JP2012501917A - Container with two opposing lids - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a container (2) comprising a body portion (4) composed of a side wall (12) and a base wall (10) and further comprising a first lid (6) and a second lid (8), The first lid (6) and the second lid (8) are both removably attached to the side wall (12), and the body portion (4) and the first lid (6) are in the first compartment ( 14), the body portion (4) and the second lid (8) form a second compartment (16), the first compartment (14) and the second compartment (16) are the base Located on both sides of the wall (10).
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a new container for consumer goods. This container is particularly suitable for items that provide an oral sensation. More particularly, the container is suitable as a flavor bag for oral delivery of one or more selected flavors including tobacco.

  Consumer goods are typically sold in boxes or tin cans having a box portion for containing the consumer goods and a removable lid for closing the box portion.

  It has been proposed to provide containers for consumer goods having an additional small compartment in the lid part. For example, WO-A-2005 / 016036 discloses a box having a lid portion that includes a lower lid that seals a portion of a box that accommodates snuff and a cover lid that is movably fixed to the lower lid by a hinged joint. Disclosure. The lower lid and the cover lid form a space intended to accommodate used snuff between them. The cover lid is held in a closed position by means of tabs that interact with corresponding parts on the lower lid.

WO-A-2005 / 016036

  It would be desirable to provide a container having two or more separate compartments, each of which can be easily opened and closed. It would also be desirable to provide a container having two or more separate compartments, each accessible independently from the other compartment. It would be even more desirable if such a container could be easily manufactured and assembled.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a container including a main body portion, the main body portion including a side wall and a base wall. The container further includes a first lid and a second lid, both the first lid and the second lid being removably attached to the side wall. The main body portion and the first lid form a first compartment, and the main body portion and the second lid form a second compartment. According to the invention, the first compartment and the second compartment are located on opposite sides of the base wall. That is, the openings of the first and second compartments are also arranged on opposite sides of the container.

  Placing the compartment openings on opposite sides of the base wall prevents the consumer from opening both compartments simultaneously. If one compartment is closed, the risk of contaminating consumer goods or mixing items within the compartment is reduced.

  The first compartment and the second compartment can be substantially the same size as each other, but preferably the first compartment and the second compartment are different in size and volume.

  Both the first lid and the second lid are removable from the body portion. This means that when the lid is opened to open the corresponding compartment, the lid does not remain connected to the body part but is completely separated or removed therefrom. This simplifies the production and assembly process of the container because it is not necessary to incorporate means for permanently connecting the lid to the body part, such as a hinge.

  The base wall is a flat or curved wall surrounded by side walls on all sides. The side wall can be composed of, for example, one surface surrounding the circular base wall. Alternatively, the side walls may comprise several individual faces, for example three for a triangular base wall or four for a rectangular base wall. The sidewall can be substantially perpendicular to the base wall. Alternatively, the side wall can be inclined toward or away from the base wall, for example if the container is tapered in a direction perpendicular to the base wall.

  The first lid and the second lid are preferably separate, in other words they are not attached or connected to each other in any way. The structure of the lid can therefore be relatively simple compared to the structure of prior art containers in which the lids are connected to one another. One advantage of the simplified lid structure is that the manufacturing and assembly process can be further simplified and more efficient. Yet another advantage is that each lid can be removed and replaced more easily. Since the lids are not attached to each other, the risk of inadvertently opening the other compartment while attempting to open one compartment is also minimized.

  Preferably, the base wall of the body portion is curved so that the first section includes a section of the convex base wall. The curved base wall adds structural strength to the container.

  Preferably, the second compartment includes a corresponding area of the base wall on the other side of the base wall. On this side of the base wall, the area of the base wall is concave. This means that the volume lost in the first compartment due to the convex shape of the area of the bottom wall substantially adds to the volume of the second compartment. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the second compartment is formed solely by a curved bottom wall concave surface and a second lid. Preferably, the circumferential section of the bottom wall comes into contact with the face of the lid and forms an airtight seal when the second compartment is closed.

  The first lid or the second lid or both lids can be closed on their respective compartments by mounting on the side walls of the body portion. Alternatively, the first lid or the second lid or both lids can close their respective compartments by fitting into the side walls of the body portion.

