Patent Application
20230312178
The present disclosure relates to a container for storing a product such as a cannabis product.
The gradual and ongoing legalization of cannabis has created a corresponding market for suitable packaging solutions for cannabis-related products. While there is increasing pressure from consumers of such products for more sustainable and ecological packaging solutions, local and national regulations regarding packaging and labelling for the cannabis product market tend to be strict.
Current proposed packaging solutions suffer from a number of drawbacks, however. For example, most existing cannabis containers use components with multiple layers of different materials, requiring manual separation of the various materials in order for the container to be effectively recycled. Moreover, some containers are neither compostable nor recyclable. Further still, some existing containers do not provide a sufficiently adequate barrier between the contents of the container and the exterior environment, resulting in premature degradation of the stored cannabis product.
There is therefore an ongoing need for an improved container that may be used to store cannabis products.
According to a first embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided a container for storing a product, comprising: a sleeve comprising: a base ata lower end of the sleeve; and one or more sidewalls extending from the base and defining an open upper end of the sleeve; and a pod partially inserted into the sleeve through the open upper end of the sleeve and comprising: a receptacle for holding the product; a neck defining an opening into the receptacle; a lid engageable with the neck for closing the opening; and a shoulder at least partially overlapping the one or more sidewalls.
A width of the shoulder relative to a width of the one or more sidewalls may be configured to prevent further insertion of the pod into the sleeve through the open upper end of the sleeve.
The pod may be at least partially formed of one or more of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), aluminium, and glass.
The sleeve may be at least partially formed of one or more of cardboard, plastic, aluminium, and hemp.
The lid may be threadably engageable with the neck.
The lid may comprise a Child-Resistant Closure (CRC).
The pod may be at least partially formed of a material having one or more anti-static properties.
The shoulder may wholly overlap the one or more sidewalls.
The shoulder may comprise an upper seat, and the lid may comprise a rim that at least partially overlaps the upper seat when the lid is engaged with the neck.
A base of the neck may meet the upper seat.
The shoulder may comprise a lower seat for preventing further insertion of the pod into the sleeve through the open upper end of the sleeve.
The shoulder may be flush with the one or more sidewalls.
The lid may be flush with the shoulder when the lid is engaged with the neck.
The pod may be secured to the sleeve by an interference fit between one or more outer surfaces of the receptacle and one or more inner surfaces of the one or more sidewalls.
The receptacle may comprise one or more features on one or more outer surfaces of the receptacle for engaging with one or more inner surfaces of the one or more sidewalls to resist rotation of the sleeve relative to the pod.
The one or more features may comprise one or more of a size, a shape, and a position on the receptacle such that rotation of the sleeve relative to the pod is resisted sufficiently to enable the lid, when engaged to the neck, to be disengaged from the neck through rotation from the lid relative to the neck.
The one or more feature may comprise elongated protrusions.
The elongated protrusions may be spaced one from another in a second direction different to the first direction.
The one or more features may be provided on an outer landing surface of the receptacle, and the landing surface may meet a lower seat of the shoulder.
The receptacle may comprise a rounded base.
The base may comprise an annular convex portion surrounding a central concave portion.
The lower end of the sleeve may be open.
The sleeve may further comprise a base member extending from the one or more sidewalls toward a longitudinal axis defined by the sleeve, thereby closing the lower end of the sleeve.
The base of the sleeve may comprise one or more apertures formed therein for enabling air to flow from an interior of the sleeve to an exterior of the sleeve via the one or more apertures.
A ratio of a height of the sleeve to a height of the pod may be from 2:1 to 5:1.
One or more materials forming the pod may comprise one or more additives for reducing one or more of a moisture vapour transmission rate and an oxygen transmission rate into or out of the receptacle.
The pod may comprise one or more materials for providing an active barrier for increasing a shelf life of the product.
The pod may comprise one or more materials for providing a passive barrier so as to reduce one or more of a moisture vapour transmission rate and an oxygen transmission rate into or out of the receptacle.
The container may further comprise the product stored within the receptacle.
The product may comprise one or more cannabinoids.
One or more of: the pod; the pod without the lid; and the sleeve may be recyclable.
According to a further aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method of manufacturing a container for storing a product, comprising: providing a sleeve comprising: a base at a lower end of the sleeve; and one or more sidewalls extending from the base and defining an open upper end of the sleeve; and providing a pod comprising: a receptacle for holding the product; a neck defining an opening into the receptacle; and a shoulder; and partially inserting the pod within the sleeve through the open upper end of the sleeve such that the shoulder at least partially overlaps the one or more sidewalls.
