LID FOR A CONTAINER FOR SMOKELESS TOBACCO PRODUCTS

Abstract

A lid for a container for storing a smokeless tobacco product includes a laterally-extending wall having opposing first and second surfaces and defining a periphery. The wall has a central axis extending perpendicularly to the first and second surfaces. A sidewall extends from the second surface substantially parallel to the central axis and about the periphery of the wall, with the wall and the sidewall being formed of a polymeric material. The lid also includes a metallic cladding engaged with the wall so as to extend laterally across the first surface.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to lids and containers using the same. More particularly, the disclosure relates to lids for packaging products made or derived from tobacco, or that otherwise incorporate tobacco, and are intended for human consumption in a smokeless form.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Various types of containers for dispensing solid objects, particularly solid products intended for human consumption, are known in the art. Such containers are often characterized by a hand-held size that can be easily stored and transported. Example consumable products that are often packaged in such containers include a wide variety of consumer products, including “smokeless” tobacco-related products.

Particularly popular smokeless tobacco products are employed by inserting some form of processed tobacco or tobacco-containing formulation into the mouth of the user. See for example, the types of smokeless tobacco formulations, ingredients, and processing methodologies set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 1,376,586 to Schwartz; U.S. Pat. No. 3,696,917 to Levi; U.S. Pat. No. 4,513,756 to Pittman et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,528,993 to Sensabaugh, Jr. et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,624,269 to Story et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,991,599 to Tibbetts; U.S. Pat. No. 4,987,907 to Townsend; U.S. Pat. No. 5,092,352 to Sprinkle, III et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,416 to White et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,668,839 to Williams; U.S. Pat. No. 6,834,654 to Williams; U.S. Pat. No. 6,953,040 to Atchley et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 7,032,601 to Atchley et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 7,694,686 to Atchley et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 7,810,507 to Dube et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 7,819,124 to Strickland et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 7,861,728 to Holton, Jr. et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 7,901,512 to Quinter et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 8,168,855 to Nielsen et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 8,336,557 to Kumar et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 8,469,036 to Strickland et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 8,627,828 to Strickland et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 8,940,344 to Crawford et al.; U.S. Patent Application Pub. Nos. 2004/0020503 to Williams; 2007/0062549 to Holton, Jr. et al.; 2008/0029116 to Robinson et al.; 2008/0029117 to Mua et al.; 2008/0173317 to Robinson et al.; 2008/0196730 to Engstrom et al.; 2009/0065013 to Essen et al.; and 2010/0291245 to Gao et al.; PCT Pub. Nos. WO 04/095959 to Arnarp et al.; and WO 10/132444 to Atchley; each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Representative smokeless tobacco products that have been marketed include those referred to as CAMEL Snus, CAMEL Orbs, CAMEL Strips and CAMEL Sticks by R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company; GRIZZLY moist tobacco, KODIAK moist tobacco, LEVI GARRETT loose tobacco and TAYLOR'S PRIDE loose tobacco by American Snuff Company, LLC; KAYAK moist snuff and CHATTANOOGA CHEW chewing tobacco by Swisher International, Inc.; REDMAN chewing tobacco by Pinkerton Tobacco Co. LP; COPENHAGEN moist tobacco, COPENHAGEN Pouches, SKOAL Bandits, SKOAL Pouches, RED SEAL long cut and REVEL Mint Tobacco Packs by U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company; and MARLBORO Snus and Taboka by Philip Morris USA.

Representative types of snuff products, commonly referred to as “snus,” are manufactured in Europe, particularly in Sweden, by or through companies such as Swedish Match AB, Fiedler & Lundgren AB, Gustavus AB, Skandinavisk Tobakskompagni A/S and Rocker Production AB. Snus products previously or currently available in the U.S.A. have been marketed under the trade names such as CAMEL Snus Frost, CAMEL Snus Original, and CAMEL Snus Spice, CAMEL Snus Mint, CAMEL Snus Mellow, CAMEL Snus Winterchill, and CAMEL Snus Robust by R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company.

Snus products, such as CAMEL Snus Original, are commonly supplied in small teabag-like pouches. The pouches are typically a nonwoven fleece material, and contain about 0.4 to 1.5 grams of pasteurized tobacco. These products typically remain in a user's mouth for about 10-30 minutes. Unlike certain other smokeless tobacco products, snus does not require expectoration by the user.

