Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a substance delivery product container. More specifically, the present invention relates to a substance delivery product container formed from a composite material.

Background of the Invention

Snus may be sold either in loose form or in portions disposed in permeable bags and it is packages in boxes having a resealable lid so as to maintain the snus moist. Snus is typically consumed by placing it under the upper lip for an extended period of time. It is known to provide containers with a compartment for holding unused snus and a separate compartment for temporarily receiving used snus until the user can find a suitable place to dispose of it, such as a bin.

Known containers are formed from oil based plastics and create waste if disposed of in the same way as used snus. Thus, known containers have a carbon footprint which has been identified as having the potential to be reduced. Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides a substance delivery product container. The substance delivery product container may be a active substance delivery product container. The substance delivery product container is suitable for storing products for oral use. The substance delivery product container comprises a composite material being a combination of at least a first material and a second material. In some embodiments, the composite material is homogenous. In some embodiments, the composite material is an anisotropic material.

In some embodiments, the substance delivery product container is a container for modern oral products. A modern oral product includes tobacco containing pouches, tobacco free nicotine containing pouches, active substance pouched products, melts, chews, gummies, and lozenges. The container may be a snus container.

In some embodiments, the substance delivery product container comprises a base and a lid which is releasably attachable to the base, the base and the lid defining a first compartment which is configured to receive the substance delivery product. In some embodiments, the composite material is configured to be compostable and/or recyclable. In some embodiments, the first material is a plastic. The plastic may be a bio-derived plastic. The plastic maybe a polymer. The polymer maybe a fossil-derived polymer. The fossil-derived polymer maybe a polyolefin. The polyolefin maybe a recycled material. The recycled material maybe a post-industrial plastic or a post-consumer plastic. The polyolefin maybe at least one of polyethylene or polypropylene.

In some embodiments, the composite material comprises in the range of 30% to 80% of the first material.

In some embodiments, the composite material is a fibrous material. The fibrous material may be a bio based fibrous material. The bio based fibrous material may comprise elementary fibres comprising cellulose.

In some embodiments, the fibrous material forms a continuous fibre reinforcement in the composite material. In some embodiments, the fibrous material forms a discontinuous fibre reinforcement in the composite material.

In some embodiments, the average length of the fibres is in the range of about 0.1 mm to about 15 mm. In some embodiments, the average diameter of the fibres is in the range of about 10 pm to about too pm.

In some embodiments, the length to diameter ratio of the fibres is in the range of about

2 to about 1500.

In some embodiments, where the elementary fibres are continuous, the elementary fibres may be arranged uni-directionally. In some embodiments, where the elementary fibres are continuous, the elementary fibres may be arrange bi-directionally. In some embodiments, where the elementary fibres are discontinuous, the elementary fibres may be arranged uni-directionally In some embodiments, where the elementary fibres are discontinuous, the elementary fibres may be arranged bi-directionally In some embodiments, where the elementary fibres are discontinuous, the elementary fibres may be arranged in an aligned orientation. In some embodiments, where the elementary fibres are discontinuous, the elementary fibres are arranged in a random orientation.

In some embodiments, the elementary fibres are formed from an agricultural plant product. The agricultural plant product may be at least one of flax, hemp, or cellulose. The elementary fibres may be formed from at least one of the seed, leaf, bast, fruit, or stalk of the agricultural plant product.

In some embodiments, the fibres are formed from a non-agricultural plant product. The non-agricultural plant product may be a wood, such as a softwood or a hardwood. The non-agricultural plant product may be at least one of pine or palm. In some embodiments, the composite material comprises in the range of 20% to 70% of the second material. In some embodiments, the composite material comprises in the range of 20% to 70% of bio-derived, renewable, non-thermoplastic substance.

The present invention also relates to a use of a composite material as recited in claim 1 to form a substance delivery product container.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig.i shows a schematic perspective view of a composite material according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 shows a substance delivery product container according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the substance delivery product container of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 shows a cross-section of the substance delivery product container of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 shows a lid of the substance delivery product container of Fig. 2; and

Figs. 6A and 6b show a simplified cross-section of the substance delivery product container of Fig. 2 when the lid is attached to a base of the substance delivery product container.

Detailed Description of the Invention This disclosure generally provides a substance delivery product container. The substance delivery product container may be an active substance delivery product container. In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered may comprise an active substance. The active substance as used herein may be a physiologically active material, which is a material intended to achieve or enhance a physiological response. The active substance maybe for example, selected from nutraceuticals, nootropics, psychoactives. The active substance may be naturally occurring or synthetically obtained. The active substance may comprise for example nicotine, caffeine, taurine, theine, vitamins such as B6 or B12 or C, melatonin, cannabinoids, or constituents, derivatives, or combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the active substance comprises nicotine. In some embodiments, the active substances comprises caffeine, melatonin, or vitamin B12.

As noted herein, the active substance may comprise one or more constituents, derivatives or extracts of cannabis, such as one or more cannabinoids or terpenes. As noted herein, the active substance may comprise or be derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof. As used herein, the term "botanical" includes any material derived from plants including, but not limited to, extracts, leaves, bark, fibres, stems, roots, seeds, flowers, fruits, pollen, husk, shells or the like. Alternatively, the material may comprise an active compound naturally existing in a botanical, obtained synthetically. The material may be in the form of liquid, gas, solid, powder, dust, crushed particles, granules, pellets, shreds, strips, sheets, or the like. Example botanicals are tobacco, eucalyptus, star anise, hemp, cocoa, cannabis, fennel, lemongrass, peppermint, spearmint, rooibos, chamomile, flax, ginger, ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, licorice (liquorice), matcha, mate, orange skin, papaya, rose, sage, tea such as green tea or black tea, thyme, clove, cinnamon, coffee, aniseed (anise), basil, bay leaves, cardamom, coriander, cumin, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lavender, lemon peel, mint, juniper, elderflower, vanilla, wintergreen, beefsteak plant, curcuma, turmeric, sandalwood, cilantro, bergamot, orange blossom, myrtle, cassis, valerian, pimento, mace, damien, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, carvi, verbena, tarragon, geranium, mulberry, ginseng, theanine, theacrine, maca, ashwagandha, damiana, guarana, chlorophyll, baobab or any combination thereof. The mint maybe chosen from the following mint varieties: Mentha Arventis, Mentha c.v., Mentha niliaca, Mentha piperita, Mentha piperita citrata c.v., Mentha piperita c.v, Mentha spicata crispa, Mentha cardifolia, Memtha longifolia, Mentha suaveolens variegata, Mentha pulegium, Mentha spicata c.v. and Mentha suaveolens

