Abstract:
The invention relates to a container for tobacco related or smoking related articles, in particular snus, and a method of manufacturing such a container. The container comprises a base portion and a top portion defining a first compartment between the base portion and the top portion. The base portion or the top portion comprises a displaceable wall and a cover defining a second compartment between the displaceable wall and the cover. The displaceable wall is coupled to the base portion or the top portion by a screw thread for displacing the displaceable wall by rotating the displaceable wall.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to a container for tobacco related or smoking related articles, in particular snus and a method of manufacturing such a container. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    EP 2 349 853 discloses a container comprising a base and a lid defining a first compartment for storing unused snus and in which at least the lid or the base includes a reconfigurable wall to enable a user to form or enlarge a second compartment on the other side of said wall to the first compartment for storing used snus, and a cover for closing the second compartment. The wall is at least partially formed from a resilient material and can be positioned in a selectable one of a plurality of stable positions. The wall is movable into one of said positions in response to the application of pressure to the wall and by deforming it beyond a predetermined point. The disadvantage of this container is, however, that it requires that the consumer gets in direct contact with the reconfigurable wall in order to expand or downsize the second compartment. This is generally uncomfortable and, if used snus or the remains of used snus are kept in the second compartment, the consumer&#39;s hands are inevitably soiled. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    It is an object of the invention to provide a container for tobacco related or smoking related articles, in particular snus, with a simplified handling and an improved hygienic handling of used and unused articles. Smoking related articles may also include capsules or cartridges for electronic cigarettes. 
         [0004]    In an aspect, a container for tobacco related or smoking related articles, in particular snus, is provided. Smoking related articles may also include capsules or cartridges for electronic cigarettes. The container comprises a base portion and a top portion defining a first compartment between the base portion and the top portion. The base portion or the top portion can comprise a displaceable wall and a cover defining a second compartment between the displaceable wall and the cover. Advantageously, the displaceable wall is coupled to the base portion or the top portion by a screw thread which is configured to displace the displaceable wall by rotating the displaceable wall. When the displaceable wall is rotated, it moves linearly along a longitudinal axis of the container while the displaceable wall is rotated around this longitudinal axis. This allows displacing the displaceable wall within the container such that the volumes of the first compartment and the second compartment are adjusted relative to each other. The screw thread provides a well determined movement and at the same time already a certain sealing between the first compartment and the second compartment. The container may advantageously have a dimension that allows it to fit into a single hand. The displaceable wall can then be rotated by one or more fingers of the hand holding the container. This provides a very convenient and simple handling. 
         [0005]    Generally and in the context of this specification, a screw thread is a substantially helical structure that converts a rotational movement into a linear movement. The screw thread can comprise a ridge wrapped around a cylinder in the form of a helix. The lead of a screw thread is the linear distance the screw travels in one revolution. The screw thread comprises a matched pair of threads, external and internal which are also referred to as male and female. For example, a screw can have male threads, while its matching hole has female threads. This is also referred to as the gender of the screw thread. The helix of the screw thread can twist in two possible directions. This is referred to as the handedness. 
         [0006]    In view of the previous paragraph, the screw thread may advantageously comprise a matched pair of screw threads, one screw thread of the pair of screw threads being arranged on a circumferential side wall of the top portion or the base portion and one screw thread of the pair of screw threads being arranged around the displaceable wall. The matching pair of screw threads provides a certain sealing between the first and second compartment and thereby improves hygiene. 
         [0007]    In an advantageous embodiment, the base portion can comprise a bottom wall and a circumferential side wall or side walls extending from the bottom wall. The top portion can at least comprise a side wall configured to be coupled to the side wall of the base portion. The top portion may also be referred to as a lid of the base portion. The longitudinal axis along which the displaceable wall moves when it is rotated is then perpendicular to the bottom wall of the base portion. 
         [0008]    The container can generally be configured such that both compartments can be opened separately from each other. The base portion and the top portion can be configured to be detachably coupled to each other for opening and closing the first compartment. The cover can also be detachably coupled to the top portion. This allows accessing the first compartment and the second compartment. 
         [0009]    The first compartment can be configured to accommodate an unused tobacco related or smoking related article, in particular snus. The second compartment can be configured to accommodate a used tobacco related or smoking related article, in particular used snus. In other words, the second compartment can serve as a waste compartment for the articles or remains of the articles previously contained in the first compartment and after they have been consumed. The displaceable wall can then be moved such that the volume of the second compartment is gradually increased while the volume of the first compartment is decreased. In other words, the volume (inner space) of the first compartment is reduced if the volume (inner space) of the second compartment is increased by rotating the displaceable wall in a first direction of rotation and the volume (space) of the first compartment is increased if the volume of the second compartment is reduced by rotating the displaceable wall in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation 
         [0010]    In an aspect, the displaceable wall has predetermined dimensions and is made out of rigid (stiff) material. In other words, the displaceable wall does not need to be deformed for adjusting the volumes of the first and second compartments which supports hygienic aspects and the handling of the container. 