Smokeless tobacco products have been packaged in tins, “pucks” or “pots” that are manufactured from metal or plastic such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,098,421 to Foster; U.S. Pat. No. 4,190,170 to Boyd; U.S. Pat. No. 8,556,070 to Bried et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 8,910,781 to Pipes et al.; and U.S. Patent Application Pub. Nos. 2010/0065076 to Bergstrom et al.; and 2010/0065077 to Lofgreen-Ohrn et al.; each of which is incorporated by reference herein.

A desirable feature for certain containers configured to store a product such as snus is the protection of the product from environmental effects, particularly those effects that may degrade the product stored in the container. For example, in humid environments, moisture may invade the storage space housing the product, thereby damaging the product or otherwise rendering the product unusable. Conversely, moisture may escape the product and exit the storage space, rendering the product overly dry.

It would thus be desirable to provide an improved packaging for smokeless tobacco products and the like, wherein the packaging, particularly the lid, is aesthetically pleasing, reasonable to manufacture, and provides various advantageous features, such as protection from environmental effects by venting the container.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one aspect, a lid is provided. The lid may include a laterally-extending wall having opposing first and second surfaces and defining a periphery. The wall may have a central axis extending perpendicularly to the first and second surfaces. A sidewall may extend from the second surface parallel to the central axis and about the periphery of the wall. The wall and the sidewall are formed of a polymeric material. A metallic cladding is engaged with the wall so as to extend laterally across the first surface.

In another aspect, a method of manufacturing a lid for a container for storing a smokeless tobacco product is provided. The method may include coating at least a portion of a surface of a metallic cladding with a heat-actuated adhesive coating. The method may also include arranging the metallic cladding adjacent to a first surface of a laterally-extending wall such that the heat-actuated adhesive coating is positioned between the metallic cladding and the first surface and such that the cladding extends laterally across the first surface. The wall may have a second surface opposing the first surface, defining a periphery, having a central axis extending perpendicularly to the first and second surfaces, and having a sidewall extending from the second surface parallel to the central axis and about the periphery of the wall, with the wall and the sidewall being formed of a polymeric material. The method may also include exposing the metallic cladding and the heat-actuated adhesive coating to a magnetic field so as to actuate the heat-actuated adhesive coating to bond the metallic cladding to the first surface.

The disclosure includes, without limitation, the following embodiments.

Embodiment 1: A lid for a container for storing a smokeless tobacco product, the lid comprising: a laterally-extending wall having opposing first and second surfaces and defining a periphery, the wall having a central axis extending perpendicularly to the first and second surfaces; a sidewall extending from the second surface about the periphery of the wall, with the wall and the sidewall being formed of a polymeric material; and a metallic cladding engaged with the wall so as to extend laterally across the first surface.

Embodiment 2: The lid of any preceding embodiment, wherein the sidewall includes a groove recessed in an exterior surface thereof, wherein the groove is configured to receive a peripheral edge of the cladding.

Embodiment 3: The lid of any preceding embodiment, wherein the peripheral edge of the cladding is angled to reside in the groove.

Embodiment 4: The lid of any preceding embodiment, wherein the groove is recessed radially inward toward the central axis of the wall from the exterior surface of the sidewall by a distance greater than or about equal to a thickness of the cladding.

Embodiment 5: The lid of any preceding embodiment, wherein the cladding comprises a metallic sheet.

Embodiment 6: The lid of any preceding embodiment, wherein the metallic sheet is embossed.

Embodiment 7: The lid of any preceding embodiment, wherein the metallic sheet comprises a raised ridge adjacent to a periphery thereof.

Embodiment 8: The lid of any preceding embodiment, wherein the raised ridge is self-supporting.

Embodiment 9: The lid of any preceding embodiment, wherein the metallic sheet has a thickness between about 0.1 mm and about 0.5 mm.

Embodiment 10: The lid of any preceding embodiment, wherein the sidewall extends substantially parallel to the central axis of the laterally-extending wall.

Embodiment 11: The lid of any preceding embodiment, further comprising a rib structure projecting from the second surface of the laterally extending wall, the rib structure comprising a plurality of rib segments arranged in spaced relation proximate the periphery of the wall.

Embodiment 12: The lid of any preceding embodiment, wherein the sidewall further comprises a radially inward extending detent extending circumferentially around the central axis of the laterally-extending wall.

Embodiment 13: The lid of any preceding embodiment, wherein an adhesive layer is positioned between the cladding and the first surface.

Embodiment 14: The lid of any preceding embodiment, wherein the adhesive layer is a coating pre-applied to the cladding.

Embodiment 15: The lid of any preceding embodiment, wherein the adhesive layer is actuated by heat to form a bond between the cladding and the wall when the cladding is subjected to a magnetic field.

