WO2024072276A1

WO2024072276A1 - Cylindrical container and container assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2024072276A1
Application number: PCT/SE2023/050862
Authority: WO
Inventors: Björn W ERIKSSON
Original assignee: Inside Innovation Scandinavia Ab
Priority date: 2022-09-29
Filing date: 2023-08-30
Publication date: 2024-04-04
Also published as: SE2251122A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cylindrical container (200) and to a container assembly (1) comprising a main container (100) intended to hold a first consumer product, such as snus pouches, and wherein the cylindrical container (200) is intended to hold a second complementing consumer product, such as oral health products. The cylindrical container (200) is completely contained in a compartment (121) in a cover (120) of the main container (100).

Description

CYLINDRICAL CONTAINER AND CONTAINER ASSEMBLY

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a cylindrical container and to a container assembly comprising a main container intended to hold a first consumer product and wherein the cylindrical container is intended to hold a second complementing consumer product and to be housed in the main container.

BACKGROUND

Smokeless oral tobacco products, such as snus or snuff (dry or wet), are increasingly popular by consumers. They are used in the oral cavity in direct contact with the oral mucosa. Snus and moist snuff for oral use are available in loose form or portion-packed in saliva-permeable pouches. Such snus or snuff products are usually distributed and sold packaged in a cylindrical snus or snuff container comprising a compartment containing the loose snus or snuff or the snus or snuff pouches. Many of these cylindrical snus or snuff containers additionally comprise a waste compartment, in which used snus or snuff pouches may be placed. Examples of such snus or snuff containers are disclosed in US 8,701,881; US 8,869,980; US 8,881,896; US 10,306,921; US 10,464724; US 11,046,487; WO 2019/154971 and WO 2022/242954.

Today, smokeless oral tobacco products, in particular snus, are packaged and delivered to the consumers in a very traditional and almost standardized way - typically in characteristic flat cylindrical snus or snuff containers. Also, the distribution system and display systems utilized in shops are built and optimized for these characteristic cylindrical snus or snuff containers. These cylindrical snus or snuff containers are, though, designed to merely contain a single snus or snuff product. However, many snus or snuff users sometimes want to switch between different types of snus or snuff products, such as having different flavors or strengths, or between the snus or snuff products and, for instance, pouched tobacco-free nicotine products. In such a case, the user is today limited to handling multiple snus or snuff containers or complement his/her snus or snuff container with another container for pouched tobacco-free nicotine products or indeed oral health products.

SUMMARY

The object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks associated with prior art containers.

This is achieved by the container and the container assembly defined by the independent claims. Further embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims. According to one aspect of the invention, a cylindrical container is provided. The cylindrical container comprises a base and a lid. The lid is arranged to slidably close the base. The base is formed as a flat cylinder having an open upper end. The open upper end of the base is provided with an upstanding rim forming a half circle on the open upper end of the base. The upstanding rim comprises, on its inner side, a circumferential groove positioned so that a lower part of the groove is flushed with a surface of the open upper end of the base that is not covered by the upstanding rim. The groove is arranged to receive a portion of the lid. The lid has a first portion forming a half circle with a first diameter and with a thickness smaller than the height of the groove and a second portion forming a half circle with a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter. The lid is provided with a guiding tip positioned on the midpoint of the half circle with the first diameter. The upstanding rim of the base is provided with a guiding recess positioned in the groove and at the midpoint of the half circle formed by the upstanding rim and the guiding recess is arranged to receive the guiding tip in a closing operation and to accommodate the guiding tip then the lid is in a closed position.

According to one embodiment, the second portion of the lid comprises a skirt extending towards the base and partially enclosing the base in the closed position. In an embodiment, the skirt of the lid extends to the bottom of the base.

According to one embodiment, the cylindrical container comprises a locking arrangement arranged to secure the lid in the closed position. The locking arrangement comprises a protrusion arranged on one of the base and the lid and a matching recess arranged on the other of the base and the lid.

In an embodiment, the second portion of the lid comprises a skirt extending towards the base and forming a half circle partially enclosing the base in the closed position. In this embodiment, the locking arrangement is of snap-fit type and comprise a first pair of a first protrusion and a first matching recess provided in connection with one end of the half circle formed by the skirt of the lid when the lid is in the closed position and a second pair of a second protrusion and a second matching recess provided in connection with the other end of the half circle formed by the skirt of the lid when the lid is in the closed position.

In a particular embodiment, the skirt may preferably have an outward flexibility providing for the first protrusion and the second protrusion being moveable from their respective resting positions in the first matching recess and the second matching recess. In another embodiment, the locking arrangement is of snap-fit type and comprises a pair of a protrusion and a matching recess arranged on the guiding tip and in the guiding recess.