The method may further comprise applying compression to the pod in a direction of insertion of the pod into the sleeve so as to secure the pod to the sleeve via an interference fit.
Applying compression may comprise applying compression sufficient to cause the shoulder to engage the one or more sidewalls.
According to a further aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a kit of parts for making a container for storing a product, comprising: a sleeve comprising: a base at a lower end of the sleeve; and one or more sidewalls extending from the base and defining an open upper end of the sleeve; and a pod comprising: a receptacle for holding the product; a neck defining an opening into the receptacle; and a shoulder, wherein the pod is insertable into the sleeve through the open upper end of the sleeve such that the shoulder at least partially overlaps the one or more sidewalls.
The kit may further comprise a lid engageable with the neck for closing the opening.
Embodiments of the disclosure will now be described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:
The present disclosure seeks to provide an improved container for storing a product, such as a cannabis product. While various embodiments of the disclosure are described below, the disclosure is not limited to these embodiments, and variations of these embodiments may well fall within the scope of the disclosure which is to be limited only by the appended claims.
Generally, there is described a container for storing a product such as a cannabis product. According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the container comprises an inner vessel or holder, which may be referred to as a “pod” throughout, for storing the cannabis product. The container further comprises an outer sleeve for securing to the pod. The pod includes a receptacle for holding the product, a flange or shoulder that may extend from an exterior surface of the receptacle, a neck defining an opening into the receptacle, and a lid engageable with the neck for closing the opening. For example, the neck and lid may be threaded, and the lid may threadably engage with the neck in order to close the opening. The pod may be manufactured from partially or fully recyclable material such as, but not limited to, any thermoplastic, bio polymer, or polymer compound. For example, the pod may be manufactured from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), hemp, glass, or aluminium.
The outer sleeve includes a base at a lower end of the sleeve, and one or more sidewalls extending from the base and defining an open upper end of the sleeve. The base of the sleeve may be either open (similarly to the top of the sleeve) or closed. The sleeve may be manufactured from partially or fully recyclable material such as, but not limited to, cardboard, one or more hemp-based materials, one or more recyclable paper-based products, or aluminium.
The pod is partially inserted into the sleeve via the open upper end of the sleeve such that the shoulder at least partially overlaps the one or more sidewalls. Thus, the shoulder may provide a suitable seat against which the one or more sidewalls may engage in order to properly position the sleeve relative to the pod. Moreover, the shoulder may prevent the pod from being fully inserted into the sleeve, by acting as a stop against which the one or more sidewalls of the sleeve may engage. Further still, the pod and the sleeve may be sized such that an interference fit is formed between one or more inner surfaces of the one or more sidewalls and one or more outer surfaces of the pod, such that no adhesive is required in order for the pod to be secured to the sleeve.
Advantageously, a height of the sleeve may be relatively large compared to a height of the pod. For example, according to some embodiments, a ratio of a height of the sleeve to a height of the pod may be from 1:1 to 10:1, and more particularly may be from 2:1 to 5:1. Accordingly, one or more exterior surfaces of the sleeve may be used as a suitable space for displaying marketing or other relevant information in order, for example, for the container to comply with applicable labelling regulations. In addition, the amount of material (e.g. recyclable plastic) that is used for the pod may be kept to a relative minimum, in order to decrease the overall amount of plastic or other material that is used to store the product. This may enable the amount of ullage within the pod to be reduced. Existing containers for cannabis products tend to include more material (such as plastic) than is necessary for actual storage of the product. Reduced ullage may contribute to improving the longevity or freshness of the product stored within the pod, since a lower volume of air may be contained within the pod relative to the amount of product that is stored.
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Above landing area 12 is provided a flange or shoulder 13 extending radially outwardly from a central longitudinal axis defined by pod 10. Shoulder 13 includes a lower seat 14 facing a bottom of pod 10 and meeting landing area 12, and an upper seat 15 facing a top of pod 10. Pod 10 further includes a neck 17 having a base that meets upper seat 15. Neck 17 extends from shoulder 13 toward the top of pod 10. As can be seen in
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According to other embodiments, the shape of the base of receptacle 11 may take other forms. For example, the base of receptacle 11 may be flat to facilitate manufacturing.
Pod 10 is formed of a partially or fully recyclable material, such as but not limited to PET, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), aluminium, or glass. Glass, while denser than plastic, may provide an improved barrier to the transmission of odour, moisture vapour, oxygen, and other gases out of container 100, while also enabling a user to view the interior of receptacle 11. Pod 10 may be formed using any of various suitable methods known in the art, such as blow molding, injection molding, and spin trimming.