Embodiment 16: The lid of any preceding embodiment, wherein the adhesive layer comprises a heat-actuated adhesive.

Embodiment 17: A method of manufacturing a lid for a container for storing a smokeless tobacco product, the method comprising:

receiving a lid structure comprising a laterally-extending wall having opposing first and second surfaces and defining a periphery, the wall having a central axis extending perpendicularly to the first and second surfaces, and a sidewall extending from the second surface about the periphery of the wall, with the wall and the sidewall being formed of a polymeric material;

receiving a metallic cladding;

arranging the metallic cladding adjacent to the first surface of the laterally-extending wall such that the cladding extends laterally across the first surface and with a heat-actuated adhesive positioned between the metallic cladding and the first surface; and

exposing the metallic cladding and the heat-actuated adhesive to a magnetic field so as to actuate the heat-actuated adhesive to bond the metallic cladding to the first surface.

Embodiment 18: The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein the sidewall includes a groove recessed in an exterior surface thereof, and the method further comprises arranging a peripheral edge of the metallic cladding within the groove.

Embodiment 19: The method of any preceding embodiment, further comprising embossing the metallic cladding.

Embodiment 20: The method of any preceding embodiment, further comprising the step of coating the heat-actuated adhesive onto either at least a portion of a surface of the metallic cladding or at least a portion of the first surface of the laterally-extending wall of the lid structure prior to said arranging step.

Embodiment 21: The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein the coating step comprises printing the heat-actuated adhesive on at least a portion of a surface of the metallic cladding.

Embodiment 22: The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein either the metallic cladding or the lid structure is received pre-treated with the heat-actuated adhesive.

Embodiment 23: The method of any preceding embodiment, further comprising forming a peripheral ridge in the metallic cladding.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description together with the accompanying drawings, which are briefly described below. The invention includes any combination of two, three, four, or more of the above-noted embodiments as well as combinations of any two, three, four, or more features or elements set forth in this disclosure, regardless of whether such features or elements are expressly combined in a specific embodiment description herein. This disclosure is intended to be read holistically such that any separable features or elements of the disclosed invention, in any of its various aspects and embodiments, should be viewed as intended to be combinable unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described the disclosure in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container comprising a lid and a body in a coupled configuration according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the body of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an interior perspective view of the lid of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4A is a sectional view of a portion of a lid of the container according to one embodiment of the present disclosure along line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4B is a detailed sectional view of a portion of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C is an exploded sectional view of FIG. 4B;

FIG. 5A is a sectional view of a portion of a lid of the container according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5B is a detailed sectional view of a portion of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6A is a sectional view of a portion of a lid of the container according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6B is a detailed sectional view of a portion of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7A is a sectional view of a portion of a lid of the container according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 7B is a detailed sectional view of a portion of FIG. 7A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to certain preferred aspects. These aspects are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Indeed, the disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the aspects set forth herein; rather, these aspects are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. As used in the specification, and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, “the”, include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The embodiments of lids and containers described in the present application can be used to store a variety of products, but are particularly well-suited for products designed for oral consumption. Example consumable products that are often packaged in such containers include a wide variety of consumer products, including tobacco products in smokeless form.

Example tobacco products include pelletized tobacco products (e.g., compressed or molded pellets produced from powdered or processed tobacco, such as those formed into the general shape of a coin, cylinder, bean, pellet, sphere, orb, strip, obloid, cube, bead, or the like), extruded or cast pieces of tobacco (e.g., as strips, films, or sheets, including multilayered films formed into a desired shape), products incorporating tobacco carried by a solid substrate (e.g., where substrate materials range from edible grains to inedible cellulosic sticks), extruded or formed tobacco-containing rods or sticks, tobacco-containing capsule-like materials having an outer shell region and an inner body portion region, straw-like (e.g., hollow formed) tobacco-containing shapes, sachets or packets containing tobacco (e.g., snus-like products), pieces of tobacco-containing gum, and the like. Further, example tobacco products include tobacco formulations in a loose form such as, for example, a moist snuff product. Example loose form tobacco used with the containers of the present disclosure may include tobacco formulations associated with, for example, commercially available GRIZZLY moist tobacco products and KODIAK moist tobacco products that are marketed by American Snuff Company, LLC.

