Patent Grant
10874138
The present invention relates to a container for snus.
The “background” description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in the background section, as well as aspects of the description which may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly or impliedly admitted as prior art against the present invention.
Snus may be sold either in loose form or in portions disposed in permeable bags and it is packaged in boxes having a resealable lid so to maintain the snus moist. Snus is typically consumed by placing it under the upper lip for an extended period of time, thereafter it should preferably be disposed of in a suitable place such as a bin or the like to avoid littering. However, littering of snus is a common problem as, unlike cigarette smoking, consumption of snus is not restricted to a designated area and so a user may not always be in the vicinity of a bin so as to discard used snus.
To overcome the above mentioned problem, it is known to provide containers holding unused snus, wherein the container also comprises a separate compartment for temporarily receiving consumed snus until the user has access to an appropriate bin. However, one of the disadvantages of such a container is that the container is either packaged with less unused snus than a standard container of similar dimensions due to the incorporated second compartment imposing on the space for holding unused snus or, the container must be larger than normal so as to provide an empty separate compartment for receiving used snus.
One proposed solution for dealing with this problem is to provide a container comprising a movable wall which is movable from a first predetermined position to a second predetermined position so as to form the second compartment for storing used snus. This allows a user of the container to form the second compartment only when it is required (for example, when the user has finished using a snus pouch and is not close to a bin). This results in a more efficient use of space in the container. However, existing movable wall arrangements can be cumbersome and inconvenient for the user. For example, they will generally require the user to push on a specific section or area of the wall so as to move the wall from the first to the second position. If the user pushes on a different section or area of the wall, then the wall may not move or may move only partially to the second position, thus causing inconvenience for the user. Furthermore, there is a desire for a movable wall arrangement in which the shape of the formed second compartment is such that it is easier to remove used snus from the second compartment than with existing movable wall arrangements.
The present invention aims to alleviate the above-mentioned problems.
The present invention provides a container comprising a base and a lid defining a first compartment therebetween for storing unused snus, wherein at least the lid or the base includes a reconfigurable wall to enable a user to form or enlarge a second compartment for storing used snus on the other side of said wall to the first compartment, wherein: the reconfigurable wall is formed of contiguous polygons configured to move relative to a boundary of the reconfigurable wall and relative to each other under applied pressure so as to be arrangeable in a first, convex configuration and arrangeable in a second, concave configuration, the second compartment being formed or enlarged when the contiguous polygons are arranged in the second, concave configuration. All the contiguous polygons may be of the same type. In this case, the polygons may all be of the same size and shape, or alternatively, at least two of the polygons may be of a different size and/or shape to each other. Alternatively, the contiguous polygons may comprise at least two types of polygon.
The contiguous polygons may comprise a first polygon surrounded by a plurality of second polygons. All of the second polygons may be of the same type. In this case, the second polygons may all be of the same size and shape or, alternatively, at least two of the second polygons may be of a different size and/or shape to each other. Alternatively, the second polygons may comprise at least two types of polygon.
The first polygon may be a regular polygon and all the second polygons may be of the same type. In this case, the second polygons may all be of the same size and shape, or, alternatively, at least two of the second polygons may be of a different size and/or shape to each other. Alternatively, the second polygons may comprise at least two types of polygon.
The first polygon may be an irregular polygon and all the second polygons may be of the same type. Alternatively, the second polygons may comprise at least two types of polygon.
Each second polygon may be an isosceles trapezoid and the first polygon may be a regular polygon. The regular polygon may have 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 sides. In particular, the regular polygon may have 6 or 8 sides. The shortest of the parallel sides of each isosceles trapezoid may be contiguous with one of the sides of the first polygon. The longest of the parallel sides of each isosceles trapezoid may be disposed opposite one of the sides of the first polygon. The longest of the parallel sides of each isosceles trapezoid may form a portion of the boundary of the reconfigurable wall. Each isosceles trapezoid may be contiguous with its neighbouring isosceles trapezoids along its non-parallel sides. The isosceles trapezoids may be all of the same size and shape. Alternatively, at least two of the isosceles trapezoids may be of a different size and/or shape to each other.
Each second polygon may be an isosceles trapezoid and the first polygon may be an irregular polygon. The irregular polygon may have 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 sides. In particular, the irregular polygon may have 6 or 8 sides. The shortest of the parallel sides of each isosceles trapezoid may be contiguous with one of the sides of the first polygon. The longest of the parallel sides of each isosceles trapezoid may be disposed opposite one of the sides of the first polygon. The longest of the parallel sides of each isosceles trapezoid may form a portion of the boundary of the reconfigurable wall. Each isosceles trapezoid may be contiguous with its neighbouring isosceles trapezoids along its non-parallel sides.
The second compartment of the container may be defined by a side wall and the reconfigurable wall. The side wall may be connected to the reconfigurable wall at the boundary of the reconfigurable wall. In this case, the side wall may be resiliently flexible in response to force applied to the side wall at the boundary of the reconfigurable wall during reconfiguration of the reconfigurable wall between the first, convex configuration and the second, concave configuration.