In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or is derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is tobacco. In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is selected from eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa and hemp.

In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is selected from rooibos and fennel.

In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered comprises a flavour. As used herein, the terms "flavour" and "flavourant" refer to materials which, where local regulations permit, maybe used to create a desired taste, aroma or other somatosensorial sensation in a product for adult consumers. They may include naturally occurring flavour materials, botanicals, extracts of botanicals, synthetically obtained materials, or combinations thereof (e.g., tobacco, cannabis, licorice (liquorice), hydrangea, eugenol, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, maple, matcha, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed (anise), cinnamon, turmeric, Indian spices, Asian spices, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, red berry, cranberry, peach, apple, orange, mango, clementine, lemon, lime, tropical fruit, papaya, rhubarb, grape, durian, dragon fruit, cucumber, blueberry, mulberry, citrus fruits, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, gin, tequila, rum, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, aloe vera, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, khat, naswar, betel, shisha, pine, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, orange blossom, cherry blossom, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang- ylang, sage, fennel, wasabi, piment, ginger, coriander, coffee, hemp, a mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha, eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, lemongrass, rooibos, flax, ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, mate, orange skin, rose, tea such as green tea or blacktea, thyme,juniper, elderflower, basil, bay leaves, cumin, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lemon peel, mint, beefsteak plant, curcuma, cilantro, myrtle, cassis, valerian, pimento, mace, damien, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, carvi, verbena, tarragon, limonene, thymol, camphene), flavour enhancers, bitterness receptor site blockers, sensorial receptor site activators or stimulators, sugars and/or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath freshening agents. They maybe imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example, liquid such as an oil, solid such as a powder, or gas.

In some embodiments, the flavour comprises menthol, spearmint and/or peppermint. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components of cucumber, blueberry, citrus fruits and/or redberry. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises eugenol. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components extracted from tobacco. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components extracted from cannabis. In some embodiments, the flavour may comprise a sensate, which is intended to achieve a somatosensorial sensation which are usually chemically induced and perceived by the stimulation of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve), in addition to or in place of aroma or taste nerves, and these may include agents providing heating, cooling, tingling, numbing effect. A suitable heat effect agent may be, but is not limited to, vanillyl ethyl ether and a suitable cooling agent may be, but not limited to eucolyptol, WS-3.

The one or more active substances and/or flavours may form part of an aerosolgenerating material. An aerosol-generating material is a material that is capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated, or energized in any other way. Aerosol-generating material may, for example, be in the form of a solid, liquid, or gel.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may comprises an “amorphous solid”, which may alternatively be referred to as a “monolithic solid” (i.e. non-fibrous). In some embodiments, the amorphous solid maybe a dried gel. The amorphous solid is a solid material that may retain some fluid, such as liquid, within it. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may for example comprise from about 50wt%, 6owt% or 7Owt% of amorphous solid, to about 90wt%, 95wt% or ioowt% of amorphous solid.

The aerosol-generating material may comprise one or more active substances and/or flavours, one or more aerosol-former materials, and optionally one or more other functional material.

The aerosol-former material may comprise one or more constituents capable of forming an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol-former material may comprise one or more of glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, erythritol, meso-Erythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, a diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, a diacetin mixture, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenyl acetate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate.

The aerosol-generating material may form at least a part of a consumable. A consumable is an article comprising or consisting of aerosol-generating material, part or all of which is intended to be consumed during use by a user. A consumable may comprise one or more other components, such as an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a mouthpiece, a filter and/ or an aerosol-modifying agent. A consumable may also comprise an aerosol generator, such as a heater, that emits heat to cause the aerosol-generating material to generate aerosol in use. The heater may, for example, comprise combustible material, a material heatable by electrical conduction, or a susceptor.

The substance may be delivered to a user by a delivery system. As used herein, the term “delivery system” is intended to encompass systems that deliver at least one substance to a user, and includes: combustible aerosol provision systems, such as cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, and tobacco for pipes or for roll-your-own or for make-your-own cigarettes (whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco substitutes or other smokable material); non-combustible aerosol provision systems that release compounds from an aerosol-generating material without combusting the aerosol-generating material, such as electronic cigarettes, tobacco heating products, and hybrid systems to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials; and aerosol-free delivery systems that deliver the at least one substance to a user orally, nasally, transdermally or in another way without forming an aerosol, including but not limited to, lozenges, gums, patches, articles comprising inhalable powders, and oral products such as oral tobacco which includes snus or moist snuff, wherein the at least one substance may or may not comprise nicotine.

According to the present disclosure, a “combustible” aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is combusted or burned during use in order to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

In some embodiments, the delivery system is a combustible aerosol provision system, such as a system selected from the group consisting of a cigarette, a cigarillo and a cigar.