According to one embodiment, the base and the lid enclose a compartment in the closed position. The compartment comprises a smokeless oral tobacco product or a pouched tobacco-free consumer product.

According to one embodiment, the lid comprises a high friction section.

According to one embodiment, the cylindrical container has a height selected within an interval of from 5 up to 7 mm and a diameter selected within an interval of from 45 up to 65 mm.

According to another aspect of the invention, a container assembly is provided. The container assembly comprises a main container comprising a main container base with a main compartment, which is covered and closed by a main container cover. The main container cover comprises a secondary compartment accessible from an upper surface of the main container cover and covered and closed by an inner cover. The secondary compartment is separated from the main compartment. The container assembly also comprises a cylindrical container according to the invention completely contained in the secondary compartment of the main container cover.

According to one embodiment, the main container is a cylindrical snus container.

According to one embodiment, the main compartment comprises a smokeless oral tobacco product.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a container assembly is provided. The container assembly comprises a cylindrical snus container comprising a main container base comprising a main compartment comprising a smokeless oral tobacco product and a main container cover arranged to cover and close the main compartment. The main container cover comprises a waste compartment accessible from an upper surface of the main container cover and covered and closed by an inner cover. The container assembly also comprises a cylindrical container completely contained in the wase compartment and comprising a base and a lid enclosing a compartment comprising another smokeless oral tobacco product or a pouched tobacco-free consumer product. According to one embodiment, the main compartment comprises a main smokeless oral tobacco product and the compartment of the cylindrical container comprises an auxiliary smokeless oral tobacco product different from the main smokeless oral tobacco product.

According to one embodiment, the auxiliary smokeless oral tobacco product comprises a flavor different than any flavor comprised in the main smokeless oral tobacco product and/or the auxiliary smokeless oral tobacco product has a different nicotine concentration than the main smokeless oral tobacco product and/or the auxiliary smokeless oral tobacco product is an auxiliary pouched oral tobacco product and the main smokeless oral tobacco product is a main pouched smokeless oral tobacco product having a different pouch size and/or weight than the auxiliary pouched oral tobacco product.

According to one embodiment, the pouched tobacco-free consumer product is a pouched oral health product, a pouched tobacco-free, nicotine-containing oral product or a pouched tobacco-free, nicotine- free oral product.

Thanks to the invention a cylindrical container is provided that has the required small dimensions, yet is easily to operate, for example with one hand. These small dimensions of the cylindrical container allows the cylindrical container to be housed within the so-called waste compartment of a cylindrical snus container.

One advantage afforded by the present invention is that a main product and a complementing product may be provided to the end customer in one familiar package. The package is compliant with establish means for distribution and displaying. The main product may be a smokeless oral tobacco product, such as a pouched oral tobacco product, and the complementing product could then be a pouched tobacco- free consumer product, such as a pouched oral health product, a pouched tobacco-free, nicotine- containing product or a pouched tobacco-free, nicotine-free product. Thereby a consumer will have the pouched tobacco-free consumer product, such as pouched oral health product, pouched tobacco-free, nicotine-containing product or pouched tobacco-free, nicotine-free product, ready at hand while consuming the smokeless oral tobacco product, such as pouched oral tobacco product, and can thereby use the pouched tobacco-free consumer product as a complement to the smokeless oral tobacco product.

Many additional benefits and advantages of the present invention will be readily understood by the skilled person in view of the detailed description below and accompanying drawings. DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the appended drawings, wherein

Figs. 1 a-1 c schematically illustrate the container assembly according to embodiments of the invention, wherein 1 a) is an elevated perspective view, 1 b) is a partly exploded elevated perspective view and 1c) is a cross-sectional side view;

Figs. 2a-2j schematically illustrate the cylindrical container according to embodiments of the invention, wherein 2a) is a top view of the cylindrical container, 2b) is a top view of the cylindrical container partly open, 2c) is a top view of the lid, 2d) is a top view of the base, 2e) is a side view of the closed cylindrical container, 2f) is a side view of the cylindrical container partly open, 2g) is a side view of the lid, 2h) is a side view of the base, 2i) is an elevated perspective view of the closed cylindrical container and 2j) is an elevated perspective view of the cylindrical container partly open;

Figs. 3a-3b schematically illustrate the cylindrical container with a locking arrangement according to one embodiment of the invention, wherein 3a) is a cross-sectional view of the cylindrical container in a closed position and 3b) is an elevated perspective view of the base; and

Figs. 4a-4b schematically illustrate the cylindrical container with a locking arrangement according to another embodiment of the invention, wherein 4a) is a side view of the lid with an enlarged portion showing the guiding tip and 4b) is cross-sectional view of the cylindrical container in a closed position.

