EP4637430A1

EP4637430A1 - Container for snus pouches and package therewith

Info

Publication number: EP4637430A1
Application number: EP23841532.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Lorena D'ALFONSO; Roberto Polloni
Original assignee: GD SpA
Current assignee: GD SpA
Priority date: 2022-12-20
Filing date: 2023-12-19
Publication date: 2025-10-29
Also published as: IT202200026058A1; WO2024134477A1

Abstract

A container for snus pouches comprises a containing body and a lid applied to the containing body, wherein the containing body is configured to define, on the inside of it, at least one compartment having a predominant direction of extension which is oriented transversely, preferably perpendicularly, to a radial direction through the centre of the container. The compartment is suitable for containing at least one pouch lying transversely, preferably perpendicularly, to the radial direction.

Description

DESCRIPTION

CONTAINER FOR SNUS POUCHES AND PACKAGE THEREWITH

Technical field

This invention relates to a container for snus pouches.

Background art

It is known that snus (smokeless tobacco) is usually sold loose in predosed packages or pre-portioned in pouches contained in a box in order to preserve the properties and moisture of the tobacco over time.

In the case of the pre-dosed pouches, containers provided with radial separators are made and the pouches are placed in them on edge and aligned radially.

These solutions, although widely used, are improvable in terms of space optimization and flexibility of use.

In effect, in the case of containers having a central region which is not used, that is to say, having separators that are connected directly to the centre of the container, use of spaces is, in some cases, relatively inefficient, resulting in empty spaces, especially in the peripheral zones.

On the other hand, in the case of containers with a central compartment, the radial arrangement of the pouches means having to increase container size and providing a large number of compartments, making it difficult to vary the number of pouches contained; reducing the number of pouches results, in this case too, in a large number of empty spaces.

Aim of the invention

In this context, the basic technical purpose of this invention is to provide a container for snus pouches to overcome the above mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

In particular, the aim of this invention is to provide a container for snus pouches in which the layout of the pouches is designed to optimize filling. The invention also has for an aim to provide a container for snus pouches where the layout is adaptable to a variable number of pouches.

The technical purpose indicated and the aims specified are substantially achieved by a container for snus pouches according to claim 1 appended hereto and/or one or more of the claims dependent thereon.

Also an object of the invention is a package of snus pouches comprising the container, in accordance with claims 19 and 20 appended hereto.

Brief description of the drawings

Further features and advantages of the invention are more apparent in the exemplary, hence non-limiting description below, with reference to a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of a container for snus pouches, as illustrated 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 being contained in the container according to the invention;

Figure 24 shows a package according to the invention, in a possible embodiment, with the lid removed to expose the pouches inside the container;

Figure 25 shows a schematic 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, in a possible embodiment of it;

Figure 27 shows a detail of an embodiment of the lid used in the container according to the invention.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 denotes in its entirety a package of snus pouches 100 according to the invention.

The package 1 comprises a container 2 and a plurality of the pouches 100 it contains.

In particular, the container 2 is of the reclosable type with lid and comprises a bottom containing body 3, internally defining a containing space V, and a lid 4 applicable to the containing body 3 to open and close the containing space. Preferably, the lid 4 is a component separate from the containing body 3 and is stably applicable thereto by a press and/or snap fit. The containing body 3 comprises a base wall 3a, preferably flat, and at least one outer side wall 3b, extending away from the base wall 3a, in particular perpendicularly thereto.

The container may be made entirely or partially from metallic or plastic material.

The containing body 3 has an axisymmetric or quasi-axisymmetric shape. The expression "quasi-axisymmetric" is used to mean a structure created by a shape that is replicated about an axis of symmetry, for example, a shape having polygonal portions.

In its more general aspects, the containing body 3 is internally provided with a central region 5 and, around the central region 5, a containing space V for snus pouches 100.

In the embodiment illustrated, the central region 5 defines a space of its own, separate from the containing space V so that the latter adopts an annular shape around the central region 5. In such a case, the central region 5 may define a tobacco collecting area ("spittoon") so as to reduce littering of the environment. In variant embodiments not illustrated, however, the central region might not define a space of its own.

Advantageously the containing body 3 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, in other words, tangentially. The at least one compartment C is suitable for containing at least one snus pouch 100 lying transversely, preferably perpendicularly, to the radial direction. Preferably, 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 aligned along the respective closed line.