Example smokeless tobacco compositions that can be packaged in the containers of the present disclosure are set forth in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,376,586 to Schwartz; U.S. Pat. No. 3,368,567 to Speer; U.S. Pat. No. 4,513,756 to Pittman et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,606,357 to Dusek et al; U.S. Pat. No. 4,821,749 to Toft et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,244 to Kjerstad; U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,416 to White; U.S. Pat. No. 6,668,839 to Williams; U.S. Pat. No. 7,810,507 to Dube et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 7,819,124 to Strickland et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 8,469,036 to Strickland et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 8,627,828 to Strickland et al.; and U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2008/0029116 to Robinson et al. Examples of tobacco-containing gum are set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,624,269 to Story et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,975,270 to Kehoe; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,802,498 to Ogren. Various manners or methods for packaging smokeless tobacco products are set forth in U.S. Patent Application Pub. Nos. 2004/0217024 and 2006/0118589 to Arnarp et al.; and 2009/0014450 to Bjorkholm; and PCT Pub. Nos. WO 2006/034450 to Budd; WO 2007/017761 to Kutsch et al.; and WO 2007/067953 to Sheveley et al. All of the above-cited references are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

Smokeless tobacco compositions utilized as the product contained in the containers of the disclosure will often include such ingredients as tobacco (typically in particulate form), sweeteners, binders, colorants, pH adjusters, fillers, flavoring agents, disintegration aids, antioxidants, oral care additives, and preservatives. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,861,728 to Holton et al., which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

The tobacco formulation can be contained within a container, such as a pouch or bag, such as is the type commonly used for the manufacture of snus types of products (e.g., a sealed, moisture permeable pouch that is sometimes referred to as a “portion”). A representative moisture permeable pouch can be composed of a “fleece” type of material. The tobacco formulation is in turn contained within a package, such as the containers of the present disclosure described more fully hereinbelow. The package is closeable, and is composed of a suitable material, such that the atmospheric conditions within that closed package may be modified and/or controlled. In one example, the package can provide a good barrier that inhibits the passage of compositions such as moisture and oxygen therethrough. In addition, the atmosphere within the sealed package can be further modified by introducing a selected gaseous species (e.g., nitrogen, argon, or a mixture thereof) into the package prior to sealing, or by drawing a vacuum therein (vacuum sealing). As such, the atmospheric conditions to which the tobacco composition is exposed may be controlled during conditions of preparation, packing, storage and handling. In other embodiments, the atmospheric conditions are controlled by allowing for air exchange between the interior of the closed package and the ambient environment. Air exchange may be facilitated by the permeability of the materials or through vents or other structures constructed as a portion of the package. A vented container may be particularly suitable for storing fermented moist tobacco products.

An example pouch may be manufactured from materials, and in such a manner, such that during use by the user, the pouch undergoes a controlled dispersion or dissolution. Such pouch materials may have the form of a mesh, screen, perforated paper, permeable fabric, or the like. For example, pouch material manufactured from a mesh-like form of rice paper, or perforated rice paper, may dissolve in the mouth of the user. As a result, the pouch and tobacco formulation each may undergo complete dispersion within the mouth of the user during normal conditions of use, and hence the pouch and tobacco formulation both may be ingested by the user. Other example pouch materials may be manufactured using water dispersible film forming materials (e.g., binding agents such as alginates, carboxymethylcellulose, xanthan gum, pullulan, and the like), as well as those materials in combination with materials such as ground cellulosics (e.g., fine particle size wood pulp). Some pouch materials, though water dispersible or dissolvable, may be designed and manufactured such that under conditions of normal use, a significant amount of the tobacco formulation contents permeate through the pouch material prior to the time that the pouch undergoes loss of its physical integrity. If desired, flavoring ingredients, disintegration aids, and other desired components, may be incorporated within, or applied to, the pouch material. Descriptions of various components of snus products and components thereof also are set forth in U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2004/0118422 to Lundin et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. See, also, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,607,479 to Linden; U.S. Pat. No. 4,631,899 to Nielsen; U.S. Pat. No. 5,346,734 to Wydick et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,162,516 to Derr, and U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2005/0061339 to Hansson et al.; each of which is incorporated herein by reference. See, also, the representative types of pouches, and pouch material or fleece, set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,244 to Kjerstad, which is incorporated herein by reference. Snus products can be manufactured using equipment such as that available as SB 51-1/T, SBL 50 and SB 53-2/T from Merz Verpackungmaschinen GmbH. G.D SpA out of Italy also supplies tobacco pouching equipment. Snus pouches can be provided as individual pouches, or a plurality of pouches and can be connected or linked together (e.g., in an end-to-end manner) such that a single pouch or individual portion can be readily removed for use from a one-piece strand or matrix of pouches.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate one container 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The container 10 may be formed by an open-ended body 20 and a lid 40. The lid 40 is removable from the body 20 to provide access to a product held within the container 10. The body 20 has a bottom wall 22 (see FIG. 2), which, in some instances, may be substantially planar, and a peripheral flange 24 depending from the bottom wall 22 which, in some instances, may be cylindrical as shown. The peripheral flange 24 may define a peripheral portion of the container 10 such that the peripheral flange includes an outer peripheral surface 28. The bottom wall 22 and the peripheral flange 24 cooperate to define an internal storage compartment 26 for storage of a plurality of units of a product. In some instances, an upper portion 30 of the peripheral flange 24 may define a lip 32 in such a manner that the upper portion 30 the peripheral flange has a neck region 34 of reduced diameter (as compared to the diameter of the remainder of the outer surface of the peripheral flange). Note that the location of the lip 32 along the peripheral flange 24 of the body 20 can vary without departing from the present disclosure, meaning that distance between the lip 32 and the top edge 38 of the body 20 is not critical to the present disclosure. A projection 39 may extend from the neck region 34 and be provided about the periphery of the upper portion 30 of the peripheral flange 24 to provide an interference fit with the lid 40.

