NL2018648B1

NL2018648B1 - Chewing gum container with used gum basket inside

Info

Publication number: NL2018648B1
Application number: NL2018648A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Cornelis Jan Hendrikus Heijting Eric
Original assignee: Buster Holding B V
Priority date: 2017-04-04
Filing date: 2017-04-04
Publication date: 2018-10-11
Also published as: EP3606840A1; WO2018186743A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a chewing gum container, which comprises a first container body having a first cavity configured for holding non-chewed chewing gum, and a first lid for opening and closing the first cavity. According to the invention, the chewing gum container further comprises a second cavity configured for holding chewed chewing gum, wherein said first and second cavities are separated from each other. The chewing gum container further comprises a second lid for opening and closing the second cavity. According to the invention, the second cavity is formed in the first container body or the first lid.

Description

Octrooicentrum Nederland © BI OCTROOI (21) Aanvraagnummer: 2018648 © Aanvraag ingediend: 4 april 2017 (51) Int. CL:

B65D 51/18 (2018.01) B65D 85/60 (2018.01) B65D

51/24 (2018.01)

Q Aanvraag ingeschreven:	© Octrooihouder(s):
11 oktober 2018	Buster Holding B.V. te Huissen.
© Aanvraag gepubliceerd:
-	© Uitvinder(s):
	Eric Cornells Jan Hendrikus Heijting
© Octrooi verleend:	te Westervoort.
11 oktober 2018
© Octrooischrift uitgegeven:	© Gemachtigde:
13 december 2018	ir. P.J. Hylarides c.s. te Den Haag.

The present invention relates to a chewing gum container, which comprises a first container body having a first cavity configured for holding non-chewed chewing gum, and a first lid for opening and closing the first cavity. According to the invention, the chewing gum container further comprises a second cavity configured for holding chewed chewing gum, wherein said first and second cavities are separated from each other. The chewing gum container further comprises a second lid for opening and closing the second cavity.

According to the invention, the second cavity is formed in the first container body or the first lid.

NL Bl 2018648

Dit octrooi is verleend ongeacht het bijgevoegde resultaat van het onderzoek naar de stand van de techniek en schriftelijke opinie. Het octrooischrift komt overeen met de oorspronkelijk ingediende stukken.

Chewing gum container with used gum basket inside

The present invention relates to a chewing gum container. Such containers are known in the art. Typically, a chewing gum container comprises a first container body having a first cavity configured for holding non-chewed chewing gum, and a first lid for opening and closing the first cavity. These containers are different from the blister packaged chewing gums, wherein each chewing gum is held in a separate cavity, hi other packaging techniques, each chewing gum is provided with a separate wrapping in the form of a foil made from a suitable material such as paper or aluminum or mixture thereof.

Chewing gum containers are often configured to hold a large quantity of pieces of chewing gums, so that a user is able to enjoy chewing gums regularly without the need to frequently replace the container.

Prior art chewing gum containers as described above present a disadvantage to the user. This disadvantage especially occurs when the user wishes to enjoy a next piece ofchewing gum while the user is already enjoying a piece of chewing gum. If a recycling bin is not in the vicinity, the user often discards the chewed piece of chewing gum by attaching it to a piece of paper or other object, or by throwing it away. Consequently, less hygienic conditions and undesired pollution may occur. This situation occurs often when the chewing gum container is placed inside a vehicle, such as a car.

An object of the invention is to provide a solution to at least one of the abovementioned problems.

This object is achieved with the chewing gum container of claim 1 that is characterized in that the chewing gum container further comprises a second cavity configured for holding chewed chewing gum, wherein the first and second cavities are separated from each other. The container further comprises a second lid for opening and closing the second cavity. According to the invention, the second cavity is formed in the first container body or the first lid.

Because the second cavity is formed in the first container body or the first lid, the user has a place to dispense the chewed chewing gums within the chewing gum container itself. Because the second cavity is closeable, pollution and non-hygienic conditions can be prevented or minimized.

The first lid may be hingedly connected to the first container body. Alternatively, the chewing gum container may further comprise a first container ring, which is arranged around the first container body at an upper rim thereof, and wherein the first lid is hingedly connected to the first container ring. In this latter embodiment, the first container body is manufactured separate from the first container ring and the first lid. After manufacturing, the first container ring having the first lid hingedly connected thereto is arranged around the first container body, for example o

using a snap-fitting. Both the first container body and the combination of the first container ring and first lid can be manufactured using injection molding.

The first and second cavities may be separated by a separating wall. Moreover, the first lid may comprise a ring portion, wherein the separating wall extends from the ring portion for forming 5 the second cavity. The chewing gum container may in this case be movable between a first state and a second state. In the first slate, the first lid closes the first cavity and the separating wall is arranged inside the first cavity. Consequently, the appearance of the chewing gum container while being in the first state is similar to known chewing gum containers. Furthermore, when the chewing gum container is in the first state, the user may engage the second lid to gain access to the 10 second cavity to discard a piece of chewed chewing gum.