All the figures are schematic, not necessarily to scale, and generally only show parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the respective embodiments, whereas other parts may be omitted or merely suggested. Any reference number appearing in multiple drawings refers to the same object or feature throughout the drawings, unless otherwise indicated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Terms such as ’’top”, “bottom”, upper”, lower”, “below”, “above” etc. are used merely with reference to the geometry of the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings and/or during normal operation or mounting of the device/devices and are not intended to limit the invention in any manner. The container assembly 1 according to an embodiment of the invention is schematically illustrated in Figs. 1 a-1 c, wherein Fig. 1 a is an elevated perspective view, Fig. 1 b is a partly exploded elevated perspective view and Fig. 1c is a cross-sectional side view. The container assembly 1 according to the invention comprises a main container 100, also referred to as first container or larger container herein, with a main container cover 120. The main container 100 is provided with a main compartment 111 arranged to accommodate a consumable product, for example a smokeless oral tobacco product, such as a pouched oral tobacco products, such as snus or snuff pouches, or pouchless snus or snuff, i.e., snus or snuff in loose form. Provided in the main container cover 120 is a secondary compartment 121 , also referred to as waste compartment herein, accessible from an upper surface of the main container cover 120. The secondary compartment 121 is typically cylindrical and covered with an inner cover 126. The inner cover 126 may have a radius that is smaller than the radius of the main container cover 120 so that the surface from above comprises an inner portion that is the inner cover 126 and a surrounding portion 128 of the main container cover 120. The main container 100 is typically of a type commonly used for smokeless oral tobacco products, wherein the secondary compartment 121 is used for storing used (pouched) smokeless tobacco products. Hence, the main container 100 is preferably a so-called snus or snuff container, also referred to as snus or snuff box or can in the art. Such main containers 100 with a built in “waste compartment” 121 are highly appreciated by the consumers. The container assembly 1 according to the invention further comprises a cylindrical container 200, also referred to as second container or miniature cylindrical container herein, completely contained in the secondary compartment 121 of the main container cover 120 as illustrated in Fig. 1 b wherein the inner cover 126 has been removed and in the cross-sectional view of Fig. 1c. In order to be completely contained in the secondary compartment 121 of the main container 100, the cylindrical container 200 needs to have dimensions suitable to the provided space. Typical and preferred dimensions of the cylindrical container 200 is a height of 5-7 mm and a diameter of 45 - 65 mm.

The intention with the container assembly 1 according to the invention is to distribute a main product and a complementing product in one unit, for example a smokeless oral tobacco product and another smokeless oral tobacco product or a pouched tobacco-free consumer product in one unit. The main product, the smokeless oral tobacco, is provided in the main container 100 and the complementing product is provided in the cylindrical container 200, which in turn is accommodated in the secondary compartment 121 of the main container cover 120. Thereby the consumer is provided with one product unit and that product unit can be distributed in the established way. Starting to use the product unit, the consumer may remove the cylindrical container 200 from the secondary compartment 121 and store it separately in order to use the secondary compartment 121 for waste, typically the used (pouched) tobacco.

In a typical embodiment, the amount or the number of portions of the smokeless oral tobacco product or the pouched tobacco-free consumer product in the cylindrical container 200 is typically lower than the corresponding amount or number of portions of the smokeless oral tobacco product in the main container 100. For instance, if both the main container 100 and the cylindrical container 200 comprises pouched products then the number of pouches is typically larger in the main compartment 111 of the main container 100 as compared to the compartment 211 of the cylindrical container 200.

The available space in the secondary compartment 121 as well as the use of the cylindrical container 200 put high demands on its design and functionality. The cylindrical container 200 needs to be small but should still be easy to handle, preferably by one hand, and preferably also have a smooth outer surface.

An aspect of the invention thereby relates to a container assembly 1 comprising a main container 100 comprising a main container base 110 with a main compartment 111 , which is covered and closed by a main container cover 120. The main container cover 120 comprises a secondary compartment 121 accessible from an upper surface of the main container cover 120 and covered and closed by an inner cover 126. The secondary compartment 121 is separated from the main compartment 111. The container assembly 100 also comprises a cylindrical container 200 according to the invention completely contained in the secondary compartment 121 of the main container cover 120.

The main container 100 thereby comprises two main components, the main container base 110 and the main container cover or lid 120. The main container cover or lid 120 is designed to be attached to the main container base 110 to thereby enclose a main compartment 111 of the main container base 110.

As is best seen in Fig. 1c, the main container base 110 is typically in the form of an open cylindrical container comprising a circular bottom 112 and a cylinder wall 114 attached to the circular bottom 112 to form a cylinder having a closed end and an open end (when the main container cover 120 is not attached to the main container base 110). The circular bottom 112 and the cylinder wall 114 of the main container base 110 define the main compartment 111.