More preferably, the closed line is a curved line. In this situation, the at least one compartment C extends along the curved line around the central region. Preferably, the closed line is circular or elliptic.

In the context of this invention, a "compartment" is a space or a portion of a space configured and/or subdivided to contain one or more pouches 100.

More preferably, the containing body 3 as at least one internal partition wall 6 disposed in the containing space V and delimiting a plurality of adjacent compartments C disposed along the radial direction.

At least one compartment C, preferably each compartment C, is configured in such a way as to define a succession of housings 7 aligned along the closed direction to contain respective snus pouches 100. The housings 7 have, in a cross sectional plane perpendicular to the side wall 3b, a predominant direction of extension oriented transversely, preferably perpendicularly, to the radial direction and are configured to contain respective snus pouches 100. The housings 7 are therefore closed at the sides, partly or entirely, by the side walls 6, closed at the bottom by the base wall 3a and open at the top to receive, and provide access to, the pouches 100 contained therein.

In an embodiment, when the at least one compartment has an annular shape extending along a closed line around the central region 5, the aforesaid predominant direction of extension is transverse to the closed line; in particular the predominant direction of extension defines with the closed line an angle of between 45° and_135°.

In another embodiment, when the at least one compartment has an annular shape extending along a closed line around the central region 5, the predominant direction of extension is tangential to the closed line. In the context of this invention, the term "housing", on the other hand, is used to mean a portion of space, either open or closed at the side, specifically configured to enclose a single pouch 100 entirely or partly, or in any case to define an effect of laterally containing or separating the individual pouches 100.

Preferably, the partition wall 6 extends up to the base wall 3a and perpendicularly thereto.

The number, shape and structure of the side walls 6 form the object of the different embodiments described below.

Preferably, the subdivision of the compartments C into housings 7 is defined by the specific shape of the walls 6, 8, 3b which, through variations of direction and/or mutual spacing, create individual housings 7b for the single pouches 100, as described below.

Advantageously, the housings 7 have, in a cross 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, in particular, passing through the centre (barycentre) of the central region 5. In particular, in the embodiment where the central region 5 defines the collecting area, the central region is externally delimited by a more inner partition wall 8 and the containing space V is thus interposed between the more inner partition wall 8 and the side wall 3b and, in that configuration, the aforementioned radial direction is determined in relation to a centre point defined by the barycentre of the more inner partition wall 8.

In other words, the predominant direction of extension of the housings 7 is oriented tangentially, hence not radially, to the central region 5.

Continuing to look at the more general aspects, the side wall 3b extends along a respective closed line and is preferably circular, polygonal (in particular, shaped like a regular polygon) or elliptic, where in particular, each side of the closed line delimits a respective housing 7. Similarly, one or more of the partition walls 6 extends along a respective closed line and is preferably circular, polygonal (in particular, shaped like a regular polygon) or elliptic, where in particular, each side of the closed line delimits a respective housing 7, and the more inner partition wall 8, if present, extends along a respective closed line and is preferably circular, polygonal (in particular, shaped like a regular polygon) or elliptic, where in particular, each side of the closed line delimits a respective housing. The different shapes may be combined in different ways according to specific embodiments, only some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

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 predominant direction of extension tangential to the respective closed line. In other words, the housings 7 disposed along the same closed line are aligned one after the other in succession along the closed line, in alignment with their predominant direction of extension. The housings 7 aligned along the same closed line may be in communication with each other, in particular at narrowing zones, to define an annular channel, or they may be completely separate from each other, for example, by means of radial separators or protrusions of one or both partition walls.

Furthermore, depending on the shape of the walls 3b, 6, 8 delimiting each housing 7, each of the housings disposed along the same closed line may be variable in width between a maximum value, in particular at a central portion of the housing, and a minimum value (which, in the case of completely separate housings, may be zero), in particular at opposite ends of the housing 7, where the width is measured in a radial direction. This may be accomplished, for example, by delimiting the housing 7 with a radially inner wall and a radially outer wall having different shapes, in particular one polygonal and one circular or both polygonal with a different number of sides or having the same polygonal shape but angularly offset from each other. The 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 containing body 3.

Alternatively, each of the housings disposed along the same closed line has a constant width. This may be accomplished, for example, by delimiting the housing 7 with a radially inner wall and a radially outer wall having the same shape, in particular, circular, polygonal or elliptic. The 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 containing body 3.