According to the present disclosure, a “non-combustible” aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is not combusted or burned in order to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a powered non-combustible aerosol provision system.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it is noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating material is not a requirement.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an aerosolgenerating material heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system. In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a hybrid system to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or a plurality of which may be heated. Each of the aerosol-generating materials may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid or gel and may or may not contain nicotine.

In some embodiments, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.

Typically, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a noncombustible aerosol provision device and a consumable for use with the noncombustible aerosol provision device.

In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to consumables comprising aerosolgenerating material and configured to be used with non-combustible aerosol provision devices. These consumables are sometimes referred to as articles throughout the disclosure.

In some embodiments, the consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise aerosol-generating material, an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a filter, a mouthpiece, and/ or an aerosol-modifying agent.

In some embodiments, the delivery system is an aerosol-free delivery system that delivers the at least one active substance to a user orally, nasally, transdermally or in another way without forming an aerosol, including but not limited to, lozenges, gums, patches, articles comprising inhalable powders, and oral products such as oral tobacco which includes snus or moist snuff, wherein the at least one substance may or may not comprise nicotine.

The substance delivery product container is configured to store a delivery system and/ or a consumable. That is the substance product container is configured to store: combustible aerosol provision systems that involve combustion of aerosolisable material to facilitate delivery to a user; non-combustible aerosol provision systems that release compounds from aerosolisable material without combusting the aerosolisable material, such as electronic cigarettes or vaping devices, aerosoliasable material heating products, hybrid systems to generate aerosol(s) using a combination of aerosolisable materials, and sprays such as nasal and oral sprays; aerosol-free delivery systems, which deliver one or more active substances to a user orally, nasally, via the skin or in another way without forming an aerosol, including but not limited to oral delivery systems, such as snus or moist snuff, which may or may not comprise tobacco; and articles, such as consumables, and substances that may comprise aerosolisable material and are suitable for use with one of the foregoing systems.

In some embodiments, the substance delivery product container is a nicotine and/or flavour delivery product container. In some embodiments, the substance delivery product container is a tobacco industry product container. The substance delivery product container is not a container for cosmetic, medical, automotive, or home electronic products. The substance delivery product is not a container for food products intended to be wholly swallowed.

In some embodiments, the substance delivery product container is a container for products configured for oral use. The term "configured for oral use" as used herein means that the product is provided in a form such that during use, saliva in the mouth of the user causes one or more of the components of the mixture (e.g., flavoring agents and/or nicotine) to pass into the mouth of the user. In certain embodiments, the product is adapted to deliver components to a user through mucous membranes in the user's mouth and, in some instances, said component is an active ingredient (including, but not limited to, for example, nicotine) that can be absorbed through the mucous membranes in the mouth when the product is used.

In particular, the disclosure provides products in the form of a mixture of one or more components, disposed within a moisture-permeable container (e.g., a water-permeable pouch). Such mixtures in the water-permeable pouch format are typically used by placing a pouch containing the mixture in the mouth of a human subject/user.

Generally, the pouch is placed somewhere in the oral cavity of the user, for example under the lips, in the same way as moist snuff products are generally used. The pouch preferably is not chewed or swallowed. Exposure to saliva then causes some of the components of the mixture therein (e.g., flavoring agents and/or nicotine) to pass through e.g., the water-permeable pouch and provide the user with flavor and satisfaction, and the user is not required to spit out any portion of the mixture. After about io minutes to about 6o minutes, typically about 15 minutes to about 45 minutes, of use/enjoyment, substantial amounts of the mixture have been ingested by the human subject, and the pouch may be removed from the mouth of the consumer for disposal. Preferred pouch materials for products described herein maybe designed and manufactured such that under conditions of normal use, a significant amount of the contents of the formulation within the pouch permeate through the pouch material prior to the time that the pouch undergoes loss of its physical integrity.

Fig. i shows a substance delivery product container 1, hereinafter referred to as a ‘container’, according to an embodiment of the invention. The container maybe an active substance delivery product container. The container i is suitable for holding modern oral products. The container 1 is suitable for storing snus (not shown). That is, the container 1 stores snus, i.e. is a snus container. The container 1 is comprises a composite material 2. That is, the container is made from the composite material 2. In some embodiments, the container i consists of the composite material 2. A composite material 2 is a combination of at least two materials with different physical and chemical properties. That is, the composite material 2 comprises at least a first material and a second material. The at least two materials of the composite material 2 remain separate and distinct within the structure of the container i. Although the at least two materials remain separate and distinct within the structure of the composite material 2, and thus container i, the at least two materials are mixed together, intermingled or intertwined with each other, or at least one material is embedded within at least one other material. In some instances the at least two materials of the composite material 2 maybe chemically bonded to provide anisotropic properties. The properties of the composite material 2 provide a range of benefits that are distinguished from either of the materials used in isolation. Preferably, the composite material 2 is homogenous, as will be described in more detail below. A homogenous composite material 2 is advantageous because it provides the same physical and chemical properties throughout the material.

A composite material is distinguished from a compound which is a substance consisting of two or more different elements or substances which are chemically bonded together having isotropic properties.

In the present embodiment, the composite material 2 that the container i is formed from is recyclable and/or compostable, as will be explained in more detail below. By being able to recycle and/or compost the composite material 2 the carbon footprint of the container i can be reduced. Recycling the container i means that the composite material 2, or individual materials, can be used again in the manufacturing process of the same product or another product. Composting the container i means that at least some of the materials can be used as, for example, a soil conditioner. The container i formed from the composite material 2 can be bio-degraded entirely without forming residual micro-plastics.

The composite material 2 of the container 1 comprises a first material. The first material maybe a plastic. The plastic maybe a polymer. The polymer maybe a fossil derived polymer 3, i.e. an oil based plastic. Alternatively, the polymer maybe a bioderived polymer that is formed or polymerised from renewable sources and/or crops, such as, for example, but not limited to, starch, cellulose, and lactic acid. The bioderived polymers maybe, for example, but not limited to, bio-polyethylene and biopolypropylene.