The main container cover 120 is designed to be releasably attached to the main container base 1 10 to thereby enclose the main compartment 111 as shown in Figs. 1 a-1c. An outer diameter of the main container cover 120 is preferably substantially the same as an outer diameter of the main container base 110 as shown in the figures.

The main container cover 120 comprises a circular bottom 122 and a cylinder wall 124 attached to the circular bottom 122. The circular bottom 122 and the cylinder wall 124 of the main container cover 120 define the secondary compartment 121. The secondary compartment 121 is enclosed by an inner cover or lid 126 designed to be releasably attached to the cylinder wall 124 of the main container cover 120.

The main container 100 is typically a so-called cylindrical snus or snuff container, also referred to as snus or snuff box or can. Such snus or snuff containers are traditionally used to contain smokeless oral tobacco products in their main compartment 111. These smokeless oral tobacco products could be in the form of pouched oral tobacco products, i.e., snus or snuff pouches or bags, or pouchless snus or snuff, i.e., snus or snuff in loose form. The snus or snuff pouches then contain, among others, ground tobacco, water, taste enhancers, such as sodium chloride, pH adjuster, such as sodium carbonate, humectant, such as propylene glycol, and optionally flavor, enclosed in a semi-permeable pouch having an overall size and shape for allowing it to be effectively placed in the intended place of the oral cavity, preferably under the lip and between the lip and the teeth of the user.

The secondary compartment 121 has dual purposes. Initially, the secondary compartment 121 comprises the cylindrical container 200 to form the container assembly 1 comprising the main container 100 and the cylindrical container 200. However, during use, the user typically removes the cylindrical container 200 from the secondary compartment 121 to utilize the secondary compartment 121 as a waste compartment to house used pouched oral tobacco products or used snus or snuff in loose form.

The cylindrical container 200 could then contain an auxiliary product as a complement to the main product contained in the main container 100. Illustrative, but non-limited, examples of such auxiliary products include smokeless oral tobacco products and pouched tobacco-free consumer products. Examples of smokeless oral tobacco products include pouched oral tobacco products, i.e., snus or snuff pouches, and snus or snuff in loose form. Examples of pouched tobacco-free consumer products include tobacco-free, nicotine-containing oral products, such as tobacco-free, nicotine-containing “snus” pouches sometimes referred to as white pouches in the art, tobacco-free, nicotine-free oral products, such as tobacco-free, nicotine-free pouches, or pouched oral health products, also referred to as pouched oral care products. The tobacco-free, nicotine-free oral products may optionally include specific ingredients including, but not limited to, cannabidiol (CBD), sometimes referred to as CBD “snus”, and/or ingredients with beneficial health effects, such as vitamins, etc.

As an example, the main product contained in the main compartment 111 of the main container 110 could be a main smokeless oral tobacco product, such as a main pouched oral tobacco product. The auxiliary product contained in the compartment 211 of the cylindrical container 200 could then be an auxiliary smokeless oral tobacco product, such as an auxiliary pouched oral tobacco product. For instance, the auxiliary smokeless oral tobacco product could then be a flavored smokeless oral tobacco product if the main smokeless oral tobacco product is unflavored, or the auxiliary smokeless oral tobacco product could comprise a flavor different than a flavor comprised in the main smokeless oral tobacco product. Alternatively, or in addition, the main and auxiliary smokeless oral tobacco products could comprise different nicotine concentrations also referred to as different nicotine strengths in the art. For instance, the auxiliary smokeless oral tobacco product could have a higher or lower nicotine strength (nicotine concentration) than the main smokeless oral tobacco product. Alternatively, or in addition, the main and auxiliary smokeless oral tobacco products could be pouched smokeless oral tobacco products having different pouch sizes, such as different pouch lengths, pouch widths and/or pouch thicknesses, and/or different weights. For instance, smaller and/or lighter snus or snuff pouches could be contained in the compartment 211 of the cylindrical container 200 as compared to the snus or snuff pouched contained in the main compartment 111 of the main container 110. It is also possible combine these alternatives to have different flavors and different nicotine concentrations, different flavors and different pouch sizes, different flavors and different pouch weights, different nicotine concentrations and different pouch sizes, different nicotine concentrations and different pouch weights, different pouch sizes and different pouch weights, different flavors, different nicotine concentrations and different pouch sizes, different flavors, different nicotine concentrations and different pouch weights, different flavors, different pouch sizes and different pouch weights, different nicotine concentrations, different pouch sizes and different pouch weights or indeed different flavors, different nicotine concentrations, different pouch sizes and different pouch weights for the main and auxiliary (pouched) smokeless oral tobacco products.

