ELEMENT

This disclosure relates to tobacco containers, such as a tobacco container having a separating element.

Handmade cigarettes are made, usually by the smoker, by wrapping a rectangular sheet of cigarette wrapping paper of the length of the cigarette around loose tobacco. Cigarette papers for hand making, having a moisture activated adhesive strip along one long edge, are usually presented in a small package of card from which one paper protrudes through a slot. The papers are folded longitudinally and interleaved inside the packet so that removal of the protruding paper causes the next paper to protrude through the slot. The wrapping may be done by hand or by use of a cigarette rolling mat or by use of a small hand operated machine. The cigarette may include a filter, or may not, according to the smoker's preference.

Tobacco for handmade cigarettes is often supplied in pouch-style containers. Once the tobacco pouch is opened, the tobacco begins to lose moisture and dry out. Pouches and their openings may deform when handled by a user, which can lead to difficulty in removing the tobacco or wasteful, accidental spills.

A consumer of 'roll your own' or 'make your own' cigarettes consumes tobacco over an extended period of time. Each tobacco pouch may contain enough tobacco for multiple handmade cigarettes to extend the useful life of a pre-packaged tobacco pouch.

Some containers for smokeless tobacco have applied plastisol to lids for various metal containers to limit the amount of moisture that comes into contact with the smokeless tobacco stored therein.

It would be desirable to provide a simple tobacco container that stores a quantity of loose tobacco sufficient to make multiple handmade cigarettes. It would further be desirable to limit the transfer of moisture to and from the tobacco when the tobacco container is closed. It would also be desirable to provide a stable opening to facilitate easy access to the tobacco and mitigation of accidental spills.

Various aspects of the present disclosure relate to a ready-to-use tobacco container having multiple compartments and including a housing defining a volume and an opening, a lid over the opening, a separating element dividing the volume into at least two compartments, and an amount of tobacco disposed in each compartment. At least one of the compartments is closable by the separating element when the lid is open until the separating element is removed so that an amount of tobacco disposed therein may be accessed. The housing defines a tapered interior surface. The tapered interior surface is smooth and protrusion-free, at least between two of the compartments. The separating element is removably coupled to the tapered interior surface by interference fit.

In one aspect of the disclosure, the multi-compartment tobacco container has an opening, a bottom wall opposite to the opening, and a sidewall extending between the opening and the bottom wall. A housing volume is defined interior to the sidewall. The sidewall includes a tapered interior surface narrowing from the opening toward the bottom wall. A lid covers the opening of the housing. A separating element divides the housing volume into a first tobacco compartment and a second tobacco compartment. The second tobacco compartment is reclosable by the separating element. The tapered interior surface of the sidewall is smooth and protrusion-free between the first tobacco compartment and the second tobacco compartment. The separating element is removably coupled to the sidewall by interference fit. The separating element includes a polymeric material. The separating element includes a rigid lateral portion defining a first surface facing the first tobacco compartment and a second surface facing the second tobacco compartment. The separating element includes a rigid wall portion positioned adjacent to a periphery of the rigid lateral portion and configured to engage the tapered interior surface of the sidewall. An amount of tobacco is disposed in the first and second tobacco compartments.

In one or more aspects, at least one of the rigid lateral portion and the rigid wall portion have a tensile modulus of at least 800 MPa.

In one or more aspects, a thickness of the rigid lateral portion between the first and second surfaces is from 250 to 2000 micrometres (prn).

In one or more aspects, the rigid wall portion projects from at least one of the first and second surfaces of the rigid lateral portion and extends around the periphery of the rigid lateral portion.

In one or more aspects, the separating element further includes a thermoplastic elastomer positioned on the rigid wall portion and configured to engage the interior surface of the sidewall.

The thermoplastic elastomer may extend entirely around the separating element to form a reclosable hermetic seal with the interior surface of the sidewall.

The thermoplastic elastomer may only partially extend around the separating element. In one or more aspects, the separating element includes at least one gripping portion projecting into the first tobacco compartment from the rigid wall portion and angled inwardly away from the interior surface of the sidewall. ln one or more aspects, the separating element includes at least one gripping portion comprising at least one inwardly recessed portion of the rigid wall portion spaced from the tapered interior surface of the sidewall and projecting into the first tobacco compartment from the first surface of the rigid lateral portion.

The rigid lateral portion may extend between the at least one inwardly recessed portion of the rigid wall portion and the tapered interior surface of the sidewall.

In one or more aspects, the separating element includes at least a pair of gripping portions disposed on opposite side portions of the rigid wall portion, preferably, the pair of gripping portions are positioned symmetrically about a centre of the rigid lateral portion.

In one or more aspects, the rigid wall portion includes a tapered peripheral surface aligned to fit the taper of the interior surface of the housing sidewall.

In one or more aspects, the separating element includes at least one foot projecting into the second tobacco compartment from the rigid wall portion.

In one or more aspects, the rigid lateral portion and the rigid wall portion are formed of a single piece of the polymeric material.

The separating element may hermetically seal the second tobacco compartment from the first tobacco compartment when the separating element is unopened.

The separating element may include an outer wall portion and an inner lateral portion. The outer wall portion is sealed to the sidewall adjacent to the first tobacco compartment. The inner lateral portion forms at least one of a bottom of the first tobacco compartment and a top of the second tobacco compartment.

To facilitate the ease of opening the separating element, the outer wall portion of the separating element may include an edge extending inwardly from the sidewall. Additionally, or alternatively, the separating element may include a tab extending into the first tobacco compartment.

The separating element may include lines of weakness configured to break upon opening the separating element.

The separating element may be configured to maintain a moisture level of about 15 to about 25 weight percent, or about 18 to about 21 weight percent within the second tobacco compartment before opening. In some illustrative embodiments, a method of using the ready-to-use tobacco container may include removing the tobacco from the first tobacco compartment while the second tobacco compartment is closed, ideally in a sealed air-tight condition, opening the separating element to access the second tobacco compartment, and accessing the tobacco in the second tobacco compartment.

Advantageously, utilizing the multi-compartment tobacco container provides a number of advantages in the making of a cigarette by hand, including ease of use, improved freshness of the tobacco over time, and improved visual perception of the tobacco being expended over time. The tobacco container may store enough tobacco for making multiple handmade cigarettes over an extended period of time. The reclosable lid may control moisture when closed to mitigate drying of the tobacco stored therein. The separating element may help maintain moisture for a second portion of the tobacco while a first portion of tobacco is used. The tobacco compartments may be stable and support broad openings to facilitate easy access and to mitigate accidental spills. The multi-compartment design may encourage using tobacco in one compartment before accessing tobacco in another compartment to preserve the freshness of the tobacco therein. The position of the separation element may also facilitate improving a consumer's perception of the fullness of the tobacco in the container.

Also, advantageously, an interference fit between the separating element and the housing of the container may facilitate the ease of lifting the separating element out of and placing the separating element back into the housing. Further, the tapered interior surface of the sidewall having a smooth and protrusion-free interior surface may facilitate convenient stacking during manufacturing, storage, or transport. The separating element may be tapered, or may include at least one foot, to facilitate convenient stacking during manufacturing and improved interference fit with the tapered interior surface of the sidewall. A thermoplastic elastomer may be used to improve friction of the interference fit, which may be conveniently injection moulded with the separating element (for example, using a two-shot mould). Providing at least two gripping portions may facilitate a balanced and convenient removal of the separating element from the housing. The separating element may include a rigid lateral portion that is sufficiently rigid for use as a cigarette rolling tray. The separating element may include a wall portion configured to facilitate retaining tobacco when the separating element is used as a cigarette rolling tray. Including at least one foot, in combination with the rigidity of the separating element, may mitigate a major bottom surface of the separating element from becoming contaminated when being used as a rolling tray. AII scientific and technical terms used herein have meanings commonly used in the art unless otherwise specified. The definitions provided herein are to facilitate understanding of certain terms used frequently herein.