         [0011]    The container can further comprise a first circumferential side wall attached to and extending from the displaceable wall defining an inner receptacle of a predetermined size. This aspect further prevents any used articles from affecting the unused articles thereby improving the hygiene. 
         [0012]    The container can advantageously be configured such that the displaceable wall can be rotated by rotating the cover when the cover is attached to the top portion. A coupling mechanism may be provided between the cover and the displaceable wall that engages when the cover is attached to the container. This aspect particularly supports the positive hygienic factors, as the consumer does not need to touch the displaceable wall which may carry used articles or remains of used articles. 
         [0013]    In an embodiment, in order to provide a coupling between the cover and the displaceable wall, the container can further comprise a second circumferential side wall which is attached to the cover. The cover can comprise a cover plate and the second circumferential side wall extending from the cover plate. The second circumferential side wall can then be configured to engage with the first circumferential side wall on the displaceable wall in order to rotate the displaceable wall by rotating the cover plate. In other words, the consumer does not need to touch the displaceable wall but can rotate the displaceable indirectly by rotating the cover plate. This further improves the hygienic factors of the container. 
         [0014]    The first and second circumferential side walls may have corresponding protrusions in a longitudinal direction, i.e. in the direction in which the displaceable wall moves when it is rotated. This allows the cover to remain in the closed state while the displaceable wall moves away from the cover into the first compartment. When the displaceable wall is rotated in the opposite direction, the longitudinal protrusions allow the displaceable wall to approach the cover as the cover engages with displaceable wall by the protrusions 
         [0015]    Advantageously, the first and second circumferential side walls of the cover and the one extending from the displaceable wall overlap in an initial state of the second compartment in which the second compartment has minimum volume. 
         [0016]    They may still overlap (but over a smaller distance) when the second compartment has maximum volume, i.e. when the displaceable wall has maximum distance from the cover plate. This provides an improved sealing of the second compartment, in particular in combination with the longitudinal protrusions arranged on the first and second circumferential side wall. 
         [0017]    The container can further comprise a third circumferential side wall attached to and extending from the top portion. The third circumferential side wall may carry one part of the screw thread (male or female). In another embodiment, in which the displaceable wall is coupled to the base portion, the third circumferential side wall may be part of the base portion. 
         [0018]    The container can further comprise a fourth circumferential side wall attached to and extending from the displaceable wall towards the cover. The fourth wall may then carry the other part of the screw thread (female or male) which corresponds to the screw thread provided on the third circumferential side wall. In other words, the screw thread comprises a matched pair of screw threads which are internal and external and male and female, respectively. This means that the screw thread comprises a matched pair of screw threads, one being arranged on the third circumferential side wall of the base portion or the top portion and the other being arranged around the displaceable wall. 
         [0019]    In alternative embodiments, the displaceable wall may be directly coupled to an outer circumferential side wall of the base portion or the top portion. The screw thread may then be arranged on the inner side of the respective side wall. The displaceable wall may then either have a corresponding circumferential screw thread or at least some protrusions or the like which are appropriate to engage with the screw thread. 
         [0020]    The circumferential side walls according to the aspects and embodiments of the invention may advantageously (but not necessarily) have cylindrical shape. 
         [0021]    The handedness of the screw thread can advantageously be chosen such that rotating the cover is appropriate for right handed persons. In an embodiment, the second compartment may be enlarged by turning the cover (cover plate) in a clockwise direction. This is a convenient and simple movement for a right handed person holding the container in the right hand. For a left handed person the screw thread can be configured to operate in the opposite direction such that the second compartment is enlarged by turning the cover in a counter-clockwise direction. 
         [0022]    The screw thread can further be configured such that it allows at least one complete revolution of the displaceable wall. The angle of rotation should not be too small. This improves the handling. 
         [0023]    The screw thread can advantageously be configured such that it prevents linear movement of the displaceable wall when the displaceable wall is not rotated by the consumer. This prevents that the volumes of the first and second compartment are unintentionally changed. 
         [0024]    The container may further comprise a latching mechanism that prevents the displaceable wall from being rotated in the second direction of rotation. This aspect provides that the second compartment can only be enlarged but not downsized anymore. This can be advantageous in order to prevent any content of the second compartment from being squeezed which may affect the fresh content in the first compartment. 