One or more components of pod 10 may be formed of a transparent material to enable the user to view the interior of receptacle 11. Alternatively, one or more components of pod 10 may be pigmented or otherwise formed of an optically opaque material in order to provide a more effective barrier to light transmission into and out of receptacle 11. Providing such a light barrier may assist in reducing degradation of the cannabis product over prolonged periods of storage.
According to some embodiments, pod 10 may be manufactured to have a thickness in the range of from 0.010 inches to 0.075 inches. The thickness of pod 10 may vary from one location to another. In order for pod 10 to provide an effective means of storing the cannabis product and retaining the freshness or longevity of the cannabis product, one or more of the materials forming pod 10 may include one or more additives for enabling pod 10 to act as an effective barrier to the transmission of odour, moisture vapour, oxygen, and other gases out of and/or into container 100. For example, one or more of the materials forming pod 10 may be selected such that pod 10 provide an active barrier for increasing a shelf life of the cannabis product. For example, a heavy-duty scavenging formulation may be used to provide one or more active barrier properties to pod 10. Alternatively, or in addition, one or more of the materials forming pod 10 may be selected such that pod 10 provide a passive barrier which may act as a shield to prevent the transmission of odour, moisture vapour, oxygen, and other gases out of container 100. Unlike an active barrier, a passive barrier will not modify the internal atmosphere sealed within pod 10. Other additives and/or formulations known to those of skill in the art may be used in the manufacture of pod 10 in order to reduce one or more the moisture vapour transmission rate and the oxygen transmission rate into and out of pod 10.
Moreover, one or more of the materials forming pod 10 may exhibit anti-static properties, in order inhibit fine particles within receptacle 11 from adhering to the interior surfaces of receptacle 11. For example, an anti-static additive (such as an anti-static organic additive) may be incorporated into the material forming pod 10. For example, one or more of fatty acid esters, ethoxylated amines, quaternary ammonium compounds, alkylsulfonates, and alkylphosphates may be incorporated into the material forming pod 10.
In order to settle on a suitable material and dimension for pod 10, pod 10 underwent extensive testing. Initial trials consisted of comparing the barrier properties of similar pods made from different polymer materials: HDPE, polypropylene PP, and PET. The results showed that pods formed of PET performed generally better than pods formed of PP, and that pods formed of HDPE performed the least well in terms of barrier properties. Subsequently, barrier properties of PET and PP pods were tested for different wall thicknesses. The results showed the superior performance of PET pods having thinner walls and being 65% lighter than PP pods. PET pods with a thickness of 0.40 mm showed the cannabis product losing its aroma and changing colour after two months of storage. Experimentation then continued with PET resins and additives in order to further decrease the weight of the pod while improving the shelf life of the product.
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Base 34 of sleeve 30 may be formed according to different designs. For instance, base 34 may comprise a circular base member 35 (seen for example in
According to other embodiments, the lower end of sleeve 30 may be open, in which case sleeve 30 does not need to include circular base member 35. According to such embodiments, base 34 of sleeve 30 may comprise a curled lip 36 (as can be seen in
Outer sleeve 30 is formed of partially or fully recyclable cardboard, although other materials may be used. For example, according to some embodiments, outer sleeve 30 may instead, or in addition, comprise one or more other materials such as hemp, plastic (such as recycled plastic), and/or one or more metals such as recycled or virgin aluminium or steel. Outer sleeve 30 may be formed of multi-layered cardboard, glued at various angles (such as perpendicularly), or glued in a spiral arrangement, to provide structural radial strength and tension for friction mating with pod 10.
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According to some embodiments, instead of using an interference fit, sleeve 30 may be secured to pod 10 using other means. For example, an adhesive may be used, or mechanically interlocking means may be provided on an interior surface of sleeve 30 for mating with corresponding mechanical features provided on pod 10.
