof. The housings 7 aligned along a same closed line can be mutually communicating, specifically, at narrowing zones, to define an annular-shaped channel, or completely separate from each other, e.g. by means of radial septums or protrusions of one or both partition walls.

Furthermore, as a function of the shape of the walls 3b, 6, 8 delimiting each housing 7, each of the housings arranged along a same closed line can have a width varying between a maximum value, specifically at a central portion of the housing, and a minimum value (possibly null in the case of completely separate housings), specifically at opposite ends of the housing 7, where such width is measured in the radial direction. This can be obtained, for example, by delimiting the housing 7 with a radially inner wall and a radially outer wall having different shapes, specifically, a polygonal shape and a circular shape, or polygonal with a different number of sides, or having the same polygonal shape, but with an angularly offset arrangement. Such inner wall is defined by a partition wall 6, 8 while the outer wall is defined by a partition wall 8 or by the side wall 3b of the containment body 3.

Alternatively, each of the housings arranged along a same closed line can have a constant width. This can be achieved, for example, by delimiting the housing 7 with a radially inner wall and by a radially outer wall having the same shape, specifically, circular or polygonal or elliptical. Such inner wall is defined by a partition wall 6, 8 while the outer wall is defined by a partition wall 8 or by the side wall 3b of the containment body 3.

In case of containers with two or more rows of housings 7, thus aligned according to two or more concentric closed lines, it is possible for both rows of housings 7 to have a constant width or a varying width, or a combination thereof (one or more rows of housings 7 with constant widths and one or more rows of housings 7 with varying widths).

Going in deep in the specific embodiments, figure 1 shows a solution with two concentric rows of housings 7, separated by a single polygonal partition wall 6 (specifically octagonal), and a central region 5 defining a collection area and externally delimited by an innermost partition wall 8, also polygonal, having the same shape and number of sides as the partition wall 6 and angularly not offset with respect thereto. Whereas the side wall 3b has a circular shape, so the housings 7 of the outermost row have varying lengths, while the housings 7 of the innermost row have a constant width.

Therefore, each row of housings 7 forms a respective annular-shaped compartment “C”, where the housings 7 are laterally mutually communicating. Figure 2 shows a solution differing from the solution in figure 1 in that the side wall 3b also has a polygonal shape, identical to the shape of the partition wall 6 (i.e. with the same number of sides, specifically octagonal) but angularly offset so that each housing 7 of the outermost row has a varying width. Such angular offsetting is specifically by an angle equal to half the angle interested by each side (as there are eight sides, such angle is 45°/2=22.5°).

Figure 3 shows a solution differing from the solution in figure 1 in that it comprises a third innermost row of housings 7, with two polygonal (octagonal) partition walls 6 having identical shape and polygonal innermost partition wall 8 with different number of sides (specifically, lower, hexagonal). This is because a third inner octagonal wall would have defined too short housings 7.

Figure 4 shows a solution differing from the solution in figure 3 in that the innermost partition wall 8 has a polygonal shape with a different number of sides (specifically even lower, square).

Figure 5 shows a solution differing from the solution in figure 1 in that it has two more rows of innermost housings 7, and specifically, in which the containment body 3 comprises three polygonal partition walls 6, the two outermost ones having the same polygonal shape (octagonal), the third (inwards) polygonal with a lower number of sides (square) and lastly, with the innermost partition wall 8 having a polygonal shape, also octagonal. A characteristic (nonetheless optional) of this embodiment is that the vertices of the square partition wall 6 touch the outermost partition wall separating the housings 7 defined outside the square partition wall 6, from one another.

Figure 6 shows a solution with two concentric rows of housings 7, separated by a single polygonal partition wall 6 (specifically pentagonal), and a central region 5 defining a collection area, externally delimited by a circular innermost partition wall 8. The side wall 3b also has a circular shape. Therefore, in this embodiment, the housings 7 of both rows have a varying width.

Figure 7 shows a solution differing from the solution in figure 6 in that the side wall 3b also has a polygonal shape, with the same number of sides (pentagonal) as the partition wall 6, but angularly offset with respect thereto by an angle equal to half the angle interested by each side (as there are five sides, such angle is 72/2=36°).

Figure 8 shows a solution differing from the solution in figure 6 in that the innermost partition wall 8 also has a polygonal shape, with the same number of sides (pentagonal) as the partition wall 6 and angularly notoffset with respect thereto.

Figure 9 shows a solution differing from the solution in figure 7 in that the innermost partition wall 8 also has a polygonal shape, with the same number of sides (pentagonal) as the partition wall 6 and angularly notoffset with respect thereto.