The fossil derived polymer or plastic maybe a polyolefin, i.e. a type of polymer produced from an alkene with the general formula C _n H _2n as a monomer. However, it will be appreciated that in alternative embodiments other types of fossil-derived polymer or biogenic polymer, or plastic may be used. The polyolefin may be at least one of, for example, but not limited to, polyethylene or polypropylene. Polyolefins make a good choice as a component of the composite material 2 because they can be moulded easily and have good thermal properties. Many polyolefins also meet the requirements of local food health agencies in terms of food contact regulations and providing sufficient barrier properties to prevent contamination.

In some embodiments, the polyolefin, or fossil-derived polymer 3 or plastic, may be a virgin material, i.e a polyolefin which is not recycled. Virgin polyolefins are plastics which have not been used before and whose first use is as part of the composite material 2 for the container 1. Virgin polyolefins are less likely to contain any contaminants are so are more likely to meet the requirements of local food health agencies.

In some embodiments, the polyolefin, or fossil-derived polymer 3, may be a recycled material. That is, the material may have been used for another consumer or industrial purpose before and be covered and reused to form part of the composite material of the container 1. Recycled materials can be processed such that they also contain no contaminants. An advantage of using recycled polyolefins or fossil-derived polymers, is that the carbon footprint of the container 1 can be reduced. In some embodiments, the composite material 2 comprises in the range of 30% to 80% fossil-derived polymer 3. In some embodiments, the composite material 2 comprises in the range of about 50% to about 80% fossil-derived polymer 3. Preferably, the composite material 2 comprises in the range of about 65% to about 70% fossil-derived polymer 3. More preferably, the composite material comprises approximately 67% fossil-derived polymer 3.

The composite material 2 further comprises a second material. The second material may be a fibrous material. In the present embodiment, the fibrous material is a bio based fibrous material 4. However, it will be understood that in an alternative embodiment the fibrous material may be a synthetic fibrous material. The synthetic fibrous material maybe a bio-synthetic fibre or a fossil-based synthetic material. The synthetic fibrous material may be compostable. The bio based fibrous material 4 may comprise elementary fibres 5 formed from cellulose. The bio based fibrous material 4 is configured to reinforce the fossil-derived polymer 3 or plastic. That is, the bio based fibrous material 4 is embedded in the fossil-derived polymer 3 or plastic to provide a bio based fibre reinforced fossil-derived polymer 3 or plastic composite material 2. In some embodiments, the composite material 2 comprises in the range of about 20% to about 70% bio based fibrous material 4. The composite material 2 may comprise in the range of 20% to 70% of a bio-derived, renewable, non-thermoplastic substance. In some embodiments, the composite material 2 comprises in the range of about 20% to about 50% bio based fibrous material 4. Preferably, the composite material 2 comprises in the range of about 30% to about 40% bio based fibrous material 4. More preferably, the composite material 2 comprises approximately 33% bio based fibrous material 4.

Therefore, the carbon footprint of the container 1 can be reduced because the amount of fossil-derived polymer 3 or plastic required to form the container 1 is reduced by replacing a part of the fossil-derived polymer 3 or plastic with organic material in the form of bio based fibres 5.

The elementary fibres 5 of the bio based material 4 provide the fossil-derived polymer 3 or plastic with greater tensile properties than the fossil-derived polymer 3 or plastic alone. That is, the composite material 2 can be subjected to a greater tensile load because the load can be distributed along the elementaiy fibres 5 of the bio based fibrous material 4. The composite material 2 maybe an anisotropic material. That is, the composite material 2 may display anisotropic behaviours. This can be achieved by controlling the direction of the flow of the material 2 into the mould. The composite material 2 being anisotropic allows for the container 1 to withstand larger loads in critical areas of the structure and allows thinner walls in areas that are not subjected to such high loads. By using a fibre reinforced fossil-derived polymer 3 or plastic, the thickness of the walls of the container 1 can be reduced whilst being able to withstand the same load as a purely plastic container. Thus, the amount of fossil-derived polymer 3 or plastic material is further reduced due to the thinner walls of the container 1. Therefore, the carbon footprint of the container 1 is further reduced.

The average length of the elementary fibres 5 of the bio based fibrous material 4 are in the range of about 0.1 mm to about 15 mm. Preferably, the length of the elementary fibres 5 of the bio based fibrous material 4 are in the range of about 0.1 mm to about 15 mm. More preferably, the average length of the elementary fibres 5 of the bio based fibrous material 4 are in the range of about 0.5 mm to about 8 mm. In general, it has been found that by increased fibre length provides improved properties of the composite material 2 is. That is, the strength of the composite material 2 is increased by increasing the aspect ratio of the elementary fibres 5. The greater strength of the composite material 2 allows for a greater reduction in the thickness of the walls of the container 1 and therefore, a reduction in the carbon footprint of the container 1 due to the use of less fossil-derived polymers 3 or plastic. However, having an average fibre length that is too long can lead to unwanted agglomerations occurring in the manufacturing apparatus which can disrupt the homogenous state of the composite material 2. Therefore, a balance between strength of the container 1 and ease of manufacture can be found in the preferred ranges.

