Container with a spittoon

A container is provided that includes a top cover, a bottom cover, a body portion configured to engage the top cover and the bottom cover to substantially enclose an internal space defined by the body portion, wherein the body portion includes an intermediate wall that divides the internal space into a first compartment and a second compartment, and a spittoon disposed within the second compartment.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to containers, and more particularly, to packaging for products made or derived from tobacco, or that otherwise incorporate tobacco-related materials, and are intended for human consumption.

Description of Related Art

Representative smokeless tobacco products that have been marketed include those referred to as 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 and RED SEAL long cut by U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company; and Taboka by Philip Morris USA.

Representative types of snuff products, commonly referred to as “snus,” which may comprise pasteurized or heat treated tobacco products, 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 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 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 products typically do not require expectoration by the user. Other pouch types of smokeless tobacco products include those marketed as COPENHAGEN Pouches, SKOAL Bandits, SKOAL Pouches, REVEL Mint Tobacco Packs by U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company; and MARLBORO Snus by Philip Morris USA.

Various types of containers for dispensing smokeless tobacco products, and particularly for dispensing smokeless tobacco 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. For example, snus products have been packaged in tins, “pucks” or “pots” that are manufactured from metal or plastic. See, for example, those types of containers generally disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,098,421 to Foster; U.S. Pat. No. 4,190,170 to Boyd and U.S. Pat. No. 8,440,023 to Carroll et al.; and U.S. Patent Pub. Nos. 2010/0065076 to Bergstrom et al.; 2010/0065077 to Lofgreen-Ohrn et al.; 2012/0024301 to Carroll et al. and 2012/0193265 to Patel et al.; each of which is incorporated by reference herein. Yet other types of containers for smokeless types of tobacco products are set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 8,458,996 to Bried et al.; D574,709 to Crotts et al. and D649,284 to Patel et al.; U.S. Patent Pub. Nos. 2008/0202956 to Welk et al., 2010/0012534 to Hoffman, and 2010/0018883 to Patel et al.; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/739,776, filed Jan. 11, 2013, to Pipes et al.; as well as the various types of containers referenced in U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2013/0206153 to Beeson et al.; each of which is incorporated by reference herein. Further, U.S. Pat. No. 8,567,597 to Gibson et al. discloses a compartment container for snus, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

A desirable feature for certain containers is the provision of a spittoon that may be configured to capture any usage byproducts. In particular, a container with a spittoon disposed therein may provide a user with an immediate opportunity to begin consumption of the smokeless tobacco product. Further, a container including a spittoon therein may decrease the incidences of users littering the environment with waste products produced from consuming a smokeless tobacco product. Additionally or alternatively, a container providing a reusable spittoon therein may also provide for a decrease in waste as the use of multiple spittoons may be eliminated.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The above and other needs are met by aspects of the present disclosure which, in one aspect, provides a container that includes a top cover, a bottom cover, and a body portion configured to engage the top cover and the bottom cover to substantially enclose an internal space defined by the body portion. The body portion includes an intermediate wall that divides the internal space of the container into a first compartment and a second compartment. Additionally, the container includes a spittoon disposed within the second compartment.

In some aspects, the container includes a dispensing unit that is configured to provide the spittoon on demand. The dispensing unit includes an outer shell that defines a dispensing aperture and a shell cavity, and a base member that is configured to retain at least one spittoon thereon. The outer shell is configured to operably engage the base member and enclose the base member within the shell cavity.

The dispensing unit may further include a biasing element configured to operably engage the base member. According to one aspect, the base member is configured to retain a stack of disposable spittoons thereon, and operable engagement of the biasing element with the base member causes, at least in part, the base member to direct the stack of disposable spittoons towards the dispensing aperture.

According to some aspects, the outer shell and the base member may be configured to rotate with respect to one another. The base member may be configured to retain a plurality of disposable spittoons thereon that are arranged about a central axis of the base member in substantially equal angular intervals. Additionally, the outer shell and base member may be configured to operably engage one another such that the operable engagement between the outer shell and the base member provides for positioning the dispensing aperture proximate to any one of the disposable spittoons.

In some aspects, the dispensing unit is configured to be received within the second compartment. The dispensing unit may be disposed such that the dispensing aperture is disposed proximate the bottom cover when the bottom cover is operably engaged with the body portion. Additionally, operable engagement between the bottom cover and the body portion may limit access to the dispensing aperture.

According to another aspect, a container may include a dispensing unit configured to provide the spittoon on demand, and the dispensing unit may include a base member configured to retain at least one spittoon thereon. Additionally, the bottom cover of the container may define a dispensing aperture and a shell cavity therein, and the bottom cover may be configured to operably engage the base member and enclose the base member within the shell cavity.