The lid 40 may be provided for enclosing the units of product within the internal storage compartment 26. In this regard, the lid 40 is typically removably secured to the body 20 by a snap-fit or an interference fit. As shown in FIG. 1, the lid 40 has a laterally-extending wall 42, which, in some instances, may be substantially planar. The wall 42 has opposing outer and inner surfaces 44, 46 and defines a periphery. The wall 42 has a central axis C extending perpendicularly to the outer and inner surfaces 44, 46. A sidewall 48 extends from the inner surface and about the periphery of the wall. In one embodiment, the sidewall 48 extends parallel to the central axis C. In the illustrated embodiment, the sidewall 48 is cylindrical. The sidewall 48 of the lid 40 may be received over the peripheral flange 24 of the body 20 so as to form an enclosure therebetween. In instances where the lip 32 is provided on the body 20, an edge 50 of the sidewall 48 may interact with a surface 36 of the lip 32 to form a stop when the lid 40 is received upon the body 20. In other words, the edge 50 of the lid 40, which is typically substantially planar, will abut the surface 36 of the lip 32, which is also typically substantially planar, when the lid 40 is fully seated upon the body 20. A cylindrical exterior surface 52 of the lid 40 may have the same approximate size or diameter as the peripheral flange 24 of the body 20 such that the lid and body form a smooth exterior surface when the lid is placed over the neck region 34 of the peripheral flange and fully seated upon the body. In another embodiment, the exterior surface 52 of the lid 40 may have a size or diameter that is larger than the peripheral flange 24 of the body 20 so the user may access the edge 50 of the lid 40 for removing the lid from the body.

The material for constructing the body 20 can vary. Example materials include metal, wood, and synthetic plastic materials. In one embodiment, the body 20 is formed from a polymeric material. Polymeric materials that can be extruded and/or molded into desired shapes are typically utilized, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polyamide, and the like.

FIG. 3 shows an interior perspective view of the lid 40. A rib structure 60 projects from the inner surface 46 of the laterally extending wall 42. In some aspects, the rib structure 60 may be integrally formed with the wall 42. According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the rib structure 60 may be formed by a plurality of rib segments 62 arranged in spaced relation around the periphery of the wall 42 (e.g., positioned circumferentially about the wall 42 where the lid 40 is cylindrical). Any number of rib segments 62 greater than one may be provided in accordance with the present disclosure (e.g., about 2 to about 20 rib segments or about 5 to about 15 rib segments). The rib segments 62 are separated from one another by a vent channel 64.

When the lid 40 is engaged with the body 20, each pair of adjacent rib segments 62 may form a vent channel 64 therebetween that allows venting from the interior of the container 10 to the atmosphere exterior of the container.

The sidewall 48 of the lid 40 may include a radially inward extending detent 68 extending circumferentially around the central axis C of the lid 40. The detent 68 may be configured to engage with the projection 39 of the body 20 to assist with retention of the lid 40 on the body 20.

In an embodiment, the laterally extending wall 42, sidewall 48, and rib structure 60 of the lid 40 are integrally formed into a base 70 from polymeric materials. Example polymeric materials that can be formed into the base 70 are materials that can be extruded and/or molded into the desired shapes, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polyamide, and the like.