The average diameter of the elementary fibres 5 of the bio based fibrous material 4 are in the range of about 10 pm to about too pm. Preferably, the diameter of the elementary fibres 5 of the bio based fibrous material 4 are in the range of about 10 pm to about too pm. More preferably, the average diameter of the elementary fibres 5 of the bio based fibrous material 4 are in the range of about 15 pm to about 80 pm. A smaller diameter results in a larger aspect ratio for a given length, as described in more detail hereinafter, which results in a fibre with increased longitudinal tensile strength properties. In some embodiments, the elementary fibres 5 of the bio based fibrous material 4 may be continuous fibres. A continuous fibre 5 is a fibre that has a length to diameter ratio of greater than 1000. Therefore, the bio based fibrous material 4 may form a continuous fibre reinforcement in the composite material 2. In alternative embodiments, the elementary fibres 5 of the bio based fibrous material 4 may be discontinuous fibres. A discontinuous fibre is a fibre that has a length to diameter ratio of less than 1000. Therefore, the bio based material 4 may form a discontinuous fibre reinforcement in the composite material 2. Preferably, the aspect ratio, or length to diameter ratio, of the elementary fibres 5 of the bio based fibrous material 4 is in the range of about 2 to 1500. In some embodiments, the aspect ratio may be in the range of about 10 to about 50. The continuous fibres 5 maybe arranged unidirectionally or bidirectionally, for example mainly in the x and y directions. The discontinuous fibres may be arranged uni-directionally or bi-directionally or aligned or randomly orientated.

In some embodiments, the elementary fibres may be formed form an agricultural plant product. In the context of this application an agricultural plant product is considered to be an plant product which grows seasonally or yearly. That is, an agricultural plant product may grow sufficiently to be ripe for harvest seasonally or yearly. Such a plant product may have a high yearly crop yield. The elementary fibres 5 of agricultural plant products tend to have a higher aspect or length to diameter ratio making them more prone to displaying increased tensile strength properties which is advantageous in the composite material 2. Examples of agricultural plant products include crops. Using agricultural plant products as the source of the elementary fibres 5 of the bio based fibrous material 4 for the composite material 2 have the advantage of being widely available such that the elementary fibres 5 can be sourced and produced using the local crop in most locations around the world. Crops are commonly available in large numbers and have a high conversion rate of raw material to fibre yield. Between 50% and 90% of many agricultural plant product can be converted into fibres which reduces waste and therefore reduces the carbon footprint of the composite material 2, and consequently the container 1. The agricultural plant products may be, for example, but not limited to, flax, hemp, or other types other suitable agricultural crop with cellulose fibre 4 content. The elementary fibres 5 may be formed from at least one of the seed, leaf, bast, fruit, or stalk of the agricultural plant product. In some embodiments, the elementary fibres 5 may be formed form a non-agri cultural plant product. In the context of this application a non-agricultural plant product is considered to be an plant product which takes years to grow. Examples of non- agricultural plant products include trees. The elementary fibres 5 of non-agricultural plant products tend to have a shorter length to diameter ratio making them less prone to disrupt the homogenous state of the composite 2 during the moulding phase in the can production apparatus. However, the conversion rate is generally lower due to the commonly higher amounts of lignin, pectin, and other non-cellulose substances in the product. The non-agricultural plant products may be a wood, such as a softwood or a hardwood. The non-agricultural plant products may be, for example, but not limited to, pine and palm.

Each type of elementary fibre 5, whether derived from an agricultural plant product, a non-agricultural plant product, or a synthetic fibre, may be combined with a fossil- derived polymer 3 or plastic such as, for example, but not limited to a polyolefin. The composite materials 2 described above generally have a first material and a second material, wherein the first material is a fossil-derived polymer and the second material is a fibrous material. It will be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the composite material 2 may comprise further materials, such as a further fossil-derived polymer or plastic or an additional fibrous material.

Preferably the composite material 2 is homogenous. That is, preferably the elementary fibres 5 of the bio based fibrous material 4 are distributed evenly throughout the fossil- derived polymer 3 or plastic.

The composite materials 2 as described above are particularly suitable for forming a container 1 for an oral product because they are easily mouldable to create the container 1 but also provide rigid and strong containers which are less likely to deform for a given thickness of material. Therefore, the containers 1 are less likely to be crushed and so better protect the oral product contained inside them. Thus, the oral products are less likely to be damaged, or have their integrity compromised, during transport or when carried between uses by a user where the container 1 may be dropped or sat on, for example. In addition, the composite materials 2 as described above are particularly suitable for forming a container 1 for an oral product because cellulose represents a non-toxic bioderived substance which meets food container standards. Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 show a container 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The container 1 is formed form a composite material 2, as described above. The container comprises a base 12, lid 13, and optionally a cover 14. Each of the base 12, lid 13, and cover 14 maybe formed, at least partly, from the composite material 2. As will be described later on, the base 12 and the lid 13 define a first space or compartment for storing fresh or unused snus, and the lid 13 and the cover 14 define a second space or disposal compartment for holding consumed or used snus. When the lid 13 is located on the base 12 to close the first compartment, the lid 13 and base 12 may seal the first compartment. This is true whether the container 1 comprises a cover 14 or not. Fig. 4 shows a cross-section of the container 1. The base 12 comprises a circular bottom wall 30 and a peripheral side wall 32. The lid 13 comprises a reconfigurable wall 34 and a peripheral side wall 36. An upper portion 38 of the base peripheral side wall 32 has a smaller outer diameter compared to the inner diameter of the lid peripheral side wall 36. This allows the base 12 to receive the lid 13, the lid 13 being releasably attachable to the base 2.

The base 12 and lid 13 define a first compartment 42 for receiving unused snus. A user is thus able to obtain a piece of unused snus from the first compartment 42 by removing the lid 13 from the base 12. The user will then typically re-attach the lid 13 to the base 12 so that the remaining unused snus remains moist. In addition, in some embodiments such as the embodiment illustrates in Fig. 4, the lid 13 comprises a second compartment 44 for receiving used snus.