In some aspects, a container includes a spittoon support member that is disposed within the second compartment and is configured to operably engage and deploy the spittoon. The spittoon support member may be further configured to be positioned in a stored configuration and an open configuration, and positioning the spittoon support member in the open configuration provides for the spittoon support member to deploy and provide support for the spittoon. The spittoon support member may be operably engaged and integrally formed with the bottom cover. In another aspect, the spittoon support member may be operably engaged and integrally formed with the body portion of the container. Additionally, the spittoon support member may include a biasing member that is configured to automatically position the spittoon support member to the open configuration upon removal of the bottom cover.

According to one aspect, the spittoon may be a disposable spittoon that includes a water impermeable material configured to operably engage the spittoon support member. In this regard, operably engagement between the disposable spittoon and the spittoon support member may define a spittoon cavity therein. In some aspects, the spittoon may be configured to be manipulated between a stored position and a deployed position. According to another aspect, the spittoon, when disposed in the stored position, may be dimensioned to be housed within the second compartment of the container. Additionally, when the spittoon is disposed in the deployed position, the spittoon is configured to provide a spittoon cavity to function as a spittoon. In one aspect, the spittoon may further include a plurality of concentric annular ring portions operably engaged with one another. When the spittoon is disposed in the stored position, the concentric annular ring portions may be disposed coplanar with respect to one another. According to some aspects, at least a portion of the spittoon may be operably engaged with the bottom cover, and when disposed in the deployed position, the concentric annular ring portions may extend longitudinally from the bottom cover. In another aspect, at least a portion of the spittoon may be operably engaged with the bottom cover, and when disposed in the deployed position, the concentric annular ring portions may extend longitudinally from the body portion.

Additionally, the container may include a spittoon that defines a sealed interior volume that is configured to receive a fluid therein. When the spittoon is disposed in the deployed position, the sealed interior volume may be substantially filled with the fluid (e.g., air). Likewise, when the spittoon is disposed in the stored position, the sealed interior volume may be substantially devoid of the fluid.

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.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to exemplary aspects thereof. These exemplary aspects are described 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 expressed 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.

Various container aspects described herein can be used to store various solid products, but are particularly well-suited for products designed for oral consumption. Exemplary consumable products that are often packaged in such containers include a wide variety of moist consumer products, including tobacco products of the type that have a smokeless form. Various forms of suitable smokeless tobacco products are those types of products set forth and generally described in U.S. Patent App. Pub. No. 2012/0193265 to Patel et al. and U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2013/0206153 to Beeson et al., which are both incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Of particular interest are exemplary tobacco products that include tobacco formulations in loose form, such as moist snuff products. Other exemplary types of smokeless tobacco products include the types of products set forth in U.S. Patent App. Pub. No. 2012/0024301 to Carroll et al., which is incorporated by reference herein. Exemplary 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. Exemplary snus forms of tobacco products are commercially available as CAMEL Snus by R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company.

The shape of the outer surface of the containers of the disclosure can vary. Although the container aspects illustrated in the figures have certain contours, containers with other exterior surface designs also can be suitably adapted and used. For example, the sides or edges of the containers of the disclosure can be flattened, rounded, or beveled, and the various surfaces of the edges can be concave or convex. Further, the opposing sides, ends, or edges of the container can be parallel or non-parallel such that the container expands in one or more dimensions. See, for example, the types of containers, components, component arrangements and configurations, and constructions thereof set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 8,458,996 to Bried et al.; U.S. Pat. No. D649,284 to Patel et al.; U.S. Patent App. Pub. No. 2010/0018883 to Patel et al.; U.S. Patent App. Pub. No. 2013/0206153 to Beeson et al.; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/739,776, filed Jan. 11, 2013, to Pipes et al.; each of which are incorporated by reference herein.

The dimensions of the containers described herein can vary without departing from the disclosure. However, in some preferred aspects, the containers can be described as having a cylindrical size suitable for handheld manipulation and operations, as shown inFIG. 1. Exemplary dimensions for such handheld generally cylindrical containers include diameters in the range of about 50 mm to about 130 mm, and more typically about 60 mm to about 115 mm. Exemplary wall thicknesses include the range of about 0.5 mm to about 4.75 mm, and more typically about 0.8 mm to about 4.6 mm. Exemplary depths for handheld containers, in some aspects, range from about 5 mm to about 50 mm, more typically about 8 mm to about 45 mm, and most often about 15 mm to about 40 mm.