The foregoing paragraphs have been provided by way of general introduction, and are not intended to limit the scope of the following claims. The described embodiments, together with further advantages, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
A more complete appreciation of the disclosure and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views.
The base 2 and lid 3 define a first compartment 42 for receiving unused snus. A user is thus able to obtain a piece of unused snus from the first compartment 42 by removing the lid 3 from the base 2. The user will then typically re-attach the lid 3 to the base 2 so that the remaining unused snus remains moist. In addition, the lid 3 comprises a second compartment 44 for receiving used snus. The second compartment 44 is closable with the cover 4 (not shown in
The contiguous polygons may comprise a first polygon surrounded by a plurality of second polygons. This is the case in the embodiment shown in
In the embodiment of
The reconfigurable wall 34 is reconfigurable between a first configuration in which the contiguous polygons 46, 48 are arranged to form a convex shape and a second configuration in which the contiguous polygons 46, 58 are arranged to form a concave shape. In the first configuration, the convex shape serves to maximise the volume of the first compartment for storing unused snus. In the second configuration, the concave shape serves to maximise the volume of the second compartment for storing used snus. The reconfigurable wall 34 is reconfigurable between the first and second positions in response to pressure applied by the user, as will now be described with reference to
The reconfigurable wall 34 is reconfigurable from the first configuration of
It is noted that the pressure in the direction of the arrows 52 may be applied directly so as to reconfigure the reconfigurable wall 34. For example, the user may apply pressure directly by pressing the reconfigurable wall 34 with one or more of their fingers. Alternatively, the pressure in the direction of the arrows 52 may be applied indirectly so as to reconfigure the reconfigurable wall 34. For example, when the reconfigurable wall 34 is in the first configuration of
Similarly, the reconfigurable wall 34 is reconfigurable from the second configuration of
Again, it is noted that the pressure in the direction of the arrows 54 may be applied directly so as to reconfigure the reconfigurable wall 34. For example, the user may apply pressure directly by pressing the reconfigurable wall 34 with one or more of their fingers. Alternatively, the pressure in the direction of the arrows 54 may be applied indirectly so as to reconfigure the reconfigurable wall. For example, if the reconfigurable wall 34 is in the second configuration of
The contiguous polygons 46, 48 are defined by resilient portions 56 of the reconfigurable wall 34. More specifically, the resilient portions 56 define the boundaries of the contiguous polygons 46, 48. The resilient portions 56 enable the above-mentioned relative movement of the contiguous polygons by allowing each polygon to undertake a pivoting or hinging motion about each of its boundaries. The resilient portions 56 also bias the relative movement of the contiguous polygons such that the first and second configurations are stable (that is, non-changing) in the absence of applied pressure (or when the applied pressure is less than the threshold value). When sufficient pressure is applied so as to reconfigure the reconfigurable wall 34 from the first configuration to the second configuration (or vice versa), the resilience of the resilient portions 56 causes the configuration to change suddenly via a “pop” or “snap” action.
In addition to the resilient portions 56 of the reconfigurable wall 34 allowing the relative movement of the contiguous polygons and biasing the relative movement such that the first and second configurations are stable, the side wall 37 of the used snus compartment may also be resiliently flexible so as to help allow relative movement of the contiguous polygons and bias the relative movement such that the first and second configurations are stable. In this case, the side wall 37 is resiliently flexible in response to force applied to the side wall at the boundary 50 of the reconfigurable wall 34 during reconfiguration of the reconfigurable wall between the first, convex configuration and the second, concave configuration. This is illustrated in
When pressure is applied to the reconfigurable wall in the direction of the arrows 52 in
Similarly, when pressure is applied to the reconfigurable wall in the direction of the arrows 54 in
Thus, together with the resilience of the resilient portions 56 of the reconfigurable wall, the resilience of the side wall 37 causes initial resistance to reconfiguration when pressure is initially applied to the reconfigurable wall followed by, once reconfiguration has been initiated (as occurs when the pressure applied to the reconfigurable wall exceeds the predetermined threshold), assistance in reconfiguring the reconfigurable wall to its final, new configuration. It is this initial resistance followed by subsequent assistance which results in the “pop” or “snap” action as the reconfigurable wall is reconfigured between the first and second configurations. Note that the resistance provided by the resilient portions 56 and resilient side wall 37 will change to become assistance once the reconfigurable wall reaches approximately half way between the first and second configurations (that is, when the reconfigurable wall is approximately planar and is parallel to the planar base 30 of the container 1).