In another example, the main product contained in the main compartment 111 of the main container 110 could be snus or snuff in loose form, whereas the auxiliary product contained in the compartment 211 of the cylindrical container 200 could then be a pouched oral tobacco product, i.e., pouched snus or snuff. Alternatively, the main product contained in the main compartment 111 of the main container 110 could be a pouched oral tobacco product, i.e., pouched snus or snuff, whereas the auxiliary product contained in the compartment 211 of the cylindrical container 200 could then be snus or snuff in loose form. A further example is to have a main product contained in the main compartment 111 of the main container 110 in the form of snus or snuff in loose form or preferably as pouched snus or snuff, whereas the auxiliary product contained in the compartment 211 of the cylindrical container 200 is a tobacco-free, nicotine- containing pouched product, sometimes referred to as tobacco-free snus in the art, or a tobacco-free, nicotine-free pouched product, sometimes referred to as tobacco-free and nicotine-free snus in the art.

It is also possible to have the main and auxiliary products in the form of different types of snus or snuff products comprising different tobacco ingredients and/or other ingredients, such as CBD, vitamins, etc..

A pouched oral health or care product could be used as auxiliary product. Such a pouched oral health product could then comprise a composition for oral health , . Oral health are in particular important for people using smokeless oral tobacco products as such products may have a negative effect on the oral health. Such a pouched oral care product is preferably tobacco free and nicotine free. An example of such a tobacco-free and nicotine-free oral pouched product is a saliva-permeable pouch enclosing an oral formulation or composition comprising a tooth re-mineralizing agent as disclosed in WO 2023/140765.

The various embodiments disclosed herein regarding the main and auxiliary product could be combined. For instance, the discussion above regarding usage of different flavors, strength, size and/or weight for the main and auxiliary products could be applied to the various product types of main and auxiliary products, for instance in terms of tobacco-containing products; tobacco-free, nicotine-containing products; tobacco-free, nicotine-free products; tobacco-free, nicotine-free products comprising at least one health promoting agent; CBD products; and oral health products, where appropriate.

The snus or snuff user could then alternate between using the main product, such as main smokeless oral tobacco product, contained in the main compartment 111 of the main container 100 and the auxiliary product, such as auxiliary smokeless oral tobacco product or pouched tobacco-free consumer product, contained in the compartment 211 of the cylindrical container 200. Thereby the user will have the auxiliary smokeless oral tobacco product or pouched tobacco-free consumer product ready at hand while consuming the main smokeless oral tobacco product and complement the use of the main smokeless oral tobacco product with the auxiliary smokeless oral tobacco product or pouched tobacco-free consumer product. The cylindrical container 200 according to the invention comprises a base 210 and a lid or cover 220 and is schematically illustrated in Figs. 2a-2j, wherein Fig. 2a is a top view of the cylindrical container 200, Fig. 2b is a top view of the cylindrical container 200 partly open, Fig. 2c is a top view of the lid 220, Fig. 2d is a top view of the base 210, Fig. 2e is a side view of the closed cylindrical container 200, Fig. 2f is a side view of the cylindrical container 200 partly open, Fig. 2g is a side view of the lid 220, Fig. 2h is a side view of the base 210, Fig. 2i is an elevated perspective view of the closed cylindrical container 200 and Fig. 2j is an elevated perspective view of the cylindrical container 200 partly open. The lid 220 of the cylindrical container 200 is arranged to slidably close the base 210. The base 210 is preferably formed as a flat cylinder that is open in the upper end, i.e., has an open upper end. The opening may extend over the complete interior of the base 210, as depicted. Alternatively, the opening may have a diameter that is smaller than the internal diameter of the base 210. The open upper end of the base 210 is provided with a semi-circumferential upstanding rim 216 forming a half circle on the open upper end of the base 210. The upstanding rim 216 comprises, on its inner side, a circumferential groove 213 positioned so that a lower part of the groove 213 is flushed with a surface of the open upper end surface of the base 210 that is not covered by the upstanding rim 216. The groove 213 is arranged to receive a portion of the lid 220. Hence, in an embodiment, the groove 213 is dimensioned so as to correspond to a thickness of the lid 220 with a suitable play. The lid 220 has a first portion 222 forming a half circle with a first diameter, d, and with a thickness smaller than the height of the groove 213 and a second portion 224 forming a half circle with a second dimension, D, that is larger than the first diameter. The lid 220 is provided with a guiding tip 221 positioned on the midpoint of the half circle with the first diameter and the upstanding rim 216 of the base 210 is provided with a guiding recess 215 positioned in the groove 213 and at the midpoint of the half circle formed by the upstanding rim 216. The guiding recess 215 is arranged to receive the guiding tip 221 in a closing operation and to accommodate the guiding tip 221 when the lid 220 is in a closed position.