Additionally, the size of the containers described herein may be changed. For example, the containers may be sized for promotional purposes by providing increased dimensions by upwardly scaling the container dimensions by certain multipliers. For example, the dimensions of the container may be scaled upwardly by a multiple of about 1 to about 10 times. In this regard, whereas a conventional container according to aspects of the present disclosure may be configured to store about 0.08 ounces to 1.2 ounces of a tobacco and/or tobacco-related material, an oversized container may be configured to store, for example, 2.4 ounces or 7.2 ounces of the tobacco and/or tobacco-related material. Accordingly, the dimensions and capacities disclosed herein are provided for example purposes only and may be modified to suit particular purposes.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, one aspect of one type of container5is illustrated that is representative of the present disclosure. The generally cylindrical container5may be formed by a top cover10, a bottom cover20, and an open-ended body portion30. The top cover10may include a top wall11, which in some aspects, may be substantially planar. Likewise, the bottom cover20may include a bottom wall21, which in some aspects, may also be substantially planar. The body portion30may include a side wall31, which in some aspects may be generally cylindrical, that defines a peripheral portion of the container5such that the side wall31includes an outer peripheral surface32and an inner peripheral surface33, as shown inFIG. 2. Likewise, the bottom wall21of the bottom cover20may define a peripheral bottom portion of the container such that the bottom wall includes an outer bottom surface22and an inner bottom surface23. Additionally, the top wall11of the top cover10may define a peripheral top portion of the container such that the top wall includes an outer top surface12and an inner top surface13.

According to one aspect, the body portion30may be configured to operably engage the top cover10and the bottom cover20so as to substantially enclose an internal space defined by the body portion, the top cover, and/or the bottom cover. As shown inFIG. 2, the body portion30may include an intermediate wall34that divides the internal space into a first compartment (not shown) and a second compartment41. In some aspects, the intermediate wall34of the body portion30may be substantially planar.

The material of construction of the body portion30of the container5, and/or the top cover10and the bottom cover20can vary. Exemplary preferred materials include metal and synthetic plastic materials. Polymeric materials that can be extruded and/or molded into desired shapes are typically utilized, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polyamide, and/or the like. For example, plastic materials may be injection molded to form any one of the body portion30, the top cover10, and the bottom cover20. Exemplary preferred body portions are those that incorporate polymeric materials such as those types of plastic-type materials commonly used for popular types of smokeless tobacco products. For example, exemplary body portions formed from polymeric materials are of comparable components and general structure to those used for commercially available CAMEL Snuff, GRIZZLY and KODIAK products that are marketed by American Snuff Company, LLC. Various metallic materials may additionally or alternatively be employed to form the body portion30, top cover10and/or bottom cover20of the container5. Metallic body portions formed from metallic materials are available from J. L. Clark of Rockford, Ill., Crown Cork and Seal of Philadelphia, Pa., and Independent Can of Belcamp, Md. The metallic materials may include tinplate or tinplated steel in some aspects.

The manner by which the body portion30of the container5is manufactured can vary. As discussed herein, the intermediate wall34may be substantially irreversibly (e.g., irreleasably and permanently) attached to the remainder of the body portion30. In a preferred aspect, the intermediate wall34and the side wall31that defines the side walls of the first compartment and the second compartments41are integral with one another. As such, those components of the body portion30are manufactured as a single piece. In one aspect, the intermediate wall34and the side wall31may be joined by injection molding or any of the various other formation and coupling techniques discussed herein.

In some aspects, the first compartment and/or the second compartment41may be configured to receive, house, and/or store a plurality of tobacco-related products. In particular, the first compartment may be configured to store a plurality of smokeless tobacco products. For example, when the tobacco-related product is a loose tobacco product, the amount of tobacco product stored in the first compartment may vary from approximately 20 g to approximately 50 g, and most often about 30 g to about 40 g of moist, loose tobacco product. In some aspects, the tobacco-related product may be a pouched or snus-type of product. In such aspects, the amount of tobacco product stored in the first compartment may vary, and will depend on factors such as the size of the container5, the size of the tobacco product, the degree of container fill, and the like. Typically, the number of stored pouched tobacco product units will vary from approximate 5 to approximately 30, more typically about 10 to about 25, and often about 15 to about 20.

According to one aspect, the container5may be configured to house at least one spittoon configured to receive and/or store user waste while consuming the smokeless tobacco product stored within the container5. For example, as shown inFIGS. 2, 3A, 3B, 4, 5A and 5B, a plurality of disposable spittoons90may be configured to receive and/or store user waste during consumption of a smokeless tobacco product. According to another aspect, as shown inFIGS. 6, 7, and 8A, the container5may include a disposable spittoon290,390configured to receive and/or store user waste while consuming the smokeless tobacco product stored within the container. In some aspects, as shown inFIGS. 9A, 9B, 10, and 11, the container5may include a reusable spittoon490,590configured to receive and/or store user waste while consuming the smokeless tobacco product stored within the container. In this regard, aspects of the present disclosure may provide a spittoon configured to receive and/or store user waste while consuming the smokeless tobacco product. In particular, the spittoon may comprise at least one material and/or layer that are substantially impermeable to liquid.