In the case of containers with two or more rows of housings 7, hence aligned along two or more concentric closed lines, both rows of housings 7 may have a constant width or a variable width or a combination of the two (one or more rows of housings 7 having a constant width and one or more rows of housings 7 being variable in width).

Looking in more detail at the specific embodiments, Figure 1 shows a solution with two concentric rows of housings 7, separated by a single partition wall 6 that is polygonal (in particular, octagonal) in shape, and a central region 5 defining a collecting area externally delimited by a more inner partition wall 8, also polygonal, having the same number of sides as the partition wall 6 and not angularly offset therefrom. The side wall 3b, on the other hand, is circular in shape, hence the housings 7 of the outer row are variable in width, while the housings 7 of the inner row have a constant width.

Thus, each row of housings 7 forms a respective annular compartment C, where the housings 7 are laterally in communication with each other.

Figure 2 shows a solution that differs from that of Figure 1 in that the side wall 3b is also polygonal, identical in shape to the partition wall 6 (that is to say, having the same number of sides, in particular, octagonal) but angularly offset so that each housing 7 of the outer row has a variable width. The offset angle is, in particular, an angle equal to half the angle at each side (since there are eight sides, the angle is 45°/2=22.5°).

Figure 3 shows a solution that differs from that of Figure 1 in that it comprises a third, more inner row of housings 7, with two polygonal (octagonal) partition walls 6 which are identical in shape, and a more inner, polygonal partition wall 8 with a different number of sides (in particular, being hexagonal, a smaller number of sides). That is because a third, octagonal inner wall would have defined housings 7 that were too short.

Figure 4 shows a solution that differs from that of Figure 3 in that the more inner partition wall 8 has a polygonal shape with a different number of sides (in particular, being square, an even smaller number of sides).

Figure 5 shows a solution that differs from that of Figure 1 in that it comprises another two, more inner rows of housings 7, and in particular, the containing body 3 comprises three polygonal partition walls 6, the two more outer ones having the same polygonal shape (octagonal), the third one (towards the inside) being polygonal with a smaller number of sides (square) and lastly, the innermost partition wall 8 also having a polygonal, octagonal shape. The distinctive feature (in any case optional) of this embodiment is that the corners of the square partition wall 6 touch the more outer partition wall and separate from each other the housings 7 defined on the outer side of the square partition wall 6.

Figure 6 shows a solution with two concentric rows of housings 7, separated by a single partition wall 6 that is polygonal (in particular, pentagonal) in shape, and a central region 5 defining a collecting area externally delimited by a more inner partition wall 8 which is circular. The side wall 3b is also circular in shape. In this embodiment, therefore, the housings 7 of both rows are variable in width.

Figure 7 shows a solution that differs from that of Figure 6 in that the side wall 3b is also polygonal in shape, with the same number of sides (pentagonal) as the partition wall 6 but angularly offset therefrom by an angle equal to half the angle at each side (there being fives sides, the angle is 72/2=36°).

Figure 8 shows a solution that differs from that of Figure 6 in that the more inner partition wall 8 also has a polygonal shape with the same number of sides (pentagonal) as the partition wall 6 and not angularly offset therefrom.

Figure 9 shows a solution that differs from that of Figure 7 in that the more inner partition wall 8 also has a polygonal shape with the same number of sides (pentagonal) as the partition wall 6 and not angularly offset therefrom.

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 (in particular, octagonal) and the third having a polygonal shape with a different number of sides (in particular, hexagonal). In this solution, the three walls are defined preferably by an insert, in particular, monolithic) placed in the containing space V.

Figure 11 shows a solution that differs from that of Figure 10 in that the third, more inner wall, preferably rectangular, has a T-shaped appendage at each corner so as to delimit other cavities for containing single pouches 100 between each appendage and the wall itself. Since the number of sides (four) of the third, more inner wall is equal to half the number of sides (eight) of the intermediate wall, and since the more inner wall is angularly offset from the intermediate wall, each T-shaped appendage is also facing and parallel to a corresponding side of the intermediate wall, thus defining an additional corresponding cavity for a pouch 100. In this case too, the walls are defined preferably by an insert, in particular, monolithic) placed in 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 a more inner polygonal wall, both polygonal with the same number of sides (in particular, octagonal), not angularly offset from each other. One of the two compartments is defined between the more outer wall and the outer side wall of the container. Preferably, also, the two polygonal walls are connected to each other by radial separators which divide the annular compartment defined between them into individual cavities which are completely separate from each other. In this solution, the two walls are defined preferably by an insert, in particular, monolithic) placed in the containing space V.