The terms "upper," "lower," "side," "top," "bottom," and other similar terms are used to describe relative positions or orientations of the components of the container. The terms "longitudinal," "lateral," "left," and "right" may be used with reference to side walls or edges of the container when viewed from a front side. When describing components according to the present invention, these terms are used irrespective of the orientation of the container being described.

The term "tobacco" refers to a substance including tobacco, which includes tobacco blends or flavoured tobacco, for example.

The term "loose tobacco" refers to an amount of solid tobacco that does not retain its shape unless disposed in a container or is wrapped, for example, by cigarette paper.

The term "sidewall" refers to an element of a housing that extends longitudinally or generally from the top to the bottom of the housing. The sidewall may have one or more sides that at least partially surround and define an interior volume (for example, housing volume). For example, a sidewall may be described as a tube with a rounded or otherwise geometric cross section (for example, rounded rectangle). The sidewall may be formed of one integrated element or multiple coupled elements (for example, adhered to one another).

The term "separating element" refers to an element that separates two compartments in the tobacco container. A compartment may be covered or closed off by the separating element, which may prevent tobacco from entering or leaving the compartment. The separating element may provide a hermetic seal between tobacco compartments in the tobacco container. In some cases, the separating element may provide an imperfect hermetic seal (for example, have some permeability to air or water vapour). The separating element may be sealed, compressed, or adhered (mechanically or chemically using a polymeric element), to the sidewall of the housing. The separating element may be formed from layer or sheet of material. Non-limiting examples of suitable material include a polymeric material, a thermoplastic material, an injection-moulded plastic material, a liner material, a metallic material, composite materials (like laminated paper), biodegradable materials, or other similar materials. Depending on the material, the separating element may be flexible, semi-flexible, or rigid. Preferably, the separating element includes a rigid material.

The term "rigid" refers to a component that does not flex or bend when subject to typical forces experienced by a tobacco container or during manual use. A rigid component has a tensile modulus equal to at least 800 Megapascals (MPa). In some embodiments, a rigid polymeric material has a tensile modulus ranging from about 800 to about 1200 MPa

The term "semi-rigid" refers to a component that flexes or bends to a limited degree when subject to typical forces experienced by a tobacco container or during manual use. A semi-rigid component has a tensile modulus ranging from about 70 to about 700 MPa.

The term "flexible" refers to a component that easily flexes or bends when subject to typical forces experienced by a tobacco container or during manual use. A flexible component has a lower tensile modulus than a semi-rigid or rigid component.

Rigidity may be measured according to ISO 527-1 :2012(E) and ISO 527-3: 1995(E), which are standard methods for determining tensile properties. Specifically, rigidity may be measured at a preferred atmospheric temperature (ISO 527-1 , clause 8), at a preferred test speed (ISO 527- 1 , clause 5 and ISO 527-3, clause 5), and with a preferred test specimen (ISO 527-3, clause 6), as described in these ISO standard methods.

The term "interference fit" refers to a friction fit interface between two components used to couple the two components together. For example, one component may be inserted into an opening of another component and fixed thereto by an interference fit. The interference fit may be reversible. In other words, the one component may be removably coupled to the other component.

The term "hermetic" refers to being airtight, substantially airtight, moisture impermeable, or substantially moisture impermeable, and may be used to describe a seal, a membrane, a liner, a layer, an element, a compartment, or a volume, for example. A hermetically-sealed compartment or volume may define an interior that is hermetically sealed from an exterior environment, and vice versa.

The term "liner" refers to monolayer materials or multilayer materials comprising for example two, three, four, five, or more different materials that allow for sealing of the tobacco compartment. Suitable three-layer liners include an upper layer of polyethylene, a core of low density foam, or a lower layer of polyethylene. Optionally, the liner may include a layer of adhesive that sticks to the rim of the tobacco compartment when pressure is applied to secure the closure in a way that the liner will be sealed to the rims of the compartment. Other suitable liner materials include, cellulosic fibres, such as pulpboard, wax, metal, or polymeric foils. Hermetic sealing through a liner may also be obtained by using a polymer coating suitable for heat-induction sealing. The liner may be aluminium foil and adhered as described in International Application Pub. No. WO2014/053635. The term "plastisol" refers to a suspension of plastic particles, such as vinyl or polyvinyl chloride, in a liquid piasticizer that can flow as a liquid and can be heated to dissolve the plastic particles with the liquid piasticizer or refers to the solid product after curing, for example.

The term "tab" refers to a protrusion extending from other portions of the separating element, such as the rigid wall portion (or outer wall portion). The tab may be manually gripped to pull on or otherwise manipulate the separating element or a portion thereof. The tab may be positioned and arranged on the separating element to facilitate easy stacking.

The term "moisture level" refers to an amount of water, for example, in an amount of tobacco. The moisture level may be measured by weighing an amount of tobacco, drying out the tobacco to remove the water content, and then weighing the amount of dried tobacco. The moisture level may be described in term of a percentage of water content in the tobacco before being dried. For example, the moisture level may be a weight percent.

This disclosure relates to tobacco containers, such as a tobacco container having multiple compartments. The multi-compartment tobacco container may include a housing defining a housing volume and an opening, a reclosable lid at the opening, and a separating element volume dividing the housing volume into a first tobacco compartment and a second tobacco compartment. The tobacco container may include additional separating elements and additional tobacco compartments.

The tobacco container may include components for making handmade cigarettes, such as an amount of tobacco. The tobacco may be loose tobacco. Preferably, some of the amount of tobacco may be disposed in the first and second tobacco compartments.

In some embodiments, the amount of tobacco in each compartment does not fill the entire volume of the compartment. For example, a gap or empty space may be provided in the compartment when filled with tobacco, which may mitigate the risk of tobacco falling out of the compartment when opened, particularly when the tobacco is extracted by hand. In some embodiments, the tobacco may entirely fill the volume of one or more tobacco compartments.

In some embodiments, the multi-compartment tobacco container may include compartments that have the same sizes and/or define the same volumes. The compartments may be rigid. The compartments may define fixed volumes. For example, the first and second tobacco compartments may have equal or substantially equal volumes. In some embodiments, the compartments may have different sizes and/or define different volumes.

The tobacco compartments may have different shapes. In some embodiments, the tobacco compartments may have different shapes, but the volumes may be the same or substantially the same. For example, the housing may define a taper from top to bottom, and the first tobacco compartment may be shallower and wider than the second tobacco compartment, which may be deeper/taller and narrower than the first tobacco compartment.

The tobacco may be susceptible to drying out when exposed to an ambient environment. One or more of the tobacco compartments may be sealed before first use to control the amount of moisture in the tobacco before a user first opens the respective tobacco compartment. The seal may be hermetic. One or more tobacco compartments may also be resealable to control the amount of moisture after a user opens and closes the tobacco compartment. One or more tobacco compartments may be resealed hermetically. The amount of time tobacco is exposed to the external environment and possibly change moisture content (for example, lose moisture content) may be reduced overall by placing the amount of tobacco in different compartments so that opening one tobacco compartment does not necessarily open the other. This may facilitate maintaining the moisture level in the tobacco overall as the tobacco container is used over time to make multiple handmade cigarettes.