The second compartment 44 is closable with the cover 14 (not shown in Fig. 4 ) so as to prevent the used snus from falling out of the second compartment. The lid comprises a reconfigurable wall 34 which separates the first and second compartments. That is, the first compartment 42 is on one side of the reconfigurable wall 34 and the second compartment 44 is on the other side of the reconfigurable wall 34. In fact, the reconfigurable wall 34, together with side wall 37, defines the second compartment. The reconfigurable wall 34 is described in more detail below. However, it will be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the container i may be of a more simple design, which omits the second compartment 44 and/or cover 14. In such an embodiment, the base 12 and lid 13 may be connected simply by, for example, but not limited to, a hinge, a screw on connection, or a snap on connection which seals the first compartment. In the simplified composite container 1, the reconfigurable wall 34 may be omitted and the cover 14 may form the top wall of the lid 13.

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the lid 13 comprising the second compartment 44 and reconfigurable wall 34. The reconfigurable wall 34 is formed of contiguous polygons. All of the contiguous polygons may be of the same type. For example, all of the contiguous polygons maybe triangles. In this case, all the contiguous polygons may be of the same size and shape (that is, congruent with each other) or, alternatively, at least two of the contiguous polygons may have a different size and/ or shape to each other (that is, at least two of the contiguous polygons may be non-congruent). Alternatively, the contiguous polygons may comprise at least two types of polygon.

The contiguous polygons may comprise a first polygon surrounded by a plurality of second polygons. This is the case in the embodiment shown in Fig. 5 , in which there is a first polygon 46 surrounded by a plurality of second polygons 48. Each of the second polygons may be of the same type In this case, all the second polygons may be of the same size and shape (that is, congruent with each other - this is the case in the embodiment of Fig. 5) or, alternatively, at least two of the second polygons may have a different size and/ or shape to each other (that is, at least two of the second polygons maybe non-congruent). Alternatively, the second polygons may comprise at least two types of polygon.

In the embodiment of Fig. 5, the first polygon 46 is a regular polygon and the second polygons 48 are isosceles trapezoids of the same size and shape. The shortest of the parallel sides 48B of each isosceles trapezoid is contiguous with one of the sides of the first polygon. The longest of the parallel sides 48A of each isosceles trapezoid is disposed opposite one of the sides of the first polygon. In this embodiment, the longest of the parallel sides 48A of each isosceles trapezoid also forms a portion of the boundary 50 of the reconfigurable wall 34 (meaning that the boundary 50 of the reconfigurable wall 34 has the same regular polygonal shape as the first polygon 46). Each isosceles trapezoid is contiguous with its neighbouring isosceles trapezoids along its non-parallel sides 48C, 48D. Although the first polygon 46 in the embodiment of Fig. 5 is a regular octagon, it will be appreciated that any polygon, regular or irregular, may be used for the first polygon 46, and that the number and size and shape of the second polygons 48 will be adjusted accordingly so as to maintain the contiguous relationship between the polygons and form the reconfigurable wall 34. It is noted that the reconfigurable wall 34 is connected to the side wall 37 at its boundary 50, and the relative movement of the contiguous polygons 46, 48 is constrained at this boundary 50 of the reconfigurable wall 34.

The reconfigurable wall 34 is reconfigurable between a first configuration in which the contiguous polygons 46, 48 are arranged to form a convex shape and a second configuration in which the contiguous polygons 46, 48 are arranged to form a concave shape. In the first configuration, the convex shape serves to maximise the volume of the first compartment for storing unused snus. In the second configuration, the concave shape serves to maximise the volume of the second compartment for storing used snus. The reconfigurable wall 34 is reconfigurable between the first and second positions in response to pressure applied by the user, as will now be described with reference to Figs. 6A and 6B .

Figs. 6A and 6B show a simplified cross-section of the container 1 when the lid 13 is attached to the base 12. Fig. 6A shows the reconfigurable wall 34 in the first configuration, in which the contiguous polygons 46, 48 are arranged to form a convex shape so as to maximise the volume of the first compartment 42. Fig. 5B shows the reconfigurable wall 34 in the second configuration, in which the contiguous polygons 46, 48 are arranged to form a concave shape so as to maximise the volume of the second compartment 44.

The reconfigurable wall 34 is reconfigurable from the first configuration of Fig. 6A to the second configuration of Fig. 6B when the user applies pressure to the reconfigurable wall 34 in a direction indicated by the arrows 52 in Fig. 6A . More specifically, once the pressure applied to the reconfigurable wall 34 in the direction of the arrows 52 exceeds a threshold value, the resilience of the reconfigurable wall 34 at the boundaries of the contiguous polygons 46, 48 is overcome. This causes the contiguous polygons 46, 48 to move relative to the boundary 50 of the reconfigurable wall and relative to each other to form the concave shape of the second configuration of Fig. 5B . It is noted that the pressure in the direction of the arrows 52 may be applied directly so as to reconfigure the reconfigurable wall 34. For example, the user may apply pressure directly by pressing the reconfigurable wall 34 with one or more of their fingers. Alternatively, the pressure in the direction of the arrows 52 maybe applied indirectly so as to reconfigure the reconfigurable wall 34. For example, when the reconfigurable wall 34 is in the first configuration of Fig. 6A , the user may place used snus in the compartment 44 and then attach the cover 4 to the lid 3. If there is a sufficient amount of used snus placed in the compartment 44, then as the cover 4 is attached to the lid 3 by the user, the cover will push against the used snus and, in turn, the used snus will push against the reconfigurable wall. Thus, pressure is applied indirectly to the reconfigurable wall 34 via the used snus as the cover 4 is attached to the lid 3.