In the second state, the separating wall is arranged outside the first cavity thereby allowing a user access to the first cavity. In this state, a user may obtain a piece of non-chewed chewing gum from the first cavity.

The second lid may be hingedly connected to the first lid. Alternatively, the chewing gum 15 container may further comprise a second container ring, which is arranged around the first lid, wherein the second lid is hingedly connected to the second container ring. Similar to the first container ring, the second container ring having the second lid hingedly connected thereto can be manufactured separately from the first lid. After manufacturing, the second connecting ring is arranged around the first lid for example using a snap-fitting. The second container ring and second 20 lid can be manufactured integrally using injection molding.

The first container body may comprise a separating wall that defines the first cavity and the second cavity inside the first container body. This separating wall may be integrally connected to an inner wall of the first container body. Moreover, the second lid may be hingedly connected to the first container body. In this latter case, the second lid is typically arranged on an opposite end 25 of the first container body relative to the first lid. For example, the first lid is arranged on a top side of the first container body and the second lid on a bottom side. Alternatively, the chewing gum container may further comprise a second container ring, which is arranged around the first container body at a bottom rim thereof, wherein the second lid is hingedly connected to the second container ring. Again, the second container ring having the second lid hingedly connected thereto 30 may be separately manufactured and may be snap-fitted onto the first container body.

Embodiments are also possible with a different type of connection of the second lid. For example, the second lid may be configured to be press-fitted into the first container body.

The separating wall may be flexible to accommodate more chewed chewing gum in the second cavity when the amount of non-chewed chewing gums held in the first cavity decreases.

When the amount of non-chewed chewing gums decreases, a larger portion of the first cavity will become empty. By having a flexible separating wall, the ratio between the sizes of the first and second cavities may change in dependence of the amount of pieces of chewed or non-chewed chewing gums held in these cavities. For example, for a completely filled first cavity, e.g. directly after purchase of the chewing gum container, the first cavity may be much larger than the second cavity. However, after use, the flexible wall may have bent such that the second cavity is able to hold a large quantity of chewed chewing gums whereas the first cavity has become smaller as it needs only to hold a small quantity of remaining non-chewed chewing gums.

The second lid may comprise a grip member. As an example, the second lid may comprise a protruding edge that allows a user to grip the second lid to open or close the second cavity. Alternatively, the second lid may comprise a gripping tab that extends away from a remainder of the second lid. Such gripping tab may also be provided on the first lid.

According to a second aspect, the present invention also provides a chewing gum container comprising the chewing gum container described above and a plurality of pieces of chewing gum arranged in the first cavity.

Next, the present invention will be described by referring to the appended drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the chewing gum container according to the present invention;

Figure 2A illustrates an exploded view of the embodiment in figure 1;

Figure 2B illustrates an exploded view of second embodiment of the chewing gum container according to the present invention;

Figure 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the embodiment in figure 1;

Figures 4-6 illustrate the embodiment in figure 1 in various states;

Figure 7 illustrates a perspective top view of a third embodiment of the chewing gum container according to the present invention; and

Figure 8 illustrates a perspective bottom view of the embodiment in figure 7.

Figures 1,2A, and 3 illustrate a first embodiment of a chewing gum container 1. Here, container 1 comprises a first container body 2, which is shown partially transparent to allow a separating wall 3 to be visible. As illustrated in figure 3, first container body 2 defines a first cavity 2’ and separating wall 3 defines a second cavity 3’.

Chewing gum container 1 further comprises a first lid 4 that is hingedly connected to a first container ring 5 using a hinge 6. First lid 4 is provided with a gripping tab 7. First container ring 5 is provided with a protruding member 8 that is able to cooperate with a recessed member 9 in an upper rim of first container body 2 to allow snap-fitting of first container ring 5 to first container body 2. The upper rim of first container body 2 further comprises another recessed member 10 that is able to cooperate with a protruding member 11 of first lid 4. These members allow first lid 4 to snap to a closed position in which first lid 4 closes off first cavity 2’.

Chewing gum container 1 further comprises a second lid 12 that is hingedly connected to first lid 4 using a hinge 13. Second lid 12 is also provided with a gripping tab 14.

First lid 4 comprises a recessed member 18 that is able to cooperate with a protruding member 19 in second lid 12 to allow second lid 12 to snap to a closed position in which second lid 5 12 closes off second cavity 3’.

The second embodiment of the chewing gum container 100, shown in figure 2B, differs with respect to the first embodiment in figure 1 in that second lid 112 is not connected to first lid 4 using a separate hinge. Instead, second lid 112 is hingedly connected to a second container ring 120. This latter ring is snap-fitted to first lid 4 by means of a protruding member 121 arranged in 10 second container ring 120 and a recessed member 122 arranged in first lid 4.

Figures 4-6 illustrate the embodiment in figure 1 in various states. The state of chewing gum container 1 illustrated in figure 1 corresponds to a first state, in which first lid 4 closes off first cavity 2’. Figure 4 illustrates chewing gum container 1 in the first state, albeit with second lid 12 being opened to allow access to second cavity 3’.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate the transition from the first state illustrated in figure 1 to the second state of chewing gum container 1 as illustrated in figure 6. In figure 1, second cavity 3’ and separating wall 3 are arranged inside first cavity 2’. On the other hand, in figure 6, corresponding to the second state, second cavity 3’ is arranged outside first cavity 2’, thereby allowing a user to grasp a piece of non-chewed chewing gum (not illustrated) that are held inside first cavity 2’.