In preferred embodiments, one or more tobacco compartments may store the tobacco and maintain a tobacco moisture level between about 15 to about 25 weight percent within the tobacco compartment, particularly when sealed or unopened. More preferably, the tobacco moisture level is maintained at about 18 to about 21 weight percent within each tobacco compartment, particularly when sealed or unopened. In some embodiments, the tobacco compartments may maintain the moisture level even after opening.

The housing may include one or more sidewalls. The sidewall may define the opening. The housing may include a bottom wall. The bottom wall may be disposed on the opposite end of the housing as the opening. For example, the opening may be disposed opposite the bottom wall in a longitudinal direction. The sidewall may define the housing volume between the opening and the bottom wall. The sidewall may at least partially define the extent of the tobacco compartments. For example, the sidewall may laterally surround one or more tobacco compartments. The housing may have regions that are transparent, translucent, or opaque or be metallized or be entirely transparent or opaque or be metallized.

The sidewall may extend generally parallel to a height or longitudinal axis of the tobacco container. The bottom wall may extend perpendicularly or almost perpendicularly to the one or more sidewalls. The bottom wall may be planar or substantially planar (for example, flat). However, the bottom wall may not be planar in some embodiments. Further, in some embodiments, the sidewall may define a taper that narrows toward the bottom wall. The bottom wall may not be perpendicular to a tapered sidewall. The sidewall may define an interior surface. The interior surface may be linear or curved. In other words, the interior surface may be represented by a straight line in a cross-sectional view through the interior surface extending at least between the bottom wall and opening (linear surface) or may be represented by a non-linear or curved line (curved surface). The interior surface is smooth and protrusion-free between tobacco compartments (for example, between the first and second tobacco compartments).

The interior surface may be tapered and may narrow down from the opening toward the bottom wall. In other words, the interior surface may angle outwardly from the bottom wall. The extent of the taper may be defined by an angle. The angle may be defined between a first line extending orthogonal to the bottom wall at the boundary of the interior surface and the bottom wall and a second line extending between the interior surface at the boundary with the bottom wall and a top edge of the interior surface (for example, adjacent to the opening). The angle of the taper may be sufficient to facilitate stacking of the housing. In particular, the angle may be in a range from about 3 to about 5 degrees, about 4 to about 4.8 degrees, or even about 4.2 to about 4.6 degrees. In one or more embodiments, the angle is equal to about 4.4 degrees.

The sidewall may be formed of a material and structure capable of providing a moisture barrier or hermetic seal around a tobacco compartment. For example, the sidewall is formed of a plastic, a metal, a cellulosic fibre (for example, carton paper), or any suitable combination thereof. In various embodiments, the sidewall is formed of a multilayer cardboard or a laminate cardboard with a metallic inner layer. Preferably, the metallic layer may be aluminium foil or any layer suitable for preserving tobacco freshness. In some embodiments, the sidewall may form at least one boundary of a hermetic compartment, such as one of the tobacco compartments.

Generally, the sidewall may be substantially shape-maintaining or substantially rigid (for example, rigid or semi-rigid). A substantially rigid sidewall may provide support to retain the shape of the container. A substantially rigid sidewall may also stabilize the opening for easy access to the tobacco compartments. Furthermore, a substantially rigid wall may help maintain the shape of the opening when closing the lid.

In some embodiments, the sidewall may be formed from one integral piece. In some embodiments, the sidewall may be formed of two, three, four, or more pieces. In some embodiments, the sidewall includes a first sidewall portion defining a first tobacco compartment and a second sidewall portion defining a second tobacco compartment.

The opening may have any suitable shape. In some embodiments, the opening may generally be a polygonal shape, such as a triangle, quadrilateral, pentagon, or any other polygon. As another example, the opening may generally be an annular shape, such as a circle, ellipse, oval, or any other annular shape. The shape of the opening may also include portions of various different shapes. In some embodiments, the opening has a rounded quadrilateral shape. In some embodiments, opening has a rounded square shape. In some embodiments, the opening has a rounded annular shape.

The shape of the sidewall the opening may also define the shape of the sidewall extending between the opening and the bottom wall. In some embodiments, the sidewall may have corners or edges corresponding to the shape of the opening. In at least one embodiment, the sidewall includes rounded corners extending between the opening and the bottom wall.

The bottom wall may be formed of the same material as the sidewall. In some embodiments, the bottom wall may not be formed of the same material as the sidewall. The bottom wall may be integrally formed with one or more sidewalls. In some embodiments, the bottom wall may be separately formed and coupled to one or more sidewalls.

In some embodiments, a user may access tobacco in the first tobacco compartment through the opening and later may access tobacco in the second tobacco compartment through the opening and a preferably empty first tobacco compartment. In some embodiments, the user may comfortably access loose tobacco in any tobacco compartment through the opening by hand.

The opening may be substantially wide or broad enough for a user to manually extract tobacco through the respective opening. For example, the user may extract the tobacco without having to pour the tobacco out of the container. In some embodiments, a user may be able to pinch the tobacco to extract it from the compartment. For example, the fingertips of the user's hand may comfortably pass through the openings. In various embodiments, the depth of the compartment may require the opening to be wide enough to accommodate a user's hand in a grasping position to extract tobacco in the compartment. For example, the palm of the hand of the user may comfortably pass through the opening, particularly to accommodate the user accessing the lower tobacco compartment (for example, second tobacco compartment).

The lid may be releasably coupled to the sidewall. In some embodiments, the lid is hingedly coupled to the sidewall. In some embodiments, the lid is entirely releasable from the sidewall.

The lid may be opened and closed to cover the opening. In an open position, the lid may allow access through the opening. In a closed position, the lid may seal the opening to contain tobacco therein or to prevent contaminants from entering the tobacco compartment. Such a seal may be hermetic or substantially hermetic, for example, to moisture and air permeation to improve the longevity of tobacco storage. However, the tobacco compartment may not be hermetically sealed in some embodiments. The lid may be formed as an integral piece with the sidewall or may be formed as a separate piece from the sidewall.

The lid may be formed of a material capable of hermetically sealing to the sidewall to provide at least a moisture barrier. For example, the lid may be formed of the same material as the sidewall. In other embodiments, the lid is formed of a different material than the sidewall. In some embodiments, the sidewall and the lid may form at least some boundaries of a hermetic compartment, such as the tobacco compartment. In some embodiments, the lid, the sidewall, and the separating element form the boundaries of a hermetically-sealed first tobacco compartment. In some embodiments, the sidewall, the bottom wall, and the separating element form the boundaries of a hermetically-sealed second tobacco compartment.

The lid may be substantially rigid. A substantially rigid lid may provide support to retain the shape of the container. A substantially rigid lid may also facilitate easy opening and closing over a rigidly-formed opening.

The lid may include a sealing member. The sealing member may extend around the lid adjacent the periphery. In some embodiments, the sealing member is a ring applied to the lid. The sealing member may be elastic, for example. An elastic sealing member may be compressed between the lid and the sidewall to facilitate sealing the opening when the lid is closed. The elastic sealing member may be formed of a rubber, such as plastisol, or any other suitable material for forming a hermetic seal when compressed. The particular type of material may be selected based on the lid material. For example, if the lid material is a metal, metal alloy, or a composite material containing a metal layer as outer layer, the elastic member may be plastisol.