Similarly, the reconfigurable wall 34 is reconfigurable from the second configuration of Fig. 6B to the first configuration of Fig. 6A when the user applies pressure to the reconfigurable wall 34 in a direction indicated by the arrows 54 in Fig. 6B (in this case, the user must remove the lid 3 from the base 2 in order to apply pressure to the reconfigurable wall 34). More specifically, once the pressure applied to the reconfigurable wall 34 in the direction of the arrows 54 exceeds the threshold value, the resilience of the reconfigurable wall 34 at the boundaries of the contiguous polygons 46, 48 is overcome. This causes the contiguous polygons 46, 48 to move relative to the boundary 50 of the reconfigurable wall and relative to each other to form the convex shape of the first configuration of Fig. 6A .

Again, it is noted that the pressure in the direction of the arrows 54 maybe applied directly so as to reconfigure the reconfigurable wall 34. For example, the user may apply pressure directly by pressing the reconfigurable wall 34 with one or more of their fingers. Alternatively, the pressure in the direction of the arrows 54 may be applied indirectly so as to reconfigure the reconfigurable wall. For example, if the reconfigurable wall 34 is in the second configuration of Fig. 6B before the lid 3 is attached to the base 2, and if there is a sufficient amount of unused snus placed in the compartment 42, then as the lid 3 is attached to the base 2 by the user (or, alternatively, by the manufacturer), the unused snus will push against the reconfigurable wall 34. Thus, pressure is applied indirectly to the reconfigurable wall 34 via the unused snus as the lid 3 is attached to the base 2. The contiguous polygons 46, 48 are defined by resilient portions 56 of the reconfigurable wall 34. More specifically, the resilient portions 56 define the boundaries of the contiguous polygons 46, 48. The resilient portions 56 enable the above-mentioned relative movement of the contiguous polygons by allowing each polygon to undertake a pivoting or hinging motion about each of its boundaries. The resilient portions 56 also bias the relative movement of the contiguous polygons such that the first and second configurations are stable (that is, non-changing) in the absence of applied pressure (or when the applied pressure is less than the threshold value). When sufficient pressure is applied so as to reconfigure the reconfigurable wall 34 from the first configuration to the second configuration (or vice versa), the resilience of the resilient portions 56 causes the configuration to change suddenly via a "pop" or "snap" action.

In addition to the resilient portions 56 of the reconfigurable wall 34 allowing the relative movement of the contiguous polygons and biasing the relative movement such that the first and second configurations are stable, the side wall 37 of the used snus compartment may also be resiliently flexible so as to help allow relative movement of the contiguous polygons and bias the relative movement such that the first and second configurations are stable. In this case, the side wall 37 is resiliently flexible in response to force applied to the side wall at the boundary 50 of the reconfigurable wall 34 during reconfiguration of the reconfigurable wall between the first, convex configuration and the second, concave configuration. This is illustrated in Figs. 6A and 6B .

When pressure is applied to the reconfigurable wall in the direction of the arrows 52 in Fig. 6A so as to reconfigure the reconfigurable wall from the first configuration to the second configuration, a force is applied to the side wall 37 at the boundary 50 in the direction of the arrow 41. This causes the side wall to flex about its upper edge 39 (the upper edge 39 connecting the side wall 37 to the outer portion of the lid 3) in the direction of the arrow 41SO as to move away from its original position as the reconfigurable wall is initially reconfigured away from the first configuration. The resilience of the side wall 37 as it is flexed in the direction of the arrow 41 helps cause an initial resistance against the reconfiguration of the reconfigurable wall and helps bias the relative movement of the contiguous polygons such that the first configuration is stable. Then, as the reconfigurable wall approaches the second configuration (as occurs when the pressure applied to the reconfigurable wall by the user exceeds the threshold value required to overcome the resistance provided by the resilience of the resilient portions 56 and the side wall 37), the resilience of the side wall 37 causes the side wall to flex about is upper edge 39 in the direction of the arrow 43 so as to return to its original position (the original position of the side wall 37 being reached when the reconfigurable reaches the second configuration). As the side wall 37 returns to its original position under its own resilience, it applies a force to the boundary 50 of the reconfigurable wall which assists the reconfigurable wall in arriving at the second configuration.

Similarly, when pressure is applied to the reconfigurable wall in the direction of the arrows 54 in Fig. 6B so as to reconfigure the reconfigurable wall from the second configuration to the first configuration, a force is applied to the side wall 37 at the boundary 50 in the direction of the arrow 41. This causes the side wall to flex about its upper edge 39 (the upper edge 39 connecting the side wall 37 to the outer portion of the lid 3) in the direction of the arrow 41 so as to move away from its original position as the reconfigurable wall is initially reconfigured away from the second configuration.

The resilience of the side wall 37 as it is flexed in the direction of the arrow 41 helps cause an initial resistance against the reconfiguration of the reconfigurable wall and helps bias the relative movement of the contiguous polygons such that the second configuration is stable. Then, as the reconfigurable wall approaches the first configuration (as occurs when the pressure applied to the reconfigurable wall by the user exceeds the threshold value required to overcome the resistance provided by the resilience of the resilient portions 56 and the side wall 37), the resilience of the side wall 37 causes the side wall to flex about is upper edge 39 in the direction of the arrow 43 so as to return to its original position (the original position of the side wall 37 being reached when the reconfigurable reaches the first configuration). As the side wall 37 returns to its original position under its own resilience, it applies a force to the boundary 50 of the reconfigurable wall which assists the reconfigurable wall in arriving at the first configuration. Thus, together with the resilience of the resilient portions 56 of the reconfigurable wall, the resilience of the side wall 37 causes initial resistance to reconfiguration when pressure is initially applied to the reconfigurable wall followed by, once reconfiguration has been initiated (as occurs when the pressure applied to the reconfigurable wall exceeds the predetermined threshold), assistance in reconfiguring the reconfigurable wall to its final, new configuration. It is this initial resistance followed by subsequent assistance which results in the "pop" or "snap" action as the reconfigurable wall is reconfigured between the first and second configurations. Note that the resistance provided by the resilient portions 56 and resilient side wall 37 will change to become assistance once the reconfigurable wall reaches approximately half way between the first and second configurations (that is, when the reconfigurable wall is approximately planar and is parallel to the planar base 30 of the container 1).