In the closing operation, the lid 220 is first supported by the part of the base 210 not provided with the upstanding rim 216 and then guided by the groove 213, thereby the closing operation of the cylindrical container 200 is well controlled. The closing operation can, hence, be seen as having three phases, a first phase wherein the lid 220 is supported by the part of the base 210 not provided with the upstanding rim 216, a second phase wherein the lid 220 is guided by the groove 213, and a third phase wherein the final positioning of the lid 220 is controlled by guiding tip 221 interacting with the guiding recess 215. The guiding tip 221 may have a rectangular shape with rounded corners as depicted, alternatively the guiding tip 221 may have a triangular shape or forming part of a circle or an oval as illustrative, but non-limiting, examples. According to one embodiment, the lid 220 is an essentially flat and circular. According to one embodiment, the lid 220 has a general circular shape as shown in Fig. 2c but comprises two main portions 222, 224 of different diameters. Each of these two portions 222, 224 form a half circle with a respective diameter d, D, wherein D > d. The diameter D of the second portion 224 preferably matches an outer diameter of the base 210. Correspondingly, the diameter d of the first portion 222 preferably matches, or is slightly smaller than, a diameter of the groove 213.

In an embodiment, the second portion 224 of the lid 220 comprises a skirt 223 extending towards the base 210 and partially enclosing the base 210 in the closed position. The skirt 223 of the lid 220 may extend all the way to a bottom 212 of the base 210 so that in the closed position the side surface of the cylindrical container 200 is smooth. Hence, the skirt 223 becomes flush with the outer surface of the portion of the base 210 provided with the upstanding rim 216 as best seen in Fig. 2i. Further, the base 210 may for the portion comprising the upstanding rim 216 have a diameter that is equal to the diameter, D, of the second portion 224 of the lid 220 so that in a closed position the skirt 223 is flushed with curved surface of the base 210.

According to one embodiment, the cylindrical container 200 comprises a locking arrangement 230, 250 arranged to secure the lid 220 in the closed position, see Figs. 3a-3b, 4a-4b. The locking arrangement 230, 250 preferably comprises a protrusion 231 , 251 arranged on one of the base 210 and the lid 220 and a matching recess 232, 252 arranged on the other of the base 210 and the lid 220.

In an embodiment, the base 210 and lid 220 of the cylindrical container 200 is provided with a snap fit lock to ensure that the lid 220 does not accidently slide open. According to one embodiment, schematically illustrated in Figs. 3a-3b, wherein Fig. 3a is a cross-sectional view of the cylindrical container 200 in a closed position and Fig. 3b is an elevated perspective view of the base 210, the skirt 223 of the lid 220 and the base 210 are provided with a snap fit arrangement 230 arranged to secure the lid 220 in a closed position. The snap fit arrangement 230 utilizes an outward flexibility provided by the skirt 223 of the lid 220. The snap fit arrangement 230 may be realized by a first pair of a first protrusion 231 and a first matching recess 232 provided in connection with or close to one end of the half circle formed by the skirt 223 of the lid 220 when the lid 220 is in the closed position and a second pair of a second protrusion 231 and a second matching recess 232 provided in connection with or close to the other end of the half circle formed by the skirt 223 of the lid 220 when the lid 220 is in the closed position. The protrusion 231 may be provided on the base 210 and the matching recess 232 on the lid 220 or vice versa. The protrusions 231 and matching recesses 232 are preferably dimensioned and positioned so that in the closed position the first protrusion 231 is accommodated in the first matching recess 232 and the second protrusion 231 is accommodated in the second matching recess 232.

An alternative embodiment of a snap-fit arrangement 250 is schematically illustrated in Figs. 4a-4b, wherein Fig. 4a is a side view of the lid 220 with an enlarged portion showing the guiding tip 221 and Fig. 4b is cross-sectional view of the cylindrical container 200 in a closed position. According to the embodiment, the guiding tip 221 and guiding recess 215 are provided with a locking arrangement 250 of snap-fit type. The guiding tip 221 may be provided with a protrusion 251 extending either upwards or downwards and the guiding recess 215 of the base 210 is provided with a matching recess 252 arranged to receive the protrusion 251 then the cylindrical container 200 is in the closed position. Alternatively, the base 210 is provided with a protrusion 251 and the lid 220 with a matching recess 252. The flexibility of the lid 220 and in particular of the guiding tip 221 , is utilized in providing the snap-fit function. In addition, the groove 213 may be arranged to have a play with regard to the part of the lid 220 that is received by the groove 213 in order to allow a slight upwards/downwards movement of the lid 220. The play of the grove 213 may be confined to only a portion of the groove 213 encompassing the guiding recess 215. Alternatively, the guiding recess 215 is provided with a play sufficient for the guiding tip 221 to flex upwards/downwards.