The diameter of shoulder 13 relative to sleeve 30 may be such that the outer surface of sidewall 32 may or may not be flush with outer surface of shoulder 13. For example, according to some embodiments, shoulder 13 may extend beyond sidewall 32, may be flush with sidewall 32, or sidewall may extend beyond shoulder 13. The diameter of lid 40 relative to shoulder 13 may be such that the outer surface of lid sidewall 44 may or may not be flush with outer surface of shoulder 13. For example, according to some embodiments, shoulder 13 may extend beyond lid sidewall 44, may be flush with lid sidewall 44, or lid sidewall 44 may extend beyond shoulder 13. As can be seen in the embodiment of
According to some embodiments, the diameter of container 100, once sleeve 30 is secured to pod, may be in the range of From 1.5 inches to 5 inches. As will be recognized by the skilled person, the size and diameter of container 100 may vary within the scope of this disclosure, depending for example on the type and quantity of product that is to be stored in container 100. According to some embodiments, the depth/height of pod 10, and in particular receptacle 11, may be varied without necessarily adjusting the height of sleeve 30, to allow for different storage capacities without need to adjust sleeve 30. A height of sleeve 30 may be configured so as to provide adequate space for required labelling or other information to be displayed, independently of the height of pod 10. For example, according to some embodiments, a height of sleeve 30 may be relatively large compared to a height of pod 10. For example, according to some embodiments, a ratio of a height of the sleeve to a height of the pod may be from 1:1 to 10:1, and more particularly may be from 2:1 to 5:1.
After consumption of the cannabis or other product provided within receptacle 11, a user may economically dispose of container 100 as follows. In particular, after use, the user may simply grip pod 10 or lid 40 with one hand and pull sleeve 30 away from pod 10 with their other hand, by overcoming the friction holding pod 10 to sleeve 30. Because pod 10 and sleeve 30 are formed of recyclable materials, after separation the user may then dispose of pod 10 and sleeve 30 at respective recycling locations.
In order to manufacture container 100 in an autonomous fashion, a machine such as a pick and place machine may capture pod 10 and partially insert pod 10 within open upper end 36 of sleeve 30. Compression may then be applied to pod 10 and sleeve 30, such compression being sufficient to cause shoulder 13 to engage sidewall 32 of sleeve 30. Pod 10 is thereby secured to sleeve 30 via an interference fit between the inner surface of sidewall 32 and the outer surface of pod 10, and in particular knolls 16.
Thus, according to embodiments of the disclosure, there is provided an improved container for storing a product such as a cannabis product. The container may advantageously reduce unnecessary waste. Furthermore, the container may be used as an efficient marketing tool while still complying with local and national regulatory laws regarding cannabis or other products. For example, by providing a recyclable sleeve that is relatively large or tall in comparison to the pod, the container is provided with a relatively greater amount of surface area for displaying branding or other information, without unnecessarily increasing the amount of plastic that is used for the pod. Containers according to embodiments of the disclosure may comprise up to about 50% less plastic than comparable containers currently used in the cannabis industry.
Furthermore, while the container described herein has been described as being used for storing a product such as a cannabis product, it shall become clear to a person skilled in the art that the container may be used to store other suitable products, such as pharmaceutical products, cosmetic products, creams, or food products. For example, according to embodiments of the disclosure, the container's ability to provide a suitably effective barrier to light, odour transmission, and humidity transmission, while also being more economical and comprising a standard lid or a CR closure, may make it particularly useful for storing products requiring a relatively long shelf life.
Still further, while the lid has been generally described in the context of being threadably engageable with the neck of the pod, according to some embodiments the pod may be closed using a lid which does not use a thread. For example, according to some embodiments, the lid may close the pod using other means of engagement known to those of skill in the art (for instance, the lid may close the pod via a snap-fit closure).
The word “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with the term “comprising” or “including” in the claims and/or the specification may mean “one”, but it is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more”, “at least one”, and “one or more than one” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Similarly, the word “another” may mean at least a second or more unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.
The terms “coupled”, “coupling” or “connected” as used herein can have several different meanings depending on the context in which these terms are used. For example, the terms coupled, coupling, or connected can have a mechanical or electrical connotation. For example, as used herein, the terms coupled, coupling, or connected can indicate that two elements or devices are directly connected to one another or connected to one another through one or more intermediate elements or devices via a mechanical element depending on the particular context. The term “and/or” herein when used in association with a list of items means any one or more of the items comprising that list.
As used herein, a reference to “about” or “approximately” a number or to being “substantially” equal to a number means being within +/−10% of that number.
While the disclosure has been described in connection with specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to these embodiments, and that alterations, modifications, and variations of these embodiments may be carried out by the skilled person without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, while the container of the embodiments described herein has been described as including a shoulder, according to other embodiments the container does not have to include a shoulder, unless the claims appended hereto require the presence of the shoulder.
It is furthermore contemplated that any part of any aspect or embodiment discussed in this specification can be implemented or combined with any part of any other aspect or embodiment discussed in this specification.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3,097,336 | Oct 2020 | CA | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/CA2021/051484 | 10/21/2021 | WO |