Figure 10 shows a solution in which the pouches 100 are arranged according to two concentric annular compartments delimited by an outermost polygonal wall, an intermediate polygonal wall and an innermost polygonal wall, the first two having a polygonal shape with the same number of sides (specifically, octagonal) and the third having a polygonal shape with a lower number of sides (specifically, hexagonal). In this solution, the three walls are preferably defined by an insert, specifically a monolithic insert, inserted into the containing space “V”.

Figure 11 shows a solution differing from the solution in figure 10 in that the third innermost wall, preferably rectangular, has at each vertex a T- shaped leg, so as to delimit, between each leg and the wall, other cells for containing single pouches 100. Since the number of sides (four) of the third innermost wall is equal to half the number of sides of the intermediate wall (eight), and since the innermost wall is angularly offset with respect to the intermediate wall, each “T'-shaped leg is further facing and parallel to a corresponding side of the intermediate wall, defining a further corresponding cell for a pouch 100. Also in this case, the walls are preferably defined by an insert, specifically a monolithic insert, inserted into the containing space “V”.

Figure 12 shows a solution, in which the pouches 100 are arranged according to two concentric annular compartments, delimited by an outermost polygonal wall and an innermost polygonal wall, both polygonal and with a same number of sides (specifically octagonal), that are not mutually angularly offset. One of the two compartments is defined between the outermost wall and the outer side wall of the container. Furthermore, the two polygonal walls are preferably connected to each other by radial septums, dividing the annular compartment, defined therebetween, into single cells, which are completely separate from one another. In this solution, the two walls are preferably defined by an insert, specifically a monolithic insert, inserted into the containing space “V”.

Figure 13 shows a solution with concentric rows of housings 7 arranged on closed lines having a circular extension. In this case, partition walls 6 are provided (two, but potentially any number) having a circular extension. However, in this embodiment, radial protrusions 9 are also provided facing an adjacent wall 6, 8, 3b to determine an at least partial separation between successive housings 7. Such protrusions 9 are made in the shape of rounded lobes, however, they could be made in further embodiments (e.g. radial septums, punches etc.).

Figure 14 shows a solution differing from the solution in figure 13 in that it does not provide the aforesaid radial protrusions 9, thus, in which annular compartments “C” are defined with a uniform section without identifying specific single housings for the pouches.

Figure 15 shows a solution, in which the housings 7 are not oriented perpendicularly to a radial direction, but inclined by an angle of less than 90°, preferably of between 20° and 70°, more preferably of between 30° and 60°. Such angle is measurable with respect to a radial direction passing through the center line of the housing 7.

Figure 16 shows a different embodiment with an elliptical shaped side surface 3b and closed line along which a single compartment “C” extends, intended to contain a succession of pouches 100. Also in this case, the central region 5 can define a tobacco collection area after use or, alternatively, it may be defined by a full filling body. Radial protrusions 9, obtained, for example, by deforming the outer side surface 3b are optionally provided and adapted to divide the compartment “C” into housings 7. According to variant embodiments, such elliptical solution can provide two or more concentric compartments “C”.

Figures 17, 18 and 20 show solutions similar to that in figure 16, but with radial protrusions obtained on the inner wall and not on the outer side wall of the container.

Figure 19 shows a further variant of figure 16 where the elliptical compartment is divided into cells by means of protrusions forming part of the outer side surface of the container, but not obtained from corresponding recesses of the outer surface 3b.

Figures 21 -23 show, in detail, a snus pouch 100 suitable for containment in the container 2 according to the invention. The pouch 100 has a central portion 110, having a predominant vertical direction of extension in figures 14-15, and two end welds 120 (extended in figure 21 , folded in figure 22), where the central portion 110 has an elongated cross-section, specifically rectangular or substantially rectangular (figure 23). At least one of the two end welds 120 is arranged in contact with the bottom wall 3a and is at least partly folded against the central portion 110 of the same pouch 100. The other end weld 120 of the pouch 100 is also preferably at least partly folded against the central portion 110 of the same pouch 100.

Preferably, but not in a limited manner, the pouch 100 (in the configuration in figure 22) has a height of about 29 mm, a width of about 14 mm and a thickness of about 4 mm. It means that in the illustrated embodiments, the maximum diameter of the container is kept within a value of 52 mm.

Figure 25 shows the container 2 highlighting a pouch 100, with a hidden line, in the configuration of insertion into a respective housing 7. As also visible in figure 24, with the cover 4 removed, the pouch 100 is contained in the respective housing/cell 7 in the upright position, i.e. with its predominant direction of extension parallel to the side surface 3b of the containment body 3. Such orientation is facilitated by the fact that the housing/cell, is at least partly, substantially counter-shaped to the pouch 100 and therefore it supports the latter in the upright position.

The pouches 100 preferably have a length (predominant dimension), which is greater than the height of the outer side wall 3b of the container. Thereby, the pouches 100 protrude at the top from the outer edge of such side wall 3b and are easy to grasp. The outer side wall 3b preferably has a height along the axis of the container of between 60% and 90% of the predominant dimension of the pouches 100.