The sealing member may be maintained by the lid. In some embodiments, the lid includes a channel for maintaining the sealing member. The channel may extend around the lid adjacent the periphery. The channel may extend past the longitudinal extent of the sealing member positioned within the channel.

The lid may include a rim portion extending at least partially around the edge of the sidewall at the opening and engages the sidewall at the opening. For example, the rim portion may be glued to the sidewall. In some embodiments, the rim portion extends entirely around the edge of the sidewall at the opening. The rim portion may be fixed to the sidewall to form a hermetic seal with the sidewall. The rim portion may engage with the sealing member to form the hermetic seal. In particular, the rim portion may be disposed between the sealing member and the sidewall. The rim portion may also be considered a part of the sidewall once affixed to the sidewall. In other embodiments, the lid does not include a rim portion, and the sealing member may engage the sidewall directly.

In some embodiments, the rim portion includes a protrusion that is at least partially received into a channel maintaining an elastic sealing member when the lid is in a closed position. The elastic sealing member may be compressed in the channel when engaged by the protrusion of the rim portion.

The tobacco container may include one or more closure mechanisms. In some embodiments, the lid may include a closure mechanism to maintain the lid in the closed position. For example, the lid may include a protrusion or recess that engages complementary recess or protrusion in the sidewall or the rim portion of the lid, or any other structures suitable for forming a shape-fit seal. The closure mechanism may also include a pivotally-attached flap extending from the respective lid. However, any suitable closure mechanism that maintains the lid in the closed position may be used. The closure mechanism may be released by a user before accessing the tobacco compartments. The closure mechanism may be secured by user after accessing one of the tobacco compartments.

The tobacco container may include a separating element between the tobacco compartments. In some embodiments, the separating element may be positioned between the opening and the bottom wall. The separating element may at least partially define the extent of the compartments. For example, the separating element may define a longitudinal extent of one or more compartments. In some embodiments, the distance from the bottom wall to the separating element is the same as the distance from the separating element to the lid (for example, in the longitudinal direction).

The separating element may divide the amount of tobacco between or among the tobacco compartments. In some embodiments, the sidewall and the separating element may form at least some boundaries of a hermetic compartment, such as the tobacco compartment. The separating element may hermetically seal the second tobacco compartment from the first tobacco compartment when the separating element is unopened.

The separating element may be formed of a material capable of hermetically sealing to the sidewall. For example, the separating element may be formed of the same material as the sidewall and/or the lid. In other embodiments, the separating element is formed of a different material than the sidewall.

The separating element may be formed of a sheet of material. The sheet may be formed of any flexible substrate material or combination of materials that is capable of being heat-sealed to form a permanent seal that may be airtight. Furthermore, the material may have sufficient moisture barrier properties to prevent loss of moisture from the tobacco or other smokable material during storage or use and to prevent the ingress of water or vapour (for example, through the separating element and into the second tobacco compartment). In addition, the material forming the separating element may be preferably impermeable to microorganisms. The separating element may have regions that are transparent, translucent, or opaque or be metallized or be entirely transparent or opaque or be metallized.

The separating element may be formed from a single layer material, or a laminate material, for example, a metal and plastic laminate. Suitable materials include single layer materials like polyolefins such as polyesters, in particular, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), ultra-high-density polyethylene (UHDPE), orientated polypropylene (OPP), cast polypropylene (CPP), for example. In general, the separating element may be formed of a polymeric material. Preferably, the separating element is formed of a single layer material.

Other embodiments include multiple layer laminates, preferably double or triple layer laminates. The multilayer laminates preferably include at least one layer of polyethylene (PE), metalized polyethylene (Met PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), metalized polyethylene terephthalate (Met PET), or other suitable laminates, for example cellulose-based laminates with limited water-vapour permeability. The water-vapour permeability is measured by the vapour- water transmission rate in accordance with ISO 2528: 1995. In a preferred embodiment, the vapour-water transmission rate is measured at 25 degrees Celsius and 60 percent relative humidity.

In a preferred embodiment, the vapour-water transmission rate may be less than about 20 grams per square meter per 24 hours, preferably less than about 15 grams per square meter per 24 hours, further preferred less than about 10 grams per square meter per 24 hours, even more preferably less than about 8 grams per square meter per 24 hours, most preferably less than 15 about 6 grams per square meter per 24 hours. In some preferred embodiments, a single heat seal may couple the separating element to the sidewall of the housing. Preferably, a compartment may be hermetically sealed, preferably using a heat sealing process, upon coupling the separating element to the sidewall of the housing.

In some embodiments, the separating element may be formed from a multiple layer laminate, preferably double or triple layer laminates. The multilayer laminates preferably include at least one layer of polyolefin such as, polyethylene, metalized polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate or metalized polyethylene terephthalate or other suitable laminates, for example cellulose-based laminates with limited water-vapour permeability. Preferably, heat sealing forms a hermetic seal.

Examples of two-layer laminate sheet material includes independently selecting two layers of the following materials: polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), orientated polypropylene (OPP), cast polypropylene (CPP), metallized cast polypropylene (Met CPP), and metallized polyethylene (Met PE) for example.

Examples of three-layer laminate sheet material includes independently selecting three layers of the following materials: polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), metallized polyethylene terephthalate (Met PET), orientated polypropylene (OPP), cast polypropylene (CPP), metallized cast polypropylene (Met CPP), and metallized polyethylene (Met PE) for example.

In some embodiments, the separating element is formed of a laminate sheet material formed of a layer of orientated polypropylene (OPP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) optionally metallized polyethylene terephthalate (Met PET), and polyethylene.

In some embodiments, the separating element is formed of PET having a sheet thickness in a range from about 10 microns to about 50 microns. One example of a suitable three-layer laminated sheet material for forming the pouch comprises a first layer of about 40 grams per square meter of paper, a second layer of metallized about 12-micron thick PET, and a third layer of about 60-micron thick low-density polyethylene.

In some embodiments, the separating element is formed of material including aluminium foil. The aluminium foil may be adhered to the housing to form a hermetic or substantially hermetic seal, in one example, as described in International Application Pub. No. WO 2014/053635, entitled "SEALING MEMBRANE WITH PULL-TAB."

In some embodiments, the separating element provides a reclosable or resealable access opening for a compartment. For example, the second tobacco compartment of the tobacco container may be reclosable by the separating element. In some embodiments, the reclosable or resealable access opening may be resealable using a resealable or non-permanent adhesive along at least one edge of the separating element.

The separating element may be substantially planar. In some embodiments, the separating element extends about parallel to either or both of the closed lid and the bottom wall. In other words, the separating element may extend laterally or almost laterally. However, any suitable orientation for the separating element may be used that facilitates storing tobacco in separate compartments. In other embodiments, the separating element is not substantially planar, and may be at least partially curved, only partially planar, or any other suitable geometric configuration for storing tobacco in separate compartments.

In addition to increasing the overall freshness of tobacco separated into two or more compartments, the separating layer may be positioned in a way to manage consumer perception of bucket filling, for example, so that the bucket seems fuller.

In some embodiments, the separating element may be formed independently from the sidewall. For example, the separating element may be fixedly disposed by interference fit or laser welding between first and second sidewall portions. Preferably, the separating element is coupled to the sidewall by interference fit. The separating element may be sealed to the sidewall.

The second tobacco compartment may be accessed by opening the separating element.