Figure 13 shows a solution with concentric rows of housings 7 arranged along closed lines which are circular. In this case the partition walls 6 are circular (two in number but potentially there may be any number of them). This embodiment, however, also comprises radial protrusions 9 directed towards an adjacent wall 6, 8, 3b to at least partly separate successive housings 7. The protrusions 9 are made in the form of rounded lobes; they might, however, also be made in other forms (for example, radial separators, punching, etc.).

Figure 14 shows a solution that differs from that of Figure 13 in that it does not have the radial protrusions 9 and which therefore defines annular compartments C with a uniform cross section without specific individual housings for the pouches.

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

Figure 16 shows a different embodiment, where the lateral surface 3b has an elliptic shape and the closed line delimits a single compartment C intended to contain a succession of pouches 100. In this case too, the central region 5 may define an area for collecting the tobacco after use or, alternatively, it may be defined by a solid containing body. The radial protrusions 9 are optional and may be made, for example, by deforming the outer lateral surface 3b in order to subdivide the compartment C into housings 7. In variant embodiments of it, this elliptic solution may comprise two or more concentric compartments C.

Figures 17, 18 and 20 show solutions similar to that of Figure 16 but with radial protrusions made on the inner wall and not on the outer lateral wall of the container.

Figure 19 shows a further variant of Figure 16, where the elliptic compartment is subdivided into cavities by protrusions which form part of the outer lateral 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 being contained in the container 2 according to the invention. The pouch 100 has a central portion 110, having a predominant direction of extension which is vertical in Figures 21 -22, and two end welds 120 (extended in Figure 21 , folded in Figure 22), where the central portion 110 has an elongate cross sectional shape, which is, in particular rectangular or substantially rectangular (Figure 23).

Preferably, but not necessarily, the pouch 100 (in the configuration of Figure 22) is approximately 29 mm high, approximately 14 mm wide and approximately 4 mm thick. It follows that in the embodiments illustrated, the maximum diameter of the container is not greater than 52 mm.

Figure 25 shows the container 2 with a pouch 100, represented by the hidden lines, inserted in a respective housing 7. As may also be seen in Figure 24, where the lid 4 is removed, the pouch 100 is contained in the respective housing/cavity 7 in an erect position, that is to say, with its predominant direction of extension parallel to the lateral surface 3b of the containing body 3. This orientation is facilitated by the fact that the housing/cavity is substantially shaped, at least partly, to match the pouch 100, and thus supports it in the erect position.

Figure 26 shows a possible technical embodiment of the container 2, in particular with the partition walls 6, 8 defined by a single contoured insert 10 placed in a bottom, cup-shaped portion 11 .

Figures 26 and 27 show a preferred embodiment of the lid 4. In this embodiment, the lid 4 has an upper portion 4a, stably connectable to the containing body 3, identical in shape (hence, in particular, having a circular, elliptic or polygonal cross section) and provided with a bottom expansion 4b with a smaller transverse dimension, making it suitable, when the lid 4 is applied to the containing body 3, for positioning in the central region 5. The bottom expansion 4b extends downwards past a bottom edge of the upper portion 4a of the lid and is preferably made as one with the upper portion. Preferably, but not necessarily, the lid 4 is internally hollow to define an internal collecting chamber 40, for example for collecting the used tobacco. For this purpose, at the top of it, the lid 4 has a removable cap 41 , for example, slide-on, hinged, snap fit, designed to allow the collecting chamber 40 to be opened and closed. In the embodiment of Figures 26 and 27, the cap 41 is stably applicable to the lid 4 by a shape fit made by shaping the outer profile of the cap 41 to match a corresponding surface recess of the lid 4, and/or by press fitting (pins on the cap 41 insertable into holes in the lid 4).

The present invention achieves the preset aims, overcoming the disadvantages of the prior art.

In effect, the containers made according to the invention optimize the filling of spaces and are suitable for varying the number of pouches that can be placed in them, while being limited in their overall size. In particular, each pouch is individually housed and held in a respective compartment or cavity in a configuration in which it is at least partly and individually supported in the respective, desired position, preferably erect.

Claims

1 . A container for snus pouches, comprising:

- a containing body (3) internally provided with a central region (5) and, around the central region (5), a containing space (V) for snus pouches (100), the containing body (3) comprising a base wall (3a) and at least one outer side wall (3b) extending away from the base wall (3a);

- a lid (4) applied to the containing body (3) to open and close the containing space (V); wherein the containing body (3) 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.