Figure 26 shows a possible technical embodiment of the container 2, specifically with the partition walls 6, 8 defined by a single shaped insert 10 inserted into a lower cup-shaped portion 11 .

Figures 26 and 27 show a preferred embodiment of the cover 4. In such embodiment, the cover 4 has an upper portion 4a, stably coupleable with the containment body 3, and an identical shape (thus, specifically with a circular, elliptical or polygonal section) and having a lower expansion 4b with a lower transverse dimension, suitable for being arranged in the configuration of the cover 4 applied to the containment body 3, in the mentioned central region 5. Such lower expansion 4b extends at the bottom beyond a lower edge of the upper portion 4a of the cover and it is preferably integrally made with the latter. Preferably, but not necessarily, the cover 4 is hollow inside, for internally defining a collection chamber 40, e.g. for the tobacco consumed. To this end, at the top, the cover 4 has a door 41 that is removable, e.g. by sliding, which is hinged or applicable by snap on, intended to allow the opening and closing of the collection chamber 40. In the embodiment in figure 26 and 27, the door 41 is stably applicable to the cover 4 by means of shape coupling, obtained by the counter-shaping of the outer profile of the door 41 with a corresponding surface recess of the cover 4, and/or by shape coupling (pins of the door 41 engageable in holes of the cover 4).

The present invention achieves the suggested objects, overcoming the drawbacks reported in the prior art. The pouches, oriented vertically in the container, are easier to grasp (being higher than the side wall of the container) and furthermore, the vertical arrangement of the pouches improves the capacity of the container, which can contain a greater number of pouches with the same plan section. Furthermore, the vertical orientation reduces the plan section of the single pouches, increasing the filling possibility and consequently the positional variants of the pouches inside the container.

Furthermore, the synergy between the vertical arrangement of the pouches and the single housings/cells allows optimal individual holding of the pouches, without them having to rest on one another to maintain the vertical orientation thereof.

Claims

1.A package of snus pouches, comprising: a container (2) defining a containing space (V) for containing a plurality of snus pouches (100), the container (2) having a bottom wall (3a) and extending around an axis perpendicular to the bottom wall (3a),

- a plurality of snus pouches (100) housed in ordered fashion in the containing space (V); wherein each snus pouch (100) has a predominant dimension and wherein each pouch (100) is placed in the containing space (V) with its predominant dimension oriented parallel to the axis of the container (2).

2. The package according to claim 1 , wherein each pouch has a central portion (110), having a predominant dimension, and two end welds (120), a first of the end welds (120) being arranged in contact with the bottom wall (3a).

3. The package according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least the end weld (120) which is arranged in contact with the bottom wall (3a) is folded at least partly against the central portion (110).

4.The package according to claim 3, wherein the other end weld (120) of each pouch (100) is also folded at least partly against the respective central portion (110).

5.The package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container (2) is configured in such a way as to define, in the containing space (V), at least one compartment (C) suitable for receiving and holding the pouches (100) individually in the respective position parallel to the axis.

6.The package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container (2) is internally provided with a central region (5) and, around the central region (5), the containing space (V) for the snus pouches (100), wherein the container (2) is configured to define, in the containing space (V), at least one compartment (C) having a predominant direction of extension oriented transversely, preferably perpendicularly, to a radial direction passing through the central region (5), the compartment (C) being suitable for containing at least one pouch (100) lying transversely, preferably perpendicularly, to the radial direction.

7.The package according to claim 6, wherein the at least one compartment (C) has an annular shape extending along a closed line around the central region (5) and is configured to contain a succession of pouches (100) along the respective closed line.

8.The package according to claim 6 or 7, wherein at least one compartment (C), preferably each compartment (C), is configured in such a way as to define a succession of housings or cells (7) aligned along the closed direction to contain respective snus pouches (100), wherein the housings or cells (7) have, in a cross sectional plane parallel to the bottom wall (3a), a predominant direction of extension oriented transversely, preferably perpendicularly, to the radial direction.

9.The package according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the container (2) has at least one internal partition wall (6) arranged in the containing space (V) to delimit a plurality of compartments (C) arranged in succession along the radial direction, the compartments (C) being preferably arranged concentrically around the central region (5).

10.The package according to claim 9, wherein the at least one partition wall (6) extends along a respective closed line and has a preferably circular or polygonal shape, wherein, in particular, each side of the closed line delimits a respective housing or cell (7).

11. The package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container (2) has an outer side wall (3b) externally delimiting a containing space (V), and wherein the dimension of the outer side wall (3b) along the axis, is smaller than the predominant dimension of the pouches (100) so that the pouches (100) protrude from an upper edge of the outer side wall