In some embodiments, the separating element may be opened by partially or entirely removing the separating element from the housing. For example, the separating element or a portion thereof may be separated and lifted out of the housing. In some embodiments, the separating element may be accessed by breaking the seal of the separating element to the sidewall and/or tearing the separating element. The separating element may remain within the housing.

The separating element may hermetically seal a tobacco compartment (for example, second tobacco compartment) before a first opening of the separating element. In some embodiments, opening the separating element includes breaking the seal. After the seal is broken, separating element may no longer provide a hermetic seal. In some embodiments, opening the separating element includes breaking one or more lines of weakness to tear the separating element along the one or more lines of weakness.

The separating element may include one or more lines of weakness. The lines of weakness may be formed as indentations in the separating element material that do not extend fully through the separating element (for example, do not perforate the separating element). Applying opposing forces the separating element on both sides of a line of weakness may cause the separating element to tear along the line of weakness.

The lines of weakness may define a flap. An access opening may be defined when the flap is opened by tearing the separating element along the one or more lines of weakness. In some embodiments, the flap may be completely removed. In some embodiments, the flap may remain coupled to the separating element after being opened.

The line of weakness may be continuous or discontinuous (for example, a perforation pattern). Further, the line of weakness may be formed using any suitable technique or combination of techniques, for example, mechanical pressing. The line of weakness may include any suitable depth in a direction transverse to the inner and outer surfaces of the separating element. Preferably, the line of weakness may have a depth that is at least about 25 percent and less than about 95 percent of a total thickness of the separating element. More preferably, the line of weakness has a depth that is at least about 50 percent and less than about 90 percent of the total thickness of the separating element. Any suitable percentage of depth may be used to reduce the force required to tear along the line of weakness while also maintaining the integrity of the tobacco compartment before it is used. Such a suitable percentage may depend upon the type of material used to form the separating element.

The separating element may include an outer wall portion and an inner lateral portion. The outer wall portion may be sealed or otherwise coupled to the housing sidewall, for example, by polymeric adhesion, pressure-adhesion, heat-sealing, or interference fit. The inner lateral portion may at least partially form a boundary between the first and second tobacco compartments. For example, the inner lateral portion may form a bottom of the first tobacco compartment and/or a top of the second tobacco compartment before first opening.

The outer wall portion may extend from the inner lateral portion generally toward the first tobacco compartment. In some embodiments, the outer wall portion may define a gripping portion. The gripping portion may be used to manually open the separating element. For example, the outer wall portion may define an edge (for example, an upper edge) that extends inwardly from the sidewall. The edge may be laterally spaced from the sidewall sufficiently to allow a user to grab the outer wall portion and pull on the separating element to open the separating element. In some embodiments, the outer wall portion may be curled inwardly to define the lateral spacing. The pulling action may at least partially release the outer wall portion coupled to the sidewall. The pulling action may at least partially tear the separating element along one or more lines of weakness.

In some embodiments, the separating element includes a tab that defines the gripping portion. The tab may extend into the first tobacco compartment from the inner lateral portion (for example, toward the middle) or from the outer wall portion (for example, along the edge). In some embodiments, the tab may extend from the outer wall portion and inwardly from the sidewall. The tab may be a discrete protrusion. For example, the tab may extend only partially along or around the outer wall portion. The tab may take any suitable shape, such as a generally rectangular or rounded protrusion. The tab may also be in the shape of a loop, for example, that allows a user to pull against the inner lateral portion of the loop to facilitate pulling on the tab. The tab may lie flat against the sidewall, outer wall portion, or inner lateral portion and be manipulated to move away therefrom in order to be gripped and pulled by the user. The gripping portion may be formed in manner that easily facilitates stacking of multiple separating elements, which may be helpful for storing separating elements before installation or after removal from the housing. The gripping portion may not extend perpendicularly to the inner lateral portion. The gripping portion of each separating element may angle outwardly, or taper, to accommodate disposing at least the inner lateral portion of another separating element interior to the gripping portion, thereby facilitating compact and efficient stacking of separating elements when not in use.

The separating element is tall enough to provide certain functionality while being relatively thin. In another manner of description, the separating element may include a rigid lateral portion and a rigid wall portion. The rigid lateral portion may define a first surface facing the first tobacco compartment and a second surface facing the second tobacco compartment. In general, the rigid lateral portion extends laterally across the housing volume. The rigid lateral portion may be any suitable shape. In general, the rigid lateral portion has the shape of a lateral cross-section of the interior surface of the sidewall. The rigid lateral portion may also be described as a bottom wall of the separating element or tray.

The rigid wall portion is positioned adjacent to a periphery of the rigid lateral portion. The rigid wall portion may extend entirely around the periphery or may extend only partially, or selectively, along the periphery. For example, the rigid wall portion may include intermittent (or discontinuous) regions around the periphery. In some embodiments, the rigid wall portion includes two or more walls. In particular, the rigid wall portion may include four walls extending around a rigid lateral portion having a rounded-square or rounded-rectangular shape. The rigid wall portion may extend generally orthogonally to the rigid lateral portion.

The rigid wall portion is configured to engage, or mate with, the interior surface of the housing sidewall. In particular, the rigid wall portion may have a peripheral surface configured to engage the interior surface of the housing sidewall. The peripheral surface may be tapered to fit the taper of the interior surface of the housing sidewall, which may improve the interference fit between the separating element and the housing sidewall. In other words, the peripheral surface may be tapered to align to, or mate with, the tapered interior surface. The taper may facilitate stacking of multiple separating elements.

The rigid wall portion may project from at least one of the first and second surfaces of the rigid lateral portion. In some embodiments, the rigid wall portion projects from the first surface and forms a rim or lip, which may be used to retain tobacco when the separating element is used as a cigarette rolling tray. In particular, the rigid wall portion may extend entirely around the periphery to form the rim or lip. The rigid lateral portion and the rigid wall portion may be integrally formed from a single piece of material, such as a polymeric material that is injection moulded. The rigid lateral portion, the rigid wall portion, or both the rigid lateral and wall portions may have a tensile modulus of at least about 800 MPa.

The rigid lateral portion may be relatively thin but have a sufficient thickness to be rigid. In particular, the rigid lateral portion may have a thickness in a range from about 100 pm to about 2000 pm, from about 250 pm to about 1000 pm, from about 500 pm to about 1000 pm, or even from about 750 pm to about 1000 pm. In one or more embodiments, the rigid lateral portion has a thickness equal to about 1000 pm.

The rigid wall portion may have a similar thickness to the rigid lateral portion. In some embodiments, the rigid wall portion has a different thickness than the rigid lateral portion. In general, the thickness of the rigid wall portion may extend in a lateral (or width) direction compared to the thickness of the rigid lateral portion, which generally extends in a longitudinal (or height) direction.

The separating element may include a thermoplastic elastomer. The thermoplastic elastomer may be positioned to engage the interior surface of the housing sidewall. In particular, the thermoplastic elastomer may be positioned on a peripheral surface of the rigid wall portion or, even more particularly, between the peripheral surface of the rigid wall portion and the interior surface of the sidewall. The thermoplastic elastomer may extend entirely around the separating element, which may be used to form a reclosable hermetic seal with the interior surface of the sidewall. In some embodiments, the thermoplastic elastomer only partially, or selectively, extends around the separating element, which may facilitate securing the separating element to the sidewall by interference fit without forming a hermetic seal. For example, the thermoplastic elastomer may include intermittent (or discontinuous) regions around the peripheral surface.