The shape of the exterior surface 52 of the lid 40 of the disclosure can vary. Therefore, although the container 10 is represented as a substantially cylindrical “puck” shape, the container 10 may be configured with alternative peripheral shapes, such as a square, a rectangle, various other regular or irregular polygonal shapes, an oval, or other suitable shapes. Further, the sides or edges of the containers of the disclosure could be flattened, rounded, or beveled, and the various surfaces or edges of the container exterior could be concave or convex unless expressly stated otherwise in claimed embodiments. Further, the opposing sides, ends, or edges of the container can be parallel or non-parallel such that the container becomes narrower in one or more dimensions.

The dimensions of the containers described herein can vary without departing from the disclosure. However, in some embodiments, the containers of the disclosure can be described as having a cylindrical size suitable for handheld manipulation and operation. Example dimensions for such handheld cylindrical embodiments include diameters in the range of about 50 mm to about 100 mm, and more typically about 60 mm to about 80 mm. Example wall thicknesses include the range of about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm, and more typically about 0.8 mm to about 1.4 mm. Example depths for handheld container embodiments of the present disclosure range from about 5 mm to about 50 mm, more typically about 8 mm to about 30 mm, and most often about 15 mm to about 25 mm.

The number of solid product units stored in the containers of the disclosure can also vary, depending on the size of the container and the size of the product units. Typically, the number of stored product units will vary from about 5 to about 100, more typically about 10 to about 50, and most often about 15 to about 30.

Turning to FIGS. 4A-C, a cross section of the lid 40 according to a first embodiment is illustrated in further detail. Notably, the polymeric base 70 of the lid 40, which includes at least the laterally extending wall 42 and the sidewall 48, supports a metallic cladding 80 engaged with the wall 42 so as to extend laterally across the outer surface 44 of the wall.

The cladding 80 comprises a metallic material, such as tin, brass, bronze, nickel, aluminum, steel, or tin coated steel plate. The cladding 80 may be formed from a single sheet of metal via punching, stamping, trimming, forming the sheet of metal and/or via other operations. Providing a metallic cladding 80 engaged with a polymeric base 70 may be advantageous in that the illustrated combination may provide an aesthetically appealing appearance by using a metallic material to form the prominent merchandizing portion of the container 10, while also allowing the remainder of the base 70 and container to be less expensively produced using, for example, an injection molding process.

Advantageous embodiments of the present disclosure utilize an adhesive to bond the cladding 80 to the polymeric base 70. Alternatively, the metallic cladding 80 can be bonded to the polymeric base 70 during a molding operation. For example, insert molding techniques could be used to affix the cladding 80 to the base 70 during an injection molding process used to create the final shape of the base portion of the lid structure. Such processes typically involve placing an insert, in this case a cladding material, within a mold prior to injection of a polymeric material into the mold. As the final polymeric structure is formed, structural integration with the insert takes place.

The cladding 80 may provide a merchandizing portion of the lid 40 by being embossed with product branding or other aesthetically pleasing or informative labeling 82. The labeling 82 may additionally or alternatively be provided integrally with the cladding 80 through other processes such as casting, printing (e.g., infusing dyes into the surface of the cladding), etching (e.g., via various laser, chemical, and/or other suitable etching techniques), or other suitable process for adding text, graphics, and/or other ornamentation to a metal surface. The labeling 82 may alternatively be separately attached to the cladding, such as by use of a labeling sticker.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 4A-C, the cladding 80 may be substantially planar. In one embodiment, the cladding 80 comprises a metallic sheet having a thickness between about 0.1 mm and about 0.5 mm. In one embodiment, the metallic sheet has a thickness between about 0.1 mm and about 0.2 mm. The cladding 80 may be characterized as a foil. In other embodiments, the cladding 80 may be a coating applied to the base 70. In further embodiments, the cladding 80 may comprise a film applied to the base 70.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 4A-C, the cladding 80 may be engaged with the outer surface 44 of the wall 42 using an adhesive layer 84 disposed therebetween. The adhesive layer 84 may have a thickness of between about 0.01 mm and about 0.5 mm. In one embodiment, as shown in the exploded view of FIG. 4C, the adhesive layer 84 is a coating applied to a surface of the cladding 80 in a step separate from joining the cladding to the base 70. In one embodiment, the coating is a solvent-based polyolefin dispersion heat-seal coating, which may be characterized as a heat-actuated adhesive coating. In one example, a suitable coating may be sold under the tradename MORPRIME™ by the Dow Chemical Company. Acrylic, aqueous heat seal coatings available from Roymal Inc. may also be suitable. Aqueous emulsion waterborne heat-seal coatings available from Mico-Corp may also be suitable. The coatings may be applied to the cladding with known processes such as printing, gravure, rotogravure, flexographic, and offset.