According to one aspect, the spittoon may comprise a web of a sheet-like paper material. As used herein, the term “paper” is meant to include any sheet or board made from a fibrous cellulosic material and encompasses paperboard. Desirable paper materials are thin, and have reasonably high tensile strengths, resiliencies and relatively good flexibilities. In particular, it is desirable that the web have a good “hand” to hold a fold but not tear, crinkle, shatter or otherwise break during a folding and/or pleating process. It is desirable that the modulus of the web is appropriate such that folding and/or pleating readily occurs. In particular, the paper material should not be so hard that it does not pleat, nor should the paper material be so soft that spittoons having poor resiliency are provided.

In some aspects, the spittoon may include a hydrophobic layer formed from a nonwoven web composition configured to enhance hydrophobicity. The hydrophobic layer may include hydrophobic cellulose fibers, such as those that are commercially available as Tencel® Biosoft from Lenzing of Austria and Olea Fiber from Kelheim of Germany. According to another aspect, the spittoon may include the single web of sheet-like paper material that is treated to enhance the hydrophobicity. For example, the single web of sheet-like paper material may be coated with a moisture barrier coating agent that includes hydrophobic compounds such as various waxes (e.g., carnauba wax).

In another aspect, the spittoon may include a first layer that includes a web of the sheet-like paper material and a second layer configured to be substantially impermeable to liquids. For example, the second layer may include a foil sheet that is substantially impermeable to liquids. In some aspects, the foil sheet, which may include a metallic material, may be laminated and/or attached to the first layer (i.e., the web of sheet-like paper material). According to another aspect, the foil sheet may be formed by printing a metallic ink on the web of sheet-like paper material such that the printed metallic ink forms a foil layer on the paper layer (and/or may be at least partially absorbed into and/or integrated with the paper portion). Such a heat conductive ink may include, for example, carbon, graphite, grapheme, silver, and/or any other suitable metallic material or combinations thereof to prohibit the flow of liquid through the web of sheet-like paper material.

According to another aspect, the spittoon may comprise a polymeric material such as, for example polyactic acid, polyhydroxyalkanoates, polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polyamide, and/or the like that is substantially impermeable to liquids. In some aspects, the spittoon may include a first layer that includes a web of the sheet-like paper material and a second layer that includes the polymeric material. In another aspect, the spittoon may include a single layer formed from the polymeric material. In yet another aspect, the spittoon may include a first layer formed from the web of the sheet-like paper material, a second layer formed from the metallic material, and a third layer formed from the polymeric material.

Additionally or alternatively, the spittoon may further include a material that is provided with a coating and/or subjected to treatment or manufacturing process, which provides desirable qualities. As mentioned previously, the spittoon may include the paper material that is coated with a hydrophobic coating material to enhance the hydrophobicity of the spittoon. In another aspect, the spittoon may be provided with an anti-microbial agent for controlling and/or inhibiting the growth of bacteria, yeast, and/or fungi.

According to some aspects, the spittoon may further include a plurality of microstructures and/or surface features configured to provide additional desirable qualities. For example, the spittoon may include a plurality of microstructures and/or surface features that provide a desired contact angle between a drop of liquid and the surface of the spittoon. In particular, the hydrophobicity of a material can be evaluated, for example, by measuring the contact angles between the drop of liquid and the surface of the material, as is known in the art.

In another aspect, the spittoon may include a sealing element configured to secure a spittoon cavity. In particular, a spittoon may include a sealing element for fully encapsulating any waste material disposed within the spittoon cavity. For example, as shown inFIGS. 6, 7, and8A, the spittoon290,390may define a spittoon cavity293,393and may further include a sealing element may include a zip-locking mechanism, an adhesive mechanism, and/or any other suitable mechanism for sealing the spittoon so as to fully secure the spittoon cavity. In some aspects, the sealing element may be configured to prevent any waste material from exiting the spittoon cavity when the sealing element is operably engaged.

Returning toFIGS. 2, 3A, 3B, 4, 5A, and 5B, a plurality of disposable spittoons90may be disposed within a dispensing unit, such as a spittoon dispenser50,150configured to provide the disposable spittoon90on demand. The spittoon dispenser50,150may be stored in the first compartment and/or the second compartments41. In another aspect, the spittoon may be disposed within the first compartment and/or second compartments41. Further still, in some aspects, the spittoon may be integrally formed with the intermediate wall34, the bottom wall21, and/or top wall11of the container5.

Referring toFIGS. 2, 3A and 3B, the container5may include a spittoon dispenser50configured to provide a disposable spittoon90on demand. As shown inFIGS. 2, 3A and 3B, the spittoon dispenser50may be configured to house a plurality of spittoons90configured to receive and/or store user waste while consuming the smokeless tobacco product stored within the container5. In some aspects, the disposable spittoon90may be configured to collapse into a substantially planar shape so as to be stackable with respect to one another.