The thermoplastic elastomer may be injection moulded. In particular, the thermoplastic elastomer may be formed of a different material than the rigid wall portion. Two-shot injection moulding may be used to form both the rigid wall portion and the thermoplastic elastomer as one integral piece. In some embodiments, the rigid lateral portion and the rigid wall portion may be formed of the same material and the thermoplastic elastomer may be formed of a different material formed together using two-shot injection moulding.

The thermoplastic elastomer may be less rigid (for example, semi-rigid or flexible) compared to the rigid lateral and wall portions. In particular, the material of the thermoplastic elastomer may be selected to increase frictional forces between the rigid wall portion and the sidewall.

In some embodiments, at least one gripping portion of the separating element may project into the first tobacco compartment from the rigid wall portion. The gripping portion may be angled inwardly away from the interior surface of the sidewall. The user may manually engage the inwardly angled gripping portion to lift the separating element out of the housing.

In some embodiments, at least one gripping portion of the separating element is formed by at least one inwardly recessed portion of the rigid wall portion. The inwardly recessed portion of the rigid wall portion may be spaced from the tapered interior surface of the housing sidewall. The inwardly recessed portion may project into the first tobacco compartment from the first surface of the rigid lateral portion. The user may manually engage the inwardly recessed portion of the rigid wall portion (the gripping portion) to lift the separating element out of the housing. The inwardly recessed portion need not be tapered but may be tapered. For example, the inwardly recessed portion may be tapered and angle outwardly, which may facilitate stacking of multiple separating elements.

In embodiments having the inwardly recessed portion of the rigid wall portion, a space or gap may be defined between the inwardly recessed portion and the interior surface of the housing sidewall. The rigid lateral portion may extend through the rigid wall portion to close the space or gap. In particular, the rigid lateral portion may extend between the inwardly recessed portion and the interior surface of the sidewall, for example, to close off the first tobacco compartment from the second tobacco compartment.

The separating element may include at least one pair of gripping portions. Each pair includes two gripping portions. Each pair of gripping portions may be disposed on opposite sides, or ends, of the separating element. In particular, the separating element may include at least a first gripping portion and a second gripping portion. The first and second gripping portions each may be positioned adjacent to the periphery of the rigid lateral portion. The first gripping portion may be aligned to a first region of the periphery of the rigid lateral portion. The second gripping portion may be aligned to a second region of the periphery of the rigid lateral portion. In some embodiments, the first and second regions may be described as being opposite one another, or evenly spaced around the periphery, or positioned symmetrically about a centre of the rigid lateral portion.

The rigid wall portion of the separating element may include at least one foot. The foot may project into the second tobacco compartment from the second surface of the rigid lateral portion when the separating element is positioned in the housing. The foot may extend entirely or partially around the periphery of the rigid lateral portion. Two or more feet may be used along the periphery at specific locations. In some embodiments, four feet may be positioned at corners of a rounded-square shaped rigid lateral portion or at four evenly-spaced regions of a circle-shaped rigid lateral portion.

The foot may be used to space the rigid lateral portion from an environmental surface when the separating element is used as a cigarette rolling tray. Further, the foot may be used to facilitate stacking of multiple separating elements, particularly when the gripping portion is tapered inwardly.

In embodiments including the at least one gripping portion and the at least one foot, the gripping portions and the feet extend partially around the periphery and may be staggered. In other words, the gripping portions and the feet may not be aligned around the periphery. For example, the separating element may include four feet adjacent to the corners of a rounded- square or rounded-rectangular shaped rigid lateral portion and four gripping portions adjacent to the sides of the rigid lateral portion. In some embodiments, the at least one gripping portion and the at least one foot may both extend entirely around the periphery or may extend partially around the periphery and be aligned.

The rigid wall portion may be any suitable height to facilitate tobacco retention when used as a cigarette rolling tray while providing a thin separating element. In particular, the rigid wall portion may have a height in a range from about 0.5 to about 4 centimetres (cm), or from about 1 to about 3 cm, or even from about 1.5 to about 2 cm. In one or more embodiments, the rigid wall portion may have a height equal to about 1.8 cm.

In embodiments having at least one foot, the height of the at least one foot is less than the height of the rigid wall portion. For example, the height of the rigid wall portion includes the portion extending below the rigid lateral portion (including the feet) and the portion extending above the rigid lateral portion.

The at least one foot may have any suitable height to space the rigid lateral portion from an environmental surface while providing a thin separating element. In particular, the at least one foot may have a height in a range from about 0.5 to about 3.5 millimetres, or even from about 1 to about 3 millimetres.

The tobacco container may include a membrane (for example, a liner) for sealing the opening. The membrane may be disposed interior to the lid and over the opening. The membrane may be sealed to the housing sidewall or the lid. The liner may be applied to the opening before the lid is coupled to the side wall. The membrane may be formed of the same or different material as the separating element to provide the hermetic or substantially hermetic seal. In some preferred embodiments, the membrane is formed of material including aluminium foil. Once opened, membrane may not reseal the opening. The membrane may also be entirely removed from the housing.

The multi-compartment tobacco container may be made according to various methods. The housing may preferably be formed of material including injection-moulded plastic. In some preferred embodiments, the sidewall and the bottom wall are integrally formed of injection- moulded plastic. The separating element may be formed independently, lowered into the housing volume through the opening, and fixed to the housing for later opening by a user. In some preferred embodiments, the separating element is integrally formed of injection-moulded plastic with the sidewall and the bottom wall. The separating element may include one or more lines of weakness and/or be removably coupled to the housing for partial or whole removal from the housing.

The housing may be formed of material including a board material. In some embodiments, a board material (for example, cardboard) may be folded to form the one or more sidewalls and/or bottom wall of the container and to define a housing volume and an opening. Tobacco may be disposed into the container that partially fills the housing volume (for example, second tobacco compartment). Next, a separating element may be disposed into the housing volume and sealed to the one or more sidewalls to form the separate tobacco compartments and to contain the tobacco in the second tobacco compartment. Then, additional tobacco may be disposed into the container that at least partially fills the remaining housing volume (for example, first tobacco compartment). The lid may be applied to the opening to contain the tobacco in the first tobacco compartment.

Using the multi-compartment tobacco container may provide an easy manner of retrieving tobacco from a housing volume for making handmade cigarettes. A user can open the lid to retrieve tobacco from the first tobacco compartment. The tobacco may be removed manually. If the multi-compartment tobacco container has not been used before, the user may break a membrane hermetically sealing the first tobacco compartment over the opening before or after the lid is opened, as applicable. The user may then close the lid. Upon closing the lid, the housing volume may be resealed, which may be hermetic or substantially hermetic.

After making multiple handmade cigarettes, the first tobacco compartment may be empty of tobacco. The user may open the separating element. The separating may be partially or entirely removed from the container. Then, the user may access tobacco in the second tobacco compartment, which may have been hermetically or substantially hermetically before opening the separating element. Further uses may expend the tobacco in the second tobacco compartment and the tobacco container. The user may decide to refill either or both of the first and second tobacco compartments with an amount of tobacco.

The schematic drawings are not necessarily to scale and are presented for purposes of illustration and not limitation. The drawings depict one or more aspects described in this disclosure. However, it will be understood that other aspects not depicted in the drawing fall within the scope and spirit of this disclosure. Referring now to the drawings, in which some aspects of the present invention are illustrated.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one example multi-compartment tobacco container having a tapered sidewalk

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the tobacco container of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are sectional views of different examples of separating elements.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are overhead views of different examples of separating elements.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one example of a lid in an open position.