         [0025]    The latching mechanism advantageously comprises a further circumferential intersected wall that is arranged between the top portion and the base portion. 
         [0026]    A hooking mechanism can further be provided at the outer circumferential side wall which extends from the displaceable wall towards the cover. The hooking mechanism provides that the displaceable wall can only be rotated into the first direction of rotation. The latching mechanism prevents the displaceable wall from being rotated into the second direction of rotation which is opposite to the first one. This provides that the second compartment can only be expanded (thereby decreasing the volume of the first compartment) but not be downsized anymore. 
         [0027]    The invention also provides a method of manufacturing a container in accordance with the aspects and embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0028]    Further aspects and characteristics of the invention ensue from the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein 
           [0029]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view on a closed container according to an embodiment, 
           [0030]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view on the container of  FIG. 1  when the first compartment is open, 
           [0031]      FIG. 3  is a perspective exploded view of the container shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , 
           [0032]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view on a detail of the container shown in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3 , and 
           [0033]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional top view of the top portion of the container shown in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0034]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view on a closed container  1  according to an embodiment. The container has a base portion  2  and a top portion (or lid)  3 . Attached to the top portion  3  is further a cover  4 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view on the container  1  of  FIG. 1  when the first compartment  5  is open. The first compartment  5  is located between the top portion  3  and the base portion  2 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 3  is a perspective exploded view of the container shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . The base portion  2  comprises a bottom wall  16  and a side wall (circumferential)  17 . Bottom wall  16  and side wall  17  substantially define the first compartment  5 . The first compartment  5  may be used for accommodating fresh (unused) tobacco related or smoking related articles, in particular unused snus (not shown). 
         [0037]    The top portion  3  comprises the displaceable wall  6  and a circumferential fastening element  8  that is configured to engage with the side wall  17  of the base portion  2 . 
         [0038]    A (first) circumferential side wall  9  extends from the displaceable wall  6  towards the cover  4  and delimits a receptacle that forms the basis of the second compartment  7 . Any used articles or remains of used articles are held within the area which is delimited by the displaceable wall  6  and the (first) circumferential side wall  9 . This prevents to a certain extent that used articles affect the unused articles stored in the first compartment  5 . 
         [0039]    There is further a cover  4  that can be attached to and detached from the top portion  3 . The second compartment  7  is located between the cover  4  and the top portion  3 . The bottom plate of the second compartment  7  is formed by the displaceable wall  6 . The cover  4  comprises a cover plate  14  and a (second) circumferential side wall  15 . The (second) circumferential side wall  15  extends from the cover plate into the container  1 , more specifically into the space between the cover plate  14  and the displaceable wall  6 . 
         [0040]    In this embodiment, the fastening element  8  is basically a ring. It comprises a circular top plate  12  and an outer circumferential side wall  11 , as well as an inner circumferential side wall  13  which is further referred to as the third circumferential side wall  13 . 
         [0041]    A (fourth) circumferential side wall  10  is arranged on the displaceable wall  6 . The (fourth) circumferential side wall  10  extends from the displaceable wall  6  towards the cover  4 . 
         [0042]    The screw thread comprises two corresponding parts  18 A and  18 B which are arranged on the inner side of the (fourth) circumferential side wall  10  extending from the displaceable wall  6  and the inner side of the (third) circumferential side wall  13  of the fastening element  8  (this part of the screw thread is not visible in this view). 
         [0043]    The screw thread  18 A,  18 B is configured to move the displaceable wall  6  along the longitudinal axis AX by rotating the displaceable wall  6  around the longitudinal axis AX. 
         [0044]    The (second) circumferential side wall  15  interacts with the first circumferential side wall  9  attached to and extending from the displaceable wall  6 . The first circumferential side wall  9  has vertical protrusions  24  extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis AX (axis of rotation and axis along which the displaceable wall is displaced by rotating it). These protrusions  24  engage with corresponding protrusions (not visible in this view) on the (second) circumferential side wall  15  of the cover  4 . This provides an interaction between inner circumferential side wall  13  of the cover  4  and the circumferential side wall  10  on the displaceable wall  6 . This means that the displaceable wall  6  can be rotated around the longitudinal axis AX by rotating the cover plate  14  if the cover  4  is in the closed position (as shown, for example in  FIG. 1 ). This means that the consumer does not need to touch the displaceable wall  6  directly in order to increase (or decrease) the volume of the second compartment  7 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view on a detail of the container shown in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3 . The container  1  is in the closed position in which the top portion  3  is attached to the base portion  2  and the cover  4  is attached to the top portion  3 . The top portion  3  engages with the base portion  2  (i.e. with the upper rim of the side wall  17  of the base portion  2 ) by a snap fit  21 . This allows opening and closing the first compartment  5  by attaching and detaching the top portion  3 . 