In particular,FIGS. 3A and 3Billustrates a spittoon dispenser50configured to store a plurality of disposable spittoons90that are stacked on top of another. In particular,FIG. 3Aillustrates a spittoon dispenser50in an unfilled state, whileFIG. 3Billustrates a spittoon dispenser50in a filled state. The spittoon dispenser50may include an outer shell51that defines a dispensing aperture52therethrough. In one aspect, the outer shell51may be shaped complimentarily with the first compartment and/or second compartments41of the container5so as to be received within the first compartment and/or second compartments41. In some aspects, the outer shell51of the spittoon dispenser50may be shaped complimentarily with the second compartment41such that the spittoon dispenser operably engages the inner peripheral surface33of the side wall31in a friction fit. In particular, the outer shell51of the spittoon dispenser50may be substantially cylindrical in shape so as to be received in the first compartment and/or second compartments41, which may be shaped substantially as a cylindrical cavity.

In some aspects, as shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B, the spittoon dispenser50further includes a base plate, such as a dispensing plate53configured to receive the plurality of disposable spittoons90thereon. In addition, the spittoon dispenser50may include a biasing element54configured to bias the dispensing plate53towards the dispensing aperture52. As shown inFIG. 3A, the biasing element54biases the dispensing plate53such that in the unfilled state, the dispensing plate53may substantially abut an inner surface of the outer shell51.FIG. 3Billustrates the spittoon dispenser50in a filled state where the biasing element54biases the dispensing plate53such that the plurality of disposable spittoons90are stacked proximate the dispensing aperture52, and a first disposable spittoon substantially abuts an inner surface of the outer shell51. As such, according to one aspect, when a first disposable spittoon within a stack of disposable spittoons is removed from the spittoon dispenser50via the dispensing aperture52, a second disposable spittoon in the stack is urged towards the inner surface of the outer shell51as the biasing element54biases the dispensing plate53towards the inner surface of the outer shell51.

In some aspects, a spittoon dispenser150may be configured to rotate about a base member153, as shown inFIGS. 4, 5A and 5B. In particular, according to one aspect, a spittoon dispenser150may include an outer shell151that defines a dispensing aperture152. The outer shell151of the spittoon dispenser150may be similarly shaped and configured to the outer shell51of the spittoon dispenser50. In particular, the spittoon dispenser151defines a dispensing aperture152, and may be shaped complimentarily with the first compartment and/or second compartments41of the container5so as to be received within the first compartment and/or second compartments41. In some aspects, the outer shell151of the spittoon dispenser150may be shaped complimentarily with the second compartment41such that the spittoon dispenser150operably engages the inner peripheral surface33of the side wall31in a friction fit. In another aspect, the outer shell151of the spittoon dispenser150may be shaped complimentarily with the second compartment41such that the spittoon dispenser150is rotatable within the second compartment41. In particular, the outer shell151of the spittoon dispenser150may be substantially cylindrical in shape so as to be received in the first compartment (not shown) and/or second compartments41, which may be shaped substantially as a cylindrical cavity.

In addition, the outer shell151may be shaped and configured to operably engage the base member153and enclose the base member153within a cavity defined by the outer shell151. Additionally or alternatively, the base member153may be configured to rotate with respect to the outer shell151about the longitudinal axis A, as shown inFIGS. 5A and 5B. In particular, the base member153may be configured to rotate about its longitudinal axis and shaped complimentarily with the outer shell151such that the base member153may rotate within the complimentarily-shaped cavity defined by the outer shell151. For example, the base member153may be substantially shaped as a cylindrical body such that the base member153may rotate within a complimentarily-shaped cylindrical cavity defined by the outer shell151.

Additionally, the base member153may be configured to retain at least one spittoon thereon (e.g., disposable spittoon90), as shown inFIG. 4. In particular, the base member153may be configured to retain a plurality of disposable spittoons90,91,92,93,94,95arranged about the periphery of the base member153. As shown inFIG. 4, the disposable spittoons90,91,92,93,94,95may be arranged about a central longitudinal axis of the base member153in substantially equal angular intervals. As such, the base member153and/or the outer shell151may rotate about the longitudinal axis of the container5such that operable engagement between the base member153and the outer shell151provides for positioning the dispensing aperture152proximate to any one of the disposable spittoons90,91,92,93,94,95. In particular, the base member153and/or the outer shell151may rotate with respect to one another such that the dispensing aperture152travels circumferentially along the peripheral side wall154of the base member153so as to provide access to any one of the disposable spittoons90,91,92,93,94,95. Further,FIGS. 5A and 5Billustrate the base member153and/or the outer shell151positioned in a first position inFIG. 5Aand a second position inFIG. 5B. In particular, as shown inFIG. 5A, the spittoon dispenser150may be oriented such that a first disposable spittoon90is accessible via the dispensing aperture152in the first position, whileFIG. 5Billustrates the dispensing aperture152having changed position due to the rotation of the base member153and/or outer shell151such that a second disposable spittoon92is accessible via the dispensing aperture152in the second position.

