Abstract:
An improved container for a smokeless tobacco can is provided. The container comprises a bottom portion that interlocks with a lid portion. A unitarily form side wall surrounds the base portion and the lid portion. The lid comprises a plurality of sealing mechanisms therein that creates an airtight seal when the lid is interlocked with the bottom portion.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The use of smokeless tobacco products is widespread. Chewing tobacco is one particular form of smokeless tobacco. Smokeless tobacco is created through curing tobacco. Curing is a controlled process in which the leaves are gradually dried. Chewing tobacco uses long strands of whole leaves and is consumed by placing a portion of the tobacco between the cheek and gum or teeth and chewing. By chewing the tobacco, the flavor and nicotine is released. Snuff is smokeless tobacco that is grounded into a fine powder and is inhaled through the nose. Moist snuff or dip is placed onto the gums instead of sniffed. 
         [0002]    Smokeless tobacco is usually sold in circular cardboard or metals cans. In order to open the can, the consumer will break the paper seal and remove the lid. However, this method of packaging can lead to problems. The lid can become easily deform and once the paper seal of the can is broken, it fails to provide a tight seal. This results in a loss of moisture, freshness, and flavor. Therefore, a new way to store the tobacco can is needed. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    The present invention overcomes the foregoing and other problems with a smokeless tobacco can holder. The present embodiment of the invention is a way to store a tobacco can after the can has been opened. Since the original lid of the can is inadequate, the present invention proposes a way to seal the product with a new lid. The present invention is a can whose dimensions allow for the typical tobacco can to fit inside. The original lid is discarded and replaced with the invention&#39;s lid. 
         [0004]    In the preferred embodiment, the bottom and lid have a diameter of 2¾ inches. The can and lid have a thickness of 1/16 of an inch and are made with stainless steel. In the preferred embodiment, the bottom stands at ⅝ of an inch in height. The top quarter inch of the bottom can is threaded. It has ridges on the internal diameter of the can that allow the top to screw in. The bottom quarter of the lid has the same type of ridges, so it can securely engaged into the bottom. 
         [0005]    The lid of the invention has a gasket at the top of the threading. A gasket is a mechanical seal that fills the space between two mating surfaces that prevents leakage from or into the joined objects. In the preferred embodiment, the type of gasket used is a Teflon or rubber O-ring. Inside the lid, a cork medallion or a round piece of cork which is ⅛ of an inch in thickness is attached to the bottom of the lid. It is surrounded by another O-ring gasket. The gaskets and the cork are necessary for keeping the appropriate moisture level, the freshness and flavor. The original tobacco can is placed inside the invention and the consumer would screw the present invention&#39;s lid over the can. This will protect the tobacco and the tobacco can. 
         [0006]    The foregoing outlines some of the more pertinent aspects of the present invention these aspects should be constructed to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the invention. Many other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed invention in a different manner of modify the invention as will be described. Accordingly, other aspects and a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is an opened perspective view of can holder of the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the closed can holder. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the can holder. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the lid of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a view of the inside of the lid. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a cut a way view of the lid. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a cut away view of the bottom portion of can holder 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is exploded view of lid of can holder. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    Referring now to the drawings, particularly  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , there is illustrated a perspective view of the smokeless tobacco can holder ( 11 ) of the present invention. The can holder ( 11 ) comprises a lid ( 21 ) and a bottom ( 31 ). the container  11  formed is cylindrical with lid ( 21 ) interlocking with bottom  31 . The can holder  11  can be formed from several materials such as steel, aluminum, wood, cardboard, and plastic. 
         [0016]    Bottom ( 31 ) further comprises a base portion ( 10 ) and sidewall ( 20 ). In the illustrated embodiment, the base ( 10 ) consists of a circular, planar surface on which the bottom side of a can of smokeless tobacco will rest. The sidewall ( 20 ) extends circumferentially upward from the peripheral edges of the base ( 10 ). The sidewall ( 20 ) extends to height in which the present invention can contain the can of smokeless tobacco. In the disclosed embodiment, disposed along the interior of the sidewall ( 20 ) approximately at the top quarter inch are a set of ridges ( 30 ) which allow the lid ( 21 ) of the present invention to interlock securely to the bottom ( 31 ). Can holder ( 11 ) conforms to the shape of smokeless tobacco can. In the illustrated embodiment, the smokeless tobacco can would be circular in shape. 
         [0017]    In normal use, a can of smokeless tobacco is inserted into the can holder ( 11 ) with the underside of the can of smokeless tobacco disposed atop the base ( 10 ) of the bottom ( 31 ). The user discards the original lid of the smokeless tobacco can and engages the lid ( 21 ) of the present invention with the bottom ( 31 ). 
         [0018]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , there is illustrated a perspective view of the lid ( 21 ) of the invention. The lid ( 21 ) also comprises of a base ( 61 ) which is circular and planar in fashion. It also has a sidewall ( 60 ) that circumferentially surrounds the base ( 61 ) of the lid ( 21 ) and extends downward from the outer peripheral edge of base ( 61 ). Along the upper diameter at approximately the bottom quarter inch of the lid ( 21 ) are a set of ridges ( 40 ) which allow the lid ( 21 ) to twist securely into the bottom ( 31 ). The ridges ( 40 ) of the lid ( 21 ) lock into the ridges ( 30 ) of the bottom ( 31 ) of can holder ( 11 ) which keeps the lid ( 21 ) connected. 
         [0019]    In the disclosed embodiment, the lid ( 21 ) also contains the first sealing mechanism, a gasket ( 55 ) which is a tubular ring made of rubbery material. The gasket ( 55 ) is circular in nature and has an opening through the center. It is placed along the outer peripheral edge of the lid ( 21 ) surrounding the top of the ridges ( 40 ). The gasket ( 55 ) provides the means for the present invention to protect and seal in the flavor and moisture of the smokeless tobacco. 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the inside of the lid ( 21 ) is shown. In the interior of the lid ( 21 ), is a medallion ( 71 ) made of cork or cork like material. The medallion ( 71 ) is also circular and planar in nature and is attached to the base. On the outer rim of the medallion ( 71 ), there is another sealing mechanism, a second gasket ( 62 ) which is also constructed of rubbery material. The medallion ( 61 ) is fixably attached and the gasket ( 62 ) is removably attached to the interior of the lid ( 21 ). The medallion ( 71 ) can also be removably attached to the interior of the lid. 
         [0021]      FIG. 4 , shows a cut away view of the medallion ( 71 ) surrounded by gasket  62 .  FIG. 5  shows a cut away view of lid portion ( 21 ) illustrating medallion ( 71 ) surrounded by gasket  62 . Ridges  40  surrounds the exterior surface of the opened top end of lid portion  21 .  FIG. 6  is a cut away view of bottom portion ( 31 ). As illustrated base  10  has a flat surface with internal ridges  30  surrounding the upper opened end of bottom portion ( 31 ). A raised portion  35  surrounds the outer peripheral edge of base  10  for supporting the can of smokeless tobacco inserted into can holder ( 11 ).  FIG. 7  is an exploded view of lid portion ( 21 ) illustrating the sealing mechanisms of the can holder ( 211 ). medallion  71  overlies the interior surface of base ( 61 ) of lid portion ( 21 ), first sealing mechanism  62  surround medallion ( 71 ) and second sealing mechanism  55  surrounds the peripheral edge of  62 . 
         [0022]    It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the specific embodiments disclosed above may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.