As shown in figures 3 and 6, separating wall 3 has a curved portion 30, a substantially straight portion 31, and a connecting portion 32 that connects curved portion 30 and straight portion 31. Curved portion 30 allows separating wall 3 to move in and out of first cavity 2’ without hitting the inner wall of first container body 2. At least a part of portions 30-32 can be manufactured from flexible and/or elastic material. This would allow second cavity 3’ to increase in size when second cavity 3’ is filled with more and more chewed pieces of chewing gum. For example, connecting portion 32 could extend downwards in figure 3 to allow more piece of chewed chewing gum to be placed in cavity 3’ at the expense of the size of cavity 2’. Such flexible separating wall 3 allows a compact size of the chewing gum container 1.

Figure 7 and figure 8 illustrate a perspective top and bottom view of a third embodiment of 30 a chewing gum container 200, respectively. In this embodiment, second lid 212 is not connected to first lid 4, either directly or via a container ring, but is connectable to the bottom side of first container body 2. Second lid 212 can be press-fitted into first container body 2. Second lid 212 comprises a gripping member 202 in the form of a protruding edge. A user may place his or her finger underneath this edge to pull second lid 212 away from first contained body 2 to gain access 35 to second cavity 3’.

First container body 2 comprises a separating wall 201 that defines a first cavity 2’ and a second cavity 3’. Similar to the previously shown embodiments, separating wall 201 can be made from elastic and/or flexible material.

In each of the embodiments shown above, separating wall 3, 201 should preferably present 5 a barrier to contaminants that reside in second cavity 3’ to reach first cavity 2’. In particular, bacteria or moisture should be kept away from first cavity 2’ to ensure a hygienic storage of nonchewed chewing gums held in first cavity 2’.

The various parts shown in figures 1-8 can be manufactured using known techniques such as injection molding. Preferably, the various parts are made from the same material, such as a 10 material chosen from the group consisting of polymeric materials and plastics. Still, separating wall 3, 201 or a part or parts thereof can be realized from a different material to achieve a desired degree of flexibility or elasticity, if so desired.

Although the present invention has been described in detail using embodiments thereof, the skilled person readily understands that the invention is not limited to these embodiments and that 15 various modifications are possible without deviating from the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

For example, although the embodiments described above disclose a second cavity either realized in the first container body or in the first lid, the present invention does not exclude embodiments wherein a second cavity is formed in both the first lid and the first container body. 20

Claims

CONCLUSIONS

A chewing gum container, comprising:

a first container body comprising a first cavity adapted to hold non-chewed chewing gum;

a first lid for opening and closing the first cavity;

characterized in that the chewing gum container further comprises:

a second cavity adapted to hold chewed chewing gum, said first and second cavities being separated from each other;

a second lid for opening and closing the second cavity;

and that the second cavity is formed in the first container body or in the first lid.

Chewing gum container according to claim 1, wherein the first lid is hingedly connected to the first container body;

The chewing gum container according to claim 1, further comprising a first container ring, which is arranged around the first container body at an upper edge thereof, wherein the first lid is pivotally connected to the first container ring.

Chewing gum container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second cavities are separated by a partition wall, and wherein the first cover comprises a ring portion, said partition wall extending from said ring portion to form the second cavity.

Chewing gum container according to claim 4, wherein the chewing gum container is movable between:

a first state, wherein the first lid closes the first cavity and the partition wall is arranged in the first cavity;

a second state, in which the partition wall is arranged outside the first cavity, allowing a user access to the first cavity.

Chewing gum container according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the second lid is hingedly connected to the first lid.

Chewing gum container according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising a second container ring, which is arranged around the first lid, the second lid being hingedly connected to the second container ring.

Chewing gum container according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the first container body comprises a partition wall which defines the first cavity and the second cavity within the first container body.

Chewing gum container according to claim 8, wherein the second lid is hingedly connected to the first container body.

The chewing gum container according to claim 8, further comprising a second container ring, which is arranged around the first container body at a lower edge thereof, the second lid being hingedly connected to the second container ring.

Chewing gum container according to claim 8, wherein the second lid is adapted to be fit into the first container body by pressing.

Chewing gum container according to any of claims 4-11, wherein the dividing wall is flexible to allow more chewed chewing gum to be incorporated in the second cavity when the amount of non-chewed chewing gum pieces retained in the first cavity decreases.

Chewing gum container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second cover comprises an engagement member.

A chewing gum container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second cover comprises an engagement lip which extends away from the rest of the second cover.

Chewing gum container as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the first cover comprises an engagement lip which extends away from the rest of the first cover.

16. Chewing gum container, comprising:

the chewing gum container according to any of the aforementioned claims; and a plurality of chewing gum pieces arranged in the first cavity.

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