As previously mentioned, the spittoon dispensers50,150shown inFIGS. 2, 3A, 3B, 4, 5A and 5Bmay be configured to be received within the first compartment (not shown) and/or second compartment41of the body portion30of the container5. When the spittoon dispenser50,150is disposed within the second compartment41, the dispensing aperture52,152is disposed opposite from the intermediate wall34of the body portion30. As such, when the body portion30and the bottom cover20are not operably engaged with one another, the dispensing aperture152is accessible. Likewise, when the body portion30and the bottom cover20are operably engaged with one another, the dispensing aperture152is inaccessible. Further, the body portion30and the top cover10may operably engage one another in a similar fashion such that when the spittoon dispenser50,150is disposed within the first compartment, the top cover10may limit access to the dispensing aperture52,152when the top cover10is operably engaged with the body portion30.

In another aspect, a spittoon dispenser may include a base member53,153configured to retain at least one spittoon90thereon and shaped complimentarily with the first compartment (not shown) and/or second compartment41so as to be received within the first compartment and/or second compartment41. Additionally, the bottom cover20may define a dispensing aperture similar to the dispensing apertures52,152defined by the outer shell51,151. According to one aspect, the bottom cover20, the side wall31, and the intermediate wall34may together define a shell cavity, such as the second compartment41, which is configured to receive the base member53,153therein. As such, when the base member53,153is disposed within the second compartment41, and the bottom cover20, which defines a dispensing aperture, is operably engaged with the body portion30, the bottom cover20may provide access to a disposable spittoon90on demand via the dispensing aperture defined by the bottom cover20.

FIG. 6illustrates another aspect of the present disclosure that provides a container205that includes a top cover210, a bottom cover220, a body portion230, and a spittoon290configured to receive and/or store user waste while consuming the smokeless tobacco product in an operating or open configuration. In particular, a spittoon290may include a spittoon support member292or support structure configured to operably engage and deploy a spittoon liner291. In some aspects, the liner291may include any suitable materials configured to retain and/or store any user waste produced from consuming the smokeless tobacco product. For example, the liner291may include a liquid impermeable material such as, for example polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polyamide, polyactic acid, polyhydroxyalkanoates, and/or the like. Further, the liner291may include any suitable materials configured to be collapsible and/or malleable such that when the spittoon290is disposed in a stored or closed configuration, the liner291is fully enclosed within the enclosed second compartment241, which may be defined by the bottom cover220, and at least a portion of the side wall231and the intermediate wall (not shown) of the body portion230.

In some aspects, the spittoon support structure292may be configured to operably engage the spittoon liner291such that when the spittoon support structure292is disposed in the open configuration, the spittoon support structure292deploys and provides support for the spittoon liner292. For example, when the spittoon support structure292operably engages, deploys and provides support for the spittoon liner291in the open configuration, the spittoon liner291may be substantially shaped as a cylindrical container that defines a spittoon cavity293. In some aspects, the spittoon liner291may be detachable from the spittoon support structure292such that a new and unused spittoon liner291may be operably engaged with the spittoon support structure292before each use.

In some aspects, when the spittoon support structure292and the spittoon liner291are disposed in the stored configuration, the spittoon support structure292and the spittoon liner291are configured to be fully enclosed within the second compartment241. In particular, the spittoon support structure292may be configured such that when the bottom cover220and the body portion230are operably engaged with one another, the spittoon support structure292and the spittoon liner291are fully enclosed within the second compartment241. For example, according to some aspects, the spittoon support structure292may be integrally formed and/or operably engaged with the intermediate wall234, as shown inFIG. 6. In another aspect, the spittoon support structure292may be integrally formed and/or operably engaged with the bottom cover220, as shown inFIG. 7. As such, when the bottom cover220operably engages the body portion230, the spittoon support structure292may be configured to compress in height such that the height of the compressed spittoon support structure292is less than or equal to the height of the enclosed second compartment241, which may be defined by the bottom cover220, and at least a portion of the side wall231and the intermediate wall234of the body portion230. In one aspect, the spittoon support structure292may include a spring element configured to compress in height, as shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, such that the spittoon support structure292and the spittoon liner291are fully enclosed within the second compartment241.

In another aspect, as shown inFIGS. 8A and 8B, a spittoon support structure392may include a plurality of spittoon support members394and a plurality of spittoon member connectors396. In some aspects, the plurality of spittoon support members394may be configured to attach to one another with the spittoon member connectors396so as to form a unitary spittoon support structure392. Like the spittoon support structure292shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, the spittoon support structure392shown inFIGS. 8A and 8Bis configured to operably engage a spittoon support liner391. The spittoon support structure392may be configured to operably engage the spittoon liner391such that when the spittoon support structure392is deployed to the open configuration, the spittoon support structure392provides support for the spittoon liner391. In particular, the spittoon support structure392may provide support such that the spittoon liner391forms a spittoon cavity393, as shown inFIG. 8A.