Use of a heat-seal coating or heat-actuated adhesive coating as the adhesive layer 84 allows the cladding 80 to be pre-coated with the adhesive layer for later attachment to the base 70. The coating, particularly a heat-seal coating, can then be activated by heat to facilitate a bond between the metallic cladding 80 and the polymeric base 70. Prior to being heated, the coating may not be tacky, facilitating use of a cladding 80 with an adhesive layer coating in high-speed production lines.

In one example, heat for activating the adhesive layer 84 coating may be created using induction heating. Adherence between the cladding 80 with the adhesive layer 84 and the base 70 may be generated using the same or similar methodology as employed within known induction sealing or heat sealing machines. Such machines, including production line machines, are available from companies such as Relco UK, Selig Sealing Products, Inc., and ME.RO S.p.A, and Enercon Industries. Induction sealers would be used to create an electromagnetic field in the presence of the metallic cladding 80. Exposure of the cladding 80 and heat-actuated adhesive layer 84 to the magnetic field induces eddy currents within the cladding that causes the cladding to quickly generate heat therein, wherein the heat would be conducted to the adhesive layer 84. The heating of the adhesive layer 84 activates or otherwise actuates the adhesive layer 84 to form a bond between the cladding 80 and the base 70. Typical induction sealers include a power source, a coil for generating a magnetic field, and a cooling system.

The lid 40 may have a maximum height along a direction parallel with the central axis C of less than about 0.35 inches. In another embodiment, the maximum height of the lid 40 may be less than about 0.30 inches and may be less than about 0.28 inches. The height includes both the body 70 and the cladding 80. The same suitable dimensions may apply to the further embodiments discussed below.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show a lid 40a according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. The interior of the lid 40a may be substantially similar to the lid 40 discussed above, and as a result, the lid 40a may be configured to engage the body 20 in the same manner as discussed above.

The lid 40a illustrates the cladding 80a extending across substantially the entirety of the top surface 44 of the wall 42. Particularly, in the illustrated embodiment, the top surface 44 of the polymeric base 70 is substantially entirely hidden from view by the cladding 80a. The cladding 80a may include an adhesive layer 84, coated thereon in advance, that may be active by heat through an induction bonding machine as discussed hereinabove.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show a lid 40b according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. The interior of the lid 40b may be substantially similar to the lid 40 discussed above, and as a result, the lid 40b may be configured to engage the body 20 in the same manner as discussed above.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 6A and 6B, the cladding 80b is engaged with the wall 42 using an adhesive layer 84, such as the induction bonded, heat seal coating layer described above.

The wall 48 of the base 70b may also include a groove 49 recessed in the exterior surface 52. The groove 49 may be configured to receive the peripheral edge 86 of the cladding 80b. In the illustrated embodiment, the peripheral edge 86 may be bent or otherwise angled to reside in the groove 49. By positioning the peripheral edge 86 within the groove 49, the cladding 80b may be less susceptible to peeling away from the base 70b. The depth of the groove 49 in the radial direction toward axis C may be selected such that the exterior surface 52 is flush with the surface of the cladding 80b when the peripheral edge 86 is disposed within the groove 49. In another embodiment, the groove 49 is deeper than the thickness of the cladding 80b such that the cladding is recessed relative to the exterior surface 52.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show a lid 40c according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. The interior of the lid 40c may be substantially similar to the lid 40 discussed above, and as a result, the lid 40c may be configured to engage the body 20 in the same manner as discussed above.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 7A and 7B, the cladding 80c is engaged with the wall 42 using an adhesive layer 84, such as the induction bonded, heat seal coating layer described above.

The wall 48 of the base 70b may also include a groove 49 recessed in the exterior surface 52. The groove 49 may be configured to receive the peripheral edge 86 of the cladding 80c. In the illustrated embodiment, the peripheral edge 86 may be bent or otherwise angled, such as by stamping, to reside in the groove 49. By positioning the peripheral edge 86 within the groove 49, the cladding 80c may be less susceptible to peeling away from the base 70b. The depth of the groove 49 in the radial direction toward axis C may be selected such that the exterior surface 52 is flush with the surface of the cladding 80c when the peripheral edge 86 is disposed within the groove 49. In another embodiment, the groove 49 is deeper than the thickness of the cladding 80c such that the cladding is recessed relative to the exterior surface 52.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 7A and 7B, the cladding 80c may be pre-formed, such as by stamping, with a peripheral ridge 87. The peripheral ridge 87 may assist with the rigidity of the cladding 80c and help minimize warping near the center of the cladding. In addition, the peripheral ridge 87 may provide a tactile feature that assist the user with at least one of adding or removing the lid 40c from the body 20 (FIG. 1). The material and thickness of the cladding 80c may be selected such that the peripheral ridge 87 is self-supporting and would remain raised under force conditions typical to opening or closing the container 10 and force conditions typically encountered during transportation of the container. By being self-supporting, the peripheral ridge 87 of the cladding 80c may avoid the use of an upward projection formed from the polymeric material of the base 70b.