  Each lid preferably maintains a closed position until a positive force is applied by the consumer to remove the lid from the body portion. This ensures that the lid is not inadvertently separated from the container during use. In an advantageous manner, the lid can remain in a closed position due to a tight fit of the lid on the body portion and friction between the contact surface of each lid and the side wall of the body portion. For example, if the lid is mounted on the body portion, the lid can be provided with an inner cross-section that is substantially the same shape and size as the outer cross-section of the body portion on which the lid is mounted. Alternatively, when the lid fits within the corresponding opening, the lid can be provided with an outer cross-section that is substantially the same cross-section, shape, and size as the opening. Preferably, at least one of the contact surfaces is a high friction surface. For example, at least one of the contact surfaces can be rough compared to the remaining surface of the container.

  Alternatively or additionally, at least one of the first lid and the second lid further comprises holding means for securing the lid in the closed position. The holding means can be provided on the main body part, the lid, or both the main body part and the lid. The holding means can be provided for one or both of the lids. The retaining means includes, for example, one or more annular flanges on one of the contact surfaces that engage one or more correspondingly positioned grooves on the other contact surface. Can do. With this type of holding means, the lid can be moved out of the container by pulling away from the rest of the container to detach the flange from the groove.

  Particularly preferably, the container surface is provided with corresponding threads that engage with each other when the lid is closed. The thread may be a single spiral thread or alternatively may be provided by at least two circumferentially spaced portions of the thread.

  The first lid and the second lid can be provided with the same or different holding means.

  The container according to the present invention is preferably substantially cylindrical in shape, with the body portion and each lid having a substantially circular outer cross section. Alternatively, the body portion and lid of the container according to the invention can be of a substantially prismatic or pyramidal shape, for example comprising a substantially triangular, rectangular or elliptical cross section. Preferably, the height of each of the first lid and the second lid is about one third of the total height of the closed container. Alternatively, the first lid and the second lid have different heights to distinguish the two lids.

  Optionally, the container can include means for distinguishing between the first lid and the second lid. For example, the lid may be a different color, or the container may be printed, embossed, or otherwise marked to indicate which compartment contains which kind of two possible consumer goods Can do. This is particularly useful when one of the parcels is intended to store used consumer goods, whereas the other parcel is intended to store fresh or unused consumer goods .

  A container according to the present invention can be formed of any suitable material including, but not limited to, cardboard, plastic, metal, or combinations thereof. The body portion can be formed from a different material than the lid, or the body portion and the lid can all be formed from the same material. Each of the first and second lids can be formed of a different material, but preferably the first and second lids are formed of the same material. Particularly preferably, this material is different from the material from which the body portion is formed. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the body portion is made of molded plastic while the first and second lids are made of metal.

  Preferably, the body portion includes a substantially transparent portion for viewing the contents of at least one of the first and second compartments. This makes it possible to see how many consumer goods remain in the container without removing the lid. In a preferred embodiment, the body portion is made from a substantially transparent plastic material. Preferably, the body portion of the container is injection molded from a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, nylon, polysulfone, polyester, polyurethane, and combinations thereof. Alternatively, the body portion is made from glass.

  For example, the first and second compartments can be used to store consumer goods that differ in flavor, color, or texture. Alternatively, one compartment can be used to store accessories used in combination with consumer goods. Alternatively, one compartment can be used to store discarded packaging material or used consumer goods.

  In an advantageous manner, the provision of the second compartment allows for temporary storage of items used in the container until their proper disposal becomes possible. Since the second compartment is separated from the first compartment and both compartments are closed by separate lids, the unused items are contaminated by the used items or otherwise Is guaranteed not to be adversely affected.

  The container according to the invention finds particular use as a container for the storage of products that provide an oral sensation. More particularly, the container is suitable as a flavor bag for oral delivery of one or more selected flavors including tobacco. Generally, a flavor bag includes an external wrapping paper that encloses a flavor source. An example of a flavor bag is a snus bag. A snus bag is a tobacco material encased in a bag material, which can include additives such as tobacco, water, and salt, and non-tobacco flavors and wetting agents.

  The container is preferably provided in a first compartment and an empty second compartment filled with unused consumer goods. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the first compartment is filled with flavor bags and the second compartment is empty.

  With the consumer goods filled, the compartment containing the consumer goods is preferably sealed to maintain the freshness of the consumer goods. For example, a plastic or foil layer can be sealed over the upper edge of the first compartment. Preferably, such a sealing layer includes a tab or other means to allow easy removal of the layer.

  The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a closed container according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the closed container of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 with the first lid removed from the container. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 with the second lid removed from the container.