Additionally, according to one aspect, the spittoon support structure392and the spittoon liner391are configured to be manipulated between an open configuration and a stored configuration. In particular, the spittoon support structure392and/or the spittoon liner391, when disposed in the stored configuration, are configured to be fully enclosed within the second compartment341. For example, according to some aspects, the spittoon support structure392may be integrally formed and/or operably engaged with an intermediate wall of a body portion. In another aspect, as shown inFIG. 8A, the spittoon support structure392may be integrally formed and/or operably engaged with the bottom cover320. In particular, the spittoon support structure392may be integrally formed and/or operably engaged with an inner bottom surface323of a bottom wall321of the bottom cover320. As such, when the bottom cover320operably engages the body portion (not shown), the plurality of spittoon support members394of the spittoon support structure392may be configured to disengage and/or detach from one another such that the unitary spittoon support structure392comprises a plurality of individual spittoon support members394that are connected via spittoon member connectors396. Thus, the plurality of detached individual spittoon support members394and the spittoon liner391are configured to be fully encapsulated within the enclosed second compartment341when the spittoon support structure392and the spittoon liner391are disposed in the stored configuration.

In one aspect, a first spittoon support member394having a first end and a second may be operably engaged with a spittoon member connector396disposed proximate either the first or second end of the spittoon support member394. As such, a first spittoon support member394may be securely connected to a second spittoon support member394via a spittoon member connector396that is disposed therebetween. In particular, as shown inFIG. 8B, a first spittoon support member394may have be operably engaged with a spittoon member connector396, which may be disposed proximate the first end of the first spittoon support member394. The spittoon member connector396may also be operably engaged with a second end of a second spittoon support member394. According to some aspects, the spittoon member connector396may be a biasing member configured to bias the first end of the first spittoon support member394towards the second end of the second spittoon support member394. In particular, the spittoon member connector396may be any suitable material having an elasticity and/or spring force configured to bias the first and second spittoon support members toward one another. For example, in one aspect, the spittoon member connector396may include a nylon-wrapped rubber bungee cord and/or a nylon-wrapped silicone bungee cord. In another aspect, a second spittoon support member394may be operably engaged with a first spittoon member connector396disposed proximate the second end of the second spittoon support member394and may be operably engaged with a second and third spittoon member connector396disposed proximate the first end of the second spittoon support member394. As such, the second spittoon support member394may be configured to operably engage a first spittoon support member proximate the second end of the second spittoon support member, and may be further configured to operably engage a third and fourth spittoon support member proximate the first end of the spittoon support member via the spittoon member connectors disposed between each of the spittoon support members.

According to another aspect, the spittoon support structure392may be manipulated from the stored configuration to the open configuration by engaging any of the spittoon support members394, as shown inFIG. 8B. For example, each of the plurality of spittoon support members394and the plurality of spittoon member connectors396may be operably connected to one another such that manipulating any one of the spittoon support members394from the stored configuration to the open configuration causes the remaining spittoon support members394and spittoon support connectors396to move from the stored configuration to the open configuration. In some aspects, the spittoon support connectors396may include a scissor-like joint member operably engaged with at least two spittoon support members. The spittoon support connectors396may be configured to provide for the folding, manipulation, and/or actuation of the spittoon support members394between the stored configuration and the open configuration such that the spittoon support structure392deployed in the open configuration is greater in size than the spittoon support structure392deployed in the stored configuration.

In another aspect, as shown inFIGS. 9A, 9B and 10, a container405may include a top cover405, a body portion430, a bottom cover420, and a spittoon490configured to receive and/or store user waste product produced from consuming a smokeless tobacco product. In particular, a container405may include a reusable spittoon490configured to receive and/or store user waste product during consumption of a smokeless tobacco product in a deployed position, as shown inFIGS. 9A and 9B. The reusable spittoon490may be further configured to be to be manipulated between the deployed position, as shown inFIGS. 9A and 9B, and a stored position, as shown inFIG. 10. AlthoughFIGS. 9A, 9B and 10illustrate the reusable spittoon490being operably engaged and/or integrally formed with the bottom cover420, the reusable spittoon490may be operably engaged and/or integrally formed with the intermediate wall434such that the spittoon490may be deployed from and/or stored within the second compartment, as described herein. In particular,FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 10illustrate the reusable spittoon490being operably engaged and/or integrally formed with an inner bottom surface423of a bottom wall421of the bottom cover420.