The lid 220 may on its upper surface be provided with a high friction section 240 to increase the friction to a finger of the user and thereby ease the sliding operation. The high friction section 240 may be ribbed, grooved or surface treated by other means to increase the friction. In the same manner, the base 210 may on its outer bottom surface be provided with a similar high friction section.

The base 210 of the cylindrical cylinder 200 is in formed as a flat cylinder having an open upper end. The base 210 thereby comprises a circular bottom 212 and a cylindrical wall 214 attached to the circular bottom 212. The upstanding rim 216 is provided on half the circumference of the cylindrical wall 214. The circular bottom 212 and the cylindrical wall 214 define a compartment 211 that is closed by the lid 220 in the closed position. This compartment 211 is designed to comprise the above-mentioned pouched oral health product.

The invention also relates to a container assembly 1 comprising a cylindrical snus container 100 comprising a main container base 110 comprising a main compartment 111 comprising a smokeless oral tobacco product. The cylindrical snus container 100 also comprises a main container cover 120 arranged to cover and close the main compartment 111. The main container cover 120 comprises a waste compartment 121 accessible from an upper surface of the main container cover 120 and covered and closed by an inner cover 126. The container assembly 1 also comprises a cylindrical container 200 completely contained in the wase compartment 121 and comprising a base 210 and a lid 220 enclosing a compartment 211 comprising another smokeless oral tobacco product or pouched tobacco-free consumer product.

In an embodiment, the smokeless oral tobacco product is a pouched oral tobacco product, such as a snus or snuff pouch or bag.

In an embodiment, the main compartment 111 comprises a main smokeless oral tobacco product, preferably a main pouched oral tobacco product, and the compartment 211 of the cylindrical container 200 comprises an auxiliary smokeless oral tobacco product, preferably an auxiliar pouched oral tobacco product, different from the main smokeless oral tobacco product.

In a particular embodiment, the auxiliary smokeless oral tobacco product comprises a flavor different than any flavor comprised in the main smokeless oral tobacco product, and/or the auxiliary smokeless oral tobacco product has a different nicotine concentration than the main smokeless oral tobacco product, and/or the main and auxiliary smokeless oral tobacco products are pouched smokeless oral tobacco products having different pouch sizes and/or having different weights.

In an embodiment, the pouched tobacco-free consumer product is a pouched oral health product, a pouched tobacco-free, nicotine-containing oral product or a pouched tobacco-free, nicotine-free oral product, such as CBD “snus” or CBD pouches, a pouched tobacco-free, nicotine-containing oral product comprising health promoting ingredients, such as vitamins.

In an embodiment, the pouched oral health product is a tobacco-free and nicotine-free oral pouched product, preferably a tobacco-free and nicotine-free oral pouched product comprising a saliva-permeable pouch enclosing an oral formulation or composition comprising a tooth re-mineralizing agent.

The cylindrical container 200 in this aspect could be designed as shown in Figs. 2a-2j or could be another type of cylindrical container 200. For instance, the lid 220 does not necessarily have to be slidably attached to the base 210 but could be in the in form of a lid 220 that could be lifted from the base 210 similar to the inner cover 126 or the main container cover 120. The embodiments described above are to be understood as illustrative examples of the present invention. It will be understood that those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations and changes may be made to the embodiments. In particular, different part solutions in the different embodiments can be combined in other configurations, where technically possible.

Claims

1 . A cylindrical container (200) comprising: a base (210); and a lid (220) arranged to slidably close the base (210), wherein the base (210) is formed as a flat cylinder having an open upper end; the open upper end of the base (210) is provided with an upstanding rim (216) forming a half circle on the open upper end of the base (210); the upstanding rim (216) comprises, on its inner side, a circumferential groove (213) positioned so that a lower part of the groove (213) is flushed with a surface of the open upper end of the base (210) that is not covered by the upstanding rim (216); the groove (213) is arranged to receive a portion of the lid (220); the lid (220) has a first portion (222) forming a half circle with a first diameter and with a thickness smaller than the height of the groove (213) and a second portion (224) forming a half circle with a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter the lid (220) is provided with a guiding tip (221) positioned on the midpoint of the half circle with the first diameter; the upstanding rim (216) of the base (210) is provided with a guiding recess (215) positioned in the groove (213) and at the midpoint of the half circle formed by the upstanding rim (216); and the guiding recess (215) is arranged to receive the guiding tip (221) in a closing operation and to accommodate the guiding tip (221) when the lid (220) is in a closed position.