  The container 2 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 is substantially cylindrical in shape and includes a plastic body portion 4, a first metal lid 6 and a second metal lid 8. The first lid 6 and the second lid 8 are mounted on both ends of the main body portion 4.

  As can be seen from FIG. 2, the body portion 4 includes a circular base wall 10 and an annular side wall 12 extending vertically from the edge of the base wall 10. The base wall 10, the side wall 12, and the first lid 6 form a first compartment 14. The base wall 10 is curved and is convex toward the opening of the first compartment 14. The concave surface of the base wall 10 on the opposite side from the first compartment 14 forms a recess and forms a second compartment 16 with the second lid 8. The second compartment 16 is significantly smaller than the first compartment 14.

  The first lid 6 includes a circular upper wall 18 and an annular side wall 20 extending perpendicularly from the edge of the upper wall 18. When mounted on the side wall 12 of the body portion 4, the first lid 6 closes the first compartment 14.

  Similarly, the second lid includes a circular upper wall 22 and an annular side wall 24 extending perpendicularly from the edge of the upper wall 22. When mounted on the side wall 12 of the body portion 4 adjacent to the base wall 10, the second lid 8 closes the second compartment 16.

  As can be seen from FIG. 2, the side wall 12 of the body portion 4 includes an annular central portion 26 and a first annular recess portion 28 and a second annular recess portion 30 on both sides of the central portion 26. When mounted on the side wall 12 of the body portion 4 adjacent to the base wall 10, the second lid 8 closes the second compartment 16. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the central portion 26 remains visible when the lids 6, 8 are in place.

  The first annular recess portion 28 and the second annular recess portion 30 have a reduced diameter compared to the central portion. The difference in diameter between the central part 26 and the first part 28 and the second part 30 is approximately equal to the thickness of the side walls 20, 24 of the lids 6, 8. Thus, when the first lid 6 and the second lid 8 are in place on the body portion 4, each of their side walls 20, 24 has a first annular portion 28 and a second one on the side wall 12 of the body portion. It overlaps with the annular portion 30. In this closed position, the side walls 20, 24 of the lids 6, 8 are flush with the central annular part 26 of the side wall 12 of the body part 4.

  As can be seen in FIG. 3, the first annular recess portion 28 of the body portion sidewall 12 includes a plurality of protrusions 32 extending circumferentially around the body portion. The first lid 6 includes an annular flange or lip at the edge of its side wall 20 that engages a protrusion 32 on the body 4 to hold the first lid in a closed position. In order to remove the first lid 6, a pressure to pull the lid 6 away from the body part 4 should be applied to the opposite side of the lid 6.

  As can be seen in FIG. 4, the second annular recess portion 30 of the side wall 12 of the body portion 4 includes an external thread extending circumferentially thereabout. The inner surface of the side wall 24 of the second lid 8 includes corresponding threads that engage with external threads on the body portion 4 to hold the second lid 8 in a closed position. In order to remove the second lid 8, the second lid 8 must be rotated relative to the body part 4 by approximately a quarter of a counterclockwise rotation. Conversely, in order to replace the second lid 8, it must be rotated relative to the body portion 4 by approximately a quarter of a clockwise turn.

10 Base wall 12 Side wall 14 First compartment 16 Second compartment

Claims (8)

A body portion (4) composed of a side wall (12) and a base wall (10);
A first lid (6) forming a first compartment (14) with the body portion (4);
A second lid (8) forming a second compartment (16) with the body portion (4);
Including
The first lid (6) and the second lid (8) are both removably attached to the side wall (12),
The first compartment (14) and the second compartment (16) are located on both sides of the base wall (10),
A container (2) characterized in that.   The base wall (10) is such that the first section (14) includes an area of the convex base wall (10) and the second section (16) is a concave base wall. The container (2) of claim 1, wherein the container (2) is curved to include the same area.   3. Container (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises holding means (32) associated with at least one lid (6) (8) for fixing the lid in a closed position. .   The body portion (4) further includes a substantially transparent portion (26) suitable for displaying the contents of at least one of the first (14) and second (16) compartments. The container (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   The at least one of the first lid (6), the second lid (8), and the body portion (4) has a circular cross section. Container (2) of any one of the above. The first lid (6), the second lid (8), and the body portion (4) have a circular cross section;
The outer diameters of the first lid (6), the second lid (8), and the body portion (4) are substantially the same;
Container (2) according to claim 5, characterized in that.   The container (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first lid (6) and the second lid (8) have different opening mechanisms.   The container (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising a flavor bag.

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