According to some aspects, the reusable spittoon490may include a plurality of concentric annular ring portions491. In one aspect, the plurality of concentric annular ring portions491may have graduated diameters which are extendable from one another along the longitudinal axis of the spittoon490. In particular, the concentric annular ring portions491may be extended longitudinally so as to form and define a spittoon cavity493. For example, as shown inFIG. 9A, the concentric annular ring portions491may be extended longitudinally and may be sequentially sized and dimensioned such that each respective upper ring portion that extends from a respective lower ring portion forms and defines a spittoon cavity493that has an increasing diameter as the concentric annular ring portions extend from the bottom cover420. In another aspect, as shown inFIG. 9B, the concentric annular ring portions491may be extended longitudinally and may be sequentially sized and dimensioned such that each respective upper ring portion that extends from a respective lower ring portion forms and defines a spittoon cavity493that has a decreasing diameter as the concentric annular ring portions extend from the bottom cover420.

Additionally or alternatively, the plurality of concentric annular ring portions491may be sequentially sized and dimensioned such that each respective lower ring portion is concentrically nested within each respective upper ring portion when the ring portions are stored in a stored position, as shown inFIG. 10. In some aspects, the spittoon490may further include a pull tab499operably engaged with at least one of the concentric annular ring portions491, as shown inFIGS. 9A, 9B and 10. In particular, the pull tab499may be operably engaged with the uppermost ring portion such that a user may engage the pull tab499to move the spittoon from the stored configuration to the open configuration.

In some aspects, the concentric annular ring portions491may be configured to be disposed substantially coplanar with respect to one another when the reusable spittoon490is disposed in the stored configuration. As such, the height of the reusable spittoon490when stored in the stored position may be defined by the height of the concentric annular ring portion491, which may be less than the height of the second compartment441. Accordingly, the reusable spittoon490may be configured to be fully enclosed within the second compartment when the reusable spittoon490is disposed in the stored position.

Referring toFIGS. 9A and 9B, the concentric annular ring portions491may each include a ring segment494and a flange segment495. Each of the plurality of concentric annular ring portions491(i.e., the ring segment494and the flange segment495) may include a flexible material, and may be flexibly coupled to one another. For example, in some aspects, the annular ring portions491may include a silicone material. In another aspect, the plurality of concentric ring portions491may include a ring segment494that includes a substantially rigid material such as plastic, metal, and/or the like, and a flange segment495that includes a flexible material such as silicone and/or the like. Accordingly, the flexible flange segments495may still be manipulated such that the substantially rigid ring segments494are concentrically nested with respect to one another.

According to another aspect, a container may include a reusable spittoon590, as shown inFIG. 11, which is configured to be manipulated between a stored position and a deployed position. In some aspects, the reusable spittoon590may be configured to be fully enclosed within a first and/or second compartment of a container when disposed in the stored position. In this regard, a reusable spittoon590may include a valve assembly591configured to provide for fluid communication between the environment and a sealed interior volume592of the spittoon590. As such, the valve assembly591may be configured to connect and/or operably engage the sealed interior volume592so as to fill the sealed interior volume592with a fluid (e.g. air) from the stored position to a deployed position, as shown inFIG. 11. For example, the reusable spittoon590may be configured to be inflated with air via the valve assembly591such that the reusable spittoon590is inflated to the deployed position. Likewise, the sealed interior volume592of the reusable spittoon590may be deflated from the deployed position such that the sealed interior volume592is substantially devoid of air. In this regard, the reusable spittoon590may be deflated from the deployed position to a stored position via the valve assembly591.

When disposed in the deployed position, the sealed interior volume592of the reusable spittoon590may be substantially filled with a fluid such that the reusable spittoon590defines a spittoon cavity593. Likewise, when the reusable spittoon590is manipulated towards the stored position, the fluid within the sealed interior volume592may be dispersed to the outside environment through the valve assembly591such that the reusable spittoon590holds no distinctive shape or structure in the stored position.

According to another aspect, the container605may include a cover610and a body portion630, as shown inFIG. 12. In particular, the container605may include a body portion630defining a first end631and a longitudinally-opposed second end632. Additionally, the body portion630may include a bottom wall633disposed proximate the second end632. A first end631of the body portion630may be configured to operably engage the cover610so as to substantially enclose an internal space defined by the body portion. As previously mentioned, the internal space may be configured to receive, house, and/or store a plurality of tobacco-related products, such as a plurality of smokeless tobacco products.

According to some aspects, the body portion630may include at least one outer surface. For example, the body portion630may include a bottom wall633having an outer bottom surface635disposed proximate the second end632of the body portion. In some aspects, the outer bottom surface635may be configured to retain a plurality of disposable spittoons90,91,92,93,94,95arranged about the periphery of the outer bottom surface635of the body portion630. For example, the plurality of disposable spittoons90,91,92,93,94,95may be temporarily attached to the outer bottom surface635of the body portion630with an adhesive material until a consumer removes one of the disposable spittoons for use.