2. The cylindrical container (200) according to claim 1 , wherein the second portion (224) of the lid (220) comprises a skirt (223) extending towards the base (210) and partially enclosing the base (210) in the closed position.

3. The cylindrical container (200) according to claim 2, wherein the skirt (223) of the lid (220) extends to a bottom (212) of the base (210).

4. The cylindrical container (200) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cylindrical container (200) comprises a locking arrangement (230; 250) arranged to secure the lid (220) in the closed position; and the locking arrangement (230; 250) comprises a protrusion (231 ; 251) arranged on one of the base (210) and the lid (220) and a matching recess (232; 252) arranged on the other of the base (210) and the lid (220).

5. The cylindrical container (200) according to claim 4, wherein the second portion (224) of the lid (220) comprises a skirt (223) extending towards the base (210) and forming a half circle partially enclosing the base (210) in the closed position; and the locking arrangement (230) is of snap-fit type and comprises a first pair of a first protrusion (231) and a first matching recess (232) provided in connection with one end of the half circle formed by the skirt (223) of the lid (220) when the lid (220) is in the closed position and a second pair of a second protrusion (231) and a second matching recess (232) provided in connection with the other end of the half circle formed by the skirt (223) of the lid (220) when the lid (220) is in the closed position.

6. The cylindrical container (200) according to claim 5, wherein the skirt (223) has an outwards flexibility providing for the first protrusion (231 ) and the second protrusion (231 ) being moveable from their respective resting positions in the first matching recess (232) and the second matching recess (232).

7. The cylindrical container (200) according to claim 4, wherein the locking arrangement (250) is of snap-fit type and comprises a pair of a protrusion (251) and a matching recess (252) arranged on the guiding tip (221) and in the guiding recess (215).

8. The cylindrical container (200) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the base (210) and the lid (220) enclose a compartment (211) in the closed position; and the compartment (211) comprises a smokeless oral tobacco product or a pouched tobacco-free consumer product.

9. The cylindrical container (200) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the lid (220) comprises a high friction section (240).

10. The cylindrical container (200) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cylindrical container (200) has a height selected within an interval of from 5 up to 7 mm; and the cylindrical container (200) has a diameter selected within an interval of from 45 up to 65 mm.

11. A container assembly (1) comprising: a main container (100) comprising a main container base (110) with a main compartment (111), which is covered and closed by a main container cover (120), wherein the main container cover (120) comprises a secondary compartment (121) accessible from an upper surface of the main container cover (120) and covered and closed by an inner cover (126), wherein the secondary compartment (121) is separated from the main compartment (111); and a cylindrical container (200) according to any of the preceding claims completely contained in the secondary compartment (121) of the main container cover (120).

12. The container assembly (1 ) according to claim 11 , wherein the main container (100) is a cylindrical snus container.

13. The container assembly (1) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the main compartment (111) comprises a smokeless oral tobacco product.

14. A container assembly (1 ) comprising: a cylindrical snus container (100) comprising: a main container base (110) comprising a main compartment (111) comprising a smokeless oral tobacco product; and a main container cover (120) arranged to cover and close the main compartment (111), wherein the main container cover (120) comprises a waste compartment (121) accessible from an upper surface of the main container cover (120) and covered and closed by an inner cover (126); and a cylindrical container (200) completely contained in the wase compartment (121) and comprising a base (210) and a lid (220) enclosing a compartment (211) comprising another smokeless oral tobacco product or a pouched tobacco-free consumer product.

15. The container assembly according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the main compartment (111) comprises a main smokeless oral tobacco product, preferably a main pouched oral tobacco product; and the compartment (211) of the cylindrical container (200) comprises an auxiliary smokeless oral tobacco product, preferably an auxiliary pouched oral tobacco product, different from the main smokeless oral tobacco product.

16. The container assembly according to claim 15, wherein the auxiliary smokeless oral tobacco product comprises a flavor different than any flavor comprised in the main smokeless oral tobacco product; and/or the auxiliary smokeless oral tobacco product has a different nicotine concentration than the main smokeless oral tobacco product; and/or the auxiliary smokeless oral tobacco product is an auxiliary pouched oral tobacco product and the main smokeless oral tobacco product is a main pouched oral tobacco product having a different pouch size than the auxiliary pouched oral tobacco product; and/or the auxiliary smokeless oral tobacco product is an auxiliary pouched oral tobacco product and the main smokeless oral tobacco product is a main pouched oral tobacco product having a different weight than the auxiliary pouched oral tobacco product.

17. The container assembly according to claim 14, wherein the pouched tobacco-free consumer product is a pouched oral health product, a pouched tobacco-free, nicotine-containing oral product or a pouched tobacco-free, nicotine-free oral product.