Returning to FIG. 1, as part of the final packaging process, once the containers 10 of the disclosure are filled with the desired product, the containers can be sealed with a circumferential label or wrapper of a pervious or impervious material. The label or wrapping material useful in accordance with the present disclosure can vary. Typically, the selection of the packaging label or wrapper is dependent upon factors such as aesthetics, desired barrier properties (e.g., so as to provide protection from exposure to oxygen, or so as to provide protection from loss of moisture), or the like.

Many modifications and other aspects of the disclosure set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specific aspects disclosed and that modifications and other aspects are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

1. A lid for a container for storing a smokeless tobacco product, the lid comprising: a laterally-extending wall having opposing first and second surfaces and defining a periphery, the wall having a central axis extending perpendicularly to the first and second surfaces;a sidewall extending from the second surface about the periphery of the wall, with the wall and the sidewall being formed of a polymeric material; anda metallic cladding engaged with the wall so as to extend laterally across the first surface.

2. The lid of claim 1, wherein the sidewall includes a groove recessed in an exterior surface thereof, wherein the groove is configured to receive a peripheral edge of the cladding.

3. The lid of claim 2, wherein the peripheral edge of the cladding is angled to reside in the groove.

4. The lid of claim 2, wherein the groove is recessed radially inward toward the central axis of the wall from the exterior surface of the sidewall by a distance greater than or about equal to a thickness of the cladding.

5. The lid of claim 1, wherein the cladding comprises a metallic sheet.

6. The lid of claim 5, wherein the metallic sheet is embossed.

7. The lid of claim 5, wherein the metallic sheet comprises a raised ridge adjacent to a periphery thereof.

8. The lid of claim 7, wherein the raised ridge is self-supporting.

9. The lid of claim 5, wherein the metallic sheet has a thickness between about 0.1 mm and about 0.5 mm.

10. The lid of claim 1, wherein the sidewall extends substantially parallel to the central axis of the laterally-extending wall.

11. The lid of claim 1, further comprising a rib structure projecting from the second surface of the laterally extending wall, the rib structure comprising a plurality of rib segments arranged in spaced relation proximate the periphery of the wall.

12. The lid of claim 1, wherein the sidewall further comprises a radially inward extending detent extending circumferentially around the central axis of the laterally-extending wall.

13. The lid of claim 1, wherein an adhesive layer is positioned between the cladding and the first surface.

14. The lid of claim 13, wherein the adhesive layer is a coating pre-applied to the cladding.

15. The lid of claim 13, wherein the adhesive layer is actuated by heat to form a bond between the cladding and the wall when the cladding is subjected to a magnetic field.

16. The lid of claim 13, wherein the adhesive layer comprises a heat-actuated adhesive.

17. A method of manufacturing a lid for a container for storing a smokeless tobacco product, the method comprising: receiving a lid structure comprising a laterally-extending wall having opposing first and second surfaces and defining a periphery, the wall having a central axis extending perpendicularly to the first and second surfaces, and a sidewall extending from the second surface about the periphery of the wall, with the wall and the sidewall being formed of a polymeric material;receiving a metallic cladding;arranging the metallic cladding adjacent to the first surface of the laterally-extending wall such that the cladding extends laterally across the first surface and with a heat-actuated adhesive positioned between the metallic cladding and the first surface; andexposing the metallic cladding and the heat-actuated adhesive to a magnetic field so as to actuate the heat-actuated adhesive to bond the metallic cladding to the first surface.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the sidewall includes a groove recessed in an exterior surface thereof, and the method further comprises arranging a peripheral edge of the metallic cladding within the groove.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising embossing the metallic cladding.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of coating the heat-actuated adhesive onto either at least a portion of a surface of the metallic cladding or at least a portion of the first surface of the laterally-extending wall of the lid structure prior to said arranging step.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the coating step comprises printing the heat-actuated adhesive on at least a portion of a surface of the metallic cladding.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein either the metallic cladding or the lid structure is received pre-treated with the heat-actuated adhesive.

23. The method of claim 17, further comprising forming a peripheral ridge in the metallic cladding.