In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the entire lid 3, including the reconfigurable wall 34, is formed from a single material. The thickness of the material is reduced in predetermined regions of the reconfigurable wall 34 so as to define the resilient portions 56 at the boundaries of the contiguous polygons 46, 48. Advantageously, this allows for easy manufacture of the lid 3 by injection moulding or the like. The material used may be any material which has suitable resilience at reduced thickness, such as polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP). It is noted that the side wall 37 will generally be less resilient than the resilient portions 56 (since, unlike the resilient portions 56, the side wall does not have to be sufficiently resilient so as to allow a well defined hinging or pivoting motion), and may, as in the example embodiments, be of the same or of a similar thickness as that of the central portion of each of the contiguous polygons 46, 48 (that is, the portion of each contiguous polygon which does not form part of the resilient portion 56). Advantageously, such a thickness allows the side wall to be sufficiently resilient so as to provide appropriate resistance and assistance during reconfiguration of the reconfigurable wall (as described above) whilst, at the same time, help provide structural integrity to the lid 3.
In use, when the container 1 is initially filled with new, unused snus, the reconfigurable wall 34 is made to take the first, convex configuration of
Advantageously, the above-described reconfigurable wall 34 comprising contiguous polygons allows the user to apply pressure to any region of the reconfigurable wall in order to reconfigure the wall from the first configuration to the second configuration (or vice versa). This is because the use of such contiguous polygons allows the pressure applied to the reconfigurable wall 34 to be more evenly distributed across the reconfigurable wall 34 when the pressure is applied to one or more of the polygons. Thus, the user is able to easily reconfigure the reconfigurable wall 34 by applying pressure to any one contiguous polygon (that is, to any point on the reconfigurable wall 34). This makes it easier and more convenient for the user to reconfigure the reconfigurable wall 34. This is particularly the case for a polygon arrangement in which a first polygon 46 is surrounded by a plurality of second polygons 48, and more particularly when the second polygons 48 are all of the same type (as shown in the described embodiments).
Furthermore, the above-described reconfigurable wall 34 comprising contiguous polygons including a first polygon 46 surrounded by a plurality of second polygons 48, each of the second polygons being of the same type, provides a favourable shape to the first and second compartments 42, 44. In particular, this is true of the second compartment 44, for which the concave shape of the reconfigurable wall 34 in the second configuration allows used snus to be easily removed from the second compartment 44 when the user finds a suitable waste receptacle for disposing of the used snus.
The use of a regular polygon as the first polygon 46 and a plurality of identical isosceles trapezoids as the plurality of second polygons 48 is particular effective at allowing pressure to be more evenly distributed across the reconfigurable wall 34 and at achieving the above-mentioned effects. Any regular polygon may be used as the first polygon 46, the number of isosceles trapezoids as the second polygons 48 being equal to the number of sides of the chosen regular polygon. The use of a regular polygon with 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 sides is particular advantageous, since this allows a well defined convex and concave shape of the first and second wall configurations (respectively) whilst maintaining structural integrity of the wall and ease of manufacture (due to obtaining a favourable balance between the resilient portions of the reconfigurable wall at the boundaries of the contiguous polygons and the harder, less resilient portions of the reconfigurable wall defining the central portions of the contiguous polygons). In fact, the use of a regular polygon with 6 or 8 sides is particularly effective.
It is noted that, in the embodiment shown in the Figures, the second compartment 44 always exists, but has a smaller volume when the reconfigurable wall 34 is in the first, convex configuration of
It is noted that the arrangement of the container 1 relates to only one embodiment of the invention, and that the reconfigurable wall 34 and first and second compartments may be arranged differently. For example, instead of being located in the lid 3, the second compartment 44 may instead be located in the base 2. In this case, the circular bottom wall 30 of the base 2 may instead comprise the reconfigurable wall 34, which, together with a side wall (not shown, but similar to the side wall 37 in the embodiment of the Figures), defines the second compartment 44 in a bottom portion of the base 2. The second compartment 44 will then be closable with a separate bottom cover (not shown) so as to prevent the used snus from falling out.
In this alternative arrangement, the entire base 2, including the reconfigurable wall 34 and side wall 37, may be formed from a single material (as is the case for the lid 3 when the lid 3 comprises the reconfigurable wall 34, as previously described). The thickness of the material is again reduced in predetermined regions of the reconfigurable wall 34 so as to define the resilient portions 56 at the boundaries of the contiguous polygons 46, 48. Advantageously, this allows for easy manufacture of the base 2 by injection moulding or the like. The material used may again be any material which has suitable resilience at reduced thickness, such as polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP).
Of course, further different configurations of the container 1 are also possible.
Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.
Although the present disclosure has been described in connection with some embodiments, it is not intended to be limited to the specific form set forth herein. Additionally, although a feature may appear to be described in connection with particular embodiments, one skilled in the art would recognize that various features of the described embodiments may be combined in any manner suitable to implement the technique.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1510503.4 | Jun 2015 | GB | national |
This application is a Continuation Application of U.S. Ser. No. 15/735,539, filed on Dec. 11, 2017, which is the National Stage of International Application No. PCT/EP2016/062386, filed Jun. 1, 2016, which claims priority to and benefit of Great Britain Patent Application No. 1510503.4, filed Jun. 16, 2015, all of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15735539 | US | |
| Child | 16511631 | US |