FIG. 6 is a cutaway perspective view of the lid of FIG. 5 in a closed position.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the lid of FIGS. 5-6.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing one example method of using the tobacco container.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of one example of stacked housings having tapered sidewalls.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of one example of stacked separating elements having tapered rigid wall portions and feet.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another example of a separating element having gripping portions and feet.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a stack of separating elements according to FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a top side of another example of a separating element having four inwardly recessed portions.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a bottom side of the separating element of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is an overhead view of the separating element of FIGS. 13-14.

FIG. 16 is an overhead view of another example of a separating element having two inwardly recessed portions. FIGS. 1-2 are schematic illustrations of an example multi-compartment tobacco container 10. A housing 12 includes a sidewali 14 extending longitudinally between an opening 16 and a bottom wall 18 opposite the opening. The sidewali 14 has a first sidewali portion 20 defining the first tobacco compartment 30 and the opening 16, and the sidewali has a second sidewali portion 22 defining the second tobacco compartment 40 and coupled to the bottom wall 18.

The sidewali 14 has an interior surface 15. The interior surface 15 is tapered from the opening 16 to the bottom wall 18. The tobacco container 10 is generally wider at the first sidewali portion 20 than at the second sidewali portion 22. This may allow the separating element 24 to more easily be inserted into the housing 12 and coupled thereto.

The first tobacco compartment 30 may have the same volume as the second tobacco compartment 40. The amount of tobacco 28 in the first tobacco compartment 30 may be the same as the amount of tobacco 29 in the second compartment 40. However, the first and second tobacco compartments, 30, 40 may be different sizes or shapes. For example, the first tobacco compartment 30 may be wider and shallower than the second tobacco compartment 40.

A schematically shown separating element 24 is disposed between the opening 16 and the bottom wall 8. The separating element 24 is also disposed between the first and second sidewali portions 20, 22.

The lid 26 is shown coupled to the first sidewali portion 20. In some embodiments, the lid 26 may be hingedly coupled to the first sidewali portion 20. In some embodiments, the lid 26 may be entirely removable from the housing 12 when the lid is opened. The lid 26 may be opened or closed as desired to access tobacco 28 disposed in the first tobacco compartment 30 or tobacco 29 in the second tobacco compartment 40, or otherwise, to contain the tobacco when a user does not need to access or use the tobacco. The tobacco 29 may not be accessible through the opening 16 until the separating element 24 is opened, preferably when tobacco 28 has been expended and the first tobacco compartment 30 is empty.

The lid 26 includes a rim portion 32 coupled to the edge of the first sidewali portion 20 to facilitate closing and sealing the lid 26. The interior side of the lid 26 may include a channel and a sealing member, such as channel 60 and sealing member 58 shown in FIGS. 5-7.

A closure mechanism 42, including a protrusion and a complementary recess, may be disposed on the lid 26 to facilitate maintaining the lid in a closed position. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, the lid 26 is open. In the illustrated embodiment, the separating element 24 (for example, when closed) is rested on the sidewali 14 and oriented parallel to the lid 26 (for example, when closed). FIGS. 3A-3B are sectional views of example separating elements 224, 324. Each separating element 224, 324 may include an inner lateral portion 226, 326 and an outer wall portion 228, 328. The inner lateral portions 226, 326 extend laterally across the housing volume to define a boundary for a tobacco compartment (for example, bottom of the first tobacco compartment and the top of the second tobacco compartment). The outer wall portions 228, 328 may extend entirely around the inner lateral portion 226, 326. The outer wall portions 228, 328 may be sealed or otherwise coupled to the sidewall.

Each separating element 224, 324 may also comprise a gripping portion 230, 330. The gripping portions 230, 330 may be tapered. For example, when each separating element 224, 324 is positioned in a container, each gripping portion 230, 330 may project into the tobacco compartment closer to the opening of the container.

As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the gripping portion 230 may be a portion of or be defined by the outer wall portion 228. The outer wall portion 228 may be curled inwardly. As shown, the gripping portion 230 includes an edge (for example, upper edge) of the outer wall portion 228. When the outer wall portion 228 is rested on the sidewall of a tobacco container, gripping portion 230 may extend inwardly away from the sidewall.

As illustrated in FIG. 3B, the gripping portion 330 may be a tab (for example, a protrusion) extending from the inner lateral portion 326 or the outer wall portion 328. The gripping portion 330 extends generally in the same direction as the outer wall portion 328 (for example, into the first tobacco compartment). When disposed on the outer wall portion 328, the gripping portion 330 may extend inwardly from the sidewall. As shown, the gripping portion 330 is formed as a loop shape.

FIGS. 4A-4B are schematic overhead view illustrations of example separating elements 424, 524. Separating elements 424, 524 are similar to separating element 324 in many aspects and are numbered similarly for similar elements (for example, inner lateral portion 326 and inner lateral portions 426, 526).

As shown in FIG. 4A, the separating element 424 includes two gripping portions 430 (for example, tabs or protrusions). The gripping portions 430 are disposed along the outer wall portion 428. However, one or more of the gripping portions 430 may also be disposed on the inner lateral portion 426. Preferably, the gripping portions 430, 530 are disposed opposite to each other on the sides of the separating element 424, 524.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the separating element 524 includes lines of weakness 540 formed in the inner lateral portion 526. The lines of weakness 540 may extend to the outer wall portion 528. The gripping portion 530 (for example, a tab or protrusion) may be disposed on the inner lateral portion 526 or the outer wall portion 528. When a user pulls on the gripping portion 530 (for example, against the outer wail portion 528 being coupled to a sidewall), the lines of weakness 540 may break so that the separating element 524 tears. The lines of weakness 540 may define a flap that may remain at least partially attached to the remaining portion of the separating element 524 or may be entirely removed from the remaining portion. The gripping portion 530 is coupled to the flap.

FIGS. 5-7 are schematic illustrations of the tobacco container 610 having a lid 56, which may be opened (see FIG. 5) and closed (see FIG. 6). Tobacco container 610 is similar to tobacco container 10 in many aspects and is numbered similarly for similar elements (for example, lid 26 and lid 56). However, the tobacco container 610 differs in that the lid 56 includes a closure mechanism 72 having a pivotally-attached flap. Also, as illustrated, a sealing member 58 disposed in a channel 60 of the lid 56. The sealing member 58 and the channel 60 extend around the lid 56 adjacent the periphery.

The sealing member 58 may formed of an elastic material. When closed, the sealing member 58 may be compressed by the rim portion 62 of the lid 56 to form a hermetic seal as illustrated in FIG. 6, which is a schematic cutaway illustration of the lid 56 in a closed position. The channel 60 may extend longitudinally beyond the sealing member 58 as shown in FIG. 7, which is a cross-sectional view of the lid 56. The rim portion 62 may at least partially engage the sealing member 58 in the channel 60.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an illustrative method 100 for using an illustrative tobacco container having two or more compartments. The method 100 may begin with a user opening the lid and optionally removing a sealing membrane in step 102, which may break the hermetic seal on the first tobacco compartment. Tobacco may be manually removed from the first tobacco compartment in step 104, while the second tobacco compartment remains closed, ideally in a sealed condition. The lid may be reclosed in-between additional uses of tobacco in the first tobacco compartment to limit the loss of moisture level of the tobacco in the first tobacco compartment. The moisture level of the tobacco in the second tobacco compartment may be unaffected during the consumption of tobacco in the first compartment.