In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the entire lid 13, including the reconfigurable wall 34, is formed from the composite material 2. The thickness of the composite material 2 is reduced in predetermined regions of the reconfigurable wall 34 so as to define the resilient portions 56 at the boundaries of the contiguous polygons 46, 48.

Advantageously, this allows for easy manufacture of the lid 13 by injection moulding or the like. The composite material 2 used may be any material described above. It is noted that the side wall 37 will generally be less resilient than the resilient portions 56 (since, unlike the resilient portions 56, the side wall does not have to be sufficiently resilient so as to allow a well defined hinging or pivoting motion), and may, as in the example embodiments, be of the same or of a similar thickness as that of the central portion of each of the contiguous polygons 46, 48 (that is, the portion of each contiguous polygon which does not form part of the resilient portion 56).

Advantageously, such a thickness allows the side wall to be sufficiently resilient so as to provide appropriate resistance and assistance during reconfiguration of the reconfigurable wall (as described above) whilst, at the same time, help provide structural integrity to the lid 3.

In use, when the container 1 is initially filled with new, unused snus, the reconfigurable wall 34 is made to take the first, convex configuration of Fig. 6A . This provides maximum volume in the first compartment 42 for storing unused snus. At a later time, when the user wishes to store used snus in the container 1 (until they can find a suitable waste receptacle), the user places the used snus in the second compartment 44. In order to increase the volume of the second compartment 44 so as to enable more used snus to be stored, the user applies pressure to the reconfigurable wall 34 so that it

"pops" or "snaps" into the second, concave configuration of Fig. 6B . At an even later time, once the user has found a suitable waste receptacle to dispose of the used snus, the user may then apply pressure to the reconfigurable wall 34 so that it "pops" or "snaps" back to the first, convex configuration of Fig. 6A . This once again provides a maximum volume in the first compartment 42, which the user may refill with new, unused snus. Thus, advantageously, the reconfigurable wall 34 allows the total volume of the container 1 to be efficiently used depending on the relative amounts of used and unused snus.

Advantageously, the above-described reconfigurable wall 34 comprising contiguous polygons allows the user to apply pressure to any region of the reconfigurable wall in order to reconfigure the wall from the first configuration to the second configuration (or vice versa). This is because the use of such contiguous polygons allows the pressure applied to the reconfigurable wall 34 to be more evenly distributed across the reconfigurable wall 34 when the pressure is applied to one or more of the polygons. Thus, the user is able to easily reconfigure the reconfigurable wall 34 by applying pressure to any one contiguous polygon (that is, to any point on the reconfigurable wall 34). This makes it easier and more convenient for the user to reconfigure the reconfigurable wall 34. This is particularly the case for a polygon arrangement in which a first polygon 46 is surrounded by a plurality of second polygons 48, and more particularly when the second polygons 48 are all of the same type (as shown in the described embodiments).

Furthermore, the above-described reconfigurable wall 34 comprising contiguous polygons including a first polygon 46 surrounded by a plurality of second polygons 48, each of the second polygons being of the same type, provides a favourable shape to the first and second compartments 42, 44. In particular, this is true of the second compartment 44, for which the concave shape of the reconfigurable wall 34 in the second configuration allows used snus to be easily removed from the second compartment 44 when the user finds a suitable waste receptacle for disposing of the used snus.

The use of a regular polygon as the first polygon 46 and a plurality of identical isosceles trapezoids as the plurality of second polygons 48 is particular effective at allowing pressure to be more evenly distributed across the reconfigurable wall 34 and at achieving the above-mentioned effects. Any regular polygon may be used as the first polygon 46, the number of isosceles trapezoids as the second polygons 48 being equal to the number of sides of the chosen regular polygon. The use of a regular polygon with 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 sides is particular advantageous, since this allows a well defined convex and concave shape of the first and second wall configurations (respectively) whilst maintaining structural integrity of the wall and ease of manufacture (due to obtaining a favourable balance between the resilient portions of the reconfigurable wall at the boundaries of the contiguous polygons and the harder, less resilient portions of the reconfigurable wall defining the central portions of the contiguous polygons). In fact, the use of a regular polygon with 6 or 8 sides is particularly effective.

It is noted that, in the embodiment shown in the Figures, the second compartment 44 always exists, but has a smaller volume when the reconfigurable wall 34 is in the first, convex configuration of Fig. 6A . In an alternative embodiment, the reconfigurable wall maybe positioned such that the second compartment 44 is only formed when the reconfigurable wall 34 is reconfigured from the first, convex configuration to the second, concave configuration (that is, the second compartment 44 has zero volume when the reconfigurable wall 34 is in the first, convex configuration).

It is noted that the arrangement of the container 1 relates to only one embodiment of the invention, and that the reconfigurable wall 34 and first and second compartments maybe arranged differently. For example, instead of being located in the lid 13, the second compartment 44 may instead be located in the base 2. In this case, the circular bottom wall 30 of the base 12 may instead comprise the reconfigurable wall 34, which, together with a side wall (not shown, but similar to the side wall 37 in the embodiment of the Figures), defines the second compartment 44 in a bottom portion of the base 2.

The second compartment 44 will then be closable with a separate bottom cover (not shown) so as to prevent the used snus from falling out.

The various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects described herein are not to be considered limitations on the scope of the inventions as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the inventions may suitably comprises, consist of, or consist essentially of, appropriate combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc, other than those specifically described herein. In addition, this disclosure may include other inventions not presently claims, but which may be claimed in the future.