         [0046]    In the shown state, the second compartment  7  is expanded into the first compartment  5 . The displaceable wall  6  has been moved downwardly into the first compartment  5  along the longitudinal axis AX by rotating it around this axis AX. The screw thread comprising corresponding threads  18 A and  18 B provides that the displaceable wall  6  moves along axis AX when the displaceable wall  6  is rotated around this axis AX. The screw thread  18 A is female (internal) and the screw thread  18 B is male (external) in this embodiment. The circumferential side wall  15  of the cover  4  has longitudinal protrusions  25  on the inner side that engage with corresponding longitudinal protrusions  24  on the outer side of circumferential side wall  9 . This provides that the displaceable wall  6  can be rotated and thereby moved up and down by rotating the cover  4 . Furthermore, the longitudinal protrusions  24 ,  25  and the overlap of circumferential side walls  9  and  15  provide a tight sealing of the second compartment  7 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional top view of the top portion of the container shown in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3 . There is the inner circumferential side wall  9  which extends towards the cover from the displaceable wall  6 . It engages with the circumferential side wall  15  that extends from the cover by longitudinal circumferential corresponding protrusions  24 ,  25 . There is further a latching mechanism  23  that prevents the displaceable wall  6  from being rotated in one of two possible directions of rotation R 1 , R 2 . The latching mechanism  23  comprises a further circumferential intersected wall  20  that is placed between the top portion  3  and the base portion  2 . A hooking mechanism  22  is provided at the outer circumferential side wall  10  which extend from the displaceable wall  6  towards the cover  4 . In this embodiment, the displaceable wall  6  can only be rotated into the first direction of rotation R 1 . The latching mechanism  23  prevents the displaceable wall  6  from being rotated into the second direction of rotation R 2  which is opposite to the first one R 1 . This provides that the second compartment  7  can only be expanded (thereby decreasing the volume of the first compartment) but not be downsized anymore. 
         [0048]    With respect to the previously described embodiments, it should be noted that the various circumferential side walls have circular cylindrical shape. However, this shape is mainly required for the circumferential side walls carrying the screw threads. Other side walls may have a different shape. 
         [0049]    In the above described embodiments, the volume of the first compartment can be about 10 ml to 100 ml, in particular 40 to 80 ml when the displaceable wall is in a first position in which the second compartment has minimum volume. The volume of the second compartment may be between 5 ml and 30 ml, and in particular about 10 ml to 20 ml dependent on the state. In the first state (minimum volume of second compartment and maximum volume of first compartment) the distance between the displaceable wall and the cover plate may be between 4 mm and 8 mm. In the second state (maximum volume of second compartment and minimum volume of first compartment) the distance between the displaceable wall and the cover plate can be between 7 mm and 18 mm. 
         [0050]    In the above embodiments, the diameter of the container can be between 50 mm and 100 mm, and in particular 60 mm to 80 mm. The height of the container can be between 20 mm and 30 mm, and in particular 24 mm. 
         [0051]    Although the invention has been described hereinabove with reference to specific embodiments, it is not limited to these embodiments and no doubt further alternatives will occur to the skilled person that lie within the scope of the invention as claimed. 
       LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS 
       [0000]    
       
         Container  1   
         Base portion  2   
         Top portion  3   
         Cover  4   
         First compartment  5   
         Displaceable wall  6   
         Second compartment  7   
         Fastening element  8  (at top portion) 
         Circumferential top element  12   
         Bottom wall  16   
         (Circumferential) side wall of base portion  17   
         First circumferential side wall  9  (at displaceable wall) 
         Second circumferential side wall  15  (at cover) 
         Third circumferential side wall  13  (at top portion) 
         Fourth circumferential side wall  10  (at displaceable wall) 
         Screw thread  18   
         First part (female) of screw thread  18 A 
         Second part (male) of screw thread  18 B 
         Cover plate  19   
         Circumferential latching elements  20  (at top portion) 
         Snap fit  21  (between top portion and base portion) 
         Circumferential engagement elements  22  (at displaceable wall) 
         Latching mechanism  23   
         First protrusions  24  (at first circumferential side wall at displaceable wall) 
         Second protrusions  25  (at second circumferential side wall  15  at cover)