Once the tobacco in the first tobacco compartment has been expended, the user may open the separating element to access the second tobacco compartment in step 106. During the consumption of tobacco in the second tobacco compartment, the separating element may always be put back after each use to reclose the second tobacco compartment by an interference fit between the outer wall portion of the separating element and the interior surface of the sidewall of the container. Thus, apart from that the lid may be reclosed in-between additional uses of tobacco in the second tobacco compartment, the separating element may further limit the loss of moisture level of the remaining tobacco.

FIG. 9 shows a stack 700 of housings 702 having tapered sidewalls 704. Each sidewall 704 includes an interior surface 706. The interior surface 706 is tapered extending from the opening 710 toward the bottom wall 708. As illustrated, the exterior surface of the sidewall 704 may also be tapered. In particular, the interior surface 706 is tapered outwardly from the bottom wall 708. An angle 712 is defined between the interior surface 706 and a line 714 that extends from a boundary between the bottom wall 708 and the sidewall 704 toward the opening 710 orthogonal to the bottom wall 708. The angle 712 may be sufficient to facilitate a nested stacking of the housings 702. (for instance, an angle of 4.4°).

FIG. 10 shows a stack 720 of separating elements 722 having tapered rigid wall portions 724. Each rigid wall portion 724 includes a peripheral surface 726. Each rigid wall portion 724 extends from a first surface 728 (top surface) of a rigid lateral portion 732. Each rigid wall portion 724 includes a foot 734. Each foot extends from a second surface 730 (bottom surface) of the rigid lateral portion 732. Each rigid wall portion 724 defines a height 736 that includes the height of any foot 734.

As illustrated, the rigid wall portions 724 are tapered. The taper facilitates mating of the peripheral surface 726 with an interior surface of a sidewall of the container, such as interior surface 706 (FIG. 9). In particular, the peripheral surface 726 may be tapered to fit the interior surface 706. The taper may also facilitate stackability of the separating elements 722.

FIG. 11 shows a separating element 740 having a rigid lateral portion 742 and a rigid wall portion 744. As illustrated, the rigid wall portion 744 has four sides extending around the periphery 748 of the rigid lateral portion 742. The rigid wall portion 744 forms a lip around the periphery 748, which may facilitate retention of tobacco material resting on a first, or top, surface 758 of the rigid lateral portion 742.

The rigid wall portion 744 defines a peripheral surface 746 configured to engage an interior surface of a housing sidewall. A thermoplastic elastomer 750 may be positioned on the peripheral surface 746 to increase frictional forces of an interference fit between the peripheral surface 746 of the rigid wall portion 744 and the interior surface of the housing sidewall. As illustrated, the thermoplastic elastomer 750 extends entirely around the peripheral surface 746, which may be used to form a hermetic seal with the housing sidewall. The rigid wall portion 744 includes feet 752, which extend down from the rigid lateral portion 742. As illustrated, the rigid wall portion 744 includes four feet 752, each extending down from a corner of the rectangular-shaped rigid lateral portion 742. The rigid wall portion 744 has a height 754 that includes the height 756 of the feet 752. The height 756 of the feet 752 is less than or equal to the height 754 of the overall rigid wall portion 744.

Gripping portions 760 extend adjacent to the periphery 748 of the rigid lateral portion 742. As illustrated, four gripping portions 760 are disposed in pairs on opposite sides, or ends, of the rigid lateral portion 742, which may facilitate ease of removability for the separating element 740. Although the gripping portions 760 are shown aligned to the rigid wall portion 744, the gripping portions 760 may be tapered, for example, inward. The gripping portions 760 are arranged in an alternating sequence with the feet 752 (staggered) around the periphery 748 of the rigid lateral portion 742. This arrangement may facilitate stacking of multiple separating elements 740.

FIG. 12 shows a stack 770 of two separating elements 740. Only two separating elements 740 are shown for purples of illustration, but three or more separating elements may form the stack. The rigid wall portions 744 engage one another in the stack 770. The staggered arrangement of feet 752 and gripping portions 760 facilitate stackability. As illustrated, the gripping portions 760 of the below separating element 740 fit between pairs of feet 752 of the identical separating element 740 resting on top.

FIG. 13 shows a top side 782 of another example of a separating element 780 having four inwardly recessed portions 784 of a rigid wall portion 786. The rigid wall portion 786 extends adjacent to a periphery 790 of a rigid lateral portion 788. The inwardly recessed portions 784 of the rigid wall portion 786 extend inwardly, which may define spaces 792 between the rigid wall portion 786 and a housing sidewall 706 (FIG. 9) when the separating element 780 is inserted into the housing of a tobacco container. As illustrated, the rigid lateral portion 788 extends into the spaces 792 and may engage the sidewall of the housing of the tobacco container when inserted. The inwardly recessed portions 784 form gripping portions.

The rigid wall portion 786 may include a peripheral surface 794 to engage the housing sidewall when inserted. Thermoplastic elastomer 796 may be positioned in discrete, or intermittent, locations on the peripheral surface 794. As illustrated, thermoplastic elastomer 796 is positioned adjacent each of the corners of the rigid lateral portion 788 along the periphery 790.

FIG. 14 is shows a bottom side 798 of the separating element 780. As illustrated, a bottom wall 800 extends across the bottom side 798 interior to the rigid wall portion 786. The bottom wall 800 does not extend into the spaces 792. However, in other embodiments, the bottom wall 800 may extend at least partially into the spaces 792.

FIG. 15 shows an overhead view of the top side 782 of the separating element 780. As illustrated, the rigid lateral portion 788 extends into the spaces 792 defined by the inwardly recessed portions 784 of the rigid wall portion 786. The periphery 790 of the rigid lateral portion 788 may extend flush to the peripheral surface 794 of the rigid wall portion 786, which may facilitate separation of tobacco between compartments when the separating element 780 is used in the tobacco container. Each pair of inwardly recessed portions 784 defines one pair of gripping portions and are disposed on opposite side portions of the rigid wall portion 786 from one another, for example, symmetrically about a centre 802 of the rigid lateral portion 788 of the separating element 780. The inwardly recessed portions 784 forming gripping portions, in general, are spaced a quarter of the entire distance around the periphery 790 of the rigid lateral portion 788.

FIG. 16 shows an overhead view of another example of a separating element 810 having two inwardly recessed portions 812. Separating element 810 is similar to, separating element 780 (FIG. 15) except that only two inwardly recessed portions 812 are included in the rigid wall portion 818 instead of four, which are symmetrically positioned about a centre 814.

Although the separating elements 740, 780, 810 of FIGS. 12-16 are illustrated with non- tapered rigid wall portions, any of these separating elements may include a tapered rigid wall portion, which may facilitate mating with an interior surface of the tobacco container sidewalk The specific embodiments described above are intended to illustrate the invention.

However, other embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims, and it is to be understood that the specific embodiments described above are not intended to be limiting.

As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" encompass embodiments having plural referents, unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, "or" is generally employed in its sense including "and/or" unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. The term "and/or" means one or all the listed elements or a combination of any two or more of the listed elements.

As used herein, "have", "having", "include", "including", "comprise", "comprising" or the like are used in their open-ended sense, and generally mean "including, but not limited to". It will be understood that "consisting essentially of", "consisting of, and the like are subsumed in "comprising," and the like. The words "preferred" and "preferably" refer to embodiments of the invention that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances. However, other embodiments may also be preferred, under the same or other circumstances. Furthermore, the recitation of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are not useful and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the disclosure, including the claims.