2. The container according to claim 1 , 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.

3. The container according to claim 2, wherein the closed line is a curved line and wherein the at least one compartment (C) extends along the curved line around the central region, the closed line being preferably circular or elliptic.

4. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one compartment (C), preferably each compartment (C), is configured in such a way as to define a succession of housings (7) aligned along the closed direction to contain respective snus pouches (100), wherein the housings (7) have, in a cross sectional plane perpendicular to the at least one side wall (3b), a predominant direction of extension oriented transversely, preferably perpendicularly, to the radial direction.

5. The container according to claim 4, when dependent on claim 2, wherein the predominant direction of extension is transverse to the closed line, in particular the predominant direction of extension defining with the closed line angle of between 45° and_135°.

6. The container according to claim 4, when dependent on claim 2, wherein the predominant direction of extension is tangential to the closed line.

7. The container according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the housings (7) of at least one compartment (C), preferably of each compartment (C), are in communication with each other, in particular at narrowing zones, to define an annular channel.

8. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the containing body (3) has at least one internal partition wall (6) disposed in the containing space (V) to delimit a plurality of compartments (C) disposed in succession along the radial direction, the compartments (C) being preferably disposed concentrically around the central region (5).

9. The container according to claim 8, 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 (7).

10. The container according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein each of the housings (7) disposed along the same closed line has a constant width, measured in a radial direction.

11. The container according to claim 10, wherein the constant width housings (7) are each delimited by a radially inner wall (6, 8) and by a radially outer wall (6, 3b) having the same shape, in particular circular or polygonal or elliptic, wherein the radially inner wall (6, 8) is defined by a partition wall (6, 8) and the radially outer wall is defined by a partition wall

(6) or by the side wall (3b) of the containing body (3).

12. The container according to claim 11 , wherein at least one of the walls (3b, 6, 8) has radial protrusions (9) facing towards the other of the walls (3b, 6, 8) to at least partly separate adjacent housings (7).

13. The container according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein each of the housings (7) disposed along the same closed line is variable in width between a maximum value, in particular at a central portion of the housing

(7), and a minimum value, in particular at opposite ends of the housing (7), the width being measured in a radial direction.

14. The container according to claim 13, wherein the variable width housings (7) are each delimited by a radially inner wall (6, 8) and by a radially outer wall (3b, 6) having different shapes, in particular one polygonal and one circular or both polygonal with a different number of sides, or having the same polygonal shape but angularly offset from each other, and wherein the radially inner wall (6, 8) is defined by a partition wall (6, 8) and the radially outer wall (3b, 8) is defined by a partition wall (6) or by the side wall (3b) of the containing body (3).

15. The container according to any one of claims 8 to 14, wherein the containing body (3) has a plurality of concentric, inner partition walls (6), each extending along a closed line, in particular at least one of the inner partition walls (6) having a polygonal shape, where each side of the closed line delimits a respective housing (7).

16. The container according to claim 15, wherein at least two adjacent, inner partition walls (6) have a polygonal shape with the same number of sides and are preferably angularly offset to make an annular compartment (C) with narrowing zones which delimit respective housings (7) between them.

17. The container according to claim 15 or 16, wherein at least two adjacent, inner partition walls (6) have a polygonal shape with a different number of sides to make an annular compartment (C) with narrowing zones which delimit respective housings (7) between them or to delimit housings (7) which are separate from each other.

18. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the containing body (3) also has an innermost partition wall (8) internally delimiting the central region (5), the innermost partition wall (8) preferably having a circular or polygonal or elliptic shape.

19. A package for snus pouches, comprising:

- a container (2) made according to any one of the preceding claims;

- a plurality of snus pouches (100) placed in the at least one compartment (C), in particular, each being placed in a respective housing (7), wherein each pouch (100) has a predominant dimension and is placed in the respective compartment (C), in particular in the respective housing (7), with its predominant dimension substantially perpendicular to the base wall (3a) of the containing body (3).

20. The package according to claim 19, wherein each pouch (100) has, along the predominant dimension, two ends that terminate with welds (120), preferably folded; the pouch (100) being placed in the respective compartment (C) or housing (7) in such a way that one of the welds (120) rests on the base wall (3a) of the containing body (3), and the other weld (120) faces towards the lid (4), in particular protruding from the compartment (C) or housing (7) to be gripped by a consumer.